Local limit theorems and mod-phi convergence

We prove local limit theorems for mod-{\phi} convergent sequences of random variables, {\phi} being a stable distribution. In particular, we give two new proofs of a local limit theorem in the framework of mod-phi convergence: one proof based on the notion of zone of control, and one proof based on the notion of mod-{\phi} convergence in L1(iR). These new approaches allow us to identify the infinitesimal scales at which the stable approximation is valid. We complete our analysis with a large variety of examples to which our results apply, and which stem from random matrix theory, number theory, combinatorics or statistical mechanics.Comment: 35 pages. Version 2: improved presentation, in particular for the examples in Section

On spectral disjointness of powers for rank-one transformations and M\"obius orthogonality

We study the spectral disjointness of the powers of a rank-one transformation. For a large class of rank-one constructions, including those for which the cutting and stacking parameters are bounded, and other examples such as rigid generalized Chacon's maps and Katok's map, we prove that different positive powers of the transformation are pairwise spectrally disjoint on the continuous part of the spectrum. Our proof involves the existence, in the weak closure of {U_T^k: k in Z}, of "sufficiently many" analytic functions of the operator U_T. Then we apply these disjointness results to prove Sarnak's conjecture for the (possibly non-uniquely ergodic) symbolic models associated to these rank-one constructions: All sequences realized in these models are orthogonal to the M\"obius function

On simplicial toric varieties of codimension 2

We describe classes of toric varieties of codimension 2 which are either minimally defined by 3 binomial equations over any algebraically closed field, or are set-theoretic complete intersections in exactly one positive characteristic.Comment: Revised version. To appear in: Rendiconti dell'Istituto di Matematica dell'Universita' di Trieste. Dedicated to the memory of Fabio Ross