The Enterprise Risk Management of Foreign Exchange Exposures: Evidence from Taiwanese Hospitality Industry

For this paper, I use the ARIMA model to study the relationship between business performance and exchange rate fluctuations. Through this model, the empirical results shows that the influences of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the tourist hotel business performance are significant and different across currencies and firms. Furthermore, according to the framework of Kim (2013) we employ the modern portfolio theory proposed by Markowitz (1952) to give an optimal foreign exchange allocation for each tourist hotel company's financial decision-makers, which will avoid the risk of exchange rate fluctuations expose and reduce losses due to the fluctuations of exchange rates, and complete the construction of enterprise risk management system (ERM)

Transcription of the rat testis-specific Rtdpoz-T1 and -T2 retrogenes during embryo development: co-transcription and frequent exonisation of transposable element sequences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Retrotransposition is an important evolutionary force for the creation of new and potentially functional intronless genes which are collectively called retrogenes. Many retrogenes are expressed in the testis and the gene products have been shown to actively participate in spermatogenesis and other unique functions of the male germline. We have previously reported a cluster of retrogenes in the rat genome that encode putative TRAF- and POZ-domain proteins. Two of the genes, <it>Rtdpoz-T1 and -T2 </it>(abbreviated as <it>T1 </it>and <it>T2</it>), have further been shown to be expressed specifically in the rat testis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show here that the <it>T1 </it>and <it>T2 </it>genes are also expressed in the rat embryo up to days 16–17 of development when the genes are silenced until being re-activated in the adult testis. On database interrogation, we find that some <it>T1/T2 </it>exons are chromosomally duplicated as cassettes of 2 or 3 exons consistent with retro-duplication. The embryonic <it>T1/T2 </it>transcripts, characterised by RT-PCR-cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends, are further found to have acquired one or more noncoding exons in the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Most importantly, the <it>T1</it>/<it>T2 </it>locus is embedded within a dense field of relics of transposable element (TE) derived mainly from LINE1 and ERV sequences, and the TE sequences are frequently exonised through alternative splicing to form the 5'-UTR sequences of the <it>T1/T2 </it>transcripts. In a case of <it>T1 </it>transcript, the 3'-end is extended into and terminated within an L1 sequence. Since the two genes share a common exon 1 and are, therefore, regulated by a single promoter, a <it>T2</it>-to-<it>T1 </it>co-transcription model is proposed. We further demonstrate that the exonised 5'-UTR TE sequences could lead to the creation of upstream open reading frames resulting in translational repression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Exonisation of TE sequences is a frequent event in the transcription of retrogenes during embryonic development and in the testis and may contribute to post-transcriptional regulation of expression of retrogenes.</p

Ceftriaxone attenuates hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Perinatal brain injury is the leading cause of subsequent neurological disability in both term and preterm baby. Glutamate excitotoxicity is one of the major factors involved in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Glutamate transporter GLT1, expressed mainly in mature astrocytes, is the major glutamate transporter in the brain. HIE induced excessive glutamate release which is not reuptaked by immature astrocytes may induce neuronal damage. Compounds, such as ceftriaxone, that enhance the expression of GLT1 may exert neuroprotective effect in HIE.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a neonatal rat model of HIE by unilateral ligation of carotid artery and subsequent exposure to 8% oxygen for 2 hrs on postnatal day 7 (P7) rats. Neonatal rats were administered three dosages of an antibiotic, ceftriaxone, 48 hrs prior to experimental HIE. Neurobehavioral tests of treated rats were assessed. Brain sections from P14 rats were examined with Nissl and immunohistochemical stain, and TUNEL assay. GLT1 protein expression was evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pre-treatment with 200 mg/kg ceftriaxone significantly reduced the brain injury scores and apoptotic cells in the hippocampus, restored myelination in the external capsule of P14 rats, and improved the hypoxia-ischemia induced learning and memory deficit of P23-24 rats. GLT1 expression was observed in the cortical neurons of ceftriaxone treated rats.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that pre-treatment of infants at risk for HIE with ceftriaxone may reduce subsequent brain injury.</p

MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL KINEMATICS OF UPPER EXTREMITY IN SNATCH WEIGHT LIFTING

INTRODUCTION: Previously, there was little weightlifting research focused on biomechanics of the elbow and the shoulder joints (Bartonietz, 1996). Therefore, the purposes of this study were to evaluate the kinematics of upper extremity on sagittal plane during 1st pull, transition from the 1st to the 2nd pull, 2nd pull, turnover under the barbell, catch phase, and rising from the squat position phases of snatch weight lifting and to examine upper-limb muscles activity during snatch weight lifting. The EMG signals were analyzed using the normalized linear envelopes

Model Karakteristik Self Excited Vibrations Aliran Fluida Akibat Perubahan Konstanta Elastis Tube

Analisis eksperimental pada penelitian ini dilakukan untuk memperoleh karakteristik self excited vibrations secara aktual. Karakteristik self excited vibrations hanya dapat diamati pada kondisi kritis yang mempunyai nilai pinch ratio tertentu. Pengambilan data dengan alat ukur getaran (vibrations meter) untuk mengukur karakteristik getaran yang terjadi berupa frekwensi, amplitudo dan analisis FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). Perubahan konstanta elastis selang menghasilkan frekwensi getaran pada rentang 5,83 Hz – 10,00 Hz. Sedangkan amplitudo getaran yang dihasilkan menurun dengan berkurangnya kecepatan aliran yaitu pada rentang 0,30 mm – 1,95 mm. Pengaruh Perubahan konstanta elastis selang juga dapat dinyatakan dengan parameter indeks kecepatan (S). Indeks kecepatan yang dihasilkan pada selang dengan konstanta K3 menghasilkan rentang S3 = 2,61 – 3,37, K2 menghasilkan rentang S2 = 2,69 – 3,51, dan K1 menghasilkan rentang S1 = 2,82 – 3,71. Selain itu penurunan pinch ratio (be) menyebabkan indeks kecepatannya juga menurun karena kekakuan sistem akan meningkat akibat meningkatnya tekanan fluida. Parameter lain yang menunjukkan pengaruh konstanta elastis selang adalah bilangan Womersley (α) dan angka Strouhal (St). Pada selang dengan konstanta K3 menghasilkan rentang angka Strouhal St3 = 0,30 – 0,38, K2 menghasilkan St2 = 0,29 – 0,37, dan K1 menghasilkan St1 = 0,27 – 0,35. Selain itu pada selang dengan konstanta K3 menghasilkan rentang α3 = 65,35 – 68,38, K2 menghasilkan α2 = 64,07 – 67,24, dan K1 menghasilkan α1 = 62,26 – 65,69. Kesimpulan yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini adalah parameter bilangan Womersley (α) dan angka Strouhal (St) meningkat dengan bertambahnya konstanta elastis selang dan kekakuan sistem. Sedangkan indeks kecepatan (S) menurun dengan meningkatnya konstanta elastis selang

Operative Treatment of Intra-articular Distal Radius Fractures Using the Small AO External Fixation Device

BackgroundA retrospective group study was done to evaluate the effect of the small AO external fixator in the management of acute intra-articular fractures of the distal radius.MethodsBetween January 1995 and December 1996, 70 consecutive patients with articular fractures of the distal radius were treated by closed reduction and external fixation with small AO external fixators. The mean age at the time of surgery was 58.9 years (range, 14–87 years). There were 58 Colles' Barton's fractures and 12 Smith's Barton's fractures. The follow-up period was 104 months (range, 92–118 months).ResultsAll fractures united in a mean of 5.8 weeks (range, 4–10 weeks). At the final follow-up, the average range of motion was 56.3 ± 11.6° in flexion, 58.6 ± 10.7° in extension, 21.5 ± 4.2° in ulnar deviation, 9.1 ± 2.9° in radial deviation, 71.5 ± 8.5° in pronation, and 67.3 ± 9.2° in supination. Compared with the normal side, the average grip force was 87 ± 6%. The overall clinical and functional outcomes, according to the scoring system of Gartland and Werley, showed that 22 patients (31.4%) had excellent results, 36 (51.4%) had good results, 9 (12.9%) had fair results, and 3 (4.3%) had poor results.ConclusionClosed reduction and external fixation with the small AO external fixator is useful and effective in the management of displaced comminuted articular fractures of the distal radius

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Cinnamomum cassia Constituents In Vitro and In Vivo

We have investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Cinnamomum cassia constituents (cinnamic aldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid, and coumarin) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) and carrageenan (Carr)-induced mouse paw edema model. When RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with cinnamic aldehyde together with LPS, a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels productions were detected. Western blotting revealed that cinnamic aldehyde blocked protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB), and IκBα, significantly. In the anti-inflammatory test, cinnamic aldehyde decreased the paw edema after Carr administration, and increased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the paw tissue. We also demonstrated cinnamic aldehyde attenuated the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the edema paw after Carr injection. Cinnamic aldehyde decreased the NO, TNF-α, and PGE2 levels on the serum level after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that cinnamic aldehyde decreased Carr-induced iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB expressions in the edema paw. These findings demonstrated that cinnamic aldehyde has excellent anti-inflammatory activities and thus has great potential to be used as a source for natural health products

Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: Risk Factors for Appearance of Imipenem Resistant Strains on Patients Formerly with Susceptible Strains

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is an important nosocomial pathogen usually susceptible to carbapenems; however, growing number of imipenem resistant MDRAB (IR-MDRAB) poses further clinical challenge. The study was designed to identify the risk factors for appearance of IR-MDRAB on patients formerly with imipenem susceptible MDRAB (IS-MDRAB) and the impact on clinical outcomes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A retrospective case control study was carried out for 209 consecutive episodes of IS-MDRAB infection or colonization from August 2001 to March 2005. Forty-nine (23.4%) episodes with succeeding clinical isolates of IR-MDRAB were defined as the cases and 160 (76.6%) with all subsequent clinical isolates of IS-MDRAB were defined as the controls. Quantified antimicrobial selective pressure, "time at risk", severity of illness, comorbidity, and demographic data were incorporated for multivariate analysis, which revealed imipenem or meropenem as the only significant independent risk factor for the appearance of IR-MDRAB (adjusted OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.27). With selected cases and controls matched to exclude exogenous source of IR-MDRAB, multivariate analysis still identified carbapenem as the only independent risk factor (adjusted OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.92). Case patients had a higher crude mortality rate compared to control patients (57.1% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.001), and the mortality of case patients was associated with shorter duration of "time at risk", i.e., faster appearance of IR-MDRAB (adjusted OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.98). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Judicious use of carbapenem with deployment of antibiotics stewardship measures is critical for reducing IR-MDRAB and the associated unfavorable outcome

Antinociceptive Activities and the Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammation of Asiatic Acid in Mice

Asiatic acid (AA), a pentacyclic triterpene compound in the medicinal plant Centella asiatica, was evaluated for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Treatment of male ICR mice with AA significantly inhibited the numbers of acetic acid-induced writhing responses and the formalin-induced pain in the late phase. In the anti-inflammatory test, AA decreased the paw edema at the 4th and 5th h after λ-carrageenan (Carr) administration and increased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver tissue. AA decreased the nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels on serum level at the 5th h after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that AA decreased Carr-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expressions at the 5th h in the edema paw. An intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection treatment with AA also diminished neutrophil infiltration into sites of inflammation as did indomethacin (Indo). The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of AA might be related to the decrease in the level of MDA, iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB in the edema paw via increasing the activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx in the liver