1,523 research outputs found
Labour process and the division of labour, a reading
No full textThis article proposes an analysis of the labour process and the division of labour in capitalist production through a reading of Marx and a few others like Babbage and Braverman. The distinction between labour and labour power is used to expose the specificity of the labour process. Cooperation constitues the fundamental from of capitalist production, which entails a double-sided command (coordination to produce use-values and despotism to extract surplus-value). Formal subordination, i.e; the threat of lay-off, is historically and logically the primitive moment of labour's subordination to capital. The effect of the division of labour on productivity is only temporary. It principally deprives workers of their professional skills, increases real control by management, reduces labour power's value and prepares its replacement by machinery. There is an incessant struggle between labour and management over the control of the labour process and over skills.Labour process, Babbage principle, division of labour, formal/real subordination, cooperation.
Immunophilins and Coupled Gating of Ryanodine Receptors
No full textThe ryanodine receptor (RyR) is the major calcium (Ca2+) release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal and cardiac muscle and is required for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. The 565 kDa RyR protein forms a tetrameric channel that is part of a macromolecular signaling complex that also includes four FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs). The RyR channel complex is localized on specialized regions of the SR, such that the large RyR cytoplasmic domain is closely opposed to the transverse tubule (T-tubule) of the plasma membrane. RyR channel complexes are organized in regular arrays such that neighboring RyRs are in physical contact with each other. We have shown that physical and functional association between RyR1 or RyR2 channels results in coordinated gating behavior termed coupled gating. Coupled gating requires FKBP12 or FKBP12.6 in the RyR1 or RyR2 macromolecular complexes, respectively. FKBPs are known to stabilize single RyR channel function. Coupled gating describes an additional role for FKBPs in the functional coordination of RyR channel complexes that allows clusters of channels to function as “Ca2+ release units” (CRU). In addition, the FKBP-RyR interaction is regulated by PKA phosphorylation. In failing hearts PKA hyperphosphorylation of RyR2 causes depletion of FKBP12.6 from the channel macromolecular complex and may contribute to contractile dysfunction by impairing EC coupling. As FKBPs are potent modulators of RyR channel function, the FKBP-RyR interaction is a focus for determining molecular mechanisms of coupled gating and presents an exciting pharmacologic target for restoration of RyR complex function in diseased states
Unified mathematical treatment of complex cascaded bipartite networks: The case of collections of journal papers
No full textIn this study, a mathematical treatment is proposed for analysis of entities and relations among entities in
complex networks consisting of cascaded bipartite networks. This treatment is applied to the case of
collections of journal papers. In this case, entities are distinguishable objects and concepts, such as papers,
references, paper authors, reference authors, paper journals, reference journals, institutions, terms, and term
definitions. Relations are associations between entity-types such as papers and the references they cite, or
paper authors and the papers they write. An entity-relationship model is introduced that explicitly shows
direct links between entity-types and possible useful indirect relations. From this a matrix formulation and
generalized matrix arithmetic are introduced that allow easy expression of relations between entities and
calculation of weights of indirect links and co-occurrence links. Occurrence matrices, equivalence
matrices, membership matrices and co-occurrence matrices are described. A dynamic model of growth
describes recursive relations in occurrence and co-occurrence matrices as papers are added to the paper
collection. Graph theoretic matrices are introduced to allow information flow studies of networks of papers
linked by their citations. Similarity calculations and similarity fusion are explained. Derivation of feature
vectors for pattern recognition techniques is presented. The relation of the proposed mathematical
treatment to seriation, clustering, multidimensional scaling, and visualization techniques is discussed. It is
shown that most existing bibliometric analysis techniques for dealing with collections of journal papers are
easily expressed in terms of the proposed mathematical treatment: co-citation analysis, bibliographic
coupling analysis, author co-citation analysis, journal co-citation analysis, Braam-Moed-vanRaan (BMV)
co-citation/co-word analysis, latent semantic analysis, hubs and authorities, and multidimensional scaling.
This report discusses an extensive software toolkit that was developed for this research for analyzing and
visualizing entities and links in a collection of journal papers. Additionally, an extensive case study is
presented, analyzing and visualizing 60 years of anthrax research through a collection of journal papers.
When dealing with complex networks that consist of cascaded bipartite networks, the treatment presented
here provides a general mathematical framework for all aspects of analysis of static network structure and
network dynamic growth. As such, it provides a basic paradigm for thinking about and modeling such
networks: computing direct and indirect links, expressing and analyzing statistical distributions of network
characteristics, describing network growth, deriving feature vectors, clustering, and visualizing network
structure and growth
Steven Holl. A poética do concreto.
No full textA arquitectura, as vertentes artísticas, a filosofia e o Homem. Procurou-se um autor para estudar a relação entre estas disciplinas, dedicando o estudo à obra prática e teórica do arquitecto Steven Holl. As habitações unifamiliares foram a base prática do estudo da conexão entre estas disciplinas.
O presente trabalho não procura respostas exactas às abordagens feitas ao tema em estudo, mas antes pretende ser uma contribuição para a abertura de novas questões e de novas formas de pensar e olhar a inerente relação entre estas disciplinas.
Permite-nos questionar, com o cruzamento de informação tanto fornecida pelo arquitecto como pela análise de diferentes autores, o pensamento e a interpretação contemporânea deste encadeamento, criando uma investigação em torno do conceito artístico na produção arquitectónica.Architecture, artistic forms, philosophy and mankind. There was a search to find an author to study the relation between those subjects, dedicating the study to the pratical and theoretical project of the architect Steven Holl. The houses were the pratical basis of the study of the connection between these subjects.
This work doesn't look for exact answers to the approaches made on the studied theme, but rather it pretends to be a contribution for the unveiling new questions e new ways of think and look the inner relation of the subjects.
It allows us to questioning, with the intersection of information provided by the architect and the analysis of different authors, the thought and contemporary interpretation of this series, creating an investigation around the artistic concept on the architectonic productio
A odisseia da mente : diálogos sobre o cérebro e a consciência
No full textBem-vindos a uma viagem extraordinária a bordo de uma caravela filosófica, guiada pelo Autor por "mares nunca dantes navegados". Esta Odisseia pelos mares tempestuosos do mente inclui a contribuição de 8 dos mais brilhantes especialistas internacionais sobre o cérebro e a consciência, como o Prémio Nobel da Física Sir Roger Penrose.
Dividido em duas partes, o livro inicia com Steven S. Gouveia a traçar as coordenadas fundamentais da filosofia e da ciência da mente. A segunda parte ganha vida nos diálogos do Autor com os 8 pensadores, proporcionando uma experiência única de exploração intelectual. Prepare-se para zarpar rumo ao desconhecido, onde a ciência e a filosofia convergem numa jornada cativante pelos mistérios da mente consciente.Welcome to an extraordinary journey aboard a philosophical caravel guided by the Author through 'seas never before navigated.' This odyssey through the tempestuous seas of the mind includes contributions from eight of the brightest international experts on the brain and consciousness, including Nobel Prize-winning physicist Sir Roger Penrose. Divided into two parts, the book begins with Steven S. Gouveia plotting the fundamental coordinates of philosophy and the science of the mind. The second part comes to life in the Author's dialogues with the eight thinkers, providing a unique experience of intellectual exploration. Prepare to set sail into the unknown, where science and philosophy converge in a captivating journey through the mysteries of the conscious mind
A selective microRNA-based strategy inhibits restenosis while preserving endothelial function
No full textDrugs currently approved to coat stents used in percutaneous coronary interventions do not discriminate between proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). This lack of discrimination delays reendothelialization and vascular healing, increasing the risk of late thrombosis following angioplasty. We developed a microRNA-based (miRNA-based) approach to inhibit proliferative VSMCs, thus preventing restenosis, while selectively promoting reendothelialization and preserving EC function. We used an adenoviral (Ad) vector that encodes cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) (p27) with target sequences for EC-specific miR-126-3p at the 3' end (Ad-p27-126TS). Exogenous p27 overexpression was evaluated in vitro and in a rat arterial balloon injury model following transduction with Ad-p27-126TS, Ad-p27 (without miR-126 target sequences), or Ad-GFP (control). In vitro, Ad-p27-126TS protected the ability of ECs to proliferate, migrate, and form networks. At 2 and 4 weeks after injury, Ad-p27-126TS-treated animals exhibited reduced restenosis, complete reendothelialization, reduced hypercoagulability, and restoration of the vasodilatory response to acetylcholine to levels comparable to those in uninjured vessels. By incorporating miR-126-3p target sequences to leverage endogenous EC-specific miR-126, we overexpressed exogenous p27 in VSMCs, while selectively inhibiting p27 overexpression in ECs. Our proof-of-principle study demonstrates the potential of using a miRNA-based strategy as a therapeutic approach to specifically inhibit vascular restenosis while preserving EC function
An analysis of internationally exported vehicle thefts in two high-risk cities
No full textMotor vehicle theft costs the United States billions of dollars each year in direct and indirect losses. More specifically, vehicle theft in areas near borders and ports has been cited as a significant growing problem in both academic studies and media reports. Although no reliable measure of international vehicle theft exists, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and other agencies acknowledge that a disproportionate number of vehicles are stolen in cities and towns near borders and ports. Yet, with few exceptions, research studies have not focused on vehicle theft in these high-risk areas. This dissertation utilizes incident-level data from a U.S.-Mexico border area city (Chula Vista, California) and a U.S. port area city (Newark, New Jersey) to investigate vehicle theft patterns related to exporting in the two locations. Two separate analyses were conducted using recovery status and recovery country as dependent variables in logistic regression models. Predictor variables were constructed based on previous research findings and expectations from a rational choice framework. In the multivariate comparison between unrecovered vehicles and recovered vehicles in both sites, few significant predictors emerged. Overall, there were more statistically significant predictors in Chula Vista than in Newark. Specifically, in Chula Vista, iii unrecovered vehicle thefts are more likely to be larger vehicle types. In a second analysis, vehicles stolen in Chula Vista and recovered in Mexico were compared to a random sample of vehicles stolen in Chula Vista and recovered domestically. Vehicles stolen in Chula Vista and recovered in Mexico are significantly younger and more expensive than vehicles recovered in the U.S. Additionally, sports utility vehicles and pick-up trucks are more likely to be taken to Mexico, while 2-door cars are more likely to be recovered domestically. The current study provides partial support for a link between rational choice perspective’s focus on increasing rewards and professional vehicle theft in Mexico. It appears that less consideration is given to reducing effort and risk by professional thieves in these areas in comparison to amateur thieves. From a policy standpoint, this study indicates that prevention efforts should target certain vehicles in border cities and focus less on space and time.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Steven Bloc
It's a True Kinda Love: Steven Universe and How Its LGBTQ Characters Shows a Positive Representation of Gender Non-Conforming Identities and Lesbian Relationships
No full textThe author has granted permission for their work to be available to the general public.This research effort analyzed different representations of queerness, mainly same-sex relationships and gender non-conforming identities, in Steven Universe through the different characters in the show. It examined the representations of LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) characters for children to watch, due to most LGBTQ youth facing homelessness because of their identity, along with isolation from friends and family, as well as harassment from their peers in school. Using different theoretical perspectives from queer theorists Judith Butler and Cathy Cohen we can discover themes in Steven Universe that correlate with the theoretical concepts, mainly the analysis of nonnormative identities that the show depicts. A content analysis of forty selected episodes with twenty episodes depicting important queer moments throughout the show was conducted, in contrast of 20 episodes that did not contain queer content will be conducted to determine if queer content is prevalent within Steven Universe. The findings illustrated positive representations of lesbian relationships, characters that challenge gender norms, or even blur the gender binary, and safe spaces for queer individuals in the show.Sociolog
Domination and resistance in Herman Mel Ville´s characters
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e ExpressãoA produção literária de Herman Melville é caracterizada por disputas de poder nas quais forças de dominação enfrentam resistência. Este é o caso dos contos "Billy Budd, Marinheiro", "Benito Cereno" e "Bartlety, O Escrivão". "Billy Budd, Marinheiro" enfoca resistência ao poder militar. Em "Benito Cereno", as relações de poder acontecem entre escravos e senhores. "Bartleby, O Escrivão" pode ser entendido com um caso de resistência civil ao poder econômico. As interações presentes nestes contos sugerem que o poder é um instrumento positivo na vida social uma vez que toda força de dominação gera resistência. Resistência, por sua vez, não permite que o poder absoluto se instale, questionando, e por vezes, mudando situações sociai
Falas do falo: o travesti e a metáfora da modernidade
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguística.Esta tese propõe uma discussão sobre o sujeito travesti, concebendo-o como metáfora da modernidade. O objetivo é mostrar analiticamente o travesti como espelho refratário que absorve um pouco de todo homem contemporâneo. Ou seja, a sociedade ao olhar e ver algo estranho nessa outra forma sujeito enxerga a sua própria crise, constitutiva de um outro momento históric
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