NBIA Colloquium by Viola Priesemann

We would like to invite you to the last (Zoom) NBIA Colloquium for this spring,

                            Wednesday, June 24 at 3:15 PM

                              (NOTE UNUSUAL TIME!)

Speaker: Viola Priesemann (Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen)

Phase transitions in complex systems: Shaping information flow in neural networks and changing the spreading dynamics of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract: Biological as well as artificial networks show amazing information processing properties. We use approaches from statistical physics and information theory to uncover their operation principles and derive optimal design for a given task. A popular hypothesis is that neural networks profit from operating close to a continuous phase transition, because at a phase transitions, several computational properties are maximized. We show that maximizing these properties is advantageous for some tasks – but not for others. We then show how tuning networks away or towards a phase transition enables to adapt them to requirements. Thereby we shed light on the operation of biological neural networks, and inform the design of artificial ones. – In a second part of the talk, we address the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany. We quantify how governmental policies and the concurrent behavioral changes led to a transition from exponential growth to decline of novel case numbers. We conclude with discussing potential scenarios of the SARS-CoV-2 dynamics for the months to come.

References:
Cramer et al., Nature Communications, in press
Dehing et al., Science, in press
Wilting & Priesemann, Nature Communications, 2018
Zierenberg, Witling & Priesemann, PRX 2018

To participate on Friday, click on

https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/s/61727079110?pwd=TUdGUDU2TUpPRGtua283MDNsT2pXUT09

If you should be asked for a password, please insert the following:

TUdGUDU2TUpPRGtua283MDNsT2pXUT09

The colloquium will be moderated by Kim Sneppen.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!