Uniform estimate of the constant in the strengthened CBS inequality for anisotropic non‐conforming FEM systems

Preconditioners based on various multilevel extensions of two‐level finite element methods (FEM) lead to iterative methods which have an optimal order computational complexity with respect to the size of the system. Such methods were first presented in Axelsson and Padiy (SIAM. J. Sci. Stat. Comp. 1990; 20 :1807) and Axelsson and Vassilevski (Numer. Math. 1989; 56 :157), and are based on (recursive) two‐level splittings of the finite element space. The key role in the derivation of optimal convergence rate estimates is played by the constant γ in the so‐called Cauchy–Bunyakowski–Schwarz (CBS) inequality, associated with the angle between the two subspaces of the splitting. It turns out that only existence of uniform estimates for this constant is not enough but accurate quantitative bounds for γ have to be found as well. More precisely, the value of the upper bound for γ∈(0,1) is part of the construction of various multilevel extensions of the related two‐level methods. In this paper, an algebraic two‐level preconditioning algorithm for second‐order elliptic boundary value problems is constructed, where the discretization is done using Crouzeix–Raviart non‐conforming linear finite elements on triangles. An important point to make is that in this case the finite element spaces corresponding to two successive levels of mesh refinements are not nested. To handle this, a proper two‐level basis is considered, which enables us to fit the general framework for the construction of two‐level preconditioners for conforming finite elements and to generalize the method to the multilevel case. The major contribution of this paper is the derived estimates of the related constant γ in the strengthened CBS inequality. These estimates are uniform with respect to both coefficient and mesh anisotropy. To our knowledge, the results presented in the paper are the first such estimates for non‐conforming FEM systems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Frequencies of Free Oscillations of a Truncated Spherical Sector Covered with a Thin Elastic Spherical Shell

An analytic solution of the problem concerning the frequencies and shapes of free axially symmetric oscillations of a truncated spherical sector filled with an ideal compressible fluid is constructed. A spherical wall of smaller radius and the radial wall of the sector are absolutely rigid. A thin elastic shell whose edge is clamped in the radial wall is located on a spherical boundary of larger radius. The outer surface of the shell borders vacuum. The phenomenon of an anomalous decrease in the fundamental frequency as the spherical walls approach each other is discovered. An approximate formula for determination of the lowest fundamental frequencies, which are approximately proportional to the square root of the difference of the radii of spherical walls for small values of this difference, is constructed and tested numerically. Bibliography: 13 titles.     

An Integral Formula for the Complex Intersection Number of Real Cycles in a Real Algebraic Variety with Topologically Rational Singularities

A formula of type indicated in the title is presented and discussed. Bibliography: 7 titles.     

Anti-Stokes Bands of Intrinsic Radiation in Undoped GaAs Crystals

It has been established that undoped gallium crystals exhibit anti-Stokes radiation with energy corresponding to the interband recombination of these crystals. Its appearance is most probably determined by EL2 defects, and its intensity depends on the product of the cross sections for photoionization of electrons and the holes from these defects.     

Solubility parameter determination of cationic surfactants by inverse GC

Summary The solubility parameters of cationic surfactants were obtained using the inverse gas chromatographic technique. The surfactants didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide and dodecyl pyridinium chloride were used as stationary phase and retention data of different probe solutes were measured at different temperatures. The results were analysed by the combination of Flory-Huggins and Hildebrand theories, and the solubility parameters of the surfactants were obtained in a range of temperatures between 80–120°C.     

Penetration of radionuclides across the skin: Rat age dependent promethium permeation through skin in vitro

The composition and the permeation properties of the skin are dependent on age. In the animal models for permation studies, age affects the mechanical as well as the permeation properties significantly. The time dependence of permeation of ¹⁴⁷Pm³⁺ from aqueous solution was established by the animal skin model and the age dependence of promethium permeation through the skin was examined. The aim was to find the optimum rat skin age model for radionuclide permeation studies and to assess the relative importance of the main permeation pathways: transepidermal and transfollicular permeation. The skin from 5-day-old rats (5DR) was found to represent the optimum animal model to study transepidermal permeation of ions. The skin from 9-day-old rats (9DR) was selected to study transfollicular permeation of ions. Comparison of the permeated amounts of promethium through the skin without hairs (3 DR to 6 DR) and with hairs (7DR to 12DR) showed that the additional permation mode via follicles significantly contributed to the permeation rate and extent.     

Inner bounds for the spectrum of quasinormal operators

A linear operator in a separable Hilbert space is called a quasinormal one if it is a sum of a normal operator and a compact one. In the paper, bounds for the spectrum of quasinormal operators are established. In addition, the lower estimate for the spectral radius is derived. Under some restrictions, that estimate improves the well-known results. Applications to integral operators and matrices are discussed. Our results are new even in the finite-dimensional case.

     

The effect of Mn substitution on thermoelectric properties of Ca3MnxCo4−xO9 at low temperatures

The effects of partial substitution of Mn for Co on the thermoelectric properties of Ca₃Mn_xCo_4−xO₉ (x=0, 0.03, 0.9), prepared by sol-gel process, were investigated at the temperatures from 380 K down to 5 K. The results indicate that the substitution of Mn for Co results in increase in thermopower at temperatures >∼80 K, and substantial (23-31% at 300 K) decrease in lattice thermal conductivity in the whole temperature range investigated. The temperature behavior of ZT suggests that Ca₃Mn_xCo_4−xO₉ with light Mn substitution would be a promising candidate for high-temperature thermoelectric applications.