Serre's Modularity Conjecture

These are the lecture notes from a five-hour mini-course given at the Winter School on Galois Theory held at the University of Luxembourg in February 2012. Their aim is to give an overview of Serre's modularity conjecture and of its proof by Khare, Wintenberger, and Kisin, as well as of the results of other mathematicians that played an important role in the proof. Along the way we remark on some recent (as of 2012) work concerning generalizations of the conjecture

Normal zeta functions of the Heisenberg groups over number rings II -- the non-split case

We compute explicitly the normal zeta functions of the Heisenberg groups $H(R)$, where $R$ is a compact discrete valuation ring of characteristic zero. These zeta functions occur as Euler factors of normal zeta functions of Heisenberg groups of the form $H(\mathcal{O}_K)$, where $\mathcal{O}_K$ is the ring of integers of an arbitrary number field~$K$, at the rational primes which are non-split in~$K$. We show that these local zeta functions satisfy functional equations upon the inversion of the prime.Comment: 19 pages; to appear in Israel J. Mat

Polyelectrolyte Adsorption

The problem of charged polymer chains (polyelectrolytes) as they adsorb on a planar surface is addressed theoretically. We review the basic mechanisms and theory underlying polyelectrolyte adsorption on a single surface in two situations: adsorption of a single charged chain, and adsorption from a bulk solution in $\theta$ solvent conditions. The behavior of flexible and semi-rigid chains is discussed separately and is expressed as function of the polymer and surface charges, ionic strength of the solution and polymer bulk concentration. We mainly review mean-field results and briefly comment about fluctuation effects. The phenomenon of polyelectrolyte adsorption on a planar surface as presented here is of relevance to the stabilization of colloidal suspensions. In this respect we also mention calculations of the inter-plate force between two planar surfaces in presence of polyelectrolyte. Finally, we comment on the problem of charge overcompensation and its implication to multi-layers formation of alternating positive and negative polyelectrolytes on planar surfaces and colloidal particles.Comment: 11 pages, 4 PS figures (Latex/RevTex), submitted to C.R. Acad. Sci (Paris

String Supported Wormhole Spacetimes and Causality Violations

We construct a static axisymmetric wormhole from the gravitational field of two Schwarzschild particles which are kept in equilibrium by strings (ropes) extending to infinity. The wormhole is obtained by matching two three-dimensional timelike surfaces surrounding each of the particles and thus spacetime becomes non-simply connected. Although the matching will not be exact in general it is possible to make the error arbitrarily small by assuming that the distance between the particles is much larger than the radius of the wormhole mouths. Whenever the masses of the two wormhole mouths are different, causality violating effects will occur.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX, 1 figur

Traversable Wormholes in Geometries of Charged Shells

We construct a static axisymmetric wormhole from the gravitational field of two charged shells which are kept in equilibrium by their electromagnetic repulsion. For large separations the exterior tends to the Majumdar-Papapetrou spacetime of two charged particles. The interior of the wormhole is a Reissner-Nordstr\"om black hole matching to the two shells. The wormhole is traversable and connects to the same asymptotics without violation of energy conditions. However, every point in the Majumdar-Papapetrou region lies on a closed timelike curve.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, 1 figur

The role of organizational climate in socially embedding construction firms’sustainability goals

Despite the growing interest in sustainability research, little scholarly attention, both conceptual and empirical, has been given to assessing the individual-level behavioural issues that affect sustainability outcomes. Still less research is undertaken to examine the mechanisms by which construction firms enable their sustainability goals to be socially embedded within their organizations to shape the behaviour and attitudes of employees. In an attempt to fill this gap, this paper draws from the extensive literature on organizational climate perspective to explain how organizational-level characteristics and processes can result in a strong, conducive climate that fosters shared perceptions and guide behaviours that are fundamental to the attainment of sustainability goals in organizations. From the critical review of this literature, this paper offers three research propositions and avenues in which they could be tested. The paper concludes with a broadened discussion of the theoretical and practical implications this framework has on advancing the sustainability discourse within CM discipline beyond the current largely technical, policy and institutional foci