Saturday, August 31, 2019

Nursing Shortage Essay

Abstract Compelling evidence suggests that regions of the United States face a nursing and physician shortage that our legislators, health officials, and medical professionals must address. To ensure that quality medical care is not harshly impacted, the hospitals and public health leadership, in general, will need to tackle the nursing shortage with solid long-term solutions. It is no secret that the United States faces a critical nursing shortage, a trend that potentially threatens to undermine quality medical care. One single area of concern does not affect the shortage. In fact, the hospitals, and nursing in particular, are witnessing a combination of problems that range in salary structure, medical economics/cost containment, post-graduate education, and an aging workforce (pending retirements of baby-boomers). The public health industry is not sitting idly by to address the shortage. It is critically reviewing the needs for both existing professions. Definition of Nursing Shortage Nursing shortage is defined as the inadequate number of qualified nurses to meet the projected demand for nursing care within a healthcare setting, where the demand for nurses is greater than the supply. History of Nursing Shortage Historical knowledge is important to analyze the present and prepare for the future. As we can see from the current shortage in America today, we learn that it is not a new problem. However what makes this current nursing shortage situation unique is that the causes are related to a multifaceted range of issues. The current nursing shortage is connected to supply and demand factors, demographic changes, population growth, and fewer students enrolling in nursing schools, RNs who are retiring or leaving the workforce and a growth in the baby boom population who will demand more healthcare services in the near future. These factors are occurring while many nurses are retiring and more jobs are being created. In addition, the nursing shortage is actually a worldwide phenomenon with areas like Western Europe, Australia, Canada and the Philippines facing shortages as well. Economic factors have also contributed to the nursing shortage in the United States. Mark Genovese, spokesperson for the New York State Nurses Association explains, â€Å"For many decades the shortage was cyclical but as the economy tightened and as the insurance industry moved to a managed care model, there was less money in the system and hospitals had less money to work with and tighter budgets.† Budgetary limitations affected the nursing workforce as many nurses began leaving the profession altogether. â€Å"They were forcing RNs to do more with less, handle more patients and work more hours. RNs started to leave the workforce because of the working conditions and fewer RNs entered the system,† explains Mark. Americans are also demanding more quality healthcare services while many RNs are retiring, further exacerbating the problem. The HRSA has stated: â€Å"to meet the projected growth in demand for RN services, the U.S. must graduate approximately 90% more nurses from U.S. nursing programs.† Decreased staffing means that there are fewer nurses to work with patients. This impacts job satisfaction and causes work related stress. In some cases it has led to many nurses leaving the profession altogether. A 2010 study published in Health Services Research found that over 75% of RNs feel that the nursing shortage is a huge problem that affects their quality of work as well as patient care and the amount of time that nurses can spend with individual patients. Another important factor contributing to a lack of nurses is that there is a shortage of nursing school faculty to train a new generation of nurses in colleges and universities. The AACN’s 2008-2009 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing report found that nursing programs in the U.S. did not enroll 49,948 qualified students into their bachelor and graduate degree programs because they did not have an adequate number of faculty, clinical practice sites, teaching space, and were constrained by budgetary limitations. Two thirds of the nursing program respondents reported that a big reason for not accepting students was due to not having enough nurse faculty on hand. The Southern Regional Board of Education conducted a study which found that the nursing faculty shortage in 16 states was caused by vacant faculty positions, retirements, resignations and a shortage of new candidates applying for faculty positions. Shortages like this pose a threat to the availability of nurse education. Defining the Problem For those students interested in careers in healthcare, becoming a nurse right now could be the best decision for you. Currently, the United States is facing a severe nursing shortage. For several reasons, the number of nurses graduating and entering the workforce, and those already in the profession, is not enough to fill the growing demand. Currently, RNs are the largest group of healthcare workers in the US at roughly 2.6 million and that still isn’t enough to meet the need. According to experts, by 2012, there could be around 1.1 million unfilled nursing positions in the United States. In the most basic sense, the current global nursing shortage is simply a widespread and dangerous lack of skilled nurses who are needed to care for individual patients and the population as a whole. The work of the world’s estimated 12 million nurses is not well understood, even by educated members of society. But nursing is a distinct scientific field and autonomous profession whose skilled practitioners save lives and improve patient outcomes every day in a wide variety of settings. In the Truth’s view, the vast gap between what skilled nurses really do and what the public thinks they do is a fundamental factor underlying most of the more immediate apparent causes of the shortage. These causes include nurse short-staffing (due to inadequate pay and long work hours), poor work conditions, the aging nursing workforce, expanded career options for women, nursing’s predominantly female nature, the increasing complexity of health care and care technology, and the rapidly aging populations in developed nations, to name a few. Other causes of the nursing shortage episode include: the aging baby boomer population and lack of employee incentives. There were seventy-six million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 and are now classified the Baby Boomer Generation. As this population reaches retirement age and beyond, they are requiring more medical treatments and nursing home and long term care facilities. This country is also seeing an increase in population in general, projected to grow 18% over the next two decades. With more patients flooding the healthcare system, there simply aren’t enough nurses to meet this growing need. However, those currently employed in the nursing field should be rewarded for being encouraged and motivated to stay in such a questionable field of employment. In light of this nursing shortage, it should be relatively easy to find gainful employment after graduation should you choose to study nursing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 581,000 new Registered Nurse (RN) positions will be created through 2018, which will increase that workforce by an astounding 22%. The BLS also estimates that even as other sectors of our economy continue to suffer, the healthcare sector will only continue to grow. Since the recession began, more than 600,000 positions have been created in the healthcare industry. With so many Americans out of work in other fields, a career in healthcare, specifically in nursing, might be a viable career choice. Literature Review Today, the average age of nursing faculty in baccalaureate and graduate degree programs is 51.5 years and the rate of projected retirements will exceed the rate of re placements. Nurses enter the faculty role later in their careers and typically retire at an earlier age, around 62.5 years. More efforts need to be put into place to encourage those already teaching to remain in their positions even if it is in a limited capacity while future faculty are educated. What factors are present that facilitate the desire for nursing faculty to retire? Kowalski, Dalley, and Weigand (2006) conducted a cross-sectional, randomized study of 129 nurse educators teaching in 61 schools of nursing to find out what personal decisions influenced their retirement plans. With a 37.6% response rate, results reflected that the mean age of planned retirement was 64.4 years. However, the mean age respondents would like to retire was 62.4. Factors influencing retirement included workplace issues, personal and family health, attitudes about retirement, and financial security. One of the most important factors influencing retirement plans was financial security. Faculty members who were financially secure retired earlier. Job satisfaction was another important influencing factor resulting in early retirement. In lieu of the faculty shortage, the authors contend that studies such as this will offer insight into future retirement trends which may help bridge the gap between supply and the demand of nurse educators (Kowalski et al., 2006). From the results of this one study it may be important to consider the needs of the aging faculty by providing healthy, satisfying, and stimulating work environments, appropriate benefits packages, and relaxing mandatory retirement ages. One serious factor contributing to the faculty shortage is financial. Not only are academic salaries much lower than they are for clinical practice and administrative positions of advanced practice nurses, but the cost of securing advanced academic degrees is costly. In 2004, the average salary of a master’s-prepared nurse practitioner in a clinical setting was $80,697 compared to $60,831 for that of a master’s-prepared nursing faculty member (Nevada Nurses Association, 2004). By increasing academic salaries and providing tuition allowances in return for teaching will indeed make teaching a more attractive career choice (Yordy, 2006). Another important factor affecting the faculty shortage is that of job satisfaction, stress, and burnout. To maintain current faculty on the job, more research should be conducted on factors affecting job satisfaction and what works to provide a better environment. Gormley (2003) performed a meta-analysis study on nursing faculty job satisfaction and which factors had the greatest influence using a sample of six studies from 1976 and 1996. Nursing faculty are pressured not only to educate future nurses to provide safe and competent care, but also have many other professional responsibilities, such as publishing, conducting research, writing grants, performing community service, and maintaining their own competencies (Gormley, 2003). These responsibilities combined can become overwhelming and lead to job dissatisfaction especially as the faculty is aging. In Gormley’s study (2003), factors that affected job satisfaction were perception/expectation of the leader’s role in curriculum and instruction, suggesting that the dean’s role has significant effects on faculty’s job satisfaction and role conflict/ambiguity. Shirey (2006) argues that prolonged stress can lead to burn-out in many faculty who then become â€Å"deadwood,† jeopardizing the quality and spirit of the institution. These faculty members can ward off potential new faculty who are even more vulnerable to the stresses of the teaching role. It is imperative that academic institutions pay close attention to the needs of their faculty. Mentoring programs, self-renewal, and organizational engagement are key strategies to prevent burnout (Shirey, 2006). â€Å"A carefully structured and deliberate mentoring program can be an invaluable orientation as schools of nursing seek to provide an academic environment that is conducive to the professional and scholarly development of adjunct faculty members† (Peters & Boylston, 2006, p. 64). One serious factor contributing to the faculty shortage is financial. Not only are academic salaries much lower than they are for clinical practice and administrative positions of advanced practice nurses, but the cost of securing advanced academic degrees is costly. In 2004, the average salary of a master’s-prepared nurse practitioner in a clinical setting was $80,697 compared to $60,831 for that of a master’s-prepared nursing faculty member (Nevada Nurses Association, 2004). By increasing academic salaries and providing tuition allowances in return for teaching will indeed make teaching a more attractive career choice (Yordy, 2006). Program Analysis Possible Solutions For sustained change and assurance of evading the forthcoming shortage, solutions must be developed in several areas: education, health care systems, policy and regulations, and image. This shortage is not exclusively a nursing issue, but will require a collaborative effort among nursing leaders, practitioners, health care executives, government, and the media. Creating Cultures of Retention The American Nurses Association Magnet hospital program has had a proven success in raising the standards of nursing practice and improving patient outcomes. Currently there are 85 organizations that are designated Magnet hospitals. Magnet facilities are characterized by strong administrative support, adequate nurse staffing, strong communication, nurse autonomy, better control, and a vital focus on the patient and their family. A growing body of research indicates that this program is making a positive difference for nurses, patients, and the hospitals as a whole. Research is proving that through this program, nurses are having increased satisfaction as well as increased perceptions of productivity and the quality of care given. Studies also indicate that these facilities have lower incidence of needle stick injuries, lower burn out rates, and double the retention of non-Magnet facilities. By adopting the characteristics of Magnet hospitals, facilities will be able to create a culture of retention that empowers and is respectful of nursing staff. Strengthening the Infrastructure In 2002 the Nursing Reinvestment Act was signed by President Bush to address the problem of our nation’s nursing shortage. This initiative was intended to promote people to enter and remain in nursing careers, thus reducing the growing shortage. The law establishes scholarships, loan repayments, public service announcements, retention grants, career ladders, and grants for nursing faculty. Many statewide initiatives are underway to address this issue as well. In Pennsylvania, six new nursing education initiatives have been announced to address faculty shortage by encouraging current nurses to return to school, earn graduate degrees, and teach the next generation of nurses. Illinois is unveiling a plan to provide faculty scholarships and grants to nursing schools in order to expand student enrollment. California, whose nursing programs currently have wait lists over three years, is trying to expand nursing education through a $90 million initiative.

Love the Little Things

Love the Little Things Last summer, I made the mistake of letting my friends, Tyler and Calvin, talk me into going camping for the weekend! While I did feel a tinge of excitement, the overwhelming feeling I had in the pit of my gut what that of anxiousness. I had never been camping before in my life! So many thoughts such as, â€Å"What if it rains? † â€Å"What if an animal attacks our site? † just kept racing through my mind. However, when they guys came to get me that morning and I saw all of the supplies and food they had brought with them, for our three day camping extravaganza, I knew everything was going to be okay.Boy, how wrong I was! Even with the best planning, camping can be an extremely frustrating experience do to uncontrolled factors such as poor weather, encounters with wildlife, and equipment failures. When envisioning the perfect camping trip, it is likely that good, sunny, weather outweighs a vision of a cold, rainy, forecast. However, not every campe r is so lucky. They may begin their journey with clear blue skies, but the closer they come to their destination, the more gray and cloudy the skies become.Once arriving at their campsite, they may be forced to set up their shelter in the pouring down rain! This may not seem like a very hard task to accomplish, but when you have to focus on not only getting the tent set up, but not tracking any mud inside, and getting the sleeping bags set-up without getting them soaking wet, it can become quite a challenge! If the sleeping bags do become wet from the rain, the cold also becomes a major factor. This is because when camping, there are two sources of heat available. One is fire, and the other is a campers sleeping bag.However, if it is already raining and windy outside, the chances of being able to use the first source of heat is highly unlikely. In this case, campers turn to their sleeping bags for warmth. If these are also wet, like the logs a camper would use to start a fire, then the sleeping bag is unfortunately, no source of heat either. While it is advised that campers check the weekend forecast before embarking on their trip, it isn’t always guaranteed to be accurate, and campers should still try to plan ahead for these kind of situations.Another problem campers are likely to be faced with is wildlife. Although not all wildlife the campers may encounter will cause a nuisance. Such as birds, rabbits, or squirrels. Some of the wildlife may be a different story. Wildlife like this may include mosquitoes, raccoons, and snakes. Mosquitoes cause many problems for campers if the proper bug repellent is not used. They bite human flesh, and leave behind an unruly urge to scratch at oneself all night. Only causing the itching sensation to increase even more!While Raccoons may not always directly interfere with campers, it does not mean they aren’t just as capable of causing an equal amount of problems. They often travel in groups of two or three, and become the most active at night. The campsite of an unsuspecting, inexperienced, camper can make the perfect place for these naughty rascalls to find dinner. Especially if this camper has forgotten to seal up their food in its proper containers, or if they forgot to zip their tent completely shut. For raccoons will break into anything they can get into in order to feed themselves.Snakes can also be a problem for the unsuspecting camper if they get inside the tent. Once inside, they will slither into sleeping bags or a pile of clothes to sleep, and hide from the elements. In some cases, the discovery of an animal like this could be fatal. Run-ins with wildlife like this can range from unpleasant, to dangerous, in a matter of seconds. However, the camper must realize that some of these encounters are inevitable. In addition, probably one of the most frustrating, yet least serious, problems a camper may face is equipment failures.Although all campers seem to encounter problems such as these at one time or another. They seem to mostly affect the, â€Å"first time camper. † They may get a late start getting on the road to their campsite, and by the time they arrive it is already getting dark. Then they must begin their attempt to construct the tent they will be using as shelter, while they can barely see what they are doing. While it looks fine in the dim light of the fire, during the night the campers awaken to a loud crash, and then feel something heavy on top of them. It was the tent collapsing.Sleepily, the campers are forced to exit the tent and try to find a way to fix it in the dark of night. However, there is no fixing. The rods to hold the frame of the tent have snapped, and the waterproof seal has been broken from the campers not zipping the doors and windows shut all the way before using it. Totally disgusted form the events prior, the campers decide to just pack up and head on home. Although equipment failures might not seem very serious, for ca mpers who have had to deal with bad weather, and annoying wildlife, these failures can shred any remaining hope of a peaceful camping trip!These three types of problems can be experienced while camping anywhere. Until someone is able to figure out how to control the weather, get rid of pesky wildlife, or not experience equipment failures, all campers will continue to shake their heads in frustration, because these things happen. If you want to be able to enjoy camping and make it a memorable experience for yourself, you need to be able to laugh at bad weather, enjoy annoying wildlife, and accept issues with your equipment, or you will always be frustrated and unhappy.

Friday, August 30, 2019

A history of violence

â€Å"A history of violence† is a film which presents a world of â€Å"monsters† that has a presence which is not felt until the â€Å"monsters† emerge into action. The film focuses on the necessity of violence and the manner in which it destroys and in the same time saves humanity. The whole film concentrates on the double identity of the world. It is the classic theme: a fight between good and evil.The question which Cronenberg’s film raised is whether or not â€Å"the violent instinct is necessarily an evil† (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_Violence_(film)). The main character from â€Å"A history of violence†, Tom Stall (actor Viggo Mortensen), is a tender family man, very in love with his wife. He is attacked in his dinner by two perpetrators which he eventually kills.He becomes a hero but in the same time his hidden past is starting to reveal. It is revealed that Tom ran away from the instinct of violence but this instinct fro m which he ran, in the end saved his life. He knew how to respond to violence with violence. This is a message to a world in witch violence seems most present and emphasizes that in this kind of world nobody can survive without the instinct of violence. Thus the human nature becomes dual; it is divided between love and hate.It is a history of violence because the movie presents: the past of Tom Stall who used to work for the mob, his name was Joey Cusack, but gave up because he didn’t want to be on that side of the society, then the present witch presents Tom as a peaceful, family guy who now fights to solve his past issues in order to protect his dear family, and the future which is predicted by Tom’s teenage sun Jack who is aggressed by bullies at school and he always avoided fighting them., this meaning that violence will never cease to be a real mean of surviving.Tom is a character who didn’t enjoy killing, in spite of this he is forced to kill. Violence is needed in order to keep on living. He hides his past from his family. He struggles to hide his violent side. Significant are the words uttered by a stranger regarding Tom: â€Å"you are trying so hard to be this other guy, it’s painful to watch†.No matter how much Tom tries to hide the inhuman side it arises when it is needed. His power to fight with the perpetrators emerges from somewhere deep and apparently can not be controlled. It is a question whether or not human monsters are born or trained to be violent.It is clear that humans are built from two parts: the violent one and peaceful one. History demonstrated that the violent part was not at all absent. It is a constant interior struggle to balance violence and peace. It can never be one without the other. Peace was always obtained with the help of violence, and tranquility was broken by violence.Tom is a character who hides his past. He became a family man after he escaped from the mob. These facts made him in th e eyes of his community a man with double identity.The community came to know a side of Toms’ that they were never aware of. During the plot Tom mutates, he turns from good to bad and vice versa. People are able to change, a different character is born, and new personality traits are formed as people grow up. A person identity is important because it places a person into society. Tom is Joey, Joey is Tom, they are one and the same person, one is from the past and one is the present, those two persons have to coexist in the end, it can not be one without the other because both are part of the same person.There is something dark and mysterious in every one of us. There are hidden parts of the human personality that can get revealed and shock everybody.There are various interpretations of David Cronenberg’s movie. It is a depiction of the long history of violence and its inheritance from generation to generation. Violence was and is used as a tool for settling disputes, i t’s a â€Å"Darwinian evolution† in which stronger organism replace the weaker once. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_Violence_ (film)).BIBLIOGRAPHY:International Movie Database http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399146/usercommentsWikipedia  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Global Marketing and Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Global Marketing and Communications - Essay Example Well established local brands with their prudent research and development teams like Coca Cola has been able to successfully move to foreign lands (Ghemawat, 2003). Companies looking for globalisation generally look for a market with a culture to that of their own. Globalisation deals with seeing the full potential of an outside market and being able to successfully tap that market. A company which is able to do that becomes a successful global brand. Coca Cola as a product came into existence in 1886. An Atlanta Pharmacist named John Pemberton brought it into existence. His bookkeeper Frank Robinson named it Coca Cola. Since then the brand Coca Cola has gone through a sea of change and has become one of the global leader in soft drinks industry (Coca Cola, n.d.). Coca Cola follows a style of growth and leadership along with constant up gradation in their activities thus making it possible for them to be sustainable. Coca Cola is enjoyed by more than 200 countries worldwide thus becoming a global brand after it had started as local brand. It has achieved 48 straight years with an increase in dividends. At present, the company has 3300 beverages being sold worldwide. The present Coca Cola Chairman and CEO is Mr. Muhtar Kent and the company headquarters are located at Atlanta, Georgia (Coca Cola, n.d.). Globalisation is the modern phenomenon that is conquering the attention of the world over in recent times. The term has basically gained popularity in the last two decades. Globalisation, from the point of view of international marketer, refers to the situation where geographical boundaries are neglected. It has made geographical boundaries seem immaterial. Globalisation has made it possible for companies to earn economies of scale which have benefited them in making profit and becoming successful. It has also made

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Motorolas Chances in the Wireless Market as of Today Case Study

Motorolas Chances in the Wireless Market as of Today - Case Study Example The market today is rapidly changing as the rise in technology continually affects the future of the use of the mobile technology. Most mobile companies have come up with mobile devices in order to match the harsh competition in the market, just like the Motorola Company. Motorola has hit the wireless market remarkably by its contribution with the wireless devices. The Company has made wireless network infrastructure including the handheld computers, mobile phones, and other security management softwares. Their products are made designed to offer flexibility in the current global network. They provide communication in the real time, which is fundamental to providing solutions to today’s challenges (Burda 2). The Motorola Company has moved up to embrace the wireless technology that is today the common means of communication. So far, the Motorola Company has grown up to meet the competition in the wireless market. Motorola has not only provided the latest mobile devices but has also come up with solutions to the demand of rapid communication in the mobile industry. Thus, Motorola has come up with mobile devices that enhance connectivity, safety, and productivity that lead to everyday solutions to communication challenges. Unlike other mobile companies, Motorola has penetrated rapidly and has been on the forefront, to ensure the delivery of the latest products to the market. In this regard, Motorola has today grown significant as its mobile devices are used widely in the leading industries such as the hospitality industry (Burda 5). The technology industry has since adjusted to making products, which are appropriate to the use of the internet and other new applications. Their devices are safe for use in the schools and colleges. Motorola has since been available to all market segments. Today, Motorola is looks forward to release other devices that will enhance high speed connectivity and improve communication and internet access worldwide.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Chemical Principles Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Chemical Principles - Assignment Example (a) ClOF4- Cl has 7 electrons in its outer most shell. 5 electrons shared with the atoms around it while there is one lone pair. This means that there are a total of 6 electron domains. Therefore the shape is square pyramidal and the hybridization is sp3d2. (b) (CH3)2TeCl2 It has 6 electrons in its outer most shell. 4 of them are shared with the molecules around it while 2 are the lone pairs. This indicates that there are a total of 5 electron domains. Therefore Te has an sp3d hybridization having the molecular shape of see-saw. And a bond angle of 90 and 120. (c) ICl2- The ICL2- molecule has I as Iodine has Iodine as its central atom. The iodine molecule has 7 electrons, two of which have been donated to the Cl molecules satisfying their octet. The iodine has a negative charge, meaning that it also has eight electrons. 3 lone pairs and one shared with each chlorine. The total electron domains are hence 5 indicating that Iodine has an sp3d hybridization. The shape hence becomes linear with the angle approximately equal to 180o. NOTE: Some of the answers to this section REQUIRE structural formulae drawn in Symyx Draw (freeware available from the Accelrys website). There is a tutorial in the Organic folder of the Chemical Principles module in Blackboard to assist in learning how to use Symyx

Monday, August 26, 2019

Hyperboloid Model Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Hyperboloid Model - Term Paper Example The paper’s aim is to comprehensively discuss the concept of the ‘Hyperboloid Model’, in relation to application in the field of Geometry and Mathematics in general. While focus will be placed more on the geometrical application, influences and effects of the model, the paper will also delve into other applications. Conclusively, it will portray the functional application of the model, essential in gaining required accuracy. Towards better understanding the vital importance of the hyperboloid model, there is need of a historical analysis of the concept, in terms of geometrical application. To be noted, as Alekseevskij, Vinberg and Solodovnikov (1993) portray, is that the study of prevailing relations amongst hyperbolic, spherical and Euclidean geometries historically dates back to the early 19th century. This was in an attempt at proving Euclid’s fifth postulate. Accordingly, it is towards ascertaining this that C. F. Gauss was able to subsequently discover, in the 1820s, the concept of hyperbolic geometry. Influential is that only a few years were to pass, before this form of geometry was to be independently re-discovered by both J. Bolyai (1832) and N. Lobacheviski (1829). Notable is that the concept’s founders were in agreement, in terms of providing its strongest evidence for its consistency. This was based upon the duality present, between spherical and hyperbolic trigonometries (Alek seevskij, Vinberg & Solodovnikov, 1993). Initially demonstrated by Lambert – in his [L1770] 1770 memoir – the duality aspect present between the two forms of trigonometries is vivid in a variety of theorems. Inclusive is the ‘law of sines’, which can be affirmed in a form that is applicable in hyperbolic, Euclidean and spherical geometries. Accordingly, it is towards proving the prevailing consistency of hyperbolic geometry that necessitated the building of diverse analytical models upon the Euclidean plane. This is perhaps the reason why Beltrami E.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Analzying group process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analzying group process - Essay Example The group was trying to reach to a consensus which would be accepted by all the group members. At the beginning, all of them stated with their own desirousness. After a while, instead of thinking about one’s own choice, they shifted their focus to a particular solution which may serve or fulfill all members’ requirement. Ultimately the group was trying to come up with a particular solution as per the demand and requirement of the group. All the members did not perform at par. Few of them had excellent command over language and had guts to establish their view over other participants. From the beginning of the discussion, it has been noticed that Nelson and Kathrin had leadership quality. As both of them clearly stated their views and they also provided opportunities to Perez to give his verdict who did not properly participate because of shyness. Apart from these, three other participants were good as per the communication level but Megan and Allen always tried to suppress other to make their statement more prominent. This attitude brought in inconsistency with in the discussion. Regarding Davis, though he is not able to show the leadership attitude but he has followed all such techniques through which flow of the communication has not been affected. At the middle of the discussion, Megan added one topic which was a bit relevant with the topic. That is the education system of developing countries. But later on she began to emphasis on that topic only which made the discussion out of track and interrupted in the flow of the communication. Next, Kathrin takes the responsibility to get back to the actual track by avoiding that topic and gain the attention of the other members towards the actual topic. During the discussion Davis, Nelson and Kathrin addressed few of the past statistics related to the courses and the current education system which made the discussion more

Saturday, August 24, 2019

FARs and Aircraft Dispatch Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

FARs and Aircraft Dispatch - Research Paper Example Though they are known by many different names, including flight dispatcher, airline dispatcher, flight superintendent, or even flight controller, the job description essentially remains the same: ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and the pursuit of the highest possible levels of safety (â€Å"Airline dispatcher federation†, 2011). The job of an aircraft dispatcher is covered in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) in several areas, namely FAR Part 121 and FAR Part 65, both under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (â€Å"Code of federal†, 2010). FAR Part 121 covers Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations, while FAR Part 65 covers Certification and Eligibility Requirements (â€Å"Code of federal†, 2010). Simply put, these sections of the Federal Aviation Regulations ensure that an airline dispatcher has the proper training and certification to do their job, as well as adhering to duty-time requirements w hile on the job, to prevent overtiredness and accidents. These regulations also cover the overall requirement of having enough dispatchers in the dispatch centers to handle all of the flights, so that no one dispatcher feels overwhelmed and unable to do their job. FAR Part 65, Subpart C, completely covers the eligibility and certificate requirements that any person wishing to become an aircraft dispatcher must complete. The requirements include criteria such as an age requirement of 23 years, the ability to speak and understand English, and passing both knowledge and practical tests. These tests must be completed after a certification course that consists of 200 hours of training, though previous experience may be submitted to cover part or all of the hours (â€Å"Code of federal†, 1998). It also plainly states that no person may serve in the capacity of airline dispatcher without said completion certificate, and must present that certificate upon the request of numerous pers onnel (â€Å"Code of federal†, 1998). These regulations enable the airlines to work in conjunction with certified, capable individuals, helping the aircraft dispatcher to do their job by ensuring that they have the proper training and certification to complete it adequately. The safety of numerous passengers flying on the airlines that are the responsibility of the dispatcher are not to be taken lightly, and indeed, the dispatchers pledge to uphold safety as much as the pilots. Therefore, having these training and eligibility requirements help to ensure that the job and what it entails is taken seriously. FAR Part 121, Subpart M: Airmen and Crewmember Requirements, also applies to aircraft dispatchers. FAR  §121.395, in fact, covers dispatch centers, stating that enough qualified dispatchers must be working to ensure proper operational control of aircraft (â€Å"Code of federal†, 2010). Without this regulation, a flight load could easily slip into the chaos of an und erstaffed and overworked dispatch center, causing costly losses of life and aircraft. Given the fact that downsizing has become popular, it is a relief to know that dispatchers are aided by this regulation, as enough of them must be working to reasonably handle a typical daily flight load for an airline. FAR Part 121 does not stop there in covering airline dispatchers. In Subpart P: Aircraft Dispatcher Qualifications and Duty Time,

Friday, August 23, 2019

Business Economics 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business Economics 1 - Essay Example Today I wasted minutes and gas looking a free space and when I saw it somebody else also wanted it. Harry wanted it but I was an inch ahead of him, so I had the right of way. If he wanted it very badly he could have paid me. Nothing is free in this world; as the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch. In economics we deal with the problem of scarcity, and all of us try to beat this problem so that we can get what we want. An economist (Arnold 5) says that a rationing device is needed for society to enable its members to get what they want. A common rationing device is money (dollars), and you are out there in front if you have money. Thats why we study to earn a degree (to earn more money later), and thats why some work instead of studying for a degree (to earn money now). Is parking free at the mall? It is free for those who come early or for those who are lucky that somebody has just come out to vacate that space. It is not free for those who dont get it. While opportunity cost is a concept used when we make choices, here the situation is forced on one, and yes, there is a cost, because you could have spent the time (and the gas) elsewhere where you could gain some utility. I said that I got slightly ahead of Harry, so I had the right to the parking space. Suppose we got there at exactly the same time? We could have settled it with a display of intimidation: If I were bigger and more muscular, if my car was a Mercedes-Benz and Harrys was a Kia, or if he could see that I had a gun; or in a spirit of fairness, we could have tossed a coin, or done something similar to break a tie, and I would have said thats what life is like. Theres a lot of chanciness in the world in which we live. If we arrived at that point at the same time and I needed the park first because I would lose an important opportunity by missing an appointment, I would not wait for the tossing of a coin. I would pay Harry an

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Essay on Managing People Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

On Managing People - Essay Example Some of the theories which have been used are the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Herzberg’s two factor theory, McClelland theory of motivation, Alderfer's ERG theory. Theories and their applications in the context of the case As per the goal setting theory, individuals generally have a clear drive towards reaching towards a certain state or goal. Reaching this end state is perceived as being a reward in itself. However the goals’ efficiency is affected by the following features, namely, specificity, proximity and difficulty. Such was the case with Steve Jobs. Jobs motivation was derived largely through his desire to change the world through his innovation. It is true that he was much lower in comparison to his competitors in terms of riches or wealth. However, it was not his motive to earn the reputation of being the wealthiest of his time; he was rather focused towards creating such innovative products which would be appreciated and accepted by all and would be ac cepted and perceived as such a thing which changed their lives. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow has presented the hierarchy of needs of individuals which can be explored to explain the context of the case study. ... Being the owner of Apple, which is one of the largest multinational organizations in the world, it is imperative to understand that he had reached the pinnacled of success in his career. Thus it can be said that all of his self esteem needs had been satisfied. However, the fact that he continued to work on innovation and creation depicts that he was still in the lookout to attain his needs to attain self actualization. His continuous strive towards enhancing his performance as being a leader as well as his people in the organization demonstrate his craving for the need of self actualization (Gorman, 2004, p.34). Herzberg’s two factor theory ‘Herzberg’s two factor theory’ is different from that of Maslow in that the former presents two categories of conditions which are known as ‘motivators’ and ‘hygiene factors’ respectively. Factors which contribute directly towards motivating people to work harder is named as motivators and facto rs which de-motivate employees in their absence but do not motivate them when present are known as hygiene factors. In the case of Steve Jobs, the fact of being the CEO does not act as a motivator for him. It is rather a hygiene factor for him. Even though he produced the successful iPod player and iTunes which was considered to be quite a revolution in recording industry he was not quite content with it. This was followed by the production of the iPhone and the Macbook Air in 2007 (Mullins, 2010, p.411-413). Such big achievements could not satisfy him much and thus they can be considered to hygiene factors. They did not contribute towards making him work harder; however, their absence could have acted as de-motivators in his career. The case reveals that Steve Jobs was not the

Types of data sources Essay Example for Free

Types of data sources Essay 1. Evaluate relevant sources of data and information and discuss the criteria for selection of data and information. There are several different types of data sources for example there are primary sources of data which would be original documents, original research studies (peer reviewed), case studies. Secondary data is data collected from someone other than the user for example a biography of an individual would be secondary data compared to the person’s auto biography. There is also tertiary data which is a combination of both primary and secondary sources of data. Relevant sources of information tend to be sources that are reliable and credible. There are two basic types of information which are quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative information is expressed in figures which will answer questions such as, how likely? How long? How many? Etc. Qualitative information expresses information that cannot be measured in a numerical formation and answers questions such as How? Why? What? For example the quantitative data of a product would tell the user the diameters of the product, how much the product weighs etc. This information would be useful for say the packaging department but to the advertising department this information would only have so much use they would need qualitative data about said product in order for them to sell it Joint and by product costing – There are different methods to allocate costs within a production process for example a process may produce three different products x y and z, the costs for this process would be allocated to each individual product based on the amount of each product that is produced in one run of this process and the costs may be allocated in different ways such as weight produced or the net realisable value (selling price) of each product and apportioned this way. The mos t appropriate method of cost allocation will inform management which product or products are generating a profit or a loss and this information would be used to make decisions as to continue certain processes of products. Variance analysis of costs i.e the difference between actual expenditure and budgeted expenditure, would generate quantitative data such as the differences between the two figures however it would not example HOW this happened so without the qualitative data on HOW this happened giving management more useful information to work with to improve the adverse variances . The criteria for the selection of data and information would be as to whether it is relevant, reliable, The rational model proposes that people follow a rational, four step sequence when making decisions. The four steps are: * Indentifying the problem * Generating solutions * Selecting a solution * Implementing and evaluating the solution The normative model suggests that decision making is characterised by; * Limited information processing there is a limit to how much information a person can manage. * Judgemental heuristics shortcuts are used to simplify decision making. * Satisfying choosing solutions that meet minimum requirements and are good enough 3 – Evaluate methods of communicating decisions made and discuss the processes for implementing and evaluating a communication method Oral Communication: Oral communication could be said to be the most used form of communication. Whether it is to present some important data to your colleagues or lead a boardroom meeting, these skills are vital. We are constantly using words verbally to inform our subordinates of a decision, provide information, and so on. This is done either by phone or face-to-face. The person on the receiving end would also need to exercise much caution to ensure that he/she clearly understands what is being said. This shows therefore, that you would need to cultivate both your listening and speaking skills, as you would have to carry out both roles in the workplace, with different people. Written Communication:Â  Writing is used when you have to provide detailed information such as figures and facts, even while giving a presentation. It is also generally used to send documents and other important material to stakeholders, which could then be stored for later use as it can be referred to easily as it is recorded. Other important documents such as contracts, memos, and minutes of meetings are also in written form for this purpose. It can be seen in recent years however, that verbal communication has been replaced to a great extent by a faster form of written communication, and that is email. You could also use videoconferencing and multiple way phone calls with several individuals simultaneously. Apart from a few glitches that could occur, these methods of communication have helped organizations come a long way. Body Language: Although the most common methods of communication are carried out orally or in writing, when it comes to management techniques, the power of non-verbal communication must never be underestimated. Your smile, your gestures and several other body movements send out a message to the people around you. You need to be mindful of this while dealing with your employees and customers. Always remember to maintain eye contact. This would show that you are serious and confident about what is being said.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Issues in Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)

Issues in Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) India is becoming a hub in the field of clinical research and a center for drug discovery and development and this advancement has created an urgent need to strengthen the current drug safety measures. Pharmacovigilance has emerged as an important field of science related to activities regarding detection, assessment, understanding detection and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other drug related issues. The current pharmacovigilance system is not fully able to address these issues because of certain â€Å"challenges† being posed to it. While major advancements of the discipline of pharmacovigilance have taken place in the West, not much has been achieved in India. Some of the important challenges to our existing pharmacovigilance activities are: under-reporting, lack of knowledge, proper training, education, attitude and motivation, confusion regarding terminology and definitions used in pharmacovigilance. Increasing use of biologics and herbal medicines in cur rent medicine practice further pose challenges to our pharmacovigilance systems. There is lack of information about the active principle, efficacy, adverse effect profile, quality assurance/quality control, informal selling interaction potential in case of herbal drugs. On the other hand, a complex production process, limited predictability of preclinical to clinical data, high potential for immunogenicity possibility of an underlying exaggerated pharmacology in case of biologics further grieve the situation. Also there is need to improve the spontaneous reporting and causality assessment scales with high quality data submission. KEY WORDS: Pharmacovigilance, India, ADRs, AEs, Challenges INTRODUCTION India is an emerging hub in the field of clinical research and a destination for drug discovery and development. Several new drug entities, new dosage forms, vaccines etc. are being introduced in the country challenging the monitoring of adverse drug reactions over a large population base. The monitoring of both known and unknown side effects of medicines is important even if the drug is in use for several years so that the safety profile of the drug can be ascertained. This has paved the way for pharmacovigilance. Pharmacovigilance may be defined as the pharmacological science relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse drug reactions or any other possible drug related problems (1), particularly long term and short term side effects of medicines. While major advancements of the discipline of pharmacovigilance have taken place in the West, not much has been achieved in India. Although in India, pharmacovigilance has progressed from the situation as it was in past, but for different types of problems and limitations progress is yet not very rapid. (2) The current review focuses on a number of elusive issues which require attention addressal: Under-reporting: India specific causes possible solutions Under-reporting is a major limitation of spontaneous reporting systems for suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India. It is both a technical and a psychological issue. Under-reporting may lead to failure to recognize an unacceptable risk associated with a particular drug. Furthermore, differences in reporting between different drugs may lead to apparent differences in the toxicity which may be spurious. It can lead to delay in signal detection and underestimation of the magnitude of the problem. There is a long exhaustive list focusing on the causes of under-reporting: Lack of awareness There is a general lack of awareness among health care professionals in terms of increasing health burden of ADRs. Those who are aware of this fact, fail to recognize the logistics of ADR reporting like who all can report, where to report what to report. Lack of knowledge attitude A large proportion of studies have found that the knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals appear to be strongly related with reporting. This result may have important implications in terms of public health, if knowledge and attitude are viewed as potentially modifiable factors. (5, 6) Lack of motivation Due to the passive nature of collection of reports, data collection is not exhaustive as it depends upon the attitude motivation of the clinicians. Hence, some ADRs even if observed are not likely to be reported. Some feel that reporting a single ADR wont help much in contributing! Fear of litigation loss of reputation Sometimes healthcare professionals fear that the acknowledgement of adverse reactions may reflect negatively on their competence or put them at risk of litigation. There is also a general fear of loss of reputation among the medical fraternity patients. Misconceptions about what to report Some are reluctant to report adverse reactions because of doubts regarding the causal role of the drug. There is a uncertainity in majority of the cases regarding the drug causing the particular adverse drug reaction. Unfriendly ADR reporting forms hassel of posting of the forms Some health care professionals fail to report due to the complexity of ADR reporting form. At any given instance of time all the information required to be filled is not available. Even after filling the form still there remains a hassel of posting of the forms. So, one always prefers to stay away from the problem. At times, difficulties in accessing the forms also contribute. Lack of time to report Excessive patient load in the health care set up in a developing country like India further worsen the situation. The other factors which contribute towards under-reporting include hesitation lack of confidence. Correcting for under-reporting is difficult because the exact magnitude of under reporting is unknown. It has been seen that more number of ADRs are reported spontaneously usually after a reminder or following scientific workshops, conferences or other awareness programs and it decreases gradually over a period of time. So sustainability is an important factor for determining the spontaneous reporting of ADRs. (3) In addition, it has been found that serious, unexpected ADRs those associated with newly marketed drugs are more likely to be reported. Easy access to ADR reporting forms, clarity of criteria for reporting, simple procedures and good motivational practices such as acknowledging the receipt of adverse drug reaction reports by personal letter or phone call, providing feedback to reporters in the form of articles in journals, adverse drug reaction bulletins or newsletters, organizing scientific workshops, trainings at regular intervals are all influential in addressing the problem. The periodic e-mail update on the safety of drugs represents an effective and inexpensive way to raise the awareness of clinicians on the importance of spontaneous ADR reporting. For continuous motivation there appears to be a need to adopt a policy of regular updates and educational strategies for health professionals. (4) There is an urgent need for regular training of all health care personnel in the form of workshops, symposiums scientific meetings. The training sessions must clarify the roles of the various healthcare professionals in pharmacovigilance. There should be closer relationship between the doctors and the pharmacovigilance centre’s. The paramedical staff should also be equally trained since they are in closer contact with the patients for a longer duration and can play an important role in making the pharmacovigilance programs more efficacious. Information analysis of the reported material is a highly specialized and complex job. It should be made as simple as possible by the use of appropriately trained staff, so that one may be able to provide an answer with greater certainty. Causality assessment scales are an example where there is need of improvement so that proper causal relationship between the drug and the adverse effect can be established. Appropriate training and educat ion regarding Pharmacovigilance should also be introduced during the formal teaching of medical graduates as a welcome step. Unfortunately, this activity is missing in our existing medical education system. Though we are now involving many of the medical colleges as Pharmacovigilance centre’s but still most of the undergraduates are unaware of this process. (7) The reporting of adverse reactions needs continuous stimulation. Therefore, it seems necessary to hold awareness programmes at regular intervals to improve the ADR reporting. It is important to achieve the development of a positive attitude towards pharmacovigilance among healthcare professionals so that adverse reaction reporting becomes an accepted culture in India. Vaccine Safety/Pharmacovigilance The goal of pharmacovigilance of vaccines is the early detection and timely response to adverse events following immunization, in order to minimize negative effects to the health of individuals and lessen the potential negative impact on immunization of population. A stringent safety surveillance of vaccines is crucial since the majority of vaccines are administered not only to vulnerable children but also to healthy population. Moreover, vaccines are complex biological products, which may include multiple antigens, live organisms, adjuvants, and preservatives which can be responsible for the ADRs. e.g. lymphocyte meningitis after anti-mumps vaccine. (8) So, each component has unique safety implications, which is important to capture as compared to other drugs. (9) In addition, difficulties in causality assessment in case of vaccines makes the situation more worse. (10, 11) Execution of Adverse Event Following immunization (AEFI) surveillance program in India is a challenge taking into account its large geographical area. Capacity to detect respond to AEFIs needs improvement in India. A multipronged approach is the need of the hour to ensure effective vaccine safety surveillance. Pharmacovigilance in clinical trials: A newer approach to patient safety in clinical trials Safety monitoring of drugs during clinical trials is now recognized as one of the major concerns for new drug development due to the increasing complexity of clinical trials involvement of large cohorts of participants. In a clinical trial, all adverse events experienced, irrespective of the causality should be monitored, accurately documented and adequately reported in a timely manner following the local regulatory requirements. Safety data from clinical studies is a key component that drug regulatory authorities consider in the decision-making as to whether to grant or deny market authorization for a drug. In addition, safety data from clinical trials helps not only in restricting harm at one centre but provides further vigilant action at other centres also. As per recent gazette notifications, Any unexpected serious adverse event (SAE) (as defined in GCP Guidelines) occurring during a clinical trial should be communicated promptly (within 14 calendar days) by the Sponsor to the L icensing Authority and to the other Investigator(s) participating in the study (Appendix XI In cases of any trial related injury, the safety data from clinical trials also serves as a basis for casuality aseessment for calculating compensation. Regarding reporting responsibilities of the investigators, Schedule Y states that: Investigator(s) shall report all serious and unexpected adverse events to the sponsor within 24 h and to the Ethics Committee that accorded approval to the study protocol with 7 working days of their occurrence. Pharmacovigilance in clinical trials needs to be encouraged and fostered. The present scenario requires reform and needs recommendations for building a robust safety surveillance system for clinical trials in India. Arora D. Pharmacovigilance obligations of the pharmaceutical companies in India. Indian J Pharmacol 2008 February , 40 (Suppl 1): S13-S16 Focused Pharmacovigilance HIV/AIDS, Malaria Kala-azar are major public health concerns in India. Adequate systems and infrastructure for ADR monitoring and risk management activities are largely absent in India, adequate national or regional quality and safety monitoring systems after drug distribution are also lacking. With increase in number of patients, availability of new drugs, generic fixed-dose combinations and the ignorance of pharmaceutical company sector in global pharmacovigilance activities, there is a great need of focused pharmacovigilance. In India, a total of 2.4 million patients were suffering from HIV/AIDS in 2009 and about 200,000 new HIV-positive individuals are diagnosed each year. (12) Antiretroviral therapy reduces morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV infection, but adverse drug reactions remain a potential barrier to treatment success as they are an important cause of poor adherence due to inability to tolerate antiretroviral therapy. ADR monitoring and causality assessment in resource-limited countries like India remain major challenges. In India, Post-marketing ADR monitoring often relies exclusively on spontaneous reporting which is a major issue. As of now there is no pre-existing surveillance system solely dedicated to ADR monitoring of anti- HIV/AIDS drugs in India. (13, 14) We can develop an HIV-focused pharmacovigilance program which can integrate both active and passive ADR surveillance for antiretroviral therapy (ART). Moreover integrating the HIV-focused pharmacovigilance program with the existing health care program of AIDS can go a long way. (15) As per WHO report 2011-2012, South East Asian Region bears the second largest burden of malaria (13%), only second to African region (81%). Among South-East Asia region, India shares two-thirds of the burden (66%) followed by Myanmar (18%) and Indonesia (10%). (16) Emerging chloroquine-resistance especially in P. falciparum is considered as one of the important contributing factors responsible for an increase in its occurrence in India. Because of this there is a wide scale use of Artemisinin based combination therapies (ACTs) and other new drug combinations. Our health systems have a very little experience with these new drugs. Pharmacovigilance for ACTs and other combination treatments in India is essential as malaria transmission is high and antimalarial drugs are used very frequently. Moreover, drugs can be obtained without a prescription. Informal use of antimalarial drugs may increase the risk of incorrect dosing, inappropriate treatment, and drug interactions which may impact negatively on drug safety. Furthermore, the administration of antimalarial treatments in patients with concomitant illness, including HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis and malnutrition, is a concern. So all these factors demand a focused pharmacovigilance activity to ensure sa fe use of antimalarial drugs especially the ACTs and other new drug combinations. (17, 18). In India Kala azar cases are mostly concentrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand with over 165.4 million people at risk (19). Sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) and miltefosine are the first line drugs for the treatment of kala-azar are known to cause several side effects. Sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) has been known to cause anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste in mouth, diarrhoea, pancreatitis, reversible elevation of liver enzyme activities, myalgia, arthralgia, proteinuria, ECG changes (T wave inversion,prolongation of QT interval, ST segment abnormalities), phlebitis, uveitis, optic atrophy, acute renal failure, hepatic necrosis and bone marrow hypoplasia. (20) Miltefosine is known to cause mild adverse effects which are mainly gastrointestinal in which loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting were found to be the major dose-limiting side effects. Other frequently observed miltefosine-related toxicities are mainly associated with the kidneys and liver. (21) Teratogenicity is the main limitation to the use of miltefosine which calls for responsible surveillance appropriate mechanisms to protect the women of child-bearing age. (22) In addition to the adverse-effects, quality of the generic products also need to be monitored. (23) In view of the current side effect profile other related issues monitoring of adverse effects to anti-leishmanial drugs is utmost. Focused Pharmacovigilance for anti-leishmanials can be integrated with the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) which is an umbrella programme for prevention and control of vector borne diseases.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The Saxophone Changed The World Film Studies Essay

The Saxophone Changed The World Film Studies Essay Got Sax? This is an excellent paper. It has good info that is well presented. It is 1 page short of consideration for an A. Your grade is the highest B I can assign, and your point accumulation is 179 of a possible 200 points. Lorna Young Whether you listen to rock, metal, rap, jazz, classical or opera, the music all has one connecting element, instruments. Without instruments the world and music would be a much more calm and boring place. Leo Tolstoy described Music as the shorthand of emotion (Brainy quotes, 1/11). Music can convey feelings and expressions that people can universally understand and feel not just listen to. A very powerful way to convey a feeling is through the playing of an instrument, and the best out of such, the Saxophone. The Saxophone is a newer instrument but with its beautiful range and tone quality it brings life and feeling to the music art form. The Saxophone has become one of those so well loved instruments, in large part because of the beauty of its Tone. (Anonymous, 2011). The sax and its famous players have changed the shape and sound of music forever. The saxophone was created by a Belgium man named Adolphe Sax, the son of a chief instrument maker. Adolphe learned his fathers skill and even surpassed his father in the trade. Adolphe being smart in the field, fixed the technical awkwardness of several instruments and also created several instruments in different materials and ways that others previously could not. Being the visionary he was, Adolphe had an idea to create a completely new instrument. This Instrument would combine the power of a brass instrument with the subtleties of a woodwind instrument and the facility of a stringed instrument. After much experimentation, he had his first working model in 1841, which he called the bass horn. It wasnt until a review of his new instrument in the French paper Journal des Debats, however, that the name le saxophon or saxophone came about. In 1846, Adolphe Sax won two patents for his designs: One for a set of saxophones intended for the orchestra and the other for a set of saxophones intended for military bands. Each set consisted of a range of sizes from the small sopranino saxophone to the huge subcontrabass saxophone. These two patents represented Adolphs two dreams for the saxophone (DeJesus). He put a clarinet-like mouthpiece onto a metal body with a conical shape similar to an oboe and came up with an instrument louder than traditional woodwinds and suitable for military music (jazz-music-history.com, 2010). Adolphes invention changed military and classical music. Adolphe also wanted to include the saxophone in the orchestra setting but there came about some problems with this idea. Adolphe was a very proud man and wanted to always improve the string instruments, which the players and conductors found extremely annoying. The sax at the time had several problems so it never became an important piece in the orchestral world. Adolphe also wanted the sax to become an important piece in the military band, which did become true. Adolphe showed the French military band the sax, and while reluctant at first, adopted the piece and was a huge success. Because of this, military bands all over the world wanted a sax in their band. With the saxs prevalence in the military band settin g, the sax made it to New Orleans and started the creation of jazz, and its form that it is today (DeJesus). At first the sax was not hugely popular but, In the nineteen-twenties there were as many as one million saxophones sold, based solely on the sound of the recordings (Anonymous, 2011). The saxophone changed the world of music greatly with its sharp and smooth sound. The history of Jazz music origins is attributed to the turn of the 20th century New Orleans, although this unique, artistic medium occurred almost simultaneously in other North American areas like Saint Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. Traits carried from West African black folk music developed in the Americas, joined with European popular and light classical music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, became the syncopated rhythms of Ragtime and minor chord voicings characteristic of the Blues (Johnson, 2011). When Big Band and swing music was coming around in the 1930s the clarinet was the most greatly used instrument. But as the 1940s rolled around and Bop music became more popular clarinets as a solo instrument started to dwindle and they were replaced by the sax. Ever since then the jazz industry has been forever changed with two leading instruments, trumpet and sax (jazz-music-history.com, 201 0). Throughout the Saxophone History, the saxophone has enjoyed success in military bands, and then graduated to an increased solo repertoire in the classical world. Meanwhile, it has become part of many popular music genres, such as pop, big band, blues, rock and roll, ska, and jazz. The saxophones relatively easy learning curve has made it popular in public school music programs for children and adults alike (Anonymous, 2011). There have been many great saxophone players that have changed the face of the music industry, not just jazz. Charlie Parker is said to be one of the most influential and important saxophonists in the jazz community. Parker started off his music career in school where he played the baritone horn. His love of music and his interest moved him over to the alto saxophone. Pretty shortly after starting the alto, Parker quit school and started playing with local bands. While playing with different bands he went to New York, which greatly influenced his style of music. After touring some Parker decided to move to New York. Parker got a job washing dishes and met Biddy Fleet a guitarist. Biddy taught parker about instrumental harmony. Several years later Parker made his own group that made some of his most famous music. In 1955 at the height of his career he died in a friends apartment (Louck, 2012). Charles Yardbird Parker was an amazing saxophonist who gained wide recognition for his brill iant solos and innovative improvisations. He was, without a doubt, one of the most influential and talented musicians in jazz history (Louck, 2012). Another one person to greatly influence jazz is John Coltrane. John Coltrane was always surrounded with music in his family and this is what started him off on the clarinet and the E-flat horn. As Coltrane got older and his tastes in music changed he switched over to the alto saxophone. After world war two where he served in the Navy Band, Coltrane began playing the tenor saxophone as well. During this period he played with many different bands and became known for using a technique known as the sheets of sound where he would play at one time, multiple notes. Coltrane in 1960 created his own quartet and created some of the most innovative and expressive music in Jazz history including the hit albums: My Favorite Things, Africa Brass, Impressions, Giant Steps, and his monumental work A Love Supreme which attests to the power, glory, love, and greatness of God. Coltrane felt we must all make a conscious effort to effect positive change in the world, and that his music was an instrume nt to create positive thought patterns in the minds of people (John coltrane -, 2008). Later in 1967 John Coltrane died of liver disease. Coltranes music lives on today and he has been commemorated many times over. His music has been played in television shows such as Days of Our Lives, The Cosby Show, ER, and many more. Coltranes music has changed jazz into the expressive art form that it is today (John coltrane -, 2008). Another huge saxophone superstar and legend is Coleman Hawk Hawkins. From the Classic Jazz period to the Swing Era one player had a virtual monopoly on the tenor sax, that man being Coleman Hawkins, a.k.a., the Hawk or the Bean. Hawkins (born 1904, St. Joseph, Mo.) was not the first Jazzman to play the tenor but he was the leader in transforming it into a fully expressive, hard driving Jazz instrument. Following a ten year period of getting the hang of that confounded contraption, the Hawk went on to a fifty year career filled with near flawless playing as leader of his own groups as well as with an amazing variety of other combos. He was an inspiration to dozens of top notch Jazz tenor men (Weinstock Len). Coleman Hawkins was great because he mastered the sax in two forms, the hard riffs of playing many notes very quickly, and the slow ballads, this put him at the top of his class. He like the many other musicians bounced around from band to band playing whenever and wherever possib le. Hawkins style was different from Charlie Parkers and his made Hawkins look old fashioned. Hawkins changed his style and played with other famous people, even John Coltrane. He also recorded with Duke Ellington. Hawkins had several different times where he was a band leader or accompanied others. He also was featured in the movie Stormy Weather in 1943(www.redhotjazz.com,). In the saxophone family there are many different kinds, each a different size. The most commonly played and seen saxophones are the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. There are stranger more rare types of saxophone such as the F Mezzo Soprano, C Soprano and F Baritone, but these are rarely seen in concert format. The soprano saxophone is the highest of the saxophones and is played in the key of B flat. This sax can either be found in a curved form, looking like a baby alto, or in a straight for, looking like a brass clarinet. This saxophone is not recommended for a beginner because of how strong of an embouchure is needed. Embouchure is the mouth position needed to play an instrument. The alto sax is usually the most commonly seen sax and is the next step lower in pitch. When one thinks of a saxophone one usually pictures the alto sax. This medium sized, curved with a smaller mouthpiece, instrument is the usual sax that a new player is started on. The alto sax is played in the key o f E flat. The tenor sax, which is the next step lower in range, is a larger form of the alto sax and is played in the key of B flat. This type of sax is commonly used in jazz music but can be found in a concert setting also. The largest of all the saxophones commonly seen in music is the Baritone sax, which is also the lowest sound (About.com, 2001). If you saw this saxophone you would know it because it is huge compared to the alto. It takes a lot of lung power to play this horn but if played right, it sounds just as beautiful as the other horns. The saxophone is played in a different way than most instruments even though it closely resembles the embouchure of a clarinet. To play a saxophone, a saxophonist holds the saxophone so that the mouthpiece, which is attached to the crook, gently swings into the mouth for placement by adjusting the neck strap. (Smaller saxophones, such as the sopranino and soprillo, may be played without using a neck strap as it suits the player, but it is essential for the larger saxophones.) The mouthpiece is a shaped piece of rubber, plastic, metal, or glass that allows a reed, held in place by a ligature, to vibrate. These vibrations are the birthplace of sound within a saxophone. By placing the mouthpiece gently in ones mouth and blowing across the reed, vibrations travel through the body and out the tone holes that are uncovered. Pressing and opening specific keys allows different tone hole combinations, which gives the saxophonist the freedom to play over two octaves of pitches. (Some saxophoni sts can play many more octaves by using new fingerings and breath techniques in the upper range, which is known as altissimo) (Anonymous, 2011). When the mouthpiece is in the mouth the player bites with his top teeth straight down on the mouthpiece. Some players opt to getting a sticker type guard for the top of the mouthpiece so it will not wear as fast. The bottom teeth are masked by the bottom lip so as not to bite the reed causing squeaking. A player then tightens the corners of the mouth as to frown and blows with a steady stream of air. The player breathes through the mouth in quick burst because breathing the nose does not get such a deep breath and it is slower. After many hours of practicing with hand placement, learning how to read music and playing one can have a new hobby that can be beneficial to the soul or even to the wallet! Charlie Parker once said Dont play the saxophone. Let it play you (Parker, 12/0). The Saxophone is deeply rooted in music and the players life. It is not just an instrument to some people, but a way of life. Music is very influential, almost as prominent as religion in some peoples lives. The clarinet may have been popular at one point but now the saxophone is one of the most prominent instruments in jazz to date. The saxophone is one of the most popular instruments to play and listen to as well. Adolphe Sax changed the music scene with his new instrument causing enjoyment for generations. Even with the saxophone never becoming a prominent part in the orchestra Adolphe Sax would be proud of how much the sax has influenced the music industry now and forever.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Experiment to Compare the Enthalpy Changes of Combustion of Different Alcohols :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Experiment to Compare the Enthalpy Changes of Combustion of Different Alcohols Introduction: This plan will try to outline how the experiment of comparing changes of combustion of different alcohols will be conducted and what results are expected. Background When chemical reactions take place they are often accompanied by energy changes. Chemical reactions most frequently occur in open vessels. That is, they take place at constant pressure. Enthalpy refers to energy at constant pressure (volume may vary). Enthalpy: An example is best to illustrate to show enthalpy works. Methane - how much energy does its molecules contain? The first thing needed is the amount of methane present = 1 mole (16 g). What ever its value, the total amount of energy in a given amount of a substance (sometimes called the Heat energy content) is known as the enthalpy, denoted H. Methane is a fuel to get energy from it, react it with oxygen. CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l) The above chemical equation shows that 2 moles (64 g) of oxygen molecules are required to burn 1 mole of methane. Again, it is impossible to know the total enthalpy (heat energy content) of the oxygen. Likewise, we can't know the total heat energy content of 1 mole of CO2 and 2 moles of H2O (the products). Enthalpy Change H = (HCO2 + 2HH2O) - (HCH4 + 2HO2) In general, H = Hproducts - Hreactants But remember, this is theoretical; it is not possible to determine the absolute value of the enthalpy of a chemical element or compound. However, H values for chemical reactions can be obtained. They can be measured experimentally, or calculated using Hess's Law (see later), or worked out in other ways. Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions When chemical reactions take place they are often accompanied by heat changes. The system (the reactants which form products) may give out heat to the surroundings, causing them to warm up. In this case the reactants have more stored energy (greater total enthalpy) than the products. Such chemical reactions are said to be exothermic. The system may take heat from the surroundings, causing them to cool down. In this case the reactants have less stored energy (less total enthalpy) than the products. Such chemical reactions are said to be endothermic. Exothermic reactions give out energy to the surroundings. Endothermic reactions take energy from the surroundings. Most reactions take place at constant pressure... It is possible to measure changes in heat energy that accompany chemical reactions. Most reactions take place in vessels that are open to the atmosphere, that is, they take place at constant pressure (volume may vary). The special name given to a change in heat energy content measured at constant pressure is enthalpy change.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Whats Eating Gilbert Grape Essay -- essays research papers

574 words Write a 1-2 page essay that explores the paradox that when the film ends, Gilbert is in exactly the same place as when it began, yet he has traveled a long way. What’s eating Gilbert Grape is a very simple yet meaningful movie. There is no clear cut message that points out the faults of society and it may be hard to interpret a message because the movie is set around everyday life. However the one thing that is clear, is that Gilbert realises throughout the movie that his life is going nowhere and he must break the everyday routine. Gilbert sees through the people he calls his friends and realises that they influence his decisions to stay. He sees how they fill their days with hope and talk of something new and small town gossip to create interest and controversy. Due to the fact that he has already broken the routine everyday life by looking for a way out, Gilbert will never be in exactly the same place again. During the story Gilbert is reminded of his situation when Arnie repeatedly cries â€Å"where not going anywhere†. Arnie is basically speaking the words which Gilbert has pressed deep down inside himself and is afraid to admit. Later on in the movie he is reminded directly by Mrs. Carver, after he asked why she chose him out of all the men in Endora. She replies "because I knew you'd never leave." She is telling Gilbert in a very straight forward way that even she believes out of everyone in the town, Gilbert will be the least likely to leave. Fort...

Saturday, August 17, 2019

George Orwell Stories Review

In the story â€Å"On the Rainy River† a 20-year old named Tim O’Brien is about to be given the freedom to go anywhere in life until he receives a draft notice requiring him to join the army in the Vietnam War. Tim O’Brien is tested both physically and mentally. He has the option to flee to Canada or go to the war. Each option would result in abandoning family, friends, and fond memories. In his essay â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,† reminisces about a bad decision he made earlier in life, just like Tim. Reflecting on his experience, Orwell has also identified the reasons why he did it: â€Å"I could get nothing into perspective.I was young and ill-educated and I had to think out my problems in utter silence,† Tim O’Brien also dealt with his problems alone, â€Å" I felt isolated; I spent a lot of time alone. † Both Tim and George are struggling to deal with their problems and it’s eating away at them. In â€Å"On the Rainy River,à ¢â‚¬  having a good education doesn’t have much on an impact on Tim’s life, because if your nation calls on you to defend your country, you’re going to have to make a difficult decision on whether you’re going to flee or going to war.Being educated makes Tim more open-minded, and prevents him from indulging in the nationalism that was sweeping the nation during that time. Although Tim may have good reasons we shouldn’t be in the war, the nation was depending on men like him. In â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,† George Orwell says â€Å" †¦I could get nothing into perspective. I was young and ill-educated and I had to think out my problems in the utter silence that is imposed on every Englishman in the East.† George Orwell is trying to say that when you’re young and inexperienced you’re bound to make a lot of mistakes. When you’re young your family, peers, and own country have influenced your opinions. Many indivi duals are afraid and unwilling to deviate from the norm. George is an anti-imperialist at heart, but puts on an officer uniform and represents imperialism because that is how the European nation is viewed to the rest of the world. Based off of Orwell’s ideas, you should think individually so you won’t regretthings later on in life as George and Tim do. Your conscious would show you wrong from right. George Orwell’s ideas can also be applied to â€Å"On the Rainy River†. Although Tim is educated on the war in Vietnam, he does have to deal with his problems in utter silence because he’s afraid that the people he can talk to will tell him to go to the war and he doesn’t want to be called a coward, which takes a toll on his body. â€Å"How at work one morning†¦I felt something break open in my chest†¦it was a physique rupture.† So not only is Tim losing sleep and becoming paranoid, but now the stress is affecting Tim’s ph ysical health as well. If Tim had talked to Elroy Berdahl he would have been much better off. The guilt and stress has been eating away at Tim all summer, and will continue to get at him until he can speak to someone about what he’s going through. If Tim had vented to Elroy, his physical and mental health might have returned to normal, which would have helped him to make his decision. George faces being ill educated along with dealing with his problems.George is an outcast in the native village. He is supposed to be striking fear into these people, however he is against the brutality and injustice that imperialism instills on its subjects. If only George had had the courage to tell the natives who he really was, he might have had an easier time being accepted by them. If George had been better educated, he might have known how to think straight when surrounded by two thousand people; he might have also known where to shoot the elephant so it wouldn’t have to suffer the way it did.To conclude, both Tim and George tried to run away from the inevitable. You can’t escape who you are, and that is what Tim and George tried to do. Tim was an American citizen who was caught up in the draft for the Vietnam War, and George was a citizen of an imperial nation. Tim couldn’t face leaving his friends and family behind so he ended up damaging himself both physically and mentally without even trying to talk this out with his family and friends.While George an anti-imperialist at hear must enforce it upon this Asian country. Both decisions were forced by others whether it is Tim deciding to go to the war due to the devastating fact that if he were to go to Canada, he would never see his family again and if George didn’t shoot that elephant, the tribal people would be more disrespectful than ever. George Orwell wants us to be individuals and think for ourselves. We shouldn’t be influenced by others to make decisions we wouldn’t n ormally do.

Hamlet and Relationships Essay

Relationships are a driving force in society and there is no place where this is seen better than in Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark and he has recently lost his father. He is the next in line to the crown, but for some reason he has not obtained it. Hamlet is a tragic figure from the start, but it is his attempt to relate to others that makes him even more tragic. Hamlet has a detestable relationship with King Claudius, his father’s successor. Claudius is Hamlet’s uncle and he has married Hamlet’s mother. Hamlet’s rapport with Claudius is openly hostile, yet he refuses to stand up to him. Even though Claudius is Hamlet’s major antagonist, he acts as if he cares about Hamlet in public while Hamlet does not hide his repulsion of the new king. He does not challenge him with his charges murder, information he obtained from his father’s ghost, and adultery, but instead he plots to allow Claudius tell on himself. Hamlet has the opposite relationship with his father’s ghost. While he shows nothing by disdain for Claudius, he shows his father respect and admiration. He heeds his father advice about revenging his death while not seeking revenge upon his mother, Queen Gertrude. There is an obvious love and affection in the relationship between Prince Hamlet and the ghost of King Hamlet because they obviously miss each other from the tenderness in which they speak to each other. The ghost also trust Prince Hamlet with the information and the instructions of what he wants done to King Claudius. It is also obvious that Prince Hamlet completely trust his father because he does not even question the validity of the facts surrounding his death. Hamlet displays his complex personality in the relationships that he has with the different characters in the play. He can be openly cruel and disrespectful to those who he finds contemptible and yet completely loyal and loving to those whom he cares about.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Origins of Psychology and Research Methods Worksheet Essay

Part I: Origins of PsychologyThe seven major perspectives in modern psychology are psychoanalytic, behaviorist, humanist, cognitive, neuroscientific/biopsychological, evolutionary, and sociocultural. Psychoanalytic: The founder of the psychoanalytic school of thought is Sigmund Freud. He believed that many psychological problems result from the conflicts that occur between â€Å"acceptable† behavior and â€Å"unacceptable† unconscious sexual or aggressive motives. His theory was called Psychoanalysis. Freud relied more on deductive reasoning rather than on rigorous research methods, hence making his approach non-scientific. Also, he laid emphasis on the importance of unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts. Behaviorist: The founder of the behaviorist school of thought is John B. Watson. Behaviorism perspective rejected the notion of the conscious and unconscious mind, but instead focused on the importance of observation and environmental influences on behavior. This school of thought first started with the Pavlov’s â€Å"classical conditioning†, which claimed that behaviors could be learned via conditioned associations Classical conditioning is a learning that occurs by which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response (Feist, 2008, p. 449). Another famous behaviorist, B.F Skinner, believed in the concept of â€Å"operant conditioning†, which demonstrated the effect of punishment and reinforcement on behavior. For instance, He claimed that if a behavior is reinforced, it increases the chances of that behavior to be repeated. Similarly, if a behavior is followed with punishment, the chances of that behavior to repeat itself diminish. Humanist: The two major figures of the humanistic perspective are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. They believed that all individuals have the natural capacity to move towards self actualization. Also, they emphasized on the notion of free will (voluntarily chosen behavior) and self-actualization (a state of self-fulfillment) (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2008). Cognitive: Cognitive psychologists are interested in investigating the  thought processes that occur in the brain. Also, they examine how the information is gathered, encoded and stored. Some of the concepts that are studied under cognitive psychology are perception, memory, imagery, concept formation, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, and language. Not only that, cognitive psychologists explain that a human mind works like a computer that sequentially takes in information(gathers), processes it( encodes), and then produces a response, hence called the information-processing approach. Neuroscientific/Biopsychological: This school of thought emphasizes on the role of biological factors on behavior. Psychologists who follow this school of thought explain behavior through the use of genetics and biological processes that occur in the brain. These psychologists combine the biological and the psychological aspects to explain behavior. Evolutionary: This school of thought examines concepts such as natural selection, adaptation, and evolution of behavior and mental processes. Evolutionary psychologists claim that an organism’s reproductive success is determined by the behavior that favors the process of natural selection (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2008). Sociocultural: This school of thought emphasizes on the role of social interactions and cultural factors that influence behavior. Some factors include ethnicity, religion, occupation, and socioeconomic class and so on. Part II: Research MethodsResearch Methods MethodPurposeStrengthsWeaknessesProvide an exampleExperimentalIdentify cause and effectAllows precise control over variables and identifies cause and effectEthical concerns, practical limitations, artificiality of lab conditions, research and participant biases Manipulation and control of variablesDescriptiveObserve, collect and record data Minimizes artificiality, easier to collect data, allows description of behavior and mental processes as they occurLittle or no control over variables, cannot explain cause and effect, and researcher and participant biasesNaturalistic observation, survey, and case study. CorrelationalIdentify relationships and how well one variable predicts another. Helps clarify relationships between variables that cannot be examined by other methods and allows prediction.Researchers cannot identify cause and effectStatistical analysis of relationship between variables. Biological Identify causation as well as description and predictionShares many or all of the advantages of experimental, descriptive and correctional researchShares many or all of the disadvantages of experimental, descriptive and correctional researchStudies the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Compare and contrast: Experimental and Correlational methods. Experimental research method helps to explain cause and effect whereas the correlational method does not. An experiment comprises of an independent variable (manipulating variable), dependent variable (the variable on which the effect is examined), and experimental and control groups. Also, while conducting an experiment, the researcher must make sure that all the extraneous variables in experimental and control conditions are held constant so that it does not influence the results. Furthermore, the researcher must take into consideration errors (biases) such as experimenter bias, participant bias amongst others that could also influence the results. Also, one of the most important features of an experimental method is making sure that the sample is representative. In other words, representative sample comprises of assigning participants randomly to an experimental and control groups. This procedure of random assignment ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any particular group. Correlation method, on the other hand, does not explain cause and effect. For instance, Correlation method gives us information on whether the variables being studied are related, but it does not provide any information on which variable influence which. For example, If A and B are two variables being studied, correlation method will give us information on whether A and B are related, but it would not tell us whether A causes B or B causes A. This  method is used when researchers want to examine the relationship (Correlation) between variables. This method is analyzed using a correlation coefficient, a numerical value that specifies the degree and direction of the relationship between the two variables. Correlation coefficients range from +1.00 to -1.00, where the sign (positive or negative) denotes the direction of the correlation, and the numerical value (from 0 to +1.00 or -1.00) indicates the strength of the relationship. Both Experimental and correlation are research methods w hich are used to conduct research in psychology. Part III: The Brain Psychologists are interested in studying twins because they want to examine whether traits such as aggression, intelligence, sociability are inherited or are influenced by environment factors. To investigate such issues, the researchers conduct twin studies, as they have a high proportion of shared genes. There are two types of twins: identical and fraternal. Identical twins (monozygotic- one egg) are twins that share 100 percent of the same genes. On the other hand, fraternal twins (dizygotic- two egg) are twins that share approximately 50 percent of their genes, just like any other pair of siblings. Therefore, twin studies provide researchers with a lot of valuable information on the effects of heredity on behavior. For instance, both identical and fraternal twins share the same parents, hence the same environment. So, if heredity does influence a trait or a behavior then identical twins should be more similar than fraternal twins. Also, Researchers are interested in studying families with children who have been adopted because it also gives them valuable information on whether genetic factors play a role in behavior. For instance, if the adopted children are more similar to their biological parents then it can be inferred that heredity does play a role in influencing a trait or a behavior. If on the other hand, the adopted children does not resemble the biological family and instead is more like the adopted family then it can be inferred that environmental factors and not genetics play a role. 1.What are the functions of neurotransmitters and hormones? How do they  influence the brain and behavior?Neurotransmitters help to understand some common medical problems. For instance, some of the neurotransmitters and their functions are listed below:Serotonin has effects on mod, sleep, appetite, sensory perception, temperature regulation, pain suppression, and impulsivity. Acetylcholine (ACh) has effects on muscle action, cognitive functioning, memory, rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, emotion. Dopamine (DA) has effects on movement, attention, memory, learning, and emotion. Norepinephrine (NE) (or noradrenaline) has effects on earning, memory, dreaming, emotion, waking from sleep, eating, alertness, wakefulness, and reactions to stress. Epinephrine (or adrenaline) has effects on motional arousal, memory storage, and metabolism of glucose necessary for energy release. Hormones are used by endocrine system. Hormones help to control the body’s response to emergencies. For instance, â€Å"in times of crisis, the hypothalamus sends messages through two pathways- the neural system and the endocrine system (primarily the pituitary). The pituitary sends hormonal messages to the adrenal glands, which release release cortisol. Cortisol is a â€Å"stress hormone† that boosts energy and blood sugar levels, epinephrine (commonly called adrenaline), and norepinephrine (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2008).†2.What is neuroplasticity?Neuroplasticity is at the ability of the human brain to change its structure and function as a result of usage and experience. The human brain is adaptive hence neuroplastic. For example, the neuroplasticity in brain helps us learn a foreign language. References Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2008) Theories of Personality (7th ed). New York: McGraw- HillJohn Wiley & Sons Inc.. (2008). Visualizing Psychology (1st ed.). NJ: Author.