Zero-Hopf bifurcation in the FitzHugh-Nagumo system

We characterize the values of the parameters for which a zero--Hopf equilibrium point takes place at the singular points, namely, $O$ (the origin), $P_+$ and $P_-$ in the FitzHugh-Nagumo system. Thus we find two $2$--parameter families of the FitzHugh-Nagumo system for which the equilibrium point at the origin is a zero-Hopf equilibrium. For these two families we prove the existence of a periodic orbit bifurcating from the zero--Hopf equilibrium point $O$. We prove that exist three $2$--parameter families of the FitzHugh-Nagumo system for which the equilibrium point at $P_+$ and $P_-$ is a zero-Hopf equilibrium point. For one of these families we prove the existence of $1$, or $2$, or $3$ periodic orbits borning at $P_+$ and $P_-$

Heating and thermal squeezing in parametrically-driven oscillators with added noise

In this paper we report a theoretical model based on Green functions, Floquet theory and averaging techniques up to second order that describes the dynamics of parametrically-driven oscillators with added thermal noise. Quantitative estimates for heating and quadrature thermal noise squeezing near and below the transition line of the first parametric instability zone of the oscillator are given. Furthermore, we give an intuitive explanation as to why heating and thermal squeezing occur. For small amplitudes of the parametric pump the Floquet multipliers are complex conjugate of each other with a constant magnitude. As the pump amplitude is increased past a threshold value in the stable zone near the first parametric instability, the two Floquet multipliers become real and have different magnitudes. This creates two different effective dissipation rates (one smaller and the other larger than the real dissipation rate) along the stable manifolds of the first-return Poincare map. We also show that the statistical average of the input power due to thermal noise is constant and independent of the pump amplitude and frequency. The combination of these effects cause most of heating and thermal squeezing. Very good agreement between analytical and numerical estimates of the thermal fluctuations is achieved.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. E, 29 pages, 12 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1108.484

Mixed-mode oscillations in a multiple time scale phantom bursting system

In this work we study mixed mode oscillations in a model of secretion of GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone). The model is a phantom burster consisting of two feedforward coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo systems, with three time scales. The forcing system (Regulator) evolves on the slowest scale and acts by moving the slow nullcline of the forced system (Secretor). There are three modes of dynamics: pulsatility (transient relaxation oscillation), surge (quasi steady state) and small oscillations related to the passage of the slow nullcline through a fold point of the fast nullcline. We derive a variety of reductions, taking advantage of the mentioned features of the system. We obtain two results; one on the local dynamics near the fold in the parameter regime corresponding to the presence of small oscillations and the other on the global dynamics, more specifically on the existence of an attracting limit cycle. Our local result is a rigorous characterization of small canards and sectors of rotation in the case of folded node with an additional time scale, a feature allowing for a clear geometric argument. The global result gives the existence of an attracting unique limit cycle, which, in some parameter regimes, remains attracting and unique even during passages through a canard explosion.Comment: 38 pages, 16 figure

Time-Scale and Noise Optimality in Self-Organized Critical Adaptive Networks

Recent studies have shown that adaptive networks driven by simple local rules can organize into "critical" global steady states, providing another framework for self-organized criticality (SOC). We focus on the important convergence to criticality and show that noise and time-scale optimality are reached at finite values. This is in sharp contrast to the previously believed optimal zero noise and infinite time scale separation case. Furthermore, we discover a noise induced phase transition for the breakdown of SOC. We also investigate each of the three new effects separately by developing models. These models reveal three generically low-dimensional dynamical behaviors: time-scale resonance (TR), a new simplified version of stochastic resonance - which we call steady state stochastic resonance (SSR) - as well as noise-induced phase transitions.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures; several changes in exposition and focus on applications in revised versio

Intrinsic unpredictability of strong El Ni\~no events

The El Ni\~no-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a mode of interannual variability in the coupled equatorial ocean/atmosphere Pacific. El Ni\~no describes a state in which sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific increase and upwelling of colder, deep waters diminishes. El Ni\~no events typically peak in boreal winter, but their strength varies irregularly on decadal time scales. There were exceptionally strong El Ni\~no events in 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16 that affected weather on a global scale. Widely publicized forecasts in 2014 predicted that the 2015-16 event would occur a year earlier. Predicting the strength of El Ni\~no is a matter of practical concern due to its effects on hydroclimate and agriculture around the world. This paper presents a new robust mechanism limiting the predictability of strong ENSO events: the existence of an irregular switching between an oscillatory state that has strong El Ni\~no events and a chaotic state that lacks strong events, which can be induced by very weak seasonal forcing or noise.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

The phase-space of generalized Gauss-Bonnet dark energy

The generalized Gauss-Bonnet theory, introduced by Lagrangian F(R,G), has been considered as a general modified gravity for explanation of the dark energy. G is the Gauss-Bonnet invariant. For this model, we seek the situations under which the late-time behavior of the theory is the de-Sitter space-time. This is done by studying the two dimensional phase space of this theory, i.e. the R-H plane. By obtaining the conditions under which the de-Sitter space-time is the stable attractor of this theory, several aspects of this problem have been investigated. It has been shown that there exist at least two classes of stable attractors : the singularities of the F(R,G), and the cases in which the model has a critical curve, instead of critical points. This curve is R=12H^2 in R-H plane. Several examples, including their numerical calculations, have been discussed.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, typos corrected, a reference adde