The present monograph analyses the FitzHugh-Nagumo (F-N) model Le., the Cauchy problem for some generalized Van der Pol equation depending on three real parameters a, band c. This model, given in (1. 1. 17), governs the initiation of the cardiac impulse. The presence of the three parameters leads to a large variety of dy namics, each of them responsible for a specific functioning of the heart. For physiologists it is highly desirable to have aglobai view of all possible qualitatively distinct responses of the F-N model for all values of the pa rameters. This reduces to the knowledge of the global bifurcation diagram. So far, only a few partial results appeared and they were spread through out the literature. Our work provides a more or less complete theoretical and numerical investigation of the complex phase dynamics and bifurca tions associated with the F-N dynamical system. This study includes the static and dynamic bifurcations generated by the variation of a, band c and the corresponding oscillations, of special interest for applications. It enables one to predict all possible types of initiations of heart beats and the mechanism of transformation of some types of oscillations into others by following the dynamics along transient phase space trajectories. Of course, all these results hold for the F-N model. The global phase space picture enables one to determine the domain of validity of this model."

The great number of varied approaches to hydrodynamic stability theory appear as a bulk of results whose classification and discussion are well-known in the literature. Several books deal with one aspect of this theory alone (e.g. the linear case, the influence of temperature and magnetic field, large classes of globally stable fluid motions etc.). The aim of this book is to provide a complete mathe matical treatment of hydrodynamic stability theory by combining the early results of engineers and applied mathematicians with the recent achievements of pure mathematicians. In order to ensure a more operational frame to this theory I have briefly outlined the main results concerning the stability of the simplest types of flow. I have attempted several definitions of the stability of fluid flows with due consideration of the connections between them. On the other hand, as the large number of initial and boundary value problems in hydrodynamic stability theory requires appropriate treat ments, most of this book is devoted to the main concepts and methods used in hydrodynamic stability theory. Open problems are expressed in both mathematical and physical terms."

The great number of varied approaches to hydrodynamic stability theory appear as a bulk of results whose classification and discussion are well-known in the literature. Several books deal with one aspect of this theory alone (e.g. the linear case, the influence of temperature and magnetic field, large classes of globally stable fluid motions etc.). The aim of this book is to provide a complete mathe matical treatment of hydrodynamic stability theory by combining the early results of engineers and applied mathematicians with the recent achievements of pure mathematicians. In order to ensure a more operational frame to this theory I have briefly outlined the main results concerning the stability of the simplest types of flow. I have attempted several definitions of the stability of fluid flows with due consideration of the connections between them. On the other hand, as the large number of initial and boundary value problems in hydrodynamic stability theory requires appropriate treat ments, most of this book is devoted to the main concepts and methods used in hydrodynamic stability theory. Open problems are expressed in both mathematical and physical terms."

The present monograph analyses the FitzHugh-Nagumo (F-N) model Le., the Cauchy problem for some generalized Van der Pol equation depending on three real parameters a, band c. This model, given in (1. 1. 17), governs the initiation of the cardiac impulse. The presence of the three parameters leads to a large variety of dy namics, each of them responsible for a specific functioning of the heart. For physiologists it is highly desirable to have aglobai view of all possible qualitatively distinct responses of the F-N model for all values of the pa rameters. This reduces to the knowledge of the global bifurcation diagram. So far, only a few partial results appeared and they were spread through out the literature. Our work provides a more or less complete theoretical and numerical investigation of the complex phase dynamics and bifurca tions associated with the F-N dynamical system. This study includes the static and dynamic bifurcations generated by the variation of a, band c and the corresponding oscillations, of special interest for applications. It enables one to predict all possible types of initiations of heart beats and the mechanism of transformation of some types of oscillations into others by following the dynamics along transient phase space trajectories. Of course, all these results hold for the F-N model. The global phase space picture enables one to determine the domain of validity of this model."