Finding the αn-th largest element

We describe an algorithm for selecting the n-th largest element (where 0<<1), from a totally ordered set ofn elements, using at most (1+(1+o(1))H())·n comparisons whereH() is the binary entropy function and theo(1) stands for a function that tends to 0 as tends to 0. For small values of this is almost the best possible as there is a lower bound of about (1+H())·n comparisons. The algorithm obtained beats the global 3n upper bound of Schönhage, Paterson and Pippenger for <1/3.     

Norm-graphs and bipartite turán numbers

For everyt>1 and positiven we construct explicit examples of graphsG with |V (G)|=n, |E(G)|c _t ·n ^2–1/t which do not contain a complete bipartite graghK _t,t !+1 This establishes the exact order of magnitude of the Turán numbers ex (n, K _t,s ) for any fixedt and allst!+1, improving over the previous probabilistic lower bounds for such pairs (t, s). The construction relies on elementary facts from commutative algebra.Research supported in part by NSF Grants DMS-8707320 and DMS-9102866.Research supported in part by Hungarian National Foundation for Scientific Research Grant     

Stability inL 1 of some integral operators

A class of Markov operators appearing in biomathematics is investigated. It is proved that these operators are asymptotic stable inL ¹, i.e. lim _n P ⁿ f=0 forfL ¹ and f(x) dx=0.     

Zero cycles on conic fibrations and a conjecture of Bloch

Let X be a smooth projective surface over a number field k. Let (CH₀(X)) denote the Chow group of zero-cyles modulo rational equivalence on X. Let CH₀(X) be the subgroup of CH ₀(X) consisting of classes which vanish when going over to an arbitrary completion of k. Bloch put forward a conjecture asserting that this group is isomorphic to the Tate-Shafarevich group of a certain Galois module atttached to X. In this paper, we disprove this general conjecture. We produce a conic bundle X over an elliptic curve, for which the group (CH₀(X) is not zero, but the Galois-theoretic Tate-Shafarevich group vanishes.     

On the maximal length of two sequences of integers in arithmetic progressions with the same prime divisors

In this paper we consider an analogue of the problem of Erds and Woods for arithmetic progressions. A positive answer follows from theabc conjecture. Partial results are obtained unconditionally.     

Fermionic stochastic differential equations and the index of Fredholm operators

The index of a Fredholm operator associated to a-summable Fredholm module is expressed in terms of the vacuum expectation value of a unitary operator-valued stochastic process which satisfies a stochastic differential equation with unbounded coefficients driven by fermion noise.     

On spectral properties ofq-oscillator operators

The property of self-adjointness of the operatorQ =a ₊ +a _- in three types ofq-oscillator algebras is considered. Spectral measures and generalized eigenfunctions ofQ are found in the cases when this operator is bounded. Generalized eigenvectors are expressed in terms ofq-Hermite polynomials. If the operatorQ is unbounded, then its closure is not self-adjoint. However, in this case, admits self-adjoint extensions. Deficiency subspaces are one-dimensional. These subspaces are explicitly found.     

Cyclic actions on some Klein bottle bundles over S1

Leth be a cyclic action of periodn onM, whereM is eitherS ¹×K, K is the Klein bottle or on , the twisted Klein bottle bundle overS ¹, such that there is a fiberingq:MS ¹ with fiber a Klein bottleK or a torusT with respect to which the action is fiber preserving. We classify all such actions and show that they might be distinguished by their fixed points or by their orbit spaces.     

A bound for minimal graphs with a normal at infinity

It is shown that a minimal graph with a normal at infinity is in a-priori bounded vertical distance from its approximating halfcatenoid. This is used to show that the exterior contact angle problem is wellposed under natural geometric conditions on the domain, while the exterior Dirichlet problem can be solvable only for data which satisfy an oscillation bound.This paper was written under the support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft while the author was visiting the department of mathematics at Stanford University.This article was processed by the author using the LaT_EX style filepljour1 from Springer-Verlag.     

Harmonic analysis in infinite dimension

We study the Hermite transform onL ²() where is a Gaussian measure on a Lusin locally convex spaceE. We are then lead to a Hilbert space () of analytic functions onE which is also a natural range for the Laplace transform. LetB be a convenient Hilbert-Schmidt operator on the Cameron-Martin spaceH of . There exists a natural sequence Cap _n of capacities onE associated toB. This implies the Kondratev-Yokoi theorem about positive linear forms on the Hida test-functions space.