The Connection Matrix analysis of a Prey-Predator system with a Strong Allee effect and multiple interior equilibria

We consider a Gause-type prey-predator system incorporating a strong allee effect for the prey population. For the existence of multiple interior equilibria we consider Holling-type predator functional response and the density dependent death rate for the predator. With the help of the Conley connection matrix theory we study the dynamics of the system in presence of one, two and three interior equilibria. It is found that (i) the saddle-saddle connections exist in presence of single and multiple interior equilibria connecting interior flows to the boundary and (ii) the system admits a set of degree-2 (i.e, a 2-discs of) connecting orbits from interior equlibrium to the origin. Thus permanence or robust permanence of the system is not possible.

Rigorous numerics for ODEs using Chebyshev series and domain decomposition

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>In this paper we present a rigorous numerical method for validating analytic solutions of nonlinear ODEs by using Chebyshev-series and domain decomposition. The idea is to define a Newton-like operator, whose fixed points correspond to solutions of the ODE, on the space of geometrically decaying Chebyshev coefficients, and to use the so-called radii-polynomial approach to prove that the operator has an isolated fixed point in a small neighborhood of a numerical approximation. The novelty of the proposed method is the use of Chebyshev series in combination with domain decomposition. In particular, a heuristic procedure based on the theory of Chebyshev approximations for analytic functions is presented to construct efficient grids for validating solutions of boundary value problems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by validating long periodic and connecting orbits in the Lorenz system for which validation without domain decomposition is not feasible.</p>

A Surface of Heteroclinic Connections Between Two Saddle Slow Manifolds in the Olsen Model

The Olsen model for the biochemical peroxidase-oxidase reaction has a parameter regime where one of its four variables evolves much slower than the other three. It is characterized by the existence of periodic orbits along which a large oscillation is followed by many much smaller oscillations before the process repeats. We are concerned here with a crucial ingredient for such mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs) in the Olsen model: a surface of connecting orbits that is followed closely by the MMO periodic orbit during its global, large-amplitude transition back to another onset of small oscillations. Importantly, orbits on this surface connect two one-dimensional saddle slow manifolds, which exist near curves of equilibria of the limit where the slow variable is frozen and acts as a parameter of the so-called fast subsystem. We present a numerical method, based on formulating suitable boundary value problems, to compute such a surface of connecting orbits. It involves a number of steps to compute the slow manifolds, certain submanifolds of their stable and unstable manifolds and, finally, a first connecting orbit that is then used to sweep out the surface by continuation. If it exists, such a surface of connecting orbits between two one-dimensional saddle slow manifolds is robust under parameter variations. We compute and visualize it in the Olsen model and show how this surface organizes the global return mechanism of MMO periodic orbits from the end of small oscillations back to a region of phase space where they start again.

Robust Stability of Multicomponent Membranes: the Role of Glycolipids

We present the multicomponent functionalized free energies that characterize the low-energy packings of amphiphilic molecules within a membrane through a correspondence to connecting orbits within a reduced dynamical system. To each connecting orbits we associate a manifold of low energy membrane-type configurations parameterized by a large class of admissible interfaces. The normal coercivity of the manifolds is established through criteria depending solely on the structure of the associated connecting orbit. We present a class of examples that arise naturally from geometric singular perturbation techniques, focusing on a model that characterizes the stabilizing role of cholesterol-like glycolipids within phospholipid membranes.

Computing heteroclinic orbits using adjoint-based methods

Transitional turbulence in shear flows is supported by a network of unstable exact invariant solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations. The network is interconnected by heteroclinic connections along which the turbulent trajectories evolve between invariant solutions. While many invariant solutions in the form of equilibria, travelling waves and periodic orbits have been identified, computing heteroclinic connections remains a challenge. We propose a variational method for computing orbits dynamically connecting small neighbourhoods around equilibrium solutions. Using local information on the dynamics linearized around these equilibria, we demonstrate that we can choose neighbourhoods such that the connecting orbits shadow heteroclinic connections. The proposed method allows one to approximate heteroclinic connections originating from states with multi-dimensional unstable manifold and thereby provides access to heteroclinic connections that cannot easily be identified using alternative shooting methods. For plane Couette flow, we demonstrate the method by recomputing three known connections and identifying six additional previously unknown orbits.