Thu, 22 Oct 2009
17:00
L3

Canonical bases of types of finite SU-rank

Zoe Chatzidakis
(Université Paris 7)
Abstract

I will speak about the CBP (canonical base property) for types of finite SU-rank. This property first appears in a paper by Pillay and Ziegler, who show that it holds for types of finite rank in differentially closed fields of characteristic 0, as well as in existentially closed difference fields. It is unknown whether this property holds for all finite rank types in supersimple theories. I will first recall the definition of a canonical base, and give some natural examples. I will then  talk about a reduction of the problem (which allows one to extend the Pillay-Ziegler result to existentially closed fields of any characteristic), and finally derive some consequences of the CBP, in particular the UCBP, thus answering a question of Moosa and Pillay.  If time permits, I will show an application of these results to difference

 

fields.

 

 

 

Thu, 22 Oct 2009

14:00 - 15:00
3WS SR

Mesh redistribution algorithms and error control for time-dependent PDEs

Prof. Charalambos Makridakis
(University of Crete)
Abstract

Self adjusted meshes have important benefits approximating PDEs with solutions that exhibit nontrivial characteristics. When appropriately chosen, they lead to efficient, accurate and robust algorithms. Error control is also important, since appropriate analysis can provide guarantees on how accurate the approximate solution is through a posteriori estimates. Error control may lead to appropriate adaptive algorithms by identifying areas of large errors and adjusting the mesh accordingly. Error control and associated adaptive algorithms for important equations in Mathematical Physics is an open problem.

In this talk we consider the main structure of an algorithm which permits mesh redistribution with time and the nontrivial characteristics associated with it. We present improved algorithms and we discuss successful approaches towards error control for model problems (linear and nonlinear) of parabolic or hyperbolic type.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009

12:00 - 13:00
SR1

Degenerations of <2>-polarised K3 surfaces

Alan Thompson
(Oxford)
Abstract

A -polarised K3 surface admits an embedding into weighted projective space defined by its polarisation. Let X be a family of such surfaces, then one can construct a projective model W of X such that the map from X to W realises this embedding on the general fibre. This talk considers what happens to W when we allow the fibres of the family X to degenerate.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009

11:30 - 12:30
ChCh, Tom Gate, Room 2

On the Semisimplicity Problem for Group Rings

Peter Pappas
(Vassar College)
Abstract

The semisimplicity problem is the long-standing conjecture that the group algebra $KG$ of a $p'$-group $G$ over a field $K$ of characteristic $p\geqslant 0$ has zero Jacobson radical. We will discuss recent advances in connection with this problem.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009
10:10
OCCAM Common Room (RI2.28)

TBA

Mokhles Mnejja
Tue, 20 Oct 2009
16:00
DH 1st floor SR

Small cancellation complexes

Dawid Kielak
Abstract

We will discuss a connection between small cancellation conditions and isoperimetric inequalities. Additionally we shall look at a useful construction connecting small cancellation complexes and cube complexes.

Tue, 20 Oct 2009
12:00
L3

Relations between Gowdy and Bianchi spacetimes

Alan Rendall
(AEI Golm)
Abstract

Two classes of solutions of the Einstein equations with symmetry which

are frequently studied are the Bianchi and Gowdy models. The aim of this

talk is to explain certain relations between these two classes of

spacetimes which can provide insights into the dynamics of both. In

particular it is explained that the special case of the Gowdy models known as circular loop spacetimes are Bianchi models in disguise. Generalizations of Gowdy spacetimes which can be thought of as inhomogeneous perturbations of some of the Bianchi models are introduced.

Results concerning their dynamics are presented.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009

17:00 - 18:00
Gibson 1st Floor SR

Diffractive behavior of the wave equation in periodic media

Gr&eacute;goire Allaire
(Ecole Polytechnique)
Abstract

We study the homogenization and singular perturbation of the

wave equation in a periodic media for long times of the order

of the inverse of the period. We consider inital data that are

Bloch wave packets, i.e., that are the product of a fast

oscillating Bloch wave and of a smooth envelope function.

We prove that the solution is approximately equal to two waves

propagating in opposite directions at a high group velocity with

envelope functions which obey a Schr\"{o}dinger type equation.

Our analysis extends the usual WKB approximation by adding a

dispersive, or diffractive, effect due to the non uniformity

of the group velocity which yields the dispersion tensor of

the homogenized Schr\"{o}dinger equation. This is a joint

work with M. Palombaro and J. Rauch.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009

12:00 - 13:00
L3

A CY Manifold with 3 Generations and Small Hodge Numbers

Philip Candelas
(Oxford)
Abstract
I will discuss a Calabi-Yau manifold which admits free actions by Abelian and non-Abelian groups of order 12. The quotient manifolds have Euler number -6 and Hodge numbers (h^{11}, h^{21}) = (1,4). Apart from the various presentations of the Yau Manifold, that have Hodge numbers (6,9), this is the only other complete intersection CY manifold to admit a free quotient with Euler number -6 and hence three generations of particles with the standard embedding. I will discuss the spectrum of light particles and the possibility of a transgression to a heterotic vacuum on a manifold with Hodge numbers (2,2).
Fri, 16 Oct 2009
14:15
DH 1st floor SR

The Mean-Variance Hedging and Exponential Utility in a Bond Market With Jumps

Michael Kohlmann
(Konstanz)
Abstract

We construct a market of bonds with jumps driven by a general marked point

process as well as by an Rn-valued Wiener process, in which there exists at least one equivalent

martingale measure Q0. In this market we consider the mean-variance hedging of a contingent

claim H 2 L2(FT0) based on the self-financing portfolios on the given maturities T1, · · · , Tn

with T0 T. We introduce the concept of variance-optimal martingale

(VOM) and describe the VOM by a backward semimartingale equation (BSE). We derive an

explicit solution of the optimal strategy and the optimal cost of the mean-variance hedging by

the solutions of two BSEs.

The setting of this problem is a bit unrealistic as we restrict the available bonds to those

with a a pregiven finite number of maturities. So we extend the model to a bond market with

jumps and a continuum of maturities and strategies which are Radon measure valued processes.

To describe the market we consider the cylindrical and normalized martingales introduced by

Mikulevicius et al.. In this market we the consider the exp-utility problem and derive some

results on dynamic indifference valuation.

The talk bases on recent common work with Dewen Xiong.