Ethical judgments: what do we know, where do we go?

Investigations into ethical judgments generally seem fuzzy as to the relevant research domain. We first attempted to clarify the construct and determine domain parameters. This attempt required addressing difficulties associated with pinpointing relevant literature, most notably the varied nomenclature used to refer to ethical judgments (individual evaluations of actions' ethicality). Given this variation in construct nomenclature and the difficulties it presented in identifying pertinent focal studies, we elected to focus on research that cited papers featuring prominent and often-used measures of ethical judgments (primarily, but not exclusively, the Multidimensional Ethics Scale). Our review of these studies indicated a preponderance of inferences and conclusions unwarranted by empirical evidence (likely attributable at least partly to inconsistent nomenclature). Moreover, ethical judgments related consistently to few respondent characteristics or any other variables, emergent relationships may not always be especially meaningful, and much research seems inclined to repetition of already verified findings. Although we concluded that knowledge about ethical judgments seems not to have advanced appreciably after decades of investigation, we suggested a possible path forward that focuses on the content of what is actually being judged as reflected in the myriad of vignettes used in the literature to elicit judgments

Bioactive compounds from Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Lour. Spreng)

Cucurbits (gourds and cucumbers) are one of the most economically important plant families for food consumption globally. One specific representative, Momordica cochinchinensis, is geographically restricted to tropical Asia and contains the highest levels of carotenoids of all the known fruits and vegetables and relatively underutilized, with only the aril from the fruit used in private homesteads as well as in foods and beverages. This chapter highlights the bioactive compounds from the fruit ranging from small phytochemicals to larger proteins with diverse functions for improved health. The potentials and recommendations for future development in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry are discussed