On K1 and K2 of Algebraic Surfaces

In this paper we study higher Chow groups of smooth, projective surfaces over a field k of characteristic zero, using some new Hodge theoretic methods which we develop for this purpose. In particular we investigate the subgroup of CH ^r+1 (X,r) with r = 1,2 consisting of cycles that are supported over a normal crossing divisor Z on X. In this case, the Hodge theory of the complement forms an interesting variation of mixed Hodge structures in any geometric deformation of the situation. Our main result is a structure theorem in the case where X is a very general hypersurface of degree d in projective 3-space for d sufficiently large and Z is a union of very general hypersurface sections of X. In this case we show that the subgroup of CH ^r+1 (X,r) we consider is generated by obvious cycles only arising from rational functions on X with poles along Z. This can be seen as a generalization of the Noether–Lefschetz theorem for r = 0. In the case r = 1 there is a similar generalization by Müller-Stach, but our result is more precise than it, since it is geometric and not only cohomological. The case r = 2 is entirely new and original in this paper. For small d, we construct some explicit examples for r = 1 and 2 where the corresponding higher Chow groups are indecomposable, i.e. not the image of certain products of lower order groups. In an appendix Alberto Collino constructs even more indecomposable examples in CH ³ (X,2) which move in a one-dimensional family on the surface X.Contribution to appendix.     

Level shift operators for open quantum systems

Level shift operators describe the second-order displacement of eigenvalues under perturbation. They play a central role in resonance theory and ergodic theory of open quantum systems at positive temperatures. We exhibit intrinsic properties of level shift operators, properties which stem from the structure of open quantum systems at positive temperatures and which are common to all such systems. They determine the geometry of resonances bifurcating from eigenvalues of positive temperature Hamiltonians and they relate the Gibbs state, the kernel of level shift operators, and zero energy resonances. We show that degeneracy of energy levels of the small part of the open quantum system causes the Fermi Golden Rule Condition to be violated and we analyze ergodic properties of such systems.     

Laser spectroscopy of high spin isomers – a review

This review summarizes the experimental data on charge radii differences among ground state and high spin isomeric states determined by high-resolution laser spectroscopic methods. A comparison is presented between radii changes obtained from the isomeric shifts in the atomic spectra and from the quadrupole moments of both ground and isomeric states under the assumption that the radii changes are determined by the difference of the quadrupole deformations. Special attention is paid to isomers arising from the break-up of nucleon pairs and isomers of odd–odd nuclei. The characteristic features of the radii changes for isomeric states of different origin are discussed.     

Time dependent analysis of finite buffer fluid flows and risk models with a dividend barrier

Based on the matrix-analytic approach to fluid flows initiated by Ramaswami, we develop an efficient time dependent analysis for a general Markov modulated fluid flow model with a finite buffer and an arbitrary initial fluid level at time 0. We also apply this to an insurance risk model with a dividend barrier and a general Markovian arrival process of claims with possible dependencies in successive inter-claim intervals and in claim sizes. We demonstrate the implementability and accuracy of our algorithms through a set of numerical examples that could also serve as test cases for comparing other solution approaches.      

An unflexural refined model of deformation of multilayered plates on an undeformable foundation

The stress-strain state of multilayered plates on an undeformable foundation is investigated. The design diagram of a transversely loaded plate is formed by supplementing it with a symmetric one about the contact surface of the foundation. The double-thickness plate obtained becomes loaded bilaterally and symmetrically about its midsurface. In such a way, only unflexural deformations can be modeled, which reduces the number of unknowns and the general order of differentiation of the resolving system of equations. The refined continual model developed takes into account the deformations of transverse shear and transverse compression in high iterative approximations. The cases of a rigid contact between the foundation and the plate and frictionless slip of the plate over the foundation are considered. Calculations confirm the efficiency of such an approach, which allows one to obtain solutions qualitatively and quantitatively close to three-dimensional ones. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 643–654, September–October, 2006.     

The solution of a convection–diffusion–reaction equation arising from cathodic reduction in a pulsating crack

This paper derives the convection–diffusion-reaction equation governing the reaction between the dissolved oxygen in sea-water and the steel walls of a pulsating crack. By the neglect of the diffusion term it is shown that an exact solution of the convection-reaction equation can be obtained. A numerical method for the solution of the complete convection–diffusion-reaction equation is derived by the use of finite differences. The numerical computation of the initial transient and the final periodic steady-state values is also discussed.     

Analysis of combined conduction and radiation heat transfer in presence of participating medium by the development of hybrid method

The current study addresses the mathematical modeling aspects of coupled conductive and radiative heat transfer in the presence of absorbing, emitting and isotropic scattering gray medium within two-dimensional square enclosure. A blended method where the concepts of modified differential approximation employed by combining discrete ordinate method and spherical harmonics method, has been developed for modeling the radiative transport equation. The gray participating medium is bounded by isothermal walls of two-dimensional enclosure which are considered to be opaque, diffuse and gray. The effect of various influencing parameters i.e., radiation-conduction parameter, surface emissivity, single scattering albedo and optical thickness has been illustrated. The adaptability of the present method has also been addressed.     

Successive column correction algorithms for solving sparse nonlinear systems of equations

This paper presents two algorithms for solving sparse nonlinear systems of equations: the CM-successive column correction algorithm and a modified CM-successive column correction algorithm. Aq-superlinear convergence theorem and anr-convergence order estimate are given for both algorithms. Some numerical results and the detailed comparisons with some previously established algorithms show that the new algorithms have some promise of being very effective in practice.This research was partially supported by contracts and grants: DOE DE-AS05-82ER1-13016, AFOSR 85-0243 at Rice University, Houston, U.S.A. and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant A-8639.     

差分流线扩散法的局域稳定性分析

本文讨论差分流线扩散法的局部稳定性分析，在理论上证明了该方法依旧保持着流线扩散法扰动局部影响的特性。