A variational principle for doubly nonlinear evolution

The weighted energy-dissipation principle stands as a novel variational tool for the study of dissipative evolution and has already been applied to rate-independent systems and gradient flows. We provide here an example of its application to a specific yet critical doubly nonlinear equation featuring a super-quadratic dissipation.     

A variational principle for vector equilibrium problems

A variational principle is described and analysed for the solutions of vector equilibrium problems.     

A variational principle for the nonstationary linear navier-stokes equations

A time-nonlocal boundary value problem for the linear evolution Navier-Stokes equations is considered, with time-averaged data being prescribed instead of initial ones. The solving of the problem is reduced to the minimizing of a quadratic functional.     

Symmetry of minimizers for some nonlocal variational problems

We present a new approach to study the symmetry of minimizers for a large class of nonlocal variational problems. This approach which generalizes the Reflection method is based on the existence of some integral identities. We study the identities that lead to symmetry results, the functionals that can be considered and the function spaces that can be used. Then we use our method to prove the symmetry of minimizers for a class of variational problems involving the fractional powers of Laplacian, for the generalized Choquard functional and for the standing waves of the Davey-Stewartson equation.     

A solution method for linear variational relation problems

In this paper, we consider a particular class of variational relation problem namely linear variational relation problem wherein the sets are defined by linear inequalities. The purpose is to study the existence of the solution set and its nature for this class of problem. Using these results, we provide algorithms to obtain the solutions of the problem based on which we present some numerical illustrations.     

A variational principle for problems with a hint of convexity

A variational principle is introduced to provide a new formulation and resolution for several boundary value problems with a variational structure. This principle allows one to deal with problems well beyond the weakly compact structure. As a result, we study several super-critical semilinear Elliptic problems.     

Fujita exponents for evolution problems with nonlocal diffusion

We prove the existence of a critical exponent of Fujita type for the nonlocal diffusion problem

Restricted variational principle method for problems of low-density aerodynamics

Rosen's restricted variational principle representation of the Boltzmann equation is applied to the problem of determining the transitional-regime, low-density, hypersonic flow over slender, conical vehicles with diffusely reflecting surfaces. If the trial distribution function is suitably chosen, the Euler-Lagrange equations associated with Rosen's functional result in a semilinear hyperbolic system amenable to solution by classical characteristics methods. Sample calculations are given and compared with the low-density cone flow experiments of Hickman to assess the accuracy of the method presented. It is believed that the present method constitutes the first solution method for boundary value problems in the low-density transitional flow regime.This work was supported by the United States Air Force, Contract No. AF04(695)-1001.     

On variational principles for linear initial value problems

Euler-Lagrange and Euler-Hamilton variational principles are presented for a class of linear initial value problems.     

Application of variational principle to scattering problems

The validity of the variational principle for scattering problems is examined in the case of ionization of atomic hydrogen by electron impact. The effective charge seen by the scattered electron is determined mathematically in a rigorous way excluding any empirical assumptions. It is shown that the elaborated approach gives effective charge values that are reasonable and have clear physical meaning.     

A variational principle for fractal dimensions

A new definition of the dimension of probability measures is introduced. It is related with the fractal dimension of sets by a variational principle. This principle is applied in the theory of iterated function systems.     

A variational principle for gradient flows

We verify – after appropriate modifications – an old conjecture of Brezis-Ekeland ([3], [4]) concerning the feasibility of a global variational approach to the problems of existence and uniqueness of gradient flows for convex energy functionals. Our approach is based on a concept of self-duality inherent in many parabolic evolution equations, and motivated by Bolza-type problems in the classical calculus of variations. The modified principle allows to identify the extremal value –which was the missing ingredient in [3]– and so it can now be used to give variational proofs for the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the heat equation (of course) but also for quasi-linear parabolic equations, porous media, fast diffusion and more general dissipative evolution equations.Both authors were partially supported by a grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.This paper is part of this authors Masters thesis under the supervision of the first named author.Revised version: 31 March 2004     

A variational principle for domino tilings

We formulate and prove a variational principle (in the sense of thermodynamics) for random domino tilings, or equivalently for the dimer model on a square grid. This principle states that a typical tiling of an arbitrary finite region can be described by a function that maximizes an entropy integral. We associate an entropy to every sort of local behavior domino tilings can exhibit, and prove that almost all tilings lie within (for an appropriate metric) of the unique entropy-maximizing solution. This gives a solution to the dimer problem with fully general boundary conditions, thereby resolving an issue first raised by Kasteleyn. Our methods also apply to dimer models on other grids and their associated tiling models, such as tilings of the plane by three orientations of unit lozenges.

     

On some nonlocal boundary value problems for evolution equations

In the Sobolev-Besov spaces, we examine the question on solvability of nonlocal boundary value problems for operator-differential equations of the form

On a time nonlocal problem for inhomogeneous evolution equations

Under consideration is some problem for inhomogeneous differential evolution equation in Banach space with an operator that generates a C ₀-continuous semigroup and a nonlocal integral condition in the sense of Stieltjes. In case the operator has continuous inhomogeneity in the graph norm. We give the necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of a generalized solution for the problem of whether the nonlocal data belong to the generator domain. Estimates on solution stability are given, and some conditions are obtained for existence of the classical solution of the nonlocal problem. All results are extended to a Sobolev-type linear equation, the equation in Banach space with a degenerate operator at the derivative. The time nonlocal problem for the partial differential equation, modeling a filtrating liquid free surface, illustrates the general statements.     

On the variational formulation for linear initial value problems

Summary The paper shows the key place of the choice of the bilinear form in order to give a variational formulation to a given problem. In particular it is shown how the use of a convolution bilinear form makes possible a variational formulation for linear initial value problems. A critical survey of the three main methods that was devised in the past to solve the same problem is done.

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Sunto. La nota mette in evidenza il ruolo fondamentale della scelta di una forma bilineare al fine di dare formulazione variazionale ad un dato problema. In particolare è mostrato come l'uso di una forma bilineare di convoluzione renda possibile la formulazione variazionale dei problemi ai valori iniziali. Si fa un esame critico dei tre principali metodi che sono stati escogitati nel passato per risolvere lo stesso problema.

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This work has been sponsored by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.

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Entrata in Redazione il 19 novembre 1971.