Stem-loops III and IV in the 5\u27 untranslated region are CIS-acting elements in bovine coronavirus DI RNA replication

Higher-order structures in the 5\u27 untranslated region (UTR) of plus-strand RNA viruses are known in many cases to function as cis-acting elements in RNA translation, replication, and transcription. The bovine coronavirus (BCo V) 210 nucleotide (nt) 5\u27 UTR is predicted to contain four higher-order structures identified as stem-loops I to IV. In this study, evidence supporting the structure and a cis-acting function in BCoV defective interfering (DI) RNA replication of two of these structures, stem-loops III and IV is presented. Both stem-loops show phylogenetic conservation among group 2 coronaviruses and appear to have homologs or analogs in coronavirus groups 1 and 3 and in the SARS coronavirus. Stem-loop III has in all coronaviruses for which sequence is known a closely associated short, AUG-initiated intra-5\u27 UTR open reading frame (ORF). Stemloop III in BCoV DI RNA (i) maps at nt 97 through 116, and has associated with it beginning at nt 100 an ORF potentially encoding an 8 amino-acid peptide, (ii) must maintain stem integrity in the positive and in the negative strands for DI RNA replication, (iii) shows a positive correlation between maintenance of the short ORF and maximal DI RNA accumulation, (iv) specifically binds in the positive strand the 50 kDa viral nucleocapsid protein, and an unidentified viral protein of approximately 22 k.Da, and (v) in the negative strand specifically binds seven cellular proteins in the range of 76 to 25 kDa. These results indicate that stem-loop III might function as a cis-acting element for DI RNA replication through interactions in the positive strand with viral proteins and in the negative strand with cellular proteins. Stem-loop IV in BCo V DI RNA (i) maps between nts 186 and 215, (ii) must maintain stem integrity only in the positive strand for DI RNA replication, and (iii) specifically binds eight cellular proteins in the range of 75 to 25 kDa. These results indicate that stem-loop IV might function as a cisacting element for DI RNA replication through interactions with cellular proteins. It is postulated that stem-loops III and IV function similarly in the virus genome

Online Apparel Purchase and Responsible Consumption Among Malaysians

Customer loyalty is a critical factor for the long-term success of all businesses, especially in the Malaysian apparel industry and its growth where the competition is intense. This study addresses the growing demand for improved fashion trends and brand recognition among consumers in Malaysia, which has intensified competition in the apparel sector. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of online brand image, country of origin and online customer loyalty on apparel shoppers’ loyalty. To achieve this, research framework is designed to present an in-depth understanding of identified variables towards customer loyalty. In this study, a comprehensive survey using online questionnaire for data gathering was used and 147 valid responses were obtained from Malaysian online shoppers of apparels. Data were analysed by employing multiple regression analysis. The results demonstrate that both online brand image and country of origin exert a positive influence on customer satisfaction, thereby contributing to enhanced customer loyalty within the clothing and footwear industry in Malaysia. Additionally, this research emphasizes the importance of ethical purchasing decisions when shopping online, as these decisions encourage responsible consumption and reduce environmental impact

Influencing knowledge workers: The power of top management

Leadership is known as the major factor that can influence and motivate knowledge workers to contribute and participate actively in creating, sharing and using knowledge effectively. A survey of 180 Multimedia Super corridor(MSC) status firms was conducted to identify what leadership characteristics (in the form of social power) are needed in a knowledge-based firm.The results showed that knowledge leaders should embrace personal power and avoid information power.Position power must be exercised with caution because it not only encourages knowledge sharing but also impedes knowledge acquisition.Careful use of power can successfully influence k-workers to apply knowledge management practices (KMP)

Understanding Communication Signals during Mycobacterial Latency through Predicted Genome-Wide Protein Interactions and Boolean Modeling

About 90% of the people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis carry latent bacteria that are believed to get activated upon immune suppression. One of the fundamental challenges in the control of tuberculosis is therefore to understand molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of latency and/or reactivation. We have attempted to address this problem at the systems level by a combination of predicted functional protein∶protein interactions, integration of functional interactions with large scale gene expression studies, predicted transcription regulatory network and finally simulations with a Boolean model of the network. Initially a prediction for genome-wide protein functional linkages was obtained based on genome-context methods using a Support Vector Machine. This set of protein functional linkages along with gene expression data of the available models of latency was employed to identify proteins involved in mediating switch signals during dormancy. We show that genes that are up and down regulated during dormancy are not only coordinately regulated under dormancy-like conditions but also under a variety of other experimental conditions. Their synchronized regulation indicates that they form a tightly regulated gene cluster and might form a latency-regulon. Conservation of these genes across bacterial species suggests a unique evolutionary history that might be associated with M. tuberculosis dormancy. Finally, simulations with a Boolean model based on the regulatory network with logical relationships derived from gene expression data reveals a bistable switch suggesting alternating latent and actively growing states. Our analysis based on the interaction network therefore reveals a potential model of M. tuberculosis latency

Stem-Loop IV in the 5′ Untranslated Region Is a cis-Acting Element in Bovine Coronavirus Defective Interfering RNA Replication

The 210-nucleotide (nt) 5′ untranslated region (UTR) in the positive-strand bovine coronavirus (BCoV) genome is predicted to contain four higher-order structures identified as stem-loops I to IV, which may function as cis-acting elements in genomic RNA replication. Here, we describe evidence that stem-loop IV, a bulged stem-loop mapping at nt 186 through 215, (i) is phylogenetically conserved among group 2 coronaviruses and may have a homolog in groups 1 and 3, (ii) exists as a higher-order structure on the basis of enzyme probing, (iii) is required as a higher-order element for replication of a BCoV defective interfering (DI) RNA in the positive but not the negative strand, and (iv) as a higher-order structure in wild-type (wt) and mutant molecules that replicate, specifically binds six cellular proteins in the molecular mass range of 25 to 58 kDa as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift and UV cross-linking assays; binding to viral proteins was not detected. Interestingly, the predicted stem-loop IV homolog in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus appears to be group 1-like in that it is in part duplicated with a group 1-like conserved loop sequence and is not group 2-like, as would be expected by the SARS coronavirus group 2-like 3′ UTR structure. These results together indicate that stem-loop IV in the BCoV 5′ UTR is a cis-acting element for DI RNA replication and that it might function through interactions with cellular proteins. It is postulated that stem-loop IV functions similarly in the virus genome

\u3ci\u3eThe Handbook of Electronic Medicine, Electronic Heath, Telemedicine, Telehealth and Mobile Health\u3c/i\u3e

Editors: Halit Eren and John G. Webster Chapter 14, Mobile Healthcare User Interface Design Application Strategies, co-authored by Ann Fruhling, UNO faculty member. The E-Medicine, E-Health, M-Health, Telemedicine, and Telehealth Handbook provides extensive coverage of modern telecommunication in the medical industry, from sensors on and within the body to electronic medical records and beyond. This two-volume set describes how information and communication technologies, the internet, wireless networks, databases, and telemetry permit the transmission and control of information within and between medical centers. Featuring chapters written by leading experts and researchers in their respective fields, this authoritative handbook: Explains how medical personnel use information and communication technologies, sensors, techniques, hardware, and software Discusses wireless data transmission, networks, databases, processing systems, and automatic data acquisition, reduction, and analysis Serves the reference needs of a broad group of users—from advanced high school science students to healthcare and university professionals The first volume, Telemedicine and Electronic Medicine, addresses everything from cloud computing to teleoncology. The second volume, Telehealth and Mobile Heath, discusses topics ranging from telesurgery to biokinematics for mobility. Both volumes incorporate clinical applications throughout for practical reference. The E-Medicine, E-Health, M-Health, Telemedicine, and Telehealth Handbook bridges the gap between scientists, engineers, and medical professionals by creating synergy in the related fields of biomedical engineering, information and communication technology, business, and healthcare.https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/facultybooks/1284/thumbnail.jp