Tue, 05 Feb 2019

15:30 - 16:30
L4

Generalized Polar Geometry

Sandra di Rocco
(KTH)
Abstract

Polar classes are very classical objects in Algebraic Geometry. A brief introduction to the subject will be presented and ideas and preliminarily results towards generalisations will be explained. These ideas can be applied towards variety sampling and relevant applications. 
 

Tue, 05 Feb 2019

14:30 - 15:00
L5

An Introduction to Persistent Homology

Vidit Nanda
(Oxford)
Abstract

This talk will feature a brief introduction to persistent homology, the vanguard technique in topological data analysis. Nothing will be required of the audience beyond a willingness to row-reduce enormous matrices (by hand if we can, by machine if we must).

Tue, 05 Feb 2019
14:15
L4

Towards a generic representation theory

David Craven
(Birmingham)
Abstract

In combinatorics, the 'nicest' way to prove that two sets have the same size is to find a bijection between them, giving more structure to the seeming numerical coincidences. In representation theory, many of the outstanding conjectures seem to imply that the characteristic p of the ground field can be allowed to vary, and we can relate different groups and different primes, to say that they have 'the same' representation theory. In this talk I will try to make precise what we could mean by this

Tue, 05 Feb 2019

14:00 - 14:30
L5

An introduction to classical time-parallelisation methods

Giancarlo Antonucci
(Oxford)
Abstract

For decades, researchers have been studying efficient numerical methods to solve differential equations, most of them optimised for one-core processors. However, we are about to reach the limit in the amount of processing power we can squeeze into a single processor. This explains the trend in today's computing industry to design high-performance processors looking at parallel architectures. As a result, there is a need to develop low-complexity parallel algorithms capable of running efficiently in terms of computational time and electric power.

Parallelisation across time appears to be a promising way to provide more parallelism. In this talk, we will introduce the main algorithms, following (Gander, 2015), with a particular focus on the parareal algorithm.

Tue, 05 Feb 2019

12:45 - 13:30
C3

A Boundary Layer Analysis for the Initiation of Reactive Shear Bands

Robert Timms
((Oxford University))
Abstract

Unintended low energy thermal or mechanical stimuli can lead to the accidental ignition of explosive materials. During such events, described as ‘insults’ in the literature, ignition of the explosive is caused by localised regions of high temperature known as ‘hot spots’. We develop a model which helps us to understand how highly localised shear deformation, so-called shear banding, acts as a mechanism for hot spot generation. Through a boundary layer analysis, we give a deeper insight into how the additional self heating caused by chemical reactions affects the initiation and development of shear bands,  and highlight the key physical properties which control this process.

Tue, 05 Feb 2019
12:00
L4

Unitarity bounds on charged/neutral state mass ratio.

Dr Congkao Wen
(QMUL)
Abstract

I will talk about the implications of UV completion of quantum gravity on the low energy spectrums. I will introduce the constraints on low-energy effective theory due to unitarity and analyticity of scattering amplitudes, in particular an infinite set of new unitarity constraints on the forward-limit limit of four-point scattering amplitudes due to the work of Arkani-Hamed et al. In three dimensions, we find the constraints imply that light states with charge-to-mass ratio z greater than 1 can only be consistent if there exists other light states, preferably neutral. Applied to the 3D Standard Model like spectrum, where the low energy couplings are dominated by the electron with z \sim 10^22, this provides a novel understanding of the need for light neutrinos.

Tue, 05 Feb 2019

12:00 - 13:00
C4

Nonparametric inference of atomic network structures

Anatol Wegner
(University College London)
Abstract

Many real-world networks contain small recurring connectivity patterns also known as network motifs. Although network motifs are widely considered to be important structural features of networks that are closely connected to their function methods for characterizing and modelling the local connectivity structure of complex networks remain underdeveloped. In this talk, we will present a non-parametric approach that is based on generative models in which networks are generated by adding not only single edges but also but also copies of larger subgraphs such as triangles to the graph. We show that such models can be formulated in terms of latent states that correspond to subgraph decompositions of the network and derive analytic expressions for the likelihood of such models. Following a Bayesian approach, we present a nonparametric prior for model parameters. Solving the resulting inference problem results in a principled approach for identifying atomic connectivity patterns of networks that do not only identify statistically significant connectivity patterns but also produces a decomposition of the network into such atomic substructures. We tested the presented approach on simulated data for which the algorithm recovers the latent state to a high degree of accuracy. In the case of empirical networks, the method identifies concise sets atomic subgraphs from within thousands of candidates that are plausible and include known atomic substructures.

Mon, 04 Feb 2019

16:00 - 17:00
L4

Ginzburg–Landau functionals with a general compact vacuum manifold on planar domains

Jean Van Schaftingen
(Universite catholique de louvain)
Abstract

Ginzburg–Landau type functionals provide a relaxation scheme to construct harmonic maps in the presence of topological obstructions. They arise in superconductivity models, in liquid crystal models (Landau–de Gennes functional) and in the generation of cross-fields in meshing. For a general compact manifold target space we describe the asymptotic number, type and location of singularities that arise in minimizers. We cover in particular the case where the fundamental group of the vacuum manifold in nonabelian and hence the singularities cannot be characterized univocally as elements of the fundamental group. The results unify the existing theory and cover new situations and problems.

This is a joint work with Antonin Monteil and Rémy Rodiac (UCLouvain, Louvain- la-Neuve, Belgium)

Mon, 04 Feb 2019
15:45
L6

Slice discs in stabilized 4-balls

Matthias Nagel
(Oxford)
Abstract


We recall the impact of stabilizing a 4-manifold with $S^2 \times S^2$. The corresponding local situation concerns knots in the 3-sphere which bound (nullhomotopic) discs in a stabilized 4-ball. We explain how these discs arise, and discuss bounds on the minimal number of stabilizations needed. Then we compare this minimal number to the 4-genus.
This is joint work with A. Conway.

Mon, 04 Feb 2019

15:45 - 16:45
L3

The parabolic Anderson model in 2 d, mass- and eigenvalue asymptotics

WILLEM VAN ZUIJLEN
(WIAS Berlin)
Abstract


In this talk I present work in progress with Wolfgang König and Nicolas Perkowski on the parabolic Anderson model (PAM) with white noise potential in 2d. We show the behavior of the total mass as the time tends to infinity. By using partial Girsanov transform and singular heat kernel estimates we can obtain the mass-asymptotics by using the eigenvalue asymptotics that have been showed in another work in progress with Khalil Chouk. 

Mon, 04 Feb 2019

14:15 - 15:15
L3

Space-time localisation for the dynamic $\Phi^4_3$ model

HENDRIK WEBER
(University of Bath)
Abstract

We prove an a priori bound for solutions of the dynamic $\Phi^4_3$ equation.

This bound provides a control on solutions on a compact space-time set only in terms of the realisation of the noise on an enlargement of this set, and it does not depend on any choice of space-time boundary conditions.

We treat the  large and small scale behaviour of solutions with completely different arguments.For small scales we use bounds akin to those presented in Hairer's theory of regularity structures. We stress immediately that our proof is fully self-contained, but we give a detailed explanation of how our arguments relate to Hairer's. For large scales we use a PDE argument based on the maximum principle. Both regimes are connected by a solution-dependent regularisation procedure.

The fact that our bounds do not depend on space-time boundary conditions makes them useful for the analysis of large scale properties of solutions. They can for example be used in a compactness argument to construct solutions on the full space and their invariant measures

Mon, 04 Feb 2019
14:15
L4

Gluing methods for Vortex dynamics in Euler flows

Manuel del Pino
(Bath University)
Abstract

We consider the two-dimensional Euler flow for an incompressible fluid confined to a smooth domain. We construct smooth solutions with concentrated vorticities around $k$ points which evolve according to the Hamiltonian system for the Kirkhoff-Routh energy,  using an outer-inner solution gluing approach. The asymptotically singular profile  around each point resembles a scaled finite mass solution of Liouville's equation.
We also discuss the {\em vortex filament conjecture} for the three-dimensional case. This is joint work with Juan D\'avila, Monica Musso and Juncheng Wei.

 

Mon, 04 Feb 2019

13:00 - 14:00
N3.12

Mathematrix - Meet Vicky Neale

Further Information

Sharing her academic path and experience with teaching and outreach

Mon, 04 Feb 2019
12:45
L5

Large-N Non-Supersymmetric 6D CFTs: Hologram or Mirage?

Fabio Abruzzi
(Oxford)
Abstract

In this talk I will present a large class of non-supersymmetric AdS7 solutions of IIA supergravity, and their (in)stabilities. I will start by reviewing supersymmetric AdS7 solutions of 10D supergravity dual to 6D (1,0) SCFTs. I will then focus on their non-supersymmetric counterpart, discussing how they are related. The connection between supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric solutions leads to a hint for the SUSY breaking mechanism, which potentially allows to evade some of the assumptions of the Ooguri-Vafa Conjecture about the AdS landscape. A big subset of these solutions shows a curious pattern of perturbative instabilities whenever many open-string modes are considered. On the other hand an infinite class remains apparently stable.

Fri, 01 Feb 2019

14:00 - 15:00
L1

What are employers looking for in Mathematical graduates?

Erica Tyson
Further Information

IMA Careers Workshop

Abstract

Would you employ you? What are employers looking for in Mathematical graduates? What kind of work can use your skills? This workshop will get your minds thinking about the possibilities after you have finished studying and will cover:

·         General careers’ information starting from a mathematical sciences degree

·         Things to think about at CV and interview stage

·         How membership of a professional body (the IMA) supports your applications and career development.

·         Information about the Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarships

Thu, 31 Jan 2019
17:00
L5

Z + PROVI

A.R.D. Mathias
(Université de la Réunion)
Abstract

Here Z is Zermelo’s set theory of 1908, as later formulated: full separation, but no replacement or collection among its axioms. PROVI was presented in lectures in Cambridge in 2010 and later published with improvements by Nathan Bowler, and is, I claim, the weakest subsystem of ZF to support a recognisable theory of set forcing: PROV is PROVI shorn of its axiom of infinity. The provident sets are the transitive non-empty models of PROV. The talk will begin with a presentation of PROV, and then discuss more recent applications and problems: in particular an answer in the system Z + PROV to a question posed by Eugene Wesley in 1972 will be sketched, and two proofs (fallacious, I hope) of 0 = 1 will be given, one using my slim models of Z and the other applying the Spector–Gandy theorem to certain models of PROVI. These “proofs”, when re-interpreted, supply some arguments of Reverse Mathematics.

Thu, 31 Jan 2019

16:00 - 17:00
L6

Is a random polynomial irreducible?

Dimitris Koukoulopoulos
(Université de Montréal)
Abstract

Given a "random" polynomial over the integers, it is expected that, with high probability, it is irreducible and has a big Galois group over the rationals. Such results have been long known when the degree is bounded and the coefficients are chosen uniformly at random from some interval, but the case of bounded coefficients and unbounded degree remained open. Very recently, Emmanuel Breuillard and Peter Varju settled the case of bounded coefficients conditionally on the Riemann Hypothesis for certain Dedekind zeta functions. In this talk, I will present unconditional progress towards this problem, joint with Lior Bary-Soroker and Gady Kozma.

Thu, 31 Jan 2019

16:00 - 17:30
L3

Poroelastic propagation and pancakes: understanding why supraglacial lakes spread but Venutian lava domes stop

Dr. Jerome Neufeld
(University of Cambridge)
Abstract

Many fluid flows in natural systems are highly complex, with an often beguilingly intricate and confusing detailed structure. Yet, as with many systems, a good deal of insight can be gained by testing the consequences of simple mathematical models that capture the essential physics.  We’ll tour two such problems.  In the summer melt seasons in Greenland, lakes form on the surface of the ice which have been observed to rapidly drain.  The propagation of the meltwater in the subsurface couples the elastic deformation of the ice and, crucially, the flow of water within the deformable subglacial till.  In this case the poroelastic deformation of the till plays a subtle, but crucial, role in routing the surface meltwater which spreads indefinitely, and has implications for how we think about large-scale motion in groundwater aquifers or geological carbon storage.  In contrast, when magma erupts onto the Earth’s surface it flows before rapidly cooling and crystallising.  Using analogies from the kitchen we construct, and experimentally test, a simple model of what sets the ultimate extent of magmatic intrusions on Earth and, as it turns out, on Venus.  The results are delicious!  In both these cases, we see how a simplified mathematical analysis provides insight into large scale phenomena.

Thu, 31 Jan 2019

16:00 - 17:30
L4

Machine learning for volatility

Dr Martin Tegner
(Department of Engineering and Oxford Man Institute)
Further Information

The main focus of this talk will be a nonparametric approach for local volatility. We look at the calibration problem in a probabilistic framework based on Gaussian process priors. This gives a way of encoding prior believes about the local volatility function and a model which is flexible yet not prone to overfitting. Besides providing a method for calibrating a (range of) point-estimate(s), we draw posterior inference from the distribution over local volatility. This leads to a principled understanding of uncertainty attached with the calibration. Further, we seek to infer dynamical properties of local volatility by augmenting the input space with a time dimension. Ideally, this provides predictive distributions not only locally, but also for entire surfaces forward in time. We apply our approach to S&P 500 market data.

 

In the final part of the talk we will give a short account of a nonparametric approach to modelling realised volatility. Again we take a probabilistic view and formulate a hypothesis space of stationary processes for volatility based on Gaussian processes. We demonstrate on the S&P 500 index.

Thu, 31 Jan 2019
16:00
C4

Holonomic D-modules, b-functions, and coadmissibility

Andreas Bode
(Oxford University)
Abstract

Since differentiation generally lowers exponents, it is straightforward that the space of Laurent polynomials $\mathbb{C}[x, x^{-1}]$ is a finitely generated module over the ring of differential operators $\mathbb{C}[x, \mathrm{d}/\mathrm{d}x]$. This innocent looking fact has been vastly generalized to a statement about holonomic D-modules, using the beautiful theory of b-functions (or Bernstein—Sato polynomials). I will give an overview of the classical theory before discussing some recent developments concerning a $p$-adic analytic analogue, which is joint work with Thomas Bitoun.