diff --git a/src/forward.jl b/src/forward.jl
index 246cd7b..74f95f6 100644
--- a/src/forward.jl
+++ b/src/forward.jl
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ function (kfn::kfn_1)(m::model, input_data::AbstractVector)
         end
 
         # clear variables
-        kfn.firedNeurons = Vector{Int64}()   
-        kfn.firedNeurons_t0 = Vector{Bool}()
-        kfn.firedNeurons_t1 = Vector{Bool}()
+        kfn.firedNeurons = Int64[] 
+        kfn.firedNeurons_t0 = Bool[]
+        kfn.firedNeurons_t1 = Bool[]
 
         kfn.learningStage = "learning"
         m.learningStage = kfn.learningStage
diff --git a/src/snn_utils.jl b/src/snn_utils.jl
index 63f5ce7..2b7b2c8 100644
--- a/src/snn_utils.jl
+++ b/src/snn_utils.jl
@@ -421,9 +421,10 @@ function neuroplasticity!(n::outputNeuron, firedNeurons::Vector,
 
     # add new synaptic connection to neuron
     for (i, connIndex) in enumerate(zeroWeightConnIndex)
-        if length(nFiredPool) != 0 
-            newConn = popfirst!(nFiredPool) 
-        else
+        newConn::Int64 = 0
+        try
+            newConn = popfirst!(nFiredPool)
+        catch
             newConn = popfirst!(nNonFiredPool)
         end