Medical Device for Loading of Knee at Differing Angles

Abstract This was a design report for a device that would be used in patellar instability research. The device would be used inside an MRI machine and allow the patient to adjust the angle of their knee to the desired position. Methods: Solidworks was used in the design process to model and to simulate the strength of the components used. The Solidworks simulation software allowed for a better understanding of the strength of individual components and the strength of the full device. Complexity of operating the device while inside an MRI machine were taken into account by using animations of the moving parts. The complexities of manufacturing were considered by designing parts with ease of manufacturing in mind. Findings: The device design allows patients to adjust the angles of their knee to the required positions. The results of the strength simulation analysis indicate that some parts needed to be made of brass as opposed to polycarbonate

Capital Budgeting: the Romanian Credit Analysts’ Points of View

This study aims to disclose the methods and instruments used by the credit analysts in the most important Romanian banks regarding capital budgeting. It can be noticed that the dominant standpoint converges to the recommendations of the main reference works in corporate finance. Hence, indicators like profitability index, net present value or internal rate of return are preferred by the most part of the credit analysts. Among the techniques of risk quantification, the sensitivity analysis is the most commonly used method by Romanian creditors. About the discount rate used in investment valuation, the main part of the respondents recommends the rate of return for similar projects in the sector.

Issues and Challenges for the Romanian Insurance Market: Risk and Return Analysis

Romanian insurance industry has a competitive market, having, however, a deep character of heterogeneity, which has had an impact on different financial ratios that define it. In an international framework, non-life insurance market in Romania was a different pattern as compared to similar markets from Central and Eastern Europe and in relation to similar markets from 42 countries in the world, with a growing trend, even in the year 2009, when this sector stagnate or even decreases. In Romania, within the class of non-life insurance, motor third party liability insurance ranks second, as a source of income and expenses, even since 1990. Peculiarities of this type of insurance motivated a detailed analysis based on its compulsory character, together with public availability of the financial information. In order to better understand the developments for this class of insurance, for 2005-2008 a wide range of financial indicators was used such as gross written premiums, gross claims payable, loss ratio, coverage rate, solvency ratio, etc. Even if the risk management had no major problems, nevertheless this insurance class faced some difficulties, especially regarding the growing trend for the loss ratio, the solvency margin, the casualty and coverage ratios and for the outstanding claims reserve adequacy. In addition, correlations between different financial indicators specific to the sector, analyzed over a period of four years, provided additional findings for a deeper understanding of the characteristics of this insurance class. Overall, some correlations between indicators had normal levels and directions, but some of the results revealed some anomalies, which can be attributed to the fact that non-life insurance market, as a whole, is still growing.development and concentration, financial correlations, motor third party liability insurance, non-life insurance, return, risk

The Impact of Financial Markets Globalization on Companies Capital Structure

Insuring the assets financing was a permanent concern in the companies. The aim of the financing policy was to identify the most profitable financing sources for the company, at the lowest cost possible and correlated in time with the need of resources. The modelling of the cost of capital, as well as that of the optimal combination of various financing sources in order to obtain a cost of capital able to lead to maximizing the companies value, especially in the conditions of a durable financing are permanent challenges for scientific research. The capital structure of the companies is determined by a wide range of quantitative and qualitative factors, which can be divided in two classes: on one side, factors independents on companies decisions (the stability of the economy, the fiscal system, the monetary and capital markets), and on the other side internal factors (the size of the company, the profitability, the percent of tangible assets in total assets etc.). The accessibility of the financing sources is in present influenced by the characteristics of the credit and capital markets are characterized in present by complex phenomena such as the globalization and the adhesion of certain countries to European Union.globalization, capital structure, financial markets, fiscal system, cost of capital.

Construcciones de la identidad étnica en la narrativa de ficción televisiva

El eco de la transnacionalización de la ficción televisiva latinoamericana se ha hecho escuchar en los países de Europa del Este y especialmente en Rumania, donde su modelo se ha adaptado a las realidades locales a través de producciones nacionales. El mundo marginado de la etnia gitana ha servido de inspiración para la telenovela rumana Corazón gitano. A través del personaje principal que es gitano y médico, esta narrativa inspirada de la vida real rompe con los estereotipos negativos preconstruidos por la sociedad, lo que lo transforma en un modelo identitario y de integración de la etnia gitana.The echo of the transnationalization of Latin American television fiction series has been heard throughout the Eastern European countries and especially in Romania, where its model has been adapted to local realities through national productions. The marginalized environment of the Gypsy ethnic group has become a source of inspiration for the Romanian telenovela Gypsy Heart. Through the main character who is a gypsy and a doctor, this narrative inspired by real life breaks down negative stereotypes prebuilt by society, which turns it into a model of identity and integration of this community

Some considerations on investment projects valuation

The classical criteria for investment projects valuation, although easy to apply, have the disadvantage of not reflecting the complexity of the social and economic phenomena implied by these projects. This study emphasizes some aspects that should be carefully taken into account in the valuation process of investment projects. Hence, the assessment of the discount rate, the estimation of future earnings and the quantification of social benefits are analysed.direct investments, discount rate, estimated earnings, social benefits, financing.

Capital budgeting: the Romanian university professors' points of view

This study aims at validating the points of view of the Romanian finance university professors regarding capital budgeting. The study is original and important in the same time, taking into consideration that their opinions, due to their vocation of educators, may represent the starting point for debates on the most suitable methods and techniques used in the practice of this field. It can be noticed that the dominant points of view converge to the recommendations of the main reference works in the domain of corporate finance. Hence, indicators like net present value, internal rate of return or profitability index are the most preferred. Among the techniques of risk quantification, the sensitivity analysis is considered as the most suitable, followed by the Monte Carlo method and the scenarios technique. As for the discount rate used for the investment projects analysis, the most numerous respondents recommend the weighted average cost of capital.

ASPECTS REGARDING AIR QUALITY IN DEVA AREA

Aspects regarding air quality in Deva area. The attenuation of air quality in the urban environment is determined by artificial warming, a result of the radiation emitted by constructions, economic activities, as well as the climatic elements characteristics. In the survey regarding air quality in Deva we will analyse the concentrations of NO2, O3, SO2 and their implications on air quality

The Development of the Romanian Capital Market: Evidences on Information Efficiency

The Romanian capital market has considerably grown in the last decade. This study reveals new evidences regarding informational efficiency of this market. Applying Multiple Variance Ratio test to random walk hypothesis, assuming, on the one hand homoskedasticity, and on the other hand heteroskedasticity, it was found that for most of the stock prices the random walk hypothesis cannot be rejected. Consequently, the returns are not predictable by using the series of historical returns. Based on these results, there are not enough reasons to reject the Efficient Market Hypothesis in its weak form.information, capital markets, market efficiency, random walk, predictability of returns, Romania