A new approximation technique for div-curl systems

In this paper, we describe an approximation technique for div-curl systems based in where is a domain in . We formulate this problem as a general variational problem with different test and trial spaces. The analysis requires the verification of an appropriate inf-sup condition. This results in a very weak formulation where the solution space is and the data reside in various negative norm spaces. Subsequently, we consider finite element approximations based on this weak formulation. The main approach of this paper involves the development of ``stable pairs" of discrete test and trial spaces. With this approach, we enlarge the test space so that the discrete inf-sup condition holds and we use a negative-norm least-squares formulation to reduce to a uniquely solvable linear system. This leads to optimal order estimates for problems with minimal regularity which is important since it is possible to construct magnetostatic field problems whose solutions have low Sobolev regularity (e.g., with ). The resulting algebraic equations are symmetric, positive definite and well conditioned. A second approach using a smaller test space which adds terms to the form for stabilization will also be mentioned. Some numerical results are also presented.

     

On the error estimates for the rotational pressure-correction projection methods

In this paper we study the rotational form of the pressure-correction method that was proposed by Timmermans, Minev, and Van De Vosse. We show that the rotational form of the algorithm provides better accuracy in terms of the -norm of the velocity and of the -norm of the pressure than the standard form.

     

Viscosity solutions, almost everywhere solutions and explicit formulas

Consider the differential inclusion in . We exhibit an explicit solution that we call fundamental. It also turns out to be a viscosity solution when properly defining this notion. Finally, we consider a Dirichlet problem associated to the differential inclusion and we give an iterative procedure for finding a solution.

     

Ideals in a perfect closure, linear growth of primary decompositions, and tight closure

This paper is concerned with tight closure in a commutative Noetherian ring of prime characteristic , and is motivated by an argument of K. E. Smith and I. Swanson that shows that, if the sequence of Frobenius powers of a proper ideal of has linear growth of primary decompositions, then tight closure (of ) `commutes with localization at the powers of a single element'. It is shown in this paper that, provided has a weak test element, linear growth of primary decompositions for other sequences of ideals of that approximate, in a certain sense, the sequence of Frobenius powers of would not only be just as good in this context, but, in the presence of a certain additional finiteness property, would actually imply that tight closure (of ) commutes with localization at an arbitrary multiplicatively closed subset of .

Work of M. Katzman on the localization problem for tight closure raised the question as to whether the union of the associated primes of the tight closures of the Frobenius powers of has only finitely many maximal members. This paper develops, through a careful analysis of the ideal theory of the perfect closure of , strategies for showing that tight closure (of a specified ideal of ) commutes with localization at an arbitrary multiplicatively closed subset of and for showing that the union of the associated primes of the tight closures of the Frobenius powers of is actually a finite set. Several applications of the strategies are presented; in most of them it was already known that tight closure commutes with localization, but the resulting affirmative answers to Katzman's question in the various situations considered are believed to be new.

     

Smooth solutions to a class of free boundary parabolic problems

We establish existence, uniqueness, and regularity results for solutions to a class of free boundary parabolic problems, including the free boundary heat equation which arises in the so-called ``focusing problem' in the mathematical theory of combustion. Such solutions are proved to be smooth with respect to time for positive , if the data are smooth.

     

LP formulations of the shortest path tree problem

Based on a pair of primal-dual LP formulations of the shortest path tree problem, the first algorithmic approach to reoptimizing the shortest paths subject to changes in the edge weights was proposed by S. Pallottino and M.G. Scutellá in 2003. We shall here focus solely on their introductory sections, propose some simplifications of the models considered, and finally relate the resulting models to the presentation of single-source shortest path problems in textbooks treating this subject with but limited or no reference to LP.Received: April 2004, Revised: August 2004, MSC classification: 90C05, 90C35, 90B10 Dedicated to the memory of Stefano Pallottino     

Nonlinear Internal Damping of Wave Equations with Variable Coefficients

For wave equations with variable coefficients on regions which are not necessarily smooth, we study the energy decay rate when a nonlinear damping is applied on a suitable subrigion.     

Analysis of the Abraham-Minkowski Controversy by Means of Two Simple Examples

Using a very simple example, H. M. Lai [1] argued in favor of Abraham's proposal for defining electromagnetic field momentum density. Later, using another simple device, Johnson et al. [2] argued in favor of Minkowski's proposal. This indicates that the Abraham-Minkowski controversy remains open. Both models consider nonmagnetic media ( = 1). In this work we analyze both models pointing out some weak points and extend the analysis to magnetic media ( 1). We show that in this case Minkowski's proposal is better than Abraham's. Our analysis throws some light on this very old controversy.     

Selberg-Type Integrals Associated with SL3

We present several formulae for Selberg-type integrals associated with the Lie algebra .     

Elliptic Equations with Degenerate Coercivity： Gradient Regularity

In this paper, we prove higher integrability results for the gradient of the solutions of some elliptic equations with degenerate coercivity whose prototype is where for example, a(x,u)=(1+|u|)^−θ with θ ∈ (0,1). We study the same problem for minima of functionals closely related to the previous equation.