Towards a semiology of the periodic review of UK regulated utilities

This note explores the regulatory process of UK privatised utilities through the periodic review of prices. It provides a brief history of the privatisation programme in the UK and the theoretical arguments for the price-cap regulation that has been used. It argues that regulatory process appears to involve a covert dialogue and exchange of information between the regulator and regulated and also a second separate review process that consists of an overt dialogue. Using a semiotic analysis the authors suggest that the unfolding of each of these overt reviews follows a very similar pattern that is constantly being re-enacted. It is concluded that further research is required into the relative importance of the two separate review processes in the setting of the price-cap.

Regulation - the movie:a semiotic study of the periodic review of UK regulated industry

This paper explores the regulatory process of UK privatised utilities as manifest in the periodic review of prices. Two separate review processes are identified, operating concurrently - a covert dialogue between the regulator and the regulated and an overt dialogue taking place in the public arena. Using a semiotic analysis of the review the authors argue that the overt event is the real review. Furthermore they argue that the unfolding of each review is so similar that it can be likened to a film script which is constantly re-enacted. The purpose of the review as a legitimating vehicle for the regulator and regulated, who exist in a symbiotic relationship, is explored in terms of the semiotics involved and the myth creation role of legitimation in order to explain the significance of the regulatory process.

Examining a key aspect of agency-to-business relationships:the effects of regulatory control on the satisfaction of regulated firms

This paper studies an overlooked, but highly important relationship, the relationship that exists between regulatory agencies (e.g., the EPA, OSHA, and the FDA) and the for-profit businesses they attempt to govern. Drawing on business-to-business control and satisfaction research, a framework is developed to understand how regulatory control influences the satisfaction levels of customer firms. Regulatory control is disaggregated into four distinct facets: the controlling agency, the rules and regulations of control, the processes used by the agency to apply the regulations, and sanctions. Each facet is hypothesized to have an effect on satisfaction. A regulator's administration of state food safety regulations provides the empirical context for testing the hypotheses. Results from a survey of 173 restaurants provide empirical support for the conceptual model. Most importantly, the study finds that the informal control process increases customer satisfaction, while the formal control process decreases customer satisfaction. We discuss how these and other findings may contribute to more effective agency-to-business relationships and ongoing research.

Increased TG2 expression can result in induction of transforming growth factor β1, causing increased synthesis and deposition of matrix proteins, which can be regulated by nitric oxide

In fibrotic conditions increases in TG2 activity has been linked to an increase in the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Using TG2 transfected Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts expressing TG2 under the control of the tetracycline-regulated inducible promoter, we demonstrate that induction of TG2 not only stimulates an increase in collagen and fibronectin deposition but also an increase in the expression of these proteins. Increased TG2 expression in these fibroblasts led to NF-kappaB activation, resulting in the increased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1). In addition, cells overexpressing TG2 demonstrated an increase in biologically active TGFbeta(1) in the extracellular environment. A specific site-directed inhibitor of TG abolished the NF-kappaB and TGFbeta1 activation and the subsequent elevation in the synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, confirming that this process depends on the induction of transglutaminase activity. Treatment of TG2-induced fibroblasts with nontoxic doses of nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine resulted in decreased TG2 activity and apprehension of the inactive enzyme on the cell surface. This was paralleled by a reduction in activation of NF-kappaB and TGFbeta(1) production with a subsequent decrease in collagen expression and deposition. These findings support a role for NO in the regulation of TG2 function in the extracellular environment.

Cloning, mapping and identification of the Aeromonas salmonicida fstA, fepA and irpA genes, encoding the 86, 82 and 74 kDa iron-regulated outer membrane proteins, respectively

Three iromps (iron-regulated outer membrane proteins) of Aeromonas salmonicida were identified by the use of specific antibodies together with Southern hybridization analysis and limited nucleotide sequencing of their genes. The results of these experiments together with a search of the international database for homologous sequences led to their identification as follows: -86 kDa iromp (FstA) as a Vibrio anguillarum Fat A homologue -82 kDa iromp (FepA) as an Escherichia coli FepA homologue -74 kDa iromp (IrpA) as an Escherichia coli Cir homologue.

Membrane trafficking of aquaporin 1 is mediated by protein kinase C via microtubules and regulated by tonicity

It is well-known that the rapid flow of water into and out of cells is controlled by membrane proteins called aquaporins (AQPs). However, the mechanisms that allow cells to quickly respond to a changing osmotic environment are less well established. Using GFP-AQP fusion proteins expressed in HEK293 cells, we demonstrate the reversible manipulation of cellular trafficking of AQP1. AQP1 trafficking was mediated by the tonicity of the cell environment in a specific PKC- and microtubule-dependent manner. This suggests that the increased level of water transport following osmotic change may be due a phosphorylation-dependent increase in the level of AQP1 trafficking resulting in membrane localization.