Determining the effects of the Major G-quadruplex helicase, G4R1, on motor and cognitive functions in mice

Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community onlyG-quadruplexes are guanine-rich nucleic acid secondary structures enriched in regulatory regions. Formation of G-quadruplexes typically imparts negative regulation to major cellular processes. G-quadruplexes regulate neuronal trafficking and local translation of hundreds of transcripts at the dendritic synapse and disruption of G-quadruplex processes is frequently reported in neuromuscular diseases. G-quadruplexes are modulated by specialized helicases that bind and unwind these structures. One such helicase is G-quadruplex Resolvase 1 (G4R1; aliases DHX36 and RHAU). G4R1 is the major human G-quadruplex helicase with dual specificity for DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes. G4R1 is highly expressed in neurons and involved in many developmental processes. It was unknown if G4R1 is implicated in motor and cognitive functions in mice. I hypothesized that G4R1 is important for normal neuronal functions, and consequently normal motor and cognitive functions in mice. I expected that a whole body G4R1-knockout would cause impaired motor and cognitive functions in adult mouse similar to the ones observed in neuromuscular diseases. Considering the importance of G4R1 during development, I further hypothesized that these phenotypes would be more severe the earlier G4R1 is knocked-out. To test this, I established a new G4R1-inducible knockout mouse colony in the Smaldino lab. Next, I used a series of behavioral assays to determine the effect of G4R1 loss on motor and cognitive functions in young and adult mice. I found that G4R1 is essential to young mice survival. Thus far, my data suggests that G4R1 deletion does not affect adult mouse motor and cognitive functions. These data show for the first time that G4R1 is essential during early post-natal development, while further studies will be required to establish a role for G4R1 on mouse motor and cognitive behaviors, perhaps with larger sample sizes.Thesis (M.S.

RELEVANCY OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION UNDER IFRS AT BORSA ISTANBUL (BIST) FOR MANUFACTURING FIRMS

This study aims to measure the impact of IFRS adoption on the relevancy of accounting information at the manufacturing firms listed in Borsa Istanbul. To achieve the objectives of the study, a regression model is applied on a dataset divided into two periods; the first covers the pre adoption period from 1996 to 2004, and the second covers the post adoption period from 2005 to 2013. The applied regression model aims to measure the explanatory power of book values and earnings to explain stock prices. The result of the cross-sectional analysis shows that the relevancy of accounting information increases after the adoption of IFRS. However, when quarterly data is used, the result shows that the relevancy declines after the adoption of IFRS

Role of Governance in Achieving Sustainable Cybersecurity for Business Corporations

The study discusses the role of governance in the sustainability of cybersecurity for business corporations. Its objectives focus on tracking technology developments and their impact on industrial espionage attacks and theft of industrial intellectual property. It also identifies the indicators and effects of such espionage and theft on business corporations. The study is based on the content analysis methodology for analyzing intellectual production pertinent to cybersecurity governance and industrial cyber espionage. The study concludes that relying on information and communication technology without adopting a cybersecurity integrated approach including technical, organizational, and social measures leads to the disclosure of a corporation’s trade secrets by unauthorized persons. Moreover, loss of competitive advantage and damage to the corporate’s financial affairs and reputation may occur. The most important indicators of the study predicting dangers affecting business corporations are the absence of a strategic plan for cybersecurity, inefficient programs for training and cybersecurity awareness, and a lack of secure infrastructure. The vulnerability of business corporations to breaches has many implications. The study shows that cybersecurity governance in turn prepares the corporation to encounter risks targeting its trade secrets. The study finds that there are three integrated elements processes, technology, and persons, for establishing an effective cybersecurity governance program. Accordingly, the main aspects of cybersecurity governance can be employed. The study highlights a range of challenges that business corporations may face when implementing the cybersecurity governance program. These challenges are related to cybersecurity strategy, unified processes, implementation and accountability, senior leadership control, and resources

Cybersecurity Management for Virtual Private Network (VPN) Applications: A Proposed Framework for the Governance of their Use in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

By using the research process, this study addresses the attitudes of the members of Saudi society towards using Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications and the former’s perceptions of the latter’s concept, security, and privacy, in addition to monitoring their risks to cybersecurity. The main objective of the study is to present a proposed framework for the governance of the use of VPN applications in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to strengthen cybersecurity management. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers used two methods: the social survey method and the content analysis method. The researchers also relied on the questionnaire tool to collect information from the 455 individuals in the study sample. The study yielded a set of findings, the most important of which are as follows: The use of free VPN applications represents 91% of the sample of the study. Also, the study revealed confusion in perceptions of the actual concept of VPN applications, which may be common among users, and showed a diversity of attitudes and motives for using VPN applications, most of which are related to entertainment. Moreover, the study showed that the study sample individuals had some knowledge about the risks of VPN applications to cybersecurity, although most of them did not use cyber protection means. The study recommended the need to organize and manage the use of VPN applications, conduct an evaluation of VPN applications available on Saudi smartphone stores, and prohibit those which contain security vulnerabilities and malware. The study proposed a framework for the governance of the use of VPN applications in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which comprised three dimensions: legal, organizational and awareness-based dimensions

Factors affecting the Value Added Tax Evasion in Palestine

The study aims to identify the phenomenon of tax evasion in Palestine in terms of methods and reasons for evasion. It also aims at identifying and evaluating the mechanisms followed by the VAT Department in the Gaza Strip to combat VAT evasion. The study examines the ability of the legislations and laws to reduce tax invasion and the impact of the current socioeconomic situation on tax evasion. To accomplish the aim of the study, 58 questionnaires were distributed to employees at the VAT Department. Of the questionnaire 50 were valid to analyze. In addition, several heads of divisions were interviewed for the same aim. The most important results of the study are: 83% of the respondents state that training of staff leads to minimizing tax evasion. Also, 76% of the respondents mention that imposing many taxes and double taxation encourage the taxpayer to evade taxes. Further, the economic depression contributes to tax evasion according to 86% of the respondents. The most important recommendations are: the necessity of increasing tax exemption, avoiding double taxation, reviewing tax legislations, improving value added tax laws, enhancing the tax awareness and raising the level of voluntary commitment of the taxpayer

Brief review on emerging trends in global polyphenol research

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Polyphenols are the most prevalent antioxidant phytochemicals with many health benefits ascribed to their use. An expansion of the global polyphenol economy is also due to the demand and application of polyphenols as food additives (e.g., in baked products, noodles, and pasta). This report combines available scientific knowledge on factors that dictate polyphenol synthesis in plants, their extraction methods, and utilization. The report also provides information on global polyphenol research and project funding history, which could serve as a critical reference for researchers world wide. Screening of traditional edible plants that have the potential of high yield of polyphenols should continue

Unveiling Mycobacterium fortuitum Lung Disease: A Case Linked to Pedicure Practices

Mycobacterium fortuitum (M. fortuitum) is a rapidly-growing mycobacterium (RGM) that can lead to a variety of infections affecting the lungs, skin, and soft tissue. Pulmonary infections with M. fortuitum primarily affect individuals with pre-existing lung conditions, although exposure through contaminated water sources, such as pedicures and nail salon whirlpool footbaths, has also been documented. We present a case of a previously healthy young male presenting with respiratory symptoms and systemic signs suggestive of infection. Following extensive diagnostic workup, M. fortuitum was identified in sputum samples, leading to a favorable response to targeted antibiotic therapy. This case underscores the importance of considering M. fortuitum in differential diagnoses of pulmonary infections and skin infections, particularly in patients without known risk factors

Antihypertensive properties of aqueous extracts of vegetable leaf-fortified bread after oral administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study investigated the potential cardiovascular health benefits of leavened bread produced from wheat flour that contained 1%, 2% and 3% additions of leafy vegetable powders obtained from Amaranthus viridis (AO), Solanum macrocarpon (SM) or Telfairia occidentalis (TO). Vegetable leaves were harvested from the MicroVeg Project (Nigeria). See [http://hdl.handle.net/10625/58583]. Leafy vegetables are very rich sources of phytochemicals, especially polyphenols that can contribute to improved human health. Oral administration of 100 mg dried extract/kg body weight to hypertensive rats led to reductions (up to 42 mmHg) in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure

Influence of nitrogen fertilizer micro-dosing on phenolic content, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase properties of aqueous extracts of three tropical leafy vegetables

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Substituting synthetic antioxidant food additives with naturally occurring plant antioxidants could promote the production of safer food systems. The combined use of organic manure with urea fertilizer led to enhanced antioxidant and anti-AChE activities of the leaf polyphenolic extracts. This detailed paper demonstrates how vegetable leaf polyphenolic compounds show free radical scavenging and other antioxidant properties that are comparable to those of butylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic antioxidant agent. Results indicate that the vegetable leaf extracts are potential agents that can be used both as effective food preservatives and bioactive agents against neurodegenerative diseases