Controlling Infectious Diseases: The Decisive Phase Effect on a Seasonal Vaccination Strategy

The study of epidemiological systems has generated deep interest in exploring the dynamical complexity of common infectious diseases driven by seasonally varying contact rates. Mathematical modeling and field observations have shown that, under seasonal variation, the incidence rates of some endemic infectious diseases fluctuate dramatically and the dynamics is often characterized by chaotic oscillations in the absence of specific vaccination programs. In fact, the existence of chaotic behavior has been precisely stated in the literature as a noticeable feature in the dynamics of the classical Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) seasonally forced epidemic model. However, in the context of epidemiology, chaos is often regarded as an undesirable phenomenon associated with the unpredictability of infectious diseases. As a consequence, the problem of converting chaotic motions into regular motions becomes particularly relevant. In this article, we consider the so-called phase control method applied to the seasonally forced SIR epidemic model to suppress chaos. Interestingly, this method of controlling chaos has a clear meaning as a weak perturbation on a seasonal vaccination strategy. Numerical simulations show that the phase difference between the two periodic forces — contact rate and vaccination — plays a very important role in controlling chaos.

Nonlinear dynamics of a spur gear pair with tooth root crack based on an amplitude modulation function

PurposeGear transmissions are widely utilized in practice. This paper aims to uncouple the crack feature from the cracked time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) and investigate the effects of the crack on the nonlinear dynamics of a spur gear pair.Design/methodology/approachAn approximate method to simulate the cracked TVMS is proposed by using an amplitude modulation function. The ratio of mesh stiffness loss is introduced to estimate the TVMS with different crack depths and angles. The dynamic responses are obtained by solving a torsional model which takes the non-loaded static transmission error, the backlash and the cracked TVMS into account. By using the bifurcation diagram, the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE) and dynamic mesh force, the influences of crack on nonlinear behaviors are examined. The dynamic characteristics are identified from the phase diagram, Poincaré map, dynamic mesh force, time series and FFT spectra.FindingsThe comparison between the healthy and cracked gear pairs indicates that the crack affects the system motions, such as the obvious changes of impact force and unpredictable instability. Besides, the additive and difference combination frequencies can be found in periodic-1 and -2 motions, but they are covered in periodic-3 and chaotic motions. Deeper crack is an important determinant of the nonlinear behaviors at a higher speed.Originality/valueThe research provides an interesting perspective on cracked TVMS and reveals the connection between crack and nonlinear behaviors of the gear pairs.

Modeling and dynamics simulation of spur gear system incorporating the effect of lubrication condition and input shaft crack

PurposeThe paper is devoted to presenting a systematic investigation on the mechanical model and nonlinear dynamic characteristics of spur gear system with and without input shaft crack.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the backlash, load-distribution, time-varying meshing stiffness and sliding friction, the modelling of a 5DOF gear system is proposed. Likewise, stiffness and damping models under elastohydrodynamic lubrication are developed, and sliding friction between gear pair is also outlined. In particular, a cracked input shaft which affects the support stiffness is presented, and breathing crack in keyway is adopted. On this basis, the dynamic responses of a gear system with and without input shaft crack are examined using numerical method, and some classical response diagrams are given, illustrating the effect of the important parameters on the gear system.FindingsDynamic simulation demonstrates that there exist periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic motions in the gear system, and rational speed of the gear pair has noteworthy effects on vibration characteristic. Besides, comparison between healthy and cracked condition of input shaft indicates that occurring of crack convert periodic motion to quasi-periodic or chaotic motion.Originality/valueThe results give an understanding of the operating conditions under which undesirable dynamic behavior occurs, and provide some useful information to design and diagnose such gear system with crack fault.

Fuzzy Chaos Control of Fractional Order D-PMSG for Wind Turbine with Uncertain Parameters by State Feedback Design

To research the chaotic motion problem of the direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (D-PMSG) for a wind turbine with uncertain parameters and fractional order characteristics, a control strategy established upon fuzzy state feedback is proposed. Firstly, according to the working mechanism of D-PMSG, the Lorenz nonlinear mathematical model is established by affine transformation and time transformation. Secondly, fractional order nonlinear systems (FONSs) are transformed into linear sub-model by Takagi–Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. Then, the fuzzy state feedback controller is designed through Parallel Distributed Compensation (PDC) control principle to suppress the chaotic motion. By applying the fractional Lyapunov stability theory (FLST), the sufficient conditions for Mittag–Leffler stability are formulated in the format of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, the control performance and effectiveness of the proposed controller are demonstrated through numerical simulations, and the chaotic motions in D-PMSG can be eliminated quickly.

Response Analysis of the Tristable Energy Harvester with an Uncertain Parameter

In the stage of modelling, measuring, mechanical processing and manufacturing of the nonlinear energy harvesting system, deviations and errors of system parameters are inevitable. Even slight variation of key parameters may have a significant influence on the output voltages, especially for the multi-stable nonlinear case. Therefore, the investigation of dynamic behaviors for the tristable energy harvesting system with uncertain parameters is of important value both for research and application. In this paper, the uncertainty of a tristable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester with a random coefficient ahead of the nonlinear term is studied. By using the Chebyshev polynomial approximation, this tristable energy harvesting system is first reduced into an equivalent deterministic form, the ensemble mean responses of which are derived to exhibit the stochastic behaviors. The periodic and chaotic motions, bifurcations and crises under different conditions are analyzed. The results show that the output voltage is sensitive to the uncertainty of the nonlinear coefficient, which leads to unstable behavior around the bifurcation and crisis points particularly. Exploring the influence pattern of uncertain parameters on the output voltage and avoiding the unstable parameter intervals are essential for optimizing the structure. It can further improve the efficiency of the nonlinear energy harvesting system.

Stability Analysis and Chaos Control of Electronic Throttle Dynamical System

This study addresses bifurcation analysis and controlling chaos in a vehicular electronic throttle. Using analysis techniques from nonlinear dynamics of an electronic throttle system based on bifurcation diagrams, we establish the existence of period-doubling and intermittency routes to chaos. The largest Lyapunov exponent is estimated from the synchronization to identify periodic and chaotic motions. Finally, the proposed continuous feedback control is employed to control chaos. To verify the effectiveness of the raised control strategy, we present a number of numerical simulations.

Nonlinear Dynamics of a Blade Rotor with Coupled Rubbing of Labyrinth Seal and Tip Seal

The dynamic response and its stability of a blade rotor with coupled rubbing in the labyrinth seal and tip seal are investigated. The dynamic equations are established based on the Hertz contact rubbing force at the labyrinth seal and the tip rubbing force considering both the contact deformation of the tip seal and the bending deformation of the blade. Numerical simulations show that the coupled rubbing response includes periodic motions, almost periodic motions, and chaotic motions. Compared with the single rubbing fault, coupled rubbing increases the range of rotation velocity of contact. A new continuation shooting method is used in the solution and stability analysis of the periodic response to give the bifurcation diagrams. The paths of the system for entering and exiting chaos are analyzed.

Traveling Wave Solutions and Chaotic Motions for a Perturbed Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with Power-Law Nonlinearity and Higher-Order Dispersions

This chapter aims to study and solve the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with the power-law nonlinearity in a nano-optical fiber, based upon different methods such as the auxiliary equation method, the Stuart and DiPrima’s stability analysis method, and the bifurcation theory. The existence of the traveling wave solutions is discussed, and their stability properties are investigated through the modulational stability gain spectra. Moreover, the development of the chaotic motions for the systems is pointed out via the bifurcation theory. Taking into account an external periodic perturbation, we have analyzed the chaotic behavior of traveling waves through quasiperiodic route to chaos.

Order out of chaos: Shifting paradigm of convective turbulence

Turbulence is ever produced in the low-viscosity/large-scale fluid flows by the velocity shears and, in unstable stratification, by buoyancy forces. It is commonly believed that both mechanisms produce the same type of chaotic motions, namely, the eddies breaking down into smaller ones and producing direct cascade of turbulent kinetic energy and other properties from large to small scales towards viscous dissipation. The conventional theory based on this vision yields a plausible picture of vertical mixing and remains in use since the middle of the 20th century in spite of increasing evidence of the fallacy of almost all other predictions. This paper reveals that in fact buoyancy produces chaotic vertical plumes, merging into larger ones and producing an inverse cascade towards their conversion into the self-organized regular motions. Herein, the velocity shears produce usual eddies spreading in all directions and making the direct cascade. This new paradigm is demonstrated and proved empirically; so, the paper launches a comprehensive revision of the theory of unstably stratified turbulence and its numerous geophysical or astrophysical applications.

Enhancing Vibration Isolation Performance by Exploiting Novel Spring-Bar Mechanism

This study investigates the use of a spring-bar mechanism (SBM) in a vibration suppression system to improve its performance. The SBM, comprising bars and springs, is configured with a conventional linear spring-damper isolator unit. The dynamic response, force transmissibility, and vibration energy flow behaviour are studied to evaluate the vibration suppression performance of the integrated system. It is found that the SBM can introduce hardening, softening stiffness, or double-well potential characteristics to the system. By tuning the SBM parameters, constant negative stiffness is achieved so that the natural frequency of the overall system is reduced for enhanced low-frequency vibration isolation. It is also found that the proposed design yields a wider effective isolation range compared to the conventional spring-damper isolator and a previously proposed isolator with a negative stiffness mechanism. The frequency response relation of the force-excited system is derived using the averaging method and elliptical functions. It is also found that the system can exhibit chaotic motions, for which the associated time-averaged power is found to tend to an asymptotic value as the averaging time increases. It is shown that the time-averaged power flow variables can be used as uniform performance indices of nonlinear vibration isolators exhibiting periodic or chaotic motions. It is shown that the SBM can assist in reducing force transmission and input power, thereby expanding the frequency range of vibration attenuations.