Seiberg–Witten and Casson–Walker Invariants for Rational Homology 3-Spheres

We consider a modified version of the Seiberg–Witten invariants for rational homology 3-spheres, obtained by adding to the original invariants a correction term which is a combination of -invariants. We show that these modified invariants are topological invariants. We prove that an averaged version of these modified invariants equals the Casson–Walker invariant. In particular, this result proves an averaged version of a conjecture of Ozsváth and Szabó on the equivalence between their invariant and the Seiberg–Witten invariant of rational homology 3-spheres.     

Temperature dependence of the deformation properties of compositions based on polyethylene and polyisobutylene

The temperature dependence of the deformation properties (deformability and recoverability) of compositions based on low-density polyethylene and polyisobutylene has been investigated. For two-component polyethylene—polyisobutylene systems this dependence varies with the component ratio. Introducing a filler (talc) reduces the recoverability of the compositions owing to increases in both the delayed high-elastic deformation and the flowability. The deformation properties of compositions plasticized with paraffin change abruptly at the melting point of the latter.Moldavian Scientific-Research Institute of the Food Industry, Kishinev. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 758–760, July–August, 1971.     

Dynamics and optimization of cylindrical composite shells

The stability of cylindrical composite shells under dynamic external pressure is discussed. A criterion for determining the load-carrying capacity based on Malmeister's equation with respect to bending parts of deformation is proposed. Optimization of the shell mass relative to various structural parameters has been carried out as a nonlinear programming problem. Numerical results are given.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 81–87, January–February, 1995.     

Free energy of a regular stable polymer network at small finite deformations

The equilibrium small finite deformations of a regular polymer network are considered. The free energy of the network is described in the form of a series expansion in small displacements of the network points from the equilibrium position. The general dependence of the free energy on the strain invariants thus obtained coincides with the Mooney expression for the free energy only in the first approximation. Aspects of the mechanical behavior of the material associated with this difference are discussed.Branch of the Institute of Chemical Physics, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow Oblast. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 615–618, July–August, 1971.     

Topological classification of branched coverings of the two-dimensional sphere

The following questions are considered: 1) which coverings of the two-sphere besides the simple ones are determined by the obvious invariants, the number of branch points, and their types, 2) in which cases can one add to the collection of obvious invariants simple combinatorial invariants such that the collection obtained determines the covering of the sphere up to homeomorphism. It is shown that in some cases the Arf-invariant and signature introduced by the author are such additional invariants. To prove the results one develops a reduction of the problem of classification of branched coverings of the sphere to a combinatorial problem due to Hurwitz.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova AN SSSR, Vol. 167, pp. 135–156, 1988.     

Use of forms of high order in discussions of the stability of systems of differential equations with delay

A method of investigating forms of arbitrarily high order with respect to sign-definiteness in some cone of the space Rⁿ that coincides with a coordinate angle is given. The results obtained allowed us to use such functions as Lyapunov functions for the study of questions of stability for systems of differential equations with delayed argument.Translated from Dinamicheskie Sistemy, No. 9, pp. 15–21, 1990.     

Adiabatic invariants of nonlinear dynamic systems with small parameter

We develop a symplectic method of finding the adiabatic invariants of nonlinear dynamic systems with small parameter. We show that a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of quasi-Hamiltonian adiabatic invariants of nonlinear dynamic systems with regular dependence on a small parameter is that the Cauchy problem be well-posed for an equation of Lax type in the class of nongradient local functionals on the cotangent manifold of the phase space. It is established that scalar nonlinear dynamic systems always have a priori complete evolution invariants, not only adiabatic invariants. We also consider typical applications in hydrodynamics and oscillatory systems of mathematical physics.Translated fromMatematicheskie Metody i Fiziko-Mekhanicheskie Polya, Issue 35, 1992, pp. 179–185.     

Interpolation of characteristic classes of singular hypersurfaces

We show that the Chern–Schwartz–MacPherson class of a hypersurface X in a nonsingular variety M ‘interpolates’ between two other notions of characteristic classes for singular varieties, provided that the singular locus of X is smooth and that certain numerical invariants of X are constant along this locus. This allows us to define a lift of the Chern–Schwartz–MacPherson class of such ‘nice’ hypersurfaces to intersection homology. As another application, the interpolation result leads to an explicit formula for the Chern–Schwartz–MacPherson class of X in terms of its polar classes.     

Moduli Spaces of Higher Spin Curves and Integrable Hierarchies

We prove the genus zero part of the generalized Witten conjecture, relating moduli spaces of higher spin curves to Gelfand–Dickey hierarchies. That is, we show that intersection numbers on the moduli space of stable r-spin curves assemble into a generating function which yields a solution of the semiclassical limit of the KdV _r equations. We formulate axioms for a cohomology class on this moduli space which allow one to construct a cohomological field theory of rank r–1 in all genera. In genus zero it produces a Frobenius manifold which is isomorphic to the Frobenius manifold structure on the base of the versal deformation of the singularity A _r–1. We prove analogs of the puncture, dilaton, and topological recursion relations by drawing an analogy with the construction of Gromov–Witten invariants and quantum cohomology.     

Strength and deformability of reinforced polymers in tension normal to the fibers

The strength and deformability of reinforced polymers in tension across the fibers is investigated. It is assumed that the polymer deforms as an ideal elastoplastic body. Relations are obtained for the nature of the deformation of the polymer between the fibers and the strength and deformability of the composite with allowance for the structural distribution of the components. Theoretical stress-strain diagrams are presented for composites with different reinforcement densities and resin elasticities. The theoretical values of the strength and deformation of reinforced polymers with the load applied across the fibers are compared with the results of experiments on model specimens of epoxy-Thiokol polymers.Leningrad Mechanical Institute. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 682–687, July–August, 1970.     

Monodromy Invariants – From Symplectic to Smooth Manifolds

Recently, together with Auroux and Donaldson, we have introduced some new invariants of four-dimensional symplectic manifolds. Building on the Moishezon–Teicher braid factorization techniques, we show how to compute fundamental groups of compliments to a ramification curve of generic projection. We also show that these fundamental groups are only homology invariants and outline the computations in some examples.Demonstrating the ubiquity of algebra, we go further and, using Braid factorization, we compute invariants of a derived category of representations of the quiver associated with the Fukaya–Seidel category of the vanishing cycles of a Lefschetz pencil and a structure of a symplectic four-dimensional manifold. This idea is suggested by the homological mirror symmetry conjecture of Kontsevich. We do not use it in our computations, although everything is explicit. We outline a procedure for finding homeomorphic, nonsymplectomorphic, four-dimensional symplectic manifolds with the same Saiberg–Witten invariants. This procedure defines invariants in the smooth category as well.     

Optimum stacking sequence of composite laminates for maximum strength

A method is presented for maximum strength optimum design of symmetric composite laminates subjected to in-plane and transverse loadings. The finite element method based on shear deformation theory is used for the analysis of composite laminates. Ply orientation angles are chosen as design variables. The quadratic failure criterion which is meant to predict fracture, is used as an object function for optimum stacking sequence design of a laminated plate. The Broydon-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno optimization technique is employed to solve the optimization problem effectively. Numerical results are given for various loading conditions, boundary conditions, and aspect ratios. The results show that the quadratic failure criterion such as Tsai-Hill theory is effective for the optimum structural design of composite laminates.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October 1995).Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 393–404, May–June, 1995.     

Synthesis of averaging methods in stochastic boundary-value problems of the mechanics of microheterogeneous solids

The method of periodic components is further developed, which allows us, on unified positions, to predict the effective characteristics and structural strain fields in partially or fully disordered composites. The stochastic boundary-value problem of elasticity theory for microheterogeneous solids with a statistically homogeneous structure is treated. The heterogeneous solid is considered to be macroscopically homogeneous and macroanisotropic (or quasi-isotropic) with geometric form and properties of the structural components determined and given. The structural elements are assumed to have perfect interfaces, i.e., the displacements and tractions are continuous across the interface. The boundary-value problem was solved by the method of local approximation. Numerical results were obtained for composites with a stochastic structure.Perm' State Technical University, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 3–12, January–February, 1999.     

Tail Dependence from a Distributional Point of View

The dependence structure in the tails of bivariate random variables is studied by means of appropriate copulae. Weak convergence results show that these copulae are natural dependence structures for joint tail events. The results obtained apply to particular types of copulae such as archimedean copulae and the Gaussian copula. Further, connections to multivariate extreme value theory are investigated and a two-dimensional Pickands–Balkema–de Haan Theorem type is derived. Finally, a counterexample showing that the tail dependence coefficients do not completely determine the dependence structure of bivariate rare events is provided.     

Variation of the elasticoviscous characteristics of a heavily filled rubber after periodic shear deformation

The results of an investigation of the recovery of the elasticoviscous characteristics after thixotropic reduction by periodic deformation in the nonlinear zone are reported. The rate of recovery of the mechanical properties depends on the deformation frequency and the previous history of dynamic deformation is shown to affect the dependence of the elasticoviscous characteristics on the shear rate gradient. The effects of stationary and dynamic deformation regimes on the relaxation spectrum of the material are compared.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 528–533, May–June, 1969.     

Analysis of elastomeric composites based on fiber-reinforced systems. 2. Unidirectional composites

The elastic properties of unidirectionally reinforced composite materials under large deformations are studied. The applied model for deformation of materials is based on the structural macroscopic theory of stiff and soft composites, including micro- and macromechanical levels of analysis of composite media. The properties of unidirectional elastomeric composites are studied in tension and shear in the plane of reinforcement. The microscopic fields in the structural components of composites having poorly compressible and compressible matrices are also analyzed. Changes in the parameters of macroscopic deformation of the composites are examined as functions of the loading parameters and initial conditions of the structure. The evolution of the structural changes in deformed composite materials is described.State Metallurgical Academy of Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 29–50, January–February, 1999.     

Rheological Properties of Nanosized AlN Powder Suspensions for Advanced Ceramics

The rheological properties (flow curves and viscoelastic behavior) of injection molding suspensions of a plasma-processed AlN nanosized powder (nanopowder) in paraffin are investigated over a broad range of shear rates (0.07–1350 s^–1). Two viscosity plateaux are observed on the flow curves and two values of the yield stress are obtained. The lower value of the strain amplitude (0.66%), exceeding the linearity limit of periodic shear, is restricted by the rheometer resolution. The ultrasound treatment and shear deformation of suspensions affect the structure of particle packing, which is responsible for the dependence of their rheological properties on the prehistory of mechanical actions.     

Transverse compression of PPTA fibers

Results of single transverse compression testing of PPTA and PIPD fibers, using a novel test device, are presented and discussed. In the tests, short lengths of single fibers are compressed between two parallel, stiff platens. The fiber elastic deformation is analyzed as a Hertzian contact problem. The inelastic deformation is analyzed by elastic-plastic FE simulation and by laser-scanning confocal microscopy of the compressed fibers ex post facto. The results obtained are compared to those in the literature and to the theoretical predictions of PPTA fiber transverse elasticity based on PPTA crystal elasticity.Presented at the 11th International Conference on Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000).3TEX, Inc. 109, MacKenan Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27511, USA. Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 533–544, March–April, 2000.     

The net Bayes premium with dependence between the risk profiles

In Bayesian analysis it is usual to assume that the risk profiles Θ₁ and Θ₂ associated with the random variables “number of claims” and “amount of a single claim”, respectively, are independent. A few studies have addressed a model of this nature assuming some degree of dependence between the two random variables (and most of these studies include copulas). In this paper, we focus on the collective and Bayes net premiums for the aggregate amount of claims under a compound model assuming some degree of dependence between the random variables Θ₁ and Θ₂. The degree of dependence is modelled using the Sarmanov–Lee family of distributions [Sarmanov, O.V., 1966. Generalized normal correlation and two-dimensional Frechet classes. Doklady (Soviet Mathematics) 168, 596–599 and Ting-Lee, M.L., 1996. Properties and applications of the Sarmanov family of bivariate distributions. Communications Statistics: Theory and Methods 25 (6) 1207–1222], which allows us to study the impact of this assumption on the collective and Bayes net premiums. The results obtained show that a low degree of correlation produces Bayes premiums that are highly sensitive.     

Equilibrium failure processes of granular composites

The macroscopic failure of inhomogeneous media results from damage accumulation on different structural levels. During rigid loading, when given displacements of boundary points are ensured, irrespective of the body's resistance, structural-failure processes of composite materials take place in an equilibrium regime and result in the manifestation of such nonlinear-behavior effects as a descending branch on the strain diagram. the structural elements of a granular composite are homogeneous and firmly connected along the interface. Their geometry and mutual arrangement are given and do not change during deformation and failure of the medium, and the medium itself is macrohomogenous. The strength of isotropic structural elementsis estimated by comparing the second invariant of the stress tensor with its critical value. Nonfulfillment of the indicated strength criterion is associated with loss of ability to resist changes in form; at this point, the positive value of the first invariant corresponds to loss of such ability to resist and increase in volume. The deformation and structural failure of the medium are investigated as a single process that can be described under quasi-static loading by a boundary problem consisting of a closed system of Eqs. (1) and (2) and boundary conditions providing for a macrohomogeneous strain state. A principal feature of the boundary problem under consideration is the possibility of considering in constitutive relationships the states of the inhomogeneous medium, which correspond to partial or complete loss of bearing capacity of the structural elements. The random structural strength constants correspond to three-parameter Weibull distribution (6). The representative volume of a granular composite, which fills a domain in the form of a cube, is modeled by a set of istropic elastobrittle strain diagrams containing a descending branch are obtained as a result of the mathematical modeling of deformation processes and structural failure to realized a representative volume containing 384 structural elements with different strength and similar elastic constants.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials, Riga, October, 1995.Perm'State Mechanical University, Russia. Translated From Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 808–817, November–December, 1996.