Make your future job matter: A career calling intervention for college students

In recent years, career development scholars and practitioners are increasingly interested in the concept of career calling. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying the process of its discernment remain obscure, and intervention research is scarce. In this study, we implemented a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with intervention (n = 42) and control group (n = 66) to test a 9-week elective course designed to help college students find their callings. The course included an investigation of strengths, values, and interests, followed by their integration into personal mission and finding occupations that allowed to implement that mission in real life (potential callings). The study was conducted in a major Russian university located in Moscow. Be the end of the course, the participants had a stronger sense of calling, perceived more meaning, and felt more authentic. The results of this study can be used by university career services, as well as private counselors.     

Functions of eukaryotic DNA polymerases

A major function of DNA polymerases is to accurately replicate the six billion nucleotides that constitute the human genome. This task is complicated by the fact that the genome is constantly challenged by a variety of endogenous and exogenous DNA-damaging agents. DNA damage can block DNA replication or alter base coding potential, resulting in mutations. In addition, the accumulation of damage in nonreplicating DNA can affect gene expression, which leads to the malfunction of many cellular processes. A number of DNA repair systems operate in cells to remove DNA lesions, and several DNA polymerases are known to be the key components of these repair systems. In the past few years, a number of novel DNA polymerases have been discovered that likely function in replicative bypass of DNA damage missed by DNA repair enzymes or in specialized forms of repair. Furthermore, DNA polymerases can act as sensors in cell cycle checkpoint pathways that prevent entry into mitosis until damaged DNA is repaired and replication is completed. The list of DNA template-dependent eukaryotic DNA polymerases now consists of 14 enzymes with amazingly different properties. In this review, we discuss the possible functions of these polymerases in DNA damage repair, the replication of intact and damaged chromosomes, and cell cycle checkpoints.     

Strategically valuable resources and capabilities and successful M&A: a dyadic perspective

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are most popular external growth strategies. While the number of M&A has been increasing during the past decades, on average, only the shareholders of target firms gain value during the acquisition process, while acquirers do not receive abnormal positive returns. This paper analyses the impact of strategically valuable resources and capabilities on the success of M&A decisions. We test complementary resource-based hypotheses regarding the value of M&A for the shareholders of both transaction partners. Our sample consists of transactions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. The results of our study show that the shareholders of both transaction partners will gain above average positive returns only when the acquirer and the target own and combine strategically valuable resources and capabilities.