Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation of P-glycoprotein function in human lymphocytes and Caco-2 cell monolayers by HIV-1 protease inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of the protease inhibitors ritonavir, nelfinavir and indinavir on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated transport of saquinavir in Caco-2 cell monolayers. To study the modulation of P-gp function in human lymphocytes by saquinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir and indinavir. METHODS We examined the effect of the protease inhibitors on P-gp function in human lymphocytes by using Rhodamine 123 (Rh 123; a fluorescent substrate of P-gp) by flow cytometry. Efflux of Rh 123 correlates with P-gp function and inhibition of P-gp results in dye retention. Verapamil, a P-gp modulator and inhibitor of active transport at 4 degrees C was used as a positive control. The transport of [14C]saquinavir (1 microM) across Caco-2 cell monolayers was investigated, alone and in the presence of verapamil and ketoconazole (500 microM) and the protease inhibitors at 100 microM. Caco-2 cells are an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium that is widely used for the study of P-gp function. The transport of saquinavir was determined in both the apical to basolateral (AP-BL) and basolateral to apical (BL-AP) directions. RESULTS Saquinavir and ritonavir (10 microM) markedly inhibited Rh 123 efflux with an increase in fluorescence intensity similar to that obtained with verapamil. A small but statistically significant increase in fluorescence intensity was observed with nelfinavir; however indinavir did not modulate Rh 123 efflux. In Caco-2 cells the apparent permeability coefficient for BL-AP efflux of saquinavir exceeded that for AP-BL efflux by a factor of 26: this is indicative of an active efflux pump. Known P-gp modulators caused a decrease in BL-AP efflux and an increase in AP-BL transport. The protease inhibitors displayed some P-gp modulation with ritonavir having the most potent effect. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that saquinavir is a substrate for P-gp and that ritonavir, nelfinavir and indinavir modulate P-gp function in both human lymphocytes and Caco-2 cells.
Grocery store image, travel distance, satisfaction and behavioral intentions: Evidence from a Midwest college town

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the interrelationships among grocery store image, travel distance (TD), customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions (BI) in a college town setting.Design/methodology/approach – Surveys are given to undergraduate college student grocery shoppers in a Midwest college town. The 400 usable questionnaires are randomly divided into two parts: one subsample was used for exploratory factor analysis while the other (larger) subsample was used for confirmatory factor analysis and subsequently the structural path analysis.Findings – Grocery store image is identified as a second‐order construct reflected by the three key components of merchandise attributes (MEA), store ambience and service (SAS), and marketing attractiveness (MGA). Although store image is an important driver of BI, its indirect effect through customer satisfaction is found to be substantially greater than its direct effect on BI. Interestingly, TD is positively related to satisfaction, which highl.
Effects of Job Satisfaction on Service Quality , Customer Satisfaction , and Customer Loyalty : The Case of a Local State-Owned Enterprise *

This study examines how customers can be maintained, which is a particularly important issue for service industry area. Customer service is important not only to private firms but also to public organizations. To improve service quality and maintain customers, organizations must ensure their employees’ job satisfaction. This study measures job satisfaction and examines its effects on service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. We measured job satisfaction by considering a sample of employees from Daegu Metropolitan Transit Corporation (DMTC) who provide customer service and by employing various measures of job satisfaction based on previous research, including workplace environments, job content, relationships with coworkers, relationships with supervisors, pay and benefits, and performance assessments. We measured service quality by using a SERVQUAL item developed by Parasuraman, Zeithamal, and Berry [42]. We conducted a survey of customers who used the city train at least once and adapted the items for customer satisfaction and loyalty from previous studies. Most studies have focused on railway facilities and management (e.g., safety systems and emergency management) after the DMTC subway tragedy in 2003. In this regard, this study is the first to explore the service quality of DMTC’s subway system. This study is particularly meaningful in that it relates job satisfaction to service quality. The results indicate the following: First, job satisfaction partially influenced service quality. Performance assessments, relationships with co-workers, and pay had significant effects on service quality, whereas supervisor relationships, job content, and workplace environments had no significant effects. Second, among the dimensions of service quality, tangibility and reliability had positive effects on customer satisfaction. Finally, customer satisfaction had a positive effect on customer satisfaction. Key-Words: Job Satisfaction, Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Loyalty
Reactions of 2-mercaptobenzoic acid with divalent alkaline earth metal ions: synthesis, spectral studies, and single-crystal X-ray structures of calcium, strontium, and barium complexes of 2,2'-dithiobis(benzoic acid).

The treatment of MCl(2). nH(2)O (M = Ca, Sr, or Ba) with 2-mercaptobenzoic acid (H-2-MBA) in a 1:2 ratio in an EtOH/H(2)O/NH(3) mixture leads to the formation of extended polymeric solids [[Ca(OOCC(6)H(4)SSC(6)H(4)COO)(H(2)O)(2)]. 0.5(C(2)H(5)OH)](n)(1), [[Sr(OOCC(6)H(4)SSC(6)H(4)COO)(H(2)O)(2)]. 0.5(C(2)H(5)OH)](n)(2), and [[Ba(2)(OOCC(6)H(4)SSC(6)H(4)COO)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]. 0.5H(2)O](n)(3), respectively. In all of the cases, under the reaction conditions employed, the H-2-MBA ligand undergoes thiol oxidation to form 2,2'-dithiobis(benzoic acid) (H(2)-DTBB). While the DTBB forms a 1:1 complex with heavier alkaline earth metals (1-3), only an ammonium salt, [(HOOCC(6)H(4)SSC(6)H(4)COOH)(HOOCC(6)H(4)SSC(6)H(4)COONH(4))] (4), was obtained as the final product in the reaction of H-2-MBA with MgCl(2). 6H(2)O. Compounds 1-4 have been characterized with the aid of elemental analysis, thermal analysis, and infrared spectroscopic studies. All of the products are found to be thermally stable and do not melt on heating to 250 degrees C. Thermogravimetry on complexes 1-3 indicates the loss of coordinated and lattice water/solvent molecules below 200 degrees C (for complex 2) or 350 degrees C (for complexes 1 and 3). The solid-state structures of all of the derivatives 1-4 have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The calcium and strontium coordination polymers 1 and 2 are isomorphous. The DTBB ligands in 1 and 2 are hexadentate, and the compounds have a channel structure in which solvent ethanol molecules are included. In compound 3, barium ion forms a complex 3-dimensional coordination polymer where both the carboxylate and the sulfur centers of the DTBB ligands (which are hepta- and octadentate) coordinate to the metal.
Mass transfer limitations on bioavailability of pahs from contaminated estuarine sediments

David S. Kosson*, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN Leslie M. Shor, Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ Karl J. Rockne, Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ Wenhsin Liang, BIOTECH Center, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Gary L. Taghon, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Lily Y. Young, BIOTECH Center, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ *speaker
U.S. Stock Market Crashes and Their Aftermath: Implications for Monetary Policy

This paper examines fifteen historical episodes of stock market crashes and their aftermath in the United States over the last one hundred years. Our basic conclusion from studying these episodes is that financial instability is the key problem facing monetary policy makers and not stock market crashes, even if they reflect the possible bursting of a bubble. With a focus on financial stability rather than the stock market, the response of central banks to stock market fluctuations is more likely to be optimal and maintain support for the independence of the central bank.
IMPACTS OF FREE-RANGING DOMESTIC CATS (FELIS CATUS) ON BIRDS IN THE UNITED STATES: A REVIEW OF RECENT RESEARCH WITH CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

American birds face an estimated 117 to 157 million exotic predators in the form of free-rang- ing domestic cats (Felis catus), which are estimated to kill at least one billion birds every year in the United States. Cats have contributed to declines and extinctions of birds worldwide and are one of the most important drivers of global bird extinctions. In this paper, we review recent scientifi c research on the impacts of free-ranging cats on birds, with an emphasis on threats to migratory landbirds in the United States. Studies have shown that cats pose threats to many bird populations, including priority species for conservation, through their predation of adult, nestling, and juvenile birds. Cats also have impacts on birds through competition with native predators such as raptors, and through the harboring and transmission of zoonotic and other diseases to birds and other wildlife. In addition to direct mortality, cats may also cause stress responses in birds due to predation risk that may result in bird population declines. A substantial increase in public outreach is urgently needed to educate citizens about the conservation and welfare problems caused and faced by outdoor cats. Effective cat and wildlife management in this context will also require strengthening and enforcing policies and laws that control outdoor cats, many of which are already in place.
HIGH-PRECISION 2MASS JHKs LIGHT CURVES AND OTHER DATA FOR RR LYRAE STAR SDSS J015450 + 001501: STRONG CONSTRAINTS FOR NONLINEAR PULSATION MODELS

We present and discuss an extensive data set for the non-Blazhko ab-type RR Lyrae star SDSS J015450+001501, including optical Sloan Digital Sky Survey ugriz light curves and spectroscopic data, LINEAR and Catalina Sky Survey unfiltered optical light curves, and infrared Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) JHKs and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer W1 and W2 light curves. Most notable is that light curves obtained by 2MASS include close to 9000 photometric measures collected over 3.3 yr and provide an exceedingly precise view of near-infrared variability. These data demonstrate that static atmosphere models are insufficient to explain multiband photometric light-curve behavior and present strong constraints for nonlinear pulsation models for RR Lyrae stars. It is a challenge to modelers to produce theoretical light curves that can explain data presented here, which we make publicly available.
SIGNAL TRAIT SEXUAL DIMORPHISM AND MUTUAL SEXUAL SELECTION IN DROSOPHILA SERRATA

Abstract The evolution of sexual dimorphism may occur when natural and sexual selection result in different optimum trait values for males and females. Perhaps the most prominent examples of sexual dimorphism occur in sexually selected traits, for which males usually display exaggerated trait levels, while females may show reduced expression of the trait. In some species, females also exhibit secondary sexual traits that may either be a consequence of a correlated response to sexual selection on males or direct sexual selection for female secondary sexual traits. In this experiment, we simultaneously measure the intersex genetic correlations and the relative strength of sexual selection on males and females for a set of cuticular hydrocarbons in Drosophila serrata. There was significant directional sexual selection on both male and female cuticular hydrocarbons: the strength of sexual selection did not differ among the sexes but males and females preferred different cuticular hydrocarbons. In contrast with many previous studies of sexual dimorphism, intersex genetic correlations were low. The evolution of sexual dimorphism in D. serrata appears to have been achieved by sex-limited expression of traits controlled by genes on the X chromosome and is likely to be in its final stages.
Encapsulated Streptococcus suis Inhibits Activation of Signaling Pathways Involved in Phagocytosis

ABSTRACT Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 is an important zoonotic agent of meningitis. Previous studies reported that, in contrast to nonencapsulated mutants, encapsulated S. suis is able to resist phagocytosis. However, the mechanisms by which S. suis avoids phagocytosis are unknown. To elucidate the signaling pathway(s) involved in S. suis antiphagocytosis, we compared the ability of an encapsulated strain and its nonencapsulated mutant to induce the activation of Akt and protein kinase C (PKC), which are downstream kinases of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) pathway, known to be involved in the phagocytosis processes. The results demonstrated high levels of Akt and PKCα phosphorylation after infection of J774 macrophages with the nonencapsulated mutant, whereas the encapsulated strain showed reduced activation of PI-3K/Akt/PKCα signaling pathway, as well as several protein tyrosine events. These results correlated with the number of intracellular bacteria. Macrophages pretreated with specific PI-3K or PKC inhibitors showed reduced levels of Akt and PKCα phosphorylation, resulting in 50% reduction of phagocytosis. The role of phosphatases in the antiphagocytic mechanisms was evaluated by using phosphatase inhibitors, as well as SHP-1-deficient macrophages. Only in the absence of SHP-1 did the phagocytosis of encapsulated S. suis significantly increase, leading to Akt phosphorylation levels similar to those observed with the nonencapsulated strain, indicating activation of this important SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase by encapsulated S. suis. Finally, when purified S. suis capsular polysaccharide (CPS) was added to macrophages, no phosphorylation events were observed. In addition, CPS and encapsulated S. suis were able to inhibit the uptake of the nonencapsulated mutant. These results suggest the importance of CPS in the mechanisms, whereby S. suis downmodulates phagocytosis.
High precision measurement technology for beat length of birefringence optical fiber

We propose a precision and flexible measurement method for the beat length of birefringence optical fiber (BOF) with a hybrid Sagnac interferometer formed with a single mode fiber directional coupler and BOFs. The measurement error equation was obtained based on error estimation theory and it was found that there is an optimum length for certain BOF under test. The measurement error can be less than 0.001 mm with 1 pm wavelength precision and 0.1 mm fiber length precision. With a high performance wavelength interrogator technology and a special designed fiber length measurement method, a beat length measurement setup was built and the measurement standard deviation of 3.08 × 10−4 mm was achieved with 250 measurement samples for solid core polarization maintaining photonic crystal fibers (PM-PCFs). The beat length stability of two PM-PCFs with different structure sizes has been measured and compared. The result demonstrated that the birefringence temperature characteristic of the PM-PCFs may be dependent on structure sizes.
Effects of intensity of rehabilitation after stroke. A research synthesis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A research synthesis was performed to (1) critically review controlled studies evaluating effects of different intensities of stroke rehabilitation in terms of disabilities and impairments and (2) quantify patterns by calculating summary effect sizes. The influences of organizational setting of rehabilitation management, blind recording, and amount of rehabilitation on the summary effect sizes were calculated. METHODS A Medline literature search was performed for a critical review of the literature. The internal and external validity of the studies was evaluated. In addition, a meta-analysis was performed by applying the fixed (Hedges's g) effects model. RESULTS The effects of different intensities of rehabilitation were studied in nine controlled studies involving 1051 patients. Analysis of the methodological quality revealed scores varying from 14% to 47% of the maximum feasible score. Meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant summary effect size for activities of daily living (0.28 +/- 0.12). Lower summary effect sizes (0.19 +/- 0.17) were found for studies in which experimental and control groups were treated in the same setting compared with studies in which the two groups of patients were treated in different settings (0.40 +/- 0.19). Variables defined on a neuromuscular level (0.37 +/- 0.24) showed larger summary effect sizes than variables defined on a functional level (0.10 +/- 0.21). Weighting individual effect sizes for the difference in amount of rehabilitation between experimental and control groups resulted in larger summary effect sizes for activities of daily living and functional outcome parameters for studies that were not confounded by organizational setting. CONCLUSIONS A small but statistically significant intensity-effect relationship in the rehabilitation of stroke patients was found. Insufficient contrast in the amount of rehabilitation between experimental and control conditions, organizational setting of rehabilitation management, lack of blinding procedures, and heterogeneity of patient characteristics were major confounding factors.
The Implementation of ISO 9000 Quality Management System and Business Performance of Contractors in Malaysia

This study investigates the implementation of ISO 9000 quality management practices and perceived business performance of contractors in Malaysia. The ISO 9000 quality management system practices were operationalised using four variables; they are management responsibility, resource management, product realisation, and measurement, analysis and improvement. The dependent variable is perceived business performance. The objectives of this study are: 1) to determine whether there are differences in perceived business performance, management responsibility, resource management, product realisation, and measurement, analysis and improvement between the ISO 9000 certified companies and non-ISO 9000 certified companies, 2) to determine whether there are relationships between ISO 9000 quality management practices and perceived business performance of contractors in Malaysia, and 3) to identify the most influencing variable in the ISO 9000 quality management practices that affects perceived business performance of the contractor, as well as identify the extent to which the variable may affect business Performance. There are two main hypotheses, and 10 specific hypotheses that were posited and tested. The study was based on a survey design and the time horizon was cross-sectional. The survey was carried out randomly on contractors operating in Peninsular of Malaysia. The numbers of respondents for ISO 9000 and non-ISO 9000 participated in this study were 54 and 270 Companies, respectively. The study hypotheses were tested using t-test, correlation and multivariate analyses. The results supported all the hypotheses of the study. The results suggest that there are differences between the ISO 9000 and non-ISO 9000 certified companies, in terms of perceived business performance, management responsibility, resource management, product realisation, and measurement, analysis and improvement. The results of correlational analyses revealed that there are associations between the implementation of ISO 9000 quality management and perceived business performance of contractors in Malaysia. Regression analyses also revealed that three variables in the ISO 9000 quality management practices indicated positive relationship with perceived business performance of contractors in Malaysia, and these are management responsibility, product realisation, and resource management. This study concluded that there are differences in terms of perceived business performance, management responsibility, resource management, product realisation, and measurement, analysis and improvement between ISO 9000 certified contractors and non-ISO 9000 certified contractors. The constructs in the ISO 9000 Quality Management System are found to be associated with perceived business performance of contractors.
Evaluating the Performance Measurement System (PMS) in the Financial Service Industry in a Developing Country: The Case of Bangladesh

The aim of the paper is to investigate the application of financial and non financial performance measures (value drivers) in the financial service industry in Bangladesh and their linkage to future financial outcomes and a firm’s strategy. Data was obtained from 73 respondent firms and a descriptive analysis was used. We found that the financial service industry in Bangladesh is still very much reliant on financial performance measures rather than non-financial performance measures. However, the trend of using non-financial performance measures is increasing. We also found that there is a relationship between the use of non-financial performance measures and the resultant future financial outcomes. Moreover, a linkage was found between a firm’s use of different performance measures and its strategy.
Identification of Distinct Conformations of the Angiotensin-II Type 1 Receptor Associated with the Gq/11 Protein Pathway and the β-Arrestin Pathway Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations*

Background: The N111G and D74N mutations bias the AT1 receptor for the Gq/11 and β-arrestin pathways, respectively. Results: Structural rearrangements of theAT1 receptor are induced by the N111G mutation and AngII. Conclusion: Activation of the Gq/11 and β-arrestin pathways is associated with a decreased and increased stability, respectively, of the ground state of the receptor. Significance: Distinct conformations of AT1 receptor are associated with distinct pathways. Biased signaling represents the ability of G protein-coupled receptors to engage distinct pathways with various efficacies depending on the ligand used or on mutations in the receptor. The angiotensin-II type 1 (AT1) receptor, a prototypical class A G protein-coupled receptor, can activate various effectors upon stimulation with the endogenous ligand angiotensin-II (AngII), including the Gq/11 protein and β-arrestins. It is believed that the activation of those two pathways can be associated with distinct conformations of the AT1 receptor. To verify this hypothesis, microseconds of molecular dynamics simulations were computed to explore the conformational landscape sampled by the WT-AT1 receptor, the N111G-AT1 receptor (constitutively active and biased for the Gq/11 pathway), and the D74N-AT1 receptor (biased for the β-arrestin1 and -2 pathways) in their apo-forms and in complex with AngII. The molecular dynamics simulations of the AngII-WT-AT1, N111G-AT1, and AngII-N111G-AT1 receptors revealed specific structural rearrangements compared with the initial and ground state of the receptor. Simulations of the D74N-AT1 receptor revealed that the mutation stabilizes the receptor in the initial ground state. The presence of AngII further stabilized the ground state of the D74N-AT1 receptor. The biased agonist [Sar1,Ile8]AngII also showed a preference for the ground state of the WT-AT1 receptor compared with AngII. These results suggest that activation of the Gq/11 pathway is associated with a specific conformational transition stabilized by the agonist, whereas the activation of the β-arrestin pathway is linked to the stabilization of the ground state of the receptor.