We consider an embedded convex compact ancient solution t to the curve shortening flow in R2. We prove that t is either a family of contracting circles, which is a type I ancient solution, or a family of evolving Angenent ovals, which is of type II.

We study the limit of quasilocal energy defined in [7] and [8] for a family of spacelike 2-surfaces approaching null infinity of an asymptotically flat spacetime. It is shown that Lorentzian symmetry is recovered and an energy-momentum 4-vector is obtained. In particular, the result is consistent with the Bondi–Sachs energy-momentum at a retarded time. The quasilocal mass in [7] and [8] is defined by minimizing quasilocal energy among admissible isometric embeddings and observers. The solvability of the Euler-Lagrange equation for this variational problem is also discussed in both the asymptotically flat and asymptotically null cases. Assuming analyticity, the equation can be solved and the solution is locally minimizing in all orders. In particular, this produces an optimal reference hypersurface in the Minkowski space for the spatial or null exterior region of an asymptotically flat spacetime.

Let (M, ω) be a compact symplectic 4-manifold with a compatible almost complex structure J. The problem of finding a J-compatible symplectic form with prescribed volume form is an almost-K¨ahler analogue of Yau’s theorem and is connected to a programme in symplectic topology proposed by Donaldson. We call the corresponding equation for the symplectic form the Calabi- Yau equation. Solutions are unique in their cohomology class. It is shown in this paper that a solution to this equation exists if the Nijenhuis tensor is small in a certain sense. Without this assumption, it is shown that the problem of existence can be reduced to obtaining a C0 bound on a scalar potential function.

Let G be a connected Lie group. We show that all characteristic classes of G are bounded—when viewed in the cohomology of the classifying space of the group G with the discrete topology—if and only if the derived group of the radical of G is simply connected in its Lie group topology. We also give equivalent conditions in terms of stable commutator length and distortion.

We prove that torsion-free G2 structures are (weakly) dynamically stable along the Laplacian flow for closed G2 structures. More precisely, given a torsion-free G2 structure φ on a compact 7-manifold, the Laplacian flow with initial value cohomologous and sufficiently close to φ will converge to a torsion-free G2 structure which is in the orbit of φ under diffeomorphisms isotopic to the identity. We deduce, from fundamental work of Joyce [18], that the Laplacian flow starting at any closed G2 structure with sufficiently small torsion will exist for all time and converge to a torsion-free G2 structure.