Cycle Space Constructions for Exhaustions of Flag Domains

Abstract: In the study of complex flag manifolds, flag domains and their cycle spaces, a key point is the fact that the cycle space $\mathcal M_D$ of a flag domain $D$ is a Stein manifold. That fact has a long history. The earliest approach relied on construction of a strictly plurisubharmonic function on $\mathcal M_D$, starting with a $q$--convex exhaustion function on $D$, where $q$ is the dimension of a particular maximal compact subvariety of $D$ (we use the normalization that 0--convex means Stein). Construction of that exhaustion function on $D$ required that $D$ be measurable. In that case the exhaustion on $D$ was transferred to $\mathcal M_D$, using a special case of a method due to Barlet. Here we do the opposite: we use an incidence method to construct a canonical plurisubharmonic exhaustion function on $\mathcal M_D$ and use it in turn to construct a canonical $q$--convex exhaustion function on $D$. This promises to have strong consequences for cohomology vanishing theorems and the construction of admissible representations of real reductive Lie groups.


Problems in Additive Number Theory, III: Thematic Seminars at the Centre de Recerca Matematica

Abstract: This is a survey of open problems in different parts of combinatorial and additive number theory. The paper is based on lectures at the Centre de Recerca Matematica in Barcelona on January 23 and January 25, 2008.


Reflected Backward Stochastic Differential Equations with Continuous Coefficient and L^2 Barriers

Abstract: In this paper we study reflected backward stochastic differential equations with a continuous, linear growth coefficient and two barriers which belong to L^2. We prove that there exists at least by penalization method.


Reflected Backward Stochastic Differential Equations Driven by L\'{e}vy Process

Abstract: In this paper, we deal with a class of reflected backward stochastic differential equations associated to the subdifferential operator of a lower semi-continuous convex function driven by Teugels martingales associated with L\'{e}vy process. We obtain the existence and uniqueness of solutions to these equations by means of the penalization method. As its application, we give a probabilistic interpretation for the solutions of a class of partial differential-integral inclusions.


Nonexistence of arithmetic fake compact hermitian symmetric spaces of types other than An

Abstract: We show that there are no arithmetic fake compact hermitian symmetric spaces of type other than An for n>4.


Zeros of p-adic forms

Abstract: We show that all $p$-adic quintic forms in at least $n>4562911$ variables have a non-trivial zero. We also derive new result concerning systems of cubic and quadratic forms.


Ruled Lagrangian Submanifolds of the 6-Sphere

Abstract: This article sets out to serve a dual purpose. On the one hand, we give an explicit description of the Lagrangian submanifolds of the nearly Kaehler 6-sphere which are ruled by circles of constant radius using Weierstrass formulae. On the other, we recognise all previous known examples of these Lagrangians as being ruled by such circles. Therefore, we describe all families of Lagrangians in the 6-sphere whose second fundamental form satisfies natural pointwise conditions: so-called second order families.


The asymptotically optimal estimating equation for longitudinal data. Strong Consistency

Abstract: In this article, we introduce a conditional marginal model for longitudinal data, in which the residuals form a martingale difference sequence. This model allows us to consider a rich class of estimating equations, which contains several estimating equations proposed in the literature. A particular sequence of estimating equations in this class contains a random matrix $\mathcal{R}_{i-1}^*(\beta)$, as a replacement for the ``true'' conditional correlation matrix of the $i$-th individual. Using the approach of [12], we identify some sufficient conditions under which this particular sequence of equations is asymptotically optimal (in our class). In the second part of the article, we identify a second set of conditions, under which we prove the existence and strong consistency of a sequence of estimators of $\beta$, defined as roots of estimation equations which are martingale transforms (in particular, roots of the sequence of asymptotically optimal equations).


A Bernstein-Von Mises Theorem for discrete probability distributions

Abstract: We investigate the asymptotic normality of the posterior distribution in the discrete setting, when model dimension increases with sample size. We consider a probability mass function $\theta_0$ on $\mathbbm{N}\setminus \{0\}$ and a sequence of truncation levels $(k_n)_n$ satisfying $k_n^3\leq n\inf_{i\leq k_n}\theta_0(i).$ Let $\hat{\theta}$ denote the maximum likelihood estimate of $(\theta_0(i))_{i\leq k_n}$ and let $\Delta_n(\theta_0)$ denote the $k_n$-dimensional vector which $i$-th coordinate is defined by \sqrt{n} (\hat{\theta}_n(i)-\theta_0(i)) for $1\leq i\leq k_n.$ We check that under mild conditions on $\theta_0$ and on the sequence of prior probabilities on the $k_n$-dimensional simplices, after centering and rescaling, the variation distance between the posterior distribution recentered around $\hat{\theta}_n$ and rescaled by $\sqrt{n}$ and the $k_n$-dimensional Gaussian distribution $\mathcal{N}(\Delta_n(\theta_0),I^{-1}(\theta_0))$ converges in probability to $0.$ This theorem can be used to prove the asymptotic normality of Bayesian estimators of Shannon and R\'{e}nyi entropies. The proofs are based on concentration inequalities for centered and non-centered Chi-square (Pearson) statistics. The latter allow to establish posterior concentration rates with respect to Fisher distance rather than with respect to the Hellinger distance as it is commonplace in non-parametric Bayesian statistics.


The 8-universality Criterion is Unique

Abstract: Using the methods developed for the proof that the 2-universality criterion is unique, we partially characterize criteria for the n-universality of positive-definite integer-matrix quadratic forms. We then obtain the uniqueness of Oh's 8-universality criterion as an application of our characterization results.


The Stein hull

Abstract: We are interested in the statistical linear inverse problem $Y=Af+\epsilon\xi$, where $A$ denotes a compact operator and $\epsilon\xi$ a stochastic noise. In a first time, we investigate the link between some threshold estimators and the risk hull point of view introduced in (5). The penalized blockwise Stein's rule plays a central role in this study. In particular, this estimator may be considered as a risk hull minimization method, provided the penalty is well-chosen. Using this perspective, we study the properties of the threshold and propose an admissible range for the penalty leading to accurate results. We eventually propose a penalty close to the lower bound of this range. The risk hull point of view provides interesting tools for the construction of adaptive estimators. It sheds light on the processes governing the behavior of linear estimators. The variability of the problem may be indeed quite large and should be carefully controlled.


Generalized fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes

Abstract: We introduce an extended version of the fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (FOU) process where the integrand is replaced by the exponential of an independent L\'evy process. We call the process the generalized fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (GFOU) process. Alternatively, the process can be constructed from a generalized Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (GOU) process using an independent fractional Brownian motion (FBM) as integrator. We show that the GFOU process is well-defined by checking the existence of the integral included in the process, and investigate its properties. It is proved that the process has a stationary version and exhibits long memory. We also find that the process satisfies a certain stochastic differential equation. Our underlying intention is to introduce long memory into the GOU process which has short memory without losing the possibility of jumps. Note that both FOU and GOU processes have found application in a variety of fields as useful alternatives to the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) process.


The large sieve, monodromy and zeta functions of algebraic curves, II: independence of the zeros

Abstract: Using the sieve for Frobenius, we show that, in a certain sense, the roots of the L-functions of "most" algebraic curves over finite fields do not satisfy any non-trivial (linear or multiplicative) rational dependency relations. This can be seen as an analogue of conjectures of linear independence among ordinates of zeros of L-functions over number fields. As a corollary, we find, for "most" pairs of distinct algebraic curves over a finite field, the limiting distribution of the (suitably normalized) difference between the number of rational points over extensions of the ground field. The method of proof also emphasizes the relevance of Random Matrix models for this type of arithmetic questions. We also describe an alternative approach, which relies on Serre's theory of Frobenius tori, and we give a number of examples.


The Irregular Set for Maps with the Specification Property has Full Topological Pressure

Abstract: Let $(X,d)$ be a compact metric space, $f:X \mapsto X$ be a continuous map with the specification property, and $\varphi: X \mapsto \IR$ a continuous function. We consider the set of points for which the Birkhoff average of $\varphi$ does not exist (which we call the irregular set for $\varphi$) and show that this set is either empty or carries full topological pressure (in the sense of Pesin and Pitskel). We formulate various equivalent natural conditions on $\varphi$ that completely describe when the latter situation holds and give examples of interesting systems to which our results apply but were not previously known. As an application, we show that for a suspension flow over a continuous map with specification, the irregular set carries full topological entropy.


A Thermodynamic Definition of Topological Pressure for Non-Compact Sets

Abstract: We give a new definition of topological pressure for arbitrary (non-compact, non-invariant) Borel subsets of metric spaces. This new quantity is defined via a suitable variational principle, leading to an alternative definition of an equilibrium state. We study the properties of this new quantity and compare it with existing notions of topological pressure. We are particularly interested in the situation when the ambient metric space is assumed to be compact. We motivate the naturality of our definition by applying it to some interesting examples, including the level sets of the pointwise Lyapunov exponent for the Manneville-Pomeau family of maps.


Comultiplication rules for the double Schur functions and Cauchy identities

Abstract: The double Schur functions form a distinguished basis of the ring \Lambda(x||a) which is a multiparameter generalization of the ring of symmetric functions \Lambda(x). The canonical comultiplication on \Lambda(x) is extended to \Lambda(x||a) in a natural way so that the double power sums symmetric functions are primitive elements. We calculate the dual Littlewood-Richardson coefficients in two different ways thus providing comultiplication rules for the double Schur functions. We also prove multiparameter analogues of the Cauchy identity. A new family of Schur type functions plays the role of a dual object in the identities. We describe some properties of these dual Schur functions including a combinatorial presentation and an expansion formula in terms of the ordinary Schur functions. The dual Littlewood-Richardson coefficients provide a multiplication rule for the dual Schur functions.


Spectral flow is the integral of one forms on the Banach manifold of self adjoint Fredholm operators

Abstract: One may trace the idea that spectral flow should be given as the integral of a one form back to the 1974 Vancouver ICM address of I.M. Singer. Our main theorem gives analytic formulae for the spectral flow along a norm differentiable path of self-adjoint bounded Breuer-Fredholm operators in a semi-finite von Neumann algebra. These formulae have a geometric interpretation which derives from the proof. Namely we define a family of Banach submanifolds of all bounded self-adjoint Breuer-Fredholm operators and on each submanifold define global one forms whose integral on a norm differentiable path contained in the submanifold calculates the spectral flow along this path. We emphasise that our methods do not give a single globally defined one form on the self adjoint Breuer- Fredholms whose integral along all paths is spectral flow rather, as the choice of the plural `forms' in the title suggests, we need a family of such one forms in order to confirm Singer's idea. The original context for this result concerned paths of unbounded self-adjoint Fredholm operators. We therefore prove analogous formulae for spectral flow in the unbounded case as well. The proof is a synthesis of key contributions by previous authors, whom we acknowledge in detail in the introduction, combined with an additional important recent advance in the differential calculus of functions of non-commuting operators.


Three-dimensional polyhedra can be described by three polynomial inequalities

Abstract: Bosse et al. conjectured that for every natural number $d \ge 2$ and every $d$-dimensional polytope $P$ in $\real^d$ there exist $d$ polynomials $p_0(x),...,p_{d-1}(x)$ satisfying $P=\{x \in \mathbb{R}^d : p_0(x) \ge 0, >..., p_{d-1}(x) \ge 0 \}.$ We show that for dimensions $d \le 3$ even every $d$-dimensional polyhedron can be described by $d$ polynomial inequalities. The proof of our result is constructive.


Tits indices over semilocal rings

Abstract: We give a simplified proof of Tits' classification of semisimple algebraic groups that remains valid over semilocal rings. In particular, we provide explicit necessary and sufficient conditions that anisotropic groups of a given type appear as anisotropic kernels of semisimple groups of a given Tits index. We also give a new proof of the existence of all indices of exceptional inner type using the notion of canonical dimension of projective homogeneous varieties.


Wilf conjecture

Abstract: Let S(n,k) be the Stirling number of the second kind. Wilf conjectured that the alternating sum of S(n,k) for k from 0 to n is not zero for all n>2. In this paper, we prove that Wilf conjecture is true except at most one number with the properties of weighted Motzkin number.


Uniform-in-bandwidth consistency for kernel-type estimators of Shannon's entropy

Abstract: We establish uniform-in-bandwidth consistency for kernel-type estimators of the differential entropy. We consider two kernel-type estimators of Shannon's entropy. As a consequence, an asymptotic 100% confidence interval of entropy is provided.


Whittaker limits of difference spherical functions

Abstract: We introduce the (global) q-Whittaker function as the limit at t=0 of the q,t-spherical function extending the symmetric Macdonald polynomials to arbitrary eigenvalues. The construction heavily depends on the technique of the q-Gaussians developed by the author (and Stokman in the non-reduced case). In this approach, the q-Whittaker function is given by a series convergent everywhere, a kind of generating function for multi-dimensional q-Hermite polynomials (closely related to the level 1 Demazure characters). One of the applications is a q-version of the Shintani- Casselman- Shalika formula, which appeared directly connected with q-Mehta- Macdonald identities in terms of the Jackson integrals. This formula generalizes that of type A due to Gerasimov et al. to arbitrary reduced root systems. At the end of the paper, we obtain a q,t-counterpart of the Harish-Chandra asymptotic formula for the spherical functions, including the Whittaker limit.


Homogenization of the Signorini boundary-value problem in a thick plane junction

Abstract: We consider a mixed boundary-value problem for the Poisson equation in a plane thick junction $\Omega_{\varepsilon}$ which is the union of a domain $\Omega_0$ and a large number of $\varepsilon$-periodically situated thin rods. The nonuniform Signorini conditions are given on the vertical sides of the thin rods. The asymptotic analysis of this problem is made as $\varepsilon \to 0$, i.e., when the number of the thin rods infinitely increases and their thickness tends to zero. With the help of the integral identity method we prove the convergence theorem and show that the nonuniform Signorini conditions are transformed (as $\varepsilon \to 0$) in the limiting variational inequalities in the region that is filled up by the thin rods in the limit passage. The existence and uniqueness of the solution to this non-standard limit problem is established. The convergence of the energy integrals is proved as well.


Consistency of a needlet spectral estimator on the sphere

Abstract: The angular power spectrum of a stationary random field on the sphere is estimated from the needlet coefficients of a single realization, observed with increasingly fine resolution. The estimator we consider is similar to the one recently used in practice by (Fa\"{y} et al. 2008) to estimate the power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background. The consistency of the estimator, in the asymptotics of high frequencies, is proved for a model with a stationary Gaussian field corrupted by heteroscedastic noise and missing data.


Spherical Averages on Regular and Semiregular Graphs

Abstract: In 1966, P. Guenther proved the following result: Given a continuous function f on a compact surface M of constant curvature -1 and its periodic lift g to the universal covering, the hyperbolic plane, then the averages of the lift g over increasing spheres converge to the average of the function f over the surface M. In this article, we prove similar results for functions on the vertices and edges of regular and semiregular graphs, with special emphasis on the convergence rate. We also consider averages over more general sets like arcs, tubes and horocycles.


Stanley depth of monomial ideals in three variables

Abstract: We show that $\depth(S/I)=0$ if and only if $\sdepth(S/I)=0$, where $I\subset S=K[x_1,...,x_n]$ is a monomial ideal. We give an algorithm to compute the Stanley depth of $S/I$, where $I\subset S=K[x_1,x_2,x_3]$ is a monomial ideal. Also, we prove that a monomial ideal $I\subset K[x_1,x_2,x_3]$ minimally generated by three monomials has $\sdepth(I)=2$.


The Normalized Ricci Flow on Four-Manifolds and Exotic Smooth Structures

Abstract: In this article, we shall investigate the relationship between the existence or non-existence of non-singular solutions to the normalized Ricci flow and smooth structures on closed 4-manifolds, where non-singular solutions to the normalized Ricci flow are solutions which exist for all time $t \in [0, \infty)$ with uniformly bounded sectional curvature. In dimension 4, there exist many compact topological manifolds admitting distinct smooth structures, i.e., exotic smooth structures. Interestingly, in this article, the difference between existence and non-existence of non-singular solutions to the normalized Ricci flow on 4-manifolds turns out to strictly depend on the choice of smooth structure. In fact, we shall prove that, for every natural number $\ell$, there exists a compact topological 4-manifold $X_{\ell}$ which admits smooth structures for which non-singular solutions of the normalized Ricci flow exist, but also admits smooth structures for which no non-singular solution of the normalized Ricci flow exists. Hence, in dimension 4, smooth structures become definite obstructions to the existence of non-singular solutions to the normalized Ricci flow.


Canonical tilting modules over shod algebras are regular in codimension one

Abstract: We show that for a class of modules over shod algebras, including the canonical tilting modules, the closures of the corresponding orbits in module varieties are regular in codimension one.


Schmidt games and Markov partitions

Abstract: Let T be a C^2-expanding self-map of a compact, connected, smooth, Riemannian manifold M. We correct a minor gap in the proof of a theorem from the literature: the set of points whose forward orbits are nondense has full Hausdorff dimension. Our correction allows us to strengthen the theorem. Combining the correction with Schmidt games, we generalize the theorem in dimension one: given a point x in M, the set of points whose forward orbit closures miss x is a winning set.


Splittings of monomial ideals

Abstract: We provide some new conditions under which the graded Betti numbers of a monomial ideal can be computed in terms of the graded Betti numbers of smaller ideals, thus complementing Eliahou and Kervaire's splitting approach. As applications, we show that edge ideals of graphs are splittable, and we provide an iterative method for computing the Betti numbers of the cover ideals of Cohen-Macaulay bipartite graphs. Finally, we consider the frequency with which one can find particular splittings of monomial ideals and raise questions about ideals whose resolutions are characteristic-dependent.


Quiver representations in toric geometry

Abstract: This article is based on my lecture notes from summer schools at the Universities of Utah (June 2007) and Warwick (September 2007). We provide an introduction to explicit methods in the study of moduli spaces of quiver representations and derived categories arising in toric geometry. The first main goal is to present the noncommutative geometric approach to semiprojective toric varieties via quivers. To achieve this, we use geometric invariant theory to construct both semiprojective toric varieties and moduli spaces of quiver representations. The second main goal builds on the first by presenting an introduction to explicit methods in derived categories of coherent sheaves in toric geometry. We recall the notion of tilting bundles with examples, and describe the McKay correspondence as a derived equivalence in some detail following Bridgeland, King and Reid. We also describe extensions of their result beyond the $G$-Hilbert scheme to other fine moduli spaces of bound quiver representations.


Windings of planar random walks and averaged Dehn function

Abstract: We prove a sharp estimate on the expected value of the integral of the index of a simple random walk on the square or triangular lattice. This gives new lower bounds on the averaged Dehn function, which measures the expected area needed to fill a random curve with a disc.


Well-posedness for the generalized Benjamin-Ono equations with arbitrary large initial data in the critical space

Abstract: We prove that the generalized Benjamin-Ono equations $\partial_tu+\mathcal{H}\partial_x^2u\pm u^k\partial_xu=0$, $k\geq 4$ are locally well-posed in the scaling invariant spaces $\dot{H}^{s_k}(\R)$ where $s_k=1/2-1/k$. Our results also hold in the non-homogeneous spaces $H^{s_k}(\R)$. In the case $k=3$, local well-posedness is obtained in $H^{s}(\R)$, $s>1/3$.


On the vanishing of the Rokhlin invariant

Abstract: It is a natural consequence of fundamental properties of the Casson invariant that the Rokhlin invariant of an amphichiral integral homology 3-sphere M vanishes. In this paper, we give a new direct proof of this vanishing property. For such an M, we construct a manifold pair (Y,Q) of dimensions 6 and 3 equipped with some additional structure (6-dimensional spin e-manifold), such that Q = M \cup M \cup (-M) and (Y,Q) \cong (-Y,-Q). We prove that (Y,Q) bounds a 7-dimensional spin e-manifold (Z,X) by studying the cobordism group of 6-dimensional spin e-manifolds and the Z/2-actions on the two--point configuration space of M minus one point. For any such (Z,X), the signature of X vanishes, and this implies the vanishing of the Rokhlin invariant. The idea of the construction of (Y,Q) comes from the definition of the Kontsevich-Kuperberg-Thurston invariant for rational homology 3-spheres.


Regularity of the optimal shape for the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian with volume and inclusion constraints

Abstract: We consider the well-known following shape optimization problem: $$\lambda_1(\Omega^*)=\min_{\stackrel{|\Omega|=a} {\Omega\subset{D}}} \lambda_1(\Omega), $$ where $\lambda_1$ denotes the first eigenvalue of the Laplace operator with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition, and $D$ is an open bounded set (a box). It is well-known that the solution of this problem is the ball of volume $a$ if such a ball exists in the box $D$ (Faber-Krahn's theorem). In this paper, we prove regularity properties of the boundary of the optimal shapes $\Omega^*$ in any case and in any dimension. Full regularity is obtained in dimension 2.


Note on the Deodhar decomposition of a double Schubert cell

Abstract: We show that for an algebraic reductive group $G$, the partition of a double Schubert cell in the flag variety $G/B$ defined by Deodhar, and coming from a Bialynicki-Birula decomposition, is not a stratification in general. We give a counterexample for a group of type B$_n$, where the closure of some specific cell of dimension $2n$ has a non-trivial intersection with a cell of dimension $3n-3$


Twistor structures, tt*-geometry and singularity theory

Abstract: We give an overview on the tt*-geometry defined for isolated hypersurface singularities and tame functions via Brieskorn lattices. We discuss nilpotent orbits in this context, as well as classifying spaces of Brieskorn lattices and (limits of) period maps.


Differential forms on locally convex spaces and the Stokes formula

Abstract: We prove a version of the Stokes formula for differential forms on locally convex spaces. The main tool used for proving this formula is the surface layer theorem proved in another paper by the author. Moreover, for differential forms of a Sobolev-type class relative to a differentiable measure, we compute the operator adjoint to the exterior differential in terms of standard operations of calculus of differential forms and the logarithmic derivative. Previously, this connection was established under essentially stronger assumptions.


On a constrained 2-D Navier-Stokes equation

Abstract: The planar Navier-Stokes equation exhibits, in absence of external forces, a trivial asymptotics in time. Nevertheless the appearence of coherent structures suggests non-trivial intermediate asymptotics which should be explained in terms of the equation itself. Motivated by the separation of the different time scales observed in the dynamics of the Navier-Stokes equation, we study the well-posedness and asymptotic behaviour of a constrained equation which neglects the variation of the energy and moment of inertia.


An exact Ramsey principle for block sequences

Abstract: We prove an exact, i.e., formulated without $\Delta$-expansions, Ramsey principle for infinite block sequences in vector spaces over countable fields, where the two sides of the dichotomic principle are represented by respectively winning strategies in Gowers' block sequence game and winning strategies in the infinite asymptotic game. This allows us to recover Gowers' dichotomy theorem for block sequences in normed vector spaces by a simple application of the basic determinacy theorem for infinite asymptotic games.


$n$-Subspaces in linear and unitary spaces

Abstract: We study a relation between brick $n$-tuples of subspaces of a finite dimensional linear space, and irreducible $n$-tuples of subspaces of a finite dimensional Hilbert (unitary) space such that a linear combination, with positive coefficients, of orthogonal projections onto these subspaces equals the identity operator. We prove that brick systems of one-dimensional subspaces and the systems obtained from them by applying the Coxeter functors (in particular, all brick triples and quadruples of subspaces) can be unitarized. For each brick triple and quadruple of subspaces, we describe sets of characters that admit a unitarization.


On Sun's conjecture concerning disjoint cosets

Abstract: In 2004, Zhi-Wei Sun posed the following conjecture: If a_1G_1,...,a_kG_k (k>1) are finitely many pairwise disjoint left cosets in a group G with all the indices [G:G_i] finite, then for some 1\le i<j\le k, the greatest common divisor of [G:G_i] and [G:G_j] is at least k. In this paper, we confirm Sun's conjecture for k=3,4.


Nonoscillation and Stability of the Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations with a Damping Term

Abstract: In this paper we consider the linear ordinary equation of the second order $$ L x(t)\equiv \ddot{x}(t) +a(t)\dot{x}(t)+b(t)x(t)=f(t), \eqno{(1)} $$ and the corresponding homogeneous equation $$ \ddot{x}(t) +a(t)\dot{x}(t)+b(t)x(t)=0. \eqno{(2)} $$ Note that $[\alpha ,\beta ]$ is called a nonoscillation interval if every nontrivial solution has at most one zero on this interval. Many investigations which seem to have no connection such as differential inequalities, the Polia-Mammana decomposition (i.e. representation of the operator $L$ in the form of products of the first order differential operators), unique solvability of the interpolation problems, kernels oscillation, separation of zeros, zones of Lyapunov's stability and some others have a certain common basis - nonoscillation. Presumably Sturm was the first to consider the two problems which naturally appear here: to develop corollaries of nonoscillation and to find methods to check nonoscillation. In this paper we obtain several tests for nonoscillation on the semiaxis and apply them to propose new results on asymptotic properties and the exponential stability of the second order equation (2). Using the Floquet representations and upper and lower estimates of nonoscillation intervals of oscillatory solutions we deduce results on the exponential and Lyapunov's stability and instability of equation (2).


Hausdorff dimension for ergodic measures of interval exchange transformations

Abstract: I show that there exist minimal interval exchange transformations with an ergodic measure whose Hausdorff dimension is arbitrarily small, even 0. I will also show that in particular cases one can bound the Hausdorff dimension between $\frac 1 {2r+4}$ and $\frac 1 r$ for any r greater than 1.


Aspects of area formulas by way of Luzin, Rad\'o, and Reichelderfer on metric measure spaces

Abstract: We consider some measure-theoretic properties of functions belonging to a Sobolev-type class on metric measure spaces that admit a Poincar\'e inequality and are equipped with a doubling measure. The properties we have selected to study are those that are related to area formulas.


Comparison of cobordism theories

Abstract: Relying on results of Hopkins-Morel, we show that, for $X$ a quasi-projective variety over a field of characteristic zero, the canonical map $\Omega_n(X)\to MGL_{2n,n}'(X)$ is an isomorphism. Here $\Omega_*(X)$ is the theory of algebraic cobordism defined by Levine-Morel, and $MGL_{*,*}'$ is the Borel-Moore homology version of the theory of algebraic cobordism defined via the algebraic Thom complex in the Morel-Voevodsky motivic stable homotopy category.


Nemirovski's Inequalities Revisited

Abstract: An important tool for statistical research are moment inequalities for sums of independent random vectors. Nemirovski and coworkers (1983, 2000) derived one particular type of such inequalities: For certain Banach spaces $(\B,\|\cdot\|)$ there exists a constant $K = K(\B,\|\cdot\|)$ such that for arbitrary independent and centered random vectors $X_1, X_2, ..., X_n \in \B$, their sum $S_n$ satisfies the inequality $ E \|S_n \|^2 \le K \sum_{i=1}^n E \|X_i\|^2$. We present and compare three different approaches to obtain such inequalities: Nemirovski's results are based on deterministic inequalities for norms. Another possible vehicle are type and cotype inequalities, a tool from probability theory on Banach spaces. Finally, we use a truncation argument plus Bernstein's inequality to obtain another version of the moment inequality above. Interestingly, all three approaches have their own merits.


Mathematical Analysis of a Kinetic Model for Cell Movement in Network Tissues

Abstract: Mesenchymal motion describes the movement of cells in biological tissues formed by fiber networks. An important example is the migration of tumor cells through collagen networks during the process of metastasis formation. We investigate the mesenchymal motion model proposed by T. Hillen (J. Math. Biol. 53:585-616, 2006) in higher dimensions. We formulate the problem as an evolution equation in a Banach space of measure-valued functions and use methods from semigroup theory to show the global existence of classical solutions. We investigate steady states of the model and show that patterns of network type exist as steady states. For the case of constant fiber distribution, we find an explicit solution and we prove the convergence to the parabolic limit.


Oriented cohomology, Borel-Moore homology and algebraic cobordism

Abstract: We examine various versions of oriented cohomology and Borel-Moore homology theories in algebraic geometry and put these two together in the setting of an "oriented duality theory", a generalization of Bloch-Ogus twisted duality theory. This combines and exends work of Panin and Mocanasu. We apply this to give a Borel-Moore homology version $MGL'_{*,*}$ of Voevodsky's $MGL^{*,*}$-theory, and a natural map $\vartheta:\Omega_*\to MGL'_{2*,*}$, where $\Omega_*$ is the algebraic cobordism theory defined by Levine-Morel. We conjecture that $\vartheta$ is an isomorphism and describe a program for proving this conjecture.


Rate of Escape of Random Walks on Regular Languages and Free Products by Amalgamation of Finite Groups

Abstract: We consider random walks on the set of all words over a finite alphabet such that in each step only the last two letters of the current word may be modified and only one letter may be adjoined or deleted. We assume that the transition probabilities depend only on the last two letters of the current word. Furthermore, we consider also the special case of random walks on free products by amalgamation of finite groups which arise in a natural way from random walks on the single factors. The aim of this paper is to compute several equivalent formulas for the rate of escape with respect to natural length functions for these random walks using different techniques.


Smooth motives

Abstract: Following ideas of Bondarko, we construct a DG category whose homotopy category is equivalent to the full subcategory of motives over a base-scheme $S$ generated by the motives of smooth projective $S$-schemes, assuming that $S$ is itself smooth over a perfect field.


Structure theorems of mixable shuffle algebras and free commutative Rota-Baxter algebras

Abstract: We study the ring theoretical structures of mixable shuffle algebras and their associated free commutative Rota-Baxter algebras. For this study we utilize the connection of the mixable shuffle algebras with the overlapping shuffle algebra of Hazewinkel, quasi-shuffle algebras of Hoffman and quasi-symmetric functions. This connection allows us to apply methods and results on shuffle products and Lyndon words on ordered sets. As a result, we obtain structure theorems for a large class of mixable shuffle algebras and free commutative Rota-Baxter algebras with various coefficient rings.


Classes on compactifications of the moduli space of curves through solutions to the quantum master equation

Abstract: In this paper we describe a construction which produces classes in a compactification of the moduli space of curves. This construction extends a construction of Kontsevich which produces classes in the open moduli space from the initial data of a cyclic A-infinity algebra. The initial data for our construction is what we call a `quantum A-infinity algebra', which arises as a type of deformation of a cyclic A-infinity algebra. The deformation theory for these structures is described explicitly. We construct a family of examples of quantum A-infinity algebras which extend a family of cyclic A-infinity algebras, introduced by Kontsevich, which are known to produce all the Miller-Morita-Mumford classes using his construction.


Ice formation in the Arctic during summer: false-bottoms

Abstract: The only source of ice formation in the Arctic during summer is a layer of ice called false-bottoms between an under-ice melt pond and the underlying ocean. Of interest is to give a mathematical model in order to determine the simultaneous growth and ablation of false-bottoms, which is governed by both of heat fluxes and salt fluxes. In one dimension, this problem may be considered mathematically as a two-phase Stefan problem with two free boundaries. Our main result is to prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution from the initial condition.


Two Dimensional Density Estimation using Smooth Invertible Transformations

Abstract: We investigate the problem of estimating a smooth invertible transformation f when observing independent samples X_1, ..., X_n ~ P \circ f, where P is a known measure. We focus on the two dimensional case where P and f are defined on R^2. We present a flexible class of smooth invertible transformations in two dimensions with variational equations for optimizing over the classes, then study the problem of estimating the transformation f by penalized maximum likelihood estimation. We apply our methodology to the case when P \circ f has a density with respect to Lebesgue measure on R^2 and demonstrate improvements over kernel density estimation on three examples.


Counterexamples in Cake-Cutting

Abstract: This article contains counterexamples to theorems and claims in Brams, Jones and Klamler's article "Better Ways to Cut a Cake" in the December 2006 Notices of the American Mathematical Society.


Comparison between the fundamental group scheme of a relative scheme and that of its generic fiber

Abstract: We show that the natural morphism $\phi:\pi_1(X_{\eta},x_{\eta})\to \pi_1(X,x)_{\eta}$ between the fundamental group scheme of the generic fiber $X_{\eta}$ of a scheme $X$ over a connected Dedekind scheme and the generic fiber of the fundamental group scheme of $X$ is always faithfully flat. As an application we give a necessary and sufficient condition for a finite, dominated pointed $G$-torsor over $X_{\eta}$ to be extended over $X$. We finally provide examples where $\phi:\pi_1(X_{\eta},x_{\eta})\to \pi_1(X,x)_{\eta}$ is an isomorphism..


Adapted coordinates in two dimensions and a proof of Puiseux's theorem

Abstract: A method for finding Puiseux series goes back to Isaac Newton, which gives the terms of Puiseux series through an infinite recursive process; an additional argument is then used to show that the resulting Puiseux series are convergent. This paper provides an argument based on Newton's method and some ideas from resolution of singularities that gives a quick proof of both the existence and convergence of Puiseux series. It is then shown that similar ideas can be used to give a short proof of the existence of smooth adapted coordinates for oscillatory integrals in two dimensions, a result first proved in the real-analytic case by Varchenko [V] and then recently for the general smooth case by Ikromov-Muller [IM]. The arguments of this paper are entirely elementary.


A cone theorem for nef curves

Abstract: Following ideas of V. Batyrev, we prove an analogue of the Cone Theorem for the closed cone of nef curves: an enlargement of the cone of nef curves is the closure of the sum of a K_X-non-negative portion and countably many K_X-negative coextremal rays. An example shows that this enlargement is necessary. We also describe the relationship between K_X-negative faces of this cone and the possible outcomes of the minimal model program.


A note on K$\ddot{a}$hler manifolds with almost nonnegative bisectional curvature

Abstract: In this note we prove the following result: There is a positive constant $\epsilon(n,\Lambda)$ such that if $M^n$ is a simply connected compact K$\ddot{a}$hler manifold with sectional curvature bounded from above by $\Lambda$, diameter bounded from above by 1, and with holomorphic bisectional curvature $H \geq -\epsilon(n,\Lambda)$, then $M^n$ is diffeomorphic to the product $M_1\times ... \times M_k$, where each $M_i$ is either a complex projective space or an irreducible K$\ddot{a}$hler-Hermitian symmetric space of rank $\geq 2$. This resolves a conjecture of F. Fang under the additional upper bound restrictions on sectional curvature and diameter.


The energy space for the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with magnetic field

Abstract: We study the energy space for the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with magnetic field and non-vanishing conditions at infinity. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions on the magnetic field for which the energy space is non-empty.


An output-sensitive algorithm for multi-parametric LCPs with sufficient matrices

Abstract: This paper considers the multi-parametric linear complementarity problem (pLCP) with sufficient matrices. The main result is an algorithm to find a polyhedral decomposition of the set of feasible parameters and to construct a piecewise affine function that maps each feasible parameter to a solution of the associated LCP in such a way that the function is affine over each cell of the decomposition. The algorithm is output-sensive in the sense that its time complexity is polynomial in the size of the input and linear in the size of the output, when the problem is non-degenerate. We give a lexicographic perturbation technique to resolve degeneracy as well. Unlike for the non-parametric case, the resolution turns out to be nontrivial, and in particular, it involves linear programming (LP) duality and multi-objective LP.


Cascade of Phase Shifts and Creation of Nonlinear Focal Points for Supercritical Semiclassical Hartree Equation

Abstract: We consider the semiclassical limit of the Hartree equation with a data causing a focusing at a point. We study the asymptotic behavior of phase function associated with the WKB approximation near the caustic when a nonlinearity is supercritical. In this case, it is known that a phase shift occurs in a neighborhood of focusing time in the case of focusing cubic nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation. Thanks to the smoothness of the nonlocal nonlinearities, we justify the WKB-type approximation of the solution for a data which is larger than in the previous results and is not necessarily well-prepared. We also show by an analysis of the limit hydrodynamical equaiton that, however, this WKB-type approximation breaks down before reaching the focal point: Nonlinear effects lead to the formation of singularity of the leading term of the phase function.


On Fano manifolds with a birational contraction sending a divisor to a curve

Abstract: Let X be a smooth Fano variety of dimension at least 4. We show that if X has an elementary birational contraction sending a divisor to a curve, then the Picard number of X is smaller or equal to 5.


Floer homology and existence of incompressible tori in homology spheres

Abstract: We show that if a prime homology sphere has the same Floer homology as the standard three-sphere, it does not contain any incompressible tori.


Local rigidity of quasi-regular varieties

Abstract: For a $G$-variety $X$ with an open orbit, we define its boundary $\partial X$ as the complement of the open orbit. The action sheaf $S_X$ is the subsheaf of the tangent sheaf made of vector fields tangent to $\partial X$. We prove, for a large family of smooth spherical varieties, the vanishing of the cohomology groups $H^i(X,S_X)$ for $i>0$, extending results of F. Bien and M. Brion. We apply these results to study the local rigidity of the smooth projective varieties with Picard number one classified in a previous paper of the first author.


Process of "Primoverization" of Numbers of the Form a^n-1

Abstract: We call an integer N>1 primover to base a if it either prime or overpseudoprime to base a. We prove, in particular, that every Fermat number is primover to base 2. We also indicate a simple process of receiving of primover divisors of numbers of the form a^n-1.


On the stratified vector bundles

Abstract: The stratified vector bundles on a smooth variety defined over an algebraically closed field $k$ form a neutral Tannakian category over $k$. We investigate the affine group--scheme corresponding to this neutral Tannakian category.


Computing faithful representations for nilpotent Lie algebras

Abstract: We describe three methods to determine a faithful representation of small dimension for a finite-dimensional nilpotent Lie algebra over an arbitrary field. We apply our methods in finding bounds for the smallest dimension $\mu(\Lg)$ of a faithful $\Lg$-module for some nilpotent Lie algebras $\Lg$. In particular, we describe an infinite family of filiform nilpotent Lie algebras $\Lf_n$ of dimension $n$ over $\Q$ and conjecture that $\mu(\Lf_n) > n+1$. Experiments with our algorithms suggest that $\mu(\Lf_n)$ is polynomial in $n$.


Large Deviations of the Front in a one dimensional model of $X+Y \to 2X$

Abstract: We investigate the probabilities of large deviations for the position of the front in a stochastic model of the reaction $X+Y \to 2X$ on the integer lattice in which $Y$ particles do not move while $X$ particles move as independent simple continuous time random walks of total jump rate $2$. For a wide class of initial conditions, we prove that a large deviations principle holds and we show that the zero set of the rate function is the interval $[0,v]$, where $v$ is the velocity of the front given by the law of large numbers. We also give more precise estimates for the rate of decay of the slowdown probabilities. Our results indicate a gapless property of the generator of the process as seen from the front, as it happens in the context of nonlinear diffusion equations describing the propagation of a pulled front into an unstable state.


Bounds for Integral j -Invariants and Cartan Structures on Elliptic Curves

Abstract: We bound the j -invariant of integral points on a modular curve in terms of the congruence group defining the curve. We apply this to prove that the modular curve Xsplit (p3) has no non-trivial rational point if p is a sufficiently large prime number. Assuming the GRH, one can replace p3 by p2 .


Algebraic string bracket as a Poisson bracket

Abstract: In this paper we construct a Lie algebra representation of the algebraic string bracket on negative cyclic cohomology of an associative algebra with appropriate duality. This is a generalized algebraic version of the main theorem of [AZ] which extends Goldman's results using string topology operations.The main result can be applied to the de Rham complex of a smooth manifold as well as the Dolbeault resolution of the endomorphisms of a holomorphic bundle on a Calabi-Yau manifold.


The growth rate of an entire function and the Hausdorff dimension of its Julia set

Abstract: Let f be a transcendental entire function in the Eremenko-Lyubich class B. We give a lower bound for the Hausdorff dimension of the Julia set of f that depends on the growth of f. This estimate is best possible and is obtained by proving a more general result concerning the size of the escaping set of a function with a logarithmic tract.


The height of random binary unlabelled trees

Abstract: This extended abstract is dedicated to the analysis of the height of non-plane unlabelled rooted binary trees. The height of such a tree chosen uniformly among those of size $n$ is proved to have a limiting theta distribution, both in a central and local sense. Moderate as well as large deviations estimates are also derived. The proofs rely on the analysis (in the complex plane) of generating functions associated with trees of bounded height.


Transitivity of codimension one Anosov actions of R^k on closed manifolds

Abstract: In this paper, we define codimension one Anosov actions of $\RR^k, k\geq 2,$ on a closed connected orientable manifold $M$. We prove that if the ambient manifold has dimension greater than $k+2$, then the action is topologically transitive. This generalizes a result of Verjovsky for codimension one Anosov flows.


Complexity of comparing monomials and two improvements of the BM-algorithm

Abstract: We give a new algorithm for merging sorted lists of monomials. Together with a projection technique we obtain a new complexity bound for the BM-algorithm.


The type of the base ring associated to a transversal polymatroid

Abstract: In this paper we determine the facets of the polyhedral cone generated by the exponent set of the monomials defining the base ring associated to some transversal polymatroid. We need the description of these facets to find the canonical module of the base ring which is expressed in terms of the relative interior of the cone. This would allow us to compute the $a$-invariant of those base rings. The results presented were discovered by extensive computer algebra experiments performed with {\it{Normaliz}} \cite{BK}.


Boundedness of Schroedinger type propagators on modulation spaces

Abstract: It is known that Fourier integral operators arising when solving Schr\"odinger-type operators are bounded on the modulation spaces $\cM^{p,q}$, for $1\leq p=q\leq\infty$, provided their symbols belong to the Sj\"ostrand class $M^{\infty,1}$. However, they generally fail to be bounded on $\cM^{p,q}$ for $p\not=q$. In this paper we study several additional conditions, to be imposed on the phase or on the symbol, which guarantee the boundedness on $\cM^{p,q}$ for $p\not=q$, and between $\cM^{p,q}\to\cM^{q,p}$, $1\leq q< p\leq\infty$. We also study similar problems for operators acting on Wiener amalgam spaces, recapturing, in particular, some recent results for metaplectic operators. Our arguments make heavily use of the uncertainty principle.


Strictly singular non-compact diagonal operators on HI spaces

Abstract: We construct a Hereditarily Indecomposable Banach space $\eqs_d$ with a Schauder basis \seq{e}{n} on which there exist strictly singular non-compact diagonal operators. Moreover, the space $\mc{L}_{\diag}(\eqs_d)$ of diagonal operators with respect to the basis \seq{e}{n} contains an isomorphic copy of $\ell_{\infty}(\N)$.


Saturated extensions, the attractors method and Hereditarily James Tree Space

Abstract: In the present work we provide a variety of examples of HI Banach spaces containing no reflexive subspace and we study the structure of their duals as well as the spaces of their linear bounded operators. Our approach is based on saturated extensions of ground sets and the method of attractors.


On pointed Hopf algebras associated with the symmetric groups

Abstract: It is an important open problem whether the dimension of the Nichols algebra B(O,\rho) is finite when O is the class of the transpositions and \rho is the sign representation, with m>= 6. In the present paper, we discard most of the other conjugacy classes showing that very few pairs (O,\rho) might give rise to finite-dimensional Nichols algebras.


On rich lines in grids

Abstract: In this paper we show that if one has a grid A x B, where A and B are sets of n real numbers, then there can be only very few ``rich'' lines in certain quite small families. Indeed, we show that if the family has lines taking on n^epsilon distinct slopes, and where each line is parallel to n^epsilon others (so, at least n^(2 epsilon) lines in total), then at least one of these lines must fail to be ``rich''. This result immediately implies non-trivial sum-product inequalities; though, our proof makes use of the Szemeredi-Trotter inequality, which Elekes used in his argument for lower bounds on |C+C| + |C.C|.


Contact structures, sutured Floer homology and TQFT

Abstract: We describe the natural gluing map on sutured Floer homology which is induced by the inclusion of one sutured manifold (M',\Gamma') into a larger sutured manifold (M,\Gamma), together with a contact structure on M-M'. As an application of this gluing map, we produce a (1+1)-dimensional TQFT by dimensional reduction and study its properties.


Positive mass theorem for the Paneitz-Branson operator

Abstract: We prove that under suitable assumptions, the constant term in the Green function of the Paneitz-Branson operator on a compact Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$ is positive unless $(M,g)$ is conformally diffeomophic to the standard sphere. The proof is inspired by the positive mass theorem on spin manifolds by Ammann-Humbert.


On the minimal speed of traveling waves for a non-local delayed reaction-diffusion equation

Abstract: In this note, we give constructive upper and lower bounds for the minimal speed of propagation of traveling waves for non-local delayed reaction-diffusion equation.


Constructive pointfree topology eliminates non-constructive representation theorems from Riesz space theory

Abstract: In Riesz space theory it is good practice to avoid representation theorems which depend on the axiom of choice. Here we present a general methodology to do this using pointfree topology. To illustrate the technique we show that almost f-algebras are commutative. The proof is obtained relatively straightforward from the proof by Buskes and van Rooij by using the pointfree Stone-Yosida representation theorem by Coquand and Spitters.


Secant varieties to osculating varieties of Veronese embeddings of $\mathbb{P}^n$

Abstract: A well known theorem by Alexander-Hirschowitz states that all the higher secant varieties of $V_{n,d}$ (the $d$-uple embedding of $\mathbb{P}^n$) have the expected dimension, with few known exceptions. We study here the same problem for $T_{n,d}$, the tangential variety to $V_{n,d}$, and prove a conjecture, which is the analogous of Alexander-Hirschowitz theorem, for $n\leq 9$. Moreover. we prove that it holds for any $n,d$ if it holds for $d=3$. Then we generalize to the case of $O_{k,n,d}$, the $k$-osculating variety to $V_{n,d}$, proving, for $n=2$, a conjecture that relates the defectivity of $\sigma_s(O_{k,n,d})$ to the Hilbert function of certain sets of fat points in $\mathbb{P}^n$.


Automata and cells in affine Weyl groups

Abstract: Let W~ be an affine Weyl group, and let C be a left, right, or two-sided Kazhdan--Lusztig cell in W~. Let Reduced (C) be the set of all reduced expressions of elements of C, regarded as a formal language in the sense of the theory of computation. We show that Reduced (C) is a regular language. Hence the reduced expressions of the elements in any Kazhdan--Lusztig cell can be enumerated by a finite state automaton.


Differential operators, shifted parts, and hook lengths

Abstract: We discuss Sekiguchi-type differential operators, their eigenvalues, and a generalization of Andrews-Goulden-Jackson formula. These will be applied to extract explicit formulae involving shifted partitions and hook lengths.


Strong A-infinity weights, Besov and Sobolev capacities in metric measure spaces

Abstract: This article studies strong A-infinity weights in Ahlfors Q-regular and geodesic metric spaces satisfying a weak (1,s)-Poincare inequality for some 1<s<=Q, where Q is finite. It is shown that whenever max(1,Q-1)<s<=Q, a function u yields a strong A-infinity weight of the form w=exp(Qu) if u has a minimal s-weak upper gradient with sufficiently small Morrey norm. Similarly, it is proved that if 1<Q<p for some finite p, then w=exp(Qu) is a strong A-infinity weight whenever u has sufficiently small Besov p-seminorm.


The relative hyperbolicity of one-relator relative presentations

Abstract: We prove that if $G$ is a free-torsion group and $w(t)$ is a word in the alphabet $G \sqcup \{t^{\pm 1}\}$ with exponent sum one, then the group $<G,t|(w(t))^k = 1>$, where $k \geq 2$, is relatively hyperbolic with respect to $G$.


Symplectic Floer homology of area-preserving surface diffeomorphisms

Abstract: The symplectic Floer homology HF_*(f) of a symplectomorphism f:S->S encodes data about the fixed points of f using counts of holomorphic cylinders in R x M_f, where M_f is the mapping torus of f. We give an algorithm to compute HF_*(f) for f a surface symplectomorphism in a pseudo-Anosov or reducible mapping class, completing the computation of Seidel's HF_*(h) for h any orientation-preserving mapping class.


Differential Tannakian Categories

Abstract: We define a differential Tannakian category and show that under a natural assumption it has a fibre functor. If in addition this category is neutral, that is, the target category for the fibre functor are finite dimensional vector spaces over the base field, then it is equivalent to the category of representations of a (pro-)linear differential algebraic group. Our treatment of the problem is via differential Hopf algebras and Deligne's fibre functor construction.


Abstract: The intersection of two Steiner triple systems (X,A) and (X,B) is the set A intersect B. The fine intersection problem for Steiner triple systems is to determine for each v, the set I(v), consisting of all possible pairs (m,n) such that there exist two Steiner triple systems of order v whose intersection has n blocks over m points. We show that for v = 1 or 3 (mod 6), |I(v)| = Omega(v^3), where previous results only imply that |I(v)| = Omega(v^2).


Approximate volume and integration for basic semi-algebraic sets

Abstract: Given a basic compact semi-algebraic set $\K\subset\R^n$, we introduce a methodology that generates a sequence converging to the volume of $\K$. This sequence is obtained from optimal values of a hierarchy of either semidefinite or linear programs. Not only the volume but also every finite vector of moments of the probability measure that is uniformly distributed on $\K$ can be approximated as closely as desired, and so permits to approximate the integral on $\K$ of any given polynomial; extension to integration against some weight functions is also provided. Finally, some numerical issues associated with the algorithms involved are briefly discussed.


Polar transform of Spacelike isothermic surfaces in 4-dimensional Lorentzian space forms

Abstract: The conformal geometry of spacelike surfaces in 4-dimensional Lorentzian space forms has been studied by the authors in a previous paper, where the so-called polar transform was introduced. Here it is shown that this transform preserves spacelike conformal isothermic surfaces. We relate this new transform with the known transforms (Darboux transform and spectral transform) of isothermic surfaces by establishing the permutability theorems.


Partially specified prior

Abstract: This note introduces the concept of a partially specified prior distribution for certain post hoc inference problems, where a finite population is sampled once in order to make a decision on the presence or complete absence of some attribute. If the decision is made to accept complete absence, a probability statement may be required that the population is indeed free of the attribute. A partially specified prior is shown to be advantageous in making such statements realistic and useful.


Simultaneous estimation of the mean and the variance in heteroscedastic Gaussian regression

Abstract: Let $Y$ be a Gaussian vector of $\mathbb{R}^n$ of mean $s$ and diagonal covariance matrix $\Gamma$. Our aim is to estimate both $s$ and the entries $\sigma_i=\Gamma_{i,i}$, for $i=1,...,n$, on the basis of the observation of two independent copies of $Y$. Our approach is free of any prior assumption on $s$ but requires that we know some upper bound $\gamma$ on the ratio $\max_i\sigma_i/\min_i\sigma_i$. For example, the choice $\gamma=1$ corresponds to the homoscedastic case where the components of $Y$ are assumed to have common (unknown) variance. In the opposite, the choice $\gamma>1$ corresponds to the heteroscedastic case where the variances of the components of $Y$ are allowed to vary within some range. Our estimation strategy is based on model selection. We consider a family $\{S_m\times\Sigma_m, m\in\mathcal{M}\}$ of parameter sets where $S_m$ and $\Sigma_m$ are linear spaces. To each $m\in\mathcal{M}$, we associate a pair of estimators $(\hat{s}_m,\hat{\sigma}_m)$ of $(s,\sigma)$ with values in $S_m\times\Sigma_m$. Then we design a model selection procedure in view of selecting some $\hat{m}$ among $\mathcal{M}$ in such a way that the Kullback risk of $(\hat{s}_{\hat{m}},\hat{\sigma}_{\hat{m}})$ is as close as possible to the minimum of the Kullback risks among the family of estimators $\{(\hat{s}_m,\hat{\sigma}_m), m\in\mathcal{M}\}$. Then we derive uniform rates of convergence for the estimator $(\hat{s}_{\hat{m}},\hat{\sigma}_{\hat{m}})$ over H\"{o}lderian balls. Finally, we carry out a simulation study in order to illustrate the performances of our estimators in practice.


A generalized logarithmic module and duality of Coxeter multiarrangements

Abstract: We introduce a new definition of a generalized logarithmic module of multiarrangements by uniting those of the logarithmic derivation and the differential modules. This module is realized as a logarithmic derivation module of an arrangement of hyperplanes with a multiplicity consisting of both positive and negative integers. We consider several properties of this module including Saito's criterion and reflexivity. As applications, we prove a shift isomorphism and duality of some Coxeter multiarrangements by using the primitive derivation.


Statistical tools used to identify scientific misconduct in mobile phone research (REFLEX program)

Abstract: A severe case of scientific misconduct was discovered in a paper from 2005 allegedly showing harmful effects (DNA breakage) of non-thermal mobile phone electromagnetic field exposure on human and rat cells. Here we describe the way how the fraudulent data were identified. The low variations of the reported biological data are shown to be below theoretical lower limits (multinomial distributions). Another reason for doubts was highly significant non-equal distributions of last digits, a known hint towards data fabrication. The Medical University Vienna, where the research was conducted, was informed about these findings and came to the conclusion that the data in this and another, related paper by the same group were fabricated, and that both papers should be retracted.


Comparing two samples by penalized logistic regression

Abstract: Inference based on the penalized density ratio model is proposed and studied. The model under consideration is specified by assuming that the log--likelihood function of two unknown densities is of some parametric form. The model has been extended to cover multiple samples problems while its theoretical properties have been investigated using large sample theory. A main application of the density ratio model is testing whether two, or more, distributions are equal. We extend these results by arguing that the penalized maximum empirical likelihood estimator has less mean square error than that of the ordinary maximum likelihood estimator, especially for small samples. In fact, penalization resolves any existence problems of estimators and a modified Wald type test statistic can be employed for testing equality of the two distributions. A limited simulation study supports further the theory.


A note on grid transfer operators for multigrid methods

Abstract: The Local Fourier analysis (LFA) is a classic tool to prove convergence theorems for multigrid methods (MGMs). In particular, we are interested in optimality that is a convergence speed independent of the size of the involved matrices. For elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs), a well known optimality result requires that the sum of the orders of the grid transfer operators is not lower than the order of the PDE to solve. Analogously, when dealing with MGMs for Toeplitz matrices in the literature an optimality condition on the position and on the order of the zeros of the symbols of the grid transfer operators has been found. In this work we show that in the case of elliptic PDEs with constant coefficients, the two different approaches lead to an equivalent condition. We argue that the analysis for Toeplitz matrices is an algebraic generalization of the LFA, which allows to deal not only with differential problems but also for instance with integral problems. The equivalence of the two approaches gives the possibility of using grid transfer operators with different orders also for MGMs for Toeplitz matrices. We give also a class of grid transfer operators related to the B-spline's refinement equation and we study their geometric properties. This analysis suggests further links between wavelets and multigrid methods. A numerical experimentation confirms the correctness of the proposed analysis.


On the homotopy type of the Deligne-Mumford compactification

Abstract: An old theorem of Charney and Lee says that the classifying space of the category of stable nodal topological surfaces and isotopy classes of degenerations has the same rational homology as the Deligne-Mumford compactification. We give an integral refinement: the classifying space of the Charney-Lee category actually has the same homotopy type as the moduli stack of stable curves, and the etale homotopy type of the moduli stack is equivalent to the profinite completion of the classifying space of the Charney-Lee category.


Spatio-temporal Functional Regression on Paleo-ecological Data

Abstract: The influence of climate on biodiversity is an important ecological question. Various theories try to link climate change to allelic richness and therefore to predict the impact of global warming on genetic diversity. We model the relationship between genetic diversity in the European beech forests and curves of temperature and precipitation reconstructed from pollen databases. Our model links the genetic measure to the climate curves through a linear functional regression. The interaction in climate variables is assumed to be bilinear. Since the data are georeferenced, our methodology accounts for the spatial dependence among the observations. The practical issues of these extensions are discussed.


Algebraic versus topological triangulated categories

Abstract: The most commonly known triangulated categories arise from chain complexes in an abelian category by passing to chain homotopy classes or inverting quasi-isomorphisms. Such examples are called `algebraic' because they originate from abelian (or at least additive) categories. Stable homotopy theory produces examples of triangulated categories by quite different means, and in this context the source categories are usually very `non-additive' before passing to homotopy classes of morphisms. Because of their origin I refer to these examples as `topological triangulated categories'. In these extended talk notes I explain some systematic differences between these two kinds of triangulated categories. There are certain properties -- defined entirely in terms of the triangulated structure -- which hold in all algebraic examples, but which fail in some topological ones. These differences are all torsion phenomena, and rationally there is no difference between algebraic and topological triangulated categories.


Calculus of Variations on Time Scales with Nabla Derivatives

Abstract: We prove a necessary optimality condition of Euler-Lagrange type for variational problems on time scales involving nabla derivatives of higher-order. The proof is done using a new and more general fundamental lemma of the calculus of variations on time scales.


A decomposition result for the Haar distribution on the orthogonal group

Abstract: Let H be a Haar distributed random matrix on the group of pxp real orthogonal matrices. Partition H into four blocks: (1) the (1,1) element, (2)the rest of the first row, (3) the rest of the first column, and (4)the remaining (p-1)x(p-1) matrix. The marginal distribution of (1) is well known. In this paper, we give the conditional distribution of (2) and (3) given (1), and the conditional distribution of (4) given (1), (2), (3). This conditional specification uniquely determines the Haar distribution. The two conditional distributions involve well known probability distributions namely, the uniform distribution on the unit sphere in p-1 dimensional space and the Haar distribution on (p-2)x(p-2) orthogonal matrices. Our results show how to construct the Haar distribution on pxp orthogonal matrices from the Haar distribution on (p-2)x(p-2) orthogonal matrices coupled with the uniform distribution on the unit sphere in p-1 dimensions.


The Jones polynomial and the planar algebra of alternating links

Abstract: It is a well known result from Thistlethwaite that the Jones polynomial of a non-split alternating link is alternating. We find the right generalization of this result to the case of non-split alternating tangles. More specifically: the Jones polynomial of tangles is valued in a certain skein module, we describe an alternating condition on elements of this skein module, show that it is satisfied by the Jones invariant of the single crossing tangles, and prove that it is preserved by appropriately "alternating" planar algebra compositions. Hence, this condition is satisfied by the Jones polynomial of all alternating tangles. Finally, in the case of 0-tangles, that is links, our condition is equivalent to simple alternation of the coefficients of the Jones polynomial.


Quenched large deviation principle for words in a letter sequence

Abstract: When we cut an i.i.d. sequence of letters into words according to an independent renewal process, we obtain an i.i.d. sequence of words. In the \emph{annealed} large deviation principle (LDP) for the empirical process of words, the rate function is the specific relative entropy of the observed law of words w.r.t. the reference law of words. In the present paper we consider the \emph{quenched} LDP, i.e., we condition on a typical letter sequence. We focus on the case where the renewal process has an \emph{algebraic} tail. The rate function turns out to be a sum of two terms, one being the annealed rate function, the other being proportional to the specific relative entropy of the observed law of letters w.r.t. the reference law of letters, with the former being obtained by concatenating the words and randomising the location of the origin. The proportionality constant equals the tail exponent of the renewal process. Earlier work by Birkner considered the case where the renewal process has an exponential tail, in which case the rate function turns out to be the first term on the set where the second term vanishes and to be infinite elsewhere. The previous version (arXiv:0807.2611v2) appeared in Probab. Theory Relat. Fields 148, no. 3/4 (2010), 403--456. Meanwhile, it has turned out that the original proof of the representation of the rate function is flawed when the mean word length is infinite. We add an erratum in which we fix the flaw in the proof. Along the way we derive new representations of the rate function that are interesting in their own right. A key ingredient in the proof is the observation that if the rate function in the annealed large deviation principle is finite at a stationary word process, then the letters in the tail of the long words in this process are typical.


A Proximal Decomposition Method for Solving Convex Variational Inverse Problems

Abstract: A broad range of inverse problems can be abstracted into the problem of minimizing the sum of several convex functions in a Hilbert space. We propose a proximal decomposition algorithm for solving this problem with an arbitrary number of nonsmooth functions and establish its convergence. The algorithm fully decomposes the problem in that it involves each function individually via its own proximity operator. A significant improvement over the methods currently in use in the area of inverse problems is that it is not limited to two nonsmooth functions. Numerical applications to signal and image processing problems are demonstrated.


Character sheaves on disconnected groups, X

Abstract: We classify the unipotent character sheaves on a fixed connected component of a reductive algebraic group under a mild hypothesis on the characteristic of the ground field.


Newton polygons of higher order in algebraic number theory

Abstract: We develop a theory of arithmetic Newton polygons of higher order, that provides the factorization of a separable polynomial over a $p$-adic field, together with relevant arithmetic information about the fields generated by the irreducible factors. This carries out a program suggested by \O{}. Ore. As an application, we obtain fast algorithms to compute discriminants, prime ideal decomposition and integral bases of number fields.


Instant Evaluation and Demystification of zeta(n),L(n,chi) that Euler,Ramanujan Missed - II

Abstract: For Hurwitz zeta function, we obtain power series expression in second variable for its higher order derivatives (with respect to first variable) at non-positive integer arguments and consequently obtain rapidly decreasing series expression for Riemann zeta fuction at positive odd integer arguments. Further, we obtain corresponding results for Dirichlet L-series. We also a unified proof of various classical identities involving Riemann zeta values.


Level set approach for fractional mean curvature flows

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the study of a geometric flow whose law involves a singular integral operator. This operator is used to define a non-local mean curvature of a set. Moreover the associated flow appears in two important applications: dislocation dynamics and phase field theory for fractional reaction-diffusion equations. It is defined by using the level set method. The main results of this paper are: on one hand, the proper level set formulation of the geometric flow; on the other hand, stability and comparison results for the geometric equation associated with the flow.


Divisibility by 2 and 3 of certain Stirling numbers

Abstract: The numbers e_p(k,n) defined as min(nu_p(S(k,j)j!): j >= n) appear frequently in algebraic topology. Here S(k,j) is the Stirling number of the second kind, and nu_p(-) the exponent of p. The author and Sun proved that if L is sufficiently large, then e_p((p-1)p^L + n -1, n) >= n-1+nu_p([n/p]!). In this paper, we determine the set of integers n for which equality holds in this inequality when p=2 and 3. The condition is roughly that, in the base-p expansion of n, the sum of two consecutive digits must always be less than p.


Through a Glass Darkly

Abstract: We consider the question of how mathematicians view themselves and how non-mathematicians view us. What is our role in society? Is it effective? Is it rewarding? How could it be improved? This paper will be part of a forthcoming volume on this circle of questions.


A categorification of the quantum sl(N)-link polynomials using foams

Abstract: In this thesis we define and study a categorification of the sl(N)-link polynomial using foams, for N\geq 3. For N=3 we define the universal sl(3)-link homology, using foams, which depends on three parameters and show that it is functorial, up to scalars, with respect to link cobordisms. Our theory is integral. We show that tensoring it with Q yields a theory which is equivalent to the rational universal Khovanov-Rozansky sl(3)-link homology. For N\geq 4 we construct a rational theory categorifying the sl(N)-link polynomial using foams. Our theory is functorial, up to scalars, with respect to link cobordisms. To evaluate closed foams we use the Kapustin-Li formula. We show that for any link our homology is isomorphic to the Khovanov-Rozansky homology. We conjecture that the theory is integral and we compute the conjectured integral sl(N)-link homology for the (2,m)-torus links and show that it has torsion of order N.


Global existence and uniqueness results for weak solutions of the focusing mass-critical non-linear Schr\"odinger equation

Abstract: We consider the focusing mass-critical NLS $iu_t + \Delta u = - |u|^{4/d} u$ in high dimensions $d \geq 4$, with initial data $u(0) = u_0$ having finite mass $M(u_0) = \int_{\R^d} |u_0(x)|^2 dx < \infty$. It is well known that this problem admits unique (but not global) strong solutions in the Strichartz class $C^0_{t,\loc} L^2_x \cap L^2_{t,\loc} L^{2d/(d-2)}_x$, and also admits global (but not unique) weak solutions in $L^\infty_t L^2_x$. In this paper we introduce an intermediate class of solution, which we call a \emph{semi-Strichartz class solution}, for which one does have global existence and uniqueness in dimensions $d \geq 4$. In dimensions $d \geq 5$ and assuming spherical symmetry, we also show the equivalence of the Strichartz class and the strong solution class (and also of the semi-Strichartz class and the semi-strong solution class), thus establishing ``unconditional'' uniqueness results in the strong and semi-strong classes. With these assumptions we also characterise these solutions in terms of the continuity properties of the mass function $t \mapsto M(u(t))$.


A cabling formula for the colored Jones polynomial

Abstract: We prove an explicit cabling formula for the colored Jones polynomial. As an application we prove the volume conjecture for all zero volume knots and links, i.e. all knots and links that are obtained from the unknot by repeated cabling and connected sum.


q-Euler Numbers and Polynomials Associated with Basic Zeta Functions

Abstract: In this paper we give the q-extension of Euler numbers which can be viewed as interpolating of the q-analogue of Euler zeta function ay negative integers, in the same way that Riemann zeta function interpolates Bernoulli numbers at negative integers. Finally we woll treat some identities of the q-extension of the euler numbers by using fermionic p-adic q-integration on Z_p.


The Signature of the Chern Coefficients of Local Rings

Abstract: This paper considers the following conjecture: If $R$ is an unmixed, equidimensional local ring that is a homomorphic image of a Cohen-Macaulay local ring, then for any ideal $J$ generated by a system of parameters, the Chern coefficient $e_1(J)< 0$ is equivalent to $R$ being non Cohen-Macaulay. The conjecture is established if $R$ is a homomorphic image of a Gorenstein ring, and for all universally catenary integral domains containing fields. Criteria for the detection of Cohen-Macaulayness in equi-generated graded modules are derived.


On kaleidoscopic pseudo-randomness of finite Euclidean graphs

Abstract: In this paper we study the kaleidoscopic pseudo-randomness of finite Euclidean graphs using probabilistic methods. Roughly speaking, we show that sufficiently large subsets of d-dimensional vector spaces over finite fields contain every possible finite configurations.


On the number of orthogonal systems in vector spaces over finite fields

Abstract: Iosevich and Senger (2008) showed that if a subset of the d-dimensional vector space over a finite field is large enough, then it contains many k-tuples of mutually orthogonal vectors. In this note, we provide a graph theoretic proof of this result.


Explicit tough Ramsey graphs

Abstract: A graph G is t-tough if any induced subgraph of it with x > 1 connected components is obtained from G by deleting at least tx vertices. Chvatal conjectured that there exists an absolute constant t_0 so that every t_0-tough graph is pancyclic. This conjecture was disproved by Bauer, van den Heuvel and Schmeichel by constructing a t_0-tough triangle-free graph for every real t_0. For each finite field F_q with q odd, we consider graphs associated to the finite Euclidean plane and the finite upper half plane over F_q. These graphs have received serious attention as they have been shown to be Ramanujan (or asymptotically Ramanujan) for large q. We will show that for infinitely many q, these graphs provide further counterexamples to Chvatal's conjecture. They also provide a good constructive lower bound for the Ramsey number R(3,k).


On the volume functional of compact manifolds with boundary with constant scalar curvature

Abstract: We study the volume functional on the space of constant scalar curvature metrics with a prescribed boundary metric. We derive a sufficient and necessary condition for a metric to be a critical point, and show that the only domains in space forms, on which the standard metrics are critical points, are geodesic balls. In the zero scalar curvature case, assuming the boundary can be isometrically embedded in the Euclidean space as a compact strictly convex hypersurface, we show that the volume of a critical point is always no less than the Euclidean volume bounded by the isometric embedding of the boundary, and the two volumes are equal if and only if the critical point is isometric to a standard Euclidean ball. We also derive a second variation formula and apply it to show that, on Euclidean balls and ''small'' hyperbolic and spherical balls in dimensions 3 to 5, the standard space form metrics are indeed saddle points for the volume functional.


Unitary isomorphism of Fock spaces of bosons and fermions arising from a representation of the Cuntz algebra $\co{2}$

Abstract: Bosons and fermions are described by using canonical generators of Cuntz algebras on any permutative representation. According to branching laws associated with these descriptions, a certain representation of the Cuntz algebra $\co{2}$ induces Fock representations ${\cal H}_{B}$ and ${\cal H}_{F}$ of bosons and fermions simultaneously. From this, a unitary operator $U$ from ${\cal H}_{B}$ to ${\cal H}_{F}$ is obtained. We show the explicit formula of the action of $U$ on the standard basis of ${\cal H}_{B}$. It is shown that $U$ preserves the particle number of ${\cal H}_{B}$ and ${\cal H}_{F}$.


Optimal lower bounds on the maximal p-negative type of finite metric spaces

Abstract: This article derives lower bounds on the supremal (strict) p-negative type of finite metric spaces using purely elementary techniques. The bounds depend only on the cardinality and the (scaled) diameter of the underlying finite metric space. Examples show that these lower bounds can easily be best possible under clearly delineated circumstances. We further point out that the entire theory holds (more generally) for finite semi-metric spaces without modification and wherein the lower bounds are always optimal.


Latin trades in groups defined on planar triangulations

Abstract: For a finite triangulation of the plane with faces properly coloured white and black, let A be the abelian group constructed by labelling the vertices with commuting indeterminates and adding relations which say that the labels around each white triangle add to the identity. We show that A has free rank exactly two. Let A* be the torsion subgroup of A, and B* the corresponding group for the black triangles. We show that A* and B* have the same order, and conjecture that they are isomorphic. For each spherical latin trade W, we show there is a unique disjoint mate B such that (W,B) is a connected and separated bitrade. The bitrade (W,B) is associated with a two-colourable planar triangulation and we show that W can be embedded in A*, thereby proving a conjecture due to Cavenagh and Drapal. The proof involves constructing a (0,1) presentation matrix whose permanent and determinant agree up to sign. The Smith Normal Form of this matrix determines A*, so there is an efficient algorithm to construct the embedding. Contrasting with the spherical case, for each genus g>0 we construct a latin trade which is not embeddable in any group and another that is embeddable in a cyclic group. We construct a sequence of spherical latin trades which cannot be embedded in any family of abelian groups whose torsion ranks are bounded. Also, we show that any trade that can be embedded in a finitely generated abelian group can be embedded in a finite abelian group. As a corollary, no trade can be embedded in a free abelian group.


The polynomial representation of the double affine Hecke algebra of type $(C^\vee_n, C_n)$ for specialized parameters

Abstract: In this paper, we study the polynomial representation of the double affine Hecke algebra of type $(C^\vee_n, C_n)$ for specialized parameters. Inductively and combinatorially, we give a linear basis of the representation in terms of linear combinations of non-symmetric Koornwinder polynomials. The basis consists of generalized eigenfunctions with respect to $q$-Dunkl-Cherednik operators $\hat{Y}_i$, and it gives a way to cancel out poles of non-symmetric Koornwinder polynomials. We examine irreducibility and $Y$-semisimplicity of the representation for the specialized parameters. For some cases, we give a characterization of the subrepresentations by vanishing conditions for Laurent polynomials.


Penalized estimate of the number of states in Gaussian linear AR with Markov regime

Abstract: We deal with the estimation of the regime number in a linear Gaussian autoregressive process with a Markov regime (AR-MR). The problem of estimating the number of regimes in this type of series is that of determining the number of states in the hidden Markov chain controlling the process. We propose a method based on penalized maximum likelihood estimation and establish its strong consistency (almost sure) without assuming previous bounds on the number of states.


Lower bounds for posterior rates with Gaussian process priors

Abstract: Upper bounds for rates of convergence of posterior distributions associated to Gaussian process priors are obtained by van der Vaart and van Zanten in [14] and expressed in terms of a concentration function involving the Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space of the Gaussian prior. Here lower-bound counterparts are obtained. As a corollary, we obtain the precise rate of convergence of posteriors for Gaussian priors in various settings. Additionally, we extend the upper-bound results of [14] about Riemann-Liouville priors to a continuous family of parameters.


Nonvanishing vector fields on orbifolds

Abstract: We introduce a complete obstruction to the existence of nonvanishing vector fields on a closed orbifold $Q$. Motivated by the inertia orbifold, the space of multi-sectors, and the generalized orbifold Euler characteristics, we construct for each finitely generated group $\Gamma$ an orbifold called the space of $\Gamma$-sectors of $Q$. The obstruction occurs as the Euler-Satake characteristics of the $\Gamma$-sectors for an appropriate choice of $\Gamma$; in the case that $Q$ is oriented, this obstruction is expressed as a cohomology class, the $\Gamma$-Euler-Satake class. We also acquire a complete obstruction in the case that $Q$ is compact with boundary and in the case that $Q$ is an open suborbifold of a closed orbifold.


On asymptotics of exchangeable coalescents with multiple collisions

Abstract: We study the number of collisions $X_n$ of an exchangeable coalescent with multiple collisions ($\Lambda$-coalescent) which starts with $n$ particles and is driven by rates determined by a finite characteristic measure $\nu({\rm d}x)=x^{-2}\Lambda({\rm d}x)$. Via a coupling technique we derive limiting laws of $X_n$, using previous results on regenerative compositions derived from stick-breaking partitions of the unit interval. The possible limiting laws of $X_n$ include normal, stable with index $1\le\alpha<2$ and Mittag-Leffler distributions. The results apply, in particular, to the case when $\nu$ is a beta$(a-2,b)$ distribution with parameters $a>2$ and $b>0$. The approach taken allows to derive asymptotics of three other functionals of the coalescent, the absorption time, the length of an external branch chosen at random from the $n$ external branches, and the number of collision events that occur before the randomly selected external branch coalesces with one of its neighbours.


Distinguished representations and exceptional poles of the Asai-L-function

Abstract: In this article, we proove that it is equivalent for a generic irreducible representation of GL(n,K), with K a p-adic field, to be distinguished, and for its Rankin-Selberg Asai L-function to have an exceptional pole at zero. This extends a criterion of Kable claiming that a discrete series representation is distinguished if and only if its Asai L-function has a pole at zero. As an application we compute by local methods Asai L-functions of ordinary representations of GL(2,K), in particular we give a formula for Asai L-functions of principal series representations of GL(2,K).


Annealed vs Quenched Critical Points for a Random Walk Pinning Model

Abstract: We study a random walk pinning model, where conditioned on a simple random walk Y on Z^d acting as a random medium, the path measure of a second independent simple random walk X up to time t is Gibbs transformed with Hamiltonian -L_t(X,Y), where L_t(X,Y) is the collision local time between X and Y up to time t. This model arises naturally in various contexts, including the study of the parabolic Anderson model with moving catalysts, the parabolic Anderson model with Brownian noise, and the directed polymer model. It falls in the same framework as the pinning and copolymer models, and exhibits a localization-delocalization transition as the inverse temperature \beta varies. We show that in dimensions d=1,2, the annealed and quenched critical values of \beta are both 0, while in dimensions d\geq 4, the quenched critical value of \beta is strictly larger than the annealed critical value (which is positive). This implies the existence of certain intermediate regimes for the parabolic Anderson model with Brownian noise and the directed polymer model. For d\geq 5, the same result has recently been established by Birkner, Greven and den Hollander via a quenched large deviation principle. Our proof is based on a fractional moment method used recently by Derrida, Giacomin, Lacoin and Toninelli to establish the non-coincidence of annealed and quenched critical points for the pinning model in the disorder-relevant regime. The critical case d=3 remains open.


ABC likelihood-freee methods for model choice in Gibbs random fields

Abstract: Gibbs random fields (GRF) are polymorphous statistical models that can be used to analyse different types of dependence, in particular for spatially correlated data. However, when those models are faced with the challenge of selecting a dependence structure from many, the use of standard model choice methods is hampered by the unavailability of the normalising constant in the Gibbs likelihood. In particular, from a Bayesian perspective, the computation of the posterior probabilities of the models under competition requires special likelihood-free simulation techniques like the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) algorithm that is intensively used in population genetics. We show in this paper how to implement an ABC algorithm geared towards model choice in the general setting of Gibbs random fields, demonstrating in particular that there exists a sufficient statistic across models. The accuracy of the approximation to the posterior probabilities can be further improved by importance sampling on the distribution of the models. The practical aspects of the method are detailed through two applications, the test of an iid Bernoulli model versus a first-order Markov chain, and the choice of a folding structure for two proteins.


Minimax state estimation for linear discrete-time differential-algebraic equations

Abstract: This paper presents a state estimation approach for an uncertain linear equation with a non-invertible operator in Hilbert space. The approach addresses linear equations with uncertain deterministic input and noise in the measurements, which belong to a given convex closed bounded set. A new notion of a minimax observable subspace is introduced. By means of the presented approach, new equations describing the dynamics of a minimax recursive estimator for discrete-time non-causal differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) are presented. For the case of regular DAEs it is proved that the estimator's equation coincides with the equation describing the seminal Kalman filter. The properties of the estimator are illustrated by a numerical example.


Codistances of 3-spherical buildings

Abstract: We show that a 3-spherical building in which each rank 2 residue is connected far away from a chamber, and each rank 3 residue is simply 2-connected far away from a chamber, admits a twinning (i.e., is one half of a twin building) as soon as it admits a codistance, i.e., a twinning with a single chamber.


On the connectedness of Deligne-Lusztig varieties

Abstract: We give a criterion which determines when a union of one-dimensional Deligne-Lusztig varieties has a connected closure. We also obtain a new, short proof of the connectedness criterion for Deligne-Lusztig varieties due to Lusztig.


Weak-strong uniqueness for the isentropic compressible Navier-Stokes system

Abstract: We prove weak-strong uniqueness results for the isentropic compressible Navier-Stokes system on the torus. In other words, we give conditions on a strong solution so that it is unique in a class of weak solutions. Known weak-strong uniqueness results are improved. Classical uniqueness results for this equation follow naturally.


Zariski decomposition of b-divisors

Abstract: Based on a recent work by Thomas Bauer reproving the existence of Zariski decompositions for surfaces, we construct a b-divisorial analogue of Zariski decomposition in all dimensions.


Boundaries for Banach spaces determine weak compactness

Abstract: A boundary for a Banach space is a subset of the dual unit sphere with the property that each element of the Banach space attains its norm on an element of that subset. Trivially, the pointwise convergence with respect to such a boundary is coarser than the weak topology on the Banach space. Godefroy's Boundary Problem asks whether nevertheless both topologies have the same bounded compact sets. This paper contains the answer in the positive.


Phase Transition on The Degree Sequence of a Mixed Random Graph Process

Abstract: This paper focuses on the problem of the degree sequence for a mixed random graph process which continuously combines the {\it classical} model and the BA model. Note that the number of step added edges for the mixed model is random and non-uniformly bounded. By developing a comparing argument, phase transition on the degree distributions of the mixed model is revealed: while the {\it pure} classical model possesses a {\it exponential} degree sequence, the {\it pure} BA model and the mixed model possess {\it power law} degree sequences. As an application of the methodology, phase transition on the degree sequence of {\it another} mixed model with {\it hard copying} is also studied, especially, in the power law region, the inverse power can take any value greater than 1.


Play Ground for Victor's Magic Squares

Abstract: This article presents a new development of magic squares with a simple set up.


Permutation classes of every growth rate above 2.48188

Abstract: We prove that there are permutation classes (hereditary properties of permutations) of every growth rate (Stanley-Wilf limit) at least \lambda \approx 2.48187, the unique real root of x^5-2x^4-2x^2-2x-1, thereby establishing a conjecture of Albert and Linton.


The Degree Sequence of a Scale-Free Random Graph Process with Hard Copying

Abstract: In this paper we consider a simple model of random graph process with {\it hard} copying as follows: At each time step $t$, with probability $0<\alpha\leq 1$ a new vertex $v_t$ is added and $m$ edges incident with $v_t$ are added in the manner of {\it preferential attachment}; or with probability $1-\alpha$ an existing vertex is copied uniformly at random. In this way, while a vertex with large degree is copied, the number of added edges is its degree and thus the number of added edges is not upper bounded. We prove that, in the case of $\alpha$ being large enough, the model possesses a mean degree sequence as $ d_{k}\sim Ck^{-(1+2\alpha)}$, where $d_k$ is the limit mean proportion of vertices of degree $k$.


Piecewise linear parametrization of canonical bases

Abstract: We extend the known piecewise linear parametrization of the canonical basis of the plus part of an enveloping algebra of type ADE to the nonsimplylaced case.


Approximation properties and entropy estimates for crossed products by actions of amenable discrete quantum groups

Abstract: We construct explicit approximating nets for crossed products of C*-algebras by actions of discrete quantum groups. This implies that C*-algebraic approximation properties such as nuclearity, exactness or completely bounded approximation property are preserved by taking crossed products by actions of amenable discrete quantum groups. We also show that the noncommutative topological entropy of a transformation commuting with the quantum group action does not change when we pass to the canonical extension to the crossed product. Both these results are extended to twisted crossed products via a stabilisation trick.


Method of Moments Estimation of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck Processes Driven by General L\'{e}vy Process

Abstract: Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes driven by general L\'{e}vy process are considered in this paper. We derive strongly consistent estimators for the moments of the underlying L\'{e}vy process and for the mean reverting parameter of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Moreover, we prove that the estimators are asymptotically normal. Finally, we test the empirical performance of our estimators in a simulation study and we fit the model to real data.


Uneven Splitting of Ham Sandwiches

Abstract: Let m_1,...,m_n be continuous probability measures on R^n and a_1,...,a_n in [0,1]. When does there exist an oriented hyperplane H such that the positive half-space H^+ has m_i(H^+)=a_i for all i in [n]? It is well known that such a hyperplane does not exist in general. The famous ham sandwich theorem states that if a_i=1/2 for all i, then such a hyperplane always exists. In this paper we give sufficient criteria for the existence of H for general a_i in [0,1]. Let f_1,...,f_n:S^{n-1}->R^n denote auxiliary functions with the property that for all i the unique hyperplane H_i with normal v that contains the point f_i(v) has m_i(H_i^+)=a_i. Our main result is that if Im(f_1),...,Im(f_n) are bounded and can be separated by hyperplanes, then there exists a hyperplane H with m_i(H^+)=a_i for all i. This gives rise to several corollaries, for instance if the supports of m_1,...,m_n are bounded and can be separated by hyperplanes, then H exists for any choice of a_1,...,a_n in [0,1]. We also obtain results that can be applied if the supports of m_1,...,m_n overlap.