Division of Applied Mathematics


Seminars for Mar 10 - Mar 14, 1997

  • Monday, March 10, 1997

    Lefschetz Center for Dynamical Systems Seminar
    Speaker: Kayo Ide, UCLA
    Title: Ocean Eddies and Fluid-mixing Estimation
    Time/Place:         4:30 p.m., B&H 155

    Abstract:   Estimation of transport and mixing for coherent structures in geophysical flow models requires solving initial-and-boundary problems for the flow field first. In practice, initial and boundary data are obtained from incomplete and noisy flow-field observations. In this study we focus on mid-latitude eddies that play an important role in the oceans' heat, mass and momentum fluxes. We assimilate very sparse data to estimate flow dynamics and the associated transports by designing a data-adaptive observing system that helps improve estimation's efficiency and accuracy. To do so, data assimilation methodology and dynamical systems theory are systematically combined. Using the extended Kalman filter of sequential estimation theory, we first demonstrate how subsurface flow information can be extracted efficiently from the available surface observations. Chaotic mixing techniques are then applied to estimate the flux carried by the eddies and the fluid's mixing with the surrounding flow field.

  • Tuesday, March 11, 1997

    Stochastic Systems Seminar
    Speaker: Sid Yakowitz, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
    Title: Nonparametric Prediction for Stationary Time Series
    Time/Place:         4:00 p.m., B&H 160

    Abstract:   The setting is that is a stationary sequence taking values in a subset of Euclidean space. The objective is to construct prediction algorithms such that in some standard sense,

    where either t is fixed and n --> or n is fixed and t --> . Process models and mixing conditions are not postulated.

    Research during the past few years has yielded some weakly and strongly consistent prediction methods as well as considerable understanding of conditions under which consistent prediction is possible and when it is not. This fundamental problem area has been related to basic issues in information theory, gambling, and large-deviation theory.

    This talk will survey results and implications of the theory, with emphasis on contributions by the speaker and his collaborators.

  • Tuesday, March 11, 1997 - Continued...

    Brown University Center for Statistical Sciences Seminar
    Speaker: Neil Klar, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health
    Title: Cluster Randomization Trials in Epidemiology: An Introduction to their Design and Analysis
    Time/Place:         4:00 p.m., Bio Med Center, Room 291   (Coffee at 3:45 p.m.)

    Abstract:   It is becoming increasingly common for epidemiologists to consider randomizing intact social units (e.g. families, schools, communities) rather than independent individuals in experimental trials. Reasons are diverse, but include administrative convenience, a desire to reduce the effect of treatment contamination and the need to avoid ethical issues which might otherwise arise. Dependencies among cluster members typical of such designs must be considered when determining sample size and analysing the resulting data. Failure to adjust standard statistical methods for within-cluster dependencies may result in severely underpowered studies and in spuriously elevated Type I error rates. The purpose of this talk is to review the key issues in the design and analysis of cluster randomization trials. These ideas will be illustrated using data from several recently completed studies.

  • Wednesday, March 12, 1997

    Special Department of Mathematics Colloquium
    Speaker: Zhuang-Dan Guan, Princeton University
    Title: Classification of Compact Homogeneous Spaces with Symplectic Structures
    Time/Place:         3:00 p.m., Kassar 105

    Brown Applied Mathematics Pattern Theory and Vision Seminar
    Speaker: Peter Belhumeur, Yale University
    Title: This talk is postponed until March 26, 1997

    Brown Analysis Seminar
    Speaker: Jean Bourgain, IAS
    Title: On KAM Methods in PDE
    Time/Place:         4:15 p.m., Kassar 105   (Coffee at 3:45 p.m.)

  • Friday, March 14, 1997

    Division of Applied Mathematics, Special Seminar
    Speaker: C.J. Tan, IBM Research
    Title: Deep Blue: The IBM Chess Machine
    A Live Demonstration Using the SP2 at Brown
    There will be demonstrations at a time to be announced.
    Time/Place:         12:00 Noon, SunLab, CIT 143
    If you would like to talk with the speaker,
    please call Professor George Karniadakis at extension 1217.

    Abstract:   Deep Blue, the IBM Chess Machine, recently made history by becoming the first computer to beat the human World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov, in a regulation game. Although Kasparov came back to win the 6-game match, the IBM Deep Blue system demonstrated that a sophisticated chess system can be developed using the IBM RS6000/SP parallel processor, which meets a long standing challenge in computer science. In this talk we will describe the architecture of the Deep Blue system, illustrate the strong and weak points of Deep Blue thru highlights of the match. We will also discuss the implications of the event on chess and technology.

  • Friday, March 14, 1997 - Continued...

    PDE/Lefschetz Center Seminar
    Speaker: Joseph McKenna, University of Connecticut
    Title: Traveling Waves in Nonlinearly Suspended Beams
    Time/Place:         3:00 p.m., Kassar 105

    Department of Mathematics Colloquium
    Speaker: K. Okikiolou, MIT
    Title: The Determinant of the Laplacian on Manifolds of Odd Dimension
    Time/Place:         4:30 p.m., Kassar 105

      <---   1997  Index



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