Mathematical Methods for Next Generation Sequencing. The emergence of a new generation of high throughput genomic sequencing technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities for biological research. Hidden within the huge amounts of data generated by this technology is information about the expression and regulation of genes, and the complex functional purpose of non-coding, so called 'junk', DNA. Development of mathematical and statistical tools is essential to interpreting these data. The ....Mathematical Methods for Next Generation Sequencing. The emergence of a new generation of high throughput genomic sequencing technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities for biological research. Hidden within the huge amounts of data generated by this technology is information about the expression and regulation of genes, and the complex functional purpose of non-coding, so called 'junk', DNA. Development of mathematical and statistical tools is essential to interpreting these data. The proposed research will enhance Australia's reputation for developing novel quantitative techniques at the cutting edge of modern biology. The proposed project has a broad range of potential applications in biotechnology, particularly in the medical and agricultural industries.Read moreRead less
Efficient Design for Generalized Linear Models. In industrial, commercial and social research, we collect data in order to predict the outcome of a process based on the inputs to that process. We want to maximize the information that is gained from the data. Good planning is crucially important to achieve this. This project will determine how best to select the inputs to the process for many situations that occur in research. A computer package to answer these questions will be written. The nati ....Efficient Design for Generalized Linear Models. In industrial, commercial and social research, we collect data in order to predict the outcome of a process based on the inputs to that process. We want to maximize the information that is gained from the data. Good planning is crucially important to achieve this. This project will determine how best to select the inputs to the process for many situations that occur in research. A computer package to answer these questions will be written. The nation will benefit from a fundamental increase in efficiency of research and, therefore, in efficient use of research dollars.Read moreRead less
Hecke Algebras in Algebra and Analysis. The aim of this program is to adapt techniques from harmonic analysis and operator-algebraic representation theory to study Hecke algebras arising in algebraic and geometric settings. The relevant analytic structures are C*-algebras and the fundamental question is then "Which Hecke algebras have a faithful enveloping C*-algebra?" We investigate this question, first by developing an appropriate theory of crossed products by semigroups and, second, by using ....Hecke Algebras in Algebra and Analysis. The aim of this program is to adapt techniques from harmonic analysis and operator-algebraic representation theory to study Hecke algebras arising in algebraic and geometric settings. The relevant analytic structures are C*-algebras and the fundamental question is then "Which Hecke algebras have a faithful enveloping C*-algebra?" We investigate this question, first by developing an appropriate theory of crossed products by semigroups and, second, by using the notion of topologization which enables the Hecke algebra to be studied in the context of topological groups.Read moreRead less
Robust Reformulation Methods. Many decision problems in engineering, business and economics are modeled as nonlinear continuous optimization problems. Often these are made difficult by the existence of constraints. In this project, we reformulate such problems as constrained nonsmooth equations, rather than optimization problems, and develop generalized Newton and quasi-Newton methods for solving them. The expected outcomes of this project include a systematic theory of reformulation methods, ....Robust Reformulation Methods. Many decision problems in engineering, business and economics are modeled as nonlinear continuous optimization problems. Often these are made difficult by the existence of constraints. In this project, we reformulate such problems as constrained nonsmooth equations, rather than optimization problems, and develop generalized Newton and quasi-Newton methods for solving them. The expected outcomes of this project include a systematic theory of reformulation methods, and robust and efficient algorithms for solving some important nonlinear continuous optimization problems. There is high potential for applications in engineering, business and finance.Read moreRead less
Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their ....Self-assembly and complexity: networks and patterns from materials to markets. Self-assembly leads the formation of patterns without external directing agents. It is responsible for the growth of complex multiscale structures found in biology and materials science and is a crucial concept for development of viable nanotechnologies. Complex systems, from biological ecosystems to financial markets and the Internet, are also characterized by spontaneous clustering and linkages that determine their collective behaviour. The project will investigate in detail the geometry, topology, materials science and statistical physics of networks, leading to design and characterization of robust self-assembled materials and complex systems.Read moreRead less
Harmonic analysis on Lie groups via hypergroup convolution structures. This project studies convolution structures for conjugacy classes
of nilpotent and compact Lie groups and the connections with fusion rule algebras. The aims are to establish a suitable theory of almost periodic functions on a nilpotent Lie group to allow a
wrapping theorem to be formulated, to describe precisely the
class hypergroup of a compact Lie group, and to clarify the relations of the latter with fusion rule algebr ....Harmonic analysis on Lie groups via hypergroup convolution structures. This project studies convolution structures for conjugacy classes
of nilpotent and compact Lie groups and the connections with fusion rule algebras. The aims are to establish a suitable theory of almost periodic functions on a nilpotent Lie group to allow a
wrapping theorem to be formulated, to describe precisely the
class hypergroup of a compact Lie group, and to clarify the relations of the latter with fusion rule algebras. This will result in further understanding of the Kirillov orbit method and the have applications to conformal field theory.Read moreRead less
The stability of unsteady fluid flows in channels and pipes. The main benefit from this project will be a better theoretical understanding of the stability properties of unsteady fluid flows. The theoretical results obtained would help guide future experimental
investigations into the paths to turbulence in unsteady flows and would be a basis for future research in the increasingly important area of flow stability control. The project will also provide advanced training and skills transfer in a ....The stability of unsteady fluid flows in channels and pipes. The main benefit from this project will be a better theoretical understanding of the stability properties of unsteady fluid flows. The theoretical results obtained would help guide future experimental
investigations into the paths to turbulence in unsteady flows and would be a basis for future research in the increasingly important area of flow stability control. The project will also provide advanced training and skills transfer in an important area of fluid mechanics research.
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Operator algebras associated to product systems, and higher-rank-graph algebras. Operator algebras are used to study a wide range of physical systems in quantum physics and quantum computing, and in electrical engineering. The clearer our picture of how operator algebras work, the better we are able to predict and explain how these physical systems will behave. The proposed research project is aimed at showing that we can describe operator algebras in terms of simple coloured diagrams rather tha ....Operator algebras associated to product systems, and higher-rank-graph algebras. Operator algebras are used to study a wide range of physical systems in quantum physics and quantum computing, and in electrical engineering. The clearer our picture of how operator algebras work, the better we are able to predict and explain how these physical systems will behave. The proposed research project is aimed at showing that we can describe operator algebras in terms of simple coloured diagrams rather than abstract mathematical symbols. Consequently, the project will lead to a simpler and less technical approach to the physical problems which operator algebras are used to study.Read moreRead less
Decision-making in social insects and nature-inspired optimisation algorithms. Insect societies are ideal for the study of complex systems. Contrary to other complex systems, insect colonies can be modified without destroying the system. Computer scientists have found a source of inspiration in the behaviour of social insects for solving optimisation problems. Here we will study the influence of information flow on decision-making in real insect societies using:
1) Experiments aimed at investig ....Decision-making in social insects and nature-inspired optimisation algorithms. Insect societies are ideal for the study of complex systems. Contrary to other complex systems, insect colonies can be modified without destroying the system. Computer scientists have found a source of inspiration in the behaviour of social insects for solving optimisation problems. Here we will study the influence of information flow on decision-making in real insect societies using:
1) Experiments aimed at investigating how storage and transfer of information affects individual decision-making within a honey bee colony (University of Sydney)
2) Design of a new class of 'bee' algorithms that incorporate direct information transfer and are aimed at solving dynamic multicriterion optimisation problems (University of Leipzig).
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Trans-dimensional and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Many applied scientists in Australia, particularly those in the biological, medical and environmental sciences are now interested in incorporating Bayesian statistical methodologies into their research.
The development of more generic and efficient Bayesian statistical methods will not only benefit applied statisticians but also the more occasional users of statistics in other disciplinary areas. The success of this project will enhance Au ....Trans-dimensional and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Many applied scientists in Australia, particularly those in the biological, medical and environmental sciences are now interested in incorporating Bayesian statistical methodologies into their research.
The development of more generic and efficient Bayesian statistical methods will not only benefit applied statisticians but also the more occasional users of statistics in other disciplinary areas. The success of this project will enhance Australia's reputation as a strong contributor to the development of Bayesian methodologies. Two PhD students will also be provided training in computational Bayesian statistics.Read moreRead less