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In this paper, we consider a quartic family of planar vector fields corresponding to a rational Holling system which models the dynamics of the populations of predators and their prey in a given ecological or biomedical system and which is a variation on the classical Lotka–Volterra system. For the latter system, the change of the prey density per unit of time per predator called the response function is proportional to the prey density. This means that there is no saturation of the predator when the amount of available prey is large. However, it is more realistic to consider a nonlinear and bounded response function, and in fact different response functions have been used in the literature to model the predator response. After algebraic transformations, the rational Holling system can be written in the form of a quartic dynamical system. To investigate the character and distribution of the singular points in the phase plane of the quartic system, we use our method the sense of which is to obtain the simplest (well-known) system by vanishing some parameters (usually field rotation parameters) of the original system and then to input these parameters successively one by one studying the dynamics of the singular points (both finite and infinite) in the phase plane. Using the obtained information on singular points and applying our geometric approach to the qualitative analysis, we study the limit cycle bifurcations of the quartic system. To control all of the limit cycle bifurcations, especially, bifurcations of multiple limit cycles, it is necessary to know the properties and combine the effects of all of the rotation parameters. It can be done by means of the Wintner–Perko termination principle stating that the maximal one-parameter family of multiple limit cycles terminates either at a singular point which is typically of the same multiplicity (cyclicity) or on a separatrix cycle which is also typically of the same multiplicity (cyclicity). Applying this principle, we prove that the quartic system (and the corresponding rational Holling system) can have at most two limit cycles surrounding one singular point.

In this paper, using our bifurcation-geometric approach, we study global dynamics and solve the problem of the maximum number and distribution of limit cycles (self-oscillating regimes corresponding to states of dynamical equilibrium) in a planar polynomial mechanical system of the Euler–Lagrange–Liйnard type. Such systems are also used to model electrical, ecological, biomedical and other systems, which greatly facilitates the study of the corresponding real processes and systems with complex internal dynamics. They are used, in particular, in mechanical systems with damping and stiffness. There are a number of examples of technical systems that are described using quadratic damping in second-order dynamical models. In robotics, for example, quadratic damping appears in direct-coupled control and in nonlinear devices, such as variable impedance (resistance) actuators. Variable impedance actuators are of particular interest to collaborative robotics. To study the character and location of singular points in the phase plane of the Euler–Lagrange–Liйnard polynomial system, we use our method the meaning of which is to obtain the simplest (well-known) system by vanishing some parameters (usually, field rotation parameters) of the original system and then to enter sequentially these parameters studying the dynamics of singular points in the phase plane. To study the singular points of the system, we use the classical Poincarй index theorems, as well as our original geometric approach based on the application of the Erugin twoisocline method which is especially effective in the study of infinite singularities. Using the obtained information on the singular points and applying canonical systems with field rotation parameters, as well as using the geometric properties of the spirals filling the internal and external regions of the limit cycles and applying our geometric approach to qualitative analysis, we study limit cycle bifurcations of the system under consideration.

This paper covers deployable systems assembled from a set of trapezium plates. The middles lines of the plates represent a plane curve in the original position of the package. It is proved that when the package of thin plates is unwrapped, a surface approximating a shell of nearly any curvature is formed. Kinematics of the continual model is analyzed by the method of Cartan moving hedron, extending the results the authors published earlier. Various applications of rotating shells are shown. Experimental models of deployable latticed systems are demonstrated.

New method for calculation of spatial light distribution of differently oriented LEDs is proposed. The main idea is combination of coordinate systems associated with these light sources. Unlike other conventional approaches, this method can be applied to the emitters with light distribution with arbitrary symmetry or without symmetry at all.