Novikov–Shubin Signatures, I

Torsion objects of von Neumann categories describe thephenomenon spectrum near zero discovered by Novikov and Shubin. Inthis paper we classify Hermitian forms on torsion objects of a finitevon Neumann category. We prove that any such Hermitian form can berepresented as the discriminant form of a degenerate Hermitian form on aprojective module. We also find the relation between the Hermitian formson projective modules which holds if and only if their discriminantforms are congruent. A notion of superfinite von Neumann category isintroduced. It is proven that the classification of torsion Hermitianforms in a superfinite category can be completely reduced to theisomorphism types of their positive and the negative parts.     

Betti numbers of some monomial ideals

In this paper we compute the graded Betti numbers of certain monomial ideals that are not stable. As a consequence we prove a conjecture, stated by G. Fatabbi, on the graded Betti numbers of two general fat points in

     

Asymptotique des nombres de Betti,invariants $l^2$ et laminations

Let K be a finite simplicial complex. We are interested in the asymptotic behavior of the Betti numbers of a sequence of finite sheeted covers of $K$, when normalized by the index of the covers. W. Lück, has proved that for regular coverings, these sequences of numbers converge to the $l^2$ Betti numbers of the associated (in general infinite) limit regular cover of K. In this article we investigate the non regular case. We show that the sequences of normalized Betti numbers still converge. But this time the good limit object is no longer the associated limit cover of K, but a lamination by simplicial complexes. We prove that the limits of sequences of normalized Betti numbers are equal to the $l^2$ Betti numbers of this lamination. Even if the associated limit cover of K is contractible, its $l^2$ Betti numbers are in general different from those of the lamination. We construct such examples. We also give a dynamical condition for these numbers to be equal. It turns out that this condition is equivalent to a former criterion due to M. Farber. We hope that our results clarify its meaning and show to which extent it is optimal. In a second part of this paper we study non free measure-preserving ergodic actions of a countable group $\Gamma$ on a standard Borel probability space. Extending group-theoretic similar results of the second author, we obtain relations between the $l^{2}$ Betti numbers of $\Gamma$ and those of the generic stabilizers. For example, if $b_1^{(2)} (\Gamma ) \neq 0$, then either almost each stabilizer is finite or almost each stabilizer has an infinite first $l^2$ Betti number.

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Asymptotique des nombres de Betti, invariants $l^2$ et laminations

     

A note on cocycle-conjugate endomorphisms of von Neumann algebras

We show that two cocycle-conjugate endomorphisms of an arbitrary von Neumann algebra that satisfy certain stability conditions are conjugate endomorphisms, when restricted to some specific von Neumann subalgebras. As a consequence of this result, we obtain a new criterion for conjugacy of Powers shift endomorphisms acting on factors of type

     

Free group factors and factors with some decompositions

In this paper, we show that if type von Neumann factors have some decompositions introduced by Liming Ge and Sorin Popa, then these von Neumann factors are not isomorphic to free group factors . Thus we have proved the number defined by Ge and Popa bigger than 3 for all free group factors and we also extend some results of M. Stefan.

     

On the Betti Numbers of Chessboard Complexes

In this paper we study the Betti numbers of a type of simplicial complex known as a chessboard complex. We obtain a formula for their Betti numbers as a sum of terms involving partitions. This formula allows us to determine which is the first nonvanishing Betti number (aside from the 0-th Betti number). We can therefore settle certain cases of a conjecture of Björner, Lovász, Vreica, and ivaljevi in [2]. Our formula also shows that all eigenvalues of the Laplacians of the simplicial complexes are integers, and it gives a formula (involving partitions) for the multiplicities of the eigenvalues.     

Strongly 1-Bounded Von Neumann Algebras

Suppose F is a finite tuple of selfadjoint elements in a tracial von Neumann algebra M. For α > 0, F is α-bounded if where is the free packing α-entropy of F introduced in [J3]. M is said to be strongly 1-bounded if M has a 1-bounded finite tuple of selfadjoint generators F such that there exists an with . It is shown that if M is strongly 1-bounded, then any finite tuple of selfadjoint generators G for M is 1-bounded and δ₀(G) ≤ 1; consequently, a strongly 1-bounded von Neumann algebra is not isomorphic to an interpolated free group factor and δ₀ is an invariant for these algebras. Examples of strongly 1-bounded von Neumann algebras include (separable) II ₁-factors which have property Γ, have Cartan subalgebras, are non-prime, or the group von Neumann algebras of . If M and N are strongly 1-bounded and M ∩ N is diffuse, then the von Neumann algebra generated by M and N is strongly 1-bounded. In particular, a free product of two strongly 1-bounded von Neumann algebras with amalgamation over a common, diffuse von Neumann subalgebra is strongly 1-bounded. It is also shown that a II ₁-factor generated by the normalizer of a strongly 1-bounded von Neumann subalgebra is strongly 1-bounded. Received: November 2005, Revision: March 2006, Accepted: March 2006     

The general hyperplane section of a curve

In this paper, we discuss some necessary and sufficient conditions for a curve to be arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay, in terms of its general hyperplane section. We obtain a characterization of the degree matrices that can occur for points in the plane that are the general plane section of a non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay curve of . We prove that almost all the degree matrices with positive subdiagonal that occur for the general plane section of a non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay curve of , arise also as degree matrices of some smooth, integral, non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay curve, and we characterize the exceptions. We give a necessary condition on the graded Betti numbers of the general plane section of an arithmetically Buchsbaum (non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay) curve in . For curves in , we show that any set of Betti numbers that satisfies that condition can be realized as the Betti numbers of the general plane section of an arithmetically Buchsbaum, non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay curve. We also show that the matrices that arise as a degree matrix of the general plane section of an arithmetically Buchsbaum, integral, (smooth) non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay space curve are exactly those that arise as a degree matrix of the general plane section of an arithmetically Buchsbaum, non-arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay space curve and have positive subdiagonal. We also prove some bounds on the dimension of the deficiency module of an arithmetically Buchsbaum space curve in terms of the degree matrix of the general plane section of the curve, and we prove that they are sharp.

     

A noncommutative version of the John-Nirenberg theorem

We prove a noncommutative version of the John-Nirenberg theorem for nontracial filtrations of von Neumann algebras. As an application, we obtain an analogue of the classical large deviation inequality for elements of the associated space.

     

Reduced Gorenstein codimension three subschemes of projective space

It is known, from work of Diesel, which graded Betti numbers are possible for Artinian Gorenstein height three ideals. In this paper we show that any such set of graded Betti numbers in fact occurs for a reduced set of points in , a stick figure in , or more generally, a good linear configuration in . Consequently, any Gorenstein codimension three scheme specializes to such a ``nice' configuration, preserving the graded Betti numbers in the process. This is the codimension three Gorenstein analog of a classical result of arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay codimension two schemes.

     

Von Neumann Categories and Extended L2 Cohomology

In this paper we suggest a new general formalism for studying the L2 invariants of polyhedra and manifolds. First, we examine generality in which one may apply the construction of the extended Abelian category, which was earlier suggested by the author using the ideas of P. Freyd. This leads to the notions of a finite von Neumann category and a trace on such a category. Given a finite von Neumann category, we study the extended L2 homology and cohomology theories with values in the Abelian extension. Any trace on the initial category produces numerical invariants – the von Neumann dimension and the Novikov–Shubin numbers. Thus, we obtain the local versions of the Novikov–Shubin invariants, localized at different traces. In the Abelian case this localization can be made more geometric: we show that any torsion object determines a divisor – a closed subspace of the space of the parameters. The divisors of torsion objects together with the information produced by the local Novikov–Shubin invariants may be used to study multiplicities of intersections of algebraic and analytic varieties (we discuss here only simple examples demonstrating this possibility). We compute explicitly the divisors and the von Neumann dimensions of the extended L2 cohomology in the real analytic situation. We also give general formulae for the extended L2 cohomology of a mapping torus. Finally, we show how one can define a De Rham version of the extended cohomology and prove a De Rhamtype theorem.     

Polynomial splittings of metabelian von Neumann rho-invariants of knots

We show that if the connected sum of two knots with coprime Alexander polynomials has vanishing von Neumann -invariants associated with certain metabelian representations, then so do both knots. As an application, we give a new example of an infinite family of knots which are linearly independent in the knot concordance group.

     

Minimal Resolutions and the Homology of Matching and Chessboard Complexes

We generalize work of Lascoux and Józefiak-Pragacz-Weyman on Betti numbers for minimal free resolutions of ideals generated by 2 × 2 minors of generic matrices and generic symmetric matrices, respectively. Quotients of polynomial rings by these ideals are the classical Segre and quadratic Veronese subalgebras, and we compute the analogous Betti numbers for some natural modules over these Segre and quadratic Veronese subalgebras. Our motivation is two-fold: We immediately deduce from these results the irreducible decomposition for the symmetric group action on the rational homology of all chessboard complexes and complete graph matching complexes as studied by Björner, Lovasz, Vreica and ivaljevi. This follows from an old observation on Betti numbers of semigroup modules over semigroup rings described in terms of simplicial complexes. The class of modules over the Segre rings and quadratic Veronese rings which we consider is closed under the operation of taking canonical modules, and hence exposes a pleasant symmetry inherent in these Betti numbers.     

On transitive algebras containing a standard finite von Neumann subalgebra

Let M be a finite von Neumann algebra acting on a Hilbert space H and A be a transitive algebra containing M^′. In this paper we prove that if A is 2-fold transitive, then A is strongly dense in B(H). This implies that if a transitive algebra containing a standard finite von Neumann algebra (in the sense of [U. Haagerup, The standard form of von Neumann algebras, Math. Scand. 37 (1975) 271-283]) is 2-fold transitive, then A is strongly dense in B(H). Non-selfadjoint algebras related to free products of finite von Neumann algebras, e.g., LFn and , are studied. Brown measures of certain operators in are explicitly computed.     

Iterated Homology of Simplicial Complexes

We develop an iterated homology theory for simplicial complexes. Thistheory is a variation on one due to Kalai. For a simplicial complex of dimension d – 1, and each r = 0, ...,d, we define rth iterated homology groups of . When r = 0, this corresponds to ordinary homology. If is a cone over , then when r = 1, we get the homology of . If a simplicial complex is (nonpure) shellable, then its iterated Betti numbers give the restriction numbers, h _k,j , of the shelling. Iterated Betti numbers are preserved by algebraic shifting, and may be interpreted combinatorially in terms of the algebraically shifted complex in several ways. In addition, the depth of a simplicial complex can be characterized in terms of its iterated Betti numbers.     

Explicit Betti numbers for a family of nilpotent Lie algebras

Betti numbers for the Heisenberg Lie algebras were calculated by Santharoubane in his 1983 paper. However few other examples have appeared in the literature. In this note we give the Betti numbers for a family of -dimensional 2-step nilpotent extensions of by .

     

Commutants of certain analytic operator algebras

We prove that algebraic commutants of maximal subdiagonal algebras and of analytic operator algebras determined by flows in a -finite von Neumann algebra are self-adjoint.

     

Well-posedness and persistence properties for the Novikov equation

Recently, Novikov found a new integrable equation (we call it the Novikov equation in this paper), which has nonlinear terms that are cubic, rather than quadratic, and admits peaked soliton solutions (peakons). Firstly, we prove that the Cauchy problem for the Novikov equation is locally well-posed in the Besov spaces (which generalize the Sobolev spaces Hs) with the critical index . Then, well-posedness in Hs with , is also established by applying Kato's semigroup theory. Finally, we present two results on the persistence properties of the strong solution for the Novikov equation.     

A Comparison Between James and von Neumann–Jordan Constants

In this paper, we compare James and von Neumann–Jordan constants of normed spaces under certain conditions. It is shown that if a normed space with James constant \(\sqrt{2}\) is three- or more dimensional, or is a \(\pi /2\)-rotation-invariant two-dimensional space, then its von Neumann–Jordan constant is less than or equal to \(4-2\sqrt{2}\).     

Hochschild homology criteria for trivial algebra structures

We prove two similar results by quite different methods. The first one deals with augmented artinian algebras over a field: we characterize the trivial algebra structure on the augmentation ideal in terms of the maximality of the dimensions of the Hochschild homology (or cyclic homology) groups. For the second result, let be a 1-connected finite CW-complex. We characterize the trivial algebra structure on the cohomology algebra of with coefficients in a fixed field in terms of the maximality of the Betti numbers of the free loop space.