On Weierstraß semigroups at one and two points and their corresponding Poincaré series

The aim of this paper is to introduce and investigate the Poincaré series associated with the Weierstraß semigroup of one and two rational points at a (not necessarily irreducible) non-singular projective algebraic curve defined over a finite field, as well as to describe their functional equations in the case of an affine complete intersection.     

Exact approaches for integrated aircraft fleeting and routing at TunisAir

We describe models and exact solutions approaches for an integrated aircraft fleeting and routing problem arising at TunisAir. Given a schedule of flights to be flown, the problem consists of determining a minimum cost route assignment for each aircraft so as to cover each flight by exactly one aircraft while satisfying maintenance activity constraints. We investigate two tailored approaches for this problem: Benders decomposition and branch-and-price. Computational experiments conducted on real-data provide evidence that the branch-and-price approach outperforms the Benders decomposition approach and delivers optimal solutions within moderate CPU times. On the other hand, the Benders algorithm yields very quickly high quality near-optimal solutions.     

Injectivity of real polynomial maps and Łojasiewicz exponents at infinity

In this paper we give a lower bound for the Łojasiewicz exponent at infinity of a special class of polynomial maps , s ≥ 1. As a consequence, we detect a class of polynomial maps that are global diffeomorphisms if their Jacobian determinant never vanishes. Work supported by DGICYT Grant BFM2003–02037/MATE.     

Extensions of regular mappings and the ?ojasiewicz exponent at infinity

Let F:V→Cm be a regular mapping, where V⊂Cn is an algebraic set of positive dimension and m?n?2, and let L_∞(F) be the ?ojasiewicz exponent at infinity of F. We prove that F has a polynomial extension G:Cn→Cm such L_∞(G)=L_∞(F). Moreover, we give an estimate of the degree of the extension G. Additionally, we prove that if then for any β∈Q, β?L_∞(F), the mapping F has a polynomial extension G with L_∞(G)=β. We also give an estimate of the degree of this extension.     

Mathematics and Neural Networks –A Glance at some Basic Connections

In the following paper, we present a brief and easily accessible introduction to the theory of neural networks under special emphasis on the rôle of pure and applied mathematics in this interesting field of research. In order to allow a quick and direct approach even for nonspecialists, we only consider three-layer feedforward networks with sigmoidal transfer functions and do not cover general multi-layer, recursive or radial-basis-function networks. Moreover, we focus our attention on density and complexity results while construction problems based on operator techniques are not discussed in detail. Especially, in connection with complexity results, we show that neural networks in general have the power to approximate certain function spaces with a minimal number of free parameters. In other words, under this specific point of view neural networks represent one of the best possible approximation devices available. Besides pointing out this remarkable fact, the main motivation for presenting this paper is to give some more mathematicians an idea of what is going on in the theory of neural networks and, perhaps, to encourage, at least a few of them, to start working in this highly interdisciplinary and promising field, too.     

Computation of eigenfunctions and eigenvalues for the Sturm–Liouville problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions at the left endpoint and Neumann conditions at the right endpoint

A functional-based variational method is proposed for finding the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues in the Sturm–Liouville problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions at the left endpoint and Neumann conditions at the right endpoint. Computations are performed for three potentials: sin((x–π)²/π), cos(4x), and a high nonisosceles triangle.     

School mathematics and creativity at the elementary and middle-grade levels: how are they related?

In this study, we evaluated students’ creativity, as expressed in the solution methods of three problems for groups of students in different grades. Posing the same problems to students of similar (advanced) mathematical abilities in different grades allowed us to look for possible connections between creativity and mathematical knowledge. The findings indicate that at the elementary school level, the number of solution methods and creativity scores increased with age. The collective methods space of the eighth graders seemed to narrow almost exclusively to algebraic methods, but the increase in the number of solutions was renewed in the ninth grade.     

A look at the past and present of optimization – An editorial

This special issue of the European Journal of Operational Research is devoted to the EURO XXIV Conference, that was held at the facilities of the University of Lisbon (Portugal) from July 11 to July 14, 2010. With over 700 sessions for a total of approximately 2350 presentations, and with 2700 participants (delegates and accompanying persons) coming from 69 countries, this was the largest EURO conference ever.     

Limit Theorems and Large Deviations for β-Jacobi Ensembles at Scaling Temperatures

Let λ=(λ₁,...,λ_n) be β-Jacobi ensembles with parameters p₁,p₂,n and β while β varying with n. Set γ=lim_n→∞ n/(p1) and σ=lim_n→∞ (p1)/(p2).In this paper,supposing lim_n→∞ log n/βn=0,we prove that the empirical measures of different scaled λ converge weakly to a Wachter distribution,a Marchenko-Pastur law and a semicircle law corresponding to σγ> 0,σ=0 or γ=0,respectively.We also offer a full large deviation principle wi...     

The band method and generalized Carathéodory-Toeplitz interpolation at operator points

A generalization of the band method is presented. In the new set up there are two semi-band structures, a right one and a left one, and the two are coupled. Moreover the role of the band extension in the classical version is taken over by a special positive real part extension. It is shown that with minor modifications the main results of the band method extend to this more general set up. As an application a generalization of the Carathéodory-Teoplitz interpolation problem for operator functions with operator arguments is solved.     

Bifurcations in a Leslie–Gower model with constant and proportional prey refuge at high and low density

Assuming that the prey refuge is proportional to the prey density if its population size is below a critical threshold, or constant if its size is above the threshold, this paper proposes, and qualitatively analyzes, a Leslie–Gower predator–prey model assuming alternative feeding and harvesting in predators, and a Holling II function as the predator functional response. From the results of the mathematical analysis to the predator–prey models with proportional or constant prey refuge, the proposed model retains the same bifurcation cases obtained for each model analyzed. However, appropriate alterations of the parameters representing the critical threshold of prey population size and harvest in predators allows the formation of at least one limit cycle, stable or unstable, that lives in both vector fields of the proposed model.     

Enhancement of φ meson production in p-p and Pb-Pb collisions at SPS energy

The φ meson yield, rapidity and transverse mass distributions in p-p and Pb-Pb collisions at 158 A GeV were studied by the hadron-string cascade model, LUCIAE. By adjusting the width parameter in q Gaussian like transverse momentum distribution in string fragmentation to fit the NA49 data of φ meson transverse mass distribution in p-p collisions, the obtained φ meson rapidity distribution in p-p collisions, the rapidity and transverse mass distributions in Pb-Pb collisions, and the φ meson enhancement factor in Pb-Pb relative to p-p collisions were compatible with corresponding NA49 data, which might be attributed to the collective effect in gluon emission of string and the reduction of strange quark suppression mechanisms involved in the LUCIAE model     

Space–Time Fractional Equations and the Related Stable Processes at Random Time

In this paper, we consider the general space–time fractional equation of the form \(\sum _{j=1}^m \lambda _j \frac{\partial ^{\nu _j}}{\partial t^{\nu _j}} w(x_1, \ldots , x_n ; t) = -c^2 \left( -\varDelta \right) ^\beta w(x_1, \ldots , x_n ; t)\), for \(\nu _j \in \left( 0,1 \right] \) and \(\beta \in \left( 0,1 \right] \) with initial condition \(w(x_1, \ldots , x_n ; 0)= \prod _{j=1}^n \delta (x_j)\). We show that the solution of the Cauchy problem above coincides with the probability density of the n-dimensional vector process \(\varvec{S}_n^{2\beta } \left( c^2 \mathcal {L}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m} (t) \right) \), \(t>0\), where \(\varvec{S}_n^{2\beta }\) is an isotropic stable process independent from \(\mathcal {L}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m}(t)\), which is the inverse of \(\mathcal {H}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m} (t) = \sum _{j=1}^m \lambda _j^{1/\nu _j} H^{\nu _j} (t)\), \(t>0\), with \(H^{\nu _j}(t)\) independent, positively skewed stable random variables of order \(\nu _j\). The problem considered includes the fractional telegraph equation as a special case as well as the governing equation of stable processes. The composition \(\varvec{S}_n^{2\beta } \left( c^2 \mathcal {L}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m} (t) \right) \), \(t>0\), supplies a probabilistic representation for the solutions of the fractional equations above and coincides for \(\beta = 1\) with the n-dimensional Brownian motion at the random time \(\mathcal {L}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m} (t)\), \(t>0\). The iterated process \(\mathfrak {L}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m}_r (t)\), \(t>0\), inverse to \(\mathfrak {H}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m}_r (t) =\sum _{j=1}^m \lambda _j^{1/\nu _j} \, _1H^{\nu _j} \left( \, _2H^{\nu _j} \left( \, _3H^{\nu _j} \left( \ldots \, _{r}H^{\nu _j} (t) \ldots \right) \right) \right) \), \(t>0\), permits us to construct the process \(\varvec{S}_n^{2\beta } \left( c^2 \mathfrak {L}^{\nu _1, \ldots , \nu _m}_r (t) \right) \), \(t>0\), the density of which solves a space-fractional equation of the form of the generalized fractional telegraph equation. For \(r \rightarrow \infty \) and \(\beta = 1\), we obtain a probability density, independent from t, which represents the multidimensional generalization of the Gauss–Laplace law and solves the equation \(\sum _{j=1}^m \lambda _j w(x_1, \ldots , x_n) = c^2 \sum _{j=1}^n \frac{\partial ^2}{\partial x_j^2} w(x_1, \ldots , x_n)\). Our analysis represents a general framework of the interplay between fractional differential equations and composition of processes of which the iterated Brownian motion is a very particular case.     

The Cyclomatic Number of a Graph and its Independence Polynomial at −1

If by s _k is denoted the number of independent sets of cardinality k in a graph G, then ${I(G;x)=s_{0}+s_{1}x+\cdots+s_{\alpha}x^{\alpha}}$ is the independence polynomial of G (Gutman and Harary in Utilitas Mathematica 24:97–106, 1983), where α = α(G) is the size of a maximum independent set. The inequality |I (G; ?1)| ≤ 2 ^ν(G), where ν(G) is the cyclomatic number of G, is due to (Engström in Eur. J. Comb. 30:429–438, 2009) and (Levit and Mandrescu in Discret. Math. 311:1204–1206, 2011). For ν(G) ≤ 1 it means that ${I(G;-1)\in\{-2,-1,0,1,2\}.}$ In this paper we prove that if G is a unicyclic well-covered graph different from C ₃, then ${I(G;-1)\in\{-1,0,1\},}$ while if G is a connected well-covered graph of girth ≥ 6, non-isomorphic to C ₇ or K ₂ (e.g., every well-covered tree ≠ K ₂), then I (G; ?1) = 0. Further, we demonstrate that the bounds {?2 ^ν(G), 2 ^ν(G)} are sharp for I (G; ?1), and investigate other values of I (G; ?1) belonging to the interval [?2 ^ν(G), 2 ^ν(G)].     

Bifurcation and Isochronicity at Infinity in a Class of Cubic Polynomial Vector Fields

In this paper, we study the appearance of limit cycles from the equator and isochronicity of infinity in polynomial vector fields with no singular points at infinity. We give a recursive formula to compute the singular point quantities of a class of cubic polynomial systems, which is used to calculate the first seven singular point quantities. Further, we prove that such a cubic vector field can have maximal seven limit cycles in the neighborhood of infinity. We actually and construct a system that has seven limit cycles. The positions of these limit cycles can be given exactly without constructing the Poincare cycle fields. The technique employed in this work is essentially different from the previously widely used ones. Finally, the isochronous center conditions at infinity are given.     

Corrigendum to “reduced tangent cones and conductor at multiplanar isolated singularities”

We explicitly explain how to fix a wrong statement in a preliminary result of our previous paper on the conductor at a multiplanar singularity.     

Measurement of students’ mathematics motivation and self-concept at institutions of higher education: evidence of reliability and validity

ABSTRACT

The study aims at proposing a quantitative instrument tailored to measure the level of mathematics motivation and self-concept of students in mathematics courses at academic institutions of higher education. The significance of this study stems from its endeavour to measure mathematics motivation and self-concept of students in courses of mathematics at academic institutions of higher education which ultimately contributes to the success of students, academic institutions and societies. A quantitative research methodology has been employed in this study in which a 55-item survey instrument has been tailored and piloted. The results of factor analysis indicate that the instrument’s items loaded into mathematics motivational factors and mathematics self-concept factors. The cumulative percentage explained by mathematics motivational factors is 55.3% and the cumulative percentage explained by mathematics self-concept factors is 53.2%. The factors of mathematics motivation and mathematics self-concept explain the majority of variance in the dataset. The findings of validity and reliability tests show that 35 items measure mathematics motivation through four subscales which include importance and necessity of mathematics; perception of success in mathematics; enjoyment of mathematics; and expectations of future career and income. The other 20 items measure mathematics self-concept through two subscales which include cognitive mathematics self-concept and affective mathematics self-concept.