Nonlinear evolution inclusions arising from phase change models

The paper is devoted to the analysis of an abstract evolution inclusion with a non-invertible operator, motivated by problems arising in nonlocal phase separation modeling. Existence, uniqueness, and long-time behaviour of the solution to the related Cauchy problem are discussed in detail. The Italian authors would like to point out financial support from theMIUR-COFIN 2002 research program on “Free boundary problems in applied sciences”. The second author was supported by GA ČR under Grant No. 201/02/1058, and by GNAMPA of INDAM during his stay at Pavia in May 2003: in this respect, the kind hospitality of the Department of Mathematics in Pavia is gratefully acknowledged as well. The work also benefited from partial support of the IMATI of CNR in Pavia, Italy.     

On some generalization of the DEA models

Inadequate results may arise in some instances of DEA model applications. For example, a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model may show ‘a notoriously inefficient unit’ as an efficient one. In addition, too many efficient units may appear in some DEA models. An elegant and subtle approach was proposed to deal with these problems, which is based on incorporating domination cones in DEA models. Yu, Wei and Brockett suggested the generalized DEA (GDEA) model that unifies and extends most of the well-known DEA models based on using domination cones. In this paper, we propose a model that is more general than the GDEA model, on the one hand, as it covers situations that the GDEA model cannot describe. On the other hand, our model enables one to construct step-by-step any model from the family of the GDEA models by incorporating artificial units and rays in the space of inputs and outputs in the Banker, Charnes, Cooper (BCC) model, which makes the process of model construction visible and more understandable. Moreover, we show that any GDEA model can be approximated by some BCC model.     

On some mathematical models in nonlinear elasticity

Some nonlinear models of one-dimensional elastic systems are introduced and existence and uniqueness theorems for the solution of the Cauchy-Dirichlet problem are given. Bibliography: 4 titles. Published inZapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov POMI, Vol. 233, 1996, pp. 210–216.     

On some approximate methods for nonlinear models

We discuss some recent inadequate applications of the homotopy perturbation method, the Adomian decomposition method and the variational iteration method to nonlinear problems.     

On phase separation points for one-dimensional models

In the paper, the one-dimensional model with nearest-neighbor interactions I _n , n ∈ Z, and the spin values ±1 is considered. It is known that, under some conditions on parameters of I _n , a phase transition occurs for this model. We define the notion of a phase separation point between two phases. We prove that the expectation value of this point is zero and its mean-square fluctuation is bounded by a constant C(β) which tends to ¼ as β → ∞, where β = 1/T and T is the temperature.     

On some dyadic models of the Euler equations

Katz and Pavlovic recently proposed a dyadic model of the Euler equations for which they proved finite time blow-up in the Sobolev norm. It is shown that their model can be reduced to a dyadic model of the inviscid Burgers equation. The inviscid Burgers equation exhibits finite time blow-up in , for , but its dyadic restriction is even more singular, exhibiting blow-up for any . Friedlander and Pavlovic developed a closely related model for which they also prove finite time blow-up in . Some inconsistent assumptions in the construction of their model are outlined. Finite time blow-up in the norm, for any , is proven for a class of models that includes all those models. An alternative shell model of the Navier-Stokes equations is discussed.

     

On some multidimensional models of gene network functioning

We obtain some sufficient conditions for the nonuniqueness of cycles in nonlinear dynamical systems considered as the models of gene network functioning. The constructive methods for the determination of these cycles and the invariant surfaces containing the mare described as well.     

On some symmetric dual models in multiobjective programming

Certain omissions have been pointed out in some papers on symmetric duality in multiobjective programming. Corrective measures have also been discussed.     

On some relations between different interface crack models

Exact analytical solutions for an interface crack with an artificial contact zone in isotropic, anisotropic and piezoelectric materials have been analyzed and their comparison with the correspondent classical results has been performed. This analysis showed the way of a presentation of the main results for an artificial contact zone model in the manner very similar to the classical model, and due to this phenomenon the essential simplification of the investigation of the contact zone model has been attained. The application of the obtained results to interface cracks in anisotropic and piezoelectric bimaterials can be demonstrated. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On some growth models with a small parameter

Summary We consider the behavior of the asymptotic speed of growth and the asymptotic shape in some growth models, when a certain parameter becomes small. The basic example treated is the variant of Richardson's growth model on ^d in which each site which is not yet occupied becomes occupied at rate 1 if it has at least two occupied neighbors, at rate 1 if it has exactly 1 occupied neighbor and, of course, at rate 0 if it has no occupied neighbor. Occupied sites remain occupied forever. Starting from a single occupied site, this model has asymptotic speeds of growth in each direction (as time goes to infinity) and these speeds determine an asymptotic shape in the usual sense. It is proven that as tends to 0, the asymptotic speeds scale as ^1/d and the asymptotic shape, when renormalized by dividing it by ^1/d , converges to a cube. Other similar models which are partially oriented are also studied.The work of R.H.S. was supported by the N.S.F. through grant DMS 91-00725. In addition, both authors were supported by the Newton Institute in Cambridge. The authors thank the Newton Institute for its support and hospitality     

On some optimisation models in a fuzzy-stochastic environment

This paper is on fuzzy stochastic optimisation, an area that is quickly coming to the forefront of mathematical programming under uncertainty. An even stronger motivating factor for the growing interest in this area can be found in the ubiquitous nature of decision problems involving hybrid imprecision. More precisely, we consider a range of situations in which random factors and fuzzy information co-occur in an optimisation setting. Related hybrid optimisation models are discussed and converted into deterministic terms through appropriate tools like probabilistic set, uncertain probability, and fuzzy random variable, making good use of uncertainty principles. We also discuss ways to deal with the resulting problems. Numerical examples carried out using class optimisation software demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approaches. We shall end this article by pointing out some of the challenges that currently occupy researchers in this emerging field.     

Microscopic rheological models and extended irreversible thermodynamics

The expressions of the constitutive equations of dilute polymer solutions, as predicted by the main microscopic rheological models, are shown to be in agreement with these derived from extended irreversible thermodynamics. Accord between the thermodynamic and Boltzmann microscopic expressions of entropy is also completed for steady state flows.     

Large time behaviour of solutions to Penrose–Fife phase change models

A non‐conserved phase transition model of Penrose–Fife type is considered where Dirichlet boundary conditions for the temperature are taken. A sketch of the proof of existence and uniqueness of the solution is given. Then, the large time behaviour of such a solution is studied. By using the Simon–?ojasiewicz inequality it is shown that the whole solution trajectory converges to a single stationary state. Due to the non‐coercive character of the energy functional, the main difficulty in the proof is to control the large values of the temperature. This is achieved by means of non‐standard a priori estimates. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.