Branching processes in periodically varying environment (Q761704)

The general branching process counted by a random characteristic has been studied extensively by both authors in recent years [e.g. Adv. Appl. Probab. 16, 221-259 (1984; Zbl 0535.60075)]. The concept of reproductive behaviour depending periodically on time has been considered by a number of authors, notably \textit{B. Klein} and \textit{P. D. M. MacDonald}, [ibid. 12, 81-93 (1980; Zbl 0421.60076). In the present paper the authors superimpose such periodic behaviour on their own general one-type branching process. Under certain second moment restrictions, the authors obtain conditions for a Malthusian parameter to exist, a martingale determining the growth of the process on the event of non-extinction under these conditions, and a periodically varying asymptotic stable age distribution. The intended application is to the diurnal variation of cell population growth.