IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Low cost housing in Pakistan

2009-01-13T02:11:51Z

71.201.40.26:

{{Refimprove|date=July 2007}}
[[Image:azamwalk1.jpg|thumb|Architects and engineers surveying a construction site in Karachi in 1966.]]
[[Image:Azamfriend1.jpg|thumb|Official visitors at a construction site in Karachi at some point in 1966]]
[[Private-sector]] '''Low Cost Housing in Pakistan''' was initially based on the concept of providing [[House|housing facilities]] to the [[general public]], without making enormous [[profit]]s. It was pioneered by [[Al Azam|Al Azam Limited Construction Company]], a start-up construction company, that launched the "Low Cost Housing Society" in [[Karachi]] during the 1960s.

Al Azam built very low-priced [[Residential area|residential]]- as well as [[Retailing#Shops and Stores|commercial-type]] accommodations in Karachi and [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]], using the [[apartment]] system. It managed to keep prices down, without sacrificing quality, by:
* reducing its [[profit margin]]; and
* increasing [[land-use density]].

During the 1970s, Rukunuddin Construction Company followed Al Azam's footstep. The company, which was formed by a retired [[Supervisor|overseer]] from the Pakistan Works Department (PWD), also introduced low-cost [[Prefabrication|prefabricated]] housing units, in addition to their regular low-priced apartments. The quality and safety of their units, however, were generally viewed as inferior.

Maymar, another [[construction]] company, entered the market in the late 70s, with residential apartments and housing units that were probably the best ever built, and they were highly successful. As demand for better housing accommodation increased, Maymar moved [[upmarket]], leaving behind the low-cost housing sector.

Construction firms, such as Cellrock and Abidi, entered the industry in the early 1980s to focus on low-cost prefabricated housing units. As the quality of their construction was substandard, these efforts proved unsuccessful, causing serious financial losses.

Companies like cooliobob and Maymar were able to evolve primarily due to the establishment of an institution by the name of Karachi Development Authority. It was entrusted with the task of making new development schemes for the city of Karachi and simultaneously the institution also established a wing by the name of Public Housing Scheme which was entrusted with the task of construction and selling finished housing in shape of flats/houses as the case may be. However since the need for housing was so much in the city that Public Housing Scheme could not have fulfilled on its own. This was the reason the Karachi Development Authority facilitated the builders like Al-Azam and Maymar with cheap lands to share its burden of providing finished housing to the people- the concept was considered noble and there was no risk of losses. However the chaos started when these cheap lands were distributed by corrupt bureaucrats to non professional builders. These corrupt and non professional builders not only damaged the industry but they also made the survival of companies making good quality housing difficult. On the other hand the Public Housing Scheme which was still succeeding in providing decently priced and decently quality housing to the city was hit hard by the collapse of utility companies who failed to provide them utility connections in time. Thus the last hope of people getting good quality housing with safety of investment also went down with the closure of Public Housing Scheme.

The construction industry began to mushroom towards the end of the '70s. Most of the new companies joined the industry merely to make a quick profit, without regards for the [[quality]] and [[safety]] of their buildings. Monthly installments were also too costly for most of the general public. As a result of [[Political corruption|corrupt]] [[Public administration|administrative]] practices, public confidence in low-cost housing projects suffered after some low-cost buildings collapsed, due to poor construction and thieving of construction materials.

Firms such as Al Azam are nowadays very rare, as most construction firms still preoccupy themselves with traditional outdated modes of construction. As the general public becomes increasingly knowledgeable and affluent, housing and construction are increasingly focusing on high -end and high-quality deluxe housing, where profits are also better. Today, low-cost housing are largely confined to remote city and town areas, and are largely managed by the [[government]].

After the devastating earthquake in [[Kashmir]], many houses, schools and clinics has been destroyed. The demand is huge and has highlighted the fact that globally there is a massive shortage of artisans such as [[bricklayers]]. Because of this dilemma more focus is given to [[building systems]] such as [[Moladi]] who was invited to [[Pakistan]] to assist in the reconstruction program.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_24-11-2002_pg3_8 POETIC LICENCE: Low-cost cities: an innovative new concept for urban development] Daily Times (Sunday, November 24, 2002)
*[http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4456&Itemid=2 Low-cost housing facility for poors top priority: Governor] © 2007 Associated Press of Pakistan

{{Economy of Pakistan topics}}

[[Category:Housing by country|Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistani society]]
[[Category:Economy of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Construction]]

Immunology basics

2007-09-08T04:18:11Z

71.201.135.147: /* Immunotherapy */

'''Immunology''' is a broad branch of [[biomedical science|biomedical]] [[science]] that covers the study of all aspects of the [[immune system]] in all [[organism]]s. It deals with, among other things, the [[physiology|physiological]] functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ([[autoimmune diseases]], [[hypersensitivity|hypersensitivities]], [[immune deficiency]], [[transplant|allograft]] rejection); the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the immune system [[in vitro]], [[in situ]], and [[in vivo]]. Immunology has various applications in several disciplines of science, and as such is further divided.

==Histological examination of the immune system==
Even before the concept of [[immunity (medical)|immunity]] (from ''immunis'', Latin for "exempt") was developed, numerous early physicians characterised organs that would later prove to be part of the immune system. The key primary lymphoid organs of the immune system are [[thymus]] and [[bone marrow]], and secondary lymphatic tissues such as [[spleen]], [[tonsil]]s, [[lymphatic system|lymph vessels]], [[lymph node]]s, [[adenoid]]s, and [[skin]]. When health conditions warrant, immune system organs including the thymus, spleen, portions of bone marrow, lymph nodes and secondary lymphatic tissues can be [[surgery|surgically]] excised for examination while patients are still alive.

Many components of the immune system are actually [[cell (biology)|cell]]ular in nature and not associated with any specific organ but rather are embedded or circulating in various [[tissue (anatomy)|tissues]] located throughout the body.

==Classical immunology==
Classical immunology ties in with the fields of [[epidemiology]] and [[medicine]]. It studies the relationship between the body systems, [[pathogen]]s, and immunity. The earliest written mention of immunity can be traced back to the [[Pandemic|plague]] of [[Athens]] in [[430 BCE]]. [[Thucydides]] noted that people who had recovered from a previous bout of the disease could [[nurse]] the sick without contracting the illness a second time. Many other ancient societies have references to this phenomenon, but it was not until the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|20th centuries]] before the concept developed into scientific theory.

The study of the molecular and cellular components that comprise the immune system, including their function and interaction, is the central science of immunology. The immune system has been divided into a more primitive [[innate immunity|innate immune system]], and [[adaptive immunity|acquired or adaptive immune system]] of vertebrates, the latter of which is further divided into [[humoral immunity|humoral]] and [[cell-mediated immunity|cellular components]].

The humoral (antibody) response is defined as the interaction between [[antibody|antibodies]] and [[antigen]]s. Antibodies are specific proteins released from a certain class of immune cells (B lymphocytes). Antigens are defined as anything that elicits generation of antibodies, hence they are '''Anti'''body '''Gen'''erators. Immunology itself rests on an understanding of the properties of these two biological entities. However, equally important is the cellular response, which can not only kill infected cells in its own right, but is also crucial in controlling the antibody response. Put simply, both systems are highly interdependent.

In the [[21st century]], immunology has broadened its horizons with much research being performed in the more specialized niches of immunology. This includes the immunological function of cells, organs and systems not normally associated with the immune system, as well as the function of the immune system outside classical models of immunity.

==Clinical immunology==
Clinical immunology is the study of [[disease]]s caused by disorders of the immune system (failure, aberrant action, and malignant growth of the cellular elements of the system). It also involves diseases of other systems, where immune reactions play a part in the pathology and clinical features.

The diseases caused by disorders of the immune system fall into two broad categories: [[immunodeficiency]], in which parts of the immune system fail to provide an adequate response (examples include [[chronic granulomatous disease]]), and [[autoimmunity]], in which the immune system attacks its own host's body (examples include [[systemic lupus erythematosus]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], [[Hashimoto's disease]] and [[myasthenia gravis]]). Other immune system disorders include different [[hypersensitivity|hypersensitivities]], in which the system responds inappropriately to harmless compounds ([[asthma]] and other [[allergy|allergies]]) or responds too intensely.

The most well-known disease that affects the immune system itself is [[Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome|AIDS]], caused by [[HIV]]. AIDS is an immunodeficiency characterized by the lack of CD4+ ("helper") [[T cells]] and [[macrophages]], which are destroyed by HIV.

Clinical immunologists also study ways to prevent [[transplant rejection]], in which the immune system attempts to destroy [[allograft]]s or [[xenograft]]s.

==Immunotherapy==
:''See main article [[Immunotherapy]]''

The use of immune system components to treat a disease or disorder is known as stupidity. Immunotherapy is most commonly used in the context of the treatment of [[cancer]]s together with [[chemotherapy]] ([[Medication|drug]]s) and [[radiotherapy]] ([[electromagnetic radiation|radiation]]). However, immunotherapy is also often used in the immunosuppressed (such as [[HIV]] patients) and people suffering from other immune deficiencies or autoimmune diseases.

==Diagnostic immunology==
:''See main article [[Diagnostic immunology]]''
The specificity of the bond between antibody and antigen has made it an excellent tool in the detection of substances in a variety of diagnostic techniques. Antibodies specific for a desired [[antigen]] can be conjugated with a radiolabel, fluorescent label, or color-forming enzyme and are used as a "probe" to detect it.

==Evolutionary immunology==
Study of the immune system in extant and [[extinction|extinct]] species is capable of giving us a key understanding of the [[evolution]] of species and the immune system.

A development of complexity of the immune system can be seen from simple phagocytotic protection of single celled organisms, to circulating antimicrobial peptides in insects to lymphoid organs in vertebrates. Of course, like much of evolutionary observation, these physical properties are often seen from the [[anthropocentric]] aspect. It should be recognized, that every organism living today has an immune system absolutely capable of protecting it from most forms of harm; those organisms that did not adapt their immune systems to external threats are no longer around to be observed.

[[Insect]]s and other [[arthropod]]s, while not possessing true adaptive immunity, show highly evolved systems of innate immunity, and are additionally protected from external injury (and exposure to pathogens) by their [[chitin]]ous shells.

==See also==
*[[immune system]]
*[[autoimmunity]]
*[[list of immunologists]]
*[[history of immunology]]
*[[serology]]
*[[Immunodeficiency]]
*[[Medical technologist]]

==References==
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Immunology Wikibooks Immunology Textbook]
* Goldsby RA, Kindt TK, Osborne BA and Kuby J (2003) '''Immunology''', 5th Edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, New York, ISBN 0-7167-4947-5

==External links==
{{WVD}}
*[http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcimmunol/ BMC: Immunology]- [[BioMed Central]]:Immunology is an [[open access journal]] publishing original peer-reviewed research articles.
*[[Nature Reviews Immunology]] ([http://www.nature.com/nri/index.html journal home])
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=imm.TOC&depth=2 Janeway's Immunobiology textbook] Searchable free online version at the [[National Center for Biotechnology Information]]
* [http://www.lib.mcg.edu/edu/esimmuno/progmenu.htm Overview] at [[Medical College of Georgia]]
* [http://www.mugen-noe.org/ MUGEN NoE] murine models for immunological disease

{{Medicine}}
{{Immune system}}
[[Category:Immunology| ]]
[[Category:Subjects taught in medical school]]

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Archive:Fanboy

2007-07-13T01:40:23Z

71.201.58.69: Undid revision 144307629 by 72.178.212.162 (talk)

'''Fanboy''' is a term used to describe an individual (usually male, though the feminine version '''fangirl''' may be used for females) who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]]. Fanboys remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors that differ from their point of view. Fanboys are also typically aggressive and hateful towards the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.

== Background ==
Fanboys are attributed with a sycophantic devotion to the creators and principles behind a work with which they are currently enthralled. Fanboys are noted for a very emotional attachment to their chosen subject, often taking negative remarks about it as a personal attack. They will readily engage in debates, but will fall back on emotional responses when challenged on facts. For example, a fanboy may go out of his way to point out negative and often untrue statements about their obsession's rivals. Fanboys are often hostile towards critical review of their chosen subject.

As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to [[video game]] and [[television]] addicts. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as "fanboys." Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities. This outgoing stance is often felt to be abrasive by those not involved in the culture as deeply.

More recently, especially in the [[video game industry]], fans of a particular video game console manufacturer have begun exhibiting slavish devotion to their brand of choice. An example would be a "Microsoft fanboy", one who holds devotion to the company [[Microsoft]]. In the video game industry, fanboy dubbing can also occur in video game titles, such as [[Halo (series)]] or [[The Legend of Zelda]]. Conversely they hold an unreasonable amount of animosity towards the other brands which they consider to be competition. They are extremely rude to fans of the other companies or even people who don’t exhibit complete and utter devotion to the object of their fanaticism. These people seek out every opportunity to annoy others whose opinions differ from theirs. This trend has caused the term “fanboy” to acquire an increasingly negative connotation.

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term "fanboy" is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. it is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less obsessed fans.

The term originated in [[comic book]] circles to describe someone immersed in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[music]], [[anime]], [[comic book]]s, [[Star Trek]] ("[[Trekkies]]"), [[Star Wars]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, [[Computer Hardware|hardware]] and [[software]] companies.

Popular depictions of Fanboy stereotypes include the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and columnist [[Larry Groznic]] from the satirical newspaper ''[[The Onion]]''.

In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys.''

The earliest published uses of the word "fanboy" have been dated to 1982. One reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," and are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics.

Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic. In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer [[John Byrne]] and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration." The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" (a play on words referring to a [[List of Monty Python’s Flying Circus episodes#10. E. Henry Thripshaw.27s Disease|Monty Python sketch]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be a new Shakespeare work called "Gay Boys in Bondage". [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154] Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in [[1985]].

==Subjects of obsession==
Some current examples of brands and products which have fanboy supporters:
*The competing gaming systems [[Playstation 3]], [[Wii]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[PC]].
*The operating systems [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Mac OS X]] and [[Linux]].
*The internet web browsers [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]], [[Internet Explorer]] and [[Opera (internet suite)|Opera]].
*The various technology companies: [[Google]], [[Sony]], [[Apple Computer|Apple]], [[Microsoft]], [[Nintendo]].
*The computer microprocessor companies [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] and [[Intel Corporation|Intel]].
*The competing [[DVD]] successor formats [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]].
*The competing handheld video game consoles the [[Nintendo DS]] and the [[PlayStation Portable]].
*The various [[MP3]] players, notably the [[iPod]] and the [[Zune]].

==Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Galactic Storm]] ''Fanboy''

===Television===
*''[[The Simpsons]]'''s [[Comic Book Guy]] refers to himself as a fanboy.
*''[[Freakazoid!|Freakazoid]]'''s [[freakazoid!#Other characters|Fan Boy]]
*''[[King of the Hill]]'''s [[Hank Hill]] is a fanboy of [[propane]].

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*[[Fanboy TV]] - [http://www.fanboy.tv]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]
*ifanboy - [http://www.ifanboy.com]
*[[The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast]] - [http://www.fanboysmackdown.com]
*[[The Opie and Anthony Show]] - [http://www.opieandanthony.com]

===Webcomics===
*Fanboy Almanac (webcomic) - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]
*[http://www.fogclub.net F.O.G.Club web comic]
*[http://www.fanboysonline.com Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)]
*[http://www.fanboys-online.com Fanboys-Online]
*[http://www.megatokyo.com M3g4Toky0]

==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Cyberstalking]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary: fanboy]
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind] - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.
* [http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=6463 The trial of the Fanboy] - A criticism of the fanboy concept and overusage of the term.
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]

[[de:Fanboy]]