Signaling mechanisms in regenerative myogenesis.

Skeletal muscle constitutes a highly plastic and malleable tissue that rapidly and profoundly adapts to various environmental and physiological stimuli. This response takes place by means of regulated signaling transduction which elicits changes in gene expression, biochemical, and metabolic properties. Adult muscle is composed by alignment of multinucleated, post mitotic muscle fibers formed during embryonic and neonatal development. Residing in the niche of mature muscle fibers is a small population of undifferentiated muscle progenitors termed satellite cells. Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that carry out regenerative response in adult myofibers. Coordinated signaling emitting from terminally differentiated muscle fibers and un-differentiated muscle progenitors sustains muscle homeostasis. De-regulation in the components of this synchronized signaling machinery manifests in deleterious disease states and myopathies. The main focus of my research has been towards understanding the role of the adaptor protein, tumor necrosis factor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in regulation of regenerative myogenesis. Utilizing the Cre-loxP system, we generated TRAF6 musclespecific knock-out mice: TRAF6mko, and TRAF6 satellite cell-specific knock-out mice: TRAF6scko. Our findings displayed distinct roles of TRAF6 in differentiated myofibers vs. satellite cells. Deletion of TRAF6 under the control of muscle creatine kinase (MCK) promoter (differentiated muscle) led to improvement in muscle regeneration in wildtype (WT) mice following induced muscle injury. This improvement was brought about by prevalence of an anti-inflammatory environment characterized by reduced signaling from inflammatory pathways such as NF-B and a domination of pro-regeneration M2c over proinflammatory M1 macrophages. Regenerating muscle of TRAF6mko mice also displayed a higher up-regulation in Notch signaling family proteins and target genes which in turn enhanced the activation of satellite cells leading to accelerated regeneration. Similar results were also observed upon deletion of TRAF6 in differentiated muscle of mdx mice (modelfor Duchenne muscular dystrophy). However, mdx;TRAF6mko muscle later displayed exacerbated signs of myopathy possibly due to diminished autophagy which has been associated with progressive myopathy in mdx mice. Employing the same models of muscle injury, our analysis revealed an absolute requirement of TRAF6 in satellite cell function during regenerative myogenesis. Contrary to its role in differentiated muscle, injured muscle of TRAF6scko mice displayed impaired regeneration due to a cell-autonomous defect in TRAF6-deficient satellite cells. Deletion of TRAF6 in satellite cells dramatically repressed the levels of Pax7 resulting in precocious differentiation and progressive depletion of the satellite cell reservoir. Myopathy was further exaggerated in dystrophic muscle of mdx;TRAF6scko due to satellite cell dysfunction. Our results further demonstrate that TRAF6 regulates proliferation and self-renewal of satellite cells through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as ERK1/2 and JNK and through modulating the levels of muscle specific microRNA’s: miR-1, miR-206, and mir-133a. The findings of this work highlight the importance of implementing a holistic approach upon development of target-based therapies. Oversight of the fundamental roles of targeted molecules has been associated with virulent outcomes. Developing a universal understanding of the various implications of individual molecules maximizes therapeutic potential

Capital Budgeting Practices: The Case of Qatar

The purpose of this project was to investigate the capital budgeting practice in the largest firms in Qatar. A survey was conducted of the 170 largest firms and corporations. A total of 55 completed surveys were received, for a response rate of 34 percent. The results showed that Qatari companies in general tend to adopt the discounted cash flow methods, with Net Present Value (NPV), Profitability Index (PI) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) being the most widely used methods. Capital asset Pricing Model (CAPM) including some extra “risk factors” was used to estimate the cost of capital in more than half of the companies. Companies tend to use the cost of debt plus some premium as the discount rate, and they frequently reviewed and adjusted that rate, mainly as to the expected changes in the project’s risk. The terminal value was commonly estimated using the present value of future cash flow in perpetuity and multiples of terminal earnings

Selective Attention to Task-Irrelevant Emotional Distractors Is Unaffected by the Perceptual Load Associated with a Foreground Task

A number of studies have shown that emotionally arousing stimuli are preferentially processed in the human brain. Whether or not this preference persists under increased perceptual load associated with a task at hand remains an open question. Here we manipulated two possible determinants of the attentional selection process, perceptual load associated with a foreground task and the emotional valence of concurrently presented task-irrelevant distractors. As a direct measure of sustained attentional resource allocation in early visual cortex we used steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) elicited by distinct flicker frequencies of task and distractor stimuli. Subjects either performed a detection (low load) or discrimination (high load) task at a centrally presented symbol stream that flickered at 8.6 Hz while task-irrelevant neutral or unpleasant pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) flickered at a frequency of 12 Hz in the background of the stream. As reflected in target detection rates and SSVEP amplitudes to both task and distractor stimuli, unpleasant relative to neutral background pictures more strongly withdrew processing resources from the foreground task. Importantly, this finding was unaffected by the factor ‘load’ which turned out to be a weak modulator of attentional processing in human visual cortex

Computer Literacy: Implications for Teaching a College-Level Course

The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ perceptions of computer literacy skills they had obtained prior to enrolling in a university and to develop implications and recommendations for teaching a college-level computer course. One hundred twenty-five students who were currently enrolled in a required university computer literacy course completed a questionnaire. Students were asked to identify their skill level in various types of software and their exposure to computer concepts and issues. Results showed that students perceived themselves to be better prepared in word processing than they did in spreadsheet and database applications and that they had not received extensive coverage of ethical, social, legal and global issues. In determining the content of a university computer literacy course, consideration needs to be given to nontraditional students who have not been exposed to computers as well as those students who enter the university with a variety of skill levels. Additionally, an improved and extended coverage of database and spreadsheets might be warranted in a college level computer course. Since required computer literacy competencies are continually changing for high school graduates, it is imperative that universities monitor design and content of the curriculum to provide an adequate computer literacy background for university students

The Effects of Salt Concentration on the Rejection of Pharmaceutically Active Compounds by Nanofiltration Membranes

While traces of pharmaceuticals have been found in the environment, the pharmaceutical industry produces waste streams high in pharmaceutically active compounds concentration along with other components such as salts. This work investigated the removal of three common pharmaceuticals, carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and diclofenac, at concentrations found in the pharmaceutical industry, under different monovalent salt concentrations of sodium chloride using a commercially available nanofiltration membrane. The influence of a monovalent salt concentration and temperature on the removal were determined. Pharmaceutical rejection was found to be dependent on the compounds’ molecular weights, charge, and hydrophobicity. Diclofenac and ibuprofen rejections were found to be high (90-99%) and (85-96%) respectively, and the rejection increased with increasing salt concentration. Meanwhile, moderate retention values were found for the neutral carbamazepine (65-77%) and these values decreased with increasing salt concentration, and also decreased with increasing temperatures. A threshold salt concentration was found at which these effects were buffered or even reversed

Blockchain for next generation services in banking and finance: cost, benefit, risk and opportunity analysis

YesPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to help in providing a better understanding of the application of blockchain technology in the context of the banking and finance sectors. The aim is to outline blockchain’s benefits, opportunities, costs, risks as well as challenges of the technology in the context of banking and finance services Design/methodology/approach – Careful examination of the extant literature, including utilising relevant academic-based research databases has been carried out. It covered reviewing various research contributions published in peer-reviewed journals, academic reports, as well as technical reports to help in identifying related benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks. Findings – The findings reveal that there are limited contributions in utilising blockchain in the banking and finance sectors when compared with other sectors. As such, the study highlighted the relevant perspective of benefits, opportunities, costs, and risks within such sectors. Practical implications – This study helps in offering a focal point to banking and financial sector managers and decision-makers for realising the benefits of blockchain technology as well as developing strategies and programmes to overcome the identified challenges. Originality/value – This study highlights the need for a holistic understanding of the various aspects of cost, benefits, risk and opportunities to create blockchain applications that work for banking and finance sectorsNPRP grant # [11S-0117–180325] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)

A Financial Behavior Measurement Model to Evaluate the Financial Markets

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between the financial behavior measurement models and evaluate the financial markets all sectors listed on Iraq Stock Exchange. The current study also to develop a quantitative model for measuring the financial behavior of investors in the financial markets, and thus knowing their behavior, therefore, determining the efficiency of the investment sectors that are being traded.   Theoretical framework: Quantitatively measuring the financial behavior of investors is one of the important issues that have occupied specialists in the financial field due to its close relationship with the level of market efficiency, as well its global indexes. Financial behavior among the behavioral concepts related to the general situation of the investor whether with the knowledge, he possesses or the social situation in which he is present.   Design/methodology/approach: The study uses the Quantitative and mathematical analysis. The sample data of this study includes the period from 2004, the date of the establishment of the Iraq Financial Market, until 2020.   Findings: The study reveals consistent results with the model. The results show that the proposed model can be applied in any of the financial markets to know investors' behavior and show efficiency for the sectors in the financial market, as well important findings of the study is the inefficiency of most sectors. In addition to that, some sectors in it with performance and efficiency are almost the same during the study period.   Research, Practical & Social implications: This study helps Investors and companies on determining the efficient sectors and therefore identifying profitable sectors and selecting them for trading.   Originality/value: The findings suggest several Important results for the fields Financial behavior, and efficiency evaluation in financial markets, It has been developed a quantitative model for measuring the financial behavior of investors in the financial markets, and thus knowing their behavior. The model has proven successful in identifying profitable and losing sectors in the Iraq Stock Exchang

Green synthesis of mixed metallic nanoparticles using room temperature self-assembly

Bimetallic nanoparticles of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) were synthesized at room temperature using Curcumin. Reduction process of silver and gold ions with different molar ratios leads to production of different nanostructures including alloys and core-shells. Produced nanoparticles were characterized simultaneously with FTIR, UV/vis. spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX). UV/vis. optical absorption spectra of as synthesized nanoparticles reveals presence of surface palsmon resonance (SPR) of both silver at (425 nm) and gold at (540 nm) with small shift and broadness of gold band after mixing with resucing and capping agent in natural extract which suggest presence of bimetallic nano structure (Au/Ag). FTIR and EDAX data approve the presence of bimetallic nano structure combined with curcumin extract. TEM micrographs shows that silver and gold can be synthesized separately in the form of nano particles using curcumin extract. Synthesis of gold nano particles in presence of silver effectively enhance and control formation of bi-metallic structure