Corporate governance development in privately held family businesses: a multiple case analysis

The objective of this study is to better understand and illustrate the process and the motivations for corporate governance implementation in Brazilian privately held family businesses. Three case companies were analyzed through an adapted developmental framework to illustrate the progression in corporate governance in response to changes in the ownership, investment and management dimensions over time. In this development, causal relationships between corporate governance and the three other framework dimensions were identified. It was found that the analyzed companies´ corporate governance implementation was motivated by the need to curb agency costs, whereas a cornerstone in this development was the first generational change. Only after the family businesses have reached the necessary maturity on all three dimensions, corporate governance practices were implemented. Put simply, the analyzed case companies developed formal systems as they grew more complex. This study complements the academic discussions on corporate governance in family businesses by offering Brazilian evidence on its underlying motivations and sequential implementation over time.

Customer intimacy strategy in B2B technology businesses in Colombia

The main objective of this Thesis is to analyze Customer Intimacy Strategy in B2B technology businesses in Colombia and the variables that have a direct relationship with it like perception, trust and networking. And how a Customer Intimacy Strategy can affect a company to achieve positive or negative results in an operation, in terms of business opportunities, relations and profitable and sustainable sales if properly managed or mismanaged. With a population of almost 50 million people, GDP average growth of 4.22%(considering 2013 up to 2017), a strategic geographic location in Latin America close to the middle of the region with direct access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, on the verge to reach a peace agreement ending its long time social and security conflict with the local guerrillas, Colombia is a country with a stable economic present and promising future. But despite the appealing business landscape and opportunities both in number and size, it is a developing economy where firms who are willing to run a startup or who currently have B2B technology operations in this country will find out that uncertainty and mistrust are two of the most critical variables that need to be overcome in order to achieve success. Their relevance will vary from one region to another, but will still be considered of most importance throughout the country. This matter is highly important to B2B technology businesses in Colombia because few firms are aware of the importance of customer intimacy strategy, believing that it is just a matter of social relationships and not considering the diverse number of variables such us perception, trust and networking that compose it. Customer intimacy strategy at the end becomes the main and most relevant source of sales in a B2B technology environment in Colombia.

Phylogenetic structure of Guinea-Bissau ethnic groups for mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome genetic systems

The maternal and paternal genetic profile of Guineans is markedly sub-Saharan West African, with the majority of lineages belonging to L0-L3 mtDNA sub-clusters and E3a-M2 and E1-M33 Y chromosome haplogroups. Despite the sociocultural differences among Guinea-Bissau ethnic groups,marked by the supposedly strict admixture barriers, their genetic pool remains largely common. Their extant variation coalesces at distinct timeframes, from the initial occupation of the area to later inputs of people. Signs of recent expansion in mtDNA haplogroups L2a-L2c and NRY E3a-M2 suggest population growth in the equatorial western fringe, possibly supported by an early local agricultural centre, and to which the Mandenka and the Balanta people may relate. Non-West African signatures are traceable in less frequent extant haplogroups, fitting well with the linguistic and historical evidence regarding particular ethnic groups: the Papel and Felupe-Djola people retain traces of their putative East African relatives; U6 and M1b among Guinea-Bissau Bak-speakers indicate partial diffusion to Sahel of North African lineages; U5b1b lineages in Fulbe and Papel represent a link to North African Berbers, emphasizing the great importance of post-glacial expansions; exact matches of R1b-P25 and E3b1-M78 with Europeans likely trace back to the times of the slave trade.

Incidence of retromolar foramen in human mandibles: ethnic and clinical aspects

The retromolar foramen allows the passage of the neurovascular bundles that contribute to nutrition and innervation of the pulp and periodontium of the lower teeth. Knowledge of this anatomical variation may prevent complications in the anesthesia and surgical procedures in this area and serve as an anatomical landmark for ethnic identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the retromolar foramen in human mandibles of adult Brazilians and discuss the clinical and ethnic related to the presence of this foramen. Were evaluated 222 human mandibles, dry, adults, Brazilians, independent of gender. The evaluation was performed by two examiners who standardized search from a previous anatomical study. The mandibles were analyzed: the presence of the retromolar foramen (bilateral or unilateral), the presence of the foramen on right and left sides, and the number of foramens present on each side. It was found that 59 had at least one mandible retromolar foramens resulting in an incidence of 26.58%. The retromolar foramen was present unilaterally in 41 mandibles and 18 bilaterally, with incidences of 18.47% and 12.16% respectively. on the right side, the retromolar foramen was present in incidences of 16.22% and 18.92% respectively The analysis of the right side of the mandibles revealed that 47.46%, 21.21% and 3.03% had one, two and three foramens, respectively The left side showed 55.93%, 16.22% and 8.11% of the 222 mandibles with one, two and three retromolar foramens, respectively The incidence of retromolar foramen in the Brazilian population is significant and should be considered in the planning and execution of procedures in several areas of clinical practice dentistry in order to avoid complications. Moreover, it was found that the incidence of retromolar foramen contributes to differentiation of ethnic groups in the area of forensic anthropology.

CORRELATING THE CURVE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE DISTAL of THE CANINES TO THE COMBINED WIDTH of THE SIX ANTERIOR TEETH WHEN SELECTING DENTURE TEETH FOR DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS

Statement of problem. To select the width of denture teeth, the distance between the marks indicating the location of the canines is usually measured around the curvature of the wax occlusal rim; however, most manufacturers' mold charts provide the measurements of the artificial 6 anterior teeth as if they were on a straight line.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the curve distance between the distal surfaces of the maxillary canines can be related to the combined width (straight measurement) of the 6 anterior teeth in 4 ethnic groups.Material and methods. Maxillary stone casts were obtained for 160 dentate subjects of 4 ethnic groups (40 whites, 40 blacks, 40 multiracial - descendants of white and black parents, and 40 Asians). The width of each maxillary anterior tooth was measured on the casts with sliding calipers. The combined width of the 6 anterior teeth (CW) corresponded to the sum of the width of each anterior tooth. The curve distance between the distal surfaces of the canines (CD) was measured by using dental tape and sliding calipers. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between CD and CW in each ethnic group (alpha=.05).Results. The mean CD and CW values (in mm) obtained were: whites (CD=52.12; CW=45.65); blacks (CD=56.10; CW=48.13); multiracial (CD=53.58; CW=46.54); and Asians (CD=53.29; CW=46.60). Significant (P<.001) correlations between CD and CW measurements were observed for all ethnic groups studied (whites, r=0.957; blacks, r=0.803; multiracial, r=0.917; and Asians, r=0.881). The following linear regression equations were obtained: whites [CD=1.1(CW)+0.3]; blacks [CD=0.95(CW)+9.3]; multiracial [CD=1.2(CW)-1.1]; and Asians [CD=1.0(CW)+5].Conclusions. The curve distance between the distal surfaces of the maxillary canines can be accurately related to the combined width of the 6 anterior teeth in the selection of denture teeth for the studied ethnic groups. (J Prosthet Dent 2012;107:400-404)

Barriers to environmental management in clusters of small businesses in Brazil and Japan: from a lack of knowledge to a decline in traditional knowledge

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hispanics in the United States

Includes bibliography

Compendium of practices on the implementation of ICT questions in households and businesses surveys in Latin America and the Caribbean 2010

Includes bibliography

Hispanic poverty from the current population survey and poverty of other self-identified ethnic groups from census information

Includes bibliography

Ethnic poverty and social vulnerability data sources from the census of the United States and the American community survey

Includes bibliography

Heterogeneous ethnic distribution of the factor V leiden mutation

Inherited resistance to activated protein C caused by the factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is the most common genetic cause of venous thrombosis yet described, being found in 20-60% of patients with venous thrombophilia. A relationship between the FVL mutation and an increased predisposition to arterial thrombosis in young women was recently reported. We assessed the prevalence of the FVL mutation in 440 individuals (880 chromosomes) belonging to four different ethnic groups: Caucasians, African Blacks, Asians and Amerindians. PCR amplification followed by MnlI digestion was employed to define the genotype. The FVL mutation was found in a heterozygous state in four out of 152 Whites (2.6%), one out of 151 Amerindians (0.6%), and was absent among 97 African Blacks and 40 Asians. Our results confirm that FVL has a heterogeneous distribution in different human populations, a fact that may contribute to geographic and ethnic differences in the prevalence of thrombotic diseases. In addition, these data may be helpful in decisions regarding the usefulness of screening for the FVL mutation in subjects at risk for thrombosis.

Prevalence of HTLV-I antibody among two distinct ethnic groups inhabiting the Amazon region of Brazil

Soroprevalências para HTLV-I de 3,63% (02/55), 12,9% (10/82) e 13,88% (10/72) foram demonstradas entre os Tiryió, Mekranoiti e Xicrin, respectivamente - indígenas habitantes da Amazônia -, utilizando-se a técnica de "Western Blot" (WBEI). Por outro lado, a imunomicroscopia eletrônica indireta (IIME) revelou como positivos 2 Tiryió, 9 Mekranoiti e 6 Xicrins. Das 44 amostras de soro oriundas de migrantes japoneses, nenhuma resultou positiva pelas duas técnicas antes mencionadas. Foram reativos por ambos os métodos, 1, 8 e 6 amostras dos índios Tiryió, Mekranoiti e Xicrin, respectivamente. Nossos resultados representam uma forte evidência de que o HTV-I e/ou variante(s) antigenicamente similar(es) circula(m) entre populações que habitam a região amazônica do Brasil.

Does ethnic ancestry play a role in smoking?

A maior proporção de fumantes entre negros no Brasil tem sido atribuída a desigualdades socioeconômicas, mas fatores genéticos também poderiam contribuir para esse achado. Este estudo visou investigar associações entre status tabágico com ancestralidade definida geneticamente e características socioeconômicas em brasileiros. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas de 448 voluntários (66,7% homens; idade: 37,1±11,4 anos) classificados como fumantes atuais (FA: 60,9%), ex-fumantes (EF:8,9%) e não fumantes (NF:30,1%).Misturas éticas individuais foram determinadas empregando-se um painel informativo de ancestralidade composto por 48 polimorfismos de deleções e inserções. FA mostraram menor proporção de ancestralidade europeia do que NF (0,837±0,243 X 0,883±0,194; p≤0,05) e EF (0,837±0,243 X 0,864±0,230; p≤0,05), e maior proporção de ancestralidade africana sub-saárica do que EF (0,128±0,222 X 0,07±0,174, p≤0,05) e NF (0,128±0,222 X 0,085±0,178, p≤0,05). NF informaram maior número de anos de escola do que FA (11,2±3,7 X 8,9±3,8; p≤0,001). FA foram menos comuns na Classe econômica A (30%) e mais comuns na Classe B (56,8%). Em análise multivariada, apenas menor número de anos escolares e menor classe econômica estiveram associados com chances maiores para FA. O uso de marcadores de genética molecular para caracterizar o background étnico confirmou que diferenças socioeconômicas são os principais determinantes de maiores taxas de tabagismo entre negros no Brasil.

Occurrence of periodontal pathogens in ethnic groups from a native Brazilian reservation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of the temporal acoustic window for transcranial doppler in a multi-ethnic population in Brazil

The aim of this study was to relate the presence of a temporal acoustic window (TAW) to the variables sex, age and race. This observational study was conducted in patients under etiologic investigation after stroke, sickle-cell anemia and hospitalization in an intensive therapy neurologic unit. TAW presence was confirmed by bilateral assessment by two neurologists via transcranial Doppler (TCD). Multiple logistic regression was performed to explain the presence of the window as a function of sex, age and race. In 20% of the 262 patients evaluated, a TAW was not present. The incidence of TAW presence was greater in men (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5-11.7, p < 0.01); lower with increased age (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.92-0.97, p < 0.01); and lower among those of African and Asian descent (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14-0.70, p = 0.005). On the basis of the results, more men than women had TAWs, and the decrease in TAWs was associated with increased age and African or Asian descent.