Specific Action Research Articles

Employees’ Emotional and Behavioral Reactions to Corporate Social Irresponsibility

While the body of literature on employees’ reactions to their employer's corporate social responsibility (CSR) has grown rapidly over the last decade, little is known regarding employees’ reactions to corporate social irresponsibility (CSiR). Applying deonance theory, we conceptualize CSiR as a moral judgment that a specific action of the organization is intentional, violates a moral standard, and causes harm. Using a multimethod, multisample design (two experiments and one field study), we provide evidence that moral emotions—specifically anger, sympathy, and, to some extent, guilt—are important mechanisms explaining employees’ reactions to CSiR toward other stakeholders, which can take the form of punishing, as often discussed in organization-centric research, as well as the form of compensating the victim of the CSiR, a behavior rarely studied in the management literature. Regarding the role of pride, a well-studied emotion in the micro-CSR literature, in explaining employees’ responses to CSiR, we obtain mixed results. In addition to contributing to the micro-CSR field, we contribute to deonance theory by extending its scope to sympathy and guilt and to the literature on CSiR by offering a conceptualization and a measure of CSiR grounded in deonance theory.

ViroCapt: A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Identifying Viral Insertion in Human Host Genome.

The implication of viruses in human cancers, as well as the emergence of next generation sequencing has permitted to investigate further their role and pathophysiology in the development of this disease. One such mechanism is the integration of portions of viral genomes in the human genome, as well as the specific action of viral oncogenes.inding integration sites and preserved oncogenes is still relying on heavy manual intervention. We developed an analysis and interpretation pipeline to determine viral insertions. Using data from directed viral capture, the pipeline conducts a crude genotyping phase to select reference viral genomes, identifies chimeric reads, extracts the putative human sequences to locate in the human reference genome, scores and ranks candidate junctions, and exports tabular and visual results. We leverage common bioinformatics tools (bowtie2, samtools, blat), and a dedicated filtering and ranking algorithm, implemented in R, to infer candidate junctions and insertions. Static results (tables, figures) are produced, as well as an interactive interpretation tool developed as a shiny web app. We validated this pipeline against published results of HPV, HBV, and AAV2 insertions and show good information retrieval.

Making Specific Plan Improves Physical Activity and Healthy Eating for Community-Dwelling Patients With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundImplementation intention formed by making a specific action plan has been proved effective in improving physical activity (PA) and dietary behavior (DB) for the general, healthy population, but there has been no meta-analysis of their effectiveness for patients with chronic conditions. This research aims to analyze several explanatory factors and overall effect of implementation intention on behavioral and health-related outcomes among community-dwelling patients.MethodsWe searched CIHNAL (EBSCO), PUBMED, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE Online, Springer Link, Taylor & Francis, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, CNKI, and five other databases for eligible studies. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate effect sizes of implementation intention on outcomes, including PA, DB, weight, and body mass index. And the eligible studies were assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for risk of bias assessment. Sensitivity analysis adopted sequential algorithm and the p-curve analysis method.ResultsA total of 54 studies were identified. Significant small effect sizes of the intervention were found for PA [standard mean difference (SMD) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.10, 0.39)] and for the DB outcome [SMD −0.25, 95% CI (−0.34, −0.15)]. In moderation analysis, the intervention was more effective in improving PA for men (p < 0.001), older adults (p = 0.006), and obese/overweight patients with complications (p = 0.048) and when the intervention was delivered by a healthcare provider (p = 0.01).ConclusionImplementation intentions are effective in improving PA and DB for community dwelling patients with chronic conditions. The review provides evidence to support the future application of implementation intention intervention. Besides, the findings from this review offer different directions to enhance the effectiveness of this brief and potential intervention in improving patients' PA and DB.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=160491.

WITHDRAWN: Scrutinizing the Role of Genetically Modified Herbs (GMHs) in the Treatment of Various Diseases

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Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenols, from Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje), Based on Controlled Dehydration.

Plant polyphenols offer several benefits for the prevention of diverse illnesses. Fruit’s edible and inedible parts (pulp, seeds, peels, stems, flowers) are important sources of polyphenols. Different industrial processes for fruit treatment and commercialization affect the total polyphenol content (TPC), and probably the biological activity. The purpose of the present work was to determine the TPC and antioxidant activity (by DPPH) of polyphenols extracted from the pulp and seeds of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje), in fresh and dehydrated forms, in order to determine the possible connection with the quantity of polyphenols and their specific antioxidant activity. The highest phenolic content for M. flexuosa seeds in fresh form (non-dehydrated) was 270.75 mg GAE/100 g with a 96-h extraction. With respect to the dehydrated samples, the best yield was quantified in the 96-h dehydrated seed sample. For all pulp and seeds, dehydrated for 24, 48, and 96 h, TPC showed a slightly decreasing pattern. The DPPH results were the highest in the 96-h dehydrated samples and the differences among all dehydrated pulp and seed samples were minimal. More studies testing the presence of other antioxidant components could help in understanding the detailed antioxidant activity, and related more to the specific action, rather than only total polyphenol content.

MDGAs are fast-diffusing molecules that delay excitatory synapse development by altering neuroligin behavior.

MDGA molecules can bind neuroligins and interfere with trans-synaptic interactions to neurexins, thereby impairing synapse development. However, the subcellular localization and dynamics of MDGAs, or their specific action mode in neurons remain unclear. Here, surface immunostaining of endogenous MDGAs and single molecule tracking of recombinant MDGAs in dissociated hippocampal neurons reveal that MDGAs are homogeneously distributed and exhibit fast membrane diffusion, with a small reduction in mobility across neuronal maturation. Knocking-down/out MDGAs using shRNAs and CRISPR/Cas9 strategies increases the density of excitatory synapses, the membrane confinement of neuroligin-1, and the phosphotyrosine level of neuroligins associated with excitatory post-synaptic differentiation. Finally, MDGA silencing reduces the mobility of AMPA receptors, increases the frequency of miniature EPSCs (but not IPSCs), and selectively enhances evoked AMPA-receptor-mediated EPSCs in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Overall, our results support a mechanism by which interactions between MDGAs and neuroligin-1 delays the assembly of functional excitatory synapses containing AMPA receptors.

Investigation of Eutectic Mixtures of Fatty Acids as a Novel Construct for Temperature-Responsive Drug Delivery.

BackgroundMost of the traditional nanocarriers of cancer therapeutic moieties present dose-related toxicities due to the uptake of chemotherapeutic agents in normal body cells. The severe life-threatening effects of systemic chemotherapy are well documented. Doxorubicin, DOX is the most effective antineoplastic agent but with the least specific action that is responsible for severe cardiotoxicity and myelosuppression that necessitates careful monitoring while administering. Stimuli-sensitive/intelligent drug delivery systems, specifically those utilizing temperature as an external stimulus to activate the release of encapsulated drugs, have become a subject of recent research. Thus, it would be ideal to have a nanocarrier comprising safe excipients and controllable drug release capacity to deliver the drug at a particular site to minimize unwanted and toxic effects of chemotherapeutics. We have developed a simple temperature-responsive nanocarrier based on eutectic mixture of fatty acids. This study aimed to develop, physicochemically characterize and investigate the biological safety of eutectic mixture of fatty acids as a novel construct for temperature-responsive drug release potential.MethodsWe have developed phase change material, PCM, based on a series of eutectic mixtures of fatty acids due to their unique and attractive physicochemical characteristics such as safety, stability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of availability. The reversible solid-liquid phase transition of PCM is responsible to hold firm or actively release the encapsulated drug. The eutectic mixtures of fatty acids (stearic acid and myristic acid) along with liquid lipid (oleic acid) were prepared to exhibit a tunable thermoresponsive platform. Doxorubicin-loaded lipid nanocarriers were successfully developed with combined hot melt encapsulation (HME) and sonication method and characterized to achieve enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect-based solid tumor targeting in response to exogenous temperature stimulus. The cytotoxicity against melanoma cell lines and in vivo safety studies in albino rats was also carried out.ResultsDoxorubicin-loaded lipid nanocarriers have a narrow size distribution (94.59–219.3 nm), and a PDI (0.160–0.479) as demonstrated by photon correlation microscopy and excellent colloidal stability (Z.P value: −22.7 to −32.0) was developed. Transmission electron microscopy revealed their spherical morphology and characteristics of a monodispersed system. A biphasic drug release pattern with a triggered drug release at 41°C and 43°C and a sustained drug release was observed at 37°C. The thermoresponsive cytotoxic potential was demonstrated in B16F10 cancer cell lines. Hemolysis assay and acute toxicity studies with drug-free and doxorubicin lipid nanocarrier formulations provided evidence for their non-toxic nature.ConclusionWe have successfully developed a temperature-responsive tunable platform with excellent biocompatibility and intelligent drug release potential. The formulation components being from natural sources present superior characteristics in terms of cost, compatibility with normal body cells, and adaptability to preparation methods. The reported preparation method is adapted to avoid complex chemical processes and the use of organic solvents. The lipid nanocarriers with tunable thermoresponsive characteristics are promising biocompatible drug delivery systems for improved localized delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.

Taking stock of global commitments on antimicrobial resistance

Over the last six years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has generated an unprecedented amount of global attention. This global attention has coincided with an increase in discussion around AMR at various...

MECHANISMS OF ACTION OF ALKALOIDS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS

The aim of the diabetes treatment is primarily to save life and alleviate symptoms and secondary to prevent long term diabetic complications and, by eliminating various risk factors. The inability of current therapies to control all the metabolic defects of the disease and their pathological consequences, cost effect, there is a need for the alternative strategies for diabetes therapy. The mechanism of action of herbal antidiabetic could be; stimulation of insulin secretion from beta cells, reduction in insulin resistance, stimulation of glycogenesis and hepatic glycolysis, activation of PPAR γ, etc. This review summarizes the specific mechanism action of different alkaloids that target the various metabolic pathways in human body.

The Duration of an Auditory Icon Can Affect How the Listener Interprets Its Meaning

Initially introduced in the field of informatics, an auditory icon consists of a short sound that is present in everyday life, used to represent a specific event, object, function, or action. Auditory icons have been studied in various fields, and overall, compared to other types of auditory alarms, they can be very efficient in informing the listener about a situation or event. So far, auditory icons have been used with a wide range of durations, ranging from a few hundreds of milliseconds up to several seconds. Still little is known, however, about whether and how icon duration influences its interpretation. In the present study, we therefore asked listeners to rate 12 auditory icons, divided into four different sound categories (nonverbal human sounds, machine sounds, human activities, and animal vocalizations), in five different durations (200, 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200 ms). They rated (1) how appropriately the icon sound itself represented the icon's referent and (2) how appropriately each duration of the icon sound represented the icon's referent. Overall, results demonstrate that the duration of the auditory icons in this stimulus set can directly affect how the icon represents the referent. Auditory icons in the test set characterized by human activities represented their referent most appropriately in a relatively shorter duration (400 or 800 ms). The majority of the auditory icons in the set consisting of machine sounds, nonverbal human sounds , and animal vocalizations , however, were considered as more appropriately representing their referent in longer durations (800 ms and 1,600 ms). Further systematic research is necessary to determine whether the duration effects shown here may generalize to other stimulus sets.

Island Tourism: Vulnerable or Resistant to Overtourism?

Islands have long attracted tourists and some islands rank amongst the most visited places in the world. Such popularity has created problems of overdevelopment and tourism at unsustainable levels, leading to the phenomenon of overtourism. Traditionally islands could rely on natural features to limit tourist numbers but this is increasingly not the case today, therefore, this paper reviews how changes in attitude, access and media coverage have led to problems of excessive visitation. The paper discusses the failure to create and implement appropriate policies which might mitigate against such developments and notes the inherent long-term problems many island authorities have traditionally faced when trying to improve economic conditions for their residents. The paper concludes that more specific action in terms of policy goals and implementation are needed if islands are to avoid the issues of unsustainable development and overtourism currently being experienced in many mainland tourist destinations.

Application of probiotics in complex therapy of chronic tonsillitis

Aim. To study the effectiveness of bacteriophage therapy with the combined medicament “Complex pyobacteriophage” and “Sextafag”.Material and research methods. We examined 44 patients (24 women and 20 men) on an outpatient basis at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University.Results and its discussion. The results of the study of the microflora of the tonsils of patients with CT showed in 52% (13) of cases in 1st group of patients and in 56% (14) of cases in the second group presence of S. aureus, in 25%(6) and 28% (7) of cases mixed microflora - S. pyogenes together with S. salivarius was found and 25% (6) and 20% (5) cases showed S. aureus together with S. Pyogenes. It turned out that bacteriophage therapy with the “Complex pyobacteriophage” reduced a bit more the total contamination of the pharynx. However, there was no complete elimination of Staphylococcus aureus strains; single colonies remained in 5 (28%) patients with chronic tonsillitis.Conclusions. 1. The use of the medicament “complex pyobacteriophage” as a part of local therapy in patients with chronic tonsillitis is an effective and safe method of sanitation of the palatine tonsils.2. The specific selective antibacterial action of this drug prevents a prolonged stay of the focus of infection, thereby prolonging the period of remission.3. Prevention of the focus of infection in the tonsils contributes to the increase of local and general immunity of the body.

Ability of 2-Chloro-N-(1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl)-2-phenylacetamide to Stimulate Endogenous Nitric Oxide Synthesis

Papaverine is one of the isoquinoline alkaloids derived from opium which is a vasodilator and smooth muscle relaxant. Using its chemical structure as a basic model, we synthesized 2-chloro-N-(1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl)-2-phenylacetamide as an isoquinoline precursor (IQP). Aim: Clarifying the nature of the relationship between IQP as a new biologically active molecule and the neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), as well as with the nitric oxide (NO). Materials and methods: The IQP compound was tested on the isolated gastric smooth muscle preparations (SMPs) from rats to determine its effects on spontaneous contractile activity. NO concentration in tissue homogenates was determined, and immunohistochemistry was used to visualize the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in smooth muscle (SM) cells. Results: The data from the isometric measurements suggest that IQP has an additional specific action affecting the intracellular signaling pathways of 5-HT. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that the combination of 5-HT and IQP affected the density and intensity of nNOS-positive cells, which increase significantly in the myenteric plexus and SM cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, IQP is involved in the regulation of intestinal neurons expressing nNOS, affects the function of nNOS/NO, and, by this mechanism, probably regulates the spontaneous contractile activity of gastric SM.

Assessing seasonal and biological indices of juvenile Chinook Salmon for freshwater decision triggers that increase ocean survival

Decision triggers, used in adaptive management frameworks to decide when a specific management action will be implemented, are often informed by monitoring data. The identification and application of decision triggers is highly relevant to endangered fishes migrating through regulated rivers, as examined in the current study. The main goal was to determine whether seasonal patterns of behavioral, physical, and physiological indices of juveniles were related to subsequent smolt-to-adult return (SAR) survival and, if so, to determine whether these indices could be used to guide decisions related to the mitigation strategy of the juvenile fish transportation program in the Federal Columbia River Power System (Pacific Northwest, USA). Hatchery yearling Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Walbaum in Artedi, 1792) were collected over the migration season at 3 dams in the hydrosystem and measured for fork length, wet mass, Fulton’s K (or condition factor), Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity (or smoltification index), and % dry mass (or index of energetic reserves and smoltification). We estimated SAR survival from passive integrated transponder-tagged fish representative of our field samples and assessed its relationship to our fish indices, as well as indices of transported vs run-of-river passage and distance of sampling site to ocean. SAR survival was associated to interaction effects between juvenile fish transportation and % dry mass or NKA activity. Transported hatchery Chinook Salmon with dry mass <23% of whole fish wet mass and NKA activity >7 µmol ADP mg protein−1 h−1 showed greater SAR survival than their run-of-river counterparts. Fish with the highest predicted SAR survival had been transported and had fish indices consistent with smolts that were more developed (i.e., lower % dry mass and higher NKA activity). Furthermore, our results on % dry mass provided support for the hypothesis that greater lipid content increases fish buoyancy leading to greater susceptibility to predation. The buoyancy effect is expected to be greatest in hatchery fish. Overall, this study shows that decision triggers based on biological indices of migrating fish are potentially useful tools for in-season management.

Measuring Racial Discrimination Remotely: A Contemporary Review of Unobtrusive Measures

Social-science researchers have increasingly moved from conducting their studies in a face-to-face format to an online format. Although new and innovative remote platforms afford researchers generalizability and scale, many of these platforms also tend to solicit socially desirable responses. This pattern of socially desirable responding is evident in examinations of racial discrimination, in which participants are particularly determined to present themselves as ethical and moral. In the current article, we rectify the concern between remote platforms and inauthentic participant responses by reviewing unobtrusive measures of racial discrimination. First, we conceptualize unobtrusive measures as measurements that assess a participant’s discriminatory action without the participant’s knowledge that the specific discriminatory action is under observation. Next, we review the landscape of unobtrusive studies conducted within three broad categories—audit, helping, and friendly interaction—and discuss how these measures have changed over time. Finally, we discuss how to adapt classic face-to-face measures to remote platforms and provide recommendations for implementing unobtrusive measures into remote examinations of discrimination.

An ecological resilience index to improve conservation action for stream fish habitat

Abstract Stream fishes are increasingly threatened by consequences of climate change that will alter stream habitats. Conservation of stream ecosystems will be more effective if management actions retain or restore essential structures and functions that promote ecosystem resilience to disturbance. This study developed a method for assessing the resilience of stream fish habitat in Michigan, USA. Three sub‐indices comprising different components of resilience were derived using information on natural landscape features, human impacts and habitat heterogeneity. These sub‐indices were combined into a single overall index to broadly characterize resilience. Mapping sub‐indices show that stream resilience based on natural features varies across Michigan, whereas resilience reduced by human impacts decreases from north to south, corresponding to patterns in human population density and land use. Higher stream resilience occurs in the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas of Michigan which have more natural features and fewer human impacts, although some resilient streams also occur in the Southern Lower Peninsula, suggesting that there are opportunities in every part of the state for protecting resilient streams. Resilience index scores combined with modelled distributions of a fish species of conservation importance show locations where specific conservation action would be most effective in protecting or improving habitat for this species. The assessment of Michigan stream resilience provides new information for supporting conservation strategies and action in relation to expected changes caused by climate change. It also offers an approach that can be applied in other regions.

DIAGNOSTIC Classification Analysis of Problem-Solving Competence using Process Data: An Item Expansion Method.

Process data refer to data recorded in computer-based assessments (CBAs) that reflect respondents' problem-solving processes and provide greater insight into how respondents solve problems, in addition to how well they solve them. Using the rich information contained in process data, this study proposed an item expansion method to analyze action-level process data from the perspective of diagnostic classification in order to comprehensively understand respondents' problem-solving competence. The proposed method cannot only estimate respondents' problem-solving ability along a continuum, but also classify respondents according to their problem-solving skills. To illustrate the application and advantages of the proposed method, a Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) problem-solving item was used. The results indicated that (a) the estimated latent classes provided more detailed diagnoses of respondents' problem-solving skills than the observed score categories; (b) although only one item was used, the estimated higher-order latent ability reflected the respondents' problem-solving ability more accurately than the unidimensional latent ability estimated from the outcome data; and (c) interactions among problem-solving skills followed the conjunctive condensation rule, which indicated that the specific action sequence appeared only when a respondent mastered all required problem solving skills. In conclusion, the proposed diagnostic classification approach is feasible and promising analyzing process data.

Oxidative damages and antioxidant defences after feeding a single meal in rainbow trout.

Feeding and digestion are metabolically demanding causing a rise on metabolic rate called Specific Dynamic Action (SDA). Although SDA has been vastly reported in fish, its potential consequences on the oxidative-antioxidant balance has not been evaluated to date in fish, a model with a long alkaline tide associated with feeding as well. Using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a model species, the aims of the present study were to: (1) assess potential oxidative damages and changes in oxidative defences after feeding on a single meal, and (2) identify the timescale of such changes over a 96h post-feeding period. Oxidative damage in proteins and lipids and the activities of four enzymatic antioxidant defences: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were measured in gill, stomach, intestine and liver. DNA damage was measured in red blood cells. Fish were sampled before and after 1.5, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96h of ingestion of a 3% body mass ration. Trends of post-prandial damage were present in all tissues, but only protein oxidation varied significatively during digestion in the stomach. The intestine and stomach presented the highest enzymatic activities, likely due to the high metabolic action that these tissues have during digestion, with peaks during post-feeding: at 24h of SOD in stomach and at 48h of CAT in intestine. Observed GPx peaks during post-feeding in gills are likely due to the exacerbated demands for ion fluxes and/or oxygen during feeding. The differential response of the antioxidant system observed in tissues of rainbow trout during digestion indicates a coordinated and tissue-specific antioxidant defence.

From the Crisis of Financialization to the COVID Crisis: In Search of a Collective Action Between Market and State

This article is an exploratory essay on the possibility of governance of financial systems beyond the opposition between market and state to improve financial stability. Financial system governance is a set of rules and practices that should allow sustainable organization and management of markets. It closely relies on financial regulation in force. This article assumes that the monetary/financial system is a core institutional framework whose stability is of utmost importance and requires specific collective action to face social dilemmas that result in systemic concerns. Two analytic perspectives are used to frame a relevant collective action model: polycentric governance à la Ostrom and Ostrom, that fits the cases of common-pool resources, and Minskian institutionalist perspective that fits the analysis of endogenous instabilities. A distinction criterion between these two perspectives is then suggested: If an issue has a global character (societal criticalness of public goods), it would fit well with a “power-over” coordination framework whereas more local elements (the commons) could be governed through polycentric “power-with” mechanisms. The rationale for macro-prudential regulation against systemic failures is then put forward under the supervision of extra-market public agencies in charge of global coordination over local regulatory institutions in order to increase the flexibility and the speed of responses to growing instabilities.

Rules for the Governance of Transport and Land use Integration in High-speed Railway Station Areas in China: The Case of Lanzhou

ABSTRACT The rapid high-speed railway development in China has faced many institutional challenges for the integrated development of transport and land use in station areas. This paper aims to gain insight into the institutional rules that structure the actors’ interactions and how they influence the integrated development in station areas. The Institutional Analysis and Development framework has been applied to a specific action situation, named Lanzhou West HSR station area in China. The findings from interviews, document analysis, and field visits reveal that Chinese institutional rules obstruct interactions between actors, thereby hampering the integrated development of functions in HSR station areas.