Symmetric Boundary Value Methods for Second Order Initial and Boundary Value Problems

We introduce symmetric Boundary Value Methods for the solution of second order initial and boundary value problems (in particular Hamiltonian problems). We study the conditioning of the methods and link it to the boundary loci of the roots of the associated characteristic polynomial. Some numerical tests are provided to assess their reliability. Dedicated to the memory of Professor Aldo Cossu     

High order generalized upwind schemes and numerical solution of singular perturbation problems

High even order generalizations of the traditional upwind method are introduced to solve second order ODE-BVPs without recasting the problem as a first order system. Both theoretical analysis and numerical comparison with central difference schemes of the same order show that these new methods may avoid typical oscillations and achieve high accuracy. Singular perturbation problems are taken into account to emphasize the main features of the proposed methods. AMS subject classification (2000)  65L10, 65L12, 65L50     

An algorithm for the computation of consistent initial values for differential–algebraic equations

We use boundary value methods to compute consistent initial values for fully implicit nonlinear differential-algebraic equations. The obtained algorithm uses variable order formulae and a deferred correction technique to evaluate the error. A rigorous theory is stated for nonlinear index 1, 2 and 3 DAEs of Hessenberg form. Numerical tests on classical index 1, 2 and 3 DAE problems are reported. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of spectral Hamiltonian boundary value methods (SHBVMs) for the numerical solution of ODE problems

Numerical Algorithms - Recently, the numerical solution of stiffly/highly oscillatory Hamiltonian problems has been attacked by using Hamiltonian boundary value methods (HBVMs) as spectral methods...     

A finite differences MATLAB code for the numerical solution of second order singular perturbation problems

We show the main features of the MATLAB code HOFiD_UP for solving second order singular perturbation problems. The code is based on high order finite differences, in particular on the generalized upwind method. Within its simplicity, it uses order variation and continuation for solving any difficult nonlinear scalar problem. Several numerical tests on linear and nonlinear problems are considered. The best performances are reported on problems with perturbation parameters near the machine precision, where most of the codes for two-point BVPs fail.     

Parallel ODE solvers based on block BVMs

In this paper we deal with Boundary Value Methods (BVMs), which are methods recently introduced for the numerical approximation of initial value problems for ODEs. Such methods, based on linear multistep formulae (LMF), overcome the stability limitations due to the well-known Dahlquist barriers, and have been the subject of much research in the last years. This has led to the definition of a new stability framework, which generalizes the one stated by Dahlquist for LMF. Moreover, several aspects have been investigated, including the efficient stepsize control [17,25,26] and the application of the methods for approximating different kinds of problems such as BVPs, PDEs and DAEs [7,23,41]. Furthermore, a block version of such methods, recently proposed for approximating Hamiltonian problems [24], is able to provide an efficient parallel solver for ODE systems [3].     

Synthesis,characterization, and reactivity of cationic hydride [HPd(diphosphine)(2)](+)CF(3)SO(3)(-), the missing member of the family [HM(dppe)(2)](+)X(-) (M = Ni,Pd, Pt). DFT QM/MM structural predictions for the [HPd(dppe)(2)](+) moiety

The synthesis, characterization, and properties of the cationic hydride [HPd(dppe)(2)](+)CF(3)SO3(-).1/8THF, the missing member of the family [HM(dppe)(2)](+)X(-) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), are described. The Pd hydride is not stable in solution and may react as either a proton or a hydride donor. DFT QM/MM calculations of the [HPd(dppe)(2)](+) moiety have allowed us to predict its structure and reactivity.     

Non-Linear Electrodynamics in Blandford–Znajek Energy Extraction

Non-linear electrodynamics (NLED) is a generalization of Maxwell's electrodynamics for strong fields. It has significant implications for the study of black holes and cosmology and has been extensively studied in the literature, extending from quantum to cosmological contexts. In this work, two new ways to investigate these non-linear theories are investigated. First, the Blandford-Znajek mechanism is analyzed in light of this promising theoretical context, providing the general form of the extracted power up to second order in the black hole spin parameter a. It is found that, depending on the NLED model, the emitted power can be extremely increased or decreased, and that the magnetic field lines around the black hole seem to become vertical quickly. Considering only separated solutions, it is found that no monopole solutions exist and this could have interesting astrophysical consequences (not considered here). Last but not least, it is attempted to confine the NLED parameters by inducing the amplification of primordial magnetic fields (“seeds”), thus admitting non-linear theories already during the early stages of the Universe. However, the latter approach proves to be useful for NLED research only in certain models. These (analytical) results emphasize that the behavior of non-linear electromagnetic phenomena strongly depends on the physical context and that only a power-law model seems to have any chance to compete with Maxwell.     

Stability of some boundary value methods for the solution of initial value problems

The stability properties of three particular boundary value methods (BVMs) for the solution of initial value problems are considered. Our attention is focused on the BVMs based on the midpoint rule, on the Simpson method and on an Adams method of order 3. We investigate their BV-stability regions by considering the scalar test problem and constant stepsize. The study of the conditioning of the coefficient matrix of the discrete problem is extended to the case of variable stepsize and block ODE problems. We also analyse an appropriate choice for the stepsize for stiff problems. Numerical tests are reported to evidentiate the effectiveness of the BVMs and the differences among the BVMs considered.Work supported by the Ministero della Ricerca Scientifica, 40% project, and C.N.R. (contract of research # 92.00535.01).