Destabilizing Heegaard splittings of knot exteriors

We give a necessary and sufficient condition for Heegaard splittings of knot exteriors to admit destabilizations. As an application, we show the following: let K₁ and K₂ be a pair of knots which is introduced by Morimoto as an example giving degeneration of tunnel number under connected sum. The Heegaard splitting of the exterior of K₁#K₂ derived from certain minimal unknotting tunnel systems of K₁ and K₂ is stabilized.     

A note on tunnel number of composite knots

Let K be a knot in a sphere S³. We denote by t(K) the tunnel number of K. For two knots K₁ and K₂, we denote by K₁?K₂ the connected sum of K₁ and K₂. In this paper, we will prove that if one of K₁ and K₂ has high distance while the other has distance at least 3 then t(K₁?K₂)=t(K₁)+t(K₂)+1.     

Metrics on products of surfaces with non-positive sectional curvature

Let (S _i, g_i),i=1, 2 be two compact riemannian surfaces isometrically embedded in euclidean spaces. In this paper we show that ifM=S ₁×S₂,then for any functionF: M→R, the graph ofF, i.e. the manifold {(x, F(x)): x∈M}, does not have positive sectional curvature.     

On a behavior of a slice of the -character variety of a knot group under the connected sum

We observe a behavior of a slice (an algebraic subset) S₀(K) of the -character variety of a knot group under the connected sum of knots. It turns out that the number of 0-dimensional components of S₀(K) is additive under the connected sum of knots.     

Generalized connected sum construction for scalar flat metrics

In this paper we construct constant scalar curvature metrics on the generalized connected sum M = M₁  \sharp_K  M₂{M = M_1 \, \sharp_K \, M_2} of two compact Riemannian scalar flat manifolds (M ₁, g ₁) and (M ₂, g ₂) along a common Riemannian submanifold (K, g _K ) whose codimension is ≥3. Here we present two constructions: the first one produces a family of “small” (in general nonzero) constant scalar curvature metrics on the generalized connected sum of M ₁ and M ₂. It yields an extension of Joyce’s result for point-wise connected sums in the spirit of our previous issues for nonzero constant scalar curvature metrics. When the initial manifolds are not Ricci flat, and in particular they belong to the (1₊) class in the Kazdan–Warner classification, we refine the first construction in order to produce a family of scalar flat metrics on M. As a consequence we get new solutions to the Einstein constraint equations on the generalized connected sum of two compact time symmetric initial data sets, extending the Isenberg–Mazzeo–Pollack gluing construction.     

Epstein–Penner Decompositions and Thrice Punctured Spheres in Hyperbolic 3-Manifolds

Let M be a cusped hyperbolic 3-manifold containing an incompressible thrice punctured sphere S. Suppose that M is not the Whitehead link complement. We prove that a certain arc on S is isotopic to an edge of a Euclidean decomposition of M. By using the above result, we relate alternating knot diagrams and the canonical decompositions. Let K be an alternating hyperbolic knot. On a reduced alternating knot diagram of K, if we replace one of the crossings with a large number of half twists, the polar axis of the crossing is isotopic to an edge of the canonical decomposition for the resulting knot.     

On nonnegatively curved 4-manifolds with discrete symmetry

Let M be the closed, simply connected, 4-manifold with nonnegative sectional curvature, called a nonnegatively curved 4-manifold, with an effective and isometric Z _m -action for a positive integer m ≧ 61⁷. Assume that Z _m acts trivially on the homology of M. The goal of this short paper is to prove that if the fixed point set of any nontrivial element of Z _m has at most one two-dimensional component, then M is homeomorphic to S ⁴, # _i ^l =1S ² × S ², l = 1, 2, or # _j ^k = 1 ± CP ², k = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The main strategy of this paper is to give an upper bound of the Euler characteristic χ(M) under the homological assumption of a Z _m -action as above by using the Lefschetz fixed point formula.     

On moduli of vector bundles on surfaces with negative Kodaira dimension

Summary Here we prove the following result. Fix integersq, τ,a’, b’, a’ _i, 1≤i≤τ,a’, b’, a’ _i, 1≤i≤τ; then there is an integerew such that for every integert≥w, for every algebraically closed fieldK for every smooth complete surfaceX with negative Kodaira dimension, irregularityq andK _X ² =8(1−q)−τ, the following condition holds; ifX→S is a sequence fo τ blowing-downs which gives a relatively minimal model with ruling ρ:S→C, take as basis of the Neron Severi groupNS(X) a smooth rational curve which is the total transform of a fiber ofC, the total transform of a minimal section of ρ and the total transformD _i, 1≤i≤τ, of the exceptional curver; then for everyH andL∈Pic (X) withH ample,H (resp.L) represented by the integersa’, b’, a’ _i, (resp.a’, b’, a’ _i), 1≤i≤τ, in the chosen basis ofNS(X) the moduli spaceM(ZX, 2,H, L, t) of rank 2H-stable vector bundles onX with determinantL andc ₂=t is generically smooth and the number, dimension and ?birational structure? of the irreducible components ofM(X, 2,H, L, t)_red do not depend on the choice ofK andX. Furthermore the birational structure of these irreducible components can be loosely described in terms of the birational structure of the components of suitableM(S, 2,H’, L’, t’)_red withS a relatively minimal model ofX.

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Sunto SiaX una superficie algebrica liscia completa con dimensione di Kodaira negativa e definita su un campo algebricamente chiusoK; fissiamoH eL∈Pic (X),t∈Z; siaq l’irregolarità diX e τ≔8(1−q)−K _X ^Emphasis>2 ; siaM(X, 2,H, L, t) to schema dei moduli dei fibrati vettorialiH-stabili di rango 2 suX con determinateL ec ₂=t. Si dimostra che esiste una costantew che dipende solo daq, da τ e dalla classe numerica diH e diL (ma non da char (K) o dalla classe di isomorphismo diX) tale che per ognit≥w il numero, la dimensione e ?la struttura birazionale? delle componenti irriducibili diM(X, 2,H, L, t)_red non dipende dalla scelta di char (K),K eX ma solo daq, τ e dalle classi diH eL inNS(X). Inoltre la ?struttura birazionale? di queste componenti irriducibili può essere grossolanamente descritta in termini delle componenti di opportuni spazi di moduliM(S, 2,H’, L’, t’) (doveS è un modello minimale diX).

     

Similarity of matrices under SL(n,K)

Take a similarity class of n × n matrices over a field K Let p_i ,(λ) ^m(i) be the elementary divisors L_i , = K [λ]/(p_i ). Under conjugation by SL(n, K), the class splits into subclasses corresponding to the elements of K^×/Π(NL _i ^×) ^m(i).     

Generalized gluing for Einstein constraint equations

In this paper we construct a family of new (topologically distinct) solutions to the Einstein constraint equations by performing the generalized connected sum (or fiber sum) of two known compact m-dimensional constant mean curvature solutions (M ₁, g ₁, Π₁) and (M ₂, g ₂,Π₂) along a common isometrically embedded k-dimensional sub-manifold (K, g _K ). Away from the gluing locus the metric and the second fundamental form of the new solutions can be chosen as close as desired to the ones of the original solutions. The proof is essentially based on the conformal method and the geometric construction produces a polyneck between M ₁ and M ₂ whose metric is modeled fiber-wise (i. e. along the slices of the normal fiber bundle of K) around a Schwarzschild metric; for these reasons the codimension n : =  m − k of K in M ₁ and M ₂ is required to be  ≥  3. In this sense our result is a generalization of the Isenberg–Mazzeo–Pollack gluing, which works for connected sum at points and in dimension 3. The solutions we obtain for the Einstein constraint equations can be used to produce new short time vacuum solutions of the Einstein system on a Lorentzian (m + 1)-dimensional manifold, as guaranteed by a well known result of Choquet-Bruhat.     

Counterexamples to the Kneser conjecture in dimension four

We construct a connected closed orientable smooth four-manifold whose fundamental group is the free product of two non-trivial groups such that it is not homotopy equivalent toM ₀#M ₁ unlessM ₀ orM ₁ is homeomorphic toS ⁴. LetN be the nucleus of the minimal elliptic Enrique surfaceV ₁(2, 2) and putM=N∪ _∂NN. The fundamental group ofM splits as ℤ/2 * ℤ/2. We prove thatM#k(S ²×S²) is diffeomorphic toM ₀#M ₁ for non-simply connected closed smooth four-manifoldsM ₀ andM ₁ if and only ifk≥8. On the other hand we show thatM is homeomorphic toM ₀#M ₁ for closed topological four-manifoldsM ₀ andM ₁ withπ ₁(M_i)=ℤ/2.     

Cobordism of immersions of surfaces¶in non-orientable 3-manifolds

Some properties of non-orientable 3-manifolds are shown. In particular, for a connected, non-orientable 3-manifold M, the group of cobordism clases of immersions of surfaces in M is isomorphic to a group structure on the set H ₂(M,Z/2Z)×H ₁(M,Z/2Z)×Z/2Z. Received: 8 June 2000 / Revised version: 2 October 2000     

On the divisibility of power LCM matrices by power GCD matrices

Let S = {x ₁, ..., x _n } be a set of n distinct positive integers and e ⩾ 1 an integer. Denote the n × n power GCD (resp. power LCM) matrix on S having the e-th power of the greatest common divisor (x _i , x _j ) (resp. the e-th power of the least common multiple [x _i , x _j ]) as the (i, j)-entry of the matrix by ((x _i , x _j ) ^e ) (resp. ([x _i , x _j ] ^e )). We call the set S an odd gcd closed (resp. odd lcm closed) set if every element in S is an odd number and (x _i , x _j ) ∈ S (resp. [x _i , x _j ] ∈ S) for all 1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ n. In studying the divisibility of the power LCM and power GCD matrices, Hong conjectured in 2004 that for any integer e ⩾ 1, the n × n power GCD matrix ((x _i , x _j ) ^e ) defined on an odd-gcd-closed (resp. odd-lcm-closed) set S divides the n × n power LCM matrix ([x _i , x _j ] ^e ) defined on S in the ring M _n (ℤ) of n × n matrices over integers. In this paper, we use Hong’s method developed in his previous papers [J. Algebra 218 (1999) 216–228; 281 (2004) 1–14, Acta Arith. 111 (2004), 165–177 and J. Number Theory 113 (2005), 1–9] to investigate Hong’s conjectures. We show that the conjectures of Hong are true for n ⩽ 3 but they are both not true for n ⩾ 4. Research is partially supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, by SRF for ROCS, SEM, China and by the Lady Davis Fellowship at the Technion, Israel Research is partially supported by a UGC (HK) grant 2160210 (2003/05).     

Codimension Two PL Embeddings of Spheres with Nonstandard Regular Neighborhoods

For a given polyhedron K(?)M,the notation RM(K)denotes a regular neigh- borhood of K in M.The authors study the following problem:find all pairs(m,k) such that if K is a compact k-polyhedron and M a PL m-manifold,then R_M(f(K))≌R_M(g(K))for each two homotopic PL embeddings f,g:K→M.It is proved that R_S~(k 2)(S~k)(?)S~k×D~2 for each k(?)2 and some PL sphere S~k(?)S~(k 2)(even for any PL sphere S~k(?)S~(K 2)having an isolated non-locally flat point with the singularity S~(k-1)(?) S~(k 1)such thatπ_1(S~(k 1)-S~(k-1))(?)Z).     

Lifting representations of ℤ-groups

LetK be the kernel of an epimorphismG→ℤ, whereG is a finitely presented group. IfK has infinitely many subgroups of index 2,3 or 4, then it has uncountably many. Moreover, ifK is the commutator subgroup of a classical knot groupG, then any homomorphism fromK onto the symmetric groupS ₂ (resp. ℤ₃) lifts to a homomorphism ontoS ₃ (resp. alternating groupA ₄). Both authors partially supported by NSF grants DMS-0071004 and DMS-0304971.     

On Strongly Clean Modules

An element of a ring R is called “strongly clean” if it is the sum of an idempotent and a unit that commute, and R is called “strongly clean” if every element of R is strongly clean. A module M is called “strongly clean” if its endomorphism ring End(M) is a strongly clean ring. In this article, strongly clean modules are characterized by direct sum decompositions, that is, M is a strongly clean module if and only if whenever M′⊕ B = A ₁⊕ A ₂ with M′? M, there are decompositions M′ = M ₁⊕ M ₂, B = B ₁⊕ B ₂, and A _i  = C _i ⊕ D _i (i = 1,2) such that M ₁⊕ B ₁ = C ₁⊕ D ₂ = M ₁⊕ C ₁ and M ₂⊕ B ₂ = D ₁⊕ C ₂ = M ₂⊕ C ₂.     

Minimal entropy and collapsing with curvature bounded from below

We show that if a closed manifold M admits an ℱ-structure (not necessarily polarized, possibly of rank zero) then its minimal entropy vanishes. In particular, this is the case if M admits a non-trivial S ¹-action. As a corollary we obtain that the simplicial volume of a manifold admitting an ℱ-structure is zero.?We also show that if M admits an ℱ-structure then it collapses with curvature bounded from below. This in turn implies that M collapses with bounded scalar curvature or, equivalently, its Yamabe invariant is non-negative.?We show that ℱ-structures of rank zero appear rather frequently: every compact complex elliptic surface admits one as well as any simply connected closed 5-manifold.?We use these results to study the minimal entropy problem. We show the following two theorems: suppose that M is a closed manifold obtained by taking connected sums of copies of S ⁴, ℂP ², ²,S ²×S ²and the K3 surface. Then M has zero minimal entropy. Moreover, M admits a smooth Riemannian metric with zero topological entropy if and only if M is diffeomorphic to S ⁴,ℂP ²,S ²×S ²,ℂP ²#  ² or ℂP ²# ℂP ². Finally, suppose that M is a closed simply connected 5-manifold. Then M has zero minimal entropy. Moreover, M admits a smooth Riemannian metric with zero topological entropy if and only if M is diffeomorphic to S ⁵,S ³×S ², then on trivial S ³-bundle over S ² or the Wu-manifold SU(3)/SO(3). Oblatum 13-III-2002 & 12-VIII-2002?Published online: 8 November 2002 G.P. Paternain was partially supported by CIMAT, Guanajuato, México.?J. Petean is supported by grant 37558-E of CONACYT.     

Fundamental cycles and graph embeddings

In this paper, we investigate fundamental cycles in a graph G and their relations with graph embeddings. We show that a graph G may be embedded in an orientable surface with genus at least g if and only if for any spanning tree T , there exists a sequence of fundamental cycles C1, C2, . . . , C2g with C2i-1 ∩ C2i≠ф for 1≤ i ≤g. In particular, among β(G) fundamental cycles of any spanning tree T of a graph G, there are exactly 2γM (G) cycles C1, C2, . . . , C2γM (G) such that C2i-1 ∩ C2i≠ф for 1 ≤i≤γM (G), w...     

T-Semisimple Modules and T-Semisimple Rings

We define and investigate t-semisimple modules as a generalization of semisimple modules. A module M is called t-semisimple if every submodule N contains a direct summand K of M such that K is t-essential in N. T-semisimple modules are Morita invariant and they form a strict subclass of t-extending modules. Many equivalent conditions for a module M to be t-semisimple are found. Accordingly, M is t-semisiple, if and only if, M = Z ₂(M) ⊕ S(M) (where Z ₂(M) is the Goldie torsion submodule and S(M) is the sum of nonsingular simple submodules). A ring R is called right t-semisimple if R _R is t-semisimple. Various characterizations of right t-semisimple rings are given. For some types of rings, conditions equivalent to being t-semisimple are found, and this property is investigated in terms of chain conditions.