Tue, 16 Nov 2010

15:45 - 16:45
L3

(HoRSe seminar) On the calculus underlying Donaldson-Thomas theory II

Kai Behrend
(Vancouver)
Abstract

On a manifold there is the graded algebra of polyvector fields with its Lie-Schouten bracket, and the module of de Rham differentials with exterior differentiation. This package is called a "calculus". The moduli

space of sheaves (or derived category objects) on a Calabi-Yau threefold has a kind of "virtual calculus" on it, at least conjecturally. In particular, this moduli space has virtual de Rham cohomology groups, which categorify Donaldson-Thomas invariants, at least conjecturally. We describe some attempts at constructing such a virtual calculus. This is work in progress.

Tue, 16 Nov 2010

14:30 - 15:30
L3

Triangles in tripartite graphs

John Talbot
(UCL)
Abstract

How many triangles must a graph of density d contain? This old question due to Erdos was recently answered by Razborov, after many decades of progress by numerous authors.

We will consider the analogous question for tripartite graphs. Given a tripartite graph with prescribed edges densities between each

pair of classes how many triangles must it contain?

Tue, 16 Nov 2010

14:00 - 15:00
SR1

(HoRSe seminar) On the calculus underlying Donaldson-Thomas theory I

Kai Behrend
(Vancouver)
Abstract

On a manifold there is the graded algebra of polyvector fields with its Lie-Schouten bracket, and the module of de Rham differentials with exteriour differentiation. This package is called a "calculus". The moduli space of sheaves (or derived category objects) on a Calabi-Yau threefold has a kind of "virtual calculus" on it, at least conjecturally. In particular, this moduli space has virtual de Rham cohomology groups, which categorify Donaldson-Thomas invariants, at least conjecturally. We describe some attempts at constructing such a virtual calculus. This is work in progress.

Tue, 16 Nov 2010
13:15
DH 1st floor SR

"Exponential Asymptotics and Free-Surface Fluid Flow"

Chris Lustri
(OCIAM)
Abstract

We investigate the behaviour of free-surface waves on time-varying potential flow in the limit as the Froude number becomes small. These waves are exponentially small in the Froude number, and are therefore inaccessible to ordinary asymptotic methods. As such, we demonstrate how exponential asymptotic techniques may be applied to the complexified free surface in order to extract information about the wave behaviour on the free surface, using a Lagrangian form of the potential flow equations. We consider the specific case of time-varying flow over a step, and demonstrate that the results are consistent with the steady state case.

Mon, 15 Nov 2010
17:00
Gibson 1st Floor SR

The role of small space dimensions in the regularity theory of elliptic problems

Lisa Beck
(Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa)
Abstract

Let $u \in W^{1,p}(\Omega,\R^N)$, $\Omega$ a bounded domain in

$\R^n$, be a minimizer of a convex variational integral or a weak solution to

an elliptic system in divergence form. In the vectorial case, various

counterexamples to full regularity have been constructed in dimensions $n

\geq 3$, and it is well known that only a partial regularity result can be

expected, in the sense that the solution (or its gradient) is locally

continuous outside of a negligible set. In this talk, we shall investigate

the role of the space dimension $n$ on regularity: In arbitrary dimensions,

the best known result is partial regularity of the gradient $Du$ (and hence

for $u$) outside of a set of Lebesgue measure zero. Restricting ourselves to

the partial regularity of $u$ and to dimensions $n \leq p+2$, we explain why

the Hausdorff dimension of the singular set cannot exceed $n-p$. Finally, we

address the possible existence of singularities in two dimensions.

Mon, 15 Nov 2010

15:45 - 16:45
L3

$L^p$ cohomology and pinching

Pierre Pansu
(Orsay)
Abstract

We prove that no Riemannian manifold quasiisometric to

complex hyperbolic plane can have a better curvature pinching. The proof

uses cup-products in $L^p$-cohomology.

Mon, 15 Nov 2010
15:45
Eagle House

Crossing a repulsive interface: slowing of the dynamic and metastability phenomenon

Hubert Lacoin
Abstract

We study a simple heat-bath type dynamic for a simple model of
polymer interacting with an interface. The polymer is a nearest neighbor path in
Z, and the interaction is modelised by energy penalties/bonuses given when the
path touches 0. This dynamic has been studied by D. Wilson for the case without
interaction, then by Caputo et al. for the more general case. When the interface
is repulsive, the dynamic slows down due to the appearance of a bottleneck in the
state space, moreover, the systems exhibits a metastable behavior, and, after time
rescaling, behaves like a two-state Markov chain.


Mon, 15 Nov 2010
14:15
Eagle House

The critical curve for pinning of random polymers. A large deviations approach

Dimitris Cheliotis
Abstract

We consider a directed random polymer interacting with an interface
that carries random charges some of which attract while others repel
the polymer. Such a polymer can be in a localized or delocalized
phase, i.e., it stays near the interface or wanders away respectively.
 The phase it chooses depends on the temperature and the average bias
of the disorder. At a given temperature, there is a critical bias
separating the two phases. A question of particular interest, and
which has been studied extensively in the Physics and Mathematics
literature, is whether the quenched critical bias differs from the
annealed critical bias. When it does, we say that the disorder is
relevant.

Using a large deviations result proved recently by Birkner, Greven,
and den Hollander, we derive a variational formula for the quenched

critical bias. This leads to a necessary and sufficient condition for
disorder relevance that implies easily some known results as well as
new ones.

The talk is based on joint work with Frank den  Hollander.


Mon, 15 Nov 2010

12:00 - 13:00
L3

The Large Hadron Collider – the story so far

Alan Barr
(Oxford)
Abstract
String theory has a vested interest in a particular S1xS1 object found just outside Geneva. The machine in question has been colliding protons at high energy since March this year, and by now the ATLAS and CMS experiments have clocked up more than 10^12 high-energy events. In this seminar I present the status of the accelerator and detectors, highlight the major physics results obtained so far, and discuss the extent to which information from the LHC can inform us about TeV-scale theory.
Fri, 12 Nov 2010
16:30
L2

Non linear problems involving anomalous diffusion

Professor Luis Caffarelli
Abstract

Anomalous ( non local) diffusion processes appear in many subjects: phase transition, fracture dynamics, game theory I will describe some of the issues involved, and in particular, existence and regularity for some non local versions of the p Laplacian, of non variational nature, that appear in non local tug of war.

Fri, 12 Nov 2010
14:15
DH 1st floor SR

No-arbitrage criteria under small transaction costs

Yuri Kabanov
(Universite de Franche-Compte)
Abstract

The talk will be devoted to criteria of absence of arbitrage opportunities under small transaction costs for a family of multi-asset models of financial market.

Fri, 12 Nov 2010

11:15 - 13:00
OCCAM Common Room (RI2.28)

OCCAM Group Meeting

Various
Abstract
  • Ian Griffiths - "Taylor Dispersion in Colloidal Systems".
  • James Lottes - "Algebraic multigrid for nonsymmetric problems".
  • Derek Moulton - "Surface growth kinematics"
  • Rob Style - "Ice lens formation in freezing soils"
Fri, 12 Nov 2010

09:45 - 11:00
DH 1st floor SR

Challenges in Frictional Contact

David Nowell
(Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford)
Abstract

Please note the earlier than usual start-time!

Thu, 11 Nov 2010

17:00 - 18:00

Partial Differential Equations: Origins, Developments and Roles in the Changing World

Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen
(Oxford)
Abstract

The Mathematical Institute invites you to attend the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen. Professor in the Analysis of Partial Differential Equations. Examination Schools, 75-81 High Street, Oxford, OX 4BG.

There is no charge to attend but registration is required. Please register your attendance by sending an email to @email specifying the number of people in your party. Admission will only be allowed with prior registration.

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ABSTRACT

While calculus is a mathematical theory concerned with change, differential equations are the mathematician's foremost aid for describing change. In the simplest case, a process depends on one variable alone, for example time. More complex phenomena depend on several variables – perhaps time and, in addition, one, two or three space variables. Such processes require the use of partial differential equations. The behaviour of every material object in nature, with timescales ranging from picoseconds to millennia and length scales ranging from sub-atomic to astronomical, can be modelled by nonlinear partial differential equations or by equations with similar features. The roles of partial differential equations within mathematics and in the other sciences become increasingly significant. The mathematical theory of partial differential equations has a long history. In the recent decades, the subject has experienced a vigorous growth, and research is marching on at a brisk pace.

In this lecture, Professor Gui-Qiang G. Chen will present several examples to illustrate the origins, developments, and roles of partial differential equations in our changing world.

Thu, 11 Nov 2010

14:00 - 15:00
Gibson Grd floor SR

Applications of linear barycentric rational interpolation at equidistant points

Prof. Jean-Paul Berrut
(Université de Fribourg)
Abstract

Efficient linear and infinitely smooth approximation of functions from equidistant samples is a fascinating problem, at least since Runge showed in 1901 that it is not delivered by the interpolating polynomial.

In 1988, I suggested to substitute linear rational for polynomial interpolation by replacing the denominator 1 with a polynomial depending on the nodes, though not on the interpolated function. Unfortunately the so-obtained interpolant converges merely as the square of the mesh size. In 2007, Floater and Hormann have given for every integer a denominator that yields convergence of that prescribed order.

In the present talk I shall present the corresponding interpolant as well as some of its applications to differentiation, integration and the solution of boundary value problems. This is joint work with Georges Klein and Michael Floater.

Thu, 11 Nov 2010

13:00 - 14:00
SR1

Maximum principle for tensors with applications to the Ricci flow

Christopher Hopper
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

The maximum principle is one of the main tools use to understand the behaviour of solutions to the Ricci flow. It is a very powerful tool that can be used to show that pointwise inequalities on the initial data of parabolic PDE are preserved by the evolution. A particular weak maximum principle for vector bundles will be discussed with references to Hamilton's seminal work [J. Differential Geom. 17 (1982), no. 2, 255–306; MR664497] on 3-manifolds with positive Ricci curvature and his follow up paper [J. Differential Geom. 24 (1986), no. 2, 153–179; MR0862046] that extends to 4-manifolds with various curvature assumptions.