We prove that there exists a universal constant D such that if p is a prime divisor of the index of the Fitting subgroup of a finite group G, then the number of conjugacy classes of G is at least $Dp/\log_2p$. We conjecture that we can take $D=1$ and prove that for solvable groups, we can take $D=1/3$.

For an algebraic K3 surface with complex multiplication (CM), algebraic fibres of the associated twistor space away from the equator are again of CM type. In this paper, we show that algebraic fibres corresponding to points at the same altitude of the twistor base ${S^2} \simeq \mathbb{P}_\mathbb{C}^1$ share the same CM endomorphism field. Moreover, we determine all the admissible Picard numbers of the twistor fibres.

We obtain new bounds on short Weil sums over small multiplicative subgroups of prime finite fields which remain nontrivial in the range the classical Weil bound is already trivial. The method we use is a blend of techniques coming from algebraic geometry and additive combinatorics.

We study the space of slice torus invariants. In particular we characterise the set of values that slice torus invariants may take on a given knot in terms of the stable smooth slice genus. Our study reveals that the resolution of the local Thom conjecture implies the existence of slice torus invariants without having to appeal to any explicit construction from a knot homology theory.

We consider families of exponential sums indexed by a subgroup of invertible classes modulo some prime power q. For fixed d, we restrict to moduli q so that there is a unique subgroup of invertible classes modulo q of order d. We study distribution properties of these families of sums as q grows and we establish equidistribution results in some regions of the complex plane which are described as the image of a multi-dimensional torus via an explicit Laurent polynomial. In some cases, the region of equidistribution can be interpreted as the one delimited by a hypocycloid, or as a Minkowski sum of such regions.

Given a set $S=\{x^2+c_1,\dots,x^2+c_s\}$ defined over a field and an infinite sequence $\gamma$ of elements of S, one can associate an arboreal representation to $\gamma$, generalising the case of iterating a single polynomial. We study the probability that a random sequence $\gamma$ produces a “large-image” representation, meaning that infinitely many subquotients in the natural filtration are maximal. We prove that this probability is positive for most sets S defined over $\mathbb{Z}[t]$, and we conjecture a similar positive-probability result for suitable sets over $\mathbb{Q}$. As an application of large-image representations, we prove a density-zero result for the set of prime divisors of some associated quadratic sequences. We also consider the stronger condition of the representation being finite-index, and we classify all S possessing a particular kind of obstruction that generalises the post-critically finite case in single-polynomial iteration.

We investigate when a Legendrian knot in the standard contact ${{\mathbb{R}}}^3$ has a non-orientable exact Lagrangian filling. We prove analogs of several results in the orientable setting, develop new combinatorial obstructions to fillability, and determine when several families of knots have such fillings. In particular, we completely determine when an alternating knot (and more generally a plus-adequate knot) is decomposably non-orientably fillable and classify the fillability of most torus and 3-strand pretzel knots. We also describe rigidity phenomena of decomposable non-orientable fillings, including finiteness of the possible normal Euler numbers of fillings and the minimisation of crosscap numbers of fillings, obtaining results which contrast in interesting ways with the smooth setting.

We recall several categories of graphs which are useful for describing homotopy-coherent versions of generalised operads (e.g. cyclic operads, modular operads, properads, and so on), and give new, uniform definitions for their morphisms. This allows for straightforward comparisons, and we use this to show that certain free-forgetful adjunctions between categories of generalised operads can be realised at the level of presheaves. This includes adjunctions between operads and cyclic operads, between dioperads and augmented cyclic operads, and between wheeled properads and modular operads.

For a given genus $g \geq 1$, we give lower bounds for the maximal number of rational points on a smooth projective absolutely irreducible curve of genus g over $\mathbb{F}_q$. As a consequence of Katz–Sarnak theory, we first get for any given $g>0$, any $\varepsilon>0$ and all q large enough, the existence of a curve of genus g over $\mathbb{F}_q$ with at least $1+q+ (2g-\varepsilon) \sqrt{q}$ rational points. Then using sums of powers of traces of Frobenius of hyperelliptic curves, we get a lower bound of the form $1+q+1.71 \sqrt{q}$ valid for $g \geq 3$ and odd $q \geq 11$. Finally, explicit constructions of towers of curves improve this result: We show that the bound $1+q+4 \sqrt{q} -32$ is valid for all $g\ge 2$ and for all q.