Multiple Coverings of the Plane with Triangles

We prove that any 43-fold covering of the plane with translates of a triangle can be decomposed into two coverings.     

Norms on unitizations of banach algebras revisited

Let A be an algebra without unit. If ∥ ∥ is a complete regular norm on A it is known that among the regular extensions of ∥ ∥ to the unitization of A there exists a minimal (operator extension) and maximal (ℓ₁-extension) which are known to be equivalent. We shall show that the best upper bound for the ratio of these two extensions is exactly 3. This improves the results represented by A. K. Gaur and Z. V. Kovářík and later by T. W. Palmer. The second author was partially supported by the grant No. 201/03/0041 of GAČR.     

The uv-Decomposition on a Class of D.C. Functions and Optimality Conditions

In this paper,the UV-theory and P-differential calculus are employed to study second-order ex-pansion of a class of D.C.functions and minimization problems.Under certain conditions,some properties ofthe U-Lagrangian,the second-order expansion of this class of functions along some trajectories are formulated.Some first and second order optimality conditions for the class of D.C.optimization problems are given.     

The effect of a parameter in a boundary condition on the stability of difference schemes

A nonlocal difference scheme for the heat conduction equation with a real parameter γ > 1 or γ < 0 in the boundary condition is considered. Thus, the analysis of this problem is generalized to all real values of the parameter in the boundary condition. The spectrum of the spatial operator of the scheme is studied. The results obtained are used to formulate a stability criterion for the difference scheme. The case γ = ?1 proves to be special, because the system of eigenfunctions of the operator does not form a basis in the space of grid functions.     

Observation of spontaneous pattern with six-fold symmetry in disk-shaped ZnO complex microstructures

Using a simple vapor phase transport technique, we have fabricated unique complex disk-shaped ZnO microstructures comprising a small disk coaxially grown on a large one and observed spatially perfect six-fold symmetric patterns. The observed results can be explained based on the spontaneous nanoindentation (NI) effect under the geometric constraints and the explanation can be extended to fathom the growth mechanism of other highly symmetrical ZnO nanostructures. Our results indicate that NI not only can elucidate the mechanical properties of surfaces and thin films but also is an effective approach to fabricate ordered nanostructures with high precision on the location of the building blocks. PACS 81.16.Rf; 81.07.-b; 81.05.Dz     

Preparation of MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Fe superconductor wire by electrical self-heating

MgB₂/Fe wires were prepared by electrical self-heating of in situ powder-in-tube wires for the first time at ambient conditions. Characterization of the wires processed at 750 °C, 800 °C and 850 °C for 15 min by XRD, SEM, ϱ–T, susceptibility and J_C measurements shows that the MgB₂ formed is of high quality particularly with respect to phase purity and transport J_C. The method considerably reduces the overall energy consumption vis-à-vis the production cost, simplifies the complexity of the fabrication procedure and is promising for manufacture of high-quality MgB₂ superconducting wires. PACS 74.70.Ad; 74.62.Bf; 74.25.Fy; 74.25.Ha; 81.20.Hy     

Efficiency and effectiveness of Spanish football teams: a three-stage-DEA approach

In this paper, we apply a three-stage-DEA model to the Spanish Professional Football League, which means separating the teams’ economic behaviour into three components: operating efficiency—of the offence and defence—athletic or operating effectiveness, and social effectiveness. The results showed that the technical inefficiency of the defence is greater than that of the offence, both being caused by aspects linked to the poor management of players’ abilities and by the football team’s size. Teams showed a favourable evolution of their offensive and defensive efficiency during the 2004/2005 season and to a lesser extent in the season before. The point system assigned by the professional football league regulations evaluates the teams’ athletic effectiveness, but we detected that the teams with the most experience perform athletically in a more effective manner. Their social effectiveness is strongly related to the level of play in itself and to factors linked to their PFL ranking: participation in international competitions for important football teams; or the struggle of minor football teams to stay in the first division.     

Effect of nitrogen surface doping on the work function and field emission of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films

The effect of nitrogen surface doping on the electron field emission characteristics of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films was studied. It was found that the emission threshold electric field decreased after nitrogen surface doping which indicated the reduction of the emission barrier at the film surface. It was demonstrated that this improvement arose from the decrease of the effective work function due to the formation of a dipole layer induced by chemical termination and chemical structural change on the film surface. PACS 52.75.Xx; 73.30 +y; 73.61.Jc