bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of dividend policy: evidence from an emerging and developing market
Authors: Dewasiri N. Jayantha , Yatiwelle Koralalage Weerakoon Banda , Abdul Azeez Athambawa , Jayarathne P.G.S.A. , Kuruppuarachchi Duminda , Weerasinghe V.A. 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the determinants of dividend policy in an emerging and developing market.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a quantitative approach using 191 Sri Lankan firms and 1,337 firm-year observations as the sample. The authors apply a Binary Logistic Regression model to uncover the determinants of the propensity to pay dividends, and a Fixed Effect Panel Regression to investigate the determinants of dividend payout.FindingsThe authors identify past dividend decision, earnings, investment opportunities, profitability, free cash flow (FCF), corporate governance, state ownership, firm size and industry influence as the key determinants of propensity to pay dividends. In addition past dividends, investment opportunities, profitability and dividend premium are identified as the determinants of dividend payout. Moreover, there is a feedback between dividend yield and profitability in one lag and between dividend yield and dividend premium in two lags, as short-term relationships. Hence, past dividend decision or payout, profitability and investment opportunities are a common set of determinants with implications for both propensity to pay dividends and its payout. The findings support theories of dividends such as signaling, outcome, catering, life cycle, FCF and pecking order.Practical implicationsThe findings are important for investors, managers and future research. Investors should focus on the determinants identified by our study when making investment decisions whereas managers should practice the same when formulating appropriate dividend policies for their firms. Future research should rely on propensity to pay dividends and its payout simultaneously to promote a theoretical consensus on the dividend determinant puzzle.Originality/valueThis is the first study that investigates determinants of propensity to pay dividends and dividend payout along with short-term relationships in a single study.
The effect of the need for subsequent seasoned equity offerings on earnings management motivation
Authors: Wang Guannan , Hagigi Moshe 
Published: March 2019

PurposeMost prior literature focuses on how managers’ immediate needs affect their current earnings management. The purpose of this paper is to expand this body of literature by investigating the managerial motivation in a multi-period setting. The authors believe that managers’ incentive to engage in earning management around current equity issues is not only determined by the companies’ immediate need, but that it is also determined by their longer-term financing need.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine all issuances of common stock, whether they are issued as seasoned equity offerings or whether as a reissuance of previously repurchased stock. They believe that the motivations for earnings management are similar for all these various stock-issuance events, which result in an increase in the number of outstanding common stock items.FindingsThe results of this paper reveal that those firms with less of a need for subsequent equity issuances are more likely to engage in “income- increasing” earnings management before their equity issuances. Conversely, equity issuers with more of a need for subsequent equity issuances would be more concerned about the potential impact of current earnings management on their future reported earnings and, therefore, would be less likely to manage earnings.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature by extending the findings of the prior literature, showing that managerial discretion does not only affect the total magnitude of earnings management, but that it also impacts the timing of the earnings management activities. Insights gained from our research may contribute to the literature and enable a better understanding of firms’ financial reporting strategy from a longer-run view.
Beyond the logic of Lemma: the oneness of life and its environment, the oneness of within and without
Authors: Maeda Tadashi , Sado Tadahiro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this paper the ‘analyst as a citizen in the world’ is understood as the analyst interconnecting and harmonising with his or her environment, including not only society, but also nature and the universe. In this sense, Buddhism teaches the Oneness of Life and its Environment, and links are made between Mahayana Buddhism and Jung's understanding of the Self and individuation. The Logic of Lemma in the Flower Ornament Sutra indicates that all phenomena in the world can merge with each other without losing individuality; ten stages are described from the Lotus Sutra and links are made with the development in respect to the ego; Kenji Miyazawa and his work are given as examples to illustrate this. Causality and synchronicity are explored in terms of the interaction between the individual and the environment, and three examples are given where sometimes individual, egoic, causality is more of a feature and sometimes synchronicity has a greater prominence. The paper ends with an examination of tree drawings, made over a period of 50 years by junior high school students, which indicates the way that these individuals have portrayed themselves and their relation to their environment.
From active imagination to active life: at the roots of Jungian social activism
Authors: Donati Marialuisa 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOur traditional Western worldview is often unconsciously based on a polarized, dichotomous perspective. However, many of Jung's ideas hint at a deep interrelation between opposites, such as inside and outside, which are, as the principle of synchronicity shows, rooted in a conceptualization of psyche and matter conceived as intertwined. Another pair of philosophical concepts, traditionally considered as opposites, needs further investigation: that between imagination and reality. If we are lucky in our daily practice as analysts, we can use imagination as a powerful tool to help people discover themselves as individuals and to get in deeper, more lively and responsible touch with reality. This paper explores the difference that Jung outlined between ‘active imagination’ and ‘passive fantasies’, and the transformative power of taking an active part in what imaginatively happens – he called it ‘active participation’ – rather than being passively overwhelmed by invasive fantasies. It is argued that it makes a great difference whether we become the actors and not just the spectators of our lives, and this is linked with the core of the individuation process in which, if individuals discover their particular place and meaning in the universe, they can live an ‘active life’, playing a heartfelt and responsible role in the collective world to which they belong. These ideas are at the heart of Jung's work, and they represent one of the roots of Jungian social activism.
Diabetes in developing countries
Authors: Misra Anoop , Gopalan Hema , Jayawardena Ranil , Hills Andrew P. , Soares Mario , Reza‐Albarrán Alfredo A. , Ramaiya Kaushik L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThere has been a rapid escalation of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in developing countries, with varied prevalence according to rural vs urban habitat and degree of urbanization. Some ethnic groups (eg, South Asians, other Asians, and Africans), develop diabetes a decade earlier and at a lower body mass index than Whites, have prominent abdominal obesity, and accelerated the conversion from prediabetes to diabetes. The burden of complications, both macro‐ and microvascular, is substantial, but also varies according to populations. The syndemics of diabetes with HIV or tuberculosis are prevalent in many developing countries and predispose to each other. Screening for diabetes in large populations living in diverse habitats may not be cost‐effective, but targeted high‐risk screening may have a place. The cost of diagnostic tests and scarcity of health manpower pose substantial hurdles in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients. Efforts for prevention remain rudimentary in most developing countries. The quality of care is largely poor; hence, a substantial number of patients do not achieve treatment goals. This is further amplified by a delay in seeking treatment, “fatalistic attitudes”, high cost and non‐availability of drugs and insulins. To counter these numerous challenges, a renewed political commitment and mandate for health promotion and disease prevention are urgently needed. Several low‐cost innovative approaches have been trialed with encouraging outcomes, including training and deployment of non‐medical allied health professionals and the use of mobile phones and telemedicine to deliver simple health messages for the prevention and management of T2D.
Inhibition of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) attenuates podocyte apoptosis and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by regulating autophagy flux
Authors: Jin Juan , Gong Jianguang , Zhao Li , Zhang Hongjuan , He Qiang , Jiang Xinxin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundPodocyte injury, characterized by podocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), is the major causative factor of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Autophagy dysfunction is regarded as the major risk factor for podocyte injury including EMT and apoptosis. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is involved in the progression of DN through the induction of autophagy. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown.MethodsPlasma HMGB1 concentrations were determined in DN patients using ELISA. Apoptosis of DN serum‐treated podocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. Podocyte autophagy flux was measured using immunofluorescence. Western blotting analysis was used to investigate HMGB1 expression, EMT, and autophagy‐related signaling pathways.ResultsUpregulation of HMGB1 was found in DN patients and DN serum‐treated podocytes. Removal of HMGB1 inhibited DN serum‐mediated podocyte apoptosis by inhibiting autophagy and activating AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In addition, HMGB1 depletion repressed the progression of podocyte EMT by inhibiting transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β/smad1 signaling in vitro and in vivo. The combination of HMGB1 short interference (si) RNA and the autophagy activator rapamycin protected against podocyte apoptosis and EMT progression by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR and TGF‐β/smad signaling pathway, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough HMGB1 siRNA and rapamycin treatment had opposite effects on autophagy and AKT/mTOR signaling, there was no contradiction about the role of HMGB1 siRNA and rapamycin on AKT/mTOR pathway because autophagy and AKT/mTOR signaling play dual roles in intracellular biological processes. Based on the findings of this study, we may assume that HMGB1‐initiated autophagy is harmful, whereas rapamycin is beneficial to podocyte survival. Possibly combined treatment with HMGB1 siRNA and rapamycin improved podocyte damage and EMT by regulating autophagy homeostasis.
Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: A retrospective analysis of clinical features, management, and survival of 76 patients
Authors: Wang Xuan , Kong Yan , Chi Zhihong , Sheng Xinan , Cui Chuanliang , Mao Lili , Lian Bin , Tang Bixia , Yan Xieqiao , Si Lu , Guo Jun 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundPrimary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) is rare. Patients with advanced melanoma of esophageal origin tend to have lower response rates to traditional therapies than those with other melanomas. We report our experience of 12 patients with PMME administered PD‐1 inhibitors.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 76 patients with PMME who attended Peking University Cancer Hospital between January 2008 and September 2017. Objective response rates (ORRs) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were assessed.ResultsThe 76 PMMEs were classified as unresectable or metastatic. The patients were allocated to three cohorts according to their treatment: chemotherapy (C: 46 patients), targeted therapy (T: 2 patients), and PD‐1 inhibitors (IT: 12 patients). The PFS in the C cohort was three months with a limited ORR of 10.9%. In the IT cohort, seven patients (75.0%) achieved a partial response and three had stable disease for 4+ months. The median PFS in the IT cohort was not reached and the mean was 15.6 months, which was much longer than in cohort C (P < 0.001).ConclusionAlthough this cohort of patients was small, it is the largest series investigated thus far. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the outcomes of advanced PMMEs treated with PD‐1 inhibitors. Dramatic responses can occur in patients with advanced PMMEs.
FREE VERSUS SECOND‐BEST ENTRY IN COURNOT OLIGOPOLIES WITH FIRM‐SPECIFIC NETWORKS
Authors: Gama Adriana 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTThis paper endogenizes the number of firms in an industry with positive network effects, complete incompatibility, and firms that compete in quantity. To this end, we compare two possibilities: free entry and second‐best number of firms (the one that maximizes social welfare). We show that with business‐stealing competition, free entry yields, in general, more firms than the socially optimal solution. In addition, we find that by the nature of the industry with firm‐specific networks, total production may be greater or lower under free entry than with a regulator; moreover, some industries attain their maximum social welfare with a monopoly.
Structure‐guided identification of antimicrobial peptides in the spathe transcriptome of the non‐model plant, arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Authors: Pires Állan S. , Rigueiras Pietra O. , Dohms Stephan M. , Porto William F. , Franco Octavio L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small molecules present in all living beings. Despite their huge sequence variability, AMPs present great structural conservation, mainly in cysteine‐stabilized families. Moreover, in non‐model plants, it is possible to detect cysteine‐stabilized AMPs (cs‐AMPs) with different sequences not covered by conventional searches. Here, we described a threading application for cs‐AMP identification in the non‐model arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) plant, exploring the spathe transcriptome. By using the predicted proteins from the Z. aethiopica transcriptome as our primary source of sequences, we have filtered by using structural alignments of 12 putative cs‐AMP sequences. The two unreported sequences were submitted to PCR validation, and ZaLTP7 gene was confirmed. By using the structure alignments, we classified ZaLTP7 as an LTP type 2‐like. The successful threading application for cs‐AMP identification is an important advance in transcriptomic and proteomic data mining. Besides, the same approach could be applied to the use of NGS public data to discover molecules to combat multidrug‐resistant bacteria.
Effects of empagliflozin on metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Javed Zeeshan , Papageorgiou Maria , Deshmukh Harshal , Rigby Alan S. , Qamar Unaiza , Abbas Jehangir , Khan Amer Y. , Kilpatrick Eric S. , Atkin Stephen L. , Sathyapalan Thozhukat 
Published: March 2019

SummaryBackgroundEmpagliflozin is a sodium‐glucose‐cotransporter‐2 inhibitor that improves cardiovascular risk and promotes weight loss in patients with type‐2 diabetes. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with obesity and increased cardiovascular risk; therefore, empagliflozin may be of benefit for these women. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of empagliflozin vs metformin on anthropometric and body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS.Materials and methodsA randomized open‐label study was conducted in women with PCOS who were randomized to either empagliflozin 25 mg (n = 19) or metformin 1500 mg (n = 20) daily for 12 weeks. The main outcomes assessed were changes in anthropometric and body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed significant differences in weight (empagliflozin: −1.4 ± 3.2% vs metformin: 1.2 ± 2.3%; P = 0.006), body mass index (empagliflozin: −1.4 ± 3.2% vs metformin: 1.1 ± 2.2%; P = 0.006), waist circumference (empagliflozin: −1.6 ± 2.8% vs metformin: 0.2 ± 2.1%; P = 0.029) and hip circumference (empagliflozin: −2.0 ± 3.0% vs metformin: 1.1 ± 1.9%; P = 0.001), basal metabolic rate (empagliflozin: −1.8 ± 2.9% vs metformin: 0.1 ± 1.9%, P = 0.024) and fat mass (empagliflozin: −0.7 ± 4.9% vs metformin, 3.2 ± 5.0%; P = 0.023) between the empagliflozin and the metformin groups. These differences were confirmed in linear regression analysis after adjustment for relevant covariates. There were no significant changes in hormonal or metabolic parameters between both groups.ConclusionThere was a significant improvement in anthropometric parameters and body composition, in overweight and obese women with PCOS after 12 weeks of treatment with empagliflozin compared to metformin, although no changes were seen in hormonal or metabolic parameters.
Conservation practitioners’ understanding of how to manage evolutionary processes
Authors: Cook Carly N. , Sgrò Carla M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBoth academics and practitioners consider a lack of knowledge about evolutionary theory to be a general barrier to effectively managing genetic diversity. However, it is challenging to judge practitioners’ level of understanding and how this influences their management decisions. Knowledge built through experience may be difficult for practitioners to articulate, but could nonetheless result in appropriate management strategies. To date, researchers have assessed only the explicit (formal) knowledge practitioners have of evolutionary concepts. To explore practitioners’ understanding of evolutionary concepts, it is necessary to consider how they might apply explicit and implicit knowledge to their management decisions. Using an online survey, we asked Australian practitioners to respond to 2 common management scenarios in which there is strong evidence that managing genetic diversity can improve outcomes: managing small, isolated populations and sourcing seeds for restoration projects. In describing their approach to these scenarios, practitioners demonstrated a stronger understanding of the effective management of genetic diversity than the definitions of the relevant concepts. However, their management of genetic diversity within small populations was closer to best practice than for restoration projects. Moreover, the risks practitioners described in implementing best practice management were more likely to affect their approach to restoration than translocation projects. These findings provide evidence that strategies to build the capacity of practitioners to manage genetic diversity should focus on realistic management scenarios. Given that practitioners recognize the importance of adapting their practices and the strong evidence for the benefits of actively managing genetic diversity, there is hope that better engagement by evolutionary biologists with practitioners could facilitate significant shifts toward evolutionarily enlightened management.
Individual and contextual factors associated with traumatic dental injuries in a population of Brazilian adolescents
Authors: Fonseca Rejane Cristina Leite da , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira , Cascaes Andreia Morales , Bomfim Rafael Aiello 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackground/AimsTraumatic dental injuries (TDIs) stand out as one of the major public health problems worldwide, characterized by a high prevalence in children and adolescents. However, their association with the 15‐19 years age group has not been fully described. The aim of this study was to evaluate TDIs in a population of Brazilian adolescents.MethodsAn association study was performed with 5558 adolescents attending the São Paulo State Oral Health Survey (SBSP‐15). Individual predisposing variables (gender, age, schooling, ethnic, overjet, and molar relationship); contextual predisposing (city size and Municipal Human Development Index); individual enabling (per capita income and type of service used); contextual enabling (number of dentists, family health team coverage, and family median income); individual need (satisfaction and perception regarding treatment) and contextual needs (average supervised brushing, number of visits, and dental extractions per city), as well as health behaviors were analyzed. Andersen's behavioral model was used for the data analysis. A multilevel logistic regression with fixed effects was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe prevalence of TDIs in adolescents was 1.42% (95% CI: 0.94‐2.13). Individual and contextual factors of need, predisposing factors, facilitators, and health behaviors were associated with TDIs. In the adjusted analysis, gender (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18‐0.53), mean family income (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.35‐4.69), number of dental visits (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19‐0.84), and time of last visit (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.46‐4.77) remained significant concerning trauma.ConclusionAt least one variable of the individual and contextual predisposing, enabling, and need factors (except for individual enabling variables) were associated with dental trauma in Brazilian adolescents aged 15‐19 years. This information may help with the planning of preventive actions and dental treatment, especially in mid‐sized and large cities.
Prevalence and severity of traumatic dental injuries among young amateur soccer players: A screening investigation
Authors: Qudeimat Muawia A. , AlHasan Abdulaziz A. , AlHasan Mohammad A. , Al‐Khayat Khaled , Andersson Lars 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackground/AimsTraumatic dental injuries (TDI) are prevalent among soccer players. In Kuwait, no studies of TDI among soccer players have been carried out. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, type and causes of soccer‐related traumatic dental injuries among 7‐18‐year‐old amateur soccer players.MethodsAll amateur soccer players who were registered in the 14 sports clubs in the country were invited to participate in this screening study. Players who were present in the club on the assigned examination day were included. The players were examined by two trained and calibrated paediatric dentists for signs of injury to the oral tissues. Injury diagnosis was made according to the Andreasen (2007) epidemiological dental injury classification. The history of any dental injury present at the time of examination was recorded. The timing and nature of any dental advice or treatment sought was also noted.ResultsSix hundred sixty‐seven (48% inclusion rate) male players were included (mean age of 13.4 ± 2.6 years). In total, 213 injured teeth were observed among 169 (25%) players. The prevalence of soccer‐related injuries was 11%, and a greater number of injuries were observed in older players. Maxillary central incisors were the most frequently injured teeth (91%), and enamel‐only fractures represented 60% of all injured teeth. Slightly more TDIs were soccer‐related (44%) compared to non‐soccer‐related injuries (39%), and a large number of TDIs (39%) occurred inside the sports clubs. The prevalence of reported soft‐tissue injuries was 18%. The majority of the players (75%) did not receive dental care for their injuries.ConclusionsA significant number of young Kuwaiti amateur soccer players suffered TDIs. In addition, a high percentage of traumatic injuries were not treated, and there was a lack of the use of protective mouthguards.