Effects of mergers on corporate performance: An empirical evaluation using OLS and the empirical Bayesian methods

AbstractIn this paper, we empirically examine the impact of mergers on corporate financial performance in Pakistan using data on the deals occurred during the period 1995–2012. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and empirical Bayesian estimation methods are applied to carry out empirical analysis. The OLS regression results suggest that the merger deals do not have any significant impact on the profitability, liquidity, and leverage position of the firms. However, the estimates indicate that the merger deals have a negative and statistically significant impact on quick ratio of merged/acquirer firms. We show that the results of the empirical Bayesian method are largely consistent with the OLS results

HYBRID BONE SCINTIGRAPHY IN GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCIES – INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Objective: Bone metastases in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are uncommon and known to be predominantly lytic thus rendering a limited role for conventional bone scintigraphy. The aim of the study is to review Tc99m MDP bone scans performed in patients with known GI malignancy and the utility of Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT in characterization of bone lesions.Methods: Retrospective review of bone scans was done from June 2014 to December 2016 in patients with known GI malignancy, using electronic Hospital Information System.Results: A total of 110 patients (60 males, 50 females; Age range: 22–84 years, Mean Age 51.4 years with SD of 14.8) had bone scan over a period of 30 months. The commonest indications for referral were suspected bone metastasis on other imaging modalities including [CT (n = 56), Magnetic resonance imaging (n = 10), Positron emission tomography/CT (n = 6)], musculoskeletal pain (n = 37), pathological fracture (n = 1), neurological symptoms (n = 1), hypercalcemia (n = 1) and others (n =14) including restaging workup etc. Metastatic lesions were identified in 32 (29%) patients whereas 78 (71%) patients had benign non-aggressive lesions leading to normal bone scans. Among 32 patients with osseous metastasis, 8 (25%) patients had unifocal lesion; axial skeleton (n = 2) appendicular skeleton (n = 6), 24 (75%) patients had multifocal lesions; axial skeleton (n = 6), appendicular skeleton (n = 6) and both axial + appendicular (n = 12). Four (12%) patients had concurrent visceral metastases. In our cohort, based on the location of primary tumour, the frequencies of osseous metastasis were; esophagus = 15 out of 43 (35%), gastric = 7 out of 18 (39 %), gastro-esophageal junction = 1 out of 8 (1.5%) and colorectal = 9 out of 40 (22.5). SPECT/CT was acquired in 29 out of 110 patients, which characterized metastatic lesions (n = 12) and benign looking non-aggressive entities (n =17). Overall, bone scan upstaged disease in 31% and down staged 15% patients.Conclusion: Bone metastases in GI malignancies, though uncommon, show an aggressive pattern, with axial and appendicular involvement, and can be readily identified with hybrid bone scintigraphy in symptomatic patients. Key words: Hybrid imaging, Tc99m MDP, bone metastases, gastrointestinal malignancie

CASTLEMAN DISEASE: A GREAT MIMICKER OF METASTASES IN RADIOIODINE REFRACTORY THYROID CANCER

A 27-year-old male underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid swelling. Histopathology showed papillary thyroid carcinoma [T3 - 6.0 cm] with extra-thyroidal extension. The patient was treated with 150 mCi radioactive iodine(RAI) as adjuvant ablative therapy. Radioiodine refractory disease was identified 1-year post-RAI therapy with elevated thyroglobulin levels and negative I-131 whole body scan. F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computedtomography scan showed activity in the right thyroid bed and multilevel right cervical nodes. Right-sided modified neck dissection was done, which showed Castleman disease (hyaline vascular type) in right cervical nodes. The most probable cause of elevated tumour markers was found out to be 0.6 cm right thyroid bed nodule on follow-up ultrasonography. Our patient also had coexistent conditions as; osteopoikilosis and Hepatitis C along with thyroid carcinoma.Key words: Castleman disease, lymph node, radioiodine, thyroid cance

A Painless Thoracic Aortic Dissection

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) has a very high mortality rate and is often missed due to the atypical presentation of patients. We present a case of a man with chronic hypertension, atrial fibrillation (AF) (on regular warfarin) and a previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), who presented with dyspepsia and was incidentally found to have a ruptured distal thoracic aneurysm on imaging with no obvious clinical signs on examination, nor abnormalities on admission chest x-ray (CXR)

The Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Width in Kashmiri Population

Introduction: Determining the width of maxillary anterior teeth is a difficult aspect in complete denture fabrication. The width of maxillary anterior teeth is determined by taking various anatomical landmarks on the face as a guide, such as the interpupillary, interalar, intercommissure and interzygomatic distance, etc. The present clinical study was carried out to evaluate the relationships between maxillary anterior teeth measurements (canine to canine and central incisor width) and various horizontal facial parameters. Materials and methods: The facial and dental measurements were obtained directly from 60 Kashmiri  undergraduate dental students by using vernier calliper and dental floss. Result: Correlation analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation analysis and it was determined that the incisor width and canine to canine distance show positive correlation with some of the facial measurements. Conclusion: This study inferred that while most of the measurements showed a positive correlation with the incisor width and canine width in the different face forms none of them were found to be significant.&nbsp

Stop Voicing and F0 Perturbation in Pahari

The present study has been carried out to investigate the perturbation effect of the voicing of initial stops on the fundamental frequency (F0) of the following vowels in Pahari. Results show that F0 values are significantly higher following voiceless unaspirated stops than voiced stops. F0 contours indicate an initially falling pattern for vowel [a:] after voiced and voiceless unaspirated stops. A rising pattern after voiced stops and a falling pattern after voiceless unaspirated stops is observed after [i:] and [u:]. These results match Umeda (1981) who found that F0 of a vowel following voiceless stops starts high and drops sharply, but when the vowel follows a voiced stop, F0 starts at a relatively low frequency followed by a gradual rise. The present data show no statistically significant difference between the F0 values of vowels with different places of articulation. Place of articulation is thus the least influencing factor

Assessing Socioeconomic Differentiation of Rural Household Groups in Malaysia

The variation of rural Malaysian household groups is a result of their different socioeconomic backgrounds, as each household group tends to carry its own distinct economic potential. Therefore, in order to plan for the development of rural areas, it is essential to acknowledge the determinants that causes these economic variations to occur. This paper aims to assess the differentiation of rural households’ socioeconomic backgrounds in rural areas of Malaysia, and to highlight a review of relevant studies on 20 identified determinants for the differentiation of households' socioeconomic background according to five capitals (economic, social, human, cultural and environmental) as the fundamental framework in measuring household economic performance. Quantitative approach was used as a method to assess the variation of the determinants that causes the differentiation in socioeconomic backgrounds of household groups. Results from this study reveals the key findings on the levels of socioeconomic backgrounds based on six different household groups in Malaysia

The role of perceived social support, vocational self-efficacy and vocational outcome expectation on students’ interest in the TVET program

This study aimed at examining the predictors of students’ interest in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program among secondary school students in Pakistan. The sample of the study consisted of 386 secondary school students randomly drawn from the schools of Pakistan. For data collection, a set of self-reported questionnaire was designed, and multiple linear regression was conducted to evaluate the hypotheses raised for the study. Based on the social cognitive career theory, three variables were assessed. The combination of the research variables significantly contributed 61.2% (R 2 =0.61) to students’ interest in the TVET program. Meanwhile, vocational self-efficacy was found to be the most dominant factor contributing to students’ interest in the TVET program. In the light of these findings, it is suggested for intervention designed to increase secondary school students’ interest to take vocational self-efficacy into consideration. Finally, ideas for future research were discussed

A review on the nutritional content, functional properties and medicinal potential of dates

Abstract This review article emphasizes on the nutritional and functional constituents of dates. Dates are found to be rich in carbohydrates (44-88%), mainly glucose and fructose, but low in proteins (2.3-5.6%) and fats (0.2-0.5%). These are also a good source of vitamin B complex, dietary fiber, minerals, phenolics, carotenoids and antioxidants. Due to these important functional compounds, dates exhibit various health benefits by preventing various diseases. Keeping in view the detailed information on nutritional and health promoting components, dates may be considered as an almost ideal food, providing a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits