Global stability for non-monotone delay equations (with application to a model of blood cell production) (Q657452)

The authors consider the functional differential equation \[ u'(t)=-\alpha u(t)+f_1(u(t))+\int_{\tau_0}^{\tau_1}\hat{k}(s) f_2(u(t-s))\,ds, \] where \(\alpha>0\), \(\hat{k}(s)\geq0\) for \(s\geq0\) and \(\hat{k}(s)=0\) for \(0\leq s<\tau_0\) or \(s>\tau_1\), and \(0\leq\tau_0<\tau_1\). This equation reduces to the models of hematopoiesis proposed by Mackey and Glass in the study of blood cell production and to the model of Nicholson's blowflies by choice of functions \(f_1\) and \(f_2\). A set of sufficient conditions for the global stability of the positive equilibrium is established by the method of fluctuations and the exponential ordering approach. Then these analytic results are applied to a mathematical model of white blood cell production. Numerical simulations are also presented to illustrate the global stability regions of parameters and the long-term behavior of solutions.