Thursday, October 31, 2019

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Research Paper Example Epidemiology The incidence of this condition in the United States is 4-14 per 100,000 children of less than 16 years of age, per year (Rabinovich, 2010). The prevalence rates are estimated to be 9-113 cases, per 100,000 population in general (Rabinovich, 2010). Internationally, it has been found that this condition is more prevalent among certain populations like Native Americans (Rabinovich, 2010). Etiology More often than not, the cause of this condition is idiopathic and most researchers are of the opinion that the disease occurs due to interaction of multiple factors, the environmental, genetic and infectious factors (Ringold et al, 2005). The gene which has been implicated for this condition is IL2RA/CD25 gene. Another gene which has been implicated is VTCN1 gene (Rabinovich, 2010). Pathophysiology The pathogenesis is not well understood. Most of the experts opine that an external trigger, in the form of trauma or infection triggers autoimmune reaction and this leads to synovial hypertrophy and inflammation of the synovium. The inflammation extends further and affects other organs too (Rabinovich, 2010). ... The onset is either abrupt or insidious. other symptoms include limping, gastrointestinal symptoms, redness of eye, fever, photophobia, orthopnea, weight loss, systemic illness and shortness of breath (Ringold et al, 2005). Children with this condition usually have history of school absences. They are unlikely to participate in physical education classes. In many children, a triggering factor, either in the form of infection or in the form of trauma may be noted. History of travel to regions endemic for ticks can point to a diagnosis of Lyme's disease. In some children anemia may be present. Illness in home pets is significant and can point to the diagnosis of reactive arthritis (Rabinovich, 2010). Physical examination may reveal arthritis, macular rash, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, muscle tenderness, serositis and pericardial rub (Rabinovich, 2010). Types There are mainly 5 types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis which have been described. These are based on the number of joi nts involved within 6 months of presentation and associated involvement of other organs in the body (Ringold et al, 2005). They are: 1. Oligoarthritis: This is the most common type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and accounts for more than 50 percent of the cases. It involves less than 5 joints. Uveitis is commonly associated with this type (Ringold et al, 2005). 2. Polyarthritis: More than 5 joints are involved in this type (Ringold et al, 2005). 3. Systemic arthritis: Systemic involvement is predominant in this type and presents as fever, generalised rash and inflammation of various other organs along with arthritis. 10- 20 percent cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis present with systemic involvement (Ringold et al, 2005). 4. Enthesitis-related

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

How the Arab spring affects the economy in the countries facing extrem Scholarship Essay

How the Arab spring affects the economy in the countries facing extrem changes Egypt , Yemen , Tunisia , Syria Libya - Scholarship Essay Example hus in Egypt risks related to external financing have shot up significantly, with dwindling direct foreign investment and negativity of net portfolio flows. The resuscitation interventions initiated by the Egyptian Central Bank to rescue the Egyptian pound from the increasing inflation and capital outflows have resulted in shocking decline in net international reserves. Libya, on the other hand, appears to be the worst hit as the escalation of the conflict grounded all the principal economic activities such as oil sales. It has been estimated that total costs in regard to the fiscal balance have been in excess of $6.5 billion. A sharp decrease in oil production, decline in local consumption as well as decrease in buying power have led to decline in the economy (Long-Term Ratings On Egypt Lowered To B On Weaker Sovereign Policy Flexibility; Outlook Negative, 10 February 2012). According to the Arab Spring Economic Report (October 24th, 2011), in Syria the economic situation is expected to be worse as protests are still going on in the face of brutal crackdown. It is expected that the GDP of the country will fall nose dive by two percent as a result of foreign direct investments, decline in tourism, dwindling public investment as well as effects of trade embargos. Looking at the economic situation in Yemen, the picture is not rosy as people living below the poverty index are expected to hit the 15 percent mark. This is due to devaluation of the currency and increase in prices of essential commodities. It is also projected that public expenditure will also drop by about $600 million as a result of weak and poor governance. The Tunisian revolution has also hit the economy of the country very hard as the most important sectors of the economy are barely surviving, thus mining; tourism and fishing are not bringing

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Challenges Faced by Li and Fung

Challenges Faced by Li and Fung Overview: Li Fung is business to business company, working as a third party or middle men between retailers and suppliers or manufacturers. The company has been operating successfully in this market since its establishment in 1906. Li Fung was started as a partnership venture in China and was known as an export trading company with overseas merchants as main customers. Later Li Fung also entered into the business of warehousing and manufacturing. The company was shifted from being a family owned business to listed company by the third generation of the family. The company deals in both soft and hard goods, but focuses more on hard goods as they offer higher margins as compared to soft goods. The company was operating on the old traditional model of physical offline existence. But the advent of internet technology has somewhat changed the scenario and has raised serious concerns about the profitable companys operation. There has been a trend that the online competitors of almost every business are outclassing their offline competitor organizations and firms. Li Fung has been also concerned about the emergence of different online business to business companies which can decrease the companys market share and profitability. The management of the company is looking for different ways and strategies in order to cope up with this threat. It is important for almost every company to change and modify their business and operations according to changing contexts and situations otherwise the company will not be able to operate profitability. The management of Li Fung understands this fact and is always ready to incorporate new technology into the business operations. The company is looking to go for a defensive and offensive strategy at the same time and is introducing online operations along with offline operations. This will not only defend the companys position against the online business to business companies but will also give competition to them because of good and high reputation of the company. Problems Facing the Organization: The different problems faced by Li Fung are listed below in order of priority or importance: The increasing trend of internet technology and online companies and business has posed a serious threat to the competitiveness of the traditional offline companies. The online business unit of Li Fung which has been established with the name of lifung.com can result in cannibalization of the companys offline services and business. The uncertainty of the success of online business model created by Li Fung targeting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The possibility of other strong competitors to copy the online business model of the company. The expertise required for the efficient handling of online business model. The employees resistance to installation and usage of new technology and business models and concepts. Discussion: The main problem which is being faced by Li Fung is the threat of losing profitability and market share because of the emergence of business to business online companies. With more and more companies using internet technology as well as increasing number of online businesses coming up have posed a serious threat to the competitiveness of the traditional offline companies. Because companies can operate at a lower cost and can reach more customers across the world by using internet, therefore with less investment and targeting more customers in more markets, this has become one of the major threats for Li Fung. Also because Li Fung has been majorly selling its products traditionally like an offline company therefore as the company has started its online business unit as well with the name of lifung.com it can hurt the core competency of the company through which it was generating revenue. And this can outclass or cannibalize the companys traditional way or operations and business. Besides this, one of the main distinguishing features of Li Fung was that it was focusing more on traditional methods to sell the products however, this focus has also been changed and it would change the overall organizational culture and its strategies. Besides this, employees would have to learn new methods and new ways to do the business and they need to be trained again. So it might create a mess for the employees and the management of the company. Thus, new challenges would be faced by the company and this new challenging situation can be a threat for the company as it can hurt its customer base and its cu rrent service quality. Besides this, the other threat faced by Li Fung is that the company has started their online business to cope up with the industry trend however, the success of online business model created by the company is uncertain as it is targeting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). As the company has not been involved in doing business online therefore Li Fung does not have the expertise and people to manage this emerging industry trend and therefore the future of the company is a big question mark. Strategic Organizational Alternatives: The possible strategic organizational alternatives which can be thought for as formulating beneficial and profitable future strategies are: The company can convert its offline business to the online business. The company can operate with both business models i.e. traditional brick and mortar model and new concept of online business which will complement each other. Another strategic option is that company offers different business models for different target markets according to their needs and requirements. The company can involve employees in the change process and can conduct learning and training programs in order to make the process of change smooth. The first three strategies are mutually exclusive and company has to decide on any one of it. If company decides to convert its offline business to the online business there is possibility of huge cost cutting and large profit margins but the company has to work on building an altogether new image in the mind of consumers. At the moment the company is being positioned and recognized as a traditional old business model company. The second strategy foster that online business can complement the offline business of the company this again will provide an opportunity to compete with the business to business online companies but this can result in increasing costs of operations. The third strategy of introducing different business models for different target markets will help the company to develop and increase the market size and business but this can result in cannibalization of the companys traditional offline business model. The fourth strategy is not mutually exclusive and company will have to incorporate this strategy will any other strategy it decides to implement. Scenarios: The different environmental and organizational scenarios that can be faced by the company are: The business to business online companies outclass the companys offline services. There is very little possibility of likelihood of this event to occur because of the efficiency and competitive advantage Li Fung has created in the market. The failure of the online venture of the company with the name of lifung.com. This scenario also has very little possibility because the company has done proper research about this decision. The failure or collapse of the technical support and basis required for starting online business. There is a possibility of this event because the company has entered into contract with Castling group for the technical expertise and the staff of Li Fung is untrained. If at any later stage there is problem or issues in the contract or the contract is terminated the company will be facing problem on part of technical expertise. Conclusion: It is necessary and mandatory for companies to change and adapt themselves according to the changing conditions and circumstances. Same is the case with Li Fung, the company is successfully operating according to its traditional old business model but the advent of new internet technology has posed serious threat to the competitiveness of the business. In order to operate profitability and remain competitive in the market the company has to incorporate the new technology into its operations and have to formulate not only defensive but also offensive strategies to retain the market position and increase the market share.

Friday, October 25, 2019

All Quiet on the Western Front by Maria Erich Remarque Essay -- paul, s

Away from the front lines, soldiers are perceived and act as individuals, however when pulled to the front, they come together creating and inseparable bond of camaraderie. Remarque’s All Quite on the Western Front illustrates the true content of war. The soldiers of the front lines fought with a common purpose, putting aside other desires and dining personal needs which created an in ignorable bond of camaraderie making life on the front lines bearable. This is particularly portrayed in Paul’s relationship to other soldiers. Through Paul’s protection of his comrades, the family-like relationship between the soldiers and the development of a close bond during free time, Remarque shows that the most important aspect of war is camaraderie. Soldiers in WWI had only each other to depend on for any chance of survival. Paul explores and puts into these actions time and again by protecting and trusting those around him. One day while pondering, Paul says to himself â€Å"we had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted that theirs. They surpass us only in phrases and in cleverness†. He is referring to the older generations who are not fighting on the front who describe the war as glorious. Paul understands that the camaraderie is based on common experience, something only the front line soldiers experience and thus understand with Paul. Because they share these common experiences, Paul also shows compassion to especially the younger, new recruits. While in the trenches a young recruit â€Å"lay in utter terror. He had buried his face in his hands. He looked up, pushing the helmet off and like a child crept under [Paul’s] arm, his head close to his breast. The little shoulders heaved. Shoulders like Kemmerich’s† Paul’s compassion f... ...nother than even lovers†¦so intimate we do not even speak† this forever known camaraderie is set in stone for when one part is lost it leaves the group weak. This is shown after Kat dies and Paul is left alone. He realizes there is no one left for him and he gives up. He knew nothing but death and dieing without the camaraderie offered to him. War is a series of deaths for a greater gain for the people who do not fight at the front. However while on the front it becomes a fight for life through battle and friendship. The bonds created allow success and support. The family bond created is the most important effect of war and debatably the only good one. Through this bond Remarque shows this importance as the only light in the never-ending darkness of war. Works Cited Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York: Ballantine, 1982. Print. All Quiet on the Western Front by Maria Erich Remarque Essay -- paul, s Away from the front lines, soldiers are perceived and act as individuals, however when pulled to the front, they come together creating and inseparable bond of camaraderie. Remarque’s All Quite on the Western Front illustrates the true content of war. The soldiers of the front lines fought with a common purpose, putting aside other desires and dining personal needs which created an in ignorable bond of camaraderie making life on the front lines bearable. This is particularly portrayed in Paul’s relationship to other soldiers. Through Paul’s protection of his comrades, the family-like relationship between the soldiers and the development of a close bond during free time, Remarque shows that the most important aspect of war is camaraderie. Soldiers in WWI had only each other to depend on for any chance of survival. Paul explores and puts into these actions time and again by protecting and trusting those around him. One day while pondering, Paul says to himself â€Å"we had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted that theirs. They surpass us only in phrases and in cleverness†. He is referring to the older generations who are not fighting on the front who describe the war as glorious. Paul understands that the camaraderie is based on common experience, something only the front line soldiers experience and thus understand with Paul. Because they share these common experiences, Paul also shows compassion to especially the younger, new recruits. While in the trenches a young recruit â€Å"lay in utter terror. He had buried his face in his hands. He looked up, pushing the helmet off and like a child crept under [Paul’s] arm, his head close to his breast. The little shoulders heaved. Shoulders like Kemmerich’s† Paul’s compassion f... ...nother than even lovers†¦so intimate we do not even speak† this forever known camaraderie is set in stone for when one part is lost it leaves the group weak. This is shown after Kat dies and Paul is left alone. He realizes there is no one left for him and he gives up. He knew nothing but death and dieing without the camaraderie offered to him. War is a series of deaths for a greater gain for the people who do not fight at the front. However while on the front it becomes a fight for life through battle and friendship. The bonds created allow success and support. The family bond created is the most important effect of war and debatably the only good one. Through this bond Remarque shows this importance as the only light in the never-ending darkness of war. Works Cited Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York: Ballantine, 1982. Print.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Prostitution Should Remain Illegal in Australia

Prostitution should remain illegal in Australia. By Alex Dimitrijevic Prostitution is a dark and dangerous industry. Allowing prostitution in Australia will only expand the sex industry, have an increase in child prostitution, damage the health of the women and also be against many women’s wills. In order to prevent these negative changes from happening in our community, the Australian Government should keep prostitution illegal and possible create a stricter law to protect the women and children.Legalising prostitution means that venues such as brothels, sex clubs and massage parlours will be available for men and young boys to attend without many restrictions. These places will be advertised and made to seem ‘okay’ because they are approved by the government, when in fact, they are nowhere near okay. They are areas where women are sold and practically rented time after time. These venues are usually located in hidden, dark areas in order to function secretly but if they were to be legalised they could potentially be near your child’s school, in your local shopping centres or even down the road to you.If you want to keep your children and community safe, prostitution should remain banned. In the prostitution industry the most preferred workers are young pure women. This category falls under young girls usually in their early teens. The high demand of women in the industry will only increase the number of young girls forced to work in these dirty circumstances. It is rare to find young teenage girls willing to participate in selling their bodies and being used by men twice or triple their age but the industry needs them! So they will force and persuade these girls.More terrifying, they will be allowed to, simply because prostitution will be legal by the government that vowed to protect them. Women in the sex industry will be open to sexually transmitted infections by men who demand not to use protection. A study in the US shows that 4 7% of men expected sex without the use of a condom, 73% offered to pay more for sex without a condom and 45% of women admitted to being abused when insisting the use of a condom. This study proves to us that women in the industry risk their health and wellbeing.They get abused for trying to protect themselves and if this activity was to be legalised then the number of patients with sexually transmitted infections would rise and even lead to deaths. These infections would be passed onto the women and back onto the men who were once clean before any intercourse, those men would probably pass it onto his wife or girlfriend, and the cycle would continue. The health of many would be at risk, not just the prostitute’s. Prostitution is not a preferred occupation by many women.These women are not aware of the dangers they enter in order to earn some money. Many that do enter the industry describe it as their last option. A study shows that 67% of interviewed women did not enter prost itution voluntarily but were forced to. They work in an environment where they are treated like slaves and paid to do as they are told without arguing. They are forced to perform on men who may be sick, abusive, drunk, dirty or simply unpleasant and if they were to complain, they would be beaten. This does not sound like a job they would be proud of or looking forward to going.In conclusion, the law against prostitution should remain illegal and possibly stricter to protect the women and young girls forced to work. If this law was to be changed and this dark and dirty act was to be allowed then we would only see negative changes in our community such as the expansion of the sex industry, increase in child prostitution, damages to the prostitutes and the general public’s health and the increase in women being forced to work. The facts and evidence are there for all of us to see and they can only worsen if prostitution is legalised.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Agriculture and Development

Agriculture is in many parts of the world is the main source of food and income of households. The role that agriculture plays in development has been debated during the last decades and the views about it are very diverse. Today, many authors consider agriculture as an essential factor for development and an important instrument for poverty alleviation. In my opinion access to land and water is an indispensable condition to ensure the livelihood of the poor.The current market conditions and the economic liberalization process make it difficult for small farmers to compete with the international sphere, which led many people to move out of agriculture. Also, the market-driven economy has serious environmental consequences, which leads to the investment in the research of more sustainable agriculture methods. In this essay, we provide a situational analysis of agriculture in the third world, which warrants our interest in the same. 1. Different views about Agriculture and Development. For some authors agriculture is a provider of raw material for the rest of the economic sectors and it is seen as a mere contributor to fuel economic development. This simplistic vision contrast with that of those who see agriculture as an essential instrument for industrialization, allowing the transfer of capital to urban areas, stimulating the market and, thus, resulting in economic development. According to Norton (2004), most of economic theories of the last 50 years support industrialization as the basis of economic development.Many governments supporting this theory saw liberalization of agricultural goods as the key for economic growth, without taking into account the effect of dependency that the new system would create. 2. The effects of the market on rural agriculture. The case of Kenya, The global economy and liberalization has deep effects on agriculture, and especially on the economy of smallholder’s farmers in the Third World. New market arrangements have broug ht opportunities for some farmers, but also had negative impact on others, who cannot compete with the low prices established by a liberalized trade.An example of this is the case of Kenya, which as many countries in Africa, suffered from a strong economic crisis during the 80s. The new international terms of trade and the increase of the world interest rates, together with internal causes (such as one of the worst drought periods of its history and political mismanagement) led to disastrous consequences on its agriculture. International market arrangements greatly influence the rural poor livelihoods as it establishes the rules that may not allow them to play in the market.These rules are designed to benefit exclusively large commercial farmers, instead of rural smallholders farmers who have experienced a reduction in their incomes. Food prices are intimately connected to the world market in areas where the poor live. 3. Agriculture research for development. Smallholder farmers pro duce food, which will be consumed by the poor, so rural agriculture, is a key for the livelihoods of the majority of the world’s poorest people (Kydd, 2002).Therefore, agriculture is a central question of development and it needs the adoption of convenient technologies for the different rural population’s needs. The idea is that smallholder farmers will be able to increase their capacities to improve their living standard through their own efforts. Thus, rather than addressing the symptoms should be better to address the causes of poverty through the application of more appropriate agriculture methods to rural farmers. The commercialization of agriculture has also led to a set of agriculture practices completely different from those of the last century.These changes are basically imposed by the new market demands and by the producers’ attempts to answer it. The new agricultural patterns involved a change in the research methods carried out by private organizatio ns searching for more efficient production practices. In this context, advances in biotechnology in the last decades have focused on profitable markets, especially orientated to large commercial agriculture. According to Norton, (2004), irrigation alone cannot be the only basis to supply food to an increasing world population.Important advances have been made in GMO as a new alternative to food production in order to feed future generations. â€Å"Participatory technology development†, where the farmers acquire the control and play a crucial role on agricultural development. Like in the years before industrialization, small farmers have again in his hands the tools for technological change in agriculture, although this new participatory process is still in its development stage. 4. Gender considerations.Due to the essential role that women are playing today on the economy of the household in developing countries, agriculture development research cannot ignore gender issues wh en designing new programs. Women in many countries produce a large part of the food crops of the households and they are essential for the family’s food security (IFAD, 2001). . References. Bibliography. Duncan, A. & Howell, J. (1992). Structural Adjustment and the African Farmer. London and Portsmouth: ODI, James Currey Ltd. & Heinemann Educational Books, Inc. o Search Top of Form