Bmp induces osteoblast differentiation through both Smad4 and mTORC1 signaling

The bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) family of secreted molecules has been extensively studied in the context of osteoblast differentiation. However, the intracellular signaling cascades that mediate the osteoblastogenic function of Bmp have not been fully elucidated. By profiling mRNA expression in the bone marrow mesenchymal progenitor cell line ST2, we discover that BMP2 induces not only genes commonly associated with ossification and mineralization but also genes important for general protein synthesis. We define the two groups of genes as mineralization related versus protein anabolism signatures of osteoblasts. Although it induces the expression of several Wnt genes, BMP2 activates the osteogenic program largely independently of de novo Wnt secretion. Remarkably, although Smad4 is necessary for the activation of the mineralization-related genes, it is dispensable for BMP2 to induce the protein anabolism signature, which instead critically depends on the transcription factor Atf4. Upstream of Atf4, BMP2 activates mTORC1 to stimulate protein synthesis, resulting in an endoplasmic reticulum stress response mediated by Perk. Thus, Bmp signaling induces osteoblast differentiation through both Smad4- and mTORC1-dependent mechanisms

Agency and Parallelism in Three Saxophone Works by Dorothy Chang: a Performative Analysis

Dorothy Chang’s saxophone works are significant contributions to modern saxophone repertoire. Chang’s music employs multifaceted construction that presents unique post-tonal vocabularies with significant motivic action within traditional frameworks, which creates a dialogue with the past and present. This provides a wealth of interpretive avenues for performers. Nonetheless, there is a lack of scholarship pertaining to Chang and her works. This dissertation’s analytical focus of Two Preludes for alto saxophone and piano (1993), Walk on Water for alto saxophone and cello (2004), and Afterlight for soprano saxophone and piano (2018) initiates the necessary conversation of Chang’s importance as a composer while providing a useful resource on performative and post-tonal interpretation. After tools of general analysis (which includes formal, thematic, motivic, and stylistic consideration) are applied, each piece is contemplated through the lenses of agency and narrative theories, most notably those of Hatten, Agawu, and Almén. This multi-tiered approach reveals how Chang’s three saxophone works possess commonalities of developing variation and simultaneous opposition, which both play integral roles in the cultivation of narrative. Agential roles and narrative can then be traced back through the different levels of analysis to reveal narrative parallelism, which iv reinforces the potential avenues of meaning inherent in Dorothy Chang’s work. Finally, performance suggestions are provided that are grounded in these analytical findings

Local food access in inner cities: Integrated research through: comparison study, literature review, case studies and design implementation

This research suggests a strategy to address a difficult challenge: self-sustainability and the promotion of increasing the availability and accessibility of local food. This strategy has the opportunity to bring nutritious meals into our homes, place money into our local economies and promote self-sustaining communities. This study examines literature and case studies involving both primary and secondary sources. Cities and their local food programs were examined by travel within Havana, Cuba, and Kansas City, Missouri, and a field research study in Des Moines, Iowa. The study presents models that address urban agriculture, food accessibility, and design implementations to improve local food access. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide alternative, healthy, and sustainable means to make local food available to residents and create a model for future communities to initiate sustainable measures and promote the design of holistic food systems

Two years in review: National food systems certification next steps

Food systems practitioners are involved in a variety of activities related to local and regional food systems across the country ranging from increasing food access to developing new markets for producers. This article shares insights from two foundational courses developed by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to support individual skill development as well as community process for strategic planning in food systems. In 2016, Local Food Leader certification was developed in Iowa to address needs for skills in equity, leadership, evaluation and facilitation. Following these workshops, and due to successful implementation of the Community Food Systems process (formerly Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit), the Food Systems team received funding through the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center to develop two certification programs: Local Food Leader (LFL) and Community Food Systems (CFS) to launch nationally. They were piloted with 14 state partners between 2018-2019 as blended delivery platforms of in-person workshops followed by online modules. Local Food Leader had a total of 429 participants and Community Food Systems had a total of 297 participants. Local Food Leader certification continued to build on its initial emphases of individual skills and Community Food Systems emphasized a process-based framework for food systems development transferable to any community to enhance their place-based food system. Multi-disciplinary audiences participated in each certification, including Land-Grant Extension agents, businesses and non-profit with the goal to provide training related to place-based development for food systems. Additionally, train-the-trainers for both certifications were developed for certified partners to offer the certifications in their own communities and create place-based capacity for development and outlets for revenue generation. This paper will review each certification and how they support food systems practitioners. It will highlight the curriculum development process, successes and challenges and evolution based on evaluation. Changes to the curriculum and new standards for teaching will be shared in hopes to provide considerations to colleagues considering new curriculum development. Last, it will detail the impact the certifications can have on community and opportunities for continuing certification work through COVID-19

The Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit: Using Health and Wellness to Create New Urban Infrastructures

Poverty, obesity, and vacant land are characteristics of neighborhoods lacking adequate access to healthy, affordable food, frequently referred to as “food deserts” or “food swamps” (USDA, 2013). While small-scale local food efforts such as community gardens are often present in these areas, they are often isolated and not connected to systems including production, processing, and distribution. The Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit links these aspects of agricultural systems with underutilized spatial assets and local food efforts to create more comprehensive healthy food systems. This paper presents results from the first year of the Toolkit

Competencies for practitioners working in food systems

This report describes a recent project funded through USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) to understand food systems practitioner’s needs in various environments, cultures, and focus areas, as well as curriculum that is currently available to support food systems work. This project took place in 2019 with a group of over 30 individuals across the nation with diverse background and understanding of food systems and the systemic issues they connect to. Between August 2019-December 2019, partners worked collectively to identify core competencies needed for practitioners working in food systems, created a set of learning objectives for each competency, and identified existing curricula around the nation that met the objectives described

Food systems practitioner and education resource database

This report shares insights from The Food Systems Practitioner and Education Resource Database that was created in 2021 through a cooperative agreement with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in partnership with nine different organizations as a second phase of the Food Systems Core Competency project. The database aims to highlight and bring awareness to partner networks, educational resources, and food systems practitioners. It serves as an identification tool for individual to find mentors, peers, and learning opportunities related to personal and professional growth desires. This paper will review the database and its potential uses, profile types and network engagement opportunities

Grant, Monroe

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/pohp/1003/thumbnail.jp

Page, John

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/pohp/1008/thumbnail.jp

Taylor, Melba

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/pohp/1011/thumbnail.jp