Past

Lattice rules are equal-weight quadrature/cubature rules for the approximation of multivariate integrals which use lattice points as the cubature nodes. The quality of such cubature rules is directly related to the discrepancy between the uniform distribution and the discrete distribution of these points in the unit cube, and so, they are a kind of low-discrepancy sampling points. As low-discrepancy based cubature rules look like Monte Carlo rules, except that they use cleverly chosen deterministic points, they are sometimes called quasi-Monte Carlo rules.

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The talk starts by motivating the usage of Monte Carlo and then quasi-Monte Carlo methods after which some more recent developments are discussed. Topics include: worst-case errors in reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces, weighted spaces and the construction of lattice rules and sequences.

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In the minds of many, quasi-Monte Carlo methods seem to share the bad stanza of the Monte Carlo method: a brute force method of last resort with slow order of convergence, i.e., $O(N^{-1/2})$. This is not so.

While the standard rate of convergence for quasi-Monte Carlo is rather slow, being $O(N^{-1})$, the theory shows that these methods achieve the optimal rate of convergence in many interesting function spaces.

E.g., in function spaces with higher smoothness one can have $O(N^{-\alpha})$, $\alpha > 1$. This will be illustrated by numerical examples.

More than half of the world's financial markets use a limit order book

mechanism to facilitate trade. For markets where trade is conducted

through a central counterparty, trading platforms disseminate the same

information about the limit order book to all market participants in

real time, and all market participants are able to trade with all

others. By contrast, in markets that operate under bilateral trade

agreements, market participants are only able to view the limit order

book activity from their bilateral trading partners, and are unable to

trade with the market participants with whom they do not possess a

bilateral trade agreement. In this talk, I discuss the implications

of such a market structure for price formation. I then introduce a

simple model of such a market, which is able to reproduce several

important empirical properties of traded price series. By identifying and

matching several robust moment conditions to the empirical data, I make

model-based inference about the network of bilateral trade partnerships

in the market. I discuss the implications of these findings for market

stability and suggest how the regulator might improve market conditions

by implementing simple restrictions on how market participants form their

bilateral trade agreements.

Symplectic reflection algebras are an important class of algebras related to an incredibly high number of different topics such as combinatorics, noncommutative geometry and resolutions of singularities and have themselves a rich representation theory. We will recall their definition and classification coming from symplectic reflection groups and outline some of the results that have characterised their representation theory over the last decade, focusing on the link with representations of quivers.

We review the theory of $E_n$-algebras (roughly, algebras with $n$ compatible multiplications) and discuss $E_n$-deformation theory in the sense of Lurie. We then describe, to the best of our ability, the use of $E_n$-deformation theory in the on-going work of Calaque, Pantev, Toen, Vezzosi, and Vaquie about deformation quantization of derived stacks with shifted Poisson structure.

We review the theory of $E_n$-algebras (roughly, algebras with $n$ compatible multiplications) and discuss $E_n$-deformation theory in

the sense of Lurie. We then describe, to the best of our ability, the use of $E_n$-deformation theory in the on-going work of Calaque, Pantev, Toen,

Vezzosi, and Vaquie about deformation quantization of derived stacks with shifted Poisson structure.

***** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 11TH JUNE ****

Signal transduction pathways are sophisticated information processing machinery in the cell that is arguably taking advantage of highly non-idealistic natures of intracellular environments for its optimum operations. In this study, we focused on effects of intracellular macromolecular crowding on signal transduction pathways using single-particle simulations. We have previously shown that rebinding of kinases to substrates can remarkably increase processivity of dual-phosphorylation reactions and change both steady-state and transient responses of the reaction network. We found that molecular crowding drastically enhances the rebinding effect, and it shows nonlinear time dependency although kinetics at the macroscopic level still follows the conventional model in dilute media. We applied the rate law revised on the basis of these calculations to MEK-ERK system and compared it with experimental measurements.

***** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 11TH JUNE ****

The class of sofic groups was introduced by Gromov in 1999. It
includes all residually finite and all amenable groups. In fact, no group has been proved
not to be sofic, so it remains possible that all groups are sofic. Their
defining property is that, roughly speaking, for any finite subset F of
the group G, there is a map from G to a finite symmetric group, which is
approximates to an injective homomorphism on F. The widespread interest in
these group results partly from their connections with other branches of
mathematics, including dynamical systems. In the talk, we will concentrate
on their definition and algebraic properties.

In this talk, we consider the setting: a random realization of an evolving dynamical system, and explain how, using notions common in the theory of rough paths, such as the signature, and shuffle product, one can provide a new united approach to the fundamental problem of predicting the conditional distribution of the near future given the past. We will explain how the problem can be reduced to a linear regression and least squaresanalysis. The approach is clean and systematic and provides a clear gradation of finite dimensional approximations. The approach is also non-parametric and very general but still presents itself in computationally tractable and flexible restricted forms for concrete problems. Popular techniques in time series analysis such as GARCH can be seen to be restricted special cases of our approach but it is not clear they are always the best or most informative choices. Some numerical examples will be shown in order to compare our approach and standard time series models.

This talk is based on a joint work with Céline Labart. We are interested in this paper in the numerical simulation of solutions to Backward Stochastic Differential Equations. There are several existing methods to handle this problem and one of the main difficulty is always to compute conditional expectations.

Even though our approach can also be applied in the case of the dynamic programmation equation, our starting point is the use of Picard's iterations that we write in a forward way

In order to compute the conditional expectations, we use Wiener Chaos expansions of the underlying random variables. From a practical point of view, we keep only a finite number of terms in the expansions and we get explicit formulas.

We will present numerical experiments and results on the error analysis.

"We introduce some type of generalized Poisson formula which is equivalent 
to Langlands' automorphic transfer from an arbitrary reductive group over a 
global field to a general linear group."

The martingale optimal transportation problem is motivated by

model-independent bounds for the pricing and hedging exotic options in

financial mathematics.

In the simplest one-period model, the dual formulation of the robust

superhedging cost differs from the standard optimal transport problem by

the presence of a martingale constraint on the set of coupling measures.

The one-dimensional Brenier theorem has a natural extension. However, in

the present martingale version, the optimal coupling measure is

concentrated on a pair of graphs which can be obtained in explicit form.

These explicit extremal probability measures are also characterized as

the unique left and right monotone martingale transference plans, and

induce an optimal solution of the kantorovitch dual, which coincides

with our original robust hedging problem.

By iterating the above construction over n steps, we define a Markov

process whose distribution is optimal for the n-periods martingale

transport problem corresponding to a convenient class of cost functions.

Similarly, the optimal solution of the corresponding robust hedging

problem is deduced in explicit form. Finally, by sending the time step

to zero, this leads to a continuous-time version of the one-dimensional

Brenier theorem in the present martingale context, thus providing a new

remarkable example of Peacock, i.e. Processus Croissant pour l'Ordre

Convexe. Here again, the corresponding robust hedging strategy is

obtained in explicit form.

*****     PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY 7TH JUNE     *****

Collective behaviours of coupled linear or nonlinear resonators have been of interest to engineers as well as mathematician for a long time. In this presentation, using the example of coupled resonant nano-sensors (which leads to a Linear pencil with a Jacobian matrix), I will show how previously feared and often avoided coupling between nano-devices along with their weak nonlinear behaviour can be used with inverse eigenvalue analysis to design multiple-input-single-output nano-sensors. We are using these matrices in designing micro/Nano electromechanical systems, particularly resonant sensors capable for measuring very small mass for use as environmental as well as biomedical monitors. With improvement in fabrication technology, we can design and build several such sensors on one substrate. However, this leads to challenges in interfacing them as well as introduces undesired parasitic coupling. More importantly, increased nonlinearity is being observed as these sensors reduce in size. However, this also presents an opportunity to experimentally study chains or matrices of coupled linear and/or nonlinear structures to develop new sensing modalities as well as to experimentally verify theoretically or numerically predicted results. The challenge for us is now to identify sensing modalities with chain of linear or nonlinear resonators coupled either linearly or nonlinearly. We are currently exploring chains of Duffing resonators, van der Pol oscillators as well as FPU type lattices.

Some real resource allocation problems are so large and complex that optimization would computationally infeasible, even with complete information about all the relevant values. For example, the proposal in the US to use television broadcasters' bids to determine which stations go off air to make room for wireless broadband is characterized by hundreds of thousands of integer constraints. We use game theory and auction theory to characterize a class of simple, strategy-proof auctions for such problems and show their equivalence to a class of "clock auctions," which make the optimal bidding strategy obvious to all bidders. We adapt the results of optimal auction theory to reduce expected procurement costs and prove that the procurement cost of each clock auction is the same as that of the full information equilibrium of its related paid-as-bid (sealed-bid) auction.

An externally definable set of a first order structure $M$ is a set of the form $X\cap M^n$ for a set $X$ that is parametrically definable in some elementary extension of $M$. By a theorem of Shelah, these sets form again a first order structure if $M$ is NIP. If $M$ is a real closed field, externally definable sets can be described as some sort of limit sets (to be explained in the talk), in the best case as Hausdorff limits of definable families. It is conjectured that the Shelah structure on a real closed field is generated by expanding the field with convex subsets of the line. This is known to be true in the archimedean case by van den Dries (generalised by Marker and Steinhorn). I will report on recent progress around this question, mainly its confirmation on real closed fields that are close to being maximally valued with archimedean residue field. The main tool is an algebraic characterisation of definable types in real closed valued fields. I also intend to give counterexamples to a localized version of the conjecture. This is joint work with Francoise Delon.

I will show how to associate a quaternion algebra to a hyperbolic 3-manifold. I will then go through some examples and applications of this theory

The coastal ocean contains a diversity of physical and biological

processes, often occurring at vastly different scales. In this talk,

we will outline some of these processes and their mathematical

description. We will then discuss how finite element methods are used

in coastal ocean modeling and recent research into

improvements to these algorithms. We will also highlight some of the

successes of these methods in simulating complex events, such as

hurricane storm surges. Finally, we will outline several interesting

challenges which are ripe for future research.

Consider in the phase space of classical mechanics a Radon measure that is a probability density carried by the graph of a Lipschitz continuous (or even less regular) vector field. We study the structure of the push-forward of such a measure by a Hamiltonian flow. In particular, we provide an estimate on the number of folds in the support of the transported measure that is the image of the initial graph by the flow. We also study in detail the type of singularities in the projection of the transported measure in configuration space (averaging out the momentum variable). We study the conditions under which this projected measure can have atoms, and give an example in which the projected measure is singular with respect to the Lebesgue measure and diffuse. We discuss applications of our results to the classical limit of the Schrödinger equation. Finally we present various examples and counterexamples showing that our results are sharp.

In this talk we study numerical approximations of continuous solutions to a nonlocal $p$-Laplacian type diffusion equation, \[ u_t (t, x) = \int_\Omega J(x − y)|u(t, y) − u(t, x)|^{p-2} (u(t, y) − u(t, x)) dy. \]

First, we find that a semidiscretization in space of this problem gives rise to an ODE system whose solutions converge uniformly to the continuous one, as the mesh size goes to zero. Moreover, the semidiscrete approximation shares some properties with the continuous problem: it preserves the total mass and the solution converges to the mean value of the initial condition, as $t$ goes to infinity.

Next, we discretize also the time variable and present a totally discrete method which also enjoys the above mentioned properties.

In addition, we investigate the limit as $p$ goes to infinity in these approximations and obtain a discrete model for the evolution of a sandpile.

Finally, we present some numerical experiments that illustrate our results.

This is a joint work with J. D. Rossi.

 We consider two decision problems for linear recurrence sequences (LRS) 
over the integers, namely the Positivity Problem (are all terms of a given 
LRS positive?) and the Ultimate Positivity Problem (are all but finitely 
many terms of a given LRS positive?). We show decidability of both 
problems for LRS of order 5 or less, and for simple LRS (i.e. whose 
characteristic polynomial has no repeated roots) of order 9 or less. Our 
results rely on on tools from Diophantine approximation, including Baker's 
Theorem on linear forms in logarithms of algebraic numbers. By way of 
hardness, we show that extending the decidability of either problem to LRS 
of order 6 would entail major breakthroughs on Diophantine approximation 
of transcendental numbers.

This is joint with work with Joel Ouaknine and Matt Daws.

The Einstein equation from general relativity is a

quasilinear hyperbolic, geometric PDE (when viewed in an appropriate

coordinate system) for a manifold. A particularly interesting set of

known, exact solutions describe black holes. The wave and Maxwell

equations on these manifolds are models for perturbations of the known

solutions and have attracted a significant amount of attention in the

last decade. Key estimates are conservation of energy and Morawetz (or

integrated local energy) estimates. These can be proved using both

Fourier analytic methods and more geometric methods. The main focus of

the talk will be on decay estimates for solutions of the Maxwell

equation outside a slowly rotating Kerr black hole.

I will talk about random walks on groups and define the Poisson boundary of such. Studying it gives criteria for amenability or growth. I will outline how this can be used and describe recent related results and still open questions.

Saturated fusion systems are both a convenient language in which to formulate p-local finite simple group theory and interesting structures in their own right. In this talk, we will start by explaining what is meant by a 'tree of fusion systems' and give conditions on such an object for there to exist a saturated completion. We then describe how this theory can be used to understand a class of fusion systems first considered by Bob Oliver, which are determined by modular representations of finite groups. If time permits, we will discuss joint work with David Craven towards a complete classification of such fusion systems. The talk is aimed at a general mathematical audience with some background in algebra.

Let g be the complex semisimple Lie algebra associated to a complex semisimple algebraic group G, b a Borel subalgebra of g, h the Cartan sublagebra contained in b and N the unipotent subgroup corresponding to the nilradical n of b. Extremal projection operators are projection operators onto the subspaces of n-invariants in certain g-modules the action of n on which is locally nilpotent. Zhelobenko also introduced a family of operators which are analogues to extremal projection operators. These operators are called now Zhelobenko operators.
I shall show that the explicit formula for the extremal projection operator for g obtained by Asherova, Smirnov and Tolstoy and similar formulas for Zhelobenko operators are related to the existence of a birational equivalence (N, h) -> b given by the restriction of the adjoint action. Simple geometric proofs of  formulas for the ``classical'' counterparts of the extremal projection operator and of Zhelobenko operators are also obtained.

Convergence of the Bayes posterior measure is considered in canonical statistical settings (like density estimation or nonparametric regression) where observations sit on a geometrical object such as a compact manifold, or more generally on a compact metric space verifying some conditions.

A natural geometric prior based on randomly rescaled solutions of the heat equation is considered. Upper and lower bound posterior contraction rates are derived.

A-infinity algebras arise whenever one has a multiplication which is "associative up to homotopy". There is an important theory of minimal models which involves studying differential graded algebras via A-infinity structures on their homology algebras. However, this only works well over a ground field. Recently Sagave introduced the more general notion of a derived A-infinity algebra in order to extend the theory of minimal models to a general commutative ground ring.

Operads provide a very nice way of saying what A-infinity algebras are - they are described by a kind of free resolution of a strictly associative structure. I will explain the analogous result for derived A_infinity algebras - these are obtained in the same manner from a strictly associative structure with an extra differential.

This is joint work with Muriel Livernet and Constanze Roitzheim.

Jump processes, and Lévy processes in particular, are notoriously difficult to simulate. The task becomes even harder if the process is stopped when it crosses a certain boundary, which happens in applications to barrier option pricing or structural credit risk models. In this talk, I will present novel adaptive discretization

schemes for the simulation of stopped Lévy processes, which are several orders of magnitude faster than the traditional approaches based on uniform discretization, and provide an explicit control of the bias. The schemes are based on sharp asymptotic estimates for the exit probability and work by recursively adding discretization dates in the parts of the trajectory which are close to the boundary, until a specified error tolerance is met.

This is a joint work with Jose Figueroa-Lopez (Purdue).

In an equity market with stable capital distribution, a capitalization-weighted index of small stocks tends to outperform a capitalization-weighted index of large stocks.} This is a somewhat careful statement of the so-called "size effect", which has been documented empirically and for which several explanations have been advanced over the years. We review the analysis of this phenomenon by Fernholz (2001) who showed that, in the presence of (a suitably defined) stability for the capital structure, this phenomenon can be attributed entirely to portfolio rebalancing effects, and will occur regardless of whether or not small stocks are riskier than their larger brethren. Collision local times play a critical role in this analysis, as they capture the turnover at the various ranks on the capitalization ladder.

We shall provide a rather complete study of this phenomenon in the context of a simple model with stable capital distribution, the so-called ``Atlas model" studied in Banner et al.(2005).

This is a Joint work with Adrian Banner, Robert Fernholz, Vasileios Papathanakos and Phillip Whitman.

Landslides are generally associated with a trigger, such as an earthquake, a rapid snowmelt or a large storm. The trigger event can generate a single landslide or many thousands. This paper examines: (i) The frequency-area statistics of several triggered landslide event inventories, which are characterized by a three-parameter inverse-gamma probability distribution (exponential for small landslide areas, power-law for medium and large areas). (ii) The use of proxies (newspapers) for compiling long-time series of landslide activity in a given region, done in the context of the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy. (iii) A stochastic model developed to evaluate the probability of landslides intersecting a simple road network during a landslide triggering event.

A program for Geometric Unity is presented to argue that the seemingly baroque features of the standard model of particle physics are in fact inexorable and geometrically natural when generalizations of the Yang-Mills and Dirac theories are unified with one of general relativity.

Please see http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/seminars/CompBioPublicSeminars/

In order to reduce cost, the MOD are attempting to reduce the number of array types fitted to their assets. There is also a requirement for the arrays to increase their frequency coverage. A wide bandwidth capability is thus needed from a single array. The need for high sensitivity and comparatively high frequencies of operation has led to the view that 1 3 composites are suitable hydrophones for this purpose. These hydrophones are used widely in ultra-sonics, but are not generally used down to the frequency of the new arrays.

Experimental work using a single hydrophone (small in terms of wavelengths) has shown that the sensitivity drops significantly as the frequency approaches the bottom of the required band, and then recovers as the frequency reduces further. Complex computer modelling appears to suggest the loss in sensitivity is due to a "lateral mode" where the hydrophone "breathes" in and out. In order to engineer a solution, the mechanics of the cause of this problem and the associated parameters of the materials need to be identified (e.g. is changing the 1 3 filler material the best option?). In order to achieve this understanding, a mathematical model of the 1 3 composite hydrophone (ceramic pegs and filler) is required that can be used to explain why the hydrophone changes from the simple compression and expansion in the direction of travel of the wave front to a lateral "breathing" mode.

More details available from @email

A mini-lecture series consisting of four 1 hour lectures.