The diameter of randomly perturbed digraphs and some applications

The central observation of this paper is that if εn random arcs are added to any n‐node strongly connected digraph with bounded degree then the resulting graph has diameter 𝒪(lnn) with high probability. We apply this to smoothed analysis of algorithms and property testing. Smoothed Analysis: Recognizing strongly connected digraphs is a basic computational task in graph theory. Even for digraphs with bounded degree, it is NL‐complete. By XORing an arbitrary bounded degree digraph with a sparse random digraph R ∼ 𝔻_n,ε/n we obtain a “smoothed” instance. We show that, with high probability, a log‐space algorithm will correctly determine if a smoothed instance is strongly connected. We also show that if NL ⫅̸ almost‐L then no heuristic can recognize similarly perturbed instances of (s,t)‐connectivity. Property Testing: A digraph is called k‐linked if, for every choice of 2k distinct vertices s₁,…,s_k,t₁,…,t_k, the graph contains k vertex disjoint paths joining s_r to t_r for r = 1,…,k. Recognizing k‐linked digraphs is NP‐complete for k ≥ 2. We describe a polynomial time algorithm for bounded degree digraphs, which accepts k‐linked graphs with high probability, and rejects all graphs that are at least εn arcs away from being k‐linked. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2007     

Effect of a Shock Pulse on a Floating Ice Sheet

The vibrations of a viscoelastic plate lying on an elastic liquid base subjected to pulse loading have been studied theoretically and experimentally. The effect of the variable depth of the reservoir, plate thickness, and strain relaxation time on the value of the plate vibration amplitude and the length and curvature of the flexural gravity wave profile are analyzed. Good agreement of theoretical and experimental results is obtained.     

Effect of residual stresses on the inelastic properties of metallic composites

The stressed state of in metallic composite systems is analyzed. It is analytically shown that the temperature dependences of the internal friction in the composites may have extrema that are caused by internal stresses. The analytical results are supported by the experimental temperature dependences of the internal friction in (Cu-13% Sn)-30% Nb and Cu-1.3% Cr composites.     

Asymptotic Methods Applied to Contact Problems

Asymptotic methods for contact problems are expounded. Some typical integral equations are considered     

Determination of the electric field gradient asymmetry from Berry’s phase in NQR of powder samples

An effect of Berry’s phase on the NQR spectrum of the rotating powder sample is described and applied for the determination of the electric field gradient asymmetry. The proposed method involves the analysis of the frequency singularities in the NQR powder patterns of the rotating samples. The Berry’s phases for the eigenstates, associated with an adiabatically changing quadrupole hamiltonian, are calculated for nuclei with a spin I = 3/2 and I = 1 as a function of the asymmetry parameter.     

Proximality and Chebyshev sets

This paper is a companion to a lecture given at the Prague Spring School in Analysis in April 2006. It highlights four distinct variational methods of proving that a finite dimensional Chebyshev set is convex and hopes to inspire renewed work on the open question of whether every Chebyshev set in Hilbert space is convex.     

Oxidative destruction of dinitrophenols by Fenton’s reagent in the presence of inorganic salts

The influence of inorganic salts on the kinetics of oxidation of 2,4-and 2,6-dinitrophenols by Fenton’s reagent, hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of iron(II) ions was studied.     

Nanostructures in calcia stabilized hafnia thin films observed by PAC as a function of temperature

The hyperfine quadrupole interaction at Hf sites in films and powders of 14 mol% CaO–HfO₂ and 20 mol% CaO–HfO₂ has been determined as a function of temperature. Results indicate the formation of a cubic solid solution and other microstructures assigned to the ?₁ (CaHf₄O₉) and ?₂ (Ca₆Hf₁₉O₄₄) phases. Dynamical effects on the electric field gradient reveal the existence of oxygen vacancies movements in the solid solution. The thermal behavior of the relaxation constant observed in films allowed the determination of activation energies of 0.54 eV and 0.70 eV for the 14 mol% and 20 mol% CaO doped hafnias, respectively. The influence of the microdomains and the stability of the cubic solid solution are discussed.     

Spin dynamics investigated by EPR in the paramagnetic regime of La2/3Ca1/3Mn1−x Me x O3 (Me = Al, In) manganites

We report an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of the spin dynamics in the paramagnetic regime of the colossal magnetoresistive manganites La_2/3Ca_1/3Mn_1?x Me _x O₃ (Me=Al, In;x≤0.05). The temperature dependences of the EPR linewidth and integral intensity have been analyzed in terms of the bottleneck spin relaxation and small-polaron hopping models. The exchange coupling integral between Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions and the polaron activation energy decrease with increasing doping level. A discussion is given concerning the factors which could explain the observed changes.