Differential invariants of the one-dimensional quasi-linear second-order evolution equation

We consider evolution equations of the form u_t = f(x, u, u_x)u_xx + g(x, u, u_x) and u_t = u_xx + g(x, u, u_x). In the spirit of the recent work of Ibragimov [Ibragimov NH. Laplace type invariants for parabolic equations. Nonlinear Dynam 2002;28:125–33] who adopted the infinitesimal method for calculating invariants of families of differential equations using the equivalence groups, we apply the method to these equations. We show that the first class admits one differential invariant of order two, while the second class admits three functional independent differential invariants of order three. We use these invariants to determine equations that can be transformed into the linear diffusion equation.     

Computing best-possible bounds for the distribution of a sum of several variables is NP-hard

In many real-life situations, we know the probability distribution of two random variables x₁ and x₂, but we have no information about the correlation between x₁ and x₂; what are the possible probability distributions for the sum x₁ + x₂? This question was originally raised by A.N. Kolmogorov. Algorithms exist that provide best-possible bounds for the distribution of x₁ + x₂; these algorithms have been implemented as a part of the efficient software for handling probabilistic uncertainty. A natural question is: what if we have several (n > 2) variables with known distribution, we have no information about their correlation, and we are interested in possible probability distribution for the sum y = x₁ + ⋯ + x_n? Known formulas for the case n = 2 can be (and have been) extended to this case. However, as we prove in this paper, not only are these formulas not best-possible anymore, but in general, computing the best-possible bounds for arbitrary n is an NP-hard (computationally intractable) problem.     

Two issues in using mixtures of polynomials for inference in hybrid Bayesian networks

We discuss two issues in using mixtures of polynomials (MOPs) for inference in hybrid Bayesian networks. MOPs were proposed by Shenoy and West for mitigating the problem of integration in inference in hybrid Bayesian networks. First, in defining MOP for multi-dimensional functions, one requirement is that the pieces where the polynomials are defined are hypercubes. In this paper, we discuss relaxing this condition so that each piece is defined on regions called hyper-rhombuses. This relaxation means that MOPs are closed under transformations required for multi-dimensional linear deterministic conditionals, such as Z = X + Y, etc. Also, this relaxation allows us to construct MOP approximations of the probability density functions (PDFs) of the multi-dimensional conditional linear Gaussian distributions using a MOP approximation of the PDF of the univariate standard normal distribution. Second, Shenoy and West suggest using the Taylor series expansion of differentiable functions for finding MOP approximations of PDFs. In this paper, we describe a new method for finding MOP approximations based on Lagrange interpolating polynomials (LIP) with Chebyshev points. We describe how the LIP method can be used to find efficient MOP approximations of PDFs. We illustrate our methods using conditional linear Gaussian PDFs in one, two, and three dimensions, and conditional log-normal PDFs in one and two dimensions. We compare the efficiencies of the hyper-rhombus condition with the hypercube condition. Also, we compare the LIP method with the Taylor series method.     

Comment on the 3+1 dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equations

We comment on traveling wave solutions and rational solutions to the 3+1 dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equations: (u_t + 6uu_x + u_xxx)_x ± 3u_yy ± 3u_zz = 0. We also show that both of the 3+1 dimensional KP equations do not possess the three-soliton solution. This suggests that none of the 3+1 dimensional KP equations should be integrable, and partially explains why they do not pass the Painlevé test. As by-products, the one-soliton and two-soliton solutions and four classes of specific three-soliton solutions are explicitly presented.     

A Bijective Approach to the Area of Generalized Motzkin Paths

For fixed positive integer k, let E_n denote the set of lattice paths using the steps (1, 1), (1, − 1), and (k, 0) and running from (0, 0) to (n, 0) while remaining strictly above the x-axis elsewhere. We first prove bijectively that the total area of the regions bounded by the paths of E_n and the x-axis satisfies a four-term recurrence depending only on k. We then give both a bijective and a generating function argument proving that the total area under the paths of E_n equals the total number of lattice points on the x-axis hit by the unrestricted paths running from (0, 0) to (n − 2, 0) and using the same step set as above.     

The stochastic soliton-like solutions of stochastic KdV equations

By means of a generalized method and symbolic computation, we consider a stochastic KdV equation U_t + f(t)U ♢ U_x + g(t)U_xxx = W(t) ♢ R^♢(t, U, U_x, U_xxx). We construct new and more general formal solutions. At the same time, we recover all the solutions found by Xie [Phys. Lett. A 310 (2003) 161]. The solutions obtained include the nontravelling wave and coefficient function’s stochastic soliton-like solutions, singular stochastic soliton-like solutions, stochastic triangular functions solutions.     

An extended rational interpolation method

To interpolate function, f(x), a ? x ? b, when we have some information about the values of f(x) and their derivatives in separate points on {x₀, x₁, … , x_n} ? [a, b], the Hermit interpolation method is usually used. Here, to solve this kind of problems, extended rational interpolation method is presented and it is shown that the suggested method is more efficient and suitable than the Hermit interpolation method, especially when the function f(x) has singular points in interval [a, b]. Also for implementing the extended rational interpolation method, the direct method and the inverse differences method are presented, and with some examples these arguments are examined numerically.     

On generalized Jordan 1-derivation in rings

Let n ⩾ 1 be a fixed integer and let R be an (n + 1)!-torsion free 1-ring with identity element e. If F, d:R → R are two additive mappings satisfying F(xⁿ⁺¹) = F(x)(x¹)ⁿ + xd(x)(x¹)ⁿ⁻¹ + x²d(x)(x¹)ⁿ⁻²+ ⋯ +xⁿd(x) for all x ∈ R, then d is a Jordan 1-derivation and F is a generalized Jordan 1-derivation on R.     

Quantifying exponential growth: Three conceptual shifts in coordinating multiplicative and additive growth

This article presents the results of a teaching experiment with middle school students who explored exponential growth by reasoning with the quantities height (y) and time (x) as they explored the growth of a plant. Three major conceptual shifts occurred during the course of the teaching experiment: (1) from repeated multiplication to initial coordination of multiplicative growth in y with additive growth in x; (2) from coordinating growth in y with growth in x to coordinated constant ratios (determining the ratio of f(x₂) to f(x₁) for corresponding intervals of time for (x₂ − x₁) ≥ 1), and (3) from coordinated constant ratios to within-units coordination for corresponding intervals of time for (x₂ − x₁) < 1. Each of the three shifts is explored along with a discussion of the ways in which students’ mathematical activity supported movement from one stage of understanding to the next. These findings suggest that emphasizing a coordination of multiplicative and additive growth for exponentiation may support students’ abilities to flexibly move between the covariation and correspondence views of function.     

Existence of quasibounded solutions for the higher order dynamic equations on measure chains

By using the exponential dichotomy and Schauder’s fixed point theorem, some new criteria are established for the existence of quasibounded solutions of the inhomogeneous system x^Δ = A(t)x + g(t, x) + h(t), which generalize the previous results in [15], [19].     

Conceptual blending: Student reasoning when proving “conditional implies conditional” statements

Conceptual blending describes how humans condense information, combining it in novel ways. The blending process may create global insight or new detailed connections, but it may also result in a loss of information, causing confusion. In this paper, we describe the proof writing process of a group of four students in a university geometry course proving a statement of the form conditional implies conditional, i.e., (p → q) ⇒ (r → s). We use blending theory to provide insight into three diverse questions relevant for proof writing: (1) Where do key ideas for proofs come from?, (2) How do students structure their proofs and combine those structures with their more intuitive ideas?, and (3) How are students reasoning when they fail to keep track of the implication structure of the statements that they are using? We also use blending theory to describe the evolution of the students’ proof writing process through four episodes each described by a primary blend.     

Approximate solutions of a nonlinear oscillator typified as a mass attached to a stretched elastic wire by the homotopy perturbation method

The homotopy perturbation method is used to solve the nonlinear differential equation that governs the nonlinear oscillations of a system typified as a mass attached to a stretched elastic wire. The restoring force for this oscillator has an irrational term with a parameter λ that characterizes the system (0 ? λ ? 1). For λ = 1 and small values of x, the restoring force does not have a dominant term proportional to x. We find this perturbation method works very well for the whole range of parameters involved, and excellent agreement of the approximate frequencies and periodic solutions with the exact ones has been demonstrated and discussed. Only one iteration leads to high accuracy of the solutions and the maximal relative error for the approximate frequency is less than 2.2% for small and large values of oscillation amplitude. This error corresponds to λ = 1, while for λ < 1 the relative error is much lower. For example, its value is as low as 0.062% for λ = 0.5.     

Conditional contractivity of Runge–Kutta methods for nonlinear differential equations with many variable delays

This paper deals with conditional contractivity properties of Runge–Kutta (RK) methods with variable step-size applied to nonlinear differential equations with many variable delays (MDDEs). The concepts of CRN_m(ω, H)- and BN_f(μ, ?)-stability are introduced. It is shown that the numerical solution produced by a BN_f(μ, ?)-stable Runge–Kutta method with an appropriate interpolation is contractive. In particular, these results are also novel for nonlinear differential equations with many constant delays or single variable delay. To obtain BN_f(μ, ?)-stable methods, (k, l)-algebraically stable Runge–Kutta methods are also investigated.     

A semi-Markov process with an inverse Gaussian distribution as sojourn time

Let X_n denote the state of a device after n repairs. We assume that the time between two repairs is the time τ taken by a Wiener process {W(t), t ? 0}, starting from w₀ and with drift μ < 0, to reach c ∈ [0, w₀). After the nth repair, the process takes on either the value X_n?1 + 1 or X_n?1 + 2. The probability that X_n = X_n?1 + j, for j = 1, 2, depends on whether τ ? t₀ (a fixed constant) or τ > t₀. The device is considered to be worn out when X_n ? k, where k ∈ {1, 2, …}. This model is based on the ones proposed by Rishel (1991) [1] and Tseng and Peng (2007) [2]. We obtain an explicit expression for the mean lifetime of the device. Numerical methods are used to illustrate the analytical findings.     

Structurally unstable regular dynamics in 1D piecewise smooth maps,and circle maps

In this work we consider a simple system of piecewise linear discontinuous 1D map with two discontinuity points: X′ = aX if ∣X∣ < z, X′ = bX if ∣X∣ > z, where a and b can take any real value, and may have several applications. We show that its dynamic behaviors are those of a linear rotation: either periodic or quasiperiodic, and always structurally unstable. A generalization to piecewise monotone functions X′ = F(X) if ∣X∣ < z, X′ = G(X) if ∣X∣ > z is also given, proving the conditions leading to a homeomorphism of the circle.     

The applications of a higher-dimensional Lie algebra and its decomposed subalgebras

With the help of invertible linear transformations and the known Lie algebras, a higher-dimensional 6 × 6 matrix Lie algebra sμ(6) is constructed. It follows a type of new loop algebra is presented. By using a (2 + 1)-dimensional partial-differential equation hierarchy we obtain the integrable coupling of the (2 + 1)-dimensional KN integrable hierarchy, then its corresponding Hamiltonian structure is worked out by employing the quadratic-form identity. Furthermore, a higher-dimensional Lie algebra denoted by E, is given by decomposing the Lie algebra sμ(6), then a discrete lattice integrable coupling system is produced. A remarkable feature of the Lie algebras sμ(6) and E is used to directly construct integrable couplings.     

On Certain C-Test Words for Free Groups

Let F_m be a free group of a finite rank m ≥ 2 and let X_i, Y_j be elements in F_m. A non-empty word w(x₁,…,x_n) is called a C-test word in n letters for F_m if, whenever (X₁,…,X_n) = w(Y₁,…,Y_n) ≠ 1, the two n-typles (X₁,…,X_n) and (Y₁,…,Y_n) are conjugate in F_m. In this paper we construct, for each n ≥ 2, a C-test word v_n(x₁,…,x_n) with the additional property that v_n(X₁,…,X_n) = 1 if and only if the subgroup of F_m generated by X₁,…,X_n is cyclic. Making use of such words v_m(x₁,…,x_m) and v_m + 1(x₁,…,x_m + 1), we provide a positive solution to the following problem raised by Shpilrain: There exist two elements u₁, u₂ ∈ F_m such that every endomorphism ψ of F_m with non-cyclic image is completely determined by ψ(u₁), ψ(u₂).     

On Generalized Finitary Groups

We introduce a wide range of generalized finitary automorphism groups of an arbitrary module M over an arbitrary ring R. The largest such subgroup of Aut_RM that we seriously consider here is the subgroup of all R-automorphisms g of M such that M(g − 1) has Krull dimension. We also consider the subgroup of all R-automorphisms g of M such that M(g − 1) is Artinian as an R-module. The results are vaguely analogous to the genuine finitary case but are somewhat weaker.     

Simple regression in view of elliptical models

For the simple linear model Y = θ1 + βx + ? where the error vector follows the elliptically contoured distribution, we consider the unrestricted, restricted, preliminary test and shrinkage estimators for the intercept parameter, θ when it is suspected that the slope parameter β may be β_o. The exact bias and MSE expressions are derived and the mean-square relative efficiency is taken to determine the relative dominance properties of the proposed estimators in comparison. In the continuation, the optimal level of significance of the preliminary test estimator is tabulated and some graphical result are also displayed.