Resolving agency issues in client-contractor relationships to deliver project success

In our research we seek to explain why some relationships between project client and contractors are managed in such a way that leads to success and others are not. In doing so, we analyze how the relational risk that exists when a client sources a project from an external organization is managed. We view the topic through a lens of agency theory and we use a multiple case study research design, analyzing projects from the construction and clinical research business sectors that had varying degrees of success. We extend knowledge of managing relational risk by developing a framework for resolving agency-related issues to deliver project success. The framework encompasses mechanisms to managing relational risk which we classify in five broad areas: contract, understanding, resources, education and delegation – the CURED framework. These areas reflect both formal and informal mechanisms as described in existing literature

FAM83D directs protein kinase CK1α to the mitotic spindle for proper spindle positioning

The concerted action of many protein kinases helps orchestrate the error-free progression through mitosis of mammalian cells. The roles and regulation of some prominent mitotic kinases, such as cyclin-dependent kinases, are well established. However, these and other known mitotic kinases alone cannot account for the extent of protein phosphorylation that has been reported during mammalian mitosis. Here we demonstrate that CK1α, of the casein kinase 1 family of protein kinases, localises to the spindle and is required for proper spindle positioning and timely cell division. CK1α is recruited to the spindle by FAM83D, and cells devoid of FAM83D, or those harbouring CK1α-binding-deficient FAM83D F283A/F283A knockin mutations, display pronounced spindle positioning defects, and a prolonged mitosis. Restoring FAM83D at the endogenous locus in FAM83D −/− cells, or artificially delivering CK1α to the spindle in FAM83D F283A/F283A cells, rescues these defects. These findings implicate CK1α as new mitotic kinase that orchestrates the kinetics and orientation of cell division. </p

The use of imepitoin (Pexion™) on fear and anxiety related problems in dogs – a case series

Fear and anxiety based problems are common in dogs. Alongside behaviour modification programmes, a range of psychopharmacological agents may be recommended to treat such problems, but few are licensed for use in dogs and the onset of action of some can be delayed. The low affinity partial benzodiazepine receptor agonist imepitoin (Pexion™, Boehringer Ingelheim) is licensed for treating canine epilepsy, has a fast onset of action in dogs and has demonstrated anxiolytic properties in rodent models. This case series reports on the use of imepitoin in a group of dogs identified as having fear/anxiety based problems. Twenty dogs were enrolled into the study, attended a behaviour consultation and underwent routine laboratory evaluation. Nineteen dogs proceeded to be treated with imepitoin orally twice daily (starting dose approximately 10 mg/kg, with alterations as required to a maximum 30 mg/kg) alongside a patient-specific behaviour modification plan for a period of 11–19 weeks. Progress was monitored via owner report through daily diary entries and telephone follow-up every two weeks. A Positive and Negative Activation Scale (PANAS) of temperament was also completed by owners during baseline and at the end of the study

Investigation of LKB1 Ser⁴³¹ phosphorylation and Cys⁴³³ farnesylation using mouse knockin analysis reveals an unexpected role of prenylation in regulating AMPK activity

The LKB1 tumour suppressor protein kinase functions to activate two isoforms of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and 12 members of the AMPK-related family of protein kinases. The highly conserved C-terminal residues of LKB1 are phosphorylated (Ser(431)) by PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase) and RSK (ribosomal S6 kinase) and farnesylated (Cys(433)) within a CAAX motif. To better define the role that these post-translational modifications play, we created homozygous LKB1(S431A/S431A) and LKB1(C433S/C433S) knockin mice. These animals were viable, fertile and displayed no overt phenotypes. Employing a farnesylation-specific monoclonal antibody that we generated, we established by immunoprecipitation that the vast majority, if not all, of the endogenous LKB1 is prenylated. Levels of LKB1 localized at the membrane of the liver of LKB1(C433S/C433S) mice and their fibroblasts were reduced substantially compared with the wild-type mice, confirming that farnesylation plays a role in mediating membrane association. Although AMPK was activated normally in the LKB1(S431A/S431A) animals, we unexpectedly observed in all of the examined tissues and cells taken from LKB1(C433S/C433S) mice that the basal, as well as that induced by the AMP-mimetic AICAR (5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside), AMPK activation, phenformin and muscle contraction were significantly blunted. This resulted in a reduced ability of AICAR to inhibit lipid synthesis in primary hepatocytes isolated from LKB1(C433S/C433S) mice. The activity of several of the AMPK-related kinases analysed [BRSK1 (BR serine/threonine kinase 1), BRSK2, NUAK1 (NUAK family, SNF1-like kinase 1), SIK3 (salt-inducible kinase 3) and MARK4 (MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4)] was not affected in tissues derived from LKB1(S431A/S431A) or LKB1(C433S/C433S) mice. Our observations reveal for the first time that farnesylation of LKB1 is required for the activation of AMPK. Previous reports have indicated that a pool of AMPK is localized at the plasma membrane as a result of myristoylation of its regulatory AMPKβ subunit. This raises the possibility that LKB1 farnesylation and myristoylation of AMPKβ might promote the interaction and co-localization of these enzymes on a two-dimensional membrane surface and thereby promote efficient activation of AMPK

Optical implementation of the wavelet transform by using a bacteriorhodopsin film as an optically addressed spatial light modulator

An optical system utilizing the photoinduced dichroism in a bacteriorhodopsin film has been demonstrated for the optical implementation of wavelet transforms. The dichroism, induced by the image of a wavelet filter on a bacteriorhodopsin film leads to polarization rotation of the Fourier components of an image. The polarization-rotated Fourier components of an input scene are analyzed with a polarizer to give the wavelet transform components. The dichroism is induced with beams whose profiles are determined by wavelet filters in order to perform the optical wavelet transform

Conditions of Success for Earned Value Analysis in Projects

Earned Value Analysis (EVA) is a method that has gained traction in some business sectors to report project progress and help control performance. Yet the literature reports mixed results as to its effectiveness in helping deliver successful projects and, additionally, much of the previous studies on the topic is conceptual in nature focusing on the design of the EVA system. We therefore extend knowledge on EVA by analysing the impact of EVA on the levels of success of two projects that utilised the method. This is done through the prism of agency and organisational justice theories. A framework is proposed of EVA conditions of success, incorporating both design and operational aspects of the EVA system. The framework is used to develop testable propositions that can guide further research into the effects of EVA-based systems on the creation of agency-related characteristics in the project environment that are conducive to project success

Customer emotions in service failure and recovery encounters

Emotions play a significant role in the workplace, and considerable attention has been given to the study of employee emotions. Customers also play a central function in organizations, but much less is known about customer emotions. This chapter reviews the growing literature on customer emotions in employee–customer interfaces with a focus on service failure and recovery encounters, where emotions are heightened. It highlights emerging themes and key findings, addresses the measurement, modeling, and management of customer emotions, and identifies future research streams. Attention is given to emotional contagion, relationships between affective and cognitive processes, customer anger, customer rage, and individual differences