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Events for January 25, 2011
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CS Colloquium
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Tudor Dumitras, Senior Research Engineer, Symantec Research Lab
Talk Title: Improving the Dependability of Distributed Systems through AIR Software Upgrades
Abstract: Traditional fault-tolerance approaches concentrate almost entirely on responding to, avoiding, or tolerating unexpected faults or security violations. However, scheduled events, such as software upgrades, account for most of the system unavailability and often introduce data loss or latent errors. In this talk, I will present two empirical studies that identify the leading causes of upgrade failure---breaking hidden dependencies---and of planned downtime---hanging database schemas---in distributed enterprise systems. I will also describe Imago, a system that incorporates end-to-end mechanisms for improving the dependability of large-scale distributed systems that undergo major software upgrades.
The key idea is to isolate the production system from the upgrade operations in order to avoid breaking hidden dependencies. The end-to-end upgrade is an atomic operation, executed online even when performing complex schema and data conversions. Imago harnesses the opportunities provided by emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, to simplify major enterprise-system upgrades and to improve their dependability. This approach separates the functional aspects of the upgrade (e.g., data migration) from the mechanisms for online upgrade (e.g., atomic switchover), enabling an upgrade-as-a-service model.
Biography: Tudor Dumitras is a Senior Research Engineer at Symantec Research Labs. At SRL, he is building the Worldwide Intelligence Network Environment (WINE), which will enable researchers in academia to analyze field data, collected at Symantec. The goal of this project is to create a standard benchmark for cloud-security research. Tudor received a Ph.D. degree from Carnegie Mellon University. His prior research focused on improving the dependability of large-scale distributed systems (addressing operator errors during software upgrades), of enterprise systems (addressing the predictability of fault-tolerant middleware), and of embedded systems (addressing soft errors in networks-on-chip). He received the 2009 John Vlissides Award, from ACM SIGPLAN, for showing significant promise in applied software research, and the Best Paper Award at ASP-DAC'03. He holds undergraduate degrees from the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris and the "Politehnica" University in Bucharest.
Host: Prof. Ramesh Govindan
Location: Charles Lee Powell Hall (PHE) - 631
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Kanak Agrwal
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Viterbi Ball Ticket Sales
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come buy your tickets for Viterbi Ball! $25 each, checks made out to USC or cash accepted.
Visit the Facebook event for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170374009672457
Location: E-Quad
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: VSC
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Optimum Joint Detection and Estimation: Application to MIMO Radar
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: George Moustakides, University of Patras
Talk Title: Optimum Joint Detection and Estimation: Application to MIMO Radar
Abstract: We consider the joint detection and parameter estimation problem. By combining the Baysian formulation for estimation with suitable constraints on the detection subproblem we develop optimum one- and two-step test for the joint detection/estimation case. The proposed combined strategies have the very desirable characteristic to allow for the trade-off between detection power and estimation efficiency. Our theoretical developments are then applied to the problem of MIMO radar where we detect a target but also estimate its location. Simulations demonstrate that by using the jointly optimum schemes, we can experience significant improvement in estimation quality with small sacrifice in detection power.
Biography: George V. Moustakides received the diploma in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, in 1979; the MSc in Systems Engineering from the Moore School of Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 1980, and the PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton University, Princeton NJ, in 1983. From 1983 to 1986 he was with INRIA, France and from 1987 to 1990 with the Computer Technology Institute of Patras, Greece. In 1991 he joined the Computer Engineering and Informatics department, University of Patras, Greece as Associate Professor and became Professor in 1996. Since 2007 he is with the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the University of Patras. During the period 2001-2004 he also held a senior researcher position with INRIA, France.
Host: Urbashi Mitra, ubli@usc.edu, EEB 540, x04667
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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Structuring the Research Article: A Review for Engineering PhDs
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
- Working on a research paper or your dissertation?
- Looking to submit an article to a journal or conference?
- Interested in developing your writing and communication skills?
Join us for a brief but informative session: *STRUCTURING THE RESEARCH ARTICLE: A REVIEW FOR ENGINEERING PHDS*
Taught by Professor Hovig Tchalian of the Engineering Writing Program, this hands-on, informational seminar will focus on how to structure, frame, and introduce your paper or article and how to highlight your contribution to the field.
TODAY, January 25, from 1:00 to 1:45, in RTH 109Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 109
Audiences: Graduate
Contact: Hovig Tchalian
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Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Seminar
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Jianliang Xiao, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Talk Title: Mechanics of stretchable electronics: theory and experiment
Abstract:
Recently developed materials and mechanics concepts yield classes of integrated circuits that offer the electronic performance of conventional wafer-based devices, but with the mechanical properties of a rubber band. The resulting technology enables applications that are impossible for hard, planar integrated circuits that exist today. Examples range from surgical and diagnostic implements that integrate with the human body to provide advanced therapeutic capabilities, to structural health monitors and inspection systems for civil engineering. The most successful approaches use semiconductor nanomaterials, ranging from silicon nanoribbons to carbon nanotubes, in optimized layouts bonded at strategic locations to soft, elastomer substrates. The controlled mechanics of buckling in these structures provide means to accommodate large strain deformations, without fracture. This talk discusses the fundamental mechanics of these systems, through combined experimental and theoretical studies. We demonstrate use of the resulting knowledge in electronic eye-ball type cameras, whose imaging characteristics offer advantages over comparable systems that use conventional, flat detector arrays.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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AIChE Socal Dinner Meeting w/Southern California Edison
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come out to meet students from other AIChE members and also professional members at this SoCal AIChE meeting. Guest speaker Hazem Gabr will be there to talk about environmental engineering, more specifically about how it relates to the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant and water issues. He may also speak about chemical engineering with respect to nuclear power plants and its layout.
Dinner will be provided and there will be time to network with other AIChE members and industry contacts.
Cost is free if you RSVP by Thursday, Jan. 20th at midnight, and $5 after. Follow the link below to RSVP:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHI0UFdCMW00dkhON1hJZm9xeVJFb0E6MQLocation: Khoury's Restaurant 110 North Marina Drive Long Beach, CA
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC American Institute of Chemical Engineers
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Viterbi Industry Networking Event (VINE)
Tue, Jan 25, 2011 @ 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Receptions & Special Events
Juniors and Seniors: Grow your network at VINE, an event that will help you prepare for Career Expo. Get face-to-face time with top engineering companies in a âspeed-networkingâ activity.
Practice your networking skills with engineering recruiters who are looking to fill internship and full-time positions. After the activity, talk to reps informally during a casual networking hour; beverages and appetizers will be served. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged.
Registration Will Open Soon!Location: Town & Gown
Audiences: Juniors & Seniors Only
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
