Exploring Learning through Coaching Practices in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Evidence from Two Case Studies in Thailand

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to present empirical evidence of learning in small to medium enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on coaching practices within two case study organisations in Thailand. These SMEs are recipients of Thai SMEs national award identified as ‘critical cases’ and they have received numerous awards at national and international level, which identifies them as high performing organisations that ascribe to outstanding Human Resource practices. Design & Methodology: The paper draws upon case-study and a variety of qualitative methods were employed. Purposive sampling was used to identify 18 key informants, comprising two owner-managers and eight organisational coaches, along with their coachees’, with the latter being deemed ‘talented employees’. The data generated during the field work has been analysed by template analysis. Results & Conclusion: The analysis reveals that within the case study organisations the portrayal of Buddhist and Christian philosophy engendered a feeling of belonging, a ‘family’ atmosphere to support coaching practices in organisation, and the owner-managers plays a crucial role in organisational learning and coaching practices. Three predominant themes emerged: the attributes of talent, employee development and coaching practices

The affinity of different MBD proteins for a specific methylated locus depends on their intrinsic binding properties

The methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) family of proteins was defined based on sequence similarity in their DNA binding domains. In light of their high degree of conservation, it is of inherent interest to determine the genomic distribution of these proteins, and their associated co-repressor complexes. One potential determinant of specificity resides in differences in the intrinsic DNA binding properties of the various MBD proteins. In this report, we use a capillary electrophoretic mobility shift assay (CEMSA) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and neutral capillaries to calculate MBD-DNA binding affinities. MBD proteins were assayed on pairs of methylated and unmethylated duplex oligos corresponding to the promoter regions of the BRCA1, MLH1, GSTP1 and p16(INK4a) genes, and binding affinities for each case were calculated by Scatchard analyses. With the exception of mammalian MBD3 and Xenopus MBD3 LF, all the MBD proteins showed higher affinity for methylated DNA (in the nanomolar range) than for unmethylated DNA (in the micromolar range). Significant differences between MBD proteins in the affinity for methylated DNA were observed, ranging within two orders of magnitude. By mutational analysis of MBD3 and using CEMSA, we demonstrate the critical role of specific residues within the MBD in conferring selectivity for methylated DNA. Interestingly, the binding affinity of specific MBD proteins for methylated DNA fragments from naturally occurring sequences are affected by local methyl-CpG spacing

Cloning and expression of a codon-optimized gene encoding the infl uenza A virus nucleocapsid protein in Lactobacillus casei

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species are envisioned as promising vehicles for the mucosal delivery of therapeutic and prophylactic molecules, including the development of oral vaccines. In this study, we report on the expression of a synthetic nucleocapsid (NP) gene of infl uenza A virus in Lactobacillus casei. The NP gene was re-designed based on the tRNA pool and the codon usage preference of L. casei BL23. The codon-optimized NP gene was then cloned and expressed in L. casei RCEID02 under the control of a constitutive promoter, that of the lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) gene. The synthetic NP gene was further expressed in L. casei EM116 under the control of an inducible promoter, that of the structural gene of nisin (nisA) from Lactococcus lactis. Based on Western blot analysis, the specifi c protein band of NP, with a molecular mass of 56.0 kDa, was clearly detected in both expression systems. Thus, our study demonstrates the success of expressing a codon-optimized infl uenza A viral gene in L. casei. The suitability of the recombinant LAB strains for immunization purposes is currently under evaluation. [Int Microbiol 2013; 16(2):93-101]Keywords: Lactobacillus casei; lactic acid bacteria; infl uenza A virus; viral nucleocapsid proteins; heterologous expression; codon usag

Genetic (co)variance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) body weight and its uniformity across production environments

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Talk-about Talent: Underlying Philosophies on Talent in Thai SMEs

This paper provides insight into talent philosophies, the fundamental assumptions and beliefs about talent that are held by key decision-makers, in three award-winning Thai Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Interviews were conducted with fifteen key decision-makers: the owner-manager of each SME and four managers the owner-manager identified as ‘talent’. A discourse perspective informs the research and we draw on community of practice (CoP) theory as a heuristic device, enabling insights into decision-makers talk-about talent and the implications of this talk. We highlight shared fundamental assumptions regarding the exclusivity of talent and beliefs that talent is both stable (natural ability) and developable (mastery). We reveal an emerging dilemma between the ‘talent community’ and ‘wider community’; in particular a tension between decision-makers’ beliefs that talent are ‘promotable’ and expectations in this cultural context. We contribute a conceptual representation of talent philosophies within this Thai context and discuss how this discursive construction of talent enables and constrains participation and learning in these SMEs

A phytobacterial TIR domain effector manipulates NAD\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e to promote virulence

The Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 type III effector HopAM1 suppresses plant immunity and contains a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain homologous to immunity-related TIR domains of plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors that hydrolyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and activate immunity. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to determine if HopAM1 hydrolyzes NAD+ and if the activity is essential for HopAM1’s suppression of plant immunity and contribution to virulence. HPLC and LC-MS were utilized to analyze metabolites produced from NAD+ by HopAM1 in vitro and in both yeast and plants. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression and in planta inoculation assays were performed to determine HopAM1’s intrinsic enzymatic activity and virulence contribution. HopAM1 is catalytically active and hydrolyzes NAD+ to produce nicotinamide and a novel cADPR variant (v2-cADPR). Expression of HopAM1 triggers cell death in yeast and plants dependent on the putative catalytic residue glutamic acid 191 (E191) within the TIR domain. Furthermore, HopAM1’s E191 residue is required to suppress both pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity and promote P. syringae virulence. HopAM1 manipulates endogenous NAD+ to produce v2-cADPR and promote pathogenesis. This work suggests that HopAM1’s TIR domain possesses different catalytic specificity than other TIR domain-containing NAD+ hydrolases and that pathogens exploit this activity to sabotage NAD+ metabolism for immune suppression and virulence

A phytobacterial TIR domain effector manipulates NAD\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e to promote virulence

The Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 type III effector HopAM1 suppresses plant immunity and contains a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain homologous to immunity-related TIR domains of plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors that hydrolyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and activate immunity. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to determine if HopAM1 hydrolyzes NAD+ and if the activity is essential for HopAM1’s suppression of plant immunity and contribution to virulence. HPLC and LC-MS were utilized to analyze metabolites produced from NAD+ by HopAM1 in vitro and in both yeast and plants. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression and in planta inoculation assays were performed to determine HopAM1’s intrinsic enzymatic activity and virulence contribution. HopAM1 is catalytically active and hydrolyzes NAD+ to produce nicotinamide and a novel cADPR variant (v2-cADPR). Expression of HopAM1 triggers cell death in yeast and plants dependent on the putative catalytic residue glutamic acid 191 (E191) within the TIR domain. Furthermore, HopAM1’s E191 residue is required to suppress both pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity and promote P. syringae virulence. HopAM1 manipulates endogenous NAD+ to produce v2-cADPR and promote pathogenesis. This work suggests that HopAM1’s TIR domain possesses different catalytic specificity than other TIR domain-containing NAD+ hydrolases and that pathogens exploit this activity to sabotage NAD+ metabolism for immune suppression and virulence

Towards an improved platform for dengue and Zika virus virus-like particle production

FAME analysis Using GC-QTOF with HP-88 (100m) column for the manuscript entitled Towards an improved platform for dengue and Zika virus virus-like particle productionTHIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV