Gray codes extending quadratic matchings

Is it true that every matching in the n-dimensional hypercube can be extended to a Gray code? More than two decades have passed since Ruskey and Savage asked this question and the problem still remains open. A solution is known only in some special cases, including perfect matchings or matchings of linear size. This article shows that the answer to the Ruskey–Savage problem is affirmative for every matching of size at most . The proof is based on an inductive construction that extends balanced matchings in the completion of the hypercube by edges of into a Hamilton cycle of . On the other hand, we show that for every there is a balanced matching in of size that cannot be extended in this way.     

The dual code of any (δ+αu2)-constacyclic code over F2m[u]∕〈u4〉 of oddly even length

Let ${\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}$ be a finite field of cardinality $2^m$, $R={\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}\left[u\right]∕〈u^4〉={\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}+u{\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}+u^2{\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}+u^3{\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}$ $(u^4=0)$ which is a finite chain ring, and $n$ is an odd positive integer. For any $\delta ,\alpha \in {\mathbb{F}}_{2^m}^{\times }$, an explicit representation for the dual code of any $(\delta +\alpha u^2)$-constacyclic code over $R$ of length $2n$ is given. And some dual codes of $(1+u^2)$-constacyclic codes over $R$ of length 14 are constructed. For the case of $\delta =1$, all distinct self-dual $(1+\alpha u^2)$-constacyclic codes over $R$ of length $2n$ are determined.     

Effect of permanent magnet configuration on discharge characteristics in cylindrical Hall thrusters

Magnetic field design is important in cylindrical Hall thrusters and using permanent magnets to generate magnetic field is very promising in the future. In two typical permanent magnet configurations (i.e., ring and cylindrical configurations) of cylindrical Hall thrusters, discharge characteristics are compared in this paper through the experiments and simulations. The study shows that the cylindrical configuration can bring about higher thruster performance in the same working condition. The reason is that the potential drop of the cylindrical configuration is mainly concentrated in the channel, which is beneficial for the electrons to obtain energy to promote the ionization of the propellant. However, the voltage regulation range of the cylindrical configuration is lower because the anode is more easily overheated.     

Linear codes associated to skew-symmetric determinantal varieties

In this article we consider linear codes coming from skew-symmetric determinantal varieties, which are defined by the vanishing of minors of a certain fixed size in the space of skew-symmetric matrices. In odd characteristic, the minimum distances of these codes are determined and a recursive formula for the weight of a general codeword in these codes is given.