371 research outputs found
Routhian reduction for quasi-invariant Lagrangians
In this paper we describe Routhian reduction as a special case of standard
symplectic reduction, also called Marsden-Weinstein reduction. We use this
correspondence to present a generalization of Routhian reduction for
quasi-invariant Lagrangians, i.e. Lagrangians that are invariant up to a total
time derivative. We show how functional Routhian reduction can be seen as a
particular instance of reduction of a quasi-invariant Lagrangian, and we
exhibit a Routhian reduction procedure for the special case of Lagrangians with
quasi-cyclic coordinates. As an application we consider the dynamics of a
charged particle in a magnetic field.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figure
Routh reduction for singular Lagrangians
This paper concerns the Routh reduction procedure for Lagrangians systems
with symmetry. It differs from the existing results on geometric Routh
reduction in the fact that no regularity conditions on either the Lagrangian
or the momentum map are required apart from the momentum being a
regular value of . The main results of this paper are: the description of
a general Routh reduction procedure that preserves the Euler-Lagrange nature of
the original system and the presentation of a presymplectic framework for Routh
reduced systems. In addition, we provide a detailed description and
interpretation of the Euler-Lagrange equations for the reduced system. The
proposed procedure includes Lagrangian systems with a non-positively definite
kinetic energy metric.Comment: 34 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publicaton in International Journal
of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics (IJGMMP
Ethnic differential item functioning in the assessment of quality of life in cancer patients
BACKGROUND: Past research has shown that Filipino cancer patients report lower levels of quality of life (QoL) than other ethnic groups. One possible explanation for this is that Filipinos do not define QoL in the same manner as others, resulting in bias in their assessments. Hence, Filipinos would not necessarily have lower QoL. METHODS: Item response theory methods were used to assess differential item functioning (DIF) in the quality of life (measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30) of cancer patients across four ethnic groups (Caucasian, Filipino, Hawaiian, and Japanese). The sample consisted of 359 cancer patients. RESULTS: Results showed the presence of DIF on several items, indicating ethnic differences in the assessment of quality of life. Relative to the Caucasian and Japanese groups, items related to physical functioning, cognitive functioning, social functioning, nausea and vomiting, and financial difficulties exhibited DIF for Filipinos. On these items Filipinos exhibited either higher or lower QoL scores, even though their overall QoL was the same. CONCLUSION: This evidence may explain why Filipinos have previously been found to have lower overall QoL. Although Filipinos score lower on QoL than other groups, this may not reflect lower QoL, but rather differences in how QoL is defined. The presence of DIF did not appear, however, to alter the psychometric properties of the QLQ-C30
Geometric Generalisations of SHAKE and RATTLE
A geometric analysis of the Shake and Rattle methods for constrained
Hamiltonian problems is carried out. The study reveals the underlying
differential geometric foundation of the two methods, and the exact relation
between them. In addition, the geometric insight naturally generalises Shake
and Rattle to allow for a strictly larger class of constrained Hamiltonian
systems than in the classical setting.
In order for Shake and Rattle to be well defined, two basic assumptions are
needed. First, a nondegeneracy assumption, which is a condition on the
Hamiltonian, i.e., on the dynamics of the system. Second, a coisotropy
assumption, which is a condition on the geometry of the constrained phase
space. Non-trivial examples of systems fulfilling, and failing to fulfill,
these assumptions are given
Hamilton-Jacobi Theory for Degenerate Lagrangian Systems with Holonomic and Nonholonomic Constraints
We extend Hamilton-Jacobi theory to Lagrange-Dirac (or implicit Lagrangian)
systems, a generalized formulation of Lagrangian mechanics that can incorporate
degenerate Lagrangians as well as holonomic and nonholonomic constraints. We
refer to the generalized Hamilton-Jacobi equation as the Dirac-Hamilton-Jacobi
equation. For non-degenerate Lagrangian systems with nonholonomic constraints,
the theory specializes to the recently developed nonholonomic Hamilton-Jacobi
theory. We are particularly interested in applications to a certain class of
degenerate nonholonomic Lagrangian systems with symmetries, which we refer to
as weakly degenerate Chaplygin systems, that arise as simplified models of
nonholonomic mechanical systems; these systems are shown to reduce to
non-degenerate almost Hamiltonian systems, i.e., generalized Hamiltonian
systems defined with non-closed two-forms. Accordingly, the
Dirac-Hamilton-Jacobi equation reduces to a variant of the nonholonomic
Hamilton-Jacobi equation associated with the reduced system. We illustrate
through a few examples how the Dirac-Hamilton-Jacobi equation can be used to
exactly integrate the equations of motion.Comment: 44 pages, 3 figure
Optimal Control of Underactuated Mechanical Systems: A Geometric Approach
In this paper, we consider a geometric formalism for optimal control of
underactuated mechanical systems. Our techniques are an adaptation of the
classical Skinner and Rusk approach for the case of Lagrangian dynamics with
higher-order constraints. We study a regular case where it is possible to
establish a symplectic framework and, as a consequence, to obtain a unique
vector field determining the dynamics of the optimal control problem. These
developments will allow us to develop a new class of geometric integrators
based on discrete variational calculus.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figure
The Tulczyjew triple for classical fields
The geometrical structure known as the Tulczyjew triple has proved to be very
useful in describing mechanical systems, even those with singular Lagrangians
or subject to constraints. Starting from basic concepts of variational
calculus, we construct the Tulczyjew triple for first-order Field Theory. The
important feature of our approach is that we do not postulate {\it ad hoc} the
ingredients of the theory, but obtain them as unavoidable consequences of the
variational calculus. This picture of Field Theory is covariant and complete,
containing not only the Lagrangian formalism and Euler-Lagrange equations but
also the phase space, the phase dynamics and the Hamiltonian formalism. Since
the configuration space turns out to be an affine bundle, we have to use affine
geometry, in particular the notion of the affine duality. In our formulation,
the two maps and which constitute the Tulczyjew triple are
morphisms of double structures of affine-vector bundles. We discuss also the
Legendre transformation, i.e. the transition between the Lagrangian and the
Hamiltonian formulation of the first-order field theor
Quantum cosmological perfect fluid model and its classical analogue
The quantization of gravity coupled to a perfect fluid model leads to a
Schr\"odinger-like equation, where the matter variable plays the role of time.
The wave function can be determined, in the flat case, for an arbitrary
barotropic equation of state ; solutions can also be found for
the radiative non-flat case. The wave packets are constructed, from which the
expectation value for the scale factor is determined. The quantum scenarios
reveal a bouncing Universe, free from singularity. We show that such quantum
cosmological perfect fluid models admit a universal classical analogue,
represented by the addition, to the ordinary classical model, of a repulsive
stiff matter fluid. The meaning of the existence of this universal classical
analogue is discussed. The quantum cosmological perfect fluid model is, for a
flat spatial section, formally equivalent to a free particle in ordinary
quantum mechanics, for any value of , while the radiative non-flat case
is equivalent to the harmonic oscillator. The repulsive fluid needed to
reproduce the quantum results is the same in both cases.Comment: Latex file, 13 page
On some aspects of the geometry of differential equations in physics
In this review paper, we consider three kinds of systems of differential
equations, which are relevant in physics, control theory and other applications
in engineering and applied mathematics; namely: Hamilton equations, singular
differential equations, and partial differential equations in field theories.
The geometric structures underlying these systems are presented and commented.
The main results concerning these structures are stated and discussed, as well
as their influence on the study of the differential equations with which they
are related. Furthermore, research to be developed in these areas is also
commented.Comment: 21 page
Differential geometry, Palatini gravity and reduction
The present article deals with a formulation of the so called (vacuum)
Palatini gravity as a general variational principle. In order to accomplish
this goal, some geometrical tools related to the geometry of the bundle of
connections of the frame bundle are used. A generalization of
Lagrange-Poincar\'e reduction scheme to these types of variational problems
allows us to relate it with the Einstein-Hilbert variational problem. Relations
with some other variational problems for gravity found in the literature are
discussed.Comment: 28 pages, no figures. (v3) Remarks, discussion and references adde
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