Reservoir computing (RC) is a recent paradigm in the field of recurrent neural networks. Networks in RC have a sparsely and randomly connected fixed hidden layer, and only output connections are trained. RC networks have recently received increased attention as a mathematical model for generic neural microcircuits to investigate and explain computations in neocortical columns. Applied to specific tasks, their fixed random connectivity, however, leads to significant variation in performance. Few problem-specific optimization procedures are known, which would be important for engineering applications, but also in order to understand how networks in biology are shaped to be optimally adapted to requirements of their environment. We study a general network initialization method using permutation matrices and derive a new unsupervised learning rule based on intrinsic plasticity (IP). The IP-based learning uses only local learning, and its aim is to improve network performance in a self-organized way. Using three different benchmarks, we show that networks with permutation matrices for the reservoir connectivity have much more persistent memory than the other methods but are also able to perform highly nonlinear mappings. We also show that IP-based on sigmoid transfer functions is limited concerning the output distributions that can be achieved.

neurophysiology, optimisation, physiological models, recurrent neural nets, unsupervised learning, reservoir computing, echo state networks

The doctoral student will work in the framework of European and Swiss
projects related to the development of noninvasive brain-actuated
devices in areas ranging from communication to neuroprostheses, and from
interaction to rehabilitation. Projects aim at developing practical BCI
technology, but will also investigate basic questions such as online
adaptation, cognitive processes, multimodal signal fusion, and
brain-robot interaction.

Interested candidates should apply through the Idiap online recruitment
system http://jobs.idiap.ch and send the requested material.

Technorati Tags: job, phd, positions, robotics, brain-computer interfaces, bci, europe

Also in Italy, there is the Bertinoro International Summer School of Natural Computation – BNC 2008. It is to be held at the University Residential Center – Bertinoro (Forlì-Cesena), Italy, September 20-27, 2008. See the webpage at http://www.dmi.unict.it/~bnc/index.html for details.

Finally, in Porto, there is NN2008, the 2008 summer school on neural networks in classification, regression and data mining. July 7-11, Porto, Portugal. http://www.nn.isep.ipp.pt.

Technorati Tags: summer school, italy, portugal, neural networks, genomics, call for participation

Submissions connected to the following non-exhaustive list of topics are particularly encouraged:

• new learning paradigms of RNNs such as unsupervised learning or reservoire learning
• biologically plausible methods
• integration of RNNs and symbolic reasoning
• universal approaches for general data structures such as sets or graphs
• methods which address the generalization ability of RNNs
• challenging applications which have the potential to be benchmark problems
• visionary papers concerning the future of RNNs

Deadline for submissions is 18th of July, 2008.

Technorati Tags: neural networks, rnn, journal, cfp, special issue, recurrent neural networks