All seminars are Tuesday at 12:05 pm in 4274
Chamberlin Hall except as noted. Refreshments will be served.
Short List
Sep 4, 2012 - Moe Hirsch, Mathematics
Sep 11, 2012 - Jin-Yi Cai, Computer Sciences
Sep 18, 2012 - Luigi Puglielli, Medicine
Sep 25, 2012 - Kurt Squire & Constance Steinkuehler,
Curriculum and Instruction
Oct 2, 2012 - Dave Pagliarini, Biochemistry
Oct 9, 2012 - Jim Lattis, Astronomy
Oct 16, 2012 - Rock Mackie, Molecular Biology and Medical
Physics
Oct 23, 2012 - Jessica Flack, Wisconsin Institute for
Discovery
Oct 30, 2012 - Art Schmaltz, Prairie State College
Nov 6, 2012 - Jed Colquhoun, Horticulture
Nov 13, 2012 - Natalie Hunt, Forest Ecology and Management
Nov 20, 2012 - Clark Johnson, Geoscience
Nov 27, 2012 - Jim Blair, Milton and Edgewood College
Dec 4, 2012 - Gary Lupyan, Psychology
Dec 11, 2012 - Tom Jeffries, Bacteriology
Abstracts
September 4, 2012
The Divine Madness: Mathematics, myths and metaphors
Moe Hirsch, UW Department of Mathematics
I will discuss various ideas about mathematics in which many of its
practitioners seem to believe, including the Myth of Truth, the Myth
of Proof, the Myth of Certainty, and so forth.
Computational complexity theory --- The world of P and NP
Jin-Yi Cai, UW Department of Computer Sciences
Computational Complexity Theory is the study of intrinsic
difficulties of computational problems. The most prominent open
problem is the conjecture that P is not equal to NP. In
essense this conjecture states that it is intrinsically harder to
find proofs than to verify them. It has a fundamental importance in
many areas from computer science to mathematics, to our basic
understanding of nature.
Valiant's new theory of holographic algorithms is one of the most
beautiful ideas in algorithm design in recent memory. It gives
a new look on the P versus NP problem. In this theory, information
is represented by a superposition of linear vectors in a holographic
mix. This mixture creates the possibility for exponential sized
cancellations of fragments of local computations. The underlying
computation is done by invoking the Fisher-Kasteleyn-Temperley
method for counting perfect matchings for planar graphs (Dimer
Problem). Holographic algorithms challenge our conception of what
polynomial time computation can do, in view of the P vs. NP
question.
In this talk we will survey the developments in holographic
algorithms. No specialized background is assumed.
The discovery of the ER-based acetylation machinery: from
aging to Alzheimer’s disease … cancer too?
Luigi Puglielli, UW Department of Medicine
Our group recently reported that mammalian cells are able to
acetylate the Ne-lysine residue of nascent membrane proteins in the
lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This event was initially
discovered while studying the mechanisms that regulate the levels of
b-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), a type I membrane protein that
is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. However, it
is now clear that this process is not limited to BACE1. In fact,
other membrane and secreted proteins as well as ER-resident proteins
that are involved with synthesis and folding of nascent proteins in
the ER lumen are also acetylated. Here, I will describe the
biochemical properties of the individual components of the ER-based
acetylation machinery and their impact on different
neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and
spastic paraplegias. I will also discuss the initial
characterization of a newly-generated animal model showing a
possible impact of the ER-based acetylation machinery on the biology
of the immune system as well as the risk for cancer.
September 25, 2012
Games, learning & the future of education
Kurt Squire & Constance Steinkuehler, UW Department of
Curriculum and Instruction
Games have emerged as an ascendant cultural form and metaphor for
modern experience. As games (and associated ideas such as
gamification) transform social institutions, they are poised to
transform learning and education. In this presentation, we review
research on games as designed experiences, game communities as
learning communities, and the role of games in changing the face of
institutions for learning. We begin with a general overview of key,
driving ideas in the field of games and learning. We dive down into
basic research on learning with games in formal and informal
learning settings, exploring interest-driven models of learning in
after school gaming clubs. We then turn toward design-based research
efforts exploring the potential for designing games for learning,
particularly in science. This model, “designing games to broaden
public participation in science” illustrates an emerging pedagogical
model in which games are used to create context, spark interest,
develop skills and knowledge and then propel learners toward
authentic participation in complex social practices.
October 2, 2012
Mitochondrial proteins, pathways and pathogenesis
Dave Pagliarini, UW Department of Biochemistry
Mitochondria are ubiquitous, tiny metabolic machines that
live inside nearly all of our cells. Collectively, the make up
~10% of our body weight, and consume ~90% of the oxygen that we
breath. They are best known for their role as "power plants"
that transform different fuel sources into the universal
cellular energy currency, ATP. However, their physiological
functions are much more diverse, and their dysfunction leads to
a wide spectrum of human disorders ranging from cancer to
neurodegeneration. My group studies the composition and
biogenesis of these organelles, and how defects in specific
mitochondrial proteins gives rise to human disorders. To do so,
we leverage a broad range of techniques including mass
spectrometry-based proteomics, chemical genetics and mouse
physiology.
October 9, 2012
A few things that we learned from Galileo, and a few things we
didn't
Jim Lattis, Director, UW Space Place, UW Department of Astronomy
There are quite a few myths and misunderstandings about Galileo's
scientific career, many of them commonly propagated by scientists in
the classroom. This historical talk will endeavor to examine and
correct some common myths about Galileo and to highlight some of the
lessons that we should take away from the events of his tumultuous
life.
Rock Mackie, UW Departments of Molecular Biology and Medical Physics
Computed tomography (CT) is the reconstruction of the interior of a
volume from many views of projections through it. X-ray CT lead to a
revolution in medicine and with other scan types has revolutionized
medicine including largely eliminating exploratory surgery. Optical,
charged particle, and neutron beam CT systems are also being used in
many scientific disciplines. The algorithms for reconstruction
involve complex mathematics that are prone to measurement
inaccuracies that lead to artifacts.
October 23, 2012
Adaptive macroscopic properties of biological systems as the
outcome of collective social computation
Jessica Flack, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
A central problem in evolutionary theory is why life is
hierarchically organized. This problem can be decomposed into four
somewhat separate issues (1) the causes of the emergence of novel,
functionally important spatial and temporal scales, (2) the
reification of these scales into new organizational levels, (3)
the multi-level selection problem, and (4) transitions to new
kinds of individuality. In this talk, I will focus on (1) and (2),
using data from an animal society model system to illustrate how
adaptive macroscopic properties can arise as many individuals
simultaneously coarse-grain over microscopic interactions to
reduce uncertainty and tune decision-making strategies.
October 30, 2012
The role of the lunar cycles in human evolution
Art Schmaltz, Prairie State College
The moon and lunar cycles are connected to Earth's biological
life in diverse and innumerably ways. In all human societies, the
moon as "symbol" is deeply entwined in mythology.
Recent archaeological discoveries now reveal that the moon and lunar
cycles played a crucial role in human and physical and cognitive
evolution.
November 6, 2012
Food waste, hunger
and the environment: the solution is a pile of garbage
Jed Colquhoun, UW Department of Horticulture
Agricultural production and processing represent diverse,
independently managed and complex systems overlaid with equally if
not more complex biological and climactic variables. As such,
waste happens, but not necessarily where one might expect.
According to Jonathan Bloom in American Wasteland, per capita food
waste has increased by 50% since 1974, with the majority of this
waste in the trash bin at home. Food currently accounts for
19% of landfill waste. Additionally, food production
represents almost one fifth of total U.S. energy use and the vast
majority of consumptive water use. Meanwhile, over 20% of
children are in food insecure households – meaning that they are
unsure of where their next meal will come from. Hunger in the
U.S. is at the highest level since recording of such data began and
continues to rise. In this seminar, we will discuss the
complexities of the food system that lead to waste and potential
solutions that address hunger while protecting the environment.
November 13, 2012
Role of biofuels in meeting our future energy demands
Natalie Hunt, UW Department of Forest Ecology and Management
The Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) set out in the 2007 Energy
Independence and Security Act call for an increase in the use of
renewable transportation fuels to 36 billion gallons per year by the
year 2022. In order to meet these standards, there will be
increased demand for cellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural
residues and dedicated bioenergy crops. This could result in
increased production intensity on existing cropland or expansion of
production into environmentally sensitive lands, which will impact
soil carbon and nutrient content of agricultural soils.
Some of the major questions surrounding biofuels feedstock
production include what the long-term impacts of these changed
production practices on soil fertility will be and whether or not
farmers are willing to manage their land for bioenergy
feedstocks. There is much uncertainty around the complex
interactions among biophysical crop characteristics, agronomic
practices, and the socioeconomic factors of the farmers who will
manage the bioenergy feedstocks. The research of these
system intersections will determine the role of biofuels in
meeting our future energy demands.
November 20, 2012
Searching for the earliest life on Earth
Clark Johnson, UW Department of Geoscience
Finding evidence for the earliest life on Earth requires a bit
different approach than say digging for dinosaur bones,
because the evidence is much more cryptic. Microbial life
dominated the biosphere for perhaps 4 billion years, yet
the number of known localities of undisputed microfossils is
quite small. What is a weird spot under the microscope and
what represents true cellular remains? Fossilized microbial
communities (stromatolites), which give us a hint about ancient
ecosystems, are even more rare, and also subject to debate.
Another approach, one we are taking at UW-Madison, is to
look for the fingerprints of ancient microbial metabolisms that
are left in the isotopic record of element that are cycled by life.
These can be found in remnant carbon compounds, or in
inorganic minerals that may be the product of microbial
metabolism. In addition, such fingerprints inform us about
past environmental conditions that permit, or do not permit, life
(liquid water, etc.). We will take a broad tour of these
issues, focusing on what we know, and do not know, from the
formation of the Earth at 4.5 b.y. ago up to the first
major rise in atmospheric oxygen about 2 b.y. ago.
November 27, 2012
The prospects for extraterrestrial life
Jim Blair, Milton and Edgewood College
The betting odds for discovering ET life have increased dramatically
recently because of discoveries in astronomy, oceanography and
extremophile biology.
A--The Drake Equation
B--Is There Humanoid Life on Other Planets?
(An update of my 1970's lecture given at
Milton College, the UW Madison, and Wisconsin Public Radio.)
C--Stellar Evolution and Galactic Geopolitics
D--Are Planets necessary for Life?
Life on Moons?
Life in Space?
Life inside Stars?
December 4, 2012
Cognitive functions of language and their implications for language
evolution
Gary Lupyan, UW Department of Psychology
Language is a defining trait of our species. A standard assumption
shared by many in the cognitive sciences is that language simply
allows for public expression of ideas that are themselves
represented in a language-independent ‘mentalese’. Similarly,
capacities on which humans appear to differ markedly from other
animals—relational reasoning, theory of mind, categorization, and
executive function—are often viewed as developments largely
unrelated to language. In contrast, recent empirical evidence
suggests that normal human cognition is actually language-augmented
cognition. Exploring the role that language learning and language
use exerts on human cognition leads to a better understanding of the
evolutionary trajectory of language and offers a partial solution to
the puzzle of how humans have come to possess intellectual
capacities that could not have evolved through natural selection
(“Wallace’s problem”). A computational framework for exploring the
role language exerts on cognition is also discussed.
December 11, 2012
Is there a path to renewable fuels, and why would we want to go
there?
Tom Jeffries, UW Department of Bacteriology
Woody biomass has been used as a source of fuel since before the
emergence of civilization. Starting in the 17th century, the
coal-fired industrial revolution greatly increased the capacity for
power generation. By the 20th century, the convenience of
petroleum-derived liquid fuels ushered in easy, rapid personal
transportation. The resulting increases in agricultural productivity
spurred rapid population growth and unprecedented prosperity to a
significant fraction of the world’s inhabitants. The question before
us today is whether such lifestyles can be maintained in the face of
rapid climate change and dwindling resources.
Contemporary biofuels made from sugars, starches and plant oils are
incorporated into gasoline and diesel supply systems. Is this the
best use of potential food resources, or should we look to other
feedstocks? Is it desirable to use wood? What biomass is available?
Is its use sustainable? What are current domestic policies and are
they working? Why are we concerned about biofuels anyway? What about
electrical vehicles? How much can be gained from efficiency? Which
conversion technologies work? How much do they cost? These questions
have been researched through large government-sponsored programs and
actively debated for at least the past 35 years. Conceptually, the
approach is even older.
If we are serious about environmental sustainability, feeding our
population and renewing a hope for future society, we must think
realistically about feasible alternatives to present practices.
