Sceptical Employees as CSR Ambassadors in Times of Financial Uncertainty

This chapter offers new insights into the understanding of internal (employee) perceptions of organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and strategies. This study explores the significance of employees’ involvement and scepticism upon CSR initiatives and focuses on the effects it may have upon word of mouth (WOM) and the development of employee–organisation relationships. Desk research introduces the research questions. Data for the research questions were gathered through a self-completion questionnaire distributed in a hardcopy form to the sample. An individual’s level of scepticism and involvement appears to affect the development of a positive effect on employees’ WOM. Involvement with the domain of the investment may be a central factor affecting relationship building within the organization, and upon generation of positive WOM. The chapter offers a conceptual framework to public relations (PR) and corporate communications practitioners, which may enrich their views and understanding of the use and value of CSR for communication strategies and practices. For-profit organisations are major institutions in today’s society. CSR is proffered as presenting advantages for (at macro level) society and (micro level) the organization and its employees. Concepts, such as involvement and scepticism, which have not been rigorously examined in PR and corporate communication literature, are addressed. By examining employee perceptions, managers and academic researchers gain insights into the acceptance, appreciation and effectiveness of CSR policies and activities upon the employee stakeholder group. This will affect current and future CSR communication strategies. The knowledge acquired from this chapter may be transferable outside the for-profit sector

High-risk HPV E5-induced cell fusion: a critical initiating event in the early stage of HPV-associated cervical cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cervical cancer is strongly associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and viral oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7 can transform cells by various mechanisms. It is proposed that oncogenic virus-induced cell fusion may contribute to oncogenesis if p53 or apoptosis is perturbed simultaneously. Recently, HPV-16 E5 was found to be necessary and sufficient for the formation of tetraploid cells, which are frequently found in precancerous cervical lesions and its formation is strongly associated with HPV state.</p> <p>Presentation of the hypothesis</p> <p>We propose that high-risk HPV E5-induced cell fusion is a critical initiating event in the early stage of HPV-associated cervical cancer.</p> <p>Testing the hypothesis</p> <p>Our hypothesis can be tested by comparing the likelihood for colony formation or tumorigenic ability in nude mice between normal HaCaT cells expressing all three oncogenic proteins and E5-induced bi-nucleated HaCaT cells expressing E6 and E7. Moreover, investigating premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in HPV-positive and negative precancerous cervical cells is another way to assess this hypothesis.</p> <p>Implication of the hypothesis</p> <p>This viewpoint would change our understanding of the mechanisms by which HPV induces cervical cancer. According to this hypothesis, blocking E5-induced cell fusion is a promising way to prevent the progression of cervical cancer. Additionally, establishment of a role of cell fusion in cervical carcinogenesis is of reference value for understanding the pathogenesis of other virus-associated cancers.</p

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Kompensation von Farbverschiebungen in faseroptischen Abbildungssystemen

WO 2008148444 A1 UPAB: 20090103 NOVELTY - The optical fiber manufacturing device (50) has a supply unit (54) which provides a calibration value (56) assigned to fiber optic for each sensor spectral region. A correction device (57) combines intensity values (52) of all sensor elements of respective sensor spectral regions illuminated from a light conductor and the respective sensor spectral regions of assigned calibration value. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following: (1) a calibration device for determining an optical fiber of a fiberscope (2) a method for manufacturing an optical fiber (3) a computer program has a program code. USE - Device for manufacturing an optical fiber of a fiberscope of assigned color value. ADVANTAGE - The correction device combines intensity values of all sensor elements of respective sensor spectral regions illuminated from a light conductor and the respective sensor spectral regions of assigned calibration value, and thus ensures a reliable manufacturing of an optical fiber