Extending the applicability of the Gauss–Newton method under average Lipschitz–type conditions

We extend the applicability of the Gauss–Newton method for solving singular systems of equations under the notions of average Lipschitz–type conditions introduced recently in Li et al. (J Complex 26(3):268–295, 2010). Using our idea of recurrent functions, we provide a tighter local as well as semilocal convergence analysis for the Gauss–Newton method than in Li et al. (J Complex 26(3):268–295, 2010) who recently extended and improved earlier results (Hu et al. J Comput Appl Math 219:110–122, 2008; Li et al. Comput Math Appl 47:1057–1067, 2004; Wang Math Comput 68(255):169–186, 1999). We also note that our results are obtained under weaker or the same hypotheses as in Li et al. (J Complex 26(3):268–295, 2010). Applications to some special cases of Kantorovich–type conditions are also provided in this study.     

A unifying theorem for Newton’s method on spaces with a convergence structure

We present a semilocal convergence theorem for Newton’s method (NM) on spaces with a convergence structure. Using our new idea of recurrent functions, we provide a tighter analysis, with weaker hypotheses than before and with the same computational cost as for Argyros (1996, 1997, 1997, 2007) [1], [2], [3] and [5], Meyer (1984, 1987, 1992) [13], [14] and [15]. Numerical examples are provided for solving equations in cases not covered before.     

Modulus of curve families and extremality of spiral-stretch maps

We develop a method using the modulus of curve families to study minimisation problems for the mean distortion functional in the class of finite distortion homeomorphisms. We apply our method to prove extremality of the spiral-stretch mappings defined on annuli in the complex plane. This generalises results of Gutlyanskiĭ and Martio [12] and Strebel [23].     

Asymptotic Recurrence and Waiting Times for Stationary Processes

Let be a discrete-valued stationary ergodic process distributed according to P and let x=(..., x _–1, x ₀, x ₁,...) denote a realization from X. We investigate the asymptotic behavior of the recurrence time R _n defined as the first time that the initial n-block reappears in the past of x. We identify an associated random walk, on the same probability space as X, and we prove a strong approximation theorem between log R _n and . From this we deduce an almost sure invariance principle for log R _n. As a byproduct of our analysis we get unified proofs for several recent results that were previously established using methods from ergodic theory, the theory of Poisson approximation and the analysis of random trees. Similar results are proved for the waiting time W _n defined as the first time until the initial n-block from one realization first appears in an independent realization generated by the same (or by a different) process.     

On a class of groups satisfying Bass' conjecture

In this paper, we use the Connes-Karoubi character liftings of the Hattori-Stallings rank in order to obtain examples of groups satisfying Bass' conjecture. We consider the nilpotence of the periodicity operator in cyclic homology and verify the conjecture for a certain class of groups which contains properly the ones studied by Eckmann. We also give an application of this method to the idempotent conjecture. Oblatum 21-III-1997 & 12-VI-1997     

Improving the order and rates of convergence for the Super-Halley method in Banach spaces

In this study we are concerned with the problem of approximating a locally unique solution of an equation on a Banach space. A semilocal convergence theorem is given for the Super-Halley method in Banach spaces. Earlier results have shown that the order of convergence is four for a certain class of operators [4], [5], [8]. These results were not given in affine invariant form, and made use of a real quadratic majorizing polynomial. Here, we provide our results in affine invariant form showing that the order of convergence is at least four. In cases that it is exactly four the rate of convergence is improved. We achieve these results by using a cubic majorizing polynomial. Some numerical examples are given to show that our error bounds are better than earlier ones.     

A unifying local-semilocal convergence analysis and applications for two-point Newton-like methods in Banach space

We provide a local as well as a semilocal convergence analysis for two-point Newton-like methods in a Banach space setting under very general Lipschitz type conditions. Our equation contains a Fréchet differentiable operator F and another operator G whose differentiability is not assumed. Using more precise majorizing sequences than before we provide sufficient convergence conditions for Newton-like methods to a locally unique solution of equation F(x)+G(x)=0. In the semilocal case we show under weaker conditions that our error estimates on the distances involved are finer and the information on the location of the solution at least as precise as in earlier results. In the local case a larger radius of convergence is obtained. Several numerical examples are provided to show that our results compare favorably with earlier ones. As a special case we show that the famous Newton-Kantorovich hypothesis is weakened under the same hypotheses as the ones contained in the Newton-Kantorovich theorem.     

A descent hybrid conjugate gradient method based on the memoryless BFGS update

In this work, we present a new hybrid conjugate gradient method based on the approach of the convex hybridization of the conjugate gradient update parameters of DY and HS+, adapting a quasi-Newton philosophy. The computation of the hybrization parameter is obtained by minimizing the distance between the hybrid conjugate gradient direction and the self-scaling memoryless BFGS direction. Furthermore, a significant property of our proposed method is that it ensures sufficient descent independent of the accuracy of the line search. The global convergence of the proposed method is established provided that the line search satisfies the Wolfe conditions. Our numerical experiments on a set of unconstrained optimization test problems from the CUTEr collection indicate that our proposed method is preferable and in general superior to classic conjugate gradient methods in terms of efficiency and robustness.     

A new microtensile tester for the study of MEMS materials with the aid of atomic force microscopy

An apparatus has been designed and implemented to measure the elastic tensile properties (Young's modulus and tensile strength) of surface micromachined polysilicon specimens. The tensile specimens are “dog-bone” shaped ending in a large “paddle” for convenient electrostatic or, in the improved apparatus, ultraviolet (UV) light curable adhesive gripping deposited with electrostatically controlled manipulation. The typical test section of the specimens is 400 μm long with 2 μm×50 μm cross section. The new device supports a nanomechanics method developed in our laboratory to acquire surface topologies of deforming specimens by means of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to determine (fields of) strains via Digital Image Correlation (DIC). With this tool, high strength or non-linearly behaving materials can be tested under different environmental conditions by measuring the strains directly on the surface of the film with nanometer resolution.