bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of LBO operating performance: an empirical investigation in Latin America
Authors: Sannajust Aurélie , Arouri Mohamed , Chevalier Alain 
Published: March 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to extend the research on private equity by studying the drivers of leveraged buyout (LBO) operating performance in Latin America. The authors consider a large set of candidate drivers (financial, governance, macroeconomic and industry variables) and study their effects on performance over short- and long-terms.Design/methodology/approach– To conduct this study, the authors used Capital IQ as a database as well as a hand-collected data set covering LBO in Latin America from 2000 to 2008.Findings– The empirical results show that macroeconomic variables have an important impact on LBO value creation. Governance variables show also that LBO transactions reduce information asymmetries between existing and new management teams. Consequently, a concentrated shareholder structure has a better impact on performance than diluted stockholders. Financial variables present significant effects after the delisting.Research limitations/implications– The characteristics of the debts included in the balance sheets (maturity for example) are not available in the authors' data basis. A test including this information could bring other elements of explanation. The measure of cumulative abnormal returns around going-private announcements and their impacts on shareholder’s value could also be of interest. This last study has been published for the UK (Wrightet al., 2006). Further research should introduce other continents and particularly Asia in the analysis but also comparisons between the Brazil–Russia–India–China–South Africa (BRICS) countries.Originality/value– This study makes five main contributions. First, the authors construct an LBO sample with emerging markets and specially Latin America. It is the first time that an academic article has been realized. Data are very difficult to obtain to do empirical tests. Latin America is a part of emerging markets, which is an interesting study subject due to their attractiveness in terms of growth of private equity funds. Second, to understand clearly how LBOs create value, the authors construct a sample control to highlight the key factors. Criteria of size, sector of activity and Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes were strictly enforced. Third, the authors do not focus on the moment where the transaction is realized like many studies but before and after the delisting. Indeed, they observed, on the one hand, the operating performance between year −1 and year +1 and, on the other hand, the operating performance between year −1 and year +3. Generally, only the market reaction around the acquisition announcement is examined. Post-performance is not considered due to lack of data. Fourth, the authors take into account the macroeconomic effects on performance of LBOs. It is the first examination of the impact of macroeconomic factors on performance of LBOs in Latin America. And fifth, they analyze the impact of going-private decisions on employees.
Cash holdings, political connections, and earnings quality
Authors: Al-dhamari Redhwan , Ku Ismail Ku Nor Izah 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of cash holding, political connection and their interaction effect on earnings quality in the Malaysian environment, where political influence plays a vital role in many aspects of business dealings and resources allocation is seriously affected by politics.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper uses ordinary least square and seemingly unrelated regressions upon a sample of the Malaysian top 100 listed firms.

Findings
– This paper finds that earnings of firms with excess cash reserves are of high quality. Consistent with previous research, the study finds that investors perceive earnings numbers of politically connected firms as being of low quality. However, this research fails to support an expectation that the adverse consequences of holding a large amount of cash to earnings quality would be more pronounced when political extraction is high. The findings of this study suggest that policy makers should encourage or mandate firms to disclose information in relation to their connections with government, political party, or politicians so that investors and all interested parties can use the information to better assess the firms’ earnings quality.

Originality/value
– This research is considered as the first attempt to examine the relationships between cash holdings, political connections, and earnings quality in a developing country such as Malaysia.
The Global Financial Crisis: what have we learned so far?
Authors: Neuhauser Karyn L. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to provide a cohesive review of the major findings in the literature concerning the Global Financial Crisis.

Design/methodology/approach
– Papers published in top-rated finance and economics journal since the crisis up to the present were reviewed. A large number of these were selected for inclusion, primarily based on the number of citations they had received adjusted for the amount of time elapsed since their publication, but also partly based on how well they fit in with the narrative.

Findings
– Much has been done to investigate the causes of the Global Financial Crisis, its effects on various aspects of the financial system, and the effectiveness of regulatory measures undertaken to restore the financial system. While more remains to be done, the existing body of research paints an interesting picture of what happened and why it happened, describes the interrelationships between the mortgage markets and financial markets created by the large scale securitization of financial assets, identifies the problems created by these inter-linkages and offers possible solutions, and assesses the effectiveness of the regulatory response to the crisis.

Originality/value
– This study summarizes a vast amount of literature using a framework that allows the reader to quickly absorb a large amount of information as well as identify specific works that they may wish to examine more closely. By providing a picture of what has been done, it may also assist the reader in identifying areas that should be the subject of future research.
Agency behavior and corporate restructuring choices during performance decline in an emerging economy
Authors: Pandey I. M. , Ongpipattanakul Visit 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– Restructuring strategies are complicated processes and choices are influenced by and interact with the agreements and conflicts of interest among stakeholders. Firms in the emerging economies are characterized by high growth, high leverage, less effective corporate governance and different legal and institution context as compared to the firms in the developed economies. The purpose of this paper is to explain the agency monitoring variables that influence decisions to select and/or avoid restructuring strategies of the firms that have experienced a performance decline in an emerging economy. The authors have chosen Thailand as an example of an emerging economy as it was believed as the center of the major Asian economic crisis in mid-1997.

Design/methodology/approach
– The sample of the study comprises 120 Thai non-financial firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, all of which experienced a performance decline for two consecutive years during 1997-2008; the years 1997 and 1998 coinciding with financial crisis. The study uses panel logistic regressions to examine the likelihood of the choices of restructuring strategies given the agency variables after controlling for other possible influences.

Findings
– The results show that restructuring strategy choices are significantly influenced by both agency factors and control variables. The results show both similarities to and differences from earlier studies of the developed economies. The similarities are found in leverage agency behaviors. The differences in the results are found in the types and the details of the agency factors, in particular the management ownership and governance factors. The authors also explore the effects of the agency variables interactions on the choices of restructuring strategies of the performance-declining firms.

Research limitations/implications
– Emerging economies have many similarities, but they also demonstrate some country specific differences. This study is confined to one single country, and thus, may not be comparable with other emerging economies due to differences in factors such as regulatory, institutional, tax environments etc. However, it does show a way to conduct such studies in the context of other countries.

Originality/value
– To the knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study of corporate restructuring in an emerging economy, particularly of the South-East Asian economy. The authors also show, for the first time, the agency variables interactions effects on the restructuring strategies of the firms. Thus, the study contributes to the growing literature of the corporate restructuring in terms of the contextual knowledge of the emerging economies.
An institutional theory of quality outcomes in strategic supply chain partnership
Authors: Mellat-Parast Mahour 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical base for buyer-supplier quality outcomes (in the context of a strategic partnership) from the institutional theory of the firm. It examines quality outcomes within a partnership and demonstrates how the partners’ quality outcomes are related.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper examines quality outcomes within a strategic supply chain partnership (buyer-supplier) and demonstrates how the partners’ quality performance are related. Correlation analysis is used to examine the research hypothesis.

Findings
– Utilizing the institutional theory and stakeholder theory of the firm, it is argued that within a strategic partnership, the quality outcomes of the partners are significantly related. By focusing on a strategic alliance within a strategic group in the US airline industry, it is shown that there is a significant relationship among quality outcomes of the partners within the strategic alliance.

Research limitations/implications
– The analysis was limited to only one strategic partnership. Future research should examine quality outcomes among multiple strategic partnerships in order to validate the findings of this study.

Originality/value
– The study discusses the importance of strategic alliances and networks of firms as determinants of firm quality performance.
An attractiveness index based approach for warranty optimization
Authors: Ambad Prashant M. , Kulkarni Makarand S. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to develop an attractiveness index-based warranty cost model considering decision variables as design alternatives, warranty duration and support level.

Design/methodology/approach
– A warranty optimization approach is illustrated using a real life example of an automobile engine with Mean Time Between Failures and Warranty Attractiveness Index as constraints.

Findings
– It will help to improve the customer satisfaction by giving a more attractive warranty compared to that being offered by the competitors.

Practical implications
– Approaches that consider the effect of decision variables on attractiveness of a warranty policy in a quantitative manner have received relatively less attention. The paper attempts to capture the attractiveness of warranty from the manufacturer as well as customer point of view.

Originality/value
– The proposed approach will help manufacturers to take appropriate decisions related to warranty parameters and component selection at the design stage.
BRAF,KIT and NRAS mutations and expression of c‐KIT, phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and phosphorylated AKT in Japanese melanoma patients
Authors: Oyama Satomi , Funasaka Yoko , Watanabe Atsushi , Takizawa Toshihiro , Kawana Seiji , Saeki Hidehisa 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTo clarify the status of gene mutation and activation of growth signal in melanoma of Japanese patients in vivo, we analyzed the mutation of BRAF exon 15, NRAS exon 2, and KIT exons 9, 11, 13, 17 and 18 in melanoma cells obtained by laser capture microdissection, and performed direct sequencing in 20 cases of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and 17 cases of superficial spreading melanoma (SSM). In the study of the mutation of BRAF, pyrosequencing was also done. To examine the cell proliferation signaling, immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (pERK), phosphorylated AKT (phosphorylated AKT) and c‐KIT was done. The mutation of BRAF p.V600E was detected in 13 cases of ALM (65.0%) and 12 cases of SSM (70.6%). No NRAS mutation was found in all cases. The mutation in exons 9, 11, and 18 of KIT was detected in nine cases. The mutation of BRAF and KIT showed no correlation with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor thickness, ulceration and histology. pERK and pAKT was observed in small population of melanoma cells and there was no correlation with gene mutation. Our results indicate that the mutations of BRAF and KIT exist in Japanese melanoma patients, however, the cell growth signaling may be regulated by not only these mutated genes, but by other unknown regulatory factors, which may affect the prognosis of melanoma.
Recurrent gastrointestinal perforation in a patient with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome due to tenascin‐X deficiency
Authors: Sakiyama Tomo , Kubo Akiharu , Sasaki Takashi , Yamada Taketo , Yabe Nobushige , Matsumoto Ken‐ichi , Futei Yuko 
Published: March 2015

AbstractEhlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. Using a customized targeted exome‐sequencing system we identified nonsense mutations in TNXB in a patient who had recurrent gastrointestinal perforation due to tissue fragility. This case highlights the utility of targeted exome sequencing for the diagnosis of congenital diseases showing genetic heterogeneity, and the importance of attention to gastrointestinal perforation in patients with tenascin‐X deficient type EDS.
Ant‐mediated ecosystem functions on a warmer planet: effects on soil movement, decomposition and nutrient cycling
Authors: Del Toro Israel , Ribbons Relena R. , Ellison Aaron M. 
Published: March 2015

Summary

Direct and indirect consequences of global warming on ecosystem functions and processes mediated by invertebrates remain understudied but are likely to have major impacts on ecosystems in the future. Among animals, invertebrates are taxonomically diverse, responsive to temperature changes, and play major ecological roles which also respond to temperature changes.

We used a mesocosm experiment to evaluate impacts of two warming treatments (+3·5 and +5 °C, set‐points) and the presence and absence of the ant Formica subsericea (a major mediator of processes in north temperate ecosystems) on decomposition rate, soil movement, soil respiration and nitrogen availability.

Replicate 19‐L mesocosms were placed outdoors in lathe houses and continuously warmed for 30 days in 2011 and 85 days in 2012. Warming treatments mimicked expected temperature increases for future climates in eastern North America.

In both years, the amount of soil displaced and soil respiration increased in the warming and ant presence treatments (soil movement: 73–119%; soil respiration: 37–48% relative to the control treatments without ants).

Decomposition rate and nitrogen availability tended to decrease in the warmest treatments (decomposition rate: −26 to −30%; nitrate availability: −11 to −42%).

Path analyses indicated that ants had significant short‐term direct and indirect effects on the studied ecosystem processes. These results suggest that ants may be moving more soil and building deeper nests to escape increasing temperatures, but warming may also influence their direct and indirect effects on soil ecosystem processes.
Characterization of Protein Alterations in Damaged Axons in the Brainstem Following Traumatic Brain Injury Using Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Zhang Ji , Niu Fei , Dong Hongmei , Liu Liang , Li Jie , Li Shangxun 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAxonal injury contributes greatly to neurological dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI), but current histological diagnostic methods are limited in identifying the pathological profiles of injured axons and unable to provide an objective and accurate quantification. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) has the ability to offer macromolecular bioinformatics of the tissues including biochemical composition and structure by calculating band absorption intensity. In this study, axonal injury in the brainstem of rats with traumatic brain injury at 72 h post‐trauma, which was confirmed with beta‐amyloid precursor protein (β‐APP) immunostaining, was detected with FTIRM technique. The lower intensity of infrared absorbance under the amide I band corresponds strongly to the area of axonal injury, and further analysis of amide I band shows significant differences in protein conformation between injured and normal axons. The findings indicate that using FTIRM technique, the amide I band has potentials to be a infrared spectral marker of axonal injury.
Trends in home enteral nutrition at a tertiary teaching hospital: 2005–2013
Authors: Parker Elizabeth Kumiko , Faruquie Sahrish Sonia , Talbot Peter 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimThere are limited data on home enteral nutrition patients in NSW because of the lack of a state‐wide or national registry in Australia. The present study aimed to report on the trends in home enteral nutrition at a tertiary teaching hospital in NSW Australia, from 2005 to 2013.MethodsA 9‐year retrospective study (2005–2013) on the trends of home enteral nutrition was performed by retrieving data from a database set up specifically for home enteral nutrition patients at the study hospital.ResultsThe number of home enteral nutrition patients at the study hospital is increasing; however, the rate of expansion has slowed down. Mean age ranged from 52.3 to 55.7 years during the study period and the most common primary diagnosis of patients remained cancer, non‐malignant respiratory disease and neurological disorders. Over time there has been a notable increase in patients requiring oral nutrition support, and a corresponding decrease in patients requiring enteral tube feeding. Gastrostomy tubes remained the most common type of enteral access device for tube fed patients; however, an increase in jejunostomy tubes was observed. Death was the principal reason for discharge from the service followed by completion of home enteral nutrition.ConclusionsThe use of home enteral nutrition has increased in the last 9 years at the study hospital. Most patients were registered for oral nutrition support and had an underlying cancer diagnosis, which may have contributed to the high rate of death observed in this patient population.
Sociocultural factors and perceptions associated with type 2 diabetes among sub‐Saharan African migrants in Melbourne, Victoria
Authors: Issaka Ayuba , Lamaro Greer , Renzaho André 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo explore how non‐diabetic sub‐Saharan African migrants residing in Melbourne, construct and interpret type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its risk factors and to provide an evidence‐based theoretical framework to inform community‐based prevention programs.MethodsSeven focus group discussions (two with women only, two with men only and three of mixed gender) were carried out among Ghanaian, Zimbabwean, Sudanese and Burundian migrants living in Melbourne (n = 61; age range: 18 to 61 years).ResultsThree distinct themes emerged: not paying much attention to the threat of T2DM and othering; T2DM being outside the individuals' control; and entrapment within rich industrialised culture and lifestyle. Participants perceived T2DM to be a disease of the wealthy caused by intake of too much sugar and sedentary behaviour, which were particularly compounded by lifestyle‐related changes upon migration to an industrialised country. However, they also perceived T2DM to be associated with bad luck.ConclusionsCulturally competent prevention and education programs are needed to increase health literacy and dispel religious and cultural myths about T2DM among sub‐Saharan African migrants.
Citation classics in the nutrition and dietetics literature: 50 frequently cited articles
Authors: Lo Kenneth K.H. , Wong April H.C. , Tam Wilson W.S. , Ho Suzanne C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo identify the most cited articles under the category of ‘Nutrition and Dietetics’ and the reasons behind high citation rates; and to investigate reasons for journals having high impact factors (IFs).MethodsThe 50 most cited articles were selected in August 2013 after sourcing all journals published from 1956 to 2013 under the category ‘Nutrition and Dietetics’ in the Institute for Scientific Information Journal Citation Reports: Science Edition 2012 database. Journals were categorised by country, number of top cited papers published in particular journal, language, year of publication of the first volume and IF. Articles were classified based on country location of the study design, research area, first author's institution and organisation. Relationship between country of origin and high IF was determined.ResultsTwenty‐seven of 76 journals originated from USA, and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published 17 of the 50 most cited articles. The most common study designs of the most cited articles ranged from ‘basic science’ and ‘development and validation of tools’ (1960–1979) to ‘literature and systematic reviews’ (after 2000). The most frequently studied fields shifted from ‘nutritional status, dietary intake, and body composition’ and ‘obesity and eating disorder’ (1960–1979) to ‘vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals’ (after 2000).ConclusionsThe majority of top cited articles and journals originate from the USA. The common study designs and research topics in ‘Nutrition and Dietetics’ have changed over the years. An evolution from basic science to translational research and changing awareness from nutrition deficiency to disease prevention were observed.
Predictors of breastfeeding duration for rural women in a high‐income country: evidence from a cohort study
Authors: Cox Kylee , Binns Colin W. , Giglia Roslyn 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo determine the prevalence of exclusive and ‘any breastfeeding’ at six months in rural Western Australia and to identify the predictors of exclusive and ‘any breastfeeding’ duration up to 12 months.MethodsA total of 427 mothers (52% of those contacted) were recruited from maternity services in rural WA and asked to complete a baseline questionnaire. Mothers were recontacted at 4, 6, 10, 16, 26, 32, 40 and 52 weeks to determine factors associated with feeding practices.ResultsSmoking during pregnancy was the strongest predictor of exclusive breastfeeding cessation before six months (aHR 3.21, 95% CI 1.89, 5.46). A favourable attitude towards breastfeeding, a body mass index of <30 and a return to work after six months were associated with reduced risk of breastfeeding cessation before both six and 12 months.ConclusionBreastfeeding duration in rural Western Australia is influenced by modifiable factors such as smoking during pregnancy and prepregnancy obesity, therefore strategies to address these risk factors in rural women prior to delivery may contribute to improved breastfeeding rates.