Order conditions for linearly implicit fractional step Runge Kutta methods

^{In this paper, we study the consistency of a variant of fractionalstep Runge–Kutta methods. These methods are designed tointegrate efficiently semi-linear multidimensional parabolicproblems by means of linearly implicit time integration processes.Such time discretization procedures are also related to a splittingof the space differential operator (or the spatial discretizationof it) as a sum of ‘simpler’ linear differentialoperators and a nonlinear term.}     

Reliability and expectation bounds for coherent systems with exchangeable components

Sharp upper and lower bounds are obtained for the reliability functions and the expectations of lifetimes of coherent systems based on dependent exchangeable absolutely continuous components with a given marginal distribution function, by use of the concept of Samaniego's signature. We first show that the distribution of any coherent system based on exchangeable components with absolutely continuous joint distribution is a convex combination of distributions of order statistics (equivalent to the k-out-of-n systems) with the weights identical with the values of the Samaniego signature of the system. This extends the Samaniego representation valid for the case of independent and identically distributed components. Combining the representation with optimal bounds on linear combinations of distribution functions of order statistics from dependent identically distributed samples, we derive the corresponding reliability and expectation bounds, dependent on the signature of the system and marginal distribution of dependent components. We also present the sequences of exchangeable absolutely continuous joint distributions of components which attain the bounds in limit. As an application, we obtain the reliability bounds for all the coherent systems with three and four exchangeable components, expressed in terms of the parent marginal reliability function and specify the respective expectation bounds for exchangeable exponential components, comparing them with the lifetime expectations of systems with independent and identically distributed exponential components.     

Lattices contained in planar orders are planar

The covering graph of a lattice which is contained in an ordered set with a planar covering graph is itself planar.Presented by R. W. Quackenbush.     

Local solution for the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation with periodic conditions

In this article we prove a local existence and uniqueness theorem for the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili Equation (u _t +u _xxx +uu _x ) _x −u _yy =0) in the Sobolev spaces of orders≥3, with initial values in the same spaces, and periodic boundary conditions. This theorem improves previous results based upon the application of singular perturbation techniques.     

The semiclassical limit of a quantum Fermi accelerator

A classical Fermi accelerator model (FAM) is known to show chaotic behavior. The FAM is defined by a free particle bouncing elastically from two rigid walls, one fixed and the other oscillating periodically in time. The central aim of this paper is to connect the quantum and the classical solutions to the FAM in the semiclassical limit. This goal is accomplished using a finite inverted parametric oscillator (FIPO), confined to a box withfixed walls, as an alternative representation of the FAM. In the FIPO representation, an explicit correspondence between classical and quantum limits is accomplished using a Husimi representation of the quasienergy eigenfunctions.     

Point-to-Periodic and Periodic-to-Periodic Connections

In this work we consider computing and continuing connecting orbits in parameter dependent dynamical systems. We give details of algorithms for computing connections between equilibria and periodic orbits, and between periodic orbits. The theoretical foundation for these techniques is given by the seminal work of Beyn in 1994, “On well-posed problems for connecting orbits in dynamical systems”, where a numerical technique is also proposed. Our algorithms consist of splitting the computation of the connection from that of the periodic orbit(s). To set up appropriate boundary conditions, we follow the algorithmic approach used by Demmel, Dieci, and Friedman, for the case of connecting orbits between equilibria, and we construct and exploit the smooth block Schur decomposition of the monodromy matrices associated to the periodic orbits. Numerical examples illustrate the performance of the algorithms. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An approximation property of harmonic functions in Lipschitz domains and some of its consequences

An extension of an inequality of J. B. Garnett (1979), with improvements by B. E. J. Dahlberg (1980), on an approximation property of harmonic functions is proved. The weighted inequality proved here was suggested by the work of J. Pipher (1993) and it implies an extension of a result of S. Y. A. Chang, J. Wilson and T. Wolff (1985) and C. Sweezy (1991) on exponential square integrability of the boundary values of solutions to second-order linear differential equations in divergence form. This implies a solution of a problem left open by R. Bañuelos and C. N. Moore (1989) on sharp estimates for the area integral of harmonic functions in Lipschitz domains.

     

Synthesis of poly(vinyl chloride)‐b‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl chloride) by the competitive single‐electron‐transfer/degenerative‐chain‐transfer‐mediated living radical polymerization in water

The synthesis of a block copolymer poly(vinyl chloride)‐b‐poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl chloride) is reported. This new material was synthesized by single‐electron‐transfer/degenerative‐chain‐transfer‐mediated living radical polymerization (SET‐DTLRP) in two steps. First, a bifunctional macroinitiator of α,ω‐di(iodo)poly (butyl acrylate) [α,ω‐di(iodo)PBA] was synthesized by SET‐DTLRP in water at 25 °C. The macroinitiator was further reinitiated by SET‐DTLRP, leading to the formation of the desired product. This ABA block copolymer was synthesized with high initiator efficiency. The kinetics of the copolymerization reaction was studied for two PBA macroinitiators with number–average molecular weight of 10 k and 20 k. The relationship between the conversion and the number–average molecular weight was found to be linear. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis suggests just one phase, indicating that copolymer behaves as a single material with no phase separation. This methodology provides the access to several block copolymers and other complex architectures that result from combinations of thermoplastics (PVC) and elastomers (PBA). From industrial standpoint, this process is attractive, because of easy experimental setup and the environmental friendly reaction medium. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3001–3008, 2006     

Single electron transfer–degenerative chain transfer living radical polymerization of N‐butyl acrylate catalyzed by Na2S2O4 in water media

Living radical polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate was achieved by single electron transfer/degenerative‐chain transfer mediated living radical polymerization in water catalyzed by sodium dithionate. The plots of number–average molecular weight versus conversion and ln[M]₀/[M] versus time are linear, indicating a controlled polymerization. This methodology leads to the preparation of α,ω‐di(iodo) poly (butyl acrylate) (α,ω‐di(iodo)PBA) macroinitiators. The influence of polymerization degree ([monomer]/[initiator]), amount of catalyst, concentration of suspending agents and temperature were studied. The molecular weight distributions were determined using a combination of three detectors (TriSEC): right‐angle light scattering (RALLS), a differential viscometer (DV), and refractive index (RI). The methodology studied in this work represents a possible route to prepare well‐tailored macromolecules made of butyl acrylate in an environmental friendly reaction medium. Moreover, such materials can be subsequently functionalized leading to the formation of different block copolymers of composition ABA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2809–2825, 2006     

The extended loop group: An infinite dimensional manifold associated with the loop space

A set of coordinates in the non-parametric loop-space is introduced. We show that these coordinates transform under infinite dimensional linear representations of the diffeomorphism group. An extension of the group of loops in terms of these objects is proposed. The enlarged group behaves locally as an infinite dimensional Lie group. Ordinary loops form a subgroup of this group. The algebraic properties of this new mathematical structure are analyzed in detail. Applications of the formalism to field theory, quantum gravity and knot theory are considered.