Modeling e-Business with eBML

In this paper we demonstrate that modeling e-business strategies is important in a time where the first e-business disillusionment has taken place. The objective of this Paper is twofold. First we propose a theoretical e-business model framework (eBMF) for aligning e-business initiatives and projects. This framework rep-resents an ontology, which will allow firms to develop a sound e-business model, in an environment that is amongst other things characterized by new forms of network organizations. Second we show why the eX-tensible Markup Language (XML) is an adequate technology for describing this theoretical framework in a formal way.xml, e-business models, e-business

Effets préventifs et thérapeutiques des polyphénols dans des modèles in vitro de la maladie parodontale

Les maladies parodontales sont des maladies inflammatoires multifactorielles ayant comme étiologie primaire l’accumulation d’un biofilm bactérien dans le sillon gingival. Elles sont modulées par des facteurs immunologiques de l’hôte qui en déterminent l’évolution et la sévérité et se traduisent cliniquement par une destruction des tissus de soutien de la dent. Les maladies parodontales constituent un réel problème de santé publique en raison de leur forte prévalence et des coûts qui leur sont associés. Le cadre thérapeutique parodontal vise à contrôler l’infection et la réponse immunitaire. L’objectif étant le rétablissement d’une flore microbienne compatible avec le maintien de la santé parodontale. À cet égard, nous proposons comme hypothèse que les polyphénols constituent des molécules bioactives naturelles capables d’agir sur plusieurs cibles thérapeutiques de la maladie parodontale incluant la réponse pro-inflammatoires de l’hôte et les facteurs de virulence des bactéries parodontopathogènes hautement dysbiotiques. En vue de vérifier cette hypothèse, le premier objectif de ce projet doctoral fut d’évaluer la capacité des polyphénols à atténuer les mécanismes de pathogénicité des principales bactéries parodontopathogènes plus spécifiquement Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum et Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Le second objectif portait sur l’évaluation du potentiel anti-inflammatoire et antioxydant des polyphénols, dans le but de réduire la destruction tissulaire induite par la pérennisation de l’inflammation parodontale. Enfin, le troisième objectif a permis d’évaluer la capacité des polyphénols à renforcer l’intégrité de la barrière épithéliale gingivale dans le but de contrecarrer la pathogenèse bactérienne caractérisée par la colonisation, l’invasion et la destruction tissulaire. Les résultats obtenus dans ce projet doctoral ont permis de mettre en évidence des propriétés antibactériennes, anti-adhérentes et anti-inflammatoires de plusieurs classes de polyphénols, en plus de leurs capacités à renforcer l’intégrité de la barrière épithéliale. Ces propriétés font des polyphénols des molécules prometteuses en vue d’une utilisation préventive ou thérapeutique pour le contrôle des maladies parodontales.Periodontal diseases that cause destruction of the tooth-supporting tissue are multifactorial inflammatory diseases whose primary etiology relates to the accumulation of a Gram negative bacterial biofilm in the gingival sulcus. These infections are modulated by immunological factors of the host that determine the evolution and severity of the disease. Periodontal diseases represent an important public health problem with a high prevalence and high cost of treatment. The periodontal therapeutic framework aims to control both the infection and the immune response with the objective to establish a microflora compatible with the maintenance of periodontal health. In this thesis, we hypothesized that polyphenols, including proanthocyanidins from berry fruits, catechins and theaflavins from tea, as well as resveratrol, can modulate the host response and the virulence factors expressed by periodontopathogens. In order to verify this hypothesis, the first objective of this project was to evaluate the ability of polyphenols to attenuate the growth and pathogenic mechanisms of the major periodontopathogenic bacteria, more specifically Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatumand Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.The second objective was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of polyphenols that may contribute to reduce the tissue destruction induced by the installation of chronic inflammation. Finally, the third objective was to determine the ability of polyphenols to enhance the epithelial barrier integrity with the aim of counteracting bacterial pathogenesis characterized by colonization, invasion and tissue destruction. The results obtained in this doctoral project have highlighted the antibacterial, anti-adhesion and anti-inflammatory properties of several classes of polyphenols, in addition to their ability to enhance the integrity of the epithelial barrier. These properties of polyphenols suggest that they may be promising candidates for novel therapeutic and preventive agents against periodontal diseases

Virulence gene expression, proteins secreted and morphological alterations of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus in response to long-term starvation in seawater

International audienceIn this study, we incubated Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus (marine food-borne pathogens bacteria) in seawater for 8 months to study their morphologic, proteomic and genetic responses to starvation. The atomic force micrographs of stressed strains showed a reduction of the cells size and an evolution to two coccoid-shape forms whose length is less than 0.4 mu m and between 0.5 and 1 mu m. Extracellular protein patterns and gelatinase profiles of stressed bacteria were also altered. Indeed, these modifications were manifested by the appearance and/or disappearance of bands as well as in the level of expression of certain proteins. In addition, we also searched for the presence of eight Vibrio cholerae virulence genes: toxR, toxS, toxRS, ctxA, zot, ace, toxT, and Virulence Pathogenicity Island (VPI) in the genome of investigated strains. The expression level of VPI gene studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was decreased, whereas the mRNA quantities of toxR, toxS, and ace in starved Vibrio remained stable

The role of artificial intelligence and public relations in reputation management: A structural equation modelling-based (SEM) study

Reputation management is of more significant consideration for organizations across the globe. However, for relevant purposes, Public Relations accompanied by Artificial Intelligence further play a significant role. Mainly supported by the social exchange theory, this study also focuses on Public Relations practices and Artificial Intelligence as facilitating the pathway to reputation management for online retail organizations in the United Arab Emirates. The researchers selected a sample of n= 330 individuals and analyzed it using Structural Equation Modelling to test the proposed conceptual model. Results revealed that Public Relations practices significantly affect Competitive Value, Online Communication, and Behavior Change. Besides, the effect of Artificial Intelligence on Competitive Value, Online Communication, and Behavior Change also remained significant. Further, the three relevant factors (Online Communication and Behavior Change) significantly affect reputation management, indicating the overall effect of PR practices and AI on reputation management in online retail organizations in the UAE. Hence, it is concluded that PR practices and AI technology have a substantial role in ensuring reputation management. Besides, factors including Competitive Value, Online Communication, and Behavioral Change have a positive role in reputation management, further ensuring attaining the organizational goals. Finally, the researchers discussed the results and highlighted the theoretical implications accordingly

Contribution à la modélisation du flux de phosphore dans le barrage de Hammam Boughrara (province de Tlemcen, Algérie) : application à la gestion de l’eutrophisation

Dans la présente étude portant sur le barrage de Hammam Boughrara, mis en eau en 1999, nous avons appliqué plusieurs modèles de bilan du phosphore, à savoir les modèles de Vollenweider (1969), de Dillon & Rigler (1975), de Walker (1977), de Reckhow (1977) et d’Ostrofsky (1978). Afin de prendre en considération la vitesse de submersion graduelle des surfaces inondées, caractérisée ordinairement par un accroissement très important de l’état trophique résultant des apports endogènes du phosphore par lessivage, nous avons tenté d’adapter le modèle d’Ostrofsky (1978) à la réalité du réservoir étudié, et ce en ajoutant une nouvelle dimension. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le modèle proposé semble pertinent.In the present study, carried out on the Hammam Boughrara dam (impounded in 1999), a number of phosphorus balance models were applied, namely, Vollenweider (1969), Dillon & Rigler (1975), Walker (1977), Reckhow (1977) and Ostrofsky (1978) models. In order to take into account the rate of gradual submergence of flooded surfaces which is ordinarily characterized by an important increase in the trophic status as a result of endogenous inputs of phosphorus by leaching we have tried to adapt the Ostrofsky model (1978) to the reality of studied dam, by adding a new dimension. The obtained results show that the proposed model seems relevant

Transcriptome analyses based on genetic screens for Pax3 myogenic targets in the mouse embryo

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pax3 is a key upstream regulator of the onset of myogenesis, controlling progenitor cell survival and behaviour as well as entry into the myogenic programme. It functions in the dermomyotome of the somite from which skeletal muscle derives and in progenitor cell populations that migrate from the somite such as those of the limbs. Few Pax3 target genes have been identified. Identifying genes that lie genetically downstream of <it>Pax3 </it>is therefore an important endeavour in elucidating the myogenic gene regulatory network.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have undertaken a screen in the mouse embryo which employs a <it>Pax3^GFP</it>allele that permits isolation of Pax3 expressing cells by flow cytometry and a <it>Pax3^PAX3-FKHR</it>allele that encodes PAX3-FKHR in which the DNA binding domain of Pax3 is fused to the strong transcriptional activation domain of FKHR. This constitutes a gain of function allele that rescues the <it>Pax3 </it>mutant phenotype. Microarray comparisons were carried out between <it>Pax3^GFP/+</it>and <it>Pax3^{GFP/PAX3-FKHR}</it>preparations from the hypaxial dermomyotome of somites at E9.5 and forelimb buds at E10.5. A further transcriptome comparison between Pax3-GFP positive and negative cells identified sequences specific to myogenic progenitors in the forelimb buds. Potential Pax3 targets, based on changes in transcript levels on the gain of function genetic background, were validated by analysis on loss or partial loss of function <it>Pax3 </it>mutant backgrounds. Sequences that are up- or down-regulated in the presence of PAX3-FKHR are classified as somite only, somite and limb or limb only. The latter should not contain sequences from Pax3 positive neural crest cells which do not invade the limbs. Verification by whole mount <it>in situ </it>hybridisation distinguishes myogenic markers. Presentation of potential Pax3 target genes focuses on signalling pathways and on transcriptional regulation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Pax3 orchestrates many of the signalling pathways implicated in the activation or repression of myogenesis by regulating effectors and also, notably, inhibitors of these pathways. Important transcriptional regulators of myogenesis are candidate Pax3 targets. Myogenic determination genes, such as <it>Myf5 </it>are controlled positively, whereas the effect of <it>Pax3 </it>on genes encoding inhibitors of myogenesis provides a potential brake on differentiation. In the progenitor cell population, <it>Pax7 </it>and also <it>Hdac5 </it>which is a potential repressor of <it>Foxc2</it>, are subject to positive control by <it>Pax3</it>.</p

The myogenic transcriptional network

Myogenesis has been a leading model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie tissue differentiation and development since the discovery of MyoD. During myogenesis, the fate of myogenic precursor cells is first determined by Pax3/Pax7. This is followed by regulation of the myogenic differentiation program by muscle regulatory factors (Myf5, MyoD, Myog, and Mrf4) to form muscle tissues. Recent studies have uncovered a detailed myogenic program that involves the RP58 (Zfp238)-dependent regulatory network, which is critical for repressing the expression of inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins. These novel findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the muscle differentiation transcriptional program