bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relevance learning via inhibitory plasticity and its implications for schizophrenia
Authors: Insel Nathan , Richards Blake A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSymptoms of schizophrenia may arise from a failure of cortical circuits to filter-out irrelevant inputs. Schizophrenia has also been linked to disruptions to cortical inhibitory interneurons, consistent with the possibility that in the normally functioning brain, these cells are in some part responsible for determining which inputs are relevant and which irrelevant. Here, we develop an abstract but biologically plausible neural network model that demonstrates how the cortex may learn to ignore irrelevant inputs through plasticity processes affecting inhibition. The model is based on the proposal that the amount of excitatory output from a cortical circuit encodes expected magnitude of reward or punishment (”relevance”), which can be trained using a temporal difference learning mechanism acting on feed-forward inputs to inhibitory interneurons. The model exhibits learned irrelevance and blocking, which become impaired following disruptions to inhibitory units. When excitatory units are connected to a competitive-learning output layer, the relevance code is capable of modulating learning and activity. Accordingly, the combined network is capable of recapitulating published experimental data linking inhibition in frontal cortex with fear learning and expression. Finally, the model demonstrates how relevance learning can take place in parallel with other types of learning, through plasticity rules involving inhibitory and excitatory components respectively. Altogether, this work offers a theory of how the cortex learns to selectively inhibit inputs, providing insight into how relevance-assignment problems may emerge in schizophrenia.
Disrupted modular organization of primary sensory brain areas in schizophrenics
Authors: Bordier Cécile , Nicolini Carlo , Bifone Angelo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAbnormal brain resting-state functional connectivity has been consistently observed in patients affected by Schizophrenia (SCZ) using functional MRI and other neuroimaging methods. Graph theoretical methods provide a framework to investigate these defective functional interactions and their effects on the modular organization of brain connectivity networks. A few studies have shown abnormal distribution of connectivity within and between functional modules, an indication of imbalanced functional segregation ad integration in SCZ patients. However, no major alterations in the modular structure of functional connectivity networks in patients have been reported, and unambiguous identification of the neural substrates involved remains elusive. Recently, it has been demonstrated that current modularity analysis methods suffer from a fundamental and severe resolution limit, as they fail to detect features that are smaller than a scale determined by the size of the entire connectivity network. This resolution limit is likely to have hampered the ability to resolve differences between patients and controls in previous cross-sectional studies. Here, we apply a novel, resolution limit-free approach to study the modular organization of resting state functional connectivity networks in a large cohort of SCZ patients, and in matched healthy controls. Leveraging these important methodological advances, we find new evidence of substantial fragmentation and reorganization involving primary sensory, auditory and visual areas in SCZ patients. Conversely, frontal and prefrontal areas, typically associated with higher cognitive functions, appear to be largely unaffected, with changes selectively involving language and speech processing areas. Our findings provide support to the hypothesis that cognitive dysfunction in SCZ may arise from deficits occurring already at early stages of sensory processing.
Large-Scale Uniform Analysis of Cancer Whole Genomes in Multiple Computing Environments
Authors: Yung Christina K. , O’Connor Brian D. , Yakneen Sergei , Zhang Junjun , Ellrott Kyle , Kleinheinz Kortine , Miyoshi Naoki , Raine Keiran M. , Royo Romina , Saksena Gordon B. , Schlesner Matthias , Shorser Solomon I. , Vazquez Miguel , Weischenfeldt Joachim , Yuen Denis , Butler Adam P. , Davis-Dusenbery Brandi N. , Eils Roland , Ferretti Vincent , Grossman Robert L. , Harismendy Olivier , Kim Youngwook , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Newhouse Steven J. , Torrents David , Stein Lincoln D. ,   on behalf of the PCAWG Technical Working Group, Rodriguez Javier Bartolomé , Boroevich Keith A. , Boyce Rich , Brooks Angela N. , Buchanan Alex , Buchhalter Ivo , Byrne Niall J. , Cafferkey Andy , Campbell Peter J. , Chen Zhaohong , Cho Sunghoon , Choi Wan , Clapham Peter , De La Vega Francisco M. , Demeulemeester Jonas , Dow Michelle T. , Dursi Lewis J. , Eils Juergen , Farcas Claudiu , Favero Francesco , Fayzullaev Nodirjon , Flicek Paul , Fonseca Nuno A. , Gelpi Josep L.l. , Getz Gad , Gibson Bob , Heinold Michael C. , Hess Julian M. , Hofmann Oliver , Hong Jongwhi H. , Hudson Thomas J. , Huebschmann Daniel , Hutter Barbara , Hutter Carolyn M. , Imoto Seiya , Ivkovic Sinisa , Jeon Seung-Hyup , Jiao Wei , Jung Jongsun , Kabbe Rolf , Kahles Andre , Kerssemakers Jules , Kim Hyunghwan , Kim Hyung-Lae , Kim Jihoon , Korbel Jan O. , Koscher Michael , Koures Antonios , Kovacevic Milena , Lawerenz Chris , Leshchiner Ignaty , Livitz Dimitri G. , Mihaiescu George L. , Mijalkovic Sanja , Lazic Ana Mijalkovic , Miyano Satoru , Nahal Hardeep K. , Nastic Mia , Nicholson Jonathan , Ocana David , Ohi Kazuhiro , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Omberg Larsson , Francis Ouellette B.F. , Paramasivam Nagarajan , Perry Marc D. , Pihl Todd D. , Prinz Manuel , Puiggròs Montserrat , Radovic Petar , Rheinbay Esther , Rosenberg Mara W. , Short Charles , Sofia Heidi J. , Spring Jonathan , Struck Adam J. , Tiao Grace , Tijanic Nebojsa , Loo Peter Van , Vicente David , Wala Jeremiah A. , Wang Zhining , Werner Johannes , Williams Ashley , Woo Youngchoon , Wright Adam J. , Xiang Qian ,   the PCAWG Network
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC)’s Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) project aimed to categorize somatic and germline variations in both coding and non-coding regions in over 2,800 cancer patients. To provide this dataset to the research working groups for downstream analysis, the PCAWG Technical Working Group marshalled ~800TB of sequencing data from distributed geographical locations; developed portable software for uniform alignment, variant calling, artifact filtering and variant merging; performed the analysis in a geographically and technologically disparate collection of compute environments; and disseminated high-quality validated consensus variants to the working groups. The PCAWG dataset has been mirrored to multiple repositories and can be located using the ICGC Data Portal. The PCAWG workflows are also available as Docker images through Dockstore enabling researchers to replicate our analysis on their own data.
Sexually divergent DNA methylation programs with hippocampal aging
Authors: Masser Dustin R. , Hadad Niran , Porter Hunter , Mangold Colleen A. , Unnikrishnan Archana , Ford Matthew M. , Giles Cory B. , Georgescu Constantin , Dozmorov Mikhail G. , Wren Jonathan D. , Richardson Arlan , Stanford David R. , Freeman Willard M. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryDNA methylation is a central regulator of genome function and altered methylation patterns are indicative of biological aging and mortality. Age-related cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes in the hippocampus lead to cognitive impairments and greater vulnerability to neurodegenerative disease that varies between the sexes. The role of hippocampal epigenomic changes with aging in these processes is unknown as no genome-wide analyses of age-related methylation changes have considered the factor of sex in a controlled animal model. High-depth, genome-wide bisulfite sequencing of young (3 month) and old (24 month) male and female mouse hippocampus revealed that while total genomic methylation amounts did not change with aging, specific sites in CG and non-CG (CH) contexts demonstrated age-related increases or decreases in methylation that were predominantly sexually divergent. Differential methylation with age for both CG and CH sites was enriched in intergenic, and intronic regions and under-represented in promoters, CG islands and specific enhancer regions in both sexes suggesting that certain genomic elements are especially labile with aging, even if the exact genomic loci altered are predominantly sex-specific. Life-long sex differences in autosomal methylation at CG and CH sites were also observed. The lack of genome-wide hypomethylation, sexually divergent aging response, and autosomal sex differences at CG sites were confirmed in human data. These data reveal sex as a previously unappreciated central factor of hippocampal epigenomic changes with aging. In total, these data demonstrate an intricate regulation of DNA methylation with aging by sex, cytosine context, genomic location, and methylation level.
An assembly gap control method based on posture alignment of wing panels in aircraft assembly
Authors: Wang Qing , Dou Yadong , Li Jiangxiong , Ke Yinglin , Keogh Patrick , Maropoulos Paul G. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an optimal posture evaluation model to control the assembly gaps in aircraft wing assembly. The gaps between two mating surfaces should be strictly controlled in precision manufacturing. Oversizing of gaps will decrease the dimensional accuracy and may reduce the fatigue life of a mechanical product. To reduce the gaps and keep them within tolerance, the relative posture (orientation and position) of two components should be optimized in the assembly process.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on the step alignment strategy, i.e. preliminary alignment and refined alignment, the concept of a small posture transformation (SPT) is introduced. In the preliminary alignment, an initial posture is estimated by a set of auxiliary locating points, with which the components can be quickly aligned near each other. In the refined alignment, the assembly gaps are calculated and the formulation of the gaps with component posture is derived by the SPT. A comprehensive weighted minimization model with gap tolerance constraints is established for redistributing the gaps in multi-regions. Powell-Hestenes-Rockafellar optimization, Singular Value Decomposition and K-Dimensional tree searching are introduced for the solution of the optimal posture for localization.

Findings
Using the SPT, the trigonometric posture transformation is linearized, which benefits the iterative solution process. Through the constrained model, overall gaps are minimized and excess gaps are controlled within tolerance.

Practical implications
This method has been tested with simulated model data and real product data, the results of which have shown efficient coordination of mating components.

Originality/value
This paper proposed an optimal posture evaluation method for minimizing the gaps between mating surfaces through component adjustments. This will promote the assembly automation and variation control in aircraft wing assembly.
Introduction of the trend-adjusted crop insurance program
Authors: Seo HongSeok , Kim Taehoo , Kim Man-Keun , McCarl Bruce A. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
Recently, USDA-RMA introduced a Trend Adjusted-Actual Production History (TA-APH) program, which increases APH by a trend factor to cover yield changes over time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the TA-APH program on farmer participation, coverage election, and risk by analyzing data before and after the program.

Design/methodology/approach
Since the program was carried out in selected counties, the authors employ a difference in differences approach doing comparisons of insurance participation and coverage levels between eligible and ineligible counties.

Findings
The authors find that farmers within the counties where the TA-APH program was available experienced an increase in insured acres of 3 percent for corn and 5 percent for soybeans. The authors also find the farmers eligible for the program purchased lower coverage levels relative to those not eligible. However, the magnitude of that negative effect is relatively small, −0.9 percent in corn and −1.3 percent in soybeans. Collectively the evidence shows the TA-APH program does increase the guaranteed yield level mitigating farmer risk.

Research limitations/implications
The data set used only permitted analysis at the county level, thus the authors could not look at the individual farmer choices.

Practical implications
The results suggest that if a greater level of farmer risk protection is desired from crop insurance, the authors find that the trend adjustment as implemented was a successful way to achieve this.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on the crop insurance by evaluating the program controlling for a non-participating groups, farming experience, liability rates, and subsidy rates. In doing this, it fulfills an identified need to study the actual impact on participation rates and coverage levels elected.
Employer-provided health benefits and employment decisions of US farm workers
Authors: Luo Tianyuan , Escalante Cesar 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of employer-provided health benefits (EPHBs) on labor supply decisions of documented and undocumented farm workers. By establishing a significant linkage between EPHB and farm work decisions, this study provides important implications for farm employment retention and the financial sustainability of farm businesses.

Design/methodology/approach
Using data from the National Agricultural Workers Survey, objective (actual) and subjective (expected) employment data are used as outcome variables analyzed under an ordered probit model, with the data pre-processed using the coarsened exact matching method to reduce endogeneity issues within the estimation.

Findings
Results confirm the influence of EPHB on farm workers’ decisions to remain employed on the farm as well as on the duration of their farm employment. Comparatively, EPHB significantly influences undocumented farm workers’ decisions on actual employment duration and subjective working expectations while documented workers seem to ascribe less importance to EPHB in their farm employment decisions.

Practical implications
This study provides important financial and business viability implications as the value of farm labor services retained through EPHB can translate to high opportunity losses, if ineffective. Alternative labor-saving strategies, such as mechanization, can only potentially lead to serious financial challenges for agribusiness firms, especially small-scale farm operations. This study emphasizes the need for more effective employment retention incentives for the sake of sustaining farm business viability.

Originality/value
This study presents empirical evidence on the important influence of EPHB on farm employment decisions, especially those made by undocumented farm workers, that have not been extensively explored in literature.
Managers’ silent whisper innovation involvement and role-modeling in service firms
Authors: Sölvell Ingela 
Published: July 2017

PurposeThe task of leading innovation is predominantly pictured as a supportive rolevis-à-visemployees. Motivation is a crucial aspect of this task. To better understand the practice of this change-oriented leadership task, the actual behavior and activities of managers are investigated. The purpose of this paper is to reflect through practice and self-reports how this leadership challenge is executed.Design/methodology/approachIn this longitudinal multi-method investigation, the service innovation literature constitutes the main theoretical framework. The investigation draws additionally on leadership literature about how to understand leadership through practice. The methodological design facilitated the drawing of causal inferences in the dynamics of service innovation.FindingsThe investigation enhances our understanding of managers’ particular context of innovation, and particularly the initiation context. It provides empirically grounded descriptions of what managers identify as potential opportunities, and how they take them further in the ideation stage. The results develop the suggestion that leadership roles, and specifically change-oriented roles, are not restricted to initiating or enabling activities related to the employees. Instead the much downplayed leadership role, i.e. the active practice-based involvement in innovation, is theorized as a role that is continuously activated, but tends to be set aside for contingency reasons.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed to assess the importance of managers’ involvement in the practice of innovation, both through systematic mapping of ideas on a larger scale, and through the employee perspective. This paper provides useful insights on managers’ cognition and involvement in innovation for further investigations of innovation management.Practical implicationsThe results provide awareness for managers regarding their diverse leadership roles related to innovation. First, the study embraces heterogeneous ideas that are useful to evaluate and constitute role-modeling. Second, it highlights how managers’ execution of innovation creates awareness about the challenges involved. Finally, but maybe most important, the results alert managers of the discontinuity, even in strategically anchored intentional innovation.Social implicationsIn a changing innovation landscape, individual firms need to draw on other firms to achieve their innovation strategies. In pursuit of this goal, this paper enhances the understanding of the role-modeling leadership task. It is a novel way of guiding individuals that are exposed to new and uncertain innovation contexts, and rethinking how innovation eventually can be achieved.Originality/valueWhile earlier research has identified the multifaceted leadership behavior to support innovation, this paper outlines the contextual conditions and the practice of executing the suggested powerful role of being a role-model for others.
Integrating developing countries into the world economy: a Tunisian case study
Authors: Ritzel Christian , Kohler Andreas , Mann Stefan 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide empirical evidence about the potential positive effects of switching from given non-reciprocal trade preferences granted under the Swiss Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for developing countries (DCs) to negotiated reciprocal trade preferences under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Design/methodology/approach
In a case study of Tunisia’s exports to Switzerland, the authors apply methods of matching econometrics, namely, Propensity-Score Matching and Nearest-Neighbor Matching. Hereby, they are able to identify the average treatment effect on the treated.

Findings
Overall preferential exports increased by 125 per cent after the entry into force of the FTA in 2005 until the end of the observation period in 2011. Additionally, an analysis of the agro-food and textile sectors likewise indicate boosting preferential exports in the amount of 100 per cent.

Research limitations/implications
Case studies in this vein have their disadvantages. The greatest disadvantage is the lack of generalization. In contrast to studies estimating the potential effects of an FTA for several countries, the authors are not able to generalize their results based on a single case.

Practical implications
Because trade preferences under the Swiss GSP are offered to the country group of DCs as a whole, non-reciprocal trade preferences are not tailored to the export structure of a particular DC. By switching from non-reciprocal to negotiated reciprocal trade preferences, DCs such as Tunisia expect to negotiate terms which are tailored to their export structure as well as better conditions than competitors from countries which are still beneficiaries of the GSP.

Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate explicitly the switch from non-reciprocal to reciprocal trade preferences using econometric matching techniques.
Brand trust and image: effects on customer satisfaction
Authors: Khodadad Hosseini Sayed Hamid , Behboudi Leila 
Published: July 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate brand trust and brand image effects on healthcare service users. Nowadays, managers and health activists are showing increased tendency to marketing and branding to attract and satisfy customers.Design/methodology/approachThe current study’s design is based on a conceptual model examining brand trust and brand image effects on customer satisfaction. Data obtained from 240 questionnaires (310 respondents) were analyzed using path analysis.FindingsResults revealed that the most effective items bearing the highest influence on customer satisfaction and on benefiting from healthcare services include brand image, staff sincerity to its patients, interactions with physicians and rapport.Research limitations/implicationsThis study needs to be conducted in different hospitals and with different patients, which would lead to the model’s expansion and its influence on the patient satisfaction.Originality/valueBeing the first study that simultaneously addresses brand trust and brand image effects on customer satisfaction, this research provides in-depth insights into healthcare marketing. Moreover, identifying significant components associated with healthcare branding helps managers and healthcare activists to create and protect their brands and, consequently, leading to an increased profitability resulting from the enhanced consumer satisfaction. Additionally, it would probably facilitate purchasing processes during the service selection.
Severe asthma: emergency care patient driven solutions
Authors: Newell Karen , Corrigan Chris , Punshon Geoffrey , Leary Alison 
Published: July 2017

Purpose
Patients with severe asthma were choosing not to use the emergency department (ED) in extremis and were self-medicating when experiencing severe asthma, putting their lives at risk. This local issue reflected a nationwide situation. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the reasons behind patients’ reluctance to attend ED and to consider practical solutions in a structured way.

Design/methodology/approach
Systems thinking (soft systems methodology) was used to examine the issues resulting in this reluctance to attend the ED. Once this tame (well-defined) problem was revealed, a potential solution was developed in co-production with patients.

Findings
Patients feared attending the ED and felt vulnerable while in the ED for several reasons. This appeared to be a well-defined and solvable problem. The solution proposed was an asthma patient passport (APP), which increased patient’s confidence in their ability to communicate their needs while in severe distress. The APP decreases (from 12 to 5 steps) the work patients had to do to achieve care. The APP project is currently being evaluated.

Practical implications
The APP should be offered to all people with severe asthma.

Originality/value
By revisiting systems thinking and identifying problems, a solution was identified. Although methods such as soft systems methodology have limitations when used in wicked (difficult or impossible to resolve) problems, such methods still have merit in tame problems and were applicable in this case to fully understand the issues, and to design practical solutions.