Discrete mathematics in primary and secondary schools in the United States

This article provides a status report on discrete mathematics in America's schools, including an overview of publications and programs that have had major impact. It discusses why discrete mathematics should be introduced in the schools and the authors' efforts to advocate, facilitate, and support the adoption of discrete mathematics topics in the schools. Their perspective is that discrete mathematics should be viewed not only as a collection of new and interesting mathematical topics, but, more importantly, as a vehicle for providing teachers with a new way to think about traditional mathematical topics and new strategies for engaging their students in the study of mathematics.     

A two-stage parallel branch and bound algorithm for mixed integer programs

Mixed integer programming (MIP) models are extensively usedto aid strategic and tactical decision making in many businesssectors. Solving MIP models is a computationally intensive processand there is a need to develop solution approaches that enablelarger models to be solved within acceptable timeframes. Inthis paper, we describe the implementation of a two-stage parallelbranch and bound (PB & B) algorithm for MIP. In stage 1of the algorithm, a multiple heuristic search is implementedin which a number of alternative search trees are investigatedusing a forest search in the hope of finding a good solutionquickly. In stage 2, the search is reorganized so that the branchesof a chosen tree are investigated in parallel. A new heuristicis introduced, based on a best projection criterion, which evaluatesalternative B & B trees in order to choose one for investigationin stage 2 of the algorithm. The heuristic also serves as away of implementing a quality load balancing scheme for stage2 of the algorithm. The results of experimental investigationsare reported for a range of models taken from the MIPLIB libraryof benchmark problems.     

Effects of vitrification suppression on structure morphology, conductivity and dielectric properties of vanadium phosphate glasses

Vitrification suppression in the (V₂O₅)_1−x (P₂O₅)_x glasses where x=0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 was controlled by changing the rate of quenching glasses. The structure variations occurring in the glasses were detected by differential thermal analysis and optical microscope. The results implied the separation and growth of V₂O₅ orthorhombic microcrystal in the samples with x=0.10 and 0.15 whereas other samples did not illustrate remarkable changes in their microstructure. However, in temperature range between 300 and 473 K a semiconducting behavior for all samples appears during the study of electrical conductivity-temperature dependence. A decrease in conductivity values accompanied with some variations in activation energies by reducing quenching rate was observed. The conductivity results suggested that the conduction occurs by the phonon assisted hopping of a small polaron between V⁴⁺ and V⁵⁺ states at relatively higher temperature range above θ_D/2. Whereas at relatively low temperatures the conduction may occur by electron jumping between filled and empty states at Fermi level in the disordered matrix besides polaronic conduction. Reasonable values for the density of localized states, carrier concentration and carrier mobility were estimated and discussed. Also, dielectric constant and dielectric loss were studied as a function of frequency at different temperatures confirming the structure variations in the glass system.     

Small Values of the Maximum for the Integral of Fractional Brownian Motion

We consider the integral of fractional Brownian motion (IFBM) and its functionals ξ _T on the intervals (0,T) and (?T,T) of the following types: the maximum M _T , the position of the maximum, the occupation time above zero etc. We show how the asymptotics of P(ξ _T <1)=p _T ,T→∞, is related to the Hausdorff dimension of Lagrangian regular points for the inviscid Burgers equation with FBM initial velocity. We produce computational evidence in favor of a power asymptotics for p _T . The data do not reject the hypothesis that the exponent θ of the power law is related to the similarity parameter H of fractional Brownian motion as follows: θ=?(1?H) for the interval (?T,T) and θ=?H(1?H) for (0,T). The point 0 is special in that IFBM and its derivative both vanish there.     

Ward Identities and Vanishing of the Beta Function for d = 1 Interacting Fermi Systems

We give a self consistent and simplified proof of the (asymptotic) vanishing of the Beta function in d=1 interacting Fermi systems as a consequence of a few properties deduced from the exact solution of the Luttinger model. Moreover, since the vanishing of the Beta function is usually “proved” in the physical literature through heuristic arguments based on Ward identities, we briefly discuss here also the possibility of exploiting this idea in a rigorous approach, by using a suitable Dyson equation. We show that there are serious difficulties, related to the presence of corrections (for which we get careful bounds), which are usually neglected.     

The Flux-Across-Surfaces Theorem and Zero-Energy Resonances

In this contribution we shall first introduce the Flux Across Surfaces (FAS) theorem, placing it in the general context of the Quantum Scattering Theory. Then we shall review briefly the theory of resonances in non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics and outline a proof of the FAS theorem for non-relativistic potential scattering, which covers also the case in which there is a zero energy resonance.     

Phase Transitions in Traffic Models

It is suggested that the question of existence of a jamming phase transition in a broad class of single-lane cellular-automaton traffic models may be studied using a correspondence to the asymmetric chipping model. In models where such correspondence is applicable, jamming phase transition does not take place. Rather, the system exhibits a smooth crossover between free-flow and jammed states, as the car density is increased.     

Peculiar relics from Primordial Black Holes in the inflationary paradigm

Depending on various assumptions on the energy scale of inflation and assuming a primordial power spectrum of a step‐like structure, we explore new possibilities for Primordial Black Holes (PBH) and Planck relics to contribute substantially to Cold Dark Matter in the Universe. A recently proposed possibility to produce Planck relics in four‐dimensional string gravity is considered in this framework. Possible experimental detection of PBHs through gravitational waves is also explored. We stress that inflation with a low energy scale, and also possibly when Planck relics are produced, leads unavoidably to relics originating from PBHs that are not effectively classical during their formation, rendering the usual formalism inadequate for them.     

T-duality in Affine NA Toda Models

The construction of non-Abelian affine Toda models is discussed in terms of its underlying Lie algebraic structure. It is shown that a subclass of such non-conformal two-dimensional integrable models naturally leads to the construction of a pair of actions, which share the same spectra and are related by canonical transformations.