On the averaging principle for one-frequency systems. Seminorm estimates for the error

We extend some previous results of our work [1] on the error of the averaging method, in the one-frequency case. The new error estimates apply to any separating family of seminorms on the space of the actions; they generalize our previous estimates in terms of the Euclidean norm. For example, one can use the new approach to get separate error estimates for each action coordinate. An application to rigid body under damping is presented. In a companion paper [2], the same method will be applied to the motion of a satellite around an oblate planet.Comment: LaTeX, 23 pages, 4 figures. The final version published in Nonlinear Dynamic

An approximation for zero-balanced Appell function F1F_1 near (1,1)(1,1)

We suggest an approximation for the zero-balanced Appell hypergeometric function $F_1$ near the singular point $(1,1)$. Our approximation can be viewed as a generalization of Ramanujan's approximation for zero-balanced ${_2F_1}$ and is expressed in terms of ${_3F_2}$. We find an error bound and prove some basic properties of the suggested approximation which reproduce the similar properties of the Appell function. Our approximation reduces to the approximation of Carlson-Gustafson when the Appell function reduces to the first incomplete elliptic integral.Comment: 10 page

On approximate solutions of the incompressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations

We consider the incompressible Euler or Navier-Stokes (NS) equations on a torus T^d in the functional setting of the Sobolev spaces H^n(T^d) of divergence free, zero mean vector fields on T^d, for n > d/2+1. We present a general theory of approximate solutions for the Euler/NS Cauchy problem; this allows to infer a lower bound T_c on the time of existence of the exact solution u analyzing a posteriori any approximate solution u_a, and also to construct a function R_n such that || u(t) - u_a(t) ||_n <= R_n(t) for all t in [0,T_c). Both T_c and R_n are determined solving suitable "control inequalities", depending on the error of u_a; the fully quantitative implementation of this scheme depends on some previous estimates of ours on the Euler/NS quadratic nonlinearity [15][16]. To keep in touch with the existing literature on the subject, our results are compared with a setting for approximate Euler/NS solutions proposed in [3]. As a first application of the present framework, we consider the Galerkin approximate solutions of the Euler/NS Cauchy problem, with a specific initial datum considered in [2]: in this case our methods allow, amongst else, to prove global existence for the NS Cauchy problem when the viscosity is above an explicitly given bound.Comment: LaTex, 44 pages, 18 figure

Diffusion and wave behaviour in linear Voigt model

A boundary value problem related to a third- order parabolic equation with a small parameter is analized. This equation models the one-dimensional evolution of many dissipative media as viscoelastic fluids or solids, viscous gases, superconducting materials, incompressible and electrically conducting fluids. Moreover, the third-order parabolic operator regularizes various non linear second order wave equations. In this paper, the hyperbolic and parabolic behaviour of the solution is estimated by means of slow time and fast time. As consequence, a rigorous asymptotic approximation for the solution is established

Recognising the Suzuki groups in their natural representations

Under the assumption of a certain conjecture, for which there exists strong experimental evidence, we produce an efficient algorithm for constructive membership testing in the Suzuki groups Sz(q), where q = 2^{2m + 1} for some m > 0, in their natural representations of degree 4. It is a Las Vegas algorithm with running time O{log(q)} field operations, and a preprocessing step with running time O{log(q) loglog(q)} field operations. The latter step needs an oracle for the discrete logarithm problem in GF(q). We also produce a recognition algorithm for Sz(q) = . This is a Las Vegas algorithm with running time O{|X|^2} field operations. Finally, we give a Las Vegas algorithm that, given ^h = Sz(q) for some h in GL(4, q), finds some g such that ^g = Sz(q). The running time is O{log(q) loglog(q) + |X|} field operations. Implementations of the algorithms are available for the computer system MAGMA

Free Energies of Isolated 5- and 7-fold Disclinations in Hexatic Membranes

We examine the shapes and energies of 5- and 7-fold disclinations in low-temperature hexatic membranes. These defects buckle at different values of the ratio of the bending rigidity, $\kappa$, to the hexatic stiffness constant, $K_A$, suggesting {\em two} distinct Kosterlitz-Thouless defect proliferation temperatures. Seven-fold disclinations are studied in detail numerically for arbitrary $\kappa/K_A$. We argue that thermal fluctuations always drive $\kappa/K_A$ into an ``unbuckled'' regime at long wavelengths, so that disclinations should, in fact, proliferate at the {\em same} critical temperature. We show analytically that both types of defects have power law shapes with continuously variable exponents in the ``unbuckled'' regime. Thermal fluctuations then lock in specific power laws at long wavelengths, which we calculate for 5- and 7-fold defects at low temperatures.Comment: LaTeX format. 17 pages. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Statistics and geometry of cosmic voids

We introduce new statistical methods for the study of cosmic voids, focusing on the statistics of largest size voids. We distinguish three different types of distributions of voids, namely, Poisson-like, lognormal-like and Pareto-like distributions. The last two distributions are connected with two types of fractal geometry of the matter distribution. Scaling voids with Pareto distribution appear in fractal distributions with box-counting dimension smaller than three (its maximum value), whereas the lognormal void distribution corresponds to multifractals with box-counting dimension equal to three. Moreover, voids of the former type persist in the continuum limit, namely, as the number density of observable objects grows, giving rise to lacunar fractals, whereas voids of the latter type disappear in the continuum limit, giving rise to non-lacunar (multi)fractals. We propose both lacunar and non-lacunar multifractal models of the cosmic web structure of the Universe. A non-lacunar multifractal model is supported by current galaxy surveys as well as cosmological $N$-body simulations. This model suggests, in particular, that small dark matter halos and, arguably, faint galaxies are present in cosmic voids.Comment: 39 pages, 8 EPS figures, supersedes arXiv:0802.038

Mutation, selection, and ancestry in branching models: a variational approach

We consider the evolution of populations under the joint action of mutation and differential reproduction, or selection. The population is modelled as a finite-type Markov branching process in continuous time, and the associated genealogical tree is viewed both in the forward and the backward direction of time. The stationary type distribution of the reversed process, the so-called ancestral distribution, turns out as a key for the study of mutation-selection balance. This balance can be expressed in the form of a variational principle that quantifies the respective roles of reproduction and mutation for any possible type distribution. It shows that the mean growth rate of the population results from a competition for a maximal long-term growth rate, as given by the difference between the current mean reproduction rate, and an asymptotic decay rate related to the mutation process; this tradeoff is won by the ancestral distribution. Our main application is the quasispecies model of sequence evolution with mutation coupled to reproduction but independent across sites, and a fitness function that is invariant under permutation of sites. Here, the variational principle is worked out in detail and yields a simple, explicit result.Comment: 45 pages,8 figure