TITLE: Identity for Power Series and Binomial Coefficients
QUESTION [7 upvotes]: This question concerns a combinatorial identity obeyed by power series coefficients.  Throughout we let $[x^{M}]\{\phi(x)\}$ denote the coefficient of $x^{M}$ in a power series $\phi(x)$.
Let $k$ be a positive integer, and consider the function $F(k,x)$ defined as the following power series in $x$:
\begin{equation}
F(k,x)=\sum_{s=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{s-1}}{s^{2}}\binom{s \ k}{s+1}(s+1)\ x^{s}.
\end{equation}
I am interested in the series coefficients of the function $\exp(N F (k,x))$ for positive integer $N.$
Through comparison of various formulas that arose in a research project, I have been lead to the following identity for the case $N=M+1$:
\begin{equation}
[x^{M}]\{e^{(M+1)F(k,x)}\}= \frac{k(M+1)}{k+(k-1)M}\binom{(k-1)^{2}M+k(k-1)}{M}~.
\end{equation}
Although I am convinced that this identity is true, I have no idea how to demonstrate it, nor do I have any idea why this power series coefficient has such a simple expression. Thus, my main question is how can this identity be motivated and proven ?  
More generally, can we determine the coefficient $[x^{M}]\{e^{N F(k,x)}\}?$
I am also interested in a generalization which depends on an additional positive integer $j$.  Specifically, set
\begin{equation}
F(k,j,x)=\sum_{s=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{s-1}}{s^{2}}\binom{s \ k}{s\ j+1}(s\ j+1)\ x^{s}~.
\end{equation}
The previous function is recovered for the special case $j=1.$
Can the coefficients $[x^{M}]\{e^{NF(k,j,x)}\}$ be similarly determined?

REPLY [6 votes]: Let $\mathscr{B}_t(z)$ be a generalized binomial
series
$$\mathscr{B}_t(z)=\sum\limits_{k=0}^{\infty}{tk+1\choose k}
\dfrac{1}{tk+1}z^k.$$ The answer follows from these two
formulae
\begin{gather}
\tag{1}\mathscr{B}_t^r(z)=\sum\limits_{k=0}^{\infty}{tk+r\choose k}
\dfrac{r}{tk+r}z^k,\\
\tag{2}\log\mathscr{B}_t(z)=\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}{t k\choose
k}\frac{z^k}{tk}
\end{gather}
because
$$F(k,x)=k(1-k)\log\mathscr{B}_k(-x)=k(k-1)\log\mathscr{B}_{1-k}(x).$$
You can find (1) (and some other formulae) in (see Ch.5.4) Graham, R.
L.; Knuth, D. E. & Patashnik, O. Concrete mathematics. Addison-Wesley Publishing
Company, 1994. 
Formula (2) follows from calculations
performed in Bizley, M. Derivation of a new formula for the
number of minimal lattice paths from $(0,0)$ to $(k m, k
n)$ having just $t$ contacts with the line $m y = n x$ and
having no points above this line; and a proof of Grossman's
formula for the number of paths which may touch but do not
rise above this line. J. Inst. Actuaries 80, 55-62 (1954).
The proof of (1) (see Concrete Mathematics) is also based on combinatorics of paths.
Probably it can give some tips for $j>1$. 
See also Donald Knuth's 20th Annual Christmas Tree Lecture: (3/2)-ary Trees for additional connections and for the history of
(2).
I applied these formulae in the theory of formal groups.
Can you  give us some background information about your question?