What does a group algebra of a free group “know” about the group?

We describe solutions to the problem of elementary classification in the class of group algebras of free groups. We will show that unlike free groups, two group algebras of free groups over infinite fields are elementarily equivalent if and only if the groups are isomorphic and the fields are equivalent in the weak second order logic. We will show that the set of all free bases of a free group F is 0-definable in the group algebra $K(F)$ when K is an infinite field, the set of geodesics is definable, and many geometric properties of F are definable in $K(F)$. Therefore $K(F)$ “knows” some very important information about F. We will show that similar results hold for group algebras of limit groups.     

How often can a finite group be realized as a Galois group over a field?

Let G be any finite group and any class of fields. By we denote the minimal number of realizations of G as a Galois group over some field from the class . For G abelian and the class of algebraic extensions of ℚ we give an explicit formula for . Similarly we treat the case of an abelian p-group G and the class which is conjectured to be the class of all fields of characteristic ≠p for which the Galois group of the maximal p-extension is finitely generated. For non-abelian groups G we offer a variety of sporadic results. Received: 27 October 1998 / Revised version: 3 February 1999     

A note on dual prehomomorphisms from a group into the Margolis–Meakin expansion of a group

Semigroup Forum - We give a category-free order theoretic variant of a key result in Auinger and Szendrei (J Pure Appl Algebra 204(3):493–506, 2006) and illustrate how it might be used to...     

Modelling a research portfolio using AHP — a group decision process

The problem of choosing a reseatch portfolio has been in the literature for many years. Suggested solutions have ranged from simple scoring models to complex mathematical resource allocation models, but the acceptance rate has been low. In this paper we present an application of a model based on th Analytic Hierarchy Process to a group decision situation. The results are encouraging, showing the positive nature of a model as a focal point in the process. They show that the interactive nature of the methodology encourages the development of subjective estimates and their subsequent discussion. An attempt to counter the problems of biasing was also made. The methodology presented is seen to be easy to use and adaptable, and becomes an integrating mechanism for the group.     

When is the Isbell topology a group topology?

Conditions on a topological space X under which the space C(X,R) of continuous real-valued maps with the Isbell topology κ is a topological group (topological vector space) are investigated. It is proved that the addition is jointly continuous at the zero function in Cκ(X,R) if and only if X is infraconsonant. This property is (formally) weaker than consonance, which implies that the Isbell and the compact-open topologies coincide. It is shown the translations are continuous in Cκ(X,R) if and only if the Isbell topology coincides with the fine Isbell topology. It is proved that these topologies coincide if X is prime (that is, with at most one non-isolated point), but do not even for some sums of two consonant prime spaces.     

Can one hear the shape of a group?

Let Γ be a finitely generated group, and letS be a finite, non-necessarily symmetric, generating subset of Γ. Leth be the transition operator of the directed Cayley graphG(Γ,S), acting onl ² (Γ). Staring with Kesten’s seminal results, we give a survey of results linking group-theoretic properties of the pair (Γ,S) with spectral properties ofh.     

When do random subsets decompose a finite group?

Let A, B be two random subsets of a finite group G. We consider the event that the products of elements from A and B span the whole group, i.e. [AB ∪ BA = G]. The study of this event gives rise to a group invariant we call Θ(G). Θ(G) is between 1/2 and 1, and is 1 if and only if the group is abelian. We show that a phase transition occurs as the size of A and B passes √Θ(G)|G| log |G|; i.e. for any ɛ > 0, if the size of A and B is less than (1 − ɛ)√Θ(G)|G| log |G|, then with high probability AB ∪ BA ≠ G. If A and B are larger than (1 + ɛ)√Θ(G)|G| log |G|, then AB ∪ BA = G with high probability.     

Modelling ‘contracts’ between a terrorist group and a government in a sequential game

In this paper, we apply a sequential game to study the possibility of ‘contracts’ (or at least mutually beneficial arrangements) between a government and a terrorist group. We find equilibrium solutions for complete and incomplete information models, where the government defends and/or provides positive rent, and the terrorist group attacks. We also study the sensitivities of equilibria as a function of both players’ target valuations and preferences for rent. The contract option, if successful, may achieve (partial) attack deterrence, and significantly increase the payoffs not only for the government, but also for some types of terrorist groups. Our work thus provides some novel insights in combating terrorism.     

When is a right orderable group locally indicable?

If a group has an ascending series of subgroups such that for each ordinal , and has no non-abelian free subsemigroup, then is right orderable if and only if it is locally indicable. In particular if is a radical-by-periodic group, then it is right orderable if and only if it is locally indicable.

     

On the T∘-slices of a finite group

A slice $(G,S)$ of finite groups is a pair consisting of a finite group G and a subgroup S of G. In this paper, we show that some properties of finite groups extend to slices of finite groups. In particular, by analogy with B-groups, we introduce the notion of $T^{°}$-slice, and show that any slice of finite groups admits a largest quotient $T^{°}$-slice.     

Each finite group is a symmetry group of some map (an “Atom”-bifurcation)

Maps are studied, i.e., cell decompositions of closed two-dimensional surfaces, or two-dimensional atoms which encode bifurcations of Liouville fibrations of non-degenerate integrable Hamiltonian systems. Any finite group G is proved to be a symmetry group of an orientable map (of an atom). Moreover, one such map X(G) is constructed algorithmically. Upper bounds are obtained for the minimal genus Mg(G) of an orientable map with the given symmetry group G and for the minimal number of vertices, edges, and sides of such maps.     

On the Chermak–Delgado lattice of a finite group

Abstract

By imposing conditions upon the index of a self-centralizing subgroup of a group, and upon the index of the center of the group, we are able to classify the Chermak-Delgado lattice of the group. This is our main result. We use this result to classify the Chermak-Delgado lattices of dicyclic groups and of metabelian p-groups of maximal class.     

The asymptotic σ-algebra of a recurrent random walk on a locally compact group

Let μ be a probability measure on a locally compact second countable groupG defining a recurrent (but not necessarily Harris) random walk. Denote byG ^∞ the space of paths and byB ^(a)the asymptotic σ-algebra. Let the starting measure be equivalent to the Haar measure and writeQ for the corresponding Markov measure onG ^∞. We prove thatL ^∞(G^∞, B^(a), Q) is in a canonical way isomorphic toL ^∞(G/N) whereN is the smallest closed normal subgroup ofG such that μ(zN)=1 for somez∈G. The groupG/N is either a finite cyclic group with generatorzN or a compact abelian group having the cyclic group as a dense subgroup. As a corollary we obtain that the set of all φ∈L ¹(G) such that coincides with the kernel of the canonical mapping ofL ¹(G)ontoL ¹(G/N). In particular, when μ is aperiodic, i.e.,G=N, then the random walk is mixing: for every φ∈L ¹(G) with ∝ φ=0.     

Normalizer of a group of “diagonal” automorphisms in algebras over a commutative ring

Let S be a faithful algebra over commutative ring R. It is assumed that S is additively generated by its invertible elements. It is shown that the nomalizer of subgroup Aut(S_s) of group Aut(S_R) coincides with the semidirect product Aut(S_S) Aut(S/R),where the second factor is the group of all ring automorphisms of ring S identical on R.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova Akademiya Nauk SSSR, Vol. 191, pp. 5–8, 1991.     

On a certain ideal of Külshammer in the centre of a group algebra

Let G be a finite group and let F be a splitting field of characteristic $ p > 0 $ p > 0 . We show that I² = E₀, where I is a certain ideal of the centre Z of FG, and E₀ is the span of the block idempotents of defect zero.     

The Weil-��tale fundamental group of a number field II

We define the fundamental group underlying the Weil-étale cohomology of number rings. To this aim, we define the Weil-étale topos as a refinement of the Weil-étale sites introduced by Lichtenbaum (Ann Math 170(2):657–683, 2009). We show that the (small) Weil-étale topos of a smooth projective curve defined in this paper is equivalent to the natural definition. Then we compute the Weil-étale fundamental group of an open subscheme of the spectrum of a number ring. Our fundamental group is a projective system of locally compact topological groups, which represents first degree cohomology with coefficients in locally compact abelian groups. We apply this result to compute the Weil-étale cohomology in low degrees and to prove that the Weil-étale topos of a number ring satisfies the expected properties of the conjectural Lichtenbaum topos.