A major aim of Jon Driver's research was to identify principles by which the brain selects behaviorally relevant stimuli or thoughts for in-depth processing. His insights have shaped neurobiological models of selective attention that highlight top-down modulations of sensory cortex as a neural substrate of adaptive behavioral control. In this paper, I review research on the characteristics and neural origins of such top-down modulations. The studies reviewed show that neural processing in sensory cortical areas can be biased toward behaviorally relevant stimuli and thoughts by feedback projections from frontal and parietal brain areas. Such modulatory influences are similarly present for judgments about external sensory information (during attention) or internal representations (during imagery and short-term memory), potentially reflecting common neural mechanisms that enhance sensory processing of relevant neural signals. How such top-down control processes may ultimately be guided by motivational brain systems is a topic of current debate, for which Jon Driver's work will continue to provide important inspiration.
Microeconomic theory predicts that if patients are fully insured and providers are paid fee-for-service, utilization of medical services exceeds the efficient level (‘moral hazard effect’).
In Switzerland, both demand-side cost sharing and upply-side cost sharing have been introduced to mitigate this problem. Analyzing a panel dataset of about 150,000 adults, we find both types of cost sharing to be effective in curtailing the use of medical services. However, demand-side cost sharing options are preliminarily chosen by individuals in excellent health, causing ‘true’ cost savings achieved by supply-side cost sharing to be more important.
Against a backdrop of road accidents, pollution and congestion, many governments subsidise railways with the aim of reducing such externalities. But do improvements in public transport work? This column argues that recent empirical evidence confirms our expectations and, moreover, that public-transport improvements offer good value for money.
Networks of companies, research laboratories and universities provide benefits for innovation activities. Some success factors are bound to particular characteristics of a region. This is the case for industries based on craftsmanship such as the watch industry or the machine building industry.The latter is one of the most innovative in Switzerland. However, for successful innovationnationwide or even worldwide contacts play an increasingly important role, although there aremajor differences between technologies and sectors. It is shown that business success through innovation in biotechnology or medical technology relies not only on a strong scientific base within the home region but also on intensive contacts with the major centers of competence worldwide.The article identifies different types of innovative regions in Switzerland with different innovation strategies, though some may overlap. Their activities are supported by the openness and international connections of Switzerland as well as its high degree of internationalization.
Ernst Fehr, Initiant des 100-Millionen-Sponsoringvertrages der Uni Zürich mit der UBS, wehrt sich gegen die Kritik der
Wissenschaftler im «Zürcher Appell». Die Bank nehme keinen Einfluss auf die Forschung.
