BACKGROUND: There is growing literature promoting corporate governance mechanisms as important elements that could mitigate the inconclusive findings within the corporate social performance and firm profitability research. A key theoretical assumption within the extant literature that provides support for this proposition is that corporate social performance and firm profitability are organisational outcomes in the presence of good corporate governance. AIM: Firstly, the aim is to re-investigate voluntary social performance disclosure (SPD) and long-term profitability association from the perspective of international standards, using the Global Reporting Initiative G3.1 guidelines. Secondly, to examine the joint moderating effect of board independence and managerial ownership (MO) on the voluntary SPD and profitability nexus. SETTING: The South Africa institutional setting, where recent corporate governance regimes require firms to voluntarily make corporate governance related disclosures on both shareholder-and stakeholder-related information is used as the study context METHOD: Utilising manually extracted data of listed firms, over the period 2010 to 2015, the generalised least square regression and seemingly unrelated regression (with a 1-year lag as the main independent variable) are used to examine the stated hypotheses RESULTS: We found a positive association between voluntary SPD and long-term profitability. We also found that the presence of non-executive directors positively moderates the association between voluntary SPD and long-term profitability. Thirdly, the proportion of MO significantly positively moderates the association between voluntary SPD and long-term profitability. Lastly, the complementary role of the presence of non-executive directors and the proportion of MO significantly positively moderates the association between voluntary SPD and long-term profitability. CONCLUSION: This study finds support for scholarly theoretical arguments that organisational outcomes are largely possible in the presence of good corporate governance, which has a long-term implication for firms' shareholder wealth maximisation. This study contributes to the ongoing research examining the notion of substitutive versus complementary effects of governance mechanisms, and a growing research literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure from the perspective of international standardisation. This study therefore makes far-reaching contributions to the corporate governance and social responsibility literature in an African context.

Antecedentes: los extractos de la planta Forsythia suspensa contienen pinoresinol. Dicha planta se ha propuesto como una alternativa a los antibióticos debido a su contenido de antioxidantes, antiinflamatorios y sus efectos moduladores de la microflora. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos dietarios de F. suspensa sobre la utilización del alimento, fermentación ruminal, parámetros sanguíneos y respuesta inmune en cabras nativas coreanas (Capra hircus). Métodos: un total de nueve cabras nativas coreanas fueron asignadas a 1 de 3 tratamientos: (1) una dieta basal sin F. suspensa, (2) una dieta basal con 0,25%, o (3) 0,50% de F. suspensa dietaría en un diseño change-over por tres periodos consecutivos con nueve réplicas por tratamiento. Cada periodo se prolongó por 18 días, incluyendo 15 días de adaptación al alimento y a las condiciones ambientales, y tres días de colección total de heces y orina. Tambien se colectó fluido ruminal y muestras sanguineas. Se midió la digestibilidad de nutrientes, nitrógeno retenido, contenido ruminal y metabolitos sanguíneos —incluyendo inmunoglobulinas—. Resultados: la suplementación con F. suspensa no tuvo efecto sobre la digestibilidad de los nutrientes, la tasa de retención de N, pH ruminal, ni sobre los contenidos de acetato, propionato, isobutirato, butirato, isovalerato o valerato (p>0,05). Sin embargo, la suplementación con F. suspensa disminuyo la concentración total de ácidos grasos volátiles (VFA) en comparacion con la dieta control, sin tener en cuenta las concentraciones de F. suspensa (p<0,05). Las cabras alimentadas con la dieta de 0,25% de F. suspensa tuvieron mayor concentración de fosfatasa alcalina (ALP) que cuando fueron alimentadas con la dieta control o con la de 0,50% de F. suspensa (p<0,05). Aunque la alimentación con diferentes concentraciones de F. suspensa no influyo en los niveles de IgA y IgM en plasma (p>0,05), las cabras que recibieron 0,25 y 0,50% de F. suspensa tuvieron mayor concentración de IgG en plasma que aquellas alimentadas con la dieta control (p<0,05). Conclusiones: la suplementación de 0,25% de F. suspensa disminuyo significativamente la concentración total de VFA e incrementó la IgG en el plasma de las cabras nativas coreanas, en comparación con aquellas que consumieron la dieta control.

Background: plant extracts of Forsythia suspensa, which contain pinoresinol, have been proposed as an alternative to antibiotics due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microflora modulating effects. Objective: to evaluate the effects of dietary F. suspensa on feed utilization, rumen fermentation, blood parameters and immune response of Korean native goats (Capra hircus). Methods: a total of nine Korean native goats were assigned to one of three dietary treatments: 1) a basal diet without F. suspensa, 2) a basal diet added with 0.25% F. suspensa, or 3) a basal diet added with 0.50% F. suspensa. A change-over design was used in three consecutive periods to give 9 replicates per treatment. Each period lasted 18 days, including 15 days of adaptation to feed and environmental conditions and three days of total collection of feces and urine. Rumen fluid and blood samples were also collected. Nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, ruminal content, and blood metabolites—including immunoglobulins—were measured. Results: F. suspensa supplementation had no effect on nutrient digestibility, whole body nitrogen retention rate, ruminal pH, acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate, isovalerate, or valerate content (p>0.05). However, F. suspensa supplementation decreased total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration compared with the control diet, regardless of F. suspensa concentrations (p<0.05). Goats fed a diet containing 0.25% F. suspensa had greater alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration than those fed a control or a diet with 0.50% F. suspensa (p<0.05). Feeding different concentrations of dietary F. suspensa did not influence plasma IgA and IgM levels (p>0.05), although goats receiving both 0.25% and 0.50% F. suspensa diets had greater plasma IgG than those fed the control diet (p<0.05). Conclusion: supplementation of 0.25% F. suspensa significantly decreased total VFA concentrations and increased plasma IgG in Korean native goats, compared with those fed the control diet.

Antecedentes: a Forsythiae suspensa é uma planta e seu extrato contém pinoresinol. Tem sido proposta como uma alternativa aos antibióticos existentes, devido ao seu teor de antioxidantes, anti-inflamatórias e efeitos moduladores da microflora, com base em estudos feitos in vivo e in vitro. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos na dieta da inclusão de F. suspensa no aproveitamento alimentar, fermentação ruminal, parâmetros sanguíneos e resposta imune em caprinos coreanos nativos (Capra hircus). Métodos: um total de nove cabras coreanas nativas foram assignadas a um de três tratamentos na dieta: (1) uma dieta basal sem F. suspensa, (2) uma dieta basal com 0,25% de F. suspensa, ou (3) com 0,50% de F. suspensa na dieta. Se fez um desenho change-over por três períodos consecutivos com nove repetições por tratamento. Cada período de pesquisa consistiu de 18 dias, incluindo 15 dias de adaptação às condições alimentares e ambientais, e três dias de coleta total de fezes e urina. Também foram coletadas amostras de líquido ruminal e sangue. Mediou-se a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, o nitrogênio (N) retido, o conteúdo ruminal, e os parâmetros sanguíneos —incluindo imunoglobulinas—. Resultados: a suplementação com F. suspensa não teve nenhum efeito sobre a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, a taxa de retenção de N, o pH do rúmen, nem sobre os conteúdos de: acetato, propionato, isobutirato, butirato, isovalerato e valerato (p>0,05). No entanto, a suplementação de F. suspensa diminuiu a concentração total de ácidos gordurosos voláteis (AGV) em comparação com a dieta controle, independentemente das concentrações de F. suspensa (p<0,05). As cabras alimentadas com 0,25% F. suspensa na dieta tiveram maiores quantidades da enzima fosfatasse alcalina (ALP) do que quando elas foram alimentadas com a dieta controle ou com 0,50% de F. suspensa (p<0,05). Ainda que a alimentação com diferentes níveis de F. suspensa não influenciou os níveis de IgA e IgM no plasma (p>0,05), as cabras que receberam na dieta 0,25 e 0,50% de F. suspensa tiveram uma maior concentração de IgG no plasma comparadas as cabras alimentadas com a dieta controle (p<0,05). Conclusões: a suplementação com 0,25% e 50% diminuiu significativamente a concentração de AGV e incrementou a concentração em plasma de IgG em cabras nativas coreanas comparadas com aquelas que consumiram a dieta controle.

Reaction of [MoO2(acac)2] (where acac = acetylacetonate) with two similar hydrazone ligands in methanol yielded two water coordinated mononuclear molybdenum(VI) oxo complexes with general formula [MoO2L(OH2)], where L = L¹ = N'-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-2-methoxybenzohydrazide (H2L¹), and L = L² = N'-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-methoxybenzohydrazide (H2L²). Crystal and molecular structures of the complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. All of the investigated compounds were further characterized by elemental analysis and FT-IR spectra. Single crystal X-ray structural studies indicate that the hydrazone ligands coordinate to the MoO2 cores through enolate oxygen, phenolate oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. The Mo atoms in both complexes are in octahedral coordination.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and quantify the impact of the recent economic crisis on morbidity and medical care utilization in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: 22 675 people from 6791 households and 43 682 people from 12 283 households were questioned for two nationwide surveys that took place in 1995 and 1998, respectively. A separate sample pretest-posttest design was used and we conducted c2 test and logistic regression analysis after controlling for the maturation effect of the morbidity and medical care utilization. FINDINGS: The morbidity rates of chronic disease and acute disease increased significantly by 27.1% and 9.5%, respectively, whereas the utilization rates of outpatient and inpatient services decreased by 15.1% and 5.2%, respectively. In particular, the pace of decline in the utilization rate of outpatient services varied depending on the type of disease: morbidity rates for mental and behavioural disorders were 13.7%; for cardiovascular disease, 7.1%; and for injury, 31.6%. CONCLUSION: After the Republic of Korean economic crisis, the morbidity and medical care utilization rates changed significantly but the degree of change depended on the type of disease or service. The time-dependent relationship between the national economy and the morbidity and medical care utilization rates needs to be further investigated.

OBJETIVO: Examinar y cuantificar la repercusión de la reciente crisis económica en la morbilidad y el recurso a la atención médica en la República de Corea. MÉTODOS: Se encuestó a 22 675 personas de 6791 hogares y 43 682 personas de 12 283 hogares en dos sondeos de ámbito nacional llevados a cabo en 1995 y 1998, respectivamente. El estudio, de comparación pre-post, se basó en dos muestras distintas, y los datos se analizaron mediante regresión logística y empleando la prueba de chi cuadrado, tras tener en cuenta la "maduración" de la morbilidad y del consumo de atención médica. RESULTADOS: Las tasas de morbilidad para las enfermedades crónicas y las enfermedades agudas aumentaron de forma significativa en un 27,1% y un 9,5%, respectivamente, mientras que la frecuencia de utilización de los servicios ambulatorios y hospitalarios disminuyó en un 15,1% y 5,2%, respectivamente. En particular, el grado de disminución de la tasa de utilización de los servicios ambulatorios dependió del tipo de enfermedad: la tasa de morbilidad para los trastornos mentales y conductuales fue del 13,7%, para las enfermedades cardiovasculares del 7,1%, y para los traumatismos del 31,6%. CONCLUSIÓN: Tras la crisis económica sufrida por la República de Corea, las tasas de morbilidad y de consumo de atención médica variaron significativamente, pero el grado de variación dependió del tipo de enfermedad o servicio. Es necesario investigar más a fondo la relación temporal entre la economía nacional y las tasas de morbilidad y de consumo de atención médica.

OBJECTIF: Examiner et quantifier l'impact de la crise économique récente sur la morbidité et sur l'utilisation des soins médicaux en République de Corée. MÉTHODES: Deux enquêtes nationales réalisées en 1995 et1998 ont permis d'interroger respectivement 22 675 personnes dans 6791 foyers et 43 682 personnes dans 12 283 foyers. L'étu-de de type avant-après était basée sur deux échantillons dis-tincts et l'analyse a été faite par régression logistique et au moyen du c², après prise en compte de la « maturation » de la morbidité et de l'utilisation des soins médicaux au cours du temps. RÉSULTATS: Les taux de morbidité des maladies chroniques et des maladies aiguës ont augmenté significativement, de 27,1 % et 9,5 % respectivement, tandis que la fréquence d'utilisation des services ambulatoires et des services d'hospitalisation diminuait respectivement de 15,1 % et 5,2 %. La rapidité du déclin de l'utilisation des services ambulatoires varie avec le type d'affec-tion : le taux de morbidité était de 13,7 % pour les maladies mentales et comportementales, 7,1 % pour les maladies cardiovasculaires et 31,6 % pour les traumatismes. CONCLUSION: A la suite de la crise économique qui a touché la République de Corée, les taux de morbidité et la fréquence d'utilisation des services médicaux se sont considérablement modifiés, mais l'amplitude du changement dépend à la fois du type de maladie et du service. La relation au cours du temps entre l'économie nationale d'une part et le taux de morbidité et la fréquence d'utilisation des soins médicaux d'autre part mérite d'être largement étudiée.

A interface de latexes de poliestireno (PS)-poliacrilato de metila (PMA) foi investigada por calorimetria diferencial de varredura no modo modulado (DSC-modulado) e por espalhamento de raios-x de baixo ângulo (SAXS). A fração em massa da interface destes latexes foi estimada através do sinal do DSC-modulado, dCp/dt. Foi encontrado o valor de 13% para latexes de PS-PMA (1:1 em massa) contendo PS reticulado com diferentes densidades de reticulação (0, 1, 3, 5 e 10 mol% de agente reticulante). O aumento da densidade de reticulação não alterou de forma significativa a fração da interface. O modelo core-shell foi usado na análise dos dados de SAXS. Os dados de DSC-modulado forneceram informações apenas sobre a fração em massa da interface, entretanto a combinação das técnicas DSC-modulado e SAXS forneceu informações adicionais sobre a morfologia dos latexes.

The interfacial structure of poly(styrene) (PS)-poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) structured latices has been investigated by means of modulated-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (M-TDSC) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The differential of heat capacity, dCp/dT, signal from M-TDSC was used to quantify the weight fraction of interface in these latices. For PS-PMA (50:50 by weight) structured latices in which the PS component had different crosslink densities (0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 mol% of crosslinking agent), the weight fraction of interface was about 13%. With increasing crosslink density, the fraction of interface increased only slightly. A core-shell model has been used to analyse SAXS data for these PS-PMA latices. M-TDSC can only provide information about the weight fraction of interface, but the combination of M-TDSC and SAXS can provide much more information on the morphology of such structured latices.