BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Simons Foundation - ECPv6.6.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Simons Foundation X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Simons Foundation REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20110313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20111106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20120311T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20121104T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20130310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20131103T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130425T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130425T183000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074848 CREATED:20140611T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T160957Z UID:217-1366907400-1366914600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:New Genetic Insights into the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders DESCRIPTION:The genetics and genomics of autism spectrum disorders have reached a tipping point. The recent focus on de novo mutations has led to systematic\, highly productive gene discovery efforts. These have begun to clarify a tremendously heterogeneous allelic architecture as well as specific genes contributing to social disability syndromes. This lecture will review these recent discoveries and address the challenges facing the path forward from reliable gene discovery to an actionable understanding of the molecular pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders. \nAbout the Speaker \nMatthew State\, M.D.\, Ph.D.\, received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Stanford University\, and completed his residency in psychiatry and fellowship in child psychiatry at the University of California\, Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric Institute. He received his Ph.D. in genetics from Yale University and was a faculty member there from 2001-2013. He is currently chairman of the psychiatry department at the University of California\, San Francisco. \nState’s lab has a longstanding interest in the contribution of rare genetic mutations to childhood neuropsychiatric disorders\, including autism and Tourette syndrome. State is currently leading a large\, multi-site\, genome-wide study of autism spectrum disorder funded by the Simons Foundation\, and is playing a leadership role in the Tourette International Collaborative for Genetics and the Autism Sequencing Consortium. Among many professional honors\, this past year he was awarded the Ruane Prize for Outstanding Research in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/new-genetic-insights-into-the-pathophysiology-of-autism-spectrum-disorders/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States CATEGORIES:Autism: Emerging Concepts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10180712/mattstate1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130425T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130425T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074848 CREATED:20130425T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T160947Z UID:2044-1366848000-1366848000@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:New Genetic Insights into the Pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders DESCRIPTION: URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/april-25-2013-new-genetic-insights-into-the-pathophysiology-of-autism-spectrum-disorders/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/11210006/mattstate.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130424T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130424T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074848 CREATED:20140616T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T154453Z UID:237-1366819200-1366826400@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Water: Climate's Great Orchestrator DESCRIPTION:The mighty water molecule\, with its voracious appetite for infrared radiation\, is responsible for much of what we know about climate and climate change\, and even more of what we don’t know. Trapped for most of its life in large surface reservoirs\, every few thousand years it escapes to the atmosphere for a short sojourn of a little over a week\, during which it helps to create\, quite literally\, the world as we know it. \nAbout the Speaker \nBjorn B. Stevens\, Ph.D. leads the department “The Atmosphere in the Earth System” as well as the International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. \nProf. Stevens has published ground-breaking research papers dealing with the theory\, modelling and observation of “low” clouds\, which is one of the most important problems in meteorology and climate research. URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/water-climates-great-orchestrator/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States CATEGORIES:The Science of Climate ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10180731/BjornStevens_video1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130410T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130410T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074848 CREATED:20140616T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T154515Z UID:235-1365609600-1365616800@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Climate Feedbacks: Magnitude & Uncertainty in Global Warming DESCRIPTION:Most of the changes in climate that are projected to occur over the 21st century will not result directly from the human emission of greenhouse gases\, but from natural feedbacks within the climate system that amplify its sensitivity to these emissions. Some of these feedbacks are well constrained by theory and observations\, while others are not. This lecture outlines our understanding of the main feedback processes in the climate system and how they impact both the magnitude of future changes in Earth’s climate and the uncertainty in our predictions of these changes. \nAbout the Speaker \nBrian J. Soden\, Ph.D. is Professor of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science\, University of Miami. Dr. Soden specializes in the use of satellite observations to test and improve computer model simulations of climate change. He has published over 80 publications on a variety of topics\, but most often related to the response of the climate system to global warming. URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/climate-feedbacks-magnitude-uncertainty-in-global-warming/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States CATEGORIES:The Science of Climate ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10180730/brian_soden1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130331 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20130407 DTSTAMP:20260417T074848 CREATED:20170911T222211Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T163108Z UID:25738-1364688000-1365292799@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Non-Archimedean and Tropical Geometry (2013) DESCRIPTION: URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/non-archimedean-and-tropical-geometry-2013/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130327T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130327T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074848 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T154544Z UID:434-1364403600-1364407200@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:The Most Random of All Possible Worlds DESCRIPTION:The talk will be about the law of large numbers\, in its various manifestations. This is a real cornerstone of probability and\, in English\, it says that a random system of a very large size is typically not random: its deterministic state is the one that has the largest probability to occur. Maximizing the probability
to occur is a variational problem that can be analyzed and sometimes solved. As for any variational problem\, there is always something special about the solution\, which translates into special and beautiful forms created by pure luck of the draw. \nSuggested Reading \nOkounkov’s AMS colloquim lectures (2007) will serve as an introduction to his lecture. \nAbout the Speaker \nAndrei Okounkov is the Samuel Eilenberg Professor of Mathematics at Columbia University. Born and educated in Moscow\, he came to the U.S. in 1995 and held positions at the University of Chicago\, University of California at Berkeley\, and Princeton University before joining the faculty of Columbia University. His work on representation theory and its applications to algebraic geometry\, mathematical physics\, and other fields was recognized by the Packard fellowship\, the European Mathematical Society prize\, the Fields medal of the International Mathematical Union\, and other distinctions. \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/the-most-random-of-all-possible-worlds/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181126/andrei_okounkov_thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130313T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130313T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20140616T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T154558Z UID:233-1363190400-1363197600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Hurricanes: Present and Future DESCRIPTION:Some 90 tropical cyclones develop each year. In this lecture\, Professor Kerry Emanuel will review the theory of tropical cyclones and how it informs observed variability. He will also discuss how these storms may have important feedbacks on such phenomena as El Niño-Southern Oscillation and global climate change. \nAbout the Speaker \nKerry A. Emanuel\, Ph.D. is Professor of Atmospheric Science in the Department of Earth\, Atmospheric\, and Planetary Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/hurricanes-present-and-future/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States CATEGORIES:The Science of Climate ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10180728/kerry_emanuel1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130310T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130310T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T154614Z UID:432-1362934800-1362938400@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Autism\, Oxytocin\, and Neural Signaling DESCRIPTION:Genetics tells us that abnormal synaptic and nuclear proteins are often at the root of major neuropsychiatric disorders. Autism\, a prominent and often debilitating disorder of the brain\, has been traced to small contributions of hundreds of genes\, creating a formidable challenge for those interested in exploring pathophysiology and possible therapeutic interventions. A major interest of our laboratory is a form of autism known as Timothy Syndrome (TS)\, which arises from a point mutation in a signaling protein. Though rare\, the mutation causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with 3:1 odds. The gene\, known as CACNA1C\, encodes a particular kind of calcium channel known as “L-type”. We have studied the behavior of mice bearing the TS mutation and find persistent behavior\, altered communication\, and reduced social interaction relative to their unaffected sibs\, features reminiscent of the three characteristic hallmarks of autism. The mutation leads to over-activity of the ion channel\, raising the prospect that it might be counteracted pharmacologically. Interestingly\, the same CACNA1C gene has been repeatedly implicated in schizophrenia and in Major Depressive Disorder. The possibility arises that work on diverse neuropsychiatric diseases will prove more synergistic than previously appreciated. \nWhy does miscoding in CACNA1C exert such strong effects? Like its close relatives\, this particular L-type calcium channel plays a central role in allowing a neuron to track its own activity.  In a process called excitation-transcription coupling\, neuronal firing drives the opening of the L-type channel\, flow of calcium into the cell\, activation of transcription factors\, and expression of specific sets of genes. Ultimately\, this supports neuronal autoregulation and plasticity. We are currently working out critical details of how the L-type channel transmits a packet of information to control nuclear gene transcription. Interestingly\, elements of this signaling pathway are encoded by genes that have also been implicated in causing neuropsychiatric disorders. \nDisorders at the cellular level are thought to engender aberrant function of neuronal circuits. Oxytocin is a key neuromodulator whose influence on neuronal circuitry has been linked to social memory and maternal behavior in animals\, as well trust\, emotion recognition and parenting in humans. Multiple clinical trials have uncovered promising actions of oxytocin on autistic behavior in teenagers\, including processing of information about faces. By examining oxytocin actions in brain slices\, we have found that activation of oxytocin receptors sharpens the responses of a canonical hippocampal circuit. The peptide increases the fidelity of signal transmission through the network\, while simultaneously suppressing the noise of background spontaneous activity. These seemingly contradictory actions are both mediated through a selective depolarization of the fast-spiking interneurons by oxytocin. The resulting increase in inhibitory tone in principal cells dampens their spontaneous activity. Meanwhile\, a use-dependent depression of the feed-forward inhibitory synapses permits enhanced spike transmission. By activating fast-spiking neurons with cholecystokinin\, or with channelrhodopsin-2\, we demonstrate that this novel circuit mechanism is generally applicable to any manipulation that elicits the firing of fast-spiking basket cells. We have begun testing the action of oxytocin agonists on reversal learning\, to determine if perseverative behavior can be ameliorated. The prospect looms that actions of oxytocin at the circuit level might contribute to its behavioral impact in autistic individuals\, but at the moment this is merely a hypothesis. \nSuggested Reading \n\nCaV1 and CaV2 Channels Engage Distinct Modes of Ca2+ Signaling to Control CREB-Dependent Gene Expression \n\n\n\n\nMouse model of Timothy syndrome recapitulates triad of autistic traits \n\n\n\nAbout the Speaker \nRichard W. Tsien\, DPhil\, is Director of the Neuroscience Institute\, Druckenmiller Professor of Neuroscience\, and Chair of the Physiology and Neuroscience Department at the NYU School of Medicine. Prior to joining NYU in August 2011\, Dr. Tsien served as the George D. Smith Professor of Molecular Genetic Medicine at Stanford University. While there\, Dr. Tsien founded and served as the inaugural chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology. After a six-year term as chair\, in 1994 he co-led a successful Stanford-wide movement to establish an institute for neuroscience\, the Stanford Brain Research Center\, which he co-directed from 2000 through 2005. He served a 10-year term as the director and principal investigator at Stanford’s Silvio Conte Center for Neuroscience Research. As a scientist\, Dr. Tsien is a world leader in the study of calcium channels and their signaling targets\, particularly at pre- and postsynaptic sites. He studies how synapses contribute to neuronal computations and network function in both healthy and diseased brains. His research\, generously supported by the NIH and private foundations\, has contributed substantially to understanding how neurotransmitters\, drugs and molecular alterations regulate calcium channels and has implications for diverse clinical areas such as pain and autism. His research has been published in over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles\, and he has served on editorial boards for numerous journals. He has also served as section chair for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Neuroscience Section) and the National Academy of Sciences (Neurobiology Section) and has been a member of scientific advisory boards for several institutes\, including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Tsien received both an undergraduate and graduate degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a Rhodes Scholar\, graduating with his doctorate in biophysics from Oxford University\, England after which he joined the faculty at Yale University School of Medicine and served for nearly two decades. He is a member of both the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences. He was awarded the Julius Axelrod Prize by the Society for Neuroscience in 2012. \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/autism-oxytocin-and-neural-signaling/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181124/richardtsien2_thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130224T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130302T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20150908T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T162959Z UID:4075-1361664000-1362182400@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Equation and Universality Class (2013) DESCRIPTION:February 24-March 2\, 2013 \nOrganizers: Alexei Borodin\, Jeremy Quastel\, Herbert Spohn \nThe Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation is a nonlinear stochastic partial differential equation widely used in the physics literature as a model of randomly growing interfaces\, but until recently very poorly understood from the mathematical point of view. In one dimension\, it is a member of a large universality class containing directed random polymers\, stochastic Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations\, stochastically perturbed reaction-diffusion equations\, stochastic Burgers equations and interacting particle models. The class is characterized by the unusual dynamic scaling exponent z=3/2. A number of breakthroughs about 10 years ago led to exact distributions of fluctuations for a few models\, with conjectural extrapolation to the whole class. The distributions\, surprisingly\, turned out to be those recently discovered in random matrix theory. In the last few years there have been a second group of breakthroughs. Several models with adjustable asymmetry have recently been solved through which one can obtain\, by scaling limits\, exact distributions for various initial conditions for the KPZ equation itself. In addition\, there have been breakthroughs in the well-posedness of the KPZ equation. \nThe goal of this workshop is to build on these advances in two directions. 1. Studying the integrability properties and statistics of the KPZ equation\, as well as other models in the KPZ universality class. 2. Extending the universality of the KPZ equation. The new well-posedness theory should provide a route to proving scaling limits to the KPZ equation for a wider class of physical models. \nParticipants \nFedor Bogomolov\, NYU/Courant \nMark Adler\, Brandeis University \nGerard Ben Arous\, NYU/Courant \nAlexei Borodin\, MIT \nPasquale Calabrese\, Universita di Pisa \nReda Chhaibi\, Universitat Zurich \nIvan Corwin\, MIT/Microsoft Research \nPercy Deift\, NYU/Courant \nVictor Dotsenko\, University of Paris 6 \nPatrik Ferrari\, University of Bonn \nAlan Hammond\, University of Oxford \nKurt Johnasson\, KTH \nKostya Khanin\, University of Toronto \nPierre Le Doussal\, ENS\, Paris \nPierre van Moerbeke\, Université catholique de Louvain \nNeil O’Connell\, Warwick University \nJeremy Quastel\, University of Toronto \nTomohiro Sasamoto\, Chiba University \nTimo Seppalainen\, University of Wisconsin-Madison \nSenya Shlosman\, University of Marseilles \nHerbert Spohn\, Technische Universitat Munchen \nCraig Tracy\, UC Davis \nJon Warren\, Warwick University URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/the-kardar-parisi-zhang-equation-and-universality-class-february-24-march-2-2013/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130216T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130216T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155527Z UID:430-1361034000-1361037600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Probability & Intuition DESCRIPTION:Probability theory was devised in order to understand gambling\, but now is the underpinning of statistics\, without which we would be clueless in our complex society.  Yet probability itself is a mysterious quantity\, hard to define\, and awkward for our human intuition to cope with.  Does it even exist\, except in our minds? \nThrough stories and puzzles\, we will attempt to get a slightly better grip on probability and to identify some of the ways in which our intuition tends to lead us astray. \n  \nSuggested Reading: \nGrinstead and Snell’s Introduction to Probability \nAbout the Speaker:\n \nPeter Winkler is the William Morrill Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Dartmouth College. His research interests lie in discrete mathematics and the theory of computing\, probability theory\, and applications. \nPeter Winkler is author of more than 125 research papers and the holder of eight patents. Winkler studied Mathematics at Harvard University and received his Ph.D. in from Yale University. He has also published two books on mathematical puzzles. \nHomepage: http://www.math.dartmouth.edu/~pw/ \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/probability-intuition/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181122/peter_winkler_large_thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130203T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130209T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20141022T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T162813Z UID:3935-1359849600-1360368000@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Simons Symposium on Quantum Entanglement (2013) DESCRIPTION:February 3-9\, 2013 \nThe goal of our meeting will be to explore exotic quantum states of matter\, with a particular focus on the role of quantum entanglement. A variety of new tools arising from both the study of quantum field theoretic techniques in condensed matter physics\, and from the “holographic” duality between field theories and gravity theories coming out of string theory\, make this an excellent time to try and rise to the challenge of understanding exotic quantum states. \nParticipants \nSean Hartnoll\, Stanford University \nGary Horowitz\, UC Santa Barbara \nLiza Huijse\, Harvard University \nShamit Kachru\, Stanford University \nIgor Klebanov\, Princeton University \nSung-Sik Lee\, McMaster University \nHong Liu\, MIT \nJohn McGreevy\, MIT \nAndy Millis\, Simons Foundation \nRobert Myers\, Perimeter Institute \nHirosi Ooguri\, Caltech \nMasaki Oshikawa\, University of Tokyo \nJoe Polchinski\, KITP \nSubir Sachdev\, Harvard University \nEva Silverstein\, Stanford University \nJulian Sonner\, MIT \nAndy Strominger\, Harvard University \nBrian Swingle\, Harvard University \nSenthil Todadri\, MIT \nSandip Trivedi\, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research \nHerman Verlinde\, Princeton University \nAshvin Vishwanath\, UC Berkeley \nX.G. Wen\, MIT/Perimeter Institute \nJan Zaanen\, University of Leiden \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/quantum-entanglement-2013/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130131T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130131T173000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20140612T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20170818T184156Z UID:221-1359635400-1359653400@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Resting State fMRI DESCRIPTION:This Biotech Symposium will focus on resting-state fMRI\, a neuroimaging technique that uses dynamic changes in oxygenated blood flow to explore the brain’s functional organization when a person is at rest and not performing an explicit task. \nSpeakers: \nRandy Buckner\, Harvard University: The Basics of Functional Connectivity MRI \n \nSteven Petersen\, Washington University: Network Analysis of Functional Connectivity MRI Can Identify Systems and Vulnerable Locations \n \nMichael Milham\, Child Mind Institute: An Emerging Big Data Resource for Imaging-Based Biomarker Identification \n \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/resting-state-fmri/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States CATEGORIES:Biotech Symposia ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10180716/cmsIMG_6589b1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130131T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20130131T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20131220T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20170823T200432Z UID:1994-1359590400-1359590400@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:January 31\, 2013: Resting State fMRI DESCRIPTION:January 31\, 2013\, 12:30-5:30 p.m. EST\nGerald D. Fischbach Auditorium at the Simons Foundation\n160 Fifth Avenue\, New York\, NY \nThis Biotech Symposium will focus on resting-state fMRI\, a neuroimaging technique that uses dynamic changes in oxygenated blood flow to explore the brain’s functional organization when a person is at rest and not performing an explicit task. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nSpeakers: \nRandy Buckner\, Harvard University: The Basics of Functional Connectivity MRI \n\nSteven Petersen\, Washington University: Network Analysis of Functional Connectivity MRI Can Identify Systems and Vulnerable Locations \n \nMichael Milham\, Child Mind Institute: An Emerging Big Data Resource for Imaging-Based Biomarker Identification \n \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/january-31-2013-resting-state-fmri/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/11205854/cmsIMG_6589b.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20130129T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20131008T170000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20140618T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155538Z UID:200-1359446400-1381251600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013 Simons Public Lecture Series DESCRIPTION:The Simons Foundation is pleased to support the Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013 (MPE2013) Simons Public Lecture Series as a part of Mathematical Sciences Research Institute’s MPE2013 project. \nThese lectures showcase the relevance of mathematics in meeting the global challenges facing our planet today. The Simons Foundation\, along with others\, has worked to create a comprehensive and accessible series featuring some of today’s most pressing issues. This series will not only inform the public about the connection between math and sustainability but will also encourage progress toward solving some of planet Earth’s fundamental problems and foster communication between science and mathematics educators. \nThough the MPE2013 lectures are targeted to a mathematically literate audience\, they are also intended to be accessible to a broad lay audience. The lectures\, now begun\, will be held in nine locations around the world and cover a broad range of topics. MPE2013 features top researchers in mathematics\, climate science and sustainability\, who will discuss themes ranging from the relevance of mathematical models in climate prediction to the importance of social cooperation in overcoming global sustainability problems. \nThe series launched with an inaugural lecture on January 29\, 2013\, at the Sidney Myer Asia Centre in Melbourne\, Australia. Geoff Prince\, director of the Australia Mathematical Sciences Institute\, and Ian Chubb\, Australia’s chief scientist\, introduced speaker Professor Simon Levin\, George M. Moffett Professor of Biology and director of the Center for BioComplexity at Princeton University. \nLevin’s lecture\, “The Challenge of Sustainability and the Promise of Mathematics\,” focused on how mathematical models may be used to explore and predict behavior within financial\, ecological and governmental systems. The Melbourne lecture was attended by a combination of mathematicians and the general public\, and it was followed by an engaging question and answer session with the speakers. \nPast lectures:\n \nQuantum mechanics and the future of the planet\nSpeaker: Emily Carter\nNovember 4\, 2013\nHosted by: Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics\nLos Angeles\, California \n  \nThe challenge of sustainability and the promise of mathematics\nSpeaker: Simon Levin\nJanuary 29\, 2013\nHosted by: Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI)\nMelbourne\, Australia\nSimon Levin\, director of the Center for BioComplexity at Princeton University\, considered how mathematical tools can help us understand systems from bacterial biofilms to the biosphere and how mathematical models can predict various human behaviors. \n  \nClimate disruption: What math and science have to say\nSpeaker: Emily Shuckburgh\nMarch 4\, 2013\nHosted by: American Institute of Mathematics and Mathematical Science Research Institute\, San Francisco\, California\nRenowned climate scientist Emily Shuckburgh discussed the implications of climate disruption and how mathematical and scientific models can be used to predict scenarios for the Earth’s future. \n \n  \nClimate Math\nSpeaker: Inez Fung\nMarch 26\, 2013\nHosted by: African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)\nCape Town\, South Africa\nInez Fung\, a leading climate expert\, reviewed the basis of climate modeling and discussed new challenges to projecting future climate change. \n \n  \nLes mathématiques pour faire parler la Terre (Images\, Earthquakes and Plumes)\nSpeaker: Ingrid Daubechies\nApril 10\, 2013\nHosted by Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM)\nMontréal\, CanadaMathematician\nIngrid Daubechies discussed how she has developed methods to extract information about Earth’s structure from global seismic data.\n \n  \nThe Public Health Impact of Air Pollution and Climate Change\nSpeaker: Francesca Dominici\nApril 24\, 2013\nHosted by: Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI)\nChapel Hill\, North Carolina\nBiostatistician and public health expert Francesca Dominici reviewed statistical modeling methods for estimating the public health impact of air pollution and extreme heat. \n  \nCliMathematics: Models\, data\, structures\nSpeaker: Rupert Klein\nMay 23\, 2013\nHosted by: Berlin Mathematical Network\nBerlin\, Germany\nRupert Klein\, who has made a career of finding connections between mechanical engineering and climate\, explained how physics\, informatics and statistics can quantitatively characterize observational data about our planet. \n  \nOn growth and form: Mathematics\, physics and biology\nSpeaker: L. Magadevan\nSeptember 24\, 2013\nHosted by: Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics\nProvidence Rhode Island \n  \nThe evolution of cooperation: Why we need each other to succeed\nSpeaker: Martin Nowak\nOctober 8\, 2013\nHosted by: Institute for Mathematics and its Applications\nMinneapolis\, Minnesota URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/mathematics-of-planet-earth-2013-simons-public-lecture-series/ LOCATION:Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium\, 160 5th Avenue\, New York\, NY\, 10010\, United States CATEGORIES:MPE2013 Simons Public Lecture Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10180655/mpe1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20130127 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20130203 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20141022T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T162504Z UID:3934-1359244800-1359849599@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:New Directions in Approximation Algorithms (2013) DESCRIPTION:Organizers: Sanjeev Arora\, Uriel Feige\, Michel Goemans & David Shmoys \nMany of the striking advances in theoretical computer science over the past two decades concern
 approximation algorithms\, which compute provably near-optimal solutions to NP-hard optimization problems.
 Yet the approximability of several fundamental problems such as TSP\, Graph Coloring\, Graph Partitioning etc.
remains an open question. For other problems the so-called PCP Theorems and more recently\, the Unique Games
Conjecture (UGC)\, provide a complexity-theoretic explanation for the failure to design better algorithms. \nA quick succession of papers in the past 5 years or so has yielded new ideas for algorithmic approaches that show
promise of leading to a resolution of the classic open problems\, as well as possibly a refutation of the UGC itself.
 These new approaches use structural insights gained from mathematical programming relaxations\, either linear
programming (LP) or semidefinite programming (SDP). They draw upon a more complete arsenal of techniques
than had been seen earlier in math programming: Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling\, spectral techniques
(focusing especially on higher eigenvalues of the graph spectrum)\, high dimensional geometry\, local vs global
geometric theorems\, etc. Within the past year\, approximation techniques have also been used to make progress on
semirandom complexity\, which is an important — and largely nonunderstood — notion between worst-case and
average-case complexity. \n\nParticipants\n\n\n\nSanjeev Arora\nPrinceton University\n\n\nBoaz Barak\nMicrosoft Research\, New England\n\n\nJulia Chuzhoy\nToyota Technological Institute at Chicago\n\n\nUriel Feige\nWeizmann Institute\n\n\nMichel X. Goemans\nMIT\n\n\nVenkatesan Guruswami\nCarnegie Mellon University\n\n\nJohan Hastad\nKTH\n\n\nSampath Kannan\nSimons Foundation\n\n\nJonathan Kelner\nMIT\n\n\nSubhash Khot\nNYU/Chicago\n\n\nMonique Laurent\nCentrum Wiskunde & Informatica\n\n\nJames Lee\nWashington University\n\n\nLaszlo Lovasz\nEötvös Loránd University\n\n\nYury Makarychev\nToyota Technological Institute at Chicago\n\n\nClaire Matthieu\nENS/Brown\n\n\nAssaf Naor\nNYU\n\n\nShayan Oveis-Gharan\nStanford University\n\n\nPrasad Raghavendra\nGeorgia Tech\n\n\nDavid B. Shmoys\nCornell University\n\n\nMohit Singh\nMSR-Redmond\n\n\nDavid Steurer\nMSR-NERD/Cornell\n\n\nOla Svensson\nEPFL\n\n\nLuca Trevisan\nStanford University\n\n\nAnke Van Zuijlen\nMPI/William & Mary URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/new-directions-in-approximation-algorithms-2013/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20121221T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20121221T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155554Z UID:428-1356109200-1356112800@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Animation\, Teeth and Skeletons DESCRIPTION:The talk describes (dis)similarity distances between pairs of two-dimensional surfaces (embedded in three-dimensional space) that use both local structures and global information in the surfaces. This is work done in collaboration with Yaron Lipman. \nThese are motivated by the need of biological morphologists to compare different phenotypical structures. At present\, scientists using physical traits to study evolutionary relationships among living and extinct animals analyze data extracted from carefully defined anatomical correspondence points (landmarks). Identifying and recording these landmarks is time consuming and can be done accurately only by trained morphologists. This necessity renders these studies inaccessible to non-morphologists and causes phenomics to lag behind genomics in elucidating evolutionary patterns. \nUnlike other algorithms presented for morphological correspondences\, our approach does not require any preliminary marking of special features or landmarks by the user. It also differs from other seminal work in computational geometry in that our algorithms are polynomial in nature and thus faster\, making pairwise comparisons feasible for significantly larger numbers of digitized surfaces. \nThe approach is illustrated using three datasets representing teeth and different bones of primates and humans; it is shown that it leads to highly accurate results. \nSuggested Reading: \nAlgorithms to automatically quantify the geometric similarity of anatomical surfaces \nAbout the Speaker: \nIngrid Daubechies is a member of the United States’ National Academy of Sciences\, was a MacArthur Fellow\, and is President of the International Mathematical Union. \nProfessor Daubechies was born and educated in Belgium. She moved to the United States in 1987 where she first worked for Bell Laboratories and then at Princeton University where she was full Professor of Mathematics from 1993-2011. She is best known for her discovery and mathematical analysis of compactly supported wavelets\, which are used in image compression\, for example in JPEG 2000 for both both lossless and lossy compression. She was awarded the Steele Prize for mathematical exposition in 1994 for her book\, Ten Lectures on Wavelets. \nOne focus of Daubechies’ current research is the development of analytic and geometric tools for the comparison of surfaces. Her new approach\, developed with Yaron Lipmon uses conformal mapping to define a metric between surfaces. Comparison of surfaces plays a central role in many scientific disciplines and in the construction of video animations\, and it is also a crucial step in many medical and biological applications. In an earlier collaboration\, she worked with paleontologists to develop a quantitative method to characterize the complexity of molar tooth surfaces\, in an effort to reconstruct the diet of various extinct taxa. \nHomepage: https://web.math.princeton.edu/~ingrid/ URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/animation-teeth-and-skeletons/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181120/Ingrid_Daubechies_thumbnail.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120919T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120919T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155607Z UID:426-1348074000-1348077600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:The Mathematics of Mind and Brain DESCRIPTION:The mind and brain can be thought of as computational systems — but what kinds of computations do they carry out\, and what kinds of mathematics can best characterize these computations? The last sixty years have seen several prominent proposals: the mind/brain should be viewed as a logic engine\, or a probability engine\, or a high-dimensional vector processer\, or a nonlinear dynamical system. Yet none of these proposals appears satisfying on its own. The most important lessons learned concern the central role of mathematics in bridging different perspectives and levels of analysis — different views of the mind\, or how the mind and the brain relate — and the need to integrate traditionally disparate branches of mathematics and paradigms of computation in order to build these bridges. \nI will discuss three case studies in integration\, two recent successes and one that is more wide open. The first success has come in bridging two different ways to descibe the mind\, as a logic engine (dominant from the 1950s through the 1970s)\, and as a probability engine (dominant since the 1990s). The recent development of probabilistic programs offers a way to combine the expressiveness of symbolic logic for representing abstract and composable knowledge with the capacity of probability theory to support useful inferences and decisions from incomplete and noisy data. Probabilistic programs let us build the first quantitatively predictive mathematical models of core capacities of human common-sense thinking: intuitive physics and intuitive psychology\, or how people reason about the dynamics of objects and infer the mental states of others from their behavior. A second success has come from using the mathematics of probability to bridge the cognitive and neural levels of analysis\, unifying models of inference and decision in mind and brain. But what we do not yet understand is how to connect the mathematics of logic\, symbols\, and programs\, essential for describing knowledge at the cognitive level\, with the mathematics of high-dimensional vector spaces and nonlinear dynamics that has been most influential in describing how the brain learns and computes. How can symbols and logic be embedded in or effectively emerge from the mathematics of vector spaces and dynamical systems? This is the twenty-first century version of the mind-body problem\, and arguably the greatest outstanding theoretical question in neuroscience. \nSuggested Reading: \nHow to Grow a Mind: Statistics\, Structure\, and Abstraction \nAbout the Speaker: \nJosh Tenenbaum is a Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Tenenbaum and his colleagues in the Computational Cognitive Science group study one of the most basic and distinctively human aspects of cognition: the ability to learn so much about the world\, rapidly and flexibly. Given just a few relevant experiences\, even young children can infer the meaning of a new word\, the hidden properties of an object or substance\, or the existence of a new causal relation or social rule. These inferences go far beyond the data given: after seeing three or four examples of “horses”\, a two-year-old will confidently judge whether any new entity is a horse or not\, and she will be mostly correct\, except for the occasional donkey or camel. \nWe want to understand these everyday inductive leaps in computational terms. What is the underlying logic that supports reliable generalization from so little data? What are its cognitive and neural mechanisms\, and how can we build more powerful learning machines based on the same principles? \nThese questions demand a multidisciplinary approach. Tenenbaum and his group’s research combines computational models (drawing chiefly on Bayesian statistics\, probabilistic generative models\, and probabilistic programming) with behavioral experiments in adults and children. Their models make strong quantitative predictions about behavior\, but more importantly\, they attempt to explain why cognition works\, by viewing it as an approximation to ideal statistical inference given the structure of natural tasks and environments. \nWhile their core interests are in human learning and reasoning\, they also work actively in machine learning and artificial intelligence. These two programs are inseparable: bringing machine-learning algorithms closer to the capacities of human learning should lead to more powerful AI systems as well as more powerful theoretical paradigms for understanding human cognition. \nCurrent research in Ketterle’s group explores the computational basis of many aspects of human cognition: learning concepts\, judging similarity\, inferring causal connections\, forming perceptual representations\, learning word meanings and syntactic principles in natural language\, noticing coincidences and predicting the future\, inferring the mental states of other people\, and constructing intuitive theories of core domains\, such as intuitive physics\, psychology\, biology\, or social structure. \nHomepage: http://web.mit.edu/cocosci/josh.html URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/the-mathematics-of-mind-and-brain/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181119/tenenbaum02.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120422T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120428T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20141022T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T162322Z UID:3937-1335052800-1335571200@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Knot Homologies and BPS States (2012) DESCRIPTION:In recent years\, homological knot invariants have been gaining momentum in both mathematics and physics\, and recent developments promise it will only be growing. Therefore\, a symposium on “the physics of knot homologies” is very timely. \nMoreover\, this subject is intimately connected with another active area of research at the interface of geometry and physics: the study of BPS invariants and their behavior under wall crossing. The relation between quantum invariants of knots and 3-manifolds on one hand\, and wall crossing of refined BPS invariants on the other\, is currently a very active area of research. The underlying reason for this interesting connection is that\, in a physical realization of knot homologies as spaces of BPS states\, the basic operations in knot theory (such as skein relations) correspond to changes of the (brane) system under which the spectrum of BPS states jumps. \n\nParticipants\n\n\n\nMina Aganacic\nUC Berkeley\n\n\nIvan Cherednik\nUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\n\n\nRobbert Dijkgraaf\nUniversiteit van Amsterdam\n\n\nDavide Gaiotto\nInstitute for Advanced Study\n\n\nSergei Gukov\nCalifornia Institute of Technology\n\n\nMikhail Khovanov\nColumbia University\n\n\nPeter Kronheimer\nHarvard University\n\n\nCiprian Manolescu\nUCLA\n\n\nHiraku Nakajima\nKyoto University\n\n\nAndrew Neitzke\nUniversity of Texas at Austin\n\n\nAlexei Oblomkov\nUniversity of Massachusetts\n\n\nAndrei Okounkov\nColumbia University\n\n\nHirosi Ooguri\nCalifornia Institute of Technology\n\n\nPeter Ozsvath\nMIT\n\n\nJacob Rasmussen\nUniversity of Cambridge\n\n\nLev Rozansky\nImperial College London\n\n\nVivek Shende\nPrinceton University\n\n\nYan Soibelman\nKansas State University\n\n\nCumrun Vafa\nHarvard University\n\n\nJohannes Walcher\nCERN\n\n\nAgenda & Slides\n\nMonday\, April 23\n\nMikhail Khovanov Link Homology for Tangles and Cobordisms\nLev Rozansky Khovanov Homology of a Unicolored B-adequate Link Has a Tail\nMina Aganagic Refined Chern-Simons Theory\, Topological Strings and Knot Homology (PDF)\nIvan Cherednik Hyperpolynomials of torus knots via DAHA (PDF)\n\nTuesday\, April 24\n\nHirosi Ooguri Introduction and Overview by a Physicist\nCumrun Vafa Knot Homology\, Mirror Symmetry & Topological Strings\nSergei Gukov What is Superpolynomial? (PDF)\n\nWednesday\, April 25\n\nAlexei Oblomkov Khovanov-Rozansky homology\, Hilbert schemes of points on planar curves and rational Cherednik algebras.\nVivek Shende Large N duality\, singular curves\, Hitchin fibres\, and knot homology\nAndrei Okounkov The Index & the Vertex\n\nThursday\, April 26\n\nCiprian Manolescu Knot Homologies and Tor Groups\nJacob Rasmussen DAHA and Differentials\nJohannes Walcher On the Arithmetic of BPS states\n\nFriday\, April 27\n\nHiraku Nakajima AGT Conjecture\, perverse sheaves on instanton moduli and what I learned this week (PDF)\nYan Soibelman Motovic Donaldson-Thomas Invariants\, Hall Algebras & Knot Invariants\nAndrew Neitzke Spectral Networks\nRobbert Dijkgraaf Topological Strings\, Quantum Curves\, and Knot Invariants URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/knot-homologies-and-bps-states-april-22-april-28-2012/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120418T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120418T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155626Z UID:424-1334768400-1334772000@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:What Has the Brain Evolved to Know About the Natural Olfactory World? DESCRIPTION:Most sensory stimuli in the natural world exhibit strong statistical regularities. For example\, if a given pixel in a visual scene is dark\, there is a high chance that adjacent pixels will also be dark. A proposed general principle of sensory neuroscience is that the brain’s circuitry is designed to take advantage of these statistical regularities. In particular\, stimuli with natural statistics appear to be unusually good at recruiting mutually antagonistic interactions between nearby neurons. Mutual antagonism (or “lateral inhibition”) is thought to increase the efficiency by which natural stimuli are encoded by neural populations. Historically\, these ideas have been explored mostly in the context of the visual system. In this talk\, I will re-examine these ideas in the context of a much less well-studied sensory modality – namely\, the sense of smell. I ask whether the olfactory world exhibits statistical regularities\, and if so\, what these “natural odor statistics” might look like. I will also critically explore the idea that the circuitry of the brain’s olfactory processing centers could be adapted to exploit such natural statistics. \nSuggested Reading: \nOdor plumes and how insects use them.pdf \nThe odor coding system of Drosophila.pdf \nAbout the Speaker: \nRachel Wilson is an HHMI Early Career Scientist at Harvard Medical School. Rachel Wilson is using Drosophila to study how neural circuits transform sensory signals\, with a special emphasis on the olfactory system. \nInsects\, Rachel Wilson says\, may be closer cousins than we imagine\, at least in terms of their brain power. “Of course they’re not terribly smart. But unlike simpler invertebrates like slugs or worms\, the way they interact with the world is relatively flexible. They can play a lot of games with only about a hundred thousand brain cells.” This balance between simplicity and complexity is what attracted Wilson to studying the fruit fly Drosophila as a model for investigating neural circuit function. \nHomepage: http://www.hhmi.org/research/ecs/wilson_bio.html URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/what-has-the-brain-evolved-to-know-about-the-natural-olfactory-world/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181117/rachelwilson_tiny_thumb.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120314T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120314T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20170428T040000Z UID:422-1331744400-1331748000@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:New Technologies for Measuring Neural Circuit Dynamics DESCRIPTION:At the microscopic scale\, the brain consists of vast networks of neurons that are wired together with synaptic connections to form neural circuits. Neurons are individuals\, in that each neuron can have electrical and chemical activity that is different from that of its neighbors. But the activity of each neuron is also dependent on that of the others in the circuit\, through the synaptic connections that define the circuit’s architecture. A thinking brain can therefore be viewed as an immensely complex pattern of activity distributed across the circuit. As different neurons become silent or active\, the pattern of activity shifts in space and time. These shifting patterns define what is known as neural circuit dynamics. The key to understanding how the brain works is to determine how the neural dynamics across these vast networks represent and process information relevant to behavior. Huge technical challenges exist in performing measurements of neural circuit dynamics in the awake brain. This talk will present recent advances in methods and instrumentation that combine genetically encoded molecular sensors\, optical imaging\, and virtual reality systems to measure neural circuit dynamics in the mouse brain during virtual navigation and decision-making. \nAbout the Speaker: \nDavid Tank is the Henry L. Hillman professor of neuroscience and molecular biology at Princeton University and Co-Director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. He also directs the Bezos Center for Neural Circuit Dynamics. \nDr. Tank earned his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics at Case Western Reserve University in 1976 and a Ph.D. degree in Physics from Cornell University in 1983. From 1983-2001 he was a research scientist at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill\, NJ\, and became a Bell Laboratories Fellow in 1999. From 1991-2001 he served as Department Head of the Biological Computation Research Department. In 2001\, he moved to Princeton University\, becoming a founding Co-Director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute in 2005. His research interests include the measurement\, analysis\, and modeling of neural circuit dynamics. At Bell Laboratories he contributed to the development of attractor network models of neural decision-making\, the development of functional MRI imaging\, and the development of cellular resolution optical imaging of neural dynamics. More recently\, his work has focused on the mechanisms of persistent neural activity and the development and application of rodent virtual reality systems combined with optical imaging and electrophysiology to study neural circuit dynamics during navigation. \nDr. Tank has received several awards and honors for his research including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and a recipient of the W. Alden Spencer Award from Columbia University and the Lawrence Katz Prize from Duke University. \nHomepage: http://genomics.princeton.edu/tank/Index.html URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/new-technologies-for-measuring-neural-circuit-dynamics/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181115/tank.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120226T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120303T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20150109T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T162157Z UID:3958-1330214400-1330732800@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Geometry Over Non-Closed Fields (2012) DESCRIPTION:Classically\, arithmetic is the study of rational or integral solutions of diophantine equations and geometry the study of lines and conics. From the modern standpoint\, these areas are synthesized in the study of rational and integral points on algebraic varieties over nonclosed fields. A major insight of the 20th century was that the arithmetic properties of an algebraic variety are tightly linked to the geometry of rational curves and families of rational curves on it. One incarnation of this insight is Lang’s philosophy\, which continues to drive modern research in this area: hyperbolic varieties have few rational points. Another is Grothendieck’s anabelian geometry: hyperbolic varieties are characterized by their ´etale fundamental groups\, and rational points correspond to Galois-theoretic sections. The discussion of Geometry of nonclosed fields will focus on the intertwined manifestations of these aspects of higher-dimensional arithmetic geometry. \nThe focus of the first meeting is the geometry of spaces of rational curves\, with an emphasis on applications to arithmetic questions. Topics include: rational connectedness and simply connectedness\, rational curves on log-varieties\, rationally connected quotients of spaces of rational curves\, degenerations of spaces of rational curves\, rational curves in prescribed homology classes\, cones of rational curves on rationally connected and Calabi-Yau varieties. Possible applications include: existence of rational points over function fields of curves and surfaces\, potential density of rational points over global fields\, weak and strong approximation. \n\nParticipants\n\n\n\n\nDan Abramovich\nBrown University\n\n\nFedor Bogomolov\nNew York University\n\n\nJean-Louis Colliot-Thélène\nOrsay\n\n\nIzzet Coskun\nUniversity of Illinois\, Chicago\n\n\nOlivier Debarre\nÉcole Normale Supérieure\, Paris\n\n\nTom Graber\nCalifornia Institute of Technology\n\n\nBrendan Hassett\nRice University\n\n\nStefan Kebekus\nAlbert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg\n\n\nSándor Kovács\nUniversity of Washington\n\n\nJun Li\nStanford University\n\n\nMax Lieblich\nUniversity of Washington\n\n\nChristian Liedtke\nUniversity of Düsseldorf\n\n\nJames McKernan\nMassachuetts Institute of Technology\n\n\nMartin Olsson\nUniversity of California\, Berkeley\n\n\nJason Starr\nState University of New York\, Stony Brook\n\n\nBurt Totaro\nUniversity of Cambridge\n\n\nYuri Tschinkel\nNew York University\n\n\nRavi Vakil\nStanford University\n\n\nAnthony Varilly-Alvarado\nRice University\n\n\nChenyang Xu\nUniversity of Utah\n\n\nAgenda & Notes\n\nFoundations\n\nDan Abramovich Logarithmic stable maps (PDF)\nChanyang Xu Irreducibility and degenerate fibers of Fano fibrations (PDF)\nBurt Totaro The integral Hodge conjecture for threefolds (PDF)\n\nConstructing rational curves\n\nJames McKernan MMP and rational curves (PDF)\nChristian Liedtke Constructing rational curves on K3 surfaces (PDF)\n\nCone of curve classes\n\nIzzet Coskun MMP for the Hilbert scheme of points (PDF)\n\nGeometry of spaces of rational curves\n\nStefan Kebekus Uniruledness criteria and applications to classification and foliations (PDF)\nOlivier Debarre Curves of low degree on projective varieties (PDF)\n\nArithmetic applications\n\nJean-Louis Colliot-Thélène Brauer-Manin obstructions and integral points (PDF)\nAnthony Várilly-Alvarado Transcendental obstructions on K3 surfaces (PDF)\nMax Lieblich The period-index problem for Severi-Brauer varieties (PDF)\nJason Starr Rational points over function fields of curves and surfaces\nFedor Bogomolov On the section conjecture URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/geometry-over-non-closed-fields-february-26-march-3-2012/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120222T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120222T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155638Z UID:420-1329930000-1329933600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Taking the Universe's Baby Picture DESCRIPTION:Observations of the microwave background\, the left-over heat from the big bang\, are snapshots of the universe only three hundred thousand years after the big bang. These observations have answered many of the questions that have driven cosmology for the past few decades: How old is the universe? What is its size and shape? What is the composition of the universe? How do galaxy emerge? \nThis talk focuses on results from NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) and from other recent cosmological experiments and show how they have addressed these questions. \nWhile there has been significant progress\, many key cosmological questions remain unanswered: what happened during the first moments of the big bang? What is the dark energy? What were the properties of the first stars? Do neutrinos affect the formation of galaxies and structure? This lecture addresses how future observations from Subaru and from upcoming microwave background experiments may start to answer these new questions. \nSuggested Reading: \nSpergel\, DN et al. Astrophysical Journal Supplement 148\, 175 (2003) \nA 2% Distance to z = 0.35 by Reconstructing Baryon Acoustic Oscillations – III : Cosmological Measurements and Interpretation \nhttp://arxiv.org/pdf/0803.0834.pdf \nAbout the Speaker: \nDavid Spergel is the Chair of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University. He also is the Charles A. Young Professor of Astronomy on the Class of 1897 Foundation and an Associate Faculty Member in the Physics Department and in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department. Spergel is also currently co-chair of the NAS Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics. \nSpergels research in theoretical astrophysics ranges from the search for planets around nearby stars to the shape of the universe. \nOver the last few years\, the WMAP Satellite has been the main focus of his research. WMAP was successfully launched on June 30\, 2001. \nSpergel is part of a group of scientists and engineers at Princeton University who are developing new technologies that should hopefully enable the direct imaging of earth-like planets. He is part of the new Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. In 2008/9\, the program was focused on “Big Bang and Beyond”. Spergel is also part of the new Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (IPMU). \nHomepage: http://www.astro.princeton.edu/~dns/ \n  URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/taking-the-universes-baby-picture/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181113/spergel.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120205T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120211T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20150109T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T162101Z UID:3955-1328400000-1328918400@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Analysis of Boolean Functions: New Directions and Applications (2012) DESCRIPTION:The 2012 Analysis of Boolean Functions workshop focused mainly on application areas in theoretical computer science\, including: \n\nHardness of approximation\nProperty testing\nPseudorandomness\nConcrete complexity\nComputational learning theory\n\nThe symposium included some traditional talks on recent results\, but its aim was also to encourage research through a variety of talk/discussion formats: group exploration of new ideas\, survey and area-introduction talks\, and discussion of partial progress towards open problems. \nFollow-up workshops are planned for 2014 and 2016\, expanding the theme of discrete analysis to other areas of mathematics.\n  \n\nMaterials\n\n\nDownload scribe notes (PDF)\nanalysisofbooleanfunctions.org\n\nParticipants\n\n\n\nPer Austrin\nUniversity of Toronto\n\n\nIrit Dinur\nThe Weizmann Institute of Science\n\n\nDavid Ellis\nUniversity of London\n\n\nParikshit Gopalan\nMicrosoft Research\n\n\nJohan Hastad\nKTH Royal Institute of Technology\n\n\nHamed Hatami\nMcGill University\n\n\nGil Kalai\nInstitute of Mathematics Hebrew University\n\n\nDaniel Kane\nHarvard University\n\n\nTali Kaufman\nMassachusetts Institute of Technology\n\n\nGuy Kindler\nThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem\n\n\nShachar Lovett\nInstitute for Advanced Study\n\n\nElchanan Mossel\nUC Berkeley\n\n\nJelani Nelson\nMassachusetts Institute of Technology\n\n\nRyan O’Donnell\nCarnegie Mellon University\n\n\nKrzysztof Oleszkiewicz\nUniversity of Warsaw\n\n\nOded Regev\nÉcole Normale Supérieure\n\n\nAlexander Samorodnitsky\nThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem\n\n\nShubhangi Saraf\nInstitute for Advanced Study\n\n\nRocco Servedio\nColumbia University\n\n\nMadhu Sudan\nMassachusetts Institute of Technology\n\n\nLuca Trevisan\nStanford University\n\n\nAvi Wigderson\nInstitute for Advanced Study\n\n\nAgenda\n\nMonday\, February 6\n\nOpening Remarks\nOpen problems session (organizer: Ryan O’Donnell)\nMadhu Sudan Invariance in Property Testing\nAvi Wigderson Matrix Scaling\nRocco Servedio Recent Results on Chow Parameters\nBreakout Sessions / Research in Small Groups\nAlex Samorodnitsky A Conjectural Isoperimetric-type Inequality for Functions on the Hamming Cube\nInformal Discussions\n\nTuesday\, February 7\n\nDaniel Kane New Structure Theorems for Low-degree Polynomials of Rademachers\nPer Austrin Adversarial Biasing of Boolean Functions\nLuca Trevisan Higher-order Cheeger Inequalities\nKrzysztof Oleszkiewicz Extensions of the FKN Theorem\nOded Regev Noncommutative Grothendieck Inequalities\nBreakout Sessions / Research in Small Groups\nIrit Dinur Coloring and Covering PCPs\nInformal Discussions\n\nWednesday\, February 8\n\nHamed Hatami A structure Theorem for Boolean Functions with Small Total Influences\nElchanan Mossel Geometric Influences\nShachar Lovett Probabilistic Existence of Rigid Combinatorial Objects\nInformal Discussions\n\nThursday\, February 9\n\nTali Kaufmann Locally Testable Codes and Expanders\nParikshit Gopalan The Short Code\nOpen Problem Session II\nGuy Kindler Gaussian Noise Sensitivity\nBreakout Sessions / Research in Small Groups\nDavid Ellis Triangle Intersecting Families of Graphs\nInformal Discussions\n\nFriday\, February 10\n\nJelani Nelson Applications of FT-mollification\nJohan Håstad Ideas for Improved NP-hardness of 2CSPs \nShubhangi Saraf Lower Bounds for 2-query Locally Correctable Codes\nGil Kalai Near Equality Cases for Harper’s Inequality\nBreakout Sessions / Research in Small Groups\nInformal Discussions\n\n ↓ Download full agenda (PDF) URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/analysis-of-boolean-functions-new-directions-and-applications-february-5-february-11-2012/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120129T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120204T000000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20141022T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T161939Z UID:3936-1327795200-1328313600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Quantum Physics Beyond Simple Systems: Complex Dynamics\, Decoherence\, Topology and Information (2012) DESCRIPTION:Condensed matter physics has evolved greatly in recent years from studying bulk properties of naturally occurring materials to constructing complex materials and systems not found in nature\, and to controlling rather than observing quantum mechanics. This dramatic broadening has been accompanied by corresponding advancement in experimental and theoretical tools. \nDiversification has enriched the subject greatly but has also lead to specialization that inhibits understanding and progress. This symposium aims to develop a more unified view of quantum mechanics in these new systems. The focus will be on the most rapidly advancing fronts\, with the goal of applying breakthroughs in one area to barriers to progress in others. \nTopics to be addressed include out-of-equilibrium quantum states\, graphene and similar materials\, topology and Majorana physics\, quantum Hall states\, and qubits and entanglement. We also plan to conclude the symposium with an informal discussion of open problems across condensed matter physics.\n  \n\nParticipants\n\n \n\n\nIgor Aleiner\nColumbia University\n\n\nBoris Altshuler\nColumbia University\n\n\nPiet Brouwer\nDahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems\n\n\nSankar Das Sarma\nUniversity of Maryland\n\n\nVladimir Falko\nLancaster University\n\n\nMatthew Fisher\nUniversity of California\, Santa Barbara\n\n\nMichael Freedman\nMicrosoft Station Q\n\n\nAndre Geim\nThe University of Manchester\n\n\nLeonid Glazman\nYale University\n\n\nBertrand Halperin\nHarvard University\n\n\nLeo Kouwenhoven\nDelft University of Technology\n\n\nLeonid Levitov\nMassachusetts Institute of Technology\n\n\nDaniel Loss\nUniversity of Basel\n\n\nCharles Marcus\nHarvard University\n\n\nEugene John Mele\nUniversity of Pennsylvania\n\n\nAdiel Stern\nWeizmann Institute of Science\n\n\nAmir Yacoby\nHarvard University\n\n\nAgenda & Slides\n\nMonday\, January 30\n\nIgor Aleiner  \nBoris Altshuler  \nPiet Brouwer Subgap States in Spinless p-Wave Superconducting Wires (PDF)\nSankar Das Sarma Condensed Matter Search for (elusive?) Majorana Modes (PDF)\n\nTuesday\, January 31\n\nVladimir Falko Graphene: From Simple to Complex (PDF)\nMatthew Fisher Part I: Non-Fermi Liquid Phases for 2d Itinerant Electrons / Part II: Majorana Fermions in Superconducting Nanowires: Interaction and Fluctuation Effects (PDF)\nMichael Freedman  \nLeonid Glazman Phase Slips Interference in a Chain of Josephson Junctions (PDF)\n\nWednesday\, February 1\n\nBert Halperin Quantum Hall Systems (PDF)\nLeo Kouwenhoven Spin-Orbit Qubits and Majorana Fermions (PDF)\n\nThursday\, February 2\n\nLeonid Levitov Spontaneously Ordered Electronic States in Graphene (PDF)\nDaniel Loss Part I: Nuclear Spin Ordering in Low Dimensions / Part II: Long-distance entanglement of spin-qubits (PDF)\nCharles Marcus  \nGene Mele An Unexpected Turn for Twisted Graphenes (PDF)\n\nFriday\, February 3\n\nAdy Stern Topological Insulators – Effects of Disorder and Interactions (PDF)\nAmir Yacoby Unconventional FQHE in Suspended Graphene (PDF) URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/quantum-physics-beyond-simple-systems-complex-dynamics-decoherence-topology-and-information-january-29-february-4-2012/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20120111T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20120111T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20170428T040000Z UID:418-1326301200-1326304800@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Quantum Mechanics and Space-Time in the 21st Century DESCRIPTION:One of the leading particle physics phenomenologists of his generation\, Nima Arkani-Hamed is concerned with the relation between theory and experiment. His research has shown how the extreme weakness of gravity\, relative to other forces of nature\, might be explained by the existence of extra dimensions of space\, and how the structure of comparatively low-energy physics is constrained within the context of string theory. He has taken a lead in proposing new physical theories that can be tested at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. \nUniversity of California\, Berkeley\, Ph.D. 1997; SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory\, Postdoctoral Fellow 1997–99; University of California\, Berkeley\, Assistant Professor 1999–2001\, Associate Professor 2001; Harvard University\, Visiting Professor 2001–02\, Professor 2002–07; Institute for Advanced Study\, Professor 2008–; Sloan Fellowship 2000–02; Packard Fellowship 2000–05; American Academy of Arts and Sciences\, Member; European Physical Society\, Gribov Medal 2003; Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize in Physics 2008 \nInstitute for Advanced Study: \nhttp://www.ias.edu/people/faculty-and-emeriti/arkani-hamed/ \nIndividual Homepage at IAS: \nhttp://www.sns.ias.edu/~arkani/ \nAbout the Speaker: \nNima Arkani-Hamed is a theoretical physicist with interests in high-energy physics\, string theory and cosmology. Formerly a professor at Harvard\, Arkani-Hamed is now on the faculty at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton\, New Jersey. URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/quantum-mechanics-and-space-time-in-the-21st-century/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181111/arkani-hamed.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20111130T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20111130T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155649Z UID:416-1322672400-1322676000@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Controlling Quantum Coherence: Toward New Paradigms of Computation DESCRIPTION:This talk describes experimental progress toward controlling quantum mechanical coherence and entanglement in a solid-state environment. After describing what coherence and entanglement are\, I will explain why using these attributes of the quantum world might be useful for information processing. I will then report from the experimental front lines\, describing two approaches to this challenging problem: using electron spin as a quantum bit\, and realizing nonabelian excitations in the fractional quantum Hall effect. \nSuggested Reading: \nReview on spins: http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/otherpapers/Hanson_RMP2007.pdf \nTechnical on spins: http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/papers/Barthel_InterlacedPRL2010.pdf \nNontechnical on spins: http://marcuslab.harvard.edu/papers/DiVincenzo_Science_Perspective.pdf URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/controlling-quantum-coherence-toward-new-paradigms-of-computation/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181109/charles-marcus.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20111026T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20111026T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155700Z UID:412-1319648400-1319652000@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Beautiful Thoughts from Ugly Neurons DESCRIPTION:My talk is based on mathematical and computational studies of neural network models. Understanding the range of dynamic phenomena in such models provides a basis for thinking about the more complex dynamics of real neural circuits. Neuroscientists typically look for neural responses that have a direct relationship to a task being performed. I will discuss how populations of neurons can generate useful responses even when the activity of individual neurons (the ugly ones) cannot be interpreted in a straightforward manner. This provides a basis for modeling adaptive behaviors as arising from relationships between apparently random patterns of neural activity. \nSuggested Reading: \nAbbott\, L.F. (2008) Theoretical Neuroscience Rising. Neuron 60:489-495. \nBuonomano\, D.V.\, and Maass\, W. (2009). State-dependent computations: spatiotemporal processing in cortical networks. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 10\, 113–125. \nSussillo\, D. and Abbott\, L.F. (2009) Generating Coherent Patterns of Activity from Chaotic Neural Networks. Neuron 63:544-557. \nAbout the Speaker: \nLarry Abbott’s research involves the computational modeling and mathematical analysis of neurons and neural networks. Analytic techniques and computer simulation are used to study how single neurons respond to their many synaptic inputs\, how neurons interact to produce functioning neural circuits\, and how large populations of neurons represent\, store\, and process information. Areas of particular interest include spike-timing dependent forms of synaptic plasticity; transformations of sensory encoding in olfaction\, and the dynamics of internally generated activity and signal propagation in large neural networks. \nMost neural activity is generated internally but nervous systems are nevertheless highly sensitive to external influences such as sensory stimuli.  We study how stimulus driven and internally generative activity interact and combine to produce responses.  We also model how chaotic ongoing activity can be harnessed and controlled to produce useful motor output.  We are interested in representing perception not as a passive analysis of sensory input\, but as a dynamic process that involves modeling the external world\, making inferences about predictable events and noting when something unexpected happens.  This requires both representing sensory stimuli and modifying ongoing activity through synaptic plasticity. \nHomepage: http://neuroscience.columbia.edu/profile/larryabbott URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/beautiful-thoughts-from-ugly-neurons/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181106/larry_abbott-e1413393350549.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20110928T050000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20110928T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155713Z UID:410-1317186000-1317232800@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:The Regulation of Fidelity in the Transmission of Genetic Information from Parent to Offspring DESCRIPTION:The evolution of organisms requires the generation of some diversity in the offspring and then the selection of the fittest in the present environment from among this diversity in the population. Diversity is accomplished by several mechanisms including novel combinatorial trials that arise by having two sexes\, recombination of maternal and paternal chromosomes and mutations or errors in the transmission of information. The rates of evolution can be influenced by mutation rates that are in turn influenced by a wide variety of stresses that can occur as sperm or eggs are produced or even as the organism develops. There is a dramatic increase in error frequency when the genetic information\, DNA\, is duplicated in cells under stress. Stress can be initiated by inadequate nutrients\, hypoxia\, DNA damage from various sources\, thermal variation and other environmental changes. If the error frequency increases too much an error catastrophe threshold is reached and disabled offspring can be produced. Thus there is a tension between fidelity and a useful error frequency that generates enough diversity to permit selection and changes in the species. \nAbout a billion years ago common ancestors of today’s humans and sea anemones developed a mechanism to detect stress leading to a high error frequency in germ cells and eliminate these cells by death. A relative of the gene and protein in sea anemones can be found in flies and worms and three related copies of this gene are observed in humans. One of these genes and its protein is called p53 and it is employed to prevent cancers from arising in somatic cells of humans. Two other genes found in the female germ line are called p63 and p73 and they are responsible for killing eggs that are damaged so as to prevent altered offspring. Like all genes in a population the p63 and p73 genes exist in several forms with a variation in the efficiency with which they monitor mistakes and kill cells. These are called genetic polymorphisms in the population and it suggests that some parents and families have higher mutation rates than others. Because of these polymorphisms or variations in the parents the offspring can have mutations not found in the chromosomes of the parents\, termed de novo mutations. One type of de novo mutation that has been detected in offspring is called a copy number variation\, a deletion or duplication of the DNA\, which results in one to three copies of a gene in the offspring. De novo copy number variations have been observed in developmental abnormalities\, autism and some early onset cancers in offspring but not observed in the parents. Evidence will be presented linking mutations and polymorphisms in the\, p53\, p63 and p73 genes of humans with these disorders. \nSuggested Reading: \nBelyi\, V.A.\, Ak\, P.\, Markert\, E.\, Wang\, H.\, Hu\, W.\, Puzio-Kuter\, A.\, and Levine\, A.J. 2010. The Origins and Evolution of the p53 Family of Genes. The P53 Family: Chapter 1\, Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. \nFeng Z.\, Zhang C.\, Kang H.\, Sun Y.\, Wang H.\, Naqvi A.\, Frank A.\, Rosenwaks Z.\, Murphy M.\, Levine A.\, Hu W. (2011) The regulation of female reproduction by p53 and its family members. FASEB J.\, Epub ahead of print. \nLevine\, A.J.\, Tomasini\, R.\, McKeon\, F.D.\, Mak\, T.W. Melino\, G.\, The p53 family: guardians of maternal reproduction. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology\, April 2011\, 12:259-265. \nAbout the Speaker \nArnie Levine is a Systems Biology Professor Emeritus at the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study.  Levine is a widely acclaimed leader in cancer research. In 1979\, Levine and others discovered the p53 tumor suppressor protein\, a molecule that inhibits tumor development. He established the Simons Center for Systems Biology at the Institute\, which concentrates on research at the interface of molecular biology and the physical sciences: on genetics and genomics\, polymorphisms and molecular aspects of evolution\, signal transduction pathways and networks\, stress responses\, and pharmacogenomics in cancer biology. \nHomepage: http://www.sns.ias.edu/~alevine/ URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/the-regulation-of-fidelity-in-the-transmission-of-genetic-information-from-parent-to-offspring/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181104/arnie_levine.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20110511T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20110511T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155725Z UID:408-1305133200-1305136800@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Merging Mind and Machine: Creating technology to reconnect the brain to action DESCRIPTION:Dr. Donoghue will discuss progress being made to develop devices that can restore lost functions of the nervous system following disease or injury. In particular\, he will discuss the development of the BrainGate neural interface system\, a form of brain computer interface (BCI) that is designed to restore independence and control for people with paralysis. BrainGate uses a tiny sensor implanted in the brain that detects motor intentions that are converted to movement command signals using signal processors outside the body. BrainGate\, now in a pilot human clinical trial\, has been tested in five people who have longstanding\, severe paralysis. It will be shown how people have been able to use their own brain signals to directly control a range of devices\, such as computers and robotic arms. Dr. Donoghue will explain how it is possible to detect and decode motor signals from the brain and discuss the future implications of technology that can read out or write into brain circuitry. Finally\, he will also discuss what we are learning by being able to study human brain activity at a resolution and form never before available. \nJohn Donoghue is director of the Institute for Brain Science and a professor of neuroscience and a professor of engineering at Brown University. \nSuggested Reading: \nNeuronal ensemble control of prosthetic devices by a human with tetraplegia. \nHochberg\, L.R.\, Serruya\, M.D\, Friehs\, G.M\, Mukand\, J.A.\, Saleh\, M\, Caplan\, A.H.\, Branner\, A.\, Chen\, D.\, Penn\, R.D.\, and Donoghue\, J.P. (2006) Nature\, 442(7099)\, 164-171 (13 July 2006) PMID: 16838014 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE] \nAbstract:\nhttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7099/abs/nature04970.html \nNature issue:\nhttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7099/index.html \nWeb Focus on Brain-Machine Interfaces (supplemental movies):\nhttp://www.nature.com/nature/focus/brain/index.html \n  \nNurmikko\, A.V.; Donoghue\, J.P.; Hochberg\, L.R.; Patterson\, W.R.; Yoon-Kyu Song; Bull\, C.W.; Borton\, D.A.; Laiwalla\, F.; Sunmee Park; Yin Ming; Aceros\, J. (2010) \nListening to Brain Microcircuits for Interfacing With External World—Progress in Wireless Implantable Microelectronic Neuroengineering Devices Proceedings of the IEEE (invited) vol. 98\, Issue 3\, 375-388. March 2010 doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2009.2038949\nIEEE PDF \nAssistive technology and robotic control using motor cortex ensemble-based neural interface systems in humans with tetraplegia.\nJohn P. Donoghue\, Arto Nurmikko\, Michael Black\, and Leigh R. Hochberg (2007)\nJ Physiol. Special Issue on Brain Computer Interfaces\, 2007 Mar 15; 579(Pt 3):603-11.\nEpub 2007 Feb 1. Review.\nPMID: 17272345 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]\nDOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.127209\nhttp://jp.physoc.org/cgi/content/full/579/3/603 \nhttp://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17272345 \nAbout the Speaker: \nJohn Donoghue is the head of the Donoghue Lab at Brown University. The lab investigates how the brain turns thought into voluntary behaviors and how that knowledge can be used to help persons with paralysis. Donoghue and his colleagues study how populations of neurons represent and transform information as a motor plan becomes movement. This approach has required the creation of a novel recording array to study neural ensembles. With the knowledge they have gained about movement representation\, have translated their findings to a clinical application in which humans with paralysis can use their neurons directly to control devices. \nDr. Donoghue is Henry Merritt Wriston Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University\, Director of the Brown Institute for Brain Science\, VA Senior Career Research Scientist\, and Director of the Center of Excellence for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology\, Rehabilitation R&D Service\, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center\, Providence\, RI. From 1991 to 2006\, Dr. Donoghue was the founding Chairman of the Department of Neuroscience at Brown. For more than 20 years\, Dr. Donoghue has conducted research on brain computer interfaces and his laboratory is internationally recognized as a leader in this field. Dr. Donoghue has published over 80 scientific articles in leading journals such as Nature and Science\, and has served on advisory panels for the National Institutes of Health\, the National Science Foundation and NASA. Dr. Donoghue has won awards for his work from Discover\, Popular Mechanics\, and Reader’s Digest magazines. In 2007\, he won the K. J. Zulch Prize\, Germany’s highest honor for neurological research. Dr. Donoghue is a fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering and the American Association for the Advancement of Science as well as a member of the board of directors for the MIT Media Lab. Dr. Donoghue received an A.B. from Boston University in 1971\, an M.S. in anatomy from the University of Vermont in 1976\, and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Brown University in 1979. \nHomepage: http://research.brown.edu/myresearch/John_Donoghue URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/merging-mind-and-machine-creating-technology-to-reconnect-the-brain-to-action/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181102/john-donoghue.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20110413T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20110413T180000 DTSTAMP:20260417T074849 CREATED:20170428T040000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211207T155736Z UID:406-1302714000-1302717600@www.simonsfoundation.org SUMMARY:Computational Perspectives on Social Phenomena at Global Scales DESCRIPTION:With an increasing amount of social interaction taking place in the digital domain\, and often in public online settings\, we are accumulating enormous amounts of data about phenomena that were once essentially invisible to us: the collective behavior and social interactions of hundreds of millions of people\, recorded at unprecedented levels of scale and resolution. Analyzing this data with powerful computational techniques offers a radically new perspective on fundamental questions in the social sciences: how is the collective attention of a population focused; how does social influence between people operate; and how do our social networks reconfigure as we interact with one another? Such developments are not just taking place at the level of large groups; as each of us accumulates large digital traces of our behavior\, we also confront the prospect of software that — at some level — knows more about us than we know about ourselves. \nSuggested Reading: \nAs an introduction to some of the issues in this area:\nThe convergence of social and technological networks. Communications of the ACM\, 51(11):66-72\, 2008. \nFor a more technical discussion of some of the underlying models\, mathematical results\, and empirical studies:\nComplex Networks and Decentralized Search Algorithms. Proceedings of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM)\, 2006. \nFor general background:\nChapter 1 of the book Networks\, Crowds\, and Markets provides a high-level overview. The full book is on-line and Chapter 1\, specifically\, is here. \nAbout the Speaker: \nJon Kleinberg received his A.B. from Cornell University in 1993 and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT in 1996. He subsequently spent a year at the IBM Almaden Research Center before joining the faculty at Cornell\, where he currently holds the position of Tisch University Professor in the Departments of Computer Science and Information Science. His research focuses on issues at the interface of algorithms\, networks\, and information\, with an emphasis on the social and information networks that underpin the Web and other on-line media; his work in this area helped form the foundation for the current generation of Internet search engines. \nHe is a member of the National Academy of Sciences\, the National Academy of Engineering\, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; he has served on the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Advisory Committee of the National Science Foundation\, and currently serves on the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) of the National Research Council and the Scientific Advisory Board of the newly formed Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing at UC Berkeley. He is the author of the books “Algorithm Design” (with Eva Tardos) and “Networks\, Crowds\, and Markets” (with David Easley); the latter book received the Lanchester Prize from the Institute for Operations Resarch and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and the PROSE Award in Computing and Information Science from the Association of American Publishers. \nHe is the recipient of MacArthur\, Packard\, and Sloan Foundation Fellowships\, a Simons Investigator Award\, the National Academy of Sciences Award for Initiatives in Research\, the Nevanlinna Prize from the International Mathematical Union\, and the ACM-Infosys Foundation Award in the Computing Sciences. \nHomepage: http://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/kleinber/ URL:https://www.simonsfoundation.org/event/computational-perspectives-on-social-phenomena-at-global-scales/ CATEGORIES:Simons Science Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sf-web-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/10181101/jon-kleinberg.jpeg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR