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Events for February 17, 2011
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IMSC Retreat
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 08:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, Information Sciences Institute, Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Receptions & Special Events
An Overview of Research at the USC Integrated Media Systems Center. An all-day program introduced by Viterbi School Dean Yannis C. Yortsos and IMSC Director Cyrus Shahabi will present overviews of three major IMSC Projects: iCampus ("Intelligent Campus"); iWatch ("Intelligent Surveillance"); and CT Project ("Intelligent Transportation"). Additionally the event will feature demos, posters and a special panel, "The Geo-Social Revolution: Hype or Real?" moderated by Shahabi. A schedule is available at http://imscwww.usc.edu/pdfs/IMSC_Retreat-agenda.pdf
Location: Charlotte S. & Davre R. Davidson Continuing Education Conference Center (DCC) -
Audiences: at capacity; email website contacts if interested in attending
Contact: Eric Mankin
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CS Colloquium
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Craig Boutilier, University of Toronto
Talk Title: Computational Social Choice: A Decision-theoretic Perspective
Abstract: Social choice, an important topic of study for centuries, has recently been the subject of intense investigation and application within computer science. One reason for this is the increasing ease with which preference data from user populations can be derived, assessed, or estimated, and the variety of settings in which preference data can be aggregated for consensus recommendations. However, much work in computational social choice adopts existing social choice schemes rather uncritically. We adopt an explicit decision-theoretic perspective on computational social choice in which an explicit objective function is articulated for the task at hand. With this is place, one can develop new social choice rules suited to that objective; or one can analyze the performance of existing social choice rules relative to that criterion.
We illustrate the approach with two different models. The first is the "unavailable candidate model." In this model, a consensus choice must be selected from a set of candidates, but candidates may become unavailable after agents express their preferences. An aggregate ranking is used as a decision policy in the face of uncertain candidate availability. We define a principled aggregation method that minimizes expected voter dissatisfaction, provide exact and approximation algorithms for optimal rankings, and show experimentally that a simple greedy scheme can be extremely effective. We also describe strong connections to the plurality rule and the Kemeny consensus, showing specifically that Kemeny produces optimal rankings under certain conditions.
The second model is the "budgeted social choice" model. In this framework, a limited number of alternatives can be selected for a population of agents. This limit is determined by some form of budget. Our model is general, spanning the continuum from pure consensus decisions (i.e., standard social choice) to fully personalized recommendation. We show that standard rank aggregation rules are not appropriate for such tasks and that good solutions typically involve picking diverse alternatives tailored to different agent types. In this way, it bears a strong connection to both segmentation problems and multi-winner election schemes. The corresponding optimization problems are shown to be NP-complete, but we develop fast greedy algorithms with theoretical guarantees. Experimental results on real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our greedy algorithms.
Host: Dr. Milind Tambe, USC
Location: Seeley Wintersmith Mudd Memorial Hall (of Philosophy) (MHP) - 106
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Kanak Agrawal
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Downtown Los Angeles Lunch and Learn
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
DEN@Viterbi, Executive Education, Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate Admission
Receptions & Special Events
Join us for lunch to learn more about the engineering programs available for working professionals at USC! Representatives from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering will give a short presentation, followed by Q&A, while you enjoy a hosted lunch with other industry professionals.
Who Should Attend:
Professionals interested in learning more about USC's engineering Master's degrees & continuing education offerings available on-campus or online through the Distance Education Network. Interested friends and colleagues also welcome (all attendees must complete the registration form below).
To RSVP: Please visit http://mapp.usc.edu/lunchandlearnAudiences: RSVP Only
Contact: Viterbi Professional Programs
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Minors Workshop for the Arts
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Affairs
Workshops & Infosessions
Come learn about the various minors offered through the School of Fine Arts, School of Theater, School of Cinematic Arts, Thornton School of Music, and the Institute for Multimedia Literacy.
We will have representatives from each of those schools come and talk about their minor programs and application process. If you are interested in minoring in any of these areas, be sure to join us!
Please RSVP by emailing viterbi.studentservices@usc.edu with "RSVP Minor Workshop 2/17" in the subject.Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: Jeffrey Teng
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2010 - 2011 Munushian Visiting Seminar Series
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Carver Mead, Professor, California Institute of Technology
Talk Title: The Next Revolution in Physical Law
Abstract: For the past 50 years, Carver Mead has dedicated his research, teaching, and public presentation to the physics and technology of electron devices. This effort has been divided among basic physics, practical devices, and seeing the solid state as a medium for the realization of novel and enormously concurrent computing structures. He has made a number of contributions, with his most recent listed below:
Biography: With M. A. Mahowald, described the first analog silicon retina (61). The approach to silicon models of certain neural computations expressed in this chip, and its successors, foreshadowed a totally new class of physically based computations inspired by the neural paradigm. More recent results demonstrated that a wide range of visual and auditory computations of enormous complexity can be carried out in minimal area and with minute energy dissipation compared with digital implementations (1984). The book Analog VLSI and Neural Systems was published (52). This book condensed the insights gained during the previous eight years of work into a single volume, accessible to students with a wide range of backgrounds. Several recent reviews have spelled out in some detail the compelling advantages of realizing adaptive systems directly in analog VLSI. Reduction of system power dissipation by a factor of 10,000, and of silicon area by a factor of 100 are being demonstrated (1984). Experience gained in using photo-response of semiconductor structures for barrier-energy and band-gap studies led to system-level structures that sensed and processed images in various ways. With numerous collaborators, a large variety of imaging structures were developed. One branch of this effort resulted in CMOS imagers, now the most prevalent of all image sensors. A particular subset of these, the X3 sensors, have produced some of the finest images ever captured by any photographic technology (1985 â 1998). Throughout the entire period, worked to bring about a general awareness of Computation as a physical process, rather than purely a mathematical one. Strongly advocated the importance of unifying technology and architecture into a single discipline, and emphasized the importance of this unity for the future of the field at large (1972 â 2000). The book Collective Electrodynamics: Quantum Foundations of Electromagnetism, published by MIT Press, unifies electromagnetic phenomena with the quantum nature of matter (1) (2000). Recent work on Collective Electrodynamics is evolving an entire introductory level physics course based on macroscopic quantum systems. This approach allows students to develop a deep intuition for fundamental physical processes by way of simple laboratory experiments (2007 â Present).
Host: EE-Electrophysics
More Info: http://ee.usc.edu/news/munushianLocation: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Marilyn Poplawski
Event Link: http://ee.usc.edu/news/munushian
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Graduate Seminar
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Andrew Peterson, Standford University, Standford, CA
Talk Title: Catalysis Design for Sustainable Fuels
Series: Graduate Seminar
Abstract: Quantum mechanics-based tools have advanced to the point where the computational design of catalysts from first principles is becoming possible. In concert with experiments, these tools can be used for improving catalytic processes for sustainable fuel synthesis. First, I will describe how we are employing density functional theory (DFT) to understand the (photo-)electrocatalytic activity of materials to reduce CO2 to hydrocarbons (solar fuels). We have identified the elementary mechanisms that make this transformation possible and have shown that the protonation of adsorbed CO dictates the overall efficiency of the transformation. By using computational screening tools, we are discovering new candidate materials that can reduce the overpotential of this step, which may help to make solar fuels technologically and economically feasible. In the second part of the talk, I will show how creative catalyst design can enable the development of an efficient and adaptable biorefinery that produces the light end (C0-C3) product spectrum of a conventional refinery. The design of catalysts that can perform decarboxylation reactions without being subject to CO fouling will be key in this development, as will the design of catalysts for the selective synthesis of gasoline-range hydrocarbons from light-end feedstocks. These advances can lead to flexible biorefineries that are adaptable to changing market dynamics.
More Info: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/colloquia.htmLocation: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 159
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Petra Pearce
Event Link: http://chems.usc.edu/academics/colloquia.htm
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CS Colloquium
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Virginia Vassilevska Williams, UC Berkeley
Talk Title: Path, matrix and triangle problems -- subcubic algorithms and equivalences
Abstract: Many graph and matrix problems studied in optimization have relatively simple algorithms which run in time cubic in the number of vertices or rows. Some examples include matrix multiplication and all-pairs shortest paths. These problems have widespread applications, and developing more efficient algorithms for them would have a big impact. In 1969, Strassen gave a clever truly subcubic algorithm for matrix multiplication, and this insight has since lead to faster algorithms for many of the graph and matrix problems solvable in cubic time.
Nevertheless, several stubborn problems remain for which the best known running time is essentially cubic. The prototypical of these problems is all-pairs shortest paths. Other stubborn problems include the minimum weight cycle (girth) problem, the replacement paths problem, the second shortest simple path problem, and the simplest of them all, the problem of detecting a negative weight triangle in a graph. We have recently been able to show, perhaps surprisingly, that all these problems are equivalent, in the sense that if one has a truly subcubic algorithm, then all of them do. To accomplish this, we define a new, more refined notion of reduction, preserving "subcubicity" (the notion can easily be extended for any time exponent other than 3 as well).
One of our major goals is to develop a theory of equivalences between problems within P, analogous to that of NP-completeness. One reason P vs NP looks so hard to resolve is that many researchers from different areas have all been working on essentially the same (NP-complete) problem with no success. Our situation is entirely analogous: either these problems require essentially cubic time, or we are missing a fundamental insight which would make all of them simultaneously easier. In this talk I will give an overview of my results in the area, both algorithms and equivalences.
Biography: Virginia Vassilevska Williams is currently a postdoctoral fellow working with Prof. Satish Rao, sponsored by a Computing Innovations Fellowship. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in mathematics and engineering and applied science from the California Institute of Technology in 2003. She completed her Ph.D. in computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in 2008 under the guidance of Prof. Guy Blelloch. She also spent a year as a postdoctoral member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, in Avi Wigderson's group. Her primary research interests are in graph algorithms and computational social choice.
Host: Prof. Ming-Deh Huang, USC
Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Kanak Agrawal
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Fecal pollution in urban streams: ecology, transport, and policy
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Stanley Grant, University of California, Irvine
Talk Title: Fecal pollution in urban streams: ecology, transport, and policy
Abstract: Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) are the number one cause of river and stream impairment in the
United States. In this talk I describe field and modeling studies aimed at identifying dry weather
sources of FIB in the Santa Ana River, a wastewater effluent dominated stream in southern
California. Multiple lines of evidence support the hypothesis that FIB in this stream originate
primarily from in situ growth in streambed sediments. The measured flux of FIB from the
streambed is >10 times the flux predicted from prevailing models of interfacial mass transfer
across turbulent boundary layers, but similar to the flux of water between the stream and its
hyporheic zone estimated from dye injection experiments. Thus, hyporheic exchange appears
to control the trafficking of fecal bacteria, and perhaps other types of particulate organic
matter, across the sediment‐water interface. From a policy perspective, in situ growth of FIB in
riverbed sediments may lead to a decoupling of FIB and pathogen concentrations, and thus
limit the utility of FIB as an indicator of recreational waterborne illness in southern Californiaâs
inland and coastal waters. These results also point to a possible environmental trade‐off
associated with hyporheic zone restoration, in which increased nutrient processing by riverbed
sediments is accompanied by increased flux of FIB to the overlying water column.
Biography: Dr. Stanley Grant is a Professor in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials
Science (primary) and Civil and Environmental Engineering (courtesy) at the University of
California, Irvine. Dr. Grant also has a summertime appointment as a Visiting Chair of Hydrology
and Water Resources in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the
University of Melbourne (Australia). Dr. Grant received a B.S. in Geology from Stanford
University, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science (minor in Applied Biology)
from the California Institute of Technology. His professional interests include coastal water
quality, environmental dispersion of pathogens, and fate and transport modeling. Professor
Grant served on the US EPAâs Science Advisory Board (Drinking Water Panel, Science and
Technological Achievement Awards Panel) from 2000 to 2009.
Host: Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Erin Sigman
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Women's Transportation Seminar-L.A. Info Session
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Attention engineers, urban planners, environmental planners, public policy and logistics students with a career interest in transportation:
Have a slice with WTS-LA! Learn how participation will benefit your professional development in all phases of your career!
Pizza and drinks will be provided.
Please RSVP to Melissa Reggiardo at melissa.reggiardo@stvinc.com by February 16, 2010
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 106
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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USC NSBE - Roscoe's and Outing at the Comedy Union
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
University Calendar
Join USC NSBE as we go out to eat at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles and then enjoy a night at the Comedy Union. Rides will leave the Lyon Center at 6:00. Email nsbe@usc.edu if you need a ride.
Location: 5000 Block West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: NSBE National Society of Black Engineers
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Dog Day Afternoon with Frank Pierson
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Receptions & Special Events
Frank Pierson won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Dog Day Afternoon, one of American cinemaâs most riveting crime pictures. The film will be screened as part of a two-part series entitled "Itâs All True?," which will explore how filmmakers have translated true stories into feature films and how those films have impacted our sense of history, events and politics. Following the screening, Pierson will join USC cinematic-arts professors Mark J. Harris and Ted Braun to discuss the challenges filmmakers face when turning a true story into a screenplay, including sorting through competing claims of veracity, the need to keep paying customers in their seats, legal requirements and the obligations screenwriters have to the subjects of a film.
Pierson also co-wrote the Academy Awardânominated screenplay Cool Hand Luke and directed and co-wrote A Star Is Born. He has directed several notable films for television, including Dirty Pictures, Citizen Cohn, Conspiracy and Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture. His direction on Truman and Soldierâs Girl both garnered Peabody Awards. Pierson joined the crew of the AMC drama Mad Men as a consulting producer for the seriesâ third season, for which he won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Drama.
Admission is free.
For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.eduLocation: The Ray Stark Family Theatre, School of Cinematic Arts 108
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Daria Yudacufski
