On the augmented system approach to sparse least-squares problems

Summary We study the augmented system approach for the solution of sparse linear least-squares problems. It is well known that this method has better numerical properties than the method based on the normal equations. We use recent work by Arioli et al. (1988) to introduce error bounds and estimates for the components of the solution of the augmented system. In particular, we find that, using iterative refinement, we obtain a very robust algorithm and our estimates of the error are accurate and cheap to compute. The final error and all our error estimates are much better than the classical or Skeel's error analysis (1979) indicates. Moreover, we prove that our error estimates are independent of the row scaling of the augmented system and we analyze the influence of the Björck scaling (1967) on these estimates. We illustrate this with runs both on large-scale practical problems and contrived examples, comparing the numerical behaviour of the augmented systems approach with a code using the normal equations. These experiments show that while the augmented system approach with iterative refinement can sometimes be less efficient than the normal equations approach, it is comparable or better when the least-squares matrix has a full row, and is, in any case, much more stable and robust.This author was visiting Harwell and was funded by a grant from the Italian National Council of Research (CNR), Istituto di Elaborazione dell'Informazione-CNR, via S. Maria 46, I-56100 Pisa, ItalyThis author was visiting Harwell from Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Amsterdam     

The six-vertex model eigenvectors as critical limit of the eight-vertex model bethe ansatz

The critical limit of the eight-vertex model eigenvectors obtained by means of the generalized Bethe Ansatz is shown to give the six-vertex eigenvectors as constructed in a previous paper by two of the authors. Furthermore, an explicit mapping is established between these eigenvectors and the usual Bethe Ansatz eigenvectors of the six-vertex model. This allows one to show that the indexv labeling the eight-vertex eigenstates becomes exactly the third component of the total spin in the critical limit.     

The Organization of Interaction Between Oil Refineries

The paper deals with the appropriate form of interaction between two refineries with different demand patterns. This problem can be formulated as finding a decentralized solution of linear programming problems linked by buying and selling activities. The complete problem is first solved for central values of product demands and costs and revenues. The structure of the basis then determines the organization of the interaction in terms of which unit sets quantities and which prices, or whether centralized decisions should be made. If, for expected values of product demand and costs, the structure of the basis is the same then the related organization of trading can be used for day-to-day transactions. For a well-known oil refinery model it is found that, for fairly large demand variations, decentralized interaction is effective, but that the structure of the basis changes easily with crude price variations, and that simulations did not converge for these variations.     

振动谱学研究中的光谱线型函数

本文讨论了在振动谱带计算拟合处理中的光谱线型函数问题,推导出适用于单道及多道拉曼光谱仪及色散型红外谱仪谱带线型公式。通过实验及拟合计算证实了它们的适用性并讨论了可能的误差源。理论计算和实验验证结果说明:在振动谱的谱带拟合计算中,应使用根据测谱条件计算求得的谱带线型函数,以保证拟合结果的可靠性。     

Mössbauer study of small amounts of iron in graphite,around the diamond-graphite pressure-temperature stability region

An exploratory Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the Fe-C system in the C rich region, prepared by high pressure-high temperature treatment near the graphite-diamond stability line, was made. The results obtained for the different processing conditions give no evidence of Fe intercalation in graphite. The presence of some water in the cell produced hydrated Fe complexes, which can explain the deleterious effect of water or hydrogen in the high pressure diamond synthesis.     

Moment problem for effect algebras

We present a solution to the moment problem for effect algebras, concerning mean values of all powers of an observable concentrated on the interval [0, 1] for states from a convex set. We give a solution for particular examples, e.g., for the set of all effect operators. We examine how this problem is related to a socalled E-property. Finally, we give a solution for observables studied in the operational approach to physical theories.     

Comparison of four quantification methods for the determination of PCB in transformer oils

The analysis of PCB in transformer oils has been achieved with three HRGC/ECD based methods, proposed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC/TC 10), by the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN/TC 19/WG 22) and by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN 51 527). The same clean-up, described in the CEN/TC 19/WG 22, has been used for all the samples, allowing a comparison of the quantification procedure only. The total chlorine content has also been determined with X-ray fluorescence. These different methods of quantification are compared and their application for legislative purposes is discussed.Dedicated to Professor Dr Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday