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Generating transformation semigroups using endomorphisms of preorders, graphs, and tolerances

Mitchell, James David — 2010-09-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let ΩΩ be the semigroup of all mappings of a countably infinite set Ω. If U and V are subsemigroups of ΩΩ, then we write U≈V if there exists a finite subset F of ΩΩ such that the subsemigroup generated by U and F equals that generated by V and F. The relative rank of U in ΩΩ is the least cardinality of a subset A of ΩΩ such that the union of U and A generates ΩΩ. In this paper we study the notions of relative rank and the equivalence ≈ for semigroups of endomorphisms of binary relations on Ω. The semigroups of endomorphisms of preorders, bipartite graphs, and tolerances on Ω are shown to lie in two equivalence classes under ≈. Moreover such semigroups have relative rank 0, 1, 2, or d in ΩΩ where d is the minimum cardinality of a dominating family for NN. We give examples of preorders, bipartite graphs, and tolerances on Ω where the relative ranks of their endomorphism semigroups in ΩΩ are 0, 1, 2, and d. We show that the endomorphism semigroups of graphs, in general, fall into at least four classes under ≈ and that there exist graphs where the relative rank of the endomorphism semigroup is 2ℵ0.

Endomorphisms of Fraïssé limits and automorphism groups of algebraically closed relational structures

McPhee, Jillian Dawn — 2012-11-30T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let Ω be the Fraïssé limit of a class of relational structures. We seek to answer the following semigroup theoretic question about Ω. What are the group H-classes, i.e. the maximal subgroups, of End(Ω)? Fraïssé limits for which we answer this question include the random graph R, the random directed graph D, the random tournament T, the random bipartite graph B, Henson's graphs G[subscript n] (for n greater or equal to 3) and the total order Q. The maximal subgroups of End(Ω) are closely connected to the automorphism groups of the relational structures induced by the images of idempotents from End(Ω). It has been shown that the relational structure induced by the image of an idempotent from End(Ω) is algebraically closed. Accordingly, we investigate which groups can be realised as the automorphism group of an algebraically closed relational structure in order to determine the maximal subgroups of End(Ω) in each case. In particular, we show that if Γ is a countable graph and Ω = R,D,B, then there exist 2[superscript aleph-naught] maximal subgroups of End(Ω) which are isomorphic to Aut(Γ). Additionally, we provide a complete description of the subsets of Q which are the image of an idempotent from End(Q). We call these subsets retracts of Q and show that if Ω is a total order and f is an embedding of Ω into Q such that im f is a retract of Q, then there exist 2[superscript aleph-naught] maximal subgroups of End(Q) isomorphic to Aut(Ω). We also show that any countable maximal subgroup of End(Q) must be isomorphic to Zⁿ for some natural number n. As a consequence of the methods developed, we are also able to show that when Ω = R,D,B,Q there exist 2[superscript aleph-naught] regular D-classes of End(Ω) and when Ω = R,D,B there exist 2[superscript aleph-naught] J-classes of End(Ω). Additionally we show that if Ω = R,D then all regular D-classes contain 2[superscript aleph-naught] group H-classes. On the other hand, we show that when Ω = B,Q there exist regular D-classes which contain countably many group H-classes.

Every group is a maximal subgroup of the free idempotent generated semigroup over a band

Dolinka, I — 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Given an arbitrary group G we construct a semigroup of idempotents (band) BG with the property that the free idempotent generated semigroup over BG has a maximal subgroup isomorphic to G. If G is finitely presented then BG is finite. This answers several questions from recent papers in the area.

On semigroups which are unions of finitely many copies of the free monogenic semigroup

Abughazalah, Nabilah — 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Every semigroup which is a finite disjoint union of copies of the free monogenic semigroup (natural numbers under addition) is finitely presented and residually finite.

Ideals and finiteness conditions for subsemigroups

Gray, Robert Duncan — 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this paper we consider a number of finiteness conditions for semigroups related to their ideal structure, and ask whether such conditions are preserved by sub- or supersemigroups with finite Rees or Green index. Specific properties under consideration include stability, D=J and minimal conditions on ideals.

Attractors of directed graph IFSs that are not standard IFS attractors and their Hausdorff measure

Boore, Graeme — 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: For directed graph iterated function systems (IFSs) defined on R, we prove that a class of 2-vertex directed graph IFSs have attractors that cannot be the attractors of standard (1-vertex directed graph) IFSs, with or without separation conditions. We also calculate their exact Hausdorff measure. Thus we are able to identify a new class of attractors for which the exact Hausdorff measure is known.

Topics in combinatorial semigroup theory

Maltcev, Victor — 2012-11-30T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this thesis we discuss various topics from Combinatorial Semigroup Theory: automaton semigroups; finiteness conditions and their preservation under certain semigroup theoretic notions of index; Markov semigroups; word-hyperbolic semigroups; decision problems for finitely presented and one-relator monoids. First, in order to show that general ideas from Combinatorial Semigroup Theory can apply to uncountable semigroups, at the beginning of the thesis we discuss semigroups with Bergman’s property. We prove that an automaton semigroup generated by a Cayley machine of a finite semigroup S is itself finite if and only if S is aperiodic, which yields a new characterisation of finite aperiodic monoids. Using this, we derive some further results about Cayley automaton semigroups. We investigate how various semigroup finiteness conditions, linked to the notion of ideal, are preserved under finite Rees and Green indices. We obtain a surprising result that J = D is preserved by supersemigroups of finite Green index, but it is not preserved by subsemigroups of finite Rees index even in the finitely generated case. We also consider the question of preservation of hopficity for finite Rees index. We prove that in general hopficity is preserved neither by finite Rees index subsemigroups, nor by finite Rees index extensions. However, under finite generation assumption, hopficity is preserved by finite Rees index extensions. Still, there is an example of a finitely generated hopfian semigroup with a non-hopfian subsemigroup of finite Rees index. We prove also that monoids presented by confluent context-free monadic rewriting systems are word-hyperbolic, and provide an example of such a monoid, which does not admit a word-hyperbolic structure with uniqueness. This answers in the negative a question of Duncan & Gilman. We initiate in this thesis a study of Markov semigroups. We investigate how the property of being Markov is preserved under finite Rees and Green indices. For various semigroup properties P we examine whether P , ¬P are Markov properties, and whether P is decidable for finitely presented and one-relator monoids.

Growth of generating sets for direct powers of classical algebraic structures

Quick, Martyn — 2010-08-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: For an algebraic structure A denote by d(A) the smallest size of a generating set for A, and let d(A)=(d(A),d(A2),d(A3),…), where An denotes a direct power of A. In this paper we investigate the asymptotic behaviour of the sequence d(A) when A is one of the classical structures—a group, ring, module, algebra or Lie algebra. We show that if A is finite then d(A) grows either linearly or logarithmically. In the infinite case constant growth becomes another possibility; in particular, if A is an infinite simple structure belonging to one of the above classes then d(A) is eventually constant. Where appropriate we frame our exposition within the general theory of congruence permutable varieties.

Presentations and efficiency of semigroups

Ayik, Hayrullah — 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this thesis we consider in detail the following two problems for semigroups: (i) When are semigroups finitely generated and presented? (ii) Which families of semigroups can be efficiently presented? We also consider some other finiteness conditions for semigroups, homology of semigroups and wreath product of groups. In Chapter 2 we investigate finite presentability and some other finiteness conditions for the O-direct union of semigroups with zero. In Chapter 3 we investigate finite generation and presentability of Rees matrix semigroups over semigroups. We find necessary and sufficient conditions for finite generation and presentability. In Chapter 4 we investigate some other finiteness conditions for Rees matrix semigroups. In Chapter 5 we consider groups as semigroups and investigate their semigroup efficiency. In Chapter 6 we look at "proper" semigroups, that is semigroups that are not groups. We first give examples of efficient and inefficient "proper" semigroups by computing their homology and finding their minimal presentations. In Chapter 7 we compute the second homology of finite simple semigroups and find a "small" presentation for them. If that "small" presentation has a special relation, we prove that finite simple semigroups are efficient. Finally, in Chapter 8, we investigate the efficiency of wreath products of finite groups as groups and as semigroups. We give more examples of efficient groups and inefficient groups.

Semigroups of order-decreasing transformations

Umar, Abdullahi — 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let X be a totally ordered set and consider the semigroups of orderdecreasing (increasing) full (partial, partial one-to-one) transformations of X. In this Thesis the study of order-increasing full (partial, partial one-to-one) transformations has been reduced to that of order-decreasing full (partial, partial one-to-one) transformations and the study of order-decreasing partial transformations to that of order-decreasing full transformations for both the finite and infinite cases. For the finite order-decreasing full (partial one-to-one) transformation semigroups, we obtain results analogous to Howie (1971) and Howie and McFadden (1990) concerning products of idempotents (quasi-idempotents), and concerning combinatorial and rank properties. By contrast with the semigroups of order-preserving transformations and the full transformation semigroup, the semigroups of orderdecreasing full (partial one-to-one) transformations and their Rees quotient semigroups are not regular. They are, however, abundant (type A) semigroups in the sense of Fountain (1982,1979). An explicit characterisation of the minimum semilattice congruence on the finite semigroups of order-decreasing transformations and their Rees quotient semigroups is obtained. If X is an infinite chain then the semigroup S of order-decreasing full transformations need not be abundant. A necessary and sufficient condition on X is obtained for S to be abundant. By contrast, for every chain X the semigroup of order-decreasing partial one-to-one transformations is type A. The ranks of the nilpotent subsemigroups of the finite semigroups of orderdecreasing full (partial one-to-one) transformations have been investigated.

Semigroup presentations

Ruskuc, Nikola — 1995-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this thesis we consider in detail the following two fundamental problems for semigroup presentations: 1. Given a semigroup find a presentation defining it. 2. Given a presentation describe the semigroup defined by it. We also establish two links between these two approaches: semigroup constructions and computational methods. After an introduction to semigroup presentations in Chapter 3, in Chapters 4 and 5 we consider the first of the two approaches. The semigroups we examine in these two chapters include completely O-simple semigroups, transformation semigroups, matrix semigroups and various endomorphism semigroups. In Chapter 6 we find presentations for the following semi group constructions: wreath product, Bruck-Reilly extension, Schiitzenberger product, strong semilattices of monoids, Rees matrix semigroups, ideal extensions and subsemigroups. We investigate in more detail presentations for subsemigroups in Chapters 7 and 10, where we prove a number of Reidemeister-Schreier type results for semigroups. In Chapter 9 we examine the connection between the semi group and the group defined by the same presentation. The general results from Chapters 6, 7, 9 and 10 are applied in Chapters 8, 11, 12 and 13 to subsemigroups of free semigroups, Fibonacci semigroups, semigroups defined by Coxeter type presentations and one relator products of cyclic groups. Finally, in Chapter 14 we describe the Todd-Coxeter enumeration procedure and introduce three modifications of this procedure.

Green index in semigroups : generators, presentations and automatic structures

Cain, A.J. — 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: The Green index of a subsemigroup T of a semigroup S is given by counting strong orbits in the complement S n T under the natural actions of T on S via right and left multiplication. This partitions the complement S nT into T-relative H -classes, in the sense of Wallace, and with each such class there is a naturally associated group called the relative Schützenberger group. If the Rees index ΙS n TΙ is finite, T also has finite Green index in S. If S is a group and T a subgroup then T has finite Green index in S if and only if it has finite group index in S. Thus Green index provides a common generalisation of Rees index and group index. We prove a rewriting theorem which shows how generating sets for S may be used to obtain generating sets for T and the Schützenberger groups, and vice versa. We also give a method for constructing a presentation for S from given presentations of T and the Schützenberger groups. These results are then used to show that several important properties are preserved when passing to finite Green index subsemigroups or extensions, including: finite generation, solubility of the word problem, growth type, automaticity (for subsemigroups), finite presentability (for extensions) and finite Malcev presentability (in the case of group-embeddable semigroups).

The visible part of plane self-similar sets

Falconer, Kenneth John — 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Given a compact subset F of R2, the visible part VθF of F from direction θ is the set of x in F such that the half-line from x in direction θ intersects F only at x. It is suggested that if dimH F ≥ 1 then dimH VθF = 1 for almost all θ , where dimH denotes Hausdorff dimension. We conrm this when F is a self-similar set satisfying the convex open set condition and such that the orthogonal projection of F onto every line is an interval. In particular the underlying similarities may involve arbitrary rotations and F need not be connected. Description: JMF was supported by an EPSRC grant whilst undertaking this work.

Topics in computational group theory : primitive permutation groups and matrix group normalisers

Coutts, Hannah Jane — 2011-11-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Part I of this thesis presents methods for finding the primitive permutation groups of degree d, where 2500 ≤ d < 4096, using the O'Nan-Scott Theorem and Aschbacher's theorem. Tables of the groups G are given for each O'Nan-Scott class. For the non-affine groups, additional information is given: the degree d of G, the shape of a stabiliser in G of the primitive action, the shape of the normaliser N in S[subscript(d)] of G and the rank of N. Part II presents a new algorithm NormaliserGL for computing the normaliser in GL[subscript(n)](q) of a group G ≤ GL[subscript(n)](q). The algorithm is implemented in the computational algebra system MAGMA and employs Aschbacher's theorem to break the problem into several cases. The attached CD contains the code for the algorithm as well as several test cases which demonstrate the improvement over MAGMA's existing algorithm.

Generation problems for finite groups

McDougall-Bagnall, Jonathan M. — 2011-11-30T00:00:00Z

Abstract: It can be deduced from the Burnside Basis Theorem that if G is a finite p-group with d(G)=r then given any generating set A for G there exists a subset of A of size r that generates G. We have denoted this property B. A group is said to have the basis property if all subgroups have property B. This thesis is a study into the nature of these two properties. Note all groups are finite unless stated otherwise. We begin this thesis by providing examples of groups with and without property B and several results on the structure of groups with property B, showing that under certain conditions property B is inherited by quotients. This culminates with a result which shows that groups with property B that can be expressed as direct products are exactly those arising from the Burnside Basis Theorem. We also seek to create a class of groups which have property B. We provide a method for constructing groups with property B and trivial Frattini subgroup using finite fields. We then classify all groups G where the quotient of G by the Frattini subgroup is isomorphic to this construction. We finally note that groups arising from this construction do not in general have the basis property. Finally we look at groups with the basis property. We prove that groups with the basis property are soluble and consist only of elements of prime-power order. We then exploit the classification of all such groups by Higman to provide a complete classification of groups with the basis property.

Substitution-closed pattern classes

Atkinson, M.D. — 2011-02-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: The substitution closure of a pattern class is the class of all permutations obtained by repeated substitution. The principal pattern classes (those defined by a single restriction) whose substitution closure can be defined by a finite number of restrictions are classied by listing them as a set of explicit families.

Automatic presentations and semigroup constructions

Cain, Alan J. — 2010-08-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: An automatic presentation for a relational structure is, informally, an abstract representation of the elements of that structure by means of a regular language such that the relations can all be recognized by finite automata. A structure admitting an automatic presentation is said to be FA-presentable. This paper studies the interaction of automatic presentations and certain semigroup constructions, namely: direct products, free products, finite Rees index extensions and subsemigroups, strong semilattices of semigroups, Rees matrix semigroups, Bruck-Reilly extensions, zero-direct unions, semidirect products, wreath products, ideals, and quotient semigroups. For each case, the closure of the class of FA-presentable semigroups under that construction is considered, as is the question of whether the FA-presentability of the semigroup obtained from such a construction implies the FA-presentability of the original semigroup[s]. Classifications are also given of the FA-presentable finitely generated Clifford semigroups, completely simple semigroups, and completely 0-simple semigroups.

Automatic presentations for semigroups

Cain, Alan J. — 2009-11-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: This paper applies the concept of FA-presentable structures to semigroups. We give a complete classification of the finitely generated FA-presentable cancellative semigroups: namely, a finitely generated cancellative semigroup is FA-presentable if and only if it is a subsemigroup of a virtually abelian group. We prove that all finitely generated commutative semigroups are FA-presentable. We give a complete list of FA-presentable one-relation semigroups and compare the classes of FA-presentable semigroups and automatic semigroups. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Description: Special Issue: 2nd International Conference on Language and Automata Theory and Applications (LATA 2008)

On residual finiteness of direct products of algebraic systems

Gray, R. — 2009-09-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: It is well known that if two algebraic structures A and B are residually finite then so is their direct product. Here we discuss the converse of this statement. It is of course true if A and B contain idempotents, which covers the case of groups, rings, etc. We prove that the converse also holds for semigroups even though they need not have idempotents. We also exhibit three examples which show that the converse does not hold in general.

The Bergman property for semigroups

Maltcev, V. — 2009-08-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this article, we study the Bergman property for semigroups and the associated notions of cofinality and strong cofinality. A large part of the paper is devoted to determining when the Bergman property, and the values of the cofinality and strong cofinality, can be passed from semigroups to subsemigroups and vice versa. Numerous examples, including many important semigroups from the literature, are given throughout the paper. For example, it is shown that the semigroup of all mappings on an infinite set has the Bergman property but that its finitary power semigroup does not; the symmetric inverse semigroup on an infinite set and its finitary power semigroup have the Bergman property; the Baer-Levi semigroup does not have the Bergman property.

Green index and finiteness conditions for semigroups

Gray, R. — 2008-10-15T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let S be a semigroup and let T be a subsemigroup of S. Then T acts on S by left and by right multiplication. If the complement S \ T has finitely many strong orbits by both these actions we say that T has finite Green index in S. This notion of finite index encompasses subgroups of finite index in groups, and also subsemigroups of finite Rees index (complement). Therefore, the question of S and T inheriting various finiteness conditions from each other arises. In this paper we consider and resolve this question for the following finiteness conditions: finiteness, residual finiteness, local finiteness, periodicity, having finitely many right ideals, and having finitely many idempotents. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Properties of the subsemigroups of the bicyclic monoid

Descalco, L. — 2008-06-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this paper we study some properties of the subsemigroups of the bicyclic monoid B, by using a recent description of its subsemigroups. We start by giving necessary and sufficient conditions for a subsemigroup to be finitely generated. Then we show that all finitely generated subsemigroups are automatic and finitely presented. Finally we prove that a subsemigroup of B is residually finite if and only if it does not contain a copy of B.

Pattern classes of permutations via bijections between linearly ordered sets

Huczynska, Sophie — 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: A pattern class is a set of permutations closed under pattern involvement or, equivalently, defined by certain subsequence avoidance conditions. Any pattern class X which is atomic, i.e. indecomposable as a union of proper subclasses, has a representation as the set of subpermutations of a bijection between two countable (or finite) linearly ordered sets A and B. Concentrating on the situation where A is arbitrary and B = N, we demonstrate how the order-theoretic properties of A determine the structure of X and we establish results about independence, contiguousness and subrepresentations for classes admitting multiple representations of this form.

Cancellative and Malcev presentations for finite Rees index subsemigroups and extensions

Cain, Alan James — 2008-02-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: It is known that, for semigroups, the property of admitting a finite presentation is preserved on passing to subsemigroups and extensions of finite Rees index. The present paper shows that the same holds true for Malcev, cancellative, left-cancellative and right-cancellative presentations. (A Malcev (respectively, cancellative, left-cancellative, right-cancellative) presentation is a presentation of a special type that can be used to define any group-embeddable (respectively, cancellative, left-cancellative, right-cancellative) semigroup.).

Growth rates for subclasses of Av(321)

Albert, M.H. — 2010-10-22T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Pattern classes which avoid 321 and other patterns are shown to have the same growth rates as similar (but strictly larger) classes obtained by adding articulation points to any or all of the other patterns. The method of proof is to show that the elements of the latter classes can be represented as bounded merges of elements of the original class, and that the bounded merge construction does not change growth rates.

On generators and presentations of semidirect products in inverse semigroups

Dombi, E. R. — 2009-06-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this paper we prove two main results. The first is a necessary and sufficient condition for a semidirect product of a semilattice by a group to be finitely generated. The second result is a necessary and sufficient condition for such a semidirect product to be finitely presented.

Maximal subgroups of free idempotent-generated semigroups over the full transformation monoid

Gray, R — 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let Tn be the full transformation semigroup of all mappings from the set {1, . . . , n} to itself under composition. Let E = E(Tn) denote the set of idempotents of Tn and let e ∈ E be an arbitrary idempotent satisfying |im (e)| = r ≤ n − 2. We prove that the maximal subgroup of the free idempotent generated semigroup over E containing e is isomorphic to the symmetric group Sr.

Generators and relations for subsemigroups via boundaries in Cayley graphs

Gray, R — 2011-11-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Given a finitely generated semigroup S and subsemigroup T of S we define the notion of the boundary of T in S which, intuitively, describes the position of T inside the left and right Cayley graphs of S. We prove that if S is finitely generated and T has a finite boundary in S then T is finitely generated. We also prove that if S is finitely presented and T has a finite boundary in S then T is finitely presented. Several corollaries and examples are given.

On the growth of generating sets for direct powers of semigroups

Hyde, James Thomas — 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: For a semigroup S its d-sequence is d(S) = (d1, d2, d3, . . .), where di is the smallest number of elements needed to generate the ith direct power of S. In this paper we present a number of facts concerning the type of growth d(S) can have when S is an infinite semigroup, comparing them with the corresponding known facts for infinite groups, and also for finite groups and semigroups.

On maximal subgroups of free idempotent generated semigroups

Gray, R — 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: We prove the following results: (1) Every group is a maximal subgroup of some free idempotent generated semigroup. (2) Every finitely presented group is a maximal subgroup of some free idempotent generated semigroup arising from a finite semigroup. (3) Every group is a maximal subgroup of some free regular idempotent generated semigroup. (4) Every finite group is a maximal subgroup of some free regular idempotent generated semigroup arising from a finite regular semigroup. As a technical prerequisite for these results we establish a general presentation for the maximal subgroups based on a Reidemeister–Schreier type rewriting.

Directed graph iterated function systems

Boore, Graeme C. — 2011-11-30T00:00:00Z

Abstract: This thesis concerns an active research area within fractal geometry. In the first part, in Chapters 2 and 3, for directed graph iterated function systems (IFSs) defined on ℝ, we prove that a class of 2-vertex directed graph IFSs have attractors that cannot be the attractors of standard (1-vertex directed graph) IFSs, with or without separation conditions. We also calculate their exact Hausdorff measure. Thus we are able to identify a new class of attractors for which the exact Hausdorff measure is known. We give a constructive algorithm for calculating the set of gap lengths of any attractor as a finite union of cosets of finitely generated semigroups of positive real numbers. The generators of these semigroups are contracting similarity ratios of simple cycles in the directed graph. The algorithm works for any IFS defined on ℝ with no limit on the number of vertices in the directed graph, provided a separation condition holds. The second part, in Chapter 4, applies to directed graph IFSs defined on ℝⁿ . We obtain an explicit calculable value for the power law behaviour as r → 0⁺ , of the qth packing moment of μ[subscript(u)], the self-similar measure at a vertex u, for the non-lattice case, with a corresponding limit for the lattice case. We do this (i) for any q ∈ ℝ if the strong separation condition holds, (ii) for q ≥ 0 if the weaker open set condition holds and a specified non-negative matrix associated with the system is irreducible. In the non-lattice case this enables the rate of convergence of the packing L[superscript(q)]-spectrum of μ[subscript(u)] to be determined. We also show, for (ii) but allowing q ∈ ℝ, that the upper multifractal q box-dimension with respect to μ[subscript(u)], of the set consisting of all the intersections of the components of F[subscript(u)], is strictly less than the multifractal q Hausdorff dimension with respect to μ[subscript(u)] of F[subscript(u)].

On convex permutations

Albert, M.H. — 2011-05-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: A selection of points drawn from a convex polygon, no two with the same vertical or horizontal coordinate, yields a permutation in a canonical fashion. We characterise and enumerate those permutations which arise in this manner and exhibit some interesting structural properties of the permutation class they form. We conclude with a permutation analogue of the celebrated Happy Ending Problem.

Presentations of inverse semigroups, their kernels and extensions

Carvalho, C.A. — 2011-06-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let S be an inverse semigroup and let π:S→T be a surjective homomorphism with kernel K. We show how to obtain a presentation for K from a presentation for S, and vice versa. We then investigate the relationship between the properties of S, K and T, focusing mainly on finiteness conditions. In particular we consider finite presentability, solubility of the word problem, residual finiteness, and the homological finiteness property FPn. Our results extend several classical results from combinatorial group theory concerning group extensions to inverse semigroups. Examples are also provided that highlight the differences with the special case of groups.

Simple extensions of combinatorial structures

Brignall, R — 2011-07-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: An interval in a combinatorial structure R is a set I of points which are related to every point in R \ I in the same way. A structure is simple if it has no proper intervals. Every combinatorial structure can be expressed as an inflation of a simple structure by structures of smaller sizes — this is called the substitution (or modular) decomposition. In this paper we prove several results of the following type: An arbitrary structure S of size n belonging to a class C can be embedded into a simple structure from C by adding at most f (n) elements. We prove such results when C is the class of all tournaments, graphs, permutations, posets, digraphs, oriented graphs and general relational structures containing a relation of arity greater than 2. The function f (n) in these cases is 2, ⌈log2(n + 1)⌉, ⌈(n + 1)/2⌉, ⌈(n + 1)/2⌉, ⌈log4(n + 1)⌉, ⌈log3(n + 1)⌉ and 1, respectively. In each case these bounds are the best possible.

The horizon problem for prevalent surfaces

Falconer, Kenneth John — 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: We investigate the box dimensions of the horizon of a fractal surface defined by a function $f \in C[0,1]^2 $. In particular we show that a prevalent surface satisfies the `horizon property', namely that the box dimension of the horizon is one less than that of the surface. Since a prevalent surface has box dimension 3, this does not give us any information about the horizon of surfaces of dimension strictly less than 3. To examine this situation we introduce spaces of functions with surfaces of upper box dimension at most $\alpha$, for $\alpha \in [2,3)$. In this setting the behaviour of the horizon is more subtle. We construct a prevalent subset of these spaces where the lower box dimension of the horizon lies between the dimension of the surface minus one and 2. We show that in the sense of prevalence these bounds are as tight as possible if the spaces are defined purely in terms of dimension. However, if we work in Lipschitz spaces, the horizon property does indeed hold for prevalent functions. Along the way, we obtain a range of properties of box dimensions of sums of functions.

A commutative noncommutative fractal geometry

Samuel, Anthony — 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: In this thesis examples of spectral triples, which represent fractal sets, are examined and new insights into their noncommutative geometries are obtained. Firstly, starting with Connes' spectral triple for a non-empty compact totally disconnected subset E of {R} with no isolated points, we develop a noncommutative coarse multifractal formalism. Specifically, we show how multifractal properties of a measure supported on E can be expressed in terms of a spectral triple and the Dixmier trace of certain operators. If E satisfies a given porosity condition, then we prove that the coarse multifractal box-counting dimension can be recovered. We show that for a self-similar measure μ, given by an iterated function system S defined on a compact subset of {R} satisfying the strong separation condition, our noncommutative coarse multifractal formalism gives rise to a noncommutative integral which recovers the self-similar multifractal measure ν associated to μ, and we establish a relationship between the noncommutative volume of such a noncommutative integral and the measure theoretical entropy of ν with respect to S. Secondly, motivated by the results of Antonescu-Ivan and Christensen, we construct a family of (1, +)-summable spectral triples for a one-sided topologically exact subshift of finite type (∑{{A}}^{{N}}, σ). These spectral triples are constructed using equilibrium measures obtained from the Perron-Frobenius-Ruelle operator, whose potential function is non-arithemetic and Hölder continuous. We show that the Connes' pseudo-metric, given by any one of these spectral triples, is a metric and that the metric topology agrees with the weak*-topology on the state space {S}(C(∑{{A}}^{{N}}); {C}). For each equilibrium measure ν[subscript(φ)] we show that the noncommuative volume of the associated spectral triple is equal to the reciprocal of the measure theoretical entropy of ν[subscript(φ)] with respect to the left shift σ (where it is assumed, without loss of generality, that the pressure of the potential function is equal to zero). We also show that the measure ν[subscript(φ)] can be fully recovered from the noncommutative integration theory.

The lesser names : the teachers of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society and other aspects of Scottish mathematics, 1867–1946

Hartveit, Marit — 2011-06-22T00:00:00Z

Abstract: The Edinburgh Mathematical Society started out in 1883 as a society with a large proportion of teachers. Today, the member base is mainly academical and there are only a few teachers left. This thesis explores how and when this change came about, and discusses what this meant for the Society. It argues that the exit of the teachers is related to the rising standard of mathematics, but even more to a change in the Society’s printing policy in the 1920s, that turned the Society’s Proceedings into a pure research publication and led to the death of the ‘teacher journal’, the Mathematical Notes. The thesis also argues that this change, drastic as it may seem, does not represent a change in the Society’s nature. For this aim, the role of the teachers within the Society has been studied and compared to that of the academics, from 1883 to 1946. The mathematical contribution of the teachers to the Proceedings is studied in some detail, in particular the papers by John Watt Butters. A paper in the Mathematical Notes by A. C. Aitken on the Bell numbers is considered in connection with a series of letters on the same topic from 1938–39. These letters, written by Aitken, Sir D’Arcy Thompson, another EMS member, and the Cambridge mathematician G. T. Bennett, explores the relation between the three and gives valuable insight into the status of the Notes. Finally, the role of the first women in the Society is studied. The first woman joined without any official university education, but had received the necessary mathematical background from her studies under the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women. The final chapter is largely an assessment of this Association’s mathematical classes.

Primitive free cubics with specified norm and trace

Huczynska, Sophie — 2003-08-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: The existence of a primitive free (normal) cubic x(3) ax(2) + cx b over a finite field F with arbitrary specified values of a (not equal 0) and b (primitive) is guaranteed. This is the most delicate case of a general existence theorem whose proof is thereby completed.

Subsemigroups of virtually free groups : finite Malcev presentations and testing for freeness

Cain, AJ — 2006-07-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: This paper shows that, given a finite subset X of a finitely generated virtually free group F, the freeness of the subsemigroup of F generated by X can be tested algorithmically. (A group is virtually free if it contains a free subgroup of finite index.) It is then shown that every finitely generated subsemigroup, of F has a finite Malcev presentation (a type of semigroup presentation which can be used to define any semigroup that embeds in a group), and that such a presentation can be effectively found from any finite generating set.

Generating the full transformation semigroup using order preserving mappings

Higgins, PM — 2003-09-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: For a linearly ordered set X we consider the relative rank of the semigroup of all order preserving mappings O-X on X modulo the full transformation semigroup Ex. In other words, we ask what is the smallest cardinality of a set A of mappings such that = T-X. When X is countably infinite or well-ordered (of arbitrary cardinality) we show that this number is one, while when X = R (the set of real numbers) it is uncountable.

On defining groups efficiently without using inverses

Campbell, Colin Matthew — 2002-07-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract: Let G be a group, and let be a finite group presentation for G with \R\ greater than or equal to \A\. Then there exists a, finite semigroup, presentation for G such that \Q\ - \B\ = \R\ - \A\. Moreover, B is either the same generating set or else it contains one additional generator.