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Mathematics Weekly News

Issues from: Fall00   Spring00   Fall99   Spring99   Fall98   Spring98   Fall97   Spring97   Fall96

Monday, September 30th

Undergraduate Committee: meeting will be held at 1:00 PM in Math 402.

Fluid Mechanics Seminar: Juan C. Heinrich, Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, will speak on "Induced Flow in Sealing Microgaps" at 1:00 PM in Economics 200.
Abstract: The mechanisms that can potentially induce flow through the microgap under a lip seal are examined. We determine that the most probable cause is the flow induced by inertial effects. Numerical simulations that support this are shown.

Dynamical Systems Seminar: Oliver Knill, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "Caustics and the Problem of Integrability in Billiards" at 4:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: When playing billiards in a smooth convex planar table, one in general observes chaotic trajectories. If this is not the case, that is, if the dynamics is in some sense explicitly solvable, one calls the system integrable. One attributes to Birkhoff the question whether a smooth convex billiard table with integrable dynamics has to be an ellipse. Related to this question is the geometry of caustics, objects which occur also in differential geometry or the study of wave propagation in nonhomogeneous or curved media.


Tuesday, October 1st

Algebra and Number Theory Seminar: Jeffrey T. Sheats, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "The Riemann Hypothesis for Fq[T]" at 2:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: Last November Professor Thakur approached me with a combinatorial assertion made by Carlitz but without proof. Finally last May I was able to prove the assertion true. In this talk I will describe how, as Thakur suspected, this assertion gives rise to an elementary (and first) proof of the Riemann Hypothesis for the Goss zeta function for Fq[T].

Departmental Meeting: for faculty, adjuncts and TA's will be held at 3:15 PM in Math 501. Details of meeting will be distributed at a later date.

Instruction Colloquium: Jean McGehee, Department of Mathematics, Northern Arizona University, will speak on "Interactive Technology in the Geometry Classroom" at 4:15 PM in Math 501. Refreshments will be served beforehand in Math 501.
Abstract: Computer construction programs have become a way to connect visual justification and empirical thinking to higher levels of geometric thinking with logical justification in formal proof. Software guides students to learn significant and interesting concepts. From Euclid and classic constructions to more modern theorems (Steiner's theorem) and transformations, Dr. McGehee will present several examples that are enhanced by the Geometer's Sketchpad. She also will discuss ways to maximize learning and discovery in the way an activity is written for students and will compare the TI-92 to the Sketchpad program.

Biomathematics Seminar: Timothy W. Secomb and Janis M. Burt, Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, will speak on "Electrophysiology of the Heart" at 3:45 PM in Bio Sciences West 219.


Wednesday, October 2nd

Math/Physics Seminar: Douglas Abraham, Oxford University, will speak on "Path Representations for Interfaces and Correlation Functions in the Planar Ising Model" at 1:00 PM in Math 402.


Thursday, October 3rd

Mathematics Colloquium: Aaron Bertram, University of Utah, will speak on "Quantizing the Littlewood-Richardson Rule" at 4:00 PM in Math 501. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in Math 401N.

Modeling Seminar: Alto Benedicto, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, will speak on "Minimal Surfaces and Labyrinth Nets in Nature: (Bicontinuous Cubic Morphologies in Block Copolymers and Amphiphile/Water Systems)" at 12:30 PM in Economics 200.
Abstract: Minimal surfaces manifest themselves in nature in a variety of forms. A survey of its role in the various chemical systems are discussed: from the transformation of crystals from one allotrope to another, the assumption of particular shapes by biological membranes, to the nature of the phase diagrams for both the block copolymers and the amphiphile/water systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the discussion of the three non-intersecting cubic minimal surfaces D ("diamond"), G (gyroid), and P ("primitive"), and their complementary labyrinth nets. Unresolved topological questions on these minimal surfaces that are relevant to the proper understanding of chemical systems are presented. An algorithm for the transformation of one labyrinth net to another is given. Finally, orthographic projections and 3-D slices of these surfaces are computed that aid in the identification and interpretation of various micrographs obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). (Brown bag lunches are appropriate.)

Graduate Student Seminar: John Brillhart, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "What Every Grad Student Should Know (or at least some of it)" at 2:00 PM in Math 402.
Abstract: In the late 1940's universities began phasing out the old theory of equations course in favor of newer subjects such as linear algebra. As a result, the basic material contained in that course had to be gotten in other courses, such as numerical analysis, complex function theory, modern algebra, or number theory, to name a few. I'll talk about a few of the topics in the old course and why they are generally important.


Friday, October 4th

Unix/Utilities Workshop: Jose' Torres, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, will give "An Introduction to Unix" at 2:00 PM in Math 101. New users are especially encouraged to attend.

Applied Mathematics and Electrical & Computer Engineering Joint Colloquium: Carl Pixley, Motorola Microprocessor & Memory Technologies, Austin, Texas, will speak on "Aspects of Mathematical Verification of Commercial Hardware Designs" at 4:00 PM in Math 501. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in Math 401N.
Abstract: A difficult problem in the design of digital integrated circuits is verification of functional correctness: Does the design perform as expected/specified--independent of power or speed or area? I.e., is the design functionally correct? The recent Pentium bug illustrates the failure of design verification. For large microprocessor design projects, functional verification occupies about half of the design effort (time and personnel). Mathematical verification is one approach to the solution of the correctness problem. In recent years two technologies have been combined to attack this problem: efficient representation of logic functions and use of fixed point calculations to evaluate logic expressions. One specific problem attacked by these methods is the problem of determining whether two designs are sequentially equivalent. An elementary notion of design equivalence will be discussed and illustrated from a recent commercial design project.

Brown Bag Seminar: Alexei Samsonovich, Program in Applied Mathematics, University of Arizona, will speak on "Attractor Maps in the Hippocampus" at 12:00 PM in Math 402.


Departmental Announcements

From the UA Faculty Development Partnership: Curriculum innovation proposals that create learner-centered instructional environments are sought. Categories include Curriculum Development, Classroom Equipment, Instructional Laboratories. Contact: Karen Smith, 626-8023, smithka@u.arizona.edu, and on the web at http://u.arizona.edu/ic/facdev/rfp.html. DEADLINE: 28 OCTOBER 1996.