Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Events for February
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Analyzing Swarms a Stochastic Systems Approach to Studying Swarm Behavior
Mon, Feb 06, 2006 @ 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:
Kristina Lerman
Information Science Institute (ISI)
University of Southern CaliforniaAbstract:Swarms are decentralized systems composed of many simple agents (e.g., robots) with no central controller. Instead, swarms are self-organizing: constructive collective behavior emerges from local interactions among the agents and between agents and their environment. Though the behavior of an individual agent in a swarm can be considered to be stochastic and unpredictable, the collective behavior of many such agents has a simple probabilistic description. We present a formal methodology for studying the behavior of swarms. We derive a class of mathematical models that describe the dynamics of swarms and show how the models can be written down by examining details of the individual agent behavior. This methodology is valid for certain types of agents that can be modeled as Markov processes (of varying complexity). Though at first glance this may appear overly restrictive, most of the currently studied or proposed swarm systems are based on Markovian agents. Like all formal approaches, the stochastic methodology has limitations, but as applications of the approach to the robotics domain illustrate, it can also be quite useful in predicting collective behavior. Bio:
Kristina Lerman is a research assistant professor in Computer Science at the University of Southern California and a project leader at the USC Information Sciences Institute. She received a Ph.D. in physics from UC Santa Barbara in 1995, where she studied complex behavior of spatially extended non-equilibrium systems. She has received funding from NSF and DARPA to apply physics-based mathematical methods to the study of multi-agent systems, such as distributed robot systems.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Automatic Differentiation and its Applications
Fri, Feb 10, 2006 @ 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:
Paul Hovland
Argonne National LaboratoryAbstractAutomatic differentiation is a technique for computing the derivatives of a function defined by a computer subprogram. We provide an introduction to automatic differentiation tools and theory and describe the role of current and next generation automatic differentiation tools in large-scale optimization, sensitivity analysis, and the solution of nonlinear PDEs. We focus on the computational costs of automatic differentiation and the trend toward tools that are more robust, easier to use, and more powerful. We conclude with a short description of our research agenda, with an emphasis on the motivational role played by current and future applications.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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The Civil Engineering Profession - Year 2025
Wed, Feb 15, 2006 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Presented by:Albert A. Dorman MS CE '62
Research Professor
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Founding Chairman of AECOMProfessor Dorman is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an honorary member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). He also serves as a member of the Viterbi School's Board of Councilors.AECOM is ranked as one of the five largest engineering,
project management, and consulting firms in the United States.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Solid phase microextraction (SPME): a multipurpose in situ ...
Fri, Feb 17, 2006 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Solid phase microextraction (SPME): a multipurpose in situ sampling technology for organic pollutants in coastal systemsSpeaker:Dr. Keith A. Maruya
Principal Scientist
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
Westminster, California 92683AbstractThe passive sampling technology known as solid phase microextraction (SPME) allows for cost-effective, trace measurement of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the aquatic environment. A recent large-scale survey on the areal and depth stratified distribution of DDT contamination in the coastal waters of the Southern California Bight (SCB) using a SPME-based sampler and thermal desorption GC-MS revealed dissolved phase p,p'-DDE concentrations ranging betweenLocation: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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USC AGC Student Chapter 13th Annual Symposium — L.A. Live
Tue, Feb 21, 2006
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
The 13th annual USC AGC Symposium is an opportunity to unite Professionals and USC students and explore the construction industry and its dynamic trends! http://www.usc.edu/dept/civil_eng/dept/students/student-organizations/13th-annual-agc-symposium-2-27-07.htm
Location: Tower Hall (TOW) - n & Gown
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Linda Mizushima
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Sequential Data Assimilation for Stochastic Models
Tue, Feb 21, 2006 @ 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:George SaadCE Graduate Student
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Robust Stochastic Predictive Analysis and Bayesian Updating
Wed, Feb 22, 2006 @ 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:
Jim Beck, Ph.D.
Engineering and Applied ScienceCaltechAbstractA general framework and some corresponding computational tools will be described for stochastic predictive analysis of a system that treats modeling uncertainties in the input-output relationship as well as input uncertainty. The essential modeling ingredient is a Bayesian model class, which consists of a set of stochastic predictive models (e.g. stochastic state-space models) and a prior probability distribution over this set of models that gives a measure of the relative plausibility of each of the models. Here, we utilize the Cox-Jaynes derivation of the probability axioms based on an interpreting probability P(b|c) as a quantification of the plausibility of statement b given the conditioning information in statement c. Prior robust predictive analysis for a given model class involves using the prior-weighted predictions of all the stochastic predictive models, as prescribed by the theorem of total probability. If system data is available to provide additional information, Bayes' Theorem can be used to update the probability distribution over the set of predictive models and then a posterior robust predictive analysis can be performed. To evaluate the multi-dimensional integrals involved in the robust analysis, analytical approximations and stochastic simulation methods, such as Gibbs Sampler and Metropolis-Hastings algorithms, will be described, along with their strengths and limitations. Illustrative examples will be given. If a set of candidate Bayesian model classes is prescribed, then a "super-robust" posterior predictive analysis can be performed (i.e. model class averaging) where Bayes' Theorem is used at the level of all the model classes rather than within a specific model class. This leads to a rigorous approach to model class selection where only the more probable (i.e. plausible) model classes are used to perform the predictive analysis. Illustrative examples will be given, including the problem of the best selection of possible terms in a regression equation for earthquake ground-motion attenuation; the best model class in a set of possible probabilistic Support Vector Machines, which leads to the Relevance Vector Machine; and the optimal number of modes for a linear model of a dynamic system based on dynamic test data.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rialian Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Regulatory Remediation Program at the Los Angeles Regional Board
Fri, Feb 24, 2006 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Yue Rong, Ph. D.
Manager, Underground Storage Tank Program
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
Los Angeles Region
California Environmental Protection AgencyAbstractCalifornia Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region has a Underground Storage Tanks Program that primarily oversees groundwater remediation at leaking underground storage tank sites. The presentation will provide information on the program regulatory framework, board function, and requirements on site assessment, laboratory testing, and modeling. Water Board programs such as NPDES, TMDL, superfund sites, etc.will be introduced. A case study for environmental liability issue will be discussed. At leaking underground storage tank sites, the primary contaminant now is methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). Santa Monica Charnock and Arcadia wellfields MTBE contamination problem will be discussed as a case study.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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The Upcoming Revolution in Construction
Mon, Feb 27, 2006 @ 01:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Behrokh Khoshnevis
Epstein Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
University of Southern CaliforniaThe nature of construction has remained intensely manual throughout recorded history. Unlike in manufacturing, the growth of automation in construction has been slow. A promising new automation approach is Contour Crafting (CC). Invented by Behrokh Khoshnevis, Contour Crafting is a mega-scale fabrication process aiming at automated construction of whole structures as well as subcomponents. The potential of CC became evident from investigations and experiments with materials and geometries. Using this process, a single house or a colony of houses may be constructed automatically in a single run with all plumbing and electrical utilities imbedded in each house; yet each could be a different design. The implication is especially profound for emergency shelter construction and low income housing. NASA is exploring possible application of CC in building on other planets. This new mode of construction will be one of the very few feasible approaches for building on planets such as Moon and Mars, which are being targeted for human colonization before the end of the century. CC has received international attention and may soon revolutionize the construction industry. For more information please visit http://www.ContourCrafting.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bio: Behrokh Khoshnevis is a professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering and is the Director of the Center for Rapid Automated Fabrication Technologies (CRAFT) and the Director of Manufacturing Engineering Program. He is active in CAD/CAM, robotics, and mechatronics related research and development projects that include the development of two novel Solid Free Form (Rapid Prototyping) processes called Contour Crafting and SIS, a technology for automated construction of housing structures, development of mechatronics systems for biomedical applications (e.g., restorative dentistry, rehabilitation engineering, and tactile sensing devices), autonomous mobile and modular robots for assembly applications on earth and in space, and automated equipment for oil (petroleum) and gas industries. He has several major inventions which have been either commercialized or are in the commercialization process. He has also been closely involved in several product development processes. His educational activity at USC includes the teaching of a graduate course on Invention and Technology Development and he routinely conducts lectures and seminars on the subject of invention. He is a senior member of the Society for Computer Simulation and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. Dr. Khoshnevis' inventions have received extensive worldwide publicity in acclaimed media such as New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Business Week, Der Spiegel, New Scientist, The Age and national and international television and radio networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Discovery channels of US, Canada, Germany and BBC WorldLocation: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes