QN-spaces, wQN-spaces and covering properties

The main results of the paper are as follows: covering characterizations of wQN-spaces, covering characterizations of QN-spaces and a theorem saying that Cp(X) has the Arkhangel'ski?ˇ property (α₁) provided that X is a QN-space. The latter statement solves a problem posed by M. Scheepers [M. Scheepers, Cp(X) and Arhangel'ski?ˇ's αi-spaces, Topology Appl. 89 (1998) 265-275] and for Tychonoff spaces was independently proved by M. Sakai [M. Sakai, The sequence selection properties of Cp(X), Preprint, April 25, 2006]. As the most interesting result we consider the equivalence that a normal topological space X is a wQN-space if and only if X has the property S₁(Γshr,Γ). Moreover we show that X is a QN-space if and only if Cp(X) has the property (α₀), and for perfectly normal spaces, if and only if X has the covering property (β₃).     

Shape transition from InAs quantum dash to quantum dot on InP(3 1 1)A

We report on the shape transition from InAs quantum dashes to quantum dots (QDs) on lattice-matched GaInAsP on InP(3 1 1)A substrates. InAs quantum dashes develop during chemical-beam epitaxy of 3.2 monolayers InAs, which transform into round InAs QDs by introducing a growth interruption without arsenic flux after InAs deposition. The shape transition is solely attributed to surface properties, i.e., increase of the surface energy and symmetry under arsenic deficient conditions. The round QD shape is maintained during subsequent GaInAsP overgrowth because the reversed shape transition from dot to dash is kinetically hindered by the decreased ad-atom diffusion under arsenic flux.     

Global existence of analytic solutions to the Cauchy problem in a complex domain

We present results on the global existence of analytic solutions to the Cauchy problem in starshaped or convex complex domains. No growth conditions are imposed. Our results rely on a notion of solution-tube that we introduce. à la mémoire de Jean Leray     

Unions of three starshaped sets in R2

LetS be a compact, simply connected set inR ². If every boundary point ofS is clearly visible viaS from at least one of the three pointsa, b, c, thenS is a union of three starshaped sets whose kernels containa, b, c, respectively. The result fails when the number three is replaced by four.As a partial converse, ifS is a union of three starshaped sets whose kernels containa, b, c, respectively, then the set of points in the boundary ofS clearly visible from at least one ofa, b, orc is dense in the boundary ofS.Supported in part by NSF grant DMS-8705336.     

Approximation of infinite delay and Volterra type equations

Summary We consider a class of infinite delay equations of neutral type which includes Volterrra type integral und integrodifferential equations. Using abstract approximation results (cf. Trotter-Kato-type) for strongly continuous semigroups we develop an approximation scheme which is based on approximation of the system state by Laguerre (and Legendre) polynomials. Numerical examples demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme and show infinite order convergence for smooth data.Supported in part by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Contracts AFORS-84-0398 and AFORS-85-0303 and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under NASA Grant NAG-1-517 and by NSF under Grant UINT-8521208Supported in part by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Contract AFORS-84-0398 and in part by the Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Austria, under project No. S3206     

Optimal Control in Heterogeneous Domain Decomposition Methods for Advection-Diffusion Equations

New domain decomposition methods (DDM) based on optimal control approach are introduced for the coupling of first and second order equations on overlapping subdomains. Several cost functionals and control functions are proposed. Uniqueness and existence results are proved for the coupled problem, and the convergence of iterative processes is analyzed. The work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (04-01-00615) and it was partly carried out while the first author was visiting the IACS at EPFL.     

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     

Integrating long-term care insurance purchase decisions with saving and investment for retirement

Risk related to long-term care (LTC) is high for the elderly. Planning for LTC is now regarded as the ‘third leg’ of retirement planning. In this paper, planning for LTC is integrated with saving and investment decisions for an integrated approach to retirement planning. Optimal LTC insurance purchase decisions are obtained by developing a trade-off between post-retirement LTC costs and LTC insurance premiums paid and coverage received. Integrating insurance purchase with wealth evolution, consisting of saving and investment decisions, allows addressing affordability issues.Two-way branching models are used for the stochastic health events and asset returns. The problem, formulated as a nonlinearly constrained mixed-integer optimization problem, is solved using a heuristic. Sensitivity analyses are performed for initial health and wealth status. Some important aspects of an individual’s behavioral preferences are also addressed in this framework to provide more robust decision support.     

On Gittins’ index theorem in continuous time

We give a new and comparably short proof of Gittins’ index theorem for dynamic allocation problems of the multi-armed bandit type in continuous time under minimal assumptions. This proof gives a complete characterization of optimal allocation strategies as those policies which follow the current leader among the Gittins indices while ensuring that a Gittins index is at an all-time low whenever the associated project is not worked on exclusively. The main tool is a representation property of Gittins index processes which allows us to show that these processes can be chosen to be pathwise lower semi-continuous from the right and quasi-lower semi-continuous from the left. Both regularity properties turn out to be crucial for our characterization and the construction of optimal allocation policies.