A new theorem on the prime-counting function

For \(x>0\), let \(\pi (x)\) denote the number of primes not exceeding x. For integers a and \(m>0\), we determine when there is an integer \(n>1\) with \(\pi (n)=(n+a)/m\). In particular, we show that, for any integers \(m>2\) and \(a\leqslant \lceil e^{m-1}/(m-1)\rceil \), there is an integer \(n>1\) with \(\pi (n)=(n+a)/m\). Consequently, for any integer \(m>4\), there is a positive integer n with \(\pi (mn)=m+n\). We also pose several conjectures for further research; for example, we conjecture that, for each \(m=1,2,3,\ldots \), there is a positive integer n such that \(m+n\) divides \(p_m+p_n\), where \(p_k\) denotes the k-th prime.     

Geometric Constructibility of Polygons Lying on a Circular Arc

For a positive integer n, an n-sided polygon lying on a circular arc or, shortly, an n-fan is a sequence of \(n+1\) points on a circle going counterclockwise such that the “total rotation” \(\delta \) from the first point to the last one is at most \(2\pi \). We prove that for \(n\ge 3\), the n-fan cannot be constructed with straightedge and compass in general from its central angle \(\delta \) and its central distances, which are the distances of the edges from the center of the circle. Also, we prove that for each fixed \(\delta \) in the interval \((0, 2\pi ]\) and for every \(n\ge 5\), there exists a concrete n-fan with central angle \(\delta \) that is not constructible from its central distances and \(\delta \). The present paper generalizes some earlier results published by the second author and Á. Kunos on the particular cases \(\delta =2\pi \) and \(\delta =\pi \).     

A characterization of the desarguesian and the Figueroa planes of order $$q^{3}$$

Let \(\Pi \) be a plane of order \(q^{3}\), \(q>2\), admitting \(G\cong PGL(3,q)\) as a collineation group. By Dempwolff (Geometriae Dedicata 18:101–112, 1985) the plane \(\Pi \) contains a G-invariant subplane \(\pi _{0}\) isomorphic to PG(2, q) on which G acts 2-transitively. In this paper it is shown that, if the homologies of \(\pi _{0}\) contained in G extend to \(\Pi \) then \(\Pi \) is either the desarguesian or the Figueroa plane.     

On the Lucas sequence equations $$V_{n}(P,1)=wkx^{2},$$$$w\in \left\{ 5,7\right\} $$w∈5,7

Let P be an odd integer and \((V_{n})\) denote the generalized Lucas sequence defined by \(V_{0}=2,\) \(V_{1}=P,\) and \(V_{n+1}=PV_{n}+V_{n-1}\) for \(n\ge 1.\) In this study, we solve the equations \(V_{n}=5kx^{2},\) \(V_{n}=7kx^{2},\) \(V_{n}=5kx^{2}\pm 1,\) and \(V_{n}=7kx^{2}\pm 1\) when k|P with \(k>1.\) Moreover, applying some of the results, we obtain complete solutions to the equations \(V_{n}=\sigma x^{2},\) \(\sigma \in \left\{ 15,21,35\right\} \).     

Simultaneous power factorization in modules over Banach algebras

Let A be a Banach algebra with a bounded left approximate identity \(\{e_\lambda \}_{\lambda \in \Lambda }\), let \(\pi \) be a continuous representation of A on a Banach space X, and let S be a non-empty subset of X such that \(\lim _{\lambda }\pi (e_\lambda )s=s\) uniformly on S. If S is bounded, or if \(\{e_\lambda \}_{\lambda \in \Lambda }\) is commutative, then we show that there exist \(a\in A\) and maps \(x_n: S\rightarrow X\) for \(n\ge 1\) such that \(s=\pi (a^n)x_n(s)\) for all \(n\ge 1\) and \(s\in S\). The properties of \(a\in A\) and the maps \(x_n\), as produced by the constructive proof, are studied in some detail. The results generalize previous simultaneous factorization theorems as well as Allan and Sinclair’s power factorization theorem. In an ordered context, we also consider the existence of a positive factorization for a subset of the positive cone of an ordered Banach space that is a positive module over an ordered Banach algebra with a positive bounded left approximate identity. Such factorizations are not always possible. In certain cases, including those for positive modules over ordered Banach algebras of bounded functions, such positive factorizations exist, but the general picture is still unclear. Furthermore, simultaneous pointwise power factorizations for sets of bounded maps with values in a Banach module (such as sets of bounded convergent nets) are obtained. A worked example for the left regular representation of \(\mathrm {C}_0({\mathbb R})\) and unbounded S is included.     

On determination of positive-definiteness for an anisotropic operator

We study the positive-definiteness of a family of \(L^2(\mathbb {R})\) integral operators with kernel \(K_{t, a} (x, y) = \pi ^{-1} (1 + (x - y)^2+ a(x^2 + y^2)^t)^{-1}\), for \(t > 0\) and \(a > 0\). For \(0 < t \le 1\) and \(a > 0\), the known theory of positive-definite kernels and conditionally negative-definite kernels confirms positive-definiteness. For \(t > 1\) and a sufficiently large, the integral operator is not positive-definite. For t not an integer, but with integer odd part, the integral operator is not positive-definite.     

An Engel condition with skew derivations for one-sided ideals

We apply the theory of generalized polynomial identities with automorphisms and skew derivations to prove the following theorem: Let A be a prime ring with the extended centroid C and with two-sided Martindale quotient ring Q, R a nonzero right ideal of A and \(\delta \) a nonzero \(\sigma \)-derivation of A, where \(\sigma \) is an epimorphism of A. For \(x,y\in A\), we set \([x,y] = xy - yx\). If \([[\ldots [[\delta (x^{n_0}),x^{n_1}],x^{n_{2}}],\ldots ],x^{n_k}]=0\) for all \(x\in R\), where \(n_{0},n_{1},\ldots ,n_{k}\) are fixed positive integers, then one of the following conditions holds: (1) A is commutative; (2) \(C\cong GF(2)\), the Galois field of two elements; (3) there exist \(b\in Q\) and \(\lambda \in C\) such that \(\delta (x)=\sigma (x)b-bx\) for all \(x\in A\), \((b-\lambda )R=0\) and \(\sigma (R)=0\). The analogous result for left ideals is also obtained. Our theorems are natural generalizations of the well-known results for derivations obtained by Lanski (Proc Am Math Soc 125:339–345, 1997) and Lee (Can Math Bull 38:445–449, 1995).     

On the estimates of the upper and lower bounds of Ramanujan primes

For \(n\ge 1\), the nth Ramanujan prime is defined as the least positive integer \(R_{n}\) such that for all \(x\ge R_{n}\), the interval \((\frac{x}{2}, x]\) has at least n primes. Let \(p_{i}\) be the ith prime and \(R_{n}=p_{s}\). Sondow, Laishram, and other scholars gave a series of upper bounds of s. In this paper we establish several results giving estimates of upper and lower bounds of Ramanujan primes. Using these estimates, we discuss a conjecture on Ramanujan primes of Sondow–Nicholson–Noe and prove that if \(n>10^{300}\), then \(\pi (R_{mn})\le m\pi (R_{n})\) for \(m\ge 1\).     

Connected size Ramsey number for matchings vs. small stars or cycles

The notation \(F\rightarrow (G,H)\) means that if the edges of F are colored red and blue, then the red subgraph contains a copy of G or the blue subgraph contains a copy of H. The connected size Ramsey number \(\hat{r}_c(G,H)\) of graphs G and H is the minimum size of a connected graph F satisfying \(F\rightarrow (G,H)\). For \(m \ge 2,\) the graph consisting of m independent edges is called a matching and is denoted by \(mK_2\). In 1981, Erdös and Faudree determined the size Ramsey numbers for the pair \((mK_2, K_{1,t})\). They showed that the disconnected graph \(mK_{1,t} \rightarrow (mK_2,K_{1,t})\) for \( t,m \ge 1\). In this paper, we will determine the connected size Ramsey number \(\hat{r}_c(nK_2, K_{1,3})\) for \(n\ge 2\) and \(\hat{r}_c(3K_2, C_4)\). We also derive an upper bound of the connected size Ramsey number \(\hat{r}_c(nK_2, C_4),\) for \(n\ge 4\).     

The Best Mixing Time for Random Walks on Trees

We characterize the extremal structures for mixing walks on trees that start from the most advantageous vertex. Let \(G=(V,E)\) be a tree with stationary distribution \(\pi \). For a vertex \(v \in V\), let \(H(v,\pi )\) denote the expected length of an optimal stopping rule from v to \(\pi \). The best mixing time for G is \(\min _{v \in V} H(v,\pi )\). We show that among all trees with \(|V|=n\), the best mixing time is minimized uniquely by the star. For even n, the best mixing time is maximized by the uniquely path. Surprising, for odd n, the best mixing time is maximized uniquely by a path of length \(n-1\) with a single leaf adjacent to one central vertex.     

Newly appointed editors

Let k be a field and \(k(x_0,\ldots ,x_{p-1})\) be the rational function field of p variables over k where p is a prime number. Suppose that \(G=\langle \sigma \rangle \simeq C_p\) acts on \(k(x_0,\ldots ,x_{p-1})\) by k-automorphisms defined as \(\sigma :x_0\mapsto x_1\mapsto \cdots \mapsto x_{p-1}\mapsto x_0\). Denote by P the set of all prime numbers and define \(P_0=\{p\in P:\mathbb {Q}(\zeta _{p-1})\) is of class number one\(\}\) where \(\zeta _n\) a primitive n-th root of unity in \(\mathbb {C}\) for a positive integer n; \(P_0\) is a finite set by Masley and Montgomery (J Reine Angew Math 286/287:248–256, 1976). Theorem. Let k be an algebraic number field and \(P_k=\{p\in P: p\) is ramified in \(k\}\). Then \(k(x_0,\ldots ,x_{p-1})^G\) is not stably rational over k for all \(p\in P\backslash (P_0\cup P_k)\).     

Construction of sign-changing solutions for a harmonic equation with subcritical exponent

In this paper, we study the harmonic equation involving subcritical exponent \((P_{\varepsilon })\): \( \Delta u = 0 \), in \(\mathbb {B}^n\) and \(\displaystyle \frac{\partial u}{\partial \nu } + \displaystyle \frac{n-2}{2}u = \displaystyle \frac{n-2}{2} K u^{\frac{n}{n-2}-\varepsilon }\) on \( \mathbb {S}^{n-1}\) where \(\mathbb {B}^n \) is the unit ball in \(\mathbb {R}^n\), \(n\ge 5\) with Euclidean metric \(g_0\), \(\partial \mathbb {B}^n = \mathbb {S}^{n-1}\) is its boundary, K is a function on \(\mathbb {S}^{n-1}\) and \(\varepsilon \) is a small positive parameter. We construct solutions of the subcritical equation \((P_{\varepsilon })\) which blow up at two different critical points of K. Furthermore, we construct solutions of \((P_{\varepsilon })\) which have two bubbles and blow up at the same critical point of K.     

Few associative triples,isotopisms and groups

Let Q be a quasigroup. For \(\alpha ,\beta \in S_Q\) let \(Q_{\alpha ,\beta }\) be the principal isotope \(x*y = \alpha (x)\beta (y)\). Put \(\mathbf a(Q)= |\{(x,y,z)\in Q^3;\) \(x(yz)) = (xy)z\}|\) and assume that \(|Q|=n\). Then \(\sum _{\alpha ,\beta }\mathbf a(Q_{\alpha ,\beta })/(n!)^2 = n^2(1+(n-1)^{-1})\), and for every \(\alpha \in S_Q\) there is \(\sum _\beta \mathbf a(Q_{\alpha ,\beta })/n! = n(n-1)^{-1}\sum _x(f_x^2-2f_x+n)\ge n^2\), where \(f_x=|\{y\in Q;\) \( y = \alpha (y)x\}|\). If G is a group and \(\alpha \) is an orthomorphism, then \(\mathbf a(G_{\alpha ,\beta })=n^2\) for every \(\beta \in S_Q\). A detailed case study of \(\mathbf a(G_{\alpha ,\beta })\) is made for the situation when \(G = \mathbb Z_{2d}\), and both \(\alpha \) and \(\beta \) are “natural” near-orthomorphisms. Asymptotically, \(\mathbf a(G_{\alpha ,\beta })>3n\) if G is an abelian group of order n. Computational results: \(\mathbf a(7) = 17\) and \(\mathbf a(8) \le 21\), where \(\mathbf a(n) = \min \{\mathbf a(Q);\) \( |Q|=n\}\). There are also determined minimum values for \(\mathbf a(G_{\alpha ,\beta })\), G a group of order \(\le 8\).     

The Terwilliger algebra of the incidence graph of the Hamming graph

Let \(\varGamma \) be a distance-semiregular graph on Y, and let \(D^Y\) be the diameter of \(\varGamma \) on Y. Let \(\varDelta \) be the halved graph of \(\varGamma \) on Y. Fix \(x \in Y\). Let T and \(T'\) be the Terwilliger algebras of \(\varGamma \) and \(\varDelta \) with respect to x, respectively. Assume, for an integer i with \(1 \le 2i \le D^Y\) and for \(y,z \in \varGamma _{2i}(x)\) with \(\partial _{\varGamma }(y,z)=2\), the numbers \(|\varGamma _{2i-1}(x) \cap \varGamma (y) \cap \varGamma (z)|\) and \(|\varGamma _{2i+1}(x) \cap \varGamma (y) \cap \varGamma (z)|\) depend only on i and do not depend on the choice of y, z. The first goal in this paper is to show the relations between T-modules of \(\varGamma \) and \(T'\)-modules of \(\varDelta \). Assume \(\varGamma \) is the incidence graph of the Hamming graph H(D, n) on the vertex set Y and the set \({\mathcal {C}}\) of all maximal cliques. Then, \(\varGamma \) satisfies above assumption and \(\varDelta \) is isomorphic to H(D, n). The second goal is to determine the irreducible T-modules of \(\varGamma \). For each irreducible T-module W, we give a basis for W the action of the adjacency matrix on this basis and we calculate the multiplicity of W.     

ANCOVA: a heteroscedastic global test when there is curvature and two covariates

For two independent groups, let \(M_j(\mathbf {X})\) be some conditional measure of location for the jth group associated with some random variable Y given \(\mathbf {X}=(X_1, X_2)\). Let \(\Omega =\{\mathbf {X}_1, \ldots , \mathbf {X}_K\}\) be a set of K points to be determined. An extant technique can be used to test \(H_0\): \(M_1(\mathbf {X})=M_2(\mathbf {X})\) for each \(\mathbf {X} \in \Omega \) without making any parametric assumption about \(M_j(\mathbf {X})\). But there are two general reasons to suspect that the method can have relatively low power. The paper reports simulation results on an alternative approach that is designed to test the global hypothesis \(H_0\): \(M_1(\mathbf {X})=M_2(\mathbf {X})\) for all \(\mathbf {X} \in \Omega \). The main result is that the new method offers a distinct power advantage. Using data from the Well Elderly 2 study, it is illustrated that the alternative method can make a practical difference in terms of detecting a difference between two groups.     

On the family of elliptic curves $$\varvec{y^2=x^3-m^2x+p^2}$$

In this paper, we study the torsion subgroup and rank of elliptic curves for the subfamilies of \(E_{m,p} : y^2=x^3-m^2x+p^2\), where m is a positive integer and p is a prime. We prove that for any prime p, the torsion subgroup of \(E_{m,p}(\mathbb {Q})\) is trivial for both the cases {\(m\ge 1\), \(m\not \equiv 0\pmod 3\)} and {\(m\ge 1\), \(m \equiv 0 \pmod 3\), with \(gcd(m,p)=1\)}. We also show that given any odd prime p and for any positive integer m with \(m\not \equiv 0\pmod 3\) and \(m\equiv 2\pmod {32}\), the lower bound for the rank of \(E_{m,p}(\mathbb {Q})\) is 2. Finally, we find curves of rank 9 in this family.     

Generalized Bernstein Operators on the Classical Polynomial Spaces

We study generalizations of the classical Bernstein operators on the polynomial spaces \(\mathbb {P}_{n}[a,b]\), where instead of fixing \(\mathbf {1}\) and x, we reproduce exactly \(\mathbf {1}\) and a polynomial \(f_1\), strictly increasing on [a, b]. We prove that for sufficiently large n, there always exist generalized Bernstein operators fixing \(\mathbf {1}\) and \(f_1\). These operators are defined by non-decreasing sequences of nodes precisely when \(f_1^\prime > 0\) on (a, b), but even if \(f_1^\prime \) vanishes somewhere inside (a, b), they converge to the identity.     

The primitive idempotents and weight distributions of irreducible constacyclic codes

Let \({\mathbb {F}}_q\) be a finite field with q elements such that \(l^v||(q^t-1)\) and \(\gcd (l,q(q-1))=1\), where l, t are primes and v is a positive integer. In this paper, we give all primitive idempotents in a ring \(\mathbb F_q[x]/\langle x^{l^m}-a\rangle \) for \(a\in {\mathbb {F}}_q^*\). Specially for \(t=2\), we give the weight distributions of all irreducible constacyclic codes and their dual codes of length \(l^m\) over \({\mathbb {F}}_q\).     

Polynomially linked additive functions—II

We continue the study of additive functions \(f_k:R\rightarrow F \;(1\le k\le n)\) linked by an equation of the form \(\sum _{k=1}^n p_k(x)f_k(q_k(x))=0\), where the \(p_k\) and \(q_k\) are polynomials, R is an integral domain of characteristic 0, and F is the fraction field of R. A method is presented for solving all such equations. We also consider the special case \(\sum _{k=1}^n x^{m_k}f_k(x^{j_k})=0\) in which the \(p_k\) and \(q_k\) are monomials. In this case we show that if there is no duplication, i.e. if \((m_k,j_k)\ne (m_p,j_p)\) for \(k\ne p\), then each \(f_k\) is the sum of a linear function and a derivation of order at most \(n-1\). Furthermore, if this functional equation is not homogeneous then the maximal orders of the derivations are reduced in a specified way.     

On height isotopy classes of embeddings in the plane of a Morse function of a circle

Let \(\mathrm{SM}_{2n}(S^1,\mathbb {R})\) be a set of stable Morse functions of an oriented circle such that the number of singular points is \(2n\in \mathbb {N}\) and the order of singular values satisfies the particular condition. For an orthogonal projection \(\pi :\mathbb {R}^2\rightarrow \mathbb {R}\), let \({\tilde{f}}_0\) and \({\tilde{f}}_1:S^1\rightarrow \mathbb {R}^2\) be embedding lifts of f. If there is an ambient isotopy \(\tilde{\varphi }_t:\mathbb {R}^2\rightarrow \mathbb {R}^2\) \((t\in [0,1])\) such that \({\pi \circ \tilde{\varphi }}_t(y_1,y_2)=y_1\) and \(\tilde{\varphi }_1\circ {\tilde{f}}_0={\tilde{f}}_1\), we say that \({\tilde{f}}_0\) and \({\tilde{f}}_1\) are height isotopic. We define a function \(I:\mathrm{SM}_{2n}(S^1,\mathbb {R})\rightarrow \mathbb {N}\) as follows: I(f) is the number of height isotopy classes of embeddings such that each rotation number is one. In this paper, we determine the maximal value of the function I equals the n-th Baxter number and the minimal value equals \(2^{n-1}\).