Tavola Rotonda I servizi bibliotecari e la valutazione della ricerca: una collaborazione possibile?

Occorre chiedersi quale sia il ruolo delle biblioteche non solo nella valutazione della ricerca, ma anche nella comunicazione scientifica. La tavola rotonda si propone di esplorare il rapporto fra alcuni prodotti tradizionali delle biblioteche quali i cataloghi collettivi, i servizi interbibliotecari e il più generale ambito della ricerca scientifica che propone nuove sfide. In particolare, la valutazione della ricerca, che vede sempre più spesso i bibliotecari coinvolti nel processo di valutazione grazie alle loro specifiche conoscenze e abilità in campo bibliografico e bibliometrico. Miglioramenti sono tuttavia ancora possibili e auspicabili nell’interesse di tutto il processo di ricerca e comunicazione scientifica. I cataloghi collettivi, per esempio, e in particolare del Catalogo Italiano dei Periodici ACNP, potrebbe garantire descrizioni bibliografiche controllate e qualitativamente elevate. Oggi le Anagrafi dei prodotti della ricerca di ateneo sono per la maggior parte scollegati sia dai repertori bibliografici sia dai cataloghi delle biblioteche, obbligando i ricercatori e i docenti a descrivere ex-novo le citazioni di pubblicazioni già ampiamente catalogate dalle loro biblioteche di afferenza. Ancora, i cataloghi collettivi, con le loro innumerevoli informazioni sulle collezioni possedute dalle biblioteche accademiche, potrebbero rappresentare un fonte preziosa per sperimentare nuovi indicatori non bibliometrici per la valutazione e la diffusione della ricerca scientifica presso gli Atenei italiani.In conclusione le biblioteche devono essere inserite a pieno titolo nel ciclo della comunicazione scientifica e non solo nella fase della valutazione. Per farlo, devono conoscere le caratteristiche del lavoro scientifico, che è in continuo sviluppo e usa sempre le tecnologie più avanzate, e sapersi proporre. Le biblioteche hanno a disposizione molte competenze in termini di risorse umane professionali e strumenti da valorizzare, ma anche limiti da superare. Sono necessarie nuove competenze per l’innovazione dei servizi, per renderli adeguati al cambiamento dei metodi di ricerca degli studiosi e per essere di reale supporto alle sfide attuali delle università e dei centri di ricerca

Analyzing Stability of Equilibrium Points in Neural Networks: A General Approach

Networks of coupled neural systems represent an important class of models in computational neuroscience. In some applications it is required that equilibrium points in these networks remain stable under parameter variations. Here we present a general methodology to yield explicit constraints on the coupling strengths to ensure the stability of the equilibrium point. Two models of coupled excitatory-inhibitory oscillators are used to illustrate the approach.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

Stability of stochastic finite-size spiking-neuron networks: Comparing mean-field, 1-loop correction and quasi-renewal approximations

We examine the stability and qualitative dynamics of stochastic neuronal networks specified as multivariate nonlinear Hawkes processes and related point-process generalized linear models that incorporate both auto- and cross-history effects. In particular, we adapt previous theoretical approximations based on mean field and mean field plus 1-loop correction to incorporate absolute refractory periods and other auto-history effects. Furthermore, we extend previous quasi-renewal approximations to the multivariate case, i.e. neuronal networks. The best sensitivity and specificity performance, in terms of predicting stability and divergence to nonphysiologically high firing rates in the examined simulations, was obtained by a variant of the quasi-renewal approximation.Comment: 8 pages. This errata note corrects typos and clarifies aspects related to equations presented in Proc IEEE EMBC (2019), pp. 4380 - 4386, doi 10.1109/EMBC.2019.8857101. A corrected version of the published article is included, followed by the detailed errata list and correction

Motor “Binding:” Do Functional Assemblies in Primary Motor Cortex Have a Role?

AbstractIn this issue of Neuron, Jackson and colleagues describe a functional correlate of neural synchrony related to movement control. Synchrony strength in cortico-motoneuronal output neurons in primary motor cortex depended upon similarity of these neurons' connectivity pattern with the spinal cord. These results could form the foundation for subsequent investigations of motor binding

Goodness-of-fit tests for neural population models: the multivariate time-rescaling theorem

Poster Presentation from Nineteenth Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS*2010 San Antonio, TX, USA. 24-30 July 2010 Statistical models of neural activity are at the core of the field of modern computational neuroscience. The activity of single neurons has been modeled to successfully explain dependencies of neural dynamics to its own spiking history, to external stimuli or other covariates [1]. Recently, there has been a growing interest in modeling spiking activity of a population of simultaneously recorded neurons to study the effects of correlations and functional connectivity on neural information processing (existing models include generalized linear models [2,3] or maximum-entropy approaches [4]). For point-process-based models of single neurons, the time-rescaling theorem has proven to be a useful toolbox to assess goodness-of-fit. In its univariate form, the time-rescaling theorem states that if the conditional intensity function of a point process is known, then its inter-spike intervals can be transformed or “rescaled” so that they are independent and exponentially distributed [5]. However, the theorem in its original form lacks sensitivity to detect even strong dependencies between neurons. Here, we present how the theorem can be extended to be applied to neural population models and we provide a step-by-step procedure to perform the statistical tests. We then apply both the univariate and multivariate tests to simplified toy models, but also to more complicated many-neuron models and to neuronal populations recorded in V1 of awake monkey during natural scenes stimulation. We demonstrate that important features of the population activity can only be detected using the multivariate extension of the test. ..

Using the internet: easier said than done. Information literacy in the library

Since 1993, the CRO library has organized training courses on the use of information resources for the institute staff. However, recently the need to revise the proposals for meeting the educational needs of the scientific and clinical staff has arisen. A practical approach was adopted: planning short weekly lessons focused on practical learning of a single instrument at a time. The course structure included a minimum number of lessons whose attendance was compulsory to be chosen on the basis of individual professional interests of learners. With this approach, all instruments were compared and contextualized within a precise wider documentary search methodology. From the evaluation forms and “narrative” feedback, it has emerged that both courses were perceived as “relevant” for increasing attendants’ professional skills and had a positive impact on their professional practice

Priorities for Cancer Research From the Viewpoints of Cancer Nurses and Cancer Patients: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Setting priorities in oncology is a useful way to produce a robust set of research questions that researchers can address. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to describe cancer nurses and patients' main research priorities and describe their development over time. METHODS: A mixed-method systematic review was conducted for the period from 2000 to 2018 through a search of multiple databases. The methodological quality of the studies included was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool, and the process of setting the health research priorities was assessed using Viergever's tool. Each study's top research priorities were extracted and summarized in categories. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included: 13 addressed nurses' research priorities, and 2 focused on those of patients. The majority were Delphi and quantitative studies that were conducted in the United States and United Kingdom. The quality criteria score and the quality of the process were considered sufficiently good. The most important research priorities were categorized as disease control and management, patient-related issues, and professional dimensions and issues. Management of symptoms and pain, education, information, and communication were research priorities always present in the articles during the study period. CONCLUSION: Priorities change over time and depend on several factors; however, some have remained consistent for the last 18 years. Although there is increasing emphasis on including patients in establishing research priorities that inform cancer care, this involvement is still lacking. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Future studies should describe the primary cancer research priorities of nurses in collaboration with patients

PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov: a critical analysis of new features after three years from the launch of the new release. Results from an interactive training course

Three years after the launch of the new release of the PubMed database and new platform for searching clinical trials "Clinicaltrials.gov", GIDIF Academy organized a course aimed at biomedical documentarians and librarians. These portals, with free access, are known to the scientific community as the reference for bibliographic research of information in scientific literature. In the classroom, the high motivation of the participants was further powered by the careful analysis of the modernization innovations proposed by the NLM for the two platforms. The speakers, interacting lively with the learners, highlighted the strengths and analysed the fragilities of the two systems with the aim of finding possible solutions to obtain effective and safe queries; finally, the collection of opinions offered ideas and room for improvement in the performance of the platforms themselves