Bivariate hermite subdivision

A subdivision scheme for constructing smooth surfaces interpolating scattered data in R³ is proposed. It is also possible to impose derivative constraints in these points. In the case of functional data, i.e., data are given in a properly triangulated set of points {(x_i, y_i)}_i=1^N from which none of the pairs (x_i,y_i) and (x_j,y_j) with i≠j coincide, it is proved that the resulting surface (function) is C¹. The method is based on the construction of a sequence of continuous splines of degree 3. Another subdivision method, based on constructing a sequence of splines of degree 5 which are once differentiable, yields a function which is C² if the data are not ‘too irregular’. Finally the approximation properties of the methods are investigated.     

Discontinuous quasivariational-like inequalities

In this note, we deal with the following problem: given X Rⁿ, a multification gG : X → 2^X, two (single-valued) maps f : X → Rⁿ, η : X × X → Rⁿ, find a point x* X such that x* Γ (x*) and f(x*), η(x,x*) ≥ 0 for all x Γ(x*). We prove an existence theorem in which, in particular, the function f is not supposed to be continuous.     

Fast evaluation of radial basis functions: I

This paper describes some new techniques for the rapid evaluation and fitting of radial basic functions. The techniques are based on the hierarchical and multipole expansions recently introduced by several authors for the calculation of many-body potentials. Consider in particular the N term thin-plate spline, s(x) = Σ_j=1^N d_jφ(x−x_j), where φ(u) = |u|²log|u|, in 2-dimensions. The direct evaluation of s at a single extra point requires an extra O(N) operations. This paper shows that, with judicious use of series expansions, the incremental cost of evaluating s(x) to within precision ε, can be cut to O(1+|log ε|) operations. In particular, if A is the interpolation matrix, a_i,j = φ(x_i−x_j, the technique allows computation of the matrix-vector product Ad in O(N), rather than the previously required O(N²) operations, and using only O(N) storage. Fast, storage-efficient, computation of this matrix-vector product makes pre-conditioned conjugate-gradient methods very attractive as solvers of the interpolation equations, Ad = y, when N is large.     

Analytic numerical solution of coupled semi-infinite diffusion problems

In this paper, we consider coupled semi-infinite diffusion problems of the form u_t(x, t)− A² u_xx(x,t) = 0, x> 0, t> 0, subject to u(0,t)=B and u(x,0)=0, where A is a matrix in , and u(x,t), and B are vectors in . Using the Fourier sine transform, an explicit exact solution of the problem is proposed. Given an admissible error and a domain D(x₀,t₀)={(x,t);0≤x≤x₀, t≥t₀ > 0, an analytic approximate solution is constructed so that the error with respect to the exact solution is uniformly upper bounded by in D(x₀, t₀).     

Integral averages and oscillation of second-order nonlinear differential equations

We present some criteria for the oscillation of the second-order nonlinear differential equation

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where a ε C¹([t₀, ∞)) is a nonnegative function, q ε C ([t₀, ∞)) are allowed to change sign on [t₀, ∞), ψ, f ε C¹ , ψ(x) > 0, xf(x) > 0, f′(x) ≥ 0 for x ≠ 0. These criteria are obtained by using a general class of the parameter functions H(t,s) in the averaging techniques and represent extension, as well as improvement of known oscillation criteria of Philos and Purnaras for the generalized Emden-Fowler equation.     

Optimal and nearly optimal algorithms for approximating polynomial zeros

We substantially improve the known algorithms for approximating all the complex zeros of an n^th degree polynomial p(x). Our new algorithms save both Boolean and arithmetic sequential time, versus the previous best algorithms of Schönhage [1], Pan [2], and Neff and Reif [3]. In parallel (NC) implementation, we dramatically decrease the number of processors, versus the parallel algorithm of Neff [4], which was the only NC algorithm known for this problem so far. Specifically, under the simple normalization assumption that the variable x has been scaled so as to confine the zeros of p(x) to the unit disc x : |x| ≤ 1, our algorithms (which promise to be practically effective) approximate all the zeros of p(x) within the absolute error bound 2^−b, by using order of n arithmetic operations and order of (b + n)n² Boolean (bitwise) operations (in both cases up to within polylogarithmic factors). The algorithms allow their optimal (work preserving) NC parallelization, so that they can be implemented by using polylogarithmic time and the orders of n arithmetic processors or (b + n)n² Boolean processors. All the cited bounds on the computational complexity are within polylogarithmic factors from the optimum (in terms of n and b) under both arithmetic and Boolean models of computation (in the Boolean case, under the additional (realistic) assumption that n = O(b)).     

Nonlinear robust stabilization of multi-parameter families of systems

We show that given any family of asymptotically stabilizable LTI systems depending continuously on a parameter that lies in some subset [a₁,b₁]××[a_p,b_p] of , there exists a C⁰ time-varying state feedback law v(t,x) (resp. a C⁰ time-invariant feedback law v(x)) which robustly globally exponentially stabilizes (resp. which robustly stabilizes, not asymptotically) the family. Further, if these systems are obtained by linearizing some nonlinear systems, then v(t,x) locally exponentially stabilizes these nonlinear systems. Finally, v(t,x) globally exponentially stabilizes any time-varying system which switches “slowly enough” between the given LTI systems.     

Constant-time algorithm for computing the Euclidean distance maps of binary images on 2D meshes with reconfigurable buses

The computation of Euclidean distance maps (EDM), also called Euclidean distance transform, is a basic operation in computer vision, pattern recognition, and robotics. Fast computation of the EDM is needed since most of the applications using the EDM require real-time computation. It is shown in L. Chen and H.Y.H. Chuang [Information Processing Letters, 51, pp. 25–29 (1994)] that a lower bound Ω(n²) is required for any sequential EDM algorithm due to the fact that in any EDM algorithm each of the n² pixels has to be scanned at least once. Recently, many parallel EDM algorithms have been proposed to speedup its computation. Chen and Chuang proposed an algorithm for computing the EDM on an n×n mesh in O(n) time [L. Chen and H.Y.H. Chuang Parallel Computing, 21, pp. 841–852 (1995)]. Clearly, the VLSI complexities of both the sequential and the mesh algorithm described in L. Chen and H.Y.H. Chuang [Parallel Computing, 21, pp. 841–852 (1995)] are AT²=O(n⁴), where A is the VLSI layout area of the design and T is the computation time using area A when implemented in VLSI. In this paper, we propose a new and faster parallel algorithm for computing the EDM problem on the reconfigurable VLSI mesh model. For the same problem, our algorithm runs in O(1) time on a two-dimensional n²×n² reconfigurable mesh. We show that the VLSI complexity of our algorithm is the same as those of the above sequential algorithm and the mesh algorithm, while it uses much less time. To our best knowledge, this is the first constant-time EDM algorithm on any parallel computational model.     

Uniform and optimal schemes for stiff initial-value problems

We formulate a class of difference schemes for stiff initial-value problems, with a small parameter ε multiplying the first derivative. We derive necessary conditions for uniform convergence with respect to the small parameter ε, that is the solution of the difference scheme u_i^h satisfies |u_i^h−u(x_i)| Ch, where C is independent of h and ε. We also derive sufficient conditions for uniform convergence and show that a subclass of schemes is also optimal in the sense that |u_i^h−u(x_i)| C min (h, ε). Finally, we show that this class contains higher-order schemes.     

A systolic algorithm for solving dense linear systems

For an arbitrary n × n matrix A and an n × 1 column vector b, we present a systolic algorithm to solve the dense linear equations Ax = b. An important consideration is that the pivot row can be changed during the execution of our systolic algorithm. The computational model consists of n linear systolic arrays. For 1 ≤ i ≤ n, the i^th linear array is responsible to eliminate the i^th unknown variable x_i of x. This algorithm requires 4n time steps to solve the linear system. The elapsed time unit within a time step is independent of the problem size n. Since the structure of a PE is simple and the same type PE executes the identical instructions, it is very suitable for VLSI implementation. The design process and correctness proof are considered in detail. Moreover, this algorithm can detect whether A is singular or not.     

A Hamiltonian, explicit algorithm with spectral accuracy for the ‘good’ Boussinesq system

We construct an explicit pseudo-spectral method for the numerical solution of the soliton-producing ‘good’ Boussinesq system w_t = u_xxx + u_x + (u²)_x, u_t = w_x. The new scheme preserves a discrete Poisson structure similar to that of the continuous system. The scheme is shown to converge with spectral spatial accuracy. A numerical illustration is given.     

Inferring evolutionary trees with strong combinatorial evidence

We consider the problem of inferring the evolutionary tree of a set of n species. We propose a quartet reconstruction method which specifically produces trees whose edges have strong combinatorial evidence. Let Q be a set of resolved quartets defined on the studied species, the method computes the unique maximum subset Q^* of Q which is equivalent to a tree and outputs the corresponding tree as an estimate of the species’ phylogeny. We use a characterization of the subset Q^* due to Bandelt and Dress (Adv. Appl. Math. 7 (1986) 309–343) to provide an O(n⁴) incremental algorithm for this variant of the NP-hard quartet consistency problem. Moreover, when chosing the resolution of the quartets by the four-point method (FPM) and considering the Cavender–Farris model of evolution, we show that the convergence rate of the Q^* method is at worst polynomial when the maximum evolutive distance between two species is bounded. We complete these theoretical results by an experimental study on real and simulated data sets. The results show that (i) as expected, the strong combinatorial constraints it imposes on each edge leads the Q^* method to propose very few incorrect edges; (ii) more surprisingly; the method infers trees with a relatively high degree of resolution.     

Nonexistence of finite-dimensional filters for conditional statistics of the cubic sensor problem

Consider the cubic sensor dx = dw, dy = x³dt + dv where w, v are two independent Brownian motions. Given a function φ(x) of the state x let φ_t(x) denote the conditional expectation given the observations y_s, 0 s t. This paper consists of a rather detailed discussion and outline of proof of the theorem that for nonconstant φ there cannot exist a recursive finite-dimensional filter for φ driven by the observations.     

Optimization of NASICON composition for Na recognition

Na_1+xZr₂Si_xP_3−xO₁₂ are ceramic materials which are fast ionic conductors by Na⁺. The present work concerns the characterizations of such materials in the range x = 1.4–3.0 for their use as ion sensitive membranes. Samples were prepared by sol-gel route to obtain pellets with a high density. Characteristics, such as lattice parameters and bulk conductivity are given. Results on detection limit and selectivity of such membranes used in ISE devices are presented. The effect of the stoichiometry on electrochemical characteristics is discussed. The best performances are obtained for x = 2.0–2.2, with samples sintered at 1200°C. No influence of sintering temperature is noticeable for the selectivity, excepted for proton which is less interfering after sintering at 1200°C.     

Shape preserving interpolation by curvature continuous parametric curves

An interpolation scheme for planar curves is described, obtained by patching together parametric cubic segments and straight lines. The scheme has, in general, geometric continuity of order 2 (G² continuity) and is similar in approach to that of [Goodman & Unsworth ′86], but whereas this earlier scheme, when applied to cubics, produces curves with zero curvature at the interpolation points, the corresponding curvature values in this scheme are in general non-zero. The choice of a tangent vector at each interpolation point guarantees that the interpolating curve is local convexity preserving, and in the case of functional data it is single-valued and local monotonicity preserving. The algorithm for generating the cubic curve segments usually requires the solution of two non-linear equations in two unknowns, and lower bounds are obtained on the magnitude of the curvature at the relevant interpolation points in order that this system of equations has a unique solution. Particular attention is given to cubic segments which are adjacent to straight line segments. Two methods for calculating these segments are described, one which preserves G² continuity, and one which only gives G¹ continuity. A number of examples of the application of the scheme are presented.     

Numerical inverse isoparametric mapping in remeshing and nodal quantity contouring

In finite element analysis, isoparametric mapping defined as [(ξ, η) → (x, y): X = N_iξ_i] is widely used. It is a one-to-one mapping and its construction is especially elegant for elements of a variable number of nodes showing its versatile applicability to model curved boundaries. In certain analyses, such as remeshing in dynamic analyses or contouring and others, the inverse of this mapping is inevitably valuable, but its determination is not so straightforward. To avoid solving a system of nonlinear equations, generally an iterative technique of order N² in a two-dimensional mesh is often resorted to. In the paper, this technique is improved by systematically bisecting along a predefined line that reduces the iterations to only order N. Its applications in remeshing and nodal quantity contouring are demonstrated and a possible extension for stress contouring is also discussed. The FORTRAN subroutines for the technique proposed are also given.     

Timoshenko beam finite element with four dof and convergence of O(h)

In situations where transverse shear deformations and rotary inertia in beams are important, elements based on the Timoshenko beam theory are useful. Among the two-noded, four DOF elements derived from the minimum total potential energy principle, the HTK. element proposed by Hughes et al. using linear displacement functions for both w and θ and the T1CC4 element proposed by Tessler et al. using quadratic displacement function for w and linear displacement function for θ are well known in the literature. The convergence of the HTK element in the thin beam situation has been too poor due to shear locking but by using selective integration this element can be shown to be equivalent to the T1CC4 element which has a rate of convergence of O(h²). In this paper a five DOF element with w and θ at the end nodes and θ at the middle node and based on the cubic displacement function for w and the quadratic displacement function for θ is first developed. Statically condensing the middle rotational DOF, the well-known (4 × 4) stiffness matrix using the φ-factor defined as φ = 12EI/kGAL² and hitherto obtained only through a flexibility approach or closed-form solution of the governing equations of the Timoshenko beam theory is derived. This element based on cubic displacement function for w has rate of convergence of O(h⁴), is completely free of shear locking and performs equally well in thin as well as thick beam situations.     

Analytic-numerical solutions with a priori error bounds for time-dependent mixed partial differential problems

The aim of this paper is double. First, we point out that the hypothesis D(t₁)D(t₂) = D(t₂)D(t₁) imposed in [1] can be removed. Second, a constructive method for obtaining analytic-numerical solutions with a prefixed accuracy in a bounded domain Ω(t₀,t₁) = [0,p] × [t₀,t₁], for mixed problems of the type u_t(x,t) − D(t)u_xx(x,t) = 0, 0 < x < p, t> 0, subject to u(0,t) = u(p,t) = 0 and u(x,0) = F(x) is proposed. Here, u(x,t) and F(x) are r-component vectors, D(t) is a C^{r × r} valued analytic function and there exists a positive number δ such that every eigenvalue z of (1/2) (D(t) + D(t)^H) is bigger than δ. An illustrative example is included.     

Algorithms of discretization of algebraic spatial curves on homogeneous cubical grids

In this paper new methods of discretization (integer approximation) of algebraic spatial curves in the form of intersecting surfaces P(x, y, z) = 0 and Q(x, y, z) = 0 are analyzed.

The use of homogeneous cubical grids G(h³) to discretize a curve is the essence of the method. Two new algorithms of discretization (on 6-connected grid G_6c(h³) and 26-connected grid G₂₆(h³)) are presented based on the method above. Implementation of the algorithms for algebraic spatial curves is suggested. The elaborated algorithms are adjusted for application in computer graphics and numerical control of machine tools.