bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of on-shore light pollution on sea-turtle hatchlings commencing their off-shore swim
Authors: Truscott Zoe , Booth David T. , Limpus Colin J.
Published: March 2017

Context Off-shore recruitment impairment of sea-turtle hatchlings because of light pollution is a growing concern to conservation of sea-turtle population throughout the world. Studies have focussed on sea-turtle hatchling sea-finding behaviour, and ignored the possible effect that on-shore lighting might have on hatchlings after they have entered the sea. Aims We experimentally evaluated the effect that on-shore light pollution has on the swimming behaviour of green turtle hatchlings once they have entered the sea and begun swimming off-shore. We also estimated the decrease in off-shore recruitment of hatchlings as a result of light pollution disruption of the off-shore swim. Methods Hatchling misorientation rates were quantified by releasing marked hatchlings to the sea from different land-based locations adjacent to light-polluted beach areas under a variety of environmental conditions. The beach in light-polluted regions was then searched for marked hatchlings returning to shore from the sea. Key results Misorientation rates were highest in trials conducted during moonless nights (66.7% of trials had some hatchlings return to shore) and lowest during trials conducted during moonlit nights (no trials had hatchlings return to shore). Green turtle hatchling off-shore recruitment for the entire 2014–15 nesting season at Heron Island was estimated to decrease 1.0 –2.4% as a result of on-shore lights disrupting hatchling off-shore swimming behaviour. Conclusions On moonless nights, sea-turtle hatchlings after having successfully completed their journey from nest to sea and entered the sea can be lured back to shore again by shore-based light pollution and, this will decrease their off-shore recruitment success. Implications To ensure maximum off-shore recruitment of sea-turtle hatchlings, on-shore light pollution adjacent to nesting beaches needs to be minimised so as to minimise misorientation and disorientation of hatchlings while on the beach and in near-shore waters.
Stability analysis and control of embankment with solid backfill coal mining
Authors: Sun Qiang , Zhou Nan , Quan Kai , Chen Yong
Published: March 2017

This paper introduces a longwall mining attempt at Jining No. 3 Coal Mine. A solid backfill coal mining method was first applied to exploit the coal resources buried under the Nanyang Lake embankment. A numerical model was established based on analysis of geological conditions in the area and the structural characteristics of the embankment. This model was used to study the two key factors that influence the embankment deformation: the backfill body's compression ratio and the working face advancing distance. The measured results from Nanyang Lake embankment show that the maximum value of the surface subsidence was only 68 mm, and the maximum values of the horizontal strain and incline strain were 0.16 and 0.18 mm/m, respectively. The measured backfill body's compression ratio was approximately 89.1%. Field demonstrations have shown that solid backfill mining is effective in controlling strata movement and surface deformation.
Forensic Psychiatric Patients with Comorbid Psychopathy: Double Trouble?
Authors: Jeandarme Inge , Pouls Claudia , Oei T. I. , Bogaerts Stefan
Published: March 2017

Patients with psychopathy need intensive care and supervision. There is however reluctance to treat them because of (supposedly) limted chances of success and risk of therapy-interfering behavior. This study focused on inpatient disruptive behavior in mentally disordered offenders during medium security treatment. Patients ( N = 224) were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised total, factor and facet scores and divided into three groups depending on the presence of low, medium, and high psychopathy traits. Associations between psychopathy and criminogenic risk and need factors were analyzed. Additionally, the association between psychopathy and therapy-interfering behavior (non-compliance, drop-out, institutional misconduct) was investigated with correlational and logistic regression analyses. The results showed that psychopathy was associated with greater risk, needs, and therapy-interfering behavior. PCL-R Factor 2 predicted institutional misconduct, whereas PCL-R Factor 1 predicted drop-out from treatment. The study highlights the importance of responsive treatment climates in retaining this difficult-to-treat group in treatment.
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in UK Prisoners
Authors: Knight Bernice , Coid Jeremy , Ullrich Simone
Published: March 2017

Morbidity related to non-suicidal self-injury is highly prevalent in prisoners. Women carry the largest burden yet gender-specific characteristics are not fully understood. A national prisoner survey in England and Wales was examined for risk factors and correlates associated with non-suicidal self-injury during current prison term and gender among prisoners generally, and females more specifically. The large, representative survey produced a stratified sample of 3142 prisoners (1121 male sentenced prisoners, 1250 male remand prisoners and 771 female prisoners). Prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury was 6.6% (5.7% among males and 9.6% among females). Female gender conferred a significantly higher risk (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.32 – 2.38, p < 0.001). The most prominent variables that appeared important in the relationship between female gender and non-suicidal self-injury were: past sexual abuse, previous suicide attempt, mental health problems in prison, current medication use, unwanted sexual attention in prison and presence of anxiety disorder.
Gender influence on the adaptation of atrial performance to training
Authors: Sanchis Laura , Sanz‐de La Garza Maria , Bijnens Bart , Giraldeau Genevieve , Grazioli Gonzalo , Marin Josefa , Gabrielli Luigi , Montserrat Silvia , Sitges Marta
Published: March 2017

Background: High‐intensity training has been associated with atrial remodelling and arrhythmias in men. Our purpose was to analyse atrial performance in female endurance athletes, compared to male athletes and controls. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study. We included four groups: female athletes, females controls, male athletes and male controls. Left (LA) and right atrial (RA) volumes and function were assessed using 2D and speckle‐tracking echocardiography to determine peak atrial strain‐rate at atrial (SRa) and ventricular contraction (SRs), as surrogates of atrial contractile and reservoir function, respectively. ANOVA and Bonferroni's statistical tests were used to compare variables among groups. Results: We included 82 subjects, 39 women (19 endurance athletes, 20 controls) and 43 men (22 endurance athletes, 21 controls). Mean age was similar between groups (36.6 ± 5.6 years). Athletes had larger bi‐atrial volumes, compared to controls (women, LA 27.1 vs. 15.8 ml/m2, p < 0.001; RA 22.31 vs. 14.2 ml/m2, p = 0.009; men, LA: 25.0 vs. 18.5 ml/m2, p = 0.003; RA 30.8 vs. 21.9 ml/m2, p < 0.001) and lower strain‐rate (women, LASRa −1.60 vs. −2.18 s−1, p < 0.001; RASRa −1.89 vs. −2.38 s−1, p = 0.009; men, LASRa −1.21 vs. −1.44 s−1, p = 1; RASRa −1.44 vs. −1.60 s−1, p = 1). However, RA indexed size was lower and bi‐atrial deformation greater in female athletes, compared to male athletes. Conclusions: The atria of both male and female athletes shows specific remodelling, compared to sedentary subjects, with larger size and less deformation at rest, particularly for the RA. Despite a similar extent of remodelling, the pattern in women had greater bi‐atrial myocardial deformation and smaller RA size.
VEGF165-induced vascular permeability requires NRP1 for ABL-mediated SRC family kinase activation
Authors: Fantin Alessandro , Lampropoulou Anastasia , Senatore Valentina , Brash James T. , Prahst Claudia , Lange Clemens A. , Liyanage Sidath E. , Raimondi Claudio , Bainbridge James W. , Augustin Hellmut G. , Ruhrberg Christiana
Published: March 2017

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoform VEGF165 stimulates vascular growth and hyperpermeability. Whereas blood vessel growth is essential to sustain organ health, chronic hyperpermeability causes damaging tissue edema. By combining in vivo and tissue culture models, we show here that VEGF165-induced vascular leakage requires both VEGFR2 and NRP1, including the VEGF164-binding site of NRP1 and the NRP1 cytoplasmic domain (NCD), but not the known NCD interactor GIPC1. In the VEGF165-bound receptor complex, the NCD promotes ABL kinase activation, which in turn is required to activate VEGFR2-recruited SRC family kinases (SFKs). These results elucidate the receptor complex and signaling hierarchy of downstream kinases that transduce the permeability response to VEGF165. In a mouse model with choroidal neovascularisation akin to age-related macular degeneration, NCD loss attenuated vessel leakage without affecting neovascularisation. These findings raise the possibility that targeting NRP1 or its NCD interactors may be a useful therapeutic strategy in neovascular disease to reduce VEGF165-induced edema without compromising vessel growth.
Infarct size, left ventricular function, and prognosis in women compared to men after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results from an individual patient-level pooled analysis of 10 randomized trials
Authors: Kosmidou Ioanna , Redfors Björn , Selker Harry P. , Thiele Holger , Patel Manesh R. , Udelson James E. , Magnus Ohman E. , Eitel Ingo , Granger Christopher B. , Maehara Akiko , Kirtane Ajay , Généreux Philippe , Jenkins Paul L. , Ben-Yehuda Ori , Mintz Gary S. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: March 2017

Aim

Studies have reported less favourable outcomes in women compared with men after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Whether sex-specific differences in the magnitude or prognostic impact of infarct size or post-infarction cardiac function explain this finding is unknown.

Methods and results

We pooled patient-level data from 10 randomized primary PCI trials in which infarct size was measured within 1 month (median 4 days) by either cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography. We assessed the association between sex, infarct size, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the composite rate of death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization within 1 year. Of 2632 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, 587 (22.3%) were women. Women were older than men and had a longer delay between symptom onset and reperfusion. Infarct size did not significantly differ between women and men, and women had higher LVEF. Nonetheless, women had a higher 1-year rate of death or HF hospitalization compared to men, and while infarct size was a strong independent predictor of 1-year death or HF hospitalization (P < 0.0001), no interaction was present between sex and infarct size or LVEF on the risk of death or HF hospitalization.

Conclusions

In this large-scale, individual patient-level pooled analysis of patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, women had a higher 1-year rate of death or HF hospitalization compared to men, a finding not explained by sex-specific differences in the magnitude or prognostic impact of infarct size or by differences in post-infarction cardiac function.
Protective Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Against the Development of Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture in Mice
Authors: Kuwabara Atsushi , Liu Jia , Kamio Yoshinobu , Liu Airan , Lawton Michael T , Lee Jae-Woo , Hashimoto Tomoki
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem or stromal cells found in multiple tissues. Intravenous MSC injections have been used to treat various diseases with an inflammatory component in animals and humans. Inflammation is emerging as a key component of pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms. Modulation of inflammation by MSCs may affect sustained inflammatory processes that lead to aneurysmal rupture.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of MSCs on the development of aneurysm rupture using a mouse model.

METHODS

Intracranial aneurysms were induced with a combination of a single elastase injection into the cerebrospinal fluid and deoxycorticosterone acetate salt-induced hypertension in mice. We administered allogeneic bone marrow-derived MSCs or vehicle, 6 and 9 d after aneurysm induction.

RESULTS

MSC administration significantly reduced rupture rate (vehicle control vs MSCs, 90% vs 36%; P < .05). In cell culture experiments with an MSC and mast cell coculture, MSCs stabilized mast cells through cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent production of prostaglandin E2, thereby reducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines from mast cells. Pretreatment of MSCs with COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, abolished the protective effect of MSCs against the development of aneurysm rupture.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous administration of MSCs after aneurysm formation prevented aneurysmal rupture in mice. The protective effect of MSCs against the development of aneurysm rupture appears to be mediated in part by the stabilization of mast cells by MSCs.
A simulation study investigating power estimates in Phenome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Verma Anurag , Bradford Yuki , Dudek Scott , Lucas Anastasia M. , Verma Shefali S. , Pendergrass Sarah A. , Ritchie Marylyn D.
Published: March 2017

Background

Phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) are a high-throughput approach to evaluate comprehensive associations between genetic variants and a wide range of phenotypic measures. PheWAS has varying sample sizes for quantitative traits, and variable numbers of cases and controls for binary traits across the many phenotypes of interest, which can affect the statistical power to detect associations. The motivation of this study is to investigate the various parameters which affect the estimation of statistical power in PheWAS, including sample size, case-control ratio, minor allele frequency, and disease penetrance.

Results

We performed a PheWAS simulation study, where we investigated variations in statistical power based on different parameters, such as overall sample size, number of cases, case-control ratio, minor allele frequency, and disease penetrance. The simulation was performed on both binary and quantitative phenotypic measures. Our simulation on binary traits suggests that the number of cases has more impact than the case to control ratio; also, we found that a sample size of 200 cases or more maintains the statistical power to identify associations for common variants. For quantitative traits, a sample size of 1000 or more individuals performed best in the power calculations. We focused on common genetic variants (MAF>0.01) in this study; however, in future studies, we will be extending this effort to perform similar simulations on rare variants.

Conclusions

This study provides a series of PheWAS simulation analyses that can be used to estimate statistical power for some potential scenarios. These results can be used to provide guidelines for appropriate study design for future PheWAS analyses.
Gut microbiota of the pine weevil degrades conifer diterpenes and increases insect fitness
Authors: Berasategui Aileen , Salem Hassan , Paetz Christian , Santoro Maricel , Gershenzon Jonathan , Kaltenpoth Martin , Schmdit Axel
Published: March 2017

The pine weevil (Hylobius abietis), a major pest of conifer forests throughout Europe, feeds on the bark and cambium, tissues rich in terpenoid resins that are toxic to many insect herbivores. Here we report the ability of the pine weevil gut microbiota to degrade the diterpene acids of Norway spruce. The diterpene acid levels present in ingested bark were substantially reduced on passage through the pine weevil gut. This reduction was significantly less upon antibiotic treatment, and supplementing the diet with gut suspensions from untreated insects restored the ability to degrade diterpenes. In addition, cultured bacteria isolated from pine weevil guts were shown to degrade a Norway spruce diterpene acid. In a metagenomic survey of the insect’s bacterial community, we were able to annotate several genes of a previously described diterpene degradation (dit) gene cluster. Antibiotic treatment disrupted the core bacterial community ofH. abietisguts and eliminated nearly alldit-genes concordant with its reduction of diterpene degradation. Pine weevils reared on an artificial diet spiked with diterpenes, but without antibiotics, were found to lay more eggs with a higher hatching rate than weevils raised on diets with antibiotics or without diterpenes. These results suggest that gut symbionts contribute towards host fitness, but not by detoxification of diterpenes, since these compounds do not show toxic effects with or without antibiotics. Rather the ability to thrive in a terpene rich environment appears to allow gut microbes to benefit the weevil in other ways, such as increasing the nutritional properties of their diet.
Long-term dysbiosis promotes insulin resistance during obesity despite rapid diet-induced changes in the gut microbiome of mice
Authors: Foley Kevin P. , Denou Emmanuel , Duggan Brittany M. , Chan Rebecca , Stearns Jennifer C. , Schertzer Jonathan D.
Published: March 2017

The intestinal microbiota and insulin sensitivity are rapidly altered in response to a high fat diet (HFD). It is unclear if gut dysbiosis precedes insulin resistance or vice versa. The initial triggers of diet-induced insulin resistance can differ from mechanisms underlying chronic dysglycemia during prolonged obesity. It is not clear if intestinal dysbiosis contributes to insulin resistance during short-term or long-term HFD-feeding. We found that diet-induced changes in the composition of the fecal microbiome preceded changes in glucose and insulin tolerance at both the onset and removal of a HFD in mice. Dysbiosis occurred after 1-3 days of HFD-feeding, whereas insulin and glucose intolerance manifested by 3-4 days. Antibiotic treatment did not alter glucose tolerance during this short-term HFD period. Conversely, antibiotics improved glucose tolerance in mice with protracted obesity caused by long-term HFD feeding for over 2 months. We also found that microbiota transmissible glucose intolerance only occurred after prolonged diet-induced dysbiosis. Germ-free mice had impaired glucose tolerance when reconstituted with the microbiota from long-term, but not short-term HFD-fed animals. Our results are consistent with intestinal microbiota contributing to chronic insulin resistance and dysglycemia during prolonged obesity, despite rapid diet-induced changes in the taxonomic composition of the fecal microbiota.
The phantom derivative method when a structure model is available: about its theoretical basis
Authors: Burla Maria Cristina , Cascarano Giovanni Luca , Giacovazzo Carmelo , Polidori Giampiero
Published: March 2017

This study clarifies why, in the phantom derivative (PhD) approach, randomly created structures can help in refining phases obtained by other methods. For this purpose the joint probability distribution of target, model, ancil and phantom derivative structure factors and its conditional distributions have been studied. Since PhD may usenphantom derivatives, withn≥ 1, a more general distribution taking into account all the ancil and derivative structure factors has been considered, from which the conditional distribution of the target phase has been derived. The corresponding conclusive formula contains two components. The first is the classical Srinivasan & Ramachandran term, relating the phases of the target structure with the model phases. The second arises from the combination of two correlations: that between model and derivative (the first is a component of the second) and that between derivative and target. The second component mathematically codifies the information on the target phase arising from model and derivative electron-density maps. The result is new, and explains why a random structure, uncorrelated with the target structure, adds useful information on the target phases, provided a model structure is known. Some experimental tests aimed at checking if the second component really provides information on φ (the target phase) were performed; the favourable results confirm the correctness of the theoretical calculations and of the corresponding analysis.
A Comparison of the Weighted-Average Cost of Capital and Equity-Residual Approaches to Valuation
Authors: Harris Robert S.
Published: March 2017

This technical note compares two methods of treating debt usage in discounted-cash-flow valuation of investment projects or companies. The note demonstrates that the approach using weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and the approach using equity residual (ER) yield equivalent results if consistent assumptions are used. General features are illustrated with specific examples, including a spreadsheet.
Advertising Experiments at the Ohio Art Company
Authors: Farris Paul W. , Venkatesan Rajkumar
Published: March 2017

This case is intended to be part of a first-year MBA marketing course, or a second-year elective in advertising, integrated marketing communications, market research, or marketing analytics. The case provides students with examples of two real advertising experiments and the challenges involved in executing the experiments. It allows for a discussion of the need for advertising experiments, and also, at a more general level, the need to measure the return on marketing. Biases surrounding the field experiments allow for a discussion of the problems with establishing a causal relationship between advertising and sales.
Alex Laats and NBX Corporation
Authors: Dunn Wendell E. , Shane Scott
Published: March 2017

This case describes the evolution of an entrepreneur's venture-capital fund-raising from seed-stage financing through later-round efforts. The case focuses on where the “action” is in venture finance: the exploitation of social capital by an entrepreneur and investors. Much of the teaching materials on venture finance focus on the economics of financing; while these materials provide useful information about the mechanics of valuation and how to structure venture-capital agreements, they miss the social side of venture-capital investing. The case illustrates the theoretical concept that social capital (i.e., a person's relationship to other people in society) influences venture finance. The case can be used in a class on entrepreneurship or venture finance.
Alliance Concrete
Authors: Lipson Marc L.
Published: March 2017

While preparing a financial forecast, the newly promoted CFO of a small and profitable but financially constrained ready-mix concrete company must choose between renegotiating debt obligations, postponing long overdue capital improvements that will prevent more costly future repairs, or reducing the dividend payment to a parent company that just recently purchased the firm.
Alliance Concrete: Just One More Thing
Authors: Lipson Marc L.
Published: March 2017

After having negotiated major financial and operating decisions with its parent company, the CFO of this small ready-mix concrete subsidiary is asked to provide a valuation of the subsidiary. A one-year forecast of financial statements is provided along with information on long-term operating expectations and capital costs. This otherwise straightforward valuation exercise is enhanced by (1) the need to select between the parent- or comparable-firm costs of capital, (2) sufficient guidance to perform an illuminating sensitivity analysis, and (3) a sufficiently clear and rich context in which to illustrate the linkages between operating and financing choices. A teaching note and instructor and student Excel spreadsheets are available.
Alumni Giving
Authors: Pfeifer Phillip E.
Published: March 2017

Madison Kryswada, director of alumni relationships at State University, assembled a 123-school data set to explore, in her words, “the drivers of alumni giving rate. ” The alumni giving rate contributed 5% to the increasingly important U.S. News & World Report rankings of U.S. colleges and universities. Wanting to understand the relationship between this variable and school characteristics, Kryswada gave her assistant a list of four well-formed questions to answer.
Athens Ring Road (Attiki Odos)1
Authors: Eades Kenneth M. , Allayannis George (Yiorgos) , Terlidis Minas
Published: March 2017

The case examines one of the most significant infrastructure projects in southeastern Europe during a time when the legal and financial environment for project financing was in its infancy (early to mid-1990s). Athens needed a ring road to support its bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games. The road was technically—as well as logistically—complex, involving 33 municipalities and construction that involved a major metropolitan area (Athens) populated by more than 3.5 million inhabitants. The case examines the economics of the project, how private-public partnerships (PPPs) are structured, and the broader field of infrastructure finance.
Baker Adhesives
Authors: Lipson Marc L.
Published: March 2017

A small adhesives company faces exchange rate risks as it makes its first foray into international sales. The receipt of payment from an unhedged foreign-currency-denominated past sale illustrates potential currency risks while a potential follow-on order provides a context to discuss potential hedges. Sufficient detailed information is provided for the students to construct and analyze both a forward and money market hedge. A teaching note and instructor and student Excel spreadsheets are available.
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Authors: Hess Edward D.
Published: March 2017

In 2007, Best Buy was the leading electronics retailer in the United States with more than 941 stores, revenue totaling $31 billion, and a market cap of $21 billion. In 2005, Best Buy had adopted a new business model, culture, and customer-segmentation template called Customer Centricity. This move created volatility in the price of Best Buy stock because of the higher-than-expected employee costs that went with this new way of doing business and the difficulty of executing the old and the new business models simultaneously while the new model was rolled out. Best Buy responded to Wall Street's short-term focus in a myriad of ways. It first asked for investor patience, and stressed the strong operating results achieved in Best Buy stores operating under the new model. But in June 2007, after the stock dropped again, the CEO knew he had to decide whether to open more Best Buy stores, increase the company's dividend, or increase the stock-repurchase program.
Blackhawk Urology
Authors: Schill Michael J.
Published: March 2017

This case has been significantly revised to update its currency and to be more concise. In early 2015, two partners in an Oklahoma medical practice must reconcile their booming urology business with declines in practice cash flow. The case highlights the difference between cash flow and accounting profits, as well as the common negative effects of growth on cash flow. It provides a straightforward introduction to simple financial-statement modeling and an opportunity to develop intuition on the importance of cash flow to business owners. The case is tailored to an audience with a professional business-practice perspective.
Blackheath Manufacturing Company—Revisited
Authors: Spreng Francis
Published: March 2017

It's panic time at Blackheath Manufacturing. Profits have been declining, so the owner's son comes to the rescue to run the company. He asks a consultant to determine what's wrong. And the consultant has specific answers: The company's pricing guidelines are all wrong, there needs to be a budgeting system to reverse the downward slide in profits, and a former employee should be rehired. This case provides students with the data for constructing a production and raw-materials budget, flexible-expense budget, income statement, balance sheet, and cash budget. See also “Blackheath Manufacturing Company” (UVA-C-2197).
Briggs & Stratton, Inc.
Authors: Eades Kenneth M. , Gould Martson , Hill Jennifer
Published: March 2017

The student's task is to develop a comprehensive strategy for Briggs & Stratton, which is facing severe competition and margin pressures. A major component of the strategy to be considered is whether to implement economic value added (EVA) as a new performance measurement for management. The case is designed to serve as an introduction to how to compute and use EVA. It emphasizes the importance of performance evaluation as part of a larger strategic plan. A teaching note is available to registered faculty, as well as two video supplements to enhance student learning.
British Petroleum, Ltd.
Authors: Chaplinsky Susan , Lynch Luann J. , Doherty Paul
Published: March 2017

This case is one of a pair of cases used in a merger negotiation. It is designed to be used with “Amoco Corporation” (UVA-F-1262). One-half of the class prepares only the Amoco case, and one-half uses this case. BP and Amoco are considering a merger, and are in the process of negotiating a merger agreement. Macroeconomic assumptions, particularly forecasting future oil prices in an uncertain environment, and assumptions about Amoco's ability to reduce exploration and production costs make Amoco's future cash flows difficult to predict.
Caprica Energy and Its Choices
Authors: Harris Jared D. , Bodily Samuel E. , Mead Jenny , Adolphson Donald , Carmack Brad , Rogers James
Published: March 2017

Jane Barrow, CEO of Caprica Energy, must recommend to the board which of three potential “unconventional ” natural-gas development sites in different parts of the United States the company should pursue. The case takes place in January 2011, when the “low-hanging fruit ” of natural-gas production in the United States had essentially been picked. All three of the potential sites (shale, coalbed methane, and tight sands) would require hydraulic fracturing, a process of removing gas that was formerly considered inaccessible by injecting water and chemicals into the ground. Because of emerging concerns about the potential harm “fracking ” can do to drinking water, Barrow must not only analyze which site might be most profitable but also what the potential risks to the environment and area residents might be.
Carrier and GE Industrial Systems: A Supply Chain Partnership
Authors: Davis Edward W. , Gibbons Emily Jean
Published: March 2017

This case deals with Carrier Corporation's management's efforts to create a strategic supply partnership with one of its major suppliers. Some issues covered include purchasing, supply chain management, alliances and partnerships, and productivity improvement. This case has been used in an MBA course on supply chain management and in executive education general management courses.
Catalina Marketing Corporation: Developing A Retailer Value Proposition1
Authors: Venkatesan Rajkumar , Leliveld Ingmar
Published: March 2017

This case tracks the relationship between Catalina, a provider of customized coupons for consumer packaged goods manufacturers, and the Meijer Stores supermarket chain. An optional instructor-only multimedia product is available featuring top company executives talking about the co-creation of this new product with a major customer. Class discussion centers on the challenges of executing a co-creation initiative in business-to-business settings. Suitable for both MBA and executive learners, it prompts students to identify the criteria for selecting a co-creation partner and debate the best team structure for co-creating products. Should Catalina co-create the cardless loyalty program with Meijer? Who would bear the expenses of developing this new service? Catalina's CEO must retain Meijer as a member of its network of retailers that print customized coupons at checkout. Meijer's departure could prompt other retailers to follow, thereby affecting Catalina's value proposition to CPG manufacturers. One option is to help Meijer develop a cardless loyalty program. But Catalina has no prior experience with that type of program. Still, its customized-coupon skills are potentially portable to a cardless loyalty program.
Cavalier Hospital
Authors: Schill Michael J. , Yount Kenan W.
Published: March 2017

A midsize community hospital must choose a strategy to compete with an expanding regional rival. The strategy, focused on acquiring patient volume, includes expanding investment into integrated care, setting the reimbursement structure for revenue collection, and moving to a capitation-based payment system. The case presents an evaluation of revenue models to select that which best supports a given business strategy.

This case is designed to introduce a health care audience to financial analysis. It provides a straightforward introduction to hospital financial-statement ratio analysis and hospital operating statistics, so it can also serve to introduce any audience with a business or medical background to hospital finance.
Chandpur Enterprises Limited, Steel Division
Authors: Bodily Samuel E. , Mittal Akshay
Published: March 2017

The managing director of a steel plant faces the decision of how much of each raw material to order for the plant for the following month. Due to lower and upper bounds on the amounts of each raw material in a batch and varying amounts of electricity and time consumed for different raw materials, one can't simply use the cheapest raw material. A linear program and the solver optimization function of Excel will provide the optimal amounts that meet the constraints. Interestingly, the best mixture for a batch is not the best mixture for a monthly plan. Shadow prices indicate the value of relaxing constraints. The typical monthly model from a student will be nonlinear, although it can be written as a linear model. This case provides the basis for an introductory class on linear programming and linear versus nonlinear models.
Chocolate Confections Corporation
Authors: Eades Kenneth M. , Weaver Sam
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this case is for the student to build and evaluate a cash flow analysis of an investment proposal in an IT project. A central issue is the determination of the relevant costs for the analysis. The case also allows for the estimation of cost of capital for the company, which is decidedly less than the hurdle rate dictated for the project. The case provides information about the capital budgeting approval process within the firm and how incentives may not be aligned with shareholders for certain decisions. This case has a spreadsheet.
Chrysler's Warrants: September 1983
Authors: Bruner Robert F.
Published: March 2017

This case is a vehicle for discussing the theory and practice of option pricing through the valuation of warrants of Chrysler held by the U.S. government and of the loan guarantee provided by the U.S. government to Chrysler.
Cleveland Clinic Heart Center: A Legacy of Excellence
Authors: Horniman Alexander B. , Locklear Kent
Published: March 2017

This case is about the history, achievements, and problems of a uniquely run medical institution. It has become an award-winning, world-class institution through emphasis on and nurturing of talented, hard-working, and salaried doctors; a culture of excellence and innovation; and teamwork. In recent years, as competition for patients grew, funding and reimbursement diminished, and patients demanded better service, the center has had to find ways to provide better patient service in order to maintain its competitive edge.
Comcast Corporation's Merger with AT&T Broadband
Authors: Bourgeois L. J. , Goodman Nicholas , Wynne John O.
Published: March 2017

In December 2001, after a six-month process of vying for AT&T's Broadband, the president of cable operator Comcast Corporation, had just received word that Comcast's $72-billion offer had won the auction. Comcast, the cable industry's third-largest operator, would merge with industry leader AT&T Broadband to form a company with more than $20 billion in revenue and an unparalleled distribution (a presence in 22 of the nation's top 25 markets). Now the presidents of both companies began to consider their post-merger integration strategies. What was important and how should they prioritize their activities? How could they get all stakeholders to understand the rationale for the deal and its business goals and excited about the new AT&T Comcast?
Compass Records
Authors: Bruner Robert F. , Eades Kenneth M. , Carr Sean
Published: March 2017

The cofounder of Compass Records, a small, independent music-recording company, must decide whether to “produce and own” the next album of an up-and-coming folk musician or simply “license” her finished recording. This case presents information sufficient to build cash-flow forecasts for either investment alternative. Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis reveals that licensing will be the more attractive alternative unless the student assesses the value of the options for follow-on albums included in the “produce-and-own” contract.
Currency Crises in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong
Authors: Warnock Francis E.
Published: March 2017

This case reviews different varieties of currency crises and two in particular: United Kingdom in 1992 and Hong Kong in 1998. These were two very different types of crises, and understanding them could serve the protagonist well when future crises occurred.
Danaher—The Making of a Conglomerate
Authors: Bourgeois L. J. , Nadathur Sriram
Published: March 2017

Prudential Equity Group had downgraded Danaher to underweight status, citing concerns over its inadequate organic growth. By March 2009, its CEO wondered how to keep growing a company that faced changing worldwide economic circumstances, pressure from low-cost competitors, new competitors, flat or declining demand for company products, price increases for certain raw materials, and criticism from market analysts.
Deutsche Bank Securities: Financing the Acquisition of Consolidated Supply S.A.
Authors: Bruner Robert F. , Carr Sean
Published: March 2017

In November 2003, a vice president of Deutsche Bank Securities received a request from a client to finance the acquisition of a large hospital-supply distributor. The client needed to present to the seller an offering price and indication of financial commitment within two weeks. The contemplated transaction entailed a highly leveraged acquisition of the target. The tasks for the student are to value the target firm and projected synergies, assess the creditworthiness of the target (i.e., the ability to bear the high debt), and critically evaluate the general design of the transaction.
Differences and Diversity Issues: Selected Vignettes
Authors: Freeman R. Edward , Parmar Bidhan L. , Dresnick Jordan , Mead Jenny
Published: March 2017

In an ever-changing world, certain topics—such as sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and gender—still are hot-button items for many people. This series of vignettes covers many diversity topics, primarily in the workplace, and should promote engaging and intense debate. In reading them, students should try to see each vignette from the different perspectives presented.
Diversity
Authors: Freeman R. Edward , Werhane Patricia H. , Wicks Andrew C. , Davidson Martin N. , Yemen Gerry , Mead Jenny , Parmar Bidhan L.
Published: March 2017

This series of diversity caselets is designed to present short, quick vignettes of different workplace situations involving issues of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, age, religion, culture, and ethnicity.
Dogloo and Opportunity Capital Partners
Authors: Fairchild Gregory B. , Jamison Michael
Published: March 2017

Lewis Byrd, a partner in the private equity firm Opportunity Capital Partners, is managing a number of interconnected issues. First, in his role as investment professional responsible for the firm's investment in a doghouse manufacturing company called Dogloo, he has to manage a relationship with an entrepreneur who has behaved in a way that has made coinvestors nervous about his skills as a CEO. The CEO, Aurelio Barretto, is a Cuban immigrant who has established a close confiding relationship with Byrd, who is an African American. Barretto has increasingly relied on Byrd to run interference for him with investors, while also providing the strategic advice that typically supports an investor-entrepreneur relationship. Another issue is that there is a potentially costly lawsuit looming involving copyright infringement by a larger, well-funded competitor in the pet products market. Byrd has to manage potentially volatile relationships while determining what's best for his firm from an investment standpoint and how best to advise Barretto to proceed. The case provides insights into the challenges in private equity investing that occur after the striking of the financial deal. The case also provides information for students about the technical and legal structure of private equity financing.
Euro Zone Convergence, Divergence…and Then What?
Authors: Warnock Francis E. , Debaere Peter
Published: March 2017

A hedge-fund strategist had two decisions to make. First, what was the path of core euro zone long-term interest rates likely to be over the next year? Was the dramatic decline in German long rates over the past few years an aberration that would soon be reversed, or was it part of the “new normal” that would persist for some time? Second, how would periphery long rates evolve relative to core rates? That is—the spread between long rates in the likes of Greece, Spain, and Ireland and those in Germany—how would they evolve over the next year? Was the dramatic divergence in euro zone long rates likely to persist, or would the coming year see a continuation of the modest reconvergence that has occurred since mid–2012? He knew many factors influenced long-term interest rates; he would have to use his entire toolkit to address this issue. The evidence was in no way clear-cut. Some factors pointed toward lower German rates, some toward higher, some toward a widening of euro zone spreads (even a dissolution of the euro zone as we know it?), and some toward reconvergence.
Felipe Vergara and Lumni: Launching an Innovation in a Developing Economy
Authors: Venkataraman S. , Sarasvathy Saras D. , Parmar Bidhan L. , Glinska Gosia
Published: March 2017

The case chronicles the development of Lumni, Inc., an international start-up offering innovative mechanisms for financing higher education. It focuses on: the details of decision making required to transform an idea into a viable business; building partnerships; the challenge associated with raising venture capital; and the challenges of creating a new market where human capital can be traded to finance higher education.
First Mates' Wholesale Boating Supply Company: Do or Don't?
Authors: Haskins Mark E.
Published: March 2017

This case presents a series of decision points along with a simple process for ascertaining underlying source(s) of disagreement, which represents an important managerial tool. The president of First Mates' Wholesale Boating Supply Company is faced with the reality of missing year-end earnings projections and breaking a 30-year streak of successive earnings increases. He has asked all his direct reports to meet with their teams and brainstorm about ways to finish the year in strongly and successfully. The case presents a number of those ideas for students to debate and discuss as they decide which ones the company should pursue.
Flowers Industries, Inc. (Abridged)
Authors: Bruner Robert F. , Summers Stephanie
Published: March 2017

The CFO of a diversified baking company must decide whether to issue convertible debt rather than straight debt or equity. In evaluating the proposed terms of the convertibles offering, the student must value the securities by valuing the call option (using option pricing theory) and the bond component. This case introduces the topic of convertible securities. Student and instructor worksheet files are available for use with the case and teaching note.
Foulke Consumer Products, Inc.: The Southeast Region
Authors: Carraway Robert L. , Hosler William
Published: March 2017

At the core of this case is a distribution, or sourcing, problem that can be modeled and solved using linear programming (LP). There are also issues of whether to build (a) new plant(s)––and if so, what the capacity should be––and whether to expand or close one or more of the existing plants. These latter issues can be analyzed using a 0/1 LP facility-location model. Alternatively, because the number of options is limited, they can be analyzed using the straight LP model of the distribution problem as a tool to facilitate analysis.
Genzyme and Relational Investors: Science and Business Collide?
Authors: Eades Kenneth M. , Matos Pedro , Green Rick
Published: March 2017

The chairman and CEO of the Genzyme Corporation, one of the country's top five biotechnology firms, has received a phone call requesting a meeting with the cofounder and principal of a large activist investment fund that now has a 2.6% stake in his company. Before meeting with him, the CEO is aware that he needs a strategy for dealing with this “activist” investor with a track record of forcing out CEOs.
Harry and Learning Team 28
Authors: Isabella Lynn A. , Kuruvilla Roy , Pilachowski James , Prasad Prashant
Published: March 2017

With so many team-driven activities for students in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a business school, students need to have an opportunity to discuss the issues and dilemmas that may arise. Harry's difficulties in mastering finance cause some members of the team to feel frustrated, because they have to spend so much time helping him. When the members pressure the others to spend less time with Harry, other problems arise in the team dynamics, involving such issues as trust, participation, team performance, and quality of learning. Students need to explore alternative ways to improve the situation.
Hedge Fund Due Diligence at Leman Alternative Asset Management Company
Authors: Matos Pedro
Published: March 2017

In early January 2008, a senior VP with LAAMCO, a fund of hedge funds known for alternative investments, was conducting due diligence on an equity market-neutral hedge fund. The hedge fund used an option strategy known as a collar (also known as a bull spread or split-strike conversion). The track record of the hedge fund had been stellar. The fund's performance had not only beaten that of the S&P 500 Index over the same period but had done so with much lower monthly return volatility. As part of the due diligence, it was necessary to backtest the collar strategy and try to quantify how much value the manager, BLM Investment Securities, LLC, (BLM) had added. The case is a disguised representation of an actual hedge fund—the true identity of BLM is revealed to students at the end of the case discussion.
Hope Enterprises
Authors: Harris Robert S. , Eades Kenneth M.
Published: March 2017

This case is a relatively straightforward exercise in valuing a potential acquisition target. The case affords students an opportunity to use both discounted cash flow and multiples in their analyses. In addition, at the instructor's discretion, students can do a simple valuation of an option contract and analyze currency choice in a debt issue. The latter two objectives arise if the case is used as an examination. Case Exhibit 1 poses the relevant questions for student preparation.