Seminars for November 2-6, 2009
TUESDAY
Probability Seminar
12:30-1:20 PM Tuesday in 345 Avery
SPEAKER: Steve Dunbar, UNL
TITLE: Variations on the Central Limit Theorem: Proof of the Zero Bias CLT
Discrete Math Seminar
2:00-3:00 PM Tuesday in 351 Avery
SPEAKER: Carina Curto, UNL
TITLE: Geometry of stable cliques in neural networks
ABSTRACT: We investigate the relationship between the structure (connectivity) and function (stimulus space representation) for a simple class of neural network
models. The problem of relating network connectivity to stimulus space properties leads to a number of geometric questions about the set of stable cliques associated
to a particular network. I will discuss some recent results relating to these questions. This is joint work with Anda Degeratu and Vladimir Itskov.
Dynamic Equations on Time Scales
2:30-3:20 PM Tuesday in 345 Avery
SPEAKER: TBA
TITLE: TBA
PDE (Partial Differential Equations)
2:30-3:20 Tuesday in 112 Avery
SPEAKER: Mohammad Rammaha, UNL
TITLE: Monotone Operators in PDEs
GST (Groups-Semigroups-Topology Seminar)
NO SEMINAR
WEDNESDAY
Commutative Algebra Seminar
3:30-4:20 PM Wednesday in 351 Avery
SPEAKER: Brian Harbourne, UNL
TITLE: Results of Waldschmidt, Skoda and Chudnovsky, with asymptotic applications to ideals in polynomial rings - I
ABSTRACT: Motivated by work of Schneider, Lang, Baker and Bombieri in transcendence theory and complex variables, Waldschmidt, Skoda and Chudnovsky
studied asymptotic invariants for ideals of points in affine space. This work turns out to be related to recent results of Ein-Lazarsfeld- Smith and Hochster-Huneke
on symbolic powers of ideals.
Operator Algebra Seminar
3:30-5:00 PM Wednesday in 345 Avery
SPEAKER: David Pitts, UNL
TITLE: C* twists and inclusions
GSS (Graduate Student Seminar)
5:00-6:00 PM Wednesday in 108 Avery
SPEAKER: Ines Henriques, UNL
TITLE: TBA
THURSDAY
Algebraic Geometry Seminar
11:30-12:30 PM Thursday in 351 Avery
SPEAKER: Mark Walker, UNL
TITLE: Grassmann Varieties and Chow Varieties, Part VI
Integration in Function Space Seminar
1:00-2:20 PM Thursday in 345 Avery
SPEAKER: Ian Pierce, UNL
TITLE: TBA
Commutative Algebra Seminar
2:30-3:20 PM Thursday in 351 Avery
SPEAKER: Brian Harbourne, UNL
TITLE: Results of Waldschmidt, Skoda and Chudnovsky, with asymptotic applications to ideals in polynomial rings - II
Dynamic Equations on Time Scales
2:30-3:20 PM Thursday in 345 Avery
SPEAKER: TBA
TITLE: TBA
Math Biology Seminar
2:30-3:20 PM Thursday in 19 Avery
SPEAKER: Travis Hinkelman, UNL Biology
TITLE: TBA
Issues in Mathematical Education
4:00-5:00 PM Thursday in 351 Avery
SPEAKER: Dan Ross
TITLE: Functions in Contemporary Secondary Mathematics Textbooks
ABSTRACT: Functions are widely recognized as a core concept in secondary mathematics and a key to understanding much of the mathematics
beyond high school. Yet research has shown that many students bring misconceptions and poor understandings of function into post-secondary
mathematics studies. Some have argued that poor textbook presentations of function are at least a partial cause for this. In this session,
recommendations from research on how textbooks should present function will be considered and compared to findings from contemporary
secondary mathematics textbooks. Two main areas of focus will include definitions of function and characteristics of example spaces of
function created in different textbooks.
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Masters Week University of Nebraska-Lincoln
November 4 - 6, 2009
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Masters Week program will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year with a visit by eight outstanding alumni Nov. 4-6.
Since 1964, more than 200 alumni have participated in Masters Week. Its primary goal has always been to link the university's outstanding alumni with
students who can benefit from their experiences and knowledge. The program is sponsored by the Innocents Society, Mortar Board, the Student Alumni
Association, the Chancellor's Office and the Alumni Association.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 @ 4:00-5:00 PM in Avery 106
3:30-4:00 PM Reception in Avery 348
SPEAKER: Jim Davidson; '81 alumnus of UNL
TITLE: A Somewhat Random Walk from Lincoln, Nebraska, to a Leading Investor in the New Economy
ABSTRACT: Jim Davidson will speak about how his career path evolved from student to lawyer to investment banker to venture capitalist to founding
partner of one of the world's largest and most successful private equity investment firms, Silver Lake. Today, this Lincoln native manages more
than $10 billion, invested primarily in leading global technology companies. Davidson, co-founder and chairman of Silver Lake, also acts as chairman
of the executive committee. Prior to Silver Lake, he was a managing director at Hambrecht & Quist, a technology-focused investment bank and venture
capital firm (now part of JP Morgan Chase & Co, "H&Q"), where he managed the Technology Investment Banking business and the Mergers and Acquisitions
business. He also serves on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations. Davidson graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and political
science in 1981 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. and then went on to earn his juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1984.
Davidson is being hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences.
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