bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BMP4 can generate primordial germ cells from bone‐marrow‐derived pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Shirazi Reza , Zarnani Amir Hassan , Soleimani Masoud , Abdolvahabi Mir Abbas , Nayernia Karim , Kashani Iraj Ragerdi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractEvidence of germ cell derivation from embryonic and somatic stem cells provides an in vitro model for the study of germ cell development, associated epigenetic modification and mammalian gametogenesis. More importantly, in vitro derived gametes also represent a potential strategy for treating infertility. In mammals, male and female gametes, oocyte and sperm, are derived from a specific cell population, PGCs (primordial germ cells) that segregate early in embryogenesis. We have isolated pluripotent SSEA‐1+ (stage‐specific embryonic antigen‐1+) cells from mice bone marrow using a MACS (magnetic‐activated cell sorting) system. SSEA‐1+ cells were directly separated from the suspension of MMCs (murine mononuclear cells) harvested from bone marrow of 2–4‐week‐old mice. Flow‐cytometry assay immediately after sorting and culturing under undifferentiated condition showed 55±7% and 87±4% purity respectively. RT‐PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) analysis after differentiation of SSEA‐1+ cells into derivations of three germ layers showed the pluripotency properties of isolated cells. SSEA‐1+ cells were induced to differentiate along germ cell lineage by adding BMP4 (bone morphogenic factor‐4) to the medium. Regarding the expression of germ cell markers (PGCs, male and female germ cell lineage), it was found that adding exogenous BMP4 to culture medium could differentiate pluripotent SSEA‐1+ cells isolated from an adult tissue into gamete precursors, PGCs. Differentiated cells expressed specific molecular markers of PGCs, including Oct4, fragilis, Stella and Mvh (mouse vasa homologue). Therefore BMP4 is insufficient to induce SSEA‐1+ cells derived from PGCs to develop further into late germ cells in vitro.
Cardiomyocyte apoptosis in ischaemia‐reperfusion due to the exogenous oxidants at the time of reperfusion
Authors: Rosca Ana‐Maria , Matei Camelia , Dragan Emanuel , Burlacu Alexandrina 
Published: September 2012

AbstractVarious studies performed on different models have demonstrated that apoptosis occurs in ischaemic‐reperfused myocardium in vivo; however, the individual contribution of ischaemia and reperfusion to CMC (cardiomyocyte) apoptosis remains uncertain. We have determined the main inducer of CMC apoptosis in ischaemia‐reperfusion by exposing CMCs to either 30 min ischaemia followed by reperfusion or to 25‐OH‐cholesterol (25‐hydroxycholesterol) for 1–3 days. Both ischaemia‐reperfusion and exogenous oxidants increased the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, a favourable effect for the apoptotic process. However, apoptosis was not observed in ischaemic CMCs in the absence of reperfusion. Moreover, reperfusion after 30 min ischaemia did not make an important contribution to CMC apoptosis in culture in terms of caspase 3 activation. In contrast, 25‐OH‐cholesterol promoted CMC apoptosis by a caspase 3‐dependent mechanism that involved the transcriptional activation of the pro‐apoptotic protein, Bax and post‐translational degradation of the anti‐apoptotic protein, Bcl‐2. From these results, we conclude that CMC apoptosis is not induced by ischaemia per se, but by the oxidants from the surrounding environment at the time of reperfusion. These exogenous oxidants exacerbate the alterations induced by ischaemia and complete the apoptotic process at the time when ATP and glucose levels are restored.
Hypericin‐PDT‐induced rapid necrotic death in human squamous cell carcinoma cultures after multiple treatment
Authors: Sharma Krishna V. , Davids Lester M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPDT (photodynamic therapy) has been used for the treatment of NMCC (non‐melanoma cutaneous cancer) particularly, human SCC (squamous cell carcinoma). However, the nature of the photosensitizer, the activation light source and the mode of cell death induced post‐PDT remains elusive. We tried to optimize PDT using the light‐activated (320–400 nm) St John's Wort‐derived compound, Hyp (hypericin). The work highlights the potential mode of cell death and the increased efficacy of the technique associated with multiple Hyp‐PDT treatment. SCC cells were exposed to different concentrations of Hyp and activated with light at 1 J/cm2 for 1 or 2 days. Thereafter with the optimum dose of Hyp proliferation, ROS (reactive oxygen species), and apoptosis were analysed by XTT [2,3‐bis‐(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium‐5‐carboxanilide] assay, FACS analysis and Fluorescent/Phase contrast microscopy was carried out for morphological studies. Hyp‐PDT produces more ROS after 1 day compared with 2 days and the mode of cell death is a necrotic caspase‐independent mechanism. We propose a novel ‘double‐hit/2‐day’ strategy to reduce the viability in SCC using Hyp‐based PDT as an adjunctive treatment modality.
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.
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

PurposeOnline 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/approachA 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.FindingsIt 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/valueWhile 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

PurposeIn 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/approachThe authors develop in detail the applications of influence skills to the process of internal consulting.FindingsGood 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/implicationsThis is not a research paper, but the authors are open to suggestions as to research possibilities.Practical implicationsAnyone 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 implicationsAn 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/valueVery 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

PurposeThis 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/approachAn online questionnaire survey of students was complemented by a series of face‐to‐face interviews with library staff.FindingsThis 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/implicationsThe study is limited to three English universities, although they are sufficiently varied in nature to make the results more widely applicable.Practical implicationsThe 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/valueThis 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

PurposeThe 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/approachTwo 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsThe 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/valueThe 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

PurposeThe 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/approachA 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.FindingsThe 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/implicationsThe study is based on a questionnaire; this implies that the faculty responses are mainly related to the questions posed in the questionnaire.Practical implicationsThe 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/valueThis 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

PurposeGraduate 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/approachWork 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.FindingsGraduate 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/implicationsContent 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 implicationsThere are grounds for hope that universities have not completely forgotten their role in society in favour of their competitive market gameplays.Originality/valueThis 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

PurposeThe 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/approachThe authors surveyed respondents from the partner firms of 81 different supply chains. The data from 380 surveys were examined with moderated regression analyses.FindingsThe 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/implicationsFirst, 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 implicationsThe study points to the importance of developing upstream goal recognition in supply chains and provides several suggestions to promote upstream goal recognition.Originality/valueThe 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

PurposeThe 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/approachUsing a “synthesizing” or “bricolage” approach, key insights, now dispersed over a variety of literatures and disciplines, are integrated to develop the framework.FindingsThe 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/implicationsBy 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 implicationsApart 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/valueThe 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

PurposeThe 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsThese 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/valueThis paper uses a case study to enhance current theory by exploring means of better supporting theoretical prediction and explanation.