Symplectic Representation of a Braid Group on 3-Sheeted Covers of the Riemann Sphere

We define Picard cycles on each smooth three-sheeted Galois cover C of the Riemann sphere. The moduli space of all these algebraic curves is a nice Shimura surface, namely a symmetric quotient of the projective plane uniformized by the complex two-dimensional unit ball. We show that all Picard cycles on C form a simple orbit of the Picard modular group of Eisenstein numbers. The proof uses a special surface classification in connection with the uniformization of a classical Picard-Fuchs system. It yields an explicit symplectic representation of the braid groups (coloured or not) of four strings.

The Riemann sphere in GeoGebra

The stereographic projection is a bijective smooth map which allows us to think the sphere as the extended complex plane. Among its properties it should be emphasized the remarkable property of being angle conformal that is, it is an angle measure preserving map. Unfortunately, this projection map does not preserve areas. Besides being conformal it has also the property of projecting spherical circles in either circles or straight lines in the plane This type of projection maps seems to have been known since ancient times by Hipparchus (150 BC), being Ptolemy (AD 140) who, in his work entitled "The Planisphaerium", provided a detailed description of such a map. Nonetheless, it is worthwhile to mention that the property of the invariance of angle measure has only been established much later, in the seventeenth century, by Thomas Harriot. In fact, it was exactly in that century that the Jesuit François d’Aguilon introduced the terminology "stereographic projection" for this type of maps, which remained up to our days. Here, we shall show how we create in GeoGebra, the PRiemannz tool and its potential concerning the visualization and analysis of the properties of the stereographic projection, in addition to the viewing of the amazing relations between Möbius Transformations and stereographic projections.

Periodic points of holomorphic maps via Lefschetz numbers

In this paper we study the set of periods of holomorphic maps on compact manifolds, using the periodic Lefschetz numbers introduced by Dold and Llibre, which can be computed from the homology class of the map. We show that these numbers contain information about the existence of periodic points of a given period; and, if we assume the map to be transversal, then they give us the exact number of such periodic orbits. We apply this result to the complex projective space of dimension n and to some special type of Hopf surfaces, partially characterizing their set of periods. In the first case we also show that any holomorphic map of CP(n) of degree greater than one has infinitely many distinct periodic orbits, hence generalizing a theorem of Fornaess and Sibony. We then characterize the set of periods of a holomorphic map on the Riemann sphere, hence giving an alternative proof of Baker's theorem.

Multiseries Lie groups and asymptotic modules for characterizing and solving integrable models

A multiseries integrable model (MSIM) is defined as a family of compatible flows on an infinite-dimensional Lie group of N-tuples of formal series around N given poles on the Riemann sphere. Broad classes of solutions to a MSIM are characterized through modules over rings of rational functions, called asymptotic modules. Possible ways for constructing asymptotic modules are Riemann-Hilbert and ∂̄ problems. When MSIM's are written in terms of the group coordinates, some of them can be contracted into standard integrable models involving a small number of scalar functions only. Simple contractible MSIM's corresponding to one pole, yield the Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) hierarchy. Two-pole contractible MSIM's are exhibited, which lead to a hierarchy of solvable systems of nonlinear differential equations consisting of (2 + 1) -dimensional evolution equations and of quite strong differential constraints. © 1989 American Institute of Physics.

The classification and the conjugacy classes of the finite subgroups of the sphere braid groups

Let n >= 3. We classify the finite groups which are realised as subgroups of the sphere braid group B(n)(S(2)). Such groups must be of cohomological period 2 or 4. Depending on the value of n, we show that the following are the maximal finite subgroups of B(n)(S(2)): Z(2(n-1)); the dicyclic groups of order 4n and 4(n - 2); the binary tetrahedral group T*; the binary octahedral group O*; and the binary icosahedral group I(*). We give geometric as well as some explicit algebraic constructions of these groups in B(n)(S(2)) and determine the number of conjugacy classes of such finite subgroups. We also reprove Murasugi`s classification of the torsion elements of B(n)(S(2)) and explain how the finite subgroups of B(n)(S(2)) are related to this classification, as well as to the lower central and derived series of B(n)(S(2)).

Advances in random matrix theory, zeta functions, and sphere packing

Over four hundred years ago, Sir Walter Raleigh asked his mathematical assistant to find formulas for the number of cannonballs in regularly stacked piles. These investigations aroused the curiosity of the astronomer Johannes Kepler and led to a problem that has gone centuries without a solution: why is the familiar cannonball stack the most efficient arrangement possible? Here we discuss the solution that Hales found in 1998. Almost every part of the 282-page proof relies on long computer verifications. Random matrix theory was developed by physicists to describe the spectra of complex nuclei. In particular, the statistical fluctuations of the eigenvalues (“the energy levels”) follow certain universal laws based on symmetry types. We describe these and then discuss the remarkable appearance of these laws for zeros of the Riemann zeta function (which is the generating function for prime numbers and is the last special function from the last century that is not understood today.) Explaining this phenomenon is a central problem. These topics are distinct, so we present them separately with their own introductory remarks.

Riemann-Hilbert problems for poly-Hardy space on the unit ball

In this paper, we focus on a Riemann–Hilbert boundary value problem (BVP) with a constant coefficients for the poly-Hardy space on the real unit ball in higher dimensions. We first discuss the boundary behaviour of functions in the poly-Hardy class. Then we construct the Schwarz kernel and the higher order Schwarz operator to study Riemann–Hilbert BVPs over the unit ball for the poly- Hardy class. Finally, we obtain explicit integral expressions for their solutions. As a special case, monogenic signals as elements in the Hardy space over the unit sphere will be reconstructed in the case of boundary data given in terms of functions having values in a Clifford subalgebra. Such monogenic signals represent the generalization of analytic signals as elements of the Hardy space over the unit circle of the complex plane.

Metallochlorophylls of magnesium, copper and zinc: evaluation of the influence of the first coordination sphere on their solvatochromism and aggregation properties

In this study the role of different metal centers (magnesium, zinc and copper) on the enhancement of the hydrophilic character of metallochlorophylls, was evaluated. The solvatochromism as well as the aggregation process for these compounds in water/ethanol mixtures at different volume ratios were evaluated using Fluorescence, and Resonant Light Scattering (RLS) measurements, aiming to characterize the behavior of these compounds. Independently on the studied metallochlorophyll, the presence of at least 60% of water results in a considerable increase in the fluorescence emission, probably a direct consequence of a lower aggregation of these compounds, which is confirmed by the results from RLS measurements. Additionally, the results suggest that magnesium and zinc chlorophyll should be promising phototherapeutic agents for Photodynamic Therapy.

THE LOWER CENTRAL AND DERIVED SERIES OF THE BRAID GROUPS OF THE SPHERE

In this paper, we determine the lower central and derived series for the braid groups of the sphere. We are motivated in part by the study of Fadell-Neuwirth short exact sequences, but the problem is important in its own right. The braid groups of the 2-sphere S(2) were studied by Fadell, Van Buskirk and Gillette during the 1960s, and are of particular interest due to the fact that they have torsion elements (which were characterised by Murasugi). We first prove that for all n epsilon N, the lower central series of the n-string braid group B(n)(S(2)) is constant from the commutator subgroup onwards. We obtain a presentation of Gamma(2)(Bn(S(2))), from which we observe that Gamma(2)(B(4)(S(2))) is a semi-direct product of the quaternion group Q(8) of order 8 by a free group F(2) of rank 2. As for the derived series of Bn(S(2)), we show that for all n >= 5, it is constant from the derived subgroup onwards. The group Bn(S(2)) being finite and soluble for n <= 3, the critical case is n = 4 for which the derived subgroup is the above semi-direct product Q(8) (sic) F(2). By proving a general result concerning the structure of the derived subgroup of a semi-direct product, we are able to determine completely the derived series of B(4)(S(2)) which from (B(4)(S(2)))(4) onwards coincides with that of the free group of rank 2, as well as its successive derived series quotients.

Dissolution of a solid sphere in an unbounded, stagnant liquid

An exact analytical solution is obtained for the transient dissolution of solid spheres in a diffusion-controlled environment. This result provides a useful reference point for drug testing in humans. The dimensionless solution is expressed in terms of a single parameter, which accounts for solubility, bulk flow, and stagnant fluid composition. A simple, explicit and exact expression was found to predict time-to-complete dissolution (TCD). An approximate solution was also found which tracks the exact case for low solubility conditions.

On the applicability of the Aris' equivalent sphere in multicomponent reacting systems

The validity of the concept of equivalent sphere introduced by Aris in 1957 to multicomponent reacting systems is investigated in this paper. A network of C6 hydrocarbon reforming reaction and a fixed bed reactor are taken as the model reaction network and the reactor configuration, respectively.