From gros07 at itp.uni-frankfurt.de Tue Dec 4 08:13:12 2007 From: gros07 at itp.uni-frankfurt.de (gros07@itp.uni-frankfurt.de) Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:13:12 +0100 (CET) Subject: Connectionists: PhD in Complex Dynamical Systems - Cognitive System Theory Message-ID: Fellow Computational and Theoretical Neuroscientists and Cognitive-System Scientists I would like to brink your attention our PhD-program in Complex Dynamical Systems - Cognitive System Theory At the Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Frankfurt am Main, Field(s): cognitive systems, complex systems, neural networks, adaptive dynamical systems, theoretical neuroscience Application deadline: January 6, 2008 Contact: Prof. Claudius Gros E-mail: secretariate[@]itp.uni-frankfurt.de Address: Institute for Theoretical Physics, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, Job description: Applications are invited for a PhD position, with a BAT IIa/2 salary, equivalent to about 1000 Euro monthly. Complex systems in the form of dynamical gene-regulation networks constitute the basis of all livings. On a higher level it constitutes a central challenge to understand the brain and to develop a comprehensive theory of artificial cognitive systems in terms of structured dynamical networks. The field of research involves the development of the Frankfurt Cognitive System Platform for an autonomous general-purpose cognitive system based on a meta-network of self-adapting generalized neural networks. The candidates should have a Diploma/Master in natural sciences, cognitive sciences or informatics with an excellent academic track record and good computational skills. Experience or strong interest in the fields of artificial or biological cognitive systems are expected. The degree of scientific research experience is expected to be on the level of a German Diploma/Master. The appointments will start in early 2008, for up to three years. Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and arrange for two letters of reference to be sent to the address below. Maripola Kolokotsa Institute for Theoretical Physics J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 1 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany Sect.Prof.Gros[@]itp.uni-frankfurt.de http://www.itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~gros From Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu Sat Dec 1 05:41:40 2007 From: Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu (Eugene M. Izhikevich) Date: Sat, 01 Dec 2007 02:41:40 -0800 Subject: Connectionists: Results of election of authors in Scholarpedia Message-ID: <47513A64.4030608@nsi.edu> Scholarpedia - the free peer-reviewed encyclopedia - is conducting election of authors for certain articles with the goal to identify the best living expert to invite to write the articles. The results of five elections are: Dr. Paul J. Werbos elected for "Error Back-Propagation" Dr. Charles F. Stevens elected for "Synapse" Dr. John O'Keefe elected for "Place Cells" Dr. Daniel Johnston elected for "Electrophysiology" Dr. Miguel A. L. Nicolelis elected for "Brain-Machine Interface" All these experts have already agreed to write their corresponding articles. The lists of nominees (in the chronological order of nomination by the public) are provided below. == Error Back-Propagation == 1. James L. (Jay) McClelland 2. Terrence J. Sejnowski 3. Paul J. Werbos ** 4. James A. Anderson 5. Geoffrey Hinton 6. Yann LeCun == Synapse == 1. Charles F. Stevens ** 2. Rodolfo Llinas 3. Gordon Shepherd 4. Eric Kandel == Place Cells == 1. John O'Keefe ** 2. Bruce McNaughton 3. William Skaggs 4. Edvard Moser == Electrophysiology == 1. Daniel Johnston ** 2. Bertil Hille == Brain-Machine Interface == 1. Miguel A. L. Nicolelis ** 2. Andrew B. Schwartz 3. John Donoghue 4. Richard Andersen Scholarpedia update: Registered users: 3189 Curators: 959 Editors: 23 Reserved articles: 899 Peer-reviewed and accepted articles: 245 Top 10 Scholars (highest Scholar Index; see http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Special:Topscholars) (82.1): Yuri A. Kuznetsov, Utrecht University, The Netherlands (65.1): Jeff Moehlis, University of California, Santa Barbara, (50.0): John Guckenheimer, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA (48.1): James Meiss, Applied Mathematics University of Colorado (45.0): Edward Ott, University of Maryland, MD, USA (40.1): Skip Thompson, Radford University, Radford, Virginia (35.0): James Murdock, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (35.0): Paul M.B. Vitanyi, University of Amsterdam (35.0): Eric T. Shea-Brown, Courant Institute, New York University (35.0): Lawrence F. Shampine, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 10 Most cited articles Dynamical Systems (293 links) Neuron (231 links) Brain (204 links) Stability (202 links) Periodic Orbit (192 links) Equilibrium (109 links) Synchronization (98 links) Attractor (89 links) Bifurcation (89 links) Complexity (85 links) 10 Most popular (viewed) pages Models of Hypothalamus (38,357 views) FitzHugh-Nagumo Model (20,216 views) Thalamus (19,387 views) Periodic Orbit (18,497 views) Basal Ganglia (17,164 views) Bursting (16,973 views) Confabulation Theory (16,461 views) Stability (15,586 views) Dynamical Systems (14,003 views) Kohonen Network (13,919 views) -- Eugene M. Izhikevich, Editor-in-Chief at scholarpedia.org The Neurosciences Institute, http://www.izhikevich.com 10640 John J. Hopkins Drive tel:(858) 626-2063 San Diego, CA, 92121, USA fax:(858) 626-2099 From getoor at cs.umd.edu Sun Dec 2 19:16:17 2007 From: getoor at cs.umd.edu (Lise Getoor) Date: Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:16:17 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: Book Announcement: Introduction to Statistical Relational Learning Message-ID: <47534AD1.8000703@cs.umd.edu> Introduction to Statistical Relational Learning Edited by Lise Getoor and Ben Taskar ISBN-10: 0-262-07288-2 Published by The MIT Press, 601 pages http://www.cs.umd.edu/srl-book/ Handling inherent uncertainty and exploiting compositional structure are fundamental to understanding and designing large-scale systems. Statistical relational learning builds on ideas from probability theory and statistics to address uncertainty while incorporating tools from logic, databases, and programming languages to represent structure. In Introduction to Statistical Relational Learning, leading researchers in this emerging area of machine learning describe current formalisms, models, and algorithms that enable effective and robust reasoning about richly structured systems and data. The early chapters provide tutorials for material used in later chapters, offering introductions to representation, inference and learning in graphical models, and logic. The book then describes object-oriented approaches, including probabilistic relational models, relational Markov networks, and probabilistic entity-relationship models as well as logic-based formalisms including Bayesian logic programs, Markov logic, and stochastic logic programs. Later chapters discuss such topics as probabilistic models with unknown objects, relational dependency networks, reinforcement learning in relational domains, and information extraction. By presenting a variety of approaches, the book highlights commonalities and clarifies important differences among proposed approaches and, along the way, identifies important representational and algorithmic issues. Numerous applications are provided throughout. From dong at wi-lab.com Tue Dec 4 10:02:14 2007 From: dong at wi-lab.com (Juzhen Dong) Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:02:14 +0900 Subject: Connectionists: CfP: Special Issue on Brain Informatics Message-ID: <47556BF6.3070309@wi-lab.com> Call for Papers Special Issue on Brain Informatics COGNITIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH, An Interdisciplinary Journal (Publisher: Elsevier) Guest Editors: Ning Zhong, Jiming Liu, Yiyu Yao http://wi-consortium.org/cyberchair/Specialissue/cbc_index.html Brain Informatics (BI) has recently emerged as an interdisciplinary research field that focuses on studying the mechanisms underlying human information processing system (HIPS). It focuses on the invesigation of the essential functions of the brain, ranging from perception to thinking, covering multi-perception, attention, memory, language, computation, heuristic search, reasoning, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, learning, discovery, and creativity. BI emphasizes a systematic approach to achieving an integrated understanding of both macroscopic and microscopic level working principles, by means of conducting experimental, computational, and cognitive neuroscience studies, as well as utilizing advanced Web Intelligence (WI) centric information technologies. The main research problems in BI lie in the interplays between the studies of human brain and the research of informatics. On one hand, one models and characterizes the functions of human brain based on the notions of information processing systems. WI centric information technologies are applied to support brain science studies. For instance, the Wisdom Web and knowledge grids enable high-speed, large-scale analysis, simulation, and computation as well as new ways of sharing research data and scientific discoveries. On the other hand, informatics-enabled brain studies, e.g., based on fMRI and EEG, significantly broaden the spectrum of theories and models of brain scinces and offer new insights into the development of human-level intelligence on the Wisdom Web and knowledge grids. +++++++++++++++++++ Topics of Interest +++++++++++++++++++ The topics and areas include, but not limited to: * Thinking centric investigation of HIPS: - Human deductive/inductive reasoning mechanisms (e.g., principles of human reasoning and problem solving); - Human learning mechanisms (e.g., personalized user/student models). * Perception centric investigation of HIPS: - Human multi-perception mechanisms; - Auditory, visual, and tactile information processing. * Modeling human brain information processing mechanisms: - Neuro-mechanism of HIPS; - Mathematical models of HIPS; - Cognitive and computational models of HIPS. * Information technologies for management and use of human brain data: - Human brain data collection, pre-processing, management, and analysis; - Databasing the brain and constructing data brain models; - Multi-media human brain data mining and reasoning; - Simulation of spatiotemporal characteristics and flow in HIPS; - Developing brain data grids and brain research support portals. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On-Line Submissions and Publication ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On-Line Submissions: http://wi-consortium.org/cyberchair/Specialissue/cbc_index.html Each paper will be peer-reviewed by at least two reviewers. The draft Latex style file is available on the Elsevier Web page (if you use Latex). Important Dates: Submission of full papers: Feb 15, 2008 Notification of paper acceptance: May 5, 2008 Details of the journal, submission requirements, and recent articles are available on the website: http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/~rsun/journal.html Contact information: Ning Zhong COGNITIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH is an interdisciplinary journal covering broad issues concerning cognition and behavior. Articles should be both substantive and accessible/interesting to our interdisciplinary readership. The goal of the journal Cognitive Systems Research is to be one of the best journals in cognitive science (broadly defined), providing a top-quality, truly interdisciplinary forum for a broad cross-section of scientific communities. Elsevier is the publisher of this journal. Both on-line and hardcopy versions are available, thus ensuring wide dissemination. From O.Scharenborg at let.ru.nl Tue Dec 4 05:35:07 2007 From: O.Scharenborg at let.ru.nl (Odette Scharenborg) Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:35:07 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Call for papers: Consonant Challenge, Interspeech 2008 Message-ID: Call for papers Consonant Challenge: Human-machine comparisons of consonant recognition in quiet and noise Interspeech, 22-26 September 2008 Brisbane, Australia Listeners outperform automatic speech recognition systems at every level of speech recognition, including the very basic level of consonant recognition. What is not clear is where the human advantage originates. Does the fault lie in the acoustic representations of speech or in the recogniser architecture, or in a lack of compatibility between the two? There have been relatively few studies comparing human and automatic speech recognition on the same task, and, of these, overall identification performance is the dominant metric. However, there are many insights which might be gained by carrying out a far more detailed comparison. The purpose of this Special Session is to make focused human-computer comparisons on a task involving consonant identification in noise, with all participants using the same training and test data. Training and test data and native listener and baseline recogniser results will be provided by the organisers, but participants are encouraged to also contribute listener responses. * Call for papers: Contributions are sought in (but not limited to) the following areas: - Psychological models of human consonant recognition - Comparisons of front-end ASR representations - Comparisons of back-end recognisers - Exemplar vs statistical recognition strategies - Native/Non-native listener/model comparisons The deadline and paper submission guidelines for full paper submission (4 pages) are identical to the deadline and paper submission guidelines for Interspeech 2008. The deadline is April 7th, 2008. Paper submission is done exclusively via the Interspeech 2008 conference website. Participants of this Challenge are asked to indicate the correct Special Session during submission. More information on the Interspeech conference can be found here: http://www.interspeech2008.org/ * More information: More information on the Consonant Challenge and all the materials can be found at the Consonant Challenge Website: http://www.odettes.dds.nl/challenge_IS08/ * Organisers: Odette Scharenborg (Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands -- O.Scharenborg at let.ru.nl) Martin Cooke (University of Sheffield, UK -- M.Cooke at dcs.shef.ac.uk) We hope to see you in Brisbane, Odette Scharenborg and Martin Cooke From heidi at stat.cmu.edu Tue Dec 4 13:50:55 2007 From: heidi at stat.cmu.edu (Heidi Sestrich) Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:50:55 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: Bayesian Analysis, Volume 2, Number 4 Message-ID: <4755A18F.7070104@stat.cmu.edu> A new issue of the new electronic journal BAYESIAN ANALYSIS has been published at http://ba.stat.cmu.edu, as has the 2007 report of the editor-in-chief. The new issue (Volume 2 Number 4) includes the following articles: o Exact Bayesian Regression of Piecewise Constant Functions, by Marcus Hutter, pp 635-664, posted online 2007-05-21 o Estimation of Faraday Rotation Measures of the Near Galactic Sky Using Gaussian Process Models, by Margaret B. Short , David M. Higdon and Philipp P. Kronberg, pp 665-680, posted online 2007-06-05 o Invariant HPD credible sets and MAP estimators, by Pierre Druilhet and Jean-Michel Marin, pp 681-692, posted online 2007-06-18 o Nonparametric elicitation for heavy-tailed prior distributions, by John Paul Gosling, Jeremy E. Oakley and Anthony O'Hagan, pp 693-718, posted online 2007-06-19 o Bayesian Model Assessment Using Pivotal Quantities, by Valen E. Johnson, pp 719-734, posted online 2007-08-10 o Bayesian Diagnostic Techniques for Detecting Hierarchical Structure, by Guofen Yan and J. Sedransk, pp 735-760, posted online 2007-09-05 o Ergodic averages for monotone functions using upper and lower dominating processes, by Jesper Moller and Kerrie Mengersen, pp 761-782, posted online 2007-10-02 o A Simulation Approach to Bayesian Emulation of Complex Dynamic Computer Models, by Sourabh Bhattacharya, pp 783-816, posted online 2007-10-06 o Bayesian Model Diagnostics Based on Artificial Autoregressive Errors, by Mario Peruggia, pp 817-842, posted online 2007-09-07 The journal is sponsored by the International Society for Bayesian Analysis (ISBA). Its editors are Phil Dawid, David Dunson, David Heckerman, Michael Jordan, Fabrizio Ruggeri, and Dalene Stangl. Brad Carlin is serving as Editor-in-Chief, Herbie Lee is Managing Editor, Angelika van der Linde is Production Editor, Marina Vanucci is Deputy Editor, and Pantelis Vlachos is System Managing Editor. Bayesian Analysis seeks to publish a wide range of articles that demonstrate or discuss Bayesian methods in some theoretical or applied context. The journal welcomes submissions involving presentation of new computational and statistical methods; reviews, criticism, and discussion of existing approaches; historical perspectives; description of important scientific or policy application areas; case studies; and methods for experimental design, data collection, data sharing, or data mining. Evaluation of submissions is based on importance of content and effectiveness of communication. We aim to provide reports to authors within 10 weeks of submission on at least 80% of articles submitted. -- Heidi Rhodes Sestrich Administrative Coordinator/ Document Production Specialist Department of Statistics Baker Hall 232A Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-268-2718 From sami.kaski at hut.fi Tue Dec 4 18:28:41 2007 From: sami.kaski at hut.fi (Sami Kaski) Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007 01:28:41 +0200 (EET) Subject: Connectionists: Postdoc and PhD positions in machine learning and bioinformatics Message-ID: <20071204232841.C54396C088@james.hut.fi> Postdoc and PhD positions in MACHINE LEARNING AND BIOINFORMATICS Helsinki University of Technology We are looking for two postdocs and two PhD students to join a research group working on machine learning and probabilistic modeling, with applications in bioinformatics and information retrieval. The Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Group (http://www.cis.hut.fi/projects/mi) belongs to the Adaptive Informatics Research Centre and the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Postdoc #1: Modeling of biological networks. The goal is to develop probabilistic models of graphs and relational data, applied to interaction networks and in particular interactions of biological molecules ("interactomics"). This is an exciting chance of doing fundamental research on new types of graphical models while solving a key problem in computational biology with them. Keywords: graphical models, MCMC, approximate reasoning, relational models. 2 years, starting date 1.1.2008 or flexibly thereafter. Salary range 2466.30 - 4278.11 Euro per month. -------------------------------------------------------------------- PhD student #1: New project on Computational data fusion of multiple biological information sources and background data. The application is cancer studies, where genomic structural variation and gene expression are key sources of cues. In this challenging project we are developing new probabilistic models for finding dependencies between data sources and for finding and incorporating relevant background data to focus the models. In collaboration with University of Helsinki and European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, UK. 4 years, starting date 1.1.2008 or flexibly thereafter. Salary range 1678.36 - 3130.40 Euro per month. The project can be started by MSc thesis work. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Postdoc #2 and PhD student #2: Machine learning. These positions have a more flexible scope. We are willing to consider outstanding candidates interested in any of the research themes of the group, either fundamental or applied research on machine learning. Possible themes include data fusion by modeling of dependencies between data sets, supervised unsupervised learning and discriminative generative modeling, multitask learning, models of networks, information visualization, bioinformatics, neuroinformatics, and proactive information retrieval based on eye movements and other implicit feedback data. For more details see the web pages. Postdoc: 1 year + option for extension, salary range 2466.30 - 4278.11 Euro per month. PhD student: 4 years, salary range 1678.36 - 3130.40 Euro per month. Starting date 1.1.2008 or flexibly thereafter. The PhD project can be started by MSc thesis work. -------------------------------------------------------------------- All positions require a relevant degree, and skills in a subset of the following fields: computer science, programming, machine learning, statistics, mathematics, and bioinformatics. In Helsinki you will join the innovative international computational data analysis and ICT community. Among European cities, Helsinki is special in being clean, safe, liberal, Scandinavian, and close to nature, in short, having a high standard of living. English is spoken everywhere. Please attach a CV including a list of publications, copy of study records (PhD students), and email addressses of 2-3 people willing to give more information. Include a brief description of research interests and send the application by email to Samuel Kaski, samuel.kaski at tkk.fi Professor of Computer Science Helsinki University of Technology http://www.cis.hut.fi/sami From rsun at rpi.edu Wed Dec 5 10:22:24 2007 From: rsun at rpi.edu (Professor Ron Sun) Date: Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:22:24 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Ph.D program in Cognitive Science at RPI Message-ID: <038393E4-617A-4CEB-8AF0-3461D3C5B075@rpi.edu> I am looking for a few Ph.D students. The Ph.D program of the Cognitive Science department at RPI is accepting applications. Graduate assistantships and other forms of financial support for graduate students are available. Prospective graduate students with interests in Cognitive Science, especially in cognitive architectures and in the relationship between cognition and sociality (social simulation), are encouraged to apply. Prospective applicants should have sufficient background in computer science (close to the equivalent of a BS in computer science), and have some prior exposure to psychology, artificial intelligence, connectionist models (neural networks), multi-agent systems, and other related areas. Students with a Master's degree already completed are preferred. RPI is a top-tier research university. The CogSci department has identified the Ph.D program and research as its primary missions. The department is conducting research in a number of areas: cognitive modeling, cognitive architectures, human and machine learning, multi-agent interactions and social simulation, neural networks and connectionist models, human and machine reasoning, cognitive engineering, and so on. See the Web page below regarding my research: http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/~rsun For the application procedure, see http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/ The application deadline is Jan.15. If you decide to apply, follow the official procedure as outlined on the Web page. Send me a short email AFTER you have completed the application. ======================================================== Professor Ron Sun Cognitive Science Department Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 Eighth Street, Carnegie 302A Troy, NY 12180, USA phone: 518-276-3409 fax: 518-276-3017 email: rsun at rpi.edu web: http://www.cogsci.rpi.edu/~rsun ======================================================= From T.Nowotny at sussex.ac.uk Mon Dec 10 10:17:18 2007 From: T.Nowotny at sussex.ac.uk (Thomas Nowotny) Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:17:18 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Post Doc Positions in Computational Neuroscience available Message-ID: 2 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Positions in Computational Neuroscience a) 3 years fixed term, full time - Ref 928 b) 3 years fixed term, part-time 50% fte - Ref 929 Salary range: Grade 7 ??27,466 to ??32,796 p.a. (pro-rata for part me) are available at the Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR) at the University of Sussex, UK. Expected start date: As soon as possible Closing date for applications: 12 January 2008 PLEASE FORWARD TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES! Job details: The two post-doctoral positions are available in a new research initiative for modelling the pheromone system of the moth at the Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR) at the University of Sussex starting 1 February 2008. Our objective in this project is to discover how insects use their sense of smell (olfaction) to find pheromone (chemicals emitted by living organisms to send messages to individuals of the same species) sources in a noisy and dynamic environment. The ability of a flying male moth to find a pheromone emitting mate is truly remarkable and well beyond our ability to replicate artificially. Investigating this system will substantially advance our knowledge in sensory systems and neuroscience in general and will have strong implications for biomimetic applications. The research initiative, funded by the French ANR and British BBSRC, is in conjunction with two French partners, the groups of Dr. Jean-Pierre Rospars at INRA, Versailles and of Dr. Dominique Martinez at LORIA, Nancy. You will work on computational modeling of the pheromone-detecting centre of the moth brain - the antennal lobe. The work plan includes opportunities to analyze original experimental data from one of the French partners and building computational models as well as to develop your own research directions. An 80-core computer cluster is available at the CCNR for numerical work and will be extended to 120 cores for this project. For the full time position, emphasis will be on building detailed and increasingly simplified one-glomerulus models to analyze the specific information processing strategies in the moth. Another important part of this work will be the development of suitable data fitting and model simplification methods. The part-time position will focus on the amplification and noise-suppression problem in the pheromone system, starting from general models of convergent neuronal networks with noise. Later you will join forces with the other research fellow and analyze the specific example of the moth on the one-glomerulus level. Successful candidates must hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a quantitative science discipline. We are looking for candidates with a strong mathematical and computational neuroscience background. Knowledge of the olfactory system would be a plus but is not a requirement. Both positions require a good knowledge of a higher object oriented programming language (preferably C++). The positions will involve occasional travel to France. For informal inquiries about the positions, please contact Dr. Thomas Nowotny, CCNR, Informatics, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, t.nowotny at sussex.ac.uk. Please provide a CV with publication list with your application form and include a description of your scientific interests and future aspirations in the 'additional support' section. Interviews are anticipated for end of January 2008 For full details and how to apply see http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/staffing/personnl/vacs/vac928_929.shtml The University of Sussex is committed to equality of opportunity -- Dr. Thomas Nowotny RCUK Academic Fellow phone: +44-1273-678593 University of Sussex fax: +44-1273-877873 Brighton BN1 9QJ, UK http://www.informatics.susx.ac.uk/users/tn41 From fhamker at uni-muenster.de Tue Dec 11 03:36:54 2007 From: fhamker at uni-muenster.de (Fred Hamker) Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:36:54 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: PhD and postdoctoral stipends in vision or computational neuroscience Message-ID: <414D3F46-33F3-417F-AEE6-81BDEC0677CF@uni-muenster.de> Several PhD and postdoctoral stipends in vision or computational neuroscience are available at the Dept. of Psychology, University of M?nster, Germany in association with a European consortium concerned with high-level visual scene understanding. The consortium aims at an active view on scene perception combining computer vision, computational neuroscience, robotics, visual psychophysics, oculomotor function, and neurophysiology. It is formed by partner labs in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Belgium. The groups of Prof. Markus Lappe and Dr. Fred Hamker in M?nster pursue a theoretical and model-driven approach to experimental psychology/neuroscience in the field of visual perception and its cognitive control. We form an interdisciplinary research community with members coming from psychology, biology, computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics and physics. More information about the groups can be found at http://wwwpsy.uni-muenster.de/ Psychologie.inst2/AELappe/en/. Applications are invited for the following projects: A. Oculomotor commands in visuo-spatial awareness. This project investigates the contribution of motor signals of saccadic eye movements to the awareness of visual space. We hypothesize that motor signals used for saccade execution are also used for the perception of spatial locations, and that, because these motor signals are plastic, perceptual awareness of peripersonal space is dynamic as well. Using saccadic adaption as an experimental paradigm the project will study the shaping of perceptual space by sensorimotor contingencies. Depending on the interest of the candidate the project can be pursued with either experimental or computational approaches. B. Joint attention in a common workspace. Cooperative behavior between interacting humans can form a shared workspace and a shared control of attention within this workspace by using eye movements and knowledge about the contingencies of the shared task. Social cognition and mirroring networks are important for this. In human- human experiments this project will clarify how shared workspace/ shared attention is established and maintained between partners and how it depends on task settings and sensorimotor contingencies. Concurrent eye- and hand-tracking of two actors sharing a visual- spatial task will be used to experimentally monitor attention and performance of both actors simultaneously. C. Model of attention tracking based on action planning and eye movement observation. The principles of human shared attention shall be used to construct a computational model of cooperative behavior that monitors the overt attention of a cooperation partner and predicts the partner?s actions in a well-defined interaction scenario. This project is linked to project B and will make use of the experimental data obtained in that project. D. Cognitive control of visual perception. Vision requires high-level cognitive control in form of visual-visual and visual-reward associations, specifically when vision is embedded into a task that requires to interact with the environment. This computational project aims at developing a neuro-computational model of cognitive control based on the present knowledge of the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. For more information see: http://wwwpsy.uni-muenster.de/ Psychologie.inst2/AELappe/personen/hamker_perception.html E. Dynamic model of object recognition in the near workspace. In this computational project we will develop algorithms for learning receptive fields at different levels of abstraction in visual processing, including stereo information for depth perception and color. The learned receptive fields will be compared to observations made in different brain areas of human and monkey. For more information see: http://wwwpsy.uni-muenster.de/Psychologie.inst2/ AELappe/personen/hamker_category.html The positions are available for up to 3 years (from March 2008 or later) and are funded according to guidelines for stipends from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. A degree in psychology, computer science, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics or biology is a prerequisite. Experience in programming (C++, Matlab), applied mathematics, and neural modeling is of significant advantage. PhD candidates are encouraged to apply for the interdisciplinary PhD Program of the Otto-Creutzfeldt-Center for Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (www.occ-muenster.de) Please send applications by January 15th 2008 per email (PDF preferred) to mlappe at psy.uni-muenster.de (projects A - C) or fhamker at uni-muenster.de (projects D and E). The university is an equal opportunity employer. Women are encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants will receive priority in case they have equal qualifications. -------------------- Dr. Fred H Hamker Institute of Psychology Westf. Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster Fliednerstr. 21 D-48149 M?nster Germany Tel:+49 (0)251/83-34171 Fax:+49 (0)251/83-34180 email: fhamker at uni-muenster.de www: http://wwwpsy.uni-muenster.de/Psychologie.inst2/AELappe/personen/ hamker.html From jbednar at inf.ed.ac.uk Wed Dec 12 06:34:06 2007 From: jbednar at inf.ed.ac.uk (James A. Bednar) Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:34:06 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: PhD studentships in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience, Edinburgh Message-ID: <18271.50983.423078.919690@lodestar.inf.ed.ac.uk> PhD studentships in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience, Edinburgh We invite applications for 12 fully-funded PhD studentships at the University of Edinburgh Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience. The DTC is a world-class centre for research at the interface between neuroscience and the engineering and physical sciences. Our four-year programme is ideal for students with strong computational and analytical skills who want to work on problems in neuroscience and related fields. The first year consists of courses in neuroscience and informatics, as well as lab projects. This is followed by a three-year PhD project done in collaboration with one of the many departments and institutes affiliated with the DTC. The DTC focuses on research into understanding the brain and the nervous system using computational models and experiments, and also includes applying findings from neuroscience to build better software and hardware (robots and microcircuits), and using advanced methods to improve data handling and analysis including clinical diagnosis. PhD topics fall into five main areas: * Computational neuroscience: Using analytical and computational models, potentially supplemented with experiments, to gain quantitative understanding of the nervous system. Current projects focus on the development and function of sensory and motor systems, including neural coding, learning, and memory. * Cognitive science: Studying human cognitive processes and analysing them in computational terms. * Biomedical imaging algorithms and tools: Using advanced data analysis techniques, such as machine learning and Bayesian approaches, for imaging-based diagnosis and research. * Software systems and applications: Using discoveries from neuroscience to develop intelligent computer interfaces and software that can handle real-life data. * Neurorobotics and VLSI: Using insights from neuroscience to help build better hardware, such as neuromorphic VLSI circuits and robots that perform robustly under natural conditions. Edinburgh has a world-class research community in these areas and leads the UK in creating a coherent programme in neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience. Edinburgh has been voted 'best place to live in Britain', and has many exciting cultural and student activities. Students with a strong background in computer science, mathematics, physics, or engineering are particularly welcome to apply. Motivated students with other backgrounds will also be considered. Up to 12 full studentships (?12,600-?14,000 pa) are available to UK students and a small number of EU students. Non-EU/non-UK applicants will need to provide their own funding and evidence thereof. Further information and application forms can be obtained from: http://www.anc.ed.ac.uk/dtc The application deadline is 31 January 2008 for entry September 2008. From dancoisne at bccn.uni-freiburg.de Wed Dec 12 10:01:59 2007 From: dancoisne at bccn.uni-freiburg.de (Florence Dancoisne) Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:01:59 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Advanced Course for Computational Neuroscience 2008 - first announcement Message-ID: <475FF809.3050808@bccn.uni-freiburg.de> ADVANCED COURSE IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE (A Bernstein/Gatsby Neuroscience School) First Announcement August 4th -29th, 2008 Freiburg, Germany DIRECTORS: * Israel Nelken (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel) * Nicolas Brunel (CNRS Paris) * John Rinzel (NYU, New York, USA) * Peter Latham (University College London, UK) LOCAL ORGANIZER: * Florence Dancoisne (Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Freiburg) The Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience is for advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are interested in learning the essentials of the field. The course has two complementary parts. Mornings are devoted to lectures given by distinguished international faculty on topics across the breadth of experimental and computational neuroscience. During the rest of the day,students are given practical training in the art and practice of neural modelling, by pursuing a project of their choosing under the close supervision of expert tutors. The first week of the course introduces students to essential neurobiological concepts and to the most important techniques in modelling single cells, networks and neural systems. Students learn how to solve their research problems using software packages such as MATLAB, NEST, NEURON, XPP, etc. During the following three weeks the lectures cover specific brain areas and functions. Topics range from modelling single cells and subcellular processes through the simulation of simple circuits, large neuronal networks and system level models of the brain. The course ends with project presentations by the students. The course is designed for advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from a variety of disciplines, including neuroscience, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics and psychology. Students are expected to have a keen interest and basic background in neurobiology as well as some computer experience. Students of any nationality can apply. A maximum of 30 students will be accepted. The current fee for the course will be EUR 500; this will cover tuition, lodging, breakfast and dinner. There will be a limited number of course fee scholarships, and travel stipends available for students who need financial help for attending the course. We specifically encourage applications from researchers who work in the developing world. These students will be selected according to the normal submission procedure. Applications, including a description of the target project must be submitted electronically (see below) and will need to be accompanied by the names and email details of two referees who have agreed to furnish references. Applicants will need to ensure that their referees have submitted their references. Applications will be assessed by a committee, with selection being based on the following criteria: the scientific quality of the candidate (CV) and of the project, the recommendation letters, and evidence that the course will afford substantial benefit to the candidate. Please apply electronically using a web browser. More information and access to the application database: http://www.neuroinf.org/courses/EUCOURSE/F08/index.shtml Contact address: * Fiona Siegfried Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Freiburg Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg Hansastrasse 9A 79104 Freiburg Germany * mail: siegfried at bccn.uni-freiburg.de Application process starts: January 14th, 2008 Application deadline: March 28th, 2008 Deadline for letters of recommendation: March 28th, 2008 Notification of results: April 25th, 2008 INVITED FACULTY (* = confirmed) Larry Abbott, Brandeis, USA Ad Aertsen, U. Freiburg, Germany* Amos Arieli, Weizmann Institute, Israel* Jeff Beck, U. of Rochester, USA* Paul Bressloff, U. of Utah, USA Nathaniel Daw, NYU, USA* Erik De Schutter, OIST, Japan Alain Destexhe, CNRS Gif, France* Wulfram Gerstner, EFPL, Switzerland Marc-Oliver Gewaltig, Honda, Germany* Zhaoping Li, UCL, UK* David Hansel, CNRS Paris, France* Sheila Nirenberg, Cornell U. USA Yael Niv, Princeton, USA* Stefano Panzeri, U. of Manchester, UK Jonathan Pillow, UCL, UK* Yifat Prut, Hebrew U. Israel* Yasser Roudi, UCL, UK* Idan Segev, Hebrew U., Israel* Haim Sompolinsky, Hebrew U., Israel Karl Svoboda, Cold Spring Harbor, USA Alex Thomson, UL, UK* Mark Van Rossum, U. of Edinburgh, UK* TUTORS(all confirmed) Janet Best, Ohio State, USA Hermann Cuntz, UCL, UK Moritz Helias, U. Freiburg, Germany Alex Lerchner, UCL, UK Tim Vogels, Columbia, USA more to be invited SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR Bernd Wiebelt, U. Freiburg, Germany -- We are currently inviting applications for several PhD and PostDoc positions at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and in associated projects. more information under: www.bccn.uni-freiburg.de/jobs -- Florence Dancoisne Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Freiburg Administrative Coordinator Hansastr. 9A D-79104 Freiburg http://www.bccn.uni-freiburg.de phone: + 49 761 203 9314 fax: + 49 761 203 9559 From g.goodhill at imb.uq.edu.au Thu Dec 13 00:11:24 2007 From: g.goodhill at imb.uq.edu.au (Geoffrey Goodhill) Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:11:24 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Network issues 18.3 and 18.4 Message-ID: <4B785885-D6FB-447B-856B-66B952F5F2AA@imb.uq.edu.au> Issue 18.3 (September 2007) http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=g782934449~db=all SPECIAL ISSUE ON SENSORY CODING AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Guest Editors: Jack Gallant and Michael Lewicki Editorial Jack Gallant; Michael Lewicki Original Articles Estimating sparse spectro-temporal receptive fields with natural stimuli Stephen V. David; Nima Mesgarani; Shihab A. Shamma (FREE ACCESS until Jan 13th 2008) Seasonal variations in the color statistics of natural images Michael A. Webster; Yoko Mizokami; Shernaaz M. Webster Artists portray human faces with the Fourier statistics of complex natural scenes Christoph Redies; Jan H?nisch; Marko Blickhan; Joachim Denzler Hebbian learning in a model with dynamic rate-coded neurons: An alternative to the generative model approach for learning receptive fields from natural scenes Fred H. Hamker; Jan Wiltschut Human eye-head co-ordination in natural exploration Wolfgang Einh?user; Frank Schumann; Stanislavs Bardins; Klaus Bartl; Guido B?ning; Erich Schneider; Peter K?nig -------- Issue 18.4 (December 2007) http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=g783041122~db=all Original articles Asynchronous inputs and NMDA conductances predict excitatory responses in the cortical-CA1 pathway of the hippocampus Kit D. Longden; David J. Willshaw (FREE ACCESS until Jan 13th 2008) A model for the thick, thin and pale stripe organization of primate V2 Nicholas V. Swindale Local statistics of retinal optic flow for self-motion through natural sceneries Dirk Calow; Markus Lappe Common-input models for multiple neural spike-train data Jayant E. Kulkarni; Liam Paninski -------- Geoff Goodhill Editor-in-Chief, Network: Computation in Neural Systems http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/0954898X.asp From pierre.vincent at snv.jussieu.fr Fri Dec 14 08:53:30 2007 From: pierre.vincent at snv.jussieu.fr (Pierre Vincent) Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:53:30 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Post-doc position in Paris: cAMP/PKA imaging in neurons Message-ID: <8AB7A828-1B4F-4D5E-9DBD-9A1B71BA3132@snv.jussieu.fr> Spatial and temporal integation of neuromodulatory signals through the cAMP/PKA signaling cascade in neurons A 2-year postdoctoral position funded by the ? Agence Nationale pour la Recherche ? (ANR) is available in the team of Pierre VINCENT in the laboratory "Neurobiology of Adaptive Processes" UMR 7102 in Paris (http://npa.snv.jussieu.fr), starting in january 2008. Our team is interested in the cellular processing of neuromodulatory signals impinging on neurons. While conventional methods have demonstrated the physiological role played by cyclic nucleotides in controlling neuronal properties, little is known about the integrating processes involved in these responses. This is particularly important in the case of neurons, which have several distinct cellular compartments with different biological functions. We use genetically-encoded FRET probes to directly monitor dynamic changes in cyclic nucleotide signaling at the subcellular level in real time and in morphologically-intact neurons. We have demonstrated that activation of the 5-HT7 serotonin receptor sequentially activates PKA in different cellular compartments (membrane, cytosol, nucleus) with different efficacies and time-courses. We have also demonstrated the importance of phosphodiesterases in regulating signal amplitude. Using advanced optical methods, we now want to study signal integration in other subcellular compartments (dendritic tree and spines) and monitor the modalities of signal propagation between compartments. Our studies will focus on the post-synaptic integration of the dopamine signal in the striatum and Nucleus accumbens in brain slice preparations, where the release of endogenous dopamine will be triggered by addictive drugs known to produce massive increases in extracellular dopamine concentration. This project will be carried out in parallel with our ongoing in vivo imaging project. Profile : The candidate will have a solid experience in intracellular signal integration, not necessarily in the field of neurosciences. Quantitative analysis planned in this project implies a basic knowledge of physics. Experience in electrophysiology is a plus. Application should include a letter of motivation, CV and summary of current and past research experience. The salary will be determined following ANR guidelines. Contact : Pierre VINCENT; e-mail: pierre.vincent at snv.jussieu.fr; phone: 33 1 44 27 25 88 Related publications: Gervasi et al, J Neurosci, 27:2744, 2007 Hepp et al, J Neurochem, 102:1875, 2007 Vincent et al,: EMBO Rep, 7:1154, 2006 From terry at salk.edu Sat Dec 15 19:35:14 2007 From: terry at salk.edu (Terry Sejnowski) Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:35:14 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: NEURAL COMPUTATION - January 2008 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Neural Computation - Contents - Volume 20, Number 1 - January 1, 2008 Letters The High-Conductance State of Cortical Networks Arvind Kumar, Sven Schrader, and Ad Aertsen, and Stefan Rotter Irregular Firing of Isolated Cortical Interneurons in vitro Driven by Intrinsic Stochastic Mechanisms Bernhard Englitz, Klaus Stiefel, and Terrence Sejnowski A Very Simple Spiking Neuron Model that Allows for Modeling of Large Complex Systems Jeffrey Lovelace and Krzysztof J. Cios Bayesian Spiking Neurons I: Inference Sophie Deneve Bayesian Spiking Neurons II: Learning Sophie Deneve Population Coding with Motion Energy Filters: The Impact of Correlations F. Klam, A. Pouget, and R.S. Zemel Feedback Decoding of Spatially Structured Population Activity in Cortical Maps Nicholas V. Swindale Chaotic Frequency Scaling in a Coupled Oscillator Model for Free Rhythmic Actions Aaron Raftery, and Joseph Cusumano, Dagmar Sternad The Actor-Critic Learning is Behind the Matching Law: Matching vs. Optimal Behaviors Minimization of Error Functionals Over Perceptron Networks Vera Kurkova An SMO Algorithm for the Potential Support Vector Machine Tilman Knebel, Sepp Hochreiter, and Klaus Obermayer On the Classification Capability of Sign-Constrained Perceptrons Robert Legenstein and Wolfgang Maass ----- ON-LINE - http://neco.mitpress.org/ SUBSCRIPTIONS - 2008 - VOLUME 20 - 12 ISSUES Electronic only USA Canada* Others USA Canada* Student/Retired $60 $63.60 $123 $54 $57.24 Individual $110 $116.60 $173 $99 $104.94 Institution $849 $899.94 $912 $756 $801.36 * includes 6% GST MIT Press Journals, 238 Main Street, Suite 500, Cambridge, MA 02142-9902. Tel: (617) 253-2889 FAX: (617) 577-1545 journals-orders at mit.edu http://mitpressjournals.org/neuralcomp ----- From tom.ziemke at his.se Fri Dec 14 10:54:02 2007 From: tom.ziemke at his.se (Tom Ziemke) Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:54:02 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: postdoc positions in cognitive robotics & neurocomputational modeling Message-ID: <4762A6E8.8020601@his.se> POSTDOC POSITIONS IN COGNITIVE ROBOTICS & NEUROCOMPUTATIONAL MODELING Three postdoc positions in cognitive robotics and neurocomputational modeling are available at the University of Skovde, Sweden, as part of two EU-funded cognitive systems projects: (A) Two positions are available as part of a new three-year project called ROSSI ("Emergence of communication in Robots through Sensorimotor and Social Interaction"), starting in March 2008. The project involves cognitive neuroscientists, psychologists, computational modelers and roboticists in Italy, Germany, Turkey and Sweden. ROSSI investigates sensorimotor grounding of concepts and language use in human-robot interaction, and the open positions are focused on neurocomputational modeling of the underlying neural mechanisms (canonical and mirror neuron systems). Starting date: around March 2008. (B) One position is available as part of the four-year project ICEA ("Integrating Cognition, Emotion and Autonomy") which started January 2006 and is coordinated by our lab. The project involves ten labs in seven countries and aims to develop cognitive-robotics architectures integrating cognitive, emotional and homeostatic processes, based on models of the mammalian brain. The open position is flexible, but intended to complement/strengthen the work of 5-6 people currently working on ICEA and related topics in our lab. Possible focus areas would be, for example, neurocomputational modeling of interactions between cognition and affect/emotion/motivation, neuromodulation, modeling of rat behavior, anticipation/prediction/simulation of behavior. Starting date: as soon as possible. Informal enquiries can be directed to Tom Ziemke at tom.ziemke at his.se. Interested candidates should send a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and representative publications. From bowlby at bu.edu Fri Dec 14 09:49:15 2007 From: bowlby at bu.edu (Brian Bowlby) Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:49:15 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: 12th ICCNS: Call for Abstracts and Confirmed Invited Speakers Message-ID: TWELFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COGNITIVE AND NEURAL SYSTEMS May 14 ? 17, 2008 Boston University 677 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02215 USA http://www.cns.bu.edu/meetings/ Sponsored by the Boston University Center for Adaptive Systems, Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems (http://www.cns.bu.edu/), and the Center of Excellence for Learning in Education, Science, and Technology (http://cns.bu.edu/CELEST) with financial support from the National Science Foundation This interdisciplinary conference is attended each year by approximately 300 people from 30 countries around the world. As in previous years, the conference will focus on solutions to the questions: HOW DOES THE BRAIN CONTROL BEHAVIOR? HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY EMULATE BIOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE? The conference is aimed at researchers and students of computational neuroscience, cognitive science, neural networks, neuromorphic engineering, and artificial intelligence. It includes invited lectures and contributed lectures and posters by experts on the biology and technology of how the brain and other intelligent systems adapt to a changing world. The conference is particularly interested in exploring how the brain and biologically-inspired algorithms and systems in engineering and technology can learn. Single-track oral and poster sessions enable all presented work to be highly visible. Three-hour poster sessions with no conflicting events will be held on two of the conference days. Posters will be up all day, and can also be viewed during breaks in the talk schedule. CONFIRMED INVITED SPEAKERS Cynthia Breazeal (MIT Media Lab) Computational models of embodied cognition to support human-robot teamwork Gyorgy Buzsaki (Rutgers University) (Plenary Lecture) Segregation of cell assembly sequences by oscillatory synchrony Gail Carpenter (Boston University) (Plenary Lecture) Large-scale neural systems for vision and cognition (2008 IEEE Neural Networks Pioneer Award) Peter Dayan (University College London) The misbehavior of value Greg DeAngelis (University of Rochester) Roles of visual area MT in depth perception Stephen Grossberg (Boston University) Cortical dynamics of attentive object recognition, scene understanding, and decision making Joy Hirsch (Columbia University) Functional specificity and cortical mechanisms that regulate emotion and cognition: What the human face tells the human brain Ranu Jung (Arizona State University) Neurotechnology for making neural circuits functional Gordon Logan (Vanderbilt University) The mysterious story of cognitive control Javier Movellan (University of California at San Diego) Developing social robots: A paradigm for the scientific study of human behavior Charan Ranganath (University of California at Davis) Relational binding in human memory John Reynolds (Salk Institute) Mapping the microcircuitry of attention: Attentional modulation varies across cell classes in visual area V4 Daniel Salzman (Columbia University) Learning about rewards and punishments in the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex WORKSHOP ON DYNAMICS OF CORTICAL-HIPPOCAMPAL INTERACTIONS FOR MEMORY GUIDED BEHAVIOR Neil Burgess (University College London) Predictions of an interference model of grid cell firing Howard Eichenbaum (Boston University) Grid cells and place cells: Different roles in memory? Michael Hasselmo (Boston University) Oscillations, grid cells and episodic memory David Redish (University of Minnesota) Transiently prospective neural firing in CA3 at decision points Trygve Solstad (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) Spatial representations in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex David Touretzky (Carnegie-Mellon University) A spin-glass model of path integration in grid cells WORKSHOP ON COMPUTING WITH NEURAL INTERFACES Theodore Berger (University of Southern California) Bi-directional communication with the brain through biomimetic microelectronics John Donoghue (Brown University) Neural ensemble activity as a direct control signal in humans Donald Eddington (Harvard University) Cochlear implants Phil Kennedy (Neural Signals) Speech prosthesis: An analysis of single unit recordings from human cortex Krishna Shenoy (Stanford University) Toward high-performance communication prostheses John Wyatt (Boston Retinal Implant Project) Steps in the development of a retinal Implant CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Session Topics: * vision * object recognition * image understanding * neural circuit models * audition * neural system models * speech and language * mathematics of neural systems * unsupervised learning * robotics * supervised learning * hybrid systems (fuzzy, evolutionary, digital) * reinforcement and emotion * neuromorphic VLSI * sensory-motor control * industrial applications * cognition, planning, and attention * other * spatial mapping and navigation Contributed abstracts must be received, in English, by January 31, 2008. Email notification of acceptance will be provided by February 29, 2008. A meeting registration fee must accompany each Abstract. The fee will be returned if the Abstract is not accepted for presentation. Fees of accepted Abstracts will be returned on request only until April 11, 2008. Each Abstract must fit on one side of an 8.5" x 11" page with 1" margins on all sides in a single-spaced, single-column format with a font of 10 points or larger. The title, authors, affiliations, and surface and email addresses should begin each Abstract. A cover letter should include the abstract title; corresponding author and presenting author name, address, telephone, fax, and email address; requested preference for oral or poster presentation; and a first and second choice from the topics above, including whether it is biological (B) or technological (T) work [Example: first choice: vision (T); second choice: neural system models (B)]. Talks will be 15 minutes long. Posters will be displayed for a full day. Overhead, slide, and LCD computer projector facilities will be available for talks. Accepted Abstracts will be printed in the conference proceedings volume. No extended paper will be required. Four paper copies of the Abstract should be mailed to Cynthia Bradford, Boston University, CNS Department, 677 Beacon Street, Boston MA 02215 USA. Abstracts may also be submitted electronically as M/S Word files to cindy at bu.edu using the phrase ?12th ICCNS abstract submission? in the subject line. Fax submissions will not be accepted. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Early registration is recommended using the registration form below. Student registrations must be accompanied by a letter of verification from a department chairperson or faculty/ research advisor. STUDENT TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS: Fellowships for PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows who do not live in the Boston area are available to help cover travel costs. The application deadline is January 31, 2008. Email notification will occur by February 29, 2008. Fellowship applications must be submitted as paper hardcopy to the abstract submission address shown above. Each application should include the applicant's CV; faculty or PhD research advisor's name, address, and email address; relevant courses and other educational data; and a list of research articles. A letter from the listed faculty or PhD advisor on institutional stationery must accompany the application and summarize how the candidate may benefit from the meeting. Fellowship applicants who also submit an Abstract need to include the registration fee payment with their Abstract submission. Fellowship checks will be distributed after the meeting. REGISTRATION FORM Twelfth International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems May 14?17, 2008 Boston University Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems 677 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02215 USA Fax: +1 617 353 7755 Mr/Ms/Dr/Prof:_____________________________________________________ Affiliation:_________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________ City, State, Postal Code:______________________________________________ Phone and Fax:_____________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________________ The registration fee includes the conference proceedings, a reception on Friday night, and 3 coffee breaks each day. CHECK ONE: ( ) $95 Conference (Regular) ( ) $65 Conference (Student) METHOD OF PAYMENT (please fax or mail): [ ] Enclosed is a check made payable to "Boston University" Checks must be made payable in US dollars and issued by a US correspondent bank. Each registrant is responsible for any and all bank charges. [ ] I wish to pay by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover Card only) Name as it appears on the card:___________________________________________ Type of card: _____________________________ Expiration date:________________ Account number: _______________________________________________________ Signature:____________________________________________________________ From Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu Sat Dec 15 03:52:47 2007 From: Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu (Eugene M. Izhikevich) Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:52:47 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: =?windows-1252?q?Postdoctoral_position_-_The_Neur?= =?windows-1252?q?osciences_Institute_in_San_Diego=2C_CA_=96_application_o?= =?windows-1252?q?f_DTI_to_brain_models?= Message-ID: <4763956C.6070905@nsi.edu> The Neurosciences Institute, located in San Diego, California, invites applications for a POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP in theoretical neurobiology, available immediately. The fellow will participate in the ongoing project to build a large-scale model of the mammalian brain with white-matter anatomy using human Diffusion Tensor Imaging and fiber-tracking methods (see http://nsi.edu/users/izhikevich/interest/). Applicants should have Ph.D in Mathematics, Physics, or related field, background in computational neuroscience, an established research record in DTI and fibertracking methods, working knowledge of C, MATLAB, and Linux operating system. Fellows will receive stipends appropriate to their qualifications and experience. Submit curriculum vitae to Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu Dr. Eugene M. Izhikevich, The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, (858) 626-2063 Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu From julien.mayor at psy.ox.ac.uk Mon Dec 17 11:12:14 2007 From: julien.mayor at psy.ox.ac.uk (Julien Mayor) Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:12:14 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: NCPW11: 2nd call for abstracts Message-ID: <980DBD54-46D9-4FB2-B7D7-A8B252581294@psy.ox.ac.uk> ***Apologies for cross-postings*** *** SECOND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS *** NCPW11 11th Neural Computation and Psychology Workshop Oxford, UK 16-18 July 2008 http://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/babylab/NCPW/index.html ***** Keynote speakers: Prof. David Plaut (Carnegie Mellon University) Prof. Edmund Rolls (University of Oxford) ***** This is the 2nd call for abstracts for the 11th Neural Computation and Psychology Workshop (NCPW11), to be held at University of Oxford, from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th July 2008. This well-established and lively workshop aims at bringing together researchers from different disciplines such as artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, neurobiology, philosophy and psychology to discuss their work on models of cognitive processes. Previous themes have encompassed categorisation, language, memory, development, action. There will be no specific theme, but papers must be about emergent models -- frequently, but not necessarily -- of the connectionist/neural network genre, applied to cognition. These workshops have always been characterised by their limited size, high quality papers, the absence of parallel talk sessions, and a schedule that is explicitly designed to encourage interaction among the researchers present in an informal setting. ***** DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS: January 15th, 2008 Abstract submission is now open. For more information see the conference website at: http://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/babylab/NCPW/index.html Notification of acceptance: Approx. 15th February 2008. ***** Dates & Deadlines Abstract submission: 15 January 2008 Notification of acceptance: 15 February 2008 Conference: 16-18 July 2008 --------------------------------------------- Dr Julien Mayor Dept of Experimental Psychology University of Oxford OX1 3UD # +44-1865-271400 Email: julien.mayor at psy.ox.ac.uk http://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/babylab/personal/julien.html From erik at oist.jp Tue Dec 18 21:34:02 2007 From: erik at oist.jp (Erik De Schutter) Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:34:02 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Okinawa Computational Neuroscience Course 2008: First announcement Message-ID: <2DB09BCD-63FE-4E26-A7E8-CF9CE9130230@oist.jp> First Announcement OKINAWA COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE COURSE 2008 Methods, Neurons, Networks and Behaviors June 15 - July 4, 2008. Okinawa, Japan http://www.irp.oist.jp/ocnc/2008 The aim of the Okinawa Computational Neuroscience Course is to provide opportunities for young researchers with theoretical backgrounds to learn the latest advances in neuroscience, and for those with experimental backgrounds to have hands-on experience in computational modeling. We invite graduate students and postgraduate researchers to participate in the course, held from June 15th through July 4th, 2008 at an oceanfront seminar house of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. Applications will be through the course web page only; the forms will become available January 7th, 2008 and applications will close February 17th, 2008. Applicants will be required to propose a project at the time of application. Applicants will receive confirmation of acceptance before end of March. Like last year, OCNC will be a comprehensive three-week course covering single neurons, networks, and behaviors with ample time for student projects. The first week will focus exclusively on methods with hands-on tutorials during the afternoons, while the second and third weeks will have lectures by international experts. We invite those who are interested in integrating experimental and computational approaches at each level, as well as in bridging different levels of complexity. The sponsor will provide lodging and meals during the course and support travel for those without funding. We hope that this course will be a good opportunity for theoretical and experimental neuroscientists to meet each other and to explore the attractive nature and culture of Okinawa, the southernmost island prefecture of Japan. Invited faculty: Arbuthnott, Gordon Bhalla, Upi Butera, Robert De Schutter, Erik Deneve, Sophie Destexhe, Alain Doya, Kenji Fairhall, Adrienne Gew?ltig, Marc-Oliver H?usser, Michael Ishii, Shin K?rding, Konrad Longtin, Andr? Montague, Read Stiefel, Klaus Tsodyks, Misha Wang, Xiao-Jing Wickens, Jeff More to be announced... From L.Berthouze at sussex.ac.uk Sat Dec 22 19:23:53 2007 From: L.Berthouze at sussex.ac.uk (Luc Berthouze) Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:23:53 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: CFP Epigenetic Robotics 2008 Message-ID: <5A400D4E-B072-407E-8A32-E30676335A70@sussex.ac.uk> CALL FOR PAPERS: Epigenetic Robotics 2008 31 July - 2 August, 2008, Brighton, UK Eighth International Conference on Epigenetic Robotics: Modeling Cognitive Development in Robotic Systems http://www.epigenetic-robotics.org Email: epirob08 at epigenetic-robotics.org ***2008 Conference Theme*** Evolution and Development: Related Processes of Change Location: University of Sussex, Brighton, UK Important Dates: ---------------- 1 April 2008: Deadline for submission of papers & posters 31 May 2008: Notification of acceptance of papers & posters 30 June 2008: Deadline for camera ready papers 31 July - 2 August 2008: EpiRob08 @ Brighton Keynote Speakers: TBA ----------------- Conference Theme: ------------------ In the past 7 years, the Epigenetic Robotics annual conference has established itself as a unique place where original interdisciplinary research from developmental sciences, neuroscience, biology, cognitive robotics, and artificial intelligence is being presented. Psychological theory and empirical evidence is being used to inform epigenetic robotic models, and these models can be used as theoretical tools to make experimental predictions in developmental psychology. As in previous years, we encourage submissions from researchers whose work broadly intersects the fields (and subdisciplines) of developmental science, robotics, and neuroscience. As a special feature, this year we are also highlighting a specific organizational theme: evolution and development as related processes of change. The particular focus of this theme is on the dynamic interplay between ontogeny and phylogeny. In other words, how do new abilities and skills that emerge during development influence the path of evolution, and how do subsequent evolutionary changes help to create new developmental trajectories? This is a question that fits well within the mission of epigenetic robotics, as it spans not only a wide range of research areas and academic disciplines (e.g., biology, psychology, AI and machine learning, linguistics, anthropology, etc.) but also a broad spectrum of spatial and temporal scales (e.g., neurons, brains, social communities, cultures, etc.). We are especially interested in submissions that will enhance the emerging dialog between evolutionary and developmental perspectives. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: - Artificial embryology - Morphogenesis, differentiation, and regulation - Behavioral inheritance and social learning - The evolution of language acquisition - Phylogenetic constraints on perceptual processing (e.g., face perception) - Neuroplasticity and the evolution of cognition - Evolutionary influences on mother-infant bonding - Modularity of mind (evolutionary constraints on neural processing) - Tool-use and problem-solving in humans, non-human primates, and machines Modes of Submission: -------------------- (1) Regular Submission (8-page max). After review, regular submissions will either be accepted or rejected (no revision as short papers or posters). Regular submissions will be allocated 8 pages in the Proceedings. (2) Abstract Submission (1-page max). After review, selected authors will be invited to present a poster. Abstract submissions will be allocated 2 pages in the Proceedings. Submission instructions will be available from the EpiRob website: http://www.epigenetic-robotics.org. Email submissions and/or questions regarding the submission process to epirob08-PC at epigenetic-robotics.org. Related Events: --------------- Note that "Artificial Life XI" (http://www.alifexi.org/) will be hosted in Winchester, UK (5-8 August 2008), and that we encourage participants to attend both meetings. Organizing Committee: --------------------- Christian Balkenius (Lund University, Sweden) Luc Berthouze (University of Sussex, UK) Lola Ca?amero (University of Hertfordshire, UK) Matthew Schlesinger (Southern Illinois University, USA) Dr Luc Berthouze, Senior Lecturer Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR) Department of Informatics University of Sussex Brighton BN1 9QH, UK Tel: +44 1273 877206 Fax: +44 1273 877873 From auke.ijspeert at epfl.ch Sun Dec 30 08:04:42 2007 From: auke.ijspeert at epfl.ch (Auke Jan Ijspeert) Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:04:42 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: CFP: Adaptive Motion in Animals and Machines, AMAM08, June 1-6, 2008, Cleveland, USA Message-ID: <4777976A.3020307@epfl.ch> Call for Abstracts and Participation: AMAM08 AMAM: Adaptive Motion in Animals and Machines June 1-6, 2008, Cleveland, OH, USA http://amam.case.edu AMAM 2008 is the fourth international symposium dedicated to the neuromechanics, sensory perception, and intelligence behind adaptive movement in animals, and the modeling, analysis, and technical development of adaptive movement in animals and machines. Previous symposia were held in Montreal, Canada (2000); Kyoto, Japan (2003); and Ilmenau, Germany (2005). The symposium will include a single track of keynote (evening), plenary, and invited seminar speakers, plus contributed oral presentations and poster sessions. We will also continue the tradition of a "Robot Zoo," where researchers may demonstrate their latest machines. Contributed oral presentation and poster abstracts are invited in all areas pertaining to adaptive motion in animals and machines. We especially encourage submission in the three main focus areas for AMAM 2008: * Robotics and Intelligent Mechanics * Neurobiology and Biomechanics of Movement Behavior * Functional Electrical Stimulation Confirmed speakers include: *Keynote /Plenary * *Seminar * * Hajime Asama * Ansgar Buschges * Paolo Dario * Michael Dickinson * Ryohei Kanzaki * Hiroshi Kimura * Kiisa Nishikawa * Kier Pearson * Hunter Peckham * Marc Raibert * Barry Trimmer * Barbara Webb * Holk Cruse * Martin S. Fischer * Mitra Hartman * Auke Ijspeert * Akio Ishiguro * Malcolm MacIver * Naomichi Ogihara * Sanjay Sane * Metin Setti * Dirk Spenneberg * Dawn Taylor * Lena Ting * Robert Wood Contributed two-page oral presentation abstracts, poster abstracts, and Robot Zoo submissions are due by January 21, 2008. Notification of final acceptance will occur by March 17, 2008. Detailed submission instructions are available at the meeting website, http://amam.case.edu Sincerely, AMAM 2008 Program Committee From richard.naud at epfl.ch Tue Dec 11 10:10:57 2007 From: richard.naud at epfl.ch (Richard Naud) Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:10:57 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Modeling Competition: Predicting Neuronal Dynamics Message-ID: This is an invitation to the Single-Neuron Modeling Competition 2008. This year the prizes are: 1st Prize: 10 000 swiss francs, 2nd Prize: 500 swiss francs. For details on the competition, please visit the competition website: http://lcn.epfl.ch/QuantNeuronMod2008/Challenge%202008.html The ?Quantitative Single-Neuron Modeling Competition? is an invitation to compare your methods and models to those of other people in the field. With good participation, the outcome of this competition will be of great interest to both experimentalists and network modelers. Organizers: Wulfram Gerstner (EPFL) - Thomas Berger (EPFL) - Arnd Roth (UCL) From Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu Thu Dec 13 13:28:12 2007 From: Eugene.Izhikevich at nsi.edu (Eugene M. Izhikevich) Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:28:12 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: Scholarpedia.org is looking for graduate students to work as assistant editors Message-ID: <476179C9.5050202@nsi.edu> Scholarpedia is the open access encyclopedia hosting "Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience" and "Encyclopedia of Computational Intelligence". It attempts to partner the authority and responsibility of a printed encyclopedia with the dynamism and timeliness of a wiki. Scholarpedia.org is looking for graduate students to work as assistant editors. Among their responsibilities, assistant editors would have direct input on the future development of Scholarpedia and would have the opportunity to engage with article authors and curators (most often legends in their field of expertise). Assistant editors would work on a volunteer basis, but their contributions would not be expected to take more than 2-4 hours per week. Interested students should contact Dr. Eugene M. Izhikevich (editor-in-chief at scholarpedia.org) with a brief description of their academic context and areas of expertise. Assistant editors should be familiar with wiki environments, skilled in HTML and/or LaTeX, and possess excellent written English. -- Eugene M. Izhikevich, Senior Fellow in Theoretical Neurobiology PhD, Mathematics, http://www.nsi.edu/users/izhikevich The Neurosciences Institute, Editor-in-Chief at scholarpedia.org 10640 John J. Hopkins Drive tel:(858) 626-2063 San Diego, CA, 92121, USA fax:(858) 626-2099