Natalie E. Sheils

Global existence for a coupled system of Schrödinger equations with power-type nonlinearities

In this manuscript, we consider the Cauchy problem for a Schrodinger system with power-type nonlinearitiesi∂∂tuj+▵uj+∑k=1majk|uk|p|uj|p−2uj=0,uj(x,0)=ψj0(x),where uj:RN×R→C, ψj0:RN→C for j = 1, 2, …, m and ajk = akj are positive real numbers. Global existence for the Cauchy problem is established for a certain range of p. A sharp form of a vector-valued Gagliardo-Nirenberg inequality is deduced, which yields the minimal embedding constant for the inequality. Using this minimal embedding constant, global existence for small initial data is shown for the critical case p = 1 + 2/N. Finite-time blow-up, as well as stability of solutions in the critical case, is discussed.

Non-steady-state heat conduction in composite walls

The problem of heat conduction in one-dimensional piecewise homogeneous composite materials is examined by providing an explicit solution of the one-dimensional heat equation in each domain. The location of the interfaces is known, but neither temperature nor heat flux is prescribed there. Instead, the physical assumptions of their continuity at the interfaces are the only conditions imposed. The problem of two semi-infinite domains and that of two finite-sized domains are examined in detail. We indicate also how to extend the solution method to the setting of one finite-sized domain surrounded on both sides by semi-infinite domains, and on that of three finite-sized domains.

The Linear KdV Equation with an Interface

The interface problem for the linear Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation in one-dimensional piecewise homogeneous domains is examined by constructing an explicit solution in each domain. The location of the interface is known and a number of compatibility conditions at the boundary are imposed. We provide an explicit characterization of sufficient interface conditions for the construction of a solution using Fokas’s Unified Transform Method. The problem and the method considered here extend that of earlier papers to problems with more than two spatial derivatives.

Heat equation on a network using the Fokas method

The problem of heat conduction on networks of multiply connected rods is solved by providing an explicit solution of the one-dimensional heat equation in each domain. The size and connectivity of the rods is known, but neither temperature nor heat flux are prescribed at the interface. Instead, the physical assumptions of continuity at the interfaces are the only conditions imposed. This work generalizes that of Deconinck, Pelloni, and Sheils, 2014, for heat conduction on a series of one-dimensional rods connected end-to-end to the case of general configurations.

Heat conduction on the ring: Interface problems with periodic boundary conditions

Abstract The classical problem of heat conduction in one dimension on a composite ring is examined. The problem is formulated using the heat equation with periodic boundary conditions. We provide an explicit solution of this problem using the Method of Fokas. The location of the interfaces is known, but neither temperature nor heat flux are prescribed there. Instead, the physical assumption of continuity at the interface is imposed.

Entrainment ranges of forced phase oscillators

In the vertebrate spinal cord, a neural circuit called the central pattern generator produces the basic locomotory rhythm. Short and long distance intersegmental connections serve to maintain coordination along the length of the body. As a way of examining the influence of such connections, we consider a model of a chain of coupled phase oscillators in which one oscillator receives a periodic forcing stimulus. For a certain range of forcing frequencies, the chain will match the stimulus frequency, a phenomenon called entrainment. Motivated by recent experiments in lampreys, we derive analytical expressions for the range of forcing frequencies that entrain the chain, and how that range depends on the forcing location. For short intersegmental connections, in which an oscillator is connected only to its nearest neighbors, we describe two ways in which entrainment is lost: internally, in which oscillators within the chain no longer oscillate at the same frequency; and externally, in which the the chain no longer has the same frequency as the forcing. By analyzing chains in which every oscillator is connected to every other oscillator (i.e., all-to-all connections), we show that the presence of connections with lengths greater than one do not necessarily change the entrainment ranges based on the nearest–neighbor model. We derive a criterion for the ratio of connection strengths under which the connections of length greater than one do not change the entrainment ranges produced in the nearest–neighbor model, provided entrainment is lost externally. However, when this criterion holds, the range of entrained frequencies is a monotonic function of forcing location, unlike experimental results, in which entrainment ranges are larger near the middle of the chain than at the ends. Numerically, we show that similar non-monotonic entrainment ranges are possible if the ratio criterion does not hold, suggesting that in the lamprey central pattern generator, intersegmental connection strengths are not a simple function of the connection length.