Monday, September 30, 2019

Medical History and Online Clinic Management Essay

This section presents foreign related literatures relevant to the proposed system.   Computers are being employed in clinical medicine in hospitals for various purposes. They can act as arithmetic calculators, they can process and analysed output from the recording devices, and they can make possible the automation of various machine systems. However, in the field of case records their role is much less well defined, for here the organization of data as preliminary to computer input is the real stumbling-block. Data banks of retrospective selected clinical information have been in operation in some canters for the number of years. Attempts are now being made to design computerized â€Å"total information systems† to replace conventional paper records, and the possibility of automated diagnosis. Golla (2007) stated that record keeping is an organized way of storing valuable information about certain persons handling of such records the proposed system includes all the important records that are organize and place on the system database that are subjectively relating to the transaction of the hospital. According to Nanda (2006), the present situation of healthcare in developing countries like India are quite discouraging, as the physicians use a paper based system whereby they record patient information, diagnosis and treatments on a â€Å"Case Sheet†. Abdul (2008) mentions that each time a patient visits a hospital, a new case sheet is created, and this creates an excess of paperwork, repetition of examination done previously leading to over-consumption of work force and other resources. In India, the case sheet is an official and legal document written by healthcare staff about all the medical information of a patient. It includes past medical history, present complaints, results of examinations done, diagnosis and treatment and the condition of these medical records in public hospitals in quite disappointing. This situation is due to reluctant hospital administration or inefficient medical record staff and it is increasing constantly by the year. Abdul (2008) indicates th at one of the important issues in paper-based records are, all the clinical information is written in free style, and chances are high to miss or forget some important information, as this will lead to serious effect on patient’s treatment and care. The case sheet is a hard copy that can be accessed by one person at a time and needs physical transfer for other physicians to access. Retrieving a record will be a hard task given number of medical records present and missing a record won’t be a surprise in a huge pile of paper based medical records. Moreover, with time, information in paper records gets diminished of ageing paper and ink, even fire accidents or natural disasters can ruin the archive of paper records. Karim (2008) explains that all the above discussed issues can be over-come by implementing EMR/EPR systems, it can not only solve the problems but also improves the efficiency of healthcare by increasing accessibility, and needs less resources to maintain records. EPR system can be used as a resource of researchers, it will be a tool for disease surveillance, which can be used for public health initiatives and for practicing Evidence based medicine. â€Å"It is nearly impossible to overemphasize the importance of keeping inventory levels under control,† Ronald Pachura wrote in an article for IIE Solutions. â€Å"Whether the problems incurred are caused by carrying too little or too much inventory, manufacturers need to become aware that inventory control is not just a materials management or warehouse department issue. The purchasing, receiving, engineering, manufacturing, and accounting departments all contribute to the accuracy of the inventory methods and records.† It is little wonder that business experts commonly cite inventory management as a vital element that can spell the difference between success and failure in today’s keenly competitive business world. Writing in Production and Inventory Management Journal, Godwin Udo described telecommunications technology as a critical organizational asset that can help a company realize important competitive gains in the area of inventory management. According to Udo, companies that make good use of this technology are far better equipped to succeed than those who rely on outdated or unwieldy methods of inventory control. Automation can draidatically affect all phases of inventory management, including counting and monitoring of inventory items; recording and retrieval of item storage locations; recording changes to inventory; and anticipating inventory needs, including inventory handling requirements. Local Literature This section presents local related literatures relevant to the proposed system. Technology has taken a big leap forward in 21st century, with computer programs, electronics upgrading by the month & even by the day. Technology has influenced & greatly simplified almost in every aspect of a student’s life today. â€Å"Having computers in the workplace has enable the business to our more efficiently and has contributed in having on all around better businesses, using computers cut down our work time, we don’t have to write everything out by hands or type out on typewriters. This increase in usage of computer proves that computers have affected every aspect of our lives and have become one of the necessities. Many developers have contributed to such an advancement and widespread of computer technology.† stated Magnaye(2010). In the modern world, any business firm or any organization, without IT is totally unable to cope up or run their business firm smoothly. Without IT, a firm is considered out of the world. Azhar (2012) states that an IT can consider as an asset for a firm. It not only makes easier our day to day activities, but also adds many benefits and enables a firm to give better services to its consumers. For any kind of business organization, in its IT sector the most important part is database software. Database software could help a firm in many ways. Local Studies This section presents local studies conducted around the country that is relevant to proposed system. The researchers from Adamson University created a system entitled Computerized Patient’s Medical History. This system provides the record-keeping aspect of the patient’s information based on the registration of patient, recording of patients’ additional information which includes patients’ family medical history on hereditary illness, medicinal allergies, medications and immunization. The medical treatment conducted by the physician and all the prescriptions. Reports generated will be the medical record itself which includes all the information from previous treatment and prescriptions up to present. The master list of the patient’s and the physician will also be supplied by the system. Cruz (1990) stated that this computerized medical history system is conducted to provide all the solution to the problems that many physicians encountered. It will h elp the medical record officers in making their jobs easier, for the reason that it will be less time consuming, records can be retrieved easily and the most important, is the medical history of patients’ will be accurate and efficient. This system is very user-friendly to the people who are responsible for that. A user could perform it without the assistance of others. According to Sy(2009), In today’s modern age where computer has become a way of life, it is evident that a majority of the country’s institutions still do not adapt the high technology. Particularly in most medical clinic facilities, daily clinic transactions are still done on paper. We all know that modern clinics are now operating at great pace striving to serve as many patients as possible with the best of their abilities. But as the years rolled by, the number of patients has grown and various medical cases arise that the manual method of managing patients’ records, prescriptions, billing and appointment schedule, is no longer practical. In his study, he hope to develop a web-based application that will minimize all paper works and manual records keeping, therefore allowing doctors and staff ease in keeping track of patients, reducing patients’ waiting time and increasing the number of patients served – a system that is fully automated, user-friendly, time effective and efficient. The general objective of his study is to design and develop an online clinic management solution that will serve as proposal to help doctors save time and resources with the automation of its daily clinic operations. In general, the focus of the study is directed towards the design and development of an online clinic management system. About five small to medium sized medical clinics with its doctors, staff and patients are randomly selected within Cebu area only from December 2007 to January 2008. The study is largely dependent on the honesty, sincerity and integrity of the respondents. In the proposed system, records and files are computerized and stored online for accessibility and portability. However, the proponents limit the online feature of the system to doctors and staff only. Web-access of the patients is not included. The system has a secure log-in for doctors and staff. Managing appointments is also integrated and billing statements and official receipts are automated as well as medical prescriptions and medical. According to Sy (2009), In today’s modern age where computer has become a way of life, it is evident that a majority of the country’s institutions still do not adapt the high technology. Particularly in most medical clinic facilities, daily clinic transactions are still done on paper. We all know that modern clinics are now operating at great pace striving to serve as many patients as possible with the best of their abilities. But as the years rolled by, the number of patients has grown and various medical cases arise that the manual method of managing patients’ records, prescriptions, billing and appointment schedule, is no longer practical. In his study, he hope to develop a web-based application that will minimize all paper works and manual records keeping, therefore allowing doctors and staff ease in keeping track of patients, reducing patients’ waiting time and increasing the number of patients served – a system that is fully automated, user-friendly, time effective and efficient. The general objective of his study is to design and develop an online clinic management solution that will serve as proposal to help doctors save time and resources with the automation of its daily clinic operations. In general, the focus of the study is directed towards the design and development of an online clinic management system. About five small to medium sized medical clinics with its doctors, staff and patients are randomly selected within Cebu area only from December 2007 to January 2008. The study is largely dependent on the honesty, sincerity and integrity of the respondents. In the proposed system, records and files are computerized and stored online for accessibility and portability. However, the proponents limit the online feature of the system to doctors and staff only. Web-access of the patients is not included. The system has a secure log-in for doctors and staff. Managing appointments is also integrated and billing statements and official receipts are automated as well as medical prescriptions and medical certificates. The proponents have used the Descriptive Research Method wherein the study is focused on present situations. Under the Descriptive Research Method, the technique used is the Survey Method, which is otherwise known as normative survey. The results and findings of the study should always be compared with the standards. The proponents have used the Descriptive Research Method wherein the study is focused on present situations. Under the Descriptive Research Method, the technique used is the Survey Method, which is otherwise known as normative survey. The results and findings of the study should always be compared with the standards. Foreign Studies This section presents foreign studies conducted across the country that is relevant to proposed system. According to Mak(2012), a major challenge in designing useful clinical information systems in dentistry is to incorporate clinical evidence based on dentists’ information needs and then integrate the system seamlessly into the complex clinical workflow. However, little is known about the actual information needs of dentists during treatment sessions. The purpose of the study is to identify general dentists’ information needs and the information sources they use to meet those needs in clinical settings so as to inform the design of dental information systems. A semi-structured interview was conducted with a convenience sample of 18 general dentists in the Pittsburgh area during clinical hours. One hundred and five patient cases were reported by these dentists. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis with a constant comparative method to id entify categories and themes regarding information needs and information source use patterns. Two top-level categories of information needs were identified: foreground and background information needs. To meet these needs, dentists used four types of information sources: clinical information/tasks, administrative tasks, patient education and professional development. Major themes of dentists’ unmet information needs include: (1) timely access to information on various subjects; (2) better visual representations of dental problems; (3) access to patient-specific evidence-based information; and (4) accurate, complete and consistent documentation of patient records. Resource use patterns include: (1) dentists’ information needs matched information source use; (2) little use of electronic sources took place during treatment; (3) source use depended on the nature and complexity of the dental problems; and (4) dentists routinely practiced cross-referencing to verify patient information. To conclude, Dentists have various information needs at the point of care. Among them, the needs for better visual representation and patient-specific evidence-based information are mostly unmet. While patient records and support staff remain the most used information sources, electronic sources other than electronic dental records (EDR) are rarely utilized during patient visits. For future development of dental information or clinical decision-support systems, developers should consider integrating high-quality, up-to-date clinical evidence into comprehensive and easily accessible EDRs as well as supporting dentists’ resource use patterns as identified in the study. References: Azhar, R. (2012). â€Å"Hotel Database System†. From http://www.studymode.com/essays/Hotel-Database-System-1255140.html Banayat, I.R. (2010). â€Å"Foreign and Local Literature About Sales and Inventory System.† From http://www.studymode.com/essays/Foreign-And-Local-Literature-About-Sales-439148.html Cruz, R.M. (1999). â€Å"Computerized Patients’ Medical History† Sy, M.C. (2009). â€Å"Thesis-Chapter-1†from http://www.scribd.com/doc/11757456/Thesis-Chapter-1 â€Å"Patient Information and Billing System† from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Patient-Information-And-Billing-System-1070478.html â€Å"Indian Electronic Patient Record System†. From https://sites.google.com/site/electronicpatientrecordsystems/

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Knowledge-based systems Essay

We tabulated the required sample size n and the corresponding critical acceptance value [c. sub. 0] for various [alpha]-risks, [beta]-risks, and the capability requirements AQL, LTPD. The results obtained in this paper are useful to the practitioners in making reliable decisions. For illustrative purpose, we demonstrated the proposed method by presenting a case study on liquid-crystal module (LCM) manufacturing process to evaluate the process performance. Here could be many decision problems in which decision-makers have different interests in reaching certain objectives. A useful decision support system which has interesting characteristics is presented here: it allows each decision-maker to learn individually how to move around the efficient frontier and, interact anonymously, in a progressive manner, with the other members of the group to impel the process toward his interests, or to back down before the other decision-makers’ interests, to end up in a balanced decision that satisfies all the members of the group. (Sethi, & King 2001) The system presented here has the role of an impartial and trustworthy facilitator that enables the group to reach their objectives in an appropriated time, manages it, questions it and makes proposals. The system can rapidly synthesize information and judgments and effectively reflect back the tentative outcomes to decision-makers. It generates understanding, learning and creativity. (Edwards 2004) This process can drive certain members of the group to strongly bias the decisions towards their own interests, by proposing solutions that exceed their goals so that in a negotiation process they can diminish their aspirations to reach their individual true goals. In the proposed methodology several options were included that diminish the vulnerability of the process to radical proposals. These options induce the decision-makers to express their real preferences and not those that would allow them to manipulate the decision. The proposed methodology allows autonomy and privacy in the decisions of each member of the group. It improves the participation of all decision-makers and avoids pressures by other members. It allows that decision-makers have different importance within the process, and it also includes a weighting system that can be defined by a consultative procedure. (Tan, & Benbasat 2003) References Adelman, L. (2001). Handbook for evaluating knowledge-based systems: Norwell, MA: Kluwer. Anderson, E. E. , & Chen, Y. (2006) Microcomputer software evaluation: An econometric model. Decision Support Systems. 19 (2), 75-92. Adelman, L. (2005). User and R&D specialist evaluation of decision support systems: IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. (SMC-15)2, 334-342. Balasubramanian, P. (1999) Managing process knowledge for decision support: Decision Support Systems. 27 (1-2), 145-162.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Islam Compared to the Orthodox Church Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Islam Compared to the Orthodox Church - Essay Example The essay "Islam Compared to the Orthodox Church" talks about the two religions - Islam and Orthodox comparing their beliefs and origin. The history of Islam includes Prophet Muhammad striving for a society in which the Arabs, who were a divided nation who indulged in several vices, to be united into one nation. And that was his mission and he is the role model and founder of Islam, creating unity and the belief in a dole God and the establishment of laws according to this belief. This movement has led to a vast fraternity over the years, to become a Muslim brotherhood. He also believed that morals and values should be simple and everyone should be able to follow them and this made life easier for the Arabs to accept this new religion. The Muslims were to believe in something credible and it was easy to accept his religion. On the other hand, the Orthodox Christians had to believe in a miracle, and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ who was the son of God, which was beyond the limitations of the human mind. It is his belief that wine becomes Divine Blood as you consume it even in Church and bread is the ‘Lord’s Risen Body.’ There is no such aspect in Islam to believe in the miraculous aspect of this, even though there have been many miracles in Islam as well. There is no aspect of veneration even though there are saints that are heard of in Islam as well, but not as commonly in Christianity. Holy Prophet simply conveyed God’s message to the Muslims and they had to commit to him and follow him.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Ethics Application Paper Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethics Application Paper - Case Study Example The teacher always strives to treat all of her students fairly and teach them the best that she absolutely can, but once in a while a questionable scenario arises that calls her ethics into duty. This is the case one day when she finds herself cornered at work. The school operates on the quarter system. During Week 10 of Quarter Four of last year, the school's Registrar approaches the teacher to tell her that she 'needs' to pass a particular student, regardless of his performance and the fact that did not attend class at all for the first 10 weeks. The Registrar informs the teacher that it is the student's final quarter and that he has a job lined up for him upon graduation that is going to make the school look really good. She also informs the teacher that the Director of Education has sent explicit instructions that the teacher is to pass the students with no questions asked per her demand. The teacher is in absolute shock, is confused, and has no idea what to do in this situation. If she were to pass the student, it would be completely unfair to the other students in the class. It might even be illegal. Certainly it would be against the school's accreditation standards. However, if she were to fail the student, the Registrar had made it clear that she would likely lose her job for making the school look bad if the student did not graduate and, thus, could not start working right away and the highly-regarded company in question. The Moral Agent The moral agent in this particular ethical scenario is the teacher. She is the individual who must make the moral decision. She has to choose between passing the student and being unfair to her other students and quite possibly disobeying the law and/or violating accreditation standards but pleasing the school's administration and keeping her job or failing the student and making the school look bad and possibly losing her job. Two of the Ethical Theories Discussed For the purposes of this paper, virtue theory and ethical relativism will be the theories that are applied and discussed with regard to the ethical scenario in question. "Virtue ethics is currently one of three major approaches in normative ethics. It may, initially, be identified as the one that emphasizes the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach which emphasizes duties or rules (deontology) or that which emphasizes the consequences of actions" (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2008, pg. 1), whereas "Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another. For the ethical relativist, there are no universal moral standards -- standards that can be universally applied to all peoples at all times" (Velasquez, et.al, 2008, p g.1). Since ethical relativism can go either way, the culture in which the teacher was raised will determine her actions. If she looks more at herself and her own desires than at those of others, she would probably choose the safest route that allows her to keep her job since it is in her own best interest. Making this decision, she would violate her other students, but could probably keep it quiet, satisfy

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Appreciate Differences and Similarities in Texts Essay

Appreciate Differences and Similarities in Texts - Essay Example These articles directly targets rudimentary readers. Level of education of readers and their class These types of readers mostly belong from upper senior, high school level where their main task is to do straightforward analysis. Get the relationships between the documents, do a critical analysis and make general conclusions from this. Students in this level of education get mainly interested in entertaining articles that they can easily put into practice their reading and understanding analytical skills. The two articles in question are admirable examples that high school level students may be materially interested in as they go along with their basic reading abilities that vary from independent, instructional and frustration. Writing techniques used by the writers In the two given articles, just like other written materials, they contain a wide variety of writing techniques that help to appeal t the readers and help convey the intended message with a clear understanding. There is m any writing technique s that writers involve in their works of writing. These writing techniques need to have a deliberate impact to the readers. ... The first article is ironical. It is not logical for humans to complain on the violation of animals rights when involved i8n testing of new medicines, while the medicine that is being tested is for ensuring human survival. In the same article, it is rather ironical that humans complain on animal’s torture in medical tests, while humans do them in order to ensure that the animals too also can survive as animals medicine do exist too. â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.yet it is not only humans who benefit from medical science. Researching on animals has also led to many advances in veterinary medicine practices. Dogs can now be protected against distemper†¦.cats can now be immunized against enteritis and cat flu.† The writer portrays verbal irony in this article as the writer contradicts the human party stand. Different impressions created by the two texts The writers in the two articles give an array of mixed fillings. The writer in the first article gives the reader no clear pe rspective on his article. In addition to giving mixed emotions, they are also widespread all over the article. In the first paragraph, he talks about humans and death and makes no substantial deal out of it. He makes it look like a normal thing and gives it some improvement that life expectancy has improved from the past times. However at a point in the article, he talks tells how humans make use of animals for their own benefits. He questions it to be either a matter of animals right or human ill. At this point, the writer creates an impression that humans are being unfair to animals. The writer portrays this, as an act of selfishness by humans. Before this the writer says,

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

How Have Changes in World Economy Affected Room for Manoeuvre of Essay

How Have Changes in World Economy Affected Room for Manoeuvre of Multinational Films - Essay Example In the arguments by analysts in the business world, the ongoing crisis facing the globe cannot be confined to a discussion of how the countries should survive in the tough times, since the crisis has a long way to go to find lasting solutions. However, they advocate for an understanding of the variances between the countries and the policies that would have a long term solution to the crisis as compared to the short term solutions. This paper shall solely endeavour to find out how the changes in world economy since the neoliberal restructuring in 1980s through globalisation and the 2008 world crisis affected the manoeuvre of multinational firms. 2.0. Body 2.1. Neoliberal restructuring in 1980s through globalisation- dominant macro-economic framework   With the neoliberal restructuring in 1980s through globalisation, Robinson (2003) indicates that many governments held the opinion that this move would be extremely profitable for the countries. As if not enough, the IMF, World Bank a nd other corporations joined in the campaign of the positives of the globalisation, which saw the introduction of free markets in the globe. This is clearly the dominant macro-economic framework  .With free markets, it was believed that the trade would thrive on a higher rate; thus, a collective prosperity on the global arena. Through neoliberal restructuring, it was expected that a lot of countries would be saved form poverty stricken lives by the year 2015 (Petras & Veltmeyer, 2012). In the long run, however, the case was reported to be different, since most of the policies that were enacted, ended up not being implemented by the concerned parties, especially in the third world countries. In relation to this move and the manoeuvre of multinational firms, it can be argued that the firms faced a lot of challenges from the fact that they could not manage dealing with the tough completion that the ‘New Order’ that was existent in the region (Dunning & Mucchielli, 2002; Rugman, 2002). The state, global institutions and local establishments greatly affected MNCs ability to act, since a lot of consultations had to be made prior to embarking on any move. They had to adapt to their current ideologies in the market. A lot of capital was released in the market, an interpretation of escalating trends of capitalists in the market. For the prospective multi-national firms (MNCs), stringent measures were put, to govern their operations in the market. According to Ryner (2004), neoliberal restructuring in 1980s through globalisation was solely characterised by completion between the major players in the industry. This completion was not confined on the local realm, but an international one, that was geared for the benefits of a few business tycoons. Though a lot of these firms aimed at battling up with the competition, the business environment was not too conducive for running of the businesses. On another viewpoint, the survival of the multinational firms wa s made difficult by the fact that the poverty levels in the globe were on the rise, since a lot of people were unemployed (Rugman, 2005). At this particular time, these multinational firms, took the measure of applying corporate franchising, that led to the producers incur huge amounts of money to survive especially in low income countries. The operations of the global corporations in the globe saw the confinement of the jobs in the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Business Marketing Strategies for Global Markets Assignment

Business Marketing Strategies for Global Markets - Assignment Example Some of the market entry options include direct export that entails producing products in the home country and selling them to overseas customers. Licensing, where licensor will provide an organization in the foreign market a license to manufacture the product or use the brand name and in return receive a payment. In addition, the use of joint venture that involves two organizations coming together to share the risk of market entry into a new foreign market (Root & Mark, 2006). The strategic significance of global market participation includes the following. The expansion provides the opportunity to increase sales as well as make profits; moreover, it leads to lower prices for goods and services to the customer due to the economies of scale derived from a larger global base and to bring down barriers to world trade and providing some protection in some countries and industries. There are the types of international strategies. The Multi-domestic strategy emphasizes product customization for each market. In addition, there is the Global strategy where products are the same in all countries where the business is involved. Lastly, the transnational strategy that tries to balance the efficiency while adjusting to the local preferences of various countries. Finally, the components of international strategy include the distinctive competence, the scope of operations and the resource deployment and

Monday, September 23, 2019

Love - And Its Portrayal In Literature Research Paper

Love - And Its Portrayal In Literature - Research Paper Example It is an emotion felt when one makes himself vulnerable to the idea of being loved by someone else. It is full of regard and affection for another person; love is not love until it is for someone, however in many cases love is used selfishly in order to get past certain obstacles in life. All over the world, throughout times immemorial, love has been a very vivid and stark feeling portrayed everywhere. Some people that are in love with each other are not afraid to show it, they in fact engage in being affectionate each other wherever they are, without caring about the rest of the world or societal norms. However, there are some people that are not so open about their love; they feel constricted in a manner that they are not aware of how to show their feelings to others because they are afraid of being judged by others. Love is not something that can be judged by someone who is not feeling it. Those who do not open themselves to the idea of love will not be able to know how to feel it . Love is not a closed feeling, it can be towards anything. A person starts learning how to love with the help of the family and environment he grows up in. Being loved is not about having both parents or many siblings; it is in fact about how a person is able to learn to love whatever family he is born into, and whatever the circumstances might be. It is about adapting to someone else’s needs and habituating oneself beautifully in a manner befitting ease. According to the Bible: Corinthians Chapter 1, 13:4-7, â€Å"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love is like air. You can't see it, but you can feel it.† Since the time of Adam and Eve and the apple on the tree, a new feeling is said to hav e arisen in the world in the form of love and its other aspects. The two felt ashamed of being around each other completely naked, because they started developing feelings for one another. Adam and Eve have been said to try and cover themselves from one another all of a sudden after eating the sacred fruit because they realised that a man and a woman have the capacity to be able to love each other and try and impress the other in order to be loved back by them. In all aspects of life, one is able to find love. It could be with anything, and for anything. Children love their parents, and as they grow older into teenagers and adolescents, they begin loving other people around them. As one gets to know more and more people, he understands truly the effect love and friendship can have. To be loved by someone is a true boon gifted to all of mankind by God. Having someone care for you and love you when the entire world seems to be against you is a feeling people will know only if they ope n their hearts and let themselves be loved. Along with love comes trust and commitment; these are responsibilities that people should be willing to accept if they want to be in love and love another person. In love, a person gives his or her heart away to another person, and in turn the other should take care of that heart and not cause it to break. In giving away such a large part of one self, a person thrusts a large amount of trust on the other. Many people say that love in the 21st century is not like it used to be earlier. In this modern era of technology, people have a habit of falling in love with the idea of love as they ‘hook up’ with any random person over the internet and with a few exchanges of niceties, ‘fall in love’

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Water cooler Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Water cooler - Essay Example anizations by providing information that theft in organizations in the recent past has lead to a great loss of organizations resources to a tune of over $200million each year. The most recent form of theft identified is called ‘sweethearting’, and this is where employees give products to clients away for free to loyal and preferred customers. This is common with employees at the exit like cashiers. The article relates to the topic since it tends to enlighten organizations on how to handle its resources to prevent waste, it also shows how the US economy is affected by the losses from the bad Human Resource practices i.e. $200million loss each year. To address ‘sweethearting’, for example there are both short term and long term measures. The short term measure as per the article is educating the employees on the ramifications of the act on both the employee and employer and the ethics behind it. The long term solution is the employment of thorough recruitment, well screened. Screening question should focus on employee social acceptance, risk taking and ethics. This makes sure that the right click of employees is recruited for employment. An example of water cooler talk was that on the article examination.com about Frank Gore’s of San Francisco 49ers team unhappy state and need for another contract even after being involved in many games. The head coach refused to act on water cooler

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Online Grading System Essay Example for Free

Online Grading System Essay Today, many pre-school, elementary and high school students in their school are not use an automated system in daily life. But there are so many schools are still using manual system. Grading System is the most commonly used in computing and analyzing the performance, talents and skills of the students and for achievement and assist in identifying problems of the student? It is the important record to keep even for the longest time for the referral and credentials of the student to enter their next level of attaining their goals. Grading System for Data Accuracy will help a lot in the part of teachers, school, administration and as well as the security of data of students and tract record that recognizes of one student, this maybe use for analyzing of your attitude and values. Based on our research, the school of San Guillermo Academy in Talisay , Batangas is using a manual computation of grades of each student, which the teachers are using Microsoft excel to compute the grades of each students and they have no registrar, just the adviser of their section releasing their grades. Manual computation is very prompt to risk for any circumstances. It is time consuming in terms of recording grades, computation using of calculator. If some records are lost, they never retrieve it in case of unexpected calamity. Accuracy and security is not been so defined. The proposed system in San Guillermo Academy is an Automated Online Grading System where it will provide in the internet and made by using database and web development. This Online Grading System is unique because grade in each subject that just need to be able to compute the particular average grades of the each student. It consist of an office of the registrar where all the grades of each student in San Guillermo Academy took place and the office of the registrar will take charge to release all  grades of the student. Having an Automated and Online Grading System for the said school will give an unique formula that will be use in getting or computing the grades of the students and system where personnel can encode the student’s grade. Using the different formula in computing of student’s grades of the said school is not accurate and/or different result in other student’s grades using another different formula. Thus, having an Automated Grading System for the said school will become easy, accurate and time saving for the Teachers, Personnel as well as the students. Background of the Study The San Guillermo Academy Grading System today is processed manually, it causes the teachers doing heavy task of computing grades every grading period. The manual Grading System in San Guillermo Academy slows down the processing and delaying submission of grades as well as the security of data of the students has not been defined in manual system. The computerized grading system will benefit the school and help the students to view their grades every examination period. The rapid advancement of computers in our society has made our daily workloads easier and more accurate. With its vast development, we need to set ourselves in its change and go with its flow. Statement of the problem 1. Is automated grading system can retrieve any student records than manual grading system? 2. Is Manual grading system gives more accurate, efficiency and easy to use than the automated grading system? 3. Is manual grading system makes the task easier and less consuming of time than the automated grading system? 4. Is there any significance between the manual grading systems to the automated grading system?

Friday, September 20, 2019

The use of Microwave Remote Sensing

The use of Microwave Remote Sensing INTRODUCTION Microwave remote sensing at wavelengths ranging from 1 cm to 1 m has gained a lot of importance over the plast decade for a wide range of scientific applications with the availability of active radar imaging systems. Its potential in spatial applications use has been scientifically established in various sectors like forestry, agriculture, land use and land cover, geology and hydrology. A variety of applications have been carried out world over using microwave data like discrimination of crop types, crop condition monitoring, soil moisture retrieval, delineation of forest openings, estimation of forest above ground biomass, forest mapping; forest structure and fire scar mapping, geological mapping, monitoring wetlands and snow cover, sea ice identification, coastal windfield measurement, wave slope measurement, ship detection , shoreline detection, substrate mapping, slick detection and general vegetation mapping (Kasischke et al., 1997). There is an emerging interest on microwave remote sensing is, as microwave sensors it can image a surface with very fine resolution of a few meters to coarse resolution of a few kilometers. They provides imagery to a given resolution independently of altitude, limited only by the transmitter power available. Fundamental parameters like polarization and look angle can be varied to optimize the system for a specific application. SAR imaging is independent of solar illumination as the system provides its own source of illumination. It can operate independently of weather conditions if sufficiently long wavelengths are chosen. It operates in a band of electromagnetic spectrum different from the bands used by visible and infrared (IR) imageries. Microwave applications in Forestry Applications of microwave remote sensing in forestry ha ve also been reported during the recent past. Recent reviews on the application of radar in forestry show that SAR systems have a good capability in discriminating various types of (tropical) forest cover using multi-temporal and multi-frequency SAR data (Vander Sanden, 1997; Varekamp, 2001; Quinones, 2002; Sgrenzaroli, 2004). These studies showed that the biomass dependence of radar backscatter varies as a function of radar wavelength, polarization and incidence angle. Also recent studies have demonstrated that synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be used to estimate above-ground standing biomass. To date, these studies have relied on extensive ground-truth measurements to construct relationships between biomass and SAR backscatter (Steininger, 1996; Rignot et al., 1997). Many studies demonstrated the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing to retrieve biophysical characteristics from forest targets (Richards, 1990). Although radar backscatter from forest is influenced by their structural properties (Imhoff, 1995), earlier studies derived useful relationships between backscattering coefficients and the above-ground biomass (Baker et., 1994; Le Toan et al., 1992; Dobson et el., 1992; Imhoff; 1995). These relationships may provide a method of monitoring forest ecosystems which play such a vital role in carbon storage and NPP. Microwave remote sensing has the advantage of all weather capability coverage overcoming the persistent problem of cloud cover in satellite images like in optical data. Optical remote sensing is being used very successfully in various applications related to earth resources studies and monitoring of the environment. However, optical remote sensing is not suitable for all atmospheric conditions. It cannot penetrate through clouds and haze. In many areas of the world, the frequent cloud conditions often restrain the acquisition of high-quality remotely sensed data by optical sensors. Thus, radar data has become the only feasible way of acquiring remotely sensed data within a given time framework because the radar systems can collect Earth feature data irrespective of weather or light conditions. Due to this unique feature of radar data compared with optical sensor data, the radar data have been used extensively in many fields, including forest-cover identification and mapping, discrimi nation of forest compartments and forest types, estimation of forest stand parameters and monitoring of forests. In areas where vegetation cover is dense, it visually covers the underlying formation and it is very difficult to detect structural limiting the use of optical sensors. Radar however, is sensitive enough to topographic variation that it is able to discern the structural expression reflected in the tree top canopy, and therefore the structure may be clearly defined on the radar imagery. Based on this background, the current thesis work has been carried out to explore the potential of microwave data in addressing core areas of tropical forestry viz., vegetation classification , a bove ground biomass estimation etc., and to provide the users/researchers a meaningful data base of SAR applications in tropical forestry, specifically over the India region. Research questions: Which SAR wavelength/frequency band is appropriate for vegetation classification in tropical forests? To what extent above ground biomass can be measured in tropical forests? Which frequency band and polarization are suitable for above ground biomass estimation? Is there any enhancement in vegetation classification with polarimetric / interferometric data than stand alone amplitude data? Research hypothesis: Based on this background,the previous studies and earlier mentioned Rresearch questions, we understand that the backscatter increases with the increase in above ground biomass and depends on wavelength bands, polarizations used and on the study area, topographic variations and species composition. So, the present study attempts to derive the application potential of airborne and space borne SAR data in the quantification of the forest resources in tropical regions like India, both as a complementary and supplementary role to optical datasets. Different techniques such as Regression analysis, multi-sensor fusion, texture measures and interferometric coherence characterize different biomass ranges of the test sites and classification of major land cover classes. This study would facilitate scope for future research in tropical regions to explore the potentials of SAR data in land cover classification and above ground biomass estimation using the polarimetric and interferometric techniq ues. OBJECTIVES: Based on this background, the present study aims at the following objectives: Vegetation type classification using polarimetric and interferometric SAR data. Forest above-ground biomass estimation using multi-frequency SAR data and ground inventoried data. Vegetation classification is necessary to understand the diversity of species in a given area which gives above ground biomass with measured parameters. Hence, vegetation classification enhances the estimation of the above ground biomass. Forest biomass is a key parameter in understanding the carbon cycle and determining rates of carbon storage, both of which are large uncertainties for forest ecosystems. Accurate knowledge of biophysical parameters of the ecosystems is essential to develop an understanding of the ecosystem and their interactions, to provide input models of ecosystem and global processes, to test these models and to monitor changes in ecosystem dynamics and processes over time. Thus, it is a useful measure for assessing changes in forest structure, comparing structural and functional attributes of forest ecosystems across a wide range of environmental conditions. Knowing the spatial distribution of forest biomass is important as the knowledge of biomass is required for calculating the sources and sinks of carbon that result from converting a forest to cleared land and vice versa, to know the spatial distribution of biomass which enables measurement of change through time. Field sampling is the most followed conventional method for vegetation type classification. The identification of different species in field yields good results in the estimation of the above ground biomass. It is very time consuming, expensive and very complicated. With the use of multiple sensors, varied data collection and interpretation techniques, remote sensing is a versatile tool that can provide data about the surface of the earth to suit any need (Reene et al, 2001). Remote sensing approach for vegetation classification is cost effective and also time effective. Though the identification of the tree species is possible only from the aerial imagery, major forest types can be identified from the airborne and the spaceborne remote sensing data. Visual image interpretation provides a feasible means of vegetation classification in forests. The image characteristics of shape, size, pattern, shadow, tone and texture are used by interpreters in tree species identification. Phenological correlations are useful in tree species identification. Changes in the appearance of trees in different seasons of the year some times enable discrimination of species that are indistinguishable on single dates. The use of multi-temporal remote sensing data enabl es the mapping of the different forest types. SAR has shown its potential for classifying and monitoring geophysical parameters both locally and globally. Excellent works were carried out on the classification using several approaches such as polarimetric data decomposition (Lee et al., 1998), knowledge based approaches considering the theoretical backscatter modeling and experimental observations ( Ramson and Sun , 1994) ; Backscatter model-related inversion approaches ( Kurvonen et al., 1999), neural networks and data fusion approaches ( Chen et al., 1996). Dong et al. (2001) have shown that the classification accuracy of 95% for the vegetation classes could be achieved through the segmentation and classification of the SAR data using Gaussian Markov Random Field Model (GMRF). Many methods have been employed for classification of polarimetric SAR data, based on the maximum likelihood (ML) (Lee et al. 1994), artificial neural network (NN) (Chen et al. 1996, Ito and Omatu, 1998), support vector machines (SVMs) (Fukuda et al. 2002), fuzzy method (Chen et al. 2003, Du and Lee 1996), or other approaches (Kong et al. 1988, Lee and Hoppel 1992, van Zyl and Burnette 1992, Cloude and Pottier 1997, Lee et al. 1999, Alberqa 2004) Among these methods, the ML classifier (Lee et al. 1994) can be employed for obtaining accurate classification results, but it is based on the assumption of the complex Wishart distribution of the covariance matrix. Assessing the total aboveground biomass of forests (biomass density when expressed as dry weight per unit area at a particular time) is a useful way of quantifying the amount of resource available for all traditional uses. It either gives the quantity of total biomass directly or the quantity by each component (e.g., leaves, branches, and bole) because their biomass tends to vary systematically with the total biomass. However, biomass of each component varies with total biomass by forest type, such as natural or planted forests and closed or open forests. For example, leaves contribute about 3-5% and merchantable bole is about 60% of the total aboveground biomass of closed forests. Many researchers have developed various methods based on field inventory and remote sensing approaches for the estimation of above ground biomass (Kira and Ogawa, 1971). Traditionally, field-measured approach is considered as the most accurate source for above-ground biomass estimation. It has been converted to volume, or biomass, using allometric equations that are based on standard field measurements (tree height and diameter at breast height). Different approaches, based on field measurement (Brown et al. 1989, Brown and Iverson 1992, Schroeder et al.. 1997, Houghton et al., 2001, Brown, 2002); remote sensing (Tiwari 1994, Roy and Ravan 1996, Tomppo et al., 2002, Foody et al., 2003, Santos et al., 2003, Zheng et al., 2004, Lu, 2005); and GIS (Brown and Gaston 1995) have been applied for AGB estimation. Traditional techniques based on field measurement are the most accurate ways for collecting biomass data. A sufficient number of field measurements is a prerequisite for developing AGB estimation models and for evaluating the AGB estimation results. However, these approaches are often time consuming, labour intensive, and difficult to implement, especially in remote areas and are generally limited to 10-year intervals. Also, they cannot provide the spatial distribution of biomass in large areas. For the above reasons, the perspectives of using remote sensing techniques to estimate forest biomass have gained interest. Remote sensing data available at different scales, from local to global, and from various sources, optical to microwave are expected to provide information that could be related indirectly, and in different manners, to biomass information. The possibility that aboveground forest biomass might be determined from space is a promising alternative to ground-based methods (Hese et al., 2005). The advantages of remotely sensed data, such as in repetivity of data collection, synoptic view, digital format that allows fast processing of large quantities of data, and the high correlations between spectral bands and vegetation parameters, make it the primary source for large area AGB estimation, especially in areas of difficult access. Therefore, remote sensing-based AGB estimation has increasingly attracted scientific interest. In general, AGB can be estimated using remotely sensed data with different approaches, such as multiple regression analysis, K nearest-neighbour, and neural network (Roy and Ravan 1996, Nelson et al. 2000a, Steininger 2000, Foody et al. 2003, Zheng et al. 2004), and indirectly estimated from canopy parameters, such as crown diameter, which are first derived from remotely sensed data using multiple regression analysis or different canopy reflectance models (Wu and Strahler 1994, Woodcock et al. 1997, Phua and Saito 2003, Popescu et al. 2003). Spectral signatures or vegetation indices are often used for AGB estimation in optical remote sensing. Many vegetation indices have been developed and applied to biophysical parameter studies (Anderson and Hanson 1992, Anderson et al. 1993, Eastwood et al. 1997, Lu et al. 2004, Mutanga and Skidmore 2004). Vegetation indices have been recommended to remove variability caused by canopy geometry, soil background, sun view angles, and atmospheric conditions when measuring biophysical properties (Elvidge and Chen 1995, Blackburn and Steele 1999). Radar remote sensing has potential to provide information on above ground biomass. The information content of SAR data in terms of the retrieval of biomass parameters will be assessed based on an understanding of the underlying scattering mechanisms, which in turn are derived from observations and modeling results. For this purpose, an analysis of data acquired by multiple frequency, incidence and polarisation systems and by interferometric systems is carried out. It has been proved that the sensitivity to biomass parameters differ strongly at different frequencies, polarisations and incidence angles. In general, long wavelength SAR backscatter (P and L band) is more sensitive to forest biomass than shorter wavelength C-band backscatter and the relationships saturate at certain biomass levels ( Imhoff 1995b). The strength of the relationships and the saturation levels are dependent on the type of forest being analysed (Ferrazoli et al. 1997). The saturation levels for the estimation of above ground biomass depend on the wavelengths (i.e. different bands, such as C, L, P), polarization (such as HV and VV), and the characteristics of vegetation stand structure and ground conditions. C-band can measure forestry biomass up to app. 50 tons/ha, L-band can measure up to 100 tons/ha and P-band can measure up to 200 tons/ha (Floyd et al., 1998). The combination of multiple channels and polarizations provides greater advantage for estimating total biomass (Harry Stern, 1998). RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY: The present study is the part of Radar Imaging satellite Joint Experiment Programme (RISAT-JEP) for forestry applications undertaken by Forestry and Ecology Division of National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), as a pilot campaign with specific objectives of above ground biomass estimation and vegetation type classification using airborne DLR (German Aerospace Center) carrying ESAR (Experimental Synthetic Aperture Radar) data for Rajpipla (Gujarat) study site and space borne ENVISAT (Environmental Satellite) carrying Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) data for three test sites viz., Rajpipla (Gujarat), Dandeli (Karnataka) and Bilaspur (Chattisgarh), India. SCOPE OF THE STUDY: The specific objectives of the present study are above ground biomass estimation and vegetation type classification using airborne DLR (German Aerospace Center) carrying ESAR (Experimental Synthetic Aperture Radar) data for Rajpipla (Gujarat) study site and space borne ENVISAT (Environmental Satellite) carrying Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) data; ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) carrying Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) for three test sites viz., Rajpipla (Gujarat), Dandeli (Karnataka) and Bilaspur (Chattisgarh), India. Different techniques such as Regression analysis, multi-sensor fusion, texture measures and interferometric coherence were used to characterize different biomass ranges of the test sites and to classify the major land cover classes using spaceborne C-band ENVISAT-ASAR data and L-band ALOS- PALSAR data. Polarimetric signatures, polarimetric decompositions, multi-sensor fusion techniques etc. were used for the classification of different vegetation types in the Rajpipla study area using the airborne DLR-ESAR data. The study has its uniqueness and gains importance in the application potential of SAR interferometry over tropical regions like India, both in terms of an alternate/substitute to optical data sets due to persisting cloud cover and to the lack of availability of any earlier scientific work over the study region. This study is useful for the applications of to be launched Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) in 2010. The study has amply demonstrated the application potential of airborne and space borne SAR data in the quantification of the forest resources in tropical regions like India, both as a complementary and supplementary role to optical datasets. The study would facilitate future research in tropical regions to explore the potentials of SAR data in land cover classification and above ground biomass estimation using the polarimetric and interferometric techniques. LITERATURE SURVEY: During the last decade, many potential applications of SAR in different frequency bands have been studied for forestry applications using data acquired by both airborne and space-borne systems. Various techniques like Polarimetry, Interferometry and Polarimetric-Interferometry enhanced the use of SAR data in forestry applications. The backscatter from vegetation is used to infer information about amplitude data for forest cover mapping and estimation of above ground biomass in regenerating forests. Use of SAR polarimetric data delineated vegetation classes within the forest and also enhanced the capability in estimating the above ground biomass. The use of repeat pass interferometric data enables to calculate the forest stand height and also used for the land cover classification. The emerging Pol-InSAR technique is used to derive the three dimensional forest structures. Forest cover maps were prepared for the boreal, temperate and tropical forests using SAR data. Forest was separated from non-forest regions using multi-temporal C-band ERS SAR data on the test sites of United Kingdom, Poland and Finland (Quegan et al., 2000). The study applied a threshold value to separate forest from other classes. Tropical rainforest of Borneo was mapped from SIR-B data of different incidence angles (Ford and Casey, 1988). Different vegetation covers along with wetlands and clear-cut areas were distinguished. Forest cover mapping was done with JERS-1 SAR data on the coastal regions of Gabon (Simard et al., 2000). The study used decision tree method utilizing both radar amplitude and texture information. Forest cover map was prepared for Southern Chittagong using JERS-1 SAR data (Rahman and Sumantyo, 2007) and the study separated forest, degraded forest, shrubs, coastal plantations, agriculture, shrimp-farms, urban and water. Although radar backscatter from forest is influenced by their structural properties (Imhoff, 1995a), many studies have demonstrated useful relationships between backscattering coefficients and the areal density of above-ground biomass within particular types of forest (Baker et., 1994; Le Toan et al., 1992; Dobson et al., 1992; Imhof et al; 1995b). Many airborne and spaceborne SAR systems have been used to carry out a large amount of experiments for investigating the forest ecosystems. The airborne systems, such as the NASA/JPL AIRSAR, DLR-ESAR, etc., operating at P, L and C band, has been flown over many forest sites (Zebker et al., 1991; Le Toan et al, 1992; Beaudoin et al., 1994; Rignot et al.; 1994; Skriver et al., 1994; Ranson et al., 1996). The experiments of the Canadian CV-580, as well as the European airborne system, mainly operating at C and X band also have been carried out in North America and Europe (Drieman et al., 1989; Hoekman, 1990). Spaceborne SAR is being used from regional to global monitoring in a periodic basis. The spaceborne systems, such as the Seasat SAR, SIR-B, SIR-C/X-SAR and ERS-1, ERS-2, ENVISAT-ASAR, RADARSAT etc., were used for investigations of boreal, temperature and sub-tropical forestry test sites (Ford et al., 1988; Dobson et al., 1992; Ranson et al., 1995; Stofan et al., 1995; Rignotet al., 1995). These experiments and studies have shown that radar is sensitive to forest structural parameters such as diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree mean height including above-ground biomass (Dobson et al., 1992; Pulliainen et al., 1994; Skriver et al., 1994; Ferrazzoli et al., 1995; Ranson et al., 1996). Earlier studies has shown the potential of radar data in estimating AGB (Hussin et al. 1991, Ranson and Sun 1994, Dobson et al. 1995, Rignot et al. 1995, Saatchi and Moghaddam 1995, Foody et al. 1997, Harrell et al. 1997, Ranson et al. 1997, Luckman et al. 1997, 1998, Pairman et al. 1999, Imhoff et al. 2000, Kuplich et al. 2000, Castel et al. 2002, Sun et al. 2002, Santos et al. 2003, Treuhaft et al. 2004). Kasischke et al. (1997) reviewed radar data for ecological applications, including AGB estimation. Lucas et al. (2004) and Kasischke et al. (2004) reviewed SAR data for AGB estimation in tropical forests and temperate and boreal forests, respectively. Different wavelength radar data have their own characteristics in relating to forest stand parameters. Backscatter in P and L bands is highly correlated with major forest parameters, such as tree age, tree height, DBH, basal area, and AGB (Leckie 1998). In particular, SAR L-band data have proven to be valuable for AGB estimation (Sad er 1987, Luckman et al. 1997, Kurvonen et al. 1999, Sun et al. 2002). However, low or negligible correlations were found between SAR C-Band backscatter and AGB (Le Toan et al. 1992). Beaudoin et al. (1994) found that the HH return was related to both trunk and crown biomass, and the VV and HV returns were linked to crown biomass. Harrell et al. (1997) evaluated four techniques for AGB estimation in pine stands using SIR C- and L-Band multi-polarization radar data and found that the L-Band HH polarization data were the critical elements in AGB estimation. Kuplich et al. (2000) used L-band JERS-1/SAR data for AGB estimation of regenerating forests and concluded that these data had the potential to estimate AGB for young, regenerating forests. Sun et al. (2002) found that multi-polarization L-Band SAR data were useful for AGB estimation of forest stands in mountainous areas. Castel et al. (2002) identified the significant relationships between the backscatter coefficient of JERS- 1/SAR data and the stand biomass of a pine plantation. The study observed the improvement in AGB estimation results for young stands, compared to estimation for old stands. Santos et al. (2002) used JERS-1 SAR data to analyse the relationships between backscatter signals and biomass of forest and savanna formations. This study concluded that forest structural-physiognomic characteristics and the radars volume scattering, double bounce scattering are two important factors affecting these relationships. The saturation levels of backscattering co-efficient with respect to AGB depend on the wavelengths (i.e. different Bands, such as C, L, P), polarization (such as HV and VV), and the characteristics of vegetation stand structure and ground conditions. Luckman et al. (1997) found that the longer-wavelength (L-Band) SAR image was more suitable to discriminate different levels of forest biomass up to a certain threshold, indicating that it is suitable for estimating biomass of regenerating forests in tropical regions. Austin et al. (2003) indicated that forest biomass estimation using radar data may be feasible when landscape characteristics are taken into account. The radar backscattering coefficient is correlated with forest biomass and stem volume (Le Toan et al. 1992, Israelsson et al. 1994, Kasischke et al. 1994, Dobson et al. 1995). The sensitivity of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to forest stem volume increases significantly as the radar wavelength increases (Israelsson et al. 1997). The imaging process makes SAR suitable for mapping parameters related to forest biomass, like stem volume (Baker et al, 1999; Fransson et al, 1999; Hyyppa et al, 1997; Israelsson et al., 1997; Kurvonen et al, 1999; Pulliainen et al, 1996), total growing stock (Balzter et al, 2000; Schmullius et al, 1997), LAI (Imhoff et al, 1997), or above ground net primary productivity (Bergen et al, 1998). Le Toan et al., (1992) used multi-polarisation L- and P-band airborne radar data, and found that the dynamic range of the radar backscatter corresponded highly with forest growth stages and is maximum at P-band HV polarization. The analysis of P-band data indicated a good correlation between the radar backscatter intensity and the main forest parameters including trunk biomass, height, age, diameter at breast height (dbh), and basal area. Dobson et al., (1992) showed an increasing range of backscatter with changing biomass from C to P-band, as well as higher biomass levels at which backscatter relationships to biomass saturate. Hoekman, (1990) found poor relationships between X- and C-band backscatter and volume and other stand parameters. The spaceborne systems, such as the Seasat SAR, SIR-B, SIR-C/X-SAR and ERS-1, ERS-2, JERS, ENVISAT-ASAR and recently ALOS-PALSAR etc. were used for investigations of boreal, temperature and sub-tropical forestry test sites (Ford et al., 1988; Dobson et al., 1992; Ranson et al., 1995; Stofan et al., 1995; Rignot et al., 1995). These experiments and studies have shown that radar is sensitive to forest structural parameters including above-ground biomass (Dobson et al., 1992; Pulliainen et al., 1994; Skriver et al., 1994; Ferrazzoli et al., 1995; Ranson et al., 1996). Kasischke et al., (1997) reviewed radar data for ecological applications, including AGB estimation. It is being reported in literature that the radar backscatter in the P and L bands is highly correlated with major forest parameters, such as tree age, tree height, DBH, basal area, and AGB. In particular, SAR L-Band data have proven to be valuable for AGB estimation (Sader, 1987; Luckman et al., 1997; Kurvonen et al., 1999; Sun et al., 2002). Kuplich et al., (2000) used JERS-SAR data for AGB estimation of regenerating forests and concluded that these data had the potential to estimate AGB for young, regenerating forests. Luckman et al., (1997) found that the longer-wavelength (L-Band) SAR image was more suitable to discriminate different levels L-Band backscatter shows no sensitivity to increased biomass density after a certain threshold, such as 100 tons ha-1, indicating that it is suitable for estimating biomass of regenerating forests in tropical regions. The radar backscattering coefficient is correlated with forest biomass and stem volume (Le Toan et al. 1992; Israelsson et al., 1994; Kasischke et al., 1994, Dobson et al., 1995). The sensitivity of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to forest stem volume increases significantly as the radar wavelength increases (Israelsson et al., 1997). The imaging process makes SAR suitable for mapping parameters related to forest biomass, like stem volume (Baker et al., 1999; Israelsson et al., 1997; Pulliainen et al., 1996), total growing stock (Balzter et al., 2000; Schmullius et al., 1997), LAI (Imhoff et al., 1997), or above ground net primary productivity (Bergen et al., 1998). The dependency of backscatter on above ground biomass was observed and related to the penetration of the radiation into the canopy and interaction with the trunk, where most of the volume, therefore, biomass of the vegetation is concentrated (Sader 1987, Le Toan et al. 1992, Dobson et al. 1992). HV polarization in longer wavelengths (L or P band) is the most sensitive to above ground biomass (Sader 1987, Le Toan et al. 1992, Ranson et al. 1997a) because it originates mainly from canopy volume scattering (Wang et al. 1995), trunk scattering (Le Toan et al. 1992) and is less affected by the ground surface (Ranson and Sun 1994). As forest backscatter in different wavelengths and polarizations originate from separate layers of a canopy, the use of multiple channels or multi-step approaches (e.g., Dobson et al. 1995) could be used to estimate total above-ground biomass (Kasischke et al. 1997). Sun and Ranson (1994) estimated biomass in mixed conifer temperate forest upto 250 Mg/ha. Band ratios (HH/HV and VV/VH) were also used for the above ground biomass estimation. However, Dobson et al. (1995) considered these band ratios too simplistic (as the corresponding backscatter will be much higher for the few tall trees than for the many short ones), although effective in estimating biomass at higher ranges. In spite of this, a combination of bands and polarizations in a multi-step approach made possible the mapping of biomass in a mixed temperate forest upto 250 Mg/ha (Dobson et al. 1995). Establishing a strong link between backscatter and forest variables is an important part of the successful estimation of forest biomass from backscatter. Models are often used to explain the relationship between forest variables, scattering mechanisms and SAR configuration parameters (Richards 1990, Kasischke and Christensen 1990). Another approach is the use of statistical analysis, where forest variables are related to SAR backscatter by regression models (Sader 1987, Le Toan et al. 1992, Rauste et al. 1994). The combination of the two approaches, in most cases to assess the results of the predicted biomass or backscatter via regression (Ranson and Sun 1994, Ferrazzoli et al. 1997, Franson and Israelson 1999). Statistical procedures such as stepwise regression analysis were also used to determine the best set of bands and pola

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Review Of Demian By Hesse :: essays research papers

How to be Enlightened A Review of Demian, by Hermann Hesse   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  How does one become enlightened? Some would say, deep meditation, others would say, some long mystical journey that involves some spiritual guide. I think that the best person to study for that question would be Hermann Hesse. Hesse has written many books, involving profound ideas on the subject of enlightenment. One great book is Demian. I found three ways to become enlightened.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first is that we must look at the bible/religion as a whole. Emil Sinclair realized that God is not just heavenly but also evil. After all he created hell and all the factors that lead up to the dark side. â€Å"...I mean we ought to consider everything sacred, the entire world, not this artificially separated half...† (51). It made me think that we need to see that if God is real, he is the biggest puppet master in the universe, setting up bad plays for his own amusement, such as the crucifixion of his son, which was a questionable way of proving something to mankind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second would be the great idea that Pistorious stated,†...if nature has made you a bat, you shouldn’t try to be an ostrich...†(92) This idea is reflected though everyone. No one should ever think they shouldn’t be who they are.. It makes sense for the refinery of a soon to be enlightened person.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thirdly, believing in yourself, and only yourself. In accordance to life, if someone is not believing themselves, they are just a follower. â€Å"...A whole society composed of men afraid of the unknown within them!...†(115). That quote made the most sense to me when thinking about Hitler, and all his German followers, when they never even reached inside themselves to ask, is this really the right thing to do?

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Sunset :: essays research papers

Seriously, I only witnessed the sunset few times during my existence. Though explanation may take quite some time, but do allow me. Singapore- a tiny piece of land lying at the tip of Malay Peninsular. Having a population of around three million ( yes, same as the number of cows providing us with milk in New Zealand, as emphasised in that famous milk advertisement), that leaves us pondering over the suffiency of living space for the growing nation. Adolf Hitler wanted living space for his German mates, so that intelligent being resolved that by sending troops to invade his neighbouring countries. Now, how would things be like if the Singapore Government apply the same tactic of the great dictator in the gaining of land space? Just imaigne our National Service men being ordered to march over to our neighbours, Malaysia n Indonesia, claud in their cute patchy-green uniforms and clutching onto their M16? Trying to invade them? Considering the fact aht we even have problems purchasing water from the Malaysians, do pardon me for my ridiculous thoughts. Singapore is ruled by a bunch of diploma-holders - the brainers with a mission of ensuring comfortable lives for their fellow citizens. Sights of people roaming about like stray animals may be something that leaves a bad impression on those foreigners which the country's economy depended much on! Everyone has to have a place to stay at. Yes, we have terraced, semi-detached, mansions, condoniniums available here. The smart ones came up with the concept of HDB flats. HDB is our reliable Housing Development Board. Just like the clothes we wear, HDB flats, the high-rise apratements comes in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Made affordable for the country's middle-class, you have choices for 2-room, 3-room, 4-room, mansionate, executive etc. With the incresase in population, the need to house more people allowed these HDB flats to sprout out at every available plot of land like wild weeds, like it is nobody's business. When the flat lands are all used, they take the high lands. Our towns such as Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang and Bukit Timah (with 'Bukit' meaning hill in the malay language), no longer have the identity which speaks for what they were meant to be. For the smart-alecs had flatten the tiny hills to build these HDB flats! I deserved a spanking for being so complacent. Though I myself is one of the many HDB flats dwellers, a few personal opinions does not hurt much, huh?

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Mixed Handedness In Schizophrenia Health And Social Care Essay

In the present survey I conducted a meta-analytical reappraisal of the literature of an association between laterality and schizophrenic disorder in an effort to ; ( 1 ) clear up the strength of the grounds for the prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder, ( 2 ) measure the effects of two of the chief manus penchant appraisals in the prevalence of mixed-handedness in schizophrenic disorder patients. The premise is that the methodological difference between specifying laterality within a class ( such as the Edinburgh Inventory ) or by grades ( as does the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire ) will impact on the prevalence of assorted laterality observed. Background Schizophrenia is a disease characterized by profound break in knowledge and emotion, impacting the most cardinal human properties: linguistic communication, thought, perceptual experience, affect, and sense of ego ( American Psychiatric Association [ DSM-IV-TR ] , 2000 ) . Even though the neuropathology of schizophrenic disorder remains vague, there have been several hypotheses proposed for the aetiology of the disease, one of which is unnatural intellectual anatomical lateralization ensuing from pre-natal neurological abuse ( Cannon et al. , 1995 ) . In fact, a break in the dissymmetry of the human encephalon is considered a cardinal characteristic in many psychiatric conditions ( Francks et al. , 2007 ) . One feature which is considered to associate to differences in encephalon construction is lateralised behavior, for illustration manus penchant ( White, Lucas, Richards & A ; Purves, 1994 ) . In schizophrenic disorder, the unnatural development of intellectual lateralization is co nsidered to ensue in a displacement off from manual laterality ( Cannon et al, 1995 ) . Indeed, one of the chief markers of schizophrenic disorder is the prevalence of untypical laterality in schizophrenics compared with the healthy population. In add-on to this, it has been suggested that the way of sidelong dissymmetry in schizophrenic disorder has been associated with the chronicity of the upset, Cannon et Al ( 1995 ) reported a strong association between chronicity and assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder. Although there have been several surveies purporting to demo the association of laterality in schizophrenic disorder, consequences have been conflicting sing the strength and way of untypical laterality in schizophrenic disorder with some surveies describing an addition in left-handednesss ( Gur, 1977 ; Manoach et al. , 1988 ) and others describing an addition in mixed-handedness ( Cannon et al, 1995, Dane et Al, 2009 ) . This raises the inquiry of whether a differentiation between assorted laterality can be made at all. Method Study choice Included were surveies that reported a tripartite categorization of manus penchants ( right, left and assorted laterality ) for both grownup ( aged 18 or over ) schizophrenic disorder patients and healthy controls. Surveies were included which had assessed manus penchants utilizing the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory ( EHI ; Oldfield, 1971 ) or the Annett Hand Preference Questionnaire ( AHPQ ; Annett, 1970 ) . Datas from non-clinical samples were excluded. Schizophrenia diagnosings should be made utilizing Research Diagnostic Criteria, DSM-III, DSM-IIIR and DSM-IV. All other surveies utilizing different diagnostic standards were excluded. In add-on, merely surveies utilizing grownup ( aged 18 or over ) as schizophrenic disorder typically presents itself in early grownup life, and may show itself really otherwise in childhood. The result step was the frequence of a given manus penchant ( right, assorted or left ) grouped by population group ( schizophrenia patients, healthy controls ) . Search Procedure Searchs were performed in two databases: Web of Knowledge and Psychinfo. These databases were searched up to September 2010. The hunt footings used were ; ‘schizophrenia ‘ , ‘handedness ‘ , ‘lateralisation ‘ . Surveies were besides attained by analyzing the mention lists of two reappraisal articles ( Somers, Sommer, Boks, & A ; Kahn, 2009 ; Dragovic & A ; Hammond, 2005 ) . Lone diaries in English were searched. Abstractions of surveies were so examined by one writer with mention to the exclusion and inclusion standards. The programmer was familiar with the literature being reviewed. Data extraction For each survey the following informations were extracted: Writer ( s ) and twelvemonth of publication ; methods: participants and control sample used, where they were recruited from, the diagnostic standards used, the laterality appraisal used, age of oncoming and chronicity of the patients ; whether the consequences from the surveies were important and extra notes. Data Analysiss Calculations were based on the frequence informations described in the primary studies. To gauge the prevalence of assorted laterality within schizophrenia patients we calculated single odds ratios for each survey to analyze consequence sizes. Overall odds ratios were calculated by uniting the single surveies ‘ frequence informations within each subtype ( right, assorted and left laterality ) and subgroup ( schizophrenia patients and wellness controls ) . The cogency of ciphering an overall odds ratio is questionable as the consequence can frequently be misdirecting, however it was chosen because it provides an approximative computation of overall consequence sizes for assorted laterality. An estimation of the significance degree for each survey was used by ciphering the z-scores for each odds ratio in order to happen the alpha value. Consequences Features of included surveies Ninety-five diary articles were identified by the hunt scheme, of which 5 surveies conducted between 1995 and 2008 met all standards for inclusion. Three of the surveies used in the analyses used the EHI ( Cannon et al. , 1995 ; Dane et al. , 2009 ; Reilly et al. , 2001 ) , and two surveies used the AHPQ ( DeLisi et al. , 2002 ; Malesu et al. , 1996 ) for laterality appraisals. In relation to the different laterality appraisal methods used, the surveies differed markedly in the standards they used to specify the three different categorizations of laterality ( right, assorted and left ) . Within the model of the EHI, two surveies defined right-handedness as ‘+100 ‘ , left- as ‘-100 ‘ and mixed- , every bit assorted as everything between these two extremes ( Cannon et al, 1995 and Reilly et al. , 2001 ) while the other defined mixed-handedness as values between -75 and +75. Within the model of the AHPQ, one survey used a wide definition of assorted laterality as between 2 and 7 ( Malesu et al, 1996 ) while the other used a somewhat narrower definition for assorted laterality as between 3 and 6 ) . Oddss ratios for assorted laterality Table 1 displays the single odds ratios ( OR ) for assorted laterality compared with the lateralised group ( right and left handers combined ) in schizophrenic disorder patients compared with controls. The single odds ratios ranged from 1.21 to 4.59. The overall odds ratio was based on 5 surveies with a sum of 749 schizophrenic disorder patients and 572 control topics and indicates that schizophrenic disorder patients were about 1.5 times more likely to be mixed-handed than healthy controls ( OR = 1.64 ; 95 % CI = 1.22-2.20 ) . As shown in Table 1, three of the five surveies ( Cannon et al, 1995 ; Dane et Al, 2009, and DeLisi et al. , 2002 ) found stronger odds ratios for the prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients compared with controls.Need to add estimation of significance degree for each surveyTable 1 Odds ratios for prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients compared with controls.AAAAAAAAAAAASchizophrenia PatientsAControlsA AASurvey N Assorted LateralisedAN Assorted LateralisedAOddss Ratios 1995 Cannon et Al. 93 35 58A43 5 38A4.59 2009 Dane et Al. 88 33 55A118 23 95A2.48 2002 DeLisi et Al. 418 43 375A288 25 263A1.21 2001 Reilly 30 11 19A37 6 31A2.99 1996 Malesu et Al. 120 36 84A86 21 65A1.33AEntire 749 158 591A572 80 492A1.64 Oddss ratio for EHI and Annett laterality appraisals To look into the hypothesis that the stronger prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients is attributed to the type of laterality appraisal used we calculated an overall odds ratio for the prevalence of mixed-handedness in surveies utilizing the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory compared with the Annett questionnaire ( see Table 2 ) . As shown in Table 2, patients assessed for laterality utilizing the EHI were about 3.5 times more likely to be categorised as assorted handed every bit opposed to lateralised. We converted this odds ratio into a pearson correlativity coefficient and found a reasonably positive correlativity between the type of appraisal used and the prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients ( r =0.4573 ) Table 2 Overall odds ratio for prevalence of assorted laterality in schizophrenic disorder patients when assessed with the EHI compared with the APHQ.AAAAMixed vs. lateralised OR 95 % CI Handedness Assessment EHI ( N ) 79 vs. 132 Annett ( N ) 79 vs. 460 3.4848 2.4142 – 5.0301AAAADiscussion One of the chief findings in the present meta-analyses on laterality from five selected surveies is that schizophrenic disorder patients are significantly more likely to be mixed-handed than normal controls, a determination which is paradoxically compatible with one major reappraisal of the literature ( Somers et al. , 2009 ) and incompatible with an averment from another major reappraisal ( Dragovic & A ; Hammond, 2005 ) . We found grounds of a positive moderate correlativity between the types of manus penchant appraisal used ( EHI or AHPQ ) and the prevalence of assorted laterality reported in schizophrenic disorder patients. One possible account for this association is the differences in the scope of parametric quantities used to specify assorted laterality within the EHI and AHPQ. Furthermore, the EHI and AHPQ use two different methods to measure laterality ; one uses discrete ( EHI ) values and the other ( AHPQ ) uses uninterrupted appraisals. For illustration within the EHI, di fferent scopes were used to sort assorted laterality ; some surveies used between -75 and +75 to exemplify assorted laterality whilst others have used a broader step to measure assorted laterality ( between the two extremes of -100 and +100 ) . Studies which used the EHI to analyze the rate of mixed-handedness in schizophrenic disorder patients were about 3.5 times more likely to sort patients as assorted handed. This in portion is due to the wider definitions of assorted laterality used with the model of the EHI questionnaire, what remains unchallenged is the rates of non-right laterality. The inquiries raised by this is whether it is right to specify an intermediate parametric quantity for assorted laterality given that manual laterality can merely be a displacement towards Thursday. If we are to find a leftward displacement towards sole left laterality or an intermediate categorization of assorted laterality so the manner we assess this should be planetary for all surveies. At pr esent, the surveies are n't truly comparable within themselves because of this mutual exclusiveness between which definitions of assorted laterality have been used and which appraisal questionnaire is to be used. Restrictions A major restriction to this survey was the modest sum of surveies used. This issue may be related to the pick of choice standards we devised. We chose to measure surveies which reported laterality in three-ways ( right, assorted and left handed ) . Although this enabled usage to describe the single per centums of the different types of laterality for each survey, it narrowed the surveies we were able to include. Besides it is of import to turn to the issue of our utilizing merely published surveies for this meta-analysis which may belie the true nature of any association between schizophrenic disorder and laterality as negative findings tend to be under-reported. Decision

Monday, September 16, 2019

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

e book, All That Glitters Is Not Gold, written by Benjamin Ifeanyichukwu Abugu, symbolically portrays deception. It shows that life is fragile and one should be be handled with care. Written in 19 chapters, the 152-page prose analyses the fruitlessness of promiscuity. It highlights how reckless living leads to pain and shame. Essentially, the book depicts the moral decadence of the 21st Century people, who believe in easy life and quick financial benefit. The story revolves round the major characters; Anya and his sister Blossom.Both are children of Gab Uku and Mabel from Egwuonwu who live in Lagos. Their escapades, belief, time and chance like the Biblical saying, are weighed in a balance. Anya and Blossom had lived a wayward live of watching pornographic films and fornicating. â€Å"Their inner conflicts are compounded by the scourge of HIV/AIDS, that currently threatens to destroy the entire population. † While Anya escapes the scourge, his sister falls victim. Former Miss World becomes a shadow of herself and finally dies. Anya, a newspaper reporter, has some bad habits which are controlled by his experiences.He learns from his experiences, illusions, dreams, particularly, his encounter with swindlers and robbery trial arising from his association with bad friends. Anya almost committed suicide when erroneously given a HIV positive result. His fears and conflicts are allayed after the result is corrected. From that moment, he turns a new leave. But Blossom is a former beauty queen and a campus babe. Having lived with her aunty, Eliza and husband, Chief Dike Akukamadu, a business mogul, becomes a sleeping partner to the chief.Aside living a carefree life, she is also a cultist. Her friend, Rose, introduces her to Daughters of Jezebel, the female wing of Red Atlantic cult. The cult was notorious for all manners of indecent appearance on campus, including nudity, which was regarded as the most sacred mark of the sisterhood of Jezebel. Blossom torment st arts after her escapades with Romeo, a sadist, who storms campus on a revenge mission to distribute HIV/AIDS to 50 girls. She and other fun-loving girls fall victims as a result of the dollars of Mr. Romeo.The author uses the third person narrative technique to tell the story. All that glitters is indeed gold. Had Blossom known, she would have lived a better life and she wouldn’t have wasted her beauty, talent and life just as Anya wouldn’t have been swindled. From the objects on the cover page, which sparkle like gold but are not there is a warning for everyone to beware of outward appearance because it is very deceptive as against inward virtues and qualities. The book is didactic. Its lesson is for all to beware and take time to weigh every action.It is thought provoking as many think that worldliness is the best form of living but really, it is not. The book is morally inclined. It is detached and impartial. It lays bare the evils of immorality and allows readers t o make their own judgment. Abugu has also published The Widow And The Wolves aside writing a number of articles published online @ expertscolumn. com. Born in Amachalla, Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North L. G. A, Enugu State, Abugu is a graduate of English Language from the Lagos State University. All That Glitters is Not Gold The adage â€Å"All that glitters is not gold† cautions us against forming our opinion about objects on the basis of superficial impressions. It also implies that one should try to ascertain the true nature of things and to understand the reality hidden behind their glittering facade. However, love for glamour is deeply embedded in human nature. Taking advantage of this inherent vulnerability of man to glamour, cash rich companies rope in glamorous film and sports personalities to advertise their goods and services.Soap and tooth paste used by charming actresses and dashing sportsmen sell like hot cakes. Companies' sales are boosted and consumers, particularly those of the lower middle classes, forego many necessities of life to have a taste of goodies recommended by their favourite stars. Man would read super hero stories from films and see that those are real and often fell in temptations and believe that those are great but actually those are also men. hose glitters in film s imagines him to be great but actually he is also a man among us.One would expect that our reading of such stories would make us wise and prevent us from falling prey to temptations of outward beauty. But man, weak as he is, never learns from others' experience. He often courts disaster by giving into temptations. We are repeatedly warned and alerted by the wise and the experienced not to take persons and things on their face value. The most innocent masks may hide behind them the most cunning of cheats.But very often even the wise fall prey to tricksters. Even Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, was tempted by the glitter of the golden deer she saw bounding around her forest cottage and requested Rama to bring it for her. Rama earnestly expostulated Sita to forget the deer as it might be a trap of some villain, but she was so charmed by the guiles of the deer that she pressed him to leave the Ashram in search of it. A few minutes later, Sita heard a distress call for help in Rama's vo ice.She, thereupon, requested Lakshman to go and relieve Rama from distress. Lakshman tried to convince Sita that nobody was brave enough to harm the invincible Rama, but Sita was so nervous that she forced Lakshman to leave the Ashram. In his absence, the Rakshasa king Ravana abducted Sita. It later turned out that the golden deer was actually the demon Marichi in disguise sent by Ravana to tempt Sita. Sita's temptation demonstrates the validity of the old saying â€Å"All that glitters is not gold†. All That Glitters is Not Gold The most valuable items in the world, monetary value wise, are the precious gems and metals that the rich and the famous constantly adorn themselves with. Today’s concept of value is based on tangible items that have a corresponding market value. Gold, which is the peg for most currencies in the world, is the universal currency these days. Nothing of value can be purchased, owned or possessed if it does not justify its â€Å"weight in gold†, so to speak. Yet, as the tagline of Mastercard suggests, there are those things that are â€Å"priceless.† In this world, not everything is gold and not everything that resembles something valuable has to glitter. Perhaps a perfect example would be an illustration of a personal experience of mine. I once had an opportunity to witness two lawyers working at their firm in the past. I must admit that I had certain preconceived notions of what I would see at that firm. I expected these senior lawyers to have fancy cars and flashy watches. Yet much to my surprise, they had none of those things.One lawyer regularly commuted to work while the other preferred to ride his bike to work. There were no glittering watches or pieces of jewelry. One of them could not replace his tattered briefcase with something more decent and perhaps functional. I knew from the moment I saw them that there was much more to them than that. As the day went on, I would see that they had a special touch with their clients. The fact that they knew the cases of their respective clients by heart and even the names of their children and family situation made me see them in a different light.They did not charge excessive fees and often just accepted small tokens of appreciation in return. The difference that these lawyers made was even more emphasized by an experience later that day when an opposing lawyer entered their firm. A sports car sped by the office window and anyone could see the person driving the convertible that had its top down. In his mid thirties, this young lawyer entered the firm with a certain air of authority, expecting everyone to recognize him.He had a gold watch would blind the eyes of anyone unfortunate enough to glance at it. He had platinum cuff links on his suit that were adorned with diamonds. Behind him were his assistants who were just as gaudily dressed. It turns out that they represented a large corporation that wanted these two humble lawyers to drop their case against the firm. They were prepared to offer a huge cash settlement in return. I was not surprised when these humble lawyers politely declined the offer and proceeded with the case which they eventually won for their clients.These were lawyers who were in a position to make millions of dollars yet they chose not to and instead devoted their lives to uphold the justice system of the state and of this great country. There was nothing flashy or fancy about the things that they did but I know that they have made a big difference in t his world. This personal experience of mine shows that not everything that glitters is gold; the former lawyer with all the pomp and flash that he had still resorted to underhanded tactics and eventually lost out in the end.There was no substance to this person. There was no value underneath that entire flashy exterior. The two humble lawyers, on the other hand, showed much more than their exterior would suggest. The kindness of their hearts was echoed in their actions and the time they devoted to their clients was something that was certainly worth more than any glittering watch of gold. Not everything that glitters is gold. Not everything that glitters has any value to it.Real value sometimes cannot be judged from the flashy exterior and certainly cannot be equated in today’s currency. It is the acts of kindness and selflessness that give value to things in this world, especially human beings. It is easy to be distracted by something shiny and pretty but one must always rea lize that everything material disappears in the end. All the shine will soon tarnish and fade away. Yet those intangibles that matter will never fade and will always be in the hearts of tho

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Advertising Is Harmful Essay

Today I went to the bathroom in Tyson’s mall, and I saw a Lenovo camera advertisement stuck in front of the stool. It made me feels like a camera recorded everything in the bathroom. No matter where you go, walking on the street, taking the bus or subway, looking for websites or watching TV shows you always see advertisements. So I believe advertisements are harmful. Some people say that advertisements won’t brainwash them, because they know what they really want. I don’t agree with this, because advertisements affect our subconscious mind. For instance, I have read a newspaper article about a mother who came home and asked her child what he wanted to eat and her child said McDonalds. The mother asked him why McDonalds and the kid said because he always saw it on the TV so he wants to try it. Although a child didn’t really know how McDonald food tastes, McDonalds had been advertised so many times on the TV that the children make the decision to have it for dinner. Not only are kids influenced by advertisements, but adults also are. For example, I bought a Dell laptop last year, but returned it a week later. See more: Homeless satire essay I saw the Dell advertisements everywhere, at the college, the website, and even walking on the street, so when I wanted to buy a laptop, Dell became my first choice. I returned it a week later, because my friend told me Lenovo laptop has the same configuration as the Dell laptop but the price was much cheaper. This example demonstrates how the advertisement induces people to buy products. When people have seen advertisements many times, they have good impressions of the product in their minds. So not was only I had been influenced by advertisements, but most people are also. For example, most people bought IPhones rather than other phones because IPhones advertisements around everywhere. Often an advertisement not only disturbs our daily lives, but also provides untrue information. Companies always show perfect products in their advertisements, but the real products are much worse. For example, last month I went to Burger King, and I saw a big poster outside the store that showed a man held a hamburger with two hands and open his mouth as big as he can to eat a hamburger. However, he only bites little of the hamburger, because it was too big. And it only cost 99 cents! When I bought it, I felt I had been cheated. It was delicious, but it was smaller than my hand and can be finish within a bite. Also most of the reducing weight advertisements are untrue too. Some companies exaggerated their products in the advertisement to misleading people to buy the products. Some of the advertisements said the medicines could help people reduce around 5 to 20 pounds per month. As we all know, obesity is one of the most serious problems in America, so many people tried to reduce their weight in many ways. However, the result is not as the advertisements showed. Those drugs helped people reduce the weight but also had side effects. For instance, drugs harm people’ health by increasing the risk of diseases, and people would also rebound a weight heavily after they stopped the drug. While not all advertisements are untrue, some advertisements provide exaggerated information that let us waste money and also harm our health. We waste our money to buy advertised products we don’t need. An advertisement may make us feel lower class than other because not having the newest product. For example, The Apple Company has most successful advertisement campaign, because most of people would like to buy their new products. For example, the IPhone5 commercial shows IPhone5 is tallest, thinnest and lightest iPhone. Many people changed Iphone4S to the IPhone5 because the commercial shows IPhone5 is better. However, it has similar systems and the same function as Iphone4S. Another reason people buy the IPhone5 is they had low self- esteem. Like my friend who bought IPhone4S last winter and bought IPhone5 now. And he told me, when there has a better product then he wouldn’t use worse one, because that makes him feel he was lower class than others. In this case, people wasted money to buy the newest advertised products to satisfy their vanity. There are too many advertisements in our world now, because companies try to increasing the sales. However advertisements always mislead people to waste money. Government must provide a law to stop untrue and exaggerated advertisements. And parents also need to take time to explain to their child that some products they saw in commercial are harmful. For example, when child asked to buy a quick food or candies, parents must explain to them those foods are unhealthy. Advertising Is Harmful Essay Today I went to the bathroom in Tyson’s mall, and I saw a Lenovo camera advertisement stuck in front of the stool. It made me feels like a camera recorded everything in the bathroom. No matter where you go, walking on the street, taking the bus or subway, looking for websites or watching TV shows you always see advertisements. So I believe advertisements are harmful. Some people say that advertisements won’t brainwash them, because they know what they really want. I don’t agree with this, because advertisements affect our subconscious mind. For instance, I have read a newspaper article about a mother who came home and asked her child what he wanted to eat and her child said McDonalds. The mother asked him why McDonalds and the kid said because he always saw it on the TV so he wants to try it. See more:Â  Social Satire in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay Although a child didn’t really know how McDonald food tastes, McDonalds had been advertised so many times on the TV that the children make the decision to have it for dinner. Not only are kids influenced by advertisements, but adults also are. For example, I bought a Dell laptop last year, but returned it a week later. I saw the Dell advertisements everywhere, at the college, the website, and even walking on the street, so when I wanted to buy a laptop, Dell became my first choice. I returned it a week later, because my friend told me Lenovo laptop has the same configuration as the Dell laptop but the price was much cheaper. This example demonstrates how the advertisement induces people to buy products. When people have seen advertisements many times, they have good impressions of the product in their minds. So not was only I had been influenced by advertisements, but most people are also. For example, most people bought IPhones rather than other phones because IPhones adverti sements around everywhere. Often an advertisement not only disturbs our daily lives, but also provides untrue information. Companies always show perfect products in their advertisements, but the real products are much worse. For example, last month I went to Burger King, and I saw a big poster outside the store that showed a man held a hamburger with two hands and open his mouth as big as he can to eat a hamburger. However, he only bites little of the hamburger, because it was too big. And it only cost 99 cents! When I bought it, I felt I had been cheated. It was delicious, but it was smaller than my hand and can be finish within a bite. Also most of the reducing weight advertisements are untrue too. Some companies exaggerated their products in the advertisement to misleading people to buy the products. Some of the advertisements said the medicines could help people reduce around 5 to 20 pounds per month. As we all know, obesity is one of the most serious problems in America, so many people tried to reduce their weight in many ways. However, the result is not as the advertisements showed. Those drugs helped people reduce the weight but also had side effects. For instance, drugs harm people’ health by increasing the risk of diseases, and people would also rebound a weight heavily after they stopped the drug. While not all advertisements are untrue, some advertisements provide exaggerated information that let us waste money and also harm our health. We waste our money to buy advertised products we don’t need. An advertisement may make us feel lower class than other because not having the newest product. For example, The Apple Company has most successful advertisement campaign, because most of people would like to buy their new products. For example, the IPhone5 commercial shows IPhone5 is tallest, thinnest and lightest iPhone. Many people changed Iphone4S to the IPhone5 because the commercial shows IPhone5 is better. However, it has similar systems and the same function as Iphone4S. Another reason people buy the IPhone5 is they had low self- esteem. Like my friend who bought IPhone4S last winter and bought IPhone5 now. And he told me, when there has a better product then he wouldn’t use worse one, because that makes him feel he was lower class than others. In this case, people wasted money to buy the newest advertised products to satisfy their vanity. There are too many advertisements in our world now, because companies try to increasing the sales. However advertisements always mislead people to waste money. Government must provide a law to stop untrue and exaggerated advertisements. And parents also need to take time to explain to their child that some products they saw in commercial are harmful. For example, when child asked to buy a quick food or candies, parents must explain to them those foods are unhealthy.