Parallel Factorizations in Numerical Analysis

In this paper we review the parallel solution of sparse linear systems, usually deriving by the discretization of ODE-IVPs or ODE-BVPs. The approach is based on the concept of parallel factorization of a (block) tridiagonal matrix. This allows to obtain efficient parallel extensions of many known matrix factorizations, and to derive, as a by-product, a unifying approach to the parallel solution of ODEs.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Variable-step finite difference schemes for the solution of Sturm-Liouville problems

We discuss the solution of regular and singular Sturm-Liouville problems by means of High Order Finite Difference Schemes. We describe a code to define a discrete problem and its numerical solution by means of linear algebra techniques. Different test problems are proposed to emphasize the behaviour of the proposed algorithm

A note on the efficient implementation of implicit methods for ODEs

AbstractThe use of implicit methods for ODEs, e.g. implicit Runge-Kutta schemes, requires the solution of nonlinear systems of algebraic equations of dimension s · m, where m is the size of the continuous differential problem to be approximated. Usually, the solution of this system represents the most time-consuming section in the implementation of such methods. Consequently, the efficient solution of this section would improve their performance. In this paper, we propose a new iterative procedure to solve such equations on sequential computers

High-order finite difference schemes for the solution of second-order BVPs

AbstractWe introduce new methods in the class of boundary value methods (BVMs) to solve boundary value problems (BVPs) for a second-order ODE. These formulae correspond to the high-order generalizations of classical finite difference schemes for the first and second derivatives. In this research, we carry out the analysis of the conditioning and of the time-reversal symmetry of the discrete solution for a linear convection–diffusion ODE problem. We present numerical examples emphasizing the good convergence behavior of the new schemes. Finally, we show how these methods can be applied in several space dimensions on a uniform mesh

Considerations about the incompleteness of the Ehrenfest's theorem in quantum mechanics

We describe a study motivated by our interest to examine the incompleteness of the Ehrenfest's theorem in quantum mechanics and to resolve a doubt regarding whether or not the hermiticity of the hamiltonian operator is sufficient to justify a simplification of the expression of the macroscopic-observable time derivative that promotes the one usually found in quantum-mechanics textbooks. The study develops by considering the simple quantum system "particle in one-dimensional box". We propose theoretical arguments to support the incompleteness of the Ehrenfest's theorem in the formulation he gave, in agreement with similar findings already published by a few authors, and corroborate them with the numerical example of an electric charge in an electrostatic field.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. To be submitted to European Journal of Physics (https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0143-0807

Parallel Factorizations in Numerical Analysis

In this paper we review the parallel solution of sparse linear systems, usually deriving by the discretization of ODEIVPs or ODE-BVPs. The approach is based on the concept of parallel factorization of a (block) tridiagonal matrix. This allows to obtain efficient parallel extensions of many known matrix factorizations, and to derive, as a by-product, a unifying approach to the parallel solution of ODEs

Implementation of the PaperRank and AuthorRank indices in the Scopus database

We implement the PaperRank and AuthorRank indices introduced in [Amodio & Brugnano, 2014] in the Scopus database, in order to highlight quantitative and qualitative information that the bare number of citations and/or the h-index of an author are unable to provide. In addition to this, the new indices can be cheaply updated in Scopus, since this has a cost comparable to that of updating the number of citations. Some examples are reported to provide insight in their potentialities, as well as possible extensions.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, 4 table

Fluid statics of a self-gravitating perfect-gas isothermal sphere

We open the paper with introductory considerations describing the motivations of our long-term research plan targeting gravitomagnetism, illustrating the fluid-dynamics numerical test case selected for that purpose, that is, a perfect-gas sphere contained in a solid shell located in empty space sufficiently away from other masses, and defining the main objective of this study: the determination of the gravitofluid-static field required as initial field ($t=0$) in forthcoming fluid-dynamics calculations. The determination of the gravitofluid-static field requires the solution of the isothermal-sphere Lane-Emden equation. We do not follow the habitual approach of the literature based on the prescription of the central density as boundary condition; we impose the gravitational field at the solid-shell internal wall. As the discourse develops, we point out differences and similarities between the literature's and our approach. We show that the nondimensional formulation of the problem hinges on a unique physical characteristic number that we call gravitational number because it gauges the self-gravity effects on the gas' fluid statics. We illustrate and discuss numerical results; some peculiarities, such as gravitational-number upper bound and multiple solutions, lead us to investigate the thermodynamics of the physical system, particularly entropy and energy, and preliminarily explore whether or not thermodynamic-stability reasons could provide justification for either selection or exclusion of multiple solutions. We close the paper with a summary of the present study in which we draw conclusions and describe future work.Comment: 32 pages, 26 figure

Algebraic construction and numerical behaviour of a new s-consistent difference scheme for the 2D Navier-Stokes equations

In this paper we consider a regular grid with equal spatial spacings and construct a new finite difference approximation (difference scheme) for the system of two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations describing the unsteady motion of an incompressible viscous liquid of constant viscosity. In so doing, we use earlier constructed discretization of the system of three equations: the continuity equation and the proper Navier-Stokes equations. Then, we compute the canonical Gröbner basis form for the obtained discrete system. It gives one more difference equation which is equivalent to the pressure Poisson equation modulo difference ideal generated by the Navier-Stokes equations, and thereby comprises a new finite difference approximation (scheme). We show that the new scheme is strongly consistent. Besides, our computational experiments demonstrate much better numerical behaviour of the new scheme in comparison with the other strongly consistent schemes we constructed earlier and also with the scheme which is not strongly consistent