Approximation Schemes for Functional Optimization Problems

Approximation schemes for functional optimization problems with admissible solutions dependent on a large number d of variables are investigated. Suboptimal solutions are considered, expressed as linear combinations of n-tuples from a basis set of simple computational units with adjustable parameters. Different choices of basis sets are compared, which allow one to obtain suboptimal solutions using a number n of basis functions that does not grow “fast” with the number d of variables in the admissible decision functions for a fixed desired accuracy. In these cases, one mitigates the “curse of dimensionality,” which often makes unfeasible traditional linear approximation techniques for functional optimization problems, when admissible solutions depend on a large number d of variables. Marcello Sanguineti was partially supported by a PRIN grant from the Italian Ministry for University and Research (project “Models and Algorithms for Robust Network Optimization”).     

Functional Optimal Estimation Problems and Their Solution by Nonlinear Approximation Schemes

The design of state estimators for nonlinear dynamic systems affected by disturbances is addressed in a functional optimization framework. The estimator contains an innovation function that has to be chosen within a suitably defined class of functions in such a way to minimize a cost functional given by the worst-case ratio of the ℒ _p norms of the estimation error and the disturbances. Since this entails an infinite-dimensional optimization problem that under general hypotheses cannot be solved analytically, an approximate solution is sought by minimizing the cost functional over linear combinations of simple “basis functions,” represented by computational units with adjustable parameters. The selection of the parameters is made by solving a constrained nonlinear programming problem, where the constraints are given by pointwise conditions that ensure the well-definiteness of the functional and the existence of a solution. Penalty terms are introduced in the cost function to account for constraints imposed on points that result from sampling the sets to which the trajectories of the state and of the estimation error belong. To ensure an efficient covering of the sets, low-discrepancy sampling techniques are exploited that generate samples deterministically spread in a uniform way, without leaving regions of the space undersampled. Work supported by a PRIN grant from the Italian Ministry of University and Research (Project “New Techniques for the Identification and Adaptive Control of Industrial Systems”) and by the EU and the Regione Liguria trough the Regional Programs of Innovative Action of the European Regional Development Fund.     

Robust Stability and Stabilization of a Class of Nonlinear Switched Discrete-Time Systems with Time-Varying Delays

In this paper, we investigate the problems of robust delay-dependent ℒ₂ gain analysis and feedback control synthesis for a class of nominally-linear switched discrete-time systems with time-varying delays, bounded nonlinearities and real convex bounded parametric uncertainties in all system matrices under arbitrary switching sequences. We develop new criteria for such class of switched systems based on the constructive use of an appropriate switched Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional coupled with Finsler’s Lemma and a free-weighting parameter matrix. We establish an LMI characterization of delay-dependent conditions under which the nonlinear switched delay system is robustly asymptotically stable with an ℒ₂-gain smaller than a prescribed constant level. Switched feedback schemes, based on state measurements, output measurements or by using dynamic output feedback, are designed to guarantee that the corresponding switched closed-loop system enjoys the delay-dependent asymptotic stability with an ℒ₂ gain smaller than a prescribed constant level. All the developed results are expressed in terms of convex optimization over LMIs and tested on representative examples.     

Functional optimization by variable-basis approximation schemes

This is a summary of the author’s PhD thesis, supervised by Marcello Sanguineti and defended on April 2, 2009 at Università degli Studi di Genova. The thesis is written in English and a copy is available from the author upon request. Functional optimization problems arising in Operations Research are investigated. In such problems, a cost functional Φ has to be minimized over an admissible set S of d-variable functions. As, in general, closed-form solutions cannot be derived, suboptimal solutions are searched for, having the form of variable-basis functions, i.e., elements of the set span _n   G of linear combinations of at most n elements from a set G of computational units. Upper bounds on inf_{f ? S ?spann G}F(f)-inf_{f ? S}F(f){\inf_{f \in S \cap {\rm span}_n\, G}\Phi(f)-\inf_{f \in S}\Phi(f)} are obtained. Conditions are derived, under which the estimates do not exhibit the so-called “curse of dimensionality” in the number n of computational units, when the number d of variables grows. The problems considered include dynamic optimization, team optimization, and supervised learning from data.     

p-Adic Haar Multiresolution Analysis and Pseudo-Differential Operators

The notion of p-adic multiresolution analysis (MRA) is introduced. We discuss a “natural” refinement equation whose solution (a refinable function) is the characteristic function of the unit disc. This equation reflects the fact that the characteristic function of the unit disc is a sum of p characteristic functions of mutually disjoint discs of radius p ⁻¹. This refinement equation generates a MRA. The case p=2 is studied in detail. Our MRA is a 2-adic analog of the real Haar MRA. But in contrast to the real setting, the refinable function generating our Haar MRA is 1-periodic, which never holds for real refinable functions. This fact implies that there exist infinity many different 2-adic orthonormal wavelet bases in ℒ²(ℚ₂) generated by the same Haar MRA. All of these new bases are described. We also constructed infinity many different multidimensional 2-adic Haar orthonormal wavelet bases for ℒ²(ℚ₂ ⁿ ) by means of the tensor product of one-dimensional MRAs. We also study connections between wavelet analysis and spectral analysis of pseudo-differential operators. A criterion for multidimensional p-adic wavelets to be eigenfunctions for a pseudo-differential operator (in the Lizorkin space) is derived. We proved also that these wavelets are eigenfunctions of the Taibleson multidimensional fractional operator. These facts create the necessary prerequisites for intensive using our wavelet bases in applications. Our results related to the pseudo-differential operators develop the investigations started in Albeverio et al. (J. Fourier Anal. Appl. 12(4):393–425, 2006).      

The ℒ p spaces

The ℒ _p spaces which were introduced by A. Pełczyński and the first named author are studied. It is proved, e.g., that (i)X is an ℒ _p space if and only ifX* is and ℒ _q space (p ⁻¹+q ⁻¹=1). (ii) A complemented subspace of an ℒ _p space is either an ℒ _p or an ℒ₂ space. (iii) The ℒ _p spaces have sufficiently many Boolean algebras of projections. These results are applied to show thatX is an ℒ_∞ (resp. ℒ₁) space if and only ifX admits extensions (resp. liftings) of compact operators havingX as a domain or range space. We also prove a theorem on the “local reflexivity” of an arbitrary Banach space. This research was partially supported by NSF Grant# 8964.     

Spinor norms of local autometries of generalized quadratic lattices

It is proved that the group of spinor norms of autometries of a generalized quadratic lattice ℒ over the ring of integral elements v _p of a local field k _p , in the case wherep∤2 and ℒ is a generalized translation, is generated by the spinor norms of symmetries contained in the group of autometries of ℒ. As a corollary, an extension to the case of generalized quadratic lattices is given for known sufficient conditions of coincidence of the genus and the spinor genus of a quadratic lattice. Bibliography: 9 titles. Translated fromZapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov POMI, Vol. 211, 1994, pp. 161–173. Translated by Yu. G. Teterin.     

Homotopy equivalences of p-completed classifying spaces of finite groups

We study homotopy equivalences of p-completions of classifying spaces of finite groups. To each finite group G and each prime p, we associate a finite category ℒ _p ^c (G) with the following properties. Two p-completed classifying spaces BG _p ^∧ and BG’ _p ^∧ have the same homotopy type if and only if the associated categories ℒ _p ^c (G) and ℒ _p ^c (G’) are equivalent. Furthermore, the topological monoid Aut(BG _p ^∧) of self equivalences is determined by the self equivalences of the associated category ℒ _p ^c (G). Oblatum 5-VII-2001 & 28-VIII-2002?Published online: 8 November 2002 RID="*" ID="*"C. Broto is partially supported by DGICYT grant PB97–0203. RID="**" ID="**"R. Levi is partially supported by EPSRC grant GR/M7831. RID="***" ID="***"B. Oliver is partially supported by UMR 7539 of the CNRS.     

Virtual control regularization of state constrained linear quadratic optimal control problems

A numerical method for linear quadratic optimal control problems with pure state constraints is analyzed. Using the virtual control concept introduced by Cherednichenko et al. (Inverse Probl. 24:1–21, 2008) and Krumbiegel and R?sch (Control Cybern. 37(2):369–392, 2008), the state constrained optimal control problem is embedded into a family of optimal control problems with mixed control-state constraints using a regularization parameter α>0. It is shown that the solutions of the problems with mixed control-state constraints converge to the solution of the state constrained problem in the L ² norm as α tends to zero. The regularized problems can be solved by a semi-smooth Newton method for every α>0 and thus the solution of the original state constrained problem can be approximated arbitrarily close as α approaches zero. Two numerical examples with benchmark problems are provided.     

Some approximation properties of Banach spaces and Banach lattices

The notion of the bounded approximation property = BAP (resp. the uniform approximation property = UAP) of a pair [Banach space, its subspace] is used to prove that if X is a ℒ _∞-space, Y a subspace with the BAP (resp. UAP), then the quotient X/Y has the BAP (resp. UAP). If Q: X → Z is a surjection, X is a ℒ ₁-space and Z is a ℒ _p -space (1 ≤ p ≤ ∞), then ker Q has the UAP. A complemented subspace of a weakly sequentially complete Banach lattice has the separable complementation property = SCP. A criterion for a space with GL-l.u.st. to have the SCP is given. Spaces which are quotients of weakly sequentially complete lattices and are uncomplemented in their second duals are studied. Examples are given of spaces with the SCP which have subspaces that fail the SCP. The results are applied to spaces of measures on a compact Abelian group orthogonal to a fixed Sidon set and to Sobolev spaces of functions of bounded variation on ℝ ⁿ .     

Contractions of infrainvariant systems of subgroups

We create a method which allows an arbitrary group G with an infrainvariant system ℒ(G) of subgroups to be embedded in a group G* with an infrainvariant system ℒ(G*) of subgroups, so that G _α^* ∩G ∈ ℒ(G) for every subgroup G _α^* ∩G ∈ ℒ(G*) and each factor B/A of a jump of subgroups in ℒ(G*) is isomorphic to a factor of a jump in ℒ(G), or to any specified group H. Using this method, we state new results on right-ordered groups. In particular, it is proved that every Conrad right-ordered group is embedded with preservation of order in a Conrad right-ordered group of Hahn type (i.e., a right-ordered group whose factors of jumps of convex subgroups are order isomorphic to the additive group ℝ); every right-ordered Smirnov group is embedded in a right-ordered Smirnov group of Hahn type; a new proof is given for the Holland–McCleary theorem on embedding every linearly ordered group in a linearly ordered group of Hahn type.     

Diagrammes de Diamond et (<Emphasis Type="Italic">φ</Emphasis>, Γ)-modules

Let ρ be a 2-dimensional continuous semi-simple generic representation of Gal(̅ℚ _p /ℚ _p ) over ̅F _p . The modulo p Langlands correspondence for GL₂(ℚ _p ) defined in [5], as realized in [9], can be reformulated as a quite simple recipee giving back the (φ, Γ)-module of the dual of ρ starting from the “Diamond diagram” associated to ρ. Let F be a finite unramified extension of ℚ _p and ρ a 2-dimensional continuous semi-simple generic representation of Gal(̅ℚ _p /F) over ̅F _p . When one formally extends this recipee to the Diamond diagrams associated to ρ in [6], we show that one essentially finds the (φ, Γ)-module of the tensor induction from F to ℚ _p of the dual of ρ.     

Spectral Solutions of Self-adjoint Elliptic Problems with Immersed Interfaces

This paper describes a spectral representation of solutions of self-adjoint elliptic problems with immersed interfaces. The interface is assumed to be a simple non-self-intersecting closed curve that obeys some weak regularity conditions. The problem is decomposed into two problems, one with zero interface data and the other with zero exterior boundary data. The problem with zero interface data is solved by standard spectral methods. The problem with non-zero interface data is solved by introducing an interface space H _Γ(Ω) and constructing an orthonormal basis of this space. This basis is constructed using a special class of orthogonal eigenfunctions analogously to the methods used for standard trace spaces by Auchmuty (SIAM J. Math. Anal. 38, 894–915, 2006). Analytical and numerical approximations of these eigenfunctions are described and some simulations are presented.     

On subspaces of quotients of (ΣG n ) lp and (ΣG n ) co

Let 1<p<∞ (resp.p=∞). Then every ℒ _p -subspace of a quotient space ofl _p (resp.c ₀) is isomorphic tol _p (resp.c ₀). Supported by NSF GP-33578     

On bases,finite dimensional decompositions and weaker structures in Banach spaces

This is an investigation of the connections between bases and weaker structures in Banach spaces and their duals. It is proved, e.g., thatX has a basis ifX* does, and that ifX has a basis, thenX* has a basis provided thatX* is separable and satisfies Grothendieck’s approximation property; analogous results are obtained concerning π-structures and finite dimensional Schauder decompositions. The basic results are then applied to show that every separableℒ _p space has a basis. The second and third named authors have been supported by the NSF Grant GP 12997.     

Liouville-type theorems for real sub-Laplacians

An inequality generalizing the classical Liouville and Harnack Theorems for real sub-Laplacians ℒ is proved. A representation formula for functions $u$ for which ℒu is a polynomial is also showed. As a consequence, some conditions are given ensuring that u is a polynomial whenever ℒu is a polynomial. Finally, an application of this last result is given: if ψ is a C ² map commuting with ℒ, then any of its component is a polynomial function. Received: 3 November 2000     

Chains of baire class 1 functions and various notions of special trees

Following Laczkovich we consider the partially ordered setB ₁(ℝ) of Baire class 1 functions endowed with the pointwise order, and investigate the order types of the linearly ordered subsets. Answering a question of Komjáth and Kunen we show (inZFC) that special Aronszajn lines are embeddable intoB ₁(ℝ). We also show that under Martin's Axiom a linearly ordered set ℒ with |ℒ| < 2^ω is embeddable intoB ₁(ℝ) iff ℒ does not contain a copy of ω₁ or ω _* ¹ . We present aZFC example of a linear order of size 2^ω showing that this characterisation is not valid for orders of size continuum. These results are obtained using the notion of a compact-special tree; that is, a tree that is embeddable into the class of compact subsets of the reals partially ordered under reverse inclusion. We investigate how this notion is related to the well-known notion of an ℝ-special tree and also to some other notions of specialness. Partially supported by Hungarian Scientific Foundation grant no. 37758, 49786 and F 43620. The second author's research for this paper was partially supported by NSERC of Canada.