Optimality conditions and duality theory for minimizing sums of the largest eigenvalues of symmetric matrices

The sum of the largest eigenvalues of a symmetric matrix is a nonsmooth convex function of the matrix elements. Max characterizations for this sum are established, giving a concise characterization of the subdifferential in terms of a dual matrix. This leads to a very useful characterization of the generalized gradient of the following convex composite function: the sum of the largest eigenvalues of a smooth symmetric matrix-valued function of a set of real parameters. The dual matrix provides the information required to either verify first-order optimality conditions at a point or to generate a descent direction for the eigenvalue sum from that point, splitting a multiple eigenvalue if necessary. Connections with the classical literature on sums of eigenvalues and eigenvalue perturbation theory are discussed. Sums of the largest eigenvalues in the absolute value sense are also addressed.This paper is dedicated to Phil Wolfe on the occasion of his 65th birthday.The work of this author was supported by the National Science Foundation under grants CCR-8802408 and CCR-9101640.The work of this author was supported in part during a visit to Argonne National Laboratory by the Applied Mathematical Sciences subprogram of the Office of Energy Research of the U.S. Department of Energy under contract W-31-109-Eng-38, and in part during a visit to the Courant Institute by the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DEFG0288ER25053.     

On complementability of certain generalized hypercenters in Artinian modules

We prove that, in an Artinian module, the upper FC-hypercenter over an infinite FC-hypercentral locally solvable group has a direct complement. Thus, we obtain a generalization of one of Zaitsev’s theorems and one of Duan’s theorems.     

Feasibility Exploration of Laser‐based Techniques for Characterization of a Flashing Jet

Two‐phase flows hold an interest in many areas of science and engineering. In the safety field, one such topic is the accidental release of flammable and toxic pressure‐liquefied gases. In case of such a release, a flashing vapor explosion takes place resulting in a very dense two‐phase cloud. If the released substance is flammable, this cloud can be combustible and can lead to deflagration or detonation. For understanding the source processes of flashing and risk assessment, data related to cloud characteristics (i.e. droplet size, velocity etc.) is needed especially in the near region of the release. Due to the non‐equilibrium nature of the near field regions accurate data measurement is not possible with intrusive techniques. Therefore, laser‐based optical techniques (like Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Particle Tracking Velocimetry and Sizing (PTVS), Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) etc.) present the only possibility to obtain information for particle diameter and velocity evolution in this harsh environment.     

Influence of Particle Morphology and Flow Conditions on the Dispersion Behavior of Fumed Silica in Silicone Polymers

The dispersion behavior of agglomerates of several grades of fumed silica in poly(dimethyl siloxane) liquids has been studied as a function of particle morphology and applied flow conditions. The effects of primary particle size and aggregate density and structure on cohesivity were probed through tensile and shear strength tests on particle compacts. These cohesivity tests indicated that the shear strength of particle compacts was two orders of magnitude higher than the tensile strength at the same overall packing density. Experiments carried out in both steady and time‐varying simple‐shear flows indicate that dispersion occurs through tensile failure. In the steady‐shear experiments,enhanced dispersion was obtained at higher levels of applied stress and, at comparable levels of applied stress, dispersion was found to proceed faster at higher shear rates. Experiments conducted in time‐varying flows further corroborated the results obtained in tensile cohesivity tests. Experiments in which the mean and maximum stresses in the time‐varying flows were matched to the stresses produced in steady shear flows highlight the influence of flow dynamics on dispersion behavior.     

Static dust sphere in Einstein-Cartan theory

Physically meaningful solutions of the field equations for static spherical dust distributions in the Einstein-Cartan theory have been obtained. There is one in which the spin is zero at the center and another with zero spin at the boundary of the sphere.     

On the localization of topological invariants

The approach of formal differential geometry to the topological invariants which can be localized is developed. The universal space and universal characteristic forms are constructed. They give rise to primary and secondary characteristic forms.     

The use of sulfide cluster-derived catalysts to understand the promotional effect in hydrotreatment catalysis

Sulfide cluster-derived ensembles are promising models of the active sites in commercial hydrotreatment catalysts. A series of sulfide clusters were adsorbed intact onto high-surface-area γ-alumina, magnesium oxide and activated carbon supports, then pretreated to produce highly dispersed catalytic ensembles with sizes similar to those of their precursor clusters. The activities of the bimetallic cluster-derived catalysts were significantly higher than those of the monometallic catalysts. We took this as evidence that direct interactions between molybdenum and the promoter element cause the promotional effect observed in commercial hydrotreatment catalysts. The hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation activities correlated with the extent of molybdenum reduction. Our results suggested that the active sites in promoted hydrotreatment catalysts are centered on molecular-scale ensembles containing molybdenum, sulfur and the promoter element.     

Influence of concentration on the activation energy for diffusion in polymer-solvent systems

The self-diffusion of benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene in polystyrene have been analyzed using the Vrentas/Duda free-volume diffusion model. Diffusion coefficient predictions suggest an exponential concentration dependence of the activation energy required to overcome attractive forces, E. Without the use of any diffusion data approximating E as zero over the entire concentration range yields self-diffusion coefficient predictions which are in good agreement with experimental data. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synchronization Analysis of Coupled Noncoherent Oscillators

We present two different approaches to detect and quantify phase synchronization in the case of coupled non-phase coherent oscillators. The first one is based on the general idea of curvature of an arbitrary curve. The second one is based on recurrences of the trajectory in phase space. We illustrate both methods in the paradigmatic example of the R?ssler system in the funnel regime. We show that the second method is applicable even in the case of noisy data. Furthermore, we extend the second approach to the application of chains of coupled systems, which allows us to detect easily clusters of synchronized oscillators. In order to illustrate the applicability of this approach, we show the results of the algorithm applied to experimental data from a population of 64 electrochemical oscillators.