A numerical experimental study of inverse preconditioning for the parallel iterative solution to 3D finite element flow equations

Integration of the subsurface flow equation by finite elements (FE) in space and finite differences (FD) in time requires the repeated solution to sparse symmetric positive definite systems of linear equations. Iterative techniques based on preconditioned conjugate gradients (PCG) are one of the most attractive tool to solve the problem on sequential computers. A present challenge is to make PCG attractive in a parallel computing environment as well. To this aim a key factor is the development of an efficient parallel preconditioner. FSAI (factorized sparse approximate inverse) and enlarged FSAI relying on the approximate inverse of the coefficient matrix appears to be a most promising parallel preconditioner. In the present paper PCG using FSAI, diagonal and pARMS (parallel algebraic recursive multilevel solvers) preconditioners is implemented on the IBM SP4/512 and CLX/768 supercomputers with up to 32 processors to solve underground flow problems of a large size. The results show that FSAI may allow for a parallel relative efficiency larger than 50% on the largest problems with p=32 processors. Moreover, FSAI turns out to be significantly less expensive and more robust than pARMS. Finally, it is shown that for p in the upper range may be much improved if PCG–FSAI is implemented on CLX.     

Cluster approach in first-principle calculations for ferroelectrics

It is shown that, proceeding from the first principles, it is possible to separate the contributions from short-and long-range interactions to the lattice dynamics and dielectric properties of crystalline dielectrics. The cluster calculations of local force constants and potentials for the matrix and impurity atoms in ferroelectrics with the perovskite structure were made by the Hartree-Fock MOLCAO-SCF method. The parameters of the Devonshire-Slater-Barrett single-ion model are calculated for barium titanate and potassium niobate. The influence of the quantum statistics on the Curie temperature in these ferroelectrics and the isotope effect in barium titanate are also considered.     

Carbide precipitates in solution-quenched PH13-8 Mo stainless steel: A small-angle neutron scattering investigation

This paper deals with the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) investigation on solution-quenched PH13-8 Mo stainless steel. From the nature of the variation of the functionality of the profiles for varying specimen thickness and also from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it has been established that the small-angle scattering signal predominantly originates from the block-like metallic carbide precipitates in the specimen. The contribution due to double Bragg reflection is not significant in the present case. The single scattering profile has been extracted from the experimental profiles corresponding to different values of specimen thickness. In order to avoid complexity and non-uniqueness of the multi-parameter minimization for randomly oriented polydisperse block-like precipitate model, the data have been analyzed assuming randomly oriented polydisperse cylindrical particle model with a locked aspect ratio.     

Kinetic C<Subscript>(2)-H</Subscript> exchange study of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cis</Emphasis>-[(en)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Co(HIm)(enH)]Br<Subscript>4</Subscript> by NMR spectroscopy: Evidence for the acidity of C<Subscript>(2)-H</Subscript> proton

C_(2)-H exchange incis-[(en)₂Co(HIm)(enH)]Br₄ (Im, imidazole; en, ethylenediamine) was studied over a pD range of 9.4 to 10.2 at 60°C where thecis-[(en)₂Co(Him)(enH)]⁴⁺ andcis-[(en)₂Co(HIm)(en)]³⁺ are the species present in significant concentrations.Cis-[(en)₂Co(HIm)(enH)]⁴⁺ has pK_a1 7.86 and pK_a2 9.82 with pK_a1 corresponding to coordinated enH ionization and pK_a2 to ImH ionization. The kinetic data may be interpreted in terms of an intramolecular H-D exchange mechanism, where the “dangling”-ND₂CH₂CH₂ND₂ group acts as a base to remove the imidazole C_(2)-H proton from the coordinated DIm moiety.     

Microstructural evolution of decagonal quasicrystal in the undercooled Al72Ni12Co16 alloy melts

The microstructure evolution of decagonal quasicrystals in Al₇₂Ni₁₂Co₁₆ alloy was investigated by the electromagnetic melting and cyclic superheating method. Single-phase decagonal quasicrystals have been obtained when the undercoolings were larger than 60 K. The decagonal quasicrystals formed at various undercoolings show different microstructural morphologies. Furthermore, grain refinement was found near the undercooling of 120 K. Based on current thermodynamic and dendrite growth theories, a dimensionless superheating parameter was adopted to explain the effect of processing conditions on the microstructure of Al₇₂Ni₁₂Co₁₆ alloy. The result indicate that the fine equiaxied microstructure of decagonal quasicrystal (D-phase) formed near on undercooling of 120 K originates from the break-up of dendrites.     

<Superscript>6</Superscript>He + <Superscript>6</Superscript>He Clustering of <Superscript>12</Superscript>Be in a Microscopic Algebraic Approach

The norm kernel of the A=12 system composed of two ⁶He clusters, and the L=0 basis functions (in the SU(3) and angular momentum-coupled schemes) are analytically obtained in the Fock-Bargmann space. The norm kernel has a diagonal form in the former basis, but the asymptotic conditions are naturally defined in the latter one. The system is a good illustration for the method of projection of the norm kernel to the basis functions in the presence of SU(3) degeneracy that was proposed by the authors. The coupled-channel problem is considered in the algebraic version of the resonating-group method, with the multiple decay thresholds being properly accounted for. The structure of the ground state of ¹²Be obtained in the approximation of zero-range nuclear force is compared with the shell-model predictions. In the continuum part of the spectrum, the S-matrix is constructed, the asymptotic normalization coefficients are deduced and their energy dependence is analyzed.     

Computation of triple differential cross-sections with the inclusion of exchange effects in atomic K-shell ionization by relativistic electrons for symmetric geometry

The triple differential cross-section for K-shell ionization of silver and copper atoms by relativistic electrons have been computed in the coplanar symmetric geometry with the inclusion of exchange effects following the multiple scattering theory of Das and Seal [1] multiplied by suitable spinors. Present computed results are marginally improved in some cases from the previous computed results [2]. Present results are compared with measured values [3] and with previous computation results [2]. Some other theoretical computational results are also presented here for comparison.      

Polarization locking and nonparaxial spatial solitons in media with electronic Kerr nonlinearity

The polarization structure of nonparaxial spatial solitons in a transparent medium with the electronic mechanism of Kerr nonlinearity is studied theoretically. It is demonstrated analytically in the weak nonparaxiality approximation that the regime of polarization locking, in which all the field components have the same propagation constant, is the only stable regime. Estimates of the rate of transition of the initial metastable regime of rotation of the polarization ellipse to the regime of polarization locking are presented. Based on a numerical solution of the nonlinear Maxwell equations, the presence of the nonparaxial regime of polarization locking is confirmed and the main characteristics of the corresponding spatial solitons are obtained.     

Content and Methodological Provision of the Basic Course of Analytical Chemistry

Russian standards in training conventional graduates and bachelors are considered. These standards determine the status and volume of analytical chemistry courses at different higher educational institutions. An analysis of the educational standards, standard curricula, and the aims of teaching analytical chemistry suggests the advisability of changing the content of the course, particularly at industrial (branch) higher educational institutions. The provision of the analytical chemistry course with special literature (manuals, textbooks), equipment, and computer software is considered.