bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two-photon calcium imaging of medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus without cortical invasion
Authors: Kondo Masashi , Kobayashi Kenta , Ohkura Masamichi , Nakai Junichi , Matsuzaki Masanori 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn vivotwo-photon calcium imaging currently allows us to observe the activity of multiple neurons up to ∼900 μm below the cortical surface without cortical invasion. However, many other important brain areas are located deeper than this. Here, we used a 1100 nm laser, which underfilled the back aperture of the objective, and red genetically encoded calcium indicators to establish two-photon calcium imaging of the intact mouse brain and detect neural activity up to 1200 μm from the cortical surface. This imaging was obtained from the medial prefrontal cortex (the prelimbic area) and the hippocampal CA1 region. We found that the neural activity related to reward prediction is higher in the prelimbic area than in layer 2/3 of the secondary motor area, while it is negligible in the hippocampal CA1 region. Reducing the invasiveness of imaging is an important strategy to reveal the brain processes active in cognition and memory.
Space use and movement of jaguar (Panthera onca) in western Paraguay
Authors: McBride Roy T , Thompson Jeffrey J 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe estimated home range and core area size for jaguar (Panthera onca) in western Paraguay in the Dry Chaco, Humid Chaco and Pantanal using an autocorrelated kernel density estimator. Mean home range size was 818 km2(95% CI:425-1981) in the Dry Chaco and 237 km2(95% CI:90-427) in the Humid Chaco/Pantanal. Core areas, defined as the home range area where use was equal to expected use, was consistent across sexes and systems represented on average by the 59% utility distribution isopleth (range:56-64%). Males had a higher probability of larger home ranges and more directional and greater daily movements than females collectively and within systems. The large home ranges in the Dry Chaco are attributable to the relatively low productivity of that semi-arid ecosystem and high heterogeneity in resource distribution while larger than expected home ranges in the Humid Chaco/Pantanal compared to home range estimates from the Brazilian Pantanal may be due to differences in geomorphology and hydrological cycle. The large home ranges of jaguars in western Paraguay and a low proportional area of protected areas in the region demonstrate the importance of private ranchland for the long-term conservation of the species.
A likelihood ratio test for changes in homeolog expression bias
Authors: Smith Ronald D. , Kinser Taliesin J. , Conradi Smith Gregory D. , Puzey Joshua R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackground:Gene duplications are a major source of raw material for evolution and a likely contributor to the diversity of life on earth. Duplicate genes (i.e., homeologs, in the case of a whole genome duplication) may retain their ancestral function, sub- or neofunctionalize, or be lost entirely. A primary way that duplicate genes may evolve new functions is by altering their expression patterns. Comparing the expression patterns of duplicate genes may give clues as to whether any of these evolutionary processes have occurred.Results:We develop a likelihood ratio test for the analysis of the expression ratios of duplicate genes across two conditions (e.g., tissues). We demonstrate an application of this test by comparing homeolog expression patterns of 1,448 homeologous gene pairs using RNA-seq data generated from the leaves and petals of an allotetraploid monkeyflower(Mimulus luteus). We assess the sensitivity of this test to different levels of homeolog expression bias and compare the method to several alternatives.Conclusions:The likelihood ratio test derived here is a direct, transparent, and easily implemented method for detecting changes in homeolog expression bias that outperforms three alternative approaches. While our method was derived with homeolog analysis in mind, this method can be used to analyze changes in the ratio of expression levels between any two genes in any two conditions.
Cortical neural activity predicts sensory acuity under optogenetic manipulation
Authors: Briguglio John J. , Aizenberg Mark , Balasubramanian Vijay , Geffen Maria N. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractExcitatory and inhibitory neurons in the mammalian sensory cortex form interconnected circuits that control cortical stimulus selectivity and sensory acuity. Theoretical studies have predicted that suppression of inhibition in such excitatory-inhibitory networks can lead to either an increase or, paradoxically, a decrease in excitatory neuronal firing, with consequent effects on stimulus selectivity. We tested whether modulation of inhibition or excitation in the auditory cortex could evoke such a variety of effects in tone-evoked responses and in behavioral frequency discrimination acuity. We found that, indeed, the effects of optogenetic manipulation on stimulus selectivity and behavior varied in both magnitude and sign across subjects, possibly reflecting differences in circuitry or expression of optogenetic factors. Changes in neural population responses consistently predicted behavioral changes for individuals separately, including improvement and impairment in acuity. This correlation between cortical and behavioral change demonstrates that, despite complex and varied effects these manipulations can have on neuronal dynamics, the resulting changes in cortical activity account for accompanying changes in behavioral acuity.Author summaryExcitatory and inhibitory interactions determine stimulus specificity and tuning in sensory cortex, thereby controlling perceptual discrimination acuity. Modeling of such excitatory-inhibitory circuits has predicted that suppressing the activity of inhibitory neurons can lead to increases or, paradoxically, decreases in excitatory activity, depending on the architecture and modulation parameters of the inhibitory component of the network. Here, we capitalized on differences between subjects to test whether suppressing/activating inhibition and excitation across a range of parameters in sensory cortex can in fact exhibit such paradoxical effects for both stimulus sensitivity and behavioral discriminability. Indeed, we found that the same optogenetic manipulation in the auditory cortices of different mice could improve or impair frequency discrimination acuity, in a fashion that was predictable from the effects on cortical responses to tones. The same manipulations sometimes produced opposite changes in the behavior of different individuals, supporting theoretical predictions for inhibition-stabilized networks.
Plant organ evolution revealed by phylotranscriptomics inArabidopsis
Authors: Lei Li , Steffen Joshua G , Osborne Edward J , Toomajian Christopher 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe evolution of species’ phenotypes occurs through changes both in protein sequence and gene expression levels. Though much of plant morphological evolution can be explained by changes in gene expression, examining its evolution has challenges. To gain a new perspective on organ evolution in plants, we applied a phylotranscriptomics approach. We combined a phylostratigraphic approach with gene expression based on the strand-specific RNA-seq data from seedling, floral bud, and root of 19Arabidopsis thalianaaccessions to examine the age and sequence divergence of transcriptomes from these organs and how they adapted over time. Our results indicate that, among the sense and antisense transcriptomes of these organs, the sense transcriptomes of seedlings are the evolutionarily oldest across all accessions and are the most conserved in amino acid sequence for most accessions. In contrast, among the sense transcriptomes from these same organs, those from floral bud are evolutionarily youngest and least conserved in sequence for most accessions. Different organs have adaptive peaks at different stages in their evolutionary history, however, from the Magnoliophyta stage to the Brassicale stage, all three organs show a common adaptive signal. Our research is significant because it offers novel evolutionary insight on plant organs revealed by phylotranscriptomics.
The functional anatomy of self-generated and predictable speech
Authors: Oestreich Lena K. L. , Whitford Thomas J. , Garrido Marta I. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSensory attenuation refers to the cortical suppression of self-generated sensations relative to externally-generated sensations. This attenuation of cortical responsiveness is the result of internal forward models which make precise predictions about forthcoming sensations. Forward models of sensory attenuation in the auditory domain are thought to operate along auditory white matter pathways such as the arcuate fasciculus and the frontal aslant. The aim of this study was to investigate whether brain regions that are structurally connected via these white matter pathways are also effectively connected during overt speech, as well as as when listening to externally-generated speech that is temporally predictable via a visual cue. Using Electroencephalography (EEG) and Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) we investigated network models that link the primary auditory cortex to Wernicke’s and Broca’s area either directly or indirectly through Geschwind’s territory, which are structurally connected via the arcuate fasciculus. Connections between Broca’s and supplementary motor area, which are structurally connected via the frontal aslant, were also included. Our results revealed that bilateral areas interconnected by indirect and direct pathways of the arcuate fasciculus, in addition to regions interconnected by the frontal aslant best explain the EEG responses to both self-generated speech, and speech that is externally-generated but temporally predictable. These findings indicate that structurally connected brain regions thought to be involved in auditory attenuation are also effectively connected. Critically, our findings expand on the notion of internal forward models, whereby sensory consequences of our actions are internally predicted and reflected in reduced cortical responsiveness to these sensations.HighlightsEffective connectivity of auditory attenuation to self-generated and predictable speechEEG and DCM were used to investigate several plausible network modelsStructurally connected brain areas of auditory attenuation are effectively connectedInternal forward models modulate self-generated and predictable speech
Color preferences for four different types of spaces
Authors: van der Voordt Theo , Bakker Iris , de Boon Jan 
Published: March 2017

PurposeStudies on color preferences for different types of spaces are scarce and show ambiguous results. This paper aims to present data about preferred colors for two work environments: the office and a meeting room, and two residential spaces: the living room and the bedroom. The authors also explore whether people with different personal characteristics of gender, age, education and type of person have different color preferences.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected by means of a questionnaire that was distributed among 1,077 Dutch people.FindingsThe color white was most frequently mentioned as the preferred color, by 32-44 per cent of all male respondents and 28-38 per cent of all female respondents, dependent on type of space. The choice “no color preference” rated high as well: by 11-22 per cent of men and 7-22 per cent of women. Preferred colors showed to be significantly different for different types of spaces, males and females, different age groups, level of education and type of person.Research limitations/implicationsThe research took place in the Netherlands, so only Dutch color preferences have been collected. Due to the many influencing factors, only a selection of the conceptual model could be empirically tested.Practical implicationsInformation about color preferences for different types of spaces can support clients, end users and (interior) architects to create environments that people like, which may influence peoples’ well-being in a positive way. It is suggested to apply colors in the built environment more like nature shows.Originality/valueUntil now, no information was available about color preferences for different types of spaces in connection with different types of personalities.
Developing across boundaries – mentor and mentee perceptions and experiences of cross-organisational mentoring
Authors: Mains Irene , MacLean Samantha 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the operating factors influencing a cross-organisational mentoring initiative created to support leadership development. The research provides insight on participants’ views and mentoring practices around planning and preparation of mentoring relationships, to inform future training of leaders.Design/methodology/approachThe research is inductive in nature, using an exploratory approach via a two-stage qualitative analysis. The qualitative data were gathered via interviews with the initiative partners and questionnaires distributed to all mentors and mentees involved. Data were gathered at the outset of the initiative and one year later.FindingsEmergent themes revealed that centrally driven criterion-based matching was deemed effective, with skills and experience of mentors perceived as more important than seniority. Support from senior management was of paramount importance at all stages. Clear personal and professional objective setting was vital at the outset of the mentoring relationship; however, a degree of fluidity in direction occurred over time. Planned periodic meetings to share experiences, aid reflection and gather feedback from individual mentors and mentees groups was requested. Finally, while the mentees should drive the process, it was recognised that mentors may be required to take the lead initially.Research limitations/implicationsIt is recognised that wider generalisations are limited; the initiative would require replication with a number of different participants to increase validity. However, as the research is exploratory in nature, there is value in the initial research findings with potential for replication within other organisations and for other cross-organisational mentoring initiatives.Practical implicationsThe research provides a number of useful themes which practitioners could use to explore the creation of a cross-organisational mentoring scheme and provides benchmarking indicators for this.Originality/valueThis is an innovative approach to leadership training that can be seen in the limited literature and theory related to cross-organisational mentoring as a leadership training tool that the design team, a partnership of HR academics and HRD professionals, were able to access.
Artificial intelligence, computational thinking, and mathematics education
Authors: Gadanidis George 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), computational thinking (CT), and mathematics education (ME) for young students (K-8). Specifically, it focuses on three key elements that are common to AI, CT and ME: agency, modeling of phenomena and abstracting concepts beyond specific instances.

Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical framework of this paper adopts a sociocultural perspective where knowledge is constructed in interactions with others (Vygotsky, 1978). Others also refers to the multiplicity of technologies that surround us, including both the digital artefacts of our new media world, and the human methods and specialized processes acting in the world. Technology is not simply a tool for human intention. It is an actor in the cognitive ecology of immersive humans-with-technology environments (Levy, 1993, 1998) that supports but also disrupts and reorganizes human thinking (Borba and Villarreal, 2005).

Findings
There is fruitful overlap between AI, CT and ME that is of value to consider in mathematics education.

Originality/value
Seeing ME through the lenses of other disciplines and recognizing that there is a significant overlap of key elements reinforces the importance of agency, modeling and abstraction in ME and provides new contexts and tools for incorporating them in classroom practice.
The Open Wings project
Authors: Pyrini Nancy , Varonis Orestes Johns , Varonis Evangeline Marlos 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the implementation and outcomes of the “Open Wings” project, a continuing effort to create a community of self-directed elementary school learners and to enhance their homonomy. Technology-enhanced international videoconference presentations resulted in both knowledge gains and attitude changes. These, in turn, inspired creative, collaborative interdisciplinary projects through which students demonstrated that they could embed themselves in contexts that contribute to homonomous identification and development.

Design/methodology/approach
Over the 2015-2016 school year, interactive international videoconferences were delivered to first and sixth grade classrooms in two elementary schools in Athens, Greece. Topics included a personal immigration story and responsible citizenship. Impact was measured quantitatively by a pre-test/post-test design that measured changes in knowledge and attitudes and qualitatively by student group projects at six stations inspired by e-reflect methodology.

Findings
Students demonstrated gains in factual knowledge and changes in attitudes toward immigrants and refugees. Individual and group work at each station revealed that they could plan, research, and present projects that demonstrated their personal sense of self and their place in the community.

Originality/value
With many in Greece directly affected by the economic crisis and an influx of refugees and immigrants, students feel they have no control over their lives and become fearful of outsiders. Even when resources are limited, innovative use of learning technologies can help educate students in the prescribed curriculum and guide them beyond hopelessness to see themselves as empowered individuals who can enrich their own lives and those of their communities.
Exploring approaches to teaching in three-dimensional virtual worlds
Authors: Englund Claire 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how teachers’ approaches to teaching and conceptions of teaching and learning with educational technology influence the implementation of three-dimensional virtual worlds (3DVWs) in health care education.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through thematic interviews with eight teachers to elicit their approaches to teaching in a 3DVW and their conceptions of teaching and learning with technology in online health care education.

Findings
Results indicate that teaching in 3DVWs necessitates the adoption of a student-centred approach to teaching. The teachers’ underlying approaches to teaching and learning became evident in their student-centred approach and use of problem-based activities. The immersive, social nature of the environment facilitated the creation of authentic, communicative learning activities created by the health care teachers and was in alignment with their disciplinary approaches to teaching and learning.

Research limitations/implications
The sample size of the study is relatively small which limits the degree of external validity and generalisability of the results.

Practical implications
If sustainability of 3DVWs is to be achieved, academic development activities for teachers and their communities of practice may be necessary to support conceptual change and facilitate a shift to student-centred teaching where necessary.

Originality/value
There is limited research concerning the relationship between teachers’ approaches to teaching and the use of educational technologies, in particular the implementation of 3DVWs.
Choosing an external auditor: does the composition of boards of directors matter?
Authors: Alfraih Mishari M. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the association between the composition of boards of directors and the choice of external auditor among companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 2013.Design/methodology/approachConsistent with prior research, audit quality is represented by two proxies, namely, a Big 4 and Non-Big 4 audit firm. Independence, diversity, interlocks, size and role duality are used as proxies for board composition. To accommodate the dichotomous dependent variable (auditor choice), a logistic regression model is used to test the hypothesized associations between board composition and auditor choice.FindingsAfter controlling for firm-specific characteristics, results show that independence, diversity and size are statistically significant and increase the likelihood that a KSE-listed company selects a high-quality (Big 4) audit firm. Role duality is also statistically significantly but decreases the likelihood of choosing a Big 4 audit firm.Practical/implicationsThis research has implications for regulators, shareholders, boards and academics. The paper underlines the importance of the composition of the board in increasing the likelihood of hiring a high-quality audit firm. Regulators can draw upon these results when assessing the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to study the association between auditor choice and board composition using data from the frontier market of Kuwait, thus responding to the call for empirical research into the issue in less-developed markets. Overall, it sheds light on the effectiveness of board composition and provides empirical evidence that it is an important element in the choice of auditors. The findings indicate that board composition may be a mechanism that can promote demand for high audit quality.
The impact of Iran Central Bank’s sanction on Tehran Stock Exchange
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Karimzadeh Mostafa , Paydarmanesh Navid 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
US sanctions have been a major feature of US Iran policy since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, but the imposition of UN and worldwide bilateral sanctions on Iran that began in 2006 and increased dramatically as of 2010 is recent by comparison. The objectives of US sanctions have evolved over time. Broad international sanctions imposed on Iran harmed Iran’s economy and contributed to Iran’s acceptance of agreements that exchange constraints on its nuclear program for sanctions relief. The subject of this study is important because both Iran and the international communities are demanding for information about the effect of sanctions on Iran. In an international and regional perspective, it seems that sanctions have a negative impact on economic, social and even political status of Iran. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the impact of Iran Central Bank sanction on Tehran Stock Exchange as on December 31, 2011.

Design/methodology/approach
Variables of model are consisted by exchange rate, oil prices and Tehran Stock Exchange Price Index (TEPIX) from October 2, 2011 to March 29, 2012, which is offered daily. To analyze the model, the authors used Johansen–Juselius and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) methods.

Findings
The results indicate that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between selected variables as oil prices, and exchange rates have a positive effect on the TEPIX. In other words, the results of the econometric estimation show the positive effect of the Iran Central Bank sanction on the TEPIX. Thus, because of economic sanctions imposed by the Western countries, Tehran Stock Exchange has been growing.

Originality/value
No empirical research exists that examines the impact of sanctions on stock price in developing countries. This study fills this gap by examining the links between sanctions and stock price in Iran.