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3rd Baltic-Nordic Summer School on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2015)
by Toomas Kirt Jan. 23, 2015

Jan. 23, 2015

2nd call: 3rd Baltic-Nordic Summer School on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2015) Multiscale computational neuroscience: Neurons, networks and systems Place: University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia Time: June 15-18, 2015 More information and registration at http://neuro.cs.ut.ee/bnni2015/ Important dates: 21 February 2015 Application deadline 13 March 2015 Acceptance notification 15-18 June 2015 Summer School The BNNI 2015 is focused on computational multiscale modelling of brain functions at the cellular, network and systems levels. The course will also cover data sources, measurements and analysis of neural activity. Target audience Advanced master students, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, both theoreticians and experimentalists, who would like to get an introduction to neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience. Faculty includes Gaute Einevoll, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway Bruce Graham, University of Stirling, United Kingdom Sean Hill, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland Henrik Lindén, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University of Technology, Finland, Claudio Mirasso, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain Arnd Roth, University College London, UK Ausra Saudargiene, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania Raul Vicente, University of Tartu, Estonia Michael Wibral, Brain Imaging Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany Daniel Wójcik, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland and others to be named. Venue The course will be held in the University of Tartu, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science - Juhan Liivi 2, Tartu 50409, Estonia. Practical arrangements There is a small tuition fee of 100 euros. The sponsor will provide teaching, meals and coffee during the course. The participants are expected to cover their travel and health insurance expenses (small financial support is available for those without funding). The course is supported by International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility and University of Tartu. We are looking forward to welcome you at the BNNI 2015 in Tartu, Estonia!

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MSc program in Neural Systems and Computation - University of Zurich and ETH Zurich
by Michael Pfeiffer Jan. 22, 2015

Jan. 22, 2015

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 Fall Semester 2015 is *February 15th 2015*. 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 by email to nsc(a)ini.uzh.ch. Michael Pfeiffer -- ========================================= Dr. Michael Pfeiffer Postdoc, Program coordinator 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/ =========================================

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[journals] CFP: IEEE ToH Issue on Active Touch Sensing
by yon Jan. 22, 2015

Jan. 22, 2015

The other guest editors and I are very excited to present this special issue. We hope you will consider contributing. Best, Yon Visell Call for Papers IEEE Transactions on Haptics Special Issue on Active Touch Sensing in Robots, Humans, and Other Animals Submission deadline: April 1 2015 First decision to authors: June 1 2015 Complete Details: http://re-touch-lab.com/ieee-toh-issue Guest Editors: Yon Visell, Drexel University Vincent Hayward, Université Pierre et Marie Curie Mitra Hartmann, Northwestern University Nathan Lepora, University of Bristol Topical Summary: This special issue addresses the challenges posed by actively sensing and interacting with the world through the sense of touch, whether the latter is implemented through a technological or biological system. Active touch sensing is recovering information about the world by ‘touching’ rather than ‘being touched’ – by interpreting signals from sensors whose motion is deliberately controlled to facilitate information gain. The scope of this issue includes both biological and technological systems for active touch sensing, and implications for haptics. This issue will consider electronic systems for active touch sensing that are biologically inspired systems, in addition to other inherently active approaches to touch sensing. Biological systems for active touch sensing are highly capable, and, by comparison, the field of robotic touch sensing is in its infancy. The former demonstrate many valuable concepts for active touch sensing that are being intensively investigated. They have also illustrated ways that active touch sensing is enabled through specialized sensory transduction channels, biomechanics, structural morphology, behavioral, and control strategies that are implemented by biological systems, and through other advantages that they achieve, including robustness, adaptability, and power efficiency. Similar challenges must be overcome if technological systems are to one day achieve comparable levels of sensorimotor performance to biological systems. Specific topics of interest include: - The design of electronic or biological systems for active touch sensing, their principles of operation (electronic, biological, mechanical) and performance. - Biomechanical aspects of active touch sensing. - Relations between active touch sensing and behavior, especially motor activity. - Sensory information processing and sensorimotor control strategies in humans, animals, or robots related to active touch sensing, including behavioral, physiological or neuroscience investigations, and neural control. - Learning by active touch. - Applications to the design of haptic interfaces. Authors should specifically include a discussion of how their results shed light on fundamental aspects of active touch sensing rather than assuming that this can be inferred from context. Submission process: Visit http://www.computer.org/toh to view formatting requirements, and submit your paper at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/th-cs. When uploading your paper please select the appropriate special issue title under the category “Manuscript Type.” _________________________________________________________ Yon Visell, PhD Assistant Professor Drexel University | Electrical and Computer Engineering Philadelphia, USA www.re-touch-lab.com Office: +1 215 571 4507 Mobile: +1 267 800 8960 _________________________________________________________

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Master program in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics@Newcastle University
by Marcus Kaiser Jan. 22, 2015

Jan. 22, 2015

Dear all, our one-year master degree program in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics at Newcastle University is now accepting student applications. The course focuses on handling brain connectivity datasets, analyzing electrophysiological recordings, and simulating neural activity and development. Neuroinformatics is one of the strategic areas of neuroscience research within Newcastle University (see overview at http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/ ). Close interactions with experimental and clinical researchers are a key component of the course and the dissertation research project. Ongoing research areas in Newcastle include neuroimaging, psychophysics, systems neuroscience (visual, auditory, and motor system), aging, neurorehabilitation, brain rhythms, brain-machine interfaces, neurochips, and connectomics (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion ). Newcastle University hosts around 100 principal investigators in the neurosciences. You can find out more about the program and how to apply at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/study/postgrad/taught/5199/ *COURSE OUTLINE* The MSc in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics is a full-time, one-year advanced masters course designed for students who have a good degree in the biological sciences or the physical sciences (computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering). It provides the specialist skills in core Neuroinformatics courses (such as computing and biology) with a significant focus on the development of research skills. The program aims to equip its graduates with the necessary skills to contribute to biologically realistic simulations of neural activity and development that are rapidly becoming the key focus of Neuroinformatics research. Prior experience with computers or computer programming is not required. The program is ideal for students aiming for careers in industry or academia. The course is based in the School of Computing Science and taught jointly by the Schools of Computing Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biosciences and The Institute of Human Genetics. In addition, there are strong links with the Institute of Neuroscience and graduates of this master program might either apply for PhD studies at the School of Computing Science or for the Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD program in Systems Neuroscience (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion/study/wellcome/ ). *WHY STUDY AT NEWCASTLE?* The MSc in Neuroinformatics is a truly interdisciplinary degree and provides the dual skills necessary to establish a rewarding career in this research area. The Newcastle program has a research focus on data management, network analysis (e.g. Kaiser, Neuroimage, 2011), and simulation, whilst delivering sound training and an introduction to research in computation and statistics, including exciting new areas such as e-science and cloud computing. Newcastle is among the pioneers of the field in the UK and hosted the £4m EPSRC-funded CARMEN project for managing and processing electrophysiology data. It also leads the development of simulations of optogenetic stimulation effects on human brain tissue as part of the £10m EPSRC/Wellcome Trust-funded CANDO project (http://www.cando.ac.uk/) Newcastle has strong links with the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF). Currently, members of the faculty lead the data-sharing special interest group and the UK special interest groups in image-based Neuroinformatics and brain connectivity as well as in neurally-inspired engineering. *COURSE CONTENT* Semester 1 contains modules to build the basic grounding in, and understanding of, Neuroinformatics theory and applications, together with necessary computational and numeric understanding to undertake more specialist modules next semester. Training in mathematics and statistics is also provided. Semester 2 introduces modules that focus heavily on introducing subject-specific research skills and includes three option slots for choosing modules. A major part of the Newcastle MSc in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics is a research project that will occupy approximately six months. This project may be associated with staff in any of the Schools mentioned above, thus providing a wide range of exciting areas in which the newly learnt Neuroinformatics skills can be deployed. *HOW TO APPLY* Applications for this program are now being accepted. You can apply online using the electronic application system with the degree identifier 5199F. Please check http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/study/postgrad/taught/5199/ for more information. Best, Marcus -- Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D. Associate Professor (Reader) in Neuroinformatics Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) Research Group School of Computing Science Newcastle University Claremont Tower Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK Lab website: http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/ Neuroinformatics@Newcastle: http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/

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[meetings] Living Machines IV: Second Call for Papers, Satellite Events and Sponsors
by Nathan F Lepora Jan. 22, 2015

Jan. 22, 2015

______________________________________________________________ Second Call for Papers, Satellite Events and Sponsors Living Machines IV: The 4th International Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems 27th to 31st July 2015 http://csnetwork.eu/livingmachines To be hosted at the La Pedrera Barcelona, Spain In association with the Universitat Pompeu Fabra Accepted papers will be published in Springer Lecturer Notes in Artificial Intelligence Submission deadline March 16th, 2015 ______________________________________________________________ ABOUT LIVING MACHINES 2015 The development of future real-world technologies will depend strongly on our understanding and harnessing of the principles underlying living systems and the flow of communication signals between living and artificial systems. Biomimetics is the development of novel technologies through the distillation of principles from the study of biological systems. The investigation of biomimetic systems can serve two complementary goals. First, a suitably designed and configured biomimetic artefact can be used to test theories about the natural system of interest. Second, biomimetic technologies can provide useful, elegant and efficient solutions to unsolved challenges in science and engineering. Biohybrid systems are formed by combining at least one biological component—an existing living system—and at least one artificial, newly-engineered component. By passing information in one or both directions, such a system forms a new hybrid bio-artificial entity. The following are some examples: • Biomimetic robots and their component technologies (sensors, actuators, processors) that can intelligently interact with their environments. • Active biomimetic materials and structures that self-organize and self-repair. • Biomimetic computers—neuromimetic emulations of the physiological basis for intelligent behaviour. • Biohybrid brain-machine interfaces and neural implants. • Artificial organs and body-parts including sensory organ-chip hybrids and intelligent prostheses. • Organism-level biohybrids such as robot-animal or robot-human systems. ACTIVITIES The main conference will take the form of a three-day single-track oral and poster presentation programme, 29th to 31st July 2015, hosted at the La Pedrera, Barcelona, Spain. The conference programme will include five plenary lectures from leading international researchers in biomimetic and biohybrid systems, and the demonstrations of state-of-the-art living machine technologies The full conference will be preceded by up to two days of Satellite Events hosted by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. SUBMITTING TO LIVING MACHINES 2015 We invite both full papers and extended abstracts in areas related to the conference themes. All contributions will be refereed and accepted papers will appear in the Living Machines 2015 proceedings which we expect to be published in the Springer-Verlag LNAI Series. Full papers (up to12 pages) are invited from researchers at any stage in their career but should present significant findings and advances in biomimetic or biohybid research; more preliminary work would be better suited to extended abstract submission (minimum 4 pages). Further details of submission formats will be circulated in an updated CfP and will be posted on the conference web-site. Full papers will be accepted for either oral presentation (single track) or poster presentation. Extended abstracts will be accepted for poster presentation only. Authors of the best full papers will be invited to submitted extended versions of their paper for publication in a special issue of Bioinspiration and Biomimetics. Satellite events Active researchers in biomimetic and biohybrid systems are invited to propose topics for 1-day or 2-day tutorials, symposia or workshops on related themes to be held 27-28th July at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Events can be scheduled on either the 27th or the 28th or across both days. Attendance at satellite events will attract a small fee intended to cover the costs of the meeting. There is a lot of flexibility about the content, organisation, and budgeting for these events. Please contact us if you are interested in organising a satellite event! EXPECTED DEADLINES March 16th, 2015 Paper submission deadline May 1st, 2015 Notification of acceptance May 22nd, 2015 Camera ready copy July 27-31 2015 Conference SPONSORSHIP Living Machines 2015 is sponsored by the Convergent Science Network (CSN) for Biomimetics and Neurotechnology. CSN is an EU FP7 Future Emerging Technologies Co-ordination Activity that also organises two highly successful workshop series: the Barcelona Summer School on Brain, Technology and Cognition (http://bcbt.upf.edu/bcbt12/) and the Capocaccia Neuromorphic Cognitive Engineering Workshop. The 2015 Living Machines conference will also be hosted and sponsored by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Call for Sponsors. Other organisations wishing to sponsor the conference in any way and gain the corresponding benefits by promoting themselves and their products to through conference publications, the conference web-site, and conference publicity are encouraged to contact the conference organisers to discuss the terms of sponsorship and necessary arrangements. We offer a number of attractive and good-value packages to potential sponsors. ABOUT THE VENUE Living Machines 2015 returns to the venue of our first conference at the beautiful biomimetic building La Pedrera (Casa Mila) (https://www.lapedrera.com/en/home) designed by renown modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. Attendees at the conference will get a free ticket to visit this historic building in the centre the Barcelona. Workshops will be held at the Poblenou Campus of Universitat Pompeu Fabra, close to hotel and restaurant area of the Diagonal and Ramblas de Poblenou and a short walk from Barcelona’s famous beaches. Organising Committee: Paul Verschure, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Co-chair) Tony Prescott, University of Sheffield (Co-chair) Stuart Wilson, University of Sheffield (Program Chair) Anna Mura, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Communications, Local Organiser) Nathan Lepora, University of Bristol (Communications) Carme Buisan University Pompeu Fabra (Treasurer)[AM1]

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Deadline Extension: INFOCOMP 2015 and EMPIRICAL MODELING 2015 || June 21 - 26, 2015 - Brussels, Belgium
by Cristina Pascual Jan. 22, 2015

Jan. 22, 2015

INVITATION: ================= The submission deadline is extended to February 11, 2015. Please consider to contribute to and/or forward to the appropriate groups the following opportunity to submit and publish original scientific results to: - INFOCOMP 2015, The Fifth International Conference on Advanced Communications and Computation - EMPIRICAL MODELING 2015, The International Symposium on Empirical Modeling Authors of selected papers will be invited to submit extended article versions to one of the IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org ================= ============== INFOCOMP 2015 | EMPIRICAL MODELING 2015 | Call for Papers =============== CALL FOR PAPERS, TUTORIALS, PANELS INFOCOMP 2015, The Fifth International Conference on Advanced Communications and Computation General page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/INFOCOMP15.html Submission page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/SubmitINFOCOMP15.html EMPIRICAL MODELING 2015, The International Symposium on Empirical Modeling General page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/EMPIRICALMODELING.html Submission page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/EMPIRICALMODELING.html#SubmitAPaper Events schedule: June 21 - 26, 2015 - Brussels, Belgium Contributions: - regular papers [in the proceedings, digital library] - short papers (work in progress) [in the proceedings, digital library] - ideas: two pages [in the proceedings, digital library] - extended abstracts: two pages [in the proceedings, digital library] - posters: two pages [in the proceedings, digital library] - posters: slide only [slide-deck posted at www.iaria.org] - presentations: slide only [slide-deck posted at www.iaria.org] - demos: two pages [posted at www.iaria.org] - doctoral forum submissions: [in the proceedings, digital library] Proposals for: - mini-symposia: see http://www.iaria.org/symposium.html - workshops: see http://www.iaria.org/workshop.html - tutorials: [slide-deck posed on www.iaria.org] - panels: [slide-deck posed on www.iaria.org] Submission deadline: February 11, 2015 Sponsored by IARIA, www.iaria.org Extended versions of selected papers will be published in IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org Print proceedings will be available via Curran Associates, Inc.: http://www.proceedings.com/9769.html Articles will be archived in the free access ThinkMind Digital Library: http://www.thinkmind.org The topics suggested by the conference can be discussed in term of concepts, state of the art, research, standards, implementations, running experiments, applications, and industrial case studies. Authors are invited to submit complete unpublished papers, which are not under review in any other conference or journal in the following, but not limited to, topic areas. All tracks are open to both research and industry contributions, in terms of Regular papers, Posters, Work in progress, Technical/marketing/business presentations, Demos, Tutorials, and Panels. Before submission, please check and comply with the editorial rules: http://www.iaria.org/editorialrules.html INFOCOMP 2015 Topics (for topics and submission details: see CfP on the site) Call for Papers: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/CfPINFOCOMP15.html ============================================================ Large scale and fast computation Developments in information and computing systems; Grid computing; Cloud computing; Pervasive / ubiquitous computing; Services computing and Opportunistic computing; High Performance Computing (HPC); Fast data processing; Real-time processing; Fast switching and routing protocols; Parallelization of algorithms and applications; Energy-efficient High Performance Computing; Large scale data visualization; Tools for parallelization; Highly performance codes; Optimization; Innovative architectures; Distributed systems, dynamical systems; Future architectures, integrated systems, beyond cloud, reaching exaflop; Supercomputing architectures, operation, and management; Petascale, Exascale; Big data, dCache; HPC centers, data centers; Benchmarking; Green500, Graph500, Top500; Service provisioning; Green computing, cooling techniques Programming models Programming languages and parallel algorithms; Message Passing Interface (MPI), OpenMP; Massively Parallel Processing, Symmetric Multi-Processing; PGAS, GASPI, CAF (Co-array Fortran), UPC (Unified Parallel C); X10, Chapel, CUDA, OpenCL, OpenACC, OpenHMPP, Lime, OmpSs, OpenStream; Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM); Programming paradigms; Manycore, multicore; CPU, GPU, FPGA, accelerators; Chip design, architectures, and programming; Fault tolerance, troubleshooting, debugging; High end issues, latency, concurrency Networks/systems communications Cross-layer design and optimization; Cyber-physical systems and networks; Data centers, virtualization, and cloud networks; Delay/disruption tolerant networks; Future Internet broadband services; Software Defined Networks (SDN); Fast networks / InfiniBand architectures for future interactive multicore applications; Sensor networks and embedded systems; Ad hoc mobile networks; Access technologies; P2P networks; Optical networks; Cellular and broadband wireless networks; Mobility models and mobile networks; Multicast, broadcast and anycast; Multimedia protocols and networking; Software defined radio and cognitive radio networking; Content-based network service; Certification, public key infrastructures, data integrity; Privacy and anonymity Networks/systems measurement, control and management Networks/systems measurement, simulation and emulation; Network-, system-, and application-management; Congestion control and capacity planning; Dynamic spectrum management; Addressing and location management; Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE); Quality of Data (QoD) and Quality of Context (QoC); e-Commerce, accounting, pricing and billing; Highly parallel file systems, Lustre, GPFS; Interconnects, high speed ethernet; Use of distributed compute and storage resources; Energy-aware mechanisms for control and management; Configuration, reuse of software components; Resource allocation and management; Denial of service mitigation and prevention; System and data security; Communication visualization Advanced applications Scientific, theoretical, methodological, practical, and technical contributions; Advanced scientific computing; Simulation and modelling (scientific applications, engineering, industry); Mathematical and numerical algorithms and methods; Computer science and geoinformatics; e-Energy, geosciences, prospection, exploration, oil and gas; Mobility and logistic services; Geoscientific Information Systems (GIS); Remote sensing and satellite imaging; Cartography, hydrology; Climatology and environmental sciences; Molecular dynamics simulation; Genetic algorithms; Physics and chemistry applications; Medicine, genetics, epidemiology, medical geology; Multi-dimensional data visualization; Search engines and scientific discovery; Online social networking; Vehicular, underground and underwater networks and applications; Scientific data processing; Computation frameworks and tools; Mathematica, SAGE, Maple, Matlab, Scilab, Gromacs, ANSYS, Fluent, etc.); Database applications and develop! ment; Information and database syst ems; Education, e-Learning, and e-Science; ICT business evaluation and management; Legal informatics, Open Access, Science / Copyright, Patents; Earth and planetary sciences; Archaeology, cultural heritage; Knowledge discovery, documentation, and classification; Data intensive computing, data science; Methdodology and case studies regarding computing and communication scenarios; Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) applications; Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) applications Evaluation context Energy-aware and energy-efficient networks; Implementation and experimental testbeds; Traffic measurement and traffic patterns; Characterization of topology dynamics; Access and biometric technologies, performance, and cost prediction; Web services and performance; Performance measurement and benchmarking; Energy-aware and energy-efficient High Performance Computing; Usability studies; Social and ethic consequences with biometry and data security; Standards, benchmarks, protocols Biometry, security, access technologies, algorithms, and applications Technologies and advances in biometric algorithms and interfaces (gait, electrocardiography, iris, image, fingerprint, palm veins, multi-modality); Biometric systems; Integration of biometrics with other technologies; Challenge response; Simplified enrollment; NFC support, spoofing, and countermeasures; Single sign on (SSO); Adaptive trust; Template protection (protection of reference data); Large and scalable biometric systems using cloud services; Deployed solutions and applications; Experience reports and systems; Description in physical and logical access control; information system access, immigration and border control, law enforcement, entertainment, finance, life science, healthcare, forensics); Distributed and mobile devices; Public Key Infrastructures; Digital Forensics; Quantum cryptography theory and application for commercial usage; topology of information (braid group approach) EMPIRICAL MODELING 2015 Topics (for topics and submission details: see CfP on the site) CfP: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/EMPIRICALMODELING.html#CallForPapers ========================== Empirical Modeling principles Empirical Modeling applications (finance, health, online gaming, drugs design, environment, climate, buildings, urbanity, mobility, demography, oil and gas production, marketing, finance, etc.) Empirically-derived analytic Models Empirical Models for predictive analytics Empirical Modeling for optimization Empirical estimation of retention models Empirical Model design and development challenges Empirical data collection challenges Richly structured Empirical Models Verification and Validation of Empirical Models Empirical evidence and Empirical discovery Tools for Empirical Modeling Languages and notations for Empirical Modeling Programming aspects towards Empirical Modeling Quality, Clarity, and Accuracy in Empirical Modeling Empirical Modeling and statistical modeling approaches Maintenance of Empirically derived Models Cost-effectiveness of Empirical Models ------------------------ INFOCOMP 2015 Committee: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/ComINFOCOMP15.html EMPIRICAL MODELING 2015 Committee: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/EMPIRICALMODELING.html#Committees ================

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Invitation to submit an original research article or review
by Fabio M Simoes de Souza Jan. 21, 2015

Jan. 21, 2015

CALL FOR PAPERS EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOPHYSICS ISSN: 2329-1745 (Print) ISSN: 2329-1737 (Online) SPECIAL ISSUE ON "RECENT ADVANCES IN MODELING CELLS, CELLULAR COMPARTMENTS AND SIGNALING NETWORKS AS A TOOL TO UNDERSTAND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM" AIMS AND SCOPE: In the last two decades, the progress in molecular biology and associated areas promoted a large accumulation of structural and molecular data about the nervous system. Almost simultaneously with that, fields such as Computational Neuroscience and Systems Biology have emerged with the aim to obtain a system-level understanding about the nervous systems through the development of computational models based on experimental data. Today, both fields are consolidated areas of research and have given valuable contributions to our knowledge of processes such as electrical integration, calcium dynamics, synaptic plasticity, sensory transduction, pathologies, among many others. In this special volume, we want to highlight some of the recent contributions of both computational neuroscience and systems biology to Neuroscience especially through the development and analysis of computational models of cells, cellular compartments and signaling networks. These types of models are powerful tools to investigate the physiological and molecular dynamics of neurons with a large range of spatial and temporal resolutions. Therefore, in this special volume, our intent is to select bleeding edge contributions focused on the gather works that will cover simulations of signaling networks and signal transduction solved deterministically or stochastically; the interaction between signaling networks and the regulation of ionic channels through covalent modifications such as phosphorylation; the impact of neuronal geometries on signaling networks and on cellular electrical integration. Thus, we have the expectation that this special volume will be of interest to both the people working in the fields on Computational Neuroscience and Systems Biology, and to experimental biophysicists that will have the opportunity to get an overall view of the main topics that have been investigated with computational models of cells and signaling networks. TOPICS OF INTEREST include (but are not limited to): • Synaptic Plasticity • Sensory Transduction • Calcium Dynamics • Electrical Integration • Stochastic Processes • Signaling pathways in 3D compartments • Pathological Processes • Software/Algorithms SUBMISSION PROCESS Enjoy a fast reviewing and publication process in an open access journal! The manuscripts are published one by one in the special issue once the manuscript has been accepted. All manuscripts should be submitted via SciencePG online system or through Lead Guest Editor that can help you to submit the manuscript. You have to create an account and login in the system at: http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/login.aspx Step 1) Submit to Special Issue. Choose Recent Advances in Modeling Cells, Cellular Compartments and Signaling Networks as a Tool to Understand the Nervous System. Journal Title: European Jounral of Biophysics. Step 2) Fill in Manuscript Information Step 3) Fill in Author(s) Information Step 4) Fill in Reviewer(s) Information Author guidelines can be found at: http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/papersubmission.aspx?journali… IMPORTANT DATES 30 May, 2015: Submission of Manuscripts July, 2015: Publication time LEAD GUEST EDITOR Prof. Dr. Fabio Marques Simoes de Souza, Federal University of ABC, Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil Email: fabio.souza(a)ufabc.edu.br GUEST EDITORS Prof. Dr. Antonio C. Roque University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Email: antonior(a)ffclrp.usp.br Dr. Gabriela Antunes University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Dr. Rodrigo F. Oliveira Champalimaud Neuroscience Program, Lisbon, Portugal Email: rodrigo.oliveira(a)neuro.fchampalimaud.org ----- A PDF copy of the CFP is attached with this email for forwarding to interested colleagues. The CFP is also also available at: http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/specialissue/117002 For more information on Eur J Biophys, please see: http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/archive.aspx?journalid=117&is…

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.:: Cognitio 2015 : Atypical Minds @ UQAM - Call for papers / Appel à communications
by Chicoisne, Guillaume Jan. 21, 2015

Jan. 21, 2015

[version française ci-après] Cognitio 2015 - Atypical Minds: the Cognitive Science of Difference and Potentialities Montreal, Canada June 8th, 9th and 10th 2015 http://cognitio.uqam.ca/2015 cognitio(a)uqam.ca<mailto:cognitio@uqam.ca> Keynote speakers: * Berit Brogaard - University of Miami, Professor in Philosophy. -> https://sites.google.com/site/brogaardb/<https://sites.google.com/site/brogaardb/> * Ian Gold - McGill University, Canada Research Chair in Philosophy and Psychiatry. -> http://www.mcgill.ca/philosophy/people/faculty/gold<http://www.mcgill.ca/philosophy/people/faculty/gold> Deadline for submission: February 16th, 2015 Cognitio is a young researchers' conference held every other year at the Université du Québec à Montréal, under the auspices of its Cognitive Science Institute. Over the past several years at Cognitio, many facets of the human mind were explored: decision making (2005); situated minds (2006); social cognition (2007); the evolution of minds and cultures (2009); nonhuman minds, including animal, artificial and group minds (2011) and creativity in art and discovery (2013). This year's Cognitio conference will revolve around the cognitive aspects of mental states that display the differences and potentialities of the human mind. We will question the possibility of establishing limits between the functions and dysfunctions of the cognitive system. Every presentation that addresses mental troubles as atypical cognitive status from interdisciplinary interactions including psychiatry will be more than welcome, provided that there is a clear link with cognitive science. This topic can be approached from various angles. These include, but are not limited to: neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, philosophy, cognitive informatics, anthropology, etc. Suggested topics include: · Is there such thing as a typical or an atypical mind? Does or should such a taxonomy address synaesthesia, trance or genius? Autism spectrum disorders? Giftedness? · Can mental illnesses be reduced to neurological problems or do they have irreducible mental elements, such as intentionality, consciousness or rationality? Is the distinction between mental disease and physical disease the last bastion of mind-body dualism? Can we eliminate dualism without reducing mental troubles to neurological disorders? What's the role of neuropsychiatry? · What is a mental disease? How have mental troubles been defined through history? Is every cognitive dysfunction a mental illness? Are the notions of handicap or mental illness useful besides working as classification systems? Do they allow us to identify natural kinds? How do different societies interpret these classifications? Do they integrate the differences or highlight the potentialities that these classification reveal? · Is psychiatry explanatory? If psychiatry is not explanatory, is it still a science? · What recent technological and scientific advances have led to a better understanding of mechanisms of mental disease? · How can we integrate the findings from different levels (molecular, cellular, networks) in computer simulations of different types of diseases (schizophrenia, Parkinson, epilepsy, etc.)? Is there a possible therapeutic role for these simulations? · What are the main philosophical arguments against psychiatry? Is it possible to build a psychiatric science that moves away from the stigmatisation and alienation of those who are different? Or is a change of paradigm needed to study mental conditions? What options do we have? Submission of proposals for the conference is done through the EasyChair system. We are asking for 600 word abstracts. https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cognitio2015<https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cognitio2015> Deadline for submission is February 16th 2015 [french version] COGNITIO 2015 Esprits atypiques: les sciences cognitives de la différence et des potentialités Montréal, Canada 8, 9, et 10 juin 2015 http://cognitio.uqam.ca/2015 cognitio(a)uqam.ca<mailto:cognitio@uqam.ca> Conférencière et conférencier invités : * Berit Brogaard - University of Miami, Professor in Philosophy. -> https://sites.google.com/site/brogaardb/<https://sites.google.com/site/brogaardb/> * Ian Gold - Université McGill, Chaire de recherche du Canada en philosophie et psychiatrie. -> http://www.mcgill.ca/philosophy/people/faculty/gold<http://www.mcgill.ca/philosophy/people/faculty/gold> Cognitio est un colloque pour jeunes chercheures, chercheurs en sciences cognitives, tenu une année sur deux à l'Université du Québec à Montréal sous les auspices de l'Institut des Sciences Cognitives. Au cours des dernières années, plusieurs facettes de l'esprit humain ont été explorées à Cognitio. Nous avons examiné la prise de décision (2005), les esprits situés (2006), la cognition sociale (2007), l'évolution des esprits et des cultures (2009), les esprits non humains, incluant les cognitions animales, artificielles et autres (2011) ainsi que l'origine et l'évolution de la créativité (2013). Pour cette édition, nous mettons l'accent sur les esprits atypiques et les aspects cognitifs des états qui témoignent des différences et des potentialités de l'esprit humain. Notre objectif est de discuter du concept de trouble mental, ainsi que de la pertinence et de la nature du domaine qui lui est consacré, la psychiatrie. Nous nous demanderons notamment s'il est possible d'établir des limites entre les fonctions et dysfonctions du système cognitif. Toute proposition de communication ayant un lien direct avec les sciences cognitives et traitant des troubles mentaux, des interactions disciplinaires concernant les états cognitifs atypiques ou encore du statut de la psychiatrie est bienvenue. Cette thématique peut être traitée à partir de plusieurs perspectives. Celles-ci incluent, entre autres: les neurosciences, la psychologie, la philosophie, l'informatique cognitive, la linguistique, l'anthropologie, etc. Les questions de la liste suivante, qui n'est pas exhaustive, pourraient bénéficier d'une combinaison de ces approches : · Peut-on vraiment parler d'esprits typiques ou atypiques? Quelle place une telle catégorisation laisse à la synesthésie, à la transe ou au génie? Au troubles du spectre autistique? À la douance? · Les troubles mentaux se réduisent-ils à des troubles neurologiques ou possèdent-ils des éléments irréductiblement mentaux, liés par exemple à l'intentionnalité, la conscience ou la rationalité? La distinction entre trouble ou maladie mentale et trouble ou maladie neurologique est-elle le dernier bastion du dualisme dans notre conception de l'esprit? Est-il envisageable de l'éliminer sans réduire les troubles mentaux à des désordres neurologiques? Quel est le rôle de la neuropsychiatrie? · Qu'est-ce qu'un trouble mental? Comment cette définition a-t-elle évolué historiquement? Les notions de trouble, de maladie mentale ou de handicap sont-elles utiles au-delà des systèmes de classification? Permettent-elles d'identifier des espèces naturelles (natural kinds)? Comment les sociétés interprètent-elles cette classification? Sont-elles à même d'intégrer les différences ou de souligner les potentialités révélées par cette classification? · La psychiatrie, est-elle explicative? Si la psychiatrie n'est pas explicative, est-elle tout de même une science? · Quelles avancées technologiques et scientifiques récentes permettent de mieux comprendre les mécanismes des troubles mentaux? · Comment intégrer les nouveaux résultats à différents niveaux (moléculaires, cellulaires et réseaux) dans des simulations informatiques de plusieurs états du cerveau (typique et atypique) de différents types de pathologies (schizophrénie, Parkinson, épilepsie, etc.)? Quelle peut être l'utilisation de ces simulations? Ont-elles un possible rôle thérapeutique? · Est-il possible de construire une science psychiatrique qui s'éloigne de la stigmatisation et l'aliénation de ceux qui sont différents? Un changement de paradigme serait-il nécessaire pour l'étude des troubles de l'esprit? Quelles sont les options? La soumission de propositions de communication se fait à l'aide du système EasyChair. Un résumé de 600 mots EN ANGLAIS doit être joint à la demande. https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cognitio2015 La date limite pour l'envoi des propositions est le 16 février 2015. http://cognitio.uqam.ca/2015 cognitio(a)uqam.ca<mailto:cognitio@uqam.ca> (apologies for cross-postings / nos excuses pour les envois multiples) -- Guillaume Chicoisne, PhD. Institut des Sciences Cognitives - www.isc.uqam.ca<http://www.isc.uqam.ca> (+1) 514-987-3000 #4374 https://www.linkedin.com/pub/guillaume-chicoisne/0/641/175

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Brain Informatics and Health (BIH'15) - Call for Papers
by Yi Zeng Jan. 21, 2015

Jan. 21, 2015

[Apologies if you receive this more than once] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2015 International Conference on Brain Informatics and Health (BIH'15) August 30 - September 2, 2015, London, UK CALL FOR PAPERS Homepage: http://braininformatics.london (FULL PAPER SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 5, 2015) *** KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (Confirmed) *** Allan Jones (Allen Institute for Brain Science, USA) Henry Markram (EPFL, Switzerland) David Van Essen (Washington University School of Medicine, USA) *** FEATURE SPEAKERS (Confirmed) *** Giorgio A. Ascoli (George Mason University, USA) Henry Kennedy (Stem-cell and Brain Research Institute, France) Barbara Sahakian (University of Cambridge, UK) Nelson Spruston (The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), USA) Paul Verschure (Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Spain) *** Panel Discussion Moderator *** Sarah Caddick (The Gatsby Charitable Foundation) ***************** Brain research is rapidly advancing with the application of big data technology to neuroscience as can be seen in major international initiatives in the US, Europe and Asia. BIH'15 reflects that brain informatics has emerged as a distinct field and crosses the disciplines of neuroscience, cognitive science, computer science, signal processing, and neuroimaging technologies as well as data science. Following the success of past conferences in this series, BIH'15 will take place at Imperial College London, in UK, gathers the researchers from major international brain research projects, and plans an industrial exhibition. BIH'15 draws special attention to informatics for brain science, human behavior and brain health. BIH'15 will address big data approaches to both the brain and behaviour, with a strong emphasis on emerging trends of big data analysis and management technology for BI, active media technology in behavior learning, and real-world applications for brain and mental health. BIH'15 welcomes paper submissions (full paper and abstract submissions). Both research and application papers are solicited. All submitted papers will be reviewed on the basis of technical quality, relevance, significance and clarity. Accepted full papers will be included in the proceedings by Springer LNCS/LNAI. Tutorial, Satellite symposium (workshop) and Special-Session proposals and Industry/Demo-Track papers are also welcome. IMPORTANT DATES: ================ Satellite symposium proposal submission: March 10, 2015 Notification of satellite symposium acceptance: March 30, 2015 Submission of full papers: April 5, 2015 Submission of abstracts: May 20, 2015 Submission of satellite symposium papers: May 20, 2015 Notification of full paper acceptance: May 25, 2015 Notification of abstract acceptance: June 10, 2015 Notification of satellite symposium paper acceptance: June 10, 2015 Tutorial proposal submission: May 15, 2015 Satellite symposiums: August 30, 2015 Main conference: August 31-September 2, 2015 PAPER SUBMISSIONS & PUBLICATIONS: ================================= TYPE-I (Full Paper Submissions; Submission Deadline: April 5, 2015): Papers need to have up to 10 pages in LNCS format: http://www.springer.com/computer/lncs?SGWID=0-164-6-793341-0. All full length papers accepted (and all special sessions' full length papers) will be published by Springer as a volume of the series of LNCS/LNAI. TYPE-II (Abstract Submissions; Submission Deadline: May 20, 2015): Abstracts have a word limit of 500 words. Experimental research is particularly welcome. Accepted abstract submissions will be included in the conference program, and will be published as a single, collective proceedings volume. Title: Include in the title of the abstract all words critical for a subject index. Write your title in sentence case (first letter is capitalized; remaining letters are lower case). Do not bold or italicize your full title. Author: List all authors who contributed to the work discussed in the abstract. The presenting author must be listed in the first author slot of the list. Be prepared to submit contact information as well as conflict of interest information for each author listed. Abstract: Enter the body of the abstract and attach any applicable graphic files or tables here. Do not re-enter the title, author, support, or other information that is collected in other steps of the submission form. Presentation Preference: Authors may select from three presentation formats when submitting an abstract: "poster only,, talk preferred" or "no preference." The talk preferred" selection indicates that you would like to give a talk, but will accept a poster format if necessary. Marking "poster only" indicates that you would not like to be considered for an oral-presentation session. Selecting "no preference" indicates the author's willingness to be placed in the best format for the program. Each paper or abstract requires one sponsoring attendee (i.e. someone who registered and is attending the conference). A single attendee can not sponsor more than two abstracts or papers. Oral presentations will be selected from both full length papers and abstracts. *** Post-Conference Journal Publication *** The BIH conferences have the formal ties with Brain Informatics journal (Springer, http://www.springer.com/40708) Accepted papers from the conference, including their Best Paper Award papers, will be expended and revised for possible inclusion in the Brain Informatics journal each year. It is fully sponsored and no any article-processing fee charged for BIH authors. Selected submissions will be considered for publication in special issues of international journals after their papers are extended to a full-length paper and pass a review process. More information can be found at http://www.bih-amt.com/publications/ *** Topics and Areas *** Please find the topics and areas of interest of the 2015 International Conference on Brain Informatics and Health (BIH'15) at http://www.bih-amt.com/call-for-papers/topics/ *** AMT'15 Session *** The advance of wearable sensor technology makes the monitoring of human behavior and life style becomes feasible. This development gives the active media technology a new dimension which is more closely related to the healthcare and cognitive studies. Following the success of past conferences in this series, AMT'15 will be jointly held with BIH15 as a special session. ORGANIZERS ========== General Chairs: Karl Friston, University College London, UK Yike Guo, Imperial College London, UK Program Chairs: Aldo Faisal, Imperial College London, UK Sean Hill, EPFL, Switzerland Hanchuan Peng, Allen Institute for Brain Science, US Workshop/Special-Session Chairs: Andreas Holzinger, Medical University Graz, Austria Zhisheng Huang, Vrije University of Amsterdam, Netherlands David Powers, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia Publicity Chairs: Jessica Turner, Georgia State University, US Juan D. Velasquez, University of Chile, Chile Yi Zeng, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Local Organizing Chairs: Thomas Henis, Imperial College London, UK Kai Sun, Imperial College London, UK Chao Wu, Imperial College London, UK Exhibition/Sponsorship Chair: Caroline Li, University Kent, UK Steering Committee Co-Chairs: Ning Zhong, Maebashi Institute of Technology, Japan Jiming Liu, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong *** Contact Information *** Chao Wu, Imperial College London, UK <c.wu09(a)imperial.ac.uk> Aldo Faisal, Imperial College London, UK <a.faisal(a)imperial.ac.uk>

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Tenure Track Position in Biology Position
by Weaver, Adam L Jan. 20, 2015

Jan. 20, 2015

Dear Colleagues, I respectfully submit an advertisement below for an organismal biologist in our department of Biology. The job description and method of application are described below. Please share with suitable candidates. Specifically we are seeking an excellent educator whose research interests and training will lend themselves to serving the growing number of Biology majors interested in the health care professions. Expertise in the area of developmental neuroscience is specifically encouraged. This is a tenure-track position with a Fall 2015 start date. As I am on the search committee, I cannot answer any questions regarding the position but the website allows one to ask questions of the chair of the committee. Thank you, Adam Weaver ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Adam L. Weaver, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Dept. of Biology, Saint Michael's College Chief Advisor of the Health Professions, NEAAHP Address: One Winooski Park, Box 283, Colchester, VT 05439 Office: Cheray 313E Personal Email: AWeaver2(a)smcvt.edu<mailto:AWeaver2@smcvt.edu> Phone: (802) 654-2624 FAX: (802) 654-2236 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This job opportunity has been sent to you through Saint Michael's College Careers. Please click here<http://smcvt.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=56106&type=7> to view the posting and to apply online. If your email system does not support links, please cut and paste the following text in a web browser: http://smcvt.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=56106&type=7 Job Posting Summary Job Title: Tenure Track Position in Biology Location: VT Job posted on: 01/13/2015 Thank you for considering a career with Saint Michael's College. -- Saint Michael's College Careers Full posting follows: Saint Michael's College - Tenure Track Position in Biology Thank you for considering Saint Michael's College in your search. About Saint Michael's College: Saint Michael's College delivers a compelling, world-class education in a beautiful Vermont setting. Our connected community allows students to form close relationships with each other and accomplished faculty members, providing an ideal learning environment where they have the space and support to challenge themselves and their peers. As a fully residential college located minutes from Burlington, one of the country's top-rated college towns, Saint Michael's offers an unparalleled mix of academic, spiritual, cultural, service and wilderness experiences. To learn more, visit smcvt.edu.<http://www.smcvt.edu> Job Description: The Department of Biology at Saint Michael's College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position for an assistant professor of biology starting August 2015. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in the team teaching of introductory biology and to teach upper-level lecture and laboratory courses in Developmental Biology and one of the following organismal fields: Anatomy, Physiology, or Neurobiology, thus enhancing the department's offerings for students interested in post-graduate opportunities in health care. The successful candidate must maintain a productive scholarship program focusing on research providing opportunities for student involvement. Please note that the Biology Department does not have facilities to maintain live mammals or birds; the successful candidate should have a research program compatible with an undergraduate institution. Saint Michael's College is committed to the academic freedom of all members of its community. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), employee and dependent tuition benefits, and discounted gym membership. Requirements: * Ph.D. in biology or related organismal field * College-level teaching experience * Promising record of scholarship * Willingness to participate as part of a team of colleagues with the primary focus being the learning and development of our students. An offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Additional Information: The College is committed to its Edmundite, Catholic mission, which focuses on the integration of intellectual, ethical, personal, and spiritual formation within an environment which combines academic achievement with service to others. Diversity: Saint Michael's College is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity, equity and inclusiveness across our campus community, and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. Application Instructions: Please be prepared to attach the following five separate documents after clicking on Apply Now button. * Curriculum vitae * Cover Letter * Statement of teaching philosophy * Plan for implementation of a research program compatible with our institution and welcoming of our students * Names of three referees; references will be requested from short-listed candidates Interviewed candidates should expect to discuss: * how you will support and affirm appreciation for cultural, ethnic, or racial difference, and how your work will foster inclusion in a multicultural environment. * how you will support and contribute to the mission of the College. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. Saint Michael's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to excellence through diversity, and in this spirit, particularly welcome applications from women, persons of color, and members of historically underrepresented groups.

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