An augmented Lagrangian decomposition method for quasi-separable problems in MDO

Several decomposition methods have been proposed for the distributed optimal design of quasi-separable problems encountered in Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO). Some of these methods are known to have numerical convergence difficulties that can be explained theoretically. We propose a new decomposition algorithm for quasi-separable MDO problems. In particular, we propose a decomposed problem formulation based on the augmented Lagrangian penalty function and the block coordinate descent algorithm. The proposed solution algorithm consists of inner and outer loops. In the outer loop, the augmented Lagrangian penalty parameters are updated. In the inner loop, our method alternates between solving an optimization master problem, and solving disciplinary optimization subproblems. The coordinating master problem can be solved analytically; the disciplinary subproblems can be solved using commonly available gradient-based optimization algorithms. The augmented Lagrangian decomposition method is derived such that existing proofs can be used to show convergence of the decomposition algorithm to KKT points of the original problem under mild assumptions. We investigate the numerical performance of the proposed method on two example problems. I

Two parton shower background for associate W Higgs production

The estimates of the background for the associate W Higgs production, which stems from the two parton shower production. It is about 1 - 2.5 times larger than the signal. However, this background does not depend on the rapidity difference between the W and the $b \bar{b}$ pair, while the signal peaks when the rapidity difference is zero. The detailed calculations for the enhanced diagrams' contribution to this process, are presented, and it is shown that the overlapping singularities, being important theoretically, lead to a negligible contribution for the LHC range of energiesComment: 35 pages and 10 figures in eps file

Ioffe-time distributions instead of parton momentum distributions in description of deep inelastic scattering

We argue that parton distributions in coordinate space provide a more natural object for nonperturbative methods compared to the usual momentum distributions in which the physics of different longitudinal distances is being mixed. To illustrate the advantages of the coordinate space formulation, we calculate the coordinate space distributions for valence quarks in the proton using the QCD sum rule approach. A remarkable agreement is found between the calculated and the experimentally measured u-quark distribution up to light-cone distances $\Delta^- = \Delta^0 - \Delta^3$ of order $\sim 1$ fm in the proton rest frame. The calculation for valence d quarks gives much worse results; the reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.Comment: 24 pages plus 13 pages with figures, requires epsf.sty, revised version to appear in Phys.Rev.

Factorizing the hard and soft spectator scattering contributions for the nucleon form factor F_1 at large Q^2

We investigate the soft spectator scattering contribution for the FF $F_{1}$. We focus our attention on factorization of the hard-collinear scale $\sim Q\Lambda$ corresponding to transition from SCET-I to SCET-II. We compute the leading order jet functions and find that the convolution integrals over the soft fractions are logarithmically divergent. This divergency is the consequence of the boost invariance and does not depend on the model of the soft correlation function describing the soft spectator quarks. Using as example a two-loop diagram we demonstrated that such a divergency corresponds to the overlap of the soft and collinear regions. As a result one obtains large rapidity logarithm which must be included in the correct factorization formalism. We conclude that a consistent description of the factorization for $F_{1}$ implies the end-point collinear divergencies in the hard and soft spectator contributions, i.e. convolution integrals with respect to collinear fractions are not well-defined. Such scenario can only be realized when the twist-3 nucleon distribution amplitude has specific end-point behavior which differs from one expected from the evolution of the nucleon distribution amplitude. Such behavior leads to the violation of the collinear factorization for the hard spectator scattering contribution. We suggest that the soft spectator scattering and chiral symmetry breaking provide the mechanism responsible for the violation of collinear factorization in case of form factor $F_{1}$.Comment: 25 pages, 6 figures, text is improved, few typos corrected, one figure added, statement about end-point behavior of the nucleon DA is formulated more accuratel

Weighted azimuthal asymmetries in a diquark spectator model

We analytically calculate weighted azimuthal asymmetries in semi-inclusive lepton-nucleon deep-inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan processes, using transverse-momentum-dependent partonic densities obtained in a diquark spectator model. We compare the asymmetries with available preliminary experimental data, in particular for the Collins and the Sivers effect. We make predictions for other cases of interest in running and planned experiments.Comment: 21 pages, 13 (multiple) figures in eps format, RevTeX

Parton interactions in the Bjorken limit of QCD

We consider the Bjorken limit in the framework of the effective action approach and discuss its similarities to the Regge limit. The proposed effective action allows for a rather simple calculation of the known evolution kernels. We represent the result in terms of two-parton interaction operators involving gluon and quark operators depending on light-ray position and helicity and analyze their symmetry properties.Comment: 32 pages LaTex, 4 eps-figures, comments added, minor correction

Associations between Dietary Fiber Intake in Infancy and Cardiometabolic Health at School Age: The Generation R Study

Dietary fiber (DF) intake may be beneficial for cardiometabolic health. However, whether this already occurs in early childhood is unclear. We investigated associations between DF intake in infancy and cardiometabolic health in childhood among 2032 children participating in a population-based cohort in The Netherlands. Information on DF intake at a median age of 12.9 months was collected using a food-frequency questionnaire. DF was adjusted for energy intake using the residual method. At age 6 years, body fat percentage, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, insulin, triglycerides, and blood pressure were assessed and expressed in age- and sex-specific standard deviation scores (SDS). These five factors were combined into a cardiometabolic risk factor score. In models adjusted for several parental and child cova

Switching model with two habitats and a predator involving group defence

Switching model with one predator and two prey species is considered. The prey species have the ability of group defence. Therefore, the predator will be attracted towards that habitat where prey are less in number. The stability analysis is carried out for two equilibrium values. The theoretical results are compared with the numerical results for a set of values. The Hopf bifuracation analysis is done to support the stability results

On the Nature of the Phase Transition in SU(N), Sp(2) and E(7) Yang-Mills theory

We study the nature of the confinement phase transition in d=3+1 dimensions in various non-abelian gauge theories with the approach put forward in [1]. We compute an order-parameter potential associated with the Polyakov loop from the knowledge of full 2-point correlation functions. For SU(N) with N=3,...,12 and Sp(2) we find a first-order phase transition in agreement with general expectations. Moreover our study suggests that the phase transition in E(7) Yang-Mills theory also is of first order. We find that it is weaker than for SU(N). We show that this can be understood in terms of the eigenvalue distribution of the order parameter potential close to the phase transition.Comment: 15 page

Etude du métabolisme du cholestérol marqué au 14C chez le Poussin

Rico A. G., Godfrain J. C., Burgat-Sacaze V., Bénard Patrick, Braun J. P. Étude du métabolisme du cholestérol marqué au 14C chez le Poussin. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 125 n°10, 1972. pp. 499-504