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While diversity has been generally accepted as a requisite or desirable feature in various group settings and activities, its relationship with outcomes such as performance excellence has been found to be at best tenuous. In fact, scholars have struggled to even define the construct comprehensively. Moreover, while empirical studies showing correlation-based causation abound, there is little in terms of integrated theoretical exposition. This paper explores, from the extant literature, the various conceptualizations of diversity, identifies moderating variables to establish its connection with performance and delineates the composition of performance outcomes, contingent upon the variations among the previous two categories of constructs. This exercise is meant to bring clarity with regard to the impact of diversity research and also has implications for theory building in this domain. Future research directions are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, huge accumulation of losses to public sector banks in India has caused widespread public concern. In February 2014, the Chairperson and Managing Director of the United Bank of India (UBI) put in her papers amidst a massive ongoing crisis of the bank in the form of a net loss of ₹1,683 cr in the first nine months of the financial year 2013-14. It was a case of chronic mismanagement and lack of vision. Despite being headless, the bank managed a turnaround in the January-March period with a quarterly net profit of ₹470 cr. This paper undertakes a detailed qualitative, strategic and financial examination of the events and structures that led to UBI's huge accumulation of losses and then, by adopting the Resource-Based View (RBV) theoretical framework (Barney et al., 2001), attempts to come up with workable recommendations on how to make it a viable business again. Key competencies of the bank have been identified by the VRIO method and detailed solutions are offered to rejuvenate the bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and GABAergic transmission has been shown to be of importance for regulation of mood, memory and food intake. The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone (Allo) is a positive GABA A receptor modulating steroid with potent effects. In humans, disorders such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), hepatic encephalopathy and polycystic ovarian syndrome are associated with elevated Allo levels and increased negative mood, disturbed memory and increased food intake in some individuals. This is surprising because Allo shares many properties with benzodiazepines and is mainly considered to be anxiolytic and anti-depressant. However, it is well established that, in certain individuals, GABA A receptor activating compounds could have paradoxical effects and thus be anxiogenic in low physiological plasma concentrations but anxiolytic at high levels. We have demonstrated that isoallopregnanolone (Isoallo), the 3β-OH sibling of Allo, functions as a GABA A receptor modulating steroid antagonist (GAMSA) but without any effects of its own on GABA A receptors. The antagonistic effect is noted in most GABA A subtypes investigated in vitro to date. In vivo, Isoallo can inhibit Allo-induced anaesthesia in rats, as well as sedation or saccadic eye velocity in humans. Isoallo treatment has been studied in women with PMDD. In a first phase II study, Isoallo (Sepranolone; Asarina Pharma) injections significantly ameliorated negative mood in women with PMDD compared with placebo. Several GAMSAs for oral administration have also been developed. The GAMSA, UC1011, can inhibit Allo induced memory disturbances in rats and an oral GAMSA, GR3027, has been shown to restore learning and motor coordination in rats with hepatic encephalopathy. In humans, vigilance, cognition and pathological electroencephalogram were improved in patients with hepatic encephalopathy on treatment with GR3027. In conclusion GAMSAs are a new possible treatment for disorders and symptoms caused by hyperactivity in the GABA A system., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Neuroendocrinology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Society for Neuroendocrinology.)