Mathematical modelling and experiments have worked hand in hand for over two decades to uncover how cranial neural crest cells collectively migrate during embryonic development. New work shows how distinct leader- and follower-like cell states can emerge spontaneously from an initially homogeneous population, reconciling seemingly conflicting findings in the biological literature.
Mon, 09 Nov 2026
16:00
16:00
C4
Smooth numbers and random multiplicative functions
Seth Hardy
(University of Oxford)
Abstract
In seminal work, Harper showed that the partial sums of random multiplicative functions enjoy "better than square-root cancellation". This surprising phenomenon gives rise to many questions; for example, recent research has focused on whether certain subsums possess this property. In this talk, I will introduce smooth numbers, discuss their "anatomy", and relate this to recent progress on random multiplicative functions over smooth numbers. This is based on joint work with Max Wenqiang Xu.
Instability of the Sherman-Morrison formula and stabilization by iterative refinement
Hashemi, B
Nakatsukasa, Y
IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis
A Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury approach to solving least squares problems with low-rank updates
Bloor Riley, A
Guettel, S
Nakatsukasa, Y
Webb, M
IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis
Preconditioned normal equations for solving discretised partial differential equations
Lazzarino, L
Nakatsukasa, Y
Zerbinati, U
SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing
Every finite group admits a just finite presentation
Lackenby, M
Journal of Group Theory
Geometry of rational quasi-independence models as toric fiber products
Coons, J
Harrington, H
Paul, N
(22 May 2024)
doi:10.48550/arxiv.2405.13897
Nondimensionalization is more science than art
Tanburn, R
Hendron, D
Maini, P
Amethyst, S
Dufresne, E
Harrington, H
(15 Dec 2025)
doi:10.48550/arxiv.2512.13455
Topological Inference for Organoids
Yang, H
Lee, B
Grapin-Botton, A
Harrington, H
Byrne, H
(23 Sep 2026)
doi:10.48550/arxiv.2609.27668