bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance, cultural factors and voluntary disclosure: Evidence from selected companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md. Akhtar , Rouf Md. Abdur
Published: December 2016

This research aims to test empirically the relationship between corporate governance, cultural factors and voluntary disclosure by the listed companies in Bangladesh. The corporate governance factors examined are proportion of independent non-executive directors (INDs), board leadership structure, management ownership, board size and audit committee size. The extent of voluntary disclosure level is measured using 68 items of information. Data are taken from annual reports of the listed companies in Bangladesh. The result shows a positive association between board size, board leadership structure, audit committee size and voluntary disclosure. However, no evidence is found to support the contention that independent directors are associated with increased disclosure, consistent with previous studies. Higher education of the CEO and CFO is positively related to the level of voluntary disclosure. The result also indicates that the extent of voluntary disclosures is negatively associated with a higher management ownership
Interdependence between audit committee and internal audit
Authors: Tušek Boris , Pokrovac Ivana
Published: December 2016

Internal audit is an indispensable resource and a source of information for the audit committee. Audit committees have to meet a number of obligations and responsibilities which is not possible without adequate communication with the internal audit. Internal audit is often seen as an "eyes and ears" of the audit committee. On the other hand, one of the key factors for the successful internal auditing functioning in an organization is a support that audit committee provides to the internal audit function. Previous studies stress out the importance of mutual interaction which is extremely important for reciprocal strengthening. of each other’s functions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevant theoretical features of the connection between internal and Audit Committee.
The puzzle of corporate governance definition(s): A content analysis
Authors: Nerantzidis Michail , Filos John , Lazarides Themistokles
Published: December 2016

This study contributes to the understanding of Corporate Governance term by using content analysis on twenty two definitions, dated from 1992 to 2010. We developed a six-dimensional framework and we calculated the frequency count using Internet search engine. Our results reveal that the more used definitions are the narrower (those of two or three dimensions), which implies that a further study, discussion or extension could act as a cornerstone to a cross-disciplinary dialogue for a broader definition of Corporate Governance.
Entrepreneurial strategies and corporate governance: Experiences from the Italian wine industry
Authors: Di Toma Di Toma , Lazzini Arianna , Montanari Stefano
Published: December 2016

A distinctive resource typical of family firms, critical in guarantee to family firms long lasting position of competitive advantage is familiness. In previous studies familiness has been defined to characterize the interactions between each family member, the whole family and the business. These interactions leads to systematic synergies with the potential to create competitive advantages or disadvantages for the firm. Family history and local roots can ensure the family business a competitive advantage long lasting and evolutive. Our analysis is focused on the wine industry in Italy and analyzes the case of Barone Ricasoli Spa an estate owned by the family Ricasoli since 1141. We find that the family social capital supports the processes of resources acquisition and promotes the business renewal.
The impact of the board of directors on the financial performance of Tunisian companies
Authors: Bouaziz Zied , Triki Mohamed Wajdi
Published: December 2016

The Board of Directors plays a key role as a internal mechanism of corporate governance. Indeed, its effectiveness is dependent on the presence of several factors, the most important are related to characteristics that relate primarily to the independence of its members, board size, the cumulative functions of decision and control, the degree of independence of the audit committee and the gender diversity of the board. To test the validity of our hypothesis, which states the existence of a certain deterministic between the board’s characteristics and financial performance measured by three different ratios, namely ROA, ROE and Tobin’s Q, we have developed three linear regression models. Our empirical validation was conducted on a sample of 26 companies listed on the Tunisian stock exchange Tunis (Tunis Stock Exchange) over a period that spans four years (2007-2010). The estimated models show satisfactory results showing the importance of the impact of board characteristics on financial performance of Tunisian companies.
Perceptions of organisational readiness for the performance management system: A case study of a University of technology
Authors: Ngcamu Bethuel Sibongiseni
Published: December 2016

The absence of a single performance management system (PMS) aligned to institutional strategy and business processes often results in failure to deliver anticipated benefits as it is not cascaded down to all departments, teams or individuals. This study aims to determine employees’ expectations for the proposed PMS and their perceptions of the system’s impact on effectiveness within the university concerned. This study adopted a quantitative research design and a survey method was used, whereby, a structured questionnaire was administered by the researcher to a selected population size of 150 of which 108 completed questionnaires, generating a response rate of 72%.
The study reflects a disproportionately high percentage of 34% of the respondents who disagreed and 21.3% who were undecided as to whether PMS is needed at the university concerned where the majority of these respondents being academics and those with matriculation. The university concerned should develop a PMS which is aligned to the university strategic plan and to other university policies coupled with structured change management interventions focusing on academics and semi-skilled employees.
Internal corporate governance mechanisms and audit report lag: A study of Malaysian listed companies
Authors: Binti Hashim Ummi Junaidda , Abdul Rahman Rashidah Binti
Published: December 2016

This study attempts to investigate the link between corporate governance mechanisms and audit report lag for companies listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2007 to 2009. The 288 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia have been randomly selected. The corporate governance mechanisms examined include the board of directors and audit committee. It shows that there are significant negative relationships between board diligence, audit committee independence and expertise. The higher the number of meetings being held indicates that the board is discharging their role towards the company. The results show that audit committee independence and audit committee expertise could assist in reducing audit report lag among companies in Malaysia. Its provide some evidence supporting the resource based theory, whereby characteristics of the audit committee, such as the resources and capabilities, could improve companies’ performance as well as corporate reporting.However, it could not provide any evidence concerning the link between board independence, board expertise, CEO duality and audit committee diligence on audit report lag. This study provides comprehensive examination of ARL on Malaysian listed companies for three years period. It is consider the initial study to provide a thorough examination of the association between corporate governance characteristics and ARL.
The likely role of an executive logistics and supply chain management portfolio on the boards of private industrial corporations
Authors: Pienaar WJ (Wessel)
Published: December 2016

The paper outlines the need for an executive logistics and supply chain management portfolio on the boards of private industrial corporations. The concepts of logistics and supply chain management are described in a business context, and the strategic, tactical and operational tiers thereof are discussed. The various business activities that form part of logistics and supply chain management are indicated. It is described how efficient and effective logistics and supply chain management can enhance the competitive advantage and long-term wealth of a business. Five performance areas that collectively best represent successful organisational logistics performance are detailed.
Incentive schemes and female leadership in financial firms
Authors: Lantz Björn , Bredehorst-Carlsson Petra , Johansson Johan
Published: December 2016

Our purpose is to explore how performance in Swedish financial companies is affected by the presence of a female chief executive officer (CEO), the presence of an incentive scheme, and the proportion of female board members. The results indicate that a female CEO is associated with a lower return on equity (ROE) and a lower Tobin’s Q, but we find no significant association between the proportion of female board members and firm performance. An incentive scheme is generally associated with a lower return on assets (ROA) and a higher Tobin’s Q. In particular, a share-based incentive scheme is associated with a lower ROA, a lower ROE, and a higher Tobin’s Q.
Role of independent director in corporate governance – Reference to India
Authors: Dube Indrajit , Pakhira Aparup
Published: December 2016

A company is the common platform of various stakeholders, such as customers, employees, investors, shareholders etc.. It is an instrument that can attract huge capital for doing business. Every transaction in a company should be fair and transparent to its stakeholders. A company having good Corporate Governance and an effective Board of Directors attract investors and ensure investment. Independence of the Board is critical to ensure that the board fulfills its role objectively and holds the management accountable to the company. The practice across jurisdictions indicates that the presence of Independent Director is answer to that. The present write up delves into the current scenario in Indian Corporate Sector and examine the role of Independent Director in Corporate Governance, in particular.
Corporate governance: An examination of U.S. and European models
Authors: Meier Heidi Hylton , Meier Natalie C.
Published: December 2016

As the model for corporate governance has emerged in the US after decades of evolution, culminating with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002, there has also been interest in corporate governance models used in other countries. This has particular importance considering the increased competition for capital in international markets with investors wishing to make sound financial decisions by seeking information from companies, regardless of their national registry, that is open, accessible and accurate. This paper examines the framework for corporate governance in the US, its evolution over time, and reviews corporate governance models used in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. A comparison of these models is provided presenting similarities and differences, strengths and weakness, and obstacles to harmonization.
Overview of procurement need specification and the organisation of supply chain processes to fulfil customers’ needs in South Africa
Authors: Pienaar W J (Wessel)
Published: December 2016

The article focuses on the procurement need specification of goods to support the operations of organisations, and how product supply chain processes are organised to fulfil customers’ procurement needs. Ten methods of procurement need specification for business purposes are dealt with. Product supply chain processes are executed as either ‘push’ or ‘pull’, or ‘push-pull’ oriented. Each of the approaches is discussed. Summaries of (a) the characteristics of the push and pull portions of supply chains; and (b) the spectrum of supply chain responses to customer demands are supplied
Lagged impacts of reforms of government regulations of business on nations’ gross domestic product
Authors: Woodside Arch G. , Zhang Mann
Published: December 2016

This article develops theory and examines relationships among reforms in government regulation of business, competitiveness, and national economic development in term of GDP per capita. The findings shed light on the ongoing debate of supporting versus refuting reducing/eliminating government regulations of business. Applying Campbell’s (1968, 1969) seminal contributions in examining the impact of reforms as quasi-experiments and Mill’s (1872/1973) method of differences, the study shows that the reforms in reductions and eliminations of government regulations of business help to increase national economic growth the lagged impact (e.g., 2, 3 years after introduction of reforms) should be expected. Also, medium-to-large reductions in the ranking of government regulations of business (increase in competitiveness) associate with increases in GDP per capita in comparison to a large increase in the ranking (decrease in competitiveness). The results also provide insights into the different regulatory environments (i.e., high vs. low government corruption and media-freedom vs. highly ethical behavior and lack of media-freedom) may condition the impact of the reforms.
The impact of board structure on the financial performance of listed South African companies
Authors: Meyer Erik , de Wet JHvH
Published: December 2016

This study focuses on the role of the corporate board of directors and the relationship between the dynamics of board structure and the financial performance of listed South African companies. The research results found that the proportion of independent non-executive directors had a significant positive effect on firm performance as measured by earnings per share and enterprise value, but had no significant effect on Tobin’s Q ratio. Board ownership had a significant negative correlation with firm performance as measured by earnings per share, enterprise value and Tobin’s Q ratio. The number of directors serving on the corporate board had a significant positive effect on firm performance as measured by earnings per share, enterprise value and Tobin’s Q ratio. The study suggests that greater independent non-executive director representation, lower board share-ownership and larger board sizes should be encouraged to enhance firm performance.
How could board diversity influence corporate disclosure?
Authors: Shehata Nermeen F.
Published: December 2016

This paper aims to provide a theoretical analysis on the relationship between diversity and corporate disclosure. A literature review has been conducted to assess the aforementioned relationship. Through the literature, agency theory and stakeholder theory support board diversity. This paper explains how Hofsetde-Gray culture theory could be used to explain the relationship between nationality as one of the diversity characteristics, and corporate disclosure. Presence of a diverse board is expected to positively influence corporate disclosure. On one hand, this paper provides future research an opportunity to empirically assess this relationship. On the other hand, the positive influence that board diversity has on corporate disclosure provides an opportunity to companies to diversify their boards according to different nationalities and gender type.
The impact of skills development interventions on corporate control: Executives’ & directors’ coaching
Authors: de Villiers Rouxelle , Botes Vida
Published: December 2016

Senior decision-makers require knowledge, skills and attributes to pro-actively navigate the business environment in search of optimal organizational outcomes. Increasingly executive coaches are employed to develop these leadership competencies. The paper integrates literature findings from human resource development, organizational behavior, management and psychology disciplines and posits a framework for effective triadic coaching relationships. The model includes requirements for positive performance results, corporate governance, strategy and organizational change outcomes. The study concludes with a number of detailed suggestions for better practice of executive coaching for non-executive directors, practicing executives and consultants. The cautionary notes regarding limitations and impact of coaching and incompetency training on strategy and proprietary intelligence make an important contribution to the body of knowledge regarding executive coaching.
The market concentration and banking industry performance
Authors: Anasweh Mohammed Salameh
Published: December 2016

This study examines the structure-profit relationship in the Qatari banking industry. The study sample consists of all the local banks operating in the market (13 banks) listed in Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) over the 2009-2014 period. The hypotheses related to the market power structure which includes the traditional Structure-Conduct-Performance Hypothesis (SCP), and the traditional Efficiency Hypothesis (EH). The empirical results generally support the (SCP) Hypothesis in Qatari banking industry. Thus, the main implication of these results for the policymakers, of Qatari banking sector, is to expand the ongoing deregulation efforts with the aim of reducing the industry concentration and enhancing the market competitiveness.
Corporate governance on financial performance of insurance industry
Authors: Fekadu Gardachew Worku
Published: December 2016

The role of corporate governance in financial institutions differs from that of non- financial institutions for the discretionary power of the board of directors would be limited especially in regulated financial systems where financial institutions are obliged to function through legislative and prescriptive procedures, policies, rules and regulations. This study, therefore, was aimed at examining the impact of corporate governance on the performance of closely regulated Ethiopian insurance Industry. The study employed explanatory research design with an econometric panel data of 10 Insurance companies that covers the period 2007 to 2014. Board size, board independence and board diversity have negative and insignificant effect on the performance of insurance companies while size and independence of audit committee and frequency of board meetings have positive but insignificant effect on the performance of insurance companies in Ethiopia. Thus it could be concluded that all corporate governance mechanisms have insignificant effect on the performance of insurance companies measured by return on asset. This vividly affirms that the role of board of directors in closely regulated financial sector is dismal and insignificant for they have limited discretionary power to exercise as board of directors. Thus it would be recommendable if the regulatory body could relax its prescriptive and stringent policies and devolve its power to board of directors without endangering the viability of insurance companies.
Gender representation in the boards of directors of Italian public utilities
Authors: Franzoni Simona
Published: December 2016

The claim that gender equality in the composition of corporate governance bodies is a driving factor for the economic growth and competiveness of enterprises has been the subject of discussion in the international scientific literature. The emphasis on the inclination towards social responsibility has effectively encouraged the main international institutions to promote equal opportunities for men and women. The Italian legislator intervened in 2011 by encouraging a pathway for including women within the top management bodies of companies. In this perspective, the legislation becomes not only a tool to ensure gender representation in corporate governance bodies in listed companies and companies under public control, but one to initiate a change which, if left to its own natural rhythms, would risk taking an unacceptable amount of time to implement. After a brief overview of the Italian legislative context applicable to listed companies and companies under public control, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the seventeen listed Italian companies and the seventy unlisted Public Utilities have conformed to the legislation on gender equality in the composition of their Boards of Directors or whether they have undertaken voluntary initiatives entailing the adoption of effectively shared “gender” values.
The post-merger performance of the European M&As: Does pre-merger earnings management matter?
Authors: Alsharairi Malek , Black Emma L. , Hofer Christoph , Al-Hamadeen Radhi
Published: December 2016

This paper empirically examines the post-merger performance of a sample of 1,320 European mergers and acquisitions deals. Specifically, we investigate the impact of pre-merger earnings management of acquirers on both the short-term and long-term post-merger performance, for M&A deals completed between 2003-2012, considering both the form of payment and the target firm’s listing status. The findings suggest that acquirers report higher abnormal accruals before those deals where they pay with their stock and the target firms are private. The reported evidence suggests that, as a consequence, investors correct for these efforts in the long-term post-merger period – usually within the first 12 months. Moreover, acquirers are likely to experience positive abnormal returns in case of bidding for private targets, whereas negative abnormal returns are documented in case of a publicly traded target, respectively.
Causes of New Zealand finance company collapses: A brief review
Authors: Yahanpath Noel , Cavanagh John
Published: December 2016

During the period 2006 - 2010, 49 finance companies, in New Zealand, collapsed or entered moratoriums, owing investors in excess of $8 billion, and the fingers of blame continue to point in circles. The blame for this tremendous financial crisis is extensive and a consolidation of arguments is essential for the wider understanding of the topic and to put responsibilities into perspective. A part of this paper is to recognize who can and is being held legally responsible for investors’ sake, and also identify parties who have failed their responsibilities. We have highlighted the major issues created by corporate governance being the most direct cause of finance company failure in NZ. We believe in some way these findings will help avoid a similar crisis in the future and resolve a still commonly blurred line in public opinion.
Corporate governance implications from the 2008 financial crisis
Authors: Grove Hugh , Victoravich Lisa
Published: December 2016

The importance of structural corporate governance factors identified by the New York Stock Exchange’s 2010 Commission on Corporate Governance was reaffirmed here with various empirical and forensic studies. The key, recurring structural factors were all-powerful CEO (the duality factor and related Board independence issues), weak system of management control, focus on short term performance goals (and related executive compensation packages), weak code of ethics, and opaque disclosures. Such weak corporate governance factors were key contributors to both fraudulent financial reporting and excessive risk-taking which facilitated the U.S. financial crisis in 2008. Corporate governance listing requirements by major stock exchanges around the world will help mitigate such problems from recurring in the future.
Lower taxes or higher executive bonuses: How inventory valuation choices best exhibit us corporate governance failings
Authors: Diehl Kevin
Published: December 2016

This research seeks to update and finally determine for the Fortune 500 whether the market values the inventory valuation choice of last-in, first-out (LIFO) over first-in, first-out (FIFO) as some signal of reporting and management quality. The market can adjust LIFO earnings to FIFO earnings. Thus, the only issue then is that companies choosing FIFO pay higher taxes, which shareowners should disfavor. Indeed, only 20 percent of the Fortune 500 utilize LIFO to value any inventory. However, after Spearman correlations and logistic regression, the research statistically significantly shows that investors are willing to give premiums on the price of stock for the choice of LIFO. Thus, companies should choose LIFO to reduce taxes and increase their stock prices.
Measuring the quality of banking supervision revisited assessments by German banks before and during the financial crisis
Authors: Paul Stephan , Stein Stefan , Uhde André
Published: December 2016

This contribution presents and discusses main results of a new survey on the assessment of supervisory quality among German banks. In particular, it is analyzed if and how supervised banks’ perception of the quality of supervisory authorities and their instruments has changed due to the financial crisis starting in mid-2007. Subsequently, results from the recent survey are compared with findings provided by a former study carried out by the authors in 2006 (Paul, Stein and Uhde, 2008).
Earnings management, audit committee effectiveness and the role of blockholders ownership: Evidence from UK large firms
Authors: Habbash Murya
Published: December 2016

The existing literature documents that the quality of financial reporting is higher when firms have effective audit committees. However, recent studies find that audit committees are not effective in family firms where agency conflicts arise between controlling and non-controlling shareholders. This study extends the previous findings by investigating the effectiveness of audit committees in firms with similar agency conflicts when one owner obtains effective control of the firm. Compared to firms with a low level of block ownership, high-blockholder firms face less agency problems due to the separation of ownership and management, but more severe agency problems between controlling (blockholders) and non-controlling shareholders (minority shareholders). Using a unique hand-collected sample, this study tests the largest 350 UK firms for three years from 2005 to 2007, and shows that firms with effective audit committees have less earnings management. This study also documents that the monitoring effectiveness of audit committees is moderated in firms with high blockholder ownership. The results are not sensitive to the endogeneity test and hold for alternative specifications of both dependent and independent variables. Overall, these findings suggest that audit committees are ineffective in mitigating the majority-minority conflict compared to their effectiveness in reducing owners-managers conflicts. These conclusions, along with some recent similar evidence (e.g., Rose, 2009 and Guthrie and Sokolowsky, 2010), may raise doubts about the monitoring role of blockholders asserted by agency theorists and widely accepted in corporate governance literature.
Financial Reporting Interview-Based Research: A Field Research Primer with an Illustrative Example
Authors: Kenno Staci A. , McCracken Susan A. , Salterio Steven E.
Published: December 2016

To better focus financial reporting research on key issues as seen by participants in the financial reporting process and to give added depth to the interpretation of archival and experimental results, there have been increased calls for financial reporting researchers to “enter the field.” As field research methods, especially interview-based, are rarely covered in accounting doctoral programs that focus on archival or experimental research, the goal of this article is to provide a basic primer on how to conduct positivist field-based research using qualitative interview methods. We assemble a set of resources that facilitate the transfer of knowledge about the interview method, both by reviewing the explicit knowledge that needs to be acquired, as well as by illustrating how we carried out a study on the earnings press release creation process. Such a “how to do” approach is well suited for the passing on of the tacit knowledge required by researchers beginning a qualitative research program. We hope to aid novice field researchers in financial reporting gain a basic fluency in qualitative interview-based methods. Increased fluency in the production of valid, reliable, field-based financial reporting research will benefit the financial reporting research community as a whole by leading to a greater appreciation of how financial reporting process participants see the world they are active in.
Cysteine-specific Chemical Proteomics: From Target Identification to Drug Discovery
Authors: Hoch Dominic G. , Abegg Daniel , Wang Chao , Shuster Anton , Adibekian Alexander
Published: December 2016

Our laboratory focuses on chemical proteomics-enabled discovery of new cysteine-reactive small molecules with intriguing biomedical activities as well as identification and detailed characterization of their proteomic targets. In this overview article, we summarize our progress since
2013 in this research field. We have developed a novel mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomic method that allows detection and monitoring of up to ~3000 reactive cysteines in any cellular proteome. This is achieved via strategic use of two clickable, cysteine-reactive chemical probes with
complementary substrate selectivity profiles, iodoacetamide and ethynyl benziodoxolone. Using this method, we have been able to identify the direct biological targets of curcumin, a diarylheptanoid natural product with anticancer activity, and deoxyelephantopin, a highly cytotoxic natural
sesquiterpene lactone. Furthermore, we have developed chloromethyl triazoles (CMTs) as a novel chemical scaffold for cysteine-reactive inhibitors that can be accessed from commercially available substrates in only two chemical steps. From a small collection of chloromethyl triazoles, we have
identified compound AA-CW236 as the first non-pseudosubstrate inhibitor of MGMT, a DNA repair protein that renders several devastating cancer forms resistant to chemotherapy.
Selectivity Control in the Palladium-catalyzed Cross-coupling of Alkyl Nucleophiles
Authors: Baudoin Olivier
Published: December 2016

Site-selectivity remains a major challenge in metal-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization. Most existing strategies rely on the introduction of a directing group or on the intrinsic reactivity of the substrate. In this account article, we describe the development of an alternative
strategy based on the migration of an organopalladium species along an alkyl chain, wherein the phosphine ligand controls the cross-coupling site. This concept was first implemented with lithium enolates, and then extended to ?-zincated alkylamines obtained by directed lithiation and
transmetalation. Both the direct and the migrative cross-couplings, which are controlled by simply switching the ligand, furnish synthetically useful organic intermediates.
Living on the Edge: Re-shaping the Interface of Synthetic Biology and Nanotechnology
Authors: Wu Shang-Jung , Boghossian Ardemis A.
Published: December 2016

A new team of researchers at EPFL is taking an 'anti-disciplinary' approach to creating optical devices. These devices take advantage of the synergy in tuning both nano- and bio-material properties, coupling the advantages of two growing, albeit traditionally distinct, fields. With
applications spanning from biosensing and microarray assays to living photovoltaics, the Laboratory of NanoBiotechnology (LNB) is uncovering an unexplored space for the next generation of chemical analytics and light-harvesting technologies.
Colloidal Chemistry to Advance Studies in Artificial Photosynthesis
Authors: Buonsanti Raffaella
Published: December 2016

This article presents an overview of our research in the field of colloidal nanocrystal synthesis and their implementation into water splitting and CO2 reduction electrochemical cells. We discuss our approaches to tailor-made novel material platforms to advance our knowledge
in energy storage in chemical bonds, namely artificial photosynthesis. Herein, we focus on complex metal oxides as light absorbers to drive water splitting, nanocrystal hybrids and metals as electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide conversion. Our approach to solve the synthetic challenges so to
achieve very precise control on size, shape and composition of such materials is highlighted.
The Role of Molecular Imaging in Personalised Healthcare
Authors: Holland Jason P.
Published: December 2016

Functional molecular imaging provides a unique perspective on a disease. Methods including positron-emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow us to interrogate spatial and temporal changes in biomarkers as well as probe the underlying biochemistry. When imaging is combined
with molecular diagnostic tools, opportunities arise for measuring aberrant cellular signalling pathways with unprecedented detail. This brief commentary illustrates how radiotracers and nuclear imaging methods are being developed to monitor drug efficacy and simultaneously support the goal of personalised healthcare.
Engineering Two-dimensional Materials Surface Chemistry
Authors: Shih Chih-Jen
Published: December 2016

This account reviews our recent research activities and achievements in the field of two-dimensional (2D) materials surface chemistry. 2D materials are atomically thin, so that carriers are less-restricted to move in the in-plane direction, whereas the out-of-plain motion is quantum-confined.
Semiconductor quantum wells and graphene are two well-known examples. Applications of 2D materials in optoelectronics, surface modification, and complex materials must overcome engineering challenges associated with understanding and engineering surface chemistry of 2D materials, which essentially
bridge multiscale physical phenomena. In my research group, we understand and engineer broad aspects of chemistry and physics at nanomaterials surfaces for advancing nanomaterials-based technologies. The three main topics covered in this account are as follows: i) colloidal synthesis of stacking-controlled
2D materials, ii) wetting properties of 2D materials, and iii) engineering electronic transport at 2D materials–semiconductor interfaces.
Self-assembled Lipid Structures as Model Systems for Studying Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Cell Membranes
Authors: Sugihara Kaori
Published: December 2016

This mini review summarizes our recent works in the development of electrical and mechanical characterization tools for cell membranes. These research topics require the application of physical and chemical characterization tools to biological systems, thus are very interdisciplinary.
The Innovation from Innsbruck: Plant-based Allergen Recombinantly Produced in Green Alga
Authors: Heinzelmann Elsbeth
Published: December 2016

An innovation in biotechnology: for the first time, researchers from MCI Innsbruck and the University of Salzburg have manufactured and purified a plant-based allergen in a green alga and opened the door to a specific immunotherapy against allergies. Their vision: to replace the unpleasant
injection with oral administration, as its production is both simple and cost-effective.
Use of molybdenum as a structural material of fuel elements for improving nuclear reactors safety
Authors: Shmelev A. N. , Kulikov G. G. , Kozhahmet B. K. , Kulikov E. G. , Apse V. A.
Published: December 2016

Main purpose of the study is justifying the use of molybdenum as a structural material of fuel elements for improving the safety of nuclear reactors. Particularity of the used molybdenum is that its isotopic composition corresponds to molybdenum, which is obtained as tailing during operation of the separation cascade for producing a material for medical diagnostics of cancer. The following results were obtained: A method for reducing the thermal constant of fuel elements for light water and fast reactors by using dispersion fuel in cylindrical fuel rods containing, for example, granules of metallic U-Mo-alloy into Mo-matrix was proposed; the necessity of molybdenum enrichment by weakly absorbing isotopes was shown; total use of isotopic molybdenum will be more than 50 %.
PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SHIGATOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI IN BROILER BIRDS IN MYMENSINGH
Authors: Mamun M. M. , Parvej M. S. , Ahamed S. , Hassan J. , Nazir K. H. M. N. H. , Nishikawa Y. , Rahman M. T.
Published: December 2016

Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) are major food-borne pathogens. They transmit to human through contaminated meat and meat products of animals and poultry, and frequently associated with various types of human illness including haemolytic uremic syndrome. This preliminary study showed the prevalence of STEC in 60 cloacal swab samples of live healthy broiler chickens collected randomly when sold at a wholesale market in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Isolation and identification of E. coli was carried out using Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar media and 16S rRNA gene specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the 60 samples, 49 (81.67%) were found positive to E. coli. These E. coli isolates were screened for the detection of STEC by PCR using stx1 and stx2 gene specific primers. Among the 49 positive samples, 5 (10.20%) were found positive for stx1 gene, and 26 (53.06%) were positive for stx2 gene. In addition, 6 (12.24%) isolates were found positive to both stx1 and stx2 genes, and the remaining 12 (22.46%) were negative. The high prevalence ofSTEC in the broiler chicken alarms the public health impact as the people are always in close contact with these live broiler chickens in the open market as well as processing of meat at home before cooking. However, further studies are required to uncover the major source(s) for the transmission of STEC to human in ruralBangladesh.
EFFECT OF PELLET CONTAINING CASSAVA LEAVES MEAL AT VARIOUS PARTICLE SIZE ON BROILER
Authors: Noviadi R. Noviadi , Candra A. A.
Published: December 2016

The addition of cassava leaves meal (CLM) in broiler rations in the form of  pellets require specific and uniform size because it will determine the characteristics of the material, especially the particle size plays an important role during the process of making ration (mixing and pelleting process).  Research has been conducted from March to October 2013 in the Laboratory of the Department of Animal Husbandry. The study aims to look at the characteristics of the pellet that containing cassava leaves meal by using a variety of screen sizes as well as its influence on metabolizable energy, nutrient digestibility, histology of the digestive tract and broiler performance. Research using a completely randomized design (CRD), with three treatments and seven replicates and each experimental unit consisted of nine broilers. The treatment applied is T1 = CLM  milled using screen of 2 mm, T2 = CLM milled using screen of 3 mm, and T3 = CLM milled using screen of 5 mm. Observations included physical characteristics of the pellets, nutrients digestibility, metabolizable energy, histology of ileum and broiler production performance. The data obtained were tested by analysis of variance and a further test usingDuncan's multiple range test. The results showed that CLM milled using 2 mm screen to produce a compact pellet characteristics and performance of broiler production is better than the screen size 3 and 5 mm and the pellet with CLM milled using a screen 2, 3, and 5 mm produce normal ileal tissue in broiler.
EFFECTS OF TULSI LEAF EXTRACT ON BODY WEIGHT GAIN IN BROILER PRODUCTION
Authors: Hasan M. N. , Mostofa M. , Sorwar M. G. , Hasan M. T. , Das K. , Hossain D. M. N.
Published: December 2016

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of tulsi leaf (Ocimum sanctum) extract supplementation in drinking water as a growth promoter in broiler chickens. A total of 40 Cobb-500 broiler chicks (day-old) were purchased from local hatchery (Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Ltd.). After seven days of acclimatization chicks were randomly divided into two groups, A (n=20) and B (n=20). The group A was kept as a control and not treated. The group B was supplemented with tulsi leaf extract with feed and water. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight gain up to 5th weeks and hematological tests were performed at 35th days age of broiler to search for hematological changes between control (A) and treatment (B) groups. The initial body weight of groups A and B on 1st day of this experiment were 41.00±1.78 gm and 41.50±2.35 gm, respectively and after 35th day of experiment final body weight were 1640± 74.83 gm and 1920± 33.91 gm, respectively and economics of production were analyzed and found that net profit per broiler was Tk. 21.46 and Tk. 32.29, respectively. The treatment group B was recorded statistically significant (at 1% level) increased (16.97%) for live body weight than that of control group A. The hematological parameters total erythrocyte count (TEC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) estimation value of treatment group shows significant difference, while hemoglobin (Hb) estimation does not show significant difference from control group. The results suggest that better growth performance could be achieved in broilers supplemented with tulsi leaf extract.
EFFECT OF KALO JEERA SEEDS AND PAPAYA LEAF SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER
Authors: Sorwar M. G. , Mostofa M. , Hasan M. N. , Billah M. , Rahman M. T.
Published: December 2016

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of papaya leaf (Carica papaya) and kalo jeera (Nigella sativa) seeds powdered supplementation in drinking water as a growth promoter in broiler chickens. A total of 20 Cobb-500 broiler chicks (day-old) were purchased from local hatchery (Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Ltd.) and after seven days of acclimatization chicks were randomly divided into two groups, A (n=10) and B (n=10). The group A was kept as a control and not treated. The group B was supplemented with papaya leaf and kalo jeera powder with feed and water. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight gain up to 5th weeks and hematological tests were performed at 35th days age of broiler to search for hematological changes between control (A) and treatment (B) groups. The initial body weight of groups A and B on 1st were 41.00±0.56 gm and 41.50±0.35 gm, respectively and after 35th day of experiment final body weight were 1470±57.35 gm and 1720±58.56 gm, respectively and economics of production were analyzed and found that net profit per broiler was Tk. 8.91 and Tk. 20.69, respectively. The treatment group B was recorded statistically significant (at 1% level) increased (17.00%) for live body weight than that of control group A. The hematological parameters total erythrocyte count (TEC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hemoglobin (Hb) estimation value of treatment group shows significant difference, while hemoglobin estimation does not show significant difference from control group. The results suggest that better growth performance could be achieved in broilers supplemented with papaya leaf and kalo jeera seeds.
PREVALENCE OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE AT CHUADANGA SADAR UPAZILLA IN BANGLADESH
Authors: Sorwar M. G. , Rahman M. A. , Hasan M. N. , Hossain S. , Islam S. M. S.
Published: December 2016

A study on clinical observation, management and complication of foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in cattle was carried out in Chuadanga sadar upazilla during 24 weeks period from July 2012 to January 2013. Clinical data were collected from 108 cattle of both sexes. The effect of season, breed, age, sex and purpose of keeping cattle on the incidence of the disease was analyzed. Seasonal variation of the disease was significant. Crossbred was found to be more susceptible than local breed. The prevalence of the disease was found significantly higher in male than female. The clinical prevalence of FMD increased in the month of November (31.48%). The prevalence of FMD in other months varies from 5-21%. Clinical observation of FMD affected cattle showed fever, anorexia, salivation and erosive lesion on oral mucosa and inter digital region of foot. Antibacterial drug could be recommended for clinical practice to control secondary bacterial infection in complicated FMD cases.
EFFICACY OF OXYTETRACYCLINE, AMOXICILLIN, SULFAMETHOXAZOLE AND TRIMETHOPRIM, AND TYLOSIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL DISEASES IN CATTLE AND GOATS
Authors: Islam M. S. , Rahman M. M. , Bhuiyan M. M. U. , Shamsuddin M. , Islam M. T.
Published: December 2016

A single blind clinical trial was carried out in Satkhira district where dairy operations by Community-based Dairy Veterinary Foundation,BangladeshAgriculturalUniversity, Mymensingh were running. A total of 80 cattle and goats affected with different bacterial diseases were used for treatment with oxytetracycline, amoxicillin, combined preparation of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and tylosin. Diagnosis of diseases was based on clinical history and signs. Haemorrhagic septicemia (HS) affected cattle aged between 3 and 6 were treated with oxytetracycline (Tetravet-100,Acme,Bangladesh; DUFA-OTC 20% LA, DutchFarm,Holland). Amoxicillin (Amoxicillin trihydrate, Jickstar Pharma Inc.,Philippines; Moxilin Vet LA, The ACME Laboratories Ltd.,Bangladesh) was used in the treatment of calf pneumonia. Foot rot in cows, arthritis in calf and goat were treated with sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Politrim-Vet, The ACME Laboratories Ltd.,Bangladesh). Bronchopneumonia in non-lactating cows and goats were treated with tylosin (Tylovet (Acme). The efficacy of oxytetracycline, amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, and tylosin for the treatment of haemorrhagic septicemia, calf pneumonia, foot rot and bronchopneumonia were evaluated on the basis of recovery rate. Treatment of haemorrhagic septicemia with both antibiotics showed 100% recovery rate. The duration of complete recovery in Tetravet-100 treated group was 4-6 days with median of 5 days. In the DUFA-OTC 20% LA treated group it was 3-5 days with median of 4 days. Moxilin Vet® (Acme) and Amoxicillin trihydrate® (Jickstar Pharma) were evaluated against calf pneumonia in cattle. Cent percent cattle were cured with both the antibiotics, Moxilin Vet® (Acme) and Amoxicillin trihydrate® (Jickstar Pharma). For both antibiotics, the median days of complete recovery was 5. Of 5 foot rot affected cows treated with a combined preparation of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Politrim-Vet®, Acme), 4 (80%) recovered within 4-5 days of treatment. However, treatment of arthritis affected calf and goat with same preparation showed 90% and 100% recovery rate, respectively. Treatment of bronchopneumonia cases with tylosin (Tylovet®, Acme) resulted in 80% recovery in non-lactating cows and 90% in goats and it took 4-5 days for recovery with a median of 4 days.