Generalizations of the odd degree theorem and applications

LetV ⊂ ℙℝ ⁿ be an algebraic variety, such that its complexificationV _ℂ ⊂ ℙ ⁿ is irreducible of codimensionm ≥ 1. We use a sufficient condition on a linear spaceL ⊂ ℙℝ ⁿ of dimensionm + 2r to have a nonempty intersection withV, to show that any six dimensional subspace of 5 × 5 real symmetric matrices contains a nonzero matrix of rank at most 3.     

Some mappings of pfriodic groups

For the rational integera and the rational primeb, letP(a,b) be the set of primesp such that . A natural integerq satisfies (i) iffq is a power product fromP(a,b). In the (additively written) Abelian groupG, g→ag permutes the elements ofG ^# in cycles whose lengths are multiples ofb, but not ofb ², iffG is aπ-group withπ⊂P (a,b). The casea=−2,b=2 has combinational applications.     

Research problems

This section appears in nearly every issue. Contributions are invited, and should be submitted to R. C. Thompson, Mathematics Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA. 93106, USA.     

Remarks on a principle of localization

We prove that the Brauer class of a crossed product is a sum of symbols iff its “local” components are. Analogously we show that a solution of the “Goldie rank conjecture” would follow from the “local” statements; an extension of a result of Cliff-Sehgal is an easy corollary.     

Dipole moment of interacting rare-gas atoms

The translational absorption spectra of HeAr and NeAr have been analyzed with a hard-sphere potential to obtain the explicit dependence of the interaction dipoles on interatomic distance. The dipoles were found to consist of a short-range part varying almost exponentially with the distance and of a long-range part which varies more slowly. ^μHe Ar^(r) exhibited an unexpected maximum at small distances.     

Proximal-isometric (P J) flows

We develop some new tools for the study of minimal transformation groups (flows) and apply these tools to extend the classification theory of minimal flows to a larger class than has previously been classified. The tools we develop arise from a simplification and unification of the techniques used by Furstenberg, Ellis, and Veech in their proofs of structure theorems about distal and point distal flows. This simplification is made possible largely through the use of recent results of Glasner on the structure of 2^X (whose points consist of closed subsets of the phase space X of a given flow).