Efficient Spatial Modeling Using the SPDE Approach With Bivariate Splines

Gaussian fields (GFs) are frequently used in spatial statistics for their versatility. The associated computational cost can be a bottleneck, especially in realistic applications. It has been shown that computational efficiency can be gained by doing the computations using Gaussian Markov random fields (GMRFs) as the GFs can be seen as weak solutions to corresponding stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) using piecewise linear finite elements. We introduce a new class of representations of GFs with bivariate splines instead of finite elements. This allows an easier implementation of piecewise polynomial representations of various degrees. It leads to GMRFs that can be inferred efficiently and can be easily extended to nonstationary fields. The solutions approximated with higher order bivariate splines converge faster, hence the computational cost can be alleviated. Numerical simulations using both real and simulated data also demonstrate that our framework increases the flexibility and efficiency. Supplementary materials are available online.     

Singular Solutions to Conformal Hessian Equations

The authors show that for any e ∈]0,1[,there exists an analytic outside zero solution to a uniformly elliptic conformal Hessian equation in a ball B C R5 which belongs to C1'ε(B) \ C1'ε+(B).     

Congruence preserving functions on free monoids

A function on an algebra is congruence preserving if for any congruence, it maps congruent elements to congruent elements. We show that on a free monoid generated by at least three letters, a function from the free monoid into itself is congruence preserving if and only if it is of the form \({x \mapsto w_{0}xw_{1} \cdots w_{n-1}xw_n }\) for some finite sequence of words \({w_0,\ldots ,w_n}\). We generalize this result to functions of arbitrary arity. This shows that a free monoid with at least three generators is a (noncommutative) affine complete algebra. As far as we know, it is the first (nontrivial) case of a noncommutative affine complete algebra.     

Non-Autonomous Evolution Equations on Nonsmooth Domair

The solution of a stationary boundary value problem on a domain with conical points has singularities near these points. Here we first consider existence results in appropriate weighted Sobolev spaces in order to incorporate the singularities. We secondly use these results to prove existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions of non-autonomous second order evolution equations on such domains.     

Analytical and numerical prediction of harmonic sound power in the inlet of aero-engines with emphasis on transonic rotation speeds

Tone noise radiated through the inlet of a turbofan is mainly due to rotor-stator interactions at subsonic regimes (approach flight), and to the shock waves attached to each blade at supersonic helical tip speeds (takeoff). The axial compressor of a helicopter turboshaft engine is transonic as well and can be studied like turbofans at takeoff. The objective of the paper is to predict the sound power at the inlet radiating into the free field, with a focus on transonic conditions because sound levels are much higher. Direct numerical computation of tone acoustic power is based on a RANS (Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes) solver followed by an integration of acoustic intensity over specified inlet cross-sections, derived from Cantrell and Hart equations (valid in irrotational flows). In transonic regimes, sound power decreases along the intake because of nonlinear propagation, which must be discriminated from numerical dissipation. This is one of the reasons why an analytical approach is also suggested. It is based on three steps: (i) appraisal of the initial pressure jump of the shock waves; (ii) 2D nonlinear propagation model of Morfey and Fisher; (iii) calculation of the sound power of the 3D ducted acoustic field. In this model, all the blades are assumed to be identical such that only the blade passing frequency and its harmonics are predicted (like in the present numerical simulations). However, transfer from blade passing frequency to multiple pure tones can be evaluated in a fourth step through a statistical analysis of irregularities between blades. Interest of the analytical method is to provide a good estimate of nonlinear acoustic propagation in the upstream duct while being easy and fast to compute. The various methods are applied to two turbofan models, respectively in approach (subsonic) and takeoff (transonic) conditions, and to a Turbomeca turboshaft engine (transonic case). The analytical method in transonic appears to be quite reliable by comparison with the numerical solution and with available experimental data.     

In situ FTIR investigation of adsorption properties of sub-micron Cu2O-doped RuO2 sensing electrode of planar potentiometric pH sensor

In situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study adsorption properties of 20?mol% Cu₂O-doped RuO₂ sensing electrode (SE) screen-printed on the platinised alumina substrate of the planar electrochemical pH sensor and subsequently sintered at 800?°C. Morphology and properties of developed SEs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and FTIR techniques. It was shown that both Cu₂O doping and changes in the sintering condition of the SE affected morphology and adsorption spectra of 20?mol% Cu₂O-doped RuO₂. Fundamental vibration frequencies of ruthenium?Coxygen bond at a temperature of 23?°C as well as region above fundamental frequencies for the sub-micron 20?mol% Cu₂O-doped RuO₂-SE were identified.     

Randomness versus nonlocality and entanglement

The outcomes obtained in Bell tests involving two-outcome measurements on two subsystems can, in principle, generate up to 2?bits of randomness. However, the maximal violation of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality guarantees the generation of only 1.23?bits of randomness. We prove here that quantum correlations with arbitrarily little nonlocality and states with arbitrarily little entanglement can be used to certify that close to the maximum of 2?bits of randomness are produced. Our results show that nonlocality, entanglement, and randomness are inequivalent quantities. They also imply that device-independent quantum key distribution with an optimal key generation rate is possible by using almost-local correlations and that device-independent randomness generation with an optimal rate is possible with almost-local correlations and with almost-unentangled states.     

Tests of quantum mechanics with single atoms in high Q cavities

A Rydberg atom coupled to a single field mode in a high Q superconducting cavity is an ideal tool to perform experiments testing the most puzzling aspects of the quantum theory. The coupling between the atom and the field is either resonant or dispersive. In the resonant case, quantum Rabi oscillations in the vacuum or in a small coherent field injected in the cavity are observed. The analysis of these signals reveals in a striking way the quantization of the field. Quantum Rabi oscillations are also used to produce entanglement between successive atoms crossing the cavity. Dispersive atom-field coupling is used to prepare coherent superpositions of field states with different phases (Schrödinger cat states). The progressive decoherence of these states is studied by measuring correlations between the energies of pairs of atoms sent through the cavity with a variable delay between them. These experiments provide fundamental tests of quantum theory and shed light on the transition from quantum to classical in mesoscopic systems.