Communicable Disease Paper Essay

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. Acute HBV is less than six months and ones immune system is able to fight and clear the infection. Chronic HBV lasts longer than six months and ones immune system is unable to fight the infection leading to liver failure, cancer or cirrhosis. Occasionally chronic HBV can go undetected for years due to a person being asymptomatic (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Mode of Transmission In highly infected areas of the world, HBV is most commonly spread from mom to baby at birth or from person to person in early childhood (World Health Organization [WHO], 2013). The HBV is also spread via parenteral contact with infected blood or blood products, sharing of or accidental needle sticks and having unprotected sex with one who’s blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions are infected and enter your body (Copstead and Banasik, 2010). Signs and Symptoms Signs and symptoms of HBV may never appear or appear over a two to six month period. Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, dark urine, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and or sclera) (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Complications Having chronic HBV can lead to serious life threatening complications such as, cirrhosis, liver cancer, failure, hepatitis D infection or kidney failure. Liver cirrhosis occurs when HBV has caused inflammation to liver leading to scaring and formation of fibrotic cell tissue that blocks hepatic blood flow and cell function. This in turn results in overgrowth of new cells attempting to regenerate causing decreased liver function Liver cancer and failure can occur if a patient has cirrhosis due to being a risk factor (Copstead and Banasik, 2010). Treatment Treatment of HBV is supportive. Care focuses on nutrition, hydration and comfort (WHO, 2013). For those who have been infected with acute HBV, may not even need treatment but only management of symptoms. Those infected with chronic HBV may need more invasive treatments such as, antiviral medications or need a liver transplant (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Antiviral medications are used to slow and fight the virus from destructing the liver. Liver transplants are an option if a patient has end-stage liver disease where traditional treatments have not worked and are a qualified candidate (Copstead and Banasik, 2010). Demogrphics Approximately 60,000 people die every year from HBV (WHO, 2013). There are about 200 billion people living around the world with HBV with an estimated 1. 2 million living in the United States (CDC, 2013). In 2011 the United States was estimated to have 18,800 actual new cases of the HBV (CDC, 2013). Those who are at greatest risk for developing HBV are Asian and Pacific Islanders, African Americans, gay and bisexual individuals, those who have multiple sex partners and do not practice safe sex or are intravenous drug users. Gay and bisexual men make up 20% of new HBV cases and 50% Asian and Pacific Islanders are living with HBV (CDC, 2013). Most Asian and Pacific Islanders were infected with HBV as infants or children and 1 in 12 are living with it and are not even aware. Determinants of Health Environmental factors such as living conditions, social networks and social support systems are all key drivers for one becoming infected with the HBV. For example, a homeless person who has a poor health status, is uninsured, unemployed and has a lack of education is more likely to be diagnosed with HBV. Also certain races are more likely to be infected with the HBV, as stated above, Asian and Pacific Islanders make up 50% of the population living with HBV (CDC, 2013). In addition there is a lack of resources available to protect, improve and maintain one health due to the cost and lack of good health services to individuals with low socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, focus needs to be made on improving access to care as well as treating the environmental and social factors of health. Epidemiologic Triangle The epidemiologic triangle is used to analyze the natural history of a disease. It asses the agent â€Å"what†, host â€Å"who† and environment â€Å"where† (Maurer and Smith, 2013). The biological agent for hepatitis B is a virus. The host’s demographics can range from infancy into adulthood and any race is susceptible to the virus. The body’s defenses are more likely to fight off acute than chronic HBV. A person’s behavior as well plays a large role in one becoming infected. Those who are intravenous drug users or have a history of multiple sex partners are my susceptible to developing HBV. Environmental factors based on social and economic considerations could be direct person-to-person contact of bodily fluids via kissing or sexual intercourse or receiving contaminated blood products from infected individuals. Within the workplace, an individual could accidently prick himself or herself with a contaminated needle increasing their chances of becoming infected. Role of Community Health Nurse It is important for the community health nurse to educate and promote prevention of HBV. Teaching risk reduction interventions and strategies such as not having unprotected sex and using condoms can help prevent transmission of hepatitis B. For those who have already become infected with the HBV it’s important to provide timely referrals for sexual health related services to further prevent others from becoming infected. Making the hepatitis vaccinations more accessible and available is an effective way to prevent hepatitis B. Educating health and human service providers about hepatitis B promotes quality of care and awareness as well as reduces chances of transmission. Ensuring adequate resources are available (state and local surveillance) to accurately monitor disease trends, transmission and how effective treatment is can improve and ensure correct data collection. It’s also important that the nurse refers patients to accessible care and treatment facilities so that compliance can be obtained and the rate of transmission, morbidity and mortality can be reduced. National Organization The World Hepatitis Alliance is a non-profit international umbrella non-governmental organization that represents every region of the world with viral hepatitis. They raise awareness, reduce the stigma associated with viral hepatitis, work with the WHO and provide preventive care as well as support and access to treatment. Their goal is eradication of HBV and HCV. They plan on achieving this goal by having more countries with a complete hepatitis strategy in place, regional patient organizations in all WHO regions, on going support for global hepatitis groups, acceptance at a global level of HBV and HCV, increased alliance and a more diversified funding base for the alliance. Conclusion There are two billion people worldwide that are infected with HBV and more than 350 million are infected with chronic liver infections, which increases their risk of death significantly (Maurer and Smith, 2013). Fortunately, there is a vaccine for hepatitis B but it has not become easily accessible to those in developing countries. This is a virus that can be prevented if individuals are being educating on the causes and risks as well as ways to protect themselves. It is up to us healthcare providers to spread awareness and makes our patients more knowledgeable about the types of communicable disease in our world so that they can make healthy choices.

Enzyme Activity Lab essays

Enzyme Activity Lab essays In the investigation, a catalase and an enzyme whose occurrence is widespread in cells, particularly in liver cells was used. The catalase from a fresh calf liver was used. In this lab, catalase and H2O2 were combined under different substrate concentrations 6%, 4%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% with two drops of diluted detergent. Measurements of the volume of O2 released during these reactions were recorded to determine the rate of reaction. The reaction rates of the enzyme in 6%, 4%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide were 1.56 mL/s, 1.54 mL/s, 1.01 mL/s, 0.56 mL/s and 0.23 mL/s respectively. When the liver was added in distilled water and detergent it did not react. It was observed in the lab that the optimum concentration for enzyme activity is when the substrate concentration is 6%. After the optimum substrate concentration is reached, the reaction rate levels off because as the substrate concentration increases the active sites get occupied with the substrate and there are not enough active sites to break down all of the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules. At this point virtually all the active sites are occupied so the active sites are saturated with Hydrogen Peroxide. Increasing the Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration after the point of saturation has been reached will not cause the rate of reaction to go up any more. When the substrate concentration is lower the reaction rate is slower. Enzymes function as biological catalysts, substances that speed up chemical reactions. Chemically, enzymes are proteins and their three-dimensional shape is important to their catalytic activity. Enzymes are highly specific in terms of the reactions they will catalyse. This means that literally hundreds of different enzymes are required to catalyse the many different reactions which take place in your body each day. The breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is speeded up by catalase. Catalase functions to speed the breakdown of peroxides which ...

Free sample - Should local sales tax be increased or decreased. translation missing

Should local sales tax be increased or decreased. Should local sales tax be increased or decreasedContent of the problem Currently, taxes added on top of prices of goods or services that are purchased within a country are either being increased or decreased depending on the country. Sale tax is a consumption that is displayed as a percentage of the sale price. It is vital to assess sale taxes in every state, county or municipal level in order to determine the amount that is being taxed and can help in knowing whether to increase or to decrease. The biggest problem with sales tax evaluation is the state-local tax burden due to increasing population and changes in the tax policies is also another area that is supposed to be considered. In the past it was a bit different since most of the states’ population was not so high and thus it was easy to determine whether sales tax be increased or decreased. But as time has moved, this has been witnessed to have taken another different direction and the states’ population must be put into consideration since most of this has to determine the increase or decrease of sale tax in every state (Frederick, 315). Statement of the problem In the today’s world, employment has hit and most of the people graduate and do not get job and thus imposing sales tax on such people may deem to be the biggest problem. The tax imposed on property is also important on the other hand as it helps in ensuring that it is used in curing the budget. This is due to the fact that revenue gotten from corporate net is usually viewed as volatile, especially in cases whereby recession and therefore it will be unworthy to states to lean heavily on it. Even though the income tax increase helps in budget deficit, raising the income tax by even just 5% would lead to a drop on the tax Foundation’s Tax Climate Index. This may also lead to not having lower personal income tax in such regions.   This may also lead to the corporate income tax to drop even further. And also, in increasing the tax of corporate income may set a state an even bigger fall in the future and that is really a demerit. This paper will look at the barriers of sales tax increase and decrease since this is a tool that will in turn help in determining whether to increase or decrease sales tax in any state. This can be done through in co-operating some programs into the scheme of sale tax evaluation system. Research question Given that it is important to determine whether to increase or decrease the sales tax in any given state; there are a number of questions that must be put into consideration. Since sale tax is also important to the government, it is vital for the government to treat those contributing to tax revenue as important figures in the society. This in turn will make not to appear as a burden to those contributing to sale tax (Merriman, 21). Nonetheless, in order to gather the required information regarding sales tax increase or decrease it is vital to address the following questions during the research process: a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How imperative is tax reduction or increase to both the government and the citizens? b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Are there some economy tax credit programs that can be employed instead of just increasing or decreasing the sales tax and how is it helpful to the common man? c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What is the purpose of considering change in tax policy and can this help in tax expenditure justification? d)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What are the cautions for both tax increase and tax decrease?  Ã‚  Ã‚      Significance of the study According to research carried by Arnold in 2004, (228) in both the United States and the whole world at large it is vital not to impose so much tax on the common man as this will have tremendous effect in future, either positive or negative. Even though most citizens suffer from high taxation, it is vital not to increase the sales tax to the common man and impose tax on goods and services rendered internationally. This proposal aims at looking into ways in which sales tax can be imposed without causing any havoc to the common man and thus improves the economy of the country. This must also focus on developing a positive attitude to those imposing tax on property without experiencing state-local tax burden. This is important since it is used to determine how Tax Foundation yearly calculation concerning how heavy the state-local tax burden is for the population in any given state (Rodgers, 229). Objectives of the study Just like any incentive program, it is vital to look at the objectives, basically in numeric terms. This specifically helps in determining the final result such as increasing sales, or purchase by your reseller. Some of the objectives include:    i)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Obtaining a certain percentage of shares for a new product in its full year. ii)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Increasing the percentage of sales. iii)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Increase the number of showroom displays in both local and international market. iv)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Increase the number of people participating in product training programs.      Research Design and Methodology This research study will focus on both the quantitative and qualitative approach since it requires collection of data and carrying out of surveys in relation to the past sales tax estimations and calculations. Another approach will be the descriptive since it will require first hand information from previous research in order to avoid misunderstanding. Finally the research will carry our surveys by interviewing the concerned using semi-structured questioners.   Conclusion It is vital to look at the disadvantages and advantages associated with sales tax increase and decrease. This is likely to help determine which one is the most appropriate option. All in all it is also significant to understand the limitation of the research process since it can be applied as a cautionary measure before deciding on which way to go. It is vital to understand that fiscal problems should not be addressed by tax alone (Arnold, 229).    Work Cited Arnold, Raphaelson, "The Property Tax," in J. Richard Aronson and Eli Schwartz, eds., Management Policies in Local Government Finances, 3rd edition, (2004) p. 229 Frederick, Stocker. "Diversification of the Local Revenue System: Income and Sales Taxes, User Charges, Federal Grants," National Tax Journal, September (2006), p. 315 Merriman, David. The Control of Municipal Budgets: Toward the Effective Design of Tax and Expenditure Limitations. (New York: Quorum Books, (2001), pp. 20-23 Rodgers, James. "Sales Taxes, Income Taxes, and Other Nonproperty Revenues, " in J. Richard Aronson and Eli Schwartz, eds., Management Policies in Local Government Finance, Third Edition (Washington, DC: International City Management Association, (1997), p. 229. Sherwood-Call, "The Labor Tax as an Alternative Revenue Source," Proceedings of the Seventy-Ninth Annual Conference (Columbus, OH: National Tax Association, (2002), pp. 86-93

Scarlet Letter Chapter 8 Essay Example

Scarlet Letter Chapter 8 Essay Example Scarlet Letter Chapter 8 Paper Scarlet Letter Chapter 8 Paper Essay Topic: The Scarlet Letter Jeremiah Young Period-2nd 11/6/12 Chapter 8 At the beginning of chapter 8, Hawthorne brings back the main characters from the first scaffold scene; Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth; as well as representatives of the Church and the State. Also, that underneath the surface action, Hawthorne offers several strong hints concerning the difficult relationships of his characters. In Hesters pleading to Dimmesdale for help, in Pearls solemnly caressing his hand, and in the ministers kiss give you solid hints that Dimmesdale is Pearls father. Hester calls on her inner strength in her attempt to keep Pearl. She argues that the scarlet letter is a badge of shame to teach pearl a lesson and help her benefit from Hesters sin. However, Pearls refusal to answer the question causes the decision of the Church and the State to go against her. Now Hesters only appeal is to Dimmesdale, the man whose reputation she could crush. Pearl once again reveals her wild and passionate nature. In saying that her mother plucked her from the wild roses that grew by the prison door, she goes against both the Church and State. While such an answer seems intelligent for a small child, the reader must remember that Hawthorne uses character symbolism to present meaning. Pearls action brings back Hesters audacity on the scaffold when she refuses to name the father of her child. The dual nature of Pearls existence as both happiness and torture is restated in Hesters plea, and this point is taken up by Dimmesdale. The ministers weakened condition and his obvious nervousness suggest how terribly he has been suffering with his latent guilt. Nevertheless, Dimmesdale adds to Hesters plea when he states that Pearl is a child of its fathers guilt and its mothers shame but still she has come from the hand of God. As such, she should be considered a blessing. The minister argues that Pearl will keep Hester from the powers of evil. And so she is allowed to keep her daughter. Those powers of evil can be seen in both the strange conversation with Mistress Hibbins and also in the change in Chillingworth. As if to prove that Hester will be kept from evil by Pearl, Hawthorne adds the scene with Mistress Hibbins. While Mr. Wilson says of Pearl, that little baggage has witchcraft in her, Hester says she would willingly have gone with the Black Man except for Pearl. These evil powers are also suggested by the fourth main character, Chillingworth. The change noted by Hester in Chillingworths physical appearance, now more ugly and dark and misshapen, is a hint that in Chillingworths desire for revenge, evil is winning the battle within him and is reflected in his outward appearance. That Chillingworth is Dimmesdales personal physician and supposedly his friend gives him the opportunity to apply psychological pressure on the minister. Chillingworths comment on Dimmesdales strange earnestness and his statement that he could make a shrewd guess at the father suggest that he may already have decided on Dimmesdales guilt.

Political Reconstruction in the State of Florida after the civil war Essay

Political Reconstruction in the State of Florida after the civil war - Essay Example This Almost every page of his writing has quotes regarding either the price of something, or someone’s opinion regarding something. Although they are extremely useful, there are no citations and therefore while interesting and useful can not be referred to as a legitimate source. The maps and other inclusions assist with the overall theme of the book and give the reader more information than what is written. Brown, Canter Jr. Ossian Bingley Hart: Florida’s Loyalist Reconstruction Governor. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1997. Although Hart was born long before the Civil War began, it was his attitudes and beliefs that spurred on some of the reconstruction shortly following the end of hostilities. As this is a biography a good part of the book is about Governor Hart, which is important in understanding how someone who was a loyalist was able to assist in the reconstruction. Hart following the war made an effort to support a Reconstructionist belief. I t is the author’s opinion that without Hart, the timing and intensity of the Reconstructionist movement would have been different. The book summarizes what Hart had to contend with in the state as well as among his own party members. This book is very useful in not only knowing about Governor Hart, but also his connections and how those influenced the future of Florida. This book has footnotes and additional information that aids to research of Governor Hart. Cobb, James C. Away Down South: A History of Southern Identity. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. To be southern is to be different than those from different areas. It has its own culture, practices, and more importantly belief structures. The author using his upbringing as the staging point believes that he is in a unique situation to write the south. He is in fact from the south and can in his belief read between the lines of primary and secondary sources. Cobb pulls from leading historians on the reconstruction and how cultural identity it created to write something from a 1st person as well as from a 3rd person point of view. One major view point that Cobb is trying to convey is what â€Å"Southern Identity† is and how it is just as important as â€Å"Northern Identity† and how that needs to be explored. He includes citations of academic works. He also has a solid grasp on the information both written and what needs to be written. Cobb, James C. and William W. Stueck, ed. Globalization and the American South. Athens. GA: University of Georgia Press, 2005. Continuing on his theme of Southern Identity James Cobb teamed up with William Stueck to write about how the globalization of the world and specifically the United States is affected the south. While this book mostly centers on current economic structures and formation, there is a section on how the reconstruction following the civil war has influenced the growth of businesses and economy in the South. This is an edited wo rk so all of the essays are by different authors and speak to different issues. While most of the essays are informational and contribute to the understanding of Southern culture, what is interesting is that there is an underlying emphasis on how the new globalization is affected the black-white divide, and what that means for individuals in the south. Due to the varying authors, the citation styles are different, but this is an academic work that is useful for research. Davis,

Technology and Issues with Modern Communication Essay

Technology and Issues with Modern Communication - Essay Example e benefits of modern technology to an effective communication, there are also four words that pose challenges that we should think about – Communication, Ubiquitous, Consequential, & Complex†. Today, the internet and mobile phones are one of the mostly used medium of communication as it provides real-time messages to be exchanged, not to mention the affordability of doing so. However, we can see a paradigm shift in the kind of messages we now create – from detailed sentences to communicate as sending letters would always put pressure on enveloping the whole message before sending it out because of the time it will take to get to the recipient and the cost, convenience we now enjoy with modern technology makes us shift to a conversational way of communicating (Thomas, M.). Thus, most of the time, we fail to establish the story or the purpose of a message and go directly to the main point which somehow fails to deliver the point to a recipient. The next challenge would be the ubiquitous & consequential quality of modern technology. We all know that technologies that aid us to communicate are universal. Everyone now has easy access to it. However, one downside to this would be the fact that everyone desires to get a hold of the faster gadget available with more features for a better exchange of messages without really taking time to get proper education on how to use it. Thus, increased spending, not getting the most of a certain gadget, and at the same time lessened person to person interaction is diminished because of the proliferation of social media. Also, modern technology being deemed to be consequential to the quality of life has a strong tendency to be merely an object that describes a status quo instead of being used as an instrument to establish lasting and sustainable peer interaction, friendships, and successful business transactions. Lastly, as with great power comes great responsibility, one of the downsides of modern technology would be the

Accounting does not communicate reality, it constructs reality Essay

Accounting does not communicate reality, it constructs reality - Essay Example Accounting is a language of business through which the information is passed to the users of the financial statement. The users then can on the basis of those information can their own decision and plan of action. Thus it can be defined that accounting is not merely a method of keeping records but a method for taking decision on the basis of the information that is provided by accounting (Bion, 1968). An effective medium of communication is required by the entity handling its employees, clients, suppliers. Accounting is considered as an intrinsic an important element of the entity. Accounting helps the business entity in preparation of budget, reporting and also in recording of income that is required by the managers as well as others. There are different users of accounting which can be mainly classified as the external users that includes investors, taxing authorities, customers and creditors and the internal users that includes the management and the employees (Drury, 2008). Accounting mainly communicates variety of information to various parties that are interested in the information supplied by accounting with the help of different mode of communication such as by publishing of annual report, internet, social report and applying various mediums such as by adding pictures, charts, narratives, graphs. The accounting communication is considered as an important aspect as it provides a clear picture to the various things. Accounting communication is verbal as well as non verbal. Accounting communication is required for management accounting. The art of communication applied in management accounting is mainly backed by the need and demand. There are mainly two different ways of communicating financial information is Business Intelligence and costing data (Keele Management School, 2012). Accounting same as that of advertisement can be perceived as mythological and as a metalanguage in which the signs are used to explain the mythical meaning. Accounting