Mixing and sweeping out

A weakly mixing transformationT and a sequence (d _n) are constructed such thatT is uniformly mixing on (d _n),T is uniformly sweeping out on ([αd _n]) for allα∈(0, 1), and for all rationalα∈(0, 1)T is not mixing on ([αd _n]).     

All frame-spun knots are slice

Frame-spun knots are constructed by spinning a knot of lower dimension about a framed submanifold of . We show that all frame-spun knots are slice (null-cobordant).

     

Small generators of the ideal class group

Assuming the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis, Bach has shown that the ideal class group of a number field can be generated by the prime ideals of having norm smaller than . This result is essential for the computation of the class group and units of by Buchmann's algorithm, currently the fastest known. However, once has been computed, one notices that this bound could have been replaced by a much smaller value, and so much work could have been saved. We introduce here a short algorithm which allows us to reduce Bach's bound substantially, usually by a factor 20 or so. The bound produced by the algorithm is asymptotically worse than Bach's, but favorable constants make it useful in practice.

     

Lower Bounds for the Lp-Norm in Terms of the Mellin Transform

Given a measurable function f on (0, ) with Mellin transformF(s), let |f|_p denote the L^p-norm of f with respect to the measuredx/x. We prove that under certain assumptions, for instanceif f is real and non-negative and F() converges for in an openinterval and F() 0, then wherec_p (2e)^–1. We derive similar inequalities for complex-valuedf, for the L^p-norm of the derivative of f, and for the supremumof real-valued f and of its derivative. The lower bounds areeminently applicable when f is a convolution product.     

Student Attitudes and Calculus Reform

This paper compares the attitudes about mathematics of students from traditionally taught calculus classes and those from a “reformed” calculus course. The paper is based on three studies, which together present a consistent picture of student attitudes about calculus reform. The reformed course appeared to violate students' deeply held beliefs about the nature of mathematics and how it should be learned. Although during their first months in the reformed course most students disliked it, their attitudes gradually changed. One and 2 years after, reform students felt significantly more than the traditionally taught students that they better understood how math was used and that they had been required to understand math rather than memorize formulas.     

Nanoprobes for intracellular and single cell surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a promising and powerful label free technique for high resolution analysis of single cells. For intracellular analysis, there is a need for SERS‐active nanoprobes that are minimally invasive to cells, do not affect cell viability, and provide reproducible signals. This work reviews the state‐of‐the‐art tools currently available for intracellular SERS. Various types of SERS probes are considered, including colloidal gold and silver nanoparticles, metallized optical fibers, and tip‐enhanced Raman probes. We also discuss recently developed SERS‐active nanopipettes implemented on the basis of pulled glass microcapillaries. Finally, the critical aspects of selecting an optimal SERS nanoprobe for single‐cell analysis depending on a particular application are summarized. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A theoretical prediction for exclusive decaysB→K(K*)η c

The decay rates for the exclusiveB decaysBK _c andBK* _c are calculated in the context of the heavy quark effective theory. We obtain(BK _c )/ (BK)=1.6±0.2 and(BK* _c )/ (K*)=0.39±0.04. These results lead to estimates BR(BK _c )=(0.11±0.02)% and BR(BK* _c )=(0.05±0.01)% if we use the central current experimental values forB(K, K ^*) branching ratios.     

Delaunay graphs are almost as good as complete graphs

LetS be any set ofN points in the plane and let DT(S) be the graph of the Delaunay triangulation ofS. For all pointsa andb ofS, letd(a, b) be the Euclidean distance froma tob and let DT(a, b) be the length of the shortest path in DT(S) froma tob. We show that there is a constantc (≤((1+√5)/2) π≈5.08) independent ofS andN such that $$\frac{{DT(a,b)}}{{d(a,b)}}< c.$$