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Talks, Seminars and Guest Lectures

CSCS Seminars -- Fall 2009
Upcoming seminars

"Information Flow in Trading Networks"
Monday, September 14, 2009
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Lada Adamic
School of Information, University of Michigan

Abstract:
We use network analysis to quantify the flow of information through financial markets. Using unique ultra high frequency data, we compute network and financial variables for transactions that occurred during August 2008 in the nearby E-mini S&P 500 futures contract - the cornerstone of price discovery for the S&P 500 Index. We find that network variables presage the information represented by financial variables. Most notably, we find that network variables strongly Granger-case intertrade duration and trading volume, suggesting that network metrics serve as primitive measures of information flow. Finally, we find that the dynamics of returns and volatility are rooted in the network mechanics of the information arrival process - as evidenced both in our data and the results of an agent-based simulation model

"How Social Network Structure affects Diffusion and Learning"
Thursday, September 17, 2009
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Matthew O. Jackson
Stanford University

Abstract:
We examine how diffusion and learning processes operating through social networks are affected by homophily (the tendency of individuals to associate with others similar to themselves) and other network characteristics. Homophily has no effect in pure diffusion processes where only shortest paths matter; only connection density matters. In contrast, homophily substantially slows learning based on repeated averaging of neighbors' information, while connection density has no effect.

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Monday, September 21, 2009 note day of week
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Wendy Zhang
University of Chicago

Abstract:

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Monday, September 28, 2009 note day of week
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Domitilla Del Vecchio
University of Michigan

Abstract:

"How does a fly make itself? Dissecting morphogenesis with laser-microsurgery"
Monday October 5, 2009 note day of week
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

M. Shane Hutson
Vanderbilt University

Abstract: During the development of an organism, sheets of epithelial cells dynamically expand, contract and bend. These movements generate organismal form in a process known as morphogenesis-a process driven by cell-generated forces. The generation, distribution and regulation of these forces have been explored in multiple mathematical and computational models; however, few attempts have been made to test the validity of these models in vivo. I will present a method for probing morphogenetic forces in vivo through laser microsurgery. My group's current focus is quantitative analysis via laser hole-drilling-a method borrowed from the engineer's toolbox for residual stress analysis-in which a single laser pulse is used to rapidly ablate a subcellular hole clean through a one-cell thick epithelium. The surrounding cells recoil away from this hole, relaxing the pre-ablation, morphogenetic stresses. By carefully tracking the recoils (on ms time scales, with sub-µm precision and for dozens of embryos), one can estimate how stress is distributed. By staging the embryos, one can infer how this stress distribution changes during development. I will present results from fruit fly (Drosophila) embryos during two stages of embryonic development-germband retraction and dorsal closure. I will also discuss finite-element models that reproduce the observed recoil behavior and their implications for the microscopic construction and dynamic maintenance of an embryonic epithelium.

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Monday October 12, 2009 note day of week
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Michael Solomon
University of Michigan

Abstract:

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Monday, October 26, 2009
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Alexander Shingleton
Michigan State University

Abstract:

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Monday November 9, 2009 note day of week
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Doug Weibel
University of Wisconsin

Abstract:

No Seminar
Monday, November 16, 2009
Christophe Clanet will speak at AIM seminar on Friday November 20, 2009 instead

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Monday, November 30, 2009
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Eric Smith
Sante Fe Institute

Abstract:

"Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition-How to Stop Yourself Before You Make Another Costly Decision"
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Palmer Commons-Forum Hall
4-6:00pm
Pre-talk Reception at 3:30pm

Michael Mauboussin
Author of Think Twice: Harnessing the Power of Counterintuition

This event is open to the public.

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Monday, December 7, 2009
West Hall, Room 335
12pm

Sonya Bahar
University of Missouri at St. Louis

Abstract: