How Can Every Organization Manage the Operational Risk?

This article describe how every organization (generally) and Australian Organizations (specifically) can manage the operational risks. Recently, the operational risks are the significant issues in every organization because every organization will suffer from poor operational performance due to risks, failure, and problems such as a number of losses which are likely to be made worse. Basically, the operational risk management process has five steps, identification, analysis, treatment, controlling, and communication/consulting. Generally, many organizations (in particularly in Australia and New Zealand) have already used AS/NZS 4360-Risk Management System, AS/NZS 4801-Occupational Health and Safety Management System, ISO 14001: Effective Environmental Management System, ISO 9001: Quality Management System, AS/NZS 7799: Information Security Management, AS/NZS 3806: Compliance Management System for reducing/mitigating/managing the operational risks. Based on the SAI Certification Register, the number of Australian Organizations got the AS/NZS ISO 9000 series, AS/NZS 14000 series, AS/NZS 4801 and AS/NZS 7799.2:2000 Certifications are 3338, 30, 20 and 5 respectively. It can conclude that Australian Organizations prefer used AS/NZS ISO 9000 series rather than AS/NZS ISO 14000 series, AS/NZS 4801 and AS/NZS 7799.2:2000

Analysis of Advantages and Disadvantages of Current Operational Risk Management Models (AS/NZS 4360, AS/NZS ISO 9000, AS/NZS ISO 14000, AS/NZS 4801, AS/NZS 3806, AS/NZS 4444)

This paper will describe about the analysis of advantages and disadvantages of current operational risk management models (AS/NZS 4360: Risk Management, AS/NZS 4801: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, AS/NZS ISO 9001: Quality Management System, AS/NZS ISO 14001: Environment Management System, AS/NZS 3806: Compliance Management System, AS/NZS 4444: Information Security Management) based on expert experiences and extracting the literature review. The advantages of most current models are widely adopted by industries of various of sizes as the basis for their operational risk management. In addition, they may help the organizations to improve the operations and competitiveness. However, there are some disadvantages of most current models such as the models are very general (guidance only), not specific to cover particular risks of industries. And they don\u27t have the specific tools and processes. In addition, they may not be able to integrate all elements of the management systems such as safety, health, environment, quality, security, and compliance

A Ferredoxin Disulfide Reductase Delivers Electrons to the to the Methanosarcina barkeri Class III Ribonucleotide Reductase

Two subtypes of class III anaerobic ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) studied so far couple the reduction of ribonucleotides to the oxidation of formate, or the oxidation of NADPH via thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase. Certain methanogenic archaea contain a phylogenetically distinct third subtype of class III RNR, with distinct active-site residues. Here we report the cloning and recombinant expression of the Methanosarcina barkeri class III RNR and show that the electrons required for ribonucleotide reduction can be delivered by a [4Fe-4S] protein ferredoxin disulfide reductase, and a conserved thioredoxin-like protein NrdH present in the RNR operon. The diversity of class III RNRs reflects the diversity of electron carriers used in anaerobic metabolism.Singapore. Agency for Science, Technology and ResearchNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant GM081393

A nonlinear physiologic pharmacokinetic model: I. Steady-state

The two-compartment model of Rowland et al., (2) has been extended by replacing first order elimination with Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics. All of the equations for steady-state concentrations and clearances for zero order (constant rate) input orally (into compartment #2) and intravenously (into compartment #1) are derived and reported. The steady-state concentration in compartment #1, following intravenous administration, is shown to be a nonlinear function of maximal velocity of metabolism , V m , the Michaelis constant , K m , and liver blood flow , Q; and, following oral administration is dependent only upon V m and K m and is independent of Q. However, oral bioavailability is a function of V m , K m , and Q. The model allows physiologic pharmacokinetic interpretation of both linear and nonlinear data; and, together with simple modification of the model, can explain much observed pharmacokinetic data to date particularly for first-pass drugs. Future articles in the series will be concerned with single doses, evaluation of literature data in terms of the model, application of the theory in toxicology and in clinical pharmacokinetics and therapeutics .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45033/1/10928_2005_Article_BF01073657.pd

Fichte and Hegel on Recognition

In this paper I provide an interpretation of Hegel’s account of ‘recognition’ (Anerkennung) in the 1802-3 System of Ethical Life as a critique of Fichte’s account of recognition in the 1796-7 Foundations of Natural Right. In the first three sections of the paper I argue that Fichte’s account of recognition in the domain of right is not concerned with recognition as a moral attitude. I then turn, in section four, to a discussion of Hegel’s critique and transformation of Fichte’s conception of recognition. Hegel’s transformation consists, I argue, in the claim that a comprehensive account of recognition in the domain of right must be concerned with recognition as a moral attitude

Properties of adhesive tapes used for stratum corneum stripping

The effectiveness of three adhesive tapes, 3M's No. 810, No. 845 and No. 850, in stripping stratum corneum from hairless mouse skin, was compared by measuring transdermal water loss (TEWL) and distribution profiles of a marker, minoxidil, from a solution formulation. While No. 850 tape failed to increase TEWL perceptively even after 24 strippings, both No. 810 and 845 tapes effectively removed the whole stratum corneum, at least as reflected in TEWL measurements. TEWL specifically increased incrementally from somewhere between 4 and 8 g/m2 per h to 120 g/m2 per h. From both TEWL measurements and distribution profiles of minoxidil in skin 2 h post-application of its formulation, it appears that the 3M No. 845 tape more efficiently removes stratum corneum than 3M No. 810 tape. The difference between No. 810 and No. 845 tapes in stripping formulation-treated skin held in a diffusion cell was application-time dependent, since the No. 845 tape harvested no more minoxidil than the No. 810 tape at 12 and 24 h following application of the formulation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29277/1/0000336.pd

Solvent effects on the harvesting of stratum corneum from hairless mouse skin through adhesive tape stripping in vitro

125 [mu]l of a propylene glycol/ethanol/water vehicle were applied for various lengths of time to 1.77 cm2 area of excised hairless mouse skin sections held in in vitro diffusion cells. After removal from the cell, each skin section was stripped repeatedly with a non-hygroscopic polypropylene tape. The amount of tissue removed in each strip was determined after allowing the volatile solvents to evaporate. Weights were corrected for residual propylene glycol and water, the amounts of which were determined radioisotopically. More tissue was harvested in the first and second strips from skin conditioned with the vehicle for more than 12 h. The effect of vehicle treatment on stripping properties precludes one from determining drug and vehicle concentration gradients in the stratum corneum at different treatment times by direct comparison of corresponding strips. While it does not appear that a penetrant's deposition as a function of time can be followed easily and directly by stripping and then quantifying the drug (or solvent) in the respective layers, the stripping technique may still be useful in separating stratum corneum (or epidermis) from dermis.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29469/1/0000555.pd

Simple ammonium salts acting on sigma-1 receptors yield potential treatments for cancer and depression

Sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors are emerging therapeutic targets. We have identified that simple ammonium salts bind to these receptors and are effective in vivo. Radioligand binding assays were used to obtain structure-activity relationships of these salts. MTS assays were performed to determine their effect on growth in MCF7 and MDA-MB-486 cells. Anticancer properties were tested in NMRI mice transplanted with a fragment of mouse adenocarcinoma (MAC13). Antidepressant activity was tested using the forced-swim test and tailsuspension tests. Dipentylammonium (Ki 43 nM),tripentylammonium (Ki 15 nM) and trihexylammonium (Ki 9 nM) showed high affinity for the sigma-1receptor. Dioctanoylammonium had the highest affinity (K50 0.05 nM); this also showed the highest affinity for sigma-2 receptors (Ki 13 nM). Dipentylammonium was found to have antidepressant activity in vivo. Branched-chain ammonium salts showed lower affinity. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)ammonium (K50 29 μM), triisopentylammonium (K50 196 μM) and dioctanoylammonium showed a low Hill slope,and fitted a 2-site binding model for the sigma-1 receptor. We propose this two-site binding can be used to biochemically define a sigma-1 receptor antagonist. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)ammonium and triisopentylammonium were able to inhibit the growth of tumours in vivo. Cheap, simple ammonium salts act as sigma-1 receptor agonists and antagonists in vivo and require further investigation

Potential effects of oilseed rape expressing oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) and of purified insecticidal proteins on larvae of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis

Despite their importance as pollinators in crops and wild plants, solitary bees have not previously been included in non-target testing of insect-resistant transgenic crop plants. Larvae of many solitary bees feed almost exclusively on pollen and thus could be highly exposed to transgene products expressed in the pollen. The potential effects of pollen from oilseed rape expressing the cysteine protease inhibitor oryzacystatin-1 (OC-1) were investigated on larvae of the solitary bee Osmia bicornis (= O. rufa). Furthermore, recombinant OC-1 (rOC-1), the Bt toxin Cry1Ab and the snowdrop lectin Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) were evaluated for effects on the life history parameters of this important pollinator. Pollen provisions from transgenic OC-1 oilseed rape did not affect overall development. Similarly, high doses of rOC-1 and Cry1Ab as well as a low dose of GNA failed to cause any significant effects. However, a high dose of GNA (0.1%) in the larval diet resulted in significantly increased development time and reduced efficiency in conversion of pollen food into larval body weight. Our results suggest that OC-1 and Cry1Ab expressing transgenic crops would pose a negligible risk for O. bicornis larvae, whereas GNA expressing plants could cause detrimental effects, but only if bees were exposed to high levels of the protein. The described bioassay with bee brood is not only suitable for early tier non-target tests of transgenic plants, but also has broader applicability to other crop protection products

HGF Mediates the Anti-inflammatory Effects of PRP on Injured Tendons

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and other growth factors are widely used in orthopaedic/sports medicine to repair injured tendons. While PRP treatment is reported to decrease pain in patients with tendon injury, the mechanism of this effect is not clear. Tendon pain is often associated with tendon inflammation, and HGF is known to protect tissues from inflammatory damages. Therefore, we hypothesized that HGF in PRP causes the anti-inflammatory effects. To test this hypothesis, we performed in vitro experiments on rabbit tendon cells and in vivo experiments on a mouse Achilles tendon injury model. We found that addition of PRP or HGF decreased gene expression of COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES-1, induced by the treatment of tendon cells in vitro with IL-1β. Further, the treatment of tendon cell cultures with HGF antibodies reduced the suppressive effects of PRP or HGF on IL-1β-induced COX-1, COX-2, and mPGES-1 gene expressions. Treatment with PRP or HGF almost completely blocked the cellular production of PGE2 and the expression of COX proteins. Finally, injection of PRP or HGF into wounded mouse Achilles tendons in vivo decreased PGE2 production in the tendinous tissues. Injection of platelet-poor plasma (PPP) however, did not reduce PGE2 levels in the wounded tendons, but the injection of HGF antibody inhibited the effects of PRP and HGF. Further, injection of PRP or HGF also decreased COX-1 and COX-2 proteins. These results indicate that PRP exerts anti-inflammatory effects on injured tendons through HGF. This study provides basic scientific evidence to support the use of PRP to treat injured tendons because PRP can reduce inflammation and thereby reduce the associated pain caused by high levels of PGE2. © 2013 Zhang et al