Bus 475 Value Alignment

Value Alignment Paper Edleen English BUS/475 March 13, 2013 Carol Sommers Value Alignment Paper This paper analyzes individual values and the organization, HealthCare Synergy, Inc. ’s, values as reflected by their plans and actions. It includes the origin and subsequent evolution of my personal and workplace values. The paper explains how individual values drive actions and behaviors while analyzing the alignment between values and actions and behavior. The paper will demonstrate analysis of the degree of alignment between HealthCare Synergy, Inc. s stated values and their actual plans and actions. It will attempt to explain the differences and analyze the degree of alignment between your values and the organization’s values as reflected by the organization’s plans and actions. Origin of Personal and Workplace Values After careful analysis of the origin of my personal values, I realize a great amount of my values are directly influenced by the upbringing I receiv ed from my parents and other close family members and friends, teachers throughout my education, and maybe even television and movies.Culture, tradition, and social standards helped in nurturing values such as accountability, consistency, commitment, integrity, leadership, and respect to name a few. After considering the origin of my workplace values, I realized these too were in direct correlation with culture, tradition, and social standards learned from personal experiences with people I considered close and valued throughout my life, including previous job positions and employees I’ve worked with in the past.Subsequent evolution of my personal and workplace values have a lot to do with exposure to different cultures, ethnicities, religions, and social and political influences. As my personal and workplace experiences increase, so do my expectations. Actions and Behavior Driven by Individual Values My individual values drive my actions and behavior. Personal morals and val ues add balance and stability to my life and allow me to exist as a well-rounded individual, both in my personal space and my workplace.Without core values such as commitment, dedication, consistency, leadership, loyalty, and respect, it would prove difficult to fit or mold into business settings and adapt to an organization’s business cultures. I analyzed how my personal values alignment with my actions and behavior by predicting the outcome should my values be non-existent. If I display the inability to possess personal qualities employers look for in the workplace- commitment, accountability, loyalty, integrity, leadership, consistency and respect- I will not be trusted or seen as an asset to the company when it comes to achieving their overall goals and objectives.Degree of Alignment: Corporation’s Stated Values Versus Plans and Actions HealthCare Synergy, Inc. prides itself in providing their customers with multiple options for office automation solutions, superio r products and services, and a high level of customer service and technological skill. In order to achieve this, the company must make plans and take the appropriate actions necessary. The company must hire administrative personnel who are versed and knowledgeable in the home health industry.They must also employee software technicians who can fix glitches and trouble shoot software as well as work well with clients and prospects different cultures and ethnicities in order to assist their diverse client base. Medicare billing experts, clinical staff, and a development team are needed in order to keep the software compliant with state and federal health regulations. HealthCare Synergy, Inc. ill not be able to provide superior products and services and high levels of customer support that have kept them in the business for over years without staff who display commitment, dedication, accountability, integrity, consistency, respect, and leadership qualities. Individual Values Versus Cor poration’s Values Based on Plans and Actions To gain market share in the home health industry, HealthCare Synergy, Inc. must set themselves apart from other software vendors by having a competitive advantage. They’re competitive advantage is they not only offer one type of oftware, they offer a variety by working closely with other software vendors who do not mind sharing the market share and developing interfaces. In order for HealthCare Synergy, Inc. to offer these types of tools and automation solutions, they have to work with business people who are also dedicated and committed to doing what it takes to obtain the market share. Networking with the right vendors, working with the right consultants, employing the right technical support, training, marketing, accounting, and development teams is crucial to the company’s success.These individuals will need to display qualities such as loyalty, commitment, dedication, perseverance, accountability, responsibility, integrity, consistency, and leadership outside of knowledge of the industry and how to gain the confidence and trust and cater to the wants and needs of home health agency owners. This paper analyzed my individual values and the organization, HealthCare Synergy, Inc. ’s, values as reflected by my plans and actions and their plans and actions.It includes the origin and subsequent evolution of my personal and workplace values. The paper explained how my individual values have driven my actions and behaviors while analyzing the alignment between values and actions and behaviors of HealthCare Synergy, Inc. The paper also attempted to explain the differences and analyzes the degree of alignment between my values and the organization’s values as reflected by the organization’s plans and actions.

Impact of Global and Local Media Advertisement on Children Essay

Abstract: Children have become much more interested watching TV over many years and it has become a primary action to some lives. Typically, children begin watching television at an early age of one year, and by the age two or three children become enthusiastic viewers. This has become a problem because many children are watching television and the shows that they are watching (even if they are cartoons) have become violent and addictive. Now a days they are addicted to watching TV .Comparatively spending hour for playing is less than watching TV, play video games. TODAY all TV ads focused on  children to attract consumers and were targeting the child viewer. Children in the 5-15 years age group want to buy products (by the influence of ads). Monitoring of advertisements has become essential. Children that have large amounts of TV time have increased weight problems, decreased academic performance, and decreased socialization skills. Thus the present study aims to find the how TV Advertising influences their children’s and how it affects their health in Pondicherry. Key Words: Advertising, children, Influence, television. INTRODUCTION: Since the middle of the twentieth century, television has grown from a novelty to a fixture in 90 percent of Indian households. Over time, the character of the medium also changed dramatically. Once offering only three principal broadcast networks, viewers’ choices now may extend to more than a hundred channels. Children are consumers of a variety of media, including computers, video games, print media, videotapes, music, and television. Although television is the most commonly used medium, viewing time varies with age. From two to seven years of age, children’s viewing time is about two hours per day. Increasing through childhood, it peaks at about three and a half hours per day during middle school before dropping off to about two and a half hours per day during adolescence. CHILDREN in India now spend about three hours a day in front of the television screen. An average child is estimated to have watched 5,000 hours of television by the time he or she enters first grade and 25,000 hours by the end of high school — more time than would be spent in a classroom earning a college degree. Television has become a potent agency of socialization because like the family, school, and peers, it directly provides the child with experiences which shape their attitudes and influence their behaviors. In evaluating television’s influence on children, it is important to view this medium as an element in a matrix of influences in a child’s social environment.  Television seems to become a growing source of parental anxiety. Parents worry most of all about the amount and kinds of programs their children watch, and definitely these fears are legitimate. ADVERTISEMENT AND CHILDREN: Advertisements encourage the children to persuade their parents to purchase the products shown in the commercials, whether useful or not. The little ones tend to get adamant, if they are not bought the product. Children often tend to misinterpret the messages conveyed in commercials. They overlook the positive side and concentrate more on the negatives. Many advertisements in the present times include dangerous stunts, which can be performed only by experts. Even though the commercials broadcast the statutory warnings with the ad, the kids often try to imitate the stunts at home, with fatal results. The flashy advertisements broadcast in television generate impulse shopping in children. Children, after watching the glitter of commercials, often lose the ability to live a life without materialistic joy. The kids usually get more attracted towards the costly branded products, such as jeans and accessories. They disregard the inexpensive, but useful, ones that are not shown in the commercials. Advertisements have an indirect effect on the behavior of children. They might develop temper tantrums, when deprived of the latest toys and clothes that are shown in the commercials. The personal preferences in clothing, toys, food and luxurious of children are altered by the advertisements, to a great extent. Junk foods, such as pizzas, burgers and soft drinks, are heavily promoted during children’s TV viewing time. This develops a craving for fatty, sugary and fast foods in kids, thereby affecting their health adversely. BELOW ARE FINDINGS FROM SOME OF THE MORE RELIABLE STUDIES. In last 20 years impact of TV advertisements on children memory and behavior is the major topic of debates in countries open for market competition (Boddewyn, 1984).Till 1988 advertising expense of TV program raised up to $500 million approximately (Leccese, 1989). While looking at the children responses to TV advertisement a research experiment revealed that children’s  food choices especially in snacks are based on their exposure to TV commercials (Gorn and Goldberg, 1982). Atkin (1981) also confirmed these findings in his experimental study and found that the children with heavy exposure to TV advertisements are more likely to recall those brands while shopping in the market and with their parents. Those children demand advertised food products and toys while moving in market with their parents. Children ranging in between 6 to 11 years of age watch TV commercials 3 hours a day and it is estimated that over the period of a year average child see about 20,000 advertisements (Adler et al, 1980). Most of the research in consumer behavior and specially on advertisement impact on children has focused two major points :(1) impact of TV commercials in shaping behavior and its positive or negative influence on children life and habits.(2) Role of TV commercials on the development and growth mental as well as physical of the children’s(Donohue, Meyer and Henke,1978). RESEARCH DESIGN: The aim of the research is to study the impact of TV advertising on impressionable minds of the children & it effects on their attitude & health. This paper deals with various factors like nature of the children, their likes & dislikes, the parent’s role in decision making & the influence of advertising on the buying habits of the kids. The data collection was done using convenience sampling method in the form of questionnaire. Analysis of data has been done using CHI-SQUARE test methods such as observed frequency table ,Expected frequency table . This paper not only concentrates on the findings but also suggests corrective measures to be taken up to minimize the after effects of the advertising world which will be always on the upsurge. The number of children exposed now to the ad world will surely increase as newly found segment will be heavily dosed for surviving in this competitive market. So this research paper aims at taking precautionary steps in the ethical front of the advertisers and of course on the parental & children’s front. PROBLEMS: 1. Could be more time consuming 2. It could have serious detrimental outcomes on both mental and even  physical health of children 3. Significant harmful effect on academic performance, poor grades and schoolwork 4. Negative influence of beliefs and behaviors OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: 1. To investigate the impact of level in Pondicherry state 2. To study the psychological attitude and health condition of children in Pondicherry state. 3. To discuss the effect of media advertisement in family especially young children. 4. To study the economic fluctuation by media advertisement. 5. To analysis the changing face of children over the year 6. To become proactive in learning to choose and use media advertisement wisely METHODOLOGY FOR IMPACT OF MEDIA ADVERTISEMENT ON  CHILDREN IN PONDICHERRY STATE: 1. Quantitative Data collection methods a) Experiments / clinical trials. b) Observing and recording well-defined events (e.g., counting the number of persons) c) Obtaining relevant data from management information systems. d) Administering surveys with closed-ended questions (e.g., face-to face and telephone interviews, questionnaires etc). e) Primary Data collection 2. Interviewing method a) In depth interview b) Face to face interview c) Telephone interview d) Observation method e) Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) 3. Questionnaires a) Paper-pencil-questionnaires b) Less structured protocols c) Heavily on interactive interviews 4. Through Media Awareness Network a) (www.media-awareness.ca) Web based questionnaires 5. Qualitative methods a) In -depth psychological analysis b) Observation methods c) Document review 6. Survey methods a) Sampling in research b) Cross section study and longitudinal studies 7. Statistical Analysis HYPOTHETICAL CONCEPT: The children of Pondicherry State have been seriously affected by the television advertisement; which is leading serious detrimental outcomes on mental and physical health. My study goes to reveal a positive co relationship exists between time spent with television and its impact on the buying behavior of a child and its influence on family spending and skipping of concentration from their studies. RSULT AND DISCUSSION: Data Collection Primary data A questionnaire was prepared for getting the view of parents and their kids on the purchasing choices and eating habits of kids. It was mainly directed towards what kind of impact does the advertising has on the impressionable minds & how advertisement decides their buying and eating habit. The survey had to be done at the point of purchase. So it was carried out in food malls where the brands are sold & places like Richi Richi , Jaya Emporium – Pondicherry & places like schools where we can actually meet the parents. Second part of the survey was conducted in my college â€Å"Achariya Arts And Science College Villianur ,Puducherry. In my collage.

Leading Causes of Homelessness by State in the USA Statistics Project

Leading Causes of Homelessness by State in the USA - Statistics Project Example From the results, we obtain that the leading cause of homelessness is unemployment among the people, Unemployment, saving, inflation, Below_povert, state population, homelessness population, AA- housing, home percent. The study will review statistics from the last 34 years leading cause of homelessness by state in the USA starting 1980 to 2013.The primary independent variable is labor force and the other three independent variables Unemployment, saving, inflation, Below_povert, state population, homelessness population, AA- housing, home percent. In this study these variables will be explored and the correlation between the dependent variable, homelessness, which is determined by the independent variables, will be studied. There seems to be two groups of academic researchers, in which one continues to support the high-selling prices of the houses in USA and its positive impact to the economy, they believe that the main purposes of investment in real estate business is to improve real economic value. It is also agreed that housing leads to improvement in productivity, innovation, and job creation in every field of economy (Kraemer and Dedrick 1996). The other group criticizes the bad impact of hig h-selling prices of the houses on economy and the fact that high-selling prices lead to the development of low house quality leading to the development of slums around the big cities and towns (Hollenstein, 2004). As all this is being said, only little is currently known, for instance, about the real factors that lead to high selling prices of the houses (Lepak and Snell, 1998). So to support other studies regarding the pros and cons of selling prices of the houses, this research will provide an adequate survey to see which overcomes which, pros or cons. The Dependent variable, homelessness, is defined as mentioned above,

Greeks Interaction with other Nations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Greeks Interaction with other Nations - Essay Example He did not have enough written document to assist him in his investigations of the Greek aspects of the War. In ancient Greece history was transmitted orally. He was therefore reduced to gather oral testimony from survivors and descendants of survivors of an era. He was too young to have experienced, but Herodotus had overcome those difficulties." He weighed and carefully sifted the oral accounts of his witnesses, making clear to his audience which among them contained evidence that was probable, Possible".(A. Robertson) The history of the Persian Wars was written with purpose of passion. To him men are only puppets in an all powerful fate. He thus tried to find out the universal truth through human beings. Although he was an Ionian Greek, Herodotus yet believed that Athenian vigor, liberty and democracy. He explained Athens's instrumental role in the defeat of the Persians. "The Athenians were saviors of Greece" and later justified her domination of Greek affairs through her Empire. The Persian Wars lasted for nearly five years (500BC- 479 BC) Herodotus provides information among many other things of the rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus, the humiliating defeat of proud Croesus and two invasions of Greece by the Persians, the first under Darius turned back at Marathon (490B.C.) With the destruction of the Persian fleet at Salamis, Greece was saved from destruction. Her golden age began. He wanted to preserve the moral lesson embodied in what he saw the victory of Greek liberation from the clutches of Persian autocracy. The Persian Wars provided him the golden opportunity to construct this epic. Herodotus was the first historian to understand the need for a purpose in historical study. He was a true researcher who truly laid his hands on discovering the truth for example, the causes of the Persian War. He tried his best in putting together a long involved historical narrative in which the main theme never been lost. His comparative and constructive study of Greeks and Barbarians led a few scholars to consider him as a friend of the Barbarians. In the opinion of H.E. Barnes, "the frame of Herodotus will endure as the first constructive artist in the field of historical writing as the author of the earliest comprehensive historical work, as the first to imply that the task of the historian is to reconstruct the whole past life of man ... in the entire course of historical writing. He won for history a distinct place in the arts and sciences of mankind for all times." Aeschylus (525-456BC), Greek dramatist born in Eleusis, near Athens, he was the earliest of city's tragic poets. As the predecessor of Sophocles and Euripi dies, he is the founder of Greek Tragedy. "The Persians", presented in 472 BC, is a historical tragedy about the Battle of Salamis, the scene being set in Persia at the court of the mother of King Xerxes I. In the Play it is written that the Greek prevented an invasion by the superior forces of the Persians. More precisely, the play focus is the Persian reaction to their defeat. The Greek's belief on ghost can be seen when Darius appears, and blames his son Oxeyes arrogant pride which had

Privacy is not the most important right Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Privacy is not the most important right - Essay Example There was very limited control in the society. However, modern institutions have developed controls that have raised very various privacy concerns. Privacy has become a matter of concern to many thinkers, law makers, human rights activists and other essential policy makers. Despite the significance of the right to privacy and the existing laws supporting it, government agencies, security departments and legislative authorities across the globe have engaged in laws and acts that violate the right to privacy as a basic principle that define human dignity. The guiding principle for security agencies in Britain is that security interests and ensuring stable human security is supersedes the basic right to privacy. The United Kingdom has overemphasized the protection of human security at the expense of the constitutional right to privacy. The installation of public surveillance cameras in major cities and towns in Britain is an example of a major violation of the fundamental right to privacy in the country. As a matter of fact, every individual has something to hide from the public, a fact that may be infringed by the installation of surveillance cameras. It is a universally acknowledged that people should not be allowed to hide under the guise of the right privacy to commit crimes and cause harm to law abiding members of the society. Proponents of this point of view hold that privacy is not one of the most fundamental human rights. Most scholars will concur with my position that, privacy defines comprehensively the right to be left alone and refrain from sharing an individual’s private information with other people. Some of the common issues that are catered for by privacy rights include: individual truths, private matters and issues, individual information as well as ones secrecy. The right to privacy is commonly popular and profound to free people. It offers a significant amount of

Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase - Essay Example (57 percent), Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (21 percent), Asia and the Pacific (13 percent), and Latin America (7 percent). Citibank is a major force in international finance, its consumer segment offers banking, lending, insurance, and investment services through a network of 8,110 branches, approximately 18,800 automated teller machines, 809 automated lending machines, and the Internet. The Corporate and Investment Banking segment provides various investment and commercial banking services and products, which comprise investment banking and advisory services, debt and equity trading, institutional brokerage, foreign exchange, structured products, derivatives, and lending. It also offers cash management and trade finance for corporations and financial institutions; custody and fund services to insurance companies and pension funds; clearing services to intermediaries; and depository and agency/trust services to multinational corporations and government. The Global Wealth Management of Citigroup provides investment advisory services, financial planning, and brokerage services to wealthy individuals, companies, and non-profits organizations. Other services include investment management, such as investment funds management, capital markets solutions, trust, fiduciary, and custody services; investment finance that comprises credit services, such as real estate financing, commitments, and letters of credit; and banking services that consist of deposit, checking, and savings accounts, as well as cash management and other banking services. Today Citigroup is the finest financial services company, with approximately 200 million customer accounts in more than 100 countries. In a news report / press release issued by the Citigroup that it has completed the purchase of Egg Banking plc (Egg), the world's largest pure online bank and one of the UK's leading online financial services providers, from Prudential PLC. In another press release, Citigroup on April 26th 2007 announced its successful completion of tender offer to become the majority shareholder of Nikko Cordial Corporation. Citigroup will own in excess of 60% ownership in Nikko Cordial. Nikko Cordial is a premier Japanese financial institution based out of Tokyo. J. P Morgan Chase A constituent of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase has its corporate headquarters in New York and its U.S. retail financial services and commercial banking headquarters in Chicago. Under its JPMorgan and Chase brands, the firm serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients. The company operates through six segments: Investment Bank, Retail Financial Services, Card Services, Commercial Banking, Treasury and Securities Services, and Asset Management. The Investment Bank segment offers investment banking products and services, such as advising on corporate strategy and structure, capital raising in equity and debt markets, risk management, market making in cash securities and derivative instruments, and research. It also serves corporations, financial institutions, governments, and institutional investors. The Retail Financial Services provides regional banking services, including co nsumer and business banking, home equity lending, and education lending, as well as offers mortgage banking and auto finance services. The Card

How the company combine to satisfy shareholders and the demands of Dissertation - 2

How the company combine to satisfy shareholders and the demands of society with less impact on the profitability - Dissertation Example Globalization, rapid developments in computer and information technology and the current experience of global economic crunch are some of the essential elements affecting growth and survival of modern organizations (Balakrishnan, 2003; Fischer, 2003; Soros, 2002; Bagwathi, 2010). Although there is no universal agreement regarding the effect of these developments and concerns relevant to the quality of life of people(Bagwathi, 2007; 2010; Stiglitz, 2007, 2010; Suarez-Orosco & Qin-Hilliard, 200; Yusoff, Ramayah & Ibrahim, 2010). Still, what remains, is the fact, that the socio-economic and political condition with which economic institutions are doing their activities are affected by these integral elements, in the same manner, that it has permeated and influenced the lives of people across the globe (Yusoff et al., 2010). In this regard, modern corporations respond to the challenges and demands of the time by incorporating a fundamental change in the nature of the organization  œ corporate social responsibility (Zolsnai, 2006). The idea of corporate social responsibility is not something new (Hemingway, 2002). During the 1930’s organizations have already recognized that their responsibility is not limited only to the satisfaction of the shareholders’ interests, but it also includes the fulfillment of the demands of the society where the organization is embedded (Hemingway, 2002). This seminal notion of corporate social responsibility is integrated in the current scheme and understanding of CSR, but it is only in the last three decades that an observable influx of discussion and interests regarding CSR has taken full swing (Dahlsrud, 2008). However, in the last four years, the world experienced the first global economic crisis of the 21st century (Reinhart, 2008; Yandle, 2010). Case against the CSR has been raised based on the assumption that the concept fails in responding to the challenges that it is supposed to be addressing (Karnani, 2010; Lin-Hi, 2010; Ludesher & Mashud, 2010; Portney, 2008). In this sense, there is a call to re-evaluate CSR and come up with better approach towards an authentic CSR and not just a facade (Lin-Hi, 2010). Background of the Study The important role of CSR in the survival of companies in the contemporary period is an accepted truism. In fact, the notion of CSR is deemed intuitive in the sense that as companies are considered as social actors, it becomes essential that corporations too, should be responsible for their actions. However, the intuitiveness of the good derived out from doing good, is questioned on the premise whether there is really a connection between doing good and earning well in the context of an organization. This question is important because as many

Human Resources literature Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Human Resources literature Review - Essay Example and laws, policies and programs that define their responsibilities and code of conduct both within and outside the office as people who represent the values of the department govern these employees. The department has a series of laws and policies that guide the actions of the employees and partners of the department and the code of conduct that they are supposed to observe (Perry, 2006; Plotnick, 2005). The purpose of this research is to conduct an overview of the laws or policy and program at the DFC, investigate how they are implement in the work place ( policy or laws) and find out any challenges to the implementations. It also intends to investigate any change to the work place, how is it affect the employee and the goal desire of the outcome of the policy This research will be conducted through reviewing different research documents and online sources that have been written on the human resource policies and laws and DFC and find the successes and gaps in the implementation of human resource policies focusing on employee rights and responsibilities at the DFC. The findings from this research will be used in the next section. The research findings from this study will be used to come up with conclusions and make recommendations to the DFC on how to improve their human resources laws and policies to create a healthy working environment and an efficient

Teaching Third Grade Students Art Appreciation Essay

Teaching Third Grade Students Art Appreciation - Essay Example Jerrold Levinson in his book The Pleasures of Aesthetics proposes the characterization of aesthetic pleasure as "pleasure in an object is aesthetic when it derives from apprehension of and reflection on the object's individual character and content, both for itself and in relation to the structural base on which it rests" (Levinson, 1996, p. 6). In other words, learning to appreciate a piece of art aesthetically is to appreciate its forms, quality, value and meaning while at the same time observing the way it relates to its surrounding environment. In order to appreciate art and experience the aesthetic pleasure associated with it, students of the third grade should be taught the elements and principles of art. Elements of art comprise line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space. Line is a moving point which creates an identifiable path. It is one-dimensional, varies in length, width and direction and is used to define the edge of forms. Lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, wide or narrow. Shape is two-dimensional having height and width whereas form is three-dimensional having height, width and depth. Form can be depicted in art by use of lines and shading. Color is the light reflected off objects. The brightness or darkness of color used by artists to create various moods is called value. Texture refers to the surface quality of an object. This is achieved visually in two-dimensional pictures by the use of forms and colors so that the viewer comprehends the way the object would feel in real life. Spac e in art creates an illusion of depth. This is achieved by using perspective drawing techniques and shading (The Elements of Art, 2008). Third grade students are familiar with lines, shapes and form. They enjoy drawing basic shapes and lines and using it in their own creations. Mixing colors to get new ones can be taught so that they can experiment with primary secondary, tertiary colors, shades and tints. The value of the color, texture and space can be introduced to children at this level. The basic principles of art can also be successfully taught in the third grade. The principles are movement, unity, variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, and pattern (Elements of Art, 2008). Emphasis refers to the points of interest in the picture while balance is a sense of stability achieved by repetition of shapes. Contrast is combining different elements to create points of interest. Variety in a piece of art is introduced by using various shapes and textures. Movement is the creation of action using the elements of art in such a manner as to guide the viewer's eye throughout the picture. Pattern or rhythm is a type of movement created in the picture by repeating shapes and colors. Using dark and light colors alternately can also create rhythm. The relationship between the sizes of various objects in the picture is called proportion. Unity or harmony gives the picture a complete and uncomplicated look (Rider). Third graders can be guided to recognize these principles in the works of renowned painters and apply them in their work. Methods for Teaching Third Grade Students Appreciation of Art Children can be taught to appreciate art using various methods. However, the methods used should be interesting and simple so that the curiosity to experiment with art is aroused in the child. Children should also be able to relate their experiences with art to daily life and academic studies.

Decision theory Essay Example for Free

Decision theory Essay How could companies use Second Life for new product or service decision making? Companies use second life which includes meeting with the sales manager, discussing about new sales techniques, building a new world where members of second life talk together about product or services and testing the new designs for new product or service before it is released to the world. Thus by taking feedback from all members companies take decisions. . How could financial companies use neural networks in Second Life to help their businesses? Neutral networks are those which involve in pattern or image recognition. This helps companies to get the required information for processing in second life. 3. How could a company such as Nike use decision support systems on Second Life to help its business? Nike uses decision support system (DSS) for information that helps to take decision. But DSS has three main models in it. They are: -Sensitivity: observe changes when variable is changed -What- if? checked what is the impact if variable changed -Goal seeking: seeking to reach goal by making changes. 4. How could an apparel company use Second Life to build a digital dashboard to monitor virtual operations? Apparel uses second life in digital dashboard to monitor virtual operations as it tracks everything in the store which includes number of customers, time spent, items purchased etc. Company also gave a special offer to the second life residents that they get promotional cards if they are shopping in inline-world apparel. Describe how the DoD is using AI to improve its operations and save lives. By using AI the DoD is able to make operations like resupply missions more efficient because human drivers and troops to protect the supply line aren’t needed. AI would also be able to perform dangerous missions without endangering troops. 2. Explain why the DoD would use an event, such as the DARPA Grand Challenge, to further technological innovation. The DARPA Grand Challenge produces lots of different ideas from diverse sources which will produce more efficient technology. The contest is also at a relatively low cost to the DoD because it would cost more than $2 million dollars to produce and test so many models on their own. 3. Describe how autonomous vehicles could be used by organizations around the world to improve business efficiency and effectiveness. If businesses were able to transport their goods without human transportation controllers it would cut costs and eliminate some of the risks from human error. 4. The Ansari X is another technological innovation competition focusing on spacecraft.

Chemotherapy and Nail Toxicity

Chemotherapy and Nail Toxicity Hyper pigmented nails: Chemotherapy causing chromonychia Running head: Chemotherapy and nail toxicity Dr Kamal Kant sahu (M.D medicine,) Dr Gaurav Prakash (M.D medicine, DM medical oncology) Dr Pankaj Malhotra (MD medicine) Prof. Subhash Chandar Varma (MD medicine) Word count 787 Figure count 4 Table-1 References count-3 Key words: Chromonychia; leuconychia; hyperpigmeted nails; Abstract Nail toxicity are among the benign and neglected side effects linked to many chemotherapeutic drugs. Taxanes and anthracyclines are the antineoplastic drug groups most commonly implicated. Nail changes can involve several or all 20 nails and appear in temporal relationship with drug intake. Most of the time, toxicity is just a matter of concern due to cosmetic reasons, however very occasionally it may be associated with pain. True incidence of nail changes related to particular drugs are still lacking due to under-reporting and ignorance of potential side-effects among the patients, necessitating the education prior to institution of drugs and appropriate management like, avoiding potential irritants and use of topical, or oral antimicrobials, and possibly cessation or dose reduction of the offending agent or use of cryotherapy in some cases may certainly be beneficial. Introduction Chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with variety of nail changes. These nail changes are usually temporarily and use to resolve once chemo toxic drugs are stopped. Common drugs affecting are hydroxyurea, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, methotrexate and cytarabine. We here report our experience with two patients who developed nail changes during the course of chemotherapy for hematological malignancies Case Report 1 A 19-year-old young boy was admitted to the our hospital’s hematology ward with the symptoms of fever and lymphadenopathy in cervical and axillary region .Workup including bone marrow examination, PET CT scan, excisional biopsy of lymph node were done and diagnosis of T cell rich B lymphoblastic lymphoma STAGE IIIB was made .He received 1st cycle of RCHOP while hospitalized and later on discharged .He received rest of seven RCHOP courses on outdoor basis. Through examination during his outdoor follow up visits revealed transverse hyper pigmented bands on the nails (chromonychia). The bands were multiple, transverse, approximately 1-mm broad, spanning the entire nail breadth, dark grey colored, nonblanchable, nonpalpable with smooth overlying nail surface on the nail plates of all fingers and toes with well appreciation of intervening faintly grey colored bands of nails(Figure 1,2). Unluckily, he relapsed post eight cycles of RCHOP chemotherapy and henceforth started on 2nd lin e chemotherapy RICE (Rituximab, ifosfamide, cisplatin, etoposide), 1st course of which was given to him uneventfully recently till the time of writing this report. Case Report 2 A 55-year- old female presented to hematology clinic with complaints of pain abdomen for 6 months with history of significant loss of weight and appetite. Per abdomen examination revealed presence of abdominal lump with dimensions of 18 cm x 15 cm with no hepatosplenomegaly.Tru-cut biopsy of lump was done .Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed high grade, B cell type non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She was further investigated and found to have stage IVB disease .Due to financial issues she was given CVP regimen (cyclophosphamide,doxorubicin,vincristine),however she relapsed following 3 courses by the time of writing this report. During her outdoor visits, she was found to have diffuse, black pigmentation with longitudinal striae in the nails of digits of both hands (figure 3, 4) and feet. Discussion Amongst the innumerable side effects that chemotherapeutic drugs have, mucocutaneous one are the most worrisome for the patients probably due to cosmetic reasons. Different patterns of nail discoloration like chromonychia, leukonychia (including Mees and Muehrckes lines), Beaus lines, paronychia and onycholysis have been well documented(1). Drugs commonly implicated are – vincristine, hydroxyurea, etoposide, daunorubicin, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate (1, 2). The most frequent variety of chromonychia is melanonychia which is best defined as a dark pigmentation of nails observed as diffuse, transverse, or longitudinal band patterns(2).Some more common and important nail toxities have been summarized in table 1 with their description of morphology and pathophysiology of origin. Effect of cyclophosphamide on nails ranges from diffuse, black pigmentation to dark longitudinal striae , and diffuse, dark gray pigmentation located proximally, with overlying transverse, black bands(2). Doxorubicin produces commonly transverse, dark brown bands alternating with white stripes and dark brown diffuse pigmentation bands 4–5 mm wide, which affect two-thirds of the distal portion of the nail(3). Hydroxyurea produces pigmentation that has a diffuse, dark brown color which may appear as single or double transverse bands. Our patient received all of the above mentioned drugs during his due course of illness Table1. Definitions of some common nail toxities and probable pathophysiology of origin (1, 2) Conclusion Nail changes although seems to be common following chemotherapy, however goes unnoticed and underlooked in the lights of more important burning issues of chemotherapy both by physician and patient and hence true incidence of nail related changes is much more than reported especially in dark colored individuals like our patient and hence requires keen observation during follow up of these patients. References 1.Hinds G, Thomas VD. Malignancy and cancer treatment-related hair and nail changes. Dermatologic clinics. 2008;26(1):59-68, viii.. 2.Dasanu CA, Vaillant JG, Alexandrescu DT. Distinct patterns of chromonychia, Beaus lines, and melanoderma seen with vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone therapy for multiple myeloma. Dermatology online journal. 2006;12(6):10. 3.Gilbar P, Hain A, Peereboom VM. Nail toxicity induced by cancer chemotherapy. Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners. 2009;15(3):143-55. LEGEND OF FIGURES Figure1.Multiple hyper pigmented, transverse bands, approximately 1-mm broad, spanning the entire nail breadth, dark grey colored, nonblanchable, nonpalpable with smooth overlying nail surface on the nail plates of all fingers and toes with well appreciation of intervening faintly grey colored bands of nails. Figure2.Close up image of bilateral nails with clear depiction of hyper pigmented bands. Figure3. Multiple hyper pigmented, longitudinal striae noted in bilateral nails of fingers. Figure4. Hyper pigmented longitudinal bands predominant in distal aspect of nails

The Mango: Asias King of Fruits :: Botany

The Mango: Asia's King of Fruits The genus Mangifera is one of the 73 genera belonging to the family Anacardiaceae in the order Sapindales. The greatest number of Mangifera species are found in the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian archipelago, Thailand, Indo-China and the Philippines. Edible fruit is produced by at least 27 species in the genus, primarily species found in Southeast Asia. The mango's scientific name is Mangifera indica. Asia has held the mango with high esteem and has been considered to be the 'king of fruits'. Other areas of interest are the Borobudur Buddhist temple where sculptures were erected to depict the mango tree as a concept of royalty. The center of origin and diversity of the genus Mangifera is now firmly established as being in Southeast Asia. However, the origin of Mangifera indica has been a matter of speculation for years. Fossil records provided few clues. Mangifera indica is believed to have first appeared during the quaternary period. Some believe the mango originated from several related species, primarily located in the Malay Archipelago. Others believe that the mango originated in India and spread outward from there to southeast Asia and then to the New World and Africa. The Fruit and Nutritional Value The mango fruit is a large, fleshy drupe, containing an edible mesocarp of varying thickness. Fruit color is genotype-dependant and range from green, greenish-yellow, yellow and red blush. The exocarp is thick and glandular. The mesocarp can be fibrous or fiber-free with flavor ranging from turpentine to sweet. The endocarp is woody, thick and fibrous. No part of the fruit is wasted. The seed is used for extraction of the starch 'amchur', and the peels have been used as a source of anacardic acid. The mango wood is of low quality and the bark of the tree is an important source of tannins for curing leather. Mango fruit contains amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals, organic acids, proteins and vitamins. During the ripening process, the fruit are initially acidic, astringent and rich in ascorbic acid. Following fruit set, starch accumulates in the mesocarp. Free sugars, including glucose, fructose and sucrose generally increase during ripening giving the fruit a turpentine to sweet tasting flavor varying with species. The fruit is picked from the tree prior to ripening for export to other market places throughout the world. The fruit will turn colors during the ripening stage even after its removal from the tree.

Lightning Mine Vs Archangel :: essays research papers

The Australian novel, Lightning Mine, covers the development of an iron ore mine on a sacred land guarded by “Namarrkon'; in the Northern Territory. MDG/Global mining was very interested in the area, and sent their chief prospector, Aaron Shoemaker to investigate the land. Whilst Shoemaker is there, he sets off a chain of corporate and government tactics to ensure the development of the mine on the Aboriginal sacred site. These tactics, as you can imagine, were not overly fair to the Aboriginal people, and their only hope was through University of Sydney law graduate, Jarra Mariba. Quickly, the development of the themes and issues become clear, especially through the arrogant ignorance of the CEO of MDG/Global corporation portrayed by the author. “No stone is unturned in the name of progress';, states the CEO to Jarra, showing the clear message that nothing will stop the capitalist machine from destroying the sacred land. With full government support, the mine goes ahead, and quickly Shoemaker realises what this will lead to. The corporate tactics continue to ensure a smooth running of the mine, even to the extent of killing Mariba’s wife. The resolution of the book fits in well with the theme. Namarrkon: The Lightning Spirit, the guard of the sacred site, stirs up a freak electrical storm, and totally destroys the mine. Furthermore, the CEO, Sir Peter Gables, gets killed by the storm whilst in a helicopter trying to escape the wraith of the storm. Mariba gets shot, but is amazingly saved by Shoemaker, who is a changed man by this time. What the novel focuses on is that it takes a supernatural event to stop such capitalist progress, but it can happen. My International novel was set in a very different context, present day Russia. The book was extremely well done, and is about the opening of the Soviet achieves. Central to the story, is Fluke Kelso, a middle-aged former Oxford historian who comes into contact with an old NKVD guard who was present during Stalin’s final hours. The former NKVD officer tells Kelso of a little black oilskin notebook which stalin kept close, which lead into a race against time to find the book, as the news quickly spreads. The secrets to Stalin’s life open up, and soon a Stalinist/Marxist fanatic called Mamantov goes in search for Stalin’s famous unknown son, as well as Kelso, and an international reporter wanting a good story.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) Essay

BACKGROUND Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are bacterial infections acquired during a patient’s stay in a healthcare institution.   It imposes a huge burden on healthcare institutions, costing billions of dollars for additional care costs as well as a significant fraction of lost lives (Houghton, 2006).   Current estimates depict that approximately 2 million patients acquire healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or nosocomial infections each year, of which 90,000 to 100,000 patients die (Houghton, 2006), making HAIs not only a national health problem, but a global threat as well.   Common HAIs include hematological, surgical site, dermatological, respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal systems.   In order to control the increase in number of healthcare-associated infections, it is fundamental to identify key factors that make healthcare institutions susceptible to such outbreaks.   There is a need to evaluate the sensitivity and efficiency of healthcare institutions to healthcare-associated infections in order to prevent future outbreaks. PROBLEM STATEMENT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This study will investigate the sensitivity of detection and efficiency of reporting healthcare-associated infections to the hospital administration, in the context of providing measures in improving the current surveillance program in the country.   The guidelines to identification of a healthcare associated infection will be evaluated through personal interactions with healthcare workers using questionnaires which will be designed using a multiple choice approach. CONCEPTUAL/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This study is based on the need to address the current epidemic of healthcare-associated infection that is emerging around the world.   Before an effective solution to the problem is designed, it is essential that shortcomings in the standard procedures of healthcare institutions be identified.   This may be done by determining the level of sensitivity of healthcare personnel to symptoms of healthcare-associated infections, as well as knowing what are the first set of actions to be done once an infection is confirmed within a healthcare institution.   This study may serve as the first measurement tool that addresses these aspects of the global epidemic.    RESEARCH QUESTION/HYPOTHESIS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This investigation aims to address the question of whether the current hospital administration is sensitive enough to detect and substantially efficient to report to healthcare institutions any incidents of healthcare-associated infections.   This will be directly evaluated using survey data collections from retrospective cases of particular health institutions as related to dates of hospital admission, confirmation of infection and treatment time.    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is a need for an effective surveillance and control program for healthcare-associated infections that are based on current settings in a healthcare institution.   Through surveys that inquire on common practices and responses of healthcare workers, any shortcomings or avoidable gaps in the hospital system may be reformed, which in turn will alleviate the spread of infection in the healthcare institutions.   Review of medical records and interviews with attending healthcare personnel will be performed in order to determine whether there are certain discrepancies and gaps in the healthcare protocol that facilitate contamination and further spreading of infectious microbials around the healthcare institution.   This study may facilitate the identification of key factors that influence the increase in frequency of nosocomial infections in hospitals.   The results of this investigation may positively serve as a tool to healthcare workers such as nurses and laboratory technicians. STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE (OBJECTIVES)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This research will determine the sensitivity and response rate of healthcare workers to healthcare-associated infections.   This proposal aims to develop a measurement tool that will determine the sensitivity for identification, efficiency of reporting and the response rate to a healthcare-association infection, with the aim of designing a cost-effective and quick way of controlling and ultimately eradicating the healthcare-related problem.       LITERATURE REVIEW   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The prevention and control of HAIs requires a comprehensive approach that addresses as many pathogens as possible (Wiseman, 2006). Urinary tract infections (UTI) associated with catheter use are the most common HAIs, with hospital-acquired pneumonia having the highest mortality rate (Houghton, 2006).   These infections are frequently problematic to treat due to the fact that the microorganisms involved have become resistant to antibiotics (Broadhead, Parra and Skelton, 2001). Recent media coverage of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased the awareness of healthcare professionals to the threat of this particular microbe.   S. aureus infections can result in cellulitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and pneumonia, and some of the systemic diseases such as food poisoning, scalded skin syndrome and toxic shock syndrome (Zaoutis, Dawid and Kim, 2002).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   MRSA and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) are the primary causes of nosocomial infections and are significant factors in increased morbidity and mortality rates. These microbes are currently endemic in many healthcare institutions, particularly problematic in intensive care units (ICUs) (Furuno, et al. 2005).   VRE Infections have become prevalent in U.S. hospitals over the last decade, increasing in incidence 25-fold (Ridwan et al., 2002).   Vancomycin is the antibiotic frequently used to treat infections caused by MRSA, but recent years have seen the emergence of Staphylococcus aureus infections that have high-resistance to vancomycin, which makes the future effectiveness of this drug questionable (Furuno et al., 2005). All known variants of the vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) isolates have possessed the vanA gene, which carries with it resistance to vancomycin.   This development is believed to have been acquired â€Å"when the MRSA isolate conjugated with a co-colonizing VRE isolate† (Furuno et al., 2005, p. 1539). This means that patients who suffer co-colonization from MRSA and VRE have an increased risk for colonization and infection by VRSA (Furuno et al., 2005). Furthermore, Zirakzadeh and Patel (2006) stated that VRE has become a major concern due, in part, to its ability to transfer vancomycin resistance to other bacteria, which includes MRSA.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Infection of susceptible patients typically occurs in environments that have a high rate of patient colonization with VRE, such as ICUs and oncology units (Zirakzadeh and Patel, 2006).   In these healthcare settings, VRE has been known to survive for extensive periods and research has also observed that VRE has the ability to contaminate virtually every surface (Zirakzadeh and Patel, 2006). Efforts to control HAIs, such as VRE, have focused on prevention, such as through hand hygiene, as the first line of defense.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hand hygiene has been improved by using â€Å"user-friendly, alcohol-based hand cleansers, but there still remains the goal of achieving consistently high levels of compliance with their use† (Carling et al., 2005, p. 1).   Screening-based isolation practices have likewise improved transmission rates of MRSA and VRE; however, logistic issues and the cost-effectiveness of these practices are still being analyzed (Carling et al., 2005). Additionally, despite isolation practices, outbreaks and instances of environmental contamination have been documented in regards to MRSA, VRE and Clostridium difficile, which cannot be screened with any practicality (Carling et al., 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The numerous obstacles that exist in regards to effective screening practices suggest that a focus on improving existing cleaning/disinfecting practices may prove to be more effective in halting the spread of HAIs (Carling et al., 2005). Studies over the last several decades have shown that there is often contamination of surfaces in and around the patient, as pathogens associated with the hospital environment have been known to survive on surfaces for weeks or even months (Carling et al., 2005). Significant rates of contamination with Clostridium difficile have been connected with symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (Carling et al., 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2002, the CDC issued guidelines that called for hospitals to â€Å"thoroughly clean and disinfect environmental medical equipment† surfaces on a regular basis (Carling et al., 2005, p. 2). Other organizations have followed suit and stressed repeatedly the need for healthcare provides to focus on environmental cleaning and disinfecting activities, yet these guidelines have not provided directives that address precisely how healthcare providers can either evaluate   their ability to comply with professional guidelines on this topic or ensure that their procedures are effective (Carling et al., 2005).   Nevertheless, literature on the subject does offer some guidance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Surveillance, evidence-based infection control practices and the responsible use of antibiotics have been determined to be crucial to controlling HAIs (Wiseman, 2006).   The establishment of comprehensive surveillance programs has facilitated the creation of national databases the compile cases of infection which may be useful to researchers investigating progression rates and causal factors.   Evidence-based control practices may be implemented by distributing guidelines for aseptic hospital protocols, hospital hygiene, personal protective equipment and disposal of biohazardous sharps.   A review of commonly used antibiotics in terms of proper dosage and length of treatment based on clinical evidence and best practice guidance should also be performed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Curry and Cole (2001) reported that the medical and surgical ICUs in large inner-city teaching hospitals developed an elevated patient VRE colonization rate. A multi-faceted approach was instituted to correct this problem, which involved changing behavior by â€Å"shifting norms at multiple levels through the ICU community† (Curry and Cole, 2001, p. 13). This intervention consisted of five levels of behavioral change. These encompassed: â€Å"1. intrapersonal and individual factors; 2. interpersonal factors; 3. institutional factors; 4. community factors and 5. public factors† (Curry and Cole, 2001, p. 13).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Educational interventions were developed that addressed each level of influence and behavioral change was predicated on â€Å"modeling, observational learning and vicarious reinforcement† (Curry and Cole, 2001, p. 13). These procedures resulted in a marked decrease of â€Å"VRE surveillance cultures and positive clinical isolates† within six months and this decrease has been consistent over the next two years (Curry and Cole, 2001, p. 13).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Research has shown that the nutritional status of preoperative and perioperative patients can influence their risk for acquiring a HAI (Martindale and Cresci, 2005). This is particularly true for patients who are undergoing surgery for neoplastic disease as this can commonly result in immunosuppression (Martindale and Cresci, 2005). Inadequate nutrition, â€Å"surgical insult, anesthesia, blood transfusions, adjuvant chemotherapy/radiation/ and other metabolic changes† have been identified as contributing to suppression of the immune system (Martindale and Cresci, 2005). Furthermore, studies have also associated infection risk with glycemic control Maintaining blood glucose levels between 80 and 110 mg/dL vs. 180 and 200 mg/dL has been shown to result in fewer instances of â€Å"acute renal failure, fewer transfusions, less polyneuroopathy and decreased ICU length of stay† (Martindale and Cresci, 2005, p. S53).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Citing Ulrich and Zimring, Rollins (2004) states that getting rid of double-occupancy rooms and providing all patients with single rooms that can be adjusted to meet their specific medical needs can improve patient safety by reducing patient transfers and cutting the risk of nosocomial infections. While these researchers admit that the up-front cost of private rooms is significant, this will be offset by the savings accrued through lowers rates of infection and readmission, as well as shorter hospital stays (Rollins, 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A recent study conducted by researchers at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center found that enforcing environmental cleaning standards on a routine basis resulted in less surface contamination with VRE, â€Å"cleaner healthcare worker hands, and a significant reduction in VRE cross-transmission in an ICU† (Cleaning campaign, 2006, p. 30). These improvement in VRE contamination continued to be experienced even when VRE-colonized patients were continually admitted and healthcare workers compliance with hand hygiene procedures were only moderate (Cleaning campaign, 2006). The strategies that the researchers implemented included that they: held in-services for housekeepers about why cleaning is important–emphasizing thorough cleaning of surfaces likely to be touched by patients or workers. increased monitoring of housekeeper performance. recruited respiratory therapists to clean ventilator control panels daily. educated nurses and other ICU staff on VRE and how they could assist housekeepers by clearing surfaces that need cleaning. conducted a hand hygiene campaign, including: mounting alcohol gel dispensers in common areas, patient rooms and every room entrance (Cleaning campaign, 2006, p. 30).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   CDC guidelines indicate that if hands are not visibly soiled, using an alcohol-based hand rub should become habitual between patient contacts. When hands are visibly soiled, use of an anti-microbial soap and water is required. If contact with C difficile or Bacillus anthracis is possible, it is recommended that the healthcare provider wash with anti-microbial soap and water, as other antiseptic agents have poor efficacy against spore-forming bacteria and the physical friction of using soap and water at least decreases the level of contamination (Houghton, 2006). Page (2005) indicates that the CDC has joined with the US Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health (NIH and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lead a task force of 10 agencies and departments, which have developed a blueprint outlining federal actions to combat this problem. This template emphasizes the efficacy of hand washing, among other points (Page, 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2002, the CDC issued updated hand hygiene guidelines, which address new development and research on this topic, such as â€Å"alcohol-based hand rubs and alternatives to antibacterial soaps and water† (Houghton, 2006, p. 2). However, while the efficacy of hand hygiene is well accepted, it is also well known that healthcare workers â€Å"of all disciplines† frequently fail to abide by adequate hand hygiene practices (Houghton, 2006, p. 2). In fact, research has shown that adherence rates to hand hygiene guidelines are lowest in ICUs, where to the frequency of patient care contact, multiple opportunities for hand hygiene exist on a hourly basis (Houghton, 2006). According to Houghton (2006), any direct patient-care contact, which includes contact with gloves and/or contact with objects in the immediate patient vicinity, constitutes an â€Å"opportunity† for appropriate hand hygiene.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This suggests that the proposed intervention should also include asking healthcare employees at the site of the intervention to participate in a survey that examines, first of all, how closely hand hygiene protocols are followed and, if they are not followed, why not. It may be that the activity level of ICUs is so great that the practitioners feel that they cannot take sufficient time to do adequate hand hygiene. If this is the case, alternative methods of hand hygiene to that institution’s traditional policy may need to be investigated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Just as this study revealed factors that can be associated with non-compliance, a similar investigative effort may be called for to determine reasons why compliance may not be satisfactory for cleaning/disinfecting environmental surfaces. Again, it may be that non-compliance hinges on factors of time.   It may be, therefore, expeditious for hospitals and other healthcare organizations to look into hiring additional personnel to aid with cleaning/disinfecting tasks. It may also prove necessary, to cope with factors of time and efficiency, to train cleaning personnel to take a systematic approach to patient room cleaning that includes all â€Å"high touch† areas. As noted previously, researchers at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center found that holding in-service training for housekeepers was an effective component of their overall strategy in lowering VRE related infections (Cleaning campaign, 2006). This process could be facilitated by a checklist approach or by periodically reevaluating rooms according to the Carling et al. (2005) methodology.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Given these detailed accounts of healthcare-associated infections in hospitals, it is of significant importance that the sensitivity and response rate of health personnel be identified in order to know if there are any discrepancies and gaps in the standard hospital protocols that foster the expansion of microbials in hospitals.   This study aims to determine the level of sensitivity and response rate of healthcare institutions to the growing epidemic of healthcare-associated infections.    SUMMARY   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   HAIs are an unnecessary tragedy, increasing morbidity and mortality figures and adding to healthcare costs. While there are ways to treat all the various HAIs, the clearest remedy for this insidious drain on healthcare resources and personnel is prevention, which begins with the simplest of acts–washing one’s hands–but also extends to considering all hospital surfaces as having the potential to harbor pathogens. This means rethinking some healthcare institutional procedures. It means habitually and routinely cleaning all surfaces, as well as everywhere and anything that is routinely touched, whether by a bare or gloved hand.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Stopping the spread of HAIs includes multiple factors, such as restrained and appropriate use of antibiotics. However, the first line of defense is cleaning/disinfecting procedures. This constitutes the â€Å"ground zero† foundational line for battling HAIs and this means that all healthcare practitioners should keep the goal of reducing the spread of HAIs foremost in their minds while going about their daily routines, washing hands between each patient contact and paying attention to other sepsis concerns. In other words, the first step in stopping HAIs is simply to keep them in the forefront of practitioner consciousness. References Broadhead, J. M., Parra, D. S., & Skelton, P. A. (2001). Emerging multiresistant organisms in the ICU: Epidemiology, risk factors, surveillance, and prevention. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 24(2), 20. Carling, P. C., Briggs, J., Hylander, D., & Perkins, J. (2006). An evaluation of patient area cleaning in 3 hospitals using a novel targeting methodology. American Journal of Infection Control, 34(8), 513-519. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2006). Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).  Ã‚   Retrieved March 17, 2007, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/healthDis.html Cleaning campaign targets VRE transmission. (2006). OR Manager, 22(7), 30. Curry, V. J., & Cole, M. (2001). Applying social and behavioral theory as a template in containing and confining VRE. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 24(2), 13. Furuno, J. P., Perencevich, E. N., Johnson, J. A., Wright, M.-O., McGregor, J. C., Morris Jr, J. G., et al. (2005). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci co-colonization. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11(10), 1539-1544. Harrison, S., & Lipley, N. (2006). Wipe It Out infection control initiative extended. Nursing Management – UK, 12(10), 4-4. Houghton, D. (2006). HAI prevention: The power is in your hands. Nursing Management, 37(5), 1-8. Johnson, A.P. Pearson, A. and Duckworth, G.   (2005):   Surveillance and epidemiology of MRSA bacteraemia in the UK.   J. Antimicrob. Chemo.   56:455–462. Lopman, B.A., Reacher, M.H., Vipond, I/.B., Hill, D., Perry, C., Halladay, T., Brown, D.W., John Edmunds, W. and Sarangi, J.   (2004):   Epidemiology and Cost of Nosocomial Gastroenteritis, Avon, England, 2002–2003.   Emerg. Infect. Dis.   10(10):1827-1834. Martindale, R. G., & Cresci, G. (2005). Preventing Infectious Complications With Nutrition Intervention. JPEN, Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 29(1), S53. Page, S. (2005). MRSA, VRE and CDC’s plan to combat antimicrobial resistance. Vermont Nurse Connection, 8(3), 6-7. Parienti, J. J. M. D. D. T. M., Thibon, P. M. D., Heller, R. P. P., Le Roux, Y. M. D. D., von Theobald, P. M. D. D., Bensadoun, H. M. D. D., et al. (2002). Hand-rubbing with an aqueous alcoholic aolution vs traditional surgical hand-scrubbing and 30-day surgical site infection Rates. JAMA, 288(6), 722-727. Ridwan, B., Mascini, E., Reijden, N. v. d., Verhoef, J., & Bonten, M. (2002). What action should be taken to prevent spread of vancomycin resistant enterococci in European hospitals? British Medical Journal, 324(7338), 666. Rollins, J. A. (2004). Evidence-Based Hospital Design Improves Health Care Outcomes for Patients, Families, and Staff. Pediatric Nursing, 30(4), 338. Sheff, B. (2001). Taking aim at antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Nursing, 31(11), 62. STATA 8.0. College Station (TX): STATA Corporation; 2002. Stevenson, K.B., Searle, K., Stoddard, G.J. and Samore, M.H. (2005):   Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in rural communities, Western United States.   Emerg. Infect. Dis.   11(6):895-903. Tacconelli, E. Venkataraman, L., De Girolami, P.C. and D’Agata, E.M.C.   (2004):   Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia diagnosed at hospital admission: distinguishing between community-acquired versus healthcare-associated strains.   J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 53:474-479. Wiseman, S. (2006). Prevention and control of healthcare associated infection. Nursing Standard, 20(38), 41-45. Zaoutis, T., Dawid, S., & Kim, J. O. (2002). Multidrug-resistan organisms in general pediatrics. Pediatric Annals, 31(5), 313. Zirakzadeh, A., & Patel, R. (2006). Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Colonization, infection, detection and treatment. Mayo Clinical Proceedings, 81(4), 529-536. METHODOLOGY   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A retrospective non-probability cluster surveillance study will be performed on hospital records of two health institutions, Assir Central Hospital and Khamis Mushait Hospital from January 2002 to December 2006.   Such coverage will represent a larger population of similar environmental and socioeconomic settings, which may also influence the frequency of healthcare-associated infections in the area.   This type of non-probability cluster sampling will be used because it will benefit the split-level definition that will be followed, distinguishing normal hospital cases and healthcare-associated infections or outbreaks, based on the CDC’s guidelines for healthcare-associated infections.   Ethical approval from the respective ethics review committee of each hospital will be obtained before the study will be conducted. Study population.   ThÐ µ study population will includÐ µ 5,000 patiÐ µnts that have been admitted at the Assir Central Hospital and Khamis Mushait Hospital from January 2002 to December 2006.   These hospitals were chosen in order to primarily focus on collection of reliable, high-quality data based of systematic sampling.   The hospital’s administrative database will serve as the main source of information for this study.   For purposes of anonymity, patient’s names will be kept confidential and will be replaced with a case number instead.   A retrospective non-probability sampling using patiÐ µnt cases will be classified according to gender, age, diagnosis upon admission, length of stay and treatment received. The treatment category of the patients will be further characterized as surgical, respiratory, urinary, urological, obstÐ µtrical, intensive care, cardiac or trauma.   Any co-morbidities will be taken note of in every patient included in the study.   Patient records will also be reviewed to determine whether and when a healthcare-associated infection was observed after admission to the hospital or during the patient’s stay in the hospital and will be identified as the time-at-risk, or the time when the infection has been ascertained and may most probably be contagious to the patient’s immediate environment.   Among the inclusion subjects are healthcare workers such as nurses, laboratory technicians and other hospital staff members will be included in the study as population at risk.   Exclusion subjects are those patients that were not admitted into the hospital because their stay in the hospital was not recommended during their healthcare.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The database of the infection control team of each of the two hospitals will be reviewed to gather information on the study population in the hospitals.   Infection control nurses are responsible for monitoring any outbreaks in each hospital during hospital ward rounds, or are identified as the point-of-contact personnel that is alerted as soon as an HAI incident is suspected to occur in the specific ward of the hospital.   Cluster sampling will be performed when an infection does happen that fits the clinical definition of an HAI, the healthcare institution is required to report this incident to the area’s or county’s health protection agency.   The area or county health protection agency is in charge of ensuring the comprehensiveness of incident reports, monitoring data entry and conducting analyses.   The health protection agency also collects reports during months that no infections were reported to verify that no inf ections occurred at that time. Tools to be employed.   To determine whether a case patient has contracted a healthcare-associated infection, the system definitions established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) will be followed, with slight modification for usÐ µ in a rÐ µtrospÐ µctivÐ µ study.   ThÐ µ NNIS dÐ µfinitions were dÐ µvÐ µlopÐ µd according to a prospÐ µctivÐ µ approach to hospital survÐ µillancÐ µ and arÐ µ dÐ µsignÐ µd to bÐ µ quitÐ µ spÐ µcific.   BÐ µcausÐ µ clinical dÐ µcisions arÐ µ oftÐ µn not madÐ µ on thÐ µ basis of survÐ µillancÐ µ dÐ µfinitions, wÐ µ bÐ µliÐ µvÐ µ that somÐ µ casÐ µs of clinically suspÐ µctÐ µd infÐ µction would mÐ µÃ µt most but not all of thÐ µ NNIS critÐ µria and thus bÐ µ classifiÐ µd as non-HAI, Ð µspÐ µcially on a rÐ µtrospÐ µctivÐ µ chart rÐ µviÐ µw. WÐ µ designed a retrospective-based data classification scheme that follows the following criteria: patiÐ µnts who were not infÐ µctÐ µd, thosÐ µ with suspÐ µctÐ µd HAI, and thosÐ µ with confirmÐ µd HAI.   In gÐ µnÐ µral, patiÐ µnts with suspÐ µctÐ µd HAI will includÐ µ thosÐ µ who have received antimicrobial thÐ µrapy for a condition that appÐ µarÐ µd 148 h aftÐ µr hospital admission and who will mÐ µÃ µt all but onÐ µ clinical critÐ µria for a confirmed infÐ µction.   DÐ µfinitions for a confirmed HAI will bÐ µ the samÐ µ as thosÐ µ usÐ µd by thÐ µ NNIS, Ð µxcÐ µpt that rÐ µcÐ µipt of appropriatÐ µ antimicrobial thÐ µrapy will bÐ µ Ð µxcludÐ µd as a critÐ µrion for a confirmÐ µd infÐ µction. ThÐ µsÐ µ critÐ µria will bÐ µ finalizÐ µd bÐ µforÐ µ chart data abstraction bÐ µgins.   ThÐ µ Ð µconomic pÐ µrspÐ µctivÐ µ will bÐ µ usÐ µd for mÐ µasuring costs incurred by thÐ µ hospital, bÐ µcausÐ µ thÐ µ hospital administ ration will bÐ µ thÐ µ dÐ µcision makÐ µr for instituting and financing infÐ µction control programs. Data collÐ µction.   Clinical cases of healthcare-associated infection identified by the clinical laboratories of the two participating hospitals will be compiled.   Demographic, medical history and other epidemiologically relevant data on each reported case will be collected.   The microbiology laboratory of the hospital may also contribute information to the data collection.   The patient’s medical record will serve as the primary source of information for this study.   The data collected will be recorded in a standardized data collection form.   In addition, outbreak or infection summary forms that were previously completed by infection control nurses and reported to health protection agencies as a healthcare-associated infection will be collected and integrated into the study database. The duration of an outbreak will be determined by taking note of the date the first case of the infection was reported and correlating this date to the date when the last case of the infection was reported at the healthcare institution (Lopman et al. 2004).   All data will abstracted from patiÐ µnt mÐ µdical rÐ µcords of the healthcare facility.   IntÐ µrratÐ µr rÐ µliability will not bÐ µ mÐ µasurÐ µd, bÐ µcausÐ µ Ð µach abstractor will bÐ µ focusÐ µd on rÐ µcording a singlÐ µ Ð µlÐ µmÐ µnt of data for Ð µach patiÐ µnt, similar to an assÐ µmbly linÐ µ.   All data gathering will bÐ µ dirÐ µctly supÐ µrvisÐ µd by a member of the research program.   PatiÐ µnts with suspÐ µctÐ µd or confirmÐ µd HAI will bÐ µ idÐ µntifiÐ µd on thÐ µ basis of thÐ µir vital signs, laboratory and microbiology data, and clinical findings documÐ µntÐ µd in the respective physician’s progrÐ µss and consultation notÐ µs. To improve the validity of the collected data, the following approaches (Stevenson et al. 2005) will be employed:   1) a data dictionary and operations manual will be created with explicit instructions for completion of the data collection forms; 2) the data collection protocol will be discussed during conference calls along with frequent one-on-one communication; and 3) anomalous data in the data reports will be routinely searched for and corrected.   The definitions employed in this study will concentrate on the location of the patient at the time of microbiological testing for infection diagnosis, and the presence or of exposure to the healthcare environment.   The study will emphasize the time of response of any member of the healthcare institution to the definitive diagnosis of the healthcare-associated infection (Johnson et al. 2005).   Each identified HAI case will be further analyzed for its causative agent, such as MRSA or VRE.   All included in this study were HAI cases with any prior history of hospitalization, out-patient surgery, residence or care in a home/health agency with documented healthcare-associated infections in the last 6 months.   Examples would include former out-patient cases with post-operative infections.   Other coexisting factors that may be associated with healthcare-associated infections such as diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, renal failure and other antimicrobial drug treatments, will also be included in the data collection form. The incidence rates of each type of healthcare-associated infection will be calculated for each hospital from January 2002 to December 2006.   Any patient cases that could not be ascertained to be completely reported in the medical records will not be included in the analysis.   The incidence rates will be expressed as the number of healthcare-associated infections per 10,000 patient-days or number of community cases per 10,000-person-years, based on county population (Taconelli et al. 2004). Instruments including reliability and validity.   A data collection form will be designed for use in this investigation.   Essential entry data will include case number (patient name is kept confidential), hospital name, date of admission, diagnosis upon admission, treatment regime, date of detection of healthcare-associated infection, treatment of healthcare-associated infection, date of admission of treatment of healthcare-associated infection, identification of HAI etiologic agent, resistance of HAI etiologic agent and date of patient discharge.   The healthcare institution personnel that have attended to the patient will also be noted, such as attending physician, consults, nurses, technicians and technologists.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to ensure reliability and validity of the data inputted into the application form, only medical records that have been completely filled will be used in this investigation.   In addition, there will be questions in the application form that will determine whether the patient has undergone any previous exposure to any hospital for outpatient or inpatient hospital or nursing facility in the last 6 months.   This is done to make sure that the source of the HAI is determined, whether it is coming from within the hospital or from another healthcare institution. Data Analysis.   The collected data will be entered and stored in an AccessTM relational database (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) for analysis.   AccessTM is a database management system that is very useful for handling and manipulation of data that are designed in the query format.   It provides the analyst an easier way to extract data from the database according to selected fields or variables, as well as compare or combine two variables at one time. Data analyses will be performed using Microsoft ExcelTM and Stata 8.0 (2002).   Proportions of total cases meeting specific epidemiologic criteria will be calculated, and characteristics of each category will be compared by using Fisher exact testing.   To compare means, the t-test will be employed, and to compare proportions, the χ2 test will be used.   All continuous data will be analyzed using linear regression.   To assess linear correlations between two variables, the Spearman rank test will be used.   Census data and ages of patients in each category will be compared using the Kruskal-Wallis equality of populations rank test.   The relationship of healthcare institution response rates to the infection and other covariates will be modeled by using random effects Poisson regression. Each hospital will be taken into account as a unit and treated as a random effect.   During thÐ µ initial phasÐ µ of data collection, dÐ µscriptivÐ µ statistics will be used to dÐ µscribÐ µ and summarizÐ µ thÐ µ data obtained in thÐ µ study.   ThÐ µ sÐ µcond phasÐ µ of analysis will focus on thÐ µ usÐ µ of multivariatÐ µ analysis to dÐ µtÐ µrminÐ µ thÐ µ rÐ µlationship bÐ µtwÐ µÃ µn variables such as length of stay and the severity of infection.   This will bÐ µ conductÐ µd through thÐ µ usÐ µ of cross tabulation of nominal data bÐ µtwÐ µÃ µn sÐ µlÐ µctÐ µd variablÐ µs in thÐ µ study.   Statistical significancÐ µ is to bÐ µ sÐ µt at an alpha lÐ µvÐ µl of 0.05; ANOVA will bÐ µ usÐ µd to Ð µxaminÐ µ thÐ µ variation among thÐ µ data. Along with it, ordinary lÐ µast-squarÐ µs (OLS) rÐ µgrÐ µssion will bÐ µ usÐ µd to tÐ µst for linÐ µar rÐ µlationships bÐ µtwÐ µÃ µn variables tested.   SuspÐ µctÐ µd HAI, confirmÐ µd HA I, and admission to ICU will bÐ µ codÐ µd as dummy variablÐ µs, with thÐ µ valuÐ µs of 1 that will bÐ µ assignÐ µd for patiÐ µnts with thÐ µ attributÐ µ and 0 for thosÐ µ without it. WhÐ µn prÐ µsÐ µnt, thÐ µsÐ µ dichotomous variablÐ µs act as intÐ µrcÐ µpt shiftÐ µrs but do not changÐ µ thÐ µ slopÐ µ of thÐ µ Ð µstimatÐ µd rÐ µgrÐ µssion linÐ µ. Limitations of the study.   Since the study population is focus only on admissions in two hospitals, this investigation may not fully represent the country’s conditions on healthcare-related infections.   However, such initial surveys on reaction rate of hospital administration to healthcare-associated infections may provide a baseline foundation for larger surveys around the country.       Ethical considerations.   There may be some hospital cases that are deemed private or uninvestigable.   These will not be included in the investigation.   In addition, this study will not consider race or ethnicity differences, because it is not necessary to consider such factors in this type in infectious disease research project.    Feasibility of the scope of this study.   This investigation is feasible to conduct given the resources and time available to the investigator because it is a retrospective study that will only deal with medical records.   Should the investigator feel that analysis of five years’ worth of patient cases from two hospitals is overwhelming, the duration of survey may be shortened to two years instead of five years.   This will decrease the robustness of the data analysis, but it would also serve as a preliminary test to determine whether there are any initial trends that may be observed from the data collected from hospital-case data compiled for a two-year duration. Summary assessment.   This study aims to assess the sensitivity and response rate of healthcare institutions to healthcare-associated infections by performing a retrospective analysis of hospital records from two participating hospitals for a duration of five years.   Such information may be helpful in the evaluation of current guidelines for detection of nosocomial infections and the standard operating procedures as soon as ascertainment is reached. Recommendation.   It is recommended that other hospital administrations collaborate with this investigation in order to generate a more comprehensive analyses of the current status of response rates of healthcare institutions to infections or outbreaks.   Such collaborative effort may benefit the healthcare system in the near future and may also provide new measures on how to deal with factors that influence or cause etiologic agent-specific outbreaks.

Self Respect

Self-respect means to have respect yourself. It’s a term that means something different to everyone one. But it’s something everyone wants, not many have, and few want to give out. Self respect is one of the most important values a person can have. To gain respect you have to be confident in yourself. Also you have to have respect for others to fully achieve it. Self respect goes along with self esteem. The way you see yourself means everything in order to build strong character. If you don’t see yourself in a positive light then you don’t really have respect for yourself.Many people seek attention in negative ways because they have a low self esteem. When people do this they are not respecting themselves and they are allowing people to walk all over them. For instance, girls who have poor self esteem look for attention anyway they can. An example of how they would do this is by sleeping around with numerous guys that shows them the slightest bit of intere st. They do this to make them feel loved and wanted but in reality it creates a bad name for them. Inevitably this has a bad effect causing them to feel even worse than before.So in the end you should always value yourself and be confident about whom you are because that’s what really makes someone have self respect. The way you treat other people is also a way of showing you have self respect. When you show people consideration for their problems and you actually listen to them when they talk your showing them you have respect for them and they will respect you back. This also goes along with not letting people disrespect you. Someone with self respect doesn’t let someone treat them badly and when someone is disrespecting them they do something about it.For example, when someone walks all over you and you don’t want to be say something because you don’t want to loose that person your showing a sign of weakness. You should be able to confront that person and tell them how they are treating you bad and if they don’t stop you just wont be around them anymore. When people do this it shows that you have true respect for yourself. In the end its clear that people don’t get far without self respect. Its what builds your character so you have to embody all the attributes that go along with it. You have to have a positive self esteem and you have to be able to have respect for the people around you. Self Respect Self-respect means to have respect yourself. It’s a term that means something different to everyone one. But it’s something everyone wants, not many have, and few want to give out. Self respect is one of the most important values a person can have. To gain respect you have to be confident in yourself. Also you have to have respect for others to fully achieve it. Self respect goes along with self esteem. The way you see yourself means everything in order to build strong character. If you don’t see yourself in a positive light then you don’t really have respect for yourself.Many people seek attention in negative ways because they have a low self esteem. When people do this they are not respecting themselves and they are allowing people to walk all over them. For instance, girls who have poor self esteem look for attention anyway they can. An example of how they would do this is by sleeping around with numerous guys that shows them the slightest bit of intere st. They do this to make them feel loved and wanted but in reality it creates a bad name for them. Inevitably this has a bad effect causing them to feel even worse than before.So in the end you should always value yourself and be confident about whom you are because that’s what really makes someone have self respect. The way you treat other people is also a way of showing you have self respect. When you show people consideration for their problems and you actually listen to them when they talk your showing them you have respect for them and they will respect you back. This also goes along with not letting people disrespect you. Someone with self respect doesn’t let someone treat them badly and when someone is disrespecting them they do something about it.For example, when someone walks all over you and you don’t want to be say something because you don’t want to loose that person your showing a sign of weakness. You should be able to confront that person and tell them how they are treating you bad and if they don’t stop you just wont be around them anymore. When people do this it shows that you have true respect for yourself. In the end its clear that people don’t get far without self respect. Its what builds your character so you have to embody all the attributes that go along with it. You have to have a positive self esteem and you have to be able to have respect for the people around you.

Law and Conflicting Perspectives Essay

Composers represent conflicting perspectives through their own unique experiences and values as their political and social contexts. Geoffrey Robertson’s self styled memoir ‘The Justice Game’ written in the late 1900’s heavily reflects these conflicting perspectives in the ‘Trials of Oz’ and ‘The Romans in Britain’ through the employment of emotive and persuasive language and ridicule in the form of satire to which convey Robertson’s view through his eyes. Such conflicts also portrayed in Charles Waterstreet’s article’ It’s a long fickle road to justice’ which similar to Robertson’s use of persuasive techniques utilizes satire to challenge and question the myopic procedures of the legal system. As society develops, along with it come the changes in values and beliefs this is evident in The Trials of Oz which displays the differing attitudes and conflicting perspectives between generation gaps. The† Trials of Oz’s† ‘Rupert Bear’ was one of great offence in Robertson’s time, whereas today material similar to this is everywhere and is mostly socially acceptable which parallely reflect the beliefs of freedom of speech and individuality growing within society. Robertson himself believed these values which is evident in his view put across in a metaphor for describing the legal system as â€Å" the justice game† revealing the lack of freedom of speech and individuality acknowledgement within it, which is reinforced through the chapter through repetition, arising questions for the responder. In the Trials Of Oz, Robertson uses persuasive language to describe the defendants as â€Å"honest young men† and to characterise Oz as a â€Å"harmless coffee-table magazine for the revolution that would never happen†.

Film Analysis – Blade Runner

MAC 170: INTRODUCTION TO FILM STUDIES ASSIGNMENT ONE – FILM ANALYSIS FILM CHOSEN: Blade Runner (1982) EXTRACT: INT – Sebastian’s Building, starting with the shot of Deckard climbing up the wall. Duration: 9 minutes (Chapter 30, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, 2007) The following essay will be a close analysis of an extract from the 1982 film Blade Runner, which was directed by Ridley Scott. Blade Runner is a science-fiction film based on the book ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep’ which was written by Phillip K. Dick.This essay will also explore how Ridley Scott’s use of mise en scene and editing in Blade Runner can exhibit him as an auteur. An ‘auteur’ is known as the ‘author’ of the film; a director that uses recognisable and similar traits and themes throughout a number of their films. The ‘auteur’ was created through the ‘auteur’ theory, which argues that the director is the most importan t person behind making a film. It was first established by an establishment of film makers in 1950’s Paris. Some of these film makers were Francois Trauffaut, Jean Luc-Goddard and Jacques Rivette.They were angered by a critical establishment in France that lauded a film’s fidelity to a screenplay or novel and regarded the film director as merely a translator of material from the verbal medium to the cinematic. For this view Trauffaut and company substituted a notion of personal cinema – a cinema in which the director, not the screenwriter, could be seen as the controlling force behind the film. (Allen & Gomery, 1985: 71-72) This quote explains how the auteur theory was established, and how Trauffaut created la politique des auteurs, which is a policy in which the director is the main creative force when making a film.Ridley Scott can be classed as an auteur for his repeated use of strong female characters, which are present both in Blade Runner, Alien (1979) and Thelma & Louise (1991), the future and the unknown, and the ‘created’ human. This essay will explore these points using the close analysis of Blade Runner, whilst also comparing Blade Runner to Alien. Ridley Scott can be classed as an auteur for his use of setting in his films; he tends to create a post-apocalyptic setting, mainly set in the ot-so-distant future. This can be seen in the extract of Blade Runner, from the wide angle, long shot of Deckard on the roof. The tall buildings, which are close together, help to connote an industrialised city, and the lack of organic matter helps to show the futuristic world as very bleak, old and dirty. The use of space surrounding Deckard when he is hanging from the roof help to establish that the city lacks people and is very de-humanised and an almost dystopia, which is very similar to Alien.Alien and Blade Runner warn us against a capitalist future gone wrong, where such feelings and bonds are so severely truncated that a qu ite literal dehumanization has become perhaps the gravest danger. (Byers, 1990: 39) This dehumanization feature which Ridley Scott has placed into both Blade Runner and Alien gives both films a sense of fear to the audience when both films were first released, that the possibility of the earth being dehumanized is quite great.The shot of Deckard hanging from the roof also shows how high the building is, with the audience barely being able to see the floor, which helps to connote a sense of uncertainty from the audience, as they are unsure as to whether or not Deckard will fall. The use of rain in this scene is very powerful, as it makes the scene feel very depressive, creating a bleak aspect to the film whilst also creating a ‘bad feeling’ for the audience, as it connotes to the audience that something bad is going to happen.This helps to establish a bleak, industrialised future, a one in which there are little humans on earth in Blade Runner, similar to Alien which can help to describe Ridley Scott as an auteur. Ridley Scott can also be defined as an auteur for his use of strong and determined protagonists, especially in Blade Runner and Alien. In this scene extract, Deckard can be seen as a strong protagonist due to his determination to ‘retire’ Roy. This scene however, also shows the audience the similarities between Roy and Deckard.The cross cutting editing used at the start of the scene when both characters are dealing with their similar hand injuries helps to show the similarity between Roy and Deckard as they are both dealing with the same sort of pain. Deckard in this scene seems very determined to retire Roy, however when Roy does die, the audience seem to get the feeling that Deckard seems sad about this. The editing in this extract is quite slow at first, using long shots before cutting helping to create a slow pace to the scene.The extract then changes pace however, when Roy is ‘hunting’ Deckard, the editing b ecomes quite fast and rapid making it exciting for the audience to watch. The shot when Roy smashes his head through the wall helps to show the slow pace turning fast. The way the editing is quite slow and then there is a jolt – the point where Roy smashes his head through the wall – the editing then speeds up a little after this shot, until Roy’s death where the editing slows down rapidly, using slow-motion to evoke sadness from the audience.The Roy smashes his head through the wall helps to show a sense of power from Roy, which creates a sense of danger toward Deckard from the audience, making them feel like he is not safe. There are a lot of cross-cuts between Roy and Deckard, which helps the audience to see the similarities between the two characters, almost hinting that Deckard could be a replicants too. The fading between the dead Roy and Deckard, and the use of close ups on Deckard’s sad face makes the audience feel quite sad too.In this scene we l earn that Roy just wanted to live and not be a ‘slave’ which creates empathy from the audience. The significance of the dove which is released when Roy dies connotes that the bird was almost a representation of Roy – and the shot of the bird flying away is a symbol of Roy finally being ‘free’ which leaves the audience feeling sad and almost regretful that they saw Roy as the villain, especially when we see him jumping in and out of the shadows at the beginning of the scene, as if this was almost a game to him.In this scene, Roy can be seen as the anti-hero. The use of lighting surrounding Roy when he has died makes him appear almost god-like, signifying him as powerful, which he has been throughout this scene. The long shot of Roy and Deckard, when Roy has just pulled the dangling Deckard from the roof to safety signifying that Roy can be seen as an anti-hero, connotes that Roy has more power over Deckard. The way Deckard is lying on the floor at Roy ’s feet shows Deckard in a submissive way, that human’s are powerless against replicants.The close up, low angle on Roy’s face after this, makes the audience feel quite scared of Roy. His eyes are big, almost ‘crazy’ and the way Pris’ blood is running down his face make the audience feel scared of Roy. Ridley Scott’s lack of lighting in this extract can help to identify Ridley Scott as an auteur, as he also uses a lack of lighting in Alien. The shot of Roy behind the barbed wire, almost signifying a caged animal which replicants have shown similarities to throughout the film, creates a sense of fear and uncertainty for the audience.The way the light is shining behind him creating a lot of shadows, makes Roy seem a little mysterious as the audience are uncertain as to what is going to happen next. The way the lighting throughout the extract creates a lot of shadows, making the extract feel bleak and dark, creating almost a Film Noir fee l to the film, creates a bleak, and dark feel for the audience. Throughout the extract, the only lighting we see is artificial, as the only light comes from lamps, bright lights from a ‘Spinner’ advertising the new world or bright neon billboard’s which helps to give the film an artificial and futuristic tone.Ridley Scott’s use of dark colours in this scene, such as grey, black and blue, creates a sinister feel to the scene making the audience know something bad is going to happen. This is similar to Alien, as all the lighting in that film is artificial too, coming from the lights from the ship, and the 1984 Mac advert which Ridley Scott directed, can define him as an auteur. The way Ridley Scott continually uses similar features and themes among his films helps to exhibit him as an auteur.Blade Runner and Alien are very similar in terms of editing and mise en scene, the use of this in Blade Runner helps to establish Ridley Scott as an auteur as he uses th ese themes and effects in many more of his films. Word Count: 1505/1602 Bibliography Allen, R. C. & Gomery, D. (1985) Film History: Theory and Practice, McGraw Hill Byers, Thomas B. (1990) ‘Commodity Futures’ in Kuhn, A. (ed. ) Alien Zone, Cultural Theory and Contemporary Science Fiction Cinema, London: Verso. Caughie, J. (ed. ) (1981) Theories of Authorship, London: Routledge Nelmes, J. (ed. ) (2003) Introduction to Film Studies, London: Routledge