An Investigation of Outsourcing Ticket Sales in Division I College Athletics

Understanding the phenomenon of outsourcing ticket sales in collegiate athletics can help athletic departments make more informed ticketing decisions. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to help create new and emerging knowledge of outsourcing ticket sales in collegiate athletics from the interactions with the study’s participants. The study had 15 participants who experienced the decision-making process as well as the stakeholder impact of outsourcing ticket sales in collegiate athletics. After doing a thematic analysis of the data, eight final themes were used to help describe the phenomenon. It was clear that the importance of being able to have the resources, training, and guaranteed revenue of outsourcing companies are advantages of partnering with an outsourcing company. These resources also allow other department staff to flourish. However, loss of control, turnover, and having everyone on board was a concern for administrators. Participants described outsourcing ticket sales as something that can help a lot of institutions, especially smaller ones; however, the relationship between the organization needs to be clear and positive for it to work. This study also provides insight on who makes the final decision when it comes to outsourcing. The study will help future researchers discover more about outsourcing ticket sales in collegiate athletics while aiding industry experts on making the most informed decisions

E.M.B.A. International Field Studies: A Comparative Perspective

Almost 80% of EMBA programs include a significant international study experience. The content and process, though, vary considerably in length, location, and method. To provide insight to the scope, format, of different approaches, the researchers conducted extensive interviews with 40 EMBA program directors. Results of the investigation are presented providing information that EMBA directors, faculty and administrators may find useful in improving the quality and effectiveness of their international field studies

Extended Enterprise Metrics: The Key To Achieving Synthesized Effectiveness

In this paper we argue that the Extended Enterprise is a natural response to changing competitive dynamics and is predicated upon adapting some of the traditional performance measures.  We examine how the constructs of the Balanced Scorecard, Economic Profit (or Economic Value Added) and boundary spanning metrics such as the cash-to-cash cycle are useful tools for developing metrics for the Extended Enterprise.  We illustrate that when these measures are jointly adopted they can help to drive the integrating behaviors that epitomize the truly revolutionary Extended Enterprise.  The key phrase here is integrative – what is good for one must be good for all since the true competitive battle is fought supply chain against supply chain

International Field Studies: Tools For Enhancing Cultural Literacy

As part of Loyola College’s Executive MBA Program, students participate in an international field study (IFS).  This IFS provides participants with an experientially based learning opportunity to understand that there are leadership universals that every executive and manager needs to practice in order to be world-class at home and abroad; and to appreciate that valuing and leveraging cultural differences is key to success  in a global environment. This paper presents our approach to enhancing the cultural competency and literacy of students enrolled in the program

Direct binding of phosphatidylglycerol at specific sites modulates desensitization of a ligand-gated ion channel

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are essential determinants of synaptic transmission, and are modulated by specific lipids including anionic phospholipids. The exact modulatory effect of anionic phospholipids in pLGICs and the mechanism of this effect are not well understood. Using native mass spectrometry, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations and functional assays, we show that the anionic phospholipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (POPG), preferentially binds to and stabilizes the pLGIC, Erwinia ligand-gated ion channel (ELIC), and decreases ELIC desensitization. Mutations of five arginines located in the interfacial regions of the transmembrane domain (TMD) reduce POPG binding, and a subset of these mutations increase ELIC desensitization. In contrast, a mutation that decreases ELIC desensitization, increases POPG binding. The results support a mechanism by which POPG stabilizes the open state of ELIC relative to the desensitized state by direct binding at specific sites

A GAIN in understanding autoproteolytic G protein‐coupled receptors and polycystic kidney disease proteins

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102153/1/embj201251.pd

Insole Antenna for On-Body Telemetry

A 433 MHz antenna is proposed for integration with the insole of footwear for a body area network. The folded dipole design with an asymmetric groundplane radiates from its edges and considers the close proximity of the human foot and ground surfaces. It functions for different ground conductivity conditions and an on-body communication link with an Inverted F Antenna in the upper body area was evaluated on a static and dynamic human subject. The antenna solution was compliant with Specific Absorption Rate requirements, remains matched and links with upper-body nodes regardless of the body posture and node location

Lipid nanodisc scaffold and size alter the structure of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel

Lipid nanodiscs have become a standard tool for studying membrane proteins, including using single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We find that reconstituting the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC), Erwinia ligand-gated ion channel (ELIC), in different nanodiscs produces distinct structures by cryo-EM. The effect of the nanodisc on ELIC structure extends to the extracellular domain and agonist binding site. Additionally, molecular dynamic simulations indicate that nanodiscs of different size impact ELIC structure and that the nanodisc scaffold directly interacts with ELIC. These findings suggest that the nanodisc plays a crucial role in determining the structure of pLGICs, and that reconstitution of ion channels in larger nanodiscs may better approximate a lipid membrane environment

Development and evaluation of performance characteristics of timolol-loaded composite ocular films as potential delivery platform for treatment of glaucoma

Thin and erodible polymeric films were developed as potential ocular drug delivery systems to increase drug retention on the eye with the aim of improving bioavailability and achieving controlled drug release. Two biocompatible film forming polymers, hyaluronic acid (HA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which are currently used as thickening agents in eye drops were employed. Two different films were prepared (i) as single polymer and (ii) as composite formulations by solvent casting method, incorporating glycerol (GLY) as plasticizer and timolol maleate (TM) as model glaucoma drug. After preliminary optimization of transparency and ease of handling, the formulations were further characterized for their physicochemical properties. No indication of significant drug-polymer or polymer-polymer (in composite films) interaction was observed from FTIR results while evaluation by IR mapping revealed uniform distribution of drug throughout the films. Amorphization of TM in the film matrix was confirmed by both DSC and XRD. Swelling studies illustrated remarkable swelling capacity of HA in comparison with HPMC which directly affected the drug release profiles, making HA a suitable polymer for controlled ocular drug delivery. Tensile and mucoadhesion properties confirmed higher elasticity and adhesiveness of HA while HPMC produced stronger films. The effect of sterilization by UV radiation on mechanical properties was also evaluated and showed no significant difference between the sterilized and non-sterilized films. The SEM results confirmed smoothness and homogeneity of film surfaces for all the formulations studied. The in vitro drug dissolution studies showed more extended release profiles of formulations containing HA. Cytotoxicity study (cell viability) using MTT assay on HeLa cells, confirmed that the single polymer and composite films are generally safe for ocular administration. The present work shows excellent film forming ability of HA and HPMC which can be used as single polymer or combined in composite formulations as potential topical ocular drug delivery platform to enhance drug retention on the ocular surface and therefore potential improved bioavailability