Investigations in Asthma Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Investigations in Asthma - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that asthma is a clinical syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by three distinct components: (1) recurrent episodes of airway obstruction that resolve spontaneously or as a result of treatment; (2) exaggerated bronchoconstrictor response to stimuli that have little or no effect in nonasthmatic subjects, a phenomenon known as airway hyperresponsiveness; and (3) inflammation of the airways.  This essay discusses that a  large national study has revealed that in the UK the incidence rate of asthma has decreased in the last few years from 6.9 per 1000 patient years in 2001 to 5.2 per 1000 patient years in 2005. This decrease is most prominent in children under 5 years of age. This group also shows a decrease in the lifetime prevalence of asthma. In adults, however, the lifetime prevalence has increased with one person in every nine being diagnosed with asthma. These figures show that asthma is one of the major health problems we face today. This paper illustrates that the investigations carried out in a case of asthma depend upon the mode of presentation of the patient. The researcher’s patient presented with acute severe asthma, with a widespread expiratory wheeze. In such a patient, the initial investigations will be aimed at analyzing rapidly the condition of the patient and determining the emergency measures that need to be instituted.... e or a PEFR of less than 200L/min would be classified as severe asthma(Boon, Colledge, Walker & Hunter 2006), requiring iv steroids and nebulized salbutamol and terbutaline. Because PEF meters are inexpensive and widely available, they also play an important role in confirmation of a diagnosis of asthma in patients with mild symptoms. The patients are told to record morning and evening values of PEF. Morning values 20 % lower than evening values are indicative of asthma, as is improvement in symptoms after administration of corticosteroids for a period of 3 weeks. (Boon, Colledge, Walker & Hunter 2006.) Studies demonstrate that PEF meters are a patient friendly method of monitoring of disease progression although prolonged periods of measurement are met with decreased patient compliance. Compliance with PEF measurements was found to be good during the first month (63% of the measurements done) but even with regular reinforcement, fell to 50% at 6 months and to 33% at 12 months. (Cote, Cartier and Malo 1998). Furthermore it has been found that individualized action plans based on the patients best PEFR measurements consistently improve asthma health outcomes. (Gibson & Powell 2004). PEFR measurements are also useful in the diagnosis of occupational asthma. If PEFR measurements are made every 2 hours over a period of 2 weeks, including a period of time away from work then the sensitivity and specificity of this test for the detection of occupational asthma are 71 and 84% respectively(Perrin & Lagier 1992). PEFR measurement is useful however it also has certain shortcomings which may influence the investigation. Some degree of airflow obstruction may be present when the peak flow remains within the normal range. Peak flow measurements are not enough to distinguish upper

Text analysis , written text , English linguistic and literature Essay - 1

Text analysis , written text , English linguistic and literature - Essay Example Instead, it addresses an issue that concerns survival of the humankind as a whole or ‘citizens of the world and not of this or that sect or nation’. From the words ‘To take an even more spectacular example, which is in everybody’s mind at the present time’, it may inferred that the essay was written at a time when the world, after having witnessed two world wars, lived in the grip of constant fear. For later generations, it can serve as an important source of indicative information on apprehensions of intellectuals that emanated from the scientific and political developments in the mid-20th century. However, on account of its highly academic nature of the content and the subtle style, the essay warrants a lot of effort from the reader to be able to fully comprehend precisely what is on the author’s mind. It is too hard to be understood in a single reading. Once understood, it may be said that the essay has the capacity to radically reorganize one’s paradigms in understanding the world, right from an insight into the precautions required to be taken by men of science engaged in research to a revi sed blueprint of religious and moral instruction. Though the essay offers the scope to learn wisdom by reflection and imitation rather than by experience, the fact remains that the ideals proposed by the author in the essay are so lofty that they could turn the world into a heaven if only the inhabitants of the planet imbibed the substance of such ideas. But it can only be a utopian dream for it is easier said than done to overcome the egoism of surroundings, senses and emotions. The first paragraph of the essay introduces the two questions the author intends to deal with, the first being ‘What is wisdom?’ and the second being ‘What can be done to teach it?’ The second, third, fourth and fifth paragraphs address the first question and provide a definition of wisdom as a combination of five factors namely comprehensive vision, awareness of the ends

Democratic Republic of Congo & M23 Research Paper

Democratic Republic of Congo & M23 - Research Paper Example Africa somehow always has some bad stories for the international world. The continent has been extensively influenced by corruption and mass killings. African growth and development experienced significant decline ever since 1950s when decolonization actually began (Meredith, 2006). Recent violence attacks, improper use of national resources and massive violation of rules and laws done by the M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo are examples of misery and corruption in Africa. However, the query is that how the country has reached to such a devastating state while on the other hand is it now able to maintain peace after the defeat of M23. In order to understand this situation it is important to first discuss the formation of rebellion organization M23. Congolese government signed a peace agreement with the rebels in country on 23rd March 2009 when initially they were recognized as the members of (CNDP) the National Congress for the defense of the People (Q&A: Who are DR Congos M23 rebels?, 2013). But later on they were named as M23 on the basis of the violation of peace agreement. Research indicates that these rebels are actually associated with an ethnic group called Tutsi which has its very close affiliations in the neighboring country Rwanda. Members of M23 started their activities in April 2012. These particularly involved huge crimes against humanity and the Congolese law, for instance, rape, summary executions and child recruitment. On the other side rebels justified their acts on the basis of the fact that they were not satisfied with their pays and the miserable conditions they were supposed to face in Congolese army. But the government officials argue that the real rebellion arose when Ntaganda was arrested and later he w as handed over to ICC (Q&A: Who are DR Congos M23 rebels?, 2013). Here, it is important to notice that M23 is only a ragtag army whereas the distance

Gender Stereotype in the Wrong Turn Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gender Stereotype in the Wrong Turn Film - Essay Example Stereotypes are beliefs that men and women believe about the roles of each gender in the society. An example is the stereotype that men are more muscular than women. This belief causes women to underestimate their abilities and fail to take part in activities that require a lot of force (Ross and Lester 36). This gives men the chance to dominate the society in careers, courses, and activities that require extra energy. This paper will determine how the media mediates through the stereotype that men are more muscular than women in the movie The Wrong Turn, and the effects of these interventions to the society. The Wrong Turn is a horror movie that is acted in the Western Virginia Mountains. The movie begins when Chris Finn who has gotten a job in another town drives along the highway. However, Chris is prevented from using the highway by an accident that involves a trunk that has fallen across the road while transporting chemicals (Benshoff and Griffin 60). The man decides to use the route that passes through West Virginia Mountains so that he can arrive early for the interview. Chris meets five youths who were on vacation on the mountains, and they decide to find whether they can get help from anyone. The group meets cannibalistic men with disfigured faces who scare them, chase them, and feed on their flesh (Benshoff and Griffin 61). The movie continues with the cannibals eating the flesh of anyone they come across in the mountains. The film indicates that men are more muscular than women from the beginning to the end. The first way in which the movie portrays this stereotype is the fact that the main actors who are the cannibals are men. These men perform heavy functions in the film from the first episode to the last; for example, they pull the truck that they use to carry the human beings that they kill along their way. The truck is so heavy and huge meaning that the men possess supernatural energy that enables them to pull the heavy vehicle. In real life, the normal people cannot pull such a heavy vehicle for long distances like the cannibals (Harris-Perry 45). The woman who acted as one of the cannibals was left in their creepy house where they stored their food. The woman was in charge of cooking for the men and taking care of the compound. The fact that the men left her at home indicates that the producer of the film predestined that women would not be strong enough to find food for the family. At the beg inning of the movie a man and woman climb on a cliff so that they can access the upper region of the mountain. The man reaches up before the woman meaning that he is more energetic and powerful to carry out such hard tasks than the woman. As the film continues, one of the cannibals uses an axe to slice a woman into two pieces while she was driving on the road. This indicates that the muscular nature of men can enable them to kill their enemies. Apart from the physical masculinity of the men this act also signifies that men also possess the energy to withstand harsh conditions more than women (Hegarty, Watson, Fletcher and McQueen 87). Men can kill without mercy and feel nothing much about the act. The cannibals in the film always become cheerful when they kill and capture the youths in the mountains. They shout and scream with joy as they pull their meat towards their house and as they feed on the meals. The happiness that they show indicates that men are proud of the achievements

China's Renminbi Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

China's Renminbi Paper - Essay Example This paper will discuss whether the China’s currency stands overrated, and give reasons behind its low value against the US dollar. It will also point out the likely consequences that rise with a 20% revaluation of China. Question 1: Value of China’s currency China’s currency familiarizes itself with many sanctions. This proves the currency to be different from other currencies like the US dollar, with considerations to capital flow (Saturn, 2008). In 2005, China felt pressure being mounted on her concerning its currency. This made China to unwillingly make changes to its exchange rate policy. Critics claim that China’s currency is overvalued. Their reasoning is that China’s government is decisively maintaining the value to make huge profits from trade. The currency’s recent rate floats between thin bands around a published equivalence in opposition to a basket of other currencies. If its equivalence acts to be too cheap, then China’s currency stands at a high value; the National Bureau of Economic Research quotes that: "once putting together vague plus serial links which they take accountability for, there is small numerical proof that China’s currency is overvalued." When currency rates at a high value, it portrays the countries willingness to take part in foreign trade, at the current exchange rate. This puts China in a position of selling more goods with its currency than they can purchase with a corresponding sum of US dollar. Undervaluing the currency makes exporting goods from China cheaper and allows them to control a large trade surplus with the US. Also, it depicts China as an economical country to locate labor and manufacture goods. This leads to the decision that China’s currency it not overvalued. Question 2: Reasons behind the currency’s low value against the dollar The currency’s current value against the US dollar stands at around 2%. This means that 8 RMB is equivalent to 1 dollar. This, in the view of the US government, rates the currency to be lowly placed. China decided to absorb foreign currencies into circulation, the funds, mainly invested in US Treasury bonds. This brought a secured but low-return investment. It also followed an accumulation of US dollars around 1 trillion in foreign investment in 2007. The main reason behind China’s decision to place its currency at a low value circulates around what it stands to benefit from its trade partners; these being the likes of US. Through exports to US, with the current value of China’s currency, China gains more through sells. This comes with its own risks because it stirs the feeling of exploitation to US (Saturn, 2008). China takes the risk of facing harsh sanctions and tariffs from US. If the exchange rate instability goes up, then the value of these assets would also become unstable. The increased instability of financial trade puts pressure to the steadiness of the financial system, and makes monetary policy objectives much difficult to reach. US, on the other hand stands to be exploited with China which seeks to benefit from it. The value of the dollar stands to go down because of low market deficit. Question 3: Risk of the 20% revaluation for China’s currency The government of China in the recent days has engaged in ideas of revaluation of its currency. It main idea revolves around investing abroad. China’s main trading partners are not only western countries. It also trades with Japan, and other Asian and

Chronic Pancreatitis Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Chronic Pancreatitis - Term Paper Example General Description Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) is a heterogeneous, progressive disorder of the pancreas characterized by a spectrum of symptoms pain, inflammation, diabetes mellitus, and pancreatic damage leading to significant loss of both endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas (Witt and associates, 2007; DiMagno & Dimagno, 2006). Pathology involves fibrosis in the pancreatic parenchyma that manifests irregularly. Other organs in the vicinity are also affected as consequence of the disease that may commence as an individual or a group of symptoms resulting from functional impairment of pancreas. The major clinical symptom of the disease is recurring or persistent pain within the abdomens. The chief cause of CP in the western world is alcohol abuse leading to alcoholic calcific pancreatitis (ACP). The other form of CP known as tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) prevalent in tropical countries is of uncertain etiology (Lee, 2011). Based on the risk factors CP is classified by the TIGAR-O (Toxic-metabolic, Idiopathic, Genetic, Autoimmune, Recurrent and severe acute, Obstructive) classification system (Nair tet al., 2007). Figure 1: Anatomy of the pancreas (http://www.britannica.com/bps/media-view/68636/1/0/0) Pancreas: Normal Physiology Pancreas is a retroperitoneal structure in the upper abdomen that can broadly be divided into head, body, and tail (figure 1). A major portion of pancreatic tissue comprises of acini (80%) that are responsible for the exocrine functions of the pancreas. Groups of aciniform spherical lobules that are interspersed with connective tissue. The central ducts of each lobule in which the secretions of the surrounding acinar cells accumulate, join to extralobular ducts that finally drain into the main pancreatic duct. The main pancreatic duct carrying the secreted digestive enzymes enters the hepatopancreatic ampulla along with bile duct. At the duodenal papilla, the enzymes enter the duodenum (Adda et al., 1984). The endocrine functions of the pancreas are performed by the richly vascularized islets of Langerhans. The islets of Langerhans comprise of beta, alpha and delta cells that secrete hormones insulin, glucagon, somatostatin respectively. The most abundant beta cells (73-75%) are centrally located and are surrounded by alpha cells (18-20%) and delta cells (4-6%). The rich vascularization allows for the transfer of hormones from the islets while the specific arrangement of the alpha, beta and delta cells allows paracrine regulation of hormones. Thus high concentrations of the insulin secreted by the central beta cells inhibit glucagon release from the peripheral alpha cells. The venous blood flow from the islets of Langerhans reaches the hepatic portal vein, rendering the liver the prime target for the impact of pancreatic hormones. The rich innervations of the pancreas ensure the release of several neurotransmitters in the pancreas that regulate the release and concentrations of hormones (Case, 200 6). During normal physiology, in the basal state, the secreted pancreatic fluid is mildly alkaline comprising a few proteins. Gastric distension and acid production during eating stimulate duodenal S cells causing the release of secretin. Under the influence of the secretin, a large quantity of the bicarbonate-rich watery liquid or the hydraulic secretion is released from the ductal cells of the smaller ducts.  

Security practices not meeting the challenges (info technology) Essay

Security practices not meeting the challenges (info technology) - Essay Example There is a long line of self-interested intruders ready and willing to capture this valuable data, and as our reliance on digital information has grown, so have the threats. Large concentrations of data, mobile devices, and the need to keep the data useful has all added to the vulnerability of our information technology. While our information system has worked to make our data more secure, the threats of attack and the divulging of information has become ever more prevalent. Information security is an ongoing process that can never quite meet the challenge of the security threats. Security threats originate from three sources. There are internal threats from corrupt employees, external threats that originate from external attacks on the system, and system failure. While direct attacks may compromise the data, system failure can cause a loss of information or system shutdown. While developing a system of access control minimizes attacks, system failures are dealt with through a system of redundancy and audit tracking. These systems are open to compromise by direct attack or well meaning employees that practice lax security measures. The security of a database or network often begins with access control. At the system level this may mean the use of passwords. Passwords are easily compromised and are often shared for the purposes of convenience. Levels of granting only necessary access to a system or a file have been more helpful as data is made available only on a need to know basis. However, in a fast paced team environment, this may require man-hours that far exceed the realistic value of the security. According to Hu, Ferrariolo, and Kuhn, "If a single permission is incorrectly configured, a user will either be ineffective in performing his/her duties or will be given access to unintended information and systems, which could result in undermining the security posture of the organization" (36).