Corticotropin Releasing Factor-Induced CREB Activation in Striatal Neurons Occurs via a Novel Gβγ Signaling Pathway

The peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was initially identified as a critical component of the stress response. CRF exerts its cellular effects by binding to one of two cognate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) or 2 (CRFR2). While these GPCRs were originally characterized as being coupled to Gαs, leading to downstream activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and subsequent increases in cAMP, it has since become clear that CRFRs couple to and activate numerous other downstream signaling cascades. In addition, CRF signaling influences the activity of many diverse brain regions, affecting a variety of behaviors. One of these regions is the striatum, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc). CRF exerts profound effects on striatal-dependent behaviors such as drug addiction, pair-bonding, and natural reward. Recent data indicate that at least some of these behaviors regulated by CRF are mediated through CRF activation of the transcription factor CREB. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the signaling pathway by which CRF activates CREB in striatal neurons. Here we describe a novel neuronal signaling pathway whereby CRF leads to a rapid Gβγ- and MEK-dependent increase in CREB phosphorylation. These data are the first descriptions of CRF leading to activation of a Gβγ-dependent signaling pathway in neurons, as well as the first description of Gβγ activation leading to downstream CREB phosphorylation in any cellular system. Additionally, these data provide additional insight into the mechanisms by which CRF can regulate neuronal function

A Multisite Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego-Depletion Effect

We conducted a preregistered multilaboratory project (k = 36; N = 3,531) to assess the size and robustness of ego-depletion effects using a novel replication method, termed the paradigmatic replication approach. Each laboratory implemented one of two procedures that was intended to manipulate self-control and tested performance on a subsequent measure of self-control. Confirmatory tests found a nonsignificant result (d = 0.06). Confirmatory Bayesian meta-analyses using an informed-prior hypothesis (δ = 0.30, SD = 0.15) found that the data were 4 times more likely under the null than the alternative hypothesis. Hence, preregistered analyses did not find evidence for a depletion effect. Exploratory analyses on the full sample (i.e., ignoring exclusion criteria) found a statistically significant effect (d = 0.08); Bayesian analyses showed that the data were about equally likely under the null and informed-prior hypotheses. Exploratory moderator tests suggested that the depletion effect was larger for participants who reported more fatigue but was not moderated by trait self-control, willpower beliefs, or action orientation.</p

A Note On Participation In Budgeting And Locus Of Control

The impact of personality variables on participative management systems has been a subject of considerable current interest to researchers. The effect of locus of control on the relationship between participation and performance of subordinates in a participative budgeting environment was recently examined by Brownell. This study examines the participative relationship between superiors and subordinates. The findings of a laboratory experiment indicate that locus of control also may influence the behavior of superiors involved in the participative budgeting process in accepting the inputs of their subordinates. The results of this experiment support the hypothesis that internal managers are willing to allow subordinates greater participation than are external managers

The human side of lean teams

Organizations use lean principles to increase quality and decrease costs. Lean projects require an understanding of systems-wide processes and utilize interdisciplinary teams. Most lean tools are straightforward, and the biggest barrier to successful implementation is often development of the team aspect of the lean approach. The purpose of this article is to share challenges experienced by a lean team charged with improving a hospital discharge process. Reflection on the experience provides an opportunity to highlight lessons from The Team Handbook by Peter Scholtes and colleagues. To improve the likelihood that process improvement initiatives, including lean projects, will be successful, organizations should consider providing training in organizational change principles and team building. The authors\u27 lean team learned these lessons the hard way. Despite the challenges, the team successfully implemented changes throughout the organization that have had a positive impact. Training to understand the psychology of change might have decreased the resistance faced in implementing these changes

Covalent assembly of stilbene-based monolayers: factors controlling molecular interactions

A new series of stilbene-based chromophores have been used to prepare structurally related siloxane-based monolayers in order to determine which factors control the intermolecular chromophore-chromophore interactions in the solid state. The reaction of chromophore precursors 4-styrylpyridine (1), 4-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-vinyl]-pyridine (2), 4-(2-naphthalen-1-ylvinyl)-pyridine (3), 4-(2-anthracen-9-ylvinyl)-pyridine (4), and 4-(2-pyren-2-ylvinyl)-pyridine (5) with excess 3-iodo-n-propyl-1-trimethoxysilane resulted in the corresponding salts 6-10 in quantitative yield. The assembly of chromophores 6-10 on hydrophilic substrates from solution resulted in the formation of densely packed monolayers with a film thickness of 1 nm. The average chromophore density (~1 chromophore/50 Å2) is well within the range that allows Π-Π stacking to occur. Transmission UV-vis spectroscopy of the siloxane-based films shows that the intermolecular interactions are a function of the aryl groups (e.g., phenyl, bromophenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene). Relatively weak electronic interactions occur between the surface-bound chromophores 6, 7, and 10, whereas strong electronic interactions occur between surface-bound chromophores 8 and 9. The series of monolayers on sodium lime glass and polished silicon is characterized by a combination of physicochemical methods including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, advancing aqueous contact angle measurements, optical spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and synchrotron X-ray reflectivity