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2017 NEURON Summer Course

by Ted Carnevale

The 2017 NEURON Summer Course will be held at Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio, from Monday, June 5, through Saturday, June 10. The course will present a thorough introduction to computational modeling of neurons and networks with NEURON, and is suitable for individuals at all levels of expertise. This year we have increased the course duration to 6 days (5 days in previous years) in order to provide expanded coverage of parallel simulation, and to give participants more time for active learning exercises. The registration deadline is Monday, May 15, 2017. No applications will be accepted after that date, and there will be no on-site registration. Space is limited, and applications will be considered in the order received. For more information and the on-line registration form, see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/summer2017/summer2017.html --Ted

March 13, 2017

2017 Methods in Neuroscience at Dartmouth Computational Summer School

by Matthijs van der Meer

Methods in Neuroscience at Dartmouth (MIND) 2017 Computational Summer School August 13th - 20th, 2017 https://summer-mind.github.io/ We are delighted to welcome applications for our inaugural Methods in Neuroscience at Dartmouth (MIND) Computational Summer School. The theme of this year’s summer school is Network Dynamics at Multiple Spatiotemporal Scales. There is a growing gap between how graduate students in psychology and neuroscience are trained and what they actually need to know to do cutting edge work. In addition, there is increasing interest in supplementing the traditional reductionist approach to studying the elements of brain, cognition, and behavior in isolation, to integrating how these elements interact as a cohesive complex system. This entails considering not just which elements in a network interact, but also the content of the interaction, and the dynamics of how this information flows through networks over time. This general issue is present in multiple domains, with an accompanying need for similar tools: neurophysiologists studying spiking activity in ensembles of single neurons, cognitive neuroscientists studying whole-brain activity levels, and social psychologists studying group interactions. Our curriculum is motivated by the realization that there is a common core of computational methods that apply across different subfields of neuroscience, with exciting opportunities for crossover across these subfields. Thus, our summer program aims to provide integrated training of network methods at the circuit, whole-brain, and social network levels. The overall format has short lectures in the morning, followed by hands-on tutorial-style labs, and a hackathon in which students will collaboratively work on projects with faculty. Themes running through the curriculum include open tools and data, data visualization, statistical modeling, and model comparison. The summer school will be taught by faculty with unique expertise in using innovative computational techniques to understand network dynamics at multiple scales. Chris Baldassano (Princeton University) Luke Chang (Dartmouth College) Janice Chen (Johns Hopkins University) Nicholas Christakis (Yale University) Howard Eichenbaum (Boston University) Sam Gershman (Harvard University) Caterina Gratton (Washington University) Yaroslav Halchenko (Dartmouth College) James Haxby (Dartmouth College) Christopher Honey (Johns Hopkins University) Caleb Kemere (Rice University) Jeremy Manning (Dartmouth College) Ida Momennejad (Princeton University) Matthijs van der Meer (Dartmouth College) Thalia Wheatley (Dartmouth College) Topics include: Open source computing resources Estimation and hypothesis testing with computational modeling Representing and describing networks Identifying structure in networks through connectivity Characterizing the temporal dynamics of networks Identifying representations of information using decoding techniques The application deadline is April 15th, 2017. Information about how to apply can be found on our website https://summer-mind.github.io/ Luke Chang, Jeremy Manning, and Matt van der Meer Directors Jim Haxby, Thalia Wheatley, Todd Heatherton, and Dan Rockmore Advisory Committee This event is sponsored by the Center for Social Brain Sciences, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, and Neukom Institute for Computational Sciences at Dartmouth.

March 13, 2017

CfP: ACM Symposium on Applied Perception 2017

by Douglas Cunningham

Symposium on Applied Perception Call for Papers and PostersThe ACM Symposium on Applied Perception (ACM SAP) aims to advance and promote research that crosses the boundaries between perception and disciplines such as graphics, visualization, computer vision, haptics and acoustics. These fields can benefit from the exchange of ideas. The scope of the conference includes applications and algorithms in any area of research that incorporates elements of perception and computer science. Our fourteenth annual event provides an intimate, immersive forum for exchanging ideas about areas of overlapping interests. The ACM SAP 2017 conference will be held in Cottbus, Germany at the Brandenburg University of Technology on the 16th and 17th of September, 2017. We aim to further promote communication between the core perception and computer graphics communities. We invite submissions of original work in all areas of applied perception. Relevant areas include: * Modeling, rendering, and animation * Visualization * Computational aesthetics * Haptic rendering, haptic input and perception * Perception of virtual characters * Color vision and color appearance modeling * Perception of high dynamic range scenes and images * Interaction techniques and interfaces * Augmented reality * Virtual worlds * Display technologies * Auditory display and interfaces * Perceptual auditory coding * Spatialized sound * Speech synthesis and recognition * Sensory integration * Multimodal rendering * Spatial and temporal vision * Attention and eye movements * Statistical learning and perception of natural scenes * Perception of shapes, surfaces, and materials PapersResearch can be submitted as a long paper (up to 8 pages and up to 20 minute talk), a short paper (up to 4 pages and up to 15 minute talk), or as a poster presentation (1 page abstract). All submissions should follow the generalSIGGRAPH formatting guidelines. Diagrams and images should be represented in color where appropriate. Papers that are not accepted will be considered for the poster session. Authors of posters accepted by this route will, of course, have the option to decline the opportunity to present a poster. PostersThe posters program at SAP provides an informal venue for authors to share their research achievements and further discuss them with others. In that spirit, we encourage all types of scholarly submissions that fit the scope of ACM- SAP. In particular, we explicitly welcome poster submissions on work- in-progress and on work that may have been previously published elsewhere but for which additional dissemination and discussion is desired. The poster session is an integral part of SAP and the SAP program will include a dedicated time slot for poster viewing and discussion. All poster presenters will also have the opportunity to give a one-minute presentation on their work during a poster fast- forward session. NOTE: SAP poster abstracts are NOT considered to be publications, and as such will NOT appear in the ACM Digital Library. Poster abstracts WILL be included in the conference USB drive. Poster abstracts should follow the general SIGGRAPH formatting guidelines, except that they should be 1 page long. . Further detailsAll papers will be carefully reviewed by our International Program Committee. SAP follows a double blind review process. Papers will be evaluated as submitted, given limited time between submission and printing of final versions. Under a recent agreement with the ACM Transactions on Applied Perception (TAP) and the ACM Publications Board, the strongest accepted papers will be offered publication as full papers in the ACM journal TAP. Authors of such special issue papers must agree to present the paper at ACM SAP. As has always been the case, authors of regular ACM SAP papers can still submit to TAP regular issues with appropriate additions. Papers that have been recommended for acceptance in the ACM TAP journal will undergo a second review cycle, during which the authors will revise the paper to address reviewer concerns (similar to conditional acceptances at ACM SIGGRAPH). Please note that TAP referrals are conditional. The TAP reviewers may recommend bringing the paper back to the SAP proceedings if the quality of the revision is inadequate. Therefore, it is very important to incorporate as many reviewer comments as possible into the revision. The revised paper has to be submitted in TAP format to Manuscript Centr al and must include a cover letter stating that the submission is for the SAP special issue. The cover letter should also document the list of changes made to the paper to address the reviewer concerns. Reformatting an 8-page paper from the SAP format to the TAP format typically adds a few pages so we expect the final papers will have somewhere between 10-15 pages. TAP papers must not exceed 20 pages in length. Complete TAP author guidelines and templates are available at h ttp://tap.acm.org/authors.cfm. Conference Chairs * Douglas W. Cunningham, Brandenburg University of Technology * Michael Breuß, Brandenburg University of Technology Program Chairs * Sophie Joerg, Clemson University * Victoria Interrante, University of Minnesota Poster Chair * Susana Castillo Alejandre, Brandenburg University of Technology Deadline sPapers: * Monday, May 22: Mandatory abstract submission * Friday, May 26: Paper submission deadline * Friday, June 23: Decisions announced * Friday, July 14: Final papers due Papers recommended for TAP: * Friday, July 14 (Camera Ready) Revisions to TAP recommended papers due (anonymous, in TAP format) * Friday, July 21: Notification to TAP authors Posters: * Friday, July 7: Poster submission * Friday, July 21: Decisions announced * Friday, July 28: Camera ready version of 1-page abstract due

March 13, 2017

[ICANN 2017] DEADLINE EXTENSION -- 26th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy

by ENNS Secretary

Second Announcement and Call For Papers // DEADLINE EXTENSION [Apologies for cross-postings] #ICANN2017ENNS =========================================================== www.icann2017.org ICANN 2017 26th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks Alghero, Sardinia, Italy 11th - 15th September 2017 =========================================================== The International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2017, the 26th ICANN will be organised from the 11th to the 15th of September 2017 in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. Conference proceedings will be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series. IMPORTANT DATES Submission of abstracts and papers: Extended to 3 April 2017 Notification of acceptance: 15 May 2017 Camera-ready paper and registration: 28 May 2017 Conference dates: 11 - 15 September 2017 CONFIRMED PLENARY SPEAKERS Moshe Abeles (Bar-Ilan University) Elisabeth André (Universität Augsburg) Michele Giugliano (University of Antwerp) Marco Gori (Università degli Studi di Siena) David Ríos Insua (ICMAT-Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Madrid) CONFERENCE TOPICS ICANN 2017 will feature the main tracks Brain Inspired computing and Machine Learning research, with strong cross-disciplinary interactions and applications. All research fields dealing with Neural Networks will be present at the conference. A non-exhaustive list of topics includes: • Brain Inspired Computing: Cognitive models, Computational Neuroscience, Self-organization, Reinforcement Learning, Neural Control and Planning, Hybrid Neural-Symbolic Architectures, Neural Dynamics, Recurrent Networks, Deep Learning. • Machine Learning: Neural Network Theory, Neural Network Models, Graphical Models, Bayesian Networks, Kernel Methods, Generative Models, Information Theoretic Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Relational Learning, Dynamical Models. • Neural Applications for: Intelligent Robotics, Neurorobotics, Language Processing, Image Processing, Sensor Fusion, Pattern Recognition, Data Mining, Neural Agents, Brain-Computer Interaction, Neural Hardware, Evolutionary Neural Networks. CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES - To bring together researchers from two worlds: Information Sciences and Neurosciences - To keep a wide scope, ranging from Machine Learning Algorithms to models of real nervous systems - To facilitate discussions and interactions in the effort towards developing more intelligent computational systems and increasing our understanding of neural and cognitive processes in the brain. - To help researchers to meet, mingle and network with colleagues from all over the world. - To be the meeting point between research and business. - To be a global interdisciplinary meeting encompassing Machine Learning and Neural Computation. - To help young researchers on the job market meet and mingle with potential labs and research groups in an informal setting. BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE - A solid cutting-edge scientific programme including talks from the world experts in the field of artificial neural networks. - A conference schedule tailored to encourage interaction between the attendees, with time for networking and discussion. - The publication of all accepted contributions in the peer-reviewed book of conference proceedings, in the Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series. - The opportunity to vote and to be considered for the best paper awards, presented during the final ceremony of ICANN. - A top-level conference in the field with a reasonable registration fee, thanks to the not-for-profit policy of the ENNS organisation. Students can apply for ENNS funded travel grants to attend. - An overly attractive conference location in the beautiful setting of the Sardinian coast, with social events to explore the area. http://www.alghero-turismo.it/en/ CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES Early registration fees have been kept particularly low for this kind of event because ENNS and ICANN aim at full implementation of the academic not-for-profit policy. Early registration fees: Undergraduate students (Bachelor and Master level): 100 EUR PhD Students: 240 EUR Regular delegates: 290 EUR ENNS members have a reduction of 40 EUR Students can apply for ENNS funded travel grants to attend (see the conference website for details). CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS All scientific communications presented at ICANN 2017 will be reviewed and scientifically evaluated by a panel of experts. The conference will feature three categories of communications: - oral communications (15'+5') - poster communications (on permanent display and 2 hours presentation) - demonstrations Authors willing to present original contributions for any category must submit a manuscript of maximum 8 pages length that will be refereed to international standards by at least three referees. Accepted papers of contributing authors will be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series. Selected papers will be invited after the conference for a full journal paper submission. Authors willing to present a contribution for oral communications and posters without submitting a full manuscript must submit a 1-page abstract that will also be refereed by at least three referees. The abstracts will be published all together in a proceedings section without an author index. In case of program constraints the priority will be given to original contributions accompanied by a full paper submission. CALL FOR WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL SESSIONS ICANN 2017 invites proposals for workshops and special sessions to be held as satellite events of the conference. For more information, please refer to the website and/or contact the general chair. BEST PAPER AWARDS ENNS will sponsor several best paper awards, in the Brain Inspired Computing track and in the Machine Learning research track. All awardees will be presented during the final ceremony. ORGANISATION General Chair: Alessandro E.P. Villa General Co-chairs: Alessandra Lintas, Věra Kůrková, Stefano Rovetta, Paul F.M.J. Verschure Local Co-chairs: Eugenio Lintas, Anna Mura Program and Workshop Committee: Cesare Alippi, Jérémie Cabessa, Barbara Hammer, Petia Koprinkova-Hristova, Jaako Peltonen, Antonio J. Pons, Yifat Prut, Stefano Rovetta, Igor V. Tetko, Paul F.M.J. Verschure, Alessandro E.P. Villa, Francisco Zamora-Martinéz Communications Chair: Paolo Masulli Organisation Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy University of Lausanne, Switzerland Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain European Neural Network Society, Switzerland

March 13, 2017

Postdoctoral Research Position in Comp-Neuro of Spatial Memory, Sheffield, UK

by Tony Prescott

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POST IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE We are seeking a post-doctoral research associate in computational neuroscience of episodic and spatial memory. This is a full-time post at the University of Sheffield Department of Psychology, the post will be located in Sheffield Robotics <http://www.sheffieldrobotics.ac.uk/>. The role will be to develop models of the mammalian hippocampal system as networks of rate-coded or spiking model neurons and to test these within a wider systems architecture controlling exploration and navigation in simulated or physical mobile robots. The post is supported by the European Union Flagship Human Brain Project <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en_GB> and within the sub-field of systems neuroscience and computational modelling. Though initially till the end of March 2018, it is expected that the position will be extended beyond that date. Applicants should hold a PhD equivalent in a numerate discipline and have experience of computational neuroscience modelling. For further information and to apply go to http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs and enter the job code: UOS015616, deadline is the 11th of April. Feel free to contact me directly for informal enquiries. Regards, Tony Prescott p.s. apologies for cross-posting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tony J Prescott <http://www.shef.ac.uk/psychology/staff/academic/tony-prescott>, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Sheffield Director of Sheffield Robotics <http://www.sheffieldrobotics.ac.uk/>; Editor-in-Chief, Connection Science <http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ccos20> mail: t.j.prescott(a)sheffield.ac.uk, twitter: tonyjprescott <https://twitter.com/tonyjprescott?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7C…> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 12, 2017

Frontiers in Serotonin Research Symposium

by Wong-Lin, Kongfatt

We are very pleased to announce an upcoming neuroscience symposium titled Frontiers in Serotonin Research – Crossing Scales and Boundaries. The symposium will be held in Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, on the 28th and 29th June this year. Serotonin is an important chemical in the brain. It modulates neuronal and neuronal circuit activities and regulates mood, cognition and behavior. Dysfunctions of the serotonergic system are associated with various brain disorders. Recent research using advanced technologies have revealed additional levels of heterogeneity and complexity in the serotonergic system, hence presenting new challenges to research and therapy. This symposium aims to bring together experimental and computational researchers that work across different scales of the serotonergic system to address these challenges. Confirmed speakers include Trevor Sharp (University of Oxford,UK), Minmin Luo (NIBS, China), Francesc Aartigas (IDIBAPS, Spain), Kae Nakamura (Kansai Medical University,Japan), Yousheng Shu (BNU, China), Katsuhiko Miyazaki (OIST, Japan), Xuechu Zhen (Soochow University,China), Giuseppe Di Giovanni (University of Malta; University of Cardiff), and Albert Compte (IDIBAPS, Spain). If you are interested in attending the symposium or have any enquiry, please contact Prof. Da-Hui Wang (wangdh(a)bnu.edu.cn<mailto:wangdh@bnu.edu.cn>). Best, Prof. Da-Hui Wang (Beijing Normal University, China) and Dr. KongFatt Wong-Lin (Ulster University, UK) ------------------ Further information: Beijing is the capital of China, and has a long history with many attractions. The latter include the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall, etc. (e.g. see http://www.china.org.cn/travel/beijingguide/node_7044548.htm) The weather in Beijing toward the end of June can be warm and has an average high temperature of about 30 °C. Beijing Normal University (BNU) is one of the top universities in China (http://english.bnu.edu.cn/about_bnu/general_information/index.htm) Its faculty and staff conduct highly competitive research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning (http://brain.bnu.edu.cn/en/Home/) at BNU consists of leading laboratories on cognitive neuroscience research in China. The School of Systems Science at BNU is another prominent research institute which focuses on the science and applications of complexity, which includes neural systems, complex networks, socioeconomic system and multi agent systems. The most convenient way to travel from Beijing Capital International Airport to Beijing Normal University campus is by taxi. The taxi fare is about 100 RMB one way, and the journey takes about 40 minutes. There is a hotel named Jing Shi Da Sha located on campus (http://www.ciae.bnu.edu.cn/english/index.html) This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information which is covered by legal, professional or other privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager at postmaster(a)ulster.ac.uk and delete this email immediately. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ulster University. The University's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried out on them may be recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Ulster University does not guarantee that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or 100% secure. Unless expressly stated in the body of a separate attachment, the text of email is not intended to form a binding contract. Correspondence to and from the University may be subject to requests for disclosure by 3rd parties under relevant legislation. The Ulster University was founded by Royal Charter in 1984 and is registered with company number RC000726 and VAT registered number GB672390524.The primary contact address for Ulster University in Northern Ireland is Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA

March 12, 2017

Workshop on Brain Dynamics and Neurocontrol Engineering, (St. Louis, USA) June 26-27, 2017

by ShiNung Ching

Workshop on Brain Dynamics and Neurocontrol Engineering, (St. Louis, USA) June 26-27, 2017 We are pleased to invite participants to the Workshop on Brain Dynamics and Neurocontrol Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO, USA), to be held this summer (June 26-27, 2017). ** Travel awards (including meals, housing) are available for students, postdocs and junior faculty. ** The goal of this workshop is to provide a focused forum for the discussion of research synergy between the dynamical systems, control and neuroscience communities. An emphasis will be placed on bringing together experts from each of these domain areas, in an effort to discuss current formulations and future challenges. Topics include: Inferring dynamics in neural circuits, Linking control-theoretic analysis of neural circuits to function, and Optimizing extrinsic manipulation of neural activity. For full information, including speaker list, award and registration details, please visit: http://sites.wustl.edu/brain Please direct questions to: braindynamics(a)wustl.edu

March 9, 2017

Call for Papers Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology

by Reinoud Maex

Call for Papers Special issue of the Journal of Integrative Neuroscience http://www.iospress.nl/journal/journal-of-integrative-neuroscience on Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology Guest Editors: R.J. Martis, H. Lin, E. Barakova and Y. Zeng Brain-inspired intelligence technology aims to showcase the principles and mechanisms of human intelligence through development of brain-inspired intelligent systems. It is an effort to extract, integrate and analyse these principles and mechanisms across scale from quantum neuroscience to cognitive science research in pioneering the next wave of sentient technologies. The special issue is unprecedented, showcasing brain-inspired technology beyond 2020. Deadline for submission:25 November 2017 How to Submit: Authors are requested to submit their manuscript via the submission system available at http://msTracker.com/submit1.php?jc=jin In the “Cover Letter” box please indicate you are submitting your paper to the special issue on Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology Topics of relevance include: * Biophysical neural networks * Brain-inspired cognitive models * Wetware design * Neurophotonics * Elemental conscious constructs * Quantum entanglement in agents * Cognitive technology supporting brain-inspired intelligence * Brain connectome based on optical nanoscopy technology * Observer-independent intelligence * Pico-scale resolution patch-clamping * Brain-inspired super and general artificial intelligence * New deep neural networks for brain-inspired learning * Brain-inspired intelligent hardware infrastructures * Cognitive neurorobotics For more information contact: Yi Zeng, Ph.D Deputy Director Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence Institute of Automation Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China, 100190 Email: yi.zeng(a)ia.ac.cn

March 9, 2017

Postdoctoral research associate in machine learning (curiosity-based learning, probabilistic theories of deep learning)

by Răzvan Valentin Florian

March 9, 2017

postdoc position in computational neuroscience/brain physics in Oslo Norway

by Gaute Einevoll

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Computational Neuroscience/Brain Physics in Oslo, Norway Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position in computational neuroscience/brain physics at the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo. The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway as part of the FRINATEK project "COmputing BRAin signals (COBRA): Biophysical computations of electrical and magnetic brain signals". The position is for 2 years and expected start date is in the Spring/Summer of 2017. Job/project description: The successful candidate will develop and apply physics-based computational methods to model electrical and magnetic brain signals measured inside (local field potential; LFP) and outside (EEG, MEG) cortex. For a review of this biophysical modeling approach, see Einevoll et al., Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2013. In COBRA this modeling work will be compared with corresponding in-house experimental recordings from mouse visual cortex done in the laboratory of Marianne Fyhn at Department of Biosciences at UiO. The project thus also involves the development of a network model for mouse visual cortex. The candidate will work in the cross-disciplinary environment CINPLA (cinpla.org) a research center set up by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Presently, CINPLA includes about twenty biologists, physicists, and computer scientists co-localised in the building of Department of Biosciences at UiO. The candidate will develop and use state-of-the-art computer simulation packages and national supercomputer resources. Requirements: Applicants must hold a master's degree in physics and have a PhD in either computational neuroscience or theoretical physics with a significant computational component. The candidate must have demonstrated strong skills in developing codes for scientific computing. Previous experience in neuroscience is considered advantageous, but not required. For more information, including on how to apply, see: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/135223/postdoctoral-research… Deadline for application: April 2nd 2017 For questions, please contact professor Gaute T. Einevoll, gaute.einevoll(a)fys.uio.no. ********************************************** Gaute T. Einevoll Faculty of Science and Technology Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Aas, Norway; Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Ph. +47-64965433, Mobile: +47-95124536 email: Gaute.Einevoll(a)nmbu.no, web: compneuro.nmbu.no, cinpla.org

March 7, 2017