For circulation: Quantitative Biology Seminars

[Statistical Physics]

QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY SEMINAR - ref. QBio/2-2014
-----------------------------------------------------------


Date:        THURSDAY, 10 JULY 2014  -   16:00 hrs
*
*Venue:      Luigi Stasi Seminar Room, first floor, Leonardo building



Speaker:   Ilya NEMENMAN
Emory University, Depts. of Physics & Biology, Atlanta, U.S.A.


Title:        Simple Behavior of Complex Biological Networks *
*

Abstract:
Recent high-precision and high-throughput measurements of biological 
networks dynamics
have uncovered interesting results. Namely, many biological systems 
appear to be critical
(so that their dynamics can be classified into a handful of universal 
classes), or are described
with high accuracy by surprisingly simple, phenomenological models. I 
will explore a handful
of simple theoretical models inspired by these observations, suggesting 
plausible explanations
for this emergence of coarse-grained simplicity from complex microscopic 
structures.




QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY SEMINAR - ref. QBio/3-2014
-----------------------------------------------------------


Date:        TUESDAY, 15 JULY 2014  -   17:30 hrs
*
*Venue:      Euler Lecture Room, Terrace Level 'O', Leonardo building



Speaker:   Luca BIFERALE
Universita' di Roma II 'Tor Vergata', Dipt. di Fisica, Roma


Title:        Fluxes, Scaling and Dimensions in Fully Developed Turbulence*
*

Abstract:
In this seminar, I will discuss a few important open problems in 'Fully 
Developed Turbulence'
concerning its most idealised realisation, i.e. the case of 
statistically homogeneous and isotropic
flows.  I will discuss the importance of inviscid conserved quantities 
in relation to the most striking
statistical properties shown by all turbulent flows: the growth of 
small-scale strongly non-Gaussian
fluctuations, including the presence of anomalous scaling laws. By using 
unconventional numerical
methodology, based on a  Galerkin decimation of helical Fourier modes, I 
will argue that some
phenomena characterising homogeneous and isotropic flows might be 
important also for a much
larger spectrum of applications, including flows with geophysical and 
astrophysical relevance as for
the case of rotating turbulence and/or conducting fluids.

*
*