Study of the 2009 Influenza H1N1 emergence Pandemic The WritePass Journal

Study of the 2009 Influenza H1N1 emergence Pandemic Introduction Study of the 2009 Influenza H1N1 emergence Pandemic IntroductionConclusionRelated Introduction Pandemic influenza is an epidemic of infectious disease that can spread among human population across the world. Its first appearance was in 1918 (Spanish Influenza H1N1), where it caused an epizootic outbreak in swine causing the most devastating and terrifying pandemic in history. Pandemic influenza H1N1 was then re-emerged again in 2009 (Swine Flu).   According to the World Health Organization (WHO) several factors must be present to be considered a pandemic such as:   infected droplets released into the air and breathed in by others or close contact with infected pigs. Swine influenza is caused by Influenza A virus, which belongs to family orthomyxoviridae. They are pleomorphic-enveloped viruses therefore Influenza viruses are named based on the major surface antigens: Hemagglutinins (HA) and Neuraminidase (N).   Neuraminidase is an enzyme that is responsible for releasing the progeny virus from infected cells, by cleaving sugar molecules that bind to the virus. By contrast, hemagglutinin is a lectin that mediates binding of the virus to the host cell and entry of the viral genomes into the host cell. Overall, there are at least 16 different HA subtypes named H1 through H16.  The first three hemagglutinins, H1, H2, and H3 are the main HA subtypes present in Influenza viruses. It is important to understand the emergence of 2009 pandemic influenza, for which one has to recognize its genetic origins. Influenza A viruses are composed of a protein-studded coat that surrounds a genome made up of eight single-stranded RNA segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP, NA, MP and NS).   These RNA segments of pandemic 2009 have resulted from co-mingling of genomes from two influenza viruses- N. American H1N1 and Eurasian swine H1N1. This concept helps to explain how viral genetic re-assortment has resulted in the emergence of the pandemic strain, with a mixture of swine, human and avian influenza viruses. One would predict that changes in the genetic makeup of this virus requires us to develop new vaccines on an annual basis to attempt to prevent this virus especially in those that are elderly or chronically ill, since for them, influenza can be extremely fatal.   According to CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention) epidemiological data indicates that elder people (65 years) tend to be less affected by H1N1 virus. Perhaps this explains the age-related pre-existing immunity. Figure 1- shows age groups most affected by the H1N1 influenza reported to CDC in the United States from April 15 to July 24, 2009.As can be seen, the number of reported cases per 100,000 population was highest among individuals five to twenty-four years of age group (26.7 per 100,000). Recent research on the crystal structure of the HA from the pandemic virus A/California/04/2009 has revealed the similarity of the Sa antigenic site located on the hemagglutinin molecule, in particular, of the 2009 H1N1 virus with the early 1918 human H1 viruses.   Exposure to older viruses circulating from 1918 through the 1930s or 1940s are likely elicited 2D1-like antibodies that can cross-react with the 2009 viral protein HA. As a result individuals exposed to these viruses, now over the age of 65 have some protection from swine flu by antibodies originally elicited more than 50 years ago.   Further research has shown that 2D1- antibody can bind to identical Sa antigenic site in the 1918 and 2009 pandemic and cross-neutralize both 1918 and 2009 pandemic viruses  in vivo.   Perhaps this provides a strong explanation for the age-related pre-existing immunity and the low levels of mortality rate in elder people, in the current H1N1 pandemic. Today in this 21st century, new advanced vaccines and antiviral drugs have been introduced to prevent this virus especially in those who are unable to produce immunity against Influenza viruses. Compare to the third world where only small proportion of people were fortunate to have vaccines as a safety precaution. Even then, 3% of the worlds population (1.8 billion people) at the timedied of the disease. Nowadays scientists and many health organizations such as CDC or WHO are intensely looking in to whether or not the same virus will strike again.   They have the knowledge and the discipline to get the world ready. Recently, CDC recommended a seasonal flu vaccination (trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine) as the most important step in protection against influenza viruses. This seasonal influenza vaccination has been recommended for every individual from the age of 6months onwards as not only it protects against H3N2 virus but also Influenza B and H1N1 Influenza A virus. This proves that seasonal influenza vaccine can still be used to protect against various viruses including 2009 H1N1 Influenza and H3N2. Recent research on neutralising influenza antibodies also proves that seasonal influenza vaccine can lead to increase in the production of neutralizing antibodies up to 80%. But vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding H1N1 influenza (HA) and boosting with seasonal vaccine can stimulate a greater than 50 fold increase in neutralizing antibody than that produced by one does of seasonal vaccine alone or DNA alone. Conclusion The future impact of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is not yet possible to predict as to which strain will cause the next pandemic or epidemic.   On the one hand, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is still expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal influenza strain. Due to this, more people will now develop immunity to this current version of the virus. Despite of that, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned many countries including Africa and Asia to prepare for more devastating flu epidemics in the future. This concern has been promoted due to the possible mixture of swine flu viruses with seasonal strains during the winter months and can transform in impulsive ways. The best possible way for an individual to protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and other influenza viruses is through defensive measures such as covering mouth when sneezing or coughing, good hygiene and vaccinations against H1N1 influenza virus when possible.

Free Essays on Nathaniel Hawthornes The Birthmark (Point Of View Essay)

The Birthmark Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Birthmark in the 3rd person omniscient point of view in order to clearly illustrate the story’s theme, which is the protagonist’s, Aylmer, inability to deal with his wife’s imperfection, a small birthmark on her cheek. Hawthorne uses Aylmer’s insecurity as an example of how a person’s pursuit of perfection is not only impossible, but in some cases, destructive. Hawthorne wants the reader to understand that the individual should learn to deal with and adjust to other people’s imperfections, not other way around. Hawthorne also wants the reader to realize that a person can only find the truth if they learn to accept other people’s shortcomings, as well as their own. Failing to do this and trying to mold people into what they want is not only wrong, but shallow. Aylmer is a scientist who stops his study when he fell in love and married his wife, Georgiana. She has a birthmark on her right cheek described as a â€Å"Crimson Hand†. Georgiana is very beautiful, but Aylmer becomes obsessed with the birthmark and eventually is â€Å"repulsed at the sight of her.† He is completely absorbed with his wife’s birthmark and it begins to have a negative effect on their relationship â€Å"With the morning twilight, Aylmer opened his eyes to his wife’s face, and recognized the imperfection; and when they sat together at the evening hearth, his eyes wandered stealthily to her cheek†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The reader is informed that the birthmark is not repulsive, but is very small. In the beginning of the story the reader is told that men still find her attractive and that women try to use the birthmark against her because she is so beautiful. Aylmer’s displeasure is to much and Georgiana finally gives into her husband and agree s to allow her husband to attempt to remove the birthmar! k. â€Å"If there be the remotest possibility of it, let the attempt be made, at whatever risk. Danger is nothing to me; for ... Free Essays on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark (Point Of View Essay) Free Essays on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark (Point Of View Essay) The Birthmark Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Birthmark in the 3rd person omniscient point of view in order to clearly illustrate the story’s theme, which is the protagonist’s, Aylmer, inability to deal with his wife’s imperfection, a small birthmark on her cheek. Hawthorne uses Aylmer’s insecurity as an example of how a person’s pursuit of perfection is not only impossible, but in some cases, destructive. Hawthorne wants the reader to understand that the individual should learn to deal with and adjust to other people’s imperfections, not other way around. Hawthorne also wants the reader to realize that a person can only find the truth if they learn to accept other people’s shortcomings, as well as their own. Failing to do this and trying to mold people into what they want is not only wrong, but shallow. Aylmer is a scientist who stops his study when he fell in love and married his wife, Georgiana. She has a birthmark on her right cheek described as a â€Å"Crimson Hand†. Georgiana is very beautiful, but Aylmer becomes obsessed with the birthmark and eventually is â€Å"repulsed at the sight of her.† He is completely absorbed with his wife’s birthmark and it begins to have a negative effect on their relationship â€Å"With the morning twilight, Aylmer opened his eyes to his wife’s face, and recognized the imperfection; and when they sat together at the evening hearth, his eyes wandered stealthily to her cheek†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The reader is informed that the birthmark is not repulsive, but is very small. In the beginning of the story the reader is told that men still find her attractive and that women try to use the birthmark against her because she is so beautiful. Aylmer’s displeasure is to much and Georgiana finally gives into her husband and agree s to allow her husband to attempt to remove the birthmar! k. â€Å"If there be the remotest possibility of it, let the attempt be made, at whatever risk. Danger is nothing to me; for ...

Intergroup communication final paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intergroup communication final - Term Paper Example Moreover, more women are working outside the home, or while in the home, including low-income mothers (Gassman-Pines, 2011). Around 29% of working mothers were employed in jobs with non-standard schedules (versus standard schedules of fixed daytime hours from Monday to Friday) in 2004 (Gassman-Pines, 2011). In developing countries, working mothers show an increasing trend, with some working mainly due to economic needs, while others, especially the educated ones, choose to work to attain personal fulfillment from their work-life identities and to pursue further education and upward career/business goals (Jabbar, 2014; Parà © & Dillaway, 2005). Furthermore, having the option to work, instead of staying at home, is a hallmark of the modern age, particularly, in line with feminist and gender equality movements (Parà © & Dillaway, 2005). Working women develop political power when they increase their contribution to decision-making at home, and when they rise in their organizations as top managers (Ruderman, Ohlott, Panzer, & King, 2002). In addition, they also improve social and cultural power, as they gain social approval for being independent individuals who should be able to work without being judged as neglecting their traditional gender roles and responsibilities (Jabbar, 2014). Nevertheless, working mothers continue to face work-life issues that impact career advancement (King, Botsford, & Huffman, 2009). In other words, not getting enough social support and lack of balance in family and work life can derail women from attaining topmost management positions and attaining a balanced family life-work balance (King et al. , 2009). Some studies investigated the effects of employment outside the home on working mothers and their children and found mixed results. On the one hand, Jabbar’s (2014) interviews with Jordanian mothers and teachers and maids from other countries revealed that working mothers and teachers did not agree that having

Alexander and Diogenes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alexander and Diogenes - Essay Example Alexander was greeted by everyone when he met Diogenes, except Diogenes himself, who spoke to Alexander rudely when the former asked the latter if he could do anything for him. Highet (10) writes that Diogenese said, â€Å"Stand to one side. You’re blocking the sunlight†. Although the crowd awaited Alexander’s reaction to this rude remark, they were amazed to hear him say that he preferred being Diogenes if he were not Alexander. â€Å"If I were not Alexander, I should be Diogenes† (Highet 10). This meant that he considered Diogenes as a free person, unafraid and bold, not thinking about what effect his saying would have on the listener. He, sort of, saw his own image in the beggar’s style and pride. He came to know that, on earth, it was either Alexander, the King, or Diogenes, the beggar, who were free and independent in their choice of speech and action. Highet made this historical story even more compelling, by giving it the form of an essay. The message that can be extracted through this is that the real human being is one who is bold enough to use his free will. When we say that a person is free, we mean that he lives by his own value system, which is so strong that he is not afraid of whether the people around him approve of or disapprove his speech and actions. The main theme is about simplicity. One must not get indulge in the complexities of life. Simplicity is what makes life beautiful, and also makes one understand his true self, because it is in simplicity that one collides with nature and recognizes his worth. â€Å"He knew that of all men then alive in the world only Alexander the conqueror and Diogenes the beggar were truly free† (Highet, 10), means that even Kings realize the importance of those people whom they consider as inferior, just because of strong values and confidence. It also means that even beggars a re considered as inspirational, if they are free and

Healthcare Issues in America Essay Example for Free

Healthcare Issues in America Essay Some of the healthcare issues that share the limelight with politicians nowadays are the skyrocketing cost of drugs, health insurance system, the ever growing cost of hospitalization fees and the low coverage of insurance for malpractices for doctors. Debates and plans have been made so as to improve the quality of service to the people. But really, are these the real issues that an average American or a politician should give much emphasis on? There is a growing epidemic that is invading the country in silence†¦ And because it doesn’t make much noise as that of an aggrieved patient filing for a case against a physician, who by mistake, has distorted her nose in some way, that doesn’t mean this epidemic is not worth our time. For some reason these issues aren’t given much attention when in fact it threatens the very life of countless citizens therefore endangering the future of the country. Obesity, Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health, unhealthy foods†¦ These are real issues that could very well be the cause of more deaths and unhappy citizens of this country†¦Though these issues have been around for decades much of the efforts to address these problems are often not enough or simply useless. To further impress the gravity of the situation, it is therefore right to discuss these issues one by one. In the next few decades Scientists conclude that life expectancy for an average American could decline by as much as 5 years unless the government do something to decrease the rates of obesity (Dollemore 2005). With the rise of capitalism which gave way to consumerism, more and more goods make it to the hands of an average American. Life has also been fast phased which led to the success of over the counter dinners and lunches, ready to cook meals, watching television , playing video games, using computers and etc. The youth has been living a very sedentary lifestyle which lessens their interest in physical activities. Much worst is that there has been a sudden influx of quality computer games that has taken much of their time. They are also bombarded with fast foods, high fat, high sugar meals which are made available at every corner store. These factors lead to obesity that has taken the world aback with a staggering 20% increase in obesity rates among the youth. Diabetes is one of the complications that can sprout from Obesity. Cardiovascular diseases are also common to those who have diabetes. Emotional stress is also experienced by those who are obese are society tend to discriminate these people giving them less chances to enjoy life. The irony of it is that the government provides services to treat obesity rather than preventing it. It is a growing epidemic and unless we get to its roots, it will continue to rot away the future if countless American youth. According to surveys approximately 11 million current drinkers are in the ages of 12-20. Half of these drink excess to the point of losing total control to the outside environment. These drinkers are the American Youth who at a tender age finds solace in beer bottles. Alcohol abuse can lead to different kind of injuries such as alcohol related accidents, date rape, fire and etc. Automobile crashes, suicides, homicides, and unsafe sex leading to teenage pregnancies are one of the gruesome after effects of teenage drinking that are often overlooked by their fragile minds. Underage drinking is a widespread problem which can be attributed to the free access to liquor by minors. Substance abuse is very much widespread especially in impoverished areas in the country and this eventually lead to mental incapacity.   One need not look deeper to know that these issues are interconnected in someway. Teenage drinking and Obesity are discussed in detail to show that all the rest of the issues find its roots on the two events. The rest are just offshoots from these problems. Given the above issues, I guess it would be more appropriate for the government to give more attention to the cause of the problem rather than spending billions for rehabilitation facilities, diet programs and etc. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. It is indeed pretty much logical to answer the question on why the youth is engaging in substance abuse rather than put them in rehabilitation centers.   The thing is, the government is spending large amount of money to improve healthcare services to the populace not taking into consideration that these ailments that they are treating could not have found its way to the average American citizen in the first place. Now if by the end of the century this epidemic is not yet cured, then worst comes to worst, this country should expect more sickly citizens needing healthcare services to address their plight for good health. This is where my thoughts go in full circle†¦ if the government spend as much time, money and effort in addressing the problem of healthcare improvements and that of actually improving the health of its citizens, then I guess there is better hope for the future Americans. Come to think of it, if the epidemic is not stopped, more and more citizens will need healthcare services from the government. As a consequence, no matter how we try to improve the healthcare services and insurance system it will never be enough. Laws of supply and demand holds true even in this situation. More sick people, more hospitals, more doctors, more healthcare services, more chances for politicians to exploit the scenario by adding â€Å"improved healthcare† in their platforms. This is a vicious cycle, and unless we recognize the need to focus on individual health rather than health care services, we will never be able to actually address the problem of healthcare in this country. References Dollemore, D. (2005). Obesity Threatens to Cut U.S Life Expectancy. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/mar2005/nia-16.htm.

Significance of Fog in Long Days Journey into Night Eugene by ONeill

Long Days Journey: The Significance of Fog (8) A Long Day’s Journey Into Night, by Eugene O’Neill, is a deeply autobiographical play. His life was rampant with confusion and addictions in his family. Each character in this play has a profound resemblance, and draws parallels and connections with a member of his own family. The long journey that the title of the play refers to is a journey into his past. Fog is a recurring metaphor in the play; it is a physical presence even before it becomes a crucial symbol of the family’s impenetrable confusion. It is referred to in the text as well as stage directions in this play. It sets the mood for the play in all its somber hues. He uses the fog outside the house as an atmospheric element that has an ominous presence throughout this play. His parents and the surroundings that he grew up in were tainted by broken dreams, lies, disease, past issues, alcoholism and drug addiction. There was this web of darkness and fogginess that encased his life and past that is portrayed in this play as well as others by O’Neill. The symbolic implications of fog in the play are descriptive of the struggle in the minds of this deeply conflicted family. The significance of fog in O’Neill’s writing can be examined in two forms. The first is what type of emblematic quality does the fog provide in this play, and the second is what are other plays in which O’Neill has used fog in a similar way. This play takes place through an entire day where the climate mirrors the mood of the family. â€Å" The play begins at 8:30 in the morning with a trace of fog in the air, and concludes sometime after midnight, with the house foghorn.† (Brustein 1020). The intensity of the fog continuously increases throughout the day, directly correlating to the murkiness in the household. The family’s mood significantly intensifies with the intensity of the fog. There are copious connections between the life of the fog and that of the Tyrone family. All throughout the play there is a conflict between past vs. present, truth vs. lies, and addiction vs. sobriety. This family lives amidst a haze of denial and as the fog gets thicker, they continue to get further lost. The fog has a polarity that directly relates to Mary, â€Å"†¦ the mood changing from sunny cheer over Mary’s apparent recovery to gloomy despair over her new descent into hell † (Brustein 1020). The fog is fi... ...n clarities. The fog is created out of pain in order to dilute clarity. The individuals in this play needed to escape themselves but didn’t succeed. O’Neill expresses the same fear of truth and uses the imagery of fog in The Iceman Cometh. The Iceman Cometh is written in the same time period as Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and is a parallel in the struggle of the past vs. present. The use of the fog imagery is not as direct in this play, but there are subtle mentions of fog in the play, such as â€Å" the gray subdued light of early morning in a narrow street† (O’Neill 660). This grayness is almost identical to the morning that the Tyrone family experiences after being awakened by the foghorns. Both stories spell the gloom and dreariness of these characters and their lives. The imagery of fog wasn’t as prominent in the rest of his plays. O’Neill had a great amount of turmoil in his life and the Long Day’s Journey Into Night story reflected perfectly the fogginess and daze he lived through. His dark life experiences have given him a rich, emotionally charged place, from which to write. The fog serves as a tool to paint the dreary picture and symbolize this darkness through his plays.

Marriages and Families Essay

Course Description Welcome to Marriage and the Family Online (SOCIO 210-IN1/IN2)!! As the course title suggests, we will explore key sociological concepts related to the social institution of marriage and the family. Individual success in this online course will come to those who are self-disciplined and work collaboratively to make the course a success. I look forward to working with all of you as we try to make sense of the world’s social forces and their impact on individual lives within marriages and the family. The College’s formal course description for SOCIO 101 states: â€Å"This course provides an understanding of sociological concepts, theories, and research methods in relation to marriage and family issues. It focuses on the ever-changing dynamics of relationships and the influence of contemporary society on family life. Special emphasis is placed on communication in relationships, dating and mate selection, love, parenting, balancing work and family, violence in relationships, and divorce† (Official Course Description, Prairie State College 2012-2014 Catalog). Course Objectives Students who complete SOCIO 210 will be able to: 1. Apply the major sociological perspectives to marriage and family issues. 2. Discuss the importance of communication, power, and gender in shaping relationships and family dynamics. 3. Explain the diversity of experiences for couples and families, with attention to issues of social class, race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and the life course. 4. Describe the impact of other social institutions—such as the economy, education, religion, and the legal system—on marriages and families. 5. Identify the key issues related to family violence, divorce, and successful marriages. 6. Discuss the trends involving single-parent families, remarriage, and blended families. 7. Demonstrate skills of public deliberation within context of on-line classroom discussions. 8. Demonstrate critical thinking skills through writing. 9. Articulate viewpoints on contemporary sociological issues affecting marriages and families. Classroom Policies Absence Policy: As stated in the Prairie State College Board policies: â€Å"Regular class attendance is an essential component of successful learning. Students are responsible for prompt attendance and participation in all class meetings of every course for which they are registered. Students have the responsibility to contact professors in case of unavoidable absence.† Attendance in this online course is linked to your consistent and meaningful participation in online discussions and timely completion of assignments and chapter quizzes. Late or Missed Work/Plagiarism: In order to receive full credit, all assignments must be completed and submitted by the due date. Partial credit may (or may not) be accepted for work submitted after the deadline. Plagiarism, or other forms of cheating, will not be tolerated and students in violation will fail the assignment and face possible failure of the course. Meeting deadlines is an essential element of this online course. Once a deadline passes, there is no longer access to the course assignment. For example, if a student fails to complete an attempt on a 45-point Chapter Quiz, then that student earns zero points for that assignment. Missing 45 points may have significant negative consequences on a final grade. Evaluation of Student Performance Online Chapter Quizzes (630 points) Our text includes 16 chapters. For each chapter, there is a Chapter Quiz. Each Chapter Quiz includes 15 multiple choice or true/false questions and each question is worth 3 points (45 points/quiz). For the first half of the course, which covers Chapters 1-8, I count the best 7 Chapter Quiz scores toward your final grade. The Chapter 8 Quiz is an opportunity to improve on an earlier quiz score on one of the previous seven quizzes. For the second half of the course, which covers Chapters 9-16, I also count the best 7 Chapter Quiz scores toward your final grade. The Chapter 16 Quiz is an opportunity to improve on an earlier quiz score for Ch. 9-15. In total, I count 14 quiz scores, each worth 45 points for a total of 630 points. Please note that there is a time limit of 15 minutes (with a 2-minute grace period) to complete each Chapter Quiz. The purpose of this is so that students do not rely on their textbooks for answering all of the questions. You may use your book, but you must read the chapter prior to taking the quiz so that you can move fairly quickly through the 15 questions and finish within the time limit. In fact, given the high value of these Chapter Quizzes—accounting for over 60% of the total points in the course—I strongly recommend that you read the chapter closely twice prior to taking the quiz. Points will be deducted for going past the 2-minute grace period (one point deduction for each minute over). I do allow two attempts, with the highest score counting toward a student’s final grade. I encourage reading the chapter a third time if you are disappointed with the outcome of your first attempt. Deadlines for Chapter Quizzes are typically on Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Examinations (200 points) There is a Mid-Term Examination covering Chapters 1-8 and there is a Final Examination covering Chapters 9-16. Each exam includes 40 questions, worth 2.5 points apiece. Each exam is valued at 100 points. There is a 45-minute time limit with a 5-minute grace period. For each minute taken beyond grace period, one point will be deducted from score. Online Class-based Discussions (170 points) For this part of the course, students participate in weeklong online conversations about the textbook material or about sociological assignments that are connected to the course material. The intent of these conversations is to encourage a close reading of our Henslin text and to reach a deeper understanding the sociological perspective on human behavior. Past students have really enjoyed hearing the thoughts and perspectives from their fellow classmates. There are several class-based Discussions throughout the course. The first one involves Student Introductions and takes place during Week 1 (worth 20 points). The next five Discussions are spread out over the course of the semester (Weeks 3, 5, 7, 11, and 13). Each of these Discussions is valued at 30 points and takes place across a 7-day period running from Monday-through-Sunday. The Discussion forum is split into two stages, with the first stage ending on Thursday (11:59 p.m.) and the second stage ending on Sunday (11:59 p.m.). First stage posts of 300 or more words are due on Thursday (worth 15 points), and at least three second stage posts of 50-75 words each (5 points each; 15 points total) are due on Sunday. Your first stage posts will respond to the writing prompt I post for each Discussion, typically a question or set of questions. Again, as with the completion of chapter quizzes, the key challenge is meeting the deadlines. I will do my best to post points earned for the Discussions on the Monday morning following the Sunday night deadline for second stage posts. There will be a make-up Discussion offered during Week 15 of the semester. Here is a breakdown of the components of the course and point value: Online Chapter Quizzes (14 at 45 points each)630 points Online Discussions (5 at 30 points plus 20 points for Intros)170 points Mid-term Examination (40 questions at 2.5 points each)100 points Final Examination (40 questions at 2.5 points each)100 points   When assigning Final Grades, I will use the following point ranges: A=900-1000 points B=800-899 points C=700-799 points D=580-699 points F=0-579 points Some Final Thoughts: One of the challenges of online learning involves the issue of communication. In a traditional face-to-face course, everyone meets on a weekly basis and those meetings are reminders of our course commitments. In the online environment, communication is different. I communicate frequently via email, with Email Updates almost every week and sometimes more than once a week. The D2L system links your PSC email accounts to the class so when I send an email to â€Å"all users† the information is sent to the PSC email accounts of the 40+ students enrolled in this course. This information is very important and your accessing it is essential. Please note that it is possible to have your PSC email forwarded to another email address—maybe even to your mobile phone—but I want to make clear that it is your responsibility to access the information I send to you. Whenever you have questions, contact me by email (cmulling@prairiestate.edu[->1]) or by phone (709-3625). Keep in mind that it is essential that you participate on a consistent basis throughout the course in order to be successful. Good luck, hold on to you hats, and enjoy what I hope will be a challenging and meaningful learning experience!

The Empire Company Limited

In the Empire Company Limited Case, James Vaux, the associate director at Scotia Capital is the main decision maker. It is his job in September of 1998 to decide on a price at which The Oshawa Group Limited will sell their company/accept a takeover offer at. The Oshawa Group Limited (Oshawa) is a food retail, wholesale, and distribution firm. The Empire Company wants to expand beyond their Atlantic Canada roots; however, there are a few catches. The Wolfe family owns 100% of the voting shares of the company, and not only know the value of their company and expect to receive at least that much, but also a premium on top of that.Greg Rudka is the Managing Director at Scotia Capital; he has extensive background in the history of the grocery industry and was the one who noticed this opportunity as well as the person who assigned James Vaux to his assignment of the value of Oshawa. ISSUES There are two main issues at hand. First, Vaux needs to determine a value for both classes of shares that Empire would be willing to pay to the Wolfe family and Oshawa equity holders to acquire a position in the Oshawa Company without starting a bidding war.The second issue is that Vaux needs to find a way to finance the deal. There are a few minor issues in this case, starting with competition. The grocery industry is very competitive. There are only a few large firms involved in the industry. Of course, there are mom and pop stores all over North America, but they only make enough to live themselves and they are not bringing in the same profits as the major chains, so they are not legitimate threats to Empire. Next, the Oshawa Company’s entire voting shares are owned by the Wolfe family as mentioned above.This will add to the level of difficulty in the purchase or acquisition of Oshawa. Finally, the last issue is that in the grocery industry, it is cheaper to acquire a competitor’s company and chains than it is to open a new store. In other words, horizontal acquisi tions were the primary source of growth on the revenue side for the grocery business. People don’t like change and because of this, creating or changing the name of their â€Å"local grocery store† may upset or disrupt their previous shopping experiences.

An Introductory History of Zambia

An Introductory History of Zambia The indigenous hunter-gatherer occupants of Zambia began to be displaced or absorbed by more advanced migrating tribes about 2,000 years ago. The major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants began in the 15th century, with the greatest influx between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. They came primarily from the Luba and Lunda tribes of southern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola Escaping the Mfecane In the 19th century, there was an additional influx by Ngoni peoples from the south escaping the Mfecane. By the latter part of that century, the various peoples of Zambia were largely established in the areas they currently occupy. David Livingstone at the Zambezi Except for an occasional Portuguese explorer, the area lay untouched by Europeans for centuries. After the mid-19th century, it was penetrated by Western explorers, missionaries, and traders. David Livingstone, in 1855, was the first European to see the magnificent waterfalls on the Zambezi River. He named the falls after Queen Victoria, and the Zambian town near the falls is named after him. Northern Rhodesia a British Protectorate In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and political interests in Central Africa, obtained a mineral rights concession from local chiefs. In the same year, Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe, respectively) were proclaimed a British sphere of influence. Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and granted self-government in 1923, and the administration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the British colonial office in 1924 as a protectorate. A Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland In 1953, both Rhodesias were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Northern Rhodesia was the center of much of the turmoil and crisis that characterized the federation in its last years. At the core of the controversy were insistent African demands for greater participation in government and European fears of losing political control. The Road to Independence A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an African majority in the legislative council and an uneasy coalition between the two African nationalist parties. The council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesias secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new national assembly based on a broader, more democratic franchise. A Troubled Start for the Republic of Zambia On December 31, 1963, the federation was dissolved, and Northern Rhodesia became the Republic of Zambia on October 24, 1964. At independence, despite its considerable mineral wealth, Zambia faced major challenges. Domestically, there were few trained and educated Zambians capable of running the government, and the economy was largely dependent on foreign expertise. Surrounded by Oppression Three of Zambias neighbors – Southern Rhodesia and the Portuguese colonies of Mozambique and Angola- remained under white-dominated rule. Rhodesias white-ruled government unilaterally declared independence in 1965. In addition, Zambia shared a border with South African-controlled South-West Africa (now Namibia). Zambias sympathies lay with forces opposing colonial or white-dominated rule, particularly in Southern Rhodesia. Supporting Nationalist Movements in Southern Africa During the next decade, it actively supported movements such as the Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU), the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and the South-West Africa Peoples Organization (SWAPO). The Struggle Against Poverty Conflicts with Rhodesia resulted in the closing of Zambias borders with that country and severe problems with international transport and power supply. However, the Kariba hydroelectric station on the Zambezi River provided sufficient capacity to satisfy the countrys requirements for electricity. A railroad to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, built with Chinese assistance, reduced Zambian dependence on railroad lines south to South Africa and west through an increasingly troubled Angola. By the late 1970s, Mozambique and Angola had attained independence from Portugal. Zimbabwe achieved independence in accordance with the 1979 Lancaster House agreement, but Zambias problems were not solved. Civil war in the former Portuguese colonies generated refugees and caused continuing transportation problems. The Benguela Railroad, which extended west through Angola, was essentially closed to traffic from Zambia by the late 1970s. Zambias strong support for the ANC, which had its external headquarters in Lusaka, created security problems as South Africa raided ANC targets in Zambia. In the mid-1970s, the price of copper, Zambias principal export, suffered a severe decline worldwide. Zambia turned to foreign and international lenders for relief, but as copper prices remained depressed, it became increasingly difficult to service its growing debt. By the mid-1990s, despite limited debt relief, Zambias per capita foreign debt remained among the highest in the world. Source Text from Public Domain material, US Department of State Background Notes.

One Foot through the Door, One essays

One Foot through the Door, One essays One Foot through the Door, One Foot Out There was change in the air, a fresh noted difference between the world I left and the one I reentered. You lack noticing these small details with daily routine and repetition, but they exist for the whole world to see. Little things like the city, commerce, afternoon sunshine, and chaotic downtown traffic just seemed accurate for the life of your regular urbanite. It came to me that these differences were what made me truly happy about being a civilian again. All was going quite well, I was getting my feet on the ground and reintegrating myself back into civilian life, until the day of darkness came and again a call of the world I left behind tried to drag me back to miserable drudge and mayhem. The day of darkness came with sounds of people screaming and sharp metallic crash of glass and steel and fires roaring and the sky line falling from the heavens. News reporters flashed on every channel on television,...one plane just hit the Trade Towers... people are still in the building. Interviews with people in full-flight terror and hungering retribution scarred into their souls plagued the newspapers. Even counting all this, the tremendous fire that claimed so many American lives and the families they were cruelly ripped away from, I couldnt go back. Its not as if I lack spirit for I have given more of myself than most could in that past life, the world I left behind. A world where any and all I did was sacrificed to others, taken and credited in their name. Honor, courage, and commitment were more like paltry jokes than words to live and die by. It is a world that tears the being of a person down to be structured in the views of a long dead president, so they can go out and die by the sword or arms. I dont think I could ever go back. In a closet in my apartment, I have kept what little belongings from that life in case there came a time when I would rem...

Personal Nursing Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal Nursing Philosophy - Essay Example In most literature of nursing practice, the paradigm of nursing has been equated to caring, which makes the definition of nursing fit as a hands-on support that is delivered from a nurse or a health professional to a patient, based on medical interventions (Yong, 1998). This paradigm may be said to be a multi-variant paradigm meaning it has several aspects and scopes. For example nursing encompasses the task of a nursing professional to offer help to people and also to help reduce suffering and pain among people. Nursing as a paradigm has therefore been said to have come about as a result of the fundamental reason that people train to be nurses. This means that nursing is rooted in the need for a practicing nurse to seek the wellbeing and improved health of her patient as his or her sole source of satisfaction and reward (Walker et al, 19990). This paradigm was therefore used or employed by making attempts to serve humanity through professional application of medical health. Health: Health has been explained to be a relative state of wellness and wellbeing (Lynn and Oliver, 2003). The term relative is used to depict two major ideas. The first is that health can be interpreted from different perspectives according to the person needing it. A typical example of this is two patients, one of whom is suffering from cancer and the other from malaria. For the patient suffering from cancer may deem a day that he finds himself alive and in less pain as a day that health was achieved. The other patient suffering malaria would also find a day he achieved health as one in which the symptoms of cold and fever were down for him. The other idea of health as being relative is that health is measurable. This means that a person can rate health such as being good, better, best, bad, worse, and so on. This paradigm was employed as a concept of ensuring equality in the provision of health care to people so that at the end of the day, all can enjoy some level of health delivery. Environment: The Environment has been explained to be an embodiment of everything that to the recovery of the patient (Pender et al, 1990). This means that the environment is basically every health and medical phenomenon around the patient. This may therefore include both logistics and human resource. Logistics may refer to the availability of medicines, standardized patient beds, laboratory services, and other tangible materials used in the delivery of health care. Human resources on the other hand may refer to people like laboratory technicians, nurses, doctors, pharmacists and ward attendants. In some

Kitchen demo Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Kitchen demo - Assignment Example The study will further provide a discussion of a food service system to be employed. Menu that illustrates proper and sufficient utilization of the existing kitchen In this study a menu to be employed will involve a blue print on how the available kitchen will be utilized to prevent overlapping and under utilization of the available space and equipment (Baraban & Durocher, 2010). The menu may help to determine the level of skills required among the Chefs, the purchase prices for the items as well as energy cost to be incurred (Walker & Lundberg, 2007). Connectively it is important to that a commercial kitchen should be designed in such a manner that mobility of employees in the kitchen is easier. This may help in ensuring that there is maximum safety and efficiency (Baraban & Durocher, 2010). Whereby the available walking space left can allow employees to move easily and respond quickly to customer’s request. Below is a presentation of how the available kitchen space may be ut ilized and annual maintenance cost for the available space as well as revenues break down. ... Amount of unit sale if $850 is to generated=850?Y.units=Ä ¬,000 Y=353units sale Amount of unit sale if $1000 is to generated=$1000?Yunits=$300,000 Y=300unit sales Maintenance cost for the remaining space per month=$50?200 =10,000 Maintenance cost for the remaining space per year=($50?200)12 =$120,000 Total annual revenues and maintenance expenditure $300,000 $6000+120,000=$126000 Net revenue after deduction of space expenditure on spa $174,000 Rent per square feet annually = $50,000 Rent per year =$300,000 Amount to be generated per day to make profits ($850-$1,000unit sales) = $300,000per year Total space for the room = 30?20=300unit Kitchen (1/3?300) = 100units Remaining floor space= 200 to be used for setting up seats for customers who will be to buy meal. Discussion of a food service system to be employed The commercial food service system will employ various techniques to ensure that different food menu is available on daily basis to meet dynamics needs of the customers. Additi onally both unskilled and skilled labor will be required in the system. In above connection, the food service model will employ some energy efficient measure to ensure that the energy cost is minimized while maximizing profits at the same time (Lewis & Slack, 2003). The commercial services equipments will be pre tested to determine water and energy consumption pattern. This measure will help to ensure there is efficiency in the amount of water and energy utilized (Wentz, 2007). Additionally, the model utilize modern equipments for cooking and for preserving food staffs in order to ensure that there will be effectiveness and efficiency on the services rendered to the customers (Wentz, 2007). Among the cooking equipments that will be employed include: Large vat fryers, steam cookers,