Continuous dependence results for inhomogeneous ill-posed problems in Banach space

We apply semigroup theory and other operator-theoretic methods to prove Hölder-continuous dependence on modeling for the inhomogeneous ill-posed Cauchy problem in Banach space. The inhomogeneous ill-posed Cauchy problem is given by , u(0)=χ, 0?t<T; where −A is the infinitesimal generator of a holomorphic semigroup on a Banach space X, χ∈X, and . For a suitable function f, the approximate problem is given by , v(0)=χ. Under certain stabilizing conditions, we prove that for a related norm, where and M are computable constants independent of β, 0<β<1, and ω(t) is a harmonic function. These results extend earlier work of Ames and Hughes on the homogeneous ill-posed problem.     

Cognitive Demands and Second-Language Learners: A Framework for Analyzing Mathematics Instructional Contexts

The issues involved in teaching English language learners mathematics while they are learning English pose many challenges for mathematics teachers and highlight the need to focus on language-processing issues related to teaching mathematical content. Two realistic-type problems from high-stakes tests are used to illustrate the complex interactions between culture, language, and mathematical learning. The analyses focus on aspects of the problems that potentially increase cognitive demands for second-language learners. An analytical framework is presented that is designed to enable mathematics teachers to identify critical elements in problems and the learning environment that contribute to increased cognitive demands for students of English as a second language. The framework is proposed as a cycle of teacher reflection that would extend a constructivist model of teaching to include broader linguistic, cultural, and cognitive processing issues of mathematics teaching, as well as enable teachers to develop more accurate mental models of student learning.     

Annular Functions and Gap Series

If f(z) = c_kz^nk, where n_k+1/n_k q > 1, and f(z) is analyticin |z| < 1, the f(z) is an annular function if and only ifsup |c_k| = . This answers a question posed by L. R. Sons andD.M. Campbell simplifies the proofs of many known examples ofannular functions. Present address: Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, McMaster University,Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S4K1     

INVARIANT FIELDS AND LOCALIZED INVARIANT RINGS OF p-GROUPS

It is well known that for a p-group, the invariant field ispurely transcendental (T. Miyata, Invariants of certain groupsI, Nagoya Math. J. 41 (1971), 69–73). In this note, weshow that a minimal generating set of this field can be chosenas homogeneous invariants from the invariant ring. As a result,we show that the invariant ring localized at one suitable invariantis the localization of a polynomial subring at this same invariant.This second result is a generalization of a recent result ofthe first author for cyclic groups of order p (H. E. A. Campbell,Rings of invariants of representations of C_p in characteristicp, preprint, 2006). As well, we specialize these results tothis latter case.     

Extension of the 2-p-opt and 1-shift algorithms to the heterogeneous probabilistic traveling salesman problem

The probabilistic traveling salesman problem is a well known problem that is quite challenging to solve. It involves finding the tour with the lowest expected cost for customers that will require a visit with a given probability. There are several proposed algorithms for the homogeneous version of the problem, where all customers have identical probability of being realized. From the literature, the most successful approaches involve local search procedures, with the most famous being the 2-p-opt and 1-shift procedures proposed by Bertsimas [D.J. Bertsimas, L. Howell, Further results on the probabilistic traveling salesman problem, European Journal of Operational Research 65 (1) (1993) 68–95]. Recently, however, evidence has emerged that indicates the equations offered for these procedures are not correct, and even when corrected, the translation to the heterogeneous version of the problem is not simple. In this paper we extend the analysis and correction to the heterogeneous case. We derive new expressions for computing the cost of 2-p-opt and 1-shift local search moves, and we show that the neighborhood of a solution may be explored in O(n²) time, the same as for the homogeneous case, instead of O(n³) as first reported in the literature.     

A two-stage stochastic program for scheduling and allocating cross-trained workers

A two-stage stochastic program is developed for scheduling and allocating cross-trained workers in a multi-department service environment with random demands. The first stage corresponds to scheduling days-off over a time horizon such as a week or month. The second stage is the recourse action that deals with allocating available workers at the beginning of a day to accommodate realized demands. After the general two-stage model is formulated, a special case is introduced for computational testing. The testing helps quantify the value of cross-training as a function of problem characteristics. Results show that cross-training can be more valuable than perfect information, especially when demand uncertainty is high.     

High density,high performance optical data storage via volume holography: Viability at last?

The long held promise of using volume holography to deliver high performance optical storage is reviewed. The problems, which limited the development for many years, are accessed. Finally, we describe a series of innovations, which may make the technology viable at last.     

One-dimensional fluid and circuit simulation of an AC plasmadisplay cell

A one-dimensional multispecies model of a helium filled AC plasma display cell is described. The model includes a continuity equation for each species. Poisson's equation and a circuit equation. The fill gas is helium for which the cross sections for ionization and excitation for the various atomic states are well known. The reaction rates for the different species were parametrized as functions of E/N using a zero-dimensional spatial and two velocity multispecies Boltzmann kinetic code. Calculations are performed using address and sustain voltages operating at a frequency of 50 kHz to model the pulse behavior of a dielectric barrier discharge which occurs over a time scale on the order of 200 ns or less. The code simulates multipulse behavior and shows reasonably good agreement with experimental data. The simulations show that the circuit filters out the discharge dynamics and that the pulse width of the discharge current depends on the circuit RC time constant. Using a 123 V sustain voltage, the calculated discharge current is 0.4 A with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 28 ns. Experimental values using a 120 V sustain voltage are 0.32 A discharge current and 42 ns FWHM