December 2023 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Exciting news from INCF: Neuroscience Community & Neuroinformatics special collection

by INCF

Exciting news from INCF: 1. Launch of *Neruoscience Community* 2. Contribute to *Neuroinformatics* special collection *1. Launch of Neuroscience Community* Together, INCF and GA4GH has launched the *Neuroscience Community*, connecting global neuroscience and genomic data, and developing standards and systems needed to power data visiting! This new group unites collaborators from around the world to share best practices and improve standards that will expand the responsible use of data. Learn more <http://bit.ly/INCFandGA4GH> *2. Contribute to Neuroinformatics special collection* Are you developing training in computational neuroscience, data science, data management, or neuroinformatics? Please consider sending your work to the special collection at *Neuroinformatics* - Bridging the gap: How neuroinformatics is preparing the next generation of neuroscience researchers. Even better, the collection is guest-edited by INCF! Learn more <https://link.springer.com/collections/hfghcbgaeg>

Dec. 13, 2023

Call for Abstracts – Neural Traces 2024: Advanced M/EEG Methods and Clinical Applications Workshop

by Nguyen, Tien Dung

Neural Traces 2024: Advanced M/EEG Methods and Clinical Applications Workshop April 10-12, 2024 @ PTB Berlin, Germany https://neuraltraces2024.org<https://neuraltraces2024.org/> | Submission deadline: January 8, 2024 | Registration opening: February 1, 2024 Neural Traces is an onsite, three-day workshop on methods in electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography (M/EEG) and their clinical applications. Advances in M/EEG, and the methods employed to extract information from their corresponding signals, have increasingly contributed to our understanding of brain function and network connectivity. In this workshop, we review various methods that have been developed to enable accurate source imaging from these electrophysiological modalities. We also discuss M/EEG signal extraction and interpretation in the context of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. We are soliciting extended abstract submissions for contributed oral and poster presentations. Topics Suitable submissions may cover but are not limited to the following topics: I. Advanced M/EEG data analysis methods: * Signal processing and time series modeling * Forward and inverse modeling * Machine learning and multivariate modeling * Open science (software, data, standards, protocols, ...) II. Clinical applications of M/EEG: * Movement disorders * Aging and dementia * Psychiatric and developmental disorders * Epilepsy * Sleep and consciousness disorders Submission guidelines Title, author list and affiliations, 700-word (maximum) extended abstract outlining the study's background, approach, (preliminary) findings and significance, and references. Optional: figure with a 150-word (maximum) description Registration and on-site participation is required for presenters. Please visit https://neuraltraces2024.org<https://neuraltraces2024.org/> for abstract submission, registration, and further information about the workshop. Important dates * January 8, 2024: Abstract submission closes * February 1, 2024: Workshop registration opens Workshop hosts and support Neural Traces 2024 is organized by the Brain and Data Science Group at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Machine Learning and Inverse Modeling Group at PTB Berlin, and the Uncertainty, Inverse Modeling and Machine Learning (UNIML) Group at Technische Universität Berlin. The Workshop is partially supported by the European Research Council (Funding ID: 758985) and the Helmholtz Fund.

Dec. 13, 2023

Modelling with NeuroML: ecosystem updates and pre-print

by Ankur Sinha

Dear all, This is to alert you to the availability of exciting new resources for the model description language NeuroML and a recently posted bioRxiv preprint on the ecosystem of NeuroML-compliant tools for data-driven modelling of neurons and circuits. In the preprint (doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.12.07.570537) we provide a major update on the current scope of the NeuroML standard, the software ecosystem and describe the newly extended online resources for helping researchers incorporate NeuroML into their modelling work. We show how the modular nature and hierarchical structure of NeuroMLv2, combined with the flexibility of coding in Python, has created a powerful "building block" approach for constructing standardised models from scratch. Moreover, we illustrate how the ecosystem of NeuroML compliant tools supports users at all stages of the model development life cycle. This includes automated model validation, advanced analysis, visualisation, and sharing/reuse of models. The paper demonstrates how NeuroML unifies and standardises the diverse approaches to biologically-detailed computational modelling of neural systems, by enabling an ecosystem of interoperable tools that support the FAIR principles and promotes open, transparent and reproducible science. In the newly updated NeuroML online resources (https://docs.neuroml.org) we provide tutorials on how to use NeuroML to build, validate and share standardised models together with extensive documentation on this INCF approved community standard. We hope you find these resources useful for your modelling work. On behalf of the NeuroML community, Ankur Sinha, Padraig Gleeson, and Angus Silver. -- Thanks, Regards, Ankur Sinha (He / Him / His) | https://ankursinha.in Research Fellow at the Silver Lab, University College London | http://silverlab.org/ Free/Open source community volunteer at the NeuroFedora project | https://neuro.fedoraproject.org Time zone: Europe/London

Dec. 13, 2023

Seventh Groningen Spring School on Cognitive Modeling

by Jelmer Borst

– ACT-R, Nengo, PRIMs – Date: 8-12 April 2024 Location: Groningen, the Netherlands Fee: € 305 (late fee after March 7 will be € 355) More information and registration: http://www.ai.rug.nl/springschool/ – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Dear colleagues and students, We are excited to announce the seventh Spring School on Cognitive Modeling in Groningen, from 8-12 April 2024! The Spring School will cover three different modeling paradigms: ACT-R, Nengo, and PRIMs. Each of these topics consists of a series of lectures, as well as a number of hands-on exercises (tutorials). Past years have shown that students get most out of the spring school if they really immerse themselves into one modeling paradigm. We therefore recommend you choose one topic for which you will attend both the lectures as well as the tutorials. In addition, you can select a second paradigm, for which you attend the lectures only. To give students a broader picture, there will be multiple guest lectures throughout the week. These lectures will give an introduction to other modeling paradigms, as well as practical research examples to show you what can be done with the modeling paradigms presented! Everyone is encouraged to attend those lectures. To round off the program, there will be a poster session, where students present themselves and their research, as well as a city tour, and our (in)famous spring school dinner. Registration is now open. Please feel free to forward the information to anyone who might be interested in the Spring School, and let us know if you have any questions! We are looking forward to welcoming you (again) in Groningen, The Spring School team springschool(a)rug.nl <mailto:springschool@rug.nl> – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ACT-R Teachers: Jelmer Borst & Stephen Jones (University of Groningen) Website: http://act-r.psy.cmu.edu <http://act-r.psy.cmu.edu/> ACT-R is a high-level cognitive theory and simulation system for developing cognitive models for tasks that vary from simple reaction time experiments to driving a car, learning algebra, and air traffic control. ACT-R can be used to develop process models of a task at a symbolic level. Participants will follow a compressed five-day version of the traditional summer school curriculum. We will also cover the connection between ACT-R and fMRI. Nengo Teacher: Terry Stewart (University of Waterloo) Website: http://www.nengo.ca <http://www.nengo.ca/> Nengo is a toolkit for converting high-level cognitive theories into low-level spiking neuron implementations. In this way, aspects of model performance such as response accuracy and reaction times emerge as a consequence of neural parameters such as the neurotransmitter time constants. It has been used to model adaptive motor control, visual attention, serial list memory, reinforcement learning, Tower of Hanoi, and fluid intelligence. Participants will learn to construct these kinds of models, starting with generic tasks like representing values and positions, and ending with full production-like systems. There will also be special emphasis on extracting various forms of data out of a model, such that it can be compared to experimental data. PRIMs Teacher: Niels Taatgen (University of Groningen) Website: https://www.ai.rug.nl/~niels/prims/index.html How do people handle and prioritize multiple tasks? How can we learn something in the context of one task, and partially benefit from it in another task? The goal of PRIMs is to cross the artificial boundary that most cognitive architectures have imposed on themselves by studying single tasks. It has mechanisms to model transfer of cognitive skills, and the competition between multiple goals. In the tutorial we will look at how PRIMs can model phenomena of cognitive transfer and cognitive training, and how multiple goals compete for priority in models of distraction.

Dec. 13, 2023

ICMNS 2024 deadline extension for contributed talks and posters

by Avitabile, D. (Daniele)

Dear All, We remind you of the open call for contributed talks and posters for ICMNS 2024, which will take place at University College Dublin on the 12th-14th June 2024. In addition to plenary and invited talks, the conference will feature contributed talks and a poster session. Following a review process, presenters of contributed talks may be offered a slot in one of our plenary sessions. We have extended the deadline for submitting contributed talks and posters to the 16th of January 2024 at 23:59 (GMT), so that there will be one last chance to collect contributions after the Christmas break. This will be the final deadline for submissions. You can submit your contribution and read more about the conference at our website danieleavitabile.com/icmns24 We look forward to receiving your contributions. Daniele Avitabile, Áine Byrne, and Jonathan Rubin

Dec. 12, 2023

A podcast about how I introduced neural networks in 1957 and discovered how resonant brain states may become conscious

by Grossberg, Stephen

Dear Comp-neuro colleagues, I have attached below the title and url of a two-hour video podcast about my life and work developing neural network models of how our brains make our minds, and applying them to solve large-scale problems in engineering, technology, and AI. The podcast discussion is wide-ranging, including: How I came to introduce neural networks in 1957 as a college Freshman, and How I came to model how resonant brain processes embody conscious awareness. The title of the podcast is: How Do Resonant Brains Make Conscious Minds? Towards Solving the Hard Problem of Consciousness https://lnkd.in/eS8n-ZTj This is a discussion with Tevin Naidu from his series Mind-Body Solution. The podcast was motivated by my Magnum Opus CONSCIOUS MIND, RESONANT BRAIN: HOW EACH BRAIN MAKES A MIND https://lnkd.in/eiJh4Ti that I wrote to be self-contained and non-technical for a general audience. Best, Steve Grossberg Stephen Grossberg Wang Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems Director, Center for Adaptive Systems Emeritus Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering Boston University sites.bu.edu/steveg/ steve(a)bu.edu<mailto:steve@bu.edu> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Grossberg http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3BIV70wAAAAJ&hl=en https://sites.bu.edu/steveg/files/2021/08/Grossberg-CV-8-14-21.pdf https://youtu.be/9n5AnvFur7I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hBye6JQCh4

Dec. 12, 2023

Support the EPSRC/MRC Neurodevelopmental Network Reliability Group!

by Fabrizi, Lorenzo

Hi all, RESPECT 4 Neurodevelopment<https://respect4neurodevelopment.com/> is an EPSRC/ MRC funded UKRI-Network Plus; which aims to make transformative changes in developing child-specific neurotechnologies for the clinic and home. One of the missions of the network is to understand issues around Reliability in EEG, fNIRS and MRI in Neurodevelopment. 🔬🧠👶 We need your support in writing a White Paper that discusses the reliability of neurotech by completing a 10 min questionnaire about what reliability means to you and the procedures you follow in your lab or company to assess reliability. Please find the questionnaire here<https://forms.gle/y9oxZ7RS5t6JYpK37> and complete it before 15th of January 2024. Many thanks from the EPSRC/MRC Neurodevelopmental Network Reliability Group. Lorenzo Fabrizi, PhD Associate Professor Medical Research Foundation Fellow Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology Department Room G17A, Medawar Building Bloomsbury Campus University College London Gower St, London WC1E 6BT office tel. 02031081888 (int. 51888)

Dec. 12, 2023

Postdoctoral position in the Rich Lab and the University of Connecticut

by Scott Rich

Dear Comp-Neuro Listserv, The official posting for the open Postdoctoral position in my lab, opening in January at the University of Connecticut's Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, is available here: https://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/cw/en-us/job/498073/postdoctoral-research-associa… <https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjobs.hr.u…> I encourage anyone interested in pursuing postdoctoral research in computational neuroscience, particularly those interested in using biophysically motivated models to understand the role of heterogeneity in driving physiologically-relevant brain function, to apply. If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, you can still apply to the department following the guidelines outlined here: https://pnb.uconn.edu/graduate/graduate-application-and-admission-informati… In addition, if you're applying to either position, please also fill out this Google Form so that I know to keep an eye out for your application: https://forms.gle/r4m5VNZQJDAjKgcM8 Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you might have. Sincerely, Scott Rich

Dec. 11, 2023

ICANN 2024 - Call for Workshops and Special Sessions

by Sebastian Otte

Call for Workshops and Special Sessions The International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2024, the ICANN will take place in Lugano, Switzerland. Conference Dates: September 17 to September 20, 2024 Conference Venue: Campus of the University of Southern Switzerland and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Via la Santa 1, 6962 Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland. Conference Webpage: https://icann2024.org We invite prospective organizers to submit Workshop and Special Session Proposals. Special Sessions focus on specific topics within the general scope of the conference. Their goal is to provide a forum for focalized discussions on state-of-the-art research in their specific field. Special Sessions have the same duration as a standard session (2 hours), and submissions should follow the same format as for the main conference track (12-15 pages, Springer format, peer reviewed). The internal organization of Special Sessions is up to the organizer (for example, it is possible to reserve more time for some distinguished speaker, or for a demonstration). Workshops have a broader focus than Special Sessions; they have the goal to showcase specific methods and applications to the general conference audience. While workshops normally feature peer-reviewed submissions, this is not obligatory for invited speaker(s). They can usually take up the entire conference day (or even more) and may feature a free format with presentations, panel discussions, brainstorming, etc. The program chairs are happy to discuss specific arrangements with prospective organizers. The organizer has the tasks of helping to publicize the special session/workshop, providing a list of scientists who would be invited to submit articles, organizing the review process (if appropriate), and finally chairing the session. Please send a short description of your proposal, including the responsible chairs, to program-committee(a)icann2024.org. We will then get in touch with you. For each accepted Workshop, we offer one free conference registration. Deadline for Workshop and Special Session Proposals: February 1, 2024. Direct all questions to program-committee(a)icann2024.org. Thanks for your contribution! Link to this call: https://e-nns.org/icann2024/call-for-workshops-and-special-sessions/

Dec. 11, 2023

Undergraduate Volunteers and Travel Prize for Mathematics of Neuroscience and AI Convention, Rome, 28-31st May 2024

by Battleday, Ruairidh

The organizing committee is recruiting two volunteers to help prepare for and run the 5th International Convention on the Mathematics of Neuroscience and AI: www.neuromonster.org This year's conference is to be held in Rome, 28th-31st May 2024. We are seeking two undergraduate students at British universities to help with conference organization. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and a response sent as soon as a decision is made, via the following link: https://forms.gle/RETRucgZEYPRnfoc8 *Position 1: website and registrations (30 hours before and during the conference)* This position will involve keeping the website updated with speaker information (via Squarespace), ensuring speakers complete registration, and ensuring people that register online complete the full registration process. It will also involve helping the Italian staff with the registration desk on the first day. *Position 2: AV equipment, zoom, and processing recordings (30 hours during and after the conference)* This position will involve making sure the virtual components of the conference are running smoothly, and processing talk recordings after the conference. *Benefits* This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in cognitive science, computational neuroscience, or machine learning and artificial intelligence to become involved in a major international event! Through it, you will meet established and rising stars in the field, gain an appreciation of what research at a graduate level and beyond is like, and understand the workings of a nonprofit and conference. Our previous iterations have been called "the best conference ever" by many attendees! *Requirements* We are looking for two undergraduate students reading for degrees related to cognitive science, computational neuroscience, or machine learning and artificial intelligence at *British Higher Education *universities and / or institutions. Most of all, we are looking for enthusiastic young scientists interested in careers in these three fields! You may apply with a friend or colleague and split the two positions. Conversational-level Italian is preferred, but not essential. *Remuneration* We will cover flights to Rome for the conference from the UK, as well as accommodation and a modest food and drink budget. Any further questions, please feel free to email battleday(a)thinkingaboutthinking.org. -- Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday BMBCh (Oxon) PhD Executive Director Thinking About Thinking Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Brain Science, Harvard University Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, MIT

Dec. 11, 2023