Reductions of interval nonlinear programming problem

A general nonlinear programming problem with interval functions is considered. Two reductions of this problem to the deterministic nonlinear programming problem are proposed, and illustrative examples are discussed.     

Lower Bounds from State Space Relaxations for Concave Cost Network Flow Problems

In this paper we obtain Lower Bounds (LBs) to concave cost network flow problems. The LBs are derived from state space relaxations of a dynamic programming formulation, which involve the use of non-injective mapping functions guaranteing a reduction on the cardinality of the state space. The general state space relaxation procedure is extended to address problems involving transitions that go across several stages, as is the case of network flow problems. Applications for these LBs include: estimation of the quality of heuristic solutions; local search methods that use information of the LB solution structure to find initial solutions to restart the search (Fontes et al., 2003, Networks, 41, 221–228); and branch-and-bound (BB) methods having as a bounding procedure a modified version of the LB algorithm developed here, (see Fontes et al., 2005a). These LBs are iteratively improved by penalizing, in a Lagrangian fashion, customers not exactly satisfied or by performing state space modifications. Both the penalties and the state space are updated by using the subgradient method. Additional constraints are developed to improve further the LBs by reducing the searchable space. The computational results provided show that very good bounds can be obtained for concave cost network flow problems, particularly for fixed-charge problems.     

Time delay as a key to apoptosis induction in the p53 network

A feedback mechanism that involves the proteins p53 and mdm2, induces cell death as a controlled response to severe DNA damage. A minimal model for this mechanism demonstrates that the response may be dynamic and connected with the time needed to translate the mdm2 protein. The response takes place if the dissociation constant k between p53 and mdm2 varies from its normal value. Although it is widely believed that it is an increase in k that triggers the response, we show that the experimental behaviour is better described by a decrease in the dissociation constant. The response is quite robust upon changes in the parameters of the system, as required by any control mechanism, except for few weak points, which could be connected with the onset of cancer. Received 8 May 2002 / Received in final form 9 July 2002 Published online 17 September 2002     

Time Evolution of Vibration-Induced Excited State Decay

A simple model consisting of two electronic levels and one vibrational mode (phonon) was theoretically studied. The electronic-vibrational interaction was linear in the vibrational displacement. The vibrational mode was taken in the harmonic approximation and was attached to the thermal bath formed by the ambient environment. The kinetic constants of the vibrational dissipation were of the second order in the vibrational-bath coupling and were taken in the Markovian limit. Although, depending on the parameters of the model, different curves of the non-radiative vibration-induced excited state decay were obtained, in general, three time intervals, corresponding to different physical behaviour, were found. In the short-time interval, small oscillations superimposed on the excited state decay were observed. They were determined by the vibrational frequency and influenced by electronic-vibrational coupling. In the middle-time interval, almost quasi-exponential decay was detected; its rate constant increased with stronger electronic-vibrational interaction and speed of vibrational relaxation. In the long-time interval, the decay was very slow and, under special conditions, even an asymptotic non-zero excited state population was observed. Its value increased with the strength of the off-diagonal electron-vibrational coupling. Links of the parameters of the model with quantum chemical terms were estimated.     

Existence and Uniqueness of Endemic States for the Age-structured MSEIR Epidemic Model

The existence and uniqueness of positive steady states for the age-structured MSEIR epidemic model with age-dependent transmission coefficient is considered. Threshold results for the existence of endemic states are established; under certain conditions, uniqueness is also shown.     

Towards the Evaluation of the Relevant Degrees of Freedom in Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations

We investigate an operator renormalization group method to extract and describe the relevant degrees of freedom in the evolution of partial differential equations. The proposed renormalization group approach is formulated as an analytical method providing the fundamental concepts of a numerical algorithm applicable to various dynamical systems. We examine dynamical scaling characteristics in the short-time and the long-time evolution regime providing only a reduced number of degrees of freedom to the evolution process.     

从立方抛物线谈起(1)--余弦型振动,椭圆余弦型振动与双曲线型非周期运动

从立方抛物线的特性谈起 ,用较初浅的方法 ,借助于雅可比椭圆函数求椭圆方程的解来说明一大类一维保守系统的余弦振动、椭圆余弦型振动与双曲线型非周期运动 .并以杜芬振子、单摆、倒摆、转动圆环上的小环运动为典型实例作了详细讨论     

Multidimensional transonic shocks and free boundary problems for nonlinear equations of mixed type

We establish the existence and stability of multidimensional transonic shocks for the Euler equations for steady potential compressible fluids. The Euler equations, consisting of the conservation law of mass and the Bernoulli law for the velocity, can be written as a second-order, nonlinear equation of mixed elliptic-hyperbolic type for the velocity potential. The transonic shock problem can be formulated into the following free boundary problem: The free boundary is the location of the transonic shock which divides the two regions of smooth flow, and the equation is hyperbolic in the upstream region where the smooth perturbed flow is supersonic. We develop a nonlinear approach to deal with such a free boundary problem in order to solve the transonic shock problem. Our results indicate that there exists a unique solution of the free boundary problem such that the equation is always elliptic in the downstream region and the free boundary is smooth, provided that the hyperbolic phase is close to a uniform flow. We prove that the free boundary is stable under the steady perturbation of the hyperbolic phase. We also establish the existence and stability of multidimensional transonic shocks near spherical or circular transonic shocks.

     

Equilibrium Problems with Applications to Eigenvalue Problems

In this paper, we consider equilibrium problems and introduce the concept of (S)₊ condition for bifunctions. Existence results for equilibrium problems with the (S)₊ condition are derived. As special cases, we obtain several existence results for the generalized nonlinear variational inequality studied by Ding and Tarafdar (Ref. 1) and the generalized variational inequality studied by Cubiotti and Yao (Ref. 2). Finally, applications to a class of eigenvalue problems are given.     

Mathematical Modeling, Control, Computer Simulation and Laboratory Experiments of a Spatial Servopneumatic Parallel Robot

In this paper, the special construction of a parallel robot, called spatial servopneumatic multi-axis test facility, will be discussed. The investigations include the following aspects: (i) the laboratory set-up of the robot, (ii) various results obtained in laboratory experiments, taking into account quite different control algorithms and command-input signals, (iii) a comparison of the laboratory experiments with the computer simulations of Part I of this paper, and ({vi}) a quality check of the results compared with the cost of the different controller realizations. The results of both the computer simulations and the laboratory experiments show: (i) The dynamic behavior of the parallel structure can be tremendously improved by using sophisticated nonlinear control algorithms. (ii) This improvement has to be paid by a drastically increased amount of work for deriving the model equations and control algorithms, and by augmented hardware cost of the sensing elements and controller electronics. (iii) Carefully developed model equations and identified model parameters provide theoretical models of the complex parallel structure that are very close to reality. This enables the design engineer to systematically investigate constructive alternatives of the design parameters, sensor and actuator concepts, and control strategies of the MAP prior to their hardware realization.This work has been supported by the German Science Foundation (DFG) under Contract No. Ha 1666/6-3.