Country Risk Importance on Investment Decision Making

Given the controversies, especially from the last period, in terms of credibility of the major international rating agencies, this article aims to assess the correlation between country risk ratings and the evolution of FDI flows in the receiving economies. In this regard, we chose to analyze the degree of these influences manifestation in Romania. The study, based on statistical information on the rating granted to Romania and the value of foreign direct investments during the period between 2000 and 2010, confirms the indirect natural connection of the two indicators. Thus, the results show that, when the rating falls in an immediate lower class, foreign direct investments are reduced by 1173.76 billion Euros, which represents 27.2% of the investments average mean made within the 11 analyzed years. Conversely, we can observe an influence of 0.05% of FDI on Romania's rating. The data obtained demonstrates the interdependence between the two indicators, however, a low correlation can be observed. The qualitative analysis performed, showed arguments that support the decrease in importance of rating, such as: reducing the credibility of rating agencies as a result of exposing the weak points from the methodologies applied, granting of incorrect ratings, the inability to foresee the financial crisis or increasing the transparency of governments which makes more and more information available to investors. This doesn’t mean that the role of country rating is denied. It remains an important decision making criterion in guiding the flows within the global economy space, but it is not sufficient and it is not indispensable.country risk, foreign direct investments, interdependence.

Some Assessments of the Maintenance Contract Free of Charge

Traditionally, the free maintenance contact is qualified as a donation, the solution being based mainly on the similarities between it and the life annuity contract. That solution, formulated before the entry into force of the current Civil Code, when the maintenance contract did not enjoy its own rules, remained optimal after 2011, even though, at present, in addition to the fact that there are special rules applicable to it, no essential elements such as legal differences between the services arising from the life annuity contract and those having their source in the maintenance one, but also those resulting from the conclusion of a donation. In addition, since its nature as an act with the title free of charge is unequivocal, it is also necessary to clarify its belonging to the subcategory of liberalities or disinterested acts. This is because, under the law of other States, the maintenance contract is configured as one for consideration, and for the situations in which the conventional maintenance claim is free of charge, the opinions are much more diversified. Analyzing these aspects and identifying sufficient arguments, we support the sui generis character of the maintenance contract free of charge, an act that is on the border between liberalities and disinterested contracts

Advanced technology for gait rehabilitation: An overview

Most gait training systems are designed for acute and subacute neurological inpatients. Many systems are used for relearning gait movements (nonfunctional training) or gait cycle training (functional gait training). Each system presents its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of functional outcomes. However, training gait cycle movements is not sufficient for the rehabilitation of ambulation. There is a need for new solutions to overcome the limitations of existing systems in order to ensure individually tailored training conditions for each of the potential users, no matter the complexity of his or her condition. There is also a need for a new, integrative approach in gait rehabilitation, one that encompasses and addresses all aspects of physical as well as psychological aspects of ambulation in real-life multitasking situations. In this respect, a multidisciplinary multinational team performed an overview of the current technology for gait rehabilitation and reviewed the principles of ambulation training

Congenital Abnormalities of the Fetal Face

Even at the early stages of gestation, the fetal face can be examined. There have been observations of the normal anatomy, such as orbits and the forehead, starting with the 12th week of gestation. However, nowadays, ultrasound equipment still cannot distinguish the soft tissues of the face, which are too thin. Yet, after the age of 14 weeks, we can easily examine the forehead, orbits, nose, lips, and ears. Recently, three-dimensional ultrasound (3D) images of the fetus can also be obtained. However, two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonographic (US) images are more easily, rapidly, efficiently, and accurately obtained. At the first stage of embryogenesis, the main part in the development of the fetal face is taken by the genetic factors. Later, the influence of the environment becomes more important. It is known that the outcome of chromosomal aberrations and of teratogenic factors is the facial malformation. Therefore, examining the facial dimorphism may get us useful hints in revealing chromosomal or genetic abnormalities. This chapter focuses on the fetal face anomalies more frequently found while performing the prenatal diagnosis. It is divided into anomalies of the orbits, nose, lip, palate, and mandible

The role of ultrasound in the prognosis of adverse perinatal outcome in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova, Craiova, Romania, The IVth Congress of Radiology and Medical Imaging of the Republic of Moldova with international participation, Chisinau, May 31 – June 2, 2018Background: Doppler ultrasound may indicate poor fetal prognosis by detecting abnormal blood flow waveforms. The study aimed to evaluate the Doppler ultrasound assessment on umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) as a predictive marker of perinatal outcome in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Material and methods: A total of 126 IUGR pregnancies with a birth weight <10 percentiles were ultrasonographically evaluated. Doppler velocity in UA and MCA, was performed at 30.6-32.6 weeks of pregnancy. We considered adverse perinatal outcome: Apgar score ≤7 to 1 and 5 minutes, admission to the Department of Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), gestational age <37 weeks at birth. Results: In the abnormal Doppler group, the newborns weight was 7±1.51 percentile, Doppler anomaly (absent/reversed end diastolic flow, UA-PI>95 percentiles, cerebro-placental ratio <1) determined the Apgar score of 6±0.75/1 minute and 7±0.64/5 minutes, a gestational age at birth of 36.2±1.01 weeks (premature birth), an admission to the NICU of 30.15% for neonates. Comparatively, in the normal Doppler group, the newborns weight was 9±1.03 percentile, the Apgar score was 8±0.95/1 minute and 9±0.76/5 minutes, the gestational age at birth was 37.4±0.99 weeks and admission to the NICU was required in only 12.69% of neonates of this group. Conclusions: Doppler antenatal monitoring may be a useful marker in the prognosis of perinatal evolution in fetuses with severe growth restriction

The role of rehabilitation and anabolic treatment in severe os-teoporosis associated with significant vitamin D deficiency – case report

It is well known that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis and that vertebral compressions fractures are a manifestation of osteoporosis. This paper presents the case of a patient with severe osteoporosis associated with vitamin D deficiency who developed over the course of two years multiple vertebral compression fractures. Method: We present the case of a 76-year-old caucasian female diagnosed with osteoporosis and significant vitamin D deficiency who was investigated for mechanical pain and functional deficit at the level of the spine and walking disorders. The patient was hospitalized in our Rehabilitation department twice. At the first hospitalization two years ago, the deficiency of vitamin D was found and the treatment was initiated. During the sec-ond hospitalization, biochemical and radiological investigations were per-formed to establish the diagnosis. Numerous vertebral compression fractures were dis-covered which were not re-vealed in the imaging investigations performed two years earli-er. She underwent symptomatic and appropriate medical rehabilitation treatment. Results and discussion: The evolution was fa-vorable after the hospitalization period, with a decrease in pain and functional deficit, as well as walking improvement. After endocrinological consultation it was decided to initiate therapy with Teriparatide which can decrease the risk of future fractures and reduce the back pain. Con-clusions: Adequate and prompt treatment of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis is very im-portant to avoid vertebral compression fractures or other complications of this disease. Physical and rehabilitation medicine also plays an important role in management of these patients

Being active with a total hip or knee prosthesis: a systematic review into physical activity and sports recommendations and interventions to improve physical activity behavior

Objectives Regular physical activity (PA) is considered important after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Objective was to systematically assess literature on recommendations given by healthcare professionals to persons after THA and TKA and to provide an overview of existing interventions to stimulate PA and sports participation. Methods A systematic review with a narrative synthesis including articles published between January 1995 and January 2021 reporting on recommendations and interventions. The PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases were systematically searched for original articles reporting on physical activity and sports recommendations given by healthcare professionals to persons after THA and TKA, and articles reporting on interventions/programs to stimulate a physically active lifestyle after rehabilitation or explicitly defined as part of the rehabilitation. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO:CRD42020178556). Results Twenty-one articles reported on recommendations. Low-impact activities were allowed. Contact sports, most ball sports, and martial arts were not recommended. One study informed on whether health-enhancing PA recommendations were used to stimulate persons to become physically active. No studies included recommendations on sedentary behavior. Eleven studies reported on interventions. Interventions used guidance from a coach/physiotherapist; feedback on PA behavior from technology; and face-to-face, education, goal-setting, financial incentives and coaching/financial incentives combined, of which feedback and education seem to be most effective. For methodological quality, 18 out of 21 (86%) articles about recommendations and 7 out of 11 (64%) articles about interventions scored yes on more than half of the MMAT questions (0-5 score). Conclusion There is general agreement on what kind of sports activities can be recommended by healthcare professionals like orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists. No attention is given to amount of PA. The same is true for limiting sedentary behavior. The number of interventions is limited and diverse, so no conclusions can be drawn. Interventions including provision of feedback about PA, seem to be effective and feasible

Correction to: Being active with a total hip or knee prosthesis: a systematic review into physical activity and sports recommendations and interventions to improve physical activity behavior

Objectives: Regular physical activity (PA) is considered important after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Objective was to systematically assess literature on recommendations given by healthcare professionals to persons after THA and TKA and to provide an overview of existing interventions to stimulate PA and sports participation. Methods: A systematic review with a narrative synthesis including articles published between January 1995 and January 2021 reporting on recommendations and interventions. The PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases were systematically searched for original articles reporting on physical activity and sports recommendations given by healthcare professionals to persons after THA and TKA, and articles reporting on interventions/programs to stimulate a physically active lifestyle after rehabilitation or explicitly defined as part of the rehabilitation. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO:CRD42020178556). Results: Twenty-one articles reported on recommendations. Low-impact activities were allowed. Contact sports, most ball sports, and martial arts were not recommended. One study informed on whether health-enhancing PA recommendations were used to stimulate persons to become physically active. No studies included recommendations on sedentary behavior. Eleven studies reported on interventions. Interventions used guidance from a coach/physiotherapist; feedback on PA behavior from technology; and face-to-face, education, goal-setting, financial incentives and coaching/financial incentives combined, of which feedback and education seem to be most effective. For methodological quality, 18 out of 21 (86%) articles about recommendations and 7 out of 11 (64%) articles about interventions scored yes on more than half of the MMAT questions (0–5 score). Conclusion: There is general agreement on what kind of sports activities can be recommended by healthcare professionals like orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists. No attention is given to amount of PA. The same is true for limiting sedentary behavior. The number of interventions is limited and diverse, so no conclusions can be drawn. Interventions including provision of feedback about PA, seem to be effective and feasible

Amount and type of physical activity and sports from one year forward after hip or knee arthroplasty—A systematic review

Introduction After rehabilitation following total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), patients are advised to participate in physical activity (PA) and sports. However, profound insight into whether people adopt a physically active lifestyle is lacking. Aim is to gain insight into the performed amount and type of PA (including sports) and time spent sedentarily by persons after THA/ TKA. Methods A systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42020178556). Pubmed, Cinahl, EMBASE and PsycInfo were systematically searched for articles reporting on amount of PA, and on the kind of activities performed between January 1995-January 2021. Quality of the articles was assessed with the adapted tool from Borghouts et al. Results The search retrieved 5029 articles, leading to inclusion of 125 articles reporting data of 123 groups; 53 articles reported on subjects post-THA, 16 on post-hip-resurfacing arthroplasty, 40 on post-TKA, 15 on post-unicompartimental knee arthroplasty and 12 on a mix of arthroplasty types. With respect to quality assessment, 14 articles (11%) met three or fewer criteria, 29 (24%) met four, 32 (26%) met five, 42 (34%) met six, and 6 (5%) met seven out of the eight criteria. PA levels were comparable for THA and TKA, showing a low to moderately active population. Time spent was mostly of low intensity. Roughly 50% of -subjects met health-enhancing PA guidelines. They spent the largest part of their day sedentarily. Sports participation was relatively high (rates above 70%). Most participation was in low-impact sports at a recreational level. Roughly speaking, participants were engaged in sports 3 hours/week, consisting of about three 1-hour sessions. Conclusion Activity levels seem to be low; less than half of them seemed to perform the advised amount of PA following health-enhancing guidelines Sports participation levels were high. However, many articles were unclear about the definition of sports participation, which could have led to overestimation