bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Feasibility of Using Solar Energy in the Production of Greenhouse Tomatoes
Authors: Dhillon Pritam S. , Rossi Daniel
Published: May 2017

The energy crunch of the mid-seventies has adversely affected the greenhouse tomato industry in the North Central and Northeast regions. Traditionally, these two regions had been the main producers of greenhouse tomatoes in the U.S. where, because of the climatic restriction, greenhouse tomato production evolved to supply fresh tomatoes during winter and spring months. Since greenhouse producers in the north rely on fossil fuels for heating purposes, their production costs have escalated, thereby tending to price these tomatoes out of the market. In recent years many greenhouse tomato producers in the northern regions have either ceased production or switched into alternative enterprises. For instance, the Census of Agriculture reported 45 growers in Massachusetts in 1974, with covered areas of 535,842 square feet; by 1979, according to extension experts, the number declined to 25 and the area declined to between 150,000 and 200,000 square feet. The number of growers in New Jersey declined from 42 in the 1974 census to only 19 in 1979. Similar declines have occurred in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Economics of Current Mushroom Pest Management Practices
Authors: Duffy Michael
Published: May 2017

Survey data from Southeastern Pennsylvania is used to estimate the costs of current mushroom pest management practices. Pest management costs represent a sizeable proportion of the variable costs of producing mushrooms. The practices found are highly variable with costs ranging from $.04 to $.58 per square foot. The frequency of outside applications and steam use before and after the crop are the most significant practices influencing production costs.
Greenhouse Energy Conservation: Analysis of Alternative Glass Systems
Authors: White John W. , Beierlein James G. , Dalke Peter A.
Published: May 2017

The economic viability of nine representative energy conservation options for Pennsylvania greenhouse operators is examined. The analysis is done using an Internal Rate of Return procedure for four major fuels under three price escalator assumptions. The minimum energy savings per square foot per year is also calculated for each option. Wide variation is found in the economic feasibility of these options with the ones with the lowest installation costs generally providing the greatest IRR and the lowest required minimum savings per year. The results clearly indicate the need to evaluate carefully the econcmic viability of such investments beforehand.
The Hedonic Approach: No Panacea for Valuing Water Quality Changes
Authors: Willis Cleve E. , Foster John H.
Published: May 2017

The hedonic approach has been advanced recently as an important tool for assessing the value of non-market environmental attributes. In its most usual form, the method involves an attempt econometrically to capture differential prices for homes attributable to variations in the environmental characteristic. This technique has been applied with success for a variety of attributes – most notably the study of air pollution. However, the case studies reported here for water quality valuation were much less successful. We advance several reasons why the hedonic approach may be ill-suited to measuring the value of water quality.
Alternative Solutions to the Dairy Problem and the Role of the Agricultural Economist in Policy Formation and Analysis
Authors: Novakovic Andrew M.
Published: May 2017

Dairy product markets have been burdened with excess supplies since late 1979. The principal cause of these surpluses is overly high government price supports. This situation can be traced to a series of policy decisions made in the mid-1970s.

The evolution of dairy policy during the last 10 years is examined and the implications of recent policy proposals are explored. The contributions of agricultural economists to the formulation of rational dairy policy is discussed and suggestions for improving their contributions to and influence on policy are made.
A Comparative Analysis of Employment Change in the Northeast
Authors: White Jeffrey D. , Hastings Steven E.
Published: May 2017

A modified version of shift-share analysis is used to examine spatial, temporal and compositional trends in employment growth in the Northeastern United States during the 1970s. The analysis is presented for subregions, states and metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Secondary data compiled by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis is used.

Employment growth in the Northeast, though positive overall, did not keep pace with that of the nation. While the distribution of employment among industries was very similar in the Northeast and the United States, the performance of these industries was not. The same was true for the three major subregions that comprise the Northeast. Nonmetropolitan counties outperformed their metropolitan counterparts in employment growth during the decade, with the most rural county types showing the greatest percentage employment growth.
Attracting Industry: How Can We Do a Better Job?
Authors: Goode Frank M. , Wise J. Karl , Fuller Theodore E.
Published: May 2017

Many state and local groups in the Northeast are attempting to increase their employment base by attracting new industry. Unfortunately the success rate of these activities is not good. Despite the public relations hype associated with “successes,” serious evaluation of these activities raise questions regarding their efficiency. For example, the Alabama Business Research Council has documented that two-thirds of the plants that accepted industrial development bonds indicate that they would have chosen the same location even if the inducements had not been offered; thus, many “successes” were illusions. In addition, others have documented the complete failure of many types of industrial inducement programs (Cornia, Testa and Stocker; Stinson). Thus, the question is why haven't location inducement programs been more successful?
Non-Parametric Measures of Technical Efficiency in Milk Production
Authors: Bravo-Ureta Boris E.
Published: May 2017

This paper presents estimates of technical efficiency in milk production based on Farrell's non-parametric frontier production function methodology. Data from a sample of Maine and Vermont dairy farms, included in the ELFAC business analysis for 1979, were used to derive Efficient Unit Isoquants for capital-labor and concentrate feed-roughage combinations. The analysis indicates that milk production in Maine and Vermont farms was characterized by significant technical inefficiencies during 1979.
Risk and Return in Field Crops as Compared to Processing Vegetables on the Delmarva Peninsula
Authors: Zuckerkandel Karen , Elterich G. Joachim
Published: May 2017

The Delmarva Peninsula includes some rich farmland which is suitable for both vegetable and field crop production. Almost 80 percent of the acreage on the Delmarva Peninsula today is planted in field corn and soybeans. In the past fifteen years, the acreage of vegetables contracted to processing companies in the area has declined by about 50 percent (Smith, 1975 and 1981). This is due to four major factors: Delmarva's yield disadvantage relative to other regions; the disappearance of numerous, antiquated small canneries in the region; an unstable labor supply at existing wages; and growers’ perceived higher yield risk for vegetables.
Research Productivity and Concentration Among Agricultural Economics Faculty in the Northeast
Authors: Broder Josef M. , Centner Terence J. , Ziemer Rod F.
Published: May 2017

Research activities of academic agricultural economists in the Northeast Region are examined. Selected categories of research output are presented. Interregional comparisons in research productivity are made between: 1) faculty employed in the Northeast and those employed elsewhere and 2) faculty educated in the Northeast and those educated elsewhere. Intraregional comparisons of faculty employed in the Northeast by region of education are also presented. Regional differences in research resources and concentration are examined and offered as factors contributing to research productivity differences. Results indicate few significant long-run differences in research productivity and concentration in the Northeast relative to that in other regions.
Impacts of Public Research Expenditures on Agricultural Value-Added in the U.S. and the Northeast
Authors: Smith Blair L. , Norton George W. , Havlicek Joseph
Published: May 2017

This paper illustrates differences in estimated returns to public agricultural research investments for the U.S. and the Northeast when value-added (VA) as opposed to gross production (GP) functions are estimated. Commodity groups considered are dairy, poultry, other livestock, and cash grains. Sizable differences are evident in returns estimated with VA as opposed to GP functions, with the VA estimates generally being larger. Cash grains research yields the largest returns at the margin. Dairy research is more productive in the Northeast than the rest of the country.
The Economic Viability of Commercial Fresh Vegetable Production in the Northeastern United States
Authors: Wysong John W. , Leigh Mary G. , Ganguly Pradeep
Published: May 2017

The Northeast region with nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population and purchasing power in 1983 is a deficit region in both processing and fresh market vegetable crops. This study explores the underlying factors in the long post-World War II decline in Northeastern vegetable production. It evaluates the economic viability of small-scale, family operated vegetable farms with emphasis on Maryland and the Baltimore-Washington Wholesale Market outlet near Jessup, Maryland.

Preliminary results of our study indicate that, under certain conditions, small-scale family farms can grow and commercially market fresh-market vegetables at competitive prices, and generate healthy cash flows. The optimum mix of crops would include up to three, non-competing crop sequences, with four different vegetable crops including spinach, snap beans, tomatoes and broccoli. Family (owner-operator) labor was found to be a major resource constraint on volume of vegetables marketed, especially tomatoes. Potentials for future expansion in selected crops seem to exist with improved technology and better management.
Land Use Conflicts in the Coastal Zone: An Approach for the Analysis of the Opportunity Costs of Protecting Coastal Resources
Authors: Edwards Steven F. , Anderson Glen D.
Published: May 2017

The implicit price (hedonic) equation for the housing market in a coastal town in southern Rhode Island was estimated using a conditional Box-Cox maximum likelihood procedure. Linear, log-linear, and semi-log functional forms were rejected with 95% confidence. Estimates of marginal implicit prices for water related attributes (view of, frontage on, and proximity to a coastal salt water pond) derived from these rejected models were quite different from those determined from the optimal functional form. This result has important ramifications for public policy, as is shown in an example, since these attributes were found to be highly valued in the housing market.
Forecasting the Basis for Corn in Western New York
Authors: Taylor Patricia D. , Tomek William G.
Published: May 2017

This study develops a simple model to forecast the basis for corn in a specific region. Improved forecasts can improve hedging decisions. Basis behavior, however, depends on explanatory variables that are themselves difficult to forecast with precision. This limits the usefulness of the basis model, but it does offer some benefit over naive forecasts.
Estimating Crop Yield Insurance Premium Rates
Authors: Dudek Daniel J. , Allen P. Geoffrey
Published: May 2017

Insurance rates for crop yield protection programs have traditionally been calculated from county average yields. Where grower acreages and yields are not homogeneous, this approach leads to higher premiums and payouts and greater incidence of adverse selection. With individual grower data a production weighted rate premium calculation method can be used which avoids these problems. Furthermore, the definition of rate classes is not constrained to county boundaries. The additional complication of technical change is addressed and one solution is provided. Results are presented for the cranberry industry.
An Interorder Price Alignment Model for the Northeast Federal Milk Marketing Orders
Authors: Hardie Ian W.
Published: May 2017

Advances in storage, transportation, packaging and management have removed many of the old barriers between the Northeast's fluid milk markets. As the barriers disappear, the resulting market interdependence increases the importance of carefully aligning the minimum base prices set for unprocessed milk in the Northeastern federal milk marketing orders. For if these prices should get out of line, the lack of spatial barriers can encourage intermarket transfers which run counter to the orders’ objectives.
Testing for Differences in Consumer Attitudes Toward Milk in New York State
Authors: Eiler Doyle A. , Forker Olan D.
Published: May 2017

Market researchers are frequently interested in determining the differences in attitudes of various groups of consumers. For example, they may want to know if significant shifts in attitudes have oocurred over time or if attitudes vary by sex, income, race or market.
Has Anything Changed?
Authors: Payne Norman E.
Published: May 2017

Recently there has been considerable controversy surrounding agriculture in general, and especially the recent rise in food prices. Demands are being made on American agriculture to adjust to supposedly new conditions and opportunities. What I would like to do today is to take a brief look at some of the problems facing agriculture and see if they have really changed.
The Effect of Changes in Manufacturing Employment on Real Estate Tax Rates in Rural Communities of Pennsylvania
Authors: Epp Donald J. , Bates William C.
Published: May 2017

Rural communities in Pennsylvania, as well as in many other parts of the United States, have exhibited a great deal of variation in population trends in recent years. Many rural communities have experienced a declining population along with a decreasing employment base. This causes problems of finding new sources of employment as well as providing educational and other public services that are adequate for their remaining population but are financed by a decreasing fiscal base. On the other hand, many rural communities have experienced a new spurt of economic and population growth resulting in a need for additional public services. While the particular problems to be faced are different depending on whether the community is growing or declining, they each have their own peculiar types of problems.
Sweat Equity in New Jersey “Self-Help Housing”
Authors: Thatch Daymon W.
Published: May 2017

Congress passed the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 and reaffirmed its national housing goal of 1948: “the realization as soon as feasible of the goal of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.” However, many states, and New Jersey in particular, have continually fallen short of this goal. The population in the past decade in New Jersey has grown by approximately 20 percent and yet housing has not kept pace with this growth. Current growth requires an additional 100,000 housing units a year, but only 40,000 are being built. In short, the inadequate supply of decent single and multi-family dwellings and increasing housing demand in New Jersey has raised the cost of existing housing out of the reach of many of its citizens.
Comparative Productivity Among Different Sized Physician Practices in Rural Washington
Authors: Cordes Sam
Published: May 2017

Students of our nation's medical care system generally express particular concern over the availability or lack of availability of physician services in rural areas. This concern is not without statistical foundation. In 1969 the nation's most urbanized counties (5,000,000 inhabitants or more) had approximately five times as many actively-practicing private physicians per 100,000 population as did the most rural counties (less than 10,000 inhabitants) [1]. In view of this situation a number of measures designed to increase the rural supply of physician services are being proposed. In general, these measures can be categorized into (1) those designed to increase the size of the resource base used in producing physician services and (2) those designed to reorganize the existant resource base in hopes of increasing resource productivity.
The Municipal Authority as an Organizational Framework for Regional Public Water Systems
Authors: Daugherty Arthur B. , Jansma J. Dean
Published: May 2017

Demands on the public water supply “industry” have been increasing steadily. Most of the existing systems have experienced increased water use per customer over time, as well as a greater number of customers. There has also been a growing interest in and concern about providing adequate quantities of safe, treated water for all of the Nation's population. The cost of providing public water systems for “an estimated 30,000 smaller communities, unincorporated settled areas and farming sectors in rural territory without systems” was estimated at $6 billion in 1966 [1, p. 978]. The cost of completing this task has probably increased, even though many water systems have been installed in these communities since 1966.
The Economics of Regional Waste Water Management Systems
Authors: Palm Daniel J. , Jansma J. Dean
Published: May 2017

The literature on the concept of economies of size in waste water management is extensive. However, only a limited amount of research has been completed which focuses on the extent of these economies associated with the regionalization of waste water management systems.
Alternative Methods for Keeping Land in Agriculture
Authors: Sargent Frederic O.
Published: May 2017

Creeping urbanization without land use controls is threatening rural areas with the loss of prime and scenic agricultural land. The operation of a relatively free land market shifts land to the highest bidder—one who believes he can make a profit, or one who judges his psychic income from ownership and/or use sufficient to make him prefer land ownership to alternative investments or consumption. As farmers retire and sell to nonfarmers, prime agricultural land adjacent to cities is transferred to more intensive, profitable, and irreversible urban uses—residences, commerce, recreation, and industry. Farmland is shifted from active farming to retirement homes and second homes, both at retail and in large developments. This land use trend is frequently cited as undesirable by municipal planners since it leads to a loss of prime agricultural land which may be needed for future food production and reduces pastoral scenery. In a recent study in Massachusetts, J. B. Wyckoff found that the process of suburbanization was consuming rural land at a very rapid rate—from two to eight times the historic rate.
Institutional Restructuring in Response to a Changing Mission
Authors: McIntosh Kenneth D.
Published: May 2017

Perhaps we should begin this session by clarifying the title and then take a closer review of the situation which developed at West Virginia University. First, when we discuss institutional restructuring it is assumed that we are restricting our field of inquiry to the College of Agriculture, including Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. Second, when we speak of changing missions it is assumed that we are referring to the missions of the College of Agriculture, including Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. Considerable change in structure and in mission has occurred throughout our University but those which are not directly related to agriculture are omitted.
The Changing Missions of Agricultural Economics Research
Authors: West Quentin M.
Published: May 2017

The Economic Research Service is in the midst of reorganization. For the past 1-1/2 years, ERS researchers and administrators have been working overtime to make sure that ERS research dovetails with today's priorities.
Market Time Supply of Non-Household-Head Hired Farm Worker
Authors: Shane Ronald L.
Published: May 2017

Traditional models in the agricultural labor literature have examined agricultural labor supply in terms of a labor-leisure trade-off by a single individual. This work examines the question of total annual market days in farm and nonfarm work of secondary family workers engaged in hired farm work. The underlying model is one of home production-consumption. A trade-off of market days between wife and older children in a family is hypothesized. Empirical results are mixed, generally supporting a trade-off in the supply of market days in a family between nonstudents and wives, but not between students and wives.
Forecasting Aid to Families With Dependent Children Caseloads and Payments in Delaware
Authors: Bieker Richard F.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this paper is to present a model which was developed to forecast Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) caseloads and payments in Delaware. The model consists of a caseload equation, a paynlents equation and three labor market equations. The model, which was fitted statistically using quarterly data for the period 1958-1976, forecasts significantly better than trend type models. In addition, the model, unlike trend type models has the potential for forecasting turning points and can be used to simulate the impact of proposed policy changes.
Inadvertent Social Theory: Aggregation and its Effect on Community Research
Authors: Greenwood Peter H. , Luloff A. E.
Published: May 2017

Although continued attention has been given to the general study of “community,” we still lack a consensus, operational definition. Such an absence impedes development in this area of study. Because authors have used different areal conceptualizations, knowledge is, at best, case specific. This paper reviews the problem most often associated with aggregation of data, namely, aggregation bias, and considers some additional problems not usually associated with aggregation. The review serves as a prelude to a discussion of community research methodology which, at present, is beset with potential aggregation problems. Interpretation and possible implications of these findings are advanced.
The Role of the Economist in Natural Resources Policy
Authors: Castle Emery N.
Published: May 2017

On April 5 of this year President Jimmy Carter addressed the Nation on energy. After a brief introduction the President said:

“Federal government price controls now hold down our own production and encourage waste and increase dependence on foreign oil.”

The President then went on to say:

“–I have decided that phased decontrol of oil prices will begin on June 1 and continue at a fairly uniform rate over the next 18 months. The immediate effect of this action will be to increase the production of oil and gas in our own country.”
Land Use Projections Under Alternative Policies: A Transition Matrix Approach
Authors: Lindsay Bruce E. , Dunn Daniel L.
Published: May 2017

As a result of accelerated growth during the past decade, land use change over time and its accompanying problems represents a policy area germane to New Hampshire. Accurate projections of the future pattern of land use would be helpful to decision makers responsible for land use policy. Such projections could assist policy makers either directly in formulating land use plans or indirectly in justifying the need (or lack of need) for overt land use planning. Future projections, based upon various alternative land use policy scenarios, will increase the quantitative supply of information to decision makers in a two-fold manner. First, such estimates provide an insight into the current trend in land use mix and, secondly, give an overview of what impacts various policies directly have upon land use change.
An Historical Analysis of Agricultural Land Use Dynamics in Delaware's Coastal Zone
Authors: Esposito Gerard L. , Cole Gerald L.
Published: May 2017

This paper presents one component of a larger research project which was conducted to provide a source of data on historical land use trends in the Delaware Coastal Zone. That study used its established data base to predict how past land use patterns may be altered in the future, due to potential Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) onshore impacts. Primary data were generated for selected regions in Delaware's and Louisiana's Coastal Zone to accomplish the study's intended purposes. One of the important characteristics of the effort was the evaluation of the manner in which gross land use changes occurred in and out of selected categories. Most land use analyses have depicted only net changes, which can mask dynamically shifting phenomena. This paper demonstrates the utility of analyzing both the gross and net changes in agricultural land use for the period 1954–75.
Recreational Homes: Town Characteristics and Variations in Concentrations
Authors: Pataky Pamela H. , Jansen Edmund F.
Published: May 2017

Recreational home development has been and is likely to continue to be a major concern of many local governments in New England and elsewhere. Recreational homes are defined here as homes that are not the owner's primary residence and are used for vacation, leisure, or recreation. It is generally agreed that this type of development is initially beneficial to local government finances. While more town services may be required, the cost is usually outweighed by the added tax revenue. It is believed, however, that over time recreational homes may be converted to primary homes, which could lead to cost increases without proportional increases in revenue (Am. Soc. of Planning Officials, Clark, Payne). Also, from a wider perspective, the loss of agricultural and forest land to this use may not be desirable.
Labor Force Characteristics of a Rural County's Commuters
Authors: Beck Roger J.
Published: May 2017

Research which is designed to evaluate the strength and mix of factors which tend to initiate and sustain economic growth must provide methods of measuring these factors. If one of these factors is taken to be the availability of labor as the Committee on Economic Development in the Northeast (1977) suggests, then methods of measuring the availability of labor need to be developed. Articles by Bonnen (1972) and Gardner (1975) have provided researchers with an incentive to do a better job of operationalizing and measuring the concept of labor availability.
Effect of Farm Size and Level of Vertical Integration on Returns to Management in the Commercial Turfgrass Industry
Authors: Lessley Billy V. , Strand Ivar
Published: May 2017

An important and viable agricultural crop which should receive more attention is turfgrass. This is particularly true in the Northeast where high population concentrations create a large demand for home and business beautification. The Northeast's average population density of three-hundred persons per square mile makes a crop with few offensive characterisitcs, maximum open-space amenities and high value per acre worthy of consideration by farmers, politicians and economists (U.S. Bureau of the Census).
Impact on Costs and Energy Requirements of Adopting Alternate Middle Spray Techniques in Apple Orchards
Authors: Christensen Robert L. , Prokopy Ronald J.
Published: May 2017

One of the factors contributing to the substantial increases in crop yields experienced during the last fifty years was the development and use of synthetic chemical pesticides. In the past decade, however, increasing evidence has shown that use of these materials poses significant negative external effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. Hall has stated the economic trade-off problem as follows:

“The compromise of reducing both pesticide use and food production may be a better alternative than either cnacellation or continuing pesticide use at the present greater than the social optimum quantity. Even more attractive would be the alternative of reducing pesticide use while maintaining current levels of production (and) profit by growers.”
Conceptualizing, Operationalizing and Measuring Important Factors in Rural Development Research
Authors: Hastings Steven , Hines Fred K. , Goode Frank M. , Beck Roger J. , Fuller Theodore E. , Deaton Brady J. , Smith Eldon D.
Published: May 2017

In order to empirically investigate the economic development process in rural areas, factors that are associated with the level and changes in employment must be conceptualized, operationalized and measured accurately. This symposium was organized to discuss the conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of these factors.
Habitat requirements and population estimate of the endangered Ecuadorian TapaculoScytalopus robbinsi
Authors: HERMES CLAUDIA , JANSEN JEROEN , SCHAEFER H. MARTIN
Published: May 2017

The Chocó-Tumbesian region of western Ecuador is one of the 25 global biodiversity hotspots harbouring high numbers of endemic species, which are heavily threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Moreover, ongoing climate change in the tropics drives species uphill as lower-lying areas are becoming constantly drier. Such upslope movement can pose major challenges for less mobile species, such as understorey birds which are confined to mature forests and unable to cross habitat gaps. Consequently, these species are threatened by a combination of upslope range shifts and forest fragmentation. In our study, we investigated population numbers and habitat requirements of the Ecuadorian TapaculoScytalopus robbinsi, which is endemic to the premontane cloud forests of south-western Ecuador. Comparing the microhabitat structure within territories with control sites revealed that Ecuadorian Tapaculos prefer old secondary forests. Moreover, connectivity between forest fragments was the strongest predictor of the presence of territories within them. We estimated the mean upslope shift of the distribution range as 100 m per decade and developed a model of habitat availability for the revised range. Extrapolating the number of territories from the study area to the distributional range of the Ecuadorian Tapaculo showed that the global population size is smaller than previously assumed. Our results suggest that the Ecuadorian Tapaculo is strongly affected by forest loss and degradation. Therefore, to prevent a continuing decline in population numbers or even extinction, conservation measures focusing on restoring connectivity between fragments and increasing habitat quality and quantity for the remaining populations need to be prioritised.
A systematic review of the heritability of specific psychopathic traits using Hare’s two-factor model of psychopathy
Authors: Dhanani Sapna , Kumari Veena , Puri Basant K. , Treasaden Ian , Young Susan , Sen Piyal
Published: May 2017

Background

There have been no systematic reviews that investigated the heritability of the two-factor model of psychopathy: interpersonal-affective and behavioral. Our review aimed, first, to examine the heritability of general psychopathic traits and, second, if genetic influences were suggested, to determine the heritability of various traits related to the interpersonal-affective and behavioral factors of psychopathy.

Method

A systematic literature search was conducted using articles from the PsycINFO, Embase, Global Health, Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases (January of 1980 to December of 2015) in order to identify eligible literature that reported on the heritability of psychopathy-related traits. Papers were also found via manual examination and reference tracking. Papers were subjected to exclusion criteria and quality appraisal. We identified a total of 24 studies.

Results

Our results were grouped into three categories: general, interpersonal-affective, and behavioral. All these areas demonstrated modest to high heritability. The highest heritability values were found in studies investigating callous-unemotional behaviors.

Conclusions

Heritability was found for all the psychopathic traits. Future research should include endophenotypic approaches that explore gene–environment correlations, which could aid in identification of the behavioral phenotype that is most amenable to early intervention by way of moderation of genetic risk.
NATURE, SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY FRENCH POLITICAL ECONOMY: THE CASE OF MICHEL CHEVALIER (1805–1879)
Authors: DROLET MICHAEL
Published: May 2017

This article explores the significant yet neglected topic of environmental awareness in nineteenth-century French political economy, and the French school of “industrialism” in particular. It focuses on the work of the one-time Saint-Simonian and political economist Michel Chevalier (1806–79) as an interesting example of an environmentally sensitive political economy of “industrialism.” The article reveals how Chevalier's political economy was informed by a sophisticated and environmentally conscious understanding of nature that came to mark scientific and engineering thinking in early nineteenth-century French academic circles. It shows how this understanding of nature was transmitted through publications and lectures of scientists and engineers within leading French academic institutions such as the Ecole polytechnique and the Ecole des mines. The article demonstrates that Chevalier's scientific and engineering education at these institutions shaped his understanding of nature and society as intimately interconnected and mutually impacting. The article then explores how his view of nature and society developed in a more decidedly Romantic direction during his time as a Saint-Simonian. The Romantic sensibility of this time was short-lived, but a keen environmental awareness dating back to Chevalier's student days remained a significant feature of his later reflections in political economy. It was this particular quality of Chevalier's political economy that set it apart both from the French liberal school of political economy, with its very low environmental awareness, and from the more fully ecological political economy of the kind advanced by his fellow Saint-Simonians Pierre Leroux and Jean Reynaud. Finally, the article shows what has not been widely appreciated: that an environmentally sensitive political economy, of which Chevalier's was a good example, was endorsed by a large body of nineteenth-century French scientific and administrative opinion.
Planetary nebula abundances in dwarf galaxies
Authors: Gonçalves Denise R.
Published: May 2017

The framework of the present review is as follows. The Local Group (LG) is populated by dwarf galaxies belonging to different morphological types. Apparently these galaxies are very different. The questions naturally raised from this framework are many. Is there an evolutionary sequence among them? Do they share common progenitors? Is the environment at the origin of their differences? The method we propose to answer to these questions is by investigating the chemical evolution of dwarf galaxies and their mass-metallicity relation (MZR). To this aim we use metallicities derived from planetary nebulae, since this stellar population is present in the star-forming (dwarf irregular, dIrr) as well as in the quiescent (dwarf spheroidal, dSph) galaxies. The results, actually, show that both dIrr and dSph galaxies of the LG follow the same MZR, at variance with the differences claimed in the past. These results are in good agreement with the recently derived MZR, based on stellar instead of the nebular metallicities of the LG dwarf galaxies. Moreover, our MZR is also consistent with the global MZR of SLOAN star-forming galaxies, which spans a wider stellar mass range (~ 106 - 1011 M⊙) than the LG dwarfs.
Models of stellar population at high redshift, as constrained by PN yields and luminosity function
Authors: Maraston C.
Published: May 2017

The stellar phase of Thermally-Pulsating Asymptotic giant branch is the last major evolutionary stage of intermediate-mass stars which afterwards evolve into planetary nebulae. The TP-AGB phase is affected by mass-loss and instabilities which notoriously make its theoretical modelling uncertain. This review focuses on the effects such modelling has on stellar population models for galaxies, with particular focus on the high-z Universe where galaxies are young and contain a large number of short-living TP-AGB stars. I shall present the models, discuss how different prescriptions for the treatment of the TP-AGB affect the theoretical integrated spectral energy distribution and how these compare to galaxy data, and discuss implications for the PN nebulae luminosity function stemming from the various assumptions. Finally I shall discuss the inclusion of hot evolved stars on stellar population models and how they compare to data for old galaxies at our present time.
Planetary nebulae as kinematic tracers of galaxy halos
Authors: Coccato Lodovico ,   PNS collaboration
Published: May 2017

The kinematics and dynamical properties of galaxy stellar halos are difficult to measure, given the faint surface brightness that characterizes these regions. Gas-rich systems such as spiral galaxies can be probed using the radio Hi emission. Early-type galaxies contain less gas, therefore alternative kinematic tracers need to be used. Planetary Nebulae (PNe) can be easily detected far out in the halo thanks to their bright [Oiii] emission at 5007 Å. It is therefore possible to map the halo kinematics also in early-type galaxies, typically out to 5 effective radii or beyond. Thanks to the recent spectroscopic surveys targeting extra-galactic PNe, we can now rely on few tens of galaxies where the kinematics of the stellar halos are measured. I will discuss the most important results: (a) the relation of the stellar surface brightness and the PNe number density; (b) the velocity and velocity dispersion two-dimensional fields; (c) the radial profiles of angular momentum; and (d) the relation between the derived kinematics physical properties of the host galaxies.
Spacecraft Returns Its First Data on Martian Solar Irradiance
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: May 2017

Scientists demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the mathematical model used to calculate solar irradiance using measurements from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN).
Inhibition of PTP1B disrupts cell–cell adhesion and induces anoikis in breast epithelial cells
Authors: Hilmarsdottir Bylgja , Briem Eirikur , Halldorsson Skarphedinn , Kricker Jennifer , Ingthorsson Sævar , Gustafsdottir Sigrun , Mælandsmo Gunhild M , Magnusson Magnus K , Gudjonsson Thorarinn
Published: May 2017

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a well-known inhibitor of insulin signaling pathways and inhibitors against PTP1B are being developed as promising drug candidates for treatment of obesity. PTP1B has also been linked to breast cancer both as a tumor suppressor and as an oncogene. Furthermore, PTP1B has been shown to be a regulator of cell adhesion and migration in normal and cancer cells. In this study, we analyzed the PTP1B expression in normal breast tissue, primary breast cells and the breast epithelial cell line D492. In normal breast tissue and primary breast cells, PTP1B is widely expressed in both epithelial and stromal cells, with highest expression in myoepithelial cells and fibroblasts. PTP1B is widely expressed in branching structures generated by D492 when cultured in 3D reconstituted basement membrane (3D rBM). Inhibition of PTP1B in D492 and another mammary epithelial cell line HMLE resulted in reduced cell proliferation and induction of anoikis. These changes were seen when cells were cultured both in monolayer and in 3D rBM. PTP1B inhibition affected cell attachment, expression of cell adhesion proteins and actin polymerization. Moreover, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) sensitized cells to PTP1B inhibition. A mesenchymal sublines of D492 and HMLE (D492M and HMLEmes) were more sensitive to PTP1B inhibition than D492 and HMLE. Reversion of D492M to an epithelial state using miR-200c-141 restored resistance to detachment induced by PTP1B inhibition. In conclusion, we have shown that PTP1B is widely expressed in the human breast gland with highest expression in myoepithelial cells and fibroblasts. Inhibition of PTP1B in D492 and HMLE affects cell–cell adhesion and induces anoikis-like effects. Finally, cells with an EMT phenotype are more sensitive to PTP1B inhibitors making PTP1B a potential candidate for further studies as a target for drug development in cancer involving the EMT phenotype.
TXNIP regulates mitophagy in retinal Müller cells under high-glucose conditions: implications for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Devi Takhellambam Swornalata , Somayajulu Mallika , Kowluru Renu Anjan , Singh Lalit Pukhrambam
Published: May 2017

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy. However, the role of TXNIP in the removal of damaged mitochondria (MT) via mitophagy, a process of macroautophagy, remains unexplored. Here we investigate the associated cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying mitophagy in retinal cells under diabetic conditions. For this, we maintained a rat Müller cell line (rMC1) under high-glucose (25 mM, HG) or low-glucose (5.5 mM, LG) condition for 5 days. Our data reveal that HG upregulates TXNIP in the cytosol as well as in the MT. Moreover, mitochondrial oxidative stress and membrane depolarization occur under prolonged hyperglycemia leading to fragmentation. These damaged MT are targeted to lysosome for mitophagic degradation, as is evident by co-localization of mitochondrial protein COXIV, a subunit of cytochrome c oxidase, with autophagosome marker LC3BII and the lysosomal membrane protein LAMP2A. In addition, under HG conditions, there is an accumulation of dynamin-related fission protein Drp1 and E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin in damaged MT, suggesting their roles in mitochondrial fragmentation and ubiquitination, respectively, which is absent in LG conditions. Subsequently, ubiquitin receptors, optineurin and p62/sequestrome 1, bind to the damaged MT and target them to LC3BII autophagosomes. Conversely, TXNIP knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 and TXNIP gRNA prevents the HG-induced mitochondrial damage and mitophagy in rMC1. Last, TXNIP level is also significantly upregulated in the diabetic rat retina in vivo and induces radial glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, a marker for Müller glia activation, and the formation of LC3BII puncta, which are prevented by intravitreal injection of TXNIP siRNA. Therefore, TXNIP represents a potential target for preventing ocular complications of diabetes.
Glycolysis regulates the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor-bearing hosts through prevention of ROS-mediated apoptosis
Authors: Jian Shiou-Ling , Chen Wei-Wei , Su Yu-Chia , Su Yu-Wen , Chuang Tsung-Hsien , Hsu Shu-Ching , Huang Li-Rung
Published: May 2017

Immunotherapy aiming to rescue or boost antitumor immunity is an emerging strategy for treatment of cancers. The efficacy of immunotherapy is strongly controlled by the immunological milieu of cancer patients. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogeneous immature myeloid cell populations with immunosuppressive functions accumulating in individuals during tumor progression. The signaling mechanisms of MDSC activation have been well studied. However, there is little known about the metabolic status of MDSCs and the physiological role of their metabolic reprogramming. In this study, we discovered that myeloid cells upregulated their glycolytic genes when encountered with tumor-derived factors. MDSCs exhibited higher glycolytic rate than their normal cell compartment did, which contributed to the accumulation of the MDSCs in tumor-bearing hosts. Upregulation of glycolysis prevented excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by MDSCs, which protected MDSCs from apoptosis. Most importantly, we identified the glycolytic metabolite, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), as a vital antioxidant agent able to prevent excess ROS production and therefore contributed to the survival of MDSCs. These findings suggest that glycolytic metabolites have important roles in the modulation of fitness of MDSCs and could be potential targets for anti-MDSC strategy. Targeting MDSCs with analogs of specific glycolytic metabolites, for example, 2-phosphoglycerate or PEP may diminish the accumulation of MDSCs and reverse the immunosuppressive milieu in tumor-bearing individuals.
Haploinsufficiency in the mitochondrial protein CHCHD4 reduces brain injury in a mouse model of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia
Authors: Sun Yanyan , Li Tao , Xie Cuicui , Xu Yiran , Zhou Kai , Rodriguez Juan , Han Wei , Wang Xiaoyang , Kroemer Guido , Modjtahedi Nazanine , Blomgren Klas , Zhu Changlian
Published: May 2017

Mitochondria contribute to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury by releasing potentially toxic proteins into the cytosol. CHCHD4 is a mitochondrial intermembrane space protein that plays a major role in the import of intermembrane proteins and physically interacts with apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of CHCHD4 haploinsufficiency on mitochondrial function and brain injury after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in neonatal mice. CHCHD4+/− and wild-type littermate mouse pups were subjected to unilateral cerebral HI on postnatal day 9. CHCHD4 haploinsufficiency reduced insult-related AIF and superoxide dismutase 2 release from the mitochondria and reduced neuronal cell death. The total brain injury volume was reduced by 21.5% at 3 days and by 31.3% at 4 weeks after HI in CHCHD4+/− mice. However, CHCHD4 haploinsufficiency had no influence on mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, or fission; neural stem cell proliferation; or neural progenitor cell differentiation. There were no significant changes in the expression or distribution of p53 protein or p53 pathway-related genes under physiological conditions or after HI. These results suggest that CHCHD4 haploinsufficiency afforded persistent neuroprotection related to reduced release of mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins. The CHCHD4-dependent import pathway might thus be a potential therapeutic target for preventing or treating neonatal brain injury.
Chronically stressed or stress-preconditioned neurons fail to maintain stress granule assembly
Authors: Shelkovnikova Tatyana A , Dimasi Pasquale , Kukharsky Michail S , An Haiyan , Quintiero Annamaria , Schirmer Claire , Buée Luc , Galas Marie-Christine , Buchman Vladimir L
Published: May 2017

Dysregulation of stress granules (SGs) and their resident proteins contributes to pathogenesis of a number of (neuro)degenerative diseases. Phosphorylation of eIF2α is an event integrating different types of cellular stress and it is required for SG assembly. Phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α) is upregulated in the nervous system in some neurodegenerative conditions. We found that increasing p-eIF2α level by proteasomal inhibition in cultured cells, including mouse and human neurons, before a SG-inducing stress (‘stress preconditioning’), limits their ability to maintain SG assembly. This is due to upregulation of PP1 phosphatase regulatory subunits GADD34 and/or CReP in preconditioned cells and early decline of p-eIF2α levels during subsequent acute stress. In two model systems with constitutively upregulated p-eIF2α, mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking CReP and brain neurons of tau transgenic mice, SG formation was also impaired. Thus, neurons enduring chronic stress or primed by a transient mild stress fail to maintain p-eIF2α levels following subsequent acute stress, which would compromise protective function of SGs. Our findings provide experimental evidence on possible loss of function for SGs in certain neurodegenerative diseases.