Calendar
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Computational Social Science Research Colloquium /
Colloquium in Computational and Data Sciences
J. Brent Williams
Founder and CEO
Euclidian Trust
Improved Entity Resolution as a Foundation for Model Precision
Friday, November 2, 3:00 p.m.
Center for Social Complexity, 3rd Floor Research Hall
All are welcome to attend.
Abstract: Analyzing behavior, identifying and classifying micro-differentiations, and predicting outcomes relies on the establishment of a core foundation of reliable and complete data linking. Whether data about individuals, families, companies, or markets, acquiring data from orthogonal sources results in significant matching challenges. These matching challenges are difficult because attempts to eliminate (or minimize) false positives yields an increase in false negatives. The converse is true also.
This discussion will focus on the business challenges in matching data and the primary and compounded impact on subsequent outcome analysis. Through practical experience, the speaker led the development and first commercialization of novel approach to “referential matching”. This approach leads to a more comprehensive unit data model (patient, customer, company, etc.), which enables greater computational resolution and model accuracy by hyper-accurate linking, disambiguation, and detection of obfuscation. The discussion also covers the impact of enumeration strategies, data obfuscation/hashing, and natural changes in unit data models over time.
Title: Cloud solutions for Earth Observation in the era of Fat Data
Presenter:
Yonah Bromberg Gaber
Platform Developer Community Associate
Radiant Earth Foundation
Background:
Radiant Earth Foundation is a non-profit organization seeking to address the massive problem of EO data. We are actively working to aggregate the world’s open Earth imagery and provide access and education on its use to the global development community. At the center of Radiant Earth Foundation is an open technology platform that will help people discover and analyze the vast resources of Earth imagery, accelerating improved decision-making and fueling new solutions, discoveries and innovations. In support of this user-driven platform, Radiant Earth Foundation offers an integrated and robust community development program to guide people in the use of imagery, geospatial data sets and tools. This includes insights into the commercial marketplace and related policies.
With so many EO satellites in orbit today, we have far more data than users can look at with their eyes. Spaceborne imagery is a prime example of “big data” and has traditionally been processed locally on machines operated by specialists. However, the cost of cloud storage and computing has fallen dramatically in recent years. This has initiated an explosion in the use of EO data by companies and a growth in startups innovating to deliver new insights about the world around us. These large volumes of EO data and the ability to process it quickly, is changing our world. The open Radiant Earth platform allows the development of EO-based applications for users without any expertise in remote sensing or geospatial technologies.
This seminar will address cloud-based EO, the technologies being developed, and practical options for doing cloud-based remote sensing.
Computational Social Science Research Colloquium /
Colloquium in Computational and Data Sciences
William Lamberti, CSI PhD Student
Department of Computational and Data Sciences
George Mason University
Classifying Pill Spies Using Storks
Friday, November 9, 3:00 p.m.
Center for Social Complexity, 3rd Floor Research Hall
All are welcome to attend.
Abstract: Simple and intuitive measures of shape are substantial challenges in image analysis and computer vision. While measures of shape do exist, there are only a few intuitive and mathematically derived measures for other polygons. In this talk, a measure, which we call shape proportions, for regular polygons and circles are shown. From these proportions, we find the corresponding encircled image-histograms for classification purposes. This method of using shape proportions and encircled image-histograms is called SPEIs (which is pronounced as ‘spy’). An analysis using simulated and actual shape images were compared to ensure its utility. Future work regarding applying SPEIs to NIH pill data using stratified over-representative k-folds cross-validation (abbreviated as STORKC, which is pronounced as ‘stork’) will be discussed.
The College of Science Associate Dean of Research announces the College of Science Grant Development Forums for the 2018-2019 academic year.
The forums are regularly scheduled panel discussions for grant ideas, drafts and proposal reviews in which participants have the opportunity to discuss their research ideas with a panel of seasoned investigators co-led by Drs. Ali Andalibi and Joel Schnur.
Faculty, post docs and PhD students performing research within our College are encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity to explore ideas!
To share your idea or proposal, please send your draft for consideration at least one week prior to the scheduled session to Ali Andalibi. Submissions will be reviewed by the panel on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you would like to participate as a panel reviewer, please contact Ali Andalibi for more information.
Forum Dates
- Monday, Nov. 12th
- Monday, Dec. 17th **
- Monday, Jan. 14th
- Monday, Feb. 11th @ SciTech Campus (location TBD)
- Monday, March 18th **
- Monday, April 8th
- Monday, May 13th
- Monday, June 10th @ SciTech Campus (location TBD)
** Change to regular schedule
To facilitate open communication with all College of Science faculty, Dean Agouris is continuing to offer open door sessions periodically throughout the academic year.
Ideal topics for these faculty walk-in appointments include:
- new faculty introductions
- ideas for growth
- sharing research, teaching, or service activities
- multidisciplinary collaboration opportunities
Dean Agouris will be holding additional open door sessions on the following dates in Exploratory Hall 3200:
- October 24, 2018
- November 14, 2018
- November 27, 2018
- December 12, 2018
- January 15, 2019
- February 12, 2019
- February 27, 2019
- April 16, 2019
- March 27, 2019
- May 8, 2019
- May 21, 2019
Open door sessions will also be held at 3006 IABR on the SciTech Campus on the following dates from 10:30-12:30pm:
- October 9, 2018
- January 30, 2019
- February 19, 2019
Call ahead notification is not required. Just check in with Teri Fede in Suite 3200 Exploratory Hall (Fairfax) or at IABR 3006 (SciTech). If a queue forms during these periods, she will allocate time accordingly for those requesting it.
ASPRS Mason is hosting a drone clinic for anyone interested in learning about and how to fly drones. The clinic is free and no experience is necessary!
ASPRS will be showcasing and demonstrating a Mavic 2 Pro and a Phantom 4. They will be going over take-off/landing, maneuver/flight, and some advanced settings.
Dress warmly! We will have coffee, tea and hot chocolate available, along with some light refreshments.
For more info, follow ASPRS Mason on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Computational Social Science Research Colloquium /
Colloquium in Computational and Data Sciences
Swabir Silayi, CSI PhD Candidate
George Mason University
Modeling the Magnetic Spin Spiral of MnAu2 –
Leveraging Data Science in Materials Simulations
Friday, November 16, 3:00 p.m.
Center for Social Complexity Suite, 3rd Floor Research Hall
All are welcome to attend.
Abstract:
Many properties of materials can be traced to the microscopic interactions of their atoms and electrons. These properties and their variety make possible their wide range of applications from chips in smart electronic devices to building construction. Computationally, we can model and study the properties and their macroscopic effects through density functional theory calculations. Advancements in data science have also led to additional improved tools and methods that enhance the modeling and analysis of the materials properties.
In this presentation I will
* review some basic concepts of computational materials science such as density functional theory and materials simulations,
* talk about the general background and trends in spin electronic devices,
* demonstrate the model we are building and show how we use data science to determine simulation parameters and
* explain the MnAu2 system and how its spin angles can be potentially controlled using external pressure for possible application in spin electronic devices.
Prelim slammers also compete for $250 first place and $100 second place awards. The stakes are high as the top slammer in each prelim will move on to compete in the Grand Slam for a $1000 prize. Learn about the research students are engaged in and kick off your weekend with a great night of science entertainment. Heavy appetizers and a few laughs are guaranteed.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Reserve your ticket on Eventbrite!” color=”success” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fmasonscienceslam1819prelims.eventbrite.com%2F||target:%20_blank|”][vc_column_text]Free tickets for all Prelims of the 2018-19 competition are now available!
Be sure to reserve your ticket ASAP – this will be an exciting night.
At Mason, a science slam challenges young scientists to prepare a presentation of fewer than 10 minutes, about their scientific research, for a non-expert audience using any entertaining format they wish. The goal is to solicit the most laughter and applause from the audience though scientific integrity and accuracy are expected and appreciated.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]