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Events for January 28, 2010
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Programming cell-fate decisions with RNA control devices
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 12:45 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Distinguished Lecture SeriesPresentsProgramming cell-fate decisions with RNA control devices"Professor Christina D. Smolke
Stanford University
Stanford, Ca
mailto:muthu@polysci.umass.edu AbstractCellular behavior is encoded and controlled by complex genetic networks. Synthetic genetic devices that interface with native pathways can be used to change natural networks to implement new forms of control and behavior. Significant recent work on the engineering of synthetic gene networks has been limited by an inability to interface with native networks and components. To overcome these limitations, we have developed RNA control devices that process and transmit molecular signals that are received by integrated sensor domains to targeted protein level outputs, linking computation and logic to gene expression and thus cellular behavior in mammalian cells. The modularity inherent in our device design supports the rational assembly of these RNA controllers from independent components exhibiting basic functions and the extension to more sophisticated information processing schemes, highlighting the potential of synthetic biology strategies to support the rapid engineering of cellular behavior. Coupled with technologies that enable the de novo generation of new RNA sensor components, RNA devices allow researchers to construct various user-programmed information processing operations in living systems. The application of these molecular devices to developing new disease treatment strategies such as targeted molecular and cellular therapeutics will be discussed.
Location: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 159
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce Sapir
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Rhythm in Speech and Music
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 03:30 PM - 04:45 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
University Calendar
DANIEL J. EPSTEIN DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING ISE 650 SEMINARTitle: "Rhythm in Speech and Music"Speaker: ANIRUDDH D. PATEL, Esther J. Burnham Senior Fellow, The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CaliforniaDate/Time/Place: THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010, 3:30–4:45 PM, DOHENY LIBRARY ROOM 240ABSTRACT:. Rhythm is fundamental to speech and music. What do these two domains share in terms of rhythmic organization? There is a long history of interest in this topic, but remarkably few empirical explorations have been conducted. This is particularly striking since there are large bodies of empirical research on rhythm within each domain. In this presentation I suggest that
progress in empirical comparative research depends on a clear distinction between periodic and nonperiodic rhythms in human auditory cognition. I will argue that speech and music have fundamental differences in terms of periodic rhythms, and important connections in terms of nonperiodic rhythms. Evidence for this argument draws on diverse strands of evidence, including
quantitative comparisons of rhythmic patterns in speech and music, rese arch
on rhythm perception, and data from cognitive neuroscience.ANIRUDDH PATEL is the Esther J. Burnham Senior Fellow at The Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California, and a pioneer in the use of new concepts and technology to investigate the neural correlates of music. His research focuses on how the brain processes music and language. He has pursued this topic with a variety of techniques, including neuroimaging, neuropsychology, behavioral studies, theoretical analyses, phonetic/acoustic research, crosscultural research, and comparative studies of nonhuman animals. Patel earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar. After a year at the National Taiwan University as a Luce Scholar, he went on to Harvard University as an NSF Fellow, where he studied with Edward O. Wilson. He did a joint postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard and at Tufts University before joining The Neurosciences Institute. Patel's research has appeared in numerous scientific journals, including
Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognition, Brain and Language, and Music Perception. His 2008 book Music, Language, and the Brain (Oxford Univ. Press) has been hailed "an intellectual tour de force" by Nature and has received positive reviews in 10 scholarly journals, spanning the sciences and humanities. Pronounced "a major synthesis" by Oliver Sacks, the book won a 2008 ASCAP Deems-Taylor Award.Patel is President of the Society for Music Perception and Cognition (2009-2011), and is interested in promoting research and education in the field of music cognition. He recently won the "Music has Power Award" from the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function in New York City, for his studies of music and language.Hosted by Prof. Elaine Chew.Location: Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation (DOH) - ENY LIBRARY ROOM 240
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Georgia Lum
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Entropy, Networks and Information Flow
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Babak Hassibi,
California Institute of TechnologyAbstract: We study the information flow in networks through the notion of entropic vectors. Given n random variables, the 2^n-1 dimensional vector obtained from all possible joint entropies is called an entropic vector. It turns out that the space of entropic vectors is a convex cone and that a large class of network information theory problems can be cast as linear optimization over this convex cone. While this formulation circumvents the "non-convex" and "infinite-letter" characterizations of earlier formulations, it still does not lead to a solution since a characterization of the convex cone of entropic vectors is not known for n>4 random variables. In this talk, we develop some inner and outer bounds to this space, as well as describe the connections to finite group theory, quasi-uniform distributions, non-Shannon inequalities, matroids, and Cayley's hyperdeterminant. We review the insuficiency of linear network codes and describe Ingleton-bound-violating finite groups. As a concrete example, we show how determining optimal linear codes over GF(2), for arbitrary networks, reduces to linear programming. We also develop Monte Carlo Markov chain methods for designing optimal nonlinear network codes.Biography: Babak Hassibi is professor and executive officer of electrical engineering at the California Institute of Technology, where he has been since 2001. From 1998 to 2001 he was a member of the technical staff at the Mathematical Sciences Research Center at Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ, and prior to that he obtained his PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University. His research interests span different aspects of communications, signal processing and control. Among other awards, he is a recipient of the David and Lucille Packard Foundation Fellowship, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).Host: Alex Dimakis, dimakis@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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Rhythm in Speech & Music
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 03:30 PM - 04:45 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Guest Speaker: Aniruddh D. Patel, Esther J. Burnham Senior Fellow, The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, California Abstract: Rhythm is fundamental to speech and music. What do these two domains share in terms of rhythmic organization? There is a long history of interest in this topic, but remarkably few empirical explorations have been conducted. This is particularly striking since there are large bodies of empirical research on rhythm within each domain. In this presentation I suggest that progress in empirical comparative research depends on a clear distinction between periodic and nonperiodic rhythms in human auditory cognition. I will argue that speech and music have fundamental differences in terms of periodic rhythms, and important connections in terms of nonperiodic rhythms. Evidence for this argument draws on diverse strands of evidence, including quantitative comparisons of rhythmic patterns in speech and music, rese arch on rhythm perception, and data from cognitive neuroscience. Bio: Aniruddh D. Patel is the Esther J. Burnham Senior Fellow at The Neurosciences
Institute in San Diego, California, and a pioneer in the use of new concepts and technology to investigate the neural correlates of music. His research focuses on how the brain processes music and language. He has pursued this topic with a variety of techniques, including neuroimaging, neuropsychology, behavioral studies, theoretical analyses, phonetic/acoustic research, cross- cultural research,and comparative studies of nonhuman animals. Patel earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar. After a year at the National Taiwan University as a Luce Scholar, he went on to Harvard University as an NSF Fellow, where he studied with Edward O. Wilson. He did a joint postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard and at Tufts University before joining The Neurosciences Institute. Patel's research has appeared in numerous scientific journals, including Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognition, Brain and Language, and Music Perception. His 2008 book Music, Language, and the Brain (Oxford Univ. Press) has been hailed "an intellectual tour de force" by Nature and has received positive reviews in 10 scholarly journals, spanning the sciences and humanities. Pronounced "a major synthesis" by Oliver Sacks, the book won a 2008 ASCAP Deems-Taylor Award. Patel is President of the Society for Music Perception and Cognition (2009- 2011), and is interested in promoting research and education in the field of music cognition. He recently won the "Music has Power Award" from the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function in New York City, for his studies of music and language. Hosted by Prof. Elaine Chew. Relevant readings:[First three available at http://www.nsi.edu/users/patel/publications.html]Patel, A.D., Iversen, J.R., & Rosenberg, J.C. (2006). Comparing the rhythm and melody of speech and music: The case of British English and French. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 119:3034-3047.Iversen, J.R., Patel, A.D., & Ohgushi, K. (2008). Perception of rhythmic grouping depends on auditory experience. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 124: 2263-2271.Patel, A.D. (2006). Musical rhythm, linguistic rhythm, and human evolution. Music Perception, 24:99-104.Ch. 3 (Rhythm) of Patel, A.D. (2008). Music, Language, and the Brain. NY: Oxford Univ. PressLocation: Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation (DOH) - eny Library, Rm: 240
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia Veal
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ASBME Resume Workshop
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Viterbi Career Services will be conducting a resume workshop for ASBME members.Members will learn how to highlight the skills on their resume that will land them an interview. They will also learn how to create a resume that will serve as the marketing tool that will get their foot inside industry's door!
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: For ASBME Members
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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AGC General Meeting with Swinerton Builders
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Welcome back USC-AGC members!Still looking for a job? Join us this week at our first General Meeting for an informational session with Swinerton Builders
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC AGC
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ISE Dept Graduate School Info Session
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Interested in continuing your education with the ISE department? The Institute of Industrial Engineers has invited Dr. Moore and Evelyn Felina to discuss graduate school options for undergrads through either the Progressive Degree Program or standard graduate school. They will be giving an overview of ISE programs, discussing information that cannot be found online, and answering any questions you have.Food will be provided! Please RSVP to iie@usc.edu. Feel free to email any questions you have ahead of time.
Location: **Room change. Now in ZHS 159
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC Institute of Industrial Engineers
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The Assault on Self-Esteem
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 @ 07:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
University Calendar
Title: The Assault on Self-EsteemSpeaker: Dr. Edwin A. Locke, Dean's Professor (Emeritus) of Motivation and Leadership at the R. H. Smith School of Business at the University of MarylandDescription: In this lecture Dr. Locke identifies the objective basis of and critical psychological need for self-esteem, and examines four contemporary intellectual movements that—while sometimes claiming to build self-esteem—are working to destroy it. First among these are psychologists who claim that self-esteem is based on social approval, thereby encouraging people to become second-handers. In education the trend is to make students "feel good" by sacrificing academic standards, which makes students less competent to deal with reality. Dr. Locke also looks at the assault on self-esteem mounted by religionists, who advocate humility and faith, and by philosophers, whose persistent attacks on reason have resulted in widespread skepticism and moral self-doubt. The result of these influences has been the gradual destruction of the true source of self-esteem—man's confidence in his own mind. Dr. Locke argues that the antidote to these influences is the philosophy of Objectivism.Bio: Dr. Locke, Dean's Professor (Emeritus) of Motivation and Leadership at the University of Maryland, has published more than 230 articles, chapters and books on subjects such as leadership, work motivation, goal setting, job satisfaction, incentives, and the philosophy of science. He is internationally known for his work on human motivation. He is the author of such books as The Prime Movers: Traits of the Great Wealth Creators (AMACOM Books, 2000), Goal Setting: A Motivational Technique That Works (with G. Latham) and Postmodernism and Management: Pros, Cons and the Alternative (JAI: Elsevier, 2003). He is also the editor of Principles of Organizational Behavior (Blackwell Publishers, 2000). Dr. Locke is a consulting editor for professional journals, and his commentaries have been published in numerous newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, Arizona Republic, Dallas Morning News, Boston Globe, Orange County Register and the Cincinnati Enquirer.Where: Taper Hall of Humanities, Room 201, University of Southern California.When: Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.More information: Please e-mail the USC Objectivist club, at james@uscobjectivists.com.
Location: Mark Taper Hall Of Humanities (THH) - 201
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Georgia Lum
