Satisfaction and acceptance with learning management systems

More and more often, universities make the decision to implement integrated learning management systems. Nevertheless, these technological developments are not realized without any trouble, and are achieved with more or less success and user satisfaction (Valenduc, 2000). It is why the presented study aims at identifying the factors influencing learning management system satisfaction and acceptance among students. The Technology Acceptance model created by Wixom and Todd (2005) studies information system acceptance through user satisfaction, and has the benefit of incorporating several ergonomic factors. More precisely, the survey, based on this model, investigates behavioral attitudes towards the system, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, as well as system satisfaction, information satisfaction and also incorporates two groups of factors affecting separately the two types of satisfaction. The study was conducted on a representative sample of 593 students from a Brussels university which had recently implemented an integrated learning management system. The results show on one hand, the impact of system reliability, accessibility, flexibility, lay-out and functionalities offered on system satisfaction. And on the other hand, the impact of information accuracy, intelligibility, relevance, exhaustiveness and actualization on information satisfaction. In conclusion, the results indicate the applicability of the theoretical model with learning management systems, and also highlight the importance of each aforementioned factor for a successful implantation of such a system in universities.

Structures of P-glycoprotein reveal its conformational flexibility and an epitope on the nucleotide-binding domain

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the best-known mediators of drug efflux-based multidrug resistance in many cancers. This validated therapeutic target is a prototypic, plasma membrane resident ATPBinding Cassette transporter that pumps xenobiotic compounds out of cells. The large, polyspecific drug-binding pocket of P-gp recognizes a variety of structurally unrelated compounds. The transport of these drugs across the membrane is coincident with changes in the size and shape of this pocket during the course of the transport cycle. Here, we present the crystal structures of three inward-facing conformations of mouse P-gp derived from two different crystal forms. One structure has a nanobody bound to the C-terminal side of the first nucleotide-binding domain. This nanobody strongly inhibits the ATP hydrolysis activity of mouse Pgp by hindering the formation of a dimeric complex between the ATP-binding domains, which is essential for nucleotide hydrolysis. Together, these inward-facing conformational snapshots of P-gp demonstrate a range of flexibility exhibited by this transporter, which is likely an essential feature for the binding and transport of large, diverse substrates. The nanobody-bound structure also reveals a unique epitope on P-gp.

Commentary on: Are we overpathologizing everyday life? A tenable blueprint for behavioral addiction research: On functional and compulsive aspects of reinforcement pathologies

Background: This paper is a commentary to a debate article entitled: "Are we overpathologizing everyday life? A tenable blueprint for behavioral addiction research", by Billieux et al. (2015). Methods and aim: This brief response focused on the necessity to better characterize psychological and related neurocognitive determinants of persistent deleterious actions associated or not with substance utilization. Results: A majority of addicted people could be driven by psychological functional reasons to keep using drugs, gambling or buying despite the growing number of related negative consequences. In addition, a non-negligible proportion of them would need assistance to restore profound disturbances in basic learning processes involved in compulsive actions. Conclusions: The distinction between psychological functionality and compulsive aspects of addictive behaviors should represent a big step towards more efficient treatments.