Mon, 26 May 2025

13:00 - 14:00

Mathematrix: Crafts and Chill

Abstract

It’s a busy and stressful term for a lot of us so come and take a break and do some colouring and origami with us. Venting is very much encouraged.

Fri, 23 May 2025

16:00 - 17:00
L1

From Physics-Informed Machine Learning to Physics-Informed Machine Intelligence: Quo Vadimus?

Prof. George Em Karniadakis
(Brown University)
Further Information

The Charles Pitts Robinson and John Palmer Barstow Professor of Applied Mathematics, Brown University;
Also @MIT & Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

https://sites.brown.edu/crunch-group/

 

George Karniadakis is from Crete. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellow. He received his S.M. and Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1984/87). He was appointed Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and subsequently he joined the Center for Turbulence Research at Stanford / Nasa Ames. 

He joined Princeton University as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and as Associate Faculty in the Program of Applied and Computational Mathematics. He was a Visiting Professor at Caltech in 1993 in the Aeronautics Department and joined Brown University as Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics in the Center for Fluid Mechanics in 1994. After becoming a full professor in 1996, he continued to be a Visiting Professor and Senior Lecturer of Ocean/Mechanical Engineering at MIT. He is an AAAS Fellow (2018-), Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM, 2010-), Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS, 2004-), Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME, 2003-) and Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA, 2006-). He received the SES GI Taylor Medal (2024), the SIAM/ACM Prize on Computational Science & Engineering (2021), the Alexander von Humboldt award in 2017, the SIAM Ralf E Kleinman award (2015), the J. Tinsley Oden Medal (2013), and the CFD award (2007) by the US Association in Computational Mechanics. His h-index is 150 and he has been cited over 130,000 times.

 

Abstract

We will review physics-informed neural networks (NNs) and summarize available extensions for applications in computational science and engineering. We will also introduce new NNs that learn functionals and nonlinear operators from functions and corresponding responses for system identification. 

These two key developments have formed the backbone of scientific machine learning that has disrupted the path of computational science and engineering and has created new opportunities for all scientific domains. We will discuss some of these opportunities in digital twins, autonomy, materials discovery, etc.

Moreover, we will discuss bio-inspired solutions, e.g., spiking neural networks and neuromorphic computing.

 

 

Fri, 23 May 2025
13:00
L5

Stratified learning, cell biophysics, and material structures

Yossi Bokor Bleile
(IST Austria)

Note: we would recommend to join the meeting using the Teams client for best user experience.

Abstract

Geometry and topology call tell us about the shape of data. In this talk, I will give an introduction to my work on learning stratified spaces from samples, look at the use of persistent homology in cell biophysics, and apply persistence in understanding material structures.

Fri, 23 May 2025
12:00
L4

Calabi-Yau Varieties in Quantum Electrodynamics

Felix Forner
(TU Munich)
Abstract

The self-energies in Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) are not only fundamental physical quantities but also well-suited for investigating the mathematical structure of perturbative Quantum Field Theory. In this talk, I will discuss the QED self-energies up to the fourth order in the loop expansion. Going beyond one loop, where the integrals can be expressed in terms of multiple polylogarithms, we encounter functions associated with an elliptic curve, a K3 surface and a Calabi-Yau threefold. I will review the method of differential equations and apply it to the scalar Feynman integrals appearing in the self-energies. Special emphasis will be placed on the concept of canonical bases and on how to generalize them beyond the polylogarithmic case, where they are well understood. Furthermore, I will demonstrate how canonical integrals may be identified through a suitable integrand analysis.

Fri, 23 May 2025

12:00 - 13:00
Quillen Room

Representations of filtered but non integer-graded infinite-dimensional Lie algebras

Girish Vishwa
(University of Edinburgh)
Abstract

This talk will be a case study on the recently discovered boundary Carrollian conformal algebra (BCCA) in theoretical physics. It is an infinite-dimensional subalgebra of an abelian extension of the Witt algebra. A striking feature of this is that it is not integer graded; this already puts us in a rather novel setting, since infinite-dimensional Lie algebras almost exclusively appear with integer grading in physics. But this means that there is new ground to be broken in this direction of research. In this talk, I will present some very early results from our attempt at studying the representations of the BCCA. Any thoughts and comments are very welcome as they could be immensely helpful for us to navigate these unfamiliar waters!

Fri, 23 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
L2

Modelling infectious diseases within-host

Dr Ruth Bowness
(Dept. Maths Science, University of Bath)
Abstract

During the talk I will describe my research on host-pathogen interactions during lung infections. Various modelling approaches have been used, including a hybrid multiscale individual-based model that we have developed, which simulates pulmonary infection spread, immune response and treatment within in a section of human lung. The model contains discrete agents which model the spatio-temporal interactions (migration, binding, killing etc.) of the pathogen and immune cells. Cytokine and oxygen dynamics are also included, as well as Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic models, which are incorporated via PDEs. I will also describe ongoing work to develop a continuum model, comparing the spatial dynamics resulting from these different modelling approaches.  I will focus in the most part on two infectious diseases: Tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Thu, 22 May 2025

17:00 - 18:00
L3

Axioms of Quantum Mechanics in the light of Continuous Model Theory​

Boris Zilber
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

I am going to start by reviewing axioms of quantum mechanics, which in fact give a description of a Hilbert space. I will argue that the language that Dirac and his followers developed is that of continuous logic and the form of axiomatisation is that of "algebraic logic" in the sense of A. Tarski's cylindric algebras. In fact, Hilbert spaces can be seen as a continuous model theory version of cylindric algebras.

Thu, 22 May 2025
16:00
L5

Liquidity Competition Between Brokers and an Informed Trader

Ryan Donnelly
(King's College London)
Abstract

We study a multi-agent setting in which brokers transact with an informed trader. Through a sequential Stackelberg-type game, brokers manage trading costs and adverse selection with an informed trader. In particular, supplying liquidity to the informed traders allows the brokers to speculate based on the flow information. They simultaneously attempt to minimize inventory risk and trading costs with the lit market based on the informed order flow, also known as the internalization-externalization strategy. We solve in closed form for the trading strategy that the informed trader uses with each broker and propose a system of equations which classify the equilibrium strategies of the brokers. By solving these equations numerically we may study the resulting strategies in equilibrium. Finally, we formulate a competitive game between brokers in order to determine the liquidity prices subject to precommitment supplied to the informed trader and provide a numerical example in which the resulting equilibrium is not Pareto efficient.

Thu, 22 May 2025
16:00
C3

Convergence of unitary representations of discrete groups

Michael Magee
(University of Durham)
Abstract

Let G be an infinite discrete group; e.g. free group, surface groups, or hyperbolic 3-manifold group.

Finite dimensional unitary representations of G of fixed dimension are usually very hard to understand. However, there are interesting notions of convergence of such representations as the dimension tends to infinity. One notion — strong convergence — is of interest both from the point of view of G alone but also through recently realized applications to spectral gaps of locally symmetric spaces. For example, this notion bypasses (unconditionally) the use of Selberg's Eigenvalue Conjecture in obtaining existence of large area hyperbolic surfaces with near-optimal spectral gaps. 

The talk is a broadly accessible discussion on these themes, based on joint works with W. Hide, L. Louder, D. Puder, J. Thomas, R. van Handel.

Thu, 22 May 2025
16:00
Lecture Room 4

Mordell–Weil groups of elliptic curves — beyond ranks

Alex Bartel
(University of Glasgow)
Abstract

If $E/\mathbb{Q}$ is an elliptic curve, and $F/\mathbb{Q}$ is a finite Galois extension, then $E(F)$ is not merely a finitely generated abelian group, but also a Galois module. If we fix a finite group $G$, and let $F$ vary over all $G$-extensions, then what can we say about the statistical behaviour of $E(F)$ as a $\mathbb{Z}[G]$-module? In this talk I will report on joint work with Adam Morgan, in which we investigate the simplest non-trivial special case of this very general question. Our work has surprising connections to questions about frequency of failure of the Hasse principle for genus 1 hyperelliptic curves, and to work of Heath-Brown on 2-Selmer group distributions in quadratic twist families.

Thu, 22 May 2025

15:00 - 16:00
L6

Exploring the $c$ - the conformal anomaly and spaces of field theories

Ludovic Fraser-Taliente
Abstract
$c$ is pretty cool. In two-dimensional critical theories, we are surrounded by it: it appears in the Virasoro central charge, the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, the conformal 'anomaly', the entanglement entropy, and at the endpoints of the Zamolodchikov $C$-function - and, of course, it doesn't appear on the string worldsheet. I will explain these appearances and the tight relationships between them, and discuss how we might use $c$ to chart and classify the space of CFTs and QFTs.


 

Junior Strings is a seminar series where DPhil students present topics of common interest that do not necessarily overlap with their own research area. This is primarily aimed at PhD students and post-docs but everyone is welcome.

Thu, 22 May 2025

14:00 - 15:00
Lecture Room 3

When you truncate an infinite equation, what happens to the leftovers?

Geoff Vasil
(University of Edinburgh)
Abstract

Numerically solving PDEs typically requires compressing infinite information into a finite system of algebraic equations. Pragmatically, we usually follow a recipe: “Assume solutions of form X; substitute into PDE Y; discard terms by rule Z.” In contrast, Lanczos’s pioneering “tau method” prescribes modifying the PDE to form an exact finite system. Crucially, any recipe-based method can be viewed as adding a small equation correction, enabling us to compare multiple schemes independently of the solver. 

This talk also addresses a paradox: PDEs often admit infinitely many solutions, but finite systems produce only a finite set. When we include a “small” correction, the missing solutions are effectively hidden. I will discuss how tau methods frame this perspective and outline proposals for systematically studying and optimising various residuals.

Thu, 22 May 2025

12:00 - 12:30
L4

Control of multistable structures with shape optimization

Arselane Hadj Slimane
(ENS Paris-Saclay)
Abstract

Shape optimization is a rich field at the intersection of analysis, optimization, and engineering. It seeks to determine the optimal geometry of structures to minimize performance objectives, subject to physical constraints—often modeled by Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). Traditional approaches commonly assume that these constraints admit a unique solution for each candidate shape, implying a single-valued shape-to-solution map. However, many real-world structures exhibit multistability, where multiple stable configurations exist under identical physical conditions.

This research departs from the single-solution paradigm by investigating shape optimization in the presence of multiple solutions to the same PDE constraints. Focusing on a neo-Hookean hyperelastic model, we formulate an optimization problem aimed at controlling the energy jump between distinct solutions. Drawing on bifurcation theory, we develop a theoretical framework that interprets these solutions as continuous branches parameterized by shape variations. Building on this foundation, we implement a numerical optimization strategy and present numerical results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.

Thu, 22 May 2025
12:00
C6

Homogenisation for compressible fluids

Pierre Gonin-Joubert
(Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1)
Abstract

Several physical models are available to understand the dynamics of fluid mixtures, including the so-called Baer-Nunziato models. The partial differential equations associated with these models look like those of Navier-Stokes, with the addition of new relaxation terms. One strategy to obtain these models is homogenisation: starting from a mesoscopic mixture, where two pure fluids satisfying the compressible Navier-Stokes equations share the space between them, a change of scale is performed to obtain a macroscopic mixture, where the two fluids can coexist at any point in space.

This problem concerns the study of the Navier-Stokes equations with strongly oscillating initial data. We'll start by explaining some results in this framework, in one dimension of space and on the torus, for barotropic fluids. We will then detail the various steps involved in demonstrating homogenisation. Finally, we'll explain how to adapt this reasoning to homogenisation for perfect gases, with and without heat conduction.

Thu, 22 May 2025

12:00 - 13:30
L6

Superconformal algebras from superconformal structures

Ingmar Saberi
(Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)
Abstract

The notion of a superconformal structure on a supermanifold goes back some forty years. I will discuss some recent work that shows how these structures and their deformations govern supersymmetric and superconformal field theories in geometric fashion. A superconformal structure equips a supermanifold with a sheaf of dg commutative algebras; the tangent sheaf of this dg ringed space reproduces the Weyl multiplet of conformal supergravity (equivalently, the superconformal stress tensor multiplet), in any dimension and with any amount of supersymmetry. This construction is uniform under twists, and thus provides a classification of relations between superconformal theories, chiral algebras, higher Virasoro algebras, and more exotic examples.
 

Thu, 22 May 2025

12:00 - 13:00
L3

Accelerating Predictions of Turbulent Combustion and Nonequilibrium Flows Using Solver-Embedded Deep Learning

Jonathan MacArt
(Univ. of Notre Dame)
Further Information

Short Bio
Jonathan MacArt leads the Reacting Turbulence Lab, where he and his team develop high-performance computational tools to study how flow physics interact with phenomena like chemical heat release and plasma kinetics. Their work includes large-scale DNS, LES, RANS simulations, and physics-informed machine learning, with applications ranging from gas turbines to hypersonic propulsion systems.

Abstract

Predictions of complex flows remain a significant challenge for engineering systems. Computationally affordable predictions of turbulent flows generally require Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations and Large-Eddy Simulation (LES), the predictive accuracy of which can be insufficient due to non-Boussinesq turbulence and/or unresolved multiphysics that preclude qualitative fidelity in certain regimes. For example, in turbulent combustion, flame–turbulence interactions can lead to inverse-cascade energy transfer, which violates the assumptions of many RANS and LES closures. We present an adjoint-based, solver-embedded data assimilation method to augment the RANS and LES equations using trusted data. This is accomplished using Python-native flow solvers that leverage differentiable programming techniques to construct the adjoint equations needed for optimization. We present applications to shock-tube ignition delay predictions, turbulent premixed jet flames, and shock-dominated nonequilibrium flows and discuss the potential of adjoint-based approaches for future machine learning applications.

 

Thu, 22 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

Modal group theory

Wojciech Wołoszyn
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

I introduce modal group theory, where one investigates the class of all groups using embeddability as a modal operator. By employing HNN extensions, I demonstrate that the modal language of groups is more expressive than the first-order language of groups. Furthermore, I establish that the theory of true arithmetic, viewed as sets of Gödel numbers, is computably isomorphic to the modal theory of finitely presented groups. Finally, I resolve an open question posed by Sören Berger, Alexander Block, and Benedikt Löwe by proving that the propositional modal validities of groups constitute precisely the modal logic S4.2.

Wed, 21 May 2025
17:30
Lecture Theatre 1

Blueprints: how mathematics shapes creativity - Marcus du Sautoy

Marcus du Sautoy
(University of Oxford)
Further Information

Many of the artists that we encounter are completely unaware of the mathematics that bubble beneath their craft, while some consciously use it for inspiration. Our instincts might tell us that these two subjects are incompatible forces with nothing in common, mathematics being the realm of precise logic and art being the realm of emotion and aesthetics. But what if we’re wrong?

Marcus du Sautoy unpacks how we make art, why a creative mindset is vital for discovering mathematics, and how a fundamental connection to the natural world intrinsically links the two subjects. 

Marcus du Sautoy is a mathematician, author and broadcaster. He is Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science in Oxford.

Please email @email to register to attend in person.

The lecture will be broadcast on the Oxford Mathematics YouTube Channel on Wednesday 11 June at 5-6pm and any time after (no need to register for the online version).

The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.

Wed, 21 May 2025
16:00
L2

Fat minors and where to find them

Joseph MacManus
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

Recently, much attention has been paid to the intersection between coarse geometry and graph theory, giving rise to the fresh, exciting new field aptly known as ‘coarse graph theory’. One aspect of this area is the study of so-called ‘fat minors’, a large-scale analogue of the usual idea of a graph minor.

In this talk, I will introduce this area and motivate some interesting questions and conjectures. I will then sketch a proof that a finitely presented group is either virtually planar or contains arbitrarily ‘fat’ copies of every finite graph.

No prior knowledge or passion for graph theory will be assumed in this talk.

Wed, 21 May 2025
16:00
L6

(Seminar cancelled) Generalized Tate-Shafarevich groups over function fields

Tamás Szamuely
(Università degli studi di Pisa)
Abstract

Given a smooth geometrically connected curve C over a perfect field k and a smooth commutative group scheme G defined over the function field K of C, one can consider isomorphism classes of G-torsors locally trivial at completions of K coming from closed points of C. They form a generalized Tate-Shafarevich group which specializes to the classical one in the case when k is finite. Recently, these groups have been studied over other base fields k as well, for instance p-adic or number fields. Surprisingly, finiteness can be proven in some cases but there are also quite a few open questions which I plan to discuss  in my talk.

Wed, 21 May 2025
14:00
L3

Conformal welding and probability

Prof Steffen Rhode
(University of Washington)
Further Information

Please note: this seminar will be joint with the Mathematics of Random Systems CDT Workshop.

Abstract

Conformal welding, the process of glueing together Riemann surfaces along their boundaries, has recently played a prominent role in probability theory. In this talk, I will discuss two examples, namely the welding associated with random Jordan curves (SLE(k) loops) and particularly their limit as k tends to zero, and the welding of random trees (such as the CRT).

Wed, 21 May 2025
12:00
C1

On the converse of Pansu’s differentiability theorem

Andrea Merlo
(Universidad del País Vasco)
Abstract

In this talk I will present two new results concerning differentiability of Lipschitz maps between Carnot groups. The former is a suitable adaptation of Pansu-Rademacher differentiability theorem to general Radon measures. More precisely we construct a suitable bundle associated to the measure along which Lipschitz maps are differentiable, very much in the spirit of the results of Alberti-Marchese. The latter is the converse of Pansu’s theorem. Namely, let G be a Carnot group and μ a Radon measure on G. Suppose further that every Lipschitz map between G and H, some other Carnot group, is Pansu differentiable μ-almost everywhere. We show that μ must be absolutely continuous with respect to the Haar measure of G. This is a joint work with Guido De Philippis, Andrea Marchese, Andrea Pinamonti and Filip Rindler.

This new sub-Riemannian result will be an excuse to present and discuss the techniques employed in Euclidean spaces to prove the converse of Rademacher's theorem.

Tue, 20 May 2025

16:00 - 19:00
Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College

Complexity Cluster Research Workshop

Abstract

The Complexity Cluster Event Organisers Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen, Professor Helen Byrne, and Professor Mohit Dalwadi, cordially invite you to attend a Complexity Cluster Research Workshop on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, in the Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College.

Complexity Cluster Research Workshop
Venue: Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College
Date: Tuesday, 20th May 2025
Organisers: 
Professor Helen Byrne
Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen
Professor Mohit Dalwadi
 

Programme:
4.00pm ̶ 4.15pm: Coffee, Drinks & Refreshments
4:15pm ̶ 4:40pm: Professor Didier Bresch (CNRS and Universite Savoie Mont-Blanc, France): Mathematical Topics around Granular Media
4:45pm – 5:10pm: Dr. Keith Chambers (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford): Structured Population Models to Explore Lipid-Driven Macrophage Heterogeneity in Early Atherosclerotic Plaques
5:15pm ̶ 5:40pm: Coffee, Drinks & Refreshments
5:40pm ̶ 6:05pm: Dr. Tara Trauthwein (Department of Statistics, University of Oxford): Approximation Results for Large Networks
6:05pm-6:30pm: Isaac Newell (OxPDE, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford): The Gauss Equation for Isometric Embeddings of Regularity in W1+2/3,3∩ C1
6:35pm-7:00pm: Discussion

For abstracts please click the file here: Complexity-Cluster_Workshop_20250212_Final_0.pdf

Tue, 20 May 2025

16:00 - 19:00
Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College

Complexity Cluster Research Workshop

Abstract

The Complexity Cluster Event Organisers Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen, Professor Helen Byrne, and Professor Mohit Dalwadi, cordially invite you to attend a Complexity Cluster Research Workshop on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, in the Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College.

Complexity Cluster Research Workshop
Venue: Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College
Date: Tuesday, 20th May 2025
Organisers: 
Professor Helen Byrne
Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen
Professor Mohit Dalwadi
 

Programme:
4.00pm ̶ 4.15pm: Coffee, Drinks & Refreshments
4:15pm ̶ 4:40pm: Professor Didier Bresch (CNRS and Universite Savoie Mont-Blanc, France): Mathematical Topics around Granular Media
4:45pm – 5:10pm: Dr. Keith Chambers (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford): Structured Population Models to Explore Lipid-Driven Macrophage Heterogeneity in Early Atherosclerotic Plaques
5:15pm ̶ 5:40pm: Coffee, Drinks & Refreshments
5:40pm ̶ 6:05pm: Dr. Tara Trauthwein (Department of Statistics, University of Oxford): Approximation Results for Large Networks
6:05pm-6:30pm: Isaac Newell (OxPDE, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford): The Gauss Equation for Isometric Embeddings of Regularity in W1+2/3,3∩ C1
6:35pm-7:00pm: Discussion

For abstracts please click the file here: Complexity-Cluster_Workshop_20250212_Final_0.pdf

Tue, 20 May 2025

16:00 - 19:00
Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College

Complexity Cluster Research Workshop

Abstract

The Complexity Cluster Event Organisers Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen, Professor Helen Byrne, and Professor Mohit Dalwadi, cordially invite you to attend a Complexity Cluster Research Workshop on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, in the Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College.

Complexity Cluster Research Workshop
Venue: Glen Callater Room, H B Allen Centre, Keble College
Date: Tuesday, 20th May 2025
Organisers: 
Professor Helen Byrne
Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen
Professor Mohit Dalwadi
 

Programme:
4.00pm ̶ 4.15pm: Coffee, Drinks & Refreshments
4:15pm ̶ 4:40pm: Professor Didier Bresch (CNRS and Universite Savoie Mont-Blanc, France): Mathematical Topics around Granular Media
4:45pm – 5:10pm: Dr. Keith Chambers (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford): Structured Population Models to Explore Lipid-Driven Macrophage Heterogeneity in Early Atherosclerotic Plaques
5:15pm ̶ 5:40pm: Coffee, Drinks & Refreshments
5:40pm ̶ 6:05pm: Dr. Tara Trauthwein (Department of Statistics, University of Oxford): Approximation Results for Large Networks
6:05pm-6:30pm: Isaac Newell (OxPDE, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford): The Gauss Equation for Isometric Embeddings of Regularity in W1+2/3,3∩ C1
6:35pm-7:00pm: Discussion

For abstracts please click the file here: Complexity-Cluster_Workshop_20250212_Final_0.pdf

Tue, 20 May 2025
16:00
C3

Positive representations of quantum groups

Christian Voigt
(University of Glasgow)
Abstract

Quantized universal enveloping algebras admit an intriguing class of (unbounded) Hilbert space representations obtained via their cluster structure. In these so-called positive representations the standard generators act by (essentially self-adjoint) positive operators. 

The aim of this talk is to discuss some analytical questions arising in this context, and in particular to what extent these representations can be understood using the theory of locally compact quantum groups in the sense of Kustermans and Vaes. I will focus on the simplest case in rank 1, where many of the key features (and difficulties) are already visible. (Based on work in progress with Kenny De Commer, Gus Schrader and Alexander Shapiro). 

Tue, 20 May 2025
16:00
L6

Approaching the two-point Chowla conjecture via matrices

Cedric Pilatte
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

The two-point Chowla conjecture predicts that $\sum_{x<n<2x} \lambda(n)\lambda(n+1) = o(x)$ as $x\to \infty$, where $\lambda$ is the Liouville function (a $\{\pm 1\}$-valued multiplicative function encoding the parity of the number of prime factors). While this remains an open problem, weaker versions of this conjecture are known. In this talk, we outline an approach initiated by Helfgott and Radziwill, which reformulates the problem in terms of bounding the eigenvalues of a certain matrix.

Tue, 20 May 2025
15:30
L4

Relative orientations and the cyclic Deligne conjecture

Nick Rozenblyum
(University of Toronto)
Abstract

A consequence of the works of Costello and Lurie is that the Hochschild chain complex of a Calabi-Yau category admits the structure of a framed E_2 algebra (the genus zero operations). I will describe a new algebraic point of view on these operations which admits generalizations to the setting of relative
Calabi-Yau structures, which do not seem to fit into the framework of TQFTs. In particular, we obtain a generalization of string topology to manifolds with boundary, as well as interesting operations on Hochschild homology of Fano varieties. This is joint work with Chris Brav.

Tue, 20 May 2025
15:00
L6

Cohomology of subgroups of SL2

Henrique Souza
(Universidad Autonoma de Madrid)
Abstract

Given an FP-infinity subgroup G of SL(2,C), we are interested in the asymptotic behavior of the cohomology of G with coefficients in an irreducible complex representation V of SL(2,C). We prove that, as the dimension of V grows, the dimensions of these cohomology groups approximate the L2-Betti numbers of G. We make no further assumptions on G, extending a previous result of W. Fu. This yields a new method to compute those Betti numbers for finitely generated hyperbolic 3-manifold groups. We will give a brief idea of the proof, whose main tool is a completion of the universal enveloping algebra of the p-adic Lie algebra sl(2, Zp).

Tue, 20 May 2025
15:00
L6

Cohomology of subgroups of SL2

Henrique Souza
Abstract

Given an FP-infinity subgroup G of SL(2,C), we are interested in the asymptotic behavior of the cohomology of G with coefficients in an irreducible complex representation V of SL(2,C). We prove that, as the dimension of V grows, the dimensions of these cohomology groups approximate the L2-Betti numbers of G. We make no further assumptions on G, extending a previous result of W. Fu. This yields a new method to compute those Betti numbers for finitely generated hyperbolic 3-manifold groups. We will give a brief idea of the proof, whose main tool is a completion of the universal enveloping algebra of the p-adic Lie algebra sl(2, Zp).

Tue, 20 May 2025
14:00
L6

Dehn functions of Bestvina--Brady groups

Matteo Migliorini
(Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
Abstract

Bestvina--Brady groups were first introduced by Bestvina and Brady for their interesting finiteness properties. In this talk, we discuss their Dehn functions, that are a notion of isoperimetric inequality for finitely presented groups and can be thought of as a "quantitative version" of finite presentability. A result of Dison shows that the Dehn function of a Bestvina--Brady group is always bounded above by a quartic polynomial.

Our main result is to compute the Dehn function for all finitely presented Bestvina--Brady groups. In particular, we show that the Dehn function of a Bestvina--Brady group grows as a polynomial of integer degree, and we present the combinatorial criteria on the graph that determine whether the Dehn functions of the associated Bestvina--Brady group is linear, quadratic, cubic, or quartic.

This is joint work with Chang and García-Mejía.

Tue, 20 May 2025
13:00
L5

Monopoles, duality, and QED3

Shai Chester
(IC)
Abstract

We consider quantum electrodynamics in 2+1 dimensions (QED3) with N matter fields and Chern-Simons level k. For small values of k and N, this theory describes various experimentally relevant systems in condensed matter, and is also conjectured to be part of a web of non-supersymmetric dualities. We compute the scaling dimensions of monopole operators in a large N and k expansion, which appears to be extremely accurate even down to the smallest values of N and k, and allows us to find dynamical evidence for these dualities and make predictions about the phase transitions. For instance, we combine these estimates with the conformal bootstrap to predict that the notorious Neel-VBS transition (QED3 with 2 scalars) is tricritical, which was recently confirmed by independent lattice simulations. Lastly, we propose a novel phase diagram for QED3 with 2 fermions, including duality with the O(4) Wilson-Fisher fixed point.

Mon, 19 May 2025
16:30
L4

Weak solutions for the Navier-Stokes system for a compressible fluid with non-isotropic viscous-stress tensor.

Cosmin Burtea
(Université Paris Cité)
Abstract

When dealing with PDEs arising in fluid mechanics, bounded-energy weaksolutions are, in many cases, the only type of solutions for which one can guarantee global existence without imposing any restrictions on the size of the initial data or forcing terms. Understanding how to construct such solutions is also crucial for designing stable numerical schemes.

In this talk, we will explain the strategy for contructing weak solutions for the Navier-Stokes system for viscous compressible flows, emphasizing the difficulties encountered in the case of non-isotropic viscous stress tensors. In particular, I will present some results obtained in collaboration with Didier Bresch and Maja Szlenk.

Mon, 19 May 2025
16:00
L6

On derived deformations of Galois representations (after Galatius-Venkatesh)

Samuel Moore
(University of Oxford)
Abstract


Given a mod $p$ Galois representation, one often wonders whether it arises by reducing a $p$-adic one, and whether these lifts are suitably 'well-behaved'. In this talk, we discuss how ideas from homotopy theory aid the study of Galois deformations, reviewing work of Galatius-Venkatesh.

Mon, 19 May 2025
15:30
L5

Stable equivalence relations of 4-manifolds

Daniel Kasprowski
(University of Southampton)
Abstract

Kreck’s modified surgery gives an approach to classify 2n-manifolds up to stable diffeomorphism, i.e., up to a connected sum with copies of $S^n \times  S^n$. In dimension 4, we use a combination of modified and classical surgery to compare the stable diffeomorphism classification with other stable equivalence relations. Most importantly, we consider homotopy equivalence up to connected sum with copies of $S^2 \times  S^2$. This talk is based on joint work with John Nicholson and Simona Veselá.

Mon, 19 May 2025
15:30
L3

Quantitative Convergence of Deep Neural Networks to Gaussian Processes

Prof Dario Trevisan
(University of Pisa)
Abstract

In this seminar, we explore the quantitative convergence of wide deep neural networks with Gaussian weights to Gaussian processes, establishing novel rates for their Gaussian approximation. We show that the Wasserstein distance between the network output and its Gaussian counterpart scales inversely with network width, with bounds apply for any finite input set under specific non-degeneracy conditions of the covariances. Additionally, we extend our analysis to the Bayesian framework, by studying exact posteriors for neural networks, when endowed with Gaussian priors and regular Likelihood functions, but we also provide recent advancements in quantitative approximation of trained networks via gradient descent in the NTK regime. Based on joint works with A. Basteri, and A. Agazzi and E. Mosig.

Mon, 19 May 2025

14:00 - 15:00
Lecture Room 3

Bridging Classical and Modern Computer Vision: PerceptiveNet for Tree Crown Semantic Segmentation

Dr Georgios Voulgaris
(Department of Biology, Oxford University)
Abstract

The accurate semantic segmentation of individual tree crowns within remotely sensed data is crucial for scientific endeavours such as forest management, biodiversity studies, and carbon sequestration quantification. However, precise segmentation remains challenging due to complexities in the forest canopy, including shadows, intricate backgrounds, scale variations, and subtle spectral differences among tree species. While deep learning models improve accuracy by learning hierarchical features, they often fail to effectively capture fine-grained details and long-range dependencies within complex forest canopies.

 

This seminar introduces PerceptiveNet, a novel model that incorporates a Logarithmic Gabor-implemented convolutional layer alongside a backbone designed to extract salient features while capturing extensive context and spatial information through a wider receptive field. The presentation will explore the impact of Log-Gabor, Gabor, and standard convolutional layers on semantic segmentation performance, providing a comprehensive analysis of experimental findings. An ablation study will assess the contributions of individual layers and their interactions to overall model effectiveness. Furthermore, PerceptiveNet will be evaluated as a backbone within a hybrid CNN-Transformer model, demonstrating how improved feature representation and long-range dependency modelling enhance segmentation accuracy.

Mon, 19 May 2025
13:00
L6

Mellin transforms for recursive sums of Feynman integrals

Paul-Hermann Balduf
Abstract

In recent meetings of the journal club, two constructions that have been
discussed are Mellin transforms and chord diagrams. In my talk, I will
continue that thread and review  how a Mellin transform describes the
insertion of subgraphs into Feynman integrals. This operation comes up
in various contexts, as a concrete example, I will show how to compute
the infinite sum of rainbow diagrams in phi^3 theory in 6 dimensions. On
a combinatorial level, the procedure can be encoded by chord diagrams,
or by tubings of rooted trees, which I will mention in passing.
The talk is loosely based on doi 10.1112/jlms.70006 .
 

Fri, 16 May 2025

14:00 - 15:00
L1

Prelims Preparation

Abstract

This session is aimed at first-year undergraduates preparing for Prelims exams. A panel of lecturers will share key advice on exam technique and revision strategies, and a current student will offer practical tips from their own experience. This event complements the Friday@2 session in Week 1 on Dealing with Exam Anxiety.

Fri, 16 May 2025
13:00
L6

Certifying robustness via topological representations

Andrea Guidolin
(University of Southampton)

Note: we would recommend to join the meeting using the Teams client for best user experience.

Abstract
Deep learning models are known to be vulnerable to small malicious perturbations producing so-called adversarial examples. Vulnerability to adversarial examples is of particular concern in the case of models developed to operate in security- and safety-critical situations. As a consequence, the study of robustness properties of deep learning models has recently attracted significant attention.

In this talk we discuss how the stability results for the invariants of Topological Data Analysis can be exploited to design machine learning models with robustness guarantees. We propose a neural network architecture that can learn discriminative geometric representations of data from persistence diagrams. The learned representations enjoy Lipschitz stability with a controllable Lipschitz constant. In adversarial learning, this stability can be used to certify robustness for samples in a dataset, as we demonstrate on synthetic data.
Fri, 16 May 2025

12:00 - 13:00
Quillen Room

The derived l-modular unipotent block of p-adic GLn

Rose Berry
(University of East Anglia)
Abstract

Complex representations of p-adic groups are in many ways well-understood. The category has Bernstein's decomposition into blocks, and for many groups each block is known to be equivalent to modules over a Hecke algebra. In particular, the unipotent block of GLn (the block containing the trivial representation) is equivalent to the modules over an extended affine hecke algebra of type A. Over \bar{Fl} the situation is more complicated in the general case: the Bernstein block decomposition can fail (eg for SP8), and there is no longer in general an equivalence with the Hecke algebra. However, some groups, such as GLn and its inner forms, still have a Bernstein decomposition. Furthermore, Vigernas showed that the unipotent block of GLn contains a subcategory that is equivalent to modules over the Schur algebra, a mild extension of the Hecke algebra with much of the same theory, and this subcategory generates the unipotent block under extensions. Building on this work, we show that the derived category of the unipotent block of GLn is triangulated-equivalent to the perfect complexes over a dg-enriched Schur algebra. We prove this by combining general finiteness results about Schur algebras with the well-known structure of the l-modular unipotent blocks of GLn over finite fields.

Fri, 16 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
L4

Round the clock: circadian gene expression, growth and division in cyanobacteria

Dr Bruno Martins
(School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick)
Abstract

Circadian clocks generate autonomous daily rhythms of gene expression in anticipation of daily sunlight and temperature cycles in a variety of organisms. The simples and best characterised of all circadian clocks in nature is the cyanobacterial clock, the core of which consists of just 3 proteins - KaiA, KaiB and KaiC - locked in a 24-h phosphorylation-dephosphorylation loop. Substantial progress has been made in understanding how cells generate and sustain this rhythm, but important questions remain: how does the clock maintain resilience in the face of internal and external fluctuations, how is the clock coupled to other cellular processes and what dynamics arise from this coupling? We address these questions using an interdisciplinary approach combining time-lapse microscopy and modelling. In this talk, I will first characterise the clock's free-running robustness and explore how the clock buffers environmental noise and genetic mutations. Our stochastic model predicts how the clock filters out such noise, including fast light fluctuations, to keep time while remaining responsive to environmental shifts, revealing also that the wild-type operates at a noise optimum. Next, I will focus on how the clock interacts with the other major cellular cycle, the cell division cycle. Our single-cell data shows that the clock couples to the division rate and expression of cell cycle-dependent factors using both frequency modulation and amplitude modulation strategies, with implications for cell growth and cell size control. Our findings illustrate how simple systems can exhibit complex dynamics, advancing our understanding of the interdependency between gene circuits and cellular physiology.  
 

Thu, 15 May 2025
17:00
L3

Feferman's Completeness Theorem

Michael Rathjen
(University of Leeds)
Abstract

Feferman proved in 1962 that any arithmetical theorem is a consequence of a suitable transfinite iteration of uniform reflections. This result is commonly known as Feferman's completeness theorem. The talk aims to give one or two new proofs of Feferman's completeness theorem that, we hope, shed new light on this mysterious and often overlooked result.

Moreover, one of the proofs furnishes sharp bounds on the order types of well-orders necessary to attain completeness.

(This is joint work with Fedor Pakhomov and Dino Rossegger.)

Thu, 15 May 2025
16:00
Lecture Room 4, Mathematical Institute

Sums along binary cubic forms

Mayank Pandey
(Princeton)
Abstract

We discuss ongoing work with Joseph Leung in which we obtain estimates for sums of Fourier coefficients of GL(2) and certain GL(3) automorphic forms along the values of irreducible binary cubics.

Thu, 15 May 2025
14:00
Lecture Room 3

Quick on the draw: high-frequency trading in the Wild West of cryptocurrency limit order-book markets

Sam Howison
(Mathematical Institute (University of Oxford))
Abstract

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have only recently become a significant part of the financial landscape. Many billions of dollars are now traded daily on limit order-book markets such as Binance, and these are probably among the most open, liquid and transparent markets there are. They therefore make an interesting platform from which to investigate myriad questions to do with market microstructure. I shall talk about a few of these, including live-trading experiments to investigate the difference between on-paper strategy analysis (typical in the academic literature) and actual trading outcomes. I shall also mention very recent work on the new Hyperliquid exchange which runs on a blockchain basis, showing how to use this architecture to obtain datasets of an unprecendented level of granularity. This is joint work with Jakob Albers, Mihai Cucuringu and Alex Shestopaloff.

Thu, 15 May 2025

12:00 - 12:30
L4

Fast solvers for high-order finite element discretizations of the de Rham complex

Charlie Parker
(Mathematical Institute (University of Oxford))
Abstract

Many applications in electromagnetism, magnetohydrodynamics, and pour media flow are well-posed in spaces from the 3D de Rham complex involving $H^1$, $H(curl)$, $H(div)$, and $L^2$. Discretizing these spaces with the usual conforming finite element spaces typically leads to discrete problems that are both structure-preserving and uniformly stable with respect to the mesh size and polynomial degree. Robust preconditioners/solvers usually require the inversion of subproblems or auxiliary problems on vertex, edge, or face patches of elements. For high-order discretizations, the cost of inverting these patch problems scales like $\mathcal{O}(p^9)$ and is thus prohibitively expensive. We propose a new set of basis functions for each of the spaces in the discrete de Rham complex that reduce the cost of the patch problems to $\mathcal{O}(p^6)$ complexity. By taking advantage of additional properties of the new basis, we propose further computationally cheaper variants of existing preconditioners. Various numerical examples demonstrate the performance of the solvers.

Thu, 15 May 2025
12:00
C6

Recent progress on the inverse scattering theory for ideal Alfvén waves

Mengni Li
(Southeast University, Nanjing)
Abstract

The Alfvén waves are fundamental wave phenomena in magnetized plasmas. Mathematically, the dynamics of Alfvén waves are governed by a system of nonlinear partial differential equations called the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations. Let us introduce some recent results about inverse scattering of Alfvén waves in ideal MHD, which are intended to establish the relationship between Alfvén waves emanating from the plasma and their scattering fields at infinities.The proof is mainly based on the weighted energy estimates. Moreover, the null structure inherent in MHD equations is thoroughly examined, especially when we estimate the pressure term.

Thu, 15 May 2025

11:00 - 12:00
C5

A criterion for sharpness of the Elekes-Szabó theorem in positive characteristic

Lucas Nistor
(École Normale Supérieure )
Abstract

We establish that a criterion based on ring-theoretic amenability is both necessary and sufficient for the abelian version of the Elekes-Szabó theorem to be sharp in the case of positive characteristic. Moreover, the criterion is always sufficient. We provide illustrative examples in the theories ACF_p and DCF_0.