A note on minimization problems and multistep methods

Summary. We use the qualitative properties of the solution flow of the gradient equation to compute a local minimum of a real-valued function . Under the regularity assumption of all equilibria we show a convergence result for bounded trajectories of a consistent, strictly stable linear multistep method applied to the gradient equation. Moreover, we compare the asymptotic features of the numerical and the exact solutions as done by Humphries, Stuart (1994) and Schropp (1995) for one-step methods. In the case of -stable formulae this leads to an efficient solver for stiff minimization problems. Received July 10, 1995 / Revised version received June 27, 1996     

To the spectral theory of Krein systems

We consider the Krein systems. For the set of Stummel class coefficients, we establish the criterion in terms of these coefficients for the system to satisfy the Szegö-type estimate on the spectral measure.     

Quantization of complex Lagrangian submanifolds

Let Λ be a smooth Lagrangian submanifold of a complex symplectic manifold X. We construct twisted simple holonomic modules along Λ in the stack of deformation-quantization modules on X.     

Symmetric Boundary Value Methods for Second Order Initial and Boundary Value Problems

We introduce symmetric Boundary Value Methods for the solution of second order initial and boundary value problems (in particular Hamiltonian problems). We study the conditioning of the methods and link it to the boundary loci of the roots of the associated characteristic polynomial. Some numerical tests are provided to assess their reliability. Dedicated to the memory of Professor Aldo Cossu     

A complete global solution to the pressure gradient equation

We study the domain of existence of a solution to a Riemann problem for the pressure gradient equation in two space dimensions. The Riemann problem is the expansion of a quadrant of gas of constant state into the other three vacuum quadrants. The global existence of a smooth solution was established in Dai and Zhang [Z. Dai, T. Zhang, Existence of a global smooth solution for a degenerate Goursat problem of gas dynamics, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 155 (2000) 277-298] up to the free boundary of vacuum. We prove that the vacuum boundary is the coordinate axes.     

Corn stover fractions and bioenergy

Information is presented on structure, composition, and response to enzymes of corn stover related to barriers for bioconversion to ethanol. Aromatic compounds occurred in most tissue cell walls. Ferulic acid esterase treatment before cellulase treatment significantly improved dry weight loss and release of phenolic acids and sugars in most fractions over cellulase alone. Leaf fractions were considerably higher in dry weight loss and released sugars with esterase treatment, but stem pith cells gave up the most phenolic acids. Results help identify plant fractions more appropriate for coproducts and bioconversion and those more suitable as residues for soil erosion control.     

Mackey Topologies and Mixed Topologies in Riesz Spaces

The possibility of characterizing the Mackey topology of a dual pair of vector spaces as a generalized inductive limit (or mixed) topology is investigated. Positive answers are given for a wide range of dual pairs of Riesz spaces (vector lattices) and non-commutative Banach function spaces (or symmetric operator spaces).     

Influence of oxidation time on semiconductive behaviour of thermally grown oxide films on AISI 304L

The oxide films formed on AISI 304L stainless steel at 300 °C in the oxidation time range between 2 and 4 h have been studied by photoelectrochemistry. Photocurrents were investigated as a function of the wavelength of the incident light and the electrode potential. The investigation allowed the determination of the semiconductive properties of the oxides. The oxide films showed n-type behaviour. A duplex structure of the oxide films has been suggested on the basis of the photocurrent spectra, with an internal oxide layer having an optical gap (E_g2 = 2.16-2.3 eV) depending on the applied potential and oxidation time, higher to that of the external oxide layer (E_g1 ≈ 1.9 eV). Significant variations in the amplitude of the photocurrent were detected as a function of the applied potential and the oxidation time.     

A gas-kinetic scheme for shallow-water equations with source terms

In this paper, the Kinetic Flux Vector Splitting (KFVS) scheme is extended to solving the shallow water equations with source terms. To develop a well-balanced scheme between the source term and the flow convection, the source term effect is accounted in the flux evaluation across cell interfaces. This leads to a modified gas-kinetic scheme with particular application to the shallow water equations with bottom topography. Numerical experiments show better resolution of the unsteady solution than conventional finite difference method and KFVS method with little additional cost. Moreover, some positivity properties of the gas-kinetic scheme is established.