Optimal Algorithms for Probabilistic Solitude Detection on Anonymous Rings

Probabilistic algorithms are developed for a basic problem in distributed computation, assuming anonymous, asynchronous, unidirectional rings of processors. The problem, known as Solitude Detection, requires that a nonempty subset of the processors, calledcontenders, determine whether or not there is exactly one contender. Monte Carlo algorithms are developed that err with probability bounded by a specified parameter and exhibit either message or processor termination. The algorithms transmit an optimal expected number of bits, to within a constant factor. Their bit complexities display a surprisingly rich dependence on the kind of termination exhibited and on the processors' knowledge of the size of the ring. Two probabilistic tools are isolated and then combined in various ways to achieve all our algorithms.     

The G/M/1 queue revisited

The G/M/1 queue is one of the classical models of queueing theory. The goal of this paper is two-fold: (a) To introduce new derivations of some well-known results, and (b) to present some new results for the G/M/1 queue and its variants. In particular, we pay attention to the G/M/1 queue with a set-up time at the start of each busy period, and the G/M/1 queue with exceptional first service. Dedicated to Arie Hordijk on his 65th birthday, in friendship and admiration.     

Deformations of incompressible bodies with free boundaries

Communicated by C. Dafermos     

Poincaré series and holomorphic averaging

Summary We provide an alternate proof of McMullen's theorem on contractive properties of the Poincaré series operator in the special case of the universal covering. This case includes in particular Kra's Theta Conjecture.Oblatum 16-X-1991 & 14-IV-1992First author supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation     

Progress in the quality assurance of environmental trace organic analysis

An overview is given on the stepwise learning programmes undertaken to identify the main sources of error associated with the determination of the mandatory organic contaminants in the marine monitoring programmes. Details are given on the preparation and use of LRMs and CRMs to maintain analytical control and quantify the laboratory errors in relation to the measurement of changes in the environment.     

Azine bridged silver coordination polymers: Powder X-ray diffraction route to crystal structure determination of silver benzotriazole

In continuation of our interest in solid-state structures of silver complexes of photographic importance, the structure for silver benzotriazole (AgBZT), has now been obtained. The preferred method for solving crystal structures is via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). However, for some materials, growing single crystals of appropriate size and quality is often difficult or even impossible. AgBZT is an example of such a silver complex with poor solubility. The usual routes to preparing single crystals using recrystallization from a cooperating solvent resulted in polycrystalline powder samples. We propose a crystal structure for AgBZT, solved from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, using a direct-space Monte Carlo simulated annealing approach. AgBZT crystals are monoclinic, (P2₁/c), with unit cell dimensions, a=14.8052(3) Å, b=3.7498(4) Å, c=12.3495(12) Å, and β=114.200(6)°. The AgBZT complex is constructed from all three of the Benzotriazole (BZT) nitrogens bonding to a separate silver atom. As a consequence of this bonding mode, the structure is a highly cross-linked, coordination polymer.     

A note on an SOR-like method for augmented systems

Golub et al. (2001, BIT, 41, 71–85) gave a generalizedsuccessive over-relaxation method for the augmented systems.In this paper, the connection between the SOR-like method andthe preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method for the augmentedsystems is investigated. It is shown that the PCG method isat least as accurate (fast) as the SOR-like method. Numericalexamples demonstrate that the PCG method is much faster thanthe SOR-like method.     

InAs/GaSb/AlSb resonant tunneling spin device concepts

We discuss device concepts for creating spin-polarized current sources without external magnetic fields, using non-magnetic 6.1 Å semiconductor resonant tunneling structures. Spin filters, spin pumps, and spin transistors that exploit structural and bulk inversion asymmetries will be examined.