114 research outputs found
Higher operads, higher categories
Higher-dimensional category theory is the study of n-categories, operads,
braided monoidal categories, and other such exotic structures. It draws its
inspiration from areas as diverse as topology, quantum algebra, mathematical
physics, logic, and theoretical computer science. This is the first book on the
subject and lays its foundations.
Many examples are given throughout. There is also an introductory chapter
motivating the subject for topologists.Comment: Book, 410 page
On the magnitude of a finite dimensional algebra
There is a general notion of the magnitude of an enriched category, defined subject to hypotheses. In topological and geometric contexts, magnitude is already known to be closely related to classical invariants such as Euler characteristic and dimension. Here we establish its significance in an algebraic context. Specifically, in the representation theory of an associative algebra , a central role is played by the indecomposable projective -modules, which form a category enriched in vector spaces. We show that the magnitude of that category is a known homological invariant of the algebra: writing for the Euler form of and for the direct sum of the simple -modules, it is
Towards a Java Subtyping Operad
The subtyping relation in Java exhibits self-similarity. The self-similarity
in Java subtyping is interesting and intricate due to the existence of wildcard
types and, accordingly, the existence of three subtyping rules for generic
types: covariant subtyping, contravariant subtyping and invariant subtyping.
Supporting bounded type variables also adds to the complexity of the subtyping
relation in Java and in other generic nominally-typed OO languages such as C#
and Scala. In this paper we explore defining an operad to model the
construction of the subtyping relation in Java and in similar generic
nominally-typed OO programming languages. Operads, from category theory, are
frequently used to model self-similar phenomena. The Java subtyping operad, we
hope, will shed more light on understanding the type systems of generic
nominally-typed OO languages.Comment: 13 page
Appraising longitudinal trends in the strategic risks cited by risk managers in the international water utility sector, 2005-2015
We report dynamic changes in the priorities for strategic risks faced by international water utilities over a 10 year period, as cited by managers responsible for managing them. A content analysis of interviews with three cohorts of risk managers in the water sector was undertaken. Interviews probed the focus risk managers' were giving to strategic risks within utilities, as well as specific questions on risk analysis tools (2005); risk management cultures (2011) and the integration of risk management with corporate decision-making (2015). The coding frequency of strategic (business, enterprise, corporate) risk terms from 18 structured interviews (2005) and 28 semi-structured interviews (12 in 2011; 16 in 2015) was used to appraise changes in the perceived importance of strategic risks within the sector. The aggregated coding frequency across the study period, and changes in the frequency of strategic risks cited at three interview periods identified infrastructure assets as the most significant risk over the period and suggests an emergence of extrinsic risk over time. Extended interviews with three utility risk managers (2016) from the UK, Canada and the US were then used to contextualise the findings. This research supports the ongoing focus on infrastructure resilience and the increasing prevalence of extrinsic risk within the water sector, as reported by the insurance sector and by water research organisations. The extended interviews provided insight into how strategic risks are now driving the implementation agenda within utilities, and into how utilities can secure tangible business value from proactive risk governance. Strategic external risks affecting the sector are on the rise, involve more players and are less controllable from within a utility's own organisational boundaries. Proportionate risk management processes and structures provide oversight and assurance, whilst allowing a focus on the tangible business value that comes from managing strategic risks well
Classical Structures Based on Unitaries
Starting from the observation that distinct notions of copying have arisen in
different categorical fields (logic and computation, contrasted with quantum
mechanics) this paper addresses the question of when, or whether, they may
coincide. Provided all definitions are strict in the categorical sense, we show
that this can never be the case. However, allowing for the defining axioms to
be taken up to canonical isomorphism, a close connection between the classical
structures of categorical quantum mechanics, and the categorical property of
self-similarity familiar from logical and computational models becomes
apparent.
The required canonical isomorphisms are non-trivial, and mix both typed
(multi-object) and untyped (single-object) tensors and structural isomorphisms;
we give coherence results that justify this approach.
We then give a class of examples where distinct self-similar structures at an
object determine distinct matrix representations of arrows, in the same way as
classical structures determine matrix representations in Hilbert space. We also
give analogues of familiar notions from linear algebra in this setting such as
changes of basis, and diagonalisation.Comment: 24 pages,7 diagram
Higher Structures in M-Theory
The key open problem of string theory remains its non-perturbative completion
to M-theory. A decisive hint to its inner workings comes from numerous
appearances of higher structures in the limits of M-theory that are already
understood, such as higher degree flux fields and their dualities, or the
higher algebraic structures governing closed string field theory. These are all
controlled by the higher homotopy theory of derived categories, generalised
cohomology theories, and -algebras. This is the introductory chapter
to the proceedings of the LMS/EPSRC Durham Symposium on Higher Structures in
M-Theory. We first review higher structures as well as their motivation in
string theory and beyond. Then we list the contributions in this volume,
putting them into context.Comment: 22 pages, Introductory Article to Proceedings of LMS/EPSRC Durham
Symposium Higher Structures in M-Theory, August 2018, references update
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