Risky Steps Research Articles

The Scope of the Business Judgment Rule and its Relation to the Fiduciary Duties of Company Directors

Due to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the corporate field, it is impossible to consistently ensure that the business entity will get guaranteed income from its business activities and that all corporate decisions made by the director will be beneficial to the company.
 If the company directors were to be held responsible for any decision that did not result in a profit for the company, this would limit their freedom of action and discourage them from taking risky steps.
 The main subject of this article is the Business Judgment Rule, which stipulates that a company director has the authority to make bad (unprofitable) decisions within specific legal limits without being held accountable for them.
 Furthermore, an appropriate balance must be maintained in the legal system between the freedom of the corporate directors under the business judgment rule and the risk of being held accountable for dishonest activities and unreasonable steps taken by them.

Visceral and gastrointestinal complications in robotic urologic surgery

IntroductionWith the widespread use of minimally invasive techniques, robot-assisted urologic surgery has become widely adopted. Despite their infrequency, visceral and gastrointestinal complications could be life-threatening. ObjectivesTo identify the main gastrointestinal injuries that occur in a robot-assisted urologic surgery. To know the overall incidence and how is their management. Acquisition of the evidenceSearch in PubMed of articles related to visceral and gastrointestinal complications in robot-assisted urology surgery, written in English or Spanish. Relevant publications as well literature reviews and chapters from books were reviewed. Synthesis of the evidenceAlong with vascular injuries, visceral and gastrointestinal lesions are among most dangerous complications. A complete preoperative study to individualize each patient characteristics and the correct use of imaging could help us to avoid complications in the first place. To know all the risky steps in the different robotic urologic procedures will let us anticipate the damage. Knowledge of main and most dangerous injuries in the different abdominal and pelvic organs is fully recommended. Early diagnosis and evaluation of lesions will let us an acute management during surgery. Recognition delay could change a repairable injury into a life-threatening situation. ConclusionsDespite the undeniable benefits of robotic approach, there are minor and major gastrointestinal injuries that all urologic surgeons must know. Those related with trocar placement are especially important. Immediate diagnosis and management is mandatory.

Complicaciones viscerales y gastrointestinales en la cirugía urológica robótica

Introductionwith the widespread use of minimally invasive techniques, robot-assisted urologic surgery has become widely adopted. Despite their infrequency, visceral and gastrointestinal complications could be life-threatening. ObjectivesTo identify the main gastrointestinal injuries that occur in a robot-assisted urologic surgery. To know the overall incidence and how is their management. Acquisition of the evidenceSearch in PubMed of articles related to visceral and gastrointestinal complications in robot-assisted urology surgery, written in English or Spanish. Relevant publications as well literature reviews and chapters from books were reviewed. Synthesis of the evidenceAlong with vascular injuries, visceral and gastrointestinal lesions are among most dangerous complications. A complete preoperative study to individualize each patient characteristics and the correct use of imaging could help us to avoid complications in the first place. To know all the risky steps in the different robotic urologic procedures will let us anticipate the damage. Knowledge of main and most dangerous injuries in the different abdominal and pelvic organs is fully recommended. Early diagnosis and evaluation of lesions will let us an acute management during surgery. Recognition delay could change a repairable injury into a life-threatening situation. ConclusionsDespite the undeniable benefits of robotic approach, there are minor and major gastrointestinal injuries that all urologic surgeons must know. Those related with trocar placement are especially important. Immediate diagnosis and management is mandatory.

Low-temperature low-cost 58 Bismuth – 42 Tin alloy forensic chip re-balling and re-soldering

The re-soldering of electronic components is often necessary during forensic investigations. Such re-soldering usually occurs in two scenarios. In the first in vivo scenario, a component is extracted from the exhibit board and analysed (or unlocked) externally before being re-implanted in the exhibit board. In the second in vitro scenario, the extracted component is implanted in an external test board or in an unlocked device of the same brand and model. We call such manipulations chip-off/chip-on procedures.In some cases, data manipulation, performed during chip-off and chip-on, may also help to recover forensically significant data such as emails, text messages, contacts, photos or videos….Chip-off/chip-on techniques involve two risky steps during which forensic data can be irreversibly lost, given that a chip must be de-soldered and re-soldered again. During both operations temperatures beyond the normal operating range are applied to a chip containing valuable information. In addition, for cost reasons, chips are usually not designed to withstand repeated soldering during their life-cycle.A recent publication by the Netherlands Forensic Institute (Jongh, 2014) proposes to minimise thermal stress by using low temperature alloys during the re-soldering phase. The necessary low temperature soldering 42Sn/58Bi 300 μm balls have a burdensome cost (several thousands of euros per ball jar) if a mass production is not considered. Given that the forensic analysis of mobiles telephones has become a standard requirement in most criminal cases, unitary forensic analysis cost reduction is currently a necessity. Luckily, it is possible to find cheap soldering pastes composed of inhomogeneous balls of 42Sn/58Bi (25–45 μm) mixed in a solvent. How to use such pastes for forensic re-soldering proves to be a nontrivial laboratory exercise, on which we focus in this paper.This work introduces a method called reballing that will produce 300 microns beads from 25 to 45 microns balls. The proposed process is based on the use of a reballing stencil. We analyse the influence of the temperature descent curve during welding, and explore its effects on the final weld's quality. Finally, we will verify the compliance of our low-cost (less than €40), low temperature (138 °C), curve-optimised reworking process on micro-BGA components.

Parcours de soins : modélisation et analyse des risques induits par les anticancéreux oraux

The care pathway of cancer patients is complex and therefore difficult to define. The oral anticancers (AKPO) have shown their benefits to patients and health professionals, however, the risks induced on the care pathway remain unknown. The objective of the study is to define, quantify the risks from AKPO and their effects on the care pathway (breakdown [Ds], rupture [Rt]). From the proposed care pathway model, FMEA method is used to analyze risks. For the 3identified processes (1monotherapy, 2bitherapies: 2AKPO or 1AKPO/1AKIV), analysis revealed an average of 91risks, 173Ds, 147Rt, increased for 1AKPO/1AKIV therapy. The administration and delivery are the most risky steps. The lack of training and information of patients and healthcare professionals generates 80% of Ds and Rt. This model confirms the complexity, variability of the care pathway. The development of actions to improve town-hospital coordination and exchange of information is required to optimize and secure the route, confirming the objectives of "Plan Cancer 3".

Rational Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia - Way Toward Reconciliation

Within a decade, Kosovo has compromised twice: accepting the process of decentralization in order to achieve independence and international recognition, through the President Martti Ahtisaari’s Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement (2 February 2007), and finally, by approving to offer autonomy for Kosovo Serbs for the sovereignty, but still within the limits of the Ahtisaari Plan.Coincidentally, the same Serbian political parties which had fought three wars, resulting in dissolution of the state (Former Yugoslavia) at that time (the Socialist Party and the Serbian Radical Party), now are in power in the Republic of Serbia, and have the possibility to finally solve the Kosovo case, and to open the perspective for this part, Europe’s black hole, to be engaged in global integration. Statements by senior Serbian politicians are positively shifting, compared to the radicalization of the relations between Albanians and Serbs three decades ago and it is believed that the developments will evolve towards rational choice and acceptance by the parties. Being under pressure by difficult socio-economic situation and need for integration processes, both sides undertake risky and unpopular steps by signing unclear political and verbal agreements on normalization of relations, which may produce difficult solving externalities in the future. The risk lies in the possibility of further damaging the Kosovo’s “piece of the cake”, after every refusal step by the Serbian side, which will damage the interest of Kosovo side according to the “zero sum” game. Analyses of the dialogue process between Kosovo and Serbia reflect the mixed benefits to the parties, resulting in not very soon European integration, and with hope on difficult but necessary reconciliation between Albanians and Serbs in the region. The broken, after the war established, status quo is better than entering into a protracted conflict in the middle of Europe.

Modified Small Incision Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Lens Implantation in HIV Patients.

AIMTo describe a surgical technique suitable for cataract surgery in regions with a high prevalence of HIV infection.METHODSWe reviewed the medical records of 20 consecutive AIDS patients with cataract who underwent modified small-incision cataract surgery (mSICS) with posterior chamber lens implantation. Classic extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was compared to mSICS. The number of potentially risky steps for contamination during surgery and duration of surgery were analyzed. A risky step was defined as any time when the surgeon had to use a sharp instrument. Student’s paired t-test was carried out to compare continuous variables, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTSTwenty patients were included in the study, 13 males (65%) and seven females (35%). The mean age was 46.3 ± 13.6 years (range 22–70 years). The number of potentially risky steps for contamination was significantly higher in the classical ECCE than in mSICS (P < 0.001). The mean duration of cataract surgery with mSICS was significantly shorter as well (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONConversion to mSICS is essential in order to reduce accidental injuries during cataract surgery in sub-Saharan countries. Sharp instruments should be passed through a neutral zone to ensure that the surgeon and nurse do not touch the same instrument at the same time.

HPK1 as a novel target for cancer immunotherapy

Identifying the appropriate drug targets for the development of a novel anti-tumor immunotherapy is one of the most risky steps in the drug development cycle. We have identified a hematopoietic cell-restricted serine/threonine kinase, hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1), as a possible target for therapeutic intervention. Targeted disruption of HPK1 alleles confers T cells with an elevated Th1 cytokine production in response to TCR engagement. HPK1 (-/-) T cells proliferate more rapidly than the haplotype-matched wild-type counterpart and are resistant to prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2))-mediated suppression. Most strikingly, mice that received adoptive transfer of HPK1 (-/-) T cells became resistant to lung tumor growth. Also, the loss of HPK1 from dendritic cells (DCs) endows them with superior antigen presentation ability, enabling HPK1 (-/-) DCs to elicit a more potent anti-tumor immune response when used as cancer vaccine. It is probable that blocking the HPK1 kinase activity with a small molecule inhibitor may activate the superior anti-tumor activity of both cell types, resulting in a synergistic amplification of anti-tumor potential. Given that HPK1 is not expressed in any major organs, it is less likely that an inhibitor of HPK1 kinase activity would cause any serious side effects.

Education and body language. Judo contribution to martial arts

Among the handbooks dealing with learning languages in their original cultural contexts the Complete Idiot's Guide to Conversational Japanese published in 2002 by outstanding lingustic expert from Harvard University, Naoya Fujita, has been the text of unique value. This best seller attracted the attention of many people interested in doing business, search ing friendship bonds and visiting the Japanese Islands. Trans lated and reedited, this wonderful book has been published in Polish version by Wydawnictwo Akademickie Dialog in 2003. This is the publication important particularly for the world of martial arts where body language has been combined with cultural studies of linguistic context. What is unique about this work and method? In the text entitled less spectacularly in Polish – Mowimy po japonsku, the author asks some fundamental questions long before re flect ing upon the grammar or linguistic structures. His fundamental remarks about the Japanese people have been followed by situational context where Japanese behave differently from Europeans. Their particular manners in the airports, banks, hotels, shopping centres, and their own houses have been marked by traditional behaviour apparently seen when you are asking questions, searching the way, going to restaurant, loosing documents, preparing the ground to business negotiations and so on. The author's suggestion is to learn the language together with understanding the Japanese identity, with reflection about their unique sense o being, together with studying some special products of Japanese civilisation, for example the taste of Japanese kitchen, body language of martial arts, philosophy. The conclusion of such reflections leads us into the do main of good Japanese manners apparently marked by Zen art and Confucian philosophy. In this quest we enter in the realm of different set of values typical for civilisation strongly influenced by the notions of good conduct and right action. In this world the Japanese do not say 'no' preferring week affirmations in entirely negative context. In such context the risky steps back are preferred to avoid 'impoliteness' typical to Westerners showing their backbones to friendly neighbors. Such attitude of studies has been particularly useful for some more demanding explorers of the world of Japanese martial arts. Beginning with the simple body language apparently marked by meaningful postures and steps, the practice of self-defence begins with the progressive understanding of body balance, to end with the deepening concentration of spirit, and learning special techniques combined with growing discipline of correct breathing. The links between the language and movements lead to the traditional structures of thought being the real but hidden background of martial arts. There the areas entirely different to Westerners come close. Some experts strongly believe in the vital bonds of traditional calligraphy derived from old Chinese roots with the progressive excellency of movements leading to victory.

Commentary on “A roadmap for the prevention of dementia II. Leon Thal Symposium 2008.” Alzheimer's disease translational research programs at the National Institute on Aging

A key component of the mission of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is to diminish the public-health burden posed by diseases of aging, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in particular. The NIA’s Division of Neuroscience (formerly the Neuroscience and Neuropsychology of Aging Program) has a longstanding interest and commitment to supporting translational research for AD that goes back to 1991 when the first AD Drug Discovery Request for Applications (RFA) was issued. In 2004, as a result of a process aimed at establishing measureable agency performance goals, the Office of Management and Budget selected the following performance target goal for the NIA: ‘‘To identify at least one intervention that would delay the onset or slow the progression of AD by 2013.’’ In response to this charge, the NIA’s Division of Neuroscience began a series of program-development activities and initiatives aimed at creating a robust AD translational research program. Here we provide a summary of the NIA’s current translational research initiatives and related programs.** In 2004, the NIA launched an exploratory R21 grants program for early drug discovery for AD (http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-06-261.html), in collaboration with the Institute for the Study of Aging/Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ISOA/ADDF; www.alzdiscovery. org). In 2005, a U01 cooperative agreement program was initiated for preclinical drug development of small molecules and biologics for the treatment of AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and age-related cognitive decline (http://grants. nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-266.html). Funding for these initiatives was secured through an NIA director’s set-aside through the end of 2009, at which point the support will likely transition to mainstream NIA funding. These programs provide a critical investment in the early steps of AD drug discovery and preclinical drug development, because they are the most risky steps and are unlikely to be pursued by the pharmaceutical industry.

Christianity's first steps into its third millennium

Abstract This solicited article reflects on two major events marking the first steps of Christianity into its third millennium. The first is the CWME Conference held at Athens, May 9-16, 2005, the second is the ninth Assembly of the WCC at Porto Alegre, Brazil, February 14-23, 2006. The introduction begins with the symbol-laden opening ceremony of the Athens Conference where a huge cross shipped from Jerusalem was received, a cross, which also will be referred to in Porto Alegre. This provided a telling image about Christianity along its way from local to global significance. The article first reviews the Athens conference in light of innovations. These include the genuine embrace of a larger community than just the WCC membership and an appeal to the basic commonalities of Christian life beyond dogmatic constraints by turning to Bible-study and prayer. The same perspective also informs the second part of the article, which looks at the forthcoming Assembly and points to some significant changes such as giving up the majority vote in favor of a consensus model and embedding the discussion of hot topics within the larger framework of ecumenical conversations. While these changes reflect an maturity they are also bold and risky steps, which deserve to be regarded with appreciation and care. They are held to be expressions of a new spirit, bringing the church more truly in line with the kenotic love of God in Christ, something regarded us most telling about Christianity's self-perception upon entering its third millennium. Introduction The symbolism could hardly have been more powerful on the morning of Tuesday, 10 May 2005. The place is the tiny harbour of Aghios Andreas, thirty kilometres northeast of Athens, Greece. It is crowded with people from around the world, official statistics speak of more than 600 coming from 105 nations and representing not less than 300 different churches, denominations, Christian organizations and networks. The occasion is the opening ceremony of the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, also counted as the thirteenth world mission conference. While a small choir of priests and seminarians chant Greek Orthodox hymns a mid-sized fishing boat appears, slowly approaching the pier where it delivers a huge cross pieced together by numerous bits of olive wood. Carefully the cross is unloaded and carried in a procession to the makeshift worship space--a tent put up on this site for use during the conference. It is placed at the tent's main entrance to remind all present of the desperate need for reconciliation. But how? What's so special about it? Well, this cross serves as a reminder of the pivotal reconciliation of humankind to God in Christ. Crafted by Palestinian artisans from the wood of trees chopped clown by order of the Israeli government to make room for the so-called security wall being erected to brutally divide Palestinian and Israeli peoples, this cross was sent as a greeting by Palestinian Christians to the conference and shipped from Jerusalem to Athens to alert participants to their persistent striving for reconciliation in the Middle East. Yet, the symbolism of the ceremony was not exhausted by this fact. The action also recalled the way along which the gospel once came from Jerusalem to Athens, then the center of Hellenistic philosophy. It was in Athens, that Paul preached a famous sermon on the Areopagos, which turned into something of a failure (Acts 17:16-34) foreshadowing the marginalization of the Christian faith by affluent and sophisticated societies. Beyond that it recalled the question posed by the North African church father Tertullian (~150-223/35 CE) at the beginning of the third century: indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church? What between heretics and Christians? ... Away with all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity of Stoic, Platonic, and dialectic composition! …

Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended

In Reagan and Gorbachev, Jack F. Matlock, Jr., gives an eyewitness account of how the Cold War ended, with humankind declared the winner. As Reagan s principal adviser on Soviet and European affairs, and later as the U.S. ambassador to the U.S.S.R., Matlock lived history: He was the point person for Reagan s evolving policy of conciliation toward the Soviet Union. Working from his own papers, recent interviews with major figures, and archival sources both here and abroad, Matlock offers an insider s perspective on a diplomatic campaign far more sophisticated than previously thought, led by two men of surpassing vision. Matlock details how, from the start of his term, Reagan privately pursued improved U.S. U.S.S.R. relations, while rebuilding America s military and fighting in order to confront the Soviet Union while providing bargaining chips. When assumed leadership, however, Reagan and his advisers found a potential partner in the enterprise of peace. At first the two leaders sparred, agreeing on little. Gradually a form of trust emerged, with taking politically risky steps that bore long-term benefits, like the agreement to abolish intermediate-range nuclear missiles and the agreement to abolish intermediate-range nuclear missiles and the U.S.S.R. s significant unilateral troop reductions in 1988. Through his recollections and unparalleled access to the best and latest sources, Matlock describes Reagan s and s initial views of each other. We learn how the two prepared for their meetings; we discover that Reagan occasionally wrote to in his own hand, both to personalize the correspondence and to prevent nit-picking by hard-liners in his administration. We also see how the two men were pushed closer together by the unlikeliest characters (Senator Ted Kennedy and Francois Mitterrand among them) and by the two leaders remarkable foreign ministers, George Shultz and Eduard Shevardnadze. The end of the Cold War is a key event in modern history, one that demanded bold individuals and decisive action. Both epic and intimate, Reagan and Gorbachev will be the standard reference, a work that is critical to our understanding of the present and the past. From the Hardcover edition.

Trends of Research in Active Addressing of LCDS

ABSTRACTActive addressing is focused on TFTs and MIMs as pixel-switches. The manufacture of a-Si-TFTs tends to settle down at a three-mask process as long as risky steps can be avoided. Fabrication throughput is being enhanced by increasing the deposition rate for a-Si- and poly-Si-layers processed by PECV.D. For wider process windows and for building row drivers with a-Si-TFTs effective mobility will have to be increased beyond 1 cm2/Vs especially by new TFT-electrodes, a protective sandwich around the a-Si-layer and modified process techniques. Poly-Si-TFTs should be fabricated at temperatures below 450 °C and preferably without laser annealing before they become an economic solution. MIMs still require more materials research to find a dielectric with a larger trap density enhancing speed of operation, lower addressing voltages and electrodes for improved long-term stability. Low-temperature processes are required for LCDs with plastic substrates.