Breast Cancer What are My Options - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2542 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/02/06 Category Medicine Essay Level High school Topics: Breast Cancer Essay Did you like this example? DIAGNOSTICS (METHODS AND APPROACHES) Diagnostics is an expression that is derived from the word diagnosis. During the diagnosis process, it is advisable for a patient to seek multidisciplinary management so as to get accurate results and analysis. In a lay man’s language, multidisciplinary management is a form of patient care that entails the use of several disciplines and visiting different health professionals such as nurses, doctors, occupational therapists and psychologists (Radice Redaelli, 2003). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Breast Cancer What are My Options" essay for you Create order In such a case, health professionals work in a parallel manner so as to get consistent results and analysis. The most prevalent form of diagnosis or detecting breast cancer during the early stages is screening. In a lay man’s language, breast cancer screening is a procedure that involves a patient undergoing breast medical check ups before any symptoms or signs of the disorder. Essentially women who undergo screening are unlikely to suffer or die from breast cancer as compared to other women who do not take screening tests seriously. The effectiveness of the screening process widely depends on how frequent a woman visits a clinic or a hospital. A majority of medical experts suggest that the screening ought to be done at least every 3 – 1 years starting as early as age 20. By the age of 40 years, screening should be done at least once a year (Chang Weiner Hartman Horvath Jeste Mischel Kado, 2018). The only disadvantage associated with this form of diagnosis is false results which may force one to undergo more screening. This might turn out to be expensive and the patient may also subject themselves to more health risks due to radiation. Unlike screening, breast cancer staging is a rather long process that requires a lot of medical operations to assert whether or not one is a victim of the disorder. To begin with, one must undergo a physical exam. During the examination, the health expert asks several medical questions and reviews analysis and results done by different physicians or procedures. Reviewing results is manly done for patients who have been treated from the disorder. After the physical examination and review of results, a patient is subjected to either blood tests or breast – imaging tests (Chlebowski Aiello McTiernan, 2002). The reason as to why blood tests are important is that it helps medical practitioners to identify the medical condition or status of their patients. On the other side, breast – imaging tests are relatively important on the grounds that they help in determining the level or stage of cancer. In the event where breast cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, there is a need for additional image – tests. Thereafter conducting a critical research and analysis, breast cancer has four stages. They include; stage 0, I, II, III and IV. Each stage is characterized with the intensity of cell growths and tumors. For instance, a small tumor can be categorized under stage I. As the tumor grows and the cells continue to sub – divide, there is an upward progression from stage I onto stage II. If left untreated or unattended during the early stages, the disorder can progress from stage I till stage IV. Very few patients in their late stages of the disorder can be able to survive this international pandemic. As mentioned earlier, more than 230,000 women are likely to be infected with breast cancer this year. On t he positive side, this disorder can easily be prevented. In America there are more than 3 million breast cancer survivors. Unlike other common forms of disorder that can easily be regulated through certain health practices and operations, breast cancer cannot be prevented easily. Reflective of medical analysis and reports, it has been established that the only way to prevent breast cancer is to avoid risk factors that are associated with the disease. In a lay man’s language, the expression risk factor refers to anything that increases the chances of contracting a disease. To begin, age is the common risk factor. Essentially as one gets older, the chances of contracting the disease seem to multiply. Inherently this is the main reason why women who are above 50 years are advised to go for screening at least once in a year (Chang Weiner Hartman Horvath Jeste Mischel Kado, 2018). Reflective of this scenario, the best way to prevent the growth and development of breast cance r is constantly going for screening since age is a natural process that no one has control of. Another risk factor that is associated with breast cancer is lack of exercise and being overweight. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important when it comes to preventing breast cancer. According to a recent medical survey and analysis, it was established that overweight women who do not participate in any forms of exercises are prone or susceptible to the disorder as compared to women who engage in exercises and maintain a weight balance in relation to their age and height (Chlebowski Aiello McTiernan, 2002). Based on this medical information and report, it can easily be established that breast cancer among women can be prevented by encouraging women to keep track of their weight and engaging in different forms of exercises. Fundamentally exercises are very important on the grounds that they help in breaking down fats and oils and keeping the body physically fit. Unhealthy foods, drinks and cigarrete smoking are also leading factors in breast cancer. According to medical experts, drinks such as alcohol and beer increase the risks of a woman developing breast cancer due hormonal reactions. Foods that increase the tendency of a woman contracting breast cancer are sugar, artificial sweeteners, dairy products, grilled meat and animal products that contain a lot of fat such as eggs and red meat (Siegel Miller Jemal, 2017). On the other side, smoking also leads to breast cancer since it affects normal hormonal functions. Reflective of the information above, it can easily be established that breast cancer among women can be prevented or monitored by avoiding the indicated foods, regulating or quitting smoking. From a general point of view, breast cancer among women can be prevented by engaging in frequent exercises, taking foods and drinks that do not affect with the bodies hormonal process, quit smoking and cutting on weight. However, it is relatively important for one to comprehend that the ideas discussed above serve to help one reduce the risk of contracting the disease as breast cancer cannot be avoided. In some instances it is very difficult to prevent breast cancer as it is may be caused by risk factors that cannot be prevented such as ethnicity/race and genetics. In regards to several medical researches and experiments conducted recently, it has been established time and again that White women are likely to contract breast cancer as compared to Asian, black and Hispanic women. When it comes to genetics, it is estimated that about 10 -5 % of breast cancer among women is hereditary (Yates Knappskog Wedge Farmery Martincorena Gundem, 2017). Practically this means that the disorde r is some – how common among women who hail from families that have one or more people who have been diagnosed with it. TREATMENT OPTIONS In regards to treatment, breast cancer can be attended using several treatment options. They include; radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and lumpectomy also known as mastectomy. Thanks to the treatment options mentioned above, there are more than 3 million women who have survived from breast cancer in America only. Below is detailed discussion on each of the indicated treatment options. Lumpectomy, mastectomy Lumpectomy commonly known as breast segmental resection is a form of treatment that involves the surgical removal of a lump that has formed in the breast (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). From a general perspective, most people prefer lumpectomy as compared to mastectomy since it is a more conservationist method. Mastectomy is a treatment method that involves the surgical removal of the breast or the area that has been affected by the cancerous cells. Mastectomy is normally applied in the event where cancerous cells have spread and divided to form a huge lump that cannot be easily removed without interfering with physical stature of the breast (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). As much as lumpectomy is the more common of the two methods, it is important to ascertain the idea that mastectomy is the safest method as no cancerous cells are left behind. Hormone therapy Just as the name suggests, hormone therapy is a treatment therapy that involves the use of hormones to treat cancer. Hormone therapy also known as hormonal therapy or endocrine therapy is a form of treatment that works by inducing hormones into the body of a patient for purposes of stopping or slowing cancer from growing (Chang Weiner Hartman Horvath Jeste Mischel Kado, 2018). Fundamentally hormonal therapy in breast cancer is important on the grounds that it makes the tumor much smaller before radiation therapy and surgery. Hormonal therapy is also important on the grounds that it lowers or minimizes the risk that cancerous cells will ever come back, destroy any cells that have remained in the body. Reflective of this argument, it is clearly obvious that hormonal therapy is vital in that it helps in reducing lump sizes and the risk of the cancer from spreading or ever coming back. Radiation Radio – therapy commonly known as radiation is a form breast cancer treatment that involves the destruction of cancer cells that might have remained in the breasts after the surgery process (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). As much as people fear radio – therapy, this is the most effective way to ensure that any cell remnants in the breast are cleared off. Fundamentally radio – therapy processes involve the use of a special beam of energy such as x – rays and light rays to destroy the cancer cells. This beams are largely invisible to the human eye yet they are very significant when it comes to destroying the DNA of cancerous cells. As much as radiation affects cancer and normal cells, it is of relative importance to note that the rays affect cancer cells much more. Based on medical reports and examination, radiation is very important since it helps in reducing the chances of the disorder from re –occurring especially after surgery (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). As much as a surgeon might be able to remove all cancer cells in the breast of a patient, it is not a guaranteed that the disorder might never come back. A single remnant of the cells might cause a risk in the re – occurrence of the disorder. For purposes of avoiding any remnant cells from growing and developing to form a lump, there is a constant need for a patient to undergo radiation. Finally research has it that patients who undergo radiation are likely to live much longer and remain free from cancer as compared to other patients who fail to undergo the process. Chemotherapy Unlike hormonal therapy which involves the induction of hormones into the body system, chemotherapy is a form of breast cancer treatment whereby the cancer cells are monitored, regulated and destroyed after the patient is subjected to drugs. Chemotherapy popularly known as chemo also works to either treat breast cancer if it is detected in its early stages or ease the symptoms of cancer in the event where breast cancer has been detected at a late stage (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). When it comes to easing pain, chemo is used to stop tumors from growing as well as ease the pain that comes along with the disorder. It is of relative importance to note that chemotherapy may also be used with other forms of treatment so as to increase the survival odd of a patient. For instance, chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with radiation therapy and radiation. Reflective of this scenario, chemotherapy is used in shrinking the size of the tumor just before the indicated forms o f treatment. Drugs administered during chemotherapy can be introduced to a patient through different means. To begin with, oral treatment comes in form of capsules, pills and liquids that one is supposed to swallow. In regards to the Intravenous (IV) mode of treatment, the chemo goes into the vein while injection entails the administration of shots into the hip, thigh or muscle of the patient. Intraperitoneal chemo goes into peritoneal cavities while intra – arterial chemo goes into an artery that is responsible for causing cancer (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2016). Finally topical chemo comes in special cream that is designated for rubbing on the skin. In special cases, chemotherapy may be administered through ports, catheters and pumps. The type of medical treatment to be applied depends on the level of breast cancer or the patient’s suitability. For purpose of knowing whether the chemo is working, there is a need to visit a physician who will conduct physical examinati ons, medical tests (blood tests and scans). ADVANTAGES OF MEDICAL TREATMENTS Undergoing medical treatments is very beneficial when it comes to the health of the person infected with breast cancer. To begin with, the medical treatments offer an increased quality to life and health. Reflective of this example, the indicated treatment options all serve to fight the cancer cells. Lack of undergoing this forms of treatment means that the infected person is likely to suffer in bad health and consequently succumb to the disease. The indicated treatment options are also beneficial on the grounds that they help in reducing the size and growth of the tumor (lumps) in the breast. ? DISADVANTAGES As much as undergoing the indicated treatments is beneficial to the health of a patient. It is also safe to ascertain the idea that these treatments have their own disadvantages. Hence, the treatments are responsible for unknown side – effects that are responsible for numerous body stresses. A majority of breast cancer patients who undergo either of these treatment options mentioned above are perceived to be stressful and in bad mood. Another disadvantage of the indicated treatment options is that they are very expensive. Very few people can be able to afford and keep up with the expenses that come along with these treatments. Most lower class and lower middle class people cannot afford this treatment. CONCLUSION In conclusion, breast cancer is a form of cancer that affects women. Predominantly this form of cancer is characterized with the growth and multiplication of cancerous cells within the breast. In regards to treatment, breast cancer can be cured so long as it is detected early. Examples of treatment options that are available for treating the disorder are lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy also known as endocrine therapy or hormonal therapy. As much as breast cancer has different treatment options, it is safe to state that there are advantages and disadvantages that are associated with it. Reflective of the advantages, the treatment options lead to increased life quality and a reduction of the lump and tumor sizes. When it comes to the disadvantages, the treatment options indicated are very expensive and very few people can afford. The treatment options also have side – effects that are not well known. A majority of this side – effects affect the normal functioning of the body leading to body stresses and poor health generally. Breast cancer is a killer disease that should be seriously campaigned against as women all over the world daily due to the disease.

Life Is A Of Life - 1333 Words

Life is something that requires a considerable amount of physical and mental effort. Some are fortunate enough to have everything prepared for them. Such as some are born into money; some come across good fortune yet most work hard from the start to get somewhere in the world. It just all depends on how you were brought into this world. For some people, life is full of stress and hardships. That’s how life was for someone very dear to me Kimberly Domonique. She had it difficult from the start however, she chose not to let life get her down. When life gave her lemons, she made lemonade. Kimberly is from the island of Haiti, she moved to the states at the age of ten years old. She lived in Queens, New York with her step†¦show more content†¦She moved to New Jersey to get away from the violence and that’s when she started high school. When she got to high school at the age of fourteen years old, that is when she met other students of Haitian descent. She thought she moved away from the discrimination but she actually ran head onto it. In school the Haitians and the black Americans were separated voluntarily because of the same issues that occurred in Queens. The difference was that there were more Haitians in New Jersey and they stood together to defend each other. Meanwhile during the drama, she found her high school sweetheart which became her husband of twenty five years. Throughout the years of their relationship they went through several changes and hardships, they were blessed with three amazing kids who reside in the USA today. Life in Haiti was not a walk in the park for Kimberly. Now, school is extremely difficult and back then the competition for scholarships was at an all-time high. Not many people were wealthy. Most could barely afford to pay for school and only a small amount was considered well off. Placing monetary value on an individual’s life is measured not by the way an individual has lived, but rather the individual’s income; at least that is how society views life. Every individual values life from a different perspective. And while every human will find value in life, those values will not be the same as everybody else. Some people will value life as a privilege and believe life

Evaluation Of “Rome In The Late Republic“ Free Essays

There appears to be much controversy as to the reasons the Roman Republic ended. Mary Beard and Michael Crawford, both known authors for several works pertaining to ancient Rome, have teamed together and wrote Rome in the Late Republic. This book, fairly contemporary in its research, takes on the challenge of depicting reasons why the Roman Republic ended, and in explaining the reasons; they attempt to incorporate such issues as religion, political institutions, socio-economic attributes of the people, and outside influence into their argument. We will write a custom essay sample on Evaluation Of â€Å"Rome In The Late Republicâ€Å" or any similar topic only for you Order Now Beard and Crawford’s thesis lies in the portrayal of these issues in their relation to the fall of the Roman Republic and how their explanation differs from other authors and scholars’ interpretations. Beard and Crawford present their material in an easily readable, and quite short, manner. They have separated their arguments into that which the reader can comprehend and associate with outside information concerning the history of Rome. However, there is a problem, regarding the historical aspect, whereas Beard and Crawford do not give particular examples of historical events, or the like.It is not a problem if the reader has an understanding of the subject, but if someone were not to possess such knowledge, then they would be at a disadvantage, because of this lapse on the authors’ part. For instance, the statement, â€Å"As the political system came increasingly under the dominance of powerful individuals, so those individuals, tended also to monopolize links with divine,† does not provide an adequate perception to the certain individuals, which can be learned in other fashions to represent people like Julius Caesar, who served as Pontifex Maximus.Considering this lack of direct historical evidence, the book appears to be more based in a literary manner, with indirect historical evidence, as mentioned. In the literary sense, the authors give their supposition into why the Republic ended, in such sta tements like â€Å"The late Republic had witnessed the development of an elite culture drawing on both Greek and Roman traditions; this development was crucial to the functioning of the relatively complex structure of the Roman Empire† (24). It is made clear what the authors are presenting by their explanations and evidence.Throughout the book, Beard and Crawford divide their assertions into understandable chapters by separating, material like religion, political institutions, and socio-economic attributes of the people that provide a solid argument for why the Roman Republic ended. An example of the information provided concerning religion’s role in the ending of the Republic is, â€Å"religious means were used to gain political ends-therefore ‘true’ Roman religion had been perverted away from its proper use† (26).Later in another chapter, Beard and Crawford depict political institutions’ role in the ending of the Republic, with relation to contemporary intellectuals as, â€Å"It is difficult to comprehend political life at Rome in the late Republic. Not only are its structures and institutions alien to us; they were also in a state of disruption and change† (40). Finally, depicting the socio-economic argument, Beard and Crawford assert that â€Å"The pattern of the Roman conquest of Italy meant that in most essential respects there came to be substantial uniformity in social and economic structure throughout Italy† (79).These divisions that the authors present their argument and separate the material allow for a well formulated book. The final area that Beard and Crawford touch upon is challenging fellow scholars and modern historians. An example of their criticism is that â€Å"Ancient authors and modern historians treat the Senate (and to a lesser extent the equestrian order) as if it was, for all practical purposes, a hereditary body† (45). Following that statement the authors present their counter-argument.By mentioning other arguments, the authors give more legitimacy to their material. Another example of this is Some recent writing can leave the reader wondering why the assembly bothered to meet at all, seeing that the view of the elite was so bound to prevail. The elite had, in short, a vested interest in unity-which was, of course, not preserved in the political struggles of the late Republic. However, other historians gave the impression that it was exceedingly hard to become a magistrate or senator if you didn’t have a relative that was a senate, etc. 51). In this example, the authors’ argument is clearly opposite from what other historians claim. Beard and Crawford’s disagreements with scholars and historians are made known throughout the book. The manner, in which they do so, is by presenting both sides, then proceeding to explain why theirs is superior. This method allows the reader to comprehend the material related to the subject and to understand why Beard and Crawford’s contentions are better.Beard and Crawford’s book is an excellent supplement to studies in Roman history, because it provides a sufficient interpretation into the end of the Roman Republic, outside of the textbook’s straightforward historical evidence. Rome in the Late Republic is more of a literary source and by doing so the authors present historical evidence and material indirectly, though if reading a Roman history textbook at the same time, the reader should have no difficulty understanding what Beard and Crawford are trying to argue, concerning the factors related to the ending of the Republic of Rome.In conclusion, Bear d and Crawford do a good job of presenting their reasons for the ending of the Roman Republic, though more historical evidence would allow readers a better comprehension of the material. The book is helpful to those who want to learn more into the reasons why the Republic of Rome. How to cite Evaluation Of â€Å"Rome In The Late Republicâ€Å", Papers

Diary and Experience Sampling Research †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Diary and Experience Sampling Research. Answer: Introduction Research and analysis forms a constructive part of any study or research design. The research questions are based upon the present problem situation and points towards comprehending the plausible solutions for redressal of the same. The research questions are based upon analysing the puzzle for presenting a clear picture of the present situation. The puzzle is then broken down into parts and the components are separately dealt with. The current study focuses on the different aspects of social research and the various contributing factors for conducting a research study. The assignment has been divided into a number of components such as data creation methods and the advantages or the limitations attached with such methods. In order to design a research question there is a need to focus upon the basic definition of research. Here research could be defined as a systematic investigation or inquiry which contributes in developing the knowledge of a theory further. For the current assignment the research questions based upon a social issue in Melbourne had been taken into consideration. In this respect, the social research forms a small component under the vast umbrella of research. The research is conducted with a view to creating knowledge for the betterment of the social world. As commented by Fraley and Hudson (2014), the components of the social world are connected with each other in terms of procurement of services for the feasibility of mankind. Therefore, the disruption in one of the components can disturb some of the other elements too. Thus, formulating the research question is one of the pivotal components of research study and design. Therefore, a number of parameters need to be taken into consi deration during formulating a research question. A number of guidelines had been followed over here for designing of an effective research question such as framing relevant questions. The questions to be designed in terms of research and academic limits of the researcher should be manageable enough. The questions should be substantial and connected with original scenario. The questions should justify the objectives of the research thesis throughout and should be clear and concise. As mentioned by Rea and Parker (2014), a concise and clear content is easily relatable and are successful in generating sufficient interest in the readers regrading the research question. The questions had been designed with a view to offer sufficient scope for the explanation and detailed discussion of the learning outcomes of the course. However, for designing a research question which is socially and empirically researchable a number of detailed observations need to be made. Some of the data had been collected by talking to people, surveying or conduct ing experiments with people. However, as argued by Brinkmann (2014), often lack of sufficient support and participation from people can limit the scope of establishments of the research design. The research questions should highlight something perplexing and surprising. This helps in the exploration of new avenues or areas which had not been covered before. Data required for answering research questions The collection of data forms a governing factor for evaluation and analysis of the research questions. The data could be further divided into two major components that are primary and secondary data. The primary data refers to newly collected information, which has been gathered by the researcher for answering of the research questions. The secondary data refers to already existent data present in the form of literature sources and peer reviewed journal or articles. For the present research, the researcher has collected primary data for evaluation of the research question. The primary data are again both quantitative and qualitative in nature and here both have been considered. The data have been collected by conducting interviews and surveys where a part of the Melbourne residents where asked questions pertaining to the advantages or disadvantages associated with inculcation of energy efficient building practices. As reported by some of the Melbourne residents the use of energy effi cient components can increase the infrastructural cost of the buildings. On the contrary, some had reported that the use of such energy efficient devices could help in reducing the electricity and power consumption of the buildings as a whole. Therefore, the implementation of such methods is both economical and also maintains the social responsibility of maintaining an energy sufficient environment (Palinkas et al. 2015). Therefore, the researcher was put in a situation of fix where opposite views were provided by the participants of the survey. Therefore, empirical data were collected where the percentage responses of the participants were used for arriving at a suitable solution. The method of data creation forms a very important component of designing a research question. For the purpose of data collection a structured open ended interview questionnaire had been designed. The detailed responses provided by the participants regrading the benefits of limitations inculcation of energy efficient devices in constructing buildings in the Melbourne region of Australia. The collected responses were put into more concise and structured forms for further evaluation. A further quantitative method of data collection was used for generating statistical and empirical data. The questions asked over here were mostly close ended with limited options where the participants could only answer in a yes or no. Additionally, the questions with open ended answers were mostly objective in nature limiting the scope of further explanation by the participants. In the present research method unstructured questions had been encouraged by the researcher. Here, the course of conversation further determined the set of questions to be asked throughout the interview. For the research study three data creation methods which had been followed over here which are conducting of interviews, designing of online focus groups and framing of an online questionnaire. As commented by Goodman et al (2013), the designing of the focus groups would help in generating concise data. Advantages and disadvantages of data collection methods For the present assignment three different methods of data collection have been used such as designing a focus group, constructing an online questionnaire and conducting an interview. The methods have been compiled to arrive at a summative result which could be further expanded by the researcher. There are a number of strengths and limitations of each data creation methods which could be further analysed for selecting the best alternative. The selection of the focus group helps in conducting the research in lesser amount of time. However, as argued by Flick (2014), most of the times comparatively lesser number of participants appears for the interview than actually approached. This could hinder data collection process and further evaluation of the research questions. On the contrary, conducting an interview could help in the expression of interest by the participants. This also helps in gathering suitable objectives from the participants which could be built upon further. However, for the current study the process of conducting a survey for data collection had been most helpful. This is because the responses could be presented in percentages which help in eradicating any further biases. As argued by Ormston et al.(2014), a number of ethical considerations had to be taken into consideration over here which includes taking proper consent from the participants. Thus, forced participation or where limited information had been provided to the participants about the data collection process could be an unethical practise method. In this respect, further secondary data could be used by the researcher for referral and verification of his study design. However, there are limitations with respect to languages and keywords. Some of the journals are available in languages other than English which could limit the scope of research (Muraki et al 2017). Similarly, a reference to the secondary sources could help in arriving at more acceptable results. Conclusion The current assignment focuses on the concept of designing of research questions for arriving at a suitable conclusion. The study here highlights a research question where the use of energy efficient techniques for improving building standards in Melbourne had been discussed. Here, a number of parameters have been focussed upon by the researcher for designing the research questions. The emphasis had been given on designing more relatable questions which would address the social issue and the present problem situation faced in Melbourne. The major contributing factors over here are the data forms or the data collection methods which further governs the success of the research study. For the current research, primary data only had been taken into consideration where both quantitative and qualitative research design has been opted. The mixed methods along with the empirical and the statistical data help in arriving at as suitable solution. However, a number of limitations are faced in t he data collection method which includes the consent to be taken from the participants for conducting the interviews. Moreover, the participants should be notified about the interview process much in advance. The designing of the right focus groups serves as a limiting factor over here. References Boeije, H., van Wesel, F. and Slagt, M., (2014). Guidance for deciding upon use of primary mixed methods studies in research synthesis: lessons learned in childhood trauma.Quality Quantity,48(2), pp.1075-1088. Brinkmann, S., (2014). Interview. InEncyclopedia of Critical Psychology(pp. 1008-1010). Springer New York. Flick, U., (2014).An introduction to qualitative research. London:Sage. Fraley, R.C. and Hudson, N.W., (2014). Review of intensive longitudinal methods: An introduction to diary and experience sampling research. Gandomi, A. and Haider, M., (2015). Beyond the hype: Big data concepts, methods, and analytics.International Journal of Information Management,35(2), pp.137-144. Goodman, J.K., Cryder, C.E. and Cheema, A., (2013). Data collection in a flat world: The strengths and weaknesses of Mechanical Turk samples.Journal of Behavioral Decision Making,26(3), pp.213-224. Muraki, M. and Hirata, Y., Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, (2017).Drawing apparatus, lithography system, pattern data creation method, drawing method, and method of manufacturing articles. U.S. Patent 9,583,311. Ormston, R., Spencer, L., Barnard, M. and Snape, D., (2014). The foundations of qualitative research.Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers,2. Ott, R.L. and Longnecker, M.T., (2015).An introduction to statistical methods and data analysis. Nelson Education. Palinkas, L.A., Horwitz, S.M., Green, C.A., Wisdom, J.P., Duan, N. and Hoagwood, K., (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research.Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research,42(5), pp.533-544. Rea, L.M. and Parker, R.A., (2014).Designing and conducting survey research: A comprehensive guide. New Jersey:John Wiley Sons.

Aids And Your Essays - Sexually Transmitted Diseases And Infections

Aids and Your AIDS and YOU (May 1987) By Martin H. Goodman MD (this essay is in the public domain) Introduction: AIDS is a life and death issue. To have the AIDS disease is at present a sentence of slow but inevitable death. I've already lost one friend to AIDS. I may soon lose others. My own sexual behavior and that of many of my friends has been profoundly altered by it. In my part of the country, one man in 10 may already be carrying the AIDS virus. While the figures may currently be less in much of the rest of the country, this is changing rapidly. There currently is neither a cure, nor even an effective treatment, and no vaccine either. But there are things that have been PROVEN immensely effective in slowing the spread of this hideously lethal disease. In this essay I hope to present this information. History and Overview: AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Defficiency Disease. It is caused by a virus. The disease originated somewhere in Africa about 20 years ago. There it first appeared as a mysterious ailment afflicting primarily heterosexuals of both sexes. It probably was spread especially fast by primarily female prostitutes there. AIDS has already become a crisis of STAGGERING proportions in parts of Africa. In Zaire, it is estimated that over twenty percent of the adults currently carry the virus. That figure is increasing. And what occurred there will, if no cure is found, most likely occur here among heterosexual folks. AIDS was first seen as a disease of gay males in this country. This was a result of the fact that gay males in this culture in the days before AIDS had an average of 200 to 400 new sexual contacts per year. This figure was much higher than common practice among heterosexual (straight) men or women. In addition, it turned out that rectal sex was a particularly effective way to transmit the disease, and rectal sex is a common practice among gay males. For these reasons, the disease spread in the gay male population of this country immensely more quickly than in other populations. It became to be thought of as a "gay disease". Because the disease is spread primarily by exposure of ones blood to infected blood or semen, I.V. drug addicts who shared needles also soon were identified as an affected group. As the AIDS epidemic began to affect increasingly large fractions of those two populations (gay males and IV drug abusers), many of the rest of this society looked on smugly, for both populations tended to be despised by the "mainstream" of society here. But AIDS is also spread by heterosexual sex. In addition, it is spread by blood transfusions. New born babies can acquire the disease from infected mothers during pregnancy. Gradually more and more "mainstream" folks got the disease. Most recently, a member of congress died of the disease. Finally, even the national news media began to join in the task of educating the public to the notion that AIDS can affect everyone. Basic medical research began to provide a few bits of information, and some help. The virus causing the disease was isolated and identified. The AIDS virus turned out to be a very unusual sort of virus. Its genetic material was not DNA, but RNA. When it infected human cells, it had its RNA direct the synthesis of viral DNA. While RNA viruses are not that uncommon, very few RNA viruses reproduce by setting up the flow of information from RNA to DNA. Such reverse or "retro" flow of information does not occur at all in any DNA virus or any other living things. Hence, the virus was said to belong to the rare group of virues called "Retro Viruses". Research provided the means to test donated blood for the presence of the antibodies to the virus, astronomically reducing the chance of ones getting AIDS from a blood transfusion. This was one of the first real breakthroughs. The same discoveries that allowed us to make our blood bank blood supply far safer also allowed us to be able to tell (in most cases) whether one has been exposed to the AIDS virus

Free Essays on A Modest Proposal Jonathan Swift

for the first time. The utter irony, and sadism they must have felt, being compared to such perverse actions. It is probably safe to say that Swift threw more than a few stones with this essay, but more likely he directed a landslide toward the ruling government of that time.... Free Essays on A Modest Proposal Jonathan Swift Free Essays on A Modest Proposal Jonathan Swift Written in complete parody, Jonathan Swift addresses the issue of dealing with the poor in Ireland in his satirical work, â€Å"A Modest Proposal†. During a time when a caste system was a basis for government, and when the English who governed Ireland held Catholicism in disdain, Swift clearly threw stones with his essay. The author begins by blaming the existence of the poor for the hardships of the kingdom; this is complete irony, since it would be the existence of the government (as it were) that caused the hardships of the poor during this time period. In essence, the author is blaming the government and the politicians of murder by starvation of the poor due to heavy taxation. While it allowed the landlords and owners of the property, that the poor work so hard to cultivate, escape the heavy taxation, and only imposing what would amount to a token payment when compared equally with the taxes required of the poor. Swift even goes so far as to suggest that the way of life and suffering that is imposed on the poor is so bad, that they would trade an early, or easy death for the life the poor currently live. The reader is next drawn into a theory of being able to solve the problem of the overwhelming poor by saying that they can be â€Å"useful members of the commonwealth† (52). Going a step further, Swift states that his method will be easy in comparison to the high cost of caring for these individuals as proposed by others. And finally Swift reveals his theory to be the sale and consumption of the young infant stock of the poor. To be able to see the faces of the politicians as they read these words for the first time. The utter irony, and sadism they must have felt, being compared to such perverse actions. It is probably safe to say that Swift threw more than a few stones with this essay, but more likely he directed a landslide toward the ruling government of that time....

Buddhism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Buddhism - Essay Example This is achieved as a profound peace after a long process of liberation. In other words, Nirvana is the ultimate union with the Supreme Being (Hughes 38). Therefore, there will be tremendous ultimate joy in this experience, allowing an individual to be free from suffering and other related negative consequences of life. Unlike any other religions that have special time or day for their worship, Buddhism only considers its followers to go to the temples when they only have time or technically when they can (Brannen 30). However, in most of the time, Buddhists go to the temple on a full moon day (Guruge 60). In a temple, Buddhists find the best education for life. They call their temple a Vihara where there is a shrine room with large statues of Buddha and his disciples. A temple shows a complete manifestation of what Buddhism is all about. For instance, there are relics and available manuscripts about Buddhism found in the temple. Not only that. Considering the point that this place c ould be the best place for education, therefore there are remarkable rooms for lecture, meditation and library, respectively. Indeed, the temple itself showcases what Buddhism is all about and it is clear that it is in line with educating the people who primarily believe in the teachings of Buddha. There are many symbolism associated with practices and relevant beliefs in line with Buddhism. For example, Buddhists believe that placing flowers on the front of the Buddhist Statue would remind them of the thought that people will not live forever (Poor and Poirrier 204). Therefore, it is always an important principle among Buddhists to always act well in life. Here are some of the essential things they need to do in order to remarkably do the right thing in life. First, Buddhists believe that they should not hurt living things. This explains the point why it is forbidden for them to kill a cow or any other related living creatures. For them, the spirit or the spirits of gods live in th em they are so sacred that killing them is strongly opposed by the entire belief system linked to Buddhism. In addition, Buddhists are always reminded of the ultimate principle in life to not to take advantage of what is unseen. This means that this religion just like Christianity for instance believes that what is essential is invisible to the human naked eye. Therefore, Buddhists are encouraged to use not only their eyes, but every part of the senses that a normal human being possessed. The very point of this is to do the right thing in life which eventually helps them pave the way to achieving their ultimate joy in life. Buddhists are therefore encouraged to always speak kind words with their neighbours. This goes with the reason that they have to act the right way in order to generate harmony among others and therefore peace will prevail. Furthermore, for them to be able to use their senses correctly, they are discouraged to engage in drinking alcohol. Thus, one of the ultimate forbidden things that every follower of Buddha should practice is to never be involved in drinking alcohol. Buddhists believe that one essential reason why there are evil practices in the humanity is due to the influence of alcohol. When somebody is intoxicated with wine or any alcoholic beverages, a man might be out of control of his senses, and as stated earlier, these should be used properly. A highly intoxicated person with wine for

The Role of the United Nations in Defending International Human Rights Essay

The Role of the United Nations in Defending International Human Rights - Essay Example The United Nations is an organization which was founded in the year 1945, at the signing of the United Nations Charter by 50 countries, and it replaced the League of Nations, which was founded in 1919. Since 1948 there have been 60 UN peacekeeping missions, and thus far, close to 130 nations have contributed personnel at various times. As of the year 2007, there are now 192 United Nations member states, thus encompassing almost every recognized independent state. â€Å"From its headquarters in New York City, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings throughout the year. The organization is divided into administrative bodies, including the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, Trusteeship Council, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nationâ€⠄¢s Children Fund (UNICEF). The UN’s most visible public figure is the Secretary-General† (Wikipedia, 2007). The purpose of the United Nations from the very beginning was to maintain international security and peace, seek to develop friendly relations amongst all nations, try to tackle economic and social problems as well as humanitarian issues, and act as a hub for all nations to be able to act together so that as a result their actions could then be directed towards achieving good for the whole of the world.... The organization is divided into administrative bodies, including the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, Trusteeship Council, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nation's Children Fund (UNICF). The UN's most visible public figure is the Secretary-General" (Wikipedia, 2007). The purpose of the United Nations from the very beginning was to maintain international security and peace, seek to develop friendly relations amongst all nations, try to tackle economic and social problems as well as humanitarian issues, and act as a hub for all nations to be able to act together so that as a result their actions could then be directed towards achieving good for the whole of the world. One of the most major goals of the UN is to defend international human rights, and they are by far the most representative and influential organization in the world in this regards. They have worked dutifully and consistently in order to provide the most stable and secure international human rights and they are constantly striving to even further improve in these areas. The importance of this particular role of the UN has always been evident and present, however more so than ever it has been in recent years, particularly in regards to the complexities and troubles that have been taking place internationally. One of the most recent and significant troubles is that of the invasion of Iraq by the United States, which occurred on March 20, 2003, and which resulted in the winning of a quick military victory and the ousting of the government of Saddam Hussein. Although both the United States and the

Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Biology - Essay Example Before choosing whether to save seeds the farmer is expected to determine whether the seed is crossable with other seeds, in order to come up with new plants, that have an increased productivity, and their products are more refined. E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) in his presentation notes that the little organisms compose the foundation of the earth’s ecosystem. But, in addition, he states that the various organisms in the ecosystem relate closely to each other to come up with a stable and balanced ecosystem. Notably, the ecosystem would not exist if only one type of organisms existed. According to E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) , most of the organisms have not been discovered, though presently the scientists are making numerous attempts to find them. He reiterates that smaller organisms are the most important creatures, since they drive the ecosystem. The nematode worms are an example of these organisms. Their increased numbers enable them to effectively influence significant aspects of the en vironment. According to the research, E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) acknowledges that there are more than 5 million species in one ton of soil. He states categorically that scientists are not sure of the role that various organisms play, though they are convinced that they influence the form of the environment in a positive way. There are various organisms found such as algae and disease causing organisms. Some of the disease causing organisms include the bacteria, while some of them are harmful, the others are important to man. According to E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) there are more than 500 organisms that are found in the man’s bucal cavity. He also states that if a closer analysis is made, then someone might notice some microorganisms have their origin far from the earth, basically these organisms are aliens. E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) states that most organisms are very susceptible to various harsh conditions in the biosphere. Though human beings have made attempts to eliminate the organism s due to their harmful nature, they have not been successful. The various harmful practices that man engages in, and that threaten the survival of the organisms include: the habitat destruction such as the climate change, invasive species such as pathogenic bacteria, pollution, human population expansion, and overharvesting which leads to the extinction of certain organisms. E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) mentions that if such practices are not stopped, a half of the organisms will be eliminated within the next century. Some of the limitations that can be felt if some of the organisms are eliminated include the loss of important scientific research materials, a lack of environmental stability, and also the disappearance of some pharmaceutical products, thus, affecting wealth, security and the health in general. E. O. Wilson (n.pag.) acknowledges that the earth is on the edge of losing important scientific information and may lose various organisms even before discovering them. According to t he USA research statistics only 15% of the total organisms on the earth have been discovered. Hence, he proposes that human beings ought to preserve the environment and, at the same time, access the encyclopedia of life, which basically contains various organisms found on earth. It advocates that human beings should search for a new life, understand it, and help to preserve it. Vandana Shiva is an anti-GMO activist who advocates

Review of Maintaining Reproductive Health

Review of Maintaining Reproductive Health Researchers almost nerve conduct a study in an intellectual vaccum. Literature reviews can serve a number of important functions in the research process. Researchers undertake a literature review to familiarize themselves with the knowledge base. A thorough literature review helps to lay the foundation for a study, and can inspires new research ideas. Review of literature is defined as a broad, comprehensive in depth, systemic and crucial review of scholarly publication, unpublished scholarly print materials, audio visual material and personal communication. Review of literature is arranged under the following headings. Review related to reproductive health. Review related to menstrual hygiene. Review related to sexual behavior and sex education. Review related to sexually transmitted disease and AIDS. Review related to usage of contraceptives. Review related to reproductive health Neelam mann., (2010) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding puberty among pre adolescent girls in Vijaya English school at Hassan, In that study shows percentage of knowledge in each aspect puberty such as anatomy and physiology, characteristics of puberty, menstrual hygiene and sexually transmitted dieases, before planned teaching programme. Preadolescent girls are having below average knowledge on all aspects except menstrual hygiene. Over all knowledge score shows girls are having only 33.52% of knowledge before the administration of planned teaching programme. Post test knowledge on different aspects of puberty after the planned teaching program, on an average adolescent girls increased 80.71% regarding puberty. Jyoti vinod., (2008) conducted a study to assess the effect of planned teaching programme on knowledge, attitude and practice of adolescents in relation to the reproductive health in selected shelter homes in Mumbai, among a population of 60 adolescents in that 30 boys and 30 girls who were selected by convenient sampling technique and data were collected by self reporting technique. Findings shows that pretest knowledge score is 63% and post test score is 91% with regard to knowledge changed in the adolescence was markedly increase in boys and girls from 23% and 19% to 70% and 83% respectively. So it shows the effectiveness of the teaching programme on reproductive health. Jeyashri.G.Itti., (2007) conducted a study that to evaluate the effect of planned teaching programme on selected aspects of reproductive health among the rural adolescents girls. In the pre test 69.77% of the subjects had poor knowledge, where as post test scores showed that 96.5% of subjects had good knowledge. This result related to the post test knowledge (mean 34.35) scores showed that the adolescent girls had a significantly higher score on reproductive health than the pre test (mean 21.81). The t value of 31.30 was significant at 0.001 level of significance and the investigator concluded overall pre test knowledge about reproductive health was poor, there was need planned teaching programme, post test result showed significant improvement in knowledge of reproductive health. Zulkitli., (2000) conducted a study to assess the determinants of sexual intercourse among unmarried adolescents on sexual practices in Malaysia. Overall results shows that the propotion of unmarried adolescents who have sexual intercourse is about 13% boys, (18.8%) are more likely to be sexuality experienced than girls (7.11%) by religion, Buddhist reported last experienced (6%) followed by Muslims (12%) and others (21%) for the more, 72% of adolescent engages in sex without considering the use of contraceptives. So through this study the researcher concluded that adolescents need sex education during school period as early as possible. Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests to Heather Becker, PhD, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1700 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701. Review related to menstrual hygiene. Punitha., (2010) conducted study to assess the practice and problem in using pad or cloth during menstruation among the blind children. Research design used for the study was comparative-correlation survey. Sample size for the study was 50 blind children who used pad during menstruation and 50 blind children who used cloth during menstruation. Structure interview questionnaire used for validate the responses. In that there was a significant negative correlation between practice and problem of using cloth during menstruation r = -0.139 (p

The Presidency Of Andrew Jackson Essay -- essays research papers

The Presidency of Andrew Jackson In this paper I'll go over his presidency, focusing on both the highs and the lows of his two terms in office, from 1829-1837. The issues that I'll focus on are states’ rights, the tariff, the spoils system, Indian removal and banking policies; these controversies brought forth strong rivalry over his years of president. He was known for his iron will and severe personality, and strong use of the powers of his office that made his years of presidency to be known as the "Age of Jackson." Jackson served as delegate to Tennessee in the 1796 Constitutional convention and a congressman for a year (from 1796-97). He was elected senator in 1797, but financial problems forced him to resign and return to Tennessee in less than a year. Later he served as a Tennessee superior court judge for six years starting in 1798. In 1804 he retired from the bench and moved to Nashville and devoted time to business ventures and his plantation. In 1814 Jackson was a Major General in the Tennessee Militia, here he was ordered to march against the Creek Indians, who were pro-British in the war of 1812. Eventually he forced all Indians out of the area. His victory's impressed some people in Washington and Jackson was put in command of the defense of New Orleans. This show of American strength made Americans feel proud after a war filled with military defeats. Jackson was given the nickname "Old Hickory", and was treated as a national hero. In 1822 the Tennessee Legislature nominated him for president and the following year he was elected the U.S. senate. He also nearly won the presidential campaign of 1824. However as a result of the "corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay, he ended up losing. In 1828 Andrew Jackson became the seventh President to the United States. Instead of the normal cabinet made up by the president, he relied more on an informal group of newspaper writers and northern politicians who had worked for his election. I believe that this made him more in contact with the people of the United States, and with the public opinion and feelings toward national issues. President Jackson developed the system of "rotation in office." This was used to protect the American people from a development of a old political group by removing ... ...xas takeover to Martin Van Buren. Jackson was a powerful voice in the Democratic party even after retired. He died on June 8, 1845 on his plantation, the Hermitage, in Nashville Tennessee. Andrew Jackson was the first "peoples president." This comes from his youth in a frontier territory and his "people qualities" which helped him to be more touch with the people of the United States, and therefore the people of the United States took a more active role in the Government. He even went so far as to call himself the elected representative of all American people. I think that Jackson's strengthening of the powers of the presidency are the biggest influence to this day. He used the power of the veto 12 times (more times than all of his successors combined). I only wish that their was a candidate like that running for election in '04. When you gave this project, I though Jackson was a mean tempered Indian fighter who trashed the White House and found his way to office because he took over Florida and defended New Orleans Successfully. But I grew to learn that he was really a great president and did a lot for the presidency of the United States of America.

The Aging Special Senses

Vanessa McClain Anatomy and Physiology GE 258 Unit 9. Assignment 2. The Aging Special Senses Thursday, November 17, 2011 1. ) Age-related Macular Disease – Is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration: Dry form and Wet form. The dry form is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. A few drusen may not cause change in vision; however, as they grow in size and increase in number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision that people find most noticeable when they read. In more advanced stages, there is also a thinning of the light-sensitive layer of cells in the macula leading to atrophy, or tissue death. In the atrophic form, patients may have blind spots in the center of their vision. The wet form is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. These blood vessels leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing distortion of vision that makes straight lines look wavy, as well as blind spots and loss of central vision. They eventually scar, leading to permanent loss of central vision. They affect daily life in that there is struggle to do housework, studying, shopping, enjoying leisure activities and interests such as reading. 2. ) Glaucoma – Is a disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss because the aqueous humor does not flow out of the eye properly and fluid pressure builds up over time causing damage to the optic nerve. It is the second leading cause of blindness. It affects one’s daily life such as driving or playing certain sports . It causes contrast sensitivity, problems with glare, and light sensitivity which interfere with daily activities. 3. ) Cataracts – Are cloudy areas in the lens inside the eye which is normally clear. There are two types: Age related cataracts which appear later in life and congenital cataracts, that may be present when a baby is born or shortly after birth. Cataracts cause an individual to see halos around lights. In some, the glare from car ights become bothersome and driving at night may be dangerous. Although far sight is affected more than near vision. If the cataracts are bad enough, it can make reading more difficult as well. 4. ) Detached Retina – Is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue. Initial detachment may be localized, but without rapid treatment the entire retina may detach, l eading to vision loss and blindness. It affects daily activities because of the sudden appearance of â€Å"floaters†, (dark, semi-transparent, floating shapes) in the field of vision or a shower of black dots. These are actually red blood cells because all retinal tears bleed a little when they occur. ) It causes a loss of central vision, a loss of peripheral vision called the â€Å"curtain effect† and brief, bright flashes of light which may be most noticeable when you move your eyes in the dark. 5. ) Deafness (sensorineural and conductive) – Sensorineural hearing loss is due to damage to the pathway that sound impulses take from the hair cells of the inner ear to the auditory nerve and the brain. Conductive hearing loss is caused by anything that interferes with the transmission of sound from the outer to the inner ear. Both of these hearing losses affect daily life because you may experience difficulty localizing sounds or understanding speech in busy environments and participating in everyday normal conversations which can lead to social isolation, frustration, tension, anger, stress and depression. 6. ) Meniere’s Disease – Is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, though usually in one ear. It affects daily life because for some, sounds appear tiny or distorted and may experience unusual sensitivity to noises. In addition, you may experience a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears and unilateral or bilateral tinnitus. Some may have parasitic symptoms, which aren’t necessarily symptoms of Meniere’s, but rather side effects from other symptoms. Typically these are nausea, vomiting and sweating. 7. ) Ataxia – Is an inability to coordinate muscle activity during voluntary movement, most often results from disorders of the cerebellum or the posterior columns of the spinal cord; may involve the limbs, head or trunk. Affects one’s daily life because it can alter a person’s walking pattern. For e. . wide based unsteady gain with difficulty stopping, turning and problem walking in poorly lit areas. It can cause falls due to postural instability, difficulty with tasks requiring fine control and coordination, tremors during voluntary movement, slurred speech and altered handwriting. 8. ) Hyposomnia – literally means â€Å"less† sleep. I t is a condition whereby a person does not need as much sleep as a normal individual. Specifically, they sleep less than 6 hours per night, but are adequately rested. It may occur at the onset, during or at the termination of sleep, and is common among the elderly. It affects daily life because the person that sleeps less but feels they need more experience the same problems as the person with insomnia that cannot sleep more than a few hours but feel they need more. It affects everyday life and activities because it is usually accompanied by general emotional upset, depression, or anxiety. References Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss | Hearing Aid Know. (n. d. ). Hearing aids – hearing loss – help, information and blog – hear aids | Hearing Aid Know. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://www. hearingaidknow. om/2007/10/25/conductive-and-sensorineural-hearing-loss/ Detached Retina (or Retinal Detachment): Eye Conditions: Patient Care: U-M Kellogg Eye Center. (n. d. ). University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://www. kellogg. umich. edu/patientcare/conditions/detached. retina. html Manan Hearing Care | Types of Hearing Loss. (n. d. ). Manan Hearing Care | #1 Midwest On-Site Hearing Care. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://mananhearing. com/types_of_hearing_loss. html Meniere's disease – MayoClinic. com. (n. d. ). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/menieres-disease/DS00535 What is Cataracts?. (n. d. ). Consumer Reports: Expert product reviews and product Ratings from our test labs. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://www. consumerreports. org/health/conditions-and-treatments/cataracts/what-is-it. htm What is Glaucoma? | Glaucoma Research Foundation. (n. d. ). Glaucoma Research Foundation. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from http://www. glaucoma. org/glaucoma/what-is-glaucoma. php? gclid=CO2f2Jvns6wCFY3KKgodyH2rIQ hyposomnia (thing)@Everything2. com. (n. d. ). Everything2. Retrieved November 13, 2011, from

Free Essays on The Effects Of Media Violence On Young Children

The Effects of Media Violence on Young Children Abstract- The portrayal of violence in the media has an effect on all who witness it. This effect can especially be seen in young children, as they may be the more likely to witness violence through their specified programming. While the number of violent acts in children’s programming has increased in recent years, most research suggests that, past a certain age, children are not likely to engage in violent or imitative acts themselves as a result of this programming. The psychological development necessary for this stage includes the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy as well as the development of a conscience and awareness for others’ feelings (or empathy). Although the violence portrayed in the media has specific effects on young children, these effects may be controlled and often do not lead to actual violent behavior. Introduction- Witnessing violence can be a traumatic event for anyone to endure. These effects may occur whether or not the event witnessed is actually occurring. Media violence has been an issue in American society since the Vietnam War, when the media as well as the government had to decide how much of the combat footage would be broadcast. Violence portrayed by the media for creative or informative purposes can have devastating effects on those watching. Research indicates that there may be a connection between media violence and teenage aggression, suggesting parental controls on television viewing among these groups (Whitfield, 2002). The effects of violent programming are especially significant in young children who have not yet fully developed the skills for discerning fiction from reality. Although violence in the media has an effect on young children, these negative effects can be eliminated once the child reaches a particular age. Literature Review- Violence portrayed in the media encompasses the areas of television, movie... Free Essays on The Effects Of Media Violence On Young Children Free Essays on The Effects Of Media Violence On Young Children The Effects of Media Violence on Young Children Abstract- The portrayal of violence in the media has an effect on all who witness it. This effect can especially be seen in young children, as they may be the more likely to witness violence through their specified programming. While the number of violent acts in children’s programming has increased in recent years, most research suggests that, past a certain age, children are not likely to engage in violent or imitative acts themselves as a result of this programming. The psychological development necessary for this stage includes the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy as well as the development of a conscience and awareness for others’ feelings (or empathy). Although the violence portrayed in the media has specific effects on young children, these effects may be controlled and often do not lead to actual violent behavior. Introduction- Witnessing violence can be a traumatic event for anyone to endure. These effects may occur whether or not the event witnessed is actually occurring. Media violence has been an issue in American society since the Vietnam War, when the media as well as the government had to decide how much of the combat footage would be broadcast. Violence portrayed by the media for creative or informative purposes can have devastating effects on those watching. Research indicates that there may be a connection between media violence and teenage aggression, suggesting parental controls on television viewing among these groups (Whitfield, 2002). The effects of violent programming are especially significant in young children who have not yet fully developed the skills for discerning fiction from reality. Although violence in the media has an effect on young children, these negative effects can be eliminated once the child reaches a particular age. Literature Review- Violence portrayed in the media encompasses the areas of television, movie...

Discuss the goal of creating the volkgemeinschaft in the organisation of German society between 1933-45.

Discuss the goal of creating the volkgemeinschaft in the organisation of German society between 1933-45. Today I will be discussing with you, the idea of Volksgemeinschaft or national socialism, and the politics behind this Nazi belief.Volksgemeinschaft was an attempt by the German Nazi party to establish a national community of unified mind, will and spirit. It was the desire to establish a total state where the interests of the individual were strictly subordinate. As Hitler said in a speech made in October 1933, "National socialism, desires to safeguard the volk, if necessary even at the expense of the individual. It is essential that the individual should slowly come to realise that his own ego is unimportant when compared with the existence of the whole people".Volksgemeinschaft as a National Community identified the denial of all differences in origin, conditions, occupation, fortune, education, knowledge and capital. It sought out to make everyone feel equal and as a German whole.Hitler knew this movement could only be achieved by gaining control of all aspects of cultural and so cial life.[German vehicle tax registration issued to George ...Theatre, literature, the press and children's activities were all controlled by Nazis. The promise of the equality in a community became the effective means of National Socialist choice propaganda.In order to control information and propaganda, institutional controls were placed on the entertainment and communications industries. The Nazi Propagandists constantly set up and invented new ideas and events, in order to produce the alleged class and condition less community. An example of it was the so-called "potting Sunday". This is where everyone was to eat a pot of food to show that everyone is equal and that everyone from rich to poor could eat the same.Children were also educated with knowledge of the Science of the Races and continual encouragement of a total state.Those involved with this Nazi movement were only those of pure Arian...

World war one BOOK REVIEW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

World war one BOOK REVIEW - Essay Example Despite the economic focus of the book, it is written in a surprisingly easy to read style, and offers a deep thoughtful insight into the economic underpinning of the peace established in the aftermath of World War I. The book consists of several chapters describing the situation in Europe before and after the war, the peace conference and the Treaty, reparations, and remedial actions suggested by the author. One of the key points emphasized by Keynes throughout the book is the need for a non-vindictive peace treaty. The essence of this suggestion is that the victorious Allied states should minimize the burden of reparations and repayments borne by Germany. Keynes believes that settlement of frontiers and confiscation of property owned by the German governments would be a better solution because huge reparations envisaged by the Peace Treaty would discourage German domestic production and entrepreneurship. The result would be production of only subsistence minimum and eventual economic failure of Germany and its inability to pay the imposed reparations. Keynes claims that the negotiating parties were predominantly concerned by the political aspects of future peace and had almost no vision of the economic outcomes of the peace. The Big Three leaders balanced between the long-term political benefits of their countries, varying interests of their partners, and the public opinions of their nations. Thus, French Prime Minister Clemenceau perceived Germany as a potential threat to stability and peace in Europe, and a threat to security of his country. Therefore, France tried to make economic conditions of the Treaty as harsh as possible for Germany arguing that light economic penalties would result in rapid recovering and further strengthening of Germany. Keynes' position can probably be explained by the interest of his own country that was extremely concerned with the revival and further development of international trade which constituted the cornerstone of the country's economic potency. Lloyd George understood that Germany ruined by excessively hard economic claims of France and other Allies would seriously undermine marketability of British goods in the European market. The British representatives also viewed Germany as a potential barrier against Russia and reasonably considered that only country with healthy economy tied by strongly trade-based relationships could effectively fulfil such mission. No wonder Keynes labels Versailles as 'the triumph of political passion over economic reason' (p.16). Bringing forth a number of serious arguments, Keynes also predicts impoverishment of Central Europe and growth of radical nationalism. He brilliantly predicted not only failure of Germany to pay the imposed reparations, but also the process of hyperinflation that occurred in Germany after the war and the political victory of reactionist parties in the country. The prediction made by the author relies on comprehensive analysis of Germany's exports, imports, and other aspects of economic life.On the other hand, the death of millions Germans from starvation also predicted by Keynes never occurred. The list of remedies suggest by Keynes to avoid or mitigate the negative

Syria and Israel Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 12750 words

Syria and Israel - Dissertation Example It analysis certain key events during this period and brings to light the disparities in the interpretation of these events from Syria's point of view. The Brainchild behind the Syrian foreign policy behavior will be the charismatic President Hafiz al Asad who led the country from the 1970s up to the early 1990s. The paper further examine the period after President Hafiz al Asad in Syria during which power was handed to his son Bashar al Asad. The concentration here will be an interpretation of certain events like the disorder that resulted from the U.S. led invasion of Iraq and how the disorder created by this invasion has made it difficult to carry on with the peace process. Adding to these will be the recent developments in U.S.-Syria relations under President Bashar al Asad and how these development have been thwarting prospects to achieve peace in the Middle East Certain writers and politicians have made analysis in the Syrian Israel peace track and their analysis would also be of great importance to this study. According to Cobban (1991), the collapse of the communist bloc was a determinant reason for Syria's change of policy. He explains that because Syria had nobody to lean on she was forced to reshape her foreign policy to suit the demands of this new development in the Middle East and the World at large. This is important to this study because changes in world politics affected changes in Syrian policy towards peace with Israel. Hinnebusch (1991) holds that the reason why peace could not be achieved between Israel and Syria could be explained from the rigid nature of President Asad who stood firm to respect and uphold Arab principles. As a result he was never ready to accept Israeli demands especially if... The paper examine the period after President Hafiz al Asad in Syria during which power was handed to his son Bashar al Asad. The concentration here will be an interpretation of certain events like the disorder that resulted from the U.S. led invasion of Iraq and how the disorder created by this invasion has made it difficult to carry on with the peace process. Adding to these will be the recent developments in U.S.-Syria relations under President Bashar al Asad and how these development have been thwarting prospects to achieve peace in the Middle East. This report of the study entails a brief understanding of the theoretical framework that will guide the investigation in to the developments in the Syria Israel peace track. This specifically will be the realist or neo realist approach to the study of international politics. This is important to the study because it is this approach that runs through Syria’s positions during the peace process over the last seventeen years. Furthermore various U.S. decisions as the main negotiator in the peace process have been closely guided by the theory of realism. The approach of realism to international politics was born after the First World War. During this period it was widely held that other theories had failed, so it became necessary to seek for new theories that could give more meaning and understanding to international politics. According to this theory, human nature, character and the persistence of state power forms the basic foundation of international relations.

Philosophy of David Hume in response to Rene Descartes Essay

Philosophy of David Hume in response to Rene Descartes - Essay Example On the contrary, Hume responds by demonstrating his philosophy on empiricism whereby an a posteriori knowledge is required apart from analytical endeavor for such theory posits that matters of fact in the world may only be ascertained by perceiving through the senses. In the light of an empirical attempt for one to obtain certainty with truths that may be contingent, Hume necessitates engagement with observations wherein an observer becomes capable of designating philosophical connections with contiguity and identity of objects. Hume holds suspicion on Descartes’ belief on pure reasoning on the basis of arguing that causes and effects are physically adjacent in space so â€Å"the causal inference must be grounded in experience, not in any intuitive knowledge of ‘essences’†. If causes exist in reality, according to Hume, no reasoning can It is basically indispensable for Hume that humans understand how they are led to the factual goal by having resolutions to it sought through sensory experiences that are external or extrinsic by nature. Hume claims: â€Å"Even after we have experience of the operations of cause and effect, our conclusions from that experience are not founded on reasoning† that is why causal beliefs may not be treated an a priori for perceptions by sense establish a strong basis around a contingent truth that relies heavily on ‘matters of fact’ which are directly observed. Kant, nevertheless, argues â€Å"Have courage to use your own reason† in his attempt to address lack of enlightenment during his time for enlightenment in a man pertains to a state when the latter has overcome or emerged above his immature self. It is claimed that beyond man’s immaturity, there exists sufficient capacity to understand in the absence of external guiding principle and in this propos ition, the immaturity of an individual is considered to be imposed upon oneself and

Designing a Rewards System Essay Example for Free

Designing a Rewards System Essay When designing a rewards system within an organization there are several factors. First, look at the organization and focus on what matters most for that particular organization. Then focus in on the employees and what needs they have in particular. After breaking down the focus, you can move forward into creating a rewards system that not only fits but also everyone benefits from. † Reward management is concerned with the strategies, policies and processes required to ensure that the value of people and the contribution they make to achieving organizational, departmental and team goals is recognized and rewarded. It is about the design, implementation and maintenance of reward systems (interrelated reward processes, practices and procedures) that aim to satisfy the needs of both the organization and its stakeholders and to operate fairly, equitably and consistently. † (Armstrong, 2010) Look at the organization. What does the organization promote or goals it is working toward? Next, make sure the needs of the organization are being met. â€Å"Currently, many organisations are implementing or planning to implement, reward and/or recognition programmes believing that these will help bring about the desired cultural change. In some organisations, large amounts of money are being invested in these types of activities and some managers are required specifically to set aside a certain amount from their budgets for this purpose. † (Milne, 2007) If they are not met focus on creating a rewards system to include meeting the goals that at the moment are not being satisfied. Now to look at the employees and what they need. What will motivate them to perform better work? What is the age range within the organization so we can focus on what will better serve that population? After looking into the age check their work progress and see where there needs to be more and focus on setting up goals to get that area where it needs to be. â€Å"Recognizing employees for a job well done isn’t superfluous or magnanimous. It’s necessary. † (Zemke, 1988) â€Å"There was a study done with four groups that answered a questionnaire with twenty-five factors as to what would motivate them to work hard on their job. From the four groups only nine of the twenty-five factors were selected. The nine factors that were selected by these four groups are: 1. Respect for me as a person . Good Pay 3. Chance to turn out quality work 4. Chance for promotion 5. Opportunity to do interesting work 6. Feeling my job is important 7. Being told by my boss when I do a good job 8. Opportunity for self-development and improvement 9. Large amount of freedom on the job† (Kettner, 2002) All nine of these focus on how to build up the confidence of the employee and all owing them to know how well they are doing. Treating the employee like a person and not a machine is very important because it gives the employee a feeling of self and knowing it’s ok to be who you are as a person. This makes them comfortable to be there on the job. Providing good [ay is also very important because it shows the employee that you care and are rewarding them for their hard work while on the job. It also will make the employee want to stay with the organization because they do not need to go elsewhere. Giving the employee a chance to do the best quality work for the organization will give them a sense of pride in their job. If the employee knows that, there is a chance for them to be promoted through the organization they will work hard to be considered for promotion. Being able to do interesting work will keep the employee coming back because they are able to do different things which makes the job more interesting because they are not consistently performing the exact same job daily which will also make them feel that their job is important. Everyone loves being told good job! So as a boss, make sure you are informing your employees how well they are doing. Offer to the employee ways they can grow as people whether it is education or exercise. Giving them the opportunity for more development or just some improvement, they will be appreciative. Giving the employees freedom makes them more independent and lets them know that the organization trusts them to perform their job the way it is supposed to be done without someone standing over them constantly. After gathering this information, we can move forward with creating our own rewards system. First, we would create a chart showing the work and the progress being made. Then with that chart, incentives can be created for the employees to get to top of the list by making the most progress. In addition, incentives will be created for those that make the lowest amount of mistakes while performing their job function. This gives the employees some freedom to work hard on getting their performance up. Incentives will be in place for attendance also. Competitive pay will be based off performance and attendance. The better your performance is the better bonus and pay raise you will get. Your attendance will also affect your bonuses and pay raises. Keep your attendance up and consistent and you will be able to gain better pay bonuses. With bettering attendance and performance there will be opportunities for growth within the organization. The starting pay will be marginally based on experience and education. It will be fair and equitable to every employee. After setting up the chart with performance and attendance based incentives we can focus on creating a fair and free workplace for the employees. Set up the management center so they are accessible to the employees for guidance. The management system will also be in place for overviewing the employees from a distance without taking away from the employees ability to work as an individual. The management system will also be able to delegate tasks out to the employees that are performing at a faster or more effective rate. This will also allow the employees to be treated as individuals and not as a singular group. Next we would set up a system for growth and development that would include furthering your education and health needs. We work to offer help and assistance to other now we need to help and assist our employees. For education we will offer education breaks where you will be reimbursed for half of the amount spent on your college courses and supplies. This will allow the employee to re-enter school without fear of inability to pay. The stipulation will be that we will only reimburse as long as the course taken he employee completes and passes the course. The employee will be required to submit the final grade for the class and the receipt for the payment of the course and the supplies needed for the course. Next there will be a gym facility placed within the workplace that is available for the employees use before and after work and also during lunch or breaks. With offering the employee open use of a gym without having to pay will give them the help of not spending a lot of money on a gym membership that they may not be able to use regularly. It will also give them flexibility to use the gym whenever they want to without fear of it closing before they can get there to workout. With this rewards system in place every aspect of the employee and organizational needs are being met. The organization is running efficiently and effectively with each employee working hard to reach the incentive goals. The employees are working in an environment where they are comfortable and know they have every option available to them with movement and growth within the organization.

Factors Affecting Organisational Environment

Factors Affecting Organisational Environment One of the factors that affects organization-environment relationships is environmental change and complexity. The environment can be described along two dimensions which are its degree of change and its degree of homogeneity. The degree of change is the extent to which the environment is relatively stable or relatively dynamic. The degree of homogeneity of the environment is relatively simple (with some elements, a small portion) or complex (multi-element, much segmentation). These two aspects interact to determine the uncertainty facing the organization. The least environmental uncertainty is faced by organizations with stable and simple environments. The degree of homogeneity and the degree of change combine to create uncertainty for organizations. For example, a simple and stable environment creates the least uncertainty, and a complex and dynamic environment creates the most uncertainty. The University of Manchester provides exceptional learning environments which are highly int eractive online learning tools with our high quality, face to face teaching to provide all the students with a richer learning experience. The University of Manchester committed to creating contemporary, technology-rich and learning specs that bring students into the heart of a required learning experience through their investment in their campus and facilities. And they have the largest collection of books electronic resources of any UK university, and extensive coverage of Wi-Fi on campus. The university library is one of the largest and best-resourced in the UK. With more than four millions books, it also provides a collection of electronic resources unrivalled by any other British university. Professional library stuff provides every student with a full introduction to services, resources and how to make the most of them, and are also on hand throughout your time at the university to provide advice, training and help whenever you need it. And of course, if you have any special needs, facilities and help are provided here too. Manchesters IT provision is constantly growing and being updated to satisfy the rigorous de mands of the most computer-literate of students. But even if youve never graduated beyond a games console, theres no cause for concern.    The University provides guidance, training and support to help you keep abreast of the latest computer programmes and electronic information resources. When you become a student at Manchester, you will be registered for email, file storage and internet access. Computer clusters pepper the campus, many within individual Schools and halls of residence. The biggest computer clusters are located in the main Library and George Kenyon Building. Several of these clusters are open 24 hours a day. More powerful workstations are available to support specialist research applications. Organizations with dynamic but simple environment generally face a moderate degree of uncertainty. Examples of organizations functioning in such environments include music producers (catering faces relatively few competitors (diesel, Lee, and Wrangler), has few suppliers and few regulators and uses limited distribution channels. This relatively simple task environment, but also changes very rapidly as competitors a djust prices and styles, changing consumer tastes and new fabrics become available. Another combination of factors is one of stability and complexity. Toyota, Honda and Nissan face these basic conditions. After all, they must interact with consumer groups, regulators, suppliers and competitors. However, occurs quite slowly in the automobile industry. It is just like how the University of Manchester used the same concept of the environmental change and complexity. The second point of how environments affect organizations is competitive forces. Competitive forces is forces in the marketing environment or educational environment that are based on competition among customers and compete with other firms. As the organization looks out at its business environment, competition is a critical factor. Who is buying goods and services and who is providing them to those customers? Are there many competitors or are there just a few? Maybe none. Knowing what competitive forces exist helps an orga nization develop strategic planning to attract customers. As for the university, the university has a very high-quality research profile. In the first national assessment of higher education research since the universitys founding, the 2008  Research Assessment Exercise, the University of Manchester came 3rd in terms of research power after Cambridge and Oxford and 6th for grade point average quality (8th when including specialist institutions).    Accordingly, Manchester enjoys the largest amount of research funding behind Oxbridge, UCL and Imperial  (these five universities being informally referred to as the golden diamond of research-intensive UK institutions). Manchester also has a particularly strong presence in terms of funding from the three main UK research councils,   EPSRC, MRC  and  BBSRC, being ranked 3rd, 7th  and 1st  respectively. In addition, the university is also one of the richest in the UK in terms of income and interest from endowments: at a recent rank, it was placed at 3rd place behind Oxbridge. Historically, Manchester has been linked with high scientific achievement: the university and its constituent former institutions combined had  25 Nobel Laureates  among their students and staff, the third largest number of any single university in the United Kingdom behind  Oxford  and  Cambridge; in fact, excluding Oxbridge, Manchester has graduated more  Nobel laureates  than any othe r university in the UK. Furthermore, according to an academic poll two of the top ten discoveries by university academics and researchers were made at the University (namely the first working computer and the contraceptive pill). The university currently employs 4 Nobel Prize winners amongst its staff, more than any other in the UK. The 2009  THE-QS World University Rankings  found Manchester overall 26th in the world and 5th by employer reviews by receiving a maximum 100% rating which the university has retained since 2008. The separate 2010  QS World University Rankings  (in 2010  Times Higher Education World University Rankings  and  QS World University Rankings  parted ways to produce separate rankings) found that Manchester had slipped to 30th in the world. The  Academic Ranking of World Universities  2008 published by the Institute of Higher Education of  Shanghai Jiao Tong University  ranked Manchester 5th in the UK, 6th in Europe and 40th in the world . After several years of steady progress, Manchester fell back in 2009 to 41st in the world and 7th in Europe, falling back further to 44th in the world and 9th in Europe in 2010. Excluding US universities, Manchester is ranked 13th and 11th in the world for 2009 by THES and ARWU respectively. According to the ARWU rankings, the university is ranked 9th in Europe for natural sciences and 4th in engineering. Similarly the  HEEACT  2009 rankings for scientific performance place Manchester 5th in Europe for engineering, 8th for natural sciences  and 3rd for social sciences. And finally THES ranks Manchester 6th in Europe for technology, 10th for life sciences  and 7th for social sciences. More recently a survey by the Times Higher Education Supplement has shown that Manchester is placed 6th in Europe in the area of Psychology Psychiatry. According to a further ranking by SCImago Research Group Manchester is ranked 8th in Europe amongst higher education institutions in terms of sheer research output. In terms of research impact, a further ranking places Manchester 6th in Europe. According to the High Fliers Research Limiteds survey, University of Manchester students are being targeted by more top recruiters for graduate vacancies than any other UK university students for three consecutive years (2007-2009). Furthermore, the university has been ranked joint 20th in the world for 2009 according to the Professional Ranking of World Universities. Its main compilation criterion is the number of Chief Executive Officers (or number 1 executive equivalent) which are among the 500 leading worldwide companies as measured by revenue who studied in each university. The ranking places the University only behind Oxford nationally. Manchester is ranked 5th among British universities according to a popularity ranking which is based on the degree of traffic that a universitys website attracts. Also, a further report places Manchester among the top 20 universities outside the US. At a recent ranking undertaken by the Guardian, Manchester is placed 5th in the UK in internation al reputation behind the usual four: Oxbridge, UCL and Imperial. However, while as a rule world rankings (such as the ARWU, THES and HEEACT) typically place the university within the top 10 in Europe, national studies are less complimentary; The Times Good University Guide 2011 ranked Manchester 30th out of 113 Universities in the UK, The Complete University Guide2011 in association with The Independent placed it at 31st out of 115 universities whilst The Guardian University Guide 2011 ranked Manchester at 51st out of 118 universities in the UK. This apparent paradox is mainly a reflection of the different ranking methodologies employed by each listing: global rankings focus on research and international prestige, whereas national rankings are largely based on teaching and the student experience. The last point on how environments affect organizations is environmental turbulence. Environmental turbulence refers to the amount of change and complexity in the environment of a company. The greater the amount of change in environmental factors, such as technology and governmental regulations, and the greater the number of environmental factors that must be considered, the higher the level of environmental turbulence. For many reasons, environmental volatility and instability have been increasing for the past 100 years. Although often experience unexpected changes and upheavals, the five could still compete for the review and evaluation system, and development plans to address these issues.   At the same time, despite the changes in the environment or the occasional long-wave instability is not the most common form of the organization warned, there may be some form of crisis. One of the crisis is to get the attention of managers in recent years is workplace violence-situations in which disgruntled workers or former workers assault other employees, resulting often in injury and sometimes in death. The recession began in 2009 and concerns about the H1N1 (swine) flu virus in 2009 are other recent examples. The impact of crisis affects the organizations in different ways, and some organizations have developed crisis plans and teams. For example, during the H1N1 virus scare in 2009, one investigation reported that only 27 per cent of all United States employers had their plans for dealing with such a potential health crisis. In view of numerous problems, difficulties, and the environment in an organization, how should the organization adapt? Clearly, each organization must assess its own unique situation and adapt according to the wisdom of its senior management. Organizations attempt to their environments. The most common methods are information management; strategic response; mergers, acquisitions, and alliances; organization design and flexibility; direct influence; and social responsibility. One way in which organizations adapt to their environments is through information management. Information management  (IM) is the collection and management of  information  from one or more sources and the distribution of that information to one or more audiences. This sometimes involves those who have a stake in or a right to that information.   Management  means the organization of and control over the structure, processing and delivery of information. Throughout the 1970s this was largely limited to files, file maintenance, and the  life cycle management  of paper-based files, other media and records. With the proliferation of information technology starting in the 1970s, the job of information management took on a new light, and also began to include the field of  Data mainte nance. No longer was information management a simple job that could be performed by almost anyone. An understanding of the technology involved and the theory behind it became necessary. As information storage shifted to electronic means, this became more and more difficult. By the late 1990s when information was regularly disseminated across computer networks and by other electronic means, network managers, in a sense, became information managers. Those individuals found themselves tasked with increasingly complex tasks, hardware and software. With the latest tools available, information management has become a powerful resource and a large expense for many organizations. In short, information management entails organizing, retrieving, acquiring and maintaining information. It is closely related to and overlapping with the practice of Data Management. Other than information management, there is another way that an organization adapts to its environments is through a strategic respon se. If the market is growing rapidly as a company, the firm may decide to invest even more heavily in products and services for that market. Similarly, if the market is shrinking or without the possibility of reasonable growth, the company may decide to cut back. A related strategic approach that some organizations use to adapt to their environments involves mergers, acquisitions, and alliances. A merger is the combining of two or more companies, generally by offering the stockholders of one company securities in the acquiring company in exchange for the surrender of their stock. An  acquisition, also known as a  takeover  or a  buyout, is the buying of one company (the target) by another. Consolidation is when two companies combine together to form a new company altogether. An acquisition may be private or public, depending on whether the acquiree or merging company is or isnt listed in public markets. An acquisition may be  friendly  or hostile. Whether a purchase is p erceived as a friendly or hostile depends on how it is communicated to and received by the target companys board of directors, employees and shareholders. It is quite normal though for MA deal communications to take place in a so-called confidentiality bubble whereby information flows are restricted due to confidentiality agreements (Harwood, 2005). In the case of a friendly transaction, the companies cooperate in negotiations; in the case of a hostile deal, the takeover target is unwilling to be bought or the targets  board  has no prior knowledge of the offer. Hostile acquisitions can, and often do, turn friendly at the end, as the acquirer secures the endorsement of the transaction from the board of the acquired company. This usually requires an improvement in the terms of the offer. Acquisition usually refers to a purchase of a smaller firm by a larger one. Sometimes, however, a smaller firm will acquire management control of a larger or longer established company and keep i ts name for the combined entity. This is known as a  reverse takeover. Another type of acquisition is a reverse merger, a deal that enables a private company to get publicly listed in a short time period. A  reverse merger  occurs when a private company that has strong prospects and is eager to raise financing buys a publicly listed shell company, usually one with no business and limited assets.    Achieving acquisition success has proven to be very difficult, while various studies have shown that 50% of acquisitions were unsuccessful. The acquisition process is very complex, with many dimensions influencing its outcome. A  business alliance  is an agreement between businesses, usually motivated by cost reduction and improved service for the customer. Alliances are often bounded by a single agreement with equitable risk and opportunity share for all parties involved and are typically managed by an integrated project team. An example of this is  code sharing  in airline alliances. An organization may also adapt to environmental conditions by incorporating flexibility in its structural design. For example, a company in an uncertain business environment, relatively low levels may choose to use many of the basic rules, regulations and standard operating procedures of the design. The latter sometimes referred to as an organic design, is considerably more flexible and allow t he organization to respond quickly to environmental change. Organizations are not necessarily helpless in the face of their environments. In fact, many organizations are able to directly influence their environments in many different types of ways. The organization also influences their customers by creating new users for a product, stealing customers away from competitors, and also convincing customers that they need something more new and updated. Another way that an organization adapts to its environments is through social responsibility. Social responsibility  is the principle that companies should contribute to the welfare of society and not be solely devoted to maximizing profits. This responsibility can be negative, meaning there is an exemption from blame or liability, or it can be positive, meaning there is a responsibility to act beneficently (proactive stance). Specifically, social responsibility is the set of obligations an organization has to protect and enhance the societal context in which it functions. A number of organizations recognize that in all three areas of responsibility, every effort to meet each of them, while others emphasize only one or two areas of social responsibility. And a few acknowledge no social responsibility at all. In addition, the views of social responsibility vary in different countries.