In industrialized nations, potable water is often provided through sophisticated water distribution systems. If pathogenic bacteria are introduced into the water distribution network, the presence of a biofilm can lead to biofilm-assisted retention of the pathogens, affecting the potability of the water. To study the dynamics of planktonic and biofilm-bound pathogens within the large network of pipes in a water distribution system, we develop a network model governing the concentration of introduced pathogens within the bulk fluid and the biofilms lining the pipes. Under time-constant flow regimes within the network, we prove that the long-time behaviour of the entire network is dependent on the Lyapunov exponents for each connection in the network when viewed in isolation and the network connectivity. An efficient algorithm is developed for predicting the long-time behaviour of the pathogen population within large networks using the network's topological ordering. The algorithm's predictions are validated using numerical simulations of the full non-linear system on a range of water distribution network sizes.

We consider the fourth-order thin film equation, with a stable second-order diffusion term. For the first critical exponent, where N ≥ 1 is the space dimension, the Cauchy problem is shown to admit countable continuous branches of source-type self-similar very singular solutions of the form These solutions are inherently oscillatory in nature and will be shown in Part II to be the limit of appropriate free-boundary problem solutions. For p ≠ p0, the set of very singular solutions is shown to be finite and to be consisting of a countable family of branches (in the parameter p) of similarity profiles that originate at a sequence of critical exponents {pl, l ≥ 0}. At p = pl, these branches appear via a non-linear bifurcation mechanism from a countable set of similarity solutions of the second kind of the pure thin film equation Such solutions are detected by the ‘Hermitian spectral theory’, which allows an analytical n-branching approach. As such, a continuous path as n → 0+ can be constructed from the eigenfunctions of the linear rescaled operator for n = 0, i.e. for the bi-harmonic equation ut = −Δ2u. Numerics are used, wherever appropriate, to support the analysis.

In the limit of an asymptotically large diffusivity ratio of order $\mathcal{O}$(ϵ−2) ≫ 1, steady-state spatially periodic patterns of localized spots, where the spots are centred at lattice points of a Bravais lattice, are well-known to exist for certain two-component reaction–diffusion systems (RD) in $\mathbb{R}$2. For the Schnakenberg RD model, such a localized periodic spot pattern is linearly unstable when the diffusivity ratio exceeds a certain critical threshold. However, since this critical threshold has an infinite-order logarithmic series in powers of the logarithmic gauge ν ≡ −1/log ϵ, a low-order truncation of this series is expected to be in rather poor agreement with the true stability threshold unless ϵ is very small. To overcome this difficulty, a hybrid asymptotic-numerical method is formulated and implemented that has the effect of summing this infinite-order logarithmic expansion for the stability threshold. The numerical implementation of this hybrid method relies critically on obtaining a rapidly converging infinite series representation of the regular part of the Bloch Green's function for the reduced-wave operator. Numerical results from the hybrid method for the stability threshold associated with a periodic spot pattern on a regular hexagonal lattice are compared with the two-term asymptotic results of [10] (Iron et al. J. Nonlinear Science, 2014). As expected, the difference between the two-term and hybrid results is rather large when ϵ is only moderately small. A related hybrid method is devised for accurately approximating the stability threshold associated with a periodic pattern of localized spots for the Gray-Scott RD system in $\mathbb{R}$2.

The one-dimensional transient solidification of a binary alloy undergoing shrinkage is well-known as an invaluable benchmark for the testing of numerical codes that model macrosegregation. Here, recent work that considered the small-time behaviour of this problem is extended until complete solidification, thereby determining the solute profile across the entire solidified domain. The small-time solution is used as the initial condition for the numerical integration of a problem having three moving boundaries. Of particular significance is the so-called inverse segregation that is observed at the start of solidification, and the extreme segregation that is observed at the end; in the case of the example presented, which is for the often-cited Al–Cu system, the macrosegregation is found to be positive or negative, depending on whether Scheil’s equation or the lever rule is assumed at the microscale, respectively. The relevance of these results for the modelling of steady-state continuous casting processes – in particular, the phenomenon of centreline segregation – is also discussed.

We study the Cauchy problem on the real line for the nonlocal Fisher-KPP equation in one spatial dimension,

\begin{equation*} u_t = D u_{xx} + u(1-\phi *u), \end{equation*}

$\phi *u$

$\phi (y) \equiv H\left (\frac{1}{4}-y^2\right )$

$u=1$

$D$

$\Delta _1 \approx 0.00297$

$D \ll 1$

$O(1)$

$u=O(1)$

$u$

$D \to 0^+$

$D \geq \Delta _1$

$2 \sqrt{D}$

$0 \lt D \lt \Delta _1$

$u=0$

$D$

In this contribution, we present a modelling and simulation framework for parametrised lithium-ion battery cells. We first derive a continuum model for a rather general intercalation battery cell on the basis of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. In order to efficiently evaluate the resulting parameterised non-linear system of partial differential equations, the reduced basis method is employed. The reduced basis method is a model order reduction technique on the basis of an incremental hierarchical approximate proper orthogonal decomposition approach and empirical operator interpolation. The modelling framework is particularly well suited to investigate and quantify degradation effects of battery cells. Several numerical experiments are given to demonstrate the scope and efficiency of the modelling framework.

The quasi-steady power-law Stokes flow of a mixture of incompressible fluids with shear-dependent viscosity is studied. The fluids are immiscible and have constant densities. Existence results are presented for both the no-slip and the no-stick boundary value conditions. Use is made of Schauder's fixed-point theorem, compactness arguments, and DiPerna–Lions renormalized solutions.

Delayed production can substantially alter the qualitative behaviour of feedback systems. Motivated by stochastic mechanisms in gene expression, we consider a protein molecule which is produced in randomly timed bursts, requires an exponentially distributed time to activate and then partakes in positive regulation of its burst frequency. Asymptotically analysing the underlying master equation in the large-delay regime, we provide tractable approximations to time-dependent probability distributions of molecular copy numbers. Importantly, the presented analysis demonstrates that positive feedback systems with large production delays can constitute a stable toggle switch even if they operate with low copy numbers of active molecules.

Uniqueness and solvability theorems are proved for the two-dimensional Neumann–Kelvin problem in the case when a body is totally submerged in a subcritical stream of finite depth fluid. A version of source method is developed to find a solution. The Green's identity coupling the solution with a solution of the problem with opposite stream direction is used to prove that the solution is unique.

Amortization of a shock in an electro-rheological shock absorber is carried out in the motion of a piston in an electrorheological fluid. The drag force acting on the piston is regulated by varying the voltage applied to electrodes. A model of an electrorheological shock absorber is constructed. A problem on shock absorber reduces to the solution of a coupled problem for motion equation of the piston and non-linear equations of fluid flow in an unknown domain that varies with the time. A method of semi-discretization for approximate solution of the coupled problem is considered. Results on the existence and on the uniqueness of the solution of the coupled problem are obtained. Convergence of approximate solutions to the exact solution is proved. Numerical simulation of the operation of the shock absorber is performed.

We investigate the Brusselator reaction–diffusion equations with periodic boundary conditions. We consider the range of values of the parameters used by Kuramoto in his study of chaotic concentration waves. We determine numerically the bifurcation diagram of the long-time travelling and standing wave solutions using a highly accurate Fourier pseudo-spectral method. For moderate values of the bifurcation parameter, we have found a sequence of instabilities leading either to periodic and quasiperiodic standing waves, or to chaotic regimes. However, for large values of the control parameter, we have found only uniform time-periodic solutions or time-periodic travelling wave solutions. Our numerical study motivates a new asymptotic analysis of the Brusselator equations for large values of the control parameter and small diffusion coefficients. This analysis explains the numerical predictions. The chaotic regime is limited to moderate values of the control parameter and periodic solutions are the only solutions for large values of the control parameter. We identify the stabilizing mechanism as the relaxation oscillations which appear when the control parameter is large. Our asymptotic result on the stability of periodic solutions is then generalized to a class of two-variable reaction-diffusion equations.

Droplet profiles under the influence of van der Waals forces

Euro. Jnl. of Applied Maths.12, 367–393

ELI MINKOV and AMY NOVICK-COHEN

An infinite regular two-dimensional network is composed of unit resistances joining adjacent nodes. What is the resistance of the whole network measured between two different nodes? Three cases are considered, in which the meshes of the network are square, hexagonal or triangular. Some extensions of the problem are also treated. Asymptotic approximations are given for large distances.

The intrusion of a constant density fluid at the interface of a two-layer fluid is considered. Numerical solutions are computed for a model of a steady intrusion resulting from flow down a bank and across a broad lake or reservoir. The incoming fluid is homogeneous and spreads across the lake at its level of neutral buoyancy. Solutions are obtained for a range of different inflow angles, flow rate and density differences. Except in extreme cases, the nature of the solution is predicted quite well by linear theory, with the wavelength at any Froude number given by a dispersion relation and wave steepness determined largely by entry angle. However, some extreme solutions with rounded meandering flows and non-unique solutions in the parameter space are also obtained.

In this paper, we introduce a dynamical urban planning model. This leads to the study of a system of nonlinear equations coupled through multi-marginal optimal transport problems. A first example consists in solving two equations coupled through the solution to the Monge–Ampère equation. We show that theWasserstein gradient flow theory provides a very good framework to solve these highly nonlinear systems. At the end, a uniqueness result is presented in dimension one based on convexity arguments.

This paper considers the role of costless decisions relating to the extraction of a non-renewable resource in the presence of uncertainty. We begin by deriving a size scale of the extractable resource, above which the solution to the valuation and optimal control strategy can be described by analytic solutions; we produce solutions for a general form of operating cost function. Below this critical resource size level the valuation and optimal control strategy must be solved by numerical means; we present a robust numerical algorithm that can solve such a class of problem. We also allow for the embedding of an irreversible investment decision (abandonment) into the optimisation. Finally, we conduct experimentation for each of these two approaches (analytical and numerical), and show how they are consistent with one another when used appropriately. The extensions of this paper's techniques to renewable resources are explored.

The method of equivariant moving frames is employed to construct and completely classify the differential invariants for the action of the projective group on functions defined on the two-dimensional projective plane. While there are four independent differential invariants of order $\leq 3$, it is proved that the algebra of differential invariants is generated by just two of them through invariant differentiation. The projective differential invariants are, in particular, of importance in image processing applications.

The self-similar source solution of the Barenblatt equation for elasto-plastic filtration through porous rock is known to be of the second kind. We determine the behaviour of the associated anomalous exponent and the profile of the solution in the limit of large compressibility and small elastic recovery of the rock.

For nonlinear hyperbolic equations of a gas dynamic type with flow acceleration and friction terms, the classification of a special class of periodic travelling waves, which are known as roll waves, is given. As an illustration, the shallow water equations for the inclined channels of an arbitrary cross-section are considered. The analysis shows that the flow patterns depend upon the sign of the second derivative of the pressure function. The roll waves in regular channels with the convex pressure have the same structure as the waves described in Dressler [6]. For a nonconvex pressure function, the multi-jump configuration of roll waves is found.

We consider a processor-sharing storage allocation model, which has m primary holding spaces and infinitely many secondary ones, and a single processor servicing the stored items. All of the spaces are numbered and ordered. An arriving customer takes the lowest available space. Dynamic storage allocation and the fragmentation of computer memory are well-known applications of this model. We define the traffic intensity ρ to be λ/μ, where λ is the customers' arrival rate and μ is the service rate of the processor. We study the joint probability distribution of the numbers of occupied primary and secondary spaces. We study the problem in two asymptotic limits: (1) m → ∞ with a fixed ρ < 1, and (2) ρ ↑ 1, m → ∞ with m(1-ρ) = O(1). The asymptotics yield insight into how many secondary spaces tend to be needed, and into the sample paths leading to the occupation of the two types of spaces. We show that the asymptotics lead to accurate numerical approximations.