Host-Source Country linkages as determinants of foreign acquisitions by Indian MNEs

This experimental paper explains foreign acquisitions by Indian multinational enterprises by reference to location specific factors in both the source country (India) and host countries together with variables required designed to capture the distance between India and the host country, both geographic and psychic. The paper finds that country specific advantages play an important role in explaining Indian foreign acquisitions. The general model performs well and Indian institutional and domestic capital variables add explanatory value

Impact of Environmental Performance on Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Indian Banking Sector

There has been long-standing debate over whether or not firms gain economic competiveness from reducing their impact on the environment. Although ample literature is available on association between environmental performance and financial performance across various sectors, little empirical evidence is available in context of Indian banking sector. This research aims to analyze whether there is any significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India for a period 2013-14 to 2017-18. Secondary data has been collected for a sample of 83 banks operating in India. Content analysis was applied to extract information about environmental performance disclosed by sample banks followedby construction of environmental disclosure score index. Hierarchical multiple regression was applied to analyze relationship between environmental performance and financial performance after controlling for effects of size, financial leverage and capital intensity. Results exhibit no significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India. Findings of this research are expected to provide insight to users and readers of financial statements to have better understanding about the environmental practices carried out by banks. It would also contribute significantly towards decision making for policy makers in Indian banking sector to establish mandatory environmental legislations for reporting on environmental practices in order to improve non financial disclosure and financial performance in Indian banking sector

Thoracic trident pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster: latitudinal and altitudinal clines in Indian populations

International audienc

Analytical study of indications of cesarean section

Background: There has been an increase in rate of cesarean section over last few decades. There are various factors involved in the rise of rate of cesarean section. There has been an increase in primary cesarean section rate, a decrease in VBAC (Vaginal birth after cesarean section) trial, decrease in operative vaginal deliveries (Forceps/Ventouse), increase in litigations, increasing facility of electronic monitoring, and decreasing threshold of patients for bearing labor pains.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in 500 patients in the tertiary care hospital). The data were collected in a pre-designed proforma. Data were analysed by using SPSS version 20.0 Software. We have done a retrospective study of different indications of cesarean section amongst 500 patients who underwent cesarean section from March 2015 to June 2015.Results: In our study, we found out that the most common indication was Previous cesarean section (46.2%), followed by Fetal Distress (13.4%) and malpresentations (11.4%). Non progress of labour (10.2%) and toxaemia of pregnancy (6.6%) were amongst the other indications.Conclusions: Reduction of number of primary cesarean sections and successful VBAC trials are recommended to keep the rate of cesarean sections to the possible minimum level

A comparative study of the use of tiger-specific and heterologous microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

Comparison of genetic diversity indices of heterologous and species-specific microsatellite loci within a species may provide a panel of appropriate markers for genetic studies, but few studies have carried out such comparisons. We examined and compared the genetic characteristics of tiger-specific and heterologous loci in eight captive Bengal tigers. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) value of the tiger-specific microsatellite loci (n = 15) was 0.447, and the number of alleles was from 2 to 4 per locus. In comparison, the heterologous microsatellite loci (n = 15) had a mean PIC value of 0.539, and the number of alleles per locus was three to five. Our findings indicate that the heterologous markers have a higher frequency (n = 11) of polymorphic microsatellite loci and number of alleles per locus compared with tiger-specific loci. We pooled the highly polymorphic (PIC > 0.5) tiger-specific loci (n = 5) and heterologous microsatellite loci (n = 11) except one and noted a higher mean observed heterozygosity and PIC values of 0.668 and 0.575, respectively, compared with the heterologous and tiger-specific loci taken alone. Using a locus selection criterion of PIC > 0.5, we recommend a combined panel of 16 highly polymorphic loci for genetic studies of the wild population of the Bengal tigers and suggest that either a combination of tiger-specific and heterologous microsatellite primers or heterologous primers be used in genetic studies related to the ecology, biology, socio-biology and behavior of Bengal tigers as >13 loci are needed in such studies.Keywords: Bengal tiger, highly polymorphic, tiger-specific, heterologous, microsatellite loci

Study of feto-maternal outcome in patients with hepatitis E infection during pregnancy

Background: Hepatitis E is considered as a common cause of high maternal morbidity and mortality particularly in third trimester and also high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Thus, this study is conducted to evaluate the feto-maternal outcome in patients infected with hepatitis E during pregnancy.Methods: It is a retrospective observational study conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology at L. G. hospital. Fifty pregnant women with clinical hepatitis in third trimester of pregnancy were included in this study and thorough investigation were carried out. Patients were monitored till postpartum period and fetal monitoring data were collected from neonatal ICU.Results: In this study, majority of pregnant patients with hepatitis B were admitted during monsoon season suggests that HEV outbreaks are more common during monsoon months. Majority of the patients (70%) were emergency cases. Majority of these patients (82%) were belonged to lower socio-economic class. Co-infection with HAV was in 2% and with HBV in 4%. S. bilirubin >15 mg/dl in 16% of patients. PT and APTT were raised in 28% of patients. FDP was raised in 70% of patients. 76% were delivered vaginally and 22% were delivered by LSCS. Most common complication in HEV infected pregnant women was disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (26%). Maternal mortality rate is 14%. Out of 50 patients, 88% delivered live baby, out of which 72% needed NICU admission. Perinatal mortality rate was as high as 28%.Conclusions: Hepatitis E infection and pregnancy is a deadly and fatal combination. Specifically, in 3rd trimester of pregnancy, acute hepatitis E has a grave prognosis with high maternal morbidity and mortality. Prevention is the mainstay of controlling HEV especially in developing countries

Macroscopic Dynamics of Multi-Lane Traffic

We present a macroscopic model of mixed multi-lane freeway traffic that can be easily calibrated to empirical traffic data, as is shown for Dutch highway data. The model is derived from a gas-kinetic level of description, including effects of vehicular space requirements and velocity correlations between successive vehicles. We also give a derivation of the lane-changing rates. The resulting dynamic velocity equations contain non-local and anisotropic interaction terms which allow a robust and efficient numerical simulation of multi-lane traffic. As demonstrated by various examples, this facilitates the investigation of synchronization patterns among lanes and effects of on-ramps, off-ramps, lane closures, or accidents.Comment: For related work see http://www.theo2.physik.uni-stuttgart.de/helbing.htm