bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seller side HR perspectives during M&A deals
Authors: Pathak Atul Arun 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to focus on the HR issues that seller organizations face during the pre-deal stage of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). It recommends the HR strategies that strategies that seller-side organizations need to adopt to improve their chances of successful M&A.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores the HR-related issues faced by seller-side organizations. It highlights the key dilemmas and challenges involved at this stage of M&A deals. It recommends the HR strategies that seller companies can follow during the pre-deal stage of an M&A deal.

Findings
What the seller’s HR leaders do (and do not do) during the run up to an M&A deal can significantly affect the success of the post-deal integration and future success of the combined firm. During the pre-deal phase of an M&A journey, HR leaders face a range of dilemmas. They have to decide whether to maintain business as usual or change their HR strategy, decide when to hide information and when (and what) to communicate internally and also have to prepare the seller organization for an HR audit by the buyer firm.

Practical implications
HR leaders in seller organizations need to continue to increase the value of the organization by continually aligning the HR strategy to the organization’s overall corporate and business strategy. During the early stages of the deal, they have to camouflage certain confidential details. When the deal is at an advanced stage, HR leaders have to communicate extensively with employees about the deal. They need to ensure that the organization is prepared for an HR audit by prospective buyers. However, they also have to ensure that the reasons for the seller organization’s success are not revealed fully and prematurely.

Social implications
It concedes that during an M&A deal, the HR leaders of a seller organization need to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders. These include the firm’s owners, top managers, employees and key customers. Those who are unable to do this effectively and consistently may end up harming the interest of the seller organization during an M&A deal.

Originality/value
The paper considers the highly dynamic e-commerce industry in India. It is a sector that is seeing rapid growth. Many new players are entering the market and the battle is for size and scale. In such a scenario, companies such as Flipkart are using the M&A route to scale up inorganically. Recently, Flipkart acquired Myntra, a strong player in the online retailing of fashion garments. The paper provides insights in to the challenges faced by the seller organization’s HR managers during the pre-deal stage of M&A transactions and recommends strategies that they should follow.
The 100 billion dollar Heinz-Kraft deal
Authors: Chaboud Isabelle 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the motivations behind the merger of Heinz and Kraft. This merger, finalized on July 2nd, was one of the largest mergers to take place in 2015. Warren Buffet via Berkshire Hathaway and the Brazilian, Jorge Paulo Lemann, orchestrated the deal, at the headquarters of 3G Capital. What were the motivations and objectives of this merger? A few months after the deal, what measures have been introduced?

Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings
It remains to be seen if the Berkshire Hathaway – 3G Capital partnership will continue and manage to achieve their predicted 1.5 billion dollars in cost reduction by the end of 2017. Such predictions should be taken with a grain of salt, given the fact that even though Heinz has improved its profitability, it is not yet on a path towards growth. In addition, it is worth asking whether customer demands for healthier products will permit Kraft to develop its sales, in particular outside of the USA. In any case, cost reduction will not be sufficient.

Practical implications
The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Implementing environmental sustainability in logistics operations: a case study
Authors: Jørsfeldt Liliyana Makarova , Hvolby Hans-Henrik , Nguyen Vivi Thuy 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to develop an in-depth understanding of how supplier–buyer relationships, particularly in operational coordination, are affected when a company introduces an environmental sustainability target (CO2emissions reduction) into its supply chain operations. The investigation focuses on the joint activities of the logistics function of the company (buyer) and the third-party logistics providers (3PLs) (suppliers).Design/methodology/approachThis single-case study takes the perspective of a sustainability-conscious Danish company that outsources logistics services to 3PLs but maintains internal logistics as a boundary function. The value offering point/order penetration point (VOP/OPP) methodology is used.FindingsThe results showed that the introduction of sustainability led to the emergence of multiple decoupling points in both the demand and the supply chains. The logistics function therefore began to play the role of “integrator” across both the functions in the company and the organizations in the supply chain. The findings indicate the need to develop clear cross-functional and inter-organizational coordination mechanisms.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a single-case study in a Danish context.Practical implicationsThe study provides rich insights into managing the implementation of sustainability in supply chain operations, and it exemplifies how the VOP/OPP tool can be applied by 3PLs to develop sustainable offerings.Originality/valueThe current research on sustainable supply chain management takes into account the entire supply chain. In contrast, this study focuses on the logistics function. The VOP/OPP concept is used to capture the processes used in actual practice, and both the buyer and the supplier are considered potential co-producers of value.
Movement correlates of lizards’ dorsal pigmentation patterns
Authors: Halperin Topaz , Carmel Liran , Hawlena Dror 
Published: June 2016

Summary

Understanding the ecological function of an animal's pigmentation pattern is an intriguing research challenge. We used quantitative information on lizard foraging behaviour to search for movement correlates of patterns across taxa.

We hypothesized that noticeable longitudinal stripes that enhance escape by motion dazzle are advantageous for mobile foragers that are highly detectable against the stationary background. Cryptic pigmentation patterns are beneficial for less‐mobile foragers that rely on camouflage to reduce predation.

Using an extensive literature survey and phylogenetically controlled analyses, we found that striped lizards were substantially more mobile than lizards with cryptic patterns. The percentage of time spent moving was the major behavioural index responsible for this difference.

We provide empirical support for the hypothesized association between lizard dorsal pigmentation patterns and foraging behaviour. Our simple yet comprehensive explanation may be relevant to many other taxa that present variation in body pigmentation patterns.
Surfactin variants mediate species‐specific biofilm formation and root colonization in Bacillus
Authors: Aleti Gajender , Lehner Sylvia , Bacher Markus , Compant Stéphane , Nikolic Branislav , Plesko Maja , Schuhmacher Rainer , Sessitsch Angela , Brader Günter 
Published: June 2016

SummaryCyclic lipopeptides (cLP) and especially surfactins produced by Bacillus spp. trigger biofilm formation and root colonization and are crucial for biocontrol activity and systemic resistance in plants. Bacillus atrophaeus 176s isolated from the moss Tortella tortuosa produces the cLP fengycins, iturins and surfactins, possesses antifungal activities and can protect tomato, lettuce and sugar beet against Rhizoctonia solani infection. In B. atrophaeus we identified for the first time the variant surfactin C, which differs from surfactin A produced by B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens by an isoleucine instead of a leucine at position 7 of the lipopeptide backbone. The analysis of the complete surfactin gene clusters revealed that the dissimilarity is encoded in the adenylation domain of srfC and show that surfactin variations are distributed in a species‐specific manner in bacilli. We demonstrate that the surfactin A and C with subtle structural differences have varying signal strengths on biofilm formation and root colonization and act specifically on the respective producing strain. This became evident as biofilm formation and root colonization but not swarming motility in surfactin biosynthesis mutants was restored differentially in the presence of exogenously supplemented cognate and non‐cognate surfactin variants.
Distribution and expression of microbial rhodopsins in the Baltic Sea and adjacent waters
Authors: Brindefalk Björn , Ekman Martin , Ininbergs Karolina , Dupont Christopher L. , Yooseph Shibu , Pinhassi Jarone , Bergman Birgitta 
Published: June 2016

SummaryRhodopsins are light‐driven ion‐pumping membrane proteins found in many organisms and are proposed to be of global importance for oceanic microbial energy generation. Several studies have focused on marine environments, with less exploration of rhodopsins in brackish waters. We investigated microbial rhodopsins in the Baltic Sea using size‐fractionated metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets collected along a salinity gradient spanning from ∼0 to 35 PSU. The normalised genomic abundance of rhodopsins in Bacteria, as well as rhodopsin gene expression, was highest in the smallest size fraction (0.1–0.8 μm), relative to the medium (0.8–3.0 μm) and large (>3.0 μm) size fractions. The abundance of rhodopsins in the two smaller size fractions displayed a positive correlation with salinity. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes rhodopsins were the most abundant while Actinobacteria rhodopsins, or actinorhodopsins, were common at lower salinities. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that rhodopsins have adapted independently to the marine‐brackish transition on multiple occasions, giving rise to green light‐adapted variants from ancestral blue light‐adapted ones. A notable diversity of viral‐like rhodopsins was also detected in the dataset and potentially linked with eukaryotic phytoplankton blooms. Finally, a new clade of likely proton‐pumping rhodopsin with non‐canonical amino acids in the spectral tuning and proton accepting site was identified.
The chemosensory appendage proteome of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) reveals putative odorant‐binding and other chemoreception‐related proteins
Authors: Renthal Robert , Manghnani Leena , Bernal Sandra , Qu Yanyan , Griffith Wendell P. , Lohmeyer Kim , Guerrero Felix D. , Borges Lígia M.F. , Pérez de León Adalberto 
Published: June 2016

AbstractProteomic analyses were done on 2 chemosensory appendages of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Proteins in the fore tarsi, which contain the olfactory Haller's organ, and in the palps, that include gustatory sensilla, were compared with proteins in the third tarsi. Also, male and female ticks were compared. Proteins were identified by sequence similarity to known proteins, and by 3‐dimensional homology modeling. Proteomic data were also compared with organ‐specific transcriptomes from the tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The fore tarsi express a lipocalin not found in the third tarsi or palps. The fore tarsi and palps abundantly express 2 proteins, which are similar to insect odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs). Compared with insect OBPs, the tick OBP‐like sequences lacked the cysteine absent in C‐minus OBPs, and 1 tick OBP‐like sequence had additional cysteines that were similar to C‐plus OBPs. Four proteins similar to the antibiotic protein microplusin were found: 2 exclusively expressed in the fore tarsi and 1 exclusively expressed in the palps. These proteins lack the microplusin copper‐binding site, but they are modeled to have a significant internal cavity, potentially a ligand‐binding site. Proteins similar to the dust mite allergens Der p7 and Der f 7 were found differentially expressed in female fore tarsi. A protein exclusively expressed in the fore tarsi has similarities to Neto, which is known to be involved in clustering of ionotropic glutamate receptors. These results constitute the first report of OBP‐like protein sequences in ticks and point to several research avenues on tick chemosensory reception.
Revealing the combined effects of lactulose and probiotic enterococci on the swine faecal microbiota using 454 pyrosequencing
Authors: Chae Jong Pyo , Pajarillo Edward Alain B. , Oh Ju Kyoung , Kim Heebal , Kang Dae‐Kyung 
Published: June 2016

SummaryDemand for the development of non‐antibiotic growth promoters in animal production has increased in recent years. This report compared the faecal microbiota of weaned piglets under the administration of a basal diet (CON) or that containing prebiotic lactulose (LAC), probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 (PRO) or their synbiotic combination (SYN). At the phylum level, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio increased in the treatment groups compared with the CON group, and the lowest proportion of Proteobacteria was observed in the LAC group. At the family level, Enterobacteriaceae decreased in all treatments; more than a 10‐fold reduction was observed in the LAC (0.99%) group compared with the CON group. At the genus level, the highest Oscillibacter proportion was detected in PRO, the highest Clostridium in LAC and the highest Lactobacillus in SYN; the abundance of Escherichia was lowest in the LAC group. Clustering in the discriminant analysis of principal components revealed distinct separation of the feeding groups (CON, LAC, PRO and SYN), showing different microbial compositions according to different feed additives or their combination. These results suggest that individual materials and their combination have unique actions and independent mechanisms for changes in the distal gut microbiota.
Lower leg muscle mass relates to knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Lee Ji Yeon , Han Kyungdo , McAlindon Timothy E. , Park Yong Gyu , Park Sung‐Hwan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between leg muscle mass measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and knee pain/stiffness in patients with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional study using data from the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We included participants with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥ 2) and obtained the degree of knee pain/stiffness and body composition of both legs and the whole body using DEXA. We calculated the ratios of legs to whole body in terms of muscle and fat mass. Analysis of covariance and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of leg to whole body mass in patients with knee symptoms, adjusting for possible confounders.ResultsWe analyzed data for 1664 individuals. The ratio of leg to whole body muscle mass (LTWMM) was significantly lower in the group with knee pain or stiffness (30.27 ± 0.10 vs. 30.92 ± 0.08%, P < 0.0001). We found a significant inverse trend between the degree of knee pain and LTWMM (P for trend < 0.01). LTWMM was 14% lower in persons with severe pain (P = 0.012) when adjusted for age and sex. Leg to whole body fat mass was higher in the group with knee pain or stiffness (28.65 ± 0.22 vs. 27.95 ± 0.17%, P = 0.009).ConclusionDEXA‐measured leg muscle mass was significantly associated with knee pain in people with radiographic knee OA. Low leg muscle mass is a useful clinical indicator for symptomatic knee OA, and DEXA is potentially an excellent tool to quickly assess leg mass in patients with knee OA.
Survey of musculoskeletal abnormalities in school‐going children of hilly and foothill regions of Eastern Himalayas using the pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine screening method
Authors: Sabui Tapas Kumar , Samanta Moumita , Mondal Rakesh Kumar , Banerjee Indira , Saren Abishek , Hazra Avijit 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo study the prevalence and pattern of musculosketetal abnormalities in school‐going children living in the hilly and foothill regions of the Eastern Himalayas using the pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine (pGALS) screening tool.MethodsTotal of 3608 children, aged 3–12 years were enrolled from 16 schools (5 in the hills) in the eastern Himalayan region. After the three screening questions, the pGALS maneuvers were administered. Subjects were shown a video on pGALS before the actual testing. Those detected to have abnormality were probed in greater detail and referred for treatment as necessary.ResultsThe pGALS examination was completed in 3463 children with a median time of 3 min (range 1.9–5.4 min). The abnormality pattern was in the order: growing pains (38.86%), hypermobility (25.54%), mechanical pains (24.46%) and others (11.14%). Among mechanical pain, back and neck problems occurred with a similar overall frequency of 7.61%. Similar order was observed considering only children from the pains. However, in hill children, the proportion of mechanical problems (32.28%) exceeded proportion of hypermobility (23.62%). Asymptomatic hypermobility was more common than symptomatic hypermobility. Maximum prevalence of hypermobility was in 6–9 year age group. Of the 94 children with hypermobility, 55.32% had some kind of joint pain.ConclusionsPediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine is an acceptable screening tool for musculoskeletal abnormalities in apparently healthy children. Growing pain is the commonest musculoskeletal complaint while hypermobility is the commonest physical abnormality in school‐going children in the Eastern Himalayas. Asymptomatic hypermobility is more common than symptomatic hypermobility.
Is emotional lability a marker for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and aggression symptoms in preschoolers?
Authors: Maire Jenna , Galéra Cédric , Meyer Eric , Salla Julie , Michel Grégory 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundEmotional lability (EL) is frequent in school‐aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is associated with more frequent comorbidities and more severe impairment. However, little research has investigated the association between EL, ADHD and comorbid symptoms in preschoolers. This study assessed dimensional EL in preschoolers and its link with ADHD symptoms (e.g. hyperactivity‐impulsivity and inattention) and behavioural and emotional problems (e.g. aggression and anxiety).MethodOne hundred and fifty‐four preschoolers aged 3–6 years old were rated on questionnaires by parents. EL was assessed with the index from the Conners Rating Scale‐Revised and behavioural and emotional problems with an adapted version of the Social Behavior Questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions analyses were conducted.ResultsHigher EL was associated with higher hyperactivity‐impulsivity, inattention, anxiety and aggression problems. After controlling for other behavioural and emotional problems and sociodemographic variables, EL remained associated with hyperactivity‐impulsivity and anxiety.ConclusionsEmotional lability seems to be a potential marker for ADHD symptoms with internalizing problems in preschoolers and could be a target for diagnosis and early interventions. This finding should be treated with caution as the study was limited by the low response rate of the participants and consequently the small sample size.
Thirty years of research show alcohol to be a cause of intimate partner violence: Future research needs to identify who to treat and how to treat them
Authors: Leonard Kenneth E. , Quigley Brian M. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractResearch over the past 30 years has demonstrated that excessive alcohol use meets all of the epidemiological criteria for causality. While neither a necessary nor a sufficient cause, excessive alcohol use does contribute to the occurrence of partner violence and that contribution is approximately equal to other contributing causes such as gender roles, anger and marital functioning. Current theories of how excessive drinking results in partner violence provide a potentially valuable framework with respect to who should be targeted for interventions with respect to alcohol‐related partner violence and what those interventions should address.
Early and late diastolic strain rate vs global longitudinal strain at rest and during dobutamine stress for the assessment of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with a moderate and high probability of coronary artery disease
Authors: Rumbinaite Egle , Zaliaduonyte‐Peksiene Diana , Lapinskas Tomas , Zvirblyte Ruta , Karuzas Arnas , Jonauskiene Ieva , Viezelis Mindaugas , Ceponiene Indre , Gustiene Olivija , Slapikas Rimvydas , Vaskelyte Jolanta Justina 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundThe aim of this prospective study was to assess the usefulness of global longitudinal strain (GLS), regional diastolic and systolic strain, strain rate (SR) parameters at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography for detecting significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with a moderate or high probability of coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsDobutamine stress echocardiography and adenosine magnetic resonance imaging (AMRI) were performed on 127 patients with a moderate and high probability of CAD and left ventricle ejection fraction ≥55%. CAD was defined as ≥70% diameter stenosis on coronary angiography validated as hemodynamically significant by AMRI. Patients were grouped according to coronary angiography and AMRI results: CAD (−) n=67 (52.8%) vs CAD (+) n=60 (47.2%).ResultsThere were no significant differences of clinical characteristics, conventional echocardiography, and deformation parameters between the two groups at rest except that GLS was higher in the CAD (−) group (−21.5±2.4% vs −16.2±2.1%, P=.00). GLS at high dobutamine doses had the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) (AUC 0.955, sensitivity 94%, specificity 92%). Radial late diastolic SR at low doses performed best out of all diastolic parameters with an AUC of 0.789, sensitivity 76.7%, specificity 91.7%. Other deformation parameters including visual assessment were inferior.ConclusionsGlobal longitudinal strain is highly sensitive and specific in detecting hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis in moderate‐ to high‐risk patients without known CAD. This is the first study showing that GLS is more sensitive and specific compared with early and late diastolic SR parameters or visual assessment in detecting CAD.