On the relative homology of \(q\)-Runge pairs (Q1428358)

Using \(q\)-convex functions of \textit{A. Andreotti} and \textit{H. Grauert} [Bull. Soc. Math. Fr. 90, 193--259 (1962; Zbl 0106.05501)] we say that a pair \((X,Y)\), where \(X\) is a complex space and \(Y\) an open subset of \(X\), is \(q\)-Runge if for every compact set \(K\subset Y\) there exists a \(q\)-convex function \(\phi : X\to \mathbb R\) which is exhaustive and \(K\subset \{\phi<0\} \Subset Y\). Note that for \(q=1\), \((X,Y)\) is 1-Runge iff \(Y\) is a Runge open subset of \(X\) (in the ordinary sense). The reviewer [J. Reine Angew. Math. 449 , 179--199 (1994; Zbl 0795.32004)] and \textit{G. Forni} [Ann. Mat. Pura Appl., IV. Ser. 159, 229--254 (1991; Zbl 0758.32008)] proved that for \(n=\dim X\) and \((X,Y)\) \(q\)-Runge, \(H_i(X,Y; Z)\) vanishes for \(i\geq n+q\) and is torsion free for \(i=n+q-1\). The paper under review shows that for every pair of integers \(q\) and \(n\), \(2\leq q \leq n\), and countable abelian torsion-free group \(G\), there is a \(q\)-Runge pair \((X,Y)\) with \(X\) a complex manifold of dimension \(n\) such that \(H_{n+q-1} (X,Y; Z)=G\). The proof is based on a result due to \textit{L. Pontryagin} [Math. Ann. 105, 165--205 (1931; Zbl 0002.29101)] which asserts that for \(G\) as above there exists a compact connected subset \(K\subset \mathbb R^3\) such that the first Betti number of \( \mathbb R^3\subset K\) equals \(G\).