American International Bank Case Study

American International Bank Case Study Executive Summary American International Bank has been a beacon of success in wholesale banking services across the world. The company has numerous branches overseas that operate in harmony with the bank’s headquarters in New York. However, the company has clear challenges that threaten its ability to maintain a pole leadership position in the banking sector.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on American International Bank specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It lacks an integrated system, personalized manual services and an outstanding data management. As such, the bank ought to establish an integrated telecommunication network that will enhance its efficiency. From different alternatives available, it is important for the bank to adopt WAN and VPN owing to numerous benefits it stands to reap. Introduction American International Bank (AIB) uses a business model that reflects manual completion of tasks. While we c onsider that AIB is one of the most profitable banks in the US, the company could increase its profit margin by improving its business model to suit its needs. The current model has provided loopholes through which the company stands to lose in terms of cash owing to inefficiencies. The following is an analysis of problems that the company faces owing to poor business model. Summary of the Problem and Analysis Apparently, American International Bank seems to have numerous challenges that have hindered its efficiency. The bank lacks an integrated information system. This has in turn resulted to poor monitoring of overseas branches since the general manager (Tamara), has to take over a month to retrieve information regarding the bank’s operations. As such, information retrieval costs the company huge amounts of resources in terms of time as well as inaccurate data presentation. Considering that many bank’s operations are located overseas and its need for a positive globa l image, such objectives will remain elusive for the bank with fragmented information system that continue to typify its operations. The managers continue to visit the headquarters to discuss any emergent issue and present their reports. As Tamara agrees, it is hard to understand the current business standpoint since reports take at least three months to be processed. This is despite their proneness to inaccuracies and inability to predict the bank’s future performance. Second, the bank also suffers from increased personalized services delivery. Currently, the company faces a momentous challenge to establish a free flowing system in which its branch managers will be able to monitor customers’ accounts without necessarily having to embark on personalized inquiries. Indeed, this type of communication is vulnerable to emotions and may be detrimental if managers fail to live up to its principles.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see i f we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This might also imply that a simple business miscalculation by a branch manager may reduce clients’ trust substantially. As such, AIB should not allow personalized services to characterize its operations although the aspect has been one of the major strengths of the bank. It is important to notice that personalized services can also be achieved by implementing the right business and technology models. Third, the bank faces an upheaval task of reconciling transactions. Automated systems where customers may be able to handle all of their bank transactions is lacking in the company. The branch managers keep the manual statements. This raises the fear of data backup in case of an accident. Considering that the current data processing systems is dysfunctional, the company’s business model lacks elaborate data management. Finally, the emerging problems have reduced the effectiveness of the manage ment team. Tamara highlights that the bank made substantial errors in credit authorization. Lack of coordination amongst banks’ branches has made different managers to authorize different credit limits by almost 140%. Subsequently, the bank stands to lose immense amount of money due to ineffective management department. In fact, lack of coordination amongst various branches has led to crises in which the branch managers pin point the importance of an efficient system that is free of errors and enhances the bank’s ability to deliver quality services to customers and clients. As such, there is an apparent need for a new system. Discussion: Solution to the problem How can AIB improve its efficiency and remain profitable? The organization ought to integrate its information systems to avoid its current hiccups experienced in its operations. The bank can explore various alternatives. Chiefly, the organization may decide to utilize network connectivity that does not only enha nce communication amongst its branches but also enhance data management. With such a system, the bank will be able to monitor its managers and its clients. However, for the management to effectively handle its information system there is the need for the clients to adapt to a new way through which they will be able to access bank’s transactions in an automated way. Although the capital cost of such solution remains considerably high, AIB ought to understand that implementation of a new integrated system will not only ease the flow of data but also enhance improved services for the organization (Trotta 47). Strategy To overhaul the current system is a hard task although it is worth it in the end. It implies that the bank ought to assume a strategy given the fact that change is a gradual and a systematic process in all organizations. Strategic planning will entail the prioritization of areas that the bank feels are most inefficient.Advertising We will write a custom cas e study sample on American International Bank specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The replacement of the system should be a top down strategy where branch managers ought to be integrated into the system at the beginning (Trotta 12). Although the use of manual methods of transaction may continue for a while, the managers ought to have an efficient and a networked system ahead of all departments due to the sensitivity of their tasks. Subsequently, after a successful rolling out of the project, there is the need for the managers to enhance an efficient system by facilitating the clients to transact with an automated system. By so doing, the company will be able to have a full network and an integrated system in which data storage, retrieval and management will be much easier than earlier on. It is important for technological change agents (Tamara and Pamela) to be wary of resistance to change. While many organizations appreciate the role of change in their organizations, they comprehend that it is not an easy task and requires strong change management skills (Trotta 23). To that end, the change agents will have the responsibility of explaining the rationale to the branches located overseas. Besides, it is important for change agents to explain the benefits that the organization will stand to gain by integrating its system. For customers, implementing radical changes may present a huge challenge and the clients will need to comprehend the role of technology in the banking system. Trotta says that change initiators should be ready to quell any resistance by customers to embrace change by explaining how they will benefit (41). Recommendations AIB could explore various telecommunication networks and arrive at those that suit their business needs. Wide Area Network (WAN) represents a network that will enable the bank to have a broader coverage of business operations (Laudon and Laudon 45). The telecommunication network enhances o rganizations to relay data to different stakeholders of the bank including employees, stockholders, customers among many others who are located in varied geographical areas. It transfers data over increased distances and utilizes localized computer networks. In this case, AIB will be able to transmit data from and to different branches overseas and enhance it efficiency. Currently, each branches has at least one computer which could be used to enhance WAN’s efficiency.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Second, the bank may explore the properties of Virtual Private Network (VPN) to enhance its information systems. VPN refers to infrastructural network in which an individual may be able to enhance security of information flow (Groth and Skandler 10). It includes the internet. Trotta explicates that VPN allows users and organizations to have a private domain where there is limited access to specific sites (45). This way, the top management team will be able to enhance privacy of information that may relate to the organization. Alternatives Other alternatives that company will explore to enhance branch interconnectedness include core banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), DSL and Frame Relay. Core banking refers to the ability of having a networked system amongst branches in which customers can access banking services and other transactions from different bank branches within the larger banking system. Currently, the apparent lack of an integrated system has made the customers not to access such services across all branches overseas. ATMs will also enhance the flow of data in all branches ensuring that customers will be able to access their monthly statements in ‘a click of a button’. ATMs also enhance the flow of data in the entire banking system without causing backlogs. Frame Relay refers to WAN technology that utilizes packet switching and may be preferable due its cheapness as well as its ease during configuration (Laudon and Laudon 63). Finally, AIB may use Digital Subscriber Line for its availability and fastness in connection. Conclusions and Benefits By installing an integrated system within its branches, AIB stands to gain immensely. At the outset, the bank will improve its management’s efficiency. Unlike before, the bank will have an efficient communication system in which a decision does not receive different interpretations from various branch managers. This will increase the accuracy of executing projects and initiatives wit hout having to rely on a meeting in New York for managers to compile their reports. Besides, the branch managers will be able to submit up to date reports without having to take three months to come up with a comprehensive report. Additionally, the bank stands to gain from an improved data processing and management system. Initially, the bank faced a momentous challenge in storing data and having a consequent backup system. In fact, if such risks as fire and demolition affected a branch, huge amounts of information would be lost. With an integrated system, all transactions are updated upon completion and as such, the customers can experience improved services particularly when they demand their statements. AIB will also save huge amounts of overhead expenses initially incurred. Groth and Skandler assert that organizations reduce labor costs since much of the manual work will now be done by machines (87). This implies that the company will ultimately have to down size. Besides, frequ ent meetings at the headquarters by branch managers will reduce considerably upon installation of such systems. Finally, the bank will reduce the seemingly bulky paperwork. Nonetheless, this is after deciding on the right network infrastructure to roll out. In this case, it is recommended that the bank utilize both the WAN and VPN while exploring other options such as Frame Relay, DSL, Core Banking and ATMs (Laudon and Laudon 87). Groth, David and Skandler, Toby. Network+ Study Guide, Boston, Massachusettes: Sybex Inc, 2009. Print. Laudon, James and Laudon, Peter. Essentials of Management Information Systems, New York: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print. Trotta, Gian. Information Systems Management, Irwin, New York: McGraw Hill Publishers, 2010. Print.

Makah Indians essays

Makah Indians essays The Makah Indians were a predominantly fishing society. This was quite obvious because most of their artifacts were oriented toward the sea and the land around. Various artifacts were bordered with carving of fish or whale. A few were made from whalebone, and others made from different kind of wood and fiber. Although anyone can see that the Makahs had a lot of pride in presenting their relationship with the ocean, it was not their only means of subsistence. Numerous artifacts such as their canoe were made out of wood, which suggests that the forest they lived in or around were heavily depended upon. They are not limited to the natural resources of the rivers, lakes, tidelands, and ocean areas. While the water provided a main source for food and transportation, Makah forests provide many types of wood for carvers, many species of land animals for hunters, and a wide variety of plants that can be used for food, medicine, or raw materials. Most of the artifacts recovered were from the early nineteenth century, which suggests the Makahs had lived and existed well beyond that era. Their subsistence technologies presented in the museum revolved around the sea. Especially in a case that holds exclusively fishing supplies such as fishhooks, nets, traps, boats and paddles. In it were canoes of different tribes, of which one of them belonged to the Makah Indians. The size of it was reduced yet big enough so the details were visible. The canoe was made out of cedar and it was from the 1900s. The craft was dugout from a single cedar tree. The canoe itself didnt have any carving or embroideries, but it was the shape of it that makes it unique. The front end of the canoe had a head shaped like a bird; maybe it was some kind of divine creature that they revered. Since their prey was a whale, one would expect the actual size of the canoe to be no less than the size of gray whale. In addition, it would be in favor of the hu...

Older staff often come with more life experience and a willingness to Essay

Older staff often come with more life experience and a willingness to work - Essay Example â€Å"If employers don’t act soon, they will fail to win the war for talent, as older adults will be relied upon as one of the most important sources of talent for the future workforce (Jan 2007). The global survey, which included 28,000 employers across 25 countries and territories, found employers in the UK are far ahead of their international counterparts, with higher percentage of respondents, respectively, working proactively to retain their older employees. But in Italy and Spain, only 6% have such strategies in place. In 19 of the 25 countries, retention strategies were more predominant than recruiting strategies for older workers. This may be because many of these countries have government legislation or programs in place to encourage employers to retain older workers (Paula 2007). The aim of this topic is to understand and learn more on the recruitment of old employees and the strategies used. We also review the benefits and challenges associated with having an older workforce in companies. We also discuss aging population and recommend what action organizations should take to ensure they have a ready supply of labor in the future. We are also going to review why age diversity pensions are decreasing in value and on the other people are becoming more likely to still have financial obligations such as mortgages or student support, later in life. We are also going to go through what employers will need to consider how they can best become an employer of choice for older workers and how they can retain older workers in an increasingly competitive market place.     For some organizations this will mean a significant culture change.   Consider that 25-34 is the current favorite recruitment age of employers and The Employers Forum on Age has estimated that ag eism costs the United Kingdom economy over  £26bn each year.   This article  will help you to explore the issues that affect your capacity to be an age positive employer and

Discussion board forum Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion board forum - Assignment Example Advertisement policy for target recruitment strategy can be denoted by certain population as fair. Some of valid reasons behind the implementation of target recruiting strategy are recruitment of the special KSAOs, attract employees who are passive, making further relationship with the former employees and filling the diversity gaps in the organization. But the reality is that targeted recruitment can help organization to bring diversity in the workplace. This resembles the fact that the targeting recruiting strategy is unfair regardless of its minimal advantage to bring diversity. Some of the organization provide target recruitment message by taking in to consideration gender and minorities. The system is regarded as unfair when certain member of the community is targeted exclusively. The fairness of the message to target member denies providing equal opportunity to the other groups of people who do not have the chance to view the message (Gatewood, 2010). Organization may sometimes target particular groups who may be more mature workers. This creates a sense of unfairness on the mind of other groups of people who thinks that they are been ignored and can lead to demotivation. Every employee has the right to vie the necessary requirement for the job. Every workplace must be diverse and reduce the poor performance of the employee. Targeting recruitment strategy can take much longer time and could eventually cost more than that of normal recruitment strategy. This can also lessen the morale of the employee which can rather lead to less in productivity. Bias on one age group can create a sense of negative motivation on the employees. The application of target recruitment strategy can create a sense of inflexibility among the employee. Every organization must implement change management in the organization to sustain in the

FDI final report Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

FDI final report - Coursework Example This implies the robust performance of the country in the complexity of the financial crisis. The factor which has been responsible for the growth in the FDI flows is the rise in the price of the commodities and has attracted further investment in the field of the natural resources (OECD, 1999). This paper will analyze in details the FDI inflows in three of the major Latin American countries namely Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The primary objective is to compare the environment of FDI in these three countries which can aid the prosperity of business in Latin America. This paper chooses the British retail giant, Tesco and captures the benefits that it can achieve, if it follows the FDI trails and makes its presence felt in the prospering economies of Latin America (Yapp and Paulo, 2011). For this purpose, the competitive advantage of the FDI flows of the countries will be discussed in details and the decision of choosing the country will be established. Company Profile Tesco is a Brit ish multinational department store selling grocery with its headquarters at Chestnut. It is one of the major players in its genre, ranking only second to Wal-Mart in terms of profit and third in terms of revenues after Wal-Mart and Carrefour. Presently, it operates in three of the continents, Asia, Europe and North America. The company has over the years diversified its portfolio to include a variety of services like, telecom, clothing, electronics, financial services and software. Considering the business boom that it had experienced in the recent years, it would be interesting to observe the benefits that it can derive from tapping the FDI inflows in the developing economies of Latin America. FDI Literature In Foreign Direct Investment, a firm invests in the manufacturing or service facility or any other type of its assets in a foreign country and retains effective control on it (Sagepublications, 2007). FDI implies a high level of commitment as the firm which chooses to enter has to remain in the foreign country for a long time, investing high quantity of resources (Froot, 2008). FDI can be done in two different ways which include mergers or acquisition and Greenfield investment. Recent times have seen a surge in the former type. There can be two different types of integration in FDI. One in which the firm invests in the same products in the foreign country that it produces in its own country and the other type, where it chooses to invest in the value chain of the firm (Ramondo, Rappoport and Ruhl, 2013). The nature of ownership also varies in the FDI. There can be partial acquisition of the existing firm or wholly-owned investment, in which the investor owns the foreign assets or equity joint ventures, in which both the parent firms come together to create a new legal entity by investing assets and share the ownership and profits (Hauswald and Hege, 2009). This process benefits the multinational organizations immensely as they can utilize the advantages of location and learn from each other’s structural differences. They can also leverage their learning and enhance their capabilities (Blonigen, 2005). There can be three different motives for following an FDI scheme which are market seeking motives, resource seeking

The Kawasaki disease

The Kawasaki disease Kawasaki disease is an intense systemic paediatric vasculitis disease that is seen commonly in childhood. Kawasaki disease is one of the most common heart diseases. It is the inflammatory disorder but the aetiology of Kawasasaki disease is unknown. It first appeared in 1967 by report of Tomisaku Kawasaki who was a Japanese paediatrician. He also called Kawasaki disease as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. There is no diagnostic test; therefore, doctors are using the clinical criteria that were proposed by Dr. Kawasaki 45 years ago to diagnose the Kawasaki disease. There are many different diagnosis of Kawasaki disease such as viral infections, genetic predisposition or environmental factors. Many research proposed that Kawasaki disease is an infectious disease that may be caused by Epstein-Barr virus, measles, adenovirus, enterovirus. However, there is no confirmed evidence. Usually, KD can found more in Japanese society but it keep spread to western countries and the incidence of K D in western countries are increase dramatically. There are typical symptoms that can be seen in KD such as rash, edema, and mucosal membrane changes. But there are more symptoms that are involved which are not typically found from every KD patients. Therefore, it is hard to diagnosis patients if they have KD or not. The treatment of KD is different depends on if patients are complete or incomplete KD and also, the susceptibility of IVIG will make treatment different along patients. The etiology is not certain but there are several researches shown that KD is caused by infectious agents, genetic factors, or immune system disorder. Current knowledge on the subject   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are several symptoms that can be found in patients with Kawasaki disease. When patients have more than 5 days of fever for more than 38C and have more than 4 symptoms such as bilateral nonexudative conjunctival injection, polymorphous exanthem, nonvesicular rash, strawberry tongue, edema of hands and feet, bilateral non-suppurative cervical lymphadenopathy, and mucosal membrane changes, patients will diagnosis as KD. Kawasaki disease can be divided into complete Kawasaki disease and incomplete or atypical Kawasaki disease depending on the number of symptom that are present in the patient. When patients have more than four symptoms or have developed coronary artery abnormality, patients will be diagnosed as complete Kawasaki disease. In contrast, patients who have less than four of the diagnostic criteria and still develop coronary artery abnormality is diagnosed as atypical or incomplete KD. Because of the cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, di agnosis of Kawasaki disease in infants are very challenging. Kawasaki disease can be divided into three phases. First, from one week to two weeks from onset is called acute phase. Typical symptoms are highly febrile, irritable and the fever approaches more than 39 Celsius. Oral changes occurs and also rash can be found in perineal area. Secondly, from two to eight weeks from onset is called subacute phase. In this phase, fever start to decrease slowly and the perineal area, soles, and periungual areas start to peel off. Lastly, from months to years from onset, it is called convalescent phase. In this phase, laboratory value gets normal but there may be severe consequences. For example, patients who had aneurysms may continuously have, for rest of their life, persistent cardiac dysfunction, or myocardial infarction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Coronary artery aneurysm can be highly found in incomplete Kawasaki disease patients. It is defined as coronary dilatation that the diameter of coronary vessel gets enlarged 1.5 folds. It can be diagnosed by angiographically and it is similar to patients with coronary artery disease. The end-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic volume, and ejection fraction levels are not normal and the left ventricular contraction is not normal. The coronary artery aneurysms are mostly caused by atherosclerosis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are several associated symptoms that can be seen in Kawasaki patients. Diarrhea and abdominal pain and patients may develop arthritis. Also, myocardial dysfunction can be found in early phase of Kawasaki disease such as pancarditis which is the inflammation of all three layers of heart. Another symptom is periarteritis nodosa which is disease in connective tissue that is blocked by nodules in arteries thereby causing blood to not circulate properly. When Kawasaki disease shows periarteritis nodosa, other symptoms cannot be found.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kawasaki disease can be diagnosis by physical exam but also it can be diagnose by laboratory exam and imaging technique. First, complete blood count test should be performed to look at the amount of white blood cell in blood. Complete blood count is the calculation of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelet. The number of white blood cell increased to more than 15,000. Also, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein increase. After 2 weeks from onset of disease, the platelets level dramatically increases up to 1 to 2*106. There are other abnormalities such as sterile pyuria, increases of hepatic transaminases, hypoalbuminemia. In patients who have KD will have higher level of transaminase than normal person. Also, they will have higher level of ALAT and GGT than other patients who have other febrile diseases. When ALAT level increases, it will lead to coronary artery disease. Research proposed that almost 50% of incomplete KD p atients had pyuria in bladder urine. Pyuria can cause different diseases depends on where it is. When pyuria is in bladder, it can cause tubulointerstitial nephritis but when it is in voided urine, it will cause urethral inflammation. Another symptom to diagnosis incomplete KD is to look at acute anterior uveitis after the onset. Patients who have anterior uveitis do not have pain, photophobia, nor visual impairment. By using ophthalmological evaluation, it can detect if patients have different disease which have similar symptoms with anterior uveitis. One of the research in 2006 showed that there were 40% of KD patients had hyponatromia. It is caused by incorrect hormone secretion by cerebral vasculitis, dehydration, or tubular dysfuction. It is hard to diagnosis KD since there is no diagnosis test. To treat incomplete KD, the principle clinical criteria should be renewed in order not to miss out some patients who did not have principle symptoms. By missing out patients will develo p severe other diseases and will not be able to give proper treatments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  KD also can be found out by using imaging technique. At acute phase, chest x-ray or echocardiography (ECG) are used to look at heart problem. Patients may develop coronary artery abnormalities in acute phase and this can be showed by ECG. When patients are very severe, heart specialists sometimes use single photon emission computed tomography to look into bloodstream of patients. SPECT will provide an image in 3D by using gamma rays. Epidemiology Kawasaki disease is new disease that is predominantly found among Asian children1,2,3. It was first found in Japan by Dr.Kawasaki in 1961. In early 1970s, Pathologist Eunice Larson and Benjamin Landing at Los Angeles recognized it as a new disease. Still today, there is no evidence of how Kawasaki disease emerged but some researchers proposed that Kawasaki disease emerged from Japan and spread to Western countries through Hawaii after World War II. Kawasaki disease was nationwide epidemics but now it is more likely a regional outbreak. The mean annual incidence rate is different in variety of countries and districts3. There are 90 to 112 per 100,000 in Japan, 8.0 to 47.7 per 100000 in US, and 3.6 to 3.7 per 100000 in the United Kingdom and Australia for children who are less than 5 years old. Research in China indicates that the incidence rate is 18.2 to 18.6 per 1000003. The statistics shows that Japan predominantly has highest incidence rate among Asian. Kawasaki disease can be fou nd commonly in males than females and the reoccurrence rate is less than 1%3. The incidence of Kawasaki disease has been increasing annually. In 2000, the incidence rate was 73.7 per 100000 but in 2002, the number of occurrence increased to 95.5 per 1000003. There are relationships between season and occurrence of Kawasaki disease3. But there are variations among different countries. From Japanese reports, there were more patients in winter but in American data shows that patients will develop KD more in the spring and winter. For female the occurrence appeared to be high in March, and highest in July. For boys, the highest occurrence rate was in May and the lowest occurrence rate was in February. As the research indicated, the season and climates have relationship with the susceptibility to Kawasaki disease3. Genetics   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Patients with Kawasaki disease may develop coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) if patients are not treated early. Usually patients are treated with high amounts of intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) as well as aspirin which are used to reduce the possibility of developing CAAs2. However, 10-20% of Kawasaki patients do not response to induced intravenous gamma-globulin. Coronary artery abnormality will develop more frequently to patients who are not responding well to IVGG than patients who respond well to IVGG. Recent research reported that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in formation of CAA in acute phase of Kawasaki disease patients2. From research, the level of MMP-9 in serum who have Kawasaki disease have much higher than serum from children who does not have KD and patients who have other kinds of febrile diseases2. Using MMP-9 inhibitors might prevent the formation of CAA. However, MMP-9 inhibitors are not used clinically. MMP-9 is endopeptidase that depends on zinc that has zinc at the active site. MMP-9 have major role in tissue remodelling of extracellular membrane (ECM) 2. It can be seen in cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction, plaque destabilization of atherosclerotic lesion. The mechanism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is involve with the bind zinc to the active site and stabilize by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions in the active site. The ACE inhibitor can inhibit the activity of MMP-9 and MMP-2, which have major role in neointimal formation and angiogenesis. The effect of the ACE inhibitor on MMP-9 can be measure by using captopril to the enzyme2. Involvement of the immune system From the studies by Satoshi Sato, Kawasaki disease is commonly found from patients who are younger than 5 years old1. The average age of occurrence of this disease is 2 years. Kawasaki disease does not occur frequently from children who is less than 6 months and can hardly find patients who are less than 3 months1. Kawasaki disease usually does not occur for adults who have immunity to common infectious disease. This result explains that children are more susceptible to Kawasaki disease because they might not produced antibodies to common infectious viruses, and bacteria1. Mannose bind lectin (MBL) is an important component of the innate immunity and is a reactant for hepatic origin which can bind to multiple lectin domains1. MBL has very important role in complement activation and opsonization. Complement activation refers to as the biochemical activity that helps to get rid of pathogen from animal and opsonization have similar activity to complement activation that plays role of pa thogens to get rid of the organism by ingestion and destruction by phagocyte1. It is usually found in bacterial cells, fungus cells, and viruses. It has repeating pattern of mannose and N-acetylglucosamine sugar. There are three single polymorphisms in chromosome 10 for MBL gene at codon 52 (CGT to TCT), codon 54 (GGC to GAC), and codon 57 (GGA to GAA). This mutation will lead to reduction of the level of MBL concentration but polymorphism of the promoter region of MBL will lead to increase the level of MBL concentration in the serum1. When the base changes from glycine to aspartic acid in codon 54, it will distract the interaction between MBL and MBL-associated serine protease. The interaction between MBL and MBL-associated serine protease defend against infection when patients are young. But when patients become older, the interaction of these two molecules will not have impact on the innate immunity1. Because, the patients will develop the mature lymphocytes and immunoglobulins a nd they will engulf the invaded pathogen. Therefore, this research proposes the susceptibility of the Kawasaki disease will be influenced by the MBL polymorphism1. Children who have Kawasaki disease develop endothelial dysfuntion in early phase after onset of disease and this will caused by the production of nitric oxide (NO)5. As described earlier, the primary innate immune system is very important feature for Kawasaki disease. Tumour necrosis factor alpha, IL-1, 6, 8, monocyte, chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) will be activated to produce cytokine storm5. After cytokines are produced, it will release iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) in neutrophils, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. Nitric oxide is produced by two enzymes which are endothelial NOS and iNOS5. Recent research found out that patients who developed Kawasaki disease have higher level of iNOS concentration in neutrophils in acute phase. Also, children have high level of nitric oxide metabolites such as NOx, NO3-, and NO2-. After production of Nitric Oxide, it will react with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to give more bi ochemical reactions. This will be measured by new device called fluorescent indicators5. There are new devices used to measure the concentration of NO and ROS. First, Hydroxyphenyl fluorescence (HPF) was used to measure the concentration of ROS. Another device is called Diaminofluorescin-Flu Diacetate (DAF-FM DA) which is used to measure the concentration of intracellular Nitric Oxide5.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are significant evidences that the production of ROS and NO by neutrophils were much higher in Kawasaki disease patients in compare to people who have non-KD febrile children or non-febrile children5. By treating with IVIG, NO level will decrease. But, the production of NO can be beneficial or harmful. Usually, NO is cytotoxic but sometimes, it can protect cells from toxic materials. NO may react with hydroxyl radicals to produce much higher toxicity. To control the influence of NO, the duration, the amount of NO synthesis should be controlled. Therefore, in acute phase of Kawasaki disease, NO and ROS is highly produced and will cause damage to endothelial cells5. Treatment and future research   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When patients are diagnosis as complete or incomplete KD, treatment should be induced right away. Because when patients have more than 10 days of fever will develop CAA. Major treatment that doctors use to treat KD is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Intravenous immuglobulin induced into bloodstream which contains immunoglobulin antibody G that is brought from other control blood donors. IVIG is still a major recommended treatment but some patients do not response to this treatment. The effects of IVIG last for 2 weeks up to 3 months. The typical amount of IVIG is a dose of 1000mg per kg of patients bodyweight. High amount of IVIG with aspirin will reduce the rate of coronary artery abnormalities (CAA) which includes coronary artery dilatation or aneurysms from 20% to 3 to 5%. Also, depends of patients, IVIG can also used with acetylsalicylic acid to treat KD.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is one example about the incorrect treatment will cause severe disease. When IVIG was induced, patients could not cure coronary artery lesion. When patients induced with corticosteroid, they developed more coronary artery lesion3. There are two therapies which are antiinflammatory and antithrombotic therapy which are to treat Kawasaki disease instead of using IVIG. In antiinflammatory therapy, methylprenisolone, prednisone, prednisolone, and infliximab are used to treat Kawasaki disease. For antithrombotic therapy, Aspirin, heparin, warfarin, exoxaparin, tissue plasminogen activator, clopidogrel, and abciximab are used. Recently, infliximab proved by US Food and Drug administration to cure not only Crohn disease but also used to treat Kawasaki disease patients. It was not used at all in 2001 but today, the administration of infliximab usage increased up to 2.3% of total number of therapies used. It became favourable because of two reasons. First, it only administer to patients only one time. Secondly, by not using infliximab more than once, it reduce the complication as seen in other therapies which are used more than once. Infliximab is an antibody to tumour necrosis factor alpha, and cytokine in inflammatory response. It binds to tumour necrosis factor alpha and blocks the T-cell receptors to block the biochemical cascade. It will decrease the coronary artery abnormalities in patients who developed Kawasaki disease in early acute phase. To treat KD much better way, there should be more research. First, there should be more laboratory and echocardiographic data. Second, more development of clinical criteria and symptoms should be proposed. Even today, there is no perfect evidence that can explain the cause of KD; therefore, there should be more research on genetic factors by looking at KD patients family. Lastly, after treatment of KD in childhood, complication may be developed after several decades and there is not much information about complication. Therefore, by monitoring and keep in touch with KD patients are good way to find out more about complication after initial treatment. References Sato, S., H. Kawashima, Y. Kashiwagi, T. Fujioka, K Takekuma, and A. Hoshika. 2009. Association of mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphisms with Kawasaki disease in the Japanese. I. Jour. R. Dis. 12:307-310. Inoue, N., S. Takai, D. Jin, K. Okumura, N. Okamura, M. Kajiura, S. Yoshikawa, N. Kawamura, H. Tamai, M. Miyazaki. 2010. Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in patients with Kawasaki disease. Clinica Chimica Acta. 411:267-269. Huang, G.Y., Ma, X.J., Huang, M., Chen, S.B., Huang, M.R., Gui, Y.H., Ning, S.B., Zhang, T.H., Du, Z.D., Yanagawa H., and Kawasaki T. 2006. Epidemiologic Pictures of Kawasaki disease in Shanghai from 1998 through 2002. Journal of Epidemiology. 16:No. 1. Yeo, Y.K., Kim, T.Y., Ha, K.S., Jang, G.Y., Lee, J.H., Lee, K.C., Son, C.S., and Lee, J.W. 2009. Incomplete Kawasaki disease in patients younger than 1 year of age: a possible inherent risk factor. Eur J Pediatr. 168:157-162. Yoshimura, K., Tatsumi, K., Iharada, A., Tsuji, S., Tateiwa, A., Teraguchi, T., Ogino, H., Kaneko, K. 2009. Increased nitric oxide production by neutrophils in early stage of Kawasaki disease. Eur J Pediatr. 168:1037-1041 Perrin, L., Letierce, A., Guitton, C., Tran, T.A., Lambert, V., Kone-Paut, I. 2009. Comparative study of complete versus incomplete Kawasaki disease in 59 pediatric patients. Joint Bone Spine. 76:481-485. Son, M.B.F., Gauvreau, K., Ma, L., Baker, A.L., Sundel, R.P., Fulton, D.R., Newburger, J.W. 2009. Treatment of Kawasaki Disease: Anlaysis of 27 US Pediatric Hospitals From 2001 to 2006. Pediatrics. 124:1-8. Ugi, J., Lepper, P.M., Witschi, M., Maier, V., Geiser, T., Ott, S.R. Nonresolving pneumonia and rash in an adult: pulmonary involvements in Kwasakis disease. EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL. 35:452-454. Climaz, R., Sundel R. 2009. Atypical and incomplete Kawasaki disease. Best Practice Research Clinical Rheumatology. 23 (5):689-697.

Beloved :: essays research papers

A TREE CAN BE A HEAVY LOAD TO CARRY Throughout our lives, we have all had our own â€Å"tree† carved onto us. Whether it is on our back, in our heart, in our soul, our hands or feet, we can all share the knowledge and pain our lives have borne. So there is an understanding of how and what Sethe has had to bare throughout her life, and every branch of her tree has its individual story to tell. Not only has she been affected by the choices she has had to make, but also everyone who has come in contact with her have been affected. One branch of Sethe’s tree tells of her killing her baby and another tells of the guilt she has felt throughout the years and the near destruction of her from the haunting of her dear â€Å"Beloved’s† ghost. Another tells of her boys running away and another tells of the neglect that her younger daughter has had to face. Because of this guilt, she almost paid for it with her life. However, the stages that her mind her took through with coming to terms with her involve ment in Beloved’s murder, her redemption of that burden, and near madness were the elements that helped to guide her through the guilt. From the redemption of her guilt, Sethe has learned that when a branch of her tree has weltered a little, which means that her family bond is not as strong, the tree does not die, because it has a strong root. A root that represents all of the sorrow’s of her life, but she is still strong and is willing to fight to get rid of the weltering branches and sprout new ones, which represents new hope, new life and new beginning. In comparison with Sethe, many of us could probably relate to Sethe and the tragedies and devastations she has had to face. Like her, we and the people around us have had to face death, neglect, uncertainties, self-doubt or inner demons. Sethe explains that she took her baby’s life in order to save her from the treacherous world that she would have greeted. She did not want her baby to grow up in slavery like she had to, or starve because she did not have any milk to feed her. â€Å"†¦.and I could not let her nor any of em live under schoolteacher.

Coca Cola Company Case Study

Date: 22/10/2012 The Coca-Cola Company is a multinational business organisation founded in the late 1890’s in Georgia, USA. Its main focus is selling soft drinks and is especially famous for its first soft drink, after which is named, Coca-Cola. The first product was patented in 1887 and registered as a trademark in 1893. By 1895 it was sold in the whole USA and since then has been expanding around the world (The Coca-Cola Company, Product Descriptions). Throughout its history it has been subject to a lot of criticism for its various practices and has enjoyed incredible success.The organisations main strength it’s the fact that it is the most recognised product worldwide. Part of that recognition can be attributed to the fact that The Coca-Cola Company localizes its products and advertising campaigns, which has been highly successful. Coca-Cola has been credited with forming the modern image of Father Christmas as a jolly, old bearded man, dressed in red. (Coca-Cola at home) The main goal of all the campaigns has been that people choose the soft drink as their favoured beverage, a mission that has been greatly accomplished in many areas.Another advantage of the company is that it also has different headquarters in each country, giving it the ability to dictate all campaigns and give ideas on products. (The Times, Creating an effective organisational structure, Page 2:Â  A global and local strategy). Also the company is always trying to expand its range of products, focusing on beverages, but not only soft drinks as it sells juice, water, energy drinks and squashes as well. (The Times, Creating an effective organisational structure, Page 4:Â  The corporate segment -Head Office).Coca-Cola is normally associated with the United States of America, mainly because of its patriotic advertisements that were then exported to other countries. It has a dominant role in modern popular culture, with mass media references and even films containing the company ’s name in the title. Coca-Cola has such an effect on culture, that it is sometimes considered a sign that someone is richer or higher class if they drink more Coca-Cola than others.The company has proven very popular, despite the facts that most of the company’s products are unhealthy. Coca-Cola’s main ingredient is sugar. As a lot of the marketing is aimed at young people, the fact that products are unhealthy has sparked a bit of controversy, seeing as there is a lot of aggressive marketing towards young people. This is usually in the form of sponsorships to high school in the form of sports facilities or funds. In return the company is allowed to sell its products in the schools, thus attracting people from an early age.Also there are accusations of children working for the company in sweat shops and not giving adequate healthcare, whilst not complying to workers right and destroying trade unions through rough ways (The Globalization of Coca-Cola) One of Coca -colas main external features that keep it favoured is that it maintains a very good relationship with its bottlers. In contradiction to common knowledge, it is not the company that actually bottles and distributes its products. Instead they only make the basic syrup and ingredients in concentrate and then sell them to bottlers and from there they end up with distributors..This is a example of how the business adhere to its ‘culture’ as it tries to promote teamwork, by allying itself with other companies. (The Times, Creating an effective organisational structure, Page 5:Â  Structure and culture). This is helpful in many ways as it creates good connections with many businesses, making the Coca-Cola products much more sought after and popular with vendors, shops, supermarkets. There are some external problems though. After endorsing Israel, the company lost its popularity in the Middle East and was heavily boycotted. This gave competitors a chance to swoop in and they a re now dominating those markets.Also, another problem with the company is that its products, however big role they play in popular culture, aren't considered essential. So if a country’s economy is weak, it is inevitable that the beverages market is going to fall quite steeply. Another factor is that there are many cheap substitutes for their products, which, while not international, can prove to be strong competition in local markets, as many of them promote the fact that they are local, while Coca-Cola retains its American image and the majority of them are cheaper. REFERENCES * Coca-Cola at home, http://xroads. virginia. du/~CLASS/coke/coke1. html, retrieved on 21/10/2012 at 19:00 * The Coca-Cola Company, Product Descriptions, http://www. virtualvender. coca-cola. com/ft/index. jsp, retrieved on 21/10/2012 at 18:10 * The Globalization of Coca-Cola, https://segue. atlas. uiuc. edu/index. php? action=site;site=estensl2;section=4052;page=13292, retrieved on 21/10/2012 at 19:0 5 * The Times, Creating an effective organisational structure, Page 2:Â  A global and local strategy, http://businesscasestudies. co. uk/coca-cola-great-britain/creating-an-effective-organisational-structure/a-global-and-local-strategy. tml, retrieved on 21/10/2012 at 19:10 * The Times, Creating an effective organisational structure, Page 4:Â  The corporate segment -Head Office, http://businesscasestudies. co. uk/coca-cola-great-britain/creating-an-effective-organisational-structure/the-corporate-segment-head-office. html, retrieved on 21/10/2012 at 19:13 * The Times, Creating an effective organisational structure, Page 5:Â  Structure and culture, http://businesscasestudies. co. uk/coca-cola-great-britain/creating-an-effective-organisational-structure/structure-and-culture. html, retrieved on 21/10/2012 at 19:15

Free Essays on The Gallipoli Campaign

The Gallipoli Campaign The Gallipoli Campaign began in early 1915, set off to open up the straits known as the Dardanelle’s so that communication and supplies could be easily exchanged with Russia. This trade route was a very prized by the Turks; however, they were far from ready when the first British-French fleet was mobilized. On February 19th 1915, the British-French military began bombardment of the Turkish forts at the entrance to the Dardanelle’s. Later, on March 18th, the naval fleet began forcing the narrows. A well-placed Turkish minefield cause 3 lost battleships and the lives of over 2000 men. Unknown to the Admiral in charge of the fleet, the Turkish defenses are on the verge of collapse but Admiral de Robeck orders a retreat. Upon the allied powers’ retreat, the Turkish forces ‘dug’ themselves in, preparing for another assault. This assault came on April 25. The forces used in this incursion consisted of Australian, New Zealand, French and Indian troops. The plan called for a landing on the peninsula with a moderate amount of forces and pushing inland, hopefully all the way to Istanbul. During the peninsula landing, the allied forces incurred terrible losses, even before beginning to fight. The battle lasted for months and was heavily one sided. The allied powers had simply not sent enough troops after blowing their surprise attack earlier in the year. The Russians, who had suggested the forcing of the Dardanelle’s, were expected to arrive at Bosphorus but this was prevented by a very strategically planned attack on Gorlice, leaving the allied army in a state of peril. The campaign continued into November with the allied forces suffering further casualties until the rem aining troops were evacuated in December 1915. The Gallipoli Campaign was credited as a failure in design, discrediting all amphibious operations for the rest of the war, instead of a failure in execution that it obvi... Free Essays on The Gallipoli Campaign Free Essays on The Gallipoli Campaign The Gallipoli Campaign The Gallipoli Campaign began in early 1915, set off to open up the straits known as the Dardanelle’s so that communication and supplies could be easily exchanged with Russia. This trade route was a very prized by the Turks; however, they were far from ready when the first British-French fleet was mobilized. On February 19th 1915, the British-French military began bombardment of the Turkish forts at the entrance to the Dardanelle’s. Later, on March 18th, the naval fleet began forcing the narrows. A well-placed Turkish minefield cause 3 lost battleships and the lives of over 2000 men. Unknown to the Admiral in charge of the fleet, the Turkish defenses are on the verge of collapse but Admiral de Robeck orders a retreat. Upon the allied powers’ retreat, the Turkish forces ‘dug’ themselves in, preparing for another assault. This assault came on April 25. The forces used in this incursion consisted of Australian, New Zealand, French and Indian troops. The plan called for a landing on the peninsula with a moderate amount of forces and pushing inland, hopefully all the way to Istanbul. During the peninsula landing, the allied forces incurred terrible losses, even before beginning to fight. The battle lasted for months and was heavily one sided. The allied powers had simply not sent enough troops after blowing their surprise attack earlier in the year. The Russians, who had suggested the forcing of the Dardanelle’s, were expected to arrive at Bosphorus but this was prevented by a very strategically planned attack on Gorlice, leaving the allied army in a state of peril. The campaign continued into November with the allied forces suffering further casualties until the rem aining troops were evacuated in December 1915. The Gallipoli Campaign was credited as a failure in design, discrediting all amphibious operations for the rest of the war, instead of a failure in execution that it obvi...

History of Cities essays

History of Cities essays Through out this paper I will discuss, how and why the first cities began, from small villages into city form. I will tell how prominent cities formed through the years of the forth millennium BC, to where we are today. It is a coincidence that the first cities in time took place in the Middle East, one major trade city I feel was really important was Tepe Yahy. Tepe Yahy was a very important city in the Middle East facilitating trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. From the south Arabia urbanization spread into Asian cities such as the Shang which was developing in the Yellow and Wei river valleys of Honan and Shensi, during the second millennium BC. With the western spread of urbanization from the Indus Region to Europe, the city states of Crete formed, on the Greek islands, around the 2000 BC which led to hundreds of cities around 8th century BC of classical times. The glory of the Greek empire led into the Roman Empire, forming the city of Rome. Also during this time period in the New World the very large and influencing city of Teotipuancan was formed in 200 BC, of which I will also discuss. At around 400-500 AD with the fall of the Roman Empire many Mid-evil Cities were formed in Europe. The Mid-evil Cites led into the formation of London and Paris in 1500-1600 AD. In the Middle Ages I will talk about how exploring form Europe led to America forming New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, leading into the Industrial Revelation in 1750. In the final section of my paper I will discuss how the Industrial Revelation affected Rural-Urban Sprawl, leading us to where we are in cities today. HOW AND WHY CITIES FOMED IN EARLY CITIES According to Bellan in The evolving City the definition of early city, is a compact collection of buildings used and occupied by a local population that performs functions both for itself and for people who live elsewhere (1) p.2 The arrivals of the earliest cit...

Analysis of Being Steve Jobs Boss Article Assignment - 3

Analysis of Being Steve Jobs Boss Article - Assignment Example Jobs’ methodology actually starts â€Å"with the user and looking at the entire end-to-end system† (Bloomberg, 2). Schulley revealed Jobs’ admiration for Sony, which became the basis for his Mac factory, tailored to Sony’s elegance and design. He identified Dr. Edwin Land, co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation, as one of the Jobs’ heroes. Ross Perot, founder of Electronic Data Systems, and Akio Morita, builder of Sony, were likewise explicitly looked up to by Jobs as his great inspiration and heroes. The interview likewise discussed Sculley's strategy to focus on marketing Jobs’ products in the market. However, his humility made him express that â€Å"Steves brilliance is his ability to see something and then understand it and then figure out how to put it into the context of his design methodology—everything is designed† (Bloomberg, 4). He acknowledged making two mistakes: not having to work with Intel and not going back to Steve. Schulley ruminated that â€Å"Why don't we go back to the guy who created the whole thing and understands it? Why don't we go back and hire Steve to come back and run the company?" (Bloomberg, 5). In hindsight, Schulley was convinced that â€Å"if Steve hadn't come back when he did—if they had waited another six months—Apple would have been history. It would have been gone, absolutely gone† (Bloomberg, 5). One shares the same contention and agrees to Schulley in the discussions proffered in the article.

Ralphs vs. Albertson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ralphs vs. Albertson - Essay Example Ralph is headquartering in Cincinnati Ohio. Later Ralph was acquired by Kroger from Fred Meyers. The reason behind the success story of Ralph is that the founder believed in two philosophies and his innovation. He value priced top quality product and costumer comes first service intention. And his innovative approach to traditional handling of fresh produce brought accolades by all the customers. Albertson took lead and developed to leaps and bounds their approach to customer service. Albertson stores efficiently utilize their capital assets in developing their stores. This also includes establishing new stores in new neighborhood. Albertson stores were very innovative and were specifically designed to perfectly fit in the neighborhood. Albertson stores approach of new projects was very advanced and was based on teamwork; generation of new ideas and the most important was implementation of best practice. Compared to Ralph Albertson stores use its capital and non capital assets in a m anner that it should again fetch income. Albertson leased out its surplus properties that fetch a decent income and some of the properties are even sold at a higher price than acquired. Albertson stores earn higher profits as compared to Ralph.