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Razvan V. Florian

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Research interests:

• Spiking neural networks, embodied computational neuroscience
• Cognitive robotics / neurobotics / epigenetic robotics, cognitive development, interactivist-constructivist learning

Former research:

• Far-from-equilibrium computation
• Statistical physics models for the formation of coalitions
• Computational physics

Publications:

International scientific journals:

• R. V. Florian (2007), Reinforcement learning through modulation of spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity. Neural Computation 19 (6), pp. 1468-1502.
• Z. Neda, R. V. Florian, M. Ravasz, A. Libal, and G. Gyorgyi (2006), Phase transition in an optimal clusterization model, Physica A 362 (2), pp. 357–368.
• R. C. Muresan, G. Pipa, R. V. Florian, and D. W. Wheeler (2005), Coherence, memory and conditioning: A modern viewpoint, Neural Information Processing - Letters and Reviews 7 (2), pp. 19-28.
• R. V. Florian and S. Galam (2000), Optimizing conflicts in the formation of strategic alliances, European Physical Journal B 16, pp. 189—194.
• Z. Neda, R. V. Florian, and Y. Brechet (1999), Reconsideration of continuum percolation of isotropically oriented sticks in three dimensions, Physical Review E 59 (3), pp. 3717—3719.

International conferences:

• R. V. Florian and R. Muresan (2006), Phase precession and recession with STDP and anti-STDP. In S. Kollias et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN 2006), Athens, Greece. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 4131, pp. 718-727, Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg.
• R. V. Florian (2006), Spiking neural controllers for pushing objects around. In S. Nolfi et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB'06), Rome, Italy. Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence 4095, pp. 570-581. Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg.
• R. V. Florian (2005), A reinforcement learning algorithm for spiking neural networks. In D. Zaharie, D. Petcu, V. Negru, T. Jebelean, G. Ciobanu, A. Cicortas, A. Abraham and M. Paprzycki (eds.), Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Symbolic and Numeric Algorithms for Scientific Computing (SYNASC 2005), Timisoara, Romania, pp. 299-306. IEEE Computer Society, Los Alamitos, CA.
• R. V. Florian (2002), Why it is important to build robots capable of doing science. In C. G. Prince, Y. Demiris, Y. Marom, H. Kozima, & C. Balkenius (Eds.), Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Epigenetic Robotics: Modeling Cognitive Development in Robotic Systems, Edinburgh, UK. Lund University Cognitive Studies 94, pp. 27-34.

Posters, abstracts:

• R. V. Florian (2007), Neuromodulation of STDP and reinforcement learning, in K. Josic, M. Matias and J. Rubin (eds.), International Workshop on Coherent Behavior in Neuronal Networks, Mallorca, Spain, p. 33.
• R. V. Florian (2007), Challenges for interactivist-constructivist robotics. Interactivist Summer Institute 2007, Paris, France.
• R. V. Florian (2006), Modulation of STDP by a global reward signal leads to reinforcement learning. In D. Terman et al., Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience (Neuromath06), Andorra, pp. 45-46.
• R. V. Florian (2006), Reinforcement learning for spiking neural networks with modulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems, p. 126. Boston University, Boston, MA.
• R. V. Florian (2005), An evolved spiking neural controller for alternate object pushing by a simulated embodied agent. Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems, p. 27. Boston University, Boston, MA.
• R. V. Florian (2003), Exploitation of environmentally-derived sensorimotor isomorphisms. Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Cognitive and Neural Systems, p. 50. Boston University, Boston, MA.

Technical reports, e-prints:

• M. Preda and R. V. Florian (2005), Simple iterative algorithm for contact force computation. Technical Report Coneural-05-01.
• R. V. Florian (2005), Exploring a model of far-from-equilibrium computation.
• R. V. Florian (2005), Correct equations for the dynamics of the cart-pole system.
• R. V. Florian (2004), Evolution of alternate object pushing in a simulated embodied agent: Preliminary report. Technical Report Coneural-04-02.
• R. V. Florian and D. Dumitrescu (2004), Far-from-equilibrium computation. Technical Report Coneural-04-01.
• R. V. Florian (2003), Biologically inspired neural networks for the control of embodied agents. Technical Report Coneural-03-03.
• R. V. Florian (2003), Thyrix: A simulator for articulated agents capable of manipulating objects. Technical Report Coneural-03-02.
• R. V. Florian (2003), Autonomous artificial intelligent agents. Technical Report Coneural-03-01.
• Z. Neda, R. V. Florian, M. Ravasz, A. Libal, and G. Gyorgyi (2002), Percolation-like behavior of some optimal coalition formation models, cond-mat/0209041.
• R. V. Florian and Z. Neda (2001), Improved percolation thresholds for rods in three-dimensional boxes, cond-mat/0110067.
• Z. Neda and R. V. Florian (1998), Comment on 'Percolation Thresholds in the Three-Dimensional Stick System', cond-mat/9804326.

  Popularisation:

• R. V. Florian, Noi paradigme in inteligenta artificiala [New paradigms in artificial intelligence], Stiinta si tehnica 11-12, 2002.
• R. V. Florian, Cognitive science in Romania? [Romanian version: Stiinte cognitive in Romania?], Ad Astra 1 (1), 2002.
• R. V. Florian, Introducere in inteligenta artificiala [Introduction to artificial intelligence], 2005
• R. V. Florian, Stereograme cu puncte plasate aleator [Random dots stereograms], Fractalia 17, 1996

Programming:

• R. V. Florian, Byteserving from PHP, 2004.

Scientometrics:

• R. V. Florian, Irreproducibility of the results of the Shanghai academic ranking of world universities, Scientometrics, 72 (1), pp. 25-32, 2007; Ad Astra 5 (1), 2006.

Science policy in Romania:

• R. V. Florian and L. Simionescu, Educatia si cercetarea, în moarte clinica [Education and research, in clinical death], România libera, 6 October 2006
• R. V. Florian, Oamenii de stiinta din România si recunoasterea rezultatelor lor [Romanian scientists and the recognition of their results], Ad Astra 5 (1), 2006
• R. V. Florian, Universitatile din Romania si clasamentul Shanghai [Romanian universities and the Shanghai ranking], Revista de politica stiintei si scientometrie IV (1), 2006; Ad Astra 5 (1), 2006.
• A. D. Corlan and R. V. Florian, Surse de finantare ale studiilor stiintifice românesti [Funding sources of Romanian scientific research], Ad Astra 5 (1), 2006.
• C. Cismas and R. Florian, Young researchers in Romania - survival and hope. In T. Gabaldon et al., Career paths and mobility of researchers in Europe, pp. 152-156, 2004.
• R. V. Florian, Migratia cercetatorilor romani: Situatia actuala, cauze, solutii [Migration of Romanian researchers: Current state, causes, solutions], Ad Astra 3 (2), 2004.
• Interview, Evenimentul zilei, 24 December 2004 [in Romanian].
• Interview, Cultura 34, 3-9 November 2004 [in Romanian].

Software:

• Thyrix is a fast agent/environment simulator designed for artificial intelligence or artificial life research. It is optimized for speed, and thus it is very appropriate for evolutionary experiments. Thyrix allows the simulation of agents with articulated arms or bodies that interact with objects within a 2D environment with Aristotelian physics.