CAse study Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

CAse study - Research Paper Example The major considerations is whether there exists a trade off in the amount of revenue that hospital earns and the speed up to which the revenue is collected. According to an empirical test conducted between 2004 and 2006 on the relationship that exists among vital financial effective hospital revenue cycle management measures. The article clearly shows that with increased revenue collection there is an increased amount of net patient income for every adjusted discharge, reduced contractual budgets, as well as reduced bad debts. On the other hand, the charity care provisions are higher in hospitals with that have a higher revenue collection speed. Therefore, the article comes up with a conclusion that there is no evidence trade off that exists between patent revenue amount and the revenue collection speed. However, these financial gains of effectual hospital revenue cycle management in most cases go hand in hand. Thus, it is indicated that early results are a complementary, showing th at effectual hospital revenue cycle management attains a multiple of positive results. Another article â€Å"The State of Health Care Revenue Cycle.† By Solomon P. (2011). Suggests that revenue cycle management in all administrative and clinical activities have a relationship to generating and collecting patient revenue. These activates have gained a lot of importance in current business environment whereby hospitals receive challenges in underpayments and delay in payments. Although there is continued practitioners interest, there is no much attention drawn from revenue cycle management in health care financial research. There are studies that have been conducted on current revenue cycle management procedures with an aim of coming up with a financial gains measure in the context of increasing the amount of patient speed in the revenue collection. According to correlation analysis,

Self-esteem and Teen Girl Flips Essay Example for Free

Self-esteem and Teen Girl Flips Essay Sixteen year old Fathima looks at herself in the mirror. She studies her body along with her face and thinks she is extremely ugly. She looks at the television and a popular celebrity appears on the screen with a beautiful face and body. She compares that person to how she looks. She says to herself, Why am I so ugly? Why am I so fat? I want to be beautiful! Good day to one and all. My topic for today â€Å"Celebrities and how they impact on teenagers lives. Living in a technological era, we have access to the tabloids more than ever before. There are television sets, magazine covers, Internet blogs, and movies screaming to be read and watched. When a life of parties, short-term relationships, drugs, and alcohol are leading celebrities like Britney, Paris, and Justin to spiral out of control, you would think that their lifestyle is not ideal. But, fans of these stars disagree. Now, in an age where we have more contact with celebrity gossip than we have ever had, we are faced with a question: what are the effects that superstars have on our youth? . Every day there are more and more stories and pictures on the Internet of the illicit activities of celebrities. Teens see these people partying, drinking alcohol or doing drugs, and they think they should too. This sends the message to teens that in order to have fun or be cool, you have to use these substances. Teens may begin to think that it is no big deal, and this can cause serious problems leading to drug and alcohol addictions, risk-taking behaviors, and even death. The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is not the only dangerous celebrity influence for teens. Some of the most common problems that occur are issues with self-esteem for teens, especially teen girls. When a teen girl flips through her favourite fashion magazine, she is inundated with pictures and articles revolving around the erroneous belief that celebrities are perfect. The air-brushed pictures, workout and diet tips, and pin-thin models can cause body images issues for teens. In trying to make themselves look like the pictures that they see, teens can cause real damage to their bodies. Working out too much or not eating enough can lead to an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia. Many teens are like Fathima are strongly affected by celebrities. Popular celebrities are always shown on the covers of magazines and on television for teens to view. They look glamorous and beautiful, causing teens to want to be like them. Many teenagers look up to these role models but most of these popular beauties affect teens negatively. They go through extreme measures to become thin and are afraid of gaining weight. Teens also think that by becoming thin they will look beautiful and become popular. Many teens have low self esteem and become quickly swayed by the celebrities looks. So many times they forget that they are beautiful the way they are. They want to look perfect. Either their nose is too big or theyre not skinny enough. These small imperfections cause teens to look at the celebrities and envy them. They strive to lose that extra kilos, but end up losing more than enough. If something cannot be done to make that tiny imperfection better, it leads to dangers, such as suicide. Teens should appreciate the way they look already and be grateful. Many children who face hardship and live with poverty arent even able to look ‘cool if they wanted to. While it is almost impossible to completely remove any negative celebrity influence from your life, you can lessen the effects of celebrities and the media by seeking out positive role models in real life who you can aspire to be like. Try to find people who exhibit qualities you would like to have, such as honesty, optimism and perseverance. It can also be helpful to try to take the focus off of your appearance as much as possible. Remember, that you are not defined by what you look like. What really makes up a person is how you act and treat other people. Thank you.

Does A Split Reality Exist? :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Does A Split Reality Exist? Dà ©jà   vu as a failure of the brain to put "time stamps" on memories. Where or When (Words by Lorenz Hart, Music by Richard Rogers) When you are awake; The things you think come from the dreams you dream; Thought has wings-; And lots of things- are seldom what they seem; Sometimes you think you have lived before; All that you live today.; Things you do – come back to you,; As though they knew the way.; Oh, the tricks your mind can play!; It seems we stood and talked like this before.; We looked at each other in the same way then; But I can’t remember where or when.; The clothes you’re wearing are the clothes you wore.; The smile you are smiling you were smiling then,,; But I can’t remember where or when.; Some things happen for the first time,; Seem to be happening again - ; And so it seems that we have met before, and laughed before and loved before,; But who knows where or when! (1) It happens to many people – you are there and it’s as if you have already been there, you know what is going to happen next and it seems a part of another life you have lived. Some claim that dà ©jà   vu is signifying problems in your mental state, that you are probably losing your mind and start living in the hallucinating world of a person with mental problems. Others accept it as a fact of life. But in a survey, over 80% of the participants who reported having experienced dà ©jà   vu, denied a possibly clinical condition before their dà ©jà   vu incidents, such as mental and physical fatigue, depression, stress, anger, fear. And surveys among random groups of population show that nearly all people experience dà ©jà   vu. The statistics varies from 30% to 96%. (3) The concept of dà ©jà   vu is not very well studied. Even though a common phenomenon, most of the studies have concentrated on clinical populations such as psychopathological patients. (6) Neppe’s definition describes dà ©jà   vu as any subjectively inappropriate impression of familiarity of the present experience with an undefined past. (2)The term "already seen" was first used in 1876 by E.Letter Boirac who called it "la sensation du dà ©jà   vu." In 1896 F.L. Arnaud introduced it to science. (7)Many researchers are cautious when dealing with instances of dà ©jà   vu because of the chance the person who experienced the sensation may have read or seen something that is in his unconsciousness triggering the impression.

How to Motivate Fred Maiorino Essay

Fred Maiorino was employed by Schering-Plough for 35 years and on July 19, 1991 he was terminated. Fred was terminated because the lack of motivation he has once Jim Reed was hired. The factors that inhibit Jim Reed from motivated Fred Maiorino are lack of leadership, lack of goals, and lack of an effective employee performance review. Leadership Jim Reed fails to motivate Fred because of the unsuccessful role as leader. A successful leader has the ability to manage and supervise the performances of their employees. (Kacmar, Carlson, Harris 2013). These authors describe several leadership styles but the most effective in motivating employees is transformational leadership style. The transformational leadership style inspires employees by establishing a work environment that is motivating and invigorating (Kacmar, Carlson, Harris 2013). Motivating employees initiate them to believe in organizations ambitions. The transformation leadership technique encourages and motivates employees to be mindful of the significance of their role within the company. The authors explain a transformation leader that stimulates and motivates employees has the ability to achieve astonishing outcomes and improve their leadership capability. They also assist in developing and strengthening employees. They are effective in overcoming defiance among the employees by instilling passion, strength and cooperation between employees and establishing a set of standards to follow. Leaders must demonstrate ethics, honesty, beliefs and trust to establish a positive work atmosphere so employees will be motivated to do their best. (Pryor, Singleton, Taneja, & Humphreys, 2010) A leader that motivates allows an employee to feel confident and appreciated for their work. Employees want to believe that they are valued and respected by their managers. Transformational leadership significantly enhances the competence leaders have to impact an increase in collaboration among employees. According to Schuh, Zhang, & Tian (2013) the end result of transformational leadership is â€Å"uniformly positive†. Transformational leaders believe employees are a valued asset instead of, just an employee. Employees should be involved in making decisions. Transformational leaders should be able to listen and have the ability to communicate with employees. A transformational leader will allow employees to disprove of ideas and  offer new suggestions. Employee motivate and morale will increase with the continually use of the transformational leadership style. Jim Reed should have adopted a transformational leadership style to motivate Fred Mariono. Goal Setting Jim Reed’s lack of goals contributes to the failure of motivating Fred. Goal setting is a tool that can be used to motivate employees, allowing them to feel important and valued as an employee. (Latham 2004) Efficient goal setting is force of performance. According to Locke & Latham (2002), the goal setting theory emphasizes that employees given precise goals than being told â€Å"do your best† The more successful attempts an employee has a obtaining their goal, the higher their job satisfaction will be. Setting goals for employees instill purpose and meaning to their job and allows them to challenge each other. Achieving goals increase employee’s interest, enhanced sense of personal efficiency, and pride in job performance. (Latham 2004) The importance of goals to employees influences the commitment to the goal. Goals are regulated by aptitude, commitment, feedback, difficulty, and situational elements. (Barsky 2008) An employee’s success in accomplishing stimulating but obtainable goals is directly correlated with positive and valued results. The higher the significance of the expected results for the employee, the higher the goal commitment to achieve it (Latham 2004). Once the goal is set, it is the employee’s assessment that will govern the level of performance (Latham, 2004). Specific goals set for Fred would have challenged, motivated, and increased his level of performance Performance Evaluation The failure of implementing an effective performance evaluation contributed to not motivating Fred. Jim Reeds method could be described as unintended outcome.(Van De Mieroop, Vrolix 2014) that is obtained from unacceptable performance ratings. Performance evaluations should be comprised of principles that determine the level of performance and a valuation to determine the achievements of the employee. An effective performance evaluation will clearly state employee’s expectations and standards. A performance evaluation review should not be based on historical factors. The purpose of performance reviews should focus on the future. (Van DE  Mieroop, Vrolix 2014) The most effective way to increase performance is by direct feedback (Ahmed, Sultan, Paul, Azeen 2013). The key motives for lack of performance can be accredited to lack of managerial success due to the lack of manager’s direction and feedback to employees. .(Yadav, Sushil, Sagar 2014) Leaders need to make employees aware of their responsibilities, obligations to the company and their expectation and then offer continuous feedback. Employees need to be made aware of the progress of their performance levels. (Yadav, Sushil, Sagar 2014) Many studies have revealed that most performance appraisals do not meet the company’s expectations because it emphasis the weaknesses of the employees. This has a tendency to make employees very defensive about the negative focus on their weaknesses. Along with distrust, negative feedback can deter performance, making the performance review ineffective for developing an employee. Jim Reed’s lack of an effective performance evaluation played a role in the termination of Fred. Recommendations Jim Reed needs to adopt a transformational leadership style. Employee ‘s level of performance is positively impacted when transformational leadership is applied. There are four transformational leadership approaches to increase productivity, increase motivation, and decrease turnover. (Zhu, Akhtar 2014) The first approach is to for leaders to set a superior example. This gains the leader respect and trust from employees. They are able to motivate, create change and boost the interest of employees. Second approach is leaders that inspire and are motivated themselves have the ability to motivate employees to be dedicated to the company’s goals. Leaders will also have the ability to encourage their employees to work together and obtain goals and increase their level of performance. (Baca Walker 2013) The third approach is that challenging employees intellectually will stimulate and encourage creativity and originality. Doing this, will able employees to think decisively and develop problem solving skills to assist the company in becoming more effective. The last approach, transformation leadership technique promotes employee consideration. Transformation leaders care about each employee and are often viewed as advisors and teachers. Schuh, Zhang and Tian (2013)have determined that there is a positive correlation between the behavior of  managers and employee results. The success of an organization is directly correlated with an increase in level of performance, efficiency, and improvement. A transformational leadership technique applied would have assisted in motivating Fred. Jim Reed needs to set goals for employees based on the goal setting theory to motivate employees. Performance is indirectly affected by setting goals. According to Latham & Locke (2002), there are several key factors to ensure that the goals are effective. Employees must possess the skills and knowledge to achieve the goal g iven. A learning goal should be set when the employee lacks the knowledge to obtain the goal. The employee needs to be committed to the goal. To ensure that an employee is committed, the goal must be important and deemed as achievable to the employee. Its neccassary that an employee feels committed to achieving the goal for the level of performance to be affected. (Bateman, Barry, 2012) One important factor that facilitates goal commitment is the belief that the individual are able to attain the goal. (Locke, Latham, 2002). Managers need to give the employee feedback, to keep the current on their achievements. Employees that learn they are below their goal usually escalate their determination or adjust their strategy to ensure they achieve their goal. Locke and Latham (2002) suggest that when feedback allows performance to be tracked in relation to one’s goal, goal setting is more effective. When employees realize that they are not on track to accomplish their, they will work harder to increase level of performance. (Tamemag, OHora, Maglieri 2013) If employees are unaware of their progress, they have no way of knowing that change is needed in their performance. The manager is also responsible for ensuring that the employee has all necessary resources to achieve their goal. The implementation of the goal setting theory would have assisted Jim Reed in motivating Fred and could have prevented him from being terminated. Jim Reed needs to base his employee performance review off of the Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale. Research has determined one of the most effective ways of evaluating employees is the Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale. BARS is technique that evaluates employees based on their level of performance. This scale combines basics from critical incident and graphic rating scale methods.( Hauenstein, Brown, Sinclair, 2010) BARS will assist in managing changes for promotions and helps in addressing poor performance. It allows the ability to evaluate  other programs within the organization. References Ahmed, I., Sultana, I., Paul, S., & Azeem, A. (2013). Employee performance evaluation: a fuzzy approach. International Journal Of Productivity & Performance Management, 62(7), 718-734 Bacha, E., & Walker, S. (2013). The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Perceptions of Fairness. Journal Of Business Ethics, 116(3), 667-680 Barsky, A. (2008). Understanding the Ethical Cost of Organizational Goal-Setting: A Review and Theory Development. Journal Of Business Ethics, 81(1), 63-81 Bateman, T. S., & Barry, B. (2012). Masters of the long haul: Pursuing long-term work goals. Journal Of Organizational Behavior, 33(7), 984-1006 Ganster, D. C., Kiersch, C. E., Marsh, R. E., & Bowen, A. (2011). Performance-Based Rewards and Work Stress. Journal Of Organizational Behavior Management, 31(4), 221-235. Hauenstein, N. A., Brown, R. D., & Sinclair, A. L. (2010). BARS and Those Mysterious, Missing Middle Anchors. Journal Of Business & Psychology, 25(4), 663-672. Kacma r, K., Carlson, D. S., & Harris, K. J. (2013). Interactive Effect of Leaders’ Influence Tactics and Ethical Leadership on Work Effort and Helping Behavior. Journal Of Social Psychology, 153(5), 577-597. Latham, G. P. (2004). The motivational benefits of goal-setting. Academy Of Management Executive, 18(4), 126-129 Locke, E.A.,&Latham, G.P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57, 705–717. Pryor, M. G., Singleton, L. P., Taneja, S., & Humphreys, J. H. (2010). Workplace fun and its correlates: A conceptual inquiry. International Journal of Management, 27(2), 294-302. Schuh, S., Zhang, X., & Tian, P. (2013). For the Good or the Bad? Interactive Effects of Transformational Leadership with Moral and Authoritarian Leadership Behaviors. Journal Of Business Ethics, 116(3), 629-640 Tammemagi, T., O’Hora, D., & Maglieri, K. A. (2013). The Effects of a Goal Setting Intervention on Produc tivity and Persistence in an Analogue Work Task. Journal Of Organizational Behavior Management, 33(1), 31-54 Van De Mieroop, D., & Vrolix, E. (2014). A Discourse Analytical Perspective on the Professionalization of the Performance Appraisal Interview. Journal Of Business -Communication, 51(2), 159-182 Whiting, H. J., Kline, T. B., & Sulsky, L. M. (2008). The performance appraisal congruency scale: An assessment of person-environment fit. International Journal Of Productivity And Performance Management, 57(3), 223-236 Yadav, N., Sushil, & Sagar, M. (2014). Revisiting performance measurement and management: deriving linkages with strategic management theories. International Journal Of Business Performance Management, 15(2), 87-105 Zhu, Y., & Akhtar, S. (2014). How transformational leadership influences follower helping behavior: The role of trust and prosocial motivation. Journal Of Organizational Behavior, 35

Reading Father and I

Reading Father and I by Par Lagerkvist with Narrative and Culture Repetition One of the claims that J. Hillis Miller make in his essay Narrative, has to do with repetition and its relationship with enjoyment. Miller points out â€Å"We enjoy imitation. For one thing imitations are rhythmic, orderly and it is natural for us to take pleasure in rhythmic forms. † In answering the question, why we need the ‘same’ story over and over again, Miller adds â€Å"The repetition of a rhythmic pattern is intrinsically pleasurable, whatever the pattern is. The repetitions within the pattern are pleasurable themselves. From his claim, I can deduce that repetition is something that readers look for in a story. Come to think of it, it might be one of the driving forces that allow the reader to take interest. It is one primary consideration that writers need to take in making a story.In the fiction story, Father and I, by Par Lagerkvist, I find that the author not only uses repet ition not only for enjoyment but also for the development of the story. Repetition is found in the rhetorical devices that he uses to develop his sentences. For one, he utilizes parallelism in his statements. There was noise and movement everywhere; bumblebees came out of their holes, midges swarmed wherever it was marshy, and birds darted out of the bushes to catch them and back again as quickly. † Another, he uses repetitive words in order to gain more impact in a sentence. â€Å"Nothing was right, nothing was real; it was all so weird. † The genius of Lagerkvist comes out in the repetition of events and elements in the plot and making them contradictory. The story repeats events and elements and creates a contrast of imagery depending on the time.The summary of events follow: the father and child go out, enter the woods, see animals and telegraph poles, encounter a train, and arrive at their destination. At day time, the woods are full of life and movement. Animals a nd telegraph poles sing. The train is a friendly passerby that greets the father and child. Their destination brings remembrance of the childhood of the father. But at night time, the woods change. Animals stare. Poles rumble like talking deep down from the earth. A train passes unexpectedly. They proceed to their destination with the child traumatized by the experience.In doing this, the author accomplishes his goal of creating crisis in the main character (child), bringing him from a situation of certainty and control to a situation of anguish and vulnerability. The skilful repetition of events allows me to read the story and follow the movement easily. The contradiction in the presentation of the events gives a two-sides-of-a-coin effect on the symbols employed by the story. The train, for example, isn’t just a symbol of the father’s ability to control but it also a symbol of his inability to foresee future danger. Performative Function Miller extensively discusses the functions of fiction in his essay.One of these functions that he writes about is the function that speech-act theorists call ‘performative function’. He writes, â€Å"A story has a way of doing things with words. It makes something happen in the real world: for example, it can propose modes of selfhood or ways of behaving that are then imitated in the real world. † Taking his statement and applying it to the story, I sense that Father and I proposes to the real world a stage of common experience and defines this experience. It pays close attention to the coming of age of a child; when the child grows from childhood to adulthood.This story describes how this coming-of-age can be like. The child begins to realize that he feels differently from his father. â€Å"It was so strange that only I was afraid, not Father, that we didn’t think the same. † The divide develops further when the child sees that the father (a railroad worker) didn’t reco gnize the train driver, â€Å"Father didn’t recognize him, didn’t know who he was. † He realizes that his father was powerless. â€Å"†¦The unknown, all that Father knew nothing about, that he wouldn’t be able to protect me against. † The story ‘performs’ by describing the processes that the child underwent.It defines how the child underwent the process of individuation. The child realizes that he is different from his father; his father no longer understands what he is going through. The child now is on his own; he begins understands what it is to be an individual. Further, the child becomes aware that there are things his father could not protect him from. He has to proceed on his own. He has to stand face the world that has its own darkness. In a rather stark manner, the author allows us to gain insight into the coming-of-age. This experience is an experience of cutting-off; this can be rather painful and lonely.He shows that t his is an experience of independence; it will be a life for the person and not for anyone else. It is an experience of uncertainty; not everything will be in control. The world no longer revolves for the convenience of the person. â€Å"It just hurtled, blazing, into the darkness that had no end. † Culture Builders Greenblatt and Miller agree that stories are reflectors and builders of culture. Miller writes â€Å"Fiction [†¦] accurate reflectors of a culture and [†¦] are the makers of that culture and as the unostentatious, but therefore all the more effective policemen of that culture. Greenblatt adds to this by looking at culture as a movement of constraint and mobility. It has the movement of constraint: has a set of limits within which individuals must be contained. It has the movement of mobility: the regulator and guarantor of movement. We find these dynamics in the story as well. We can that the story reflects (moves as constraint) the culture of that time. We need to contextualize this first by looking at the background of the author. Par Lagerkvist lived from 1891 to 1974. He is a son of station master Anders Johan Lagerkvist and Johanna Blad, was born in the south of Sweden.Seeing this, I surmise that the story might come from a personal experience and reflects the culture of his time. In the story, we sense the qualities expected of the males in their culture. They were â€Å"sound and sensible people†. They â€Å"didn’t make much fuss about things. † They stay calm and not think of anything even in difficult situations. The story reflects the image of males as composed; even stoic and unfeeling. The story not only reflects these qualities but also challenges them. It tries to build culture brings about the movement of mobility.The child asks if the Father really does not feel fear. â€Å"I couldn’t understand how he could be so calm when it was so murky†. The story questions this breezy calm and asks for greater transparency. The story also brings to attention how the father is unconnected to feeling and how he could no longer relate to the experience of the child. The story questions that sense of security and certainty that are expected or found of in men of their culture. It challenges this culture to face the world even with one’s insecurity and vulnerability.

“Testaments Betrayed” by Czech writer Milan Kunder Essay Essays

â€Å"Testaments Betrayed† by Czech writer Milan Kunder Essay Essays â€Å"Testaments Betrayed† by Czech writer Milan Kunder Essay Paper â€Å"Testaments Betrayed† by Czech writer Milan Kunder Essay Paper The transition from Testaments Betrayed by Czech author Milan Kundera discusses the basic thought of the saving of privateness and the criminalism of the failure to make so. The transition considers the state of affairs that occurred between two of import Russian figures around the early 1970’s. Through complete scrutiny of the circumstance and Kundera’s stance. the sheer sarcasm of the concatenation of events is clearly manifested and public and private are proved so to be two distinguishable kingdoms of being. The complete sarcasm embodied in the series of events serves to convey and back up Kundera’s claim that â€Å"curtain-rippers are felons. † As suspected. traffics between Jan Prochazka and Professor Vaclav Cerny. a well-known figure with anticommunist sentiment. sparked heightened surveillance. Still. the police’s ultimate determination to enter these meetings and air them by wireless was the poision that failed to discredit Prochazka yet succeeded in lending to their ain decease and devastation. Clearly apparent. the actions of the constabulary infringed on the privateness of the two persons. Through these illicit actions the public’s eyes were opened up to a greater incorrect than the talk and aspirations of two human existences. They were opened up to the irreparable actions of presenting two differing domains. private and public life. The fact that the dirt did in portion disrepute Prochazka ab initio. demonstrates the overall obliquity of the act and in bend makes the public’s concluding realisation of the farce stronger and more resolute. The footing for this realisation and failed effort at discrediting Prochazka lies within the ineluctable fact that private and public spheres are to stay detached. Kundera successfully conveys this position to his reader in the transition. In making so. Kundera provides realistic illustrations of how otherwise people act in private. â€Å"A person†¦slurs friends. utilizations class language†¦floats dissident thoughts he’d neer admit in public. and so forth. † As seen. Kundera foremost merely says that â€Å"a person† does all these things. yet in the undermentioned sentence he expresses that â€Å"we all act like Prochazka. † This noticeable. tempting. and gradual displacement in look serves to show to the reader merely how common Prochazka’s state of affairs and actions are. As a reader. it is about impossible non to associate to such a strong and true statement. Private life in kernel has a typical behavior that accompanies it. For case. in private life one is non expected to warrant their statements or have them placed under the microscope for anyone and everyone to dissect at will. It is a sacred interval in which sincere ideas are non hindered by the incriminating limitations of public life. Clearly this case serves to show why these two elements of life should stay detached. Overall. Milan Kundera clearly expresses his claim that private and public are two basically different universes that are non to be tampered with. Furthermore. Kundera uses an existent happening in successfully showing this point. Following thorough rating of the statement. the bold statement. â€Å"curtain-rippers are felons. † can easy be deemed true.

Why Top Female Athletes Stay in Male-Dominated Sports to an Elite Level The WritePass Journal

Why Top Female Athletes Stay in Male-Dominated Sports to an Elite Level Abstract Why Top Female Athletes Stay in Male-Dominated Sports to an Elite Level ). This is addressed by using a larger sample (15 participants) (e.g. Waltz, Krumperman, and Zigmont 2011) and triangulation through the survey. 3.7 Ethical Considerations First amongst the ethical considerations that the study takes note of is the anonymity of the target participants, as well as the confidentiality of data to be collected. It is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure that participants provide informed consent prior to their participation and that they have the right to withdraw their participation at any point, without incurring any liability. The data collection shall take place visvis having informed the participants of the general purpose of the study and why their participation is being sought. Moreover, the data will be stored in a database using passwords that only the researcher knows, whilst the survey questionnaires will be put to safekeeping and disposed of upon the total completion of the research in order not to be accessed by anyone. The proposal shall require approval from an ethics committee. 3.8 Significance of the Research This study is significant in a number of ways, one of which is its contribution to the existing literature on female participation in what has been generally considered as male-dominated sport. Another is its confirmation of the prevailing role of culture and gendered images in such perception, as well as the continuing struggle of female athletes to situate themselves in the realm of sports, thereby adding to the existing knowledge on the subject. 3.9 Timeline The research timeline starts on February 3, 2014 and ends on February 16, 2018. The first part of the survey will be done in May 2014. The various aspects of the research are shown in the Gantt chart below: Figure 2: Gantt chart showing the research timeline References Anderson, E. (2008) ‘I Used to Think Women Were Weak’: Orthodox Masculinity, Gender Segregation, and Sport. Sociological Forum, 23 (2), 257-280. Carty, V. (2005) Textual Portrayals of Female Athletes: Liberation or Nuanced Forms of Patriarchy? Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, 26 (2), 132-172. Elling, A. and Knoppers, A. (2005) Sport, Gender and Ethnicity: Practices of Symbolic Inclusion/Exclusion. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34 (3), 257-268. Fink, J. S. (2008) Gender and Sex Diversity in Sport Organizations: Concluding Comments. Sex Roles, 58 (1-2), 146-147. Ford, N. (2012) The Essential Guide to Using the Web Research. First Edition. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Hamdan, A. (2009) Muslim Women Speak: A Tapestry of Lives and Dreams. Toronto: Women’s Press. Krane, V., Choi, P. Y. L., Baird, S. M., Aimar, C. M., and Kauer, K. J. (2004) Living the Paradox: Female Athletes Negotiate Femininity and Muscularity. Sex Roles, 50 (5/6), 315-329. Lee, A. S. (1991) Integrating Positivist and Interpretive Approaches to Organizational Research. Organization Science, 2 (4), 342-365. Monsen, E. R. and Horn, L. V. (2008) Research: Successful Approaches. Third Edition. US: American Dietetic Association. Mujis, D. (2011) Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. Second Edition. London: SAGE Publications. Pelak, C. F. (2005) Negotiating Gender/Race/Class Constraints in the New South Africa: A Case Study of Women’s Soccer. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 40(1), 53-70. Pringle, R. (2005) Masculinities, Sport, and Power: A Critical Comparison of Gramscian and Foucauldian Inspired Theoretical Tools. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 29 (3), 256-278. Scott, D. and Morrison, M. (2005) Key Ideas in Educational Research. NY: Continuum International Publishing Group. Vincent, J., Imwold, C., Masemann, V., and Johnson, J. T. (2002) A Comparison of Selected ‘Serious’ and â€Å"Popular’ British, Canadian, and United States Newspaper Coverage of Female and Male Athletes Competing in the Centennial Olympic Games: Did Female Athletes receive Equitable Coverage in the â€Å"Games of the Women†? International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 37 (3-4), 319-335. Waltz, B. J., Krumperman, K. M., and Zigmont, J. (2011) Foundations of EMS Systems. Mason, OH: Delmar Cengage Learning. Whisenant, W. A., Pedersen, P. M., and Obenour, B. L. (2002) Success and Gender: Determining the Rate of Advancement for Intercollegiate Athletic Directors. Sex Roles, 47 (9-10), 485-491.

5 Cases of Mistaken Meaning Cured by a Comma

5 Cases of Mistaken Meaning Cured by a Comma 5 Cases of Mistaken Meaning Cured by a Comma 5 Cases of Mistaken Meaning Cured by a Comma By Mark Nichol A simple lesson about the strength of the mighty little comma can be learned by noting the difference in meaning that results depending on its presence or absence at the end of a parenthetical phrase. More specifically, in the types of sentences shown below, when an attributive phrase one that identifies the source of the information provided in the framing sentence is inserted in the midst of the sentence and a comma precedes the interjection but none follows it, what is said is often not equivalent to what is meant: 1. â€Å"Every nine years, it was decreed that the fragment must be conveyed to another place of sanctuary.† The point of this sentence is that an action is described as having occurred every nine years, and that this action was decreed. That latter detail is the content of the attributive phrase. But without a comma closing the interjection, the implication is that the decree was issued every nine years. However, what the sentence means is that a decree was issued requiring the action to occur every nine years that’s a much different idea, and this slightly revised sentence correctly expresses it: â€Å"Every nine years, it was decreed, the fragment must be conveyed to another place of sanctuary.† 2. â€Å"By the end of the century, estimates are that one in three people will be living in poverty.† This sentence is not as far afield from the intended meaning as the original sentence in the previous example, but it does suggest that such estimates will be released by the end of the century, rather than that current estimates predict the stated outcome. This revision states the point more clearly: â€Å"By the end of the century, estimates are, one in three people will be living in poverty.† 3. â€Å"Instead of embracing our civil rights future, the commission’s report says the Bush administration has begun backsliding into the past.† At first glance, this sentence seems to have the same not-quite-right structure of the second example, but it actually introduces a serious miscommunication. The suggestion is that the commission report, not the Bush administration, is failing to embrace our civil rights future, and that the commission is making the statement in place of that responsibility. The mere insertion of a comma sets the sentence right (in this case, an optional that is not included, so no deletion of same is necessary): â€Å"Instead of embracing our civil rights future, the commission’s report says, the Bush administration has begun backsliding into the past.† 4. â€Å"Up to my junior year at the University of Michigan, I am forced to admit that I had always tried to get A’s.† The writer, this sentence suggests, was forced to make an admission until reaching their third year of college, at which time the confession was no longer required (but in that case, am should be replaced by was). But the admission is parenthetical to a different thought, which is that the writer strove for the highest letter grade for only their first two years in higher education: â€Å"Up to my junior year at the University of Michigan, I am forced to admit, I had always tried to get A’s.† 5. â€Å"As far back as his childhood, he told me he had wanted to be a scientist.† As punctuated, this sentence tells the reader that the would-be scientist had shared his ambition with the writer since the other person had been a child. If this is what the writer means, the beginning of the second part of the sentence should include had (â€Å"he had told me†). But if the writer is relating what the other person had shared more recently about his childhood goal, a comma should follow me to set off the attributive phrase â€Å"he told me†: â€Å"As far back as his childhood, he told me, he had wanted to be a scientist.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What Does [sic] Mean?225 Foreign Phrases to Inspire YouNominalized Verbs

Theodore Roosevelt's Military Experience Research Paper

Theodore Roosevelt's Military Experience - Research Paper Example One can never undermine the naval reconstruction undertaken by Theodore Roosevelt. As the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt was deeply influenced by naval officer and historian Alfred Thayer Mahan and he rendered remarkable services in establishing a modern navy that could protect the interests of the nation around the globe. In fact, Roosevelt strongly believed in expansionism and he held that â€Å"the United States should build up its navy and start asserting its global power† (Shmoop 9). Even though he served the navy as assistant secretary for only one year Roosevelt took special efforts to develop â€Å"contacts with noted naval strategists, planned future strategies for a naval war with Spain, and appointed George Dewey to command the Asiatic Squadron† (Crucible of Empire-PBS Online). All these efforts culminated in the emergence of Roosevelt as one of the most efficient and tactful of American military officers. Theodore Roosevelt’s war in Cuba ha s elaborately been documented by many authors of history. As the Assistant Secretary of the Navy he prepared the navy ready for any wars and he succeeded in convincing the army that intervention in Cuba is necessary. He convinced his navy men that â€Å"it was the moral duty of the United States to end Spanish misrule in Cuba and to stop at once and forever the despotic tyranny of the Spanish Governor-General, Weyler† (Lewis 120). In his autobiography Roosevelt himself confesses that the war in Cuba was inevitable and that it was motivated by humane motives rather than for political interests. In his autobiography he observes that â€Å"Spain attempted to govern her colonies on archaic principles which rendered her control of them incompatible with the advance of humanity and intolerable to the conscience of mankind† (Roosevelt 159). Thus, Roosevelt sought to wipe out the misery, degradation, devastation and destruction that the Cubans had to endure at the hands of the Spanish imperialists. In 1898 the explosion occurred on the USS Maine in Havana Harbor offered a golden opportunity for Roosevelt to prompt the American government to wage war in Cuba. Roosevelt also motivated his men to assist the Cubans who were waging a very important war to gain independence from Spain since 1895. Roosevelt played a pivotal role in the Spanish-American War, the Battle of Manila Bay and his able leadership at the helm of the First Volunteer Cavalry, nicknamed as the "Rough Riders" won him recognition as well as popularity. The voluntary cavalry men under Roosevelt supplemented the depleted U.S. Army in the war and tuned the war in favor of the US army. Roosevelt and his Rough Riders landed in Cuba on 22 June 1898 and by August the Rough Riders turned the war in favor of the American force. At the battle of San Juan Heights Roosevelt led the army from the forefront and the image of Roosevelt charging up the San Juan Hill in 1898 turned out to be a historical icon in the US history and very soon he assumed the status of a national hero. The question whether Theodore Roosevelt should be awarded the medal of honour evoked a lot of debates in the United States. While his own companions offered testimony for his courage and absolute fearlessness in the battlefield it is doubtful why he was not honoured with the Medal of Honor during his life time itself. There are many historians who hold that

Macroeconomics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Macroeconomics - Assignment Example From this discussion it is clear that public goods are characterized by non-rivalry, which means that after consumption, there are still in plenty for others to enjoy it. In addition, non-excludability is a characteristic that occurs when it is impossible to produce a good without the possibility of others enjoying it. On the other hand, private goods have a rivalry that after the consumption, it is unavailable to others. It is in this respect that they are possible to produce goods with the possibility of enjoyment of others. The non-rivalry and non-excludability feature characterize the public and private goods. The citizenship can enjoy both the two levels of goods with satisfaction.As the study highlights there is a free-rider problem in public good because of non-excludable. It refers to the ability where one cannot stop the other from consuming it. Non-rival also means that consuming the good does not lower its availability. An example for this outfit is the local police who ar e considered as a public good because of their non-rivalry. Local TV services are private as people usually pay for them. The variations based on rivalry index on goods makes them a concern for consumption and hence worth understanding.  A price index is a consideration that a manager ought to keep a keen focus on especially in determining the best product to optimize. I take a consideration of the two products A and B and subject them to the system, which shows that the marginal utility of dollar (z) MUA is 2 while MUB is 0.53.

Case study presentation+notes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Case study presentation+notes - Essay Example Time consideration is an essential factor in this regard. The non-discounting factors do not take into consideration time value of money and therefore are considered inferior to discounting cash flow techniques. With respect to the projects in this paper, both kinds of techniques have been considered, namely NPV and payback method (Bierman and Smidt, 2012). NPV is one of most preferred discounting techniques deployed in investment appraisal. In this method, future inflows are converted into present value by discounting them using a discount factor. The main benefit of discounting inflows is that it helps understand the actual worth of the inflows and reflects the impact of inflation and potential risks on the investment. Generally, cost of capital is considered as an appropriate discounting measure because it is developed using the existing market risk factor. There are two criteria for accepting a project: first, NPV should be positive and second, a project with the highest NPV should be selected. Negative NPV bearing projects are rejected because they would generate negative return in the long run (Sangster, 1993; Savvides, 1994). It was observed that none of the projects of Jones & Simpson Ltd generate a positive NPV. Project A generated a negative value while Project B was observed to break even. Breakeven stands for a no-profit / no-loss situation. If the company has no other choices besides project A and B, Project B is recommended because project A involves more investment and will generate negative return in the long run. Payback period is one of the non-discounting techniques used by managers for evaluating projects. However, this technique is used along with other discounting techniques so that the time factor is not neglected. Generally, managers analyse projects using NPV, IRR and payback period together. One of the key benefits of payback period is that it focuses on cash flow instead of accounting profit. The determination process is also

How Russia Viewed the Bush Presidency Term Paper

How Russia Viewed the Bush Presidency - Term Paper Example ning that main criterion in assessing the situation in Iraq should be the weapons inspectors findings, which must be presented to the United Nations Security Council. Russia, along with France and China, believed that the U.N. Resolution 1441 that created a new tough inspections regime, would be necessary for the United Russia had joined the coalition against terror, promising to share intelligence and offering political support to the US president. President Putin promised to increase the supply of weapons to the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Russia had supplied the Northern Alliance with arms to be used in Afghanistan against Taliban. He also offered to open Russian airspace to US airplanes for humanitarian flights, and to participate in search and rescue operations. When the leaders of the Central Asian States offered bases to the coalition for the attack against Afghanistan, Putin announced that he had approved the offer. However, it is important that there were vast differences between the two countries in their perception of terrorism. In Russia the origins of the terrorist threat lay in the weakness of the state. Political instability, poverty and inequality in Russia in the 1990s provided a fertile climate for radical groups to attract followers and for foreign Islamic networks to penetrate the country. Russia and the United States are also dealing with different enemies. The United States’ chief enemy in the war against terrorism is al-Qaeda. In Russia, however, the terrorist threat originates primarily in Chechnya. Russia seemed to get very little benefit from its cooperation with the coalition against terrorism. As a realist and a pragmatist, Putin understood that Russia would become irrelevant if it did not cooperate in the coalition against terrorism, but he also believed that knowledge of the difficulties of fighting in Afghanistan, the intelligence that Russia had been gathering and its relationship with the Northern Alliance were assets

Pulmonary Edema Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Pulmonary Edema - Research Paper Example Pulmonary edema if left untreated could lead to a number of complications and could eventually lead to death of the patient. One of the most common conditions of pulmonary edema is the patient’s difficulty in breathing and in some cases the coughing is accompanied by the patient coughing up pink frothy sputum that is actually blood. Anxiety and pale skin are also attributed to pulmonary edema along with the patient sweating in great amounts. Patients in some cases cannot lie down in a straight position because of their inability to breathe properly. If a patient lies down then he or she would exhibit signs of breathlessness or shortness of breath (Ford & Mazzaferro, 2012). Patients can even suffer breathlessness during the night when they are asleep. Patients wake up from their sleep at night in a state of great anxiety (Ford & Mazzaferro, 2012). In cases where the patient suffers from a chronic case of pulmonary edema, there are symptoms that need to be looked for in the patient. One of the symptoms of chronic pulmonary edema is peripheral edema, where other parts of the body tend to swell up. In most cases peripheral edema is observed within the limbs of the patient. When pressed upon this swelled area, the skin takes a greater time to return to its normal state. An increased jugular venous pressure and swelling of the liver are also observed in patients with acute pulmonary edema. There has even been cases where patients with chronic pulmonary edema have displayed symptoms such as the heart making a third beat and crackling sounds being made by the patient at the end of each breath (Ford & Mazzaferro, 2012). Due to the seriousness of the illness, most physicians and medical personnel diagnose pulmonary edema based on the symptoms of the patient. The initial test conducted is an X-ray of the chest. The chest X-ray helps physicians determine if

How Russia Viewed the Bush Presidency Term Paper

How Russia Viewed the Bush Presidency - Term Paper Example ning that main criterion in assessing the situation in Iraq should be the weapons inspectors findings, which must be presented to the United Nations Security Council. Russia, along with France and China, believed that the U.N. Resolution 1441 that created a new tough inspections regime, would be necessary for the United Russia had joined the coalition against terror, promising to share intelligence and offering political support to the US president. President Putin promised to increase the supply of weapons to the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Russia had supplied the Northern Alliance with arms to be used in Afghanistan against Taliban. He also offered to open Russian airspace to US airplanes for humanitarian flights, and to participate in search and rescue operations. When the leaders of the Central Asian States offered bases to the coalition for the attack against Afghanistan, Putin announced that he had approved the offer. However, it is important that there were vast differences between the two countries in their perception of terrorism. In Russia the origins of the terrorist threat lay in the weakness of the state. Political instability, poverty and inequality in Russia in the 1990s provided a fertile climate for radical groups to attract followers and for foreign Islamic networks to penetrate the country. Russia and the United States are also dealing with different enemies. The United States’ chief enemy in the war against terrorism is al-Qaeda. In Russia, however, the terrorist threat originates primarily in Chechnya. Russia seemed to get very little benefit from its cooperation with the coalition against terrorism. As a realist and a pragmatist, Putin understood that Russia would become irrelevant if it did not cooperate in the coalition against terrorism, but he also believed that knowledge of the difficulties of fighting in Afghanistan, the intelligence that Russia had been gathering and its relationship with the Northern Alliance were assets

How can we help people who are living longer to live better Assignment

How can we help people who are living longer to live better - Assignment Example According to the World Health Organization, the eradication of non communicable diseases may be a factor in achieving this goal. It is by adjusting the lifestyle choices of most people that this is possible. It is also vital to note that physical activity plays a herculean role in enabling people live better lives. As people age, the body may not be as highly functional as it was in its prime years. However, by focusing on adjusting the mental acuity of most people in their prime years, it is possible to carry such an attitude toward their golden years. Offering care and support to those living longer is also a way to ensure that they get the attention they desperately need. It is often said that happiness may result in people living longer (Themer 2015, p. 73). In this case, it may improve the quality of life of an individual if they feel happy. By educating people on the benefits of physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, and low stress factors, it is possible to ensure that people living longer also live better lives.

Activities of the Ku Klux Klan Essay Example for Free

Activities of the Ku Klux Klan Essay With the Civil War over and tensions still high between the south and the north; the country saw a rise in violence against African Americans. Those in the south still didn’t believe blacks rated the same as them. In this paper I will discuss the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the activities the Klan participated in, and the eventual fall of the Klan. After the Civil war ended many southerners still had the belief that the Blacks were not equal and should not be put in the same class or jobs as white men and women. With tensions rising violence began to break out and Blacks were the main target as well as anyone that was assisting the Black community. On December 24th, 1865 six confederate veterans got together and formed the first Klan. To historians the Klan was formed as a post Civil war insurgent rise that was fighting against the dramatically changing social situation our country was facing. The Klan used public violence against blacks as intimidation; attempting to keep them out of jobs and off the land that whites believed they did not and should not own. To the Klan Blacks were a inferior race and should stay that way; working for whites as a labor force. As the years went by the Klan attempted to create a hierarchy with the various chapters in the south, however the plan failed and the various chapters went on to terrorize their areas and settle feuds that were boiling. During the time of the Klan, the members acted in many differing activities. The Klan choose to ride at night and use the darkness as their ally as they terrorized the black community. When they would ride at night they often dawned white masks to mask their identity from the community, mainly for the simply reason that the members of the Klan were often high ranking officials of the military or of the community. When the Klan would ride they often targeted black political leaders as well as heads of the families, along with the leaders of the churches, and community groups because these men and women were a icon in the community. The Klan was also against blacks voting, in a matter of weeks that Klan had killed or wounded over two-thousand black voters in Louisiana before the Presidential election of 1868. By 1868, just 2 years after the creation of the Klan its activities began to fade and die down. In 1870 the government stated that the Klan was an organized terrorist group and began to indict members of the Klan. A reporter in Georgia wrote in January 1870, A true statement of the case is not that the Ku Klux are an organized band of licensed criminals, but that men who commit crimes call themselves Ku Klux.† (1) As the Klan decreased its unpopularity also shot down, in 1870 the Klan was destroyed in South Carolina and discriminated against in the rest of the south. In 1872 the Klan was completely disbanded and didn’t come back till 1915. In conclusion, the Klan was a group of men and some women that still held the beliefs that the black community was underneath the whites. They did not see them as equals and did not agree with what the north was trying to do after the Civil war. In the beginning the Klan was strong and had nearly 550,000 members that terrorized the south, but the lack of leadership and differing views ultimately led to their demise and eventual destruction of the Klan.

Quantization effects in digital filters

Quantization effects in digital filters ABSTRACT: Quantization effects in digital filters can be divided into four main categories: quantization of system coefficients, errors due to A-D conversion, errors due to roundoffs in the arithmetic, and a constraint on signal level due to the requirement that overflow must be prevented in the comparison. The effects of quantization on implementations of two basic algorithms of digital filtering-the first-or second-order linear recursive difference equation, and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) are studied in some detail. For these algorithms, the differing quantization effects of fixed point, floating point, and block floating point arithmetic are examined and compared. The ideas developed in the study of simple recursive filters and the FFT are applied to analyze the effects of coefficient quantization, roundoff noise, and the overflow constraint in two more complicated types of digital filters frequency sampling and FFT filters. Realizations of the same filter design, by means of the frequency sampling and FFT methods, are compared on the basis of differing quantization effects. All the noise analyses in the report are based on simple statistical models for roundoff and A-D conversion errors. Experimental noise measurements testing the predictions of these models are reported, and the empirical results are generally in good agreement with the statistical predictions INTRODUCTION: Digital filters are widely used in modern signal-transmission systems. The first-order filters are used for extracting lower-frequency or upper-frequency signals. Quantization errors due to the finite number of binary digits in the representation of numbers are typical of digital filters. Quantization is a representation of data samples with a certain number of bits per sample after rounding to a suitable level of precision. Quantization errors in a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) system can be introduced from three sources; one source is input quantization, a second is coefficient quantization and the third is the finite precision in the arithmetic operations. The quantization error in the arithmetic operations can be controlled by carefully selecting the size of buffer registers according to the input word length. Quantization errors from input and filter samples are considered in this article. The effects of quantization errors and the tradeoffs required between precision and hardware resources are discussed in relation to the implementation of the DSP in Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). This article is divided into three main sections; quantization effects for upconversion, quantization noise due to rounding off arithmetic and quantization effects for digital beamforming (DBF). Fixed length samples cause reduction in the filter dynamic range and gain resolution. Quantization In digital signal processing, quantization is the process of approximating (mapping) a continuous range of values (or a very large set of possible discrete values) by a relatively small (finite) set of (values which can still take on continuous range) discrete symbols or integer values. For example, rounding a real number in the interval [0,100] to an integer 0,1,2,100. In other words, quantization can be described as a mapping that represents a finite continuous interval I = [a,b] of the range of a continuous valued signal, with a single number c, which is also on that interval. For example, rounding to the nearest integer (rounding  ½ up) replaces the interval [c .5,c + .5) with the number c, for integer c. After that quantization we produce a finite set of values which can be encoded by say binary techniques. A. QUANTIZATION EFFECTS ON UPCONVERSION: In multirate systems, upconvcersion can be achieved with oversampling and filtering techniques. For the proposed digital TIGER system, input Gaussian pulses are upsampled to produce higher order Nyquist zones. A high pass FIR filter is employed to acquire a spectral zone at the expanded band edge. In this case, higher efficiency is possible by exploiting filter symmetry. For a higher throughput rate, polyphase implementation of the FIR filters can be employed. Since signal amplification is performed in the analog domain, a high speed 14 bit DAC is used for digital to analog conversion. Finite precision causes similar effects in the input data samples and filter coefficients. Fixed word length effects on filter coefficients, filter length and dynamic range are described in the following sections. 1. Sensitivity of Filter Coefficients to Quantization Finite precision plays a significant role in the dynamic range of filter gain and DC offset. A large number of quantization levels will decrease the quantization error; on the other hand it requires larger silicon space to implement the design. The quantization affects the input Gaussian pulse and the filter coefficients. The pole and zero maps show perturbations in Figure 1 when samples are restricted to finite word length. The filter coefficients in the lower parts are constrained to 14 bit quantized samples and the length of the filter is 100 taps. This constraint arises from the fast DAC of 14 bit width used for converting a digital signal into the analog domain. Since the dynamic range of the quantizer is less than that of the filter coefficients, the quantized coefficients are disturbed from the unit circle. The gain of the quantized filter response is displayed in Figure 1 which is distinctly less than that for the infinite precision filter. For these simulations infinite prec ision representation is regarded as floating point, which provides significantly better precision than the quantization levels discussed here. The zeros around Z = -1 are responsible for passband attenuation and are less displaced. As the dynamic range of the quantizer is increased to match the filter coefficients, the signal to quantization noise ratio (SNR) improves, but at the cost of increased hardware resources. Similar results can be obtained for the input Gaussian pulse when quantized to specified fourteen bit word lengths. Finite precision is hardware efficient since the system data width is less than the infinite precision (or floating point) case. Quantization reduces a few out of 100 coefficients to zero, which will further ameliorate the memory cell and arithmetic processing requirement. Quantization also reduces the filter gain compared to infinite precision samples; however this reduction is acceptable as long as it remains within an attenuation limit. The fourteen bit quantizer provides more than 80dB attenuation which is better than the standard of 60dB used by many communication systems. 2. Quantization Effects on Filter Order For direct conversion transmission, a cascaded design performs better than a single stage. This is because quantization errors are reduced with a lower filter order. Secondly a lower order design requires less logic resources. Quantization errors vary with the length of a filter and we now study the effects of the filter order on the quantization error. A simulated result is shown in Figure 2, where quantization error is plotted against variable filter order. The quantization is performed by rounding the infinite precision samples to the closest fixed point value. The quantization error increases with increased filter order, since the highest power index in the filter polynomial is the most affected by the rounding. When the quantizer is increased with one more bit in the precision, the error is reduced by approximately 6dB as would be expected. The lower order filter provides better dynamic range than the higher order for eight and nine bit quantizers. This fact is also evident in Figure 2. At lower filter order of fifty, accumulative quantization error is around -43dB and at higher order of 200, it is -31dB. The 12dB difference is equivalent to two additional bits in quantization. Non-linear effects of the quantization can be reduced using a smaller filter order in the modulator. Since the cascaded design comprises a filter of lower order, compared with the single model, it introduces less quantization error than the single stage. 3. Quantization and Word length The dynamic range of the scaled filter depends on the number of bits assigned to the quantizer. For maximum signal power, the quantizer range should be equal to the signal magnitude. An FIR filter with filter variance 2 f s and quantization noise variance 2 n s has a signal to noise ratio of This expression can be used to estimate the appropriate word length for the FPGA implementation. A comparison of SNR versus word precision using the above expression has been calculated and is shown in Figure 3. From this graph it is evident that for each bit added to the word length, there is approximately a six decibel improvement in the SNR. For a higher precision level, a system can still be implemented, but at the cost of increased FPGA logic resources. B. QUANTIZATION NOISE DUE TO ROUNDING OF ARITHMETIC: In the poly phase filter, like in any other filter, quantization has to be performed on the result of any arithmetic operation. This is because any such operation requires more bits to represent the result than is required for each of the operands. If the Word length were always to be adjusted to store the data in full precision, this would be impractical, as there would soon be too many bits required to be stored in the available memory. Therefore, the word length of the internal data, has to be chosen, and the result of any arithmetic operation has to be constrained back to using the quantization scheme chosen from the ones shown in the previous section, as appropriate for the given application. The quantization operation may cause a disturbance to the result of the arithmetic operation. For normal filtering operations, such a quantization disturbance can usually be successfully considered as white noise and modeled as an additive noise source at the point of the arithmetic operation with the quantization step equal to the LSB of the internal data, . This certainly is not the case for zero-valued or constant input signals. However, modeling the quantization has-in most cases-the purpose of determining the maximum noise disturbance in the system. Hence, even if the additive quantization noise model gives overestimated values of the noise for very specific signals, this fact does not decrease the usefulness of the approach. After the shape of the quantization noise power spectral density (NPSD) is found, it can be used to identify regions that might cause overloading or loss of precision due to arithmetic noise shaping; also the required input signal scaling and the required internal arithmetic word length can be estimated for a given noise performance. The standard methods of estimating the maximum signal level at a given node are L1-norm (modulus of the impulse response-worst-case scenario), L2-norm (statistical mean-square), and L -norm (peak in frequency domain giving the effect of the input spectral shaping). These norms can be easily estimated for the given node from the shape of the NPSD. The quantization noise injected at each adder and multiplier, originally spectrally flat, is shaped by the noise shaping function (NSF), , calculated from the output of the filter to the input of each of the noise sources, i.e., to the output of each of the arithmetic operators. These functions were calculated for all of the all pass filter structures are shown in Fig. 2. The shapes of the nontrivial of the NFS are shown in Fig. 3. The accumulated quantization NPSD transferred to the output, , is obtained by shaping the uniform NPSD from each of the quantization noise sources by the square of the magnitude of the NFS corresponding to the given noise injection point and can be described by The results show that all structures perform in a way very distinct from the other ones. Structure (a)has the best performance at dc, half-Nyquist , and Nyquist , where the NPSD falls toward minus infinity. Its two maxima are symmetric about and independent of the coefficient value. The peaks are distant from for small coefficient values and approaches it as the coefficient increases. Structure (b) has uniform noise spectral distribution as all the arithmetic operations are either at the filter input-then noise is shaped by the allpass characteristic of the whole filter-or at its output. Structure (d) also has a minimum at v=0.25 . Its average noise power level decreases as the value of the all pass coefficient increases. Structure (c), the best from the point of view of the required guard bits, has its maximum at v=0.25 going toward infinity for coefficient values approaching one. This effect is a result of the denominator of the Nth-order all pass filter causing the poles of the filter to move toward the unit circle at normalized frequencies of v=2pik/N,k=0.N-1 for the coefficient approaching one. If there is no counter effect of the numerator, like for the case of P1(Z) for structure (c) and for structure (a), then the function goes to infinity. Even though structure (c) goes to infinity at v=0.25 for alfa=1, it has the lowest average noise power from all the structures. This structure has a big advantage in terms of the number of required guard bits and ease of cascading a number of them into higher order all pass filters. If the filter coefficients appro ach one, then the increase in quantization noise power could be countered with few additional bits. Using other structures would only replace the problem of dealing with an increase in the quantization noise with the problem of having to increase the number of guard bits required to deal with an increase of the peak gains. The NPSD of the quantization noise at the output of the poly phase structure can be calculated as the sum of the NPSD at the output of all all pass filters in the filter scaled by the 1/N factor N, being the number of paths. If the filter is cascaded with another filter, the NPSD of the first one will also be shaped by the square of the magnitude of the second filter. sources. The intention was to check the correctness of the theoretical equations by applying the white noise sources instead of quantization and by performing the quantization after addition and multiplication (rounding and truncating) to verify the shaping of the quantization noise and its level both for white input noise sources and real-life signals. The shape of the output quantization noise accumulated from all arithmetic elements for a wide-band input signal assuming, for simplicity, no correlation between the noise sources, is shown for all considered all pass structures in Fig. 4. The solid curve indicates the theoretical NSF that is very well matching the median of the quantization noise (curves lying on top of each other). The quantization noise power increase calculated for the given coefficient was 8.5 dB for structure (a), 6 dB for structure (c), 7.3 dB for structure (d), and 9 dB for structure (b). It is clear that the quantization noise differs from the assumed white n oise characteristic. However, the approximation still holds with an accuracy of around 5-10% depending on the structure of the input signal. An example of more accurate modeling of the quantization noise caused by arithmetic operations can be found in (a). The arithmetic quantization noise certainly decreases the accuracy of the filter output. The value of the arithmetic word length has to be chosen such that the quantization noise power is smaller than the stop band attenuation of the filter and the stop band ripples. In certain cases, the design requirements have to be made more stringent to allow some unavoidable distortion due to the arithmetic word length effects. For the case of decimation filters for the based A/D converters, the quantization noise adds to the one originating from the modulator. In such a case, each stage of the decimator has to be designed so that it filters out this noise as well. The verification of the peak gain analysis was performed by applying single-tone signals at the characteristic frequencies- where functions from Fig. 2 have their extremes-and by using wideband signals to make sure that the estimates are accurate. The experimental results confirmed the theoretical calculations. The results of the simulation for the white noise input signal of unity power are given in Fig. 8. The simulation was performed for a white noise input signal of unity power in order to have a uniform gain analysis across the whole range of frequencies. The theoretical shape of the gain is shown by a solid line that is very closely matching the median value of the signal at the test points. C. QUANTIZATION EFFECTS ON DIGITAL BEAMFORMING: The quantization of infinite precision samples into fixed word length degrades the phased signals. As was discussed in the previous section, the use of more levels for higher precision decreases the quantization error at the expense of larger hardware resources. For a reduced precision level, quantization error is spread to the main beams and to the grating lobes as well. In this section we present effects of quantization on beam resolution and associated grating lobes. 1. Quantization effects on Beam Pattern Phased signals have similar quantized effects on main beam resolution as the filter samples. However non-linearity arises in the sidelobes since the quantizer is not of adequate resolution to represent small changes that affect the sidelobe levels. In order to investigate the quantization effects, an example is presented with fixed word length delay samples. The coefficients of the time vector are quantized into four and ten bits; the increased number of bits will reduce the quantization effect. For an actual design the fixed bit width will depend on available hardware resources. The quantized beam in Figure 1 shows that a four bit fixed number does not adequately represent the beam pattern and thus introduces quantization noise. The ten bit numbers will also introduce quantization error, but at a lower level as shown in Figure 1(b). As can be seen from this simple example, the four bit quantization compromises the sidelobes at the 20dB level, while the ten bit quantization provides a reasonably faithful reconstruction of the theoretical sidelobes at this level. Therefore we conclude that for the 14 bit DAC of the proposed system, the sidelobe level will be essentially unaffected by the quantization at the -20dB level. 2. Sensitivity of Sidelobe Levels to Quantization Quantization causes gain errors in sidelobe levels. Higher resolution in quantization introduces lower quantization error. The graph in Figure 1 shows that the four bit samples result in a quantization error which reduces the first sidelobe gain while producing a gain error in the second sidelobe. The quantization error changes the dynamic range of the grating lobes and degrades the adjacent beam resolution for multiple beam systems. A simulated graph is displayed in Figure 2 to demonstrate non-linear behavior of the quantizer in the sidelobe resolution. For a lower order quantizer, the quantization step is not perfectly matched with the sidelobe levels. For the first sidelobe, the quantized resolution is less than the infinite precision case, although it approaches the floating point value with increasing quantized levels. Figure 2(a) shows that for a three bit quantizer, the first sidelobe resolution is at -18dB, while at ten bits it approaches the infinite precision value of -13.5dB. Unlike the first sidelobe, the second sidelobe exhibits higher resolution error at a lower precision level, since the quantizer can not represent the dynamic range adequately. Again, quantization error reduces with an increase in the number of bits. CONCLUSION: In this paper, effect of fixed word lengths on signal upconversion, quantization noise due to round of arithmetic and quantization effects on digital beam forming have been discussed. For the digital up conversion process, the quantization error can be described using pole/zero filter and frequency response plots. Filter resolution and stop band attenuation are degraded when quantization is introduced. For an increase in filter order, the quantization error increases as the highest order in filter polynomial is effected the most. To overcome this limitation, the number of precision levels of a quantizer can be increased, however this will require increased logic resources for FPGA implementation. Quantization effects in phasing are more complex than in the filter quantization since finite precision degrades the side lobe resolution. For lower precision levels, the quantization error exhibits non-linear behavior in the second side lobe. The quantization error is higher for lower precision levels. In order to overcome these non-linear effects, a precision level of more than eight bits is required. Performance of the proposed digital system will be effectively unaffected by the fixed word length limitations since a system data bus of at least 14 bits is suggested. REFERENCES: A. B. Sripad and D. L. Snyder, A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for Quantization Errors to be Uniform and White P. P. Vaidyanathan, On coefficient-quantization and computational roundoff effects in lossless multirate filter banks. 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Against The Privacy Of Aids :: Free AIDS Essays

Last October, the case of Nushawn Williams hit the front pages. He is believed to have infected at least 13 girls and women in Jamestown, New York, with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. His name and face appeared all over the media, shredding the accepted norm of keeping HIV status confidential. In breaking this tradition, public health officials sought to identify and reach the young women he may have infected. Due to this breaking of the silence and reporting the name of the person with this infectious disease at least some women had a greater chance of living because they found out about the virus at an early state. Individuals who are identified by name on disease reports can be contacted by health departments for treatment. Fear of being identified on disease reports could deter people from seeking medical care or disease testing, therefore harming the individual by causing delays in care and threatening public health because such delays could results in further spread of diseas e. Name reporting of persons with infectious diseases has the potential to benefit both individual and public health.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Name reporting of persons with infectious disease can benefit the individual person. It could enable health officials to find and counsel people who test positive, but do not return for their results or who are tested in venues that do not provide extensive educational opportunities. Such contacts could also lead to medical referrals and earlier viral loads and CD4 testing, resulting in more timely treatment and reductions in viral loads that could not only improve the individual health but, at least, theoretically, also improve the public health by reducing the infectiousness of individuals. Furthermore, there have been recent studies on new therapies that can keep HIV-positive people healthy for years. These therapies are a combination of drugs that effectively reduce the amount of HIV in the blood. People have the greatest chances of success with these therapies if they begin treatment early on, and they can’t be treated if they don’t know that th ey are infected and their names are not found somewhere so that they could be at least consulted. To insure that the information recorded about an individual is not used to discriminate them a law could be passed. Something like this already exists, were you can not discriminate a person if they are gay, black, white, etc., therefore, you have to hire the person if they are fully qualified

Employee Engagement in the Oil & Gas Sector Essay

1. Introduction According to Aon Hewitt (2012), employee engagement refers to the â€Å"state of emotional and intellectual involvement that motivates employees to do their best work through examination of employees’ level of engagement relative to the organisation’s antecedents† (p.5). Scarlett (2010) defines employee engagement as â€Å"the measurable degree of an employee’s positive or negative emotional attachment to their job, colleagues and organisation that profoundly influences their willingness to learn and perform at the workplace†. White (2011) however states that â€Å"employee engagement represents an alignment of maximum job satisfaction with maximum job contribution† (p.5). Varied statistics show that employee engagement is a pertinent aspect in enhancing an organisation’s productivity. Beddoes (2011) states that engagement levels are stabilising globally with a 58% increase in 2011 as compared to 56% in 2010, with the greatest levels experienced in Asia Pacific and Europe. After the economic crisis, engagement levels lagged but economic indicators show increasing improvement between 2009 and 2010 around the globe (Aon Hewitt, 2012). Minton (n.d.) states that four out of ten employees are not engaged translating into 58% engaged and 42% partially or totally disengaged, with motivational factors, career development opportunities, employee recognition and the organisation’s reputation playing a major contributory factor to the results. This study has developed the following objectives (1) identification of employee engagement levels/models, (2) identification of employee engagement drivers. (3) Identification of effective ways to engage employees, (4) advantages realised by having an engaged work force. 2. Engagement Model/ Levels Aon Hewitt (2012) define engagement model as â€Å"a model that determines employee engagement levels in the organisation through examining employees’ level of engagement towards the organisation in the relation to the set organisational antecedents† (p.5). This model states that engagement in one’s work or organisation is an individual choice but regularly influenced by group affiliations, developed by the employees, psychological and behavioural capacity regarding the organisation. The management particularly human resource managers should incorporate, encourage and develop the model’s components while relating with the employees. The model incorporates three main components (1) ‘Say component’ that encourages the management and employees to think and speak highly of the organisation and its activities to colleagues, potential employees and clients. (2) ‘Stay component’ that encourages the employees to continually desire to be part of the company through encouraging recognition, appraisal, teamwork and team building activities thus reducing employee turnover and encouraging potential employees and clients (Schneider, White & Paul 1998). (3) ‘Strive component’ that encourages growth of an organisational culture that encourages hard work and achievement of success, thus enhancing input of extra effort from employees which in turn enhances commitment and increased productivity. Incorporation of the above model leads to more engaged employees, which lead to increased quality delivery, client satisfaction and sales, which eventually leads to increased efficiency (Organ, Posdak off & Mackenzie 2006). 3. Engagement Drivers Sijts and Crim (2006) define engagement drivers as factors that increase employee engagement in organisation through effective management of engagement levels. These drivers identify potential improvement areas in the organisation pertaining to employee engagement. These drivers are interrelated thus work in unison. Engagement drivers therefore help management identify lacking areas that prohibit employee potential, thus enhancing focus on improvement efforts that enhance productivity through increased employee commitment (Organ, Posdakoff & MacKenzie 2006). 3.1 Quality of Work Life Quality of work life refers to creation of a work environment whereby employees’ activities are prioritised through execution of work structure activities that deem the activities less routine thus more rewarding to the employees (Sigy, Efraty, Siegel & Lee 2001). It therefore involves creation of a conducive physical environment through availing the required resources necessary for work execution such as proper safety clothing and equipment thus enhancing productivity and engagement. It also involves enhancement of a work-life balance policy, which enables employees to clearly define and separate their work and social lives thus enhancing growth of an all-rounded employee, which enhances engagement leading to increased productivity (Richard & Deci 2000). 3.2 Company Practices The organisation’s practices greatly contribute to employee engagement levels. Integration of interactive human resource policies enhances employee involvement in decision making, which in turns motivates them thus enhancing employee engagement (Aon Hewitt 2012). Introduction of effective management performance policies will enhance creation of efficient performance management and appraisal systems, which will recognise employees’ work input thus increasing their engagement leading to increased productivity (Cook, 2008). Extensive brand alignment through increased marketing and advertising will enhance engagement, as employees will view the organisation as a long-term venture as it has demonstrated continuity of operations (Payne 2012). Increasing and developed organisational reputation will enhance engagement, as employees will be more at ease to work in a reputable organisation thus demonstrating its continuity and job security. Development of a diversity culture relating to the organisation’s activities and employment of diverse individuals concerning race or gender, will enhance engagement, as it will eradicate any occurrences or fears of discrimination. According to Hynes (2012), creation of an effective communication system and structure will ensure that any important information pertaining to employees work activities or welfare are timely relayed thus enhancing growth and development of work interrelationships which enhance efficiency and effectiveness of operations. 3.3 Total Rewards Organisations should clearly outline its reward structure, as this will contribute to the engagement or disengagement of employees. Clear definition of employees’ expected pay and benefits package will enhance clear understanding about the pay package thus enhancing engagement (Harter, Schmidt & Theodore 2012). The oil and gas sector should also clearly stipulate systems used to determine recognition payments regarding bonus allocation. 3.4 Opportunities To effectively enhance employee engagement, organisations in the oil and gas sector should clearly outline career opportunities available to employees who want to further advance their careers within the organisation regarding promotions and transfers that contribute to career development. Organisations should also outline the available learning and development opportunities within the organisation (Richard & Deci 2000). Such opportunities could include sponsorships, study leave and provision of work-study allowances. 3.5 People People involved in the management, operational and end-user aspects of the organisation have a great impact on employees’ engagement. Organisations should therefore enhance creation of a proper work structure and culture that will enhance effective cooperation and communication among management, employees and customers (Aon Hewitt, 2012).This will in turn enhance development of interrelationships, leading to increased efficiency and effectiveness through increased employee engagement. 3.6 Work Activities An organisation’s work structure can contribute to either engagement or disengagement of employees within the organisation. Development of an elaborate and conclusive work structure will enhance clear development of work tasks, work processes, provision of necessary resources, hence providing the employees with a sense of accomplishment through effective and efficient execution of allocated work (Sahoo & Mishra 2012). This will therefore lead to increased employee engagement. 4. Ways to Engage Employees Employee engagement is essential to organisations in the oil and gas sector as it enhances efficiency and effectiveness through increased production. Incorporation of various aspects has been identified as potential ways to increase employee engagement. These aspects include (1) Enhancement of employee career opportunities by creating career path for employees through training them in preparation for their next career role by creation of lateral growth opportunities (Aon Hewitt, 2012). (2) Increasing employee recognition through providing them with feedback regarding their work activities and how to improve on them by providing the necessary reinforcements and also rewarding them for work well done (Cook, 2008). (3) Management should strive to engage the employees more with the organisation through its vision, mission and objectives by explaining to them why the employer is the most desirable by offering a compelling proposition, reward and work experience structure thus enhancing the organisation’s reputation as the most preferred employer (Payne, 2012). (4) Creation of an engaging communication structure through enhancement of corporate communication which will appeal to employees emotional, behavioural, psychological and social aspects thus enhancing commitment to the organisation (Hynes, 2012). (5) Increased management of employee performance as employees will be effectively rewarded for their efforts thus enhancing employee engagement. (6) Provision of favourable pay as it will enhance employee engagement through provision of a pay and benefits package that is relative to their work performance (Zablah et al. 2012). 5. Advantages of having Engaged Employees Employee engagement directly relates and affects employee efficiency and effectiveness in relation to performance. Several advantages are extended to organisations in the oil and gas sector, which have employees who are actively engaged in the organisation and its production activities: * Employees exhibit high levels of performance as they are highly motivated leading to increased production that enhances efficiency and effectiveness. * Development of an interrelating link between employee engagement and profits realised thus leading to increased revenues that enhance organisational growth. * Leads to increased employee retention and loyalty, which enhances business success through efficient and effective production. * Enhances creation of a competitive environment which increases production thus enhancing effectiveness and increased profits. * Enhances team-work that provides new ideas that enhance innovation and creativity thus enhancing creation of new and effective products. * Development of brand ambassadors through employees for the organisations products thus enhancing marketing and advertising activities which enhance profit realisation. 6. Recommendations i. Oil and gas companies should encourage employee engagement through creation of an organisational culture that develops engagement, through increased employers, leaders and stakeholders involvement in the process by enhancing team work and being a part of the process. ii. Increasing focus on drivers that provide the greatest impact in organisational improvement such as increasing opportunities for improvement which leads to increased rate of return due to increased profits. iii. Increased recognition of employee efforts through provision of feedback which in turn motivates them thus increasing productivity. iv. Organisations should continually connect with employees through regular communication of organisation’s strategy, which keeps them focussed on achievement of set organisational objectives. v. Creative creation of employee career growth opportunities by re-navigating employees’ expectations towards growth in areas that will satisfy growing business needs such as lateral movements. vi. Selecting employees during recruitment who show aspects that encourage engagement such as loyalty, diversity and work aggressiveness. 7. Conclusion Employee engagement is a pertinent aspect in management of employees in the oil and gas industry. Clear understanding of the aspect regarding its impact on the organisation and application of the findings can lead to increased employee engagement through increased productivity, which increases the overall profits realised thus enhancing the sector’s growth. This has led to the identification and incorporation of various engagement models/ levels by organisations and they include stay and strive components. It has led to the identification of engagement drivers which enhance understanding of the drivers that contribute to increased employee engagement and how they can be incorporated. Engagement drivers include (1) Quality of work life which incorporates physical work environment and work-life balance. (2) Company practices which incorporate human resource policies, performance management, brand alignment, organisational representatives, diversity and communication. (3) Total rewards which incorporate pay, benefits and recognition. (4) Opportunities drive, which incorporates career opportunities, learning and development. (5) People drive, which incorporates management, employees, colleagues, people-focus and clients. (6) Work activities, which incorporate work tasks, work processes, resources and a sense of accomplishment. The study has also identified ways of enhancing employee engagement which include increasing career opportunities, increased recognition, enhancing organisational reputation, enhancing communication, enhancing performance management, and provision of fair remuneration in relation to one’s contribution. Employee engagement extends various advantages to the organisations, which include increased revenues, increased productivity, quality delivery, decreased turnover, increased employee loyalty and enhanced organisational reputation. Employee engagement is therefore a pertinent aspect in the oil and gas industry and should be considered to ensure that the organisations have increased quality delivery, productivity and revenue generation.

Relationship Centered Model of Care in Dementia and the Six Senses Framework Essay

Anticipating and enhancing the health and wellbeing of the older person with dementia in hg HWOP02 A1 Alzheimer’s Scotland (2014) estimate that there are 88,000 people in Scotland with dementia and two thirds of these people live in the community with support from family carers. Therefore, providing sensitive and appropriate support for people with dementia and their carers is one major challenge facing the health care system in supporting quality care. Firstly, this assignment provides a definition of dementia, then identifies Relationship Centred Care (RCC) and the six senses framework. Furthermore this assignment discusses the development of relationship centred care and it’s relevance to dementia. Extending on this, my assignment will cover the use of the senses framework by Nolen et al. (2001) to develop relationship centred care. My assignment will then discuss what the individual six senses mean to the individual with dementia, as well as their family and carers when developing  RCC. The second and final section of my assignment will use a case study to discuss the application of the relationship centred care model using the three senses of; purpose, continuity and security recognised within the six sense framework for a person with dementia who has family support at home. To be able to put this assignment in context, an understanding of dementia is needed in order to define what Relationship Centred Care (RCC) and the senses framework means to individuals diagnosed with dementia. Dementia is defined by the Department of Health as a ‘syndrome which may be caused by a number of illnesses in which there is a progressive decline in multiple areas of functioning, including decline in memory, reasoning, communication skills and the ability to carry out daily activities’ (2009 pg.15). Alzheimer Scotland (2011) have developed ten warning signs of the disease, these include symptoms such as; memory loss which disrupts daily life, challenges in planning, difficulty completing familiar tasks and confusion over time and place. It is therefore not surprising dementia can severally affect quality of life and relationships. Due to dementias progressive nature, a person with dementia gradually loses the ability to act autonomously and must therefore rely on the decisions and support of others, primarily their relatives when living at home (Hughes et al. 2001). Beach and Inui (2006) suggests that RCC can simply be defined as care in which all participants appreciate the importance of their relationship with one another. Nolan et al. (2001) Senses framework identifies the subjective and perceptual dimensions related to caring relationships. Within this Nolan et al. (2001) incorporates the interpersonal and intrapersonal elements of giving and receiving care to ensure the highest quality. The framework is centred on six themes which all individuals involved in RCC should experience, this includes; security, belonging, continuity, purpose, achievement and significance. Over the past decade, there has been much written about the notion of patient centred care, however, it has been argued for some time that care giving can only be understood within the context of relationship (Nolan et al. 2004). The national dementia strategy (Department of Health 2009) identifies providing person centred care as one of the key standards of living well with dem entia. Kitwood (1993) changed the focus of care for people experiencing dementia from a biomedical approach to an approach he labelled ‘person centred care’. For an  individual with dementia person centred care is characterised by the need to value people with dementia, to treat them as individuals, to view the world from their perspective and to create a positive environment (Brooker 2004). Sheard (2004) review on health services found that often services consider the needs of people with dementia and their carers separately. Kitwood’s (1997) approach offers all health care professionals a way to care for an individual with dementia, however it does not take into consideration the importance of the interaction among people as the foundation of any therapeutic or healing activity in health care. Post (2001) supports this statement and suggests that living with dementia is not about quality of life but rather about quality of lives. Wadensten and Carlsson (2003) suggestion that the most common models of nursing dementia patients provide little more than guidance on how to work positively with older adults. Sheard (2004) therefore called for a development of an approach where an individual with dementia is seen within the context of important and significant relationships. Nolan et al. (2004) therefore argues that RCC is one of the most comprehensive ways of doing this in order to promote a more holistic vision of health care to include; social, economic, environmental and culture into care practice. RCC was developed by the Pew-Fetzer Task Force (1994) who examined how relationships formed between patient and practitioner, practitioner and community and practitioners and practitioners. Pew-Fetzer task force (1994) argued that although the patient centred care model promotes personhood it is not inclusive enough to embrace the relationships formed during illness. To establish RCC, Pew-Fetzer (1994) united the biomedical with the psychosocial element of care to conceptualise health care and recognise that the nature and the quality of relationships is necessary to broaden the health care delivery system. Beech and Unui (2006) Founded four principles of successful RCC, these included; relationships in health care should include the personhood of the individuals, that affect and emotion are important components of relationships in health care, that all healthcare relationships occur in context of reciprocal influence, and finally that RCC should have moral foundation This in relevance to dementia care is important, as often the family play a pivotal role in the care of an individual with dementia with support from many different health professionals. However many researchers  have found that little is known about how to develop and sustain such relationships in a health care environment (Dewar and Nolan 2013). Nolan et al. (1999) considered ho w positive relationships can be created and sustained and developed the ‘senses framework’. Nolan et al. (2001) suggests that individuality certainly shouldn’t be ignored in dementia care, but rather that for most people relationships are crucial in determining quality care. This framework comprises of the six senses; security, continuity, belonging, purpose, achievement and significance. The fundamental premise of Nolan et al. (2001) vision of relationship centred care, is that these senses need to be experienced by all groups involved in order to deliver good care based on relationships. Arksey et al. (2004) in his systematic review concluded that trusting and supportive relationships with staff are essential in dementia care, where good relationships are supported by communication with staff to draw on carers’ expertise and views of what is best for the person with dementia. Due to a lack of time to establish RCC Baillie et al. (2012) suggests that the senses framework in dementia care is very difficult to achieve in an acute ward, where the turnover of patients is often very high. The 8 pillar model of community support (Alzheimer Scotland 2012) provides a case example of how ‘supportive relationships’ form and develop into dement ia care triads. RCC in dementia care provides a complementary philosophy of care, uniting the biomedical approach with the psychosocial of health care, recognising that the nature and quality of relationships are central to the health and care of individual and can be achieved when all participants appreciate the importance of their relationship with each other (Beach and Unui 2006). The senses framework recognises six senses which should be experienced during RCC, three of these are; security, belonging and continuity. Nolan et al. (2004) suggests that continuity creates a subjective sense of security and belonging for older people with dementia. To a person with dementia a sense of security, belonging and continuity is essential in RCC and often involves open negotiation of the service they would like with attention to the physiological and psychological needs with the same support worker (Nolan et al. 2008). Alzheimer’s Scotland (2011) five pillar model of post diagnostic support suggests that individuals with newly diagnosed dementia who receive personalised and flexible support, which is delivered proactively and  sensitively over the course of a year by a skilled and well-trained person will feel these senses. Froggatt et al. (2006) in relation to the need for information developed a welcome booklet for care homes to capture what was special about the care home environment and what was available to residents and their careers. This resulted in a perceptual sense of security for carers and individuals, as they felt they knew something about the environment and the staff working there. When looking at a sense of security, belonging and continuity from a health professional’s view, it is suggested that it involves having a positive experience working with an individual with dementia, being free from physical threat, rebuke or censure and to have secure conditions of employment and their emotional demands recognised (Nolan et al. 2008). Many studies have looked into health professionals and stress in providing dementia care, it is suggested that many people leave the profession due to lack of security and continuity (Dupluis et al. 2014). Through education about the senses Nolan et al. (2004) found that in training staff in effective management of dementia care, the greatest reward comes from witnessing carers and nurses realise that compassionate communication is at the heart of supporting RRC. Hobbs (2009) suggests that workshops and role-play establish ‘steps’ that enable people to meaningfully connect with their environment, feel more supported via discussion groups and ultimately creates a sense of belonging amongst staff. For family and carers, these senses mean being confident in the knowledge that they are providing good care without detriment to their own personal wellbeing and ensures the standard of care is maintained to a high standard. Olsson et al. (2012) study recognised that relatives of people with dementia often struggle to create a situation of security in daily life for themselves and the individual with dementia. Flynn and Mulcahy (2013) suggest that to do this, family and carers need support not only in meeting their physical needs but also their emotional and social needs. The Alzheimer’s Scotland (2012) 8 pillar model of community support recognises that security and continuity can be achieved through personal support, environment aids and the use of health professional’s knowledge in dementia care. Through using Nolan et al. (2001) senses framework a sense of purpose achievement and significance can be created for carers, people with dementia and staff supporting RCC. For people with dementia these senses can be  achieved through purposeful activity, to work towards therapeutic goals and valuing the person’s wellbeing (Barker and Board 2012). A workshop by Nolan et al. (2004) suggests that that these senses highlight the important aspects of care, which are often taken for granted in a care home. For a support worker achieving these senses means they can improve car e for the individual by having direction and a clear set of goals and to feel that their expert opinion matters. In Brown et al. (2012) study they found that the sense of significance can be fulfilled through staff taking an interest in the individual. For instance Brown et al. (2013) study found that when staff got the family and individual in care involved in creating memory boxes, participants felt a sense of perceptual significance, through reminders of who the person is. This also helped to initiate more meaningful conversations and acted as a reminder for the individuals about their life achievements. Nolan et al. (2008) model suggests that for the family carers the sense of purpose achievement and significance can be achieved through, maintaining their dignity and wellbeing through support of their emotional needs such as recognising the time and effort they have committed to the individual with dementia. Often a carer can feel that their best isn’t good enough (Dupluis et al. 2014). Family relationships may already have become strained with the sufferer hiding their memory proble ms. These are often already strained because all of the participants are adjusting to living with dementia (Steeman et al. 2006). However through a RCC approach Nolan et al. (2008) suggests that family carers can feel achievement and significance through support from health professionals to establish their needs in the care process. Alzheimer’s Scotland (2012) suggests that family carers often need to communicate their concerns with a trained professional to overcome any hurdles they face and seek reassurance. Carers need to be recognised as individuals with their own needs. In taking on the identity of a carer, a person often risks losing aspects of what it meant to be themselves (Ter Meulen and Wright 2012). Alzheimer’s Scotland (2012) also recognise the importance of family carers and work with the family to incorporate their needs such as seeking respite or creating a package of care for the individual with dementia so that the family member can take time out for themselves. The Senses framework often reminds health professionals involved in the RCC about the family carers as well as the  in dividual in creating good care. Ben is a 75 year old retired engineer, living with his 70 year old wife, Mary. They live in Perth, Scotland, in a semidetached house, purchased when they were first married 60 years ago. Ben received diagnosis of mild Alzheimer’s a month ago, after being referred to a neurologist by his GP. On a mini mental examination he scored 22/30. Being diagnosed was a fraught time, for Ben and his wife. Ben and Mary have two children and four grandchildren who all live close by, but are not aware of his diagnosis. Over the past year Mary had become concerned about Ben as his mood appeared to become low and his anxiety increased. She also noticed that his short term memory and ability to perform daily activities had declined. Ben has difficulty performing household tasks, such as preparing meals, which he had previously enjoyed doing. On several occasions he has left dinner on the cooker and forgot all about it, leaving it to burn. Mary feels scared to leave Ben alone because of this so very rarely leaves the house. Mary used to enjoy going to choir practice in the evening, however, with Bens decline in cognitive function she hasn’t felt able to do this. Mary is a retired receptionist who at present has no significant medical conditions and describes herself as Ben’s only carer. Mary also feels that their relationship isn’t as close as it used to be. Ben avoids answering questions or talking to her, and often loses his tempter when he doesn’t understand. Ben used to be a keen motorist and often entered his prize winning beetle into many vintage car shows with his old work colleagues. Since his diagnosis, he has been told not to drive and has neglected his car. He is still able to perform basic activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene and dressing, and with prompting from Mary do instrumental activates like emptying the dishwasher. Ben has become increasingly worried about what will happen to himself and Mary as his condition deteriorates, however, wishes to stay at home as long as possible. Ben is also worried about legal and financial affairs. Ben’s only past medical history is osteoarthritis which he takes regular painkillers for. For his newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s, his GP has also prescribed three acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine. Ben presently feels uncertain about the future for him and his wife. Ben has an appointment with a dementia  practice co-ordinator in a couple days and is keen to seek advice and help for them both. Nolan et al. (2001) suggests that security for Ben can be achieved through RCC. In Ben’s case, security is recognising his physiological and psychological needs and to feel safe from harm and pain (Ryan et al. 2008). From the case study, some of the issues Ben and his wife are experiencing, in being able to develop a sense of security are; fear of diagnosis, finical worries, safety at home and the future. For Ben, becoming aware that something is wrong, has affected his sense of security with in his relationship with Mary and friends. His relationships have declined because of his insecurity. It is not uncommon for someone newly diagnosed with dementia to feel fear, depression, disbelief and uncertainty which in turn puts stress on their interpersonal relationships (Pratt and Wilkinson 2001). Social interaction can be used in the transitional phase involved in coping with dementia to support all individuals involved in care and friends, often peer support groups, can improve wellbeing (Steeman et al. 2006). Interactions with professional caregivers such a dementia care support workers can often build a relationship where education about dementia can be given and discussions had to make Ben and Marys opinions heard. The information should help individuals to understand what is happening and how disease changes can be modified so they can live a fulfilled life (Olsson et al. 2012). However, it is suggested by Young (2002) that health professionals may silence the person with dementia and the carer. Therefore the use the 5 pillar model can prove beneficial in structuring care around everyone’s needs (Alzheimer Scotland 2011). Advice can be given on how to create security in the home to ensure Ben’s safety and about sorting out finical and legal affairs whilst Ben is still able to do to so. A lasting power of attorney enables Ben to nominate Mary as his attorney. This means when Ben is no longer able to make decisions for himself about his health care or finances, Mary will be able to act on his behalf. This ensures security for Ben and Mary through ensuring the right choices are made for Ben and that Mary still has a home (Ouldred and Bryant 2008). In this case study, Mary is concerned about Ben’s security in their own home, as he regularly leaves the cooker on. Georges et al. (2008) conducted a large survey, which found relatives of people with dementia often spend 10 hours or more a day caregiving. However, it is acknowledged  by Wimo et al. (2002) that a great deal of a relative’s time has been reported to concern supervision/surveillance. Olsson et al. (2011) study suggests that technology could be used in managing daily life. For instance, smoke detectors could be installed to make Mary aware sooner of fire and ensure Ben’s safety when cooking. Also home improvements could be made to help Ben as his condition progresses, such as good lighting to prevent falls and the use of clocks and calendars as a reminder of time and date. Enhancing security can often be linked to continuity in RCC, which can be used to ensure everyone’s wellbeing. Continuity, as described by the six senses, recognises the person with dementia as an individual and offers a chance for family to maintain shared pursuits with constant care, whilst maintaining a positive experience of work for health care professionals. In this case study, Ben is worried about future care. The support needs of Ben and Mary will become evident through discussion. These range from concerns about maintaining their home, continuing to live on their own, or w anting to continue to do the things that they enjoy (Cook et al. 2012). Through discussion of care, all individuals involved in Ben’s care can put a plan in place to support these needs. The care plan should enable constant and stable staffing which allows RCC to form thorough knowledge of each other (Cook et al. 2012). Continuity of Ben’s care should recognise his medical history of osteoarthritis and offer ways to manage his pain (Buffum and Haberfelde 2007). As Ben’s Alzheimer’s progresses, he may not be able to communicate his pain as effectively, this is when pain assessment tools such as the abbey pain scale could be used to ensure he gets adequate pain relief (Buffum and Haberfelde 2007). It may be necessary to educate Mary on these tools so she feels able to asses Ben’s pain and give competent care. Despite Ben’s diagnosis, his daily routine should maintained where possible to promote personhood. This for professional carers means respecting Ben and Mary’s daily routine and home environment. At pre sent Mary feels she can cope at home with Ben, so enforcing home care services at this point may disempower Mary. Support services should be made easily available to Mary when required (Ouldred and Byrant 2008). It is suggested by Van De Steen (2012) that mental health care is particularly well served by continuity of management and co-ordinating health services. Continuity of health professionals involved in Ben’s care means Ben and Mary do not have to  repeat themselves over and over again and a health professional who knows Ben can easily recognise any changes. There are many tools a health professional could use to assess the effect that Ben’s Alzheimer’s is having on him and his care needs, including tools such as the care needs assessment package (Cameron and O’neil 2005). This assessment helps to establish goals for everyone involved in care, especially the health care assistant as they can prioritise needs and create continuity. Mary wants to ensure that Ben is well cared for weather it be by her or another carer, therefore her involvement in the decision ab out where Ben is cared for and how, is crucial in creating a sense of continuity. RCC can support Ben, Mary and his carers in feeling a sense of purpose (Nolan et al. 2004). In this case study, Ben and Mary’s social lives have both been affected by his dementia, they have also yet to establish a relationship with a health care professional. Ben can be supported in many ways to engage in purposeful activity, including the pursuit of his hobbies. In most localities, there are community-based services that can support people to maintain their independence and fulfil their aspirations (Cook et al. 2012). However Cook et al. (2012) often states that there is a lack of information on support in the community. Alzheimer Scotland (2013) funds local Dementia Advisors, who support people with dementia, their partners, families and carers within the local community to access services. The support workers are highly trained to work with each person at home, to support a purposeful relationship where goals can be met. The support worker can suggest local community groups which have been created to offer a dementia friendly place for people like Ben and Mary to meet up for a chat. Support workers also attend this event and it is a chance to really get to know the people involved in care outside of the home. Dementia often affects the sense of purpose for all individuals involved in care (Nolan et al. 2001). Alzheimer Scotland (2013) offers a wide range of welcoming community activities across Scotland, such as singing groups, football memories groups, walking groups, cinema groups and much more. If Mary wishes, she can arrange for a personal assistant to come to the house to be with Ben so she could go to choir practice. Whilst the personal assistant is with Ben, he can be supported to do the things he likes to, like clean his car and take part in meaningful conversation about his interests. The most important support an informal carer can have  regarding the feeling of purpose, is the recognition that they are partners in the care of the dependent person (Ter Meulen and Wright 2012). Driving is closely associated with an adult’s personal identity and self-perceived role in family and society. An individual’s inability to drive can therefore affect their sense of purpose (Alder 2007). Taking the car keys away from Ben is a life-changing event, both for him and Mary that crystallises the devastating impact of the diagnosis. However, through support, Ben can still be encouraged to pursue his love of vintage cars via car rallies and show visits. This can be done in a number of ways using RCC, a carer could support this for example or family members, who are educated about Ben’s needs, could enjoy pursing such events as a family outing, providing a sense of purpose in fulfilling Ben’s personhood. In conclusion, as the number of people with dementia is on the increase, the provision of sensitive and appropriate support for all individuals involved in caring for people with dementia, is needed. This assignment identified the RCC model and the six senses framework in relation to dementia care. Making connections with the senses that are often involved in everyday activity for all individuals involved in care, to promote RCC. This assignment also concluded t hat recognition of the six senses; security, continuity, belonging, purpose, achievement and significance, reflect the varying dimensions necessary for quality dementia care. The senses framework captures the subjective and perceptual dimensions of caring relationships in order to create tailored and seamless care. When using RCC and the senses framework model in a case study, it allowed a biographical approach of care planning structured through ensuring the six senses are met. A greater understanding of the person with dementia can be achieved through using the six senses accurately. However if the future of care is going to change from patient centred care to RCC, more education on the subject is needed. Reference list ADLER, G., 2007. Intervention approaches to driving and dementia. Health & social work, 32(1), pp. 75-79. ALZHIEMER SCOTLAND, September 2011, 2011 – last update, The five pillar model of post-diagnostic support [Homepage of Alzheimer Scotland], [Online]. Available: http://www.alzscot.org/assets/0001/1226/Getting_post_diagnostic_support_right View as multi-pages