Optimal adaptive solution of initial-value problems with unknown singularities

The optimal solution of initial-value problems in ODEs is well studied for smooth right-hand side functions. Much less is known about the optimality of algorithms for singular problems. In this paper, we study the (worst case) solution of scalar problems with a right-hand side function having r   continuous bounded derivatives in R$\mathbf{R}$, except for an unknown singular point. We establish the minimal worst case error for such problems (which depends on r similarly as in the smooth case), and define optimal adaptive algorithms. The crucial point is locating an unknown singularity of the solution by properly adapting the grid. We also study lower bounds on the error of an algorithm for classes of singular problems. In the case of a single singularity with nonadaptive information, or in the case of two or more singularities, the error of any algorithm is shown to be independent of r.     

Sharp discrete inequalities and applications to discrete variational problems

Some new discrete inequalities involving monotonic or convex functions are obtained. While these are interesting inequalities in their own right, they can be applied to solving certain types of discrete variational problems effectively.     

On exponential stability of a semilinear wave equation with variable coefficients under the nonlinear boundary feedback

The uniform stabilization of an originally regarded nondissipative system described by a semilinear wave equation with variable coefficients under the nonlinear boundary feedback is considered. The existence of both weak and strong solutions to the system is proven by the Galerkin method. The exponential stability of the system is obtained by introducing an equivalent energy function and using the energy multiplier method on the Riemannian manifold. This equivalent energy function shows particularly that the system is essentially a dissipative system. This result not only generalizes the result from constant coefficients to variable coefficients for these kinds of semilinear wave equations but also simplifies significantly the proof for constant coefficients case considered in [A. Guesmia, A new approach of stabilization of nondissipative distributed systems, SIAM J. Control Optim. 42 (2003) 24-52] where the system is claimed to be nondissipative.     

Time consistent dynamic risk processes

A crucial property for dynamic risk measures is the time consistency. In this paper, a characterization of time consistency in terms of a “cocycle condition” for the minimal penalty function is proved for general dynamic risk measures continuous from above. Then the question of the regularity of paths is addressed. It is shown that, for a time consistent dynamic risk measure normalized and non-degenerate, the process associated with any bounded random variable has a càdlàg modification, under a mild condition always satisfied in the case of continuity from below. When normalization is not assumed, a right continuity condition on the penalty has to be added.     

A Bose type formula for the internal medial axis of an embedded manifold

We establish a three-dimensional variant of the Bose formula for the internal medial axis of a closed plane curve. We generalize the result to dimensions less than or equal to 6, and we apply the result to cut-loci, and spines of 3-manifolds. Also, we describe the difference between the main theorems and recent work of Sedykh.     

Duality problem for disjointly homogeneous rearrangement invariant spaces

Let $1\le p<\infty$. A Banach lattice E is said to be disjointly homogeneous (resp. p-disjointly homogeneous) if two arbitrary normalized disjoint sequences from E contain equivalent in E subsequences (resp. every normalized disjoint sequence contains a subsequence equivalent in E to the unit vector basis of $l_p$). Answering a question raised in the paper [11], for each $1<p<\infty$, we construct a reflexive p-disjointly homogeneous rearrangement invariant space on $[0,1]$ whose dual is not disjointly homogeneous. Employing methods from interpolation theory, we provide new examples of disjointly homogeneous rearrangement invariant spaces; in particular, we show that there is a Tsirelson type disjointly homogeneous rearrangement invariant space, which contains no subspace isomorphic to $l_p$, $1\le p<\infty$, or $c_0$.     

Uniform convergence of sequences of solutions of two-dimensional linear elliptic equations with unbounded coefficients

This paper deals with the behavior of two-dimensional linear elliptic equations with unbounded (and possibly infinite) coefficients. We prove the uniform convergence of the solutions by truncating the coefficients and using a pointwise estimate of the solutions combined with a two-dimensional capacitary estimate. We give two applications of this result: the continuity of the solutions of two-dimensional linear elliptic equations by a constructive approach, and the density of the continuous functions in the domain of the Γ-limit of equicoercive diffusion energies in dimension two. We also build two counter-examples which show that the previous results cannot be extended to dimension three.     

The transonic shock in a nozzle, 2-D and 3-D complete Euler systems

In this paper, we study a transonic shock problem for the Euler flows through a class of 2-D or 3-D nozzles. The nozzle is assumed to be symmetric in the diverging (or converging) part. If the supersonic incoming flow is symmetric near the divergent (or convergent) part of the nozzle, then, as indicated in Section 147 of [R. Courant, K.O. Friedrichs, Supersonic Flow and Shock Waves, Interscience Publ., New York, 1948], there exist two constant pressures P₁ and P₂ with P₁<P₂ such that for given constant exit pressure Pe∈(P₁,P₂), a symmetric transonic shock exists uniquely in the nozzle, and the position and the strength of the shock are completely determined by Pe. Moreover, it is shown in this paper that such a transonic shock solution is unique under the restriction that the shock goes through the fixed point at the wall in the multidimensional setting. Furthermore, we establish the global existence, stability and the long time asymptotic behavior of an unsteady symmetric transonic shock under the exit pressure Pe when the initial unsteady shock lies in the symmetric diverging part of the 2-D or 3-D nozzle. On the other hand, it is shown that an unsteady symmetric transonic shock is structurally unstable in a global-in-time sense if it lies in the symmetric converging part of the nozzle.     

A proximal-like method for a class of second order measure-differential inclusions describing vibro-impact problems

We are interested in the study of discrete mechanical systems subjected to frictionless unilateral constraints. The dynamics is described by a second order measure-differential inclusion for the unknown positions, completed by a Newton's impact law describing the transmission of the velocities when the constraints are saturated.By using another formulation of the problem at the velocity level, we introduce a time-stepping algorithm, inspired by the proximal methods for differential inclusions, and we prove the convergence of the approximate solutions to a solution of the Cauchy problem.