1545 research outputs found
Sort by
Global Component of Sentiment in Futures Markets: Evidence from Covid-19 Pandemic
Get PDFWe examine the impact of the global component of sentiment on the price return and volatility of 25 major futures market indices across the globe, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The global component of sentiment causes investor overreactions. These overreactions accelerate the fall in prices and contribute to the rising volatility levels. The futures prices revert, though gradually, to their fundamental values as information from more reliable sources becomes available. This leads to price recovery and lower volatility levels
Biomarkers in Borrelia burgdorferi infected triple-negative breast cancer cells
Get PDFTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Although some studies have attempted to identify new biomarkers and therapies, only a few have shown promise in clinical trials. In the context of cancer development, infectious agents rank as the third major risk factor, contributing to approximately 15-20% of cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society. Hence, the identification of biomarkers associated with infection-originated cancer is crucial for enhancing cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has been linked to TNBC and its aggressive characteristics. Therefore, investigating prognostic or diagnostic markers in B. burgdorferi-infected TNBC cells holds great potential for shedding light on the mechanisms underlying this complex association. In this study, we employed RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology to examine changes in gene expression induced by B. burgdorferi infection in TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 and a normal breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A). Our analysis identified common biomarkers, including CXCL-1, CXCL-8, C3, PTGS2 (COX2), and SAA1, in B. burgdorferi -infected TNBC cells. The genes identified for MCF10A included members of the CXCL family (CXCL10, CXCL8, CXCL3, and CXCL2), CCL20, and IFIT1. Furthermore, pathway analysis using KEGG and REACTOME databases revealed the involvement of the IL-4, 10, 13 & 17 signaling, TNF, NOD like receptor, TLR, NF-kB and Chemokine-signaling pathways. The most enriched signaling pathways in MCF10A included the IL-10 & 17, chemokine, cytokine and TNF signaling pathways. Common infectious diseases pathway associated in TNBC cells included COVID-19, Legionellosis, Prion disease, Influenza-A, Pertussis, Measles, Kaposi-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and Chagas disease, among others with several of the above identified genes in 7 function. The most common infectious disease associated pathways in MCF10A cells included Amoebiasis, Legionellosis, Hepatitis-C and Influenza-A. There were common metabolic pathways observed for MCF10A from the KEGG and REACTOME servers which include fatty acid metabolism, glycolipid metabolism and steroid metabolism. Also, certain biosynthesis pathways such as steroid and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathways were observed common from the KEGG and REACTOME servers for MCF10A.These findings highlight the significance of exploring these potential biomarkers as therapeutic targets in B. burgdorferi -associated TNBC. Our study provides a promising starting point for future research endeavors aimed at improving diagnostic and treatment strategies for this challenging infection-associated cancer subtype
Evaluation of Raman Microspectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging as a Screening Tool to Determine Optimal Sampling Sites for DNA Recovery from Human Skeletal Remains
Get PDFNumerous challenges exist with forensic genetic testing of human skeletal remains due to diagenesis patterns in bone microstructure, DNA degradation, and the presence of PCR inhibitors. Diagenesis is the microscopic breakdown of the bone matrix, which consists primarily of mineralized calcium hydroxyapatite and collagen. The process of diagenesis occurs in a heterogeneous, non-uniform manner along the diaphysis of a long bone, and determining the region with the most intact bone microstructure is not possible with the naked eye. Therefore, taking cuttings from the diaphysis for DNA testing is somewhat of a “blind” process, and decades of research and casework have demonstrated that differences in DNA recovery do exist between cuttings along the shaft of the same long bone. An additional consideration is that forensic genetic testing of bones is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Development of an effective screening method to determine the optimal sampling site(s) on the diaphysis could reduce time, labor, costs, and the degree of destructive sampling necessary to obtain a DNA profile. This approach could help maximize DNA recovery and improve success rates in unidentified human remains (UHR) investigations.
Raman spectroscopy was evaluated as a reliable screening tool to obtain information about bone microstructure and stage of diagenesis which, according to previous research, often correlates to the quantity and quality of endogenous DNA within that region of bone. In the first phase of this research, Raman spectroscopy was evaluated for its effects on known quantities of human DNA extracted from buccal swabs. This step was implemented to determine if exposure to the Raman laser would damage endogenous DNA, which would preclude the use of spectroscopy in genetic casework involving human skeletal remains. Initial results suggested that possible contamination and/or heat evaporation occurred, which would then skew calculations for ii determining the amount of DNA (ng) present in the sample after Raman exposure. Thus, in order to eliminate these possibilities, additional samples were taken and the total volume (μl) was carefully measured and calculated via incremental pipetting until all liquid has been recovered from the cap. These results, now precisely and accurately measured, demonstrated that DNA was damaged (both quantitatively and qualitatively) after Raman exposure.
Additionally, a fresh non-human (mammal) bone was scanned to serve as a reference for high-quality (non-degraded) bone microstructure. In the second phase of this research, Raman spectroscopy was used to scan various pre-marked sections of the diaphysis of long bones from two sets of human skeletal remains with varying post-mortem intervals (i.e., 5-year PMI, 50-year PMI). Compositional analysis of each scanned section provided information regarding degree of diagenesis within the bone microstructure. The parameters determined through experimentation that were necessary to acquire a consistent, good spectra of the bone actually burned/charred the bone. For this reason, current data does not support the use of Raman spectroscopy as a prescreening tool for bone prior to DNA testing because it is not only destructive to DNA, but also to bone microstructure. However, this research provided further support for the recommendation to sample from more than one area/region of the diaphysis by demonstrating the non-uniform, heterogeneous process of diagenesis
Characterizing the Developmental Role of Autism-Risk Gene adnp in a Zebrafish Model for Autism
No full textAutism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social
skills, restricted/ repetitive behaviors, and developmental delay. The disease has a genetic component,
and mutations in the adnp gene have been found in 0.17% of non-inherited genetic cases of the disorder. The exact molecular mechanism by which adnp is involved in the development of autism is not known. This study aimed to use zebrafish to determine the phenotypic effects of adnp mutations using two adnp paralogs- adnpA and adnpB to understand the underlying mechanism. Novel zygotic adnp double heterozygous mutants (A+/- B+/-) were previously generated using CRISPR-Cas9. These mutants were crossed to create embryos with varying genotypes. These embryos were closely observed, genotyped using a specifically designed genotyping strategy, and used to establish stock lines. It was found that not only do zygotic double homozygous mutants (A-/- B-/-) not exhibit any gross morphological phenotype, but they can also successfully survive to adulthood. They exhibit daytime hypoactivity and heightened startle response to visual stimuli. Maternal-zygotic mutants born to a double homozygous mother had spinal curvature and a novel cardiac edema phenotype, due to a lack of maternal adnp. An attempt was made to optimize CRISPR-Cas13d knockdown for adnpA in wild-type zebrafish to eliminate maternal mRNA expression and evaluate its effects. This attempt yielded inconclusive results and knocking down maternal adnpA and adnpB after redesigning sgRNAs will be the focus of future studies. This study will lead to the establishment of a zebrafish model to study the behavioral and morphological changes associated with adnp mutations in autism spectrum disorder. It also uncovered the important role of maternal adnp in embryonic development and opened up the possibility of investigating if CRISPR-Cas13d knockdown of maternal adnp can recapitulate the observed phenotype
Current Trends in Corporate Tax Inversions
Get PDFThe objective of this paper is to describe how changes in corporate tax rates affect the relocation of Corporations to lower tax jurisdictions. Historically, there was a direct correlation between high tax rates and the relocation of Corporations to lower tax jurisdictions. By further examining the relationships that tax rate cuts may have on future onshoring relocations and how changes in government tax policies will affect the relocation of multinational corporations to avoid or minimize tax liabilities. This paper extends the work of Mohs, Goldberg, Butler, and Heath (2016), which noted that there is a correlation between divergent tax rates. By analyzing existing tax legislation, Treasury regulations, and tax rates, this paper develops a framework for supporting strategic global tax efficiencies and initiatives. The conclusions, recommendations, and implications reached are generalizable and appropriate for developing best practices in tax efficiency and fiscal policy
Does Promoter Ownership Affect Dividend Policy? An Agency Problem Perspective
Get PDFIn this paper, we show a nonlinear relation between promoter ownership and dividends in the Indian context, that is, promoters pay more dividends at lower level of their ownership while they pay lesser dividends when their ownership increases beyond a threshold. In particular, we find that the adverse impact of promoter ownership on dividends is greater only at higher level of ownership, where promoters become entrenched with their effective control, and outsiders face the greatest risk of expropriation. We contend that agency and information asymmetry problems are the factors driving our results. We establish this by showing that the nonlinear relation between promoter ownership and dividend payment is more pronounced for standalone firms than group affiliated firms, for firms with more free cash flows and for firms with smaller board and less number of independent directors in the board. Our results are robust to endogeneity concerns and testing the dividend payment decision (to pay or not to pay) using the binary choice logit model
Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Creativity, Innovation and Organizational Performance: The Role of Green Human Resource Management
Get PDFThis paper provides a theoretical explanation for the “black box” between “going green” and organizational performance and links individual-level behaviors with organizational-level outcomes. We argue that the adoption of an environmental sustainability strategy and high involvement green human resources management practices will have the intended impact of increasing employee green creativity and the unintended impact of increasing employee general creativity. As well, we suggest that employee green values moderate these relationships. Furthermore, the positive effects on employee creativity (green and general) are theorized to increase organizational innovation, which positively impacts organizational performance. This paper extends the research by providing a possible explanation for how the “black box” between “going green” and organizational performance is impacted by intended and unintended behaviors that are shaped by green human resources management practices
Dynamic Linkages of Energy Commodities with Bullion and Metal Market: Evidence of Portfolio Hedging
Get PDFThis paper examines the dynamic linkages of volatility of energy commodities with bullion and the metal market. The proxies of energy commodities are crude oil and natural gas; bullion markets are Gold, silver and platinum and metal markets are copper and zinc. We collect daily data extending from March 18, 2010, to January 15, 2021, a period for about 12 years and employ Granger causality, Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC), Diebold Yilmaz (2012), Baruník & Křehlík (2018), and Network analysis for the purpose of examining spillover effect in the data considered. It is observed that there are short-run dynamic spillovers from energy (crude oil) to metal (copper) while long-run linkage is witnessed among all the constituent series. Further, Baruník & Křehlík (2018) test reveals that the total connectedness of the seven data series under study are found to be higher in frequency 2 (6 days to 15 days) than in the short run and long run. Referring to the network analysis, negative correlations are found between each pair of indices considered, i.e., Gold, silver, platinum, zinc, copper with crude oil while positive correlation is witnessed between Gold and silver. In addition, we determine portfolio hedge ratios and portfolio weights for the investors and portfolio managers. It is found that the Crude /Zinc pair had the most expensive optimal hedge ratio, while Crude/Gold had the least expensive hedging
Nexus Between Travel & Leisure Stocks and Uncertainties: An Extreme Risk Spillover Analysis
Get PDFThe paper examines the presence of risk spillover to the US travel & leisure industry from the extreme changes in the uncertainties. More specifically, using a time-varying copula based conditional Value-at-Risk (CoVaR) framework, we evaluate the dynamic impact of the uncertainties on the extreme risk of the US travel & leisure industry by taking into consideration the uncertainty in economic policy, equity market conditions, and crude oil prices. The findings indicate a significant dynamic inverse relationship between the returns of travel & leisure industry and changes in uncertainty variables. The results further indicate the stronger sensitivity of the travel & leisure industry toward the uncertainties in financial market and crude oil prices. We find significant evidence of extreme upside and downside risk spillover to the US travel & leisure industry from excessive downward and upward changes in uncertainties respectively. The findings also demonstrate the asymmetric effect of extreme movements in uncertainty factors on the tail risk of the US travel & leisure industry. The findings of the study have ramifications for risk managers, portfolio managers and investors
Global Transcriptomic Analysis of Breast Cancer Cells Infected with Borrelia burgdorferi
No full textThe bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme Disease, can disseminate to and colonize various tissues and organs to orchestrate a multitude of clinical symptoms including arthritis, carditis, and neuroborreliosis. Previous research has demonstrated that cancer cells provide an ideal habitat for diverse populations of bacteria, including B. burgdorferi, which presented with a poor prognosis. Additionally, preliminary studies conducted at the Lyme Disease Research Lab have demonstrated that infection with B. burgdorferi enhances the invasive and migratory capabilities of the triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells; however, the molecular mechanisms that the pathogen recruits to bring about these more severe breast cancer phenotypes have not been extensively studied.
In this study, we hypothesized that infection by B. burgdorferi alters the expression of cancer-associated genes to effectuate more aggressive breast cancer phenotypes. We implied the high-throughput technique of RNA-Sequencing on B. burgdorferi-infected MDA-MB-231 and the normal-like MCF10A to determine the genes that were differentially expressed upon infection. Overall, 142 DEGs between uninfected and infected samples were identified in MDA-MB-231 cells (p \u3c 0.01), while 95 DEGs were identified in MCF10A. For MDA-MB-231, 40 genes, and for MCF10A, 11 genes were differentially expressed by over 2-fold. The DEGs with a FC ≥ 3 for MDA-MB-231 and FC ≥ 2 for MCF10A were validated using qRT-PCR. Ontological analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) revealed the involvement of DEGs in pathways associated with infection, inflammation, and cancer. This study highlighted cancer-associated genes that are impacted upon infection with B. burgdorferi which could serve as potential biomarkers that the pathogen uses to enhance tumorigenesis and cancer progression can open new therapeutic opportunities