Products of Ratios of Consecutive Integers

Take the product of the numbers (n/(n+1))^∊_n for 1≤ n < N, where each ∊_n is ± 1. Express the product as a/b in lowest terms. Evidently the minimal possible value for a over all choices for ∊_n is 1; just take each ∊_n = 1, or each ∊_n = 0. Denote the maximal possible value of a by A(N). It is known from work of Nicolas and Langevin that (log 4+o(1))N≤ log A(N)≤(2/3+o(1))Nlog N. Using the Rosse–Iwaniec sieve, we improve the lower bound to the same order of magnitude as the upper bound.For Jean-Louis Nicolas, on his sixtieth birthday2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary—11N56; Secondary—11N36     

Large deviations for a simple closed queueing model

We consider a simple queueing model with one service station. The arrival and service processes have intensitiesa(N–Q _t) andNf(N ^–1 Q _t), where Q_t is the queue length,N is a large integer,a>0 andf(x) is a positive continuous function. We establish the large deviation principle for the sequence of the normalized queue length processq _N ^t =N ^–1Q_t,N1 for both light (a<f(0)) and heavy (af(0)) traffic and use this result for an investigation of ergodic properties ofq _N ^t ,N 1.     

Discrepancy in generalized arithmetic progressions

Estimating the discrepancy of the set of all arithmetic progressions in the first N natural numbers was one of the famous open problems in combinatorial discrepancy theory for a long time, successfully solved by K. Roth (lower bound) and Beck (upper bound). They proved that D(N)=min_χmax_A|∑_xAχ(x)|=Θ(N^1/4), where the minimum is taken over all colorings χ:[N]→{−1,1} and the maximum over all arithmetic progressions in [N]={0,…,N−1}.Sumsets of k arithmetic progressions, A₁++A_k, are called k-arithmetic progressions and they are important objects in additive combinatorics. We define D_k(N) as the discrepancy of the set {P∩[N]:P is a k-arithmetic progression}. The second author proved that D_k(N)=Ω(N^k/(2k+2)) and Přívětivý improved it to Ω(N^1/2) for all k≥3. Since the probabilistic argument gives D_k(N)=O((NlogN)^1/2) for all fixed k, the case k=2 remained the only case with a large gap between the known upper and lower bounds. We bridge this gap (up to a logarithmic factor) by proving that D_k(N)=Ω(N^1/2) for all k≥2.Indeed we prove the multicolor version of this result.     

Weight functions admitting repeated positive Kronrod quadrature

In this note it is shown that for weight functions of the formw(t)=(1 –t ²)^1/2/s _m (t), wheres _m is a polynomial of degreem which is positive on [–1, +1], successive Kronrod extension of a certain class ofN-point interpolation quadrature formulas, including theN-point Gauss-formula, is always possible and that each Kronrod extension has the positivity and interlacing property.     

The Unitary Implementation of a Locally Compact Quantum Group Action

In this paper we study actions of locally compact quantum groups on von Neumann algebras and prove that every action has a canonical unitary implementation, paralleling Haagerup's classical result on the unitary implementation of a locally compact group action. This result is an important tool in the study of quantum groups in action. We will use it in this paper to study subfactors and inclusions of von Neumann algebras. When α is an action of the locally compact quantum group (M, Δ) on the von Neumann algebra N we can give necessary and sufficient conditions under which the inclusion N^αNM_αN is a basic construction. Here N^α denotes the fixed point algebra and M_αN is the crossed product. When α is an outer and integrable action on a factor N we prove that the inclusion N^αN is irreducible, of depth 2 and regular, giving a converse to the results of M. Enock and R. Nest (1996, J. Funct. Anal.137, 466–543; 1998, J. Funct. Anal.154, 67–109). Finally we prove the equivalence of minimal and outer actions and we generalize the main theorem of Yamanouchi (1999, Math. Scand.84, 297–319): every integrable outer action with infinite fixed point algebra is a dual action.     

EfficientL 2 approximation by splines

LetS _N ^k (t) be the linear space ofk-th order splines on [0, 1] having the simple knotst _i determined from a fixed functiont by the rulet _i=t(i/N). In this paper we introduce sequences of operators {Q _N } _N =1 fromC ^k [0, 1] toS _N ^k (t) which are computationally simple and which, asN, give essentially the best possible approximations tof and its firstk–1 derivatives, in the norm ofL ₂[0, 1]. Precisely, we show thatN ^k–1((f–Q _N f) ⁱ –dist₂(f ⁽¹⁾,S _N ^k–1 (t)))0 fori=0, 1, ...,k–1. Several numerical examples are given.The research of this author was partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant MCS-77-02464The research of this author was partially supported by the U.S. Army Reesearch Office under Grant No. DAHC04-75-G-0816     

A recurrence relation for the square root

The behavior of the sequence x_{n + 1} = x_n(3N − x_n²)/2N is studied for N > 0 and varying real x₀. When 0 < x₀ < (3N)^1/2 the sequence converges quadratically to N^1/2. When x₀ > (5N)^1/2 the sequence oscillates infinitely. There is an increasing sequence β_r, with β₋₁ = (3N)^1/2 which converges to (5N)^1/2 and is such that when β_r < x₀ < β_{r + 1} the sequence {x_n} converges to (−1)^rN^1/2. For x₀ = 0, β₋₁, β₀,… the sequence converges to 0. For x₀ = (5N)^1/2 the sequence oscillates: x_n = (−1)ⁿ(5N)^1/2. The behavior for negative x₀ is obtained by symmetry.     

L∞-upper bound of L2-projections onto splines at a geometric mesh

For an integer k 1 and a geometric mesh (qⁱ)_−∞^∞ with q ε (0, ∞), let M_i,k(x): = k[q^{i + k}](· − x)₊^{k − 1}, N_i,k(x): = (q^{i + k} − qⁱM_i,k(x)/k, and let A_k(q) be the Gram matrix (∝M_i,kN_j,k)_i,jεz. It is known that A_k(q)⁻¹_∞ is bounded independently of q. In this paper it is shown that A_k(q)⁻¹_∞ is strictly decreasing for q in [1, ∞). In particular, the sharp upper bound and lower bound for A_k (q)⁻¹ are obtained: for all q ε (0, ∞).     

Regularized Resolvent of Sums of Commuting Operators

For B ₁ and B ₂ commuting linear operators on a Banach space such that B ₁ generates a bounded strongly continuous semigroup and –B ₂ generates an exponentially decaying strongly continuous holomorphic semigroup, it is shown that (B ₁ – B ₂)^–1 B ₂ ^–r and (B ₁ – B ₂)^–1(–B ₁)^–r are bounded and everywhere defined, for any r > 0. Density of domains may also be removed. The results are applied to various abstract Cauchy problems.     

Ein Einschliessungsverfahren für Lösungen Fehlerbehafteter Linearer Gleichungen

In a partially ordered space, the method x_n+1 = L⁺x _n ⁺ – N⁺x _n ^- – L^–y⁺ + N^– y _n ^- + r, y_n+1 = N⁺y⁺ – L⁺y _n ^- – N^–x _n ⁺ + L^–x^– + t of successive approximation is developed in order to enclose the solutions of a set of linear fixed point equations monotonously. The method works if only the inequalities x₀ y₀, x₀ x₁, y₁ y₀ related to the starting elements are satisfied. In finite-dimensional spaces suitable starting vectors can be computed if a sufficiently good approximation for the fixed points is known.

     

Algebras almost commuting with Clifford algebras in a II∞ factor

We are concerned here with certain Banach algebras of operators contained within a fixed II factor N. These algebras may be thought of as noncommutative classifying spaces for the functor Ext _* ^N The basic objects of study are the algebras A _kN (for n=1, 2,...). Here, we are given an essentially unique representation of the complex Clifford algebra C _k N and the elements of A _k are those operators in N which exactly commute with the first k–1 generators of C _k and also commute with the kth generator modulo a symmetric ideal N. Up to isomorphism, these algebras are periodic with period 2.We determine completely the homotopy types of A ₁ ^–1 and A ₂ ^–1 Here, A ₁ ^–1 is homotopy equivalent to the space of (Breuer) Fredholm operators in N, while A ₂ ^–1 is homotopy equivalent to the group K _N ^–1 ={x N^–1¦ x=1+k, k K_N}. We use these results to compute the K-theory of A ₁ and A ₂.For a fixed C ^*-algebra A, we define abelian groups G _k,N(A) of equivalence classes of homomorphisms AA _k. Letting N = M (H) for a II₁ factor M we define similar abelian groups G _k(A, M) where we replace N by L(E) for countably generated right Hilbert M-modules E with (left) actions C _k L(E). Using ideas of Skandalis, we show that G _k,NG_k(A, M) so that the G _k,N are stable half-exact homotopy functors because the G _k(·, M) are such.In general, we show that G _k(A, M)KK ^k(A, M) and so our theory fits neatly into Kasparov KK-theory. We investigate many interesting examples from our point of view.     

Kolmogorov Width of Classes of Smooth Functions on the Sphere

Let ^d−1{(x₁,…,x_d) ^d:x²₁+···+x²_d=1} be the unit sphere of the d-dimensional Euclidean space ^d. For r>0, we denote by B^r_p (1p∞) the class of functions f on ^d−1 representable in the formwhere dσ(y) denotes the usual Lebesgue measure on ^d−1, and P^λ_k(t) is the ultraspherical polynomial.For 1p,q∞, the Kolmogorov N-width of B^r_p in L^q( ^d−1) is given bythe left-most infimum being taken over all N-dimensional subspaces X_N of L^q( ^d−1).The main result in this paper is that for r2(d−1)²,where A_NB_N means that there exists a positive constant C, independent of N, such that C⁻¹A_NB_NCA_N.This extends the well-known Kashin theorem on the asymptotic order of the Kolmogorov widths of the Sobolev class of the periodic functions.     

Construction of spherical t-designs

Spherical t-designs are Chebyshev-type averaging sets on the d-dimensional unit sphere S ^d–1, that are exact for polynomials of degree at most t. The concept of such designs was introduced by Delsarte, Goethals and Seidel in 1977. The existence of spherical t-designs for every t and d was proved by Seymour and Zaslavsky in 1984. Although some sporadic examples are known, no general construction has been given. In this paper we give an explicit construction of spherical t-designs on S ^d–1 containing N points, for every t,d and N,NN ₀, where N ₀ = C(d)t ^{O(d 3}).     

The behaviour of populations in a partially ionized flat plate boundary layer

Summary The behaviour of populations of the argon atoms in a partially ionized flat plate boundary layer has been investigated for the freestream conditionsT _e =3000 K,T _a =1000 K,N _e =10¹³ cm^–3,N _a =10¹⁶ cm^–3. The populations have been calculated from steady state conditions, and the net production rate of electron-ion and the electron energy transfer rate due to inelastic collisions have been expressed in terms of populations and rate constants for excitation-deexcitation and ionization-recombination. The result shows that the contributions of excitation-deexcitation to the electron energy transfer is quite large rather than those of ionization-recombination.

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Zusammenfassung Das Verhalten der Besetzungsdichten von Argon-Atomen in einer teilionisierten Grenzschicht längs einer flachen Platte ist für die folgenden Anströmbedingungen vonT _e =3000 K,T _a =1000 K,N _e =10¹³ cm^–3 undN _a =10¹⁶ cm^–3 untersucht worden. Die Besetzungsdichten sind unter der Annahme eines stationären Zustands berechnet worden; und die Nettoproduktionsrate von Elektron-Ion-Paaren und die Rate der auf unelastischen Stößen beruhenden Elektronenenergieübertragung ist mit Besetzungsdichten und Ratenkonstanten von Exzitations-Deexzitations- und Ionisations-Rekombinations-Prozessen ausgedrückt worden. Das Ergebnis zeigt, daß die Beiträge der Exzitations-Deexzitations-Prozesse zur Elektronenenergieübertragung viel größer sind als diejenigen von Ionisations-Rekombinations-Reaktionen.

     

A Note on an Error Bound for the AOR Method

Suppose Ax = b is a system of linear equations where the matrix A is symmetric positive definite and consistently ordered. A bound for the norm of the errors _k = x– x ^k of the AOR method in terms of the norms of _k = x ^k–x ^k–1 and _k+1 = x ^k+1–x ^k and their inner product is derived.     

On the Approximation of Positive Functions by Power Series, II

We consider positive functionsh=h(x) defined forxR⁺₀. Conditions for the existence of a power seriesN(x)=∑ c_nxⁿ,c_n0, with the propertyd₁h(x)/N(x)d₂, x0,for some constantsd₁, d₂R⁺, are investigated in [J. Clunie and T. Kövari,Canad. J. Math.20(1968), 7–20; P. Erd s and T. Kövari,Acta Math. Acad. Sci. Hung.7(1956), 305–316; U. Schmid,Complex Variables18(1992), 187–192; U. Schmid, J.Approx. Theory83(1995), 342–346]. In this paper, methods are discussed which allow for a given functionhthe construction of the coefficientsc_n,n ₀, for the above defined power seriesNand to find suitable constantsd₁andd₂. We also study the power seriesH(x)=∑ xⁿ/u_n, where we setu_n=sup{xⁿ/h(x), x0}, forn ₀, and the relation betweenhandHconcerning the above stated inequalities.     

Strong asymptotics in Lagrange interpolation with equidistant nodes

In this paper we prove three conjectures of Revers on Lagrange interpolation for f_λ(t)=|t|^λ,λ>0, at equidistant nodes. In particular, we describe the rate of divergence of the Lagrange interpolants L_N( f_λ,t) for 0<|t|<1, and discuss their convergence at t=0. We also establish an asymptotic relation for max_|t|1| |t|^λ−L_N( f_λ,t)|. The proofs are based on strong asymptotics for |t|^λ−L_N( f_λ,t), 0|t|<1.     

Pseudo-character expansions forU(N)-invariant spin models onCP N−1

We define a set of orthogonal functions on the complex projective spaceCP ^N–1, and compute their Clebsch-Gordan coefficients as well as a large class of 6-j symbols. We also provide all the needed formulae for the generation of high-temperature expansions forU(N)-invariant spin models defined onCP ^N–1.     

Dually Degenerate Varieties and the Generalization of a Theorem of Griffiths–Harris

The dual variety X^* for a smooth n-dimensional variety X of the projective space P^N is the set of tangent hyperplanes to X. In the general case, the variety X^* is a hypersurface in the dual space (P^N)^*. If dimX^*<N–1, then the variety X is called dually degenerate. The authors refine these definitions for a variety XP^N with a degenerate Gauss map of rankr. For such a variety, in the general case, the dimension of its dual variety X^* is N–l–1, where l=n–r, and X is dually degenerate if dimX^*<N–l–1. In 1979 Griffiths and Harris proved that a smooth variety XP^N is dually degenerate if and only if all its second fundamental forms are singular. The authors generalize this theorem for a variety XP^N with a degenerate Gauss map of rankr. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) 53A20.     

Stability of a Pivoting Strategy for Parallel Gaussian Elimination

Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting achieved by adding the pivot row to the kth row at step k, was introduced by Onaga and Takechi in 1986 as means for reducing communications in parallel implementations. In this paper it is shown that the growth factor of this partial pivoting algorithm is bounded above by _n <#60; 3 ^n–1, as compared to 2 ^n–1 for the standard partial pivoting. This bound _n, close to 3 ^n–2, is attainable for class of near-singular matrices. Moreover, for the same matrices the growth factor is small under partial pivoting.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.