Betti Numbers of Semialgebraic and Sub-Pfaffian Sets

Let X be a subset in [–1,1]^n₀R^n₀ defined by the formula X={x₀|Q₁x₁Q₂x₂...Qx ((x₀,x₁,...x)X)}, where Q_i{ }, Q_i Q_i+1, x_i [–1, 1]^n_i, and X may be eitheran open or a closed set in [–1,1]^n₀+...+n, being the differencebetween a finite CW-complex and its subcomplex. An upper boundon each Betti number of X is expressed via a sum of Betti numbersof some sets defined by quantifier-free formulae involving X. In important particular cases of semialgebraic and semi-Pfaffiansets defined by quantifier-free formulae with polynomials andPfaffian functions respectively, upper bounds on Betti numbersof X are well known. The results allow to extend the boundsto sets defined with quantifiers, in particular to sub-Pfaffiansets.     

Contractions et Hyperdistributions a Spectre de Carleson

Let =(_n)_n1 be a log concave sequence such that lim inf_n+n/n^c>0for some c>0 and ((log _n)/n)_n1 is nonincreasing for some<1/2. We show that, if T is a contraction on the Hilbertspace with spectrum a Carleson set, and if ||T^–n||=O(_n)as n tends to + with _n11/(n log _n)=+, then T is unitary. Onthe other hand, if _n11/(n log _n)<+, then there exists a (non-unitary)contraction T on the Hilbert space such that the spectrum ofT is a Carleson set, ||T^–n||=O(_n) as n tends to +, andlim sup_n+||T^–n||=+.     

Linear Automorphisms that are Symplectomorphisms

Let K be the field of real or complex numbers. Let (X K²ⁿ,) be a symplectic vector space and take 0 < k < n,N =. Let L₁,...,L_N X be 2k-dimensionallinear subspaces which are in a sufficiently general position.It is shown that if F : X X is a linear automorphism whichpreserves the form ^k on all subspaces L₁,...,L_N, then F is an_k-symplectomorphism (that is, F^* = _k, where ). In particular, if K = R and k is odd then F mustbe a symplectomorphism. The unitary version of this theoremis proved as well. It is also observed that the set A_l,2r ofall l-dimensional linear subspaces on which the form has rank 2r is linear in the Grassmannian G(l,2n), that is, there isa linear subspace L such that A_l,2r = L G(l, 2n). In particular,the set A_l,2r can be computed effectively. Finally, the notionof symplectic volume is introduced and it is proved that itis another strong invariant.     

Extremal Subgroups in Chevalley Groups

Throughout this paper G(k) denotes a Chevalley group of rankn defined over the field k, where n3. Let be the root systemassociated with G(k) and let ={₁, ₂, ..., _n} be a set of fundamentalroots of , with ⁺ being the set of positive roots of with respectto . For and ⁺, let n() be the coefficient of in the expressionof as a sum of fundamental roots; so =n(). Also we recall thatht(), the height of , is given by ht()=n(). The highest rootin ⁺ will be denoted by . We additionally assume that the Dynkindiagram of G(k) is connected.     

Immanant Inequalities, Induced Characters, and Rank Two Partitions

If = {₁, ₂, ..., _s}, where _{1 2} ... _s > 0, is a partitionof n then denotes the associated irreducible character of S_n,the symmetric group on {1, 2, ..., n}, and, if cCS_n, the groupalgebra generated by C and S_n, then d_c(·) denotes thegeneralized matrix function associated with c. If c₁, c₂ CS_nthen we write c₁ c₂ in case (A) (A) for each n x n positivesemi-definite Hermitian matrix A. If cCS_n and c(e) 0, wheree denotes the identity in S_n, then or denotes (c(e))^–1 c. The main result, an estimate for the norms of tensors of a certainanti-symmetry type, implies that if = {₁, ₂, ..., _s, 1^t} isa partition of n such that s > 1 and _s = 2, and ' denotes{₁, ₂, ..., _s-1, 1^t} then (, _{2}) where denotes characterinduction from S_n–2 x S₂ to S_n. This in turn implies thatif = {₁, ₂, ..., _s, 1^t} with s > 1, _s = 2, and ßdenotes {₁ + 2, ₂, ..., _s-1, 1^t} then _ß which,in conjunction with other known results, provides many new inequalitiesamong immanants. In particular it implies that the permanentfunction dominates all normalized immanants whose associatedpartitions are of rank 2, a result which has proved elusivefor some years. We also consider the non-relationship problem for immanants– that is the problem of identifying pairs, (,ß)such that _ß and _ß are both false.     

A Strong Law for the Largest Nearest-Neighbour Link between Random Points

Suppose that X₁, X₂, X₃, ... are independent random points inR^d with common density f, having compact support with smoothboundary , with f| continuous. Let Rⁿ_{i, k} denote the distancefrom X_i to its kth nearest neighbour amongst the first n points,and let M_{n, k} = max_in Rⁿ_{i, k}. Let denote the volume of theunit ball. Then as n , , almost surely If instead the points lie in a compact smooth d-dimensionalRiemannian manifold K, then nM^d_{n, k}/log n (min_Kf)^–1,almost surely.     

Herman Rings and Arnold Disks

For (,a) C* x C, let f_,a be the rational map defined by f_,a(z)= z² (az+1)/(z+a). If R/Z is a Brjuno number, we let D bethe set of parameters (,a) such that f_,a has a fixed Hermanring with rotation number (we consider that (e²ⁱ,0) D). Resultsobtained by McMullen and Sullivan imply that, for any g D, theconnected component of D(C* x (C/{0,1})) that contains g isisomorphic to a punctured disk. We show that there is a holomorphic injection F:DD such thatF(0) = (e²ⁱ ,0) and , where r is the conformal radius at 0 of the Siegel disk of the quadraticpolynomial z e²ⁱ z(1+z). As a consequence, we show that for a (0,1/3), if f_l,a has afixed Herman ring with rotation number and if m_a is the modulusof the Herman ring, then, as a0, we have e m_a=(r/a) + O(a). We finally explain how to adapt the results to the complex standardfamily z e^(a/2)(z-1/z).     

Normal Transversality and Uniform Bounds

Let A be a commutative ring. A graded A-algebra U = _n0 U_n isa standard A-algebra if U₀ = A and U = A[U₁] is generated asan A-algebra by the elements of U₁. A graded U-module F = _n0F_nis a standard U-module if F is generated as a U-module by theelements of F₀, that is, F_n = U_nF₀ for all n 0. In particular,F_n = U₁F_n–1 for all n 1. Given I, J, two ideals of A,we consider the following standard algebras: the Rees algebraof I, R(I) = _n0Iⁿtⁿ = A[It] A[t], and the multi-Rees algebraof I and J, R(I, J) = _n0(_p+q=nI^pJ^qu^pv^q) = A[Iu, Jv] A[u, v].Consider the associated graded ring of I, G(I) = R(I) A/I =_n0Iⁿ/Iⁿ⁺¹, and the multi-associated graded ring of I and J,G(I, J) = R(I, J) A/(I+J) = _n0(_p+q=nI^pJ^q/(I+J)I^pJ^q). We canalways consider the tensor product of two standard A-algebrasU = _p0U_p and V = _q0V_q as a standard A-algebra with the naturalgrading U V = _n0(_p+q=nU_p V_q). If M is an A-module, we havethe standard modules: the Rees module of I with respect to M,R(I; M) = _n0IⁿMtⁿ = M[It] M[t] (a standard R(I)-module), andthe multi-Rees module of I and J with respect to M, R(I, J;M) = _n0(_p+q=nI^pJ^qMu^pv^q) = M[Iu, Jv] M[u, v] (a standard R(I,J)-module). Consider the associated graded module of M withrespect to I, G(I; M) = R(I; M) A/I = _n0IⁿM/Iⁿ⁺¹M (a standardG(I)-module), and the multi-associated graded module of M withrespect to I and J, G(I, J; M) = R(I, J; M) A/(I+J) = _n0(_p+q=nI^pJ^qM/(I+J)I^pJ^qM)(a standard G(I, J)-module). If U, V are two standard A-algebras,F is a standard U-module and G is a standard V-module, thenF G = _n0(_p+q=nF_p G_q) is a standard U V-module. Denote by :R(I) R(J; M) R(I, J; M) and :R(I, J; M) R(I+J;M) the natural surjective graded morphisms of standard RI) R(J)-modules. Let :R(I) R(J; M) R(I+J; M) be . Denote by :G(I) G(J; M) G(I, J; M) and :G(I, J; M) G(I+J; M) the tensor productof and by A/(I+J); these are two natural surjective gradedmorphisms of standard G(I) G(J)-modules. Let :G(I) G(J; M) G(I+J; M) be . The first purpose of this paper is to prove the following theorem.     

Lp Lq Estimates for Parabolic Systems in Non-Divergence Form with VMO Coefficients

Consider a parabolic NxN-system of order m on ⁿ with top-ordercoefficients a VMOL. Let 1 < p, q < and let be a Muckenhouptweight. It is proved that systems of this kind possess a uniquesolution u satisfying whereAu = _||m a Du and J = [0,). In particular, choosing = 1, therealization of A in L^p(ⁿ)^N has maximal L^p – L^q regularity.     

The Isolated Points of G{rho} and the w*-Strongly Exposed Points of P{rho}(G)0

Let G be a separable locally compact group and let be its dualspace with Fell's topology. It is well known that the set P(G)of continuous positive-definite functions on G can be identifiedwith the set of positive linear functionals on the group C^*-algebraC^*(G). We show that if is discrete in , then there exists anonzero positive-definite function associated with such that is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀, where P(G)₀={f P(G):f(e)1. Conversely, if some nonzero positive-definite function associatedwith is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀, then is isolatedin . Consequently, G is compact if and only if, for every ,there exists a nonzero positive-definite function associatedwith that is a w^*-strongly exposed point of P(G)₀. If, in addition,G is unimodular and , then is isolated in if and only if somenonzero positive-definite function associated with is a w^*-stronglyexposed point of P(G)₀, where is the left regular representationof G and is the reduced dual space of G. We prove that if B(G)has the Radon–Nikodym property, then the set of isolatedpoints of (so square-integrable if G is unimodular) is densein . It is also proved that if G is a separable SIN-group, thenG is amenable if and only if there exists a closed point in. In particular, for a countable discrete non-amenable groupG (for example the free group F₂ on two generators), there isno closed point in its reduced dual space .     

A Torsion-Free Milnor-Moore Theorem

Let X be the space of Moore loops on a finite, q-connected,n-dimensional CW complex X, and let R Q be a subring containing1/2. Let (R) be the least non-invertible prime in R. For a gradedR-module M of finite type, let FM = M/Torsion M. We show thatthe inclusion P FH_*(X;R) of the sub-Lie algebra of primitiveelements induces an isomorphism of Hopf algebras provided that (R) n/q. Furthermore, the Hurewiczhomomorphism induces an embedding of F(_*(X) R) in P, with P/F(_*(X)R)torsion. As a corollary, if X is elliptic, then FH_*(X;R) isa finitely generated R-algebra.     

Asymptotics for Fractional Nonlinear Heat Equations

The Cauchy problem is studied for the nonlinear equations withfractional power of the negative Laplacian where (0,2), with critical = /n and sub-critical (0,/n)powers of the nonlinearity. Let u₀ L^1,a L C, u₀(x) 0 in Rⁿ, = . The case of not small initial data is of interest. It is proved that the Cauchy problemhas a unique global solution u C([0,); L L^1,a C) and the largetime asymptotics are obtained.     

Faithful Representations of Free Products

In 1940 Nisnevi published the following theorem [3]. Let (G) be a family of groups indexed by some set and (F) a family of fields of the same characteristic p0. Iffor each the group G has a faithful representation of degreen over F then the free product* G has a faithful representationof degree n+1 over some field of characteristic p. In [6] Wehrfritzextended this idea. If (G) GL(n, F) is a family of subgroupsfor which there exists ZGL(n, F) such that for all the intersectionGF.1_n=Z, then the free product of the groups *_ZG with Z amalgamatedvia the identity map is isomorphic to a linear group of degreen over some purely transcendental extension of F. Initially, the purpose of this paper was to generalize theseresults from the linear to the skew-linear case, that is, togroups isomorphic to subgroups of GL(n, D) where the D are divisionrings. In fact, many of the results can be generalized to ringswhich, although not necessarily commutative, contain no zero-divisors.We have the following.     

On Artin's Braid Group And Polyconvexity In The Calculus Of Variations

Let R² be a bounded Lipschitz domain and let be a Carathèodory integrand such that F(x,·) is polyconvex for L²-a.e. x . Moreover assume thatF is bounded from below and satisfies the condition as det for L²-a.e. x . The paper describes the effect of domain topologyon the existence and multiplicity of strong local minimizersof the functional wherethe map u lies in the Sobolev space W_id^1,p (, R²) with p 2and satisfies the pointwise condition u(x) >0 for L²-a.e.x . The question is settled by establishing that F[·]admits a set of strong local minimizers on that can be indexed by the group P_n Zⁿ, the directsum of Artin's pure braid group on n strings and n copies ofthe infinite cyclic group. The dependence on the domain topologyis through the number of holes n in and the different mechanismsthat give rise to such local minimizers are fully exploitedby this particular representation.     

Limits Along Parallel Lines and the Classical Fine Topology

The fine topology on Rⁿ (n2) is the coarsest topology for whichall superharmonic functions on Rⁿ are continuous. We refer toDoob [11, 1.XI] for its basic properties and its relationshipto the notion of thinness. This paper presents several theoremsrelating the fine topology to limits of functions along parallellines. (Results of this nature for the minimal fine topologyhave been given by Doob – see [10, Theorem 3.1] or [11,1.XII.23] – and the second author [15].) In particular,we will establish improvements and generalizations of resultsof Lusin and Privalov [18], Evans [12], Rudin [20], Bagemihland Seidel [6], Schneider [21], Berman [7], and Armitage andNelson [4], and will also solve a problem posed by the latterauthors. An early version of our first result is due to Evans [12, p.234], who proved that, if u is a superharmonic function on R³,then there is a set ER²x{0}, of two-dimensional measure 0, suchthat u(x, y,·) is continuous on R whenever (x, y, 0)E.We denote a typical point of Rⁿ by X=(X' x), where X'R^n–1and xR. Let :RⁿR^n–1x{0} denote the projection map givenby (X', x) = (X', 0). For any function f:Rⁿ[–, +] andpoint X we define the vertical and fine cluster sets of f atX respectively by C_V(f;X)={l[–, +]: there is a sequence (t_m) of numbersin R\{x} such that t_mx and f(X', t_m)l}| and C_F(f;X)={l[–, +]: for each neighbourhood N of l in [–,+], the set f^–1(N) is non-thin at X}. Sets which are open in the fine topology will be called finelyopen, and functions which are continuous with respect to thefine topology will be called finely continuous. Corollary 1(ii)below is an improvement of Evans' result.     

Normal Elements of C*-Algebras of Real Rank Zero without Finite-Spectrum Approximants

We investigate inductive limits of Toeplitz-type C*-algebras.One example, which has real-rank zero, is the middle term ofan exact sequence where is a Bunce-Deddens algebra and I is AF. Using Berg's technique,we produce a normal element N that is not the limit of finite-spectrumnormals. Moreover, this is an example of a normal element inan inductive limit that is not the limit of normal elementsof the approximating subalgebras. A second example is an embedding of C() ( the closed disk) into , where is a simple AF algebra and is the Toeplitz algebra.Let _n, for n 2, be the CW complex obtained as the quotientof by an n-fold identification of the boundary. (So ₂ = RP².)Regarding C(_n) as a subalgebra of C(), we find nontrivial embeddingsof C(_n) into type I inductive limits. From this, we producea *-homomorphism, for n odd, C₀(_n\{pt}) _{n + 1}, that inducesan isomorphism on K-theory. More generally, for X a connectedCW complex minus a point, and for n odd, we show that the map is a split surjection.     

Sierpinski and non-Sierpinski curve Julia sets in families of rational maps

We discuss the dynamics as well as the structure of the parameterplane of certain families of rational maps with few criticalorbits. Our paradigm is the family R_t(z) = (1 + (4/27)z³/(1– z)), with dynamics governed by the behaviour of thepostcritical orbit (Rⁿ())_n. In particular, it is shown thatif escapes (that is, Rⁿ() tends to infinity), then the Juliaset of R is a Cantor set, or a Sierpiski curve, or a curve withone or else infinitely many cut-points; each of these casesactually occurs.     

Homology of GLn over algebraically closed fields

In this paper we define higher pre-Bloch groups _n(F) of a fieldF. When the base field is algebraically closed, we study itsconnection to the homology of the general linear groups withcoefficients in /l , where l is a positive integer. As a resultof our investigation we give a necessary and sufficient conditionfor the natural map H_n(GL_n–1(F), /l ) H_n(GL_n(F), /l )to be bijective. We prove that this map is bijective for n4.We also demonstrate that a certain property of _n() is equivalentto the validity of the Friedlander–Milnor isomorphismconjecture for (n+1)th homology of GL_n().