bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Manifesto for a post‐colonial international business and management studies
Authors: Westwood R.I. , Jack Gavin 
Published: July 2007

PurposeSubmitted in the form of a manifesto, this article seeks to make a call to scholars in international management and business studies to embrace post‐colonial theory and to allow it to provide an interrogation of the ontological, epistemological, methodological and institutional resources currently dominating the field.Design/methodology/approachA manifesto approach is adopted in providing a series of deliberately provocative principles which it seeks to have the field adopt.FindingsThe paper finds the field to be currently imprisoned within a limited and limiting paradigmatic and institutional location and offers the resources of post‐colonial theory as a way to interrogate and reconfigure it.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper points to the limitations of the field and provides the grounds for a radical reconfiguration across all aspects of its knowledge production, dissemination and research practice.Practical implicationsThe paper offers practical steps which the field can take to reconfigure itself more appropriately in terms of its various research commitments and its institutional frame.Originality/valueThis article offers an original assessment of the orthodoxy currently controlling and disciplining the field, presented in the relatively novel and challenging form of a manifesto.
Application of fuzzy simulation for the evaluation of enterprise application integration in healthcare organisations
Authors: Khoumbati Khalil , Themistocleous Marinos 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to evaluate the adoption of enterprise application integration (EAI) in healthcare organisations. In doing so, fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) simulation is used to demonstrate the causal inter‐relationships between the EAI adoption factors.Design/methodology/approachSeveral factors were analysed and tested through case study strategy that supports the adoption of EAI in healthcare organisations. Using the concepts of these factors, the paper further expanded the scope of the research by exploring the area of EAI by using the FCM simulation. The computation of the node's output is based on the combination of a summing operation followed by the use of a non‐linear transformation such as threshold function.FindingsThe research findings demonstrate the application of FCM simulation that identifies casual inter‐relationships among EAI adoption factors. This enhances the quality of the evaluation process, and highlights the importance of each factor and its inter‐relationship with other factors.Practical implicationsThis evaluation can be used as a decision‐making tool to support the management of the healthcare organisations when taking the decision regarding the adoption of EAI. In doing so, healthcare organisations may benefit from this evaluation process.Originality/valueThe advantages of using FCM within this study fall into two categories. One is concerned with the technique, which offers structure through symbolic and graphical representation rather than linear layout. The second is concerned with the use of results, which offers a graphical picture of rates' understanding of appraisal decisions; information obtained is clearly communicable, and insight can be gained into the structure of information.
An enterprise system component based on graph colouring for exam timetabling
Authors: Dammak Abdelaziz , Elloumi Abdelkarim , Kamoun Hichem 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to consider the exam timetabling of the re‐sit session in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences of Sfax. The objective is to find a timetable which minimizes the number of timeslots for exams required by the enrolled students.Design/methodology/approachTwo heuristic procedures based on graph colouring are developed and tested on real data to solve the exam timetabling problem at the faculty.FindingsThese heuristics were tested on a simple example which shows the out‐performance of the second heuristic compared with the first one. When tested with the real data of the faculty, exam size heuristic provides a timetable with a shorter timeframe; however, the timetable obtained from the second heuristic is of better quality.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is to create an automated exam timetabling that helps the faculty to manage its own enterprise system.
The enactment of dynamic leadership
Authors: Greenfield David 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine how clinical team leadership can facilitate a collaborative team and, in doing so, drive change in a health service.Design/methodology/approachEthnographic field work was conducted with a clinical team, comprised of 13 health professionals, in community health, in Sydney Australia. Utilising semi‐structured interviews, data were collected and then analysed using Goleman's leadership typology as an analytic lens.FindingsLeadership can facilitate a team to realise high levels of collaboration, trust and respect. This creates an environment in which collective learning and increased responsibility thrives. Together, these elements enable front‐line staff to take ownership of their services, to integrate the organising and delivery of services, and, in doing so, improve health care practice.Research limitations/implicationsThe leadership empirically observed here confirms qualities, behaviours and approaches that have been argued as important in the literature.Practical implicationsFor health professionals in a clinical team leadership role Goleman's typology can be instructive. Many leaders in complex health care organisations are engaged in, and needing to respond to, unfolding situations to ensure positive improvement. At such times the typology offers a range of leadership styles to draw upon.Originality/valueThe application of the typology to health care clinical team leadership is a new development.
Logistics in hospitals: a case study of some Singapore hospitals
Authors: Pan Zhi Xiong (Thomas) , Pokharel Shaligram 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate logistics activities in Singapore hospitals. It defines various types of activities handled by a logistics division. Inventory management policy and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for logistics purposes are also discussed. The study identifies the nature of strategic alliances in Singapore's health care industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted by utilizing a framework for data collection, pre‐testing the questionnaire and conducting interviews. Various relevant literature was reviewed to design the questionnaire.FindingsThis study finds that logistics division carry out many related activities and some of them also provide engineering services. The hospitals make use of ICT. The hospitals are clustered under various groups to minimize the cost of operation, including the logistics related costs. However, hospitals do not see alliances with suppliers as a strategic option; rather they focus on outsourcing of logistics services. The findings also show that Singapore hospitals have a good stocking policy for both medical and non‐medical items so that changes in patient mix can be easily handled.Originality/valueSingapore is continuously improving its health care industry and therefore, the findings will help hospitals in other regions to adopt some of the practices, like concentrating on local vendors, outsourcing, clustering, and maximum use of information technology as competitive factors that can improve the service and reduce the cost of operation. The paper suggests motivators and barriers to the use of ICT in logistics in the health care industry.
Developing emerging leaders: a new solution to an old problem
Authors: Xavier Stephen 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis article argues that current approaches to leadership development are ineffective and proposes a new model for developing both individuals and future leadership teams concurrently.Design/methodology/approachThe article summarizes the failures of current leadership development models and discusses five steps, with specific actions, necessary for developing future leaders and leadership teams.FindingsWith the baby boomer retirement bubble about to burst, leaders must take action now to plan for succession and create bench strength for the future success of the organization. No one is better qualified to develop a company's future leaders than its current leaders. The proposed model will enable them to do so effectively.Practical implicationsIt is critical for current leaders to begin developing the next generation of leadership immediately in order to maintain continuity of leadership and to keep companies viable from generation to generation.Originality/valueThe article proposes a new model for leadership development that explores appropriate steps to identify talent, develop the talent individually, and concurrently develop future leadership teams.
The five essential practices of a talent multiplier
Authors: Cantrell Susan , Benton James M. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe authors set out to determine which human capital processes and practices were most strongly related to company financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed more than 3,500 employees and more than 150 HR executives in 26 organizations, all of which had implemented a proprietary tool on human capital development. They used financial data from those organizations to identify 18 human‐capital management activities that are significantly correlated with financial results. They also interviewed more than 80 business and HR leaders.FindingsAnalysis of the 18 activities led the authors to derive the five practices described in this article: align people practices with business needs; implement the practices with superior execution; enlist line managers in human capital management; make policies clear, fair, and consistent; and create an information‐sharing environment.Originality/valueThe article eschews a focus of fads – “online cross‐functional team‐based brainstorming” – to realign readers on which talent management practices really lead to financial success. Although most companies will recognize the practices as fundamental, they will learn what may be preventing them from implementing the practices, and how some companies are leading the way.
Molecular plasticity of β‐catenin: New insights from single‐molecule measurements and MD simulation
Authors: Ritco‐Vonsovici Monica , Ababou Abdessamad , Horton Michael 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe multifunctional protein, β‐catenin, has essential roles in cell adhesion and, through the Wnt signaling pathway, in controlling cell differentiation, development, and generation of cancer. Could distinct molecular forms of β‐catenin underlie these two functions? Our single‐molecule force spectroscopy of armadillo β‐catenin, with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, suggests a model in which the cell generates various forms of β‐catenin, in equilibrium. We find β‐catenin and the transcriptional factor Tcf4 form two complexes with different affinities. Specific cellular response is achieved by the ligand binding to a particular matching preexisting conformer. Our MD simulation indicates that complexes derive from two conformers of the core region of the protein, whose preexisting molecular forms could arise from small variations in flexible regions of the β‐catenin main binding site. This mechanism for the generation of the various forms offers a route to tailoring future therapeutic strategies.
Sm‐like protein Hfq: Location of the ATP‐binding site and the effect of ATP on Hfq–RNA complexes
Authors: Arluison Veronique , Mutyam Shravan K. , Mura Cameron , Marco Sergio , Sukhodolets Maxim V. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSm‐like proteins are ubiquitous ring‐shaped oligomers that exhibit a variety of nucleic acid‐binding activities. They have been linked functionally to various cellular events involving RNA, and it is generally believed that their activity is exerted via the passive binding of nucleic acids. Our earlier studies of the Sm‐like Escherichia coli protein Hfq provided the first evidence indicating that Hfq is an ATP‐binding protein. Using a combination of biochemical and genetic techniques, we have now determined a plausible ATP‐binding site in Hfq and tested Hfq's ATP‐binding affinity and stoichiometry. The results of RNA footprinting and binding analyses suggest that ATP binding by the Hfq–RNA complex results in its significant destabilization. RNA footprinting indicates deprotection of Hfq‐bound RNA tracts in the presence of ATP, suggestive of their release by the protein. The results reported herein broaden the scope of potential in vivo roles for Hfq and other Sm‐like proteins.
Theoretical study of the partial molar volume change associated with the pressure‐induced structural transition of ubiquitin
Authors: Imai Takashi , Ohyama Shusaku , Kovalenko Andriy , Hirata Fumio 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe partial molar volume (PMV) change associated with the pressure‐induced structural transition of ubiquitin is analyzed by the three‐dimensional reference interaction site model (3D‐RISM) theory of molecular solvation. The theory predicts that the PMV decreases upon the structural transition, which is consistent with the experimental observation. The volume decomposition analysis demonstrates that the PMV reduction is primarily caused by the decrease in the volume of structural voids in the protein, which is partially canceled by the volume expansion due to the hydration effects. It is found from further analysis that the PMV reduction is ascribed substantially to the penetration of water molecules into a specific part of the protein. Based on the thermodynamic relation, this result implies that the water penetration causes the pressure‐induced structural transition. It supports the water penetration model of pressure denaturation of proteins proposed earlier.
Branching in the sequential folding pathway of cytochrome c
Authors: Krishna Mallela M.G. , Maity Haripada , Rumbley Jon N. , Englander S. Walter 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrevious results indicate that the folding pathways of cytochrome c and other proteins progressively build the target native protein in a predetermined stepwise manner by the sequential formation and association of native‐like foldon units. The present work used native state hydrogen exchange methods to investigate a structural anomaly in cytochrome c results that suggested the concerted folding of two segments that have little structural relationship in the native protein. The results show that the two segments, an 18‐residue omega loop and a 10‐residue helix, are able to unfold and refold independently, which allows a branch point in the folding pathway. The pathway that emerges assembles native‐like foldon units in a linear sequential manner when prior native‐like structure can template a single subsequent foldon, and optional pathway branching is seen when prior structure is able to support the folding of two different foldons.
Docking and homology modeling explain inhibition of the human vesicular glutamate transporters
Authors: Almqvist Jonas , Huang Yafei , Laaksonen Aatto , Wang Da‐Neng , Hovmöller Sven 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAs membrane transporter proteins, VGLUT1–3 mediate the uptake of glutamate into synaptic vesicles at presynaptic nerve terminals of excitatory neural cells. This function is crucial for exocytosis and the role of glutamate as the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The three transporters, sharing 76% amino acid sequence identity in humans, are highly homologous but differ in regional expression in the brain. Although little is known regarding their three‐dimensional structures, hydropathy analysis on these proteins predicts 12 transmembrane segments connected by loops, a topology similar to other members in the major facilitator superfamily, where VGLUT1–3 have been phylogenetically classified. In this work, we present a three‐dimensional model for the human VGLUT1 protein based on its distant bacterial homolog in the same superfamily, the glycerol‐3‐phosphate transporter from Escherichia coli. This structural model, stable during molecular dynamics simulations in phospholipid bilayers solvated by water, reveals amino acid residues that face its pore and are likely to affect substrate translocation. Docking of VGLUT1 substrates to this pore localizes two different binding sites, to which inhibitors also bind with an overall trend in binding affinity that is in agreement with previously published experimental data.
Biosynthesis of isoprenoids in plants: Structure of the 2C‐methyl‐d‐erithrytol 2,4‐cyclodiphosphate synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana. Comparison with the bacterial enzymes
Authors: Calisto Barbara M. , Perez‐Gil Jordi , Bergua Maria , Querol‐Audi Jordi , Fita Ignacio , Imperial Santiago 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe X‐ray crystal structure of the 2C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol 2,4‐cyclodiphosphate synthase (MCS) from Arabidopsis thaliana has been solved at 2.3 Å resolution in complex with a cytidine‐5‐monophosphate (CMP) molecule. This is the first structure determined of an MCS enzyme from a plant. Major differences between the A. thaliana and bacterial MCS structures are found in the large molecular cavity that forms between subunits and involve residues that are highly conserved among plants. In some bacterial enzymes, the corresponding cavity has been shown to be an isoprenoid diphosphate‐like binding pocket, with a proposed feedback‐regulatory role. Instead, in the structure from A. thaliana the cavity is unsuited for binding a diphosphate moiety, which suggests a different regulatory mechanism of MCS enzymes between bacteria and plants.
The crystal structure of M. leprae ML2640c defines a large family of putative S‐adenosylmethionine‐dependent methyltransferases in mycobacteria
Authors: Graña Martin , Haouz Ahmed , Buschiazzo Alejandro , Miras Isabelle , Wehenkel Annemarie , Bondet Vincent , Shepard William , Schaeffer Francis , Cole Stewart T. , Alzari Pedro M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMycobacterium leprae protein ML2640c belongs to a large family of conserved hypothetical proteins predominantly found in mycobacteria, some of them predicted as putative S‐adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)‐dependent methyltransferases (MTase). As part of a Structural Genomics initiative on conserved hypothetical proteins in pathogenic mycobacteria, we have determined the structure of ML2640c in two distinct crystal forms. As expected, ML2640c has a typical MTase core domain and binds the methyl donor substrate AdoMet in a manner consistent with other known members of this structural family. The putative acceptor substrate‐binding site of ML2640c is a large internal cavity, mostly lined by aromatic and aliphatic side‐chain residues, suggesting that a lipid‐like molecule might be targeted for catalysis. A flap segment (residues 222–256), which isolates the binding site from the bulk solvent and is highly mobile in the crystal structures, could serve as a gateway to allow substrate entry and product release. The multiple sequence alignment of ML2640c‐like proteins revealed that the central α/β core and the AdoMet‐binding site are very well conserved within the family. However, the amino acid positions defining the binding site for the acceptor substrate display a higher variability, suggestive of distinct acceptor substrate specificities. The ML2640c crystal structures offer the first structural glimpses at this important family of mycobacterial proteins and lend strong support to their functional assignment as AdoMet‐dependent methyltransferases.
Toll‐like receptor agonists stimulate human neutrophil migration via activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases
Authors: Aomatsu Kazuki , Kato Takayuki , Fujita Hisakazu , Hato Fumihiko , Oshitani Nobuhide , Kamata Noriko , Tamura Tomohiko , Arakawa Tetsuo , Kitagawa Seiichi 
Published: July 2007

SummaryHuman neutrophil migratory responses to Toll‐like receptor (TLR) agonists were studied using videomicroscopy. When challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 agonist) or N‐palmitoyl‐S‐[2,3‐bis(palmitoyloxy)‐(2RS)‐propyl]‐(R)‐cysteinyl‐seryl‐(lysyl)(3)‐lysine (P3CSK4, TLR2 agonist), neutrophils displayed enhanced motility, which was found to reflect increased random migration but not directed migration (chemotaxis). Enhanced neutrophil motility was detected within 10 min after stimulation with LPS or P3CSK4, and was sustained for more than 80 min. Stimulation of neutrophils with LPS or P3CSK4 resulted in the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), which preceded neutrophil migration. TLR‐mediated neutrophil migration was strongly suppressed by pretreatment of cells with U0126 (MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor) but not with U0124 (an inactive analogue of U0126) or SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor), and was almost completely abolished by pretreatment of cells with U0126 and SB203580 in combination. Randomly migrating neutrophils in response to LPS or P3CSK4 displayed directed migration when further challenged with gradient concentrations of N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (FMLP) or platelet‐activating factor (PAF). These findings indicate that TLR agonists stimulate human neutrophil migration via the activation of ERK and p38 MAPK, and FMLP‐ or PAF‐induced neutrophil chemotaxis is not affected by the pre‐exposure of cells to TLR agonists.
Interferon‐γ regulates chemokine expression and release in the human mast cell line HMC1: role of nitric oxide
Authors: Gilchrist M. , Befus A. D. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryMast cells (MCs) are critical immune effector cells that release cytokines and chemokines involved in both homeostasis and disease. Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates multiple cellular activities. IFN‐γ modulates rodent MC responsiveness via production of nitric oxide (NO), although the effects in human MC populations is unknown. We sought to investigate the effects of IFN‐γ on expression of the chemokines interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and CCL1 (I‐309) in a human mast cell line (HMC1) and to determine the underlying regulatory mechanism. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), IL‐8 and CCL1 expression was determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). NOS protein expression was analysed using western blot. NOS activity was determined using the citrulline assay. IL‐8 and CCL1 release was measured by specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IFN‐γ inhibited phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA)‐induced release of IL‐8 and CCL1 (by 47 and 38%). Real‐time PCR analysis of IFN‐γ‐treated HMC1 showed a significant (P < 0·05) time‐dependent increase in NOS1 and NOS3 mRNA. NOS3 protein was significantly increased at 18 hr, which correlated with a significant (P < 0·05) increase in constitutive NOS (cNOS) activity. IFN‐γ‐induced inhibition of chemokine expression and release was NO dependent, as treatment with the NOS inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) reduced the IFN‐γ inhibitory effect on IL‐8 and CCL1 mRNA expression. NO donors mimicked the IFN‐γ effect. IFN‐γ inhibited PMA‐induced cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and DNA‐binding activity. Our observations indicate for the first time that IFN‐γ enhances endogenous NO formation through NOS3 activity, and that NO regulates the transcription and release of IL‐8 and CCL1 in a human MC line.