Lifespan Human Development Essay

Lifespan, simply defined, is the utmost period of time that a living being can survive. Lifespan can also be applied to a material or object. For a human, the period between his birth and death is a process that is identified as the lifespan development. According to Rebecca Heron (2010), lifespan development encompasses all of the developments or changes that occur from birth throughout life. Others termed lifespan development as a series of events that took place in a person’s life that made him more knowledgeable or wise. Others call it journey. Everyone has their own stories to tell. No matter how sad or colorful one’s story is, it is still something that we can call journey. Let me start mine by letting you know something about me. I am a Latin-American (Cuban) male. I was raised in Newark, NJ and I am in my late thirties now. When I got married last 2004, I moved down to south Jersey. People say that I am a good listener and that I give a good piece of advise. Like every other teenagers, I can say that I gained experiences from my teenage years. Thanks for my best friend Denniz; she was always there especially during my rough times in relationships. She was my shoulder to cry on when I needed one. D. Boyd and H. Bee (2009) tell that there is a Learning Theory that can be applied in a person’s life. According to this theory, one’s development results from an accumulation of experiences. I agree to this concept because I can say that people goes through a lot of experiences in life. Love is a great experience. I can still remember being in love and being out of love but still moved on. With a friend like Denniz, who says life can be so tough? We used to hang out most o the time as I can remember but then she has to move to California during our late teens. We continue to talk over the phone, share each others’ stories until fate has to take her away. A terrible car accident took the life out of my friend and until now, there is never a day that I do not think of her. I know that whatever I am right now, she is a part of it. Living on the darkest point of my life, somehow, I manage to move on. In fact, I acknowledge the need for higher education that is why I pursue studying. I can say that despite the hardships I had, I also gained success. I manage to buy a home, getting married, being asked to speak at my GED graduation on TV, and simply being there to help my parents when they needed me most. I also value simple things like my dog licking my face, the warmth smile of wife, and sometimes, being very child like. I got hurt a lot of times. First, when my best friend died. Then, when I found out that my aunt died in a cold hospital room instead of spending her time with her family. I also got hurt when I was laid-off from my job of 14 years which made me feel that I failed my wife. Because of this, I make sure that I do not disappoint someone, especially my loved ones. I developed the hatred for failure. However, I believe that life is a form of trial and error. Whenever my actions did not produce the outcome that I wanted, I re-think and plan again. Until I am very sure that I will be successful. Intelligence and sensitivity are imparted to me by my parents. There are times that I am emotional rather than logical. But with a bundle of experiences that I have in my life, I learned to balance both of them when I wanted to be successful in the things I do or the decisions I made. I can say that I am in the middle of my journey now. I believe that there are more experiences for me to face and I am ready for it. I had become a better person because of the experiences in my life because it taught me how to be tough and move forward. Twenty or thirty years from now, I want to see myself obtaining a degree in nursing. It feels good that your parents and wife are proud of you. They had been there when I started this task and I want them to be there when I am successful. Of course, I also want to have children of my own where I can be a proud parent someday. I want to teach them what my parents taught me and am able to know that I and my wife have influenced them in a fine way. Now, I can say that my goal as of the moment is to change the relationship between me and my two older brothers. We did not develop expressing our feelings towards each other on our younger years even though we spend a lot of time together. As I age, I feel the need to open up more with them because our relationship as siblings becomes deeper. I’d also like to see my friend Denniz someday. I like to tell her what I went through and how she had become part of it. I’d like to tell her that she is never forgotten and that she is the best friend I ever had. I’d also like to see my aunt. I wanted to say sorry for not being there when she needed us. I’d tell her that we cared for her and ask for her forgiveness. Trials come at times when you do not expect it but with a strong bond with family and friends, it is easy to overcome. With all the influences I have in this journey of mine, I owe most of it to my family. From the hobby of watching movies, to being charismatic and even being open-minded about things, I got it from my family and some from my friends. They are most important to me. That is why disappointing them is the least that I want to do. I’d rather use my ability to make them laugh and see smiles on their faces rather than inflict pain on their hearts. References Bee, Helen and Boyd, Denise. (2009). Lifespan Development. Prentice Hall. Heron, Rebecca (2010). Definition of Lifespan Development, retrieved May 2, 2010, from http://www. ehow. com/facts_6066997_definition-lifespan-development. html

Nutrition in a Toddler’s year Essay

Toddlers grow rapidly, and it is important that they get the best nutrition possible during this time. Their brains develop quickly, and their bodies gain strength to be able to work, run and play. Proper nutrition will help ensure that toddlers will get the best start in life. It is hard enough to get toddlers to sit still for meals let alone keep track of how much they eat, the problem is are toddlers eating enough? And what gives with the days they suddenly eat as though they are wolfing down their last meal? Why the inconsistency? Rest assured that extreme fluctuations in appetites are fairly typical. They do not need to eat as much as they did when they were infants and their appetites reflect that. So while it is important to offer children there regular meals and two or three healthy snacks a day. (Think of it is six mini- meals). In this constantly expanded nutrition essay I will review the important nutrition issues from infant to toddler. How much food do they need? â€Å"Nutrition guide for toddlers† kids’ health.org the Nemours foundation 5 December 2012 http//Kidshealth.org/PagerManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealht&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=207387&art†¦ The toddler’s transition, especially between 12-24 months, when they are learning to eat table food and accepting new tastes and textures, babies grow at a lightning pace; 3 inches every 3 months. A toddler in contrast, grows at a much slower rate, only 3-5 inches in an entire year. While growth slows somewhat, nutrition remains a top priority. It is also a time for parents to shift gears, leaving bottles behind and moving into a new era where kids will eat and drink independently. Depending on their age, size and activity level, toddlers need about 1000-1400 calories a day. Refer to the chart below to get on idea of how much should be eating and what kinds of food would satisfy the requirements. Trust your own judgment and toddlers cues to tell if he or she is satisfy and getting ade quate nutrition. Nutrition is all about averages, so don’t panics if you  don’t hit every mark every day, just strive to provide a wide variety of nutrients in your child’s diet. For kids between 12 and 24 months, the 2-years –old recommendations can serve as a guide, but during this year toddlers may not be eating this much at least a first, when a range of amounts I given, the higher amount applies to kids who are older, bigger, or more active and need more calories. â€Å"Nutrition to variety† 1pch.org Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stamford, 5 December 2012 Http//www.1pch.org/DiseaseHealthinf/HealthLibrary/growth/tdlr.html. This article intended to toddler parents, offer helpful feeding information for toddler (age 1 to 3 years) phase can often be challenging when it comes to feeding. Several developmental changes occur at this time. Toddlers are striving for independence and control, their growth rate slows down and with this comes a decrease in appetite, these changes can make meal structure and set limits for the toddler. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services have prepared a food guide for children 2 years and older. The food guide can help parents and child eat a variety of foods while encouraging the right amount of calories and fat. The foods are divided into 5 groups plus oil: * Grain: Consumed each day whole grains food include oatmeal, whole- wheat flour, whole cornmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread. * Vegetables: Choose a variety of vegetables, including dark green and orange – colored, kinds, legumes, (peas, and beans) and starchy vegetables. * Fruits: Any fruits or 100 percent fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cup – up, or pureed. * Oils: Know the limits on fats, sugar, and salt (sodium) make most of your fat sources from fish, nuts, and vegetables oils. * Milk: Products contain calcium and vitamin D both important ingredients in building and maintaining bone tissue. Use low fat or fat free milk after age two. During the first year of life infants should be fed breast milk or iron- fortified formula. * Meats and beans: Meats and poultry, more fish, nuts, seeds, peas, and beans, can help improve toddlers behavior.

Health Care Communications Methods Essay

Nursing home administrator is a leader in a organization who not only directs its operations but is also responsible for setting the tone for different cultures. (Anthony Cirillo, 2014) The administrator is to make sure that the facility is running smoothly and that all patients and staff members are taken care of their needs. The administrator will be the one to make sure that patients are moved to other facilities, make sure the records are transferred correctly, and to inform the facility that they are being bought by another company. The administrator will also explain to each staff member, family members, and physicians what is going on in full details. The first form of communication when the nursing home administrator finds out what is going to take place is a written notice, this notice is to be sent to all parties that will be involved in the process of closure. A written notice can either be a good advantage or a bad advantage, it depends on how and who it is sent to. Written notice communication can sometimes confuse people who really do not understand the language of the letter this can cause some people to question the administrator and her work. Communicating by writing is also an advantage when it will be sent to physicians, staff members, and outside agencies, because they will understand what is going on and can respond with the necessary needs. (Michigan Nursing Facility State Closure Team January 2005) When the nursing home administrator finds out the facility is going to another company, the administrator is to inform the staff of what is going to take place with the facility. The administrator will communicate with them either by email, written notice, or in person. The advantage of communicating with the staff with email is that it’s fast and easier for the staff members to look at while taking care of their patients. Communicating with them by written notice is advantage because the  staff will be able to wait until their shift is over to read the notice and ask questions if need be. The administrator and staff must try to find other facilities that are available to take some of their patients. The administrator must make sure that all records are kept safe under the HIPAA laws while informing other facilities about the patients’ needs and treatments that they are receiving at their facility. Keeping patients records safe and in order will lessen the transfer of patients and help the families to get them settled into their new facility. The advantage of using social media is that facilities can open up communication that can lead to enhanced information discovery and delivery. It can also allow their employees to discuss their ideas, post their thoughts, and ask questions about what they should do. Social media will also target a different type of audience that can help with relocating patients, transferring patients, and the needs of families. (Society for Human Resource Management, 2012) There are some disadvantages to using social media for this problem and they are it could open up the possibility of hackers getting patients records or staff information. It can also lead to fraud, virus attacks and even overload of spam. Social media disadvantages could also increase the risk of patients and their families falling prey to online scams that could lead to identity theft. Lastly, employee could leave negative comments about the facility, staff members, and even the physicians about the work that goes on in the facility the good and the bad. (Society for Human Resource Management, 2012) There are several reasons that could affect the HIPAA laws and social media about this facility closing. One staff members could be posting on networking sites about patients and accidently say their name or condition, and someone figures out who they are talking about and this could cause patient information to get out. In addition, some employees could simply be discussing their day or an unusual health care case they saw, and they feel like that is not violating the HIPAA law. When dealing with HIPAA and social media when it comes to patients and the closing of a facility, everyone involved has to be on their toes and not violate the rules. Employers and employees must know how to communicate with social media without releasing any patient names or conditions, and not get into trouble  behind the HIPAA rules. If someone breaks the HIPAA laws and they are found to be guilty of the problem, there are sanctions that can be made against that person or persons involved. These sanctions could range from civil penalties ranging in the minimum amount of $100 per violation, to a maximum of $50,000 per violation of the HIPAA rules. These sanctions are for the facility that is an covered-entity under the HIPAA rules and regulations that they have to follow. (Dimick, 2010) According to Chris Dimick, â€Å"All workforce members of this facility are prohibited, with some degree of exceptions, from using or revealing individually recognizable health information (â€Å"protected health information,† or PHI) without a written authorization from that individual or family member for whom the PHI pertains to, and any permission must cover very detailed language to meet the terms of HIPAA.† Reference Chris Dimick, Privacy Policies for Social Media, JOURNAL OF AHIMA, Jan. 6, 2010, http://journal.ahima.org/2010/01/06/social-media-policies/. Best Practices for Voluntary Nursing Facility Closure, Michigan Nursing Facility State Closure Team, 2005 http://www.shrm.org/templatestools/hrqa/pages/socialnetworkingsitespolicy.aspx#sthash.vs6G9HGL.dpuf

Internal Recruitment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internal Recruitment - Research Paper Example This policy is mainly concerned about promotions where the current employees can be elevated to higher positions on the basis of factors such as merit as well as experience in that particular field. Performance reviews will be used to formulate such policy and the final decisions can only be made by senior management within the organization. Discussion of the characteristics that make such a policy effective There are various characteristics that make such a policy effective. A policy that has been formulated on the basis of impartiality is likely to succeed if carefully implemented in the organization. This entails that all promotions should be done without fear or favour and the results are likely to satisfy the needs of all the employees in the organization. In order to do this, the strategy of carrying out a job analysis should be carried out first before promoting the employees. Basically, a job analysis is described as a step by step process of obtaining information about a job that is done through identifying the skills, duties and knowledge required for taking that job in the company organisation (Grobler, 2006). When this information is available, informed decisions about promoting the right candidates are likely to be made in the company. This also helps the management to make a good job description that can suit the experience as well as qualifications of the employees within the organization who can be considered for promotion. According to Carell (1995), the most important rule when carrying out a recruitment exercise is that from time to time, the human resources management should always strive to attract job candidates with the required competencies and traits in order to be in a better position to perform the required tasks. The other characteristic that makes such a policy effective is that it should be based on talent inventory which is described as a database that contains the information about the pool of current employees (Werner, Schuler & Jackson, 2012). Talent inventories usually include information such as employees’ names, prior job experiences, performance and compensation histories as well as demonstrated performances. This is a very effective way of monitoring talent among the employees in the organization. This also helps the company to make informed decisions when elevating other employees to senior or higher position. Experience and previous performance are two very important factors that ought to be taken into consideration when making a decision about promoting certain individuals in the organization. This is effective in that employees who are selected internally have the knowledge about what is expected from them since they have been working in the company. Impact on employee engagement and retention There are several benefits that can be achieved from implementing an internal transfer and promotion policy in the organization. Of the several advantages of internal recruitment within a company, it can be noted that an increase in morale among the employees is one of the major one. In most cases, promotion often comes with other related benefits and these motivate employees to put optimum effort in their performance which also significantly helps to retain them. Happy employees in the

Complete a bcg matrix and answer questions Assignment

Complete a bcg matrix and answer questions - Assignment Example In most cases, business units categorized as Stars required heavy investments to ensure that the high growth and market share are maintained. At the moment, corporate car rentals are the stars within this business given their high growth rate and high market share. Dogs on the other perspective represent business units that trap cash given their low market growth and share (Griffin 223). Such business units therefore do not have the potential of adding a lot of cash into the business and they are related to the declining stage of the business. Refueling/fuel packages as well as miscellaneous accessories are the cash trappers. They have low growth and market share as well. Lastly, Cash Cows are business units with high market shares but a low growth potentiality (Griffin 223). In such business units, they were the previous stars and if serious measures are put in place they can generate more cash. Leisure car rentals formed the previous stars within this business. They can generate more cash if serious measures are put in place. The marketing manager should concentrate on the corporate cat rentals, leisure car rentals, and insurance adds on as a way of increasing cash whilst there should be need to reduce the refueling/fuel packages and the misc accessories, which continue to trap the cash for the

Racial tension Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Racial tension - Essay Example (US Census 2003-7).In colleges Africans Americans are half the rate of the whites, they are about 14% while the whites are about 24%.The improving Educational standards have promoted the improvement of race relations with in the African American and the white population.(Jackson 2008).Ever since the modern African American population has started to take more interest in education and more and more African Americans are graduating from the different universities through out America, and the percentage increase in African American literacy has gone up as well.(Jackson 2008). If we look at the history of race relations in America in the educational context the Afro American minority was largely suppressed in terms of education and learning opportunities. Racist attitudes locked the doors of opportunities for these enslaved people and even after they gained freedom the minority ignored education as a tool for survival. (Jackson 2008).They lacked the right of suffrage until the advent of the democratic trend of Civil rights and liberties and initiatives like the American Creed during the early 1940’s by Gunnar Myrdal. It was indeed Myrdal who wrote in his book famously (quoted in Jackson 2008) The ideals of the essential dignity of the individual human being, of fundamental equality of all men, and of certain inalienable rights to freedom, justice, and a fair opportunity represent to the American people the essential meaning of the nation’s early struggle for independence. . . . These tenets were written into the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and into the Constitutions of the several states. . (p. 4) These movements and initiatives were aimed at resolving their problems and to ensure equality and justice amongst all races. (Jackson 2008).A key role was played by Martin Luther king who was one of the pivotal leaders of the American civil rights movement. One of the landmark decisions/events in the

Leaders, History and Political Science Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leaders, History and Political Science - Article Example This paper outlines that the world is shifting from gigantic entity where every part was seen as separate to the other into a more interlinked entity through economic globalization and through the influence of transnational political organization and growth of population. Liberation on the other hand is actually the contrast of realism in that it sees both state and non-state actors as significant. It also views the international associations’ implications to define the performance not only of great powers but also of minimal powers. According to liberalism, states are disaggregated into entities where some of them functions trans-nationally.  This study declares that  women are still mistreated in different societies in the world today.   Distinctions between individuals with any given state or culture are much superior to differences between groups. Social standing, education, personality, past experience, belief structure, affection shown in the home and countless of other factors will influence human behavior and culture. For example in African cultures, women must stay home and perform all the house chores. There was also a belief that if the husband do not beat his wife, then he does not love her that much. This means that women were frequently beaten and mistreated without any form of defense because people believed that it was a sign of love therefore, there was no need of intervention. India has the men marrying women but   it is interesting to note that it is women who pay dowry instead of men.... A good example of such is the US policy toward Venezuela. The Venezuela President Chavez was bitter with US due to their denial to include Venezuela and other countries in America into United States (Restrepo 33). In fact, the whole of Venezuela was bitter and resentful with the US and that contributed to Venezuela president Chavez to make democracy in the country an intimidating influence to other people. He begun harassing the citizens of the country as a why to show his anger. However, US had to come in, its policy towards Venezuela was that democracy, and the leaders of the country should practice equitability (Shifter 71). In other words, every citizen in the country deserved equitability and democracy not harassment and enslavement. Therefore, it was individual leader; President Chavez who determined the content of US foreign policy to Venezuela (Restrepo 64). The same happened to Syria where US policy towards Syria was elimination of Assad from power due to his dictatorship an d unusual elimination of citizens particularly the University students who protested for murder of their colleague. However, this case was different in that the citizens of Syria supported United States’ policy over President Assad while in Venezuela; the citizens supported President Chavez although he denied them democracy (Shifter 82). 2. Compare and contrast the traditional Realist view of National Security and the Liberal view of Human Security. Are these two views always in contradiction to each other or could they be complimentary? In your opinion, which view of security should be paramount? The traditional realist view of national security is that the state is the main actor

Management (in general) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management (in general) - Essay Example The leader must communicate to its members so that as a group, they will know what to perform in order to achieve their goal. The leader will give a group of instructions that will guide the members of the organization. The instructions must be clear enough to understand well by the members. Decision theory is a general approach to decision making when the outcomes associated with the alternatives are often in doubt. It helps managers with decisions on process, capacity, location and inventory, because such decisions are about an uncertain future. Managers in other functional areas can also use decision theory (Lundy). According to Lundy, "Management is principally a task of planning, coordinating, motivating and controlling the efforts of others towards a specific objective".1 This definition covers the three major functions of management, viz., planning, implementing and controlling. It points out management is what management does, i.e., planning, executing and controlling group activities. Thus, managing is an art of creating favorable performance environment enabling the group to attain stated objectives and management is the body of organized knowledge, i.e., science which underlines the art. "Management is what management does" - points out the functional approach to management and emphasizes the importance of distinctive managerial functions which together give us unified concept of the process of management. Functions of management are also called elements of management. An analysis of the functions of management points out what management does. It also provides the basis for defining precisely the word 'management' (Drucker). Broadly speaking, a manager is called upon to perform the following managerial functions: 2.1 Planning When management is reviewed as a process, planning is the first function is to be performed by a manager. The work of a manager begins with the setting of objectives of the organization and goals in each area of the business (Sherlker). This is done through planning. A manager proves the present to find where he is and he then forecasts future objectives which will indicate where he wants to be. The alternatives to achieve the objectives are evaluated and the selected alternatives become the plan of action. 2.2 Organizing Managing a business is not just planning. It includes putting life into the plan by bringing together the executive personnel, workers, capital, machinery, materials, physical facilities and other things or services to execute plans. When these resources are assembled the enterprise comes to life. Organizing involves determining and noting activities needed to fulfill the objectives, grouping these activities into manageable units or departments, and assigning such groups of activities to managers (Sherlker). Delegation of authority creates an organization. It determines authority - responsibility relationship. These relationships must be properly coordinated to secure unity of organization. 2.3 Staffing Staffing involves filling the positions needed in the organization

European Tourism Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

European Tourism Marketing - Essay Example When the fear had somewhat waned, there was an influx of travel demand which has been slowly been dissipating leading tourism experts to dampen their expectations for year 2007. The United Kingdom is experiencing a demographic shift from married life to being single as shown by the rise in number of independent singles. According to the World Tourism Market Report single person households accounted for almost 30% of all households in the UK for the year 2005. Over the past 25 years, the average age of first marriage has increased significantly rising to 28 years for women and 30 years for men in 2005 as compared to the age of 22 for women and 24 for men in the 1980s. Without doubt, singles now represent a major consumer group in the UK. What is important to recognize in singles is that their lifestyle is now characterized by a focus on career and a busy social life. When it comes to holidays, therefore, many singles are looking for a wide variety of leisure services and activities that offer relaxation or help to alleviate stress created by day-to-day living. Furthermore, career-minded singles are more inclined to spend their higher-than-average disposable income on treating themselves, rather than on family life. This presents high return on investment potential for those targeting their travel products and services at this growing consumer group. According to the Euromonitor World Tourism Market Report 2006 report, tourism operators need to bear in mind that in order to appeal to a wide consumer base of single holidaymakers, they need to respond to the financial, social and emotional needs and interests of those who holiday alone. It is recommended that due to the prevailing social stigma associated with being unattached travel operators should focus their offering on safety, socializing and providing a unique experience to those who travel solo. As singles continue to dominate UK society, the phenomenon of holidaying alone is becoming popular. The singles market, therefore, represents one of the most potentially profitable and as yet undeveloped areas of the UK tourism industry. Singles, for example, are more inclined in adventurous holidays and extreme sports so hobbies, such as trekking, surfing, bird watching, horse riding or yoga, as well as spa retreats and exotic city breaks, are all niche markets which would do well to cater to the needs of single travelers. The consumer base of single travelers can be split into two different groups. On the one hand are independent travelers seeking thrills, and new, liberating experiences to contrast with their high-stress workload. On the other hand, however, there are those looking to potentially find a partner, using holiday operators as a form of dating agency. A specialist 'singles' travel operator can easily cater to both target markets. With the success of new concepts like speed dating and online dating agencies, such as www.datingdirect.com, www.match.com and www.streetcupid.com, holiday activities marketed as spin-offs from these dating

Samsung Electronics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Samsung Electronics - Research Paper Example Samsung specializes in mobile phones, tablets, televisions, DVD players, home theaters, digital cameras and other household appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and the like. Samsung focuses on innovation and it promotes its services through various global ventures and entities that are formed for such purposes. Samsung Electronics is a subsidiary of Samsung Group. According to the Financial times, Samsung Group was the world’s largest technological company in terms of revenue between 2009 and 2012 (Jung-a and Oliver, 2012). As of today, December 13, the stock value of Samsung Group on the Seoul Stock Exchange is KRW: 1,533,000 which is approximately $1,423 (Reuters, 2012). This is an appreciation over the previous trading periods which are shown in the chart below: Figure 1: Samsung Stock Levels between July 2012 and December 2012 [Source, Samsung Website] From the stocks levels identified above, Samsung is doing well in the field of business and it has commendable e fforts and results from its operations. The company is a leading firm in the consumer electronics industry and it continues to improve its services and offerings to consumers in different parts of the world. Samsung is represented in 61 countries around the world and it employs 221,000 people (Samsung Values and Conduct, 2012). The company is popular all over the world and it continues to invest in highly innovative technology and systems. This paper involves a critical analysis of Samsung’s systems and business processes and structure. It undertakes an in-depth analysis of the various components of the company and the industry and economy within which it operates her US wing. Industrial Structure The consumer electronics industry is estimated to be worth $260.7 billion in 2012 according to projections and estimates made (Elnadi, 2010 p4). This means that it is one of the world's largest and most lucrative sectors of business. The consumer electronics industry has an annual t urnover that is much more than the turnover of several small and middle-sized economies around the world. The industry's revenue base has increased by 30.6 since the 2007 business year (Elnadi, 2010 p4). This means that it continues to add up to its already consolidated financial worth and this shows that the industry is very progressive and it increases systematically with time. The main features of the consumer electronics industry is that it is highly competitive and customers in the industry are moved by brand loyalty (Elnadi, 2010 p4). The industry is moved by three main things: fashionability, innovation and it is research based (Kapur, 2009: p6). Consumers will always flock to buy a product that they deem to be latest and up market. Due to this, the companies in the industry like Samsung has to find ways of bringing new products onto the market to outdo their competitors. This therefore causes the industry to be steeped in research and innovation. In terms of strategy, the co nsumer electronics industry is ran through division of labor, a high degree of integration of different units often scattered around the world and it is affected by rapid obsolescence which sparks up the need for innovation to ensure survival (Mourdounloutas, 2011 p2). Due to this, the spate of competition in the industry is extremely high. The consumer electronics industry can best be described as an oligopoly. This is because there is the presence of a few, but highly capitalized large entities that are involved in

US Constitution and gun Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

US Constitution and gun - Research Paper Example However, not all these reasons have eliminated the numerous cases reported on a daily basis within the country of civilians’ improper usage of firearms. As such, civilian gun ownership led to a number of unnecessary deaths and injuries in the country. For instance, in most cases, the civilians cited that they needed to use these guns against fellow civilians in self-protection or to prevent a crime. Few of such cases rarely prove that the civilian had any justification to hold a gun against another civilian. Furthermore, the usage of guns in the United States has escalated to considerable levels whereby criminal gangs have ease of access to firearms for which to use in doing their criminal activity. This holds the entire country at ransom, as well as depreciates the level of security in the country. Many a times have irate minded, or persons with mental illnesses held civilians at hostage with firearms, and some even shot at innocent children and schoolteachers at an elementary school. As such, it is evident that civilian gun ownership requires a high level of discipline from the civilians. This is the key reason that civilians give for wanting to own private firearms. This is a valid reason especially considering the high rate of crime and insecurity within the country. It is no doubt that an individual will at one point come across a compromising situation that requires personal protection and self defense with the use of a gun, such as a rape scare for the women, a kidnap attempt for the rich, as well as a carjacking attempt for car and vehicle owners. For these reasons, a gun comes in handy, as the threatened individual will use it to protect himself or herself from the aggressor, and if lucky prevent the occurrence of a crime. Others keep guns in safekeeping at their homes for such cases of insecurity, especially in the event a burglar attacks their home and attempts to steal or make away with their property. The United

Health Care Conditions Essay Example for Free

Health Care Conditions Essay As we analyze the factors contributing to health care costs we must find a solution that provides high-quality care for an aging population. Improvements to modern medicine are prolonging life causing a schism between a health care system oriented towards acute care and the increasing chronic care needs of older adults. Studies do show that health care costs for older Americans account for one third of all national health care expenditures. This being said the average expenditure for health care services for adults 65 and over is nearly four times the cost of those under 65. More significant changes need to be considered given the financial crisis our health care system faces. Health care costs are not solely due to longevity; consider increased utilization, new medical technologies, general inflation, fraud, and waste and abuse. This paper will discuss one article to be used in my final presentation on health care for anaging population. Data collection procedures The study on chronic health conditions used a questionnaire presented to study participants by in-person and telephone interview using computer-assisted software. They also used the Statistics Canada Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) for age prevalence patterns and to show how chronic condition prevalence varies by age group. The use of the CCHS survey for historical data and comparisons is very appropriate for this study. The use of a questionnaire, while not ideal, is appropriate for the large number of participants. The survey sampled approximately 130,000 people aged 12 years or older. In-person interviews are the most reliable, but the downside to using telephone interviews using computer-assisted software is that participants may go through the questionnaire quickly or skip questions if they are unsure. Identity protection for research subjects Confidentiality is the protection of information that an individual has trusted you with and disclosed to you for a particular reason. Informed consent is a process in which the researcher explains to the participant what steps are taken to keep their information confidential and what would happen if there were a data breach. The participant then has the information needed to determine if this is adequate and whether or not to continue with the project. The article does not discuss the steps taken to  protect the identity of participants. There is no mention of patient record abstraction, personal information collected or informed consent. Reading the article, it is an assumption that the only information collected was the age and number and type of chronic conditions for each participant. Study reliability and validity The reliability of this study, that is, the consistency and repeatability of the measure is high. A question related to the number and type of chronic conditions experienced by each participant is reliable and is measuring one topic. The questionnaire meets face validity – it is a common-sense assessment and the question measures exactly what they want to study. Data analysis procedures To answer the research questions, the researchers used data from the CCHS survey to develop a baseline of the number of chronic conditions within certain age groups. That data was then projected for 25 years based on the target population which was derived from a model of the economic demographic system (MEDS) projection. The hypothesis, â€Å"The expectation is that, as the large baby boom cohort moves into older age categories, the overall proportion of the population with chronic conditions will increase† (Denton Spencer, 2010), is best answered by projecting the number of people in each age group based on historical data and factoring in immigration, emigration, mortality, and fertility rates. I believe this study is quantitative. It involves randomly selected participants, uses face-to-face and phone questionnaires, the data analysis is statistical and is presented in tables and graphs, and is used to recommend a final course of action. The study design is descriptive, also called observational. Validity is important in descriptive studies; the lower the validity, the more study participants you will need. â€Å"For an accurate estimate of the relationship between variables, a descriptive study usually needs a sample of hundreds or even thousands of subjects.† (Hopkins, 2000) Conclusion In conclusion, the study shows that more than two-thirds of the population over the age of 12 has a chronic condition and 90% of them are over the age of 65. The researchers believe that as the participants move into higher  age groups the prevalence of chronic conditions will increase, which this study proves. The prevalence rate in 2005 is 68.7% and the prevalence rate in 2030 is 71.9% which is an increase of 3.2%. But how does this affect health care utilization and cost? With a modest reduction in the prevalence of chronic conditions, one-third of the projected increase in health care spending could be cut by 2030. In this study, a modest reduction is described as reducing the number of chronic conditions by one. Those with three chronic conditions would be reduced to two, two would be reduced to one, and one would be reduced to none. The strengths of this study are the high reliability and validity of the data recorded from the questionnaires. The data analysis and projections based on the target population, adjusted for emigration, immigration, mortality, and fertility was the best option for this type of study. The weaknesses of the study were the inability to abstract data on chronic conditions from the medical records of the participants, and the exclusion of participants in institutions which resulted in an under-estimation of chronic conditions in older populations. Another weakness noted by the researchers was that there was no record of the severity of the condition. This does not allow for accurate accounts of those cured of the chronic condition during the study period. References Denton, F.T., Spencer, B.G. (2010). Chronic health conditions: Changing prevalence in an aging population and some implications for the delivery of health care services. Canadian Journal on Aging, 29(1), 11-21. Doi:http://dx/doi.org/10.1017/SO714980809990390 Hopkins, W.G. (2000). Quantitative Research Design. SportsScience, 4(1), retrieved online May 26, 2014 from http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0001/wghdesign.html

Difficulties and Challenges in Entrepreneurship

Difficulties and Challenges in Entrepreneurship Evidence suggests that small business stands a significantly higher chance of failure than a large business yet many small businesses survive and some dont. These gaps have been discovered that hinders the success of small firms in entrepreneurship, economies of scale, human capital implementation, limited resources, geographical location, and management skills. We operate in an increasingly global economy, which is highly competitive. Hence the importance of superlative management skill should be devised. It is highly crucial in ensuring that small businesses not only survive but grow in the quality of management, hence lacking key management services could limit the success of small business. The purpose of this literature review is to explain and critically analyse the work that has been reported on problems and challenges faced in entrepreneurship. Having identified these gaps I have established my topic, identifying the problem small business face in entrepreneurship. Identifying the key terms of the literature terminology is crucial as it includes the dependent variable and independent variables. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Why do small businesses encounter so many difficulties at start up point? What are the major problems influencing small firms in entrepreneurship? Is it relevant to acquire entrepreneurship skills before venturing into small business? RESEARCH OBJECTIVES To collect a variety of entrepreneurial ideas related to entrepreneurial opportunities via various techniques. To distinguish the importance of planning and give examples of how planning can surmount problems. To analyze obstacles and explain how these obstacles may impede creative thinking and generation of new ideas. INTRODUCTION According to Paula McCoy Pinderhughes, an entrepreneur is a person who visualizes or possesses a burning desire to make a change through hard work, dedication and determination, knowing that it will satisfy their ultimate personal and business objectives. To one businessman, an entrepreneur appears as a threat, an aggressive competitor, whereas to another businessman the same entrepreneur may be an ally, a source of supply, a customer, or someone who creates wealth for others, as well as finds better ways to utilize resources, reduce waste, and produce jobs others are glad to get (Hisrich Peters, 2002). The word entrepreneur is defined as a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. The term is originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish economist Richard Cantillon. (Bill Bolton and John Thompson (2004; 14) A literature search for a suitable meaning of an entrepreneur designates that it is rather easier to explain the worth of an entrepreneur. But it is hard to accurately identify who is an entrepreneur. A number of definitions are indicated in the literature. According to an article by Mona Abdulla (2009) states that typically, entrepreneurship means a business is being created with the express goal of fetching larger through an aggressive growth schedule. Entrepreneurship is a corporate development. This is the major challenge to any new business. Consumers are cautious about trying new goods and services. Most items being purchased today is frequently based on identified brand names and using familiar purchasing patterns. Apparently, it is easier for customers to procure the items or brand that they have used. Considerably, a new business must ensure that its target market are pleased with the brand, proper marketing strategy has to be taken for consumers to embrace a new product. This problem is sensitive to the immense amount of marketing clutter that most organization encounters. Getting rid of clutter is most especially difficult for new firms with limited budgets set aside for marketing and promotion strategy. Traditional methods o f advertising and consumer promotions may not be enough to get recognized. Company leaders must be sure to deliver on promises and provide a high quality experience especially on the customers first purchase, as bad experience often lead to fall in business. THE PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES Entrepreneurs have become one of the most active forces in the market, which is itself driving much of the worlds economic growth. This makes entrepreneurs very important from a macro-economic perspective. As the globalism of business becomes even more extensive, this impact will be felt. Entrepreneurs are already becoming a major force in developing nations and the economy worldwide. The process of redefinition is an essential component of a companys strategic renewal and therefore constitutes an important aspect of entrepreneurship (Guth and Ginsberg, 1990). It is through leadership strategies that the entrepreneur helps to facilitate the reflection of excellence (cornesky et al., 1990: 58-59; peter and Austin, 1985: 5-6) Todays entrepreneurial leader requires new people who does not depend on organizational superiority and subordinate theses contemporary leaders helps to create enhanced capacity in their people, who in turn become the steward of all organizational stakeholders (Mc lagan and Nel, 1995: 46-47) The scope of what entrepreneurship involves will continue to change and evolve, and yet there are some regular issues of how to start, finance and run a business. Companies that go internationally face the foremost challenge of integrating various types of acquaintance so that the organization as a whole can benefit (Zahra et al., 2000a). One ordinary factor for all entrepreneurs is the test of starting a business, searching for an innovative idea, passing the right prospect to venture into a business. Entirely entails organizing all the aspects so that the entrepreneur can maximise his or her goals. Most entrepreneurs also face problems financing their entrepreneurial project, as well hurdles within corporate rules. Except if one single handled the venture, getting money is a challenge that requires prepares funds proposals for loans and many more. We have so much in turn written on this phase of an entrepreneurial that implementing the very best would b e more of an advantage well as challenging. IMPLEMENTATION STAGE All said and done, passing this face ups and challenges, ordinarily one should expect to have smooth glide. Given the business has a good plan; the venture should carry on with less glitches, the execution process seems to be the real craft-or-crack point of an entrepreneurial venture. There are proposition that part of the problem is that ideal people for this process, Perhaps, there are wide varieties of skills needed at this stage, that an individual can not dwell on all of the skills. Alternatively, for entrepreneurs to be successful, identifying the key factors of their field would be very necessary, as they can easily get subcontractors who can fill the missing gaps. Perhaps looking at what different skills that can get a business started would be necessary. Such skills includes, marketing, workers, publicity, sales, communications, public relations, human resource, legal needs, government regulations, crisis management, risk management, natural disaster planning, insurance, te chnology, and the financial aspects of the organization accounts, bookkeeping, paying taxes, managing debt, and so on. One should take into consideration that without a strong technical foundation, the business cant be successful, an above all, the conceptual aspect of organization, are leadership, growth philosophy, ethics, and most importantly the exit strategy of the any organization. These are issues that we tend to overlook, yet it set the whole subject and direction that any business will take. CRITICAL CHALLENGES There are types of businesses that can be started on a small budget; one will need access to capital to fund the business, where the money comes from is less important, but the most important thing, is a need to be realistic about startup costs and being able to manage the funds well. Developing a, realistic, thorough and honest financial plan will help to avoid this mistake. New entrepreneurs often underestimate the length of time it takes for a business to become profitable and the amount of money they will need to invest in the business before its profitable. Employees responsibilities are limited to a narrow job description. According to Gupta and Govindarajan (1991), superior levels of awareness flows have serious implications for a companys control systems. Knowledge that is vital to sustaining and promoting entrepreneurship includes both expertise and market-based knowledge (Gupta and Govindarajan, 1991). However, at the start of a business, the entrepreneur becomes responsibl e for everything from exploration to development process as well as to product delivery to detailed account. This implies that there are field that will be beyond the owners area of expertise. Reckon upon the range of the business, it is possible that the organization does not have the ability to handle different responsibilities due to incompetent staff. It is important to be honest about your own limitations for the success of the company, seek out expert advice in such fields and the support of achiever in entrepreneurship. An entrepreneur does work harder for him/herself most precisely than you would ever work for any one. Building a successful business requires a large investment of your time. It will be important to schedule specific work hours. Setting goals can also help you to stay on track. To overcome these problems. It is important to remember that customers are interested in benefits as opposed to product or service features, and doing all you can do to stay on track would be the most to keep your business. JUSTIFICATION OF LITERATURE CONCLUSION How is an entrepreneur to deal with all this overload of challenges? To meet these challenges, subsidiary executives should also demonstrate higher levels of lenience for indistinctness (Gupta and Govindarajan, 1991). It is nice to know that there are resources one can count on such as, training programs, discussion groups, educational resources, professional associations, and publications to turn to for advice and support at all times.

Full Kinetic Chain Manipulative Therapy on the Knee

Full Kinetic Chain Manipulative Therapy on the Knee The relative effectiveness of full kinetic chain manipulative therapy and full kinetic chain rehabilitation in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Brief Synopsis of the Research Therefore in this study we aim to establish the effect of the KFC manipulative therapy alone, FKC rehabilitation alone and the combination of the two interventions on osteoarthritis of the knee. This will be done by means of a quantitative randomised comparative clinical trial. 60 patients will have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and will be randomly divided into 3 groups. The first group will receive 6 treatments using FKC manipulative therapy alone, the second will receive 6 treatments using FKC rehabilitation alone, and the third group will receive 6 treatments using FKC manipulative therapy combined with FKC rehabilitation. Subjective (Beck Depression Inventory, McMaster Overall Therapy Effectiveness Tool, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and Berg Balance Scale) and objective (Inclinometer) measures will be taken at baseline, 1 week and 1 month follow up. These results will be recorded and the data analysed using SPSS statistical package at a 95% confidence interval. Section B: To be typed in Arial 12-point font in one and half line spacing (expand sections to fit contents, but keep within the specified maximum lengths) 1. Field of Research and Provisional Title The relative effectiveness of full kinetic chain manipulative therapy and rehabilitation in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. 2. Context of the Research 1. Osteoarthritis is a very common condition, affects 9.6% of men and 18% of women aged >60 years worldwide (Woolf and Pfleger, 2003). 2. Although multi-factorial, falls cause nearly two-thirds of all non-intentional injury related deaths in older adults (Hawk et al., 2006). One of the causative factors is loss of hip and knee proprioception secondary to increased joint degeneration, thus by addressing these problems with the rehabilitation and/or adjustment there may be a decreased risk of fall. 3. There is research to suggest that applying manipulative therapy and rehabilitation to the full kinetic chain yields greater benefits for KOA patients than at home rehabilitation alone (Deyle et al., 2005), however this combination of treatments has never been compared against full kinetic chain manipulative therapy alone. 4. KOA stiffness, pain and dysfunction was shown by Deyle et al., (2000) and Deyle et al., (2005) to improve better when adding manipulative therapy to a rehabilitation program as compared to placebo and exercise alone, respectively. 3. Research Problem and Aims Aim: The relative effectiveness of full kinetic chain manipulative therapy and rehabilitation in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Objectives: i) To determine whether manipulative therapy alone is effective in the short term treatment of KOA in terms of subjective and objective measurements. ii) To determine whether manipulative therapy alone is effective in the intermediate term treatment of KOA in terms of subjective and objective measurements. iii) To determine whether rehabilitation alone is effective in the short term treatment of KOA in terms of subjective and objective measurements. iv) To determine whether rehabilitation alone is effective in the intermediate term treatment of KOA in terms of subjective and objective measurements. v) To determine whether manipulative therapy combined with rehabilitation is effective in the short term treatment of KOA in terms of subjective and objective measurements. vi) To determine whether manipulative therapy combined with rehabilitation is effective in the intermediate term treatment of KOA in terms of subjective and objective measurements. vii) To compare short term results and intermediate results, respectively. viii) To determine whether manipulative therapy combined with rehabilitation is effective in decreasing the risk of fall according to the Berg Balance Scale. ix) To determine whether rehabilitation alone is effective in decreasing the risk of fall according to the Berg Balance Scale. x) To determine which treatment method is more effective in decreasing the risk of fall according to the Berg Balance Scale. 4. Literature review Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disorder with a complex aetiology (Felson, 2000). It is characterized by focal loss of articular cartilage within synovial joints, associated with hypertrophy of bone (osteophytes and subchondral bone sclerosis) and thickening of the capsule, resulting in alterations in biomechanical properties (Woolf and Pfleger, 2003). It is a very common joint disorder, affecting mostly those above the age of 60 and can occur in any joint but is most common in the hip; knee; and the joints of the hand, foot, and spine (Symmons, Mathers and Pfleger, 2003). As many as 40% of people over the age of 65 suffering symptoms associated with knee or hip OA (Zhang et al., 2008), resulting in OA becoming the fourth leading cause of disability in the years 2000 (Symmons, Mathers and Pfleger, 2003). Although no cure exists, a number of treatment options exist to provide symptomatic relief as well as improvement of joint function. Amongst these are non-pharmacological in terventions, such as rehabilitation, manual therapies, acupuncture and electromodalities, as well as pharmacological measures such as oral medication and intra-articular injections. In severe cases, where nonsurgical interventions have failed, more invasive approaches may be needed (Scher and Pillinger, 2007). McCarthy (2004) compared the effectiveness of an at home exercise program on its own or when supplemented with a class-based exercise program. There was found to be a greater improvement in WOMAC score in the class-based exercise group (20.6%) than the at home group (8.8%). These relatively modest effects may be owed to inability of exercise to address a number of factors that prevent patients from maximising results from their exercise program. Fitzgerald (2005) identified quadriceps inhibition or activation failure, obesity, passive knee laxity, knee misalignment, fear or physical activity and self-efficacy as examples of such factors. The necessity for additional interventions to address these factors therefore becomes apparent. Tucker et al. (2003) compared the relative effectiveness of knee joint manipulation versus a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and found manipulation to be just as effective as NSAIDs in the treatment on KOA. Fish et al., (2008) had similar results when comparing the effectiveness of knee joint mobilisation against Topical Capsaicin Cream. Capsaicin has been previously demonstrated superior to placebo in many painful disorders including knee and general osteoarthritis. Pollard, Ward, Hoskins and Hardy (2008) applied a manipulative therapy protocol, consisting of soft tissue mobilisation and an impulse thrust to the symptomatic knee joint complex. This was found to have a statistically significant improvement in knee pain, mobility, crepitus and function when compared to the control group (interferential current set at zero). Pollard et al. (2008) also noted that knee treatment had a significant improvement in hip movement of those in the intervention group compared to the control group. This may be owing to the effect that treatment to a single joint may have on the full kinetic chain (hereafter FKC). A number of studies have been conducted on various joints of the full kinetic chain of the lower extremity to determine their effect on the knee. Cliborne et al., (2004) aimed to determine the short-term effect of hip mobilization on pain and range of motion (ROM) measurement in patient with knee osteoarthritis (OA). It was demonstrated that the presence of hip pain and pain on squatting, restricted hip flexion and/or a positive scouring test predicts a better knee OA outcome. Currier et al., (2007) suggest that pain over the hip, groin or anterior thigh; limitations in passive knee flexion and internal rotation of the hip; as well as pain with hip distraction predicts a favourable short-term response to hip mobilizations. In fact it was found that, based on the presence of one variable, the probability of a successful response was 92% at 48-hour follow-up, which increased to 97% if 2 variables were present. Iverson et al., (2008) suggest that the strongest predictor of whether adjus ting the lumbopelvic spine will decrease knee pain (in patellofemoral pain syndrome) is if there is a side-to-side difference in hip internal rotation greater than 14 °. The presence of this variable increased the likelihood of a successful outcome from 45% to 80%. These studies collectively show that correcting the various dysfunctions within the kinetic chain will have a favourable effect on knee joint dysfunction. However, there has yet to be a study that seeks to improve knee osteoarthritis by treating all indicated joints in the full kinetic chain. Few studies have looked at what effect combining manipulation and rehabilitation would have in the treatment of KOA. Deyle et al., (2000) applied manual therapy to the knee as well as to the lumber spine, hip and ankle as required. Additionally patients where given to knee exercise program to perform in the clinic on treatment days and at home. WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) scores are used to detect changes in the patients perception of function and quality of life, specifically related to the disease process. In this study, there was a 55.8% improvement in the treatment group as compared to a 14.6% improvement in those patients receiving placebo (subtherapeutic ultrasound), thus proving the effectiveness of combining manipulation and rehabilitation. Using similar methodologies, Deyle et al., (2005) compared an at home versus in clinic physical therapy program. Those being treated in clinic received supervised exercise, manual therapy to the F KC and a home exercise program, while a second group received at home exercise only. Significant improvements where seen in both groups, however the clinic treatment group had an improvement in WOMAC scores of 52% and only a 26% improvement was seen in the home exercise group. The author attributed this difference between groups to the application of manual therapy to the full kinetic chain. However, the clinic group performed the exercises under supervision and where corrected where necessary while the home group were largely unsupervised and may have performed the exercises incorrectly as a result, thus decreasing the benefit such exercises would have. One should therefore not consider the difference in group performance to be solely due to the addition of manual therapy. To date there is no study which compares the effect of manual therapy alone versus the above mentioned treatment combinations. Therefore there is a need for a study to determine whether FKC manual therapy combined with a standardised rehabilitation program is more effective than either intervention alone in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. 5. Research Methodology Design type: Quantitative comparative clinical trial conducted at the Durban University of Technology Chiropractic Day Clinic (hereafter DUT CDC). Advertising: [Appendix A] Old age homes and retirement villages throughout the greater Durban region will be approached, as well as advertisements placed on notice boards of DUT, community halls, shopping centres and places of worship. Sampling procedure: A sample size of 60 (n=60) will be selected by means of convenience sampling (Brink, 2006). Those individuals responding to the advertisements will be screened and accepted based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Telephonic interview: Patients are required to contact the DUT CDC telephonically to determine whether they meet the requirements of the study. This will be determined by asking the patient the following questions; * Are you between the ages of 38 and 80? * Have you had knee pain for longer than 1 year? * Do you have a history of trauma or surgery to the lumbar spine or lower limb? * Are you able to stand and walk on your own, with minimal need and/or without significant dependence on canes and walkers? * Do you suffer from a chronic medical condition that would require you to take regular medication? * Would you be prepared to have radiographs taken of your lower limb? If the patient meets the criteria for the study, a consultation will be made, at which they will be presented with a letter of information and informed consent form [Appendix B], which they will be required to sign. The following inclusion and exclusion criteria will be assess using a case history [Appendix C]; physical exam [Appendix D]; lumbar and pelvis [Appendix E]; hip [Appendix F]; knee[Appendix G] and; ankle and foot [Appendix H] regional examinations. Inclusion Criteria: A. Criteria, as developed by Altman (1991), requires a minimum of one of the first three clinical criteria below (#1, 2 or 3) for diagnosis of KOA (sensitivity 89 % and specificity 88%). 1. Knee pain and crepitus with active motion and morning stiffness ≠¤ 30 min (with age 38 ≠¤ 80 years of age). 2. Knee pain and crepitus with active motion and morning stiffness >30 minutes and bony enlargement (with age 38 ≠¤ 80 years of age). 3. Knee pain and no crepitus and bony enlargement (with age 38 ≠¤ 80 years of age). B. The following 4 criteria are all required: 4. Knee pain of ≠¥ 1 year duration and able to stand and walk without severe varus/valgus deformity and/or severe instability (Kellgren and Lawrence, 1957). 5. Diagnosis of concurrent subluxation/or joint dysfunction (S/JD) complex: a. Diagnosis of S/JD will be supported throughout using the PART(S) system. 6. A patient must have a score of ≠¥720 mm (≠¥30%) on the WOMAC scale to be included (Tubach et al., 2005). 7. No history of meniscal or other knee surgery in the past 6 months (Pollard et al., 2008). 8. A diary will be kept to monitor whether medication consumption is increased, decreased or stays the same. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Significant visual disorders, severe vestibular disorders, neurological and peripheral sensory disorders which may be a contra-indication to exercise 2. History of knee or hip joint replacement, severe varus or valgus deformity, instability, fracture and severe osteoporosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, or frank avascular necrosis with or without moderate or severe deformity, 3. History of significant lumbar herniated disc injury with sequela, 4. Severe balance and proprioception problems (i.e. inability to stand with and/or without marked spinal or hip deformity) 5. Symptoms of moderate to severe osteoarthritis in both knees and/or hips: Note: both knees can be treated if there is KOA or joint dysfunction in the opposite knee and otherwise no other severe complications as noted above. However, only data collected from the worst knee will be used for the purpose of the study. 6. Long term chronicity combined with multiple treatment failure especially multiple failure with previous physical treatment (≠¥ 3), with and/or long term severe pain, and/or a severely complicated or complex disorder (such as multiple co-morbidities combined with KOA such as a mix of: knee, hip and lumbosacral OA, and/or cardiovascular and/or auto-immune disease), or a severely disabled and/or a patient with severe and decreased functional ability and/or a severe clinical depression, may lead on a case by case basis, to exclusion. A basic guide for #6 to be used on a case by case basis: I. Pain: The patient gives a history that can be interpreted as having stayed constantly or chronically at a high level of an estimated verbal analogue score (VAS) of ≠¥ 7 or WOMAC score of 1680-1920mm (70-80%) (out of a maximum worst score of 2400mm) for 3 to 5 years or longer. II. Complicated or complex: 3 or more disorders at one time in the same patient (with KOA) as listed from #1-5 above. III. Severely disabled: dependent on a cane, brace or walker 75 to 100% of the time when ambulating; severe cardiovascular disease; severe instability in the knee or other joints or possibly less than, or markedly less than half the normal ROM. IV. Clinically depressed: determined by history and use the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BDI has been validated for measuring depression in clinical and nonclinical settings (Beck et al., 1961). Radiological analysis: Although diagnosis of KOA will be made primarily through clinical examination, knee x-rays will be taken on patients who qualify and consent to participate in the clinical trial. The purpose is to determine the grade of osteoarthritic change (according to the Kellgren-Lawrence scale (reference)), to confirm suspicions of contra-indications to treatment, or to rule out a pathology outside of OA. Additionally, the subjects history and physical examination may indicate the need for lumbosacral/pelvic, hip, ankle and/or foot x-rays (see exclusion criteria below). Procedure: Time Baseline 2 weeks 4 weeks 6 weeks 1 week F/U 1 month F/U # Rx 2 2 2 Outcome measurement WOMAC ROM BBS BDI WOMAC OTE ROM BBS BDI WOMAC OTE ROM BBS BDI Once accepted into the study, patients will be randomly allocated into 3 (three) groups using a randomised allocation chart (reference). Interventions: Group A will be treated with only manipulative therapy of the FKC. Group B will be treated with only rehabilitation of the FKC. Group C will be treated with manipulative therapy combined with rehabilitation of the FKC. Manipulative therapy: [Appendix I] FKC manipulative therapy (manipulative therapy to the knee, and any indicated axial or appendicular joint dysfunction, such as to the spine, hip, ankle, and foot) for KOA has been hypothesized as superior to localised manipulative therapy (Deyle et al., 2005). Treatment will focus on carefully restoring knee flexion and extension by lesser grades of mobilization as recommended by Deyle et al., (2005) and Fish et al., (2008), and patellar mobilization as per Pollard et al., (2008), along with careful high velocity low amplitude axial elongation of the knee joint as per Fish et al., (2008). Additionally, manipulative therapy will be applied where needed to the full kinetic chain using other diversified techniques, such as HVLA manipulation or mobilization as outlined in Shafer and Faye (1990), and/or Peterson and Bergman (2002). Also, the hip technique, as outlined by Hoeksma et al., (2004) and the use of HVLA knee manipulation methods from Tucker et al., (2005) will also be utilized when indicated. The particular joint dysfunction also known as the subluxation complex or manipulable lesion will be chosen based upon findings in the regional examinations. Rehabilitation: [Appendix J] Rehabilitative therapy will include exercises, focused soft tissue treatment and stretch to the knee and elsewhere along the full kinetic chain where needed based upon functional assessment (Deyle et al., 2005). Also included in rehabilitation will be patient advice, education and home exercise recommendations for managing their KOA. The rehabilitation protocol will be standardised across groups B and C, with minor case by case variations. Intervention frequency: All patient will receive: 6 treatments in the first three (3) weeks (2x treatments/week). Training in a rehabilitation program, to be completed daily. Regular telephonic communication (every 1-2 weeks) following the completion of the 6th treatment. All groups will be required to return to the clinic no more than one (1) week after the 6th treatment and at the one (1) month follow up to have readings taken. Measurement Tools: All data will be collected previsit 1, no more than 1 week after 6th treatment and at 1 month follow up, with the exception of OTE which will not be collected at previsit 1. Subjective data will b obtained by means of; Beck Depression Inventory [Appendix K] The McMaster Overall Therapy Effectiveness (OTE) Tool [Appendix L] will be used to assess patient satisfaction and general improvement. o The OTE is a valid and reliable questionnaire that allows the patient to classify the change in their health status: whether their KOA symptoms, or overall quality of life has improved, remained the same, or worsened since the last visit (Chan et al., 2006) The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) [Appendix M] detects change in function and quality of life in patients suffering from KOA using multiple questions with the visual analogy scale (VAS). o The WOMAC is valid and reliable for KOA, and has a long history of being broadly and frequently utilized to assess knee and hip OA, thus allowing comparison to a large number of studies and trials (Bellamy et al., 1988). Berg Balance Scale (BBS) questionnaire [Appendix N] is a predictor of fall risk and will be delivered if the one legged standing test is failed (Hawk et al., 2006)). KOA patients who are +ve for the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) will be monitored as a subgroup (with a + OLST and BBS) at all clinic assessments Objective data will be obtained by means of: Inclinometer [Appendix O] readings for knee flexion and extension only to evaluate the patients range of motion (ROM) (reference). Statistics: The latest version of SPSS will be used to analyse the data. 6. Plan of Research Activities Provide a summarised work plan for each year of the project giving information for each research activity per year, under the following headings: Activity Timeframes (target dates for the duration of the project) 7. Structure of Dissertation / Thesis Chapters 1. Introduction 2. Review of the related literature 3. Subjects and methods 4. Results 5. Discussion 6. Recommendations and conclusions 7. References 8. Potential Outputs  § Provide details on envisaged measurable outputs (e.g. publications, patents, students, etc.);  § Expected national and/or international acclaim for the research and contribution of research outputs to building the knowledge base;  § Exploitability of outputs, e.g. applicability to community development, improved products, processes, services in SA, region and/or continent;  § Expected effects of research results. 9. Key References Brink, H. 2006. Fundamentals of research methodologies for health care professional. 2nd edition. Juta and co. Cape Town. Cliborne, A., Wainner, R., Rhon, D., Judd, C., Fee, T., Matekel, R., and Whiteman, J. 2004. Clinical hip tests and a functional squat test in patients with knee osteoarthritis: reliability, prevalence of positive test findings, and short-term response to hip mobilization. Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy, November; 34(11): 676-685. Currier, L., Froehlich, P., Carow, S., McAndrew, R., Cliborne, A, Boyles, R., Mansfield, L., and Wainner, R. 2007. Development of a clinical prediction rule to identify patients with knee pain and clinical evidence of knee osteoarthritis who demonstrate a favourable short-term response to hip mobilization. Physical Therapy, September; 87(9): 1106-1119. Deyle, G., Allison, S., Matekel, R., Ryder, M., Stang, J., Gohdes,D., Hutton, J., Henderson, N., and Garber, M. 2005. Physical Therapy Treatment Effectiveness for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomised Comparison of Supervised Clinical Exercise and Manual Therapy Procedures versus a Home Exercise Program. Physical Therapy, 85(12): 1301-1317. Deyle, G., Henderson, N., Matekel, R., Ryder, M., Garber, M., and Allison, S. 2000. Effectiveness of Manual Physical Therapies and Exercise in Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Annals of Internal Medicine, 132(3): 173-181. Felson, D. 2000.Osteoarthritis: New Insights Part 2: Treatment Approaches. In: National Iinstitute of Health Conference, Annals of Internal Medicine; 133: 726-737. Hawk, C., Hyland, J.K., Rupert, R., Colonvega, M. and Hall, S. 2006. Assessment of balance and risk for falls in a sample of community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. Chiropractic and Osteopathy, 14(3). Haynes, S. and Gemmell, H. 2007. Topical treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee. Clinical Chiropractic; 10: 126-138. Iverson. C., Sutlive, T., Crowell, M., Morrell, R., Perkins, M., Garber, M., Moore, J., and Wainner, R. 2008. Lumbopelvic manipulation for the treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: development of a clinical prediction rule. Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy, June; 38(6): 297-312. McCarthy, C., Mills, P., Pullen, R., Roberts, C., Silman, A., and Oldman, J. 2004. Supplementing a home exercise programme with a class-based exercise programme is more effective than home exercise alone in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Rheumatology; 43: 880-886. Pollard, H., Ward, G., Hoskins, W. and Hardy, K. 2008. The effect of a manual therapy knee protocol on osteoarthritic knee pain: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, December; 52(4): 229-242. Symmons D, Mathers C, Pfleger B. 2003. Global burden of osteoarthritis in the year 2000 [online]. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: URL: http://www3.who.int/whosis/menu.cfm?path=evidence,burden,burden_gbd2000docslanguage=english Tucker, M., Brantingham, J., Myburg, C. 2003. Relative effectiveness of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (Meloxicam) versus manipulation in the treatment of osteo-arthritis of the knee. European Journal of Chiropractic, 50: 163-183. Woolf, A.D. and Pfleger, B. 2003. Burden of major musculoskeletal conditions. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 81 (9). Zhang, W., Moskowitz, R. W., Nuki, G., Abramson, S., Altman, R. D., Arden, N., Bierma-Zeinstra, S., Brandt, K. D., Croft, P., Doherty, M., Dougados, M., Hochberg, M., Hunter, D. J., Kwoh, K., Lohmander, L. S. and Tugwell, P. 2008. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 16:137-162. Appendix L The McMaster Overall Therapy Effectiveness (OTE) Tool (for general improvement and patient satisfaction) Patient No.â‚ ¬Ã…’â‚ ¬Ã…’â‚ ¬Ã…’â‚ ¬Ã…’ Visit No. Page No. . Overall Treatment Evaluation KOA We would like to find out if there are any changes in the way you have been feeling since treatment started: after 6 treatments, and also at the 1st week and 1st month follow ups. Since treatment started, has there been any change in your ACTIVITY LIMITATION, SYMPTOMS AND/OR FEELINGS related to your knee osteoarthritis? Please indicate if there has been any change by checking ONE of the three boxes below (Better/About the same/Worse): Better About the Same Worse ⇓ ⇓ If you have checked ABOUT THE SAME, ⇓ Please stop here. ⇓ If you have checked the box If you have checked the box BETTER: WORSE: How much BETTER would you say How much WORSE would you say your ACTIVITY LIMITATION, your ACTIVITY LIMITATION, SYMPTOMS AND/OR FEELINGS SYMPTOMS AND/OR FEELINGS have been since treatment started? Have been since treatment started? Please choose ONE of the options Please choose ONE of the options below: below: Almost the same, hardly better at all Almost the same, hardly worse at all A little better A little worse Somewhat better Somewhat worse Moderately better Moderately worse A good deal better A good deal worse A great deal better A great deal worse A very great deal better A very great deal worse Patient No.â‚ ¬Ã…’â‚ ¬Ã…’â‚ ¬Ã…’â‚ ¬Ã…’ Visit No. Page No. . Overall Treatment Effect CHF, continued Answer the following question whether or not you answered BETTER or WORSE and what your response was. Note if you have improved, the change will be important since you likely will be able to carry out your responsibilities with greater ease and comfort compared to before the study. If on the other hand you are worse, then you will have more difficulty carrying out your responsibilities; this will also be important for you as you have more difficulty with your activities. Is this change (BETTER/WORSE) important to you in carrying out your daily activities? Not important Slightly important Somewhat important Moderately important Important Very important Extremely important THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION! Description of scales and how they will be assessed: * Pages one and two are graded separately. * Page one is graded on a 15 point scale. Scored from +7 to -7 * If the answer to the first question is Better then you have a + integer * If the answer to the first question is About the Same the score is 0 * If the answer to the first question is Worse then you have a integer * With a + or integer, the answers below the better or worse response are numbered sequentially from top to bottom. Almost the same, hardly better is a 1 and A very great deal better is a 7. * Page two is graded on a 7 point scale. Scored from 1 to 7 * The answers are numbered sequentially from top to bottom. Not important is a 1 and Extremely important is a 7 Later we will dichotomize the scores on page one between scores > 1 (improved) and Appendix M The WOMAC Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS Name:_________________________________________________ Date:___/___/______DOB:___/___/_____ In Sections A, B and C questions will be asked in the following format and you should give your answers by putting a straight vertical (up-and-down) mark on the horizontal line. Note: 1. If make a straight vertical (up-and-down) mark on the line, at the left-hand end of the line, i.e. NO PAIN EXTREME PAIN Then you are indicating that you have no pain. Note: 2. If make a straight vertical (up-and-down) mark on the line, at the Right-hand end of the line, i.e. NO PAIN EXTREME PAIN Then you are indicating that you have extreme pain. 3. Please Note: a) that the further to the right-hand end you place your straight vertical (up-and-down) mark on the line, the more pain you are experiencing b) that the further to the left-hand end you place your straight vertical (up-and-down) mark on the line, the less pain you are experiencing c) Please do not place your straight vertical (up-and-down) mark on the line outside the markers. You will be asked to indicate on this type of scale the amount of pain, s

St Johns Wort: Treating Depression Naturally :: Biology Essays Research Papers

St John's Wort: Treating Depression Naturally As the majority of people in this world, I suffer from mild depression from time to time. Although this has never been serious enough to cause any changes in my ability to function, it is enough of an interference in my life to cause me to seek some sort of therapy. Most of the time a good healthy cry or some exercise will take care of any mild depression but there are times when more is needed. Many people in this sort of situation are reluctant to try any sort of "personality altering" drug such as Prozac. There is little doubt that these drugs do wonders for people with cases of severe depression but they are a little extreme for the minor depression found in most everyday life. A natural alternative to these synthetic drugs seems greatly appealing to me. Many vitamin and pharmaceutical companies are now offering such a drug: St John's Wort. This natural "mood-enhancer", also known as hypericum, is now being displayed all over television, the radio, and the Internet. It can be found everywhere: in the local health food store, grocery stores, across the Internet, and in some countries, the doctor's office(1) (2). But what is it? Is it really safe? How much is actually known about the effects of this "wonder cure"? The answers to these questions are not as easily answered as one might think. Although the Internet is a strong source of information it is very cluttered with advertisement sites for this drug providing little or no information besides its benefits and praises (3). Also, this drug has not yet been approved by the FDA in the United States and therefore is not prescribed. Following FDA approval, more will be known about the drug and its effects. There is little doubt that this drug does wonders for mild depression. In 1996 research in England showed that hypericum not only worked better than the placebo but in many cases worked just as well as the tested prescription drugs (4). The National Health Institute is currently in the middle of a three-year research project concerning hypericum that should end in the year 2000. FDA approval should be following shortly thereafter. In Germany, however, hypericum is a licensed drug that is prescribed twice as often as standard antidepressants (1). Almost 200,000 prescriptions are filled every month for Jarsin, a drug containing hypericum (5).

Kants Categories Reconsidered Essay -- Philosophy Philosophical Paper

Kant's Categories Reconsidered ABSTRACT: Adopting a Quinean criterion of ontological commitment, I consider the question of the ontological commitment of Kant's theory of our a priori knowledge of objects. Its direct concern is the customary view that the ontology of Kant's theory of knowledge in general, whether a priori or empirical, must be thought in terms of the a priori conditions or representations of space, time, and the categories. Accordingly, this view is accompanied by the customary interpretation of ontology as consisting of Kantian "appearances" or "empirical objects." I argue against this view and interpretation. My argument turns on the opposition between the necessity and universality of the a priori and the particularity and contingency of the existent. Its main point is that the a priori can remain necessary and universal only if the existence of objects is kept distinct from it. I. Introduction To the extent that category theory, i.e. that there are certain predicates of things that are fundamental to our thought about objects in general, has been based on our thought of objects of possible experience, it has been highly suspect. This is the negative thesis of this paper. Over the years, philosophical inventiveness has produced various schemes of predicates which challenge the claims of necessity that have been made on behalf of the scheme we employ for such objects-a scheme of substances that are involved in causal action and interaction. If no particular scheme is necessary, perhaps it is not necessary that we employ any scheme at all. Kant's theory of categories is no different from any other category theory in this regard. Its dependence on what Kant calls the logical functions of judgment do... ...scussion. For an actual development of the proposal see Robert Greenberg, "The Content of Kant's Logical Functions of Judgment," History of Philosophy Quarterly 11 (1994): 375-92. (7) This interpretation of "transcendental content" seems to dispute that given by Darrell Johnson, viz., that it refers to the concept of an object in general. See his, "Kant's Metaphysical Deduction," Proceedings of the Eighth International Kant Congress (Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 1995) Volume II, Part I, p 273. (8) The by now widely accepted division of the B-Deduction into two steps was first introduced into the current commentary on the deduction by Dieter Henrich in his, "The Proof Structure of Kant's Transcendental Deduction," Review of Metaphysics 22 (1969): 640-59, reprinted in Ralph C. S. Walker, ed. Kant on Pure Reason (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982).

Style: Strunk & White vs. Williams :: Comapre Contrast Comparison Essays

Style: Strunk & White vs. Williams Writing correctly is something that many people find hard to do! I know this, because I use to feel the same way. I have had many English classes in my time, where teachers would sit next to me, and correct my errors sentence by sentence as I went along. All the while asking me if I understood what why what I did was wrong. I remember saying that I understood, but I really didn't. That was something that I didn't like at the time, but I am now very appreciative of the fact that someone was there. With today's kids, most teachers don't take that needed time and help them to get on track with their writing. Because of this, I find that both Strunk and White, The Elements of Style, and Williams, Style: Toward Clarity and Grace to be very helpful. After reading them, I know that they can both be used as "handy" reference tools for today's writers. The one thing that stuck out in my mind about both of these books is that they both agree that there are rules. The difference between them is that Williams explains in his version of the rules in a much more through manner; he provides detailed examples. Whereas Strunk and White, their book is much shorter. The examples that they use are pretty straight forward, and the book in general is easy to follow. After I was done reading both of these books, I was immediately ready to argue that the better of the two was The Elements of Style by Strunk and white. My feeling now is that Williams is the better of the two. A factor that I took into consideration was the tone and layout of both books. Strunk and white has a better layout, but the tone is directed to a certain type of reader. The profile of the reader that would fit The Elements of Style is an upper class, educated, Caucasian man. In Williams, the layout is something that can be tweaked, but the tone is for everyone. At first, I was not looking forward to reading either of these books; in the end I am glad that I did. I know that I have problems, when it comes to my own writing and I liked that both of these books wrote about things that I was able to relate to.

Analysis of Passion Diptychs

The front surface has three registers with ‘each crowned by a cusped arcade with five hanging capitals and six recreated apertures' which ‘means that the enter of each composition is aligns with a capital'. The first direct visual impression left on a beholder is that the diptych is a representation of an ordered chaos. It Is ordered because It Is systematically divided Into three registers on each wing with each register having six recreated apertures equidistant from each other and symmetric.On the contrary, it seems chaotic because unlike some other passion diptychs, each individual registers are not bordered inside (or split according to the number of apertures) to explicitly show different scenes. Instead, in most registers in his diptych, different scenes are interposed which makes an interesting narrative and, comparatively, leads to a chaotic On a good way) display In an otherwise neatly bordered and systematic diptych.This type of representation, In each composit ion, also portrays a lively sense of movement to the traditional scenes which are otherwise portrayed in an iconic style. This diptych is read left to right across the wings and from the top to the bottom without changing directions. Although it is of a ‘normal' directional impulse, the implications of reading the scenes horizontally sakes It easier and provides a potential to understand and meditate on horizontal and vertical relationships between registers.Interestingly, an absence of Interior dividers not only provides more space and therefore, more creatively but also leads to an increased scope to form thematic relationships between registers without confusion. The first register is a rather unusual start to a Passion diptych because most of them usually start with the ‘Entry Into Jerusalem' or an event that Is directly related to the death of Christ. However, both, this diptych and the â€Å"Abbreviated Passion Diptych† egging with the Resurrection of Lazaru s (fig. 1). Both the diptychs have Mary and Martha thanking Jesus for what he's done.In the Dormouse diptych, a disciple or onlooker can be seen scratching his head in bewilderment and amazed at the fact that Lazarus has resurrected. Lazarus is half out of the tomb that held him holding the cloak of Jesus, who is compassionately looking at him while Lazarus does look tired as If woken up from an unfinished sleep. This section of the first register stimulates trust and dependency because Jesus, although he's Ralston someone from he dead, is calm but also compassionate which agrees to the fact that ‘He loved Him' and shows His humanity.The next scene in the first register is the ‘Entry to Jerusalem' where a person can be seen laying down his cloak and the people ‘on the wall', which denotes people in the city watch excitedly for the entry of their Savior. Interestingly, the scale of Jesus and his disciples, and the other half- the people and larger than the people ha iling his entry. Noticeably, Jesus head is held high, Just as a king nobly receives the respect he is due while he also greets them and accepts their joyous praise.However, this is a sharp contrast from the previous scene – The raising of Lazarus – which is relatively melancholy and calm, suddenly turning to erupting praise which provides an interesting twist in the prayer of the beholder. Continuing on, the next register shows the Washing of the Apostles' Feet' . At this instant, Jesus is probably talking to Simon Peter, as is recorded in the gospel of account of John in which he is initially taken aback and refused to have his foot washed by Jesus but when Jesus insists and gives his reasoning, Peter agrees to it.The mood is very ember and to a degree, awkward, as Jesus is doing something very unexpected of a leader. Incidentally, In stark contrast to the ‘Entry to Jerusalem', where Jesus is being ushered and hailed as King with his head held high, in this scen e, Jesus' head is tilted down, and he is missing his outer garment – his cloak. In this scene, Jesus is kneeling down before his disciples, humbling himself before them and washing the dirt of their feet. To the beholder, this reminds him of the nature of Jesus, that he being God and master of the apostles, humbled himself to wash their feet.A viewer s reminded and encouraged in the fact that if Jesus showed that the way of the kingdom is serving, then he too, must serve willingly. Furthermore, unlike the previous scene where Jesus is a ‘head above' the disciples, in this register, he is placed at the same height showing that he humbled himself to their level. The third register is the event of ‘The Last Supper' which consists of two scenes : Firstly, Jesus foretelling that one of them would betray him. He is seen dipping the bread at the same time as Judas, his betrayer (Matthew 26:23). Secondly, Peter is seen leaning onJesus' breast as He breaks it to him that h e will be betrayed and in the process, be denied by Him three times. Here, ten of the disciples seem a bit merry as they enjoy a feast with Jesus. However, Judas looks at Jesus with a mix of guilt and deceitfulness while Peter has his eyes closed, visibly sad that his master is going to be betrayed and that he would deny him three times in the process. The diptych continues onto the ‘Agony in the Garden' at Statement where Jesus is praying, fearing for the punishment that he will bear, while his disciples sleep.The three disciples in front' of him are Peter, James and John while the other eight are ‘behind' Jesus. The trees are curved in order to use the available space and is shown in a smaller scale to the disciples and Jesus creating a background that helps imply that they are in a garden. This scene shows the humanity of Jesus; where he is looking up towards heaven, with his arms raised, wide awake, asking for help as he is visibly troubled. Interestingly, there is a contrast between this register and the previous one.Unlike the last supper, he disciples here are asleep and hence, to a degree, the mood is a bit dull and dreary. However, for Jesus, it is a tense night as He gains his strength from the Father. This encourages a beholder to find His strength in God through prayer when from all around support is waning, lacking or even absent. Onwards, the next register, ‘The Betrayal of Jesus' shows three scenes simultaneously with Jesus presented only one time, making an interesting Juxtaposition of various scenes in one register.In the background are two soldiers who are of a slightly lower height which ivies a more realistic sense of scale to the whole composition. Peter looks on with and Jesus has rebuked him for that act. The disciple next to Simon Peter is seen as restraining him to attack anyone else. Furthermore, the betrayer, Judas Chariot leans in to kiss Jesus while Jesus tilts his head downwards to receive the kiss. Jesus looks a t him disappointedly while Judas looks with guilt and remorse as he slowly comes to the fact that he is betraying his master and God.At the same instance, Jesus is healing Mulches who is shown writhing in pain. Onto the next scene in the same sister, Judas Chariot, overcome by his guilt hangs himself on a tree, naked, with his intestines and innards coming out. There is a burst of activity in this diptych as there are a lot of intense activities occurring simultaneously. If the previous register was tense because Jesus was apprehensive of the wrath He would take on, the scenes in this register are even tenser with almost a deceptive calmness that Jesus shows in every composition.Incidentally, this diptych has no scene representing the flagellation of Christ or the trying of Him at a counsel and goes straight ahead, after he betrayal, to the crucifixion of Jesus. In the register containing the crucifixion, two major scenes occur simultaneously. Firstly, Mary is swooning and is suppor ted by women who have come to see of her son. Secondly, a dead Jesus, flanked by Longings, the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus' side, with his spear leaning on his far shoulder, on the left side, who is convinced of his deity and on the right, Stephan, who offered Jesus sour wine to abate his pain.The soldiers flanking him and the women on the left mourn his death radiating sorrow. Moreover, this composition, in n observer, invokes a feeling of gratitude on meditation. Gratitude, because of the humanity of Jesus, who suffered a horrendous death and took on God's wrath so that all could be redeemed by God through Christ. It also stimulates praise and love when one imagines the degree of humility that Jesus underwent to do what He did on the cross. Interestingly, comparing the bottom two registers, Judas is similar to Jesus hanging on a cross as both have their heads slumped to the left.However, Chrism's torso is bare but his abdomen and loins are covered while Judas' torso is covered while his abdomen and loins are bare. Additionally, Judas' hands are turned out which is similar to the orientation of the hands of Mary, who is despairing, too. Similarly, there exists another diptych, the ‘Passion diptych in three registers (135()-75)' which in form is different from the Dormouse diptych as it has five apertures. Apart from the form of the diptych, this passion diptych varies a lot in terms of expression from the Dormouse diptych. The Dormouse diptych contains a range of emotions and passions.From somberness to Joyous rapture to an awkward tuition – it has it all. However, the ‘Passion diptych in three registers' mostly continues along without much changes in individual expressions of horror or happiness, of Joy or sadness. Additionally, unlike the Dormouse diptych, this diptych doesn't have the cruciform halo and doesn't contain scenes such as the ‘Raising of Lazarus' and ‘The Hanging of Judas'. Furthermore, this diptych also lacks difference in scale and precise proportions that distinguishes itself between a good and great diptych.For example, in the last register, the swooning Virgin is seen as tender, restfully falling into the hands of the women supporting her. However, in this Passion diptych, it seems like she's standing with her eyes closed. In conclusion, the Dormouse diptych is a wonderful piece of gothic ivory that is unrivalled not only each composition provides and produces and how the visual complexity of this diptych make the study of its images rewarding. ‘ Bibliography Lowdown, John, and John Cherry, Medieval Ivories and Works of Art: The Thomson Collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario. British Columbia: Skillet Publishing, 2008