Tverberg's theorem with constraints

The topological Tverberg theorem claims that for any continuous map of the (q-1)(d+1)-simplex to R^d there are q disjoint faces such that their images have a non-empty intersection. This has been proved for affine maps, and if $q$ is a prime power, but not in general. We extend the topological Tverberg theorem in the following way: Pairs of vertices are forced to end up in different faces. This leads to the concept of constraint graphs. In Tverberg's theorem with constraints, we come up with a list of constraints graphs for the topological Tverberg theorem. The proof is based on connectivity results of chessboard-type complexes. Moreover, Tverberg's theorem with constraints implies new lower bounds for the number of Tverberg partitions. As a consequence, we prove Sierksma's conjecture for $d=2$, and $q=3$.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in JCTA. Substantial revision due to the referee

Conley Index at Infinity

The aim of this paper is to explore the possibilities of Conley index techniques in the study of heteroclinic connections between finite and infinite invariant sets. For this, we remind the reader of the Poincar\'e compactification: this transformation allows to project a $n$-dimensional vector space $X$ on the $n$-dimensional unit hemisphere of $X\times \mathbb{R}$ and infinity on its $(n-1)$-dimensional equator called the sphere at infinity. Under normalizability condition, vector fields on $X$ transform into vector fields on the Poincar\'e hemisphere whose associated flows let the equator invariant. The dynamics on the equator reflects the dynamics at infinity, but is now finite and may be studied by Conley index techniques. Furthermore, we observe that some non-isolated behavior may occur around the equator, and introduce the concept of invariant sets at infinity of isolated invariant dynamical complement. Through the construction of an extended phase space together which an extended flow, we are able to adapt the Conley index techniques and prove the existence of connections to such non-isolated invariant sets.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figure

Dense baryonic matter: constraints from recent neutron star observations

Updated constraints from neutron star masses and radii impose stronger restrictions on the equation of state for baryonic matter at high densities and low temperatures. The existence of two-solar-mass neutron stars rules out many soft equations of state with prominent "exotic" compositions. The present work reviews the conditions required for the pressure as a function of baryon density in order to satisfy these new constraints. Several scenarios for sufficiently stiff equations of state are evaluated. The common starting point is a realistic description of both nuclear and neutron matter based on a chiral effective field theory approach to the nuclear many-body problem. Possible forms of hybrid matter featuring a quark core in the center of the star are discussed using a three-flavor Polyakov--Nambu--Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model. It is found that a conventional equation of state based on nuclear chiral dynamics meets the astrophysical constraints. Hybrid matter generally turns out to be too soft unless additional strongly repulsive correlations, e.g. through vector current interactions between quarks, are introduced. The extent to which strangeness can accumulate in the equation of state is also discussed.Comment: v2; substantial revisions with respect to v1; 17 pages, 15 figure