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Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA)
SMITHSONIAN OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH AND STUDY 2020 Office of Fellowships and Internships Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC The Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study Guide Can be Found Online at http://www.smithsonianofi.com/sors-introduction/ Version 2.0 (Updated January 2020) Copyright © 2020 by Smithsonian Institution Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 How to Use This Book .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Anacostia Community Museum (ACM) ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 Archives of American Art (AAA) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (CFCH) ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Cooper-Hewitt, -
(Title of the Thesis)*
THE OPTIMALITY OF DECISION MAKING DURING MOTOR LEARNING by Joshua Brent Moskowitz A thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario, Canada (June, 2016) Copyright ©Joshua B. Moskowitz, 2016 Abstract In our daily lives, we often must predict how well we are going to perform in the future based on an evaluation of our current performance and an assessment of how much we will improve with practice. Such predictions can be used to decide whether to invest our time and energy in learning and, if we opt to invest, what rewards we may gain. This thesis investigated whether people are capable of tracking their own learning (i.e. current and future motor ability) and exploiting that information to make decisions related to task reward. In experiment one, participants performed a target aiming task under a visuomotor rotation such that they initially missed the target but gradually improved. After briefly practicing the task, they were asked to selected rewards for hits and misses applied to subsequent performance in the task, where selecting a higher reward for hits came at a cost of receiving a lower reward for misses. We found that participants made decisions that were in the direction of optimal and therefore demonstrated knowledge of future task performance. In experiment two, participants learned a novel target aiming task in which they were rewarded for target hits. Every five trials, they could choose a target size which varied inversely with reward value. Although participants’ decisions deviated from optimal, a model suggested that they took into account both past performance, and predicted future performance, when making their decisions. -
Arxiv:1709.05353V1 [Astro-Ph.IM] 15 Sep 2017
Draft version September 19, 2017 Typeset using LATEX twocolumn style in AASTeX61 THE DEDICATED MONITOR OF EXOTRANSITS AND TRANSIENTS (DEMONEXT): SYSTEM OVERVIEW AND YEAR ONE RESULTS FROM A LOW-COST ROBOTIC TELESCOPE FOR FOLLOW-UP OF EXOPLANETARY TRANSITS AND TRANSIENTS Steven Villanueva Jr.,1 B. Scott Gaudi,1 Richard W. Pogge,1, 2 Jason D. Eastman,3 Keivan G. Stassun,4 Mark Trueblood,5 and Patricia Trueblood5 1Department of Astronomy, The Ohio State University, 140 West 18th Av., Columbus, OH 43210, USA 2Department of Astronomy and Center for Cosmology & Astro-Particle Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 3Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA 4Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, 6301 Stevenson Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA 5Winer Observatory, P.O. Box 797, Sonoita, Arizona 85637-0797, USA Submitted to the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific ABSTRACT We report on the design and first year of operations of the DEdicated MONitor of EXotransits and Transients (DEMONEXT). DEMONEXT is a 20 inch (0.5-m) robotic telescope using a PlaneWave CDK20 telescope on a Mathis instruments MI-750/1000 fork mount. DEMONEXT is equipped with a 2048 × 2048 pixel Finger Lakes Instruments (FLI) detector, a 10-position filter wheel with an electronic focuser and B, V , R, I, g0, r0, i0, z0, and clear filters. DEMONEXT operates in a continuous observing mode and achieves 2{4 mmag raw, unbinned, precision on bright V < 13 targets with 20{120 second exposures, and 1 mmag precision achieved by binning on 5{6 minute timescales. -
Flexible Corticospinal Control of Muscles
Flexible Corticospinal Control of Muscles Najja J. Marshall Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy under the Executive Committee of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2021 © 2021 Najja J. Marshall All Rights Reserved Abstract Flexible Corticospinal Control of Muscles Najja J. Marshall The exceptional abilities of top-tier athletes – from Simone Biles’ dizzying gymnastics to LeBron James’ gravity-defying bounds – can easily lead one to forget to marvel at the exceptional breadth of everyday movements. Whether holding a cup of coffee, reaching out to grab a falling object, or cycling at a quick clip, every motor action requires activating multiple muscles with the appropriate intensity and timing to move each limb or counteract the weight of an object. These actions are planned and executed by the motor cortex, which transmits its intentions to motoneurons in the spinal cord, which ultimately drive muscle contractions. A central problem in neuroscience is precisely how neural activity in cortex and the spinal cord gives rise to this diverse range of behaviors. At the level of spinal cord, this problem is considered to be well understood. A foundational tenet in motor control asserts that motoneurons are controlled by a single input to which they respond in a reliable and predictable manner to drive muscle activity, akin to the way that depressing a gas pedal by the same degree accelerates a car to a predictable speed. Theories of how motor cortex flexibly generates different behaviors are less firmly developed, but the available evidence indicates that cortical neurons are coordinated in a similarly simplistic, well-preserved manner. -
Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, Volume LXXIX: Cognition
This is a free sample of content from Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, Volume LXXIX: Cognition. Click here for more information on how to buy the book. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY VOLUME LXXIX Cognition symposium.cshlp.org Symposium organizers and Proceedings editors: Cori Bargmann (The Rockefeller University), Daphne Bavelier (University of Geneva, Switzerland, and University of Rochester), Terrence Sejnowski (The Salk Institute for Biological Studies), and David Stewart and Bruce Stillman (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY PRESS 2014 © 2014 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. All rights reserved. This is a free sample of content from Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, Volume LXXIX: Cognition. Click here for more information on how to buy the book. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY VOLUME LXXIX # 2014 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press International Standard Book Number 978-1-621821-26-7 (cloth) International Standard Book Number 978-1-621821-27-4 (paper) International Standard Serial Number 0091-7451 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 34-8174 Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY Founded in 1933 by REGINALD G. HARRIS Director of the Biological Laboratory 1924 to 1936 Previous Symposia Volumes I (1933) Surface Phenomena XXXIX (1974) Tumor Viruses II (1934) Aspects of Growth XL (1975) The Synapse III (1935) Photochemical Reactions XLI (1976) Origins -
Toolmaking and the Origin of Normative Cognition
Preprint, 14 April 2020 Toolmaking and the Origin of Normative Cognition Jonathan Birch Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, UK. [email protected] http://personal.lse.ac.uk/birchj1 11,947 words 1 Abstract: We are all guided by thousands of norms, but how did our capacity for normative cognition evolve? I propose there is a deep but neglected link between normative cognition and practical skill. In modern humans, complex motor skills and craft skills, such as skills related to toolmaking and tool use, are guided by internally represented norms of correct performance. Moreover, it is plausible that core components of human normative cognition evolved in response to the distinctive demands of transmitting complex motor skills and craft skills, especially skills related to toolmaking and tool use, through social learning. If this is correct, the expansion of the normative domain beyond technique to encompass more abstract norms of reciprocity, ritual, kinship and fairness involved the elaboration of a basic platform for the guidance of skilled action by technical norms. This article motivates and defends this “skill hypothesis” for the origin of normative cognition and sets out various ways in which it could be empirically tested. Key words: normative cognition, skill, cognitive control, norms, evolution 2 1. The Skill Hypothesis We are all guided by thousands of norms, often without being able to articulate the norms in question. A “norm”, as I will use the term here, is just any standard of correct or appropriate behaviour. -
Wellcome Investigators March 2011
Wellcome Trust Investigator Awards Feedback from Expert Review Group members 28 March 2011 1 Roughly 7 months between application and final outcome The Expert Review Groups 1. Cell and Developmental Biology 2. Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (Zaf Bashir) 3. Cognitive Neuroscience and Mental Health 4. Genetics, Genomics and Population Research (George Davey Smith) 5. Immune Systems in Health and Disease (David Wraith) 6. Molecular Basis of Cell Function 7. Pathogen Biology and Disease Transmission 8. Physiology in Health and Disease (Paul Martin) 9. Population and Public Health (Rona Campbell) 2 Summary Feedback from ERG Panels • The bar is very high across all nine panels • Track record led - CV must demonstrate a substantial impact of your research (e.g. high impact journals, record of ground breaking research, clear upward trajectory etc) To paraphrase Walport ‘to support scientists with the best track records, obviously appropriate to the stage in their career’ • Notable esteem factors (but note ‘several FRSs were not shortlisted’) • Your novelty of your research vision is CRUCIAL. Don’t just carry on doing more of the same • The Trust is not averse to risk (but what about ERG panel members?) • Success rate for short-listing for interview is ~15-25% at Senior Investigator level (3-5 proposals shortlisted from each ERG) • Fewer New Investigator than Senior Investigator applications – an opportunity? • There are fewer applications overall for the second round, but ‘the bar will not be lowered’ The Challenge UoB has roughly 45 existing -
Fet Research Newsletter
Faculty of Engineering and Technology November 2019 FET RESEARCH NEWSLETTER EXTERNAL RESEARCH GRANTS SECURED (THRESHOLD: £10K) ARI Dr. Owen McAree. EPSRC GCRF Global Research £460k allocated to LJMU, ‘Probing the Cosmological Translation Awards, October 2019 – March 2021. Universe with Lensing, CMB and 21cm Data, Dr. BEST . STFC Ernest Rutherford Joachim Harnois-Deraps US $600k allocated to LJMU, Development of non- Fellowship, 2020-2025. invasive diagnostic tool for lymphatic filariasis £575k allocated to LJMU, Using drones to protect microfilariae detection Dr. Patryk Kot (PI), Prof. Andy biodiversity and spur economic growth in Madagascar, Shaw and Dr. Magomed Muradov. FET as Co-I in a Prof. Steve Longmore (PI), Dr. Paul Fergus, Dr. Carl total grant $1.3m, led by Liverpool School of Tropical Chalmers, Dr. Fred Bezombes, Prof. Serge Wich and Medicine. Gates Foundation, 2019-2022. AWARDS/PRIZES/KEYNOTE ADDRESSES (AT RECOGNISED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES) (APM/PROTECT) Prof. Paulo Lisboa (APM) and Dr. Nanotechnology”. Dr. Kolivand also delivered a keynote Hoshang Kolivand (PROTECT) both delivered speech at International Conference on Engineering keynote presentations at the Developments in eSystems Technology & Applied Sciences entitled “Current and Engineering (DeSE) conference, Kazan, Russia, 7-10 Future of New Immersive Technology”, Dubai, October 2019. Prof. Lisboa’s address was titled “A September 18th -19th 2019 UAE, 2019. Machine Learning in Sports Analysis” and Dr. Kolivand’s (LOOM) Prof. Jin Wang delivered a keynote address presentation was titled “A Glimpse of Future Immersive “Risk-based decision making in design and operation of Technologies using Virtual and Augmented Reality”. large engineering systems under uncertainties” at the 11th (PROTECT) Dr. -
FAS 06 Winterr 83
Issue 83 Published by the Federation of Astronomical Societies ISSN 1361 - 4126 Winter 2006 PRESIDENT Callum Potter, The Cottage, Bredon’s Hardwick, Tewkesbury, Glos., GL20 7EE Tel: 01684 773256 E-mail: [email protected] TREASURER Peter Cooke, Haven Cottage, Frithville, Boston, Lincs, PE22 7DS Tel: 01205 750868 E-mail: [email protected] SECRETARY Sam George, 10 Dovedale Road, Perry Common, Birmingham. B23 5BG Tel: 0121 608 5161 E-mail [email protected] EDITOR Frank Johns, 38 Chester Road, Newquay, Cornwall. TR7 2RH Tel: 01637 878020 E-mail [email protected] Fax: 08700 558463 http://www.fedastro.org.uk ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FAS ANNUAL CONVENTION This year the Annual Convention of the Federation of Astronomi- cal Societies was held at The Birmingham and Midland Institute and five intrepid G-Astronomers wended their way up the A30 and M5 - via the newly agreed club watering hole, The Harris Arms at Portgate, Lewdown. This hostelry served it's purpose well. As indeed did the BMI, which comfortably housed the FAS Convention - except of course until one realised that this establishment predated air condi- tioning - or even, in the otherwise impressive auditorium, ventilation. Ishwara Chandra of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, The Tata Institute, India, gave a brief introduction to Radio Astron- omy, emphasising that deep sky radio images are weak and amount to the arrival of a mere 1 mJ in 100 years. Modern long baseline interfer- ometric techniques, however, result in better resolution than conven- tional optical methods. The GMRT (Giant Metrewave Radio Tele- scope) instrument, a 30m x 45 antenna array at Khodad, India, oper- ates in the 150 - 610 MHz waveband range and has embarked on measurements intended to discover the amount of Hydrogen in the early Universe. -
Why Dream? a Conjecture on Dreaming
Why dream? A Conjecture on Dreaming Marshall Stoneham London Centre for Nanotechnology University College London Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK PACS classifications: 87.19.-j Properties of higher organisms; 87.19.L- Neuroscience; 87.18.-h Biological complexity Abstract I propose that the need for sleep and the occurrence of dreams are intimately linked to the physical processes underlying the continuing replacement of cells and renewal of biomolecules during the lives of higher organisms. Since one major function of our brains is to enable us to react to attack, there must be truly compelling reasons for us to take them off-line for extended periods, as during sleep. I suggest that most replacements occur during sleep. Dreams are suggested as part of the means by which the new neural circuitry (I use the word in an informal sense) is checked. 1. Introduction Sleep is a remarkably universal phenomenon among higher organisms. Indeed, many of them would die without sleep. Whereas hibernation, a distinct phenomenon, is readily understood in terms of energy balance, the reasons for sleep and for associated dreaming are by no means fully established. Indeed, some of the standard ideas are arguably implausible [1]. This present note describes a conjecture as to the role of dreaming. The ideas, in turn, point to a further conjecture about the need for sleep. I have tried to avoid any controversial assumptions. All I assume about the brain is that it comprises a complex and (at least partly) integrated network of components, and has several functions, including the obvious ones of control of motion, analysis of signals from sensors, computing (in the broadest sense), memory, and possibly other functions. -
OCS: a Flexible Observatory Control System for Robotic Telescopes with Application to Detection and Characterization of Orbital Debris
First Int'l. Orbital Debris Conf. (2019) 6066.pdf OCS: A Flexible Observatory Control System for Robotic Telescopes with Application to Detection and Characterization of Orbital Debris Paul Hickson(1;2) (1) Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada, [email protected] (2) Euclid Research Corp., 37 - 20800 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 1E9, Canada ABSTRACT OCS (Observatory Control System) is a software package for remote and autonomous telescope control, optical detection and tracking of orbital debris, and data analysis. It supports a wide range of hardware and is highly configurable. It is capable of tracking objects in orbits ranging from low-Earth orbit (LEO) geosynchronous orbit (GEO), while simultaneously acquiring images. The software was developed specifically for NASA’s MCAT facility on Ascension Island, where it is currently in use, but could have wider application to other observatories. Observations are conducted automatically, with the telescope observing a list of targets prepared and uploaded by the user. Observing conditions for each target, such as maximum airmass, solar phase angle, illumination, time of observation, tracking rates, exposure parameters, etc. can be specified. OCS observes the targets automatically as they become accessible to the telescope. It can estimate cloud cover by analyzing images from an infrared camera viewing the same field of view as the telescope. This allows it to suspend exposures when clouds enter the field. Observatory systems and weather sensors are monitored and the dome is closed automatically if weather conditions exceed specified limits, or if there is any malfunction of critical systems. -
Program Book
2 16 HBM GENEVA 22ND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING PROGRAM June 26-30, 2016 Palexpo Exhibition and Congress Centre | Geneva, Switzerland Simultaneous Multi-Slice Accelerate advanced neuro applications for clinical routine siemens.com/sms Simultaneous Multi-Slice is a paradigm shift in MRI Simulataneous Multi-Slice helps you to: acquisition – helping to drastically cut neuro DWI 1 scan times, and improving temporal resolution for ◾ reduce imaging time for diffusion MRI by up to 68% BOLD fMRI significantly. ◾ bring advanced DTI and BOLD into clinical routine ◾ push the limits in brain imaging research with 1 MAGNETOM Prisma, Head/Neck 64 acceleration factors up to 81 2 3654_MR_Ads_SMS_7,5x10_Zoll_DD.indd 1 24.03.16 09:45 WELCOME We would like to personally welcome each of you to the 22nd Annual Meeting TABLE OF CONTENTS of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping! The world of neuroimaging technology is more exciting today than ever before, and we’ll continue our Welcome Remarks . .3 tradition of bringing inspiration to you through the exceptional scientific sessions, General Information ..................6 poster presentations and networking forums that ensure you remain at the Registration, Exhibit Hours, Social Events, cutting edge. Speaker Ready Room, Hackathon Room, Evaluations, Mobile App, CME Credits, etc. Here is but a glimpse of what you can expect and what we hope to achieve over Daily Schedule ......................10 the next few days. Sunday, June 26: • Talairach Lecture presenter Daniel Wolpert, Univ. Cambridge UK, who Educational Courses Full Day:........10 will share his work on how humans learn to make skilled movements MR Diffusion Imaging: From the Basics covering probabilistic models of learning, the role and content in activating to Advanced Applications ............10 motor memories and the intimate interaction between decision making and Anatomy and Its Impact on Structural and Functional Imaging ..................11 sensorimotor control.