Estimating vaccine coverage by using computer algebra

Email: altmannd{at}rki.deEmail: altmann{at}mathematik.hu-berlin.de The approach of N Gay for estimating the coverage of a multivalentvaccine from antibody prevalence data in certain age cohortsis complemented by using computer aided elimination theory ofvariables. Hereby, Gay's usage of numerical approximation canbe replaced by exact formulae which are surprisingly nice, too.     

Multiple criteria models for evaluation of competitive bids

Email: slliu{at}mail.east.net.cnAuthor for correspondence Email: mskklai{at}cityu.edu.hkEmail: sywang{at}iss02.iss.ac.cn In this paper, two general bidding systems are proposed to aidan owner to select one contractor based on multiple-attributedecision making models. They are named the general multiple-attributelower-bidder system and the general multiple-attribute average-bid system and are an extension (and refreshment) of the multiparameterbidding system and the average-bid method, respectively. Thepreference of the owner over the criteria (or attributes) relevantto construction work award is incorporated into the two newsystems if necessary and required by the owner. The values ofthe attributes (excluding the cost) required to be determinedby the owner in the multiparameter bidding system are not necessarilydetermined in the general multiple-attribute lower-bidder system.This reduces the burden to the owner. The two new bidding systemsare demonstrated via an example, and are compared with the multiparameterbidding system and the average-bid method. The comparisons showthat the preference of the owner in regard to the attributesrelevant to selection of contractors has a significant effecton bid evaluation. The two new systems preserve the form ofthe competitive bidding concept and can easily be applied topractice.     

Controllability and observability of impulsive hybrid dynamic systems

Corresponding author, Email: cbsoh{at}auto.eee.ntu.ac.sg This paper considers the controllability and observability ofhybrid dynamic systems with impulsive switching of the otherwisecontinuously evolving state. It derives necessary and sufficientconditions for impulsive hybrid dynamic systems to be controllableand observable.     

Lattice Boltzmann simulations of complex fluids

Email: j.yeomansl{at}physics.oxford.ac.uk We discuss how lattice Boltzmann simulations can be used tomodel the self-assembly and flow properties of complex fluids.The aim is to include both the hydrodynamic (viscous, diffusive)and the equilibrium (phase ordering, interface profiles) fluidproperties. Examples include the decomposition of a dropletunder extensional flow and phase separation of binary and lamellarfluids.     

Numerical stabilization of polynomial and matrix

Email: jdhan{at}sia.cn Email: zhjiang{at}sia.cn Corresponding author Email: nyy{at}sia.cn Received on March 6, 2006; Accepted on September 4, 2006 In this paper, the conception of numerical stabilization, whichis related to mantissa digits of computer and dimensions ofsystem, is described; and several strategies for the numericalstabilization of polynomial and matrix are presented.     

Remarks on Perturbations of the Equation

Perturbations of the equation are discussed. The structure of near-orthogonal matrices is shown, and implicationsfor certain control problems are pointed out. Examples are givenand the circumstances are noted in which the real part of aneigenvalue can be expected to change sign. This paper was written while the author was on a Leave of Absenceat the Department of Mathematics, University of Salford.     

Estimates of the region of attraction of continuous-time cascade systems

Xiao-Song Yang Department of Mathematics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China Huimin Li Departments of Mathematics and Control and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan, Hubei 430074, People's Republic of China Corresponding author. Email: yangxs{at}cqupt.edu.cn Received on May 1, 2006; Accepted on October 6, 2006 In this paper, we first present some new sufficient conditionsfor global asymptotic stability of continuous-time cascade systems.Then, we give some detailed results on the region of attractionof continuous-time cascade systems. Some examples are presentedto illustrate these results.     

Necessary conditions for infinite-horizon Volterra optimal control problems with time delay

Email: csfvega{at}dm.uba.ar Received on August 17, 2006; Accepted on September 8, 2007 Necessary conditions are proved for optimal control problemsinvolving an infinite horizon and terminal conditions at infinitywhose states are governed by Volterra integral equations withnon-linear time delay.     

The Convergence of Operator Approximations at Turning Points

Present address: Department of Mathematics, University of Reading, Reading RG6 2AX. We consider the convergence of solution curves of approximationsto parameter-dependent operator equations of the form G(, x)= 0. Provided G_x(, x) remains non-singular this problem is cateredfor by a simple extension to standard theory. In this paper,however, attention is concentrated on solution curves throughcertain singular points (⁰, x⁰), and the main result is thatconvergence depends on consistency and stability results forthe linear eigenvalue problem G_x(⁰, x⁰)0 = 0.     

Error estimates for the finite-element solution of an elliptic singularly perturbed problem

e-mail:ang{at}am.uni-erlangen.de The paper deals with an upwind discretization of finite-volume-typefor singularly perturbed elliptic boundary value problems. Stability,inverse monotonicity and convergence are considered. The mainobjective is to pursue the dependence of the error estimateon the perturbation parameter.     

Post-processing with computable error bounds for the finite element approximation of a nonlinear heat conduction problem

Email: ain{at}mcs.le.ac.uk Email: D.Kelly{at}unsw.edu.au^* Email: I.Sloan{at}unsw.edu.au^** Email: swang{at}cs.curtin.edu.au It is shown how the finite element approximation of a nonlinearheat conduction problem may be post-processed to yield enhancedapproximations to the solution and the flux at any point inthe domain. Sharp computable bounds on the accuracy of the post-processedapproximations are derived. A criterion is identified for guidingadaptive refinements of the finite element discretization. Anumerical example is given illustrating the theoretical results.     

Therapy burden, drug resistance, and optimal treatment regimen for cancer chemotherapy

Email: boldrini{at}ime.unicamp.brAuthor to whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: michel{at}Incc.br Three nonlinear models of tumour cell growth under continuousdelivery of cycle nonspecific anticancer agents are studied.A dynamical optimization problem with the objective of minimizingthe final level of tumour cells is posed for these mathematicalsetups. The simplest setup does not possess toxicity constraints,whereas the other setups contain a dynamical equation describingthe therapy burden as a toxicity criterion. In addition, thethird setting contains the dynamics of drug resistant cells.A discussion conceming the optimal strategies of the respectivemodels is performed.     

Optimal recovery using thin plate splines in finite volume methods for the numerical solution of hyperbolic conservation laws

The theory of optimal recovery is applied to finite volume methodsfor the numerical solution of conservation laws in multiplespace dimensions. Classical polynomial EN0 (essentially non-oscillatory)algorithms can be interpreted as trivial recovery operatorsfor the point functional in the light of this theory. Thin platesplines are identified as optimal recovery functions in Beppo-Levispaces and can be seen as multi-dimensional analogues of cubicsplines. Recovery algorithms of ENO-type based on thin platesplines are developed and applied to test problems includingthe Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics. E-mail: Thomas.Sonar{at}ts.go.dlr.de     

Delay-dependent conditions for guaranteed cost observer-based control of uncertain neutral systems with time-varying delays

Email: chlien{at}mail.nkmu.edu.tw Received on August 10, 2006; Accepted on September 6, 2006 In this paper, delay-dependent guaranteed cost observer-basedcontrol for neutral systems with time-varying delays is considered.Control and observer gains will be given from the linear matrixinequality feasible solutions. Optimal guaranteed cost observer-basedcontrol which will minimize the guaranteed cost of the systemis provided.     

The dynamic control of risk in optimised portfolios

E-mail: c.j.adcock{at}sheffield.ac.uk or adcock{at}intonet.co.uk This paper presents a theoretical treatment of the statisticalproperties of optimal portfolios. The results demonstrate theway in which the statistical properties of forecast returnsaffect the performance of optimised portfolios. The paper thenindicates how these methods may be used in principle to controlthe performance of an optimised portfolio. This is exemplifiedby an optimal portfolio of foreign currencies.     

Realistic a Priori and a Posteriori Error Bounds for Computed Eigenvalues

Permanent address: Department of Engineering Mathematics, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. A priori and a posteriori error bounds are given for the computedeigenpair (, ) of the eigenvalue problem Ax = x, which are shownto be more realistic than some of the available ones. A simplemethod is also presented for computing the backward error. Finallya scaling procedure is explained for reducing the residual error.     

Total Flux Estimates for a Finite-Element Approximation of Elliptic Equations

An elliptic boundary-value problem on a domain with prescribedDirichlet data on _I is approximated using a finite-elementspace of approximation power h^K in the L² norm. It is shownthat the total flux across _I can be approximated with an errorof O(h^K) when is a curved domain in Rⁿ (n = 2 or 3) and isoparametricelements are used. When is a polyhedron, an O(h^2K–2)approximation is given. We use these results to study the finite-elementapproximation of elliptic equations when the prescribed boundarydata on _I is the total flux. Present address: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences,University of Sussex, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9QH.     

Neural networks and flexible approximations

Email: cuny{at}cardiff.ac.uk This paper supports the view that neural networks are best seenas devices that can approximate a wide range of functions. Theauthors argue the need to consider the precise details of howthe approximations operate in practice. The paper shows howstandard network models can be regarded as polynomial functions,obtained from expanding exponential terms. Multivariate Taylor-seriesexpansions, obtained through the MAPLE software package, areused for this purpose. The expansions serve to cast light onthe role of the hidden nodes. Also considered is the relativedifficulty of fitting different types of function. Quadraticfunctions are compared with Gaussian shapes.     

Computation and parametrization of periodic and connecting orbits

Email: g.moore{at}ma.ic.ac.uk or na.gmoore New algorithms for the computation of periodic and connectingorbits of autonomous differential equations are developed. Previousmethods have parametrized these curves by the independent timevariable, but our procedure is based on the canonical arclengthparametrization.     

Time optimal control of retarded parabolic systems

Email: skrakowi{at}usk.pk.edu.pl Received on June 15, 2005; Accepted on July 12, 2006 In this paper, the time-optimal control problem for parabolicsystems in which time lags appear in the integral form bothin the state equation and in the Neumann boundary conditionis presented. The particular properties of the optimal controlare discussed.