On Extensive Subsets of Convex Bodies

A subset S of a d-dimensional convex body K is extensive if S ∂K and for any p, q ∈ S the distance between p and q is at least one-half of the maximum length of chords of K parallel to the segment pq. In this paper we establish the general upper bound |S| ≤ 3 ^d — 1. We also find an upper bound for a certain class of 3-polytopes, which leads to the determination of the maximum cardinalities of extensive subsets and their extremal configurations for tetrahedra, octahedra and some other 3-polytopes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the Diameter of Plane Curves

Recently, differential geometric properties of embedded projective varieties have gained increasing interest. In this note, we consider plane algebraic curves equipped with the Fubini--Study metric from₂ () and give an estimate for the diameter in terms of the degree, initiated in a paper by F. A. Bogomolov.     

On lower bounds for theL 2-Wasserstein metric in a Hilbert space

We provide two families of lower bounds for theL ²-Wasserstein metric in separable Hilbert spaces which depend on the basis chosen for the space. Then we focus on one of these families and we provide a necessary and sufficient condition for the supremum in it to be attained. In the finite dimensional case, we identify the basis which provides the most accurate lower bound in the family.Research partially supported by the Spanish DGICYT under grants PB91-0306-02-00, 01 and 02.     

Counterexamples in measuring the distance between binary trees

Examples are given to show that the closest partition distance measure need not agree with the nearest neighbor interchange distance for unordered labeled binary trees. Proposed algorithms for computing the closest partition distance are shown to be of exponential complexity and hence may not be useful in approximating the nearest neighbor interchange distance.     

Optical metrics and birefringence of anisotropic media

The material tensor of linear response in electrodynamics is constructed out of products of two symmetric second rank tensor fields which in the approximation of geometrical optics and for uniaxial symmetry reduce to “optical” metrics, describing the phenomenon of birefringence. This representation is interpreted in the context of an underlying internal geometrical structure according to which the symmetric tensor fields are vectorial elements of an associated two-dimensional space.     

Accelerated Levi-Civita-Bertotti-Robinson metric in D dimensions

A conformally flat accelerated charge metric is found in an arbitrary dimension D. It is a solution of the Einstein-Maxwell-null fluid equations with a cosmological constant in D ≥ 4 dimensions. When the acceleration is zero, our solution reduces to the Levi-Civita-Bertotti-Robinson metric. We show that the charge loses its energy, for all dimensions, due to the acceleration.     

Pseudo-Hermiticity, $$\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$$ symmetry,and the metric operator

The main achievements of Pseudo-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics and its distinction from the indefinite-metric quantum theories are reviewed. The issue of the non-uniqueness of the metric operator and its consequences for defining the observables are discussed. A systematic perturbative expression for the most general metric operator is offered and its application for a toy model is outlined. Presented at the 3rd International Workshop “Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians in Quantum Physics”, Istanbul, Turkey, June 20–22, 2005.     

Accelerating Flat Universe and Analytic Study of the m-z Relation

An accelerating flat universe with a variable cosmological term is obtained in the Robertson-Walker metric. The variable cosmological term is defined by the correction terms of the metric tensor field. Simple solutions of the scale factor and the cosmological term are shown. In this model of the universe, the magnitude-redshift relation is analytically studied to see if the model reproduces the tendency of the present observational data. The equation of state parameter is touched.