bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress and the Development of Cognitive Vulnerabilities to Depression Explain Sex Differences in Depressive Symptoms During Adolescence
Authors: Hamilton Jessica L. , Stange Jonathan P. , Abramson Lyn Y. , Alloy Lauren B.
Published: October 2014

Although cognitive vulnerabilities to depression have received considerable empirical support, little research has evaluated the differential development of cognitive vulnerabilities in adolescent girls and boys. The current study examined the role of stressful life events, as well as sex differences in reactivity and exposure to stress, in the development of negative cognitive style and rumination in a multiwave study of 382 adolescents. Path analyses indicated that interpersonal dependent stress predicted higher prospective levels of negative cognitive styles and rumination. In addition, girls’ greater exposure to interpersonal dependent stress explained their higher levels of rumination, which accounted for higher levels of depressive symptoms in girls than in boys. These findings suggest that interpersonal dependent stress is a significant risk factor for the formation of cognitive vulnerabilities to depression during adolescence, and that the sex difference in depressive symptoms may result from girls’ greater exposure to interpersonal dependent stress and ruminative response style.
Distinct effects of concomitant Jak2V617F expression and Tet2 loss in mice promote disease progression in myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Chen Edwin , Schneider Rebekka K. , Breyfogle Lawrence J. , Rosen Emily A. , Poveromo Luke , Elf Shannon , Ko Amy , Brumme Kristina , Levine Ross , Ebert Benjamin L. , Mullally Ann
Published: October 2014

Key Points

Tet2 loss of function confers a strong functional competitive advantage to Jak2V617F-mutant hematopoietic stem cells. Jak2V617F expression and Tet2 loss generate distinct and nonoverlapping transcriptional programs in hematopoietic stem cells.
Serum sclerostin in high-activity adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Brabnikova-Maresova Kristyna , Jarosova Katerina , Pavelka Karel , Stepan Jan J
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a disease associated with loss of bone mass, deterioration in bone mass quality and an increased risk of fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors that predict bone mineral density (BMD) alterations in young adult patients with active JIA before and during therapy with tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitors.

Methods

Thirty-one patients (twelve males and nineteen females; mean age =25.1 ± 6.1 years) with active JIA (mean Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) =6.36 ± 0.64; mean high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) =18.36 ± 16.95 mg/L) were investigated. The control group consisted of 84 healthy individuals matched by sex and age. BMD, bone turnover markers and serum concentrations of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, dickkopf Wnt signalling pathway inhibitor 1 (Dkk1) and sclerostin were evaluated.

Results

Baseline BMD values in the lumbar spine, proximal femur, femoral neck and distal radius were significantly lower in patients with JIA compared to healthy control participants. Baseline sclerostin serum concentrations were significantly higher in patients with JIA compared to control participants. After 2 years of treatment with TNFα inhibitors, BMD was significantly increased in the lumbar spine. This increase correlated with a drop in DAS28 score. A statistically significant correlation between hsCRP and Dkk1 was found at baseline, as well as during the 2-year follow-up period. A significant reduction in serum sclerostin after 1 year of therapy was predictive of a drop in DAS28 score observed with a 1-year delay after reduction of serum sclerostin.

Conclusion

A significant correlation between the sclerostin serum concentration and the number of tender and swollen joints, but not BMD, supports the hypothesis that chondrocytes and cells of the subchondral bone may contribute to circulating sclerostin in JIA.
Impaired Musculoskeletal Response to Age and Exercise in PPARβ−/− Diabetic Mice
Authors: Fu He , Desvergne Beatrice , Ferrari Serge , Bonnet Nicolas
Published: October 2014

Fragility fractures are recognized complication of diabetes, but yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This is particularly pronounced in type 2 diabetes in which the propensity to fall is increased but bone mass is not necessarily low. Thus, whether factors implicated in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes directly impact on the musculoskeletal system remains to be investigated. PPARβ−/− mice have reduced metabolic activity and are glucose intolerant. We examined changes in bone and muscle in PPARβ−/− mice and investigated both the mechanism behind those changes with age as well as their response to exercise. Compared with their wild type, PPARβ−/− mice had an accelerated and parallel decline in both muscle and bone strength with age. These changes were accompanied by increased myostatin expression, low bone formation, and increased resorption. In addition, mesenchymal cells from PPARβ−/− had a reduced proliferation capacity and appeared to differentiate into more of an adipogenic phenotype. Concomitantly we observed an increased expression of PPARγ, characteristic of adipocytes. The anabolic responses of muscle and bone to exercise were also diminished in PPARβ−/− mice. The periosteal bone formation response to direct bone compression was, however, maintained, indicating that PPARβ controls periosteal bone formation through muscle contraction and/or metabolism. Taken together, these data indicate that PPARβ deficiency leads to glucose intolerance, decreased muscle function, and reduced bone strength. On a molecular level, PPARβ appears to regulate myostatin and PPARγ expression in muscle and bone, thereby providing potential new targets to reverse bone fragility in patients with metabolic disturbances.
Novel alleles of the Drosophila LRRK2 homolog reveal a crucial role in endolysosomal functions and autophagy in vivo
Authors: Dodson Mark W. , Leung Lok K. , Lone Mohiddin , Lizzio Michael A. , Guo Ming
Published: October 2014

Mutations in LRRK2 cause a dominantly inherited form of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and are the most common known genetic determinant of PD. As inhibitor-based therapies targeting LRRK2 have emerged as a key therapeutic strategy in PD, understanding the consequences of inhibiting the normal cellular functions of LRRK2 is vital. Despite much interest, the physiologic functions of LRRK2 remain unclear. Several recent studies have linked the toxicity caused by overexpression of pathogenic mutant forms of LRRK2 to defects in the endolysosomal and autophagy pathways, raising the question of whether endogenous LRRK2 might play a role in these processes. Here we report the characterization of multiple novel nonsense alleles in the Drosophila LRRK2 homolog lrrk. Using these alleles, we show that lrrk loss-of-function causes striking defects in the endolysosomal and autophagy pathways, including accumulation of markedly enlarged lysosomes that are laden with undigested contents, consistent with a defect in lysosomal degradation. lrrk loss-of-function also results in accumulation of autophagosomes, as well as enlarged early endosomes laden with mono-ubiquitinated cargo proteins, suggesting an additional defect in lysosomal substrate delivery. Interestingly, the lysosomal abnormalities in these lrrk mutants can be suppressed by a constitutively active form of the small GTPase rab9, which promotes retromer-dependent recycling from late endosomes to the Golgi. Collectively, our data provides compelling evidence of a vital role for lrrk in lysosomal function and endolysosomal membrane transport in vivo, and suggests a link between lrrk and retromer-mediated endosomal recycling.
Anin vitromodel of human neocortical development using pluripotent stem cells: cocaine-induced cytoarchitectural alterations
Authors: Kindberg Abigail A. , Bendriem Raphael M. , Spivak Charles E. , Chen Jia , Handreck Annelie , Lupica Carl R. , Liu Jinny , Freed William J. , Lee Chun-Ting
Published: October 2014

Neocortical development involves ordered specification of forebrain cortical progenitors to various neuronal subtypes, ultimately forming the layered cortical structure. Modeling of this process using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) would enable mechanistic studies of human neocortical development, while providing new avenues for exploration of developmental neocortical abnormalities. Here, we show that preserving hPSCs aggregates – allowing embryoid body formation – while adding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) during neuroepithelial development generates neural rosettes showing dorsal forebrain identity, including Mash1+ dorsal telencephalic GABAergic progenitors. Structures that mirrored the organization of the cerebral cortex formed after rosettes were seeded and cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of FGF18, BDNF and NT3. Neurons migrated along radial glia scaffolding, with deep-layer CTIP2+ cortical neurons appearing after 1 week and upper-layer SATB2+ cortical neurons forming during the second and third weeks. At the end of differentiation, these structures contained both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, with glutamatergic neurons being most abundant. Thus, this differentiation protocol generated an hPSC-based model that exhibits temporal patterning and a neuronal subtype ratio similar to that of the developing human neocortex. This model was used to examine the effects of cocaine during neocorticogenesis. Cocaine caused premature neuronal differentiation and enhanced neurogenesis of various cortical neuronal subtypes. These cocaine-induced changes were inhibited by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor cimetidine. This in vitro model enables mechanistic studies of neocorticogenesis, and can be used to examine the mechanisms through which cocaine alters the development of the human neocortex.
Conditioned discrimination of magnetic inclination in a spatial-orientation arena task by homing pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Mora Cordula V. , Acerbi Merissa L. , Bingman Verner P.
Published: October 2014

It has been well established that homing pigeons are able to use the Earth’s magnetic field to obtain directional information when returning to their loft and that their magnetic compass is based, at least in part, on the perception of magnetic inclination. Magnetic inclination has also been hypothesized in pigeons and other long-distance navigators, such as sea turtles, to play a role providing positional information as part of a map. Here we developed a behavioural paradigm which allows us to condition homing pigeons to discriminate magnetic inclination cues in a spatial-orientation arena task. Six homing pigeons were required to discriminate in a circular arena between feeders located either in a zone with a close to 0º inclination cue or in a zone with a rapidly changing inclination cue (-3º to +85º when approaching the feeder and +85º to -3º when moving away from the feeder) to obtain a food reward. The pigeons consistently performed this task above chance level. Control experiments, during which the coils were turned off or the current was running anti-parallel through the double-wound coils system, confirmed that no alternative cues were used by the birds in the discrimination task. The results show that homing pigeons can be conditioned to discriminate differences in magnetic field inclination, enabling investigation into the peripheral and central neural processing of geomagnetic inclination under controlled laboratory conditions.
Influence of reproductive mode on metabolic costs of reproduction: insight from the bimodal lizard Zootoca vivipara
Authors: Foucart Thomas , Lourdais Olivier , DeNardo Dale F. , Heulin Benoit
Published: October 2014

Examination of the selective forces behind the transition from oviparity to viviparity in vertebrates must include an understanding of the relative energy costs of the two reproductive modes. However, interspecific comparisons of reproductive mode are confounded by numerous other inherent differences among the species. Therefore, we compared oxygen consumption, as a reflection of energy costs, during reproduction in oviparous and viviparous females of the reproductively bimodal lizard Zootoca vivipara (Jaquin 1787). Female oxygen consumption progressively increased over the course of reproduction, peaking just prior to parition when it was 46% (oviparous form) and 82% (viviparous form) higher than it was at the pre-reproductive stage. Total increase in oxygen consumption (TIOC) during the pre-ovulation period was not different between the reproductive modes. Conversely post-ovulation TIOC was more than three times higher in viviparous females, reflecting dramatic increase in embryonic metabolism as well as maternal metabolic costs of pregnancy (MCP). MCP accounted for 22% of total metabolism in viviparous females, whereas it was negligible in oviparous females. Our results demonstrate that egg retention through the first third of development, as is typical of most oviparous squamates, entails minimal maternal energy demand while extending retention imposes much greater metabolic constraints. Selection for transition from oviparity to viviparity must therefore provide benefits that outweigh not only the added burden associated with prolonged embryonic retention, but also the substantial additional energy costs that are incurred.
Expression of cytoskeletal and molt-related genes is temporally scheduled in the hypodermis of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii during premolt
Authors: Tom Moshe , Manfrin Chiara , Chung Sook J. , Sagi Amir , Gerdol Marco , De Moro Gianluca , Pallavicini Alberto , Giulianini Piero G.
Published: October 2014

The rigid crustacean exoskeleton, the cuticle, is composed of the polysaccharide chitin, structural proteins and mineral deposits. It is periodically replaced to enable growth and its construction is an energy-demanding process. Ecdysis, the shedding event of the old cuticle is preceded by a preparatory phase, termed premolt, in which the present cuticle is partially degraded and a new one is formed underneath it. Procambarus clarkii (Girard), an astacid crustacean, was used here to comprehensively examine the changing patterns of gene expression in the hypodermis underlying the cuticle of the carapace at seven time points along ~14 premolt days. Next generation sequencing was used to construct a multi-tissue P. clarkii transcript sequence assembly to be generally used in a variety of transcriptomic studies. An aimed reference transcriptome was created here for the performance of a digital transcript expression analysis, determining the gene expression profiles in each of the examined premolt stages. The analysis revealed a cascade of sequential expression events of molt-related genes involved in chitin degradation, synthesis and modification, as well as synthesis of collagen and four groups of cuticular structural genes. The novel description of major transcriptional events during premolt and determination of their timing provide temporal markers for future studies of molt progress and regulation. The peaks of expression of the molt-related genes were preceded by expression peaks of cytoskeletal genes hypothesized to be essential for premolt progress by regulating protein synthesis and/or transport probably by remodeling the cytoskeletal structure.
Cold acclimation increases cardiac myofilament function and ventricular pressure generation in trout
Authors: Klaiman Jordan M. , Pyle W. Glen , Gillis Todd E.
Published: October 2014

Reducing temperature below the optimum of most vertebrate hearts impairs contractility and reduces organ function. However, a number of fish species, including the rainbow trout, can seasonally acclimate to low temperature. Such ability requires modification of physiological systems to compensate for the thermodynamic effects of temperature on biological processes. The current study tested the hypothesis that rainbow trout compensate for the direct effect of cold temperature by increasing cardiac contractility during cold acclimation. We examined cardiac contractility, following thermal acclimation (4 °C, 11 °C and 17 °C), by measuring the Ca2+ sensitivity of force generation by chemically skinned cardiac trabeculae as well as ventricular pressure generation using a modified Langendorff preparation. We demonstrate, for the first time, that the Ca2+ sensitivity of force generation was significantly higher in cardiac trabeculae from 4 °C-acclimated trout compared to those acclimated to 11 °C or 17 °C and that this functional change occurred in parallel with a decrease in the level of cardiac troponin T phosphorylation. In addition, we show that the magnitude and rate of ventricular pressure generation was greater in hearts from trout acclimated to 4 °C compared to those from animals acclimated to 11 or 17 °C. Taken together these results suggest that enhanced myofilament function, caused by modification of existing contractile proteins, is at least partially responsible for the observed increase in pressure generation after acclimation to 4 °C. In addition, by examining the phenotypic plasticity of a comparative model we have identified a strategy, used in vivo, by which the force generating capacity of cardiac muscle can be increased.
Targeted inactivation of the rickets receptor in muscle compromisesDrosophilaviability
Authors: Harwood Benjamin N. , Draper Isabelle , Kopin Alan S.
Published: October 2014

Bursicon is a hormone that modulates wing expansion, cuticle hardening, and melanization in Drosophila melanogaster. Bursicon activity is mediated through its cognate G protein-coupled receptor, rickets. We have developed a membrane tethered bursicon construct that enables spatial modulation of rickets mediated physiology in transgenic flies. Ubiquitous expression of tethered bursicon throughout development results in arrest at the pupal stage. The few organisms that eclose fail to undergo wing expansion. These phenotypes suggest that expression of tethered bursicon inhibits rickets mediated function. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show in vitro that sustained stimulation of rickets by tethered bursicon leads to receptor desensitization. Furthermore, tissue specific expression of the tethered bursicon inhibitor unraveled a critical role for rickets in a subset of adult muscles. Taken together, our finding highlight the utility of membrane tethered inhibitors as important genetic/pharmacological tools to dissect the tissue specific roles of GPCRs in vivo.
Social Media, Knowledge Sharing, and Innovation: Toward a Theory of Communication Visibility
Authors: Leonardi Paul M.
Published: October 2014

This paper offers a theory of communication visibility based on a field study of the implementation of a new enterprise social networking site in a large financial services organization. The emerging theory suggests that once invisible communication occurring between others in the organization becomes visible for third parties, those third parties could improve their metaknowledge (i.e., knowledge of who knows what and who knows whom). Communication visibility, in this case made possible by the enterprise social networking site, leads to enhanced awareness of who knows what and whom through two interrelated mechanisms: message transparency and network translucence. Seeing the contents of other’s messages helps third-party observers make inferences about coworkers' knowledge. Tangentially, seeing the structure of coworkers' communication networks helps third-party observers make inferences about those with whom coworkers regularly communicate. The emerging theory further suggests that enhanced metaknowledge can lead to more innovative products and services and less knowledge duplication if employees learn to work in new ways. By learning vicariously rather than through experience, workers can more effectively recombine existing ideas into new ideas and avoid duplicating work. Moreover, they can begin to proactively aggregate information perceived daily rather than engaging in reactive search after confronting a problem. I discuss the important implications of this emerging theory of communication visibility for work in the knowledge economy.
Sex Hormones and Competitive Bidding
Authors: Schipper Burkhard C.
Published: October 2014

We correlate competitive bidding and profits in symmetric independent private value first-price auctions with salivary testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and cortisol in more than 200 subjects. Bids are significantly positively correlated and profits are significantly negatively correlated with basal salivary progesterone, but only for females who do not use hormonal contraceptives. Surprisingly, we have null findings for basal testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol for both males and females. We show that our finding for progesterone is not mediated by risk aversion or bidding mistakes. No hormone responds to total profits in the auctions except for a small positive response of the stress hormone cortisol in males.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1959 .

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Obesity and joint replacement
Authors: Unsworth-Smith T. , Wood D.
Published: October 2014

Obesity is a global epidemic of 2.1 billion people and a well known cause of osteoarthritis. Joint replacement in the obese attracts more complications, poorer outcomes and higher revision rates. It is a reversible condition and the fundamental principles of dealing with reversible medical conditions prior to elective total joint replacement should apply to obesity. The dilemma for orthopaedic surgeons is when to offer surgery in the face of a reversible condition, which if treated may obviate joint replacement and reduce the risk and severity of obesity related disease in both the medical arena and the field of orthopaedics.
Dissolution of randomly distributed soluble grains: post-dissolution k0-loading and shear
Authors: CHA M. , SANTAMARINA J.C.
Published: October 2014

Sediments experience mineral dissolution in most natural settings, and as a result of engineered processes such as carbon dioxide injection. The consequences of mineral dissolution are studied using the three-dimensional discrete-element method by gradually dissolving randomly distributed soluble grains in a laterally constrained cell under constant vertical stress. Either additional vertical load under zero lateral strain or shear loading are applied after dissolution. Results show that dissolution is accompanied by global horizontal stress change, increase in vertical displacement and porosity, and decrease in coordination number. Post-dissolution, sediments are more compressible; shear loading encounters a diminished peak strength and reduced dilative tendency in sediments that experienced dissolution; however, all specimens evolve towards a common ‘critical state' strength and sediment fabric at a large strain (in the absence of reprecipitation, changes in grain shape, or changes in grain size distribution). The analysis of micromechanical parameters shows that the total number of contacts decreases during dissolution and remaining contacts carry higher forces. Higher granular interlocking hinders settlement and leads to the development of higher fabric and force anisotropy during dissolution. Granular arching effectively resists vertical displacement around dissolving grains, a honeycomb fabric emerges and the specimen gains a higher porosity during dissolution. Overall, the extent of dissolution (soluble fraction) and the level of particle interlocking/angularity define the evolution of micro- and macro-scale parameters during dissolution and its response to subsequent loading.
Dynamic regulation of partner abundance mediates response of reef coral symbioses to environmental change
Authors: Cunning R. , Vaughan N. , Gillette P. , Capo T. R. , Maté J. L. , Baker A. C.
Published: October 2014

Regulating partner abundance may allow symbiotic organisms to mediate interaction outcomes, facilitating adaptive responses to environmental change. To explore the capacity for adaptive regulation in an ecologically important endosymbiosis, we studied the population dynamics of symbiotic algae in reef‐building corals under different abiotic contexts. We found high natural variability in symbiont abundance in corals across reefs, but this variability converged to different symbiont‐specific abundances when colonies were maintained under constant conditions. When conditions changed seasonally, symbiont abundance readjusted to new equilibria. We explain these patterns using an a priori model of symbiotic costs and benefits to the coral host, which shows that the observed changes in symbiont abundance are consistent with the maximization of interaction benefit under different environmental conditions. These results indicate that, while regulating symbiont abundance helps hosts sustain maximum benefit in a dynamic environment, spatiotemporal variation in abiotic factors creates a broad range of symbiont abundances (and interaction outcomes) among corals that may account for observed natural variability in performance (e.g., growth rate) and stress tolerance (e.g., bleaching susceptibility). This cost or benefit framework provides a new perspective on the dynamic regulation of reef coral symbioses and illustrates that the dependence of interaction outcomes on biotic and abiotic contexts may be important in understanding how diverse mutualisms respond to environmental change.
Growth of Bean Strip‐Intercropped with Maize: Evaluation of the CROPGRO Model
Authors: Munz S. , Claupein W. , Graeff-Hönninger S.
Published: October 2014

Optimizing strip‐intercropping systems requires a comprehensive modeling approach to study competition effects, especially for solar radiation, and to integrate numerous crops. Therefore, we studied the radiation availability and its effect on canopy and leaf level and finally on total dry matter and yield formation of bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. nana) strip‐intercropped with maize. Nine rows of bush bean were sown on two sowing dates between strips of six rows of maize (Zea mays L.). The CROPGRO model was tested with an hourly input of solar radiation for its ability to simulate observed growth and yield formation of the two most shaded bush bean rows next to maize. Experimental results showed that bush bean had a good potential for strip‐intercropping systems tolerating up to 30% shading due to an increased light interception by a larger canopy with a considerable increase in its leaf area. The CROPGRO model, calibrated on data of monocropped bush bean, captured well the effect of the strongly reduced radiation on total and pod dry matter in the most shaded bush bean row. This indicates the model's applicability on other intercropping systems exhibiting high levels of shading. Under a lower level of shading further from maize, cultivar parameters responsible for leaf area expansion and the maximum photosynthetic rate had to be increased to achieve a high accuracy of the simulations. Future studies should focus on measurements of photosynthesis, radiation distribution and absorption within the canopy, and leaf area expansion under shaded conditions to improve model simulations.
Effects of Selective Genetic Introgression from Wild Soybean to Soybean
Authors: Akpertey Abraham , Belaffif Mohammad , Graef George L. , Rouf Mian M. A. , Grover Shannon J. , Cregan Perry B. , Hudson Matthew E. , Diers Brian W. , Nelson Randall L.
Published: October 2014

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding in the United States currently relies on a narrow genetic base. For decades, but more intensely in recent years, efforts have been made to incorporate exotic soybean germplasm into the breeding pool. Although wild soybean (G. soja Seib. and Zucc.) is genetically much more diverse than soybean, much less effort has been devoted to utilizing wild soybean in soybean breeding. The objectives of this research were to identify high‐yielding lines derived from crosses between five wild soybean accessions and soybean cultivars and determine if there are differences in the genetic contributions of each wild soybean parent. Each wild soybean was crossed to Williams 82, and the F1 plants were backcrossed to Williams 82 to create the backcross generation (BC1) lines. The BC2 parent lines were developed through family selection and backcrossed to Williams 82, IA2052, IA3023, or LN97–15076. Family selection beginning in the F2 generation was used to develop lines from plant introduction (PI) 507807 and PI 549046. The lines from PI 479767 and PI 483461 were selected by early generation testing through yield testing F2 lines in the F3 and F4 generations. The lines derived from PI 65549 were developed from a single seed descent (SSD) population. Field evaluation of the derived lines identified lines that are not significantly different from their recurrent parents. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, we found unique contributions being made by the G. soja parents. Despite intense selection pressure to recover good agronomic types, an average of 13% of SNP alleles in the derived lines came from the G. soja parents.
Tillage and Residue Management Effects on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Under Irrigated Continuous Corn
Authors: Schmer M.R. , Jin V.L. , Wienhold B.J. , Varvel G.E. , Follett R.F.
Published: October 2014

Demand for corn (Zea mays L.) stover as forage or as a cellulosic biofuel has increased the importance of determining the effects of stover removal on biomass production and the soil resource. Our objectives were to evaluate grain yield, soil organic C (SOC), and total soil N (0–150 cm) in a 10‐yr, irrigated, continuous corn study under conventional disk tillage (CT) and no‐till (NT) with variable corn stover removal rates (none, medium, and high). Natural abundance C isotope compositions (δ13C) were used to determine C additions by corn (C4–C) to the soil profile and to evaluate the retention of residual C3–C. After 10 yr of management treatments, mean grain yields were 7.5 to 8.6% higher for NT when stover was removed compared with no stover removal, while grain yields were similar for CT in all stover removal treatments. Turnover of SOC occurred as C3–C stocks were replaced by C4–C in the 0‐ to 120‐cm soil profile. Total SOC and N stocks changed mainly in surface soils (0–30 cm), with no detectable cumulative changes at 0 to 150 cm. Specifically, SOC declined after 10 yr under CT at 0 to 15 cm and was affected by residue management at 15 to 30 cm. Total soil N was greater when no stover was removed (P = 0.0073) compared with high stover removal at 0 to 15 cm. Long‐term NT ameliorated medium stover removal effects by maintaining near‐surface SOC levels. Results support the need to evaluate SOC cycling processes below near‐surface soil layers.
Growth and industrial policy during transition
Authors: Cerovic Bozidar , Nojkovic Aleksandra , Uvalic Milica
Published: October 2014

After twenty-five years of economic transition economic performance varies
considerably in transition countries, while in most cases current outcomes
show that the desired effects have not been achieved. In this paper we
elaborate on why industrial policy has been a key missing element in the
transition and has greatly contributed to the unexpectedly small and slow
pace of economic recovery. After discussing the achieved level of economic
development we undertake an empirical analysis in order to define the role of
several important factors of growth, as seen at the beginning of transition
(reform progress, macroeconomic stabilisation, initial conditions) and those
that attracted particular attention during the global crisis
(industrial/manufacturing output, exports). The analysis shows that the
growth model in transition economies has altered both over time and in
relation to the progress of transition reforms. The most important change
concerns the share of industrial output in GDP, which is found to be one of
the most important factors of growth after the initial phase of reform. These
results suggest that transition economies should implement industrial policy
measures as an integral part of their reform strategy instead of just
speeding up reforms as the key (if not the only) element of government
policy. Based on these results, we explore what would be a viable and proper
industrial policy in transition countries, particularly what should be done
in current conditions after the damaging effects of the recurrent global
recession, and make some policy suggestions.
Application of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models to the case of the Serbian economy
Authors: Urosevic Branko , Grga Nikola
Published: October 2014

This paper proposes a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model for
the Serbian economy. It is a modification of the existing models of Goodhart,
Osorio and Tsomocos (2009) and Martinez and Tsomocos (2012). The model
introduces important features of the Serbian economy, financial dollarization
and foreign ownership of the banking system, while retaining the most
important element of the reference models, financial friction. To solve the
model we use Dynare, a specialized Matlab program for solving DSGE models.
The model is subject to three different shocks: monetary, productivity, and
regulatory, and the results are presented in the form of impulse response
functions. It is concluded that the proposed platform has good
characteristics, but its complete application to the case of the Serbian
economy requires further research.
Effect of dispersion parameters on the consolidation of starch-loaded hydroxyapatite slurry
Authors: Ahmed Yasser , Ewais Emad , El-Sheikh Said
Published: October 2014

The influence of some parameters controlling the hydroxyapatite (HA)
suspension rheology in terms of heat treatment of the HA powder prior to
suspension preparation, suspension solid loading and the amount of corn
starch addition was thoroughly investigated. The heat treatment of powder at
1100?C prior to suspension preparation was found to be extremely efficient in
preparing suspensions with high solid loading of 59 vol.%. In contrast, the
highest solid loading that could be developed from the non-heat treated
powder was 14 vol.%. This phenomenon is consequence of the changes in the
physical and chemical properties of the powder after the heat treatment step.
The amount of native corn starch addition has ranged from 10 to 40 vol.%. The
addition of corn starch leads to the high retardation in the suspension
viscosity, particularly at low shear rate. On the contrary, at higher shear
rate the situation is completely different. The properties of the
consolidated green sample (produced from suspensions containing various corn
starch amounts) in terms of relative density and compressive strength were
studied. The results indicated that even though there were no considerable
changes in the relative density, the compressive strength was sharply
increased with increasing starch amount content until it reached a maximum at
30 vol.% and then decreased thereafter.
In vitro bioactivity of soda lime borate glasses with substituted SrO in sodium phosphate solution
Authors: Marzouk Mohamed , El Batal
Published: October 2014

Borate glasses with the basic composition 0.6B2O3?0.2Na2O?0.2CaO and SrO
progressively substituting CaO were prepared and characterized for their
bone-bonding ability. The obtained glasses were thermally treated and
converted to their glass-ceramic derivatives. In this study, FTIR spectral
analyses were done for the prepared glasses and glass-ceramics before and
after immersion in a sodium phosphate solution for extended times. The
appearance of two IR bands within the spectral range 550-680 cm-1 after
immersion confirms the formation of hydroxyapatite. X-ray diffraction studies
and scanning electron microscope analysis supported the obtained infrared
spectroscopy results. The solubility test (measurements of the weight loss in
aqueous sodium phosphate solution) was conducted for measuring the
dissolution of both glassy and crystalline derivatives to find out the role
of SrO. The corrosion behaviour of the glasses and glass-ceramics indicate
the increase of weight loss with the increase of SrO content. Different
suggested proposals were introduced to explain this abnormal behaviour.
Legal status, role and competencies of the commissioner for protection of equality
Authors: Petrusic Nevena
Published: October 2014

The Commissioner for Protection of Equality is an autonomous and independent
state authority established on the basis of the Law on the Prohibition of
Discrimination (2009), as a central national institution for protection from
and suppression of discrimination. The article analyses the legal profile and
position of the institution within the legal system, the role and scope of
its authority in preventing and reacting to discrimination. In addition, the
Commissioner?s acting upon complaints has been considered, as well as
so-called strategic litigation, its potentials, and the indicators used for
identifying strategically important cases of discrimination, and the
requirements for initiating strategic litigation.
Social distance towards female sex workers and its relations to authoritarianism, social dominance orientation and self-respect
Authors: Karic Tijana , Raskovic-Zivkovic Biljana , Mihic Vladimir
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we explored the in-group and outer-group social distance
towards sex workers and its relations to authoritarianism, social dominance
orientation and self-respect. The sample consisted of 92 participants from
the general population and 45 female sex workers (age 18-50). The instruments
used were the Bogardus social distance scale, the Authoritarianism scale
UPA-S, the Social dominance orientation scale and the Rosenberg self-respect
scale. The results indicate a rather high social distance towards sex
workers, including the distance by the general population being higher than
the distance of the sex workers towards their own group. The correlation of
authoritarianism and social distance was significant, as was the correlation
between authoritarian aggressiveness and stoicism and social distance. The
relationship between social dominance orientation and self-respect and social
distance in our research has been statistically insignificant, however it
demonstrates the expected trends.
Disciplining Professionals: A Feminist Discourse Analysis of Public Preschool Teachers
Authors: Sisson Jamie Huff , Iverson Susan V.
Published: October 2014

Educational reforms across the globe have had implications for the work of preschool teachers and thus their professional identities. This article draws on a feminist discourse lens to examine data collected from a recent narrative inquiry focused on understanding the professional identities of five public preschool teachers in the USA. This analysis identifies two discourses (the discourse of professionalism and the discourse of the caregiver), bringing to light the discursive tensions that existed within this context, and examines how dominate discourses construct a double bind that leaves preschool teachers with conflicting identities as they navigate professional expectations.
Evaluation of the effects of skeletal anchoraged Forsus FRD using miniplates inserted on mandibular symphysis: A new approach for the treatment of Class II malocclusion
Authors: Unal Tuba , Celikoglu Mevlut , Candirli Celal
Published: October 2014

Objective: 

To evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) appliance with miniplate anchorage for the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion.

Material and Methods: 

The prospective clinical study group included 17 patients (11 girls and 6 boys; mean age 12.96 ± 1.23 years) with Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion and treated with skeletal anchoraged Forsus FRD. After 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire was inserted and cinched back in the maxillary arch, two miniplates were placed bilaterally on the mandibular symphysis. Then, the Forsus FRD EZ2 appliance was adjusted to the miniplates without leveling the mandibular arch. The changes in the leveling and skeletal anchoraged Forsus FRD phases were evaluated by means of the Paired and Student's t-tests using the cephalometric lateral films.

Results: 

The success rate of the miniplates was found to be 91.5% (38 of 42 miniplates). The mandible significantly moved forward (P < .001) and caused a significant restraint in the sagittal position of the maxilla (P < .001). The overjet correction (−5.11 mm) was found to be mainly by skeletal changes (A-VRL, −1.16 mm and Pog-VRL, 2.62 mm; approximately 74%); the remaining changes were due to the dentoalveolar contributions. The maxillary and mandibular incisors were significantly retruded (P < .001).

Conclusion: 

This new approach was an effective method for treating skeletal Class II malocclusion due to the mandibular retrusion via a combination of skeletal and dentoalveolar changes.
Ozone Exposure Triggers Insulin Resistance Through Muscle c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Activation
Authors: Vella Roxane E. , Pillon Nicolas J. , Zarrouki Bader , Croze Marine L. , Koppe Laetitia , Guichardant Michel , Pesenti Sandra , Chauvin Marie-Agnès , Rieusset Jennifer , Géloën Alain , Soulage Christophe O.
Published: October 2014

A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Ozone, a major photochemical pollutant in urban areas, is negatively associated with fasting glucose and insulin levels, but most aspects of this association remain to be elucidated. Using an environmentally realistic concentration (0.8 parts per million), we demonstrated that exposure of rats to ozone induced whole-body insulin resistance and oxidative stress, with associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, and disruption of insulin signaling in skeletal muscle. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from ozone-treated rats reproduced this effect in C2C12 myotubes, suggesting that toxic lung mediators were responsible for the phenotype. Pretreatment with the chemical chaperone 4-phenylbutyric acid, the JNK inhibitor SP600125, or the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine alleviated insulin resistance, demonstrating that ozone sequentially triggered oxidative stress, ER stress, and JNK activation to impair insulin signaling in muscle. This study is the first to report that ozone plays a causative role in the development of insulin resistance, suggesting that it could boost the development of diabetes. We therefore provide a potential mechanism linking pollutant exposure and the increased incidence of metabolic diseases.
Insulin Receptor Substrate-2 (Irs2) in Endothelial Cells Plays a Crucial Role in Insulin Secretion
Authors: Hashimoto Shinji , Kubota Naoto , Sato Hiroyuki , Sasaki Motohiro , Takamoto Iseki , Kubota Tetsuya , Nakaya Keizo , Noda Mitsuhiko , Ueki Kohjiro , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: October 2014

Endothelial cells are considered to be essential for normal pancreatic β-cell function. The current study attempted to demonstrate the role of insulin receptor substrate-2 (Irs2) in endothelial cells with regard to insulin secretion. Endothelial cell–specific Irs2 knockout (ETIrs2KO) mice exhibited impaired glucose-induced, arginine-induced, and glucagon-induced insulin secretion and showed glucose intolerance. In batch incubation and perifusion experiments using isolated islets, glucose-induced insulin secretion was not significantly different between the control and the ETIrs2KO mice. In contrast, in perfusion experiments, glucose-induced insulin secretion was significantly impaired in the ETIrs2KO mice. The islet blood flow was significantly impaired in the ETIrs2KO mice. After the treatment of these knockout mice with enalapril maleate, which improved the islet blood flow, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was almost completely restored to levels equal to those in the control mice. These data suggest that Irs2 deletion in endothelial cells leads to a decreased islet blood flow, which may cause impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion. Thus, Irs2 in endothelial cells may serve as a novel therapeutic target for preventing and ameliorating type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Inactivation of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone–Induced Insulinotropic Role by High-Altitude Hypoxia
Authors: Hao Ke , Kong Fan-Ping , Gao Yu-Qi , Tang Jia-Wei , Chen Jian , Evans A. Mark , Lightman Stafford L. , Chen Xue-Qun , Du Ji-Zeng
Published: October 2014

We have shown that hypoxia reduces plasma insulin, which correlates with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor 1 (CRHR1) in rats, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report that hypobaric hypoxia at an altitude of 5,000 m for 8 h enhances rat plasma CRH, corticosterone, and glucose levels, whereas the plasma insulin and pancreatic ATP/ADP ratio is reduced. In islets cultured under normoxia, CRH stimulated insulin release in a glucose- and CRH-level–dependent manner by activating CRHR1 and thus the cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway and calcium influx through L-type channels. In islets cultured under hypoxia, however, the insulinotropic effect of CRH was inactivated due to reduced ATP and cAMP and coincident loss of intracellular calcium oscillations. Serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) also played an inhibitory role. In human volunteers rapidly ascended to 3,860 m, plasma CRH and glucose levels increased without a detectable change in plasma insulin. By contrast, volunteers with acute mountain sickness (AMS) exhibited a marked decrease in HOMA insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS) and enhanced plasma CRH. In conclusion, hypoxia may attenuate the CRH-insulinotropic effect by reducing cellular ATP/ADP ratio, cAMP and calcium influx, and upregulated SGK1. Hypoxia may not affect HOMA-IS in healthy volunteers but reduces it in AMS volunteers.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Increase Pancreatic Mass by Induction of Protein Synthesis
Authors: Koehler Jacqueline A. , Baggio Laurie L. , Cao Xiemin , Abdulla Tahmid , Campbell Jonathan E. , Secher Thomas , Jelsing Jacob , Larsen Brett , Drucker Daniel J.
Published: October 2014

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) controls glucose homeostasis by regulating secretion of insulin and glucagon through a single GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R). GLP-1R agonists also increase pancreatic weight in some preclinical studies through poorly understood mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that the increase in pancreatic weight following activation of GLP-1R signaling in mice reflects an increase in acinar cell mass, without changes in ductal compartments or β-cell mass. GLP-1R agonists did not increase pancreatic DNA content or the number of Ki67+ cells in the exocrine compartment; however, pancreatic protein content was increased in mice treated with exendin-4 or liraglutide. The increased pancreatic mass and protein content was independent of cholecystokinin receptors, associated with a rapid increase in S6 phosphorylation, and mediated through the GLP-1R. Rapamycin abrogated the GLP-1R–dependent increase in pancreatic mass but had no effect on the robust induction of Reg3α and Reg3β gene expression. Mass spectrometry analysis identified GLP-1R–dependent upregulation of Reg family members, as well as proteins important for translation and export, including Fam129a, eIF4a1, Wars, and Dmbt1. Hence, pharmacological GLP-1R activation induces protein synthesis, leading to increased pancreatic mass, independent of changes in DNA content or cell proliferation in mice.