442 research outputs found
Mode transitions in a model reaction-diffusion system driven by domain growth and noise
Pattern formation in many biological systems takes place during growth of the underlying domain. We study a specific example of a reactionâdiffusion (Turing) model in which peak splitting, driven by domain growth, generates a sequence of patterns. We have previously shown that the pattern sequences which are presented when the domain growth rate is sufficiently rapid exhibit a mode-doubling phenomenon. Such pattern sequences afford reliable selection of certain final patterns, thus addressing the robustness problem inherent of the Turing mechanism. At slower domain growth rates this regular mode doubling breaks down in the presence of small perturbations to the dynamics. In this paper we examine the breaking down of the mode doubling sequence and consider the implications of this behaviour in increasing the range of reliably selectable final patterns
Minimal speed of fronts of reaction-convection-diffusion equations
We study the minimal speed of propagating fronts of convection reaction
diffusion equations of the form for
positive reaction terms with . The function is continuous
and vanishes at . A variational principle for the minimal speed of the
waves is constructed from which upper and lower bounds are obtained. This
permits the a priori assesment of the effect of the convective term on the
minimal speed of the traveling fronts. If the convective term is not strong
enough, it produces no effect on the minimal speed of the fronts. We show that
if , then the minimal speed is given by
the linear value , and the convective term has no effect on the
minimal speed. The results are illustrated by applying them to the exactly
solvable case . Results are also given for
the density dependent diffusion case .Comment: revised, new results adde
Can we avoid high coupling?
It is considered good software design practice to organize source code into modules and to favour within-module connections (cohesion) over between-module connections (coupling), leading to the oft-repeated maxim "low coupling/high cohesion". Prior research into network theory and its application to software systems has found evidence that many important properties in real software systems exhibit approximately scale-free structure, including coupling; researchers have claimed that such scale-free structures are ubiquitous. This implies that high coupling must be unavoidable, statistically speaking, apparently contradicting standard ideas about software structure. We present a model that leads to the simple predictions that approximately scale-free structures ought to arise both for between-module connectivity and overall connectivity, and not as the result of poor design or optimization shortcuts. These predictions are borne out by our large-scale empirical study. Hence we conclude that high coupling is not avoidable--and that this is in fact quite reasonable
A Mathematical Model of Liver Cell Aggregation In Vitro
The behavior of mammalian cells within three-dimensional structures is an area of intense biological research and underpins the efforts of tissue engineers to regenerate human tissues for clinical applications. In the particular case of hepatocytes (liver cells), the formation of spheroidal multicellular aggregates has been shown to improve cell viability and functionality compared to traditional monolayer culture techniques. We propose a simple mathematical model for the early stages of this aggregation process, when cell clusters form on the surface of the extracellular matrix (ECM) layer on which they are seeded. We focus on interactions between the cells and the viscoelastic ECM substrate. Governing equations for the cells, culture medium, and ECM are derived using the principles of mass and momentum balance. The model is then reduced to a system of four partial differential equations, which are investigated analytically and numerically. The model predicts that provided cells are seeded at a suitable density, aggregates with clearly defined boundaries and a spatially uniform cell density on the interior will form. While the mechanical properties of the ECM do not appear to have a significant effect, strong cell-ECM interactions can inhibit, or possibly prevent, the formation of aggregates. The paper concludes with a discussion of our key findings and suggestions for future work
The McKean-Vlasov Equation in Finite Volume
We study the McKean--Vlasov equation on the finite tori of length scale
in --dimensions. We derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for the
existence of a phase transition, which are based on the criteria first
uncovered in \cite{GP} and \cite{KM}. Therein and in subsequent works, one
finds indications pointing to critical transitions at a particular model
dependent value, of the interaction parameter. We show that
the uniform density (which may be interpreted as the liquid phase) is
dynamically stable for and prove, abstractly, that a
{\it critical} transition must occur at . However for
this system we show that under generic conditions -- large, and
isotropic interactions -- the phase transition is in fact discontinuous and
occurs at some \theta\t < \theta^{\sharp}. Finally, for H--stable, bounded
interactions with discontinuous transitions we show that, with suitable
scaling, the \theta\t(L) tend to a definitive non--trivial limit as
Self-gravitating Brownian particles in two dimensions: the case of N=2 particles
We study the motion of N=2 overdamped Brownian particles in gravitational
interaction in a space of dimension d=2. This is equivalent to the simplified
motion of two biological entities interacting via chemotaxis when time delay
and degradation of the chemical are ignored. This problem also bears some
similarities with the stochastic motion of two point vortices in viscous
hydrodynamics [Agullo & Verga, Phys. Rev. E, 63, 056304 (2001)]. We
analytically obtain the density probability of finding the particles at a
distance r from each other at time t. We also determine the probability that
the particles have coalesced and formed a Dirac peak at time t (i.e. the
probability that the reduced particle has reached r=0 at time t). Finally, we
investigate the variance of the distribution and discuss the proper form
of the virial theorem for this system. The reduced particle has a normal
diffusion behaviour for small times with a gravity-modified diffusion
coefficient =r_0^2+(4k_B/\xi\mu)(T-T_*)t, where k_BT_{*}=Gm_1m_2/2 is a
critical temperature, and an anomalous diffusion for large times
~t^(1-T_*/T). As a by-product, our solution also describes the growth of
the Dirac peak (condensate) that forms in the post-collapse regime of the
Smoluchowski-Poisson system (or Keller-Segel model) for T<T_c=GMm/(4k_B). We
find that the saturation of the mass of the condensate to the total mass is
algebraic in an infinite domain and exponential in a bounded domain.Comment: Revised version (20/5/2010) accepted for publication in EPJ
Come back Marshall, all is forgiven? : Complexity, evolution, mathematics and Marshallian exceptionalism
Marshall was the great synthesiser of neoclassical economics. Yet with his qualified assumption of self-interest, his emphasis on variation in economic evolution and his cautious attitude to the use of mathematics, Marshall differs fundamentally from other leading neoclassical contemporaries. Metaphors inspire more specific analogies and ontological assumptions, and Marshall used the guiding metaphor of Spencerian evolution. But unfortunately, the further development of a Marshallian evolutionary approach was undermined in part by theoretical problems within Spencer's theory. Yet some things can be salvaged from the Marshallian evolutionary vision. They may even be placed in a more viable Darwinian framework.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
Finite-time blowup in a supercritical quasilinear parabolic-parabolic Keller-Segel system in dimension 2
In this paper we prove finite-time blowup of radially symmetric solutions to
the quasilinear parabolic-parabolic two-dimensional Keller-Segel system for any
positive mass. This is done in case of nonlinear diffusion and also in the case
of nonlinear cross-diffusion provided the nonlinear chemosensitivity term is
assumed not to decay. Moreover, it is shown that the above-mentioned lack of
non-decay assumption is essential with respect to keeping the dichotomy
finite-time blowup against boundedness of solutions. Namely, we prove that
without the non-decay assumption possible asymptotic behaviour of solutions
includes also infinite-time blowup.Comment: 14 page
Differential effects of phenobarbital, pentobarbital and diphenylhydantoin on motor cortical and reticular thresholds in the rhesus monkey
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46378/1/213_2004_Article_BF00404118.pd
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