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Sunday 31 May 2015

Guess Who Doesn’t Fit In at Work http://nyti.ms/1BxwCS

First, communicate a clear and consistent idea of what the organization’s culture is (and is not) to potential employees. Second, make sure the definition of cultural fit is closely aligned with business goals. Ideally, fit should be based on data-driven analysis of what types of values, traits and behaviors actually predict on-the-job success. Third, create formal procedures like checklists for measuring fit, so that assessment is not left up to the eyes (and extracurriculars) of the beholder.
Finally, consider putting concrete limits on how much fit can sway hiring. Many organizations tell interviewers what to look for but provide little guidance about how to weigh these different qualities. Left to their own devices, interviewers often define merit in their own image.
Wanting to work with people like ourselves is not new. In the past, employers overtly restricted job opportunities based on sex, race and religion, which is now illegal. But cultural fit has become a new form of discrimination that keeps demographic and cultural diversity down, all in the name of employee enjoyment and fun.

Ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner falls for Onion spoof on US-based World Cup

Ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner swallows Onion spoof http://gu.com/p/49c52/stw

Ex-FIFA Official Cites Satirical ‘Onion’ Article in His Self-Defense http://nyti.ms/1FVKcEv

FIFA Frantically Announces 2015 Summer World Cup In United States http://www.theonion.com/r/50525 via @theonion

Brilliant Chrome extension replaces 'millennials' with 'snake people'

Brilliant Chrome extension replaces 'millennials' with 'snake people' http://mashable.com/2015/05/26/millennials-snake-people-chrome-extension/#:eyJzIjoidCIsImkiOiJfZzA5MGhhZzd6c25pcTdkciJ9 via @mashable

Unemployment scarring by gender: Human capital depreciation or stigmatization? Longitudinal evidence from the Netherlands, 1980–2000

Volume 52, July 2015, Pages 642–658

Unemployment scarring by gender: Human capital depreciation or stigmatization? Longitudinal evidence from the Netherlands, 1980–2000

 

Highlights

Unemployment scarring is prevalent in the Netherlands, with about 15% among women and 18% among men.
The mechanisms underlying unemployment scarring differ among men and women.
Among women, scarring effects are short-lived and arise mainly due to human capital depreciation.
Among men scarring is driven by stigma and contingent upon age, ethnicity, and economic conditions.

Abstract

Using longitudinal data from the Dutch Labor Force Supply Panel (OSA), this article examines how unemployment scarring (i.e., wage setbacks following unemployment) and its underlying mechanisms operate across gender in the Netherlands over the period 1985–2000. A series of fixed effect panel models that correct for unobserved heterogeneity, reveal a notable disparity in unemployment scarring by gender. Interestingly, while unemployment scarring is short-lived and partly conditional upon human capital differences among women, it is strongly persistent among men and contingent upon old age, ethnicity, and tight economic conditions. Our findings provide new evidence regarding unemployment scarring by gender while they support the hypothesis that among women the effects of unemployment scarring are predominantly driven by human capital depreciation, while among men stigma effects dominate.

Keywords

  • Unemployment scarring;
  • Gender;
  • Stigma;
  • Human capital depreciation;
  • Wage inequality

Corresponding author at: Grattan Street, 3010 VIC Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.

Isocoumarins from American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and their cytotoxic activities

Volume 95, June 2014, Pages 115–120

Isocoumarins from American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and their cytotoxic activities


Abstract

Four new isocoumarins (14), along with three known ones (57), were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of the whole body of the traditional Chinese insect medicine, American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). The structures with absolute configurations of new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods in combination with X-ray diffraction experiment and CD analyses. Compounds 3–5 showed significant cytotoxic activities in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values in the ranges 6.41–23.91 μM and 6.67–39.07 μM, respectively.

Graphical abstract

Full-size image (29 K)

Keywords

  • American cockroach;
  • Periplaneta americana;
  • Isocoumarin;
  • Cytotoxicity

Corresponding author. Tel.: + 86 20 85220936; fax: + 86 20 8522 1559.

Correspondence to: W.-C. Ye, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China. Tel.: + 86 20 85220936; fax: + 86 20 8522 1559.

Essential oils as antimicrobials in food systems – A review

Volume 54, August 2015, Pages 111–119

Abstract

Many consumers are demanding foods without what they perceive as artificial and harmful chemicals, including many used as antimicrobials and preservatives in food. Consequently, interest in more natural, non-synthesized, antimicrobials as potential alternatives to conventional antimicrobials to extend shelf life and combat foodborne pathogens has heightened. Aromatic plants and their components have been examined as potential inhibitors of bacterial growth and most of their properties have been linked to essential oils and other secondary plant metabolites. Historically, essential oils from different sources have been widely promoted for their potential antimicrobial capabilities. In this review, mechanisms of antimicrobial action, and the antimicrobial properties of plant essential oils are discussed, including their mode of action, effectiveness, synergistic effects, major components and use in foods.

Keywords

  • Natural antimicrobials;
  • Essential oils;
  • Foodborne pathogens

Corresponding author. Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA. Tel.: +1 479 575 4678; fax: +1 479 575 6936.

Recent Studies on Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Effects of Eleutherine Americana Merr.

Volume 13, 2014, Pages 221–228
International Seminar on Natural Product Medicines, ISNPM 2012
Open Access

Recent Studies on Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Effects of Eleutherine Americana Merr.

Under a Creative Commons license

Abstract

Eleutherine americana Merr., a medicinal plant, which has been widely cultivated in South East Asia. Ethnobotanically, the plant is known for treating coronary abnormality. Other pharmacological investigations showed its potency as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents, and also as inhibitors of α-glucosidase, HIV replication,and topoisomerase II. Phytochemically, three groups of compounds have been isolated i.e. naphthalene, naphtoquinone and anthraquinone. This review highlights recent data on biological activities and discusses strategies for developing the plant into a more valuable commodity

Keywords

  • Eleutherine americana;
  • Iridaceae;
  • naphthalene;
  • naphtoquinone;
  • anthraquinone

References

    • [3]
    • Z. Chen, H. Huang, C. Wang
    • Hongconin, a new naphthalene derivative from Hong-Cong, the rhizome of Eleutherine americana Merr. et Heyne (Iridaceae)
    • Chem Pharm Bull, 34 (1986), pp. 2743–2746
    •  | 
    • [4]
    • H. Hara, N. Maruyama, S. Yamashita, Y. Hayashi, K.H. Lee, K.F. Bastow, et al.
    • Elecanacin, a novel new naphthoquinone from the bulb of Eleutherine americana
    • Chem Pharm Bull, 45 (1997), pp. 1714–1716
    •  | 
    • [7]
    • P. Saralamp, W. Chuakul, R.C.T. Temsiririrkkul
    • Medicinal Plants in Thailand
    • Amarin Printing and Publishing, Bangkok (1996)

    • [8]
    • T. Johnson
    • CRC Ethnobotany Desk Reference
    • CRC Press, New York (1999)

    • [11]
    • P. Tessele, F.D. Monache, N. Quintão, G. da Silva, L. Rocha, G. Lucena, et al.
    • A new naphthoquinone isolated from the bulbs of Cipura paludosa and pharmacological activity of two main constituents
    • Planta Med, 77 (2011), pp. 1035–1043
    • |  | 
    • [12]
    • L.F. Villegas, I.D. Fernandez, H. Maldonado, R. Torres, A. Zavaleta, A.J. Vaisberg, et al.
    • Evaluation of the wound-healing activity of selected traditional medicinal plants from Peru
    • J Ethnopharmacol, 55 (1997), pp. 193–200
    • | |  | 
    • [13]
    • X.J. Liu
    • Chemical constituents of Eleutherine americana
    • Chinese Trad Herb Drugs, 43 (2012), pp. 223–225
    • [14]
    • A.R. Han, H.Y. Min, J.W. Nam, N.Y. Lee, A. Wiryawan, W. Suprapto, et al.
    • Identification of a new naphthalene and its derivatives from the bulb of Eleutherine americana with inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production
    • Chem Pharm Bull, 56 (2008), pp. 1314–1316
    • |  | 
    • [17]
    • S. Limsuwan, S.P. Voravuthikunchai
    • Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr., Eleutherine americana Merr. and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. as antibiofilm producing and antiquorum sensing in Streptococcus pyogenes
    • FEMS Immunol Med Mic, 53 (2008), pp. 429–436
    • |  | 
    • [19]
    • B.O.T. Ifesan, S. Siripongvutikorn, S.P. Voravuthikunchai
    • Application of Eleutherine americana Crude Extract in Homemade Salad Dressing
    • J Food Protect, 72 (2009), pp. 650–655

    • [21]
    • B.O.T. Ifesan, C. Hamtasin, W. Mahabusarakam, S.P. Voravuthikunchai
    • Assessment of Antistaphylococcal Activity of Partially Purified Fractions and Pure Compounds from Eleutherine americana
    • J Food Protect, 72 (2009), pp. 354–359

    • [22]
    • B.O.T. Ifesan, D. Ibrahim, S.P. Voravuthikunchai
    • Antimicrobial activity of crude ethanolic extract from Eleutherine americana
    • J Food, Agric Environ, 8 (2010), pp. 1233–1236
    •  | 
    • [24]
    • S.H. Song, H.Y. Min, A.R. Han, J.W. Nam, E.K. Seo, W.P. Seoung, et al.
    • Suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by (-)-isoeleutherin from the bulbs of Eleutherine americana through the regulation of NF-Î B activity
    • Int Immunopharmacol, 9 (2009), pp. 298–302
    • | |  | 
    • [27]
    • H. Hara, N. Maruyama, S. Yamashita, Y. Hayashi, K.H. Lee, K.F. Bastow, et al.
    • Elecanacin, a novel new naphthoquinone from the bulb of Eleutherine americana
    • Chem Pharm Bull, 45 (1997), pp. 1714–1716
    •  | 
    • [29]
    • X.J. Liu, X.Q. Yan, N.L. Wang
    • Studies on chemical constituents of Eleutherine americana
    • J Chin Med Mat, 32 (2009), pp. 55–58
Peer-review under responsibility of the School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology.

Corresponding author. Tel.: +62-22-2504852; fax: +62-22-2504852.

Dietary effects of a mix derived from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood extract on pig performance, oxidative status and pork quality traits

Volume 100, February 2015, Pages 319–326

Dietary effects of a mix derived from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood extract on pig performance, oxidative status and pork quality traits


Highlights

The dietary oregano oil and sweet chestnut extract mix did not affect pig ADG.
The mix increased serum antioxidant potential and reduced pork lipid oxidation.
The mix was responsible for a darker and redder colour of the cooked meat.
The pork sensory properties were improved by the plant extract mix.

Abstract

The effects of a pre-formulated commercial plant extract mix, composed of equal parts of oregano essential oil and sweet chestnut wood extract, on performance, oxidative status and pork quality traits were evaluated. In two 155-d studies, 60 pigs (mean live weight: 42.9 kg) were assigned to either a control diet (CTR) or an identical diet supplemented (0.2%) with the plant extract mix (OC). No differences in the growth rate were observed. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in the OC muscles (Longissimus lumborum) were higher than in CTR muscles. The lipid oxidation of meat was lower in the OC group. In the cooked meat samples, OC animals had the lowest L* and H° values and the highest a* values. The OC meat received higher scores for colour, taste and overall liking in both the blind and the labelled consumer tests.

Keywords

  • Pigs;
  • Meat quality;
  • Oregano essential oil;
  • Chestnut wood extract;
  • Oxidative status

Corresponding author.

Satureja horvatii essential oil: In vitro antimicrobial and antiradical properties and in situ control of Listeria monocytogenes in pork meat

Volume 96, Issue 3, March 2014, Pages 1355–1360

Satureja horvatii essential oil: In vitro antimicrobial and antiradical properties and in situ control of Listeria monocytogenes in pork meat


Highlights

S. horvatii was a rich source of p-cymene, thymol and thymol methyl ether.
Essential oil possessed dose dependent antimicrobial activity.
Antiradical properties were recorded.
Pork meat was preserved by essential oil, by inhibiting development of L. monocytogenes.

Abstract

The dominant compounds in Satureja horvatii oil were p-cymene (33.14%), thymol (26.11%) and thymol methyl ether (15.08%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) varied from 0.03 to 0.57 mg/mL for bacteria, and from 0.56 to 2.23 mg/mL for yeast strains, while minimum bactericidal/yeast-cidal concentration (MBC/MYC) varied from 0.07 to 1.15 mg/mL and 1.11 to 5.57 mg/mL for bacteria and yeasts, respectively. The antiradical potential of the essential oil was evaluated using hydroxyl radical (•OH) generated in Fenton reaction. The meat preserving potential of essential oil from Satureja horvatii was investigated against L. monocytogenes. Essential oil successfully inhibited development of L. monocytogenes in pork meat. Sensorial evaluation on flavor and color of meat was performed. The color and flavor of meat treated with essential oil improved after 4 days of storage. S. horvatii essential oil can act as a potent inhibitor of food spoiling microorganisms, in meat products and also can be a useful source of natural antioxidants.

Keywords

  • Satureja horvatii;
  • Antimicrobial activity;
  • Pork meat;
  • Listeria monocytogenes;
  • Antiradical activity;
  • Sensorial evaluation

Corresponding author at: Department of Plant Physiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. Tel.: + 43 381 11 2078419; fax: + 43 381 11 276143.