The Effects of Corporate Diversification and Control on Division Risk-Taking Strategy and Performance

This research explored two major functions of corporate strategic management, corporate diversification (core-business relatedness) and corporate control, and their implications for divisional strategic management. Four research questions were raised to address these issues: (1) does core-business relatedness matter to division performance? (2) how does core-business relatedness influence corporate control? (3) how does core-business relatedness influence division risk-taking strategies and performance? and (4) how does corporate control influence division risk-taking strategies and performance? Adopting the resource-based view and organizational learning theory, this study proposed that core-business related divisions would outperform unrelated divisions and that core-business related divisions would have higher commitment to risk-taking strategies than would unrelated divisions. From a strategic management perspective, it was hypothesized that corporate control would be differentiated by core-business relatedness. Viewing the relationship between a corporate office and its divisions from an agency theoretical perspective, this study suggested that corporate control would influence division risk-taking strategy. Finally, from a strategic management perspective, this study proposed the moderating effects of core-business relatedness and corporate control on the relationship between division risk-taking strategy and performance. Korean business groups were selected as samples because they provided objective divisional performance data. Data was collected from 57 affiliated companies of 32 Korean business groups. Two indicators of risk-taking strategy were used to test the hypotheses: R&D investment and internationalization. T-test, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and multiple regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses. The results show that core-business relatedness positively influences division performance. Core-business relatedness was found to positively affect divisional R&D investment but not divisional internationalization. Corporate control was found to be not differentiated by core-business relatedness. The moderating effect of core-business relatedness on the relationship between division risk-taking strategies and performance was not found. The results show that decentralized corporate control positively influenced division R&D investment. In contrast, centralized corporate control positively influenced division internationalization. The moderating effect of corporate control was not found

Anderson transition of in-gap quasiparticles in a quasi-two-dimensional disordered superconductor

The Anderson transition of Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) quasiparticles in superconducting state has been studied theoretically for last three decades. However, its experimental proof is lacking. In particular, the relationship of the superconducting order-parameter fluctuations and the Anderson transition of BdG quasiparticles have not been well understood. Our study, based on scanning tunneling microscopy measurements, investigates how BdG quasiparticles become Anderson-localized and delocalized as a function of energy and applied magnetic field in a quasi-two-dimensional Fe-based superconductor with sufficient zero-bias BdG quasiparticles. The anomalous multifractal spectra based on the spatial distributions of the pairing gaps and the coherent peak heights suggest that superconducting fluctuations play a key role in the delocalization of in-gap BdG quasiparticles. Our real-space Hartree-Fock-BCS-Anderson simulations and renormalization group analysis with pairing fluctuations support quasiparticle localization and suggest that enhanced pairing fluctuations lead to delocalization of BdG quasiparticles and "weak localization" of phase-fluctuating Cooper pairs in quasi-two-dimensional disordered superconductors. The present study proposes that the 10-fold way classification scheme has to be generalized to take order-parameter fluctuations in actual quantum matter. Also, it shed light on how ac energy loss due to quasiparticles at Fermi level can be controlled in a quasi-2d superconductor with sufficient pairing fluctuation

Fibrinogen gamma-A chain precursor in CSF: a candidate biomarker for Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be valuable for exploring protein markers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prospect of early detection and treatment, to slow progression, holds hope for aging populations with increased average lifespan. The aim of the present study was to investigate candidate CSF biological markers in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD and compare them with age-matched normal control subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We applied proteomics approaches to analyze CSF samples derived from 27 patients with AD, 3 subjects with MCI and 30 controls. The AD group was subdivided into three groups by clinical severity according to clinical dementia rating (CDR), a well known clinical scale for dementia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrated an elevated level of fibrinogen gamma-A chain precursor protein in CSF from patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD compared to the age-matched normal subjects. Moreover, its expression was more prominent in the AD group than in the MCI and correlated with disease severity and progression. In contrast, fibrinogen gamma-A chain precursor protein was detected very low in the age-matched normal group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that the CSF level of fibrinogen gamma-A chain precursor may be a candidate biomarker for AD.</p

The Effect of Competitive Advantage and Human Advantage on Industrial Competitive Strategy (Case Study: Smis in Gorontalo Province)

Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) have a strategic role in the Indonesian economy, as they earn 61.9 percent of the foreign exchange which goes to make up the nation\u27s Gross Domestic Product, and nationally they are able to absorb 97 percent of the workforce. The Global Competitiveness Report also notes that SMIs serve as the business units that affect every nation\u27s competitiveness. Considering this strategic role, the selection of a competitive strategy for these SMIs is absolutely necessary. Through an in-depth literature review, this study aims to explore what variables influence the competitive strategy of industries, particularly the SMIs. By using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with a total of 31 main literature (articles, papers and books), this study has found two dominant factors that influence industrial competitive strategy: Competitive advantage and human advantage, which are subsequently developed into six independent variables (construct variables), i.e. cost, delivery, product quality, product variety, know-how and innovativeness, with a total of 44 indicators. The results of measurements of the sample of SMIs in Gorontalo Province, using Structural Equation Modeling, found that both competitive advantage and human advantage jointly influence 40.2 percent of the industrial competitive strategies. These results indicate that competitive strategies, such as creating products with unique features, on-time delivery, flexibility in production, and employee involvement in the innovations, are indispensable to SMIs in order for them to produce quality products and be able to maintain their advantage

Design of Highly Sensitive C2H5OH Sensors Using Self-Assembled ZnO Nanostructures

Various ZnO nanostructures such as porous nanorods and two hierarchical structures consisting of porous nanosheets or crystalline nanorods were prepared by the reaction of mixtures of oleic-acid-dissolved ethanol solutions and aqueous dissolved Zn-precursor solutions in the presence of NaOH. All three ZnO nanostructures showed sensitive and selective detection of C2H5OH. In particular, ultra-high responses (Ra/Rg = ∼1,200, Ra: resistance in air, Rg: resistance in gas) to 100 ppm C2H5OH was attained using porous nanorods and hierarchical structures assembled from porous nanosheets, which is one of the highest values reported in the literature. The gas response and linearity of gas sensors were discussed in relation to the size, surface area, and porosity of the nanostructures

Predictive performance of the new race-free Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations for kidney outcome in Korean patients with chronic kidney disease

Background The new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations without a race coefficient have gained recognition across the United States. We aimed to test whether these new equations performed well in Korean patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods This study included 2,149 patients with CKD G1–G5 without kidney replacement therapy from the Korean Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients with CKD (KNOW-CKD). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the new CKD-EPI equations with serum creatinine and cystatin C. The primary outcome was 5-year risk of kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT). Results When we adopted the new creatinine equation [eGFRcr (NEW)], 81 patients (23.1%) with CKD G3a based on the current creatinine equation (eGFRcr) were reclassified as CKD G2. Accordingly, the number of patients with eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 decreased from 1,393 (64.8%) to 1,312 (61.1%). The time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for 5-year KFRT risk was comparable between the eGFRcr (NEW) (0.941; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.922–0.960) and eGFRcr (0.941; 95% CI, 0.922–0.961). The eGFRcr (NEW) showed slightly better discrimination and reclassification than the eGFRcr. However, the new creatinine and cystatin C equation [eGFRcr-cys (NEW)] performed similarly to the current creatinine and cystatin C equation. Furthermore, eGFRcr-cys (NEW) did not show better performance for KFRT risk than eGFRcr (NEW). Conclusion Both the current and the new CKD-EPI equations showed excellent predictive performance for 5-year KFRT risk in Korean patients with CKD. These new equations need to be further tested for other clinical outcomes in Koreans

Comparison of orthopaedic manifestations of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia caused by MATN3 versus COMP mutations: a case control study

Background : Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a relatively common skeletal dysplasia mainly involving the epiphyses of the long bones. However, it is a genetically heterogeneous group of diseases sharing certain aspects of the radiologic phenotype. In surveys conducted in East Asia, MATN3 was the most common causative gene, followed by COMP. In this study, the authors compared clinical manifestation of MED patients caused by MATN3 and COMP gene mutations, as well as subsequent orthopaedic interventions. Methods : Fifty nine molecularly-confirmed MED patients were subjects of this study. The MATN3 gene mutation group comprised of 37 patients (9 female, 28 male). The COMP gene mutation consisted of 22 cases (15 females, 7 males). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed, and questionnaire surveys or telephone interviews were conducted. Results : At the first presentation, the mean age was 8.8 ± 2.8 years (mean ± standard deviation) in the MATN3 group, and 8.5 ± 3.5 years in the COMP group (p = 0.670). The height in the COMP group was significantly shorter than those in the MATN3 group (p < 0.001). Gait abnormality at the first visit (p = 0.041) and the lastest follow-up (p = 0.037) were statistically significant difference. Hip pain (p = 0.084), limitation of daily activity (p = 0.075) at the latest follow-up tended to be more frequent in the COMP group. Hip dysplasia was more common in the COMP group, having significantly larger acetabular angle (p = 0.037), smaller center-edge angle (p = 0.002), severe Stulberg classification (p < 0.001), and smaller femoral head coverage (p < 0.001). Conclusions : Clinical manifestations of MED caused by MATN3 were milder than manifestations of the COMP mutation group. These differences in clinical manifestation and prognosis justify molecular differentiation between the two genotypes.This study was supported by a grant from the SNUH Research Fund (No. 04-2013-0640).Peer Reviewe

Comparison of orthopaedic manifestations of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia caused by MATN3 versus COMP mutations: a case control study

Background : Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a relatively common skeletal dysplasia mainly involving the epiphyses of the long bones. However, it is a genetically heterogeneous group of diseases sharing certain aspects of the radiologic phenotype. In surveys conducted in East Asia, MATN3 was the most common causative gene, followed by COMP. In this study, the authors compared clinical manifestation of MED patients caused by MATN3 and COMP gene mutations, as well as subsequent orthopaedic interventions. Methods : Fifty nine molecularly-confirmed MED patients were subjects of this study. The MATN3 gene mutation group comprised of 37 patients (9 female, 28 male). The COMP gene mutation consisted of 22 cases (15 females, 7 males). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed, and questionnaire surveys or telephone interviews were conducted. Results : At the first presentation, the mean age was 8.8 ± 2.8 years (mean ± standard deviation) in the MATN3 group, and 8.5 ± 3.5 years in the COMP group (p = 0.670). The height in the COMP group was significantly shorter than those in the MATN3 group (p < 0.001). Gait abnormality at the first visit (p = 0.041) and the lastest follow-up (p = 0.037) were statistically significant difference. Hip pain (p = 0.084), limitation of daily activity (p = 0.075) at the latest follow-up tended to be more frequent in the COMP group. Hip dysplasia was more common in the COMP group, having significantly larger acetabular angle (p = 0.037), smaller center-edge angle (p = 0.002), severe Stulberg classification (p < 0.001), and smaller femoral head coverage (p < 0.001). Conclusions : Clinical manifestations of MED caused by MATN3 were milder than manifestations of the COMP mutation group. These differences in clinical manifestation and prognosis justify molecular differentiation between the two genotypes.This study was supported by a grant from the SNUH Research Fund (No. 04-2013-0640).Peer Reviewe