Corporate management of exchange rate misalignment - The experience of U.K. firms 1979-82, 1987-92.

Neoclassical approaches to the analysis of the impact of a floating exchange regime on business have tended to take the form of models or econometric relationships between exchange rate volatility and trade volumes. These have tended to conclude that floating does not harm trade. The rationale of this study is to examine the impact of prolonged currency overvaluation from the perspective of individual firms. The research method is a case study investigation of the impact of sterling overvaluation 1979-82 and 1990-92 on two U.K. companies in the auto and chemical industries in a comparative context with their German rivals. Further, the impact of US{dollar} misalignment in the years 1987-92 on a U.K. exporter highly dependent on the U.S. market is compared with the impact on its German rivals, since both U.K. and German firms were at a disadvantage. In addition, the case is documented of a large U.K. firm which failed during the sterling misalignment which began in 1979. It was found that external financial hedges offered no solution for managing misalignment and that internal financial, operational and strategic hedging is necessary. However, the necessary strategic adjustments only occurred with a lag, if at all. The lag is owing to the suddeness and unanticipated duration of currency misalignment. The two U.K. corporations were forced into retrenchment whereas their German rivals, with a more stable real exchange rate environment and/or a more balanced product/market strategy, gained a competitive advantage. The implications for corporate and public policy are investigated in an E.U. context. Corporations must generate flexibility in their product-market strategies and if they cannot do so, the consequences under prolonged currency overvaluation are serious. It was also found that not only do German firms enjoy a more favourable currency background, but they also benefit from a range of other factors - determinable by public policy - which reduce uncertainty. The reduction in uncertainty from these sources, such as the absence of hostile takeovers, can be of greater importance to the firm than currency stability. Against this background, the conventional self-imposed restriction of the corporate treasury role to financial rather than strategic hedging - and the failure to effectively institutionalize responsibility for proactive strategic currency hedging elsewhere in the firm - will tend to reinforce the higher risk environment facing U.K. firms compared to their German and continental rivals. Thus as far as U.K. firms are concerned, corporations are partial and biased not only in the management of foreign exchange risk but also in the management of total risk

Understanding m6A’s role in the myometrium during gestation

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, mainly affects the function of genes through regulating the transcription or translation processes, without altering the DNA sequences. The regulation of m6A modification is dynamic and reversible and is established by m6A methyltransferases (“writers”), such as methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3). It is removed by m6A demethylases (“erasers”), such as α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). The effects of m6A modification on RNA metabolism depend on the recognition by different m6A -binding proteins (“readers”), including the YT521-B homology (YTH) domain family and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (HNRNPs). We believe that splicing directed by m6A methylation plays a significant role in regulating the physiology of the pregnant myometrium through alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs, facilitating rapid expansion and plasticity of the genome, producing an altered active proteome allowing for the transition from a quiescent to laboring myometrial compartment. Western blot analysis of pregnant mouse uteri from mid gestation to term in labor revealed distinct and corollary gestational modifications in the reader and writers METTL3, hnRNPC and YTHDC1, which spiked at mid gestation and again at term correlating with m6A labeling and previously observed increases in myometrial splicing events. In contrast as expected the eraser ALKBH5 levels declined towards term. Future analysis will examine if these gestational changes are hormonally regulated. We believe that alternative splicing and changes in the epi-transcriptome through m6A regulation are an underlying mechanism involved in normal term labor and understanding these phenomena may lead to development of an effective therapeutic for preterm labor

Understanding m6A’s role in the myometrium during gestation

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, mainly affects the function of genes through regulating the transcription or translation processes, without altering the DNA sequences. The regulation of m6A modification is dynamic and reversible and is established by m6A methyltransferases (“writers”), such as methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3). It is removed by m6A demethylases (“erasers”), such as α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). The effects of m6A modification on RNA metabolism depend on the recognition by different m6A -binding proteins (“readers”), including the YT521-B homology (YTH) domain family and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (HNRNPs). We believe that splicing directed by m6A methylation plays a significant role in regulating the physiology of the pregnant myometrium through alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs, facilitating rapid expansion and plasticity of the genome, producing an altered active proteome allowing for the transition from a quiescent to laboring myometrial compartment. Western blot analysis of pregnant mouse uteri from mid gestation to term in labor revealed distinct and corollary gestational modifications in the reader and writers METTL3, hnRNPC and YTHDC1, which spiked at mid gestation and again at term correlating with m6A labeling and previously observed increases in myometrial splicing events. In contrast as expected the eraser ALKBH5 levels declined towards term. Future analysis will examine if these gestational changes are hormonally regulated. We believe that alternative splicing and changes in the epi-transcriptome through m6A regulation are an underlying mechanism involved in normal term labor and understanding these phenomena may lead to development of an effective therapeutic for preterm labor

Administering Cognitive Tests Through Touch Screen Tablet Devices: Potential Issues

Mobile technologies, such as tablet devices, open up new possibilities for health-related diagnosis, monitoring, and intervention for older adults and healthcare practitioners. Current evaluations of cognitive integrity typically occur within clinical settings, such as memory clinics, using pen and paper or computer-based tests. In the present study, we investigate the challenges associated with transferring such tests to touch-based, mobile technology platforms from an older adult perspective. Problems may include individual variability in technical familiarity and acceptance; various factors influencing usability; acceptability; response characteristics and thus validity per se of a given test. For the results of mobile technology-based tests of reaction time to be valid and related to disease status rather than extraneous variables, it is imperative the whole test process is investigated in order to determine potential effects before the test is fully developed. Researchers have emphasized the importance of including the ‘user’ in the evaluation of such devices; thus we performed a focus group-based qualitative assessment of the processes involved in the administration and performance of a tablet-based version of a typical test of attention and information processing speed (a multi-item localization task), to younger and older adults. We report that although the test was regarded positively, indicating that using a tablet for the delivery of such tests is feasible, it is important for developers to consider factors surrounding user expectations, performance feedback, and physical response requirements and to use this information to inform further research into such applications

Infant and Young Child Feces Management and Enabling Products for Their Hygienic Collection, Transport, and Disposal in Cambodia.

In Cambodia, children's feces are rarely disposed of in an improved sanitation facility. This study examines current practices and the role that enabling products may play in increasing hygienic management of infant and young child (IYC) feces in households with access to improved sanitation. A survey was conducted with the primary caregiver of a child under 5 years of age in 130 homes with an improved latrine in 21 villages across two provinces in Cambodia. Two focus group discussions per province were conducted after the survey to obtain caregiver feedback on new enabling products for hygienic management. Among caregivers, 63% reported child feces disposal in an improved latrine but only 36% reported doing so consistently. Besides child age, years of latrine ownership, caregiver age, consistency of adult latrine use, and presence of child feces management tools in the latrine were associated with hygienic disposal. The youngest caretakers with the newest latrines and youngest children were least likely to dispose of IYC feces hygienically, representing a key target group for interventions to improve hygienic disposal in Cambodia. Reusable diapers, child-friendly potties, and possibly latrine seats, that offer child safety, time and cost savings, and easy disposal and cleaning could potentially facilitate hygienic disposal for these ages

Identifying Feasible Interventions to Prevent Long-Term Health Consequences of Psychotropic Medications Prescribed to Children at the Baird School

Introduction: •Many children with behavioral needs struggle in traditional classroom settings. Children receive help through specialized educational institutions, pharmacotherapy, and psychiatric counseling. •While substantial information exists about drug indications and side effects, there is little literature documenting the barriers caregivers face in addressing side effects •Our group conducted a literature review to identify the side effects and associated comorbidities of the six most frequently prescribed psychotropic drugs at the Baird School. •We designed a survey to assess the caregivers’ resources and barriers to minimizing these side effects, and then offered a collection of feasible recommendations.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1049/thumbnail.jp