The present work provides a geometric approach to the calculus of variations in the presence of non-holonomic constraints. As far as the kinematical foundations are concerned, a fully covariant scheme is developed through the introduction of the concept of infinitesimal control. The usual classification of the evolutions into normal and abnormal ones is also discussed, showing the existence of a universal algorithm assigning to every admissible curve a corresponding abnormality index, defined in terms of a suitable linear map. A gauge-invariant formulation of the variational problem, based on the introduction of the bundle of affine scalars over the configuration manifold, is then presented. The analysis includes a revisitation of Pontryagin Maximum Principle and of the Erdmann-Weierstrass corner conditions, a local interpretation of Pontryagin's equations as dynamical equations for a free (singular) Hamiltonian system and a generalization of the classical criteria of Legendre and Bliss for the characterization of the minima of the action functional to the case of piecewise-differentiable extremals with asynchronous variation of the corners.

In this work we develop a new class of high order accurate Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) one-step finite volume schemes for the solution of nonlinear systems of conservative and non-conservative hyperbolic partial differential equations. The numerical algorithm is designed for two and three space dimensions, considering moving unstructured triangular and tetrahedral meshes, respectively. As usual for finite volume schemes, data are represented within each control volume by piecewise constant values that evolve in time, hence implying the use of some strategies to improve the order of accuracy of the algorithm. In our approach high order of accuracy in space is obtained by adopting a WENO reconstruction technique, which produces piecewise polynomials of higher degree starting from the known cell averages. Such spatial high order accurate reconstruction is then employed to achieve high order of accuracy also in time using an element-local space-time finite element predictor, which performs a one-step time discretization. Specifically, we adopt either the continuous Galerkin (CG) predictor, which does not allow discontinuities in time and is suitable for smooth time evolutions, or the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) predictor which can handle stiff source terms that might produce jumps in the local space-time solution. Since we are dealing with moving meshes the elements deform while the solution is evolving in time, hence making the use of a reference system very convenient. Therefore, within the space-time predictor, the physical element is mapped onto a reference element using a high order isoparametric approach, where the space-time basis and test functions are given by the Lagrange interpolation polynomials passing through a predefined set of space-time nodes. The computational mesh continuously changes its configuration in time, following as closely as possible the flow motion. The entire mesh motion procedure is composed by three main steps, namely the Lagrangian step, the rezoning step and the relaxation step. In order to obtain a continuous mesh configuration at any time level, the mesh motion is evaluated by assigning each node of the computational mesh with a unique velocity vector at each timestep. The node solver algorithm preforms the Lagrangian stage, while we rely on a rezoning algorithm to improve the mesh quality when the flow motion becomes very complex, hence producing highly deformed computational elements. A so-called relaxation algorithm is finally employed to partially recover the optimal Lagrangian accuracy where the computational elements are not distorted too much. We underline that our scheme is supposed to be an ALE algorithm, where the local mesh velocity can be chosen independently from the local fluid velocity. Once the vertex velocity and thus the new node location has been determined, the old element configuration is connected with the new one at the future time level with straight edges to represent the local mesh motion, in order to maintain algorithmic simplicity. The final ALE finite volume scheme is based directly on a space-time conservation formulation of the governing system of hyperbolic balance laws. The nonlinear system is reformulated more compactly using a space-time divergence operator and is then integrated on a moving space-time control volume. We adopt a linear parametrization of the space-time element boundaries and Gaussian quadrature rules of suitable order of accuracy to compute the integrals. In our algorithm either a simple and robust Rusanov-type numerical flux or a more sophisticated and less dissipative Osher-type numerical flux is employed. We apply the new high order direct ALE finite volume schemes to several hyperbolic systems, namely the multidimensional Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics, the ideal classical and relativistic magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) equations and the non-conservative seven-equation Baer-Nunziato model of compressible multi-phase flows with stiff relaxation source terms. Numerical convergence studies as well as several classical test problems will be shown to assess the accuracy and the robustness of our schemes. Furthermore we focus on the following issues to improve the algorithm efficiency: the time evolution, the numerical flux computation across element boundaries and the high order WENO reconstruction procedure. First, a time-accurate local time stepping (LTS) algorithm for unstructured triangular meshes is derived and presented, where each element can run at its own optimal time step, given by a local CFL stability condition. Then, we propose a new and efficient quadrature-free formulation for the flux computation, in which the space-time boundaries of each element are split into simplex sub-elements. This leads to space-time normal vectors as well as Jacobian matrices that are constant within each sub-element, hence allowing the flux integrals to be evaluated on the space-time reference control volume once and for all analytically during a preprocessing step. Finally, we consider the very new a posteriori MOOD paradigm, recently proposed for the Eulerian framework, to overcome the expensive WENO approach on moving meshes. The MOOD technique requires the use of only one central reconstruction stencil because the limiting procedure is carried out a posteriori instead of a priori, as done in the WENO formulation.

This dissertation consists of an introduction and four papers. The papers deal with several problems of non-Riemannian metric spaces, such as sub-Riemannian Carnot groups and homogeneous metric spaces. The research has been carried out between the University of Trento (Italy) and the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) under the supervision of prof. F. Serra Cassano and E. Le Donne, respectively. In the following we present the abstracts of the four papers. 1) REGULARITY PROPERTIES OF SPHERES IN HOMOGENEOUS GROUPS E. Le Donne AND S. Nicolussi Golo We study left-invariant distances on Lie groups for which there exists a one-parameter family of homothetic automorphisms. The main examples are Carnot groups, in particular the Heisenberg group with the standard dilations. We are interested in criteria implying that, locally and away from the diagonal, the distance is Euclidean Lipschitz and, consequently, that the metric spheres are boundaries of Lipschitz domains in the Euclidean sense. In the first part of the paper, we consider geodesic distances. In this case, we actually prove the regularity of the distance in the more general context of sub-Finsler manifolds with no abnormal geodesics. Secondly, for general groups we identify an algebraic criterium in terms of the dilating automorphisms, which for example makes us conclude the regularity of every homogeneous distance on the Heisenberg group. In such a group, we analyze in more details the geometry of metric spheres. We also provide examples of homogeneous groups where spheres present cusps. 2) ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF THE RIEMANNIAN HEISENBERG GROUP AND ITS HOROBOUNDARY E. Le Donne, S. Nicolussi Golo, AND A. Sambusetti The paper is devoted to the large scale geometry of the Heisenberg group H equipped with left-invariant Riemannian metrics. We prove that two such metrics have bounded difference if and only if they are asymptotic, i.e., their ratio goes to one, at infinity. Moreover, we show that for every left-invariant Riemannian metric d on H there is a unique sub-Riemanniann metric d' for which d − d' goes to zero at infinity, and we estimate the rate of convergence. As a first immediate consequence we get that the Riemannian Heisenberg group is at bounded distance from its asymptotic cone. The second consequence, which was our aim, is the explicit description of the horoboundary of the Riemannian Heisenberg group. 3) FROM HOMOGENEOUS METRIC SPACES TO LIE GROUPS M. G. Cowling, V. Kivioja, E. Le Donne, S. Nicolussi Golo, AND A. Ottazzi We study connected, locally compact metric spaces with transitive isometry groups. For all $\epsilon\in R_+$, each such space is $(1,\epsilon)$- quasi-isometric to a Lie group equipped with a left-invariant metric. Further, every metric Lie group is $(1,C)$-quasi-isometric to a solvable Lie group, and every simply connected metric Lie group is $(1,C)$-quasi-isometrically homeomorphic to a solvable-by-compact metric Lie group. While any contractible Lie group may be made isometric to a solvable group, only those that are solvable and of type (R) may be made isometric to a nilpotent Lie group, in which case the nilpotent group is the nilshadow of the group. Finally, we give a complete metric characterisation of metric Lie groups for which there exists an automorphic dilation. These coincide with the metric spaces that are locally compact, connected, homogeneous, and admit a metric dilation. 4) SOME REMARKS ON CONTACT VARIATIONS IN THE FIRST HEISENBERG GROUP S. Nicolussi Golo We show that in the first sub-Riemannian Heisenberg group there are intrinsic graphs of smooth functions that are both critical and stable points of the sub-Riemannian perimeter under compactly supported variations of contact diffeomorphisms, despite the fact that they are not area-minimizing surfaces. In particular, we show that if $f : R^2 \rightarrow R^2$ is a $C^1$-intrinsic function, and $\nabla^f\nabla^ff = 0$, then the first contact variation of the sub-Riemannian area of its intrinsic graph is zero and the second contact variation is positive.

The thesis surveys some recent results obtained in the field of nonlinear partial differential equations and calculus of variations about eigenvalues of nonlinear operators.

Model order reduction is a technique to reduce computational times of parameterized PDEs while maintaining good accuracy of the approximated solution. Reduced basis methods (RB) are the most common algorithms for reducing the complexity of parameterized PDEs and nowadays they are widely applied and very actively researched in numerous fields. We propose two ideas to further enhance model reduction: the Fundamental Order Reduction Method (FOR) and offline error estimators for RB methods. The FOR method uses nonlinear combinations of the solutions to build the reduced model and use simple affine evaluations to execute the online stage. On the other hand, offline estimators are a class of estimators that move a-posteriori operations to the offline stage, reducing in this way the load of computations in the online stage. We apply these two ideas to an EEG equation which is useful for detecting the position where an epilepsy seizure begins inside the brain. We present two known ways to solve this equation: direct approach and subtraction approach, and show theoretical and numerical results of the application of the RB and FOR methods. We prove that is not feasible to apply model reduction in the direct approach but show that it is possible in the subtraction approach. Afterwards we solve the inverse problem associated with the EEG equation using a combination of the FOR method and neural networks.

My PhD thesis is focused on geometric Hamiltonian formulation of Quanum Mechanics and its interplay with standard formulation. The main result is the construction of a general prescription to set up a quantum theory as a classical-like theory where quantum dynamics is given by a Hamiltonian vector field on a complex projective space with Kähler structure. In such geometric framework quantum states are represented by classical-like Liouville densities. After a complete characterization of classical-like observables in a finite-dimensional quantum theory, the observable C*-algebra is described in geometric Hamiltonian terms. In the final part of the work, the classical-like Hamiltonian formulation is applied to the study of composite quantum systems providing a notion of entanglement measure.

Maximality principles such as the ones going back to Kuratowski and Zorn ensure the existence of higher type ideal objects the use of which is commonly held indispensable for mathematical practice. The modern turn towards computational methods, which can be witnessed to have a strong influence on contemporary foundational studies, encourages a reassessment within a constructive framework of the methodological intricacies that go along with invocations of maximality principles. The common thread that can be followed through the chapters of this thesis is explained by the attempt to put the widespread use of ideal objects under constructive scrutiny. It thus walks the tracks of a revised Hilbert’s programme which has inspired a reapproach to constructive algebra by finitary means, and for which Scott’s entailment relations have already shown to provide a vital and utmost versatile tool. In this thesis several forms of the Kuratowski-Zorn Lemma are introduced and proved equivalent over constructive set theory; the notion of Jacobson radical is brought from commutative rings to a general ideal theory for single-conclusion entailment relations; a flexible conservation criterion of Scott for multi-conclusion entailment relations is put into action; elementary and constructive variants for algebraic extension theorems such as Sikorski’s on the injectivity of complete atomic Boolean algebras are phrased and proved in terms of entailment relations; and a point-free version of Sikora’s theorem on spaces of orderings of groups is obtained by a revisitation with syntactical means of some of the classical criteria for groups to be orderable.

Recent advances in medical science regarding the role of the venous system in the development of neurological conditions has renewed the attention of researchers in this district of the cardiovascular system. The main goal of this thesis is to perform a theoretical study of Chronic CerebroSpinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI), a venous pathology that has been associated to Multiple Sclerosis. CCSVI is a condition in which main cerebral venous drainage pathways are obstructed. Its impact in cerebral hemodynamics and its connection to Multiple Sclerosis is subject of current debate in the medical community. In order to perform a credible study of the haemodynamical aspects of CCSVI, a sufficiently accurate mathematical model of the problem under investigation must be used. The venous system has not received the same attention as the arterial counterpart by the medical community. As a consequence, the mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of the venous system lies far behind that of the arterial system. The venous system is a low-pressure system, formed by very thin-walled vessels, if compared to arteries, that are likely to collapse under the action of gravitational or external forces. These properties set special requirements on the mathematical models and numerical schemes to be used. In this thesis we present a closed-loop multi-scale mathematical model of the cardiovascular system, where medium to large arteries and veins are represented as one-dimensional (1D) vessels, whereas the heart, the pulmonary circulation, capillary beds and intracranial pressure are modeled as lumped parameter models. A characteristic feature of our closed-loop model is the detailed description of head and neck veins. Due to the large inter-subject variability of the venous system, we perform a patient-specific characterization of major veins of the head and neck using MRI data collected in collaboration with the Magnetic Resonance Research Facility of the Wayne State University, Detroit (USA). Computational results are carefully validated using published data for the arterial system and most regions of the venous system. For head and neck veins validation is carried out through a detailed comparison of simulation results against patient-specific Phase-Contrast MRI flow quantification data. Regarding the development of novel numerical schemes, we construct high-order accurate, robust and efficient numerical schemes for 1D blood flow in elastic and viscoelastic vessels, as well as a solver for vessel networks. The solver is validated in the context of an in vitro network of vessels for which experimental and numerical results are available. After validation of both, the mathematical model and the numerical methodology, we use our theoretical tool to study the influence of different CCSVI patterns on cerebral hemodynamics. CCSVI patterns are defined by the medical literature as combinations of venous obstructions at different locations. Here we used two strategies. First, we take a venous configuration corresponding to a healthy control and explore the effect of different CCSVI patterns by modifying this network. Then, we characterize our venous network with the geometry of a real CCSVI patient and compare results with the ones obtained for the healthy control. The presented model provides a powerful tool to study still unresolved aspects of cerebral blood flow physiology, as well as several venous pathologies. Furthermore, it constitutes an ideal platform for improving currently used algorithms and for integrating fundamental physiological processes, such as detailed hemodynamics, regulatory mechanisms and transport of substances.

In the classical theory, the fractional diffusion is ruled by two different types of fractional Laplacians. Formerly known since 60s, the spectral fractional Laplacian had an important development in the recent mathematical study with the initial contributes of L. Caffarelli, L. Silvestre and X. Cabré, X.Tan. The integral version of the fractional Laplacian, recently discussed by M. Fukushima, Y. Oshima, M Takeda, and Song, Vondracek, is considered in a semilinear elliptic problem in presence of a general logistic function and an indefinite weight. In particular we look for a multiplicity result for the associated Dirichlet problem. In the second part, starting from the classical works of T.Hillen and G. Othmer and taking the Generalized velocity jump processes presented in a recent work of J.T.King, we obtain the fractional diffusion as limit of this last processes using the technique used in another recent work of Mellet, without the classical Hilbert or Cattaneo approximation's methods.

In this PhD thesis we study the extended-order algebras and their properties; moreover, we evaluate the possibility to apply them in other mathematical contexts, as, for instance, the fuzzy implicators and the many-valued relations.