An adaptive finite element method for laser surface hardening of steel problem

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Can the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Be Restored to Financial Health?

In 2003, the Bush administration made a proposal for reform to strengthen pension plan funding and the financial condition of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Various bills with the goal of reforming the PBGC were proposed in the 108th Congress but none were enacted into law. The doubling of the PBGC deficit from fiscal 2003 to fiscal 2004, has heightened awareness about the PBGC deficit situation. Congressional leaders from both parties have announced their intention to move aggressively on legislative solutions in the 109th Congress

A Nonconforming Finite Element Approximation for the von Karman Equations

In this paper, a nonconforming finite element method has been proposed and analyzed for the von Karman equations that describe bending of thin elastic plates. Optimal order error estimates in broken energy and $H^1$ norms are derived under minimal regularity assumptions. Numerical results that justify the theoretical results are presented.Comment: The paper is submitted to an international journa

A priori error estimates for the optimal control of laser surface hardening of steel

A priori error estimates for the optimal control of laser surface hardening of stee

Numerical analysis for the pure Neumann control problem using the gradient discretisation method

The article discusses the gradient discretisation method (GDM) for distributed optimal control problems governed by diffusion equation with pure Neumann boundary condition. Using the GDM framework enables to develop an analysis that directly applies to a wide range of numerical schemes, from conforming and non-conforming finite elements, to mixed finite elements, to finite volumes and mimetic finite differences methods. Optimal order error estimates for state, adjoint and control variables for low order schemes are derived under standard regularity assumptions. A novel projection relation between the optimal control and the adjoint variable allows the proof of a super-convergence result for post-processed control. Numerical experiments performed using a modified active set strategy algorithm for conforming, nonconforming and mimetic finite difference methods confirm the theoretical rates of convergence

Error estimates for the numerical approximation of a distributed optimal control problem governed by the von K\'arm\'an equations

In this paper, we discuss the numerical approximation of a distributed optimal control problem governed by the von Karman equations, defined in polygonal domains with point-wise control constraints. Conforming finite elements are employed to discretize the state and adjoint variables. The control is discretized using piece-wise constant approximations. A priori error estimates are derived for the state, adjoint and control variables under minimal regularity assumptions on the exact solution. Numerical results that justify the theoretical results are presented

Perceived Barriers for Career Advancement Opportunities Among Local Managers in Japanese Subsidiaries in the Klang Valley

This research empirically examines the extent to which perceived barriers to career advancement of local managers exists in Japanese subsidiaries in the Klang Valley. Japanese subsidiaries have a unique quality of high degree of centralization and this creates challenges when operating in a foreign country like Malaysia. These challenges create perceived barriers. Since these challenges are related to management directly, the local managers in Japanese subsidiaries are vulnerable to its influence. The perceived barriers in this study were examined through an analysis of 317 local managers working in 41 Japanese subsidiaries in the Klang Valley. Six main perceived barriers were tested: 1 ) Access to power and decision making authority 2) Opportunities for Promotion 3) Benefits and Wages 4) Performance Appraisal 5) Feedback and 6) Stereotype and Discrimination. The investigation was based on a quantitative method of data collection using a validated questionnaire. All the subsidiaries involved were from the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sector from the Klang Valley. Overall findings suggest that perceived barriers, as described in most literature, does indeed exist in Japanese subsidiaries in Malaysia and this hinders local managers career advancement opportunities. There is dualism between Japanese managers and local managers in terms of the way they are treated. Local managers' chances of promotion to higher positions are limited. This is due to an unofficial ceiling on promotion, preventing local managers from climbing to upper-level positions. By confirming many of the findings of research on perceived barriers of Japanese subsidiaries, especially in developing countries, this study demonstrates that while local managers are in the Japanese subsidiary, they have to work harder than their Japanese counterparts, to overcome the stereotype that local managers are too inferior to hold higher management positions