Almost convex groups and the eight geometries

IfM is a closed Nil geometry 3-manifold then ₁(M) is almost convex with respect to a fairly simple geometric generating set. IfG is a central extension or a extension of a word hyperbolic group, thenG is also almost convex with respect to some generating set. Combining these with previously known results shows that ifM is a closed 3-manifold with one of Thurston's eight geometries, ₁(M) is almost convex with respect to some generating set if and only if the geometry in question is not Sol.     

Partition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis><Subscript>4</Subscript>-Designs into Minimum and Maximum Number of <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript>-Designs

Let be a C₄-design of order n and index , on the vertex set V, |V|=n. If V₁V_m=V is a partition of the vertex set, such that the intersections of the with V_i form a P₃-design of order |V_i| and the same index , for each 1im, then 2m log₃(2n+1). The minimum bound is best possible for every . The maximum bound is best possible for =2, and hence also for every even .Supported by MIUR, Italy and CNR-GNSAGAAlso affiliated with the Department of Computer Science, University of Veszprém, Hungary; supported in part by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund, grant OTKA T-32969AMS classification: 05B05     

On an isomorphism problem on the closed-set lattice of a graph

Let (G) and V(G) be, respectively, the closed-set lattice and the vertex set of a graph G. Any lattice isomorphism : V(G)(G) induces a bijection : V(G)V(G) such that for each x in V(G), (x)=x' in V(G') iff ({x})={x'}. A graph G is strongly sensitive if for any graph G' and any lattice isomorphism : (G)(G), the bijection induced by is a graph isomorphism of G onto G'. In this paper we present some sufficient conditions for graphs to be strongly sensitive and prove in particular that all C ₄-free graphs and all covering graphs of finite lattices are strongly sensitive.     

K-theory for finite covariant systems

LetA be a real or complex Banach algebra and assume that is an action of a finite groupG onA by means of continuous automorphisms. To such a finite covariant system (A, G, ), we associate an Abelian groupK(A, G, ). We obtain some classical exact sequences for an algebraA and a closed invariant idealI. We also compute the group in a few important special cases. Doing so, we relate our new invariant to the classicalK ₀ andK ₁ of a Banach algebra and to theK-theory of ₂-graded Banach algebras. Finally, we obtain a result that gives a close relationship of our groupK(A, G, ) with theK-theory of the crossed productA G. In particular, we prove a six-term exact sequence involving our groupK(A, G, ) and theK-groups ofA G. In this way, we hope to contribute to the well-known problem of finding theK-theory of the crossed productA G in the case of an action of a finite group.     

k-regular factors and semi-k-regular factors in bipartite graphs

LetG be a graph, andk1 an integer. LetU be a subset ofV(G), and letF be a spanning subgraph ofG such that deg _F (x)=k for allx V(G)–U. If deg _F (x)k for allxU, thenF is called an upper semi-k-regular factor with defect setU, and if deg _F (x)k for allxU, thenF is called a lower semi-k-regular factor with defect setU. Now letG=(X, Y;E(G)) be a bipartite graph with bipartition (X,Y) such that X=Yk+2. We prove the following two results.(1) Suppose that for each subsetU ₁X such that U ₁=max{k+1, X+1/2},G has an upper semi-k-regular factor with defect setU ₁Y, and for each subsetU ₂Y such that U ₂=max{k+1, X+1/2},G has an upper semi-k-regular factor with defect setXU ₂. ThenG has ak-factor.(2) Suppose that for each subsetU ₁X such that U ₁=X–1/k+1,G has a lower semi-k-regular factor with defect setU ₁Y, and for each subsetU ₂Y such that U ₂=X–1/k+1,G has a lower semi-k-regular factor with defect setXU ₂. ThenG has ak-factor.     

Automorphisms on a Lie group contracting modulo a compact subgroup and applications to semistable convolution semigroups

Let ( _t ) _t0 be a -semistable convolution semigroup of probability measures on a Lie groupG whose idempotent ₀ is the Haar measure on some compact subgroupK. Then all the measures ₁ are supported by theK-contraction groupC _K() of the topological automorphism ofG. We prove here the structure theoremC _K()=C()K, whereC() is the contraction group of . Then it turns out that it is sufficient to study semistable convolution semigroups on simply connected nilpotent Lie groups that have Lie algebras with a positive graduation.     

The Spectral Theory of Amenable Actions and Invariants of Discrete Groups

Let G denote a semisimple group, a discrete subgroup, B=G/P the Poisson boundary. Regarding invariants of discrete subgroups we prove, in particular, the following:(1) For any -quasi-invariant measure on B, and any probablity measure on , the norm of the operator () on L ²(B,) is equal to (), where is the unitary representation in L ²(X,), and is the regular representation of .(2) In particular this estimate holds when is Lebesgue measure on B, a Patterson–Sullivan measure, or a -stationary measure, and implies explicit lower bounds for the displacement and Margulis number of (w.r.t. a finite generating set), the dimension of the conformal density, the -entropy of the measure, and Lyapunov exponents of .(3) In particular, when G=PSL₂() and is free, the new lower bound of the displacement is somewhat smaller than the Culler–Shalen bound (which requires an additional assumption) and is greater than the standard ball-packing bound.We also prove that ()=_G() for any amenable action of G and L ¹(G), and conversely, give a spectral criterion for amenability of an action of G under certain natural dynamical conditions. In addition, we establish a uniform lower bound for the -entropy of any measure quasi-invariant under the action of a group with property T, and use this fact to construct an interesting class of actions of such groups, related to 'virtual' maximal parabolic subgroups. Most of the results hold in fact in greater generality, and apply for instance when G is any semi-simple algebraic group, or when is any word-hyperbolic group, acting on their Poisson boundary, for example.     

Sur certaines algèbres associées à une mesure de Guelfand

Let be a Guelfand measure (cf. [A, B]) on a locally compact groupG DenoteL ₁ (G)=*L ₁(G)* the commutative Banach algebra associated to . We show thatL ₁ (G) is semi-simple and give a characterization of the closed ideals ofL ₁ (G). Using the -spherical Fourier transform, we characterize all linear bounded operators inL ₁ (G) which are invariants by -translations (i.e. such that ¹(( _x f) )=( _x ((f)) for eachxG andfL ₁ (G); where _x f(y)=f(xy); x,y G). WhenG is compact, we study the algebraL ₁ (G) and obtain results analogous to ones obtained for the commutative case: we show thatL ₁ (G) is regular, all closed sets of its Guelfand spectrum are sets of synthesis and establish theorems of harmonic synthesis for functions inL _p (G) (p=1,2 or +).

     

Slope Estimates of Artin–Schreier Curves

Let X/F_p be an Artin–Schreier curve defined by the affine equation y ^p –y=f(x) where f(x)F_p[x] is monic of degree d. In this paper we develop a method for estimating the first slope of the Newton polygon of X. Denote this first slope by NP₁(X/F_p). We use our method to prove that if p>d2 then NP₁(X/F_p)(p–1)/d/(p–1). If p>2d4, we give a sufficient condition for the equality to hold.     

Approximations for optimal Laplace transform inversion

A function (p) of the Laplace transform operatorp is approximated by a finite linear combination of functions (p+ _r ), where (p) is a specific function ofp having a known analytic inverse (t), and is chosen in accordance with various considerations. Then parameters _r ,r=1, 2,...,n, and then corresponding coefficientsA _r of the (p + _r ) are determined by a least-square procedure. Then, the corresponding approximation to the inversef(t) of (p) is given by analytic inversion of _r=1 ⁿ A _r (p+ _r ). The method represents a generalization of a method of best rational function approximation due to the author [which corresponds to the particular choice (t)1], but is capable of yielding considerably greater accuracy for givenn.The computations for this paper were carried out on the CDC-6600 computer at the Computation Center of Tel-Aviv University. The author is grateful to Dr. H. Jarosch of the Weizmann Institute of Science Computer Center for use of their Powell minimization subroutine (Ref. 1).     

Bounds of eigenvalues of a graph

LetG be a simple graph withn vertices. We denote by _i(G) thei-th largest eigenvalue ofG. In this paper, several results are presented concerning bounds on the eigenvalues ofG. In particular, it is shown that –1₂(G)(n–2)/2, and the left hand equality holds if and only ifG is a complete graph with at least two vertices; the right hand equality holds if and only ifn is even andG2K _n/2.     

Singular parts of contractive analytic operator functions

One considers the class _G of holomorphic functions in a domain G, whose values are contractions in a separable Hilbert space. It is proved that if T(·) _G , T(z₀) is a weak contraction, its singular part T^s(z₀) is complete, and the increments T(z)–T(z₀) are not too large (for example, finite-dimensional), then the operator T^s(z₀) is complete for almost all zG. If, however, T(z₀) is, in addition, completely nonunitary and satisfies definite smoothness conditions, then in the nontrivial case the spectrum [z] of the contraction T^s(z) (zG) is a thin set: The proof of the mentioned results is based on the investigation of the formulas obtained in the paper, connecting the characteristic functions of the contractions T(z) for different values of zG.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova AN SSSR, Vol. 157, pp. 30–44, 1987.     

On the Growth of the Maximum of the Modulus of an Entire Function on a Sequence

Let M _f(r) and _f(r) be, respectively, the maximum of the modulus and the maximum term of an entire function f and let be a continuously differentiable function convex on (–, +) and such that x = o((x)) as x +. We establish that, in order that the equality be true for any entire function f, it is necessary and sufficient that ln (x) = o((x)) as x +.     

Zur Lösung parameterabhängiger nichtlinearer Gleichungen mit singulären Jacobi-Matrizen

Summary For solving the nonlinear systemG(x, t)=0,G| ⁿ × ^{1 n} , which is assumed to have a smooth curve of solutions a continuation method with self-choosing stepsize is proposed. It is based on a PC-principle using an Euler-Cauchy-predictor and Newton's iteration as corrector. Under the assumption thatG is sufficiently smooth and the total derivative (₁ G(x, t)₂ G(x, t)) has full rankn along the method is proven to terminate with a solution (x ^N , 1) of the system fort=1. It works succesfully, too, if the Jacobians ₁ G(x, t) become singular at some points of , e.g., if has turning points. The method is especially able to give a point-wise approximation of the curve implicitly defined as solution of the system mentioned above.

     

Les classes de Chern des représentations galoisiennes complexes

Let F be a field, G _F its absolute Galois group, : G _FGL(C) a continuous complex representation of G _F and c _i() H_2i(F, Z) its Chern classes. We show, under a mild assumption on F. that c _i ()=0 for all i2. For general F, one has that 2c_i ()=0 for all i 2.

Cette dernière condition résulte en fait de la continuité de .     

Some functional inequalities and their Baire category properties

Summary In the paper we consider, from a topological point of view, the set of all continuous functionsf:I I for which the unique continuous solution:I – [0, ) of(f(x)) (x, (x)) and(x, (x)) (f(x)) (x, (x)), respectively, is the zero function. We obtain also some corollaries on the qualitative theory of the functional equation(f(x)) = g(x, (x)). No assumption on the iterative behaviour off is imposed.     

Difference sets in abelian groups ofp-rank two

Under a technical assumption that pertains to the so-called self-conjugacy, we prove: if an abelian groupG ofp-rank two,p a prime, admits a (nontrivial) (v, k, ) difference setD, then for each for some subgroupC _p ofG of orderp. Consequently,k(p=1), with equality only ifF=1/p D , whereD is the image ofD under the canonical homomorphism fromG ontoG/E (E being the unique elementary abelian subgroup ofG of orderp ²), is a (v/p ²,k/p, ) difference set inG/E. As applications, we establish the nonexistence of (i) (96, 20, 4) difference sets in ₄ x ₈ x ₃, (ii) (640, 72, 8) difference sets in ₈ x ₁₆ x ₅ and (iii) (320, 88, 24) difference sets in ₈ x ₈ x ₅. The first one fills a missing entry in Lander's table [6] and the other two in Kopilovich's table [5] (all with the answer no). We also point out the connection of the parameter sets in (i) above with the Turyn-type bounds [10] for the McFarland difference sets [9].Research partially supported by NSA Grant #904-92-H-3057 and by NSF Grant # NCR-9200265.     

Remarks on ergodicity of stationary irreducible transient Markov chains

Summary Consider a stationary process {X _n(), – < n < . If the measure of the process is finite (the measure of the whole sample space finite), it is well known that ergodicity of the process {X _n(), - < n < and of each of the subprocesses {X _n(), 0 n < , {X _n(), – < n 0 are equivalent (see [3]). We shall show that this is generally not true for stationary processes with a sigma-finite measure, specifically for stationary irreducible transient Markov chains. An example of a stationary irreducible transient Markov chain {X _n(), - < n <} with {itX_n(), 0 n < < ergodic but {X _n(), < n 0 nonergodic is given. That this can be the case has already been implicitly indicated in the literature [4]. Another example of a stationary irreducible transient Markov chain with both {X _n(), 0 n < and {itX _n(),-< < n 0} ergodic but {X _n(), - < n < nonergodic is presented. In fact, it is shown that all stationary irreducible transient Markov chains {X _n(), - < n < < are nonergodic.This research was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research.John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellow.     

Harmonic functions on nilpotent groups

For a probability measure on a locally compact groupG which is not supported on any proper closed subgroup, an elementF ofL (G) is called -harmonic if F(st)d(t)=F(s), for almost alls inG. Constant functions are -harmonic and it is known that for abelianG all -harmonic functions are constant. For other groups it is known that non constant -harmonic functions exist and the question of whether such functions exist on nilpotent groups is open, though a number of partial results are known. We show that for nilpotent groups of class 2 there are no non constant -harmonic functions. Our methods also enable us to give new proofs of results similar to the known partial results.     

The Product of Independent Random Variables with Regularly Varying Tails

A distribution is said to have regularly varying tail with index – (0) if lim _x(kx,)/(x,)=k ^– for each k>0. Let X and Y be independent positive random variables with distributions and , respecitvely. The distribution of product XY is called Mellin–Stieltjes convolution (MS convolution) of and . It is known that D() (the class of distributions on (0,) that have regularly varying tails with index –) is closed under MS convolution. This paper deals with decomposition problem of distributions in D() related to MS convolution. A representation of a regularly varying function F of the following form is investigated: F(x)= _k=0 ^n–1 b _k f(a ^k x), where f is a measurable function and a and b _k (k=1,...,n–1) are real constants. A criterion is given for these constants in order that f be regularly varying. This criterion is applicable to show that there exist two distributions and such that neither nor belongs to D() (>0) and their MS convolution belongs to D().