Thu, 29 Oct 2015

17:30 - 18:30
L6

A minimalistic p-adic Artin-Schreier (Joint Number Theroy/Logic Seminar)

Florian Pop
(University of Pennsylvania)
Abstract

In contrast to the Artin-Schreier Theorem, its $p$-adic analog(s) involve infinite Galois theory, e.g., the absolute Galois group of $p$-adic fields.  We plan to give a characterization of $p$-adic $p$-Henselian valuations in an essentially finite way. This relates to the $Z/p$ metabelian form of the birational $p$-adic Grothendieck section conjecture.

Thu, 29 Oct 2015
17:30
L6

Joint Number Theroy/Logic Seminar: A minimalistic p-adic Artin-Schreier

Florian Pop
(University of Pennsylvania)
Abstract

In contrast to the Artin-Schreier Theorem, its p-adic analog(s) involve infinite Galois theory, e.g., the absolute Galois group of p-adic fields.  We plan to give a characterization of p-adic p-Henselian valuations in an essentially finite way. This relates to the Z/p metabelian form of the birational p-adic Grothendieck section conjecture.

Thu, 29 Oct 2015

16:00 - 17:00
C5
Thu, 29 Oct 2015

16:00 - 17:30
L4

Multi-Dimensional Backward Stochastic Differential Equations of Diagonally Quadratic generators

Ying Hu
(Université de Rennes 1 France)
Abstract

The talk is concerned with adapted solution of a multi-dimensional BSDE with a "diagonally" quadratic generator, the quadratic part of whose iith component only depends on the iith row of the second unknown variable. Local and global solutions are given. In our proofs, it is natural and crucial to apply both John-Nirenberg and reverse Holder inequalities for BMO martingales. 

Thu, 29 Oct 2015

16:00 - 17:00
L5

Arthur's multiplicity formula for automorphic representations of certain inner forms of special orthogonal and symplectic groups

Olivier Taibi
(Imperial College)
Abstract

I will explain the formulation and proof of Arthur's multiplicity formula for automorphic representations of special orthogonal groups and certain inner forms of symplectic groups $G$ over a number field $F$. I work under an assumption that substantially simplifies the use of the stabilisation of the trace formula, namely that there exists a non-empty set $S$ of real places of $F$ such that $G$ has discrete series at places in $S$ and is quasi-split at places outside $S$, and restricting to automorphic representations of $G(A_{F})$ which have algebraic regular infinitesimal character at the places in $S$. In particular, this proves the general multiplicity formula for groups $G$ such that $F$ is totally real, $G$ is compact at all real places of $F$ and quasi-split at all finite places of $F$. Crucially, the formulation of Arthur's multiplicity formula is made possible by Kaletha's recent work on local and global Galois
gerbes and their application to the normalisation of Kottwitz-Langlands-Shelstad transfer factors.

Thu, 29 Oct 2015

16:00 - 17:00
L3

Group Meeting

Michael Gomez, Jake Taylor-King, Andrew Krause, Zach Wilmott
Abstract

Michael Gomez:

Title: The role of ghosts in elastic snap-through
Abstract: Elastic `snap-through' buckling is a striking instability of many elastic systems with natural curvature and bistable states. The conditions under which bistability exists have been reasonably well studied, not least because a number of engineering applications make use of the rapid transitions between states. However, the dynamics of the transition itself remains much less well understood. Several examples have been studied that show slower dynamics than would be expected based on purely elastic timescales of motion, with the natural conclusion drawn that some other effect, such as viscoelasticity, must play a role. I will present analysis (and hopefully experiments) of a purely elastic system that shows similar `anomalous dynamics'; however, we show that here this dynamics is a consequence of the ‘ghost’ of the snap-through bifurcation.

Andrew Krause:

Title: Fluid-Growth Interactions in Bioactive Porous Media   
Abstract: Recent models in Tissue Engineering have considered pore blocking by cells in a porous tissue scaffold, as well as fluid shear effects on cell growth. We implement a suite of models to better understand these interactions between cell growth and fluid flow in an active porous medium. We modify some existing models in the literature that are spatially continuous (e.g. Darcy's law with a cell density dependent porosity). However, this type of model is based on assumptions that we argue are not good at describing geometric and topological properties of a heterogeneous pore network, and show how such a network can emerge in this system. Therefore we propose a different modelling paradigm to directly describe the mesoscopic pore networks of a tissue scaffold. We investigate a deterministic network model that can reproduce behaviour of the continuum models found in the literature, but can also exhibit finite-scale effects of the pore network. We also consider simpler stochastic models which compare well with near-critical Percolation behaviour, and show how this kind of behaviour can arise from our deterministic network model.

Jake Taylor-King
Title:A Kinetic Approach to Evolving Spatial Networks, with an Application to Osteocyte Network Formation 
Abstract:We study an evolving network where the nodes are considered as represent particles with a corresponding state vector. Edges between nodes are created and destroyed as a Poisson process, and new nodes enter the system. We define the concept of a “local state degree distribution” (LSDD) as a degree distribution that is local to a particular point in phase space. We then derive a differential equation that is satisfied approximately by the LSDD under a mean field assumption; this allows us to calculate the degree distribution. We examine the validity of our derived differential equation using numerical simulations, and we find a close match in LSDD when comparing theory and simulation. Using the differential equation derived, we also propose a continuum model for osteocyte network formation within bone. The structure of this network has implications regarding bone quality. Furthermore, osteocyte network structure can be disrupted within cancerous microenvironments. Evidence suggests that cancerous osteocyte networks either have dendritic overgrowth or underdeveloped dendrites. This model allows us to probe the density and degree distribution of the dendritic network. We consider a traveling wave solution of the osteocyte LSDD profile which is of relevance to osteoblastic bone cancer (which induces net bone formation). We then hypothesise that increased rates of differentiation would lead to higher densities of osteocytes but with a lower quantity of dendrites. 
 
 

 

 

 

Thu, 29 Oct 2015

14:00 - 15:00
L4

Classifying $A_{\mathfrak{q}}(\lambda)$ modules by their Dirac cohomology

Pavle Pandzic
(University of Zagreb)
Abstract

We will briefly review the notions of Dirac cohomology and of $A_{\mathfrak{q}}(\lambda)$ modules of real reductive groups, and recall a formula for the Dirac cohomology of an $A_{\mathfrak{q}}(\lambda)$ module. Then we will discuss to what extent an $A_{\mathfrak{q}}(\lambda)$ module is determined by its Dirac cohomology. This is joint work with Jing-Song Huang and David Vogan.

Thu, 29 Oct 2015

14:00 - 15:00
L5

Inexact computers for more accurate weather and climate predictions

Dr. Peter Dueben
(University of Oxford Department of Physics)
Abstract

In numerical atmosphere models, values of relevant physical parameters are often uncertain by more than 100% and weather forecast skill is significantly reduced after a couple of days. Still, numerical operations are typically calculated in double precision with 15 significant decimal digits. If we reduce numerical precision, we can reduce power consumption and increase computational performance significantly. If savings are reinvested to build larger supercomputers, this would allow an increase in resolution in weather and climate models and might lead to better predictions of future weather and climate. 
I will discuss approaches to reduce numerical precision beyond single precision in high performance computing and in particular in weather and climate modelling. I will present results that show that precision can be reduced significantly in atmosphere models and that potential savings can be huge. I will also discuss how rounding errors will impact model dynamics and interact with model uncertainty and predictability.

Thu, 29 Oct 2015

12:00 - 13:00
L6

Quantitative flatness results for nonlocal minimal surfaces in low dimensions

Eleonora Cinti
(WIAS Berlin)
Abstract

 

We consider minimizers of nonlocal functionals, like the fractional perimeter, or the fractional anisotropic perimeter, in low dimensions. It is known that a minimizer for the nonlocal perimeter in $\mathbb{R}^2 $ is necessarily an halfplane. We give a quantitative version of this result, in the following sense: we prove that minimizers in a ball of radius $R$ are nearly flat in $B_1$, when $R$ is large enough. More precisely, we establish a quantitative estimate on how "close" these sets are (in the $L^{1}$ -sense and in the $L^{\infty}$ -sense) to be a halfplane, depending on $R$. This is a joint work with Joaquim Serra and Enrico Valdinoci.
Wed, 28 Oct 2015
16:00
C1

Word fibers in finite p-groups

Ainhoa Iniguez
(Oxford)
Abstract

 

Let $G$ be a finite group and let $w$ be a word in $k$ variables. We write $P_w(g)$ the probability that a random tuple $(g_1,\ldots,g_k)\in G^{(k)}$ satisfies $w(g_1,\ldots,g_k)=g$. For non-solvable groups, it is shown by Abért that $P_w(1)$ can take arbitrarily small values as $n\rightarrow\infty$. Nikolov and Segal prove that for any finite group, $G$ is solvable if and only if $P_w(1)$ is positively bounded from below as $w$ ranges over all words. And $G$ is nilpotent if and only if $P_w(g)$ is positively bounded from below as $w$ ranges over all words that represent $g$Alon Amit conjectured  that in the specific case of finite nilpotent groups and for any word, $P_w(1)\ge 1/|G|$.
 
We can also consider $N_w(g)=|G|^k\cdot P_w(g)$, the number of solutions of $w=g$ in $G^{(k)}$. Note that $N_w$ is a class function. We prove that if $G$ is a finite $p$-group of nilpotency class 2, then $N_w$ is a generalized character. What is more, if $p$ is odd, then $N_w$ is a character and for $2$-groups we can characterize when $N_{x^{2r}}$ is a character. What is more, we prove the conjecture of A. Amit for finite groups of nilpotency class 2. This result was indepently proved by M. Levy. Additionally, we prove that for any word $w$ and any finite $p$-group of class two and exponent $p$, $P_w(g)\ge 1/|G|$ for $g\in G_w$. As far as we know, A. Amit's conjecture is still open for higher nilpotency class groups. For $p$-groups of higher nilpotency class, we find examples of words $w$ for which $N_w$ is no longer a generalized character. What is more, we find examples of non-rational words; i.e there exist finite $p$-groups $G$ and words $w$ for which $g\in G_w$ but $g^{i}\not\in G_w$ for some $(i,p)=1$.
Tue, 27 Oct 2015

17:30 - 18:30
L3

Empirical phenomena and universal laws

Professor Peter McCullagh, FRS,
(University of Chicago)
Abstract

In 1943 Fisher, together with Corbet and Williams, published a study on the relation between the number of species and the number of individuals, which has since been recognized as one of the most influential papers in 20th century ecology. It was a combination of empirical work backed up by a simple theoretical argument, which describes a sort of universal law governing random partitions, such as the celebrated Ewens partition whose original derivation flows from the Fisher-Wright model. This talk will discuss several empirical studies of a similar sort, including Taylor's law and recent work related to Fairfield-Smith's work on the variance of spatial averages.

Tue, 27 Oct 2015

15:45 - 16:45
L4

Point-like bounding chains in open Gromov-Witten theory

Sara Tukachinsky
(Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Abstract

Over a decade ago Welschinger defined invariants of real symplectic manifolds of complex dimension 2 and 3, which count $J$-holomorphic disks with boundary and interior point constraints. Since then, the problem of extending the definition to higher dimensions has attracted much attention.
  We generalize Welschinger's invariants with boundary and interior constraints to higher odd dimensions using the language of $A_\infty$-algebras and bounding chains. The bounding chains play the role of boundary point constraints. The geometric structure of our invariants is expressed algebraically in a version of the open WDVV equations. These equations give rise to recursive formulae which allow the computation of all invariants for $\mathbb{CP}^n$.
  This is joint work with Jake Solomon.

Tue, 27 Oct 2015
14:30
L6

Density methods for partition regularity

Ben Barber
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract

A system of linear equations with integer coefficients is partition regular if, whenever the natural numbers are finitely coloured, there is a monochromatic solution. The finite partition regular systems were completely characterised by Rado in terms of a simple property of their matrix of coefficients. As a result, finite partition regular systems are very well understood.

Much less is known about infinite systems. In fact, only a very few families of infinite partition regular systems are known. I'll explain a relatively new method of constructing infinite partition regular systems, and describe how it has been applied to settle some basic questions in the area.

Tue, 27 Oct 2015

14:15 - 15:30
L4

Symplectic resolutions of quiver varieties.

Gwyn Bellamy
(University of Glasgow)
Abstract

Quiver varieties, as introduced by Nakaijma, play a key role in representation theory. They give a very large class of symplectic singularities and, in many cases, their symplectic resolutions too. However, there seems to be no general criterion in the literature for when a quiver variety admits a symplectic resolution. In this talk I will give necessary and sufficient conditions for a quiver variety to admit a symplectic resolution.  This result is based on work of Crawley-Bouvey and of Kaledin, Lehn and Sorger. The talk is based on joint work with T. Schedler.
 

Mon, 26 Oct 2015

16:00 - 17:00
C2

Some ideas on rational/integral points on algebraic curves

Junghwan Lim
(Oxford)
Abstract

I will introduce classical results on finiteness theorem with a way of connecting them to idea of covering spaces. I will talk about the proof of FLT under this connection.

Mon, 26 Oct 2015
15:45
Oxford-Man Institute

Liouville quantum gravity as a mating of trees

Jason Peter Miller
(MIT)
Abstract

There is a simple way to “glue together” a coupled pair of continuum random trees to produce a topological sphere. The sphere comes equipped with a measure and a space-filling curve (which describes the “interface” between the trees). We present an explicit and canonical way to embed the sphere into the Riemann sphere. In this embedding, the measure is Liouville quantum gravity with parameter gamma in (0,2), and the curve is space-filling version of SLE with kappa=16/gamma^2. Based on joint work with Bertrand Duplantier and Scott Sheffield

Mon, 26 Oct 2015

15:45 - 16:45
Oxford-Man Institute

TBC

JASON PETER MILLER
(MIT, USA)
Abstract

TBC

Mon, 26 Oct 2015
15:45
L6

A cubical flat torus theorem

Dani Wise
(McGill University and IHP Paris)
Abstract

I will describe a “cubical flat torus theorem” for a group G acting properly and cocompactly on a CAT(0) cube complex.
This states that every “highest” free abelian subgroup of G acts properly and cocompactly on a convex subcomplex that is quasi-isometric to a Euclidean space.
I will describe some simple consequences, as well as the original motivation which was to prove the “bounded packing property” for cyclic subgroups of G.
This is joint work with Daniel Woodhouse.

Mon, 26 Oct 2015

14:15 - 15:45
Oxford-Man Institute

An adaptive inference algorithm for integral of one form along rough paths

NI HAO
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

We consider a controlled system, in which an input $X: [0, T] \rightarrow E:= \mathbb{R}^{d}$ is a continuous but potentially highly oscillatory path and the corresponding output $Y$ is the line integral along $X$, for some unknown function $f: E \rightarrow E$. The rough paths theory provides a general framework to answer the question on which mild condition of $X$ and $f$, the integral $I(X)$ is well defined. It is robust enough to allow to treat stochastic integrals in a deterministic way. In this paper we are interested in identification of controlled systems of this type. The difficulty comes from the high dimensionality caused by the input of a function type. We propose novel adaptive and non-parametric algorithms to learn the functional relationship between the  input and the output from the data by carefully choosing the feature set of paths based on the rough paths theory and applying linear regression techniques. The algorithms is demonstrated on a financial application where the task is to predict the P$\&$L of the unknown trading strategy.