bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ArabidopsisHAP2/GCS1 is a gamete fusion protein homologous to somatic and viral fusogens
Authors: Valansi Clari , Moi David , Leikina Evgenia , Matveev Elena , Graña Martín , Chernomordik Leonid V , Romero Héctor , Aguilar Pablo S. , Podbilewicz Benjamin
Published: January 2017

Cell-cell fusion is inherent to any form of sexual reproduction. Loss of HAPLESS 2/GENERATIVE CELL SPECIFIC 1 (HAP2/GCS1) proteins results in gamete fusion failure in different organisms but their exact role is unclear. Here we show thatArabidopsisHAP2/GCS1 expression in mammalian cells is sufficient to promote cell-cell fusion. Hemifusion and complete fusion depend on HAP2/GCS1 presence in both fusing cells. Furthermore, expression of HAP2 on the surface of pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus and on the target cells results in HAP2-dependent virus-cell fusion. This bilateral requirement can be bypassed by replacing the plant gene withC. elegansEFF-1 somatic cell fusogen in one of the fusing cells or the virus, indicating that HAP2/GCS1 and EFF-1 share a similar fusion mechanism. Structural modeling of the HAP2/GCS1 protein family predicts that they are homologous to EFF-1 and class II fusion proteins from enveloped viruses (e.g. dengue and Zika viruses). We name this superfamily FUSEXINS: FUSion proteins essential for sexual reproduction and EXoplasmic merger of plasma membranes. Thus, Fusexins unify the origin and evolution of sexual reproduction, enveloped virus entry into cells and somatic cell fusion.
Density-based clustering: A ‘landscape view’ of multi-channel neural data for inference and dynamic complexity analysis
Authors: Baglietto Gabriel , Gigante Guido , Del Giudice Paolo
Published: January 2017

Simultaneous recordings from N electrodes generate N-dimensional time series that call for efficient representations to expose relevant aspects of the underlying dynamics.

Binning the time series defines a sequence of neural activity vectors that populate the N-dimensional space as a density distribution, especially informative when the neural dynamics proceeds as a noisy path through metastable states (often a case of interest in neuroscience); this makes clustering in the N-dimensional space a natural choice.

We apply a variant of the ‘mean-shift’ algorithm to perform such clustering, and validate it on an Hopfield network in the glassy phase, in which metastable states are largely uncorrelated from memory attractors.

The neural states identified as clusters’ centroids are then used to define a parsimonious parametrization of the synaptic matrix, which allows a significant improvement in inferring the synaptic couplings from the neural activities.

We next consider the more realistic case of a multi-modular spiking network, with spike-frequency adaptation inducing history-dependent effects; we develop a procedure, inspired by Boltzmann learning but extending its domain of application, to learn inter-module synaptic couplings so that the spiking network reproduces a prescribed pattern of spatial correlations.

After clustering the activity generated by such multi-modular spiking networks, we cast their multi-dimensional dynamics in the form of the symbolic sequence of the clusters’ centroids; this representation naturally lends itself to complexity estimates that provide compact information on memory effects like those induced by spike-frequency adaptation. Specifically, to obtain a relative complexity measure we compare the Lempel-Ziv complexity of the actual centroid sequence to the one of Markov processes sharing the same transition probabilities between centroids; as an illustration, we show that the dependence of such relative complexity on the characteristic time scale of spike-frequency adaptation.
In Vitro Reconstitution of T Cell Receptor–Mediated Segregation of the CD45 Phosphatase
Authors: B. Carbone Catherine , kerm Nadja , A. Fernandes Ricardo , Hui Enfu , Su Xiaolei , Garcia K. Christopher , Vale Ronald D.
Published: January 2017

T cell signaling initiates upon binding of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) on an antigen-presenting cell (APC) to the T cell receptor (TCR) on a T cell. TCR phosphorylation in response to pMHC binding is accompanied by segregation of the transmembrane phosphatase CD45 away from TCR-pMHC complexes. The kinetic segregation hypothesis proposes that CD45 exclusion shifts the local kinase-phosphatase balance to favor TCR phosphorylation. Spatial partitioning may arise from the size difference between the large CD45 extracellular domain and the smaller TCR-pMHC complex, although parsing potential contributions of extracellular protein size, actin activity, and lipid domains is difficult in living cells. Here, we reconstitute segregation of CD45 from bound receptor-ligand pairs using purified proteins on model membranes. Using a model receptor-ligand pair (FRB-FKBP), we first test physical and computational predictions for protein organization at membrane interfaces. We then show that the TCR-pMHC interaction causes partial exclusion of CD45. Comparing two developmentally-regulated isoforms of CD45, the larger RABCvariant is excluded more rapidly and efficiently (~50%) than the smaller R0isoform (~20%), suggesting that CD45 isotypes could regulate signaling thresholds in different T cell subtypes. Similar to the sensitivity of T cell signaling, TCR-pMHC interactions with Kds of ≤15 μM were needed to exclude CD45. We further show that the co-receptor PD-1 with its ligand PD-L1, immunotherapy targets that inhibit T cell signaling, also exclude CD45. These results demonstrate that the binding energies of physiological receptor-ligand pairs on the T cell are sufficient to create spatial organization at membrane-membrane interfaces.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The interface between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC) results in the formation of biochemically distinct plasma membrane domains that initiate signaling cascades. Here, using biochemical reconstitution and microscopy, we show that the binding energies of the TCRpMHC and PD-1-PD-L1 complexes are sufficient to create spatial organization at a model membrane-membrane interface. We show that spatial organization depends upon receptor-ligand binding affinity and the relative sizes of the extracellular domains. These biophysical parameters may be used to fine-tune signaling cascades in T cells.
Evolution of genetic variance during adaptive radiation
Authors: Walter Greg M. , Aguirre J. David , Blows Mark W. , Ortiz-Barrientos Daniel
Published: January 2017

Genetic correlations between traits can bias adaptation away from optimal phenotypes and constrain the rate of evolution. If genetic correlations between traits limit adaptation to contrasting environments, rapid adaptive divergence across a heterogeneous landscape may be difficult. However, if genetic variance can evolve and align with the direction of natural selection, then abundant allelic variation can promote rapid divergence during adaptive radiation. Here, we explored adaptive divergence among ecotypes of an Australian native wildflower by quantifying divergence in multivariate phenotypes of populations that occupy four contrasting environments. We investigated differences in multivariate genetic variance underlying morphological traits and examined the alignment between divergence in phenotype and divergence in genetic variance. We found that divergence in mean multivariate phenotype has occurred along two major axes represented by different combinations of plant architecture and leaf traits. Ecotypes also showed divergence in the level of genetic variance in individual traits, and the multivariate distribution of genetic variance among traits. Divergence in multivariate phenotypic mean aligned with divergence in genetic variance, with most of the divergence in phenotype among ecotypes associated with a change in trait combinations that had substantial levels of genetic variance in each ecotype. Overall, our results suggest that divergent natural selection acting on high levels of standing genetic variation might fuel ecotypic differentiation during the early stages of adaptive radiation.
Wiring variations that enable and constrain neural computation in a sensory microcircuit
Authors: Tobin William F. , Wilson Rachel I. , Lee Wei-Chung Allen
Published: January 2017

Neural network function can be shaped by varying the strength of synaptic connections. One way to achieve this is to vary connection structure. To investigate how structural variation among synaptic connections might affect neural computation, we examined primary afferent connections in theDrosophilaolfactory system. We used large-scale serial section electron microscopy to reconstruct all the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) axons that target a left-right pair of glomeruli, as well as all the projection neurons (PNs) postsynaptic to these ORNs. We found three variations in ORN→PN connectivity. First, we found a systematic co-variation in synapse number and PN dendrite size, suggesting total synaptic conductance is tuned to postsynaptic excitability. Second, we discovered that PNs receive more synapses from ipsilateral than contralateral ORNs, providing a structural basis for odor lateralization behavior. Finally, we found evidence of imprecision in ORN→PN connections and show how this can diminish network performance.
Chemical composition and the potential for proteomic transformation in cancer, hypoxia, and hyperosmotic stress
Authors: Dick Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2017

Models of chemical composition and thermodynamic potential emphasize the microenvironmental context for proteomic transformations. Here, data from 71 comparative proteomics studies were analyzed using elemental ratios and chemical components as measures of oxidation and hydration state. Experimental lowering of oxygen availability (hypoxia) and water activity (hyperosmotic stress) are reflected in decreased oxidation and hydration states of proteomes, but up-expressed proteins in colorectal and pancreatic cancer most often have higher average oxidation or hydration state. Calculations of chemical affinity were used to quantify the thermodynamic potentials for transformation of proteomes as a function of fugacity of O2and activity of H2O, which serve as scales of oxidation and hydration potential. Potential diagrams for the overall reactions between down- and up-expressed proteins in various datasets have predicted equipotential lines that cluster near unit activity of H2O, suggesting that protein expression is sensitive to local variations in water activity. A redox balance calculation indicates that an increase in the lipid to protein ratio in cancer cells by 20% over hypoxic cells would generate an electron sink of sufficient size for oxidation of the cancer proteomes. These findings demonstrate consistent, condition-dependent chemical differences between proteomes, identify primary microenvironmental constraints on proteomic transformations, and help to quantify the redox balance among cellular macromolecules. The datasets and computer code used here are supplied in a new R package,canprot.
Multi-Region Neural Representation: A novel model for decoding visual stimuli in human brains
Authors: Yousefnezhad Muhammad , Zhang Daoqiang
Published: January 2017

Multivariate Pattern (MVP) classification holds enormous potential for decoding visual stimuli in the human brain by employing task-based fMRI data sets. There is a wide range of challenges in the MVP techniques, i.e. decreasing noise and sparsity, defining effective regions of interest (ROIs), visualizing results, and the cost of brain studies. In overcoming these challenges, this paper proposes a novel model of neural representation, which can automatically detect the active regions for each visual stimulus and then utilize these anatomical regions for visualizing and analyzing the functional activities. Therefore, this model provides an opportunity for neuroscientists to ask this question: what is the effect of a stimulus on each of the detected regions instead of just study the fluctuation of voxels in the manually selected ROIs. Moreover, our method introduces analyzing snapshots of brain image for decreasing sparsity rather than using the whole of fMRI time series. Further, a new Gaussian smoothing method is proposed for removing noise of voxels in the level of ROIs. The proposed method enables us to combine different fMRI data sets for reducing the cost of brain studies. Experimental studies on 4 visual categories (words, consonants, objects and nonsense photos) confirm that the proposed method achieves superior performance to state-of-the-art methods.
Correlated patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation across an avian family
Authors: Van Doren Benjamin M. , Campagna Leonardo , Helm Barbara , Illera Juan Carlos , Lovette Irby J. , Liedvogel Miriam
Published: January 2017

Comparative studies of genomic differentiation among independent lineages can provide insights into aspects of the speciation process, such as the relative importance of selection and drift in shaping genomic landscapes, the role of genomic regions of high differentiation, and the prevalence of convergent molecular evolution. We investigated patterns of genetic diversity and divergence in stonechats (genusSaxicola), a widely distributed avian species complex with phenotypic variation in plumage, morphology, and migratory behavior, to ask whether similar genomic regions are important in the evolution of independent, but closely related, taxa. We used whole-genome pooled sequencing of 262 individuals from 5 taxa and found that patterns of genetic diversity and divergence are highly similar among different stonechat taxa. We then asked if these patterns remain correlated at deeper evolutionary scales and found that homologous genomic regions have become differentiated in stonechats and the closely relatedFicedulaflycatchers. Such correlation across a range of evolutionary divergence and among phylogenetically independent comparisons suggests that similar processes may be driving the differentiation of these independently evolving lineages, which in turn may be the result of intrinsic properties of particular genomic regions (e.g., areas of low recombination). Consequently, studies employing genome scans to search for areas important in reproductive isolation should account for corresponding regions of differentiation, as these regions may not necessarily represent speciation islands or facilitate local adaptation.
Growth is required for perception of water availability to pattern plant root branches
Authors: Robbins Neil E. , Dinneny José R.
Published: January 2017

Water availability is a potent regulator of development in plants and acts as a positional cue to induce root branching through a process termed hydropatterning. The mechanism by which roots perceive the spatial distribution of water to position lateral branches is unknown. Here we reveal that a root's developmental competence for hydropatterning is limited to the root tip, where tissue growth occurs. Mathematical modeling suggests that water uptake during growth creates spatial biases in tissue water potential, and we show that these gradients predict the position of future lateral branches. By altering growth dynamics with exogenous chemical and environmental treatments, we demonstrate that growth is necessary to allow roots to distinguish environments with relatively high or low water availability and pattern branching accordingly. Furthermore, we show that these cues regulate a number of other physiologically important pathways. Our work supports a sense-by-growth mechanism governing lateral root hydropatterning, in which water availability cues are rendered interpretable through growth-sustained water movement.
Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy and microphthalmia with linear skin defects syndrome: phenotypes linked by truncating variants in NDUFB11
Authors: Rea Gillian , Homfray Tessa , Till Jan , Roses-Noguer Ferran , Buchan Rachel J. , Wilkinson Sam , Wilk Alicja , Walsh Roddy , John Shibu , McKee Shane , Stewart Fiona J. , Murday Victoria , Taylor Robert W. , Ashworth Michael , Baksi A. John , Daubeney Piers , Prasad Sanjay , Barton Paul J.R. , Cook Stuart A. , Ware James S.
Published: January 2017

Variants in NDUFB11, which encodes a structural component of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC), were recently independently reported to cause histiocytoid cardiomyopathy (histiocytoid CM) and microphthalmia with linear skin defects syndrome (MLS syndrome). Here we report an additional case of histiocytoid CM, which carries a de novo nonsense variant in NDUFB11 (ENST00000276062.8: c.262C > T; p.[Arg88*]) identified using whole-exome sequencing (WES) of a family trio. An identical variant has been previously reported in association with MLS syndrome. The case we describe here lacked the diagnostic features of MLS syndrome, but a detailed clinical comparison of the two cases revealed significant phenotypic overlap. Heterozygous variants in HCCS (which encodes an important mitochondrially targeted protein) and COX7B, which, like NDUFB11, encodes a protein of the MRC, have also previously been identified in MLS syndrome including a case with features of both MLS syndrome and histiocytoid CM. However, a systematic review of WES data from previously published histiocytoid CM cases, alongside four additional cases presented here for the first time, did not identify any variants in these genes. We conclude that NDUFB11 variants play a role in the pathogenesis of both histiocytoid CM and MLS and that these disorders are allelic (genetically related).
Exome sequencing identifies de novo pathogenic variants in FBN1 and TRPS1 in a patient with a complex connective tissue phenotype
Authors: Zastrow Diane B. , Zornio Patricia A. , Dries Annika , Kohler Jennefer , Fernandez Liliana , Waggott Daryl , Walkiewicz Magdalena , Eng Christine M. , Manning Melanie A. , Farrelly Ellyn ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Fisher Paul G. , Ashley Euan A. , Bernstein Jonathan A. , Wheeler Matthew T.
Published: January 2017

Here we describe a patient who presented with a history of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, inguinal hernia, and recurrent umbilical hernia. She also has joint laxity, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features. A unifying diagnosis was not identified based on her clinical phenotype. As part of her evaluation through the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, trio whole-exome sequencing was performed. Pathogenic variants in FBN1 and TRPS1 were identified as causing two distinct autosomal dominant conditions, each with de novo inheritance. Fibrillin 1 (FBN1) mutations are associated with Marfan syndrome and a spectrum of similar phenotypes. TRPS1 mutations are associated with trichorhinophalangeal syndrome types I and III. Features of both conditions are evident in the patient reported here. Discrepant features of the conditions (e.g., stature) and the young age of the patient may have made a clinical diagnosis more difficult in the absence of exome-wide genetic testing.
Analysis of the Budding Yeast Cell Cycle by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Rosebrock Adam P.
Published: January 2017

DNA synthesis is one of the landmark events in the cell cycle: G1 cells have one copy of the genome, S phase cells are actively engaged in DNA synthesis, and G2 cells have twice as much nuclear DNA as G1 cells. Cellular DNA content can be measured by staining with a fluorescent dye followed by a flow-cytometric readout. This method provides a quantitative measurement of cell cycle position on a cell-by-cell basis at high speed. Using flow cytometry, tens of thousands of single-cell measurements can be generated in a few seconds. This protocol details staining of cells of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for flow cytometry using Sytox Green dye in a method that can be scaled widely—from one sample to many thousands and operating on inputs ranging from 1 million to more than 100 million cells. Flow cytometry is preferred over light microscopy or Coulter analyses for the analysis of the cell cycle as DNA content and cell cycle position are being directly measured.
Preparing Fission Yeast for Electron Microscopy
Authors: Giddings Thomas H. , Morphew Mary K. , McIntosh J. Richard
Published: January 2017

Freezing samples while simultaneously subjecting them to a rapid increase in pressure, which inhibits ice crystal formation, is a reliable method for cryofixing fission yeast. The procedure consists simply of harvesting cells and loading them into a high-pressure freezer (HPF), and then operating the device. If equipment for high-pressure freezing is not available, fission yeast can be frozen by plunging a monolayer of cells into a liquid cryogen, usually ethane or propane. Unlike the HPF, where relatively large volumes of cells can be frozen in a single run, plunge freezing requires cells to be dispersed in a layer <20 µm thick. Unless frozen cells are to be imaged in the vitreous state, they must be fixed, dehydrated, and embedded for subsequent study by transmission electron microscopy; warming frozen cells without fixation badly damages cell structure. Fixation is best accomplished by freeze-substitution, a process in which frozen water is removed from samples by a water-miscible solvent that is liquid at a temperature low enough to prevent the cellular water from recrystallizing. Low concentrations of chemical fixatives and stains are generally added to this solvent such that they permeate the cells as the water is replaced. The activity of these additives is quite limited at the low temperatures required for minimizing ice crystal formation, but they are in the right place to react effectively as the cells warm up. Step-by-step protocols for HPF, plunge freezing, and freeze-substitution are provided here.
Preparing Brain Slices to Study Basic Synaptic Properties
Authors: Xu-Friedman Matthew A.
Published: January 2017

This protocol describes how to prepare brain slices for electrophysiology, with an emphasis on synaptic physiology in voltage clamp. This approach remains the gold standard for understanding the properties of individual neurons, as well as the connections between neurons.
Isolating DNA from Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: January 2017

The isolation of DNA from bacteria, described in this protocol, relies upon the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate and proteinase K to lyse the cells. High-molecular-weight DNA is then sheared (to reduce its viscosity and make it more manageable), extracted with phenol:chloroform, and precipitated with isopropanol. DNA isolated according to this procedure ranges from 30 to 80 kb in length.
Derivation and Culture of Epiblast Stem Cell (EpiSC) Lines
Authors: Rugg-Gunn Peter
Published: January 2017

This protocol describes the derivation and culture of epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) from early postimplantation epiblasts. EpiSCs can be maintained in an undifferentiated state and retain the ability to generate tissues from all three germ layers in vitro and to form teratomas in vivo. However, they seem unable to form chimeras. Whether this is due to differences in developmental status or a cellular incompatibility (e.g., cell adhesion) between EpiSCs and the host inner cell mass (ICM) is currently unclear. Other differences between mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and EpiSCs also exist, including gene expression profiles and different growth factor requirements for self-renewal. Thus, EpiSCs provide an important in vitro model for studying the establishment and maintenance of pluripotency in postimplantation epiblast tissues.
Measuring the Basic Physiological Properties of Synapses
Authors: Xu-Friedman Matthew A.
Published: January 2017

Studying synaptic physiology remains an important endeavor for understanding the mechanisms that underlie neurotransmitter release as well as synaptic development and refinement. It is also critical to understanding brain function. The basic conceptual framework for synaptic physiology was worked out by Katz and colleagues and has coalesced around three factors: the number of releasable vesicles (N), the probability of release (P), and quantal size (Q). Here, I discuss a few key experiments related to these quantities and how they are assessed.
Changing profiles of individuals with autism spectrum disorder admitted to a specialized inpatient unit
Authors: M. Palucka Anna , Modi Miti , Lunsky Yona
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the profiles of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requiring an inpatient psychiatric admission.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines profiles of 27 inpatients with intellectual disability (ID) and ASD who were admitted to a specialized inpatient unit in two time periods (January 2005 to June 2009 and July 2009 to December 2013) to explore changes over time in patient profiles.

Findings

Findings suggest that individuals who were admitted more recently between July 2009 and December 2013, were younger and more likely to come from other ethnic backgrounds than those admitted between January 2005 and June 2009. There was a trend for recent admissions to come from family homes, have moderate to profound ID and have longer hospital stay.

Originality/value

This is the first study to compare profiles of adults with ASD receiving inpatient services over time. The value of the study lies in illustrating that the needs of this growing patient group are changing which has implications for the treatment provision including specialized inpatient treatment.
A multiple case study based on action-oriented sexuality education
Authors: Vilaça Teresa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss teachers’ practices, barriers and facilitating factors associated with a regional school-based action-oriented sexuality education (SE) project with the use of information and communication technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research was anchored in a constructivist paradigm, set up as a multiple case study (six schools) with exploratory aims. Observation, teacher group interview, online class-diaries and contents of the project website were used for data collection. Cross-case analysis was carried out following single case analyses.

Findings

It was found that when teachers attend in-service teacher education and training they develop professional competences to act as facilitators of students’ inquiry-based learning on action-oriented knowledge and on carrying out collective actions to promote sexual health and well-being. Collaborative and reflexive work among teachers emerged as a facilitator factor and SE integration in the school curriculum as the principal barrier.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the cross-case analysis of this qualitative research based on single cases developed in their own social contexts can only be generalized with caution to other similar contexts.

Practical implications

Despite the limitations of this study, it has great importance for both research and practice as it contributes to the evidence regarding the implementation of the combined action of the democratic approach (participatory and action-oriented) and the use of ICT on SE.

Originality/value

This paper provides important information for those working on school health education projects, particularly considering how action-oriented SE is applied in different contexts.
Evaluation of an online “teachable moment” dietary intervention
Authors: Marks Leah , Ogden Jane
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an online “teachable moment” intervention to promote healthy eating for overweight and food intolerance symptoms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves a 2×2 factorial design with two conditions: group (weight loss vs food intolerance) and condition (intervention vs control). The intervention aimed to generate a “teachable moment” by providing knowledge regarding the relationship between food and the problem (overweight or food intolerance), focussing on the negative aspects of the problem, creating a behavioural model, and encouraging hope and reinvention. Participants receiving the intervention (n=22) completed measures of dietary behaviour and either weight or food intolerance symptoms before receiving the intervention and again one month later. Control participants (n=20) provided measures but did not receive the intervention.

Findings

There were no significant reductions in weight or food intolerance symptoms. However, compared to control participants, participants in the intervention conditions reported greater intentions to eat healthily (p=0.01) and improved healthy eating behaviour over time, following both an intention-to-treat (p=0.046) and explanatory analysis (p=0.042).

Practical implications

Encouraging individuals to perceive their everyday situation as a time for change and adopt healthier behaviour early on, may prevent future diet-related medical events. This has benefits for both the individual and for health care costs.

Originality/value

A quick and easy-to-administer online “teachable moment” intervention improves dietary behaviour and can be minimally adapted to suit individuals with differing health needs.
Failing to prepare. Prepare to fail?
Authors: Linacre Simon
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Should you teach an engineering student about Marxist interpretations of Jane Austen? Or a philosophy student about how to fix a broken leg? Well, unless you were desirous of an especially rounded education, then this would seem pretty pointless. However, it has been the lament of many specialists that mainstream education simply follows the paths established centuries before, and do not reflect modern needs of students. Could this also be true of the highly regarded Masters of Business Administration and the students paying tens of thousands of dollars to put themselves through it?

Practical implications

This study provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Facebook, Twitter and the future of HR
Authors: Linacre Simon
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Mention the use of social media to some human resource management professionals, and from many you will hear dark mutterings of “distractions” and “waste of time”. Many people believe that while social media – or Web 2.0 as some describe it – offers opportunities for free advertising, promotion and customer engagement, it also allows employees to enter into non-productive activities online that contribute little to nothing to the bottom line.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
An empirical investigation on factors affecting perceived learning by training through simulations
Authors: Chaurasia Sushil
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make an exploratory investigation of the important factors affecting the students’ perception of learning using simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research focuses on how collective learning, satisfaction, fun, collaborative communication, and time committed for the simulation affect the learning perceived by the students in a business post graduate course. In all, 157 students in a management course were divided in 26 teams of 6 members each. At the end of the simulation, learners were examined through surveys about their perception of different aspects of the simulation.

Findings

The findings of this research study showed that only four of these factors (collective learning, satisfaction, collaborative communication, and time) affected the students’ perceived learning.

Research limitations/implications

The exploratory nature of this study, along with the small sample size and the detail that responses were gathered from a single course, limits the extent to which we can make generalizations from the results.

Practical implications

The results from this research represent an important contribution to the premise of use of simulation in education, broadening the research of perceived learning through the perspective of simulations and opening a path for further research in this field.

Originality/value

Preparedness of management students with simulation training is of importance to business organizations and B-schools. Simulations permit learners to solve real-world problems, and they offer an opportunity to test recently attained skills without risk. Simulations can permit learners to visualize, discover, and articulate explanations for phenomena that would otherwise be difficult to observe.
Learning strategies for competence development in enterprises
Authors: Brandi Ulrik , Iannone Rosa Lisa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine learning strategies for competence development at the enterprise level, and how these can be actualised in practice. The authors focus on three influential aspects, namely: the highest valued employee skills, main triggers for learning and investment in learning, as well as the most successful types of learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research was designed according to abductive reasoning. The data draw on research we undertook between 2013 and 2015, including semi-structured interviews with management, human resources and union representatives, as well as questionnaire responses from a total of 31 EU and 163 EU-competitors, across 53 industries and 22 countries.

Findings

Competence development requires flexible, learner-centred strategies for initiatives that respond to immediate business needs. Additionally, despite soft competences being so highly valued and sought after, investment (financial and other) by enterprises in developing them is low, relative to the investments poured into hard competences. Also, there is a clear employee demand gap for learning that develops soft competences.

Originality/value

Findings and recommendations are based on a large-scale empirical study, providing state-of-the-art knowledge, upon which we can renew our current learning strategies in workplaces.
Strategic leadership development: simplified with Bloom’s taxonomy
Authors: Sarfraz Haniya
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest and state that an individual or company who aims to follow through the strategic leadership improvement pathway will find Bloom’s taxonomy useful practically when it comes to self-evaluation and simplification.

Design/methodology/approach

The global leadership survey statistics and findings are stated to define why global leadership is important and needed. In addition, there is an emphasis on the global confluence of markets, economy and technology, and how in the upcoming decades individuals would be required to build the skills stated in Bloom’s taxonomy in order to sustain and enhance their employment value. A strategic leadership development toolkit is used. Then Bloom’s taxonomy is infused with it, hence providing a practical implementation of how taxonomy simplifies the strategic leadership development process in organizations.

Findings

Statistics and facts of global leadership and technological surveys and studies are highlighted to emphasize the significance of strategic leadership. The required abilities needed in strategic leadership are linked to the six levels of thinking in Bloom’s taxonomy, thus implying that it can be used in the strategic leadership development process.

Originality/value

It is suggested that Bloom’s taxonomy should not only be used for educational purposes but can aid leaders in their quest to develop strategic leadership abilities and simplify the process to start and sustain their organization’s prosperity.
Combining event- and variable-centred approaches to institution-facing learning analytics at the unit of study level
Authors: Kelly Nick , Montenegro Maximiliano , Gonzalez Carlos , Clasing Paula , Sandoval Augusto , Jara Magdalena , Saurina Elvira , Alarcón Rosa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of combining event-centred and variable-centred approaches when analysing big data for higher education institutions. It uses a large, university-wide data set to demonstrate the methodology for this analysis by using the case study method. It presents empirical findings about relationships between student behaviours in a learning management system (LMS) and the learning outcomes of students, and further explores these findings using process modelling techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a two-year study in a Chilean university, using big data from a LMS and from the central university database of student results and demographics. Descriptive statistics of LMS use in different years presents an overall picture of student use of the system. Process mining is described as an event-centred approach to give a deeper level of understanding of these findings.

Findings

The study found evidence to support the idea that instructors do not strongly influence student use of an LMS. It replicates existing studies to show that higher-performing students use an LMS differently from the lower-performing students. It shows the value of combining variable- and event-centred approaches to learning analytics.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by its institutional context, its two-year time frame and by its exploratory mode of investigation to create a case study.

Practical implications

The paper is useful for institutions in developing a methodology for using big data from a LMS to make use of event-centred approaches.

Originality/value

The paper is valuable in replicating and extending recent studies using event-centred approaches to analysis of learning data. The study here is on a larger scale than the existing studies (using a university-wide data set), in a novel context (Latin America), that provides a clear description for how and why the methodology should inform institutional approaches.
Adaptive systems in education: a review and conceptual unification
Authors: Wilson Chunyu , Scott Bernard
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the use of adaptive systems in education. It is intended to be a useful introduction for the non-specialist reader.

Design/methodology/approach

A distinction is made between intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) and adaptive hypermedia systems (AHSs). The two kinds of system are defined, compared and contrasted. Examples of the implementation of the two kinds of system are included.

Findings

Similarities and differences between the two kinds of system are highlighted. A conceptual unification is proposed based on the architecture of Course Assembly System and Tutorial Environment, a seminal prototype learning environment developed by Pask and Scott in the 1970s as an application of Pask’s conversation theory.

Originality/value

The architecture shows how the key aspects of ITSs and AHSs can be combined to complement each other. It is intended to be an original contribution that is of particular interest for the specialist reader.
Smart communities inside local governments: a pie in the sky?
Authors: Michelucci Fania Valeria , De Marco Alberto
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Via embracing the idea that one who directly experiences a problem is keener to develop more innovative solutions, local governments have started to engage smart communities in the innovation of public services’ delivery. Even if the meaning of “smart community” generally refers to the community participation in the innovation of public services for urban living, local governments have predominantly stimulated the participation of their citizens. But innovative ideas can potentially spring out also from the insiders. The purpose of this paper is to find the managerial and technological issues that public managers have to consider when planning an internal smart community initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors analyse the case study of the Municipality of Turin that developed a participatory smart community project named Innova.TO, through the theoretical lens of sensemaking (Weick, 1979; Weicket al., 2005).

Findings

Results show that there are three main aspects to be considered when implementing smart community initiatives in local governments.

Originality/value

Even if there is the potential, the engagement of public employees in a smart community of innovators is not straightforward, and several complexities may challenge its success. Moreover, real-life examples and empirical studies are still episodic. As a consequence, if it is concretely possible to build a smart community of innovators inside a local government still remains a question, to which this paper aims to respond.
“The new patient”: the emergence of a political persona
Authors: Pedersen Kirstine Zinck , Kjær Peter
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the patient comes to be seen as a solution to governance problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies health policy discourse in Denmark from 1970 to 2000. Based on an analysis of national policy documents, the paper traces how the patient is redefined as part of governance problems.

Findings

The paper suggests that “the new patient” coincides with changes in healthcare governance and is not just a clinical concern. The persona of the patient has been mobilized in dissimilar ways in addressing specific policy problems, resulting in both a duty-based idea of a socio-economically responsible patient and a rights-based idea of a demanding health-service consumer.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to policy documents that address healthcare governance in one country. It does not describe the broader evolution of patient ideas or the practical impact of political discourses.

Practical implications

Practitioners should expect to encounter conflicting views of patient responsibilities, interests and involvement. Such conflicts are not only related to a lack of conceptual clarity but are indicative of how the new, active and responsible patient has become a key clinical concern and a central element of health policy governance.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the understanding of “the new patient” in discussions on patient-centred healthcare and empowerment by emphasizing the definition of the patient in a political context. The latter has often been ignored in existing research.
Personal accountability in education: measure development and validation
Authors: Rosenblatt Zehava
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, three-study research project, is to establish and validate a two-dimensional scale to measure teachers’ and school administrators’ accountability disposition.

Design/methodology/approach

The scale items were developed in focus groups, and the final measure was tested on various samples of Israeli teachers and principals. Real-life accountability scenarios, individual work characteristics and performance evaluation were used for the validation. Correlational as well as multi-level statistical procedures were employed.

Findings

Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-dimensional structure: external and internal. Study 1 confirmed the convergent validity of the scalevis-à-visaccountability scenarios in teachers’ work. Study 2 confirmed its construct validityvis-à-visrelated individual work characteristics such as goal orientation, work ethic and conscientiousness, using school principals as participants. Study 3 confirmed the scale’s predictive validityvis-à-visteacher work performance.

Research limitations/implications

The scale developed in this study may be used to enhance research on the personal aspect of accountability, contributing to a better understanding of educational systems operating in an accountability environment.

Practical implications

The study offers researchers a tool to measure accountability from an individual perspective. The two-dimensional scale developed in this study may help to point out individual differences in teacher accountability disposition.

Social implications

The ability to assess personal accountability may contribute to society’s concern with school accountability and its effect on educators’ work.

Originality/value

Educational research in recent years is replete with studies on school accountability, but relatively little has been written on accountability at the individual level of analysis. Few scales exist that measure educators’ self-report accountability.
Does institutional investors’ monitoring substitute for litigation in curbing insider trading? The case of Malaysia
Authors: Wasiuzzaman Shaista , Lim Kean Hua
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The ineffectiveness of external governance mechanisms (laws and regulations) designed to curb insider trading in Malaysia leads this study to focus on the role of internal governance of firms in helping to reduce insider trading incidences. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence on institutional shareholders on insider trading activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data collected from a sample of 115 firms listed on the Bursa Malaysia over a five-year period (from year 2010 to 2014). Ordinary least squares technique is used to achieve the objective of this study.

Findings

The findings of this study points toward asymmetric information as a motivator for insider trading activity. Unlike previous studies which find the presence of institutional investors helping to reduce insider trading, this study finds results to the contrary.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the influence of institutional shareholdings on insider trading. The results provide more insight into the effectiveness of the role of institutions in curbing insider trading and suggest a closer monitoring of institutional shareholders.