From fmschleif at googlemail.com Sat Aug 2 01:34:20 2014 From: fmschleif at googlemail.com (Frank-Michael Schleif) Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2014 07:34:20 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Extended (final) deadline - ICDM Workshop on High Dimensional Data Mining (HDM'14) Message-ID: +++ PLEASE, APOLOGIZE MULTIPLE COPIES +++ +++ Extended (final) deadline: August 17, 2014 +++ =================================================================== Call for Papers The 2nd International Workshop on High Dimensional Data Mining (HDM'14) http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~axk/HDM14.htm http://hdataskforce.wordpress.com/ In conjunction with the IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (IEEE ICDM 2014) http://icdm2014.sfu.ca/home.html =================================================================== Description of Workshop Stanford statistician David Donoho predicted that the 21st century will be the century of data. "We can say with complete confidence that in the coming century, high-dimensional data analysis will be a very significant activity, and completely new methods of high-dimensional data analysis will be developed; we just don't know what they are yet." -- D. Donoho, 2000. Beyond any doubt, unprecedented technological advances lead to increasingly high dimensional data sets in all areas of science, engineering and businesses. These include genomics and proteomics, biomedical imaging, signal processing, astrophysics, finance, web and market basket analysis, among many others. The number of features in such data is often of the order of thousands or millions - that is much larger than the available sample size. A number of issues make classical data analysis methods inadequate, questionable, or inefficient at best when faced with high dimensional data spaces: 1. High dimensional geometry defeats our intuition rooted in low dimensional experiences, and this makes data presentation and visualisation particularly challenging. 2. Phenomena that occur in high dimensional probability spaces, such as the concentration of measure, are counter-intuitive for the data mining practitioner. For instance, distance concentration is the phenomenon that the contrast between pair-wise distances may vanish as the dimensionality increases. This makes the notion of nearest neighbour meaningless, together with a number of methods that rely on a notion of distance. 3. Bogus correlations and misleading estimates may result when trying to fit complex models for which the effective dimensionality is too large compared to the number of data points available. 4. The accumulation of noise may confound our ability to find low dimensional intrinsic structure hidden in the high dimensional data. 5. The computation cost of processing high dimensional data or carrying out optimisation over a high dimensional parameter spaces is often prohibiting. Topics This workshop aims to promote new advances and research directions to address the curses and uncover and exploit the blessings of high dimensionality in data mining. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to): - Systematic studies of how the curse of dimensionality affects data mining methods - New data mining techniques that exploit some properties of high dimensional data spaces - Theoretical underpinning of mining data whose dimensionality is larger than the sample size - Stability and reliability analyses for data mining in high dimensions - Adaptive and non-adaptive dimensionality reduction for noisy high dimensional data sets - Methods of random projections, compressed sensing, and random matrix theory applied to high dimensional data mining and high dimensional optimisation - Models of low intrinsic dimension, such as sparse representation, manifold models, latent structure models, and studies of their noise tolerance - Classification of high dimensional complex data sets - Functional data mining - Data presentation and visualisation methods for very high dimensional data sets - Data mining applications to real problems in science, engineering or businesses where the data is high dimensional Paper submission High quality original submissions are solicited for oral and poster presentation at the workshop. Papers should not exceed a maximum of 8 pages, and must follow the IEEE ICDM format requirements of the main conference. All submissions will be peer-reviewed, and all accepted workshop papers will be published in the proceedings by the IEEE Computer Society Press. Submit your paper here. Important dates Extended deadline: August 17, 2014 (no further extension) Notifications to authors: September 26, 2014 Workshop date: December 14, 2014 We are looking forward to welcome you in Shenzhen with best regards Ata Kaban Frank-Michael Schleif Thomas Villmann (Workshop Organizers) -- ------------------------------------------------------- PD Dr. rer. nat. habil. Frank-Michael Schleif School of Computer Science The University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom - email: fschleif at techfak.uni-bielefeld.de http://promos-science.blogspot.de/ ------------------------------------------------------- From udo at neuro.uni-bremen.de Sat Aug 2 15:39:57 2014 From: udo at neuro.uni-bremen.de (Udo Ernst) Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 21:39:57 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Open PhD position (salary E13/2): Electrophysiology in behaving monkeys Message-ID: <53DD3E8D.9020603@neuro.uni-bremen.de> Open PhD position (salary E13/2): Electrophysiology in behaving monkeys Application deadline: 1st of September 2014 Starting date: as soon as possible Visual information processing is highly flexible and rapidly adapted to the current behavioural task. In this project, you have the unique opportunity to investigate the neural mechanisms of selective information processing in multiple visual areas with massively parallel multielectrode recordings. You will be embedded into an interdisciplinary and international research group within the Bernstein National Network for Computational Neuroscience which unites computational approaches with experimental work on human subjects and primates. Our team is also part of a major neuroscientific and neurotechnological research focus at Bremen University, comprising the Center for Cognitive Sciences (ZKW) and the Creative Unit 'I-See', conducting research on the development of an artificial eye. Your task will be to conduct experiments on awake behaving macaque monkeys in collaboration with the group of Prof. Dr. Andreas Kreiter (http://www.brain.uni-bremen.de) and analyze the collected data. This includes familiarization with, and training of the animals, preparation of the experimental setup and recordings, implantation of the electrode arrays, and recording of the data under different visual perception tasks. You should be familiar with standard methods of data analysis, and have a degree (master/diploma or equivalent) in natural sciences (e.g. Biology) with focus on experimental work (preferably Animal Physiology). Basic programming skills and interest in concepts from Computational Neuroscience are required. We expect high motivation for communicating and collaborating with the other members in the group. The position is to be filled as soon as possible (i.e., on a first-come, first-served basis). Please send your application in German or English language, including your letter of motivation, CV, copies of school and university certificates (master/diploma or equivalent) by e-mail to Udo Ernst (udo at neuro.uni-bremen.de ) or by postal mail to the address below: Dr. Udo Ernst Hochschulring 18 / Cognium Universit?t Bremen 28359 Bremen, Germany -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marco.signoretto at gmail.com Sun Aug 3 03:35:10 2014 From: marco.signoretto at gmail.com (Marco Signoretto) Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2014 08:35:10 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: TCMM 2014 - deadline extension Message-ID: TCMM 2014 International Workshop on Technical Computing for Machine Learning and Mathematical Engineering 8 - 12 September, 2014 - Leuven, Belgium For further information (including Registration, Location and Venue) see: http://www.esat.kuleuven.be/stadius/tcmm2014/ IMPORTANT DATES Deadline extended abstract/demo submission: August 11, 2014 Deadline for registration: September 1, 2014 CONFIRMED INVITED SPEAKERS (talks and tutorials) - James Bergstra, Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, University of Waterloo: Theano and Hyperopt: Modelling, Training, and Hyperparameter Optimization in Python - Jeff Bezanson, MIT - Luis Pedro Coelho, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Large Scale Analysis of Bioimages Using Python - Steven Diamond, Stanford University: Convex Optimization in Python with CVXPY - Stefan Karpinski, MIT - Graham Taylor, School of Engineering, University of Guelph: An Overview of Deep Learning and Its Challenges for Technical Computing - Ewout van den Berg, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center: Tools and Techniques for Sparse Optimization and Beyond ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Marco Signoretto, Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven Johan Suykens, Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven Vilen Jumutc, Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven FURTHER INFORMATION see http://www.esat.kuleuven.be/stadius/tcmm2014/ -- -- dr. Marco Signoretto FWO research fellow, ESAT - STADIUS, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, B-3001 LEUVEN - HEVERLEE (BELGIUM) Tel: +32 (0)16 328651 Fax: +32 (0)16 321970 Homepage: http://homes.esat.kuleuven.be/~msignore/ Email : marco.signoretto at esat.kuleuven.be From gluck at pavlov.rutgers.edu Sun Aug 3 13:11:48 2014 From: gluck at pavlov.rutgers.edu (Mark Gluck) Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2014 13:11:48 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: Job Opening for Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Rutgers University-Newark: Broad range of experimental approaches in humans, non-human primates, and/or rodents. In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN) at Rutgers University-Newark seeks outstanding candidates for a tenure track Assistant Professor position in NEUROSCIENCE. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience or a related field and have completed at least two years of post-doctoral training. The ideal candidate for this position asks fundamental hypothesis-driven questions about brain structure and function and is open to establishing collaborative research efforts within the Rutgers neuroscience community. Research areas of particular interest are executive control, sensory-motor integration, learning and memory, and emotional regulation. The successful applicant will likely use a broad range of experimental approaches in non-human primates, humans, and/or rodents, and methods including electrophysiology, optogenetics, and functional imaging. The assistant professor will be expected to maintain an active externally-funded research program, to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in neuroscience, and to mentor Ph.D. students in the Behavioral and Neural Sciences program. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national public research university and the state's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Rutgers is dedicated to conducting research that breaks new ground; to teaching that meets the highest standards of excellence; and to providing services, solutions, and clinical care that help individuals and the local, national, and global communities where they live. CMBN is located in Newark NJ, a short drive from New York City. CMBN is part of a large community of neuroscientists at Rutgers Newark, with additional researchers in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology as well as in the Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School. Collectively, these researchers represent all levels of analysis in neuroscience (http://www.neuroscience.newark.rutgers.edu). Applicants should apply as soon as possible, but no later than October 20, 2014. Rutgers is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Women and members of underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Rutgers-Newark is noted for its exceptionally diverse student population. To receive detailed instructions on how to apply, please send an email to search at cmbn.rutgers.edu with the subject line 'How to apply'. ___________________________________ Dr. Mark A. Gluck, Professor Director, Rutgers Memory Disorders Project Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Rutgers University 197 University Ave. Newark, New Jersey 07102 Web: http://www.gluck.edu Email: gluck at pavlov.rutgers.edu Ph: (973) 353-3298 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Vittorio.Murino at iit.it Tue Aug 5 08:39:15 2014 From: Vittorio.Murino at iit.it (Vittorio Murino) Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 14:39:15 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Open Senior Position (Researcher) in Computer Vision and Machine Learning Message-ID: <53E0D073.4030205@iit.it> *Researcher in Computer Vision and Machine Learning* BC: 68976 Job Title:**Researcher *_IIT (_**www.iit.it* *_) invites qualified senior applicants to submit their CVs for a Researcher position_**_in the fields of Computer Vision and Machine Learning in Genoa._* _ _ _Your profile:_We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in Computer Vision and Machine Learning with particular emphasis on the generative modelling paradigm. Previous multidisciplinary experience is warmly recommended and will be a significant advantage. The Researcher will carry out multidisciplinary research for the development of algorithms and generative models related to the activities of the PAVIS department (computer vision, eScience, bioinformatics and biomedical image analysis), possibly also in collaboration with other IIT departments and centers. In the context of video analysis, the Researcher will be specifically in charge of developing algorithms and models for the analysis of static and dynamic scenes and the analysis of people's behaviour, in particular groups and crowd. He/she may also be in charge of tackling other research issues not specifically related to standard computer vision and video surveillance topics. The researcher is expected to publish his/her research results in leading international journals and conferences. The researcher is also expected to set up and contribute to new collaborative projects, to participate in funding activities and supervision of PhD candidates and postdocs. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in computer science, engineering or related subjects. A post-doctoral experience and/or an international experience, either in academia or industrial lab, will be appreciated. _Our Offer:_up to 5 years contract, salary and benefits in line with international standards. _Your application (deadline September 20, 2014):_Applications, including a detailed curriculum vitae, 5 representative publications and 3 pages of research statement should be submitted in PDF format to applications at iit.it quoting "Researcher Computer Vision" in the subject line. Candidates should also request 3 evaluation letters from international experts who should send them directly in PDF format to applications at iit.it Web: http://www.iit.it/en/openings/research-departments/pattern-analysis-a-computer-vision/2529-researcher-in-computer-vision-and-machine-learning.html // /Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, with its headquarters in Genoa, Italy, is a non-profit institution with the primary goal of creating and disseminating scientific knowledge and strengthening Italy's technological competitiveness. IIT was established in 2003 and successfully created a large-scale infrastructure in Genova along with a network of 10 state-of-the-art laboratories countrywide. The institute has been recruiting an international staff of about 1200 people from more than 50 countries. Its research endeavour focuses on high-tech and innovation, representing the forefront of technology with possible application from medicine to industry, computer science, robotics, life sciences and nanobiotechnologies./ /In order to comply with Italian law (art. 23 of Privacy Law of the Italian Legislative Decree n. 196/03), the candidate is kindly asked to give his/her consent to allow IIT to process his/her personal data. / // /We also inform you that the information you provide will be solely used for the purpose of assessing your professional profile to meet the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, with its headquarters in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as the Data Holder, using computer and paper-based means, observing the rules on the protection of personal data, including those relating to the security of data. Please also note that, pursuant to art.7 of Legislative Decree 196/2003, you may exercise your rights at any time as a party concerned by contacting the Data Manager./ // /Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks diversity in the workforce./ -- Vittorio Murino ******************************************* Prof. Vittorio Murino, Ph.D. PAVIS - Pattern Analysis & Computer Vision IIT Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova, Italy Phone: +39 010 71781 504 Mobile: +39 329 6508554 Fax: +39 010 71781 236 E-mail:vittorio.murino at iit.it Secretary: Sara Curreli email: sara.curreli at iit.it Phone: +39 010 71781 917 http://www.iit.it/pavis ******************************************** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Thomas_Serre at brown.edu Tue Aug 5 17:34:37 2014 From: Thomas_Serre at brown.edu (Thomas Serre) Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 17:34:37 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: =?utf-8?q?Postdoc_position_in_machine/biological_?= =?utf-8?q?vision_=E2=80=93_Serre_lab=2C_Brown_University_=28Provid?= =?utf-8?b?ZW5jZSwgUkkp?= Message-ID: The computational vision research group, headed by Dr. Thomas Serre at Brown University, has an opening for a postdoctoral fellow to work at the interface between computational neuroscience and computer vision. In particular, we are looking for computer scientists interested in the development of novel machine learning / computer vision algorithms derived from high-fidelity representations of cortical microcircuits to achieve human-like performance on complex information processing tasks. Candidates are expected to have a solid background in modern computer vision and machine learning methods and in particular, strong expertise in optimization techniques and deep learning methods. An interest in biological vision and applications of computer vision to the biological sciences would also be a strong plus. The initial appointment is for 12 months, renewable for another year, and potentially longer depending on funding. The start date is negotiable though an early start is strongly preferred. Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive. Representative recent work related to the project: D. Reichert & T. Serre. Neuronal synchrony in complex-valued deep networks. International Conference on Learning Representations, 2014 T. Serre and T. Poggio. Reverse-engineering the brain. In: the Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (CACM), 53(10), pp. 54-61, Oct 2010 Research group: Our research group is located within the Department of Cognitive Linguistic & Psychological sciences at Brown University. We maintain strong ties with the neuroscience, computer science, engineering and applied math departments as part of the Brain Institute. Through Brown?s Center for Computation and Visualization (https://www.ccv.brown.edu), our group has access to a state-of-the-art computing facility with includes over 300K GPU cores and over 500 Teraflops of GPU computing power. Information about Dr. Serre and his research group can be found at http://serre-lab.clps.brown.edu . Requirements: Applicants are expected to have finished, or be about to finish their Ph.D. degrees. They must have a strong background in computer vision and/or machine learning, with a track record of relevant publications at top venues (such as NIPS, CVPR, ICCV, ICML or ECCV). Excellent programming skills are required (C/C++/Matlab/Python). Programming experience in CUDA and/or parallel computing would be a strong plus. Application: Please send your applications by email to serre-admin at correct_university_name.edu where correct_university_name should be replaced by brown. Please include a brief statement of interests, a curriculum vita, a list of publications and contact details for 2-3 letters of reference (no letters required at this stage). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dwang at cse.ohio-state.edu Wed Aug 6 16:43:18 2014 From: dwang at cse.ohio-state.edu (DeLiang Wang) Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2014 16:43:18 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: NEURAL NETWORKS, August 2014 Message-ID: <53E29366.1060105@cse.ohio-state.edu> Neural Networks - Volume 56, August 2014 http://www.journals.elsevier.com/neural-networks A global coupling index of multivariate neural series with application to the evaluation of mild cognitive impairment Dong Wen, Qing Xue, Chengbiao Lu, Xinyong Guan, Yuping Wang, Xiaoli Li Ideal regularization for learning kernels from labels Binbin Pan, Jianhuang Lai, Lixin Shen Grid topologies for the self-organizing map Ezequiel L?pez-Rubio, Antonio D?az Ramos Synaptic dynamics: Linear model and adaptation algorithm Ali Yousefi, Alireza A. Dibazar, Theodore W. Berger Relative entropy minimizing noisy non-linear neural network to approximate stochastic processes Mathieu N. Galtier, Camille Marini, Gilles Wainrib, Herbert Jaeger From terry at salk.edu Wed Aug 6 17:26:37 2014 From: terry at salk.edu (Terry Sejnowski) Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 14:26:37 -0700 Subject: Connectionists: NEURAL COMPUTATION - September 1, 2014 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Neural Computation - Contents -- Volume 26, Number 9 - September 1, 2014 Available online for download now: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/neco/26/9 ----- Article Continuous Closed-loop Decoder Adaptation With a Recursive Maximum Likelihood Algorithm Allows for Rapid Performance Acquisition in Brain-machine Interfaces Siddharth Dangi, Suraj Gowda, Helene Moorman, Amy Orsborn, Kelvin So, Maryam Shanechi, and Jose Carmena Letters Neuronal Spike Train Entropy Estimation by History Clustering Nicholas Watters, and George Reeke Memory Nearly on a Spring: A Mean First Passage Time Approach to Memory Lifetimes Terry Elliott Sparseness, Anti-Sparseness and Anything in Between: The Operating Point of a Neuron Determines Its Computational Repertoire Terry Elliott Sequential Activity in Asymmetrically Coupled Winner-Take-All Circuits Hesham Mostafa, Giacomo Indiveri Synchronization of Stochastic Competitive Neural Networks With Different Time Scales and Reaction-diffusion Terms Yanchao Shi, Peiyong Zhu A Semiparametric Bayesian Model for Detecting Synchrony Among Multiple Neurons Babak Shahbaba, Bo Zhou, Shiwei Lan, Hernando Ombao, David Moorman, and Sam Behseta A Bayesian Model of Polychronicity Mira Guise, Alistair Knott, and Lubica Benuskova A Non-parametric Clustering Algorithm With a Quantile-based Likelihood Estimator Hideitsu Hino, Noboru Murata ------------ ON-LINE -- http://www.mitpressjournals.org/neuralcomp SUBSCRIPTIONS - 2014 - VOLUME 26 - 12 ISSUES USA Others Electronic Only Student/Retired $70 $193 $65 Individual $124 $187 $115 Institution $1,035 $1,098 $926 Canada: Add 5% GST MIT Press Journals, 238 Main Street, Suite 500, Cambridge, MA 02142-9902 Tel: (617) 253-2889 FAX: (617) 577-1545 journals-orders at mit.edu ------------ From i.bojak at reading.ac.uk Thu Aug 7 08:39:27 2014 From: i.bojak at reading.ac.uk (Ingo Bojak) Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 12:39:27 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: PhD Studentship in Neural Fields and Movement Control, University of Reading, UK Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From morgado at uma.pt Sat Aug 9 07:43:38 2014 From: morgado at uma.pt (Morgado Dias) Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2014 12:43:38 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: PhD/Researcher positions in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering Message-ID: <029901cfb3c7$2d0bb700$87232500$@uma.pt> Dear Connectionists, Positions 3 and 4 might be interesting for the community. Best regards, Morgado ------------------------------------------------------ PhD/Researcher positions in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering The research group of Prof. Morgado Dias (Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute - Partner of the Carnegie Mellon University - Portugal program) is looking for PhD students and researchers for: (1) Monitoring and Fault detection in Photovoltaic parks (funded project-1year-possible follow-up with a PhD) (2) 3D Image Processing (funded project-1year- possible follow-up with a PhD) (3) Hardware for Artificial Neural Networks, with emphasis on emerging architectures (PhD, but needs to be externally funded) (4) FPGA prototype for detecting sleep APNEA disorders (PhD ? needs to apply to a specific program in Portugal for funding if required) Information about the Institute, University and Region: Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute - Partner of the Carnegie Mellon University - Portugal program, is an innovation institute established as an associated independent non-profit R&D organization whose founding members are the University of Madeira, Madeira Tecnopolo S. A. and Carnegie Mellon University. Recently awarded a 2,4M? funding, Madeira-ITI operates in the interdisciplinary domain of human-computer interaction encapsulating contributions from computer science, psychology and design in order to address/engage in important scientific and technological challenges that are both relevant to society and have significant economic impact (www.m-iti.org). The University of Madeira is an active public university integrated in Portuguese Higher Education System and the European Community. Madeira is a small island with paradisiac living conditions and warm people. Recently elected as the Best European Island, you will find in a small place a diversity of landscapes that go from the beach to the mountain with low living costs and almost no crime. Prof. Morgado Dias research expertise includes Artificial Neural Networks, FPGAs and Renewable Energy. More information can be found at: http://www.cee.uma.pt/morgado/ Profile for candidates: (1) A master?s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering or Computer Engineering (preferred) or an undergraduate degree in the same areas, completed before arrival. (2) Good oral and spoken English as well as good communication skills. TOEFL or IELTS scores are encouraged. At least the English proficiency that fulfills the requirements of CSC applications is necessary. (3) Teamwork spirit. (4) Self-motivation and independent working ability. (5) Knowledge of and research experience related to the above fields are strongly preferred. (6) Previous published work and interest in pursuing a PhD is preferred. Application: If you are interested, please address your motivation letter (with a brief description of yourself, research ability & interest) and CV to: morgadoatuma.pt --- Este email est? livre de v?rus e malware porque a prote??o avast! Antivirus est? ativa. http://www.avast.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ahu at cs.stir.ac.uk Mon Aug 11 07:34:11 2014 From: ahu at cs.stir.ac.uk (Dr Amir Hussain) Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:34:11 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Call for Papers: IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) Special Issue: "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" Message-ID: Call for Papers (Please also forward to any interested colleagues - with advance apologies for any cross-postings!) IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) (http://cis.ieee.org/ieee-computational-intelligence-magazine.html) Special Issue on "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" (Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2014) (http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/IEEE-CIM-CICE2015.pdf) Guest Editors: Amir Hussain, Dacheng Tao, Jonathan Wu and Dongbin Zhao Aims and Scope: Over the past decade or so, computational intelligence techniques have been highly successful for solving big data challenges in changing environments. In particular, there has been growing interest in so called biologically inspired learning (BIL), which refers to a wide range of learning techniques, motivated by biology, that try to mimic specific biological functions or behaviors. Examples include the hierarchy of the brain neocortex and neural circuits, which have resulted in biologically-inspired features for encoding, deep neural networks for classification, and spiking neural networks for general modelling. To ensure these models are generalizable to unseen data, it is common to assume that the training and test data are independently sampled from an identical distribution, known as the sample i.i.d. assumption. In dynamic and non-stationary environments, the distribution of data changes over time, resulting in the phenomenon of ?concept drift? (also known as population drift or concept shift), which is a generalization of covariance shift in statistics. Over the last five years, transfer learning and multitask learning have been used to tackle this problem. Fundamental analyses using probably approximately correct (PAC) and Rademacher complexity frameworks have explained why appropriate incorporation of context and concept drift can improve generalizability in changing environments. It is possible to use human-level processing power to tackle concept drift in changing environments. Concept drift is a real-world problem, usually associated with online and concept learning, where the relationships between input data and target variables dynamically change over time. Traditional learning schemes do not adequately address this issue, either because they are offline or because they avoid dynamic learning. However, BIL seems to possess properties that would be helpful for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Intuitively, the human capacity to deal with concept drift is innate to cognitive processes, and the learning problems susceptible to concept drift seem to share some of the dynamic demands placed on plastic neural areas in the brain. Using improved biological models in neural networks can provide insight into cognitive computational phenomena. However, a main outstanding issue in using computational intelligence for changing environments and domain adaptation is how to build complex networks, or how networks should be connected to the features, samples, and distribution drifts. Manual design and building of these networks are beyond current human capabilities. Recently, computational intelligence methods has been used to address concept drift in changing environments, with promising results. A Hebbian learning model has been used to handle random, as well as correlated, concept drift. Neural networks have been used for concept drift detection, and the influence of latent variables on concept drift in a neural network has been studied. In another study, a timing-dependent synapse model has been applied to concept drift. These works mainly apply biologically-plausible computational models to concept drift problems. Although these results are still in their infancy, they open up new possibilities to achieve brain-like intelligence for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Taking the current state of research in computational intelligence for changing environments into account, the objective of this special issue is to collate this research to help unify the concepts and terminology of computational intelligence in changing environments, and to survey state-of-the-art computational intelligence methodologies and the key techniques investigated to date. Therefore, this special issue invites submissions on the most recent developments in computational intelligence for changing environments algorithms and architectures, theoretical foundations, and representations, & their application to real world problems. We also welcome timely surveys & review papers. Topics of Interest include (but are not limited to): ? Computational intelligence methodologies and implementation for changing environments ? Transfer learning, Multitask learning, Domain adaption ? Incremental Learning architectures, Unsupervised and semi-supervised learning architectures ? Incremental Knowledge augmentation, Representation learning and disentangling ? Incremental Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy systems ? Incremental and single-pass data mining ? Incremental Neural Clustering & Regression ? Incremental Adaptive decision systems ? Incremental Feature selection and reduction ? Incremental Constructive Learning ? Novelty detection in Incremental learning Submission Process The maximum length for the manuscript is typically 25 pages in single column format with double-spacing, including figures and references. Authors should specify in the first page of their manuscripts the corresponding author?s contact and up to 5 keywords. Submission should be made via: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ieee-cim-cice2015 Important Dates (for August 2015 Issue) 15th November, 2014: Submission of Manuscripts 15th January, 2015: Notification of Review Results 15th February, 2015: Submission of Revised Manuscripts 15th March, 2015: Submission of Final Manuscripts Guest Editors Professor Amir Hussain, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland UK Email: ahu at cs.stir.ac.uk http://cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/ Professor Dacheng Tao, University of Technology, Sydney, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia Email: dacheng.tao at uts.edu.au Professor Jonathan Wu University of Windsor 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, Canada Email: jwu at uwindsor.ca Professor Dongbin Zhao Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China E-mail: dongbin.zhao at gmail.com -- The University of Stirling has been ranked in the top 12 of UK universities for graduate employment*. 94% of our 2012 graduates were in work and/or further study within six months of graduation. *The Telegraph The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159. From simone.seeger at zi-mannheim.de Tue Aug 12 03:13:53 2014 From: simone.seeger at zi-mannheim.de (Seeger, Simone) Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 07:13:53 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: Job offer: PhD student position Message-ID: <68B5BBF569FEF84891D3AAB4D3141E453C7DE1AE@ZIMAIL2.Zi.local> The Department of Theoretical Neuroscience (Head: Prof. Daniel Durstewitz) at the Central Institute of Mental Health (Mannheim) invites applications for a PhD student position (E 13 TV-L) (50% of the fulltime weekly hours) in the newly founded research group Data-driven network models of higher cognitive functions (Head: Dr. Joachim Hass) to be filled as soon as possible. The position is initially limited for 3 years. The research group develops biologically realistic computational neural network models of the neocortical structures such as the prefrontal cortex and the motor cortex. These models closely adhere to physiological data from both in vitro and in vivo experiments and are used to study higher cognitive functions such as time perception and working memory. The successful candidate will work in the project "The human mirror neuron system - measurement and beyond" funded by the Heidelberg Academy for Sciences and Humanities. The joint project of the Departments of Theoretical Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology of the Central Institute of Mental Health aims at a deeper understanding of the mirror neuron system in humans, which is thought to play a crucial role in social cognition by representing the emotions and intentions of others in the motor cortex. The project combines multimodal measurements (involving fMRI, EEG, transcranial magnetic stimulation and genotyping) with computational modeling. The Central Institute of Mental Health is an internationally renowned research institute for psychiatry and neuroscience as well as a clinic for psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatics (part of the medical faculty of the University of Heidelberg). The research group closely interacts with neurobiologists and psychologists at the institute. The Department of Theoretical Neuroscience is focused on computational modeling and statistical data analysis of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus functions. It is one of the core research units of the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Heidelberg-Mannheim. Access to high-performance computing facilities is provided. Tasks: The project involves the development of a rate-based, brain-scale model as well as the further development of an existing spiking network model of the motor cortex. The resulting twostage model is then being adapted to the multimodal experimental data using stochastic optimization techniques. In particular, the effects of the transcranial magnetic stimulation and different levels of dopamine and oxytocin are to be implemented in the model and directly compared with the experimental data. Participation in the project organization and publication writing is also expected. It is also possible to participate in the analysis of the fMRI data. Requirements: The candidate should have a university degree (master or equivalent) in physics, mathematics, computer science, computational neuroscience or similar, a strong interest in neurobiological research and very good programming skills (ideally in MATLAB and C). Good communication skills in English as well as knowledge in nonlinear dynamics, numerical optimization or neural modeling are also required. Knowledge in neuroscience or experimental psychology is beneficial. Applicants should sent their application documents (cover letter including a brief description of personal qualifications and future research interests, CV and contact details of two personal references) to joachim.hass at zi-mannheim.de. Questions and informal discussions about the position are also welcome under this email address. The call is open until the position is filled. *** Simone Seeger, M.A. Administration Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Zentralinstitut f?r Seelische Gesundheit Postfach 12 21 20, 68072 Mannheim J5, 68159 Mannheim Telefon: 0621/1703-1326 oder 06221/54-8310 Fax: 0621/1703-2915 E-Mail: Simone.Seeger at zi-mannheim.de Internet: http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ted.carnevale at yale.edu Tue Aug 12 12:46:04 2014 From: ted.carnevale at yale.edu (Ted Carnevale) Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:46:04 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: Parallel computing workshop at SFN 2014 meeting Message-ID: <53EA44CC.5040303@yale.edu> What: Using the Neuroscience Gateway Portal for Parallel Simulations A Satellite Symposium at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience Meeting Where: Lodation to be announced in downtown Washington, DC When: 9 AM - Noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 Speakers to include: A. Majumdar, S. Sivagnanam, and T. Carnevale Registration deadline: Friday, October 31, 2014 This workshop is for neuroscientists who need to use parallel supercomputers for large modeling projects. With support from NSF, we have been developing the Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG) http://www.nsgportal.org/, which * provides free CPU time on NSF-supported high performance computing resources * has a browser-based interface that simplifies the tasks of uploading models, specifying job parameters, monitoring job status, and storing and retrieving output data * already has many widely-used simulatiors optimally installed and configured, including Brian, GENESIS3, NEST, NEURON, and PyNN The workshop will combine didactic presentations by NSG's developers, discussions with experienced users, and hands on instruction in how to use the portal. Come find out how the NSG can be useful in your own research! For more information and the online registration form see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2014/nsg2014.html --Ted From maass at igi.tugraz.at Wed Aug 13 08:18:48 2014 From: maass at igi.tugraz.at (Wolfgang Maass) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:18:48 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Workshop on Stochastic Neural Computation in Paris Message-ID: <53EB57A8.7050203@igi.tugraz.at> I am organizing a Workshop on Stochastic Neural Computation on Nov.27 and 28, 2014 in Paris, at the European Institute for Theoretical Neuroscience. You are welcome to attend, and present a poster (if it fits into the context of this workshop). This will be a very informal "working" workshop, where we want to bring together experts from neuroscience, cognitive science, theory, and neuromorphic hardware, that are working on different angles of stochastic neural computation with biological or artificial spiking neurons. The talks will focus on new results. We will also have plenty of time to discuss open problems and challenges that arise. Possibly this meeting could mark the beginning of some loose research network around this exciting research topic. You can find a preliminary program at https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/Ag?eMAt=38&showAgenda=x&eKn=SComNo27 Information on the venue and hotel information is available at https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/Ag?eMAt=38&SiD=x&eKn=SComNo27 The participation is free, but prior registration by October 1 is required on https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/Ag?eMAt=38&eKrn=SComNo27 Under "Registration type" on the registration page you can indicate whether you want to present a poster (please send title and abstract to me per email). There will be no registration fee. best regards Wolfgang Maass -- Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maass Institut fuer Grundlagen der Informationsverarbeitung Technische Universitaet Graz Inffeldgasse 16b , A-8010 Graz, Austria Tel.: ++43/316/873-5822 Fax ++43/316/873-5805 http://www.igi.tugraz.at/maass/Welcome.html From jteeters at berkeley.edu Tue Aug 12 23:56:44 2014 From: jteeters at berkeley.edu (Jeff Teeters) Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:56:44 -0700 Subject: Connectionists: Seeking community input for Neurodata Without Borders Message-ID: Dear Colleague, The Neurodata Without Borders (NWB) project has just started. The project goal is to build a common data format for neurophysiology data from Allen Brain Institute, Janelia Farm and two labs from NYU and Caltech. Although focusing on a limited set of use cases, the project also aims to develop products that will serve the broader community. At this point we would like to solicit community input about ideas/approaches for designing a generalizable neurophysiology data format. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please review the project description at: https://crcns.org/NWB and fill out the questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CNTd4M-8kQ_WhEZc7n7WxpTa0LOupt_q3z21E1fRxjM/viewform On the basis of the questionnaire responses and ensuing communication, we will organize the first hackathon meeting of the project, to be held November 20 ? 22, 2014 (just after SfN) at Janelia Farm, in Ashburn, Virginia. At this hackathon we will discuss in detail the requirements for a common format based on the project use cases and also discuss, compare and evaluate alternative techniques for implementing the common format. More information about the project is available in a recent press release: http://www.kavlifoundation.org/kavli-news/prominent-us-research-institutions-announce-collaboration-toward-sharing-and Please forward this email to anyone you know with relevant expertise who may be interested in contributing to this project. Thank you, Fritz Sommer and Jeff Teeters Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience UC Berkeley -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From f.vandervelde at utwente.nl Wed Aug 13 05:33:11 2014 From: f.vandervelde at utwente.nl (f.vandervelde at utwente.nl) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 09:33:11 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: Neural plasticity for rich and uncertain robotic information streams, abstract deadline extended 12th September. Message-ID: <1A4FBC4A8133CC49B62F413B6189288325A715F5@EXMBX24.ad.utwente.nl> Dear Connectionists, We extended the abstract submission deadline for the research topic ?Neural plasticity for rich and uncertain information streams?, hosted by Frontiers in Neurorobotics, due to requests. The new deadline is 12th of September. Note that the paper submission deadline remains unchanged (Jan 12, 2015). Description: Models of adaptation and neural plasticity are often demonstrated in robotic scenarios with heavily pre-processed and regulated information streams to provide learning algorithms with appropriate, well timed, and meaningful data to match the assumptions of learning rules. On the contrary, natural scenarios are often rich of raw, asynchronous, overlapping and uncertain inputs and outputs whose relationships and meaning are progressively acquired, disambiguated, and used for further learning. Therefore, recent research efforts focus on neural embodied systems that rely less on well timed and pre-processed inputs, but rather extract autonomously relationships and features in time and space. In particular, realistic and more complete models of plasticity must account for delayed rewards, noisy and ambiguous data, emerging and novel input features during online learning. Such approaches model the progressive acquisition of knowledge into neural systems through experience in environments that may be affected by ambiguities, uncertain signals, delays, or novel features. This research topic promises to unveil fundamental properties and dynamics of neural learning system that are naturally immersed in a rich information flow. We invite papers describing advances in robotic neural learning systems that model adaptation or plasticity with a rich and realistic stream of information. Abstract Submission Deadline (extended): Sep 12, 2014, Article Submission Deadline: Jan 12, 2015 Topic Editor(s): Andrea Soltoggio, Frank van der Velde Frontiers, a Swiss open-access publisher, recently partnered with Nature Publishing Group to expand its researcher-driven Open Science platform. Frontiers articles are rigorously peer-reviewed, can be disseminated freely and are widely read by your colleagues and by the broader scientific and medical research communities. The idea behind a research topic is to create an organized, comprehensive collection of several contributions, as well as a forum for discussion and debate. Contributions can be articles describing original research, methods, hypothesis & theory, opinions, etc. We have created a homepage on the Frontiers website (Frontiers in Neurorobotics) where all articles will appear after peer-review and where participants in the topic will be able to hold relevant discussions: http://www.frontiersin.org/Neurorobotics/researchtopics/Neural_plasticity_for_rich_and/3107. Frontiers will also compile an e-book, as soon as all contributing articles are published, that can be used in classes, be sent to foundations that fund your research, to journalists and press agencies, or to any number of other organizations. As such, a manuscript accepted for publication incurs a publishing fee, which varies depending on the article type. Research Topic manuscripts receive a significant discount on publishing fees. Please take a look at this fee table: http://www.frontiersin.org/about/PublishingFees. Once published, your articles will remain free to access for all readers, and will be indexed in PubMed and other academic archives. As an author in Frontiers, you retain the copyright to your own papers and figures. Should you choose to participate, please confirm by sending me a quick email and then your abstract no later than Sep 12, 2014 using the following link:http://www.frontiersin.org/Neurorobotics/researchtopics/Neural_plasticity_for_rich_and/3107 With best regards, Frank van der Velde and Andrea Soltoggio Guest Associate Editors, Frontiers in Neurorobotics www.frontiersin.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From A.Soltoggio at lboro.ac.uk Wed Aug 13 07:26:13 2014 From: A.Soltoggio at lboro.ac.uk (Andrea Soltoggio) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:26:13 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Short-term plasticity to test hypotheses Message-ID: Dear All, I?d like to point your attention to a new interpretation of the role of short-term plasticity. In a study about to appear in the journal Biological Cybernetics, and titled, ?*Short-term plasticity as cause-effect hypothesis testing in distal reward learning*? --preprint available at http://arxiv.org/abs/1402.0710 -- I suggest a model in which transient weight changes serve to test hypotheses when learning with distal rewards (or also credit assignment problem). Only tested hypotheses (i.e. verified correct over many trials) are converted in long-term plastic changes, demonstrating how true cause-effect relationships can be discovered without affecting the existing weight structures, even with highly ambiguous information flow due to distal rewards and overlapping stimuli and actions. I hope you find it an interesting read. I would highly appreciate any comment, discussion, criticism or alternative idea. I?m interested in particular in discovering more biological studies supporting this new interpretation. Best regards, Andrea Soltoggio -- Dr. Andrea Soltoggio Haslegrave Building, N.2.03 Loughborough University LE11 3TU UK Phone: +44 (0) 1509 635748 Email: a.soltoggio at lboro.ac.uk Web: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/staff/dr-andrea-soltoggio.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From htlin at csie.ntu.edu.tw Wed Aug 13 05:55:24 2014 From: htlin at csie.ntu.edu.tw (Hsuan-Tien Lin) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:55:24 +0800 Subject: Connectionists: Deadline 8/24: CFP for International Track of the 2014 Conference on Technologies and Applications of Artificial Intelligence (TAAI 2014) Message-ID: Apologies for posting on multiple mailing lists. ==== TAAI 2014 (International Track) Call for Paper Website: http://taai2014.ntust.edu.tw Introduction ================ The 2014 Conference on Technologies and Applications of Artificial Intelligence (TAAI 2014) is the 19th annual conference sponsored by the Taiwanese Association for Artificial Intelligence (TAAI) and one of the most important annual academic meetings on Artificial Intelligence in Taiwan. The conference will be held during 21-23 November 2014 in Taipei, Taiwan. The conference is open to international participants, and the number of international participants from various countries increases constantly in the past few years. For instance, the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence (JSAI) and the TAAI association promoted exchange visits in the earlier JSAI annual meetings and the TAAI conferences. The purpose of TAAI conference is to bring together researchers, engineers, and practitioners to present and exchange ideas, results, and experiences in AI technologies and applications. Topics of particular interest include, but are not limited to: * Agents * AI Applications * AI Architectures * Automated Reasoning * Cloud Computing in AI * Cognitive Modeling * Computer Games * Computer Supported Collaborative Learning & Personalized Learning * Computer Vision * Data Mining * Distributed AI * Evolutionary Computation & Genetic Algorithms * Fuzzy Systems * Hybrid Systems * Information Retrieval * Intelligent E-Learning & Tutoring * Intelligent Environments * Intelligent Human-Computer Interaction * Knowledge-Based Systems * Knowledge Representation * Logics in AI * Machine Learning * Mobile Intelligence * Natural Language Processing * Pattern Recognition * Planning * Probabilistic and Uncertain Reasoning * Problem Solving and Search * Robotics * Semantic Web * Social Computing * Speech Recognition and Synthesis * Ubiquitous Intelligent Applications * Web Intelligence Paper Submission ================ High-quality manuscripts reporting original and unpublished research results pertaining to the above and related topics are solicited. Manuscripts for the international track and workshops must be in English with a maximum of 10 pages using the Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) format. Electronic abstract and paper of the international track should be submitted through the TAAI 2014 submission site at https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=taai2014 . All manuscripts will be reviewed by the Program Committee on the basis of technical quality, relevance, significance, and clarity. Each submission should be regarded as an undertaking that, if the paper is accepted, at least one of the authors must attend the conference to present the work. Paper Publications ================ The conference proceedings will be published by Springer Communications in Computer and Information (CCIS) Proceedings Series. Publications in Springer CCIS Proceedings Series will be indexed by EI Compendex. Selected accepted papers will receive Best Paper Awards and be invited for publication in special issues of several international journals (to be announced). Key Dates ================ Submission Deadline: 24 August 2014 Author Notification: 23 September 2014 Camera Ready Submission: 30 September 2014 Contact ================ The organizers of the international track can be reached at taaiconf2014 at gmail.com General Chairs: Jane Yung-Jen Hsu (National Taiwan University), Yuh-Jye Lee (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology) Program Chairs: Hsuan-Tien Lin (National Taiwan University), Hsing-Kuo Kenneth Pao (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology) -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hsuan-Tien Lin htlin at csie.ntu.edu.tw http://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/~htlin ========== Associate Professor Dept. of Computer Science and Information Engineering & Graduate Institute of Networking and Multimedia National Taiwan University ========== Secretary General Taiwanese Association for Artificial Intelligence (TAAI) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From gpipa at uos.de Wed Aug 13 12:09:18 2014 From: gpipa at uos.de (Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:09:18 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: =?iso-8859-1?q?3_open_PhD_psoitions_at_the_Neuroi?= =?iso-8859-1?q?nformatics_Lab_at_the_Institute_of_Cognitive_Scienc?= =?iso-8859-1?q?e=2C_University_of_Osnabr=FCck=2C_Germany?= Message-ID: <009901cfb711$1cf85ec0$56e91c40$@uos.de> The Neuroinformatics Research Group (Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa) of the Institute of Cognitive Science invites applications for 3 Research Assistants (PhD student level), (Salary level E 13 TV-L 50%) to be filled as soon as possible for a period of three years. The position allows for further scientific qualification. We invite applicants that are interested in research in Neuroinformatics, with an emphasis on dynamical systems, machine learning, virtual reality, computational linguistics and electrophysiology. Candidates will participate in a highly international PhD program on cognitive science (with >40 currently enrolled students) and interdisciplinary research projects that can involve cooperation with other disciplines of our institute. Candidates should be highly motivated to understand the structure of neuronal coding and neuronal representations. To study this, we involve different research strategies that range from the development of highly sophisticated data analysis strategies, to modelling of neuronal processes on the level of recurrent networks. The qualification profile of the candidates can range from a purely mathematical neuroscientist, a dynamical systems researcher to interdisciplinary candidates that share interest in performing experiments with the virtual reality combined with EEG and sophisticated machine learning-based analysis of recorded activity (at http://ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/ni/publications you find an overview of recent research topics). Description of Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be involved in several research projects that range from BSc to MSc projects. The position also involves teaching Cognitive Science courses at BSc and MSc level (2 hours/week). Required Qualifications: Candidates are expected to have an excellent academic degree (Master/diploma). Applicants should have an excellent knowledge in the field of machine learning, i.e. generalized linear and state space models, kernel methods, reservoir computing and deep learning. Experience or a strong interest in the fields of complex systems, computational neurosciences, dynamical systems theory and the concepts to study these, i.e. bifurcation and stability analysis, and delay- coupled differential equations, measurements of complexity, are encouraged. Experience or a strong interest in experimental methods such as EEG, and virtual reality are highly welcome. In addition, a strong interest or experience in the estimation of causal interactions from time series is welcome. As a certified family-friendly institution, Osnabr?ck University is committed to furthering the compatibility between work/studies and family life. As an employer, Osnabr?ck University is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for women and men. Women with relevant qualifications are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position. Preference will be given to women with equal qualifications. Furthermore, qualified applicants with disabilities will be favored. Applications with the usual documentation, including two letters of recommendation, should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF file to the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science (office at ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de) no later than 08.09.2014. An electronic copy should be sent to Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa (gpipa at uni-osnabrueck.de) who can also be contacted for further information. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 31/404 University of Osnabrueck Albrechtstr. 28, 49069 Osnabrueck, Germany tel. +49 (0) 541-969-2277 fax (private). +49 (0) 5405- 500 80 98 home office. +49 (0) 5405- 500 90 95 e-mail: gpipa at uos.de webpage: http://www.ni.uos.de research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act google scholar: http://scholar.google.de/citations?user=joR6mgEAAAAJ Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatics lab: Anna Jungeilges Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Fax +49 (0)541 969-2246 Email: anna.jungeilges at uni-osnabrueck.de visit us on http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 8138 bytes Desc: not available URL: From kerstin at nld.ds.mpg.de Thu Aug 14 11:26:23 2014 From: kerstin at nld.ds.mpg.de (Kerstin Mosch) Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:26:23 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Bernstein Conference 2014 - online registration ends August 24 Message-ID: <53ECD170.4090805@nld.ds.mpg.de> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dyyeung at cse.ust.hk Fri Aug 15 02:09:35 2014 From: dyyeung at cse.ust.hk (Dit-Yan Yeung) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 14:09:35 +0800 Subject: Connectionists: Professor Position cum Director of Robotics Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Message-ID: <53EDA41F.70807@cse.ust.hk> Applications and nominations are invited for the joint faculty position as Professor cum Director of Robotics Institute in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The successful candidate will hold a joint appointment as a full Professor in two or more of the following departments: Electronic and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, and Mathematics. HKUST Robotics Institute is a newly established research institute. Its mission is to (i) conduct fundamental and cutting-edge research in the area of robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), manufacturing automation, autonomous systems, and medical robotics; (ii) provide a world class educational platform for robotics teaching and learning; (iii) transfer knowledge related to robotic technology to the community, industry and government; and (iv) create an entrepreneurial environment for students and faculty. Major stakeholders of the Institute include faculty, staff and students of various departments. Applicants/nominees for the position should have a PhD degree, demonstrated leadership abilities, extensive teaching and research experience as well as an ability to interact effectively with students, faculty, industry and the Government. Salary will be highly competitive with generous fringe benefits. Appointment of professorship will be made on substantive terms of service. Fringe benefits including housing, annual leave, medical and dental benefits will be provided where applicable. HKUST is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and has a range of family-friendly policies in place. More information about the School of Engineering is available at: www.seng.ust.hk Applications/Nominations, together with a full curriculum vitae, list of publications, names and contacts of five referees, should be addressed to Professor Amine Bermak, Chair of the Search Committee by email to: drisearch at ust.hk on or before 15 November 2014. Review of applications/nominations will start immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. (Information provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes.) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: dyyeung.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 292 bytes Desc: not available URL: From grlmc at urv.cat Fri Aug 15 02:47:56 2014 From: grlmc at urv.cat (GRLMC) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 08:47:56 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: BigDat 2015: August 23, registration deadline Message-ID: <5AAE97EA1FB948F69DC2F1D50D34CDDF@Carlos1> *To be removed from our mailing list, please respond to this message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line* ***************************************************** INTERNATIONAL WINTER SCHOOL ON BIG DATA BigDat 2015 Tarragona, Spain January 26-30, 2015 Organized by Rovira i Virgili University http://grammars.grlmc.com/bigdat2015/ ***************************************************** --- 3rd registration deadline: August 23, 2014 --- ***************************************************** AIM: BigDat 2015 is a research training event for graduates and postgraduates in the first steps of their academic career. It aims at updating them about the most recent developments in the fast developing area of big data, which covers a large spectrum of current exciting research, development and innovation with an extraordinary potential for a huge impact on scientific discoveries, medicine, engineering, business models, and society itself. Renowned academics and industry pioneers will lecture and share their views with the audience. All big data subareas will be displayed, namely: foundations, infrastructure, management, search and mining, security and privacy, and applications. Main challenges of analytics, management and storage of big data will be identified through 4 keynote lectures and 24 six-hour courses, which will tackle the most lively and promising topics. The organizers believe outstanding speakers will attract the brightest and most motivated students. Interaction will be a main component of the event. ADDRESSED TO: Graduate and postgraduates from around the world. There are no formal pre-requisites in terms of academic degrees. However, since there will be differences in the course levels, specific knowledge background may be required for some of them. BigDat 2015 is also appropriate for more senior people who want to keep themselves updated on recent developments and future trends. They will surely find it fruitful to listen and discuss with major researchers, industry leaders and innovators. REGIME: In addition to keynotes, 3 courses will run in parallel during the whole event. Participants will be able to freely choose the courses they will be willing to attend as well as to move from one to another. VENUE: BigDat 2015 will take place in Tarragona, located 90 kms. to the south of Barcelona. The venue will be: Campus Catalunya Universitat Rovira i Virgili Av. Catalunya, 35 43002 Tarragona KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Ian Foster (Argonne National Laboratory), tba Geoffrey C. Fox (Indiana University, Bloomington), Mapping Big Data Applications to Clouds and HPC C. Lee Giles (Pennsylvania State University, University Park), Scholarly Big Data: Information Extraction and Data Mining William D. Gropp (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), tba COURSES AND PROFESSORS: Hendrik Blockeel (KU Leuven), [intermediate] Decision Trees for Big Data Analytics Diego Calvanese (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano), [introductory/intermediate] End-User Access to Big Data Using Ontologies Jiannong Cao (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), [introductory/intermediate] Programming with Big Data Edward Y. Chang (HTC Corporation, New Taipei City), [introductory/advanced] >From Design of Distributed and Online Algorithms to Hands-on Code Lab Practice on Real Datasets Ernesto Damiani (University of Milan), [introductory/intermediate] Process Discovery and Predictive Decision Making from Big Data Sets and Streams Gautam Das (University of Texas, Arlington), [intermediate/advanced] Mining Deep Web Repositories Maarten de Rijke (University of Amsterdam), tba Geoffrey C. Fox (Indiana University, Bloomington), [intermediate] Using Software Defined Systems to Address Big Data Problems Minos Garofalakis (Technical University of Crete, Chania) [intermediate/advanced], Querying Continuous Data Streams Vasant G. Honavar (Pennsylvania State University, University Park) [introductory/intermediate], Learning Predictive Models from Big Data Mounia Lalmas (Yahoo! Research Labs, London), [introductory] Measuring User Engagement Tao Li (Florida International University, Miami), [introductory/intermediate] Data Mining Techniques to Understand Textual Data Kwan-Liu Ma (University of California, Davis), [intermediate] Big Data Visualization Christoph Meinel (Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam), [introductory/intermediate] New Computing Power by In-Memory and Multicore to Tackle Big Data David Padua (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), [intermediate] Data Parallel Programming Manish Parashar (Rutgers University, Piscataway), [intermediate] Big Data in Simulation-based Science Srinivasan Parthasarathy (Ohio State University, Columbus), [intermediate] Scalable Data Analysis Evaggelia Pitoura (University of Ioannina), [intermediate] Online Social Networks Vijay V. Raghavan (University of Louisiana, Lafayette), [introductory/intermediate] Visual Analytics of Time-evolving Large-scale Graphs Pierangela Samarati (University of Milan), [intermediate], Data Security and Privacy in the Cloud Peter Sanders (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), [introductory/intermediate] Algorithm Engineering for Large Data Sets Johan Suykens (KU Leuven), [introductory/intermediate] Fixed-size Kernel Models for Big Data Domenico Talia (University of Calabria, Rende), [intermediate] Scalable Data Mining on Parallel, Distributed and Cloud Computing Systems Jieping Ye (Arizona State University, Tempe), [introductory/advanced] Large-Scale Sparse Learning and Low Rank Modeling ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Adrian Horia Dediu (Tarragona) Carlos Mart?n-Vide (Tarragona, chair) Florentina Lilica Voicu (Tarragona) REGISTRATION: It has to be done at http://grammars.grlmc.com/bigdat2015/registration.php The selection of up to 8 courses requested in the registration template is only tentative and non-binding. For the sake of organization, it will be helpful to have an approximation of the respective demand for each course. Since the capacity of the venue is limited, registration requests will be processed on a first come first served basis. The registration period will be closed and the on-line registration facility disabled when the capacity of the venue will be complete. It is much recommended to register prior to the event. FEES: As far as possible, participants are expected to stay full-time. Fees are a flat rate covering the attendance to all courses during the week. There are several early registration deadlines. Fees depend on the registration deadline. ACCOMMODATION: Suggestions of accommodation will be provided in due time. CERTIFICATE: Participants will be delivered a certificate of attendance. QUESTIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION: florentinalilica.voicu at urv.cat POSTAL ADDRESS: BigDat 2015 Lilica Voicu Rovira i Virgili University Av. Catalunya, 35 43002 Tarragona, Spain Phone: +34 977 559 543 Fax: +34 977 558 386 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Universitat Rovira i Virgili --- Este mensaje no contiene virus ni malware porque la protecci?n de avast! Antivirus est? activa. http://www.avast.com From Vittorio.Murino at iit.it Fri Aug 15 06:59:20 2014 From: Vittorio.Murino at iit.it (Vittorio Murino) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 12:59:20 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: LAST CALL -- 2014/2015 PhD Course on Sciences & Technologies For Electronics & Telecommunication - Curriculum in Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning Message-ID: <53EDE808.6010005@iit.it> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAST ANNOUNCEMENT -- DEADLINE: AUGUST 22, 2014 @ at 12:00 p.m. (noon -- Italian time/CET) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT - www.iit.it ) together with the University of Genova opened the call for the *2014/2015* *Doctoral Course on Sciences & Technologies For Electronics & Telecommunication - Curriculum in Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning.* In this context, Ph.D. positions are available at the Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision (PAVIS) dept. to work in Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning, and more specifically on the following themes: Theme A: Computer vision for behavioral analysis and activity recognition Theme B: Part-based human body modeling for Socially-Aware Computer Vision Theme C: Crowd behavioral analysis and event recognition Theme D: Re-identification using soft biometric cues Theme E: Long term visual learning for 3D scene understanding Theme F: Biomedical imaging and connectomics analysis Theme G: Animal behavior analysis More info on the above research topics can be found at: http://www.iit.it/images/phd-xxx/ResearchTopics2014_IIT-PAVIS.pdf or directly asked to Prof. V. Murino (vittorio.murino at iit.it ) or any other tutor indicated for each theme. The PhD program on the listed themes will take place at the PAVIS department of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) located in Genova (www.iit.it ) The department focuses on activities related to the analysis and understanding of images and patterns in general, thus representing a reference for the other IIT Departments and labs which have to deal with such kind of data. The PAVIS staff has a wide expertise on image processing, computer vision and pattern recognition, machine learning, and related applications. Actually, the research in PAVIS is devoted to study and to build intelligent systems for real applications, especially related, but not limited, to surveillance & security, biomedical imaging, and bioinformatics. One of the primary goals is to design and develop innovative video surveillance systems, characterized by the use of highly-functional smart sensors and advanced video analytics features. To this end, PAVIS performs cutting edge research in computer vision and pattern recognition, but also in biometrics, multimodal data and sensor fusion, sensors networks, and embedded computer vision. Further, another target of the lab is to explore novel strategies in biomedical image analysis and bioinformatics, due to the versatility of the techniques it can manage. You can also browse the PAVIS webpages to see our activities and research at: http://www.iit.it/pavis.html *To apply, follow the instructions indicated in the links, in short: a detailed CV, a research proposal under one or more themes chosen among those above indicated, reference letters, and any other formal document concerning the degrees earned.* ** *Notice that these documents are mandatory in order to consider valid the application.* ** *IMPORTANT:*You need to specify the theme (one or more) you want to apply and include a research statement (research proposal/project/plan/rationale) on such theme. *ONLINE APPLICATION DEADLINE is August 22, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. (noon -- Italian time/CET) Strict deadline, no extension.* ** *ONLINE APPLICATIONS only, look at: *http://www.studenti.unige.it/postlaurea/dottorati/XXX/ENG/ For more information on administrative issues, please e-mail: pavis at iit.it ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Vittorio Murino ******************************************* Prof. Vittorio Murino, Ph.D. PAVIS - Pattern Analysis & Computer Vision IIT Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 16163 Genova, Italy Phone: +39 010 71781 504 Mobile: +39 329 6508554 Fax: +39 010 71781 236 E-mail:vittorio.murino at iit.it Secretary: Sara Curreli email: sara.curreli at iit.it Phone: +39 010 71781 917 http://www.iit.it/pavis ******************************************** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From paul.cisek at umontreal.ca Wed Aug 13 17:57:07 2014 From: paul.cisek at umontreal.ca (Paul Cisek) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:57:07 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: Graduate studies in the neuroscience of decision-making Message-ID: Graduate studies in the neuroscience of decision-making Department of neuroscience, laboratory of Paul Cisek Applications are invited for a master's or doctoral studentship in cognitive neuroscience. The successful applicant will join a research group studying the neural mechanisms of decision-making in humans and non-human primates using a combination of computational and experimental techniques. Research in our laboratory involves computational models of the nervous system as well as behavioral experiments, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and multi-electrode recording from the cerebral cortex and subcortical regions. Depending on the applicant's qualifications and interests, they will help to design and conduct behavioral and neurophysiological experiments, analyze data, develop theoretical models of neural systems, prepare manuscripts for publication, and participate in international conferences. See www.cisek.org/pavel for information on current projects and a list of sample publications. While students with a strong background in mathematics, computer science, or biological sciences are particularly encouraged to apply, all motivated students with an interest in understanding the brain will be considered. The successful applicant will receive a competitive salary in accordance with university guidelines. For further information, please contact Dr. Paul Cisek (paul.cisek at umontreal.ca). Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, curriculum vita, copies of academic transcripts, and the names and contact information of 2 references, to: Dr. Paul Cisek Department of neuroscience University of Montr?al C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-ville Montr?al, QC H3C 3J7, CANADA Phone: 514-343-6111 x4355 Web: www.cisek.org/pavel email: paul.cisek at umontreal.ca Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received before August 31, 2014. Interviews may be possible at the Bernstein conference (G?ttingen, Sept 2-5, 2014, http://www.bernstein-conference.de/), the INT neuroscience conference (Marseille, Oct 2-3, 2014, http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/2nd-colloque-de-l-INT), or the Society for Neuroscience meeting (Washington DC, November 15-19, 2014, http://www.sfn.org/annual-meeting/neuroscience-2014) Montr?al is consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities and has been called "Canada's Cultural Capital". It has the highest number of university students per capita in the continent, with more than 17,000 foreign students from 150 countries and among the lowest tuition fees in North America. Montr?al's vibrant neuroscience community spans four major universities (University of Montr?al, McGill University, Concordia University, and the University of Qu?bec at Montr?al) and the Montr?al Neurological Institute. The University of Montr?al is the largest university in Qu?bec and the second largest in Canada, with over 55,000 students and 10,000 employees. Deeply rooted in Montr?al and dedicated to its international mission, the Universit? de Montr?al is one of the top universities in the French-speaking world. The University of Montr?al is a French-speaking institution, and most coursework is in French. However, the master's or PhD thesis can be written in French or English. ----------------------------------------------- Paul Cisek, Ph.D. Groupe de recherche sur le syst?me nerveux central D?partement de neuroscience, local 4117 Universit? de Montr?al C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-ville Montr?al QC H3C 3J7 Canada T?l: 514-343-6111 x4355 Fax: 514-343-2111 e-mail: paul.cisek at umontreal.ca ----------------------------------------------- From mjaz at mit.edu Wed Aug 13 17:13:21 2014 From: mjaz at mit.edu (Mehrdad Jazayeri) Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 21:13:21 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: =?windows-1252?q?Postdoc_position_=96_Cortical_ne?= =?windows-1252?q?ural_dynamics?= Message-ID: <5202EA12-FCB2-4F4A-9F9D-2598345C8CBE@mit.edu> Dear Colleagues, I'd appreciate if you share this postdoc ad with suitable candidates. Sincerely, -Mehrdad Jazayeri Mehrdad Jazayeri, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Investigator, McGovern Institute for Brain Research Email: mjaz at mit.edu Postdoctoral positions to study cortical neural dynamics in non-human primates using electrophysiology, optogenetics and computational modeling Postdoctoral position working on in-vivo neural dynamics in Jazayeri lab at MIT. This position is supported by the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (CSNE) at MIT and University of Washington (UW). The goal of the project is to develop a rigorous mathematical model of cortical neural dynamics using electrophysiology, optogenetics and computational modeling. This project is part of a collaborative effort by CSNE that seeks to characterize neural dynamics in multiple species (rodents, non-human primates and humans) and across multiple neural systems (e.g., granular and agranular cortex and basal ganglia) with the goal to develop the next generation of closed loop perturbation systems. The project has many facets with areas of emphasis ranging from performing experiments to computational modeling and provides the candidate with the opportunity to be part of a vibrant collaborative effort between multiple laboratories (e.g., Mehrdad Jazayeri, Raj Rao, Jeff Ojemann) at UW and MIT. The ideal candidate will have experience in in-vivo electrophysiology and/or expertise in computational modeling of high-dimensional neural dynamics. Applicants should submit a CV, a 1-page description of their relevant background and expertise, a 1-page research statement of interest with respect to the project, and names and email addresses of three referees. To apply or to ask questions, please contact Mehrdad Jazayeri at MIT. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: smime.p7s Type: application/pkcs7-signature Size: 1584 bytes Desc: not available URL: From bjoern.kindler at kip.uni-heidelberg.de Fri Aug 15 03:45:41 2014 From: bjoern.kindler at kip.uni-heidelberg.de (Bjoern Kindler) Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 09:45:41 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: BrainScaleS 4th Frontiers in Neuromorphic Computing Conference on 2 October 2014 in Heidelberg (Germany) Message-ID: Dear list members, I would like to draw your attention to (and welcome your attendance at) the BrainScaleS 4th Frontiers in Neuromorphic Computing Conference which will take place on Thursday, 2 October 2014 in Heidelberg (Germany). Confirmed invited speakers Chris Eliasmith, Jeff Hawkins, Tomoki Fukai, Sam Gershman and Thomas Schulthess and speakers from the BrainScaleS project (Wolfgang Maass, Gustavo Deco, Markus Diesmann, Johannes Schemmel, Yves Fregnac) will cover different aspects of Neuromorphic Computing from Modelling, HBP, Neuromorphic Computing Hardware and Neuro-Biology in their talks. Please find the talks abstracts and more infos on our conference page at http://brainscales.eu/4thFrontInNMC Kind regards, Bjoern Kindler -- Dr. Bjoern Kindler Administrative Project Officer BrainScaleS.eu Project and HBP Science and Technology Office Tel.: +49 6221 54 9127 Kirchhoff Institut fuer Physik Room 01.113 Im Neuenheimer Feld 227 D-69120 Heidelberg From ilya.nemenman at emory.edu Thu Aug 14 13:59:37 2014 From: ilya.nemenman at emory.edu (Ilya Nemenman) Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:59:37 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: postdoctoral position in Theoretical Biophysics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA Message-ID: <2A94FE97-9CFC-4052-B41E-6F8D43910D7D@emory.edu> Postdoctoral position in theoretical biophysics Departments of Physics and Biology Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA Applications are invited for a postdoctoral scientist position in Theoretical Biophysics at Emory University in the group of Professor Ilya Nemenman. We study a variety of problems on the interface of physics and biology. The current foci are on (1) studying collective information processing and adaptive phenomena in molecular and neural circuits, (2) modeling C. elegans behavior and its neural control, and (3) developing techniques for coarse-grained modeling of complex biological systems. Applicants are expected to have a PhD and a strong publication record in theoretical physics, quantitative biology, computational neuroscience, or a related field. Experience in modeling empirical biological data is a plus. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please send a CV, publications list, a brief description of your research experience, and a list of three references to ilya.nemenman at emory.edu. Emory University is AA/EEO employer. ******** Ilya Nemenman Associate Professor of Physics and Biology Emory University, Atlanta, GA and Vice-Chair, Division of Biological Physics (DBIO) American Physical Society (APS) http://nemenmanlab.org Biophysicist? Join APS/DBIO and come to the March Meeting! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From z.yang at MDX.AC.UK Sat Aug 16 02:51:27 2014 From: z.yang at MDX.AC.UK (Zhijun Yang) Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 07:51:27 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: Neurocomputing special issue CFP Message-ID: <783C90F4BCF95D469F318BA018780EC7C922868AFF@WGFP-EXMAV1.uni.mdx.ac.uk> Dear Colleagues, Sorry for any possible cross communications. May we draw your attention to a Neurocomputing special issue CFP: Advances on Biological Rhythmic Pattern Generation: Experiments, Algorithms and Application. The full announcement can be found as an internet link below. http://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurocomputing/call-for-papers/special-issue-on-advances-on-biological-rhythmic-pattern-gen/ Instructions for submission: ? The submission website for Neurocomputing is located at: http://ees.elsevier.com/neucom/default.asp ? To ensure that all relevant manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into this special issue, it is important that authors select SI: Creating Biology Rhythm when reaching the ?Article Type? step in the submission process. We look forward to receiving your contributions to what promises to be an exciting special issue. Regards, Zhijun Yang -- Zhijun Yang, BEng, MSc, PhD, Lecturer in Design Engineering Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics School of Science and Technology Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK Voice: +44 (0)7882681333 From nmmayer at gmail.com Thu Aug 14 07:04:10 2014 From: nmmayer at gmail.com (N. Michael Mayer) Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 19:04:10 +0800 Subject: Connectionists: 2 in 1: iFUZZY 2014 & CACS 2014 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan Message-ID: Maybe also interesting for the connectionist community! The iFUZZY and the International Automatic Control Conference (CACS) are going to be held in south Taiwan this year! iFUZZY Nov. 26th -28th, http://ifuzzy2014.nsysu.edu.tw CACS, same dates, http://cacs2014.nsysu.edu.tw Submission DL: Aug. 30th, 2014 (both) Accepted papers of CACS 2014 will be indexed by EI and included in IEEE Xplore. Kaohsiung is an important harbor city and cultural and economic center of South Taiwan with nearly 3 million inhabitants. Visitors are regularly overwhelmed with south Taiwanese hospitality and cuisine. Many of Taiwan's most famous tourist attractions are located nearby. Also, the weather is usually much better than in Taipei. 2014 International Conference on Fuzzy Theory and Its Applications (iFUZZY2014) will be hosted by National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on November 26-28, 2014. iFUZZY 2014 is soliciting novel research results on fuzzy theory and its applications and related topics. Jointly organized by Taiwan Fuzzy Systems Association (TFSA) and NSYSU, this conference provides a very good opportunity for research scientists, investigators, industrial practitioners and government representatives to present their results and to exchange their ideas. The 2014 International Automatic Control Conference (CACS 2014) is an international conference hosted by the Chinese Automatic Control Society and National Sun Yat-sen University, also sponsored by the National Science Council, the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, and five IEEE chapters in Taiwan. This three-day conference will take place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan during Nov. 26~28, 2014. This event will provide a great opportunity for scientists, engineers, and practitioners to present the latest design concepts, research results, developments, and applications, as well as to facilitate interactions between scholars and practitioners. Submissions of papers with new research results in all aspects of control and automation are encouraged. To broaden the scope and promote participation, organized sessions will also be welcomed and incorporated into the CACS 2014 program. Best paper awards will be given to those with outstanding achievement. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From osporns at indiana.edu Tue Aug 19 17:04:15 2014 From: osporns at indiana.edu (Olaf Sporns) Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:04:15 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: IU Cognitive Science Faculty Search Message-ID: <53F3BBCF.8080403@indiana.edu> Assistant Professor - Embodied Cognitive Science Cognitive Science Program Indiana University The Cognitive Science Program at Indiana University seeks a tenure track junior level appointment in the area of embodied cognitive science. Successful applicants will take a leadership role in the ongoing development of embodied cognition as a research and teaching focus of the program. Indiana University has a strong history in this area, ranging from theoretical foundations to computational and robotics modeling, to experimental approaches in developmental psychology and neuroscience. Although the emphasis of the position is on computational and/or robotic modeling approaches to problems in embodied cognition, candidates are expected to engage with the breadth of experimental programs and philosophical discussion that make up this interdisciplinary research area. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, Computer Science or a closely related field and will join the faculty of a department or school on the Bloomington campus appropriate to their specific background. Applicants are expected to have a record that demonstrates an excellent potential in the areas of research and teaching. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their applications athttps://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/1006. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Randall Beer, Cognitive Science Search Committee, 819 Eigenmann, 1900 E. 10th St., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47406-7512 orcogsrch at indiana.edu. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Applications from women and minority group members are especially encouraged. Information about the program and the university is available athttp://www.cogs.indiana.edu/. -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405 From tomas.hromadka at gmail.com Wed Aug 20 06:22:20 2014 From: tomas.hromadka at gmail.com (Tomas Hromadka) Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:22:20 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: [COSYNE2015] Call for workshop proposals Message-ID: <53F476DC.6010208@gmail.com> ================================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience (Cosyne) 2015 MAIN MEETING WORKSHOPS Mar 5 - Mar 8, 2015 Mar 9 - Mar 10, 2015 Salt Lake City, Utah Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah http://www.cosyne.org ================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------ CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS ------------------------------------------------------------------ PROPOSAL DEADLINE: November 21, 2014. PRE-PROPOSALS: In an effort to coordinate submissions, the organizers are encouraged to submit a pre-proposal by October 31, 2014. Pre-proposals will be shared among submitters. Pre-proposals are requested but not required. The organizers may submit the full proposal by its deadline. A series of workshops will be held after the main Cosyne meeting (http://www.cosyne.org). The goal is to provide an informal forum for the discussion of important research questions and challenges. Controversial issues, open problems, comparisons of competing approaches, and alternative viewpoints are encouraged. The overarching goal of all workshops should be the integration of empirical and theoretical approaches, in an environment that fosters collegial discussion and debate. Preference will be given to proposals that differ substantially in content, scope, and/or approach from workshops of recent years (examples available at http://www.cosyne.org/c/index.php?title=Workshops). Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: sensory processing; motor planning and control; functional neural circuits; motivation, reward and decision making; learning and memory; adaptation and plasticity; neural coding; neural circuitry and network models; and methods in computational or systems neuroscience. Please note that in an effort to enhance the distinctions between workshops, speakers will be asked to commit to only 1-2 workshops. If need be, workshop chairs will work with overcommitted speakers prior to final workshop acceptances to reduce overlap. WORKSHOP DETAILS: - There will be 4-8 workshops/day, running in parallel. - Each workshop is expected to draw between 15 and 80 people. - The workshops will be split into morning (8:00-11:00 AM) and afternoon (4:30-7:30 PM) sessions. - Workshops will be held at Snowbird, a ski resort located 30 miles (typically less than an hour) from the Salt Lake City airport. Buses from the main conference will be provided. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Deadline for pre-proposals: October 31, 2014 Deadline for proposals: November 21, 2014 Format: plain text only -- please no attachments, email to: cosyne15workshops at googlegroups.com (Claudia Clopath, Robert Froemke) PRE-PROPOSALS should include: - Name(s) and email address(es) of the organizers (no more than 2 organizers per session, please). A primary contact should be designated. - A title. - A brief description of 1) what the workshop will address and accomplish, 2) why the topic is of interest, 3) who is the targeted group of participants. - Names of potential invitees, with indication of confirmed speakers. Preference will be given to workshops with the largest fraction of confirmed speakers. - Proposed workshop length (1 or 2 days). Most workshops will be limited to a single day. If you think your workshop needs 2 days, please explain why. - A brief resume of the workshop organizer along with a short list of workshop-relevant publications (about half a page total). PROPOSALS should include the list of confirmed speakers in addition to components required for a pre-proposal. Workshop organizer responsibilities include coordinating workshop participation and content, scheduling all speakers and submitting a final schedule for the workshop program, and moderating the discussion. Organizers can be speakers but need not speak depending on scheduling constraints. SUGGESTIONS: Experience has shown that the best discussions during a workshop are those that arise spontaneously. A good way to foster these is to have short talks and long question periods (e.g. 30+15 minutes), and have plenty of breaks. We recommend fewer than 10 talks. WORKSHOP COSTS: Detailed registration costs, etc., will be available at cosyne.org. Please note: Cosyne does NOT provide travel funding for workshop speakers. All workshop speakers are expected to pay for workshop registration fees. Participants are encouraged to register early, in order to qualify for discounted registration rates. One complementary (free) organizer registration is provided per workshop. For workshops with 2 organizers, the free registration can be given to one of the organizers or split evenly between them. COSYNE 2015 WORKSHOP CHAIRS: Claudia Clopath (Imperial College London) and Robert Froemke (New York University). QUESTIONS: email: cosyne15workshops at googlegroups.com From rogilmore at psu.edu Tue Aug 19 17:27:19 2014 From: rogilmore at psu.edu (Rick Gilmore) Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:27:19 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: Databrary.org seeks web developer for open source data sharing project Message-ID: ** Web Developer for Databrary.org ** About Databrary Databrary is a first-of-its-kind web-based data library where scientists who collect and analyze video can store and share their data openly with other researchers. The project is based at New York University (NYU) and Penn State. It has grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The overall goal is to accelerate the pace of discovery, improve scientific transparency and accountability, and transform research practices in psychology and developmental science. We are growing a team to design and build new open source solutions for science using the latest technologies. Web Developer position description The Databrary project seeks a motivated and flexible developer to help build a unique web-based data library. You will work with users and a small group of developers to design and build the front end UI and back end tools to enable behavioral researchers to collaborate, store, explore, and access research datasets in ways not possible with any existing tool. The ideal candidate will relish the challenge of building a uniquely powerful set of research tools while working on a small team in a diverse and intellectually stimulating academic environment. Responsibilities - Implement dynamic, modular, and responsive web interfaces to organize, present, and manipulate research materials. - Design, implement, test, and validate JavaScript across browsers and platforms. - Integrate feedback from UI experts and researchers (users) to identify and prioritize new features. - Learn, understand, and reorganize research data as needed for better integration with the site. Qualifications - Background in CS or other relevant field and 3+ years programming experience. - Knowledge of AngularJS or other modern web application frameworks. - Extensive experience with jQuery, JSON, HTML5, and CSS3. - Familiarity with standard UNIX development tools such as git. - Understanding of security and ethical concerns around sensitive data. Preferred - History of contributions to open source projects. - Comfortable with discussing and addressing UX/UI design issues. - Experience using RESTful interfaces for structured data. - Sensitive to performance considerations building big data interfaces. - Basic understanding of scientific practices and research tools, such as Matlab, SPSS, or R. To apply - Send the following to jobs at databrary.org: - One page cover letter (PDF). - Resume (PDF). - Links to your open source contributions or other samples of your work. From stephan.chalup at newcastle.edu.au Tue Aug 19 18:00:06 2014 From: stephan.chalup at newcastle.edu.au (Stephan Chalup) Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 22:00:06 +0000 Subject: Connectionists: [meetings] Australasian Conference on Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence (ACALCI 2015) Message-ID: CfP: Australasian Conference on Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence (ACALCI 2015), 5-7 February 2015, The University of Newcastle, Australia http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015 PAPER DEADLINE: 12 September 2014 (extended) NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: 15 October 2014 PAPER FORMAT: 6-14 pages in Springer LNAI style PUBLICATION: Springer-Verlag LNAI are indexed by Scopus, Zentralblatt MATH, IO-Port, MathSciNet, ACM Digital Library, dblp, EI Engineering Index (Compendex and Inspec databases), and the ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (CPCI-S), included in ISI Web of Science. A special issue in the journal Connection Science will invite authors of some of the best papers to submit extended versions of their articles. CONFERENCE TOPICS: ACALCI 2015 will be organised in broad technical sessions that bring together experts from many different fields related to Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence. The forum also encourages associated applied research in domains as diverse as health, the creative arts and finance (to name a few). In this context ACALCI encourages presentations, demonstrations, performances and discussions on innovative research and interdisciplinary projects. WORKSHOPS, TUTORIALS and PERFORMANCES: If you would like to organise a workshop, tutorial or performance in connection with ACALCI2015 please contact the organisers as soon as possible. CONFERENCE WEBPAGE: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015 ----------------------- Stephan Chalup, PhD http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/stephan-chalup -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hava at cs.umass.edu Wed Aug 20 11:57:52 2014 From: hava at cs.umass.edu (Hava Siegelmann) Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 11:57:52 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: call for paper - special issue in Theoretical Computer Science journal Message-ID: <53F4C580.9040002@cs.umass.edu> Dear Friends, This is a general call for submitting papers for a consideration in a special issue in Theoretical Computer Science (TCS) journal - on adaptive NN / memory / Learning that I will be editing. While not having the same impact factor number as biological journals, TCS is a highly prominent journal and is read though by theoreticians, particularly in Europe. I myself published my best ever results there. The dates are: 15th Sep 2014 - title and abstract submission due 30th Sep 2014 - full paper submission due 30th Nov - reviews due 31st Jan - revised papers due 31st March - special issue finalised Please let me know if deadline make sense to you, so we can be in touch regarding detail. All the best Hava -- Hava T. Siegelmann, Ph.D. Professor Director, BINDS Lab (Biologically Inspired Neural Dynamical Systems) Dept. of Computer Science Program of Neuroscience and Behavior University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA, 01003 Phone: 413-545-2744 Fax: 413-545-1249 LAB WEBSITE: http://binds.cs.umass.edu/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kerstin at nld.ds.mpg.de Thu Aug 21 03:38:40 2014 From: kerstin at nld.ds.mpg.de (Kerstin Mosch) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 09:38:40 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Bernstein Conference 2014 - online registration ends August 24 - 3 days left Message-ID: <53F59E58.3050402@nld.ds.mpg.de> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From scsnc at leeds.ac.uk Thu Aug 21 07:47:36 2014 From: scsnc at leeds.ac.uk (Netta Cohen) Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:47:36 +0100 (BST) Subject: Connectionists: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational Neuroscience: Leeds, United Kingdom Message-ID: Dear all, Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position for modelling the neural control of behaviour in the Cohen group at the University of Leeds, UK. This appointment is available immediately, for a period of two years in the first instance. The post is part of a larger multidisciplinary funded project to study sensory motor control in a relatively simple animal (the nematode worm C. elegans). You will join a dynamic research group based across the School of Computing and an experimental C. elegans lab based in the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Projects will involve creating biologically detailed and data-driven models of neuronal circuits and integrated neuromechanical control in order to study the dynamics of locomotion and adaptive sensory motor behaviours in C. elegans. Scope exists for working closely with experimentalists within the team, for scientific collaborations with other C. elegans labs, and/or for combining experiment and theory within the scope of the project. Topics include the biomechanics and neural control of undulations, the control of steering and turning, and adaptive sensory-motor control. Scope also exists for collaborating closely or contributing directly to biorobotic designs, simulations and physical implementations. More details about our research can be found on http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/celegans/ and in our publications. We are looking for candidates with a PhD in physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics or a related discipline. You should have strong analytical and/or computational and numerical skills, and an excellent track record of publications. A background in computational neuroscience, quantitative models of biological systems, and/or in C. elegans neurobiology is a plus. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential. International applications are welcome. Prior experience in working on C. elegans is not required. Please see https://jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx?ref=ENGCP0052 for the full advert and applications instuctions. Note the reference number ENGCP0052. Informal enquires to Netta Cohen (email N.Cohen at leeds.ac.uk). Closing Date: 7 September 2014. Selected relevant publications: Nematode locomotion: dissecting the neuronal-environmental loop, Cohen, N. and Sanders T., Current Opinion in Neurobiology 25 (Apr) 99-106, doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2013.12.003 (2014). Gait modulation in C. elegans: an integrated neuromechanical model, Boyle, J. H., Berri, S. and Cohen, N., Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience 6 (10) doi: 10.3389/fncom.2012.00010 (2012). Swimming at low Reynolds number: a beginner's guide to undulatory locomotion, Cohen, N. and Boyle, J. H. Contemporary Physics 51, 103-123 (2010). Forward locomotion of the nematode C. elegans is achieved through modulation of a single gait, Berri, S., Boyle, J.H., Tassieri, M, Hope, I.A. and Cohen, N., HFSP Journal 3, 186-193 (2009). ====================================================================== Netta Cohen Professor of Complex Systems Institute of Aritifial Intelligence and Biological Systems School of Computing University of Leeds Leeds, LS2 9JT United Kingdom Email: N.Cohen at leeds.ac.uk www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/netta/ From grlmc at urv.cat Fri Aug 22 15:34:06 2014 From: grlmc at urv.cat (GRLMC - URV) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 21:34:06 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: LATA 2015: 2nd call for papers Message-ID: <025b01cfbe40$0f88c640$6b00a8c0@GRLMC.local> *To be removed from our mailing list, please respond to this message with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line* **************************************************************************************** 9th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE AND AUTOMATA THEORY AND APPLICATIONS LATA 2015 Nice, France March 2-6, 2015 Organized by: CNRS, I3S, UMR 7271 Nice Sophia Antipolis University Research Group on Mathematical Linguistics (GRLMC) Rovira i Virgili University http://grammars.grlmc.com/lata2015/ **************************************************************************************** AIMS: LATA is a conference series on theoretical computer science and its applications. Following the tradition of the diverse PhD training events in the field developed at Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona since 2002, LATA 2015 will reserve significant room for young scholars at the beginning of their career. It will aim at attracting contributions from classical theory fields as well as application areas. VENUE: LATA 2015 will take place in Nice, the second largest French city on the Mediterranean coast. The venue will be the University Castle at Parc Valrose. SCOPE: Topics of either theoretical or applied interest include, but are not limited to: algebraic language theory algorithms for semi-structured data mining algorithms on automata and words automata and logic automata for system analysis and programme verification automata networks automata, concurrency and Petri nets automatic structures cellular automata codes combinatorics on words computational complexity data and image compression descriptional complexity digital libraries and document engineering foundations of finite state technology foundations of XML fuzzy and rough languages grammars (Chomsky hierarchy, contextual, unification, categorial, etc.) grammatical inference and algorithmic learning graphs and graph transformation language varieties and semigroups language-based cryptography parallel and regulated rewriting parsing patterns power series string and combinatorial issues in bioinformatics string processing algorithms symbolic dynamics term rewriting transducers trees, tree languages and tree automata unconventional models of computation weighted automata STRUCTURE: LATA 2015 will consist of: invited talks invited tutorials peer-reviewed contributions INVITED SPEAKERS: Paola Inverardi (L?Aquila), Synthesis of Protocol Adapters Johann A. Makowsky (Technion, Haifa), Hankel Matrices for Graph Parameters and Graph Grammars Giancarlo Mauri (Milano Bicocca), tba Andreas Podelski (Freiburg), Automated Program Verification Antonio Restivo (Palermo), The Shuffle Product: New Research Directions PROGRAMME COMMITTEE: Andrew Adamatzky (West of England, Bristol, UK) Andris Ambainis (Latvia, Riga, LV) Franz Baader (Dresden Tech, DE) Rajesh Bhatt (Massachusetts, Amherst, US) Jos?-Manuel Colom (Zaragoza, ES) Bruno Courcelle (Bordeaux, FR) Erzs?bet Csuhaj-Varj? (E?tv?s Lor?nd, Budapest, HU) Aldo de Luca (Naples Federico II, IT) Susanna Donatelli (Turin, IT) Paola Flocchini (Ottawa, CA) Enrico Formenti (Nice, FR) Tero Harju (Turku, FI) Monika Heiner (Brandenburg Tech, Cottbus, DE) Yiguang Hong (Chinese Academy, Beijing, CN) Kazuo Iwama (Kyoto, JP) Sanjay Jain (National Singapore, SG) Maciej Koutny (Newcastle, UK) Anton?n Ku?era (Masaryk, Brno, CZ) Thierry Lecroq (Rouen, FR) Salvador Lucas (Valencia Tech, ES) Veli M?kinen (Helsinki, FI) Carlos Mart?n-Vide (Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, ES, chair) Filippo Mignosi (L?Aquila, IT) Victor Mitrana (Madrid Tech, ES) Ilan Newman (Haifa, IL) Joachim Niehren (INRIA, Lille, FR) Enno Ohlebusch (Ulm, DE) Arlindo Oliveira (Lisbon, PT) Jo?l Ouaknine (Oxford, UK) Wojciech Penczek (Polish Academy, Warsaw, PL) Dominique Perrin (ESIEE, Paris, FR) Alberto Policriti (Udine, IT) Sanguthevar Rajasekaran (Connecticut, Storrs, US) J?rg Rothe (D?sseldorf, DE) Frank Ruskey (Victoria, CA) Helmut Seidl (Munich Tech, DE) Ayumi Shinohara (Tohoku, Sendai, JP) Bernhard Steffen (Dortmund, DE) Frank Stephan (National Singapore, SG) Paul Tarau (North Texas, Denton, US) Andrzej Tarlecki (Warsaw, PL) Jacobo Tor?n (Ulm, DE) Frits Vaandrager (Nijmegen, NL) Jaco van de Pol (Twente, Enschede, NL) Pierre Wolper (Li?ge, BE) Zhilin Wu (Chinese Academy, Beijing, CN) Slawomir Zadrozny (Polish Academy, Warsaw, PL) Hans Zantema (Eindhoven Tech, NL) ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: S?bastien Autran (Nice) Adrian Horia Dediu (Tarragona) Enrico Formenti (Nice, co-chair) Sandrine Julia (Nice) Carlos Mart?n-Vide (Tarragona, co-chair) Christophe Papazian (Nice) Julien Provillard (Nice) Pierre-Alain Scribot (Nice) Bianca Truthe (Giessen) Florentina Lilica Voicu (Tarragona) SUBMISSIONS: Authors are invited to submit non-anonymized papers in English presenting original and unpublished research. Papers should not exceed 12 single-spaced pages (including eventual appendices, references, etc.) and should be prepared according to the standard format for Springer Verlag's LNCS series (see http://www.springer.com/computer/lncs?SGWID=0-164-6-793341-0). Submissions have to be uploaded to: https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=lata2015 PUBLICATIONS: A volume of proceedings published by Springer in the LNCS series will be available by the time of the conference. A special issue of the Journal of Computer and System Sciences (Elsevier, 2013 JCR impact factor: 1.0) will be later published containing peer-reviewed substantially extended versions of some of the papers contributed to the conference. Submissions to it will be by invitation. REGISTRATION: The period for registration is open from July 21, 2014 to March 2, 2015. The registration form can be found at: http://grammars.grlmc.com/lata2015/Registration.php DEADLINES: Paper submission: October 10, 2014 (23:59 CET) Notification of paper acceptance or rejection: November 18, 2014 Early registration: November 25, 2014 Final version of the paper for the LNCS proceedings: November 26, 2014 Late registration: February 16, 2015 Submission to the journal special issue: June 6, 2015 QUESTIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION: florentinalilica.voicu at urv.cat POSTAL ADDRESS: LATA 2015 Research Group on Mathematical Linguistics (GRLMC) Rovira i Virgili University Av. Catalunya, 35 43002 Tarragona, Spain Phone: +34 977 559 543 Fax: +34 977 558 386 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Nice Sophia Antipolis University Rovira i Virgili University From Roland.W.Fleming at psychol.uni-giessen.de Fri Aug 22 10:40:12 2014 From: Roland.W.Fleming at psychol.uni-giessen.de (Roland Fleming) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 16:40:12 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: PRISM4 Workshop on Perceptual Representation of Illumination, Shape and Materials Message-ID: <3F0E5ED4-66B9-4BDF-B68A-22614AC6E161@psychol.uni-giessen.de> PRISM 4: Perceptual Representation of Illumination, Shape and Materials 6th-9th October 2014 (for PRISM network members and International Advisory Board: 6th-10th for mid-term review) The 4th workshop of the PRISM network will take place in Ankara, Turkey. The purpose of this event is to bring together researchers from different fields to present their work related to illumination, shape, and materials. In the evenings, there will also be soft-skills training for students and participants. This meeting will host a number of invited talks and poster sessions featuring the latest work on the perception and representation of materials, illumination and 3D shape. Confirmed speakers include: SPEAKERS: Pascal Barla Jennifer Bizley Roland Fleming Karl Gegenfurtner Mel Goodale Julie Harris Anya Hurlbert Peter Jansen Larry Maloney Phillip Marlow Richard Murray Shin'ya Nishida Qasim Zaidi REGISTRATION The workshop is open to non-network members for participation. Space is limited, so apply early to secure you place! The participation fee is 650 Euros. Payments will be made by international bank transfer following receipt of an invoice. To register, please send an email to Katja Doerschner (katja at bilkent.edu.tr), Dicle Dovencioglu (dicle at bilkent.edu.tr) and Roland Fleming (Roland.W.Fleming at psychol.uni-giessen.de). NOTE: PLEASE MAKES SURE YOU SEND TO ALL THREE ADDRESSES. Registration fees will include breakfast, dinner and coffee breaks, a reception at Bilkent University (location TBC) and a gala dinner on October 9th in the historic part of Ankara. Lunches are to be paid by the participants. In your email please include: The title and abstract of your poster, Whether you will attend the lunch and trip to the modern art museum on Thursday, and whether you need a vegetarian food option (Estimated cost about 15 Euros) Whether you will attend the gala dinner (Included in registration fees) and whether you need a vegetarian food option For further registration details please check the website http://prism-network.eu/. The meeting will be at the Hilton Hotel, downtown Ankara. Link to the city: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankara Link to the venue: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/turkey/ankara-hiltonsa-ANKHITW/index.html Link to the gala dinner venue: http://www.divan.com.tr/ENG/Hotel-Destinations/Divan-Cukurhan/Food-and-Bevarage/ Link to the lunch event on Thursday: http://www.cermodern.org/en/ For questions regarding this event please contact Katja Doerschner (katja at bilkent.edu.tr), Dicle Dovencioglu (dicle at bilkent.edu.tr) or Roland Fleming (Roland.W.Fleming at psychol.uni-giessen.de). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pfeiffer at ini.phys.ethz.ch Fri Aug 22 10:04:18 2014 From: pfeiffer at ini.phys.ethz.ch (Michael Pfeiffer) Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 16:04:18 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: MSc program in Neural Systems and Computation - University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Message-ID: <53F74DE2.5030601@ini.phys.ethz.ch> We are inviting applications for the MSc program in Neural Systems and Computation, an interdisciplinary program offered as a Joint Master Program by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Switzerland. The program offers a theoretical and laboratory training in neural computation and systems neuroscience. It offers hands-on knowledge of data gathering, analysis and scientific presentation. Students join an international and interdisciplinary research community with expertise in neuroinformatics, advanced experimental techniques and neuromorphic engineering. Further information can be found on our homepage http://www.nsc.uzh.ch. We offer a specialized full-time Masters program open to students with a Bachelor?s degree in the following disciplines: neurosciences, information technology, electrical engineering, biology, physics, computer sciences, chemistry, mathematics, and mechanical/chemical/control engineering. The core courses (all offered in English) provide a common foundation for students with different educational backgrounds, and cover the following: 1. Systems Neurosciences 2. Neural Computation and Theoretical Neuroscience 3. Neurotechnologies and Neuromorphic Engineering The application deadline for students starting in Spring Semester 2015 is *September 15th 2014*. Details about the application process and required documents can be found here: http://www.nsc.uzh.ch/?page_id=10 The program is affiliated with the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty (MNF) at the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Department (D-ITET) of the ETH Zurich. All applications are handled by the University of Zurich. Application documents should be sent to nsc at ini.uzh.ch. Michael Pfeiffer -- ========================================= Dr. Michael Pfeiffer Postdoc, Director of Studies NSC Institute of Neuroinformatics University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland Tel. +41 44 635 30 45 Fax +41 44 635 30 53 pfeiffer (at) ini.phys.ethz.ch http://www.ini.uzh.ch/~pfeiffer/ ========================================= -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mail at mkaiser.de Mon Aug 25 00:44:35 2014 From: mail at mkaiser.de (Marcus Kaiser) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 05:44:35 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: First release of VERTEX cortical tissue LFP simulator Message-ID: Dear colleagues, Many of you may be interested the first release of our VERTEX simulator for biologically realistic models of *primate* cortical tissue. The Virtual Electrode Recording Tool for EXtracellular potentials (VERTEX) is a Matlab tool for simulating extracellular potential recordings in spiking neural network (SNN) models. As a first application, our model allows us to reproduce temporal and spatial gamma oscillation features of in vitro MEA recordings of macaque cortex using more than 100,000 model neurons. However, adapting the code to other species or tissue types is also possible in the future (see FAQ on our website). This work provides a starting point for our ongoing work on the effect of pharmacological and optogenetic neuromodulation in local and global circuits. VERTEX 1.0 Release Features - VERTEX simulator allows large simulations (> 100 000 neurons) on single computers - *In silico* neuronal network model of an *in vitro* brain slice recording - Realistic local field potential recording with ?virtual electrodes? at any 3D point - Direct comparisons between simulated and experimentally observed tissue Software, a two-minute introductory video, tutorials, manuals, and a FAQ can be found at: http://www.vertexsimulator.org/ This release is in conjunction with our publication: Tomsett RJ, Ainsworth M, Thiele A, Sanayei M, Chen X, Gieselmann A, Whittington MA, Cunningham MO, Kaiser M. Virtual Electrode Recording Tool for EXtracellular potentials (VERTEX): Comparing multi-electrode recordings from simulated and biological mammalian cortical tissue. Brain Structure and Function (in press) http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00429?014?0793-x Best, Marcus -- Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D. Associate Professor (Reader) in Neuroinformatics School of Computing Science Newcastle University Claremont Tower Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK Lab website: http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/ Neuroinformatics at Newcastle: http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/ -- Best, Marcus -- Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D. Associate Professor (Reader) in Neuroinformatics School of Computing Science Newcastle University Claremont Tower Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK Lab website: http://www. dynamic-connectome.org Neuroinformatics at Newcastle: http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From smednick at ucr.edu Mon Aug 25 18:22:46 2014 From: smednick at ucr.edu (Sara C. Mednick) Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:22:46 -0700 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoc in Sleep and Cognition Lab Message-ID: The Sleep and Cognition (SaC) Lab of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside has an open position for a postdoc researcher. This researcher will be investigating mechanisms of memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval by using event-related potential (ERP/EEG) during waking and sleep. Successful candidates should have experience in memory research and EEG methodologies, as well as programming skills. Experience in sleep research is not essential. Position is available immediately. Researchers must possess a doctoral degree. The University of California offers excellent benefits. Salary is based on research experience. The initial appointment is for 1 year with a possibility of extension. Please send your CV, statement of research interests and the names of three references or make inquires to Sara C. Mednick smednick at ucr.edu. -- Assistant Professor University of California, Riverside Department of Psychology Sleep and Cognition (SaC) Lab www.saramednick.com www.sleepandcognitionlab.org TEDx Talk Amandla awethu! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chen at cse.wustl.edu Sat Aug 23 01:49:20 2014 From: chen at cse.wustl.edu (Yixin Chen) Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:49:20 +0800 Subject: Connectionists: [meetings] AAAI-15 ROBOTICS EXHIBITION Message-ID: AAAI-15 ROBOTICS EXHIBITION The Twenty-Ninth Conference on Artificial Intelligence January 25?29, 2015, Austin, Texas USA Call for Participation Registration Deadline: November 1, 2014 We invite research groups and robotics companies to participate in the AAAI Robotics Exhibition in Austin, Texas from January 25?29, 2015. The exhibition is an opportunity to demonstrate your robot systems to a large audience of artificial intelligence researchers (and beyond). Exhibitors will be given space for the full run of AAAI (including workshops and tutorials). The exhibition will form part of several robotics-related activities at AAAI-15, including an AI Robotics Fellowship program, an AI Robotics Early Career Spotlight Talk, the Celebration of the Shakey Project, a RoboCup Exhibition Match, and a Robotics in Texas event. Exhibitors will also be invited to participate in the open house, which will be open to high-school students and other selected members of the general public. We especially encourage demonstrations of the incredible progress that has been made in robotics in the past five years. Demonstrations, research platforms, educational tools, spin-offs and consumer robots are all welcome, from companies, commercial vendors and university research laboratories. Exhibit registrations can be made on the AAAI-15 Exhibits web page under the standard AAAI exhibitor guidelines. The Robotics Exhibit tables will be grouped together in a high-traffic area of the conference facility. As part of our effort to highlight Robotics in AI, robotic exhibitors are entitled to special benefits, and university teams are eligible for a special discounted exhibit registration. (Additional subsidies might be available for university research laboratories with person-intensive or cost-intensive exhibits.) Robotics Exhibitor Benefits AAAI-15 Robotics Exhibitors are entitled to several benefits in addition to their exhibit space: A 100-word listing and description in the AAAI-15 / IAAI-15 Program Eligibility to have an insert in the AAAI-15 / IAAI-15 Conference bag One complimentary full technical registration to the AAAI-15 / IAAI-15 Conference, and two complimentary student technical registrations Up to 3 additional exhibit-only registrations for students or others staffing the exhibition table Robotics Exhibit Fees* Commercial Vendors: $1,225 per tabletop University Research Laboratories: $300 per tabletop *Exhibit fees are based on one (1) 6-foot by 30-inch skirted table. All prices are quoted in US dollars. Please express your interest by sending a message to aaai15 at aaai.org no later than November 1. AAAI will contact you regarding registration and payment, as well as your logistical needs. The AAAI-15 Demonstration Program provides an alternative to the AAAI-15 Robotics Exhibition Program but accepted demonstrations will be allocated only one time slot of 1-1/2 or 2 hours during one of the main conference days, while the AAAI-15 Robotics Exhibition Program provides exhibit space during all conference days with the expectation that the exhibit will be showcased during all main conference days. We also invite Ph.D. student applications for the AAAI-15 Robotics Fellowships (details). Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Brad Knox (bradknox at mit.edu) George Konidaris (gdk at csail.mit.edu) AAAI 2015 Robotics Cochairs From osporns at indiana.edu Tue Aug 26 08:32:29 2014 From: osporns at indiana.edu (Olaf Sporns) Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:32:29 -0400 Subject: Connectionists: Neural Circuits and Behavior Faculty Position Message-ID: <53FC7E5D.1060608@indiana.edu> NEURAL CIRCUITS AND BEHAVIOR FACULTY POSITION, INDIANA UNIVERSITY: The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University -- Bloomington seeks to fill a faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) to begin August 2015. Applicants for this position must have a doctorate, a strong record of publication, and the potential for research funding. The applicant's research should focus on using innovative experimental techniques in animal models to understand mechanisms and causal relationships between neural circuit activity and ethologically relevant behavior. We seek cutting-edge integration between new and emerging capabilities for large scale recording and/or manipulation of circuits combined with sophisticated analysis of large-scale data. Examples of behaviors of interest include those related to learning and memory, perception, decision making, reward, timing, pain, adaptation to stress, and developmental processes. Experimental techniques include various methods for recording and manipulating neural circuits at single-cell resolution, including multi-electrode recordings, imaging of circuit activity, and optogenetics. Candidates using circuit-based approaches to study preclinical models of schizophrenia, autism, and other difficult to treat psychiatric diseases are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to assemble a vibrant, externally-funded research program and to achieve excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education. Indiana University is in the midst of a multi-year initiative to build excellence in network science, and it is anticipated that the candidate's research will both benefit from, and contribute to the initiative's computational neuroscience components. To apply, please include a curriculum vita, copies of representative publications, statements of research and teaching interests, and three (3) letters of recommendation. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their application at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to: William P. Hetrick, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, 1101 E. 10th St., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 or via email at whetrick at indiana.edu . Review of all applications will begin on November 1, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. Indiana University is an equal opportunity employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Information about the department and the university is available at *http://psych.indiana.edu/faculty/opportunities.asp * * * -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chen at cse.wustl.edu Sat Aug 23 01:52:47 2014 From: chen at cse.wustl.edu (Yixin Chen) Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:52:47 +0800 Subject: Connectionists: [meetings][CFP] AAAI-15 (abstracts due on Sept 10) Message-ID: **************************************** AAAI-15 January 25-29, 2015 Austin, Texas, USA http://www.aaai.org/aaai15 **************************************** We invite your participation at the Twenty-Ninth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence ? the First Winter AAAI ? to be held in Austin, Texas, USA, January 25?29, 2015. Blai Bonet and Sven Koenig, program chairs of AAAI-15, have integrated many innovations into the program of this inaugural winter conference. Please mark the following dates on your calendar: September 10, 2014: Electronic abstracts due September 15, 2014: Electronic papers due October 22-24, 2014: Author feedback about initial reviews November 7, 2014: Notification of acceptance or rejection November 20, 2014: Camera-ready copy due at AAAI office Innovations for the AAAI-15 Technical Program include the following: ? Resubmission possibilities for substantially improved AAAI-14 submissions ? Some software demonstration opportunities ? Easily accessible papers (with Students Meet Author events) Special tracks: ? AI and the Web special track ? Cognitive Systems ? Computational Sustainability ? Integrated Systems (with special review criteria) See www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15call.php AAAI-15 will also include the following programs: ? Workshop Program New! Drive for interdisciplinary workshop proposals (16 workshops planned) www.aaai.org/Workshops/ws15.php October 14: Workshop submissions due ? Tutorial Program NEW! Drive for tutorial proposals with expanded scope in topics, Hands on tutorials (that include exercises), Getting Started tutorials (that help graduates students go deeper in a field of research), tutorials that teach widely-used tools, tutorials that introduce the so?ware used for ongoing competitions, and tutorials about successful applications of AI research www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15tutorialcall.php ? Demonstration Program New! Open to researchers from academe and industry (including authors of submissions to AAAI-15, IAAI-15 and all associated events); award for best demonstration www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15demos.php September 15: Demonstration applications due ? Senior Member Presentation Track NEW! Blue Sky Ideas track (in addition to the regular track) and CCC awards for the three best proposals in the Blue Sky Ideas track www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15seniorcall.php October 8: Senior member submissions due ? AAAI/SIGAI Doctoral Consortium New! Initiative to involve more international participation www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15dccall.php September 22: AAAI/SIGAI Doctoral Consortium applications due ? Student Abstract and Poster Program NEW! 3-minute presentation contest and Best Presentation and Best Poster awards www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15studentcall.php September 23: Student abstract submissions due ? AAAI-15 Robotics Program NEW! A large number of events: a robotics exhibition (including a Robotics in Texas event), an AI Robotics Fellowship program (aimed at Ph.D. students from robotics labs that typically do not publish at AI venues), a track with selected papers from Robotics: Science and Systems 2014, an AI Robotics Early Career Spotlight Talk and other invited talks, a celebration of the Shakey project, and more. Some activities are in cooperation with the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, and the Robotics: Science and Systems Conference. Stay tuned for URL and additional information. October 1: AI Robotics Fellowship program application deadline November 1: Robotics Exhibition registration deadline ? AI Video Competition NEW! Submissions also encouraged from the AAAI-15 main track and demonstration program www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15videos.php October 15: AI video competition submissions due ? AAAI-15 Student Activities NEW! ACM SIGAI Early Career Research Networking Event (colocated with AAAI-15), Lunch with an AAAI Fellow, Women's Mentoring Lunch, AAAI Newcomers' Lunch, Student Travel Coordination, Student Social Activities, Student Volunteer Program movingai.com/AAAI15/ We are also working on a variety of additional events, including a community meeting where AI societies discuss their initiatives, a virtual agent exhibit, an AI Limerick and Haiku competition, a ?finding funding? event, a computer game exhibition, several game competitions (colocated with AAAI-15) and an open house to introduce high-school students and selected other members from the general public to artificial intelligence. --- Yixin Chen, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Computer Science Washington University in St. Louis http://www.cse.wustl.edu/~chen/ Phone: (314) 935-7528 From mikeforrest at hotmail.com Tue Aug 26 12:28:10 2014 From: mikeforrest at hotmail.com (MICHAEL FORREST) Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:28:10 +0100 Subject: Connectionists: New Purkinje Neuron Paper Message-ID: This very recent paper may be of interest to the readership. It investigates and demonstrates the computational power of just a single neuron: the cerebellar Purkinje neuron. Furthermore, it suggests that the sodium-potassium pump is not simply a homeostatic, "housekeeping" molecule - but that it can be a computational element, utilised by the brain for information processing. Forrest MD (2014) Intracellular calcium dynamics permit a Purkinje neuron model to perform toggle and gain computations upon its inputs. Front. Comput. Neurosci. 8:86. Web link to this article at Frontiers (article is free): http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fncom.2014.00086/full -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From krausea at ethz.ch Wed Aug 27 05:14:21 2014 From: krausea at ethz.ch (Andreas Krause) Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 11:14:21 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Postdoctoral scholar in Machine Learning at ETH Zurich Message-ID: Postdoctoral scholar in Machine Learning at ETH Zurich The Learning and Adaptive Systems group at ETH Zurich ( http://las.ethz.ch/ ), led by Andreas Krause, has an open position for a postdoctoral scholar. In our group, we focus on three major, interrelated research threads, both in theory and (often interdisciplinary) applications: 1) Interactive Machine Learning, i.e., learning systems interacting with people and the environment they are embedded in. This involves questions in active and online learning, exploration exploitation tradeoffs, Bayesian optimization, sequential decision making and connections to control and game theory. 2) Learning under constraints: How can we design learning algorithms that are able to cope with constraints, in terms of computation, communication, power, attention, privacy, etc? This involves questions in data summarization, coresets, large scale distributed optimization etc. 3) Submodularity in Machine Learning: A major theme in our research is submodular optimization, and we are broadly exploring applications of this concept to ML problems ranging from representation over statistical modeling and inference to decision making. Applicants should have finished, or be about to finish their Ph.D. degrees. They must have an exceptional background in machine learning or optimization. Successful candidates need to have a strong track record of publications at top machine learning, AI or theory conferences (NIPS, ICML, COLT, KDD, AISTATS, AAAI, IJCAI, ...) and/or premier journals in the area (JMLR, JAIR, PAMI, ...). The initial appointment is for 12 months, with possible extensions up to 3 years. Working language at ETH Zurich is English -- German is not required. The salary is highly competitive (among the highest in Europe). Applicants are requested to send their - letter of motivation, - CV incl. publication list and - contact information for three recommenders to applications.las-group at lists.inf.ethz.ch. Review of applications will start immediately, and continue until the position is filled. -- Prof. Andreas Krause Learning and Adaptive Systems Department of Computer Science ETH Zurich http://www.las.ethz.ch From chen at cse.wustl.edu Fri Aug 29 05:19:33 2014 From: chen at cse.wustl.edu (Yixin Chen) Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:19:33 +0800 Subject: Connectionists: [meetings] List of CFPs and New Activities in AAAI-2015 (abstracts due on September 10th) Message-ID: **************************************** AAAI-15 January 25-29, 2015 Austin, Texas, USA http://www.aaai.org/aaai15 **************************************** We invite your participation at the Twenty-Ninth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence ? the First Winter AAAI ? to be held in Austin, Texas, USA, January 25?29, 2015. Blai Bonet and Sven Koenig, program chairs of AAAI-15, have integrated many innovations into the program of this inaugural winter conference. Please mark the following dates on your calendar: September 10, 2014: Electronic abstracts due September 15, 2014: Electronic papers due October 22-24, 2014: Author feedback about initial reviews November 7, 2014: Notification of acceptance or rejection November 20, 2014: Camera-ready copy due at AAAI office Innovations for the AAAI-15 Technical Program include the following: ? Resubmission possibilities for substantially improved AAAI-14 submissions ? Some software demonstration opportunities ? Easily accessible papers (with Students Meet Author events) Special tracks: ? AI and the Web special track ? Cognitive Systems ? Computational Sustainability ? Integrated Systems (with special review criteria) See www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15call.php AAAI-15 will also include the following programs: ? Workshop Program New! Drive for interdisciplinary workshop proposals (16 workshops planned) www.aaai.org/Workshops/ws15.php October 14: Workshop submissions due ? Tutorial Program NEW! Drive for tutorial proposals with expanded scope in topics, Hands on tutorials (that include exercises), Getting Started tutorials (that help graduates students go deeper in a field of research), tutorials that teach widely-used tools, tutorials that introduce the so?ware used for ongoing competitions, and tutorials about successful applications of AI research www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15tutorialcall.php ? Demonstration Program New! Open to researchers from academe and industry (including authors of submissions to AAAI-15, IAAI-15 and all associated events); award for best demonstration www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15demos.php September 15: Demonstration applications due ? Senior Member Presentation Track NEW! Blue Sky Ideas track (in addition to the regular track) and CCC awards for the three best proposals in the Blue Sky Ideas track www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15seniorcall.php October 8: Senior member submissions due ? AAAI/SIGAI Doctoral Consortium New! Initiative to involve more international participation www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15dccall.php September 22: AAAI/SIGAI Doctoral Consortium applications due ? Student Abstract and Poster Program NEW! 3-minute presentation contest and Best Presentation and Best Poster awards www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15studentcall.php September 23: Student abstract submissions due ? AAAI-15 Robotics Program NEW! A large number of events: a robotics exhibition (including a Robotics in Texas event), an AI Robotics Fellowship program (aimed at Ph.D. students from robotics labs that typically do not publish at AI venues), a track with selected papers from Robotics: Science and Systems 2014, an AI Robotics Early Career Spotlight Talk and other invited talks, a celebration of the Shakey project, and more. Some activities are in cooperation with the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, and the Robotics: Science and Systems Conference. Stay tuned for URL and additional information. October 1: AI Robotics Fellowship program application deadline November 1: Robotics Exhibition registration deadline ? AI Video Competition NEW! Submissions also encouraged from the AAAI-15 main track and demonstration program www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15videos.php October 15: AI video competition submissions due ? AAAI-15 Student Activities NEW! ACM SIGAI Early Career Research Networking Event (colocated with AAAI-15), Lunch with an AAAI Fellow, Women's Mentoring Lunch, AAAI Newcomers' Lunch, Student Travel Coordination, Student Social Activities, Student Volunteer Program movingai.com/AAAI15/ We are also working on a variety of additional events, including a community meeting where AI societies discuss their initiatives, a virtual agent exhibit, an AI Limerick and Haiku competition, a ?finding funding? event, a computer game exhibition, several game competitions (colocated with AAAI-15) and an open house to introduce high-school students and selected other members from the general public to artificial intelligence. -- Yixin Chen, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Computer Science Washington University in St. Louis http://www.cse.wustl.edu/~chen/ Phone: (314) 935-7528 From afinke at cor-lab.uni-bielefeld.de Fri Aug 29 08:24:05 2014 From: afinke at cor-lab.uni-bielefeld.de (Andrea Finke) Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:24:05 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: =?windows-1252?q?Research_assistant_position_in_t?= =?windows-1252?q?he_area_of_EEG=2C_eye_tracking=2C_and_brain=96machine_in?= =?windows-1252?q?terfaces_at_CITEC=2C_Bielefeld_University=2C_Germany?= Message-ID: The Neuroinformatics Group and the Neurocognition and Action Group at the Center of Excellence ?Cognitive Interaction Technology? (CITEC, Bielefeld University, Germany) invite applications for an open research assistant position (PhD student or PostDoc, 100% E 13 TV-L) in an interdisciplinary project in the area of EEG, eye tracking, and brain?machine interfaces. We are seeking an outstanding candidate who is interested in multi-modal interface design and data analysis, machine learning, signal processing and brain-machine interfaces. We are particularly interested in applicants with background and training in computer science, electrical engineering or related fields. Successful candidates must hold a MSc degree (or equivalent) in computer science or a related field. Applicants are expected to have experience with signal processing and machine learning techniques on (neuro)physiological data as well as very good programming skills (C++, MATLAB, Python). Experience with experimental work (EEG and/or eye tracking studies) is desired, but not obligatory. We expect a high motivation to work in an interdisciplinary team, the ability to work independently, strong interpersonal skills as well as a good command of English. Knowledge of German is not essential. The position is initially funded for one year and can be extended for two more years. The payment is based on E 13 TV-L. The successful candidate is expected to start work on 01 November 2014. The position is embedded in the Neuroinformatics Group within CITEC at Bielefeld University. It involves a close collaboration with the Neurocognition and Action Group. CITEC provides a unique environment to perform cutting-edge research in an international context. Applicants will receive structured supervision and support through the collaboration with the project partners at CITEC, in particular Prof. Dr. Helge Ritter (Neuroinformatics Group) and Prof. Dr. Thomas Schack (Neurocognition and Action Group). Applications should be sent electronically (in one pdf document) to Dipl.-Inform. Andrea Finke (afinke at techfak.uni-bielefeld.de) and must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a motivation letter. Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position may be directed to Dipl.-Inform. Andrea Finke. Bielefeld University has received a number of awards for its achievements in the provision of equal opportunity and has been recognized as a family friendly university. Applications from suitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are expressly encouraged. Bielefeld University encourages applications from women. All applications are handled according to the provisions of the state equal opportunity statutes. Dipl.-Inform. Andrea Finke Neuroinformatics Group, Technical Faculty EXC Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab) Bielefeld University, Germany Office: CITEC building 3.225 Labs: 3.044/45 Phone: +49 (0) 521 106-12116 Fax: +49 (0) 521 106-1512116 Web: http://www.cit-ec.de http://www.cor-lab.de http://www.neuroinformatik.de From nicolas.bredeche at upmc.fr Fri Aug 29 04:33:10 2014 From: nicolas.bredeche at upmc.fr (Nicolas Bredeche) Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 10:33:10 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Fwd: New book: Growing Adaptive Machines In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear all, Some of you will be interested in our recent book, Growing Adaptive Machines: Combining Development and Learning in Artificial Neural Networks. The topic is the generation of low-level neural network architectures using bio-inspired models and simulations. By emulating the biological process of development, we can incorporate desirable characteristics of natural neural systems into engineered designs and thus move closer towards the creation of brain-like systems. The book includes two broad reviews, summaries of research portfolios from established researchers, and new research contributions. We believe it will form a valuable reference for advanced students and practitioners. See below for the table of contents. http://www.springer.com/engineering/computational+intelligence+and+complexity/book/978-3-642-55336-3 http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Adaptive-Machines-Computational-Intelligence/dp/3642553362 Best regards, Taras Kowaliw, Nicolas Bredeche, Ren? Doursat (Editors) =-=-=-=-= Table of Contents Artificial Neurogenesis: An Introduction and Selective Review. T. Kowaliw, N. Bredeche, S. Chevallier and R. Doursat A Brief Introduction to Probabilistic Machine Learning and Its Relation to Neuroscience. T. Trappenberg Evolving Culture Versus Local Minima. Y. Bengio Learning Sparse Features with an Auto-Associator. S. Rebecchi, H. Paugam-Moisy and M. Sebag HyperNEAT: The First Five Years. D. D?Ambrosio, J. Gauci and K. Stanley Using the Genetic Regulatory Evolving Artificial Networks (GReaNs) Platform for Signal Processing, Animat Control, and Artificial Multicellular Development. B. Wr?bel and M. Joachimczak Constructing Complex Systems Via Activity-Driven Unsupervised Hebbian Self-Organization J. Bednar Neuro-Centric and Holocentric Approaches to the Evolution of Developmental Neural Networks. J. Miller Artificial Evolution of Plastic Neural Networks: A Few Key Concepts. J.-B. Mouret and P. Tonelli -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From angelo.arleo at inserm.fr Fri Aug 29 08:36:03 2014 From: angelo.arleo at inserm.fr (Angelo ARLEO) Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:36:03 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: PhD position in Visual Psychophysics at the Institute of Vision in Paris, France Message-ID: One fully-funded PhD position in Visual Psychophysics at the Institute of Vision in Paris, France Job description Applications are invited for one PhD position in the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory at the Institute of Vision (INSERM-CNRS-University Pierre & Marie Curie) Paris, France. The gradual impairment of vision-dependent functions in the elderly is at the core of the research carried out in the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory. The main goal is to characterize how healthy aging shapes perceptual and cognitive aspects of vision. This PhD project will focus on the impact of healthy aging on low-level visual perception and visual processing functions. Requirements Applicants? background should be in cognitive neuroscience/psychology. Previous experience with visual psychophysics, eye-movement analysis, visual space perception, or aging is welcome. Computer programming skills are also a plus. Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is not mandatory. Successful candidates are expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment with collaborations with biologists, theoreticians and clinicians. They will be awarded a 3-year PhD fellowship from the University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris. Working environment and laboratory The Institute of Vision is one of the top international centers for integrated research on vision and eye diseases. It is located at the heart of Paris, on the campus of the National Hospital Center for Ophthalmology. The Institute of Vision includes multidisciplinary research groups, which share state-of-the-art platforms for human and animal experimentation. It also harbors a clinical investigation center, which fosters truly translational research activity. More information can be found online (http://www.institut-vision.org). The Institute of Vision and Essilor International, world leader in ophthalmic optics, have recently supported the creation of the laboratory of Aging in Vision and Action. This new laboratory aims at evaluating and understanding the functional aspects of the degeneration mechanisms related to visual aging. This research has the potential to produce fundamental knowledge suited for opening to assistive technological developments and rehabilitation solutions. The faculty members of the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory, led by Angelo Arleo, are specialized in visual psychophysics, neurobiology of spatial orientation, neural coding, neurocomputational modeling, and preclinical evaluation. The group has access to a wide range of state-of-the-art platforms including eye trackers, motion capture rooms, virtual reality environments, brain imaging, artificial street labs and home labs (http://www.streetlab-vision.com/en/). How to apply Candidates should send a single pdf file containing a motivation letter, a full CV, and names and contact information of at least two referees, to angelo.arleo at inserm.fr. Short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview (either face-to-face or via videoconference). For further inquiries, please contact Angelo Arleo, angelo.arleo at inserm.fr, phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52. Angelo ARLEO Institute of Vision, Aging in Vision and Action Lab, CNRS - INSERM - University Pierre&Marie Curie, 17, rue Moreau F-75012 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52 Mobile: +33 (0)6 89 89 07 23 email: angelo.arleo at inserm.fr; angelo.arleo at upmc.fr Angelo ARLEO Institute of Vision, Aging in Vision and Action Lab, CNRS - INSERM - University Pierre&Marie Curie, 17, rue Moreau F-75012 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52 Mobile: +33 (0)6 89 89 07 23 email: angelo.arleo at inserm.fr; angelo.arleo at upmc.fr -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ameet at eecs.berkeley.edu Fri Aug 29 14:22:06 2014 From: ameet at eecs.berkeley.edu (Ameet Talwalkar) Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:22:06 -0700 Subject: Connectionists: CFP: NIPS Workshop on Distributed Machine Learning and Matrix Computations Message-ID: ############################################################## CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS NIPS workshop on Distributed Machine Learning and Matrix Computations December 2014, Montreal, Canada http://stanford.edu/~rezab/nips2014workshop/ ############################################################## Description ----------- The emergence of large distributed matrices in many applications has brought with it a slew of new algorithms and tools. Over the past few years, machine learning and numerical linear algebra on distributed matrices has become a thriving field. Manipulating such large matrices makes it necessary to think about distributed systems issues such as communication cost. This workshop aims to bring closer researchers in distributed systems and large scale numerical linear algebra to foster cross-talk between the two fields. The goal is to encourage distributed systems researchers to work on machine learning and numerical linear algebra problems, to inform machine learning researchers about new developments on large scale matrix analysis, and to identify unique challenges and opportunities. The workshop will conclude with a session of contributed posters. Goals of the Workshop --------------------- This workshop will consist of invited talks and paper submissions for a poster session. The target audience of this workshop includes industry and academic researchers interested in machine learning, large distributed systems, numerical linear algebra, and related fields. Submission deadline will be October 10th, 2014. Acceptance decisions will be mailed out on or before October 24th, 2014. Call for Contributions ---------------------- The workshop will consist of a mix of presentations and discussions. Researchers who want to contribute should submit their paper to distributed-ml-nips14 at lists.stanford.edu, in PDF format, following the NIPS style guide. *** The submission deadline is Friday October 10th *** The organizers will review all submissions. Organizers ---------- Reza Zadeh is a consulting professor at Stanford within the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering. Website: http://stanford.edu/~rezab Ameet Talwalkar is an assistant professor of Computer Science at UCLA. Website: http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~ameet/ Ion Stoica is a Professor of Computer Science at UC Berkeley. Website: http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~istoica/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Aaron.Clauset at colorado.edu Sun Aug 31 01:07:04 2014 From: Aaron.Clauset at colorado.edu (Aaron Clauset) Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 23:07:04 -0600 Subject: Connectionists: CFP: NIPS Workshop on Networks: From Graphs to Rich Data References: <603E0AE2-3EAE-4B12-84DD-DBEB44C23B35@santafe.edu> Message-ID: <439C834D-D249-4317-B728-82E593649581@colorado.edu> ############################################################## CALL FOR PAPERS NIPS workshop on Networks: From Graphs to Rich Data December 2014, Montreal, Canada http://gdriv.es/networks2014/ Submission Deadline : Monday, 3 November 2014 ############################################################## Description ---------------------- Modern technology, including the World Wide Web, telecommunication devices and services, and large?scale data storage, has completely transformed the scale and concept of data in the sciences. Modern data sets are often enormous in size, detail, and heterogeneity, and are often best represented as highly annotated sequences of graphs. Although much progress has been made on developing rigorous tools for analyzing and modeling some types of large, complex, real?world networks, much work still remains and a principled, coherent framework remains elusive, in part because the analysis of networks is a growing and highly cross?disciplinary field. This workshop aims to bring together a diverse and cross?disciplinary set of researchers, in order to describe recent advances and to discuss future directions for developing new network methods in statistics and machine learning. By network methods, we broadly include those models and algorithms whose goal is to learn the patterns of interaction, flow of information, or propagation of effects in social, biological, and economic systems. We will also welcome empirical studies in applied domains such as the social sciences, biology, medicine, neuroscience, physics, finance, social media, and economics. Format and Submissions ---------------------- This 1 day workshop will feature 4 invited talks, poster spotlights, poster session, and a panel discussion. We welcome the following types of papers: -- Research papers that introduce new models or methodology, and/or apply established models/methods to novel domains and data sets; -- Research papers that explore theoretical and computational issues; or, -- Position papers that discuss shortcomings and desiderata of current approaches, or propose new directions for future research. In each of these paper types, we encourage authors to emphasize the role of learning and its relevance to the application domains at hand. Submissions should be 4?-?8 pages long, and adhere to NIPS format. *** Submission Deadline : Monday, November 3, 2014 *** Decision Notification : Thursday, November 6, 2014 Submissions will be accepted via : https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=nips2014networks Organizers ---------------------- Edo Airoldi, Harvard University David Choi, Carnegie Mellon University Aaron Clauset, University of Colorado, Boulder Leto Peel, University of Colorado, Boulder Johan Ugander, Microsoft Research From connectionists at turingbirds.com Sun Aug 31 18:25:02 2014 From: connectionists at turingbirds.com (Charl) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2014 00:25:02 +0200 Subject: Connectionists: Donders Discussions 2014: by PhDs, for PhDs Message-ID: Dear all, We are pleased to announce the Donders Discussions 2014, a two-day conference for PhD students in neuroscience and cognition. This year, the conference will take place on Oct 30th and 31st in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The aim of the Donders Discussions is to bring PhD students together in an informal, interdisciplinary atmosphere. Last year we welcomed more than 160 participants from 14 countries. We invite you to join us and make this year's edition an even bigger success! Our exciting programme features many interesting topics including visual perception, fear regulation, social neuroscience, and predictive coding among others. We also offer interactive workshops on networking and visibility, statistics issues in neuroimaging, and the art of presenting science. We warmly invite all participants to submit a poster abstract. The deadline is September 15, but registration may close earlier if the maximum number of participants has been reached. For more information on the programme and registration, please visit our website: http://www.ru.nl/dondersdiscussions. The registration fee is 50 euro. We look forward to seeing you in Nijmegen! The Donders Discussions Organizing Committee 2014 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: