We give an effective algorithm to compute the Euler characteristics χ(\mbar_{1,n}, \otimes_{i=1}^n L_i^{d_i}). In addition, we give a simple proof of Pandharipande's vanishing theorem H^j (\mbar_{0,n}, \otimes_{i=1}^n L_i^{d_i})=0 for j≥1,di≥0.

We introduce the notion of pseudo-N´eron model and give new examples of varieties admitting pseudo-N´eron models other than Abelian varieties. As an application of pseudo-N´eron models, given a scheme admitting a finite morphism to an Abelian scheme over a positive-dimensional base, we prove that for a very general genus-0, degree-d curve in the base with d sufficiently large, every section of the scheme over the curve is contained in a unique section over the entire base.

A reconstruction theorem for genus 0 gravitational quantum cohomology and quantum K-theory is proved. A new linear equivalence in the Picard group of the moduli space of genus 0 stable maps relating the pull-backs of line bundles from the target via different markings is used for the reconstruction result. Examples of calculations in quantum cohomology and quantum K-theory are given.

We realize the moduli spaces of cubic fourfolds with specified group actions as arithmetic quotients of complex hyperbolic balls or type IV symmetric domains, and study their compactifications. We prove the geometric (GIT) compactifications are naturally isomorphic to the Hodge theoretic (Looijenga, in many cases Baily–Borel) compactifications. The key ingredients of the proof are the global Torelli theorem by Voisin, the characterization of the image of the period map given by Looijenga and Laza independently, and the functoriality of Looijenga compactifications proved in the Appendix.

Given two equivariant vector bundles over an algebraic GKM manifold with the same equivariant Chern classes, we show that the genus zero equivariant Gromov--Witten theory of their projective bundles are naturally isomorphic.