A NEW NONCONFORMING MIXED FINITE ELEMENT SCHEME FOR THE STATIONARY NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS

In this article, a new stable nonconforming mixed finite element scheme is proposed for the stationary Navier-Stokes equations, in which a new low order CrouzeixRaviart type nonconforming rectangular element is taken for approximating space for the velocity and the piecewise constant element for the pressure. The optimal order error estimates for the approximation of both the velocity and the pressure in L2-norm are established, as well as one in broken H1-norm for the velocity. Numerical experiments are given which are consistent with our theoretical analysis.     

Optimum selection of the dental implant diameter and length in the posterior mandible with poor bone quality – A 3D finite element analysis

This study aimed to evaluate continuous and simultaneous variations of dental implant diameter and length, and to identify their relatively optimal ranges in the posterior mandible under biomechanical consideration. A 3D finite element model of a posterior mandibular segment with dental implant was created. Implant diameter ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 mm, and implant length ranged from 6.0 to 16.0 mm. The results showed that under axial load, the maximum Von Mises stresses in cortical and cancellous bones decreased by 76.53% and 72.93% respectively, with the increasing of implant diameter and length; and under buccolingual load, by 83.97% and 84.93%, respectively. Under both loads, the maximum displacements of implant-abutment complex decreased by 58.09% and 75.53%, respectively. The results indicate that in the posterior mandible, implant diameter plays more significant roles than length in reducing cortical bone stress and enhancing implant stability under both loads. Meanwhile, implant length is more effective than diameter in reducing cancellous bone stress under both loads. Moreover, biomechanically, implant diameter exceeding 4.0 mm and implant length exceeding 12.0 mm is a relatively optimal combination for a screwed implant in the posterior mandible with poor bone quality.     

A novel scheme for the design of backstepping control for a class of nonlinear systems

A novel scheme is proposed for the design of backstepping control for a class of state-feedback nonlinear systems. In the design, the unknown nonlinear functions are approximated by the neural networks (NNs) identification models. The Lyapunov function of every subsystem consists of the tracking error and the estimation errors of NN weight parameters. The adaptive gains are dynamically determined in a structural way instead of keeping them constants, which can guarantee system stability and parameter estimation convergence. When the modeling errors are available, the indirect backstepping control is proposed, which can guarantee the functional approximation error will converge to a rather small neighborhood of the minimax functional approximation error. When the modeling errors are not available, the direct backstepping control is proposed, where only the tracking error is necessary. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.     

A hybrid model for selection of an outsourcing provider

Outsourcing is a good strategy for firms that need to reduce operating costs and improve competitiveness and it is important that firms scientifically select appropriate outsourcing providers. Some efforts have been made to find systematic ways to deal with outsourcing problems, but these efforts incorrectly assumed that the criteria used in the decision process are independent, which is not true in the real world. In this study, we propose a new hybrid multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) model, which addresses the dependent relationships between the various criteria. The relations-structure among the criteria is built with the aid of the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Decision-makers tend to hold diverse opinions about their preferences due to incomplete information and knowledge, or inherent conflict between various departments. We further used the fuzzy preference programming and the analytic network process (ANP) to form a model for the selection of partners for outsourcing providers. The proposed model can help practitioners improve their decision making process, especially when criteria are numerous and inter-related. The method is demonstrated using data from a Taiwanese airline.     

Inventory competition for newsvendors under the objective of profit satisficing

Inventory competition for newsvendors (NVs) has been studied extensively under the objective of expected profit maximization which is based on risk neutrality. In this paper, we study this classic problem under the objective of profit satisficing which is based on downside-risk aversion. Consistent with prior literature, we consider two possible scenarios. In the first scenario, each NV’s demand depends on the stocking levels of all NVs other than herself. In this scenario, we show that there is a unique Nash equilibrium where all NVs optimally order as if they were independent. In the second scenario, each NV’s demand depends on the stocking levels of all NVs including herself. We prove the existence of Nash equilibrium for both additive and multiplicative forms of demands. As a special case, we also study symmetrical NVs under the proportional allocation model. We show that at equilibrium, if the number of NVs exceeds a threshold, the market becomes highly competitive.     

模糊蚁群算法及其在TSP中的应用

在传统蚁群算法的基础上加入了使用模糊规则表更新信息素的策略,提出了一种新的算法——模糊蚁群算法.算法结合了模糊控制中输入输出的模糊化处理和蚁群寻优的特点,为实际问题提供了新的解决手段.文中将模糊蚁群算法应用于TSP问题,通过对中国31个省会城市等实例数据进行的测试,验证表明了新算法具有良好的有效性和鲁棒性.     

Actions of Totally Disconnected Groups and Equivariant Singular Cohomology

In this work, we study the special properties of the equivariant singular cohomology of a G-space X, where G is a totally disconnected, locally compact group. We prove that any short exact sequence of coefficient systems for G, over a ring R, gives a long exact sequence of the associated equivariant singular cohomology modules. We establish the relationship between the ordinary singular cohomology modules and the equivariant singular cohomology modules with the natural contravariant coefficient system. Moreover, under some conditions, we give an isomorphism of the equivariant singular cohomology modules of the G-space X onto the ordinary singular cohomology modules of the orbit space X/G.     

On a sharp volume estimate for gradient Ricci solitons with scalar curvature bounded below

In this note, we obtain a sharp volume estimate for complete gradient Ricci solitons with scalar curvature bounded below by a positive constant. Using Chen-Yokota’s argument we obtain a local lower bound estimate of the scalar curvature for the Ricci flow on complete manifolds. Consequently, one has a sharp estimate of the scalar curvature for expanding Ricci solitons; we also provide a direct (elliptic) proof of this sharp estimate. Moreover, if the scalar curvature attains its minimum value at some point, then the manifold is Einstein.     

一类具幂零奇点的五次系统中心条件及极限环分支

In this paper, center conditions and bifurcation of limit cycles at the nilpotent critical point in a class of quintic polynomial differential system are investigated. With the help of computer algebra system MATHEMATICA, the first 8 quasi Lyapunov constants are deduced. As a result, the necessary and sufficient conditions to have a center are obtained. The fact that there exist 8 small amplitude limit cycles created from the three-order nilpotent critical point is also proved. Henceforth we give a lower bound of cyclicity of three-order nilpotent critical point for quintic Lyapunov systems.     

非Lipschitz条件Hilbert空间上扩散过程的短时间大偏差原理

Under the non-Lipschitzian condition, a small time large deviation principle of diffusion processes on Hilbert spaces is established. The operator theory and Gronwall inequality play an important role.