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Using geometric arguments, we compute the group of homotopy classes of maps from a closed $(n+1)$-dimensional manifold to the $n$-sphere for $n \geq 3$. Our work extends results from Kirby, Melvin and Teichner for closed oriented…

We construct examples of asymptotically cylindrical Riemannian 8-manifolds with holonomy group Spin(7). To our knowledge, these are the first such examples. The construction uses an extension to asymptotically cylindrical setting of Joyce's…

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We describe off-shell $\mathcal{N}=1$ M-theory compactifications down to four dimensions in terms of eight-dimensional manifolds equipped with a topological $Spin(7)$-structure. Motivated by the exceptionally generalized geometry…

Let M be an 8-manifold with a Spin(7)-structure. We first show that closed Cayley submanifolds of M form a smooth moduli space for a generic Spin(7)-structure. Then we study the deformations of a compact, connected Cayley submanifold X of M…

We study the types of non-integrable $\mathrm{G}$-structures on Riemannian manifolds. In particular, geometric types admitting a connection with totally skew-symmetric torsion are characterized. 8-dimensional manifolds equipped with a…

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We investigate the $\mathbb{T}^2$-quotient of a torsion free $Spin(7)$-structure on an $8$-manifold under the assumption that the quotient $6$-manifold is K\"ahler. We show that there exists either a Hamiltonian $S^1$ or $\mathbb{T}^2$…

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We prove that given a pseudo-Riemannian conformal structure whose conformal holonomy representation fixes a totally lightlike subspace of arbitrary dimension, there is, wrt. a local metric in the conformal class defined off a singular set,…

Let $$M_{n}\stackrel{\mathbb R P^1}\to M_{n-1}\stackrel{\mathbb R P^1}\to\ldots\stackrel{\mathbb R P^1}\to M_{1}\stackrel{\mathbb R P^1}\to M_0 = \{ \bullet\} $$ be a sequence of real projective bundles such that $M_i\to M_{i-1}$,…

Let Z be a compact complex (2n+1)-manifold which carries a {\em complex contact structure}, meaning a codimension-1 holomorphic sub-bundle D of TZ which is maximally non-integrable. If Z admits a K\"ahler-Einstein metric of positive scalar…

We study geometric variational problems for a class of effective models in quantum field theory known as Faddeev-Skyrme models. Mathematically one considers minimizing an energy functional on homotopy classes of maps from closed 3-manifolds…

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We present a simple compact formula for a topologically nontrivial map $S^7 \to Spin(7)$ associated with the fiber bundle $Spin(7) \stackrel{G_2}{\to} S^7$. The homotopy group $\pi_7[Spin(7)] = \mathbb{Z}$ brings about the topologically…

In this paper, we will be concerned with the explicit classification of closed, oriented, simply-connected spin manifolds in dimension eight with vanishing cohomology in the odd dimensions. The study of such manifolds was begun by Stefan…

We construct and discuss new numerical homotopy invariants of topological spaces that are suitable for the study of functions on loop and sphere spaces. These invariants resemble the Lusternik-Schnirelmann category and provide lower bounds…

Let $\pi$ be a group satisfying the Farrell-Jones conjecture and assume that $B\pi$ is a 4-dimensional Poincar\'e duality space. We consider topological, closed, connected manifolds with fundamental group $\pi$ whose canonical map to $B\pi$…

In this paper we develop an intrinsic formalism to study the topology, smooth structure, and Riemannian geometry of the Wasserstein space of a closed Riemannian manifold. Our formalism allows for a new characterisation of the Weak topology…