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V. N. Biktashev

Publications and source records attributed to V. N. Biktashev.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Strength-Duration Relationship in an Excitable Medium

We consider the strength-duration relationship in one-dimensional spatially extended excitable media. In a previous study [Idris and Biktashev 2008] set out to separate initial (or boundary) conditions leading to propagation wave solutions from those leading to decay solutions, an analytical criterion based on an approximation of the (center-)stable manifold of a certain critical solution was presented. The theoretical prediction in the case of strength-extent curve was later on extended to cover a wider class of excitable systems including multicomponent reaction-diffusion systems, systems with non-self-adjoint linearized operators and in particular, systems with moving critical solutions (critical fronts and critical pulses) [Bezekci et al. 2015]. In the present work, we consider extension of the theory to the case of strength-duration curve.

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Fast-slow asymptotics for a Markov chain model of fast sodium current

We explore the feasibility of using fast-slow asymptotic to eliminate the computational stiffness of the discrete-state, continuous-time deterministic Markov chain models of ionic channels underlying cardiac excitability. We focus on a Markov chain model of the fast sodium current, and investigate its asymptotic behaviour with respect to small parameters identified in different ways.

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Fast-slow asymptotic for semi-analytical ignition criteria in FitzHugh-Nagumo system

We study the problem of initiation of excitation waves in the FitzHugh-Nagumo model. Our approach follows earlier works and is based on the idea of approximating the boundary between basins of attraction of propagating waves and of the resting state as the stable manifold of a critical solution. Here, we obtain analytical expressions for the essential ingredients of the theory by singular perturbation using two small parameters, the separation of time scales of the activator and inhibitor, and the threshold in the activator's kinetics. This results in a closed analytical expression for the strength-duration curve.

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Quasisolitons in self-diffusive excitable systems, or Why asymmetric diffusivity does not violate the Second Law

Solitons, defined as nonlinear waves which can reflect from boundaries or transmit through each other, are found in conservative, fully integrable systems. Similar phenomena, dubbed quasi-solitons, have been observed also in dissipative, "excitable" systems, either at finely tuned parameters (near a bifurcation) or in systems with cross-diffusion. Here we demonstrate that quasi-solitons can be robustly observed in excitable systems with excitable kinetics and with self-diffusion only. This includes quasi-solitons of fixed shape (like KdV solitons) or envelope quasi-solitons (like NLS solitons). This can happen in systems with more than two components, and can be explained by effective cross-diffusion, which emerges via adiabatic elimination of a fast but diffusing component. We describe here a reduction procedure can be used for the search of complicated wave regimes in multi-component, stiff systems by studying simplified, soft systems.

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Semi-analytical approach to criteria for ignition of excitation waves

We consider the problem of ignition of propagating waves in one-dimensional bistable or excitable systems by an instantaneous spatially extended stimulus. Earlier we proposed a method (Idris and Biktashev, PRL, vol 101, 2008, 244101) for analytical description of the threshold conditions based on an approximation of the (center-)stable manifold of a certain critical solution. Here we generalize this method to address a wider class of excitable systems, such as multicomponent reaction-diffusion systems and systems with non-self-adjoint linearized operators, including systems with moving critical fronts and pulses. We also explore an extension of this method from a linear to a quadratic approximation of the (center-)stable manifold, resulting in some cases in a significant increase in accuracy. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated on five test problems ranging from archetypal examples such as the Zeldovich--Frank-Kamenetsky equation to near realistic examples such as the Beeler-Reuter model of cardiac excitation. While the method is analytical in nature, it is recognised that essential ingredients of the theory can be calculated explicitly only in exceptional cases, so we also describe methods suitable for calculating these ingredients numerically.

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Drift of scroll waves in thin layers caused by thickness features: asymptotic theory and numerical simulations

A scroll wave in a very thin layer of excitable medium is similar to a spiral wave, but its behaviour is affected by the layer geometry. We identify the effect of sharp variations of the layer thickness, which is separate from filament tension and curvature-induced drifts described earlier. We outline a two-step asymptotic theory describing this effect, including asymptotics in the layer thickness and calculation of the drift of so perturbed spiral waves using response functions. As specific examples, we consider drift of scrolls along thickness steps, ridges, ditches, and disk-shaped thickness variations. Asymptotic predictions agree with numerical simulations.

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Classification of wave regimes in excitable systems with linear cross-diffusion

We consider principal properties of various wave regimes in two selected excitable systems with linear cross-diffusion in one spatial dimension observed at different parameter values. This includes fixed-shape propagating waves, envelope waves, multi-envelope waves, and intermediate regimes appearing as waves propagating fixed-shape most of the time but undergoing restructuring from time to time. Depending on parameters, most of these regimes can be with and without the "quasi-soliton" property of reflection of boundaries and penetration through each other. We also present some examples of behaviour of envelope quasi-solitons in two spatial dimensions.

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A simple mathematical model of gradual Darwinian evolution: Emergence of a Gaussian trait distribution in adaptation along a fitness gradient

We consider a simple mathematical model of gradual Darwinian evolution in continuous time and continuous trait space, due to intraspecific competition for common resource in an asexually reproducing population in constant environment, while far from evolutionary stable equilibrium. The model admits exact analytical solution. In particular, Gaussian distribution of the trait emerges from generic initial conditions.

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Envelope quasi-solitons in dissipative systems with cross-diffusion

We consider two-component nonlinear dissipative spatially extended systems of reaction-cross-diffusion type. Previously, such systems were shown to support "quasi-soliton" pulses, which have fixed stable structure but can reflect from boundaries and penetrate each other. Presently we demonstrate a different type of quasi-solitons, with a phenomenology resembling that of the envelope solitons in Nonlinear Schroedinger equation: spatiotemporal oscillations with a smooth envelope, with the velocity of the oscillations different from the velocity of the envelope.

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Computation of the Drift Velocity of Spiral Waves using Response Functions

Rotating spiral waves are a form of self-organization observed in spatially extended systems of physical, chemical, and biological nature. In the presence of a small perturbation, the spiral wave's centre of rotation and fiducial phase may change over time, i.e. the spiral wave drifts. In linear approximation, the velocity of the drift is proportional to the convolution of the perturbation with the spiral's Response Functions (RFs), which are the eigenfunctions of the adjoint linearized operator corresponding to the critical eigenvalues $λ= 0, \pm iω$. Here we demonstrate that the response functions give quantitatively accurate prediction of the drift velocities due to a variety of perturbations: a time dependent, periodic perturbation (inducing resonant drift); a rotational symmetry breaking perturbation (inducing electrophoretic drift); and a translational symmetry breaking perturbation (inhomogeneity induced drift) including drift due to a gradient, step-wise and localised inhomogeneity. We predict the drift velocities using the response functions in FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) and Barkley models, and compare them with the velocities obtained in direct numerical simulations. In all cases good quantitative agreement is demonstrated.

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Asymptotics of conduction velocity restitution in models of electrical excitation in the heart

We extend a non-Tikhonov asymptotic embedding, proposed earlier, for calculation of conduction velocity restitution curves in ionic models of cardiac excitability. Conduction velocity restitution is the simplest nontrivial spatially extended problem in excitable media, and in the case of cardiac tissue it is an important tool for prediction of cardiac arrhythmias and fibrillation. An idealized conduction velocity restitution curve requires solving a nonlinear eigenvalue problem with periodic boundary conditions, which in the cardiac case is very stiff and calls for the use of asymptotic methods. We compare asymptotics of restitution curves in four examples, two generic excitable media models, and two ionic cardiac models. The generic models include the classical FitzHugh-Nagumo model and its variation by Barkley. They are treated with standard singular perturbation techniques. The ionic models include a simplified "caricature" of the Noble (1962) model and the Beeler and Reuter (1977) model, which lead to non-Tikhonov problems where known asymptotic results do not apply. The Caricature Noble model is considered with particular care to demonstrate the well-posedness of the corresponding boundary-value problem. The developed method for calculation of conduction velocity restitution is then applied to the Beeler-Reuter model. We discuss new mathematical features appearing in cardiac ionic models and possible applications of the developed method.

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Orbital movement of spiral waves

Spiral waves in active media react to small perturbations as particle-like objects. Here we apply the asymptotic theory to the interaction of spiral waves with a localized inhomogeneity, which leads to a novel prediction: drift of the spiral rotation centre along circular orbits around the inhomogeneity. The stationary orbits have alternating stability and fixed radii, determined by the properties of the bulk medium and the type of inhomogeneity, while the drift speed along an orbit depends on the strength of the inhomogeneity. Direct simulations confirm the validity and robustness of the theoretical predictions and show that these unexpected effects should be observable in experiment.

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Spontaneous periodic travelling waves in oscillatory systems with cross-diffusion

We identify a new type of pattern formation in spatially distributed active systems. We simulate one-dimensional two-component systems with predator-prey local interaction and pursuit-evasion taxis between the components. In a sufficiently large domain, spatially uniform oscillations in such systems are unstable with respect to small perturbations. This instability, through a transient regime appearing as spontanous focal sources, leads to establishment of periodic traveling waves. The traveling waves regime is established even if boundary conditions do not favor such solutions. The stable wavelength are within a range bounded both from above and from below, and this range does not coincide with instability bands of the spatially uniform oscillations.

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Analytically Solvable Asymptotic Model of Atrial Excitability

We report a three-variable simplified model of excitation fronts in human atrial tissue. The model is derived by novel asymptotic techniques \new{from the biophysically realistic model of Courtemanche et al (1998) in extension of our previous similar models. An iterative analytical solution of the model is presented which is in excellent quantitative agreement with the realistic model. It opens new possibilities for analytical studies as well as for efficient numerical simulation of this and other cardiac models of similar structure.

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Computation of the response functions of spiral waves in active media

Rotating spiral waves are a form of self-organization observed in spatially extended systems of physical, chemical, and biological nature. A small perturbation causes gradual change in spatial location of spiral's rotation center and frequency, i.e. drift. The response functions (RFs) of a spiral wave are the eigenfunctions of the adjoint linearized operator corresponding to the critical eigenvalues $λ= 0, \pm iω$. The RFs describe the spiral's sensitivity to small perturbations in the way that a spiral is insensitive to small perturbations where its RFs are close to zero. The velocity of a spiral's drift is proportional to the convolution of RFs with the perturbation. Here we develop a regular and generic method of computing the RFs of stationary rotating spirals in reaction-diffusion equations. We demonstrate the method on the FitzHugh-Nagumo system and also show convergence of the method with respect to the computational parameters, i.e. discretization steps and size of the medium. The obtained RFs are localized at the spiral's core.

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Low energy defibrillation in human cardiac tissue: a simulation study

We aim to assess the effectiveness of feedback controlled resonant drift pacing as a method for low energy defibrillation. Antitachycardia pacing is the only low energy defibrillation approach to have gained clinical significance, but it is still suboptimal. Low energy defibrillation would avoid adverse side effects associated with high voltage shocks and allow the application of ICD therapy where it is not tolerated today. We present results of computer simulations of a bidomain model of cardiac tissue with human atrial ionic kinetics. Re-entry was initiated and low energy shocks were applied with the same period as the re-entry, using feedback to maintain resonance. We demonstrate that such stimulation can move the core of re-entrant patterns, in the direction depending on location of electrodes and a time delay in the feedback. Termination of re-entry is achieved with shock strength one order of magnitude weaker than in conventional single-shock defibrillation. We conclude that resonant drift pacing can terminate re-entry at a fraction of the shock strength currently used for defibrillation and can potentially work where antitachycardia pacing fails, due to the feedback mechanisms. Success depends on a number of details which these numerical simulations have uncovered. \emph{Keywords} Re-entry; Bidomain model; Resonant drift; ICD; Defibrillation; Antitachycardia pacing; Feedback.

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Control of scroll wave turbulence using resonant perturbations

Turbulence of scroll waves is a sort of spatio-temporal chaos that exists in three-dimensional excitable media. Cardiac tissue and the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction are examples of such media. In cardiac tissue, chaotic behaviour is believed to underlie fibrillation which, without intervention, precedes cardiac death. In this study we investigate suppression of the turbulence using stimulation of two different types, "modulation of excitability" and "extra transmembrane current". With cardiac defibrillation in mind, we used a single pulse as well as repetitive extra current with both constant and feedback controlled frequency. We show that turbulence can be terminated using either a resonant modulation of excitability or a resonant extra current. The turbulence is terminated with much higher probability using a resonant frequency perturbation than a non-resonant one. Suppression of the turbulence using a resonant frequency is up to fifty times faster than using a non-resonant frequency, in both the modulation of excitability and the extra current modes. We also demonstrate that resonant perturbation requires strength one order of magnitude lower than that of a single pulse, which is currently used in clinical practice to terminate cardiac fibrillation. Our results provide a robust method of controlling complex chaotic spatio-temporal processes. Resonant drift of spiral waves has been studied extensively in two dimensions, however, these results show for the first time that it also works in three dimensions, despite the complex nature of the scroll wave turbulence.

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