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Neuron Digest Volume 09 Number 01
Neuron Digest Thursday, 9 Jan 1992 Volume 9 : Issue 1
Today's Topics:
Administrivia - Welcome to 1992 and Neuron Digest
NIMH Program Announcement
Send submissions, questions, address maintenance, and requests for old
issues to "neuron-request@cattell.psych.upenn.edu". The ftp archives are
available from cattell.psych.upenn.edu (128.91.2.173). Back issues
requested by mail will eventually be sent, but may take a while.
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Subject: Administrivia - Welcome to 1992 and Neuron Digest
From: "N-D Moderator, Peter Marvit" <neuron@cattell.psych.upenn.edu>
Date: Thu, 09 Jan 92 14:35:08 -0500
The new year begins a new volume of Neuron Digest and a small
celebration. Neuron Digest started in mid-December 1986 by Mike Gately of
Texas Instruments. Over five years later, it has grown to an international
mailing list with over 1300 subscriber addresses (many of which are
redistribution points). In addition, Neuron Digest is gatewayed to the
USENET news group comp.ai.neural-nets which has an estimated 45,000
readers. The success of the Digest would not be possible without the
support of *you* - the reader.
As always, welcome to new readers and welcome back to the old faithful.
Electronic mail is still a bit anarchistic and subject to wily problems.
Since Digests are sent out approximately weekly, please contact me if you
hear nothing for a while; there may be mailer troubles. Due to the large
number of subscribers (and more demands on my time), I will also be
harsher with bounced messages. In general, I will remove offending
addresses without notice if I start receiving bounced messages. Frequent
problems include subscriber disk quotas filled, incorrect forwarding
information, changes in host names, UUCP routing problems, and so on. In
the past, I've tried to contact local postmasters or subscribers to
resolve problems; I will be less willing to do so in the future due to
the sheer volume of mail.
So, *please* let me know if you have a change of address, if you wish
to unsubscribe, if your account will go away, etc.
Submissions to the Digest are always welcome. Comments about current
events, papers, conferences, or the Digest itself are also welcome. If
you wish to correspond with me directly, just mark your message "do not
publish or redistribute."
My editorial policy for the Digest is quite liberal. I generally will not
correct spelling, grammar, or punctuation (even my own, sometimes!). I
will reject all resumes (i.e.,"looking for a job") and long blatant
commercial announcements. However, short (less than 20 lines)
announcements of new products will be considered. Other controversial
topics will be on a case by case basis; I generally publish articles with
editorial comments. When in doubt, send it in.
This year, I will continue to make each issue of the Digest of a
particular theme (all "discussion", all paper announcments, all
conferences, etc.). Occaisionally, they will be mixed. As a new feature,
I will try putting some indication of the general theme in the subject
line of the message. If this is helpful, please let me know.
I've appended the now familiar "welcome blurb" just to remind readers of
the charter of this Digest. I look forward to a full and exciting 1992.
Peter
: Peter Marvit, Neuron Digest Moderator
: Courtesy of Psychology Department, University of Pennsylvania
: neuron-request@cattell.psych.upenn.edu
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ARPA: NEURON@cattell.psych.upenn.edu
Neuron-Digest is a list (in digest form) dealing with all aspects of neural
networks (and any type of network or neuromorphic system), especially:
NATURAL SYSTEMS Software Simulations
Neurobiology Hardware
Neuroscience Digital
ARTIFICIAL SYSTEMS Analog
Neural Networks Optical
Algorithms Cellular Automatons
Some key words which may stir up some further interest include:
Hebbian Systems Widrow-Hoff Algorithm
Perceptron Threshold Logic
Holography Content Addressable Memories
Lyapunov Stability Criterion Navier-Stokes Equation
Annealing Spin Glasses
Locally Couples Systems Globally Coupled Systems
Dynamical Systems (Adaptive) Control Theory
Back-Propagation Generalized Delta Rule
Pattern Recognition Vision Systems
Parallel Distributed Processing Connectionism
Any contribution in these areas is accepted. Any of the following are
reasonable:
Abstracts Reviews
Lab Descriptions Research Overviews
Work Planned or in Progress Half-Baked Ideas
Conference Announcements Conference Reports
Bibliographies History Connectionism
Puzzles and Unsolved Problems Anecdotes, Jokes, and Poems
Queries and Requests Address Changes (Bindings)
Archived files/messages will be available with anonymous ftp from the
machine cattell.psych.upenn.edu (128.91.2.173) in the directory
pub/Neuron-Digest. That directory contains back issues with the names
vol-nn-no-mm (e.g., vol-3-no-02). I'm also collecting simulation
software in pub/Neuron-Software. Contributions are welcome.
All requests to be added to or deleted from this list, problems,
questions, etc., should be sent to neuron-request@cattell.psych.upenn.edu.
Moderator: Peter Marvit <marvit@cattell.psych.upenn.edu>
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Subject: NIMH Program Announcement
From: "Dennis L. Glanzman" <NGG@CU.NIH.GOV>
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 91 10:40:11 -0500
The following text is from the Program Announcement for the
Mathematical/Computational/Theoretical Neuroscience Program
at the National Institute of Mental Health. Would you, please,
post it on The Neuron Digest.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE, AND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
(NIMH)
and
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL AND COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS
AND STROKE
(NINCDS)
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
MATHEMATICAL/COMPUTATIONAL/THEORETICAL NEUROSCIENCE
These programs are described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Nos. 13.242(NIMH) and 13.853(NINCDS). Research grants will be awarded by
NIMH under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Section 301
(codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. Section 241) and administered under PHS
grant policies and Federal regulations 42 CFR Part 52. Research grants will
be awarded by NINCDS under the authority of the Public Health Service Act,
Section 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 214) and administered
under PHS grant policies and Federal regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR
Part 74.
September 1988
INTRODUCTION
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute of
Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) invite research
grant applications for studies using mathematical, computational, or
theoretical approaches to understanding the fundamental biological
mechanisms underlying behavior. The purpose of this program is to place
additional emphasis on the use of quantitative tools in solving basic
problems in the neurosciences.
BACKGROUND
Basic neuroscience research has produced abundant evidence that the nervous
system is a complex organ that cannot be viewed simply as a digital machine
nor easily understood from a reductionist perspective. It is now estimated
that there are 100 billion generally active neurons in the human brain;
thousands of synapses per neuron; hundreds of active chemicals; and an
infinite number of ways these elements can interact to produce specific
behaviors. Further, information processing in the nervous system is based
on a massively parallel structure employing, as the basic processing units,
neuron, whose activity exhibits significant random or chaotic components.
To understand how these neurons control behavior, neuroscientists have
developed a broad set of techniques that are producing ever increasing
amounts of data from the nervous system, in the context of ongoing behavior.
A few of these methods are multiple electrode array recordings, voltage
dependent dyes, electrochemical voltammetry, single photon emission
tomography, real-time enhanced contrast video microscopy, and magneto-
encephalography.
The quantitative tools for analyzing and modeling such complex data are now
being developed by mathematicians, physicists, engineers, neural modelers,
and systems theorists. Grant applications are encouraged for research
projects which combine these mathematical and computational tools with
neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, or neurochemical techniques in order to
decipher the mechanisms which underlie specific neuronal and behavioral
systems.
RESEARCH GOALS
Applications are requested to develop and/or apply quantitative analytic and
simulation techniques to physiological and neurochemical data to elucidate
the basic mechanisms of information processing in the nervous system. The
proposed research can study any neural system, including in vitro,
invertebrate, non-human vertebrate, and human, and may apply any
appropriately adapted quantitative approach including, but not limited to,
nonlinear analysis, models based on massively parallel organizations,
statistics, and information theory. Work should be based on experimental
data and be aimed at uncovering fundamental knowledge about neural
mechanisms, with the ultimate aim of understanding human information
processing. Purely theoretical approaches or analyses will be considered if
relevance to neurobiology is clear.
Applications which facilitate independent verification and validation of
computations and interpretations are encouraged. The application must state
whether detailed methods, including computer source code (for noncommercial
scholarly use and reserving proprietary rights) will be made available to
other scholars.
The following are examples of research topics (not all inclusive) that would
be of interest:
o Self organizing neural systems in perception and behavior:
nonlinear dynamics
o Neural encoding of pictures: information theory analysis
o Nonlinear systems analysis of the functional properties of the
hippocampus
o Mathematical approaches to modeling nonstationary processes
o Periodicity and chaos in neuronal control systems
o Models of oscillatory behavior in neuronal cell cultures and
simple nervous systems
o Nonequilibrium behavior of brain enzyme and receptor systems
o Analyses of information processing revealed by voltage sensitive
dyes
o Development of columnar organization in cerebral cortex -
computational models and comparison to neurophysiology
o Choice: principles of behavior selection in model systems
o Principal component analysis of neuronal temporal patterns during
discriminatory behavior
o Analysis of cyclic behavior in affective disorders and
schizophrenia
o Calculating the information content of temporally modulated spike
trains - relating neuronal activity to the environment
o Stochastic processes in neural structures that represent spatial
location
Applications are also requested for career development awards and to
establish individual or institutional training programs in which the role of
quantitative methods in mental health related and neurological research is
stressed. Training programs that bring together the neurosciences with
mathematics and physics are particularly encouraged. For further
information contact program staff listed at the end of this announcement.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications may be submitted by public or private nonprofit organizations
such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State or
local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Women
and minority investigators are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
All applicants should use form PHS 398 (Rev. 9-86). Application kits are
available in university grants offices, or from the Grants Operations
Section, NIMH, Room 7C-05, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville,
Maryland 20857, or from the Division of Research Grants, National Institutes
of Health, 5333 Westbard Avenue., Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Instructions
for applicants are included in the kit.
The signed original and six (6) copies should be sent directly to the
Division of Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, 5333 Westbard
Avenue., Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
APPLICATION RECEIPT AND REVIEW SCHEDULE
Application submission should follow the PHS review and award schedule as
published in the Instruction for Grant Application Form PHS 398.
Dates for the submission of new applications and review cycles are as
follows:
Receipt IRG Review by Earliest
Dates Review Advisory Council Award Dates
February 1 May/June September/October December 1
June 1 October/November January/February April 1
October 1 February/March May/June July 1
Applications received after the above receipt dates are subject to
assignment to the next review cycle or may be returned to the applicant.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants for research support will be responsible for submitting an
original grant application form PHS 398 (Rev. 9/86) and six (6) legible
copies. State and local government agencies should use form PHS 5161 (Rev.
3.86). Applicants for individual NRSAs must use and follow the instructions
accompanying the form PHS 398; applicants for institutional NRSAs must use
and follow the instructions accompanying the form PHS 6025-1. The response
to item 2 on the face page of the application should be "yes", and the title
"Mathematical/Computational/Theoretical Neuroscience" should be inserted.
REVIEW PROCESS
Applications will be assigned according to the guidelines of the Division of
Research Grants and therefore some applications under this announcement may
be assigned to other than the sponsoring Institutes. All applications will
be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by an initial review group
(IRG), composed primarily of non-Federal scientific experts, and by the
appropriate National Advisory Council. By law, only projects recommended
for approval by the Council may be considered for funding. Summaries of IRG
recommendations are sent to applicants as soon as possible after the meeting
of the IRG.
REVIEW CRITERIA
Criteria for scientific/technical merit review of research applications will
include the following:
o Significance and originality, from a scientific or
technical standpoint, of the goals of the proposed research
o Qualifications and experience of the principal
investigator and proposed staff
o Evidence of familiarity with relevant research literature
o Adequacy of the conceptual and theoretical framework for
the research
o Scientific merit of the research design, approaches, and
methodology
o Evidence of availability of research subjects or systems
appropriate to the goals of the project
o Adequacy of the data analysis plan
o Adequacy of the existing and proposed facilities and
resources
o Appropriateness of the budget, staffing plan, and time
frame to complete the project
o Adequacy of proposed procedures for protecting human and
animal subjects
Applications submitted in response to this announcement are not subject to
the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372, as
implemented through HHS regulations at 45 CFR Part 100, and are not subject
to Health Systems Agency review.
For review criteria for training programs or other funding mechanisms,
including small grant, career, FIRST, program project, neuroscience
workgroup (NIMH), and fellowship, please refer to specific announcements
which may be obtained through program staff listed at the end of this
announcement.
AWARD CRITERIA
In the decision to fund applications, the following will be considered:
o Quality of the proposed project as determined during the
review process
o Availability of funds
o Balance among research topics related to this
announcement
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUPPORT
Support may be requested for up to 5 years. Grant funds may be used only
for those expenses clearly related to and necessary to carry out research
projects and must be expended in conformance with the Public Health Service
Grants Policy Statement.*
In general, grant funds may be used for: (1) direct costs which are
necessary to carry out the research project, including salaries, consultant
fees, supplies and equipment, and essential travel; and actual indirect
costs to cover related overhead.
*PHS Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. GPO 020-00092-07 (rev.) January,
1987, available for $4.50 from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Additional information concerning this announcement may be obtained by
contacting:
Dennis L. Glanzman, Ph.D., Chief Mailing Address:
Mathematical/Computational/Theoretical
Neuroscience Program Room 11-102
Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Parklawn Buiding
Research Branch 5600 Fishers Lane
Division of Basic Brain and Rockville, MD 20857
and Behavioral Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
(301) 443-1576
Fax: (301)443-4822
BITNET: ngg@nihcu
INTERNET: ngg@cu.nih.gov
or
Herbert C. Lansdell, Ph.D. Mailing Address:
Head, Neuropsychology
Division of Fundamental Neurosciences Room 916, Federal Building
National Institute of Neurological 7550 Wisconsin Avenue
Disorders and Stroke Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5745
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End of Neuron Digest [Volume 9 Issue 1]
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