Wolfram Bentz
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Wolfram Bentz has a total of 11 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- João Araújo
Department of Informatics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
6 shared publications - Janusz Konieczny
Department of Mathematics, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, USA
3 shared publications - Luís Sequeira
Universidade de Lisboa
3 shared publications - Csaba Schneider
Departamento de Matemática, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
2 shared publications - Peter Mayr
Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
2 shared publications - Artur Schaefer
Mathematical Institute University of St Andrews North Haugh KY16 9SS St Andrews UK
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- 6 July 2015
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
- Vol. 159 (2) , 339-353
The rank of the semigroup of transformations stabilising a partition of a finite set
Let be a partition of a finite set X. We say that a transformation f : X → X preserves (or stabilises) the partition if for all P ∈ there exists Q ∈ such that Pf ⊆ Q. Let T(X, ) denote the semigroup of all full transformations of X that preserve the partition . In 2005 Pei Huisheng found an upper bound for the minimum size of the generating sets of T(X, ), when is a partition in which all of its parts have the same size. In addition, Pei Huisheng conjectured that his bound was exact. In 2009 the first and last authors used representation theory to solve Pei Huisheng's conjecture. The aim of this paper is to solve the more complex problem of finding the minimum size of the generating sets of T(X, ), when is an arbitrary partition. Again we use representation theory to find the minimum number of elements needed to generate the wreath product of finitely many symmetric groups, and then use this result to solve the problem. The paper ends with a number of problems for experts in group and semigroup theories.
- 6 July 2015
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
- Vol. 159 (2) , 339-353
The rank of the semigroup of transformations stabilising a partition of a finite set
Let be a partition of a finite set X. We say that a transformation f : X → X preserves (or stabilises) the partition if for all P ∈ there exists Q ∈ such that Pf ⊆ Q. Let T(X, ) denote the semigroup of all full transformations of X that preserve the partition . In 2005 Pei Huisheng found an upper bound for the minimum size of the generating sets of T(X, ), when is a partition in which all of its parts have the same size. In addition, Pei Huisheng conjectured that his bound was exact. In 2009 the first and last authors used representation theory to solve Pei Huisheng's conjecture. The aim of this paper is to solve the more complex problem of finding the minimum size of the generating sets of T(X, ), when is an arbitrary partition. Again we use representation theory to find the minimum number of elements needed to generate the wreath product of finitely many symmetric groups, and then use this result to solve the problem. The paper ends with a number of problems for experts in group and semigroup theories.
- Open Access
Primitive groups and synchronization
Let $\Omega$ be a set of cardinality $n$, $G$ a permutation group on $\Omega$, and $f:\Omega\to\Omega$ a map which is not a permutation. We say that $G$ \emph{synchronizes} $f$ if the transformation semigroup $\langle G,f\rangle$ contains a constant map, and that $G$ is a \emph{synchronizing group} if $G$ synchronizes \emph{every} non-permutation. A synchronizing group is necessarily primitive, but there are primitive groups that are not synchronizing. Every non-synchronizing primitive group fails to synchronize at least one uniform transformation (that is, transformation whose kernel has parts of equal size), and it has previously been conjectured that a primitive group synchronizes every non-uniform transformation. The first goal of this paper is to prove that this conjecture is false, by exhibiting primitive groups that fail to synchronize specific non-uniform transformations of ranks $5$ and $6$. In addition we produce graphs whose automorphism groups have approximately $\sqrt{n}$ \emph{non-synchronizing ranks}, thus refuting another conjecture on the number of non-synchronizing ranks of a primitive group. The second goal of this paper is to extend the spectrum of ranks for which it is known that primitive groups synchronize every non-uniform transformation of that rank. It has previously been shown that a primitive group of degree $n$ synchronizes every non-uniform transformation of rank $n-1$ and $n-2$, and here this is extended to $n-3$ and $n-4$. Determining the exact spectrum of ranks for which there exist non-uniform transformations not synchronized by some primitive group is just one of several natural, but possibly difficult, problems on automata, primitive groups, graphs and computational algebra arising from this work; these are outlined in the final section.Open AccessPrimitive groups and synchronization
Let $\Omega$ be a set of cardinality $n$, $G$ a permutation group on $\Omega$, and $f:\Omega\to\Omega$ a map which is not a permutation. We say that $G$ \emph{synchronizes} $f$ if the transformation semigroup $\langle G,f\rangle$ contains a constant map, and that $G$ is a \emph{synchronizing group} if $G$ synchronizes \emph{every} non-permutation. A synchronizing group is necessarily primitive, but there are primitive groups that are not synchronizing. Every non-synchronizing primitive group fails to synchronize at least one uniform transformation (that is, transformation whose kernel has parts of equal size), and it has previously been conjectured that a primitive group synchronizes every non-uniform transformation. The first goal of this paper is to prove that this conjecture is false, by exhibiting primitive groups that fail to synchronize specific non-uniform transformations of ranks $5$ and $6$. In addition we produce graphs whose automorphism groups have approximately $\sqrt{n}$ \emph{non-synchronizing ranks}, thus refuting another conjecture on the number of non-synchronizing ranks of a primitive group. The second goal of this paper is to extend the spectrum of ranks for which it is known that primitive groups synchronize every non-uniform transformation of that rank. It has previously been shown that a primitive group of degree $n$ synchronizes every non-uniform transformation of rank $n-1$ and $n-2$, and here this is extended to $n-3$ and $n-4$. Determining the exact spectrum of ranks for which there exist non-uniform transformations not synchronized by some primitive group is just one of several natural, but possibly difficult, problems on automata, primitive groups, graphs and computational algebra arising from this work; these are outlined in the final section. - 28 March 2015
- Published by Springer Nature in Israel Journal of Mathematics
- Vol. 207 (1) , 103-149
The commuting graph of the symmetric inverse semigroup
- 28 March 2015
- Published by Springer Nature in Israel Journal of Mathematics
- Vol. 207 (1) , 103-149
The commuting graph of the symmetric inverse semigroup
- Open Access
Finite Abelian algebras are fully dualizable
We show that every finite Abelian algebra A from congruence-permutable varieties admits a full duality. In the process, we prove that A also allows a strong duality, and that the duality may be induced by a dualizing structure of finite type. We give an explicit bound on the arities of the partial and total operations appearing in the dualizing structure. In addition, we show that the enriched partial hom-clone of A is finitely generated as a clone.
Open AccessFinite Abelian algebras are fully dualizable
We show that every finite Abelian algebra A from congruence-permutable varieties admits a full duality. In the process, we prove that A also allows a strong duality, and that the duality may be induced by a dualizing structure of finite type. We give an explicit bound on the arities of the partial and total operations appearing in the dualizing structure. In addition, we show that the enriched partial hom-clone of A is finitely generated as a clone.
- 1 October 2014
- Published by Elsevier in Linear Algebra and its Applications
- Vol. 458, 60-79
The largest subsemilattices of the endomorphism monoid of an independence algebra
- 1 October 2014
- Published by Elsevier in Linear Algebra and its Applications
- Vol. 458, 60-79
The largest subsemilattices of the endomorphism monoid of an independence algebra
- Open Access
The Largest Subsemilattices of the Endomorphism Monoid of an Independence Algebra
An algebra $\A$ is said to be an independence algebra if it is a matroid algebra and every map $\al:X\to A$, defined on a basis $X$ of $\A$, can be extended to an endomorphism of $\A$. These algebras are particularly well behaved generalizations of vector spaces, and hence they naturally appear in several branches of mathematics such as model theory, group theory, and semigroup theory. It is well known that matroid algebras have a well defined notion of dimension. Let $\A$ be any independence algebra of finite dimension $n$, with at least two elements. Denote by $\End(\A)$ the monoid of endomorphisms of $\A$. We prove that a largest subsemilattice of $\End(\A)$ has either $2^{n-1}$ elements (if the clone of $\A$ does not contain any constant operations) or $2^n$ elements (if the clone of $\A$ contains constant operations). As corollaries, we obtain formulas for the size of the largest subsemilattices of: some variants of the monoid of linear operators of a finite-dimensional vector space, the monoid of full transformations on a finite set $X$, the monoid of partial transformations on $X$, the monoid of endomorphisms of a free $G$-set with a finite set of free generators, among others. The paper ends with a relatively large number of problems that might attract attention of experts in linear algebra, ring theory, extremal combinatorics, group theory, semigroup theory, universal algebraic geometry, and universal algebra.Open AccessThe Largest Subsemilattices of the Endomorphism Monoid of an Independence Algebra
An algebra $\A$ is said to be an independence algebra if it is a matroid algebra and every map $\al:X\to A$, defined on a basis $X$ of $\A$, can be extended to an endomorphism of $\A$. These algebras are particularly well behaved generalizations of vector spaces, and hence they naturally appear in several branches of mathematics such as model theory, group theory, and semigroup theory. It is well known that matroid algebras have a well defined notion of dimension. Let $\A$ be any independence algebra of finite dimension $n$, with at least two elements. Denote by $\End(\A)$ the monoid of endomorphisms of $\A$. We prove that a largest subsemilattice of $\End(\A)$ has either $2^{n-1}$ elements (if the clone of $\A$ does not contain any constant operations) or $2^n$ elements (if the clone of $\A$ contains constant operations). As corollaries, we obtain formulas for the size of the largest subsemilattices of: some variants of the monoid of linear operators of a finite-dimensional vector space, the monoid of full transformations on a finite set $X$, the monoid of partial transformations on $X$, the monoid of endomorphisms of a free $G$-set with a finite set of free generators, among others. The paper ends with a relatively large number of problems that might attract attention of experts in linear algebra, ring theory, extremal combinatorics, group theory, semigroup theory, universal algebraic geometry, and universal algebra. - Open Access
The rank of the semigroup of transformations stabilising a partition of a finite set
Let $\mathcal{P}$ be a partition of a finite set $X$. We say that a full transformation $f:X\to X$ preserves (or stabilizes) the partition $\mathcal{P}$ if for all $P\in \mathcal{P}$ there exists $Q\in \mathcal{P}$ such that $Pf\subseteq Q$. Let $T(X,\mathcal{P})$ denote the semigroup of all full transformations of $X$ that preserve the partition $\mathcal{P}$. In 2005 Huisheng found an upper bound for the minimum size of the generating sets of $T(X,\mathcal{P})$, when $\mathcal{P}$ is a partition in which all of its parts have the same size. In addition, Huisheng conjectured that his bound was exact. In 2009 the first and last authors used representation theory to completely solve Hisheng's conjecture. The goal of this paper is to solve the much more complex problem of finding the minimum size of the generating sets of $T(X,\mathcal{P})$, when $\mathcal{P}$ is an arbitrary partition. Again we use representation theory to find the minimum number of elements needed to generate the wreath product of finitely many symmetric groups, and then use this result to solve the problem. The paper ends with a number of problems for experts in group and semigroup theories.Open AccessThe rank of the semigroup of transformations stabilising a partition of a finite set
Let $\mathcal{P}$ be a partition of a finite set $X$. We say that a full transformation $f:X\to X$ preserves (or stabilizes) the partition $\mathcal{P}$ if for all $P\in \mathcal{P}$ there exists $Q\in \mathcal{P}$ such that $Pf\subseteq Q$. Let $T(X,\mathcal{P})$ denote the semigroup of all full transformations of $X$ that preserve the partition $\mathcal{P}$. In 2005 Huisheng found an upper bound for the minimum size of the generating sets of $T(X,\mathcal{P})$, when $\mathcal{P}$ is a partition in which all of its parts have the same size. In addition, Huisheng conjectured that his bound was exact. In 2009 the first and last authors used representation theory to completely solve Hisheng's conjecture. The goal of this paper is to solve the much more complex problem of finding the minimum size of the generating sets of $T(X,\mathcal{P})$, when $\mathcal{P}$ is an arbitrary partition. Again we use representation theory to find the minimum number of elements needed to generate the wreath product of finitely many symmetric groups, and then use this result to solve the problem. The paper ends with a number of problems for experts in group and semigroup theories. - 5 February 2014
- Published by Springer Nature in Algebra universalis
- Vol. 71 (2) , 101-107
Taylor’s modularity conjecture holds for linear idempotent varieties
- 5 February 2014
- Published by Springer Nature in Algebra universalis
- Vol. 71 (2) , 101-107
Taylor’s modularity conjecture holds for linear idempotent varieties
- 30 September 2013
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Journal of the Australian Mathematical Society
- Vol. 96 (1) , 1-24
SUPERNILPOTENCE PREVENTS DUALIZABILITY
We address the question of the dualizability of nilpotent Mal’cev algebras, showing that nilpotent finite Mal’cev algebras with a nonabelian supernilpotent congruence are inherently nondualizable. In particular, finite nilpotent nonabelian Mal’cev algebras of finite type are nondualizable if they are direct products of algebras of prime power order. We show that these results cannot be generalized to nilpotent algebras by giving an example of a group expansion of infinite type that is nilpotent and nonabelian, but dualizable. To our knowledge this is the first construction of a nonabelian nilpotent dualizable algebra. It has the curious property that all its nonabelian finitary reducts with group operation are nondualizable. We were able to prove dualizability by utilizing a new clone theoretic approach developed by Davey, Pitkethly, and Willard. Our results suggest that supernilpotence plays an important role in characterizing dualizability among Mal’cev algebras.
- 30 September 2013
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Journal of the Australian Mathematical Society
- Vol. 96 (1) , 1-24
SUPERNILPOTENCE PREVENTS DUALIZABILITY
We address the question of the dualizability of nilpotent Mal’cev algebras, showing that nilpotent finite Mal’cev algebras with a nonabelian supernilpotent congruence are inherently nondualizable. In particular, finite nilpotent nonabelian Mal’cev algebras of finite type are nondualizable if they are direct products of algebras of prime power order. We show that these results cannot be generalized to nilpotent algebras by giving an example of a group expansion of infinite type that is nilpotent and nonabelian, but dualizable. To our knowledge this is the first construction of a nonabelian nilpotent dualizable algebra. It has the curious property that all its nonabelian finitary reducts with group operation are nondualizable. We were able to prove dualizability by utilizing a new clone theoretic approach developed by Davey, Pitkethly, and Willard. Our results suggest that supernilpotence plays an important role in characterizing dualizability among Mal’cev algebras.
- Open Access
The modularity conjecture holds for linear idempotent varieties
The "Modularity Conjecture" is the assertion that the join of two nonmodular varieties is nonmodular. We establish the veracity of this conjecture for the case of linear idempotent varieties. We also establish analogous results concerning $n$-permutability for some $n$, and the satisfaction of nontrivial congruence identities. Our theorems require a technical result about the equational theory of linear varieties, which might be of independent interest.Open AccessThe modularity conjecture holds for linear idempotent varieties
The "Modularity Conjecture" is the assertion that the join of two nonmodular varieties is nonmodular. We establish the veracity of this conjecture for the case of linear idempotent varieties. We also establish analogous results concerning $n$-permutability for some $n$, and the satisfaction of nontrivial congruence identities. Our theorems require a technical result about the equational theory of linear varieties, which might be of independent interest.