Cultural and Organizational Perceptions of Support Towards Mental Health Outcomes: A Study of Maori Employees

The present study tests a culturally specific dimension of perceived organizational support (POS) based on support for Maori culture in the workplace. Meta­analyses of POS have shown it to be a strong predictor of many employee outcomes, and we extend the literature by testing perceived organizational support for culture (POSC) on a group of 345 employed Maori. The present study suggests that indigenous employees will perceive greater support from their organizations when their cultural values and beliefs are upheld and supported, which should lead to beneficial effects. Due to the high prevalence amongst Maori, we test this towards mental health outcomes. Data was collected in two time periods, with POS and POSC collected at time one and mental health outcome at time two (two weeks later). Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the study measures and the measurement model met all the minimal requirements. In particular, POSC and POS were found to be distinct constructs and both correlated significantly and negatively with mental health outcomes. POSC was found to be positively related to POS and negatively related to anxiety, depression and insomnia. An additional mediation model was run, where POS was tested as mediating the effects of POSC towards outcomes and this was fully supported. Overall, POSC predicted POS and in turn, POS predicted all mental health outcomes in the expected direction. The present study suggests that support for indigenous employee’s cultural beliefs is likely to have positive indirect effects towards mental health, working through employee perceptions of support

Cultural and Organizational Perceptions of Support Towards Mental Health Outcomes: A Study of Maori Employees

The present study tests a culturally specific dimension of perceived organizational support (POS) based on support for Maori culture in the workplace. Meta­analyses of POS have shown it to be a strong predictor of many employee outcomes, and we extend the literature by testing perceived organizational support for culture (POSC) on a group of 345 employed Maori. The present study suggests that indigenous employees will perceive greater support from their organizations when their cultural values and beliefs are upheld and supported, which should lead to beneficial effects. Due to the high prevalence amongst Maori, we test this towards mental health outcomes. Data was collected in two time periods, with POS and POSC collected at time one and mental health outcome at time two (two weeks later). Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the study measures and the measurement model met all the minimal requirements. In particular, POSC and POS were found to be distinct constructs and both correlated significantly and negatively with mental health outcomes. POSC was found to be positively related to POS and negatively related to anxiety, depression and insomnia. An additional mediation model was run, where POS was tested as mediating the effects of POSC towards outcomes and this was fully supported. Overall, POSC predicted POS and in turn, POS predicted all mental health outcomes in the expected direction. The present study suggests that support for indigenous employee’s cultural beliefs is likely to have positive indirect effects towards mental health, working through employee perceptions of support

An Analysis of Private School Closings

We add to the small literature on private school supply by exploring exits of K-12 private schools. We find that the closure of private schools is not an infrequent event, and use national survey data from the National Center for Education Statistics to study closures of private schools. We assume that the probability of an exit is a function of excess supply of private schools over the demand, as well as the school's characteristics such as age, size, and religious affiliation. Our empirical results generally support the implications of the model. Working Paper 07-0

Efficient, non‐toxic anion transport by synthetic carriers in cells and epithelia

Transmembrane anion transporters (anionophores) have potential for new modes of biological activity, including therapeutic applications. In particular they might replace the activity of defective anion channels in conditions such as cystic fibrosis. However, data on the biological effects of anionophores are scarce, and it remains uncertain whether such molecules are fundamentally toxic. Here, we report a biological study of an extensive series of powerful anion carriers. Fifteen anionophores were assayed in single cells by monitoring anion transport in real time through fluorescence emission from halide-sensitive yellow fluorescent protein. A bis-(p-nitrophenyl)ureidodecalin shows especially promising activity, including deliverability, potency and persistence. Electrophysiological tests show strong effects in epithelia, close to those of natural anion channels. Toxicity assays yield negative results in three cell lines, suggesting that promotion of anion transport may not be deleterious to cells. We therefore conclude that synthetic anion carriers are realistic candidates for further investigation as treatments for cystic fibrosis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Activation of PKC isoform βI at the blood–brain barrier rapidly decreases P-glycoprotein activity and enhances drug delivery to the brain

P-glycoprotein is an ATP (adenosine triphosphate)-driven drug efflux transporter that is highly expressed at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and is a major obstacle to the pharmacotherapy of central nervous system diseases, including brain tumors, neuro-AIDS, and epilepsy. Previous studies have shown that P-glycoprotein transport activity in rat brain capillaries is rapidly reduced by the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) acting through protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent signaling. In this study, we used isolated rat brain capillaries to show that the TNF-α-induced reduction of P-glycoprotein activity was prevented by a PKCβI/II inhibitor, LY333531, and mimicked by a PKCβI/II activator, 12-deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate-20-acetate (dPPA). Western blotting of brain capillary extracts with phospho-specific antibodies showed that dPPA activated PKCβI, but not PKCβII. Moreover, in intact rats, intracarotid infusion of dPPA potently increased brain accumulation of the P-glycoprotein substrate, [3H]-verapamil without compromising tight junction integrity. Thus, PKCβI activation selectively reduced P-glycoprotein activity both in vitro and in vivo. Targeting PKCβI at the BBB may prove to be an effective strategy for enhancing the delivery of small molecule therapeutics to the brain