<i>In Vitro</i> Studies of SIV <i>nef</i> Function

There is strong evidence that a functional Nef protein of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses is a critical factor in contributing to viral pathogenesis. A variety of properties have been ascribed to Nef that may contribute towards these effects. However, the exact mechanisms by which Nef functions remain unclear. A number of clones of SIV nef have been described which were generated after spontaneous evolution both in vivo and in vitro based upon changes relative to the wild type SIVmacJ5 virus (Rud et ah, 1994, Arnold et al, 1999, N. Almond, personal communication). Furthermore, additional clones exist which were based upon the repair mutants reported by Whatmore et al (1995) after infection of macaques with the attenuated SlVmacCS virus (Rud et al, 1994). The aims of this study were two-fold. First, to utilise a panel of SIV Nef specific monoclonal antibodies (Arnold et al, 1999) to elucidate structural differences between wild type and attenuated SIV Nef clones and further information on the epitope recognised by the conformational dependant monoclonal antibody, KX70 (Arnold et al, 1999). Second, by utilising yeast-2-hybrid technology to investigate interactions of the SIV Nef clones with selected cellular components and relate these findings to the manner in which the virus behaves in vivo. The results indicate that the alpha helical region around which the attenuation in SrVmacCS lies is a key component of the epitope recognised by KK70 as well as being a key region for interaction of cellular components with SIV Nef. The repair mutants reported by Whatmore et al (1995) did not regain the epitope recognised by KK70 as the amino acids evolved to a near wild type sequence. This indicates that it may be an overall structural effect that these mutations are having which is affecting antigenicity. Interestingly, one of the repair mutants (J5(EIYL)) did regain the ability to interact with the cellular components. This was lost when this repair was presented in conjunction with the R191E mutation (J5(EIYL+R>E)). Interestingly, the R191E mutation alone (J5(R>E)) caused non-specific trans-activation of the GAL4-AD. Furthermore, GX2, which harbours a 66 nucleotide deletion at the 5’ end of Nef (disrupting the binding of KK75, a monoclonal antibody that recognises a linear epitope) also caused non-specific trans-activation of the GAL4-AD. These results suggest that the mutations in GX2 and J5(R>E) may have a significant effect on the overall structure of SIV Nef. This study describes the use of a novel technique for the fine mapping of novel antigenic epitopes using monoclonal antibodies. The structural and yeast-2-hybrid data together highlight important observations of SIV Nef which can be related to structure and function in vivo, as well as being used as a basis for future in vivo studies

Impact of Green Transformational Leadership on Eco- Friendly Behavior and Environmental performance of Hotel Industry Employees: The Mediating Role of GHRM

Based on the famous resource-based view (RBV) and the ability motivation-opportunity (AMO) theory, it has been evident that the concept of green human resource management (GHRM correlates with green transformational leadership, eco-friendly behavior of employees and hotel environment-based performance. Using questionnaire tool, a collected triadic data of 260 employees of hotels and restaurants using convenience sample approach was executed. We used Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to explore hypotheses mentioned in this study. Conclusions drawn from the study recommend that green HRM acts a mediator between the green transformational leadership and employees’ eco-friendly behavior. The findings of current research suggest that GTFL signifies a pivotal role as an antecedent of the GHRM to enhance employee eco-friendly behavior and hotels’ environmental performance

SMEs' Use Of Financial Statements For Decision Making: Evidence From Pakistan

Financial statements comprise of insightful statistics about likely risk and the return associations of many decisions and have significant role in firms’ success, particularly for SMEs. Thus, through a sample of 94 Pakistani small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this study inspects the influences that could have impact on firms’ practice of the financial statements in making significant financial decisions. Principle component analysis finds key factors which define use of financial statements containing; experience, knowledge and ability. Logit analysis then discloses that these variables have significant association with whether Pakistani SME owners use financial statements while making business decisions. Findings indicates that the owners of Pakistani SMEs practice financial statements in decision making rendering to their knowledge about financial statements, experience and finally their ability to interpret figures confined in financial statements. Outcomes should be valuable for SME owners, educators, and the service providers

Cultural barriers to the disclosure of child sexual abuse in Asian communities: Listening to what women say.

NoThere is apparent under-reporting of child sexual abuse in Britain¿s Asian communities and a varied capacity amongst professionals to respond with cultural competence. Professional approaches originate in cultural contexts, which are often different from those of most British Asians. If the proportion of children and non-abusing carers from Asian communities who access relevant services is to increase, professionals need to develop better understandings of cultural imperatives which determine behaviour in those communities. Consultations with Asian women in Bradford reinforce the view that culturally competent practice and respectful dialogue are essential to the protection of children. They also highlight a number of recurring themes. Members of Asian communities are aware of child sexual abuse, they recognize that the issue needs to be addressed by all communities and they report that many of those affected within their own communities have found it difficult to access relevant services. These consultations, like reports of similar work elsewhere, indicate that difficulties, which appear to arise from Asian women¿s fears about how agencies will respond, are frequently compounded by the impact of cultural imperatives arising from izzat (honour/respect), haya (modesty) and sharam (shame/embarrassment), which have a considerable influence on how many will behave

Survival benefit of surgery in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme

There is an ongoing debate regarding role of surgery for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Older literature hinted at only modest survival benefits with surgery and a high rate of morbidity. However, more recent literature suggests better survival that may be attributed to better surgical techniques and better options in adjuvant treatment. Herein the authors review recent literature with regards to the possible role of surgery in recurrent GBM and also look into the key factors impacting second surgery

Feasible choices in diagnostic methods of malaria

Background & objectives: The present study was undertaken to find out a new easy method in thediagnosis of malaria by centrifuged buffy coat smear, which was found to be a feasible and reasonableprocedure.Methods: Blood samples collected from 120 patients suspected of malaria were subjected to allthree diagnostic modalities—peripheral blood smear (PS), centrifuged buffy coat smear (CBCS)and antigen detection test using pLDH and aldolase (AG).Results: The results of various methods were compared. It was seen that addition of centrifugation(i.e. CBCS) to conventional method of PS (i.e. thick and thin smears) improved its sensitivityfrom 85 to 93.3%. Antigen detection and CBCS were found superior to PS in sensitivity. CBCSgives combined sensitivity and specificity of both antigen and PS.Conclusion: CBCS is as sensitive as antigen test and as specific as PS in species identification. Itis a reasonable and feasible procedure too

Composite split cord malformation associated with a dermal sinus tract, dermoid cyst, and epidural abscess: A case report and review of literature

Background: Split cord malformation (SCM) is typically present at a single level but rarely, may be present at multiple levels in the spinal cord and can be associated with a wide array of lesions such as myelomeningoceles, lipomas, teratomas, and dermal sinus tracts (DSTs).Case description: We describe a case of a 15-month-old female child who presented with high-grade fever and progressive motor weakness in the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of SCM along with an epidural abscess, DST, and dermoid cyst. The child underwent surgery for excision of DST along with removal of the dermoid cyst and drainage of epidural abscess. The postoperative course was uneventful. Elective repair of the SCM was performed 4 weeks later. The postoperative course was uneventful again.Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the combination of a composite SCM with a DST and dermoid cyst with associated epidural abscess has rarely been reported in literature

Industrial Digitization, the Use of Real-Time Information, and Operational Agility: Digital and Information Perspectives for Supply Chain Resilience

Change is the permanent reality of the digital business world. Firms manage it by their ability and capability to cope with short-term and long-term deviations and disruptions. This paper presents an examination of the supply chain resilience (SCR) of firms operating in the Malaysian Service Sector. The data for this study were collected from 157 managers of 59 firms operating in seven sub-service sectors. Following Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT) and reviewing the relevant literature for the conceptualization, we tested a framework that suggests that the use of real-time information (URTI) enhances the SCR. We also found that the industrial digital environment has an important link with the URTI. The results indicate that the URTI is significantly associated with SCR and operational agility, which partially mediates the relationship between the URTI and SCR. We further discuss the theoretical contributions and implications with practical, and policy implications arising from this research

Smart monitoring and controlling of frequency deviation by using MATLAB GUI and ARDUINO DAQ card

Electricity transmission and distribution in most of the countries are needed to be improved by the construction of new networks. These improvements are not that much cost effective and if cost is tried to be reduced then the quality and efficiency of the system is compromised which is not suitable at all for the current system. In addition obtaining planning permission and carrying out construction is so much difficult in busy cities. The main objective of this research is to monitor and control frequency deviation. A simple MATLAB controlling and monitoring system is being developed and the ARDUINO DAQ card is used to calculate the frequency deviation. The purpose of respective research is basically based on a dummy load which is used to show the usage of particular equipment’s used in a home such as fridge, freezer, oven, lighting system, and domestic wet appliances such as washer dryer which are attached these to a DAQ and then to a controlling and monitoring GUI MATLAB based. However, this research is focused on the monitoring and controlling of the frequency deviation