On perfect and multiply perfect numbers

Summary Denote by P(x) the number of integers n≤x satisfying σ(n)≡0 (mod n), and by P ₂ (x) the number of integers n ≤ x satisfying σ(n)=2n. The author proves that P(x)<x ^3/4+ɛ and P ₂ (x)<x ^(1−c)/2 for a certain c>0.     

Character Sums in Short Intervals and the Multiplication Table Modulo a Large Prime

We obtain nontrivial estimates of character sums over short intervals for almost all moduli. These bounds and the method of Karatsuba for solving multiplicative ternary problems are used to prove that for π(X)(1 + o(1)) primes p,p ≤ X, there are p(1 + o(1)) residue classes modulo p of the form xy (mod p), where 1 ≤ x, y ≤ p^?(log p)^1,087. We also prove that for any prime p there are p(1 + o(1)) residue classes modulo p of the form xy^* (mod p), where 1 ≤ x, y ≤ p^?(log p)^1+o(1) and y^* is defined by yy^* ≡ 1 (mod p).     

Character Sums in Short Intervals and the Multiplication Table Modulo a Large Prime

We obtain nontrivial estimates of character sums over short intervals for almost all moduli. These bounds and the method of Karatsuba for solving multiplicative ternary problems are used to prove that for π(X)(1 + o(1)) primes p,p ≤ X, there are p(1 + o(1)) residue classes modulo p of the form xy (mod p), where 1 ≤ x, y ≤ p^?(log p)^1,087. We also prove that for any prime p there are p(1 + o(1)) residue classes modulo p of the form xy^* (mod p), where 1 ≤ x, y ≤ p^?(log p)^1+o(1) and y^* is defined by yy^* ≡ 1 (mod p).     

On a Criterion for Catalan's Conjecture

We give a new proof of a theorem of P. Mihailescu which states that the equation x ^p – y ^q = 1 is unsolvable with x, y integral and p, q odd primes, unless the congruences p ^q p (mod q ²) and q ^p q (mod p ²) hold.     

Projective bases of division algebras and groups of central type

Letk be a field. For each finite groupG and two-cocylef inZ ² (G, k ^x ) (with trivial action), one can form the twisted group algebra wherex _σ x _τ =f(σ,τ)x _στ for all σ, τ∃G. Our main result is a short list ofp-groups containing all thep-groupsG for which there is a fieldk and a cocycle such that the resulting twisted group algebra is ak-central division algebra. We also complete the proof (presented in all but one case in a previous paper by Aljadeff and Haile) that everyk-central division algebra that is a twisted group algebra is isomorphic to a tensor product of cyclic algebras.     

A problem on semigroups satisfying permutation identities

Let σ be a nontrivial permutation of ordern. A semigroupS is said to be σ-permutable ifx ₁ x ₂ ...x _n =x _σ(1) x _σ(2) ...x _σ(n) , for every (x ₁ ,x ₂,...,x _n )∈S ⁿ . A semigroupS is called(r,t)-commutative, wherer,t are in ℕ^*, ifx ₁ ...x _r x _r+1 ...x _r+t =x _r+1 ...x _r+t x ₁ ...x _r , for every (x ₁ ,x ₂,...,x _r+t ∈S ^r+t . According to a result of M. Putcha and A. Yaqub ([11]), if σ is a fixed-point-free permutation andS is a σ-permutable semigroup then there existsk ∈ ℕ^* such thatS is (1,k)-commutative. In [8], S. Lajos raises up the problem to determine the leastk=k(n) ∈ ℕ^* such that, for every fixed-point-free permutation σ of ordern, every σ-permutable semigroup is also (1,k)-commutative. In this paper this problem is solved for anyn less than or equal to eight and also whenn is any odd integer. For doing this we establish that if a semigroup satisfies a permutation identity of ordern then inevitably it also satisfies some permutation identities of ordern+1.     

Tables on fifth power residuacity

In this paper 2 ^p 1 (modq),q=10p+1,p 3 (mod 4),p andq prime, is expressed uniquely (except for changes in sign and interchange ofx, y) in the formq=w ²+25 (x ²+y ²)/2+125z ², 4wz=y ²–x ²–4xy, withw, x, y, z odd, forp<10⁵. For 10⁵<p<10⁶, allp such that 2 ^p 1 (mod 10p + 1),p 3 (mod 4),p and 10p + 1 prime, are listed.     

Small solutions of polynomial congruences

Let p be prime and q|p − 1. Suppose x ^q ≡ a(mod p) has a solution. We estimate the size of the smallest solution x ₀ with 0 < x ₀ < p. We prove that |x ₀| ≪ p ³/² q ⁻¹ log p. By applying the Burgess character sum estimates, and estimates of certain exponential sums due to Bourgain, Glibichuk and Konyagin, we derive refinements of our result.     

Functional equations on abelian groups with involution

Summary We produce complete solution formulas of selected functional equations of the formf(x +y) ±f(x + σ (ν)) = Σ _I ² =₁ g _l (x)h _l (y),x, y∈G, where the functionsf,g ₁,h ₁ to be determined are complex valued functions on an abelian groupG and where σ:G→G is an involution ofG. The special case of σ=−I encompasses classical functional equations like d’Alembert’s, Wilson’s first generalization of it, Jensen’s equation and the quadratic equation. We solve these equations, the equation for symmetric second differences in product form and similar functional equations for a general involution σ.     

The old subvariety ofJ 0(pq) and the Eisenstein kernel in Jacobians

Whenp, q are distinct odd primes, and γ:J ₀(p)²×J ₀(q)²→J ₀(pq) is the natural map defined by the degeneracy maps, Ribet [10] determined the odd part of the kernel of γ. We study the 2-primary part of this kernel through its intersection with the Eisenstein kernelJ ₀(p)[I _p )²×J ₀(q)[I _q ]². We determine this intersection forp≢1 mod 16,q≢1 mod 16, and also produce new elements of ker γ wheneverp≡9 mod 16 orq≡9 mod 16. These sharpen Ribet's results in [10].     

Spectral mapping theorems for exponentially bounded c-semigroups in Banach spaces

LetZ be a generator of an exponentially boundedC-semigroup {S _t } _t≥0 in a Banach space and letT _t =C ⁻¹ S _t . We show that the spectral mapping theorems such as exp(tσ(Z)) ⊂ σ(T _t ) and exp(tσ _p (Z)) ⊂ tσ _p (T _t ) ⊂ exp(tσ _p (Z)) ⋃ {0} for everyt≥0 hold. The present studies were supported by the Basic Science Research Institute Program, Ministry of Education, 1987.     

On the divisor function of sets with even partition functions

Summary For P∈ F₂[z] with P(0)=1 and deg(P)≧ 1, let A =A(P) be the unique subset of N (cf. [9]) such that Σ_n≧0 p(A,n)zⁿ ≡ P(z) mod 2, where p(A,n) is the number of partitions of n with parts in A. To determine the elements of the set A, it is important to consider the sequence σ(A,n) = Σ _{d|n, d∈A} d, namely, the periodicity of the sequences (σ(A,2^kn) mod 2^k+1)_n≧1 for all k ≧ 0 which was proved in [3]. In this paper, the values of such sequences will be given in terms of orbits. Moreover, a formula to σ(A,2^kn) mod 2^k+1 will be established, from which it will be shown that the weight σ(A₁,2^kz_i) mod 2^k+1 on the orbit <InlineEquation ID=IE"1"><EquationSource Format="TEX"><![CDATA[<InlineEquation ID=IE"2"><EquationSource Format="TEX"><![CDATA[$]]></EquationSource></InlineEquation>]]></EquationSource></InlineEquation>z_i$ is moved on some other orbit z_j when A₁ is replaced by A₂ with A₁= A(P₁) and A₂= A(P₂) P₁ and P₂ being irreducible in F₂[z] of the same odd order.     

Vector fields on the real flag manifolds ℝ<Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>(1, 1, <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> − 2)

We obtain the span of the real flag manifolds ℝF(1, 1, n−2), n ≥ 3, for the cases n ≡ 2 (mod 4), n ≡ 4 (mod 8) and n ≡ 8 (mod 16) and use the results to deduce that certain Stiefel-Whitney classes of the manifold are zero.      

Contractible Lie groups over local fields

Let G be a Lie group over a local field of characteristic p > 0 which admits a contractive automorphism α : G → G (i.e., α ⁿ (x) → 1 as n → ∞, for each x ∈ G). We show that G is a torsion group of finite exponent and nilpotent. We also obtain results concerning the interplay between contractive automorphisms of Lie groups over local fields, contractive automorphisms of their Lie algebras, and positive gradations thereon. Some of the results extend to Lie groups over arbitrary complete ultrametric fields. Supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), grants GL 357/2-1 and GL 357/6-1.     

Further Results on the Existence of Splitting BIBDs and Application to Authentication Codes

Let (v,u×c,λ)-splitting BIBD denote a (v,u×c,λ)-splitting balanced incomplete block design of order v with block size u×c and index λ. Necessary conditions for the existence of a (v,u×c,λ)-splitting BIBD are v≥uc, λ(v−1)≡0 (mod c(u−1)) and λ v(v−1)≡0 (mod (c ² u(u−1))). We show in this paper that the necessary conditions for the existence of a (v,3×3,λ)-splitting BIBD are also sufficient with possible exceptions when (1) (v,λ)∈{(55,1),(39,9k):k=1,2,…}, (2) λ≡0 (mod 54) and v≡0 (mod 2). We also show that there exists a (v,3×4,1)-splitting BIBD when v≡1 (mod 96). As its application, we obtain a new infinite class of optimal 4-splitting authentication codes.     

Dominated estimates of convex combinations of commuting isometries

The principal result of this paper is that the convex combination of two positive, invertible, commuting isometries ofL _p(X,F, μ) 1<p<+∞, one of which is periodic, admits a dominated estimate with constantp/p−1. In establishing this, the following analogue of Linderholm’s theorem is obtained: Let σ and ε be two commuting non-singular point transformations of a Lebesgue Space with τ periodic. Then given ε>O, there exists a periodic non-singular point transformation σ′ such that σ′ commutes with τ and μ(x:σ′x≠σx}<ε. Byan approximation argument, the principal result is applied to the convex combination of two isometries ofL _p (0, 1) induced by point transformations of the form τx=x ^k,k>0 to show that such convex combinations admit a dominated estimate with constantp/p−1. Research supported in part by NSF Grant No. GP-7475. A portion of the contents of this paper is based on the author’s doctoral dissertation written under the direction of Professor R. V. Chacon of the University of Minnesota.     

p-Energia in spazi metrici generalizzati

Given a setS and a function σ:S x S→[0, +∞[ such that σ(x, x)=0, we define the generalizedp-energy of a curve γ: [a, b]→S, so that, ifS is a Hilbert space and σ(x, y)=‖x−y‖ we obtain . Sufficient conditions for the equality of the defined energies are also given. Moreover the case in whichS is a set of measurable parts of ℝⁿ and σ_r is a family of functions used in order to study the generalized minimizing motions, is discussed.

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Conferenza tenuta il 30 ottobre 1995     

Minimal blocking sets of size 2p – 2 and 2p – 3 in PG(2, p), p prime and p > 5

A general construction of minimal blocking sets of size 2p – 3, where p is a prime and p ≡ 1 (mod 4), p > 5, and of size 2p – 2, where p is a prime and p ≡ 3 (mod 4), p > 5 in PG(2, p) is presented. These blocking sets are all of Rédei type.      

Theorems for generalized Favard-Kantorovich and Favard-Durrmeyer operators in exponential function spaces

We consider the Kantorovich and the Durrmeyer type modifications of the generalized Favard operators and we prove some direct approximation theorems for functions f such that w _σ f ∈ L _p (R), where 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞ and w _σ (x) = exp(−σx ²), σ > 0.     

Local convexity of the growth function of finitely generated groups and question 5.2 in the Kourovka Notebook

Using the group <a,b|a³=b³=(ab)³=1>, we refute the conjecture dubbed in 1976 by V. Belyaev and N. Sesekin, which maintained that the growth function σ(n) of a finitely generated group satisfies the inequality σ(n)≤(σ(n−1)+σ(n+1))/2 for all sufficiently large n. Supported by the National Research Foundation of Switzerland, and by RFFR grant No. 96-01-00974. Translated fromAlgebra i Logika, Vol. 37, No. 6, pp. 621–626, November–December, 1998.