bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MiR-494 is regulated by ERK1/2 and modulates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in non–small-cell lung cancer through BIM down-regulation
Authors: Romano Giulia , Acunzo Mario , Garofalo Michela , Di Leva Gianpiero , Cascione Luciano , Zanca Ciro , Bolon Brad , Condorelli Gerolama , Croce Carlo M.
Published: September 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have an important role in the development of chemosensitivity or chemoresistance in different types of cancer. Activation of the ERK1/2 pathway is a major determinant of diverse cellular processes and cancer development and is responsible for the transcription of several important miRNAs. Here we show a link between the ERK1/2 pathway and BIM expression through miR-494. We blocked ERK1/2 nuclear activity through the overexpression of an ERK1/2 natural interactor, the protein PED/PEA15, and we performed a microRNA expression profile. miR-494 was the most down-regulated microRNA after ERK1/2 inactivation. Moreover, we found that miR-494 induced Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resistance in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through the down-modulation of BIM. Elucidation of this undiscovered ERK1/2 pathway that regulates apoptosis and cell proliferation through miR-494 in NSCLC will greatly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for TRAIL resistance and will provide an additional arm for the development of anticancer therapies.
Spatiotemporally controlled single cell sonoporation
Authors: Fan Zhenzhen , Liu Haiyan , Mayer Michael , Deng Cheri X.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents unique approaches to enable control and quantification of ultrasound-mediated cell membrane disruption, or sonoporation, at the single-cell level. Ultrasound excitation of microbubbles that were targeted to the plasma membrane of HEK-293 cells generated spatially and temporally controlled membrane disruption with high repeatability. Using whole-cell patch clamp recording combined with fluorescence microscopy, we obtained time-resolved measurements of single-cell sonoporation and quantified the size and resealing rate of pores. We measured the intracellular diffusion coefficient of cytoplasmic RNA/DNA from sonoporation-induced transport of an intercalating fluorescent dye into and within single cells. We achieved spatiotemporally controlled delivery with subcellular precision and calcium signaling in targeted cells by selective excitation of microbubbles. Finally, we utilized sonoporation to deliver calcein, a membrane-impermeant substrate of multidrug resistance protein-1 (MRP1), into HEK-MRP1 cells, which overexpress MRP1, and monitored the calcein efflux by MRP1. This approach made it possible to measure the efflux rate in individual cells and to compare it directly to the efflux rate in parental control cells that do not express MRP1.
Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as ultrasound contrast agents
Authors: Delogu Lucia Gemma , Vidili Gianpaolo , Venturelli Enrica , Ménard-Moyon Cécilia , Zoroddu Maria Antonietta , Pilo Giovannantonio , Nicolussi Paola , Ligios Ciriaco , Bedognetti Davide , Sgarrella Francesco , Manetti Roberto , Bianco Alberto
Published: September 2012

Ultrasonography is a fundamental diagnostic imaging tool in everyday clinical practice. Here, we are unique in describing the use of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as hyperechogenic material, suggesting their potential application as ultrasound contrast agents. Initially, we carried out a thorough investigation to assess the echogenic property of the nanotubes in vitro. We demonstrated their long-lasting ultrasound contrast properties. We also showed that ultrasound signal of functionalized MWCNTs is higher than graphene oxide, pristine MWCNTs, and functionalized single-walled CNTs. Qualitatively, the ultrasound signal of CNTs was equal to that of sulfur hexafluoride (SonoVue), a commercially available contrast agent. Then, we found that MWCNTs were highly echogenic in liver and heart through ex vivo experiments using pig as an animal model. In contrast to the majority of ultrasound contrast agents, we observed in a phantom bladder that the tubes can be visualized within a wide variety of frequencies (i.e., 5.5–10 MHz) and 12.5 MHz using tissue harmonic imaging modality. Finally, we demonstrated in vivo in the pig bladder that MWCNTs can be observed at low frequencies, which are appropriate for abdominal organs. Importantly, we did not report any toxicity of CNTs after 7 d from the injection by animal autopsy, organ histology and immunostaining, blood count, and chemical profile. Our results reveal the enormous potential of CNTs as ultrasound contrast agents, giving support for their future applications as theranostic nanoparticles, combining diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
Dynamics of the leading process, nucleus, and Golgi apparatus of migrating cortical interneurons in living mouse embryos
Authors: Yanagida Mitsutoshi , Miyoshi Ryota , Toyokuni Ryohei , Zhu Yan , Murakami Fujio
Published: September 2012

Precisely arranged cytoarchitectures such as layers and nuclei depend on neuronal migration, of which many in vitro studies have revealed the mode and underlying mechanisms. However, how neuronal migration is achieved in vivo remains unknown. Here we established an imaging system that allows direct visualization of cortical interneuron migration in living mouse embryos. We found that during nucleokinesis, translocation of the Golgi apparatus either precedes or occurs in parallel to that of the nucleus, suggesting the existence of both a Golgi/centrosome-dependent and -independent mechanism of nucleokinesis. Changes in migratory direction occur when the nucleus enters one of the leading process branches, which is accompanied by the retraction of other branches. The nucleus occasionally swings between two branches before translocating into one of them, the occurrence of which is most often preceded by Golgi apparatus translocation into that branch. These in vivo observations provide important insight into the mechanisms of neuronal migration and demonstrate the usefulness of our system for studying dynamic events in living animals.
Building microscopic soccer balls with evaporating colloidal fakir drops
Authors: Marín Álvaro G. , Gelderblom Hanneke , Susarrey-Arce Arturo , van Houselt Arie , Lefferts Leon , Gardeniers Johannes G. E. , Lohse Detlef , Snoeijer Jacco H.
Published: September 2012

Evaporation-driven particle self-assembly can be used to generate three-dimensional microstructures. We present a unique method to create colloidal microstructures in which we can control the amount of particles and their packing fraction. To this end, we evaporate colloidal dispersion droplets on a special type of superhydrophobic microstructured surface, on which the droplet remains in Cassie–Baxter state during the entire evaporative process. The remainders of the droplet consist of a massive spherical cluster of the microspheres, with diameters ranging from a few tens up to several hundreds of microns. We present scaling arguments to show how the final particle packing fraction of these balls depends on the dynamics of the droplet evaporation, particle size, and number of particles in the system.
Statistical detection of systematic election irregularities
Authors: Klimek Peter , Yegorov Yuri , Hanel Rudolf , Thurner Stefan
Published: September 2012

Democratic societies are built around the principle of free and fair elections, and that each citizen’s vote should count equally. National elections can be regarded as large-scale social experiments, where people are grouped into usually large numbers of electoral districts and vote according to their preferences. The large number of samples implies statistical consequences for the polling results, which can be used to identify election irregularities. Using a suitable data representation, we find that vote distributions of elections with alleged fraud show a kurtosis substantially exceeding the kurtosis of normal elections, depending on the level of data aggregation. As an example, we show that reported irregularities in recent Russian elections are, indeed, well-explained by systematic ballot stuffing. We develop a parametric model quantifying the extent to which fraudulent mechanisms are present. We formulate a parametric test detecting these statistical properties in election results. Remarkably, this technique produces robust outcomes with respect to the resolution of the data and therefore, allows for cross-country comparisons.
Structure of the floating water bridge and water in an electric field
Authors: Skinner Lawrie B. , Benmore Chris J. , Shyam Badri , Weber J. K. R. , Parise John B.
Published: September 2012

The floating water bridge phenomenon is a freestanding rope-shaped connection of pure liquid water, formed under the influence of a high potential difference (approximately 15 kV). Several recent spectroscopic, optical, and neutron scattering studies have suggested that the origin of the bridge is associated with the formation of anisotropic chains of water molecules in the liquid. In this work, high energy X-ray diffraction experiments have been performed on a series of floating water bridges as a function of applied voltage, bridge length, and position within the bridge. The two-dimensional X-ray scattering data showed no direction-dependence, indicating that the bulk water molecules do not exhibit any significant preferred orientation along the electric field. The only structural changes observed were those due to heating, and these effects were found to be the same as for bulk water. These X-ray scattering measurements are supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations which were performed under electric fields of 10
6
 V/m and 10
9
 V/m. Directional structure factor calculations were made from these simulations parallel and perpendicular to the E-field. The 10
6
 V/m model showed no significant directional-dependence (anisotropy) in the structure factors. The 10
9
 V/m model however, contained molecules aligned by the E-field, and had significant structural anisotropy.
Structural and functional characterization of neuraminidase-like molecule N10 derived from bat influenza A virus
Authors: Li Qing , Sun Xiaoman , Li Zhixin , Liu Yue , Vavricka Christopher J. , Qi Jianxun , Gao George F.
Published: September 2012

The recent discovery of the unique genome of influenza virus H17N10 in bats raises considerable doubt about the origin and evolution of influenza A viruses. It also identifies a neuraminidase (NA)-like protein, N10, that is highly divergent from the nine other well-established serotypes of influenza A NA (N1–N9). The structural elucidation and functional characterization of influenza NAs have illustrated the complexity of NA structures, thus raising a key question as to whether N10 has a special structure and function. Here the crystal structure of N10, derived from influenza virus A/little yellow-shouldered bat/Guatemala/153/2009 (H17N10), was solved at a resolution of 2.20 Å. Overall, the structure of N10 was found to be similar to that of the other known influenza NA structures. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that N10 lacks canonical NA activity. A detailed structural analysis revealed dramatic alterations of the conserved active site residues that are unfavorable for the binding and cleavage of terminally linked sialic acid receptors. Furthermore, an unusual 150-loop (residues 147–152) was observed to participate in the intermolecular polar interactions between adjacent N10 molecules of the N10 tetramer. Our study of influenza N10 provides insight into the structure and function of the sialidase superfamily and sheds light on the molecular mechanism of bat influenza virus infection.
Apo-intermediate in the transport cycle of lactose permease (LacY)
Authors: Madej M. Gregor , Soro Sonya N. , Kaback H. Ronald
Published: September 2012

The lactose permease (LacY) catalyzes coupled stoichiometric symport of a galactoside and an H
+
. Crystal structures reveal 12, mostly irregular, transmembrane α-helices surrounding a cavity with sugar- and H
+
- binding sites at the apex, which is accessible from the cytoplasm and sealed on the periplasmic side (an inward-facing conformer). An outward-facing model has also been proposed based on biochemical and spectroscopic measurements, as well as the X-ray structure of a related symporter. Converging lines of evidence demonstrate that LacY functions by an alternating access mechanism. Here, we generate a model for an apo-intermediate of LacY based on crystallographic coordinates of LacY and the oligopeptide/H
+
symporter. The model exhibits a conformation with an occluded cavity inaccessible from either side of the membrane. Furthermore, kinetic considerations and double electron-electron resonance measurements suggest that another occluded conformer with bound sugar exists during turnover. An energy profile for symport is also presented.
Single-molecule imaging reveals target-search mechanisms during DNA mismatch repair
Authors: Gorman Jason , Wang Feng , Redding Sy , Plys Aaron J. , Fazio Teresa , Wind Shalom , Alani Eric E. , Greene Eric C.
Published: September 2012

The ability of proteins to locate specific targets among a vast excess of nonspecific DNA is a fundamental theme in biology. Basic principles governing these search mechanisms remain poorly understood, and no study has provided direct visualization of single proteins searching for and engaging target sites. Here we use the postreplicative mismatch repair proteins MutSα and MutLα as model systems for understanding diffusion-based target searches. Using single-molecule microscopy, we directly visualize MutSα as it searches for DNA lesions, MutLα as it searches for lesion-bound MutSα, and the MutSα/MutLα complex as it scans the flanking DNA. We also show that MutLα undergoes intersite transfer between juxtaposed DNA segments while searching for lesion-bound MutSα, but this activity is suppressed upon association with MutSα, ensuring that MutS/MutL remains associated with the damage-bearing strand while scanning the flanking DNA. Our findings highlight a hierarchy of lesion- and ATP-dependent transitions involving both MutSα and MutLα, and help establish how different modes of diffusion can be used during recognition and repair of damaged DNA.
Structure of RPE65 isomerase in a lipidic matrix reveals roles for phospholipids and iron in catalysis
Authors: Kiser Philip D. , Farquhar Erik R. , Shi Wuxian , Sui Xuewu , Chance Mark R. , Palczewski Krzysztof
Published: September 2012

RPE65 is a key metalloenzyme responsible for maintaining visual function in vertebrates. Despite extensive research on this membrane-bound retinoid isomerase, fundamental questions regarding its enzymology remain unanswered. Here, we report the crystal structure of RPE65 in a membrane-like environment. These crystals, obtained from enzymatically active, nondelipidated protein, displayed an unusual packing arrangement wherein RPE65 is embedded in a lipid–detergent sheet. Structural differences between delipidated and nondelipidated RPE65 uncovered key residues involved in substrate uptake and processing. Complementary iron K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy data established that RPE65 as isolated contained a divalent iron center and demonstrated the presence of a tightly bound ligand consistent with a coordinated carboxylate group. These results support the hypothesis that the Lewis acidity of iron could be used to promote ester dissociation and generation of a carbocation intermediate required for retinoid isomerization.
Crystal structures of two subtype N10 neuraminidase-like proteins from bat influenza A viruses reveal a diverged putative active site
Authors: Zhu Xueyong , Yang Hua , Guo Zhu , Yu Wenli , Carney Paul J. , Li Yan , Chen Li-Mei , Paulson James C. , Donis Ruben O. , Tong Suxiang , Stevens James , Wilson Ian A.
Published: September 2012

Recently, we reported a unique influenza A virus subtype H17N10 from little yellow-shouldered bats. Its neuraminidase (NA) gene encodes a protein that appears to be highly divergent from all known influenza NAs and was assigned as a new subtype N10. To provide structural and functional insights on the bat H17N10 virus, X-ray structures were determined for N10 NA proteins from influenza A viruses A/little yellow-shouldered bat/Guatemala/164/2009 (GU09-164) in two crystal forms at 1.95 Å and 2.5 Å resolution and A/little yellow-shouldered bat/Guatemala/060/2010 (GU10-060) at 2.0 Å. The overall N10 structures are similar to each other and to other known influenza NA structures, with a single highly conserved calcium binding site in each monomer. However, the region corresponding to the highly conserved active site of influenza A N1-N9 NA subtypes and influenza B NA differs substantially. In particular, most of the amino acid residues required for NA activity are substituted, and the putative active site is much wider because of displacement of the 150-loop and 430-loop. These structural features and the fact that the recombinant N10 protein exhibits no, or extremely low, NA activity suggest that it may have a different function than the NA proteins of other influenza viruses. Accordingly, we propose that the N10 protein be termed an NA-like protein until its function is elucidated.
Impact of lactobacilli on orally acquired listeriosis
Authors: Archambaud Cristel , Nahori Marie-Anne , Soubigou Guillaume , Bécavin Christophe , Laval Laure , Lechat Pierre , Smokvina Tamara , Langella Philippe , Lecuit Marc , Cossart Pascale
Published: September 2012

Listeria monocytogenes
is a foodborne pathogen that crosses the intestinal barrier and disseminates within the host. Here, we report a unique comprehensive analysis of the impact of two
Lactobacillus
species,
Lactobacillus paracasei
CNCM I-3689 and
Lactobacillus casei
BL23, on
L. monocytogenes
and orally acquired listeriosis in a gnotobiotic humanized mouse model. We first assessed the effect of treatment with each
Lactobacillus
on
L. monocytogenes
counts in host tissues and showed that each decreases
L. monocytogenes
systemic dissemination in orally inoculated mice. A whole genome intestinal transcriptomic analysis revealed that each
Lactobacillus
changes expression of a specific subset of genes during infection, with IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) being the most affected by both lactobacilli. We also examined microRNA (miR) expression and showed that three miRs (miR-192, miR-200b, and miR-215) are repressed during
L. monocytogenes
infection. Treatment with each
Lactobacillus
increased miR-192 expression, whereas only
L. casei
association increased miR-200b and miR-215 expression. Finally, we showed that treatment with each
Lactobacillus
significantly reshaped the
L. monocytogenes
transcriptome and up-regulated transcription of
L. monocytogenes
genes encoding enzymes allowing utilization of intestinal carbon and nitrogen sources in particular genes involved in propanediol and ethanolamine catabolism and cobalamin biosynthesis. Altogether, these data reveal that the modulation of
L. monocytogenes
infection by treatment with lactobacilli correlates with a decrease in host gene expression, in particular ISGs, miR regulation, and a dramatic reshaping of
L. monocytogenes
transcriptome.
Complex oncogene dependence in microRNA-125a–induced myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Guo Shangqin , Bai Haitao , Megyola Cynthia M. , Halene Stephanie , Krause Diane S. , Scadden David T. , Lu Jun
Published: September 2012

Deregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression can lead to cancer initiation and progression. However, limited information exists on the function of miRNAs in cancer maintenance. We examined these issues in the case of myeloproliferative diseases and neoplasms (MPN), a collection of hematopoietic neoplasms regarded as preleukemic, thereby representing early neoplastic states. We report here that microRNA-125a (miR-125a)–induced MPN display a complex manner of oncogene dependence. Following a gain-of-function genomics screen, we overexpressed candidate miR-125a in vivo, which led to phenotypes consistent with an atypical MPN characterized by leukocytosis, monocytosis, splenomegaly, and progressive anemia. The diseased MPN state could be recapitulated in a doxycycline-inducible mouse model. Upon doxycycline withdrawal, the primary MPN phenotypes rapidly resolved after the discontinuation of miR-125a overexpression. However, reinduction of miR-125a led to complex phenotypes, with some animals rapidly developing lethal anemia with extensive damages in the spleen. Forced expression of miR-125a resulted in elevated cellular tyrosine phosphorylation and hypersensitivity toward hematopoietic cytokines. Furthermore, we demonstrate that miR-125a targets multiple protein phosphatases. Our data demonstrate that miR-125a–induced MPN is addicted to its sustained overexpression, and highlight the complex nature of oncogenic miRNA dependence in an early neoplastic state.
Retinoic acid induces Sertoli cell paracrine signals for spermatogonia differentiation but cell autonomously drives spermatocyte meiosis
Authors: Raverdeau Mathilde , Gely-Pernot Aurore , Féret Betty , Dennefeld Christine , Benoit Gérard , Davidson Irwin , Chambon Pierre , Mark Manuel , Ghyselinck Norbert B.
Published: September 2012

Direct evidence for a role of endogenous retinoic acid (RA), the active metabolite of vitamin A in the initial differentiation and meiotic entry of spermatogonia, and thus in the initiation of spermatogenesis is still lacking. RA is synthesized by dedicated enzymes, the retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDH), and binds to and activates nuclear RA receptors (RARA, RARB, and RARG) either within the RA-synthesizing cells or in the neighboring cells. In the present study, we have used a combination of somatic genetic ablations and pharmacological approaches in vivo to show that during the first, prepubertal, spermatogenic cycle (i) RALDH-dependent synthesis of RA by Sertoli cells (SC), the supporting cells of the germ cell (GC) lineage, is indispensable to initiate differentiation of A aligned into A1 spermatogonia; (ii) RARA in SC mediates the effects of RA, possibly through activatingMafbexpression, a gene whoseDrosophilahomolog is mandatory to GC differentiation; (iii) RA synthesized by premeiotic spermatocytes cell autonomously induces meiotic initiation through controlling the RAR-dependent expression ofStra8. Furthermore, we show that RA of SC origin is no longer necessary for the subsequent spermatogenic cycles but essential to spermiation. Altogether, our data establish that the effects of RA in vivo on spermatogonia differentiation are indirect, via SC, but direct on meiotic initiation in spermatocytes, supporting thereby the notion that, contrary to the situation in the female, RA is necessary to induce meiosis in the male.
Group I PAKs function downstream of Rac to promote podosome invasion during myoblast fusion in vivo
Authors: Duan Rui , Jin Peng , Luo Fengbao , Zhang Guofeng , Anderson Nathan , Chen Elizabeth H.
Published: September 2012

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) play essential roles in diverse cellular processes and are required for cell proliferation, apoptosis, polarity establishment, migration, and cell shape changes. Here, we have identified a novel function for the group I PAKs in cell–cell fusion. We show that the two Drosophila group I PAKs, DPak3 and DPak1, have partially redundant functions in myoblast fusion in vivo, with DPak3 playing a major role. DPak3 is enriched at the site of fusion colocalizing with the F-actin focus within a podosome-like structure (PLS), and promotes actin filament assembly during PLS invasion. Although the small GTPase Rac is involved in DPak3 activation and recruitment to the PLS, the kinase activity of DPak3 is required for effective PLS invasion. We propose a model whereby group I PAKs act downstream of Rac to organize the actin filaments within the PLS into a dense focus, which in turn promotes PLS invasion and fusion pore initiation during myoblast fusion.
Mad2 and the APC/C compete for the same site on Cdc20 to ensure proper chromosome segregation
Authors: Izawa Daisuke , Pines Jonathon
Published: September 2012

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is essential to ensure proper chromosome segregation and thereby maintain genomic stability. The SAC monitors chromosome attachment, and any unattached chromosomes generate a “wait anaphase” signal that blocks chromosome segregation. The target of the SAC is Cdc20, which activates the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) that triggers anaphase and mitotic exit by ubiquitylating securin and cyclin B1. The inhibitory complex formed by the SAC has recently been shown to inhibit Cdc20 by acting as a pseudosubstrate inhibitor, but in this paper, we show that Mad2 also inhibits Cdc20 by binding directly to a site required to bind the APC/C. Mad2 and the APC/C competed for Cdc20 in vitro, and a Cdc20 mutant that does not bind stably to Mad2 abrogated the SAC in vivo. Thus, we provide insights into how Cdc20 binds the APC/C and uncover a second mechanism by which the SAC inhibits the APC/C.
A role for the RNA pol II–associated PAF complex in AID-induced immune diversification
Authors: Willmann Katharina L. , Milosevic Sara , Pauklin Siim , Schmitz Kerstin-Maike , Rangam Gopinath , Simon Maria T. , Maslen Sarah , Skehel Mark , Robert Isabelle , Heyer Vincent , Schiavo Ebe , Reina-San-Martin Bernardo , Petersen-Mahrt Svend K.
Published: September 2012

Antibody diversification requires the DNA deaminase AID to induce DNA instability at immunoglobulin (Ig) loci upon B cell stimulation. For efficient cytosine deamination, AID requires single-stranded DNA and needs to gain access to Ig loci, with RNA pol II transcription possibly providing both aspects. To understand these mechanisms, we isolated and characterized endogenous AID-containing protein complexes from the chromatin of diversifying B cells. The majority of proteins associated with AID belonged to RNA polymerase II elongation and chromatin modification complexes. Besides the two core polymerase subunits, members of the PAF complex, SUPT5H, SUPT6H, and FACT complex associated with AID. We show that AID associates with RNA polymerase-associated factor 1 (PAF1) through its N-terminal domain, that depletion of PAF complex members inhibits AID-induced immune diversification, and that the PAF complex can serve as a binding platform for AID on chromatin. A model is emerging of how RNA polymerase II elongation and pausing induce and resolve AID lesions.
THE DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CUSHING SYNDROME IN A PATIENT WITH CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY
Authors: Cunneen Thomas S. , Tridgell David
Published: September 2012

Purpose:

To describe a case whereby the dexamethasone suppression test was used to diagnose Cushing syndrome in a patient presenting with central serous chorioretinopathy.

Methods:

A 60-year-old woman presented with central serous chorioretinopathy and was investigated with the dexamethasone suppression test; the result was positive and lead to a diagnosis of an adrenal tumor.

Results:

The adrenal tumor was removed and her central serous chorioretinopathy resolved.

Conclusion:

The dexamethasone suppression test can be used safely in an outpatient procedure to investigate cases of central serous chorioretinopathy, and it may be a useful screening tool in these patients.
An exploratory study on executive management education through technology mediated distance learning in India
Authors: Krishnan T.N.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Online education is becoming a major mode of learning, especially for working executives. An assessment of this learning mode is important to evaluate the quality of learning and may provide useful directions to effective management of online learning. This paper aims to focus on these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research methodology was adopted to explore such issues as the reasons for undertaking web‐based executive management education programs, the contributors to the learning effectiveness of such a program, and the individual and organizational expectations for undertaking or supporting such a program.

Findings

It was found that there are some unique results in the Indian web‐based executive education context, especially on the contributors to learning effectiveness. The most commonly mentioned reasons for undertaking an executive management education program are to gain knowledge/skills and to better handle present or future roles, while the most commonly expected outcome after completion refers to personal development/satisfaction and improved performance in the present job. The most important factors contributing to learning effectiveness relate to pedagogical factors and course design factors.

Originality/value

While abundant research exists on web based management education in the Western context, the reasons for undertaking web‐based executive management education programs, the contributors to learning effectiveness of such a program, and the expectations for undertaking such a program are still not well understood in the Indian context. This study provides useful pointers to these questions.
The influential internal consultant
Authors: Kim Barnes B. , Scott Beverly
Published: September 2012

Purpose

In many organizations, professionals who were once in supportive roles or considered subject matter experts are now expected to take a consulting role in order to facilitate change in their area of expertise. Most, whilst skilled and knowledgeable in their field, have no training in the skills required to be a successful consultant and agent of change. They need to understand and manage the process of consulting and develop new skills; one of the key skill‐sets is interpersonal influence. This article aims to focus on the issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop in detail the applications of influence skills to the process of internal consulting.

Findings

Good influence skills are essential for success as an internal consultant, since by definition people in that role cannot mandate change. Both expressive and receptive influence behaviors are useful at various phases of the consulting process. Developing the skills and knowing when and how to use the different behaviors described can be invaluable to professionals in an internal consulting role.

Research limitations/implications

This is not a research paper, but the authors are open to suggestions as to research possibilities.

Practical implications

Anyone in an internal consulting role can gain value from thinking of him or herself as an influencer and being thoughtful in how he or she uses influence skills to achieve the results required or expected from a specific consulting engagement or project.

Social implications

An open discussion about mutual influence skills and strategies can enhance working relationships and make it easier to achieve results in complex organizations and situations.

Originality/value

Very little has been studied or written about the skills required to be an internal consultant, though much has been written about the process of external consulting. The authors' observations and experience have led them to conclude that the roles are quite different and that internal consultants must depend on their interpersonal influence skills to a greater degree in order to achieve successful results.
University libraries and the postgraduate student: physical and virtual spaces
Authors: Beard Colin , Bawden David
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This study aims to examine the library/information issues affecting graduate students, both those on taught courses and those undertaking research. It seeks to focus specifically on their perceptions of the value to them of physical and digital resources and spaces, and how well their needs were being met.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire survey of students was complemented by a series of face‐to‐face interviews with library staff.

Findings

This group of students are different from undergraduates, whose information behaviour has more often been studied. They require silent study space, are enthusiastic book borrowers, and have limited interest in social media in the library. They have a strong requirement for digital resources and IT support, and are not inclined to ask for assistance from librarians.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to three English universities, although they are sufficiently varied in nature to make the results more widely applicable.

Practical implications

The survey provides evidence for librarians in universities and colleges serving graduate students as to the best form of provision, and for any library seeking to make best use of its space as resources become increasingly digital.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies to examine the information behaviour and needs of advanced students. It contributes to the debate on the future of the library as place in a digital age.
Library services in the media environment: a students' perspective
Authors: Grosch Michael
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to show which media are accepted by students in higher education and which are not. It explains how library media services and other text and information media are related to each other and what part they play in the whole media and learning environment. It examines which library services are most important to students and on which areas university libraries should focus when developing strategies for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Two student surveys and one teacher survey were carried out at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in 2009 and 2011. They measured the acceptance of 45 media services by using a fully standardized print questionnaire. Possible influence factors were also evaluated.

Findings

The acceptance of electronic text media amongst students is still growing, while acceptance of print media is decreasing. The use of external text‐related services is growing, while the use of the internal library catalogue is declining. A certain student user type who prefers text media seems of high interest.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that libraries should focus on the different types of electronic text in their strategy and should refrain from implementing media services with a low rate acceptance, for example wikis, Twitter or weblogs.

Originality/value

The research carried out here draws a comprehensive picture of how students use media in their studies and how they accept the different kinds of media services compared to each other. The survey reveals hidden structures and classifies media and media users into certain types.
Faculty response to ethical issues at an American university in the Middle‐East
Authors: Tabsh Sami W. , El Kadi Hany A. , Abdelfatah Akmal S.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The objective of this study is to get feedback on faculty perception of ethical issues related to teaching, scholarship and service at a relatively new American‐style university in the Middle‐East.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire involving 21 scenarios with multiple choice answers was developed and distributed to all faculty at the institution to get their opinion on the issues. The effects of faculty background, gender, rank, and administrative responsibilities on the obtained responses at the institution were considered.

Findings

The findings include: about one‐third of the faculty participants were unaware of the university's code of ethics; several of the faculty surveyed stated that they would ignore violations of an ethical code of conduct committed by colleagues; and there was no definite trend observed between the responses of faculty based on their discipline.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a questionnaire; this implies that the faculty responses are mainly related to the questions posed in the questionnaire.

Practical implications

The results of the study can be used by the higher administration at similar universities in the region in order to understand and assess faculty members' reaction to situations involving ethical behaviour.

Originality/value

This work is believed to be the first on faculty perception of ethical behaviour at an institution of higher education in the Middle‐East.
Proclaimed graduate attributes of Australian universities: patterns, problems and prospects
Authors: Donleavy Gabriel
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Graduate attributes are about to be policed by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in Australia. All universities proclaim them on their public web sites. The aim of this paper is to determine whether distinct patterns or clusters are apparent in the declared graduate attributes declared by Australian universities on their web sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Work by scholars in the field of graduate attribute building is discussed, with particular reference to the tension between disciplinarity and attribute building and the relative failure of techniques so far espoused to demonstrate student attainment of graduate attributes. Some promising approaches to the serious problems of building and demonstrating graduate attributes are captured, and some recommendations for addressing the urgent and serious issues confronting the sector are put forward.

Findings

Graduate attributes of each university are publicly available and these can be related to discussions of employer satisfaction and university value systems. An inspection of the top five attributes for each cluster of universities reveals significant cross cluster variation.

Research limitations/implications

Content analysis of web sites is a crude instrument for gauging the real importance universities attach to their graduate attributes, even at the level of their discourse. Further research is needed on the isomorphism and decoupling going on with graduate attributes and employer expectations of universities.

Social implications

There are grounds for hope that universities have not completely forgotten their role in society in favour of their competitive market gameplays.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to display graduate attributes as ranked by clusters of Australian universities and by the whole sector; it is the first paper to link the accreditation risk from TEQSA with the relative vacuity of GA embedding processes to date.
The value of upstream recognition of goals in supply chains
Authors: Oosterhuis Marian , van der Vaart Taco , Molleman Eric
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The literature on supply chain management has focused on the benefits of frequent and strategic communication in supply chains. However, it has paid much less attention to the difficulties and conflicts associated with day‐to‐day communications in supply chains. This discrepancy is surprising because operational communications play a crucial role in supply chain management. In this paper, the aim is to investigate when operational, day‐to‐day communications in supply chains become linked with conflicts and how these conflicts can be prevented.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed respondents from the partner firms of 81 different supply chains. The data from 380 surveys were examined with moderated regression analyses.

Findings

The findings indicate that operational communications are linked with conflicts if upstream parties in supply chains do not recognise the importance that their downstream partners attach to certain performance objectives.

Research limitations/implications

First, the paper goes beyond the benefits of communication and demonstrates that communication in supply chains can also have drawbacks. Moreover, the paper shows how upstream goal recognition helps parties avoid conflicts in their day‐to‐day communications.

Practical implications

The study points to the importance of developing upstream goal recognition in supply chains and provides several suggestions to promote upstream goal recognition.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to supply chain communication research by going beyond the benefits of communication and highlighting the difficulties that can accompany day‐to‐day operational communications. Moreover, it provides an explanation for the conditions under which operational communications are associated with conflict.
In‐depth joint supply chain learning: towards a framework
Authors: Lambrechts Frank , Taillieu Tharsi , Grieten Styn , Poisquet Johan
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a conceptual framework for understanding how in‐depth joint supply chain learning can be successfully developed. This kind of learning is becoming increasingly important in highly turbulent and uncertain economic environments of new and growing interdependencies and complexities.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a “synthesizing” or “bricolage” approach, key insights, now dispersed over a variety of literatures and disciplines, are integrated to develop the framework.

Findings

The leading facilitative actor's orientations, competencies and behavior play a significant role in enhancing the relationships between the supply chain actors shaping in‐depth joint learning. Starting with establishing interaction boundary conditions by the leading actor, this process is likely to lead to system‐level generative outcomes. These outcomes, in turn, serve the process cycle of in‐depth joint learning as inputs for the relationship building process among all the actors.

Research limitations/implications

By centering on the actual shaping of in‐depth joint learning, and the concrete enactment of roles by protagonists enhancing this process, the paper has opened the black box. Future research should refine the framework.

Practical implications

Apart from giving insight into the repertoire of relational competencies and behaviors needed to enhance the relationship building process conducive to in‐depth joint learning, the paper addresses how these skills can be developed in practice and education.

Originality/value

The paper identifies several implications for research, practice, and education. Instead of focusing predominantly on the content, procedure, levers, or outcomes of learning, the relational construction of the learning process itself is clarified.
Variation and uncertainty buffering: a grocery supply case
Authors: Stratton Roy
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The key constructs and causal relationships underpinning supply chain dynamics have long been established but this understanding is not readily related to more recently developed supply chain models and theory. The purpose of this paper is to use a case to investigate how selected constructs (variation, uncertainty, performance trade‐offs and buffering mechanisms) may be used to show the dominant causal relationships and through that enhance the theoretical explanation of such models.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a single case study that was selected because the transition in supply chain management strategy clearly questioned the need for improved causal reasoning. The case research sources include interviews, temporal performance data and multiple site visits across three echelons of the supply chain.

Findings

The cause and effect logic underpinning the case transition have been explained and mapped using these constructs which have then been used to propose enhancements to the Fisher supply chain strategy model in generalising theoretical guidance.

Practical implications

These constructs, together with the generic strategies, provide additional clarity concerning generic options for strategic improvement as well as causal understanding of the buffering implications.

Originality/value

This paper uses a case study to enhance current theory by exploring means of better supporting theoretical prediction and explanation.
Strategic analysis of offshore migration of polluting firms and suppliers: an option value perspective
Authors: Lee Tzong‐Ru (Jiun‐Shen) , Chen Yenming J.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper, being complementary to existing perspectives, aims to examine the behaviors and the strategies of production migration of polluting firms from an economic point of view under appropriate decision conditions in terms of uncertain influence of supply chain support and green technology progress.

Design/methodology/approach

Strategic alternatives are investigated by using option pricing tools to examine the impact of various characteristics of green technology development and supply chain relations on the timing of the decision.

Findings

The theoretical and empirical results show that a polluting firm should not consider the option of relocating to offshore countries if uncertainty has been anticipated. It is suggested that, by facing green technology development uncertainty, a firm should be refrained from relocating production abroad if technology develops and offshore cost advantage disappears soon. On the other hand, a pre‐emptive migration strategy is preferable when the green technology is anticipated to be delayed.

Practical implications

A polluting firm in a supply chain faces challenges of uncertainty depending on whether it decides to produce domestically or to relocate internationally. The analysis conveys a concept that polluting firms can be more profitable by promoting clean production technology, instead of relocating to offshore or so called pollution havens.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing literature on the evaluation of offshore migration option values by taking extra consideration of uncertainty in the supply chain cost, green technology progress and complementing to studies in a moral perspective.
Regulation and firm perception, eco‐innovation and firm performance
Authors: Doran Justin , Ryan Geraldine
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Recent reports argue that eco‐innovation is the key to realising growth. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which drive eco‐innovation and test if eco‐innovating firms perform better than non‐eco‐innovating firms. The paper provides insights into the role government regulation can play in directing and stimulating eco‐innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach utilised by this paper is empirical in nature. Using a sample of 2,181 firms, gathered as part of the Irish Community Survey 2006‐2008, the authors estimate a modified innovation production function in order to assess the impact of regulation, consumer expectations and voluntary agreements on the performance of eco‐innovation, subsequently a knowledge augmented production function is estimated to assess the impact of eco‐innovation on firm performance.

Findings

The findings suggest that regulation and customer perception can explain a firm's decision to engage in eco‐innovation. Eco‐innovation is also found to be more important than non‐eco‐innovation in determining firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited availability of accounting data this paper uses turnover per worker as the measure of firm performance. As a result, it is not possible to assess the impact of eco‐innovation on firm costs.

Social implications

The finding that regulation drives eco‐innovation, and that there is no trade‐off between eco‐innovation and higher profit margins for innovating firms, suggests that regulators and policy makers can stimulate growth and create a greener society.

Originality/value

This paper provides an empirical analysis of the Porter and van der Linde's theory of environmental regulation and firm performance using novel real world data from over 2,000 Irish businesses.