Mahler measures and computations with regulators

In this work we apply the techniques that were developed in [M.N. Lalín, An algebraic integration for Mahler measure, Duke Math. J. 138 (2007), in press] in order to study several examples of multivariable polynomials whose Mahler measure is expressed in terms of special values of the Riemann zeta function or Dirichlet L-series. The examples may be understood in terms of evaluations of regulators. Moreover, we apply the same techniques to the computation of generalized Mahler measures, in the sense of Gon and Oyanagi [Y. Gon, H. Oyanagi, Generalized Mahler measures and multiple sine functions, Internat. J. Math. 15 (5) (2004) 425-442].     

On differential Rota-Baxter algebras

A Rota-Baxter operator of weight λ is an abstraction of both the integral operator (when λ=0) and the summation operator (when λ=1). We similarly define a differential operator of weight λ that includes both the differential operator (when λ=0) and the difference operator (when λ=1). We further consider an algebraic structure with both a differential operator of weight λ and a Rota-Baxter operator of weight λ that are related in the same way that the differential operator and the integral operator are related by the First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. We construct free objects in the corresponding categories. In the commutative case, the free objects are given in terms of generalized shuffles, called mixable shuffles. In the noncommutative case, the free objects are given in terms of angularly decorated rooted forests. As a byproduct, we obtain structures of a differential algebra on decorated and undecorated planar rooted forests.     

Generic adjoints in comtrans algebras of bilinear spaces

As a first step towards a general structure theory for comtrans algebras (modeled loosely on the Cartan theory for Lie algebras), this paper investigates comtrans algebras of bilinear spaces. Attention focuses on invariants associated with comtrans algebras, and the extent to which these invariants may serve to specify the algebras up to isomorphism within certain classes. Over fields whose characteristic differs from two, comtrans algebras of symmetric forms are determined up to isomorphism by the eigenvalues of generic adjoints, while comtrans algebras of symplectic forms are determined by the dimensions of maximal abelian subalgebras. Examples show that the multiplicity of zero as a root of the characteristic polynomial is generally independent of the dimension of a maximal abelian subalgebra.     

Bézout rings with almost stable range 1

Elementary divisor domains were defined by Kaplansky [I. Kaplansky, Elementary divisors and modules, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 66 (1949) 464-491] and generalized to rings with zero-divisors by Gillman and Henriksen [L. Gillman, M. Henriksen, Some remarks about elementary divisor rings, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 82 (1956) 362-365]. In [M.D. Larsen, W.J. Lewis, T.S. Shores, Elementary divisor rings and finitely presented modules, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 187 (1) (1974) 231-248], it was also proved that if a Hermite ring satisfies (N), then it is an elementary divisor ring. The aim of this article is to generalize this result (as well as others) to a much wider class of rings. Our main result is that Bézout rings whose proper homomorphic images all have stable range 1 (in particular, neat rings) are elementary divisor rings.     

Concentrators of deformations and fracture of plastic bodies

An approach to the investigation of shape discontinuity regions as strain concentrators is proposed. The near-concentrator strain fields are determined on the basis of the theory of ideal rigid-plastic body; under the condition of plane deformation, their determination is reduced to integration of ordinary differential equations. The deformation as a function of the location of the plastic region and its shape evolution in the process of plastic flow is studied. The plastic flow is demonstrated to be not unique (within the framework of solution completeness). A deformation criterion for the choice of the preferred plastic flow is suggested. The fracture of a V-notched strip is considered. On the basis of the solutions obtained, an approach to the investigation of the fracture processes for more complicated models is formulated.     

An evolutionary game based particle swarm optimization algorithm

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is an evolutionary algorithm used extensively. This paper presented a new particle swarm optimizer based on evolutionary game (EGPSO). We map particles’ finding optimal solution in PSO algorithm to players’ pursuing maximum utility by choosing strategies in evolutionary games, using replicator dynamics to model the behavior of particles. And in order to overcome premature convergence a multi-start technique was introduced. Experimental results show that EGPSO can overcome premature convergence and has great performance of convergence property over traditional PSO.     

A size-width inequality for distributive lattices

We show that every collection ofw sets such that none contains any other generates at least 3w-2 sets under the operations of taking intersections and unions. In particular, we prove that if the finite distributive lattice ? contains an antichain of sizew, then |?| ≧3w, forw≠1, 2, 3, 6, where the minimal exceptional cases arise from the Boolean algebras ?_n withn=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 atoms.     

Positive Galois coverings of self-injective algebras

In the article, we study the structure of Galois coverings of self-injective artin algebras with infinite cyclic Galois groups. In particular, we characterize all basic, connected, self-injective artin algebras having Galois coverings by the repetitive algebras of basic connected artin algebras and with the Galois groups generated by positive automorphisms of the repetitive algebras.