Let ui(x, t) be the ith component of a nonnegative solution of a weakly coupled system of second-order, linear, parabolic partial differential equations, for x ∈ Rn and 0 < t < T. We obtain lower estimates, near t = 0, for the Lebesgue measure of the set of x for which exceeds 1. Related results for Poisson integrals on a half-space are also described, some applications are given, and interesting comparisons emerge.

The study of the integral of the scalar curvature, ∫MRdVg, as a function on the set of all Riemannian metrics of the same total volume on a compact manifold is now classical, and the critical points are the Einstein metrics. On a compact contact manifold we consider this and ∫M (R − R* − 4n2) dv, with R* the *-scalar curvature, as functions on the set of metrics associated to the contact structure. For these integrals the critical point conditions then become certain commutativity conditions on the Ricci operator and the fundamental collineation of the contact metric structure. In particular, Sasakian metrics, when they exist, are maxima for the second function.

Let G be an exponential Lie group. We study primitive ideals (i.e. kernels of irreducible *-representations of L1(G)), with bounded approximate units (b.a.u.). We prove a result relating the existence of b.a.u. in certain primitive ideals with the geometry of the corresponding Kirillov orbits. This yields for a solvable group of class 2, a characterization of the primitive ideals with b.a.u.