Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the antecedents of customer loyalty in the Chinese mobile service industry: a push-pull-mooring framework

This study examined factors influencing customer loyalty in a mobile communication service context. First, we conducted an exploratory study of 226 responses to identify important factors driving customers to retain or switch. On the basis of the findings from the exploratory study and push-pull-mooring (PPM) theory, we developed an integrated framework to incorporate network quality, satisfaction and value-added service quality as push factors, price advantage of competitors as pull factor, and switching cost and referent network size as mooring factors. Then we undertook a confirmative study on the respective salience of these factors in determining customer loyalty. The results of this study indicate that satisfaction, switching cost and referent network size positively influence customer loyalty, while price advantage of competitors negatively affects customer loyalty. Further, we found the effects of push, pull and mooring factors on customer loyalty are different among customers with different relationship ages.
Educative uses of the ICT, technological skills and academic performance of the Venezuelan university students (Barineses): a causal perspective

The general objective of the present research was to analyze the relations between the educatives uses of the ICT, levels of skills in the handling of the technology (ICT Skills Index) and academic performance of the Barineses students university, in order to propose a model of causal relations that represents suitably, the effects of the use of the technology with academic aims on the results in the studies. It was a random, cross-sectional and anonymous study that follows the habitual evolution of the research process: it begins being a descriptive research, and finishes as explanatory study. The sampling was by conglomerates and stratified, in three stages. The sample for the study consisted of 410 Barineses students university. A questionnaire applied themselves was used. The statistical analysis was carried out in two phases: descriptive univariado and with structural equations modelling. The proposed causal model during the development of the research, revealed significant influences of several indicators on the scores obtained in the ICT Skills Index; not happening the same in relation to the influence of this one last index on the Academic performance of the Barineses students university. This result seems to support, the often outstanding thing in literature on the subject, in relation to the difficulties found until now by the researchers, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the use of the ICT on the results in the studies; and it again places in centre of the debate the well-known paradox of the non significance (To see Russell, 1999, for a more detailed analysis of this phenomenon).
A truncated, secreted form of the epidermal growth factor receptor is encoded by an alternatively spliced transcript in normal rat tissue

Two independent cDNA clones corresponding to a 2.7-kilobase (kb) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) mRNA were isolated from a rat liver cDNA library. Sequence analysis revealed 100% homology in the external domain when compared with the full-length rat EGF-R nucleotide sequence and 80 to 90% similarity relative to the human EGF-R. However, the 3'-terminal sequence of these clones did not match EGF-R or any other known sequence(s) and was distinct from the 3' end of the 2.8-kb mRNA, which encodes a truncated EGF-R in A431 cells. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed an open reading frame which is homologous to the external domain of the EGF-R but which terminates prior to the transmembrane region. Southern blot analysis of rat genomic DNA indicated that the 3'-terminal sequence of this transcript is derived from the EGF-R gene. Analysis of a genomic clone containing the 3' end of the 2.7-kb transcript revealed that this sequence is present as a discrete exon in the mid-region of the receptor gene in proximity to the exon encoding the transmembrane domain. Introduction of an expression vector containing the truncated EGF-R cDNA into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells led to the expression of a 95-kilodalton protein which was detected in conditioned media, by using antisera directed against the EGF-R. A similarly sized protein was also detected in the media of WB cells, a continuous, nontransformed line of rat hepatic epithelial cells. Northern (RNA blot) analysis established that the truncated receptor is encoded by a 2.7-kb transcript found in normal rat liver. Furthermore, Northern analysis of rat poly(A)+ RNA showed that the 2.7-kb EGF-R transcript is expressed at differing levels in various fetal and adult tissues. These data indicate that alternative splicing of the EGF-R primary transcript yields a 2.7-kb mRNA which codes for a truncated form of the receptor. This receptor is secreted by rat hepatic epithelial cells in culture, which suggests that it may be secreted by normal rat cells or tissues and perhaps serve an as yet unknown physiological function.
Creating the just community with children

Thomas Lickona Project Change, Department of Education State University of New York at Cortland, New York It seemed simple enough at first," wrote Phyllis Hophan, a 3rd-grade teacher, of her feelings as she prepared to begin a program of moral discussions in her classroom. "I had gained a general understanding of Kohlberg's stages. I was using a purchased kit. As long as I followed the questions in the manual, it seemed as if I could work with 24 children at once and surely 'goodness and mercy would follow them all the days of their lives. ' Well, it didn't happen. The discussions were awkward, flat. "
Flock House Virus RNA Polymerase Is a Transmembrane Protein with Amino-Terminal Sequences Sufficient for Mitochondrial Localization and Membrane Insertion

ABSTRACT Localization of RNA replication to intracellular membranes is a universal feature of positive-strand RNA viruses. Replication complexes of flock house virus (FHV), the best-studied alphanodavirus, are located on outer mitochondrial membranes in infected Drosophila melanogaster cells and are associated with the formation of membrane-bound spherules, similar to structures found for many other positive-strand RNA viruses. To further study FHV replication complex formation, we investigated the subcellular localization, membrane association, and membrane topology of protein A, the FHV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a host able to support full FHV RNA replication and virion formation. Confocal immunofluorescence revealed that protein A localized to mitochondria in yeast, as in Drosophila cells, and that this mitochondrial localization was independent of viral RNA synthesis. Nycodenz gradient flotation and dissociation assays showed that protein A behaved as an integral membrane protein, a finding consistent with a predicted N-proximal transmembrane domain. Protease digestion and selective permeabilization after differential epitope tagging demonstrated that protein A was inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane with the N terminus in the inner membrane space or matrix and that the C terminus was exposed to the cytoplasm. Flotation and immunofluorescence studies with deletion mutants indicated that the N-proximal region of protein A was important for both membrane association and mitochondrial localization. Gain-of-function studies with green fluorescent protein fusions demonstrated that the N-terminal 46 amino acids of protein A were sufficient for mitochondrial localization and membrane insertion. We conclude that protein A targets and anchors FHV RNA replication complexes to outer mitochondrial membranes, in part through an N-proximal mitochondrial localization signal and transmembrane domain.
Trace element analysis of extraterrestrial metal samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: the standard solutions and digesting acids.

RATIONALE Nearly 99% of the total content of extraterrestrial metals is composed of Fe and Ni, but with greatly variable trace element contents. The accuracy obtained in the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of solutions of these samples can be significantly influenced by matrix contents, polyatomic ion interference, and the concentrations of external standard solutions. METHODS An ICP-MS instrument (X Series 2) was used to determine 30 standard solutions with different concentrations of trace elements, and different matrix contents. Based on these measurements, the matrix effects were determined. Three iron meteorites were dissolved separately in aqua regia and HNO3. Deviations due to variation of matrix contents in the external standard solutions were evaluated and the analysis results of the two digestion methods for iron meteorites were assessed. RESULTS Our results show obvious deviations due to unmatched matrix contents in the external standard solutions. Furthermore, discrepancy in the measurement of some elements was found between the sample solutions prepared with aqua regia and HNO3, due to loss of chloride during sample preparation and/or incomplete digestion of highly siderophile elements in iron meteorites. CONCLUSIONS An accurate ICP-MS analysis method for extraterrestrial metal samples has been established using external standard solutions with matched matrix contents and digesting the samples with HNO3 and aqua regia. Using the data from this work, the Mundrabilla iron meteorite previously classified as IAB-ung is reclassified as IAB-MG.
The Mediating Effect of Person-Environment Fit on the Relationship between Organisational Culture and Job Satisfaction

Whereas previous research tends to look at Person-Environment (P-E) fit as a predictor of employee outcomes, this is one of the first studies to provide evidence of P-E fit as a mediator of the relationship between organisational culture and the employee outcome of job satisfaction. Data were obtained from full-time employees who were working in private and public sectors from various organisations in Malaysia (n = 204). Person-environment fit was a significant mediator of the relationship between organisational culture and job satisfaction. This has wide-ranging implications for organisational development consultants who intend to shape the culture of various organisations, on the assumption that certain organisational cultures will lead to certain desirable employee outcomes. Managers need to pay attention to not only their organisational culture such as training, rewards, teamwork and communication but to also ensure that there is a fit between individuals and their work environment.
Predictors of increased mortality in elderly depressed patients

Five‐year standardized mortality rates for a cohort of elderly depressed patients in Perth, Western Australia, were greater than expected (M = 2.047, F = 1.658). These results were very similar to the 4‐year rates in a London study (Murphy et al., 1988), as were the causes of death. There was a significantly greater chance of being alive at the end of 5 years if, on entry to the study, the patients were: female, less than 75 years of age, had no impairment of mobility, had a diagnosis of major depression with melancholia and psychosis, and had a good recovery from the depressive illness at the end of 12 months. Impairment of mobility was the best physical status indicator of subsequent mortality. Two measures of patient's self‐assessment of physical status were as good predictors of mortality as a physician assessment of health, other than impairment of mobility.
MAPPING THE EFFECT OF INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE ON CONSUMER LIKING AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR YOGURT

Preference mapping identified different groups of consumers on the basis of their disconfirmations (occurring when the product is either better or worse than expected) and assimilations (occurring when actual liking [L] moves toward the expectations). The negative disconfirmation of a group of consumers (Group 1) was based on the information about animal welfare (the products were worse than expected because the information about animal welfare induced high expectations), whereas in Group 2 the sensory properties of the products prevailed in orienting consumer disconfirmation (products were worse than expected because the sensory properties of low-fat yogurt were disliked). The map of assimilation showed that consumers from Group 1 had higher assimilation for plain yogurt associated with high welfare standards as a consequence of the high discrepancy between blind and expected L for these products. A similar behavior was observed for Group 2 (higher discrepancy between blind and expected L corresponding to higher assimilation for low-fat yogurt paired with high welfare standards).
Randomized clinical trial of a bladder neck plication stitch during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is one of the most bothersome complications affecting patients′ daily lives. The efficacy of the bladder neck plication stitch technique in promoting an earlier return of continence was prospectively evaluated in 158 patients who underwent RARP for clinically localized prostate cancer by a single surgeon at our institute from March 2012 to January 2013. Patients were randomized 1:1 to undergo surgery with (n = 79) or without (n = 79) the bladder neck plication stitch, and their time to recovery from incontinence, defined as being pad free, was compared. Recovery from incontinence at 1, 3, and 6 months were observed in 22 (27.8%), 42 (53.2%), and 57 (72.2%) patients, respectively, treated with, and 23 (29.1%), 47 (59.5%), and 59 (74.7%) patients, respectively, treated without the bladder neck plication stitch, with no significant difference in time to recovery from incontinence between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that age, membranous urethral length and shape of the prostatic apex on magnetic resonance imaging were independent predictors of early recovery from urinary incontinence after RARP. The bladder neck plication stitch had no effect on time to recovery from postoperative urinary incontinence following RARP.
Genetic studies in a patient with X-linked retinoschisis coexisting with developmental delay and sensorineural hearing loss

ABSTRACT Background: In this study, we present a juvenile retinoschisis patient with developmental delay, sensorineural hearing loss, and reduced axial tone. X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is a retinal dystrophy, most often not associated with systemic anomalies and also not showing any locus heterogeneity. Therefore it was of interest to understand the genetic basis of the condition in this patient. Materials and methods: RS1 gene screening for XLRS was performed by Sanger sequencing. Whole genome SNP 6.0 array analysis was carried out to investigate gross chromosomal aberrations that could result in systemic phenotype. In addition, targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to determine any possible involvement of X-linked syndromic and non-syndromic mental retardation genes. This NGS panel consisted of 550 genes implicated in several other rare inherited diseases. Results: RS1 gene screening revealed a pathogenic hemizygous splice site mutation (c.78+1G>T), inherited from the mother. SNP 6.0 array analysis did not indicate any significant chromosomal aberrations that could be disease-associated. Targeted resequencing did not identify any mutations in the X-linked mental retardation genes. However, variations in three other genes (NSD1, LARGE, and POLG) were detected, which were all inherited from the patient’s unaffected father. Conclusions: Taken together, RS1 mutation was found to segregate with retinoschisis phenotype while none of the other identified variations were co-segregating with the systemic defects. Hereby, we infer that the multisystemic defects harbored by the patient are a rare coexistence of XLRS, developmental delay, sensorineural hearing loss, and reduced axial tone reported for the first time in the literature.
Effects of 12 Weeks Resistance Training on Serum Irisin in Older Male Adults

Background: To assess the effects of resistance training on circulating irisin concentration in older male adults, and to investigate the association between resistance training induced alteration of irisin and body fat. Methods: Seventeen older adults (mean age is 62.1 years old) were randomized into old control group (male, n = 7), and old training group (male, n = 10). The control group has no any exercise intervention. The resistance training group underwent leg muscle strength and core strength training program two times/wk, 55 min/class for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, we evaluated serum irisin level and body composition. Results: Serum irisin level was significantly increased in the resistance training group after the 12 weeks intervention period (P < 0.01), but not in the control group. In the resistance training group, the reduction in whole-body fat percent was negatively correlated with the increase in serum irisin level (r = −0.705, P < 0.05). Conclusion: After the 12 weeks intervention, circulating irisin levels were significantly elevated in the older adults. In summary, serum irisin may be involved in the regulation of body fat in older male adults.
Interpopulation patterns of divergence and selection across the transcriptome of the copepod Tigriopus californicus

The accumulation of genetic incompatibilities between isolated populations is thought to lead to the evolution of intrinsic postzygotic isolation. The molecular basis for these mechanisms, however, remains poorly understood. The intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus provides unique opportunities for addressing mechanistic questions regarding the early stages of speciation; hybrids between highly divergent populations are fertile and viable, but exhibit reduced fitness at the F2 or later generations. Given the current scarcity of genomic information in taxa at incipient stages of reproductive isolation, we utilize high‐throughout 454 pyrosequencing to characterize a substantial fraction of protein‐coding regions (the transcriptome) of T. californicus. Our sequencing effort was divided equally between two divergent populations in order to estimate levels of divergence and to reveal patterns of selection across the transcriptome. Assembly of sequences generated over 40 000 putatively unique transcripts (unigenes) for each population, 19 622 of which were orthologous between populations. BLAST searches of public databases determined protein identity and functional features for 15 402 and 12 670 unigenes, respectively. Based on rates of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitutions in 5897 interpopulation orthologs (those >150 bp and with at least 2X coverage), we identified 229 potential targets of positive selection. Many of these genes are predicted to be involved in several metabolic processes, and to function in hydrolase, peptidase and binding activities. The library of T. californicus coding regions, annotated with their predicted functions and level of divergence, will serve as an invaluable resource for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying the early stages of speciation.
ELECTION-DAY RADIO-TELEVISION AND WESTERN VOTING

A GREAT DEAL has already been written about how the broadcast media affect voting behavior. The sum of all of this research seems to be that maybe some people are affected in some fashion or another under certain conditions. This paper is surely not the end of the line on broadcast research. As is often found, whether or not one's fallen hypotheses need post hoc rationalization, more questions seem to have been raised by this effort than answered. Some of these questions, however, are in important areas that up to now were thought to have been rather thoroughly laid to rest. It should become clear as this is read that more research on media effect is needed in future presidential elections. The June 1964 presidential primary election in California was the immediate stimulus behind this research and presumably behind the other major studies-done by two of the national broadcasting networks. That primary, as most will still recall, constituted the climax of the Goldwater-Rockefeller fight for the Republican candidacy. Because of nationwide interest, the networks went to great lengths to provide comprehensive and rapid coverage. The Columbia Broadcasting System, using its expert computer-backed reporting team, managed to "declare" Senator Goldwater the victor more than half an hour before the polls closed in most of northern California. The method they used to derive the prediction was validated in spades when the final tally was made. On the basis of only i8 out of some 32,ooo precincts, they achieved almost ioo per cent accuracy in predicting the final Goldwater margin of victory. When the news of this "declaration of victory" was broadcast across the state at 7:22 P.M. , probably few persons were discouraged from casting a ballot they would otherwise have cast. There were stories, of course, about Goldwater people making the news known at some polling places, and thus causing waiting Rockefeller people to quit the lines and go home without voting. If this was the case, though, it is doubtful that the final results would have changed had everyone stayed to vote. There were probably just not that many people left in line or on the way to the polls by 7:22 that evening. The presidential election, taking place in three different continental time zones to say nothing of Alaska and Hawaii, was obviously a po-
Preclinical Evaluation of the HIV-1 Fusion Inhibitor L'644 as a Potential Candidate Microbicide

ABSTRACT Topical blockade of the gp41 fusogenic protein of HIV-1 is one possible strategy by which microbicides could prevent HIV transmission, working early against infection, by inhibiting viral entry into host cells. In this study, we examined the potential of gp41 fusion inhibitors (FIs) as candidate anti-HIV microbicides. Preclinical evaluation of four FIs, C34, T20, T1249, and L'644, was performed using cellular and ex vivo genital and colorectal tissue explant models. Increased and sustained activity was detected for L'644, a cholesterol-derivatized version of C34, relative to the other FIs. The higher potency of L'644 was further increased with sustained exposure of cells or tissue to the compound. The activity of L'644 was not affected by biological fluids, and the compound was still active when tissue explants were treated after viral exposure. L'644 was also more active than other FIs against a viral escape mutant resistant to reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs), demonstrating the potential of L'644 to be included as part of a multiactive antiretroviral (ARV) combination-based microbicide. These data support the further development of L'644 for microbicide application.