Semi-parametric accelerated hazard relational models with applications to mortality projections

In this paper, we propose new relational models linking some specific mortality experience to a reference life table. Compared to existing relational models which distort the forces of mortality, we work here on the age scale. Precisely, age is distorted making individuals younger or older before performing the computations with the reference life table. This is in line with standard actuarial practice, specifically with the so-called Rueff’s adjustments. It is shown that the statistical inference can be conducted with the help of a suitably modified version of the standard IRWLS algorithm in a Poisson GLM/GAM setting. A dynamic version of this model is proposed to produce mortality projections. Numerical illustrations are performed on Belgian mortality statistics.     

Finite Element Error Analysis Approach for Three-Dimensional Incompressible Viscous Fluid Flow Analysis

In our previous research, the modified Galerkin method was proposed as one of the most efficient methods for the analyses of convection-diffusion problems and two-dimensional viscous fluid flow problems. In this modified Galerkin method, the inertia term is considered explicitly, so only the symmetrical matrixes appear. Then an artificial viscosity is introduced through an error analysis approach to improve its accuracy and stability. In this paper, we proposed a new finite element formulation for three-dimensional incompressible viscous fluid flow analysis. This formulation (‘MS’ algorithm and ‘MSR’ algorithm) is based on the modified Galerkin method coupled with the Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations. The cubic cavity flow problems were investigated for the Reynolds number of 400, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,200 using non-uniform meshes. Finally, we confirmed the effectiveness of our proposed method through the comparison with other research works.     

Mixed mode fracture of a piezoelectric–piezomagnetic bi-layer structure with two un-coaxial cracks parallel to the interface and each in a layer

The purpose of the present work is to study the mixed mode fracture of a piezoelectric–piezomagnetic composite with two un-coaxial cracks parallel to the interface and each in a layer. Methods of generalized dislocation simulation, Green’s function, Cauchy singular integral equation and Lobatto–Chebyshev collocation are combined together to get the numerical results of mechanical strain energy release rate (MSERR). Three kinds of effects are revealed by parametric studies, i.e., the free-surface effect, the shielding effect and the interference effect, and they are used to interpret the characteristics of COD and MSERR curves. In addition, the effects of shear loading, magnetic loading and electric loading on MSERR are also disclosed, respectively, by varying the corresponding loading factor.     

Compressional waves in fluid-saturated porous solid containing a penny-shaped crack

Diffraction of normal compression waves by a penny-shaped crack in a fluid-saturated porous medium is investigated. Two wave types are considered, namely, compressional wave of the first kind, and the second kind. The former, also known as fast wave, propagates primarily through the solid, whereas the latter or slow wave, propagates mainly in the fluid. Each wave propagates in the medium along with induced wave of the same type in the companion constituent of the material. Application of Biot’s theory in conjunction with integral transform technique reduces the problem to a mixed boundary-value problem whose solution is in turn governed by a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. Near-field and far-field solutions are obtained in terms of the dynamic stress-intensity factor and the scattering cross section, respectively. They are of particular importance to the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and in the scattering theory of elastic waves. The mode I stress-intensity factors are computed numerically for a set of selected material property values, and shown graphically for various mass density and viscosity-to-permeability ratios. The obtained results reveal significant impact of the presence of pore fluid upon the stress-intensity factors, both magnitudes and frequencies at their peak values. The influence of the fluid is also observed from the calculated scattering cross sections of the scattered far-field. Accuracy of the present solution procedure is verified by comparing the numerical results with existing results in the limiting case of dry elastic materials.     

Sharp oscillation and nonoscillation tests for linear difference equations

We consider difference equations with a single delay term and obtain sufficient conditions for both oscillation and nonoscillation. Moreover, our nonoscillation theorem improves the affirmative answer to Ladas’ corrected conjecture given by Tang and Yu in [Comput. Math. Appl. 38(11–12) (1999), pp. 229–237]. We also present a detailed discussion with examples to emphasize the significance and the sharpness of the new results.     

On the multiple hyperbolic systems modelling phase transformation kinetics

We discuss Cahn’s time cone method modelling phase transformation kinetics. The model equation by the time cone method is an integral equation in the space-time region. First, we reduce it to a system of hyperbolic equations, and in the case of odd spatial dimensions, the reduced system is a multiple hyperbolic equation. Next, we propose a numerical method for such a hyperbolic system. By means of alternating direction implicit methods, numerical simulations for practical forward problems are implemented with satisfactory accuracy and efficiency. In particular, in the three dimensional case, our numerical method on the basis of reduced multiple hyperbolic equation is fast.     

Residue integrals and Waring’s formulas for algebraic or even transcendental systems

The present article is focused on the study of a special class of systems of non-linear transcendental equations for which classical algebraic and symbolic methods are inapplicable. For the purpose of study of such systems we develop a method for computing residue integrals with integration over certain cycles. We describe conditions under which the mentioned residue integrals coincide with power sums of the inverses to the roots of a system of equations (i.e. multidimensional Waring’s formulas). Based on this, we develop an algorithm that computes such power sums without computing the roots. As an application of the suggested method, we consider a problem of finding sums of multi-variable number series.     

Improving Schwarz inequality in inner product spaces

Some improvements of the celebrated Schwarz inequality in complex inner product spaces are given. Applications for n-tuples of complex numbers are provided.