bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny of the Inula group (Asteraceae: Inuleae): Evidence from nuclear and plastid genomes and a recircumscription of Pentanema
Authors: Gutiérrez-Larruscain David , Santos-Vicente María , Anderberg Arne A. , Rico Enrique , Martínez-Ortega María Montserrat
Published: February 2018

The Inula complex (Asteraceae: Inulinae) is a monophyletic group which comprises eight genera distributed in Eurasia and Africa: Amblyocarpum, Carpesium, Chrysophthalmum, Inula, Pentanema, Rhanteriopsis, Telekia, and Varthemia. With the aim to shed light on the circumscription of these genera, phylogenetic analyses were performed with 293 new DNA sequences (ITS region from nrDNA and three plastid spacers from cpDNA: rps16–trnQ, rpl32–trnL, ndhF–rpl32). It is concluded that both Inula and Pentanema are paraphyletic and that generic delimitations within the Inula complex need to be revised. Based on the results of the analyses, together with morphological and karyological data, we argue that the best solution is a new circumscription of the genus Pentanema including an amended description and 24 new combinations of former Inula species. Resurrection of the names Codonocephalum, Monactinocephalus and Vicoa is proposed to preserve the monophyly of the genera included in the Inula complex. Incongruences between nrDNA and cpDNA are documented and discussed.
TECHNOLOGICAL RECEIPTS FOR PRODUCING SUSTAINABLE YIELDS OF ALFALFA OF SARGA VARIETY
Authors: Каримов Ханиф , Karimov Khanif , Валиуллин Марат , Valiullin Marat , Миникаев Рагат , Minikaev Ragat
Published: February 2018

The introduction of advanced technologies for alfalfa seeds cultivation of Sarga variety ensures a stable yield of seeds within 360-380 kilogramm per hectare. The main elements of this technology are the use of grass for seeds for only one year, careful preparation of the soil before sowing, respect for the depth of seeding, proper organization of bee pollination, protection of crops from diseases and pests, and the organization of seed processing.
Asset Pricing with Disagreement and Uncertainty About the Length of Business Cycles
Authors: Andrei Daniel , Carlin Bruce , Hasler Michael
Published: February 2018

We study an economy with incomplete information in which two agents are uncertain and disagree about the length of business cycles. That is, the agents do not question whether the economy is growing or not, but instead continuously estimate how long economic cycles will last—i.e., they learn about the persistence of fundamentals. Learning about persistence generates high and persistent stock return volatility mostly during recessions, but also (to a smaller extent) during economic booms. Disagreement among agents fluctuates and earns a risk premium. A clear risk–return trade-off appears only when conditioning on the sign and magnitude of disagreement. We confirm these predictions empirically.

This paper was accepted by Neng Wang, finance.
First-Place Loving and Last-Place Loathing: How Rank in the Distribution of Performance Affects Effort Provision
Authors: Gill David , Kissová Zdenka , Lee Jaesun , Prowse Victoria
Published: February 2018

Rank-order relative-performance evaluation, in which pay, promotion, symbolic awards, and educational achievement depend on the rank of individuals in the distribution of performance, is ubiquitous. Whenever organizations use rank-order relative-performance evaluation, people receive feedback about their rank. Using a real-effort experiment, we aim to discover whether people respond to the specific rank that they achieve. In particular, we leverage random variation in the allocation of rank among subjects who exerted the same effort to obtain a causal estimate of the rank response function that describes how effort provision responds to the content of rank-order feedback. We find that the rank response function is U-shaped. Subjects exhibit “first-place loving” and “last-place loathing”: that is, subjects work hardest after being ranked first or last. We discuss implications of our findings for the optimal design of performance feedback policies, workplace organizational structures, and incentives schemes.

Data and the supplementary web appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2907 .

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Pediatric gunshot penetrating head injury: a case report with 2-year follow-up
Authors: Tandean Steven , Risfandi Marsal , Japardi Iskandar
Published: February 2018

Gunshot is a rare subset of penetrating head injury, and generally the victim dies before arriving at the hospital. This paper reported a case of an intracranial gunshot injury in a 12 year-old boy that was shot by his friend, whose primary intention was to play around, using a revolver. A missile projectile penetrated from mid frontal and came out from right occipital. Vital signs were stable with GCS 8 from physical examination. A rational management strategy should permit a good outcome. The only complications that occured were hydrocephalus, yet it was managed by VP–shunt. Skull defect was closed using titanium mesh. A two-year follow-up showed a good result. The patient was able to do daily activity and back to school again.
Antibacterial properties of AgNO3-activated carbon composite on Escherichia coli: inhibition action
Authors: Yanou Rachel Nkwaju , Abdelaziz BaÃ§aoui , Julius Nsami Ndi , Daouda Kouotou , Abdelrani Yaacoubi , Mehdi Lourrat , Khalid Lafdi , Joseph Ketcha Mbadcam
Published: February 2018

AgNO3- activated carbon composite based palm kernel shell was prepared by hydrothermal carbonization. The concentration of AgNO3, activation temperature and impregnation time were investigated on five responses (iodine number, methylene blue number, BET surface area, micropore volume and total pore volume). The most influential parameters of the preparation process were optimized using the Doehlert optimal design. From the ANOVA, the following optimal conditions of preparation were retained: 0.068 mol/L, 210Â°C and 3.7 h for AgNO3 concentration, activation temperature and impregnation time respectively. The activated carbon (AC) and the composite (AC-AgNO3) were characterized using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and measurements of the surface area. The XRD pattern and SEM-EDX clearly confirmed the presence of silver in the composite. The experimental parameters of AC- AgNO3 composite were as followed: 708.44 mg/g; 293.09 mg/g; 713.0 m2/g; 0.49 cm3/g and 0.76 cm3/g, for iodine number, methylene blue number, BET surface area, micropore volume and total pore volume of AC- AgNO3 respectively. The antibacterial test carried on Escherichia Coli showed that AC-AgNO3 composite has a high-improved antibacterial property of 99.99% fixation with a dosage of 1500 ppm for 5 hours of contact time.
College Connectedness: The Student Perspective
Authors: Farrell Laura Catherine , Jorgenson Derek , Fudge Julie , Pritchard Andrew
Published: February 2018

Connectedness and integration are essential elements of student satisfaction, academic success, and retention.  Despite its importance in the lives of college students, research on connectedness has approached the concept from definitional perspectives other than those of students. This multi-study explores connectedness from the student perspective while drawing from social identity theory and student involvement theory. In Study 1, students described their experiences and perceptions of connectedness in focus groups. Study 2 built on the qualitative findings of Study 1 and empirically tested connectedness as defined by the students. Results of the study indicate the need for a student definition of connectedness and provide practical suggestions for those in higher education.Keywords: connectedness, social identity theory, student involvement theory, instrument design, higher education
Formação de professores em nível médio: um estudo de caso sobre o ensino de ciências
Authors: Neumann Sofia , Strieder Dulce Maria
Published: February 2018

El debate sobre la importancia de la formación de profesores viene configurándose en una práctica suscitada por teóricos que tratan sobre la importancia del trabajo docente. Tal discusión abarca, además de la formación continuada, la formación inicial, que puede ocurrir en el ámbito de los cursos superiores de licenciatura o en el nivel medio en la modalidad de normales. El Colegio Estadual Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco - Enseñanza Media y Normal, del municipio de Santa Helena, región oeste del estado de Paraná, ofrece el curso de Formación de Docentes de la Educación Infantil y de los de la educación básica y media, en la modalidad Normal. Buscando identificar si los estudiantes están preparados para actuar en la enseñanza de las ciencias en el nivel de educación básica, realizamos una investigación, a través de entrevistas con diez alumnos egresados que trabajan en escuelas de la red municipal. La investigación permitió constatar que es necesaria la reestructuración del curso en relación a las clases de las materias de Metodología de la Enseñanza, y también deben ser reevaluadas las políticas de distribución de clases para profesores.
A engenharia didática para o ensino de olimpíadas de matemática: situações olímpicas com o amparo do software geogebra
Authors: Rodrigues Alves Santos Ana Paula , Alves Francisco Régis Vieira
Published: February 2018

En este artículo, presentamos un avance parcial de una investigación de maestría, en el que se describen, de modo específico, dos fases determinadas por la ingeniería didáctica (ID) en el contexto de las olimpiadas de matemáticas. Así, se presentan las etapas de análisis preliminares y la construcción de situaciones olímpicas/análisis a priori. Enfatizamos en una situación olímpica que es descrita/estructurada basados en el software GeoGebra. La intervención realizada explorando de manera apropiada el software, proporciona al aprendiz oportunidades de superar ciertas dificultades/ obstáculos para la comprensión o incluso, para la construcción conceptual de la geometría. En ese sentido, la referida situación olímpica fue vivenciada por alumnos de noveno grado de secundaria, de una escuela particular del estado de Ceará, Brasil. La situación olímpica descrita propone la posibilidad de la construcción de relaciones métricas en el triángulo rectángulo, contenido referente al área de la geometría plana. La ID se presenta en esa investigación desde una perspectiva de complementariedad que utiliza la teoría de las situaciones didácticas (TSD). De este modo, la situación olímpica descrita representa una alternativa para las clases dirigidas a las olimpiadas de matemáticas, su indicación y estructuración, describe elementos relativos a la mediación didáctica durante el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, que enfatizan detalles que posibilitan el control y la prevención de las posibles acciones que emprenderán los estudiantes, así como, proporciona la vivencia de situaciones didácticas más significativas para el estudio de la geometría en el contexto olímpico.
O filme como conjunto de práticas: Uma distensão performativa do restauro cinematográfico
Authors: Vieira Lisboa Ricardo
Published: February 2018

Neste artigo pretendo explicar de que modo, no cinema, dois conceitos fundamentais do restauro como são autentico e original, carecem de uma explicitação e compreensão totais. O conceito de original cinematográfico é um que manifesta uma ideologia mercantilista de constante renovação monetária do arquivo. No entanto existem alguns exemplos de filmes que tendo várias versões escapam da mercantilização desses referidos conceitos. Com base nesses exemplos proponho a noção de filme como conjunto de práticas, isto é, passar a entender uma obra cinematográfica não como um objecto singular e bem limitado material e historicamente, mas antes pelo contrário, como um objecto plural que apresenta as suas múltiplas versões como um conjunto em permanente actualização – dando especial atenção ao modo como diferentes práticas musicais e sonoras consubstanciam uma noção aberta de obra cinematográfica. Esta noção de filme como conjunto de práticas no contexto do restauro cinematográfico propõe, em termos práticos (no que respeita à visibilidade pública dos filmes), uma distensão dos objectos fílmicos na proporção múltipla das versões dele conservadas. Um exemplo do filme como conjunto de práticas, que analisarei é a edição em DVD de três versões distintas de Douro, Faina Fluvial (1931) de Manoel de Oliveira – três versões que diferem na montagem e, especialmente, no acompanhamento musical. Esta proposta deriva da transposição das práticas de catalogação dos arquivos cinematográficos para o universo do cinema em casa (na forma de DVDs, Blu-rays, torrents e pacotes de streaming).
A longa duração nos planos dos jogos digitais: Aproximações e empréstimos do cinema
Authors: Tietzmann Roberto , Pase André Fagundes
Published: February 2018

A ideia que um filme se constitui a partir da montagem é amplamente difundida como uma das forças que deu forma ao cinema. Ao disputar espaço nas telas domésticas com jogos digitais se torna evidente que eles utilizam com muito mais frequência longos planos para mostrar o percorrer das fases e atividades lúdicas desenvolvidas, o que parece contradizer a tradição de representação e narrativa constituída a partir do cinema. Neste texto propomos um olhar sobre a longa duração presente nos jogos digitais propondo que esta é uma solução que se constituiu no encontro entre empréstimos do cinema, dos jogos pré-digitais, das restrições das tecnologias de cada etapa do novo meio e como uma releitura dos conceitos de “montagem proibida” de André Bazin.
Luis Buñuel e a Evanescência do Olhar
Authors: Dias Branco Sérgio
Published: February 2018

Recensão do livro Buñuel e o Surrealismo: A Arquitetura do Sonho escrito por Mirian Tavares.
D’ O Guarani de José de Alencar e Carlos Gomes aos Guaranis do clown Benjamin: Diálogos entre literatura, cinema, circo e música
Authors: Carvalho Danielle Crepaldi
Published: February 2018

Na aurora do século XX, o Circo Spinelli faz encenar a “pantomima histórica” Os Guaranis, de Benjamin de Oliveira, baseada em duas versões de O Guarany, ambas obras símbolos do patriotismo brasileiro: o romance histórico de José de Alencar (1857) e a ópera de Carlos Gomes (1870). O sucesso da pantomima do clown negro Benjamin, também protagonista da obra, a faz migrar do palco circense à tela do cinema, aumentando-se a orquestra do Cinema-Palace nas ocasiões de exibição da fita. Este artigo reflete sobre os sentidos construídos pela adaptação de Benjamin ao palco do circo-teatro e à tela, colocando em primeiro plano os deslocamentos operados pela produção cultural em tempos de primeiro cinema.
Cinephon: Sobre como o cinema sonoro impulsionou a fabricação de projetores cinematográficos no Brasil
Authors: Freire Rafael de Luna
Published: February 2018

Este artigo aborda a história da exibição cinematográfica no Brasil do ponto de vista das características dos projetores cinematográficos. Indicamos como, no período silencioso, os projetores utilizados no Brasil eram importados do exterior, mas com a chegada do cinema sonoro e a necessidade de atualização tecnológica, deu-se início à montagem e fabricação de projetores sonoros no Brasil. Essa mudança será exemplificada através da trajetória da marca Cinephon, da empresa J. Barros & Cia., que iniciou suas vendas no Rio de Janeiro em 1930. Desse modo, destacamos a relevância de compreendermos as empresas que autam no fornecimento de equipamentos para o mercado exibidor como parte da “indústria cinematográfica brasileira”.
Sobre algumas ruínas, uns lamentam, outros dançam: A presença portuguesa na 20ª edição do Videobrasil
Authors: Mourão Patrícia
Published: February 2018

Partindo de algumas obras apresentadas no Videobrasil, em cartaz em São Paulo até janeiro de 2018, o texto propõe duas chaves para abordar a arte contemporânea em sua relação com o sul global: uma melancólica e outra libidinal.
63rd Annual Robert Flaherty Film Seminar, Colgate University, US
Authors: Zimmermann Patricia R.
Published: February 2018

This article reviews the 63rd Annual Robert Flaherty Film Seminar at Colgate University in the United States, which ran in late June 2017.
Effect of nitrogen sources on gene expression of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) under in vitro conditions
Authors: Akbari Fariba , Arminian Ali , Kahrizi Danial , Fazeli Arash , Ghaheri Matin
Published: February 2018

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a non-caloric sweetener belonging to Asteraceae family. Stevia compounds such as steviol glycosides (SGs) are 200 times sweeter than sugar. Stevioside and rebaudioside A are the two major steviol glycosides. Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth and development. In this study the effects of nitrogen influenced by different concentrations of NH4NO3 (0, 825 and 1650 mg/l) and KNO3 (0, 950 and 1900 mg/l) is examined in MS medium. To analysis the UGT74G1 and UGT76G1 genes expression, involved in the synthesis of SGs, RT-qPCR technique was performed. Data showed that there were significant differences between all media. The shoot length, seedlings dry weight and leaf fresh weight of stevia increased with applying NH4NO3 along with KNO3. The highest expression of UGT74G1 gene, was observed in plantlets grown on MS medium with 0 mg/l NH4NO3 and 950 mg/l KNO3 (1.291 total lab unit) but the highest expression of UGT76G1 gene, was observed in plantlets grown on MS medium added by 1650 mg/l NH4NO3 +950 mg/l KNO3 (1.08 total lab unit). Moreover, the lowest value of UGT74G1 gene expression were revealed in MS medium added by 1650 mg/l NH4NO3 +0 mg/l KNO3 (0.80 total lab unit) and the lowest values of UGT76G1 gene expression seen in MS medium with 0 mg/l NH4NO3 +950 mg/l KNO3 (0.85 total lab unit) concentrations. The results of this study could be valuable in stevia breeding programs through glycosides biosynthesis pathways.
Effects of different concentrations of mannitol on gene expression in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
Authors: Hashempoor Somaye , Ghaheri Matin , Kahrizi Danial , Kazemi Nastaran , Muhammadi Saare , Safavi Seyed Mehdi , Ghorbani Tayebeh , Rahmanian Elham , Heshmatpanaah Malihe
Published: February 2018

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is one of the most important herbal sweetener plants from Asteracea family that have a lot of Steviol glycosides. Among different methods, tissue culture is the best way with high efficiency that is useful for studying stress tolerance mechanisms to obtain drought tolerance of stevia. For this purpose, different concentrations of mannitol (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 mg/l) were used as various treatments in the culture medium of stevia. According to the results, the highest level of UGT85C2 gene expression (1.181 Total lab unit) was seen in plants grown under 30 mg/l mannitol treatment and the lowest level of this gene expression (0.603 Total lab unit) was observed under 40 mg/l mannitol treatment. However, the highest level of KO gene expression (1.323 Total lab unit) was observed under 20 mg/l mannitol. It shows stevia growth is affected by osmotic stress. Water deficiency has a negative impact on Stevia. However, the expression of genes had increased by particular mannitol concentrations. Actually, stevia can survive under various abiotic stresses.
Metal oxides as a biostimulator for upregulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of Rebaudioside­ A
Authors: Mirzaei Alireza , Kavoosi Gholamreza , Dezhsetan Sara , Behnamian Mahdi
Published: February 2018

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a kind of perennial medicinal plant with sweetening properties which belongs to Asteraceae family. Its leaves with fundamental glycoside compounds consist of both a sugar part and a non-sugar sector. One of the glycoside compounds is Rebaudioside­ A which has a greater importance in business. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Ag2O, CrO3, PbO, Fe2O3, BaO and TiO2 on the expression pattern of these genes in the Stevia rebaudiana. Rebaudioside­ A biosynthesis was repeated 3 times with concentrations of 50, 100 and 200µM. Also, the results of the study pertaining to the expression pattern of these genes showed that metal oxides have led to an increase in the expression of the regulatory genes involved in biosynthesis of Rebaudioside­ A. According to the expression profile, it was found that its effect on DXR, HDS, HDR, IDI and CPPS genes is more than other genes. The peak HPLC indicated for stevioside and Rebaudioside­ A represents an increase in the production of this active ingredient under the influence of all treatments. In general, the expression profile of these genes and the results of HPLC show that whatever going to the end of the pathway of production of Rebaudioside­ A, the activity of the enzymes increases under the influence of these treatments, and eventually a greater amount of Rebaudioside­ A will be produced. This process shows that metal oxides will have a significant effect on the biosynthesis of Rebaudioside­ A.
The Effects of different nitrogen doses on antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bert.)
Authors: Atas Mehmet , Eruygur Nuraniye , Ucar Esra , Ozyigit Yasar , Turgut Kenan
Published: February 2018

In this study, the efficiency of the different nitrogen doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1) on biological activity levels (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity) of Stevia rebaudiana Bert. was investigated. In addition, methanol extracts were obtained by maceration method from different doses of fertilizer applied stevia. The components in methanol extracts of plants were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Antimicrobial activities of stevia extracts were investigated by microdilution method. The antioxidant activity evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric thiocyanate (FTC), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), reducing power, total phenol content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) methods. According to the results, the fertilizer doses effects on antimicrobial activity of stevia were not made much difference. But in antioxidant activity, there were some variations in the activity-dependent on fertilizer amount.
Callus induction and somatic embryogenesis in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni as a medicinal plant
Authors: Keshvari Tahereh , Najaphy Abdollah , Kahrizi Danial , Zebarjadi Alireza
Published: February 2018

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) from Asteraceae family is a useful medicinal plant that prevents and cures diabetes, blood pressure, weight gain and tooth decay. Due to self-incompatibility in stevia, somatic embryo investigation for artificial seed production is valuable in this plant. In order to evaluate the callus induction characteristics in stevia, a factorial experiment was laid out based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors included ten hormone combinations and control, two kinds of media (MS and B5) and two types of explants (leaf and internode). Callus induction characters including the percentage of callus formation, days to callus induction, fresh and dry callus weight were recorded. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (p<0.01) among hormone combinations, media and explant types as well as their interactions. The best treatment for callus induction with minimum time to callus formation was 1 mg/l NAA+1 mg/l BAP. The highest fresh and dry callus weight were obtained on B5 medium supplemented by 1 mg/l 2,4-D+1 mg/l BAP (in leaf explant) and 0.25 mg/l 2,4-D+ 0.1 mg/l BAP (in internode explant). These results can be used in suspension culture. To induce somatic embryogenesis in suspension culture, six hormone treatments were investigated. The highest somatic embryogenesis percentage was obtained in MS medium supplemented by 2 mg/l 2,4-D+ 0.5 mg/l NAA+0.5 mg/l BAP.
An Empirical Analysis of the Joint Effects of Shoppers’ Goals and Attribute Display on Shoppers’ Evaluations
Authors: Guha Abhijit , Biswas Abhijit , Grewal Dhruv , Bhowmick Sandeep , Nordfält Jens
Published: February 2018

This article develops a decision-making framework that highlights how display of numeric attribute information (e.g., display of calorie information) and shoppers’ goals (i.e., having a diet focus vs. a taste focus) jointly influence shoppers’ choices and preferences. Across two sets of studies, including a field study involving the launch of a new Coca-Cola product, the authors show that when food items are displayed in an aligned manner (i.e., when food items with lower-value calorie information are displayed below food items with higher calorie values), shoppers assign more importance weight to calorie gap information. In turn, higher importance weight assigned to calorie gap information leads diet-focused shoppers to relatively prefer low-calorie food items but leads taste-focused shoppers to relatively prefer higher-calorie food items. The third set of studies shows that this decision-making framework has widespread applicability and is relevant in any domain in which advertising, retail, and online displays show comparisons of numeric attribute information.
Network Overlap and Content Sharing on Social Media Platforms
Authors: Peng Jing , Agarwal Ashish , Hosanagar Kartik , Iyengar Raghuram
Published: February 2018

Improving content sharing on social media platforms helps firms enhance the efficacy of their marketing campaigns. The authors study the impact of network overlap—the overlap in network connections between two users—on content sharing in directed social media platforms. The authors propose a hazards model that flexibly captures the impact of three measures of network overlap (i.e., common followees, common followers, and common mutual followers) on content sharing. Using data on content sharing from two directed social media platforms (Twitter and Digg), the authors establish that a receiver is more likely to share content from a sender with whom they share more common followees, common followers, or common mutual followers even after accounting for other measures. In addition, common followers have a higher effect than common mutual followers on the sharing propensity of the receiver. Finally, the effect of common followers and common mutual followers is positive when the content is novel but decreases, and may even become negative, when many others have already shared it. Collectively, these results have a bearing for marketers to more effectively target users for spreading content on social media platforms.
How Liberals and Conservatives Respond to Equality-Based and Proportionality-Based Rewards in Charity Advertising
Authors: Lee Younghwa , Yoon Sukki , Lee Young Woo , Royne Marla B.
Published: February 2018

The authors conduct two studies that show how liberals and conservatives in the United States and Korea respond to charity advertising that features equality- or proportionality-based rewards for charitable giving. The findings robustly demonstrate that in both countries, liberals respond more favorably to equality-based rewards, but conservatives respond more favorably to proportionality-based rewards. Study 1, conducted in the United States, finds that liberals perceive greater effectiveness in equality-based rewards based on random drawings, but conservatives perceive more effectiveness in proportionality-based rewards based on donation amounts. Study 2, conducted in Korea, shows that liberal (conservative) donors expect to be more (less) likely to receive rewards based on equality rather than proportionality.
Consumer Response to Disclosures in Digitally Retouched Advertisements
Authors: Schirmer Nadine A. , Schwaiger Manfred , Taylor Charles R. , Costello John P.
Published: February 2018

The issue of digitally retouching models has begun to gain the attention of the public and regulators in multiple parts of the world, with some countries considering legislation or even passing restrictions, including requiring disclosures on retouched ads. This study adds insight into this debate by examining the impact of the addition of a disclosure to digitally retouched ads on women's advertising response. A 2 (disclosure) × 2 (product type) experiment was conducted with a sample of 495 women in Germany. The study also develops a typology of four levels of digital retouching via a factor analysis of survey data, with consumer aversion increasing when postproduction modifications became extreme. Disclosures had a nonsignificant effect on advertising response and credibility of the ad, yet purchase intent was significantly higher for ads that contained disclosures. Product type made no difference for any consumer group. Implications for companies and policy makers are discussed.
Consumer Responses to For-Profit Firms Exercising Religious Freedom in the Marketplace
Authors: Fitzgerald M. Paula , Donovan Karen Russo
Published: February 2018

Two judgments are at the heart of the controversy surrounding state-level religious freedom legislation and for-profit firms. For some, firms choosing to limit product/service access due to the owner's religious beliefs are viewed as appropriately asserting their First Amendment rights to religious freedom. Others posit that such laws legalize discrimination. The authors offer a theory in which homophily mediates consumers' perceptions of a firm that chooses to exercise its religious convictions in the for-profit market, and an orthodox worldview moderates this relationship. When these practices are perceived to be discriminatory, there is a strong negative effect on behavior intentions; however, perceptions that the firm is appropriately asserting religious freedoms are unlikely to increase customer traffic. The authors examine the policy implications from these investigations for states and local municipalities.
Short-Term Depression of Axonal Spikes at the Mouse Hippocampal Mossy Fibers and Sodium Channel-Dependent Modulation
Authors: Ohura Shunsuke , Kamiya Haruyuki
Published: February 2018

Axonal spike is an important upstream process of transmitter release, which directly impacts on release probability from the presynaptic terminals. Despite the functional significance, possible activity-dependent modulation of axonal spikes has not been studied extensively, partly due to inaccessibility of the small structures of axons for electrophysiological recordings. In this study, we tested the possibility of use-dependent changes in axonal spikes at the hippocampal mossy fibers, where direct recordings from the axon terminals are readily feasible. Hippocampal slices were made from mice of either sex, and loose-patch clamp recordings were obtained from the visually identified giant mossy fiber boutons located in the stratum lucidum of the CA3 region. Stimulation of the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus elicited axonal spikes at the single bouton which occurred in all or none fashion. Unexpected from the digital nature of spike signaling, the peak amplitude of the second spikes in response to paired stimuli at a 50-ms interval was slightly but reproducibly smaller than the first spikes. Repetitive stimuli at 20 or 100 Hz also caused progressive use-dependent depression during the train. Notably, veratridine, an inhibitor of inactivation of sodium channels, significantly accelerated the depression with minimal effect on the initial spikes. These results suggest that sodium channels contribute to use-dependent depression of axonal spikes at the hippocampal mossy fibers, possibly by shaping the afterdepolarization (ADP) following axonal spikes. Prolonged depolarization during ADP may inactivate a fraction of sodium channels and thereby suppresses the subsequent spikes at the hippocampal mossy fibers.
Regulation of Synapse Development byVgatDeletion from ErbB4-Positive Interneurons
Authors: Lin Thiri W. , Tan Zhibing , Barik Arnab , Yin Dong-Min , Brudvik Egil , Wang Hongsheng , Xiong Wen-Cheng , Mei Lin
Published: February 2018

GABA signaling has been implicated in neural development; however,in vivogenetic evidence is missing because mutant mice lacking GABA activity die prematurely. Here, we studied synapse development by ablating vesicular GABA transporter (Vgat) in ErbB4+interneurons. We show that inhibitory axo–somatic synapses onto pyramidal neurons vary from one cortical layer to another; however, inhibitory synapses on axon initial segments (AISs) were similar across layers. Conversely, parvalbumin-positive (PV+)/ErbB4+interneurons and PV-only interneurons receive a higher number of inhibitory synapses from PV+ErbB4+interneurons compared with ErbB4-only interneurons.Vgatdeletion from ErbB4+interneurons reduced axo–somatic or axo–axonic synapses from PV+ErbB4+interneurons onto excitatory neurons. This effect was associated with corresponding changes in neurotransmission. However, theVgatmutation seemed to have little effect on inhibitory synapses onto PV+and/or ErbB4+interneurons. Interestingly, perineuronal nets, extracellular matrix structures implicated in maturation, survival, protection, and plasticity of PV+interneurons, were increased in the cortex of ErbB4-Vgat−/−mice. No apparent difference was observed between males and females. These results demonstrate thatVgatof ErbB4+interneurons is essential for the development of inhibitory synapses onto excitatory neurons and suggest a role of GABA in circuit assembly.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGABA has been implicated in neural development, butin vivogenetic evidence is missing because mutant mice lacking GABA die prematurely. Here, we ablatedVgatin ErbB4+interneurons in an inducible manner. We provide evidence that the formation of inhibitory and excitatory synapses onto excitatory neurons requiresVgatin interneurons. In particular, inhibitory axo–somatic and axo–axonic synapses are more vulnerable. Our results suggest a role of GABA in circuit assembly.
A Missense Mutation A384P Associated with Human Hyperekplexia Reveals a Desensitization Site of Glycine Receptors
Authors: Wang Chen-Hung , Hernandez Ciria C. , Wu Junyi , Zhou Ning , Hsu Hsin-Yu , Shen Mei-Lin , Wang Yi-Ching , Macdonald Robert L. , Wu Dong Chuan
Published: February 2018

Hyperekplexia, an inherited neuronal disorder characterized by exaggerated startle responses with unexpected sensory stimuli, is caused by dysfunction of glycinergic inhibitory transmission. From analysis of newly identified human hyperekplexia mutations in the glycine receptor (GlyR) α1 subunit, we found that an alanine-to-proline missense mutation (A384P) resulted in substantially higher desensitization level and lower agonist sensitivity of homomeric α1 GlyRs when expressed in HEK cells. The incorporation of the β subunit fully reversed the reduction in agonist sensitivity and partially reversed the desensitization of α1A384P. The heteromeric α1A384Pβ GlyRs showed enhanced desensitization but unchanged agonist-induced maximum responses, surface expression, main channel conductance, and voltage dependence compared with that of the wild-type α1β (α1WTβ) GlyRs. Coexpression of the R392H and A384P mutant α1 subunits, which mimic the expression of the compound heterozygous mutation in a hyperekplexia patient, resulted in channel properties similar to those with α1A384Psubunit expression alone. In comparison, another human hyperekplexia mutation α1P250T, which was previously reported to enhance desensitization, caused a strong reduction in maximum currents in addition to the altered desensitization. These results were further confirmed by overexpression of α1P250Tor α1A384Psubunits in cultured neurons isolated from SD rats of either sex. Moreover, the IPSC-like responses of cells expressing α1A384Pβ induced by repeated glycine pulses showed a stronger frequency-dependent reduction than those expressing α1WTβ. Together, our findings demonstrate that A384 is associated with the desensitization site of the α1 subunit and its proline mutation produced enhanced desensitization of GlyRs, which contributes to the pathogenesis of human hyperekplexia.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHuman startle disease is caused by impaired synaptic inhibition in the brainstem and spinal cord, which is due to either direct loss of GlyR channel function or reduced number of synaptic GlyRs. Considering that fast decay kinetics of GlyR-mediated inhibitory synaptic responses, the question was raised whether altered desensitization of GlyRs will cause dysfunction of glycine transmission and disease phenotypes. Here, we found that the α1 subunit mutation A384P, identified from startle disease patients, results in enhanced desensitization and leads to rapidly decreasing responses in the mutant GlyRs when they are activated repeatedly by the synaptic-like simulation. These observations suggest that the enhanced desensitization of postsynaptic GlyRs could be the primary pathogenic mechanism of human startle disease.
Auditory Input Shapes Tonotopic Differentiation of Kv1.1 Expression in Avian Cochlear Nucleus during Late Development
Authors: Akter Nargis , Adachi Ryota , Kato Akitoshi , Fukaya Ryota , Kuba Hiroshi
Published: February 2018

Tonotopic differentiation is fundamental for signal processing in the auditory system. However, when and how this differentiation arises remain elusive. We addressed this issue using electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry in nucleus magnocellularis of chickens of both sexes, which is known to differ in the expression of Kv1.1 channels depending on characteristic frequency (CF). Just after hearing onset (embryonic day 12–14), Kv1 current gradually increased to a slightly larger extent in neurons with higher CF, causing a tonotopic difference of Kv1 current before hatch. However, after hatch, a much larger increase of Kv1 current occurred, particularly in higher-CF neurons, due to an augmentation of Kv1.1 expression at the plasma membrane. This later change in expression led to the large tonotopic difference of Kv1 current characteristic of mature animals. Attenuation of auditory input by inducing conductive or sensorineural hearing loss around hatch suppressed the differentiation in a level-dependent manner. Moreover, elevation of auditory input during embryonic periods could not reproduce the differentiation, suggesting that the capacity of neurons to drive Kv1.1 expression via auditory input develops in a cell-specific manner, thus underlying the frequency-specific expression of the channel within the nucleus. The results indicated that the tonotopic differentiation of Kv1.1 in nucleus magnocellularis is partially determined before hatch, but largely driven by afferent input after hatch. Our results highlight the importance of neuronal capacity for sound to drive ion channel expression as well as the level of auditory experience in the frequency tuning of brainstem auditory circuits.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTuning-frequency-specific expression of ion channels is a prerequisite for auditory system function, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we revealed in avian cochlear nucleus that the expression of Kv1.1 became more dependent on auditory input at a late period of maturation in neurons tuned to higher-frequency sound, leading to frequency-specific Kv1.1 expression. Attenuation of auditory input during this period suppressed the differentiation in a level-dependent manner, whereas elevation of input in earlier periods could not reproduce the differentiation. Thus, the capacity of neurons to drive Kv1.1 expression via auditory input develops in a cell-specific manner and directs differentiation, highlighting the importance of neuronal character as well as the level of input in the frequency tuning of auditory circuits.
Noise-Induced Dysregulation ofQuakingRNA Binding Proteins Contributes to Auditory Nerve Demyelination and Hearing Loss
Authors: Panganiban Clarisse H. , Barth Jeremy L. , Darbelli Lama , Xing Yazhi , Zhang Jianning , Li Hui , Noble Kenyaria V. , Liu Ting , Brown LaShardai N. , Schulte Bradley A. , Richard Stéphane , Lang Hainan
Published: February 2018

Noise exposure causes auditory nerve (AN) degeneration and hearing deficiency, though the proximal biological consequences are not entirely understood. Most AN fibers and spiral ganglion neurons are ensheathed by myelinating glia that provide insulation and ensure rapid transmission of nerve impulses from the cochlea to the brain. Here we show that noise exposure administered to mice of either sex rapidly affects myelinating glial cells, causing molecular and cellular consequences that precede nerve degeneration. This response is characterized by demyelination, inflammation, and widespread expression changes in myelin-related genes, including the RNA splicing regulatorQuaking(QKI) and numerous QKI target genes. Analysis of mice deficient in QKI revealed that QKI production in cochlear glial cells is essential for proper myelination of spiral ganglion neurons and AN fibers, and for normal hearing. Our findings implicate QKI dysregulation as a critical early component in the noise response, influencing cochlear glia function that leads to AN demyelination and, ultimately, to hearing deficiency.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAuditory glia cells ensheath a majority of spiral ganglion neurons with myelin, protect auditory neurons, and allow for fast conduction of electrical impulses along the auditory nerve. Here we show that noise exposure causes glial dysfunction leading to myelin abnormality and altered expression of numerous genes in the auditory nerve, including QKI, a gene implicated in regulating myelination. Study of a conditional mouse model that specifically depleted QKI in glia showed that QKI deficiency alone was sufficient to elicit myelin-related abnormality and auditory functional declines. These results establish QKI as a key molecular target in the noise response and a causative agent in hearing loss.
C8ORF37 Is Required for Photoreceptor Outer Segment Disc Morphogenesis by Maintaining Outer Segment Membrane Protein Homeostasis
Authors: Sharif Ali S. , Yu Dongmei , Loertscher Stuart , Austin Richard , Nguyen Kevin , Mathur Pranav D. , Clark Anna M. , Zou Junhuang , Lobanova Ekaterina S. , Arshavsky Vadim Y. , Yang Jun
Published: February 2018

C8ORF37is a causative gene for three different clinical forms of incurable retinal degeneration. However, the completely unknown function ofC8ORF37limits our understanding of the pathogenicity ofC8ORF37mutations. Here, we performed a comprehensive phenotypic characterization of aC8orf37KO mouse line, generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. BothC8orf37KO male and female mice exhibited progressive and simultaneous degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors but no non-ocular phenotypes. The major ultrastructural feature ofC8orf37KO photoreceptors was massive disorganization of the outer segment (OS) membrane discs starting from the onset of disc morphogenesis during development. At the molecular level, the amounts of multiple OS-specific membrane proteins, including proteins involved in membrane disc organization, were reduced, although these proteins were targeted normally to the OS. Considering the distribution of C8ORF37 throughout the photoreceptor cell body, the normal structure of the KO photoreceptor connecting cilium, and the absence of defects in other ciliary organs of the KO mice, our findings do not support the previous notion that C8ORF37 was a ciliary protein. Because C8ORF37 is absent in the photoreceptor OS, C8ORF37 may participate in the secretory pathway of OS membrane proteins in the photoreceptor cell body and thus maintain the homeostasis of these proteins. This study established a valid animal model for future therapeutic studies ofC8ORF37-associated retinal degeneration. This study also shed new light on the role of C8ORF37 in photoreceptors and on the pathogenic mechanism underlying retinal degeneration caused byC8ORF37mutations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTInherited retinal degeneration is a group of incurable conditions with poorly understood underlying molecular mechanisms. We investigatedC8ORF37, a causative gene for three retinal degenerative conditions: retinitis pigmentosa, cone–rod dystrophy, and Bardet–Biedl syndrome.C8ORF37encodes a protein with no known functional domains and thus its biological function is unpredictable. We knocked out theC8ORF37ortholog in mice, which resulted in a retinal phenotype similar to that observed in patients. We further demonstrated that C8ORF37 is required for photoreceptor outer segment disc formation and alignment, a process that is critical for photoreceptor function and survival. This study advances our understanding of the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration and establishes a valuable mouse model for future therapeutic development.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial mass and fibrosis in primary aldosteronism
Authors: Grytaas Marianne Aa , Sellevåg Kjersti , Thordarson Hrafnkell B , Husebye Eystein S , Løvås Kristian , Larsen Terje H
Published: February 2018

Background

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity, presumably due to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and fibrosis. However, the degree of fibrosis has not been extensively studied. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) contrast enhancement and novel sensitive T1 mapping to estimate increased extracellular volume (ECV) are available to measure the extent of fibrosis.

Objectives

To assess LV mass and fibrosis before and after treatment of PA using CMR with contrast enhancement and T1 mapping.

Methods

Fifteen patients with newly diagnosed PA (PA1) and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS) were studied by CMR with contrast enhancement. Repeated imaging with a new scanner with T1 mapping was performed in 14 of the PA1 and 20 of the HS median 18 months after specific PA treatment and in additional 16 newly diagnosed PA patients (PA2).

Results

PA1 had higher baseline LV mass index than HS (69 (53–91) vs 51 (40–72) g/m2; P < 0.001), which decreased significantly after treatment (58 (40–86) g/m2; P < 0.001 vs baseline), more with adrenalectomy (n = 8; −9 g/m2; P = 0.003) than with medical treatment (n = 6; −5 g/m2; P = 0.075). No baseline difference was found in contrast enhancement between PA1 and HS. T1 mapping showed no increase in ECV as a myocardial fibrosis marker in PA. Moreover, ECV was lower in the untreated PA2 than HS 10 min post-contrast, and in both PA groups compared with HS 20 min post-contrast.

Conclusion

Specific treatment rapidly reduced LV mass in PA. Increased myocardial fibrosis was not found and may not represent a common clinical problem.
Calcium supplementation in osteoporosis: useful or harmful?
Authors: Chiodini Iacopo , Bolland Mark J
Published: February 2018

Osteoporosis and fragility fractures are important social and economic problems worldwide and are due to both the loss of bone mineral density and sarcopenia. Indeed, fragility fractures are associated with increased disability, morbidity and mortality. It is known that a normal calcium balance together with a normal vitamin D status is important for maintaining well-balanced bone metabolism, and for many years, calcium and vitamin D have been considered crucial in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, recently, the usefulness of calcium supplementation (alone or with concomitant vitamin D) has been questioned, since some studies reported only weak efficacy of these supplementations in reducing fragility fracture risk. On the other hand, besides the gastrointestinal side effects of calcium supplements and the risk of kidney stones related to use of co-administered calcium and vitamin D supplements, other recent data suggested potential adverse cardiovascular effects from calcium supplementation. This debate article is focused on the evidence regarding both the possible usefulness for bone health and the potential harmful effects of calcium and/or calcium with vitamin D supplementation.