Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How and when service-oriented high-performance work systems foster employee service performance: A test of mediating and moderating processes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how and when service-oriented high-performance work systems (HPWS) impact employees’ service performance. Design/methodology/approach Survey data was obtained from 568 frontline service employees and their supervisors across 92 branches of a large bank in China. The hypotheses were tested with hierarchical linear modeling. Findings The results suggested that service-oriented HPWS affected employee service performance via its simultaneous impact on employees’ service ability, customer orientation, and service climate perception. Moreover, the indirect effects of HPWS on service performance via service ability and customer orientation were significant only when service-oriented HPWS consensus was high. Practical implications To elicit employees’ provision of excellent service, organizations should invest in service-oriented HRM practices to improve all of their service ability, customer orientation, and service climate perception, making them able to, willing to, and having the chance to perform high-quality service performance. Organizations should also pay attention to the variability in employees’ HRM perceptions within the same group. Originality/value The research contributes to the extant literature by presenting a more complete understanding of how service-oriented HPWS elicits employee service performance, and when this HPWS is and is not effective.
Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst: a clinicopathological and immunocytochemical study of 15 cases

Intraosseous jaw cysts with a solely orthokeratinized lining epithelium have been suggested to differ from the typical odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) by exhibiting a less aggressive behaviour. We report 15 cases of such cyst type under the term of ‘orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC)’ and compared their clinical, histological and immunocytochemical features with that of OKC.
Corporate Debt Maturity Structure: The Role of Firm Level and Institutional Determinants in Selected African Countries

Abstract An appropriate debt maturity structure is essential for firms to enable them align asset structure to liabilities to prevent a mismatch. This study investigates the role of firm-level and institutional variables on debt maturity structure in selected African countries. Using panel generalised method of moment that addresses endogeneity problem; our findings reveal a dynamic process of adjustment to optimal debt maturity structure. Furthermore, firm-level variables (leverage, asset structure and firm size) provide support for the contracting cost, signalling and matching principle theories of debt maturity structure. Results of institutional variables suggest that better developed institutions promote long-term debt maturity structures.
The activities of liver adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase enzymes and the levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide after cisplatin toxicity in rats: protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant agent, on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity through adenosine deaminase (AD), xanthine oxidase (XO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in liver tissue of rats. Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control group (n-6), cisplatin group (n-9) and CAPE+cisplatin group (n-8). All the chemicals used were applied intraperitoneally. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the activities of the above-mentioned enzymes in the liver tissue. NO level and XO activity were found to be increased in the cisplatin group compared to the control group. NO level was found to be decreased in the cisplatin+CAPE group in comparison with the cisplatin group. There was no significant change in the activity of XO between the cisplatin and cisplatin+CAPE groups. The activity of SOD was lower in the cisplatin group than both the control and cisplatin+CAPE groups. There was no significant change in the activity of CAT between the control and cisplatin groups. CAT activity was increased in the cisplatin+CAPE group compared to the cisplatin group. The AD activity and MDA level remained unchanged in all groups. The results obtained suggested that CAPE significantly attenuated the hepatotoxicity as an indirect target of cisplatin in an animal model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Integrating Technology in the Classroom: Teacher Perspectives

The purpose of this study was, given the elimination of a Type I barrier, to investigate how teachers utilized the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and what barriers teachers perceive to be present that may inhibit technology are barriers technology integration in the classroom. This qualitative study was designed based on the naturalistic inquiry approach (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). Through purposeful sampling, this study took place in a suburban school division within the U.S. that has eliminated a Type I barrier, technology access to secondary teachers and students. The site was chosen due to the abundance of technology available to teachers and secondary students within the school division. Ten secondary teachers that participated were in various stages of their profession and years of service within the school division and represented various secondary schools within the division. The findings suggest that teachers fail to fully implement all of the ISTE NETS when it comes to integration in the classroom. Insufficient time to plan and prepare for activities that would integrate technology into the classroom was among the external factors most of the participants listed as to why their instruction did not always utilize technology. Although the division has eliminated a major barrier through its one-to-one laptop initiative, the findings indicated further external, Type I barriers existed. Results of this study suggest the key elements to the barriers that inhibit integration continue to be Type II barriers, teacher beliefs towards technology and teacher-centered pedagogy.
Are Proteinases the Reason for Keratoconus?

Purpose: Keratoconus is a degenerating disease of the eye that results in an irregularly-shaped cornea. The etiology of the disease is unknown and the prognosis is difficult due to the variability in outcome. Keratoconus has been associated with eye rubbing, atopy, contact lens wear, as well as genetic conditions, such as Down’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Marfan’s syndrome. Thinning of the cornea in keratoconus has been well studied and is documented to occur as a result of degradation of corneal collagen. The reason for this tissue degradation is unknown but has been hypothesized to be linked with proteases. Methods: This study used a literature search to review the role of proteases and inflammatory molecules in the aetiology of keratoconus. Results: Early studies demonstrated elevated levels of collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activities in laboratory cultures of keratoconic corneas. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteins that include collagenases and gelatinases. MMPs levels are altered in keratoconus corneas compared to normal corneas and the level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) is decreased in keratoconic corneas. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of Cathepsin B, G, and K in keratoconus. Although thought to be a non-inflammatory disease, inflammatory molecules, such as interleukins and tumor necrosis factor have been shown to be elevated in keratoconus, and these inflammatory molecules may mediate production and activation of proteases. Conclusions: Proteases may be implicated in keratoconus. An in-depth investigation of these proteases may help in better understanding the course of the disease.
Bacteremia in febrile Malawian children: clinical and microbiologic features

Background. There are no published data for the incidence or etiology of childhood bacteremia in Malawi. We describe the clinical and microbiologic features of children admitted to hospital from whom blood cultures yielded bacterial pathogens. Methods. Any neonate or child admitted to the pediatric wards of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital had a blood culture taken in the event of fever without obvious clinical explanation. Clinical and microbiologic data were prospectively collected for children with a significant positive culture. Results. Between September, 1996, and August, 1997, we processed 2123 cultures. Of these, 365 (17.2%) grew a pathogen. Non‐typhi salmonellae (NTS) and enteric Gram‐negative bacilli constituted 67.4% of isolates, and Streptococcus pneumoniae constituted 16.4%. More than two‐thirds of NTS episodes coincided with the peak malaria transmission season (January to June); 67% of bacteremic children were malnourished, 28% severely so. Patients with NTS bacteremia were significantly more likely to have coincident malaria and to have splenomegaly and anemia than children with other infecting organisms. The overall mortality was 38% but varied considerably according to age and nutritional status. Prior antibiotic use, coincident malaria or meningitis did not adversely affect outcome. In vitro resistance to the commonly available antibiotics ampicillin and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole was found in 76 and 71% of NTS isolates. Screening tests for penicillin resistance suggested a rate of 21% among pneumococci. Conclusions. Bacteremia is common in hospitalized Malawian children and has a high mortality. There are high rates of resistance to some of the commonly used antibacterial agents.
A Novel Toxinotyping Scheme and Correlation of Toxinotypes with Serogroups of Clostridium difficileIsolates

ABSTRACT Two hundred nineteen Clostridium difficile isolates from 22 serogroups were screened for changes in the genes coding for toxin B (tcdB) and toxin A (tcdA). Parts of the toxin genes were amplified, and the PCR fragments were checked for length polymorphisms and cut with several restriction enzymes to monitor restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). For 47 strains (21%), differences in the toxin genes were found compared to the toxin genes of reference strain VPI 10463. Polymorphisms were usually observed in both toxin genes. RFLPs were more commonly found in the tcdB gene, in which a single restriction enzyme could give up to five different patterns. Restriction sites seemed to be less heterogeneous in the tcdA gene, in which for most enzymes only two different RFLPs were recognized. However, deletions were observed in tcdA, and four new types of shortenedtcdA genes are described. According to the changes in their toxin genes, variant strains could be divided into 10 groups (toxinotypes I to X). A toxinotype was characterized by similar patterns of changes in the toxin genes and in other regions of the pathogenicity locus and also similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. Variant toxinotypes were found in 9 of the 22 serogroups studied, and some toxinotypes were clearly associated with specific serogroups. Toxinotype VIII is characteristic for all strains of serogroup F. Other serogroups in which variant toxinotypes were commonly found are A1, A15, E, and X. Testing of variability inC. difficile toxin genes not only might be useful as a molecular typing system but also could have implications in diagnostics and pathogenesis.
Population-based persistency rates for topical glaucoma medications measured with pharmacy claims data.

BACKGROUND Persistency with drug therapy reflects a number of factors, including patient tolerability of adverse events resulting from therapy and clinician satisfaction with the medication's effectiveness in reducing intraocular pressure. OBJECTIVE This study assesses persistency with topical glaucoma medications administered as initial therapy by evaluating rates of discontinuation and change in therapy. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using pharmacy claims data from 3 geographically diverse healthcare plans. Newly treated glaucoma patients younger than 65 years of age were selected based on an initial glaucoma medication fill during a 12-month period. Patients were followed for persistency, defined as discontinuation or change (switch or add-on) of initial glaucoma therapy; discontinuation of therapy was also evaluated as a separate end point. RESULTS In all, 1330 patients (followed for 1126 person-years) met the eligibility criteria. Compared with latanoprost users, patients initiated on other topical monotherapies were more likely to discontinue or change therapy, and patients initiated on other topical monotherapies were more likely than latanoprost users to discontinue therapy. CONCLUSION Population-based data indicate that latanoprost offers superior persistency compared to agents from other popular classes of topical ocular hypotensives.
The Hyperserotonemia of Autism a

The planned and ongoing studies of platelet function and composition should allow us to better define the alteration which we presume to be present in platelets of autistic subjects. Although much of the research focuses on serotonergic aspects, the more general research should permit a better delineation of the extent of the alteration and will protect against a premature narrowing of the inquiry. The methodological development which has been a necessary aspect of the work should contribute to an improved understanding of platelet function and composition, as well as result in improved clinical tools for the assessment of platelet functioning in neuropsychiatric disorders and hematology. As an example, improvements in short-term in vitro storage conditions to stabilize aggregation and shape change responses over time were found to be necessary, and are probably critical to an optimal comparison of these phenomena across groups. The identification of the platelet alteration which is responsible for the hyperserotonemia of autism should prove useful in several ways. It would be expected that assessment of the altered function would provide a marker with less overlap with the normal population than the multidetermined measure of blood 5-HT. Determination of the specific protein(s) involved in the altered platelet should lead directly to gene probes and chromosomal location. These, in turn, should prove useful for neonatal screening, subtyping, and more powerful genetic and family studies. Work of this sort might also allow early intervention and improved treatment. Finally, characterization of the physiological alteration would provide a basis for focusing studies of brain neurochemistry and should, as well, suggest modes of neuropharmacological intervention. The confidence that one can have in the basic finding of hyperserotonemia in autism and the potential benefits to be derived from its explication make further research in this area of great interest.
Clinical Significance of Circulating CD33+CD11b+HLA-DR− Myeloid Cells in Patients with Stage IV Melanoma Treated with Ipilimumab

Purpose: High levels of circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in various cancer types, including melanoma, were shown to correlate with poor survival. We investigated whether frequencies of circulating CD33+CD11b+HLA-DR− MDSCs could be used as immune system monitoring biomarkers to predict response and survival of patients with stage IV melanoma treated with anti-CTLA4 (ipilimumab) therapy. Experimental Design: Peripheral blood samples from 56 patients and 50 healthy donors (HDs) were analyzed for CD33+CD11b+HLA-DR− MDSC percentage, NO−, and hROS levels by flow cytometry. We determined whether MDSC levels and suppressive features detected before anti-CTLA4 therapy correlate with the patients' response and overall survival (OS). Results: Patients with melanoma had significantly higher levels of circulating CD33+CD11b+HLA-DR− MDSCs with suppressive phenotype when compared with HDs. Low levels of MDSCs before CTLA-4 therapy correlated with an objective clinical response, long-term survival, increased CD247 expression in T cells, and an improved clinical status. No predictive impact was observed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests performed on the 56 patients showed that the presence of more than 55.5% of circulating CD33+CD11b+ out of the HLA-DR− cells, were associated with significant short OS (P < 0.003), a median of 6.5 months, in comparison with the group showing lower MDSC frequencies, with a median survival of 15.6 months. Conclusions: Our study suggests the use of CD33+CD11b+HLA-DR− cells as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in patients with stage IV melanoma treated with anti-CTLA4 therapy. This monitoring system may aid in the development of combinatorial modalities, targeting the suppressive environment in conjunction with iplimumab, toward facilitating better disease outcomes. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5661–72. ©2016 AACR.
Effects of injecting electronic transponders into the auricle of pigs

Electronic transponders (3 x 18 mm) were injected into the base of the auricle of 69 10-day-old pigs, 111 four-week-old pigs and 24 six-month-old pigs, to examine the procedure of injection in the auricle, the tissue reaction and the ease of removal from the carcase. The injection was difficult in the 10-day-old pigs, but was easier at four weeks. One of the 204 transponders were lost and five of them appeared to be broken. Only one gilt showed some exudate around the transponder. The transponders could easily be removed when the pigs were slaughtered by cutting off the ear. The position of the transponder was significantly (P < 0.05) more ventral in the animals injected at 10 days old than in those injected at four weeks. The mean thickness of the connective tissue capsule around the transponders increased at first (P < 0.1) and then decreased when they were injected into 10-day-old pigs but decreased (P < 0.1) from shortly after injection in the pigs injected at four weeks old. After five months, the capsule in the animals injected at 10 days old was on average significantly (P < 0.01) thinner than in those injected at four weeks.
The Changing Structure of Retail Industry : Case Studies on Competitive Advantage of Small Companies in Croatia

Objective: There are two key trends in retail industry since 1990s till nowadays: rapid internationalization and intensive retail concentration. In such a dynamic environment, small companies are striving to preserve their markets and to maintain their business activity. The objectives of the paper are twofold: (1) to explain trends of retail internationalization and concentration and (2) to highlight the possibilities for improving the competitive ability of small retailers. Research Design & Methods: The paper is based on analysis of secondary data available in research papers, studies and official statistics. Firstly, the consequences of retail internationalization and concentration are described. Then, the literature on competitive advantage creation is systemized. In addition, the case study method is used to illustrate successful strategies of competitive advantage creation. Findings: In a changed retail market, small retailers seek the way to improve their competitiveness. As suitable competitiveness strategies, authors describe: (1) retail alliances and (2) differentiation by assortment. Implications & Recommendations: The key trends and their impact on small companies in retail industry are scrutinized. Recommendations to small retailers how to adjust to new market conditions, together with some practical examples, are given. Contribution & Value Added: The paper gives an insight into dynamics of changes in retail structure. Retail alliances and differentiation by assortment are described as two key streams of competitiveness improvement suitable for small retailers.
Blockage of 2-Deoxy-d-Ribose-Induced Angiogenesis with Rapamycin Counteracts a Thymidine Phosphorylase-Based Escape Mechanism Available for Colon Cancer under 5-Fluorouracil Therapy

Purpose: Colorectal neoplasms remain a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. A recognized weakness of conventional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy relates to expression of the intracellular enzyme, thymidine phosphorylase (TP). Although TP promotes 5-FU cytotoxicity, TP-derived 2-deoxy-d-ribose (dRib) counterproductively stimulates tumor angiogenesis. Here, the newly discovered antiangiogenic drug rapamycin was combined with 5-FU to counteract the potential escape mechanism of dRib-induced angiogenesis. Experimental Design: Orthotopic tumor growth was assessed in rapamycin and 5-FU-treated BALB/c mice with TP-expressing CT-26 colon adenocarcinoma cells. To examine liver metastasis, green-fluorescent protein-transfected CT-26 cells were visualized by fluorescence microscopy after intraportal injection. Cell counting and Ki67 staining were used to determine in vitro and in vivo cell expansion, respectively. In vitro angiogenic effects of dRib were assessed with endothelial cell migration and aortic ring assays. Western blotting detected dRib effects on p70/S6 kinase activation. Results: Rapamycin treatment of mice bearing orthotopic tumors inhibited tumor growth more than did 5-FU, and mice treated with both drugs typically developed no tumors. In the liver metastasis assay, combination therapy blocked metastatic expansion of solitary tumor cells. Interestingly, complex drug activities were suggested by tumor-cell proliferation being more sensitive to 5-FU than to rapamycin in vitro, but more sensitive to rapamycin in vivo. With regard to angiogenesis, dRib-induced endothelial cell migration and aortic ring formation were completely abrogated by rapamycin, correlating with blockage of dRib-induced p70/S6 kinase activation in endothelial cells. Conclusions: Inhibition of dRib-induced angiogenesis with rapamycin counteracts a potential TP-based escape mechanism for colorectal cancer under 5-FU therapy, introducing a novel, clinically feasible, combination treatment option for this common neoplasm.