October 2014 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

NEURAL COMPUTATION - April, 2014
by Terry Sejnowski 24 Apr '16

24 Apr '16

Neural Computation - Contents -- Volume 26, Number 4 - April 1, 2014 Available online for download now: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/neco/26/4 ----- Article Parametric Inference in the Large Data Limit Using Maximally Informative Models Justin Block Kinney, Gurinder Singh Atwal Letters Input Statistics and Hebbian Crosstalk Effects Anca R. Radulescu Learning Nonlinear Regularities in Natural Images by Modeling the Outer Product of Image Intensities Peng Qi, Xiaolin Hu Dissociable Forms of Repetition Priming: A Computational Model Kirill Makukhin, Scott Bolland Refined Rademacher Chaos Complexity Bounds With Applications to the Multi-Kernel Learning Problem Yunwen Lei, Lixin Ding Large Margin Low Rank Tensor Analysis Guoqiang Zhong, Mohamed Cheriet Large-scale Linear RankSVM Ching-Pei Lee, Chih-Jen Lin ------------ 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(a)mit.edu ------------

1 29

v5.7 of NeuroMorpho.Org released on 30 May, 2014
by NeuroMorpho Administrator 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Version 5.7 of NeuroMorpho.Org was released on 30 May, 2014. The release included 29 new data sets (1341 reconstructions), including from three new animal species (dragonfly, moth, and sheep). The database now contains 11,335 reconstructions from 144 contributing labs. More than 3.2 million reconstructions were downloaded in over 130,000 unique visits from 146 countries. Please visit the What's new<http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/WIN.jsp> page for details on data included in this release, including new species strains, brain regions, cell types, and experimental conditions. The Acknowledgements <http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/acknowl.jsp> include details on contributing labs, and the About<http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/about.jsp> page provides an updated overview of the repository content. A new user-friendly functionality, OntoSearch<http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/OntoSearch.jsp>, was introduced in this release, enabling more powerful searches of species and strains with automated synonym translation, taxonomical relations, and keyword auto-completion. The literature coverage database was also updated to include publications through March 2014. We are continuously grateful to all the data owners who freely share their data with the community. We always appreciate any and all feedback and comments. Sincerely, The NeuroMorpho.Org team -- Ruchi Parekh, Ph.D. NeuroMorpho.Org Project Lead Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Neural Informatics, Structures, and Plasticity Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study MS2A1, George Mason University Fairfax, VA 22030 (USA) Ph - +1-703-993-4382<tel:%2B1-703-993-4382> www.neuromorpho.org<http://www.neuromorpho.org/> nmadmin(a)gmu.edu<mailto:nmadmin@gmu.edu>?

1 1

Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, PhD Programme
by Peter Dayan 24 Sep '15

24 Sep '15

Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, University College London 4 year PhD Programme The Gatsby Unit is a centre for theoretical neuroscience and machine learning, focusing on unsupervised, semi-supervised and reinforcement learning, neural dynamics, population coding, Bayesian and nonparametric statistics, kernel methods, and applications of these to the analysis of perceptual processing, neural data, machine vision and bioinformatics. It provides a unique opportunity for a critical mass of theoreticians to interact closely with each other, and with other world-class research groups in related departments at UCL, including the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, with which we will shortly share a building, and Biosciences, Computer Science, Functional Imaging, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Neurology, Ophthalmology and Statistics, the cross-faculty Centre for Computational Statistics and Machine Learning, and also with other UK and overseas universities. The Unit has openings for exceptional PhD candidates. Applicants should have a strong analytical background, a keen interest in neuroscience and/or machine learning and a relevant first degree, for example in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Psychology or Statistics. The PhD programme lasts four years, including a first year of intensive instruction in techniques and research in theoretical neuroscience and machine learning. All students are fully funded, regardless of nationality. The Unit also welcomes applications from students with pre-secured funding or who are currently soliciting other scholarship/studentships. We will review applications as soon as they are complete (including a CV, statement of research interests and letters from three referees) until the positions are filled. Early application is thus advised. Full details of our programme, and how to apply, are available at: http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/phd For further details of research interests please see http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/research.html and the individual faculty webpages at http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/members.html

1 2

PhD studentships in computational neuroscience and machine learning
by Steuber, Volker 28 Aug '15

28 Aug '15

Applications are invited for PhD studentships in the Biocomputation Research Group at the Science and Technology Research Institute at the University of Hertfordshire. PhD projects involve the development of computer simulations of neurons and neuronal networks to study information processing in the brain, and/or the application of machine learning techniques to analyse electrophysiological data. More details about our research and a list of potential projects can be found on our homepage (http://homepages.herts.ac.uk/~comqvs/research.html) Applicants should have good computational and numerical skills and an excellent first degree in computer science, biology, maths, physics, neuroscience, or a related discipline. Previous experience in neuroscience is not required but would be an advantage. Successful candidates are eligible for a research studentship award from the University (approximately GBP 13,800 per annum bursary plus the payment of the standard UK student fees). Applicants from outside the UK or EU are eligible, but will have to pay half of the overseas fees out of their bursary. Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognized as excellent by the latest Research Assessment Exercise, with 55% of the research submitted being rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The Science and Technology Research Institute provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialized and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training opportunities. The University of Hertfordshire is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London. Please contact Dr Volker Steuber (v.steuber @ herts.ac.uk) for informal enquiries. Application forms can be obtained from Mrs Lorraine Nicholls, Research Student Administrator, STRI, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AB, Tel: 01707 286083, l.nicholls @ herts.ac.uk. The short-listing process will begin on 9 June 2014.

1 3

New book "Understanding Vision: theory, models, and data"
by Zhaoping Li 13 Feb '15

13 Feb '15

This book "Understanding Vision: theory, models, and data" is published by Oxford University Press in May 2014 and, by now, it is available from various online sites and shops worldwide. For more information, go to http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/zhaoping.li/VisionBook.html The book's Table of Contents can be viewed at http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/zhaoping.li/prints/TableOfContents.pdf Teaching and learning support for the book (e.g., ppt files for the figures in the book) is also available and will be updated at http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/zhaoping.li/VisionBook.html . Readership: Computational neuroscientists, visual psychologists/cognitive scientists, Visual neuroscientists/physiologists/anatomists, Researchers in machine vision or computer vision or robot vision The book is written in such a way that vision scientists, unfamiliar with mathematical details, should be able to conceptually follow the theoretical principles and their relationship with physiological, anatomical, and psychological observations, without going through the more mathematical pages. For those with a physical science background, especially those from machine vision, this book serves as an analytical introduction to biological vision. It can be used as a textbook or a reference book in a vision course, or a computational neuroscience course for graduate students or advanced undergraduate students. It is also suitable for self-learning by motivated readers. In addition, for those with a focused interest in just one of the topics in the book, it is feasible to read just the chapter on this topic without having read or fully comprehended the other chapters. In particular, Chapter 2 presents a brief overview of experimental observations on biological vision; Chapter 3 is on encoding of visual inputs, Chapter 5 is on visual attentional selection driven by sensory inputs, and Chapter 6 is on visual perception or decoding. Please let me know if you need more information. best wishes, Li Zhaoping

1 1

2 Post-doc positions on the relation of information and causation (Prof. Giulio Tononi)
by Larissa Albantakis 17 Dec '14

17 Dec '14

Up to 2 postdoctoral positions are available at the center for sleep and consciousness science in the laboratory of Dr. Giulio Tononi (University of Wisconsin, Madison), to study the relation of information and causation within the framework of the integrated information theory of consciousness (Balduzzi & Tononi, 2008; Tononi, 2012). Immediate funding is available for a range of projects related to foundational questions regarding the ontological status of information, and its relation to causation, emergence, adaptation, evolution, and consciousness (see detailed scope of work below). Successful candidates will work at the center for sleep and consciousness science, dedicated to a broad range of research problems focused on two neurobiological problems -- the mechanisms and functions of sleep and the neural substrates of consciousness. Candidates are expected to have strong training in an analytically rigorous discipline such as theoretical biology/neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. For at least one of the positions, we explicitely encourage mathematicians to apply. Experience in information theory, complex systems, and an interest in the philosophy of information/causation are a plus. Programming experience is required (knowledge of MATLAB and/or C++ is of advantage). Appointments are renewable from year to year for up to 3 years, starting as soon as possible or until the positions are filled. Post-doc salaries correspond to the National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award (NRSA) stipend schedule for postdoc trainees, based on number of years of postdoctoral experience. Candidates should send a CV, brief statement of previous research and future research interests, and email addresses and phone numbers of three references to: Giulio Tononi, gtononi(a)wisc.edu. Balduzzi D, Tononi G (2008) Integrated information in discrete dynamical systems: motivation and theoretical framework. /PLoS Comput Biol/ 4:e1000091. Hoel, E. P., Albantakis, L., & Tononi, G. (2013). Quantifying causal emergence shows that macro can beat micro. /PNAS/, /110/(49), 19790--19795. Tononi G (2012) Integrated Information Theory of Consciousness: An Updated Account. /Arch Ital Biol/ 150:56--90. The scope of work will range from: -theoretical development and computational implementation of the notion of intrinsic causal information -causal analysis, including the systematic use of perturbations, counterfactuals, and irreducibility -analysis of complex systems in terms their causal/informational structure -meaning (understanding and control) from the intrinsic perspective of the system -actual causation (causal explanation) -examining similarities and differences between existing notions of information and causation (Shannon information, algorithmic information,...) -defining emergence in terms of the spatio-temporal grain size at which a system of elements achieves a maximum of causal power -evolutionary/adaptive aspects of information/causation including simulations based on small adaptive neural networks (animats), which evolve and adapt to an environment that requires sensitivity to context for survival

2 2

Postdoctoral Position in Neuroscience (BRAIN Initiative project): In vivo imaging of cortical dynamics
by Patrick Kanold 31 Oct '14

31 Oct '14

Dear all, A postdoctoral position utilizing in vivo 2-photon imaging is available in the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Kanold at the University of Maryland. The laboratory studies the function, development, and plasticity of the cerebral cortex (http://www.kanold.org) We are seeking highly motivated individuals that want to join exciting collaborative project, together with Dr. Dietmar Plenz (NIMH, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/labs-at-nimh/principal-investigators/dietmar-plenz.…) and Dr. Wolfgang Losert (UMd Physics), funded by the NIH BRAIN initiative. We use in vivo 2-photon imaging and stimulation technology that allows rapid imaging and stimulation in multiple focal planes and aim to develop new analysis techniques based on dynamic systems and graph theoretic measures to extract network dynamics at the single neuron and population level. We aim to identify the influence of single neurons relative to the synergistic influence of specific groups of neurons (the crowd) on network dynamics and ultimately behavior of the animal (see http://www.clfs.umd.edu/biology/kanold/Research.html) The ideal candidate will have a PhD in neuroscience, engineering, or related discipline, a background in systems neuroscience, and an ability to work in a large multidisciplinary team. Special considerations are given to applicants with training in imaging, in vivo physiology, computational approaches, and programming skills (esp. MATLAB). Qualified individuals should send a copy of curriculum vitae and names of three references to pkanold(a)umd.edu.

1 0

Postodoctoral Position in Computational Neuroscience of Alcohol Addiction (ENS-Paris France- Indiana USA)
by GUTKIN Boris 31 Oct '14

31 Oct '14

A postdoctoral position is available for a USA-France collaborative project on the influence of alcohol on the central dopamine system. The project combines computational and experimental techniques. The post-doc will design and analyze a biophysical computational models of the brain circuitry affected by alcohol. The position is available immediately for up to three years. The position is based at the Group for Neural Theory, Ecole Normale Superieure Paris France, with extensive research visits between two institutions: Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France. In Paris, he or she will work with Prof. Gutkin (Group of Neural Theory, ENS) and Prof. Mamelli (Institut du Fer a Moulin, INSERM) on circuit level models. In Indianapolis, the post-doc will work with Prof. Kuznetsov (Mathematics Dept.) and Prof. Lapish (Psychology Dept.) on cellular level models. Both locations provide an excellent environment for collaborative research in quantitative biosciences. Ample travel support, competitive salary and full social coverage is offered. Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Computational Neuroscience, Mathematics, Physics, or a quantitative field, a background in dynamical systems, programming experience and working knowledge in Computational Neuroscience. How to Apply: Send your CV, list of publications, research statement, and contact information for three references to Prof. Boris Gutkin via e-mail: boris.gutkin(a)ens.fr.

1 0

USA-Israel Postdoctoral Position
by Jean-Marc 30 Oct '14

30 Oct '14

*Postdoctoral Position* University of Arizona and University of Haifa The Computational and Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory is looking to fill a position for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The research project is geared towards understanding the role of hippocampal replay in spatial navigation and memory consolidation during sleep. The techniques used include high density electrophysiology in the behaving rat, neuropharmacology, optogenetics and computational modeling. The project is multidisciplinary and involves collaborations with research teams in the USA and France (Univ. South Florida Tampa, INSERM Lyon France, Harvard Univ MA, UCSD, UCR and Salk, California). Good communication skills are necessary. This is a joint position between the University of Haifa (Israel) and the University of Arizona (Tucson, USA). The successful candidate will be expected to spend part of his/her time in the USA and in Israel. Basic knowledge of Hebrew will be helpful. Applicants with a subset of the following skill set are strongly encouraged to apply: - Scientific expertise or interests in hippocampus and/or prefrontal-cortex - Electrophysiology (in vivo chronic behaving, or in vitro) - Behavioral Neuroscience (rat training/testing) - General laboratory skills (e.g. histology, surgery) - Matlab and/or NEURON programming and spike-data analyses Applicant should send a cover letter, CV and the names of at least 2 references to Dr. Jean-Marc Fellous (fellous at email.arizona.edu) Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The search is ongoing and is projected to be completed by November 30th, 2014. Information about the laboratory can be found at: http://amygdala.psychdept.arizona.edu/lab.html

1 0

Research Associate in Neuroscience, University of Leicester
by Atkinson, Sue 30 Oct '14

30 Oct '14

Dear Colleagues, We are recruiting for a Research Associate here at the Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester. You will work on calcium imaging (2-photon) and electrophysiology recordings in mice as part of the research activities of the Centre for Systems Neuroscience. Research will be done in collaboration with the Department of Cell Pharmacology and Physiology (Ian Forsythe). The project aims to use a virtual navigation environment for the head restrained mice to record neuronal activity in the mouse hippocampus whilst the animal performs different tasks. The work will be performed in synergy with experiments done in humans ("concept cells") to gain a deeper understanding of perception and memory processes. You will contribute to imaging and electrophysiology data collection and analysis, as well as the design of the experiments and overall setup of the system. In particular you will work on the development and optimization of advance methods for the analysis of the data. You will have, or be close to completing, a PhD in an area related to Neuroscience or signal processing (physics, mathematics, engineering, computer sciences). You will also have good programming skills, particularly in Matlab, and ideally you have experience in neurophysiology and imaging recording. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Sue Atkinson on sam45(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249. The closing date for this post is midnight on 24 November 2014. Click here and search on the reference number SEN00519 for more information and to apply. http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/jobs/opportunities/jobsearch Sue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susan Atkinson Centre Manager Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester, 9 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR, UK T: +44 116 252 3249 E: sam45(a)le.ac.uk<mailto:sam45@le.ac.uk> W: http://www2.le.ac.uk/centres/csn [cid:image001.jpg@01CFF1FC.B7D361D0] Elite without being elitist Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/uniofleicester> or visit our Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/uniofleicester> page

2 1