Which finite simple groups are unit groups?

We prove that if G$G$ is a finite simple group which is the unit group of a ring, then G$G$ is isomorphic to: (a) a cyclic group of order 2; or (b) a cyclic group of prime order 2^k−1$2^k-1$ for some k$k$; or (c) a projective special linear group _PSLn(_F2)${PSL}_n\left({\mathbb{F}}_2\right)$ for some n≥3$n\ge 3$. Moreover, these groups do all occur as unit groups. We deduce this classification from a more general result, which holds for groups G$G$ with no non-trivial normal 2-subgroup.     

On weighted Hilbert spaces and integration of functions of infinitely many variables

We study aspects of the analytic foundations of integration and closely related problems for functions of infinitely many variables _x1,_x2,…∈D$x_1,x_2,\dots \in D$. The setting is based on a reproducing kernel k$k$ for functions on D$D$, a family of non-negative weights _γu${\gamma }_u$, where u$u$ varies over all finite subsets of N$\mathbb{N}$, and a probability measure ρ$\rho$ on D$D$. We consider the weighted superposition K=_∑uγuku$K={\sum }_u{\gamma }_u{k}_u$ of finite tensor products _ku$k_u$ of k$k$. Under mild assumptions we show that K$K$ is a reproducing kernel on a properly chosen domain in the sequence space D^N$D^{\mathbb{N}}$, and that the reproducing kernel Hilbert space H(K)$H\left(K\right)$ is the orthogonal sum of the spaces H(_γuku)$H\left({\gamma }_u{k}_u\right)$. Integration on H(K)$H\left(K\right)$ can be defined in two ways, via a canonical representer or with respect to the product measure ρ^N${\rho }^{\mathbb{N}}$ on D^N$D^{\mathbb{N}}$. We relate both approaches and provide sufficient conditions for the two approaches to coincide.     

The scaling limit of Poisson-driven order statistics with applications in geometric probability

Let _ηt${\eta }_t$ be a Poisson point process of intensity t≥1$t\ge 1$ on some state space Y$\mathbb{Y}$ and let f$f$ be a non-negative symmetric function on Y^k${\mathbb{Y}}^k$ for some k≥1$k\ge 1$. Applying f$f$ to all k$k$-tuples of distinct points of _ηt${\eta }_t$ generates a point process _ξt${\xi }_t$ on the positive real half-axis. The scaling limit of _ξt${\xi }_t$ as t$t$ tends to infinity is shown to be a Poisson point process with explicitly known intensity measure. From this, a limit theorem for the m$m$-th smallest point of _ξt${\xi }_t$ is concluded. This is strengthened by providing a rate of convergence. The technical background includes Wiener–Itô chaos decompositions and the Malliavin calculus of variations on the Poisson space as well as the Chen–Stein method for Poisson approximation. The general result is accompanied by a number of examples from geometric probability and stochastic geometry, such as k$k$-flats, random polytopes, random geometric graphs and random simplices. They are obtained by combining the general limit theorem with tools from convex and integral geometry.     

Blow-up and propagation of disturbances for fast diffusion equations

This paper is concerned with the Cauchy problem for the fast diffusion equation _ut−Δu^m=αu^_p1$u_t-\Delta u^m=\alpha u^{p_1}$ in R^N${\mathbb{R}}^N$ (N≥1$N\ge 1$), where m∈(0,1)$m\in (0,1)$, _p1>1$p_1>1$ and α>0$\alpha >0$. The initial condition _u0$u_0$ is assumed to be continuous, nonnegative and bounded. Using a technique of subsolutions, we set up sufficient conditions on the initial value _u0$u_0$ so that u(t,x)$u(t,x)$ blows up in finite time, and we show how to get estimates on the profile of u(t,x)$u(t,x)$ for small enough values of t>0$t>0$.     

Frobenius groups and retract rationality

Let k$k$ be any field, G$G$ be a finite group acting on the rational function field k(_xg:g∈G)$k(x_g:g\in G)$ by h⋅_xg=_xhg$h\cdot x_g=x_{hg}$ for any h,g∈G$h,g\in G$. Define k(G)=k(_xg:g∈G)^G$k\left(G\right)=k{(x_g:g\in G)}^G$. Noether’s problem asks whether k(G)$k\left(G\right)$ is rational (= purely transcendental) over k$k$. A weaker notion, retract rationality introduced by Saltman, is also very useful for the study of Noether’s problem. We prove that, if G$G$ is a Frobenius group with abelian Frobenius kernel, then k(G)$k\left(G\right)$ is retract k$k$-rational for any field k$k$ satisfying some mild conditions. As an application, we show that, for any algebraic number field k$k$, for any Frobenius group G$G$ with Frobenius complement isomorphic to S_L2(_F5)$S{L}_2\left({\mathbb{F}}_5\right)$, there is a Galois extension field K$K$ over k$k$ whose Galois group is isomorphic to G$G$, i.e. the inverse Galois problem is valid for the pair (G,k)$(G,k)$. The same result is true for any non-solvable Frobenius group if k(_ζ8)$k\left({\zeta }_8\right)$ is a cyclic extension of k$k$.     

The Helmholtz equation in a non-smooth inclusion

In this paper, we study the Helmholtz equation in a non-smooth inclusion, i.e., in a doubly connected bounded domain B$B$ in R²$R^2$ with boundary ∂B$\partial B$ that consists of two disjoint closed curves Γ$\Gamma$ and _Γ0${\Gamma }_0$. The existence and uniqueness of a solution to the Helmholtz equation for mixed boundary conditions on Γ$\Gamma$ are obtained by using Riesz–Fredholm theory.     

Korn type inequalities in Orlicz spaces

We exhibit balance conditions between a Young function A and a Young function B   for a Korn type inequality to hold between the L^B$L^B$ norm of the gradient of vector-valued functions and the L^A$L^A$ norm of its symmetric part. In particular, we extend a standard form of the Korn inequality in L^p$L^p$, with 1<p<∞$1<p<\infty$, and an Orlicz version involving a Young function A   satisfying both the _Δ2${\mathrm{\Delta }}_2$ and the _∇2${\mathrm{\nabla }}_2$ condition.     

The relaxed Newton method derivative: Its dynamics and non-linear properties

The dynamic behaviour of the one-dimensional family of maps f(x)=_c2[(a−1)x+_c1]^{−λ/(α−1)}$f\left(x\right)=c_2{[(a-1)x+c_1]}^{-\lambda /(\alpha -1)}$ is examined, for representative values of the control parameters a,_c1$a,c_1$, _c2$c_2$ and λ$\lambda$. The maps under consideration are of special interest, since they are solutions of the relaxed Newton method derivative being equal to a constant a$a$. The maps f(x)$f\left(x\right)$ are also proved to be solutions of a non-linear differential equation with outstanding applications in the field of power electronics. The recurrent form of these maps, after excessive iterations, shows, in an _xn$x_n$ versus λ$\lambda$ plot, an initial exponential decay followed by a bifurcation. The value of λ$\lambda$ at which this bifurcation takes place depends on the values of the parameters a,_c1$a,c_1$ and _c2$c_2$. This corresponds to a switch to an oscillatory behaviour with amplitudes of f(x)$f\left(x\right)$ undergoing a period doubling. For values of a$a$ higher than 1 and at higher values of λ$\lambda$ a reverse bifurcation occurs. The corresponding branches converge and a bleb is formed for values of the parameter _c1$c_1$ between 1 and 1.20. This behaviour is confirmed by calculating the corresponding Lyapunov exponents.     

Estimation for stochastic differential equations with a small diffusion coefficient

We consider a multidimensional diffusion X$X$ with drift coefficient b(_Xt,α)$b(X_t,\alpha )$ and diffusion coefficient εa(_Xt,β)$\epsilon a(X_t,\beta )$ where α$\alpha$ and β$\beta$ are two unknown parameters, while ε$\epsilon$ is known. For a high frequency sample of observations of the diffusion at the time points k/n$k/n$, k=1,…,n$k=1,\dots ,n$, we propose a class of contrast functions and thus obtain estimators of (α,β)$(\alpha ,\beta )$. The estimators are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal when n→∞$n\to \infty$ and ε→0$\epsilon \to 0$ in such a way that ε⁻¹n^−ρ${\epsilon }^{-1}{n}^{-\rho }$ remains bounded for some ρ>0$\rho >0$. The main focus is on the construction of explicit contrast functions, but it is noted that the theory covers quadratic martingale estimating functions as a special case. In a simulation study we consider the finite sample behaviour and the applicability to a financial model of an estimator obtained from a simple explicit contrast function.     

Induced subgraphs of hypercubes

Let _Qk$Q_k$ denote the k$k$-dimensional hypercube on 2^k$2^k$ vertices. A vertex in a subgraph of _Qk$Q_k$ is full   if its degree is k$k$. We apply the Kruskal–Katona Theorem to compute the maximum number of full vertices an induced subgraph on n≤2^k$n\le 2^k$ vertices of _Qk$Q_k$ can have, as a function of k$k$ and n$n$. This is then used to determine min(max(|V(_H1)|,|V(_H2)|))$min(max(\left|V\left(H_1\right)\right|,\left|V\left(H_2\right)\right|))$ where (i) _H1$H_1$ and _H2$H_2$ are induced subgraphs of _Qk$Q_k$, and (ii) together they cover all the edges of _Qk$Q_k$, that is E(_H1)∪E(_H2)=E(_Qk)$E\left(H_1\right)\cup E\left(H_2\right)=E\left(Q_k\right)$.     

Weak convergence of censored and reflected stable processes

It is shown that if a sequence of open n$n$-sets _Dk$D_k$ increases to an open n$n$-set D$D$ then reflected stable processes in _Dk$D_k$ converge weakly to the reflected stable process in D$D$ for every starting point x$x$ in D$D$. The same result holds for censored α$\alpha$-stable processes for every x$x$ in D$D$ if D$D$ and _Dk$D_k$ satisfy the uniform Hardy inequality. Using the method in the proof of the above results, we also prove the weak convergence of reflected Brownian motions in unbounded domains.     

Fundamental solution of a higher step Grushin type operator

We examine a class of Grushin type operators _Pk$P_k$ where k∈_N0$k\in {\mathbb{N}}_0$ defined in (1.1). The operators _Pk$P_k$ are non-elliptic and degenerate on a sub-manifold of R^N+?${\mathbb{R}}^{N+?}$. Geometrically they arise via a submersion from a sub-Laplace operator on a nilpotent Lie group of step k+1$k+1$. We explain the geometric framework and prove some analytic properties such as essential self-adjointness. The main purpose of the paper is to give an explicit expression of the fundamental solution of _Pk$P_k$. Our methods rely on an appropriate change of coordinates and involve the theory of Bessel and modified Bessel functions together with Weber's second exponential integral.     

Applications of equivariant degree for gradient maps to symmetric Newtonian systems

We consider G=Γ×S¹$G=\Gamma \times S^1$ with Γ$\Gamma$ being a finite group, for which the complete Euler ring structure in U(G)$U\left(G\right)$ is described. The multiplication tables for Γ=_D6$\Gamma =D_6$, _S4$S_4$ and _A5$A_5$ are provided in the Appendix. The equivariant degree for G$G$-orthogonal maps is constructed using the primary equivariant degree with one free parameter. We show that the G$G$-orthogonal degree extends the degree for G$G$-gradient maps (in the case of G=Γ×S¹$G=\Gamma \times S^1$) introduced by G?ba in [K. G?ba, W. Krawcewicz, J. Wu, An equivariant degree with applications to symmetric bifurcation problems I: Construction of the degree, Bull. London. Math. Soc. 69 (1994) 377–398]. The computational results obtained are applied to a Γ$\Gamma$-symmetric autonomous Newtonian system for which we study the existence of 2π$2\pi$-periodic solutions. For some concrete cases, we present the symmetric classification of the solution set for the systems considered.     

A new upper bound on the acyclic chromatic indices of planar graphs

An acyclic edge coloring of a graph G$G$ is a proper edge coloring such that no bichromatic cycles are produced. The acyclic chromatic index a^′(G)$a^{\prime }\left(G\right)$ of G$G$ is the smallest integer k$k$ such that G$G$ has an acyclic edge coloring using k$k$ colors. It was conjectured that a^′(G)≤Δ+2$a^{\prime }\left(G\right)\le \Delta +2$ for any simple graph G$G$ with maximum degree Δ$\Delta$. In this paper, we prove that if G$G$ is a planar graph, then a^′(G)≤Δ+7$a^{\prime }\left(G\right)\le \Delta +7$. This improves a result by Basavaraju et al. [M. Basavaraju, L.S. Chandran, N. Cohen, F. Havet, T. Müller, Acyclic edge-coloring of planar graphs, SIAM J. Discrete Math. 25 (2011) 463–478], which says that every planar graph G$G$ satisfies a^′(G)≤Δ+12$a^{\prime }\left(G\right)\le \Delta +12$.     

Selections and their absolutely continuous invariant measures

Let I=[0,1]$I=[0,1]$ and let P be a partition of I   into a finite number of intervals. Let _τ1${\tau }_1$, _τ2${\tau }_2$; I→I$I\to I$ be two piecewise expanding maps on P  . Let G⊂I×I$G\subset I\times I$ be the region between the boundaries of the graphs of _τ1${\tau }_1$ and _τ2${\tau }_2$. Any map τ:I→I$\tau :I\to I$ that takes values in G is called a selection of the multivalued map defined by G  . There are many results devoted to the study of the existence of selections with specified topological properties. However, there are no results concerning the existence of selection with measure-theoretic properties. In this paper we prove the existence of selections which have absolutely continuous invariant measures (acim). By our assumptions we know that _τ1${\tau }_1$ and _τ2${\tau }_2$ possess acims preserving the distribution functions F⁽¹⁾$F^{(1)}$ and F⁽²⁾$F^{(2)}$. The main result shows that for any convex combination F   of F⁽¹⁾$F^{(1)}$ and F⁽²⁾$F^{(2)}$ we can find a map η   with values between the graphs of _τ1${\tau }_1$ and _τ2${\tau }_2$ (that is, a selection) such that F is the η-invariant distribution function. Examples are presented. We also study the relationship of the dynamics of our multivalued maps to random maps.