This seminar features a mix of guests and local researchers as speakers. It is also part of the SAAAJ Seminar, run jointly with the University of Ljubljana and the University of Zagreb. All talks are Thursday 15:15 – 16:45 (SR 11.34), unless specified otherwise (for online seminars we keep the duration at 45-60 minutes).
To enable participants from around the world to take part in our seminar we continue to stream the seminar.
You may use the following link to join the seminar through your web browser
To receive announcements about upcoming talks, please subscribe to IMSC Announcements, the official mailing list for announcements of the Department of Mathematics and Scientific Computing the University of Graz (low volume).
Summer Semester 2025
6.03.2025
Barna Schefler(Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary): TBA  
Abstract: TBA
13.03.2025
Qinghai Zhong(University of Graz): TBA  
Abstract: TBA
20.03.2025
Kevin Zhao(Nanning Normal University, China): TBA  
Abstract: TBA
27.03.2025
Andreas Reinhart (University of Graz): TBA  
Abstract: TBA
3.04.2025
Christian Elsholtz (TU Graz): TBA  
Abstract: TBA
10.04.2025
TBA  
Abstract: TBA
8.05.2025
TBA  
Abstract: TBA
15.05.2025
TBA  
Abstract: TBA
22.05.2025
TBA  
Abstract: TBA
5.06.2025
Eleonore Faber (University of Graz)  
Abstract: TBA
12.06.2025
TBA  
Abstract: TBA
26.06.2025
TBA  
Abstract: TBA
Winter Semester 2024/2025
10.10.2024
(ONLINE)
Laura Cossu(University of Cagliari, Italy): Generalized Euclidean rings and beyond.  
Abstract: An integral domain R is said to be Generalized Euclidean (or a GE-ring) if every invertible matrix over R can be written as a product of elementary matrices.
Characterizing GE-rings is a classical problem in ring theory. Notably, if R is a Bézout domain (i.e., a domain in which every finitely generated ideal is principal), R is a GE-ring if and only if any singular matrix over R can be decomposed into idempotent factors,
and this holds true iff the domain admits a weak version of the Euclidean algorithm.
In this seminar, we will survey some classical and more recent results and open questions about GE-rings, exploring in particular their connection with idempotent matrix factorization.
To conclude, we will briefly introduce a novel approach to factorization of matrices rooted in factorization theory.
17.10.2024
Andreas Reinhart(University of Graz): On some problems concerning fundamental units of real quadratic number fields.  
Abstract: Let \( K \) be a real quadratic number field and let \( \mathcal{O}_K \) be the principal order in \( K \). There is a unique squarefree integer \( d \in \mathbb{N}_{\geq 2} \) such that \( K = \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{d}) \).
It is well-known that there is a unique unit \( \varepsilon \) of \( \mathcal{O}_K \) (called the fundamental unit of \(\mathcal{O}_K\)) such that \(\varepsilon>1\) and \(\{\pm\varepsilon^k\mid k\in\mathbb{Z}\}\) is the unit group of \(\mathcal{O}_K\).
Let \(\omega\in\{\sqrt{d},\frac{1+\sqrt{d}}{2}\}\) be such that \(\mathcal{O}_K=\mathbb{Z}[\omega]\) and let \(x,y\in\mathbb{N}_0\) be the unique nonnegative integers such that \(\varepsilon=x+y\omega\).
In this talk we present and discuss various problems that involve the real quadratic number fields \(K\) for which \(d\mid y\). Among these problems are the Ankeny-Artin-Chowla conjecture, the Erdos-Mollin-Walsh conjecture and the Pellian equation conjecture.
We will also put our focus on problems that stem from module theory (involving orders in \(K\) with torsionfree/mixed cancellation), factorization theory (involving ``unusual'' orders in \(K\)) and number theory (involving orders in \(K\) with relative class number one).
The main objective of our talk is to review the methods (that we recently used) to obtain and verify a counterexample to the Pellian equation conjecture.
24.10.2024
Balint Rago(University of Graz): On transfer Krull orders in Dedekind domains with torsion class group.  
Abstract: Krull monoids are well-studied objects in factorization theory.
Their arithmetic can be combinatorially described by zero-sum sequences over their class group.
As a generalization, a monoid H is said to be transfer Krull if there is a transfer homomorphism from H to a Krull monoid,
meaning that H admits the same factorization behavior as a Krull monoid, while not necessarily being Krull itself.
In this talk, we give an algebraic characterization of transfer Krull orders in certain Dedekind domains with torsion class group.
Prominent examples of such Dedekind domains include rings of integers of number fields and holomorphy domains in algebraic function fields.
31.10.2024
Valentin Havlovec (TU Graz): Null-polynomials over certain matrix algebras. 
Abstract: Given a finite ring, we consider the set of polynomials inducing the constant zero function (null-polynomials).
In the commutative case, this set is easily seen to be an ideal of the polynomial ring.
However, whether this also holds in the non-commutative setting is not clear, due to the absence of a substitution homomorphism.
For many classes of finite rings, it has been shown that indeed the null-polynomials form a two-sided ideal, and no counterexample is known.
In this talk, we review existing results and give further examples of ideals of null-polynomials by considering matrix algebras that are defined by restricting elements in certain positions to be zero.
Abstract: Claborn's Realization Theorem states that every abelian group can be realized as the class group of a certain Dedekind domain. Since then, several similar existence results have been established.
In this talk, we will show that for any given finitely generated abelian group, there exists an algebraic structure—specifically, a generalized cluster algebra—whose class group is isomorphic to that group.
Generalized cluster algebras were introduced by Chekhov and Shapiro in 2014, as a generalization of the cluster algebras first developed by S. Fomin and A. Zelevinsky.
While classical cluster algebras have binomial exchange relations, generalized cluster algebras allow multinomial exchange relations.
Despite the many similarities between these two algebraic structures, our study reveals a key distinction in terms of factorization theory.
Namely, the class group of a cluster algebra is always a free finitely generated abelian group, whereas the class group of a generalized cluster algebra can have torsion.
14.11.2024
Daniel Z. Vitas (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia): Skew Laurent Series Ring Over a Dedekind Domain.  
Abstract: There are only a few known constructions of Dedekind prime rings. Our goal is to give a new one. Let \(D\) be a commutative Dedekind domain with an automorphism \(\sigma \colon D \rightarrow D\).
We study the ring of skew Laurent series
\(R = D(\!(x; \sigma)\!) \text{.}\)
We show that \(R\) is a noncommutative Dedekind domain. The natural morphism of the ideal class groups
\( \pi \colon G(D) \rightarrow G(R)\)
is surjective, and if \(\sigma\) acts trivially on the ideal class group of \(D\), then \(\pi\) is an isomorphism. This gives us a way to construct new examples of noncommutative Dedekind domains with some control over their projective modules.
21.11.2024
Daniel Windisch (University of Edinburgh, UK): Model selection and real resolution of singularities 
Abstract: The following question is central to Bayesian statistics: Given a dataset, what statistical model fits it best?
Traditionally, this is addressed using the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), which works well for regular models.
However, BIC does not apply to singular models like neural networks and Gaussian mixture models, both highly relevant to work in artificial intelligence.
In response, Japanese statistician Sumio Watanabe recently developed a novel information criterion that generalizes BIC and forms the foundation
of a comprehensive theory for singular statistical models. Applying this criterion requires calculating two birational invariants
of the variety defined by the model’s Kullback-Leibler divergence: the real log canonical threshold (rlct) and its multiplicity, with the rlct serving as the real analogue
of the classical log canonical threshold from birational geometry. We provide explicit formulas for these invariants in cases
where the singularities resemble a hyperplane arrangement, a problem suggested by Bernd Sturmfels.
Our exploration will involve real log resolutions, wonderful compactifications, and asymptotics of high-dimensional volume integrals.
This talk is based on joint work with Dimitra Kosta.
28.11.2024
Zahra Nazemian (University of Graz): Poisson Modules over Hopf Poisson Order Algebras  
Abstract: Hopf Poisson order (HPO) algebras were introduced and studied by Brown, Nazemian, and Zhang (preprint, 2024). We investigate the class of Poisson modules over HPO algebras and show that it forms a monoidal category.
Moreover, we prove that the left homological integral of an HPO algebra \(H\), denoted \(\int_H^l\), is a left Poisson module. It is also a right Poisson module if and only if \(\int_H^l = \int_H^r \).
Abstract: I will provide an overview of power semigroups, a topic that has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its intriguing connections with other areas of mathematics (especially, algebra and additive combinatorics). We will begin by introducing the fundamental concepts and the key properties that define power semigroups, making sure to highlight examples that illustrate their significance. After laying this groundwork, we will shift the focus to some of the most compelling open problems in the field. These include questions related to the ideal structure of power semigroups, their classification up to (global) isomorphisms, and combinatorial and arithmetic aspects that remain elusive despite substantial progress.
Abstract: Let \(H\) be a (multiplicatively written) monoid with neutral element \(1_H\). Endowed with the (binary) operation of setwise multiplication induced by \(H\), the non-empty finite subsets of \(H\) containing \(1_H\) form a monoid in their own right, known as the reduced finitary power monoid of \(H\).
In the first part of the talk, I will discuss the proof of the Bienvenu--Geroldinger conjecture, which states that the reduced finitary power monoids of two numerical monoids are isomorphic if and only if the numerical monoids themselves are isomorphic (and thus equal). In the second part, I will outline a proof that the reduced power monoid of the additive monoid of non-negative integers has exactly one non-trivial automorphism.
The talk is based on joint work with Salvatore Tringali
19.12.2024
Aqsa Bashir (University of Graz): Transfer homomorphisms in rings with zero-divisors.  
Abstract: Transfer homomorphisms enable the transfer of arithmetic properties from a target object to a source object. Transfer Krull monoids generalize Krull monoids and include half-factorial monoids as a subclass. The transfer Krull property has been studied in contexts such as commutative unit-cancellative and noncommutative semigroups. We are studying the transfer Krull property for commutative rings with zero-divisors.
Let \(R\) be a commutative ring with identity, and let \(R^{\bullet}\) denote the monoid of regular elements in \(R\). Marot rings, introduced by J. Marot in 1969, are central to the study of rings with zero divisors and generalize to \(t\)-Marot and \(v\)-Marot rings, where every Marot ring is both \(t\)- and \(v\)-Marot. This talk briefly examines \(v\)-Marot rings, Krull rings with zero divisors, and the ideal-theoretic links between a \(v\)-Marot ring \(R\) and the monoid \(R^{\bullet}\). We also present results from ongoing work with Mara Pompili on the arithmetic of the monoid of regular elements in such rings.
09.01.2025
Amr Al-Maktry(TU Graz): TBA
16.01.2025
(ONLINE) Pedro Garcia-Sanchez (University of Granada, Spain): Factorizations into irreducible numerical semigroups.  
Abstract: A numerical semigroup is irreducible if it cannot be expressed as the intersection of two numerical semigroups that contain it properly.
Every numerical semigroup can be expressed as an intersection of (finitely many) irreducible numerical semigroups.
We review some of the known results on bounds for the minimum and maximum length of factorization into irreducibles.
We show that the unions of sets of lengths of factorizations of numerical semigroups into irreducible numerical semigroups are all equal to \(\mathbb{N}_{\ge 2}\).
23.01.2025
(ONLINE) Christopher O’Neill (San Diego State University, USA): TBA
30.01.2025
Hashem Bordbar (University of Nova Gorica, Slovenija): TBA