INTERSECTION OF PRIME SUBMODULES AND DIMENSION OF MODULES

The aim of this paper is to study the conditions by which a P-prime submodule can be expressed as a finite intersection or union of P-prime submodules. Also corresponding to dimension and rank of modules, some equivalent conditions for a ring to be a Dedekind domain are given.     

Search for a reliable methodology for PSD determination based on a combined molecular simulation-regularization-experimental approach: The case of PHTS materials

We present here a methodology for searching a robust pore size distribution (PSD) for adsorbent materials. The method is based on a combination of individual adsorption isotherms, obtained from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations, a regularization procedure to invert the adsorption integral equation (Tikhonov regularization solved by singular value decomposition), and the needed experimental adsorption isotherm. The selection of several parameters from the available choices to start the procedure are discussed here: the size of the kernel (number of individual pores and number of experimental adsorption points to be included), the fulfillment of the Discrete Picard condition, and the L-curve criteria, all leading to find a reliable and robust PSD. The procedure is applied to plugged hexagonal templated silicas (PHTS), synthesized, and characterized in our laboratory.     

From a Nonlinear, Nonconvex Variational Problem to a Linear, Convex Formulation

   Abstract. We propose a general approach to deal with nonlinear, nonconvex variational problems based on a reformulation of the problem resulting in an optimization problem with linear cost functional and convex constraints. As a first step we explicitly explore these ideas to some one-dimensional variational problems and obtain specific conclusions of an analytical and numerical nature.     

Cyclic Hypomonotonicity,Cyclic Submonotonicity,and Integration

Rockafellar has shown that the subdifferentials of convex functions are always cyclically monotone operators. Moreover, maximal cyclically monotone operators are necessarily operators of this type, since one can construct explicitly a convex function, which turns out to be unique up to a constant, whose subdifferential gives back the operator. This result is a cornerstone in convex analysis and relates tightly convexity and monotonicity. In this paper, we establish analogous robust results that relate weak convexity notions to corresponding notions of weak monotonicity, provided one deals with locally Lipschitz functions and locally bounded operators. In particular, the subdifferentials of locally Lipschitz functions that are directionally hypomonotone [respectively, directionally submonotone] enjoy also an additional cyclic strengthening of this notion and in fact are maximal under this new property. Moreover, every maximal cyclically hypomonotone [respectively, maximal cyclically submonotone] operator is always the Clarke subdifferential of some directionally weakly convex [respectively, directionally approximately convex] locally Lipschitz function, unique up to a constant, which in finite dimentions is a lower C² function [respectively, a lower C¹ function].     

On the Long-Time Behavior of the Quantum Fokker-Planck Equation

We analyze the long-time behavior of transport equations for a class of dissipative quantum systems with Fokker-planck type diffusion operator, subject to confining potentials of harmonic oscillator type. We establish the existence and uniqueness of a non-equilibrium steady state for the corresponding dynamics. Further, using a (classical) convex Sobolev inequality, we prove an optimal exponential rate of decay towards this state and additionally give precise dispersion estimates in those cases, where no stationary state exists.     

Deciding confluence of certain term rewriting systems in polynomial time

We present a characterization of confluence for term rewriting systems, which is then refined for special classes of rewriting systems. The refined characterization is used to obtain a polynomial time algorithm for deciding the confluence of ground term rewrite systems. The same approach also shows the decidability of confluence for shallow and linear term rewriting systems. The decision procedure has a polynomial time complexity under the assumption that the maximum arity of a function symbol in the signature is a constant.     

Compact Matrix Expressions for Generalized Wald Tests of Equality of Moment Vectors

Asymptotic chi-squared test statistics for testing the equality of moment vectors are developed. The test statistics proposed are generalized Wald test statistics that specialize for different settings by inserting an appropriate asymptotic variance matrix of sample moments. Scaled test statistics are also considered for dealing with nonstandard conditions. The specialization will be carried out for testing the equality of multinomial populations, and the equality of variance and correlation matrices for both normal and nonnormal data. When testing the equality of correlation matrices, a scaled version of the normal theory chi-squared statistic is proven to be an asymptotically exact chi-squared statistic in the case of elliptical data.     

Return smoothing mechanisms in life and pension insurance: Path-dependent contingent claims

Traditional with-profits pension saving schemes have been criticized for their opacity, plagued by embedded options and guarantees, and have recently created enormous problems for the solvency of the life insurance and pension industry. This has fueled creativity in the industry’s product development departments, and this paper analyzes a representative member of a family of new pension schemes that have been introduced in the new millennium to alleviate these problems. The complete transparency of the new scheme’s smoothing mechanism means that it can be analyzed using contingent claims pricing theory. We explore the properties of this pension scheme in detail and find that in terms of market value, smoothing is an illusion, but also that the return smoothing mechanism implies a dynamic asset allocation strategy which corresponds with traditional pension saving advice and the recommendations of state-of-the-art dynamic portfolio choice models.