The Impact of Types of Issues, Sectors, Lifespan and Different Economic Periods on the Short-Run and Long-run Performance of IPOs

This study examines the performance of initial public offerings (IPOs) of 157 KLSE Main Board Companies for the period 1990 to 1999. The performance of the IPOs is analysed based on sample classification of types of issues, sectors in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE), the lifespan of a company and different economic conditions. Both the short-run and long-run performances were analysed. This study documents an average first day initial return of 88.11%. This is consistent with previous studies which reported that most IPOs are generally underpriced on their first day of trading. Furthermore, the evidence shows that the average abnormal returns in the long-run are smaller than those in the short-run. There is substantial variation in the performance of IPOs across sectors in the Main Board of the KLSE. The Property, Industrial Product and Construction sectors reported the highest initial returns (above 100%).The fmding shows a significant difference in the mean initial returns under different economic conditions. In the hot market, Malaysian IPOs recorded a higher return (127.96%) than in the cold market (27.04%). With respect to lifespan, the number of years existing does not affect the level of initial return of the IPOs. There is no significant difference in initial returns among three types of issues namely public issues, offer for sale and hybrid of public issues and offer for sale. This finding is inconsistent with the documented evidence in the developed markets

Functional characterization of TasA and TapA in the formation of the amyloid fiber in Bacillus subtilis

Introduction Functional amyloids are a very heterogeneous family of amyloid proteins widespread in nature, from humans to bacteria. Unlike their “pathogenic” relatives, implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, functional amyloids play important roles in several biological processes. In Bacillus subtilis, the protein TasA forms amyloid-like fibers that serve as a scaffold for the rest of the components of the extracellular matrix. Along with TasA, the auxiliary protein TapA promotes and accelerates TasA fiber assembly. Most amyloid proteins contain regions within their sequence in which their aminoacid composition make them prone to aggregation. However, the sequence determinants in TasA or TapA involved in the assembly of the amyloid fiber, its structure and function still remains elusive. Objectives To identify and characterize regions of TasA or TapA important for amyloid fiber assembly and functionality in Bacillus subtilis biofilms. Materials & methods An in silico study was performed in order to define amyloidogenic regions within TasA and TapA sequences. This analysis revealed several regions of interest and was followed by in vitro experiments using synthetic peptides corresponding to the analyzed regions. We used several biophysical techniques in combination with transmission electron microscopy to study their possible amyloid properties. Results Of the predicted amyloidogenic regions of TasA, only two polymerized with enrichment of beta-sheets, characteristic of amyloid proteins. A similar behavior was found in a sequence of the N-terminal half of TapA, which has been previously demonstrated to be determinant in the functionality of TapA. Conclusion Our findings support the utility of the in silico prediction for the search of amyloidogenic domains in proteins. The aggregative properties of all peptides and the additional amyloid-like features of some of them are suggestive of their relevance in the amyloid properties of TasA and suggest in some cases, their putative implication in the TasA-TapA interaction.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Treatment Preparedness in Thailand

Perspective and Practice in Antiretroviral Treatment: Case Stud

A short version of the amyloid-like protein TasA fibrillates and supports biofilm formation in Bacillus cereus

The formation of bacterial biofilms is a doable thanks to the assembly of an extracellular matrix that provides to the entire community with i) an outstanding architectonic structure and ii) protection to the cells from external aggressions. In Bacillus subtilis, a structural element dedicated to the formation of the extracellular matrix is the amyloid-like protein TasA. To form fibers, TasA needs the participation of the protein TapA. Indeed, a tapA mutant resembles phenotypically to a tasA mutant, which is wrinkle-less pellicles or colonies with no distinguishable morphological features. tasA is widely spread within the Bacillus genus, but tapA is absent in the heterogeneous group of Bacillus cereus which includes environmental and pathogenic members; some of them are responsible for important food intoxication outbreaks. Then, we asked whether TasA would still retain functionality in biofilm formation in B. cereus. Comparative genomic analysis showed a region in B. cereus containing two orthologous of tasA, tasA and calY, and the orthologous of sipW, that encodes a signal peptidase. Our mutagenic studies revealed that the entire region was relevant for biofilm formation, and electron microscopy proved the major propensity of TasA than CalY to form fibers in the cell surfaces. These findings also indicated that in B. cereus as opposed to B. subtilis, an accessory TapA protein is not necessary for the fibrillation of TasA. Indeed, the heterologous expression of this region of B. cereus restored the capacity of a B. subtilis tasA operon mutant or a single tasA mutant to form pellicles. These pellicles stained with the amyloid dye Congo Red and the cells were decorated with fibers, both findings suggestive of an amyloid-like nature of the B. cereus TasA. Intriguingly, in a B. subtilis tapA mutant, only the entire region of B. cereus fully rescued pellicle formation, fibrillation or Congo Red staining, to a lesser extent did sipw-tasA, and no restoration was observed with sipW-calY. These observations led us to speculate that TapA might cross seed the fibrillation of TasA or CalY in B. subtilis. In summary, TasA is relevant for biofilm formation in these two bacterial species, which appears to be governed by its polymerizing nature. The fact that we count with two bacterial species containing versions of TasA with subtle differences will be of great value in our studies of the mechanistic of polymerization of these bacterial amyloid-like fibers and their contribution to the assembly of the extracellular matrix.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Hyvä tapa markkinoinnissa

Opinnäytetyössä tarkasteltiin sitä, millaista on hyvän tavan mukainen markkinointi kuluttajansuojalain mukaan, sekä hyvän tavan mukaisuuden valvontakeinoja eli lakisääteistä kuluttaja-asiamiestä, markkinaoikeuden toimintaa, sekä alan itsesääntelyä, toisin sanoen mainonnan eettisen neuvoston toimintaa. Opinnäytetyössäni käytin lainopillista tutkimusmetodia, eli tutkin voimassa olevan oikeuden sisältöä tutkittavassa oikeusongelmassa. Systematisoinnin, eli jäsentämisen hoidin siten, että ensin kerroin, mitä lainsäädäntö sanoo aiheesta, sitten havainnollistin asiaa kirjantiedoilla ja oikeuskäytännöstä löytämilläni esimerkeillä. Hyvä tapa markkinoinnissa on oikeuden ala, joka on rakentunut oikeuskäytännön ratkaisujen myötä yhteiskunnan arvojen muuttuessa ja markkinoinnin kehittyessä. Vasta 2008 otettiin kuluttajansuojalakiin säädös, jossa määritetään tarkemmin niitä tilanteita, jolloin markkinointi on hyvän tavan vastaista. Hyvän tavan vastaista markkinointia valvovat kuluttaja-asiamies, sekä mainonnan eettinen neuvosto. Sanktioita, joita markkinoija voi saada hyvän tavan vastaisesta markkinoinnista, ovat markkinaoikeuden määräämä kielto ja uhkasakko, sekä mainonnan eettisen neuvoston huomautus. Hyvä jatkotutkimusaihe opinnäytetyölleni voisi olla kuluttajansuolain 2.1 §:ssä mainitun sopimattoman markkinoinnin määrittäminen.The purpose of this study was to examine what is a good conduct in marketing based on the Consumer Protection Act, and further, how this is being supervised by a statutory consumer ombudsperson, the Market Court and self regulation of the field, i.e. activities of the Council of Ethics in Advertising. In this study, a legal research method was used, which means that the contents of the act were examined through a current jurisprudence problem. Systematizing was carried out by examining first, what was written in the act and after that the subject was demonstrated with book learning and examples found from legal usage. A good conduct in marketing is a juridical field that has been built on decisions of the legal practice when values of the society have changed and marketing developed. Only in 2008 was Consumer Protection Act supplemented by a decree that determined what is contrary to a good conduct in marketing. A good conduct in marketing is supervised by a consumer ombudsperson and the Council of Ethics in Advertising. Sanctions imposed to the marketer from breaking the Consumer Protection Act are a ban and penalty payment stipulated by the Market Court and a legal notice from the Council of Ethics in Advertising. A good subject for further studies would be how to define inappropriate marketing mentioned in the paragraph 2.1 of the Consumer Protection Act

Tapa haiglast sai 2016. aastal Viru haigla

Eesti Arst 2017; 96(11):685–68

Support needs of ASD families in the Manawatu DHB catchment area : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand

Figure 1 Te Whare Tapa Whā removed for copyright reasons but may be accessed via https://www.maorimenshealth.co.nz/te-whare-tapa-wha-health-whare/Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is becoming increasingly understood as being both widely heterogeneous and complex for the individual on the spectrum. Similarly, families are also highly variable and complex; they are arguably the most important support unit a child with ASD has, with their own resources, constraints, values and beliefs. Service individualisation, which accounts for such variances within the individual, and the collective, is broadly seen as critical for service delivery success. To date, little research has gauged the extent of ASD service individualisation abroad, and an understanding of how this is done in Aotearoa New Zealand is absent. The intent of this research was to investigate whether or not existing services and supports target the uniqueness of both the individual with ASD, and their families to enable them to participate in society. In particular, a key focus was if services are appropriate, accessible and sufficient. To accomplish the intent of the research a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design was utilised. Both quantitative and qualitative data was gathered from caregivers of autistic children – firstly, through an online survey featuring several lifespan themes, and subsequently, qualitative data was collected through caregiver interviews carried out with participants recruited from the MidCentral and Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (DHB) areas. Analyses of the prioritised qualitative data indicated that a variety of service delivery factors prevented families with autistic children from optimal functioning, and participating in society. Furthermore, systemic issues were theorised to be the underlying causes of several of the difficulties faced by autistic children, and their families. The importance of individualised care packages that meet the needs of the families spoken to was emphasised, and the 'wicked problem' (Stace, 2011) of services that are appropriate, accessible and adequate remains ongoing. Recommendations for meeting the needs of individuals with ASD and their families are discussed

Hōmai te Waiora ki Ahau: te ara whakamua - towards the establishment of construct validity

Hōmai te Waiora ki Ahau: te ara whakamua, is about the development of a tool to measure psychological wellbeing among Māori. Why is it relevant? Because a quick look at the June 2002 edition of New Zealand’s Journal of Psychology will show you that the wellbeing measures being used in this country are not responsive to the needs of Māori, are not based on Māori concepts or Constructs, do not facilitate Māori participation in te ao Māori and do not provide pathways through which Māori can develop a positive Māori identity. It is highly unlikely that the tools which psychologists use to measure wellbeing among Māori will help Māori to experience whānau ora and that, as we all know, is the paramount health objective for Māori (Ministry of Health, 2002). In this regard, it would seem that the powers that be in psychology are failing to meet their Treaty obligations to Māori. Therefore, Hōmai te Waiora ki Ahau simply aims to assist change. This presentation will briefly describe the context of the development of this measure, the methodologies used to develop this tool, the outcomes of a small pilot-study, and current challenges and future directions for Hōmai te Waiora ki Ahau

Development of non-destructive methodology using ATR-FTIR with PCA to differentiate between historical Pacific barkcloth

Barkcloths, non-woven textiles originating from the Pacific Islands, form part of many museum collections and date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The ability to determine different plant species which have been used for producing barkcloth is required by art historians to help understand the origin and use of the cloths and by conservators for whom the species type may have an impact on textile durability, deterioration and hence conservation. However, to date the development of a non-destructive, robust analytical technique has been elusive. This article describes the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR) and principal component analysis (PCA) todifferentiation between historic barkcloths. Three distinct groups of historic cloths were identified using PCA of the FTIR region between 1200 and 1600 cm−1 where molecular vibrations associated with tannins and lignins are dominant. Analysis of contemporary cloths only identified Pipturus albidus cloth as different and highlighted the difficulties around producing a representative textile sample to mimic the historic cloths. While the methodology does not itself identify species, the use of historically well-provenanced samples allows cloths showing similarities to group together and is a significant aid to identification