Two permanents in the universal enveloping algebras of the symplectic Lie algebras

Abstract: This paper presents new generators for the center of the universal enveloping algebra of the symplectic Lie algebra. These generators are expressed in terms of the column-permanent, and it is easy to calculate their eigenvalues on irreducible representations. We can regard these generators as the counterpart of central elements of the universal enveloping algebra of the orthogonal Lie algebra given in terms of the column-determinant by A. Wachi. The earliest prototype of all these central elements is the Capelli determinants in the universal enveloping algebra of the general linear Lie algebra.


Uniqueness of real closure * of Baer regular rings

Abstract: It was pointed out in my last paper that there are rings whose real closure * are not unique. In [4] we also discussed some example of rings by which there is a unique real closure * (mainly the real closed rings). Now we want to determine more classes of rings by which real closure * is unique. The main results involve characterisations of domains and Baer regular rings having unique real closure *, and an example showing that regular rings need not be f-rings in order to have a unique real closure *. The main objective here is to find characterisation for uniqueness of real closure * for real regular rings that will primarily only require information of the prime spectrum and the real spectrum of the ring.


Abstract: We introduce a class of Schur type functions associated with polynomial sequences of binomial type. This can be regarded as a generalization of the ordinary Schur functions and the factorial Schur functions. This generalization satisfies some interesting expansion formulas, in which there is a curious duality. Moreover this class includes examples which are useful to describe the eigenvalues of Capelli type central elements of the universal enveloping algebras of classical Lie algebras.


Zariski $k$-plets via dessins d'enfants

Abstract: We construct exponentially large collections of pairwise distinct equisingular deformation families of irreducible plane curves sharing the same sets of singularities. The fundamental groups of all curves constructed are abelian.


Heegner divisors, $L$-functions and harmonic weak Maass forms

Abstract: Recent works, mostly related to Ramanujan's mock theta functions, make use of the fact that harmonic weak Maass forms can be combinatorial generating functions. Generalizing works of Waldspurger, Kohnen and Zagier, we prove that such forms also serve as "generating functions" for central values and derivatives of quadratic twists of weight 2 modular $L$-functions. To obtain these results, we construct differentials of the third kind with twisted Heegner divisor by suitably generalizing the Borcherds lift to harmonic weak Maass forms. The connection with periods, Fourier coefficients, derivatives of $L$-functions, and points in the Jacobian of modular curves is obtained by analyzing the properties of these differentials using works of Scholl, Waldschmidt, and Gross and Zagier.


A geometric framework for the subfield problem of generic polynomials via Tschirnhausen transformation

Abstract: Let $k$ be an arbitrary field. We study a general method to solve the subfield problem of generic polynomials for the symmetric groups over $k$ via Tschirnhausen transformation. Based on the general result in the former part, we give an explicit solution to the field isomorphism problem and the subfield problem of cubic generic polynomials for $\frak{S}_3$ and $C_3$ over $k$. As an application of the cubic case, we also give several sextic generic polynomials over $k$.


On the unipotent support of character sheaves

Abstract: Let $G$ be a connected reductive group over $F_q$, where $q$ is large enough and the center of $G$ is connected. We are concerned with Lusztig's theory of {\em character sheaves}, a geometric version of the classical character theory of the finite group $G(F_q)$. We show that under a certain technical condition, the restriction of a character sheaf to its {\em unipotent support} (as defined by Lusztig) is either zero or an irreducible local system. As an application, the generalized Gelfand-Graev characters are shown to form a $\Z$-basis of the $\Z$-module of unipotently supported virtual characters of $G(F_q)$ (Kawanaka's conjecture).


GL(2,R) geometry of ODE's

Abstract: We study five dimensional geometries associated with the 5-dimensional irreducible representation of GL(2,R). These are special Weyl geometries in signature (3,2) having the structure group reduced from CO(3,2) to GL(2,R). The reduction is obtained by means of a conformal class of totally symmetric 3-tensors. Among all GL(2,R) geometries we distinguish a subclass which we term `nearly integrable GL(2,R)geometries'. These define a unique gl(2,R) connection which has totally skew symmetric torsion. This torsion splits onto the GL(2,R) irreducible components having respective dimensions 3 and 7. We prove that on the solution space of every 5th order ODE satisfying certain three nonlinear differential conditions there exists a nearly integrable GL(2,R) geometry such that the skew symmetric torsion of its unique gl(2,R) connection is very special. In contrast to an arbitrary nearly integrable GL(2,R) geometry, it belongs to the 3-dimensional irreducible representation of GL(2,R). The conditions for the existence of the structure are lower order equivalents of the Doubrov-Wilczynski conditions found recently by Boris Doubrov [7]. We provide nontrivial examples of 5th order ODEs satisfying the three nonlinear differential conditions, which in turn provides examples of inhomogeneous GL(2,R) geometries in dimension five, with torsion in R^3. We also outline the theory and the basic properties of GL(2,R) geometries associated with n-dimensional irreducible representations of GL(2,R) in 5<n<10. In particular we give conditions for an n-th order ODE to possess this geometry on its solution space.


Identification of the Isotherm Function in Chromatography Using CMA-ES

Abstract: This paper deals with the identification of the flux for a system of conservation laws in the specific example of analytic chromatography. The fundamental equations of chromatographic process are highly non linear. The state-of-the-art Evolution Strategy, CMA-ES (the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy), is used to identify the parameters of the so-called isotherm function. The approach was validated on different configurations of simulated data using either one, two or three components mixtures. CMA-ES is then applied to real data cases and its results are compared to those of a gradient-based strategy.


Hyperplane Arrangements with Large Average Diameter

Abstract: The largest possible average diameter of a bounded cell of a simple hyperplane arrangement is conjectured to be not greater than the dimension. We prove that this conjecture holds in dimension 2, and is asymptotically tight in fixed dimension. We give the exact value of the largest possible average diameter for all simple arrangements in dimension 2, for arrangements having at most the dimension plus 2 hyperplanes, and for arrangements having 6 hyperplanes in dimension 3. In dimension 3, we give lower and upper bounds which are both asymptotically equal to the dimension.


Singular cohomology of the analytic Milnor fiber, and mixed Hodge structure on the nearby cohomology

Abstract: We constructed the analytic Milnor fiber is a non-archimedean model of the classical topological Milnor fibration. In the present paper, we describe the homotopy type of the analytic Milnor fiber in terms of a strictly semi-stable model, and we show that its singular cohomology coincides with the weight zero part of the mixed Hodge structure on the nearby cohomology. We give a similar expression for Denef and Loeser's motivic Milnor fiber in terms of a strictly semi-stable model.


A Generalization of A Leibniz Geometrical Theorem

Abstract: In this article we present a generalization of a Leibniz's geometrical theorem and an application of it.


An operational calculus for the Mould operad

Abstract: The operad of moulds is realized in terms of an operational calculus of formal integrals (continuous formal power series). This leads to many simplifications and to the discovery of various suboperads. In particular, we prove a conjecture of the first author about the inverse image of non-crossing trees in the dendriform operad. Finally, we explain a connection with the formalism of noncommutative symmetric functions.


On Floer homology and the Berge conjecture on knots admitting lens space surgeries

Abstract: We complete the first step in a two-part program proposed by Baker, Grigsby, and the author to prove that Berge's construction of knots in the three-sphere which admit lens space surgeries is complete. The first step, which we prove here, is to show that a knot in a lens space with a three-sphere surgery has simple (in the sense of rank) knot Floer homology. The second (conjectured) step involves showing that, for a fixed lens space, the only knots with simple Floer homology belong to a simple finite family. Using results of Baker, we provide evidence for the conjectural part of the program by showing that it holds for a certain family of knots. Coupled with work of Ni, these knots provide the first infinite family of non-trivial knots which are characterized by their knot Floer homology. As another application, we provide a Floer homology proof of a theorem of Berge.


Grid Diagrams for Lens Spaces and Combinatorial Knot Floer Homology

Abstract: Similar to knots in S^3, any knot in a lens space has a grid diagram from which one can combinatorially compute all of its knot Floer homology invariants. We give an explicit description of the generators, differentials, and rational Maslov and Alexander gradings in terms of combinatorial data on the grid diagram. Motivated by existing results for the Floer homology of knots in S^3 and the similarity of the combinatorics presented here, we conjecture that a certain family of knots is characterized by their Floer homology. Coupled with work of the third author, an affirmative answer to this would prove the Berge conjecture, which catalogs the knots in S^3 admitting lens space surgeries.


Central limits and homogenization in random media

Abstract: We consider the perturbation of elliptic operators of the form $P(\bx,\bD)$ by random, rapidly varying, sufficiently mixing, potentials of the form $q(\frac{\bx}\eps,\omega)$. We analyze the source and spectral problems associated to such operators and show that the properly renormalized difference between the perturbed and unperturbed solutions may be written asymptotically as $\eps\to0$ as explicit Gaussian processes. Such results may be seen as central limit corrections to the homogenization (law of large numbers) process. Similar results are derived for more general elliptic equations in one dimension of space. The results are based on the availability of a rapidly converging integral formulation for the perturbed solutions and on the use of classical central limit results for random processes with appropriate mixing conditions.


Consistent estimates of deformed isotropic Gaussian random fields on the plane

Abstract: This paper proves fixed domain asymptotic results for estimating a smooth invertible transformation $f:\Bbb{R}^2\to\Bbb{R}^2$ when observing the deformed random field $Z\circ f$ on a dense grid in a bounded, simply connected domain $\Omega$, where $Z$ is assumed to be an isotropic Gaussian random field on $\Bbb{R}^2$. The estimate $\hat{f}$ is constructed on a simply connected domain $U$, such that $\overline{U}\subset\Omega$ and is defined using kernel smoothed quadratic variations, Bergman projections and results from quasiconformal theory. We show, under mild assumptions on the random field $Z$ and the deformation $f$, that $\hat{f}\to R_{\theta}f+c$ uniformly on compact subsets of $U$ with probability one as the grid spacing goes to zero, where $R_{\theta}$ is an unidentifiable rotation and $c$ is an unidentifiable translation.


Reduced zeta functions of Lie algebras

Abstract: We define reduced zeta functions of Lie algebras, which can be derived from motivic zeta functions using the Euler characteristic. We show that reduced zeta functions of Lie algebras possessing a suitably well-behaved basis are easy to analyse. We prove that reduced zeta functions are multiplicative under certain conditions and investigate which reduced zeta functions have functional equations.


Moving and ample cones of holomorphic symplectic fourfolds

Abstract: We analyze the ample and moving cones of holomorphic symplectic manifolds, in light of recent advances in the minimal model program. As an application, we establish a numerical criterion for ampleness of divisors on fourfolds deformation-equivalent to punctual Hilbert schemes of K3 surfaces.


Higman's PORC conjecture for a family of groups

Abstract: We prove that the number of groups of order $p^n$ whose Frattini subgroup is central is for fixed $n$ a PORC (`polynomial on residue classes') function of $p$. This extends a result of G. Higman.


Inhomogeneous Diophantine approximation of some Hurwitzian numbers

Abstract: We continue the work of Takao Komatsu by considering the inhomogeneous approximation constant L(\theta,\phi) for Hurwitzian numbers \theta, and rationally related \phi(r \theta +m)/n in Q(\theta) +Q. The current work uses a compactness theorem to relate such inhomogeneous constants to the homogeneous approximation constants. Among the new results are: a characterization of such pairs \theta,\phi for which L(\theta,\phi) is zero; consideration of small values of n^2 L(e^{2/s},\phi); and the proof of a conjecture of Komatsu.


Area-expanding embeddings of rectangles

Abstract: We estimate whether there is an embedding from one n-dimensional rectangle into another which expands every k-dimensional area. Our estimate is sharp up to a constant factor in each dimension.


Optimal Transportation under Nonholonomic Constraints

Abstract: We study Monge's optimal transportation problem, where the cost is given by optimal control cost. We prove the existence and uniqueness of an optimal map under certain regularity conditions on the Lagrangian, absolute continuity of the measures with respect to Lebesgue, and most importantly the absence of sharp abnormal minimizers. In particular, this result is applicable in the case of subriemannian manifolds with a 2-generating distribution and cost given by $d^2$, where $d$ is the subriemannian distance. Also, we discuss some properties of the optimal plan when abnormal minimizers are present. Finally, we consider some examples of displacement interpolation in the case of Grushin plane.


On potentially $K_{r+1}-U$-graphical Sequences

Abstract: Let $K_{m}-H$ be the graph obtained from $K_{m}$ by removing the edges set $E(H)$ of the graph $H$ ($H$ is a subgraph of $K_{m}$). We use the symbol $Z_4$ to denote $K_4-P_2.$ A sequence $S$ is potentially $K_{m}-H$-graphical if it has a realization containing a $K_{m}-H$ as a subgraph. Let $\sigma(K_{m}-H, n)$ denote the smallest degree sum such that every $n$-term graphical sequence $S$ with $\sigma(S)\geq \sigma(K_{m}-H, n)$ is potentially $K_{m}-H$-graphical. In this paper, we determine the values of $\sigma (K_{r+1}-U, n)$ for $n\geq 5r+18, r+1 \geq k \geq 7,$ $j \geq 6$ where $U$ is a graph on $k$ vertices and $j$ edges which contains a graph $K_3 \bigcup P_3$ but not contains a cycle on 4 vertices and not contains $Z_4$. There are a number of graphs on $k$ vertices and $j$ edges which contains a graph $(K_{3} \bigcup P_{3})$ but not contains a cycle on 4 vertices and not contains $Z_4$. (for example, $C_3\bigcup C_{i_1} \bigcup C_{i_2} \bigcup >... \bigcup C_{i_p}$ $(i_j\neq 4, j=2,3,..., p, i_1 \geq 5)$, $C_3\bigcup P_{i_1} \bigcup P_{i_2} \bigcup ... \bigcup P_{i_p}$ $(i_1 \geq 3)$, $C_3\bigcup P_{i_1} \bigcup C_{i_2} \bigcup >... \bigcup C_{i_p}$ $(i_j\neq 4, j=2,3,..., p, i_1 \geq 3)$, etc)


Operated semigroups, Motzkin paths and rooted trees

Abstract: Combinatorial objects such as rooted trees that carry a recursive structure have found important applications recently in both mathematics and physics. We put such structures in an algebraic framework of operated semigroups. This framework provides the concept of operated semigroups with intuitive and convenient combinatorial descriptions, and at the same time endows the familiar combinatorial objects with a precise algebraic interpretation. As an application, we obtain constructions of free Rota-Baxter algebras in terms of Motzkin paths and rooted trees.


Differential Birkhoff decomposition and the renormalization of multiple zeta values

Abstract: In the Hopf algebra approach of Connes and Kreimer on renormalization of quantum field theory, the renormalization process is views as a special case of the Algebraic Birkhoff Decomposition. We give a differential algebra variation of this decomposition and apply this to the study of multiple zeta values.


Rota-Baxter operators on generalized power series rings

Abstract: An important instance of Rota-Baxter algebras from their quantum field theory application is the ring of Laurent series with a suitable projection. We view the ring of Laurent series as a special case of generalized power series rings with exponents in an ordered monoid. We study when a generalized power series ring has a Rota-Baxter operator and how this is related to the ordered monoid.


Application of Quantum Theory to Super-parametric Density Estimation

Abstract: In this paper, we will discuss how to generalize nonparametric density estimators to MLE parametric estimators. Basing on the Parzen window theory and using the advantages of probability amplitude of quantum theory, we model a nonlinear optimization problem and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to solve the problem. A constructive procedure for solving the nonlinear programming problem is studied. Though it seems to be very complicated, the approach of this paper is simple and comprehensive. More precisely, the lemmas, the theorems and their proofs serve the purpose for mathematical rigor and practical computation. Instead of using techniques and terminologies of advanced mathematics, we use the popular techniques and terminologies of elementary calculus. From the numerical results of the paper by Y. --S. Tsai et al. [7], it shows that a new approach of density estimation, super-parametric density estimation, is established completely. Strictly speaking, the work of the paper is not confined in the category of statistics. It could be classified into nonlinear analysis such as optimization on linear space, or manifold, and the algorithm of computer science.


Connectivity of the Product Replacement Graph of Simple Groups of Bounded Lie Rank

Abstract: The Product Replacement Algorithm is a practical algorithm for generating random elements of a finite group. The algorithm can be described as a random walk on a graph whose vertices are the generating k-tuples of the group (for a fixed integer k). We show that there is a function c(r) such that for any finite simple group of Lie type, with Lie rank r, the product replacement graph of the generating k-tuples is connected for any k > c(r). The proof uses results of Larsen and Pink and does not rely on the classification of finite simple groups.


Overlapping self-affine sets of Kakeya type

Abstract: We compute the Minkowski dimension for a family of self-affine sets on the plane. Our result holds for every (rather than generic) set in the class. Moreover, we exhibit explicit open subsets of this class where we allow overlapping, and do not impose any conditions on the norms of the linear maps. The family under consideration was inspired by the theory of Kakeya sets.


Permutation statistics related to a class of noncommutative symmetric functions and generalizations of the Genocchi numbers

Abstract: We prove conjectures of the third author [L. Tevlin, Proc. FPSAC'07, Tianjin] on two new bases of noncommutative symmetric functions: the transition matrices from the ribbon basis have nonnegative integral coefficients. This is done by means of two composition-valued statistics on permutations and packed words, which generalize the combinatorics of Genocchi numbers.


Differential Complexes and Stratified Pro-Modules

Abstract: In this paper we introduce the category of stratified Pro-modules and the notion of induced object in this category. We propose a translation of a Morihiko Saito equivalence result using the dual language of Pro-objects. So we prove an equivalence between the derived category of stratified Pro-modules and the category of Pro-differential complexes. We also supply a comparison with the notion of Crystal in Pro-module (introduced by P. Deligne in 1960).


Convergence of simple random walks on random discrete trees to Brownian motion on the continuum random tree

Abstract: In this article it is shown that the Brownian motion on the continuum random tree is the scaling limit of the simple random walks on any family of discrete $n$-vertex ordered graph trees whose search-depth functions converge to the Brownian excursion as $n\to\infty$. We prove both a quenched version (for typical realisations of the trees) and an annealed version (averaged over all realisations of the trees) of our main result. The assumptions of the article cover the important example of simple random walks on the trees generated by the Galton-Watson branching process, conditioned on the total population size.


Human proofs of identities by Osburn and Schneider

Abstract: Osburn and Schneider derived several combinatorial identities involving harmonic numbers using the computer programm Sigma. Here, they are derived by partial fraction decomposition and creative telescoping.


A minimal set of generators for the ring of multisymmetric functions

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to give, for any commutative ring A, an explicit minimal set of generators for the ring of multisymmetric functions TS^d_A(A[x_1,...,x_r]) as an A-algebra. In characteristic zero, i.e. when A is an algebra over the rational numbers, a minimal set of generators has been known since the 19th century. A rather small generating set in the general case has also recently been given by Vaccarino but it is not minimal in general. We also give a sharp degree bound on the generators, improving the degree bound previously obtained by Fleischmann.


Fractional dynamical systems defined on fractional jet bundle and applications in economics

Abstract: Using Caputo fractional derivative of order $\alpha $ we build the fractional jet bundle of order $\alpha $ and its main geometrical structures. Defined on that bundle, some fractional dynamical systems with applications to economics are studied.


Analysis of Linear Difference Schemes in the Sparse Grid Combination Technique

Abstract: Sparse grids are tailored to the approximation of smooth high-dimensional functions. On a $d$-dimensional tensor product space, the number of grid points is $N = \mathcal O(h^{-1} |\log h|^{d-1})$, where $h$ is a mesh parameter. The so-called combination technique, based on hierarchical decomposition and extrapolation, requires specific multivariate error expansions of the discretisation error on Cartesian grids to hold. We derive such error expansions for linear difference schemes through an error correction technique of semi-discretisations. We obtain overall error formulae of the type $\epsilon = \mathcal{O} (h^p |\log h|^{d-1})$ and analyse the convergence, with its dependence on dimension and smoothness, by examples of linear elliptic and parabolic problems, with numerical illustrations in up to eight dimensions.


On the second Paneitz-Branson invariant

Abstract: We define the second Paneitz-Branson operator on a compact Einsteinian manifold of dimension $n\geq 5$ and we give sufficient conditions that make it attained.


Planar trees, free nonassociative algebras, invariants, and elliptic integrals

Abstract: We consider absolutely free nonassociative algebras and, more generally, absolutely free algebras with (maybe infinitely) many multilinear operations. Such algebras are described in terms of labeled reduced planar rooted trees. This allows to apply combinatorial techniques to study their Hilbert series and the asymptotics of their coefficients. These algebras satisfy the Nielsen-Schreier property and their subalgebras are also free. Then, over a field of characteristic 0, we investigate the subalgebras of invariants under the action of a linear group, their sets of free generators and their Hilbert series. It has turned out that, except in the trivial cases, the algebra of invariants is never finitely generated. In important partial cases the Hilbert series of the algebras of invariants and the generating functions of their sets of free generators are expressed in terms of elliptic integrals.


Dynamical resonances and SSF singularities for a magnetic Schroedinger operator

Abstract: We consider the Hamiltonian $H$ of a 3D spinless non-relativistic quantum particle subject to parallel constant magnetic and non-constant electric field. The operator $H$ has infinitely many eigenvalues of infinite multiplicity embedded in its continuous spectrum. We perturb $H$ by appropriate scalar potentials $V$ and investigate the transformation of these embedded eigenvalues into resonances. First, we assume that the electric potentials are dilation-analytic with respect to the variable along the magnetic field, and obtain an asymptotic expansion of the resonances as the coupling constant $\varkappa$ of the perturbation tends to zero. Further, under the assumption that the Fermi Golden Rule holds true, we deduce estimates for the time evolution of the resonance states with and without analyticity assumptions; in the second case we obtain these results as a corollary of suitable Mourre estimates and a recent article of Cattaneo, Graf and Hunziker \cite{cgh}. Next, we describe sets of perturbations $V$ for which the Fermi Golden Rule is valid at each embedded eigenvalue of $H$; these sets turn out to be dense in various suitable topologies. Finally, we assume that $V$ decays fast enough at infinity and is of definite sign, introduce the Krein spectral shift function for the operator pair $(H+V, H)$, and study its singularities at the energies which coincide with eigenvalues of infinite multiplicity of the unperturbed operator $H$.


Results related to generalizations of Hilbert's non-immersibility theorem for the hyperbolic plane

Abstract: We discuss generalizations of the well-known theorem of Hilbert that there is no complete isometric immersion of the hyperbolic plane into Euclidean 3-space. We show that this problem is expressed very naturally as the question of the existence of certain homotheties of reflective submanifolds of a symmetric space. As such, we conclude that the only other (non-compact) cases to which this theorem could generalize are the problem of isometric immersions with flat normal bundle of the hyperbolic space $H^n$ into a Euclidean space $E^{n+k}$, $n \geq 2$, and the problem of Lagrangian isometric immersions of $H^n$ into $\cc^n$, $n \geq 2$. Moreover, there are natural compact counterparts to these problems, and for the compact cases we prove that the theorem does in fact generalize: local embeddings exist, but complete immersions do not.


Structured variable selection in support vector machines

Abstract: When applying the support vector machine (SVM) to high-dimensional classification problems, we often impose a sparse structure in the SVM to eliminate the influences of the irrelevant predictors. The lasso and other variable selection techniques have been successfully used in the SVM to perform automatic variable selection. In some problems, there is a natural hierarchical structure among the variables. Thus, in order to have an interpretable SVM classifier, it is important to respect the heredity principle when enforcing the sparsity in the SVM. Many variable selection methods, however, do not respect the heredity principle. In this paper we enforce both sparsity and the heredity principle in the SVM by using the so-called structured variable selection (SVS) framework originally proposed in Yuan, Joseph and Zou (2007). We minimize the empirical hinge loss under a set of linear inequality constraints and a lasso-type penalty. The solution always obeys the desired heredity principle and enjoys sparsity. The new SVM classifier can be efficiently fitted, because the optimization problem is a linear program. Another contribution of this work is to present a nonparametric extension of the SVS framework, and we propose nonparametric heredity SVMs. Simulated and real data are used to illustrate the merits of the proposed method.


Constraints on exact Lagrangians in cotangent bundles of manifolds fibred over the circle

Abstract: We give topological obstructions to the existence of a closed exact Lagrangian submanifold in the cotangent bundle of a closed manifold M which is the total space of a fibration over the circle. For instance we show that the fundamental group of such a Lagrangian submanifold cannot be the free product of two non-trivial groups and that in any finite presentation of this group the difference between the number of generators and the number of relations is less than two.


Essential curves in handlebodies and topological contractions

Abstract: If $X$ is a compact set, a {\it topological contraction} is a self-embedding $f$ such that the intersection of the successive images $f^k(X)$, $k>0$, consists of one point. In dimension 3, we prove that there are smooth topological contractions of the handlebodies of genus $\geq 2$ whose image is essential. Our proof is based on an easy criterion for a simple curve to be essential in a handlebody.


Preliminary results on the homogenization of thin piezoelectric perforated shells

Abstract: We consider a composite piezoelectric material whose reference configuration is a thin shell with fixed thickness. In this work, we give a new approach based on the periodic unfolding method to justify the modelling of a thin piezoelectric perforated shells and we establish the limit constitutive law by letting the size of holes is supposed to go to zero. This allows to use the homogenization technique to derive the limitting equations and the homogenizaed coefficients are explicity described.


Investigation of one boundary-value problem for elliptic type equation

Abstract: The goal of the paper is to study a spectral problem corresponding to the mixed problem for a sixth order weak parabolic equation.


Trace ideals for pseudo-differential operators and their commutators with symbols in $\alpha$-modulation spaces

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the trace property of pseudo-differential operators with symbols in $\alpha$-modulation spaces.


Panel and Pseudo-Panel Estimation of Cross-Sectional and Time Series Elasticities of Food Consumption: The Case of American and Polish Data

Abstract: The problem addressed in this article is the bias to income and expenditure elasticities estimated on pseudo-panel data caused by measurement error and unobserved heterogeneity. We gauge empirically these biases by comparing cross-sectional, pseudo-panel and true panel data from both Polish and American expenditure surveys. Our results suggest that unobserved heterogeneity imparts a downward bias to cross-section estimates of income elasticities of at-home food expenditures and an upward bias to estimates of income elasticities of away-from-home food expenditures. "Within" and first-difference estimators suffer less bias, but only if the effects of measurement error are accounted for with instrumental variables.


The diagonal of the Stasheff polytope

Abstract: We construct an A-infinity structure on the tensor product of two A-infinity algebras by using the simplicial decomposition of the Stasheff polytope. The key point is the construction of an operad AA-infinity based on the simplicial Stasheff polytope. The operad AA-infinity admits a coassociative diagonal and the operad A-infinity is a retract by deformation of it. We compare these constructions with analogous constructions due to Saneblidze-Umble and Markl-Shnider based on the Boardman-Vogt cubical decomposition of the Stasheff polytope.


Combinatorial Aspects of Elliptic Curves II: Relationship between Elliptic Curves and Chip-Firing Games on Graphs

Abstract: Let q be a power of a prime and E be an elliptic curve defined over F_q. In "Combinatorial aspects of elliptic curves" [17], the present author examined a sequence of polynomials which express the N_k's, the number of points on E over the field extensions F_{q^k}, in terms of the parameters q and N_1 = #E(F_q). These polynomials have integral coefficients which alternate in sign, and a combinatorial interpretation in terms of spanning trees of wheel graphs. In this sequel, we explore further ramifications of this connection. In particular, we highlight a relationship between elliptic curves and chip-firing games on graphs by comparing the groups structures of both. As a coda, we construct a cyclic rational language whose zeta function is dual to that of an elliptic curve.


Strict essential extensions of C*-algebras and Hilbert C*-modules

Abstract: In the present paper we develop both ideas of D. Baki\'c and B. Gulja{\v{s}} and the categorical approach to multipliers from E.C. Lance's book and publications of the second author, for the introduction and study of left multipliers of Hilbert $C^*$-modules. Some properties and, in particular, the property of maximality among all strictly essential extensions of a Hilbert $C^*$-module for left multipliers are proved. Also relations between left essential and left strictly essential extensions in different contexts are obtained. Left essential and left strictly essential extensions of matrix algebras are considered. In the final paragraph the topological approach to the left multiplier theory of Hilbert $C^*$-modules is worked out.


Accuracy of approximation of subharmonic functions by logarithms of moduli of analytic ones in Chebyshev metrics

Abstract: It is known that a subharmonic function of finite order $\rho$ can be approximated by the logarithm of the modulus of an entire function at the point $z$ outside an exceptional set up to $C\log|z|$. In this article we prove that if such an approximation is made more precise, i. e. a constant $C$ decreases, then, beginning with $C=\rho/4$, the size of the exceptional set enlarges substantially. Similar results are proved for subharmonic functions of infinite order and functions subharmonic in the unit disk. These theorems improve and complement a result by Yulmukhametov.


Commuting Families in Temperley-Lieb Algebras

Abstract: We define analogs of the Jucys-Murphy elements for the affine Temperley-Lieb algebra and give their explicit expansion in terms of the basis of planar Brauer diagrams. These Jucys-Murphy elements are a family of commuting elements in the affine Temperley-Lieb algebra, and we compute their eigenvalues on the generic irreducible representations. We show that they come from Jucys-Murphy elements in the affine Hecke algebra of type A, which in turn come from the Casimir element of the quantum group $U_h\mathfrak{gl}_n$. We also give the explicit specializations of these results to the finite Temperley-Lieb algebra.


Anosov AdS representations are quasi-Fuchsian

Abstract: Let Gamma be a cocompact lattice in SO(1,n). A representation rho: Gamma \to SO(2,n) is quasi-Fuchsian if it is faithfull, discrete, and preserves an acausal subset in the boundary of anti-de Sitter space - a particular case is the case of Fuchsian representations, ie. composition of the inclusions of Gamma in SO(1,n) and of SO(1,n) in SO(2,n). We prove that if a representation is Anosov in the sense of Labourie then it is also quasi-Fuchsian. We also show that Fuchsian representations are Anosov : the fact that all quasi-Fuchsian representations are Anosov will be proved in a second part by T. Barbot. The study involves the geometry of locally anti-de Sitter spaces: quasi-Fuchsian representations are holonomy representations of globally hyperbolic spacetimes diffeomorphic to the product R \times Gamma\H^n and locally modeled on the anti-de Sitter space.


Reflexive Ideals in Iwasawa Algebras

Abstract: Let $G$ be a torsionfree compact $p$-adic analytic group. We give sufficient conditions on $p$ and $G$ which ensure that the Iwasawa algebra $\Omega_G$ of $G$ has no non-trivial two-sided reflexive ideals. Consequently, these conditions imply that every nonzero normal element in $\Omega_G$ is a unit. We show that these conditions hold in the case when $G$ is an open subgroup of $\SL_2(\Zp)$ and $p$ is arbitrary. Using a previous result of the first author, we show that there are only two prime ideals in $\Omega_G$ when $G$ is a congruence subgroup of $\SL_2(\Zp)$: the zero ideal and the unique maximal ideal. These statements partially answer some questions asked by the first author and Brown.


Nonexistence of reflexive ideals in Iwasawa algebras of Chevalley type

Abstract: Let $\Phi$ be a root system and let $\Phi(\Zp)$ be the standard Chevalley $\Zp$-Lie algebra associated to $\Phi$. For any integer $t\geq 1$, let $G$ be the uniform pro-$p$ group corresponding to the powerful Lie algebra $p^t \Phi(\Zp)$ and suppose that $p\geq 5$. Then the Iwasawa algebra $\Omega_G$ has no nontrivial reflexive two-sided ideals. This was previously proved by the authors for the root system $A_1$.


Sheaves on abelian surfaces and Strange Duality

Abstract: We formulate three versions of a strange duality conjecture for sections of the Theta bundles on the moduli spaces of sheaves on abelian surfaces. As supporting evidence, we check the equality of dimensions on dual moduli spaces, answering a question raised by Gottsche-Nakajima-Yoshioka.


Dirac geometry, quasi-Poisson actions and D/G-valued moment maps

Abstract: We study Dirac structures associated with Manin pairs (\d,\g) and give a Dirac geometric approach to Hamiltonian spaces with D/G-valued moment maps, originally introduced by Alekseev and Kosmann-Schwarzbach in terms of quasi-Poisson structures. We explain how these two distinct frameworks are related to each other, proving that they lead to isomorphic categories of Hamiltonian spaces. We stress the connection between the viewpoint of Dirac geometry and equivariant differential forms. The paper discusses various examples, including q-Hamiltonian spaces and Poisson-Lie group actions, explaining how presymplectic groupoids are related to the notion of "double" in each context.


The Toda system and multiple-end solutions of autonomous planar elliptic problems

Abstract: We construct a new class of positive solutions for a classical semilinear elliptic problem in the plane which arise for instance as the standing-wave problem for the standard nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation or in nonlinear models in Turing's theory biological theory of pattern formation such as the Gray-Scott or Gierer-Meinhardt systems. The solutions we construct have the property that their energy over a ball of radius R grows linearly with R as R tends to infinity. These solutions are strongly related to the solutions of a Toda system.


Appendix to 'Roth's theorem on progressions revisited' by J Bourgain

Abstract: We show two results. First, a refinement of Freiman's theorem: if A is a finite set of integers and |A+A| < K|A|, then A is contained in a multidimensional progression of dimension at most O(K^{7/4} log^3K) and size at most exp(O(K^{7/4} log^3K))|A|. Secondly, an improvement of a result of Konyagin and Laba: if A is a finite set of reals and a is a transcendental then |A+aA| >> |A|(log |A|)^{4/3-\epsilon} for all \epsilon>0.


Chern character for twisted complexes

Abstract: We construct a Chern character of a perfect complex of twisted modules over an algebroid stack.


Difference sets and the primes

Abstract: Suppose that A is a subset of {1,...,N} such that the difference between any two elements of A is never one less than a prime. We show that |A| = O(N exp(-c(log N)^{1/4})) for some absolute c>0.


Matrix pairs over discrete valuation rings determine Littlewood-Richardson fillings

Abstract: Let M and N be two r x r matrices over a discrete valuation ring of characteristic zero. The orders (with respect to a uniformizing parameter) of the invariant factors of M form a partition of non-negative integers, called the invariant partition of M. Let the invariant partition of M be mu, of N be nu, and of the product MN be lambda. In this paper we construct a Littlewood-Richardson filling of the skew shape lambda/mu with content nu, and show that this filling is an invariant of the orbit of the pair (M,N) with respect to a natural group action on the pair. We relate the algebraic combinatorics of Littlewood-Richardson fillings to a special semicanonical matrix in the orbit of (M,N), from which the Littlewood-Richardson filling, and other combinatorial invariants may be obtained.


Steady-state analysis of a multi-server queue in the Halfin-Whitt regime

Abstract: We consider a multi-server queue in the Halfin-Whitt regime: as the number of servers $n$ grows without a bound, the utilization approaches 1 from below at the rate $\Theta(1/\sqrt{n})$. Assuming that the service time distribution is lattice-valued with a finite support, we characterize the limiting stationary queue length distribution in terms of the stationary distribution of an explicitly constructed Markov chain. Furthermore, we obtain an explicit expression for the critical exponent for the moment generating function of a limiting (scaled) steady-state queue length. This exponent has a compact representation in terms of three parameters: the amount of spare capacity and the coefficients of variation of interarrival and service times. Interestingly, it matches an analogous exponent corresponding to a single-server queue in the conventional heavy-traffic regime.


Chaotic Period Doubling

Abstract: The period doubling renormalization operator was introduced by M. Feigenbaum and by P. Coullet and C. Tresser in the nineteen-seventieth to study the asymptotic small scale geometry of the attractor of one-dimensional systems which are at the transition from simple to chaotic dynamics. This geometry turns out to not depend on the choice of the map under rather mild smoothness conditions. The existence of a unique renormalization fixed point which is also hyperbolic among generic smooth enough maps plays a crucial role in the corresponding renormalization theory. The uniqueness and hyperbolicity of the renormalization fixed point were first shown in the holomorphic context, by means that generalize to other renormalization operators. It was then proved that in the space of $C^{2+\alpha}$ unimodal maps, for $\alpha$ close to one, the period doubling renormalization fixed point is hyperbolic as well. In this paper we study what happens when one approaches from below the minimal smoothness thresholds for the uniqueness and for the hyperbolicity of the period doubling renormalization generic fixed point. Indeed, our main results states that in the space of $C^2$ unimodal maps the analytic fixed point is not hyperbolic and that the same remains true when adding enough smoothness to get a priori bounds. In this smoother class, called $C^{2+|\cdot|}$ the failure of hyperbolicity is tamer than in $C^2$. Things get much worse with just a bit less of smoothness than $C^2$ as then even the uniqueness is lost and other asymptotic behavior become possible. We show that the period doubling renormalization operator acting on the space of $C^{1+Lip}$ unimodal maps has infinite topological entropy.


Remarks on the symmetric powers of cusp forms on GL(2)

Abstract: In this paper we prove the following conditional result: Let F be a number field, and pi a cusp form on GL(2)/F which is not solvable polyhedral. Assume that all the symmetric powers sym^m(pi) are modular, i.e., define automorphic forms on GL(m+1)/F. If sym^6(pi) is cuspidal, then all the symmetric powers are cuspidal, for all m. Moreover, sym^6(pi) is Eisenteinian iff sym^5(pi) is an abelian twist of the functorial product of pi with the symmetric square of a cusp form pi' on GL(2)/F.


The divided cell algorithm and the inhomogeneous Lagrange and Markoff spectra

Abstract: The divided cell algorithm was introduced by Delone in 1947 to calculate the inhomogeneous minima of binary quadratic forms and developed further by E. S. Barnes and H. P. F. Swinnerton-Dyer in the 1950s. We show how advances of the past fifty years in both symbolic computation and our understanding of homogeneous spectra can be combined to make divided cells more useful for organizing information about inhomogeneous approximation problems. A crucial part of our analysis relies on work of Jane Pitman, who related the divided cell algorithm to the regular continued fraction algorithm. In particular, the relation to continued fractions allows two divided cells for the same problem to be compared without stepping through the chain of divided cells connecting them.


Yang-Mills theory over surfaces and the Atiyah-Segal theorem

Abstract: In this paper we explain how Morse theory for the Yang-Mills functional can be used to prove an analogue, for surface groups, of the Atiyah-Segal theorem. Classically, the Atiyah-Segal theorem relates the representation ring R(\Gamma) of a compact Lie group $\Gamma$ to the complex K-theory of the classifying space $B\Gamma$. For infinite discrete groups, it is necessary to take into account deformations of representations, and with this in mind we replace the representation ring by Carlsson's deformation $K$--theory spectrum $\K (\Gamma)$ (the homotopy-theoretical analogue of $R(\Gamma)$). Our main theorem provides an isomorphism in homotopy $\K_*(\pi_1 \Sigma)\isom K^{-*}(\Sigma)$ for all compact, aspherical surfaces $\Sigma$ and all $*>0$. Combining this result with work of Tyler Lawson, we obtain homotopy theoretical information about the stable moduli space of flat unitary connections over surfaces.


Uniformly Balanced Repeated Measurements Designs in the Presence of Subject Dropout

Abstract: Low, Lewis and Prescott (1999) showed that a crossover design based on a Williams Latin square of order 4 can suffer substantial loss of efficiency if some observations in the final period are unavailable. Indeed, if all observations are missing, the design becomes disconnected. We derive the information matrix for the direct effects of a Uniformly Balanced Repeated Measurements Design (UBRMD) in t periods when subjects may drop out before the end of the study and examine the maximum loss of information. The special case of loss of observations in the final period only is examined in detail. In particular we show that a UBRMD in t>= 5 periods remains connected when some or all observations in the final period are unavailable.


Convexity and Cone-Vexing

Abstract: The idea of convexity feeds generation, separation, calculus, and approximation. Generation appears as duality; separation, as optimality; calculus, as representation; and approximation, as stability. This is an overview of the origin, evolution, and trends of convexity. Study of convexity in the Sobolev Institute was initiated by Leonid Kantorovich (1912--1986) and Alexandr Alexandrov (1912--1999). This talk is a part of their memory.


Deblurring of Motionally Averaged Images with Applications to Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Abstract: This paper addresses the deconvolution of an image that has been obtained by superimposing many copies of an underlying unknown image of interest. The superposition is assumed to not be exact due to noise, and is described using an error distribution in position, orientation, or both. We assume that a good estimate of the error distribution is known. The most natural approach to take for the purely translational case is to apply the Fourier transform and use the classical convolution theorem together with a Weiner filter to invert. In the case of purely rotational deblurring, the similar Fourier analysis is applied. That is, for an blurred image function defined on polar coordinates, the Fourier series and the convolution theorem for the series can be applied. In the case of combinations of translational and rotational errors, the motion-group Fourier transform is used. In addition, for the three cases we present the alternative method using Hermite and Laguerre-Fourier expansion, which has a special property in Fourier transform. The problem that is solved here is motivated by one of the steps in the cryo-electron-tomographic reconstruction of biomolecular complexes such as viruses and ion channels.


Toroidalization of generating sequences in dimension two function fields of positive characteristic

Abstract: We give a characteristic free proof of the main result of our previous paper (math.AC/0509697) concerning toroidalization of generating sequences of valuations in dimension two function fields. We show that when an extension of two dimensional algebraic regular local rings $R\subset S$ satisfies the conclusions of the Strong Monomialization theorem of Cutkosky and Piltant, the map between generating sequences in $R$ and $S$ has a toroidal structure.


Area-Preserving Surface Dynamics and S. Saito's Fixed Point Formula

Abstract: We show that S. Saito's fixed point formula serves as a powerful tool for counting the number of isolated periodic points of an area-preserving surface map admitting periodic curves. His notion of periodic curves of types I and II plays a central role in our discussion. We establish a Shub-Sullivan type result on the stability of local indices under iterations of the map, the finiteness of the number of periodic curves of type II, and the absence of periodic curves of type I. Combined with these results, Saito's formula implies the existence of infinitely many isolated periodic points whose cardinality grows exponentially as period tends to infinity.


A characterization of all equilateral triangles in \Bbb Z^3

Abstract: This paper is a continuation of previous work of the authors. We extend one of the theorems that gave a way to construct equilateral triangles whose vertices have integer coordinates to the general situation. An approximate extrapolation formula for the sequence ET(n) of all equilateral triangles with vertices in $\{0,1,2,...,n\}^3$ (A 102698) is given and the asymptotic behavior of this sequence is analyzed.


Symplectic resolutions, Lefschetz property and formality

Abstract: We introduce a method to resolve a symplectic orbifold into a smooth symplectic manifold. Then we study how the formality and the Lefschetz property of the symplectic resolution are compared with that of the symplectic orbifold. We also study the formality of the symplectic blow-up of a symplectic orbifold along symplectic submanifolds disjoint from the orbifold singularities. This allows us to construct the first example of a simply connected compact symplectic manifold of dimension 8 which satisfies the Lefschetz property but is not formal, therefore giving a counter-example to a conjecture of Babenko and Taimanov.


Obstruction theory on 8-manifolds

Abstract: This note gives a uniform, self-contained, and fairly direct approach to a variety of obstruction-theoretic problems on 8-manifolds. We give necessary and sufficient cohomological critera for the existence of almost complex and almost quaternionic structures on the tangent bundle and for the reduction of the structure group to U(3) by the homomorphism U(3) --> O(8) given by the Lie algebra representation of PU(3).


On 3-dimensional Asymptotically Harmonic Manifolds

Abstract: Let (M,g) be a complete, simply connected Riemannian manifold of dimension 3 without conjugate points. We show that M is a hyperbolic manifold of constant sectional curvature, provided M is asymptotically harmonic of constant h > 0.


The foam and the matrix factorization sl3 link homologies are equivalent

Abstract: We prove that the foam and matrix factorization universal rational sl3 link homologies are naturally isomorphic as projective functors from the category of link and link cobordisms to the category of bigraded vector spaces.


Differential equations driven by rough paths: an approach via discrete approximation

Abstract: A theory of differential equations driven by a non-differentiable path has recently been developed by Lyons. We develop an alternative approach to this theory, using (modified Euler approximations), and investigate its applicability to stochastic differential equations driven by Brownian motion. We also give some other examples showing that the main results are reasonably sharp.


On the cyclotomic Hecke algebras of complex reflection groups

Abstract: Following the definition of Rouquier for the "families of characters" of a Weyl group and its generalization to the case of complex reflection groups, already appeared in the works of Broue-Kim and Malle-Rouquier, we show that these "families" depend on a numerical datum of the group, its "essential hyperplanes". Using this characterization, we provide the algorithm and the results of the determination of the Rouquier blocks of the cyclotomic Hecke algebras of all exceptional complex reflection groups.


On Q-conic bundles, II

Abstract: A $\mathbb Q$-conic bundle germ is a proper morphism from a threefold with only terminal singularities to the germ $(Z \ni o)$ of a normal surface such that fibers are connected and the anti-canonical divisor is relatively ample. We obtain the complete classification of $\mathbb Q$-conic bundle germs when the base surface germ is singular. This is a generalization of our previous paper math/0603736, which further assumed that the fiber over $o$ is irreducible.


Global stability of travelling fronts for a damped wave equation with bistable nonlinearity

Abstract: We consider the damped wave equation \alpha u_tt + u_t = u_xx - V'(u) on the whole real line, where V is a bistable potential. This equation has travelling front solutions of the form u(x,t) = h(x-st) which describe a moving interface between two different steady states of the system, one of which being the global minimum of V. We show that, if the initial data are sufficiently close to the profile of a front for large |x|, the solution of the damped wave equation converges uniformly on R to a travelling front as t goes to plus infinity. The proof of this global stability result is inspired by a recent work of E. Risler and relies on the fact that our system has a Lyapunov function in any Galilean frame.


The eigenvalues of limits of radial Toeplitz operators

Abstract: Let $A^2$ be the Bergman space on the unit disk. A bounded operator $S$ on $A^2$ is called radial if $Sz^n = \lambda_n z^n$ for all $n\ge 0$, where $\lambda_n$ is a bounded sequence of complex numbers. We characterize the eigenvalues of radial operators that can be approximated by Toeplitz operators with bounded symbols.


Tridiagonal canonical matrices of bilinear or sesquilinear forms and of pairs of symmetric, skew-symmetric, or Hermitian forms

Abstract: Tridiagonal canonical forms of square matrices under congruence or *congruence, pairs of symmetric or skew-symmetric matrices under congruence, and pairs of Hermitian matrices under *congruence are given over an algebraically closed field of characteristic different from 2.


Valuation domains whose products of free modules are separable

Abstract: It is proved that if $R$ is a valuation domain with maximal ideal $P$ and if $R_L$ is countably generated for each prime ideal $L$, then $R^R$ is separable if and only $R_J$ is maximal, where $J=\cap_{n\in\mathbb{N}}P^n$.


Canonical form of m-by-2-by-2 matrices over a field of characteristic other than two

Abstract: We give a canonical form of m-by-2-by-2 matrices for equivalence over any field of characteristic not two.


Permutahedra, HKR isomorphism and polydifferential Gerstenhaber-Schack complex

Abstract: This paper aims to give a short but self-contained introduction into the theory of (wheeled) props, properads, dioperads and operads, and illustrate some of its key ideas in terms of a prop(erad)ic interpretation of simplicial and permutahedra cell complexes with subsequent applications to the Hochschild-Kostant-Rosenberg type isomorphisms.


Three topics in additive prime number theory

Abstract: This is an expository article to accompany my two lectures at the CDM conference. I have used this an excuse to make public two sets of notes I had lying around, and also to put together a short reader's guide to some recent joint work with T.Tao. Contents: 1. An exposition, without much detail, of the work of Goldston, Pintz and Yildirim on gaps between primes; 2. A detailed discussion of the work of Mauduit and Rivat establishing that 50 percent of the primes have odd digit sum when written in base 2; 3. A reader's guide to recent work of T.Tao and the author on linear equations in primes. The sections can be read independently.


Miraculous Cancellation and Pick's Theorem

Abstract: We show that the Cappell-Shaneson version of Pick's theorem for simple lattice polytopes is a consequence of a general relation between characteristic numbers of virtual submanifolds dual to the characteristic classes of a stably almost complex manifold. This relation is analogous to the miraculous cancellation formula of Alvarez-Gaume and Witten, and is imposed by the action of the Landweber-Novikov algebra in the complex cobordism ring of a point.


Computing the Conditioning of the Components of a Linear Least Squares Solution

Abstract: In this paper, we address the accuracy of the results for the overdetermined full rank linear least squares problem. We recall theoretical results obtained in Arioli, Baboulin and Gratton, SIMAX 29(2):413--433, 2007, on conditioning of the least squares solution and the components of the solution when the matrix perturbations are measured in Frobenius or spectral norms. Then we define computable estimates for these condition numbers and we interpret them in terms of statistical quantities. In particular, we show that, in the classical linear statistical model, the ratio of the variance of one component of the solution by the variance of the right-hand side is exactly the condition number of this solution component when perturbations on the right-hand side are considered. We also provide fragment codes using LAPACK routines to compute the variance-covariance matrix and the least squares conditioning and we give the corresponding computational cost. Finally we present a small historical numerical example that was used by Laplace in Theorie Analytique des Probabilites, 1820, for computing the mass of Jupiter and experiments from the space industry with real physical data.


Congruence of multilinear forms

Abstract: It is known that if A and B are two n-by-n complex matrices and (A,A^T) is simultaneously equivalent to (B,B^T), then A is congruent to B. We extend this statement to multilinear forms.


The nested Chinese restaurant process and Bayesian nonparametric inference of topic hierarchies

Abstract: We present the nested Chinese restaurant process (nCRP), a stochastic process which assigns probability distributions to infinitely-deep, infinitely-branching trees. We show how this stochastic process can be used as a prior distribution in a Bayesian nonparametric model of document collections. Specifically, we present an application to information retrieval in which documents are modeled as paths down a random tree, and the preferential attachment dynamics of the nCRP leads to clustering of documents according to sharing of topics at multiple levels of abstraction. Given a corpus of documents, a posterior inference algorithm finds an approximation to a posterior distribution over trees, topics and allocations of words to levels of the tree. We demonstrate this algorithm on collections of scientific abstracts from several journals. This model exemplifies a recent trend in statistical machine learning--the use of Bayesian nonparametric methods to infer distributions on flexible data structures.


Formulas for Birkhoff-(Rota-Baxter) decompositions related to connected bialgebra

Abstract: In recent years, The BPHZ algorithm for renormalization in quantum field theory has been interpreted, after dimensional regularization, as the Birkhoff-(Rota-Baxter) decomposition (BRB) of characters on the Hopf algebra of Feynmann graphs, with values in a Rota-Baxter algebra. We give in this paper formulas for the BRB decomposition in the group $\mathcal{C}(H, A)$ of characters on a connected Hopf algebra $H$, with values in a Rota-Baxter (commutative) algebra $A$. To do so we first define the stuffle (or quasi-shuffle) Hopf algebra $A^{\tmop{st}}$ associated to an algebra $A$. We prove then that for any connected Hopf algebra $H = k 1_H \oplus H'$, there exists a canonical injective morphism from $H$ to $H'^{\tmop{st}}$. This morphism induces an action of $\mathcal{C}(A^{\tmop{st}}, A)$ on $\mathcal{C}(H, A)$ so that the BRB decomposition in $\mathcal{C}(H, A)$ is determined by the action of a unique (universal) element of $\mathcal{C}(A^{\tmop{st}}, A)$.


Decomposition of variance in terms of conditional means

Abstract: We test against two different sets of data an apparently new approach to the analysis of the variance of a numerical variable which depends on qualitative characters. We suggest that this approach be used to complement other existing techniques to study the interdependence of the variables involved. According to our method the variance is expressed as a sum of orthogonal components, obtained as differences of conditional means, with respect to the qualitative characters. The resulting expression for the variance depends on the ordering in which the characters are considered. We suggest an algorithm which leads to an ordering which is deemed natural. The first set of data concerns the score achieved by a population of students, on an entrance examination, based on a multiple choice test with 30 questions. In this case the qualitative characters are dyadic and correspond to correct or incorrect answer to each question. The second set of data concerns the delay in obtaining the degree for a population of graduates of Italian universities. The variance in this case is analyzed with respect to a set of seven specific qualitative characters of the population studied (gender, previous education, working condition, parent's educational level, field of study, etc.)


Monte Carlo Methods and Path-Generation techniques for Pricing Multi-asset Path-dependent Options

Abstract: We consider the problem of pricing path-dependent options on a basket of underlying assets using simulations. As an example we develop our studies using Asian options. Asian options are derivative contracts in which the underlying variable is the average price of given assets sampled over a period of time. Due to this structure, Asian options display a lower volatility and are therefore cheaper than their standard European counterparts. This paper is a survey of some recent enhancements to improve efficiency when pricing Asian options by Monte Carlo simulation in the Black-Scholes model. We analyze the dynamics with constant and time-dependent volatilities of the underlying asset returns. We present a comparison between the precision of the standard Monte Carlo method (MC) and the stratified Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). In particular, we discuss the use of low-discrepancy sequences, also known as Quasi-Monte Carlo method (QMC), and a randomized version of these sequences, known as Randomized Quasi Monte Carlo (RQMC). The latter has proven to be a useful variance reduction technique for both problems of up to 20 dimensions and for very high dimensions. Moreover, we present and test a new path generation approach based on a Kronecker product approximation (KPA) in the case of time-dependent volatilities. KPA proves to be a fast generation technique and reduces the computational cost of the simulation procedure.


A regularization algorithm for matrices of bilinear and sesquilinear forms

Abstract: We give an algorithm that uses only unitary transformations and for each square complex matrix constructs a *congruent matrix that is a direct sum of a nonsingular matrix and singular Jordan blocks.


Lectures on two-dimensional critical percolation

Abstract: These are the notes corresponding to the course given at the IAS-Park City graduate summer school in July 2007.


Dynamic Programming Optimization over Random Data: the Scaling Exponent for Near-optimal Solutions

Abstract: A very simple example of an algorithmic problem solvable by dynamic programming is to maximize, over sets A in {1,2,...,n}, the objective function |A| - \sum_i \xi_i 1(i \in A,i+1 \in A) for given \xi_i > 0. This problem, with random (\xi_i), provides a test example for studying the relationship between optimal and near-optimal solutions of combinatorial optimization problems. We show that, amongst solutions differing from the optimal solution in a small proportion \delta of places, we can find near-optimal solutions whose objective function value differs from the optimum by a factor of order \delta^2 but not smaller order. We conjecture this relationship holds widely in the context of dynamic programming over random data, and Monte Carlo simulations for the Kauffman-Levin NK model are consistent with the conjecture. This work is a technical contribution to a broad program initiated in Aldous-Percus (2003) of relating such scaling exponents to the algorithmic difficulty of optimization problems.


A new technique for proving uniqueness for martingale problems

Abstract: A new technique for proving uniqueness of martingale problems is introduced. The method is illustrated in the context of elliptic diffusions in $R^d$.


Rigid systems of second-order linear differential equations

Abstract: We say that a system of differential equations d^2x(t)/dt^2=Adx(t)/dt+Bx(t)+Cu(t), in which A and B are m-by-m complex matrices and C is an m-by-n complex matrix, is rigid if it can be reduced by substitutions x(t)=Sy(t), u(t)=Udy(t)/dt+Vy(t)+Pv(t) with nonsingular S and P to each system obtained from it by a small enough perturbation of its matrices A,B,C. We prove that there exists a rigid system if and only if m<n(1+square_root{5})/2, and describe all rigid systems.


Peak points for pseudoconvex domains: a survey

Abstract: This paper surveys results concerning peak points for pseudoconvex domains. It includes results of Laszlo that have not been published elsewhere.


Subadditivity of the entropy and its relation to Brascamp-Lieb type inequalities

Abstract: We prove a general duality result showing that a Brascamp--Lieb type inequality is equivalent to an inequality expressing subadditivity of the entropy, with a complete correspondence of best constants and cases of equality. This open a new approach to the proof of Brascamp--Lieb type inequalities, via subadditivity of the entropy. We illustrate the utility of this approach by proving a general inequality expressing the subadditivity property of the entropy on $\R^n$, and fully determining the cases of equality. As a consequence of the duality mentioned above, we obtain a simple new proof of the classical Brascamp--Lieb inequality, and also a fully explicit determination of all of the cases of equality. We also deduce several other consequences of the general subadditivity inequality, including a generalization of Hadamard's inequality for determinants. Finally, we also prove a second duality theorem relating superadditivity of the Fisher information and a sharp convolution type inequality for the fundamental eigenvalues of Schr\"odinger operators. Though we focus mainly on the case of random variables in $\R^n$ in this paper, we discuss extensions to other settings as well.


Stability of a Nonlinear Axially Moving String With the Kelvin-Voigt Damping

Abstract: In this paper, a nonlinear axially moving string with the Kelvin-Voigt damping is considered. It is proved that the string is stable, i.e., its transversal displacement converges to zero when the axial speed of the string is less than a certain critical value. The proof is established by showing that a Lyapunov function corresponding to the string decays to zero exponentially. It is also shown that the string displacement is bounded when a bounded distributed force is applied to it transversally. Furthermore, a few open problems regarding the stability and stabilization of strings with the Kelvin-Voigt damping are stated.


Ordered spanning sets for quasimodules for Mobius vertex algebras

Abstract: Quasimodules for vertex algebras are generalizations of modules for vertex algebras. These new objects arise from a generalization of locality for fields. Quasimodules tie together module theory and twisted module theory, and both twisted and untwisted modules feature Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt-like spanning sets. This paper generalizes these spanning set results to quasimodules for certain Mobius vertex algebras. In particular this paper presents two spanning sets, one featuring a difference-zero ordering restriction on modes and another featuring a difference-one condition.


Ordered spanning sets for vertex operator algebras and their modules

Abstract: Moonshine relates three fundamental mathematical objects: the Monster sporadic simple group, the modular function j, and the moonshine module vertex operator algebra. Examining the relationship between modular functions and the representation theory of vertex operator algebras reveals rich structure. In particular, C2-cofiniteness (also called Zhu's finiteness condition) implies the existence of finite generating sets and Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt-like spanning sets for vertex operator algebras and their modules. These spanning sets feature desirable ordering restrictions, e.g., a difference-one condition.


Some Properties of Hypergeometric Series Associated with Mirror Symmetry

Abstract: We show that certain hypergeometric series used to formulate mirror symmetry for Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces, in string theory and algebraic geometry, satisfy a number of interesting properties. Many of these properties are used in separate papers to verify the BCOV prediction for the genus one Gromov-Witten invariants of a quintic threefold and more generally to compute the genus one Gromov-Witten invariants of any Calabi-Yau projective hypersurface.


Rank 2 vector bundles on ind-Grassmannians

Abstract: The simplest example of an ind-Grassmannian is the infinite projective space $\mathbf P^\infty$. The Barth-Van de Ven-Tyurin (BVT) Theorem, proved more than 30 years ago \cite{BV}, \cite{T}, \cite{Sa} (see also a recent proof by A. Coand\u{a} and G. Trautmann, \cite{CT}), claims that any vector bundle of finite rank on $\mathbf P^\infty$ is isomorphic to a direct sum of line bundles. In the last decade natural examples of infinite flag varieties (or flag ind-varieties) have arisen as homogeneous spaces of locally linear ind-groups, \cite{DPW}, \cite{DiP}. In the present paper we concentrate our attention to the special case of ind-Grassmannians, i.e. to inductive limits of Grassmannians of growing dimension.


Bounded generalized Harish-Chandra modules

Abstract: Let $\gg$ be a complex reductive Lie algebra and $\kk\subset\gg$ be any reductive in $\gg$ subalgebra. We call a $(\gg,\kk)$-module $M$ bounded if the $\kk$-multiplicities of $M$ are uniformly bounded. In this paper we initiate a general study of simple bounded $(\gg,\kk)$-modules. We prove a strong necessary condition for a subalgebra $\kk$ to be bounded (Corollary \ref{cor1.6}), i.e. to admit an infinite-dimensional simple bounded $(\gg,\kk)$-module, and then establish a sufficient condition for a subalgebra $\kk$ to be bounded (Theorem \ref{thGroups2}). As a result we are able to classify all maximal bounded reductive subalgebras of $\gg=\sl(n)$. In the second half of the paper we describe in detail simple bounded infinite-dimensional $(\gg,\sl(2))$-modules, and in particular compute their characters and minimal $\sl(2)$-types. We show that if $\sl(2)$ is a bounded subalgebra of $\gg$ which is not contained in a proper ideal of $\gg$, then $\gg\simeq \sl(2)\oplus \sl(2), \sl(3),\sp(4)$; alltogether, up to conjugation there are five possible embeddings of $\sl(2)$ as a bounded subalgebra into $\gg$ as above. In two of these cases $\sl(2)$ is a symmetric subalgebra, and many results about simple bounded $(\gg,\sl(2))$-modules are known. A case where our results are entirely new is the case of a principal $\sl(2)$-subalgebra in $\sp(4)$.


The Starting and Stopping Problem under Knightian Uncertainty and Related Systems of Reflected BSDEs

Abstract: This article deals with the starting and stopping problem under Knightian uncertainty, i.e., roughly speaking, when the probability under which the future evolves is not exactly known. We show that the lower price of a plant submitted to the decisions of starting and stopping is given by a solution of a system of two reflected backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs for short). We solve this latter system and we give the expression of the optimal strategy. Further we consider a more general system of $m$ ($m\geq 2$) reflected BSDEs with interconnected obstacles. Once more we show existence and uniqueness of the solution of that system.


Computation of expansions for the maximum likelihood estimator and its distribution function

Abstract: In this paper, insight is given in the techniques used to compute asymptotic expansions. In a broad fashion the technique is described. Most of the results apply to the paper "An expansion for the maximum likelihood estimator and its distribution function", which will be submitted.


Discrete sets with minimal moment of inertia

Abstract: This paper has been withdrawn by the author due to a crucial error in the proof of Theorem 1.


The ambient metric

Abstract: This paper provides details of the construction, properties and some applications of the ambient metric associated to a conformal class of metrics on a smooth manifold. Existence and uniqueness of formal expansions defining such metrics are considered. Equivalence with the expansions of associated Poincare metrics is established. Definitions and properties of conformal curvature tensors defined by ambient metrics together with formulation and proof of a jet isomorphism theorem with application to the characterization of scalar conformal invariants are given.


Characterizing Generic Global Rigidity

Abstract: A d-dimensional framework is a graph and a map from its vertices to E^d. Such a framework is globally rigid if it is the only framework in E^d with the same graph and edge lengths, up to rigid motions. For which underlying graphs is a generic framework globally rigid? We answer this question by proving a conjecture by Connelly, that his sufficient condition is also necessary: a generic framework is globally rigid if and only if it has a stress matrix with kernel of dimension d+1, the minimum possible. An alternate version of the condition comes from considering the geometry of the length-squared mapping l: the graph is generically locally rigid iff the rank of l is maximal, and it is generically globally rigid iff the rank of the Gauss map on the image of l is maximal. We also show that this condition is efficiently checkable with a randomized algorithm, and prove that if a graph is not generically globally rigid then it is flexible one dimension higher.


Classification of sesquilinear forms with the first argument on a subspace or a factor space

Abstract: We give canonical matrices of bilinear or sesquilinear forms UxV-->C, (V/U)xV-->C, in which V is a vector space over the field C of complex numbers and U is its subspace.


Canonical matrices of isometric operators on indefinite inner product spaces

Abstract: We give canonical matrices of a pair (A,B) consisting of a nondegenerate form B and a linear operator A satisfying B(Ax,Ay)=B(x,y) on a vector space over F in the following cases: (i) F is an algebraically closed field of characteristic different from 2 or a real closed field, and B is symmetric or skew-symmetric; (ii) F is an algebraically closed field or the skew field of quaternions over a real closed field, and B is Hermitian or skew-Hermitian with respect to any nonidentity involution on F. We use a method that admits to reduce the problem of classifying an arbitrary system of forms and linear mappings to the problem of classifying representations of some quiver. This method was described in [V.V. Sergeichuk, Math. USSR-Izv. 31 (1988) 481-501].


Partitioning 3-homogeneous latin bitrades

Abstract: A latin bitrade $(T^{\diamond}, T^{\otimes})$ is a pair of partial latin squares which defines the difference between two arbitrary latin squares $L^{\diamond} \supseteq T^{\diamond}$ and $L^{\diamond} \supseteq T^{\otimes}$ of the same order. A 3-homogeneous bitrade $(T^{\diamond}, T^{\otimes})$ has three entries in each row, three entries in each column, and each symbol appears three times in $T^{\diamond}$. Cavenagh (2006) showed that any 3-homogeneous bitrade may be partitioned into three transversals. In this paper we provide an independent proof of Cavenagh's result using geometric methods. In doing so we provide a framework for studying bitrades as tessellations of spherical, euclidean or hyperbolic space.


Sharp asymptotics for the partition function of some continuous-time directed polymers

Abstract: This paper is concerned with two related types of directed polymers in a random medium. The first one is a d-dimensional Brownian motion living in a random environment which is Brownian in time and homogeneous in space. The second is a continuous-time random walk on the lattice Z^d, in a random environment with similar properties as in continuous space. The case of a space-time white noise environment can be acheived in this second setting. By means of some Gaussian tools, we estimate the free energy of these models at low temperature, and give some further information on the strong disorder regime of the objects under consideration.


On some properties of Riemann zeta function on critical line

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to show further results following those published in [5], and to relate the Riemann zeta function to the relativistic cosmology.


Simplest miniversal deformations of matrices, matrix pencils, and contragredient matrix pencils

Abstract: V. I. Arnold [Russian Math. Surveys 26 (2) (1971) 29-43] constructed a simple normal form for a family of complex n-by-n matrices that smoothly depend on parameters with respect to similarity transformations that smoothly depend on the same parameters. We construct analogous normal forms for a family of real matrices and a family of matrix pencils that smoothly depend on parameters, simplifying their normal forms by D. M. Galin [Uspehi Mat. Nauk 27 (1) (1972) 241-242] and by A. Edelman, E. Elmroth, B. Kagstrom [Siam J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 18 (3) (1997) 653-692].


Generic families of matrix pencils and their bifurcation diagrams

Abstract: V. I. Arnold [Russian Math. Surveys 26, no. 2, 1971, 29-43] constructed smooth generic families of matrices with respect to similarity transformations depending smoothly on the entries of matrices and got bifurcation diagrams of such families with a small number of parameters. We extend these results to pencils of matrices.


If all geodesics are closed on the projective plane

Abstract: The paper shows that the curvature of RP2 is constant iff all geodesics are closed. Therefore RP2 is the first known manifold with only one G-structure. It took quiete a long time to find such a manifold. The author shows only that if all geodesics are closed then there are infinitely many simple closed geodesics. This proof is based on the geodesic return map and the theory of topological dynamics. From important results of Green, Grove and Gromoll one can conclude the theorem.


Classification of squared normal operators on unitary and Euclidean spaces

Abstract: We give a canonical form for a complex matrix, whose square is normal, under transformations of unitary similarity as well as a canonical form for a real matrix, whose square is normal, under transformations of orthogonal similarity.


Fair Triangulations

Abstract: We describe the statistics of checkerboard triangulations obtained by colouring black every other triangle in triangulations of convex polygons.


Correction of Errors in the First-Order Perturbation Expansions of Singular Vectors

Abstract: This note corrects some serious errors in the first-order perturbation analysis of singular vectors as published by G.W. Stewart in his book "Matrix Algorithms Volume II: Eigensystems", SIAM, 2001.


Quasi-Fuchsian AdS representations are Anosov

Abstract: In a recent paper, Q. M\'erigot proved that representations in SO(2,n) of uniform lattices of SO(1,n) which are Anosov in the sense of Labourie are quasi-Fuchsian, i.e. are faithfull, discrete, and preserve an acausal subset in the boundary of anti-de Sitter space. In the present paper, we prove the reverse implication. It also includes: -- A construction of Dirichlet domains in the context of anti-de Sitter geometry, -- A proof that spatially compact globally hyperbolic anti-de Sitter spacetimes with acausal limit set admit locally CAT(-1) Cauchy hypersurfaces.


A Floer homology for exact contact embeddings

Abstract: In this paper we construct the Floer homology for an action functional which was introduced by Rabinowitz and prove a vanishing theorem. As an application, we show that there are no displaceable exact contact embeddings of the unit cotangent bundle of a sphere of dimension greater than three into a convex exact symplectic manifold with vanishing first Chern class. This generalizes Gromov's result that there are no exact Lagrangian embeddings of a sphere into a complex vector space.


Modulation invariant bilinear T(1) theorem

Abstract: We prove a T(1) theorem for bilinear singular integral operators (trilinear forms) with a one-dimensional modulation symmetry.


Bilinear multipliers on Lorenzt spaces

Abstract: We give one sufficient and two necessary conditions for boundedness between Lebesgue or Lorentz spaces of several classes of bilinear multiplier operators closely connected with the bilinear Hilbert transform.


Poincar\'e series associated with surface singularities

Abstract: We unify and generalize formulas obtained by Campillo, Delgado and Gusein-Zade in their series of articles. Positive results are established for rational and minimally elliptic singularities. By examples and counterexamples we also try to find the `limits' of these identities. Connections with the Seiberg-Witten Invariant Conjecture and Semigroup Density Conjecture are discussed.


A characterization of nef and good divisors by asymptotic multiplier ideals

Abstract: A characterization of nef and good divisors is given: a divisor D on a smooth complex projective variety is nef and good if and only if the asymptotic multiplier ideals of sufficiently high multiples of e(D) D$ are trivial, where e(D) denotes the exponent of the divisor D. Some results of the same kind are proved in the analytic setting.


Morita theory of comodules over corings

Abstract: By a theorem due to Kato and Ohtake, any (not necessarily strict) Morita context induces an equivalence between appropriate subcategories of the module categories of the two rings in the Morita context. These are in fact categories of firm modules for non-unital subrings. We apply this result to various Morita contexts associated to a comodule $\Sigma$ of an $A$-coring $\cC$. This allows to extend (weak and strong) structure theorems in the literature, in particular beyond the cases when any of the coring $\cC$ or the comodule $\Sigma$ is finitely generated and projective as an $A$-module. That is, we obtain relations between the category of $\cC$-comodules and the category of firm modules for a firm ring $R$, which is an ideal of the endomorphism algebra $^\cC(\Sigma)$. For a firmly projective comodule of a coseparable coring we prove a strong structure theorem assuming only surjectivity of the canonical map.


Generic fiber of power series ring extensions

Abstract: Let D be a Noetherian domain containing a field, d a nonzero nonunit of D and z an indeterminate over D. We prove that the generic fiber of D[1/d][[z]] over D[[z]] has dimension greater than the dimension of D/dD.


An elementary construction of Anick's fibration

Abstract: Cohen, Moore, and Neisendorfer's work on the odd primary homotopy theory of spheres and Moore spaces, as well as the first author's work on the secondary suspension, predicted the existence of a p-local fibration S^2n-1 --> T --> \Omega S^2n+1 whose connecting map is degree p^r. In a long and complex monograph, Anick constructed such a fibration for p>= 5 and r>= 1. Using new methods we give a much more conceptual construction which is also valid for p=3 and r>= 1. We go on to establish several properties of the space T.


The Schur group of an abelian number field

Abstract: We characterize the maximum $r$-local index of a Schur algebra over an abelian number field $K$ in terms of global information determined by the field $K$, for $r$ an arbitrary rational prime. This completes and unifies previous results of Janusz and Pendergrass.


The gap between the Schur group and the subgroup generated by cyclic cyclotomic algebras

Abstract: Let $K$ be an abelian extension of the rationals. Let $S(K)$ be the Schur group of $K$ and let $CC(K)$ be the subgroup of $S(K)$ generated by classes containing cyclic cyclotomic algebras. We characterize when $CC(K)$ has finite index in $S(K)$ in terms of the relative position of $K$ in the lattice of cyclotomic extensions of the rationals.


Grassmannian spectral shooting

Abstract: We present a new numerical method for computing the pure-point spectrum associated with the linear stability of coherent structures. In the context of the Evans function shooting and matching approach, all the relevant information is carried by the flow projected onto the underlying Grassmann manifold. We show how to numerically construct this projected flow in a stable and robust manner. In particular, the method avoids representation singularities by, in practice, choosing the best coordinate patch representation for the flow as it evolves. The method is analytic in the spectral parameter and of complexity bounded by the order of the spectral problem cubed. For large systems it represents a competitive method to those recently developed that are based on continuous orthogonalization. We demonstrate this by comparing the two methods in three applications: Boussinesq solitary waves, autocatalytic travelling waves and Ekman boundary layer.


A Step Beyond Kemperman's Structure Theorem

Abstract: A classical result of Kemperman gives a complete recursive description of the structure of those subsets $A$ and $B$ of an abelian group that fail to satisfy the triangle inequality, i.e., $|A+B|<|A|+|B|$. In this paper, we achieve the complete description in the case when equality holds: $|A+B|=|A|+|B|$.


On three dimensional conformally flat almost cosymplectic manifolds

Abstract: In the paper there are described new examples of conformally flat three dimensional almost cosymplectic manifolds. All these manifolds form a class which was completely characterized.


Regularization independent of the noise level: an analysis of quasi-optimality

Abstract: The quasi-optimality criterion chooses the regularization parameter in inverse problems without taking into account the noise level. This rule works remarkably well in practice, although Bakushinskii has shown that there are always counterexamples with very poor performance. We propose an average case analysis of quasi-optimality for spectral cut-off estimators and we prove that the quasi-optimality criterion determines estimators which are rate-optimal {\em on average}. Its practical performance is illustrated with a calibration problem from mathematical finance.


Blow-analytic equivalence of two variable real analytic function germs

Abstract: Blow-analytic equivalence is a notion for real analytic function germs, introduced by Tzee-Char Kuo in order to develop real analytic equisingularity theory. In this paper we give complete characterisations of blow-analytic equivalence in the two dimensional case: in terms of the real tree model for the arrangement of real parts of Newton-Puiseux roots and their Puiseux pairs, and in terms of minimal resolutions. These characterisations show that in the two dimensional case the blow-analytic equivalence is a natural analogue of topological equivalence of complex analytic function germs. Moreover, we show that in the two-dimensional case the blow-analytic equivalence can be made cascade, and hence satisfies several geometric properties. It preserves, for instance, the contact orders of real analytic arcs. In the general $n$-dimensional case, we show that a singular real modification satisfies the arc-lifting property.


Extensions for supersingular representations of $GL_2(Q_p)$

Abstract: Let $p>2$ be a prime number. Let $G:=GL_2(Q_p)$ and $\pi$, $\tau$ smooth irreducible representations of $G$ on $\bar{F}_p$-vector spaces with a central character. We show if $\pi$ is supersingular then $Ext^1_G(\tau,\pi)\neq 0$ implies $\tau\cong \pi$. This answers affirmatively for $p>2$ a question of Colmez. We also determine $Ext^1_G(\tau,\pi)$, when $\pi$ is the Steinberg representation. As a consequence of our results combined with those already in the literature one knows $Ext^1_G(\tau,\pi)$ for all irreducible representations of $G$.


Sums of hermitian squares and the BMV conjecture

Abstract: Recently Lieb and Seiringer showed that the Bessis-Moussa-Villani conjecture from quantum physics can be restated in the following purely algebraic way: The sum of all words in two positive semidefinite matrices where the number of each of the two letters is fixed is always a matrix with nonnegative trace. We show that this statement holds if the words are of length at most 13. This has previously been known only up to length 7. In our proof, we establish a connection to sums of hermitian squares of polynomials in noncommuting variables and to semidefinite programming. As a by-product we obtain an example of a real polynomial in two noncommuting variables having nonnegative trace on all symmetric matrices of the same size, yet not being a sum of hermitian squares and commutators.


One Dimensional Locally Connected S-spaces

Abstract: We construct, assuming Jensen's principle diamond, a one-dimensional locally connected hereditarily separable continuum without convergent sequences. The construction is an inverse limit in omega_1 steps, and is patterned after the original Fedorchuk construction of a compact S-space. To make it one-dimensional, each space in the inverse limit is a copy of the Menger sponge.


Real Zeuthen numbers for two lines

Abstract: Given three natural numbers $k,l,d$ such that $k+l=d(d+3)/2$, the Zeuthen number $N_{d}(l)$ is the number of nonsingular complex algebraic curves of degree $d$ passing through $k$ points and tangent to $l$ lines in $\PP^2$. It does not depend on the generic configuration $C$ of points and lines chosen. If the points and lines are real, the corresponding number $N_{d}^\RR(l,C)$ of real curves usually depends on the configuration chosen. We use Mikhalkin's tropical correspondence theorem to prove that for two lines the real Zeuthen problem is maximal: there exists a configuration $C$ such that $N_{d}^\RR(2,C)=N_{d}(2)$. The correspondence theorem reduces the computation to counting certain lattice paths with multiplicities.


The Newton polygon of a rational plane curve

Abstract: The Newton polygon of the implicit equation of a rational plane curve is explicitly determined by the multiplicities of any of its parametrizations. We give an intersection-theoretical proof of this fact based on a refinement of the Kushnirenko-Bernstein theorem. We apply this result to the determination of the Newton polygon of a curve parameterized by generic Laurent polynomials or by generic rational functions, with explicit genericity conditions. We also show that the variety of rational curves with given Newton polygon is unirational and we compute its dimension. As a consequence, we obtain that any convex lattice polygon with positive area is the Newton polygon of a rational plane curve.


Smooth Volume Rigidity for Manifolds with Negatively Curved Targets

Abstract: We establish conditions for a continuous map of nonzero degree between a smooth closed manifold and a negatively curved manifold of dimension greater than four to be homotopic to a smooth cover, and in particular a diffeomorphism when the degree is one. The conditions hold when the volumes or entropy-volumes of the two manifolds differ by less than a uniform constant after an appropriate normalization of the metrics. The results are qualitatively sharp in the sense that the dependencies are necessary. We give a number of corollaries.


On the Long Time Behavior of Second Order Differential Equations with Asymptotically Small Dissipation

Abstract: We investigate the time-asymptotic properties of solutions of the differential equation x''(t) + a(t)x'(t) + g(x(t)) = 0 in a Hilbert space, where a(.) is non-increasing and g is the gradient of a potential G. If the coefficient a(.) is constant and positive, we recover the so-called ``Heavy Ball with Friction'' system. On the other hand, when a(t)=1/(t+1) we obtain the trajectories associated to some averaged gradient system. Our analysis is mainly based on the existence of some suitable energy function. When the potential G is convex and the coeffient a is non-integrable at infinity, the energy function converges to its minimum. A more stringent condition is required to obtain the convergence of the trajectories of toward some minimum point of the potential. In the one-dimensional setting, a precise description of the convergence of solutions is given for a general coercive non-convex potentials with many local minima and maxima. We show that in this case the set of initial conditions for which solutions converge to a local minimum is open and dense.


Rough Isometries of Lipschitz Function Spaces

Abstract: We show that rough isometries between metric spaces X, Y can be lifted to the spaces of real valued 1-Lipschitz functions over X and Y with supremum metric and apply this to their scaling limits. For the inverse, we show how rough isometries between X and Y can be reconstructed from structurally enriched rough isometries between their Lipschitz function spaces.


Adapted Linear-Nonlinear Decomposition And Global Well-posedness For Solutions To The Defocusing Cubic Wave Equation On $\mathbb{R}^{3}$

Abstract: We prove global well-posedness for the defocusing cubic wave equation with data in $H^{s} \times H^{s-1}$, $1>s>{13/18}$. The main task is to estimate the variation of an almost conserved quantity on an arbitrary long time interval. We divide it into subintervals. On each of these subintervals we write the solution as the sum of its linear part adapted to the subinterval and its corresponding npnlinear part. Some terms resulting from this decomposition have a controlled global variation and other terms have a slow local variation.


Iterated distributive laws

Abstract: We give a framework for combining $n$ monads on the same category via distributive laws satisfying Yang-Baxter equations, extending the classical result of Barr and Wells which combines two monads via one distributive law. We show that this corresponds to iterating $n$-times the process of taking the 2-category of monads in a 2-category, extending the result of Street characterising distributive laws. We show that this framework can be used to construct the free strict $n$-category monad on $n$-dimensional globular sets; we first construct for each $i$ a monad for composition along bounding $i$-cells, and then we show that the interchange laws define distributive laws between these monads, satisfying the necessary Yang-Baxter equations.


Apostol-Bernoulli functions, derivative polynomials and Eulerian polynomials

Abstract: This is a short survey of a class of functions introduces by Tom Apostol. The survey is focused on their relation to Eulerian polynomials, derivative polynomials, and also on some integral representations.


The values of an Euler sum at negative integers and relation to a convolution of Bernoulli numbers

Abstract: We study a special Dirichlet series studied before by Apostol and Matsuoka and specify its values at negative integers. These values are related to a certain convolution of Bernoulli numbers


On the Use of Integrals to Evaluate Series of Rational Terms

Abstract: This article is written with the hope to draw attention to a method that uses integral transforms to find exact values for a large class of convergent series (and, in particular, series of rational terms). We apply the method to some series that generalize a problem published in `The College Mathematics Journal'. Some of the results thus obtained have not been founded in standard references.


Some bijections on set partitions

Abstract: This paper has been withdrawn by the author due to an error in Lemma 3, making the (bijective) proof of Theorem 4 and Corollary 5 invalid (symmetry of k-nonnesting and k-noncrossing set partitions).


Inverse problems for Einstein manifolds

Abstract: We show that the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator of the Laplacian on an open subset of the boundary of a connected compact Einstein manifold with boundary determines the manifold up to isometries. Similarly, for connected conformally compact Einstein manifolds of even dimension $n+1$, we prove that the scattering matrix at energy $n$ on an open subset of its boundary determines the manifold up to isometries.


A uniform L^{\infty} estimate for complex Monge-Ampere equations

Abstract: We prove uniform sup-norm estimates for the Monge-Ampere equation with respect to a family of Kahler metrics which degenerate towards a pull-back of a metric from a lower dimensional manifold. This is then used to show the existence of generalized Kahler-Einstein metrics as the limits of the Kahler-Ricci flow for some holomorphic fibrations (in the spirit of Song and Tian "The Kahler-Ricci flow on surfaces of positive Kodaira dimension", arXiv:math/0602150).