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ESSAY: Contribution-Based Incentive Model for Physicians Essay Introduction Electronic services can be used to provide a wide range of remote services, including patient care and education, and monitoring. Telehealth is a revolutionary technology that could reform and enhance the healthcare system by lowering costs, improving quality, and increasing patient satisfaction. During the recent COVID-19 epidemic, which affected both privately insured and Medicare beneficiaries, patients increasingly received healthcare treatments from providers not situated near their doctors. There were restrictions on who may perform and where they could be reimbursed before the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, Congress and the CMS enhanced traditional Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services to make medical treatment more accessible and reduce coronavirus exposure in healthcare settings. Without legislative action, Medicare’s telehealth coverage will revert to its pre-pandemic levels when the public health emergency expires. A New Contribution-Based Incentive Model (CBI) This paper suggests a new physician compensation model that rewards productivity, quality, and community involvement. The CBI Model combines a secure base salary with configurable core incentives to give physicians more career flexibility. The CBI model basically works towards motivating the physicians based on their outcomes and quality and offers great career autonomy. The model also steers organizational stewardship and the degree of clinical and other related activities in physician fields to another level. A Flexible Formula Aligns Disparate Interests Salary-based compensation schemes will become increasingly popular in the healthcare industry in the wake of the pandemic as physicians seek a more stable and predictable source of income. A modest yet significant part of total compensation is the goal of this model’s base wage (Kwon & Kim, 2022). The starting wage of a doctor is indeed higher than that of an entry-level employee. However, physicians can still expect to see a rise in their pay by meeting or exceeding their employers’ vision, strategic direction, and specific goals. A modest base wage is a safety net for physicians, as it reduces the possibility of burnout or other adverse effects of financial strain. The performance will improve if incentive points are allocated openly and transparently. Many conditions have to be met before doctors can participate in the bonus structure, including regular clinical activity and productivity in line with the physician’s base salary (on a fair market value basis). Second is quality thresholds with outcomes set by the organization, and third is agreed-upon community service efforts (Brousselle et al., 2020). It is possible to influence physician behavior by varying financing for each “Core Incentive” based on the business’s goals, needs, and purposes. Increased Productivity Leads to an Increase in Revenue In business, productivity and revenue go directly proportionally in different aspects. Revenue generation goes alongside the rate of productivity in most cases. Work relative value units are the units used to gauge physician productivity at the moment (wRVUs) (Mehrotra et al., 2020). Productivity-based incentive compensation can be provided to avoid anti-cooperative behavior and over-utilization (a suitable percentage of base pay, incentives, or compensation benchmarks. It is, therefore, evident that productivity depends directly on incentives given to employees. Quality Measures Give Top Priority to Patient Treatment Commercial and government payers have developed quality standards to recompense providers for their services. Measures used to evaluate healthcare practitioners include documented diagnosis and communication with patients, treatment and pain/symptom control, readmissions, and preventative screening. It’s important to note that while these measurements can be used as a starting point for excellent outcomes, they need to be tailored to each patient’s specific needs. With consultation from suitable stakeholders and physician practice executives, businesses are encouraged to develop unique Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Citizenship Enhances a Modern, Patient-Centric, and Integrated Brand The third component is patient and brand loyalty and market expansion. Advocate for Patient Satisfaction Metrics; as a result, Ganey, an independent research firm, remains a leading expert in this field. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), using this method, we suggest awarding points to organizations based on survey results and other satisfaction criteria. Affirmatively adopting new technology, physicians should be rewarded for researching and using innovative technologies that improve patient care and efficiency. Treatment outside of traditional healthcare facilities will be in high demand post-pandemic, and virtual health services will be critical in meeting these demands (Smith et al., 2020). It is feasible to track and measure telemedicine education, coaching, and application metrics. This element may help digital health and other cutting-edge technology. Office policies and procedures and incentive programs can promote adherence to organizational and clinical standards and procedures. Both the doctor and the firm will benefit when these actions are adopted. Promote an organization’s brand through administrative roles and marketing Leaders in the CBI Model, which involves the compensation of leadership. Participation in quality improvement committees or medical supply formulary boards can also be a leadership activity. Other possible leadership activities include public speaking and research publications and service on administrative boards, and media/public appearances (Smith et al., 2020). With an objective, well-defined technique, physicians and organizations can create trust in each other. The CBI Model’s success can be attributed to a structure that mandates measurable activities consistently communicated to participating general practitioners openly and transparently. Instilling a sense of fairness and healthy rivalry among peers is made possible thanks to the transparency of the process. In each Core Incentive, physicians are classified into quartiles based on their performance. For the highest performers, it is suggested that the payouts for each quartile be weighted. There is a more significant release of Core Incentive Funding since more physicians are eligible for Core Incentive payouts. To maximize the incentives, physicians are encouraged to mobilize participation among their colleagues. Conclusion In summary, the CBI Model’s alignment models and proposed amendments to the AKS and Stark laws complement and reinforce the model’s timeliness while remaining true to its essential principles. The model is a vital feature when it comes to the motivation of the general service providers. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, healthcare practitioners have been forced to reconsider the value of cradle-to-grave care, a strategy that relies on cutting-edge technology to offer appropriate care at the appropriate time and in a suitable location. References Brousselle, A., Brunet‐Jailly, E., Kennedy, C., Phillips, S. D., Quigley, K., & Roberts, A. (2020). Beyond COVID‐19: Five commentaries on reimagining governance for future crises and resilience. Canadian Public Administration , 63(3), 369–408. Web. Kwon, S., & Kim, E. (2022). Sustainable health financing for COVID-19 preparedness and response in Asia and the Pacific. Asian Economic Policy Review , 17(1), 140-156. Web. Lexa, F. J., & Lexa, F. J. (2020). Private Equity–backed hospital investments and the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Journal of the American College of Radiology , 17 (8), 1049–1052. Web. Mehrotra, A., Wang, B., & Snyder, G. (2020). Telemedicine: What should the post-pandemic regulatory and payment landscape look like? The Commonwealth Fund. Smith, A. C., Thomas, E., Snoswell, C. L., Haydon, H., Mehrotra, A., Clemensen, J., & Caffery, L. J. (2020). Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare , 26 (5), 309–313. Web.
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ESSAY: Corey’s Ethical Decision-Making Model Application Essay In this essay, Corey’s ethical decision-making model is applied to describe two chosen cases. The eight-step process of the model is compiled into three consecutive stages: problem description and identification, legal information and advice collection, and decision on the course of action. Problem Description and Identification Promotion test results have informed a company that there is a high probability that their employee abuses drugs and is a pathological liar. As a result, the company decides not to promote but to fire the worker. The depressed worker refers to an ethical counselor to seek help. First, as an ethical counselor, it is crucial to identify the problem or a dilemma correctly (Neukrug, Fawcett, 2019). On the one hand, the company acts according to its interests since a drug-abusing employee may cause additional losses and harm its working process. On the other hand, the company’s decision to fire the client may be considered unethical. It violates his civil rights for privacy and may act against the ethical code for testing employees (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014). In this regard, several issues are involved in the case. First, there is the right of a business to act in accordance with its financial interests. Second, there is a person’s right to psychic and general privacy. Additionally, depending on the details, the company may have violated the ethics code for employee assessment by creating an unfair test and misusing it. Legal Information and Advice Collection The next step is to ensure that all the necessary ethics codes, rules, and regulations are reviewed and acknowledged (Neukrug, Fawcett, 2019). For this case, the ethical guidelines for privacy and confidentiality are especially relevant since my duty as an ethical counselor is to help the client while respecting his civil rights (ACA, 2014). In addition, if the test’s suggestions are accurate, the client’s life problems may be connected with drug abuse, which makes the standards of Avoiding Harm and Imposing Value useful as well (ACA, 2014). In terms of relevant laws for consideration, there are the Ethical standards that impose responsibility on any social worker to take necessary actions when someone is in danger (Cottone, Tarvydas, Hartley, 2021). Solving the ethical issue continues with obtaining necessary consultations with the law and human rights experts (Neukrug, Fawcett, 2019). The goal is to determine if the company has violated human rights and evaluate the possibility for the client to fight for his rights with the organization. Additionally, it seems reasonable to consult mental health and drug abuse specialists if the drug usage contributes to the customer’s depressive state. Decision on the Course of Action One of the courses of action is to help the client sue the company and ask for compensation. Alternatively, in case the client confirms his drug abusive behavior, I may suggest a recovery course or recommend a specific clinical therapist for him. The last option is limited to providing psychological help and life coaching if no options mentioned above seem optimal. The choice of further actions depends on the additional information revealed during an investigation into the issue. Suppose it is proven that the company has violated civil rights and acted unethically. In that case, the optimal decision is to ensure that the client receives moral compensation or is reinstated in his position in the company. Otherwise, my role in helping the client is limited to improving his mental state and reducing his unhealthy habits if the person agrees to do so. Problem Description and Identification The second case describes a graduate mental health professional with no competency in career development who is giving interest inventories while she counsels individuals for career issues. As an ethical counselor, I play the role of her colleague, who has witnessed such activity. The case introduces an ethical problem of providing services without the necessary qualification and knowledge. Such actions violate the ethical standard of Boundaries of Competence (ACA, 2014). Moreover, the situation involves the issue of causing potential harm to the clients of the unethical colleague and, consequently, applies professional responsibility on me to prevent the inappropriate activity (Cottone, Tarvydas, Hartley, 2021). Legal Information and Advice Collection There are several ethical and legal standards and laws relevant to the problem. First, the mentioned Boundaries of Competence directly prohibit providing unqualified services since they may threaten the client’s welfare (ACA, 2014). The same is true regarding the conduct of assessment and testing regulated by Limits of Competence ethical standard (ACA, 2014). Secondly, the Informal Resolution code and Reporting Ethical Violations implies an ethical counselor to try and prevent such actions either in an informal manner or by addressing appropriate authorities (ACA, 2014). Laws regarding consumer rights may be relevant as well since the service’s quality is threatened by the absence of proper qualification. External consultation does not seem required for such a case. Decision on the Course of Action As an ethical counselor, I am expected to resolve the issue by first contacting the colleague and alerting her about the unethical behavior. The second course of action involves addressing appropriate institutions, like communities of professional ethics, to inform them about my concerns. The decision upon choosing formal or informal mitigation of the issue depends on the colleague’s response. Initial implementation of the informal option enables to achieve resolution without any severe consequences to the colleague’s career and reputation. Such a peaceful solution is why I intend to choose the informal option first. The formal one may threaten the professional future of my colleague, but in case she is ignoring my concerns about her unethical practices, I am required to implement this course of action. References Neukrug, E. S., Fawcett, R. C. (2019). Essentials of Testing and Assessment: A Practical Guide for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists . Cengage Learning. American Counseling Association (2014). ACA Code of Ethics . Cottone, R. R., Tarvydas, V., Hartley, M. T. (2021). Ethics and Decision Making in Counseling and Psychotherapy . Springer Publishing Company.
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ESSAY: Corporate Entrepreneurship in Real-World Examples Essay Corporate entrepreneurship is the process by which groups inside an existing corporation build, foster, promote, and administer a new business distinct from the parent organization. However, these new entities emphasize the parent’s holdings, competitive positioning, knowledge, or other capabilities. The new groups may also be an oxymoron while again utilizing the unconventional approach to further economic growth alongside the meticulous planning, framework, and organization that several large firms have developed over time (Demirkan et al., 2019). Instead of reclining on their glories, the world’s wealthiest organizations, such as Amazon as well as Samsung, are progressively undertaking proactive innovation projects to prevent disruption. Amazon Custom is an excellent extension of an existing innovative initiative that has reaped the benefits of both evolutionary and radical tactics. As the name indicates, this ambitious new approach allows suppliers to provide customized items on Amazon for the first time (for example, custom text, customization, and so on) (Demirkan et al., 2019). Samsung’s innovative business strategy entails delegating new projects to an expert ‘creative elite,’ guaranteeing that they are prepared to include best practices and produce maximum KPIs (Demirkan et al., 2019). To achieve these objectives, the industry’s inventive elite use open innovation as well as corporate technical reconnaissance strategies. New product advocates explore ideas for new merchandise by independent strategic orientation, a bottom-up method. The iPod is an excellent example. It was built with the help of the company’s workers’ staffing and engineering knowledge. This approach adheres to the company’s existing strategies. Inspired strategic behavior is a top-down procedure in which policy is processed via the company’s pre-existing hierarchical structure (Demirkan et al., 2019). This process is consistent with the firm’s existing approaches, with the iPhone serving as an example. As a result, the most likely commercial development is induced business strategy. The focus of creative behavior strategy is on human effort rather than the technological aspect. It includes new ideas, products, and procedures into a person’s position. He subsequently becomes an expert in the field and works for the firm to generate fresh ideas. Reference Demirkan, I., Yang, Q., & Jiang, C. (2019). Corporate entrepreneurship of emerging market firms: current research and future directions. New England Journal of Entrepreneurship , 22 (1), 5-30.
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ESSAY: Correlation between Socioeconomic Status and Health Essay Sociology considers social strata built according to the criteria of race, age, education, and, above all, socioeconomic status. It is precisely the strata by the socioeconomic situation that are most entrenched in modern sociology. Although, in my opinion, studies on the topic of social strata by race and medical care are the most exciting and responsive to the demands of society. Sociology shows the possible causes of the emergence of social phenomena, including inequality. Due to the correlation of certain events or properties that sociologists record in their studies, people can see these reasons. These correlations form the basis for creating charts reflecting statistical and demographic studies. Based on the results obtained, it becomes possible at one time to make sociological forecasts, including those related to public health. Having complete information about public health and inequality in this area, it is possible in the future to build a unique way of life, taking into account education and prospective job. For example, sociologists find a correlation between the level of education received at a young age and possible illnesses in maturity and old age. I would also note the specifics of education itself in correlation with the characteristics of diseases. People who are educated in programming or cybersecurity will not have the same health problems as those educated in music. Even if these people at the age of 20, during their studies, show the same health indicators and (and) have similar complaints, the gap will be noticeable in the future. At the age of 20, the probability of the same hands, specifically for the specialists in question, is negligible since the musical education received by a teenager at school quickly deforms the body. People can draw similar parallels with specialties such as archeology and accounting, industrial chemistry, and psychology. In their research, Adler and Ostrove (1999) confirm this: “We find effects of education acquired through young adulthood on health problems that emerge many years later, suggesting that educational attainment is determining later health” (p. 8). By choosing one or a specialty, a person decides what role he will play in society, what means he will have at his disposal, and what diseases he will be more susceptible to. Sociological research also identifies which, for example, forms of cancer are more typical for low socioeconomic strata. Adler and Ostove (1999) describe it this way: “Research in Canada reveals that the association of SES with survival is strongest for cancers of the head and neck region, uterus and cervix, and bladder. These are cancers in which local symptoms often antedate development of metastatic disease and allow early treatment” (p. 9). People with low social status are less likely to see a doctor, self-medicate more often, and seek advice from their neighbors and friends. They rarely get screened, and sometimes the screenings they can afford financially or live in a tiny town are not of good quality. That is how sociology can draw correlations and parallels and build forecasts. It helps people make smart decisions that affect their entire lives. By analyzing the medical applications of people with high and low social status and creating large databases, modern sociologists can describe current trends in the healthcare sector. However, not only socioeconomic status as such affects health. An important aspect that partially affects socioeconomic status is the ecology of the territory where people live. I want to touch upon this topic separately since environmental issues now occupy one of the first places in socioeconomic research. Suppose people can afford to live in ecologically clean areas while not having a high level of education or having a minimal range of skills for work. In that case, their health, in general, will not deteriorate rapidly. In comparison, people (with high status) living in polluted cities may suffer from diseases that are not typical for their class and environment. Most people with high socioeconomic status have opportunities to travel and move from city to city or country to country. Climate change most often has a positive effect on their stamina and health. Reference Adler, N. E., & Ostrove, J. M. (1999). Socioeconomic status and health: What We know and what we don’t. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences , 896 (1), 3–15. Web.
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ESSAY: Could the US Prevent the Start of World War II? Essay It is clear to modern people, as well as many people who lived in the 1930s, that the Second World War was inevitable. Some believe that the United States of America could prevent the outbreak of the war. However, this could hardly be possible due to several reasons. The American government maintained an isolationist foreign policy in the 1930s. The period was challenging as all countries had to address severe economic issues (Corbett et al., 2021). Americans wanted to concentrate on domestic matters, including a threatening spread of communist ideas (Russett, 2019). It is noteworthy that the USA could hardly interfere and have a considerable impact on European affairs due to the country’s comparatively low economic might. The United States was not a financial leader at that period, so its influence was limited. Moreover, the USA alone could not prevent the world war because it was outbroken as a result of the clash between European countries. The outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles laid the ground for the new war, as almost all stakeholders were dissatisfied. Germany accumulated resources and developed alliances with other dictatorships, so any country could not play a decisive role in this conflict. No nation could prevent the start of the new war as the regimes that emerged in Europe (the communist USSR, Nazi Germany, and fascist Italy) were likely to start a new military conflict that would inevitably grow into a world war. Therefore, it is possible to assume that the USA could not have prevented the start of the Second World War even if the American government had abandoned its isolationist foreign policy. At that, the country made a tremendous contribution to stopping the war and establishing a new world order. References Corbett, P. S., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannestiel, T., Waskiewicz, T., & Vickery, P. (2021). U. S. history . OpenStax College. Russett, B. M. (2019). No clear and present danger . Routledge.
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ESSAY: “COVID-19: Impact on Nurses and Nursing” Study Research Paper This paper will provide an analysis of the article “COVID-19: Impact on Nurses and Nursing” by Fauteux (2021). The abstract is supposed to be the opening of the article. It is a way to quickly introduce the reader to the results of the research. In this article, the abstract is a brief overview of the topic that will be discussed. However, it contains no information about the methods of the research or its results. On this basis, such an abstract cannot be called comprehensive. The article’s introduction is already more extensive, offering a general overview of the topic. It provides information that the times of coronavirus pandemic have affected nursing. In addition, the introduction has statistics, which introduce the reader to the subject in a tangible way. From the introduction, I learned about the general factors of COVID’s effect on nursing, including increased mortality, changes in work practices, and increased workload. This introduction can be considered extensive and adequate. The research method of this article is qualitative in that a review of a body of research draws empirical conclusions. These conclusions relate to the significant changes that have occurred in nursing and its nature. The study uses quantitative data that has already been processed and presents an overview of information previously analyzed. The result of the study is the identification of the main factors of change in nursing. These include the intensification of collaboration and innovation, the removal of practice barriers, the popularization of telemedicine, and the increased risks of burnout (Fauteux, 2021). I learned how much nursing has been affected by the pandemic. I was mostly interested in the increased risk of nurse burnout due to too much workload. I also learned about the popularization of telemedicine due to the pandemic, which was a revelation to me because the attitude of the patients to their health seems to have drastically changed after the virus outbreak. This article is beneficial in understanding how an entire division of medical practice can change under extreme conditions. Reference Fauteux, N. (2021). COVID-19: Impact on nurses and nursing. American Journal of Nursing, 121 (5), 19-21.
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ESSAY: COVID-19 Vaccine Awareness Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Rationale 3. Audience 4. Teaching Method 5. Findings 6. Learner Objectives 7. References Introduction Vaccines are an important aspect of public health and the general wellness of people. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines vaccines as “a product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease.” Vaccines are commonly administered through direct injection by the use of a needle. Vaccines are an important part of the health system as they prevent the recurrence of dangerous diseases hence eliminating instances of future treatment of the same diseases. Rationale Vaccine awareness is particularly important for the audience due to its educative value. The Covid-19 pandemic attracted numerous controversies and conspiracy theories that need to be demystified for the public for the greater good. Through this awareness, the audience will be equipped with sufficient knowledge and be able to make informed decisions on whether to get vaccinated or go for other available alternatives (Educators for Social Change, n.d). The most important thing about vaccine awareness is being accorded credible information regarding COVID-19 vaccines rather than relying on information that could otherwise be misinforming to the public. Audience The target audience for this lesson is middle school to college-level students. Students are prioritized for this lesson because of the high risks of infection they face regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in traditional settings tend to have uncontrolled social interactions that put them at risk of getting infected with the virus and thereafter contribute to further spreading to the outside world. As such students must get the relevant knowledge on vaccines including the processes of creation, why people should be vaccinated, and the safety of the vaccine. It is, however, important to state that vaccination against COVID-19 is the path toward regaining normalcy in schools and therefore all students should be encouraged to get vaccinated. This information will encourage more students to go for the vaccines and help stop the spread of the virus. Teaching Method To reach a larger population and ensure referencing at any particular point, this lesson will be transmitted through video. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift in teaching methods from traditional teaching styles to the digitalization of teaching. Research indicates that teaching through digital platforms in form of videos and podcasts results in high rates of information retention and takes less time compared to traditional delivery methods (Li & Lalani, 2020). Findings * COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. * According to the CDC side effects of the vaccine headache, tiredness, muscle pain, and nausea are common and normal and only a sign that the body is adjusting accordingly. * The benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks of not getting the vaccine; the risks include infection and death due to infection (CDC). Learner Objectives * Equip students with relevant information on COVID-19 vaccines. * Demystify misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccination. * Encourage students to go and get vaccinated against the COVID- 19 virus as soon as possible. Evaluation Criteria A survey will be conducted on the targeted students to assess their knowledgeability of the students concerning the COVID-19 vaccination. The survey will be in form of a questionnaire on the general knowledge of the topic and also on their status and attitude towards vaccination. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Web. Educators for Social Change (n.d). Teaching about vaccines. Web. Li, C. & Lalani, F. (2020) The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever. This is how. Web.
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ESSAY: COVID Vaccines’ Importance and Effectiveness Essay The research paper highlights the importance and effectiveness of COVID vaccine boosters for people in general. To confirm this fact, attention was drawn to numerous studies of vaccines, their action, and the various manifestations and reactions of both single-component vaccines and doses requiring amplification. A source supporting the idea was found in one of the world’s most respected general scientific journals. The article “Mixing COVID vaccines triggers potent immune response” by Ewen Callaway, published in the journal Nature , devoted to research mainly on natural sciences, was selected. The source could be sponsored by an editor interested in gaining prestige as a result of the publication. The article evaluated can be considered successful in terms of the necessary characteristics, including reliability, usefulness, relevance, and meaningfulness based on facts. The source’s credibility can be judged by the relevant information presented in the article; the conclusions summarized in the article are confirmed in studies around the world, so the data presented can be considered reliable. The study examines the strategy of mixing vaccines to boost the immune response. The statements of scientists and virologists about this method inspire confidence: “The Pfizer vaccine boosted antibody responses remarkably in one-dose AstraZeneca vaccinees.” (Callaway, 2021, p. 491) Validating the strategy Zhou Xing, an immunologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, provides evidence-based expert opinion. The article presents references to works and studies that indicate the credibility of the information presented in the source: “…two doses of the same vaccine” (as cited in Callaway, 2021, p. 491). The source analyzed has some value to work with, confirming the effectiveness of vaccines and COVID vaccine boosters, which Pfizer and AstraZeneca can be, depending on the situation. The article’s thesis is expressed in the idea of ​​greater effectiveness of the presented vaccines working together. The goal is achieved by bringing facts and expressing expert opinions, making people take a critical look at the situation. “The Pfizer–BioNTech booster seemed to jolt the immune systems of the Oxford–AstraZeneca-dosed participants,” reported Magdalena Campins, a Spanish investigator on the CombivacS study at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona (as cited in Callaway, 2021, p. 491). The results show that “control participants who did not receive a booster vaccination experienced no change in antibody levels” (Callaway, 2021, p. 491). The information confirms the result that scientists are striving for in this study and proves the factual usefulness of the selected source for the evaluation of the necessary characteristics. It is crucial that the study provides not only highly positive information, the author also emphasizes that the actions of enhancers, different from the first vaccine, lead to significant side effects, such as fever, stating: “A UK study called Com-COV… found that people in the mix-and-match groups experienced higher rates of common vaccine-related side effects” (Callaway, 2021, p. 491). This proves the veracity of what is written in the article and warns the reader about the possible results, leaving the choice to him. To conclude, the source can be very reliable when working on the topic of COVID vaccine boosters. The article’s credibility is confirmed by current information, research-based on facts, authoritative opinions of scientists, and the fact that the article involves references to the necessary studies. The source is considered valid, as it contains background and essential information on which it is possible to rely in the research. Reflection Questions What types of questions did you ask yourself when evaluating the credibility and usefulness of your source? It is necessary to question oneself about the relevance of the source evaluated to determine credibility. Usefulness should be evaluated critically by determining the source’s purpose and how it arrives at that goal. How do you feel this evaluation practice will help you as you continue to move through the research process? Evaluation of the source is the necessary practice in the research process in our time. It helps better immerse in the process and evaluate information critically. Reference Callaway, E. (2021). Mixing COVID vaccines triggers potent immune response. Nature, 593 , 491.
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ESSAY: Creating Diverse Care Delivery Models in Nursing Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. How Social Justice Is Fundamental to the Practice of Nursing 3. Social Justice, Diversity, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care 4. Barriers to Providing Socially Just Care to a Diverse Population 5. Recommendations for Providing Health Promotion Activities 6. Conclusion 7. References Introduction Social justice is a common perspective that all people should be treated with equity while accessing social, political, and economic opportunities and rights. The United Nations views social justice as the fair and compassionate distribution of resources for growth (Thrift & Sugarman, 2019). Social justice is essential in nursing practice, especially where experts, medical equipment, or drugs are limited. The allocation and distribution of limited resources determine the fairness and success of health services and programs in a diverse society. Creating diverse care delivery models guides the formation and management of institutions that collaborate with individuals to provide empowerment and humanitarian services to communities (Smith et al., 2018). Healthcare delivery models in nursing practice are meant to help all people receive the best treatment and care in all aspects of life, especially for the neediest in society. Usually, the demonstrative and medical staff come from different backgrounds and possess a wide range of skills and experience, which is essential for all stakeholders. Social justice in nursing is an essential practice as it ensures the equitable provision of services to the neediest. How Social Justice Is Fundamental to the Practice of Nursing Access to quality nursing and healthcare services remains a common challenge to billions of people around the globe. As a result, there is a constant need to develop frameworks and institutions that provide equitable healthcare services to home-based care patients. The quality of health care assertive provided to patients such as the old, patients recovering from surgery or accidents depends on their ability to afford such services. Creating diverse care delivery models improves the accessibility of such services. For instance, patients who live near health facilities or medical practitioners are easily accessible to home-based care nurses. It also ensures access to critical medical infrastructural such as cancer diagnosis equipment is allocated fairly and equitably. Creating diverse care delivery models in nursing ensures the neediest access to the best services there is. Alpert et al. (2020) note that diverse care models help health and other social institutions plan for better services without straining their limited personnel. For example, nurses might be challenged to choose between attending to an elderly sick patient at home or attending to tens of patients lined up at a health facility. The distribution of scarce medical equipment is one of the biggest challenges inhibiting the provision of medical services. In such scenarios, care delivery models ensure the resources are first provided to the neediest. Healthcare workers first attend to the neediest patients such as the elderly and patients with underlying conditions in case of a deadly pandemic like the COVID-19. Other cases like patients recovering from an accident or surgery may be attended to later. However, it does not mean that a patient should be ignored while attending to the neediest. All patients deserve the best care and treatment possible for the actual realization of just care delivery models. Social Justice, Diversity, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care Communities differ in culture and overall view of health services. Putot (2022) defines patient-centered care as the provision of healthcare services based on patient needs and preferences and values. According to Alpert et al. (2020), the clinical decisions in patient-based care are controlled by the patient’s values to ensure the services provided are as relevant and effective as possible. The approach demands an ideal collaboration between healthcare personnel and individual patients. The decisions made by the healthcare providers as well as the treatment outcomes are driven by patient aspirations and needs. On the other hand, family-centered care is focused on the well-being of relatives and children. The approach is geared towards a professional partnership between the family and healthcare providers (Nnama-Okechukwu & Okoye, 2019). The family-centered approach is respectful of the traditions, cultures, expertise, and strengths that the professionals and family contribute to this bond. In other words, the role and contribution of each player are highly valued, respected, and welcome. Different patients need different attention while seeking medical services. It is influenced by the differences in their inspirations, cultures, beliefs, values, and family backgrounds. Such differences create a chaotic situation, which calls for the application of either patient-centered or family-centered treatment approaches. The patient-centered approach is mostly applicable to conscious patients who can express themselves as much as possible (Nnama-Okechukwu and Okoye, 2019). In cases whether the patient is conclusions, for example, after a fatal road accident or severe illness, the treatment approach chosen is always in favor of the family. Social diversity creates gaps in access to health services, which could prevent the poor or otherwise disadvantaged individuals from accessing quality healthcare services. Social justice chips in to bridge the gaps between social diversity and treatment approaches. At the end of the day, social justice creates an ample environment for healthcare providers and patients from across the social divide. Barriers to Providing Socially Just Care to a Diverse Population Creating diverse care delivery models in healthcare is far from being achieved although numerous measures have been taken to limit existing challenges. Some of the biggest challenges inhibiting the provision of socially just healthcare to diverse populations are inadequate manpower, poverty, racism, divisive politics, cultural barriers, fear, stereotyping, and discrimination (Puckett et al., 2018). Lack of education is also a major hindrance to the creation of diverse and just care delivery models as people do not understand what is good or meant for them. Medical experiments and clinical trials target the poor, which might leave them in critical health conditions. The barriers limit healthcare providers, patients, and their families from experiencing the true fruits of diverse care delivery models and schemes. Recommendations for Providing Health Promotion Activities Building a socially just health sector is necessary for all nations and communities. However, with the aforementioned barriers, it is challenging to achieve the goal. As a result, the following recommendations are proposed. Firstly, authorities must formulate and implement a healthy public policy. The policies will guide healthcare providers, patients, and home-based caregivers on how to approach and interact with one another. Secondly, there needs to be a supportive environment for all stakeholders. Community actions on health matters should be strengthened to create a better understanding among all participants. Lastly, the general provision of health services should be reoriented to suit all participants and targeted beneficiaries. Conclusion Diverse care delivery models for home-based care programs seek to provide services to all people in the most equitable way possible. The programs seek to provide equal health opportunities to all people, especially the neediest. In patient-based care, clinical decisions are driven by the patient’s values to ensure the services provided are as relevant and effective as possible. Family-centered care is focused on the well-being of relatives and children and is always geared towards a professional partnership between the family and healthcare providers. The provision of socially just health services faces numerous barriers including poverty, political tension, racism, cultural barriers, discrimination, and stereotyping. The recommendations put forward to suggest ways of ensuring the promotion of diverse and just models in healthcare services. They include policy formulation, creating a supportive environment for all stakeholders, and strengthening community health actions. References Alpert, J.L., Akinola, S.M., Booty, E., Dimitrova, D., Do, T.T., Emmanuel, A.L., Fröhlicher, P., Gitonga, C.W., Le Thu Hang, P., Hunt, L.S., Hussein, S., Kiarie, H., Mistry, S., Ngechu, R.N., Nikolic, I.A., Olago, A., Pollack, T.M., Vellenga, R., Wispelwey, B.P., & Duong, D.B. (2020). Annual Primary Care 2030 Convening: Creating an Enabling Ecosystem for Person-Centered Primary Healthcare Models to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries . Annals of Global Health, 86 . Web. Nnama-Okechukwu, C. U., & Okoye, U. O. (2019). Rethinking institutional care using family-based alternative child care system for orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria . Journal of Social Work in Developing Societies , 1 (3). Web. Puckett, J. A., Cleary, P., Rossman, K., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2018). Barriers to gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals . Sexuality Research and Social Policy , 15 (1), 48-59. Web. Putot, A. (2022). Simplicity in medicine: for a return to patient-based care . The American Journal of Medicine . Web. Smith, M. J., Thompson, A., & Upshur, R. E. (2018). Is ‘health equity’ bad for our health? A qualitative empirical ethics study of public health policy-makers perspectives . Canadian Journal of Public Health , 109 (5), 633-642. Web. Thrift, E., & Sugarman, J. (2019). What is social justice? Implications for psychology . Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 39 (1), 1–17. Web.
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ESSAY: Criminal History Core Competencies Report Historically, law enforcement was founded on the need to ensure citizens’ safety, possession, and health and to safeguard the people from civil disorder and crime. As such, Harris (2020) shows that law enforcement’s lawful powers included using force legitimized by the government or arrests through a monopoly on violence. In its primitive system, law enforcement clan members banded together to enforce rules of the group on rogue members. The purpose behind enforcing societal directives, conducting human control, and empowering authoritative enforcement of those rules was to safeguard the people from rogue members. The community believed that any form of violence against any of them was tantamount to an attack on the rest (Harris, 2020). Therefore, to achieve its purpose, early law enforcement employed three fundamental features, no coercion, law enforcement had a wide array of tasks. The third feature was a critical distinction between the people legally endowed with policing responsibilities and those who carried out policing duties. Peace offices have the mandate of ensuring that whether on or off duty, they shall not commit any crime knowingly under the country’s laws. In the U.S., for example, peace officers are bound by local and state jurisdiction not to commit a crime. The other responsibilities of the peace officer are to not knowingly disobey the rule of law on criminal procedures, especially in such areas as detention, arrests, evidence preservation, and the use of informants (Schroeder & Lombardo, 2018). Further, no peace officer shall exceed their authority when enforcing the law, and no individual freedom shall be restricted by peace officers (Schroeder & Lombardo, 2018). Only except the law is police officers allowed to disobey the rule of law relative to the criminal procedures. References Harris, D. (2020). The history of law enforcement . Minnesota: Essential Library. Schroeder, D. J., & Lombardo, F. A. (2018). Police Sergeant exam . New York: Barron’s.
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ESSAY: Criminal Justice System Development Essay Lawsuit Tendencies Civil lawsuits are constantly evolving and are driving new trends to emerge. For decades, filing criminal charges against police officers for excessive use of force has been extremely rare. Even if the defendants were convicted, the jury did not want to find them guilty. However, nowadays, there is a growing trend in the number of lawsuits against the police, and the percentage of successful settlements is also increasing. There are many lawsuits out of court, which causes anxiety to enforcement officials who are afraid of potential cases. Moreover, is a tendency to protect the rights of citizens and to punish any person who subjects to the deprivation of any rights, secured by the Constitution (The United States Code, 1980). Such individual shall be liable notwithstanding his job, but the requirements of a declaratory decree shall be considered. Tendencies concerning corrections lawsuits and equality among people have also been modified. Analysis of the case law enables one to conclude that although correctional facilities have broad powers, they have the primary duty to ensure equal conditions for people with disabilities. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2010), physical or mental disabilities should not diminish a person’s right to participate in all aspects of society. Therefore, even in justiciability lawsuits, there is a need to provide exceptional facilities and necessary assistance for everyone who requires it. Civil liability issues have a direct impact on the criminal justice system. As a result of tendencies toward equal opportunity and protection of the needy, the specifics of justice are reversing. According to the Civil Rights Act (1991), everyone must be responsible for the harm he or she has caused and make restitution. Therefore, justice is the central feature and value of the modern criminal justice system. Civil liability issues and their distinctive features guide modifications in the system, and each new trend necessitates a change in approach. Civil Lawsuits Transformations The modern world is constantly evolving, and its improvements impact civil litigation in the United States. The U.S. justice system continues to fulfill its primary mission by adjudicating cases on the merits of conflicts or resolving legal disputes through other established methods. While the primary mission of the court system has remained, some features of dispute resolution are different. Civil lawsuits have transformed over time, and these changes directly affect criminal justice professionals. It is noteworthy that the period between the 1970s and 1980s was a crisis in the U.S. judicial system. It manifested itself in a multiplication of the number of court appeals, the duration of cases, and the parties’ litigation costs (Horner et al., 2018). Therefore, the need to reform the system, which was not coping with many lawsuits, emerges. Most of the transformations concerned civil cases’ subject matter and complexity, but decision terms were prolonged. The extensive caseload was the reason for judges to take up civil cases. The concept of geographic uniformity was no longer actively used, and Congress authorized the judiciary to amend and have exclusive authority over the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This reform has led to duplication of cases, increasing costs, and delays. The sweeping changes impacted all elements of civil litigation and gave criminal justice professionals a stimulus to be more assertive in their cases. Criminal justice professionals came under pressure for the enormous growth of issues and overhead (Horner et al., 2018). Employees became highly frustrated, making civil litigation even more frustrating and time-consuming. Civil litigation has been plagued by the many changes that have been necessary because of the crisis of the judicial system. The subjects of lawsuits, the length of the litigation process, its peculiarities, and its size have altered. Despite this, costs and delays are still high, and the system is not functioning completely. Moreover, all of the reforms directly affected criminal justice professionals. Still, they have not been favorable or effective because they have provided little encouragement to undertake meaningful activities. References Horner, C., Tenenbaum, E., Sipp, D., & Master, Z. (2018). Can civil lawsuits stem the tide of direct-to-consumer marketing of unproven stem cell interventions. NPJ Regenerative medicine , 3 (1), 1-5. Office of the Law Revision Counsel (1980). United States Code. Web. US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2010). Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Web. US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Civil Rights Act of 1991. Web.
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ESSAY: Criminology and Its Significance in Criminal Justice Fields Essay Criminology is one of the most significant criminal justice fields characterized as an interdisciplinary field founded on the principles of sociology, psychology, politics, statistics, and economics. Criminologists’ activities include collecting and analyzing data of committed crimes to study the nature of crimes and criminals and identify factors that influence criminals’ motives. Through exploring criminals’ backgrounds and crime data, criminologists find patterns and determine common traits and behavior of criminals, common causes of crimes and criminals’ motivations. The essential role of criminologists in criminal justice has a preventative character. The studies conducted by criminologists aim to reduce crimes by identifying and eliminating factors that influence the human tendency to commit a crime. Therefore, the role of criminologists in the justice field is important as it presents knowledge about criminals’ motivation and effective punishment methods that could be used to correct criminals’ deviant behavior. Additionally, as there are many examples of criminal behavior, there are dozens of different criminological theories and paradigms. According to Coomber et al. (2019), most criminology theories are focused on street crime. In addition to street crimes being a part of urban life that presents a significant threat to public safety, street crime rates are influenced by the street environment. For example, the research conducted by Zeng et al. (2021) determined that street environmental factors such as the frequency of street use and the presence of escape paths significantly affect the number of robberies. Thus, besides analyzing the criminals’ background, criminologists also explore other factors influencing crime rates. Furthermore, more accurate criminology research results could be achieved by carefully choosing the correct method for crime data analysis. In general, effective research methods used in criminology are case studies, clinical studies, and statistical data analysis. Case studies focus on individual crime or several similar crimes to compare the data and extract valuable information. Case studies are very effective as a method of criminology research, as they provide the most accurate information; however, case studies are expensive and require significant resources. On the other hand, the clinical method is effective when criminals express mental health disorders; the data is collected through an interview with a psychologist. Next, the information from research conducted through analysis of statistical data of crimes as a mass phenomenon could effectively be used by the government to protect the population. There are many other common methods in criminology that are less effective or accurate. One of them is the comparative method that focuses on exploring the connections between two objects. For example, the research on the connection between the number of undocumented immigrants and immigrant crimes conducted by Adelman et al. (2021) determined that, on average, immigration has no impact on the crime rate. Therefore, even though the comparison method is commonly used in criminology, the results of its use could have little significant information and present no potential for effective protection of the population. Furthermore, many important details and valuable information are missing due to the high number of unreported crimes. For example, in examining the citizen responses to the sound of gunfire, Huebner et al. (2020) determined that in communities prevailed by Black residents, there is a lower chance that the residents will call 911. Therefore, accurately measuring crime data is essential to providing valuable information about the current situation with criminal activity and its trends. Moreover, criminal justice system reports and subsequent reforms are based on the available crime data. The possible case in which crime rates are inaccurately measured presents a threat to the population’s safety and reduced policies quality. References Adelman, R. M., Yang, Y., Williams Reid, L., Bachmeier, J. D., & Maciag, M. (2021). Using estimates of undocumented immigrants to study the immigration-crime relationship. Journal of Crime and Justice, 44 (4), 375-400. Web. Coomber, R., Donnermeyer, J., McElrath, K., & Scott, J. (2019). Key concepts in crime and society [eBook, Enhanced Credo edition]. SAGE. Huebner, B. M., Lentz, T. S., & Schafer, J. A. (2020). Heard shots – call the police? An examination of citizen responses to gunfire. Justice Quarterly , 1-24. Web. Zeng, M., Mao, Y., & Wang, C. (2021). The relationship between street environment and street crime: A case study of Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China. Cities, 112 , 1-11. Web.
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ESSAY: Crisis of Middle Ages in 14-15th Centuries Essay The decline of the 14-15th centuries, also known as the crisis of the late Middle Ages, is a term used in Western historiography to refer to the recession processes that took place in some countries of Western Europe. Western historians, considering the socio-economic processes in some European countries in the 14-15th centuries, paid particular attention to the “crisis phenomena” in the European economy of these periods (Cole and Symes). They put in the first place the movement of prices, population, “desolation” of lands, and others as determining factors of recession (Cole and Symes). Although the Middle Ages were once seen as a time of ignorance and social oppression, it is now understood as a dynamic period during which the idea of Europe as a separate cultural unit appeared. Since the 20s of the 14th century, the economic downturn in the history of Europe has begun. The population was declining, while cultivated lands were mainly abandoned. Cities were falling into decline, agricultural and industrial products were reducing, technological progress was suspended, the development of trade, primarily foreign exchange, was slowing down, prices were falling. Additionally, the period is characterized mainly by overcoming feudal fragmentation and the formation of centralized states in France and England. Using the financial resources of the cities, the kings could constantly maintain a mercenary army to fight rebellious feudal lords. The appearance of firearms at the beginning of the XIV century reduced the importance of chivalry. Castles could not withstand artillery, and the appearance of hand-held firearms made heavy knight armor meaningless. After the period of rapid population growth, Europe faced the depression phase. It has been traditionally believed that the late Middle Ages is vividly characterized by demographic decline. There were three significant factors for the recession: plague epidemic, famine, and numerous wars. In addition, the weather conditions were also to blame since winters became harsh at the end of the 13th century. The soil was inappropriate for planting crops which took a toll on the nutrition of European residents. At the time of the Great Famine, thousands of people died daily from lack of food, parents sold and ate their children, cannibalism was widespread. Hence, the population struggled to survive and did not focus on materialistic goals. The other reason for the decline was the plague which quickly spread around Europe and killed millions of people. It is believed that the epidemic has penetrated almost every corner of the continent, killing from 30 to 50 percent of the population (Cole and Symes). The mass fled from the cities gripped by the disease gave rise to anarchy, panic, and mob rule. For fear of getting sick, anyone who aroused even the slightest suspicion was dragged to the infirmary by force. The suicide epidemic, which intensified along with the spread of infection, forced the authorities to adopt special laws that threatened those who took their own lives to put their corpses to the public eye. Together with the sick, healthy people often got into the infirmary, who was found in the same house with the ill or dead, which forced people to hide the sick and secretly bury the corpses. Therefore, the contemporaries again had the only goal – survival. Ultimately, the revolts created severe conditions for the Europeans in the late Middle Ages. The pressure on the poor caused peasants to rebel against the nobles. Being a peasant was viewed as something pejorative, which opposed wealth and status. While the aristocracy was accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle, the poor considered their fraud. Hence, these two classes were fighting against each other with increased violence. However, the nobles beat those from lower stratification since they had more power. In addition, the War of Roses, Hundred Years’ War, Polish-Teutonic Wars, and some others have greatly devastated the European territory leading to political, economic, and social dissonance. Consequently, the population was trying to make ends meet to survive. For all its versatility, spirituality and culture of the Middle Ages were built around one vector. Religion permeated all spheres of life in medieval society and changed their perception of crisis (Gaddy 72). The Church continued to eradicate heresy to a large extent, repressing religious sects and urging priests to punish unorthodox followers (Gaddy). Meanwhile, the peasantry practiced pagan customs and began mixing them with Catholic ones. The Church has become the center of social contradictions, weakening the political influence of the Papacy in the 14th century. It further led to the development of independent centralized states. The religious assumptions have also given rise to the progress of art and sciences, initiated by the development of universities and the spread of scholarship. The revived interest in ancient literature led to the Italian Proto-Renaissance (Cole and Symes). Antiquities, including books, have been accumulating in Europe since the Crusades (Cole and Symes). The invention of printing also contributed to the spread of knowledge. Previously rare and costly books gradually became publicly available, preparing the European reformation. The first Italian humanist, Francesco Petrarch, revived man’s science – humanities. Humanists believed that eternal truths were hidden under cover of the poetic fiction of ancient literature. They rejected the totality of academic knowledge with its ontological problems and brought to the fore ethics, the science of the formation of human personality based on a thoughtful reading of Roman authors with their ideal of human dignity. The defining feature of Italian humanism was the possession of classical instead of medieval Latin. Contemporaries appreciated Petrarch for his treatises on history and ethics, written in beautiful classical Latin. Petrarch studied the norms of elegant Latin from Cicero, whose works he tirelessly searched in the monastery libraries (Robinson 249). For his Latin writings, Petrarch was crowned with a laurel wreath in Rome. What is more, the New Testament was viewed as a source of faith formation, especially during the crisis. Since the Catholic faith was spread by people, the New Testament was the book to rely upon when praying (Luther 358). The church was gaining more power causing individuals to convert and making them serve for the sake of God (Gaddy 114). It also helped shape the concept of chivalry and contributed to the rise of women’s status in society (Luther 359). Consequently, the population was trying to find peace resorting to religion during the decline. In conclusion, the crisis of the Middle Ages caused devastating consequences on Europe; however, it gave rise to cultural formation. The recession was primarily driven by the plague, famine, and conflicts making contemporaries suffer and fight for life. Therefore, their only goal was survival and trying to find reconciliation in religion. The religious assumptions of that time have significantly impacted the development of culture and education. Works Cited Cole, J, & Symes, C. (2022). Western civilizations. W.W. Norton & Company. Gaddy, C. Welton. A Soul Under Siege: Surviving Clergy Depression . Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 1991. Luther, Martin. Prefaces to the New Testament . Translated by Charles Jacobs and Theodore Bachmann, Wildside Press, 2010. Robinson, James. Petrarch’s Letters. G.P Putnam, 1898.
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ESSAY: Critical Response: The Origin of Negro Slavery Essay (Critical Writing) The phenomenon of slavery is one of the most devastating factors that affected the lives of people of African descent throughout the years. However, it is essential to address the origins of racism and slavery in order to create a comprehensive understanding of these concepts. In the chapter “The Origin of Negro Slavery”, Williams explains that although currently slavery is deeply connected to the exploitation of African Americans, initially, populations of various races and ethnicities were occupied as enslaved people (Williams 7). Considering that individuals of all races were involved in slavery in the New World, racism emerged as a consequence of forced labor and was not originally connected to the targeted discrimination of African Americans. In the history of slavery, the first population compelled to undergo the severe process of enslavement was the Indians. For instance, Spanish explorers utilized Indian labor in their colonies to convert the population to Christianity, enforcing the necessity of slave labor on the individuals who refused to accept the Christian faith (Williams 8). Similarly, Great Britain and France supported slavery in the colonial territories; however, this event was not connected to racial predispositions but to the fact that slavery served as a preventative penalty for the indigenous communities. Nevertheless, over the course of history, enslaved Negroes became a highly more important asset in the slave trade due to the economic benefits, leading to the establishment of Negro slavery as a normal condition (Williams 21). As a result, racism and racial discrimination emerged, but the initial origin for substituting other enslaved people with African Americans remained economic, not racial. To conclude, the connection between slavery and racism lies in the fact that racial predispositions towards African Americans were caused by the overwhelming use of enslaved African Americans. As such, slavery did not emerge as a result of racism; on the contrary, individuals from various races and ethnic communities were involved in the slave trade. Nevertheless, after the economic benefits of using enslaved African Americans were established, negative racial stereotypes began to emerge, leading to the occurrence of racism. Work Cited Williams, Eric. “The Origin of Negro Slavery.” Capitalism and Slavery . The University of North Carolina Press, 1944, pp. 3-29.
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ESSAY: Critical Thinking in a Personal Decision Essay (Critical Writing) The only way to cope with life’s everyday complexities is by commanding your mind. In that, whatever you are doing, feel about a situation, or whichever action you want to undertake, all are determined by the quality of your thinking. Critical thinking helps one gain control over their life, deal with life’s challenging situations, and make a rational decisions for the matter. Therefore, before acting on any decision made, it is important to think critically about the situation at hand and evaluate the best solution to apply. Thus, this paper will apply the critical thinking steps in my personal experience describing what I will do at various stages to combat the problem and make a decision. Before arriving at the last carefully thought decision, I will follow up on each of the stages of critical thinking to arrive at a sound decision. According to Medeiros et. (2019), the steps of critical thinking are; identifying the problem, detaching from emotional involvement, and determining solution criteria. They also include gathering and evaluating information, considering personal values and beliefs, and choosing and evaluating the solution. On identifying the problem, I will look at the niche that exists in my family. Many times I overreact when a small dispute or rather a disagreement arises and therefore, I do not relate well with my mother since such an episode occurred ten years ago. I am sure she cannot stand me either though I have reformed and would like to go to my childhood home someday. On the same note, having separated from my children’s mother, the children were affected by the separation and are not doing well in school. Therefore, after a careful evaluation, I decided to move into my childhood home after my mother passed on and transferred my children to another school. After a series of counseling sessions, I have conceded that healthy control of my emotions is vital. This is because it enables me to engage more effectively in critical thinking before jumping to vague conclusions or overreacting. On the same note detaching from negative emotional dispositions will enable me to build a better relationship with my family as they have always considered me problematic and hard-headed. The criteria I will employ to determine solutions is outlining positive solutions that will guide me in discerning whether the decision made is good. Over the years, since falling out with my mother and my children’s mother, counseling has taught me a lot about upholding my values and beliefs as I have related them in my day-to-day life. In my decision, some of the beliefs I have is that the Bible teaches forgiveness and makes resolves the Christian way. The values important in my decision are courage and resilience as it is not easy given that my childhood home will always remind me of my mother. On the same note, my children will have to start afresh in the new school. With all that transpired between me and my mother and her being on the death bed, I accept her imminent death and the solution that stands out is moving back to my childhood home. However, the anticipated outcome of the solution is to create a way to reflect on my past while reevaluating the decisions I made back then and starting afresh, and therefore, this decision will give me closure. The children will have a clean start and hence improve academically and the proximity will enable easier follow-up. Reference Modeiros, K. E., Williams, B. C., & Damadzic, A. (2019). Creative problem solving: Processes, strategies, and considerations for leaders. In Leader Thinking Skills (pp. 176-204). Routledge.
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ESSAY: Cultural Competency in Healthcare Essay (Critical Writing) Many countries are becoming more multicultural, and doctors are accepting patients from different socio-cultural backgrounds. Thus, there is an increasing need of intercultural communication between people. It is especially critical in the healthcare area since people discuss topics related to medicine, diseases, and even saving life. Effective doctor-patient interaction is associated with increased patient satisfaction, adherence to recommendations and outcomes, and improving health (Purnell, 2002). When the socio-cultural differences between patients and doctors are not studied and brought to practice, this can lead to patient dissatisfaction, non-compliance with recommendations, and harmful health consequences. Previous efforts in building cultural competence have focused on teaching specific aspects of patient care within a particular culture. Indeed, this is useful in some situations because it helps having a common understanding of other people. However, sometimes this approach can lead to stereotypes and oversimplification of a culture. It is vital to remember that people can be extremely different even within one culture. Therefore, cultural competence evolved from assumptions about patients based on nationality to the implementation of patient-centered care principles (Jongen et al., 2018). It includes learning, empathy, responsiveness to the needs, values, ​​and preferences of patients. Becoming multinational, the population of large countries expects an adequate culture-based, patient-centered approach to medical care. The study of the experience of forming future doctors’ cultural competence in higher medical educational institutions reveals problematic issues related to this. The first is the complexity of developing academic and methodological materials describing cultural health problems. The second is the question of whether the efforts of the actual disciplines of the humanitarian profile are sufficient to solve the assigned tasks (Douglas et al., 2018). Perhaps the specialized fields’ content also needs to be “saturated” with cross-cultural interaction’s contextual studies. In addition, the question is whether medical educators will be able to provide the necessary training for students in this area. There are three main components of cultural competence to be developed in professionals. The first is knowledge about the aspects of intercultural interaction in the practice of medical care. The second is the possession of the relevant competencies and the readiness to demonstrate them. The third is the attitude to the phenomena that make up the essence of competence and the skill of activating competence (Kumar et al., 2019). These components, which require teachers’ close attention when planning courses, should form the basis for interdisciplinary integration of materials. There is currently great interest in assessing the impact of educational initiatives on patient health. Research on cultural competence is still at an early stage. The cultural competence of doctors is not a panacea that can improve health and eliminate inequalities by itself. This is an indicator of their high socio-cultural competence and ability to provide highly qualified care to patients of different national cultures. Thus, it is necessary to study this issue along with basic scientific knowledge for the development of cultural sensitivity. It is also vital to apply a cultural approach in practice to fully experience how to communicate with different types of patients. References Douglas, M., Pacquiao, D., & Purnell, L. (2018). Global applications of culturally competent health care: Guidelines for practice. Springer. Jongen, C., McCalman, J., & Bainbridge, R. (2018). Health workforce cultural competency interventions: A systematic scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 18 (1), 232. Kumar, R., et al. (2019). Cultural competence in family practice and primary care setting. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 8 (1), 1-4. Purnell, L. (2002). The Purnell model for cultural competence. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13 (3), 193-196.
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ESSAY: Cultural Differences’ Impact on Communication Essay Table of Contents 1. Describe 2. Relate 3. Educate 4. References Describe Culture is the specialized and intergenerational collection of one group’s ideas, beliefs, and customs. In our increasingly globalized society, it is important to be conscious of cultural differences in order to negotiate effectively. According to research, there are seven major cultural distinctions that have the biggest impact on communication (DeVito, 2016). Four of them are included in the TV show Outsourced , a sitcom that caricatures the cultural differences between Americans and Indians. Firstly, individualist or collectivist orientation decides whether the individual’s or group’s goals are given greater importance. For example, in Outsourced , a cultural misunderstanding occurs because an American character does not comprehend the Indian tradition of arranged marriage wherein the family’s choice of spouse is more important than the individual’s. Secondly, high-context cultures emphasize personal relationships and oral agreements, while low-context cultures value verbalized, explicit explanations (DeVito, 2016). Indian culture is more high-context than American culture, so the Outsourced employees use indirect communication to preserve face and do not openly criticize the manager. In one of the episodes, the main character hosts a sexual harassment seminar, and an employee expresses her discomfort through the company hot-line instead of confronting him directly. Thirdly, power in high-power-distance cultures is concentrated in the hands of the few, and it is distributed more evenly in low-power-distance ones. Since India fits into the former category, there is a rigid hierarchal rule in the Outsourced office, and they are surprised by the manager’s active and hands-on approach. Fourthly, long-term orientation prioritizes future rewards, but short-term orientation focuses more on the past and present. It can be inferred that Indian culture is more short-term oriented since one of the employees prefers flirting with the clients rather than increasing revenue. Acknowledging cultural differences is important so the workplace misunderstandings that are spoofed in Outsourced can be avoided. Relate I have unknowingly encountered many cultural differences both in the classroom and at work. An argument once occurred between my classmate and me because our respective cultures had different distributions of power. She was from Russia, and she was angry with a professor who had unexpectedly moved her exam date a day forward with less than twelve hours’ warning. Since she had less time to prepare than expected, she was forced to pull an all-nighter and cram for the exam. I advised her to confront the professor about the injustice of not giving her at least a week’s warning and to complain to the administration if he refused to move the exam back to its original date. However, she said complaining would be useless, and it would be easier to acquiesce to the professor’s decision. At the time I believed her hesitation was due to her individual shyness, and I criticized her for it. However, after reading DeVito’s chapter on cultural differences, I understand that she came from a culture with a greater power distance between students and teachers (DeVito, 2016). In Russia, where students are expected to be modest and respectful, it would be unacceptable to challenge a superior such as a professor. People generally tend to overestimate individual agency and disregard cultural differences. I believe this is because we are generally unaware of the fact that our beliefs are the product of our cultural orientation and are not universally applicable. There have definitely been instances when I was frustrated by my classmates or co-workers and criticized them as individuals, even though now I understand that there was simply a cultural gap between us. These situations highlight the importance of developing intercultural competence in the workplace since misunderstandings can be easily avoided with proper training and education. Educate As our economy grows more globalized and American society becomes more diverse, there is an increasing need for intercultural competence in the workplace. Organizations should implement a variety of initiatives, such as trainings and workshops, to create awareness of intercultural competence as an integral soft skill in the modern socio-economic climate. Tailored sessions should be held for teams who have an international clientele (Bodis, 2020). Individual coaching should be offered to employees that exhibit stereotyped and ethnocentric thinking. Additionally, companies can promote cross-cultural dialogue through photo exhibitions, film screenings, and excursions to cultural institutions such as museums. Furthermore, diagnostic assessments of intercultural sensitivity and competence should be undertaken regularly and on an organization-wide scale. A comprehensive approach that includes training, tailored sessions, individual coaching, cultural outings, and regular diagnostic assessments is required to develop intercultural competence. There are several reasons organizations should prioritize the development of intercultural competence. Firstly, it forces employees to confront ethnic, racial, and national stereotypes to avoid their undue influence on the perception of co-workers or clients. People from different backgrounds should be regarded as unique, multi-faceted individuals rather than members of a specific group. Secondly, intercultural competence reduces ethnocentrism, the tendency to judge the customs of another culture by the standards of your own. Ethnocentrism leads to judgment, condescension, and should be eradicated since it hinders effective communication by assuming a position of superiority. Thirdly, a “system of symbols” encompasses the meaning of words and nonverbal cues that need to be shared by both interlocutors in order to communicate effectively (DeVito, 2016). Since it varies by culture, intercultural competence would enable employees to adapt to different systems. Confronting stereotypes, reducing ethnocentrism, and adjusting to new systems of symbols are a few of the many reasons organizations need to improve intercultural competence. References Bodis, A. (2020). Integrating intercultural competence in course curricula in a tailored way. English Australia Journal, 36 (1), 26-38. DeVito, J. A. (2016). The interpersonal communication book (14th ed). Pearson.
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ESSAY: Culture and Society Through the Babylonian Sufferer Essay The Poem of The Righteous Sufferer is a Mesopotamian poem about the unjust suffering of a suffering man. The Poem is small, consisting of nearly 500 lines, and written in Akkadian. It is relevant to its time of creation because, by the 13th century B.C., people had already begun to understand the need for moral foundations. The story is told in the first person, who honors his gods, but suffers from many illnesses. The Poem is a kind of reflection of alienation from the divine, drawing attention to injustice and the problem of morality. In this regard, the Poem of the Righteous Sufferer allows the historical community to explore ancient Mesopotamia’s cultural values and social attitudes. First and foremost, the Poem is seen as one of the beginnings of the biblical narratives of the Old Testament. The fall of man and his repentance are essential elements of the Poem. In terms of its cultural contribution, it is crucial to understand the Babylonians’ view of the divine. Awareness becomes the companion of the Poem’s protagonist, and he realizes that not all the good that happens to him is good to God. His lamentations are seen as a prayer complaint against the injustice accompanying a man, no matter how much wealth he possesses. The source demonstrates how people’s consciousness and doubts about life’s value have been transformed. This cultural heritage shows that a righteous lifestyle does not mean good treatment from the deities. Possible injustice significantly affects society, so the protagonist laments, “the persecutor persecutes me day in and day out,” without understanding what he deserves it for (Poem of the righteous sufferer). Even the healing of his troubles does not make him happy, and he thinks that “the grave is near, the shroud is ready for me” because he has already once confronted God’s will (Poem of the righteous sufferer). The culture of the time forced the man to hope for the best, even though the deities did not explain their decisions. The social problems in the Poem are revealed as a set of attitudes followed by the protagonist. He considers “the joy of the heart” the days of honoring God, glorifying the king, and striving for the state’s prosperity (Poem of the righteous sufferer). In his figure, one can discern the image of the man of antiquity, who, through suffering, goes through the hard way of life. The sufferer’s experience, adherence to tradition, and established social principles received moral merit. These merits can be seen as a justified hope, and with this knowledge, we can understand why biblical motifs originated in Babylon. The social reality was that divine grace could be earned only by hope and faith. Based on the source, one can appreciate how the man was tightly bound to society. The protagonist speculates about fate and its volatility, trying to understand why good deeds and praise of God have not brought him grace. He wonders why just laws and rewards do not accompany good people (Poem of the righteous sufferer). Thus, the overall social mood of the Poem is restless and unknown: the reasons why the gods send misfortune to society remain unspecified and unknown. The Poem of the Righteous Sufferer thus reveals the issues of culture and society that existed in the middle of the second decade B.C. The cultural precepts of society gradually changed from complete trust in deities to an understanding of the necessity of morality. Human consciousness at that time was transformed, and hope for the best was the companion. Society’s social attitudes are expressed through the main character’s rituals: honoring God and praising the king. The hope for the best was only fulfilled through the execution of these rituals. Reference Poem of the righteous sufferer . (n.d.). Gateways to Babylon. Web.
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ESSAY: Culture and System Leadership for Sustainability Essay Culture is the entirety of social norms, behaviors, and customs which distinguish a certain society from the rest of the world. Naturally, some cultures have common features, thus forming cultural clusters. At the same time, leadership is a personality trait that transcends national boundaries. This does not imply that all people with power behave in the same manner, as leaders are also influenced by cultural norms. Behavior differences are evident in the way people in different clusters view time. Middle Eastern cultures are frequently juxtaposed to Western ones, particularly American. Beehner writes that while “most Middle Eastern nations are past oriented” and uphold traditions, “many Americans believe they can control the future and embrace change for the sole purpose of changing” (72). Barak Obama is an example of a leader who gained prominence by articulating the importance of change. The list of differences in leadership behaviors is not limited to the perception of the future. Crede et al. have conducted a study in which they ascertain cultural differences in relation to transformational leadership. (23). The most peculiar finding is that “transformational leadership exhibits stronger relationships with subordinate performance in cultures with low levels of gender egalitarianism values” (Crede et al. 23). This implies that the more traditional a culture is, the more successful leaders are likely to be in transformational endeavors. Altogether, there is a definite influence of culture on the conduct of leaders. Therefore, the definition of culture should include the importance of its effect on leadership behaviors. Not only does culture distinguish a certain social group, but it also underscores the likelihood of changes driven by people who have authority. After all, these people are the ones who make the most important decisions in society. Works Cited Beehner, Christopher G. System Leadership for Sustainability . Taylor & Francis, 2019. Crede, Marcus, Jaehee Jong, and Peter Harms. “The Generalizability of Transformational Leadership across Cultures: A Meta-analysis.” Journal of Managerial Psychology , vol. 34, no. 3, 2019, pp. 1-38.
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ESSAY: Culture as a Social Construct Influencing Social Interactions Essay The concept of culture is a fundamental phenomenon influencing all spheres of human life. It influences people’s actions, methods, and approaches toward specific tasks and daily interactions. Thus, Roseberry determines culture as a socially constructed and socially constitutive part of the context where all activities take place. It means that all other fundamental institutions and phenomena, such as power, economy, and history, comprise the culture. At the same time, being the way of life, it influences the mentioned spheres and preconditions for the emergence of critical processes in these domains. In other words, peculiarities of culture influence decision-making in political processes and historical events which took place at different stages of society’s evolution. Furthermore, the approaches to business in particular, and economy in general, depend on the values and visions peculiar to a bearer of a particular culture. For this reason, by understanding history and politics, it is possible to understand this unique notion and its layers. Rosebery also assumes that culture is socially constituted, meaning that many cultures share the same visions and values. For example, my own culture is similar to the culture of my friends and the people surrounding me as we live within the same context and share similar approaches. However, at the global level, my system of beliefs and visions differs from the same framework used by people from other regions to guide their decision-making and actions. It is explained by the social nature of culture and its unique character. It includes different perspectives and attitudes shared by people from similar communities and, at the same time, it influences their mentalities and visions. For this reason, it is possible to conclude that culture is a social construct influencing social interactions and fundamental institutions vital for everyday interactions.
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ESSAY: Culture Strategy of Power Worldwide Essay The process of forming states is not characterized by ease. It involves many different processes, including cultural strategies of strength. It is believed that this aspect in the form of actions of social agents is of particular importance. This is because they occupy a central place in such processes as the formation of alliances and the establishment of dominance relations. Understanding this concept can give a better understanding of the creation of Western Europe, China, the Islamic World, and India. First, it is necessary to understand what a social strategy of power is and what significance it has. Thus, it is defined as a particular area of practice where the creators of mass media have cultural influences and act as agents of social change. Thus, these sources form and influence public opinion, which may affect the formation of states. Gledhill emphasizes that the main reason for the difference between state and stateless societies is the centralization and non-centralization of power. Thus, the absence of the second aspect is expressed in inequality, and the absence of citizenship is associated with decentralization and vice versa with equality. Therefore, in conclusion, to understand the emergence of the state in the case of Western Europe, China, the Islamic World, and India, it is necessary to consider the culture strategy of power. Therefore, the author makes an attempt to distance from the generally accepted European principles and views on the role of social anthropology and factors in Chapter 3. In addition to many other political and economic factors, social influence is of significant importance. Social agents form public opinion and contribute to the formation of opinions. In this way, there is a relationship in the creation of the states of Europe, China, the Islamic World, and India and the social strategies of the authorities.
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ESSAY: Current COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Agenda Essay Table of Contents 1. The problem of COVID-19 pandemic 2. The current agenda 3. Ethical responsibility 4. PCR tests and antibody tests 5. Importance of wearing masks 6. The problem of forced vaccination 7. Government support 8. The issue of pollution The problem of COVID-19 pandemic One of the central problems that continues to affect the world order today significantly is the COVID-19 pandemic. Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the coronavirus infection has forced national governments to impose social distance restrictions, ban air travel, and implement strict quarantine measures for the second year in a row. Although COVID-19 has weakened markedly with the emergence of the Omicron strain, its contagiousness has increased, causing the world to experience new pandemic waves once again. As such, the choice of this news topic is exciting to discuss, especially in light of our course content. The current agenda The current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic agenda is markedly different from what was relevant for 2020. Whereas early news reports focused on prevention advocacy and coverage of hospital bed shortages, the most recent news articles, by contrast, place COVID-19 in a socioeconomic and political framework to assess reciprocal impact. Meanwhile, the issue of vaccination as a mode of prevention has increasingly been explored by news portals in terms of civil rights and infringement of liberties. It may seem that a large number of people have either already been sickened or have lost their panicked fear of being infected, as they observe that the actual effects of COVID-19 are proving to be not as frightening as they seemed at the beginning of the pandemic. Thus, on the spectrum of coronavirus infection, the focus has clearly shifted from personal health and medical issues to topics of public welfare and civil rights recognition. Ethical responsibility Related to the aspects of personal social responsibility studied is an ethical responsibility for one’s own actions. As bearers of moral values, people may do right or wrong, but in either case, they are responsible for their own actions. To see how this relates to the current topic, I suggest looking at the following short excerpt from a news summary. PCR tests and antibody tests Probably all of us have encountered PCR tests and antibody tests that do not inspire confidence. Such products may be sold in supermarkets and pharmacies, but they do not seem to be as reliable as lab tests. Ultimately, no airline will accept home test results as proof of health because such tests can be easily faked. Faking tests can be done by manufacturers to save money or by buyers to deceive the public: no matter, either way, it involves anti-morality. As the video says, a sick individual with a false-negative test can cause harm to others, which can lead to their death. Thus, this ethics of own reasoning in synthesis with personal responsibility also applies to the COVID-19 problem. Importance of wearing masks A news article from NBC News talks about how wearing masks can help in the fight against a pandemic. One of the sub-themes of this piece is the coverage of Americans’ anxiety and stress over the two-year pandemic and the strict necessity of wearing masks in connection with it (Edwards, 2022). Indeed, medical masks have already become part of the daily practice of people around the world, and a general rejection would mean victory over COVID-19. However, many individuals refuse to use personal protective equipment in favor of their personal needs. Because of this, incidentally, the number of scandals on airplanes is increasing because without each passenger wearing a mask, planes are not allowed to take off (Levenson, 2022). The topic raised by NBC News reveals the issue of personal responsibility to oneself and to society, as wearing a mask, according to the CDC, has a proven track record of effectiveness (Edwards, 2020). Each individual has the moral right to determine whether he or she is willing to take responsibility for his or her life through mask-wearing but cannot go against public laws. In other words, when individuals refuse to wear masks (whether they are vaccinated or not), they put others at risk. This raises issues of infringing on the freedoms of other individuals and intentionally harming them. Consequently, individuals have a social responsibility to wear a mask in order to work together to combat the active spread of COVID-19. The problem of forced vaccination Meanwhile, the problem of forced vaccination against coronavirus infection raises questions about the influence of power. One of the fundamental freedoms of any individual is the absolute responsibility for one’s own life if capable. In other words, no one may compel an individual to commit acts against his will unless such acts threaten national security. Encouraged by the desire for public health, national governments have imposed mandatory vaccination regulations on an increasing number of categories of the population; naturally, this raises ethical questions about the ability of authorities to influence the private lives of individuals in this way. This is particularly evident in the protest by truckers in Canada who have expressed dissatisfaction with the vaccination law. A news article describes Canadian truckers protesting against the strengthening of government power over civil society because they expect that “things will never go back to normal, they are being ganged up on by the government, the media, Big Tech, Big Pharma” (Panreck, 2022, para. 7). This example reflects the problem of resistance to authority and opposition to an opinion that is studied in the course. However, it is difficult to call either side of the conflict right because both truckers (like all anti-vaxxers) and governments have a fairly reasonable motivation for their opinions. Government support Any attempt by the government to support national health care may not seem entirely fair. The authorities in many countries were totally unprepared for the pandemic, causing health care systems to fail at the beginning of COVID-19. The high number of deaths, the shortage of medicines, and the lack of adequate information undermined people’s trust in the authorities. However, the action of the authorities to protect public health can be justified by the increasing media coverage of the health risks of COVID-19. From a biological point of view, as Nature (2022) writes, having suffered COVID-19 increases the risk of developing dangerous effects, among them cardiovascular disease. Consequently, ignoring preventive action and effective treatment measures to contain the problem now could lead to exacerbation of chronic disease in the near future. The issue of pollution The impact of COVID-19 on ecosystems is meaningfully broader than meets the eye. To understand what we are talking about, let us watch the following short excerpt from the BBC documentary: As you can see, the pandemic problem continues to affect non-obvious areas. The need to wear masks all the time leads to the problem of their improper disposal, causing ecosystems to suffer. Studies show that plastic particles from medical masks get into aquatic animals, leading to mass extinctions (City University of Hong Kong, 2022). The problem is exacerbated by the intensification of globalization, with tourists traveling around the world, exacerbating the problem of pollution in natural areas isolated from megacities.
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ESSAY: Curriculum Evaluation Practices and Its Roles Essay Assessments of Curriculum Assessment of curriculum is a natural and critical element of instruction, as it allows to evaluate the progress that has been in education. It can be defined as a method that is used to understand the current knowledge that a student possesses (Dikli, 2003). Assessment has always been a contentious issue due to various factors of objectivity, diversity of learning styles, and bureaucratic issues, among others. However, traditional assessments are generally tests and tools that are commonly utilized in academic settings. Some of the most popular tests are multiple-choice tests, true/false, short-answer, and sometimes even essays. These fall under what is commonly known as standardized testing, aimed at objectively test whether a student possesses knowledge of the curriculum. With the same or similar tests given to everyone in a population (classroom, grade, school), the traditional assessments of curriculum provide an insight at the broad effectiveness of instructional strategies. There are certain benefits to traditional assessments, they are easy to construct, implement, and score (often via machines), they are scored objectively providing an appearance of ‘fairness’ and they are most often associated with assessment in public perception (Dikli, 2003). This approach to evaluation is influenced by the scientific, modernist approach, with clearly stated objectives and precise indicators that students have achieved the intended objectives (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2018). Alternative assessments are also known as performance tests or authentic assesmsnts. They are commonly aimed at determining what a student can do rather what they know, measuring proficiency rather than blunt knowledge, known as action strategies (Petre, 2017). Some examples of this can include projects, portfolios, and other methods that allow the student individually or as a group to demonstrate their skills, and most often their knowledge at the same time. The benefits of alternative assessments include being able to assess valuable skills, realistic and applicable skill application, can always be aligned with learning outcomes, and typically provide more individual approaches to assessing students (BYU Center for Teaching and Learning, n.d.). The humanistic, post-modernist approach is best applicable to alternative assessments, as these seek to identify whether the student has been enabled to understand and improve self-concepts. To this perception, achievements matter less, but rather the search for knowledge and truth, as the student gains the skills necessary to study the world, engage, analyze, and communicate (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2018). Roles in Evaluation In my setting, teachers play the role of educators who provide knowledge of the curriculum to the students, and then the facilitators of the evaluation tests (most often standardized) based on the program learning outcomes. Teachers generally have little to no input on what is encompassed in the main curriculum, and then, for the big tests, educator performance as professionals is virtually evaluated by the results of these tests. Therefore, to maintain good standing as educators and employees, many teachers are forced to resort to preparing students on taking the standardized test and memorizing facts rather than acquiring and applying the knowledge (Robelen, 2018). I would argue that teachers should be involved in all steps of the evaluation process from start to finish. It is specifically important for educators to create assessments that are most fitting for their subject, students, and age group, among other factors. By creating fitting assessments, educators can then test students comprehensively and determine holistically the weak and strong sides of their education strategies and what changes can be made for most effectiveness. References BYU Center for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Using alternative assessments . Web. Dikli, S. (2003). Assessment at a distance: Traditional vs. alternative assessments. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 2 (3), 13-19. Web. Ornstein, A.C., & Hukins, F.P. (2018). Curriculum foundations, principles, and issues (7th ed.). Pearson Education Limited. Petre, A. (2017). The impact of alternative assessment strategies on student. Scientific research and education in the air force – AFASES2017, pp. 157-160. Web. Robelen, E. (2018). Testing and test prep: How much is too much? Web.
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ESSAY: Customer-Oriented Service in Maritime Freight Transportation Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Background 3. Benefits of the Approach 4. Associated Concerns 5. Conclusion 6. References Introduction While there are many clients who use the services of freight transportation, the competition between freight companies is equally considerable. Under such circumstances, the interest toward the fundamental elements of customer service exhibited by transportation providers is justified. This paper explores an idea of customer-oriented transportation services, in which the primary emphasis is laid on the client’s needs being met rather than the immediate economic gains from a trade agreement. It is theorized that such an approach can be more beneficial in the long-term, resulting in higher lifetime value of a single customer, as enabled by the positive service experience. Background The maritime transportation industry is the lifeline that ensures the normal functioning of the global economy and trade. However, it also implies the intense competition between different providers of shipment services. Thus, these companies remain in a constant pursuit of customer service improvement that allows them to acquire clients and retain them in the long term. In turn, clients value a range of qualities, such as “time, reliability, flexibility, qualification, accessibility, control, handling price, frequency, speed, long-term planning, management, and safety of transportation” (Wiegmans, Nijkamp, & Rietveld 2008, p. 89). In this regard, there are many variables that affect customer experience with a particular company. If most of these parameters are considered and met, a client is likely to return and remain loyal to the shipment company. Benefits of the Approach The primary emphasis of customer-oriented freight operations is on the alignment between the client’s needs and services provided. While the initial judgments are made on the economic basis of the agreement – or its price – the overall impressions are formed by the totality of key parameters. In other words, a positive price-quality ration is created by an emphasis on its second component, which includes shipment time, safety, and other vital variables. The core benefit of this model is associated with a higher lifetime value of a customer. This implies that a single client remains in continuous relations with the freight company, returning to use its services and bringing more profits in the long term. A stable, loyal customer base minimizes the need for customer acquisition in a competitive environment, thus reducing the associated costs (Giannikas McFarlane, & Strachan, 2019). As a result, while the initial gains may be lower than in a market-oriented company, such service providers see better returns in terms of resources and revenues at a longer distance. Associated Concerns On the other hand, the paradigm of clients’ needs in this industry is rather complex with many variables affecting the outcome. In fact, considering the vital nature of freight transportation for businesses, these needs include more parameters than in the majority of other spheres. Consequently, they become more difficult to meet, especially when some of them may be hardly compatible. In some cases, additional safety measures may lead to an increase in delivery time, and an opposite correlation is equally true. The efforts to meet all the variables within this complicated framework may result in excessive expenditures that could damage the freight company’s financial situation if a compromise on the price is made (Sitanggang & Absah, 2019). Customer experience is subjective, and there is no guarantee that the client will return after it. Ultimately, the theorized lifetime value may not actually transition into practice. Conclusion Overall, customer-oriented freight services are a promising approach to transportation that addresses the key challenges of the industry. By emphasizing client retention, freight companies minimize the necessity of customer acquisition. Therefore, acquisition costs are reduced, which is profitable in a highly competitive market. While compromises may be made on the initial returns from a single shipment, the potential lifetime value of a customer projects considerable profits in the long-term. There are valid concerns that are associated with this model, implying that a market-oriented framework is more balanced. However, in the current competitive environment, customer-centered freight operations are promising, as they mitigate the increasing rivalry within the industry. References Giannikas, V., McFarlane, D., & Strachan, J. (2019). Towards the deployment of customer orientation: A case study in third-party logistics. Computers in Industry, 104 , 75–87. Sitanggang, C. H., & Absah, Y. (2019). The influence of innovation, cost leadership strategy and customer orientation on competitive advantage and its impact on customer satisfaction at container depot of Pt Masaji Tatanan Container Branch of Belawan. International Journal of Research & Review, 6 (1), 34–46. Wiegmans, B., Nijkamp, P., & Rietveld, P. (2008). Container terminal handling quality. In R. Konings, H. Priemus, & P. Nijkamp (Eds.). The future of intermodal freight transport: Operations, design and policy (transport economics, management and policy) . MA, Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing.
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ESSAY: Cybercrime and Cybersecurity as Challenges Essay In recent years, the computer technology field has evolved and developed gradually and has contributed to the success of many individuals and organizations. Technology has faced numerous challenges as it continues to grow tremendously. The main challenge is cyber-attack, where criminals have been targeting companies and individuals, creating great harm to the vulnerable users of technology. Some of the incidences that support this claim are information theft, malware, ransomware attack, and hacking of servers which has become a significant challenge to technology users in all parts of the world. Cyber security experts have rescued technology users by detecting and protecting computer systems from these attacks. In 2017 shock befell the globe after learning how helpless the world was after the famous wanna-cry ransomware cyber-attack targeted the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting the data of its users. The encrypted ransomware demanded some payments in the form of Bitcoins to decrypt the data, an incident that prompted my venture into a career in technology to help in countering these vices affecting technology. Since all technology forms and systems are vulnerable to cyber-attack and it is not always easy to identify the weak link where the cyber attackers would penetrate, relevant studies such as cyber security would solve this problem. Computer programming sessions were among the best topics back in my school, which drove my desire for this technology path. Being a recent graduate of Electronic Engineering Technology and Computer Engineering Technology from Norfolk State University, getting a chance to pursue a master’s degree in cyber security at Norfolk State University to develop more skills would be highly appreciated. Cyber security is vital to the current growing digital world because it offers confidentiality and security of personal information and financial credentials. Crucial topics include big data analytics, cloud computing, digital forensics, cyber-psychology, wireless security, and socio-cyber-security. Cyber security knowledge enables an individual to engage in actual-world practice using recent digital security technologies. Top organizations are willing to spend a lot on cyber security experts who can protect their data from being vulnerable, taking a course in cyber security very relevant and marketable with good job security. The masters in cyber security will enhance the best ways to secure networks and information systems by intrusion detection and detection of ordinary events. One will also learn the defensive cyber security technologies and techniques used in modern organizations to protect systems data and achieve Knowledge of the maintenance and design of reliable and safe information systems. It will also be possible to identify the human factors that compromise a network and computer security. This program will also enlighten on the legal, technical, policy, and dimensional aspects of network security, computer systems security, and information security. Principles of network security design and operation and those of computer networks, including security assessments, design fundamentals, and incident response, will be achieved. It will also involve auditing and testing knowledge and the standard penetration testing methodology, Technical aspects of networks, computer and information system security, and the techniques related to authentication, access control auditing, and secure communication. These skills gained from the cyber security course will make one fit in various careers: security architect, Chief information security officer, security assessor, and security manager. Occupations such as Security director, security engineer, and information security consultant also require cybersecurity expertise and will be very important in the future dynamic digital world.
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ESSAY: Darren Aronofsky: Films and Style Essay Introduction Darren Aronofsky is an independent American filmmaker who explores various psychological themes in his movies. While all of them are different, they may be classified as psychological thrillers, with surrealism and magical realism elements. In his various films, Aronofsky shows themes of deep psychology: love, hate, addictions, genius, relationships between humans. Mysticism and surrealism are often present: paranormal phenomena and fantastical events interrupt the main realistic narrative to highlight the central ideas of each film. Archetypical plots, such as biblical legends, are used by Aronofsky as a basis for films mother! and Noah . He often changes the original plot to make it more suitable for modern realities. In other films, such as Requiem for a Dream , and Black Swan , he explores the various pathological states of human consciousness. Films Analysis Mother! The film’s main heroes are the couple living an ordinary and happy life. They both have self-describing names: a man is called Him, and a woman’s name is Mother. Him is a poet, and at the beginning of the film, he is struggling with writing block; while he is doing that, the house where he lives looks like burned remains. He places the crystal object on a pedestal, and then the remnants transform into a full and beautiful home. This fantastic scene symbolizes the power of creation, and one may already see the allegory to the creation of the world by God, and the name Him may as well be an allegory for God. Mother is his wife and muse, inspiring Him to write poems, which are usually commercially successful: he has many fans. Then, a stranger appears in Him’s house, who presents himself as Man; he pretends to be in search of a bed, but it turns out that he is the admirer of Him’s literature (Given 117). Him is generous, and he agrees that Man may stay in his house and obtain help. Soon, he and Mother notice that Man has a deadly wound and will probably die shortly. Before that, there are several scenes of the beating heart; their meaning will be revealed at the film’s end. After some time, Man’s wife arrives, whose name is Woman, and they both stay at the Him’s house. One may see that their names symbolize manhood and womanhood in general and are allegories of biblical legend about Adam and Eve, the first people on Earth. Mother is dissatisfied by their presence and is visibly annoyed while preparing food for them (Given 117). Him, however, argues that they have the right to obtain help, as they are in a hard situation. Soon, two sons of Man and Women arrive, quarreling about their father’s will; Mother becomes even more displeased. Sons’ argument becomes brutal, and in the end, one of them kills the other. In the second part of the film, which starts the next morning after their intercourse, Mother understands that she is pregnant, and Him is inspired by that. He writes much more actively, and his poems have an enormous commercial success (Given 118). Their life with Mother becomes happy and fruitful; however, when they organize a lunch, the mob of savage Him’s fans appears. The film ends tragically: while covering him by adulation, the mob behaves themselves as beasts and smashes Him’s house. He does not know how to stop this and is seemingly passive and disoriented (Given 118). When pregnant Mother tries to stop them, they rape and maul her, and she eventually retreats to the basement. Then, she burns out the house, leaving the burning remnants seen at the beginning of the film. mother! has many hidden meanings, connected with symbolic representations used widely throughout the film. Names of characters are chosen carefully, and scenes are designed to show the dramatism of the situation. An example is the close-up scene of bleeding Mother, which is repeated at the beginning and at the end of the film (Given 120). Aronofsky implied a strong environmentalist message in the film: the rape and killing of Mother by the crowd symbolize the terrible and unstoppable consumption of Earth resources by people; Mother refers to Mother Nature (Given 120). When she is brutally mauled at the film’s end, it is a bright metaphor to the unconscious mob of humans who maul the Earth ecosphere similarly (Given 119). Him symbolizes the God who creates the Earth and Nature again and again: at the end of the film, he asks Mother for her love. When she consents, he takes her heart and creates a new crystal object. It reveals the sense of the beating heart, shown at the beginning of the film: it is the heart of Mother Nature, beating to support life. Noah The biblical plot also inspires this film, but it interprets the legend more literally, unlike the previous one. While events in mother! take place in modern reality, being only an allusion to the biblical events, Noah resembles the actual ancient times of the legendary Great Deluge. Muffled lights are used to show the visions of Noah, the main hero, about the coming Deluge, at the beginning of the film (Skorin-Kapov 121). Scenes are edited to show the blunt colors and mists, emphasizing that those are the visions in Noah’s head, not the reality; then, he consults with his grandfather about his visions. After that, Noah starts to build his ark, where he, his family, and animals will survive the Deluge. Tubal-Cain, a vice young king who previously killed Noah’s father, tries to seize the ark, but Watchers stop him. They are stone angels sent by God on Earth to defend people. It is one of the film’s fantastic elements, designed by Aronofsky by using motion design (Skorin-Kapov 124). After the retreat, Tubal-Cain starts finding people and weapons to attack the ark again. Along with that, Noah travels to the closest settlements trying to find couples for Ham and Japeth, while Shem already has a girlfriend, Ila, rescued by Noah after the massacre. However, they see that people are extremely cruel and shameless; they threaten Noah, and he retreats with his family to their home. Noah is shown reflecting in various scenes, and this plotline is the main for the film. Meanwhile, they continue to build the ark, and Noah starts to be utterly disappointed by humanity. He thinks that God wants to wipe out humanity completely, without any recovery, and that only plant and animal life are good to live. The film’s main idea is the fragile line between good and evil, nature and humanity, and reflections about the actuality of such a line. Noah, initially, tends to separate good and evil strictly and without any compromise (Skorin-Kapov 122). He condemns people, being sure that they are impure and sinister, and he is happy that the Great Deluge will wipe them out. Noah is vegetarian, as he thinks that animals are pure and innocent: only humans make them brutal and evil. He is even ready to sacrifice his granddaughters, born by Ila, to stop the line of human reproduction. However, he stops when seeing that they all sleep peacefully, full of love and not hate. Eventually, he transforms, and his last will to his descendants is to multiply and live well. Requiem for a Dream This film is not focused on divine and biblical plots; it shows ordinary people who suffered from drug addiction and all the hardships connected with it. Main heroes want only to live their lives happily and realize their dreams but cannot do that; they all become drug addicts, ending up with that in different ways. One of the main characters, Sara, spends her time watching TV while her son Harry is taking heroin along with his girlfriend Marion and friend Tyrone. The name of this film is connected with the broken dreams caused by drug addiction. Aronofsky uses scenes with close-ups and split screens to show the feeling of despair and hopelessness, typical for this extremely dark film (Skorin-Kapov 22). Various characters described there are all connected by a similar problem. They all want to realize their dreams: Sara wants to look good, Harry and Marion wish to open the cloth shop, and Tyrone to break free from the ghetto he is living in. They try to substitute their problems by taking heroin and methamphetamines; however, drugs only bring them to the bitter end when their dreams are shattered completely. Black Swan This film is the story of Nina Sayers, a dancer with good prospects, and is focused on her inner experience. In the ballet company where she works, there are two roles: White Swan and Black Swan, and both of them symbolize two aspects of female sexuality. While White Swan is focused on purity and innocence, Black Swan refers to dark sensuality and the power of seduction. Nina wants to take both roles, but she fails to perform the Black Swan, focused on seduction and dark sensuality. (Skorin-Kapov 95). Her mother, Erica, is overprotective and greatly influences all aspects of Nina’s life; thus, she is oversensitive and insecure, usually unable to organize her life as she wants. Then, she meets Lily, another ballerina who comes to dance in the ballet company, and two women quickly become rivals. As the film continues, Nina starts to experience hallucinations, seeing images of Lily as her “dark” alter-ego: much less technical but sensual and daring (Skorin-Kapov 95). It motivates her to dance better and better but worsens her psychical health. This film shows the tension between “light” and “dark” aspects of the human soul, which is extremely hard to overcome. While both are interconnected, they are usually divided within a single consciousness. The roles of Black and White Swans are metaphors for such a division, and Nina’s desire to play them both is her willingness to overcome it. Eventually, she plays both roles successfully, and even Lily admits her talent. However, she ends up bleeding, and the film ends on this, leaving the viewer unsure whether she will remain alive after this successful performance. This ending scene is used by Aronofsky to emphasize the hardships underwent by Nina in trying to overcome her inner division. Discussion Aronofsky’s films show the extreme aspects of human nature, placing characters in challenging conditions where they are forced to show their true nature. Such positions create dramatic episodes, very bright and full of emotions experienced by characters. He uses cinematographic techniques to create a feeling of constant tension: one who watches his film is always unsure what will be next due to the thrilling and emotional atmosphere. The color range is usually limited: instead of using colors variety, different hues of one-two color are used throughout the film. Combined with slow scenes of characters’ reflections, they create a feeling of something monumental and important. In addition to that brightness, his films are full of philosophical reflections and archetypical plots, showing the deepest motivations of the human soul. His films are often full of surrealism, exploring the human soul and its psychological archetypes. While the central part of them is realistic, there are mystical and miraculous events that cannot be explained by realism. Those surrealistic inserts aim at attracting attention to the films’ ideas, highlighting them. For example, in the already mentioned film mother! the film is ended by the fantastic transformation of the main heroine’s heart into the new house where she lives peacefully with her husband. They are also used to show the “divine interference” into human lives or depict the deep areas of the character’s psyche. An example of the latter is present in Black Swan , when Nina confronts her main rival, Lily. The film shows that Lily transforms into Nina, and thus, she is confronting herself. Conclusion In that way, Aronofsky’s films, while being different in plots, are dedicated to the same subject: the human soul and its elements. He uses allusions and interpretations of biblical myths to show human nature’s strong and weak sides, such as in mother! and Noah . He also shows people in drug addictions and psychical disorders, analyzing reasons which brought them to such conditions, such as in Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream . As one can see, Darren Aronofsky uses various cinematographic technics and plot twists to show the viewer how good and how bad may be a human. Works Cited Given, Jacob. “Film Review: Mother!” Journal for Religion, Film and Media , vol. 4, no. 1, 2018, pp. 117–20. Skorin-Kapov, Jadranka. Darren Aronofsky’s Films and the Fragility of Hope . Reprint, Bloomsbury Academic, 2017.
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ESSAY: Data Buses: Definition and Key Features Essay Modification of personal computers required the development of more complex hardware and software. For example, buses, which are the communication channels between different internal components and peripheral devices, have become more advanced. Such three types of buses as address, control, and data are known (Farret et al., 2017). The latter is utilized for data exchange between the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and peripherals (Farret et al., 2017). The significance of the address bus is to assist the CPU in locating specific information in the memory, while the control bus regulates data processing. Data buses are represented as a multiple of two and currently include five types: 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 (Farret et al., 2017). These numbers indicate the bits of data that can be delivered simultaneously, and the larger ones allow for a more significant amount of information to be processed at a time. The number of parallel lines in a processor defines how many electrical signals can be exchanged between peripherals and the CPU. The most common operating systems on modern computers are 32 and 64-bit microprocessors. A 32-bit data bus contains thirty-two parallel lines between different structures. In contrast, a 64-bit data bus consists of sixty-four lines, allowing it to run twice as many data exchange processes (Farret et al., 2017). Hence, the fundamental difference between these two types of data buses is the speed at which they can process information. Similarly, the pace at which older versions run data depends on the number of paralleled copper wires between the CPU and other internal parts. Indeed, all these buses have one common function of interchanging data, but they vary in the rate at which operations are transferred due to their structural differences. Reference Farret, F. A., Simões, M. G., & Brandão, D. I. (2017). Instruments for Data Acquisition. In Electronic instrumentation for distributed generation and power processes (pp. 203-234). CRC Press.
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ESSAY: Data Collection in Healthcare Programs Essay Data collection used to determine how to improve the conditions within a specific setting is very important. In the community health care setting, the use of real-life experience with patients and supervision of a preceptor, as the case manager, will apply. The data from treating the members of this community is to apply to assess the needs of the health sector. This will include; assessing the current information using the patient data in the emergency room and applying the data to improve the health sectors. One chief function of caregivers is to help prevent disease, and intervention methods should be focused on prevention and not treatment. This paper describes how a practicum agency can use assessment data to improve health conditions. The need assessment data includes data on the record of diseases report, preparedness of the health facility, and measures of prevention by the community. This data should help identify the most common illness, improve the readiness within the health facility, and increase disease prevention in the community. However, patients’ needs vary from each other. A good example is a patient who comes to the emergency room with asthma and expects their condition to be maintained and provided with drugs that will help stabilize (Stefaniak et al., 2018). This differs from a patient with malaria who will be treated and taught prevention measures after that. Individual patient assessment desires differ from the community’s wants. The data on health needs include patient illness with specific diseases and the patients’ progress. To prioritize the health needs of patients, it may be essential to have information on patients’ behavior, environment, and genetic predisposition. A good example is the asthma patient; the environmental conditions of the patient should be taken into consideration to avoid subsequent attacks (Iriarte‐Roteta et al., 2020). Another example is a diabetic patient would benefit from data on lifestyle as their condition can easily be managed through their lifestyle. The data from the practicum can establish a support program, increase screening facilities, and offer health education to the patients. The support program helps patients suffering from addiction, makes them feel accepted by the community, and helps them overcome their habits. Screening facilities allow for early detection and management of disease at a primary or early secondary stage (Gillies & Schabath, 2020). Moreover, health education benefits the entire community in the prevention is better than cure campaign. Health workers should prioritize the prevention of disease rather than treatment. The practicum agency used the available data to improve the outcome of their programs. First, they collaborated with some health providers to form an online platform where patients could interact with health providers and ask them questions about their health status (Yang et al., 2019). This helped in the prevention of disease and reducing the crowding in consultation. Moreover, it also reduced the consultation fee for those who could not meet the expenses since the consultation on this platform was free. Second, the agency focused on promoting health equity by championing for provision of health services for the less fortunate. This was done by agitating for the construction of more health facilities and the employment of more health providers to ensure that all people can access health services despite their financial status. During the practicum, I engaged in community-based activities such as taking care of the homeless, treating the uninsured members of the community, and educating members of the community on the importance of preventive health. During this period, I handled a patient who was having rheumatoid arthritis. At first, I thought the patient had rheumatic fever, but I understood how the clinical signs and diagnosis differed through preceptor consultation. The patient with rheumatic arthritis is just one example of how the practicum enabled me to improve critical thinking, clinical judgment, and clinical reasoning. Clinical judgment, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning are essential aspects for all health officers, from physicians to care providers. All care providers must be well equipped to make proper clinical judgments. My preceptor and other community providers gave me a whole new perspective on the population and their needs. Through their experience, I grasped that your patient’s well-being is your utmost priority. One ought to do all the best to ensure the patient leaves for home a satisfied person. I picked up this through an incident where my preceptor treated an insured patient against the hospital policy, claiming that the administration would deal with the rest of the processes. His work was to ensure his patient was treated and not determine whether the patient was insured. Patients trust healthcare providers to take good care of them and lead them to good health. In conclusion, working with the practicum agency and my preceptor provided me with an experience that would be useful for me in my clinical practice and for the achievement of the needs of society. I learned how to assess community needs from individual to community-based assessment. Moreover, I understood how assessment needs data can achieve health care goals and better the healthcare provider of a population. I look forward to more of such opportunities as they not only shape your academic life but change your all perspective of life. References Gillies, R. J., & Schabath, M. B. (2020). Radiomics improves cancer screening and early detection. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention , 29 (12), 2556–2567. Web. Iriarte‐Roteta, A., Lopez‐Dicastillo, O., Mujika, A., Ruiz‐Zaldibar, C., Hernantes, N., Bermejo‐Martins, E., & Pumar‐Méndez, M. J. (2020). Nurses’ role in health promotion and prevention: A critical interpretive synthesis. Journal of Clinical Nursing , 29 (21-22). Web. Stefaniak, J., Baaki, J., Hoard, B., & Stapleton, L. (2018). The influence of perceived constraints during needs assessment on design conjecture. Journal of Computing in Higher Education , 30 (1), 55–71. Web. Yang, Y., Zhang, X., & Lee, P. K. C. (2019). Improving the effectiveness of online healthcare platforms: An empirical study with multi-period patient-doctor consultation data. International Journal of Production Economics , 207 , 70–80. Web.
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ESSAY: Data Science and Its Practical Application Essay (Critical Writing) Data science is the discipline that studies the life cycle of digital data from appearance to use in other fields of knowledge. It involves researching and analyzing substantial amounts of information and is focused primarily on obtaining practical results. The definition suggested by Os Keyes presumes that this science is the reduction of humanity to something that can be counted. This perspective is engaging in a way that Keyes’s perspective opposes the standard definition of data science. Perhaps, her expression implies that everything in this world could be measured since the discipline is concerned with countable objects and quantitative analysis. There is also an assumption that data science systems want to devour everything possible, including a human’s life, and quantify it. Finally, when it comes to the decision-making process, the systems eliminate the human factor, excluding individuals, thus making it inhumane. Numerous standardized tests are based on an algorithm that does not allow people to express their opinions. Typically, they are multiple-choice credits where one should choose the right answer. One mistake and one is at a point of no return. It means that systems only accept correct data, not allowing a human to err. As a result, humanity is accustomed to giving the right answers when necessary and at the same time being afraid to say something that will not be automatically approved. On the other hand, data science is vital in areas where mistakes should be avoided. For example, in healthcare, workers use different electronic systems that assist them in choosing the proper treatment and its dosage. Medication errors occur due to human factors mainly, for instance, when professionals forget to check the expiration date of a drug. Meanwhile, the system will suggest which pharmaceutical is better for the patient and ensure it is not expired.
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ESSAY: Dayak Views of Gender and Its Aspects Essay It was genuinely surprising to read Gerai’s account about the Dayak community, as it seems to represent an almost utopian view on sex and gender. Unlike Western perspectives that seek to distinguish the two genders, and raise one up at the expense of the other in some ways, the Dayak recognize the differences but see it as a benefit. Reading the account, it almost seemed as the culture promotes the empowerement of both genders based on the characteristics which define them (i.e., male strength, female persistence). These positives are then brought together to contribute to the wellbeing of society as well as personal relationships in a nearly egalitarian perspectives. It is difficult to believe, although greatly comforting to know that there are cultures as this. Unfortunately, most industrialized societies have the culture of severe gender clashes, and the characteristics of the gender are associated with negative aspects, such as Gerai notes, male strength is connected to aggression. I think it is correct to note that it is a matter of values, the values that are taught by society are the ones that people would exhibit. Western society gives value to hypermasculinity and aggression as definitions of males, exemplified via the genitalia and abusive actions such as sexual domination, assault or rape – therefore, the culture forms around this, being far removed from the egalitarianism and harmony of the Dayak. As shocking as that perspective may be, I agree that it reflects accurately the social element that has been created conservatively around rape for centuries. As mentioned earlier, rape is often attributed to natural biology, while in reality it reflects more the concepts of society. I think this perspective touches on both, it emphasizes the natural characteristics of the genders (strength for men, femininity for women) while highlighting its social features (men are praised, women are viewed as used and broken). It can be argued that it is built within our society, as there are certain connotations and stereotypes associated with sexual violence. For example, in a UK study, the label victim was associated with passive femininity. The feminization hypothesis holds true when it comes to rape, as victims, that are most commonly women (but can be men) are attributed feminine characteristics and greater judgment (men would not be seen as men anymore). Meanwhile the accused of committing the rape is given trait dimension of prescriptive masculinity.
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ESSAY: Decision-Making in the Workplace After Covid-19 Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Context and Participants 3. Six Steps of the Decision-Making Model: Application 4. Possible Bias 5. Outcomes and Suggestions 6. Conclusion 7. References Introduction One of the most challenging managerial decisions I have been involved in was the need to reallocate employees within the company due to the beginning of the pandemic. As a worker, I was concerned about the outcomes of this measure; however, the actions of the business leader proved effective. The transitions were performed in such a manner that no one was adversely affected, and following the six-step model helped guarantee the appropriateness of solutions. Context and Participants The decision of the manager at the time was to select people working for the company to transfer to another office due to changes in demand for services because of COVID-19. In this context, his actions were guided by careful consideration of everyone’s life situations to determine who could be safely reallocated. This experience was similar for all businesses as the beginning of the pandemic marked the start of rapid shifts in terms of the workforce for all countries (The National Bureau of Economic Research, 2020). In this case, the manager under consideration was the only person involved in the decision-making process since he was responsible for all the stages. In the end, the persons affected by it were employees who were transferred to another location and those left in head office. Six Steps of the Decision-Making Model: Application The proposed decision was aligned with the six steps of the decision-making model and allowed to perform the change with minimal risks. Thus, the manager conducted a survey among the employees to determine their family situations and other possible complications and used its results to make a list of people who would be affected the most (Salvia, 2018). These two tasks were followed by comparing their expertise and deciding who could work autonomously with limited supervision (Salvia, 2018). Subsequently, the decision was made while the rationale was explained to the workers (Salvia, 2018). However, the sixth step was missed since the effects of the shifts were not monitored, while other needs, as follows from the framework, were fully addressed. Possible Bias In this case, the decisions appeared to be biased since no one controlled the manager’s actions, and personal preferences were involved. Even though the developed measures were required due to the market conditions at the time, this approach caused dissatisfaction among employees (Buba et al., 2021). The procedure of selecting individuals for transferring to another office was not transparent enough, and the conclusions made on the basis of a single opinion were not favorable for the outcomes. Outcomes and Suggestions The consequences of the decision were the intention of people to leave their jobs regardless of the emerging hardships caused by the pandemic. In order to prevent their reckless actions, the company had to pay bonuses to those moving to another location. Ultimately, the conflict was resolved, but a more optimal solution would have been discussing the plans with workers at all stages of the decision-making process. As a manager, I would have negotiated the terms to ensure people’s satisfaction and support them in the new office while monitoring their performance. Conclusion In conclusion, the analysis of the decision made by the manager following the six-step model showed that the lack of transparency and limited participation was critical for the outcome. The financial losses stemming from this approach were significant, while the retention of the personnel was ineffective. From this perspective, it is feasible to claim the importance of employees’ support of new solutions at all stages. References Buba, J., Uckat, H., Iacovone, L., & Medvedev, D. (2021). What did job reallocation look like in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic? World Bank Blogs. Salvia, V. (2018). 6 steps of the managerial decision-making process . BizFluent. The National Bureau of Economic Research. (2020). COVID-19 is also a reallocation shock .
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ESSAY: Deep Insight Into Pediatric Falls Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Background of Pediatric Falls 3. Nursing Practices That Reduce Patient Falls 4. Personal Impacts in Improving Culture of Safety 5. Conclusion 6. References Introduction In healthcare facilities, patient safety is a key concern, and several efforts have been established to enhance the well-being of sick persons. Despite the commitments, some loopholes still exist, which endanger the lives of patients. Pediatric falls constitute a significant issue that complicates hospital care for young adults and infants. It presents more risks to the children and nurses since some other injuries, such as body fractures, can occur during falls. It requires intense research to formulate ways by which the problem can be reduced to improve the safety of sick children. The study will examine the effects of patient falls and techniques that hospitals and nurses can employ to curve the challenge. Background of Pediatric Falls Pediatric falls are the unintentional fall of hospitalized children, resulting in injury or related emergencies. In most cases, sick children fall due to an unfamiliar environment, the type of medication given, and a painful process. Some active cases that can accelerate falling among young ones are impulsivity, learning to use washrooms, and bouncing on their beds. According to some studies, the relative estimated pediatric falls are about 0.58 to 2.2 per 1000 patients (AlSowailmi et al., 2018). The rate is slightly below the average adult patient’s, but it can lead to minor or severe harm. Patient falls have been a health safety concern over the past decades and have currently prompted. The culture of safety became a priority in healthcare in 2004 following reports of increased death of young ones related to falls. Prevention of pediatric falls is an important safety measure that would ensure a reduction in the rate of patient falls. Understanding the aspect is essential in facilitating maximum care of children within healthcare facilities. Reducing the occurrences can motivate nurses to continue providing relative preventive measures. Cultivating effective culture is necessary and provides a comprehensive perspective of managing possible emergencies that can arise from accidents. The safety aspect is of interest to me because it creates an opportunity in healthcare to explore and find solutions to pediatric falls concerns. It also increases patient safety thus promoting their well-being within the facility. Nursing Practices That Reduce Patient Falls Nurses have vital roles to play in managing, and reducing patient falls within the facilities. There are several ways by which nursing practices can positively impact and enhance the culture of safety in healthcare units. Having a deep understanding of the facilities, nurses can offer education and proper information to the children and related parties about the possible cause of patients’ falls. This would facilitate informed practices and increase awareness, thus promoting the individual safety of the young ones. Similarly, nurses can ensure there are warning signs visible to children and relatives within the hospitals. Proper symbols would alert the parents about the risk of falls, thus encouraging them to be watchful of the young ones at all times. Placing marks that indicate a slippery floor enables people to be cautious and therefore take effective measures to prevent accidents. Furthermore, caregivers should ensure the patients are always in their sight. Keeping a close watch on children can be an effective measure of reducing possible topples amongst hospitalized children. The close monitor would allow the nurse to identify situations that can cause falls and then act swiftly to prevent them. In case of commitments, the professional should ensure there is an adult closely monitoring the activities of toddlers, such as playing on beds or running in the facilities (Shala et al., 2019). In addition, practitioners can offer mobility aids to patients to facilitate easy and comfortable movement. Enough body support would ensure chances of children falling are reduced. Caregivers should also ensure patients’ footwear are appropriate and cannot put them at risk of falling. This would reduce the possibility of children tumbling, which can threaten their safety in hospital care facilities. Nurses should make sure all the children within the facility have non-slippery shoes, and they don them anytime they are walking. Therefore, practicing such nursing measures would promote a culture of safety. Another effective nursing practice is lowering the child’s bed to a level that can lower the impact in the event of an accident. Highly raised bedsteads are most likely to increase the falling rate of young ones, especially when they are trying to come out without the support of their caregivers. In addition, the practitioners should ensure breaks and firmly attached with rails properly raised to a level comfortable for young ones. Moreover, nurses can assess the effects of medication to influence the possibility of a patient falling. When there is a positive correlation between pediatric falls and the treatment, caregivers can opt to use a different medicine that has no effects to minimize the risk of falling. Personal Impacts in Improving Culture of Safety To facilitate the culture of safety within the hospital facility, I would ensure all nurses in the health unit are well equipped with the knowledge of the Humpty Dumpty teaching tool. The toolkit is essential in assessing the age, cognitive impairments, medication usage, diagnosis, and environmental factors that are crucial determinants of falling rates in the care units (Chhipa & Chan-Galapon, 2021). Encouraging the implementation of the assessment tool would make nurses insight into possible areas that can increase pediatric falls in the facility. I can also improve the culture of safety by advising and encouraging caregivers to take and implement ways that can enhance care. Inspiring nurses to improve the level of supervision is significant in ensuring accidental falls are mitigated. When practitioners are motivated, they will similarly value the measures as treatment. I would also enlighten patients and other caregivers about environmental factors that can contribute to the toppling of children. Conclusion In summary, the research provides deep insight into pediatric falls. Providing safe care is a concern for health facilities and practitioners to ensure patients do not incur other injuries. Various factors influence children’s falls, such as medication, lack of proper knowledge of the environment, and painful procedures. Falling affects sick children by making them suffer minor and severe injuries prolonging their recovery. Over the decades, safety culture issues have prompted researchers and health organizations to formulate effective countermeasures. Nursing practice plays a significant role in promoting the care and well-being of patients within the health facility. Nurses should educate and inform children about the causes of falling to increase their awareness of its dangers. They can also use their experience to examine the effects of medication and change it related to patients’ tumbling. I would ensure the Humpty Dumpty assessment tool is well understood, and that practitioners have adequate knowledge about how it helps manage pediatric falls. References AlSowailmi, B. A., AlAkeely, M. H., AlJutaily, H. I., Alhasoon, M. A., Omair, A., & AlKhalaf, H. A. (2018). Prevalence of fall injuries and risk factors for fall among hospitalized children in a specialized children’s hospital in Saudi Arabia. Annals of Saudi Medicine , 38 (3), 225-229. Web. Chhipa, A. K., & Chan-Galapon, M. (2021). A quality improvement project to decrease falls on in-patient pediatric units. Pediatric Quality & Safety , 6 (1). Web. Shala, D. R., Brogan, F., Cruickshank, M., Kornman, K., & Sheppard‐Law, S. (2019). Exploring Australian parents’ knowledge and awareness of pediatric inpatient falls: A qualitative study. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing , 24 (4), e12268. Web.
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ESSAY: Deep Vein Thrombosis: Symptoms and Treatment Essay (Critical Writing) With thrombosis of the lower extremities’ veins, blood clots or blood clots form cavities, which interfere with the normal movement of blood. Over time, they can clog the venous lumen and even come off, ending in the heart, lungs, and other organs (Dalen, 2016). Unfortunately, it is often impossible to timely determine the initial symptoms of thrombosis of the leg vessels. However, if the skin changes color and swelling occurs where the blood clot is located, these are signs of vascular disease. When thrombosis progresses, its symptoms appear: acute pain and heaviness in the patient’s legs. These symptoms are provoked by the venous congestion below the site of thrombosis. The main causes of the disease’s development are blood clotting and damage to the vein wall (Thachil & Bagot, 2018). In addition, long journeys and old age exacerbate the risk of serious problems. It is also possible that the patient is taking medications that increase blood clotting, so it is necessary to ask him about this to be sure of the diagnosis. Ways to make an accurate diagnosis include duplex scanning, radiopaque phlebography, MRI, or CT. The combination of these methods will most accurately determine the severity and nature of the disease. After that, a doctor can prescribe a suitable treatment. Of the drugs, it can be injections of heparin and capsules of anticoagulants. If these methods do not help, then thrombolysis is necessary, which promotes resorption of blood clots. With the most severe outcome, surgery will be required. Undoubtedly, this is the last thing to do since it is always important to use all the other methods before making it. It may also be dangerous in the age of the considered patient. Thus, it is vital to use other methods and try to avoid any harmful consequences. Not only this will help cure thrombosis, but also save patient’s life. References Dalen, J. E. (2016). Venous Thromboembolism. CRC Press. Thachil, J., & Bagot, C. (2018). Handbook of Venous Thromboembolism. John Wiley & Sons.
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ESSAY: Defining African Culture and Its Origins Essay (Critical Writing) A Western scholarship has distorted the long history of African culture for centuries, and many of its basic principles have been viewed through the lens of colonization. As a result, the ideas and tenets of African philosophy have been appropriated and changed in value from the inherent parts of people’s nature into commodities. In their works, p’Bitek and Marimba discuss such concepts as culture, spirituality, and philosophy of African nations and how Western ideology has reshaped their presentation without fully understanding their meaning. The commodification of African culture and the imposition of European views on the distinction between culture and philosophy, religion and spirituality have disrupted African people’s ability to self-identify. The ideas by scholars show that African culture does not distinguish itself from philosophy or drive a line between reality and the spiritual nature of one’s being. European culture is presented as pragmatical and commodifying – it turns pieces of life that are meant to be used into objects for observation. p’Bitek writes that culture turns from “the way of life of a people” into “something that is bought and sold” (“What is Culture?” 14). As a result, younger generations of Africans, especially those living in Western countries, see their culture as a collection of souvenirs, not parts of everyday life. At the same time, they are subjected to the Western religions praising poverty and individualism (p’Bitek, “Man Born Unfree” 21). Ani notes that African-Americans suffer as they do not feel connected enough to traditional African society but feel a divide between themselves and European identity (49). Such disconnect leads to people losing their communal and generational identification. The readings discussed above show that African and European ideologies clash in many ways, and the latter assumes control over the presentation of the former. As a result, generations of people are removed from their culture, losing it or seeing through the distorted lens of commodification. African culture is inherently linked to philosophy, spirituality, living in the moment, and seeing the richness of life. However, it is turned into a tourist attraction, and its people are forced to perceive it through the eyes of foreigners, losing their inherent link to history and nature. Works Cited Ani, Marimba. “Denial of African-Diasporic Humanism.” Let the Circle Be Unbroken: The Implications of African Spirituality in the Diaspora . Nkonimfo Publications, 1997, pp. 47–49. p’Bitek, Okot. “Man Born Unfree.” Artist the Ruler: Essays on Art, Culture, and Values , East African Educational Publisher Ltd., 1994, pp. 19–24. “What is Culture?” Artist the Ruler: Essays on Art, Culture, and Values , East African Educational Publisher Ltd., 1994, pp. 13–18.
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ESSAY: Defining Asia and Its Analysis Essay (Article) Asia is a landmass described as the world’s largest and most diverse continent. It is more of a geographic term and carries diversity among the areas and regions it encompasses. Asia is hardly a homogeneous continent because it covers a vast area from the Caspian Sea and the Ural Mountains in Eurasia. Asia is divided into five regions Southwest Asia includes the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Iran, and Turkey. Central Asia covers Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. East Asia, South Asia comprises India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Southeast Asia, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia. The geographical relationship between China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Mongolia, India, and Vietnam make them Asian. They define Asians through their cultures, language, people, and religion that share different histories. They have a history that dates to Roman times and reference the Roman empire. Asia has many people on earth and is rich in cultural diversity, such as the Indus civilization and the Aryans. Asia is a constructed idea with many and varied traditions from the large region it covers. It is not an absolute unity with cultures that share things in common. This is evident in the richly diverse languages of Asia. The vast majority speak Altaic consisting of Turkic, Mongolian, and Manchu-Tungus, while other predominant languages are the Chines and the Indo-European family of Indo-Aryan, Slavic, Iranian, and Armenia. In addition, the Afro-Asiatic and Caucasian languages are bound in Western Asia. In conclusion, Asia is a collection of many geographically connected cultures. These cultures share histories, such as the western civilization and the growth of centralized agriculture like in China. Based on these realities, it is hard to define Asia as a single unit but a group of regions that change depending on how they are analyzed.
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ESSAY: Definition and Impact of Fallacy Essay There are numerous logical fallacies that make arguments presented in a text or a speech. Some of these fallacies are the appeal to authority, anecdotal evidence, hasty generalization, and the slippery slope. The present essay focuses on the fallacy of emotional appeal that is characterized by an attempt of an author, speaker, or debater to persuade the audience by provoking their emotional reaction. This type of fallacies that could easily be found in social media, commercials, newspapers, and speeches of politicians. Emotions are an indispensable component of every person’s trait of character and life. In some cases, emotions could affect a person’s decisions, reactions, and behavior. However, emotions should be eliminated when it comes to arguments and judgments on a specific issue (Pirie, 2015). The Scottish Enlightenment philosopher David Hume wrote that passion, i.e., emotions, is the reason why we act, whereas reason directs these actions (Pirie, 2015). Nonetheless, the application of an emotional appeal is an easy way to intimidate or motivate the audience. An illustrative example of the fallacy of emotional appeal could be noted in Leonardo DiCaprio’s speech in the UN General Assembly during the opening of the Climate Summit in 2014. During the three minutes of the speech, the UN Messenger of Peace commits several emotional appeal fallacies. In most cases, during this performance, DiCaprio does not use proven facts or statistics to affirm the argument. Instead, he appeals to the emotions of the UN’s delegates and the general audience. The first example of emotional appeal could be noted in the first minute of the speech. More precisely, DiCaprio says that “we all know better than that now every week we are seeing new and undeniable climate events” (United Nations, 2014, 1:01-1:14). The reason why this phrase could be considered a fallacy is that he says that people know better that something is going on. This way, he manipulates the audience and makes it possible for it to retort that his argument is not true. If a person claims that he does not know what everyone else knows better, he will look silly. The second example is illustrated by the phrase “you can make history, or you will be vilified by it” (United Nations, 2014, 2:04-2:08). The word vilified has a strong emotional coloring, and it is used to threaten the audience. Another illustration of the fallacy of emotional appeal is the quote “the time to answer humankind’s greatest challenge is now” followed with the sentence “we beg of you to face it with courage and honesty” (United Nations, 2014, 3:35-3:44). As for the first phrase, humanity faces a lot of challenges, including poverty, famine, wars, and pandemics of various diseases. Therefore, it is an exaggeration to call climate change the greatest problem faced by humankind. In the second phrase, it is not clear who are “we” but the fact that “they” beg people to fight climate change makes it immensely emotional. To conclude, the speech of Leonardo DiCaprio on climate change could be characterized as populistic and based on the appeal to the audience’s emotions. At the same time, this fallacy was applied because it is an easy and effective way to persuade the audience and emphasize the significance of the discussed topic. Nonetheless, the speech would seem more convincing if it contained evidence based on statistics and facts. Reference Pirie, M. (2015). How to win every argument: The use and abuse of logic . Bloomsbury Publishing. United Nations (2014). Leonardo DiCaprio (UN Messenger of Peace) at the opening of Climate Summit 2014. [Video]. Web.
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ESSAY: Definition of “Zero-Sum Story” Essay In a narrow sense, the “zero-sum story” is a belief that there is a competition between racial groups, and any progress for one group is a threat to the resources and position of another (McGhee). This story is the mainstream paradigm for conservative media and has been told in different forms for years. The negative impacts of the “zero-sum” paradigm on the United States are massive and diverse. This mindset created additional economic, political, and social costs for all citizens of the United States. One of the prominent examples demonstrated by McGhee is the history of public swimming pools in cities across the US. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were massive public swimming pools in many US cities, yet at that time “public” mostly meant “white only” pools. After numerous drowning incidents, local municipalities were told to open the pools for all people regardless of their race, which provoked a backlash from the white residents. As a result, cities preferred to close or privatize the public facilities instead of allowing people of different races to use them freely. This is an example of the destruction of public goods and a massive cost increase for the whole population due to the “zero-sum” mindset. Another negative example demonstrated by McGhee is political in nature – many white people stopped pushing for social governmental policies regarding jobs and social benefits after the Black community joined the agenda. In the end, this means less social justice and social benefits for the whole country because the adherents of the “zero-sum” paradigm do not want other races to benefit from these policies. The arguments provided by McGhee seem reasonable and fair to me – they describe the past and current state of affairs in the United States well. The main reason I think so is the factual and statistical support of her position – it is very hard to argue that the US has significant social and economic problems due to racism. Works Cited McGhee, Heather. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together . One World, 2021.
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ESSAY: Depression and Anxiety Among Chronic Pain Patients Research Paper Chronic pain is still considered to be an extreme issue among at least 8% of the residents of progressive countries. The introduction of the study describes the apparent link between pain and demoralization. Chronic pain is always accompanied by negative emotional experiences and blocks a person’s ability to receive joy and satisfaction from life. The research investigates the development of depression and anxiety among patients receiving pharmaceutical opioids and medical marijuana (MM) as severe painkillers. It compares the efficacy of prescriptions and examines the possibility of post-treatment depression. There is currently a severe lack of information about the effects of opiates. They manage pain successfully, but the past few decades indicated the growing concern regarding opiate abuse in forms of overdose and addiction. A more manageable and safer alternative might be medical marijuana. However, the legal status and novelty of this drug do not allow finding a large number of studies on its effectiveness. Specifically, it concerns the emotional condition of patients experiencing chronic pain. This research paper aims to analyze levels of depression and anxiety among people receiving therapy by comparing the effects of pharmaceutical opioids and MM. The study was conducted in the form of collection and analysis of statistical data. Participants were recruited for six months at two major pain relief centers in Israel. The researchers used The Depression Module of the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale to interview participants, evaluate their answers, and conduct the study. To specifically evaluate and compare the probabilities of depression or anxiety among the diverse groups, the study used multiple logistic regression analysis and chose medical marijuana as the control group. This type of study is the most revealing and inclusive, as it contains direct responses from a large number of participants. All tools in the form of questionnaires and scales have already been used and proved their efficacy for collecting analytical data. It helps to systematize and classify distinct kinds of information for subsequent uncomplicated services. Thus, researchers can compare the effects of medications on patients of diverse age groups, backgrounds, physical conditions, emotional states, and so on. The analysis of any human reaction has a high potential of subjectiveness and bias, especially regarding people in severe pain and unstable emotional condition. Perhaps some patients tend to exaggerate their depressive state or vice versa, de-emphasize serious difficulties. Because the survey responses were thoroughly anonymous, the researchers were unable to carefully analyze each patient’s reaction and compare it to the actual states of condition. More accurate answers could be obtained by professional psychologists via personal communication and behavioral analysis. However, this method of research is way more resource-intensive and energy-consuming. Participants were recruited for six months at two major pain relief centers in Israel. All patients experienced chronic pain for at least 3 months. The study included 890 participants, of which 474 (59%) were treated solely with opioids, 329 (41%) were treated with MM, and 77 (8.6%) acquired both (Feingold et al., 2017). The remaining ten participants who did not receive pharmaceutical opioids and medical marijuana were withdrawn from the analysis in the research. Therefore, it is not possible to comprehensively compare patients taking medications with those who do not. The study conducted a correlation type of research with variable measures. It evaluated the interdependence of various factors that affected the physical and emotional condition of patients experiencing chronic pain. For example, the survey showed that the ratio of female patients was remarkably higher in the opiates group compared to the MM group. In turn, people on opiates were more likely to report major depressive disorders. The questionnaires used different variable measures to collect information. For example, it included comprehensive socio-demographic data: gender, age, country, type of residence (urban/rural), years of education, and employment status. Patients were also asked about their medical history over the years and the current presence of any severe diseases such as heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, and so on. The third measure of the questionnaire was indicated by information on any twelve-month and lifetime drug and alcohol consumption. In addition, the record included a pain measurement scale from 0 to 10 to evaluate discomfort feelings during the last month. Among all participants in the study, 42.2% suffered from depression, and 37% experienced excessive anxiety. The plurality of depressive disorders among patients in the opiates, medical marijuana, and mixed OPMM groups numbered 57.1%, 22.3%, and 51.4%, respectively. The plurality of anxiety contained 48.4% among OP patients, 21.5% among MM patients, and 38.7% among OPMM participants. Patients who took strong opiates were tended to place their pain on a scale of 9 to 10 (Feingold et al., 2017). They were also anguished emotionally and reacted radically negatively to almost all survey questions. Patients who took only MM or mixed medications course had a significantly more stable emotional state and coped with pain more manageable. One of the major limitations is the insufficiently high response rate, 57% instead of 70% (Feingold et al., 2017). It can be fairly explained by the weak focus of respondents who have overcome severe pain sensations and depressive episodes. It is not clear how to use these statistics, as they still may be relevant for the overall analysis. Reference Feingold, D., Brill, S., Goor-Aryeh, I., Delayahu, Y., & Lev-Ran, S. (2017). Depression and anxiety among chronic pain patients receiving prescription opioids and medical marijuana. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2181-7. Web.
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ESSAY: Descartes’ Mind-Body Problem Essay Introduction Descartes’ philosophy is called dualistic, which implies the equality of the material and the ideal but allows the existence of these two phenomena separately from each other. In one of his main theses devoted to the study of the interaction between the mind and body, the philosopher, while comparing bodily and spiritual substances, speaks of their opposition (Thibaut, 2018). Descartes deals with the question of what is true in the content of the mind, in other words, in representations: ideas, affects, and judgments. He speaks of the complete difference between the mind and body, which implies that the body is divisible and the mind is not because the activity of the latter cannot be explained by mechanical principles (Dika, 2020). In his explanations, Descartes offers an adequate solution to the mind-body problem. The argument that the connection of the body and mind is an empirical fact given to a person in everyday experience is logical, and their difference is directly determined in the act of philosophical reflection. The Problem and Solution To solve the mind-body problem, Descartes sorts out the content of consciousness in order for clarity and distinctness. In the mind of a thinking subject, in addition to the idea of ​​oneself, there are ideas about inanimate bodies, other living beings, people, and God. According to Dika (2020), the conception of oneself is clear and distinct and, therefore, true. Ideas about other living beings can be formed from available experience. Descartes guarantees the truth of the original principle as clear and distinct knowledge by the existence of God, who has put the natural light of reason into humans (Dika, 2020). Self-consciousness in Descartes is not closed on itself but is open to God, acting as a source of the objective significance of human thinking. This proof, which can be called epistemological, is decisive for the entire system of the philosopher. As Urban (2018) argues, according to Descartes, the mind is a thinking thing, unextended, indivisible, capable of knowing the truth and striving for it, and also endowed with absolute free will. The body, conversely, is an extended and non-thinking thing; moreover, it acts automatically (Urban, 2018). Thus, Descartes believes that the human is indeed separate from the body and can exist independently of it. Theoretically, there can be no connection between these two substances, but in actual experience, a person is their inseparable unity. Cogito is Descartes’ first reliable judgment and, at the same time, the first object directly given to the mind – a thinking substance. It is open to people directly, while the existence of the other substance, material, is given indirectly (Urban, 2018). Descartes views a substance as a thing that needs nothing but itself to exist. Analyzing this position provides the idea that only God can be called a substance. Among created things, the philosopher conventionally calls substances only those that need divine assistance for their existence. The thinking substance as an attribute is unextended and, therefore, indivisible. The substance of the body has an extension in length, width, and depth; thus, it is divisible into parts, has a figure, movement, and a certain arrangement of parts. Only these qualities are really inherent in bodily substance, and all the rest, including color, taste, smell, warmth, and others, Descartes calls secondary. Such features owe their existence to the impact of primary qualities on the body. Ideas inherent in the thinking substance from the very beginning and not acquired through experience are innate. These include the idea of ​​God as an all-perfect being, the ideas of numbers and figures, as well as some general concepts, or axioms (Macbeth, 2017). These eternal truths are the embodiment of the natural light of the mind. Thus, Descartes draws a clear distinction between the concepts of mind and body and argues for clear differences between their functions, which is one of the main premises of his theory of transcendental idealism. The concept of substantial or Cartesian dualism proposed by him formed the basis of the philosopher’s works, who proved his ideas empirically. Criticism Against Cartesian Substance Dualism and Descartes’ Responses Despite his rationale for dualism in the theory of body and mind, Descartes faced objections from some other philosophers who refuted his concept. For instance, as cited in Dong (2020), Thomas Hobbes argued that the nature of the identity between thought and thinking did not allow applying a similar interpretation algorithm to other phenomena or states. According to him, Descartes identifies the subject and its abilities, and only a material subject is capable of thinking since thinking itself cannot think because this is an endless contradiction (Dong, 2020). To this, Descartes replies that he understands thinking precisely as a substance and not as an action, but this substance is spiritual and by no means material (Bardin, 2019). After all, as Dong (2020) remarks, a substance is not learned directly but only through its accident, and if two substances have different accidents, they should be separated. A spiritual substance has such accidents as cognition, desire, fantasy, and some others, united under the name of thinking, while material substance has magnitude, form, and movement, united under the name of the extension. This is how Descartes responds to Hobbes’ objection: if the attributes of two substances are absolutely different, it is impossible to mix these substances in thought. Otherwise, a person goes against the rule of clarity and distinctness in thinking. Such an understanding of the thinking substance provides a place for freedom; as cited in Dong (2019), people comprehend their mind independently of the body, which means that consciousness and body are different. In addition, people comprehend their will like the ability of the soul to act and think freely, which means that the will is really free. Moreover, only the soul as a finite substance can have free will since freedom is where there is a choice, and a choice is where there is something else outside the subject. One of the most pointed arguments against Descartes’ theory was made by Gilbert Ryle. He challenged the dualistic concept of the body and mind, arguing that it was based on a category error (Nnaemeka & Chukwunenye, 2018). In addition, as cited in Christofidou (2018), in Ryle’s view, behaviorism was a much more accurate approach reflecting the motives of actions. The main claim was that, from the standpoint of science, physical action required a physical cause. However, since, according to Descartes, the mind and body are completely different entities, their interaction becomes impossible. For the creator of the theory of dualism, there was no other rational way to answer these objections than to resort to the principle of divine intervention (Nnaemeka & Chukwunenye, 2018). Nevertheless, the concept of dualism did not receive full recognition among all philosophers without exception, although Descartes’ ideas formed the basis of many cause-and-effect concepts. Conclusion Despite the counterarguments presented, Descartes’ concept of the mind and body offers empirical justifications that are revealed through philosophical reflection. Involving the divine principle as one of the main incentives explaining the motives for specific actions corresponds to the ideas of Descartes’ contemporaries about the spirituality of any behavioral motives. The idea of ​​ Cartesian dualism, which became the basis of Descartes’ theory, received its recognition due to clear justifications regarding thinking and its participation in human development. References Bardin, A. (2019). Materialism and right reason in Hobbes’s political treatises: A troubled foundation for civil science. History of Political Thought , 40 (1), 85-110. Christofidou, A. (2018). Descartes’ dualism versus behaviourism. Behavior and Philosophy , 46 , 63-99. Dika, T. R. (2020). The origins of Cartesian dualism . Journal of the American Philosophical Association , 6 (3), 335-352. Web. Dong, H. (2020). Hobbes’s model of refraction and derivation of the sine law. Archive for History of Exact Sciences , 75 (3), 323-348. Macbeth, D. (2017). Descartes on the creation of the eternal truths. Acta Baltica Historiae et Philosophiae Scientiarum , 5 (1), 5-27. Nnaemeka, C. J., & Chukwunenye, D. G. (2018). Concept of mind in Gilbert Ryle: A philosophical examination, Elixir Philosophy , 119 (2018), 51152-51161. Thibaut, F. (2018). The mind-body Cartesian dualism and psychiatry. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience , 20 (1), 3. Urban, E. (2018). On matters of mind and body: Regarding Descartes . Journal of Analytical Psychology , 63 (2), 228-240. Web.
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ESSAY: Development of Small Entrepreneurship Case Study Small business is the most essential element of a market economy, without which the state cannot develop harmoniously. Small business largely determines the rate of economic growth, the structure, and quality of the gross national product, so the role of small business in society cannot be underestimated. The business strives to become a social and manageable process by creating and disseminating value and opportunities for exchange (Branham, 2014). It forces social groups to get what they need and want, forming a positive image of this process. Depending on the specialization of a small enterprise, the focus on production varies. For example, the value for food truck consumers is that sellers create a special menu to increase profits based on an analysis of customer needs. One of the most important advantages is mobility, which allows you to be available almost anytime, anywhere. Unlike other catering establishments, entrepreneurs do not need to attract visitors; the food truck can come to them. In one day, a food truck can visit several city areas, and feed thousands of residents there. Another advantage is that you do not have to pay for the premises’ rent; it is enough to purchase a van or trailer car. The main problem is the issue of the unregulated legal field for the placement of mobile objects in the urban environment today. In addition, this type of business is not stable in terms of earnings, as it largely depends on the season, as well as the location of the restaurant. The difficulty is also caused by the fact that, according to the laws, product quality checks and working conditions of mobile restaurants are no different from ordinary ones. Entrepreneurs have many different characteristics that distinguish them from the general population. Entrepreneurs are a category of risk-takers who are prone to ambiguity and uncertainty. They also experience independence, improved quality of life, and inner satisfaction from running their organizations. The desire of an entrepreneur to become independent and work for himself contributes to his development, which is also focused on consumers. The type of entrepreneurship presented in the video is franchising, as there is an ECDI organization where start-up people in business receive support from a non-profit organization. The franchisor helps start-up businesses with marketing, social media, and food safety ( ABC News , 2013). It also gets in touch and finds places to do its jobs. ECDI finds secure parking, electrical connections, grease removal, and industrial sinks for Dan and Steve, so entrepreneurs do not overspend. For further successful growth of entrepreneurship, partnerships with other entrepreneurs can be developed. One way to increase the number of customers can be a joint activity with some bar or restaurant. For example, a food truck that sells savory snacks, such as fried sausages with french fries, will be useful for a bar that does not serve food but only drinks. The food truck owner specializing in the preparation and sale of ice cream, cakes, and pancakes should find a restaurant or cafe that does not have desserts on the menu. You should also remember the gradual development of business and do not quit if things are going fast. Some entrepreneurs try to expand too quickly or early by opening a new office or opening multiple sites in different geographic locations. Lack of cash and heavy reliance on debt financing kill many small start-ups. References ABC News (Producer). (2013). Building a food truck business from the ground up [Video]. Films On Demand. Branham, M. (2014). Entrepreneurship 101. Capitol Ideas, 57 (2), 32–33. Web.
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ESSAY: Diabetes Disease of the First and Second Types Essay Diabetes of type 1 usually develops due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells in genetically predisposed individuals. The damage to beta cells occurs at a subclinical level for months or years in the form of insulitis. Patients with insulin deficiency cannot process glucose in peripheral muscle and fat tissues. This stimulates the secretion of antagonistic hormones such as glucagon, adrenaline, cortisol, and growth hormone (Lee et al., 2019). These antagonistic hormones, particularly glucagon, promote gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and ketogenesis in the liver. Consequently, patients experience hyperglycemia and an anionic metabolic acidosis gap. Type 2 diabetes is the most frequently encountered pathology of the endocrine system organs. The core mechanism of disease development is insulin resistance (Lee et al., 2019). It is a decrease in the biological response of cells to one or more effects of insulin at its average concentration in the blood. Insulin resistance produces the inability of insulin-dependent tissues to absorb blood plasma glucose and disrupts glycogen synthesis in the hepatic. Persons with diabetes should eat according to a structured regimen and receive their medications with meals. For type 1 diabetes, a recommended diet includes carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and skim milk. Patients with type 2 diabetes, complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole wheat, fruits, vegetables, and beans should be included in the rations (Sinclair et al., 2019). At the same time, for both types of disease should be avoided, consumption of simple carbohydrates such as sugar, pasta, white bread, flour, cookies, pastries. During the first type of diabetes, insulin Degludec (Tresiba) is required together with the diet. It is suitable to confound hypoglycemia in patients over 18 years of age. In addition, Zynquista is an oral medication intended to be combined with insulin (Sinclair et al., 2019). Besides, individuals with type 2 diabetes may require insulin if their diet plan, weight loss, exercise, and anti-diabetic medications are not achieving their target blood glucose levels. In that case, Insulin Degludec may also be appropriate; the oral drug is Metformin. References Lee, P. A., Greenfield, G., & Pappas, Y. (2018). The impact of telehealth remote patient monitoring on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. BMC health services research, 18 (1), 1-10. Sinclair, A. J., Abdelhafiz, A. H., Forbes, A., & Munshi, M. (2019). Evidence‐based diabetes care for older people with type 2 diabetes:A critical review. Diabetic Medicine, 36 (4), 399-413.
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ESSAY: “Diabetes Prevention in U.S. Hispanic Adults” by McCurley et al. Essay The healthcare industry typically draws sufficient attention to patients’ education, especially when it comes to representatives of minority groups. That is why the article by McCurley et al. (2017) offers valuable information. The researchers demonstrate that Hispanic individuals deal with improved diabetes prevention when they participate in individual and group face-to-face sessions (McCurley et al., 2017). I believe that there is an apparent reason why such positive outcomes are achieved. It seems that face-to-face interventions are effective because patients have an opportunity to ask questions if they require explanations. Simultaneously, such educational sessions demonstrate that a patient is not unique with such a health issue. As a result, such interventions can improve people’s morale, which, in turn, will lead to increased motivation to take preventive measures and protect health. This information allows for supposing that face-to-face interventions can be suitable to my practicum project that considers measures to improve access to care among African Americans with heart failure diseases. However, the focus on patients’ cultural backgrounds should not lead to ignoring a broader context. This statement refers to the findings by Cajiita et al. (2017), who stipulate that the use of mobile technology in healthcare (mHealth) can promote better knowledge. These scholars focused on 129 older adults, and almost 25% were African Americans, to analyze whether mHealth leads to improved care (Cajiita et al., 2017). The use of mobile technologies can be as effective as face-to-face interventions because modern people spend more time online. That is why it is reasonable to rely on mHealth opportunities to improve access to care among African Americans. Finally, it is possible to suggest that combining mobile technologies and face-to-face educational sessions can result in the best outcomes. References Cajiita, M. I., Hodgson, N. A., Budhathoki, C., & Han, H.-R. (2017). Intention to use mHealth in older adults with heart failure. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 32 (6), E1-E7. Web. McCurley, J., Gutierrez, A., & Gallo, L. (2017). Diabetes prevention in U.S. Hispanic adults: A systematic review of culturally tailored interventions. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 52 (4), 519-529.
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ESSAY: Diabetic Medication Therapies With Insulin Essay Brand name: Glumetza. Initially, it is administered at 500mg daily with meals and later adjusted to 1000mg, 500mg XR, or 1000mg XR. It acts by suppressing gluconeogenesis in the liver and reducing glucose absorption in the small intestines, reducing insulin resistance. Common side effects: bloating, lactic acidosis, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, loss of weight, and deficiency of vitamin B12. Furthermore, the initiation of metformin is associated with the development of hemolytic anemia (Miller & Fortun, 2018). It should be cautiously administered in pregnant and alcoholic patients. In conditions such as renal insufficiency, there is reduced medication clearance, thus leading to toxicity. To reduce side effects related to the gastrointestinal system during the first treatment, metformin should be taken with meals. Once treatment has been initiated with metformin, it should not be discontinued unless the patient develops contraindication (Miller & Fortun, 2018). For individuals with renal failure, myocardial infarction, diabetic ketoacidosis, and heart failure, metformin should not be initiated or stopped if the patient develops these conditions while undergoing treatment. Metformin should not be administered to patients with glomerular filtration rates (GFR) of thirty or below. Patients with a glomerular filtration rate of forty-five or more can safely use metformin (Miller & Fortun, 2018). Therefore, patients with GFR lower than forty-five on this medication should be closely monitored. Additionally, the patients’ prescriber should assess the risk and the merits of the continued drug therapy for patients with GFR lower than forty-five. It is essential to monitor the kidney function of the patients. It is considered first-line therapy in addition to lifestyle modification. Upon initiation of insulin therapy, metformin should also be started for metabolic benefits. Classified into: * Basal: agents in this group are neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) with an onset of 2-4 hours and act for ten to about sixteen hours. It reaches its peak at 4-10 hours. It causes an increased risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia (Gupta, 2022). Another group is glargine, detemir, and degludec, which have an onset of one to four and act up to twenty-four hours. They have a reduced risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia as compared to NPH. Basal insulin acts by suppressing the production of glucose in the liver. Basal prandial: includes Regular U 500. Its onset is at half an hour, reaching its peak after two to three hours. It should be administered half an hour before meals (Gupta, 2022). These agents provide a long duration of action. Basal prandial is highly recommended for individuals who have high insulin resistance. * Prandial: includes regular human insulin, which acts up to 8 hours and starts its action after one hour. It should be given thirty minutes before meals because otherwise, there is an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Another agent is aspart, glulisine, and lispro. Prandial insulins act rapidly. They have a reduced risk of postprandial hypoglycemia as compared to regular insulin. Human insulin can either be short-acting, intermediate-acting, or pre-mixed. Short-acting insulin includes human R and Novolin R (Gupta, 2022). They have an onset of thirty to one hour and reach their peak at two to four hours. The intermediate-acting acts for 12-16 hours and begins from one to three hours. Examples are Humulin N and Novolin N. The pre-mixed insulin has a varying peak but begins acting from 30 minutes to one hour. References Gupta, A. (2022). Biosynthesis of insulin . Understanding Insulin and Insulin Resistance , 71–133. Jost, K.-D., & Stiefelhagen, P. (2015). Bis zu Welcher GFR ist metformin unbedenklich? MMW – Fortschritte Der Medizin , 157 (5), 33–33. Miller, K., & Fortun, J. A. (2018). Diabetic macular edema: current understanding, pharmacologic treatment options, and developing therapies . The Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology , 7 (1), 28-35.
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ESSAY: Diets to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer, and Diabetes Essay In order to prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, people are required to adhere to strict routines, including in terms of diet. According to American Heart Association, people wishing to prevent heart disease must consume food which does not contain added sugars and high volumes of sodium, as well as saturated and trans fats (“Staple Ingredients”). Additionally, individuals need to eat whole grains, vegetables including frozen and canned ones, nuts, seeds, and meat such as chicken and lean beef. American Cancer Society’s dietary recommendations to people include the need to consume more fruits and vegetables, especially dark green and orange ones, since they have a considerable cancer prevention capacity (“American Cancer Society”). Moreover, the society advises people to eat foods high in fiber, such as legumes and whole grains, while avoiding red meats and added sugar. Finally, American Diabetes Association recommends eating more non-starchy vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, cauliflower which need to constitute one-half of each meal (“Eat Good”). The association also highlights the significance of consuming foods high in protein, such as beans, hummus, and lentils, as well as fruits and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The recommendations to prevent the three previously mentioned conditions are, to a large extent, similar. Essentially, all organizations state that it is important to avoid consuming added sugar and saturated and trans fat. Additionally, people wanting to prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes also need to eat more fruits, vegetables, and chicken meat. At the same time, red meat is strictly prohibited for cancer patients while generally available for people with diabetes and heart disease. Individuals with diabetes should consume more non-starchy vegetables than people with the other two conditions. Finally, to prevent heart disease, people must particularly be careful about consuming any type of fats. Works Cited “ American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity ”. American Cancer Society . Web. “ Eat Good to Feel Good ”. American Diabetes Association . Web. “ Staple Ingredients for Quick Healthy Meals ”. American Heart Association . Web.
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ESSAY: Differences Between Economics and Business Essay One is watching the news or reading the latest article from Forbes, and you see the terms “business” and “economics” used interchangeably; one may wonder about the differences. Business and economics are similar in that they are supplements to each other, both dealing with the process of creating products and services and selling them to generate output. These are fields of study that are closely related and include a range of shared subtopics, such as enterprises, marketing, finance, manufacturing, and banking. Both are social sciences that focus on financial measurement and analysis, focusing on variables that impact the market and also focus on short- and long-term projections, as well as the inner workings of various industries. Finally, both business and economics tend to focus on various problems facing the nation, its citizens, government, and private enterprises (Vaidya). However, there are some differences between economics and business, which are based on their conceptual purpose. Economics is a study focusing on understanding human behavior and, in turn, how that reflects on the broader economic elements of whole nations. Meanwhile, business is aimed at studying the process of the exchange of goods and money specifically, and all the related elements starting from production to the final sale, and how a specific enterprise fulfills this process. It can be argued that business is a subset of economics, as the human behavior in that exchange of goods is a point of focus (Casson). A major difference is in concepts, economics deals with theories and broad elements of the economy, such as supply and demand, interest rate, and international trade. While these undoubtedly impact business, both individual entities and as a field of study, business focuses on the process of wealth creation within the context of the economy and typically applies practical theories. Economics focuses on and attempts to maximize the welfare of society, while business is centered on its shareholders. Both face different issues, with economics encompassing poverty, unemployment, taxation, and federal expenditure, while business focuses on product positioning and differentiation, marketing, growth or lack thereof of profitability, and individual or industry performance (Gitman et al.). While business and economics share many commonalities, their conceptual and practical differences make them distinct sciences. Works Cited Casson, Mark. The Theory of International Business . Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. Gitman, Lawrence J., et al. Introduction to Business . OpenStax. 2018. Web. Vaidya, Dheeraj. “Difference Between Economics and Business.” WallStreetMojo , Web.
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ESSAY: Differencies of Nursing Practice and Doctor Approaching Essay The difference between a doctor approaching a patient in comparison with nursing practice on the same subject can be an excellent topic due to the highlighted features that are emphasized when parallel. Thus, medical practice using one’s physiological status while nursing also implementing psychological responses is an effective way in making the difference between the two clear while operating based on PICOT. The points to be included are the difference in the research approach. Since medical practice is more objective due to the fact that it relies on specific outcomes and facts, the research is quantitative. On the other hand, the PICOT question included in the nursing practice implies mixed research that considers both opinions and data. Topic presents the differentiation between nursing and medical practice in terms of approach to diagnosis. The vital factor that is being brought up is the PICOT in relation to lab results versus assessment based on symptoms. The research can highlight the outcomes in terms of the accuracy of the findings while focusing on the comparison between the two concepts. The aspect that illustrates its importance is the overall parallel between the two models that may have similar results depending on how the research will be conducted and its findings. The potential research focusing on the nursing practice of preventing certain injuries and providing more patient-centered and personalized care can emphasize the importance of decision-making in the field. Decision-making is an essential concept in the nursing care field (Nibbelink & Brewer, 2018). Hence, a PICOT question on the topic of providing specialized care in terms of preventing falls versus solely treating them can be an effective way of discussing nursing from a personalized perspective. References Nibbelink, C. W., & Brewer, B. B. (2018). Decision-making in nursing practice: An integrative literature review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(5-6), 917–928. Web.
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ESSAY: Digital Engagement in a Business Essay A digital engagement policy determines how the organization intends to position itself online. The regulation also covers the company’s brand qualities and its vision and mission objectives. It also directs how employees can communicate digitally, both internally and externally, with suppliers and clients (Brown, 2019). In addition, the above guidelines also target social media interaction practices that may affect the business, either negatively or positively. Our organization has a digital engagement policy that it utilizes to protect the reputation of its brand. Moreover, the above strategy has enabled the business to increase employees’ commitment while boosting the levels of their obligation. Hence, workers share more about the organization online, thus, contributing to more sales and profit. Additionally, with the above rules in place, the firm’s private information is secure since it is not shared online. My professional presence online is aligned with the organization because it entails displaying the company’s products and services and connecting with all stakeholders. My existence online builds a good relationship with clients, friends, and followers, which is advantageous to the business since the company image has improved. This has helped the organization become relevant because it has offered its clients a ‘human face.’ I use media platforms to promote my brand by focusing on different social networks. I also create informative and engaging content about the company’s products and ensure all the information is up-to-date and accurate before uploading. It is critical to do regular online marketing while avoiding over-posting not to look desperate. All the updates of accomplishments and newsworthy developments are done 3 to 4 times a week. The topics that I frequently post on social media to market my brand are about the pricing of the products. I also emphasize the benefits of using our merchandise and services while comparing with others in the market. I always comment more on the developments and accomplishments achieved but avoid posting any negative comments made by an individual or a dissatisfied customer because this could cause a destructive online discussion, which may diminish the brand. After completing the course, I plan to change how to respond to any negativity, and I will not ignore any undesirable feedback because it enlightens me about the buyer’s experience. In addition, I will also start to market strategically, for instance, to develop a procedure of targeting my audience depending on the social media network, have schedules for my content, and change the communication methods. Reference Brown, L. (2019). The only business writing book you’ll ever need (1 st ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
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ESSAY: Digitalization of Management Accounting Research Paper The approach and thought process underlying the thesis is explained in this chapter. This section aims to provide enough information for other researchers conducting studies relating to the digitalization of the management accounting sector. As a result, the scholar begins by describing the research design, which includes a description of the study’s actual procedures. This paper then explores the researcher’s methodology, findings, recommendations and offers limitations and future research. Research Design The research design is a broad strategy for addressing the study issues. A well-organized research design ensures that the research methods match the research goals, quality data collection, and appropriate analysis to answer the research questions using reliable sources. Good designs allow researchers to draw valid, trustworthy conclusions. The design connects the conceptual research challenge to relevant and doable empirical research. The researcher will adopt the experimental research design, which entails posing open-ended questions to get a new understanding of the subject under investigation. The design was chosen based on what was best suited to answer the following research questions: 1. ” How will digitalization change the management accounting profession? “ 2. “What skills will a management accountant need in the future to address future challenges of digitalization? “ An experimental design is an excellent strategy for acquiring a new perspective or elucidating your thoughts on a theme. It will further broaden the understanding of the subject, allowing the investigator to understand better why and how things occur. The researcher applies exploratory research to clarify concepts, create priorities, and generate operational definitions. According to the scholar, this field of research is relatively new after searching for literature on the subject. As a result, few scientists have looked at these topics. There is research on the impact of digitization on accounting businesses. However, there is a scarcity of information about accountants’ perceptions about how digitalization would affect their profession. The researcher looked forward to comprehending how digitalization has impacted the managing accounting sector. The ability to convey and obtain new information about the subject benefits from employing this type of study. It allows the writer to take an open approach to data gathering and analysis. Data Collection Researchers can use both primary and secondary sources to acquire data. The scholar used primary data in the thesis to obtain material pertinent to the study challenge. Personal interviews played crucial roles in information collection by the researcher. An interview is an excellent way to get information and ensure the writer acquires more information about the participant’s self-awareness, motivation, and personal views on digitalization. The researcher collected secondary facts from the accounting businesses’ websites to learn how digitalization has affected management accounting. Assortment of businesses and participants Interviews with five accounting firms provided the basis for the research. The respondents are equally diverse in terms of experience, age, and gender. They have worked anywhere from 9 months to 25 years of experience. All firms were free to select who would be questioned. Interviewing the manager provided an opportunity to examine the company’s entire picture. By interviewing a management accountant, the scholar obtained firsthand information and vision of how digitization has impacted their profession and their skills to attain organizational goals. Random sampling strategy played a significant role in giving each participant equal chances of selection. Interview method As previously noted, the researcher primarily collected data through interviews, which would be an excellent method to gather information about digitalization impacts. An interview is a method of gathering more extensive and comprehensive information about a person’s experience, viewpoint, and views about a subject. Interviews provided accurate and consistent data relevant to the research questions. Interviews comprise semi-structured, organized, and unstructured (in-depth) interviews. The investigator applied semi-structured interviews to focus the conversation in one direction while allowing the subject to express themselves freely and clarify any ambiguities. Interview preparations and guide An interview guide provided a systematic framework for the interviews. An interview guide lists topics and questions that the researcher wants the interviewee to respond to. The researcher was not required to follow the rules of the letter when conducting a semi-structured interview; hence the researcher used the guide to help in remembering essential subjects and questions. The interview started with a brief overview of the issue and ourselves, followed by a series of straightforward questions. These methods would help the interviewee get off to a good start, such as, “What is your employment position?” and “How long have you been in the accounting industry?” were some of the first questions we asked regarding their background and education. “What problems and opportunities do you connect with the digitization of the accounting industry?” and “What attributes are needed to take advantage of digitalization?” were two of the questions posed. These were open-ended questions so that the reply might offer extra information about the subject. Interview Completion Qualitative interviews can be conducted in person, over the phone, via chat, or by email. The researcher considered in-person interviews since they fostered a sense of trust and transparency. This strategy allowed for a smooth dialogue with few interruptions. We were also able to keep an eye on the issue and control it. The researcher utilized a voice recorder during the interview, which all participants agreed to, both writing and oral records. Voice recorders helped the researcher be present throughout the interview to enhance effective communication. Data Analysis The researcher used thematic analysis, which entails compiling, dissecting, recombining, analyzing, and closing. The investigator utilized codes to indicate the themes from the data gathering during a thematic analysis. The scholar further used theme analysis for the thesis since it facilitated a rigorous methodology of depth interview data while also providing a more open route for study. This strategy aided the research, which allowed the writer to identify central themes, study critical themes, and notice new difficulties that arose during data collecting and evaluation that the researcher previously overlooked. Findings: Digitalization of Management Accounting Role Management accounting digitalization changes the profession significantly in various ways. For instance, IT solutions, particularly automation, increase resource availability due to a significant reduction in the required capacity for repetitive tasks, enabling management accountants to assist with strategic decisions. New business models, a shift in the focus of management accountants, and real-time performance data and reactions are all aspects in support of innovative value-adding operations. Overall, organizations can gain a competitive advantage by effectively managing the data and information made available through digitalization (Puhovichova et al. 140). Due to numerous laws, it is challenging to use all of these benefits. Any significant change to be executed in a firm requires a well-thought-out strategy and overall plan. The development of a performance management approach requires open communication and constructive feedback. Change drivers will struggle to implement changes without strong employee participation. A trial-and-error culture must be established in addition to changing the culture. In an environment where less stability is unavoidable and more uncertainty must be managed, disruptive developments add stress. Digitalization plays a significant function in allowing workers to try new things, which is critical in dealing with environmental changes but challenging because it contradicts another strategic goal that prioritizes safety through defect avoidance. As a result, digitalization in the management accounting industry is critical for keeping personnel up to date on new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and ERP deployments, to eliminate complications and guarantee that work is completed quickly. Before automating anything, it’s essential to figure out which actions and responsibilities are appropriate and then rate them. Another problem brought up is the expensive expense of building sound IT systems. However, good data management is required to get the most out of any technology. One of the most critical problems is that management accountants’ abilities must be updated to utilize digitization fully. Artificial intelligence Learning ability, often known as machine learning in AI, is a common requirement. In actuality, the term “artificial intelligence” was coined in 1956, but it has only recently acquired attention due to a few other factors. Big Data is one of them since when AI confronts new scenarios that necessitate decisions, it consults large amounts of high-quality data. The second wave of digitization is Artificial Intelligence. As a result, it emphasizes how new the technology is in management accounting applications. Several academics stress the importance of AI, predicting that it will undoubtedly become a critical component of business in the future. In the future, AI might make precise decision-making recommendations to the management accountant, or systems could make sovereign judgments and design steering measures based on management practices. A well-known Artificial Intelligence software example is IBM Watson Analytics. This tool could be cooperative in MA, particularly for reporting and risk management processes, where data collection, correlations, visualization, and forecasting are obliging. Artificial neural connections are a powerful technology that replicates human-machine learning in today’s AI. These networks learn from processed data by looking for patterns, adjusting connection strength, and taking into account terrible outcomes to find solutions to previously unforeseen situations. As a result, the foundation for machine learning is artificial neural networks. As a result, as the amount of data being studied rises, it helps apps enhance the quality of their analysis and discoveries since the algorithm can constantly comprehend the magnitude of elements and how they are related. BA models, for example, can be updated and enhanced regularly to achieve the highest level of analytical quality; DataRobot, BigML, and PredictionIO all provide IT solutions. The storage and processing of data and applications on the cloud are called “cloud computing.” Artificial Intelligence tools help management accounting institutions raise the visibility of organizational plans, a dream of total control in which distance is eliminated, and databases and analytical algorithms know people better than they know themselves. It also increases the number of misleading connections and the necessity to choose from vast amounts of data and alternatives. Furthermore, AI assists management accounting managers in addressing various complicated issues that their companies encounter. Management accounting is one of the most valuable tools accessible to a manager, who may use it to assess opportunities, situate action directions, and develop the corporate strategy. Thus, management accountants add significant value to firms by identifying and eliminating parts of the issue. AI plays a significant role in management accounting actions, including processing large amounts of data for policymaking, improving speed and timeliness in decision-making; thus, allowing for time and money savings, capability to monitor overarching business practices, enabling planning due to intuitions created by higher data volumes, productivity gains, reducing operating costs because of better data quality, and possible new sources of income as a result of connecting ability of data quality and improving interactions with customers due to the open nature of data. Fundamentally, artificial intelligence (AI) promotes the horizontality of financial organizations, allowing companies to benefit from it at both intra- and inter-organizational levels. The corporation becomes a collection of social networks connecting various stakeholders within and without the enterprise. Management accounting firms may utilize AI in managing their accounting data; thus, it may be transformed into actionable insights that drive company decisions and help improve every customer engagement and increase operational improvements. AI is more than a support function; it is a crucial component of value generation and a competitive advantage. It helps firms operate better with streamlined business processes, increased efficiency, better operational planning, and the ability to respond swiftly to unforeseen events. AI and the rapid utilization of information and communication technologies have accelerated financial institutions’ Big Data growth and effect. It allows for new management accounting data and forecasts based on existing data. On top of that, AI also assists accountants in creating precise forecasts based on extensive comprehension of the macro environment, permitting them to identify the fundamentals that may affect a firm’s incomes and more accurate prices. Therefore, AI implementation provides a strategic edge for management accounting firms in the future, essentially putting rivals out of business. Blockchain and data analytics Blockchain technology, a machine recording system that uses bitcoin in a customer network, is another trend that may alter the demand for accountants. While bitcoin, a virtual currency that keeps track of transactions and enables the construction of new currency systems without the use of a bank, has raised blockchain’s popularity, the technology has progressed significantly. The application of blockchain in management accounting stems from “the promise of a new form of a holistic approach – one that can be updated and confirmed regularly without fear of being changed or damaged.” Accountants are naturally interested in blockchain since it allows for real-time access to books and records and the establishment of intelligent contracts and recordkeeping. Blockchain has already been adopted by some accounting firms, including the Big Four — EY, PwC, Deloitte, and KPMG. While blockchain data can verify an asset’s ownership, its condition, location, and genuine value must be confirmed. By lowering the expenses of storing and maintaining ledgers and enabling complete transparency into financial assets and history, blockchain can help enhance audits. When combined with other automation technologies such as machine learning, Cryptocurrency will enhance transaction processing accounting, but only for experts. Instead, competent accountants will look into the real-world economic consequences of blockchain records, linking them to economic reality and valuation. A debtor’s existence, for example, can be validated using blockchain, but the debtor’s recoverable valuation and financial value are still up for argument. The value of a company’s data, for example, could widen the scope of accounting by allowing more aspects to be included that are currently judged complex or untrustworthy to assess. Reporting Each decision should be centered on accurate and relevant information obtained from a credible and secure database. Data scientists and other departments like IT are increasingly challenging controllers’ primary role of building and enhancing such a “single source of truth.” New information procedures may likewise contribute to an additional self-service, decentralized-based broadcasting and decision-making setting, affecting the kind of control and the responsibility of controllers. Conversation bots and additional robotic mechanism automation tools can save time and money for businesses, but they need to be managed carefully. The Management Accountants’ Exposure to Digitalization Several businesses are still at an early stage of digital transformation. Specific organizations have numerous information about their customers, products, and transactions. As a result, those polled are enthused about the potential of big data. The respondents appear more interested in the subject matter, including the use of modern technologies like AI and RPA (Robotics Process Automation) (RPA). Every company that uses RPA also employs AI; most respondents use ERP systems hosted in the cloud. According to the research, those polled are happy with the cloud solution and feel that the data is safe and secure, and accessible at all times and in all places. Several clients Find ERP fascinating and amusing since they can utilize it on mobile apps and track the progress on their mobile devices. Cloud-based accounting systems have numerous advantages; traditional systems take longer to implement than cloud-based systems. Businesses are implementing digitization, and most of them are adopting artificial intelligence and robots to ease their work; they are just starting their journey to Robotic process automation (RPA) technology. Automated processes are becoming more commonplace since it is a tool that countless companies have long-term plans. Robots are not the most important technology for companies since they are programmed to execute a limited number of simple, repetitive activities. Appropriate advancements must be in place to automate the repetitious tasks, and the government needs to support and encourage new ideas. Most management accountants are aware that robots are utilized on less than ideal systems to save money; hence companies only use AI when necessary because accountants have to deal with it in a complicated manner. Companies that have been using AI for a long time are finally seeing results because they realize the advantages and are optimistic about their potential. Challenges of Digitization and Opportunities Artificial Intelligence, which may be incorporated into auditing and accounting activities, can reduce the need for human labor considerably. Artificial intelligence can help with more structured, programmed, and repetitive jobs, where getting human intelligence and expertise is not time-wasting. Innovative technologies are not being designed to take the place of human intellect; instead, they are being integrated to aid accountants become restored strategic consultants by offering crucial firm visions. Machine learning and AI will offer accountants more access to real-time data from more sources. Though AI is in its early phases still, most companies apply it mainly for intelligent document OCR (“Optical Character Recognition”) and funds transfer automation. Software development leads to a knowledge of invoices rather than just matching order numbers and invoice amounts. Businesses may utilize the blockchain to get real-time data from several sources. Most organizations opt for this distribution method to protect sensitive financial data and streamline complex operations. The term “blockchain” should not be used to describe the technology. Blockchain can replace traditional auditing, compliance, and reconciliation chores due to its unwavering security and transparency. Technology advancements open up new avenues for delivering information regularly. Accounting is still based on the evaluation and analysis of financial data regularly, but stakeholders, auditors, and others expect more detailed and real-time reporting. A transition period and implementation processes will be required to move from an episodic basis of bookkeeping and reportage positioned exclusively on financial information to an additional complete view of accounting reporting. Current jobs will be displaced and disrupted due to implementing and transitioning to a more comprehensive accounting function. Higher performance and greater efficiency can be achieved by accounting experts through the usage of digital systems while reducing waste and increasing competence. Accountants will be looking for new methods to do things when working electronically, developing more complex accounting tools, which will aid in the efficient flow of accounting work. Accountants will have to learn to use new accounting systems and technologies to work digitally, advancing the accounting industry. Digital working allows us to work from any comfortable and safe location while keeping the COVID-19 scenario in mind. It is more cost-effective to conduct business via digital means because it reduces the need for actual office space and other expenses such as stationery travel. Therefore, accountants can complete clients’ data presentations in a specific time frame and low cost. Technology provides a plethora of options and assists individuals in doing various tasks. The electronic working environment, among other things, will make full use of various technology. The digital world uncovers talented people by allowing them to accomplish tasks from anywhere in the world and give a surprise, high-quality results. Customers would have more faith that their administrative job is automatically done because it is more evidence that their chosen accounting specialists will perform it. It will also make the expert more accountable, ensuring that the work is precise and reliable. The electronic performance of financial work will aid in the proper record of information, evading the damage of data information in traditional paperwork systems. It will also assure the security of the data by applying many layers of protection. Another advantage of digital platforms in accounting and artificial intelligence is that they provide 100 percent accuracy and automatically detect faults, preventing human error. The various accounting programs give high accuracy and error detection technologies, ensuring that the financial work is relevant. Challenges Accountants’ tasks and actions include critical intellectual and imagination, thus mechanizing the errands and actions that would be problematic, impacting the accounting occupation’s development. Auditors must be ready for computerization, which requires specific and new information and assistance. Automation is on the horizon for accountants who perform tedious, repetitive, and standardized tasks. Data mining, experience and understanding systems, and a more comprehensive network of facts are potent tools to manage a firm effectively. Because of automation, there will be a reduction in the need for human data input and an increase in speed, reliability, and correctness through digital technologies like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. In the future, bookkeepers and auditors will be supplanted by consultants, counselors, and accountants’ technologists. Because of this, accountants must seize the opportunity presented by technological improvements that make their work more accessible and more efficient. Large firms must spend substantial money digitizing their operations and incorporating new technologies to implement expertise management. Investing decisions, especially for small shareholders, could be significantly impacted by widespread accounting and auditing automation concerning capital markets. In the modern digital financial accounting and reporting context, a regular balance sheet is provided to readers of the income statement. Lastly, human intellect will always trump machine learning, even though various tasks done by auditors can be mechanized. Future Situation The accounting industry is undergoing a fast transformation due to advancements in technology. It is becoming increasingly commonplace for the financial department to use technology, machine learning, micro-robots, and various other technologies. Intelligent technology has only recently become available to organizations; therefore, they continue to employ automated accounting methods that are decades old. Computers may assist with accounting tasks, including supplier interaction, audits, account payables, purchasing procurement, cost control, closure procedures, and client questions. The prospective availability of accounting jobs is influenced by advances in technology (Rijanto et al., 3079). Automated systems take over tedious activities and link data and consumers, doing more analysis. Thus, the tasks and responsibilities of accountants will change shortly due to innovation Students will learn data analytics, management accounting, complicated financial reporting abilities, and a deeper understanding of modern accounting technologies and advanced analytical procedures with an online master’s degree in accounting. In general, artificial intelligence (AI) will offer attempts for learners to simulate cognitive capacities in computers so that they can solve problems on their own and improve their solutions over time (Hassan et al. 143). “Strong AI” and “weak AI” or “narrow AI” are the two categories of AI that scholars will learn in future. Strong AI refers to ideas aiming to emulate and imitate human brain functions, whereas narrow AI refers to systems that merely demonstrate intelligent behavior in limited domains. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will offer a software that can handle complex problems in a variety of fields while also directing itself. Weak AI is currently more widely used and is included in modern AI software. Artificial intelligence will provide real-time information about financial matters because it can generate brochures using natural linguistic dispensation and computer ideas faster, making daily reportage possible and cheap. The accounting industry is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements. Automation, adaptive intelligence, machine learning, and mini-bots will become integral components of the finance team. Even though intelligent technology is still in its early stages, countless organizations rely on manual accounting systems. Accounting duties that computers will assist with include supplier engagement, audits, accounts payable, purchasing, procurement, cost optimization, closure procedures, and customer questions. The kinds of accounting jobs that will be accessible in the future will be influenced by intelligent technology. As intelligent technologies take over repetitive jobs, humans conduct more analysis, making them the crucial link between data and people. As a result, technology will impact the duties and expectations of accountants in the future. Blockchain and data analytics Blockchain technology, a machine recording system that uses bitcoin in a customer network, is another trend that may alter the demand for accountants. While bitcoin, a virtual currency that keeps track of transactions and enables the construction of new currency systems without the use of a bank, has raised blockchain’s popularity, the technology has progressed significantly. The demand for blockchain in accounting stems from “the promise of a new form of a holistic approach – one that can be updated and confirmed regularly without fear of being changed or damaged.” Accountants are naturally interested in blockchain since it allows for real-time access to books and records and the establishment of intelligent contracts and recordkeeping. Blockchain has already been adopted by some accounting firms, including the Big Four — EY, PwC, Deloitte, and KPMG. While blockchain data can verify an asset’s ownership, its condition, location, and genuine value must be confirmed. By lowering the expenses of storing and maintaining ledgers and enabling complete transparency into financial assets and history, blockchain can help enhance audits. Accounting firms could use blockchain to obtain visibility into their firms’ available assets and liabilities, allowing them to concentrate on strategy and valuation rather than recordkeeping. When combined with other automation technologies such as machine learning, Cryptocurrency will enhance transaction processing accounting, but only for experts. Instead, competent accountants will look into the real-world economic consequences of blockchain records, linking them to economic reality and valuation. A debtor’s existence, for example, can be validated using blockchain, but the debtor’s recoverable valuation and financial value are still up for argument. The value of a company’s data, for example, could widen the scope of accounting by allowing more aspects to be included that are currently judged complex or untrustworthy to assess. Skills Needed for Management Accountants in The Future As big data becomes more complex, accounting professionals will have to be conversant with information extraction methods to harvest organized and unstructured information. Using data analysis techniques skills, they will need to gather and maintain this knowledge and then evaluate and present stories. Industry analysis, planning, budgeting, operating decision analysis, risk assessment, and invention fall under the “strategic management” umbrella. Automated accounting operations will necessitate that accounting professionals examine the quality and productivity of accounting systems and provide recommendations for improvement. Advanced costing methodologies and procedures will also be required to ensure data security, protect assets and meet the legal and disclosure requirements. Skills in activities and business strategy include knowledge of the company’s industry and understanding operational processes, quality control, and program management. Future Challenges and Opportunities Lack of specialized IT skills, a lack of organizational change management, changing consumer expectations, a lack of a clear strategy, financial worries and limits, security concerns, and inadequate data management are all issues that need to be addressed. The achievement of any effective digital transformation depends on a group of dedicated and highly qualified IT professionals. However, it is becoming increasingly hard to unite this team. Increasing investment in new technology is creating a lack of skilled workers. Organizational structures that are antiquated, ineffective, and inflexible may hinder the success of the transformation, which was not clearer when firms struggled to migrate to a distant design explicitly in 2020 quickly. Currently, people have realized what they may do on their laptops and smartphones. As an outcome, customers have never been choosier or demanding. For instance, it is no more prolonged anxiety to have touchless purchasing options. Therefore, firms are forced to navigate rough waters, sure of their need to move forward but unclear of how. If a business does not have a strategy, its change will not get off the ground. Opportunities Digitalization will provide various opportunities, such as the utilization of Artificial intelligence. Future utilization of technology will generate digital management accounting solutions, new digitalization series, new possibilities, and fragmented firms. Most firms will utilize digitalization to attain their goals, attract more clients, or enhance efficiency. AI will help businesses perform standardized responsibilities that contribute to a repetitive effort that can be robotic. Companies would have no problem taking over their clients’ financial activities since technology allowed businesses to become more effective and discerning. The fragmented business would be competitive and more likely to merge with other industries. According to the survey respondents, competition with other firms in a similar sector and competitors from other fields. Management Accountants’ Role in The Future Accounting professionals will need to be familiar with data visualization techniques and tools to assist clients and executives in making sense of the data. Accounting specialists use predictive analytics and estimating to deliver tactical advice to consumers or administrations. Because computerization frees up spells spent on additional ordinary tasks, accountants may devote more time honing their analytical skills. The accounting will undoubtedly need to be technically advanced to stay up with the evolving business. As more innovative technologies advance and more institutions migrate their data to cloud-based platforms, accountants must become skilled in exploiting it to give customers efficient financial statement examination and stay modest. Recommendation and How to Implement These Recommendations in The Future The organization’s “economic conscience” should be conscious of its (long-standing) survival and digital strategy. This type of strategy uses digital technologies to give guidance, allowing executives to lead cardinal initiatives, trail their growth, and redeploy energies as wanted. Controllers should handle digital chances and accompanying changes in organizational initiatives and business models, which have numerous ramifications. New KPIs and adjustable steering approaches like the objective and central outcomes system and creative portfolio methodology that integrate traditional and digital commercial representations must be designed and adapted by controllers. Furthermore, typical capital budgeting tactics may be insufficient in the setting of exponential development powered by digital commodities, platform initiatives, and network thrifts. Organizations should implement digital solutions such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and the implementation of ERP systems. AI improves key processes by enhancing the precision and agility of strategic processes, allowing firms to create sound judgments. Machine learning allows businesses to track consumer trends and processes, which helps them create new goods. Corporations can streamline their business activities and centralize their data using an ERP system, allowing for better reporting and a data-driven, collaborative workplace. In light of systemic shortcomings, integration of human ruling and corporate savvy and extensive data and technology use are essential in the submission procedure. Identifying and effectively executing suitable methodologies and drivers are critical concerns. Total automation will probably be successful only in well-defined and comprehensive operations positions. Data and information made available through digitalization can give businesses a competitive advantage. Firms in the management accounting industry must adapt digitalization as new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and enterprise resource planning (ERP), are introduced. Before automating any tasks, be sure that they are appropriate. Blockchain can improve audits by decreasing the expenses of storing and maintaining ledgers and enabling complete transparency into financial assets and history. Accounting firms could focus on strategy and value creation instead of recordkeeping if the management accounting sector implemented a blockchain-based asset and liability registry. Integrating Cryptocurrency with other automation technologies, such as machine learning, can improve transaction processing accounting. Management accountants will undoubtedly need to be technically advanced in the future to stay up with the evolving business. As more intelligent technologies advance and more institutions migrate their data to cloud-based platforms, accountants must exploit the platform to give customers updated financial statement analysis and remain competitive. Accounting specialists who want to apply blockchain technology will recognize how to customize data transfers for account balances, agreements, and records and use the necessary tools. In addition, numerous accountants may be required to advise clients, which necessitates them to analyze large amounts of data to discover patterns and trends. Data analysis and other machine learning techniques are necessary. It is difficult to determine or adhere to a plan without a well-defined strategy. It is easy to get wrapped up when you react to customer requirements and modifications changes. Your choices will have little or no benefit, and your effort and cost will be wasted if you do not have a strategy in place beforehand. Digital transformation relies heavily on consumer data. Your consumers’ preferences, activities, and possible future choices can all be gleaned from it. Concerns about privacy and safety stymie several commercial entities in data-sensitive sectors. Companies commonly move away from the systems and merge all their data into one centralized computer as part of new digital initiatives. As a result, hackers have an increased risk of customers’ and business secrets being stolen since internet attackers can take advantage of system flaws and ill-advised users. Accounting firms could use blockchain to obtain visibility into their firms’ available assets and liabilities, allowing them to concentrate on strategy and valuation rather than recordkeeping. Automation models, for example, can be updated and enhanced regularly to achieve the highest level of analytical quality, including DataRobot, BigML, and PredictionIO, all provide IT solutions. The storage and processing of data and applications on the cloud are called “cloud computing.” Management accountants who work with digitization must know what technologies are available and how they can be used by considering their company’s financial needs, the practicality of integrating new technology into existing systems, and the simplicity with which existing expertise can be applied. Organizations should make a plan to prevent security hazards from happening in the first place by engaging the services of a cybersecurity specialist to assist them in identifying security flaws. They should ensure that accountants have analytical, management, reporting, and leadership skills to meet the recommendations above. Soft skills such as motivating and collaborating with people, communication, process improvement, talent management, client relations, and conflict resolution will be essential for management accountants. Ethics and professional accounting and financial professionals face new ethical dilemmas due to the progress of science and statistics. Therefore, professional inputs and beliefs skepticism will become more critical as accounting professionals engage in strategic planning. Limitations & Future Research Reflection has been an essential part of the research methodology, enabling the scholar to be open and honest in data collection, analysis, and writing. The information gathered is challenging to generalize, and interviews results cannot be regarded as conclusive. The findings may be helpful in other circumstances. Other professions may see changes compared to what the researcher discovered, which should be considered before generalizing accounting businesses. In addition, the random sampling strategy the researcher utilized had various limitations such as trouble accessing more participants, time, charges, and bias under the particular circumstance. Another random sampling limitation is that it does not follow ethical considerations needed during research; a participant may be randomly selected even though they are not willing to participate in the study. Although the results gained credibility due to being produced by several individuals, further research is needed to understand the implications of digitalization. Digitalization significantly influences conventional industries but challenges them to take on additional duties and move out of their comfort zone, acting as a guide. As a result, it may be worthwhile for more studies to be conducted about the digitalization outcomes on management accounting. As an additional avenue for investigation, researchers should generalize the findings of a quantitative study into a broader context impact on the function of accountants. In addition, it would be beneficial for more scholars to investigate the impact of digitalization on management accountants to educate accountants on how digitalization will aid in easing their work, hence improving their productivity. Conducting further studies will also help accountants know the skills they must have for their productivity due to the ever-changing technology.
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ESSAY: Discrimination: Chalmers v. Tulon Company of Richmond Essay Case Summary Charita Chalmers, a supervisory employee at the Tulon Company in Richmond, was terminated after sending several letters to other employees’ houses, targeting their religious beliefs and life choices. Chalmers, a devoted Christian, saw it her duty to share her Lord’s gospel, and thought it her duty to inform her coworkers of their “improper conduct” in the face of God. By sending the letters to their homes, she disturbed them and their privacy, which eventually led to termination. Although Chalmers claimed to have the best intentions, she lost her religious discrimination claim against the company. Chalmers attempted to inform two coworkers, Mr. LaMantia and Ms. Combs, that they need to rectify and strengthen their relationships with God. In the case of LaMantia, Chalmers claimed that he was being untruthful to customers about job turnaround times. However, she failed to explicitly mention his shortcoming in the letter that was sent to his household, which led to a miscommunication. Since Mr. LaMantia was working at a different branch that day, his wife opened the letter and assumed that Chalmers was talking about an affair Mr. LaMantia was having. Although during a call later that day Chalmers explained her intentions, the letter still highly disturbed Mrs. LaMantia and put a strain in the relationship with her husband. The letter intended for Ms. Combs described “God of Wrath” as someone who dislikes adultery, implying that the illness Ms. Combs was experiencing was a punishment from God for giving birth out of wedlock. The letter highly distressed Ms. Combs, which she related to Craig A. Faber, Vice President of Administration at Tulon, who was in the process of investigating the incident. Faber found that the letters Chalmers was sending were inappropriate in their invasion of privacy, and disruptive to the work relationships, and overall an example of bad judgement from Chalmers’ part. The plaintiff was terminated as a result, causing her to question whether the company’s actions were based on religious discrimination. Nevertheless, Chalmers did not have a sufficient claim to her religious accommodation case, since she could not satisfy the requirements of the prima facie test. More specifically, the court agreed that Chalmers had enough evidence to prove that her religious beliefs were genuine and that she did get a disciplinary punishment. However, she could not prove that she had warned the company of the letter sending as an element of her faith, which made it impossible for it to accommodate her. Therefore, the plaintiff’s claim was deemed a failure and Tulon Company was affirmed as not responsible. Case Questions The employer’s action to avoid this situation It would be difficult to avoid this situation since it is impossible for the employer to be explicit about every single type of behavior that is frowned upon in the office. The employer could not have known that Chalmers was planning on sending the letters or predicted their contents. Therefore, there was no way for the employer to protect himself from the confusion and miscommunication that occurred, or the other employees from the discomfort they experienced. Furthermore, it would be impossible for the employer to predict the reactions of the letters’ recipients, as they could have also been positive. The only possible way the employer could have attempted to avoid this, or similar situations, would be by better protecting the privacy of its employees, such as keeping personal addresses and such private. Nevertheless, it would still not be guaranteed that the addresses could not be acquired outside of the work hours. A possibility of a different outcome If the employee had explicitly warned the employer of her intentions, and the employer chose to prohibit such actions, then the situation would have been slightly different. Prohibiting the sending of the letters would be unlikely to be considered disciplinary punishment, therefore, one of the prima facie requirements would be questionable. However, if it was considered disciplinary action, then the employer might have been deemed liable. Although it is within the employer’s rights and duties to protect the employees from each other in a way they deem necessary, this ban could be considered a ban of religious expression. Furthermore, if the employee proceeded to send the distressing letters, without following the direct orders from the employer, it would be within the employer’s rights to terminate her. A reaction to an employee’s wife call Although Mrs. LaMantia is not an employee, if a complaint is made about one of my employees, I would be forced to act. It would require an investigation of the incident, in order to establish the culpability and intentions of everyone involved. According to Business Wire, companies today strive to prioritize their employees (McCarty, 2020), which in the case of Mrs. LaMartia’s call would be Chalmers. Therefore, as the employer I would attempt to find a compromising solution that would allow for a peaceful resolution while protecting my employee. However, once Mr. LaMartia, who is also an employee of Tulon, expresses his discontent with the situation and with Chalmers, then the incident becomes more complicated. Since favoritism is generally an unfair strategy in the workplace, the situation would have to be resolved in a way that does not prioritize just one of the parties. In this case, I would reassign Chalmers to a different department so that there is no workplace crisis. Reference McCarty, P. (2020). Study finds U.S. businesses are prioritizing employee well-being as they look to rebuild . Business Wire.
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ESSAY: Discrimination in the Bostock v. Clayton County Case Essay The case under consideration, Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S., was significant for developing measures to avoid discrimination in the workplace. More specifically, it was primarily related to diversity in terms of sex and age since this combination frequently evokes the concerns of the population (King, 2021). The examination of the issue by relying on the example of Gerald Bostock was advantageous for establishing proper employment practices in this respect. In this lawsuit filed by the plaintiff, the main factor was his unjustified dismissal from the company in which he had otherwise positive reputation. This event was caused by the man’s interest in a gay softball league which he expressed while being in the workplace while neglecting the provisions of Title VII (Mallory et al., 2020). This part of the Civil Rights Act, confirming the violation, was relied on by Bostock when initiating legal action, but it was initially dismissed by the district court due to its allegedly erroneous interpretation (“Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S.,” 2019). The appeal, including the claim to include sexual discrimination in consideration, was successful as Bostock managed to support his position with the opposing statements of Massachusetts law, Chapter 151B (“Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S.,” 2019). In this way, the meaning of the previously used provisions regulating such cases was modified accordingly. To summarize, the examined court case based on employment law and, more specifically, discrimination against workers happened to be crucial for making adjustments. The previous evidence, as per Title VII of the Civil Rights Act did not include the particular considerations of sex and age. Hence, this gap was compensated for by this decision, and the consequent change in the legal provisions helped guarantee the equality of people in the workplace in the context of their diversity. References Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S . (2019). King, K. (2021). Tenth circuit ruled in favor of sex-plus-age claims of discrimination under Title VII in the wake of Bostock v. Clayton County. Boston College Law Review , 62 (9), 12. Web. Mallory, C., Vasquez, L. A., & Meredith, C. (2020). Legal protections for LGBT people after Bostock v. Clayton County . EScholarship.
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ESSAY: Discrimination: Peterson v. Wilmur Communications Essay Case Summary The case concerns Christopher Lee Peterson, at the time of events an employee of Wilmur Communications and a follower of the World Church of the Creator. In 2000, Peterson gave an interview to the local paper on WCC, expressing his racist views, which included the support of a known shooter that targeted African-American, Jewish and Asian people. After finding out about the interview, the company president suspended Peterson without pay and later demoted him to a lower pay and responsibility role. Since according to Title VII it is unlawful to discriminate based on religious views, the plaintiff sued the organization for the demotion. Creativity, or the World Church of the Creator, is a self-proclaimed religion with its beliefs centered around white supremacy and the maintenance of racial purity. The extremist group was established in 1973 by Ben Klassen, and after he committed suicide in 1993 Matt Hale took on the role of the leader (“Creativity Movement”, n.d.). According to the founder, Klassen, the organization and its members strive towards a “total war” against all “goddamned mud races” (“Creativity Movement”, n.d.), as he thought of the White Race as elite and superior to the other races. Although the group believes itself to be a religion, it did not endorse any gods, and considered race to be the most sacred truth (“Creativity Movement”, n.d.). Furthermore, the followers of WCC claimed that Holocaust did not exist, and that a utopian world consists of white people only. Throughout the years, the neo-Nazi organization attracted several violently inclined individuals, which allegedly resulted in numerous attacks. Peterson, who was a member of the organization, supervised a team of both white and non-white subordinates. In March 2000, the plaintiff appeared in the local newspaper, which was doing a segment on the WCC. The article included the confirmation of Peterson’s views and beliefs as those concordant with the views of the WCC, as well as a photograph of Peterson showing respect to a mass shooter. Although Peterson’s believes were similar to those of the KKK and arguably unethical, his termination was still judged to be unlawful and religiously discriminatory by the court. Case Questions An employer’s reaction to the news article If I was the employer that saw this news article, I would find a legal way to terminate the employee. As an employer, it would be my duty to maintain a functioning and safe workplace. Therefore, seeing an article that could potentially disturb some of the employees would cause me to question whether the person making these claims is a good fit for the company. If the employees are unable to feel safe in the working environment, then as the employer I would be liable for creating such environment. Although, to the best of my knowledge in the scenario, the employee had not acted on his beliefs and had just been expressing them, I would not want to be responsible in the case that he did. Furthermore, the fact that the employee had non-white people in his subordination makes the open support of the racist mass shooter in the paper a relatively explicit threat. Therefore, it would be easier to eliminate the problematic employee from the workplace before he became a bigger problem. The court’s decision reflection The court decision is completely valid in legal terms, since the demotion was explicitly reasoned as a result from the employee’s religious beliefs. However, it is surprising that the World Church of the Creator was recognized by the court as a religion in the first place. Firstly, Creativity does not endorse not only any gods but anything metaphysical or mystical. Secondly, Peterson’s religion is quite explicitly based on racism and white supremacy and has previously been linked with violence towards non-white members of the society. Although Creativity follows the definition for a religion requires to judge the case according to Title VII, the morality as described in the White Man’s Bible is generally disruptive. Although morality is subjective in most cases, having a ethic code that bases itself on discrimination and violence for the sake of achieving “purity” goes against a safe and efficient workplace environment. Therefore, although the court’s decision is legal, it is also perfectly in the right of the company to demote Peterson. An employer’s actions if an employee mistreated non-white employees in the workplace As the employer, as mentioned above, it would be my duty to maintain the safety of the workplace. Mistreatment of non-white employees by other employees is a serious problem and would require disciplinary hearings to investigate the incident. There is a certain culture in the corporate world to ignore problematic situations for the sake of long-term profit, such as if the abuser was a particularly valuable asset. However, although profit is generally one of the most important goals of a company, as an employer I would commit to valuing the employees. This would entail disciplining those that disturb the workplace, without showing favoritism. Therefore, depending on the decided degree of offence, the punishment for such mistreatment could range between a warning and termination. Reference Creativity Movement . (n.d.). Southern Poverty Law Center. Web.
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ESSAY: Discrimination: Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Hardison Essay Case Summary The case of Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Hardison is concerned with the failure of the employer to accommodate the employee’s religious observance day. The plaintiff, Hardison, was an employee at Trans World Airlines and a devoted Jew who observed Sabbath every Saturday. According to the Jewish traditions, the seventh day of the week, Saturday, is a rest day during which the followers of Judaism are not allowed to do any work. As Sabbath, or Shabbat, is a holy day in Judaism, it was important for Hardison to be able to work shifts that would allow him to be free on Saturdays. Trans World Airlines maintained a seniority system that would allow each worker to have a certain level of priority when choosing his or her shifts. For some years, Hardison worked at a department of TWA which presented him with a level of seniority enough to choose the shifts that allowed his observance of Shabbat. However, after willingly changing jobs, his seniority level was no longer enough to give him the necessary freedom to not schedule shifts on Saturdays. Although the company sought to accommodate Hardison’s religious needs, it was unable to accept his proposal to only work 4 days a week. Hardison’s refusal to work on Saturdays eventually caused him to be terminated. The plaintiff claimed that the company failed to accommodate him and violated Title VII that protects individuals from religious discrimination. However, the court concluded that TWA made a reasonable effort at accommodating Hardison and granting him the request to work four days a week would detriment the function of his department due to them being short-staffed. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeals claimed that TWA did not make sufficient effort of offering alternative solutions to Hardison’s scheduling problem and rejected three reasonable alternatives. Regardless of the apparent potential hardships the company claimed, it could have offered Hardison’s Saturday shift to another employee for an overtime pay. Nevertheless, breaking the seniority rules for one employee, no matter the little individual cost, would set a precedent for future cases. Therefore, granting Hardison special treatment would have led to TWA having large costs in the long-run. Regardless, the Court of Appeals deemed TWA liable for not having made a sufficient effort to accommodate Hardison. Case Questions The alternatives suggested by the court of appeals There were a few alternatives that were offered by the Court of Appeals for the TWA in the case of Hardison’s scheduling conflict. However, for several reasons none of these alternatives were viable in the long-run and therefore, TWA should not have been held accountable for its decision to terminate Hardison. Firstly, allowing the plaintiff to work four days a week would have caused a short-staffing situation and would put unnecessary strains on the other workers at the organization. Furthermore, allowing Hardison to overlook the seniority system and to have more freedom to choose his hours would also be unfair on other workers. Lastly, forcing another employee to take on more hours as a result would not only be unfair on the other staff but would put a strain on the company’s budget in the long-term. Since putting forward a precedent could cause a number of similar cases to come forward, such as other people that for whatever reason wish to overlook the seniority system, this would cause disorder. Prohibiting religious discrimination and accommodating religious differences Some agreements and rules, as well as rights, can be non-coexistent, leading to inconsistencies in judgements. However, since there would not be a viable solution that would honor both prohibiting religious discrimination and the collective bargaining agreement in this case, it should be accepted that only one of them can be prioritized. Considering that the company made an effort to accommodate Hardison’s religious needs, including a search for a new job, it cannot be blamed for inconsistency. Furthermore, it was Hardison’s own decision to change jobs, which he had made willingly and knowingly of the company’s policies on seniority and scheduling. Since there is an inevitable trade-off in this case, it is essential for the company to value the company agreement in order to maintain a cooperative and trusting working environment. Alternative handling of this conflict If Hardison came to me with the scheduling conflict before his transfer, I would have advised him to not change jobs and instead look for alternative solutions. Furthermore, I would have helped him with the resources to find alternative job offers that would let him honor both Shabbat and the company policies. Religious accommodation is a serious issue and should be considered with the utmost respect (Good, 2018), and yet it is also important to not show favoritism to employees. On the other hand, Hardison could come to me after his transfer, which he had made knowing that he would not have the sufficient seniority level to not schedule any shifts on Saturdays. In this case, I would help him come up with alternative solutions, such as finding someone in the company to regularly take Hardison’s shift instead of him. However, if the compromise could not be found within a two-week period, I would be forced to terminate Hardison. I think that the Court was unnecessarily dismissive of the company’s efforts and should have deemed the effort sufficient. Reference Good, P. (2018). Work schedule conflict leads to religious accommodation lawsuit . McAfee & Taft.
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ESSAY: Discusses of Fake News Types in Society Essay There are several types of fake news, ranging from apparent articles to more subtle kinds of deception. People frequently rely on critical decisions on what they read in the news, such as how to vote in elections or what therapy to provide when they are sick. This is why it is critical to have trustworthy news. When individuals can’t identify the difference between true and fake news, critical social and political issues get muddled and misunderstood. A lot of false news is created with the intent of inflaming and exacerbating societal disputes. Most significantly, critical thinking is required while posting or researching on a certain issue, writing comments, and engaging in other social media activities. Many fake news articles are constructed in such a way as to elicit strong emotional responses such as fear or wrath. As a result, critical thinking and research are essential. It’s crucial to examine a few choices when spotting disinformation, recognizing fake news sites, and double-checking before sharing or posting a comment. First and foremost, double-check the source of the news or information. Fake news sites frequently employ addresses that sound like legitimate newspaper locations, but they lack authentic stories on various themes. If the website appears to be unsteady, go to the “About” page and seek a detailed description of the company. Second, look into the author. Check them out to see whether they’re reliable – do they have a strong reputation, and do they write about their field of expertise? Furthermore, the motivation of the author may be essential in the dissemination of forgeries. Third, fact-checking is necessary since trustworthy news reports will include numerous facts such as data, figures, and expert statements. If they aren’t there, inquire as to why. Reports containing misleading information sometimes contain wrong dates or time periods, so it’s a good idea to double-check the article’s publication date.
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ESSAY: Discussion: Finding the Good in the Bad Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Diseases 3. Warring States Period 4. Crucifixion of Jesus 5. Conclusion Introduction Many natural and artificial catastrophic events throughout human history have greatly impacted whole societies and countries. While a catastrophe’s definition might vary slightly, natural disasters, wars, famines, diseases, and other occurrences that lead to significant economic damage and human losses can be considered catastrophic events. Nevertheless, even terrible experiences might have positive implications and outcomes, and it is vital to critically analyze them from different perspectives. Diseases Instead of selecting one particular disease that affected whole nations, such as the Black Death, discussing diseases, in general, might reveal their significance to the development of society. As mentioned in the script of Section 1, illnesses have become a relevant problem to people as soon as they start living together in larger numbers. Evidently, from 7,000,000 to 3,500 BCE, people had a relatively poor understanding of sanitation and how diseases spread, which led to many sicknesses during the transition to settlements. Also, people of Paleolithic groups started domesticating animals during this period, and many hunters and farmers died from transmissible diseases. Even today, thousands of people die from rabies and other sicknesses from animal bites. Needless to say, various epidemics, including the Black Death, Spanish flu, and COVID-19, have terrorized people for the whole of human history. However, it is essential to identify the good consequences of catastrophic events. While diseases killed many people, they also paved the way for medicine. As people learned more about sicknesses, they also improved sanitary conditions. Therefore, while diseases are still a highly relevant problem, humanity adjusts and develops. Warring States Period The second catastrophic event concerns the extensive period of civil wars in China, which led to millions of deaths and almost constant famine. Many states tried to increase their scope of influence and conquer the nearby territories. However, as mentioned in Section 4, the Warring States Period also gave rise to new political and philosophical traditions that drastically changed ancient China. The three primary branches, Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, were developed as different responses to constant warfare and death. Even today, people from all over the world study the literary works of Confucius, Laozi, and other philosophers born during this terrible period of civil wars. As a result, Qin Shi Huangdi ended the Warring States period by unifying the country and bringing peace to his people, though, unfortunately, only for a short time. Crucifixion of Jesus Section 6 examines how the crucifixion of a living human led to the birth of the largest religions in the history of the world. Regardless of sacred beliefs, most historians agree that Jesus was an actual human with a significant following and taught people about love and acceptance. His inhumane death led to countless confrontations between his followers and adversaries, having a massive impact on societies and giving rise to religions. While the severity of his murder might not be sufficient to be described as a catastrophic event, the crucifixion of Jesus shaped the whole of human history. Conclusion Catastrophic events are terrible occurrences that lead to thousands of deaths, but they also might be the reason for positive societal change. The current essay demonstrated the ability of people to adapt to almost anything and use their misfortunes to their advantage. Diseases lead to the development of medicine, wars to peaceful solutions, and inhumane acts of cruelty might guide to acceptance. As a result, it is essential to always try to find the good in the bad and identify the positive consequences of terrible events.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Banana Destribution Aspects Essay Geographical distribution and location Banana is a popular fruit crop that grows all over the world and has several health advantages. Bananas are particularly significant in several low-income, food-insecure, least developed nations, where they may help with both household food security and revenue-generating as a cash crop. The crop is a key export item for a number of agricultural nations, and it is Africa’s, Asia’s, and Latin America’s biggest fruit crop in terms of production and commerce (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). Bananas from Central and South America, as well as the Philippines, account for more than 90% of all exports (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). The EU, the USA, China, Russia, and Japan are the top importers (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). Banana output worldwide is projected to be 130 million tons per year (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). Approximately 87 percent of bananas produced in the globe are consumed by farmers or sold in local marketplaces. Almost a third of it is farmed in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it meets more than 25% of the dietary energy requirements of over 100 million people (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). East Africa produces and consumes the majority of bananas in Africa. Spatial Distribution Large supply growth in top exporting nations Ecuador and the Philippines, as well as strong rises in import demand, particularly from China and the European Union, are key drivers of trade (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). Large retail chains from key importing nations are now operating directly in the global banana value chain. These networks buy bananas directly from growers and distributors rather than via typical fruit corporations (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). The intricate web of interactions involved in the production, distribution, and trade of any given commodity may lead to genuine conflicts of interest among groups of individuals over who benefits the most from a product. Cheap bananas are frequently passed on to small farmers and plantation employees down the supply chain, resulting in lower salaries and working conditions (MacKinnon & Cumbers, 2019). Currently, the main issue in terms of spatial distribution is that large-scale banana production may negatively affect the environment, worker health and safety, and local populations. This occurs due to the frequently harsh techniques employed to regulate irrigation and plant diseases. Sources MacKinnon, D., & Cumbers, A. (2019). An introduction to economic geography . New York: Routledge.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Blues-Inspired Poetry Essay Blues-inspired poetry reflects the interaction between literary art and musical tradition that originates from the early 20 th century. Most researchers of this area, including Tracy (1981), state that blues-inspired poetry stems from the struggle and culture of African Americans. These people expressed their views and concerns through the music of blues, which quickly found a warm reception from the audience. Naturally, these aspects found their way into poetry, creating a unique style that combines the thematic elements of blues with the poetic tradition of literature. Blues poetry is stylistically similar to blues music in that it does not attempt to incorporate a variety of complex language forms and sophisticated rhymes. Instead, blues poetry is characterized by repetitive lines that emphasize the emotional burden of the author, as well as often simplified grammatic and lexical construction. Importantly, these attributes do not imply that blues poetry is simple or primitive by any means. On the contrary, these works are characterized by an extreme level of emotional depth, which is further multiplied by the realistic nature of the narration. Blues poetry is a common feature of the first decades of the 20 th century and it is closely connected to the names of renowned authors of the time. More specifically, Tracy (1981) and other researchers highlight the contribution made by Langston Hughes and Sterling Brown who virtually defined the genre as it is. Nevertheless, blues poetry is not limited to their literary works, as a number of other authors contributed to the development of this style. Furthermore, blues poetry is found nowadays, as well, and the reason is that its themes are immortal. This genre addressed human struggle, pain, addiction, sexual relationships, and death, which are the topics that are not at all exclusive to the origins of blues poetry. Having researched various works of the genre, I was particularly impressed by a piece that dates back to the 1920s. James Weldon Johnson (1927) created a poem that is titled Go Down, Death . As the name suggests, the piece thematically addresses the grief of a person over a beloved one. The recurring element of the poem goes like this: “Weep not, weep not, She is not dead; She’s resting in the bosom of Jesus.” Johnson mourns the death of a woman, attempting to console himself by searching divine meaning in the tragedy. He tells a story of how God himself sent Death after sister Caroline who was “tired” and “weary”. Apparently, the woman had her share of struggle in life, and now Johnson implies that God has decide to alleviate her of the burden. This piece is filled with tragedy and bittersweet hopefulness, conveying strong feelings through rather simple language. It is a highly interesting and recommended piece of blues poetry that reflects the depth of the genre. You ain’t gonna see it coming, no No one’s gonna see it coming It comes unannounced in day or at night All you can do is just sit here real tight He wants to your granny, yeah He wants to take your neighbor Don’t think that you’re too cunning Don’t think that you’re too clever I saw him once and it was scary I saw him once, yes, it was scary He got me mumbling like I never did ‘What’s your name?’, I asked and he said, ‘COVID’ References Johnson, J. W. (1927). Go down, Death. Web. Tracy, S. C. (1981). To the tune of those weary blues: The influence of the blues tradition in Langston Hughes’s blues poems. MELUS, Autumn, 8 (3), 73–98.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Body Image Concerns Problem Report Abstract The research involved finding the difference between men and women about body image concerns. The research was developed to resolve the limitations of previous researchers. In the current research, it was suggested that men scored higher on DMS and women on BSQS. The research also established associations between masculinity or femininity and drive for muscularity or body shape concerns and understanding if masculinity correlated with a drive for muscularity. It was suggested that DFM and masculinity showed a positive correlation as described by previous research to understand this association. The research included 700 participants from Princeton University who completed survey questionnaires. 64% of the participants were women, and 36% were men allowed to complete various measures such as the DMS, BSQ, and BSRI for a personality trait. The research used ANOVA and correlation to analyze data, and the results showed that men recorded higher on DMS, while women indicated higher scores on BSQS. Background Research on gender differences in body image concerns and their results solely relied on the adiposity viewpoint. As a result, there has been the belief that men are less dissatisfied or concerned with their tendency of body fat than women who are less likely to diet to lose weight (McCreary et al., 2005). DMS and gender role measures showed men with significantly higher personality traits and the drive for muscularity in the previous study. Contrary to women who showed significant communal traits and acted in a more female-typed manner. In determining the degree for predicting drive for muscularity, men scored higher on the DMS than women on controlling gender behaviors (Gattario et al., 2015). Therefore, higher levels of male gender roles were closely related to the desire to become muscular. Femininity was not associated with the drive for muscularity as there was a lack of interrelation amid feminine-typed behaviors and traits and DMS scores (McCreary et al., 2005). Another finding showed that both men and women showed a similar association between gender-typed behaviors and traits and the drive for muscularity. Similarly, men with more traditional attitudes desired to become more muscular. Men who wanted to be muscular experienced conflict about societal expectations, as they wanted to be competitive, powerful, and successful (Radwan et al., 2019). Previous research had limitations such that the research involved was correlational, which determined only significant relationships’ direction and presence. Another limitation was that the study samples were restricted based on ethnicity and age. Therefore, the current study was designed to address the limitations of McCreary et al. (2005). The study explores the direction of causality in the interrelations amid masculinity perceptions and drive for muscularity and uses different populations and measures. A previous study contacted by McCreary et al. (2005) used BSQ for body image measure and drive for muscularity scale (DMS) and BSQS. However, the current study uses measures geared toward body fat and muscularity. Based on gender personality measures, BSRI is employed to explore different aspects of gender role socialization. The research questions for the current study entail finding if there is a difference between men and women in body image amid concern with muscle mass and body fat or shape. The hypothesis for this research question predicted that men would score higher on DMS and women higher on BSQS, as found by McCreary’s theory and research findings. The second research question involved finding the relationships between masculinity/femininity and drive for muscularity/body shape concerns and understanding if masculinity correlated with a drive for muscularity. Based on this research question, it was hypothesized that there would be a positive correlation between masculinity and drive for muscularity (DFM), as stated in the theory and prior research. For DFM and FEM, McCreary theorized a relationship but did not find it. Hence, the current study wants to replicate and confirm or disprove original findings and investigate correlations for BSQS. Methods Participants A total of 700 participants completed surveys, of which 64% were women, and 36% were men. The participants’ age range was between 18 to 35 years with a mean age of 20.8 years, men SD = 3.2 while women SD = 2.5, and only 2.3% of the participants were older than 24 years. Most of the participants were European American, accounting for 90%, working-class was 65%, middle-class 17%, upper-middle-class 15%, and upper class 3%. The majority of participants were individuals who were employed in their professionals. Out of the total participants, 78 were lesbian, 79 bisexual, and 176 heterosexual. Procedure The research was conducted at Princeton University, containing a large student and staff population. Relevant research authorities in the college approved the study, and all participating research students were permitted to research body image concerns. For participants to be recruited into the research process, they must fulfill the exclusion and inclusion criteria. A survey was used to collect data where each participant was given Likert-questionnaires to complete that included questions about personality traits and demographics. Participants were allowed to complete all the DMS, BSQ, and BSRI, after which the collected data was analyzed to ascertain each trait. Informed consent for the research involved assessing the ability of participants to comprehend and present relevant research information and make a voluntary decision. Filled informed consent was documented and included in the research record. Every participant completed DMS that measured their desire for a muscular body. The item on this scale presented behaviors and attitudes, and no reverse coding was performed. Sample items entailed participants wishing to be muscular and feeling guilty for missing training sessions. All the participants answered similar survey questionnaires administered with various self-report instruments as part of the research. The questionnaires were conducted voluntarily, and the participants were invited to answer the questions. Participants were allowed to fill out consent forms willingly without manipulation after being told what the research entails, including its benefit. Measures * Survey. A survey was performed by asking participants about their opinion on their body shape, including rating themselves on a 6-point Likert scale, with 60 traits related to personality. In addition, a question on the participant’s background and personal demographics was included. The participants were not required to put their names on the survey, and all responses were kept with high confidentiality and anonymity. The survey questions were to be answered freely by the participants without penalizing those who submitted an incomplete survey. * Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). DMS is a 15-item measure of the degree to which individuals desire to have a more muscular body. Each item on the DMS represents a combination of behaviors and attitudes scored on a 6-point scale ranging from 1, which implies ”very much like me” to 6, which indicates ”not at all like me.” There is good construct validity with DMS about-face, discriminant, and convergent validity. The Cronbach’s alphas for men are.91 and women’s.83. * Body Shape Questionnaire Scale (BSQS). BSQS is a 34-item questionnaire that measures how people feel about their body shape. BSQ is scored on a 1-6 scale (with 1=Never and 6=Always), with some of the items being calculated from the total scale score and scores ranging from 34 to 204. A higher score indicates more discomfort and dissatisfaction with body concerns. * Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI). BSRI measures femininity and masculinity used to research gender roles by assessing how individuals recognize themselves psychologically. The test has 60 diverse personality traits where participants rate themselves on a 7-point Likert scale. Personality traits are equally dispersed with 20 gender-neutral traits, 20 feminine, and 20 masculines. BSRI has shown high test-retest reliability and validity with coefficient alphas of.87 for masculinity scale and.78 for femininity scales, and no androgynous scale was used for analysis. Results Participants recorded different measures of central tendency for both scales such that for DMS men mean=2.42, SD=0.79, BSQS M=2.48, SD=1.30, BSRI masculinity M=2.28, SD=0.57, and femininity M=2.44, SD=0.45. For women DMS M=1.99, SD=0.61, BSQS M=2.85, SD=1.40, BSRI Masculinity M=2.82, SD=0.70, Femininity M=1.88, SD=1.75. One-way ANOVA was used to ascertain DMS, BSQS, and BSRI measures, as shown in table 1. The results for ANOVA F-ratio indicated a big difference between the two genders. To evaluate how the study variables correlated and whether they related differently based on sexual orientation, correlations were performed for DMS and MAS, DMS and FEM, BSQS and MAS, and BSQS and FEM. Table 1. Means and Standard Deviations for the DMS and BSRI. Scale Men (n =252 ) Women (n = 448 ) M SD M SD DMS 2.42 0.79 1.99 0.61 BSQS 2.48 1.30 2.85 1.40 SRI Masculinity 2.28 0.57 2.82 0.70 Femininity 2.44 0.45 1.88 1.75 ANOVA Gender DMS ANOVA Gender BSQS ANOVA Gender MASC ANOVA Gender FEM Correlations DMS scores were positively interrelated with measures of masculinity such that both men and women associated behaviors and traits that are male-types with the desire for becoming more muscular. Based on DMS and FEM, the findings showed a positive correlation between DMS and femininity, such that drive for masculinity was directly related to femininity. Women who are attracted to muscular individuals influenced men to gain weight. However, women had no association with DMS as they diet to lose more weight. There was no significant correlation between BSQS and MAS; however, BSQS and FEM showed a significant correlation. Discussion To determine the difference among men and women in body image concern with muscle mass and body shape or fat, ANOVA and correlation were used to analyze the results. Men recorded higher scores on DMS, while women indicated higher scores on BSQS, which conformed with the theory of McCreary and previous research findings. It was also found that masculinity correlated with a drive for muscularity, unlike femininity, which showed a relationship with a drive for body shape. Studies show that most men experience the drive for gaining muscles to avoid risking depression symptoms and poorer self-esteem. Men also become muscular because women feel more attracted to muscular body shape than ideal body size, thereby posing the urge to want more prominent shoulders, biceps, and pectorals. BSRI findings showed an association between gender about masculinity and femininity. Men depicted having stronger confirmation to gender-role expectations than women did. The degree of masculinity was positively correlated with DMS, and both women and men interrelated male-typed behaviors and traits with a prerequisite of becoming more muscular. In addition, the studies have also revealed that men seldom encounter clinical disorders related to body images such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia and are relatively happy with their bodies. However, the belief has not considered that adiposity is not equally paramount for men and women. Women depict a thin and small social standard of bodily attractiveness, unlike men, who show big and muscular social standards in a muscular mesomorphic shape. Being muscular has been regarded as essential among adolescent males, with the majority of them engaging in resistance training exercises to gain more muscle mass. The main aim of the previous research was to test the associations between several dimensions of femininity, masculinity, and the drive for muscularity. Because the research explores the body image concerns among men and women and attempts to solve limitations that previous studies experienced, this research is suitable for psychological studies. The research can provide more insight regarding body image concerns and various scales for measuring traits. The limitation of the study was that the study sample had more women than men, posing an effect on a generalization of results. Therefore, future research should focus on having equal research participants in the study. Because men have a different perception of body image concerns than women, including unbalanced study sample participants is likely to cause misleading results. A questionnaire allows efficient and quick collection of data from study samples. However, this method has limitations, such that respondents are prone to lying due to social desirability. Most individuals want to present a positive image about themselves and lie to look good. In addition, the method is only suitable to educated respondents where open questions are used that require superior writing skills and better capability of expressing one’s feelings orally. To maintain validity and credibility, there is a need for future research to focus on ensuring the data collected is reliable by using the best measures for data collection besides survey questionnaires. References Gattario, K. H., Frisén, A., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Ricciardelli, L. A., Diedrichs, P. C., Yager, Z., & Smolak, L. (2015). How is men’s conformity to masculine norms related to their body image? Masculinity and muscularity across Western countries. Psychology of Men & Masculinity , 16 (3), 337. McCreary, D. R., Saucier, D. M., & Courtenay, W. H. (2005). The drive for muscularity and masculinity: Testing the associations among gender-role traits, behaviors, attitudes, and conflict. Psychology of Men & Masculinity , 6 (2), 83. Radwan, H., Hasan, H. A., Ismat, H., Hakim, H., Khalid, H., Al-Fityani, L., & Ayman, A. (2019). Body mass index perception, body image dissatisfaction and their relations with weight-related behaviors among university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 16 (9), 1541.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Cultural Norms and Values Essay Chinas Food Culture and Table Etiquette China is a country that focuses on courtesy with a deep history in its food culture. In China, it is essential to observe table manners as both guests and natives have a precise placement on the table during meal times. It is admirable that the Chinese stress taking care of the elders and children before others during meals. In a domestic setup, it is the norm to place the main dish, consisting of grain or rice, at the center. Rice is an essential part of the meal since it has some religious value to society. Since China leads in rice cultivation, the people believe it is their source of wealth and show reverence to it by making it the main meal in every dish. Elders sit at the head of the table and serve first. Chinese receive rice bowls with both hands to show respect regardless of the age of the person serving. So, when in China, it is advisable to like rice and teat it religiously during meal times. Another distinct aspect in Chinese food cultures is with eating chopsticks. I found it interesting that Chines have a unique way of holding chopsticks according to the meal. I find it hard to eat noodles with chopsticks, but the Chinese make it sound and feel easy to eat rice with chopsticks. It is incredible how people rip meat and fish with chopsticks when I do not know how to hold them in the first place. I did find out that chopsticks have cultural value in China, where they are considered lucky charms in a marriage. Norms And Values In ‘How Family Works’ The author describes family norms and values from a more ritualistic perspective. Ancient communities relied on rituals and ceremonies to showcase their socio-cultural and economic importance. Rites of passage are a norm for people who must pass through all stages from childhood to adulthood. Community members observed all rites of passage through ritualistic ceremonies involving willing participants. Nowadays, families also celebrate rites of passage differently. While the natives held rituals, nowadays, people have celebrations and religious traditions to mark developmental stages such as birthday parties, graduation, and religious events like baptism and matrimony. Elders ensured the passing of traditional knowledge across generations through narratives and observing traditional ceremonies. The people had a central kinship that dictated societal traditions, behaviors, and ceremonial locations. Significant stages such as marriage ceremonies were held with the utmost respect. It was a norm for the girls’ parents to receive a dowry, which shows the girl’s value and the community. In the marriage ceremony, the couple faces away from their parents to indicate broken ties and the formation of an independent union. The same traditions apply in modern society, where people have a central kinship that dictates their habits through generations. The community also celebrated seasons as a way of thanksgiving and sharing among community members. Generosity was a value that all members upheld, and during festivals, people came together with various items to exchange and give out. People also celebrate significant seasons through festivals and religious meetings such as Christmas and Thanksgiving in today’s communities. Comparison With How My Family Works We have central kinship from our grandfather through sharing the same name and upholding the same family traditions. Elders sit at the head of the table during meals and meetings and precede over everything. In my family, we have a traditional recipe for celebrating significant events such as Turkey and Green Bean Casserole during thanksgiving and chocolate cake for birthdays below the age of 10. The community passes family traditions through narratives and books written by community members. We uphold religious values and practices by attending religious ceremonies, being modest, honest, and respectful to everyone. Our family also celebrates developmental stages according to the achievement or step in life. For example, we celebrate birthdays, baptisms, and graduations. People still pay dowry in monetary value before marriage and weddings.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Effective Budgetary Control Essay Making Budgetary Control Effective A robust organizational structure is required for budgetary effectiveness. Permanent specific concerns, such as a finance committee and a budget director, should be established. To avoid bottlenecks, budget planning must be well integrated. Budgets for individuals should be harmonized with each other. Budgets must be reviewed on a regular basis to avoid them from devolving into a license to spend the entire authorized amount even when it is not necessary. According to Dauda (2019), “business organizations of all types must engage in financial planning at whatever level to ensure judicious deployment of resources for achieving organisational goals.” Workers should be appropriately compensated for performance in accordance with the budget. Sloppy staff, on the other hand, should not go condemned. Behavioral Aspects of Budgetary Control Budgetary control is a crucial instrument for performance evaluation. Nevertheless, findings take time to appear. Those in charge of fiscal control should have extensive knowledge and expertise in the subject. Workers are modifying their working practices, routines, and even their inter-relationships based on finances. As a result, workers may exhibit reluctance to change. It leads to the creation of each budget with the backing of top leadership. Each employee’s requirements are fully described and distributed in a formal structure. If this is the case, they will be aware of their power and responsibilities, which will be valuable for budgetary management. A financial management program’s effectiveness depends on the organization’s defined objectives. As a result, when establishing targets, management should exercise caution. Furthermore, the aims are explicit. Reference Dauda, H. (2019). Examining the Role of Budgeting and Budgetary Control in Achieving Objectives of Business Organizations.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Gendered Behaviors Essay Gendered behavior denotes fundamental expressions of gender socialization and identity through an individual’s various developmental phases. Thus, gendered behaviors refer to the ways persons behave according to their respective male or female genders (Au & Rudolfsdottir, 2021). One of the prominent gendered behaviors instilled in me during childhood was that women are the primary cooks in the home. Hence, from childhood, I learned how to prepare food for the family, unlike most male relatives around. Even the movies mostly depicted women as the cooks in the home. Perhaps the gendered role that I quickly adopted/ accepted from childhood was the idea that women are natural caregivers. The function depicted women as noble people who consider the plight of others in the home and society and consistently seek to alleviate suffering. Women are warm, nurturing, and caring. Thus, many regarded professions that require empathy like nursing and teaching to the women’s domain. The idea that women are more humane and caring appealed to me and caused me to accept the role. In my mind, the part admitted what many would prefer to ignore/ deny: women play critical roles in retaining sanity in the world. For me, the role meant that women could play vital functions in stemming the tide of oppression, suffering, and cruelty evident even from childhood. Therefore, the idea that women are more caring and naturally nurturing appealed to me because it placed the gender on a nobler pedestal. Despite the perceived nobility of the gendered role that women are more nurturing and caring, specific adverse consequences emerged regarding employment opportunities, as previously highlighted. In many ways, many subsequently considered women to be unfit for specific job descriptions like piloting, engineering, and doctors, which were better paying (Samidha, 2019). On the other hand, societies restricted women to courses like nursing and teaching. Most patients assume women caregivers to be nurses rather than doctors in the care centers. Hence, the role may cause conflicts when deciding on career opportunities. References Au, ethardottir, A. M., & Rudolfsdottir, A. G. (2021). Chaos ruined the children’s sleep, diet and behaviour: Gendered discourses on family life in pandemic times. Gender, Work and Organization , 28 (S1), 168. Web. Samidha Dhungel Pokharel. (2019). Age, Gender and Coping Strategies against Parental Gendered Behaviors. NURTURE: Journal of Pakistan Home Economics Association , 13 (1), 1–5.
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ESSAY: Discussion of “Guilty but Mentally Ill” Verdict Essay The guilty but mentally ill (GBMI) verdict may be regarded as a highly controversial phenomenon that has been nonetheless adopted by a considerable number of states regardless of little empirical support and sound criticism. In general, it is a particular verdict option that authorizes both psychiatric treatment and conventional criminal sanctions for defendants whose criminal offense was determined by their insanity (Bartol & Bartol, 2020). In other words, in the case of the GBMI verdict, juries and judges formally acknowledge a perpetrator’s mental illness and find him guilty of criminal violation at the same time. The GBMI verdict was introduced due to the increased number of crimes committed by defendants who had been previously released as not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI). At the same time, the GBMI verdict was introduced as an option for a judge to define a sentence on the basis of an individual’s guilt and insanity. Its purpose is to minimize the cases of NGRI acquittees’ early release based on the GBMI verdict’s peculiarities. Thus, a perpetrator who receives it is sentenced as any other defendant found guilty (Bartol & Bartol, 2020). At the same time, he receives mental treatment to the extent determined by the court. The main peculiarity of the GBMI verdict is the offender’s serving out the rest of his sentence if and after his mental health is defined as stabilized (Bartol & Bartol, 2020). This fact is a major difference from the conditions of the NGRI verdict that presupposes the release of the insanity-defense acquittee from psychiatric commitment when he is no longer dangerous for society. The GBMI verdict remains highly controversial as it presupposes rehabilitation and societal compassion for an offender along with the criminal sentence and the system’s control. On the one hand, mentally ill defendants receive necessary treatment while being punished for their criminal offenses. In addition, the verdict protects community members keeping those defendants imprisoned for the rest of their sentences even if their mental health is improved. In turn, in the case of the NGRI verdict, the absence of defendants’ guilt is justified by their insanity. Moreover, staying imprisoned with stabilized mental health allows GBMI defendants to realize their mistakes and prevent crime recidivism. On the other hand, the GBMI verdict is frequently criticized for being a misleading option introduced for political reasons that does not have any particular purpose and confuses jurors. Biases may occur on the basis of their individual assumptions and lead to incorrect decisions. For instance, jurors may perceive a particular defendant as more dangerous guided by prejudice, stereotyped thinking, and personal beliefs and choose the GBMI verdict prioritizing community safety. However, in this case, jurors acknowledge a defendant’s mental illness and responsibility for crime commitment at the same time, even if a defendant may not realize it due to insanity. In addition, the GBMI verdict creates inequities for imprisoned perpetrators. According to its conditions, GBMI defendants receive mental health support, and multiple treatment services are available for them. At the same time, a considerable number of offenders who were found guilty face the deterioration of their mental health and the occurrence of various mental disorders while being in prison. However, their sentences do not presuppose the availability of treatment services. Thus, the GBMI verdict contributes to the formation of a particular system in which a type of sentence presupposes discrimination and inequities. Reference Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2020). Introduction to forensic psychology : Research and Application. SAGE Publications.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Industrialization Era Essay A lot of historical events and time periods have specific names. The renaissance, the enlightenment, the stone age – all of these were called such for a particular reason, and signify a way to differentiate one era from another. One prime example of that trend is the industrial revolution. Also called the industrialization, it was an important part of history and a big step in both technological and social development. Happening at a never-before seen speed, the process has begun and ended in less than a 100 years. The word “revolution” in “industrial revolution” is used to emphasize that fact, and note that the process is regarded as both an extreme and quick advancement in society ( Industrial revolution ). Like a real revolution, it also had a variety of effects on people and their lives. By changing the way work is performed and understood, it fundamentally shifted the people’s understanding of the economy, labor, and the world itself, driving both positive and negative change. For entrepreneurs and people starting their own businesses, the industrialization became a central source of focus and income, replacing the manual labor of people. It also created opportunities for new types of production and large scale manufacturing to be performed. The introduction of complex machinery profoundly affected the workers as well, driving the unskilled labor out of fashion and requiring a higher degree of both education and proficiency. Industrial revolution has made many lose their jobs, while a number of other people have gained new possibilities of employment via migrating into cities (Thompson). Industrialization drove urban development, and contributed to the establishment of the city as a central hub for human interaction. On a larger scale, the ability to mass produce goods and services has allowed countries to establish larger economies, expand trade, and start more thorough relationships with their neighbors. Overall, the industrialization age has had its ups and downs, but the significance of the process is hard to overlook, as it remains the basis for the society people see today. Works Cited Thompson, Scott. “Common Jobs during the Industrial Revolution.” The Classroom | Empowering Students in Their College Journey , 2021, Web. “Industrial Revolution.” Encyclopædia Britannica , Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Legal System of Italy Essay Table of Contents 1. Background 2. The Difference between the Common Law and Civil Law 3. The Sources of EU Laws and the Competences of EU 4. References Background Italy is a country where civil law predominates, and courts do not obey other organs of power. Apart from that, courts in Italy do not bound by the decision of other courts even though they may be superior. The only court that may influence other courts’ decisions is the high court of cassation (Montanaro, 2021). Italian courts are divided into four branches that concern civil litigation, financial litigation, administrative litigation, and criminal litigation. When speaking about sources of laws, it is necessary to mention that the Italian legislative system is based on Roman law, especially on civil law. Apart from that, there exists the constitution that states the judiciary independent of the executive and legislature. The Difference between the Common Law and Civil Law It may be quite hard to distinguish common and civil laws because they are rarely used separately from each other, and many countries use them in combination. The first difference concerns the fact that civil law is more structured and has more common norms and principles, as it is implied that the law touches upon all cases that may happen (Cromwell, 2019). The common law system, on the contrary, is based on the judicial precedent or real cases that already took place that helps the judge deliver verdicts. Thus, judges took a more active part in changing the law system in common law countries than they do in civil law ones. The Sources of EU Laws and the Competences of EU There are primary and secondary sources of the EU law, and they concern mainly treaties that define powers of particular institution regulations that have the same features as treaties do. Finally, there exist Directives that need to be implemented by the national legislative systems to have legal power. The Treaties and Regulations become the parts of the national laws of each of EU members automatically after they come into force (European Commission, n.d.). The competencies of the EU concern only the areas where the members agreed to give it the opportunities to take action. Today there exist five areas where the EU has exceptional competencies (European Commission, n.d.). They concern Customs Union, Fiscal Policy of the member countries, general trade policy, preservation of sea resources, and establishing the norms of competition in the domestic market. References Cromwell, V. (2019). Common law vs. civil law: An introduction to the different legal systems. QLTS Prep by BARBRI. Web. European Commission (n.d.). The ABC of EU law. Montanaro, G. (2022). The Italian legal system. ​ Rödl & Partner . Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Main Business Principles Essay In order to be successful as an organization, its managers and employees should devote themselves to certain principles and seek to fulfill them in real life. In this regard, Fisher (2008) suggests ten principles that, in the author’s opinion, should be central for any entity. Nina, the Administrator of an outpatient dialysis facility, emphasized three core business principles, namely decide who you serve, manage employees, and decide what makes you different, which helped her run the facility successfully. As for the former, deciding whom to serve is a crucial step as it determines the focus of a company’s activities. Secondly, managing employees ensures that medical professionals are constantly devoted to improving the quality of work and providing patient-centered care. Finally, deciding what makes you different ensures that the company makes constant improvements in regard to its performance and also establishes core values that can make them the most reliable and trustworthy facility. According to Nina, their mission statement is “To be the Provider, Partner and Employer of Choice.” This correlates with the principles perfectly since every factor receives attention. The facility strives to provide opportunities and training services to their employees incorporating proper mental, physical, and holistic treatment of patients, which helps not only focus on the primary target, patients but incentivize the staff and remain unique. In other words, it can be called a commitment to constant learning and improvement, which is undoubtedly necessary for quality improvement in nursing practice (Caldwel et al., 2017). Therefore, it can be argued that the three chosen principles are of great importance in the healthcare sphere as they are associated with greater performance. In particular, they ensure that the staff is always aware of one’s scope of responsibility and follow the organization’s mission rigorously. Moreover, their incorporation of other Fisher principles, deciding whom they serve and what makes them different, ensures that they maintain their competitive advantage. References Caldwell, C., Ichiho, R., & Anderson, V. (2017). Understanding level 5 leaders: The ethical perspectives of leadership humility. Journal of Management Development, 36 (5), 724-735. Fisher, G. (2008). The art of business: The top ten basic business principles [PowerPoint slides]. Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Marketing Definition Essay As a matter of fact, one of the most comprehensive definitions of marketing was given by the American Marketing Association (AMA). According to it, marketing is “the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large” (AMA, n.d., para. 2). Although all components of the marketing form consumers’ demands, they are also affected by their free choice. As people may choose products offered by multiple marketers on the basis of the price-quality balance and individual preferences businesses should consider all factors in order to succeed. For instance, for the creation of offerings, companies currently analyze the target audience and its expectations shaped by age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status to meet people’s demands (U.S. Small Business Administration, n.d.). At the same time, when consumers are free in their choice, they tend to search for information concerning products with the help of various sources. including those ones that are traditionally used for communication. Thus, free choice associated with changing consumer behavior forces companies to “modify their marketing communication by implementing new forms and tools to gain the trust of customers and to influence purchase” (Kusa et al., 2021, p. 150). That is why marketers currently use advertising and direct communication with consumers via digital social media and communication platforms to customize offerings and reach as many clients as possible. In addition, customers’ free choice affects the delivery of valuable goods as well. In a highly competitive environment, people do not want to wait for a long time or face inappropriate service related to product delivery. That is why companies not only try to optimize their supply chains but to ensure that customers may rely on them in the future if they require support using a purchased product. References AMA. (n.d.). Definitions of marketing . AMA. Web. Kusa, A., Zauskova, A., & Cabyova, L. (2020). Effect of marketing communication on consumer preferences and purchasing decisions. Ad Alta: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 10 (1), 150-155. U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.). Market research and competitive analysis . U.S. Small Business Administration. Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Miranda Rights Statement Essay Miranda warning, also known as Miranda rights, is a formal statement in which a person being arrested is informed of their basic civil rights under the jurisdiction of the United States. Through this warning, an officer of the law enforcement notifies the individual of their right to remain silent, as well as to an attorney. Such principles reflect the foundation of the legal system of the United States, in which both sides are protected by a comprehensive set of rights in order to eliminate bias and enable an objective investigation of the case. The obligatory nature of the warning serves the interests of both sides of the process. First of all, the person being detained possesses an inherent set of rights, which must be respected within the framework of the court of law. They are guaranteed by the United States Constitution, and depriving a person of them would be a major violation of this fundamental law. Rogers and Drogin (2019) state that it would be a misconception to believe that every resident is fully informed of their rights by default. Furthermore, a failure to provide a notification of rights may render the defendant’s testimony inadmissible in court, as it can be dismissed due to possible coercion. This way, Miranda warnings align with the interests of both defendants and prosecutors. On the other hand, it appears possible to argue for the redundancy of rights in some special cases. For example, the arrest of a dangerous criminal or a person responsible for major terrorist threats is often deemed as not requiring a Miranda warning. In such cases, the situation may develop in a matter of seconds, making it necessary to incapacitate the perpetrator before starting legal procedures. From this perspective, it may be contextually appropriate to postpone Miranda warnings until the public safety is secured. In other words, the possibility of a direct, immediate threat to people’s lives outweighs legal formalities (Rogers & Drogin, 2019). Nevertheless, Miranda warnings should not be ignored completely, as they form the core of a transparent trial. Therefore, even if they are not presented at the moment of an arrest, Miranda rights will be given later once the situation is secured and prior to launching formal legal procedures. Reference Rogers, R., & Drogin, E. Y. (2019). The structure and goals of Miranda evaluations . Springer.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Physician-Assisted Suicide Essay The doctor’s job is to follow ethical standards, including loyalty to patients and respect for their choice. However, the profession concentrates on philosophical, religious, and cultural traditions and beliefs. Physician-assisted suicide can be seen as voluntary death by a medical professional. At the same time, the doctor provides all the necessary means and information regarding the patient’s desires for the end of life. However, such cooperation on the part of a doctor cannot be ethically conditioned. Allowing euthanasia can cause irreparable harm to the patient if done incorrectly. Thus, a person can be left without the possibility of a habitual existence. Even though many patients who decide to die to suffer from incurable diseases voluntarily, the doctor cannot assist them. In this case, the moral commandment that a person cannot take someone else’s life is violated (Clarke et al., 2021). Moreover, doctor-assisted suicide is wholly opposed to the definition of a profession aimed at helping people. The doctor is seen as a healer, while physician-assisted suicide does not seem to control and calculate the risks, which can be a threat to many patients. The dilemma lies in the Hippocratic oath given by all doctors, one of the points of which is not to harm. Thus, helping a patient with a death wish can be seen as a deliberate wish to injure the person. Moreover, it may reduce the level of trust between patients and medical staff since taking a life cannot be ethically justified. In addition, the religious view forbids doctors to help patients at the end of life, referring to the commandment not to kill a person. Furthermore, killing may be considered offensive due to society’s moral attitude. The patient’s pain can be alleviated with the help of available medicines, while the loss of life is an irreversible action. Reference Clarke, C., Cannon, M., Skokauskas, N., & Twomey, P. (2021). The debate about physician assisted suicide and euthanasia in Ireland–Implications for psychiatry. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry , 79 , 12-14. Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Sexual Orientation Aspects Essay The project aims to explore the questions behind people’s sexual orientation identification and the reasons behind it. Some people consider sexuality a subject of choice; others argue that the environment cannot dictate a person what sex attracts them. The latter group proceeds with the argument that sexuality is determined biologically, making it an aspect of one’s identity, which should be protected by the government (Sheldon et al., 2017). To further explore people’s perspectives on the matter, the project’s topic can be phrased as the following research question: does the environment affect people’s sexual orientation? While exploring the subject of the research, the following dependant and independent variables related to the topic were identified with the help of the GSS database. The dependent variable is sexort, which stands for respondent’s sexual orientation. The question related to this variable is: which of the following best describes you? This variable was chosen due to the fact that it allows determining what environment has surrounded the respondent. The independent variable related to the topic of the project is sexbirth, which stands for the sex assigned at birth. The GSS question for this variable is: What sex were you assigned at birth (for example, on your birth certificate)? The sexbirth variable was chosen since it is necessary to identify respondents’ sexuality and homosexual individuals for the research. There is an essential correlation between the two variables that can facilitate the project’s research. People’s sex identification significantly affects their lives and experiences. For example, the environments surrounding a male and a female can differ critically. As a result, such differences in the environment’s impact can affect people’s identification with sexual orientation. References Sheldon, J. P., Pfeffer, C. A., Jayaratne, T. E., Feldbaum, M., & Petty, E. M. (2017). Beliefs about the etiology of homosexuality and about the ramifications of discovering its possible genetic origin. Journal of Homosexuality , 52(3-4), 111-150.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Supply and Demand Essay One of the main purposes of a leader of a business is to select the best course of action out of the available alternatives when it comes to the process of decision-making. Clearly enough, it is impossible without a thorough understanding of a company’s business environment. When it comes to entering the market with the goods for the purchasers’ consumption, the one theory that specialists often take to is the supply and demand theory. This theory is utilized to understand the customers’ buying behaviors and help managers strategize the product in the market in accordance with them. For instance, a lack of demand for the product signifies that supply needs to be shortened – and vice versa: when there is an increase of demand, it is reasonable to enhance supply of goods as well. Additionally, a supply and demand analysis helps in pricing: if the demand for the product is high, buyers are more likely to accept price increases an keep on purchasing it. With the low demand, however, prices should be sufficiently affordable; otherwise, the producer will suffer losses. There are various strategies to make the supply and demand model work to one’s advantage. Dayton cites an example of De Beers – a company specializing in creating diamond jewelry. Their vaults are filled with diamonds – but they manage to maintain high prices for gems by limiting supply. Thus, diamonds keep staying a rare commodity, for the acquisition of which as a status symbol purchasers willingly pay. Another organization using the supply and demand theory to their advantage is Zappo. Dayton states that the company’s primary idea of selling shoes online – that is, with no option of trying them on beforehand – did not seem like a good one. However, Zappo became a success story by having gained control over supply – their enormous assortment, excellent customer service, and a favorable return policy make buyers choose them time and time again. Finally, there is Apple – a renowned giant of the technology market. Their building of anticipation for the release of a service or a product is a manufacturing demand that makes purchasers feel like they are a part of something bigger than simply another gadget’s market entry. In conclusion, a supply and demand theory can definitely be used as a tool for navigating the market – one only has to search for appropriate ways to use it to their product’s advantage. Work Cited Dayton, Denise. “Why Are Supply & Demand Important to a Business?” Bizfluent, 2020, Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion of Tweets Influence on Society Report (Assessment) The influence of social networks is increasing, pushing traditional media to second place. In particular, Twitter platform has become an influential tool for obtaining current information and even conducting debates on various topics. However, tweets can also be different and may or not impact society. This paper examines the Australian politician Bill Shorten’s tweet concerning the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Although the politician reports a joyful event in his message, he also expressed regrets about the current policy, limiting the NDIS activity. This tweet is meant to be both informative and grievance. At the same time, the author reports that the girl received assistance thanks to NDIS funding but also regrets that this was possible only after public coverage of the situation. As a result, Shorten deplores the current policy of the Australian government because of which NDIS has limited capacity to help people. While his tweet simultaneously has both negative and positive messages, it can have a positive impact. Criticism from an influential politician can draw attention to the problem and call on society and government to solve it. Several signs indicate the impact of the investigated tweet is. According to Casero-Ripollés (2020), activity, popularity, and authority are the main signs of influence. This post received 209 retweets, 50 comments, and 858 likes – such activity for a poorly discussed topic is quite a significant influence. However, the popularity of the issue is low, and in relation to the population of Australia, such indicators are small. Assessing authority, one can say that Shorten as a politician, is aware and concerned about the topic and has experience and knowledge to express an authoritative opinion. Thus, the tweet may be influential in discussing the activities of NDIS but not on the national scale. Reference List Casero-Ripollés, A. (2020) ‘Influence of media on the political conversation on Twitter: Activity, popularity, and authority in the digital debate in Spain’ , ICONO 14. Web.
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ESSAY: Discussion: Vaping and E-Cigarettes Essay Electronic nicotine delivery systems cause the same harm to the human body as other tobacco products. Plus, polyhydric alcohol solvents kill cell membranes. All this can lead to severe illnesses. If the main harmful effect of conventional cigarettes comes from tar and combustion products, here it comes from solvents (Dinardo & Rome, 2019; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA/NIH), 2018). It is severe harm to health, so creeping because not only the membranes and cells of the lungs are dissolved, but also the brain and heart. In 2019, the discussion about the negative impact of vaping on health intensified in the United States. In August of that year, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported what was believed to be the first death in the country due to a severe respiratory illness dubbed EVALI. This acronym stands for lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. By the end of the year, doctors were already talking about almost forty dead (Irusa et al., 2020). In total, the country’s authorities have identified several thousand cases of such diseases. The age of the dead varies from 17 to 75 years. Consequently, e-cigarettes must be subject to laws governing the sale and distribution of traditional tobacco products. Making them available to young people is dangerous for the reasons mentioned above. The absence of tar and an unpleasant odor is the only external differences between a regular cigarette and a vape, while in reality, all the harm is contained within the composition of the products themselves and the inhaled vapor (Kennedy et al., 2022). Sales should also be restricted in some cases to persons over the age of 18. As smoking can affect the lungs and some other chronic diseases, the damage to health is already proven and evident. At the legislative level, it is recommended that people be able to buy a vape only if, after a medical examination, the doctor concludes based on which the risks of illness from vaping will be reduced. According to the certificates, electronic cigarettes will be sold, reducing their consumption. References Dinardo, P., & Rome, E. S. (2019). Vaping: The new wave of nicotine addiction . Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 86 (12), 789-798. Web. Irusa, K. F., Vence, B., & Donovan, T. (2020). Potential oral health effects of e‐cigarettes and vaping: A review and case reports . Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 32 (3), 260-264. Web. Kennedy, V. Jendian, M. A. & Norwood, R. (2022). Think Critical Thinking About Social Problems . Kendall Hunt Publishing. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA/NIH). (2018). Why Teens are Attracted to Vaping [Video]. YouTube. Web.
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ESSAY: Disease Pandemics in the Situations of Typhoid Mary and Novak Djokovic Essay In comparing and contrasting the two pandemic situations, Typhoid and COVID-19 virus, the two individuals, Typhoid Mary and Novak Djokovic, were both said to be exposed to the above illnesses. In an attempt to quickly respond to the public health concern of the two victims, the public health departments conducted their brief studies. In both situations, a test was conducted on two persons. The exposure and outcomes of typhoid and coronavirus had occurred in the examination, and a retrospective cohort study was used in both cases (CareerOneStop, 2017). The difference, in this case, is that Mary was infected with typhoid while Novak contracted the coronavirus, and also Mary was a carrier, but Novak was not. According to the two articles, the investigations of the diseases were conducted in groups, such as families. The tennis champion, Djokovic, had become the fourth player to test positive for COVID-19, while Mary had tested positive for typhoid (Natesan, 2020). In Mary’s case, one could see the wealthy family of the banker Charles, including one of his daughters and his wife, where Mary worked as a cook, contracting typhoid fever. Djokovic’s wife was also confirmed to be positive for coronavirus, similar to Mary’s case, where many of her associates had tested positive. Thus, the similarity here is that, in both incidences, the families of these victims were affected as a result. Additionally, for Novak, three other tennis players participating in the competitions at Adria tour had already tested positive for COVID-19. In Mary’s situation, when she worked for the Warrens, two house-keepers and a gardener were infected with typhoid (Weird History, 2020). Thus, the main issue in both cases is that families, friends, and workmates of both victims had had been infected with the illnesses COVID-19 and typhoid. How Far We Have Come in 100 Years For the past 100 years, the typhoid vaccine has been developed. Surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory activities are also available and in readiness. In addition to that, there are medical counter-measures and health care system preparedness to handle pandemics. Over the past a hundred years, there has been expanded global surveillance and reagent distribution for flu (Natesan, 2020). The most recent care recommendations and pandemic details should be revised and distributed to all healthcare caregivers when required. Lastly, staff members must personally observe their signs and notify the team manager if they or their relatives experience any symptoms. References CareerOneStop. (2017). Community health workers [Video]. Web. Natesan, S. (2020). The historical/evolutionary cause and possible treatment of pandemic COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2, 2019-Coronavirus). Open Access Journal of Mycology & Mycological Sciences , 3 (2), 1-26. Web. Weird History. (2020). Typhoid Mary | The original asymptomatic super-spreader [Video]. Web.
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ESSAY: Disney Case Study: Action Plan Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Disney Business 3. Strategic Perspective 4. Works Cited Introduction Without any doubt, Disney should strive for growth and development. The company has vast potential and opportunities, and these aspects should be used and applied in a more favorable light. In this case, the enterprise should develop within the framework of improving digital content and increasing the capacity of parks (Horowitz). Indeed, COVID-19 has played a crucial role in the company’s parks in 2021. However, if one talks about current events and trends, the spread of the virus is gradually coming to naught, which means that parks will also be popular soon. Moreover, with the arrival of the pandemic, people began to watch movies and TV series online more often without leaving home. Thus, Disney does not need to apply extraordinary and drastic changes to the brand and products like Pixar. It is only necessary to focus particular attention on streaming services and the development of theme parks. Disney Business As a rule, Disney’s culture and policy are based on mass entertainment and recreation for children and the whole family. According to the official site, Disney entertains, inspires, and informs people around the globe ( About the Walt Disney ). It reflects the cultures of countries, innovative technologies, and creative aspects that make the company a leader in the entertainment segment on the world stage ( About the Walt Disney ). Thus, Disney is primarily a content business that creates exciting stories and memorable characters. Strategic Perspective The best strategy for Disney is the purposeful goals and objectives present in each division. Hence, all actions and decisions will be coordinated, effective, and prompt. Furthermore, managers should maintain a specific “golden mean” when communicating and interacting with employees, without limiting creative activity, but at the same time not allowing them to relax. Ideally, the activity results should also be sent to more senior personalities from Disney headquarters. Works Cited “About the Walt Disney Company.” Disney , Web. Horowitz, Julia. “Disney needs a comeback year. Will it get it?.” CNN Sans, Web.
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ESSAY: Disney+ Streaming Service Targeting a New Segment Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. New Market Segment 3. Purpose of Marketing Communication 4. Marketing Message 5. Marketing Communication Tools 6. Recommendations 7. Conclusion 8. References Introduction In the present day, Disney+ may be regarded as one of the most successful streaming services that produce and provides large amounts of audio-visual content for almost everyone. Standing apart from its competitors, the platform combines classics and modernity creating an unprecedented quality of entertainment (Agnihotri & Bhattacharya, 2022). Using a four-quadrant approach, Disney+ aims to cover all major audience demographics (Tapp, 2022). However, according to customers’ analysis, its primary segment is White women and men aged 27-41, predominantly without children, will low or middle income, living in urban and suburban areas. They value the balance of the product’s quality and price, prefer affordable entertainment, and choose both classics and the latest trends. New Market Segment At the same time, to stay competitive, Disney+ should create and address new segments and subsegments. Thus, through the analysis of the primary segment, competitors’ strategies, and the population’s features, the company identified the most attractive new subsegment with great market potential. It is Black women and men, aged 27-41, predominantly families with two and more children, with middle income, and from urban and suburban areas. They are both committed to traditional values and respect new ideas and social equity at the same time. They are loyal to companies that afford quality products at the best price. However, due to a lack of time and money for cost-inefficient types of entertainment, they choose convenient, fast, high-quality, and affordable entertainment for all family members without leaving their homes to satisfy their basic needs. Purpose of Marketing Communication There are multiple reasons why a new subsegment should be addressed by Disney+. First of all, according to the latest reports, Black adults spend more time with media in comparison with representatives of other ethnicities, and it continues to grow under the influence of the pandemic (Grace, 2020). In addition, the purchasing power of the Black population is growing as well. At the same time, Blacks prefer convenient and affordable services – in other words, they choose a ready product with good quality and at an affordable price, and stay extremely loyal to companies that meet their expectations. In addition, several children in families influence both parents’ customer behavior and entertainment routine. As previously mentioned, this subsegment will choose Disney+ for an affordable price, convenient service, and content for everyone. Finally, addressing the Black population will substantially improve the platform’s reputation as concerning tolerance and equal human rights is essential nowadays. Marketing Message According to the current values of Disney+, the platform focuses on the streaming convenience provided by modern technologies, classic content, and the latest trends offered by modern franchises. In other words, it combines the traditional type of entertainment with the most convenient form of content distribution and well-known films, series, and shows with favorite universes’ brand-new content. At the same time, this value proposition is reliable concerning a new subsegment. Black families chose both familiar franchises and new releases for watching using modern ways of story distribution. However, in this statement, the company may add its value of diversity, inclusion, social support, tolerance, and equal human rights. Considering the growing importance of diversity, inclusion, and equality issues, for Disney it is vital to focus on creating a new marketing message that will help to consider the needs of its audience. It will also contribute to the broadening of the target audience and the acquisition of new loyal clients. Thus, for a new subsegment, the marketing message will be the following: “Disney+ not only offers the largest collection of classic masterpieces and the newest releases combining traditional entertainment with modern technologies for all your family – it respects your identity, your heritage, and equality.” Shifting to the given message will cultivate several positive outcomes. First, as stated previously, racial minorities respect brands considering their needs. It means that by introducing a new idea, Disney+ will affect this segment and can count for a significant increase in the number of loyal clients. Second, the establishment of a new, more tolerant, and inclusive marketing message will improve the brand’s reputation and demonstrate its attention to communities’ needs, which is vital in the modern business world. Finally, it will create the ground for new diversified and inclusive projects crucial for the development of the brand. For this reason, the use of a new message is justified by several factors. Marketing Communication Tools In general, the main strategy of the platform for the attraction of an identified subsegment is the creation of more Black-related and diversity-related audio-visual content along with the preservation of previous formats. It may include talk shows conducted by prominent Black influencers, conversations with influential Black musicians, athletes, actors, and businessmen, and films with Black or other non-White actors or directed by Blacks or non-Whites. People should feel that the company aims to satisfy their unique needs and value their differences. For this, particular promotion tools should be chosen, predominantly to inform potential subscribers about the company’s values. First of all, personal selling and direct marketing may be regarded as inappropriate tools. Both of them presuppose the platform’s direct interaction with potential clients. These tools cannot be used by an international platform with millions of subscribers all over the world, and a new subsegment is relatively big as well. At the same time, general advertising and digital promotion, sponsorships, public relations, and sales promotion may be regarded as efficient marketing communication tools that may be used. At the same time, it is possible to distinguish advertising and sponsorship as the most efficient tools. As an efficient tool for the communication of ideas and the benefits of services and products used by both commercial and non-profit organizations, digital promotion and general advertising may help Disney+ articulate its message. For example, the platform may advertise new diversity-related content or the presentation of material related to its renewed values through mass media, social digital platforms, and traditional sources. The platform should be presented as the most efficient and affordable source of entertainment for children and adults. At the same time, advertising should be cautious concerning consumer targeting. For instance, in 2018, Netflix was accused of targeting potential customers based on their race and ethnicity (Iqbal, 2018). The platform prepared several variants of the same film’s posters and show materials with Black actors to Black social; media users even if these actors’ roles were insignificant. This practice may be regarded as inappropriate – non-White consumers prefer to be treated equally. The articulation of the message is closely connected with its elements and the people whom it addresses and by whom it is spread. In the case of Disney+, the platform may demonstrate its commitment to newly identified values through interaction with people who are connected with them. For instance, the platform may sponsor Black athletes or human rights activists whose influence on the audience is undeniable. The brand might align close cooperation with numerous activist groups to consider their current needs and support their projects. It might also include involvement in important community incentives aimed at improvement of people’s lives and providing them with things they need. The given strategy will contribute to the generation of several vital benefits. First of all, this approach will help the company’s marketing message spread. Real actions will demonstrate that the brand not only makes proclamations but also engages in projects that might help to alter the situation. In addition, these activities show that it supports diversity and equality in all spheres of life attracting a new subsegment. It will improve their reputation and contribute to improved customer relations and the growth of their loyalty. Recommendations Thus, new subsegments that should be addressed by Disney+ are Black women and men, aged 27-41, predominantly with families, with middle income, from urban and suburban areas. First of all, minorities are underserved and poorly represented among the platform’s subscribers, however, their customer loyalty, growing purchasing power, and impact on almost all spheres of life should be considered. Black spend considerable amounts of time online looking for the most convenient and affordable types of entertainment. At the same time, the streaming service will be more popular among families for the provision of content for everyone available without leaving their homes. At the same time, addressing the Black population will improve the company’s reputation and allow it to position itself as tolerant and respecting equality and human rights. Thus, this aspect should be addressed in the platform’s updated marketing message to target a new subsegment. Conclusion In general, the platform should demonstrate that it values all people regardless of their nationalities and respects equal human rights. For this, it should create and provide more Black-related and diversity-related audio-visual content, including shows, series, and films, along with the preservation of previous formats. At the same time, consumers should be aware that the diverse population is involved in the creation and distribution of content through acting, directing, or scriptwriting. For the promotion of new materials and a new message’s articulation, advertising and sponsorship may be distinguished as the most efficient tools. The platform may advertise new diversity-related content or the presentation of material related to its renewed values through mass media, social digital platforms, and traditional sources being presented as the most efficient and affordable source of entertainment for children and adults as well. Finally, the platform may sponsor Black athletes or human rights activists whose influence on the audience is undeniable to spread its message and emphasize its values. References Agnihotri, A., & Bhattacharya, S. (2022). Disney: Restructuring for success with video streaming service Disney+. SAGE Publications: SAGE Business Cases Originals. Grace, C. (2020). Multicultural consumers are streaming content more than ever as social distancing continues. Perspectives. Web. Iqbal, N. (2018). Film fans see red over Netflix ‘targeted’ posters for black viewers. The Guardian. Web. Tapp, T. (2022). Disney Plus: Everything you need to know about Disney’s subscription streaming service. NEXT TV. Web.
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ESSAY: Disney’s Principles: Dream, Believe, Dare, and Do Essay Table of Contents 1. The dream 2. The Belief 3. The Dare 4. The Do 5. Application of the Managerial Skills in an Organization 6. Impact of the managerial skills 7. Improvements 8. Reference Giving back to society is one principle that most people desire. In that regard, my organization was formed with th notion of providing outstanding services both internally and externally. The foundation has subsequently been in operation, employing several people to cultivate motives, trust, and instill the ability to take risks and achieve them. The employees are mandated to have proper guidance on delivering their duties requirements. Ultimately, it was established to do acts of charity and provide assistance to less privileged people in the community. As Christ taught, the organization employs charity’s virtue, and everyone who engages in charity is believed to be lucky. Therefore, the organization has been using a set of principles to ensure the same exquisite chores delivery notion is realized. The set of principles is the dream, belief, dare, and do; they are fundamental in shaping the workplace and society. The dream To start with the dream principle, often we have heard people talk about what they dreamt about in their sleep, how nice and captivating it was, or how terrible it left them. Further, we have also heard people talking about their future aspirations and wishes, and ultimately, that is the dream concept needed in management. Therefore, to establish a strong foundation, it must be anchored on a particular desire that one wants to achieve (Blankenship, 2021). For instance, an organization sets the motto that expresses the general wish of the corporation’s dreams. Desirable aspirations inculcate employees with motives to achieve their goals. According to Disney, the wishes of a company must be in the mind of the employees, and they must sing them repeatedly (Brode, 2021). To achieve this, one has to create a state of fantasy in the mind of the employees so that they see it as the only alternative. Once that is done, the workers and followers in a church setup will see that as the primary goal and work towards realizing it. Consequently, the same story will be told over generations, and the influence will be one. Therefore, the dream concept is applicable in my place of work as when the work morale is below par; hence, it instills control to an individual to ensure it explains the objective and outline the expected outcome of those set goal in the organization. An organization’s dreams can be in the form of a mission and vision, strategies, goals, and objectives. The Belief The second managerial aspect is the belief, and it exacerbates that dreams are often only achievable when we believe they can be achieved. Therefore, in setting goals (dreams), one should believe that the same is achievable. The ability to impart trust within employees’ mindsets improves their responsiveness towards a desire for success. Disney feels that whatever person discovers to trust in, they should embrace it wholeheartedly (Brode, 2021). At the interception of every organization, there is a belief formed. The belief may be of something you want to achieve, how you want it achieved, and the necessary steps to ensure that it is achieved The philosophy is enshrined in my organization that when strategies are clear, goals are easily achieved. Further, the teaching on belief forms the cornerstone of the church. Primarily, the church teaches one to believe in what they find to believe in: Jesus Christ and the existence of God the Almighty. However, just believing is not enough, as daring is one of the fundamental principles needed to achieve the idea. Our organization believes that the aim is only to get what they want in daily duties. In the teachings of Jesus Christ, for one to secure a place in the kingdom of God, that person has to believe (Ward, 2021). Like our organization, we believe that a society can beget what it deserves. We believe that we can change the lives of individuals through selfless denials and proper management. The Dare The drive to achieve an objective irrespective of the obstacles improves employees’ performances. According to Brode (2021), the third principle in management is the dare principle, in the notion Disney ascertains that for one to do many things, one must be curious. With a desire to learn more, one may be able to do something he never imagined he could. Thus, it is for a company to set the limits for each employee to ensure the dream and belief are achieved. The same can be realized in a business setup when each employee is given a certain target and a duration to achieve it. Nonetheless, this ought not be considered a power but a tool for achieving the corporate goal. Further, the principle is fundamental in my organization as the employees on their motions should be able to take the risk of exploring and doing that, which enhances their development towards the business goals and objectives. Therefore, a company whose employees dare to take risks, get involved, and get work done always enjoys massive success. The same is also enhanced in church, and the believers have dared to live according to Christ and his ways. That is why most Christians would do things out of belief, dream, and dare to reach the promised land. The Do Lastly, the concept of action states that when one establishes a purpose, one must have a well-defined mechanism for achieving it. For even the bible says, plans without actions are dead. Just merely believing that something will be done without putting much effort towards realizing the achievement of the same cannot have it done. Therefore, in setting goals, one must ensure they also set the means of achieving them and work towards achieving them. Moreover, the success of a project depends on the execution of the plans. Precisely, in my organization, when the plan is appropriately executed, the belief, dream, and risk can be easily achieved. However, to ensure the work is done, the leaders must consider the system or process of achieving the same. Further, my organization must assemble all the materials necessary to get the work done in the stipulated period. The other factor to consider is the human resource needed to complete the work. The human resource needed helps plan the needs and other necessary materials that may be needed to ensure the work is complete. Application of the Managerial Skills in an Organization The managerial principles can be applied in an organization in various ways. To start with the dreams as the founding principle of an organization, our organization has a vision and a mission that ensures the employees work towards achieving a particular set and achievable goals that the company has outlined. Additionally, the dream of an organization is manifested in its culture, organizational design, and social network. The way the employees carry out themselves in ensuring the realization of a company’s dream is worth considering. To ensure the daring aspect, the company has to be very resonant in decision making. Further, there is proper communication with the employees for accessible communication. And finally, the doing aspect is covered by strategizing and accessing the human resource necessary for the organization. Impact of the managerial skills A group is only as powerful as its weakest individual and vice versa. In that way, when the employees and the employers follow the managerial principles with utmost good faith, they are likely to enjoy various impacts in the firm. Further, the employers and employees will maintain their emphasis on the organization’s vision that will enshrine them with innovation spirit (Custódio et al., 2019). Secondly, the employees and the employers are likely to achieve the anticipated goals based on the desire and wishes of the company. Additionally, the managers can monitor and see that they lack to achieve their desired project goal. Improvements The organization draws a strategic plan with the aspiration to achieve managerial skills. Moreover, the corporation will likely have a motto, vision, and mission as part of the dream to aspire to achieve exemplary service delivery(Grabowska & Saniuk, 2022). Secondly, the organization sets its strategies and programs that will improve the rapport within the organization hence smooth running of processes. Further, the organization invests in human resource personnel with the expectation that they accomplish the set mission and objectives of the corporation. In conclusion, one should consider Disney’s four principles of success for proper management. The principles outlined will enable the managers and the employees to develop the necessary routine required for the success of an organization. The dream of an organization, which is the organization’s vision and mission, helps shape a clear path one wants to walk through. Further, the belief defines the strong ambition to achieve the organization’s goals. Additionally, the dare makes one do what it takes to realize the dreams. However, all the wishes and aspirations cannot be achieved without action. Therefore, even as we dream, believe, and dare, action must be done to realize the organization’s goal. Reference Blankenship, S. C (2021). Walt Disney world as a model for brand marketing: An IMC approach to build brand loyalty. (Publication no. 1806), The University of Missippii EGrove. Brode, D. (2021). Introduction. Disney’s version/Disney’s vision: The world according to Walt. In From Walt to Woodstock (pp. 9-34). University of Texas Press. Custódio, C., Ferreira, M. A., & Matos, P. (2019). Do general managerial skills spur innovation? Management Science, 65 (2), 459-476. Grabowska, S., & Saniuk, S. (2022). Business models in the industry 4.0 environment—results of web of science bibliometric analysis. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity , 8 (1), 19. Ward, B. (2021). The Kingdom come in BAM as it is in heaven: Implications on defining the Kingdom of God in BAM businesses. Religions , 12 (8), 557.
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ESSAY: Diversicare Healthcare Analysis and Strategic Goals Essay SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis plays a pivotal role in the strategic planning process for organizations operating in various industries. This framework allows for evaluating the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which in turn provides foundations for establishing relevant strategic goals and developing a coherent business plan. Diversicare Healthcare Services, Inc. is a healthcare provider focusing on the field of post-acute care (Diversicare, 2020). The organization continuously provides high-quality medical services and therapies to its patients. Thesis Statement This paper aims to conduct a SWOT analysis of Diversicare Healthcare, including its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, in order to develop appropriate strategic goals for the company. Strengths * A broad range of high-quality acute care services. As stated in the most recent annual report of Diversicare (2020), the company has a strong reputation as a provider of high-quality, cost-effective services due to its pursuit of excellence. The organization implements an evidence-based approach and a quality assurance system to provide patients with effective and safe treatment and therapy options. * A total of 61 operating locations across eight states. As Diversicare (2020) reports, the “continuing operations consist of 61 nursing centers with 7,250 licensed skilled nursing beds … in Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas” (p. 2). Therefore, the organization addresses the needs of an expanded population base. * Strong corporate culture. Diversicare emphasizes the importance of connectedness, compassion, trust, respect, and communication as core values shaping the workplace environment and interaction with patients (“A name you can trust,” n. d.). As a result, Diversicare’s company culture is considered its distinguishing feature compared to other post-acute care providers in the United States. * The loyalty of customers and employees. Diversicare is recognized for excellent experience by its customers and for its unique culture by its employees through respective 2020 awards (“A name you can trust,” n. d.). The medical staff is provided with training and tools for obtaining and enhancing necessary skills. Customer satisfaction is ensured through effective communication, support, and continuous improvement. Weaknesses * Decreased revenue and high operating expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Stulick (2021), Diversicare reported: “a net loss from continuing operations at -$2.9 million, or -43 cents per share in the third quarter” of 2020 (para. 1). * Employee turnover rate due to overwork. One of the major challenges the organization faces is the problem of retaining qualified medical staff in the context of high demand and longer or irregular hours (Diversicare, 2020). The pandemic and competition aggravate increased workload and the associated employee shortage. * Lack of communication between employees and management. Diversicare has a problem with ensuring effective internal communication among its staff, which results in weak leadership (Diversicare, 2020). * A limited supply of licensed skilled nursing center beds. As Diversicare (2020) indicates in the annual report, “high construction costs … and start-up expenses also act to restrict growth in the supply for such centers” (p. 6). Opportunities * Increasing the number of nursing centers. Diversicare (2020) can “acquire and lease new centers, focusing primarily on opportunities that can leverage” the existing infrastructure (p. 2). By aligning the growth with strategic objectives, the company can determine markets for continuing operations. * The use of innovation and technology. The organization fosters an evidence-based approach in order to provide purposeful services for its patients (“A name you can trust,” n. d.). Therefore, Diversicare can develop an innovation culture to improve the quality of care and promote efficient solutions. The use of technology is another opportunity to enhance communication, eliminate medical errors, and improve management. * Increasing profitability at existing centers. Diversicare can address the financial challenges by improving the payor mix and promoting higher occupancy (Diversicare, 2020). Furthermore, the company can continue to introduce marketing initiatives at the existing nursing centers. * Presenting additional specialty services. According to Diversicare (2020), based on the specific market needs, they “may include complex medical and rehabilitation services, as well as memory care units and another specialty programming” (p. 2). Threats * Safety threats associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Similar to other healthcare providers in the industry, the organization reports the need to implement additional safety and care measures for patients during social isolation and prepare nursing centers for outbreaks (Diversicare, 2020). * Financial expenses due to COVID-19. As Stulick (2021) states, Diversicare “incurred $7.2 million in additional healthcare-related expenses including labor costs, personal protective equipment (PPE), testing and infection control supplies” (para. 10). * Government restrictions are affecting operations. Reduced occupancy is considered to be one of the consequences of local government’s limitations and changes in healthcare protocols (Diversicare, 2020). Furthermore, there is a need for centers to comply with licensure and certification requirements. * The highly competitive nature of the post-acute care industry. Diversicare (2020) reports that some of its “present and potential competitors for acquisitions are significantly larger and have or may obtain greater financial and marketing resources” (p. 6). Furthermore, competition contributes to salary increases, which involves additional expenses for the company to hire and retain competent staff. Strategic Goals Development * Use innovation of technology to improve communication and leadership and enhance the quality of care. * Grow revenue by increasing the number of nursing centers, improving the payor mix, and promoting higher occupancy. References A name you can trust. (n. d.). Web. Diversicare. (2020). 2020 Annual Report . Web. Stulick, A. (2021). Diversicare reports net loss for the third quarter, close to the completed merger with DAC. Skilled Nursing News . Web.
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ESSAY: Diversicare Medical Care: A Business Plan Essay Introduction Diversicare Medical Care (formerly Advocat) offers a variety of health and living services to the elderly through care facilities and assisted-living facilities, most of which are situated in the southern and southwestern United States. This company is a health center that specializes in post-acute care. It was established in 1994 on a culture of passionate service. Recollection care, short-term restoration care, protracted care, and medical treatment are among the services provided. It is located in Brentwood, Tennessee, and its mission is to better the lives of all of its caregivers by surpassing their expectations and delivering exceptional health care services. Integrity, sympathy, greatness, teamwork, and stewardship are its core values. It employs over 6,800 people in more than 60 separate areas across nine states (Diversicare, n.d.). Workers’ pensions include life insurance, a 401k plan with a match, continuing professional education, short break, holiday, sick time prepayments, career path intending short and long-term disability insurance, and healthcare, dental, and aspiration plans (Diversicare, n.d.). This essay will analyze the swot analysis, financial analysis and budget, strategy, implementation, and strategic evaluation respectively of Diversicare healthcare. The strategic initiative is to expand this company’s resources by increasing funding and leveraging opportunities to diversify the services provided with high professionalism and ethics. Swot Analysis Strengths Diversicare Primary care has a solid reputation for providing its clients with high-quality services. Furthermore, medical care ensures the long-term loyalty of both Staff and clients. There is a professional and competent bi-cultural team bi-lingual and, as well as receptive Staff eager to improve their skills. Nonetheless, the Ethnic Society Council Queensland’s (ECCQ) Public Compassionate Institute (PBI) Co-payment Gift Recipient (DGR) strives to enhance corporate practices and essential facilities. Weaknesses One of Diversicare’s weaknesses is a lack of technical skills and abilities among its Staff. The company’s aging workforce is also a drawback to growth. What is more, a proportion of skilled colleagues are nearing the end of their careers. Two government-funded programs account for 85 percent of the corporation’s total revenue (Diversicare, 2021). As a result, Diversicare healthcare faces another challenge due to the lack of a long-term plan for panel members and senior leaders. As an ECCQ division, this company lacks legal status, which presents a threat to the institution. Subsequently, Diversicare’s structure has too many implementers for the present level of activity/business, which is a problem for healthcare. Opportunities The clamor for Aged Care CALD Sector has increased, particularly for high-level care services like EACH, EACH-D, and Transition Care. In addition, existing User Pay Services are being expanded, as is the use of advanced technologies to ensure the quality-of-service delivery, especially with their in-home facilities. There are also plans to expand geographic reach to the Gold Coast and principal cities and CALD regions in Queensland (Stapleton et al., 2018). Demographic trends show that an increasing number of CALD working-age people are relocating to Queensland. Existing HACC and CACPS operations can be expanded, and proposals for capital and economic expansion funding can be developed for submission to the government. Threats One of the risks to Diversicare healthcare is the conflict problems federal political environment. Significant competition from domestically and internationally for-profit and non-profit institutions is also a potential danger now and in the future. The other hazard is sector consolidation through mergers, amalgamations, and takeovers. Constant public influence on the ECCQ – the industry’s peak body – investigating the causes for delivering aged care and public support facilities is also a potential danger to healthcare. Eventually, the technical skills, training, and knowledge necessary to provide future aged care services pose a serious risk. Financial Analysis and Budget Diversicare has indeed been capable of providing post-acute and donor care worldwide. However, their client traffic has increased, even more, forcing them to place patients on a standby list until space becomes available. After financial analysis, more beds are proposed to be opened to accept more clients. This healthcare aims to provide nursing, home healthcare, and interpersonal services to patients and residents. Furthermore, the firm’s nursing centers provide a variety of services, including nutritional support services and comprehensive rehabilitation services. The corporation of Diversicare owns more than 75 healthcare and assisted-living facilities, totaling approximately 8,500 beds (Ginthotavidana & Waidyasekara, 2021). The medical Centre is planning to increase the number of beds to accommodate more clients. Diversicare, which concentrates on rural areas, provides a variety of health care services, such as residential care, leisure activity therapy, welfare care, and clinical, cardiovascular, rehabilitative, and other customized ancillary services. Table 1 shows the simple budget for the strategic initiative. Table 1. Budget for Strategic Initiative. Budget Items Amount in $ Salaries – Physicians 250000 Salaries – Surgeons 350000 Equipment 550000 Space on 8000 square feet of land 650000 Education 150000 Other expenses 50000 Total expenses 2000000 The projected profit and loss account of Diversicare has been prepared. The total net income of the planned hospital has been $356210. Based on the projected balance sheet, the hospital will acquire $1500000 debt and $500000 equity to fund the current assets and purchase the land and equipment for the hospital to be constructed. Table 2 shows the ratio of assets and liabilities, considering the adopted strategy. It should be noted that the current revenue current ratio will be close to one, which demonstrates the potential for growth in the company’s liquidity and relevancy. Table 2. Financial Statement. Expenses Income 2000000 $ 2143790 $ Current Liabilities Current Assets 1000000 $ 856210 $ Total Liabilities Total Assets 3000000 $ 3000000 $ Strategy Strategic planning assists in assessing an institution by capturing its mission, aspiration, and virtues to achieve long goals and use relevant plans to reach them. A perfect corporate strategy is critical to a firm’s progress and profitability because it offers a new picture of how to reply to various advantages and threats faced by employees and the management. It provides an idea of the endeavors to be made and the routes to be taken by concentrating on the aims and priorities. Analyzing the strategic plan reveals the strengths as well as the regions that need to be enhanced. Countless specific goals must be established to obtain more beds. One target is to schedule the expansion or construction of a new facility with an additional 78 beds to allow more patients to be cared for. Cash flow has to be analyzed the resources required to meet the hospital goals in a reasonable amount of time. Once the budgetary funds are endorsed, a location has to be looked near the agency or the university to build the expanded facility. Another goal will be to find more healthcare workers to care for the extended facility. Diversicare will be one lot closer to providing care to more service users once all the goals are met. With all these supplementary beds, Diversicare will reduce their wait time and cure more clients. This significant development will provide the most job positions for healthcare professionals in the city and resources for the company. A valid contract is required to ensure interactions with all sides involved in procuring a new location for the new beds. Having everybody in the same section can help this operation run smoothly and efficiently, allowing the beds to be built in a reasonable amount of time. The hospital employs geographic segmentation to ensure that its patients receive accessible services, for example, treating and researching a wide range of diseases to provide better care to all patients. The funding of Diversicare is accounted for by American Lebanese Syrian Charities, which ensures that there are available funds to help the organization perform its duties (Reinsberg et al., 2017). The organization makes this possible through donations organized by St. Jude throughout the year. Implementation Schedule Table 3. Phase Schedule. Phase 1 Phase2 Phase3 Funds Find property for new space. Start building Facility Phase4 Phase5 Phase 6 Hiring new Staff Move new equipment into the building Grand Opening/ Excepting new patients Table 3 gives a brief overview of the implementation phases of the strategy. First, the issue should be addressed at the level of senior management on providing more beds. The second step is to create a tactical plan and goals for modern growth. Third, talk to the accounting department about the financial plan for the new beds that will be installed. The fourth step is to consult with Human Resources or hire new medical personnel. Then, the next step is to plan for recent changes in clinical outcomes and the addition of new beds. Finally, the sixth implementation is to inform stakeholders about current organizational changes and developments. The seventh is the start of the expansion day, which is used to estimate how long the process will take. The eighth meeting is a stakeholder briefing on the expansion process. The final step is managing human resources and worker recruitment, followed by a site inspection. Strategic Evaluation The effectiveness of a business strategy can only be comprehended if it is evaluated regularly. A timely and regular assessment must be performed, and the reports must be reviewed in work to explain the areas for improvement as well as the areas that are profitable to the organization. Because the proposed strategic plan includes the construction of a new hospital in San Francisco, California, the contenders in this field are also more numerous. As a result, analyzing the client inflow, staff compliances, and budgetary profits of the new hospital systematically can only assist in determining the strategy. Staff support is critical for this planning process because their innovations, exemplary service to patients, and administration can only attract patients. The approaches that make the patients feel at ease should be identified and implemented. As a result, to implement an effective initiative, team members must be willing to modify and accomplish their capability to make it a successful strategy. The prompt action and endorsement of all those responsible can aid in assessing the tactic and deciding on the necessary changes in the field. Conclusion This business strategy serves as a sound learning management system for other facilities to begin charging for services. Every organization’s success is determined by how well the business model is aligned with the facility’s strategic long- and short-term goals. It demonstrates that there were many unfulfilled potential corporate areas in the medical sector that, if properly explored, would aid in improving care quality. The hospital’s long-term and short-term strategies will guarantee a commitment to self to identify new strengths and opportunities to reduce its weaknesses and address threats. References Diversicare. (2021). Financials. Web. Diversicare. (n.d.) Who we are . Web. Ginthotavidana, S., & Waidyasekara, K. (2021). A performance measurement model for the housekeeping services in healthcare facilities . Facilities , 40 (1/2), 56-75. Web. Reinsberg, B., Michaelowa, K., & Knack, S. (2017). Which Donors, which funds? Bilateral donors’ choice of multilateral funds at the world bank . International Organization , 71 (4), 767-802. Web. Stapleton, P., Buchan, C., Mitchell, I., McGrath, Y., Gorton, P., & Carter, B. (2018). An initial investigation of neural changes in overweight adults with food cravings after emotional freedom techniques . OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine , 4 (1), 1-1. Web.
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ESSAY: Doctor-Patient Confidentiality and Human Trafficking Essay There is a growing number of physicians’ encounters with the victims of human trafficking, sometimes even without recognizing them as such. Recently, Todres (2017) reported an incident, where Dr. W was requested to screen the women-employees of such a firm for sexually transmitted infections. On the one hand, according to the Code of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association (2011), it is necessary to safeguard patient confidentiality, including several aspects, such as physical, informational, decisional, and associational privacy. At the same time, it is obligatory to keep the records of all the patients in the healthcare settings while Dr. W was asked not to maintain them to avoid possible arrest of these women. Thus, the doctor understood that in another case, the employees of this firm would not have a chance for diligent healthcare and, moreover, could possibly spread the STIs further. The case engages issues in several fields, such as criminal law, ethical concerns, human rights, and service provider regulations. From the side of conspiracy law, it is possible to assume that the agreement of Dr. W is equal to the participation in the crime. As she is aware of the crime and did not report it but helped in its realization, the court’s decision can be not in her favor. From the point of view of human rights, prostitution is illegal in the US. Even more, if the minors are employed in the firm, the case falls under the mandatory reported law (Todres, 2016). Ethical considerations here also imply helping a child by breaching confidentiality. To conclude, the decision in the case of an encounter with human trafficking should be equivocal. By facilitating the activity of an enterprise engaged with human trafficking, a physician is partly responsible for the crimes and exploitation of women and children. Therefore, following the legal frameworks and ethical considerations, such cases should be reported. References The AMA Code of Medical Ethics’ Opinions on Confidentiality of Patient Information. (2011, July 1). Virtual Mentor, 13 (7), 475-477. Todres, J. (2016). Can mandatory reporting laws help child survivors of human trafficking? Wisconsin Law Review. Web. Todres, J. (2017). Physician Encounters with Human Trafficking: Legal Consequences and Ethical Considerations. AMA J Ethics, 19 (1), 16-22. Appendix A Use these guidelines if the customer asks for appendices. The first paragraph of the appendix should be flush with the left margin. Additional paragraphs should be indented. Begin each appendix on a new page with the word “Appendix” at the top center. Use an identifying capital letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) if you have more than one appendix. If you are referring to more than one appendix in your text, use the plural appendices (APA only). Label tables and figures in the appendix as you would in the text of your manuscript, using the letter A before the number to clarify that the table or figure belongs to the appendix. Appendix B Demographic Information for Cummings et al. (2002)’s Review If an appendix consists entirely of a table or figure, the title of the table or figure should serve as the title of the appendix.
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ESSAY: “Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning, Theory, and Contemporary Issues”: Feminist Ethics Essay Feminist ethics is founded on the views that women’s subordination is morally inappropriate and that women’s moral experiences are as valuable as men’s. Vaughn (2019) states that the following are the practical aims of feminist ethics. Firstly, feminist ethics express moral critiques of behaviors and attitudes that reinforce women’s rights. Consequently, the vital goal is to provide morally reasonable means to oppose such behaviors and practices. Ultimately, feminist ethics’ objective is to imagine a morally good alternative that promotes female empowerment. Feminist ethical argument resurfaced in the late 1960s, first among the general public and then in academic discourse, as part of a broader rebirth of feminist ethical questions. On issues like abortion, fairness and equality, domestic work, sexual violence, and obligatory heterosexuality, the first academic feminist ideas were expressed. Nonetheless, the term ‘feminist ethics’ did not become widely used until the late 1970s or early 1980s (Vaughn, 2019). Traditional ethics, feminists speculated, was more thoroughly male-biased and required more radical reconsideration. Moreover, feminism is continuously engaged in ethical thought and discussion. According to Vaughn (2019), feminism is primarily a normative viewpoint, and feminists themselves regularly challenge its meaning. Lack of care for women’s interests, disregard for women’s concerns, rejection of women’s moral agency, devaluation of feminine ideals, and depreciation of women’s experience are all manifestations of feminist obstacles. Putting women’s interests first, considering women as ethical experts or authorities, exchanging male for female values, or extrapolating directly from women’s moral experience are all illustrations of how feminist ethics has been stereotyped and viewed. Essentially, these stereotypes are widespread and inaccurate; feminist ethics is significantly more extensive and more open than the misinterpretations suggest. To summarize, modern feminists are experimenting with new methods of thinking about moral themes that are attentive to their specific particularity and inherent shared worth, such as shared humanity, fairness, and impartiality. Reference Vaughn, L. (2019). Doing ethics: Moral reasoning, theory, and contemporary issues (5 th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
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ESSAY: Domestic Businesses and Global Market Essay (Article) Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Types of Business Environments 3. Example Organizations 4. Benefits of Expansion 5. Ethical Considerations 6. Conclusion 7. Reference Introduction The main feature of the modern world economy is globalization, which has a decisive impact on global business development. This article analyzes various aspects of globalization that are characteristic of business both within the country and abroad. It also reflects the main differences in the processes of doing business, touches on ethical problems that may arise. Types of Business Environments Domestic business is defined as existing restrictions; international business is not limited and goes beyond the country. Local businesses facilitate limited exchanges between people in a given country, while international companies operate in many countries (Djelic, 2018). Meanwhile, domestic enterprises do not perceive too many warnings or strict requirements for product quality (Thorbecke, 2019). International companies must maintain very high-quality standards of the products or services offered. Example Organizations Google’s parent firm, Alphabet, acquired its Delaware incorporation registration and is registered as a foreign entity in California. When compared to, for instance, Huawei, a Chinese technology company, Alphabet is a decidedly domestic organization (Djelic, 2018). A domestic corporation is one that operates entirely inside its native nation. On the other hand, international organizations such as Huawei cover multiple countries, which is why such businesses are regulated depending on the states in which the entity operates. Benefits of Expansion Entering the foreign opens up almost limitless opportunities for business development. An example that is relevant is how the oil production in Saudi Arabia, a country with significant reserves, can supply the demand of multiple countries and affect the pricing of the oil worldwide (Thorbecke, 2019). The development of new markets makes it possible to significantly increase sales volumes and regulate seasonal fluctuations (Djelic, 2018). Another advantage is the increase in the currency resources of the exporting company. Ethical Considerations Even when a corporation meets all local legal standards, wages and working conditions in other countries are typically lower than those in the United States. If a company recruits people there, they must decide what wage and working conditions are appropriate (Djelic, 2018). Thus, the appropriate way is to develop corporate rules while integrating into the local economy. Conclusion Globalization is a new qualitative level of internationalization that covers all spheres of modern society: production, exchange, distribution, consumption, social, political, and cultural relations, developing them in breadth and depth. It is worth noting that as a result of globalization, supranational forms of industrial relations are being created. Reference Djelic, M. L. (2018). Globalization and business regulation. Annual Review of Sociology , 44 , 123–143. Web. Thorbecke, C. (2019). Supply, demand and geopolitical tensions: How oil prices rise . ABC News. Web.
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ESSAY: Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, or Elder Abuse Essay The concepts of domestic violence and abuse refer to psychologically or physically aggressive behavior of one family member towards another. This aggression could take the form of beating, rape, screaming, and humiliation. Unfortunately, in the modern world, these are common phenomena. According to statics provided by Huecker et al. (2021), 10 million Americans per year suffer from violence and abuse. The victims of domestic violence and abuse feel depressed and helpless, and their self-esteem is also extremely low. Fear of the aggressor might force a victim to keep calm about the experience of being abused. Nonetheless, there are signs via which a provider could suspect domestic violence, child abuse, or elder abuse. If a woman arrives at the emergency room with bruises or fractures that do not as she slipped on the wet floor, a nurse could suspect that her partner beats her. In addition to that, victims are highly likely to be depressed and anxious even though they might try to hide these emotions (Lloyd, 2018). A provider has a reason to be concerned with child abuse if a young patient is underweighted without objective reason and is afraid of other adults. In addition to that, a child might get severely scared with a loud sound or sudden movement. As for older adults, a nurse could suspect abuse if they have bruises, broken glasses, or walking stick, show signs of depression, and fails to take medications properly. Another warning sign is the refusal of a caregiver to leave an older person alone with a nurse. Undoubtedly, caregivers might not be willing to leave in some cases because they worry about missing information on an older adults health. However, a strict refusal to follow the requests of the medical staff and negotiate is a bad sign. In every health facility, a nurse who notices the signs of abuse and domestic violence must report them to the relevant authorities. More precisely, in the case of child abuse, medical staff contacts social services via hotlines or a written statement. The fact of elder abuse should be reported to the agencies on adult protective services. Finally, a nurse should inform the local law enforcement of the case of domestic violence. Still, before informing the related agencies, a nurse should discuss the case with a physician or a nurse practitioner and exam the patient without the potential abuser in the room. References Huecker, M. R., King, K. C., Jordan, G. A., & Smock, W. (2021). Continuing education activity. StatPearls . Web. Lloyd, M. (2018). Domestic violence and education: Examining the impact of domestic violence on young children, children, and young people and the potential role of schools. Frontiers in psychology , 9 , 1-11. Web.
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ESSAY: Dr. Beverley Green’s Input to Understanding Minorities Proposal Table of Contents 1. Background 2. Contemporary Event 3. Current Social Issue 4. Project Timeline 5. References The purpose of my project is to illustrate how Dr. Beverley Greene’s contributed to our contemporary understanding of minorities’ and women’s problems and traumas. In the introduction, the audience will be provided some context on modern trends within these areas in order to trace how these ideas originated with Dr. Greene. Within the last twenty years, much of mainstream online discourse has been devoted to exploring the complexities of ethnic, national, racial, and gender identity. The democratization of information facilitated by the Internet and rise of online forums have enabled marginalized people to raise public awareness of their struggles, as evidenced by the popularity of Black Lives Matter. The works of academics such as Dr. Greene have given these communities the vocabulary and theoretical framework to conceptualize and contextualize their personal experiences within the broader system of social inequality. Background Dr. Beverley Greene is one of the prominent feminist leaders that influenced our modern understanding of some crucial aspects such as sexism, racism and social privilege in psychology and psychotherapy (Ackerman Institute for the Family, 2019). She came from a very didactic family where her parents encouraged their kids to challenge any existing trends or stereotypes about people and that people are, in fact, complicated living beings. Of course, professional training played a crucial role in her path to becoming a successful writer and practicing psychologist. Thus, during her graduate years at the Dern Institute, where she was influenced by her mentor Dr. Bill Johnson, Dr. Greene expanded her interest to the psychodynamic and psychoanalytic understanding of marginalized people, especially among women. Dr. Greene’s further career was shaped by her graduate school experience. It allowed her to assess her patients in a novel way and have a fruitful career reporting on scientific journals. Furthermore, analyzing Dr. Greene’s impact on the development of psychology, one quickly notices that there has been a serious advance in understanding the people who are multiply marginalized. Nevertheless, despite all the contributions to global psychology, Dr. Greene keeps working on one of the less-understood areas of human psychology. Contemporary Event Dr. Greene grew up during the 1950s and 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement that aimed to abolish segregation, discrimination, and the disenfranchisement of black people in post-slavery America. She legally became an adult in 1968, the same year that Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time of his death, King was the most famous and visible spokesmen of the civil rights movement and a proponent of nonviolence and civil disobedience. Inspired by the example of Gandhi protesting British imperialism in India, he led peaceful marches and boycotts for black peoples’ right to vote, desegregation, and labor rights. The story of King’s assassination broke the following day on the front page of the New York Times. King was in a motel, bending over a railing to chat with a friend in the parking lot when a shot unexpectedly rang out (Caldwell, 1968). King toppled to the floor with blood gushing from his neck and right jaw and died in the hospital after emergency surgery. The friend he was talking to reported that police immediately flooded the area “from where the shot came”; the words indicated that the police were either complicit or responsible in his death (Caldwell, 1968). Upong learning of King’s death, fellow activist Carmichael stated that it was a signal that “white America [has] declared war on [black people]” (Cokley, 2018). The following weeks were defined by race riots and urban rebellion in 125 cities, as well as general national disillusionment with the white establishment (Joseph, 2018). King’s death was a definitive moment in the country’s history that still has reverberations today. King’s assassination undoubtedly influenced Dr. Greene’s work on racial issues and intersectional identity. King remains a national icon of civil rights that believed that America could “transform itself through collective sacrifice, political struggle, and spiritual renewal” (Joseph, 2018). It has been claimed that the event was a life-altering moment that propelled black people into becoming more politically active and less dependent on white leadership (Cokley, 2018). Increased political activism and belief in America’s transformative potential was the general atmosphere of 1970s post-civil rights America in which Dr. Greene began her work on racial and gender issues. Current Social Issue The works and theses of Dr. Greene are also reflected in contemporary events and problems. Moreover, many of the topics and discussions raised by her are especially relevant in recent years, in connection with a number of social movements that take their roots from public resonances, disputes, and scandals. Particularly, one could think of the Black Lives Matter movement, which was boosted by a relatively recent murder of George Floyd. The violent death as a result of the police detention of African-American George Floyd gave impetus to thousands of protests, first in the United States and then in other countries. Most importantly, the incident has once again made the world question racism and the inequality it creates. Interestingly, despite the fact that it is obvious that George Floyd was not the only victim of the police, it was he who showed the world the full horror of racism. This is due to various factors, including thanks to the video recorded by an eyewitness, which showed the calmness of the victim and the aggression of the policeman in such a way that this could not but cause a public outcry. Following the announcement of the jury’s verdict of guilt for Floyd’s murder, US President Joe Biden said in a telephone conversation with the victim’s family that he was relieved (Jason, 2021). The White House chief also expressed hope that the verdict would be a step towards police reform. In a video address to the nation after the verdict was announced, Biden called on Americans to unite (Jason, 2021). Thus, by coincidence, America was once again confronted with signs of the problem of racism in society and the system, which it could not ignore (Jason, 2021). The dramatic nature and obviousness of the horror of the situation became effective tools in the fight against those who ignored discrimination. Dr. Greene contributed a lot in reflecting on racism as trauma and tools to deal with it in psychology. In her interview with Lawrence Rubin, she noted that “I think the simple answer is that many people donʼt want to get it because it makes them feel uncomfortable” (Rubin, 2022). This statement is indeed very relevant to what happened with George Floyd. Many people just did not want to think about issues associated with racism before they were forced to observe the injustice in its most unpleasant way and be involved in the discussion. Dr. Greene also highlights that “Racism, despite its ubiquity, along with racist beliefs and practices, is not something people want to cop to” (Rubin, 2022). Therefore, for a psychologist, it is a challenge yet a responsibility to bring those topics up and do not be color-blinded, as race is indeed a factor that influences a lot and is associated with many emotions and feelings. In this way, movements such as BLM, especially when provoked by the dramatic event, are powerful drivers of facing reality and emotional components of race and racism. Project Timeline Dr. Beverley Greene is a remarkable psychologist that contributed greatly to the development of important concepts related to many minorities and genders, their trauma, emotions, and problems. To convey the role of the psychologist in the modern approach to these topics structurally, comprehensively, and timely, I will adhere to a specific timeline. The plan consists of six main milestones that will guide the preparing and writing process. * I will complete the in-depth literature overviewing and establish a list of sources by the 7th of March. * I will find all relevant media objects that will be used in the projects by the 10th of March. * I will have a structured content plan for the project by the 12th of March. * The first part on the psychologist’s background and works will be done by the 15th of March. * The part on the social issue will take another 10 days as it is going to include most readings and investigation. * I will write the conclusion and insights by the 20th of March. * Another 5 days I will spend on reviewing and editing the paper. I will stick to this timeline to meet the set deadlines. References Ackerman Institute for the Family (2021). Beverly Greene. Web. Caldwell, E. (1968). Martin Luther King is slain in Memphis: A white is suspected; Johnson urges calm. The New York Times . Web. Cokley, K. (2018). How MLK’s death changed America. Dallas News. Web. Jason, J. (2021). The global impact of George Floyd: How Black Lives Matter protests shaped movements around the world. CBS News. Web. Joseph, P. E. (2018). How Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination changed America 50 years ago and still affects us today. The Washington Post. Web. Rubin, L. (2022). Beverly Greene on Race, Racism and Psychotherapy . Psychology. Web.
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ESSAY: Drug Addiction: Overview of the Main Principles and Recovery Plan Research Paper Overview In this research paper, drug addiction will be analyzed as the only type of personal addiction to facilitate the analysis process and give consistent study-level treatment recommendations. Firstly, many scientists define the term drug addiction differently. On the one hand, the term’ drug addiction is specifically defined by NIDA (1) as “characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences (2020). On the other hand, Liu and Li (1823) define drug addiction as “a complex disorder that involves complicated neural mechanisms and psychological processes; this mental disorder is treatable and may be curable by therapies such as gene modulation in the future” (2018). As a result, one may observe scientists defining the term from different scientific perspectives by emphasizing some of the facets of drug addiction disease. Statistically, the most prevailed drug usage was observed for cannabis (3,8%) among people from 15 to 64 years old, amphetamines (0,77%), opioids (0,37%), and cocaine (0,35%) (Peacock et al., 1909). Based on this information, it is crucial to admit that drug addiction is a widespread and complex disease that might influence different aspects of individuals’ functioning possibilities. More specifically, drug dependence is an intellectual disease powerfully affected by surroundings and psychosocial factors. The psychosocial environments at which point it has grown provoke numerous debates around the country (Cheron & Kerchove D’Exaerde, 2021). Exposure to analyzed suggestions can be a principal issue in precipitating drug cravings and relapses. Even afterward a successful cure, they should be minimized accordingly. As with many other mental disorders, drug inclination is deeply influenced by fervor, knowledge, and cognition (Cheron & Kerchove D’Exaerde, 2021). Besides medical interferences, behavioral actions are more promising for acting drug addiction. To some extent, non-pharmacological situations grant permission and have greater benefits by way of their limited aftereffects. Despite the numerous reasons for obtaining drug addiction after drug abuse, there are no specific factors that can conclude if one will enhance compulsive to rugs. Moreover, a blend of determinants influences risk for inclination (Kumar et al., 2019). Changes in the intelligence that support material and emotional reliance on amazing essences are the direct cause of dependence, but those changes do not happen accidentally. As a result, the individual might have a certain factor of influence that becomes dangerous in case of direct contact. For instance, this might be a close person with strictly negative exposure to the cured individual. When it comes to the main differences between drug addiction and other addiction types, it is critical to understand that they have nearly the same symptoms and short-term effects on the brain but significantly differ in the long-term perspective. More specifically, Lindesmith (4) states that “While alcohol is addicting in approximately, the same sense that heroin is, it will also be referred to only incidentally” (2017). Consequently, cannabis is unlike heroin or morphine addiction, and alcohol is not covered by anti-narcotic legislation, but it shares many features with opiate addiction. As a result, drug addiction campaigns might unintentionally be not focused on lowering the rate of addicted people in the US. Instead, the substance-addicted become excluded from society, which creates a distinct class of people that are united by the same situation (Cheron & Kerchove D’Exaerde, 2021). Some theoretical applications also provide evidence that drug addiction is usually supported by overall depression, while in other addiction types, such as alcohol or sexual addiction, individuals activate themselves, which may even have some dangerous consequences (Zou et al., 2017). The whole relocation of recreation affecting the mind so as to produce vivid visions entities from people is the pair impractical and hopeless. There has never in record existed a drug-free association, and it is unlikely that skilled always will be individual. In spite of this reality, law enforcement condemning the unenviable task of completing activity restraining relating to sports drug-use policies that stress frugality. Another important aspect of drug addiction treatment is the correct medication process. In fact, medication might be considered a regular vaccination since it is focused on giving a small dose of the same drug that causes addiction, but in medically calculated amounts so that the body might adapt to the new regime of this drug consumption. For instance, famous psychologist Freud believed that cocaine would manage to help his friend to escape significant addiction to morphine. This attempt was abandoned, and eventually, von Fleischl-Marxov withered from cocaine addiction (Loose, 2018). However, nowadays, most medical professionals in the US are able to correctly calculate the needed dose for a proper medication so that the possibility of receiving the additional drug addiction is extremely low. Finally, when it comes to treatment possibilities, drug addiction curing depends on the type and scope of the patient’s problems and needs. Research signifies that most compulsive things need not completely three months of treatment to stop their dependence on the illegal substance considerably and that best choice consequences accompany longer durations of the situation (NIDA, 2020). Recovery from drug cravings is an unending process and repeatedly requires diversified adventures of cases. As with additional incessant sicknesses, relapses to dependence on illegal substances can occur and concede the possibility signal a need for the situation expected to be reinstated or regulated. In fact, treatment changes consistently on the type of drug and the traits of the subjects (NIDA, 2020). Matching situation backgrounds, interventions, and aids to an individual’s particular questions and needs detracts from welcoming or her best benefit in responding to beneficial functioning ancestral, institution, and society. Recovery Plan Logistics In the case of group consultation, all the patients will pass both general and specialized treatment processes depending on their physical and psychological health conditions. As one of the main psychological remedies, a group would exercise behavioral therapies that would be prescribed during the first consultation. In fact, treatments with a behavioral focus may address a patient’s motivation to change, provide encouragement for abstinence, enhance skills to resist drug abuse, replace drug-using activities with more constructive and rewarding activities, and improve interpersonal relationships (NIDA, 2020). Nevertheless, patients should primarily receive a medical treatment plan. More specifically, they will receive an individualized list of special drugs that would help to cure the addiction effects. Gradually, combined with constant help from consultants, patients will disclose the opportunity for psychologists to cure the addiction from a mental health perspective entirely. Some mental diseases might be interconnected with drug addiction. Consequently, medical professionals should be vigilant with patient interaction dynamics and psychological exposure to the treatment process. Finally, participating in peer support programs during and after treatment can assist in maintaining abstinence. When it comes to the individual consulting process, the patient should have a determined medical professional who has a specialization in drug addiction treatment. Primarily, the patient would attend nearly three general consultations where a medical professional would define the key characteristics of actual addiction (Grenfell & Hart, 2018). After that, a person would certainly follow a prescribed medical course to cure substance addiction physically. Simultaneously, the patient should receive regular medication sessions. More specifically, medications are the main aspect of treatment for many cases, particularly when combined with accompanying advising and different behavioral healings. For example, methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone (containing a new long-acting expression) are effective in meal things addicted to dope or added opioids maintain their lives and reduce their illegal dependence on a banned substance (NIDA, 2020). Acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are drugs approved for curing alcohol abuse. For persons compulsive to nicotine, a nicotine substitute output or oral pill is. Since drug addiction and abuse are considered mental disorders, and they coexist with different mental diseases, many patients who represent multi-disease should be correctly evaluated for the existence of parallel issues. Finally, the patients should be advised at the end of the course, which is the most significant part of the treatment process since it defines its efficiency. During this consultation, the patient will determine their level of health. In case of normalization, the patient will be prescribed regular drugs that would help to maintain the level of independence. The client will also be consulted at the interval of three days. If needed, the gap might be modified in accordance with the patient’s health conditions. Treatment Plan In the case of the basic scenario execution, the drug-addicted patient would pass a 70-day general course of treatment which might be divided into three main stages. The general course contains three main sessions at the beginning of each stage and at least seven supportive sessions that last more than 30 minutes. Firstly, the debut week will be dedicated to actively consulting with the patient and defining the safest and most individualized recovery plan. Secondly, the patient will pass a dynamic 40-day physical and mental treatment process, which includes taking medically prescribed drugs and visiting a professional psychotherapist. After that, the final stage of the treatment would emphasize the development of the patient’s consistent life routine and provide additional consultations with the medical professional, individually attached to the person. In the case of group treatment, patients might experience additional collaboration sessions where all the engaged course members exchange their opinion about the current treatment. These sessions should be added, not interchanged with the general number of sessions. Issues in Treatment There are many possible issues during the treatment course, but there is a necessity to analyze only the most probable and significant of them. Firstly, the patient might not be motivated to quit their addiction. Lack of life objectives or family rejection might be the most significant influencers to continue drug addiction. Secondly, the patient could experience negative external influences, so additional psychological issues might become acute. As it was stated before, drug addiction usually coexists with some psychological issues, so it is critical to timely identify the development of mental issues. For instance, a patient might continue abusive interconnections with their siblings that demotivate the individual’s treatment. In this case, the medical professional should immediately provide determined consultation where the patient would decide to limit the dangerous exposure. Last but not least, the patient might be internally disappointed with the course result, in particular, at the middle stage of the treatment. As a result, the individual consultant should consistently dedicate some time to checking the stability of the patient’s mental and physical health. More specifically, it is highly recommended to have regular meetings nearly four times a day before eating. In this case, the patient would be motivated to describe all the issues in a specific manner so that the medical professional would have a better understanding of the problem. References Cheron, J., & Kerchove D’Exaerde, A. D. (2021). Drug addiction: from bench to bedside. Translational Psychiatry , 11 (1). Web. Grifell, M., & Hart, C. (2018). Is Drug Addiction a Brain Disease? American Scientist , 106 (3), 160. Web. Kumar, A., Dangi, I., & Pawar, D. (2019). Drug addiction: A big challenge for youth and children. International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , 4 (1), 35–40. Web. Lindesmith, A. R. (2017). Addiction and Opiates . Taylor & Francis. Loose, R. (2018). The Subject of Addiction . Taylor & Francis. Liu, J. F., & Li, J. X. (2018). Drug addiction: a curable mental disorder? Acta Pharmacologica Sinica , 39 (12), 1823–1829. Web. NIDA. 2020, June 1. Community reinforcement approach plus vouchers (alcohol, cocaine, opioids). Web. Peacock, A., Leung, J., Larney, S., Colledge, S., Hickman, M., Rehm, J., Giovino, G. A., West, R., Hall, W., Griffiths, P., Ali, R., Gowing, L., Marsden, J., Ferrari, A. J., Grebely, J., Farrell, M., & Degenhardt, L. (2018). Global statistics on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use: 2017 status report. Addiction , 113 (10), 1905–1926. Web. Zou, Z., Wang, H., D’Oleire Uquillas, F., Wang, X., Ding, J., & Chen, H. (2017). Definition of Substance and Non-substance Addiction. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology , 21–41. Web.
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ESSAY: Durations of Vowels: Effect of Stress, Lexical Focus, and Segmental Focus Annotated Bibliography The article in question addresses the correlation between the duration of a vowel and the type of focus or stress. De Jong and Zawaydeh (2002) address this phonetic issue on the basis of the Arabic language, attempting to observe a potential effect of quantity and voicing duration on the vowel duration and describe this influence. The authors refer to the concept of hyperarticulation that is used to describe transformations in speech style condition by an intention to realize stressed material by more intense articulatory activity. Similar effects have been described by them in the English language, which provided a solid foundation for this subsequent investigation into the patterns of Arabic. De Jong and Zawaydeh (2002) equally rely on prior observations, suggesting a speaker’s ability to create specific phonological contrasts through hyperarticulation to attract the listener’s attention to a specific segment. Hence, the article in question elaborates on a phonetic phenomenon that has been at the center of academic research for some time. This piece of research aims to explore the relationship between stress, focus, and segmental contrast, resulting in modified vowel durations. At the same time, De Jong and Zawaydeh (2002) acknowledge the fact that the dynamic characteristics of durational lengthening are not universal. The authors refer to a number of previous studies that confirm this information, elaborating that hyperarticulation is more commonly observed within the final portion of a vowel. Nevertheless, most of these previous pieces of research are centered around the trends of the English language. De Jong and Zawaydeh (2002) note that Arabic is found to possess similar stress characteristics, making it a viable option to verify the central hypothesis. The key research question that is pursued by the authors is whether stress, lexical focus, and segment focus have an observable effect on the quantity and voicing of the speech. The formulation of the research question has determined the selection of the methodology used by the authors. De Jong and Zawaydeh (2002) investigate the phonological phenomenon in question on the basis of a colloquial Arabic dialect. The study utilizes the input of four native Ammani-Jordanian Arabic aged between 17 and 28. The experiment incorporated a two-step design, with unfocused items and lexical focus items followed by a segmental focus. Table 1 of the article describes the target words, reflecting the phonetic similarity between them. More specifically, the authors observed the phonological transformations on the basis of shared phonemes within lexically different language items. Both lexical- and segmental-focus items were recorder with a portable cassette recorder and later analyzed with the use of SoundScope. The findings of the article support the initially advanced hypothesis of the theorized effect of stress, lexical focus, and segmental focus on the durations of vowels. First of all, the findings reveal a 20 ms increase of stressed syllable duration as compared to their unstressed counterparts on average. On the other hand, focus did not yield an observable effect in this regard, not interacting with either quantity or voicing. Second, the effect of quantity was even more considerable with an average of 70 ms of difference between long and short vowels. From one perspective, the article provides accurate research data that relies on prior findings in this regard. The emphasis on Arabic is another strength of this study, as it takes the subject matter into a new direction. The course of research is thoroughly document, which supports the validity of the findings, which, however, are only applicable to the discussed setting. The relatively small sample of four participants does not allow for generalized conclusions regarding the entirety of the dialect. Furthermore, the results may be different in the case of other Arabic dialects, which limits the contribution of the findings to the overall understanding of this language’s patterns. Reference De Jong, K., & Zawaydeh, B. (2002). Comparing stress, lexical focus, and segmental focus: Patterns of variation in Arabic vowel duration. Communications of the ACM, 45 (7), 103–108.
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ESSAY: E-Cloth Online Store’s Project Management Report Introduction The fashion industry is one of the most dynamic sectors around the globe, and the dynamism arises from the diverse needs of the client base. Fashion is a personal statement and a symbol of societal status that also defines a person’s culture and individuality. As a result, clients are always curious about fashionable pieces that serve several factors while maintaining a particular budget. Although many clothes stores stock a variety of fashionable clothes, they do not capture the clients’ personality and individual needs because the designs are premade. Most stores such as Zara and H&M invest significant funds into identifying the unique needs of their clients. However, their reach in identifying these needs is not yet global, and this implies that a significant section of the target market buys what is available. Therefore, bridging the gap between what the clients want from their preferred clothes stores and what the stores are offering is crucial in promoting customer satisfaction. Our project, Be-Unique , intends to solve this problem by leveraging technology to bring the services closer to the clients. The purpose of the project is to provide a highly integrative platform through which customers can digitally access their favorite clothing stores. The platform intends to revolutionize the fashion industry by offering clients an opportunity to present their unique designs for customization. Online clothes from stores such as Zara and H&M are made using standard sizes that may not fit all body sizes within the standard measurements. Our online stores’ mandate is to ensure that clients have easy access to thigh-quality fashionable items that can be customized to fit their unique sizes. Therefore, our mandate will include offering the clients an opportunity to submit their sizes to our platform, whereby their clothes can be tailor-made to fit their unique sizes. Our highly skilled team will be on standby to take clients’ measurements and submit them to the famous clothes stores for customization. Additionally, our project seeks to offer the clientele the option of designing and developing their unique designs from famous luxury clothes stores such as Zara and H&M. As aforementioned, clothes are a statement of personality, culture, and individuality. Therefore, our project will focus on promoting these aspects of fashion by allowing clients to make recommended changes to available designs online. Our project mission, utilizing local potentials in delivering high-quality unique clothes design made to customer preferences by using high quality, reliable efficient online platform interface which ensures high customer satisfaction, privacy, and security, will guide these business operations. The statement of work, a quality plan, the work breakdown structure, the Responsibility Matrix, and the project network diagram will highlight the project’s activities, objectives, quality assurance, and control methods, and work organization involved in completing the project. Project Overview Project name BE UNIQUE ( E-Cloth online store) Creation date Project manager Project sponsor Khalifa fund for enterprise development Project Start and End date Project members Software Engineer and Programmer Finance Manager Local suppliers H&M, Zara Responsible for order fulfillment Project Initiation In this phase of the project we draw the main guideline for our project by identifying clearly our purpose, description and the objectives. Also, as a team we negotiate and decide about several points related to the project such as the project sponsor and fund, estimate the initial cost, project duration which is eight months start from the kickoff meeting, and project milestone schedule. The second part of the initial study cover the following point: * Acceptance Criteria. * Project deliverable. * Success Criteria. * Initial risks. * Assumptions and requirements. * Preliminary roles and responsibilities. Project Purpose or Justification: Fashion has rapidly and widely developed and improved nowadays, where it has affected many peoples’ taste and preferences in terms of the clothes they choose to wear on every occasion. The consumers in the market are looking for the dress as per their few specific requirements which are still untapped by the current market players and mostly, these companies such as Zara and H&M provide readymade garment and clothing solutions to the consumers. Clothes is not only a piece of fabrics to wear rather than it defines a person’s personality and characteristics among the society. Due, to the different tastes and basic fashion awareness perspectives that has developed these days, many people wish to have the chance to express themselves through a piece of clothes that have been designed by them. Thus, Be Unique online store is the platform where these wishes will come true to those customers. Project Description: Our website named Be Unique (E-Clothes), which consist of famous online fashion store designs such as Zara and H&M in addition to the local suppliers where the local suppliers will help in adjusting the selected design and take it to the next level of creativity which will satisfy, customer needs.Theclothes type could be either abaya, dress, traditional clothes, pajamas or etc. for both males and females. Moreover, the website will provide exclusive and different fabrics to satisfy our customers preferences. In addition, it will have a feature of providing services such as sending a specialized person to the customer doorstep to take their correct measurements to design a perfectly fitted dress. The uniqueness in our website is it allows customers to design their own preferable clothes and be able to change the design that they don’t like and add what they want on a dress or change its color or add some piece or remove either on the dress, or abaya or whatever they choose. Project mission: Utilizing local potentials in delivering high quality unique clothes design made to customer preferences by using high quality, reliable efficient online platform interface which ensures high customer satisfaction, privacy and security. Project Objectives: * The project manager goal is to complete the project within 8 months. * The estimation cost will be provided from Khalifa fund for enterprise development since the owner is Emirati national. * Providing easy access to our unique online platform and services (E-clothes), through the designed website for our customers to be able to design their own unique piece of clothes as their satisfied preferences and needs. * Increase the reach ability to customers and achieve bigger marketing through using web portal and social media apps. * Simple, easy, and secure payment option. * High quality services and good website which save time and distance. * Efficiency, easiness and fast ordering and delivery for the customers. * Easy Communication with customers (for example: in case of wrong measurements or returning designed clothes) either via chat box, email, or WhatsApp number. * Gain high profits (with increasing 10% every year) since the low number of competitors in UAE market. * Detailed sales reporting to check the performance of the project and to help in taking action to enhance the effectiveness of it. Project Milestones Schedule Due Date Baseline plan to be submitted to the Sponsor. April 24 Sponsor approval to be received. July 26 First Project Kickoff to be conducted October 30 Website designing stage December 12 Signing contract with local suppliers and partners: Zara & H&M and courier Advertising and website lunching Acceptance Criteria: * Solid and reliable online platform interface which is user friendly and can be operated in different mobile systems. * Build secure website and secure customer access specifically. * Secure Payment through Master card and Visa. * Effective and fast delivery for customers in term of courier selection. * High quality website makes the process and functions which save our customer time. * Create logo and invoice and packaging also interface. * Easy reporting generation for customer orders. * Marketing development plan through website, network and communication services and social media. Project Deliverables Success Criteria Person Approving Deliverable #1: * Completed online E-cloth by the end of the project period. * Appealing website interface, which is easy to use and manage, requiring minimum training. * Project Manager. E-cloth online store * The published website can work on different platforms and operating systems. * Software Engineer – programmer. * Reliable dependable online E-cloth. * Sponsor. * Secure login is working on the website for security requirements. * Fully integration between the website interface and background infrastructure. Deliverable #2: High Performance Database Highly available Database which has the capacity to handle two completed sections. One section for the clothes design and related information such as available colors, fabrics etc. and the other for customer information – Software Engineer – programmer Deliverable #3: Configuration Manuals Receiving detailed project documentation from all the project members even the outsourced members if there are any. This will ease optimization process if required in the future. – Project Manager Deliverable #4: Logo and interface Receiving a copyrighted creative logo, interface, and design for Online E-cloth store. * Project Manager. * Software Engineer. Deliverable #5: Setup marketing plan for the online store in social media including advertisements. High number of customers reached, high sales, and profit. – Project Manager. – Sponsor. Initial Risks: All business has risk and these risks might be related to the demand, business operation regulatory requirements, technologies, etc. the Business faces the risk of low demand, lack of technological advantages in developing a good website, lack of funding for the project. A risk register will be used to monitor the risk and contingency plan would be used to mitigate the risk. Marketing and advertising strategies will be used to increase the demand and create attention for our product to reduce the risk of low demand. Technology consultants will be hired to get advice on the software and technical requirement of a business. Estimated Budget and funding: * Khalifa Fund estimated funds 1,000,000 DHS per project. * Technology: * + Software: Justinmind, SQL server, Microsoft tools = 100,000 ADE. + Hardware: Computers, Network, Server = 250,000 DHS. * Manpower= 170000 DHS. * Courier Contract=240,000 DHS (Annually). * Local Supplies and partners will be taking a percentage from the profit as agreed in the contract. Preliminary Roles and Responsibilities: * Sponsors (Khalifa Fund): to provide the required Funding. * Supplier (local suppliers, Zara and H&M): to provide the cloth designs and re-designing services. * Project Manager : to be in charge of the whole project. * Software Engineer and programmer: to provide the necessary software requirements and the overall detailed software entities interactions and to do the programing tasks and the configuration. * Finance personnel: to take care of the financing work and book keeping. Assumptions: 1. Estimated increase of the profit will get as a 10% percentage at least from selling re-designed E-cloth after second year of lunching the website. 2. Customer will prefer to re-design the presented collection from partner such as Zara and H&M to suits their needs more than buying a ready-made design. 3. Customer will prefer Cash on Delivery option which most of competitors doesn’t offer. Requirements: 1. Secure registration and easy profile management. 2. Easy E-cloth designing, purchasing and delivery. 3. Secured Payment gateway. 4. Ability to control customer actions. Project Planning Statement of Work (SOW) Defining the work details, the scope of the project, schedules, deliverables, terms and conditions, and the expected outcomes is crucial in ensuring that the team achieves all project objectives. E. shall be developing the online digital platform through which Zara and H&M clothing stores can supply their designs and offer re-designing services. Therefore, the contract will cover the agreement between these two entities, and it will ensure that each partner complies with their end of the bargain. Another contract will cover the agreement between Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and E., who is the software and hardware developer. Khalifa Fund will provide the necessary financial resources to manage the project, and requires that the software/hardware provider complies with the terms and conditions. Other parties that will be involved in the project include the project manager and finance personnel, who will work in liaison with the project sponsor. The Purpose and Objective of the Project The primary aim of the project is to develop a platform that allows potential customers to interactively engage with established clothes stores like Zara and H&M. The interaction will offer customers an opportunity to purchase clothes from the online stores, while also enabling them to request custom-made outfits. Implementing this project will enable the clients to order custom-made fashionable clothes that define their personality and character, in contrast to the ready-made clothes that do not offer the uniqueness of individuality. The website, Be-Unique, will facilitate the interaction between the luxury clothing stores and our clients. Therefore, our objective is to also enhance client satisfaction through enhance service delivery. Project Scope and Deliverables The project team will take a variety of actions, processes, and steps to achieve the above objectives. The scope of work defines these steps and processes, and how the team will utilize each step to achieve the acceptable project outcome. The initial step will involve drafting contractual agreements with the partners, Zara and H&M companies. The contracts will comprehensively cover each party’s responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The table below represents the project’s overall scope: Tasks and Responsibilities Responsible Person/Body Expected Milestone Deliverables Receive propositions for purchasing the required hardware Project manager Purchasing the relevant hardware and other peripheral equipment Meet software vendors and developers Project manager Select the most suitable vendor/software developer Request funding for the project Project manager Receive funding for the project from the sponsor Designing and developing the modules of the platform Software developer/vendor A safe and reliable online platform that works on all mobile platforms Logo and interface Testing the different modules for errors and bugs Software developer An error-free and bug-free online platform E-clothes online store Deploying the interface Software developer/vendor and project manager Integrated primary source code that can perform the expected operations High-performance database Configuration manuals Training Software developer and project manager Highly qualified team of staff members Training manuals Maintenance Software developer Frequently updated software Marketing plan for the online store Requirements and Tasks: Main Customer Requirements Developing the Be-Unique website will involve a multitude of tasks and requirements from all stakeholders. The software development team will perform the bulk of the activities required to create and implement the website. Collaboration between all stakeholders will play a critical role in ensuring that the whole project is a success. A System Development Lifecycle Cycle, SDLC, will provide a guideline for tasks and requirements assessment. According to Brewer and Dittman (2018), the SDLC is a comprehensive logical model that outlines the procedures, processes, and policies that the project team should follow when developing or altering a system. SDLC framework has seven distinct phases, under which a variety of tasks and activities take place. The table below shows the requirements and processes for the different development steps of the project: Phase Tasks Requirements * Identifying the system that the team will develop (Be-Unique website). * Problem definition. * Scope evaluation. * Assessing project feasibility. Planning * Definition of the objectives. Meeting between all stakeholders, including the project team, sponsor, and owner of the project * Highlight the required resources. * Outline the project schedule. * Provide a proposed budget for the whole project. * Propose possible funding sources. * Gathering insights from the potential users. * Prototype definition. * Outline system requirements. Analysis * Critical evaluation of other alternatives. Collaboration between the software developer, hardware provider, and project team leader * End-user needs. * Software/hardware requirements. * Network requirements. * Identify the most feasible user interface. Design * Prototype a system interface. Funds and other resources from the sponsor and collaboration between team members * Identify network requirements. * Database prototype for the most ideal database. * Writing source code. * Developing the admin menu. Development * Building a taxonomy. Funding and expertise * Creating contacts form module. * Developing other modules such as social media module, themes, location, and notification and messaging modules for the website. * Compiling the application. * Testing the programs for bugs and defects. * Tracking the bugs and defects. Testing * Fixing defects. Funds and expertise * Retesting the system for remnant bugs. * Evaluating the overall system to ensure it meets the quality standards. * Integrating the different modules. Implementation * Deploying the system into the working environment. Expertise, funds, compatible hardware * Training the users. Maintenance * Continued evaluation of the system. Software expertise * Regular updates for security and efficiency. Project scope millstones The time frame and budget outline the finances and time that the project team will require to complete the project. The table below highlights the budgetary requirements and time frame for the whole project: Task/time schedule (in months) 29/6/21 20/7/21 25/7/21 25/8/21 01/11/21 16/02/22 Completion of the project proposal and submission to the sponsor Sponsor approval First project kickoff Website design Contract signing with local suppliers and partners Project delivery Cost estimate Requirements Budget Technology: Hardware 250,000 DHS Software 100,000 ADE Human resource 170,000 DHS Courier contract 240,000 annually Local Suppliers and partners (as agreed in the contract) Total Khalifa Fund 1,000,000 DHS Quality Plan A project quality plan is a tool that the project team uses to promote quality assurance, and it outlines a set of systematic actions that the team must undertake to ascertain the integrity of the system and the standard of the final product (Laporte & April, 2018). The plan also highlights the activities, processes, and tools that the project management team and other stakeholders require to attain a high-quality final product. The quality plan falls under the maintenance phase of project development, which involves various actions and processes to maintain an error and defect-free system. The quality plan is also critical in maintaining the system’s overall security. E-Clothes store is an online platform that seeks to bridge the gap between luxury clothes stores like Zara and H&M, and the customers in our country. Although the stores have a client base here, our online store will provide a more personalized platform where the clients can place requests for customized outfits. Previously, clients could place their orders directly from Zara and H&M’s online stores. However, the websites did not offer the clients an opportunity to purchase customized clothes. The client base in our country recognizes fashion as a social symbol, hence the need for customized pieces. Therefore, our platform will enable such clients to customize clothes and have access to cultural and traditional attires like the abaya dress. Maintaining the integrity of the online clothes store is crucial to the clients and our partners. The quality plan will play an important role in ensuring that the website’s quality aligns with the stakeholders’ requirements, in addition to reducing the risk of non-compliance and security threats. The online store will be operational in our country and work in collaboration with stores from other countries. The labor laws, business practices, and business permits and compliance measures differ in these countries. The quality plan will outline all effective procedures necessary for quality planning, compliance, and reducing risk threats. Therefore, the plan will include quality assurance and control methods, quality standards, quality codes, and essential tests. Quality Assurance and Control Methods Quality assurance and control methods play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and integrity of a project. Laporte and April (2018) define quality assurance as a process of ensuring that the project processes efficiently utilize the available resources to generate the expected outcomes. Optimizing the resources, including human resources, time, and finances promote efficiency and reduce the risk of waste and losses. Laporte and April (2018) acknowledge that human is to err and recommend using various quality assurance methods to promote the projects’ integrity. Quality assurance focuses on the whole system, rather than separate the project’s sections like the source code. Securing the source code only would not be sufficient assurance of the project’s quality. Therefore, the team will implement an integrated quality assurance strategy. Quality planning also involves implementing quality control measures to enhance the integrity of the system. Quality control involves regular inspection, testing, and frequent measures against the quality standards to ascertain that the product meets the quality standards and the client’s needs (Ibarra & Muñoz, 2018). The primary role of quality control is to prevent internal and external problems that may interfere with the efficiency of service delivery. Quality assurance and control are essential to E-Clothes online store because they will earn the partners’ and clients’ trust. Therefore, the quality plan will be an integrated document that specifies the standards, practices, resources, and activities associated with the E-Clothes store. Developing the plan will involve several crucial steps that guarantee comprehensive coverage of the whole system in quality assurance. The first step will involve identifying various problem areas that may compromise the quality of the system (Ibarra & Muñoz, 2018). Areas of focus will include the processes the software developer used to develop the source code, overall project objectives, responsibilities and duties, procedures, and areas of testing such as the source code. The next step will involve identifying the measurement indicators or key indicators. The indicators will provide the baseline on which the project team can compare quality assurance and control measures after testing. The indicators will also help the project manager to determine whether the quality control measures achieve their intended purpose. Comparing the system’s quality before and after implementing the quality assurance and control measures will be the next step in the quality plan. The comparison will demonstrate whether the quality control and assurance measures effectively address the identified problem areas (Ibarra & Muñoz, 2018). Assessment analysis will be the last quality assurance and control process, and it will aim at measuring the outcomes of the quality measures. It is important to note that quality assurance and control is an iterative and continuous process. The table below is a representation of the E-Clothes store’s quality plan components: Project Process Quality Assurance Standard Included Inputs Responsible Objective : Ascertain user requirements are met Acceptance testing User requirements Per Test management plan User feedback * project manager; Self-explanatory testing procedures Testing standards and IT procedures * software engineer and programmer. Definition of test review procedures Well-defined test tracking procedures Objective : validate quality performance and system security Performance testing System specifications Per Test management plan Testing standards and IT procedures * project manager; Well-defined test procedures and review process * software engineer and programmer. Align stakeholder expectations Objective : validate performance testing Align user requirements with hardware specifications Hardware specification Per Test management plan List of qualified suppliers * project manager; Well-defined hardware specification ISO/IEC 29136:2012 * software engineer and programmer. Self-explanatory test procedures Clear test-tracking guidelines Objective : Validate performance testing Align user specification with code performance Source code quality and integrity Per Test management plan ISO/IEC 9126 * project manager; Well-defined software specification ISO/IEC 25000:2005 * software engineer and programmer. Self-explanatory test procedures Clear test-tracking guidelines Objective: identify system weaknesses Per Test management plan ISO /IEC/IEEE 29119 * project manager; Threats and risks Well-defined software specification Other international standards for testing software for bugs and defects * software engineer and programmer. Self-explanatory test procedures Clear test-tracking guidelines Quality Assurance and Control Methods that Will Be Used in the Project There are various quality assurance and control methods available to the project management team. The suitability of each method largely depends on the user requirements, the complexity of the system, and the comprehensibility of the system outcomes. Involving a quality assurance team is the first step towards conducting a proper system analysis. E-Clothes online store will utilize the Plan-Do-Check-Act method of quality assurance and control. The method will cover various areas of quality check, including product review, user training, compliance with standards, the strength of the source code, the efficiency of the administration, and processes. The Plan-Do-Check-Act method comprises four distinct steps that enable project managers to identify weaknesses and areas of improvement within the project. The first step, plan, involves a comprehensive analysis of the project’s objectives, professional standards, customer and stakeholder expectations, performance measures, and quality processes (McGrath & Loper, 2018). This step takes place during the planning, analysis, and design phases, which helps the project manager to align the objectives with the final product. The second step, Do, involves aligning all processes, procedures, and activities with the approved standard operating procedures. The step also ensures that the project does not violate any laws and that all procedures and processes comply with the existing laws. For example, there are federal laws that govern e-commerce, online transactions, and cyber activity in the UAE. Quality assurance technique will ensure that our project does not violate Federal law No.1 on e-commerce and online transactions, and decree federal law on cybercrime. On the other hand, quality control will conduct regular checks and frequent updates on the system to reinforce security against cyber threats and enhance the quality of the system. Systems that involve online financial transactions are particularly the target of cybercriminals who conduct cyber fraud. Therefore, the aim of the quality assurance and control team under the Plan-Do-Check-Act method will be to identify weak areas that may predispose the system to such threats. The third phase, check, will involve performing technical reviews, verifications, and management oversights and comparing them to the project management standard operating measures (McGrath & Loper, 2018). This phase also involves checking whether the client’s quality objectives align with the project’s processes and procedures. The project management team conducts this phase during the project execution and maintenance phases of the SDLC. The final step in the quality assurance and control method that the project team will use is Act, which involves instituting corrective measures against performance measures that surpass performance thresholds. This step relies on the outcomes of the first three phases to institute the corrective measures (McGrath & Loper, 2018). Deficiencies, non-performance, noncompliance, defects, and other errors are corrected at this stage. Project managers institute this process at the testing, execution, and maintenance phases of the SDLC. The Plan-Do-Check-Act quality assurance and control method will be useful to the E-Clothes project as it will help the management team to maintain the quality of the system. Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) Collaboration between different organizations, agencies, and people plays a crucial role in successful project completion. The E-Clothes project will engage various providers, including vendors, a sponsor, the software developer, finance personnel, and the project manager. A successful partnership between the team members will promote the successful completion of the project by averting wastage of time and resources. The cooperation will also be essential in establishing responsibilities and accountability between the key players. A responsibility assignment matrix, RAM, is a diagrammatical representation of the relationship and participation between the different key players in a project. Project managers utilize RAM to clarify team members’ roles and responsibilities throughout all project development stages. The matrix is important in distinguishing responsibilities from accountability during project development. WBS Item Work Item Khalifa Fund Local suppliers H&M, Zara (project manager (Software Engineer) (Finance Manager) 1 Planning S P P P S 1.1 Problem definition S P P P S 12. Project process diagrams S P P P S 1.3 Systems requirements S P P P S 1.4 Project schedule P S P P P 1.5 Project scope S S P P S 1.6 Project plan S S P P S 1.7 Timeline P S P P P 1.8 Risks and constraints S S P P S 1.9 Work breakdown structure S S P P S 1.10 Risk analysis S S P P S 1.11 Quality plan S S P P S 2.0 Analysis 2.1 Business requirements report S P P P P 2.2 Systems requirement report S S P P S 2.3 Logical systems design plan P S P P P 2.4 Project charter S S P P S 2.5 Project strategy documentation S S P P P 2.6 Configuration manuals S S P P S 3.0 Design 3.1 Interface prototype S P P P S 3.2 Logo prototype S S P P S 3.3 Design documentation S S P P S 3.4 Initial contractual agreements S P P P S 3.5 Budget approval P S S S P 3.6 Quality assurance charter that includes risk assessment and quality assurance S S P P S 4.0 Testing 4.1 Testing strategy P P P 4.2 4.3 Quality assurance plan P P 4.4 Test Estimation S P P S 4.5 Quality control strategies P P 4.6 Risk assessment S P P 4.7 Test plan S P P 4.8 Use case scenarios P P P 4.9 Test scenarios P P P 4.10 Incident documentation P P 4.11 Recommendations P P 4.12 Test Closure P P 5.0 Implementation 5.1 Handing over P P P P P 5.2 Test performance S P P P S 5.3 User training S P P P S 6.0 Maintenance 6.1 Frequent risk and quality assessment P P P S Note: * P: primary Responsibility. * S: Supporting Responsibility. Work Breakdown Structure Effective project management relies on important tools such as the work breakdown structure, WBS. WBS is a product-oriented tool that consists of various work elements that define the project scope (Burghate, 2018). The multi-level graphical representation of the project activities, processes, procedures enables project managers to easily identify project priorities and relationships. The logical diagram is made up of descending levels of project components that transcend the previous activities. All activities in the WBS are scheduled, budgeted, and estimated, and should contain the scope, schedule, and cost (Burghate, 2018). E-Clothes WBS consists of the primary outcome or deliverable, which is the complete online clothing store. The project management team will achieve the final product by breaking down activities into five broad categories – planning, analysis, design, execution, and maintenance. The categories will be further broken down into individual tasks as outlined in the WBS table. Each task will be completed within its schedule as highlighted in the Gantt chart, with the activities following each other consecutively. Completion of one task will be followed by the immediate initiation of another, which will help the project manager to complete the project within the given schedule. The diagram below represents the WBS for E-Clothes online store. Key Task No. Task/Activity/ Immediate Processors 1 Problem identification 2 Planning 3 Identify business and system requirements 2 4 Propose a project schedule, timeline, scope, and budget 3 5 Develop a work breakdown structure for the whole project 3 6 Submit the proposal to the sponsor 3 7 Receive sponsor approval 2,3,4,5,6 8 Analysis 5 9 Develop a business requirements report 7,8 10 Submit business requirement report to the sponsor and await approval 9 11 Develop the logical systems design plan 10 12 Create a project charter 11 13 Approval for the go-ahead to the next phase 6,7,11,12 14 Create configuration manuals 14 15 Design 16 Budgetary approvals 4 17 Develop system prototype 14,15,16 18 Design system specification prototypes 17 19 Develop quality assurance and control charter 18 20 Produce design documentation 19 21 Testing 22 Define a suitable test strategy 21 23 Identify areas for testing 22 24 Outline a testing plan 21,22,23 25 Develop test scenarios and use cases 24 26 Incident documentation 25 27 Recommendations 22 28 Implementation 29 Project handover to owner/users 26 30 Integrate high-level database 28 31 Implement logo and interface 26 32 Publish the E-Clothes online store platform 29,31 33 User training 30 34 Conduct tests to ascertain the quality and integrity of the system 32,33 35 Maintenance 36 Quality control 34 37 Quality assurance tests 34,35 38 Hosting and publishing E-Clothes 36 39 Maintenance 37 40 Implementing marketing strategies 41,42 Project Network Justifying the time schedule and budgetary requirements is important in providing a rationale for the project. Sponsors want to invest in projects that make sense in terms of financial investment and time. A project diagram provides a rationale for the financial and time investment in a project. The network is a logical representation of the order in which the project team must complete all activities. The diagram highlights the project activities, time schedule, and relationships between the different tasks. The team must conduct these activities sequentially, and this order ensures that the project management team does not overlook or omit any activity or task. The network structure also helps the project manager to clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities. E-Clothes online store project will involve various tasks, activities, and processes that will be performed sequentially. The network diagram below will identify the primary and secondary tasks and activities that will be involved during the development of the E-Clothes store project. The table shows the actual tasks that the team will complete at each phase and the final product that the project owner will receive. MS Project Project Schedule Updated Network diagram with duration Three Tasks from the Network and Explanation of the Estimated Duration. Task/Activity No. Task /Activity Estimated Duration (indays) How duration is estimated /Details * This is the starting point in change project management. It outlines the deficiencies that the project will address. 2 Problem definition 7 * The phase requires active participation of the stakeholders in the organization to ensure that the user requirements in the Be-Unique integrative platform are well defined. * The project manager will conduct observations, meetings, and document analysis to establish the gaps that should be filled in the new online platform. * It is estimated that seven days will be sufficient to perform the activity. * The project plan outlines the objectives, scope, resource allocation plan, schedule, risk management plan, and monitoring and evaluation criteria. It guides the execution and control stages to achieve goals. 7 Project plan 7 * The activity will take place after the problem definition, process diagram mapping, definition of the system’s requirements, schedule, and scope phases are complete. * This implies that the activity will entail consolidating the previously performed activities and a seven days’ timeline is sufficient. * The project charter is a brief outline of the entire project plan that identifies the objectives, stakeholders, activities, resource plan, and risk management plan. 17 Project charter 7 * It is useful for informing the project’s sponsors of the project’s purpose to obtain authorizations to spend resources. * It is also a planning document that will serve throughout the project’s execution. * The activity will take seven days since the project plan had been developed in activity 7. Time analysis of the network: ES, EF, LS, LF, Total project duration, project slack, and critical path Task ID Task Name Start Predecessors Total Slack Early Start 1 Planning Mon 19-04-21 123 days Mon 19-04-21 2 Problem definition Mon 19-04-21 0 days Mon 19-04-21 3 Project process diagrams Wed 28-04-21 2 0 days Wed 28-04-21 4 Systems requirements Tue 04-05-21 3 0 days Tue 04-05-21 5 Project schedule Tue 04-05-21 3 5 days Tue 04-05-21 6 Project scope Tue 04-05-21 3 5 days Tue 04-05-21 7 Project plan Thu 13-05-21 2,3,4,5,6 0 days Thu 13-05-21 8 Timeline Thu 06-05-21 5 9 days Thu 06-05-21 9 Risks and constraints Mon 24-05-21 7,8 0 days Mon 24-05-21 10 Work breakdown structure Thu 27-05-21 9 0 days Thu 27-05-21 11 Risk analysis Tue 01-06-21 10 0 days Tue 01-06-21 12 Quality plan Fri 04-06-21 11 0 days Fri 04-06-21 13 Analysis Thu 13-05-21 104 days? Thu 13-05-21 14 Business requirements report Thu 10-06-21 6,7,11,12 0 days Thu 10-06-21 15 Systems requirement report Tue 15-06-21 14 0 days Tue 15-06-21 16 Logical systems design plan Thu 13-05-21 4 21 days Thu 13-05-21 17 Project charter Fri 18-06-21 14,15,16 0 days Fri 18-06-21 18 Project strategy documentation Tue 29-06-21 17 0 days Tue 29-06-21 19 Configuration manuals Fri 02-07-21 18 0 days Fri 02-07-21 20 Design Wed 07-07-21 86 days Wed 07-07-21 21 Interface prototype Wed 07-07-21 19 0 days Wed 07-07-21 22 Logo prototype Mon 12-07-21 21 0 days Mon 12-07-21 23 Design documentation Thu 15-07-21 22 0 days Thu 15-07-21 24 Initial contractual agreements Mon 19-07-21 21,22,23 0 days Mon 19-07-21 25 Budget approval Wed 21-07-21 24 0 days Wed 21-07-21 26 Quality assurance charter that includes risk assessment and quality assurance Thu 22-07-21 25 0 days Thu 22-07-21 27 Testing Tue 20-07-21 57 days Tue 20-07-21 28 Testing strategy Thu 15-07-21 22 14 days Thu 15-07-21 29 Quality assurance plan Mon 02-08-21 26 0 days Mon 02-08-21 30 Test Estimation Tue 20-07-21 28 14 days Tue 20-07-21 31 Quality control strategies Mon 02-08-21 26 2 days Mon 02-08-21 32 Risk assessment Mon 09-08-21 29,31 0 days Mon 09-08-21 33 Test plan Fri 23-07-21 30 14 days Fri 23-07-21 24 Use case scenarios Mon 16-08-21 32,33 0 days Mon 16-08-21 35 Test scenarios Mon 23-08-21 34 0 days Mon 23-08-21 36 Incident documentation Mon 30-08-21 34,35 0 days Mon 30-08-21 37 Recommendations Mon 06-09-21 36 0 days Mon 06-09-21 38 Test Closure Thu 09-09-21 37 0 days Thu 09-09-21 39 Implementation Thu 18-11-21 7 days? Thu 18-11-21 40 Handing over Thu 18-11-21 41,42 0 days Thu 18-11-21 41 Test performance Fri 10-09-21 38 0 days Fri 10-09-21 42 User training Thu 30-09-21 41 0 days Thu 30-09-21 43 Maintenance Fri 19-11-21 0 days? Fri 19-11-21 44 Frequent risk and quality assessment Fri 19-11-21 36,40 0 days Fri 19-11-21 Discussion The orange shaded activities are the critical activities. The project’s slack days. Against a period of 232 days, the project requires 48 days savings to be completed on time. Project Budget Task Name Remaining Cost 1 Planning 2 Problem definition د.إ.‏ 56,000.00 3 Project process diagrams د.إ.‏ 32,000.00 4 Systems requirements د.إ.‏ 56,000.00 5 Project schedule د.إ.‏ 16,000.00 6 Project scope د.إ.‏ 16,000.00 7 Project plan د.إ.‏ 56,000.00 8 Timeline د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 9 Risks and constraints د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 10 Work breakdown structure د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 11 Risk analysis د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 12 Quality plan د.إ.‏ 32,000.00 13 Analysis 14 Business requirements report د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 15 Systems requirement report د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 16 Logical systems design plan د.إ.‏ 61,000.00 17 Project charter د.إ.‏ 56,000.00 18 Project strategy documentation د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 19 Configuration manuals د.إ.‏ 45,000.00 20 Design 21 Interface prototype د.إ.‏ 45,000.00 22 Logo prototype د.إ.‏ 45,000.00 23 Design documentation د.إ.‏ 16,000.00 24 Initial contractual agreements د.إ.‏ 16,000.00 25 Budget approval د.إ.‏ 8,000.00 26 Quality assurance charter that includes risk assessment and quality assurance د.إ.‏ 56,000.00 27 Testing 28 Testing strategy د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 29 Quality assurance plan د.إ.‏ 40,000.00 30 Test Estimation د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 31 Quality control strategies د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 32 Risk assessment د.إ.‏ 40,000.00 33 Test plan د.إ.‏ 16,000.00 34 Use case scenarios د.إ.‏ 61,000.00 35 Test scenarios د.إ.‏ 61,000.00 36 Incident documentation د.إ.‏ 40,000.00 37 Recommendations د.إ.‏ 24,000.00 38 Test Closure د.إ.‏ 29,000.00 39 Implementation 40 Handing over د.إ.‏ 29,000.00 41 Test performance د.إ.‏ 133,000.00 42 User training د.إ.‏ 301,000.00 43 Maintenance 44 Frequent risk and quality assessment د.إ.‏ 77,000.00 Notes If the project costs exceed the initial budget, it is necessary that the project manager take a number of steps. First, the project manager can reassign resources to a lower cost resource. Secondly, the manager should consider reducing the project scope to focus on a less expansive choice. Another alternative that the project manager can take is to seek more funding to meet the extra cost that is beyond the initial budget. MS Project The projected cost of the project is 1,740,000 AED. Cost Estimate-Explanation Task/Activity No. Task /Activity Estimated Cost How Cost is Estimated /Details * The interface prototype requires the input of system designers and a, of the shelf software. 21 Interface prototype 45,000.00 AED * The projected labour costs are 24,000 AED. The activity is estimated to last three days. Therefore, one employee working eight hours a day at an hourly wage rate of 1,000 AED will be paid 24,000 AED. * The estimated cost of the software is 20,000 AED. A per use cost of equipment depreciation, office rent, utilities, and other indirect cost are appropriated to the activity at the rate of 1000 AED. * This gives a total of 45,000 AED for the activity. * This is the defect prevention mechanism to ensure that the quality requirements are met. 29 Quality Assurance Plan 40,000.00 AED * A quality assurance expert will be employed to develop standards, checklists, quality audit procedures, and quality documentation. * The task is projected to last five days working eight hour a day. The expert will be paid 1000 AED per hour for the five days. * No overtime costs are projected, implying that the cost of the activity is 40,000 AED. * Risk management is concerned with identifying risks and taking actions to reduce their occurrence or impact. 36 Risk Assesment 40,000.00 AED * The project manager will collaborate with the risk department employees to identify the hazards, their impact, and risk management plans. * The task is projected to last five days working four hours a day. The project manager will be paid 1,000 AED per hour for the five days amounting to 20,000 AED. Two risk management staff will be paid 500 AED per hour for the five days amounting to 20,000 AED. This gives a total of 40,000 AED. * No overtime costs are projected for the activity. Cost Analysis of the Network, cost reduction and monitor cost plan Project risks matrix Sq. Risk Impact LMH Degree of impact Action trigger Responsibility Response plan cost 1 Exit of team members Push back schedule H H Complain from members Find an alternative team member 6,000 AED 2 Loss of data from DB Immediate impact on the project M H Abnormal warnings Establish backup 12,000 Regular checks 3 Cyber attacks Loss of data M H Abnormal warnings and traffic Additional ant-malware systems 12,000 4 Poor customer acceptance Low sales volume M H Negative customer responses User-friendly system Develop customer relations 1. Loss of suppliers Poor supply system L H Bad business report Develop effective business relationship approaches 6 Poor access to the site Some customers cannot access the website L M Failure to work during testing Apply compatible platform technologies Project performance and monitoring (execution) Once the project is running, the project manager will assume control, review, and report every stage, delivery, cost, change, issue, risk, progress, and other aspects of the report. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the project manager to maintain the cost, date, and time of the project. In addition, the project manager will be responsible for considering the appropriate actions for correcting issues, risks, and errors in the system. The project manager is fully responsible for the problems and issues facing or likely to face the project. Therefore, the project manager has a number of actions to take. 1. Develop strict time schedule. 2. Develop key performance indicator measurement. 3. Establish strict project inspection. 4. Monitor project deliverables and objectives. 5. Keep a track of overall project budget cost at all times’. 6. Check for quality assurance at all times. Project closure After completion of all the preceding steps, the final step is to formally close the project and report the progress and success to the sponsor. The process will involve handing over the deliverables, arranging supplier contracts, passing the project documentations to the owner, releasing the workers and equipment, and formally informing the stakeholders. Then, a post implementation review shall be conducted to determine the success of the project and identify the key takeaways. The following activities will be accomplished in the project closure phase: 1. Establish closing procedures. 2. Obtain feedback from all the stakeholders. 3. Accomplish all administrative activities. 4. Settle the financial liabilities and concerns. 5. Complete the contract closures. 6. Complete scope requirement verifications. 7. Obtain formal acceptance from the key stakeholders. 8. Write and submit the final performance report. 9. Archive all documents for the project. 10. Document the key takeaways from the project. 11. Final handover. 12. Release the resources. Conclusion (Project lesson Learned) The following table provides a list of the key takeaways from the project Lesson Importance Leadership skills Leadership skills are necessary to complete projects with success. Communication, in particular, was a very crucial tool in this case. Conflict resolution was also an important tool Communication skills The entire team relied heavily on communication, without which it was impossible to make progress Planning skills Without a plan for time, budget, activities, workforce, and communication, it is impossible to achieve the project objectives Negotiation skills Because a project involves various parties of stakeholders, each wants to achieve some goal or gain. But there must be negotiations to agree on certain aspects Risk management skills Any project faces a number of risks that can cause its failure or inability to achieve the objectives. Risk management involves identifying any possible factor likely to affect the project and developing strategies to mitigate or alleviate these factors. Reference Brewer, J. L., & Dittman, K. C. (2018). Methods of IT project management . Purdue University Press. Burghate, M. (2018). Work breakdown structure: Simplifying project management. International Journal of Commerce and Management , 3 (2), 453-461. Ibarra, S., & Muñoz, M. (2018). Support tool for software quality assurance in software development. In 2018 7th International Conference On Software Process Improvement (CIMPS) (pp. 13-19). IEEE. Laporte, C. Y., & April, A. (2018). Software quality assurance . John Wiley & Sons. McGrath, E., & Loper, K. (2018). Quality Management. In Establishing a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit (pp. 219-230). Springer, Cha.
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ESSAY: Eat Lancet Recommendations for Healthy Nutrition Essay Eat Lancet recommendations are developed to integrate healthy eating habits with the practices that minimize the harm to the planet Earth resulting from some foods’ manufacturing or farming approaches. The goal is to ensure that the biodiversity of the planet is preserved while people continue to eat delicious and healthy foods. This paper will examine Lancet’s EAT recommendations, compare this diet to personal eating habits, and discuss whether modifications can be made. My current diet is different from the EAT recommendations provided by Lancet. Firstly, my diet mostly consists of prepackaged or takeout foods, although I add fruits to my daily food intake. However, I do not consume a lot of vegetables, nuts, and legumes, as recommended in the EAT article. Also, EAT recommendations emphasize the need to limit the consumption of red meat and dairy products, which I typically consume as well (“EAT-Lancet Commission Brief for Everyone”). I am accustomed to having dairy products, especially milk and yogurt, on a daily, and based on the EAT recommendations, and I should limit this consumption to smaller portions. It would be difficult to modify my diet to match the EAT-Lancet recommendations. Mainly, this is because I would need to change my eating habits, meaning I would need to get used to eating and shopping for foods that are different from what I consume daily. Additionally, with the EAT diet, many of the products need to be cooked or prepared; for example, vegetables taste better if they are in a salad, which would require more time for preparation. Currently, I do not have much free time to dedicate to preparing food, which creates a challenge for me if I want a balanced and environmentally friendly diet. However, I could shop for vegetables that are already slides or buy salads and healthier foods from the places I already order from or shop at, which would make it easier to integrate these products into my diet. One aspect that I can easily modify is my shopping habits since I often tend to buy too many fresh products that I do not eat before they perish, and thus I have to throw these away. According to Lancet, with food, “the amounts wasted or lost have major impacts on human health and environmental sustainability.” Hence, I need to pay more attention to the way I shop for fresh produce to minimize waste, which I can achieve by shopping more often but buying less produce to ensure that perishable items are eaten in time. Moreover, this article emphasizes the impact of food on one’s health, especially due to the increasing cases of obesity in developed states. In parallel to this, many people, and children, in particular, experience acute hunger on a daily basis (Lancet). This terrific contrast prompts me to change my eating habits and ensure that I only buy the foods I can consume to ensure that there is no waste and harm to the environment. In general, this article has prompted me to rethink my eating habits and my approach to food consumption and to make small modifications that will be helpful both for my health and for the well-being of the environment. In summary, my current diet is very different from the recommendations provided by Lancet, and there are several challenges linked to modifying it to suit these recommendations. Work Cited “EAT-Lancet Commission Brief for Everyone.” EatForum, Web.
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ESSAY: Eating Habits and Environmental Worldviews Essay Introduction With the contemporary global concerns about sustainable development, the issues of food waste and environmental protection have become more visible and better tackled. With prevalent problems of insufficient nutrition and food insecurity due to the disruption of conventional food consumption traditions, sustainable eating is threatened (Huambachano, 2019). Indeed, human eating habits and the overall culture of food consumption are subject to analysis to identify patterns that might yield an impact (positive or negative) on the environment from both short- and long-term perspectives. Daily practices of consuming food, cooking, grocery shopping, and managing leftovers and waste comprise the whole behavior of individuals in relation to food. They are commonly associated with the environmental worldview that prevails in a person’s overall outlook. Thus, it is relevant to revise and alter the environmental worldview to revise harmful or unsustainable eating habits by engaging in spiritual practices for better sustainable outcomes. This paper presents a reflective analysis of the author’s eating habit-informed environmental worldview, the health of their connection with nature, and probable spiritual practices to improve sustainable food consumption. Environmental Worldview Analysis The analysis of one’s environmental worldview should be based on the observation of practices and behaviors rather than assessed theoretically. In such a manner, the identification of a particular paradigm is more objective and realistic. For that matter, the basis for this analysis is the record of a seven-day eating habit journal that I have completed for the purposes of this project. The information recorder in the food habit spreadsheet allows for categorizing my environmental worldview as stewardship. This conclusion is validated by the limited waste I produce after each meal, which helps protect the environment from pollution and eliminates the threat of overproduction in the long-term perspective within food systems. Indeed, most days, I did not produce any waste, while on other days, no edible food was thrown away apart from some fries. Moreover, the stewardship environmental worldview entails caring for the planet by managing the consumption of resources. In this regard, my combining of occasional home-cooked meals with ordered food contributes to the balanced consumption of food. In order to conduct a proper analysis of the environmental worldview based on my food consumption patterns, it is relevant to review my attitude from three core perspectives, namely philosophy, religion, and ethics. Within the philosophical continuum, my records of eating habits indicate that I am more inclined to materialistic philosophy. In particular, the review of the food habit worksheet demonstrates that the majority of my meals are taken when I am alone, with occasionally shared dinners with my family. Moreover, I often order food from fast-food restaurants to obtain food quickly and to my liking without putting in much effort. I do not spend too much money on meals, which validates my materialistic motivation toward food consumption. When tackled from the point of view of religion, my eating habits indicate my alignment with pantheism, which implies the unity of the world and God. As evidenced by my food consumption patterns and the activities associated with them, I do not differentiate between the external world and God. I do not actively apply religious consideration to the validation of my food habits. However, when eating, I perceive this time-spending as a spiritual practice of connecting my body with the world. From the perspective of ethics, I most closely relate to anthropocentrism. I limit my worries about buying groceries and cooking food or selecting food that is guaranteed to be sustainably produced. Instead, I choose easily accessible food items to satisfy my immediate needs. In addition, I engage in parallel activities, such as watching TV, responding to emails, playing on the phone, and others while eating, which indicates my prioritization of my feelings and satisfaction of my needs. Evaluation of the Relation to Nature As my food habits imply, my relationship with nature is characterized by distancing and insufficient concern. In the majority of my meal records, I do not know where the food comes from, where the ingredients for the meals were produced, or what the production methods are. I am not concerned with these issues when I make my daily food choices. The information that I obtain about some of the food items on my menu comes primarily from the official websites of the companies from which I order. It might not be objective and does not provide any indication of the impact of my food choice on nature. Moreover, I am more concerned with the diversity of my diet, which is evident from the different choices I make, although within the limited range of cuisines. Thus, the environmental footprint of my eating habits is not a priority for me on a daily basis. However, the identified stewardship environmental worldview encourages me to pay more attention to the sustainable use of natural resources when consuming food. In particular, the stewardship environmental worldview implies integrating the knowledge about the consequences of particular production methods for the planet and the reduction of harm through habit improvement. This approach allows for shifting the priority from an egocentric attitude toward eating habits to a more nature-centered one. In such a manner, the choice of places to eat and the items on the menu (or ingredients for home-cooked meals) should be aligned with the maximum benefit for humans and minimum harm to the planet. Spiritual Eating-Related Practices for Healthier Relationship with Nature Firstly, one of the spiritual practices related to my eating habits might be the initiation of family cooking evenings. There is much information online and on social media on cooking and promoting a healthy and nutritious diet with sustainable food management (Choudhary et al., 2019). Spending time on cooking will allow my family and me to connect, learn, and appreciate the nutritious food cooked ourselves. Moreover, I will have a chance to teach children about sustainable food consumption, thus making my contribution to the longevity of future generations. When selecting recipes and ingredients, I will be aware of the natural resources that are used to produce them and evaluate the threat to the planet. In such a manner, I will unite with nature and raise awareness about ingredients, their origin, nutrients, and health benefits. Moreover, this practice will help me manage food waste by practicing recipes for leftover-based cooking. Overall, by cooking more often, including some outdoor picnics, I will improve my relations with nature. Secondly, I will transition to a vegetarian diet to eliminate the threats to the environment caused by meat production. Indeed, research suggests that “high meat consumption requires intensive farming and animal husbandry methods, which is particularly unhealthy” (Nemeth et al., 2019, p. 4). Moreover, in terms of spirituality and ethics, the refusal to consume animal-based foods will preserve animal life on the planet and reduce production-related damage to the soil and ecosystems. Thirdly, another important practice that might improve my relationship with nature is buying groceries from farmers with a proper guarantee of the production of food items using sustainable production methods. The prioritization of organic food will be a significant contribution to sustainable food consumption with potential benefits in the long-term perspective of the planet and nature. I will apply rational thinking and informed decision-making when making food choices to make sure that the products I buy and consume are of zero harm to nature. Such a practice will promote sustainable consumption, support organic farming, and eliminate the harm of non-sustainable production in the long run. Conclusion In summation, the presented discussion was aimed at analyzing my environmental worldview, its implications for my relation to nature, and the generation of some spiritual practices to improve it. Overall, based on the worksheet records of my eating habits, it was determined that I most certainly align with the stewardship environmental worldview. This worldview allows for a certain degree of unawareness about sustainability issues with limited harm to nature. The limited waste I produce, partial concern about the place and practices of ingredient production I exhibit, and my use of both home-cooked and ordered food validate the selection of the environmental worldview. Within this perspective, my relations with nature are inconsistent and characterized by limited knowledge and limited contribution to environmental protection and sustainability issues despite the lack of harm to nature on my side. To improve my relationship with nature, I will use such spiritual practices as family cooking evenings, transitioning to a vegetarian diet, and buying from farmers with obtaining information about sustainable production methods. References Choudhary, S., Nayak, R., Kumari, S., & Choudhury, H. (2019). Analysing acculturation to sustainable food consumption behaviour in the social media through the lens of information diffusion. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 145 , 481-492. Huambachano, M. A. (2019). Indigenous food sovereignty. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43 (3), 1-6. Nemeth, N., Rudnak, I., Ymeri, P., & Fogarassy, C. (2019). The role of cultural factors in sustainable food consumption – an investigation of the consumption habits among international students in Hungary. Sustainability, 11 (11), 1-27.
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ESSAY: Ebola Virus Outbreak and Pathophysiology Essay The emergence of new infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus has always put pressure on the health care systems resulting in high fatality rates. This disease is contagious and whose transmission depends on the interaction between the human host and an agent (CDC, 2021). This virus is classified in the filioviridae family and is responsible for destroying the blood clotting cells and weakening the immune system when someone is infected. Ebola was a contagious epidemic that affected many nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Gabon, and Italy (CDC, 2021). Therefore, Ebola’s pathophysiology, its negative impact on the community and remediation are elaborated. Analysis of the Ebola Virus Disease Ebola is a deadly disease that exhibits symptoms such as fever, body aches, diarrhea, external and internal bleeding. The infection is transmissible through direct contact with body fluids such as saliva, sweat, and blood. The virus was traced in the Ebola River in DRC after natives consumed the African fruit bat, which was identified as a reservoir for the virus (CDC, 2021). Considering the fact that the disease is contagious, it spread rapidly to other nations in that year, such as England and later on to Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali and Nigeria. This data indicates that this outbreak was a global pandemic that put pressure on the health system. Various epidemiological and risk factors contributed to the spread of this virus. Among them was a lack of preparedness to counter an emergency and public health literacy on the best preventative measures. When Ebola hit the DRC, the country was underdeveloped and lacked the specialized equipment and infrastructure to contain the spread of infection (CDC, 2021). For instance, the traditional prevention method such as holistic care was practiced, making the tracing process impossible. For example, during the initial outbreak of the virus, nurses in one of the hospitals known as Yambuku mission hospital reused needles when the numbers of infected people kept surging due to a lack of equipment to contain its spread (CDC, 2021). Additionally, the treatment, management and evidence-based interventions to maintain safety were unknown. Public health literacy was also a significant challenge considering that citizens did not know the transmission channels and were overly exposed to the transmitters. For example, even after the fatality rate increased, people still hunted for wild meat for consumption and fulfilled cultural ceremonies and rituals (CDC, 2021). This interaction still exposed them to the infection resulting in more deaths and infections. In addition, cultural practices such as burials exposed the people to the virus since many bathed their dead by hand and dressed them for burial without putting on protective clothes (CDC, 2021). The international health organizations quickly disregarded such practices, but the new measures were not observed. Ebola virus disease’s transmission route was the African fruit bat which carried the host, and when consumed, it caused the infection. Another transmission channel was the dead infected animal corpse which exposed the people to the virus when they came into contact with secretions, body fluids, and organs (CDC, 2021). Humans also transmitted the disease through direct contact with the infected persons’ blood, saliva, and mucous membrane. The consequences of this infection on the community were detrimental, considering it deteriorated the people’s social, economic, and psychological wellness. When the infection rate became uncontrollable, many businesses closed down, and inflation became the new norm. In addition, most families could not fend for themselves, considering the majority of them lived below the poverty line (CDC, 2021). Such factors contributed to high rates of game meat hunting for survival, which worsened the situation. Another factor was a stigma for survivors who joined back after recovery since they were isolated and discriminated against as they were considered agents of transmission. This negative stereotype affected mental wellness since many people became depressed for being isolated by the community. Additionally, the surge in the rate of infections put a strain on the healthcare system, with many health care providers experiencing burnout and uncertainty for their health, considering many hospital staff also got infected (CDC, 2021). The aftermath of this infection had consequences that took long before the country could recover from the negative impact. Fortunately, specific interventions could help curb the spread of the disease, including using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), enhancing public health literacy and promoting better health practices. One viable reporting system is the IDSR that enables the health departments and concerned individuals to report any infectious disease outbreaks. The system is anonymous and actively operational, indicating that it is accessible to everyone. Other prevention strategies include public health literacy educating natives on the transmission channels, the symptoms, signs and possible interventions to ensure they seek help at the early stages of infection (CDC, 2021). Additionally, encouraging better health practices such as avoiding consumption of game meat, washing hands regularly, avoiding contact with infected individuals and places may help reduce future outbreaks (CDC, 2021). The government should also invest in personal protective equipment to help protect healthcare workers from infections when such pandemics occur. These interventions will ensure that people know the basics of maintaining safety to curb the spread during an outbreak. Reference Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Ebola (Ebola virus disease) .
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ESSAY: Economic Crisis: Debate on Socialism Essay The situation described in the initial post does indeed compromise socialism as a utopian idea. However, when applied to real-life scenarios, it becomes evident that the reasons for state and economic failures are diverse. Economist Thomas Sowell warns against using “one-factor explanations” (Fox Business, 2019, 0:28). Therefore, blaming socialism alone is not sufficient to explain the crisis in Venezuela and the risks to the United States. First, Venezuela had inadequate wealth distribution, where the majority of the population was removed from the oil revenues of the highest class. What is noteworthy is that the deeply capitalist US also faces the problem of income inequality. I have a friend who believes that a steeper wealth tax should be implemented – a message commonly heard in mass media (Fox Business, 2019, 4:04). Therefore, inadequate wealth distribution is not an inherent part of socialism itself. Second, Venezuela is too dependent on the government-controlled oil industry. Starting in 2006, president Chavez started a policy of nationwide nationalization, which led to the destruction of “the production capacity of the country” (The Big Picture, 2018, 4:59). The government attempted to flood the economy with money generated by oil revenues resulted in hyperinflation (Real Vision, 2018, 09:01). Yet, my parents are also worried about the possibility of hyperinflation in the US due to the massive printing of dollars. Once again, there is no immediate relation between socialism and poverty. Finally, income inequality inevitably creates feelings of jealousy among poorer people. Thomas Sowell states that promising wealth tax is a politician’s means of capitalizing on the people’s desires (Fox Business, 2019, 3:56). This is also true in the initial post’s example, where the teacher forced high-scoring students to achieve lower marks, thus pandering to low-performing students. However, my online friend from Sweden notes that they have such a strong tax culture that social spendings are real. Therefore, a government can use some socialist ideas provided people are willing to work and pay taxes. Altogether, in my opinion, it is not reasonable to suggest that socialism is inherently flawed. Venezuela’s crisis is based on corruption, overreliance on the oil industry, and income inequality. Yet, it would be an overstatement to state that the US does not face these problems, although it does have a diversified economy. As such, socialism does not necessarily lead to ruin – people’s greed and laziness do. References Fox Business. (2019). Economist Thomas Sowell on the income inequality debate [Video]. YouTube. Web. The Big Picture. (2018). From riches to rags: Venezuela’s economic crisis. Al Jazeera. Web. The Big Story. (2018). Venezuela: State of Disaster . Real Vision. Web.
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ESSAY: Editing of Money Heist Directed by Álex Pina Essay (Critical Writing) The editing in the first episode of the series Money Heist is in line with its thrilling plot and rapid action. In the first scene, as the character gets ready to exit her vehicle, the editing is quick, focusing on the items she is picking up. Similarly, the camera often focuses on objects, leading the viewer towards the items that will become an essential part of the narrative. For example, one can see the ringing phone before it is picked up. Moreover, the show uses rapid editing with close-ups and the use of objects that identify characters – guns, money, and other items that show one’s motives or their identifying trait. The characters’ close-ups are dynamic, often using dolly shots to slowly expose the background or move with the character. This way, the camera does not stop as long as the characters move or the whole room is exposed. When they stop, the editing is as rapid as the conversation between people. In monologues, the dolly is used again to keep the tension as the series requires a serious tone in many scenes dealing with life-or-death scenarios. Notably, the character in a close-up is rarely placed in the center of the screen. The shot is divided into thirds vertically – and the characters stay in the first or third part. Hand-held shots are also used, and they are consistent with scenes where characters feel insecure, aggressive, scared, or exposed. Moreover, when the characters are walking, the camera moves at the same speed. The change between steady dolly movements and hand-held “shaky” shots is needed to juxtapose moments focused on action and interpersonal drama. Moreover, tension is the primary source of emotion, and the editing keeps enough suspense by using close-ups of characters rather than an overview of the whole room.
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ESSAY: Educational Services for Children in Domestic Violence Shelters Essay (Article) Table of Contents 1. Hypothesis 2. Method 3. Design of the Study and Analysis of the Data 4. Results and Discussion 5. Integration 6. Reaction 7. Reference Annually, millions of children across the United States are exposed to domestic violence on the part of adults. As a result, they are admitted to domestic violence shelters in order to find safety and opportunities for recovery and development. In their research article, Chanmugam et al. (2015) dwell on the issue of education quality in domestic violence shelters. When exposed to an unprecedently high level of stress, children tend to focus less on academic performance due to such factors as poor socialization, constant mobility, lack of parental and educators’ supervision, and mental and behavioral challenges (Chanmugam et al., 2015). Moreover, the factor of homelessness presents an increased risk for low academic performance, with risk factors such as lack of interest, social marginalization, and absenteeism. Thus, there is a need to define the domestic violence shelters’ perspective on the academic performance of their adolescent residents. Hypothesis The primary research question of the article may be formulated as follows: How does domestic violence shelter personnel appraise the quality of education provided to the shelter residents? What are the barriers to effective educational patterns among this adolescent group? During the preliminary research on the subject, Chanmugam et al. (2015) established that despite the lack of empirical evidence on the topic, the issues of homelessness and stressful experiences had a certain impact on the students’ perception of education, emotional preparedness to attend classes, self-esteem, and supervision. As a result, the authors assumed that obtaining the shelter personnel’s perspective could present meaningful insights into the reality of education for children exposed to domestic violence at home. Method In order to meet the objectives of the research, Chanmugam et al. (2015) needed to reach out to the representatives of emergency domestic violence shelters located in the state of Texas well-aware of the shelters’ and schools’ collaborative effort to provide holistic education to the residents. Having used the information provided in the Texas Council on Family Violence online directory, the scholars sent introductory research invitations to the representatives of every domestic shelter violence in the state (Chanmugam et al., 2015, p. 408). As a result, 55 shelters responded to the participation request. After collecting the participant sample, Chanmugam et al. (2015) sent online survey forms, information about the research, and participation consent forms to the shelter personnel. Using SurveyMonkey software, the authors made sure that data were collected systematically without violating the participants’ privacy. Design of the Study and Analysis of the Data The present study is a mixed-methods study that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the data analysis. The online survey designed for the participants (N=76, 74% response rate, N=55) included both a multiple-choice question and an open-ended question (Chanmugam et al., 2015). The quantitative question addresses the level of respondents’ satisfaction with the education received by the shelter residents. It was later analyzed with the help of estimating mean and standard deviation analysis of a 5-point Likert scale (Chanmugam et al., 2015). The open-ended question was analyzed using thematic analysis performed by coders. Additionally, quantitative data was collected for the question concerning shelters’ organization, number of beds, and number of children staying on the premises. Results and Discussion The quantitative part of the survey completed by the participants indicated a relatively high level of shelter personnel’s satisfaction with the education received by children residing in shelters. The mean satisfaction level among the respondents was 4.38, with almost 50% of the employees (N=27) indicating there were very satisfied (Chanmugam et al., 2015, p. 410). The qualitative part of the questionnaire was completed by 48 respondents, and the open-ended questions led to the identification of some of the most common themes in barriers to providing quality educational services (Chanmugam et al., 2015). These themes included transportation, poor awareness of the McKinney-Vento Act, documentation enrollment delays, and the risks of exposure to violence on the school premises. Apart from the aforementioned challenges, the responses were mostly positive, indicating a proper level of communication and education access (Chanmugam et al., 2015). Hence, the study demonstrates that despite a series of barriers, the overall tendency of educational services for children exposed to domestic violence is optimistic. Integration Organizational performance, leadership, and competence are rooted in one’s psychological experiences as a child. Thus, when it comes to the widespread social issue of early exposure to domestic violence, proper attention to children’s education as a process of social integration is critical. The reintroduction of young people to education and social interaction is key to their psychological and organizational performance in the future. For this reason, considering the relevance of domestic violence and homelessness to the US social context, there is a need to introduce new ways to recovery for the affected young people. The present article assists in presenting comprehensive insights into the current patterns of education in this group. Reaction This article is an asset in terms of analyzing the lifestyle specifics of children exposed to domestic violence. With millions of children being affected by this issue every year, a significant part of the young population is at risk of temporarily residing in shelter homes. During this stressful time, it is vital to preserve the connections with the outside world and pursue education in order to facilitate one’s mental recovery. Looking into the existing peculiarities of cooperation between domestic violence shelters and educational establishments can help public bodies eliminate barriers to this communication, especially when rural areas are concerned. Reference Chanmugam, A., Kemter, A. J., & Goodwin, K. H. (2015). Educational services for children in domestic violence shelters: Perspectives of shelter personnel. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 32 (5), 405-415. Web.
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ESSAY: Effects of Aging on the Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Systems Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Interview Summary 3. Effects of Aging 4. Theories of Aging 5. Manifestations in Aging 6. Individual Skin Components Changes 7. Degenerative Changes 8. Conclusion 9. References Introduction Aging is a compulsory process that occurs in all human beings with the progression of time. The process is marked with significant changes in various body structures and functions that diminish the effectiveness of aged people. This essay is an analysis of an interview conducted on an aged woman to assess the changes attributed to aging. The first part analyzes the interview and the responses provided by the woman including the variations in her body functions. The second part is a summary of the information available on the changes that occur in the integumentary system with age. The final part is a conclusion that harmonizes the information in the entire essay, providing a summary. Interview Summary The interviewee was a sixty-six-year-old woman who confirmed that she experienced increased facial hair growth and thinning of the hair on the head. She tried out different varieties of shampoos and hair food recommended to her by friends and hairstylists. About a month after noticing the above changes, the interviewee reported experiencing pains in both knee joints. She described the pain to be sharp, aggravated by movement are relieved by rest. The knee problem prompted her to consult a physician who diagnosed her with osteoarthritis. On mentioning the hair changes to the physician, the interviewee was informed the hair changes and the osteoarthritis was due to declining estrogen levels post-menopause. The physician initiated the interviewee on hormone replacement therapy, a combination of estrogen and progesterone, and diclofenac for knee pain. The interviewee affirmed she had made some diet modifications. She was keen on taking more foods rich in calcium and Vitamin D, such as dairy products and dark green leafy vegetables. In addition, she was exposing herself to sunlight more to promote Vitamin D synthesis. Another modification is consuming a high-fiber diet in the form of salads, fruits, and vegetables. Cognizant of lower caloric requirements at her age, she resolved to cut consumption of calorie-rich foods, foods high in cholesterol such as fries, and all forms of sugar. She advised the younger generation to enjoy their youth as it fades away fast. Aging is an inevitable fate of human existence. She advised the young to embrace aging as it comes. In particular, she advised the young to eat a healthy diet and avoid smoking and alcohol. The interviewee further advised the young the take care of their mental health by sharing what they are feeling and going through with someone. She emphasized the need to be physically active from a young age. Effects of Aging The world is aging because the number of persons over 65 years of age in 2020 was estimated at 727 million. This number has been increasing over the past decades and is projected to continue rising (United Nations, 2020). Aging is inevitable owing to the mortal nature of human life. It is essential to understand the aging process and the changes that come with it. Aging refers to the progressive deterioration in physiologic functions within the human body that occur over time. It is a natural process that occurs over an individual’s life span due to cumulative cellular damage. Theories of Aging Several theories can explain the mechanism by which aging occurs. They include oxidative damage, defective DNA repair mechanisms, mitochondrial genome damage, telomere shortening, and mutations in genes that suppress aging. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the cell in proportions that overwhelm the cell’s repair mechanisms, eventually causing cell death. Mutations in cell DNA accumulate over time; more errors occur when they affect enzymes involved in DNA synthesis (Gilbert, 2019). Errors in DNA repair enzymes result in accelerated aging. Mitochondrial genome damage results in reduced mitochondrial functioning and activation of programmed cell death pathways. Telomeres shorten with each cell division cycle, which eventually limits further cell division (Gilbert, 2019). The shortening of the telomeres indicates diminished division cycles for these cells hence aging. Manifestations in Aging The aging process manifests as senescence, deterioration in the functional capacity of organs and tissues. A decline in physiologic capacity characterizes aging, age-related diseases such as diabetes, increased vulnerability to diseases, reduced ability to adapt to stress, and eventually death. In addition to biological changes, aging is also associated with psychological, economic, and social changes such as retirement (World Health Organization, 2021). Gerontology is a field of science dedicated to studying aging, while geriatrics is a medical specialty dedicated to providing medical care for older persons (Besdine, 2019). All organ systems in the body are affected by aging. This paper will explore the changes observed in the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems. Individual Skin Components Changes The integumentary system comprises the skin and its associated structures that include hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. The purpose of hair is protection, thermoregulation, sensation, and beauty. Nails are important for grasping, protecting, and cosmetics. The skin is composed of epidermal, dermal, and hypodermal layers. The epidermis is a protective layer composed of five layers and four types of cells; keratin-producing cells, melanin-producing cells, dendritic cells, and Merkel cells. Keratinocyte cells of the epidermis produce keratin which forms a protective barrier. Melanocyte cells produce melanin that protects from ultraviolet radiation. Dendritic cells within the epidermis are a line of defense against pathogens. Merkel cells are sensory; they are receptors for a light touch. The dermal layer is composed of loose connective tissue, collagen fibers, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, neurons, and blood vessels. Sweat glands produce sweat for thermoregulation. Hair follicles and blood vessels also play a crucial role in thermoregulation. Nerve endings serve as receptors for touch, heat, pain, and cold sensations (Yousef et al., 2020). Sebaceous glands produce sebum which serves as an antimicrobial and a lubricant. The hypodermal layer is mainly adipose tissue that serves as a heat insulator (Yousef et al., 2020). It prevents heat loss and ensures that one maintains the constant healthy range of body temperature. The skin is most vulnerable to the aging process and is an obvious indicator of advancing age. The number of epidermal cells reduces with age resulting in an overall reduction of skin thickness. Less keratin is produced, leaving the skin vulnerable to trauma. Reduction in melanin-producing melanocytes results in areas of hypopigmentation and greying of hair. The junction between the epidermis and dermis flattens, leaving the skin vulnerable to shearing forces. At the dermal layer, the number of cells and blood vessels reduces with age. Reduced cellularity results in reduced connective tissue formation, less collagen, and consequently loss of elasticity. The hypodermal layer reduces as adipose tissue diminishes with age (Bonté et al., 2019). The reduction in subcutaneous tissue fat is marked on the extremities as fat is redistributed to the vital organs. Degenerative Changes Degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system put elderly persons at risk of weakness, fractures, falls, and immobility. The musculoskeletal system consists of the skeletal system and muscles. Muscles are excitable tissues that contract and relax to facilitate movement. There are three types of muscles in the human body, skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons and are involved in locomotion and support. Cardiac muscles are located in the heart, while smooth muscles are found in hollow visceral organs such as the alimentary canal. All muscles are supplied by nerves that coordinate contraction relaxation and blood vessels for blood supply. The skeletal system is composed of bone, ligaments, and cartilage. Bones articulate to form joints stabilized by ligaments, muscle, and tendons attaching around a joint. Cartilage tissue lines bone surfaces at the joint to allow free movement (Walker, 20202). The roles of this system comprise protection of vital organs, support, locomotion, muscles are sites of glycogen storage, hematopoiesis, and mineral homeostasis, e.g., calcium and phosphate. The bulk skeletal muscles decrease with age. Loss of muscle bulk is accelerated by disuse from reduced physical activity. As a result, elderly persons are susceptible to falls and low-energy fractures. Muscle strength also diminishes with age, which greatly affects the ability to carry out daily activities and locomotion. The loss of power and bulk is attributed to cellular atrophy. Muscle activity also diminishes with age as a result of reduced neuronal activity and conduction (Amarya et al., 2018). The ratio of adipose tissue to muscle increases with age as more fat is deposited in the muscle. As basal metabolic rate slows with age, more protein is replaced with fat. The long-term effect of this is reduced muscle quality (Amarya et al., 2018). The reduced quality and quantity of muscles interferes with the ability of aged people to perform various physical functions. Bone density reduces with aging, inclining ageing patients to fractures. The pathophysiology of age-related osteoporosis is reduced estrogen levels in women, excess parathyroid hormone secretion, and increased fat deposition in the bone marrow. Estrogen preserves bone integrity by inhibiting osteoclast cells that break down bone. Excess parathyroid hormone increases bone resorption, reducing bone density (Bhattarai et al., 2020). Joints become stiffer, and flexibility reduces with age. The stiffness is attributed to shortening and loss of ligament flexibility. The quantity of synovial fluid that lubricates joint surfaces reduces with advancing age, further impairing movement. Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disorder associated with age. It is characterized by pain, deformity, and loss of joint function. The cartilage at a joint’s articular surfaces degenerates with age resulting in osteoarthritis. Degeneration of articular cartilage is attributed to reduced chondrocyte function (Krishnan & Grodzinsky, 2018). The pathophysiologic changes extend to joint capsule and bone. Sweat and sebum secretion reduces with age because of the number and size of sebaceous and sweat glands. Hair changes associated with advancing age include baldness in men. In women, the absence of estrogen increases facial hair (Khurana, 2018). Women can also experience loss of pubic and axillary hair due to low levels of adrenal androgens. Conclusion In conclusion, aging is an inevitable reality of human existence that must be embraced. Understanding the changes age brings about to the body is crucial in formulating appropriate lifestyle adjustments. Individuals can modify their environment and lifestyle to ensure a healthy aging process. Some lifestyle modifications that can contribute to successful aging include eating a healthy balanced diet, observing a consistent exercise routine, avoiding alcohol and smoking. It is vital to make regular clinical visits to assess health status. Regular checkups facilitate early detection of diseases and formulating a plan of care. Healthy aging requires individuals to plan for their financial and social welfare in advance before age erodes physical and mental capacities. It is important to remember that aging is not a disease but a stage in the life of every human being. References Amarya, S., Singh, K., & Sabharwal, M. (2018). Ageing process and physiological changes. In www.intechopen.com. IntechOpen. Web. Besdine, R. W. (2019). Overview of aging. MSD manual consumer version; MSD Manuals. Web. Bhattarai, H. K., Shrestha, S., Rokka, K., & Shakya, R. (2020). Vitamin D, calcium, parathyroid hormone, and sex steroids in bone health and effects of aging. Journal of Osteoporosis, 2020, 1–10. Web. Bonté, F., Girard, D., Archambault, J.-C., & Desmoulière, A. (2019). Skin Changes during ageing. Subcellular Biochemistry, 249–280. Web. Gilbert, S. F. (2019). Aging: The biology of senescence. Nih.gov; Sinauer Associates. Web. Khurana, I. (2018). Concise textbook of human physiology. Elsevier India. Krishnan, Y., & Grodzinsky, A. J. (2018). Cartilage diseases. Matrix Biology, 71-72, 51–69. Web. United Nations. (2020). World population ageing 2020 highlights | Population division . Www.un.org. Web. Walker, J. (2020). Skeletal system 2: Structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. Nursing Times, 116(3), 52–56. World Health Organization. (2021). Ageing and health . Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. Web. Yousef, H., Alhajj, M., & Sharma, S. (2020). Anatomy, skin (integument), epidermis. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. Web.
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ESSAY: EHealth Technologies’ Benefits and Challenges Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Challenges of Adopting the eHealth Program 3. Influence on eHealth Providers’ Functional Decision-Making 4. Technology and Its Impact on the Program’s Functionality 5. Efficacy of the Communication Methods 6. Conclusion 7. References Introduction Expanding the possibilities of providing timely medical care is one of the main objectives of introducing eHealth technologies. The case study by Currie et al. (2015) offers a rationale for the benefits of this approach to community engagement and assesses potential barriers to implementation. According to the authors, eHealth technologies are an effective solution to address the health needs of older patients living in rural areas (Currie et al., 2015). Individual conditions, particularly the level of social contacts, are decisive in accepting this innovative program by the target audience (Currie et al., 2015). This paper aims to analyze intervention outcomes, assess the specific conditions and challenges of optimizing care procedures, and identify prospects for the future of eHealth technologies. Challenges of Adopting the eHealth Program The analysis of the case study shows that implementing the eHealth program was accompanied by challenges that were traditional for medical employees’ work in rural areas. Among a number of constraints on the effective organization of program principles, Currie et al. (2015) highlight the “complex health needs” of the target population (p. 2). As rural areas tend to be more populated by older adults, the workload for health professionals is increasing due to more frequent health problems in patients of this age. Another difficulty to mention is the high cost of caring for dispersed populations living in rural areas. According to the researchers, lower population density is directly correlated with the time spent on interacting with as many patients as possible (Currie et al., 2015). As a result, unlike urban territories, rural areas require longer work to establish contact with the population. In addition, travel time to patients is increasing, and this factor is essential to consider because, despite the possibility of remote interaction with medical providers, older people still need occasional face-to-face appointments. Financial barriers are among the challenges affecting the sustainability of the eHealth program. As Currie et al. (2015) argue, due to fiscal constraints and economic challenges, healthcare professionals are forced to look for new, less costly ways to engage with the public. Since funding for rural health facilities is often unstable and differs in level from that in cities, care delivery models have to be adapted to existing capacities. All of these difficulties relate to the general principles of program implementation and are more likely to have been anticipated when planning the intervention. The distinctive perception of the value of the program in question among the target audience is a more specific issue. Currie et al. (2015) highlight the different views of older patients on the prospects for participation in the eHealth project and note the unwillingness of some of them to completely switch to remote interaction. This may be related to the fears of rural people about the sustainability of such a program and their traditional views on the principles of care. According to Ibeneme et al. (2020), a patient-centered approach is to be at the core of an eHealth strategy to justify itself and gain trust among the population. Otherwise, the level of health in the target areas may decline due to the unwillingness of patients to use the services of innovative technologies and, therefore, to cope with health problems on their own. Another important factor that emerges from the intervention considered in the case study is program leadership. As Currie et al. (2015) state, the involved medical professionals should have not only professional knowledge but also the ability to use the technological methods of interaction with patients. Otherwise, the probability of program success is reduced due to the inability to establish a stable interaction mode. Patients should have stable access to work with digital equipment. According to Currie et al. (2015), “mobile Internet access (3G or 4G signal) is not available in many rural areas and download speeds on fixed Internet connections tend to be much slower in rural compared to urban areas” (p. 7). Ibeneme et al. (2020) also draw attention to the importance of effective leadership as a mechanism to control the intervention at all its stages. When analyzing the sustainability of eHealth projects in Nigeria, the authors note the importance of productive management, which ensures rational funding and eliminates communication gaps (Ibeneme et al., 2020). The more effective the leadership, the less risk there is to the sustainability of the program. To ensure that the program is effectively integrated into the daily lives of targeted patients, the work of various stakeholders is crucial. Currie et al. (2015) emphasize the problem of the impossibility of organizing multi-specialist care in rural areas, where, unlike cities, there are no large medical centers with different departments. Baldwin-Medsker et al. (2020) also draw attention to this barrier and note that specialized care is often worse in rural areas, which, in turn, reflects negatively on patient outcomes. Therefore, the eHealth program under consideration should include the access of the population to the services of various specialists to prove its effectiveness. Influence on eHealth Providers’ Functional Decision-Making Given the aforementioned difficulties associated with the community targeted for outreach, eHealth providers can optimize their functional decision-making. Firstly, shared decision-making capabilities may improve as the proposed intervention program is designed to improve interprofessional collaboration and create an environment in which different stakeholders participate. Yu et al. (2021) draw attention to the value of innovation in improving patient decision-making, but from a provider perspective, this aspect can also be enhanced. By analyzing the outcomes of the intervention and taking into account the needs and interests of target patients, medical professionals can tailor the individual nuances of the program. For instance, this may include addressing the concerns of older patients about the complete replacement of traditional care with remote contact. As a result, medical specialists will take into account the concerns of the population in their decision-making strategies and promote sustainable interaction based on combining the innovative technology and direct meetings. A more advanced level of care can be achieved if healthcare providers take into account the outcomes of the intervention in their decision-making strategies, particularly patient needs and preferences. According to Currie et al. (2015), a distinctive perception of the benefits of the eHealth program is observed among the rural population, and one of the key determinants is the level of social contacts. Providers should consider the lifestyles of target patients when planning appropriate treatment programs to either increase or, conversely, reduce the proportion of remote sessions. Moreover, as Yu et al. (2021) state, effective work planning, based on assessing intervention conditions, directly correlates with the quality of self-care. This means that if the practice is successful in building care through the eHealth program, providers will be able to establish a work in which patient self-care will be part of care programs. Such a result can be achieved through the effective education of the population, and this aspect can be included in functional decision-making. An objective analysis of the intervention outcomes can help the providers engaged in reducing the time it takes to plan care programs. Functional decision-making involves precision, which can be accomplished through rational planning and scheduling activities. Laing and Mercer (2021) draw attention to the improved patient outcomes achieved due to decision-making accuracy and note that the simplicity and convenience of intervention programs are the consequences of productive planning. By being aware of the needs and requirements of the target population, providers can establish a care regimen where any patient requests are addressed without delay. In addition, as Currie et al. (2015) remark, the identified perceptions of older rural residents of the proposed eHealth program are critical aspects to consider when planning activities. Providers need comprehensive data to establish an interaction mode that allows them to quickly and efficiently respond to patient requests. The findings by Currie et al. (2015) will make it possible to adapt the traditional communication mode that previously had significant gaps caused by the aforementioned challenges. As a result, through optimized planning, functional decision-making can be enhanced, thereby increasing the likelihood of more effective patient-centered care. Efficient resource allocation can be another valuable implication for providers’ functional decision-making based on the outcomes of the intervention in question. Currie et al. (2015) mention service delivery in rural areas as a challenging task, greatly complicated by financial constraints caused by the unequal distribution of funds to maintain local healthcare infrastructure. By obtaining comprehensive data from patients, providers can allocate available resources more efficiently to reduce unwanted costs and address only the immediate needs of the population. In their research, Laing and Mercer (2021) explore the benefits of implementing electronic medical records as simple optimization tools and argue that even such instruments improve cost efficiencies. When speaking of more advanced forms of digital innovation through telecommuting, one can point out that providers can reduce the costs of transportation and procedure care through stable communication with patients. With constant interaction, the need for an emergency response to any call is eliminated due to advanced self-care skills in patients. Thus, the intervention outcomes can help healthcare professionals create a caring environment in which not only patient outcomes are improved but related tasks are also addressed, including resource management and planning. Technology and Its Impact on the Program’s Functionality The eHealth technology under consideration does not imply one specific digital tool but rather combines a range of available technological solutions designed to simplify communication. The breadth of instruments used for patient-provider interaction is a favorable factor that increases the functionality of the program. Under the concept of technology, Currie et al. (2015) imply “a mobile (or cell) phone or a smart phone, a computer or an Internet-enabled television and the various applications that can be used on these devices” (p. 2). Despite the fact that older adults involved as a target audience tend to demonstrate lower technical innovation skills, the aforementioned devices are widely utilized by all people without exception. Internet access is also available in most localities, although, judging by the challenges previously discussed, interruptions in network access do occur. A wide range of gadgets used today gives older patients an opportunity to choose the most convenient devices with simple and understandable functionality. As Nielsen et al. (2020) note, the eHealth realm offers an extensive set of application options. Therefore, the wide technological functionality of the program under consideration is a relevant criterion that increases its effectiveness. Given the results of the study, the eHealth technology can be considered an indispensable tool not only for rural older adults but also for those living in urban areas. According to Currie et al. (2015), even those patients who previously expressed doubts about the appropriateness of using modern devices to interact with medical providers accepted the idea of ​​introducing such a mode of communication. In other words, skepticism about the technology is irrational because real health improvements are observed. For all older patients, introducing such a program into daily life significantly expands the functionality of interventions in view of preventive measures. Currie et al. (2015) mention fall alarm applications as program components and analyze the relevance of these digital tools to the older population. The provision of such instruments is an important option for many patients who are at risk of falls. Therefore, promoting this technology among the target audience significantly reduces the risk of injury and, therefore, increases the value of the intervention. The functionality of the program is expanding, allowing it to be used both as advisory and preventive practices for targeted patients. A special role of using the considered eHealth technology is addressing various aspects of patient well-being, including both physical and mental health issues. Currie et al. (2015) do not mention the impact of the program on patients’ emotional states, but based on their findings, one can see that older people who live alone tend to show greater confidence in the use of technology. This is due to the fact that limited social contacts and the lack of emotional support affect the morale of patients negatively, prompting them to seek communication through modern applications. In their study, Theis et al. (2019) note that older adults who use a variety of convenient technologies on a daily basis show reduced stress levels, which, in turn, has a positive effect on their mental health. Moreover, the authors note that the regular use of digital tools is a stress-coping mechanism in case of an unpleasant diagnosis (Theis et al., 2019). Such a range of the advantages of using technologies allows speaking about the wide functionality of the eHealth program under consideration and its important implications for public health. Finally, one should mention additional options offered to the target population due to the technology. Currie et al. (2015) provide feedback from participants in the intervention project and note their positive views on the updated list of relaxation and therapeutic exercises they discovered. Convenient and free access to medical resources and interaction with providers enhances the functionality of the program, which, in addition to improving patient outcomes, reduces the burden on healthcare professionals. Attracting as many patients as possible can help create an effective inclusive environment in which education and the timely participation of specialists can minimize health risks. Cost reduction also allows available resources to be directed to the most urgent needs. Thus, the eHealth technology with a wide range of options improves the functionality of the program in question by simplifying self-care for target patients and, at the same time, facilitating healthcare employees’ activities. Efficacy of the Communication Methods Communication in the considered case study is effective, as evidenced by the work methodology. As one of the research steps, Currie et al. (2015) use semi-structured interviews in which they interact closely with the participants involved. The authors obtain objective data regarding the topic in question, particularly the relevance of utilizing the eHealth technology (Currie et al., 2015). The interviews are conducted directly, not remotely, which eliminates the potential bias in the interpretation of the results. Therefore, both the collection of data and the mechanism for processing them, based on statistical analysis, are valid and confirm the effectiveness of communication. Another factor confirming the effectiveness of the interaction between the parties involved in this case study is the awareness of the target participants about all the principles and options of the eHealth program. Currie et al. (2015) communicate with older patients living in rural areas, and for this population group, the capabilities of modern technologies are often difficult to implement into everyday life. Lee et al. (2020) conduct a similar intervention and emphasize the relevance of interpersonal interaction, assessing its effectiveness in the context of the target audience’s knowledge of the goals and objectives of their program. The more participants understand the possibilities of a proposed change plan, the more likely they are to draw objective conclusions about its relevance to their daily needs. The members of the case study by Currie et al. (2015) obtain comprehensive data regarding program features, the functioning of digital devices, and their application to address specific health issues. This knowledge testifies to the success of communication and productive interaction between the study’s organizers and participants, which, in turn, allows achieving credible results, free from the subjective perception of the proposed conditions of participation. As an argument proving the efficacy of communication used in the analyzed case study, one can mention the comprehensive data collected from the target participants, including their anxieties. Currie et al. (2015) present the views of the members of the research regarding their concerns about the existing health problems, particularly chronic pain, and take these facts into account to propose the best technologies. Although not all participants demonstrate satisfaction with digital methods of remote interaction with providers, personal views are an essential component of the intervention and help form an overall picture of the acceptance of the proposed eHealth technology. In the study by Widberg et al. (2020), the authors also cite the concerns of target participants in the palliative care unit regarding the usability of digital communication channels. However, as the researchers remark, this can be associated with patients’ poor health and deteriorated morale aggravated by protracted illnesses and associated problems (Widberg et al., 2020). Therefore, the task of medical providers is to make life easier for the older population, including through remote communication mechanisms, to create an inclusive environment for stable interaction and maintaining patient morale. One of the critical factors to mention in the context of discussing communication in the case study is the criterion of acceptance by the target population with regard to the proposed eHealth program. Currie et al. (2015) argue that “acceptance of technology therefore relates to existing levels of personal and social contact, and appears to be greater where technological help is not perceived to be replacing inperson care” (p. 10). In other words, the individual aspects of older patients’ lives, including their social circle, determine how productive and necessary communication with providers is for them. The unwillingness to move to new principles of interaction with medical staff through remote communication affects the level of interaction negatively. This, however, is an individual deterrent and does not depend on the quality of interpersonal relationships promoted by the organizers of the intervention. According to Lee et al. (2020), healthcare providers should give clients all the necessary information regarding care approaches and any changes, including the introduction of technological innovations. Thus, in the case study in question, medical professionals have done their best to convey to the target patients the value of digital communication. Conclusion The reviewed case study offers a comprehensive assessment of the eHealth program based on introducing digital technologies to maintain stable communication between medical providers and older patients living in rural areas. Despite some challenges associated with economic and geographical aspects, the functionality of this intervention is high, which is ensured by close interaction with the target audience. The older population receives all the necessary data regarding participation in the program, and socialization is one of the main criteria determining the acceptance of the intervention by the study members. By following the program’s provisions, providers can improve their decision-making and address the needs of older patients comprehensively. The effectiveness of communication in the case study is high, which is achieved due to close interaction and explanation of the provisions and principles of the program to the participants involved. References Baldwin-Medsker, A., Jessie Holland, M. S. N., & Rodriguez, E. S. (2020). Access to care: Using eHealth to limit location-based barriers for patients with cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing , 24 (3), 16-23. Web. Currie, M., Philip, L. J., & Roberts, A. (2015). Attitudes towards the use and acceptance of eHealth technologies: A case study of older adults living with chronic pain and implications for rural healthcare. BMC Health Services Research , 15 (1), 1-12. Web. Ibeneme, S., Ukor, N., Ongom, M., Dasa, T., Muneene, D., & Okeibunor, J. (2020). Strengthening capacities among digital health leaders for the development and implementation of national digital health programs in Nigeria. In BMC Proceedings , 14 (S10), 1-12. Web. Laing, S., & Mercer, J. (2021). Improved preventive care clinical decision-making efficiency: Leveraging a point-of-care clinical decision support system. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making , 21 (1), 1-8. Web. Lee, O. E. K., Kim, D. H., & Beum, K. A. (2020). Factors affecting information and communication technology use and eHealth literacy among older adults in the US and South Korea. Educational Gerontology , 46 (9), 575-586. Web. Nilsen, E. R., Stendal, K., & Gullslett, M. K. (2020). Implementation of eHealth technology in community health care: The complexity of stakeholder involvement. BMC Health Services Research , 20 (1), 1-13. Web. Theis, S., Schäfer, D., Bröhl, C., Schäfer, K., Rasche, P., Wille, M., Brandl, C., Nitsch, V., Mertens, A., & Jochems, N. (2019). Predicting technology usage by health information need of older adults: Implications for eHealth technology. Work , 62 (3), 443-457. Web. Widberg, C., Wiklund, B., & Klarare, A. (2020). Patients’ experiences of eHealth in palliative care: An integrative review. BMC Palliative Care , 19 (1), 1-14. Web. Yu, C. H., McCann, M., & Sale, J. (2021). “In my age, we didn’t have the computers”: Using a complexity lens to understand uptake of diabetes eHealth innovations into primary care – A qualitative study. PloS One , 16 (7), e0254157. Web.
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ESSAY: Electric Vehicles: Structure and Benefits Essay Electric cars have only recently begun to compete with the internal combustion engine, but they have been actively used by drivers for more than a century. These cars were especially popular at the turn of the 20th century but lost their popularity when Ford’s moving assembly line increased the availability of passenger cars (Simpson 2021). The use of electric vehicles has several advantages, including their environmental friendliness, service cost, and interesting history of the emergence of exciting technology. The structure of an electric car is not inferior to ordinary passenger cars and may even be considered safer than the usual models. The main structural elements of an electric vehicle are battery, electric motor, transmission, on-board charger, inverter, DC converter, and electronic control system. The device of an electric car implies the absence of a clutch and gearbox, which is why they accelerate more smoothly and climb the slope easier (Magnusson 2017). Such a car does not contain engine oil and spark plugs, which reduces maintenance costs. Electric cars also don’t make much noise, drive quietly, and don’t produce noise pollution. The engine also consumes no energy when the vehicle is stationary. The transmission of an electric car is quite simple. Thanks to the onboard charger, the vehicle can be charged from the household electrical network. Thus, a simple and understandable car device can serve as one of the reasons for their ubiquity. Climate scientists claim the electrification of vehicles is one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fully electric cars move with the help of a large electric battery and do not produce exhaust gases. Electric vehicles are becoming more eco-friendly over time, despite the more intensive battery manufacturing process. Common gas-powered cars are the least climate-friendly option, as long-term costs and emissions cover a wide range. It reduces the risk of death from an accident and from the effect of exhaust gases on a person’s lungs. According to Dr. Tranchik’s estimates, the production emissions of electric vehicles will be compensated for six months, depending on the cleanness of the power system in which the car is charged. Electric cars enjoy less popularity than gas-powered vehicles due to their higher initial cost. The battery capacity price should also be considered since a car that can last longer on its charge will cost more. Nevertheless, actual research shows that electric cars help drivers save money in the long run. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology team calculated the cost of the vehicle’s full life (including the purchase price, maintenance, fuel) and found that electric cars cost their owners much cheaper (Penney 2021). Today, electric vehicles are becoming safe, affordable and, produced by major brands, are starting to be sold in large volumes. The world leader in sales of such cars is Norway, which has a plan to stop selling fuel cars by 2025. A similar policy is followed by New Zealand, which is concerned about the state of the environment. The dissemination of such research would help reduce the financial costs of using cars. The spread of electric vehicles requires infrastructure development and increased accessibility. Despite the fact that electric cars are already becoming more common on the roads, only some countries are close to their widespread use. Nevertheless, electric machines will be an excellent replacement for traditional gas and will improve the situation of the environment. References Magnusson, S. (2017). New Zealand electric car guide . Sigurd Magnusson. Penney, V. (2021). Electric Cars Are Better for the Planet – and Often Your Budget, Too. Web. Simpson, J. D. & Barligen, W. (2021). The history of electric cars . Web.
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ESSAY: Emergence of the Human and Health Science Essay Darwin’s evolution theory of natural selection explains how different organisms came to being and how others got extinct. In the theory, evolution occurred from one generation to another as they inherited physical and behavioral traits that allowed them to thrive in rapidly changing environments. This theory starts by indicating that in the olden days, there existed organisms with opposing traits i.e., either strong or weak traits. Geological and other environmental changes impacted the need for the survival of the species. As a result, the organisms with stronger particular traits would remain alive and end up passing the traits to their next generations as they breed. The organisms with weaker traits would get wiped out naturally resulting in the extinction of their generation (Flew 28). Darwin’s theory of evolution was fundamental in discussing the unique occurrences and developments in human sciences. The theory in itself explains genetics despite the lack of its knowledge at the time of its formation. When relating the theory to the concept of human, life and the science surrounding it, it is clear to note how humans have made significant advancements in science with the intent of developing their world, remaining dominant, and understanding every concept of life to keep them ahead of anything that may want to wipe them out of the face of the world. Understanding the working of the human brain gives a clear indication of how the brain is so developed as compared to other organisms and why humans remain superior to other organisms. This explains why in every century, new developments are made and new scientific studies are identified giving a difference to the world. Scientific Questions Supporting Connection of Darwin’s Theory and Human Sciences One of the scientific questions is the origin of life and the extinction of some species. This question is used to identify the origin of humanity and the variation in the organisms that exist now to those that existed in the earlier centuries e.g., mammoths. It also tries to find out of humanity will last or we are also likely to go extinct. Through the process of obtaining answers, one can understand how evolution has contributed to changes in the life of different organisms as well as humans and how humans have gone to a great extent to dig deeper into the existence and development of life. The other scientific questions include: 1. In what way has the secret of life been unravelled through time? (How different people have tried to study and sustain life). 2. How unique is the human brain and what is its role in the human body? (History of the study of the human brain and how the obtained information has been used in the development of the field of psychology and neuroanatomy). 3. How does the brain impact our lives? (This explains the variation in brain development at different ages and among different individuals). Proof of the Existence of A Link Between Science and Society The videos indicate how information grew from one century to another and was built on the inventions of key researchers and enthusiasts. All the information was used as guiding principles in the different scientific fields and new information was added to the existing data. The changes observed from one century to another are majorly contributed by scientific advancement. Countries such as Britain that took science seriously rapidly advanced and adapted to the rapidly changing environments as compared to other countries and this is an indicator of the link of science and the society. Work Cited Flew, Antony. Darwinian Evolution . 2nd ed., Routledge, 2017.
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ESSAY: Emergency Management: Definition and Development Essay The organizational task entrusted with developing a structure within the population to decrease exposure to risks and cope with catastrophes is known as emergency management. Regular training, simulations, equipment evaluation, and community coordination in a crisis are essential aspects of emergency preparedness (Oliver et al., 2015). Forest fires, tremors, hurricanes, accidents, bombings, dangerous chemicals events, snowstorms, and flooding are just a few of the typical calamities that come under emergency management (Oliver et al., 2015). Mitigation, readiness, reaction, and restoration are the four primary stages in the above framework (Oliver et al., 2015). During the mitigation phase, management ensures that quick action is taken to resolve concerns before a significant tragedy (Oliver et al., 2015). This is an essential step since it aids society in minimizing human as well as financial costs. In order to respond to a crisis in the quickest period feasible, the preparation stage encompasses planning, administering, coordinating, training, equipping, regulating, evaluating, and improving operations. As a result, the reaction stage entails organizing all relevant emergency services as well as planning for first responders (Oliver et al., 2015). It is crucial to determine the resources required and how to deploy them efficiently at this step. The population will attempt to rehabilitate the impacted region during the recovery period. Emergency Management and its Development A Congress Legislation was enacted in order to offer monetary support to a municipality in New Hampshire after a wild fire had decimated the area. Thus, the legislation mentioned above was signed into law in 1803, marking the first time the federal government intervened to assist victims of a local disaster (Huang et al., 2021). During 1930s, the government authorized Reconstruction Finance Corporation, as well as the Bureau of Public Roads, so as to offer emergency credits for the maintenance as well as restoration of specific community amenities (Huang et al., 2021). Around this period, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) came into existence in order to generate hydroelectricity and, as a supplement, to diminish flooding within the district. Congress approved an essential piece of disaster management law at that time. The Army Corps of Engineers were granted more power so as to design as well as develop all flood control ventures in the United States by the relevant authorities (Huang et al., 2021). As a result, the incidents above served as a springboard for other emergency management programs across the United States. Difference Between Emergency Management and Civil Defense On the one hand, civil defense refers to non-combatant efforts taken to safeguard civilians from imminent catastrophic situations and restore critical services and property in an assault. Civil defense, also known as civil protection, is an endeavor to protect non-combatants in a state against natural calamities. It employs disaster management principles such as prevention, abatement, preparedness, reaction, evacuation procedures and reintegration (Huang et al., 2021). A state’s attempt to protect its people (typically non-combatants) against natural catastrophes is known as disaster defense. The goal of emergency management, on the other hand, is to safeguard people, property, and governments from any threats. For instance, as the danger of war and aerial bombardment loomed, plans such as the above were considered as early as the 1920s, and several countries executed them throughout the 1930s (Oliver et al., 2015). Once nuclear weapons were identified as a threat, they became all-pervasive. Currently, the civil defense has changed its attention from military assault to widespread tragedies and crises after the conclusion of the Cold War. Some of the terms used to describe the new concept include crisis response, disaster prevention, emergency preparedness, recovery plans, civil aid, and public security. References Huang, D., Wang, S., & Liu, Z. (2021). A systematic review of prediction methods for emergency management. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 62 , 102412. Oliver, W., Marion, N., & Hill, J. (2015). Introduction to homeland security: Policy, organization, and administration . Jones and Bartlett.
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ESSAY: Entrepreneurship Theory and Ideation Techniques Report Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Creative, Innovation, and Ideation Tools 3. Business Idea: Hydroponic Vertical Farming 4. Creativity Score 5. Professional Development 6. Summary 7. References Introduction An entrepreneur must understand the market’s requirements and then reintroduce the same notion uniquely and creatively to attract consumers’ attention in an established market. Conversely, if a crowded market with prominent established firms battling global and local market share, obtaining shares in a neglected or otherwise untapped sector demands a wholly fresh, unique, and inventive concept. An idea is a fundamental notion explored but not executed, while ideation concretizes such abstract ideas into concepts (Laverty & Littel, 2020). Thus, to be successful as an entrepreneur involves developing visionary ideas artistically by adding aesthetic appeal and sufficiently inventing them into a product. Inventing and creating new products involves researching upcoming news and ideas that can be used to develop an innovative product to grasp customers’ attention. An entrepreneur can utilize surveys, interviews, observation, and market research, as an innovative systematic methodology to ascertain the newest trends and patterns within a market (Pittaway, 2021). Additionally, the entrepreneur can creatively use “passion” and “bug-me-list” ideation processes to produce ideas based on personal expertise and experience to land a lucrative business opportunity (Pittaway, 2021). For instance, “passion” and “bug-me-list” ideations represent an individual’s interest and excitement for specific themes or hobbies linked to current initiatives or market gaps via repeated brainstorming. Creative, Innovation, and Ideation Tools The cognitive capabilities of humans have well-recognized limits. These well-recognized limits might result in market instability owing to the uneven distribution of the same information across the population (Alvarez et al., 2020). This disequilibrium creates a market gap that an entrepreneur might benefit from due to a rapid shift in the supply and demand of various items. However, since it is dangerous to take such a risk without proper expertise, ideation strategies increase vigilance when identifying the patterns and gaps caused by the disequilibrium within the market on what innovative products to use to fill such gaps (da Silva Lopes et al., 2019). For example, pattern identification, brainstorming, and word association increase awareness of potential possibilities by spotting market gaps or disequilibrium. An entrepreneur must innovatively use these tools; pattern identification, brainstorming, and word association to gain a competitive advantage in a competitive market. For instance, by asking straightforward questions, brainstorming approaches such as SCAMPER may help solve issues or uncover possibilities that the entrepreneur can employ to gain a competitive advantage (Serrat, 2017). Similarly, the Six Thinking Hats approach allows for an investigation of a problem from several viewpoints but in a non-conflicting manner. In contrast, the tried-and-true mind mapping technique connects essential ideas through pictures, lines, and linkages. Word association is a strategy that introduces terms associated with the supplied word (Serrat, 2017). Similarly, imitation is a strategy that assumes a successful product will lead to a successful, enhanced version of the same product (Schnell, 2015). In addition to coming up with fresh ideas, it is essential to consider how to react creatively to critical feedback. Reacting creatively and innovatively to solve critical problems is a skill that entrepreneurs must employ when conducting their business. Individuals’ levels of creativity vary according to past knowledge and perception of a subject, which assists in developing ideas via their imagination (Hisrich & Soltanifar, 2021). For example, Uber is a transportation firm that combines the internet with a person’s demand for transportation. Customers can now go to their destinations quickly and easily thanks to this arrangement, which eliminates the need to hunt for a suitable mode of transportation. Additionally, one can access thousands of movies through Netflix’s DVD-to-streaming service for a low monthly fee (Hisrich & Soltanifar, 2021). The internet’s availability has posed several hurdles to an individual’s creativity. Due to the availability of many online platforms that replicate creation via online audiences’ interactions, digitalization has altered everyone’s view of creativity by opening new potential paths (Hisrich & Soltanifar, 2021; Pedersen et al., 2019). This contact and the availability of several platforms transform innovative ideas to create new products. Despite all the positive strengths and advantages that society has innovatively developed over the years, some disadvantages have risen, which yielded new innovative and creative solutions. For instance, due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s shutdowns and self-isolation, several businesses throughout the globe have been affected and damaged (Velavan & Meyer, 2020). Individuals have resorted to social media to alleviate boredom and maintain in touch with family and friends to keep themselves active and entertained (Zhongming et al., 2020). However, apart from entertainment, there were many platforms for learning, commerce, and other areas such as health. These platforms during the pandemic, like social media applications, made people’s lives easier and effectively accessible to regular day services at the comfort of their homes. For instance, youngsters unable to attend school had an online platform for offering a high-quality education (Alfonso et al., 2021). At the same time, online shopping platforms for everyday goods like groceries have risen in popularity. Farmers may now sell directly to wholesalers without going through go-betweens, maximizing financial advantage, and minimizing waste (Galhotra & Dewan, 2020). However, as demand soared, supply declined, and various commodities became unavailable (Bonadio et al., 2021). Despite vaccination, and the pandemic continues, there might be reinstations of lockdowns in the event of the detection of a new variant (Din et al., 2021). Since the virus has already disrupted the supply chain, the availability of labor, commodity scarcities, and other variables like climate change might cause food prices to skyrocket. Business Idea: Hydroponic Vertical Farming There is a need for more arable land to grow crops to fulfill the rising demand for food. Due to climate change, costs associated with insecticides and fertilizers will also rise due to reduced water supplies and more severe weather patterns. As a result, there will be a need to use aeroponics, hydroponics, or drip irrigation in farming to address these problems and supply world demand (Farooqi et al., 2021). Hydroponics is a technology that utilizes a liquid medium to provide nutrients to plants, obviating the need for soil (Sharma et al., 2018). Two distinct systematic approaches are available for hydroponic culture: circulating or closed-system cultivation and non-circulating or open-system cultivation (Sharma et al., 2018). The circulating or open system allows cultivating a range of high-yielding crops such as beetroot, tomato, rice, wheat, lettuce, and potato (Ghorbel et al., 2021). Hydroponic systems use 70% less water for plant development than soil-based systems (Ghorbel et al., 2021). The two most common options are root mist and fog feed, neither of which is beneficial for farming despite the significant benefit of reduced water use (Tunio et al., 2021). However, despite the root mist and fog feed lack of benefits to farming, they are helpful for water-scarce cities. Due to low rent, there is preferential for vertical farming in abandoned industrial sites outside the city core. However, there is the planning of new structures built with vertical farming in mind. Due to the emerging and transitional economies, individuals have blamed traditional agriculture for losing rainforests due to deforestation and environmental deterioration, resulting in desertification and groundwater depletion (Banerjee & Adenaeuer, 2014). Providing the crop is inside a closed system, there is a given increase in the cost of growing organic foods depletion (Banerjee & Adenaeuer, 2014). However, even though vertical farming is similar to greenhouse agriculture, the price of the growth medium necessary for the plant’s development will rise, increasing the total expense. Having discovered the strengths and weaknesses of the target market, it is essential to generate ideas through creativity to address the general critique of spending to transform it into an entrepreneurial success. First, there is a need to prefer an open system to a closed system to meet business objectives (Sher et al., 2021). To reduce production costs, traditional methods such as stacking trays with nutrient soil and aligning them vertically with small porous holes in the center for water collection to irrigate the lower trays may be useful (Sher et al., 2021). These traditional techniques will lower the cost of the growth medium while also conserving water for future use (Nasrollahi et al., 2021). Additionally, greenhouse conditions must be maintained throughout the year in the manufacturing facility or warehouse to ensure optimal productivity. On the contrary, the total cost varies according to the manufacturing plant’s size. Compared to growing in separate rooms, a warehouse is better because of its vast size and ease of upkeep (Rabaia et al., 2021). This is because maintaining and powering a single big open area inside a warehouse is less expensive than powering several growing rooms and, at the same time, utilizing electricity to provide light and maintain a constant temperature and humidity level, lowering the marginal cost by using renewable energy sources such as solar (Plaščak et al., 2021). Additionally, while using vertical farming employing, an appropriate water management system is necessary to irrigate the seeds or developed crops, thus decreasing waste and increasing cost and time savings via time-based automated irrigation (Plaščak et al., 2021). It is also economical since a single person will be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the facility in maintenance and ensuring that the is no plant attack or contamination by insects. Creativity Score By answering all 40 questions in the Paradox and Boldness area, I was able to get a high score in this category. Boldness and paradox are two characteristics that enable me to cope with and accept things that are different from the norm, no matter how difficult the situation may be. Every action is preceded by careful consideration of the objective of the action. However, I will only utilize the methods I have been using throughout my life. I am the kind of person that tends to overthink things and will spend an excessive amount of time pondering over any given situation. In difficult situations, I have learned how to become accustomed to them. When things get rough, I do not panic but instead, apply my mind to finding a solution. I like to keep things simple, clear, and well-organized; this is a strength that I can credit to my character. I am always terrified of a new uncomfortable situation; after some time, I recall what my father told me: that everything in life has a solution, and you can learn from every experience in life or run thus, I do not feel forced to seek out more thorough explanations. As a result, earning a high score in paradox and boldness is because I have learned to accept some circumstances in life and make the most of them. I have become stronger and have no qualms about pushing things in new directions. Professional Development Because of poor communication, I have lost clients in the past. As a result, I am not making as much money as I want to. Secondly, since I previously failed to manage a project, innovative leadership skills are essential when managing and monitoring initiatives. I need to hone my leadership skills since I have not always taken a proactive approach to managing my team. I also need to know and understand who my target market is to communicate well with them and show them the benefits of my products. For professional development purposes, I am honing my creative communication abilities to better my company since individual communication skills are critical in both the corporate world and personal life. Communication abilities are necessary for my company. As a result of this progress, it is essential to connect with customers and consumers daily to achieve the organization’s goal and achievement. Effective communication benefits the individual eventually and the personal and professional environment. The second aspect of professional growth is creative leadership. To foster a culture of lifelong learning, a person must consider developing strong and effective leadership abilities. My outstanding leadership talents enable me to lead and steer the organization on the appropriate path. A clear grasp of my objectives and a thorough examination of my performance aid me in attaining lifelong learning and the necessary talents to manage my career. Summary A business opportunity is determined by systematic research and pattern detection in the present market using social media platforms. According to the data, the ongoing epidemic of COVID-19, global climate change, which has disrupted the global supply chain, and rising inflation have increased the cost of every commodity. Prices have grown even more due to a combination of increasing global demand and tight supply, as almost all products have sold out in US stores. This imbalance indicates that there is a market for food-related items. Food insecurity has long been a concern, even before the epidemic. Climate change has also played a significant influence in pushing up food costs further due to rising temperature conditions, water scarcity, and unpredictable weather patterns that have wreaked havoc on crops in many parts of the globe. Consequently, several initiatives have been launched to solve this issue, including vertical farming. The SCAMPER and Six Thinking Hat techniques were used to resolve constructive criticism about vertical agriculture to start a small agribusiness to meet local consumption through creative innovation of established vertical processes with greenhouse agriculture techniques and begin production on a micro-level by reducing expenditure as often as possible during the process of brainstorming for entrepreneurial success in vertical farming. References Alfonso, V., Boar, C., Frost, J., Gambacorta, L., & Liu, J. (2021). E-commerce in the pandemic and beyond . BIS Bulletin , 36 (9). Web. Alvarez, S. A., Zander, U., Barney, J. B., & Afuah, A. (2020). Developing a theory of the firm for the 21st century . Academy of Management Review , 45 (4), 711-716. Web. Banerjee, C., & Adenaeuer, L. (2014). Up, up and away! The economics of vertical farming . Journal of Agricultural Studies , 2 (1), 40-60. Web. Bonadio, B., Huo, Z., Levchenko, A. A., & Pandalai-Nayar, N. (2021). Global supply chains in the pandemic . Journal of international economics , 133 , 103534. Web. da Silva Lopes, T., Casson, M., & Jones, G. (2019). Organizational innovation in the multinational enterprise: Internalization theory and business history . Journal of International Business Studies , 50 (8), 1338-1358. Web. Din, M. S. U., Mubeen, M., Hussain, S., Ahmad, A., Hussain, N., Ali, M. A.,… & Nasim, W. (2022). World Nations Priorities on Climate Change and Food Security. In: Jatoi W.N., Mubeen M., Ahmad A., Cheema M.A., Lin Z., Hashmi M.Z. (eds) Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture . Springer, Cham. Web. Farooqi, Z. U. R., Ahmad, Z., Ayub, M. A., Umar, W., Nadeem, M., Fatima, H.,… & Ashraf, M. I. (2021). Threats to Arable Land of the World: Current and Future Perspectives of Land Use . Examining International Land Use Policies, Changes, and Conflicts , 186-209. Web. Galhotra, B., & Dewan, A. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on digital platforms and change in E-commerce shopping trends . In 2020 Fourth International Conference on I-SMAC (IoT in Social, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud)(I-SMAC) (pp. 861-866). IEEE. Web. Ghorbel, R., Chakchak, J., Malayoğlu, H. B., & Çetin, N. S. (2021). Hydroponics “Soilless Farming”: The Future of Food and Agriculture . Web. Hisrich R.D., Soltanifar M. (2021) Unleashing the Creativity of Entrepreneurs with Digital Technologies . In: Soltanifar M., Hughes M., Göcke L. (eds) Digital Entrepreneurship. Future of Business and Finance . Springer, Cham. Web. Laverty, M., & Littel, C. (2020). Entrepreneurship. Web. Pittaway, L. (2021). Entrepreneurship Theory and Ideation Techniques . Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth , 23 . Web. Plaščak, I., Jurišić, M., Radočaj, D., & Vujić, M. (2021). An Overview of Precision Irrigation Systems Used in Agriculture . Tehnički glasnik , 15 (4), 546-553. Web. Nasrollahi, H., Ahmadi, F., Ebadollahi, M., Nobar, S. N., & Amidpour, M. (2021). The greenhouse technology in different climate conditions: A comprehensive energy-saving analysis . Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments , 47 , 101455. Web. Rabaia, M. K. H., Abdelkareem, M. A., Sayed, E. T., Elsaid, K., Chae, K. J., Wilberforce, T., & Olabi, A. G. (2021). Environmental impacts of solar energy systems: A review . Science of The Total Environment , 754 , 141989. Web. Schnell, S. (2015). Mimicry, persuasion, or learning? The case of two transparency and anti‐corruption policies in Romania. Public Administration and Development , 35 (4), 277-287. Web. Serrat O. (2017) The SCAMPER Technique . In: Knowledge Solutions . Springer, Singapore. Web. Sharma, N., Acharya, S., Kumar, K., Singh, N., & Chaurasia, O. P. (2018). Hydroponics as an advanced technique for vegetable production: An overview . Journal of Soil and Water Conservation , 17 (4), 364-371. Web. Sher, A., Mazhar, S., Azadi, H., & Lin, G. (2021). Smallholder Commercialization and Urban-Rural Linkages: Effect of Interest-Free Agriculture Credit on Market Participation of Rice Growers in Pakistan . Land , 10 (1), 7. Web. Strandgaard, J., Slavich, B., & Khaire, M. (2020). Technology and Creativity: Production, Mediation and Evaluation in the Digital Age . In J. Strandgaard Pedersen, B. Slavich, & M. Khaire (Eds.), Technology and Creativity: Production, Mediation and Evaluation in the Digital Age (pp. 1-11). Palgrave Macmillan.. Web. Tunio, M. H., Gao, J., Lakhiar, I. A., Solangi, K. A., Qureshi, W. A., Shaikh, S. A., & Chen, J. (2021). Influence of Atomization Nozzles and Spraying Intervals on Growth, Biomass Yield, and Nutrient Uptake of Butter-Head Lettuce under Aeroponics System . Agronomy , 11 (1), 97. Web. Velavan, T. P., & Meyer, C. G. (2020). The COVID‐19 epidemic . Tropical medicine & international health , 25 (3), 278. Web. Zhongming, Z., Linong, L., Xiaona, Y., Wangqiang, Z., & Wei, L. (2020). Digital Technologies and the COVID-19 Pandemic# BeyondTheOutbreak. Web.
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ESSAY: Epidemiological Analysis of Multiple Sclerosis Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Background and Significance of Multiple Sclerosis 3. Surveillance and Reporting 4. Epidemiological Analysis 5. Screening and Guidelines 6. Plan 7. Summary 8. References Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that has been studied by medical scientists and practitioners worldwide due to its high prevalence. Indeed, almost 3 million individuals worldwide have developed this neurodegenerative disease, and 900 thousand of them live in the United States (Walton et al., 2020). Studying how MS is reported, screened, prevented, and treated is significant for epidemiology as the problem of increasing cases evolves and affected people need additional assistance in dealing with the chronic condition. This paper aims to describe the disease’s definition, symptoms, incidence, prevalence, discuss surveillance and reporting strategies and reveal the knowledge gaps in the current approaches. Furthermore, the assignment includes an epidemiological analysis of the MS, determinants of health it impacts, financial and social costs it causes, and current screening guidelines developed for its diagnosis. Lastly, a plan of how a nurse practitioner can address the chronic health condition after graduation is offered based on the evidence and possible patient outcomes improvement. Background and Significance of Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the human brain and spinal cord, causing different symptoms such as loss of vision or limb movement disability. The condition is lifelong, may be diagnosed at a young age, and not result in severe dysfunction if timely treated and supported by a multidisciplinary team of physicians. MS is autoimmune and develops when the immune system damages the brain or spinal cord cells’ myelin sheath, making them weak or dysfunctional (Dobson & Giovannoni, 2019). The disease can be the relapsing-remitting type with the repeating symptoms’ episodes or the primarily progressive one with no remission periods and gradually worsening conditions. The symptoms of MS are diverse and frequently co-occur: blurred vision, difficulty walking, numbness in different parts of the body, fatigue, and coordination issues (Tobin, 2019). Moreover, the inadequate levels of vitamin D and sun exposure are proven related to the higher risk of developing sclerosis; thus, the long-lasting deficiency can lead to symptoms’ occurrence (Tobin, 2019). The increasing incidence of the disease signs signals the urgent need for screening to prevent severe outcomes. MS prevalence grows worldwide due to environmental factors and changes in people’s lifestyles. White and especially Nordic Europe ethnicities’ representatives develop the chronic condition more frequently than others; thus, European and Northern America’s countries have significant incidence rates (Tobin, 2019). Indeed, in 2021, 913.925 individuals were registered with the MS in the United States, with a prevalence of 288 per 100.000 inhabitants (Walton et al., 2020). With the rising attention to the disease, the statistics became more precise and collected by related local governmental and non-profit organizations to establish regulations necessary to improve treatment and diagnosis. However, after an exhausting search of the scholarly databases, no current incidence and prevalence data charts per state were found. For instance, information about New Jersey’s situation is not represented in the state’s Department of Health databases. The article about the condition statistics in the United States identified that in the Northeastern coast where the state is located, the prevalence was 377.4 per 100.000, the highest rate across the country (Wallin et al., 2019). This gap in surveillance requires additional consideration from healthcare providers and statistics researchers. Surveillance and Reporting Surveillance is essential for the public health sector of epidemiology because it helps timely and systematically collect, evaluate, interpret, and address information about specific diseases nationwide. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently launched a National Neurological Conditions and Surveillance System (NNCSS) to control neurological conditions’ statistics and develop strategies to support further research (Rocca et al., 2020). CDC (2022) states that “surveillance data can be collected from a variety of sources, including administrative data (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid), mandated reports, surveys, and registries” (para. 3). Monitoring of MS is performed through screenings such as MRIs, questionnaires, and discussions with the experts in diagnosis and treatment (Rocca et al., 2020). NNCSS merges the data about multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease to estimate the prevalence, explore the incidence, and assist the researchers in providing evidence sufficient to get funding for disease exploration. The systematic method is beneficial for tracking the overall situation with the chronic condition; however, the localized outbreaks or specific epidemiological factors might be missed among the averaged numbers. Reporting process allows the healthcare providers to assess the efficiency of the interventions, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and address disease-related challenges. For instance, MRI is the optimal procedure for MS screening, and interpretation of its results enables organizations to report them to NNCSS if the disease benchmarks are reached (Lee et al., 2021). Furthermore, nursing practitioners nationwide are encouraged to track the incidence of the disease or collect the statistics to maintain awareness of the local situation. No mandated MS reporting laws exist in the United States; thus, neither healthcare organizations nor patients must register their conditions (Lee et al., 2021). Although the absence of legislative obligations is understandable regarding patients’ autonomy, the severe outcome is that many people do not report the symptoms’ relapses and making the national statistics less precise. Epidemiological Analysis Epidemiological analysis of chronic disease is a helpful tool for practitioners to explore the conditions, encounter the aspects that can be improved through interventions, and forecast changes in prevalence in specific populations or locations. International organizations such as WHO use epidemiological data to develop general recommendations countries can use for decision-making, diagnosis, prescription, and support for the affected people (Walton et al., 2020). MS has diverse incidence worldwide due to the difference in the determinants of health, screening options, and treatment policies; thus, the descriptive analysis should be narrowed to a specific nation or state for more precise and valuable conclusions. Asking five questions: what, who, where, when, and why are the foundation of descriptive epidemiological analysis, and responding to them in terms of the United States’ population, social, healthcare, and economic aspects is necessary. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition developed in the spinal cord or brain as the immune system attacks the cells’ protective sheath and damages the connection between the nerves (Dobson & Giovannoni, 2019). MS diagnosis is based on screenings such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or blood tests, and by identifying the symptoms: loss of vision, numbness in limbs, and lack of coordination. The disease is a lifelong condition, and in the United States, nearly 913.000 individuals live with it, 74% of whom are women, and the average age of illness identification is 36 years (Walton et al., 2020). Most individuals with MS have the relapsing-remitting type rather than the primary progressive one. Epidemiological exploration of populations affected by multiple sclerosis must address the national determinants of health to provide sufficient information for retrieving patterns or forecasts. Indeed, in the United States, conditions such as genetics, access to healthcare, economic stability, social support, and living environment are fundamental. MS is not directly inherited, yet the risk of developing it increases by 0,5-1 percent if a parent or sibling has been diagnosed (Wallin et al., 2019). Furthermore, white ethnicities and women are at higher risk of developing sclerosis with the influence of environmental factors. There is no significant prevalence among populations from lower-income regions or neighborhoods; however, the inability to make costly screening in time results in the further conditions’ worsening (Wallin et al., 2019). Furthermore, the accessibility for individuals diagnosed with MS is well-developed, and such determinants as social support and financial help based on the Americans with Disabilities Act are provided. In the United States, the number of people with MS keeps growing regardless of a region’s specific location or economic status. Global epidemiological research revealed that the further a population lives from the equator, the higher the disease incidence because of the connection between vitamin D deficiency and MS development (Walton et al., 2020). Consequently, the increasing prevalence is registered in Canada and Northern America, and the Northeastern coast has the most cases per 100.000 inhabitants (Walton et al., 2020). Furthermore, in the states where most inhabitants represent white ethnicity, the number of cases keeps growing combined with the current changes in the lifestyle. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, the ability to get sufficient vitamins outdoors, move the body, and spend less time at sedentary work decreased, putting more American citizens at risk of developing MS. Multiple sclerosis can occur at any age, and even a child might develop the condition if they have inherited autoimmune inflammatory issues. In the United States, the average age of the disease identification is 36 years, and adults of 20 to 40 years old are at the highest risk (Dobson & Giovannoni, 2019). There are no epidemiological patterns discovered to suggest the time-related for MS because of the significant influence of external factors and lack of data about the predisposition. The reasons for multiple sclerosis to occur and disrupt the work of the human nervous system are the combination of health deviations with environmental factors. Indeed, predisposition to autoimmune issues can grow into a chronic disease if an individual gets insufficient vitamin D and other nutrients, has stressful life with severe habits such as smoking; they are at risk (Tobin, 2019). There are no direct causes of MS; thus, symptoms are the most appropriate way to notice problems and reach for medical assistance. Consequently, the issue of late diagnosis exists concerning the condition, and, combined with people’s unawareness of symptoms, the disease can be noticed only after a severe attack (Tobin, 2019). Strategies to identify risks of autoimmune deviations that evolve with the technological and scientific progress are the expected supporters in retrieving and addressing specific reasons for MS development. Multiple sclerosis diagnosis and treatment is costly for the United States’ healthcare financing and society. The prices for screening and therapy grow within the technological progress, and insurance coverage forces patients and organizations to invest more to address the disease. Hartung (2021) states that “direct healthcare costs, which can average $70,000 a year, have risen rapidly over the last decade and are driven by the escalating cost of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)” (p. 3). The societal burden of multiple sclerosis is significant for the United States because it is prevalent among the employable population. The outcomes, such as disability and loss of vision, make citizens incapable of fulfilling their needs and obligations as social members, and the government is forced to provide them with additional support. Screening and Guidelines Screening is the most precise approach for multiple sclerosis diagnosis and, combined with blood analysis and questionnaires, helps identify the autoimmune inflammation at its early stages. The definition standard is two attacks or symptom flare-ups with a minimum of 24 hours duration and not more than 30 days period between episodes (Tobin, 2019). Current national guidelines suggest that diagnosis must be based on three procedures: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with an intravenous contrast agent, lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, and basic CSF biochemistry test (Ömerhoca et al., 2018). MS can be submitted when at least two areas of the nervous system’s cells are damaged, and the recently developed McDonald criteria of diagnostic sensitivity can identify the definite disease after the first attack (Ömerhoca et al., 2018). No specific tests exist to check for MS, and physicians rely on symptoms when prescribing further activities. Spinal cord MRI remains the most valuable screening for multiple sclerosis due to its high specificity, sensibility, and predictability. The procedure can be based on quantitative T1 mapping, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), or magnetization transfer imaging (MTI), and define the deviation through assessing the spinal cord atrophy (Hemond & Bakshi, 2018). MRI has the highest signal and contrast sensitivity to noise among screenings and allows to identify of the deviations in white and grey spinal matters. MRI has more than 90% accuracy in predicting the disease and is the best for MS identification; however, it is necessary to consider that the encountered cells’ damage can relate to conditions. Spinal cord MRI specificity is high because it displays the exact places with abnormalities and, if performed shortly after attacks, can show the nervous system’s parts at the highest risk (Rocca et al., 2020). The procedure’s cost depends on the spinal area of screening and the hospital’s geographical location and differs between $1000 to $5000 (MDsave, n. d.). The average price for spinal cord MRI at a common hospital is around $1400, and, for example, in New Jersey, about $800 must be paid for it (MDsave, n. d.). The highly sensitive screening is necessary for differential diagnosis and worth the price considering the timely defined and treated MS outcomes. Plan The evidence collected through descriptive epidemiological analysis, current prevalence tendencies, diagnosis, and treatment strategies suggests that interventions of different levels are necessary to improve the situation with multiple sclerosis. Modern nursing practitioners have the right and opportunity to influence the healthcare systems’ operations through advocating for patient-centered care, developing programs to address the issues, and implementing them (Jarrett, 2022). The professionals’ position is beneficial for promoting interventions because they interact with patients, physicians, quality improvement teams, and policymakers. Multiple sclerosis can be addressed on three levels – prevention, screening, and disease management, and nursing practitioners can lead and integrate the related projects through advocacy for change in their hospital, state, or nationwide. The primary level intervention can address disease prevention and must comply with the environmental factors that cause MS development. Most people are unaware of the early symptoms or might confuse them with other diseases, and the patient education initiative can become a practical approach to decrease the incidence nationwide (Nazareth et al., 2018). Secondary intervention based on the differential diagnosis can contain the change in reporting the incidence based on screening and definite MS submission (Dobson & Giovannoni, 2019). Today, the statewide incidence data is not available, and passing a policy that enables organizations to track and publish results can impact the strategies used in different organizations and help retrieve the most efficient ones. The intervention for addressing the disease management is necessary to improve the situation with the MS outcomes. Indeed, more than a half of affected people do not report the relapsing episodes, ease the symptoms instead of complete treatment, and develop severe disabilities (Nazareth et al., 2018). Nursing practitioners can research why patients refuse to reach the hospital and advocate for practical changes that make re-attendance seem crucial and accessible. The effectiveness of interventions can be evaluated through collaboration with the quality improvement team, policy updates, or patient records’ statistical analysis (Jarrett, 2022). The table below represents the three interventions that can be developed and integrated for healthcare organizations nationwide. Table 1. Nurse Practitioners’ Interventions to Address The Multiple Sclerosis-Related Issues Intervention Type Stakeholders Outcomes Evaluation Improve patient education through raising awareness about MS symptoms and early signs. Primary Nursing practitioners, patients, public health communities, media; Population aware of signs and prevention methods is more likely to change their lifestyle. The increased number of screening requests and more questions from patients about MS. Change in MS reporting policies for organizations. Secondary Healthcare organizations’ quality improvement teams, local policymakers, practitioners, patients; Policy update advocating for more incidence reports and changes in screening strategies. If the initiative passes the legislative level and enables organizations to report MS cases and screening approaches. Identification of the reasons patients refuse to return with relapses and to address them. Tertiary Hospitals, physicians, practitioners, researchers; Strategies to make hospital attendance more essential and accessible to help improve disease management. The increase in the number of repeated visits expanded knowledge of local beneficiaries’ needs and behaviors. Summary Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that is being widely studied due to the increasing incidence worldwide. More than 913.000 individuals live with MS in the United States, and the prevalence is 288 per 100.000 inhabitants (Walton et al., 2020). The disease is diagnosed in adults of the average age of 36 years; women and white ethnicities’ representatives are at the higher risk (Dobson & Giovannoni, 2019). The NNCSS system exists for surveillance of neurological conditions’ statistics and the development of strategies to support further research (Rocca et al., 2020). There is no reporting policy for MS, and the problem of lacking information about screening approaches and outbreaks exists in current healthcare. Diagnosis, treatment, and disease outbreaks are a massive financial and societal burden for the United States due to the costly equipment, life-long treatments, and high risk of disability among the affected. There are specified procedures to test for MS; however, screening, such as MRI, is the most beneficial and precise (Hemond & Bakshi, 2018). National guidelines suggest considering two long-lasting attacks with less than 30 days break between them as sufficient to check and define multiple sclerosis. Nursing practitioners can impact MS treatment and diagnosis nationwide through advocacy for patient outcomes improvement and interventions. Evidence revealed that the related operations could be updated on prevention, screening, and disease management levels, enabling healthcare providers to develop different initiatives. People are mostly unaware of MS symptoms and prevention options, and more than half of the affected do not report the relapsing episodes, ease the symptoms instead of complete treatment, and develop severe disabilities (Nazareth et al., 2018). Nursing practitioners can act as the medium between patients and healthcare organizations to research the former’s behaviors and gather feedback sufficient to encourage the latter to take immediate action. Patient education, screening, reporting policies updates, and increase of services’ accessibility are the foundation for further improvements in multiple sclerosis treatment and diagnosis. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). Web. Dobson, R., & Giovannoni, G. (2019). Multiple sclerosis–a review. European Journal of Neurology, 26 (1), 27-40. Web. Hartung, D. M. (2021). Economics of multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapies in the USA. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 21 (7), 1-8. Web. Hemond, C. C., & Bakshi, R. (2018). Magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 8 (5), a028969. Web. Jarrett, L. (2022). A multiple sclerosis nurse specialist narrative, focusing on supporting people to manage cognitive changes. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 18 (1), 32-40. Web. Lee, J. K., Bermel, R., Bullen, J., Ruggieri, P., & Jones, S. E. (2021). Structured reporting in multiple sclerosis reduces interpretation time. Academic Radiology, 28 (12), 1733-1738. Web. MDsave. (n. d.). Spinal cord MRI price. Web. Nazareth, T. A., Rava, A. R., Polyakov, J. L., Banfe, E. N., Waltrip II, R. W., Zerkowski, K. B., & Herbert, L. B. (2018). Relapse prevalence, symptoms, and health care engagement: Patient insights from the multiple sclerosis in America 2017 survey. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 26 , 219-234. Web. Ömerhoca, S., Akkaş, S. Y., & İçen, N. K. (2018). Multiple sclerosis: Diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Archives of Neuropsychiatry, 55 (1), 1-9. Web. Rocca, M. A., Preziosa, P., & Filippi, M. (2020). What role should spinal cord MRI take in the future of multiple sclerosis surveillance?. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 20 (8), 783-797. Web. Tobin, W. O. (2019). Management of multiple sclerosis symptoms and comorbidities. CONTINUUM: Lifelong Learning in Neurology, 25 (3), 753-772. Web. Walton, C., King, R., Rechtman, L., Kaye, W., Leray, E., Marrie, R. A., & Baneke, P. (2020). Rising prevalence of multiple sclerosis worldwide: Insights from the Atlas of MS. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 26 (14), 1816-1821. Web. Wallin, M. T., Culpepper, W. J., Campbell, J. D., Nelson, L. M., Langer-Gould, A., Marrie, R. A., & LaRocca, N. G. (2019). The prevalence of MS in the United States: A population-based estimate using health claims data. Neurology, 92 (10), 1029-1040. Web.
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ESSAY: Epithelial Tissue: Structure and Functions Research Paper Epithelial tissue is composed of cells that are laid together in sheets, with its cells being closely connected to one another. The epithelial layers are avascular but innervated. The cells of the epithelium have two surfaces, the structure, and function of which can vary1. Such glands as the exocrine and endocrine are made up of epithelial tissue and are differentiated based on the manner of secretions’ release. There are eight types of epithelia, with six of them being identified on the basis of the number of cells and their shape and two being named by the type of cells found in them. They include simple squamous epithelium, simple cuboidal epithelium, simple columnar epithelium, pseudostratified columnar epithelium, stratified squamous epithelium, stratified cuboidal epithelium, stratified columnar epithelium, and transitional epithelium. Among the mentioned types of epithelia, the simple squamous epithelium will be discussed further. Simple squamous epithelium represents a single layer of flat cells that have the shape of scales. This type of epithelial lines the inner surfaces of all blood vessels make up the wall of alveolar sacs in the lungs and lines the cavities in the body2. The cells of the epithelium have a flat shape and are arranged using a single layer. This layer is thin enough that it allows forming of a membrane through which the compounds can move with the help of diffusion. Simple squamous epithelia allow for facilitating gas diffusion as well as small molecules. Simple squamous epithelium tends to be permeable and occurs where small molecules require passing quickly through membranes through diffusion or filtration. The epithelium falls under the physiological category of exchange epithelium because of its capacity to transport molecules promptly across the tissue level. To enable this movement, some kinds of simple squamous epithelium can be porous, which allows molecules to pass through it, thus enabling a leaky epithelium. Simple squamous epithelium is best located in the air sacs of the lungs, the lining of the heart, as well as lymphatic and blood vessels. Therefore, the primary function of this type of epithelium entails allowing materials to pass by means of diffusion and filtration and secrete lubricating substances. Because simple squamous epithelium is involved in the composition of the lungs, the heart, blood, and lymphatic vessels, it plays crucial functions in the body. The lungs are a vital body organ, which is a part of the respiratory system, allowing a person to breathe. They will enable the inflow of oxygen into the body (inhalation) and send carbon dioxide out (exhalation), while the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called respiration. Besides, the simple squamous epithelium is included in the composition of the heart, which is the most critical organ in the body which sends blood around it. Blood functions as the key provider of the body with oxygen and much-needed nutrients and also carries waste. The blood and lymphatic vessels also play vital roles in the human organism, with simple squamous epithelium representing their core component. The lymphatic system represents the component of the immune system, helping maintain the balance of fluid in the body and playing a part in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble nutrients3. It encompasses an extensive vessel network passing through the majority of the tissues to allow for the movement of lymph. When it comes to the importance of blood vessels, their function entails the delivery of blood to organs and tissues in the body. The blood supplies the organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients needed for the functioning of the organism. The image of the simple squamous epithelium is represented in the longitudinal section, which is done by achieving a plane along the long axis of the structure. It represents a section done by a plane along the long axis of a structure as opposed to a cross-section, which is also referred to as the transverse section. In histology, the longitudinal section is achieved by making a cut that is made parallel to the longest dimension of an organ or a specimen. This is because many anatomical structures are significantly longer in one direction than the other. Therefore, the tissue cut in the long direction, the longitudinal section of the simple epithelium will mean that the image should show that every cell touches the basement membrane. In contrast, in a stratified epithelium, some cells should be shown resting on top of other cells without being in contact with the basement membrane. The examination of simple epithelial cells is usually possible through a biopsy. After a sample is collected, it is being fixed in formalin and embedded in a medium such as paraffin. Then, it is sectioned and stained to fit the further examination. Besides, in histology, it is notable that keratin can be used for defining tissue as epithelial cells and differentiate between the different types. In terms of visualization of cells, light microscopy is usually used; it can also help determine the epithelium’s morphology present in the tissue specimen. Reference List 1. Kurn H, Daly DT. Histology, Epithelial cell . In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Web. 2. Xiong F, Ma W, Hiscock TW, et al. Interplay of cell shape and division orientation promotes robust morphogenesis of developing epithelia. Cell. 2014;159(2):415-427. Web. 3. Null M, Agarwal M. Anatomy, Lymphatic System. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021.
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ESSAY: Equine Influenza: Prevention and Treatment Essay Equine influenza is a respiratory disease that is highly contagious to horses and other animals in the horse family. It is caused by numerous influenza subtypes, a virus comparable to but distinct from influenza viruses seen in other animals. Contact with sick horses and infected clothing, equipment, brushes, gear, and so on transmits the virus swiftly. When the illness strikes horses, it is known to cause considerable losses. Horses may not display the corresponding signs when affected by the disease. However, it is possible to prevent the spread of the virus by vaccinating the horses, treating the sick horses, and using any other preventive measure. The essay will discuss the effects, ways of transmission, and how to treat and prevent equine influenza. Horses are affected by two varieties of influenza viruses that steadily circulate and produce seasonal flu waves, influenza A and influenza B with two varieties of influenza viruses that steadily circulate and produce seasonal flu waves, influenza A and influenza B. Influenza stresses the letters H and N are used to categorize viruses. Letters H and N stand for hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, correspondingly. These are both proteins on the worm’s external that help in the virus’s raid of cells (Oladunni et al., 1657). Occasionally the bacteria exchange genetic data, acquiring original traits that human immune mechanisms have never seen before. Equine fever is a viral infectious respiratory illness that spreads quickly among horses and has a short incubation period (1-3 days). It is transmitted by diseased horses coughing, filthy buckets, brushes, gear, and so on. Coughing horses volatilize the organism, which may spread the virus up to 150 feet and infect an entire barn in a matter of minutes (Blanco-Lobo et al., 933). Infectious horses may shed influenza for 14 days after being infected. Finally, many horses are symptomless virus shedders, which means they are resistant and will not become sick; however, the virus may still multiply and transfer to other horses. Because equine influenza respiratory indicators are comparable to other respiratory disorders, they cannot solely identify illness on clinical signs. The testing window is limited; the findings may be harmful if samples are analyzed very late in the disease’s progression. Diagnostic testing facilities isolate viruses mostly from nose swab samples acquired from ill horses shortly after infection. Serum sample testing can also be used to make a diagnosis. Equine influenza is a worm with severe penalties, but with proper immunization and biosecurity, supervisors may affect the outcome of infections. Shareholders, riders, handlers, and coaches can lessen the risk of sickness by succeeding the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ immunization recommendations (AAEP). Sticking to proper biosecurity follows, collaborating closely with the vets, and existence proactively (getting temperatures, separating horses) if they detect potential signs of illness. Working with your vet to ensure that horse(s) is on a suitable immunization regimen is critical. Though vaccination is not a panacea, it is among the most effective existing defense against this condition. If an immunized horse becomes sick, the situation is milder, and vaccinated animals shed influenza for shorter times. A rise in events, along with an increase in horse movement, leads to epidemics of infectious illnesses such as equine influenza (Sacket al., 1185). Effective biosecurity strategies, methods to decrease pathogen spreading, and understanding of sickness symptoms are necessary safety precautions. Finally, Equine influenza may infect both horses and humans. It is easily spread through direct contact with sick horses and can swiftly infect a significant number of horses in a single grazing area. Familiarize oneself with the approved indications of equine influenza and keep an eye out for them over the winter season. If you believe that you have the flu, have your veterinarian take suitable samples and submit them to a specialist laboratory for examination. Adequate measures and improved knowledge will help to keep this highly contagious respiratory ailment at bay. Works Cited Blanco-Lobo, Pilar, et al. “A bivalent live-attenuated vaccine for the prevention of equine influenza virus.” Viruses, vol. 11, no. 10, 2019, p. 933. Oladunni, Fatai S., et al. “Equine Influenza Virus and Vaccines.” Viruses, vol. 13, no. 8, 2021, p. 1657. Sack, Alexandra, et al. “Equine Influenza virus—a neglected, reemergent disease threat.” Emer ging infectious diseases vol.25, no. 6, 2019, p. 1185.