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Realizing Immigrant Contributions to Workgroup and Organizational Performance
No full textAlthough immigrants play a key role in organizations, less attention is paid to their role in workgroups. Research in diversity management does not routinely distinguish immigrants from their native-born ethnic counterparts. Instead, how immigrants’ unique characteristics may contribute to workgroups and, ultimately, organizational performance has been overlooked. This paper addresses this gap by providing a cross-disciplinary approach that shows how immigrants contribute to performance. Grounded in the ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) framework, we argue that for immigrants to become strategically beneficial human resources, managers must help workplaces overcome barriers that block the contextual and interpersonal conditions that foster immigrants’ unique capabilities, motivations, and opportunities for group performance. We discuss several barriers that can impede workgroup and firm performance, including language proficiency barriers, cross-cultural competency and adjustment barriers, intergroup bias barriers due to immigrant status, and immigrants’ strategic integration barriers. We contribute to the diversity management literature by answering multiple calls to pay more attention to immigrants and their integration in groups and organizations
Replacement per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are potent modulators of lipogenic and drug metabolizing gene expression signatures in primary human hepatocytes
No full textPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of environmental toxicants, and some, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been associated with hepatic steatosis in rodents and monkeys. It was hypothesized that perfluorosulfonic acids (C4, 6, 8), perfluorocarboxylic acids (C4–14), perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic) acid (HFPO-DA), 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) along with 3 PFOS precursors could induce expression of lipid metabolism genes and lipid deposition in human hepatocytes. Five-donor pooled cryopreserved human hepatocytes were cultured and treated with 0.1% DMSO vehicle or various PFAS (0.25 to 25 μM) in media. After a 48-h treatment, mRNA transcripts related to lipid transport, metabolism, and synthesis were measured using a Quantigene Plex assay. After 72-h treatments, hepatocytes were stained with Nile Red dye to quantify intracellular lipids. Overall, PFAS were transcriptionally active at 25 μM. In this model, lipid accumulation was not observed with C8-C12 treatments. Shorter chain PFAS (C4-C5), 6:2 FTS, and PFOS precursor, metFOSA, induced significant liver lipid accumulation, and gene activation at lower concentrations than legacy PFAS. In summary short chain PFAS and other alternative PFAS were more potent gene inducers, and potential health effects of replacement PFAS should be critically evaluated in humans
Transformation of Lipid Vesicles into Micelles by Adding Nonionic Surfactants: Elucidating the Structural Pathway and the Intermediate Structures
Get PDFThe phospholipid lecithin (L) and the nonionic surfactant Tween 80 (T) are used together in various contexts, including in drug delivery and oil spill remediation. There is hence a need to elucidate the nanostructures in LT mixtures, which is the focus of this paper. We study these mixtures using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), coupled with dynamic light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering. As the concentration of Tween 80 is increased, the vesicles formed by lecithin are transformed into spherical micelles. We identify bicelles (i.e., disc-like micelles) as well as cylindrical micelles as the key stable nanostructures formed at intermediate L/T ratios. The bicelles have diameters ∼13-26 nm, and the bicelle size decreases as the Tween 80 content increases. We propose that the lecithin lipids form the body of the discs, while the Tween 80 surfactants occupy the rims. This hypothesis is consistent with geometric arguments because lecithin is double-tailed and favors minimal curvature, whereas the single-tailed Tween 80 molecules prefer curved interfaces. In the case of cylindrical micelles, cryo-TEM reveals that the micelles are short (length \u3c 22 nm) and flexible. We are able to directly visualize the microstructure of the aggregates formed by lecithin-Tween 80 mixtures, thereby enhancing the understanding of morphological changes in the lecithin-Tween 80 system
Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa: Assessing the Role of Parents, Community Leaders, Educators, and Social Workers
Get PDFChild sexual abuse is a global problem and is prevalent in South Africa. Child sexual abuse significantly harms the victims. This study looked at child sexual abuse prevention, focusing on the community, school system, and social workers. A mixed methods research method was used. Data were collected from 115 questionnaire respondents, of which 15 in-depth interview participants were selected. The sample was selected using purposive sampling and stratified random sampling techniques. Low reporting of incidents is hindering the effective response to child sexual abuse. The study revealed the significant role parents and community members could play in preventing child sexual abuse. The results also show that the school system plays a crucial role in educating children about inappropriate touches, discussing prevention skills with children, and encouraging children to report incidents of child sexual abuse. The study found that limited training for educators was a significant obstacle in the school system. Social workers play their part through advocacy and awareness campaigns and assisting the police during investigations. The study recommends a multi-sectorial approach to encourage reporting of child sexual abuse cases and training educators on responding to child sexual abuse
Consumer Capability and Sustainable Consumer Behavior: Applying the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM)
Get PDFConsumer capability refers to the ability to apply relevant knowledge and perform desirable behavior for achieving wellbeing. Previous research reveals that consumer behavior is more important than knowledge to indicate consumer capability. How to motivate individual consumers to engage in consumption activities that contribute to sustainable development? This is the question this conceptual paper attempts to address. This paper proposes a definition of sustainable consumer behavior and applies a theory-based, conceptual framework to develop action-taking programs in sustainable consumption education. Sustainable consumer behavior is defined as consumer acts that consider current and future interests of themselves and others when they purchase and use market goods. The behavior change theory used here refers to the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM), a commonly used behavior change theory in health and finance. The paper demonstrates how to facilitate the development of sustainable consumer behavior in education intervention programs based on principles outlined in TTM with specific examples. Implications for policies and future research are also discussed
Molding influences of prematurity: Interviews with adults born preterm
No full textBackground: Tremendous medical advancements over the last several decades have supported the survival of younger and sicker newborns. Substantial quantitative research exists about health and developmental outcomes following preterm birth, however, limited published literature has explored what this experience means to the survivors. Aim: The purpose was to describe, interpret and understand how adults born preterm perceive prematurity to have affected their lives. Study design: Qualitative thematic analysis. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 adults born preterm from the RHODĒ Study, a longitudinal preterm birth cohort. A cross-section of participants with high and low early life medical and environmental risk was interviewed. Data were analyzed using a constructionist method of latent theme analysis. Results: From the data, 3 themes were identified: 1) My parents call me their miracle, 2) It\u27s not a big deal, I\u27m the same as everyone else, 3) I\u27ve overcome a lot. Themes represent a continuum of experience, from positive to neutral to negative. Common life experiences of family, education, friends, and health are subthemes that help to illuminate how participants assign meaning to their prematurity. Meaning was linked to how typical or not participants perceive their health, learning and friends compared to peers. Conclusion: Perceptions about prematurity and adversity are influenced by the ways parents and families represent prematurity in shared stories and actions. These findings should inform future research with adult survivors of prematurity. Participants identified ongoing need for support and advocacy, particularly from healthcare and education communities
Digital Curation and Complex Decision Making: A School District’s Literacy Initiative
Get PDFSchools are in the process of incorporating professional development activities to prepare technology-proficient educators to utilize information and communication tools to meet the pedagogical needs of 21st-century students and learners. This research addresses the challenges of and preservation possibilities for the digital work of learning communities across instructional domains and levels. The digital curation efforts that support a school district’s literacy and curriculum initiatives are examined. We conclude with suggestions for future research, professional development, and practice
