bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
State anxiety biases estimates of uncertainty during reward learning in volatile environments
Authors: Hein Thomas P , Weber Lilian A , de Fockert Jan , Ruiz Maria Herrojo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrevious research established that clinical anxiety impairs decision making and that high trait anxiety interferes with learning rates. Less understood are the effects of temporary anxious states on learning and decision making in healthy populations. Here we follow proposals that anxious states in healthy individuals elicit a pattern of aberrant behavioural, neural, and physiological responses comparable with those found in anxiety disorders, particularly when processing uncertainty in unstable environments. In our study, both a state anxious and a control group learned probabilistic stimulus-outcome mappings in a volatile task environment while we recorded their electrophysiological (EEG) signals. By using a hierarchical Bayesian model, we assessed the effect of state anxiety on Bayesian belief updating with a focus on uncertainty estimates. State anxiety was associated with an underestimation of environmental and informational uncertainty, and an increase in uncertainty about volatility estimates. Anxious individuals deemed their beliefs about reward contingencies to be more precise and to require less updating, ultimately leading to impaired reward-based learning. We interpret this pattern as evidence that state anxious individuals are less tolerant to informational uncertainty about the contingencies governing their environment and more uncertain about the level of stability of the world itself. Further, we tracked the neural representation of belief update signals in the trial-by-trial EEG amplitudes. In control participants, both lower-level precision-weighted prediction errors (pwPEs) about the reward outcomes and higher-level volatility-pwPEs were represented in the ERP signals with an anterior distribution. A different pattern emerged under state anxiety, where a neural representation of pwPEs was only found for updates about volatility. Expanding previous computational work on trait anxiety, our findings establish that temporary anxious states in healthy individuals impair reward-based learning in volatile environments, primarily through changes in uncertainty estimates and potentially a degradation of the neuronal representation of hierarchically-related pwPEs, considered to play a central role in current Bayesian accounts of perceptual inference and learning.
The paternally imprinted geneSnord116regulates cortical neuronal activity
Authors: Marta Pace , Ilaria Colombi , Matteo Falappa , Freschi Andrea , Bandarabadi Mojtaba , Andrea Armirotti , Encarnación Blanco María , Adamantidis Antoine R. , Roberto Amici , Matteo Cerri , Michela Chiappalone , Valter Tucci 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep abnormalities. The disease is caused by genomic imprinting defects that are inherited through the paternal line. Among the genes located in the PWS region on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13), small nucleolar RNA 116 (Snord116) has been previously associated with intrusions of REM sleep into wakefulness in both humans and mice.Here, we further explore the processes of sleep regulation by studying the PWScrm+/p-mouse line, which carries a paternal deletion ofSnord116.We focused on microstructural electrophysiological components of sleep, such as REM sleep features and sleep spindles within NREM sleep. While the former are thought to contribute to neuronal network formation early in brain development, the latter are markers of thalamocortical processes. Both signals are often compromised in neurodevelopmental disorders and influence functional properties of cortical neurons. Thus, we isolated and characterized the intrinsic activity of cortical neurons usingin vitromicroelectrode array (MEA) studies.Our results indicate that theSnord116gene in mice selectively influences REM sleep properties, such as theta rhythms and the organization of REM episodes throughout sleep-wake cycles. Moreover, sleep spindles present specific abnormalities in PWS model systems, indicating that these features of sleep may translate as potential biomarkers in human PWS. We observed abnormalities in the synchronization of cortical neuronal activity that are accounted for by high levels of norepinephrine.In conclusion, our results provide support for an important role ofSnord116in regulating brain activity during sleep and, in particular, cortical neuronal properties, thereby opening new avenues for developing interventions in PWS.Significance StatementWe found that theSnord116gene, a major player in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), significantly impacts REM sleep and its regulation. Additionally, we found that sleep spindles, a subtle electroencephalography (EEG) marker that occurs during NREM sleep, are dysregulated in PWS mice that carry a paternal deletion of theSnord116gene. Using a combination ofin vivoandin vitroexperiments, we identified sleep features at the network and molecular level that suggest thatSnord116is fundamental in the synchronization of neuronal networks. Our study also provides a new pre-clinical tool to investigate the pathophysiology of sleep in PWS.
Interactions between calmodulin and neurogranin govern the dynamics of CaMKII as a leaky integrator
Authors: Ordyan Mariam , Bartol Tom , Kennedy Mary , Rangamani Padmini , Sejnowski Terrence 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCalmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) has long been known to play an important role in learning and memory as well as long term potentiation (LTP). More recently it has been suggested that it might be involved in the time averaging of synaptic signals, which can then lead to the high precision of information stored at a single synapse. However, the role of the scaffolding molecule, neurogranin (Ng), in governing the dynamics of CaMKII is not yet fully understood. In this work, we adopt a rule-based modeling approach through the Monte Carlo method to study the effect ofCa2+signals on the dynamics of CaMKII phosphorylation in the postsynaptic density (PSD). Calcium surges are observed in synaptic spines during an EPSP and back-propagating action potential due to the opening of NMDA receptors and voltage dependent calcium channels. We study the differences between the dynamics of phosphorylation of CaMKII monomers and dodecameric holoenzymes. The scaffolding molecule Ng, when present in significant concentration, limits the availability of free calmodulin (CaM), the protein which activates CaMKII in the presence of calcium. We show that it plays an important modulatory role in CaMKII phosphorylation following a surge of high calcium concentration. We find a non-intuitive dependence of this effect on CaM concentration that results from the different affinities of CaM for CaMKII depending on the number of calcium ions bound to the former. It has been shown previously that in the absence of phosphatase CaMKII monomers integrate overCa2+signals of certain frequencies through autophosphorylation (Pepke et al, Plos Comp. Bio., 2010). We also study the effect of multiple calcium spikes on CaMKII holoenzyme autophosphorylation, and show that in the presence of phosphatase CaMKII behaves as a leaky integrator of calcium signals, a result that has been recently observedin vivo. Our models predict that the parameters of this leaky integrator are finely tuned through the interactions of Ng, CaM, CaMKII, and PP1. This is a possible mechanism to precisely control the sensitivity of synapses to calcium signals.
The impact of corporate reporting readability on informational efficiency
Authors: Hesarzadeh Reza , Rajabalizadeh Javad 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
Informational efficiency is a fundamental aspect of capital market quality, and therefore, regulators, managers and practitioners attempt to find ways to improve the informational efficiency. Since prior studies primarily focus on the numerical attributes of corporate reporting, it is not yet adequately known whether or not the linguistic attributes of corporate reporting affect informational efficiency. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether corporate reporting readability (readability), as an important linguistic attribute of corporate reporting, affects informational efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach
To measure readability, this paper uses Fog index. Moreover, to measure informational efficiency, the paper uses stock return variance ratios.

Findings
The findings reveal a positive and significant association between readability and informational efficiency. Moreover, the findings show that the association of readability and informational efficiency is stronger for firms facing higher information asymmetry. The findings further document the spillover effect of readability, in the sense that the readability of economically related public firms affects a firm’s informational efficiency. Overall, the results support the arguments that readability enhances informational efficiency.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence on the internalities and externalities of readability in the context of informational efficiency. Thus, the study will be of interest to regulators, managers and practitioners, especially in emerging capital markets, who tend to find practical and easy ways to improve informational efficiency.
An alternative method for refined process structure trees (RPST)
Authors: Choi Yongsun , Ha N. Long , Kongsuwan Pauline , Han Kwan Hee 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The refined process structure tree (RPST), the hierarchy of non-overlapping single-entry single-exit (SESE) regions of a process model, has been utilized for better comprehension and more efficient analysis of business process models. Existing RPST methods, based on the triconnected components of edges, fail to identify a certain type of SESE region. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an alternative method for generating a complete RPST utilizing rather simple techniques.

Design/methodology/approach
The proposed method first focuses on the SESE regions of bonds and rigids, from the innermost ones to the outermost ones, utilizing dominance and post-dominance relations. Then, any SESE region of a series nested in a bond or a rigid is identified with a depth-first search variation. Two-phase algorithms and their completeness proofs, a software tool incorporating visualization of stepwise outcomes, and the experimental results of the proposed method are provided.

Findings
The proposed method utilizes simple techniques that allow their straightforward implementation. Visualization of stepwise outcomes helps process analysts to understand the proposed method and the SESE regions. Experiments with 604 SAP reference models demonstrated the limitation of the existing RPST methods. The proposed method, however, completely identified all types of SESE regions, defined with nodes, in less computation time than with the old methods.

Originality/value
Each triconnected component of the undirected version of a process model is associated with a pair of boundary nodes without discriminating between the entry and the exit. Here, each non-atomic SESE region is associated with two distinct entry and exit nodes from the original model in the form of a directed graph. By specifying the properties of SESE regions in more comprehensible ways, this paper facilitates a deeper understanding of SESE regions rather than relying on the resulting RPST.
A critical examination of the social impacts of large multinational corporations in the age of globalization
Authors: Yeganeh Hamid 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to offer a critical examination of the social impacts of large multinational corporations (MNCs) in the age of globalization.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach and relies on various scholarly resources in several disciplines including international business, international economics, sociology and international relations. The analysis is organized around eight major areas and constituencies of MNCs including the global scene, workers, competitors, entrepreneurs, government and tax payers, social justice, nations/states and natural environment.

Findings
Giant MNCs have benefited from favorable conditions in the past three decades and currently dominate the global scene. In general, the rising corporate profits come not to the benefit, but to the detriment of workers. Large MNCs benefit from their immense resources to develop sophisticated competitive advantages against smaller rivals. They impede small entrepreneurs from scaling up their operations and increasing their market shares. Furthermore, large MNCs often take advantage of their power to shape national and international policies in ways that enable them to enhance their profitability. Overall, large MNCs aggravate the rising economic inequality in different ways, thus contributing to social and financial instability. Furthermore, large MNCs erode state sovereignty and enormously contribute to environmental degradation.

Originality/value
While most international business studies focus on the concept of corporate social responsibility or sustainable development, the originality of this paper resides in adopting an alternative perspective and offering a multidisciplinary and critical examination of the social impacts of large MNCs.
Terrorism risk and optimal policy response: theory and empirics
Authors: Mohtadi Hamid , Weber Bryan 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The proliferation of terrorism worldwide raises the risk that terrorist strategies could evolve from conventional methods (e.g. suicide attacks) to biological, chemical and even radioactive and nuclear attacks (commonly abbreviated as CBRN) which are potentially much more dangerous. The authors make three contributions toward a better understanding of this risk and how it responds to counterterrorism measures.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop a game that captures the terrorists’ potential strategic substitution between conventional and CBRN-type attacks; the authors calibrate the parameters of the game to real data using a novel calibration method and a partially unique dataset; they estimate the heavy-tailed distribution of attack severity and thus the probability of a successful attack, the underlying effort to launch an attack and the intrinsic difficulty of launching different types of attacks.

Findings
The authors find that in equilibrium, CBRN attacks, though less likely and more difficult to execute, are more deadly. In the end, the trade-off between, on one hand, the greater difficulty of carrying out a CBRN attack, and on the other, the greater deadliness of such an attack, points to a level of optimal counterterrorism spending by governments that weighs toward defending against CBRN attacks. The authors discuss these results and compare them with the actual level of counterterrorism spending by the US Government.

Originality/value
The framework of the game allows for substitution between the conventional and CBRN weapon types. These aspects of this paper, together with the unique calibration methodology, and the use of some unique terrorism data for the first time, are what distinguish this work from similar game theoretic papers in this area.
Geographic distance and goodwill impairment
Authors: Harper Joel , Sun Li 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of asymmetric information, estimated as the geographic distance between the acquiring firm and the target firm, on goodwill impairment following a merger or acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses regression analysis to investigate the research questions of this study.

Findings
This study finds that geographic distance is positively related to the magnitude of current and cumulative goodwill impairment. The results of this study still hold even after robustness checks for other factors that affect mergers and acquisitions and sources of asymmetric information.

Originality/value
This study extends and links two distinct research streams: asymmetric information related to geographic distance studies in finance and goodwill literature in accounting. Specifically, this study extends literature on the impact of geographic distance on various firm characteristics and contributes to research regarding the determinants of goodwill impairment, a major research stream in goodwill accounting (Li and Sloan, 2016). To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that performs a direct empirical test on the relation between geographic distance (between the acquiring firm and the target firm) and goodwill impairment.
Ownership and dynamic efficiency of petroleum firms: a new perspective
Authors: Asuah Evelyn Lamisi , Ohene-Asare Kwaku 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine efficiency differences among petroleum firms based on their ownership status, with the aim of helping these firms understand how specific levels of state-ownership affects efficiency and to bring new perspective to the ownership-performance literature.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses ten-year data (2001-2010) of 32 global petroleum firms categorized into four groups based on ownership types. The metafrontier analysis is used with the dynamic slack-based measure to estimate dynamic efficiency differences among the groups while respectively, accounting for carryover variables such as oil and gas reserves.FindingsFully state-owned firms outperformed private, majority and minority state-owned firms, indicating that not all types of state-owned petroleum firms are outperformed by private firms. Additionally, firms with shared ownership between state and private are seen to have a lesser comparative advantage in the industry than those with full private or state ownership.Practical implicationsJointly owned petroleum firms should consider converting ownership to either full private or full state control. Conflict management measures should be used to handle possible conflicts between different shareholding groups.Originality/valueThis is among the first studies to sub-group state ownership into various levels to comprehensively examine specific levels of state ownership that is detrimental to the performance of petroleum firms. It is also the premier oil efficiency study to use the metafrontier framework to cater for group heterogeneity. The study treats oil and gas reserves as interconnecting variables that are not consumed only in the period for which they are discovered to ensure fair assessment.
Data replication techniques in the mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Abdollahi Nami A. , Rajabion L. 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) enables providers and customers to communicate without a fixed infrastructure. Databases are extended on MANETs to have easy data access and update. As the energy and mobility limitations of both servers and clients affect the availability of data in MANETs, these data are replicated. The purpose of this paper is to provide a literature review of data replication issues and classify the available strategies based on the issues they addressed.

Design/methodology/approach
The selected articles are reviewed based on the defined criteria. Also, the differences, the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are described. The methods in the literature can be categorized into three groups, including cluster-based, location-based and group-based mechanisms.

Findings
High flexibility and data consistency are the features of cluster-based mechanisms. The location-based mechanisms are also appropriate for replica allocation, and they mostly have low network traffic and delay. Also, the group-based mechanism has high data accessibility compared to other mechanisms. Data accessibility and time have got more attention to data replication techniques. Scalability as an important parameter must be considered more in the future. The reduction of storage cost in MANETs is the main goal of data replication. Researchers have to consider the cost parameter when another parameter will be influenced.

Research limitations/implications
Data replication in MANETs has been covered in different available sources such as Web pages, technical reports, academic publications and editorial notes. The articles published in national journals and conferences are ignored in this study. This study includes articles from academic main international journals to get the best capability.

Originality/value
The paper reviews the past and the state-of-the-art mechanisms in data replication in MANET. Exclusively, data replication’s main goal, existing challenges, research terminologies and mechanisms in MANET are summarized using the answers to the research questions. This method will help researchers in the future to develop more effective data replication method in MANET.
Financial capabilities development: essential discourse in social work
Authors: Engelbrecht Lambert K. , Ornellas Abigail 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
Within a neoliberal environment, financial vulnerability of households has become an increasing challenge and there is a requirement of financial literacy education, a necessary activity to facilitate sustainable development and well-being. However, this is seldom a mainstream discourse in social work deliberations. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
First, introducing the neoliberal impact on financial well-being and capability for vulnerable households, the authors’ postulation is substantiated on a seven-point argument. The contexts of financially vulnerable households are sketched. Second, a conceptualisation of financial literacy is offered, and third, perspectives on and approaches to financial literacy as a fundamental capability are presented. This is followed by a theoretical foundation of community education as a practice model in social work to develop financial capabilities. In the fifth place, prevailing practices of Financial Capabilities Development (FCD) programmes are offered. Subsequently, the implications of a neoliberal environment for social work practice are examined.

Findings
The revised global definition of social work encourages the profession to understand and address the structural causes of social problems through collective interventions. As a response, it is argued that community education towards FCD of vulnerable households within a neoliberal environment should be an essential discourse in social development.

Originality/value
The authors reflect on the significance of FCD, highlighting its contribution towards human security and sustainable development. Although this paper draws on Southern African contexts, the discourse finds resonance in other contexts across the world.