On three conjectures by K. E. Shuler

Some fifteen years ago, Shuler formulated three conjectures relating to the large-time asymptotic properties of a nearest-neighbor random walk on ² that is allowed to make horizontal steps everywhere but vertical steps only on a random fraction of the columns. We give a proof of his conjectures for the situation where the column distribution is stationary and satisfies a certain mixing codition. We also prove a strong form of scaling to anisotropic Brownian motion as well as a local limit theorem. The main ingredient of the proofs is a large-deviation estimate for the number of visits to a random set made by a simple random walk on . We briefly discuss extensions to higher dimension and to other types of random walk.Dedicated to Prof. K. E. Shuler on the occasion of his 70th birthday, celebrated at a Symposium in his honor on July 13, 1992, at the University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California.     

The covariance matrix of the Potts model: A random cluster analysis

We consider the covariance matrix,G ^mm =q ²<(_x,m);(_y,m)>, of thed-dimensionalq-states Potts model, rewriting it in the random cluster representation of Fortuin and Kasteleyn. In any of theq ordered phases, we identify the eigenvalues of this matrix both in terms of representations of the unbroken symmetry group of the model and in terms of random cluster connectivities and covariances, thereby attributing algebraic significance to these stochastic geometric quantities. We also show that the correlation length corresponding to the decay rate of one of the eigenvalues is the same as the inverse decay rate of the diameter of finite clusers. For dimensiond=2, we show that this correlation length and the correlation length of the two-point function with free boundary conditions at the corresponding dual temperature are equal up to a factor of two. For systems with first-order transitions, this relation helps to resolve certain inconsistencies between recent exact and numerical work on correlation lengths at the self-dual point _o. For systems with second order transitions, this relation implies the equality of the correlation length exponents from above and below threshold, as well as an amplitude ratio of two. In the course of proving the above results, we establish several properties of independent interest, including left continuity of the inverse correlation length with free boundary conditions and upper semicontinuity of the decay rate for finite clusters in all dimensions, and left continuity of the two-dimensional free boundary condition percolation probability at _o. We also introduce DLR equations for the random cluster model and use them to establish ergodicity of the free measure. In order to prove these results, we introduce a new class of events which we call decoupling events and two inequalities for these events. The first is similar to the FKG inequality, but holds for events which are neither increasing nor decreasing; the second is similar to the van den Berg-Kesten inequality in standard percolation. Both inequalities hold for an arbitrary FKG measure.     

The asymptotic behavior of queueing systems: Large deviations theory and dominant pole approximation

This paper presents the exact asymptotics of the steady state behavior of a broad class of single-node queueing systems. First we show that the asymptotic probability functions derived using large deviations theory are consistent (in a certain sense) with the result using dominant pole approximations. Then we present an exact asymptotic formula for the cumulative probability function of the queue occupancy and relate it to the cell loss ratio, an important performance measure for service systems such as ATM networks. The analysis relies on a new generalization of the Taylor coefficients of a complex function which we call characteristic coefficients. Finally we apply our framework to obtain new results for the M/D/1 system and for a more intricate multiclass M/D/n system.     

The law of the solution to a nonlinear hyperbolicSPDE

Let { _s,t ,(s,t ₊ ² } be a white noise on ₊ ² . We consider the hyperbolic stochastic partial differential equation {ie863-3} The purpose of this paper is to study the law of the solution to this equation. We analyze the existence and smoothness of the density using the tools of Malliavin Calculus. Finally we prove a large deviation principle on the space of continuous functions, for the family of probabilities obtained by perturbation of the noise in the equation.This work has been partially supported by the grant of the DGICYT No. PB 930052 and the EU Science project CT 910459.     

Characterization of distribution of pi-electrons amongst benzenoid rings for Randić’s “algebraic” Kekulé structures

For benzenoid hydrocarbons the distribution of pi-electrons amongst rings is characterized in the context of Randis mode of assignment attending to the different Kekulé structures. In particular the mean and mean deviation from the mean are considered, and the benzenoids which achieve maximum deviation are identified.     

Evolution of the structural stability of large Cu,Ni, Pd,and Ag clusters with size: An analysis within the embedded atom method

A study of the structural stability of clusters made up of a single component has been carried out within the Embedded Atom Method. Perfect icosahedral and cuboctahedral Cu, Ni, Pd, and Ag clusters with up to 5083 atoms have been compared. The icosahedron is found to be the stable structure for small clusters, and a change of structure from icosahedral to cuboctahedral is found as the cluster size increases. A contraction of the interatomic distances results when the cluster size decreases.     

Consequences of the ‘Pedersen papers’ on crown type chemistry at Würzburg and Bonn Universities: From heteroaromatic crowns and podands to large molecular and crystalline cavities including multisite receptors,cascade molecules,chromoionophores, siderophores,surfactant-type,and extreme ligands

We thank the editors of this issue for the opportunity to present the historic development of crown chemistry at the Universities of Wurzburg and Bonn in memory of C. J. Pedersen, the originator of the crown ethers. His legacy of science has tremendously stimulated research at both universities.This paper is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr C. J. Pedersen.     

MEASUREMENTS OF CHAIN INTERPENETRATION OF POLYMER GLASSES

The concept of entanglement provides the basis of our current understanding of the flow behavior of polymer melts, Current techniques developed to investigate the degree of interpenetration of polymer chains only provide indirectly the information of the degree of entanglement in a relatively large scale （several to tens of nanometer）. In this article, we report ^1H-NMR spectroscopy with dipolar filters under fast magic angle spinning for probing chain interpenetration of polymer glasses at the molecular level.     

Optimization of the electrophoretic deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−x superconducting large area coatings

Large area coatings (>10cm²) of the high temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1 – 0.2) (YBCO) have been prepared by scale up an electrophoretic deposition technique using silver sheets and Si-wafers coated with Ag or Au as substrates. Several parameters, like the kind of the solvent, the applied voltage, the distance between the electrodes, the initial concentration of the suspension and the temperature during the electrophoresis were investigated in order to attain high deposition rates, as well as uniform YBCO coatings with the proper stoichiometry. To obtain a strongly adherent and dense coating a subsequent appropriate sintering and annealing procedure has been developed. The coatings obtained were characterized for their stoichiometry and superconducting properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The homogeneity and thickness of the films and the average grain size of the deposited particles have been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).