Survey on recent invariants on classical knot theory

Abstract: The survey we are presenting is over 22 years old but it has still some ideas which where never published (except in Polish). This survey is the base of the third Chapter of my book: KNOTS: From combinatorics of knot diagrams to combinatorial topology based on knots, which is still in preparation (but compare http://arxiv.org/pdf/math.GT/0512630). The purpose of this survey is to present a new combinatorial method of constructing invariants of isotopy classes of tame links. The period of time between the spring of 1984 and the summer of 1985 was full of discoveries which revolutionized the knot theory and will have a deep impact on some other branches of mathematics. It started by the discovery of Jones of the new polynomial invariant of links (in May 1984), and the last big step (which will be described in this survey) has been made by Kauffman in August 1985 when Kauffman applied his method which allowed him to unify almost all previous work. This survey is far from being complete, even if we limit ourselves to the purely combinatorial methods and to the period May, 1984 -- September, 1985.


Numerical properties of isotrivial fibrations

Abstract: In this paper we investigate the numerical properties of relatively minimal isotrivial fibrations $\varphi \colon X \lr C$, where $X$ is a smooth, projective surface and $C$ is a curve. In particular we prove that, if $g(C) \geq 1$ and $X$ is neither ruled nor isomorphic to a quasi-bundle, then $K_X^2 \leq 8 \chi(\mO_X)-2$; this inequality is sharp and if equality holds then $X$ is a minimal surface of general type whose canonical model has precisely two ordinary double points as singularities. Under the further assumption that $K_X$ is ample, we obtain $K_X^2 \leq 8 \chi(\mO_X)-5$ and the inequality is also sharp. This improves previous results of Serrano and Tan.


Extended obstruction tensors and renormalized volume coefficients

Abstract: The behavior under conformal change of the renormalized volume coefficients associated to a pseudo-Riemannian metric is investigated. It is shown that they define second order fully nonlinear operators in the conformal factor whose algebraic structure is elucidated via the introduction of "extended obstruction tensors". These together with the Schouten tensor constitute building blocks for the coefficients in the ambient metric expansion. The renormalized volume coefficients have recently been considered by Chang-Fang motivated by comparison with the elementary symmetric functions of the eigenvalues of the Schouten tensor.


Buried Points in Julia Sets

Abstract: We give an introduction to buried points in Julia sets and a list of questions about buried points, written to encourage aficionados of topology and dynamics to work on these questions.


Estimating high-dimensional intervention effects from observational data

Abstract: We assume that we have observational data generated from an unknown underlying directed acyclic graph (DAG) model. A DAG is typically not identifiable from observational data, but it is possible to consistently estimate the equivalence class of a DAG. Moreover, for any given DAG, causal effects can be estimated using intervention calculus. In this paper, we combine these two parts. For each DAG in the estimated equivalence class, we use intervention calculus to estimate the causal effects of the covariates on the response. This yields a collection of estimated causal effects for each covariate. We show that the distinct values in this set can be consistently estimated by an algorithm that uses only local information of the graph. This local approach is computationally fast and feasible in high-dimensional problems. We propose to use summary measures of the set of possible causal effects to determine variable importance. In particular, we use the minimum absolute value of this set, since that is a lower bound on the size of the causal effect. We demonstrate the merits of our methods in a simulation study and on a data set about riboflavin production.


Fefferman-Stein inequalities for the \mathbb{Z}_2^d Dunkl maximal operator

Abstract: In this article, we establish the Fefferman-Stein inequalities for the Dunkl maximal operator associated with a finite reflection group generated by the sign changes. Similar results are also given for a large class of operators related to Dunkl's analysis.


Modular elliptic directions with complex multiplication (with an application to Gross's elliptic curves)

Abstract: For every normalized newform f in S_2(Gamma_1(N)) with complex multiplication, we study the modular parametrizations of elliptic curves C from the abelian variety A_f. We apply the results obtained when C is Gross's elliptic curve A(p).


Nonnegative Factorization and The Maximum Edge Biclique Problem

Abstract: Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is a data analysis technique which allows compression and interpretation of nonnegative data. NMF became widely studied after the publication of the seminal paper by Lee and Seung (Learning the Parts of Objects by Nonnegative Matrix Factorization, Nature, 1999, vol. 401, pp. 788--791), which introduced an algorithm based on Multiplicative Updates (MU). More recently, another class of methods called Hierarchical Alternating Least Squares (HALS) was introduced that seems to be much more efficient in practice. In this paper, we consider the problem of approximating a not necessarily nonnegative matrix with the product of two nonnegative matrices, which we refer to as Nonnegative Factorization (NF); this is the subproblem that HALS methods implicitly try to solve at each iteration. We prove that NF is NP-hard for any fixed factorization rank, using a reduction to the maximum edge biclique problem. We also generalize the multiplicative updates to NF, which allows us to shed some light on the differences between the MU and HALS algorithms for NMF and give an explanation for the better performance of HALS. Finally, we link stationary points of NF with feasible solutions of the biclique problem to obtain a new type of biclique finding algorithm (based on MU) whose iterations have an algorithmic complexity proportional to the number of edges in the graph, and show that it performs better than comparable existing methods.


A relaxation scheme for computation of the joint spectral radius of matrix sets

Abstract: The problem of computation of the joint (generalized) spectral radius of matrix sets has been discussed in a number of publications. In the paper an iteration procedure is considered that allows to build numerically Barabanov norms for the irreducible matrix sets and simultaneously to compute the joint spectral radius of these sets.


Chern subrings

Abstract: Let p be an odd prime. We show that for a simply-connected semisimple complex linear algebraic group, if its integral homology has p-torsion, the Chern classes do not generate the Chow ring of its classifying space.


Orbifold quantum D-modules associated to weighted projective spaces

Abstract: We construct in an abstract fashion the orbifold quantum cohomology (quantum orbifold cohomology) of weighted projective space, starting from the orbifold quantum differential operator. We obtain the product, grading, and intersection form by making use of the associated self-adjoint D-module and the Birkhoff factorization procedure. The method extends to the more difficult case of Fano hypersurfaces in weighted projective space. However, in contrast to the case of weighted projective space itself or a Fano hypersurface in projective space, a "small Birkhoff cell" can appear in the construction; we give an example of this phenomenon.


Smoothed weighted empirical likelihood ratio confidence intervals for quantiles

Abstract: Thus far, likelihood-based interval estimates for quantiles have not been studied in the literature on interval censored case 2 data and partly interval censored data, and, in this context, the use of smoothing has not been considered for any type of censored data. This article constructs smoothed weighted empirical likelihood ratio confidence intervals (WELRCI) for quantiles in a unified framework for various types of censored data, including right censored data, doubly censored data, interval censored data and partly interval censored data. The fourth order expansion of the weighted empirical log-likelihood ratio is derived and the theoretical coverage accuracy equation for the proposed WELRCI is established, which generally guarantees at least `first order' accuracy. In particular, for right censored data, we show that the coverage accuracy is at least $O(n^{-1/2})$ and our simulation studies show that in comparison with empirical likelihood-based methods, the smoothing used in WELRCI generally provides a shorter confidence interval with comparable coverage accuracy. For interval censored data, it is interesting to find that with an adjusted rate $n^{-1/3}$, the weighted empirical log-likelihood ratio has an asymptotic distribution completely different from that obtained by the empirical likelihood approach and the resulting WELRCI perform favorably in the available comparison simulation studies.


Estimates for covering numbers in Schauder's theorem about adjoints of compact operators

Abstract: Let T:X --> Y be a bounded linear map between Banach spaces X and Y. Let S:Y' --> X' be its adjoint. Let B(X) and B(Y') be the closed unit balls of X and Y' respectively. We obtain apparently new estimates for the covering numbers of the set S(B(Y')). These are expressed in terms of the covering numbers of T(B(X)), or, more generally, in terms of the covering numbers of a "significant" subset of T(B(X)). The latter more general estimates are best possible. These estimates follow from our new quantitative version of an abstract compactness result which generalizes classical theorems of Arzela-Ascoli and of Schauder. Analogous estimates also hold for the covering numbers of T(B(X)), in terms of the covering numbers of S(B(Y')) or in terms of a suitable "significant" subset of S(B(Y')).


Masures affines

Abstract: We give an abstract definition of affine hovels which generalizes the definition of affine buildings (eventually non simplicial) given by Jacques Tits and includes the hovels built by Stephane Gaussent and the author for some Kac-Moody groups over ultrametric fields. We prove that, in such an affine hovel I, there exist retractions with center a sector germ and that we can add at the infinity of I a pair of twin buildings or two microaffine buildings. For some affine hovels I, we prove that the residue at a point of I has a natural structure of pair of twin buildings and that there exists on I a preorder which induces on each apartment the preorder associated to the Tits cone.


On the spectrum of the twisted Dolbeault Laplacian on line bundles over K\"ahler manifolds

Abstract: We use Dirac operator techniques to establish a sharp lower bound for the first eigenvalue of the twisted Dolbeault Laplacian on holomorphic line bundles over compact K\"ahler manifolds.


Quasi-energy function for diffeomorphisms with wild separatrices

Abstract: According to Pixton, there are Morse-Smale diffeomorphisms of the 3-sphere which have no energy function, that is a Lyapunov function whose critical points are all periodic points of the diffeomorphism. We introduce the concept of quasi-energy function for a Morse-Smale diffeomorphism as a Lyapunov function with the least number of critical points and construct a quasi-energy function for any diffeomorphism from some class of Morse-Smale diffeomorphisms on the 3-sphere.


Adaptive estimation of the conditional intensity of marker-dependent counting processes

Abstract: We propose in this work an original estimator of the conditional intensity of a marker-dependent counting process, that is, a counting process with covariates. We use model selection methods and provide a non asymptotic bound for the risk of our estimator on a compact set. We show that our estimator reaches automatically a convergence rate over a functional class with a given (unknown) anisotropic regularity. Then, we prove a lower bound which establishes that this rate is optimal. Lastly, we provide a short illustration of the way the estimator works in the context of conditional hazard estimation.


Symmetry and Time Changed Brownian Motions

Abstract: In this paper we examine which Brownian Subordination with drift exhibits the symmetry property introduced by Fajardo and Mordecki (2006). We obtain that when the subordination results in a L\'evy process, a necessary and sufficient condition for the symmetry to hold is that drift must be equal to -1/2.


Smooth projective toric varieties whose nontrivial nef line bundles are big

Abstract: For any $n\geq 3$, we explicitly construct smooth projective toric $n$-folds of Picard number $\geq 5$, where any nontrivial nef line bundles are big.


Exponential algebraicity in exponential fields

Abstract: I give an algebraic proof that the exponential algebraic closure operator in an exponential field is always a pregeometry, and show that its dimension function satisfies a weak Schanuel property. A corollary is that there are at most countably many essential counterexamples to Schanuel's conjecture.


A solution to a problem of Cassels and Diophantine properties of cubic numbers

Abstract: We prove that almost any pair of real numbers a,b, satisfies the following inhomogeneous uniform version of Littlewood's conjecture: (*) forall x,y in R, liminf_{|n|\to\infty} |n|<na - x> <nb - y> = 0, where <-> denotes the distance from the nearest integer. The existence of even a single pair that satisfies (*), solves a problem of Cassels from the 50's. We then prove that if 1,a,b span a totally real number field, then a,b, satisfy (*). It is further shown that if 1,a,b, are linearly dependent over Q, a,b cannot satisfy (*). The results are then applied to give examples of irregular orbit closures of the diagonal groups of a new type.


Holomorphic shadows in the eyes of model theory

Abstract: We define a subset of an almost complex manifold (M,J) to be a holomorphic shadow if it is the image of a J-holomorphic map from a compact complex manifold. Notice that a J-holomorphic curve is a holomorphic shadow, and so is a complex subvariety of a compact complex manifold. We show that under some conditions on an almost complex structure J on a manifold M, the holomorphic shadows in the Cartesian products of (M,J) form a Zariski-type structure. Checking this leads to non-trivial geometric questions and results. We then apply the work of Hrushovski and Zilber on Zariski-type structures. We also restate results of Gromov and McDuff on J-holomorphic curves in symplectic geometry in the language of shadows structures.


On a generalization of Littlewood's conjecture

Abstract: We present a class of lattices in R^d (d >= 2) which we call GL-lattices and conjecture that any lattice is such. This conjecture is referred to as GLC. Littlewood's conjecture amounts to saying that Z^2 is GL. We then prove existence of GL lattices by first establishing a dimension bound for the set of possible exceptions. Existence of vectors (GL-vectors) in R^d with special Diophantine properties is proved by similar methods. For dimension d >= 3 we give explicit constructions of GL lattices (and in fact a much stronger property). We also show that GLC is implied by a conjecture of G. A. Margulis concerning bounded orbits of the diagonal group. The unifying theme of the methods is to exploit rigidity results in dynamics and derive results in Diophantine approximations or the geometry of numbers.


Measure theoretical entropy of covers

Abstract: In this paper we introduce three notions of measure theoretical entropy of a measurable cover U in a measure theoretical dynamical system. Two of them were already introduced in [R] and the new one is defined only in the ergodic case. We then prove that these three notions coincide, thus answering a question posed in [R] and recover a variational inequality (proved in [GW]) and a proof of the classical variational principle based on a comparison between the entropies of covers and partitions.


Unitarity of SL(2)-conformal blocks in genus zero

Abstract: This submission has been withdrawn by arXiv administrators due to an unresolved conflict between the authors. This article was submitted without consent of E. Looijenga.


Discrete Morse theory for totally non-negative flag varieties

Abstract: In a seminal 1994 paper, Lusztig extended the theory of total positivity by introducing the totally non-negative part (G/P)_{\geq 0} of an arbitrary (generalized, partial) flag variety G/P. He referred to this space as a "remarkable polyhedral subspace", and conjectured a decomposition into cells, which was subsequently proven by the first author. Subsequently the second author made the concrete conjecture that this cell decomposed space is the next best thing to a polyhedron, by conjecturing it to be a regular CW complex that is homeomorphic to a closed ball. In this article we use discrete Morse theory to prove this conjecture up to homotopy-equivalence. Explicitly, we prove that the boundaries of the cells are homotopic to spheres, and the closures of cells are contractible. The latter part generalizes a result of Lusztig's that (G/P)_{\geq 0} -- the closure of the top-dimensional cell -- is contractible. Concerning our result on the boundaries of cells, even the special case that the boundary of the top-dimensional cell (G/P)_{> 0} is homotopic to a sphere, is new for all G/P other than projective space.


A formal system for Euclid's Elements

Abstract: We present a formal system, E, which provides a faithful model of the proofs in Euclid's Elements, including the use of diagrammatic reasoning.


Heegaard genus, cut number, weak p-congruence, and quantum invariants

Abstract: We use quantum invariants to define a 3-manifold invariant j_p which lies in the non-negative integers. We relate j_p to the Heegard genus, and the cut number. We show that j_$ is an invariant of weak p-congruence.


What is the optimal shape of a pipe?

Abstract: We consider an incompressible fluid in a three-dimensional pipe, following the Navier-Stokes system with classical boundary conditions. We are interested in the following question: is there any optimal shape for the criterion "energy dissipated by the fluid"? Moreover, is the cylinder the optimal shape? We prove that there exists an optimal shape in a reasonable class of admissible domains, but the cylinder is not optimal. For that purpose, we explicit the first order optimality condition, thanks to adjoint state and we prove that it is impossible that the adjoint state be a solution of this over-determined system when the domain is the cylinder. At last, we show some numerical simulations for that problem.


Topics in Mitigating Radar Bias

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate two topics related to mitigating the effect of radar bias in ballistic missile tracking applications. We determine the absolute bias between two radars in polar coordinates when their relative bias is given in rectangular coordinates. Using this result, we then obtain the optimized steady-state filter to handle the random bias.


Algorithms for translational tiling

Abstract: In this paper we study algorithms for tiling problems. We show that the conditions $(T1)$ and $(T2)$ of Coven and Meyerowitz, conjectured to be necessary and sufficient for a finite set $A$ to tile the integers, can be checked in time polynomial in ${diam}(A)$. We also give heuristic algorithms to find all non-periodic tilings of a cyclic group $Z_N$. In particular we carry out a full classification of all non-periodic tilings of $Z_{144}$.


Mathematical Foundations of Consciousness

Abstract: We employ the Zermelo-Fraenkel Axioms that characterize sets as mathematical primitives. The Anti-foundation Axiom plays a significant role in our development, since among other of its features, its replacement for the Axiom of Foundation in the Zermelo-Fraenkel Axioms motivates Platonic interpretations. These interpretations also depend on such allied notions for sets as pictures, graphs, decorations, labelings and various mappings that we use. A syntax and semantics of operators acting on sets is developed. Such features enable construction of a theory of non-well-founded sets that we use to frame mathematical foundations of consciousness. To do this we introduce a supplementary axiomatic system that characterizes experience and consciousness as primitives. The new axioms proceed through characterization of so- called consciousness operators. The Russell operator plays a central role and is shown to be one example of a consciousness operator. Neural networks supply striking examples of non-well-founded graphs the decorations of which generate associated sets, each with a Platonic aspect. Employing our foundations, we show how the supervening of consciousness on its neural correlates in the brain enables the framing of a theory of consciousness by applying appropriate consciousness operators to the generated sets in question.


The noncommutative Choquet boundary III: Operator systems in matrix algebras

Abstract: We classify operator systems $S\subseteq \mathcal B(H)$ that act on finite dimensional Hilbert spaces by making use of the noncommutative Choquet boundary. S is said to be {\em reduced} when its boundary ideal is 0. In the category of operator systems, that property functions as semisimplicity does in the category of complex Banach algebras. We construct explicit examples of reduced operator systems using sequences of "parameterizing maps" $\Gamma_k: \mathbb C^r\to \mathcal B(H_k)$, $k=1,..., N$. We show that every reduced operator system is isomorphic to one of these, and that two sequences give rise to isomorphic operator systems if and only if they are "unitarily equivalent" parameterizing sequences. Finally, we construct nonreduced operator systems $S$ that have a given boundary ideal $K$ and a given reduced image in $C^*(S)/K$, and show that these constructed examples exhaust the possibilities.


On the Chebyshev properties of system of eigenfunctions for Sturm--Liouville problem with singular coefficients

Abstract: In the paper we consider singular spectral Sturm--Liouville problem $-(py')'+(q-\lambda r)y=0$, $(U-1)y^{\vee}+i(U+1)y^{\wedge}=0$, where function $p\in L_{\infty}[0,1]$ is uniformly positive, generalized function $q\in W_2^{-1}[0,1]$ is real-valued, generalized weight function $r\in W_2^{-1}[0,1]$ is positive and unitary matrix $U\in\mathbb C^{2\times 2}$ is diagonal. The goal is to prove that well-known (for smooth case) facts about Chebyshev property of eigenfunctions hold in general case.


Minimal Distortion Morphs Generated by Time-Dependent Vector Fields

Abstract: A morph between two Riemannian $n$-manifolds is an isotopy between them together with the set of all intermediate manifolds equipped with Riemannian metrics. We propose measures of the distortion produced by some classes of morphs and diffeomorphisms between two isotopic Riemannian $n$-manifolds and, with respect to these classes, prove the existence of minimal distortion morphs and diffeomorphisms. In particular, we consider the class of time-dependent vector fields (on an open subset $\Omega$ of $ \R^{n+1}$ in which the manifolds are embedded) that generate morphs between two manifolds $M$ and $N$ via an evolution equation, define the bending and the morphing distortion energies for these morphs, and prove the existence of minimizers of the corresponding functionals in the set of time-dependent vector fields that generate morphs between $M$ and $N$ and are $L^2$ functions from $[0,1]$ to the Sobolev space $W^{k,2}_0(\Omega,\R^{n+1})$.


On 3-lattices and spherical designs

Abstract: An integral lattice which is generated by some vectors of norm $q$ is called $q$-lattice. Classification of 3-lattices of dimension at most four is given by Mimura (On 3-lattice, 2006). As a expansion, we give a classification of 3-lattices of dimension at most seven. In addition, we consider the spherical designs from its shells.


$\ell$- Volterra Quadratic Stochastic Operators: Lyapunov Functions, Trajectories

Abstract: We consider $\ell$-Volterra quadratic stochastic operators defined on $(m-1)$-dimensional simplex, where $\ell\in\{0,1,...,m\}$. Under some conditions on coefficients of such operators we describe Lyapunov functions and apply them to obtain upper estimates for the set of $\omega$- limit points of trajectories. We describe a set of fixed points of $\ell$-Volterra operators.


Superdiffusivity for a Brownian polymer in a continuous Gaussian environment

Abstract: This paper provides information about the asymptotic behavior of a one-dimensional Brownian polymer in random medium represented by a Gaussian field $W$ on ${\mathbb{R}}_+\times{\mathbb{R}}$ which is white noise in time and function-valued in space. According to the behavior of the spatial covariance of $W$, we give a lower bound on the power growth (wandering exponent) of the polymer when the time parameter goes to infinity: the polymer is proved to be superdiffusive, with a wandering exponent exceeding any $\alpha<3/5$.


Walks with small steps in the quarter plane

Abstract: Let S be a subset of {-1,0,1}^2 not containing (0,0). We address the enumeration of plane lattice walks with steps in S, that start from (0,0) and always remain in the first quadrant. A priori, there are 2^8 problems of this type, but some are trivial. Some others are equivalent to a model of walks confined to a half-plane: such models can be solved systematically using the kernel method, which leads to algebraic generating functions. We focus on the remaining cases, and show that there are 79 inherently different problems to study. To each of them, we associate a group G of birational transformations. We show that this group is finite in exactly 23 cases. We present a unified way of solving 22 of the 23 models associated with a finite group. For each of them, the generating function is found to be D-finite. The 23rd model, known as Gessel's walks, has recently been proved by Bostan et al. to have an algebraic (and hence D-finite) solution. We conjecture that the remaining 56 models, associated with an infinite group, have a non-D-finite generating function. Our approach allows us to recover and refine some known results, and also to obtain new results. For instance, we prove that walks with N, E, W, S, SW and NE steps have an algebraic generating function.


Homotopy invariants of Gauss phrases

Abstract: Equivalence relations can be defined on Gauss phrases using combinatorial moves. In this paper we consider two closely related equivalence relations on Gauss phrases, homotopy and open homotopy. In particular, in each case, we define a new invariant and determine the values that it can attain.


Moduli of Stable Sheaves on a Smooth Quadric in $\PP_3$

Abstract: We prove that the moduli space of stable sheaves of rank 2 with a certain Chern classes on a smooth quadric $Q$ in $\PP_3$, is isomorphic to $\PP_3$. Using this identification, we give a new proof that a certain Brill-Noether locus on a non-hyperelliptic curve of genus 4, is isomorphic to the Donagi-Izadi cubic threefold.


The Atiyah algebroid of the path fibration over a Lie group

Abstract: Let G be a connected Lie group, LG its loop group, and PG->G the principal LG-bundle defined by quasi-periodic paths in G. This paper is devoted to differential geometry of the Atiyah algebroid A=T(PG)/LG of this bundle. Given a symmetric bilinear form on the Lie algebra g and the corresponding central extension of Lg, we consider the lifting problem for A, and show how the cohomology class of the Cartan 3-form on G arises as an obstruction. This involves the construction of a 2-form on PG with differential the pull-back of the Cartan form. In the second part of this paper we obtain similar LG-invariant primitives for the higher degree analogues of the Cartan form, and for their G-equivariant extensions.


Totally geodesic submanifolds in Riemannian symmetric spaces

Abstract: In the first part of this expository article, the most important constructions and classification results concerning totally geodesic submanifolds in Riemannian symmetric spaces are summarized. In the second part, I describe the results of my classification of the totally geodesic submanifolds in the Riemannian symmetric spaces of rank 2.


On the Korteweg-de Vries long-wave approximation of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation I

Abstract: The fact that the Korteweg-de-Vries equation offers a good approximation of long-wave solutions of small amplitude to the one-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation was derived several years ago in the physical literature. In this paper, we provide a rigorous proof of this fact, and compute a precise estimate for the error term. Our proof relies on the integrability of both the equations. In particular, we give a relation between the invariants of the two equations, which, we hope, is of independent interest.


Wind speed classification using Dirichlet mixtures

Abstract: Wind energy production is very sensitive to instantaneous wind speed fluctuations. Thus rapid variation of wind speed due to changes in the local meteorological conditions can lead to electrical power variations of the order of the nominal power output. In small grids, as they exist for example on some islands in the French West Indies, such fluctuations can cause instabilities in case of intermediate power shortages. To palliate these difficulties, it is essential to identify and characterize the wind speed distributions. This allows to anticipate the eventuality of power shortage or power surge. Therefore, it is of interest to categorize wind speed fluctuations into distinct classes and to estimate the probability of a distribution to belong to a class. This paper presents a method for classifying wind speed histograms by estimating a finite mixture of Dirichlet distributions. The SAEM algorithm that we use provides a fine distinction between wind speed distribution classes. It's a new nonparametric method for wind speed sequences classification. However, we show that the wind speed distributions in each class correspond to specific Gram- Charlier densities.


Kshirsagar--Tan independence property of beta matrices and related characterizations

Abstract: A new independence property of univariate beta distributions, related to the results of Kshirsagar and Tan for beta matrices, is presented. Conversely, a characterization of univariate beta laws through this independence property is proved. A related characterization of a family of $2\times2$ random matrices including beta matrices is also obtained. The main technical challenge was a problem involving the solution of a related functional equation.


Central limit theorems for double Poisson integrals

Abstract: Motivated by second order asymptotic results, we characterize the convergence in law of double integrals, with respect to Poisson random measures, toward a standard Gaussian distribution. Our conditions are expressed in terms of contractions of the kernels. To prove our main results, we use the theory of stable convergence of generalized stochastic integrals developed by Peccati and Taqqu. One of the advantages of our approach is that the conditions are expressed directly in terms of the kernel appearing in the multiple integral and do not make any explicit use of asymptotic dependence properties such as mixing. We illustrate our techniques by an application involving linear and quadratic functionals of generalized Ornstein--Uhlenbeck processes, as well as examples concerning random hazard rates.


Moebius transformations preserving fixed anharmonic ratio

Abstract: O. Kobayashi in 2007 proved that differentiable mappings preserving anharmonic ratio are Moebius transformations. We strengthen his result and prove, that the requirement of differentiability and even of injectivity can be omitted.


Stability of symplectic leaves

Abstract: We find computable criteria for stability of symplectic leaves of Poisson manifolds. Using Poisson geometry as an inspiration, we also give a general criterion for stability of leaves of Lie algebroids, including singular ones. This not only extends but also provides a new approach (and proofs) to the classical stability results for foliations and group actions.


Local times of multifractional Brownian sheets

Abstract: Denote by $H(t)=(H_1(t),...,H_N(t))$ a function in $t\in{\mathbb{R}}_+^N$ with values in $(0,1)^N$. Let $\{B^{H(t)}(t)\}=\{B^{H(t)}(t),t\in{\mathbb{R}}^N_+\}$ be an $(N,d)$-multifractional Brownian sheet (mfBs) with Hurst functional $H(t)$. Under some regularity conditions on the function $H(t)$, we prove the existence, joint continuity and the H\"{o}lder regularity of the local times of $\{B^{H(t)}(t)\}$. We also determine the Hausdorff dimensions of the level sets of $\{B^{H(t)}(t)\}$. Our results extend the corresponding results for fractional Brownian sheets and multifractional Brownian motion to multifractional Brownian sheets.


Homomorphisms of higher categories

Abstract: We describe a construction that to each algebraically specified notion of higher-dimensional category associates a notion of homomorphism which preserves the categorical structure only up to weakly invertible higher cells. The construction is such that these homomorphisms admit a strictly associative and unital composition. We give two applications of this construction. The first is to tricategories; and here we do not obtain the trihomomorphisms defined by Gordon, Power and Street, but only something equivalent in a suitable sense. The second is to Batanin's weak omega-categories.


A Schanuel property for exponentially transcendental powers

Abstract: We prove the analogue of Schanuel's conjecture for raising to the power of an exponentially transcendental real number. All but countably many real numbers are exponentially transcendental. We also give a more general result for several powers in a context which encompasses the complex case.


The simplest problem in the collective dynamics of neural networks: Is synchrony stable?

Abstract: For spiking neural networks we consider the stability problem of global synchrony, arguably the simplest non-trivial collective dynamics in such networks. We find that even this simplest dynamical problem -- local stability of synchrony -- is non-trivial to solve and requires novel methods for its solution. The dynamics in the vicinity of the synchronous state is determined by a multitude of linear operators, in contrast to a single stability matrix in conventional linear stability theory. This unusual property qualitatively depends on network topology and may be neglected for globally coupled homogeneous networks. For generic networks, however, the number of operators increases exponentially with the size of the network. We present methods to treat this multi-operator problem exactly. First, based on the Gershgorin and Perron-Frobenius theorems, we derive bounds on the eigenvalues that provide important information about the synchronization process but are not sufficient to establish the asymptotic stability or instability of the synchronous state. We then present a complete analysis of asymptotic stability for topologically strongly connected networks using simple graph-theoretical considerations. For inhibitory interactions between dissipative (leaky) oscillatory neurons the synchronous state is stable, independent of the parameters and the network connectivity. These results indicate that pulse-like interactions play a profound role in network dynamical systems, and in particular in the dynamics of biological synchronization, unless the coupling is homogeneous and all-to-all.


Conformal Structure of Minimal Surfaces with Finite Topology

Abstract: In this paper, we show that a complete embedded minimal surface in $\Real^3$ with finite topology and one end is conformal to a once-punctured compact Riemann surface. Moreover, using the conformality and embeddedness, we examine the Weierstrass data and conclude that every such surface has Weierstrass data asymptotic to that of the helicoid. More precisely, if $g$ is the stereographic projection of the Gauss map, then in a neighborhood of the puncture, $g(p) = \exp(i\alpha z(p) + F(p))$, where $\alpha \in \Real$, $z=x_3+ix_3^*$ is a holomorphic coordinate defined in this neighborhood and $F(p)$ is holomorphic in the neighborhood and extends over the puncture with a zero there. This further implies that the end is actually Hausdorff close to a helicoid.


Higher localized analytic indices and strict deformation quantization

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the localization of higher analytic indices for Lie groupoids. Let $\gr$ be a Lie groupoid with Lie algebroid $A\gr$. Let $\tau$ be a (periodic) cyclic cocycle over the convolution algebra $\cg$. We say that $\tau$ can be localized if there is a correspondence K^0(A^*\gr)\stackrel{Ind_{\tau}}{\longrightarrow}\mathbb{C} satisfying $Ind_{\tau}(a)=< ind D_a,\tau>$ (Connes pairing). In this case, we call $Ind_{\tau}$ the higher localized index associated to $\tau$. In {Ca4} we use the algebra of functions over the tangent groupoid introduced in {Ca2}, which is in fact a strict deformation quantization of the Schwartz algebra $\sw(A\gr)$, to prove the following results: \item Every bounded continuous cyclic cocycle can be localized. \item If $\gr$ is {\'e}tale, every cyclic cocycle can be localized. We will recall this results with the difference that in this paper, a formula for higher localized indices will be given in terms of an asymptotic limit of a pairing at the level of the deformation algebra mentioned above. We will discuss how the higher index formulas of Connes-Moscovici, Gorokhovsky-Lott fit in this unifying setting.


Skewness Premium with L\'evy Processes

Abstract: We study the skewness premium (SK) introduced by Bates (1991) in a general context using L\'evy Processes. Under a symmetry condition Fajardo and Mordecki (2006) obtain that SK is given by the Bate's $x%$ rule. In this paper we study SK under the absence of that symmetry condition. More exactly, we derive sufficient conditions for SK to be positive, in terms of the characteristic triplet of the L\'evy Process under the risk neutral measure.


Supporting degrees of multi-graded local cohomolgoy modules

Abstract: For a finitely generated graded module $M$ over a positively-graded commutative Noetherian ring $R$, the second author established in 1999 some restrictions, which can be formulated in terms of the Castelnuovo regularity of $M$ or the so-called $a^*$-invariant of $M$, on the supporting degrees of a graded-indecomposable graded-injective direct summand, with associated prime ideal containing the irrelevant ideal of $R$, of any term in the minimal graded-injective resolution of $M$. Earlier, in 1995, T. Marley had established connections between finitely graded local cohomology modules of $M$ and local behaviour of $M$ across $\Proj(R)$. The purpose of this paper is to present some multi-graded analogues of the above-mentioned work.


Sharp large deviations for the fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process

Abstract: We investigate the sharp large deviation properties of the energy and the maximum likelihood estimator for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process driven by a fractional Brownian motion with Hurst index greater than one half.


A version of geometric motivic integration that specializes to p-adic integration via point counting

Abstract: We give a version of geometric motivic integration that specializes to p-adic integration via point counting. This has been done before for stable sets; we extend this to more general sets. The main problem in doing this is that it requires to take limits, hence the measure will have to take values in a completion of the (localized) Grothendieck ring of varieties. The standard choice is to complete with respect to the dimension filtration; however, since the point counting homomorphism is not continuous with respect to this topology we have to use a stronger one. The first part of the paper is devoted to defining this topology; in the second part we will then see that many of the standard constructions of geometric motivic integration work also in this setting.


Quadratic functors on pointed categories

Abstract: We study polynomial functors of degree 2, called quadratic, with values in the category of abelian groups $Ab$, and whose source category is an arbitrary category $\C$ with null object such that all objects are colimits of copies of a generating object $E$ which is small and regular projective; this includes all pointed algebraic varieties. More specifically, we are interested in such quadratic functors $F$ from $\C$ to $Ab$ which preserve filtered colimits and suitable coequalizers; one may take reflexive ones if $\C$ is Mal'cev and Barr exact. A functorial equivalence is established between such functors $F:\C\to Ab$ and certain minimal algebraic data which we call quadratic $\C$-modules: these involve the values on $E$ of the cross-effects of $F$ and certain structure maps generalizing the second Hopf invariant and the Whitehead product. Applying this general result to the case where $E$ is a cogroup these data take a particularly simple form. This application extends results of Baues and Pirashvili obtained for $\C$ being the category of groups or of modules over some ring; here quadratic $\C$-modules are equivalent with abelian square groups or quadratic $R$-modules, respectively.


The law of series

Abstract: We consider an ergodic process on finitely many states, with positive entropy. Our first main result asserts that the distribution function of the normalized waiting time for the first visit to a small (i.e., over a long block) cylinder set $B$ is, for majority of such cylinders and up to epsilon, dominated by the exponential distribution function $1-e^{-t}$. That is, the occurrences of so understood "rare event" $B$ along the time axis can appear either with gap sizes of nearly exponential distribution (like in the independent Bernoulli process), or they "attract" each-other. Our second main result states that a {\it typical} ergodic process of positive entropy has the following property: the distribution functions of the normalized hitting times for the majority of cylinders $B$ of lengths $n'$ converge to zero along a \sq\ $n'$ whose upper density is 1. The occurrences of such a cylinder $B$ "strongly attract", i.e., they appear in "series" of many frequent repetitions separated by huge gaps of nearly complete absence. These results, when properly and carefully interpreted, shed some new light, in purely statistical terms, independently from physics, on a century old (and so far rather avoided by serious science) common-sense phenomenon known as {\it the law of series}, asserting that rare events in reality, once occurred, have a mysterious tendency for untimely repetitions.


Quasi-isometries between visual hyperbolic spaces

Abstract: We prove that a PQ-symmetric homeomorphism between two complete metric spaces can be extended to a quasi-isometry between their hyperbolic approximations. This result is used to prove that two visual Gromov hyperbolic spaces are quasi-isometric if and only if there is a PQ-symmetric homeomorphism between their boundaries.


Logarithmic dimension bounds for the maximal function along a polynomial curve

Abstract: Let M denote the maximal function along the polynomial curve p(t)=(t,t^2,...,t^d) in R^d: M(f)=sup_{r>0} (1/2r) \int_{|t|<r} |f(x-p(t))| dt. We show that the L^2-norm of this operator grows at most logarithmically with the parameter d: ||M||_2 < c log d ||f||_2, where c>0 is an absolute constant. The proof depends on the explicit construction of a "parabolic" semi-group of operators which is a mixture of stable semi-groups.


Spontaneous clustering in theoretical and some empirical stationary processes

Abstract: In a stationary ergodic process, clustering is defined as the tendency of events to appear in series of increased frequency separated by longer breaks. Such behavior, contradicting the theoretical "unbiased behavior" with exponential distribution of the gaps between appearances, is commonly observed in experimental processes and often difficult to explain. In the last section we relate one such empirical example of clustering, in the area of marine technology. In the theoretical part of the paper we prove, using ergodic theory and the notion of category, that clustering (even very strong) is in fact typical for "rare events" defined as long cylinder sets in processes generated by a finite partition of an arbitrary (infinite aperiodic) ergodic measure preserving transformation.


Constructing Stein manifolds after Eliashberg

Abstract: A unified summary is given of the existence theory of Stein manifolds in all dimensions, based on published and pending literature. Eliashberg's characterization of manifolds admitting Stein structures requires an extra delicate hypothesis in complex dimension 2, which can be eliminated by passing to the topological setting and invoking Freedman theory. The situation is quite similar if one asks which open subsets of a fixed complex manifold can be made Stein by an isotopy. As an application of these theorems, one can construct uncountably many diffeomorphism types of exotic R^4's realized as Stein open subsets of C^2 (i.e. domains of holomorphy). More generally, every domain of holomorphy in C^2 is topologically isotopic to other such domains realizing uncountably many diffeomorphism types. Any tame n-complex in a complex n-manifold can be isotoped to become a nested intersection of Stein open subsets, provided the isotopy is topological when n=2. In the latter case, the Stein neighborhoods are homeomorphic, but frequently realize uncountably many diffeomorphism types. It is also proved that every exhausting Morse function can be subdivided to yield a locally finite handlebody of the same maximal index, both in the context of smooth n-manifolds and for Stein surfaces.


A priori estimates for the motion of a self-gravitating incompressible liquid with free surface boundary

Abstract: In this paper, we prove a priori estimates in Lagrangian coordinates for the equations of motion of an incompressible, inviscid, self-gravitating fluid with free boundary. The estimates show that on a finite time interval we control five derivatives of the fluid velocity and five and a half derivatives of the coordinates of the moving domain.


Generic bounds for Frobenius closure and tight closure

Abstract: We use geometric and cohomological methods to show that given a degree bound for membership in ideals of a fixed degree type in the polynomial ring P=k[x_0,..., x_d], one obtains a good generic degree bound for membership in the tight closure of an ideal of that degree type in any standard-graded k-algebra R of dimension d+1. This indicates that the tight closure of an ideal behaves more uniformly than the ideal itself. Moreover, if R is normal, one obtains a generic bound for membership in the Frobenius closure. If d is at most 2, then the bound for ideal membership in P can be computed from the known cases of the Froeberg conjecture and yields explicit generic tight closure bounds.


Transitive orientations in bull-reducible Berge graphs

Abstract: A bull is a graph with five vertices $r, y, x, z, s$ and five edges $ry$, $yx$, $yz$, $xz$, $zs$. A graph $G$ is bull-reducible if no vertex of $G$ lies in two bulls. We prove that every bull-reducible Berge graph $G$ that contains no antihole is weakly chordal, or has a homogeneous set, or is transitively orientable. This yields a fast polynomial time algorithm to color exactly the vertices of such a graph.


Quadratic Binomial APN Functions and Absolutely Irreducible Polynomials

Abstract: We show that many quadratic binomial functions on a finite field of characteristic 2 are not APN infinitely often. This is of interest in the light of recent discoveries of new families of quadratic binomial APN functions. The proof uses the Weil bound from algebraic geometry.


Some new examples with almost positive curvature

Abstract: As a means to better understanding manifolds with positive curvature, there has been much recent interest in the study of non-negatively curved manifolds which contain points at which all 2-planes have positive curvature. We show that there are generalisations of the well-known Eschenburg spaces and quotients of $\sph^7 \x \sph^7$ which admit metrics with this property.


Filiform nilsolitons of dimension 8

Abstract: A Riemannian manifold (M,g) is said to be Einstein if its Ricci tensor satisfies ric(g) = cg, for some real number c. In the homogeneous case, a problem that is still open is the so called Alekseevskii Conjecture. This conjecture says that any homogeneous Einstein space with negative scalar curvature (i.e. c < 0) is a solvmanifold: a simply connected solvable Lie group endowed with a left invariant Riemannian metric. The aim of this paper is to classify Einstein solvmanifolds of dimension 9 whose nilradicals are 7-step nilpotent Lie algebras of dimension 8.


The loop cohomology of a space with the polynomial cohomology algebra

Abstract: Given a simply connected space $X$ with the cohomology $H^*(X;{\mathbb Z}_2)$ to be polynomial, we calculate the loop cohomology algebra $H^*(\Omega X;{\mathbb Z}_2)$ by means of the action of the Steenrod cohomology operation $Sq_1$ on $H^*(X;{\mathbb Z}_2).$ As a consequence we obtain that $H^*(\Omega X;{\mathbb Z}_2)$ is the exterior algebra if and only if $Sq_1$ is multiplicatively decomposable on $H^{\ast}(X;{\mathbb Z}_2).$ The last statement in fact contains a converse of a theorem of A. Borel.


Units of ring spectra and Thom spectra

Abstract: We review and extend the theory of Thom spectra and the associated obstruction theory for orientations. We recall (from May, Quinn, and Ray) that a commutative ring spectrum A has a spectrum of units gl(A). To a map of spectra f: b -> bgl(A), we associate a commutative A-algebra Thom spectrum Mf, which admits a commutative A-algebra map to R if and only if b -> bgl(A) -> bgl(R) is null. If A is an associative ring spectrum, then to a map of spaces f: B -> BGL(A) we associate an A-module Thom spectrum Mf, which admits an R-orientation if and only if B -> BGL(A) -> BGL(R) is null. We also note that BGL(A) classifies the twists of A-theory. We develop and compare two approaches to the theory of Thom spectra. The first involves a rigidified model of A-infinity and E-infinity spaces. Our second approach is via infinity categories. In order to compare these approaches to one another and to the classical theory, we characterize the Thom spectrum functor from the perspective of Morita theory.


Computing Gorenstein Colength

Abstract: Given an Artinian local ring $R$, we define its Gorenstein colength $g(R)$ to measure how closely we can approximate $R$ by a Gorenstein Artin local ring. In this paper, we show that $R = T/I$ satisfies the inequality $g(R) \leq \lambda(R/\soc(R))$ in the following two cases: (a) $T$ is a power series ring over a field of characteristic zero and $I$ an ideal that is the power of a system of parameters or (b) $T$ is a 2-dimensional regular local ring with infinite residue field and $I$ is primary to the maximal ideal of $T$. In the first case, we compute $g(R)$ by constructing a Gorenstein Artin local ring mapping onto $R$. We further use this construction to show that an ideal that is the $n$th power of a system of parameters is directly linked to the $(n-1)$st power via Gorenstein ideals. A similar method shows that such ideals are also directly linked to themselves via Gorenstein ideals. Keywords: Gorenstein colength; Gorenstein linkage.


Alternative algebras with the hyperbolic property

Abstract: We investigate the structure of an alternative finite dimensional $\Q$-algebra $\mathfrak{A}$ subject to the condition that for a $\Z$-order $\Gamma \subset \mathfrak{A}$, and thus for every $\Z$-order of $\mathfrak{A}$, the loop of units of $\U (\Gamma)$ does not contain a free abelian subgroup of rank two. In particular, we prove that the radical of such an algebra associates with the whole algebra. We also classify $RA$-loops $L$ for which $\mathbb{Z}L$ has this property. The classification for group rings is still an open problem.


Online Coordinate Boosting

Abstract: We present a new online boosting algorithm for adapting the weights of a boosted classifier, which yields a closer approximation to Freund and Schapire's AdaBoost algorithm than previous online boosting algorithms. We also contribute a new way of deriving the online algorithm that ties together previous online boosting work. We assume that the weak hypotheses were selected beforehand, and only their weights are updated during online boosting. The update rule is derived by minimizing AdaBoost's loss when viewed in an incremental form. The equations show that optimization is computationally expensive. However, a fast online approximation is possible. We compare approximation error to batch AdaBoost on synthetic datasets and generalization error on face datasets and the MNIST dataset.


Manifolds of semi-negative curvature

Abstract: The notion of nonpositive curvature in Alexandrov's sense is extended to include p-uniformly convex Banach spaces. Infinite dimensional manifolds of semi-negative curvature with a p-uniformly convex tangent norm fall in this class on nonpositively curved spaces, and several well-known results, such as existence and uniqueness of best approximations from convex closed sets, or the Bruhat-Tits fixed point theorem, are shown to hold in this setting, without dimension restrictions. Homogeneous spaces G/K of Banach-Lie groups of semi-negative curvature are also studied, explicit estimates on the geodesic distance and sectional curvature are obtained. A characterization of convex homogeneous submanifolds is given in terms of the Banach-Lie algebras. A splitting theorem via convex expansive submanifolds is proven, inducing the corresponding splitting of the Banach-Lie group G. Finally, these notions are used to study the structure of the classical Banach-Lie groups of bounded linear operators acting on a Hilbert space, and the splittings induced by conditional expectations in such setting.


Simplicity of finitely-aligned k-graph C*-algebras

Abstract: It is shown that no local periodicity is equivalent to the aperiodicity condition for arbitrary finitely-aligned k-graphs. This allows us to conclude that C*(\Lambda) is simple if and only if \Lambda is cofinal and has no local periodicity.


Hyperbolicity of Semigroup Algebras II

Abstract: In 1996 Jespers and Wang classified finite semigroups whose integral semigroup ring has finitely many units. In a recent paper, Iwaki-Juriaans-Souza Filho continued this line of research by partially classifying the finite semigroups whose rational semigroup algebra %over a field of characteristic zero, contains a ${\mathbb{Z}}$-order with hyperbolic unit group. In this paper we complete this classification by handling the case in which the semigroup is semi-simple.


Smoothness and jet schemes

Abstract: This paper shows some criteria for a scheme of finite type over an algebraically closed field to be non-singular in terms of jet schemes. For the base field of characteristic zero, the scheme is non-singular if and only if one of the truncation morphisms of its jet schemes is flat. For the positive characteristic case, we obtain a similar characterization under the reducedness condition on the scheme. We also obtain by a simple discussion that the scheme is non-singular if and only if one of its jet schemes is non-singular.


Harmonic forms on principal bundles

Abstract: We show a relationship between Chern-Simons 1- and 3-forms and harmonic forms on a principal bundle. Doing so requires one to consider an adiabatic limit. For the 3-form case, assume that G is simple and the corresponding Chern-Weil 4-form is exact. Then, the Chern-Simons 3-form on the princpal bundle G-bundle, minus a canonical term from the base, is harmonic in the adiabatic limit.


Nonreflexive Banach SSD spaces

Abstract: In this paper, we unify the theory of SSD spaces, part of the theory of strongly representable multifunctions, and the theory of the equivalence of various classes of maximally monotone multifunctions.


Extra extension properties of equidimensional holomorphic mappings: results and open questions

Abstract: Holomorphic (nondegenerate) mappings between complex manifolds of the same dimension are of special interest. For example, they appear as coverings of complex manifolds. At the same time they have very strong "extra" extension properties in compare with mappings in different dimensions. The aim of this paper is to put together the known results on this subject, give some perspective on the general strategy for future progress, prove some new results and formulate open questions.


Ad-nilpotent Ideals and Equivalence Relations

Abstract: In this paper we study ad-nilpotent ideals of a complex simple Lie algebra $\ccg$ and their connections with affine Weyl groups and nilpotent orbits. We define a left equivalence relation for ad-nilpotent ideals based on their normalizer and generators, and prove that the equivalence relation is compatible with the left cell structure of affine Weyl group of $\ccg$ and Lusztig's star operator for type $\tilde A_{n-1}$.


Ad-nilpotent Ideals of Minimal Dimension

Abstract: n this paper we study ad-nilpotent ideals of a complex simple Lie algebra $\ccg$ and their connections with affine Weyl groups and nilpotent orbits. We define a left equivalence relation for ad-nilpotent ideals based on their normalizer and generators, and prove that the equivalence relation is compatible with the left cell structure of affine Weyl group of $\ccg$ and Lusztig's star operator for type $\tilde A_{n-1}$.


On ergodicity of some Markov processes

Abstract: We formulate a criterion for the existence and uniqueness of an invariant measure for a Markov process taking values in a Polish phase space. In addition, weak-$^*$ ergodicity, that is, the weak convergence of the ergodic averages of the laws of the process starting from any initial distribution, is established. The principal assumptions are the existence of a lower bound for the ergodic averages of the transition probability function and its local uniform continuity. The latter is called the e-property. The general result is applied to solutions of some stochastic evolution equations in Hilbert spaces. As an example, we consider an evolution equation whose solution describes the Lagrangian observations of the velocity field in the passive tracer model. The weak-$^*$ mean ergodicity of the corresponding invariant measure is used to derive the law of large numbers for the trajectory of a tracer.


Some structural results on the non-abelian tensor square of groups

Abstract: We study the non-abelian tensor square $G\otimes G$ for the class of groups G that are finitely generated modulo their derived subgroup. In particular, we find conditions on G/G' so that $G\otimes G$ is isomorphic to the direct product of $\nabla(G)$ and the non-abelian exterior square $G\wedge G$. For any group G, we characterize the non-abelian exterior square $G\wedge G$ in terms of a presentation of G. Finally, we apply our results to some classes of groups, such as the classes of free soluble and free nilpotent groups of finite rank, and some classes of finite p-groups.


Open maps between shift spaces

Abstract: Given a code from a shift space to an irreducible sofic shift, any two of the following three conditions -- open, constant-to-one, (right or left) closing -- imply the third. If the range is not sofic, then the same result holds when bi-closingness replaces closingness. Properties of open mappings between shift spaces are investigated in detail. In particular, we show that a closing open (or constant-to-one) extension preserves the structure of a sofic shift.


Automorphism groups of domains that depend on fewer than the maximal number of parameters

Abstract: We study domains in complex $n$-space with automorphism group that does not depend on the full $n$ dimensions of the ambient space. A sufficient geometric condition is obtained to guarantee that a domain has such a "thin" automorphism group. Examples are provided to illustrate the ideas.


Strong Influence of a Small Fiber on Shear Stress in Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract: In stiff fiber-reinforced material, the high shear stress concentration occurs in the narrow region between fibers. With the addition of a small geometric change in cross-section, such as a thin fiber or a overhanging part of fiber, the concentration is significantly increased. This paper presents mathematical analysis to explain the rapidly increased growth of the stress by a small particle in cross-section. To do so, we consider two crucial cases where a thin fiber exists between a pair of fibers, and where one of two fibers has a protruding small lump in cross-section. For each case, the optimal lower and upper bounds on the stress associated with the geometrical factors of fibers is established to explain the strongly increased growth of the stress by a small particle.


On the existence of open and bi-continuing codes

Abstract: Given an irreducible sofic shift X, we show that an an irreducible SFT Y of lower entropy is a factor of X if and only if it is a factor of X by an open bi-continuing code. If these equivalent conditions hold and Y is mixing, then any code from a proper subshift of X to Y can be extended to an open bi-continuing code on X. These results are still valid when X is assumed to be only an almost specified shift, i.e., a subshift satisfying an irreducible version of the specification property.


Unital versions of the higher order peak algebras

Abstract: We construct unital extensions of the higher order peak algebras defined by Krob and the third author in [Ann. Comb. 9 (2005), 411--430.], and show that they can be obtained as homomorphic images of certain subalgebras of the Mantaci-Reutenauer algebras of type B. This generalizes a result of Bergeron, Nyman and the first author [Trans. AMS 356 (2004), 2781--2824.].


Stochastic flows with reflection

Abstract: Some topological properties of stochastic flow $\varphi_t(x)$ generated by stochastic differential equation in a ${\mathbb R}^d_+$ with normal reflection at the boundary are investigated. Sobolev differentiability in initial condition is received. The absolute continuity of the measure-valued process $\mu\circ\varphi_t^{-1}$, where $\mu\ll\lambda^d,$ is studied.


Gram determinant of planar curves

Abstract: We investigate the Gram determinant of the bilinear form based on curves in a planar surface, with a focus on the disk with two holes. We prove that the determinant based on $n-1$ curves divides the determinant based on $n$ curves. Motivated by the work on Gram determinants based on curves in a disk and curves in an annulus (Temperley-Lieb algebra of type $A$ and $B$, respectively), we calculate several examples of the Gram determinant based on curves in a disk with two holes and advance conjectures on the complete factorization of Gram determinants.


Endpoint maximal and smoothing estimates for Schroedinger equations

Abstract: For $\alpha >1$ we consider the initial value problem for the dispersive equation $i\partial_t u +(-\Delta)^{\alpha/2} u= 0$. We prove an endpoint $L^p$ inequality for the maximal function $\sup_{t\in[0,1]}|u(\cdot,t)|$ with initial values in $L^p$-Sobolev spaces, for $p\in(2+4/(d+1),\infty)$. This strengthens the fixed time estimates due to Fefferman and Stein, and Miyachi. As an essential tool we establish sharp $L^p$ space-time estimates (local in time) for the same range of $p$.


Generalized improper integral definition for finite limit

Abstract: A generalization of the definition of a one-dimensional improper integral with a finite limit is presented. The new definition extends the range of valid integrals to include integrals which were previously considered to not be integrable. This definition is shown to be equivalent to the infinite limit definition presented in "Generalized improper integral definition for infinite limit" (arXiv:0805.3559) via a particular change of variable of integration. The definition preserves linearity and uniqueness. Integrals which are valid under the conventional definition have the same value under the new definition. Criteria for interchanging the order of integration and differentiation, and for interchanging the order with a second integration, are obtained. Examples are provided.


A note on lattice-face polytopes and their Ehrhart polynomials

Abstract: We give a new definition of lattice-face polytopes by removing an unnecessary restriction in the paper "Ehrhart polynomials of lattice-face polytopes", and show that with the new definition, the Ehrhart polynomial of a lattice-face polytope still has the property that each coefficient is the normalized volume of a projection of the original polytope. Furthermore, we show that the new family of lattice-face polytopes contains all possible combinatorial types of rational polytopes.


The Yoneda algebra of a K_2 algebra need not be another K_2 algebra

Abstract: The Yoneda algebra of a Koszul algebra or a D-Koszul algebra is Koszul. K_2 algebras are a natural generalization of Koszul algebras, and one would hope that the Yoneda algebra of a K_2 algebra would be another K_2 algebra. We show that this is not necessarily the case by constructing a monomial K_2 algebra for which the corresponding Yoneda algebra is not K_2.


Equidistribution of sparse sequences on nilmanifolds

Abstract: We study equidistribution properties of nil-orbits $(b^nx)_{n\in\N}$ when the parameter $n$ is restricted to the range of some sparse sequence that is not necessarily polynomial. For example, we show that if $X=G/\Gamma$ is a nilmanifold, $b\in G$ is an ergodic nilrotation, and $c\in \R\setminus \Z$ is positive, then the sequence $(b^{[n^c]}x)_{n\in\N}$ is equidistributed in $X$ for every $x\in X$. This is also the case when $n^c$ is replaced with $a(n)$, where $a(t)$ is a function that belongs to some Hardy field, has polynomial growth, and stays logarithmically away from polynomials, and when it is replaced with a random sequence of integers with sub-exponential growth. Similar results have been established by Boshernitzan when $X$ is the circle.


A Stochastic Representation for Backward Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations

Abstract: By reversing the time variable we derive a stochastic representation for backward incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in terms of stochastic Lagrangian paths, which is similar to Constantin and Iyer's forward formulations in \cite{Co-Iy}. Using this representation, a self-contained proof of local existence of solutions in Sobolev spaces are provided for incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in the whole space. In two dimensions or large viscosity, an alternative proof to the global existence is also given. Moreover, a large deviation estimate for stochastic particle trajectories is presented when the viscosity tends to zero.


Computing inclusions of Schur modules

Abstract: We describe a software package for constructing minimal free resolutions of GL_n(Q)-equivariant graded modules M over Q[x_1, ..., x_n] such that for all i, the ith syzygy module of M is generated in a single degree. We do so by describing some algorithms for manipulating polynomial representations of the general linear group GL_n(Q) following ideas of Olver and Eisenbud-Floystad-Weyman.


On total dominating sets in graphs

Abstract: A set $S$ of vertices in a graph $G(V,E)$ is called a dominating set if every vertex $v\in V$ is either an element of $S$ or is adjacent to an element of $S$. A set $S$ of vertices in a graph $G(V,E)$ is called a total dominating set if every vertex $v\in V$ is adjacent to an element of $S$. The domination number of a graph $G$ denoted by $\gamma(G)$ is the minimum cardinality of a dominating set in $G$. Respectively the total domination number of a graph $G$ denoted by $\gamma_t(G)$ is the minimum cardinality of a total dominating set in $G$. An upper bound for $\gamma_t(G)$ which has been achieved by Cockayne and et al. in $\cite{coc}$ is: for any graph $G$ with no isolated vertex and maximum degree $\Delta(G)$ and $n$ vertices, $\gamma_t(G)\leq n-\Delta(G)+1$. Here we characterize bipartite graphs and trees which achieve this upper bound. Further we present some another upper and lower bounds for $\gamma_t(G)$. Also, for circular complete graphs, we determine the value of $\gamma_t(G)$.


Parametrized Borsuk-Ulam problem for projective space bundles

Abstract: Let $\pi: E \to B$ be a fiber bundle with fiber having the mod 2 cohomology algebra of a real or a complex projective space and let $\pi^{'}: E^{'} \to B$ be vector bundle such that $\mathbb{Z}_2$ acts fiber preserving and freely on $E$ and $E^{'}-0$, where 0 stands for the zero section of the bundle $\pi^{'}:E^{'} \to B$. For a fiber preserving $\mathbb{Z}_2$-equivariant map $f:E \to E^{'}$, we estimate the cohomological dimension of the zero set $Z_f = \{x \in E | f(x)= 0\}.$ As an application, we also estimate the cohomological dimension of the $\mathbb{Z}_2$-coincidence set $A_f=\{x \in E | f(x) = f(T(x)) \}$ of a fiber preserving map $f:E \to E^{'}$.


Polynomial Representation of $F_4$ and a New Combinatorial Identity about Twenty-Four

Abstract: Singular vectors of a representation of a finite-dimensional simple Lie algebra are weight vectors in the underlying module that are nullified by positive root vectors. In this article, we use partial differential equations to find all the singular vectors of the polynomial representation of the simple Lie algebra of type $F_4$ over its basic irreducible module. As applications, we obtain a new combinatorial identity about the number 24 and explicit generators of invariants. Moreover, we show that the number of irreducible submodules contained in the space of homogeneous harmonic polynomials with degree $k\geq 2$ is $\geq [|k/3|]+[|(k-2)/3|]+2$.


Scientists who engage with society perform better academically

Abstract: Most scientific institutions acknowledge the importance of opening the so-called 'ivory tower' of academic research through popularization, industrial collaboration or teaching. However, little is known about the actual openness of scientific institutions and how their proclaimed priorities translate into concrete measures. This paper gives an idea of some actual practices by studying three key points: the proportion of researchers who are active in wider dissemination, the academic productivity of these scientists, and the institutional recognition of their wider dissemination activities in terms of their careers. We analyze extensive data about the academic production, career recognition and teaching or public/industrial outreach of several thousand of scientists, from many disciplines, from France's Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. We find that, contrary to what is often suggested, scientists active in wider dissemination are also more active academically. However, their dissemination activities have almost no impact (positive or negative) on their careers.


Dynamics of automorphisms on projective complex manifolds

Abstract: We show that the dynamics of automorphisms on all projective complex manifolds X (of dimension 3, or of any dimension but assuming the Good Minimal Model Program or Mori's Program) are canonically built up from the dynamics on just three types of projective complex manifolds: complex tori, weak Calabi-Yau manifolds and rationally connected manifolds. As a by-product, we confirm the conjecture of Guedj for automorphisms on 3-dimensional projective manifolds, and also determine pi_1(X).


Low regularity for a quadratic Schr\"odinger equation on the circle

Abstract: In this paper we consider a Schrodinger equation on the circle with a quadratic nonlinearity. Thanks to an explicit computation of the first Picard iterate, we give a precision on the dynamic of the solution, whose existence was proved by C. E. Kenig, G. Ponce and L. Vega. We also show that the equation is well-posed in a space based on Lp norms in frequencies.


Metric aspects of noncommutative homogeneous spaces

Abstract: For a closed cocompact subgroup $\Gamma$ of a locally compact group $G$, given a compact abelian subgroup $K$ of $G$ and a homomorphism $\rho:\hat{K}\to G$ satisfying certain conditions, Landstad and Raeburn constructed equivariant noncommutative deformations $C^*(\hat{G}/\Gamma, \rho)$ of the homogeneous space $G/\Gamma$, generalizing Rieffel's construction of quantum Heisenberg manifolds. We show that when $G$ is a Lie group and $G/\Gamma$ is connected, given any norm on the Lie algebra of $G$, the seminorm on $C^*(\hat{G}/\Gamma, \rho)$ induced by the derivation map of the canonical $G$-action defines a compact quantum metric. Furthermore, it is shown that this compact quantum metric space depends on $\rho$ continuously, with respect to quantum Gromov-Hausdorff distances.


Smooth approximation of Lipschitz projections

Abstract: We show that any Lipschitz projection-valued function p on a connected closed Riemannian manifold can be approximated uniformly by smooth projection-valued functions q with Lipschitz constant close to that of p. This answers a question of Rieffel.


Left-Garside categories, self-distributivity, and braids

Abstract: In connection with the emerging theory of Garside categories, we develop the notions of a left-Garside category and of a locally left-Garside monoid. In this framework, the connection between the self-distributivity law LD and braids amounts to the result that a certain category associated with LD is a left-Garside category, which projects onto the standard Garside category of braids. This approach leads to a realistic program for establishing the Embedding Conjecture of [Dehornoy, Braids and Self-distributivity, Birkhauser (2000), Chap. IX].


On nearly radial marginals of high-dimensional probability measures

Abstract: We prove that any absolutely continuous probability measure on a high-dimensional linear space has low-dimensional marginals that are approximately spherically-symmetric.


Counting Descents in Standard Young Tableaux

Abstract: This paper deals with the distribution of descent number in standard Young tableaux of certain shapes. A simple explicit formula is presented for the number of tableaux of any shape with two rows, with any specified number of descents. For shapes of three rows with one cell in the third row recursive formulas are given, and are solved in certain cases.


Iteratively algebraic orders

Abstract: A short proof of a theorem of M.H. Albert, and its application to lattices.


Le theoreme de periodicite en K-theorie hermitienne

Abstract: Bott periodicity plays an important role in topological K-theory. The purpose of this paper is to extend the periodicity theorem in a discrete context, where all classical groups are involved and not just the general linear group. The present paper generalizes previous results of the author [K1] and [K2], where 2 was assumed to be invertible in the rings involved. For the proof, two important ideas have to be mentioned : the first one is due to Ranicki [R] who introduced a kind of "enlarged" orthogonal group ; the second one is a genuine cup-product between quadratic forms due to Clauwens [C]. As an example of results obtained, we prove that the higher Witt groups of a finite field of characteristic 2 are all isomorphic to Z/2. They generalize in some sense the Dickson and Arf invariants.


Elliptic equations in divergence form with partially BMO coefficients

Abstract: The solvability in Sobolev spaces is proved for divergence form second order elliptic equations in the whole space, a half space, and a bounded Lipschitz domain. For equations in the whole space or a half space, the leading coefficients $a^{ij}$ are assumed to be measurable in one direction and have small BMO semi-norms in the other directions. For equations in a bounded domain, additionally we assume that $a^{ij}$ have small BMO semi-norms in a neighborhood of the boundary of the domain. We give a unified approach of both the Dirichlet boundary problem and the conormal derivative problem. We also investigate elliptic equations in Sobolev spaces with mixed norms under the same assumptions on the coefficients.


Averages of central L-values of Hilbert modular forms with an application to subconvexity

Abstract: We use the relative trace formula to obtain exact formulas for central values of certain twisted quadratic base change L-functions averaged over Hilbert modular forms of a fixed weight and level. We apply these formulas to the subconvexity problem for these L-functions. We also establish an equidistribution result for the Hecke eigenvalues weighted by these L-values.


Geometric entropy of geodesic currents on free groups

Abstract: A \emph{geodesic current} on a free group $F$ is an $F$-invariant measure on the set $\partial^2 F$ of pairs of distinct points of $\partial F$. The space of geodesic currents on $F$ is a natural companion of Culler-Vogtmann's Outer space $cv(F)$ and studying them together yields new information about both spaces as well as about the group $Out(F)$. The main aim of this paper is to introduce and study the notion of {\it geometric entropy} $h_T(\mu)$ of a geodesic current $\mu$ with respect to a point $T$ of $cv(F)$, which can be viewed as a length function on $F$. The geometric entropy is defined as the slowest rate of exponential decay of $\mu$-measures of bi-infinite cylinders in $F$, as the $T$-length of the word defining such a cylinder goes to infinity. We obtain an explicit formula for $h_{T'}(\mu_T)$, where $T,T'$ are arbitrary points in $cv(F)$ and where $\mu_T$ denotes a Patterson-Sullivan current corresponding to $T$. It involves the volume entropy $h(T)$ and the extremal distortion of distances in $T$ with respect to distances in $T'$. It follows that, given $T$ in the projectivized outer space $CV(F)$, $h_{T'}(\mu_T)$ as function of $T'\in CV(F)$ achieves a strict global maximum at $T'=T$. We also show that for any $T\in cv(F)$ and any geodesic current $\mu$ on $F$, $h_T(\mu)\le h(T)$, where the equality is realized when $\mu=\mu_T$. For points $T\in cv(F)$ with simplicial metric (where all edges have length one), we relate the geometric entropy of a current and the measure-theoretic entropy.


Analytic subordination results in free probability from non-coassociative derivation-comultiplications

Abstract: We extend Voiculescu's approach to analytic subordination through the coalgebra of the free difference quotient to non-coassociative derivation-comultiplications appearing in free probability theory. We obtain new proofs of Voiculescu's analytic subordination results for freely Markovian triples, and for multiplication of unitaries which are free with amalgamation.


Ray Class Groups of Quadratic and Cyclotomic Fields

Abstract: This paper studies Galois extensions over real quadratic number fields or cyclotomic number fields ramified only at one prime. In both cases, the ray class groups are computed, and they give restrictions on the finite groups that can occur as such Galois groups. Also the explicit structure of ray class groups of regular cyclotomic number field is given.


q-Wakimoto Modules and Integral Formulae of the Quantum Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov Equations

Abstract: Matrix elements of intertwining operators between $q$-Wakimoto modules associated to the tensor product of representations of $U_q(\widehat{sl_2})$ with arbitrary spins are studied. It is shown that they coincide with the Tarasov-Varchenko's formulae of the solutions of the qKZ equations. The result generalizes that of the previous paper [Kuroki K., Nakayashiki A., SIGMA 4 (2008), 049, 13 pages, arXiv:0802.1776].


Image and Reciprocal Image of a Measure. Compatibility Theorem

Abstract: It is proposed that to the usual probability theory, three definitions and a new theorem are added, the resulting theory allows one to displace the central role usually given to the notion of conditional probability. When a mapping $\phi$ is defined between two measurable spaces, to each measure $\mu$ introduced on the first space, there corresponds an image $\phi[\mu]$ on the second space, and, reciprocally, to each measure $\nu$ defined on the second space the corresponds a reciprocal image $\phi^{-1}[\nu]$ on the first space. As the intersection $\cap$ of two measures is easy to introduce, a relation like $ \phi[ \mu \cap \phi^{-1} [\nu] ] = \phi[\mu] \cap \nu $ makes sense. It is, indeed, a theorem of the theory. This theorem gives mathematical consistency to inferences drawn from physical measurements.


Statistical Learning Theory: Models, Concepts, and Results

Abstract: Statistical learning theory provides the theoretical basis for many of today's machine learning algorithms. In this article we attempt to give a gentle, non-technical overview over the key ideas and insights of statistical learning theory. We target at a broad audience, not necessarily machine learning researchers. This paper can serve as a starting point for people who want to get an overview on the field before diving into technical details.


A Charlier-Parseval approach to Poisson approximation and its applications

Abstract: A new approach to Poisson approximation is proposed. The basic idea is very simple and based on properties of the Charlier polynomials and the Parseval identity. Such an approach quickly leads to new effective bounds for several Poisson approximation problems. A selected survey on diverse Poisson approximation results is also given.


Almost $\cal D$-split sequences and derived equivalences

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce almost $\cal D$-split sequences and establish an elementary but somewhat surprising connection between derived equivalences and Auslander-Reiten sequences via BB-tilting modules. In particular, we obtain derived equivalences from Auslander-Reiten sequences (or $n$-almost split sequences), and Auslander-Reiten triangles.


Derived equivalences and stable equivalences of Morita type, I

Abstract: For self-injective algebras, Rickard proved that each derived equivalence induces a stable equivalence of Morita type. For general algebras, it is unknown when a derived equivalence implies a stable equivalence of Morita type. In this paper, we first show that each derived equivalence $F$ between the derived categories of Artin algebras $A$ and $B$ arises naturally a functor $\bar{F}$ between their stable module categories, which can be used to compare certain homological dimensions of $A$ with that of $B$; and then we give a sufficient condition for the functor $\bar{F}$ to be an equivalence. Moreover, if we work with finite-dimensional algebras over a field, then the sufficient condition guarantees the existence of a stable equivalence of Morita type. In this way, we extend the classic result of Rickard. Furthermore, we provide several inductive methods for constructing those derived equivalences that induce stable equivalences of Morita type. It turns out that we may produce a lot of (usually not self-injective) finite-dimensional algebras which are both derived-equivalent and stably equivalent of Morita type, thus they share many common invariants.


Limits of bifractional Brownian noises

Abstract: Let $B^{H,K}=(B^{H,K}_{t}, t\geq 0)$ be a bifractional Brownian motion with two parameters $H\in (0,1)$ and $K\in(0,1]$. The main result of this paper is that the increment process generated by the bifractional Brownian motion $(B^{H,K}_{h+t} -B^{H,K}_{h}, t\geq 0)$ converges when $h\to \infty$ to $(2^{(1-K)/{2}}B^{HK}_{t}, t\geq 0)$, where $(B^{HK}_{t}, t\geq 0)$ is the fractional Brownian motion with Hurst index $HK$. We also study the behavior of the noise associated to the bifractional Brownian motion and limit theorems to $B^{H,K}$.


On connectedness and indecomposibility of local cohomology modules

Abstract: Let $I$ denote an ideal of a local Gorenstein ring $(R, \mathfrak m)$. Then we show that the local cohomology module $H^c_I(R), c = \height I,$ is indecomposable if and only if $V(I_d)$ is connected in codimension one. Here $I_d$ denotes the intersection of the highest dimensional primary components of $I.$ This is a partial extension of a result shown by Hochster and Huneke in the case $I$ the maximal ideal. Moreover there is an analysis of connectedness properties in relation to various aspects of local cohomology. Among others we show that the endomorphism ring of $H^c_I(R)$ is a local Noetherian ring if $\dim R/I = 1.$


When weak Hopf algebras are Frobenius

Abstract: We investigate when a weak Hopf algebra H is Frobenius; we show this is not always true, but it is true if the semisimple base algebra A has all its matrix blocks of the same dimension. However, if A is a semisimple algebra not having this property, there is a weak Hopf algebra H with base A which is not Frobenius (and consequently, it is not Frobenius "over" A either). We give, moreover, a categorical counterpart of the result that a Hopf algebra is a Frobenius algebra for a noncoassociative generalization of weak Hopf algebra.


Adaptive variance function estimation in heteroscedastic nonparametric regression

Abstract: We consider a wavelet thresholding approach to adaptive variance function estimation in heteroscedastic nonparametric regression. A data-driven estimator is constructed by applying wavelet thresholding to the squared first-order differences of the observations. We show that the variance function estimator is nearly optimally adaptive to the smoothness of both the mean and variance functions. The estimator is shown to achieve the optimal adaptive rate of convergence under the pointwise squared error simultaneously over a range of smoothness classes. The estimator is also adaptively within a logarithmic factor of the minimax risk under the global mean integrated squared error over a collection of spatially inhomogeneous function classes. Numerical implementation and simulation results are also discussed.


Dynamics of vortices for the Complex Ginzburg-Landau equation

Abstract: We study a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation in the plane, which has the form of a Gross-Pitaevskii equation with some dissipation added. We focus on the regime corresponding to well-prepared unitary vortices and derive their asymptotic motion law.


On the $U_p$ operator acting on $p$-adic overconvergent modular forms when $X_0(p)$ has genus 1

Abstract: In this article we will show how to compute $U_p$ acting on spaces of overconvergent $p$-adic modular forms when $X_0(p)$ has genus 1. We first give a construction of Banach bases for spaces of overconvergent $p$-adic modular forms, and then give an algorithm to approximate both the characteristic power series of the $U_p$ operator and eigenvectors of finite slope for $U_p$, and present some explicit examples. We will also relate this to the conjectures of Clay on the slopes of overconvergent modular forms.


The mutation class of $D_n$ quivers

Abstract: We give an explicit description of the mutation class of quivers of type D.


Stability of non-sticking periodic oscillations obtained via the averaging method in discontinuous systems. I. Smooth outside of the discontinuity surfaces systems

Abstract: In this paper the statement of the second Bogolyubov's theorem on periodic solutions of smooth systems with small parameter is justified for discountinuous systems. It is assumed that the generating solution intersects the discontinuity hyperplanes transversally and that the system is smooth outside of these hyperplanes. Such a situation is natural for mechanical systems with dry friction and without constraints and sticking of oscillations. To illustrate the result we prove stability of the velocity of vibration-induced displacement.


On the Pierce-Birkhoff Conjecture for Smooth Affine Surfaces over Real Closed Fields

Abstract: We will prove that the Pierce-Birkhoff Conjecture holds for non-singular two-dimensional affine real algebraic varieties over real closed fields, i.e., if W is such a variety, then every piecewise polynomial function on W can be written as suprema of infima of polynomial functions on W. More precisely, we will give a proof of the so-called Connectedness Conjecture for the coordinate rings of such varieties, which implies the Pierce-Birkhoff Conjecture.


Robust nonparametric estimation via wavelet median regression

Abstract: In this paper we develop a nonparametric regression method that is simultaneously adaptive over a wide range of function classes for the regression function and robust over a large collection of error distributions, including those that are heavy-tailed, and may not even possess variances or means. Our approach is to first use local medians to turn the problem of nonparametric regression with unknown noise distribution into a standard Gaussian regression problem and then apply a wavelet block thresholding procedure to construct an estimator of the regression function. It is shown that the estimator simultaneously attains the optimal rate of convergence over a wide range of the Besov classes, without prior knowledge of the smoothness of the underlying functions or prior knowledge of the error distribution. The estimator also automatically adapts to the local smoothness of the underlying function, and attains the local adaptive minimax rate for estimating functions at a point. A key technical result in our development is a quantile coupling theorem which gives a tight bound for the quantile coupling between the sample medians and a normal variable. This median coupling inequality may be of independent interest.


The Toledo invariant on smooth varieties of general type

Abstract: We propose a definition of the Toledo invariant for representations of fundamental groups of smooth varieties of general type into semisimple Lie groups of Hermitian type. This definition allows to generalize the results known in the classical case of representations of complex hyperbolic lattices to this new setting: assuming that the rank of the target Lie group is not greater than two, we prove that the Toledo invariant satisfies a Milnor-Wood type inequality and we characterize the corresponding maximal representations.


On the number of inscribed squares of a simple closed curve in the plane

Abstract: We show that for every positive integer n there is a simple closed curve in the plane (which can be taken infinitely differentiable and convex) which has exactly n inscribed squares.


A SURE Approach for Digital Signal/Image Deconvolution Problems

Abstract: In this paper, we are interested in the classical problem of restoring data degraded by a convolution and the addition of a white Gaussian noise. The originality of the proposed approach is two-fold. Firstly, we formulate the restoration problem as a nonlinear estimation problem leading to the minimization of a criterion derived from Stein's unbiased quadratic risk estimate. Secondly, the deconvolution procedure is performed using any analysis and synthesis frames that can be overcomplete or not. New theoretical results concerning the calculation of the variance of the Stein's risk estimate are also provided in this work. Simulations carried out on natural images show the good performance of our method w.r.t. conventional wavelet-based restoration methods.


Analysis of variance, coefficient of determination and $F$-test for local polynomial regression

Abstract: This paper provides ANOVA inference for nonparametric local polynomial regression (LPR) in analogy with ANOVA tools for the classical linear regression model. A surprisingly simple and exact local ANOVA decomposition is established, and a local R-squared quantity is defined to measure the proportion of local variation explained by fitting LPR. A global ANOVA decomposition is obtained by integrating local counterparts, and a global R-squared and a symmetric projection matrix are defined. We show that the proposed projection matrix is asymptotically idempotent and asymptotically orthogonal to its complement, naturally leading to an $F$-test for testing for no effect. A by-product result is that the asymptotic bias of the ``projected'' response based on local linear regression is of quartic order of the bandwidth. Numerical results illustrate the behaviors of the proposed R-squared and $F$-test. The ANOVA methodology is also extended to varying coefficient models.


Densities, Laplace Transforms and Analytic Number Theory

Abstract: Li showed that the Riemann Hypothesis is equivalent to the nonnegativity of a certain sequence of numbers. Bombieri and Lagarias gave an arithmetic formula for the number sequence based on the Guinand-Weil explicit formula and showed that Li's criterion is equivalent to Weil's criterion for the Riemann Hypothesis. We provide a derivation of the explicit formula based on Laplace transforms and present an alternative expression for Li's criterion that invites a probabilistic interpretation.


Estimation of distributions, moments and quantiles in deconvolution problems

Abstract: When using the bootstrap in the presence of measurement error, we must first estimate the target distribution function; we cannot directly resample, since we do not have a sample from the target. These and other considerations motivate the development of estimators of distributions, and of related quantities such as moments and quantiles, in errors-in-variables settings. We show that such estimators have curious and unexpected properties. For example, if the distributions of the variable of interest, $W$, say, and of the observation error are both centered at zero, then the rate of convergence of an estimator of the distribution function of $W$ can be slower at the origin than away from the origin. This is an intrinsic characteristic of the problem, not a quirk of particular estimators; the property holds true for optimal estimators.


High order resolution of the Maxwell-Fokker-Planck-Landau model intended for ICF applications

Abstract: A high order, deterministic direct numerical method is proposed for the nonrelativistic $2D_{\bf x} \times 3D_{\bf v}$ Vlasov-Maxwell system, coupled with Fokker-Planck-Landau type operators. Such a system is devoted to the modelling of electronic transport and energy deposition in the general frame of Inertial Confinement Fusion applications. It describes the kinetics of plasma physics in the nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium regime. Strong numerical constraints lead us to develop specific methods and approaches for validation, that might be used in other fields where couplings between equations, multiscale physics, and high dimensionality are involved. Parallelisation (MPI communication standard) and fast algorithms such as the multigrid method are employed, that make this direct approach be computationally affordable for simulations of hundreds of picoseconds, when dealing with configurations that present five dimensions in phase space.


Derived Representation Theory and the Algebraic K-theory of Fields

Abstract: We describe the construction which takes as input a profinite group, which when applied the the absolute Galois group of a geometric field F agrees in some cases with the algebraic K-theory of F. We prove that it agrees in the case of a topologically finitely generated abelian absolute Galois group, and conjecture that it agrees for all geometric fields. We also discuss properties of the construction, including relationships with the representation theory of infinite discrete groups.


A survey of Einstein metrics on 4-manifolds

Abstract: We survey some aspects of the current state of research on Einstein metrics on compact 4-manifolds. A number of open problems are presented and discussed.


Complex Valued Analytic Torsion for Flat Bundles and for Holomorphic Bundles with (1,1) Connections

Abstract: The work of Ray and Singer which introduced analytic torsion, a kind of determinant of the Laplacian operator in topological and holomorphic settings, is naturally generalized in both settings. The couplings are extended in a direct way in the topological setting to general flat bundles and in the holomorphic setting to bundles with (1,1) connections, which using the Newlander-Nirenberg Theorem are seen to be the bundles with both holomorphic and anti-holomorphic structures. The resulting natural generalizations of Laplacians are not always self-adjoint and the corresponding generalizations of analytic torsions are thus not always real-valued. The Cheeger-Muller theorem, on equivalence in a topological setting of analytic torsion to classical topological torsion, generalizes to this complex-valued torsion. On the algebraic side the methods introduced include a notion of torsion associated to a complex equipped with both boundary and coboundry maps.


Nondispersive radial solutions to energy supercritical non-linear wave equations, with applications

Abstract: In this paper we establish optimal pointwise decay estimates for non-dispersive (compact) radial solutions to non-linear wave equations in 3 dimensions, in the energy supercritical range. As an application, we show for the full energy supercritical range, in the defocusing case, that if the scale invariant Sobolev norm of a radial solution remains bounded in its maximal interval of existence, then the solution must exist for all times and scatter.


Simplicial complexes and minimal free resolution of monomial algebras

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the combinatorial description of the graded minimal free resolution of certain monomial algebras which includes toric rings. Concretely, we explicitly describe how the graded minimal free resolution of those algebras is related to the combinatorics of some simplicial complexes. Our description may be interpreted as an algorithmic procedure to partially compute this resolution.


Concavity properties for free boundary elliptic problems

Abstract: We prove some concavity properties connected to nonlinear Bernoulli type free boundary problems. In particular, we prove a Brunn-Minkowski inequality and an Urysohn's type inequality for the Bernoulli Constant and we study the behaviour of the free boundary with respect to the given boundary data. Moreover we prove a uniqueness result regarding the interior non-linear Bernoulli problem.