Education And Technology Play A Patient s Hba1c Levels

A scholarly literature search was conducted to determine whether education and technology play a role in a patient’s HbA1c levels. The databases that I used to search for these topics included CINAHL, PubMed, Summon, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. I started by entering words such as â€Å"diabetes self-management† and â€Å"diabetes AND technology†. I refined my search by limiting the articles to full text, published between 2011 and 2015, academic journals and English as the language. I will now present the articles to decide whether education makes a difference in the way patients with diabetes manage their care. Article one, â€Å"The effect of Educational Interventions on Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus† by†¦show more content†¦The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and written informed consents were obtained from all the participants after providing them with an explanation about the study design and objectives. The study was conducted on 100 male and female adults between 40 and 75 years old who had type 2 diabetes for at least 2 years and had received a maximum of 2 oral diabetes medications. (Zibaeenezhad et al., 2012). According to the results, the mean level of HbA1c was significantly lower at the 3 month follow up compared to baseline (8.09 +/- 0.31 versus 8.51 +/- 0.26, P 0.001). In the male participants, the mean level of HbA1c was 8.59 +/- 0.26 at baseline and 8.21 +/- 0.29 at the 3-month follow-up (P 0.001). These values were respectively obtained as 8.39 +/- 0.03 and 7.94 +/- 0.04 in the female participants (P 0.001). The study results indicated a significant decrease in HbA1c levels in both male and female participants by the end of the educational course, although the duration of follow up was relatively short (three months). Another limitation was that the study only evaluated the effect of the intervention on HbA1c as a measure of glycemic control. Thus, further studies are recommended to assess clinical parameters (e.g. blood pressure and BMI). Moreover, behavioral or educational theories must have a more

History of Graphics Free Essays

As a doctor in Montreal, Bethink frequently sought out the poor and gave them free medical care. As a thoracic surgeon, he traveled to Spain (1936? 1 937) and to China (1938-1939) to perform battlefield surgical operations on war casualties. Created by Ghana Sin Guy. We will write a custom essay sample on History of Graphics or any similar topic only for you Order Now Huber People’s Publishing House. [107] Culture and politics[edit] This magazine cover reproduced from an Orlando poster by Gusty Novel, depicts four famous Iranian writers of the 20th century (Gala Assam Bearing, All- Kafka Deckhand, and Sadie Headway). In order to create this color scheme the artist uses only two colors (orange and green) over a yellow background. By using a circular arrangement of faces she tries to achieve a balanced (1971). Richard Evaded was an American photographer. Evaded capitalized on his early success in fashion photography and expanded into the realm of fine art. This is a salaried poster portraits of the Battles, originally produced for 9 January 1967 edition of the American magazine Look. The Barack Obama â€Å"hope† poster is an Iconic Image of Barack Obama designed by artist Sheppard Faller. The Image became one of the most widely recognized symbols of Beam’s campaign message, spawning many variations and imitations, including some commissioned by the Obama campaign. In January 2009, after Obama had won the election, Fairy’s mixed-media stencil portrait version of the Image was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution for Its National Portrait Gallery. This political poster by Sociopath ?r L © about Ulster. Andrew Pavlov’s poster of Poet IMMUNOASSAY (2003). This poster is a graphic 1 OFF (Constructivism) was almost always in demand in Russia and it can become one of principal trends now. Some of the contemporary Russian artists and art historians have already suggested the new term – Additive Constructivism. It emphasizes the return to modernism, which starts to significantly push out the postmodern art practices. It’s not a postmodern performance. The Constructivist color solution proves that so it is. Do Computer aided graphic design in posters[edit] With the arrival of computer aided graphic design an assortment of novel effects, digital techniques, and innovative styles have been emerged in poster designs. With software such as Adobe Photos, Corer and Windows’ Paint program, image editing as become very cheap, and artists can experiment easily with a variety of color schemes, filters and special effects. For instance, utilizing various filters of Photos, many artists have created â€Å"vectored† designs in posters where a photographic image is socialized, sharpened, rendered into watercolors or stained glass effects or converted into bare lines with block colors. Other designs created soft or blurry styles, ripple or cascade effects and other special filters. Advertising[edit] Graphic design is used in advertising to announce a persuasive message by an identified sponsor; or a promotion by a firm of its products to its existing and potential customers. Egyptians used papyrus to make sales messages and wall posters. Commercial messages and political campaign displays have been found in the ruins of Pompeii and ancient Arabia. Lost and found advertising on papyrus was common in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Wall or rock painting for commercial advertising is another manifestation of an ancient advertising form, which is present to this day in many parts of Asia, Africa, and South America. [110] Advertising in the 19th century[edit] This advertising flier from 1806 is for a traditional medicine called Keynesian. Display in the Eddo Tokyo Museum. This is a 19th-century advertising poster for the hydrotherapy baths of Bagels De Loren (France). This is a playbill for Perhaps Opera Vocalists, 1856. This poster from the second half of the asses advertises for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, advertising â€Å"Miss Annie Oakley, the peerless lady wing-shot†. Advertising in the early 20th century[edit] This is a French poster for Deadbeat et Alleviate. The Deadbeat Alleviate was a French automobile, manufactured in Lyon from 1894 to 1901. This is a German poster by Frizz Ream for Leafier Cigarettes (published 1896-1900) Hanson Troupe in the most astonishing mid-air achievements ever accomplished. † â€Å"Drink Coca-Cola SC†, an asses advertising poster showing a woman in fancy clothes (partially vaguely influenced by 16th- and 17th-century styles) drinking Coke. German Plastic, â€Å"Poster style†[edit] In the early 20th century, Germany became the cradle of many of the avian-garden art movements particularly for posters. This created the â€Å"Plastic† or â€Å"Poster style† movement. This movement became very influential and had a considerable impact n the graphic design for posters. Posters in this style would feature few but strong colors, a sharp, non-cluttered, minimal composition and bold, clear types. [111] Ludwig Howling[edit] Howling Karate Corps Germanic Munched 1913. JPG Ludwig Howling was born in Germany in 1874. He was trained and practiced as an architect until 1906 when he switched to poster design. Hellion’s adaptations of photographic images was based on a deep and intuitive understanding of graphical principles. His creative use of color and architectural compositions dispels any suggestion that he uses photos as a substitute for creative design. Or Requite Praline Tea c. 920-1926. Howling was born in the Rhine-Main region of Germany, though he and his work are associated with Munich and Bavaria in southern Germany. There were two schools of Cheeseburger’s in Germany at the time, North and South. Hellion’s high tonal contrasts and a network of interlocking shapes made his work instantly recognizable. Poster historian Lain Weà ¢â‚¬â„¢ll comments that â€Å"Howling was the most prolific and brilliant German posterior of the 20th century†¦ Beginning with his first efforts, Howling found his style with disconcerting facility. It would vary little for the next forty years. The drawing was perfect from the start, nothing seemed alien to him, and in any case, nothing posed a problem for him. His figures are full of touches of color and a play of light and shade that brings them out of their background and gives them substance†[112] Lucian Bernhard[edit] With nothing to lose, Lucian Bernhard entered a poster contest for the Priest Match Company. The Judges, found this poster bizarre, and ignored it. However Ernst Growled, sales manager for Berlins leading proto-advertising agency and poster renter, saw the discarded poster and exclaimed: â€Å"This is my first prize. How to cite History of Graphics, Papers

Stress Factors Among College Students

Question: Prepare a research proposal on stress factors and their influence on the quality of life and well-being of college students pursuing final year of the undergraduate course.Proposal, which should not be less than 1000 words and not more than 1100 words.Outline the specifications of your research. Also, clearly define the aims, objectives, rationale for choosing your research topic and timelines for your research tasks. Outline the resources at your disposal for this research.Explain the role of ethical codes and ethics committees in research and prepare a consent form for participants of your research. Answer: Background and Rationale The scientific literature widely supports the contention of the impact of various stress inducing factors and circumstances on the lifestyle and well-being of various nursing undergraduate students across the globe. In fact, nursing population constitute the major proportion of the professionals contributing to the healthcare services in the modern society. The stressed students fraternity indeed predisposed to various health risks and psychosocial problems posing serious threats in developing an efficient health care system. Jeffreys (2012) discuss regarding the clinical evidences supporting the contention of influence of stress factors including nursing educational program, skills assessment and nursing licensing evaluation on the psychological state and academic performance of the nursing college students at various levels. The clinical literature describes variable situations including financial constrains, relationship with the faculty, extent of communication between fellow stu dents, study burden, extreme competition, distance from the college, frequency and criteria of evaluation programs, additional engagements and age of the students as important factors influencing the well being and quality of life of the nursing college students (Landow, 2006:pp. 10-13). The outcomes of this research study may assist the nursing fraternity to efficiently diagnose and identify the stressful circumstances and situations adding to the burden of psychosocial instability, diseases and reduction in the quality of life among the nursing college students of the final year undergraduate course. Proactive identification of these predisposing factors may assist the academicians and healthcare professionals to devise effective remedies to overcome these tracked challenges, with the intent to develop a self sufficient, psychologically stable, committed, knowledgeable and healthy nursing fraternity; well versed in rendering medical services across the globe. Aim and Objectives To investigate the relevance of various stress factors and their influence on the health, well being and quality of life of students undergoing nursing undergraduate courses at various medical colleges in United Kingdom. Objectives and Specifications Retrieve the data in terms of VAS (visual analogue scale) to determine the frequency and intensity of stress inducing circumstances and factors affecting the psychosomatic health of the nursing students undergoing final year of the undergraduate course in different college settings. The study data requires collection from the students in form of questionnaires, with the intent to determine the academic, psychosocial, personal and clinical factors predisposing the target population toward developing mental and health related problems. Study data requires analysis in context to the statistical parameters and existing clinical literature to determine the frequency and prevalence of various stress factors and their intensity and effect on producing stress and mental pressure on the study subjects affecting their well being and quality of life. Perform critical evaluation of the study design, end-points and outcomes to derive conclusions from the study and recommend on further strategies warranted in exploring the contention from the study findings. Research Plan The plan for the study comprises of the predefined steps requiring execution within a timeframe of three months from the date of allocation. The study plan requires configuring the research proposal in the light of the current clinical literature. The informed consent from all nursing college students desirous of participating in the study warranted in context to the ethical perspectives. The study requires execution in terms of distributing the preconfigured questionnaires to the research participants for data collection. The study data needs retrieval and analysis in accordance with the study parameters. The research findings require discussion to conclude the results for final submission. Ethical Considerations and Informed Consent from the Research Participants Any research study conducted on human population requires consideration of ethical norms and perspectives to maintain the dignity and confidentiality of the participants, and to keep the personal information secured and anonymous throughout the study tenure. Santoro Gorrie (2005:p. 41) elaborate regarding the ethical considerations of the clinical studies on the human subjects in accordance with the standards established by Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS). The ethical issues related to the clinical studies in United Kingdom addressed through various research ethics committees following the standards established by the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (Leathard McLaren, 2007:pp. 46-47). The study therefore, requires execution in accordance with the ethical parameters after obtaining approval from the research ethics committees of the respective colleges and requesting informed consent from the participants prior to their enrolment in the research program. Methodology The methodology employed to execute the research study based on quantitative and exploratory techniques to track and identify the intensity and frequency of the stress factors affecting the psychosomatic functionality of the research participants. The data initially required from 250 final year nursing students (including 161 males and 89 females) pursuing undergraduate program from five different nursing colleges situated in various locations across United Kingdom. The responses of the nursing college students follow the pattern influenced by Holmes and Rahe rating scale for tracking the stressful circumstances and their influence on the subjects of study (Halter, 2014:p. 172). However, the findings from the research participants obtained from the questionnaire listing multiple academic, financial, social, personal and clinical factors with corresponding stress scales ranging from zero (0) until five (5) to record the frequency and severity of the stressful outcomes resulting from t he causative factors. The statistical analysis of the study findings including frequency, intensity and percentages of the retrieved data required to evaluate and correlate the outcomes and resulting conclusion. Limitations The clinical study limited by less number of participants as compared to the exploratory and descriptive nature of the study. Moreover, the timeframe of three months duration is too short to derive definitive conclusions followed by retrieving concrete clinical evidences. Research Questionnaires The research questionnaire listed various academic factors pertaining to assignment and project deadlines, exam stress, difficult relations with professors and classmates, fear of obtaining less grades in exams, insecurity due to lack of knowledge and expected unemployment after passing the course. The economic factors in the questionnaire correspond to increased financial burden leading to difficulties in managing the course fee and additional professional engagements along with the studentship to overcome the cost constraint. The social and personal factors listed as disturbed interpersonal relationships, familial constraints, lack of leisure time for co-curricular activities and personal development. The clinical factors include lack of confidence in handling patients, lack of clinical and technical knowledge, and fear of failing in execution of nursing activities in a professional environment, any presenting medical morbidity or past medical history influencing the psychosomatic homeostasis. References Halter, M 2014, Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Elsevier, Missouri Jeffreys, M 2012, Nursing Student Retention: Understanding the Process and Making a Difference, Springer, NY Landow, M 2006, Stress and Mental Health of College Students, Nova, NY Leathard, A McLaren, S 2007, Ethics: Contemporary Challenges in Health and Social Care, PP, UK Santoro, M Gorrie, T 2005, Ethics and the Pharmaceutical Industry, Cambridge, UK

Page And Plant free essay sample

In April, five kids and I went to Boston Garden to see the Page and Plant concert. As we rode the train, we discussed how good we thought they would be. Basically everyone was going to the concert with high expectations. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant did not let us down. They exceeded mine and everyones expectations. We got to the concert early and waited through the opening band, Rusted Root. Before Page and Plant went on, they lit up the stage with huge lights that projected rainbows all around the stadium. When Page and Plant started playing, we were speechless. During the first song (which I cant even remember the name of), we just stood in awe. The second song, Ramble On, snapped us out of our daze and we started to sing along with the 20,000 people there. Page and Plant got the crowd into the concert with songs like Gallows Pole, The Song Remains the Same and Black Dog. We will write a custom essay sample on Page And Plant or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page One high point was when Page and Plant went from The Song Remains The Same right into an energized version of the Doors Break on Through and then without stopping into Dazed and Confused. Page and Plant amazed the audience with the variety of music they played. They played heavier songs like Ramble On and Black Dog to their more blues-oriented songs like Since Ive Been Loving You. They kept audience on their feet, wondering what would be next. For their last song Page and Plant played Kashmir accompanied by an orchestra; this was the best version of Kashmir I have ever heard. The music from the orchestra and from Jimmy Pages guitar sent shivers down my spine. We left the concert with Kashmir in our heads and we still havent gotten over how moving it was. One main thing that stood out about this concert was the range of ages of the audience. We saw people from seven to at least 50 or 60 years old. One thing I thought about was where could you find people 50 to 20 to 10 all at the same place for the same reason, having a good time together

Quiz Week 7 Essay Example

Quiz Week 7 Essay Example Quiz Week 7 Paper Quiz Week 7 Paper Essay Topic: Literature Question 1: Why does Scheherazade in The Thousand and One Nights tell her husband a story each night? Q1 Answer:To prevent execution the next morning Question 2: Why did the Spanish Jews welcome the Muslim invasion? Q2 Answer:The Visigoth rulers had persecuted them Question 3:Why did Mohammad allow Muslim men to have up to four wives? Q3 Answer: To provide protective charity Question 4: Why did Mohammad leave Mecca for Medina in 622? Q4 Answer: Meccas leadership was displeased with him Question 5: Why was the Kaaba significant to the Bedouins? Q5 Answer: It housed images of their gods Question 6: Why was Islam able to spread so quickly after Muhammads death? Q6 Answer: A long war had exhausted the Byzantine and the Persian empires Question 7: Why was Mecca important to the Bedouin traders? Q7 Answer: It had natural springs Question 8: Why does an author use a framing tale? Q8 Answer: To unite different stories Question 9: Why are practitioners of Islams mystical branch called Sufi (from the Arabic suf)? Q9 Answer: They write intense metaphorical poetry Question 10: Why do Muslims decorate their mosques without figurative images? Q10 Answer: Mohammad warned that image makers would face punishment at Judgment Question 11: Why did Hildegard of Bingen believe her plainchant brought heaven and earth together? A11 Answer: Her extremes of register created soaring arches Question 12: In the Song of Roland, why are the Saracens able to ambush Rolands army? Q12 Answer: Roland is betrayed by Ganelon Question 13: What was the main task of Christian missionaries in England? Q13 Answer: To transfer the peoples allegiance from their king to God Question 14: What medieval cult is connected to the courtly love literature? Q14 Answer: The Cult of the Virgin Question 15: Why was the Book of Kells moved from Iona off the Scottish coast to Kells in Ireland? Q15 Answer: To protect it from Vikings threatening the Scottish coast Question 16: What leads to Rolands death in the Song of Roland? Q16 Answer: His sense of pride Question 17: What pilgrimage destination was most difficult to reach? Q17 Answer: Jerusalem Question 18: What effect was the space created by the Romanesque churches barrel vaults designed to produce for the pilgrims? Q18 Answer: Raise their eyes and direct their thoughts toward heaven Question 19: Why was the wergeld (life-price) of a thane higher than that of a thrall? Q19 Answer: Thralls were slaves Question 20: Why does Beowulf travel from Denmark to Sweden? Q20 Answer: To kill the monster Grendel Question 21: Why is the Jesse tree a common stained-glass motif? Q21 Answer: It establishes Marys royal lineage from King David Question 22: On whose relationship was the popular poem the Roman de la Rose based? Q22 Answer: Peter Abelard and Heloise Question 23: Why was Jean, duke of Berry in the fifteenth century, the wealthiest man in Europe? Q23 Answer: His subjects paid the highest taxes in all of Europe Question 24: Why was Saint Denis not completed during Sugers lifetime? Q24 Answer: Louis VII left for the Crusades and withdrew funding Question 25: What two subjects did Scholasticism seek to reconcile? Q25 Answer: Christian faith and classical reason Question 26: What musical instrument became popular in the cathedrals? Q26 Answer: The organ Question 27: Who designed the Abbey of Saint-Deniss renovation and thus began the Gothic style? Q27 Answer: Abbot Suger Question 28: Why did Pisano sculpt his Mary, Sister of Moses, which sits on the Siena Cathedral, to lean forward? Q28 Answer: So the viewers below could see her face Question 29: According to the chapters Continuity and Change section, what exploration was a driving force in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries? Q29 Answer: The meaning of being human Question 30: On whose method did Peter Abelard base his teaching? Q30 Answer: Socrates Question 31: As reported in the chapters Continuity and Change section, whose 1804 Imperial Decree on Burials created the idea of a cemetery as a kind of landscape garden? Q31 Answer: Emperor Napoleon of France Question 32: Why was Dante Alighieri exiled from Florence? Q32 Answer: For failing to mend a political schism Question 33: Why does Virgil guide Dante through Hell and Purgatory? Q33 Answer: Virgil represented the embodiment of reason Question 34: According to the chapters Continuity and Change section, what was a positive effect of the bubonic plague? Q34 Answer: Per capita wealth increased Question 35: Why is the camel in Giottos Adoration of the Magi not exactly realistic? Q35 Answer: It has blue eyes Question 36: In what area of Italy are Siena and Florence located? Q36 Answer: Tuscany Question 37: What is an advantage of the buon fresco (paint on wet plaster) technique? Q37 Answer: The paint becomes part of the wall Question 38: What was the Florentine bankers most important invention? Q38 Answer: Europes first single currency Question 39: On what trade was Florences wealth based? Q39 Answer: Textiles Question 40: In the Arena Chapel frescoes, what is Giotto the first artist since antiquity to depict? Q40 Answer: People from behind

Collective Bargaining Definition

Collective Bargaining Definition Collective bargaining is an organized labor process through which employees negotiate with their employers to resolve workplace problems and disputes. During collective bargaining, the concerns and demands of the employees are usually presented by their union representatives. Agreements reached through the bargaining process typically establish terms of employment such as wages and hours, benefits, worker health and safety, training, and the grievance resolution processes. Contracts resulting from these negotiations are often referred to as a â€Å"collective bargaining agreement,† or CBA.   Key Takeaways: Collective Bargaining Collective bargaining is a function of unionized labor by which workers negotiate with their employers to resolve problems and disputes that could otherwise result in strikes or work-stoppagesIssues involved in collective bargaining often include wages, benefits, and working conditionsThe result of collective bargaining negotiations is a mutually binding contract or Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA Brief History of Collective Bargaining in America The American Industrial Revolution of the 1800s spurred the growth of the unionized labor movement. Founded by Samuel Gompers in 1886, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) gave many workers bargaining powers. In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Railway Labor Act formally requiring employers to bargain with unions as a way of avoiding economy-crippling strikes. A product of the Great Depression, the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 made it illegal for employers to deny workers the right to form new unions or to join existing unions. The National Labor Relations Act The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) prohibits employers from preventing employees from forming or joining unions and from retaliating against employees for taking part in union activities. The NLRA bans so-called â€Å"closed shop† arrangements under which employers require all employees to join a certain union as a condition of their employment. While government workers, farm workers, and independent contractors are not covered by the NLRA, several states give state and local government workers and farm workers the right to unionize. The Collective Bargaining Process When issues in terms of employment arise, the NLRA requires the unions (labor) and the employers (management) to bargain â€Å"in good faith† on the issues involved until they either agree on a contract or reach a mutually-agreed stand-off, known as an â€Å"impasse.† In the event of an impasse, employers can impose conditions of employment as long as they had previously been offered to the employees before the impasse was reached. In either case, the result is often the prevention of a strike. Contracts agreed to through collective bargaining are mutually binding and, except under extraordinary circumstances, neither side may deviate from the contract’s terms without the consent of the other party. When legal problems arise during collective bargaining sessions, they are resolved by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the independent federal agency assigned to deal with organized labor disputes and to protect the rights of employees by enforcing the NLRA. What Does ‘In Good Faith’ Mean? The NLRA requires both employers and employees to bargain â€Å"in good faith.† But considering the massive number of disputes claiming failures to negotiate in good faith, that go before the NLRB every year, the term is rather vague. While there is no specific list, a few examples of acts that might be found to violate the â€Å"in good faith† requirement include: Refusing to bargain with the other side about valid workplace issues.Changing or disregarding the terms of a signed contract without the consent of the other sideUnilaterally changing terms of employment.Agreeing to a contract with no intention of actually honoring its terms. Good faith disputes that cannot be resolved are referred to the NLRB. The NLRB then decides whether the parties should â€Å"go back to the table† for further bargaining or declare an impasse, leaving the existing contract in force. The Union’s Duties in Collective Bargaining Labor unions are not obligated to support all or even any of the demands of its workers in collective bargaining negotiations. The NLRA requires only that unions treat and represent all of their members fairly and equally.   Most unions have specific internal grievance procedures to be followed by workers who believe the union has failed to uphold their rights or otherwise treated them unfairly. For example, an employee who feels the union acted unfairly in refusing to support his or her demands for more overtime hours than agreed to in the existing contract would first look to the union’s grievance procedure for relief. Pros and Cons of Collective Bargaining Collective bargaining gives employees a voice. Non-union workers often have no choice but to accept the terms of employment imposed by management or be replaced by employees who will. The legally-ensured right to negotiate empowers employees to seek a more beneficial situation. The collective bargaining process has contributed to higher wages, better benefits, safer workplaces, and improved quality of life for all American workers, whether they are union members or not. On the other hand, collective bargaining can result in a loss of productivity. The bargaining process can take months and require the participation of many, if not all employees during working hours. In addition, there is no guarantee that the process will prevent a strike or work slow-down. Sources and Reference â€Å"Collective Bargaining.† American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).â€Å"Employee Rights.† National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)..â€Å"Collective bargaining rights.† National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).â€Å"National Labor Relations Act.† National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).â€Å"Can I be required to be a union member or pay dues to a union?.† National Right to Work.

Multicultralism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Multicultralism - Essay Example As the first man found his way to the trunk, he stroked the beast, calming and reassuring it that they meant no harm. The others eventually found the animal, and they spent most of the afternoon stroking and feeling the pachyderm in order to determine just what an elephant is, and to build a clear image in their own minds. As the sun began to set, the animal meandered off, leaving the men to discuss their experience. The four were each excited, and burst into chatter as they found their way back to the path which led to their village. "What a majestic beast the elephant is," said the first. "An elephant is like a large tree, strong and unbending; only with skin hard and strong rather than rough bark." This man had been holding the elephant's leg, and could only visualize the creature in terms he could compare to a familiar object. "A tree, did you get lost in the forest again" asked the second. "An elephant isn't like a tree. It is long, and winding. An elephant has many rumples up and down its back, and when it breaths, the moist air is like a windstorm." This man had been grasping the elephant's trunk, and he was sure that his encounter with the beast was the correct one. The other two added to the argu... The fourth had encountered snakes before, and this elephant was no more impressive than these. The four men became so heated in their debate, defending their own positions rather than listening to the others that their conversation ended in stony silence. Eventually, as they came across different paths in the jungle the men separated. Each decided that he could better experience the jungle by themselves than to continue company with a group of blind and ignorant men. Sadly to say, none of the men made it out of the jungle alive. Blind and alone, they made easy prey to the land's natural predators. This fable is an accurate illustration of the current multicultural debate. The parties debate who social order should be arrayed as a result of a multicultural mindset. The factions fight over verbiage, stereotypes, and even the purpose of educational, political and social order in order to defend their own perspective. While each faction has its own piece of accurate truth, the idea of creating a culture together is quickly becoming lost in the disagreement. As a result, our culture is more at risk of loosing the strength and protective power it once had when all our citizens were working for a common good, for a common goal, for a strong and prosperous economic and social structure which provided opportunity for all its citizens. Defining the elephant Harrison gives this rather vague definition. "Multiculturalism...is a theory (albeit vague) about the foundations of a culture rather than a practice which subsumes cultural ideas." (Harrison, 1984) His input is about as helpful as asking directions from one of the proverbial blind men. But the idea is that a multicultural mindset is one which recognizes, and even promotes the

The effectiveness of training and development programmes in Essay

The effectiveness of training and development programmes in organisation - Essay Example Also included is a technique for calculating the Return on Investments for any training activity, ollowing the Phillips model. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Survey and/or Interview Questions are designed for trainees, their immediate supervisors, their subordinates and others who frequently observe their behaviour. A control group should be set up. A survey should be conducted before and after the course. The after course survey can be conducted in intervals of three, six and nine months after the

Study question the Victorians poetry & prose Essay Example for Free

Study question the Victorians poetry prose Essay 1. What is the function of poetry for Mill? Of poets? What differences do you see between his ideal of poetry and the Romantic ideal? The function of poetry, according to Mill, is to act upon the emotions. It differs from prose or science in a sense that while these address beliefs, poetry is to feelings; that while the other two works by â€Å"convincing or persuading†, poetry works by â€Å"moving† emotions; and while the other two presents a â€Å"proposition to the understanding†, poetry â€Å"offers interesting objects of contemplation to the sensibilities. † Poetry should â€Å"paint the human soul truly. † There is not much difference in Mills function of poetry to Romantic ideals in the sense that both appeal to the emotion of the readers. 2. In the passage from his Autobiography, what does Mill become depressed/love his faith? What â€Å"saves† him? What is Mill’s critique of Utilitarian philosophy? Although Mill is a famous exponent of Utilitarianism, he has some objections or criticisms about it. His father was also an exponent of Utilitarianism and here lies his delemma. He took the oppurtunity to publish his criticisms, alongside with his defense, when an earlier work by Professor Sedgwick was published that assaulted utilitarian ethics, and which had given his father and other utilitarians much indignation. 3. What choice is the Lady of Shalott making when she leaves her tower? The Lady of Shalott decides to leave her isolation when she decided to leave her tower. All her life she lived in isolation, that although reapers hears her song, none had seen her and she couldnt look down fro her tower because of the curse if she did so. One time she exclaimed: â€Å"I am half-sick of the shadows. † Even though she resists looking down from her tower, she finally did when she heard Sir Lancelot sing and the curse is starting to manifest on her. Perhaps, at least at the time of death the Lady of Shalott does not wish to be alone but wish herself to be known to others, that she left the tower, labeled the boat she found â€Å"The Lady of Shalott,† and died crossing the river going to Camelot. 4. Is Ulysses’ decision to leave his home again (a) heroic or (b) escapist? Defend your answer. Ulysses decision to leave his home again is an escape to the life in his kingdom. There is nothing heroic in his new conquest, other than to â€Å"seek a newer world† or to â€Å"touch the Happy Isles. † In the beginning of the poem, Ulysses already suggest that there is little point in staying home and states that he â€Å"cannot rest from travel. † He believes that going back to sea again would yeild â€Å"some work of noble note† suggesting that travelling the seas offers a much simpler and fruitful life than staying home. 5. Explain how the setting and circumstances affect our reading of â€Å"My Last Duchess†? Is the narrator reliable? How do we know? The setting and circumstances in My Last Duchess leads the readers to speculate on the mysteries that encompasses the poem, speculatively from actual historical events. The tilte itself reveals that the speaker in the poem is a Duke whose last wife had died. The mention of â€Å"nine-hundred-years-old name† suggest that the Duke came from a long line of prominent and powerful family, and through the speaker we know that he is presenting to his audience his art collections suggesting that he is a lover of the arts. There is little error from the information if we take the popular belief that the speaker was Duke Alfonso II, who lived in the 16th century, to be true. Alfonso II came from the house of Este, whose earliest known member lived in the 10th century, which makes his name â€Å"six-hundred-years-old† at the time the duke lived, in contrast with the â€Å"nine-hundred-years-old name. † 6. According to Arnold what is the value of education in the humanities as opposed to just being educated in science or â€Å"practical† issues? Just being educated in science or practical issues, according to Arnold, has put the world in a state where nothing is certain. It has brought the â€Å"Sea of Faith† in melancholy as scince has challenged the precepts of religion. He hopes that with the confusion brought about by science, education in the humanities would cure the world of its lack of faith. Education in the humanities would, at least, keep the world its moral standards. 7. What does Arnold’s poem, â€Å"Dover Beach† suggest as an antidote to the loss of faith? Do you think the poem ends pessimistically or optimistically? In Dover Beach, Arnold suggest that faithfulness in love is the antidote to the loss of faith. His appeal: â€Å"Ah, love let us be true† suggests that his only hope on this uncertain world rests on the faithfulness of his love interest, probably his wife, to him. The poem still ends pessimistically since Arnold emphasizes on the confusion the world is currently at the time the poem was written.

The Role of the Nurse Educator in Prenatal Care Essay -- Healthy Preg

Many people view childbirth as a joyful and fulfilling event. Writer Paul Carvel stated, â€Å"To witness the birth of a child is our best opportunity to experience the meaning of the word miracle† (as cited in Brill, 2011, Well Pregnancy Links section, para. 3). Irish dramatist, George Bernard Shaw further explained, â€Å"Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born† (as cited in Moncur, 2010, p. 1). Yet, along with the joy of bringing another human being into this world come concerns about the appropriate medical decisions that need to be made by the mother. It is not uncommon for women to have questions and concerns about what it is they can and cannot do throughout their pregnancy. Undoubtedly, the key to a healthy pregnancy is seeking adequate prenatal care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [Office on Women’s Health] (2009), â€Å"Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care† (p. 1). This is where the prenatal nurse educator plays a major role. A prenatal nurse educator specializes in prenatal care and has acquired advance knowledge, usually a Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing degree, that ensures that both the mother and the baby are healthy. The prenatal nurse job requirements include performing physical assessments, ordering and interpreting lab results, and teaching various childbirth techniques. The prenatal nurse educator helps aid the expecting mother throughout the prenatal period, during delivery, and even after the delivery of the baby. The nurse educator is able to bet ter prepare expecting mothers fo... ...regnant mother consumes alcohol, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and crosses the placenta putting the fetus at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which causes permanent birth defects. â€Å"Approximately 40,000 infants are born with a FASD, a number that has remained unchanged for the past 10 years in the U.S.† (March & Frozena, 2010). Childbirth is a very exceptional experience that comes with its own set of medical anxieties. Babies are continuously being born every day to frightened mothers who do not know what to expect. Prenatal nurses help make childbirth less terrifying by guiding mothers throughout the entire process. As a result, the prenatal nurse profession is growing significantly. Prenatal nurse educators are a great strength to expecting mothers. Prenatal nurse educators help make the experience of giving life more enjoyable.

Philosophy as Metaphysics Essay

ABSTRACT: Philosophy works with special types of objects: the totalities. The basic characteristics of this type of object are their metaphysical, transcendental, and total character. The character of these objects determines the specificity of language and the methods of philosophy. The language of philosophy represents symbolic language; speculation is the basic method of philosophy. On the one hand, objects of this type emphasis homo sapien as essences capable of constructing such objects, which in turn assumes the ability of human consciousness to make synthetic acts. On the basis of philosophy as metaphysics, an original approach is offered which divides the history of philosophy into periods as well as providing analysis of different philosophical systems. Feature of philosophical activity, as against a science, is the work with special, not physical objects — the totalities, which are constituted by the philosopher. One of such objects is the world, and, in this sense, we often say, that philosophy is a wel-tanschauung (world-outlook) . Certainly, the world as some set of things can be studied by physics (sciences in a broad sense), but in this case a researcher can miss the point that the world is a totality, not just a simple set of things. As distinct from scientific study the philosophy takes its objects as the totalities, which the subject of knowledge cannot study as ordinary objects, because the including the learning subject character of these the totalities excludes any standard scientific approach to knowledge in principle. Others examples of the above mentioned objects (the totalities) are Ego and God. Objects of this type (with some reservations) are a lot of human being phenomena, such as love, virtue, conscience, courage, bravery, understanding and so on. All these objects are those, that the precise fixing of objective criteria of their existence is impossible, it is impossible to create the high-grade theory of these phenomena (for example, theory of love or bravery), as they assume not only objective Contemplator (as it occurs in case of objects of scientific knowledge), but also postulate the Actor inside them, that causes essentially twinkling way of them being. (2) Exactly the character of these objects determined essential features of the philosophizing as metaphysical activity. The underlining of metaphysical character of philosophy objects dictates the special procedures of work with them, distinct from of methods of scientific knowledge. Metaphysical objects — constructs cannot be given in frameworks of physical experience; the study — constructing of these objects occurs by a way of thinking means, procedures of speculation. That is why the one of the most typical mistakes in the researching of these objects is procedures of naturalization metaphysical objects, i. e. consideration of natural (physical) analogs of these objects. For example, instead of work with the world (the world as totality) we consider the world as some sets of physical, chemical, biological etc. objects, and instead of the analysis of phenomenon of consciousness proper as metaphysical object the natural analog of consciousness — brain or mentality of the particular human being, we examine. Specifying the status of these objects, it is possible to tell, that the subject of the philosophy activity are metaphysical-transcendental objects, i. e. objects having the boundary status of their existence. The boundary character of these objects allows to specify Kantian distinction sensible phenomena and transcendent things in itself. Moreover, metaphysical-transcendental objects are located on border of other known distinctions of classical philosophy. (3) They are, for example, not subjective and not objective, not conscious and not material. It is interesting in this respect appearance of the first proper philosophical category of being, which, in fact, was entered Parmenid`s as boundary metaphysical-transcendental object being-thinking (in this case, alongside with Parmenid`s postulating his first thesis, entering a category of being, presence of the second his thesis, establishing the coincidence of an entered category of being with another category — the category of thinking). In some sense, metaphysical-transcendental objects are Husserl`s phenomenal, from which as a result of procedures of objectivizing and (or) subjectivizing the subjects and objects can be received, i. e. is entered subjective-objective distinction of New time. On the other hand, the boundary character of these objects allows still to work with them ( I specially avoid the term to learn, as far as these procedures are applied only for work with usual objects). Above this mode of working with them was named as speculation, which, as a result, the construction of these objects to occur by a way of thinking means. The creation such thinking construct is caused by that the person aspires to understand mode of functioning of the totalities, which surround him. And just this phenomenon of surprise before presence of such totalities is a beginning and basic nerve of philosophy. In this sense, philosophizing is possible only as an act of work of the beings, capable to postulate these totalities, due to synthetic acts (Kant), as being, perceiving the environmental world not in itself, but by means of symbolical function (Cassirer), through a prism of the transformed forms (Marx, Mamardaschvili). Another important characteristic of metaphysical objects is their total-making nature. It means, that the purpose of designing such objects is the attempt of understanding of some phenomenon of totality (for example, the world as whole, totality) in light of a question how (why) this phenomenon is possible?. The answer to this question assumes revealing mechanism of existence of this phenomenon. That is why it is important for the philosopher not to know some common aspect, that is allowed at a level of the primary, superficial description of it and other similar objects, but to know general (total) principle of functioning of objects of this type. For example, if a row of the plane polygons is given to us, a triangle(4) will act as general principle of this variety, because all others plane polygons can be given with the help of a triangle. Thus, philosophical constructs act as transcendental condition of seeing of other physical objects. That the phenomenon of seeing of a house was possible as some totality, it is necessary to postulate a row of transcendental conditions of this phenomenon, among them we can allocate necessity being of the house (Parmenid), recognition (and taking shape) this being by means of idea of home (Plato), fixing the house as an object of perception by some subject (Decartes) within spatial-temporary a priory forms of sensuality (Kant). On the other hand, a row of such philosophical constructs define a horizon, a way of seeing of subjects (Wittgenstein), associated with a certain epoch. For example, the mentioned above transcendental conditions of a phenomenon of seeing of a house define a way of seeing of subjects within the framework of classical philosophy. In this sense these constructs act as total-necessary cultural machines, that set the cultural way of living activity of the person and made imperceptible but essential background of his existence. For example, when a modern man looks at star sky, he sees not simply separate stars, but constellations — and it is impossible to explain to a person from other culture (and the more so, being, which is not having ability to the synthetic acts). Moreover, developing this example with constructing of constellations, it is possible to tell, that exactly it has made possible occurrence of such activity as an astrology. The above mentioned metaphysical character of philosophy objects causes the specification of the language and methods philosophizing. The language of philosophy has not signal, but symbolical character. Let’s stop on it hardly more in detail. Already science differs from the common sense description, because it uses some abstraction, ideal elements, which, in a common case, it is impossible to compare any certain objects of the physical validity. For example, as D. Gilbert says, in mathematics, those are language fictions, and one of the main problems of a substantiation of mathematics is either an exception these fictions, or imposing some certain restrictions — all that prevent the appearance of negative consequences, while using language fictions. Any language works with signs, besides that, any theory deals with mentioned language fictions (=  «symbols »), i. e. such kinds of signs, with which nothing corresponds in sensible reality. For example, in physics has concepts a material point, an absolutely black body, etc. They are often called as abstract — ideal objects, which turn out by a way of abstraction (idealization) from any properties of real physical objects. But in physics there are and more fictitious objects: cwarcks, for example, which not only is evident not imagine, but also until last time have acted only as theoretical constructs essentially of unobservable nature. In this case we can postulate a metaphysical mode of existence for these objects. It is important to emphasize, that these metaphysical objects do not exist in the same sense, as it is for the particular objects of a physical reality, such as table, chair,etc. The majority of the philosophy terms, its categorical apparatus have such symbolical character. It is impossible to give any referents of philosophical categories inside a physical reality. We can take as an example of such philosophical categories as being, consciousness etc. , for which we can somehow find certain physical analogues (for example, for a philosophical category  «being  » such analogue is the category  «substance » or matter). But there are more humanitarian objects connected with some features of a human being way, for which in general there are no analogues in a nature. These are, for example, concepts virtue, conscience, love, debt, bravery†¦ This specification of the philosophy language, which symbols indicate an existence of a special metaphysical dimension of a reality could be expressed by Kantian exclamation â€Å"Excuse me, but it is not, what I speak about (mean)! † in reply to German poet Schiller`s misunderstanding his categorical imperative. The metaphysical character of the categorical philosophical apparatus predetermines also specification of philosophical reasoning. The postulated non-sense character of perception of objects of the filosophizing assumes the special procedures of work, which were above characterized as a procedure of speculation. The main difficulty thus — is absence of a support on sensible analogy, which often helps us in daily life. The structure a reasoning about pure being (or conscience) is principle different from the reasoning about a tree, or a sex, or other objects of the physical world. Danger, which here waits us — influence of our vital experience, influence sensible hooks, which can destroy the ability for the reflex and philosophical analysis. To explain the idea about involuntary influence ours sensible apparatus, M. Mamardaschvili in the lectures about M. Proust, used as an example biblical commandment when they beat you on the one cheek — put another one as a vivid example of inhibition (Husserl`s  «phenomenological reduction ») of a standard human reaction (reflex), imposed to us by sense-figurative thinking (if somebody hearts you — reply with the same). Moreover, it is possible, that some other logic operates in area of speculative objects, distinct from usual, earthly logic. In particular, according to opinion of the Russian philosopher and the logic N. A. Vasiljev, validity of the logic law of excluded third, has purely earthly an origin and it is connected with primacy, after Aristotle, of individual existing things. (5) If we, following Plato, consider classes of subjects as primary (for instance, subject a class of tables), the law of excluded third will be incorrect, as the table as one of set of subjects of a class of tables can be simultaneously both white and non-white (in instance, green). Of course, here it is necessary to realize, that the opposite properties are attributed to the different individuals of primary â€Å"subject† — different things of the same class). The transfer of the point of view from single objects to classes of objects has allowed N.Vasiljev to formulate imagined logic with the law of excluded fourth. This logic in anything does not concede on its parameters to our habitual logic with the law of excluded third, but expands opportunities of our thinking. Within the framework of this logic the paradoxical coincidence between maximum and minimum, revealed Nikolaj from Kuza, does not cause surprise. The only acceptable procedure for understanding of philosophical categories within of some philosophical framework is the correlation of the different speculative (metaphysics) objects with the help of a method language game.

Elder Abuse Essay

The Seriousness of Elder Abuse in Hong Kong Families To let older adults enjoy a sense of security and a sense of belonging is a time-honoured tradition in the Chinese society. Unfortunately, elder abuse has risen as a serious social problem in Hong Kong. An organization called â€Å"The Against Elderly Abuse of Hong Kong† has received 2212 requests for assistance related to elder abuse in 2011, which has doubled the number of requests received in 2006 (â€Å"Cases of elder abuse,† 2012). Besides, several pieces of news about elder abuse in Hong Kong families have been reported, for example, a 90-year old woman was forced to leave home by her unfilial son and daughter-in-law (Li, 2012). To analyze, the main root causes of elder abuse can be induced to the stress of family caregivers due to the dependence of the elderly as well as the financial dependence of family caregivers on the elderly. In addition to physical and psychological injury, the abused elder people have a higher mortality rate than those not being abused. T o ease the elder abuse problem, enhancement of the capacity of elder care services and education on the public about elder abuse have been suggested by the experts. First and foremost, according to the National Research Council (2003), the definition of elder abuse is defined as â€Å"Intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trusting relationship to the elder or failure by a caregiver to satisfy the elder’s basic needs or to protect the elder from harm† (p. 40). There are 5 categories of elder abuse, including physical, psychological, financial, sexual, and neglect (Harris, 2006). Physical abuse, psychological abuse, and financial abuse are what this essay will emphasize on. To start with, studying the causes of elder abuse is essential. Among many risk factors of elder abuse, stress of family caregivers due to the  dependence of the elderly is one of the  main root causes of elder abuse. As the body functions of the elder people are declining, the elderly, especially those suffering from Dementia, may behave like children who depend on the family caregivers in physical, financial and emotional aspects, resulting in exerting a great pressure to the responsible family caregivers (Pillemer, 1989). A study conducted by Lachs, Williams, O’Brien, Hurst, and Horwitz (1997) discovered that the elder people who have impairments in daily physical activities, such as cooking, and need to be taken care of by family caregivers have double chance of being abused than those without impairments. Once the stress on the family caregivers exceeds what they can withstand, elder abuse will probably occur. Apart from the stress of family caregivers due to the dependence of the elderly, family caregivers depending on the elderly financially is another common cause of the elder abuse. A study conducted by Pillemer (1985) found that â€Å"64% of the abusers in his sample were financially dependent on their victims, and 55% were dependent for housing† (p. 152). The same phenomenon can be applied to Hong Kong. As the price of flats in Hong Kong is very high, many Hong Kong citizens cannot afford it. However, some adults still want to have their own flat. Therefore, some of them will force their old parents to pay for them. In some serious cases, an adult son defrauds the money or the ownership of the flat of their old parents by inveigling them to sign the money withdrawal banking slip or the contract of the change of the ownership of their flat (Lee, 2011). Moreover, due to the underreported crime nature of the financial abuse on the elderly and family caregivers accounting for 60% to 90% of the abusers, financial exploitation on the elder people by family caregivers has become a serious social problem which is difficult to be discovered (Blackburn & Dulmus, 2007). After realizing the causes, understanding the impact of the elder abuse is also significant. The elder people being abused would suffer from both physical and psychological injuries which  lead to a higher mortality rate. According to a study in America, 40% of the non-abused elderly group were still living after a nine-year experimental period; however, only 9% of the abused elderly were still alive (Wolf, 2000). The reasons behind are due to the physical injury, such as cuts, burns, and fractures, caused by infliction of physical violence on the elderly; as well as psychological injury, such as depression, fear and anxiety, generated by verbal aggression and insulting action on the elderly (Blackburn & Dulmus, 2007; Yan & Tang, 2004). Some elder people suffering from abuse would commit suicide so as to avoid being abused continually (Blackburn & Dulmus, 2007). After understanding the root causes and the impact of elder abuse, some solutions are suggested by the experts and related organizations to ease the problem. Enhancement of the quantity of elderly services could help relieve the family caregiver stress by increasing the capacity of the Day Care Centers and Home Care Services for the elderly. However, the current quota of elder care services is seriously inadequate. According to the press release of the Hong Kong Council of Social Services (2011), there are 26,776 elder people on the waiting list of elder care centers and the average waiting time is 3 years, resulting in lots of elder people on the waiting list die before they can get a ticket to the center. Therefore, by increasing the quota of elderly services, family members can transfer the elderly to Day Care Centers if family members are not convenient to do so, for example, working in day  time. In addition, by doing so, the family caregivers can spare time to have their social and outdoor activities to relieve their stress (Chow, 1999). Moreover, home care services, such as personal care helpers or general household helpers, can also reduce the workload and stress of the family caregivers. However, on the other hand, it may perhaps lead to elder abuse by the staff or nurses in the service centers. There are some news reports about the elder abuse by staff of elder care centers; for example, a 65-year old woman  suffering from Alzheimer’s disease was forced to eat her own faeces by a management staff of a home care center for the aged (Man, 2009). Despite the few reported cases, it cannot conclude that the quality of staff in the services units for the elderly is declining. In most cases, it is safe for the elder people to live in the elder care centers. . Besides increasing the quota of elderly services, detection of elder abuse is also important. As the elder abuse cases are underreported, it is crucial to find them out so as to avoid the elderly suffering from abuse continually. Health visitors who have been trained to identify the suspected abuse cases can be introduced to visit the elder people regularly, observe the elderly to see whether he or she has been abused, and report suspected abuse cases to the Social Welfare Department (Roe, 2002; Strasser & Fulmer, 2007). Ultimately, educating the public about the official definitions and consequences of different kinds of elder abuse is a long term measure to ease the elder abuse problem as it can reduce the misunderstanding of elder abuse and raise the public awareness towards the problem (Chan, Chun, & Chung, 2008). According to the Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging (2003) of the United Nations, one of  the objectives of policy change is stated as â€Å"†¦ encouraging health and social services professionals, and the general public, to report suspected elder abuse; including training on elder abuse for the caring professionals; and establishing information programs to educate older persons about financial abuse, including fraud† (p. 5). This policy reflects that educating the public and the elderly to detect and prevent elder abuse is an effective measure (Blackburn & Dulmus, 2007). Organizing exhibitions in shopping malls, holding seminars in comm unity halls, and making advertisements on television are the measures that can be considered by the Hong Kong government in order to educate the public about the seriousness of elder abuse. Despite low efficiency and time consuming, in long-term, educating the public to help report the  suspected cases of elder abuse can deter the abusers from hurting the elder people. It can be seen from the above that elder abuse is a serious social problem with low public awareness. It leads to many harmful consequences to the elder people who, however, usually hide the case to protect the abuser who may be their family member (Blackburn & Dulmus, 2007). To tackle the problem, enhancing the capacity of elder care services, introducing health care visitors, and educating the public about elder abuse could be the possible solutions. Despite some weaknesses of the solutions, they can boost the public awareness after all. If more citizens in Hong Kong realize the impact of elder abuse, less elder people will be abused and the problem of elder abuse can be relieved. The elder people in Hong Kong can really enjoy a sense of security and a sense of belonging. References Blackburn, J. A., Dulmus, C. N. (2007). Handbook of gerontology – Evidence-based approaches to theory, practice, and policy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Cases of elder abuse rises significantly – Organizations urge for legislation of elder abuse as criminal charge. (2012, June 11). Ming Pao, p. A14. Retrieved from http://wisenews.wisers.net/ Chan, Y. C., Chun, P. K., & Chung, K. W. (2008). Public perception and reporting of different kinds of family abuse in Hong Kong. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 253–263. doi: 10.1007/s10896-007-9149-0 Chow, T. (1999). What can We do about elder abuse? Policy Watch, 3(7), 14–20. Harris, G. (2006). Domestic violence and abuse: Elder abuse. Practice Nurse, 31(8), 59–70. Lachs, M. S., Williams, C., O’Brien, S., Hurst, L., & Horwitz, R. (1997). Risk factors for reported elder abuse and neglect: A nine-year observational cohort study. The Gerontologist, 37, 469–474. Lee, S. (2011, June 13). Financial abuse of aged surges. The Standard, Local, p.11. Retrieved from http://wisenews.wisers.net/ Li, O. K. (2012, May 17). Unfilial son and daughter in law force 90-year old mother away from home. Hong Kong Economic Times, p. A24. Retrieved from http://wisenews.wisers.net/ Man, J. (2009, December 8). Carer at home for elderly forced woman to eat faeces, court told. South China Morning Post, p. C3. Retrieved from http://wisenews.wisers.net/ National Research Council. (2003). Elder mistreatment: Abuse, neglect, and exploitation in an aging America. Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect. In R. J. Bonnie & R. B. Wallace (Eds.), Committee on National Statistics and Committee on Law and Justice, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Pillemer, K. (1985). The dangers of dependency: New findings on domestic violence against the elderly. Social Problems, 33(2), 146–158. Pillemer, K., & Finkelhor, D. (1989). Causes of elder abuse: Caregiver stress versus problem relatives. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 59(2), 179–187. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1989.tb01649.x Roe, B. (2002). Protecting older people from abuse. Nursing Older People, 14(9), 14–18. Retrieved from http://nursingolderpeople.rcnpublishing.co.uk/archive/article-protecting-older-peoplefrom-abuse. Strasser, S. M., & Fulmer, T. (2007). The clinical presentation of elder neglect: What we know and what we can do. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 12(6), 340–349. doi: 10.1177/1078390306298879 United Nations. (2003). Political declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging (DPI/2271—February 2003-20M). New York: United Nations Department of Public Information. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service. (2011, March). Use the hundred billion reserves well – Take the long term responsibility [Press release]. Retrieved from http://2011.hkcss.org.hk/channel/detail.asp?issueID=95 Wolf, R. S. (2000). The nature and scope of elder abuse. Generations, 24(2), 6–12. Yan, C. W., & Tang, S. K. (2004). Elder abuse by caregivers: A study of prevalence and risk factors in Hong Kong Chinese families. Journal of Family Violence, 19(5), 269–277.

The best student cities in the world

The best student cities in the world Top 10 student cities It is very important for every entrant to observe the city while applying to the university. You should pay attention on its friendliness, arts and culture, nightlife, affordability, employment opportunities, and diversity. Think whether you could stay in this city after graduating for making your career. The student survey has shown that there are many other cities not including the most iconic ones, such as Paris or London, which suggest the perfect educational conditions and make the student life interesting and diverse. We decided to write a list of the best student cities in 2017, according to students’ opinion. Hope it will be interesting. Shanghai Shanghai is a megalopolis, which attracts the students from all over the world due to its culture, arts, friendliness and nightlife. It gives the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and experience such international influence. It is the largest city in China. However, it is very easy to get around it. You will definitely praise its local cuisine. Nottingham The student survey shows that Nottingham is considered to be a student-focused college-town, which attracts the youth with its nightlife, culture, green spaces, arts, and friendliness. It is also easy to get around it. Nottingham is high scored for inclusion and tolerance. Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe (Keihanshin) Here you can definitely experience a modern student lifestyle. This metropolitan area, called Keihanshin, consists of three cities – Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, which together form one of the world`s largest economies. Students can enjoy the unbelievable combination of astonishing nature and urban life. Moreover, this megalopolis is rich in its traditions, history, and culture. Boston Boston is famous for its leading academic environment. Despite the fact that this is a medium-sized city it combines all aspects of the big city life. Students will be impressed with its attractive surroundings, culture, and arts. Boston has the strong ratings for its friendliness and ease of getting around. Brno Here you can easily become the part of the friendly student community. Brno delivers a great student experience, providing students with unforgettable nightlife, affordability, inclusivity, and tolerance. Students praise this Czech city for its astonishing attractiveness and friendly atmosphere. Ottawa Ottawa is famous for its student-centered environment with its rich bilingual and multicultural peculiarities. The capital of Canada stands out for its nightlife, tolerance, and friendliness. Ottawa offers its students the opportunities to gain experience in various scientific areas. Montreal Montreal is considered to be the cultural capital of Canada. This city is distinguished by its rich culture, diversity, arts, affordability, and friendliness. Students can enjoy the wide range of different activities. Its welcoming and multicultural environment makes Montreal particularly appealing to the youth. Seoul Seoul is the South Korean capital, which is famous for its convenience and safety. This city offers its students the diversity of opportunities and activities. The nightlife is particularly appealing. It boasts of its culture, arts, and ease of getting round. It is a perfect city not just for studies, but also for making a glittering career. Prague Prague is situated in the very heart of Europe and attracts students with its diversity beauty, historic architecture, low living costs, and nightlife. Here students always have plenty of things to do, see, drink, and eat. It is world-known for its affordability, rich culture and traditions. Taipei Taipei is a Taiwan`s capital, which provides students with convenient transports system and cheap food. Moreover, Taipei claims the highest student rating in the category for affordability which is very important for students. It also gets the high rating for friendliness. It is also important to take into account such cities as: Vienna – top for culture and arts Oslo – highest-rated for ease of getting around Canberra – the friendliest city according to student survey Riyadh – offers a lot of employment opportunities

The Devil and Tom Walker Summary and Study Guide

'The Devil and Tom Walker' Summary and Study Guide Washington Irving, one of early Americas greatest storytellers, was the author of such beloved works as Rip van Winkle (1819) and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820). Another of his short stories, The Devil and Tom Walker, is not as well known, but it is definitely worth seeking out. The Devil and Tom Walker was first published in 1824 among a collection of short stories called Tales of a Traveller, which Irving wrote as Geoffrey Crayon, one of his pseudonyms.  The Devil and Tom Walker appropriately appeared in a section called Money-Diggers, as the tale chronicles the selfish choices of an exceptionally stingy and greedy man. Historical Context Irvings piece is a relatively early entry into the many literary works considered Faustian tales - stories depicting greed, a thirst for instant gratification, and, ultimately, a deal with the devil as the means to such selfish ends. The legend of  Faust  dates to 16th-century Germany, with Christopher Marlowe dramatizing the legend in his play The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, first performed sometime around 1588.  Faustian tales have been a hallmark of Western culture ever since, the major theme of plays, poems,  operas, classical music, and even film and television productions. It is perhaps unsurprising that, given its dark subject, The Devil and Tom Walker sparked a fair amount of controversy, particularly among the religious population. Still, many consider it one of Irvings finest stories and an exemplary piece of narrative writing. In fact, Irvings piece triggered a rebirth of sorts for the Faustian tale. It is widely reported to have inspired  Stephen Vincent Benets The Devil and Daniel Webster, which appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in 1936 - more than a century after Irvings story came out. Plot Summary The book opens with the tale of how  Captain Kidd, a pirate, buried some treasure in a swamp just outside Boston. It then jumps to the year 1727, when New Englander Tom Walker happened to find himself walking through this swamp. Walker, explains the narrator, was just the kind of man to jump at the prospect of a buried treasure, as he, along with his wife, were selfish to the point of destruction. While walking through the swamp,  Walker comes upon the devil, a great black man carrying an ax, whom Irving calls Old Scratch. The devil in disguise  tells Walker about the treasure, saying that he controls it but will give it to Tom for a price. Walker agrees readily, without really considering what he is expected to pay in return - his soul. The rest of the tale follows the twists and turns one might expect as a result of greed-driven decisions and deal-making with the devil. Main Characters Tom Walker, the protagonist of the story,  is described as a meager miserly fellow and is probably Irvings most despised (or least likable) character. Despite his many unsavory characteristics, he is also memorable.  Initially, Walker rejects Old Scratchs offer, but he eventually gives in to the devils conditions. Walker has been compared to Faust/Faustus, a character who has appeared in countless works through literary history, from Marlowe, Goethe, and beyond. Walkers wife is such a minor character that her name is never given, but she can be likened to her husband in her miserly nature and volatile temper, as Irving describes: Toms wife was a tall termagant, fierce of temper, loud of tongue, and strong of arm. Her voice was often heard in wordy warfare with her husband, and his face sometimes showed signs that their conflicts were not confined to words. Old Scratch  is another name for the devil. Old Scratch is described as a dark-skinned man. Washington Irving wrote, It is true, he was dressed in a rude, half Indian garb, and had a red belt or sash swathed round his body, but his face was neither black nor copper color, but swarthy and dingy and begrimed with soot, as if he had been accustomed to toil among fires and forges. The actions of Old Scratch are similar to other tales where he is the tempter, who offers the protagonist riches or other gains in exchange for the characters soul. Major Events and Setting The Devil and Tom Walker may be a short story but quite a bit takes place in its few pages. The events - and the locations where they take place - really drive the overarching theme of the story: avarice and its consequences. The events of the story can be divided into two locations: Old Indian Fort Tom Walker meets Old Scratch: Tom takes a shortcut through tangled, dark, and dingy swamplands, which are so dark and uninviting that they represent hell in the story. Tom meets the devil, Old Scratch, at an abandoned Indian fort hidden away in the swamplands.Old Scratch offers Tom Walker great sums of money in exchange for certain conditions. The conditions are, of course, that Walker gives his soul in his deal with the devil.The devil offers Tom riches hidden by Captain  Kidd if Tom agrees to sell his soul to Old Scratch. Tom agrees.Toms wife confronts Old Scratch. She goes into the swamplands, twice, hoping that Old Scratch would make a deal with her instead of her husband. Toms wife absconds with all of the couples valuables for the second meeting, but she disappears into the swamplands and is never heard from again. Boston Bolstered by the ill-gotten riches offered by Old Scratch, Walker opens a brokers office in Boston. Walker lends money freely, but he is merciless in his dealings and ruins the lives of many borrowers, often repossessing their property.A ruined speculator asks for a debt he owes to Tom to be forgiven. Walker refuses, but the devil rides in on a horse, easily sweeps Tom up, and gallops away - and Tom is never seen again. After that, all the deeds and notes in Walkers safe turn to ash, and his house mysteriously burns down. Key Quotes The legend of a man who sold his soul to the devil and its devious consequences has been retold many times, but Irvings original words truly reveal the story. Setting the scene: About the year 1727, just at the time when earthquakes were prevalent in New England and shook many tall sinners down upon their knees, there lived near this place a meager miserly fellow of the name of Tom Walker. Describing the protagonist: Tom was a hard-minded fellow, not easily daunted, and he had lived so long with a termagant wife, that he did not even fear the devil. Describing the protagonist and his wife: ...they were so miserly that they even conspired to cheat each other. Whatever the woman could lay hands on she hid away: a hen could not cackle but she was on the alert to secure the new-laid egg. Her husband was continually prying about to detect her secret hoards, and many and fierce were the conflicts that took place about what ought to have been common property. Laying out the potential moral consequences of greed: As Tom waxed old, however, he grew thoughtful. Having secured the good things of this world, he began to feel anxious about those of the next. The communitys state of mind regarding the death of Walker and his wife: The good people of Boston shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders, but had been so much accustomed to witches and goblins and tricks of the devil in all kinds of shapes from the first settlement of the colony, that they were not so much horror struck as might have been expected. Study Guide Questions Once students have had a chance to read this classic tale, test their knowledge with these study questions: What is important about the title? Had you ever heard the phrase before reading the story?  What are the conflicts in The Devil and Tom Walker? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) do you see?Does Irving reveal character in  The Devil and Tom Walker?  Who was Faust (in literary history)? How could Tom Walker be said to have made a Faustian bargain?How does greed factor into this story? Do you think the Walker familys financial situation plays a factor in their choices?  Ã‚  What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?  Compare and contrast Tom Walker with Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, by  Charles Dickens  Is Tom Walker consistent in his actions? Is he a fully developed character? How? Why?  Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?  Discuss some of the symbols in The Devil and Tom Walker.  How are women portrayed in this story? Is the portrayal positiv e or negative?  Ã‚  Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why? How did you feel about the ending? Was it fair? Why or why not?   What is the central or primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?  How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?  What supernatural or surprising events are employed by  Washington Irving? Are these happenings believable?  How do you think Irvings Christian  beliefs impacted his writing?  Ã‚  What would you trade your soul for?  Do you think Tom and his wife made the right choice?

Abercrombie & Fitch Internal Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Abercrombie & Fitch Internal Analysis - Essay Example They are also dealing with different types of accessories products like cologne and perfume. They are offering their products to different segments like youth men and women targeting the student demographics like the post graduates, graduates and college students (Graakjaer, 2012). The firm was set up in the 1892 by David Abercrombie. In the initial days, it was popular with the name David T. Abercrombie Co. It started as a waterfront shop and established for the factory in New York City area. Gradually, it gained popularity as dealers of rough, outdoor kits and accessories. The Limited Inc. acquired it during 1988 (Walters, 2008). Henceforth, from 1992, they started to provide effective fashion-attire. The casual apparel business was converted into public limited organization in the fiscal year 1996. In that time, The Limited Inc. reserved 84 percent share of business. However, in the year 1998, the parent company sold their remainder of shares among the general shareholders (Engel, 2004). In the year 1892, Abercrombie & Fitch began to produce fashion products. Recently, they are operating through the huge channel of the lifestyle and retail segment having nearly 300 stores. Product diversification strategies are being used the firms in order to attract the customers rapidly. The firm promoted "Abercrombie" stores for selling apparel products for children and teenagers. They are publishing some magazine and catalogues for disseminating features of various attire products (Bradway, 2006). The firm is producing different stylist apparel, accessories, personal care and footwear ranges in the worldwide segment. Abercrombie & Fitch is operating in more than 1000 locations with more than 13000 fulltime and 66000 part-time employees. Organizational structure of the firm can be stated with the following diagram (Lambertini, 2009). Abercrombie & Fitch Company is one of the major USA based apparel and

The origin of islam, what is sunni and Shia what are the key Essay

The origin of islam, what is sunni and Shia what are the key differences between the two branches of islam and what kind of issues arise from the differences - Essay Example This paper presents an in-depth and critical analysis of the history of Islam and the major differences between the Shia and Sunni sects (Esposito 97). It does this by focusing on the origin and meaning of the religion and goes ahead to look at the differences between the beliefs hold by the Shia and Sunni and how they have impacted on their relationships. Islam is a religion that was coined from an Arabic word ‘salema’ which can be interpreted to mean ‘submission, peace or obedience.’ As a monotheistic religion, all Muslims (believers of Islamic faith) are required to submit to the Allah and worship Him as the only God. Meaning, they should submit to His will and always accept to obey His laws because it is the best thing to do by a believer as it can provide peace and fulfillment. Just like any other religion, Islam has a set of doctrines that are contained in a Quran-its main holy book. These were passed through Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). In terms of teachings, Islam has its unique set of doctrines that all its believers are expected to practice. These fundamental teachings can be summarized into five main pillars: shahadah; sawm; salat; zakat; and hajj. Each of these stipulates requirements that each and every Muslim needs to fulfill as part of their spiritual pursuit. For instance, according to shahadah, each and every believer should not believe in the existence of any other god rather than Allah and His prophet Mohamed (PBUH). On the other hand salat requires believers to say prayers to Allah five times per day. Meanwhile, zakat advocates for the contribution of alms by each and every believer so as to help the poor people who can not afford daily bread. Nonetheless, sawm requires every Muslim believer to perform the ritualistic annual fasting during the holy month of Ramadan (Esposito 91). Last, but not least, hajj, all able Muslim believers need to pay pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life time becaus e it is the holy city of

Financial Valuation Techniques Research Proposal

Financial Valuation Techniques - Research Proposal Example The research will be conducted from the perspective of strategic valuation and financial valuation. Strategic valuation will relate to historical analysis of the companies and application of models like SWOT, Porter's Diamond, Porter's Five Forces Model, Ansoff Analysis and Balanced Scorecard Analysis. Financial valuation shall be related to DuPont Analysis, Key Ratios, Capital Budgeting, and Cash Flow analysis, Income Analysis, Asset Analysis and Market Analysis. The final outcome shall be a critical comparison of future forecasts of the selected companies applying all the theories. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has global assets which are worth more than $1120 billion. The RBS is the 2nd biggest private bank in Europe, and the 6th biggest in the world. RBS is the 14th biggest company in the world (Forbes Global 2000). Apart from this RBS are an enormously important private investor of oil and gas extraction. This is not only high levels of funding for oil and gas projects, but RBS are 'the oil and gas bank'. They are the central driver of development of the oil and gas industry. The position of RBS on global climate change is far less liberal than many other banks. In spite of stating that the bank "distinguish the considerable global threat laid by climate change", RBS has reported it as 'preposterous' to admit liability for the climate affects ensuing from their loans to fossil fuel projects. Barclays is a financial services group based in UK. It is also an international banking organisation having branches all over Asia-Pacific, Europe and South America. The company is primarily engaged in banking, investment banking and investment management. With regard to market capitalisation, Barclays is one among the top ten banks in the world. Barclays also provides interconnected global services to translational corps and financial institutions all over the world. It is a leading UK retail and business bank with around 76,200 employees and with operations in more than 60 countries. Research Questions The research would help in identifying the following: 1. The role of management in the working environment of both the banks. 2. The major difference in the financial analysis between the two chosen banks. 3. What are the various Valuation Techniques prevalent in the Financial Markets pertaining to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Barclays Bank Scope of the Research Study Both the banks have grown to be really big so it is very difficult and complex to study its operations in a comprehensive way. Thus this research study will be limited in its quantitative dimension. The questionnaires and interviews will be conducted by limiting the number of employees of both the banks. Due to limitations of the resources it is not possible to conduct a comprehensive quantitative study. On the other hand, the qualitative dimension of this research project will be much more comprehensive since it is

History And Fundamental Concept Of Acoustic Music Essay

History And Fundamental Concept Of Acoustic Music Essay Acoustics is the study of the physical characteristics of sounds. Its deal with things like the frequency, amplitude and complexity of sound waves and how sound waves interact with various environments. It can also be refer casually and generally to the over-all quality of sound in a given place. Someone might say in a non-technical conversation: I like to perform at Smith Hall; the acoustics are very brights.   From the everyday sounds of speech, the hum of appliances, to the sounds caused by wind and water, we are immersed in an ocean of sounds. Yet, what is sound, and how do we hear it? Why do two instruments playing the same note sound different? In this lab you will learn the basics of the answers to these questions. To answer the later question, we will analyze sound as an audio engineer would, through a technique called harmonic analysis. Harmonic analysis allows sound to be understood from a quantitative perspective. Also, we will come to an understanding of why the way a computer analyses sound is similar to how our ears analyse sound. I will start this genre presentation by introducing the genre acoustic music. It isnt really a genre, as music played with acoustic instruments can sound very different, but I chose to call the post this, as acoustic music have many similarities. If you like these songs, you should really check out  Bedtime Tunes, which is a site only with songs like these. So without further ado, here are 11 songs with acoustic guitars, pianos, strings and beautiful voices: First here is Antony Hearty with his band  Antony and the Johnsons. Antony Hegarty is a very special person, he is transgendrous, and his voice is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately I havent seen him live, but Ive heard that almost all of the audience comes out from the concert crying Or Acoustics (from Greek pronounced acoustics meaning of or for hearing, ready to hear) is the science that studies sound, in particular its production, transmission, and effects. Sound can often be considered as something pleasant; an example of this would be music. In that case a main application is room acoustics, since the purpose of room acoustical design and optimisation is to make a room sound as good as possible. But some noises can also be unpleasant and make people feel uncomfortable. In fact noise reduction is a major challenge, particularly within the transportation industry as people are becoming more and more demanding. Furthermore ultrasounds also have applications in detection, such as sonar systems or non-destructive material testing. 2. History of acoustic If he first mentioned the Acoustique Art in his  Advancement of Learning  (1605), Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was drawing a distinction between the physical acoustics he expanded in the  Sylva Sylva rum  (1627) and the harmonics of the Pythagorean mathematical tradition. The Pythagorean tradition still survived in Bacons time in the works of such diverse people as Gioseffo Zarlino (1517-1590), Renà © Descartes (1596-1650), and Johannes Kepler (1571-1630). In Bacons words: The nature of sounds, in some sort, [hath  been with some  diligence  inquired,] as far as concerneth music. But the nature of sounds in general hath been superficially observed. It is one of the subtlest pieces of nature. Bacons Acoustique Art was therefore concerned with the study of immusical sounds and with experiments in the migration in sounds so that the harnessing of sounds in buildings (architectural acoustics) by their enclosure in artificial channels inside the walls or in the environment (hydraulic acoustics). Aim of Baconian acoustics was to catalog,  quantify, and shape human space by means of sound. This stemmed from the  echometria,  an early modern tradition of literature on echo, as studied by the mathematicians Giuseppe Biancani (1566-1624), Marin Mersenne (1588-1648), and Daniello Bartoli (1608-1685), in which the model of optics was applied in acoustics to the behaviour of sound. It was in a sense a historical  antecedent  to Isaac Newtons (1642-1727) analogy between colours and musical tones in  Upticks  (1704). Athanasius Kirchers (1601-1680)  Phonurgia Nova  of 1673 was the outcome of this tradition. Attacking British acoustics traditions, Kirsches argued that the origin of the Acoustical Art lay in his own earlier experiments with sounding tubes at the Collegio Romano in 1649 and sketched the ideology of a Christian baroque science of acoustics designed to dominate the world by exploiting the boundless  powers of sound 17th-century empirical observations and mathematical explanations of the simultaneous vibrations of a string at different frequencies were important in the development of modern experimental acoustics. The earliest contribution in this branch of acoustics was made by Mersenne, who derived the mathematical law governing the physics of a vibrating string. Around 1673 Christian Huygens (1629-1695) estimated its absolute frequency, and in 1677 John Wallis (1616-1703) published a report of experiments on the overtones of a vibrating string. In 1692 Francis Roberts (1650-1718) followed with similar findings. These achievements paved the way for the 18th-century  acoustique  of Joseph Sauveur (1653-1716) and for the work of Brook Taylor (1685-1731), Leonhard Euler (1707-1783), Jean Le Rond d Alembert  (1717-1783), Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782), and Giordani Riccati (1709-1790), who all attempted to determine mathematically the fundamental tone and the overtones of a  sonorous  body. Modern experimental acoustics sought in nature, a physical law of the sounding body, the perfect harmony that in the Pythagorean tradition sprang from the mind of the geometrizing God. Experimental epistemology in acoustics also influenced the studies of the anatomy and physiology of hearing, especially the work of Joseph-Guichard Duverney (1648-1730) and Antonio Maria Valsalva (1666-1723), that in the 19th century gave rise to physiological and psychological acoustics. 3. Fundamental concepts of acoustics The study of acoustics revolves around the generation, propagation and reception of mechanical waves and vibrations. The steps shown in the above diagram can be found in any acoustical event or process. There are many kinds of cause, both natural and volitional. There are many kinds of transduction process that convert energy from some other form into acoustic energy, producing the acoustic wave. There is one fundamental equation that describes acoustic wave propagation, but the phenomena that emerge from it are varied and often complex. The wave carries energy throughout the propagating medium. Eventually this energy is transduced again into other forms, in ways that again may be natural and/or volitionally contrived. The final effect may be purely physical or it may reach far into the biological or volitional domains. The five basic steps are found equally well whether we are talking about an earthquake, a submarine using sonar to locate its foe, or a band playing in a rock concert. The central stage in the acoustical process is wave propagation. This falls within the domain of physical acoustics. In  fluids, sound propagates primarily as a pressure wave. In solids, mechanical waves can take many forms including  longitudinal waves,  transverse HYPERLINK http://www.answers.com/topic/transverse-wavewaves  and  surface waves. Acoustics looks first at the pressure levels and frequencies in the sound wave. Transduction processes are also of special importance. 4. Application of Acoustics The science of sound and hearing. This treats the sonic qualities of rooms and buildings, and the transmission of sound by the voice, musical instruments or electric means. Voice is caused by vibration, which is communicated by the sound source to the air as fluctuations in pressure and then to the listeners ear-drum. The faster the vibration (or the greater its frequency) the higher the pitch. The greater the amplitude of the vibration, the louder the sound. Mostly musical sound consist not only of regular vibration at one particular frequency but also vibration at various multiples of that frequency. The frequency of middle C is 256 cycles per second (or Hertz, abbreviated Hz) but when one hears middle C there are components of the sound vibrating at 512 Hz, 768 Hz etc (see  Harmonics). The presence and relative strength of these harmonics determine the quality of a sound. The difference in quality, for example. between a flute, an oboe and a clarinet playing the same note is tha t the flutes tone is relatively pure (i.e. has few and weak harmonics), the oboe is rich in higher harmonics and the clarinet has a preponderance of odd-numbered harmonics. Their different harmonic spectra are caused primarily by the way the sound vibration is actuated (by the blowing of air across an edge with the flute, by the oboes double reed and the clarinets single reed) and by the shape of the tube. Where the players lips are the vibrating agent, as with most brass instruments, the tube can be made to sound not its fundamental note but other harmonics by means of the players lip pressure. The vibrating air column is only one of the standard ways of creating musical sound. The longer the column the lower the pitch; the players can raise the pitch by uncovering hole in the tubes. With that human voice, air is set in motion by means of the vocal cords, folds in the throat which convert the air stream from the lungs into sound; pitch is controlled by the size and shape of the cavities in the pharynx and mouth. For a string instrument, such as the violin, the guitar or the piano, the string is set in vibration by (respectively) bowing, plucking or striking; the tighter and thinner the string, the fasters it will vibrate. By pressing the string against the fingerboard and thus making the operative string-length shorter, the player can raise the pitch. With a percussion instrument, such as the drum or the xylophone, a membrane or a piece of wood is set in vibration by striking; sometimes the vibration is regular and gives a definite pitch but sometimes the pitch is indefinit e. In the recording of sound, the vibration patterns set up by the instrument or instruments to be recorded are encode by analogue (or, in recent recordings. digitally) in terms of electrical impulse. This information can then be stored, in mechanical or electrical form; this can then be decoded, amplified and conveyed to loudspeakers which transmit the same vibration pattern to the airs. The study of the acoustics of buildings is immensely complicated because of the variety of ways in which sound is conveyed, reflected, diffused, absorbed etc. The design of buildings for performances has to take account of such matters as the smooth and even representation of sound at all pitches in all parts of the building, the balance of clarity and blend and the directions in which reflected sound may impinge upon the audiences. The use of particular material (especially wood and artificial acoustical substances) and the breaking-up of surfaces, to avoid certain types of reflection of sounds, play a part in the design of concert halls, which however remains an uncertain art in which experimentation and tuning (by shifting surface, by adding resonators etc.) is often necessary. The term acoustic is sometimes used, of a recording or an instrument, to mean not electric: an acoustic recording is one made before electric methods came into use, and an acoustic guitar is one not electri cally amplified. 4.1 Theory of acoustic The area of physics known as acoustics is devoted to the study of the production, transmission, and reception of sound. Thus, wherever sound is produced and transmitted, it will have an effect some whereas, even if there is no one present to hear it. The medium of sound transmissions is an all-important, key factor. Among the areas addressed within the realm of acoustics are the production of sounds by the human sounds and various instrument, as like the reception of sound waves by the human ear. 5. Working concept of acoustic Sound waves are an example of a larger phenomenon known as wave motion, and wave motion is, in turn, a subset of harmonic motion-that is, repeated movement of a particle about a position of equilibrium, or balance. In the case of sound, the particle is not an item of matter, but of energy, and wave motion is a type of harmonic movement that carries energy from one place to another without actually moving any matter. Particles in waves experience  oscillation, harmonic motion in one or more dimensions. Oscillation itself involves little movement, though some particles do move short distances as they interact with other particles. Primarily, however, it involves only movement in place. The waves themselves, on the other hand, move across space, ending up in a position different from the one in which they started. A  transverse  wave forms a regular up-and-down pattern in which the oscillation is  perpendicular  to the direction the wave is moving. This is a fairly easy type of wave to visualize: imagine a curve moving up and down along a straight line. Sound waves, on the other hand, are  longitudinal  waves, in which oscillation occurs in the same direction as the wave itself. These oscillations are really just fluctuations in pressure. As a sound wave moves through a medium such as air, these changes in pressure cause the medium to experience alternations of density and rarefaction  (a decrease in density). It , in turn, produces vibrations in the human ear or in any other object that receives the sound waves. 5.1 Properties of Sound Waves 5.1.1 Cycle and Period The term cycle has a definition that varies slightly, depending on whether the type of motion being discussed is oscillation, the movement of transverse waves, or the motion of a longitudinal sound wave. In the latter case, a cycle is defined as a single complete  vibration. A period (represented by the symbol  T) is the amount of time required to complete one full cycle. The period of a sound wave can be mathematically related to several other aspects of wave motion, including wave speed, frequency, and  wavelength. 5.1.2 The Speed of Sound in Various Medium People often refer to the speed of sound as though this were a fixed value like the speed of light, but, in fact, the speed of sound is a function of the medium through which it travels. What people ordinarily  mean by the speed of sound is the speed of sound through air at a specific temperature. For sound travelling at sea level, the speed at 32 °F (0 °C) is 740 MPH (331 m/s), and at 68 °F (20 °C), it is 767 MPH (343 m/s). In the essay on  aerodynamics, the speed of sound for aircraft was given at 660 MPH (451 m/s). This is much less than the figures given above for the speed of sound through air at sea level, because obviously, aircraft are not flying at sea level, but well above it, and the air through which they pass is well below freezing temperature. The speed of sound through a gas is proportional to the square root of the pressure divided by the density. According to Gay-Lussacs law, pressure is directly related to temperature, meaning that the lower the pressure, the lower the temperature-and vice versa. At high altitudes, the temperature is low, and, therefore, so is the pressure; and, due to the relatively small gravitational pull that Earth exerts on the air at that height, the density is also low. Hence, the speed of sound is also low. It follows that the higher the pressure of the material, and the greater the density, the faster sound travels through it: thus sound travels faster through a liquid than through a gas. This might seem a bit surprising: at first  glance, it would seem that sound travels fastest through air, but only because we are just more  accustomed  to hearing sounds that travel through that medium. The speed of sound in water varies from about 3,244 MPH (1,450 m/s) to about 3,355 MPH (1500 m/s). Sound travels even faster through a solid-typically about 11,185 MPH (5,000 m/s)-than it does through a liquid. 5.1.3 Frequency Frequency (abbreviated  f) is the number of waves passing through a given point during the interval of one second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz), named after nineteenth-century German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-1894) and a Hertz is equal to one cycle of oscillation per second. Higher frequencies are expressed in terms of  kilohertz  (kHz; 103  or 1,000 cycles per second) or  megahertz(MHz; 106  or 1 million cycles per second.) The human ear is capable of hearing sounds from 20 to approximately 20,000 Hz-a relatively small range for a mammal, considering that bats, whales, and dolphins can hear sounds at a frequency up to 150  kHz. Human speech is in the range of about 1 kHz, and the 88 keys on a piano vary in frequency from 27 Hz to 4,186 Hz. Each note has its own frequency, with middle C (the white key in the very middle of a piano keyboard) at 264 Hz. The quality of harmony or  dissonance  when two notes are played together is a function of the relationship between the frequencies of the two. Frequencies below the range of human  audibility  are called  infrasound, and those above it are referred to as  ultrasound. There are a number of practical applications for  ultrasonic  technology in medicine, navigation, and other fields. 5.1.4 Wavelength Wavelength (represented by the symbol ÃŽÂ », the Greek letter lambda) is the distance between a crest and the adjacent crest, or a trough and an adjacent trough, of a wave. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength, and vice versa. Thus, a frequency of 20 Hz, at the bottom end of human audibility, has a very large wavelength: 56 ft. (17 m). The top end frequency of 20,000 Hz is only 0.67 inches (17 mm). There is a special type of high-frequency sound wave beyond ultrasound: hyper sound, which has frequencies above 107  MHz, or 10 trillion Hz. It is almost impossible for hyper sound waves to travel through all but the densest media, because their wavelengths are so short. In order to be transmitted properly, hyper sound requires an extremely tight molecular structure; otherwise, the wave would get lost between molecules. Wavelengths of visible light, part of the electromagnetic spectrum, have a frequency much higher even than hyper sounds waves: about 109  MHz, 100 times greater than for hyper sound. This, in turn, means that these wavelengths are incredibly small, and this is why light waves can easily be blocked out by using ones hand or a  curtain. The same does not hold for sound waves, because the wavelengths of sounds in the range of human audibility are comparable to the size of ordinary objects. To block out a sound wave, one needs something of much greater dimensions-width, height, and depth-than a mere cloth curtain. A thick concrete wall, for instance, may be enough to block out the waves. Better still would be the use of materials that absorb sound, such as cork, or even the use of machines that produce sound waves which destructively interfere with the offending sounds. 5.1.5 Amplitude and Intensity Amplitude is critical to the understanding of sound, though it is mathematically independent from the parameters so far discussed. Defined as the maximum displacement of a vibrating material, amplitude  is the size of a wave. The greater the amplitude, the greater the energy the wave contains: amplitude indicates intensity, commonly known as volume, which is the rate at which a wave moves energy per unit of a cross-sectional area. Intensity can be measured in watts per square meter, or W/m2. A sound wave of minimum intensity for human audibility would have a value of 10à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢12, or 0.000000000001, W/m2. As a basis of comparison, a person speaking in an ordinary tone of voice generates about 10à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢4, or 0.0001, watts. On the other hand, a sound with an intensity of 1 W/m2  would be powerful enough to damage a persons ears. 5.2 Real-Life Applications 5.2.1 Decibel Levels For measuring the intensity of a sound as experienced by the human ear, we use a unit other than the watt per square meter, because ears do not respond to sounds in a linear, or straight-line, progression. If the intensity of a sound is doubled, a person perceives a greater intensity, but nothing approaching twice that of the original sound. Instead, a different system-known in mathematics as a logarithmic scale-is applied. In measuring the effect of sound intensity on the human ear, a unit called the  decibel  (abbreviated dB) is used. A sound of minimal audibility (10à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢12  W/m2) is assigned the value of 0 dB, and 10 dB is 10 times as great-10à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢11  W/m2. But 20 dB is not 20 times as intense as 0 dB; it is 100 times as intense, or 10à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢10  W/m2. Every increase of 10 dB thus indicates a  tenfold  increase in intensity. Therefore, 120 dB, the maximum decibel level that a human ear can endure without experiencing damage, is not 120 times as great as the minimal level for audibility, but 1012  (1  trillion) times as great-equal to 1 W/m2, referred to above as the highest safe intensity level. Of course, sounds can be much louder than 120 dB: a rock band, for instance, can generate sounds of 125 dB, which is 5 times the maximum safe decibel level. A gunshot,  firecracker, or a jet-if one is exposed to these sounds at a sufficiently close proximity-can be as high as 140 dB, or 20 times the maximum safe level. Nor is 120 dB safe for prolonged periods: hearing experts indicate that regular and repeated exposure to even 85 dB (5 less than a lawn  mower) can cause permanent damage to ones hearing. 5.3 Production of Sound Waves 5.3.1 Musical Instruments Sound waves are vibrations; thus, in order to produce sound, vibrations must be produced. For a stringed instrument, such as a guitar,  harp, or piano, the strings must be set into vibration, either by the musicians fingers or the mechanism that connects piano keys to the strings inside the case of the piano. In other woodwind instruments and horns, the musician causes vibrations by blowing into the mouthpiece. The exact process by which the vibrations emerge as sound differs between woodwind instruments, such as a  clarinet  or  saxophone  on the one hand, and brass instruments, such as a trumpet or  trombone  on the other. Then there is a drum or other percussion instrument, which produces vibrations, if not musical notes. 5.3.2 Electronic Amplification Sound is a form of energy: thus, when an automobile or other machine produces sound  incidental  to its operation, this actually represents energy that is lost. Energy itself is conserved, but not all of the energy put into the machine can ever be realized as useful energy; thus, the automobile loses some energy in the form of sound and heat. The fact that sound is energy, however, also means that it can be converted to other forms of energy, and this is precisely what a  microphone  does: it receives sound waves and converts them to electrical energy. These electrical signals are transmitted to an  amplifier, and next to a  loudspeaker, which turns electrical energy back into sound energy-only now, the intensity of the sound is much greater. Inside a loudspeaker is a  diaphragm, a thin, flexible disk that vibrates with the intensity of the sound it produces. When it pushes outward, the diaphragm forces nearby air molecules closer together, creating a high-pressure region around the loudspeaker. (Remember, as stated earlier, that sound is a matter of fluctuations in pressure.) The diaphragm is then pushed backward in response, freeing up an area of space for the air molecules. These, then, rush toward the diaphragm, creating a low-pressure region behind the high-pressure one. The loudspeaker thus sends out alternating waves of high and low pressure, vibrations on the same frequency of the original sound. 5.3.3 The Human Voice As impressive as the electronic means of sound production are (and of course the description just given is highly simplified), this technology pales in comparison to the greatest of all sound-producing mechanisms: the human voice. Speech itself is a highly complex physical process, much too involved to be discussed in any depth here. For our present purpose, it is important only to recognize that speech is essentially a matter of producing vibrations on the vocal cords, and then transmitting those vibrations. Before a person speaks, the brain sends signals to the vocal cords, causing them to  tighten. As speech begins, air is forced across the vocal cords, and this produces vibrations. The action of the vocal cords in producing these vibrations is, like everything about the miracle of speech,  exceedingly involved: at any given moment as a person is talking, parts of the vocal cords are opened, and parts are closed. The sound of a persons voice is affected by a number of factors: the size and shape of the sinuses and other cavities in the head, the shape of the mouth, and the placement of the teeth and tongue. These factors influence the production of specific frequencies of sound, and result in differing vocal qualities. Again, the mechanisms of speech are highly complicated, involving action of the diaphragm (a partition of muscle and tissue between the chest and  abdominal  cavities),  larynx, pharynx,  glottis, hard and soft palates, and so on. But, it all begins with the production of vibrations. 6. Propagation: Does It Make a Sound As stated in the introduction, acoustics is concerned with the production, transmission (sometimes called propagation), and reception of sound. Transmission has already been examined in terms of the speed at which sound travels through various media. One aspect of sound transmission needs to be reiterated, however: for sound to be propagated, there must be a medium. There is an age-old philosophical question that goes something like this: If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one to hear it, does it make a sound? In fact, the question is not a matter of philosophy at all, but of physics, and the answer is, of course, yes. As the tree falls, it releases energy in a number of forms, and part of this energy is manifested as sound waves. Consider, on the other hand, this rephrased version of the question: If a tree falls in a vacuum-an area completely  devoid  of matter, including air-does it make a sound? The answer is now a qualified no: certainly, there is a release of energy, as before, but the sound waves cannot be transmitted. Without air or any other matter to carry the waves, there is literally no sound. Hence, there is a great deal of truth to the tagline associated with the 1979 science-fiction film  Alien  : In space, no one can hear you scream. Inside an astronauts suit, there is pressure and an oxygen supply; without either, the astronaut would  perish  quickly. The pressure and air inside the suit also allow the astronaut to hear sounds within the suit, including communications via microphone from other astronauts. But, if there were an explosion in the vacuum of deep space outside the spacecraft, no one inside would be able to hear it. 7. Reception of Sound 7.1 Recording Earlier the structure of electronic  amplification  was described in very simple terms. Some of the same processes-specifically, the conversion of sound to electrical energy-are used in the recording of sound. In sound recording, when a sound wave is emitted, it causes vibrations in a diaphragm attached to an electrical  condenser. This causes variations in the electrical current passed on by the condenser. These electrical pulses are processed and ultimately passed on to an electromagnetic recording head. The magnetic field of the recording head extends over the section of tape being recorded: what began as loud sounds now produce strong magnetic fields, and soft sounds produce weak fields. Yet, just as electronic means of sound production and transmission are still not as impressive as the mechanisms of the human voice, so electronic sound reception and recording technology is a less magnificent device than the human ear. 8. How the Ear Hears As almost everyone has noticed, a change in altitude (and, hence, of atmospheric pressure) leads to a strange popping sensation in the ears. Usually, this condition can be overcome by swallowing, or even better, by  yawning. This opens the  Eustachian tube, a  passageway  that maintains atmospheric pressure in the ear. Useful as it is, the Eustachian tube is just one of the human ears many parts. The funny shape of the ear helps it to capture and  amplify  sound waves, which  pass-through  the ear canal and cause the  eardrum  to vibrate. Though humans can hear sounds over a much wider range, the optimal range of audibility is from 3,000 to 4,000 Hz. This is because the structure of the ear canal is such that sounds in this frequency produce  magnified  pressure fluctuations. Thanks to this, as well as other specific properties, the ear acts as an amplifier of sounds. Beyond the eardrum is the middle ear, an  intricate  sound-reception device containing some of the smallest bones in the human body-bones commonly known, because of their shapes, as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. Vibrations pass from the hammer to the anvil to the stirrup, through the membrane that covers the oval window, and into the inner ear. Filled with liquid, the inner ear contains the semi-circular canals responsible for providing a sense of balance or orientation: without these, a person literally would not know which way is up. Also, in the inner ear is the  cochlea, an organ shaped like a  snail. Waves of pressure from the fluids of the inner ear are passed through the cochlea to the  auditory  nerve, which then transmits these signals to the brain. The basilar membrane of the cochlea is a particularly  wondrous  instrument, responsible in large part for the ability to discriminate between sounds of different frequencies and intensities. The surface of the membrane is covered with thousands of fibres, which are highly sensitive to disturbances, and it transmits information concerning these disturbances to the auditory nerve. The brain, in turn, forms a relation between the position of the nerve ending and the frequency of the sound. It also equates the degree of disturbance in the  basilar membrane  with the intensity of the sound: the greater the disturbance, the louder the sounds.