scholarly journals Unions and industrial improvement projects: Building a common momentum

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Harald Lied
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Organisational Performance ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Facilitative Role ◽  
Improvement Measures ◽  
Workplace Innovation ◽  
Industrial Company ◽  
Made In

The purpose of this article is to define the potential role unions can play in a general quest for improved practice in an industrial company. Workplace innovation (WPI) is one example of such a measure. Lean is another. The article outlines important elements when implementing improvement tools like Workplace Innovation and Lean practice. The efforts are focused at company level, and experiences from a Norwegian industrial company highlight the areas of importance. The amplifying role a union can play in an improvement process is discussed, and motives and processes are clarified, in order to show the role of unions in a broader sense. The “Nordic” tradition of organising work-life frames the considerations made in this paper, but elements of experience can also be valuable in other work-life traditions. Practical improvement is the ultimate goal in an improvement project, and this article shows how unions can play an active part and amplify the results when it comes to enhancing organisational performance. Theories and experiences are supported by interviews with experienced leaders and employee representatives. Changes are often met with resistance, and the article shows that unions, under certain circumstances, can play a facilitative role when it comes to the implementation of improved practice. Joint motives provide a unique opportunity to succeed, and Workplace Innovation and other improvement measures can represent a “win – win” formula in that sense. A democratic and dialogical approach towards Work Life design contributes to both efficiency and stimulating workplaces through Workplace Innovation and Lean Management.

scholarly journals Malaria and red cell genetic defects

Blood ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1213-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Nagel ◽  
EF Jr Roth
Keyword(s):  
Culture System ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Metabolic Products ◽  
Recombinant Technology ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Made In

Abstract The study of inherited RBC resistance to malaria has increased our knowledge of the biochemistry and physiology of the host-parasite interaction and suggested potential sites for therapeutic intervention. Discovery by Jensen and Trager of the in vitro culture system for P falciparum has facilitated research in this area. Known RBC defects may affect invasion, growth, or merozoite liberation (Fig 1). Significant advances made in understanding mechanisms underlying protection against malaria should not obscure the fact that the data are far from complete. More knowledge is needed about the influence of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton on invasion and growth of parasites as well as the potential role of phospholipids, erythrocyte enzymes other than G6PD, or other metabolic products. Application of DNA analysis and recombinant technology may have an increasing impact on study of the interaction of RBC defects with malarial parasites.

scholarly journals Structural plasticity of actin-spectrin membrane skeleton and functional role of actin and spectrin in axon degeneration

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guiping Wang ◽  
David J Simon ◽  
Zhuhao Wu ◽  
Deanna M Belsky ◽  
Evan Heller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Structural Plasticity ◽  
Membrane Skeleton ◽  
Retrograde Signaling ◽  
Axon Degeneration ◽  
Protein Loss ◽  
Connectivity Patterns ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Made In

Axon degeneration sculpts neuronal connectivity patterns during development and is an early hallmark of several adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders. Substantial progress has been made in identifying effector mechanisms driving axon fragmentation, but less is known about the upstream signaling pathways that initiate this process. Here, we investigate the behavior of the actin-spectrin-based Membrane-associated Periodic Skeleton (MPS), and effects of actin and spectrin manipulations in sensory axon degeneration. We show that trophic deprivation (TD) of mouse sensory neurons causes a rapid disassembly of the axonal MPS, which occurs prior to protein loss and independently of caspase activation. Actin destabilization initiates TD-related retrograde signaling needed for degeneration; actin stabilization prevents MPS disassembly and retrograde signaling during TD. Depletion of βII-spectrin, a key component of the MPS, suppresses retrograde signaling and protects axons against degeneration. These data demonstrate structural plasticity of the MPS and suggest its potential role in early steps of axon degeneration.

scholarly journals Malaria and red cell genetic defects

Blood ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1213-1221
Author(s):  
RL Nagel ◽  
EF Jr Roth
Keyword(s):  
Culture System ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Metabolic Products ◽  
Recombinant Technology ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Made In

The study of inherited RBC resistance to malaria has increased our knowledge of the biochemistry and physiology of the host-parasite interaction and suggested potential sites for therapeutic intervention. Discovery by Jensen and Trager of the in vitro culture system for P falciparum has facilitated research in this area. Known RBC defects may affect invasion, growth, or merozoite liberation (Fig 1). Significant advances made in understanding mechanisms underlying protection against malaria should not obscure the fact that the data are far from complete. More knowledge is needed about the influence of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton on invasion and growth of parasites as well as the potential role of phospholipids, erythrocyte enzymes other than G6PD, or other metabolic products. Application of DNA analysis and recombinant technology may have an increasing impact on study of the interaction of RBC defects with malarial parasites.

scholarly journals Microbial-Driven Immunological Memory and Its Potential Role in Microbiome Editing for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laure Campillo-Gimenez ◽  
David Rios-Covian ◽  
Jesus Rivera-Nieves ◽  
Hiroshi Kiyono ◽  
Hiutung Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Microbial Consortium ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Immune Memory ◽  
Mucosal Lymphocyte ◽  
Made In

Over the last several years, many advances have been made in understanding the role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancers. Beginning with Helicobacter pylori being recognized as the first bacterial carcinogen and the causative agent of most gastric cancers, more recent studies have examined the role of enteric microbes in colorectal cancer. In the digestive tract, these communities are numerous and have a complex interrelationship with local immune/inflammatory responses that impact the health of the host. As modifying the microbiome in the stomach has decreased the risk of gastric cancer, modifying the distal microbiome may decrease the risk of colorectal cancers. To date, very few studies have considered the notion that mucosal lymphocyte-dependent immune memory may confound attempts to change the microbial components in these communities. The goal of this review is to consider some of the factors impacting host-microbial interactions that affect colorectal cancer and raise questions about how immune memory responses to the local microbial consortium affect any attempt to modify the composition of the intestinal microbiome.

scholarly journals Naar een duurzame toekomst? Het belang van vakmanschap van (oudere) werknemers bij de transitie naar een meer duurzame industrie

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Joop Zinsmeister ◽  
Daniel van Middelkoop ◽  
Marcel van Maanen
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Older Employees ◽  
Sustainable Future ◽  
Oudere Werknemers ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Industrial Company

Economische sectoren als landbouw, transport en industrie staan voor de opgave om te verduurzamen. Deze opgave zorgt voor andere banen en stelt andere eisen aan mensen die werkzaam zijn in deze sectoren. In dit artikel verkennen we de vraagstukken rond werk, vakmanschap en oudere werknemers die ontstaan vanwege deze transitie, en de rol die HR hierin speelt. Om hier inzicht in te krijgen, deden we een jaar lang onderzoek bij een groot industrieel bedrijf, waar we spraken met vakmensen, HR-medewerkers en leidinggevenden over de gevolgen voor het werk van de transitie van grijze naar groene productiemethoden. In deze casus bleek dat de schoksgewijs verlopende transitie het vakmanschap van (oudere) werknemers onder druk zet. De onzekerheid die de transitie voor de komende jaren met zich meebrengt leidt op organisatieniveau tot spanningsvelden. HR zou de eigen rol kunnen invullen door de concretisering van de duurzame productie in de toekomst samen met de werknemers en de leidinggevenden proactief vorm te geven.Economic sectors like agriculture, transport and industry face the challenge to become more sustainable. This challenge impacts the jobs available and changes the skills which people need to work in those sectors. In this article, we explore questions concerning work, craftmanship and older employees which arise because of this transition as well as the potential role of HR in addressing these questions. In order to gain insight in these questions, we conducted research for over a year in a large industrial company, during which we spoke with craftsmen, HR professionals and managers. We spoke with them about the consequences of the transition to more sustainable production methods, now and in the near future. In this case, it became clear that the transition puts pressure on the craftmanship of employees, especially the older employees. The insecurity that emerged as a result of the transition also leads to various tensions on the organizational level. HR could play an important role by proactively shaping the concretization of the envisioned sustainable future of the company together with the craftsmen and the managers.

scholarly journals The Potential Role of Community Actors in The Response Against COVID-19: Lessons From Three African Countries, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Mumba Zulu ◽  
Chama Mulubwa ◽  
Nathanael Sirili ◽  
Adam Silumbwe ◽  
Malizgani Paul Chavula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Systems ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Early Response ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Community Health Systems ◽  
Made In

Abstract Objective With the spread of COVID-19 to most low-and middle- income countries, global concerns arise on how to respond to the pandemic. We seek to highlight the early response to COVID-19 of Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia and draw lessons on how community actors could be engaged in the global efforts to prevent its spread and resurgence. This is envisioned to guide COVID-19 prevention efforts as well as implementation of interventions, especially in areas with relaxed, no or partial lockdown measures. ResultsCommunity actors can be useful in the promotion of behavioural change including consistent use of face masks, handwashing, social distancing, as well as act as whistle-blowers who identify new residents, report suspected COVID-19 cases and those breaking self-quarantine directives. Furthermore, community actors can encourage adherence to government directives on COVID-19 prevention through integrating COVID-19 information into their routine services. Countries across the globe have the opportunity to tap into the potential role of community actors, especially as we move towards more inclusive health systems. Increased involvement of community health systems is vital in sustaining the gains that have been made in areas where COVID-19 cases have reduced.

Prohormone transport through the secretory pathway of neuroendocrine cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland P Kuiper ◽  
Gerard JM Martens
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Secretory Protein ◽  
Neuroendocrine Cells ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Regulated Secretory Pathway ◽  
Made In

En route through the secretory pathway of neuroendocrine cells, prohormones pass a series of membrane-bounded compartments. During this transport, the prohormones are sorted to secretory granules and proteolytically cleaved to bioactive peptides. Recently, progress has been made in a number of aspects concerning secretory protein transport and sorting, particularly with respect to transport events in the early regions of the secretory pathway. In this review we will deal with some of these aspects, including: i) selective exit from the endoplasmic reticulum via COPII-coated vesicles and the potential role of p24 putative cargo receptors in this process, ii) cisternal maturation as an alternative model for protein transport through the Golgi complex, and iii) the mechanisms that may be involved in the sorting of regulated secretory proteins to secretory granules. Although much remains to be learned, interesting new insights into the functioning of the secretory pathway have been obtained.Key words: regulated secretory pathway, p24 family, vesicular transport, POMC, protein sorting, secretory granule, Xenopus laevis.

scholarly journals From Trash to Luxury: The Potential Role of Plant LncRNA in DNA Methylation During Abiotic Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Clara de Oliveira Urquiaga ◽  
Flávia Thiebaut ◽  
Adriana Silva Hemerly ◽  
Paulo Cavalcanti Gomes Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Gene Expression Regulation ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Target Gene Transcription ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

Remarkable progress has been made in elucidating important roles of plant non-coding RNAs. Among these RNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained widespread attention, especially their role in plant environmental stress responses. LncRNAs act at different levels of gene expression regulation, and one of these mechanisms is by recruitment of DNA methyltransferases or demethylases to regulate the target gene transcription. In this mini-review, we highlight the function of lncRNAs, including their potential role in RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) silencing pathway and their potential function under abiotic stresses conditions. Moreover, we also present and discuss studies of lncRNAs in crops. Finally, we propose a path outlook for future research that may be important for plant breeding.

POPDC proteins and cardiac function

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1393-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brand
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
Disease Genes ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
And Function

Abstract The Popeye domain-containing gene family encodes a novel class of cAMP effector proteins in striated muscle tissue. In this short review, we first introduce the protein family and discuss their structure and function with an emphasis on their role in cyclic AMP signalling. Another focus of this review is the recently discovered role of POPDC genes as striated muscle disease genes, which have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and muscular dystrophy. The pathological phenotypes observed in patients will be compared with phenotypes present in null and knockin mutations in zebrafish and mouse. A number of protein–protein interaction partners have been discovered and the potential role of POPDC proteins to control the subcellular localization and function of these interacting proteins will be discussed. Finally, we outline several areas, where research is urgently needed.

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