Homeoprotein Hbx4 represses adhesion molecule governing cytokinesis and development

Homeobox genes encode proteins with a highly conserved DNA-binding motif and provoke morphological diversification of body segments by differentially controlling the expression of downstream targets. Here, we have identified _hbx4_, one of many homeobox genes in _Dictyostelium discoideum_ and investigated its role during growth and development. In suspension, Hbx4-overexpressing cells, Hbx4^OE^, showed defects in cytokinesis and growth rate. During development, Hbx4^OE^ and _hbx4_-disrupting cells, _hbx4¯_ made differences in shape of mound and slug, cell-type proportioning from wild type KAx3 cells. These phenotypes were similar to those of mutant defective in _cadA_ encoding Ca^2+^-dependent cell adhesion molecule so that we investigated the relationship between _hbx4_ and _cadA_. Overexpression of Hbx4 inhibited the expression of _cadA_ and cAMP also failed to stimulate _cadA_ in Hbx4^OE^. Furthermore, gel mobility shift assay showed the promoter of _cadA_ contained Hbx4-binding site, indicating Hbx4 negatively regulates the expression of _cadA_. Proteome analysis revealed that overexpression of Hbx4 repressed the _rdiA_ and _abpB_ encoding rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor1, RhoGDI1 and actin bundling protein 34, ABP34, respectively. And the overexpression of _cadA_ in Hbx4^OE^ cells rescued the defects and increased mRNA level of _rdiA_, _abpB_ and one of Rho GTPase, _rac1b_. These results suggested that Hbx4 can modulate cytokinesis, cell sorting and cell-type proportioning by repressing _cadA_ that regulates GTPase-dependent signaling pathway

Development of the Fast Light Alloy Stamping Technology (FAST) towards automotive applications: experimental studies

In order to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions for the automotive industry, a novel forming technology Fast light alloy stamping technology (FAST) for high and ultra-high strength aluminium alloy thin wall components (such as AA7075) was developed with experimental studies in this thesis. The process consists of: rapid heating, forming and in-die quenching, and incubation. A hot Stamping Simulator tool set to study FAST was successfully developed and manufactured to work in conjunction with the Gleeble 3800 thermo-mechanical testing machine. Based on this Hot Stamping Simulator, the effect of forming parameters on the formability of material and post-form strength have been studied for AA7075 2 mm blank. The effects of contact pressure, lubricant, and tool material on the Interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) have also been studied, and a mathematical model was developed in order to calculate the quenching time, predict post form strength and optimise the tool design to secure a high quenching rate, enabling the full post-form strength to be retained. Verification tests for the FAST process utilising AA7075 2 mm blank were conducted by forming U-shape and M-shape components. A standard testing procedure was developed for different materials and manufacturer requirements and was verified by studying 6 test cases. Finally, as a new forming process, conclusions and recommendations are made outlining additional factors to be studied to enable the FAST process to be adopted in an industrial environment.Open Acces

The danger of a one-sided story: The effects of production regimes and family policies on the gender employment gap

Despite growing interest in the effects of variations in work and family reconciliation policies on female employment across countries, the questions in what way and to what extent production regimes influence female employment provide an important backdrop to the current research. Drawing on Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) literature, I examine the effects of production regimes and work and family reconciliation policies on the gender employment gap simultaneously in 15 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries using the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS). Childcare is associated with a lesser degree of gender gap in employment participation and leave generosity has a curvilinear relation with the gender employment gap. Whereas the coordinated market economies themselves are associated with smaller gender gaps in employment participation, in the coordinated market economies leave generosity produces a higher gender employment gap than in the liberal market economies. This research highlights the importance of production regimes in understanding female employment and the interactive effects of leave generosity by production regimes