Seminar Coordinators
Seminars with home pages
Archived Seminars
Mathematics Department
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FEBRUARY 23 - FEBRUARY 25, 2005 |
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| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | Tournaments, voting paradoxes and non-transitive dice |
| Presenter: | Noga Alon, Tel Aviv University and IAS |
| Date: | Wednesday, February 23, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Abstract: | Click here |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Examples in Algebraic Cobordism |
| Presenter: | Markus Rost, Institute for Advanced Study and the University of Bielefeld |
| Date: | Wednesday, February 23, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | Characteristic numbers of differentiable or complex manifolds play an important role in the classical theory of cobordism. In recent years there appeared a surprising relation between this topic and Galois cohomology. It turned out that characteristic numbers give rise to certain birational invariants which are of particular interest over non-algebraically closed fields. In the lecture we will consider various examples which illustrate this new appearance of characteristic numbers in questions from algebra and algebraic geometry. |
| Ergodic Theory and Statistical Mechanics Seminar | |
| Topic: | Mean Field Spin Glasses PART I: Parisi Ansatz and bounds for the free energy of the SK model |
| Presenter: | Luca De Sanctis, Princeton University |
| Date: | Thursday, February 24, 2005, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Abstract: | We introduce the SK model of mean field spin glass and formulate the Parisi ansatz for the free energy per site. We show how a simple interpolation technique allows to show that the Parisi ansatz provides a bound for the free energy. We also hint at how to prove the opposite bound and why it is more difficult. |
| Geometric Analysis Seminar *** Please note special day, time, and location | |
| Topic: | Existence of Infinitely many equilibrium configurations of the liquid crystal system for non-constant boundary data |
| Presenter: | Min-Chun Hong, University of Queensland |
| Date: | Thursday, February 24, 2005, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Joint Analysis Seminar | |
| Topic: | Localization in the higher dimensional Anderson-Bernoulli model |
| Presenter: | Jean Bourgain, IAS |
| Date: | Thursday, February 24, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | A spectral sequence approach to Normal Forms |
| Presenter: | Martin Bendersky, CUNY |
| Date: | Thursday, February 24, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | This is joint work with Rick Churchill. An incomplete list of applications of normal forms are to vector fields, Hamiltonians at equilibria, differential equations and singularity theory. In general one tries to modify a given element in a Lie algebra into a particularly useful form. The algorithm that performs the conversion (the normal form algorithm) can be a formidable computation. We generalize the notion of normal form to that of an initially linear group representation. In this general setting we are able to interpret the normal form algorithm as a calculation of a particularly simple spectral sequence. As a consequence we can show that various vector spaces that appear in the process of carrying out the normal form algorithm are invariants of the orbit of the group representation. There will be plenty of examples. |
| Princeton University Math Graduate Student Seminar *** Please note special date and time | |
| Topic: | Dealing with Complexity: The Statistical Physics approach |
| Presenter: | Louis-Pierre Arguin, Princeton University |
| Date: | Friday, February 25, 2005, Time: 12:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 1201 |
| Abstract: | Statistical physics is roughly the study of structures with many degrees of freedom. The first part of the talk will be an introduction to mathematical statistical physics and its basic tools. These tools have mathematical interests of their own, though they have been developped at first by physicists. In the second part, we will look at the so-called spin glass systems where randomness is added in the structure. These structures exhibits a rich behavior which seems to be fundamental in nature, yet lack a complete mathematical understanding. Spin Glass Theory finds application in Optimization and Neural Networks. This talk is meant to be an elementary introduction to the subject and will use only basic probability and analysis. |
| Geometric Analysis Seminar | |
| Topic: | On the uniqueness of the spheres of constant mean curvature at the asymptotically flat end |
| Presenter: | Jie Qing, University of California at Santa Cruz |
| Date: | Friday, February 25, 2005, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | The uniqueness of spheres of constant mean curvature is a very important issue in understanding the structure of asymptotically flat manifolds. The unique foliation of spheres of constant mean curvature at an asymptotically flat end with positive mass is considered as an intrinsic structure of the end and may also be used to define mathematically a center of the mass. In this talk we will prove the uniqueness of spheres of constant mean curvature at asymptotically flat ends with positive mass. |
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 4, 2005 |
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| Number Theory Seminar *** Please note special time | |
| Topic: | Galois groups of p-class towers |
| Presenter: | Nigel Boston, University of Wisconsin |
| Date: | Monday, February 28, 2005, Time: 12:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Invariant-Based Face Recognition |
| Presenter: | Nigel Boston, University of Wisconsin |
| Date: | Monday, February 28, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | After a brief review of recent striking applications of algebra to engineering and computer science, the currently significant problem of face recognition is addressed. We introduce a new approach to obtaining invariants of Lie groups adapted to this problem and describe its success in implementations. |
| Group Actions and Automorphic Forms Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Tsachik Gelander, Yale University |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 1, 2005, Time: 11:30 a.m., Location: Fine Hall PL |
| Algebraic Geometry Seminar | |
| Topic: | D-modules and singularities |
| Presenter: | Nero Budur, Johns Hopkins University |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 1, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Abstract: | We will present new relations and generalize old ones between different points of view on singularities: D-modules, resolutions of singularities, Hodge structures on Milnor fibers, Bernstein-Sato polynomials (joint work with Mircea Mustata, Morihiko Saito). |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | Bounding the Greeks |
| Presenter: | Mete Soner, Koc University, Turkey |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 1, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Abstract: | The classical Black-Scholes price of an option depends on many factors such as the current price of the underlying, volatility, time to maturity. The sensitivity parameters, called the Greeks, are simply the partial derivatives of the price with respect to these factors. From a practical point of view, it is desirable to bound the sensitivity parameters. Mathematically, the problem is to obtain minimal prices with sensitivity parameters satisfying given a priori bounds. This is achieved by increasing the price in a controlled manner and one approach is to consider the minimal super-replication cost. In this talk, I will outline the super-replication problem with several constraints and their solutions. In the classical Black-Scholes model, these solutions are described through a simple stopping time problem. This is joint work with Nizar Touzi of Paris and Patrick Cheridito of Princeton. |
| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | A tight threshold for metric Ramsey phenomena |
| Presenter: | Adriana Karagiozova, Princeton University |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 2, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Abstract: | Click here |
| Princeton University/Institute for Advanced Study Complex Geometry Seminar *** Note special date and location | |
| Topic: | An obstruction to constant scalar curvature Kahler metrics |
| Presenter: | Julius Ross, Columbia University |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 2, 2005, Time: 2:30 p.m., Location: West Building Lecture Hall, IAS |
| Abstract: | (Joint work with Richard Thomas) I will discuss K-stability and its relation to constant scalar curvature metrics. This leads to a notion of slope stability for manifolds in terms of its subschemes, which gives an obstruction to finding constant scalar curvature Kahler metrics in a given rational Kahler class. |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Jacobian determinants and null Lagrangians |
| Presenter: | Tadeusz Iwaniec, Syracuse University |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 2, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | Click here |
| Ergodic Theory and Statistical Mechanics Seminar | |
| Topic: | Mean Field Spin Glasses PART II: Random Multi Overlap Structures for Diluted Models and Optimization Problems |
| Presenter: | Luca De Sanctis, Princeton University |
| Date: | Thursday, March 3, 2005, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Abstract: | We introduce the Viana-Bray Model of Diluted Mean Field Spin Glass and show how to extend to this model some results, regarding the free energy, obtained for non-diluted systems and discussed in PART I. We also introduce the random p-XOR-SAT and K-SAT optimization problems and show that the methods we use extend to such problems as well. |
| Joint Analysis Seminar | |
| Topic: | Uniqueness properties of solutions of Schr\"{o}dinger equations |
| Presenter: | Alexandru Ionescu, University of Wisconsin - Madison |
| Date: | Thursday, March 3, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | I will talk about some recent joint work with Carlos Kenig on a certain type of uniqueness property for solutions of nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger equations on $R^d\times R$. |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | On knot Floer homology and satellite knots |
| Presenter: | Matthew Hedden, Columbia University |
| Date: | Thursday, March 3, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | I will discuss the knot Floer homology invariants introduced by Ozsvath-Szabo and Rasmussen and what is known about these invariants for satellite knots. Part of this talk will address recent results calculating the Floer homology of Whitehead doubles of (2,2n+1) torus knots. These results are part of joint work with Philip Ording of Columbia University which aims to calculate the Floer homology of (1,1) satellite knots. |
| Geometric Analysis Seminar | |
| Topic: | Calibrated Manifolds and Gauge theory |
| Presenter: | Selman Akbulut, Michigan State University and the Institute for Advanced Study |
| Date: | Friday, March 4, 2005, Time: 3:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | Calibrated geometries (introduced by Harvey and Lawson) give Interesting class of 3 and 4 dimensional submanifolds of 7 and 8 manifolds with exceptional holonomies G_2 and Spin(7). They are called associative and Cayley submanifolds. We will relate the deformation theory of these submanifolds to their gauge theories (recent joint work with Sema Salur), e.g. Seiberg-Witten equations appear as deformation equations of certain calibrated submanifolds. We will discuss how to associate invariants to G_2 manifolds from Seiberg-Witten for families. |
MARCH 7 - MARCH 11, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Progresses and Challenges in Multiscale Modeling |
| Presenter: | Weinan E, Applied Mathematics and Mathematics, Princeton University |
| Date: | Monday, March 7, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | In the last several years, there has been tremendous growth of interest on multiscale modeling from many scientific and engineering disciplines. What are the issues involved? How much progress has been made? What are the challenges that we face in order to realize the full potential of multiscale modeling? This talk presents a personal view on these and related questions. We will begin with a quick discussion of the general issues in multiscale modeling. We then review some of the most successful multiscale methods, including the Car-Parrinello method and the quasicontinuum method for crystalline solids. In the second half of talk, we will focus on the problems from complex fluids and micro-fluidics. We end the talk with a canonical example in multiscale modeling, the contact line problem. |
| Group Actions and Automorphic Forms Seminar | |
| Topic: | On smooth classification of Z^k and R^k Cartan actions |
| Presenter: | Boris Kalinin, University of South Alabama |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Time: 11:30 a.m., Location: Fine Hall PL |
| Abstract: | We consider actions of Z^k by hyperbolic diffeomorphisms of a compact manifold and R^k actions normally hyperbolic to the orbit foliation. Algebraic examples of such actions have been extensively studied recently. In contrast to Anosov diffeomorphisms and flows, the higher rank actions exhibit such remarkable properties as rigidity of invariant measures and rigidity of measure preserving isomorphisms. These algebraic actions are often locally rigid, i.e. smoothly conjugate to any small perturbation. We will discuss the problem of smooth classification of nonalgebraic actions, i.e. the existence of a smooth conjugacy to an algebraic model, and related rigidity questions. Our main result is a classification for certain classes of Cartan actions. |
| SPECIAL Analysis Seminar *** Please note special date, time, and location | |
| Topic: | The essential spectrum of advective equations |
| Presenter: | Roman Shvydkoy, University of Illinois at Chicago |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | Early numerical simulations of certain 2D fluids revealed an important role of essential spectrum in formation of shortwave instabilities. For any linearized advective equation, such as the Euler equation, a general description of its essential spectrum can be given via the Sacker-Sell dynamical spectrum of an associated finite-dimensional system of ODEs. In this talk we discuss the relevant mathematical apparatus, and report on recent progress in finding the exact spectral pictures. |
| Algebraic Geometry Seminar | |
| Topic: | Cohomology and Representations of Finite Group Schemes |
| Presenter: | Eric Friedlander, Northwestern University |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Abstract: | This is a report of joint work with Julia Pevtsova in which we provide a purely representation-theoretic construction of the scheme $Proj H^{ev}(G,k)$, where $G$ is a finite group scheme over a field $k$ of characteristic $p > 0$. Some applications are discussed. Before embarking upon a discussion of an arbitrary finite group scheme, we begin with $G$ the finite group $Z/p$ and then contemplate the much more difficult case of $Z/p \oplus Z/p$. |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | The Optimal Stopping of a Markov Chain, the Generalized Gittins Index, and Recursive Solution of Poisson and Bellman Equations |
| Presenter: | Isaac Sonin, University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 8, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Abstract: | We discuss a modified version of the Elimination algorithm proposed earlier by the author to solve recursively a problem of optimal stopping of a Markov chain in discrete time and finite or countable state space. This algorithm and the idea behind it are applied to calculation of the classical and the generalized Gittins index and to solve the discrete versions of the Poisson and Bellman equations. |
| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | The exact Turán function of the generalized triangle |
| Presenter: | Oleg Pikhurko, Carnegie Mellon University |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 9, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Abstract: | Click here |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Kannan Soundararajan, University of Michigan |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 9, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Ergodic Theory and Statistical Mechanics Seminar | |
| Topic: | Joinings of Cartan actions |
| Presenter: | Manfred Einsiedler, Princeton University |
| Date: | Thursday, March 10, 2005, Time: 2:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Abstract: | In joint work with E. Lindenstrauss we obtained a complete classifications of joinings of higher rank Cartan actions on locally homogeneous spaces. Unlike the case of torus actions, here there is no 'up to zero entropy part' in the classification -- every ergodic joining is algebraic. Previous results in that direction required additional assumptions. We will discuss the proof and a reformulation as an equidistribution - result. |
MARCH 14 - MARCH 18, 2005 |
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| Group Actions and Automorphic Forms Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Thomas Ward, University of East Anglia (UK) |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 15, 2005, Time: 11:30 a.m., Location: Fine Hall PL |
MARCH 21 - MARCH 25, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Finite frames and quantum detection |
| Presenter: | John Benedetto, University of Maryland |
| Date: | Monday, March 21, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | We discuss quantum measurement in terms of positive operator-valued measures (POMs). For any tight frame with frame constant 1 for a separable Hilbert space there is an associated POM. Our setup is d-dimensional Hilbert space H and frames for H consisting of N elements. H represents a physical system, and it is known that the state x of the system is in E, a set of N given possible states. The problem is to perform a measurement in order to determine x. This is equivalent to constructing a POM on the subsets of E with a natural probabilistic property. Because of the relationship with frames, the problem reduces to constructing a tight frame with frame constant 1 which minimizes a probability of detection functional defined in terms of E. A compactness argument shows the existence of a solution. We solve the problem using techniques from Lagrangian mechanics and properties of SO(N) with the goal of constructing solutions numerically from the resulting equations. Geometrically uniform and Grassmannian frames are natural background material. This is a collaboration with Andrew Kebo. |
| Algebraic Geometry Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Esnault/Viehweg, Essen |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 22, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | Embracing statistical challenges in the information technology age |
| Presenter: | Bin Yu, University of California, Berkeley |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 22, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Abstract: | Information technology advances are making data collection possible in most if not all fields of science and engineering and beyond. Statistics as a scientific discipline is challenged and enriched by the new opportunities resulted from these high-dimensional data sets. In this talk, I will use serveral research projects to demonstrate how these IT challenges are met by finding new applications of traditional statistical thinking and methods and by incorporating compression and computation considerations into statistical estimation. In particluar, I will cover cloud detection over the polar region, microarray image compression for statistical analysis, and L2 boosting as a computationally efficient method for sparse nonparametric regression model fitting. |
| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Tibor Szabo, ETH |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 23, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Dmitry Dolgopyat, University of Maryland |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 23, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Joint Analysis Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Susan Friedlander, IAS and University of Illinois at Chicago |
| Date: | Thursday, March 24, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Walter Neumann, Institute for Advanced Study and Columbia University |
| Date: | Thursday, March 24, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
MARCH 28 - APRIL 1, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Nick Duffield, AT&T |
| Date: | Monday, March 28, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Group Actions and Automorphic Forms Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Werner Müller, Bonn and the Institute for Advanced Study |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 29, 2005, Time: 11:30 a.m., Location: Fine Hall PL |
| Princeton University/Institute for Advanced Study Complex Geometry Seminar | |
| Topic: | Einstein metrics on Seifert fibered manifolds |
| Presenter: | János Kollár, Princeton University |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 29, 2005, Time: 2:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 110 |
| Algebraic Geometry Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Esnault/Viehweg, Essen |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 29, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Kavita Ramanan, Carnegie Mellon University |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 29, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | David Gamarnik, IBM Research |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 30, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Gregory Margulis, Yale University |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 30, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Jacob Rasmussen, Princeton University |
| Date: | Thursday, March 31, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
APRIL 4 - APRIL 8, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | 33 Years of Bin Packing |
| Presenter: | David Johnson, AT&T |
| Date: | Monday, April 4, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | In the bin packing problem, one is given a list of 1-dimensional items and asked to pack them into a minimum number of unit-capacity bins. This was one of the first NP-hard problems to be studied from the "approximation algorithm" point of view, and over the years it has served as a laboratory for the study of new questions about approximation algorithms and the development of new techniques for their analysis. In this talk I present a brief survey of this history, covering worst-case, average-case, and experimental results. The latter have led to many interesting conjectures and theorems, as well as the new "sum-of-squares" algorithm for the problem. |
| Group Actions and Automorphic Forms Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Dave Witte Morris,University of Lethbridge |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 5, 2005, Time: 11:30 a.m., Location: Fine Hall PL |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | Useful Bounds on the Expected Maximum of Correlated Normal Variables |
| Presenter: | Andrew Ross, Lehigh University |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 5, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Abstract: | We compute useful upper and lower bounds on the expected maximum of up to a few hundred correlated Normal variables with arbitrary means and variances. Two types of bounding processes are used: perfectly dependent Normal variables, and independent Normal variables, both with arbitrary mean values. The expected maximum for the perfectly dependent variables can be evaluated in closed form; for the independent variables, a single numerical integration is required. Higher moments are also available. We use mathematical programming to find parameters for the processes, so they will give bounds on the expected maximum, rather than approximations of unknown accuracy. Our original application is to the maximum number of people on-line simultaneously during the day in an infinite-server queue with a time-varying arrival rate. The upper and lower bounds are tighter than previous bounds, and in many of our examples are within 5 percent of each other. |
| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Igor Pak, MIT |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 6, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Jeff Brock, Brown University |
| Date: | Thursday, April 7, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
APRIL 11 - APRIL 15, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Pino Martin, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University |
| Date: | Monday, April 11, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Albert N. Shiryaev, Steklov Mathematics Institute, Russia |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 12, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | The Inverse Problem in Invariant Theory |
| Presenter: | Michael Larsen, Indiana University |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 13, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | The direct problem in invariant theory is to describe the category of representations of a given group. Its inverse is to extract information about a group from information about its representations. The prototypical result in this direction is Tannaka duality. The ultimate goal is to recognize compact Lie groups which appear in nature, where in practice one typically does not know the category of representations up to isomorphism. |
| Joint Analysis Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Vladimir Sverak, University of Minnesota |
| Date: | Thursday, April 14, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | The Reduced Algebraic K-theory of Square-Zero Extensions by Free Modules |
| Presenter: | Ayelet Lindenstrauss, Indiana University |
| Date: | Thursday, April 14, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | This talk is about joint work with Randy McCarthy (UIUC). We give a method for finding the completion at a prime p of the reduced (over A) K-theory of the square-zero extension of A by a free A-module of finite rank, $\tilde K(A \semiprod (A^{\oplus k}))^\wedge _p$. The calculation is carried out when $A$ satisfies a technical condition which (by work of Hesselholt and Madsen) is satisfied by perfect fields of characteristic $p$, and in that case generalizes the dual numbers ($k=1$) case which Hesselholt and Madsen calculate by different methods. Our calculation uses an invariant we call $W(A;M)$, which can be thought of as a Witt ring of $A$ with coefficients in $M$, or alternatively as cyclic homology of $A$ with coefficients in $M$. By Goodwillie calculus methods, $\tilde K (A \semiprod M) \simeq W(A;M\otimes S1)$, so what we actually study is $W(A; A^{\oplus k}\otimes S1)$. The completion at $p$ is needed for a topological analog of breaking the Witt ring down into a product of $p$-Witt vectors. |
APRIL 18 - APRIL 22, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | David Cai, New York University |
| Date: | Monday, April 18, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Group Actions and Automorphic Forms Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Alexander Gorodnik, Caltech |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 19, 2005, Time: 11:30 a.m., Location: Fine Hall PL |
| Algebraic Geometry Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Gordon Heier, Harvard University |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 19, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 322 |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Christian Menn, Cornell University |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 19, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Discrete Mathematics Seminar | |
| Topic: | Clique-width for graph classes defined by forbidden four-vertex subgraphs |
| Presenter: | Andreas Brandstaed, University of Rostock |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Time: 2:15 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 224 |
| Abstract: | Click here |
| Department Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Probabilistic reasoning and Ramsey Theory |
| Presenter: | Benjamin Sudakov, Princeton University |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
| Abstract: | "Ramsey Theory" refers to a large body of deep results in mathematics concerning the partition of large collections. Its underlying philosophy is captured succinctly by the statement that "In a large system complete disorder is impossible". Since the publication of the seminal paper of Ramsey in 1930, this subject has grown with increasing vitality, and is currently among the most active areas in Combinatorics. An important factor in the development of Ramsey Theory was the successful application of the so-called "Probabilistic Method". This method was initiated more than fifty years ago by Paul Erdos, and became one of the most powerful and widely used tools in Discrete Mathematics. In this talk I will describe some classical results of Ramsey Theory together with recent progress on some old questions of Erdos which was made using probabilistic arguments. I will also discuss the problem of converting existence arguments into deterministic constructions, in particular, the recent explicit constructions of Bipartite Ramsey graphs. |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Peter Kronheimer, Harvard University |
| Date: | Thursday, April 21, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
APRIL 25 - APRIL 29, 2005 |
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| PACM Colloquium | |
| Topic: | Discrete Denoising |
| Presenter: | Sergio Verdu, Applied Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, Princeton University |
| Date: | Monday, April 25, 2005, Time: 4:00 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 214 |
| Abstract: | Finite-alphabet signals corrupted by discrete noisy channels arise naturally in a wide range of applications spanning fields such as statistics, engineering, and computer science. Examples include DNA sequence analysis and processing, text correction, Hidden Markov model state estimation, and image denoising. While the field of filtering or denoising of continuous-alphabet signals has a long history, the field of discrete denoising has seen far less progress. In many discrete denoising applications, a good model for the randomness of the noisy channel is known, whereas the statistical description of the noiseless signal is either unknown or too complex. It is therefore of considerable interest to pose the problem of discrete universal denoising where no knowledge exists about the statistics of the noiseless signal while the channel statistics are assumed known. I will present the DUDE algorithm for discrete universal denoising which has linear complexity and attains universal optimality in a stochastic sense as well as a stronger semi-stochastic sense. I will also show several DUDE-based algorithms for channel decoding of systematically encoded redundant data. Joint work with E. Ordentlich, G. Seroussi, M. Weinberger and T. Weissman. |
| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | Stochastic Gradient Estimation |
| Presenter: | Michael Fu, University of Maryland |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 26, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Abstract: | We survey the methods of stochastic gradient estimation, including perturbation analysis, the likelihood ratio method, and weak derivatives. We illustrate the techniques using models in queueing, inventory, and finance. In the latter case, the methods can be used for estimating the so-called Greeks, which are crucial for hedging, and also for pricing American-style options (derivatives with early exercise opportunities). Computational examples using the estimators in stochastic approximation algorithms are described. |
| Topology Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Helmut Hofer, NYU |
| Date: | Thursday, April 28, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Fine Hall 314 |
MAY 9 - MAY 14, 2005 |
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| Operations Research and Financial Engineering Seminar | |
| Topic: | TBA |
| Presenter: | Peter Bickel, University of California, Berkeley |
| Date: | Tuesday, May 10, 2005, Time: 4:30 p.m., Location: Room E-219, Engineering Quad |
| Archived Info | 1998 - 1999 | 2003 - 2004 |
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