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Bistability is a fundamental property of nonlinear systems and is found in many applied and theoretical studies of biological systems (populations and communities). In the simplest case it is expressed in the coexistence of diametrically opposed alternative stable equilibrium states of the system, and which of them will be achieved depends on the initial conditions. Bistability in simple models can lead to quad-stability as models become more complex, for example, when adding genetic, age and spatial structure. This occurs in different models from completely different subject area and leads to very interesting, often counterintuitive conclusions. In this article, we review such situations. The paper deals with bifurcations leading to bi- and quad-stability in mathematical models of the following biological objects. The first one is the system of two populations coupled by migration and under the action of natural selection, in which all genetic diversity is associated with a single diallelic locus with a significant difference in fitness for homo- and heterozygotes. The second is the system of two limited populations described by the Bazykin model or the Ricker model and coupled by migration. The third is a population with two age stages and density-dependent regulation of birth rate which is determined either only by population density, or additionally depends on the genetic structure of adjacent generations. We found that all these models have similar scenarios for the birth of equilibrium states that correspond to the formation of spatiotemporal inhomogeneity or to the differentiation by phenotypes of individuals from different age stages. Such inhomogeneity is a consequence of local bistability and appears as a result of a combination of pitchfork bifurcation (period doubling) and saddle-node bifurcation.

The paper formulates a mathematical model for hydroelastic oscillations of a plate resting on a nonlinear hardening elastic foundation and interacting with a pulsating fluid layer. The main feature of the proposed model, unlike the wellknown ones, is the joint consideration of the elastic properties of the plate, the nonlinearity of elastic foundation, as well as the dissipative properties of the fluid and the inertia of its motion. The model is represented by a system of equations for a twodimensional hydroelasticity problem including dynamics equation of Kirchhoff’s plate resting on the elastic foundation with hardening cubic nonlinearity, Navier – Stokes equations, and continuity equation. This system is supplemented by boundary conditions for plate deflections and fluid pressure at plate ends, as well as for fluid velocities at the bounding walls. The model was investigated by perturbation method with subsequent use of iteration method for the equations of thin layer of viscous fluid. As a result, the fluid pressure distribution at the plate surface was obtained and the transition to an integrodifferential equation describing bending hydroelastic oscillations of the plate is performed. This equation is solved by the Bubnov –Galerkin method using the harmonic balance method to determine the primary hydroelastic response of the plate and phase response due to the given harmonic law of fluid pressure pulsation at plate ends. It is shown that the original problem can be reduced to the study of the generalized Duffing equation, in which the coefficients at inertial, dissipative and stiffness terms are determined by the physical and mechanical parameters of the original system. The primary hydroelastic response and phases response for the plate are found. The numerical study of these responses is performed for the cases of considering the inertia of fluid motion and the creeping fluid motion for the nonlinear and linearly elastic foundation of the plate. The results of the calculations showed the need to jointly consider the viscosity and inertia of the fluid motion together with the elastic properties of the plate and its foundation, both for nonlinear and linear vibrations of the plate.

We present a novel model for the dynamical trap of the stimulus – response type that mimics human control over dynamic systems when the bounded capacity of human cognition is a crucial factor. Our focus lies on scenarios where the subject modulates a control variable in response to a certain stimulus. In this context, the bounded capacity of human cognition manifests in the uncertainty of stimulus perception and the subsequent actions of the subject. The model suggests that when the stimulus intensity falls below the (blurred) threshold of stimulus perception, the subject suspends the control and maintains the control variable near zero with accuracy determined by the control uncertainty. As the stimulus intensity grows above the perception uncertainty and becomes accessible to human cognition, the subject activates control. Consequently, the system dynamics can be conceptualized as an alternating sequence of passive and active modes of control with probabilistic transitions between them. Moreover, these transitions are expected to display hysteresis due to decision-making inertia.

Generally, the passive and active modes of human control are governed by different mechanisms, posing challenges in developing efficient algorithms for their description and numerical simulation. The proposed model overcomes this problem by introducing the dynamical trap of the stimulus-response type, which has a complex structure. The dynamical trap region includes two subregions: the stagnation region and the hysteresis region. The model is based on the formalism of stochastic differential equations, capturing both probabilistic transitions between control suspension and activation as well as the internal dynamics of these modes within a unified framework. It reproduces the expected properties in control suspension and activation, probabilistic transitions between them, and hysteresis near the perception threshold. Additionally, in a limiting case, the model demonstrates the capability of mimicking a similar subject’s behavior when (1) the active mode represents an open-loop implementation of locally planned actions and (2) the control activation occurs only when the stimulus intensity grows substantially and the risk of the subject losing the control over the system dynamics becomes essential.

The study of the structural characteristics of composites and nanostructures is of fundamental importance in materials science. Theoretical and numerical modeling and simulation of the mechanical properties of nanostructures is the main tool that allows for complex studies that are difficult to conduct only experimentally. One example of nanostructures considered in this work are carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which have good thermal and electrical properties, as well as low density and high Young’s modulus, making them the most suitable reinforcement element for composites, for potential applications in aerospace, automotive, metallurgical and biomedical industries. In this review, we reviewed the modeling methods, mechanical properties, and applications of CNT-reinforced metal matrix composites. Some modeling methods applicable in the study of composites with polymer and metal matrices are also considered. Methods such as the gradient descent method, the Monte Carlo method, methods of molecular statics and molecular dynamics are considered. Molecular dynamics simulations have been shown to be excellent for creating various composite material systems and studying the properties of metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanomaterials under various conditions. This paper briefly presents the most commonly used potentials that describe the interactions of composite modeling systems. The correct choice of interaction potentials between parts of composites directly affects the description of the phenomenon being studied. The dependence of the mechanical properties of composites on the volume fraction of the diameter, orientation, and number of CNTs is detailed and discussed. It has been shown that the volume fraction of carbon nanotubes has a significant effect on the tensile strength and Young’s modulus. The CNT diameter has a greater impact on the tensile strength than on the elastic modulus. An example of works is also given in which the effect of CNT length on the mechanical properties of composites is studied. In conclusion, we offer perspectives on the direction of development of molecular dynamics modeling in relation to metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanomaterials.

A correct model of lipid molecule (distearoylphosphatidylcholine, DSPC) and lipid membrane in water was constructed. Model lipid membrane is stable and has a reliable energy distribution among degrees of freedom. Also after equilibration model system has spatial parameters very similar to those of real DSPC membrane in liquid-crystalline phase. This model was used for studying of lipid membrane permeability to oxygen and water molecules and sodium ion. We obtained the values for transmembrane mobility and diffusion coefficients profiles, which we used for effective permeability coefficients calculation. We found lipid membranes to have significant diffusional resistance to penetration not only by charged particles, such as ions, but also by nonpolar molecules, such as oxygen molecule. We propose theoretical approach for calculation of particle flow across a membrane, as well as methods for estimation of distribution coefficients between bilayer and water phase.

Charge transfer in DNA is simulated by a discrete Holstein model «quantum particle + classical site chain + interaction». Thermostat temperature is taken into account as stochastic force, which acts on classical sites (Langevin equation). Thus dynamics of charge migration along the chain is described by ODE system with stochastic right-hand side. To integrate the system numerically, algorithms of order 1 or 2 are usually applied. We developed «mixed» algorithm having 4th order of accuracy for fast «quantum» variables (note that in quantum subsystem the condition «sum of probabilities of charge being on site is time-constant» must be held), and 2nd order for slow classical variables, which are affecting by stochastic force. The algorithm allows us to calculate trajectories on longer time intervals as compared to standard algorithms. Model calculations of polaron disruption in homogeneous chain caused by temperature fluctuations are given as an example.

We derive a new model of circadian oscillations in Neurospora crassa, which is suitable to analyze both temporal and spatial dynamics of proteins responsible for mechanism of rythms. The model is based on the non-linear interplay between proteins FRQ and WCC which are products of transcription of frequency and white collar genes forming a feedback loop comprised both positive and negative elements. The main component of oscillations mechanism is supposed to be time-delay in biochemical reactions of transcription. We show that the model accounts for various features observed in Neurospora’s experiments such as entrainment by light cycles, phase shift under light pulse, robustness to action of fluctuations and so on. Wave patterns excited during spatial development of the system are studied. It is shown that the wave of synchronization of biorythms arises under basal transcription factors.

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the effect of additive and parametric noise on the processes occurring in the nerve cell. This study is carried out on the example of the well-known Morris – Lecar model described by the two-dimensional system of ordinary differential equations. One of the main properties of the neuron is the excitability, i.e., the ability to respond to external stimuli with an abrupt change of the electric potential on the cell membrane. This article considers a set of parameters, wherein the model exhibits the class 2 excitability. The dynamics of the system is studied under variation of the external current parameter. We consider two parametric zones: the monostability zone, where a stable equilibrium is the only attractor of the deterministic system, and the bistability zone, characterized by the coexistence of a stable equilibrium and a limit cycle. We show that in both cases random disturbances result in the phenomenon of the stochastic generation of mixed-mode oscillations (i. e., alternating oscillations of small and large amplitudes). In the monostability zone this phenomenon is associated with a high excitability of the system, while in the bistability zone, it occurs due to noise-induced transitions between attractors. This phenomenon is confirmed by changes of probability density functions for distribution of random trajectories, power spectral densities and interspike intervals statistics. The action of additive and parametric noise is compared. We show that under the parametric noise, the stochastic generation of mixed-mode oscillations is observed at lower intensities than under the additive noise. For the quantitative analysis of these stochastic phenomena we propose and apply an approach based on the stochastic sensitivity function technique and the method of confidence domains. In the case of a stable equilibrium, this confidence domain is an ellipse. For the stable limit cycle, this domain is a confidence band. The study of the mutual location of confidence bands and the boundary separating the basins of attraction for different noise intensities allows us to predict the emergence of noise-induced transitions. The effectiveness of this analytical approach is confirmed by the good agreement of theoretical estimations with results of direct numerical simulations.

In this paper we present Rayleigh formulas obtained from Kirchhoff integral formulas, which can later be used to obtain migration images. The relevance of the studies conducted in the work is due to the widespread use of migration in the interests of seismic oil and gas seismic exploration. A special feature of the work is the use of an elastic approximation to describe the dynamic behaviour of a geological environment, in contrast to the widespread acoustic approximation. The proposed approach will significantly improve the quality of seismic exploration in complex cases, such as permafrost and shelf zones of the southern and northern seas. The complexity of applying a system of equations describing the state of a linear-elastic medium to obtain Rayleigh formulas and algorithms based on them is a significant increase in the number of computations, the mathematical and analytical complexity of the resulting algorithms in comparison with the case of an acoustic medium. Therefore in industrial seismic surveys migration algorithms for the case of elastic waves are not currently used, which creates certain difficulties, since the acoustic approximation describes only longitudinal seismic waves in geological environments. This article presents the final analytical expressions that can be used to develop software systems using the description of elastic seismic waves: longitudinal and transverse, thereby covering the entire range of seismic waves: longitudinal reflected PP-waves, longitudinal reflected SP-waves, transverse reflected PS-waves and transverse reflected SS-waves. Also, the results of comparison of numerical solutions obtained on the basis of Rayleigh formulas with numerical solutions obtained by the grid-characteristic method are presented. The value of this comparison is due to the fact that the method based on Rayleigh integrals is based on analytical expressions, while the grid-characteristic method is a method of numerical integration of solutions based on a calculated grid. In the comparison, different types of sources were considered: a point source model widely used in marine and terrestrial seismic surveying and a flat wave model, which is also sometimes used in field studies.

The repressor is the first genetic regulatory network in synthetic biology, which was artificially constructed in 2000. It is a closed network of three genetic elements — $lacI$, $\lambda cI$ and $tetR$, — which have a natural origin, but are not found in nature in such a combination. The promoter of each of the three genes controls the next cistron via the negative feedback, suppressing the expression of the neighboring gene. In this paper, the nonlinear dynamics of a modified repressilator, which has time delays in all parts of the regulatory network, has been studied for the first time. Delay can be both natural, i.e. arises during the transcription/translation of genes due to the multistage nature of these processes, and artificial, i.e. specially to be introduced into the work of the regulatory network using synthetic biology technologies. It is assumed that the regulation is carried out by proteins being in a dimeric form. The considered repressilator has two more important modifications: the location on the same plasmid of the gene $gfp$, which codes for the fluorescent protein, and also the presence in the system of a DNA sponge. In the paper, the nonlinear dynamics has been considered within the framework of the deterministic description. By applying the method of decomposition into fast and slow motions, the set of nonlinear differential equations with delay on a slow manifold has been obtained. It is shown that there exists a single equilibrium state which loses its stability in an oscillatory manner at certain values of the control parameters. For a symmetric repressilator, in which all three genes are identical, an analytical solution for the neutral Andronov–Hopf bifurcation curve has been obtained. For the general case of an asymmetric repressilator, neutral curves are found numerically. It is shown that the asymmetric repressor generally is more stable, since the system is oriented to the behavior of the most stable element in the network. Nonlinear dynamic regimes arising in a repressilator with increase of the parameters are studied in detail. It was found that there exists a limit cycle corresponding to relaxation oscillations of protein concentrations. In addition to the limit cycle, we found the slow manifold not associated with above cycle. This is the long-lived transitional regime, which reflects the process of long-term synchronization of pulsations in the work of individual genes. The obtained results are compared with the experimental data known from the literature. The place of the model proposed in the present work among other theoretical models of the repressilator is discussed.