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An approach to the coalescent, the fractional coalescent (f-coalescent), is introduced. The derivation is based on the discrete-time Cannings population model in which the variance of the number of offspring depends on the parameter α. This additional parameter α affects the variability of the patterns of the waiting times; values of α<1 lead to an increase of short time intervals, but occasionally allow for very long time intervals. When α=1, the f-coalescent and the Kingman’s n-coalescent are equivalent. The distribution of the time to the most recent common ancestor and the probability that n genes descend from m ancestral genes in a time interval of length T for the f-coalescent are derived. The f-coalescent has been implemented in the population genetic model inference software MIGRATE. Simulation studies suggest that it is possible to accurately estimate α values from data that were generated with known α values and that the f-coalescent can detect potential environmental heterogeneity within a population. Bayes factor comparisons of simulated data with α<1 and real data (H1N1 influenza and malaria parasites) showed an improved model fit of the f-coalescent over the n-coalescent. The development of the f-coalescent and its inclusion into the inference program MIGRATE facilitates testing for deviations from the n-coalescent.

In this work, a physical connection between the fractional time derivative and fractal geometry of fractal media is developed and applied to viscoelasticity and thermal diffusion in elastomers. Integral to this formulation is the application of both the fractal dimension and the spectral dimension which characterizes diffusion in fractal media. The methodology extends the generalized molecular theory of Rouse and Zimm where generalized Gaussian structures (GGSs) replace the Rouse matrix with the generalized Gaussian Rouse matrix (GRM). Importantly, the Zimm model is extended to fractal media where the new relaxation formulation contains internal state variables that naturally depend on the fractional time derivative of deformation. Through the use of thermodynamic laws in fractal media, we derive the linear fractional model of viscoelasticity based on both spectral and fractal dimensions. This derivation shows how the order of the fractional derivative in the linear fractional model of viscoelasticity is a rate dependent material property that is strongly correlated with fractal and spectral dimensions in fractal media. To validate the correlation between fractional rates and fractal material structure, we measure the viscoelasticity and thermal diffusion of two different dielectric elastomers: Very High Bond (VHB) 4910 and VHB 4949. Using Bayesian uncertainty quantification (UQ) based on uniaxial stress–strain measurements, the fractional order of the derivative in the linear fractional model of viscoelasticity is quantified. Two dimensional fractal dimensions are also independently quantified using the box counting method. Lastly, the diffusion equation in fractal media is inferred from experiments using Bayesian UQ to quantify the spectral dimension by heating the polymer locally with a laser beam and quantifying thermal diffusion. Comparing theory to experiments, a strong correlation is found between the viscoelastic fractional order obtained from stress–strain measurements in comparisons with independent predictions of fractional viscoelasticity based on the fractal structure and fractional thermal diffusion rates.

In this paper, fractional and non-fractional viscoelastic models for elastomeric materials are derived and analyzed in comparison to experimental results. The viscoelastic models are derived by expanding thermodynamic balance equations for both fractal and non-fractal media. The order of the fractional time derivative is shown to strongly affect the accuracy of the viscoelastic constitutive predictions. Model validation uses experimental data describing viscoelasticity of the dielectric elastomer Very High Bond (VHB) 4910. Since these materials are known for their broad applications in smart structures, it is important to characterize and accurately predict their behavior across a large range of time scales. Whereas integer order viscoelastic models can yield reasonable agreement with data, the model parameters often lack robustness in prediction at different deformation rates. Alternatively, fractional order models of viscoelasticity provide an alternative framework to more accurately quantify complex rate-dependent behavior. Prior research that has considered fractional order viscoelasticity lacks experimental validation and contains limited links between viscoelastic theory and fractional order derivatives. To address these issues, we use fractional order operators to experimentally validate fractional and non-fractional viscoelastic models in elastomeric solids using Bayesian uncertainty quantification. The fractional order model is found to be advantageous as predictions are significantly more accurate than integer order viscoelastic models for deformation rates spanning four orders of magnitude.

Population divergence estimation using individual lineage label switching

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving fractional differential equations (FDEs) is presented. The method is based upon the fractional Taylor basis approximations. The operational matrix of the fractional integration for the fractional Taylor basis is introduced. This matrix is then utilized to reduce the solution of the fractional differential equations to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of this technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving fractional optimal control problems by using hybrid functions is presented. The Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operator for hybrid functions is utilized to reduce the solution of optimal control problems to a nonlinear programming one, to which existing, well-developed algorithms may be applied. The method is computationally very attractive and gives very accurate results.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving the distributed fractional differential equations is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operator for hybrid functions is introduced. This operator is then utilized to reduce the solution of the distributed fractional differential equations to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving the fractional Bagley‐Torvik equation is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block‐pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The Riemann‐Liouville fractional integral operator for hybrid functions is introduced. This operator is then utilized to reduce the solution of the initial and boundary value problems for the fractional Bagley‐Torvik differential equation to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a numerical method for solving Lane‐Emden type equations, which are nonlinear ordinary differential equations on the semi‐infinite domain, is presented. The method is based upon the modified rational Bernoulli functions; these functions are first introduced. Operational matrices of derivative and product of modified rational Bernoulli functions are then given and are utilized to reduce the solution of the Lane‐Emden type equations to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving multi-delay and piecewise constant delay systems is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrices of integration, product and delay are given. These matrices are then utilized to reduce the solution of multi-delay systems and the piecewise constant delay systems to the solution of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving nonlinear fractional integro-differential equations is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operator for hybrid functions is given. This operator is then utilized to reduce the solution of the nonlinear fractional integro-differential equations to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving the optimal control of a class of systems described by integro-differential equations with quadratic performance index is presented. This optimization problem plays an important role in describing the dynamics of an elastic aircraft with allowance for non-steady flow past its profile. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrices of integration and product are given. These matrices are then utilized to reduce the solution of optimization problem to a nonlinear programming one to which existing well-developed algorithms may be applied. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving the Duffing equation is presented. We consider this equation in two forms, with integral boundary conditions and involving both integral and non-integral forcing terms. The method is based on a hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrix of integration is given. This matrix is then utilized to reduce the solution of the Duffing equation to a nonlinear equation. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving the nonlinear constrained optimal control with quadratic performance index is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The operational matrix of integration is introduced. This matrix is then utilized to reduce the solution of the nonlinear constrained optimal control to a nonlinear programming one to which existing well-developed algorithms may be applied. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.