In this paper, a new approach to a characterization of solvability of a nonlinear nonsmooth multiobjective programming problem with inequality constraints is introduced. A family of η-approximated vector optimization problems is constructed by a modification of the objective and the constraint functions in the original nonsmooth multiobjective programming problem. The connection between (weak) efficient points in the original nonsmooth multiobjective programming problem and its equivalent η-approximated vector optimization problems is established under V-invexity. It turns out that, in most cases, solvability of a nonlinear nonsmooth multiobjective programming problem can be characterized by solvability of differentiable vector optimization problems.

The Sharpe-Lotka-McKendrick (or von Foerster) equations for an age-structured population, with a nonlinear term to represent overcrowding or competition for resources, are considered. The model is extended to include a growth term, allowing the population to be structured by size or weight rather than age, and a general solution is presented. Various examples are then considered, including the case of cell growth where cells divide at a given size.

In this paper we derive perturbation theorems for the LU and QR factors. Moreover, bounds for κL(A)/κL′(A) and κU(A)/κ′U(A) are given for the LU factorization of a nonsingular matrix. By applying pivoting strategies in the LU factorization, estimates for κL(PAQ)/κL′(PAQ) and κU(PAQ)/κ′U(PAQ) are also obtained.

A class of mixed control-state constrained optimal control problems for elliptic partial differential equations arising, for example, in Lavrentiev-type regularized state constrained optimal control is considered. Its numerical solution is obtained via a primal-dual activeset method, which is equivalent to a class of semi-smooth Newton methods. The locally superlinear convergence of the active-set method in function space is established, and its mesh independence is proved. The paper contains a report on numerical test runs including a comparison with a short-step path-following interior-point method and a coarse-to-fine mesh sweep, that is, a nested iteration technique, for accelerating the overall solution process. Finally, convergence and regularity properties of the regularized problems with respect to a vanishing Lavrentiev parameter are considered. 2000 Mathematics subject classification: primary 65K05; secondary 90C33.

A class of evolution equations in divergence form is studied in this paper. Specifically, we develop conditions under which the spatial divergence term, the flux, corresponds to the characteristic of a conservation law. The KdV equation is a prominent example of an equation having a flux term that is also a characteristic for a conservation law. We show that the flux term must be self-adjoint. General equations for the corresponding conservation laws and Hamiltonian densities are derived and supplemented with examples. 2000 Mathematics subject classification: primary 35K.

A method based on the minimization of variation is presented for the identification of a completely unknown blur operator. We assume the knowledge of a blurred image and its original version. The class of blurring operators is identified in the class of compact operators. A variational method with negative norms is then used for the restoration of a blurred and noised image. The restoration method works for a wide class of blurring operators and we do not assume that the blur operator commutes with the Laplacian.

In this paper, we investigate computable lower bounds for the best strongly ergodic rate of convergence of the transient probability distribution to the stationary distribution for stochastically monotone continuous-time Markov chains and reversible continuous-time Markov chains, using a drift function and the expectation of the first hitting time on some state. We apply these results to birth–death processes, branching processes and population processes.

We describe a simple deterministic model for the dispersion of particulate ash which has been ejected into the atmosphere by a volcanic eruption. In our model the atmosphere is divided into a series of horizontal layers within which the physical parameters involved are constant. This is an effective way to allow for the changing behaviour of the particulate ash and atmospheric flow with height whilst retaining simplicity. From our model we construct an analytical expression for the final deposit which could be incorporated within hazard assessment projections. In particular we show how to allow for variation with height of dispersion (caused by turbulence due to the wind) and settling speed (affected by the agglomeration and fragmentation of particles).

The aim of this article is to prove a symmetry result for several overdetermined boundary value problems. For the two first problems, our method combines the maximum principle with the monotonicity of the mean curvature. For the others, we use essentially the compatibility condition of the Neumann problem.

Formulating a dust-filled spherically symmetric metric utilizing the 3 + 1 formalism for general relativity, we show that the metric coefficients are completely determined by the matter distribution throughout the spacetime. Furthermore, the metric describes both inhomogeneous dust regions and also vacuum regions in a single coordinate patch, thus alleviating the need for complicated matching schemes at the interfaces. In this way, the system is established as an initial boundary value problem, which has many benefits for its numerical evolution. We show the dust part of the metric is equivalent to the class of Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) metrics under a coordinate transformation. In this coordinate system, shell crossing singularities (SCS) are exhibited as fluid shock waves, and we therefore discuss possibilities for the dynamical extension of shell crossings through the initial point of formation by borrowing methods from classical fluid dynamics. This paper fills a void in the present literature associated with these collapse models by fully developing the formalism in great detail. Furthermore, the applications provide examples of the benefits of the present model.

In this paper, by using the Leggett–Williams fixed point theorem, we prove the existence of three nonnegative solutions to second-order nonlinear impulsive differential equations with a three-point boundary value problem.

This paper deals with the optimal tracking problem for switched systems, where the control input, the switching times and the switching index are all design variables. We propose a three-stage method for solving this problem. First, we fix the switching times and switching index sequence, which leads to a linear tracking problem, except different subsystems are defined in their respective time intervals. The optimal control and the corresponding cost function obtained depend on the switching signal. This gives rise to an optimal parameter selection problem for which the switching instants and the switching index are to be chosen optimally. In the second stage, the switching index is fixed. A reverse time transformation followed by a time scaling transform are introduced to convert this subproblem into an equivalent standard optimal parameter selection problem. The gradient formula of the cost function is derived. Then the discrete filled function is used in the third stage to search for the optimal switching index. On this basis, a computational method, which combines a gradient-based method, a local search algorithm and a filled function method, is developed for solving this problem. A numerical exampleis solved, showing the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

We show the stability results and Galerkin-type approximations of solutions for a family of Dirichlet problems with nonlinearity satisfying some local growth conditions. 2000 Mathematics subject classification: primary 35A15; secondary 35B35, 65N30. Keywords and phrases: p(x)-Laplacian, duality, variational method, stability of solutions, Galerkin-type approximations.

Families of vortex equilibria, with constant vorticity, in steady flow past a flat plate are computed numerically. An equilibrium configuration, which can be thought of as a desingularized point vortex, involves a single symmetric vortex patch located wholly on one side of the plate. Given that the outermost edge of the vortex is unit distance from the plate, the equilibria depend on three parameters: the length of the plate, circulation about the plate, and the distance of the innermost edge of the vortex from the plate. Families in which there is zero circulation about the plate and for which the Kutta condition at the plate ends is satisfied are both considered. Properties such as vortex area, lift and free-stream speed are computed. Time-dependent numerical simulations are used to investigate the stability of the computed steady solutions.

The total claim amount for a fixed period of time is, by definition, a sum of a random number of claims of random size. In this paper we explore the probabilistic distribution of the total claim amount for claims that follow a Weibull distribution, which can serve as a satisfactory model for both small and large claims. As models for the number of claims we use the geometric, Poisson, logarithmic and negative binomial distributions. In all these cases, the densities of the total claim amount are obtained via Laplace transform of a density function, an expansion in Bell polynomials of a convolution and a subsequent Laplace inversion.

We explore the solvability of a general system of nonlinear relaxed cocoercive variational inequality (SNVI) problems based on a new projection system for the direct product of two nonempty closed and convex subsets of real Hilbert spaces.

In this paper we study the best constant in the Sobolev trace embedding H1 (Ω) →Lq(∂Ω) in a bounded smooth domain for 1 < q < 2+ = 2(N - 1)/(N - 2), that is, critical or subcritical q. First, we consider a domain with periodically distributed holes inside which we impose that the involved functions vanish. There exists a critical size of the holes for which the limit problem has an extra term. For sizes larger than critical the best trace constant diverges to infinity and for sizes smaller than critical it converges to the best constant in the domain without holes. Also, we study the problem with the holes located on the boundary of the domain. In this case another critical exists and its extra term appears on the boundary.

By means of a symbolic calculus for finding solutions of difference equations, we derive explicit eigenvalues, eigenvectors and inverses for tridiagonal Toeplitz matrices with four perturbed corners.

A method for constructing a pair of biorthogonal interpolatory multiscaling functions is given and an explicit formula for constructing the corresponding biorthogonal multiwavelets is obtained. A multiwavelet sampling theorem is also established. In addition, we improve the stability of the biorthogonal interpolatory multiwavelet frame by the linear combination of a pair of biorthogonal interpolatory multiwavelets. Finally, we give an example illustrating how to use our method to construct biorthogonal interpolatory multiscaling functions and corresponding multiwavelets.

This paper presents a thermodynamic model for a heat engine based on evaporative cooling of unsaturated air at reduced pressure. Also analysed is a related heat pump based on condensation of water vapour in moist air at reduced pressure. These devices operate as two-stroke reciprocating engines, which are their simplest possible embodiments. The mathematical models for the two devices are based on conservation of mass for both air and water vapour, ideal gas laws, constant specific heats, and, as appropriate, either constant entropy processes or cooling/heating by evaporation/condensation. Both models take the form of coupled algebraic systems in six variables, which require numerical solution for certain stages of the cycle. The specific work output of the heat engine increases as the inlet air becomes hotter and as the expansion ratio of the engine increases. The engine provides evaporative cooling of air from inlet to outlet. The heat pump has a good coefficient of performance, which decreases as the expansion ratio increases. The heat pump also has the effect of drying the air from inlet to outlet, producing distilled water as a by-product.