A method for calculating invariant subspaces of symmetric hyperbolic equations

An algorithm is constructed for calculating invariant subspaces of symmetric hyperbolic systems arising in electromagnetic, acoustic, and elasticity problems. Discrete approximations are calculated for subspaces that correspond to minimal eigenvalues and smooth eigenfunctions. Difficulties related to the presence of an infinite-dimensional kernel in the differential operator are successfully handled. The efficiency of the algorithm is demonstrated using acoustics equations.     

Commuting and stable feedback design for switched linear systems

In the paper, commuting and stable feedback design for switched linear systems is investigated. This problem is formulated as to build up suitable state feedback controller for each subsystem such that the closed-loop systems are not only asymptotically stable but also commuting each other. A new concept, common admissible eigenvector set (CAES), is introduced to establish necessary/sufficient conditions for commuting and stable feedback controllers. For second-order systems, a necessary and sufficient condition is established. Moreover, a parametrization of the CAES is also obtained. The motivation comes from stabilization of switched linear systems which consist of a family of LTI systems and a switching law specifying the switching between them, where if all the subsystems are stable and commuting each other, then the total system is stable under arbitrary switching.     

Generalized quasilinearization method for reaction-diffusion equations under nonlinear and nonlocal flux conditions

In this paper we consider an initial boundary value problem for a reaction-diffusion equation under nonlinear and nonlocal Robin type boundary condition. Assuming the existence of an ordered pair of upper and lower solutions we establish a generalized quasilinearization method for the problem under consideration whose characteristic feature consists in the construction of monotone sequences converging to the unique solution within the interval of upper and lower solutions, and whose convergence rate is quadratic. Thus this method provides an efficient iteration technique that produces not only improved approximations due to the monotonicity of its iterates, but yields also a measure of the convergence rate.     

Scale Invariance Properties in the Simulated Annealing Algorithm

The Boltzmann distribution used in the steady-state analysis of the simulated annealing algorithm gives rise to several scale invariant properties. Scale invariance is first presented in the context of parallel independent processors and then extended to an abstract form based on lumping states together to form new aggregate states. These lumped or aggregate states possess all of the mathematical characteristics, forms and relationships of states (solutions) in the original problem in both first and second moments. These scale invariance properties therefore permit new ways of relating objective function values, conditional expectation values, stationary probabilities, rates of change of stationary probabilities and conditional variances. Such properties therefore provide potential applications in analysis, statistical inference and optimization. Directions for future research that take advantage of scale invariance are also discussed.     

Cosmic dust and our origins

The small solid particles in the space between the stars provide the surfaces for the production of many simple and complex molecules. Processes involving the effects of ultraviolet irradiation of the thin (hundredth micron) mantles are shown to produce a wide range of molecules and ions also seen in comets. Some of the more complex ones inferred from laboratory experiments are expected to play an important role in the origin of life. An outline of the chemical evolution of interstellar dust as observed and as studied in the laboratory is presented. Observations of comets are shown to provide substantial evidence for their being fluffy aggregates of interstellar dust as it was in the protosolar nebula, i.e. the interstellar cloud which collapsed to form the solar system. The theory that comets may have brought the progenitors of life to the earth is summarized.     

A MODEL OF TROPICAL MARINE RESERVE‐FISHERY LINKAGES

ABSTRACT. The excessive and unsustainable exploitation of our marine resources has led to the promotion of marine reserves as a fisheries management tool. Marine reserves, areas in which fishing is restricted or prohibited, can offer opportunities for the recovery of exploited stock and fishery enhancement. In this paper we examine the contribution of fully protected tropical marine reserves to fishery enhancement by modeling marine reserve‐fishery linkages. The consequences of reserve establishment on the long‐run equilibrium fish biomass and fishery catch levels are evaluated. In contrast to earlier models this study highlights the roles of both adult (and juvenile) fish migration and larval dispersal between the reserve and fishing grounds by employing a spawner‐recruit model. Uniform larval dispersal, uniform larval retention and complete larval retention combined with zero, moderate and high fish migration scenarios are analyzed in turn. The numerical simulations are based on Mombasa Marine National Park, Kenya, a fully protected coral reef marine reserve comprising approximately 30% of former fishing grounds. Simulation results suggest that the establishment of a fully protected marine reserve will always lead to an increase in total fish biomass. If the fishery is moderately to heavily exploited, total fishery catch will be greater with the reserve in all scenarios of fish and larval movement. If the fishery faces low levels of exploitation, catches can be optimized without a reserve but with controlled fishing effort. With high fish migration from the reserve, catches are optimized with the reserve. The optimal area of the marine reserve depends on the exploitation rate in the neighboring fishing grounds. For example, if exploitation is maintained at 40%, the ‘optimal’ reserve size would be 10%. If the rate increases to 50%, then the reserve needs to be 30% of the management area in order to maximize catches. However, even in lower exploitation fisheries (below 40%), a small reserve (up to 20%) provides significantly higher gains in fish biomass than losses in catch. Marine reserves are a valuable fisheries management tool. To achieve maximum fishery benefits they should be complemented by fishing effort controls.     

贝塞尔-高斯脉冲光束在色散介质中的时间和光谱特性

 对等衍射长度贝塞尔-高斯脉冲光束在色散介质中的时间和光谱特性作了研究，结果表明，通过选择适当的空间参数，贝塞尔-高斯脉冲光束沿轴上传输时，脉冲宽度不变。传输距离小于无衍射长度时，随衍射角增加，功率谱形状未变，脉冲波形保持不变；传输距离大于无衍射长度时，随衍射角增加，光谱由蓝移变为红移，脉冲展宽。     

Approximate Inverse Preconditioners for Some Large Dense Random Electrostatic Interaction Matrices

A sparse mesh-neighbour based approximate inverse preconditioner is proposed for a type of dense matrices whose entries come from the evaluation of a slowly decaying free space Green’s function at randomly placed points in a unit cell. By approximating distant potential fields originating at closely spaced sources in a certain way, the preconditioner is given properties similar to, or better than, those of a standard least squares approximate inverse preconditioner while its setup cost is only that of a diagonal block approximate inverse preconditioner. Numerical experiments on iterative solutions of linear systems with up to four million unknowns illustrate how the new preconditioner drastically outperforms standard approximate inverse preconditioners of otherwise similar construction, and especially so when the preconditioners are very sparse. AMS subject classification (2000) 65F10, 65R20, 65F35, 78A30     

Propagation of the Hermite–Gaussian beams through misaligned optical system with a circular aperture

By means of expanding a hard-edged aperture into a finite sum of complex Gaussian functions, the approximate analytical formula of one kind of higher-order Gaussian beams called the Hermite–Gaussian beams (HGBs) passing through circular apertured and misaligned optical system is obtained in this paper. The result provides more convenience for studying its propagation than the usual way by using diffraction integral directly. Some numerical simulations are also given for illustrating the propagation properties of the HGBs through the circular apertured optical systems.     

Acoustic reflection from a baffled elastic/piezoelectric plate

A finite difference/boundary integral procedure to determine the acoustic reflected pressure from a fluid-loaded bi-laminated plate is described. The bi-laminate is composed of a piezoelectric layer and an elastic layer in contact with the fluid, and is held by an acoustically hard baffle. In the numerical model, the fluid pressure at fluid/solid interface is replaced by a continuum of point sources weighted by the normal acceleration of the elastic plate, and the governing equation system is solved in the solid domain. With the normal acceleration found, the reflected pressure in the fluid is determined by an integral expression involving the Green's function. It is demonstrated that an appropriate applied voltage potential across the piezoelectric layer has the effect of cancelling either the reflected or scattered pressure of the plate at any chosen field points in the fluid. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 10172039).