Identifizierung und Charakterisierung eines neuen Bindeproteins für zyklische Nukleotide

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate are important intracellular messengers. Binding of cyclic nucleotides controls the activity of protein kinases, ion channels and guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors in many cells. The SCNBP (soluble cyclic nucleotide-binding protein) is a novel uncharacterized protein predicted to comprise a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain. This protein belongs to neither of the known families of effector proteins for cyclic nucleotides. Within 17 distinct species - from marine invertebrates to humans - genes orthologous to the mouse SCNBP are present. Hence, the SCNBP could belong to a novel class of effector proteins for cyclic nucleotides. Northern blot experiments with mouse tissue indicate that the mRNA of SCNBP is expressed predominantly in the testis and by means of in situ hybridization it was specifically detected in spermatocytes. In the present study, SCNBP expression has been analyzed in mouse testis utilizing specific antibodies. I could provide evidence that two distinct SCNBP variants are present in mouse testis. To approach the physiological function of SCNBP, I identified by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry proteins in mouse testis that potentially interact with SCNBP. For a comprehensive biochemical study, SCNBP was heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Following fermentation of these cells in a stirred tank bioreactor I purified SCNBP by affinity chromatography

On vocabulary size of grammar-based codes

We discuss inequalities holding between the vocabulary size, i.e., the number of distinct nonterminal symbols in a grammar-based compression for a string, and the excess length of the respective universal code, i.e., the code-based analog of algorithmic mutual information. The aim is to strengthen inequalities which were discussed in a weaker form in linguistics but shed some light on redundancy of efficiently computable codes. The main contribution of the paper is a construction of universal grammar-based codes for which the excess lengths can be bounded easily.Comment: 5 pages, accepted to ISIT 2007 and correcte

A general definition of conditional information and its application to ergodic decomposition

We discuss a~simple definition of conditional mutual information (CMI) for fields and $\sigma$-fields. The new definition is applicable also in nonregular cases, unlike the well-known but more restricted definition of CMI by Dobrushin. Certain properties of the two notions of CMI and their equivalence for countably generated $\sigma$-fields are established. We also consider an application, which concerns the ergodic decomposition of mutual information for stationary processes. In this case, CMI is tightly linked, via additivity of information, with entropy defined as self-information. Thus we reconsider the latter concept in some detail

On the Vocabulary of Grammar-Based Codes and the Logical Consistency of Texts

The article presents a new interpretation for Zipf's law in natural language which relies on two areas of information theory. We reformulate the problem of grammar-based compression and investigate properties of strongly nonergodic stationary processes. The motivation for the joint discussion is to prove a proposition with a simple informal statement: If an $n$-letter long text describes $n^\beta$ independent facts in a random but consistent way then the text contains at least $n^\beta/\log n$ different words. In the formal statement, two specific postulates are adopted. Firstly, the words are understood as the nonterminal symbols of the shortest grammar-based encoding of the text. Secondly, the texts are assumed to be emitted by a nonergodic source, with the described facts being binary IID variables that are asymptotically predictable in a shift-invariant way. The proof of the formal proposition applies several new tools. These are: a construction of universal grammar-based codes for which the differences of code lengths can be bounded easily, ergodic decomposition theorems for mutual information between the past and future of a stationary process, and a lemma that bounds differences of a sublinear function. The linguistic relevance of presented modeling assumptions, theorems, definitions, and examples is discussed in parallel.While searching for concrete processes to which our proposition can be applied, we introduce several instances of strongly nonergodic processes. In particular, we define the subclass of accessible description processes, which formalizes the notion of texts that describe facts in a self-contained way

A general definition of conditional information and its application to ergodic decomposition

We discuss a simple definition of conditional mutual information (CMI) for fields and $\sigma$-fields. The new definition is applicable also in nonregular cases, unlike the well-known but more restricted definition of CMI by Dobrushin. Certain properties of the two notions of CMI and their equivalence for countably generated $\sigma$-fields are established. We also consider an application, which concerns the ergodic decomposition of mutual information for stationary processes. In this case, CMI is tightly linked, via additivity of information, with entropy defined as self-information. Thus we reconsider the latter concept in some detail

Computable Bayesian Compression for Uniformly Discretizable Statistical Models

Supplementing Vovk and V'yugin's `if' statement, we show that Bayesian compression provides the best enumerable compression for parameter-typical data if and only if the parameter is Martin-L\"of random with respect to the prior. The result is derived for uniformly discretizable statistical models, introduced here. They feature the crucial property that given a~discretized parameter, we can compute how much data is needed to learn its value with little uncertainty. Exponential families and certain nonparametric models are shown to be uniformly discretizable

Developing an Effective Repatriation Strategy for MNC: A Model and Tools for International Human Resource Management

With the increasing movement of employees across national boundaries comes a stronger focus on the needs of repatriates of multinational corporations. These workers have needs that are often unrecognized. In particular, they may suffer similar emotional dislocation to those working as expatriates. However, many companies fail to recognise or accommodate these concerns in their policies or practices. This paper proposes a model for developing an effective repatriation support process. It includes the four elements of policy development, construction of a repatriation agreement, the provision of repatriation programs, and the evaluation of the success of these strategies. The model is supported through the provision of a set of tools that may help guide those working in repatriation services

Exit, Voice or Loyalty? VET Stakeholders’ Response to Large Scale Skilled Emigration From Poland

Context: The topic of this paper is how mass emigration of skilled workers affects national policies, and employers’ willingness to invest in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Poland. In the wake of EU enlargement in 2004, Poland became one of the biggest sending countries for skilled labour to Western European countries. These massive outflows of skilled labour, not compensated by adequate inflows of equally skilled workers, have led to serious skills shortages, especially in the construction sector. The paper investigates whether emigration and immigration constitute a driving force for institutional change of the Polish VET system, by analysing policy development and the attitudes of VET stakeholders towards contributing to VET.Approach: The paper focuses on the emigration of skilled construction workers in Poland. Drawing on Hirschman’s (1970) framework, when faced with massive skills deficits construction companies are confronted with different options: i) withdraw from the VET system and find other training and recruitment options (exit), ii) attempt to improve conditions by turning to policy makers (voice), and/or iii) remain loyal to the VET system. The analysis is based on an interview study of decision makers responsible for VET policies, employers, chamber of Craft and trade unions, principals of vocational schools, teachers and representatives of regional examination boards.Findings: After years of inattention, VET has been regaining a strong position in national policies. We find that construction companies are mostly more willing now, compared to 5 years ago, to take on learners for practical training and to contribute to improving school equipment. The study showed that one of the most significant obstacles to employers investing in the training of VET learners is the fear of losing a young skilled employee through emigration. Yet, dependent on skilled labour, employers of big construction companies saw no other option than to continue investing in training young learners. However, smaller companies seeking the short-term benefits of employing low-cost labour are less interested in investing in VET.Conclusion: Despite a range of recent policy actions and legislative efforts, several major challenges in the Polish VET system remain unresolved. Continued effort to institutionalise and enhance dialogue between the education system and the labour market appears as the most pressing need. It is currently too early to determine the degree of "institutional stickiness" of the activities observed on the policy level and among employers regarding their increased interest in VET as a response to mass skilled emigration.

Towards a Virtual Collaborator in Online Collaboration from an Organizations’ Perspective

In this empiric study, we present the specifications of virtual collaboration in times of the Covid-19 pandemic in an organization that worked mostly co-located beforehand, and requirements for a virtual collaborator (VC) resulting from those specifications. Related work shows that a VCs can support virtual teams in achieving their goals and promote creative work. We extend this with insights from practice by observing creative and collaborative workshops in the automotive industry and conducting interviews with facilitators and participants of these workshops. Subsequently, we identify the challenges that participants face in virtual collaboration, and derive design guidelines for a VC to address them. Main problems arise due to the virtual interaction lacking nonverbal communication and in the preparation phase that requires more planning and effort. A VC could help by influencing group cohesion and build networks between the participants, influencing the virtual working environment as well as contributing to the contents

Promoting Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Awareness Within the Domestic Violence Community

Background: Brain injury has been shown in research to decrease individuals’ ability to participate in their meaningful activities by negatively impacting their cognitive, emotional, and physical systems. Recent research has begun to indicate that survivors of domestic violence (DV) are at extreme risk for experiencing partner inflicted brain injury (PIBI)--brain injury that results from the physical violence of a survivor\u27s intimate partner. However, despite the prevalence of PIBI within the DV community, research shows that survivors and DV service providers alike are not aware of how PIBI can impact survivors\u27 daily life and wellbeing. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to utilize occupational therapy principles to create a trauma-informed, and sustainable educational program that would increase PIBI awareness within the domestic violence community. Program Implementation: To accomplish this, the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP) model and an occupation focus was applied to an existing trauma-informed framework that was created to guide DV service providers working with survivors of trauma, mental health challenges and brain injury. DV support services participated in one, online, synchronous in-service that introduced the etiology and occupational performance impact of PIBI, and how providers could implement appropriate accommodations to further support survivors. Results: By the end of the program, providers reported that their awareness and confidence addressing PIBI had improved. They either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they were now aware of PIBI’s impact, accommodations they could implement, and community or online resources they could refer to to further support survivors. They also “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they were confident in starting a conversation about PIBI, educating survivors, and implementing appropriate accommodations. Conclusions: These outcomes indicate that the incorporation of occupational therapy principles to existing and future PIBI education is feasible, has the potential to benefit service providers, and could be expanded upon by stakeholders.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2021/1004/thumbnail.jp