The equivariant topology of stable Kneser graphs

The stable Kneser graph SG_n,k, n?1, k?0, introduced by Schrijver (1978) [19], is a vertex critical graph with chromatic number k+2, its vertices are certain subsets of a set of cardinality m=2n+k. Björner and de Longueville (2003) [5] have shown that its box complex is homotopy equivalent to a sphere, Hom(K₂,SG_n,k)?Sk. The dihedral group D2m acts canonically on SG_n,k, the group C₂ with 2 elements acts on K₂. We almost determine the (C₂×D2m)-homotopy type of Hom(K₂,SG_n,k) and use this to prove the following results.The graphs SG_2s,4 are homotopy test graphs, i.e. for every graph H and r?0 such that Hom(SG_2s,4,H) is (r−1)-connected, the chromatic number χ(H) is at least r+6.If k∉{0,1,2,4,8} and n?N(k) then SG_n,k is not a homotopy test graph, i.e. there are a graph G and an r?1 such that Hom(SG_n,k,G) is (r−1)-connected and χ(G)<r+k+2.     

THE FUNDAMENTAL GROUP IN FIBRATIONS

A generalized Mayer-Vietoris sequence involving crossed homomorphisms is established and the construction is applied to the homotopy sequence of the CW-pair (X.X¹) to relate the homotopy sequences of (X.X¹) and the fibre bundle F → E → X in low dimensions. If there is a partial cross-section of E → X over X², the classical form, π₁ E ～ π₁ [xtilde] π₁ F as a semidirect product, results. In case there is no extension over X² of any cross-section of the restricted bundle χ:π₂ (x², x¹) → X¹ the corresponding obstruction map X_E:π₂(x²,x¹) → π₁F is non-trivial and in case F → E → X is an SO(n)-bundle (n ≥ 3), χ_E maps into a subgroup of the centre, Z(π₁ F), of order at most 2.     

On a problem of rota

Let S(n, k) denote Stirling numbers of the second kind; for each n, let K_n be such that S(n, K_n) ? S(n, k) for all k. Also, let P(n) denote the lattice of partitions of an n-element set. Say that a collection of partitions from P(n) is incomparable if no two are related by refinement. Rota has asked if for all n, the largest possible incomparable collection in P(n) contains S(n, K_n) partitions. In this paper, we construct for all n sufficiently large an incomparable collection in P(n) containing strictly more than S(n, K_n) partitions. We also estimate how large n must be for this construction to work.     

Additive operators preserving rank-additivity on symmetry matrix spaces

We characterize the additive operators preserving rank-additivity on symmetry matrix spaces. LetS _n(F) be the space of alln×n symmetry matrices over a fieldF with 2,3 ∈F ^*, thenT is an additive injective operator preserving rank-additivity onS _n(F) if and only if there exists an invertible matrixU∈M _n(F) and an injective field homomorphism ? ofF to itself such thatT(X)=cUX ^?U^T, ?X=(x_ij)∈S_n(F) wherec∈F ^*,X ^?=(?(x _ij)). As applications, we determine the additive operators preserving minus-order onS _n(F) over the fieldF.     

A dimension series for multivariate splines

For a polyhedral subdivision Δ of a region in Euclideand-space, we consider the vector spaceC _k ^r (Δ) consisting of allC ^r piecewise polynomial functions over Δ of degree at mostk. We consider the formal power series ∑ _k≥0 dim_? C _k ^r (Δ)λ^k and show, under mild conditions on Δ, that this always has the formP(λ)/(1?λ) ^d+1, whereP(λ) is a polynomial in λ with integral coefficients which satisfiesP(0)=1,P(1)=f _d (Δ), andP′(1)=(r+1)f _d?1 ⁰ (Δ). We discuss how the polynomialP(λ) and bases for the spacesC _k ^r (Δ) can be effectively calculated by use of Gröbner basis techniques of computational commutative algebra. A further application is given to the theory of hyperplane arrangements.     

Classifying Hilbert bundles. II

A Hilbert bundle (p, B, X) is a type of fibre space p: B → X such that each fibre p^?1(x) is a Hilbert space. However, p^?1(x) may vary in dimension as x varies in X, even when X is connected. We give two “homotopy” type classification theorems for Hilbert bundles having primarily finite dimensional fibres. An (m, n)-bundle over the pair (X, A) is a Hilbert bundle over (p, B, X) such that the dimension of p^?1(x) is m for x in A and n otherwise. As a special case, we show that if X is a compact metric space, C₊X the upper cone of the suspension SX, then the isomorphism classes of (m, n)-bundles over (SX, C₊X) are in one-to-one correspondence with the members of [X, V_m($\text{C}$ⁿ)] where V_m($\text{C}$ⁿ) is the Stiefel manifold. The results are all applicable to the classification of separable, continuous trace C¹-algebras, with specific results given to illustrate.     

Isoperimetric inequalities for p-conductance

An n-dimensional domain K is considered with boundary ?K = k₀ tu K₁ ∪ K₂ such that the closure ¯K is the image of a cylinder B=Sx[0, 1] (S is a closed (n?1)-dimensional cell) under a one-one Lipschitz map. For the p-conductance of the domain K, defined by the equation $$c_p (K) = \mathop {\inf }\limits_{U(K)} \int K |\nabla f|^p dx (p > 1),$$ , where∪ (K) = f (x):f ∈ W _p ¹ (K)∩C (¯K),f = 1 on k₁,f = 0 on K₀, the isoperimetric inequality c_p(K) ≤ V/r^P is established. Here V is the n-dimensional volume of the domain K, r is the shortest distance between k₀ and K₁, measured in K. Equality is achieved on the right cylinder.     

Homomorphisms between the chevalley groups over any fields of characteristic zero

Given an irreducible root system ∑, let G(F,L) denote the Cheval- ley group over a field F corresponding to a lattice L between the root lattice and the weight lattice of ∑,. We will determine all nontnvial homomorphisms from G(k,L ₁) to G(K,L ₂when k and K are any fields of characteristic zero, and we will verify that any nontrivial homomorphism from G(k,L ₁) to G(K,L ₂are induced by a field homomorphism from k to K by multiplying an automorphism of G(K,L ₂.     

Halving Steiner 2-designs

A Steiner 2-design S(2,k,v) is said to be halvable if the block set can be partitioned into two isomorphic sets. This is equivalent to an edge-disjoint decomposition of a self-complementary graph G on v vertices into K_ks. The obvious necessary condition of those orders v for which there exists a halvable S(2,k,v) is that v admits the existence of an S(2,k,v) with an even number of blocks. In this paper, we give an asymptotic solution for various block sizes. We prove that for any k?5 or any Mersenne prime k, there is a constant number v₀ such that if v>v₀ and v satisfies the above necessary condition, then there exists a halvable S(2,k,v). We also show that a halvable S(2,2ⁿ,v) exists for over a half of possible orders. Some recursive constructions generating infinitely many new halvable Steiner 2-designs are also presented.     

Chain sequences and symmetric generalized orthogonal polynomials

In this paper, we derive an explicit expression for the parameter sequences of a chain sequence in terms of the corresponding orthogonal polynomials and their associated polynomials. We use this to study the orthogonal polynomials K_n^(λ,M,k) associated with the probability measure dφ(λ,M,k;x), which is the Gegenbauer measure of parameter λ+1 with two additional mass points at ±k. When k=1 we obtain information on the polynomials K_n^(λ,M) which are the symmetric Koornwinder polynomials. Monotonicity properties of the zeros of K_n^(λ,M,k) in relation to M and k are also given.     

Homotopy type of gauge groups of quaternionic line bundles over spheres

Let P be a principal S³-bundle over a sphere Sn, with n?4. Let GP be the gauge group of P. The homotopy type of GP when n=4 was studied by A. Kono in [A. Kono, A note on the homotopy type of certain gauge groups, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh Sect. A 117 (1991) 295-297]. In this paper we extend his result and we study the homotopy type of the gauge group of these bundles for all n?25.     

Splitting monoidal stable model categories

If C is a stable model category with a monoidal product then the set of homotopy classes of self-maps of the unit forms a commutative ring, [S,S]^C. An idempotent e of this ring will split the homotopy category: [X,Y]^C≅e[X,Y]^C⊕(1−e)[X,Y]^C. We prove that provided the localised model structures exist, this splitting of the homotopy category comes from a splitting of the model category, that is, C is Quillen equivalent to L_eSC×L_(1−e)SC and [X,Y]^L_eSC≅e[X,Y]^C. This Quillen equivalence is strong monoidal and is symmetric when the monoidal product of C is.     

An Almost Accurate Location of the Maximum Stirling Number(s) of the Second Kind

The Stirling number of the second kind S(n, k) is the number of ways of partitioning a set of n elements into k nonempty subsets. It is well known that the numbers S(n, k) are unimodal in k, and there are at most two consecutive values K _n such that (for fixed n) S(n, K _n ) is maximal. We determine asymptotic bounds for K _n , which are unexpectedly good and improve earlier results. The method used here shows a possible strategy for obtaining numerical bounds such that in almost all cases K _n can be uniquely determined.     

The convexity spectra of graphs

Let D be a connected oriented graph. A set S⊆V(D) is convex in D if, for every pair of vertices x,y∈S, the vertex set of every x-y geodesic (x-y shortest dipath) and y-x geodesic in D is contained in S. The convexity numbercon(D) of a nontrivial oriented graph D is the maximum cardinality of a proper convex set of D. Let G be a graph. We define that S_C(G)={con(D):D is an orientation of G} and S_SC(G)={con(D):D is a strongly connected orientation of G}. In the paper, we show that, for any n?4, 1?a?n-2, and a≠2, there exists a 2-connected graph G with n vertices such that S_C(G)=S_SC(G)={a,n-1} and there is no connected graph G of order n?3 with S_SC(G)={n-1}. Then, we determine that S_C(K₃)={1,2}, S_C(K₄)={1,3}, S_SC(K₃)=S_SC(K₄)={1}, S_C(K₅)={1,3,4}, S_C(K₆)={1,3,4,5}, S_SC(K₅)=S_SC(K₆)={1,3}, S_C(K_n)={1,3,5,6,…,n-1}, S_SC(K_n)={1,3,5,6,…,n-2} for n?7. Finally, we prove that, for any integers n, m, and k with , 1?k?n-1, and k≠2,4, there exists a strongly connected oriented graph D with n vertices, m edges, and convexity number k.     

Cocycle d'Euler etK2

In this paper we construct a canonical 2-cocycle on the groupP SL(2,k) with values in the Witt groupW(k) of the fieldk. This allows us to produce anatural homomorphism :H ₂(SL(2,k); Z)I ²(k), whereI ²(k) is the square of the fundamental ideal. We prove that this homomorphism is in fact a lift of Milnor's symbol.

     

Homotopy Type of Complexes of Graph Homomorphisms between Cycles

In this paper we study the homotopy type of Hom(C_m,C_n), where C_k is the cyclic graph with k vertices. We enumerate connected components of Hom(C_m,C_n) and show that each such component is either homeomorphic to a point or homotopy equivalent to S¹. Moreover, we prove that Hom(C_m,L_n) is either empty or is homotopy equivalent to the union of two points, where L_n is an n-string, i.e., a tree with n vertices and no branching points.     

A limiting absorption principle for Schrödinger operators with spherically symmetric exploding potentials

LetH=?Δ+V(r) be a Schrödinger operator with a spherically symmetric exploding potential, namely,V(r)=V _S(r)+V _L(r), whereV _S(r) is short-range and the exploding partV _L(r) satisfies the following assumptions: (a) Λ=lim sup _r→∞ V _L(r)<∞ (but Λ=?∞ is possible). Denote Λ⁺= max(Λ,0). (b)V _L(r)∈C ^2k (r ₀, ∞) and, with someδ>0 such that 2kδ>1: (d/dr) ^j V _L(r) · (Λ⁺?V _L(r))^?1=O(r ^jδ) asr → ∞,j=1, ..., 2k. (c) ∫ _r0 ^∞ dr|V _L(r|^1/2 dr|V _L(r)|^1/2=∞. (d) (d/dr)V _L(r)≦0. Under these assumptions a limiting absorption principle forR(z)=(H?z)^?1 is established. More specifically, ifK ?C ⁺={zImz≧0} is compact andK ∩ (?∞, Λ]=Ø thenR (z) can be extended as a continuous map ofK intoB (Y, Y*) (with the uniform operator topology), whereY ?L ²(R ⁿ) is a weighted-L ² space. To ensure uniqueness of solutions of (H?z)u=f, z ∈K, a suitable radiation condition is introduced.     

On the chromaticity of complete multipartite graphs with certain edges added

Let P(G,λ) be the chromatic polynomial of a graph G. A graph G is chromatically unique if for any graph H, P(H,λ)=P(G,λ) implies H is isomorphic to G. For integers k≥0, t≥2, denote by K((t−1)×p,p+k) the complete t-partite graph that has t−1 partite sets of size p and one partite set of size p+k. Let K(s,t,p,k) be the set of graphs obtained from K((t−1)×p,p+k) by adding a set S of s edges to the partite set of size p+k such that 〈S〉 is bipartite. If s=1, denote the only graph in K(s,t,p,k) by K⁺((t−1)×p,p+k). In this paper, we shall prove that for k=0,1 and p+k≥s+2, each graph G∈K(s,t,p,k) is chromatically unique if and only if 〈S〉 is a chromatically unique graph that has no cut-vertex. As a direct consequence, the graph K⁺((t−1)×p,p+k) is chromatically unique for k=0,1 and p+k≥3.     

An identity involving partitional generalized binomial coefficients

Define coefficients (_κ^λ) by C_λ(I_p + Z)/C_λ(I_p) = Σ_k=0^l Σ_{?∈$\text{P}$k} (_?^λ) C_κ(Z)/C_κ(I_p), where the C_λ's are zonal polynomials in p by p matrices. It is shown that C_?(Z) etr(Z)/k! = Σ_l=k^∞ Σ_{λ∈$\text{P}$l} (_?^λ) C_λ(Z)/l!. This identity is extended to analogous identities involving generalized Laguerre, Hermite, and other polynomials. Explicit expressions are given for all (_?^λ), ? ∈ $\text{P}$_k, k ≤ 3. Several identities involving the (_?^λ)'s are derived. These are used to derive explicit expressions for coefficients of $\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{\lambda }}\text{(Z)}\text{l}\text{!}$ in expansions of P(Z), $\text{etr}\text{(Z)}\text{k!}$ for all monomials P(Z) in s_j = tr Z^j of degree k ≤ 5.