March 2016 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Post-Doc in Bordeaux, application deadline 01/04/2016 (1 week)

by Nicolas P. Rougier

Actor–critic models of the basal ganglia Postdoc in Bordeaux (12 months), France Application deadline 01/04/2016. Details & application at: http://www.inria.fr/institut/recrutement-metiers/offres/post-doctorat/sejou… Nicolas Rougier --- Actor–critic models of the basal ganglia We developed a model of the basal ganglia (Piron et al., 2016) that introduces an action selection mechanism that is based upon the competition between a positive feedback through the direct pathway and a negative feedback through the hyperdirect pathway. The model also exploits the parallel organization of circuits between the basal ganglia and the cortex using segregated loops: one loop allows to choose the cue and one loop allows to make the actual motor selection. Learning occurs between the cognitive cortex and the cognitive striatum using a simple reinforcement learning where the values of the different cues are updated after each decision. As in most computational models of the basal ganglia, this model relies on an actor-critic architecture where the dopamine signal is used to encode the temporal difference prediction error signal in the critic (Joel et al., 2002; Khamassi et al., 2005). However, this algorithm is not very elaborated and its implementation is not biologically plausible since values are stored outside the model. The objectives of this postdoc is thus to review and to re-implement (Python) main actor-critic models of the literature in order to compare them on a common set of decision tasks (two-arm bandit task for example) in terms of biological plausibility and performances. Special attention will be given to the "Primary Value and Learned Value Pavlovian Learning Algorithm" model (O'Reilly, 2007) and the AGREL model (Roefselma et al. 2005). From these replications (that will be published in ReScience), the most plausible and compatible mechanisms will be implemented in our own model of the basal ganglia in order to replace the current reinforcement learning algorithm (Guthrie et al., 2013, Piron et al. 2016). Profiles PhD in computational neuroscience or computer science (machine learning) with strong experience in Python & the scientific Python stack (numpy, scipy, matplotlib, git/github). References • Joel, D., Niv, Y., & Ruppin, E. (2002). Actor–critic models of the basal ganglia: New anatomical and computational perspectives. Neural Networks, 15(4-6), 535–547. • Khamassi, M., Lachèze, L., Girard, B., Berthoz, A., Guillot, A. (2005). Actor-critic models of reinforcement learning in the basal ganglia: From natural to artificial rats. Adaptive Behavior, 13 (2). • Guthrie, M., Leblois, A., Garenne, A., & Boraud, T. (2013). Interaction between cognitive and motor cortico-basal ganglia loops during decision making: a computational study. Journal of Neurophysiology, 109(12). • C. Piron, D. Kase, M. Topalidou, M. Goillandeau, H. Orignac, T. N'Guyen, N.P. Rougier, T. Boraud, The globus pallidus pars interna in goal oriented and habitual behavior. Resolving an old standing paradox, Movement Disorders, (2016), to appear. • O'Reilly, R. C., Frank, M. J., Hazy, T. E., & Watz, B. (2007). PVLV: The Primary Value and Learned Value Pavlovian Learning Algorithm. Behavioral Neuroscience, 121(1). • Roelfsema, P.R., van Ooyen A. (2005). Attention-gated reinforcement learning of internal representations for classification. Neural Computation.

March 25, 2016

Post-Doctoral Positions at Boston University Investigating Long-Range Neocortical Networks

by Chen, Jerry

Post-Doctoral Positions Available --------------------------------- We are a new lab, headed by Jerry Chen, opening our doors in 2016 in the Department of Biology at Boston University SUMMARY: A longstanding goal in neuroscience is to achieve a complete understanding of the central nervous system, from the brain as a whole all the way down to individual neurons and synapses. A fundamental challenge in achieving this goal is bridging knowledge gaps impeded by the difficulty in integrating experimental measurements across different scales. Our lab studies the relationship between local circuits and long-range networks in the mammalian neocortex. We take an integrative approach by combining large-scale in vivo imaging technology with molecular and genetic tools in the awake-behaving animal. RESEARCH PROJECTS: Principles of Long-Range Cortical Communication. We are investigating how behavior-relevant information is processed both locally and globally throughout the neocortex. Using the mouse tactile whisker sensorimotor system as a model for studying long-range cortical communication during sensory processing and decision making, we seek to understand the following questions: - What are the circuits underlying long-range cortical communication? - What are the physiological mechanisms that subserve such operations? - What roles do these processes serve during behavior? Long-Range Cortical Circuits During Development. We are investigating how genes and development define the organization and function of long-range cortical circuits. Gaining a handle on how these circuits form will help us understand the role they serve during behavior. Technologies for Large-Scale Imaging of Neuronal Populations. We recently developed a multi-area two-photon microscope that enables simultaneous functional imaging with cellular resolution across cortical areas. We seek to expand on such methods to enable comprehensive monitoring of neuronal activity across the entire cortex. QUALIFICATIONS: We are seeking highly creative individuals who are interested in pursuing independent projects core to the lab's research interest. A first author publication (submitted or published) is a prerequisite for consideration. While experience with in vivo imaging and rodent behavior and a quantitative background is desired, we are also interested in individuals with a broad range of expertise within and outside of neuroscience. You can even be a mathematician, physicist, engineer, computer scientist, molecular biologist, artist, or musician. Some examples of potential good fits include: - Neurophysiologists with previous experience working with non-human primates interested in addressing similar questions in rodents. - Developmental neurobiologists interested in studying how circuit formation guides circuit function and behavior. - Computational neuroscientists interested in testing theoretical models using experimental data acquired in the lab. - Molecular biologists interested in utilizing molecular and genetic tools for addressing systems-level questions. - Optical engineers interested in developing and applying novel technologies for large-scale recording and stimulation of neuronal populations. For more information, go to www.chen-lab.org. If you are interested in applying, please submit a CV along with 3 references to: jerry(a)chen-lab.org.

March 24, 2016

ANNPR 2nd Call for Papers

by Dr. Schwenker

**** Please apologize cross-postings. 2nd Call for Papers IAPR TC3 International Workshop on Artificial Neural Networks in Pattern Recognition (ANNPR 2016) September 28-30, 2016 Ulm University, Ulm, Germany ANNPR 2016 invites papers that present original work in areas of neural networks, machine learning and pattern recognition, focusing on both theoretical and applied aspects. Topics of interest include, but not limited to: Methodological Issues - Supervised learning - Unsupervised learning - Combination of supervised and unsupervised learning - Feed-forward, recurrent, and competitive neural nets - Kernel machines - Hierarchical modular architectures and hybrid systems - Combination of neural networks and Hidden Markov models - Multiple classifier systems and ensemble methods - Probabilistic graphical models - Kernel methods - Deep architectures Applications in Pattern Recognition - Image processing and segmentation - Handwritten recognition and Document analysis - Sensor-fusion and multi-modal processing - Feature extraction, dimension reduction - Clustering and vector quantization - Speech and speaker recognition - Data, text, and web mining - Bioinformatics/Cheminformatics Important Dates Paper submission: May 4, 2016 Notification of acceptance: June 22, 2016 Camera ready due: July 6, 2016 Workshop: September 28-30, 2016 General Chairs Friedhelm Schwenker, Ulm University, Germany Hazem Abbas, German University of Cairo, Egypt Neamat El Gayar, Cairo University, Egypt Edmondo Trentin, University of Siena, Italy For more information, please visit us: http://neuro.informatik.uni-ulm.de/ANNPR2016/ -- Dr. Friedhelm Schwenker University of Ulm Institute of Neural Information Processing D-89069 Ulm, Germany phone: +49-731-50-24159 fax: +49-731-50-24156 email: friedhelm.schwenker(a)uni-ulm.de www: http://www.uni-ulm.de/in/neuroinformatik/mitarbeiter/f-schwenker.html

March 24, 2016

Master student / intern position available at Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany

by Filip Sobczak

OPEN POSITION Master student / intern position at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany The Department of High-field Magnetic Resonance at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen is looking for a master’s student or an intern to work under the supervision of Dr. Xin Yu (Group Leader at MPI for Biological Cybernetics). This position is open now until filled. Research description: The project requires applying image processing and computer vision techniques for neuroscientific purposes. The goal is establishing a platform enabling the registration of rat brain MRI scans onto a brain atlas template. This will allow locating specific brain structures in a newly acquired MRI scan. Example applications of the platform are: - increasing the precision of targeting and recording deep brain nuclei, - enabling the use of MRI images as feedback in closed-loop control of a robotic arm operating in a 14T MRI scanner. The candidate should possess sufficient knowledge of image processing techniques to finish the task. Some groundwork has already been done. The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics is located in Tübingen, Germany. Next door to the MPI for Biological Cybernetics lies the MPI for Intelligent Systems. The Max Planck Society is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from qualified women and minority candidates. Please send your CV (in English) to Dr. Yu if interested. Contact info: Dr. Xin Yu Research Group leader Max-Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Spemannstrasse 41, 72076 Tübingen, Germany E-mail: xin.yu(a)tuebingen.mpg.de , phone: 49 7071 601-740 Website: www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/research/rg/yugroup/ Dr. Yu has published seminal papers on small animal high field MRI in Nature Neuroscience, Nature Methods, Neuron, PNAS, NeuroImage etc.

March 24, 2016

Engineering Applications of Neural Networks 2016, 2nd-5th September, Scotland

by Chrisina Jayne

Dear Colleague, The 17th International Conference on Engineering Applications of Neural Networks will take place in Aberdeen, Scotland, between 2nd-5th September 2016 (EANN 2016 – http://www.eann.org.uk/eann2016/index.php) The INNS (International Neural Network Society) is the primary sponsor of EANN. Robert Gordon University, the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) and Visit Aberdeen also sponsor the EANN conference. 6 PhD students studying at Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) universities will have free registration. Authors are invited to submit electronically original, English-language research contributions or experience reports not concurrently submitted elsewhere. The proceedings of the conference will be published in Springer CCIS Series. Extended contributions will also be considered for publication in a Special Issue of Neural Computing and Applications Journal (Springer). In the spirit of the previous EANN conferences, the paper should concentrate on the application rather than just the algorithm or the theory. All application areas are relevant. Novel contributions related to deep learning and application of neural networks to data science applications are encouraged. The deadline for paper submission is 20th April 2016. Proposals for Workshops that examine emerging, innovative, or otherwise provocative issues within the conference area are encouraged as well. Workshop proposals should include a 1-2 page summary of the topic and the names and affiliations of 3-4 panellists who have made a commitment to participate. A mix of industry and academic panel members is recommended. Proposals for 90-minute tutorials are also invited on topics within the conference area. Tutorial proposals must be at most 5 pages, they must identify the intendedaudience, and they must give enough material to provide a sense of what will be covered. Full CFP is available at http://www.eann.org.uk/eann2016/cfp.php Important deadlines are available at http://www.eann.org.uk/eann2016/timeline.php Submission page http://www.eann.org.uk/eann2016/sbmissions.php Keynote Speakers http://www.eann.org.uk/eann2016/keynote.php Excursion Details http://www.eann.org.uk/eann2016/exc.php If you have any questions please email Chrisina Jayne at ( c.p.jayne(a)rgu.ac.uk) Best wishes, Prof Chrisina Jayne and Prof Lazaros Iliadis Programme Chairs for EANN2016

March 24, 2016

PhD Opportunity: Brain stimulation / fMRI / Cortico-cereballar connectivity

by Ramnani, N

Dear All, John Rothwell and I would like to invite expressions of interest from prospective PhD students for a project to map cortico-cereballar connectivity using brain stimulation and fMRI. Further details are available here: http://www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/sites/NeuroscienceLab/?page_id=192 Deadline: 15th April (but please respond as early as possible to discuss and shape an application in consultation with us). I'd be grateful if you could please forward this message to those who might be interested. Thanks and best wishes, Narender Narender Ramnani Professor of Neuroscience Fellow, Society of Biology Council Member, British Neuroscience Association Brain, Action and Cognition Laboratory Department of Psychology Royal Holloway, University of London Egham TW20 0EX, UK. Tel. 01784 443519 www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/sites/neurosciencelab<http://www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/sites/neurosciencelab> @n_ramnani

March 24, 2016

Postdoctoral positions in neuroimaging mapping of early brain development

by gangli

Postdoctoral research associate positions are available at the Infant Brain Mapping Lab of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Our current focuses are to better understand the dynamic and critical early brain development in health and disease, via multimodal neuroimaging analysis. The successful candidate will support our efforts either in advancing neuroimaging analysis technologies or in neuroscience applications. We are seeking highly motivated individuals who have extensive research experience in neuroimaging analysis (e.g., structural, diffusion or functional MRI) and demonstrated academic excellence, including publications in first-class journals and conferences. The candidate for Postdoctoral Research Associate should have a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Neuroscience, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics/Statistics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related fields. Good command of programming tools including Matlab, C/C++, Linux, and scripting are necessary to carry out the research work in this group. The successful candidate will be part of a diverse group including neuroscientists, radiologists, psychologists, physicists, biostatistician, and computer scientists, and will build upon the group's extensive foundation on neuroimaging analysis. If interested, please email resume to Dr. Gang Li (gang_li(a)med.unc.edu)

March 24, 2016

NEURAL COMPUTATION - April 1, 2016

by Terry Sejnowski

Neural Computation - Volume 28 Number 4 - April 1 2016 Available online for download now: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/neco/28/4 ----- Article Vector Symbolic Spiking Neural Network Model of Hippocampal Sub-area CA1 Novelty Detection Functionality Claus Agerskov Note Feature-based Attention by Lateral Spike Synchronization August Romeo, Hans Super Letters Downstream Effect of Ramping Neuronal Activity Through Synapses With Short-term Plasticity Wei Wei, Xiao-Jing Wang Optimal Schedules in Multi-task Motor Learning Jeong Yoon Lee, Youngmin Oh, Sung Shin Kim, Robert A Scheidt, and Nicolas Schweighofer Theoretical and Experimental Analyses of Tensor-Based Regression and Classification Kishan wimalawarne, Ryota Tomioka, and Masashi Sugiyama Feature Selection for Ridge Regression With Provable Guarantees Saurabh Paul, Petros Drineas Online Pairwise Learning Algorithms Yiming Ying, Ding-Xuan Zhou Sampled-data State Feedback Stabilization of Boolean Control Networks Yang Liu, Jinde Cao, Liangjie Sun, and Jianquan Lu ------------ ON-LINE -- http://www.mitpressjournals.org/neuralcomp SUBSCRIPTIONS - 2016 - VOLUME 28 - 12 ISSUES Student/Retired $78 Individual $138 Institution $1,108 MIT Press Journals, One Rogers Street, Cambridge, MA 02142-1209 Tel: (617) 253-2889 FAX: (617) 577-1545 journals-cs(a)mit.edu ------------

March 23, 2016

Deadline (April 1st) for contributions to ICANN 2016 Barcelona is approaching

by antonio

*Please**, excuse****multiple****postings**.** ** **I beg**you **make****maximum publicity****among your****groups****and colleagues.** * Dear colleagues and friends, I invite you to participate in the "25th Annual Conference on Artificial Neural Networks" to be held in Barcelona on 6-9 of September. The congress, in addition to everything that has to do with Neural Networks, addresses some issues in the field of networks and complex systems. *INVITED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS*are the following: *Wlodek Duch *(Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland) *Erkki Oja *(Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland) *Joaquin Fuster *(University of California at Los Angeles, USA) *Murray Shanahan* (Imperial College London, UK) *Günther Palm* (University of Ulm, Germany) *Stephen Coombes *(University of Nottingham, UK) *Etienne Koechlin* (Pierre and Marie Curie University, France) You can participate with an oral presentation, a poster or a written article. The deadline for submitting your abstracts (for oral contributions or posters) or your manuscripts *_ends next_**__**_April 1st_*. You will find more details about how to send contributions in http://icann2016.org/index.php/contributors/submission. More information:www.icann2016.org. Follow us on twitter: @EuNeuralNetSoc Sincerely, ICANN 2016 - Barcelona Antonio J. Pons Rivero General Chair of ICANN 2016 Terrassa School of Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering (ETSEIAT) Nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear optics and lasers Group BarcelonaTech (UPC) Edifici GAIA Rbla. Sant Nebridi, 22 08222 Terrassa, Spain

March 23, 2016

"The neuroscience of decision-making" ~1 week left to submit abstracts

by Paul Cisek

38th International Symposium of the GRSNC The neuroscience of decision-making May 2-3, 2016 Université de Montréal WEBSITE: <http://www.grsnc.umontreal.ca/38s/> http://www.grsnc.umontreal.ca/38s/ PROGRAM: <http://www.grsnc.umontreal.ca/38s/prog_e.html> http://www.grsnc.umontreal.ca/38s/prog_e.html REGISTRATION: <http://appl.grsnc.umontreal.ca/en/symposium/38s/registration.cfm> http://appl.grsnc.umontreal.ca/en/symposium/38s/registration.cfm POSTER: <http://www.grsnc.umontreal.ca/38s/38s_poster.pdf> http://www.grsnc.umontreal.ca/38s/38s_poster.pdf We are pleased to announce the 38th symposium of the Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central (GRSNC) which is entitled "The neurosciences of decision-making". This symposium will be held on May 2-3, 2016 at the Université de Montréal, Pavillon 3200 Jean-Brillant, room B-2245 and the organizers are Drs Paul Cisek (UdeM), Alain Dagher (McGill), Lesley Fellows (McGill), John Kalaska (UdeM) et Peter Shizgal (Concordia). Research on the neural bases of decision-making has experienced a rapid growth in the last 20 years. It addresses a great diversity of questions, ranging from how animals weigh the costs and benefits of different actions to what goes wrong when humans exhibit maladaptive behavior, such as in addiction. In this symposium, we will discuss cutting-edge research on this topic, reviewing the progress that has been made and addressing the central open questions facing this rapidly developing field. In planning the sessions, we have paid particular attention to issues that stretch from the most basic neuroscience all the way to clinical applications. We will highlight converging evidence from the full range of neuroscientific methods applied in this field, considered within a diversity of conceptual frameworks. There will be four sessions of presentations by invited speakers from around the world as well as two contributed poster sessions. The presentations are regrouped in four sessions: * Brain representations of value: Common or multiple (Chairperson: Peter Shizgal) * Encoding and learning values: Neural and computational mechanisms (Chairperson: Alain Dagher) * Decision in the wild (Chairperson: John Kalaska) * Diseases and deviances (Chairperson: Lesley Fellows) Lecturers: Joshua D. Berke, Thomas Boraud, Paul Cisek, Alain Dagher, Peter Dayan, Nathaniel Daw, Lesley Fellows, J. Randall Flanagan, Michael J. Frank, Karl Friston, Hugh Garavan, Paul W. Glimcher, Joseph Kable, Elizabeth A. Murray, Michael L. Platt, David Redish, Michael N. Shadlen, Peter Shizgal, Daphna Shohamy and Jonathan D. Wallis. Submissions are invited for poster presentations. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2016 We would appreciate if you could forward this message to colleagues and students. Manon Dumas for the organizing committee Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central (GRSNC) Université de Montréal Département de neurosciences Pavillon Paul-G.-Desmarais, bureau 4115 Courriel: <mailto:m.dumas@umontreal.ca> m.dumas(a)umontreal.ca Téléphone: (514) 343-6366 Télécopieur: (514) 343-6113

March 22, 2016