Flow of a nematic liquid crystal near the leading edge of an infinite prism

Flow of a nematic liquid crystal in an infinite wedge boundedby sidewalls = ± (with no-slip condition) is considered.The fluid is contained in the region 0 r < , – and – < z < (0 ). The near-tip velocity fieldis assumed to have the form v_i(r, ) = rF_i()(i = r, , z) as rtends to zero. We investigate the dependence of eigenvalues and functions F_i() on the tilt angle, G(), between the directorfield and the plane z = c (c ) and on the included angle 2 of the wedge shaped prism. Two kinds of nematicliquid crystal are considered as examples: MBBA and PAA near25 °C and 125 °C, respectively. In general, when 0 <G() < /2 the liquid crystalline material is curvilinear anisotropicand no symmetry properties are found. Here all velocity fieldcomponents are coupled. This coupling reduces the magnitudeof the leading-order eigenvalue and the one with smallest realpart is purely real for any wedge included angle. However, complexeigenvalues can occur for the next eigenvalues ordered in termsof the magnitude of the real part. Thus, if we impose the appropriatebehaviour on the far velocity field so that it is orthogonalto the eigenvectors associated with the first real eigenvalues,the remaining flow fields may display eddies.     

Correction: Abelian Varieties defined over their Fields of Moduli, I

Bull London Math. Soc, 4 (1972), 370–372. The proof of the theorem contains an error. Before giving acorrect proof, we state two lemmas. LEMMA 1. Let K/k be a cyclic Galois extension of degree m, let generate Gal (K/k), and let (A, I, ) be defined over K. Supposethat there exists an isomorphism :(A,I,) (A, I, ) over K suchthat v^m–1 ... = 1, where v is the canonical isomorphism(A^m, I^m, ^m) (A, I, ). Then (A, I, ) has a model over k, whichbecomes isomorphic to (A, I, ) over K. Proof. This follows easily from [7], as is essentially explainedon p. 371. LEMMA 2. Let G be an abelian pro-finite group and let : G Q/Z be a continuous character of G whose image has order p.Then either: (a) there exist subgroups G' and H of G such that H is cyclicof order p^m for some m, (G') = 0, and G = G' x H, or (b) for any m > 0 there exists a continuous character m ofG such that p^m _m = . Proof. If (b) is false for a given m, then there exists an element G, of order p^r for some r m, such that () ¦ 0. (Considerthe sequence dual to 0 Ker (p^m) G ^pm G). There exists an opensubgroup G_o of G such that (G₀) = 0 and has order p^r in G/G₀.Choose H to be the subgroup of G generated by , and then aneasy application to G/G₀ of the theory of finite abelian groupsshows the existence of G' (note that () ¦ 0 implies that is not a p-th. power in G). We now prove the theorem. The proof is correct up to the statement(iv) (except that (i) should read: F' k₁ F'ab). To removea minor ambiguity in the proof of (iv), choose to be an elementof Gal (F'_ab/k₂) whose image $$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma}$$ in Gal (k₁/k₂) generates this last group. The error occursin the statement that the canonical map v : A^P A acts on pointsby sending a^p a; it, of course, sends a a. The proof is correct, however, in the case that it is possibleto choose so that ^p = 1 (in Gal (F'/k₂)). By applying Lemma 2 to G = Gal (F'_ab/k₂) and the map G Gal(k₁/k₂) one sees that only the following two cases have to beconsidered. (a) It is possible to choose so that ^pm = 1, for some m, andG = G' x H where G' acts trivially on k₁ and H is generatedby . (b) For any m > 0 there exists a field K, F'ab K k₁ k₂is a cyclic Galois extension of degree p^m. In the first case, we let K F'_ab be the fixed field of G'.Then (A, I, ), regarded as being defined over K, has a modelover k₂. Indeed, if m = 1, then this was observed above, butwhen m > 1 the same argument applies. In the second case, let : (A, I, ) (A$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma}$$, I$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma }$$, $$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma}$$) be an isomorphism defined over k₁ and let v ... ^p–1 = µ(R). If is replaced by for some Aut_k1((A, I, )) then is replacedby ^P. Thus, as µ(R) is finite, we may assume that ^pm–1= 1 for some m. Choose K, as in (b), to be of degree p^m overk₂. Let _m be a generator of Gal (K/k₂) whose restriction tok₁ is $$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma }$$. Then : (A, I, ) (A^{$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma }$$}, I^{$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma}$$}, ^{$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma }$$} = (A^{$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma}$$m}, I^{$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma }$$m}, ^{$$\stackrel{\&macr;}{\sigma}$$m} is an isomorphism defined over K and v ^mpm–1, ... ^m =^pm–1 = 1, and so, by) Lemma 1, (A, I, ) has a model overk₂ which becomes isomorphic to (A, I, over K. The proof may now be completed as before. Addendum: Professor Shimura has pointed out to me that the claimon lines 25 and 26 of p. 371, viz that µ(R) is a puresubgroup of _R^*t, does not hold for all rings R. Thus this condition,which appears to be essential for the validity of the theorem,should be included in the hypotheses. It holds, for example,if µ(R) is a direct summand of µ(F).     

Correction: on the Intersection Matrices of Curves lying on Irregular Algebraic Surfaces

Professor W. F. Hammond has kindly drawn my attention to a blunderin 4 of the above paper. He referred to the ( – 2r) xß submatrix D of the skew-symmetric matrix displayednear the top of page 181, of which it is asserted that it issquare and non-singular, and pointed out that, from the factthat the matrix of which D forms part is regular, it may onlybe deduced that the columns of D are linearly independent; thatis, it only follows that – 2r ß. The validity of the equation – 2r = ß is essentialto the succeeding argument and, fortunately, may be establishedby alternative means. Using the nomenclature of the paper, wehave on F the set ₁^*, ..., _2r^*, ₁^*, ..., _ß^* of independent3-cycles (independent because they cut independent 1-cycleson the curve C), which may be completed, to form a basis forsuch cycles on F, by a further set ₁', ..., _2q–2r–pof independent 3-cycles, each of which meets C in a cycle homologousto zero on C. The cycles ₁^*, ..., ^* are invariant cycles andare independent on F so that, if > 2r + ß, thereis a non-trivial linear combination ^* of these having zero intersectionon C with each of the cycles ₁^*, ..., _2r^*, ₁^*, ..., _ß^*.Thus we have. (^* ._k^*)c = 0 = (^* ._i^*)c i.e. (^* ._k^*) = 0 = (^* ._i^* on F (1 k 2r; 1 i ß). Furthermore, (_j . C) 0 on C and we have (^* ._j .C)_C = 0 i.e. (^* ._j) = 0 on F (1 j 2q – 2r – ß). It now follows that ^* 0 on F (for it has zero intersectionwith every member of a basic set of 3-cycles on F). But thiscondradicts the assumption that ^* is a non-trivial linear combinationof the independent cycles ₁^*, ...,^*; and hence < 2r + ß.     

On the Asymptotics of the Growth of 2-Step Nilpotent Groups

Pansu has shown that the growth function of every virtuallynilpotent group with respect to any finite generating set hasasymptotics (n)n^d, where d is the degree of growth of . Thepaper refines his result in the special case of 2-step nilpotentgroups to obtain (n)=n^d+O(n^d–1).     

Fitted and Unfitted Finite-Element Methods for Elliptic Equations with Smooth Interfaces

This paper considers the finite-element approximation of theelliptic interface problem: -?(u) + cu = f in Rⁿ (n = 2 or3), with u = 0 on , where is discontinuous across a smoothsurface in the interior of . First we show that, if the meshis isoparametrically fitted to using simplicial elements ofdegree k - 1, with k 2, then the standard Galerkin method achievesthe optimal rate of convergence in the H¹ and L² norms overthe approximations _l⁴ of _l where _{l 2}. Second, since itmay be computationally inconvenient to fit the mesh to , weanalyse a fully practical piecewise linear approximation ofa related penalized problem, as introduced by Babuska (1970),based on a mesh that is independent of . We show that, by choosingthe penalty parameter appropriately, this approximation convergesto u at the optimal rate in the H¹ norm over _l⁴ and in the L²norm over any interior domain _l^* satisfying _l^* _l^** _l⁴ for somedomain _l^**. Present address: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences,University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QH     

Extremal Subgroups in Chevalley Groups

Throughout this paper G(k) denotes a Chevalley group of rankn defined over the field k, where n3. Let be the root systemassociated with G(k) and let ={₁, ₂, ..., _n} be a set of fundamentalroots of , with ⁺ being the set of positive roots of with respectto . For and ⁺, let n() be the coefficient of in the expressionof as a sum of fundamental roots; so =n(). Also we recall thatht(), the height of , is given by ht()=n(). The highest rootin ⁺ will be denoted by . We additionally assume that the Dynkindiagram of G(k) is connected.     

Cardinal Invariants and Eventually Different Functions

In this paper we study several kinds of maximal almost disjointfamilies. In the main result of this paper we show that forsuccessor cardinals , there is an unexpected connection betweeninvariants a_e(), b() and a certain cardinal invariant m_d(⁺)on ⁺. As a corollary we get for example the following result.For a successor cardinal , even assuming that ^< = and 2= ⁺, the following is not provable in Zermelo–Fraenkelset theory. There is a ⁺-cc poset which does not collapse andwhich forces a() = ⁺ < a_e() = ⁺⁺ = 2. We also apply the ideasfrom the proofs of these results to study a = a() and non(M).2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 03E17 (primary), 03E05(secondary).     

Singular behaviour in a generalized boundary eigenvalue problem for annular plates in tension

A novel application of boundary-layer asymptotic techniquesto a generalized linear eigenvalue problem is presented. Ourinvestigation is concerned with a bifurcation equation thatgoverns the formation of wrinkles in thin annular plates subjectedto in-plane tensile loading on the inner boundary. If denotesthe ratio of the inner and outer radii of the annulus, thenthe critical wrinkling load satisfies = _C(), where the function_C is available only numerically. It is known that there is acritical value such that as but, until now, little has been understood about this singular behaviour. Asymptoticmethods enable us to capture accurately and describe the natureof this blow-up phenomenon which we show is sensitive to theforms of the boundary conditions imposed at the edges of theannular plate. Our analytical findings are complemented by aseries of comparisons with direct numerical simulations thatshed further light on the singular behaviour.     

Quasi-Affinity in certain Classes of Operators

The family of operators S + V (, C, Re > 0), where V isan injective S-Volterra operator (that is, [S, V[ = V²) and— A — V^–1 generates a uniformly bounded C₀-semigroup,is studied in the context of similarity and of the weaker quasi-affinityrelation. It is shown that S is similar to S + V for all , C,Re > 1, and is a quasi-affine transform of S + tV for allt 0 and 0 < < 1.     

Reciprocating the Regular Polytopes

For reciprocation with respect to a sphere x²=c in Euclideann-space, there is a unitary analogue: Hermitian reciprocationwith respect to an antisphere u=c. This is now applied, forthe first time, to complex polytopes. When a regular polytope has a palindromic Schläfli symbol,it is self-reciprocal in the sense that its reciprocal ', withrespect to a suitable concentric sphere or antisphere, is congruentto . The present article reveals that and ' usually have togetherthe same vertices as a third polytope ⁺ and the same facet-hyperplanesas a fourth polytope ^– (where ⁺ and ^– are againregular), so as to form a ‘compound’, ⁺[2]^–.When the geometry is real, ⁺ is the convex hull of and ', while^– is their common content or ‘core’. For instance,when is a regular p-gon {p}, the compound is The exceptions are of two kinds. In one, ⁺ and ^– are notregular. The actual cases are when is an n-simplex {3, 3, ...,3} with n4 or the real 4-dimensional 24-cell {3, 4, 3}=2{3}2{4}2{3}2or the complex 4-dimensional Witting polytope 3{3}3{3}3{3}3.The other kind of exception arises when the vertices of arethe poles of its own facet-hyperplanes, so that , ', ⁺ and ^–all coincide. Then is said to be strongly self-reciprocal.     

The Finite Subsets of Z2 Having the Extension Property

The paper considers finite subsets Z^d which possess the extensionproperty, namely that every collection {c_k}_k– of complexnumbers which is positive definite with respect to is the restrictionof the Fourier coefficients of some positive measure on T^d.All finite subsets of Z² which possess the extension propertyare described.     

Some Properties of Free Groups of Some Soluble Varieties of Groups

Let F be a free group, and let _n(F) be the nth term of the lowercentral series of F. It is proved that F/[_j(F), _i(F), _k(F)]and F/[_j(F), _i(F), _k(F), _l(F)] are torsion free and residuallynilpotent for certain values of i, j, k and i, j, k, l, respectively.In the process of proving this, it is proved that the analogousLie rings are torsion free.     

Convergence of a finite-element approximation of surfactant spreading on a thin film in the presence of van der Waals forces

We consider a fully practical finite-element approximationof the following system of nonlinear degenerate parabolic equations: (u)/(t) + . (u² [(v)]) - (1)/(3) .(u³ w)= 0, w = - c u - u^-+ a u^-3 , (v)/(t) + . (u v [(v)]) - v - .(u² v w) = 0. The above models a surfactant-driven thin-film flow in the presenceof both attractive, a>0, and repulsive, >0 with >3,van der Waals forces; where u is the height of the film, v isthe concentration of the insoluble surfactant monolayer and(v):=1-v is the typical surface tension. Here 0 and c>0 arethe inverses of the surface Peclet number and the modified capillarynumber. In addition to showing stability bounds for our approximation,we prove convergence, and hence existence of a solution to thisnonlinear degenerate parabolic system, (i) in one space dimensionwhen >0; and, moreover, (ii) in two space dimensions if inaddition 7. Furthermore, iterative schemes for solving the resultingnonlinear discrete system are discussed. Finally, some numericalexperiments are presented.     

Asymptotic results for bifurcations in pure bending of rubber blocks

The bifurcation of an incompressible neo-Hookean thick blockwith a ratio of thickness to length , subject to pure bending,is considered. The two incremental equilibrium equations correspondingto a nonlinear pre-buckling state of strain are reduced to afourth-order linear eigenproblem that displays a multiple turningpoint. It is found that for 0 < < , the block experiencesan Euler-type buckling instability which in the limit degeneratesinto a surface instability. Singular perturbation methods enableus to capture this transition, while direct numerical simulationscorroborate the analytical results.     

Livsic Regularity Theorems for Twisted Cocycle Equations Over Hyperbolic Systems

Let be a hyperbolic map. Cocycle equations of the form f =u·g·u^–1 are considered, with f, g, u takingvalues in a compact connected Lie group G, being an automorphismof G and f, g being Hölder continuous. When the eigenvaluesof the derivative of have modulus 1, it is proved that anymeasurable solution u has a Hölder continuous version.This condition on is optimal. When f, g are C^k then u may betaken to be C^k–1+ for any (0, 1).     

Elliptic Problems Involving Phase Boundaries Satisfying a Curvature Condition

Two theorems related to equilibrium free-boundary problems arepresented. One arises as a time-independent solution to thephase-field equations. The other is the relevant time-independentproblem for the Stefan model, modified for the surface tensioneffect. It also serves as a preliminary result for the phase-fieldformulation. Under appropriate conditions, we prove that, givenan appropriate positive constant and a smooth function u: R;,where is an annular domain in R², there exists a curve suchthat u(x)=—K(x) for all x , where K is the curvature.Using this result, we prove the existence of solutions to O=²+ ?(—³) + 2u that have a transition layer behaviour (from=—1 to =+1) for small and make the transition on thecurve . This proves there exist solutions to the phase fieldmodel that satisfy a Gibbs-Thompson relation.     

Properties of Removable Singularities for Hardy Spaces of Analytic Functions

Removable singularities for Hardy spaces H^p() = {f Hol(): |f|^p u in for some harmonic u}, 0 < p < are studied. A setE = is a weakly removable singularity for H^p(\E) if H^p(\E) Hol(), and a strongly removable singularity for H^p(\E) if H^p(\E)= H^p(). The two types of singularities coincide for compactE, and weak removability is independent of the domain . The paper looks at differences between weak and strong removability,the domain dependence of strong removability, and when removabilityis preserved under unions. In particular, a domain and a setE that is weakly removable for all H^p, but not strongly removablefor any H^p(\E), 0 < p < , are found. It is easy to show that if E is weakly removable for H^p(\E)and q > p, then E is also weakly removable for H^q(\E). Itis shown that the corresponding implication for strong removabilityholds if and only if q/p is an integer. Finally, the theory of Hardy space capacities is extended, anda comparison is made with the similar situation for weightedBergman spaces.     

Herman Rings and Arnold Disks

For (,a) C* x C, let f_,a be the rational map defined by f_,a(z)= z² (az+1)/(z+a). If R/Z is a Brjuno number, we let D bethe set of parameters (,a) such that f_,a has a fixed Hermanring with rotation number (we consider that (e²ⁱ,0) D). Resultsobtained by McMullen and Sullivan imply that, for any g D, theconnected component of D(C* x (C/{0,1})) that contains g isisomorphic to a punctured disk. We show that there is a holomorphic injection F:DD such thatF(0) = (e²ⁱ ,0) and , where r is the conformal radius at 0 of the Siegel disk of the quadraticpolynomial z e²ⁱ z(1+z). As a consequence, we show that for a (0,1/3), if f_l,a has afixed Herman ring with rotation number and if m_a is the modulusof the Herman ring, then, as a0, we have e m_a=(r/a) + O(a). We finally explain how to adapt the results to the complex standardfamily z e^(a/2)(z-1/z).     

The Isolated Points of G{rho} and the w*-Strongly Exposed Points of P{rho}(G)0

Let G be a separable locally compact group and let be its dualspace with Fell's topology. It is well known that the set P(G)of continuous positive-definite functions on G can be identifiedwith the set of positive linear functionals on the group C^*-algebraC^*(G). We show that if is discrete in , then there exists anonzero positive-definite function associated with such that is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀, where P(G)₀={f P(G):f(e)1. Conversely, if some nonzero positive-definite function associatedwith is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀, then is isolatedin . Consequently, G is compact if and only if, for every ,there exists a nonzero positive-definite function associatedwith that is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀. If, in addition,G is unimodular and , then is isolated in if and only if somenonzero positive-definite function associated with is a w^*-stronglyexposed point of P(G)₀, where is the left regular representationof G and is the reduced dual space of G. We prove that if B(G)has the Radon–Nikodym property, then the set of isolatedpoints of (so square-integrable if G is unimodular) is densein . It is also proved that if G is a separable SIN-group, thenG is amenable if and only if there exists a closed point in. In particular, for a countable discrete non-amenable groupG (for example the free group F₂ on two generators), there isno closed point in its reduced dual space .     

An Example on Sobolev Space Approximation

For each d2 we construct a connected open set R^d such that = int (clos()), and for each k 1 and each p [1, ), the subsetW^k, () fails to be dense in the Sobolev space W^{k, p}(), in thenorm of W^{k, p}(). 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification 46E35,46F05.