This study is aimed at exploring new process safety metrics for measuring the process safety performance in processing industries. Following a series of catastrophic incidents such as the Bhopal chemical tragedy (1984) and Phillips 66 explosion (1989), process safety became a more important subject than ever. These incidents triggered the development and promulgation of the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard in 1992. While PSM enables management to optimize their process safety programs and organizational risks, there is an emerging need to evaluate the process safety implementation across an organization through measurements. Thus, the process safety metric is applied as a powerful tool that measures safety activities, status, and performance within PSM. In this study, process safety lagging metrics were introduced to describe the contribution of process related parameters in determining the safety performance of an organization. Lagging metrics take process safety incidents as the numerator and divide it by different process-related denominators. Currently a process lagging metric (uses work hours as denominator) introduced by the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) has been used to evaluate the safety performance in processing industries. However, this lagging metric doesn't include enough process safety information. Therefore, modified denominators are proposed in this study and compared with the existing time-based denominator to validate the effectiveness and applicability of the new metrics. Each proposed metric was validated using available industry data. Statistical unitization method has converted incident rates of different ranges for the convenience of comparison. Trend line analysis was the key indication for determining the appropriateness of new metrics. Results showed that some proposed process-related metrics have the potential as alternatives, along with the time-based metric, to evaluate process safety performance within organizations.

Yes / A large literature exists on the relationship between financial development and economic growth. The role of government and public banks in building this relationship has however, remained contentious. In this study in a sub-national level of analysis in the context of large emerging economy, India we raise the question what is the relative impact of public banks in economic growth in the lagging regions vis-à-vis leading regions? Do they matter more than the private and foreign banks? To address these problems, we apply dynamic GMM panel estimator on an unbalanced panel dataset drawn from 25 Indian states covering period 1996/97 to 2008/09. Although our study is in the Indian context, it is relevant for developing countries for mainly two reasons: government ownership of banks has been widely prevalent in developing countries and in many large countries in a federation set-up inter-state differences may exist with multiple ownership of the financial sector.

Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to describe which foreign exchange risk techniques that are used by medium- and large-sized Swedish companies within the Jönköping region, and how they as well as a bank evaluate the techniques in the current recession. Background: The reason why companies decide to expand their operations abroad is to take advantage from imperfections in other national markets. The fluctuations in currencies and exchange rates can have a huge effect on a company’s cash flows when doing business abroad. Therefore, when companies manage their foreign exchange risk, they have to be familiar with all the methods and tools available in order to pick the ones that best suit their needs. Method: We sent out a questionnaire and got it answered by eight companies within the Jönköping region regarding their strategy when managing foreign exchange risk. We have also interviewed a financial adviser, working at Handelsbanken, regarding the techniques offered to companies. A “foreign currency table” located in Linköping, was also contacted. They are in charge of creating recommendations and products sold by Handelsbanken. Conclusion: Hedging is the most frequently used tool by the companies in our study. Leading and lagging strategies are used quite often, while swaps and invoice currency is used less frequently by them. Exposure netting and cash pooling does not seem to be used at all. We believe that companies generally should seek more information on new techniques introduced in the market and be open to new possibilities and solutions for managing currency risk. Most of the companies in our sample, according to us, are too comfortable in their choice of techniques. / Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats är att beskriva vilka valutarisk tekniker som används av medelstora och stora företag inom Jönköpings området, samt hur dessa företag och en bank utvärderar teknikerna i den rådande lågkonjunkturen. Bakgrund: Anledningen till varför företag väljer att expandera utomlands är för att ta nytta av fördelar som uppstår i andra marknader. Fluktuationer i valutor och valutakurser kan ha stor effekt på företagens kassaflöden när handel utomlands utförs. När företag hanterar sin valutarisk måste de vara familjära med de olika metoder som finns tillgängliga, för att få reda på vilka av dessa som bäst tillgodoser deras behov. Metod: Åtta företag inom Jönköpings regionen, svarade på ett formulär, angående deras strategi när det kommer till hantering av valutarisk. Vi har även intervjuat en företags rådgivare på Handelsbanken, angående teknikerna som de erbjuder företagen. Valutabordet i Linköping har också blivit kontaktat. De har till uppgift att ta fram rekommendationer och produkter som säljs av Handelsbanken. Slutsats: Hedging är den teknik som används mest av företagen i vår undersökning. Leading och lagging används rätt så ofta, medan swaps och invoice currency används mer sällan av dem. Exposure netting och cash pooling tycks inte användas alls. Vi anser att företag generellt ska eftersöka mer information om nya tekniker som introduceras på marknaden samt vara öppna för nya möjligheter och lösningar till att hantera valutarisk. De flesta av de undersökta företagen anser vi i dagsläget är för bekväma i sina val av tekniker.

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of the thesis is to describe which foreign exchange risk techniques that are used by medium- and large-sized Swedish companies within the Jönköping region, and how they as well as a bank evaluate the techniques in the current recession.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>The reason why companies decide to expand their operations abroad is to take advantage from imperfections in other national markets. The fluctuations in currencies and exchange rates can have a huge effect on a company’s cash flows when doing business abroad. Therefore, when companies manage their foreign exchange risk, they have to be familiar with all the methods and tools available in order to pick the ones that best suit their needs.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We sent out a questionnaire and got it answered by eight companies within the Jönköping region regarding their strategy when managing foreign exchange risk. We have also interviewed a financial adviser, working at Handelsbanken, regarding the techniques offered to companies. A “foreign currency table” located in Linköping, was also contacted. They are in charge of creating recommendations and products sold by Handelsbanken. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hedging is the most frequently used tool by the companies in our study. Leading and lagging strategies are used quite often, while swaps and invoice currency is used less frequently by them. Exposure netting and cash pooling does not seem to be used at all. We believe that companies generally should seek more information on new techniques introduced in the market and be open to new possibilities and solutions for managing currency risk. Most of the companies in our sample, according to us, are too comfortable in their choice of techniques.<strong></strong></p> / <p><strong>Syfte: </strong>Syftet med denna uppsats är att beskriva vilka valutarisk tekniker som används av<strong> </strong>medelstora och stora företag inom Jönköpings området, samt hur dessa företag och en bank utvärderar teknikerna i den rådande lågkonjunkturen.</p><p><strong>Bakgrund: </strong>Anledningen till varför företag väljer att expandera utomlands är för att ta nytta av fördelar som uppstår i andra marknader. Fluktuationer i valutor och valutakurser kan ha stor effekt på företagens kassaflöden när handel utomlands utförs. När företag hanterar sin valutarisk måste de vara familjära med de olika metoder som finns tillgängliga, för att få reda på vilka av dessa som bäst tillgodoser deras behov.</p><p><strong>Metod: </strong>Åtta företag inom Jönköpings regionen, svarade på ett formulär, angående deras strategi när det kommer till hantering av valutarisk. Vi har även intervjuat en företags rådgivare på Handelsbanken, angående teknikerna som de erbjuder företagen. Valutabordet i Linköping har också blivit kontaktat. De har till uppgift att ta fram rekommendationer och produkter som säljs av Handelsbanken.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Slutsats: </strong>Hedging är den teknik som används mest av företagen i vår undersökning. Leading och lagging används rätt så ofta, medan swaps och invoice currency används mer sällan av dem. Exposure netting och cash pooling tycks inte användas alls. Vi anser att företag generellt ska eftersöka mer information om nya tekniker som introduceras på marknaden samt vara öppna för nya möjligheter och lösningar till att hantera valutarisk. De flesta av de undersökta företagen anser vi i dagsläget är för bekväma i sina val av tekniker.</p>

The rate of DNA mutation is known to fluctuate across the genome but the patterns of mutation rate variation and molecular causes are poorly defined. It is important to understand these patterns of mutation as they influence where deleterious mutations are likely to arise and how rapidly sequences are likely to accumulate change between species, a measure often used as a proxy for functional constraint. In this work I investigate the relationship between DNA replication and apparent mutation hotspots adjacent to transcription factor binding sites. In eukaryotes both DNA strands are replicated simultaneously, the leading strand as a continuous stretch and the lagging strand as a series of discrete Okazaki fragments that are subsequently ligated together. Some transcription factors are able to bind the DNA lagging strand during replication and act as a partial barrier to DNA polymerase, resulting in the accumulation of Okazaki fragment junctions adjacent to these sites. I find that mutation rate is correlated genome wide with Okazaki junction frequency, suggesting that Okazaki junction processing may be error-prone. We present a mechanistic hypothesis to explain this locally elevated mutation rate and propose a role for lagging strand replication and its error-prone Pol α tract retention in the formation of these hotspots. I test this hypothesis using Okazaki fragment sequencing data from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify peaks in Okazaki junctions. When these peaks are aligned and orientated, so that the direction of lagging strand replication is uniform, I find a peak in substitution rate immediately downstream of Okazaki junctions, precisely where Pol α tract retention is predicted to occur. Novel binding motifs are identified within the underlying DNA of these junctions that can be assigned to known strong and fast-binding transcription factors, previously implicated in the phasing of nucleosomes, such as Reb1. I show that mutation hotspots adjacent to transcription factor binding sites are a conserved feature of eukaryotic genomes. In the human genome I predict sites of preferential Pol α retention using DNase I hypersensitivity footprint data. We observe that those footprints predicted as germline-specific manifest an elevated mutation signature. I propose that the rapid binding of some transcription factors to DNA following replication is required for nucleosome positioning or other important functions, however this incurs a cost in terms of locally elevated mutation rate adjacent to and within the sequence specific binding site. As a consequence these binding sites are biologically important mutational hotspots whose functional significance has been systematically underestimated by standard measures of sequence constraint.

We present the results of a new and high sensitivity study of the neutral hydrogen (HI) gas in three early type edge-on spiral galaxies, NGC 4157, NGC 3600 and NGC 2683. All three galaxies reveal HI disks that extend nearly or more than twice the length of the optical disk, which ubiquitously reveal asymmetries and warps. We model each galaxy using a three-dimensional kinematic model to derive the empirical parameters of the density distribution functions and rotation curves. A Gaussian function is unanimously found to best represent the density distribution in the plane of the galaxies. We also find that there is in fact a thick HI disk extending into the halo of two of three of these galaxies with scale heights on kpc. scales. This gas suggests the existence of two separate widespread components: a thin, high intensity disk component, normally rotating, and a vast, low intensity halo component, rotating at slower velocities with respect to the disk. This vertical velocity gradient is perhaps our most significant finding in addition to the discovery of the two new HI halos. We also find an unevenly distributed small-scale component of the gas in the form of shell-like and filamentary structures that extend from the disk into the halo. In all three systems we find unique kinematic and structural peculiarities including an HI disk extending four times the optical disk, a declining rotation curve, a companion, expanding bubbles, disk warps, etc. Several physical parameters are derived such as neutral hydrogen and dynamic masses, systemic velocities, HI radii, HI halo masses, etc. All of our findings are investigated and discussed in depth for each of the three galaxies. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-03 19:47:31.786

This article goes on to explain and seek if there is any predictive power in the stock markets toward GDP. Put in other words, this study examines whether or not the stock market can be seen as a leading indicator toward GDP for the ten biggest economies measured by GDP in the year 2020. What can be concluded from the results discussed in the analysis section is that the best predictability is when the stock market leads GDP with three to five quarters. In earlier studies on the same topic, the same results can be concluded. However, these previous studies have all shown an extended predictive period between one and five quarters, compared to our results which showed three to five quarters. One note worth mentioning is that we obtained contradictory results depending on if the tests were implemented for each country individually through time series data analysis, or collectively through panel data analysis. Our conclusion was drawn with the panel data analysis as the underlying truth, as it is viewed as more efficient and informative while also being a more suitable tool for studying the dynamics of change.

This paper presents a study of the ALSUP/CPS (The Assessment of Lagging Skills andUnsolved Problems/Collaborative & Proactive Solutions) work primarily conducted on astudent who was facing the difficulty of changing from one mind set to the current lesson.The objective of the study is to investigate and compare the outcomes of the ALSUP/CPSwork by interviewing the student, 3 teachers and the school psychologist. The outcomes ofstudent interview were compared to outcomes that emerged from the teachers interviews andthe school psychologist. The patterns that emerged showed both positive and negative results.The analysis revealed patterns that were significant to both the student and the teachers. Thestudent noticed that his behaviour changed in class which was also highlighted by all threeteachers. It also showed that the student was able to recognize his behaviour and therebymake suggestions for improvement. The ALSUP/CPS model emerged as an evidence-basedtool that is effective in investigating and gauging the student potential to recognize andovercome difficulties. The SNAP (Special Needs Assessment Profile) model underscored thefact that it would be a good and supportive tool to use for identifying the academic difficultiesthat a student may be facing; therefore, both the ALSUP/CPS and SNAP would complementeach other in the areas of behavioural and academic difficulties.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Accurate DNA replication is vital for maintaining genomic stability. Consequently, the machinery required to drive this process is designed to ensure the meticulous maintenance of information. However, random misincorporation of errors reduce the fidelity of the DNA and lead to pre-mature aging and age-related disorders such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the incorporated errors are the result of the error prone DNA polymerase alpha (Pol α), which initiates synthesis on both the leading and lagging strand. Lagging strand synthesis acquires an increased number of polymerase α tracks because of the number of Okazaki fragments synthesized per round of the cell cycle (~50 million in mammalian cells). The accumulation of these errors invariably reduces the fidelity of the genome. Previous work has shown that these pol α tracks can be removed by two redundant pathways referred to as the short and long flap pathway. The long flap pathway utilizes a complex network of proteins to remove more of the misincorporated nucleotides than the short flap pathway which mediates the removal of shorter flaps. Lysine acetylation has been reported to modulate the function of the nucleases implicated in flap processing. The cleavage activity of the long flap pathway nuclease, Dna2, is stimulated by lysine acetylation while conversely lysine acetylation of the short flap pathway nuclease, FEN1, inhibits its activity. The major protein players implicated during Okazaki fragment processing (OFP) are known, however, the choice of the processing pathway and its regulation by lysine acetylation of its main players is yet unknown. This dissertation identifies three main findings: 1) Saccharomyces cerevisiae helicase, petite integration frequency (Pif1) is lysine acetylated by Esa1 and deacetylated by Rpd3 regulating its viability and biochemical properties including helicase, binding and ATPase activity ii) the single stranded DNA binding protein, human replication protein A (RPA) is modified by p300 and this modification stimulates its primary binding function and iii) lysine acetylated human RPA directs OFP towards the long flap pathway even for a subset of short flaps.

Följande avhandlingsarbete har utförts som en fallstudie på BillerudKorsnäs tillsammans med en litteraturstudie som har gett upphov till den teoretiska referensram som grundläggande lagt grunden för mätstrukturen Key Performance Indicators (KPI) utformad för underhållsorganisationen. Vidare har datainsamling i form av intern och extern benchmarking tillsammans med dokumentstudier, semistrukturerade intervjuer och strukturerade observationer genomförts för att få en fullständig redogörelse för den aktuella situationen i enlighet med riktlinjerna för examensarbete på högskolenivå. Examensarbetet täcker ämnet för underhållsteknik och syftar till att kartlägga underhållsstrategin för att kunna utforma en Key Performance Indikator (KPI: s) mätstruktur för BillerudKorsnäs. Examensarbetet ger därefter upphov till analysavsnittet som med stöd av den teoretiska referensramen redogör för det förbättringsförslag och framtida rekommendationer att belysa för ett underhåll och driftsäkerhet i världsklass. Studien framställer underhållsverksamheten med utgångspunkt från svensk standard och en ledande och eftersläpande mätetalsstruktur som vetenskapligt underlag. Detta har resulterat i en tydligt definierat underhållsstrategi med nyckeltalsprestationer för en underhållsorganisation där underhållstrategin är kopplad till företagets vision och strategi. Frågeställningen som är kopplad till problemformuleringen genomsyrar arbetet och handlar om att redogöra för hur man kan anknyta till underhållstrategin och redogöra för vilka KPI:er som skall redovisas, för att skapa en effektiv och produktiv underhållsverksamhet som arbetar i enlighet med de mål man satt upp på BillerudKorsnäs- Sulfatfabrik. Resultatet från det bedrivna arbetet visar att KPI-strukturen inte är i enlighet med den underhållstrategi BillerudKorsnäs på koncernnivå fastställt, vidare så påvisar nyckeltalen inte ett effektmätetal relevant för underhållsverksamheten och fabriksledningen. Genom förbättringsförslaget som föreslås tas en ny KPI-struktur fram som ger en mätbarhet till underhållsverksamheten och är kopplad till BillerudKorsnäs vision och strategi för ”Bästa arbetsätt” inom underhåll och driftsäkerhet i världsklass. / The following thesis work has been carried out as a case study at BillerudKorsnäs together with a literature study which has given rise to the theoretical frame of reference which fundamentally laid the foundation for the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) measurement structure designed for the company. Furthermore, data collection in the form of internal and external benchmarking together with document studies, semi-structured interviews and structured observations has been carried out in order to get a complete view of the current situation as possible in accordance with the guidelines for scientific research approach. The research covers the subject area of ​​maintenance technology and aims to map the maintenance strategy to be able to design a (KPI’s) measurement structure for BillerudKorsnäs maintenance organization. The thesis then gives rise to the analysis section which, with the support of the theoretical frame of reference, describes the improvement proposals and future recommendations to elucidate world-class maintenance and reliability. The study presents maintenance operations based on Swedish standards and “leading and lagging” measurement structure as a scientific basis. This has resulted in a defined metric structure with key performance measures for a maintenance organization where the maintenance strategy is connected to the company's vision and strategy. The question linked to the problem formulation permeates the research and is about explaining how to link to the maintenance strategy and describing which KPIs are to be reported, in order to create an efficient and productive maintenance organization that functions in accordance to the maintenance goals set on BillerudKorsnäs- Sulfatfabrik. The results of the conducted research show that the KPI- structure has not been established in accordance with BillerudKorsnäs' maintenance strategy at a cooperation level, furthermore, the key figures do not show an effect metric relevant to the maintenance operations and the factory management. The proposed improvement proposal proposes a new KPI- structure that provides measurability to the industrial maintenance operation and is symmetrical with BillerudKorsnäs vision and strategy for "Best working methods" in world-class maintenance and reliability.