bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Vasopressin Gene Expression by cAMP and Glucocorticoids in Parvocellular Neurons of the Paraventricular Nucleus in Rat Hypothalamic Organotypic Cultures
Authors: Kuwahara Shinobu , Arima Hiroshi , Banno Ryouichi , Sato Ikuko , Kondo Noriko , Oiso Yutaka
Published: April 2018

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the parvocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is known to play an important role in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. In the present study, we examined how cAMP and glucocorticoids regulate AVP gene expression in the parvocellular neurons of the PVN in rat hypothalamic organotypic cultures within situhybridization. AVP heteronuclear (hn) RNA, an indicator for gene transcription, was induced in the PVN with incubation of forskolin as reported previously, and AVP mRNA was increased by forskolin in the presence of the gene transcription inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB). These data indicate that cAMP could increase not only gene transcription but also mRNA stability. Dexamethasone treatment, in contrast, significantly decreased AVP mRNA expression levels in the PVN, but this inhibitory action was abolished in the presence of DRB or the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX). However, when the hypothalamic slices were treated with forskolin, dexamethasone decreased AVP mRNA expression even in the presence of DRB and/or TTX. Furthermore, AVP hnRNA expression induced by forskolin was attenuated by dexamethasone treatment in the presence of TTX. These data indicate that dexamethasone could act on AVP cells independently of action potentials to decrease mRNA stability and to suppress AVP gene transcription during stimulation by cAMP. Thus, it was demonstrated that: (1) cAMP upregulates AVP gene transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally, (2) the mode of action of glucocorticoids was dependent on whether the cells were stimulated by cAMP, and (3) the interactions between cAMP and glucocorticoids encompass both gene transcription and mRNA stability.
Competition between Retinal Ganglion Axons for Targets under the Servomechanism Model Explains Abnormal Retinocollicular Projection of Eph Receptor-Overexpressing or Ephrin-Lacking Mice
Authors: Honda Hisao
Published: April 2018

Topographic mapping of retinal ganglion axons to the midbrain is computed by the servomechanism model, which is based on the experimental result of cell attachment. Cells expressing a certain level of Eph proteins (receptors for ephrin ligands) optimally attach to a surface that expresses a specific level of ephrin ligand density. The retina has an increasing nasal-to-temporal gradient of Eph receptor density, and the optic tectum/superior colliculus has an increasing rostral-to-caudal gradient of membrane-bound ephrin ligand. An axon from the retina has an identification tag of a certain level of Eph receptor density depending on its retinal position and adheres to the site on the tectum/superior colliculus expressing ephrin ligands at a critical ligand density level. Quantitatively, a retinal axon has a receptor density (R) that is determined by its retinal position, and the axon terminal is induced to adhere to the tectal site of ligand density (L=S/R), whereSis a constant. Consequently, the servomechanism model defines positions of axon terminals on the midbrain. Abnormal topographic maps are reported in a knock-in experiment with elevated density of Eph receptors and a knock-out experiment lacking ephrin ligands using gene-targeting technology. By adding competition between axon terminals for target sites to the servomechanism model, the abnormal maps became easy to understand. Furthermore, the servomechanism-competition model allowed conjecture of the gradient shapes of receptor and ligand densities and estimation of the capacity of the midbrain surface to accept retinal axon terminals.
Coding of Predicted Reward Omission by Dopamine Neurons in a Conditioned Inhibition Paradigm
Authors: Tobler Philippe N. , Dickinson Anthony , Schultz Wolfram
Published: April 2018

Animals learn not only about stimuli that predict reward but also about those that signal the omission of an expected reward. We used a conditioned inhibition paradigm derived from animal learning theory to train a discrimination between a visual stimulus that predicted reward (conditioned excitor) and a second stimulus that predicted the omission of reward (conditioned inhibitor). Performing the discrimination required attention to both the conditioned excitor and the inhibitor; however, dopamine neurons showed very different responses to the two classes of stimuli. Conditioned inhibitors elicited considerable depressions in 48 of 69 neurons (median of 35% below baseline) and minor activations in 29 of 69 neurons (69% above baseline), whereas reward-predicting excitors induced pure activations in all 69 neurons tested (242% above baseline), thereby demonstrating that the neurons discriminated between conditioned stimuli predicting reward versus nonreward. The discriminative responses to stimuli with differential reward-predicting but common attentional functions indicate differential neural coding of reward prediction and attention. The neuronal responses appear to reflect reward prediction errors, thus suggesting an extension of the correspondence between learning theory and activity of single dopamine neurons to the prediction of nonreward.
TlxControls Proliferation and Patterning of Lateral Telencephalic Progenitor Domains
Authors: Stenman Jan M. , Wang Bei , Campbell Kenneth
Published: April 2018

We showed previously that the orphan nuclear receptorTlxis required for the correct establishment of the pallio-subpallial boundary. Loss ofTlxresults in a dorsal expansion of ventral markers (e.g., the homeodomain protein GSH2) into the ventralmost pallial region, i.e., the ventral pallium. We also observed a disproportionate reduction in the size of theTlxmutant lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) from embryonic day 14.5 onward. Here we show that this reduction is caused, at least in large part, by a proliferation defect. Interestingly, inTlxmutants, the LGE derivatives are differentially affected. Although the development of theTlxmutant striatum is compromised, an apparently normal number of olfactory bulb interneurons are observed. Consistent with this observation, we found thatTlxis required for the normal establishment of the ventral LGE that gives rise to striatal projection neurons. This domain is reduced by the dorsal and ventral expansion of molecular markers normally confined to progenitor domains flanking the ventral LGE. Finally, we investigated possible genetic interactions betweenGsh2andTlxin lateral telencephalic development. Our results show that, althoughGsh2andTlxhave additive effects on striatal development, they differentially regulate the establishment of ventral pallial identity.
Kalirin, a Multifunctional Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Is Necessary for Maintenance of Hippocampal Pyramidal Neuron Dendrites and Dendritic Spines
Authors: Ma Xin-Ming , Huang Jianping , Wang Yanping , Eipper Betty A. , Mains Richard E.
Published: April 2018

The structures of dendritic spines and the dendritic tree, key determinants of neuronal function, are regulated by diverse inputs that affect many scaffolding and signaling molecules. Nevertheless, here we show that reduced expression of a single gene results in loss of dendritic spines and a decrease in dendritic complexity. Kalirin, a dual Rho GDP-GTP exchange factor, causes spine formation when overexpressed. Reduced expression of Kalirin in CA1 hippocampal neurons resulted in a reduction in linear spine density, with dispersion of postsynaptic density markers and elimination of presynaptic endings. Simplification of the apical dendritic tree preceded simplification of basal dendrites. Pyramidal cell axons were not dramatically altered. Although many factors determine dendrite shape and spine formation, expression of Kalirin is necessary for the normal function of these many regulatory elements.
Theta and Gamma Oscillations during Encoding Predict Subsequent Recall
Authors: Sederberg Per B. , Kahana Michael J. , Howard Marc W. , Donner Elizabeth J. , Madsen Joseph R.
Published: April 2018

Electrophysiological and hemodynamic measures of human brain activity have been shown to distinguish between episodes of encoding items that are later recalled versus those that are not recalled (Paller and Wagner, 2002). Using intracranial recordings from 793 widespread cortical and subcortical sites in 10 epileptic patients undergoing invasive monitoring, we compared oscillatory power at frequencies ranging from 2 to 64 Hz as participants studied lists of common nouns. Significant increases in oscillatory power during encoding predicted subsequent recall, with this effect predominantly in the 4-8 Hz (theta) and 28-64 Hz (gamma) frequency bands. Sites exhibiting increased theta activity during successful encoding were clustered in right temporal and frontal cortex, whereas those exhibiting increased gamma activity appeared bilaterally at widespread cortical locations. These findings implicate theta and gamma oscillatory activity, across a widespread network of cortical regions, in the formation of new episodic memories.
CaV1.3 Channels Are Essential for Development and Presynaptic Activity of Cochlear Inner Hair Cells
Authors: Brandt Andreas , Striessnig Joerg , Moser Tobias
Published: April 2018

Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) release neurotransmitter onto afferent auditory nerve fibers in response to sound stimulation. During early development, afferent synaptic transmission is triggered by spontaneous Ca2+spikes of IHCs, which are under efferent cholinergic control. Around the onset of hearing, large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+channels are acquired, and Ca2+spikes as well as the cholinergic innervation are lost.

Here, we performed patch-clamp measurements in IHCs of mice lacking the CaV1.3 channel (CaV1.3-/-) to investigate the role of this prevailing voltage-gated Ca2+channel in IHC development and synaptic function. The small Ca2+current remaining in IHCs from 3-week-old CaV1.3-/-mice was mainly mediated by L-type Ca2+channels, because it was sensitive to dihydropyridines but resistant to inhibitors of non-L-type Ca2+channels such as ω-conotoxins GVIA and MVIIC and SNX-482. Depolarization induced only marginal exocytosis in CaV1.3-/-IHC, which was solely mediated by L-type Ca2+channels, whereas robust exocytic responses were elicited by photolysis of caged Ca2+. Secretion triggered by short depolarizations was reduced proportionally to the Ca2+current, suggesting that the coupling of the remaining channels to exocytosis was unchanged.

CaV1.3-/-IHCs lacked the Ca2+action potentials and displayed a complex developmental failure. Most strikingly, we observed a continued presence of efferent cholinergic synaptic transmission and a lack of functional large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+channels up to 4 weeks after birth. We conclude that CaV1.3 channels are essential for normal hair cell development and synaptic transmission.
Corpus Callosum Deficiency in Transgenic Mice Expressing a Truncated Ephrin-A Receptor
Authors: Hu Zhaoliang , Yue Xin , Shi Guanfang , Yue Yong , Crockett David P. , Blair-Flynn Jan , Reuhl Kenneth , Tessarollo Lino , Zhou Renping
Published: April 2018

The A-class of the erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma cell-derived (EphA) tyrosine kinase receptors and their ligands, the A-ephrins, play critical roles in the specification of topographic axon projection maps during development. In this study, the role of the EphA subfamily in callosal projections was investigated using transgenic mice expressing a kinase deletion mutant of EphA5. In approximately half of these transgenic mice, cerebral cortical neurons in various cortical regions (primary and secondary somatosensory cortices and frontal as well as visual areas) failed to project to the contralateral cortex. When commissural axons were examined with DiI labeling, few callosal fibers were found to traverse the midline in both the adult and neonatal transgenic mice. This defect in callosal development correlates with the expression of the transgene, because neurons in the superficial layers of the motor cortex, where transgene expression is low, show normal contralateral projection through the corpus callosum. In addition, multiple EphA receptors are expressed in callosal neurons and ephrin-A5 stimulates neurite outgrowth of callosal neuronsin vitro. The midline glia structures important for callosal axon midline crossing appear normal in the transgenic mice, suggesting that the defects are unrelated to defective guidance structures at the midline. These observations suggest critical functions for EphA receptor in establishing callosal connections during brain development.
Shared Response Preparation for Pursuit and Saccadic Eye Movements
Authors: Liston Dorion , Krauzlis Richard J.
Published: April 2018

Tracking a single target in the visual world requires coordination between pursuit and saccadic eye movements. The constraints imposed on pursuit and saccade decisions by visual processing and response preparation are difficult to compare because latency differences between the two movements provide different amounts of visual sampling time. The present study compares pursuit and saccade decisions when visual processing was directly manipulated. Human observers were asked to select between two stationary stimuli presented simultaneously at two different locations based on which had the higher contrast. The stimuli were presented for a brief, variable interval and then occluded by masks. Because the masks moved horizontally and were offset vertically, subjects were obliged to make both pursuit and saccadic eye movements to track the mask covering the target stimulus. For each of the exposure durations, we constructed oculometric curves for pursuit and saccades. We found that both systems had similar oculometric thresholds and response biases. The initial pursuit decisions differed from the subsequent saccade decisions on 1-13% of the trials but were the same more often than predicted by independent mechanisms. Moreover, pursuit reversed direction on discordant trials, so that the pursuit decision always matched that of the saccade by the time the saccade was started. These results support the view that, in addition to overlap in early visual areas and the final motor pathways, the pursuit and saccadic systems share processing at the level of response preparation. This shared processing may help ensure the coordination of pursuit and saccadic eye movements in selecting a single target.
Pivotal Role of Nucleotide P2X2Receptor Subunit of the ATP-Gated Ion Channel Mediating Ventilatory Responses to Hypoxia
Authors: Rong Weifang , Gourine Alexander V. , Cockayne Debra A. , Xiang Zhenghua , Ford Anthony P. D. W. , Spyer K. Michael , Burnstock Geoffrey
Published: April 2018

In mammals, the ventilatory response to decreased oxygen tension in the arterial blood is initiated by excitation of specialized O2-sensitive chemoreceptor cells in the carotid body that release neurotransmitters to activate endings of the sinus nerve afferent fibers. We investigated the role of ATP acting via ionotropic P2X receptors in the carotid body function and ventilatory response to hypoxia in mice. Mice deficient in P2X2receptor subunit showed a markedly attenuated ventilatory response to hypoxia, whereas the response to hypoxia in P2X3-deficient mice was comparable with that seen in wild-type controls. P2X2and P2X3receptor subunit deficiency did not affect the ventilatory responses to hypercapnia. P2X2subunit deficiency resulted in a dramatic reduction in the responses of the carotid sinus nerve to hypoxia in thein vitrocarotid body-sinus nerve preparation. ATP and its stable analog α,β-methyleneATP both evoked rapid excitation of sinus nerve afferents, and the P2 receptor antagonist PPADS (pyridoxal-5′-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid) (100 μm) blocked hypoxia-induced increase in sinus nerve discharge. Immunoreactivities for P2X2and P2X3subunits were both detected on afferent terminals surrounding clusters of glomus cells in the wild-type animals but were absent in mice deficient in P2X2and P2X3receptor subunits. These observations provide the first definitive evidence that, in the carotid body, ATP is a key transmitter released by chemoreceptor cells to activate endings of the sinus nerve afferent fibers. We conclude that P2X receptors containing the P2X2subunit play a pivotal role in carotid body function and in mediating ventilatory responses to hypoxia.
12-Lipoxygenase Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid Mediate Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Long-Term Depression at Hippocampal CA3-CA1 Synapses
Authors: Feinmark Steven J. , Begum Roxana , Tsvetkov Evgeny , Goussakov Ivan , Funk Colin D. , Siegelbaum Steven A. , Bolshakov Vadim Y.
Published: April 2018

Arachidonic acid metabolites have been proposed as signaling molecules in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) for >15 years. However, the functional role of these molecules remains controversial. Here we used a multidisciplinary biochemical, electrophysiological, and genetic approach to examine the function of the 12-lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid in long-term synaptic plasticity at CA3-CA1 synapses. We found that the 12-lipoxygenase pathway is required for the induction of metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent LTD (mGluR-LTD), but is not required for LTP: (1) Hippocampal homogenates were capable of synthesizing the 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosa-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-tetraenoic acid (HETE). (2) Stimulation protocols that induce mGluR-LTD lead to a release of 12-(S)-HETE from acute hippocampal slices. (3) A mouse in which the leukocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase (the neuronal isoform) was deleted through homologous recombination was deficient in mGluR-LTD, but showed normal LTP. (4) Pharmacological inhibition of 12-lipoxygenase also blocked induction of mGluR-LTD. (5) Finally, direct application of 12(S)-HPETE, but not 15(S)-HPETE, to hippocampal slices induced a long-term depression of synaptic transmission that mimicked and occluded mGluR-LTD induced by synaptic stimulation. Thus, 12(S)-hydroperoxyeicosa-5Z, 8Z, 10E, 14Z-tetraenoic acid (12(S)-HPETE), a 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, satisfies all of the criteria of a messenger molecule that is actively recruited for the induction of mGluR-LTD.
Pathway-Specific Action of γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid in Sensory Thalamus and Its Relevance to Absence Seizures
Authors: Gervasi Nicolas , Monnier Zohreh , Vincent Pierre , Paupardin-Tritsch Danièle , Hughes Stuart W. , Crunelli Vincenzo , Leresche Nathalie
Published: April 2018

The systemic injection of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) elicits spike and wave discharges (SWDs), the EEG hallmark of absence seizures, and represents a well established, widely used pharmacological model of this nonconvulsive epilepsy. Despite this experimental use of GHB, as well as its therapeutic use in narcolepsy and its increasing abuse, however, the precise cellular mechanisms underlying the different pharmacological actions of this drug are still unclear.

Because sensory thalamic nuclei play a key role in the generation of SWDs and sleep rhythms, and because direct injection of GHB in the ventrobasal (VB) thalamus elicits SWDs, we investigated GHB effects on corticothalamic EPSCs and GABAergic IPSCs in VB thalamocortical (TC) neurons. GHB (250 μm-10 mm) reversibly decreased the amplitude of electrically evoked EPSCs and GABAAIPSCs via activation of GABABreceptors; however, ∼60% of the IPSCs were insensitive to low (250 μm-1.0 mm) GHB concentrations. The putative GHB receptor antagonist NSC 382 applied alone had a number of unspecific effects, whereas it either had no action on, or further increased, the GHB-elicited effects on synaptic currents. Low GHB concentrations (250 μm) were also effective in increasing absence-like intrathalamic oscillations evoked by cortical afferent stimulation.

These results indicate that low concentrations of GHB, similar to the brain concentrations that evoke SWDsin vivo, differentially affect excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents in TC neurons and promote absence-like intrathalamic oscillations. Furthermore, the present data strengthen previous suggestions on the GHB mechanism of sleep promotion and will help focus future studies on the cellular mechanisms underlying its abuse.
Effects of Neurotoxic and Neuroprotective Agents on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Assayed by Time-Lapse ImagingIn Vivo
Authors: Pan Y. Albert , Misgeld Thomas , Lichtman Jeff W. , Sanes Joshua R.
Published: April 2018

A direct histological assay of axonal regeneration would have many advantages over currently available behavioral, electrophysiological, and radiometric assays. We show that peripheral sensory axons marked with the yellow fluorescent protein in transgenic mice can be viewed transcutaneously in superficial nerves. Degenerating and regenerating axons can be followed in live animals with a dissecting microscope and then, after fixation, studied at high resolution by confocal microscopy. Using this approach, we document differences in regenerative ability after nerve transection, crush injury, and crush injury after a previous “conditioning” lesion. We also show that the chemotherapeutic drug vincristine rapidly but transiently blocks regeneration and that the immunosuppressive drug FK506 modestly enhances regeneration. Moreover, FK506 nearly restores normal regenerative ability in animals treated with submaximal doses of vincristine. Because neuropathy is the major dose-limiting side effect of vincristine, we propose that its efficacy could be enhanced by coadministration of FK506 analogs that are neuroactive but not immunosuppressive.
Composing in Theory: Busnoys, Tinctoris, and the L'homme armé Tradition
Authors: Zazulia Emily
Published: April 2018

Antoine Busnoys's Missa L'homme armé commits one notational error after another—at least according to Johannes Tinctoris. As several scathing passages in his Proportionale musices attest, Tinctoris abhors Busnoys's mensural innovations. And yet Busnoys's notational choices, while certainly idiosyncratic, are also arguably justifiable: the composer was merely finding ways of recording novel musical ideas that had no agreed-upon notational solutions. In this article I argue that Tinctoris's response to Busnoys is not limited to the criticisms in his theoretical treatises. Tinctoris the composer responds far more comprehensively, and at times with far greater sympathy for Busnoys's practice, in his own Missa L'homme armé. He echoes Busnoys's mass notationally, in that he treats it as an example of what not to do; his response is also deeply musical, in that he tackles similar technical problems as a means of achieving analogous contrapuntal effects. Tinctoris's and Busnoys's settings need to be understood in the context of fifteenth-century masses, one in which composers were not necessarily content to work within the system but invented new ways of writing in order to create new sounds. In doing so, mere “composers” could sometimes achieve significance as “theorists.” Taken together, the L'homme armé masses of Busnoys and Tinctoris raise a range of historiographical issues that invite us to reassess the figure of the “theorist-composer.” This article thus not only contributes to the discourse on musical borrowing but also opens out to a broader framework, asking what it means for a late medieval musician to theorize—in music as well as in prose.
Sex steroid hormones as neuroprotective elements in ischemia models
Authors: Céspedes Rubio Ángel Enrique , Pérez-Alvarez Maria José , Lapuente Chala Catalina , Wandosell Francisco
Published: April 2018

Among sex steroid hormones, progesterone and estradiol have a wide diversity of physiological activities that target the nervous system. Not only are they carried by the blood stream, but also they are locally synthesized in the brain and for this reason, estradiol and progesterone are considered ‘neurosteroids’. The physiological actions of both hormones range from brain development and neurotransmission to aging, illustrating the importance of a deep understanding of their mechanisms of action. In this review, we summarize key roles that estradiol and progesterone play in the brain. As numerous reports have confirmed a substantial neuroprotective role for estradiol in models of neurodegenerative disease, we focus this review on traumatic brain injury and stroke models. We describe updated data from receptor and signaling events triggered by both hormones, with an emphasis on the mechanisms that have been reported as ‘rapid’ or ‘cytoplasmic actions’. Data showing the therapeutic effects of the hormones, used alone or in combination, are also summarized, with a focus on rodent models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Finally, we draw attention to evidence that neuroprotection by both hormones might be due to a combination of ‘cytoplasmic’ and ‘nuclear’ signaling.
The Atypical Rho GTPase CHW-1 Works with SAX-3/Robo To Mediate Axon Guidance inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Alan Jamie K , Robinson Sara K , Magsig Katie L , Demarco Rafael S , Lundquist Erik A
Published: April 2018

During development, neuronal cells extend an axon toward their target destination in response to a cue to form a properly functioning nervous system. Rho proteins, Ras-related small GTPases that regulate cytoskeletal organization and dynamics, cell adhesion, and motility, are known to regulate axon guidance. Despite extensive knowledge about canonical Rho proteins (RhoA/Rac1/Cdc42), little is known about the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) atypical Cdc42-like family members CHW-1 and CRP-1 in regards to axon pathfinding and neuronal migration. chw-1(Chp/Wrch) encodes a protein that resembles human Chp (Wrch-2/RhoV) and Wrch-1 (RhoU), and crp-1 encodes for a protein that resembles TC10 and TCL. Here, we show that chw-1 works redundantly with crp-1 and cdc-42 in axon guidance. Furthermore, proper levels of chw-1 expression and activity are required for proper axon guidance. When examining CHW-1 GTPase mutants, we found that the native CHW-1 protein is likely partially activated, and mutations at a conserved residue (position 12 using Ras numbering, position 18 in CHW-1) alter axon guidance and neural migration. Additionally, we showed that chw-1 genetically interacts with the guidance receptor sax-3 in PDE neurons. Finally, in VD/DD motor neurons, chw-1 works downstream of sax-3 to control axon guidance. In summary, this is the first study implicating the atypical Rho GTPases chw-1 and crp-1 in axon guidance. Furthermore, this is the first evidence of genetic interaction between chw-1 and the guidance receptor sax-3. These data suggest that chw-1 is likely acting downstream and/or in parallel to sax-3 in axon guidance.
Determinados contornos jurídicos, assistenciais e econômicos de organizações cristãs
Authors: Souza André Ricardo de
Published: April 2018

O cristianismo no Brasil é composto por vertentes e instituições atuantes emdiversas áreas, abrangendo o tradicional trabalho de assistência social e o controverso empreendedorismo econômico, sobremaneira midiático. Cumpre lembrar que para o exercício dessas atividades é necessário o amparo legal e a decorrente permissão do estado. Neste artigo, são tratados determinados aspectos da legislação brasileira quanto a organizações cristãs, sobremaneira suas atividades assistenciais e econômicas. Produzido com base em pesquisa bibliográfica, análise de documentos e consulta sistematizada a fontes jornalísticas relevantes, o texto dá atenção à questão da isenção fiscal e também do apoio governamental, ainda que indireto, a organizações cristãs e seus líderes para a realização de suas atividades.
Job Satisfaction Measurement in the Public and Private Sectors: The Case of Erbil in North Iraq
Authors: Mahmood Hazhar Bahram
Published: April 2018

This paper is focused on an overview of Job satisfaction Measurement in both the Public and Private Sectors, most specifically in Erbil, the North of Iraq. The private sector is making huge progress in its recruitment policies to get the right people hired and give them better working conditions. This has relatively increased job performance in the private sector. Although there has been an economic slowdown in Iraq caused by political crisis, the level of job satisfaction in the private sector has increased followed by an increase in job performance in the private sector. The private sector in North of Iraq is profitable, making financial gains and great investment and the government of North of Iraq have high expectations that in the years to come, investment in the private sector will yield more profits and enormously contribute to booming the economy of North of Iraq. The private sector continues making the workplaces more comfortable to push up job satisfaction and job performance from below and the government of North of Iraq is eager to make the investment environment in North of Iraq more conducive.

The most important people in every company are the employees. They are important because they play the important roles in given the company a good shape and helping the company to maintain its shape. This means that management of companies has the express duty to keep employees working on their job and even to influence the employees in many ways to remain with the company. If management succeeds to keep employees steadily on the job, it means that employees have been greatly satisfied. To be a satisfied employee, shows that a company’s policies and practices on satisfaction are well upheld. This mean that job satisfaction which is a widely used concept in the process of company’s management and operation is well handled. Job satisfaction element can be well handled but the degree to which it is handled matters more and this greatly determines the retention of every employee. If the degree of handling job satisfaction is high, this will obviously attract and keep employees on the job. But if the degree is low, employees will tend to leave the job.  This explains why in measuring job satisfaction, companies should strive to achieve high degree of job satisfaction.
Modelling the Determinants of Price Level in the Nigerian Economy
Authors: Ahamba Kenneth O. , C. Osigwe Augustine , Onoja Thank-God C. , Agbanike Tobechi F.
Published: April 2018

This paper evaluated the deterministic ability of some macroeconomic variables on the Nigeria’s price level (PL) using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Review of relevant literature was thoroughly carried out. The specification of the price deterministic model was consistent with the traditional backward-looking Philips curve, quantity theory of money and the Fiscal theory of the price level. The Johansen cointegration test results provided evidence of a long run relationship among the chosen variables. The VECM results showed that the 2nd lag of PL negatively and significantly affects current PL. The second lag of Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) had a positive and significant effect on the current PL. Current exchange rate made a negative and significant impact on the PL whereas exchange rate at lag two made positive and significant impact. Domestic credit positively and significantly affected PL in the first period and positively but insignificantly affected it in the second period. Trade openness had significant and positive impact on PL. Money supply, government expenditure and nominal interest rate had no significant impact on PL. The outcome of all the diagnostic tests supported the acceptability of the model’s results. Based on our empirical findings, we recommend that the Nigerian monetary authority should keep tab on the variables implicated by the model of this study as significant determinants of PL.
“I Want to Make it Right”
Authors: Glenister David
Published: April 2018

Our case study subject, “Ruby”, is a 46 year-old female suffering from a chronic renal condition, admitted to Royal Melbourne Hospital. As she, along with partner Charlie and daughter Amanda, received care from several members of Pastoral and Spiritual Care Services, as well as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer, we have decided to present a co-written case study, with each participant writing their own view in their own voice. Ruby’s care included all the interventions recognized by Spiritual Health Victoria: spiritual assessment, spiritual support, spiritual counselling or guidance and spiritual ritual. 2 This latter intervention became very significant as Ruby declined, receiving palliative care, and included both religious ritual and legacy creation. On paper – or the hospital electronic database – Ruby’s admission looks like failure, but as this case study reveals, within her physical decline and treatment, there was significant emotional and spiritual healing, leading to a relatively “good death”.
Dutch Case Studies Project in Chaplaincy Care
Authors: Walton Martin , Körver Jacques
Published: April 2018

The recent surge of case studies in chaplaincy care raises challenges on the comparability of case studies and the degree to which they elucidate the relation between theory and practice. The Dutch Case Studies Project (CSP) addresses these and other issues by use of a set format and procedure and by evaluation in research communities of chaplains and academic researchers. We first place CSP in the context of Dutch chaplaincy and its recent history. The question of selection of a case for a case study then leads to a discussion of a number of methodological issues. That moves into an explanation of the following steps in the procedure: description, evaluation and finalization. Issues for further discussion and a conclusion complete the article.
Brief psycho-education for caregivers of persons with first episode psychosis
Authors: Kapse Praful Prabhuappa , Kiran Manisha
Published: April 2018

Caring for the persons with first episode psychosis is challenging and demanding.
It may lead to the increased burden, expressed emotions among the caregivers. The numerous studies have shown that high burden and negative
expressed emotions among caregivers can lead to early relapse in the patients with first episode psychosis. To
evaluate the effects of the brief psychoeducation on the caregivers burden and expressed emotions. A quasi
experimental - before and after with control group research design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 caregivers
have participated in the study, of which 30 caregivers in experimental group and 30 caregivers in the control group.
Family Burden Interview Schedule (Pai and Kapoor, 1981) and Attitude Questionnaire (Sethi et al., 1981) was used to
assess caregiver's burden and expressed emotions. At end of the psychoeducation intervention, burden among
caregivers and negative expressed emotions of the caregivers have significantly reduced. The positive expressed
emotions have been increased. Study results demonstrates the importance of psychoeducation intervention in
reducing the burden and negative expressed emotions.
Positive energy circulation and stress free living through application of vastu principles
Authors: Batra Neetima , Sangwan Veena , Mehta Manju
Published: April 2018

If the structure is so designed that the positive forces override that the negative forces then there is beneficial release of bio energy which helps all the inmates to be healthy. If I put Vastu in simple words “it is the traditional Indian way how people should live in house or work at their workplace as yoga is for health.” Every women workplace is started with her house and concludes her day in her house. The prior concern is her well-being's. Vastu is a hot topic of discussion these days on all the channels on T.V, internet etc. and other mass media approaches. Present study is
planned to know about the knowledge of some aspects of Vastu Shastra principles and its extent of application in
newly constructed houses of Hisar district. 200 homemakers were selected purposively, majority were found young
60.0% and working45.0%. Around 50 percent were having > 350 square feet house. Some miscellaneous aspects of
vastu were choose to study and found that was found Usually people were interesting in application of certain
aspects such as down ward slope of house should be in E and N side, rectangular house is good for living, Gomukhi
house is not good for residence purpose, underground water tank should be in North East direction, no tall trees
should be in North and East side and so on. Interestingly they have applied these principles on priority basis. Along
with these aspects more than 90 percent of the respondents were found feeling highly satisfied by making water tank
in North-East and trees in South and west side. By making central space open, eighty five percent respondents were
found highly satisfied as it is the place where all energies can accumulate to make house pure, divine and peaceful.
Relationship between gratitude and happiness in college students
Authors: Kausar Rubina
Published: April 2018

The present research explored the relationship between gratitude and happiness in college students. It was
hypothesized that there is likely to be a relationship between gratitude and happiness. It was also hypothesized that
gratitude will be the predictor of happiness in college students. The sample was comprised of n= 100 (50 girls and 50
boys) from different colleges (private and public) of Lahore. Subjective Happiness Scale by Sonja Lyubomirsky and
Lepper (1999) and Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form (GQ-6) by McCullough, Emmons, and Tsang (2001)
were used to assess happiness and gratitude in college students. Pearson product moment correlation, Simple Linear
regression and independent sample t-test were applied to generate results. Results suggest that there is significant
positive relationship between gratitude and happiness. Gratitude also predicted happiness in college students. No
significant gender difference was observed between gratitude and happiness. Significant difference was found
between gratitude and happiness at 1st level and the last level students. The findings of this research have
implications for adaptation of gratitude tendencies in Pakistani youth.
Role of Rajyoga meditation as a psychotherapy in various physical and mental illnesses and well-being
Authors: Shaha Rupal , Gupta Satish
Published: April 2018

Rajyoga Meditation is the science and art of harmonizing spiritual, mental and physical energy through connection
with the ultimate source of spiritual energy (supreme soul) for enjoying ever healthy, ever wealthy and ever happy
life. Psychotherapy / counseling is the process to treat people suffering from mental stress, anxiety, depression,
psychosomatic diseases and other mental disorders and to maintain psychological well being. Many studies shows
how mind is connected to health (physical, mental) i.e. stress and negative emotions lead to mental illness and
psychosomatic illness and vice versa-meditation leads to mental, physical, total relaxation and healing leads to
mental and physical health. This paper shows how Rajyoga meditation can be very effective or auxiliary tool to
conventional therapy for various mental, physical illness and for mental well-being.
Role efficacy: A comprehensive study
Authors: Bhardwaj Gopa , Sharma Swati , Karnick Neeti B.
Published: April 2018

A case study in manufacturing giant attempts to capture how potential effectiveness of a role is psychologically
tuned along ten dimensions on which efficacy of an employee is defined. Further, how position, age and tenure of
employment interact with role efficacy. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approach is followed, where
n=28. Managers are seen as leaders and act like role models for the subordinates. Further, managers are high on
helping relationship. Both see an opportunity for personal growth in their role. Self- role integration is lesser in
managers than subordinates. Subordinates are found to be more reactive. Confrontation is greater for subordinates
than managers. Elders are strong on dimensions common to achievers and youngest seems to have politics. Longer
tenures exhibits more helping attitude and more confrontation than with smaller tenures. Thus, the dynamism
between position, age and tenure seems to have an effect on role-efficacy.
Domestic violence act “shield or weapon of an Indian women”: Two sides of a coin
Authors: Singh Ritu , Pant Kusha , Mishra Amit K.
Published: April 2018

Domestic violence refers to violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as in
marriage or cohabitation. In India, one out of every fourth Indian women is a victim of domestic violence at some
point of her life or the other. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) has been passed under
Indian Constitution which ensures protection of women against violence of any kind occurring within the family
and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. On the face of it, the law appears to be a “shield” or
blessing for Indian women who are into abusive or violent relationships. However, another disturbing fact is that at
times, women themselves have played an unpleasant and catalytic role in perpetrating violence against another
woman like daughter-in-law, mother-in-law or female domestic helps. Second issue is that if it's male dominated
society in some parts of India it's also female dominated in few other parts of it. Thirdly, nowadays, males and
females both are equally involved in different crimes in the country like theft, murder, abduction etc. In light of all
these facts, it can be said that if in most instances domestic violence is perpetrated by man in some instances it can be
vice versa too. Instances exist whereby protective legal provisions for the benefit of women have been subjected to
distortion and misuse and women have used PWDVA as “weapon” to wreak petty revenge and to settle scores. Deep
scrutiny of PWDVA projects that “it” in an attempt towards “women and children welfare”, has granted Indian
women an unconditional legal supremacy over men and created a society where men are deprived of their rights of
“welfare”. The bottom-line therefore, is the fair incantation of legal provisions and their objective and honest
implementation. The responsibility of this lies on the shoulders of we educated and elite group of the society.
Grit and sense of coherence as predictors of well-being
Authors: Arya Bhavana , Lal Divya Sarah
Published: April 2018

There are many people in every walk of life that have different levels of abilities to reach their goals. Few might rely
on their talents and skills to work and few might use their meticulous tactics and ideas that lead them to their goals
but there are also people who are gritty. Such people persevere through difficulty and do not give in till the end.
These individuals are considered to have a strong sense of meaning which in turn leads to their positive wellbeing.
Sense of coherence and grit have been identified as important variables contributing to the well-being of an
individual. In the current study, the role of grit in predicting well-being is investigated. The role of sense of
coherence as a mediator between grit and well-being is also analysed. The Short Grit Scale (Duckworth et al., 2007)
Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1987) and Scales of Psychological Well-being (Ryff, 1995) were used to
assess the variables in a sample of 250 medical and engineering students. Results indicated a positive correlation
between grit and wellbeing and confirmed the mediating role of SOC.
Meaning of happiness: A qualitative inquiry among adolescents
Authors: Kapoor Naina , Rahman Shifa , Kaur Tejinder
Published: April 2018

Research on happiness seems to be blooming in current academics. Psychology's engagement with
psychopathology left no space for this concept to come to the fore. With rapid changes in the academic world,
together with the shift in the focus towards more positive concepts has resulted in a renewed interest in the concept
of happiness. The domain of qualitative research seeks to explore the diverse human experiences and the present
study uses this domain to understand the subjective meaning of happiness in adolescent students. Using a qualitative
approach, twenty adolescents were asked to share their life experiences using a semi structured interview schedule.
A grounded theory analysis revealed that happiness forms a core concern for an individual where it depends not only
on the cultural norm involving an individual where social relationships form an important part, but also goals and
aims (s) he/she wishes to achieve in life. It exists in temporality but is impacted by the larger dimension of meaning
in life which is relatively stable and covers a huge expanse of an individual's existence. Finding happiness in life
involves both personal goals such as self growth and attainment of peace, and also professional goals like fulfilment
of one's academic aim. Happiness is also seen as being impacted by an individual's past happenings, belief in selfworth
and social responsibility. Analysis of the findings thus points to the fact that meaning of happiness varies
across individuals, however, the essence remains the same for a given culture. The consideration of the emic
approach not only creates sound knowledge, but also leads to a holistic understanding of human affairs.
STUDY OF THE USE OF EDIBLE POWDERS TOMATO SAUCE TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Benderska O. , Bessarab А. , Shutyuk V.
Published: April 2018

Considered the technology for the production of edible powders from vegetable raw materials. The technology for producing powders from berries is developed to produce a high-quality product in which all ingredients of raw materials are stored in a concentrated form.The current trend in nutrition is related to the expansion of the range of functional products whose daily use contributes to the prevention of hypovitaminoses and metabolic disorders, and ultimately to the rehabilitation of the population. New, non-traditional sources of local raw materials, including plant based products, need to be explored and exploited in order to address the issue of instantiate new generation of healthy foods, and the development of technologies for obtaining functionalities. The use of fruit crops, the most source of biologically active substances, is very promising in this direction.The Department of Preservation Technology of the National University Food Technology has conducted a study to enable the use of fruit and berries for food powders. To this end, powder has been obtained from the blueberry berries of ordinary, with the establishment of its physico-chemical properties.The patterns of the influence of the blueberry powder on the functional properties of the foodstuffs were investigated in the example of tomato sauces.Analysis of the results of the studies has shown that a blueberry berry powder can be used in the production of canned and other products not only to enrich their functional ingredients but also to provide them with new technological properties. The food powders received do not contain harmful impurities, have high food value, are easily absorbed by the body, compact and long periods of time. Studies have shown that the blueberry powder is a rich source of vitamins (c acid, β-carotene, tocopherol) and can be used successfully in the manufacture of tomato sauces with functional properties.