---------------------------------------------------- Subject: SMB Digest v10i26 SMB Digest July 1, 2010 Volume 10 Issue 26 ISSN 1086-6566 Editor: Ray Mejía ray(at)smb(dot)org Note: Information about the Society for Mathematical Biology, including an application for membership, may be found in the SMB Home Page, http://www.smb.org/ . Access the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, the official journal of SMB, at http://www.springer.com/11538 . Inquiries about membership or BMB fulfillment should be sent to membership(at)smb(dot)org . Issue's Topics: CfA: Third International Workshop on Guided Self-Organization CfP: Machine Learning for Biomedical Literature Analysis ..., ICMLA2010 AMS/SOMACHI Meeting: Special Session in Biology & Ecology, Dec 15-18 JCNS: Analysis of Neural Data, Submissions Encouraged Conference: SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY "Bottom-up, Top-down and Cell-free ... Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface ... Share Biomedical Data: PhysiomeSpace New Book: Handbook of Ecological Modelling and Informatics Research Assistant Positions: Complex Systems Science, Binghamton U Postdoc: Mathematical Modeling, UBC Centre for Disease Control New Faculty Positions: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology SMBnet Reminders ---------------------------------------------------- From: Larry Yaeger Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 4:17 AM Subject: CfA: Third International Workshop on Guided Self-Organization Dear colleagues, This is an announcement and Call for Abstracts for the Third International Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (GSO-2010) to be held at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, USA, 4-6 September 2010: http://informatics.indiana.edu/larryy/gso3/ The workshop is comprised of a group of researchers with diverse yet related interests, overlapping in the area of self-organizing systems and methods for characterizing those systems in ways that may ultimately allow them to be guided toward prespecified goals. Information theory and graph theory are core to many of these methods; quantifying complexity and its sources a common theme. If interested in participating, send an extended abstract to the email addresses on the web site given above. Selected works from the workshop will likely be published in a special journal issue (as has been the case in the past). More information below and on the web site. Best wishes, Larry Yaeger ---------------------------------------------------- From: "Islamaj, Rezarta (NIH/NLM/NCBI) [F]" Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:02:55 -0400 Subject: CfP: Machine Learning for Biomedical Literature Analysis ..., ICMLA2010 Special Session on Machine Learning for Biomedical Literature Analysis and Text Retrieval in the International Conference for Machine Learning and Applications 2010 http://www.icmla-conference.org/icmla10/ Washington DC, Dec 12-14 2010 See http://www.icmla-conference.org/icmla10/CFP_SpecialSession8.html IMPORTANT DATES Paper Submission Deadline: July 15, 2010 Notification of acceptance: September 7, 2010 Camera-ready papers & Pre-registration: October 1, 2010 The ICMLA Conference: December 12-14, 2010 If you have any questions, do not hesitate to direct your questions to yeganova@mail.nih.gov islamaj@mail.nih.gov ---------------------------------------------------- From: Robert Buchanan Date: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 5:05 PM Subject: AMS/SOMACHI Meeting: Special Session in Biology & Ecology, Dec 15-18 From December 15-18, 2010 the first joint meeting of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and the Sociedad de Matemática de Chile (SOMACHI) will take place in Pucón, Chile. An overview of the meeting can be found at the website http://ams2010.somachi.cl/ During the meeting there will be a special session on Applications of Differential and Difference Equations in Biology and Ecology. Session organizers: J. Robert Buchanan, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, USA Robert.Buchanan@millersville.edu Fernando Córdova, Universidad Católica de Maule, Chile FCordova@ucm.cl Jorge Velasco Hernández, Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Mexico Velasco@imp.mx ---------------------------------------------------- From: Barb Dorney Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 3:52 PM Subject: JCNS: Analysis of Neural Data, Submissions Encouraged At the recent SAND5 symposium I announced there would be a second special issue of the Journal of Computational Neuroscience on analysis of neural data. After additional consideration the editors, Alain Destexhe and Jonathan Victor, decided it would be more appropriate and effective not to have another special issue but, instead, to encourage submissions on this subject more generally. Toward this end, there are now 3 action editors with relevant expertise, Emery Brown, Liam Paninski, and myself; and Alain and Jonathan stated their support in an editorial at the beginning of the previous special issue: The Editors would like to emphasize that the Journal's interest in methodological advances, especially statistical techniques, is not restricted to this Special Issue. We will continue to welcome such contributions, especially when coupled with conceptual novelty or application to data that yields insights into the function of the nervous system. I am pleased by this recognition of analysis of neural data as an important component of computational neuroscience. I too encourage you to submit to JCNS. Rob Kass Department of Statistics Carnegie Mellon University ---------------------------------------------------- From: Dominique Zeliszewski Date: Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 5:08 AM Subject: Conference: SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY "Bottom-up, Top-down and Cell-free ... International Conference on SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY "Bottom-up, Top-down and Cell-free approaches, Intellectual Property issues" organized by Genopole® on December 15th and 16th, 2010 at the University of Evry-Val-d'Essonne, France: Submission deadline and grant application deadline are postponed to July 11th 2010. More information, and submission, on http://syntheticbiology2010.genopole.fr Members of under represented groups are especially encouraged to submit. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Warchall, Henry A. Date: Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:12 PM Subject: Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface ... Dear Colleagues, An updated NSF program solicitation is now available: Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences (DMS/NIGMS) Please see http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5300 for details. Full Proposal Deadline Date: October 1, 2010 ---------------------------------------------------- From: Debora Testi Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:35:15 +0200 Subject: Share Biomedical Data: PhysiomeSpace B3C (www.b3c.it) today announces the release of an interactive digital library service, called PhysiomeSpace, designed to manage and share a large collection of heterogeneous biomedical data, such as medical imaging, motion capture, biomedical instrumentation signals, finite element models, etc. The digital library services are hosted on the Biomed Town community portal and can be accessed from www.physiomespace.com. PhysiomeSpace is currently a totally free service which offers up to 1GB of space: anyone interested in experimenting this innovative approach can register to the BiomedTown portal and use this service under the license agreement that can be found at www.physiomespace.com/public/TermsOfUse. PhysiomeSpace is easy to use: just with few clicks users can manage and curate the existing data resources, upload new ones and eventually share them with other users, following a simply permission system which ensure reliability and control. PhysiomeSpace is in the process to release the Living Human Digital Library - LHDL, www.livinghuman.org - multiscale musculoskeletal data collection that provides a unique systematic quantification of morphological and functional aspects of the musculoskeletal system, at a range of dimensional scales from the whole body down to the tissue constituents. The originality of the collection is that all data corresponds to the same body and are registered into a multiscale hierarchy defined in a global reference framework. The full data collection will be progressively released with a cadence of two weeks and when entirely published will constitute one of the most extensive data collection publicly available of this kind. Full details on the LHDL Data collection can be found: http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town/LHDL/Reception/lhp-public-repository/public_D/ A complete description of the methods used to collect the various data types can be found: http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town/LHDL/Reception/collection/ More information on PhysiomeSpace service: The digital library service is managed using a client-server approach. The client application, called PSLoader© is used to import, fuse and enrich the data information according to the PhysiomeSpace resource ontology and but also to upload and download the resources to the library. A search service capitalizes on the domain ontology and on the enrichment of metadata for each resource, providing a powerful discovery environment. The metadata are described in an extensible ontology composed of a master ontology and a series of sub-ontologies which can be added by the users' communities, depending on their needs. If you wish to learn more on the service: www.physiomespace.com/access http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town ---------------------------------------------------- From: Dee Halzack Date: Sat, Jun 26, 2010 at 11:53 AM Subject: New Book: Handbook of Ecological Modelling and Informatics New Publication Modelling the Human Body Exposure to ELF Electric Fields http://www.witpress.com/978-1-84564-418-5.html This book describes techniques to investigate, by means of numerical modelling with improved Boundary Element Methods (BEM), the behavior of electric fields and induced currents in the human body when exposed to various scenarios of extremely low frequency (ELF) high voltage - low current electromagnetic fields. The text includes a variety of three-dimensional anatomically shaped human body models under varying exposure conditions and the mathematical formulations for the case of human exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields departing from Maxwell equations and for the electrical properties of biological tissue. There is a presentation of the underpinning ideas of the Boundary Element Method as applied to ELF fields in the human body. The authors introduce a novel BEM approach for solving this type of problem that is more efficient and produces more accurate results. The developed methodology is applied to three different case studies: overhead power transmission lines, power substation rooms, and pregnant woman including fetus and evolving scenarios. In all the cases, a sensitivity analysis has been conducted investigating the influence of varying geometrical and electrical properties of the tissues. The results obtained allow the researcher to identify situations of high and low exposure in the different parts of the body and to compare the results with existing exposure guidelines. The authors include a survey of literature including electrical properties of tissues relevant to low frequency calculations. The book will be of interest to postgraduate students, academics, research engineers and medical researchers interested in human body exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields. The concepts presented in the book can also interest electrical engineers at the design stage of medical applications involving extremely low frequency electric fields in the human body Authors: C. PERATTA and A. PERATTA, Wessex Institute of Technology, Southampton, UK print ISBN: 978-1-84564-418-5 e-ISBN: 978-1-84564-419-2 Please Click for More Information, including contents http://www.witpress.com/images/stories/content_images/contents/c44185.pdf ---------------------------------------------------- From: Hiroki Sayama Date: Thu, Jun 24, 2010 at 2:32 PM Subject: Research Assistant Positions: Complex Systems Science, Binghamton U Graduate Research Assistant Positions in Complex Systems Science Binghamton University, State University of New York, USA Two Graduate Research Assistant positions in complex systems science are available in the Collective Dynamics of Complex Systems (CoCo) Research Group at Binghamton University, State University of New York (http://www.binghamton.edu/). The successful applicants will work with Dr. Hiroki Sayama, Director of the CoCo Research Group, as well as other faculty members and graduate students in the Group, on either of the following NSF-funded research projects: Project 1: Evolutionary Perspective on Collective Decision Making (http://coco.binghamton.edu/NSF-HSD.html) Knowledge and skills in the following areas required: - evolutionary theory in interdisciplinary contexts - complex dynamical systems - basic IT skills, preparing and setting up IT tools for experiments - data analysis, multivariate statistics, time series analysis - conducting social experiments with human subjects - literature review, paper writing and presentation Project 2: Modeling and Predicting State-Topology Coevolution of Complex Adaptive Networks Knowledge and skills in the following areas required: - network science and complex dynamical systems - discrete mathematics, including graph theory and automata theory - algorithm development and evaluation - software development in Python, Java and/or Mathematica - collection and analysis of social network data - literature review, paper writing and presentation Potential applicants should contact Dr. Hiroki Sayama (sayama@binghamton.edu) prior to their application. Application materials should be submitted through the Binghamton University's Graduate Admission Office (http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/ps/applicationprocedure.asp). Members of underrepresented groups (women, ethnic minorities, etc.) are strongly encouraged to apply. These positions are subject to availability of funding. For more information, contact: Hiroki Sayama, D.Sc. Director, Collective Dynamics of Complex Systems Research Group Assistant Professor, Departments of Bioengineering & Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Binghamton University, State University of New York Affiliate, New England Complex Systems Institute P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 Tel 607-777-4439, Fax 607-777-5780 Email: sayama@binghamton.edu, sayama@necsi.edu http://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~sayama/ http://coco.binghamton.edu/ ---------------------------------------------------- From: Lock, Wynne Date: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:55 PM Subject: Postdoc: Mathematical Modeling, UBC Centre for Disease Control Postdoctoral Researcher Overview: Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position within the Division of Mathematical Modeling (DMM) at the University of British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. The DMM supports policymakers by developing and applying advanced analytical and computational tools to study the transmission dynamics of communicable diseases as well as devise and evaluate strategies to control the spread of disease within a population. We are, therefore, interested in candidates with experience in the fields related to the mathematical modeling of infectious disease. Job description: This grant-funded position will provide the theoretical and computational expertise for the development of mathematical models to study the immuno-epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in sexual networks, understand the structure of sexual contact networks and the time dependent acquisition of immune responses within an individual host and to evaluate the impact of various intervention strategies on transmission dynamics among sexually active populations. The postdoctoral researcher will work in collaboration with epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, public health officials and mathematical modelers at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. He/she will contribute to the analysis of epidemiological data, the development of new mathematical models, and the application of these models to evaluate and design optimal infection control intervention plans. The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to prepare and publish research papers in the peer- reviewed literature. Required Qualifications: Interested individuals with a recent PhD degree in mathematical biology/ecology, physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related discipline along with a strong publication record and excellent academic credentials are encouraged to apply. An understanding of the systems biology of the immune system is an asset. The successful candidate should have strong analytical, computational and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to recognize sensitive and confidential matters and exercise tact, sound judgment and discretion. The candidate must be a self-starter and a team player with the ability and desire to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies. Duration: Initial appointment for 1 year, beginning September 1, 2010, with the possibility of renewal for a second year upon satisfactory performance and available funding. Salary: The salary range for this position will be CAD$50,000 to CAD$60,000 per annum plus benefits and will be commensurate with training and experience. Benefits will be included in compliance with the University of British Columbia regulations. Application: Please submit a curriculum vitae, research statement (including a brief description of your previous research experience and your long-term career goals) and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Babak Pourbohloul Director Division of Mathematical Modeling UBC Centre for Disease Control babak.pourbohloul@exchange.ubc.ca Applications will be reviewed beginning August 1, 2010 and will be accepted until the position is filled. Only those candidates considered for interview will be contacted. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Erik De Schutter Date: Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 8:46 PM Subject: New Faculty Positions: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST http://www.oist.jp) invites applications for new faculty positions as it enters a period of growth in preparation for transition to an international graduate university in 2012. Approximately 15 faculty positions will be filled during this search. OIST provides a world-class research environment in newly completed facilities in an area of distinctive culture, unique ecology, and outstanding natural beauty. Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to excel in their chosen area of research, and will be expected to contribute to graduate teaching, research supervision and other academic activities. Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent degree, and demonstrate excellence in research. The initial appointment will be as Principal Investigator (PI) or Independent New Investigator (INI) for a term of five years. When the transition to a graduate university is completed in 2012, it is planned that PI and INI positions will change to a tenure track system with Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors. Some appointments will be made on a joint or part-time basis. Substantial internal funding will be provided to support the faculty member's research, based on a 5-year research plan, which is renewable after scientific review. This search is targeted broadly. The non-departmental structure of OIST and orientation toward interdisciplinary research permits flexibility in appointing applicants who are able to introduce new research areas or enhance existing areas. Established research areas include genomics, developmental biology, mathematical and computational biology, molecular and cell sciences and neuroscience. New research areas include structural biology, biological physics, biological chemistry, marine sciences, ecology and evolutionary biology, and microbial and plant genetics. Applicants with exceptional skills in the development of novel instrumentation, particularly instruments that will further revolutionize imaging of bio- and nano-systems, are also encouraged to apply. At a time when worldwide support for research is increasingly risk-averse, and grant funding places an ever-growing burden on faculty, OIST promotes innovative research in a highly facilitating and supportive environment. This is achievable because OIST has internal research funding, offers outstanding central research facilities, and consults faculty on the design of new laboratory space. Central research facilities at OIST include core facilities for genomics, rodent vivarium, radioisotope use, electron microscopy, and supercomputing facilities. OIST is committed to being international with more than 50% of faculty and researchers from outside Japan. The official language of OIST is English. OIST is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women. More details regarding the aims of the search and advantages of working at OIST are available in the Information for Applicants in the application package that is downloadable from the website (http://www.oist.jp/en/newsevent/careers/542-faculty-positions.html). Applications should be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the application package. Applications for the current search close 31, July 2010. Interviews will take place in late August/September, with a view to making appointments early in 2011. ---------------------------------------------------- Subject: SMBnet Reminders To subscribe to the SMB Digest please point your browser at http://list.auckland.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/math-smbnet and complete the subscription information. Alternatively, if you prefer to simply receive notice when the next issue is available, send mail to LISTSERV@listserv.biu.ac.il with "subscribe SMBnet Your Name" in the body of the mail (omit the quotes and include your name). After you subscribe, you will receive a greeting with additional information. Submissions to appear in the SMB Digest may be sent to SMBnet(at)smb(dot)org . Items of interest to the mathematical biology community may be submitted for inclusion in the SMBnet archive. See instructions at: http://smb.org/publications/SMBnet/pubs/fyi . The SMB Digest is also available on the SMB Home Page at http://smb.org/publications/SMBnet/digest/ The contents of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part with attribution. End of SMB Digest **************************************************** ----------------------------------------------------