Mathematical Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

We consider a finite-difference semi-discrete scheme for the approximation of internal controls of a one-dimensional evolution problem of hyperbolic type involving the spectral fractional Laplacian. The continuous problem is controllable in arbitrary small time. However, the high frequency numerical spurious oscillations lead to a loss of the uniform (with respect to the mesh size) controllability property of the semi-discrete model in the natural setting. For all initial data in the natural energy space, if we filter the high frequencies of these initial data in an optimal way, we restore the uniform controllability property in arbitrary small time. The proof is mainly based on a (non-classic) moment method.

This paper has two objectives. On one side, we develop and test numerically divergence-free Virtual Elements in three dimensions, for variable “polynomial” order. These are the natural extension of the two-dimensional divergence-free VEM elements, with some modification that allows for a better computational efficiency. We test the element’s performance both for the Stokes and (diffusion dominated) Navier–Stokes equation. The second, and perhaps main, motivation is to show that our scheme, also in three dimensions, enjoys an underlying discrete Stokes complex structure. We build a pair of virtual discrete spaces based on general polytopal partitions, the first one being scalar and the second one being vector valued, such that when coupled with our velocity and pressure spaces, yield a discrete Stokes complex.

A two-dimensional mathematical model for cells migrating without adhesion capabilities is presented and analyzed. Cells are represented by their cortex, which is modeled as an elastic curve, subject to an internal pressure force. Net polymerization or depolymerization in the cortex is modeled via local addition or removal of material, driving a cortical flow. The model takes the form of a fully nonlinear degenerate parabolic system. An existence analysis is carried out by adapting ideas from the theory of gradient flows. Numerical simulations show that these simple rules can account for the behavior observed in experiments, suggesting a possible mechanical mechanism for adhesion-independent motility.

Statistical solutions are time-parameterized probability measures on spaces of integrable functions, which have been proposed recently as a framework for global solutions and uncertainty quantification for multi-dimensional hyperbolic system of conservation laws. By combining high-resolution finite volume methods with a Monte Carlo sampling procedure, we present a numerical algorithm to approximate statistical solutions. Under verifiable assumptions on the finite volume method, we prove that the approximations, generated by the proposed algorithm, converge in an appropriate topology to a statistical solution. Numerical experiments illustrating the convergence theory and revealing interesting properties of statistical solutions are also presented.

In this paper, we discuss higher Sobolev regularity of convex integration solutions for the geometrically nonlinear two-well problem. More precisely, we construct solutions to the differential inclusion $\nabla u\in K$ subject to suitable affine boundary conditions for $u$ with