Mass action systems: two criteria for Hopf bifurcation without Hurwitz

Abstract

We state two sufficient criteria for periodic oscillations in mass action systems. Neither criterion requires a computation of the Hurwitz determinants. Instead, both criteria exploit the linear algebra concepts of $D$-stability and $P$-matrices. The criteria are complementary: the first is based on a stable matrix that is not a $P^-$ matrix, while the second is based on a $P^-$ matrix that is not stable. In analogy, a qualitatively different interpretation follows: the first criterion relates to positive feedback in the network, while the second concerns negative feedback. We present examples that showcase the applicability of both criteria. As a final independent remark, we prove that for the special case of fully-open networks, the capacity for Hopf bifurcation is just equivalent to the capacity for a steady-state with a complex pair of eigenvalues with positive-real part.