Systems of Diagonal Equations Over p-Adic Fields

Let K be a p-adic field, and consider the system F = (F₁,...,F_R)of diagonal equations (1) with coefficients in K. It is an interesting problem in numbertheory to determine when such a system possesses a nontrivialK-rational solution. In particular, we define *(k, R, K) tobe the smallest natural number such that any system of R equationsof degree k in N variables with coefficients in K has a nontrivialK-rational solution provided only that N*(k, R, K). For example,when k = 1, ordinary linear algebra tells us that *(1, R, K)= R + 1 for any field K. We also define *(k, R) to be the smallestinteger N such that *(k, R, Q_p) N for all primes p.     

Rational Points on a Class of Superelliptic Curves

A famous Diophantine equation is given by y^k=(x+1)(x+2)...(x+m). (1) For integers k2 and m2, this equation only has the solutionsx = –j (j = 1, ..., m), y = 0 by a remarkable result ofErds and Selfridge [9] in 1975. This put an end to the old questionof whether the product of consecutive positive integers couldever be a perfect power (except for the obviously trivial cases).In a letter to D. Bernoulli in 1724, Goldbach (see [7, p. 679])showed that (1) has no solution with x0 in the case k = 2 andm = 3. In 1857, Liouville [18] derived from Bertrand's postulatethat for general k2 and m2, there is no solution with x0 ifone of the factors on the right-hand side of (1) is prime. Byuse of the Thue–Siegel theorem, Erds and Siegel [10] provedin 1940 that (1) has only trivial solutions for all sufficientlylarge kk₀ and all m. This was closely related to Siegel's earlierresult [30] from 1929 that the superelliptic equation y^k=f(x) has at most finitely many integer solutions x, y under appropriateconditions on the polynomial f(x). The ineffectiveness of k₀was overcome by Baker's method [1] in 1969 (see also [2]). In 1955, Erds [8] managed to re-prove the result jointly obtainedwith Siegel by elementary methods. A refinement of Erds' ideasfinally led to the above-mentioned theorem as follows.     

Asymptotics for the Heat Content of a Planar Region with a Fractal Polygonal Boundary

Let k 3 be an integer. For 0<s<1, let D_s R² be the setthat is constructed iteratively as follows. Take a regular openk-gon with sides of unit length, attach regular open k-gonswith sides of length s to the middles of the edges, and so on.At each stage of the iteration the k-gons that are added area factor s smaller than the previous generation and are attachedto the outer edges of the family grown so far. The set D_s isdefined to be the interior of the closure of the union of allthe k-gons. It is easy to see that there must exist some s_k> 0 such that no k-gons overlap if and only if 0 < s s_k. We derive an explicit formula for s_k. The set D_s is open, bounded, connected and has a fractal polygonalboundary. Let denote the heat content of D_s at time t when D_s initially has temperature 0and D_s is kept at temperature 1. We derive the complete short-timeexpansion of up to terms that are exponentially small in 1/t. It turns out that there arethree regimes, corresponding to 0<s<1/(k–1), s=1/(k–1),and 1/(k–1)<s s_k. For s 1/(k–1) the expansionhas the form where p_s is a log (1/s²)-periodic function, d_s=log (k–1)/log(1/s) is a similarity dimension, A_s and B are constants relatedto the edges and vertices, respectively, of D_s, and r_s is anerror exponent. For s=1/(k–1), the t^1/2-term carries anadditional log t. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: 11D25,11G05, 14G05.     

Homogenization of the Stefan Problem and Application to Magnetic Composite Media

The theory of homogenization (Bensoussan, Lions & Papanicolaou,1978) shows that u, the solution of the diffusion equation [with k(y) periodic in the space-variable y and q = cu a linearfunction of u] has a weak limit u for = 0. This theory allowsone to compute, for a given k, the conductivity tensor of ananisotropic but homogeneous medium in which, for unchanged initialand boundary conditions, u is the solution of the diffusionequation. We examine here the case where the relation between q and uis given by a maximal monotone graph (i.e. the Stefan problem),depending on the space variable in the same manner as k. Applicationsto eddy-current problems in magnetic composite media (steelcables, laminations) are suggested. A numerical example is given.     

BENFORD'S LAW FOR THE 3x + 1 FUNCTION

Benford's law (to base B) for an infinite sequence {x_k : k 1} of positive quantities x_k is the assertion that {log_B x_k: k 1} is uniformly distributed (mod 1). The 3x + 1 functionT(n) is given by T(n) = (3n + 1)/2 if n is odd, and T(n) = n/2if n is even. This paper studies the initial iterates x_k = T^(k)(x₀)for 1 k N of the 3x + 1 function, where N is fixed. It showsthat for most initial values x₀, such sequences approximatelysatisfy Benford's law, in the sense that the discrepancy ofthe finite sequence {log_B x_k : 1 k N} is small.     

On the representation of integers by quadratic forms

Let n 4 and let Q [X₁, ..., X_n] be a non-singular quadraticform. When Q is indefinite we provide new upper bounds for theleast non-trivial integral solution to the equation Q = 0, andwhen Q is positive definite we provide improved upper boundsfor the greatest positive integer k for which the equation Q= k is insoluble in integers, despite being soluble modulo everyprime power.     

Multiple Roots of [-1, 1] Power Series

We are interested in how small a root of multiplicity k canbe for a power series of the form with coefficients a_i in [–1, 1]. Let r(k) denote the sizeof the smallest root of multiplicity k possible for such a powerseries. We show that We describe the form that the extremal power series must takeand develop an algorithm that lets us compute the optimal root(which proves to be an algebraic number). The computations,for k27, suggest that the upper bound is close to optimal andthat r(k)1–c/(k+1), where c=1.230....     

Convolution complementarity problems with application to impact problems

^** Email: dstewart{at}math.uiowa.edu. Part of this work was carried out while visiting CMAF at the University of Lisbon and while visiting the University of Lyons 1. Convolution complementarity problems (CCPs) have the followingform: given a matrix-valued function k and a vector-valued functionq, find a vector-valued function u satisfying 0 u(t) (k*u)(t)+ q(t) 0 for all t. In this paper CCPs are applied to a mechanicalimpact problem, but they can also be applied to other dynamicproblems with hard constraints. CCPs are shown to have solutionsprovided q(0) 0 and q is sufficiently regular, k has locallybounded variation and k(0⁺) is a P-matrix. Uniqueness also holdsprovided, in addition, k(0⁺) is symmetric positive definite.This theory shows that the impact problem studied here has aunique solution, and that energy is conserved. Numerical methodshave been devised and implemented for the impact problem, andthe results are presented.     

Classification Des Ideaux a Droite De A1(k)

Les études récentes sur les idéaux àdroite de A₁(k), la première algèbre de Weyl surun corps algébriquement clos et de caractéristiquenulle k, nous montrent que : pour tout idéal I 0 àdroite de A₁(k), il existe x Q = frac(A₁(k)), et V V telsque : I = xD(R, V) o V est l'ensemble des sous-espaces primairementdécomposables de k[t] = R, et D(R, V), l'idéalà droite {d A₁(k/d(R V}. Dans cet article nous montreronsprincipalement que: pour tout 0 I idéal à droitede A₁(k, !n N, (x, ) Q^* x Aut_k(A₁(k)) : I = x(D(R, O(X_n))),où X_n est la courbe d'algèbre des fonctions régulières: O(X_n = k+tⁿ⁺¹k[t]. La forme des idéaux décriteci-dessus permet de voir dans une hypothèse de Letzteret Makar-Limanov, pour deux courbes algébriques affinesX et X' on a : D(XD(X') co dim D(X = co dim D(X'). Recent studies on right ideals of the first Weyl algebra A₁(k)over an algebraic closed field k with characteristic zero showthat: for each right ideal I 0 of A₁(k), there exist x Q =fracA₁(k)) and a primary decomposable sub-space V of k[t] suchthat I=xD(R,V), where D(R,V) : = {d A₁(k)/d(R) V} is a rightideal of A₁(k). In this paper, we show that for all right idealsI 0 of A₁(k), !n N, (x, ) Q^* x Aut_k(A₁(k)) : I = x(D(R, O(X_n))),where X_n denotes the affine algebraic curve with ring of regularfunctions O(X_n=k+tⁿ⁺¹k[t]. With ideals as described above, onecan easily see, under a hypothesis given by Letzter and Makar-Limanov,that for two affine algebraic curves X and X', D(X)D(X') codim D(X) = co dim D(X'). 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification16S32.     

Numerical Solvability of Hammerstein Integral Equations of Mixed Type

We consider a mixed Hammerstein integral equation of the form where –<a<b<, y, f_i and k_i, (1im) are known functionsand x is a solution to be determined. In this paper, we obtainexistence, uniqueness, and numerical solvability of (I) undercertain smoothness assumptions on the known functions y, f_iand k_i.     

Determination of a Convex Body from Minkowski Sums of its Projections

For a convex body K in R^d and 1 K d – 1, let P_K (K)be the Minkowski sum (average) of all orthogonal projectionsof K onto k-dimensional subspaces of R^d. It is Known that theoperator P_k is injective if kd/2, k=3 for all d, and if k =2, d 14. It is shown that P_2k (K) determines a convex body K among allcentrally symmetric convex bodies and P_2k+1(K) determines aconvex body K among all bodies of constant width. Correspondingstability results are also given. Furthermore, it is shown thatany convex body K is determined by the two sets P_k (K) and P_k'(K) if 1 < k < k'. Concerning the range of P_k , 1 k d–2, it is shown that its closure (in the Hausdorff-metric)does not contain any polytopes other than singletons.     

5-Torsion Points on Curves of Genus 2

Let C be a smooth proper curve of genus 2 over an algebraicallyclosed field k. Fix a Weierstrass point in C(k) and identifyC with its image in its Jacobian J under the Albanese embeddingthat uses as base point. For any integer N1, we write J_N forthe group of points in J(k) of order dividing N and for the subset of J_N of points oforder N. It follows from the Riemann–Roch theorem thatC(k)J₂ consists of the Weierstrass points of C and that C(k) and C(k) are empty (see [3]). The purpose of this paper is to study curvesC with C(k) non-empty.     

Coupled reaction-diffusion waves in an isothermal autocatalytic chemical system

The initiation and propagation of reaction-diffusion travellingwaves in two regions coupled together by the linear diffusiveinterchange of the autocatalytic species is considered via aninitial-value problem in which amounts of the autocatalyst areintroduced locally into otherwise uniform concentrations ofthe other species. The reaction in one region is given by quadraticautocatalysis, while the reaction in the other is given by quadraticautocatalysis together with the linear decay of the autocatalyst.A priori bounds for the initial-value problem are obtained first.These, together with the solution valid for small inputs ofthe autocatalyst, enable conditions to be derived under whichtravelling waves can be initiated giving a wave for all withk<2, or if k<(2–1)/(–1), where k and aredimensionless groups corresponding to the rate of chemical decayof the autocatalyst and to the strength of coupling respectively.The global asymptotic stability of the unreacted state is thendiscussed. A solution valid for strong coupling between thetwo regions is then derived. The equations governing the permanent-formtravelling waves are treated in some detail, general propertiesof their solution and a solution valid for weak coupling beingderived. Finally, the large-time solution of the initial-valueproblem is considered. This shows that, when travelling wavesare initiated, they travel with their minimum possible speed:     

On Waring's Problem in Number Fields

Let K be an algebraic number field of degree n over the rationals,and denote by J_k the subring of K generated by the kth powersof the integers of K. Then G_K(k) is defined to be the smallests1 such that, for all totally positive integers vJ_k of sufficientlylarge norm, the Diophantine equation (1.1) is soluble in totally non-negative integers _i of K satisfying N(_i)<<N(v)^1/k (1is). (1.2) In (1.2) and throughout this paper, all implicit constants areassumed to depend only on K, k, and s. The notation G_K(k) generalizesthe familiar symbol G(k) used in Waring's problem, since wehave G_Q(k) = G(k). By extending the Hardy–Littlewood circle method to numberfields, Siegel [8, 9] initiated a line of research (see [1–4,11]) which generalized existing methods for treating G(k). Thistypically led to upper bounds for G_K(k) of approximate strengthnB(k), where B(k) was the best contemporary upper bound forG(k). For example, Eda [2] gave an extension of Vinogradov'sproof (see [13] or [15]) that G(k)(2+o(1))k log k. The presentpaper will eliminate the need for lengthy generalizations assuch, by introducing a new and considerably shorter approachto the problem. Our main result is the following theorem.     

On a question of Sarkozy and Sos for bilinear forms

We prove that, if 2 k₁ k₂, then there is no infinite sequence of positive integers such that the representation functionr(n) = #{(a, a'): n = k₁a + k₂a', a, a' } is constant for nlarge enough. This result completes the previous work of Diracand Moser for the special case k₁ = 1 and answers a questionposed by Sárkozy and Sós.     

Free Groups of Outer Commutator Varieties of Groups

If F is a free group, 1 < i j 2i and i k i + j + 1 thenF/[_j(F), _i(F), _k(F)] is residually nilpotent and torsion-free.This result is extended to 1 < i j 2i and i k 2i + 2j.It is proved that the analogous Lie rings, L/[L^j, Lⁱ, L^k] whereL is a free Lie ring, are torsion-free. Candidates are foundfor torsion in L/[L^j, Lⁱ, L^k] whenever k is the least of {i,j, k}, and the existence of torsion in L/[L^j, Lⁱ, L^k] is provedwhen i, j, k 5 and k is the least of {i, j, k}.     

Surgery on nullhomologous tori and simply connected 4-manifolds with b+ = 1

For 5 k 8, we show that an infinite family of exotic smoothstructures on CP²#k² can beobtained by 1/n-surgeries on a single embedded nullhomologoustorus in a manifold R_k which is homeomorphic to CP²#k². Received January 18, 2007.     

ON THE INTEGRAL GALOIS MODULE STRUCTURE OF CYCLIC EXTENSIONS OF p-ADIC FIELDS

We strengthen results of Miyata on the integral Galois modulestructure of totally ramified cyclic Kummer extensions K ofdegree pⁿ of a p-adic field k. Let c₁(K/k) be the first ramificationnumber of K/k, and let c(K/k) be the least non-negative residueof c₁(K/k) modulo pⁿ. Suppose that K is of the form k() with^pn k and val _K(–1)>0, (val _K(–1), p)= 1. Thenthe valuation ring of K is free over its associated order ifc(K/k) divides p^m–1 for some m with 1mn; the converseholds if n= 2; and is a Hopf order (or a Gorenstein order)if and only if c(K/k) = pⁿ–1.     

On the Fredholm Alternative for the p-Laplacian in One Dimension

We investigate the existence of a weak solution u to the quasilineartwo-point boundary value problem We assume that 1 < p < p ¬ = 2, 0 < a < , andthat f L¹(0,a) is a given function. The number _k stands forthe k-th eigenvalue of the one-dimensional p-Laplacian. Let_{p p} x/a) denote the eigenfunction associated with ₁; then _p(k_p x/a) is the eigenfunction associated with _k. We show the existenceof solutions to (P) in the following cases. (i) When k=1 and f satisfies the orthogonality condition the set of solutions is bounded. (ii) If k=1 and f_t L¹(0,a) is a continuous family parametrizedby t [0,1], with then there exists some t^* [0,1] such that (P) has a solutionfor f = f_t^*. Moreover, an appropriate choice of t_* yields asolution u with an arbitrarily large L¹(0,a)-norm which meansthat such f cannot be orthogonal to _pp x/a. (iii) When k 2 and f satisfies a set of orthogonality conditionsto _p(k p x/a) on the subintervals , again, the set of solutions is bounded. is a continuous family satisfying either or another related condition, then there exists some t^* [0,1]such that (P) has a solution for f = f_t*. Prüfer's transformation plays the key role in our proofs.2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: primary 34B16, 47J10;secondary 34L40, 47H30.     

A Criterion for Finite Topological Determinacy of Map-Germs

Let f, g: (Rⁿ, 0) (R^p, 0) be two C map-germs. Then f and gare C⁰-equivalent if there exist homeomorphism-germs h and lof (Rⁿ, 0) and (R^p, 0) respectively such that g = l f h^–1.Let k be a positive integer. A germ f is k-C⁰-determined ifevery germ g with j^k g(0) = j^k f(0) is C⁰-equivalent to f. Moreover,we say that f is finitely topologically determined if f is k-C⁰-determinedfor some finite k. We prove a theorem giving a sufficient conditionfor a germ to be finitely topologically determined. We explainthis condition below. Let N and P be two C manifolds. Consider the jet bundle J^k(N,P) with fiber J^k(n, p). Let z in J^k(n, p) and let f be suchthat z = j^kf(0). Define Whether (f) < k depends only on z, not on f. We can thereforedefine the set Let W^k(N, P) be the subbundle of J^k(N, P) with fiber W^k(n, p).Mather has constructed a finite Whitney (b)-regular stratificationS^k(n, p) of J^k(n, p) – W^k(n, p) such that all strata aresemialgebraic and K-invariant, having the property that if S^k(N,P) denotes the corresponding stratification of J^k(N, P) –W^k(N, P) and f C(N, P) is a C map such that j^kf is multitransverseto S^k(N, P), j^kf(N) W^k(N, P) = and N is compact (or f is proper),then f is topologically stable. For a map-germ f: (Rⁿ, 0) (R^p, 0), we define a certain ojasiewiczinequality. The inequality implies that there exists a representativef: U R^p such that j^kf(U – 0) W^k (Rⁿ, R^p = and suchthat j^kf is multitransverse to S^k (Rⁿ, R^p) at any finite setof points S U – 0. Moreover, the inequality controlsthe rate j^kf becomes non-transverse as we approach 0. We showthat if f satisfies this inequality, then f is finitely topologicallydetermined. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: 58C27.