From ajyu at cogsci.ucsd.edu Thu Nov 6 00:07:09 2008 From: ajyu at cogsci.ucsd.edu (Angela J. Yu) Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 21:07:09 -0800 Subject: Connectionists: PhD Training Program in Cognitive Science, UCSD Message-ID: DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2008 PhD training program in Cognitive Science Department of Cognitive Science University of California, San Diego http://www.cogsci.ucsd.edu/index.php?cat=grads&page=pros_grads-info OVERVIEW The Department of Cognitive Science at UC-San Diego (www.ucsd.edu) emphasizes three main areas of study: the brain?understanding of neurobiological processes and phenomena; behavior?methods and results concerning psychology, language, and the sociocultural environment; and computation?inquiry into the powers and limits of various representational formats, coupled with studies of computational mechanisms. This synthesis entails a multidisciplinary study of cognition with emphases on computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, psychology, and related aspects of anthropology, biology, mathematics, philosophy, and sociology. The PhD training program encourages students to integrate knowledge and tools from diverse fields to understand cognitive processing. Graduate students work with 18 full-time faculty and 6 adjunct faculty in over 15 state-of-the-science labs (www.cogsci.ucsd.edu). Students are required to complete core courses in brain, behavior, and computation. Students rotate through 2-3 labs, carry out a substantial second-year research project resulting in a paper and presentation, and work on a thesis proposal toward advancement to candidacy in the third year. Students may receive additional training and support through the resources offered by the Center for Human Development (www.chd.ucsd.edu), Center for Research in Language (crl.ucsd.edu), Institute for Neural Computation (inc2.ucsd.edu), IGERT for Vision and Learning (www.cogsci.ucsd.edu/igert), and other units and departments on campus. On-line applications: graduateapp.ucsd.edu UC-San Diego has a broad, up-to-date nondiscrimination policy on admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities. The deadline for completed application materials, including letters of recommendation, is December 1, 2008. ----- PARTICIPATING FACUTY INCLUDE: * Richard Belew: adaptive knowledge representation; co-evolution of HIV drug resistance * Andrea Chiba: spatial attention, associative learning, acetylcholine, amygdala * Seana Coulson: cognitive electrophysiology, cognitive semantics, experimental pragmatics, gesture comprehension, synesthesia * Sarah Creel: language development, word recognition, eye tracking, cognitive control, music perception * Gedeon Deak: cognitive development in children, embodied learning, infant-parent interaction, cognitive flexibility * Virginia De Sa: computational basis of perception and learning, multi-sensory integration and contextual influences. * Jeff Elman: language processing, psycholinguistics, event representation, discourse coherence * James Hollan: cognitive ethnography, distributed and embodied cognition, human-computer interaction, multimodal interaction * Edwin Hutchins: cognitive ethnography, distributed and embodied cognition, human-computer interaction, multimodal interaction * Terry Jernigan: brain maturation and aging, neural effects of HIV- infection, substance abuse, MRI * David Kirsh: design, cognitive ethnography, distributed and embodied cognition, thinking with things, E-learning * Marta Kutas: normal and abnormal language processing, memory, information processing, aging * Douglas Nitz: neural basis of spatial cognition and episodic memory, hippocampus, parietal cortex, premotor cortex * Rafael N??ez: embodied mind, abstraction, cognitive linguistics, gesture production, mathematical thinking * Jaime Pineda: neurobiology of social cognition, attention, face perception, addiction, monoamines, brain-computer interfaces * Ayse Saygin: perception, multisensory integration, biological motion, neuroimaging, neuropsychology * Joan Stiles: spatial knowledge acquisition, spatial analytic processing, pre-/peri-natal stroke, fMRI * Emmanuel Todorov: motor control, stochastic optimal control, sensorimotor loops * Angela Yu: decision making, attention, active vision, learning, neuromodulation, Bayesian modeling, control theory --------------------------------------------------------- Angela J. Yu Assistant Professor Department of Cognitive Science UCSD, Mail Code 0515 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093-0515 Email: ajyu at cogsci.ucsd.edu Phone: 858-822-3317 Fax: 858-534-1128 Website: www.cogsci.ucsd.edu/~ajyu --------------------------------------------------------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081106/cbe35f9c/attachment.html From alexwade at gmail.com Wed Nov 5 14:09:38 2008 From: alexwade at gmail.com (Alex Wade) Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 11:09:38 -0800 Subject: Connectionists: Cosyne 2009 - Abstract submission open Message-ID: <76eaaa9a0811051109u3d45c0f0w77e98a187ce65ab6@mail.gmail.com> Abstract submissions are now being accepted for the 2009 Cosyne Meeting. The abstract deadline is December 2nd. Instructions on abstract formatting are available here http://cosyne.org/wiki/Abstract_Submission09 Please note that the abstract formatting has changed significantly since last year so be sure to read these instructions carefully. You may begin the submission process here: http://cosyne2009.confmaster.net/pages/login.php?Conf=COSYNE2009 Conference registration will open in the next few days. *Dates and location * The 2009 Cosyne Meeting will be held in the Marriott, Downtown, Salt Lake City, Utah from the 26 February - 1 March 2009. * *The main meeting will be followed by a series of workshops at the Snowbird Ski Resort , Snowbird, Utah on the 2nd and 3rd March 2009. *About Cosyne* The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of experimental and theoretical/computational approaches to problems in systems neuroscience. The first Cosyne meeting, held in 2004 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, drew over 350 participants. Since 2005, the meeting has been held in Salt Lake City, Utah. It has attracted a growing number of participants, from nearly 400 in 2005 to almost 500 in 2008. To encourage interdisciplinary interactions, the main meeting is arranged in a single track. A set of invited talks are selected by the Executive Committee, and additional talks and posters are selected by the Program Committee, based on submitted abstracts. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, computation with spiking networks. The abstracts of the 2009 meeting will be published by Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience . Similar to the abstracts of the Society for Neuroscience meeting, these abstracts are citeable, but they are not full-length proceedings and therefore do not preclude further publication. *Cosyne 2009 Invited Speakers (confirmed):* - Keynote: Richard Axel(Columbia University and HHMI, USA) - Cori Bargmann (Rockefeller University and HHMI, USA) - Alexander Borst( MPI, Germany) - Jack Gallant( UC Berkeley, USA) - Read Montague (Baylor College of Medicine, USA) - Henry Markram (EPFL, Switzerland) - Earl Miller (MIT, USA) - Carl Petersen (EPFL, Lausanne) - Jennifer Raymond (Stanford University, USA) - Stephen Scott(Queens University, Canada) - Shihab Shamma (U Maryland, USA) - Joshua Tenenbaum (MIT, USA) - Misha Tsodyks (Weizmann Institute, Israel) -- A.R. Wade Ph.D. Associate Scientist The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 2318 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94115 tel. 415 345 2083 fax. 309 416 6533 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081105/5f3172e3/attachment-0001.html From brody at Princeton.EDU Fri Nov 7 02:22:42 2008 From: brody at Princeton.EDU (Carlos Brody) Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 02:22:42 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: new PhD in Neuroscience at Princeton Message-ID: The Princeton Neuroscience Institute ( http:// neuroscience.princeton.edu ), at Princeton University, has a created a new Ph.D. program in Neuroscience ( http:// neuroscience.princeton.edu/PhD ). This new program greatly builds and expands upon a previously existing interdepartmental Ph.D in Neuroscience at Princeton. We'll be grateful if you get a chance to forward this email to your students, and/or post the attached brochure -- we encourage all interested students to apply. Quantitative and Computational Neuroscience track. We strongly encourage students with training in quantitative fields such as physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering to apply to our PhD program. Research in quantitative approaches to the Life Sciences is particularly strong at Princeton University, including molecular biology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and psychology. A Quantitative and Computational Neuroscience (QCN) track exists within our neuroscience Ph.D. It teaches students with a quantitative background about neuroscience problems to which they can apply their quantitative skills. The QCN track also serves students with a biology background who wish to acquire further training in quantitative tools for the biological sciences. Innovative coursework. A key component of our new Ph.D. is year-long core course, taken in the first year and inspired in part by Woods Hole-style advanced courses. Students in our core course will learn through a combination of lectures and first-hand experimental experience. All students, regardless of previous experience, will perform their own experiments. From single neurons and patch clamp, to in vivo electrophysiology in behaving animals, to computational modeling, to human neurophysiology and functional MRI, this course will guide and teach students about the brain as they learn to design, perform, analyze, and critique their own experiments. Please visit us at http://neuroscience.princeton.edu/PhD . Faculty and research interests. Michael Berry : Neural computation in the retina William Bialek : Interface between physics and biology Matthew Botvinick : Neural foundations of human behavior Lisa Boulanger : Neuronal functions of immune molecules Carlos Brody : Quantitative and behavioral neurophysiology Jonathan Cohen : Neural bases of cognitive control Jonathan Eggenschwiler : Mouse neural development Lynn Enquist : Neurovirology Alan Gelperin : Learning, memory and olfaction Asif Ghazanfar : Neurobiology of primate social agents Elizabeth Gould : Neurogenesis and hippocampal function Michael Graziano : Sensorimotor integration Charles Gross : Functions of the cerebral cortex in behavior Uri Hasson : Temporal scales of neural processing Bartley Hoebel : Behavioral neuroscience Philip Holmes : Mathematical modeling Barry Jacobs : Brain monoamine neurotransmitters Sabine Kastner : Neural mechanisms for visual perception Fei-Fei Li : Computer vision, cognitive neuroscience, fMRI Coleen Murphy : Molecular mechanisms of aging Yael Niv : Reinforcement learning and decision making Ken Norman : Neural bases of episodic memory Daniel Osherson : How does the brain reason? David Tank : Neural circuit dynamics Samuel Wang : Dynamics and learning in neural circuits yours Carlos Brody ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Carlos Brody (609) 258-7645 brody at princeton.edu Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Princeton University Director of Graduate Studies Neuroscience Program Princeton Neurosci. Inst. & Dept. of Molecular Biology 316 Schultz Lab, Washington Rd, Princeton NJ 08544 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081107/6c7b34d7/attachment-0002.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Princeton_Neuroscience_PhD.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 405543 bytes Desc: not available Url : https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081107/6c7b34d7/Princeton_Neuroscience_PhD-0001.pdf -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081107/6c7b34d7/attachment-0003.html From g.goodhill at uq.edu.au Fri Nov 7 01:01:18 2008 From: g.goodhill at uq.edu.au (Geoffrey Goodhill) Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 16:01:18 +1000 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoc positions in visual map development Message-ID: Two postdoc positions are now available for a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of visual map development in mammalian visual cortex. The project will be conducted as a collaboration between two labs run by Michael Ibbotson (Australian National University) and Geoffrey Goodhill (University of Queensland). The postdoc positions are funded by a 3-year grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. The first position is primarily experimental and based in the Ibbotson lab (http://www.rsbs.anu.edu.au/Profiles/Michael_Ibbotson). It will involve optical imaging and single unit recording in cat visual cortex after a range of altered visual rearing conditions, along with the associated data analysis. The second position is primarily theoretical and based in the Goodhill lab (http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=26835), and will involve theoretical modelling and the simulation of the data from the Ibbotson lab using a range of approaches. It is expected that this person will make frequent visits to the Ibbotson lab and will assist with the experimental work and data analysis. To apply please send a CV, cover letter and contact information for at least 2 referees to michael.ibbotson at anu.edu.au for the first position or g.goodhill at uq.edu.au for the second position. Geoffrey J Goodhill, PhD Associate Professor Queensland Brain Institute & School of Physical Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Phone: +61 7 3346 6431 Fax: +61 7 3346 6301 Email: g.goodhill at uq.edu.au http://www.uq.edu.au/qbi/index.html?page=26835 Editor-in-Chief, Network: Computation in Neural Systems http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t713663148~db=all From mvanross at inf.ed.ac.uk Sun Nov 2 15:41:45 2008 From: mvanross at inf.ed.ac.uk (Mark van Rossum) Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2008 20:41:45 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: UK postdoctoral fellowships Message-ID: <200811022041.45767.mvanross@inf.ed.ac.uk> Dear Colleague, I would like to draw your attention to the existence of generous postdoctoral fellowships, so called Newton Fellowships http://www.newtonfellowships.org. These competitive fellowships are open only to non-UK candidates, not working in the UK already. Although the fellowships are not limited to our institute or research area, we are happy to sponsor candidates relevant to our centre for neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience. For people and details see http://www.anc.ed.ac.uk/dtc Potential candidates can contact me. -- Mark van Rossum, Lecturer, ANC Rm2.52, 10 Crichton Street, U of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AB 44-131-6511211, 44-131-5538885(home) +44-7722049644(m) homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/mvanross The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. From tobias at nld.ds.mpg.de Mon Nov 3 04:13:42 2008 From: tobias at nld.ds.mpg.de (Tobias Niemann) Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:13:42 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoctoral and PhD student positions in Neurophysics In-Reply-To: <482D3F9A.6020609@nld.ds.mpg.de> References: <46F11EC2.6060905@nld.ds.mpg.de> <47DF9A97.1000408@nld.ds.mpg.de> <482D3F9A.6020609@nld.ds.mpg.de> Message-ID: <490EC0C6.2000303@nld.ds.mpg.de> The Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience G?ttingen invites applications for Postdoctoral and PhD student positions in Neurophysics Research will experimentally probe and control the dynamics of living neural networks using innovative optical stimulation methods and will be part of an integrated project of the Max Planck Institutes for Dynamics and Self-Organization, for Experimental Medicine, and for Biophysics (Frankfurt) and will be an integral part of the activities of G?ttingen University?s Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience. The successful candidate will play a key role in the design and construction of optical stimulation systems, in which cultured neuronal cells are stimulated using light sensitive ion channels and pumps and in which their activity is monitored through multielectrode arrays. PhD students will work towards their doctorate in G?ttingen University?s newly established Graduate School, GGNB. We are looking for young researchers with a background in Physics, Engineering, or Computer Science and a keen interest in interdisciplinary research at the border of Neuroscience and the Physics of Complex Systems. The ideal candidate will have the ability and desire to establish experimental paradigms and innovative instrumentation for the analysis and control of living neural networks. Prior experience in experimental Biophysics, Electrophysiology, or Optics would be advantageous. Prior knowledge of neurobiology is desirable but not required. G?ttingen is a center of neuroscience in Europe hosting numerous internationally recognized neuroscience research institutions, including three Max Planck Institutes, the European Neuroscience Institute, the German Primate Research Center, and G?ttingen University's Centers for Systems Neuroscience (ZNV) and for the Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB). The BCCN integrates theoretical and experimental research groups from these institutions to foster interdisciplinary research in computational neuroscience specifically supporting close collaboration between theorists and experimental researchers. Please submit your application preferably in one single PDF-document, including cover letter, CV, list of publications, names of possible referees, relevant certificates until December 15, 2008, to: jobs at bccn-goettingen.de (Subject: NPhysChop2) While e-mail is preferred, applications may also be submitted in hardcopy to the following address: Dr. Fred Wolf Subject: NPhysChop2 Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) G?ttingen Max-Planck-Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Bunsenstrasse 10 D - 37073 G?ttingen, Germany http://www.ds.mpg.de The MPIDS is an equal opportunity employer. From knorman at Princeton.EDU Mon Nov 3 10:25:26 2008 From: knorman at Princeton.EDU (Kenneth Norman) Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 10:25:26 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: Cognitive Psychology faculty position at Princeton Message-ID: <9553D51F-3310-41DD-AF48-175FE209D04D@princeton.edu> The Department of Psychology at Princeton University anticipates making an appointment in Cognitive Psychology, to begin in September, 2009. The appointment will be at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank. We are especially interested in applicants with expertise in cognition, perception, or cognitive development. Applicants should have an active program of research and should be prepared to teach both an undergraduate introduction to cognitive psychology and a graduate-level course. Ph.D. required. Please send a curriculum vitae, a one-page research description, and three letters of recommendation to the Cognitive Search Committee, Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544-1010. Applicants should submit materials as soon as possible. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Princeton is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable EEO and affirmative action regulations. For information about applying to Princeton and how to self-identify, please link to http://web.princeton.edu/sites/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm From t.heskes at science.ru.nl Wed Nov 5 05:27:15 2008 From: t.heskes at science.ru.nl (Tom Heskes) Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:27:15 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Neurocomputing volume 71 (issues 16-18) Message-ID: <49117503.7010800@science.ru.nl> Neurocomputing volume 71 (issues 16-18) ------- SPECIAL PAPERS (Advances in Neural Information Processing, ICONIP 2006) International Conference on Neural Information Processing (editorial) Irwin King, Jun Wang New results for global stability of Cohen?Grossberg neural networks with multiple time delays Zeynep Orman, Sabri Arik Stability of periodic solution in fuzzy BAM neural networks with finite distributed delays Tingwen Huang, Yu Huang, Chuandong Li Fuzzy classification using information theoretic learning vector quantization Thomas Villmann, Barbara Hammer, Frank-Michael Schleif, Wieland Hermann, Marie Cottrell Gaussian processes for canonical correlation analysis Colin Fyfe, Gayle Leen, Pei Ling Lai Parameterized cross-validation for nonlinear regression models Imhoi Koo, Namgil Lee, Rhee Man Kil A heuristic weight-setting strategy and iteratively updating algorithm for weighted least-squares support vector regression Wen Wen, Zhifeng Hao, Xiaowei Yang Fusion of feature selection methods for pairwise scoring SVM Man-Wai Mak, Sun-Yuan Kung Enhanced feature selection models using gradient-based and point injection techniques D. Huang, Zhaohui Gan, Tommy W.S. Chow Class structure visualization with semi-supervised growing self-organizing maps Arthur Hsu, Saman K. Halgamuge An improved error-correcting output coding framework with kernel-based decoding Dijun Luo, Rong Xiong Conformal self-organizing map on curved seamless surface Cheng-Yuan Liou, Yen-Ting Kuo, Jau-Chi Huang Modeling word perception using the Elman network Cheng-Yuan Liou, Jau-Chi Huang, Wen-Chie Yang A neural model for stereo transparency with the population of the disparity energy models Osamu Watanabe Neural networks approaches for discovering the learnable correlation between gene function and gene expression in mouse Emad A.M. Andrews, Quaid Morris, Anthony J. Bonner Sequence disambiguation and pattern completion by cooperation between autoassociative and heteroassociative memories of functionally divided hippocampal CA3 Toshikazu Samura, Motonobu Hattori, Shun Ishizaki Fuzzy approach to incorporate hemodynamic variability and contextual information for detection of brain activation Juan Zhou, Jagath C. Rajapakse A hybrid fuzzy-neural approach to job completion time prediction in a semiconductor fabrication factory Toly Chen A passport recognition and face verification using enhanced fuzzy ART based RBF network and PCA algorithm Kwang-Baek Kim, Sungshin Kim A novel LS-SVMs hyper-parameter selection based on particle swarm optimization X.C. Guo, J.H. Yang, C.G. Wu, C.Y. Wang, Y.C. Liang A novel stochastic search method for polygonal approximation problem Bin Wang, Huazhong Shu, Chaojian Shi, Limin Luo Analysis and comparison of aircraft landing control using recurrent neural networks and genetic algorithms approaches Jih-Gau Juang, Hou-Kai Chiou, Li-Hsiang Chien A class density approximation neural network for improving the generalization of Fisherface Jiayan Jiang, Liming Zhang, Tetsuo Furukawa High-order Markov kernels for intrusion detection Chuanhuan Yin, Shengfeng Tian, Shaomin Mu A hierarchical learning network for face detection with in-plane rotation Fok Hing Chi Tivive, Abdesselam Bouzerdoum Hough transform neural network for pattern detection and seismic applications Kou-Yuan Huang, Kai-Ju Chen, Jiun-Der You, An-Ching Tung A probabilistic multi-class strategy of one-vs.-rest support vector machines for cancer classification Jin-Hyuk Hong, Sung-Bae Cho Freeform surface inference from sketches via neural networks Usman Khan, Abdelaziz Terchi Multistage RBF neural network ensemble learning for exchange rates forecasting Lean Yu, Kin Keung Lai, Shouyang Wang A cerebellar associative memory approach to option pricing and arbitrage trading S.D. Teddy, E.M.-K. Lai, C. Quek ------- SPECIAL PAPERS (Brazilian Symposium on Neural Networks, SBRN 2006) Brazilian Symposium on Neural Networks (editorial) Andr? C.P.L.F. de Carvalho, Anne M.P. Canuto, Marcilio C.P. de Souto An analysis of data distribution in the ClassAge system: An agent-based system for classification tasks Anne M.P. Canuto, Laura Emmanuella A. Santana, Marjory C.C. Abreu, Jo?o Carlos Xavier Jr. Evolutionary tuning of SVM parameter values in multiclass problems Ana Carolina Lorena, Andr? C.P.L.F. de Carvalho Long-term time series prediction with the NARX network: An empirical evaluation Jos? Maria P. Menezes Jr., Guilherme A. Barreto Forecasting models for interval-valued time series Andr? Luis S. Maia, Francisco de A.T. de Carvalho, Teresa B. Ludermir A quickly trainable hybrid SOM-based document organization system Renato Fernandes Corr?a, Teresa Bernarda Ludermir Chaotic synchronization in general network topology for scene segmentation Liang Zhao, Thiago H. Cupertino, Jo?o R. Bertini Jr. Network properties of a model for conscious and unconscious mental processes Roseli S. Wedemann, Lu?s Alfredo Vidal de Carvalho, Raul Donangelo ------- REGULAR PAPERS Tracking control for nonholonomic mobile robots: Integrating the analog neural network into the backstepping technique Jun Ye Reinforcement learning of recurrent neural network for temporal coding Daichi Kimura, Yoshinori Hayakawa Fast training of neural trees by adaptive splitting based on cubature B. Llanas, F.J. S?inz Using self-organizing fuzzy network with support vector learning for face detection in color images Chia-Feng Juang, Shen-Jie Shiu Fully complex-valued radial basis function networks: Orthogonal least squares regression and classification S. Chen, X.Hong, C.J. Harris, L. Hanzo Tensor correlation filter based class-dependence feature analysis for face recognition Yan Yan, Yu-Jin Zhang An efficient dynamic resource allocation algorithm for packet-switched communication networks based on Hopfield neural excitation method D. Calabuig, J.F. Monserrat, D. G?mez-Barquero, O. L?zaro Recurrent fuzzy-neural approach for nonlinear control using dynamic structure learning scheme Chun-Fei Hsu, Kuo-Hsiang Cheng Enhanced random search based incremental extreme learning machine Guang-Bin Huang, Lei Chen Robust H? control for uncertain delayed nonlinear systems based on standard neural network models Meiqin Liu Training neural networks for classification using growth probability-based evolution J.H. Ang, K.C. Tan, A. Al-Mamun Interference-less neural network training Ji Hua Ang, Sheng-Uei Guan, Kay Chen Tan, Abdullah Al Mamun The essential order of approximation for Suzuki's neural networks Feng-Jun Li, Zong-Ben Xu, Yue-Ting Zhou Discriminant projection embedding for face and palmprint recognition Yan Yan, Yu-Jin Zhang A new local PCA-SOM algorithm Dong Huang, Zhang Yi, Xiaorong Pu Automatic generation of the optimum threshold for parameter weighted pruning in multiple heterogeneous output neural networks A. Luchetta Activity recognition through multi-scale motion detail analysis Youtian Du, Feng Chen, Wenli Xu, Weidong Zhang Improve local tangent space alignment using various dimensional local coordinates Jing Wang ------- BRIEF PAPERS Global exponential stability of delayed BAM network on time scale Anping Chen, Dejun Du Recurrent neural network model for computing largest and smallest generalized eigenvalue Lijun Liu, Hongmei Shao, Dong Nan Stability analysis for the generalized Hopfield neural networks with multi-level activation functions Yiguang Liu, Zhisheng You Direct simplification for kernel regression machines Wenwu He, Zhizhong Wang Two-dimensional direct and weighted linear discriminant analysis for face recognition Ruicong Zhi, Qiuqi Ruan Upper bound on pattern storage in feedforward networks Pramod L. Narasimha, Michael T. Manry, Francisco Maldonado Adaptive RBF neural-networks control for a class of time-delay nonlinear systems Qing Zhu, Shumin Fei, Tianping Zhang, Tao Li Adaptive biomimetic control of robot arm motions Sungho Jo A new action potential classifier using 3-Gaussian model fitting Seong-eun Roh, Joon Hwan Choi, Taejeong Kim Spike-based cross-entropy method for reconstruction Andr?s L?rincz, Zsolt Palotai, G?bor Szirtes Solving local minima problem with large number of hidden nodes on two-layered feed-forward artificial neural networks Bumghi Choi, Ju-Hong Lee, Deok-Hwan Kim Null space discriminant locality preserving projections for face recognition Liping Yang, Weiguo Gong, Xiaohua Gu, Weihong Li, Yixiong Liang Generalization of finite size Boolean perceptrons with genetic algorithms D.M.L. Barbato, J.J. De Groote Gaussian moments for noisy unifying model Yumin Yang, Chonghui Guo A new approach to TS fuzzy modeling using dual kernel-based learning machines Wei Li, Yupu Yang Exponential synchronization of a class of neural networks with mixed time-varying delays and impulsive effects Li Sheng, Huizhong Yang Nonlinear noise reduction of chaotic time series based on multidimensional recurrent LS-SVM Jiancheng Sun, Chongxun Zheng, Yatong Zhou, Yaohui Bai, Jianguo Luo Adaptive filtering under maximum mutual information criterion Badong Chen, Jinchun Hu, Hongbo Li, Zengqi Sun Data classification using hybrid GrayART network Ming-Feng Yeh, Cheng Wen, Shao-Shan Chiang ------- JOURNAL SITE: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/neucom SCIENCE DIRECT: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/issue/5660-2008-999289983-697682 From H.Bowman at kent.ac.uk Thu Nov 6 13:04:27 2008 From: H.Bowman at kent.ac.uk (H.Bowman) Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 18:04:27 -0000 Subject: Connectionists: PhD positions, Kent at Canterbury, UK Message-ID: <007201c9403a$1b8a0240$9a290c81@ad.kent.ac.uk> PhD positions: Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems at Kent The Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems (CCNCS, http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/projects/cncs/index.html) is seeking PhD applicants across the topics encompassed by the Centre. The CCNCS is a cross-disciplinary grouping, which brings together academics in Psychology, Neuroimaging, Neuropsychology and the Computational Sciences. Topics currently being investigated in the CCNCS include: language, attention, emotions, object recognition, face processing, categorisation, memory, neural modelling, machine learning, electrophysiology and modelling of EEG. Professor Howard Bowman and Dr Rosie Cowell (the Computing arm of the CCNCS) are particularly keen to appoint PhDs in their areas of research (http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/~hb5 and http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/~rac32). Professor Bowman has ongoing research projects in the areas of temporal and spatial attention, emotions and attention, decision making and language, with both electrophysiological and computational modelling methods being applied. Dr Rosie Cowell has ongoing research focused on categorisation, face processing, neural modelling and memory. Applicants crossing the disciplines of the CCNCS are particularly welcome. Typically, PhD students in the CCNCS undertake behavioural experimentation, electrophysiological experimentation and neural modelling. The PhD programme is particularly set up to develop researchers with skills in all three of these methods. Funding will be allocated on a competitive basis. Research council eligibility criteria limit a proportion of the funding available to UK nationals. Inquiries concerning these PhD positions should be made to Professor Howard Bowman (H.Bowman at kent.ac.uk), University of Kent at Canterbury, UK. -------------------------------------------- Professor Howard Bowman (PhD) Professor of Cognition & Logic Director of Centre for CNCS Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems and the Computing Laboratory, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF, United kingdom Telephone: +44-1227-823815 Fax: +44-1227-762811 email: H.Bowman at kent.ac.uk WWW: http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/people/staff/hb5/ From ica2009 at dmo.fee.unicamp.br Tue Nov 4 10:07:44 2008 From: ica2009 at dmo.fee.unicamp.br (ICA2009) Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 13:07:44 -0200 (BRST) Subject: Connectionists: ICA2009 Reminder: Approaching Deadline and Keynote Speakers Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, Next year, the 8th International Conference on Independent Component Analysis and Signal Separation (ICA2009) will be held in Paraty, one of Brazil's most charming tourist destinations. In accordance with the tradition established by the previous ICA conferences, our wish is that next year's event be a special moment for our community to share ideas and experiences in a most pleasant environment. IMPORTANT DATES * November 10, 2008 - Submission deadline * December 8, 2008 - Notification of acceptance * December 19, 2008 - Final paper due * Conference - March 15-18, 2009 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS * Andrzej Cichocki - RIKEN - Brain Science Institute, JAPAN Multi-way Array (Tensor) Factorizations and Decompositions and their Potential Applications * David J. Field -Cornell University Sparseness, invariance and the biological plausibility of independent coding * Mark D. Plumbley - Queen Mary University of London Analysing Digital Music You can find more information on the conference website http://www.dspcom.fee.unicamp.br/ica2009 Best regards, Allan Kardec Barros and Joao Marcos T. Romano General Chairs, ICA2009 Tulay Adali and Christian Jutten Technical Chairs, ICA2009 From kenji at ieee.org Mon Nov 3 20:25:28 2008 From: kenji at ieee.org (Kenji Suzuki) Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:25:28 +0900 Subject: Connectionists: Research Assistant Positions (PhD Studentships) Message-ID: <490FA488.9050204@ieee.org> * We apologize if you receive multiple copies of this announcement. Research Assistant Positions (PhD Studentships) Cybernics Program, University of Tsukuba Tsukuba, Japan Ref: CYB05/R0811 http://www.cybernics.tsukuba.ac.jp/jobs/CYB05R0811.html Applications are invited for a few research assistant positions (fully-funded PhD studentships), which cover tuition fees and living costs, who have (or expect to obtain) a Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. We offer a supportive environment for individuals to work towards PhD, DEng or DMedSci qualifications. The successful candidates should be keen on their assignments, attend to their academic duties. These studentships provide students with the opportunity to work on a Cybernics research project as a research assistant. These positions are available for duration of three years. The successful candidates can be formally admitted to the PhD program, if s/he meets the University admission requirements to study for a PhD. Note that the PhD supervisor must be a faculty member related to Cybernics Program, which is listed at the website. (http://www.cybernics.tsukuba.ac.jp/members.html) Students should have research interests in the field of Cybernics Program, which is a new domain of interdisciplinary academic field of human-assistive technology to enhance, strengthen, and support human's cognitive and physical functions, which challenges to integrate and harmonize humans and robots (RT: robotics technology) with the basis of information technology (IT). This challenging program will help you to develop practical and experimental skills in your chosen field. The three primary research areas are: (i) Cybernoid: robot suits, cybernic limb and hand, implanted cybernic system, subjective cognition computing, virtual human-body kernel. (ii) Next-generation interface: brain-computer interface, somato-sensory media, humanoid, medical interface, ubiquitous sensing interface, intelligent robots. (iii) Management technology for next-generation advanced systems: network security, new-generation risk management, cognitive engineering, ethical, sociological, and conceptual readiness. In particular, the topics including - but not limited to - Robot suits (exoskeleton) - Assistive and Rehabilitation robotics - Humanoid robotics - Physical and cognitive human-robot interaction - Vital data sensing, Medical interface and Medical robotics - Brain-machine interface - Other fields in Cybernics (see the faculty members) Please note that these studentships are available to all potential applicants and not restricted to nationals. The successful candidate must be able to start the PhD on the 1st April 2009. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply. Please complete an application form which can be downloaded from the following web site. http://www.cybernics.tsukuba.ac.jp/jobs/CYB05R0811.html Please return your application by email, preferably in PDF format, to jobs.ra at cybernics.tsukuba.ac.jp. You should include the ref. number you are applying for in the header of your e-mail, or standard mail envelope. For informal inquiries please contact the above address on email (jobs.ra at cybernics.tsukuba.ac.jp). Otherwise, if you have already decided on a research lab, please try making direct contact with the faculty member (by e-mail). Tsukuba is a university and science city, located about 60 kilometers, about 45 minutes by train, or 1 hour by car, northeast of central Tokyo. Over 50 national and independently administered research organizations are concentrated in the Tsukuba Science City district, which is centered on the university. *Important Dates Application deadline: December 1st, 2008. Yoshiyuki Sankai Professor, Leader of Cybernics Program University of Tsukuba --- Kenji Suzuki kenji at ieee.org University of Tsukuba, Japan http://www.iit.tsukuba.ac.jp/~kenji/ From elli.chatzopoulou at incf.org Mon Nov 10 08:04:39 2008 From: elli.chatzopoulou at incf.org (Elli Chatzopoulou) Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:04:39 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: INCF: Live demos at "Neuroscience 2008", Washington DC, November 16 - 19 Message-ID: <34105E78206CF745880AF8BE01ABA3F0043B6DE564@ex2.gns.se> Welcome to the INCF booth in the Institutional Exhibit area, booth no.3227. The INCF has invited leading scientists to present databases, tools for visualization and analysis of neuroscience data, and environments for modeling and simulation of nervous system functions. We are hosting double-track parallel demonstrations from 15 different projects, in a two-session daily program. Morning sessions run from 09:30 to 12:30, afternoon sessions from 13:30 to 16:30. At the booth you will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on the INCF Neuroinformatics Portal and you will find all INCF publications. Full program: Sunday morning (Nov 16; 9:30 - 12:30) - Standardization in Rodent Atlas Mapping: Waxholm Space (WHS) Boline J, Hawrylycz M, Burger A, Hashikawa T, Johnson GA, Martone M, Ng L, Nissanov J, Puelles L, Ruffins S, Verbeek F, Zaslavsky I - NeuroTools: analysis, visualization and management of real and simulated neuroscience data Kremkow J, Brizzi T, Bruederle D, Davison A, Muller E, Perrinet L, Schmuker M, and Yger P Sunday afternoon (Nov 16; 13:30 - 16:30) - MUSIC: the MUlti-SImulation Coordinator Djurfeldt M and Ekeberg ? - MUSIC in action: NeST talking to Moose Hjorth J, Dudani N, Potjans T, Helias M, Djurfeldt M, and Ekeberg ? ------------------------------------------------ Monday morning (Nov 17; 9:30 - 12:30) - SenseLab: New Directions in Neuroinformatics: Microcircuits and Neurodegenerative Disease Marenco LN, Morse TM, Mutalik PG, Migliore M, Cheung KH, Carnevale NT, Hines ML, Miller PL, and Shepherd GM - The Inverse Current Source Density (iCSD) method: Precise estimation of CSD from multi-electrode recordings with one, two and three dimensional contact grids ??ski Sz, Pettersen KH, Einevoll GT, Gigg Kublik E, ?wiejkowski DA, Tunstall B, Wr?bel A, and W?jcik DK Monday afternoon (Nov 17; 13:30 - 16:30) - Finding hidden treasures: a related document search for SfN annual meeting abstracts Usui S, Kamiji NL, Ueda N, and Taniguchi T - NEST 2: A Parallel Simulator for Large Neuronal Networks Diesmann M, Eppler JM, Gewaltig M-O, Helias M, Morrison A ------------------------------------------------ Tuesday morning (Nov 18; 9:30 - 12:30) - INCF Japan Node (J-Node) and neuroinformatics platforms Usui S, Kokubo T, Akazawa F, and Okumura Y - Code Analysis, Repository and Modelling for E-Neuroscience (CARMEN) Ingram C and Knowles A Tuesday afternoon (Nov 18; 13:30 - 16:30) - Matching spatial with ontological brain entities using the CoCoMac-Paxinos-3D tool Bezgin R, Reid AT, Schubert D, and K?tter R - Program for Ontologies on Neural Structure (PONS): Stop the chaos! Martone M, Bowden D, De Schutter E, Heintz N, Ingram C, Kennedy MB, Saper C, Van Essen D, Williams R, Zaboszky L, and Zilles K - BrainInfo: An International Resource for Brain Anatomy hosted by the US Node Grethe J, Bowden D, and Martone M ------------------------------------------------ Wednesday morning (Nov 19; 9:30 - 12:30) - CRCNS - Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience - Data sharing Teeters J and Sommer F - The INCF Software Center Ritz R, Larsson A, Lillberg Y, Chatzopoulou E, Holm P, Naeslund M, Wang H, and Bjaalie JG Wednesday afternoon (Nov 19; 13:30 - 16:30) - Open forum discussion Anyone is welcome to give a spontaneous demonstration You can download the program here: http://incf.org/news/live-demos-at-neuroscience-2008 Best regards, Elli Chatzopoulou -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081110/a7bf05cb/attachment.html From cardoso at bcos.uni-freiburg.de Tue Nov 11 04:29:07 2008 From: cardoso at bcos.uni-freiburg.de (Simone Cardoso de Oliveira) Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:29:07 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: More than 70 open CNS positions in Germany! Visit booth no. 3211 at SFN in Washington. Message-ID: <49195063.4060101@bcos.uni-freiburg.de> Dear connectionists, the German Bernstein Network of Computational Neuroscience presents itself at booth no. 3211 at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting 2008, Washington, DC. Highlights of the booth are: - detailed information about more than 70 open positions at all academic levels (PhD students, Postdocs, Group Leaders, Faculty). - teaching and training options in more than 20 MSc, PhD, or MSc/PhD/MD-PhD programs within the Bernstein Network. The Bernstein Network of Computational Neuroscience was initiated by funding through the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in 2004. With over 180 research groups at 20 locations spread all over Germany, it is now the biggest national research network dedicated to computational neuroscience in Europe. Through the recent establishment of a 'Bernstein Focus: Neurotechnology' at 4 locations, new perspectives are opened towards applications. The network collaborates with 20 internationally operating companies. More information about the network is available on: www.nncn.de. We are looking forward to meeting you in Washington! Best regards, Simone Cardoso -- Dr. Simone Cardoso de Oliveira Bernstein Coordination Site of the National Network Computational Neuroscience Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg Hansastr. 9A 79104 Freiburg, Germany phone: +49-761-203-9583 fax: +49-761-203-9585 cardoso at bcos.uni-freiburg.de www.nncn.de From gal.chechik at gmail.com Wed Nov 12 03:44:19 2008 From: gal.chechik at gmail.com (Gal Chechik) Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:44:19 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Program announced: NIPS-08 Computational biology workshop - Dec 11, 12 Message-ID: <8f229dfc0811120044o55ba731ava997cd8810d5743b@mail.gmail.com> The 6th workshop on Machine Learning in Computational Biology http://www.mlcb.org A workshop at the Twenty-Second Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS 2008) Workshop: Whistler, BC, Canada, December 12, 2008. Symposium: Vancouver, BC, Canada, December 11, 2008. December 11, 2008, 13:00?16:00 Mini Symposium 3 13:00-14:00 *Modular Biology: the Function and Evolution of Molecular Networks * Aviv Regev , Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA 14:00-15:00 *Computational Studies Discover an new Mode of Gene Regulation * Steven Brenner, University of California, Berkely, CA, USA 15:00-16:00 *Statistical Models for Predicting HIV Phenotypes * Thomas Lengauer, Max Planck Insitute for Informatics, Saarbr?cken, Germany December 12, 2008, 07:45?10:30 and 15:45?18:30 Hilton: Mt. Currie Morning session 7.45-8.10: *Learning Temporal Sequence of Biological Networks, * Le Song and Eric Xing 8.10-8.35: * Switching Regulatory Models of Cellular Stress Response,*** Guido Sanguinetti, Andreas Ruttor, Manfred Opper and Cedric Archambeau 8.35-9.00: * Detecting the Presence and Absence of Causal Relationships Between ** Expression of Yeast Genes with Very Few Samples * Eun Yong Kang, Ilya Shpitser, Hyun Min Kang, Chun Ye and Eleazar Eskin 9.00-9.15 Coffee break 9.15-9.40* KIRMES: Kernel-based Identification of Regulatory Modules in ** Euchromatic Sequences* Sebastian J. Schultheiss, Wolfgang Busch, Jan Lohmann, Oliver Kohlbacher and Gunnar R?tsch 9.40-10.05: * Approximate Substructure Matching for Biological Sequence Classification* Pavel Kuksa and Vladimir Pavlovic 10.05-10.30: *Predicting Binding Affinities of MHC Class II Epitopes Across Alleles * Nico Pfeifer and Oliver Kohlbacher *Afternoon session* 3.45-4.10* Inside the black box: Identifying causal genetic factors of drug resistance* Bo-Juen Chen, Helen Causton, Ethan Perlstein and Dana Peer 4.10-4.35 *Full Bayesian Survival Models for Analyzing Human Breast Tumors* Volker Roth, Thomas Fuchs, Sudhir Raman, Peter Wild, Edgar Dahl and Joachim Buhmann 4.35-5.00 * Probabilistic assignment of formulas to mass peaks in metabolomics experiments*** Simon Rogers, Richard A. Scheltema, Mark Girolami and Rainer Breitling 5.00-5.15 Coffee break 5.15-5.40 * Learning "graph-mer" motifs that predict gene expression trajectories in development * Xuejing Li, Chris Wiggins, Valerie Reinke and Christina Leslie 5.40-6.05 *On the relationship between DNA periodicity and local chromatin structure * Sheila Reynolds, Jeff Bilmes and William Stafford Noble 6.05-6.30 Discussion WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION The field of computational biology has seen dramatic growth over the past few years, in terms of newly available data, new scientific questions and new challenges for learning and inference. In particular, biological data is often relationally structured and highly diverse, and thus requires combining multiple weak evidence from heterogeneous sources. These sources include sequenced genomes of a variety of organisms, gene expression data from multiple technologies, protein sequence and 3D structural data, protein interaction data, gene ontology and pathway databases, genetic variation data (such as SNPs), and an enormous amount of text data in the biological and medical literature. These new types of scientific and clinical problems require novel supervised and unsupervised learning approaches that can use these growing resources. The workshop will host presentations of emerging problems and machine learning techniques in computational biology. We encourage contributions describing either progress on new bioinformatics problems or work on established problems using methods that are substantially different from standard approaches. Kernel methods, graphical models, feature selection and other techniques applied to relevant bioinformatics problems would all be appropriate for the workshop. This year the workshop will follow a mini-symposium on Computational Biology that will take place in Vancouver on the afternoon of Thursday Dec 11th. ORGANIZERS Gal Chechik, Google Research Christina Leslie, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center William Stafford Noble, Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington Gunnar Raetsch, Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society (Tuebingen, Germany) Quaid Morris, Terrence Donnelley Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto PROGRAM COMMITTEE Pierre Baldi, UC Irvine Kristin Bennett, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Mathieu Blanchette, McGill University Florence d'Alche, Universite d'Evry-Val d'Essonne, Genopole Eleazar Eskin, UCLA Brendan Frey, University of Toronto Nir Friedman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Michael I. Jordan, UC Berkeley Alexander Hartemink, Duke University David Heckerman, Microsoft Research Michal Linial, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Klaus-Robert Mueller, Fraunhofer FIRST Uwe Ohler, Duke University Dana Pe'er, Columbia University Alexander Schliep, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics Bernhard Schoelkopf, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Jean-Philippe Vert, Ecole des Mines de Paris Eric Xing, Carnegie Mellon University -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081112/2d2fcff4/attachment.html From yael at Princeton.EDU Tue Nov 11 23:25:01 2008 From: yael at Princeton.EDU (Yael Niv) Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:25:01 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoctoral position in model-based fMRI at Princeton University Message-ID: <696F04E1-041C-48F1-9DAD-D3761111F1EA@princeton.edu> Postdoctoral Research Associate Join a growing research group led by Dr. Yael Niv in the new Princeton Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Psychology at Princeton University. Research in the lab focuses on computational modeling of animal and human learning and behavior, and model-driven functional imaging experiments of decision making. Possible projects investigate the interaction between cortical representation learning and reinforcement learning in the basal ganglia. We seek exceptionally talented candidates with a strong background in computational modeling and/or functional imaging, and a keen interest in normative models of behavior. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal. Essential Qualifications PhD in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, engineering, neurobiology, physics or related field. All applications should include a cover letter stating background and research interests, a CV, one or two representative publications, and contact information of at least two references. Preferred Qualifications The ideal candidate will have a solid computational background (machine learning, reinforcement learning, Bayesian models), will be proficient in programming (Matlab or equivalent) and will have robust experience with fMRI (event related designs and model-based analysis techniques). To apply contact yael at princeton.edu or apply online to Requisition Number: 0800698 at http://jobs.princeton.edu. Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable EEO and affirmative action regulations. For general application information and how to self-identify, see http://www.princeton.edu/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081111/a776c9cd/attachment-0001.html From olbrich at mis.mpg.de Mon Nov 17 05:48:31 2008 From: olbrich at mis.mpg.de (Eckehard Olbrich) Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:48:31 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Workshop on Complex Brain Dynamics, Sleep and Consciousness, Dresden, June 2009 Message-ID: <49214BFF.7040403@mis.mpg.de> Dear Collegues Generously supported by the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden (Germany) we would like to announce the following workshop and associated seminar, and invite interested scientists to apply for participation. Regards Peter Achermann Eckehard Olbrich Thomas Wennekers Workshop & Seminar on "Complex dynamics in large-scale interacting brain networks: Towards physical models of sleep and consciousness" Workshop: 20-25.06.2009 Seminar: 8-20.06.2009 LOCATION: Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany http://www.pks.mpg.de/~codybs09/ Recent developments in the physically realistic modeling of functional systems of the mammalian brain ask for an ever increasing need to develop novel concepts and overarching theories that allow to link the microscopic dynamics of neural circuits with brain functions on the systems level. The workshop specifically aims at debating the state-of-the-art concepts and theories for the physics of large-scale brain activity and its relation to ongoing computational processes in the brain. Out of this broad area, the workshop will focus on sleep, consciousness and memory. The seminar & workshop will provide an outstanding opportunity to bring together researchers working in the relevant sub-domains in order to confront theories and concepts with recent experimental results as well as the latest developments in computational modelling and simulation. Invited speakers: Maxim Bazhenov, University of California Riverside, USA Steven Bressler, Florida Atlantic University, USA Jens Christian Claussen, University L?beck, Germany Vincenco Crunelli, Cardiff School of Biosciences, UK Alain Destexhe, UNIC CNRS, France J?rgen Fell, University Bonn, Germany Karl Friston, UCL, UK Sean Hill, EPFL, Switzerland Reto Huber, University Children's Hospital Z?rich, Switzerland Lutz J?ncke, University Z?rich, Switzerland J?rgen Jost, Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Germany J?rgen Kurths, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany Pierre Maquet, Li?ge University, Belgium Marcello Massimini, University of Milan, Italy Thomas Metzinger, University Mainz, Germany(*) Roberto D. Pascual-Marqui, The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Zurich, Switzerland Peter Robinson, University of Sydney, Australia Anil Seth, University of Sussex, UK John Taylor, King's College London, UK(*) Felix Tretter, Psychiatry, M?nchen-Haar, Germany Istvan Ulbert, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary Pedro A. Valdes-Sosa, Cuban Neuroscience Center, Cuba Marcus Wilson, University of Waikato, New Zealand (*) to be confirmed Applications for the seminar and/or workshop have to be submitted via the workshop & seminar webpage http://www.pks.mpg.de/~codybs09/ until February 28, 2009. For successful applications, accommodation and subsistence will be covered by MPIPKS. The registration fee is 100 Euro and should be paid by all participants. Limited travel funds may be available, and if so, preferentially for participants from developing countries. Scientific Coordinators: Peter Achermann (University Z?rich, Switzerland) Eckehard Olbrich (MPI for Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig, Germany) Thomas Wennekers (University of Plymouth, U.K.) Organization: Claudia P?nisch (MPIPKS Dresden, Germany) For further information see http://www.pks.mpg.de/~codybs09/ or e-mail to: codybs09 at pks.mpg.de From t.heskes at science.ru.nl Sun Nov 23 12:53:50 2008 From: t.heskes at science.ru.nl (Tom Heskes) Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:53:50 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Neurocomputing volume 72 (issues 1-3) Message-ID: <492998AE.3080305@science.ru.nl> Neurocomputing volume 72 (issues 1-3) ------- SPECIAL PAPERS (Machine Learning for Signal Processing ,MLSP 2006) Machine Learning for Signal Processing (editorial) Marc M. Van Hulle, Jan Larsen Improving radial basis function kernel classification through incremental learning and automatic parameter selection Carlos Renjifo, David Barsic, Craig Carmen, Kevin Norman, G. Scott Peacock Signal theory for SVM kernel design with applications to parameter estimation and sequence kernels J.D.B. Nelson, R.I. Damper, S.R. Gunn, B. Guo A new information theoretic analysis of sum-of-squared-error kernel clustering Robert Jenssen, Torbj?rn Eltoft Bayesian estimation of time delays between unevenly sampled signals Markus Harva, Somak Raychaudhury Probabilistic approach to detecting dependencies between data sets Arto Klami, Samuel Kaski Blind source separation based on endpoint estimation with application to the MLSP 2006 data competition John A. Lee, Fr?d?ric Vrins, Michel Verleysen Wavelet-based separation of nonlinear show-through and bleed-through image mixtures Mariana S.C. Almeida, Lu?s B. Almeida Speaker-independent model-based single channel speech separation M.H. Radfar, R.M. Dansereau, A. Sayadiyan Efficient Bayesian inference for harmonic models via adaptive posterior factorization Emmanuel Vincent, Mark D. Plumbley Discovering speech phones using convolutive non-negative matrix factorisation with a sparseness constraint Paul D. O?Grady, Barak A. Pearlmutter Enhancing the correntropy MACE filter with random projections Kyu-Hwa Jeong, Jose C. Principe Denoising of magnetoencephalographic data using spatial averaging Stephen J. Redmond, Conor Heneghan, Kenneth E. Hild II, Srikantan Nagarajan Extensions of transductive learning for distributed ensemble classification and application to biometric authentication David J. Miller, Siddharth Pal, Yue Wang ------- SPECIAL PAPERS (Life System Modelling, Simulation, and Bio-inspired Computing, LSMS 2007) Life System Modelling, Simulation, and Bio-inspired Computing (editorial) Kang Li, Xia Hong, George W. Irwin The noninvasive reconstruction of 3D temperature field in a biological body with Monte Carlo method Kai-Yang Li, Yong-Gang Dong, Cheng Chen, Shao-Ping Zhang Clustering complex networks and biological networks by nonnegative matrix factorization with various similarity measures Rui-Sheng Wang, Shihua Zhang, Yong Wang, Xiang-Sun Zhang, Luonan Chen A lifecycle model for simulating bacterial evolution B. Niu, Y.L. Zhu, X.X. He, H. Shen, Q.H. Wu A population-based artificial immune system for numerical optimization Maoguo Gong, Licheng Jiao, Xiangrong Zhang Evolutionary stability affected by energy flow in the bio-network architecture Hong-Bin Sun, Li-Hong Ren, Yong-Sheng Ding ART2 neural network interacting with environment Jian Fan, Yang Song, MinRui Fei A Bayesian approach to support vector machines for the binary classification Jiangsheng Yu, Fei Cheng, Huilin Xiong, Wanling Qu, Xue-wen Chen Nonlinear-estimator-based robust synchronization of Hodgkin?Huxley neurons Lingling Tian, Donghai Li, Xianfang Sun Modeling and stability analysis of grey?fuzzy predictive control Lisheng Wei, Minrui Fei, Huosheng Hu Multimodality medical image fusion based on multiscale geometric analysis of contourlet transform L. Yang, B.L. Guo, W. Ni A simplified GLRAM algorithm for face recognition Chong Lu, Wanquan Liu, Senjian An ------- REGULAR PAPERS Highlighting heterogeneous samples to support vector machines? training Chan-Yun Yang Exponential stability of impulsive Cohen?Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays and reaction?diffusion terms Kelin Li, Qiankun Song How to select an optimal neural model of chemical reactivity? Maciej Szaleniec, Ryszard Tadeusiewicz, Ma?gorzata Witko Kernel regression networks with local structural information and covariance volume adaptation J.Y. Goulermas, P. Liatsis, X.-J. Zeng A protein secondary structure prediction framework based on the Extreme Learning Machine Guoren Wang, Yi Zhao, Di Wang Neural network construction and training using grammatical evolution Ioannis Tsoulos, Dimitris Gavrilis, Euripidis Glavas Object recognition and tracking with maximum likelihood bidirectional associative memory networks Hong Chang, Zuren Feng, Xiaoliang Wei Pixel sensor integrated neuromorphic VLSI system for real-time applications Koray Karahaliloglu, Patrick Gans, Nathan Schemm, Sina Balkir A multi-subunit spatiotemporal model of local edge detector cells in the cat retina Wang-Qiang Niu, Jing-Qi Yuan A kernel-based fuzzy greedy multiple hyperspheres covering algorithm for pattern classification Lei Gu, Hui-Zhong Wu Improved delay-dependent exponential stability criteria for discrete-time recurrent neural networks with time-varying delays Baoyong Zhang, Shengyuan Xu, Yun Zou Nonadditive grey single-layer perceptron with Choquet integral for pattern classification problems using genetic algorithms Yi-Chung Hu Two-parameter bifurcation analysis of firing activities in the Chay neuronal model Lixia Duan, Qishao Lu, Qinyun Wang Two-directional maximum scatter difference discriminant analysis for face recognition Jianguo Wang, Wankou Yang, Yusheng Lin, Jingyu Yang A fast pruned-extreme learning machine for classification problem Hai-Jun Rong, Yew-Soon Ong, Ah-Hwee Tan, Zexuan Zhu Incremental constructive ridgelet neural network Shuyuan Yang, Min Wang, Licheng Jiao Wavelet-based contourlet in quality evaluation of digital images Xinbo Gao, Wen Lu, Xuelong Li, Dacheng Tao Global exponential stability of Cohen?Grossberg neural networks with distributed delays Bao Tong Cui, Wei Wu Structural identifiability of generalized constraint neural network models for nonlinear regression Shuang-Hong Yang, Bao-Gang Hu, Paul-Henry Courn?de Image recognition system based on novel measures of image similarity and cluster validity Chia-Yu Yen, Krzysztof J. Cios Switching analysis of 2-D neural networks with nonsaturating linear threshold transfer functions Hong Qu, Zhang Yi, XiaoBin Wang A granular-oriented development of functional radial basis function neural networks W. Pedrycz, H.S. Park, S.K. Oh Stability analysis of stochastic fuzzy cellular neural networks with delays Ling Chen, Hongyong Zhao New criteria on global robust stability of Cohen?Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays Jun-e Feng, Shengyuan Xu An experimental study of the extended NRBF regression model and its enhancement for classification problem L. Ma, A. Wahab, G.S. Ng, S. Erdogan The hidden neurons selection of the wavelet networks using support vector machines and ridge regression Min Han, Jia Yin A support vector machine with integer parameters Davide Anguita, Alessandro Ghio, Stefano Pischiutta, Sandro Ridella Development of a new EDRNN procedure in control of human arm trajectories Shan Liu, Yongji Wang, Quanmin Zhu Image thresholding using a novel estimation method in generalized Gaussian distribution mixture modeling Shu-Kai S. Fan, Yen Lin, Chia-Chan Wu Convergence of BP algorithm for product unit neural networks with exponential weights C. Zhang, W. Wu, X.H. Chen, Y. Xiong A dynamic algorithm for blind separation of convolutive sound mixtures Jie Liu, Jack Xin, Yingyong Qi An adaptive policy gradient in learning Nash equilibria Huaxiang Zhang, Ying Fan Numerical bounds to assure initial local stability of NARX multilayer perceptrons and radial basis functions Eloy Irigoyen, Miguel Pinzolas Evolutionary product-unit neural networks classifiers F.J. Mart?nez-Estudillo, C. Herv?s-Mart?nez, P.A. Guti?rrez, A.C. Mart?nez-Estudillo An online Bayesian Ying?Yang learning applied to fuzzy CMAC M.N. Nguyen, D. Shi, J. Fu Shape recovery by a generalized topology preserving SOM Dong Huang, Zhang Yi Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm for continuous space optimization based on Bloch coordinates of qubits Panchi Li, Shiyong Li The cerebellum: An incomplete multilayer perceptron? Horatiu Voicu Model optimizing and feature selecting for support vector regression in time series forecasting Wenwu He, Zhizhong Wang, Hui Jiang A neural network-based diagnostic method for solitary pulmonary nodules Chinson Yeh, Chen-Liang Lin, Ming-Ting Wu, Chen-Wen Yen, Jen-Feng Wang ------- BRIEF PAPERS Energy demand prediction using GMDH networks Dipti Srinivasan Population stochastic dynamics for synaptic depression Wentao Huang, Licheng Jiao, Jianhua Jia Binaural semi-blind dereverberation of noisy convoluted speech signals Jong-Hwan Lee, Sang-Hoon Oh, Soo-Young Lee State estimation for discrete-time neural networks with time-varying delays Shaoshuai Mou, Huijun Gao, Wenyi Qiang, Zhongyang Fei Avatar motion control by natural body movement via camera Na Li, Chun Chen, Qiang Wang, Mingli Song, Dacheng Tao, Xuelong Li Prediction error of a fault tolerant neural network John Sum, Andrew Chi-Sing Leung On the stability and bias?variance analysis of sparse SVMs V. Vijaya Saradhi, Harish Karnick A note on an extreme case of the generalized optimal discriminant transformation M. Loog, X.-J. Wu, J.-P. Lu, J.-Y. Yang, S.-T. Wang, J. Kittler ------- JOURNAL SITE: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/neucom SCIENCE DIRECT: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/issue/5660-2008-999279998-703256 From hitzler at aifb.uni-karlsruhe.de Mon Nov 24 13:50:18 2008 From: hitzler at aifb.uni-karlsruhe.de (Pascal Hitzler) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:50:18 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: 1st CfP: IJCAI-09 Workshop on Neural-Symbolic Learning and Reasoning, NeSy'09 Message-ID: <492AF76A.5030003@aifb.uni-karlsruhe.de> Fifth International Workshop on Neural-Symbolic Learning and Reasoning Workshop at IJCAI-09, Pasadena, California, July 2009 http://www.neural-symbolic.org/NeSy09/ Call for Papers --------------- Artificial Intelligence researchers continue to face huge challenges in their quest to develop truly intelligent systems. The recent developments in the field of neural-symbolic computation bring an opportunity to integrate well-founded symbolic artificial intelligence with robust neural computing machinery to help tackle some of these challenges. Neural-symbolic systems combine the statistical nature of learning and the logical nature of reasoning. The Workshop on Neural-Symbolic Learning and Reasoning is intended to create an atmosphere of exchange of ideas, providing a forum for the presentation and discussion of the key topics related to neural-symbolic integration. Topics of interest include: * The representation of symbolic knowledge by connectionist systems; * Learning in neural-symbolic systems; * Extraction of symbolic knowledge from trained neural networks; * Reasoning in neural-symbolic systems; * Biological inspiration for neural-symbolic integration; * Neural networks and probabilities; * Neural networks and relational learning; * Applications in robotics, semantic web, engineering, bioinformatics, etc. Submission ---------- Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit original papers that have not been submitted for review or published elsewhere. Submitted papers must be written in English and should not exceed 6 pages in the case of research and experience papers, and 2 pages in the case of position papers (including figures, bibliography and appendices) in IJCAI-09 format as described in the IJCAI-09 submission guidelines. All submitted papers will be judged based on their quality, relevance, originality, significance, and soundness. Papers must be submitted directly via easychair in PDF format under http://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=nesy09. Presentation ------------ Selected papers will have to be presented during the workshop. The workshop will include extra time for audience discussion of the presentation allowing the group to have a better understanding of the issues, challenges, and ideas being presented. Publication ----------- Accepted papers will be published electronically in the CEUR workshop proceedings (bearing an ISSN number). Hardcopies will be distributed during the workshop. Authors of the best papers will be invited to submit a revised and extended version of their papers to a special issue of a journal. Important Dates --------------- Deadline for abstract submission: April 7, 2009 Deadline for paper submission: April 10, 2009 Notification of acceptance: May 8, 2009 Camera-ready paper due: May 15, Workshop date: July 11th, 12th or 13th, 2009 IJCAI-09 main conference dates: July 11th to 17th, 2009 Admission --------- The workshop is open to all members of the AI community, but the number of attendees may be limited. In case of exceeded capacity preference will be given to participants with papers selected for presentation. Workshop Organisers ------------------- Artur d'Avila Garcez (City University London, UK) Pascal Hitzler (University Karlsruhe, Germany) Programme Committee (to be completed) ------------------- Sebastian Bader, University of Rostock, Germany Claudia d'Amato, University of Bari, Italy Barbara Hammer, TU Clausthal, Germany Ioannis Hatzilygeroudis, University of Patras, Greece Steffen H?lldobler, TU Dresden, Germany Kristian Kersting, Fraunhofer IAIS, Sankt Augustin, Germany Ekaterina Komendantskaya, Sophia Antipolis, France Kai-Uwe K?hnberger, University of Osnabr?ck, Germany Luis Lamb, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil James L. McClelland, Stanford University, California, U.S.A. Anthony K. Seda, University College Cork, Ireland Ron Sun, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, U.S.A. Frank van der Velde, Leiden University, The Netherlands Gerson Zaverucha, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Additional Information ---------------------- General questions concerning the workshop should be addressed to nesy at soi.city.ac.uk. -- PD Dr. Pascal Hitzler Institute AIFB, University of Karlsruhe, 76128 Karlsruhe email: hitzler at aifb.uni-karlsruhe.de fax: +49 721 608 6580 web: http://www.pascal-hitzler.de phone: +49 721 608 4751 http://www.neural-symbolic.org From Dave_Touretzky at cs.cmu.edu Tue Nov 25 05:26:34 2008 From: Dave_Touretzky at cs.cmu.edu (Dave_Touretzky@cs.cmu.edu) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:26:34 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: graduate training at the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Message-ID: <32607.1227608794@ammon.boltz.cs.cmu.edu> Graduate Training at the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition The Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition offers an interdisciplinary doctoral training program operated jointly with eleven affiliated PhD programs at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. We also offer our own PhD Program in Neural Computation. Detailed information about these programs is available on our web site at http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu The Center is dedicated to the study of the neural basis of cognitive processes including learning and memory, language and thought, perception, attention, and planning; to the study of the development of the neural substrate of these processes; to the study of disorders of these processes and their underlying neuropathology; and to the promotion of applications of the results of these studies to artificial intelligence, robotics, and medicine. CNBC students have access to some of the finest facilities for cognitive neuroscience research in the world: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners for functional brain imaging, neurophysiology laboratories for recording from brain slices and from anesthetized or awake, behaving animals, electron and confocal microscopes for structural imaging, high performance computing facilities including an in-house supercomputer for neural modeling and image analysis, and patient populations for neuropsychological studies. Students are admitted jointly to a home department and the CNBC Training Program. Applications are encouraged from students with interests in biology, neuroscience, psychology, engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, statistics, or robotics. For more information about the program, and to obtain application materials, visit our web site at www.cnbc.cmu.edu, or contact us at the following address: Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition 115 Mellon Institute 4400 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Tel. (412) 268-4000. Fax: (412) 268-5060 email: cnbc-admissions at cnbc.cmu.edu Web: http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu The affiliated PhD programs at the two universities are: Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh Biological Sciences BioEngineering Biomedical Engineering Mathematics Computer Science Neuroscience Machine Learning Psychology Robotics Statistics The CNBC training faculty includes: Eric Ahrens (CMU Biology): MRI studies of the vertebrate nervous system Howard Aizenstein (Pitt BioEngineering): fMRI of depression in elderly Susan Amara (Pitt Neurobiology): neurotransmitter transport and binding John Anderson (CMU Psychology): models of human cognition Patricia Arenth (Pitt Physical Medicing): traumatic brain injury German Barrionuevo (Pitt Neuroscience): hippocampus and prefrontal cortex Alison Barth (CMU Biology): molecular basis of plasticity in neocortex Aaron Batista (Pitt BioEngineering): sensory-motor integration James Becker (Pitt Psychiatry): human memoru disorders Marlene Behrmann (CMU Psychology): spatial representations in parietal cortex Guoqiang Bi (Pitt Neurocience): activity-dependent synaptic modification Charles Bradberry (Pitt Psychiatry): neurobiology of drug and alcohol abuse J. Patrick Card (Pitt Neuroscience): transneuronal tracing of neural circuits Raymond Cho (Pitt Psychiatry): cognitive control mechanisms; schizophrenia Carol Colby (Pitt Neuroscience): spatial reps. in primate parietal cortex Justin Crowley (CMU Biology): development of visual cortex Tracy Cui (Pitt BioEngineering): biosensors, neural microlectrode arrays Brent Doiron (Pitt Mathematics): nonlinear dynamics of networks of neurons William Eddy (CMU Statistics): analysis of fMRI data Bard Ermentrout (Pitt Mathematics): oscillations in neural systems Erika Fanselow (Pitt Neurobiology): inhibitory neurons in neocortex Julie Fiez (Pitt Psychology): fMRI studies of language Anna Fisher (CMU Psychology): cognitive development; selective attention Neeraj Gandhi (Pitt Neuroscience): neural control of movement Chris Genovese (CMU Statistics): making inferences from scientific data Peter Gianaros (Pitt Psychiatry): brain imaging and stress Cleotilde Gonzalez (CMU S&DS): decision making in complex environments Ahmad Hariri (Pitt Psychiatry): developmental brain imaging and genetics Lori Holt (CMU Psychology): mechanisms of auditory and speech perception John Horn (Pitt Neurobiology): synaptic plasticity in autonomic ganglia Satish Iyengar (Pitt Statistics): spike train data analsysis Jon Johnson (Pitt Neuroscience): ligand-gated ion channels; NMDA receptor Marcel Just (CMU Psychology): visual thinking, language comprehension Karl Kandler (Pitt Neurobiology): neural development; inhibitory pathways Robert Kass (CMU Statistics): transmission of info. by collections of neurons Seog-Gi Kim (Pitt Neurobiology): technology and biophysics of fMRI Roberta Klatzky (CMU Psychology): human perception and cognition Anthony Kine (Pitt Physical Medicine): traumatic brain injury Richard Koerber (Pitt Neurobiology): devel. and plasticity of spinal networks Tai Sing Lee (CMU Comp. Sci.): primate visual cortex; computer vision David Lewis (Pitt Neuroscience): anatomy of frontal cortex Beatriz Luna (Pitt Pschology): developmental psychology and fMRI Peter Machamer (Pitt History & Philosophy of Science): philsophy of neuroscience Edouard Machery (Pitt History & Philosophy of Science): philsophy of psychiatry Brian MacWhinney (CMU Psychology): models of language acquisition Steve Meriney (Pitt Neuroscience): mechanisms of synaptic plasticity Nancy Minshew (Pitt Neurobiology): cognitive and neural basis of autism Tom Mitchell (CMU Comp. Sci.): machine learning with application to fMRI Bita Moghaddam (Pitt Neuroscience): prefrontal cortex and psychiatric disorders Paula Monaghan-Nichols (Pitt Neurobiology): genetic analysis of verteb. CNS devel. Don Moore (CMU Tepper School of Business): organizational behavior Paul Munro (Pitt Information Science): neural network models of learning Linda Palmer (CMU Philosophy): nature of mental operations; brain mapping Carl Olson (CNBC): spatial representations in primate frontal cortex Charles Perfetti (Pitt Psychology): language and reading processes Mary Phillips (Pitt Neurology): emotion regulation; mood disorders David Plaut (CMU Psychology): connectionist models of reading Michael Pogue-Geile (Pitt Psychology): development of schizophrenia Julie Price (Pitt Radiology): PET pharmacokinetics and data analysis Lynne Reder (CMU Psychology): models of memory and cognitive processing Erik Reichle (Pitt Psychology): attention and eye movements in reading Joseph Ricker (Pitt Physical Medicine): traumatic brain injury Jonathan Rubin (Pitt Mathematics): analysis of systems of coupled neurons Walter Schneider (Pitt Psych.): fMRI, models of attention & skill acquisition Joel Schuman (Pitt Opthalmology): imaging of the eye; retinal ganglion cells Andrew Schwartz (Pitt Bioengineering): motor control, neural prostheses Susan Sesack (Pitt Neuroscience): anatomy of the dopaminergic system Etienne Sibille (Pitt Psychiatry): molecular characterization of depression Greg Siegle (Pitt Psychology): emotion and cognition; cognitive modeling Dan Simons (Pitt Neurobiology): sensory physiology of the cerebral cortex Marc Sommer (Pitt Neuroscience): neural circuitry controlling eye movements Peter Strick (Pitt Neurobiology): motor control; basal ganglia and cerebellum Floh Thiels (Pitt Neurosicence): LTP and LTD in hippocampus Erik Thiessen (Pitt Psychology): child language development Natasha Tokowicz (Pitt Psychology): language learning; bilingualism Connie Tompkins (Pitt Communication Science): neurologic communication disorders David Touretzky (CMU Comp. Sci.): hippocampal modeling, cognitive robotics Robert Turner (Pitt Neurobiology): basal ganglia and motor control; movement disorders Nathan Urban (CMU Bioogy): circuitry of the olfactory bulb Valerie Ventura (CMU Statistics): structure of neural firing patterns Katherine Verdolini (Pitt Communication Science): motor learning & speech therapy Wei Wang (Pitt Physical Medicine): neural engineering; movement disorders Douglas Weber (Pitt Physical Medicine): somatosensory feedback for neuroprostheses Mark Wheeler (Pitt Psychology): fMRI studies of memory and cognition David Wolk (Pitt Neurology): episodic memory and Alzheimer's disease Yan Xu (Pitt Anesthesiology): functional brain mapping of consciousness Henry Zeringue (Pitt BioEngineering): neural development; neuron cell cultures Please see http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu for further details. From marcus.hutter at gmx.net Mon Nov 17 17:55:24 2008 From: marcus.hutter at gmx.net (Marcus Hutter) Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:55:24 +1100 Subject: Connectionists: One Research Fellow Position Available at RSISE@ANU Message-ID: <044001c94907$aa477be0$6601a8c0@crl174ml1s> Dear Connectionists readers, We are seeking an outstanding Research Fellow with excellent mathematical background and research expertise in - Machine Learning or - (Algorithmic) Information Theory or - (Bayesian) Statistics or - Artificial Intelligence or - related area. Possible backgrounds are a PhD, or near completion of a PhD, in mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, or related. The initial appointment will be for 2-3 years. The new employee will interact with Dr. Marcus Hutter and other people in the RSISE at the ANU. Information for applicants: - http://www.hutter1.net/rsise/postdoc09.htm - http://jobs.anu.edu.au/PositionDetail.aspx?p=380 Closing Date: 16 January 2009 Please contact me in case you are attending NIPS. Thanks for your interest ______________________ Marcus Hutter, Assoc. Prof. RSISE, Room B259, Building 115 Australian National University Corner of North and Daley Road Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Phone: +61(0)2 612 51605 Fax: +61(0)2 612 58651 Email: marcus.hutter at anu.edu.au http://rsise.anu.edu.au/~marcus --------------------------------------------------------------- The Australian National University (ANU) is located in the city of Canberra, the Federal Capital of Australia. The ANU consistently ranks top among all Universities in the southern hemisphere, third in the Asia/Pacific region, and in the top 50 worldwide. From lazinica at intechweb.org Sat Nov 15 05:02:08 2008 From: lazinica at intechweb.org (Aleksandar Lazinica) Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:02:08 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: IN-TECH Open Access Database Message-ID: <48730699-E34C-4DDD-B8B1-89B0751C23E0@intechweb.org> Dear Colleagues, it is my pleasure to inform you that IN-TECH has updated the open access database and refresh the look of the web presence toward more functionality. The database is assessable at www.intechweb.org At the moment IN-TECH scientific database offers more then 2000 peer- reviewed book and journal articles covering the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Manufacturing, Robotics and Operations Research. All IN-TECH articles are accessible in full length immediately on publication, free of charge. We hope that you will find IN-TECH database a valuable source for your scientific work. Please visit intechweb.org and join to the new generation of scientific publishing. Start to change the way science flows. Kind Regards from Vienna Aleksandar Lazinica _______________________ Aleksandar Lazinica In-Tech Kirchengasse 43/3 A-1070 Vienna, Austria Your Access to Knowledge http://intechweb.org/ From cabestan at eel.upc.edu Sun Nov 16 15:11:13 2008 From: cabestan at eel.upc.edu (Joan Cabestany) Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:11:13 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: IWANN'2009: Call for Special Sessions organization Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, please let me focus your attention on the following call for special sessions organization for next IWANN?2009 to be held in Salamanca (Spain) next June 10-12, 2009. I am very sorry for cross reception of this message. CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSIONS PROPOSALS IWANN2009 Special Sessions will be a very useful tool in order to complement the regular program with new or emerging topics of particular interest to the participating community. Special Sessions that emphasize on multi-disciplinary and transversal aspects, as well as cutting-edge topics are especially encouraged and welcome. Prospective organizers of special sessions should submit proposals indicating: * Title of the proposed session * Motivation and objectives for the session, emphasizing the benefits for IWANN'2009. * Short biography of the organizer(s), a maximum of two, with complete address for contact. * List of, at least five (4 - 5) prospective contributed papers (including titles, authors, and contact information of the corresponding author/s). Proposals are due on or before November 25, 2008 and should be sent by e-mail, without specific format to the responsible people (see below for detailed affiliation). cabestan(@) eel.upc.edu moreno(@)eel.upc.edu Special session organizers should also contact a sufficient number of experts who are able to review the papers submitted to their session, bearing in mind that at least two reviews per paper are required in order to make the final assessment. The organizer of the special session may be one of these experts, or he may to propose an alternative referee. The second mandatory referee will be chosen among the members of the IWANN?2009 Program Committee. Special Sessions organizers are expected to submit a tutorial or introductory paper, which will not undergo the usual review process. Additionally, the organizers might submit, at most, one ordinary contribution which will be included into the revision process. Special Sessions proposals will be evaluated based on the timeliness of the topic, the qualifications of the organizers and the authors of the papers proposed in the sessions, and the balance of the topics across the technical areas represented in IWANN. Notification of acceptance will be sent to the organizers by December 1st, 2008. Authors of papers included in successful proposals should submit a manuscript with the same format and deadline as the general program submissions, and they will undergo review. If, at the end of the review process, less than three (3) papers are accepted, the session will be cancelled and the accepted papers will be moved to regular sessions. Special Sessions will only be composed of the papers proposed directly through the organizer, and those proposed by the authors for this specific Sessions, following the regular Call for Papers period, and accepted by the Organizers to be included. Special session organizers will benefit from a 30% reduction in the registration fee. IMPORTANT DEADLINES: Special Session Proposals due: November 25, 2008 Special Session notification of acceptance: December 1st, 2008 Deadline for submission of papers: January 23, 2009 Notification of paper acceptance: February 27, 2009 Deadline for submission of final papers: March 16, 2009 SPECIAL SESSIONS CONTACTS Prof. Dr. Joan Cabestany i Moncusi cabestan(@)eel.upc.edu Phone: + 34 93 4016742 Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Moreno Arostegui moreno(@)eel.upc.edu Phone: + 34 93 4015691 Department of Electronics Engineering Universitat Polit?cnica de Catalunya - UPC Jordi Girona, 1-3 Campus Nord Building C4 E-08034 Barcelona - SPAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF ACCEPTED SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR IWANN2009 You must take into account the following points for the organization of Special sessions and/or the submission of papers to a Special session: 1. As you know, the aim of Special Sessions is to cover specific fields within the scope of IWANN2009, and they would be composed typically of 5-6 papers, plus an additional tutorial or introductory paper to the Special session topic, done by the organizer(s). This tutorial is optional, and must be written according to the regular instructions for authors. The tutorial will not be submitted to the IWANN review process. 2. The procedure for the submission of the final papers is the same for all contributions, and it will be made through the IWANN?2009 web section. The authors are asked to indicate the Special Session title to which their paper is submitted. 3. The organizers are invited to submit, besides the optional tutorial, no more than one regular paper to their own Special Session. This paper will be included in the review process. 4. The review process for papers submitted to a specific Special Session will be the following: * A least two reviewers will be assigned (like any regular paper submitted to IWANN conference). * One reviewer could be the Special Session organizer(s) or an invited reviewer suggested by him (them). * A second one will be assigned among the IWANN?2009 Program Committee. 5. The review process for each Special Session will be organized by the IWANN board, together with the organizer(s) of the Special Session. They will take into consideration all the papers submitted to the specific Session, according to the established procedure. 6. A minimum number of 3 accepted regular papers (tutorial done by the organizer(s) is not considered) will be necessary for the development of a Special Session. 7. Contributors to Special Sessions will be treated as every participant in IWANN?2009, what means that they are expected to pay the corresponding regular fee. 8. Organizer(s) (with a maximum of two) of Special Sessions will benefit of a reduction of 30% on the regular fee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Joan Cabestany - Professor Electronic Engineering Dept. AHA - Advanced Hardware Architectures Group UPC - Technical University of Catalunya Jordi Girona, 1-3 Building C4 08034 BARCELONA - Spain CETpD - Technical Research Centre for Dependency and Autonomous Living Neapolis Building Rambla de l'Exposici?, 59-69 08800 Vilanova i la Geltr? - Barcelona - Spain Phone: + 34 93 401 6742/ + 34 609 766001 E-mail: cabestan at eel.upc.edu Web: http://csse.upc.es http://www.upc.edu/cetpd ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081116/18dc5852/attachment-0001.html From D.Hardoon at cs.ucl.ac.uk Mon Nov 17 14:43:55 2008 From: D.Hardoon at cs.ucl.ac.uk (David R. Hardoon) Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:43:55 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: MLJ Special Issue on Learning from Multiple Sources Message-ID: Apologies for multiple copies, please forward to whom ever may be interested. ------------------------------------------------------------ Machine Learning Journal Special Issue on Learning from Multiple Sources ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/D.Hardoon/LMS/ Important Dates: Submission due - February 25, 2009 Notification - June 22, 2009 Camera ready - October 9, 2009 We would like to invite submissions for a special issue of the Machine Learning Journal on "Learning from Multiple Sources". While the machine learning community has primarily focused on analysing the output of a single data source, there has been relatively few attempts to develop a general framework, or heuristics, for analysing several data sources in terms of a shared dependency structure. Learning from multiple data sources (or alternatively, the data fusion problem) is a timely research area. Due to the increasing availability and sophistication of data recording techniques and advances in data analysis algorithms, there exists many scenarios in which it is necessary to model multiple, related data sources. The open question is to find approaches to analyse data which consists of more than one set of observations (or view) of the same phenomenon. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to: ? Multi-view learning; ? Multitask / Transfer learning; ? Generative modelling of multiple related data sources; ? Discriminative modelling of multiple related data sources; ? Canonical correlation analysis-type methods; ? Data fusion for real world applications; ? Bioinformatics ? Sensor networks ? Multi-modal signal processing ? Information retrieval ? Online methods; ? Generalisation error (learning theory) of multitask learning; ? Machine learning research for related novel application domains. Submissions are expected to represent high-quality, significant contributions in the area of machine learning algorithms and/or applications of machine learning. Application papers are expected to describe the application in detail and to present novel solutions that have some general applicability (beyond the specific application). The authors should follow standard formatting guidelines for Machine Learning Journal manuscripts. Administrative notes: ? Authors retain the copyrights to their papers. (See publication agreement on the MLJ website: http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~fprovost/ MLJ/). ? Submissions and reviewing will be handled electronically using standard procedures for Machine Learning (http://mach.edmgr.com). ? Authors must register with the system before they can submit their manuscripts. ? Accepted papers will be published electronically and citable immediately (before the print version appears). Guest Editors: Nicol? Cesa-Bianchi Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Informazione Universit? degli Studi di Milano cesa-bianchi at dti.unimi.it David R. Hardoon University College London Dept. of Computer Science D.Hardoon at cs.ucl.ac.uk Gayle Leen Helsinki University of Technology Adaptive Informatics Research Centre Department of Information and Computer Science gleen at cis.hut.fi -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: MACH_CfP_Learning from Multiple Sources.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 112894 bytes Desc: not available Url : https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081117/52201bde/MACH_CfP_LearningfromMultipleSources-0001.pdf From alexwade at gmail.com Tue Nov 25 01:00:12 2008 From: alexwade at gmail.com (Alex Wade) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:00:12 -0800 Subject: Connectionists: Cosyne 2009 - Abstract deadline reminder Message-ID: <76eaaa9a0811242200qb478279s94a553b2fc8a2570@mail.gmail.com> This is a reminder that the abstract deadline for the 2009 computational systems neuroscience (Cosyne) meeting is Tuesday December 2nd at 11.59pm PST. Instructions on abstract formatting are available here http://cosyne.org/wiki/Abstract_Submission09 Please note that the abstract formatting has changed significantly since last year so be sure to read these instructions carefully. You may begin the submission process here: http://cosyne2009.confmaster.net/pages/login.php?Conf=COSYNE2009 Conference registration is available here: http://cosyne.org/wiki/Cosyne_09_registration *Dates and location* The 2009 Cosyne Meeting will be held in the Marriott, Downtown, Salt Lake City, Utah from the 26 February - 1 March 2009. The main meeting will be followed by a series of workshops at the Snowbird Ski Resort, Snowbird, Utah on the 2nd and 3rd March 2009. About Cosyne The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of experimental and theoretical/computational approaches to problems in systems neuroscience. The first Cosyne meeting, held in 2004 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, drew over 350 participants. Since 2005, the meeting has been held in Salt Lake City, Utah. It has attracted a growing number of participants, from nearly 400 in 2005 to almost 500 in 2008. To encourage interdisciplinary interactions, the main meeting is arranged in a single track. A set of invited talks are selected by the Executive Committee, and additional talks and posters are selected by the Program Committee, based on submitted abstracts. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, computation with spiking networks. The abstracts of the 2009 meeting will be published by Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. Similar to the abstracts of the Society for Neuroscience meeting, these abstracts are citeable, but they are not full-length proceedings and therefore do not preclude further publication. *Cosyne 2009 Invited Speakers (confirmed):* * Keynote: Richard Axel (Columbia University and HHMI, USA) * Cori Bargmann (Rockefeller University and HHMI, USA) * Alexander Borst (MPI, Germany) * Jack Gallant (UC Berkeley, USA) * Read Montague (Baylor College of Medicine, USA) * Henry Markram (EPFL, Switzerland) * Earl Miller (MIT, USA) * Carl Petersen (EPFL, Lausanne) * Jennifer Raymond (Stanford University, USA) * Stephen Scott (Queens University, Canada) * Shihab Shamma (U Maryland, USA) * Joshua Tenenbaum (MIT, USA) * Misha Tsodyks (Weizmann Institute, Israel) -- A.R. Wade Ph.D. Associate Scientist The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute 2318 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94115 tel. 415 345 2083 fax. 309 416 6533 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081125/622d93cb/attachment-0001.html From yael at Princeton.EDU Sat Nov 22 22:43:02 2008 From: yael at Princeton.EDU (Yael Niv) Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:43:02 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: PhD project in neural hierarchical reinforcement learning Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We would be grateful if you could forward the message below to potential candidates. Matthew Botvinick and I are seeking a full-time graduate student to study Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning and its neural implementation. Research will be conducted jointly in both our labs at the new Princeton Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Psychology at Princeton University, starting September 2009. The project focuses on behavioral and fMRI experiments motivated by the theory of Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning, investigating its implications and bringing human decision making data to bear on new theoretical advances (see http://www.princeton.edu/~yael/Publications/BotvinickNivBarto2008.pdf) . We seek an exceptionally talented candidate with experience with behavioral and/or functional imaging experiments, and an affinity to computational modeling. The successful applicant will be a motivated, self-directed learner capable of creative independent research, with strong programming abilities and a keen interest in studying reinforcement learning and decision making. Princeton University offers a thriving research and training environment, opportunities to collaborate with world-class researches and access to cutting edge research facilities. It is consistently rated as one of the top graduate schools in Psychology and Neuroscience. All applications should be submitted for admission through the Graduate Program in Neuroscience (http://neuroscience.princeton.edu/ PhD/) or the Graduate Program in Psychology (http://weblamp.princeton.edu/~psych/psychology/grad/main/index.php ). Informal letters of intent are encouraged, and should be sent directly to Drs. Botvinick and Niv stating interest in HRL. Note that the deadline for applications is 1 December 2008. Best wishes, --Yael Niv ------------------------------------------ Yael Niv, Assistant Professor Psychology Department and Princeton Neuroscience Institute Princeton University Green Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544 Office: (609) 258-1291 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081122/92e30ed5/attachment-0001.html From yael at Princeton.EDU Mon Nov 24 15:00:34 2008 From: yael at Princeton.EDU (Yael Niv) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:00:34 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoctoral Position: Neural Basis of Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning Message-ID: (apologies for the multiple postings -- this is the last of the batch of open positions!) Postdoctoral Research Associate We are seeking a postodoctoral research associate for a joint project in Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning in the labs of Dr. Matthew Botvinick and Dr. Yael Niv at the new Princeton Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Psychology at Princeton University. The project focuses on behavioral and fMRI experiments motivated by the theory of Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning, investigating its implications and bringing human decision making data to bear on new theoretical advances (see http://www.princeton.edu/~yael/Publications/BotvinickNivBarto2008.pdf) . We seek an exceptionally talented candidate with a strong background in computational modeling and/or behavioral and functional imaging experimentation, and a keen interest in learning and decision-making. This is a one-year postdoctoral position with the possibility of renewal. Essential Qualifications PhD in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, engineering, or related field. All applications should include a cover letter stating background and research interests, a CV, one or two representative publications, and contact information of at least two references. Preferred Qualifications The ideal candidate will have a solid computational background (machine learning, reinforcement learning, Bayesian models), will be proficient in programming (Matlab or equivalent) and will have robust experience with fMRI (event related designs and model-based analysis techniques). Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable EEO and affirmative action regulations. You may apply online to Requisition Number: 0800730 at http://jobs.princeton.edu. For general application information and how to self-identify, see http://www.princeton.edu/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081124/d980c6f5/attachment-0001.html From bowlby at bu.edu Fri Nov 21 11:33:26 2008 From: bowlby at bu.edu (Brian Bowlby) Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:33:26 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: 13th ICCNS: Call for Abstracts and Confirmed Invited Speakers Message-ID: <86E01065-BC87-410F-B1AC-41BCACF5A77E@bu.edu> THIRTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COGNITIVE AND NEURAL SYSTEMS May 27?30, 2009 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 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 Marisa Carrasco (New York University) How attention affects perception Paul Cisek (University of Montreal) The blurry borders between deciding and doing David van Essen (Washington University) Functional specialization of cerebral cortex in humans and nonhuman primates John Gabrieli (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Development of learning systems in the human brain Mary Hayhoe (University of Texas) Adaptive gaze control in natural environments David Knill (University of Rochester) Adaptive Bayesian priors for depth perception Richard Krauzlis (The Salk Institute) The soft underbelly of vision and action: The role of the brainstem in defining what?s behaviorally relevant William Marslen-Wilson (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge) Neurobiological foundations for human language: General and specific constraints Alexandre Pouget (University of Rochester) Generalized probabilistic population codes Robert Remez (Columbia University) Specificity and versatility in the perceptual organization of speech: Findings and implications Wolfram Schultz (University of Cambridge) (Plenary Speaker) Efficient reward processing through subjective, predictive, and adaptive coding Barbara Shinn-Cunningham (Boston University) How learning influences everyday communication Stan Williams (Hewlett Packard) (Plenary Speaker) The memristor: An inorganic synapse for neural computation WORKSHOP ON OBJECT AND SPATIAL LEARNING, RECOGNITION, AND ATTENTION: FROM CIRCUITS TO CONSCIOUSNESS Ed Connor (Johns Hopkins University) Neural representation of object shape in ventral pathway visual cortex James DiCarlo (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Untangling object recognition: How does the ventral visual stream achieve invariant object representation? Stephen Grossberg (Boston University) Neural dynamics of attentive object and scene learning and recognition Nancy Kanwisher (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Feedback of visual object information to foveal retinotopic cortex Aude Oliva (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Remembering thousands of images with high fidelity Carl Olson (Carnegie Mellon University) What neurons in monkey inferotemporal cortex tell us about human perception Keiji Tanaka (RIKEN Brain Science Institute) Representation of object categories in activity patterns of inferotemporal cell population WORKSHOP ON THE NEURAL BASIS OF MENTAL DISORDERS Ann Graybiel (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Learning and memory mechanisms of the basal ganglia Ralph Hoffman (Yale University) Steps towards developing an artificial patient with schizophrenia David Plaut (Carnegie-Mellon University) Surface dyslexia and semantic dementia: Beyond single-case studies in cognitive neuropsychology Terje Sagvolden (University of Oslo) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as RED ? A reinforcement/ extinction disorder Roger Traub (IBM Watson Research Center) Fast and very fast (>75 Hz) oscillations in neuropsychiatric disease 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, 2009. Email notification of acceptance will be provided by February 28, 2009. A meeting registration fee must accompany each abstract. The fee will be refunded if the abstract is not accepted for presentation. Fees of accepted abstracts will be returned upon written request only until April 10, 2009. Abstracts must not exceed one 8.5"x11" page in length, with 1" margins on top, bottom, and both sides in a single-column format with a font of 10 points or larger. The title, authors, affiliations, surface, and email addresses should begin each abstract. A separate cover letter should include the abstract title; name and contact information for corresponding and presenting authors; 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)]. Contributed talks will be 15 minutes long. Posters will be displayed for a full day. Overhead, slide, and computer projector facilities will be available for talks. Accepted abstracts will be printed in the conference proceedings volume. No extended paper will be required. Abstracts should be submitted electronically as Word files to cindy at bu.edu using the phrase ?13th ICCNS abstract submission? in the subject line or as paper hard copy (four copies of the abstract with one copy of the cover letter and the registration form) to Cynthia Bradford, Boston University, CNS Department, 677 Beacon Street, Boston MA 02215 USA. Fax submissions of the abstract 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, 2009. Email notification will occur by February 28, 2009. Fellowship applications should be sent 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; a list of research articles; and a letter from the faculty or PhD advisor summarizing how the applicant may benefit from the meeting. Fellowship applicants who also submit an abstract must include the registration fee payment with their abstract submission. Fellowship checks will be distributed after the meeting. REGISTRATION FORM Thirteenth International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems May 27?30, 2009 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 a copy of the conference proceedings volume, a reception on Friday night, and 3 coffee breaks each day. CHECK ONE: ( ) $95 Conference (Regular) ( ) $65 Conference (Student) METHOD OF PAYMENT: [ ] 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:____________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081121/ce80514f/attachment-0002.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: brochure.doc Type: application/msword Size: 271360 bytes Desc: not available Url : https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081121/ce80514f/brochure-0001.doc -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081121/ce80514f/attachment-0003.html From esann at dice.ucl.ac.be Sun Nov 16 17:32:10 2008 From: esann at dice.ucl.ac.be (esann@dice.ucl.ac.be) Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:32:10 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: ESANN'2009: extended deadline Message-ID: Due to numerous requests, the deadline to submit papers to the ESANN'2009 conference has been extended to November 28, 2008. Note that this extended deadline is strict: no further extension will be allowed. The message below is a reminder of the call for papers. Looking forward to seeing you at ESANN'2009, The organizing committee. =============================================== ESANN'2009 17th European Symposium on Artificial Neural Networks Advances in Computational Intelligence and Learning Bruges (Belgium) - April 22-23-24, 2009 Announcement and call for papers =============================================== The call for papers for the ESANN'2009 conference is now available on the Web: http://www.dice.ucl.ac.be/esann For those of you who maintain WWW pages including lists of related ANN sites: we would appreciate if you could add the above URL to your list; thank you very much! We make all possible efforts to avoid sending multiple copies of this call for papers; however we apologize if you receive this e-mail twice, despite our precautions. ***** Deadline for submission of papers: November 21, 2008 ***** You will find below a short version of this call for papers, without the instructions to authors (available on the Web). ESANN'2009 is organized in collaboration with the UCL (Universite catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve) and the KULeuven (Katholiek Universiteit Leuven). The conference is technically co-sponsored by the International Neural Networks Society, the European Neural Networks Society, the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, the IEEE Region 8, the IEEE Benelux Section (sponsors to be confirmed). Scope and topics ---------------- Since its first happening in 1993, the European Symposium on Artificial Neural Networks has become the reference for researchers on fundamentals and theoretical aspects of artificial neural networks, computational intelligence, machine learning and related topics. Each year, around 100 specialists attend ESANN, in order to present their latest results and comprehensive surveys, and to discuss the future developments in this field. The ESANN'2009 conference will follow this tradition, while adapting its scope to the new developments in the field. The ESANN conferences cover artificial neural networks, machine learning, statistical information processing and computational intelligence. Mathematical foundations, algorithms and tools, and applications are covered. The following is a non-exhaustive list of machine learning, computational intelligence and artificial neural networks topics covered during the ESANN conferences: THEORY and MODELS Statistical and mathematical aspects of learning Feedforward models Kernel machines Graphical models, EM and Bayesian learning Vector quantization and self-organizing maps Recurrent networks and dynamical systems Blind signal processing Ensemble learning Nonlinear projection and data visualization Fuzzy neural networks Evolutionary computation Bio-inspired systems INFORMATION PROCESSING and APPLICATIONS Data mining Signal processing and modeling Approximation and identification Classification and clustering Feature extraction and dimension reduction Time series forecasting Multimodal interfaces and multichannel processing Adaptive control Vision and sensory systems Biometry Bioinformatics Brain-computer interfaces Neuroinformatics Papers will be presented orally (single track) and in poster sessions; all posters will be complemented by a short oral presentation during a plenary session. It is important to mention that the topics of a paper decide if it better fits into an oral or a poster session, not its quality. The selection of posters will be identical to oral presentations, and both will be printed in the same way in the proceedings. Nevertheless, authors must indicate their preference for oral or poster presentation when submitting their paper. Special sessions ---------------- Special sessions will be organized by renowned scientists in their respective fields. Papers submitted to these sessions are reviewed according to the same rules as submissions to regular sessions. They must also follow the same format, instructions, deadlines and submission procedure. The special sessions organized during ESANN'2009 are: 1) Semi-supervised learning Ant?nio de P?dua Braga (Federal Univ. Minas Gerais, Brazil) 2) Learning (with) Preferences Fabio Aiolli, Alessandro Sperduti (Univ. degli Studi di Padova, Italy) 3) Brain Computer Interfaces: from theory to practice Luc Boullart (Ghent University), Patrick Santens (Ghent University Hospital), George Otte (Dr. Guislain Institute), Bart Wyns (Ghent University, Belgium) 4) Efficient learning in recurrent networks Benjamin Schrauwen (Ghent University, Belgium), Jochen J. Steil (Bielefeld University, Germany), Barbara Hammer (Clausthal University of Technology, Germany) 5) Weightless Neural Systems Massimo De Gregorio (Istituto di Cibernetica-CNR, Italy), Priscila M. V Lima, Felipe M. G. Fran?a (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Neural Maps and Learning Vector Qunatization - Theory and Applications Thomas Villmann, Frank-Michael Schleif (Univ. Leipzig, Germany) Location -------- The conference will be held in Bruges (also called "Venice of the North"), one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe. Bruges can be reached by train from Brussels in less than one hour (frequent trains). The town of Bruges is world-wide known, and famous for its architectural style, its canals, and its pleasant atmosphere. The conference will be organized in a hotel located near the centre (walking distance) of the town. There is no obligation for the participants to stay in this hotel. Hotels of all levels of comfort and price are available in Bruges; there is a possibility to book a room in the hotel of the conference at a preferential rate through the conference secretariat. A list of other smaller hotels is also available. The conference will be held at the Novotel hotel, Katelijnestraat 65B, 8000 Brugge, Belgium. Proceedings and journal special issue ------------------------------------- The proceedings will include all communications presented to the conference (tutorials, oral and posters), and will be available on-site. Extended versions of selected papers will be published in the Neurocomputing journal (Elsevier). Call for contributions ---------------------- Prospective authors are invited to submit their contributions before November 21, 2008. The electronic submission procedure is described on the ESANN portal http://www.dice.ucl.ac.be/esann/. Authors must also commit themselves that they will register to the conference and present the paper in case of acceptation of their submission (one paper per registrant). Authors of accepted papers will have to register before February 28, 2009; they will benefit from the advance registration fee. The ESANN conference applies a strict policy about the presentation of accepted papers during the conference: authors of accepted papers who do not show up at the conference will be blacklisted for future ESANN conferences, and the lists will be communicated to other conference organizers. Deadlines --------- Submission of papers 21 November 2008 Notification of acceptance 17 January 2009 ESANN conference 22-24 April 2009 Conference secretariat ---------------------- ESANN'2009 d-side conference services phone: + 32 2 730 06 11 24 av. L. Mommaerts Fax: + 32 2 730 06 00 B - 1140 Evere (Belgium) E-mail: esann at dice.ucl.ac.be http://www.dice.ucl.ac.be/esann Steering and local committee ---------------------------- Fran?ois Blayo Ipseite (CH) Gianluca Bontempi Univ. Libre Bruxelles (B) Marie Cottrell Univ. Paris I (F) Jeanny H?rault INPG Grenoble (F) Mia Loccufier Univ. Gent (B) Bernard Manderick Vrije Univ. Brussel (B) Jean-Pierre Peters FUNDP Namur (B) Joos Vandewalle KUL Leuven (B) Michel Verleysen UCL Louvain-la-Neuve (B) Scientific committee (to be confirmed) -------------------- Cecilio Angulo Univ. Polit. de Catalunya (E) Miguel Atencia Univ. Malaga (E) Peter Bartlett Univ.California, Berkeley (USA) Michael Biehl University of Groningen (NL) Martin Bogdan Univ. T?bingen (D) Herv? Bourlard IDIAP Martigny (CH) Antonio Braga Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil) Joan Cabestany Univ. Polit. de Catalunya (E) Colin Campbell Bristol University (UK) St?phane Canu Inst. Nat. Sciences App. (F) Valentina Colla Scuola Sup. Sant'Anna Pisa (I) Nigel Crook Oxford Brookes University (UK) Holk Cruse Universit?t Bielefeld (D) Dante Del Corso Politecnico di Torino (I) Wlodek Duch Nicholas Copernicus Univ. (PL) Marc Duranton NXP Semiconductors (USA) Richard Duro Univ. Coruna (E) Andr? Elisseef IBM Research (CH) Deniz Erdogmus Oregon Health & Science University (USA) Anibal Figueiras-Vidal Univ. Carlos III Madrid (E) Jean-Claude Fort Universit? Paul Sabatier Toulouse (F) Leonardo Franco Univ. Malaga (E) Damien Fran?ois Univ. cat Louvain (B) Colin Fyfe Univ. Paisley (UK) Stan Gielen Univ. of Nijmegen (NL) Mirta Gordon IMAG Grenoble (F) Marco Gori Univ. Siena (I) Bernard Gosselin Fac. Polytech. Mons (B) Manuel Grana UPV San Sebastian (E) Anne Gu?rin-Dugu? IMAG Grenoble (F) Barbara Hammer Clausthal Univ. of Technology (D) Martin Hasler EPFL Lausanne (CH) Verena Heidrich-Meisner Ruhr-Univ. Bochum (D) Tom Heskes Univ. Nijmegen (NL) Katerina Hlavackova-Schindler Austrian Acad. of Sciences (A) Christian Igel Ruhr-Univ. Bochum (D) Jose Jerez Univ. Malaga (E) Christian Jutten INPG Grenoble (F) Juha Karhunen Helsinki Univ. of Technology (FIN) Samuel Kaski Helsinki Univ. Tech. (FIN) Stefanos Kollias National Tech. Univ. Athens (GR) Jouko Lampinen Helsinki Univ. of Tech. (FIN) Petr Lansky Acad. of Science of the Czech Rep. (CZ) Beatrice Lazzerini Univ. Pisa (I) Paulo Lisboa Liverpool John Moores University (UK) Erzsebet Merenyi Rice Univ. (USA) David Meunier University of Cambridge (UK) Anke Meyer-B?se Florida State university (USA) Jean-Pierre Nadal Ecole Normale Sup?rieure Paris (F) Erkki Oja Helsinki Univ. of Technology (FIN) Tjeerd olde Scheper Oxford Brookes University (UK) Arlindo Oliveira INESC-ID (P) Gilles Pag?s Univ. Paris 6 (F) Thomas Parisini Univ. Trieste (I) H?l?ne Paugam-Moisy Universit? Lumi?re Lyon 2 (F) Kristiaan Pelckmans K. U. Leuven (B) Alberto Prieto Universitad de Granada (E) Didier Puzenat Univ. Antilles-Guyane (F) Leonardo Reyneri Politecnico di Torino (I) Jean-Pierre Rospars INRA Versailles (F) Fabrice Rossi INRIA (F) Francisco Sandoval Univ.Malaga (E) Jose Santos Reyes Univ. Coruna (E) Craig Saunders Univ.Southampton (UK) Benjamin Schrauwen Univ. Gent (B) Udo Seiffert IPK Gatersleben (D) Bernard Sendhoff Honda Research Institute Europe (D) Alessandro Sperduti Universit? degli Studi di Padova (I) Jochen Steil Univ. Bielefeld (D) John Stonham Brunel University (UK) Johan Suykens K. U. Leuven (B) John Taylor King?s College London (UK) Peter Tino University of Birmingham (UK) Claude Touzet Univ. Provence (F) Marc Van Hulle KUL Leuven (B) Alfredo Vellido Polytechnic University of Catalonia (E) Pablo Verdes Novartis Phrama (CH) David Verstraeten Univ. Gent (B) Thomas Villmann Univ. Leipzig (D) Heiko Wersing Honda Research Institute Europe (D) Axel Wism?ller Ludwig-Maximilians-Univ. M?nchen (D) Bart Wyns Ghent University (B) Michalis Zervakis Technical Univ. Crete (GR) ======================================================== ESANN - European Symposium on Artificial Neural Networks - Advances in Computational Intelligence and Learning http://www.dice.ucl.ac.be/esann * For submissions of papers, reviews, registrations: Michel Verleysen Univ. Cath. de Louvain - Machine Learning Group 3, pl. du Levant - B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve - Belgium tel: +32 10 47 25 51 - fax: + 32 10 47 25 98 mailto:esann at uclouvain.be * Conference secretariat d-side conference services 24 av. L. Mommaerts - B-1140 Evere - Belgium tel: + 32 2 730 06 11 - fax: + 32 2 730 06 00 mailto:esann at uclouvain.be ======================================================== From mvanross at inf.ed.ac.uk Mon Nov 24 09:40:14 2008 From: mvanross at inf.ed.ac.uk (Mark van Rossum) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:40:14 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: Preprints: Synaptic plasticity, tagging, and maintenance Message-ID: <200811241440.14636.mvanross@inf.ed.ac.uk> Dear colleagues We would like to make you aware of two preprints of two independent groups on the topic of synaptic plasticity and maintenance. Both papers introduce computational models of early and late LTP and synaptic tagging, and integrate a wide range of experimental findings into unified models. State Based Biophysical Model of Long-Term Potentiation and Synaptic Tagging and Capture. Adam B Barrett, Guy O Billings, Richard GM Morris, Mark CW van Rossum http://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/mvanross/reprints/tagpaper.pdf Claudia Clopath, Lorric Ziegler, Eleni Vasilaki, Lars Busing, Wulfram Gerstner (2008) Tag-Trigger-Consolidation: A Model of Early and Late Long-Term-Potentiation and Depression http://lcn.epfl.ch/~gerstner/PUBLICATIONS/Clopath08.pdf Both papers will appear in PLOS Computational Biology. Kind regards Wulfram Gerstner and Mark van Rossum -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. From kzhang4 at jhmi.edu Mon Nov 24 01:50:18 2008 From: kzhang4 at jhmi.edu (Kechen Zhang) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:50:18 -0500 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoctoral Position Available Message-ID: Postdoctoral Position Available in Computational Modeling of Hippocampal Place Cells Krieger Mind/Brain Institute Departments of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow interested in performing computational modeling of hippocampal networks and the generation of spatial representations of hippocampal place cells. The project will employ theoretical analyses of attractor networks and their relation to place cell "remapping" phenomena, as well as spiking neuronal network models to compare with actual neurophysiological recording data. We encourage applications from (1) candidates with backgrounds in quantitative neuroscience and (2) candidates with backgrounds in computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, or related fields, who are highly motivated to pursue research in computational neuroscience. Please send a CV, a statement of prior research accomplishments, and the names and e-mail addresses of 3 references to James Knierim (james.j.knierim at uth.tmc.edu) or Kechen Zhang (kzhang4 at jhmi.edu). From ASIM.ROY at asu.edu Thu Nov 27 03:52:46 2008 From: ASIM.ROY at asu.edu (Asim Roy) Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:52:46 -0700 Subject: Connectionists: New brain theory story on PhysOrg.com Message-ID: > (My apologies if you get multiple copies of this.) > > The new brain theory paper has been published in the November issue of IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part A, and PhysOrg.com, a science and technology news Web site, decided to do a story on it. The theory now has a name. They call it the "Controller Theory." There are comments in the story by two eminent scientists - Prof. Walter Freeman of Berkeley and Prof. James McClelland of Stanford. > Here's the link to the PhysOrg.com story. > http://www.physorg.com/news146319784.html Here's the link to the paper: http://wpcarey.asu.edu/pubs/index.cfm?fct=details&article_cobid=2216410&author_cobid=1039524&journal_cobid=2216411 > =========================================================================================================== > Here's the prior announcement: > > > The following paper has been accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part A. It essentially invalidates significant parts of connectionism. There were numerous public debates over the past decade on connectionism, some at international neural net conferences and some online through various mailing list. Some of the debate summaries are available at the CompNeuro archive site and listed below. > > TITLE: Connectionism, controllers and a brain theory > AUTHOR: Asim Roy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4606, USA > ABSTRACT: > > This paper proposes a new theory for the internal mechanisms of the brain. It postulates that there are controllers in the brain and that there are parts of the brain that control other parts. Thus the theory refutes the connectionist theory that there are no separate controllers in the brain for higher-level functions and that all control is > "> local and distributed> "> at the level of the cells. Connectionist algorithms themselves are used to prove this theory. Plus there is evidence in the neuroscience literature to support this theory. Thus the paper proposes a control theoretic approach to understanding how the brain works and learns. That means that control theoretic principles should be applicable to developing systems similar to the brain. > > =============================================================================================================== > For those interested, summaries of prior debates on the basic ideas of connectionism are available at the CompNeuro archive site. Here is a partial list of the debate summaries that are available > . > > - Some more questions in the search for sources of control in the brain > - BRAINS INTERNAL MECHANISMS - THE NEED FOR A NEW PARADIGM > - COULD THERE BE REAL-TIME, INSTANTANEOUS LEARNING IN THE BRAIN? > - CONNECTIONIST LEARNING: IS IT TIME TO RECONSIDER THE FOUNDATIONS? > - DOES PLASTICITY IMPLY LOCAL LEARNING? AND OTHER QUESTIONS > - Connectionist Learning - Some New Ideas/Questions > =================================================================================================== > From mseeger at gmail.com Tue Nov 18 05:03:29 2008 From: mseeger at gmail.com (Matthias Seeger) Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:03:29 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: PhD/postdoc positions machine learning/image processing, Saarbruecken University, Germany Message-ID: <43c7cd3f0811180203w1459f3e1qd7cc779d67eb10a9@mail.gmail.com> PhD Student / Postdoctoral Researcher in Machine Learning, Image Processing Probabilistic Machine Learning and Medical Image Processing Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany Fully-funded PhD/postdoc positions are available in the recently established Probabilistic Machine Learning group headed by Matthias Seeger (PhD). PhD training is conditional on acceptance to the International Max Planck Research School for Computer Science (based on evaluation of research proposal and oral presentation, after first six months). Recent breakthroughs in large-scale approximate Bayesian inference for sparse continuous variable models allow nonlinear Bayesian experimental design (active learning) and compressed sensing to be applied to sampling optimization of magnetic resonance imaging. For details about these projects: http://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/bs/people/seeger/projects/ed_mri/main.html Saarland University is among the leading computer science faculties in Europe, with world-class groups in computer graphics, theory of algorithms and programming languages, theoretical CS, and bioinformatics, among others. It features a unique accumulation of top-ranked CS research institutes (Max Planck Institute for Informatik, Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, DFKI). Within the recently established interdisciplinary MMCI Cluster of Excellence, 20 independent research groups are working in areas with strong overlaps to core machine learning application areas. Saarbruecken is dedicated to excellent postgraduate education, structured according to international standards in the International Max Planck Research School for Computer Science (courses taught in english). The Probabilistic Machine Learning group focusses on theory and applications of approximate Bayesian inference, and its scalable reduction to standard methods of scientific computing (numerical mathematics, efficient algorithms, signal processing, parallel computing). We closely collaborate with the Center for High-field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen (with a range of MR scanners dedicated to basic research), and have close ties to the Empirical Inference group (headed by Bernhard Schoelkopf) at the same institute, beyond connections to top machine learning groups in the UK and US. We are looking for highly motivated, research-oriented individuals with an excellent grasp of the mathematics underlying approximate Bayesian inference, or/and numerical optimization and mathematics, or/and image and signal processing. A strong theoretical background in a field relevant to analysis of statistical methods, or/and keen interest and capabilities in large-scale scientific programming are required. Please be sure to include the following in your application: * Curriculum vitae * Statement of research interests (1 page) * Letters of reference (1-3) from referees able to comment on your work and academic standing (PhD/MSc thesis advisor, supervisor for internships) * Sample of your strongest work (first-author paper in peer-reviewed journal/conference, MSc or PhD thesis, term project paper (with official record attesting your authorship)) in the rough area of interest * Transcript of studies (for PhD applicants) Applications should be sent by e-mail to Matthias Seeger, mseeger at mmci.uni-saarland.de. If you happen to attend the forthcoming Neural Information Processing Systems conference (Vancouver, December 8-13, 2008; http://nips.cc/Conferences/2008/), please make yourself known to me there. Relevant links: * Project page http://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/bs/people/seeger/projects/ed_mri/main.html * MMCI Cluster of Excellence http://m2ci.dl01.de/index.php?id=1&L=0 * International Max Planck Research School for Computer Science http://www.imprs-cs.de/ * Max Planck Institute for Informatik http://www.mpi-inf.mpg.de/ * Saarland University http://www.uni-saarland.de/en/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081118/ee9c503a/attachment-0001.html From tom.verguts at ugent.be Wed Nov 26 03:52:10 2008 From: tom.verguts at ugent.be (Tom Verguts) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:52:10 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: PhD positions available Message-ID: <014301c94fa4$451d0390$325510ac@ugent.be> Dear all please find PhD position advertisements below. It is sent to the Connectionists list because computational modelers are particularly encouraged to apply. Tom Verguts Three four-year positions are available for students who want to pursue a PhD degree in the Department of Experimental Psychology at Ghent University (see expsy.ugent.be). The Department consists of a young and multidisciplinary research group. The broad topic is cognitive control; we are particularly interested in how cognitive control can be flexibly recruited to current task demands, and the relation between emotion and cognitive control. The research will be supervised by Wim Notebaert or Tom Verguts. The methodology that will be focused is dependent on the student's interests; possibilities include computational modeling, neuroimaging (fMRI), EEG (ERP), and behavioral (e.g., clinical-neuropsychological) measures. Salary is according to standard Belgian regulations. The starting date is flexible, ranging from January to December 2009. For more information, please contact Wim Notebaert (Wim.Notebaert at ugent.be) or Tom Verguts (Tom.Verguts at ugent.be). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/mailman/private/connectionists/attachments/20081126/97262e13/attachment-0001.html From masulli at disi.unige.it Wed Nov 26 04:15:54 2008 From: masulli at disi.unige.it (Francesco Masulli) Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:15:54 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Call for Papers - IJCNN 2009 - Special Session on Soft Computing tools for Bioinformatics (Dec 15 2008 deadline) Message-ID: <200811261015.54920.masulli@disi.unige.it> [apologies for multiple posts] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CALL FOR PAPERS - Special Session on Soft Computing tools for Bioinformatics at International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN 2009) sponsored by SIG on Bioinformatics of the International Neural Network Society (INNS) Location: Westin PeachTree Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, June 14-19 2009 Conference Web Site: http://cnd.memphis.edu/ijcnn2009/ Special Session Web Site: http://www.disi.unige.it/person/MasulliF/conferences/IJCNN2009-SS.html Description and Scope: The body of information surrounding molecular and genomic experiments and clinical investigations is rapidly growing as the magnitude and rate of applications involving large-scale high-throughput technologies are ever-increasing. Bioinformatic data mining efforts now range from more recent methods including miRNA target identification and protein structure prediction to classical methods such as ANN and RBFN classification of DNA microarray gene expression data. Data fusion and integration are also gaining considerable attention for merging signals, features, images, and text data from multiple sensors together in order to understand influences of data components on early detection and diagnosis of disease. Altogether, bioinformatics has become a very promising multidisciplinary research area in the life sciences because results provide new insights for interpretation and establish new leads for deeper understanding. Each year there are numerous Soft Computing and Machine Learning algorithms introduced providing new examples of application in related fields (clustering, feature selection, text mining, signal and image processing, data visualization, etc.). This session will take stock in new soft computing methods for bioinformatic data mining in general, and Neural Network methods in particular. Topics: We welcome papers which present novel algorithms or refined classical methods for the analysis of high dimensional bioinformatic data sets. The target problems include but are not limited to: * Data integration and fusion * Ensemble techniques * Biological sequence identification * DNA/CGH/SNP/miRNA arrays * Gene regulatory and ontology networks * Protein-protein, protein-small molecule interactions * Protein structure prediction * Cellular metabolism and signaling * Pharmacogenomics and pharmacodynamics * Metabolic pathways * Signal processing * Unsupervised and supervised classification * Imaging/data visualization * Text mining methods * Biomarker selection Organizers: Alexandru Floares (1), Francesco Masulli (2,3), (1) Department of Artificial Intelligence Oncological Institute Cluj-Napoca 400015 Str. Republicii, Nr. 34-36, Cluj-Napoca Romania E-mail: alexandru.floares iocn.ro (2) DISI Dept. Computer and Information Sciences University of Genova Via Dodecaneso 35 16146 Genoa, Italy E-mail: masulli disi.unige.it (3) Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, 1900 N 12th Street Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA. Important dates: As soon as possibile: Inform by email the Special Session organizers of your willness to submit a paper Paper submission deadline: December 15, 2008 (&) Author notification of acceptance or rejection: Gennuary 30, 2009 Deadline for final paper re-submission: March 10, 2009 (&&) (&) Paper submission (deadline Dec 15, 2008): At http://cnd.memphis.edu/ijcnn2009/submission.html you'll find the Instruction for Authors and the link to the IJCNN 2009 submission site. After uploaded your paper on the IJCNN 2009 submission site, send by email to the special session organizers a copy of your paper. In the Subject of the email please specify: "Paper submitted to SS on Bioinformatics IJCNN09". (&&) Final Paper re-submission (deadline March 10, 2009): After re-uploaded your paper on the IJCNN 2009 submission site, send by email to the special session organizers a copy of your revised paper and a letter indicating in detail all changes made. In the Subject of the email please specify: "Paper submitted to SS on Bioinformatics IJCNN09 (revised)". ------------------------------------------------------- -- <--------------------------------------------------------------------> Dr. Francesco Masulli Associate Professor of Computer Science DISI - Dept. Computer and Information Sciences University of Genova - Via Dodecaneso 35, 16146 Genoa - ITALY tel. +39 010 353 6604 fax. +39 010 353 6699 and Adjunct Associate Professor Center for Biotechnology - College of Science and Technology -Temple University - Philadelphia - PA, USA. email: masulli at disi.unige.it skype id: masulli url: http://www.disi.unige.it/person/MasulliF <-------------------------------------------------------------------->