On the Newton polygons of twisted L-functions of binomials

Let χ be an order c multiplicative character of a finite field and $f(x)=x^d+\lambda x^e$ a binomial with $(d,e)=1$. We study the twisted classical and T-adic Newton polygons of f. When $p>(d-e)(2d-1)$, we give a lower bound of Newton polygons and show that they coincide if p does not divide a certain integral constant depending on $p\mathrm{mod}cd$.We conjecture that this condition holds if p is large enough with respect to $c,d$ by combining all known results and the conjecture given by Zhang-Niu. As an example, we show that it holds for $e=d-1$.     

Diameter graphs of polygons and the proof of a conjecture of Graham

We show that for an n-gon with unit diameter to have maximum area, its diameter graph must contain a cycle, and we derive an isodiametric theorem for such n-gons in terms of the length of the cycle. We then apply this theorem to prove Graham's 1975 conjecture that the diameter graph of a maximal 2m-gon (m?3) must be a cycle of length 2m−1 with one additional edge attached to it.     

New light on Hensel''s lemma

The historical development of Hensel's lemma is briefly discussed (Section 1). Using Newton polygons, a simple proof of a general Hensel's lemma for separable polynomials over Henselian fields is given (Section 3). For polynomials over algebraically closed, valued fields, best possible results on continuity of roots (Section 4) and continuity of factors (Section 6) are demonstrated. Using this and a general Krasner's lemma (Section 7), we give a short proof of a general Hensel's lemma and show that it is, in a certain sense, best possible (Section 8). All valuations here are non-Archimedean and of arbitrary rank. The article is practically self-contained.     

Multifractal analysis of Brownian zero set

We present a method for the derivation of the generating function and computation of critical exponents for several cluster models (staircase, bar-graph, and directed column-convex polygons, as well as partially directed self-avoiding walks), starting with nonlinear functional equations for the generating function. By linearizing these equations, we first give a derivation of the generating functions. The nonlinear equations are further used to compute the thermodynamic critical exponents via a formal perturbation ansatz. Alternatively, taking the continuum limit leads to nonlinear differential equations, from which one can extract the scaling function. We find that all the above models are in the same universality class with exponents _u =-1/2, _i =-1/3, and =2/3. All models have as their scaling function the logarithmic derivative of the Airy function.     

Quantum mechanics versus realism

Quantum theory accepts the point-like indivisible (classical) character of a particle as a mere product of a measuring process, or what has become known as a collapse. Following the notion of empty waves, which accepts the particle as a real existent entity without regard to the measurement process, we propose an experiment that may shed some light on the reality of the particle and the consequences of that reality.     

The Effect of Alkaline Addition in Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Empty Fruit Bunches on Enzymatic Hydrolysis Efficiencies

In general, lignocellulosic biomass contains three major components, namely lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose which are the polymers of C5 and C6 sugars. Thus, there is potential to utilize of this biomass for bioethanol production. The hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose was difficult due to the more fibrous nature and thus inhibit enzyme penetration into the cellulose. In order to solve this problem, hydrothermal pretreatment can be used for breaking the bonds within the lignin structure and increase the accessibility of enzyme into the cellulose. In this study, the effect of chemical addition, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium oxide (CaO) in hydrothermal pretreatment at 180 °C and 30 minutes reaction time of palm oil empty fruit bunches (EFB) on the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiencies was investigated. The enzymatic hydrolysis of hydrothermally pretreated EFB give the highest concentration of glucose at 0.67 g/L while the hydrothermally pretreated of EFB in the presence of NaOH gives the lowest glucose concentration 0.45 g/L.     

The Reality in Bohmian Quantum Mechanics or Can You Kill with an Empty Wave Bullet?

Several situations, in which an empty wave causes an observable effect, are reviewed. They include an experiment showing surrealistic trajectories proposed by Englert et al. and protective measurement of the density of the quantum state. Conditions for observable effects due to empty waves are derived. The possibility (in spite of the existence of these examples) of minimalistic interpretation of Bohmian quantum mechanics in which only Bohmian positions supervene on our experience is discussed.     

On the Physical Reality of Quantum Waves

The main interpretations of the quantum-mechanical wave function are presented emphasizing how they can be divided into two ensembles: The ones that deny and the other ones that attribute a form of reality to quantum waves. It is also shown why these waves cannot be classical and must be submitted to the restriction of the complementarity principle. Applying the concept of smooth complementarity, it is shown that there can be no reason to attribute reality only to the events and not to the wave or to the initial state of a given system. Thereafter, an experiment proposed by the authors is presented, where it is shown that the wave-like behaviour allows predictions that are not allowed on the grounds of a particle-like behaviour. In conclusion, we upheld that quantum waves must be real even if they do not belong to the same ontological level of events, which connected with particle detections.Institute of Philosophy, University of Urbino, Urbino 610 29, Italy; tarizzi@uniurb.it