Effort Choices between Group and Individual Tasks in Mixed Incentives

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-217
Author(s):  
Yu Tian ◽  
Brad M. Tuttle ◽  
Robert A. Leitch
Keyword(s):  
Systems Design ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Incentive Systems ◽  
Individual Group ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Group Incentives ◽  
Total Effort

ABSTRACT Mixed individual and group incentives are widely used in practice under the assumption that by incentivizing both, organizations can increase total effort and predictably direct effort. The present paper explores these assumptions under two forms of mixed incentives, one in which incentives are implemented in a simultaneous/independent manner and the other in a sequential/dependent manner. Results suggest that adding individual incentives to group incentives motivates greater total effort, but adding group incentives to individual incentives does not, regardless of the structure or amount of the mixed incentives. We also find that the independent mixed incentives in our setting lead individuals to allocate a greater (less) percentage of total effort to individual (group) tasks than the sequential mixed incentives. Our findings have important implications to incentive systems design by suggesting that organizations need to consider a fit between the incentives and where they would like their employees to allocate effort. Data Availability: Data are available on request.

scholarly journals Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release in the organelle layers of the stratified, intact egg of Xenopus laevis.

1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 1103-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
J K Han ◽  
R Nuccitelli
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Subsequent Removal ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Inositol 1,4,5 Trisphosphate ◽  
Kinetics Of

Using double-barreled, Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrodes, we have examined the characteristics of the Ca2+ release by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) in the various layers of Xenopus laevis eggs in which the organelles had been stratified by centrifugation. Centrifugation of living eggs stratifies the organelles yet retains them in the normal cytoplasmic milieu. The local increase in intracellular free Ca2+ in each layer was directly measured under physiological conditions using theta-tubing, double-barreled, Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrodes in which one barrel was filled with the Ca2+ sensor and the other was filled with Ins(1,4,5)P3 for microinjection. The two tips of these electrodes were very close to each other (3 microns apart) enabling us to measure the kinetics of both the highly localized intracellular Ca2+ release and its subsequent removal in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 injection. Upon Ins(1,4,5)P3 injection, the ER-enriched layer exhibited the largest release of Ca2+ in a dosage-dependent manner, whereas the other layers, mitochondria, lipid, and yolk, released 10-fold less Ca2+ in a dosage-independent manner. The removal of released Ca2+ took place within approximately 1 min. The sensitivity to Ins(1,4,5)P3 and the time course of intracellular Ca2+ release in the unstratified (unactivated) egg is nearly identical to that observed in the ER layer of the stratified egg. Our data suggest that the ER is the major organelle of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ store in the egg of Xenopus laevis.

Logistics Costs Behavior and Management in the Auto Industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela M. Porporato
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Related Data ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
Confidentiality Agreement ◽  
Cost Behavior

ABSTRACT This case, based on a real-life situation of how logistics costs function in daily operations, aims to provide students with the opportunity to understand how logistics costs are calculated and how the inter-organizational nature of these costs affects the profitability of two companies. The case hinges on understanding cost behavior (fixed and variable) and on management control systems design. Although logistics costs represent a small fraction of total costs in manufacturing companies, they can negatively affect the bottom line if left unattended. Students are presented with data relating to a three-year project in the automotive industry that shows that the project has been experiencing a sustained increase in costs that has eroded its profit margin. While it appears that logistics costs are the problem, it cannot be verified until the contracts are studied. In addition, the financial- and contract-related data provided are sufficient to extend the profitability analysis to the provider of logistics services. This case is suitable for management accounting courses at the master's or advanced undergraduate level; it has been tested and well received by students who want to gain a greater understanding of logistics costs—their nature, behavior, possible containment strategies, and inter-organizational effects. Data Availability: Some of the data are from public sources, but the logistics contracts and cost schedules are private; the confidentiality agreement with the two companies requires masking certain details and modifying the numeric data.

scholarly journals Embryonal Carcinoma P19 Cells Produce Erythropoietin Constitutively But Express Lactate Dehydrogenase in an Oxygen-Dependent Manner

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 1185-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiho Kambe ◽  
Junko Tada ◽  
Mariko Chikuma ◽  
Seiji Masuda ◽  
Masaya Nagao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Embryonal Carcinoma ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
P19 Cells ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Hep3b Cells

Abstract Embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma P19 cells produce erythropoietin (Epo) in an oxygen-independent manner, although lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is hypoxia-inducible. To explore this paradox, we studied the operation of cis-acting sequences from these genes in P19 and Hep3B cells. The Epo gene promoter and 3′ enhancer from P19 cells conveyed hypoxia-inducible responses in Hep3B cells but not in P19 cells. Together with DNA sequencing and the normal transcription start site of P19 Epo gene, this excluded the possibility that the noninducibility of Epo gene in P19 cells was due to mutation in these sequences or unusual initiation of transcription. In contrast, reporter constructs containing LDHA enhancer and promoter were hypoxia inducible in P19 and Hep3B cells, and mutation of a hypoxia- inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) binding site abolished the hypoxic inducibility in both cells, indicating that HIF-1 activation operates normally in P19 cells. Neither forced expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 in P19 cells nor deletion of its binding site from the Epo enhancer was effective in restoring Epo enhancer function. P19 cells may lack an unidentified regulator(s) required for interaction of the Epo enhancer with Epo and LDHA promoters.

scholarly journals Specific release of membrane-bound annexin II and cortical cytoskeletal elements by sequestration of membrane cholesterol.

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Harder ◽  
R Kellner ◽  
R G Parton ◽  
J Gruenberg
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Annexin Ii ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Early Endosomes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements

Annexin II is an abundant protein which is present in the cytosol and on the cytoplasmic face of plasma membrane and early endosomes. It is generally believed that this association occurs via Ca(2+)-dependent binding to lipids, a mechanism typical for the annexin protein family. Although previous studies have shown that annexin II is involved in early endosome dynamics and organization, the precise biological role of the protein is unknown. In this study, we found that approximately 50% of the total cellular annexin was associated with membranes in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. This binding was extremely tight, since it resisted high salt and, to some extent, high pH treatments. We found, however, that membrane-associated annexin II could be quantitatively released by low concentrations of the cholesterol-sequestering agents filipin and digitonin. Both treatments released an identical and limited set of proteins but had no effects on other membrane-associated proteins. Among the released proteins, we identified, in addition to annexin II itself, the cortical cytoskeletal proteins alpha-actinin, ezrin and moesin, and membrane-associated actin. Our biochemical and immunological observations indicate that these proteins are part of a complex containing annexin II and that stability of the complex is sensitive to cholesterol sequestering agents. Since annexin II is tightly membrane-associated in a cholesterol-dependent manner, and since it seems to interact physically with elements of the cortical actin cytoskeleton, we propose that the protein serves as interface between membranes containing high amounts of cholesterol and the actin cytoskeleton.

scholarly journals The EF-Hand Ca2+-binding Protein p22 Plays a Role in Microtubule and Endoplasmic Reticulum Organization and Dynamics with Distinct Ca2+-binding Requirements

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josefa Andrade ◽  
Hu Zhao ◽  
Brian Titus ◽  
Sandra Timm Pearce ◽  
Margarida Barroso
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Membrane Trafficking ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Microtubule Depolymerization ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Ef Hand

We have reported that p22, an N-myristoylated EF-hand Ca2+-binding protein, associates with microtubules and plays a role in membrane trafficking. Here, we show that p22 also associates with membranes of the early secretory pathway membranes, in particular endoplasmic reticulum (ER). On binding of Ca2+, p22's ability to associate with membranes increases in an N-myristoylation-dependent manner, which is suggestive of a nonclassical Ca2+-myristoyl switch mechanism. To address the intracellular functions of p22, a digitonin-based “bulk microinjection” assay was developed to load cells with anti-p22, wild-type, or mutant p22 proteins. Antibodies against a p22 peptide induce microtubule depolymerization and ER fragmentation; this antibody-mediated effect is overcome by preincubation with the respective p22 peptide. In contrast, N-myristoylated p22 induces the formation of microtubule bundles, the accumulation of ER structures along the bundles as well as an increase in ER network formation. An N-myristoylated Ca2+-binding p22 mutant, which is unable to undergo Ca2+-mediated conformational changes, induces microtubule bundling and accumulation of ER structures along the bundles but does not increase ER network formation. Together, these data strongly suggest that p22 modulates the organization and dynamics of microtubule cytoskeleton in a Ca2+-independent manner and affects ER network assembly in a Ca2+-dependent manner.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii Cyclophilin 18-Mediated Production of Nitric Oxide Induces Bradyzoite Conversion in a CCR5-Dependent Manner

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 3686-3695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hany M. Ibrahim ◽  
Hiroshi Bannai ◽  
Xuenan Xuan ◽  
Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Parasite Multiplication ◽  
Factor Alpha

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii modulates pro- and anti-inflammatory responses to regulate parasite multiplication and host survival. Pressure from the immune response causes the conversion of tachyzoites into slowly dividing bradyzoites. The regulatory mechanisms involved in this switch are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory role of T. gondii cyclophilin 18 (TgCyp18) in macrophages and the consequences of the cellular responses on the conversion machinery. Recombinant TgCyp18 induced the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and tumor necrosis factor alpha through its binding with cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and the production of gamma interferon and IL-6 in a CCR5-independent manner. Interestingly, the treatment of macrophages with TgCyp18 resulted in the inhibition of parasite growth and an enhancement of the conversion into bradyzoites via NO in a CCR5-dependent manner. In conclusion, T. gondii possesses sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host cell responses in a TgCyp18-mediated process.

scholarly journals Regulation of igaA and the Rcs System by the MviA Response Regulator in Salmonella enterica

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (8) ◽  
pp. 2743-2752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara B. García-Calderón ◽  
Josep Casadesús ◽  
Francisco Ramos-Morales
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Enteric Bacteria ◽  
Lon Protease ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT IgaA is a membrane protein that prevents overactivation of the Rcs regulatory system in enteric bacteria. Here we provide evidence that igaA is the first gene in a σ70-dependent operon of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium that also includes yrfG, yrfH, and yrfI. We also show that the Lon protease and the MviA response regulator participate in regulation of the igaA operon. Our results indicate that MviA regulates igaA transcription in an RpoS-dependent manner, but the results also suggest that MviA may regulate RcsB activation in an RpoS- and IgaA-independent manner.

scholarly journals A Possible Role of Allatostatin C in Inhibiting Ecdysone Biosynthesis Revealed in the Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Liu ◽  
Wenyuan Shi ◽  
Dongdong Lin ◽  
Haihui Ye
Keyword(s):  
Scylla Paramamosain ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mud Crab ◽  
Methyl Farnesoate ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Effect

C-type allatostatins (C-type ASTs) are a family of structurally related neuropeptides found in a wide range of insects and crustaceans. To date, the C-type allatostatin receptor in crustaceans has not been deorphaned, and little is known about its physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to functionally define a C-type ASTs receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosian. We showed that C-type ASTs receptor can be activated by ScypaAST-C peptide in a dose-independent manner and by ScypaAST-CCC peptide in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 6.683 nM. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the potential roles of ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC peptides in the regulation of ecdysone (20E) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis. The results indicated that ScypaAST-C inhibited biosynthesis of 20E in the Y-organ, whereas ScypaAST-CCC had no effect on the production of 20E. In addition, qRT-PCR showed that both ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC significantly decreased the level of expression of the MF biosynthetic enzyme gene in the mandibular organ, suggesting that the two neuropeptides have a negative effect on the MF biosynthesis in mandibular organs. In conclusion, this study provided new insight into the physiological roles of AST-C in inhibiting ecdysone biosynthesis. Furthermore, it was revealed that AST-C family peptides might inhibit MF biosynthesis in crustaceans.

Anti-tumor activity of SKLB-0322, a novel EZH2 covalent inhibitor, in ovarian cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15052-e15052
Author(s):  
Yongxia Zhu ◽  
Xinyi Chen ◽  
Qiangsheng Zhang ◽  
Lihong Shi ◽  
Luoting Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Competitive Inhibitor ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Phase Cell ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Western Blot Assay ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Covalent Inhibitor

e15052 Background: Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) that regulate downstream target genes expression, and then promotes tumor cell proliferation, metastasis and drug resistance. EZH2 also performs some functions in a PRC2-independent manner. Most of reported EZH2 inhibitors are S-adenosyle-methionine (SAM)-competitive inhibitor, and are less selective for EZH2 close homolog EZH1, which resulted in safety concerns and insufficient efficacy. To obtain irreversible EZH2 inhibitor, a novel covalent inhibitor was developed and characterized. Methods: SKLB-0322 and its derivatives were designed, synthesized and confirmed as EZH2 covalent inhibitor by us. The anti-tumor activities of SKLB-0322 were investigated by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and western blot assay. The reversible analog of SKLB-0322 (SKLB-0322’) was used as negative control. Results: SKLB-0322 inhibited EZH2 methyltransferase activity with nanomolar potency, while the inhibitory activities of SKLB-0322’ was reduced. The mass spectrometry (MS) analyses revealed that SKLB-0322 could efficiently forms a single modified covalent adduct. SKLB-0322 displayed noteworthy potency against ovarian cancer cell lines at low micromolar level and reduced the expression level of H3K27me3 in a concentration-dependent manner, which was about 5-fold more active than the reversible negative control SKLB-0322’. Besides, SKLB-0322 caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in A2780 and PA-1 cells. Furthermore, SKLB-0322 induced A2780 and PA-1 cell apoptosis in a time- and concentration- dependent manner. Conclusions: Our data clarified that SKLB-0322 is an EZH2 covalent inhibitor for ovarian cancer therapy which is worthy of further evaluation.

scholarly journals Concomitant Nrf2- and ATF4-activation by Carnosic Acid Cooperatively Induces Expression of Cytoprotective Genes

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junsei Mimura ◽  
Atsushi Inose-Maruyama ◽  
Shusuke Taniuchi ◽  
Kunio Kosaka ◽  
Hidemi Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Carnosic Acid ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Antioxidant Genes ◽  
Activating Transcription Factor 4 ◽  
Activating Transcription Factor ◽  
Rosmarinus Officinalis L ◽  
Ngf Gene

: Carnosic acid (CA) is a phytochemical found in some dietary herbs, such as Rosmarinus officinalis L., and possesses antioxidative and anti-microbial properties. We previously demonstrated that CA functions as an activator of nuclear factor, erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor in human and rodent cells. CA enhances the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and antioxidant genes, such as HO-1 in an Nrf2-dependent manner in U373MG human astrocytoma cells. However, CA also induces NGF gene expression in an Nrf2-independent manner, since 50 μM of CA administration showed striking NGF gene induction compared with the classical Nrf2 inducer tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) in U373MG cells. By comparative transcriptome analysis, we found that CA activates activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in addition to Nrf2 at high doses. CA activated ATF4 in phospho-eIF2α- and heme-regulated inhibitor kinase (HRI)-dependent manners, indicating that CA activates ATF4 through the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway. Furthermore, CA activated Nrf2 and ATF4 cooperatively enhanced the expression of NGF and many antioxidant genes while acting independently to certain client genes. Taken together, these results represent a novel mechanism of CA-mediated gene regulation evoked by Nrf2 and ATF4 cooperation.

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