Contractive multifunctions, fixed point inclusions and iterated multifunction systems

We study the properties of multifunction operators that are contractive in the Covitz-Nadler sense. In this situation, such operators T possess fixed points satisfying the relation x∈Tx. We introduce an iterative method involving projections that guarantees convergence from any starting point x₀∈X to a point x∈XT, the set of all fixed points of a multifunction operator T. We also prove a continuity result for fixed point sets XT as well as a “generalized collage theorem” for contractive multifunctions. These results can then be used to solve inverse problems involving contractive multifunctions. Two applications of contractive multifunctions are introduced: (i) integral inclusions and (ii) iterated multifunction systems.     

Scalar and axial-vector mesons

Almost thirty years ago, Penny G. Estabrooks asked “Where and what are the scalar mesons?” (P. Estabrooks, Phys. Rev. D 19, 2678 (1979)). The first part of her question can now be confidently responded (E. van Beveren et al., Z. Phys. C 30, 615 (1986)). However, with respect to the “What” many puzzles remain unanswered. Scalar and axial-vector mesons form part of a large family of mesons. Consequently, though it is useful to pay them some extra attention, there is no point in discussing them as isolated phenomena. The particularity of structures in the scattering of --basically-- pions and kaons with zero angular momentum is the absence of the centrifugal barrier, which allows us to “see” strong interactions at short distances. Experimentally observed differences and similarities between scalar and axial-vector mesons on the one hand, and other mesons on the other hand, are very instructive for further studies. Nowadays, there exists an abundance of theoretical approaches towards the mesonic spectrum, ranging from confinement models of all kinds, i.e., glueballs, and quark-antiquark, multiquark and hybrid configurations, to models in which only mesonic degrees of freedom are taken into account. Nature seems to come out somewhere in the middle, neither preferring pure bound states, nor effective meson-meson physics with only coupling constants and possibly form factors. As a matter of fact, apart from a few exceptions, like pions and kaons, Nature does not allow us to study mesonic bound states of any kind, which is equivalent to saying that such states do not really exist. Hence, instead of extrapolating from pions and kaons to the remainder of the meson family, it is more democratic to consider pions and kaons mesonic resonances that happen to come out below the lowest threshold for strong decay. Nevertheless, confinement is an important ingredient for understanding the many regularities observed in mesonic spectra. Therefore, excluding quark degrees of freedom is also not the most obvious way of describing mesons in general, and scalars and axial-vectors in particular.     

A comparative study on the interaction between tin(II) porphyrin and selected group 8B metals for potential application as reduction catalysts

We study the interaction between tin(II) porphyrin (SnPor) with platinum and non-precious Group 8B metals (iron, cobalt and nickel) by density functional theory and discuss the electronic properties of the resulting products. We also model the interaction of the resulting compounds with water where applicable. Our studies indicate that, SnPor-Ni possesses electronic properties similar to SnPor-Pt, suggesting that it may possess similar photocatalytic properties for reduction reactions, such as converting water to hydrogen gas.     

Zero bias anomaly in the density of states of low-dimensional metals

We consider the effect of Coulomb interactions on the average density of states (DOS) of disordered low-dimensional metals for temperatures T and frequencies ω smaller than the inverse elastic life-time 1/τ. Using the fact that long-range Coulomb interactions in two dimensions (2d) generate ln²-singularities in the DOS ν(ω) but only ln-singularities in the conductivity σ(ω), we can re-sum the most singular contributions to the average DOS via a simple gauge-transformation. If σ(ω) > 0, then a metallic Coulomb gapν(ω) ∝ |ω|/e ⁴ appears in the DOS at T = 0 for frequencies below a certain crossover frequency Ω ₂ which depends on the value of the DC conductivity σ(0). Here, - e is the charge of the electron. Naively adopting the same procedure to calculate the DOS in quasi 1d metals, we find ν(ω) ∝ (|ω|/Ω ₁)^1/2exp(- Ω ₁/|ω|) at T = 0, where Ω ₁ is some interaction-dependent frequency scale. However, we argue that in quasi 1d the above gauge-transformation method is on less firm grounds than in 2d. We also discuss the behavior of the DOS at finite temperatures and give numerical results for the expected tunneling conductance that can be compared with experiments. Received 28 August 2001 / Received in final form 28 January 2002 Published online 9 July 2002     

含语言评价信息的一种模糊多属性群决策方法

对于多属性群决策问题的处理,有时需要采用先决策、后综合的处理方法,而含有语言评价信息的多属性群决策问题,定性目标一般用语言评价信息描述,由决策人给出定性目标和权系数的语言变量评价,用梯形模糊数表示,对定量目标进行无量纲化处理;将决策人对于单一目标的评价指标聚合成多个目标的评价模糊数,采用Bass-Kw akernaak模糊数排序方法对方案进行排序;群体的评价通过Borda函数来集结方案集的群体排序.     

一类数论函数的性质(Ⅱ)

For any given positive integer n≥1,the Euler functionφ(n) is defined to be the number of positive integers not exceeding n,which is relatively prime to n.ω(n) is defined to be the number of different prime divisors of n.In order to know the solvability of the function ofφ(φ(φ(n)))=2~(ω(n)),properties of the number theoretical functionφ(φ(n)) is studied in the paper.     

Femtosecond laser structuring of titanium implants

In this study we perform the first femtosecond laser surface treatment of titanium in order to determine the potential of this technology for surface structuring of titanium implants. We find that the femtosecond laser produces a large variety of nanostructures (nanopores, nanoprotrusions) with a size down to 20 nm, multiple parallel grooved surface patterns with a period on the sub-micron level, microroughness in the range of 1-15 μm with various configurations, smooth surface with smooth micro-inhomogeneities, and smooth surface with sphere-like nanostructures down to 10 nm. Also, we have determined the optimal conditions for producing these surface structural modifications. Femtosecond laser treatment can produce a richer variety of surface structures on titanium for implants and other biomedical applications than long-pulse laser treatments.     

Studies on O-,N-Acylation of 3-Hydroxyisoxazole and Their Regioselective Synthesis(Ⅰ)——O-,N-acylation of 5-Methyl-3-hydroxyisoxazole with 2,2-Dimethyl 3-Substituted Cyclopropanecarboxylic Chlorides

The reactions of 5-methyl-3-hydroxyisoxazole with 2, 2-dimethyl, 3-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic chlorides give O-acyl-5-methyl-3-hydroxyisoxazole and N-acyl-5-methylisoxazolin-3-one derivatives. The ratio of O-acyl to N-acyl product depends upon the acylation reagents. O-acyl derivatives can be converted to the N-acyl compounds by isomerization under acidic conditions or heating.     

Some inequalities for characteristic functions. II

Recently we established Matysiak and Szablowski's conjecture [V. Matysiak, P.J. Szablowski, Theory Probab. Appl. 45 (2001) 711-713] about a lower bound of real-valued characteristic functions. In this paper, applying an alternative approach we are able to give explicitly the ranges of argument for which the obtained inequalities hold true for general characteristic functions.     

The circle as an attractor of an iterated function system on the plane

We give an iterated function system (IFS) on the plane with the circle as attractor. In doing this, we also give a sufficient condition for radially contracting functions on the plane (or on Rn) to be a contraction. A counterexample shows that radial contractiveness is not enough to be a contraction.