Factors of sums and alternating sums involving binomial coefficients and powers of integers

We study divisibility properties of certain sums and alternating sums involving binomial coefficients and powers of integers. For example, we prove that for all positive integers $n_1,..., n_m$, $n_{m+1}=n_1$, and any nonnegative integer $r$, there holds {align*} \sum_{k=0}^{n_1}\epsilon^k (2k+1)^{2r+1}\prod_{i=1}^{m} {n_i+n_{i+1}+1\choose n_i-k} \equiv 0 \mod (n_1+n_m+1){n_1+n_m\choose n_1}, {align*} and conjecture that for any nonnegative integer $r$ and positive integer $s$ such that $r+s$ is odd, $$\sum_{k=0}^{n}\epsilon ^k (2k+1)^{r}({2n\choose n-k}-{2n\choose n-k-1})^{s} \equiv 0 \mod{{2n\choose n}},$$ where $\epsilon=\pm 1$.Comment: 14 pages, to appear in Int. J. Number Theor

Proof of two conjectures of Z.-W. Sun on congruences for Franel numbers

For all nonnegative integers n, the Franel numbers are defined as $$f_n=\sum_{k=0}^n {n\choose k}^3.$$ We confirm two conjectures of Z.-W. Sun on congruences for Franel numbers: \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(3k+2)(-1)^k f_k &\equiv 0 \pmod{2n^2}, \sum_{k=0}^{p-1}(3k+2)(-1)^k f_k &\equiv 2p^2 (2^p-1)^2 \pmod{p^5}, where n is a positive integer and p>3 is a prime.Comment: 8 pages, minor changes, to appear in Integral Transforms Spec. Func

Random walk generated by random permutations of {1,2,3, ..., n+1}

We study properties of a non-Markovian random walk $X^{(n)}_l$, $l =0,1,2, >...,n$, evolving in discrete time $l$ on a one-dimensional lattice of integers, whose moves to the right or to the left are prescribed by the \text{rise-and-descent} sequences characterizing random permutations $\pi$ of $[n+1] = \{1,2,3, ...,n+1\}$. We determine exactly the probability of finding the end-point $X_n = X^{(n)}_n$ of the trajectory of such a permutation-generated random walk (PGRW) at site $X$, and show that in the limit $n \to \infty$ it converges to a normal distribution with a smaller, compared to the conventional P\'olya random walk, diffusion coefficient. We formulate, as well, an auxiliary stochastic process whose distribution is identic to the distribution of the intermediate points $X^{(n)}_l$, $l < n$, which enables us to obtain the probability measure of different excursions and to define the asymptotic distribution of the number of "turns" of the PGRW trajectories.Comment: text shortened, new results added, appearing in J. Phys.

Omnibus Sequences, Coupon Collection, and Missing Word Counts

An {\it Omnibus Sequence} of length $n$ is one that has each possible "message" of length $k$ embedded in it as a subsequence. We study various properties of Omnibus Sequences in this paper, making connections, whenever possible, to the classical coupon collector problem.Comment: 26 page

Avalanche Polynomials of some Families of Graphs

We study the abelian sandpile model on different families of graphs. We introduced the avalanche polynomial which enumerates the size of the avalanches triggered by the addition of a particle on a recurrent configuration. This polynomial is calculated for several families of graphs. In the case of the complete graph, the result involves some known result on Parking function

Diagnostic bactériologique rapide de Bacteridium anthracis par immunofluorescence

Michel Claude, Poussot A., Chabassol Claude, Foata D., Poulet P. Diagnostic bactériologique rapide de Bacteridium anthracis par immunofluorescence. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 126 n°8, 1973. pp. 333-342

The critical Ising model via Kac-Ward matrices

The Kac-Ward formula allows to compute the Ising partition function on any finite graph G from the determinant of 2^{2g} matrices, where g is the genus of a surface in which G embeds. We show that in the case of isoradially embedded graphs with critical weights, these determinants have quite remarkable properties. First of all, they satisfy some generalized Kramers-Wannier duality: there is an explicit equality relating the determinants associated to a graph and to its dual graph. Also, they are proportional to the determinants of the discrete critical Laplacians on the graph G, exactly when the genus g is zero or one. Finally, they share several formal properties with the Ray-Singer \bar\partial-torsions of the Riemann surface in which G embeds.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures; added section 4.4 in version

A novel chromogenic medium for isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the sputa of cystic fibrosis patients

AbstractBackgroundA novel chromogenic medium for isolation and identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputa of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was evaluated and compared with standard laboratory methods.MethodsOne hundred sputum samples from distinct CF patients were cultured onto blood agar (BA), Pseudomonas CN selective agar (CN) and a Pseudomonas chromogenic medium (PS-ID). All Gram-negative morphological variants from each medium were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and identification using a combination of biochemical and molecular methods.ResultsP. aeruginosa was isolated from 62 samples after 72 h incubation. Blood agar recovered P. aeruginosa from 56 samples (90.3%) compared with 59 samples (95.2%) using either CN or PS-ID. The positive predictive value of PS-ID (98.3%) was significantly higher than growth on CN (88.5%) for identification of P. aeruginosa (P<0.05).ConclusionsPS-ID is a promising medium allowing for the isolation and simultaneous identification of P. aeruginosa from sputa of CF patients

Manin matrices and Talalaev's formula

We study special class of matrices with noncommutative entries and demonstrate their various applications in integrable systems theory. They appeared in Yu. Manin's works in 87-92 as linear homomorphisms between polynomial rings; more explicitly they read: 1) elements in the same column commute; 2) commutators of the cross terms are equal: $[M_{ij}, M_{kl}]=[M_{kj}, M_{il}]$ (e.g. $[M_{11}, M_{22}]=[M_{21}, M_{12}]$). We claim that such matrices behave almost as well as matrices with commutative elements. Namely theorems of linear algebra (e.g., a natural definition of the determinant, the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, the Newton identities and so on and so forth) holds true for them. On the other hand, we remark that such matrices are somewhat ubiquitous in the theory of quantum integrability. For instance, Manin matrices (and their q-analogs) include matrices satisfying the Yang-Baxter relation "RTT=TTR" and the so--called Cartier-Foata matrices. Also, they enter Talalaev's hep-th/0404153 remarkable formulas: $det(\partial_z-L_{Gaudin}(z))$, det(1-e^{-\p}T_{Yangian}(z)) for the "quantum spectral curve", etc. We show that theorems of linear algebra, after being established for such matrices, have various applications to quantum integrable systems and Lie algebras, e.g in the construction of new generators in $Z(U(\hat{gl_n}))$ (and, in general, in the construction of quantum conservation laws), in the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equation, and in the problem of Wick ordering. We also discuss applications to the separation of variables problem, new Capelli identities and the Langlands correspondence.Comment: 40 pages, V2: exposition reorganized, some proofs added, misprints e.g. in Newton id-s fixed, normal ordering convention turned to standard one, refs. adde

On γ\gamma-vectors satisfying the Kruskal-Katona inequalities

We present examples of flag homology spheres whose $\gamma$-vectors satisfy the Kruskal-Katona inequalities. This includes several families of well-studied simplicial complexes, including Coxeter complexes and the simplicial complexes dual to the associahedron and to the cyclohedron. In these cases, we construct explicit simplicial complexes whose $f$-vectors are the $\gamma$-vectors in question. In another direction, we show that if a flag $(d-1)$-sphere has at most $2d+2$ vertices its $\gamma$-vector satisfies the Kruskal-Katona inequalities. We conjecture that if $\Delta$ is a flag homology sphere then $\gamma(\Delta)$ satisfies the Kruskal-Katona inequalities. This conjecture is a significant refinement of Gal's conjecture, which asserts that such $\gamma$-vectors are nonnegative.Comment: 18 pages; Our main result and conjectures have been strengthened. Also we now have explicit constructions of simplicial complexes whose $f$-vectors are the $\gamma$-vectors in questio