Nonlinearity 

About: Nonlinearity is an academic journal published by IOP Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Nonlinear system & Mathematics. It has an ISSN identifier of 0951-7715. Over the lifetime, 4517 publications have been published receiving 121547 citations.

Proof of existence of breathers for time-reversible or Hamiltonian networks of weakly coupled oscillators

Abstract: Existence of 'breathers', that is, time-periodic, spatially localized solutions, is proved for a broad range of time-reversible or Hamiltonian networks of weakly coupled oscillators. Some of their properties are discussed, some generalizations suggested, and several open questions raised.

Formation of strong fronts in the 2-D quasigeostrophic thermal active scalar

Abstract: The formation of strong and potentially singular fronts in a two-dimensional quasigeostrophic active scalar is studied through the symbiotic interaction of mathematical theory and numerical experiments. This active scalar represents the temperature evolving on the two dimensional boundary of a rapidly rotating half space with small Rossby and Ekman numbers and constant potential vorticity. The possibility of frontogenesis within this approximation is an important issue in the context of geophysical flows. A striking mathematical and physical analogy is developed between the structure and formation of singular solutions of this quasi-geostrophic active scalar in two dimensions and the potential formation of finite time singular solutions for the 3-D Euler equations. Detailed mathematical criteria are developed as diagnostics for self-consistent numerical calculations indicating strong front formation. These self-consistent numerical calculations demonstrate the necessity of nontrivial topology involving hyperbolic saddle points in the level sets of the active scalar in order to have singular behaviour; this numerical evidence is strongly supported by mathematical theorems which utilize the nonlinear structure of specific singular integrals in special geometric configurations to demonstrate the important role of nontrivial topology in the formation of singular solutions.

Chimera states: Coexistence of coherence and incoherence in networks of coupled oscillators

Abstract: A chimera state is a spatio-temporal pattern in a network of identical coupled oscillators in which synchronous and asynchronous oscillation coexist. This state of broken symmetry, which usually coexists with a stable spatially symmetric state, has intrigued the nonlinear dynamics community since its discovery in the early 2000s. Recent experiments have led to increasing interest in the origin and dynamics of these states. Here we review the history of research on chimera states and highlight major advances in understanding their behaviour.

Nonlinear modelling of cancer: Bridging the gap between cells and tumours

Abstract: Despite major scientific, medical and technological advances over the last few decades, a cure for cancer remains elusive. The disease initiation is complex, and including initiation and avascular growth, onset of hypoxia and acidosis due to accumulation of cells beyond normal physiological conditions, inducement of angiogenesis from the surrounding vasculature, tumour vascularization and further growth, and invasion of surrounding tissue and metastasis. Although the focus historically has been to study these events through experimental and clinical observations, mathematical modelling and simulation that enable analysis at multiple time and spatial scales have also complemented these efforts. Here, we provide an overview of this multiscale modelling focusing on the growth phase of tumours and bypassing the initial stage of tumourigenesis. While we briefly review discrete modelling, our focus is on the continuum approach. We limit the scope further by considering models of tumour progression that do not distinguish tumour cells by their age. We also do not consider immune system interactions nor do we describe models of therapy. We do discuss hybrid-modelling frameworks, where the tumour tissue is modelled using both discrete (cell-scale) and continuum (tumour-scale) elements, thus connecting the micrometre to the centimetre tumour scale. We review recent examples that incorporate experimental data into model parameters. We show that recent mathematical modelling predicts that transport limitations of cell nutrients, oxygen and growth factors may result in cell death that leads to morphological instability, providing a mechanism for invasion via tumour fingering and fragmentation. These conditions induce selection pressure for cell survivability, and may lead to additional genetic mutations. Mathematical modelling further shows that parameters that control the tumour mass shape also control its ability to invade. Thus, tumour morphology may serve as a predictor of invasiveness and treatment prognosis.

On the equations of the large-scale ocean

Abstract: As a preliminary step towards understanding the dynamics of the ocean and the impact of the ocean on the global climate system and weather prediction, the authors study the mathematical formulations and attractors of three systems of equations of the ocean, i.e. the primitive equations (the PEs), the primitive equations with vertical viscosity (the PEV2s), and the Boussinesq equations (the BEs), of the ocean. These equations are fundamental equations of the ocean. The BEs are obtained from the general equations of a compressible fluid under the Boussinesq approximation, i.e. the density differences are neglected in the system except in the buoyancy term and in the equation of state. The PEs are derived from the BEs under the hydrostatic approximation for the vertical momentum equation. The PEV2s are the PEs with the viscosity for the vertical velocity retained. This retention is partially based on the important role played by the viscosity in studying the long time behaviour of the ocean, and the Earth's climate.