The exactness of a general Skoda complex

We show that a Skoda complex with a general plurisubharmonic weight function is exact if its 'degree' is sufficiently large. This answers a question of Lazarsfeld and implies that not every integrally closed ideal is equal to a multiplier ideal even if we allow general plurisubharmonic weights for the multiplier ideal, extending the result of Lazarsfeld and Lee \cite{LL}.Comment: References added, exposition streamlined, to appear in Michigan Mathematical Journa

From Koszul duality to Poincar\'e duality

We discuss the notion of Poincar\'e duality for graded algebras and its connections with the Koszul duality for quadratic Koszul algebras. The relevance of the Poincar\'e duality is pointed out for the existence of twisted potentials associated to Koszul algebras as well as for the extraction of a good generalization of Lie algebras among the quadratic-linear algebras.Comment: Dedicated to Raymond Stora. 27 page

Towards Spinfoam Cosmology

We compute the transition amplitude between coherent quantum-states of geometry peaked on homogeneous isotropic metrics. We use the holomorphic representations of loop quantum gravity and the Kaminski-Kisielowski-Lewandowski generalization of the new vertex, and work at first order in the vertex expansion, second order in the graph (multipole) expansion, and first order in 1/volume. We show that the resulting amplitude is in the kernel of a differential operator whose classical limit is the canonical hamiltonian of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmology. This result is an indication that the dynamics of loop quantum gravity defined by the new vertex yields the Friedmann equation in the appropriate limit.Comment: 8 page

Braided racks, Hurwitz actions and Nichols algebras with many cubic relations

We classify Nichols algebras of irreducible Yetter-Drinfeld modules over groups such that the underlying rack is braided and the homogeneous component of degree three of the Nichols algebra satisfies a given inequality. This assumption turns out to be equivalent to a factorization assumption on the Hilbert series. Besides the known Nichols algebras we obtain a new example. Our method is based on a combinatorial invariant of the Hurwitz orbits with respect to the action of the braid group on three strands.Comment: v2: 35 pages, 6 tables, 14 figure

Closedness of star products and cohomologies

We first review the introduction of star products in connection with deformations of Poisson brackets and the various cohomologies that are related to them. Then we concentrate on what we have called ``closed star products" and their relations with cyclic cohomology and index theorems. Finally we shall explain how quantum groups, especially in their recent topological form, are in essence examples of star products.Comment: 16 page

S^3/Z_n partition function and dualities

We investigate S^3/Z_n partition function of N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories. A gauge theory on the orbifold has degenerate vacua specified by the holonomy. The partition function is obtained by summing up the contributions of saddle points with different holonomies. An appropriate choice of the phase of each contribution is essential to obtain the partition function. We determine the relative phases in the holonomy sum in a few examples by using duality to non-gauge theories. In the case of odd n the phase factors can be absorbed by modifying a single function appearing in the partition function.Comment: 30 pages, 2 figures, added reference

Hodge Star as Braided Fourier Transform

We study super-braided Hopf algebras $\Lambda$ primitively generated by finite-dimensional right crossed (or Drinfeld-Radford-Yetter) modules $\Lambda^1$ over a Hopf algebra $A$ which are quotients of the augmentation ideal $A^+$ under right multiplication and the adjoint coaction. Here super-bosonisation $\Omega=A\ltimes\Lambda$ provides a bicovariant differential graded algebra on $A$. We introduce $\Lambda_{max}$ providing the maximal prolongation, while the canonical braided-exterior algebra $\Lambda_{min}=B_-(\Lambda^1)$ provides the Woronowicz exterior calculus. In this context we introduce a Hodge star operator $\sharp$ by super-braided Fourier transform on $B_-(\Lambda^1)$ and left and right interior products by braided partial derivatives. Our new approach to the Hodge star (a) differs from previous approaches in that it is canonically determined by the differential calculus and (b) differs on key examples, having order 3 in middle degree on $k[S_3]$ with its 3D calculus and obeying the $q$-Hecke relation $\sharp^2=1+(q-q^{-1})\sharp$ in middle degree on $k_q[SL_2]$ with its 4D calculus. Our work also provided a Hodge map on quantum plane calculi and a new starting point for calculi on coquasitriangular Hopf algebras $A$ whereby any subcoalgebra $L\subseteq A$ defines a sub braided-Lie algebra and $\Lambda^1\subseteq L^*$ provides the required data $A^+\to \Lambda^1$.Comment: 36 pages latex 4 pdf figures; minor revision; added some background in calculus on quantum plane; improved the intro clarit

Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the evolution of form and function in the amniote jaw.

The amniote jaw complex is a remarkable amalgamation of derivatives from distinct embryonic cell lineages. During development, the cells in these lineages experience concerted movements, migrations, and signaling interactions that take them from their initial origins to their final destinations and imbue their derivatives with aspects of form including their axial orientation, anatomical identity, size, and shape. Perturbations along the way can produce defects and disease, but also generate the variation necessary for jaw evolution and adaptation. We focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate form in the amniote jaw complex, and that enable structural and functional integration. Special emphasis is placed on the role of cranial neural crest mesenchyme (NCM) during the species-specific patterning of bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, and other jaw tissues. We also address the effects of biomechanical forces during jaw development and discuss ways in which certain molecular and cellular responses add adaptive and evolutionary plasticity to jaw morphology. Overall, we highlight how variation in molecular and cellular programs can promote the phenomenal diversity and functional morphology achieved during amniote jaw evolution or lead to the range of jaw defects and disease that affect the human condition