2,558 research outputs found
Trust, Corporation and the Worker
In this article, Lord Wedderburn provides a detailed examination on the evolution of the concepts of the trust and the corporation. Focusing on British law, he explores not only the once strong connection between the two but also delves into the policy and social issues underlying their operation
Cruise Industry: Size Matters
This study investigates the relationships between several measures of market share and specific levels of financial performance. The study focuses directly on the cruise line industry and pairs two significant firms to test the hypothesis. The two firms are Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. When correlating higher market share with the return on assets, operating margin and book-to-market aspect of performance it was discovered that higher market share produces higher productivity and efficiency
Classic Distinctions and Modern Conflicts in International Humanitarian Law: Exploring the Struggles and Consequences of Maintaining the Original Distinctions in International Humanitarian Law between Peace and War and International and Internal Conflict.
International Humanitarian Law has at its core distinctions and classifications: The sphere between jus in bello and jus ad bellum. Between Civilian and Combatant. Between proportional and indiscriminate attack. Between acceptable and prohibited targets. However the two most central distinctions in International Humanitarian Law are the distinction between War and Peacetime and between International and Non- International Armed Conflict. This essay will explore the significance of these two distinctions and how they impact the application and effect International Humanitarian Law has on war. However it will find that war has changed to an extent that it no longer fits into the established classes. These distinctions are arbitrary, dated, and inflexible serving not to help implement the law but to hinder its application and so fail it’s object and purpose of mitigating all suffering in all forms of war
EVALUATION OF TECHNIQUES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF BIOMARKER RESPONSES IN SELECTED MOLLUSCS AND CRUSTACEANS FOR IN SITU ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
There is a constant and increasing need for sensitive and relevant information
regarding the effects of the chronic exposure of coastal and marine ecosystems
to anthropogenically derived chemicals and stressors. If these environments
are to be preserved and maintained then an increased availability of techniques
to aid in the understanding of pollutant effect will be of significant advantage.
This work examines the use of a suite of biomarkers of marine pollution
exposure and effect to determine environmental quality and the effect of
pollutants on marine organisms. The aim is to examine the sensitivity of a
range of techniques and their applicability to field monitoring. The blue mussel
Mytilus edulis and the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, were chosen as test
organisms. A range of techniques, including lysosomal membrane tests,
cardiac monitoring, histopathology, and embryonic bioassays have been
utilised. The robustness of the neutral red test in mussels is demonstrated in a
range of laboratory and field studies. Confounding factors, such as variability
and operator bias, are discussed. Significant advances have been made in the
application of the lysosomal neutral red test to crabs. Laboratory and field test
data are presented demonstrating the application of this test. Significant new
linkages are shown between the biomarkers under test. Field data are
presented showing links between subcellular membrane disruption, increased
tissue abnormalities and the consequences of this on reproductive ability.
Additional data are presented on the use of a freshwater mussel, Anodonta
cygnea, as a sentinel animal. Links between cardiac activity and sub-cellular
disruption are shown.
Finally, field data are presented demonstrating the application of the methods
under test as a rapid method of establishing environmental quality. Fieldwork
conducted in the Black Sea region shows a significant correlation with
inventories of land based emissions and biological proof of suspected poor
areas of environmental quality
A national registry for juvenile dermatomyositis and other paediatric idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: 10 years' experience; the Juvenile Dermatomyositis National (UK and Ireland) Cohort Biomarker Study and Repository for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Objectives: The paediatric idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of rare chronic inflammatory disorders of childhood, affecting muscle, skin and other organs. There is a severe lack of evidence base for current treatment protocols in juvenile myositis. The rarity of these conditions means that multicentre collaboration is vital to facilitate studies of pathogenesis, treatment and disease outcomes. We have established a national registry and repository for childhood IIM, which aims to improve knowledge, facilitate research and clinical trials, and ultimately to improve outcomes for these patients.
Methods: A UK-wide network of centres and research group was established to contribute to the study. Standardized patient assessment, data collection forms and sample protocols were agreed. The Biobank includes collection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, serum, genomic DNA and biopsy material. An independent steering committee was established to oversee the use of data/samples. Centre training was provided for patient assessment, data collection and entry.
Results: Ten years after inception, the study has recruited 285 children, of which 258 have JDM or juvenile PM; 86% of the cases have contributed the biological samples. Serial sampling linked directly to the clinical database makes this a highly valuable resource. The study has been a platform for 20 sub-studies and attracted considerable funding support. Assessment of children with myositis in contributing centres has changed through participation in this study.
Conclusions: This establishment of a multicentre registry and Biobank has facilitated research and contributed to progress in the management of a complex group of rare muscloskeletal conditions
Update in juvenile myositis.
This update on childhood idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) reviews recent progress in the field of translational science and clinical research over the past 12-18 months
Advances in the treatment of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Purpose of review: To review recent advances in the management strategies of polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and identify unanswered questions and avenues for further research.
Recent findings: There is evidence for an early, aggressive, treat-to-target approach for polyarticular JIA. Clinical disease activity criteria have been recently defined and validated, including criteria for inactive disease and the juvenile arthritis disease activity score (JADAS). There is a need for evidence-based, defined disease targets and biomarkers for prediction of response, including targets for remission induction, and guidelines on drug withdrawal. Recent treatment consensus plans and guidelines are discussed and compared, including the 2015 NHS England clinical policy statement, the 2014 Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) treatment plans and the 2011 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines. Evidence for new agents such as tocilizumab, rituximab, golimumab, ustekinumab, certolizumab and tofacitinib is promising: the recent clinical trials are summarized here. Stratification of individual patient treatment remains a goal, and predictive biomarkers have been shown to predict success in the withdrawal of methotrexate therapy.
Summary: There are promising advances in the treatment approaches, disease activity criteria, clinical guidelines, pharmaceutical choices and individually stratified therapy choices for polyarticular JIA
The lived experience of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in young people receiving etanercept
BACKGROUND: This study explores young people's daily experiences of living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and their thoughts, beliefs and feelings related to the biological drug Etanercept, prescribed as part of their treatment. METHODS: An Interpretive Phenomenological approach was used to allow in-depth examinations of the young people's personal accounts of their lived experiences. Data were obtained from 6 young people between the ages of 10-13 years, from one tertiary institution's Paediatric Rheumatology department using audio-taped open-ended interviews. RESULTS: The transcripts yielded seven thousand words of data and two hundred significant statements, which were reduced to five themes; 1) Who understands me, 2) Medicines and injections, 3) Challenges of schooling and friendships, 4) Being different, and 5) Exclusion from sports. There were marked similarities between the young people's statements; however, there were also some striking differences. The theme 'Who understands me' yielded the biggest section of data, but also produced the biggest disparity between the young people. Two patients were very clear that they thought everyone 'understands', whilst two other patients held the belief that 'no one understood'. This paper explores these statements in further detail. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study can give healthcare professionals novel insight into the likely reactions to treatment for JIA and, through this, enable them to offer improved support, education and early intervention before these issues become a concern. This study also provides insight into the emotional resilience of young people with JIA
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