Judith R. Goodstein: Einstein’s Italian Mathematicians – Ricci,Levi-Civita,and the Birth of General Relativity

Mathematische Semesterberichte -     

A note on Hadwiger’s conjecture for W5-free graphs with independence number two

The Hadwiger number of a graph $G$, denoted $h\left(G\right)$, is the largest integer $t$ such that $G$ contains $K_t$ as a minor. A famous conjecture due to Hadwiger in 1943 states that for every graph $G$, $h\left(G\right)\ge \chi \left(G\right)$, where $\chi \left(G\right)$ denotes the chromatic number of $G$. Let $\alpha \left(G\right)$ denote the independence number of $G$. A graph is $H$-free if it does not contain the graph $H$ as an induced subgraph. In 2003, Plummer, Stiebitz and Toft proved that $h\left(G\right)\ge \chi \left(G\right)$ for all $H$-free graphs $G$ with $\alpha \left(G\right)\le 2$, where $H$ is any graph on four vertices with $\alpha \left(H\right)\le 2$, $H=C_5$, or $H$ is a particular graph on seven vertices. In 2010, Kriesell subsequently generalized the statement to include all forbidden subgraphs $H$ on five vertices with $\alpha \left(H\right)\le 2$. In this note, we prove that $h\left(G\right)\ge \chi \left(G\right)$ for all $W_5$-free graphs $G$ with $\alpha \left(G\right)\le 2$, where $W_5$ denotes the wheel on six vertices.     

Compactness and convergence rates in the combinatorial integral approximation decomposition

The combinatorial integral approximation decomposition splits the optimization of a discrete-valued control into two steps: solving a continuous relaxation of the discrete control problem, and computing a discrete-valued approximation of the relaxed control. Different algorithms exist for the second step to construct piecewise constant discrete-valued approximants that are defined on given decompositions of the domain. It is known that the resulting discrete controls can be constructed such that they converge to a relaxed control in the \(\hbox {weak}^*\) topology of \(L^\infty \) if the grid constant of this decomposition is driven to zero. We exploit this insight to formulate a general approximation result for optimization problems, which feature discrete and distributed optimization variables, and which are governed by a compact control-to-state operator. We analyze the topology induced by the grid refinements and prove convergence rates of the control vectors for two problem classes. We use a reconstruction problem from signal processing to demonstrate both the applicability of the method outside the scope of differential equations, the predominant case in the literature, and the effectiveness of the approach.

     

Experimental investigation and numerical simulation of the influence of resonator-length detuning on the output power,pulse duration and spectral width of a cw mode-locked picosecond optical parametric oscillator

We report on a cw mode-locked non-critically phase matched KTP optical parametric oscillator synchronously pumped by a picosecond Ti:Sapphire laser. High average signal output power of up to 950 mW over a large tuning range has been achieved. For this OPO the influence of resonator-length detuning on the output power, pulse duration and spectral bandwidth has been investigated. The measured data are in good agreement with the results of a numerical simulation using a split-step Fourier method which considers the group-velocity mismatch, the group-velocity dispersion and the self-phase modulation. The numerical simulation also describes the measured strong pump depletion and its influence on the OPO output and efficiency.     

Sur les surfaces lisses de ℙ4

Sans résuméEspace projectif sur un corps algébriquement clos de caractéristique zéro     

An organometallic RhIII complex with a distorted octahedral structure: (acetonitrile‐κN)dimethyl(1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐κ3N,N′,N′′)rhodium(III) tetraphenylborate

In the title compound, [Rh(CH₃)₂(C₂H₃N)(C₉H₂₁N₃)](C₂₄H₂₀B), the geometry around the Rh^III centre is distorted octahedral, with elongated Rh—N bonds trans to the metal‐bonded methyl groups. The metal‐containing cations are located in channels formed by an anionic supramolecular mesh, in which aromatic π–π interactions between anionic [B(Ph)₄]^? units play a major role.     

Conceptual continuity as a mode of understanding complex systems: Applications to the dynamics sociopolitical systems

In complex biological systems, entities that are conceptually distinct but empirically related—such as sunlight and plant growth or antigene and immune response—are being explicitly linked through the identification of highly specific uninterrupted interaction sequences that take place between their macromolecular system components. These uninterrupted sequences of causation include common elements that are shared by the empirically related but conceptually distinct entities. Through the identification of specific shared elements, “conceptual continuity” is established between these entities. Examples are introduced to suggest that in sociopolitical systems, an analogous conceptual continuity can be established between distinct sociopolitical entities. The identification of specific shared elements, essential for the well being of each of the entities, can play a significant role in resolving conflicts between those separated by seemingly insurmountable obstacles such as race or religion or ideology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 11:20–24, 2006     

Towards molecular-scale electronics and biomolecular self-assembly

This paper provides an overview of recent research developments in the field of nanoelectronics with organic materials such as carbon nanotubes and DNA-templated nanowires. Carbon nanotubes and gold electrodes are chemically functionalized in order to contact carbon nanotubes by self-assembly. The transport properties of these nanotubes are dominated by charging effects and display clear Coulomb blockade behaviour. A different approach towards nanoscale electronics is based on the molecular recognition properties of biomolecules such as DNA. As an example, DNA is stretched between electrodes using a molecular combing technique. A two-step metallization procedure leads to the formation of highly conductive gold nanowires.