Business Ethics...A Contradiction in Terms?

Business ethics occupies a unique position in the field of ethics. It consists of uneasy applications of some very general ethical principles (ie: duty or utility) to rather specific and often unique situations and crises. Unlike the professions of medicine and law, business ethics is concerned with an area of hum.an enterprise whose practitioners do not, for the most part, enjoy professional status and whose motives, to put it mildly, are often thought (and said) to be less than noble. Breed is often cited as the sole purpose of business, and much of the history of business ethics, accordingly, is not very flattering to business. The subject of business ethics, as currently practiced, is not much over a decade old. Only a few years ago, the subject was still an awkward routine review of ethical theories, general considerations about the fairness of capitalism, and a number of already standard business cases, most of them disgraces, scandals, and disasters displaying the corporate world at its worst and its most irresponsible. Today, new applications and a renewed sophistication in ethical theory have allowed the introduction of a more formal analysis in business ethics. Business ethics has evolved from a wholly critical attack on capitalism and the profit motive to a more productive and constructive examination of the underlying rules and practices of business. Accordingly, the first task in business ethics is to clear the way through the highly incriminating myths and metaphors, which obscure rather than clarify the underlying ethos that make business possible

Optimization of antemortem diagnostic evaluations to guide the judicious use of antimicrobial therapy in diseases caused by swine mycoplasmas

Swine mycoplasmas are a common contributor to economic losses and adverse health in the pig industry (Sibila, 2009). Although several swine–specific mycoplasmas exist, only four are currently considered pathogenic. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, and Mycoplasma suis are among the species that impact pigs clinically. This thesis will focus on M. hyosynoviae and M. hyopneumoniae, specifically. Although not understood to initiate disease alone, when combined with a primary viral or bacterial infection, both species trigger serious clinical disease in herds worldwide (Thacker, 2012). Mycoplasma hyosynoviae is a common cause of clinical arthritis in growing pigs. Carried in the tonsils, a stress event typically facilitates the systemic spread of the organism to the joints, with a predisposition for the stifle(s). Once in the joints, M. hyosynoviae is capable of causing a painful arthritis inducing anorexia-driven weight loss. Although antibiotic therapies are consistently used to treat mycoplasma–induced arthritis, both MICs and breakpoints for these antibiotics have not yet been established due to the fastidious nature of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae. Instituting breakpoint values for any bacteria requires a large number of isolates and subsequent in vitro MIC testing, neither of which has been performed due to the burdensome MIC testing techniques available (Turnridge, 2007). Judicious use of antibiotics continues to be a major concern in food–producing animals, and the push for rational drug use begins with in vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing. Although several methodologies exist for determining antimycoplasmal activity of antibiotics, most diagnostic laboratories do not offer sensitivity testing of mycoplasma isolates. However, a more user–friendly, reproducible procedure was adapted from a previous study concerning Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae minimum inhibitory concentrations (Tanner, 1993). Both Tanner\u27s research and the original work presented in this thesis utilized a commercially–available product that allowed for a large number of isolates to be tested, with minimal preparation, yielding reportable results in less than one week. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a common component of the Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex and the etiologic agent of enzootic pneumonia in pigs. Although several intervention strategies are available, the pork industry still struggles with economic loss and decreased animal welfare due to the disease. Previous research has optimized both sample techniques and detection methods for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, however, the combination has not been utilized to assess herd prevalence of M. hyopneumoniae in the United States. Therefore, the prevalence of M. hyopneumoniae in the weaned pig population from four sow farms across Iowa was measured utilizing a novel tracheobronchial mucous collection technique and real–time polymerase chain reaction. The two capabilities of antemortem isolation of mycoplasmas and determination of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility provide the necessary tools for development of clinical–breakpoints for pathogenic mycoplasma. Breakpoint values are established by correlating the clinical outcome of a disease process after administration of a specific drug concentration. Depending on resolution of clinical signs, the isolate is interpreted as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant. The interpretive criteria allow for swine practitioners to make well–informed decisions on antimicrobial therapy specific for that isolate. The work reported here demonstrates that the potential for antemortem isolation of M. hyopneumoniae is improved with the use of tracheobronchial mucous collection. Combining this method with antibiotic susceptibility testing methods described by Tanner and Wu (1993), creating breakpoints for M. hyopneumoniae is possible. Antemortem joint fluid collection is an effective way to isolate Mycoplasma hyosynoviae (Holt, in publication), however only cumbersome antimicrobial susceptibility assays are described for M. hyosynoviae. With the use of the susceptibility test described in Chapter 3 of this thesis, the institution of breakpoints for M. hyosynoviae is achievable. In conclusion, the use of the antemortem diagnostic tests developed in this thesis is valuable for treatment of diseases caused by swine mycoplasmas. Possible benefits to the swine industry include early, guided therapeutic intervention leading to more prudent usage of antibiotics in swine herds nationally

Perioperative Preceptor Education in an Agency Preceptor Workshop

There is a critical shortage of perioperative nurses and the demand in the United States (US) is growing steadily by 1% to 2% each year. It is estimated that nearly 20% of registered nurses (RNs) currently working in the perioperative area will retire in the next five years. In the perioperative area, when using the 6 to 12-month orientation time frame, as outlined in the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) orientation calculator, the cost of orienting a new RN can exceed $100,000. A preceptorship workshop is one strategy that has been shown as an evidence-based intervention to decrease RN turnover rates, increase job satisfaction, and have a positive effect on new nurse role transition and intent to stay. Perioperative preceptor education as a component of an agency-wide workshop was developed and implemented with the purpose to improve RN preceptor performance and proficiency, and increase perioperative RN orientee satisfaction and intent to stay. A pre- and post-intervention design was implemented in a 391-bed Magnet designated facility to evaluate these outcomes. Using eta square, mean preceptor performance and proficiency scores indicated a moderate effect size, which demonstrated clinical significance and a positive impact on the nurse practice environment

INTSORMIL 2003 ANNUAL REPORT

From 1980 to 1999, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the number of food-insecure people in developing countries fell from 920 million to about 800 million, yet in 2003, the International Food Policy Research Institute declared that without significant changes in policies, public investments, and institutions, we simply will not achieve the 1996 World Food Summit goal-reaffirmed at the 2000 Millennium Summit and again last year at the World Food Summit: five years later of reducing the number of our fellow human beings who are food insecure by at least half by no later than 2015. FAO indicates that the number has been decreasing by barely 2.5 million per year over the last eight years. At that rate, we will reach these goals one hundred years late, in 2115. Increased production of cereals, which are crucial sources of food energy and other nutrients, is necessary to reduce world hunger. According to Entering the 21st Century-World Development Report 1999/2000, about 900 million people in almost 100 countries are affected by drought and desertification, and by 2025, that number will double. The population of the world has doubled since 1940, but fresh water use has increased fourfold. Water scarcity is becoming more widespread, with concomitant effects on regional peace and global food security. Nearly all of the 3 billion increase in global population which is expected by 2025 will be in developing countries where water is already scarce. To meet the increasing demand for food in those countries, there is an increasing demand for more efficient production and new ways of utilizing drought-tolerant crops which have a competitive advantage to produce food under conditions of unpredictable and scarce rainfall. As water becomes more precious in the United States, cereals which can produce energy for feed and fuel in drought-prone areas of the country are demonstrating increasingly competitive advantages

INTSORMIL 2004 ANNUAL REPORT

The 2004 INTSORMIL Annual Report presents the progress and notable achievements by the SorghumlMillet CRSP during the period of July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004. These results are an outcome of partnerships between scientists at six U.S. Land Grant Universities (Kansas State University, Mississippi State University, University of Nebraska, Purdue University, Texas A&M University and West Texas A&M University) and scientists of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Tifton, Georgia and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and National Universities in nineteen countries in Central America, West Africa, East Africa and Southern Africa. Agricultural research provides benefits not only to producers of agricultural products but also to processors and consumers of agricultural products. Agricultural research has proven itself continuously as providing improvements which yield products of greater quantity and quality, as well as improved health to consumers and broad-based economic growth which goes beyond producers and consumers

INTSORMIL 2002 Annual Report

The global community confronts an enonnous task of stimulating economic growth in rural areas where 75% of the very poor (90% in Africa) currently live and ensuring the nutritional security of a world popUlation that is growing in size and evolving in consumption patterns without intensifying environmental degradation, social security, or adverse consequences for human health. This challenge is not only great but it is also urgent. Today, access to food, sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, is the primary problem for nearly 800 million chronically undernourished people. Unless we act now, the next few decades will almost certainly find us unable to produce agricultural products sufficient to meet the demands of growing populations and changing diets. The majority of poor live in rural areas in developing countries and agricultural and food systems development is vital to economic growth; improving environmental quality; strengthening nutrition, health and child survival; improving the status of women; and promoting democratization. Over the next 50 years, the global population will increase to 8-10 billion, requiring advances in scientific knowledge across a broad range of agricultural endeavors, i.e., developing more productive food and commodity cultivars, improving nutritional quality of crop and livestock products, reducing food and commodity yield losses due to pests and diseases, ensuring healthy livestock, developing sustainable and responsible fisheries and aquaculture practices, optimizing the use of forests, managing water more efficiently, protecting and improving land productivity, and conserving and managing genetic diversity

Current Rural Drug Use in the US Midwest

The nature and challenge of illicit drug use in the United States continues to change rapidly, evolving in reaction to myriad social, economic, and local forces. While the use of illicit drugs affects every region of the country, most of our current information about drug use comes from large urban areas. Data on rural drug use and its harms justify greater attention. Record overdose rates, unexpected outbreaks of HIV, and a dearth of treatment facilities point to a rapidly worsening health situation. While health sciences have made considerable progress in understanding the etiology of drug use and uncovering the link between drug use and its myriad associated harms, this promising scientific news has not always translated to better health outcomes. The scope of the problem in the Central Plains of the US is growing, and can be estimated from available sources. Clear remedies for this rising level of abuse are available, but few have been implemented. Suggestions for short-term policy remedies are discussed

Current Rural Drug Use in the US Midwest

The nature and challenge of illicit drug use in the United States continues to change rapidly, evolving in reaction to myriad social, economic, and local forces. While the use of illicit drugs affects every region of the country, most of our current information about drug use comes from large urban areas. Data on rural drug use and its harms justify greater attention. Record overdose rates, unexpected outbreaks of HIV, and a dearth of treatment facilities point to a rapidly worsening health situation. While health sciences have made considerable progress in understanding the etiology of drug use and uncovering the link between drug use and its myriad associated harms, this promising scientific news has not always translated to better health outcomes. The scope of the problem in the Central Plains of the US is growing, and can be estimated from available sources. Clear remedies for this rising level of abuse are available, but few have been implemented. Suggestions for short-term policy remedies are discussed

Antiretroviral Therapy-Associated Acute Motor and Sensory Axonal Neuropathy

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been reported in HIV-infected patients in association with the immune reconstitution syndrome whose symptoms can be mimicked by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-mediated mitochondrial toxicity. We report a case of a 17-year-old, HIV-infected patient on HAART with a normal CD4 count and undetectable viral load, presenting with acute lower extremity weakness associated with lactatemia. Electromyography/nerve conduction studies revealed absent sensory potentials and decreased compound muscle action potentials, consistent with a diagnosis of acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. Lactatemia resolved following cessation of HAART; however, neurological deficits minimally improved over several months in spite of immune modulatory therapy. This case highlights the potential association between HAART, mitochondrial toxicity and acute axonal neuropathies in HIV-infected patients, distinct from the immune reconstitution syndrome