Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018

Time: 2:15 p.m.  Place: Jeffery Hall 319

Speaker: Jung-Jo Lee (Queen's University)

Title: Iwasawa’s main conjecture and Euler systems

Abstract: The purpose of this talk is to explain the idea how an Euler system can be used to prove Iwasawa's main conjecture.

Monday, February 5th, 2018

Time: 4:30 p.m.  Place: Jeffery Hall 319

Speaker: David Wehlau (Queen's University)

Title: Khovanski Bases and Derivations

Abstract:  Let $R=K[x_1,,\dots,x_m,y_1,\dots,y_m,z_1,\dots,z_m]$ be a polynomial algebera over a field $K$ of characteristic zero, Let $\Delta$ be the locally nilpotent derivation on $R$ determined by $\Delta(z_i) = y_i$, $\Delta(y_i) = x_i$ and $\Delta(x_i)=0$ for $i=1,2,\dots,m$. This is an example of

a Weitzenb\"ock derivation. We exhibit a minimal set of generators $\mathcal G$ for the algebra of

constants $R^\Delta = \ker \Delta$. We also construct a Khovanski (or sagbi) basis for this algebra.

Even though this basis is infinite our proof yields an algorithm to express any element of $R^\Delta$ as
a polynomial in the elements of $\mathcal G$. In particular, this method shows how the classical techniques of polarization and restitution may be used in combination with Khovanski bases to yield a constructive method for expressing elements of a subalgebra as a polynomials in its generators.

Wednesday, January 31st, 2018

Time: 2:15 p.m.  Place: Jeffery Hall 319

Speaker: Vaidehee Thatte (Queen's University)

Title: Defect Extensions – I

Abstract: Let $K$ be a valued field of characteristic $p > 0$ with henselian valuation ring $A$. Let $L$ be a non-trivial Artin-Schreier extension of $K$ with $B$ as the integral closure of $A$ in $L$. In the classical theory of complete discrete valuation rings, $B$ is generated as an $A$-algebra by a single element. This in particular, is not true in the defect case. We will discuss a result that allows us to write $B$ as a "filtered union over $A$", when there is defect. Similar results can be obtained in the mixed characteristic case.

Friday, January 26th, 2018

Time: 2:30 p.m.  Place: Jeffery Hall 234

Speaker: Milian Derpich, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile

Title: The Differential Entropy Gain Created by Linear Time-Invariant Systems

Abstract: The differential entropy of a continuous-valued random variable quantifies the uncertainty associated with the latter, and plays a crucial role in many fundamental result of Information Theory. This talk will discuss how the differential entropy rate of a random process exciting a discrete-time linear time invariant (LTI) system relates to that of the random process coming out of it. First, an apparent contradiction between existing results characterizing the difference between these two differential entropy rates, referred to a 'differential entropy gain', will be exposed. It will then be shown how and when these results can be reconciled, presenting a geometric interpretation as well as novel results which quantify the differential entropy gain introduced by LTI systems. Finally, some of the implications of these results will be illustrated for three different problems, namely: the rate-distortion function for non stationary processes, an inequality in networked control systems, and the capacity of stationary Gaussian channels.

Milan S. Derpich (Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile): Milan S. Derpich received the 'Ingeniero Civil Electronico' degree from Federico Santa Maria Technical University, in Valparaso, Chile in 1999. Dr. He then worked by the electronic circuit design and manufacturing company Protonic Chile S.A. between 2000 and 2004. In 2009 he received the PhD degree in electrical engineering from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He received the Guan Zhao-Zhi Award at the Chinese Control Conference 2006, and the Research Higher Degrees Award from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Australia, for his PhD thesis. Since 2009 he has been with the Department of Electronic Engineering at UTFSM, currently as associate professor. His main research interests include rate-distortion theory, networked control systems, and signal processing. He has just started a sabbatical one-year visit to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in Queen's University, Canada, as a visiting professor.

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018

Time: 2:15 p.m.  Place: Jeffery Hall 319

Speaker: François Séguin (Queen's University)

Title: Heights of elliptic curves and the elliptic analogue of the two-variable Artin conjecture

Abstract: Similar to the way Lang and Trotter adapted Artin's primitive root conjecture in the case of elliptic curves, we consider this natural adaptation for the two-variable Artin Conjecture. In light of our recent results for the two-variable setting, we present similar, unconditional lower bounds for this elliptic analogue.