The ** Part of the Theory of Ground Term Algebra Modulo an AC Symbol is Undecidable

We show that the ** part of the equational theory modulo an AC symbol is undecidable. This solves the open problem 25 from the RTA list. We show that this result holds also for the equational theory modulo an ACI symbol.     

Reduction of Permutation-Invariant Polynomials: A Noncommutative Case Study

Let R be a commutative ring with 1, let RX₁,…,X_n/I be the polynomial algebra in the n≥4 noncommuting variables X₁,…,X_n over R modulo the set of commutator relations I={(X₁+···+X_n)*X_i=X_i*(X₁+···+X_n)|1≤i≤n}. Furthermore, let G be an arbitrary group of permutations operating on the indeterminates X₁,…,X_n, and let RX₁,…,X_n/I^G be the R-algebra of G-invariant polynomials in RX₁,…,X_n/I. The first part of this paper is about an algorithm, which computes a representation for any fRX₁,…,X_n/I^G as a polynomial in multilinear G-invariant polynomials, i.e., the maximal variable degree of the generators of RX₁,…,X_n/I^G is at most 1. The algorithm works for any ring R and for any permutation group G. In addition, we present a bound for the number of necessary generators for the representation of all G-invariant polynomials in RX₁,…,X_n/I^G with a total degree of at most d. The second part contains a first but promising analysis of G-invariant polynomials of solvable polynomial rings.     

Sentences over Integral Domains and Their Computational Complexities

LetRbe a Hilbertian domain and letKbe its fraction field. Letψ(x₁, …, x_n, y) be a quantifier free arithmetical formula overR. We may also takeψ(x₁, …, x_n, y) to be an arithmetical formula overK[x₁, …, x_n] and write it asψ(y). In this paper we show that ifRhas enough non-units and x₁…x_n y ψ(x₁, …, x_n, y), called an ⁿ  sentence, is true inR, then y ψ(y) is true inK[x₁, …, x_n]. Also, ifR=K[T], whereKis an infinite integral domain andx₁…x_n y ψ(x₁, …, x_n, y)is true inR, then y ψ(y) is true inR[x₁, …, x_n]. These results are applied to find the upper and lower bounds of the time complexities of various decision problems on diophantine equations with parameters and arithmetical sentences. Some of the results are: 1. The decision problem of sentences and diophantine equations with parameters over the ring of integers of a global field are co-NP-complete. 2. The decision problem of sentences over the ring of integers of a global field is NP-complete. 3. LetKbe an infinite domain, the time complexities of the decision problems of equations with parameters and sentences over the polynomial ringK[t] are polynomial time reducible to factoring polynomials overK. 4. The decision problem of sentences over all algebraic integer rings is in P. 5. The decision problem of sentences over all integral domains with characteristic 0 is in P. 6. The time complexity of the decision problem of sentences over all integral domains is polynomial time reducible to factoring integers overZand factoring polynomials over finite fields.     

Interfaces as functors, programs as coalgebras—A final coalgebra theorem in intensional type theory

In [P. Hancock, A. Setzer, Interactive programs in dependent type theory, in: P. Clote, H. Schwichtenberg (Eds.), Proc. 14th Annu. Conf. of EACSL, CSL’00, Fischbau, Germany, 21–26 August 2000, Vol. 1862, Springer, Berlin, 2000, pp. 317–331, URL citeseer.ist.psu.edu/article/hancock00interactive.html; P. Hancock, A. Setzer, Interactive programs and weakly final coalgebras in dependent type theory, in: L. Crosilla, P. Schuster (Eds.), From Sets and Types to Topology and Analysis. Towards Practicable Foundations for Constructive Mathematics, Oxford Logic Guides, Clarendon Press, 2005, URL www.cs.swan.ac.uk/csetzer/] Hancock and Setzer introduced rules to extend Martin-Löf's type theory in order to represent interactive programming. The rules essentially reflect the existence of weakly final coalgebras for a general form of polynomial functor. The standard rules of dependent type theory allow the definition of inductive types, which correspond to initial algebras. Coalgebraic types are not represented in a direct way. In this article we show the existence of final coalgebras in intensional type theory for these kind of functors, where we require uniqueness of identity proofs () for the set of states and the set of commands which determine the functor. We obtain the result by identifying programs which have essentially the same behaviour, viz. are bisimular. This proves the rules of Setzer and Hancock admissible in ordinary type theory, if we replace definitional equality by bisimulation. All proofs [M. Michelbrink, Verifications of final coalgebra theorem in: Interfaces as Functors, Programs as Coalgebras—A Final Coalgebra Theorem in Intensional Type Theory, 2005, URL www.cs.swan.ac.uk/csmichel/] are verified in the theorem prover agda [C. Coquand, Agda, Internet, URL www.cs.chalmers.se/catarina/agda/; K. Peterson, A programming system for type theory, Technical Report, S-412 96, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, 1982], which is based on intensional Martin-Löf type theory.     

Thermostable tensoresistors of Co doped GaSb–FeGa1.3 eutectic composites

The microstructure and tensoresistive properties of GaSb–FeGa_1.3 eutectic composites doped with 0.1% Co have been investigated. It was found that the Co impurity atoms mainly accumulate in the metallic inclusions. The length of the inclusions in GaSb–FeGa_1.3Co was measured to be about half of those in undoped GaSb–FeGa_1.3 eutectics. The tensometric characteristics of gauges based on GaSb–FeGa_1.3Co have been found to be more thermostable than undoped samples.     

Modelling Generic Judgements

We propose a semantics for the -quantifier of Miller and Tiu. First we consider the case for classical first-order logic. In this case, the interpretation is close to standard Tarski-semantics and completeness can be shown using a standard argument. Then we put our semantics into a broader context by giving a general interpretation of in categories with binding structure. Since categories with binding structure also encompass nominal logic, we thus show that both -logic and nominal logic can be modelled using the same definition of binding. As a special case of the general semantics in categories with binding structure, we recover Gabbay & Cheney's translation of FOλ into nominal logic.     

Lower Bounds for Merging Networks

A lower bound theorem is established for the number of comparators in a merging network. Let M(m, n) be the least number of comparators required in the (m, n)-merging networks, and let C(m, n) be the number of comparators in Batcher's (m, n)-merging network, respectively. We prove for n≥1 that M(4, n)=C(4, n) for n≡0, 1, 3 mod 4, M(4, n)≥C(4, n)−1 for n≡2 mod 4, and M(5, n)=C(5, n) for n≡0, 1, 5 mod 8. Furthermore Batcher's (6, 8k+6)-, (7, 8k+7)-, and (8, 8k+8)-merging networks are optimal for k≥0. Our lower bound for (m, n)-merging networks, m≤n, has the same terms as C(m, n) has as far as n is concerned. Thus Batcher's (m, n)-merging network is optimal up to a constant number of comparators, where the constant depends only on m. An open problem posed by Yao and Yao (Lower bounds on merging networks, J. Assoc. Comput. Mach.23, 566–571) is solved: lim_n→∞M(m, n)/n=log m/2+m/2^{log m}.     

Drag and lift coefficients of inclined finite circular cylinders at moderate Reynolds numbers

The flow around two-dimensional cylinders at moderate Reynolds numbers has been much studied, both for cylinders perpendicular to the flow and for cylinders yawed to the flow. In contrast, yawed finite aspect ratio cylinders have received little attention. In this article we describe computer simulations of cylinders with aspect ratios 2  L/D  20 yawed at angles 0°  α  90° relative to a free stream. The simulations were carried out for Reynolds numbers in the range 1  Re  40. The simulations show that the Independence Principle [Zdravkovich MM. Flow around circular cylinders, vol. 2: applications. New York: Oxford University Press; 2003[1]] is not accurate for α  45°. We have also found that for all aspect ratios, the ratio of the lift to drag force reaches a maximum for 40° < α < 50°. Finally, we present C_L and C_D relationships as best curve fits to computational data.     

Long paths in hypercubes with a quadratic number of faults

A path between distinct vertices u and v of the n-dimensional hypercube Q_n avoiding a given set of f faulty vertices is called long if its length is at least 2ⁿ-2f-2. We present a function (n)=Θ(n²) such that if f(n) then there is a long fault-free path between every pair of distinct vertices of the largest fault-free block of Q_n. Moreover, the bound provided by (n) is asymptotically optimal. Furthermore, we show that assuming f(n), the existence of a long fault-free path between an arbitrary pair of vertices may be verified in polynomial time with respect to n and, if the path exists, its construction performed in linear time with respect to its length.     

A Logic for Reasoning about Generic Judgments

This paper presents an extension of a proof system for encoding generic judgments, the logic FOλ^Δ of Miller and Tiu, with an induction principle. The logic FOλ^Δ is itself an extension of intuitionistic logic with fixed points and a “generic quantifier”, , which is used to reason about the dynamics of bindings in object systems encoded in the logic. A previous attempt to extend FOλ^Δ with an induction principle has been unsuccessful in modeling some behaviours of bindings in inductive specifications. It turns out that this problem can be solved by relaxing some restrictions on , in particular by adding the axiom B≡x.B, where x is not free in B. We show that by adopting the equivariance principle, the presentation of the extended logic can be much simplified. Cut-elimination for the extended logic is stated, and some applications in reasoning about an object logic and a simply typed λ-calculus are illustrated.     

Isolation concepts for efficiently enumerating dense subgraphs

In an undirected graph G=(V,E), a set of k vertices is called c-isolated if it has less than ck outgoing edges. Ito and Iwama [H. Ito, K. Iwama, Enumeration of isolated cliques and pseudo-cliques, ACM Transactions on Algorithms (2008) (in press)] gave an algorithm to enumerate all c-isolated maximal cliques in O(4^cc⁴|E|) time. We extend this to enumerating all maximal c-isolated cliques (which are a superset) and improve the running time bound to O(2.89^cc²|E|), using modifications which also facilitate parallelizing the enumeration. Moreover, we introduce a more restricted and a more general isolation concept and show that both lead to faster enumeration algorithms. Finally, we extend our considerations to s-plexes (a relaxation of the clique notion), providing a W[1]-hardness result when the size of the s-plex is the parameter and a fixed-parameter algorithm for enumerating isolated s-plexes when the parameter describes the degree of isolation.     

On Some Schützenberger Conjectures

In this paper we consider factorizing codes C over A, i.e., codes verifying the factorization conjecture by Schützenberger. Let n be the positive integer such that aⁿC, we show how we can construct C starting with factorizing codes C′ with a^n′C′ and n′ < n, under the hypothesis that all words aⁱza^j in C, with z(A\a)A*(A\a) (A\a), satisfy i, j, > n. The operation involved, already introduced by Anselmo, is also used to show that all maximal codes C=P(A−1)S+1 with P, SZA and P or S in Za can be constructed by means of this operation starting with prefix and suffix codes. Old conjectures by Schützenberger have been revised.     

Intervals of solutions of the discrete-time algebraic Riccati equation

If two solutions YZ of the DARE are given then the set of solutions X with YXZ can be parametrized by invariant subspaces of the closed loop matrix corresponding to Y. The paper extends the geometric theory of Willems from the continuous-time to the discrete-time ARE making the weakest possible assumptions.     

Liquid–solid equilibria in quinary system Na,Mg/Cl,SO4,NO3–H2O at 298.15 K

In order to develop the nitrate deposits found close to Lop Nur in the Xinjiang region in China, the solubilities of the system Na⁺,Mg²⁺/Cl⁻,SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻–H₂O and its subsystems, the quaternary systems Na⁺,Mg²⁺/SO₄²⁻,NO₃⁻–H₂O and Mg²⁺/Cl⁻,SO₄²⁻,NO₃⁻–H₂O, were studied at 298.15 K. The phase diagrams were plotted according to the solubilities achieved. In the equilibrium phase diagram of Mg²⁺/Cl⁻,SO₄²⁻,NO₃⁻–H₂O, there are two invariant points, five univariant curves and four regions of crystallization: Mg(NO₃)₂6H₂O,MgCl₂6H₂O,MgSO₄7H₂O and MgSO₄(1–6)H₂O. In the equilibrium phase diagram of Na⁺,Mg²⁺/SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻–H₂O, there are five invariant points, eleven univariant curves and seven regions of crystallization: Na₂SO₄,Na₂SO₄10H₂O,NaNO₃,MgSO₄Na₂SO₄4H₂O,NaNO₃Na₂SO₄2H₂O,Mg(NO₃)₂6H₂O and MgSO₄7H₂O. In the equilibrium phase diagram of the Na⁺, Mg²⁺/Cl⁻,SO₄²⁻,NO₃⁻–H₂O system, there are six invariant points, and ten regions of crystallization: NaCl, NaNO₃,Na₂SO₄,Na₂SO₄10H₂O,MgSO₄Na₂SO₄4H₂O, NaNO₃Na₂SO₄2H₂O,MgCl₂6H₂O,Mg(NO₃)₂6H₂O, MgSO₄(1–6)H₂O and MgSO₄7H₂O.     

Predicate Abstraction for Dense Real-Time Systems

We propose predicate abstraction as a means for verifying a rich class of safety and liveness properties for dense real-time systems. First, we define a restricted semantics of timed systems which is observationally equivalent to the standard semantics in that it validates the same set of μ-calculus formulas without a next-step operator. Then, we recast the model checking problem S for a timed automaton S and a μ-calculus formula in terms of predicate abstraction. Whenever a set of abstraction predicates forms a so-called basis, the resulting abstraction is strongly preserving in the sense that S validates iff the corresponding finite abstraction validates this formula . Now, the abstracted system can be checked using familiar μ-calculus model checking. Like the region graph construction for timed automata, the predicate abstraction algorithm for timed automata usually is prohibitively expensive. In many cases it suffices to compute an approximation of a finite bisimulation by using only a subset of the basis of abstraction predicates. Starting with some coarse abstraction, we define a finite sequence of refined abstractions that converges to a strongly preserving abstraction. In each step, new abstraction predicates are selected nondeterministically from a finite basis. Counterexamples from failed μ-calculus model checking attempts can be used to heuristically choose a small set of new abstraction predicates for refining the abstraction.     

Interactions Between PVS and Maple in Symbolic Analysis of Control Systems

This paper presents a decision procedure for problems relating polynomial and transcendental functions. The procedure applies to functions that are continuously differentiable with a finite number of points of inflection in a closed convex set. It decides questions of the form ‘is f0?’, where {=,>,<}. An implementation of the procedure in Maple and PVS exploits the existing Maple, PVS and QEPCAD connections. It is at present limited to those twice differentiable functions whose derivatives are rational functions (rationally differentiable). This procedure is particularly applicable to the analysis of control systems in determining important properties such as stability.     

Modeling of the angle of shearing resistance of soils using soft computing systems

Precise determination of the effective angle of shearing resistance (′) value is a major concern and an essential criterion in the design process of the geotechnical structures, such as foundations, embankments, roads, slopes, excavation and liner systems for the solid waste. The experimental determination of ′ is often very difficult, expensive and requires extreme cautions and labor. Therefore many statistical and numerical modeling techniques have been suggested for the ′ value. However they can only consider no more than one parameter, in a simplified manner and do not provide consistent accurate prediction of the ′ value. This study explores the potential of Genetic Expression Programming, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy (ANFIS) computing paradigm in the prediction of ′ value of soils. The data from consolidated-drained triaxial tests (CID) conducted in this study and the different project in Turkey and literature were used for training and testing of the models. Four basic physical properties of soils that cover the percentage of fine grained (FG), the percentage of coarse grained (CG), liquid limit (LL) and bulk density (BD) were presented to the models as input parameters. The performance of models was comprehensively evaluated some statistical criteria. The results revealed that GEP model is fairly promising approach for the prediction of angle of shearing resistance of soils. The statistical performance evaluations showed that the GEP model significantly outperforms the ANN and ANFIS models in the sense of training performances and prediction accuracies.     

Ethanol gas sensor based on Al-doped ZnO nanomaterial with many gas diffusing channels

ZnO nanomaterial with multi-microstructures is synthesized by using normal pressure thermal evaporation and then doped with different Al₂O₃ contents by grinding in an agate mortar. The as-prepared Al-doped ZnO nanomaterials are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The characterization results show that all the compounds are wurtzite with hexagonal structure and are well crystallized. Channels/connecting holes arising from many kinds of ZnO microstructures are abundant. Both annealing and Al₂O₃-doping contributes to an increase in the quasi-one-dimensional and tri-dimensional microstructures. The as-prepared Al-doped ZnO nanomaterials show excellent gas responses to ethanol. The sensing mechanism of the ZnO-based nanomaterials with multi-microstructures is further analyzed by using the Effective Specific Surface Model. Excellent sensitivity (200) companied with short response time (8 s) and recovery time (10 s) to 3000 ppm ethanol is obtained with a ZnO-based sensor with 2 at.% Al₂O₃ at the operating temperature of 290 °C after the sensor is annealed at 500 °C.     

Nonmonotonic Trust Management for P2P Applications

Community decisions about access control in virtual communities are non-monotonic in nature. This means that they cannot be expressed in current, monotonic trust management languages such as the family of Role Based Trust Management languages (RT). To solve this problem we propose RT, which adds a restricted form of negation to the standard RT language, thus admitting a controlled form of non-monotonicity. The semantics of RT is discussed and presented in terms of the well-founded semantics for Logic Programs. Finally we discuss how chain discovery can be accomplished for RT.     

Convergence performance comparison of quantum-inspired multi-objective evolutionary algorithms

In recent research, we proposed a general framework of quantum-inspired multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (QMOEA) and gave one of its sufficient convergence conditions to the Pareto optimal set. In this paper, two Q-gate operators, H gate and R&N gate, are experimentally validated as two Q-gate paradigms meeting the convergence condition. The former is a modified rotation gate, and the latter is a combination of rotation gate and NOT gate with the specified probability. To investigate their effectiveness and applicability, several experiments on the multi-objective 0/1 knapsack problems are carried out. Compared to two typical evolutionary algorithms and the QMOEA only with rotation gate, the QMOEA with H gate and R&N gate have more powerful convergence ability in high complex instances. Moreover, the QMOEA with R&N gate has the best convergence in almost all of the experimental problems. Furthermore, the appropriate ε value regions for two Q-gates are verified.