Thu, 18 Sep 2008

13:30 - 14:30
Gibson 1st Floor SR

Characterization of generalized gradient Young measures in $W^{1,1}$ and $BV$

Filip Rindler
(Technical University of Berlin)
Abstract

This talk first introduces generalized Young measures (or DiPerna/Majda measures) in an $L^1$-setting. This extension to classical Young measures is able to quantitatively account for both oscillation and concentration phenomena in generating sequences.

We establish several fundamental properties like compactness and representation of nonlinear integral functionals and present some examples. Then, generalized Young measures generated by $W^{1,1}$- and $BV$-gradients are more closely examined and several tools to manipulate them (including averaging and approximation) are presented.

Finally, we address the question of characterizing the set of generalized Young measures generated by gradients in the spirit of the Kinderlehrer-Pedregal Theorem.

This is joint work with Jan Kristensen.

Wed, 17 Sep 2008

16:00 - 17:00
L3

Quiver representations and the enumeration of graphs

Fernando Rodriguez-Villegas
(UT Austin)
Abstract

We show that the leading terms of the number of absolutely indecomposable representations of a quiver over a finite field are related to counting graphs. This is joint work with Geir Helleloid.

Tue, 16 Sep 2008

15:30 - 16:30
Gibson 1st Floor SR

A Posteriori Error Estimates for PDE Constrained Optimization with Pointwise State Constraints

Winnifried Wollner
(Heidelberg)
Abstract
This talk is devoted to adaptivity in optimal control of PDEs with special emphasis on barrier methods for pointwise state constraints. The talk is divided into to major parts, first we will discuss the case of additional pointwise inequality constraints on the state variable, then we will transfer the results to constraints on the gradient of the state. Each part will start with a discussion of necessary optimality conditions and a brief overview about what is known and what is not known concerning a priori analysis. Then a posteriori error estimates for the discretization error as well as for the error from the barrier method will be presented. Finally we show some simple examples to illustrate the behavior of the estimators. 
The talk will be followed by an informal tea in the Gibson Building seminar room giving an opportunity to chat with Winnifried Wollner and Amit Acharya (our other current OxMOS visitor)
Tue, 16 Sep 2008

14:00 - 15:00
Gibson 1st Floor SR

Non-periodic Γ-convergence

Helia Serrano
(Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha)
Abstract

Γ-convergence is a variational convergence on functionals. The explicit characterization of the integrand of the Γ-limit of sequences of integral functionals with periodic integrands is by now well known. Here we focus on the explicit characterization of the limit energy density of a sequence of functionals with non-periodic integrands. Such characterization is achieved in terms of the Young measure associated with relevant sequences of functions. Interesting examples are considered.

Mon, 01 Sep 2008

13:30 - 14:30
Gibson 1st Floor SR

About yield surfaces of phase transformation for some shape memory alloys: duality and convexity. Application to fracture.

Christian Lexcellent
(University of Franche-Comte)
Abstract

Multiaxial mechanical proportional loadings on shape memory alloys undergoing phase transformation permit to determine the yield curve of phase transformation initiation in the stress space. We show how to transport this yield surface in the set of effective transformation strains of producted phase M. Two numerical applications are done concerning a Cu Al Be and a Ni Ti polycrystallines shape memory alloys. A special attention is devoted to establish a convexity criterium of these surfaces.

Moreover an application to the determination of the phase transformation surface around the crack tip for SMA fracture is performed.

At last some datas are given concerning the SMA damping behavior

AUTHORS

Christian Lexcellent, Rachid Laydi, Emmanuel Foltete, Manuel collet and Frédéric Thiebaud

FEMTO-ST Département de Mécanique Appliquée Université de Franche Comte Besançon France

Tue, 29 Jul 2008
14:15
L3

The space of graphs in Euclidean space.

Soren Galatius
Abstract

A graph in R^n is a closed subset that locally looks like R (edges) or like a wedge of half intervals (vertices). I will describe a topology on the space of all such graphs and determine its homotopy type. This is one step in determining the homology of Aut(F_n), the automorphism group of a free group, in the limit where n goes to infinity.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008

14:30 - 15:30
SR1

Isomorphism Types of Maximal Cofinitary Groups

Bart Kastermans
(Wisconsin)
Abstract

Cofinitary groups are subgroups of the symmetric group on the natural numbers

(elements are bijections from the natural numbers to the natural numbers, and

the operation is composition) in which all elements other than the identity

have at most finitely many fixed points. We will give a motivation for the

question of which isomorphism types are possible for maximal cofinitary

groups. And explain some of the results we achieved so far.

Fri, 18 Jul 2008

13:30 - 14:30
Gibson 1st Floor SR

On Monge-Ampere type equations with supplementary ellipticity

Neil Trudinger
(Australian National University)
Abstract

We present a selection of recent results pertaining to Hessian

and Monge-Ampere equations, where the Hessian matrix is augmented by a

matrix valued lower order operator. Equations of this type arise in

conformal geometry, geometric optics and optimal transportation.In

particular we will discuss structure conditions, due to Ma,Wang and

myself, which imply the regularity of solutions.These conditions are a

refinement of a condition used originally by Pogorelev for general

equations of Monge-Ampere type in two variables and called strong

ellipticity by him.

Thu, 17 Jul 2008
11:00
L3

2-dimensional extended Topological Quantum Field Theories and categorification

Hendryk Pfeiffer
(UBC)
Abstract

A 2-dimensional Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT) is a symmetric monoidal functor from the category of 2-dimensional cobordisms to the category of vector spaces. A classic result states that 2d TQFTs are classified by commutative Frobenius algebras.  I show how to extend this result to open-closed TQFTs using a class of 2-manifolds with corners, how to use the Moore-Segal relations in order to find a canonical form and a complete set of invariants for our cobordisms and how to classify open-closed TQFTs algebraically.  Open-closed TQFTs can be used to find algebraic counterparts of Bar-Natan's topological extension of Khovanov homology from links to tangles and in order to get hold of the braided monoidal 2-category that governs this aspect of Khovanov homology. I also sketch what open-closed TQFTs reveal about the categorical ladder of combinatorial manifold invariants according to Crane and Frenkel.

references:

1] A. D. Lauda, H. Pfeiffer:

Open-closed strings: Two-dimensional extended TQFTs and Frobenius algebras,

Topology Appl. 155, No. 7 (2008) 623-666, arXiv:math/0510664

2] A. D. Lauda, H. Pfeiffer: State sum construction of two-dimensional open-closed Topological Quantum Field Theories,

J. Knot Th. Ramif. 16, No. 9 (2007) 1121-1163,arXiv:math/0602047

3] A. D. Lauda, H. Pfeiffer: Open-closed TQFTs extend Khovanov homology from links to tangles, J. Knot Th. Ramif., in press, arXiv:math/0606331.

Mon, 07 Jul 2008

14:15 - 15:15
L3

Lagrangian Mean Curvature Flow

Yng-Ing Lee
(National Taiwan University)
Abstract

Mean curvature vector is the negative gradient of the area functional. Thus if we deform a submanifold along its mean curvature vector, which is called mean curvature flow (MCF), the area will decrease most rapidly. When the ambient manifold is Kahler-Einstein, being Lagrangian is preserved under MCF. It is thus very natural trying to construct special Lagrangian/ Lagrangian minimal through MCF. In this talk, I will make a brief introduction and report some of my recent works with my coauthors in this direction, which mainly concern the singularities of the flow.

Mon, 30 Jun 2008

14:15 - 15:15
L3

Donaldson-Thomas and Gromov-Witten theory of Calabi-Yau orbifolds

Jim Bryan
(UBC, Vancouver)
Abstract

There are two basic theories of curve counting on Calabi-Yau threefolds. Donaldson-Thomas theory arises by considering curves as subschemes; Gromov-Witten theory arises by considering curves as the image of maps. Both theories can also be formulated for orbifolds. Let X be a dimension three Calabi-Yau orbifold and let

Y --> X be a Calabi-Yau resolution. The Gromov-Witten theories of X and Y are related by the Crepant Resolution Conjecture. The Gromov-Witten and Donaldson-Thomas theories of Y are related by the famous MNOP conjecture. In this talk I will (with some provisos) formulate the remaining equivalences: the crepant resolution conjecture in Donaldson-Thomas theory and the MNOP conjecture for orbifolds. I will discuss examples to illustrate and provide evidence for the conjectures.

Fri, 13 Jun 2008
15:15
L3

Representations of positive real polynomials

Alex Prestel
(Konstanz)
Abstract

We consider finite sequences $h = (h_1, . . . h_s)$ of real polynomials in $X_1, . . . ,X_n$ and assume that

the semi-algebraic subset $S(h)$ of $R^n$ defined by $h1(a1, . . . , an) \leq 0$, . . . , $hs(a1, . . . , an) \leq 0$ is

bounded. We call $h$ (quadratically) archimedean if every real polynomial $f$, strictly positive on

$S(h)$, admits a representation

$f = \sigma_0 + h_1\sigma_1 + \cdots + h_s\sigma_s$

with each $\sigma_i$ being a sum of squares of real polynomials.

If every $h_i$ is linear, the sequence h is archimedean. In general, h need not be archimedean.

There exists an abstract valuation theoretic criterion for h to be archimedean. We are, however,

interested in an effective procedure to decide whether h is archimedean or not.

In dimension n = 2, E. Cabral has given an effective geometric procedure for this decision

problem. Recently, S. Wagner has proved decidability for all dimensions using among others

model theoretic tools like the Ax-Kochen-Ershov Theorem.