Nassim Taleb argues that an antifragile whole is best composed of fragile parts.
I knew and applied this concept implicitly before Nassim stated it explicitly. At any given time, I have many separate research projects. Each one of those individual projects seeks to answer a specific scientific question. The questions are so specific the projects become fragile. A small deviation (e.g., conceptual flaw, lost data, or a misinterpretation by a reviewer) leads to the "death" of a project.
However, the death of a single project strengthens the others. Through a rigorous post-mortem process, I find what does not work and apply that knowledge to the rest. A plethora of micro-failures, though painful at the time, creates an antifragile career.
February 25, 2013
February 22, 2013
Publication: Corticostriatal contributions to musical expectancy perception
I am proud to present my latest publication - "Corticostriatal contributions to musical expectancy perception." This is my first neuroimaging publication! Additionally, I am a rabid music fan, and it was a joy to study a topic that I have a strong personal interest in.
Abstract: This study investigates the functional neuroanatomy of harmonic music perception with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We presented short pieces of Western classical music to nonmusicians. The ending of each piece was systematically manipulated in the following four ways: Standard Cadence (expected resolution), Deceptive Cadence (moderate deviation from expectation), Modulated Cadence (strong deviation from expectation but remaining within the harmonic structure of Western tonal music), and Atonal Cadence (strongest deviation from expectation by leaving the harmonic structure of Western tonal music). Music compared with baseline broadly recruited regions of the bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Parametric regressors scaled to the degree of deviation from harmonic expectancy identified regions sensitive to expectancy violation. Areas within the BG were significantly modulated by expectancy violation, indicating a previously unappreciated role in harmonic processing. Expectancy violation also recruited bilateral cortical regions in the IFG and anterior STG, previously associated with syntactic processing in other domains. The posterior STG was not significantly modulated by expectancy. Granger causality mapping found functional connectivity between IFG, anterior STG, posterior STG, and the BG during music perception. Our results imply the IFG, anterior STG, and the BG are recruited for higher-order harmonic processing, whereas the posterior STG is recruited for basic pitch and melodic processing.
You can find out more here.
Abstract: This study investigates the functional neuroanatomy of harmonic music perception with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We presented short pieces of Western classical music to nonmusicians. The ending of each piece was systematically manipulated in the following four ways: Standard Cadence (expected resolution), Deceptive Cadence (moderate deviation from expectation), Modulated Cadence (strong deviation from expectation but remaining within the harmonic structure of Western tonal music), and Atonal Cadence (strongest deviation from expectation by leaving the harmonic structure of Western tonal music). Music compared with baseline broadly recruited regions of the bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Parametric regressors scaled to the degree of deviation from harmonic expectancy identified regions sensitive to expectancy violation. Areas within the BG were significantly modulated by expectancy violation, indicating a previously unappreciated role in harmonic processing. Expectancy violation also recruited bilateral cortical regions in the IFG and anterior STG, previously associated with syntactic processing in other domains. The posterior STG was not significantly modulated by expectancy. Granger causality mapping found functional connectivity between IFG, anterior STG, posterior STG, and the BG during music perception. Our results imply the IFG, anterior STG, and the BG are recruited for higher-order harmonic processing, whereas the posterior STG is recruited for basic pitch and melodic processing.
You can find out more here.
February 18, 2013
Repost: A monkey that controls a robot with its thoughts. No, really.
Here comes the Technological Singularity!
From my limited experience with primates (all species), they will not everything you want them to do, but what they will do, they will do for juice.
"Other practices" always precede "best practices"
There are best practices in a given field. Before best practices can be established, other practices must be acknowledged.
People in science tend to "roll their own." They create their scheduling or project management systems. That is a reasonable choice if it is truly a choice. More often, people are proudly ignorant of what others are doing.
People in science tend to "roll their own." They create their scheduling or project management systems. That is a reasonable choice if it is truly a choice. More often, people are proudly ignorant of what others are doing.
February 15, 2013
"Fundamentals of MATLAB for Neuroscience Research" talk
I have been using MATLAB in cognitive neuroscience research for over 10 years. However as the computer adage goes, "It is not the number of years but the number of hours." I use the program almost daily.
Recently, I gave a "Fundamentals of MATLAB for Neuroscience Research" talk. It was slightly odd talking about a topic that is often conceptualized as solely a doing activity. Despite that, I feel starting with a strong "why" helps to motivate the "how." The talk was followed with a Q&A period and a brief hands-on programming activity.
The slides can be found here.
I gave out the 2 following handouts: a cheat sheet and a style guide.
Recently, I gave a "Fundamentals of MATLAB for Neuroscience Research" talk. It was slightly odd talking about a topic that is often conceptualized as solely a doing activity. Despite that, I feel starting with a strong "why" helps to motivate the "how." The talk was followed with a Q&A period and a brief hands-on programming activity.
The slides can be found here.
I gave out the 2 following handouts: a cheat sheet and a style guide.
February 11, 2013
My dream job
My dream job is asking and answering interesting questions.
I find the interesting questions through the "heads's up" work of reading and talking. External stimulation makes this work better and faster.
I try to answer interesting questions through the "head's down" work of synthesizing and researching. External stimulation slows the down that work.
The tension of those magnet poles energizes my day.
February 8, 2013
Undergraduate Awards in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience (Summer 2013) at McGill University
Applications are sought for Summer 2013 (16-week) undergraduate awards offered by the Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience (ACN) Training Network (NSERC-CREATE), to undertake research in our top ACN labs at McGill University, McMaster University, University of Montreal, the Rotman Research Institute and the Montreal Neurological Institute.
Positions begin May 2013. Citizens of all nationalities are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2013.
Full application and eligibility details are available here.
Positions begin May 2013. Citizens of all nationalities are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2013.
Full application and eligibility details are available here.
February 6, 2013
Repost: Hey science teachers -- make it fun
I'm trying my best to make my Sensation and Perception class fun (and teach the information at the right level).
February 4, 2013
On choosing the next research project
How do you decide your next research project?
It safest to look back at previous work, conduct a logical extension of a published study or permutate common parameters. Looking backward leads to step-by-step movement. There is a small chance of complete failure but an equally small chance at innovation.
It more risky to look ahead and choose a research project based its potential to make a contribution. Looking forward leads to moving in leaps and bounds. This is an increased chance of failure, but also the opportunity for massive inovation.
It safest to look back at previous work, conduct a logical extension of a published study or permutate common parameters. Looking backward leads to step-by-step movement. There is a small chance of complete failure but an equally small chance at innovation.
It more risky to look ahead and choose a research project based its potential to make a contribution. Looking forward leads to moving in leaps and bounds. This is an increased chance of failure, but also the opportunity for massive inovation.
February 1, 2013
Sample "blended" lecture slides from my course
I am taking a blended (or hybrid) approach by combing on-line resources with in-person lectures for my "Perception" course at The University of Maryland's Department of Psychology.
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