Tue, 19 Nov 2019

12:45 - 14:00
C5

Droplet impact on deformable substrates: A combined theoretical and computational approach

Michael Negus
(Oxford University)
Abstract

Recent advances in experimental imaging techniques have allowed us to observe the fine details of how droplets behave upon impact onto a substrate. However, these are highly non-linear, multiscale phenomena and are thus a formidable challenge to model. In addition, when the substrate is deformable, such as an elastic sheet, the fluid-structure interaction introduces an extra layer of complexity.

We present two modeling approaches for droplet impact onto deformable substrates: matched asymptotics and direct numerical simulations. In the former, we use Wagner's theory of impact to derive analytical expressions which approximate the behavior during the early time of impact. In the latter, we use the open source volume-of-fluid code Basilisk to conduct simulations designed to give insight into the later times of impact.

We conclude by showing how these methods are complementary, and a combination of both can give a thorough understanding of the droplet impact across timescales. 

Thu, 14 Nov 2019

16:00 - 17:30
C5

Vertex algebras and the homology of moduli stacks

Jacob Gross
Abstract

Recently, Joyce constructed a Ringel-Hall style graded vertex algebra on the homology of moduli stacks of objects in certain categories of algebro-geometric and representation-theoretic origin. The construction is most natural for 2n-Calabi-Yau categories. We present this construction and explain the geometric reason why it exists. If time permits, we will explain how to compute the homology of the moduli stack of objects in the derived category of a smooth complex projective variety and to identify it with a lattice-type vertex algebra.

Tue, 05 Nov 2019

12:45 - 14:00
C5

Dimensionality reduction techniques for global optimization

Adilet Otemissov
(Oxford University)
Abstract

We consider the problem of global minimization with bound constraints. The problem is known to be intractable for large dimensions due to the exponential increase in the computational time for a linear increase in the dimension (also known as the “curse of dimensionality”). In this talk, we demonstrate that such challenges can be overcome for functions with low effective dimensionality — functions which are constant along certain linear subspaces. Such functions can often be found in applications, for example, in hyper-parameter optimization for neural networks, heuristic algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems and complex engineering simulations.

Extending the idea of random subspace embeddings in Wang et al. (2013), we introduce a new framework (called REGO) compatible with any global min- imization algorithm. Within REGO, a new low-dimensional problem is for- mulated with bound constraints in the reduced space. We provide probabilistic bounds for the success of REGO; these results indicate that the success is depen- dent upon the dimension of the embedded subspace and the intrinsic dimension of the function, but independent of the ambient dimension. Numerical results show that high success rates can be achieved with only one embedding and that rates are independent of the ambient dimension of the problem.

 

Thu, 24 Oct 2019

16:00 - 17:30
C5

The classifying space of the 1-dimensional homotopy bordism category

Jan Steinebrunner
Abstract

The homotopy bordism category hCob_d has as objects closed (d-1)-manifolds and as morphisms diffeomorphism classes of d-dimensional bordisms. This is a simplified version of the topologically enriched bordism category Cob_d whose classifying space B(Cob_d) been completely determined by Galatius-Madsen-Tillmann-Weiss in 2006. In comparison, little is known about the classifying space B(hCob_d).

In the first part of the talk I will give an introduction to bordism categories and their classifying spaces. In the second part I will identify B(hCob_1) showing, in particular, that the rational cohomology ring of hCob_1 is polynomial on classes \kappa_i in degrees 2i+2 for all i>=1. The seemingly simpler category hCob_1 hence has a more complicated classifying space than Cob_1.

Tue, 22 Oct 2019

12:45 - 14:00
C5

Numerical Simulations using Approximate Random Numbers

Oliver Sheridan-Methven
(Oxford University)
Abstract

Introducing cheap function proxies for quickly producing approximate random numbers, we show convergence of modified numerical schemes, and coupling between approximation and discretisation errors. We bound the cumulative roundoff error introduced by floating-point calculations, valid for 16-bit half-precision (FP16). We combine approximate distributions and reduced-precisions into a nested simulation framework (via multilevel Monte Carlo), demonstrating performance improvements achieved without losing accuracy. These simulations predominantly perform most of their calculations in very low precisions. We will highlight the motivations and design choices appropriate for SVE and FP16 capable hardware, and present numerical results on Arm, Intel, and NVIDIA based hardware.

 

Thu, 17 Oct 2019

16:00 - 17:30
C5

A biased view of two-row Springer theory

Filip Zivanovic
Abstract

Springer theory is an important branch of geometric representation theory. It is a beautiful interplay between combinatorics, geometry and representation theory.
It started with Springer correspondence, which yields geometric construction of irreducible representations of symmetric groups, and Ginzburg's construction of universal enveloping algebra U(sl_n).

Here I will present a view of two-row Springer theory of type A (thus looking at nilpotent elements with two Jordan blocks) from a scope of a symplectic topologist (hence the title), that yields connections between symplectic-topological invariants and link invariants (Floer homology and Khovanov homology) and connections to representation theory (Fukaya category and parabolic category O), thus summarising results by Abouzaid,
Seidel, Smith and Mak on the subject.

Tue, 11 Jun 2019
16:00
C5

The momentum amplituhedron

Matteo Parisi
(Oxford)
Abstract

In this paper we define a new object, the momentum amplituhedron, which is the long sought-after positive geometry for tree-level scattering amplitudes in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory in spinor helicity space. Inspired by the construction of the ordinary amplituhedron, we introduce bosonized spinor helicity variables to represent our external kinematical data, and restrict them to a particular positive region. The momentum amplituhedron Mn,k is then the image of the positive Grassmannian via a map determined by such kinematics. The scattering amplitudes are extracted from the canonical form with logarithmic singularities on the boundaries of this geometry.

Tue, 28 May 2019
16:00
C5

Celestial Amplitudes: conformal partial waves and soft theorems

Dhritiman Nandan
(Southampton)
Abstract

 Massless scattering amplitudes in four-dimensional Minkowski spacetime can be Mellin transformed to correlation functions on the celestial sphere at null infinity called celestial amplitudes. We study various properties of massless four-point scalar and gluon celestial amplitudes such as conformal partial wave decomposition, crossing relations and optical theorem. As a byproduct, we derive the analog of the single and double soft limits for all gluon celestial amplitudes.

Tue, 21 May 2019

14:00 - 17:00
C5

COXIC: Complexity Oxford Imperial College

Further Information

Complexity Oxford Imperial College, COXIC, is a series of workshops aiming at bringing together researchers in Oxford and Imperial College interested in complex systems. The events take place twice a year, alternatively in Oxford and in London, and give the possibility to PhD students and young postdocs to present their research.


Schedule:
2:00: Welcome
2:15: Maria del Rio Chanona (OX), On the structure and dynamics of the job market
2:35: Max Falkenberg McGillivray (IC), Modelling the broken heart
2:55: Fernando Rosas (OX), Quantifying high-order interdependencies
 

3:15 - 4:00: Coffee break
 

4:00: Rishi Nalin Kumar (IC), Building scalable agent based models using open source technologies
4:20: Rodrigo Leal Cervantes (OX) Greed Optimisation of Modularity with a Self-Adaptive Resolution Parameter
4:40: TBC
 

5:00: Social event at the Lamb & Flag

Tue, 22 Jan 2019

12:45 - 13:30
C5

Wave attenuation by flexible vegetation

Clint Wong
(Oxford University)
Abstract

Coastal vegetation has a well-known effect of attenuating waves; however, quantifiable measures of attenuation for general wave and vegetation scenarios are not well known. On the plant scale, there are extensive studies in predicting the dynamics of a single plant in an oscillatory flow. On the coastal scale however, there are yet to be compact models which capture the dynamics of both the flow and vegetation, when the latter exists in the form of a dense canopy along the bed. In this talk, we will discuss the open questions in the field and the modelling approaches involved. In particular, we investigate how micro-scale effects can be homogenised in space and how periodic motions can be averaged in time.

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