Rolling of a non-homogeneous ball over a sphere without slipping and twisting

Consider the problem of rolling a dynamically asymmetric balanced ball (the Chaplygin ball) over a sphere. Suppose that the contact point has zero velocity and the projection of the angular velocity to the normal vector of the sphere equals zero. This model of rolling differs from the classical one. It can be realized, in some approximation, if the ball is rubber coated and the sphere is absolutely rough. Recently, J. Koiller and K. Ehlers pointed out the measure and the Hamiltonian structure for this problem. Using this structure we construct an isomorphism between this problem and the problem of the motion of a point on a sphere in some potential field. The integrable cases are found.      

Interpolation of positive operators

We study problems of interpolation of positive linear operators in couples of ordered Banach spaces. From this viewpoint, we study couples of noncommutative spaces L ₁, L _∞ associated with weights and traces on von Neumann algebras.     

Countably compact topological group topologies on free Abelian groups from selective ultrafilters

Tkachenko showed in 1990 the existence of a countably compact group topology on the free Abelian group of size c using CH. Koszmider, Tomita and Watson showed in 2000 the existence of a countably compact group topology on the free Abelian group of size c² using a forcing model in which CH holds.Wallace's question from 1955, asks whether every both-sided cancellative countably compact semigroup is a topological group. A counterexample to Wallace's question has been called a Wallace semigroup. In 1996, Robbie and Svetlichny constructed a Wallace semigroup under CH. In the same year, Tomita constructed a Wallace semigroup from MAcountable.In this note, we show that the examples of Tkachenko, Robbie and Svetlichny, and Koszmider, Tomita and Watson can be obtained using a family of selective ultrafilters. As a corollary, the constructions presented here are compatible with the total failure of Martin's Axiom.     

Continuous dependence on the geometry and on the initial time for a class of parabolic problems I

In this paper, we investigate the continuous dependence on the geometry and the initial time for solutions u( x , t) of a class of nonlinear parabolic initial‐boundary value problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Letters to the Editor

The Mathematical Intelligencer encourages comments about the material in this issue. Letters to the editor should be sent to either of the editors-in-chief, Chandler Davis or Marjorie Senechal.     

Mathematical modelling and analytical solution for workpiece temperature in grinding

This paper deals with modelling the workpiece temperature field produced during the grinding process. The proposed model is given in terms of a two-dimensional boundary-value problem where the interdependence among the grinding wheel, the workpiece and the coolant is described by two variable functions in the boundary condition. An explicit integral form solution is constructed using the Laplace and Fourier transforms and the Green’s function method.     

Thermodynamic derivative properties and densities for hyperbaric gas condensates: SRK equation of state predictions versus Monte Carlo data

The ability of Soave–Redlich–Kwong cubic equation of state (SRK EoS) to predict densities and thermodynamic derivative properties such as thermal expansivity, isothermal compressibility, calorific capacity, and Joule–Thompson coefficients, for two gas condensates over a wide range of pressures (up to 110 MPa) was studied. The predictions of the EoS were compared to Monte Carlo simulation data obtained by Lagache et al. [M.H. Lagache, P. Ungerer, A. Boutin, Fluid Phase Equilibr. 220 (2004) 221]. Two completely different alpha functions for the SRK EoS attractive term were used and their respective effects on the predictions of such properties were analyzed. Also, two different forms of the crossed terms of the attractive parameter, a_ij, and three expressions of the crossed terms of the repulsive parameter, b_ij, were combined in different ways, and predictions were carried out. Little sensitivity of the properties on the chosen alpha function, except for the calorific capacities, was found in the systems studied. The most commonly used combination rules to model phase behavior of reservoir fluids, i.e. geometric and arithmetic forms of a_ij and b_ij, respectively, predicted very deficient results for these fluids at extreme conditions, specially for density calculations.     

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.