Bus 557 Assignment Essay

Ethics behavioral aspect of accounting is a special area of accounting that is developed to address such aspect of human information processing behavior, judgment quality, accounting problems created by users and providers of accounting information as well as their decision making skills. Secondly, paper will describe the organization, the accounting ethical breach and the impact to the organization related to ethical breach. Thirdly, this paper will determine how the organizational ethical issue was detected and how management failed to create an ethical environment. In some cases, some company pledged its own stock to ensure that partnerships would be able to borrow money. And when Enron stock started plummeting, the whole thing fell apart. Fourthly, this paper will analyze the accounts impacted and or accounting guidelines violated and the resulting impact to the business operation. They operated as the masterminds behind the system to defraud investors. The banks, by offering fake, illegal and not approved by regulators deals, played a significant role in helping Enron falsify company financial statements and mislead investors. Finally, the paper will discuss as a CFO which measures could have been taken to prevent this ethical breach and how each measure should be implemented in the future. First of all, there should be analysis of culture within the organization including norms of behavior, standards of conduct, values, perspective of attitudes, perceptions, there seems to be pressure to commit misconduct, communications, risks and vulnerabilities Review of Accounting Ethics Page 3 Given the corporate ethical breaches in recent times, assess whether or not you believe that the current business and regulatory environment is more conducive to ethical behavior. Provide support for your answer. Ethics behavioral aspect of accounting is a special area of accounting that is developed to address such aspect of human information processing behavior, judgment quality, accounting problems created by users and providers of accounting information as well as their decision making skills (Ponema, 2009). Existing businesses and regulatory environment is more conductive behavior because some companies and managers feel as though they can get away with it. The unpredictable increase and collapse of the Enron Company set off a long-burning fire under the American social conscience. From every crevasse and corner, voices rose demanding increased accountability, demanding tighter regulation, and demanding that the unethical be brought to justice. Clearly, in such estimation, those at fault should have been punished business. Many transformations in the business environment have taken place, including immoral conducts and the tendency for corruption. Unethical accounting behavior is also included as a consequence. (Sims, 1992). So the government has been forced to increase regulations and inspect actions taken in business, most especially after the Enron, Tyco, WorldCom and other unethical accounting scandals. As a result of the mentioned scandals, the government then passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002 providing regulatory requirements for better precision in business action, accountability and assurance of ethical accounting behavior by publicly held companies and accounting firms. According to White (2000), the total number of boards of directors who set ethical codes of conduct within organizations has increased from 41 percent in 1991 to 78 percent. Review of Accounting Ethics Page 4 According to the Wall Street Journal about 79 percent of youth in the United States do not believe in the presence of moral principles in business. There should be a business foundation, especially in accounting which should provide society with adequate information about companies and industry. Accounting is more and more involved in consulting, so it requires high ethical standards to built trust between clients and companies (White, 2000). Even if society does not believe in the honesty in any business, I think that ethics and ethical behavior are very high priorities for companies today and this is proofed by the increasing number of companies currently applying ethical codes of conducts. Codes of ethics are arrangements that are frequently used as a force to promote ethical behavior. There are many ways that a business could operate ethically. They can impose legal actions and fines. This could then remove destruction to any firm’s reputation, and protect and / or increase the capital of any shareholder. Paying special attention to Shareholder value, cost control, creating a competitive advantage and avoiding internal corruption would also be a help. A firm’s unethical behavior could also contribute to the organization’s productivity level being lower over time. Because of all these aspects I believe that the current business and regulatory environment is more conducive to ethical behavior. Based on your research, describe the organization, the accounting ethical breach and the impact to the organization related to ethical breach. Enron Corp. was an energy company born from a mildly innovative 1985 deal that combined two boring businesses: an Omaha-based natural-gas-pipeline company named InterNorth and a similar Texas company called Houston Natural Gas. Instead of just delivering gas to customers at a modest profit, Enron decided to use newly deregulated pipelines to match other buyers and Review of Accounting Ethics Page 5 sellers in the energy industry. Enron became a gas trader, which would be much more exciting than just building pipes and transporting gas. Moreover, Enron was managing its own employee pension funds. This should not happen because it allowed the company to use these funds for the advantage of the company only, without taking care of their employees. Besides, Enron should have a code of ethics that prohibits managers and executives from being involved in another business entity that does business with their own company. Usually, codes of ethics are voluntary, but the board of directors should set them up as the important restriction of company. According to the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (2002), legal and regulatory structures would trigger Enron’s bankruptcy. Initially, Arthur Andersen LLP would provide consulting and the audited reporting services noting the financial results of their consulting activities. This occurred because it was allowed by current law and regulations imposed by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). I see this as fault of within the legal structure and an evident conflict of interest. Additionally, another conflict of interest occurred in Enron by hiring and paying its own auditors. It is understandable that the auditors did not issue an adverse report on the company that was paying them. The conclusion coming from this situation is that private companies should not be allowed to pay for their own auditors.. Moreover, Enron would also expand into other business areas, including water, fiber optics, newsprint, and telecommunications (Halbert T & Ingulli, E. (2009). Legal structure permits managers to enter these arrangements, which constitute a conflict of interest. The managers and executives should take care of the best interest of the company and its shareholders because the law leaves them with freedom, to choose what it is the best interest of the company. There are no doubts that Enron’s officers did not act within the scope of their Review of Accounting Ethics Page 6 authorities. A few days before the outstanding loss of Enron was made public, workers who audited the company books for Arthur Andersen had been given an extraordinary directive to damage all audit material, except for the most basic â€Å"work papers. † Even if, there are no rules for how long company should keep its documents, it was illegal. (Halbert T. & Ingulli, E. (2009). Determine how the organizational ethical issue was detected and how management failed to create an ethical environment. Enron Corporation is a classic example of organizational-level corruption. Halbert T & Ingulli E. (2009). Enron debacle is not just the story of a company that failed; it is the story of a system that failed. And the system didn’t fail through carelessness or laziness; it was corrupted. â€Å" According to Report of Investigation by the Special Investigative Committee of the Board of Directors of Enron Corp (2002), Enron employees involved in the partnerships were enriched, in the aggregate, by tens of millions of dollars they should never have received–Farrow by at least $30 million, Hooper by at least $10 million, two others by $1 million each. Any of these employees, except Farrow, did not obtain the permission required by Enron’s Code of Conduct of Business Affairs to own interest in the partnerships. Moreover, many Enron transactions were designed to accomplish favorable financial statement results. These examples show that Enron’s officers put their own interest ahead of their obligations to Enron. The company allowed chief financial officer Farrow to set up partnerships that enabled Enron to report pretty much whatever numbers it needed to keep Wall Street happy. In some cases, the company pledged its own stock to ensure that partnerships would be able to borrow money. And when Enron stock started plummeting, the whole thing fell apart. (Farrow made off with millions of dollars for himself, but his depredations played no significant role in Enron’s fall. ) . When Review of Accounting Ethics Page 7 forensic accountants finally got a look at Enron’s books in late 2001, they discovered that the company had been reporting incorrect numbers for at least five years. Analyze the accounts impacted and / or accounting guidelines violated and the resulting impact to the business operation. Perhaps Enron could have been somewhat successful by branching out into the commodities business creating an international, privatized water market. Enron’s leaders in 1998 set up a subsidiary called Azurix with a major water concession in England, but British regulators cut the firm’s rates-and Enron’s style was significantly cramped. Azurix’s expansion into Brazil also worked out badly due to local politics. Enron hid the mounting debts in an off-the-balance-sheet partnership. This became a common Enron technique and led to the kind of debt load that became unsustainable when investors lost confidence in Enron’s numbers (Snider, 2006), according to Snider (2006), Farrow, the former Enron chief financial officer, said that Enron’s banks played important role in the corporation fraud. They operated as the masterminds behind the system to defraud investors. The banks, by offering fake, illegal and not approved by regulators deals, played a significant role in helping Enron falsify company financial statements and mislead investors. It was the banks that instructed Enron how to deal with the company’s significant financial challenges. If stated, dividend targets could not be met by Enron, and the company would have had to generate more cash flow to maintain its credit ratings. The banks assisted to design the fake and deceptive deals. The banks helped Enron to hide the debt which was not showing up on the books by replacing bad assets through creation shell companies. These shell companies, run by Enron executives who profited richly from them, allowed Enron to keep hundreds of millions of dollars in debt off its books. Also, loan transactions were reported as cash flow instead of debt. These finances were not shown in the financial statements. Review of Accounting Ethics Page 8 This action would lead the company’s stock and hurt most of investors across the country (Halbert T. & Ingulli, E. (2009). As a CFO, recommend which measures could have been taken to prevent this ethical breach and how each measure should be implemented in the future. Enron was liable for the action of its agents and employees, because most taken actions, which lead Enron into bankruptcy, were taken inside the corporation. Enron officers and managers repaid the banks by access to special deals; premium payments and insider access to future beneficial transactions (Maximizing Business Performance, 2007). In order to avoid situation that took place in Enron Corp. there are some actions that should be taken within an organization. First of all, there should be analysis of culture within the organization including norms of behavior, standards of conduct, values, perspective of attitudes, perceptions, pressures to commit misconduct, communications, risks and vulnerabilities. The Code of Ethics should be complied by Board Members and Senior Executives as well as by all employees. Measures they recommend should include staff training, evaluations of compliance systems, appropriate funding and staffing of the corporate ethics office. An organization has to make sure that consulting and auditing are separated while financing auditing has its independence with integrity. Moreover, managing proper communication regarding expectations, requirements, goals and roles at all levels is significant to constitute ethical behavior within an organization. Establishing an Ethics Committee helps to focus on ethical conduct and empower employees to make decisions according to organization’s values. Enron and other corporations need better financial disclosure mechanisms. The Financial Accounting Standards Board, responsible for rule making in the area, has to create regulations and standards that are more Review of Accounting Ethics Page 9 forth right and understandable to ordinary people. In addition, corporations need more responsible public servants, instead of creating more laws. We need to teach people to be responsible for what they have done, just as we have held the business people to accountability. Conclusion Since the objective of accounting is to provide relevant, timely information for user decision making, therefore, Accountants must behave in an ethical manner so that the information they provide will be trustworthy and, thus, useful for decision making. The purpose of ethics in accounting is to direct accountants to abide by the code of conduct that facilitates and encourage public confidence in their services. Ethics are moral principles that guide the conduct of individuals but unfortunately, some accountants sometimes behave in an unethical manner. These ethical violations led to fines, firings, and lawsuits. In some cases, accountants were criminally prosecuted, convicted, and sent to prison. References Snider, D. (2006, September 26). University of California, San Francisco. UC Says Farrow Implicated Banks in Enron Fraud. Retrieved April 27, 2013 from http://ucsf. edu/ stories/uc-says-farrow-implicated-banks-in-enron-fraud Halbert T & Ingulli, E. (2009). Law & Ethics in the Business Environment: 2010 custom edition (6th ed. ). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning White J. (2000). Ethics in Business. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from http://www. pro2net. com Sims, R. R. (1992). Journal of Business Ethics, 11: 651–662. Committee of the Board of Directors of Enron Corp. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from http://fl1. findlaw. com/news. findlaw. com/wp/docs/enron/specinv020102rpt1. pdf

Advanced Database Systems

Crystal Reports is business intelligence software for allowing other database applications to integrate with it for designing and fetching reports for business and commercial purposes. The format and the style of the report can be designed along with it and it provides mechanism to be linked with several other types of database and front end applications. The following are the various procedures and methods for producing such reports: · Usually in the form of rows and columns. · Can also take the form of pie charts, bar charts and nested summary tables. · It is also possible to run a crystal report without using the software itself; it is done with the help of viewers, schedulers and other report distribution tools. · It is a package with a set of ActiveX controls which can be integrated or embedded with several GUI tools to provide a separate user interface (Crn.com, 2007). ·Ã‚   It supports data sources from databases like Oracle, MS SQL, MS Access, IBM DB2 and other appl ications like spreadsheets, text and XML files.Actuate is another product which combines business intelligence product which can combine with SQL Server and Access. It also carries the following characteristics: ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One can develop reports for further development in future ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Deployment of reports are possible ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It handles end user reporting and analytics ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is also used for object designer ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The report also serves performance management and takes care of data integration.Data warehousing is a concept that is used for storing organization’s data and is usually termed as corporate memory. It contains the raw material for an enterprise’s MIS or DSS system. The analyst can perform complex queries which would be used for getting results and further interpretation of the data and the resultant information (W illiam, 2000).The subject oriented feature of the data warehousing takes into account the various elements that take place in the real world. It is non-volatile and integrated with respect to the data that they are never deleted and contains all the information with regard to business processing by the enterprise for all its operations.Data mining in contrast is filtering the data for the purpose of deriving a knowledge from it which is not possible for getting the trends of data from simple databases.It uses complex technologies for getting the better meaning of the data and its analysis. It is generally used for mainly two purposes namely knowledge discovery and prediction that roughly means that future prediction of events and patterns are found for getting the knowledge out of it for business intelligence purposes (Frawley, 2001).Online processing is termed as one that is done simultaneously as the user clicks and operates online. The system responds to user behavior and makes c hanges to its system accordingly for action. It promotes simplicity and efficiency for a reason that the user is not required to wait for any operation to take place for general criteria.The advantages of distributed databases over centralized database can be termed as follows: ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Costs: The costs of maintaining of the distributed database at several locations are expensive with relation to technological costs, labor costs and running expenses. In return the centralized database is housed in a single particular location and saves costs. ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Benefits: The benefits of distributed database would be the structured-ness, improved availability, better fault tolerance, performance and modularity in modification and changing its contents. In case of centralized database, costs can be less but they are vulnerable to fault tolerance and availability reasons that forms good amount of reason to switch for a distributed structure. ReferencesCrn.com (2007). Retrieved 20, December 2007 from http://www.crn.com/software/164301546.Frawley W.(2001). â€Å"Knowledge Discovery in Databases: An Overview†. AI Magazine: pp. 213-228. ISSN 0738-4602.William H. Inmon (2000). Using the Data Warehouse, John Wiley & Son's, ISBN 0-471-05966-8.

Overview of Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Overview of Theories - Essay Example By understanding the numerous theories, it thus becomes possible to understand the behavior of children. The discussion below is an over view of three vita theories that explain the cognitive development of children. The three include Piaget’s Cognitive-Developmental Theory, Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. Each of the three just as hinted above offers a varied view to the development of children. The discussion is therefore an over view of the three with the view of portraying the fundamental features of the theories and the ideas that each theory foster. By analyzing such, the discussion thus portrays the essence of the environment among other factors in the development of the children. The theory strives to explain the nature of knowledge. It explains the process of acquiring knowledge, its construction and subsequent use of knowledge in humans. The theory therefore portrays the fundamental factor that influence the definition of knowledge and the factors that influence the relevance of such. The theory asserts that children begin by understanding the world around them before experiencing the discrepancies that exist between their knowledge and the actual features of the environment as they interact with the people. The theory underscores the importance of language. It explains that language is a contingent on the process of cognitive development. The theory therefore explains the factors that influence the cognitive development of individual by explaining the development of children. The people that a child interacts with first influence the nature of their development. Such people as the family members influence the child’s understanding of the society. Furthermore, the theory provides language as a means of assessing the cognitive development of a child. Using language

Using SAP in Electronic Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Using SAP in Electronic Government - Essay Example The study finds that immediate concerns are technical in nature, including weakness in the IT infrastructure, lack of knowledge, inadequacy in security and privacy of information, and lack of training of personnel. In the longer term, socio-cultural factors and a governance system that allows for e-Democracy are salient factors. For now, SAP assistance and programs promise to contribute much towards the technical and structural foundation of a robust e-government system. The impetus to develop e-government capability is a primary concern of all nations, particularly the member states of the United Nations, which has made it a priority initiative. Saudi Arabia is expected to play a pivotal role in e-government establishment in the Middle East region, not in small part due to the UN assessment that it is one of the more advanced Arab nations in information and communications technology (ICT). The business sector has long forged ahead in ICT applications, and further development of the nation necessitates the adoption of ICT in making the government more responsive and interactive with the citizenry and business sector. The challenges that tend to impede e-government development must be first addressed in order for efforts to be successful. The main purpose of this research consists of three axes. First, the definition of SAP and its characteristics. Second, identify the E-Government and know its components. Moreover, identify the challenges that facing e-government. Finally, the role of SAP in reducing these challenges and the development of e-government shall be discussed. The Systems Application Products (SAP) portfolio is a modular system, meaning that the software is packaged separately according to its various functions. The modular feature of this system allows it a great amount of versatility, making it suitable for application in small and medium scale enterprises, large-scale business corporations, and even

Environmental Economics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Environmental Economics - Assignment Example People have associated natural resources as the basic elements for the production of basic commodities such as mineral products, fishing and forestry. For this reason, there is a greater need to value these resources in a bid to limit their use and bring sustainability in their utilization (Elibrary.worldbank.org, 2015). Environmental economics brings about a myriad of concepts that include green economy and green growth. A green economy is one that aims at bettering the lives of human beings, bringing about social equity while reducing environmental risks significantly. This entails the need to facilitate growth that is driven by private and public investments that serve the purpose of reducing pollution and carbon emissions, enhancing the efficiency of national resource utilization and prevention of ecosystem loss and biodiversity. It is also important to note that a green economy serves to support the concept of sustainability (Kettunen and ten Brink, 2012). Green growth on the other hand entails the overall strategies that serve the purpose to describe a way in which growth in the economy integrates the use of natural resources sustainably (Publishing, 2014). To make the concept of green economy a reality, it is paramount that we inculcate important aspects and conditions. This includes national regulations, policies, incentives and subsidies, international markets, trade and aid protocols. In this paper, we discuss one of the distinctive issues where providing public environmental goods represents a priority. The Main focus is on the need to provide natural capital and resources. This is a delicate matter because when it comes to dealing with natural resources such as forests, there is need to ensure that while utilizing the resource, we should put into consideration its overall implications and thus be at a position of dealing with issues as they arise, either positive or negative

Advertisements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Advertisements - Essay Example However, it is also important for advertisers to employ psychologists who study about what would make consumers tick. For instance, the first products to come out in the market usually set the name of their company to be recognized for those certain products. Toothpastes for example are often associated with Colgate because it was the first to have mass produced it. People for decades stuck to Colgate toothpastes because of the thought that pioneers are the best based from their experience and expertise. Today, however, such ideals are dwindling away. Thus, the modern psychologists of advertisers need to know what has changed in the consumers’ standards in buying products. Taking our example earlier, Colgate toothpaste producers did not stop to where they started but over the years, improved their products. Due to this need to improve and maintain a good quality of products that would be competitive in the market, Colgate also employs chemists who modify the products to meet t he needs of contemporary users. The modern consumers are now more informed and meticulous. Therefore, advertisements are made to appeal to their logic and information. Colgate for instance, has a variety of toothpastes that cater to the different needs of the consumers.

Cyberbulling Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cyberbulling - Assignment Example Cyber bullying takes place by use of electronic technology such as computers, cell phones and tablets. Likewise, cyber bullying takes place by use of communication devices including social network sites, chat, text messages and websites. In recent days, United States, have attempted to pass legislation curbing against cyber bullying.. Various states have put in place legislations and implemented Federal laws since 1985 to protect against various cybercrimes including. Under Sec.113. Federal "Cyber bullying Prevention ": To strengthen bullying prosecution devices, this section likewise amends the Communications Act of 1934 to give a clear definition of a telecommunications tool(47 U.S.C 223)(h)(1) to include all device that uses Internet technologies like the voice over various internet services. The amendments in1996 provide. The Communications FEDERAL Act, prohibits the making of phone calls of the use of telecommunication tools "without disclosing the identity of one to abuse, annoy, harass or threaten any individual at the called phone number or an individual receiving the communications. This law helped in defining various cybercrimes previously unknown. In the criminal law, the 2011 federal cyber-stalking law has in many ways helped addressed the previously lacking in previously lacking. The law includes language permitted prosecutors to go after individuals using electronic devices to harass. These laws explicitly stipulate that an â€Å"interactive computer service† may not be used to threaten. In this regard, close to half of the states in the U.S. have likewise implemented their laws to permitted authorities to press charges against individuals engaging in cyber harassment and cyber stalking. The significant difference between the two pieces of legislation is on applicability. The initial law was more general and failed to address the dynamic threats that modern day cyber

Subprime Mortgage Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Subprime Mortgage Crisis - Essay Example This all lies in the fundamental of economics that teaches us that diversification is king and solution for reducing financial risk. It has now come back to haunt us. What can we learn from this That Harry Markowitz, father of financial risk management, and Thomas Friedman, father of globalization should maybe start writing about the correlation of such economics! Unfortunately, it is not that simple. But before we unleash an economic debate on this painful economic downturn we should intellectually dissect the individuals and the players responsible for the causes and facts that have resulted in the inevitable financial depression in the real estate industry. "It started with the real, it will end will real estate." "Sub-Prime lending typically has been characterized as lending at relatively costly interest rates and fees to credit impaired or otherwise high risk borrowers." (Lax, Manti, Raca, & Zorn, 2004). Subprime loans are among the newly popular mortgage products, such as interest-only loans, for people with strained budgets, including first-time buyers. Homeowners increasingly use them to refinance and consolidate household debts when their credit scores fall in the wake of bankruptcy, high medical bills, or other setbacks. (Blanton, 2005). It is generally believed that the subprime borrowers emerge due to lack of the good credit history on their back and since there number grew historically therefore banks and financial institutions by spotting the opportunity started lending to them at higher interest rates due to the perceived risks involved in these subprime loans. Not only these subprime borrowers pay higher interest rates but they also pay higher upfront fees also at the time of boo king their loans. Due to this profitable alterative, financial institutions take the risk and lend to those customers who would otherwise can not qualify for obtaining loans from the banking channels in the ordinary course of the business. In nutshell, we can say that subprime lending is lending to those who do not deserve it. US Housing Bubble Most of the subprime lending is made into the mortgages market of the Banks. Studies suggest that So-called subprime loans have helped boost US homeownership to a record 69 percent of households. They are being tapped by borrowers in all income ranges, who struggle with poor credit ratings stemming from modest incomes or excessive credit card or other debts. In Massachusetts, subprime loans, fueled by refinancing, have grown from 1.6 percent of mortgages in 2000 to 12.3 percent today. (Blanton, 2005). Apart from that, the surge in the mortgage market was a result of generous monetary policy stance adapted by FED in order to ease the recession caused by the dot com bubble. Due to this reason, the interest rates were lowered by FED. This reduction in interest rates also induced financial institutions to lower the interest rates on the mortgages also. With the lowering interest rates, the demand for the homes increased which ultimately raised the prices for the new homes. In order to capture this rise in the property market, many financial institutions started easing off their standards to bring in more and more customers. This loosening in the standards allowed those borrowers to obtain mortgage loans who were otherwise not eligible to obtain the loans. Once these loans were obtained and subsequently securitized by the issuing financial

Ideas are more dangerous than guns Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ideas are more dangerous than guns - Essay Example e last century – Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela played pivotal roles in achieving freedom for their nations by adopting and implementing the idea of non-violence rather than carrying guns. It is very important to preserve your ideas and use them to your advantage. The greatest innovations in the world have been results of great ideas. Someone had an idea of flying and airplane was invented. Some other person got an idea of distant communication and telephone came into existence. There are many examples where ideas got stolen or leaked from a company and got converted into billion dollar companies. Xerox is one company where maximum ideas have come from or have leaked. Some of today’s biggest technology companies have used ideas developed at Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Centre to come up with wonderful products. Schools and Colleges are places where the foundation to get amazing ideas is developed. Colleges enable students to have knowledge of various subjects and courses. Ideas are like sparks which get generated by the amalgamation of different subjects such as Sciences, Mathematics, Psychology, Geography, History, Statistics and so on. Hence, colleges play a very crucial role in equipping students with weapons essential to develop radical ideas and make those ideas more dangerous than

Ethical issue at Starbucks Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethical issue at Starbucks - Research Paper Example However, recent discoveries show an otherwise picture (Cross et al 2009). According to Rhetoric Society of America et al (2004), Starbucks has been covering up many things such as serving milk with GM growth hormone in US. Besides, it has been running relentless campaigns of bursting unions. According to Schultz et al (2011), the company is also accused of attempting to block the attempts of Ethiopia to improve the coffee grower’s livelihoods. Furthermore, it has also petitioned a federal judge to accept in past sexual history evidence of a former employee aged 16 years when she took sexual harassment case to court. Despite the fact that the company has sold as standard Fair-trade Coffee since 2009 in all its stores in UK, the rest of the operation globally on the uptake has been slower. The firm has been criticized even for its operations in US by Organic Consumers Association also dragging its feet in Fair-trade launch (Michelli 2007). In addition, Gilbert (2008) points out the order by the US court on Starbucks to pay low wage staff more than $100million in California in a ruling that the workers improperly shared with their bosses some tips although was overturned subsequently after a successful appeal. The lawsuit against Starbucks was for using tactics that are anti competitive to eliminate their competitors. The employees of Starbucks would give out their coffee rights as free sample outside the small shops of coffee in their neighborhoods, thereby gaining more profit and business for themselves. Furthermore, Bussing-Burks (2009) add that they sometimes even tried to buyout other shops of coffee near them. They would sometime sign leases for almost 3 times of the market price to make the landlords not rent it out to other sellers of coffee. Marie et al (2009) adds that Howard Schultz the chief executive officer earned a pay rise of 25% after a cost of $580 million slashed from the company in the year 2009. By analyzing the actions of Starbucks, it is unethical because the stores of small coffee give much to the people in the towns they are located compared to what Starbucks does. Majority of people love small coffee shops with reasonable coffee prices in their surrounding towns. On the other hand other people would be contented with Starbucks. However, Kachra (1997) explains that although you might love Starbucks, you would not like a coffee shop that has been in existence in your town for long being faced out of business. According to Schultz et al (2007) the small coffee shops found in most towns gives happiness to more people unlike Starbucks which overcharge their coffee. It is very unethical for a firm like Starbucks to overprice their products since they know they are alone in the market after displacing other businesses therefore people will lack other options. Moreover, they disregarded other small business by being selfish and negatively facing them off gaining all the clients and profits. Fellner (2008) observes th at the company did not value people but considered them as sources of profits. Their technique of expansion does not have goodwill and they are also not motivated rightfully. Simon (2009) observes that the company does not also comply with their set legislations. This is because Starbucks motto clearly elaborates they will treat their clients dignity and respect. However, no dignity or respect is shown to their clients or even the communities. According to Olsen (1994), Starbucks

Toussaint LVourture Essay Example for Free

Toussaint LVourture Essay In 1861, Wendell Phillips delivered a speech about the great accomplishments of the most powerful leader in Haiti; Toussaint-Louverture. The speech was written around the time when African Americans did not have the right to serve in the military. In his speech, Wendell Phillips praises Toussaint Louverture for creating equal rights when it comes to serving in the military. Wendell Phillips uses magnificent examples and metaphors to inform us about Toussaint-Louverture’s great accomplishments; which are creating equal rights for everybody who wants to join the military. Phillips’s purpose is to show people that they can accomplish their goals, if they are willing to fight for them. Toussaint-Louverture reached his goal of allowing African Americans to serve in the military by fighting against many armies and showing them that it doesn’t matter what race a person is. One of the examples Phillips uses is â€Å"Men who despised him as a negro and a slave, and hated him because he had beaten them in many a battle.† It shows that the Britons, Frenchmen, and Spaniards think that Toussaint-Louverture is of little value because of the fact that he is a slave and an African American, but they also fear him because they know what he is capable of. Hoehlein2 The example demonstrates that it doesn’t matter what race someone is and that every person should have the right to live their dream; and if it is a person’s dream to serve in the military, he should be allowed to fulfill it. The metaphor â€Å"We measure genius by quality, not by quantity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  that Wendell Phillips uses in his speech shows that Toussaint-Louverture has the ability to win the battles against those armies because he has the courage to fight for the rights of his people and he has his heart set on creating equal rights for everybody; and not because he has an army of thousands of men. Quality is far more important than quantity and African Americans should have the right to serve in the military if it is their dream to do so. Toussaint-Louverture proved that he was willing to fight for his dream of creating equal rights for everybody. When Wendell Phillips says â€Å"Then, dipping her pen in the sunlight, will write in the clear blue, [†¦] Toussaint-Louverture.† it demonstrates how greatly appreciated and respected Toussaint-Louverture was. He was considered the most powerful leader in Haiti back then because he fought for equal rights and he accomplished his goal. African Americans are now allowed to serve in the military because Toussaint-Louverture made it possible for them to do so.

Online sourcing

Online sourcing As we reach the end of the decade to what extent has online sourcing become a reality? The Internet has become a daily commonplace or even inevitability for businesses as well as it is for our individual needs. It enables us with numbers of possibilities and the new opportunities of its use are still coming up. This essay examines the role of the Internet in international and global sourcing and gives brief description of how the role is being changed or developed over the last decade. It also describes the benefits which come from using the Internet in sourcing activities. Yip and Dempster (2004) call the Internet as a driver of globalization. Its technological characteristics accelerate the globalization process. The Internet is decentralized network without any control so companies can use it to suit their own needs. It enables worldwide communication with no limitation by geographical distance. It is easy and low cost way to send and get information in real time from all over the world. Same authors summarise: â€Å"The Internet is highly complementary to the already trends that are forcing companies to become global, and at most a key driving force of the continued globalization of existing companies.† While international purchasing is simple buying process between buyer and seller from different countries, global sourcing has a wider meaning which includes worldwide integration and coordination of material, processes, technologies and suppliers. (Monczka, Trent, Handfield 2005). The majority of the companies, which decided to source globally, did it because of the motivation of getting the goods and materials as cheap as possible. However, Monczka, Trent, Handfield (2005) give us several other reasons for worldwide sourcing. Companies can get access to the latest product and process technology or they can obtain goods of higher quality. Some companies just follow the practices of competitor in order to remain cost competitive. The aims of global sourcing could be achieved easier with integration of right technology and one of it is the Internet. Lysons, Farrington (2006) use the word e-sourcing which refers to the use of the Internet in decision making process about the ways and locations from where products and services are obtained. Rapid development of information technology affects the all business activities and also in supply chain management the Internet has started to play significant role. Lancioni, Smith, Oliva (2000) argue that the Internet enables businesses to achieve the objectives of supply chain as decreasing the cost or improving communication, more quickly and effectively. According their research about the role of the Internet in supply chain management, companies use the Internet mostly for order processing, purchasing and communication with vendors. Next we closer explain the role of the Internet in sourcing activities. Lancioni (2003) says that the usage of the Internet in business could be multidimensional. He compares years 1999 and 2001 in his research and there is an overall increase of using the Internet in various business activities. According his research the biggest increase is in purchasing nearly by 50%. Firms realised benefits as lower labour expenses as purchasing department staff is reduced, due to computerising of purchasing process. Next area of growth is transportation from 56.2% to 84.3% of asked firms in 2001. Implementing technologies for tracking shipment, placing claims or fleet management improved productivity and lowered level of stock. The usage of the Internet for customer service rose by 15%. Firms improved respond time what accelerates problem solution. There is 12% increase in the use of the Internet for maintaining relationships with suppliers. Firms use application as online catalogues, e-mails, Internet exchanges. Both parties can be in closer touch and is easier to develop strategic partnership. Sourcing as â€Å"the process of identifying, selecting and developing supplier† (Lysons, Farrington, 2006) gives numerous opportunities to use the Internet in these activities even more if we consider sourcing in global context. In the term of identifying suppliers, the Internet represents an enormous source of information for buyer. Searching for the right suppliers has become easier and more cost effective. Barua, Ravindran and Whiston (1997) say that before the wide spread of Internet applications, supplier search using business directories, trade journal or yellow pages revealed only few results. Furthermore, much more focused group of suppliers can be made using the network databases as there is more information available on the Internet. Next, authors make statement about previous, present and future importance of the Internet. Electronic brochures of product and services with catalogues and price lists were the first applications of the Internet in business. Later, the re are search agents for finding the requested product and for comparison of prices. They predicted online processing of bids for products and services to take place in the future. Now, it is obvious that this became reality in the form of online reverse auction. Van Weele (2005) defines it as an auction where price is set by buyer and suppliers need to meet it. Roberts and Mackay (1998) mention that E-mails, searching tools and file transfer were the most used internet applications before. As the World Wide Web has started to play role, more and more companies set their own website to become visible in electronic world. These days, it is necessity for company to have its own webpage. It is a marketing tool and communication place. Customers, business partners and the third parities can easily get information about the company, look at lists of products or they can send their requirements via contact links. Besides going to website of individual supplier, there are numbers of suppliers portals (e.g. globalsources.com, purchasing.com, powersourcing.com) on the Internet where can buyer search for supplier according to required product, industry or country of supplier. Buyers are provided with product information and contact details of suppliers, some of portals offer a brief description of a company or there is a possibility to order or look to its catalogue as well as to contact supplier. Besides free accessible websites which offer lists of supplier from all over the world, there are also specialized marketplaces. Van Weele (2005) defines electronic marketplace as â€Å"a place on the Internet where actual transaction can take place between buyers and sellers†. UK national B2B centre presents on its website (unknown, 2009) various types of such markets and describes the range of services which they provide as lists of suppliers, electronic catalogues, online purchasing or online auction. General benefits of e-marketplaces include forming new trading partnerships or operating on a round-the-clock basis. An international e-market place gives opportunities which otherwise buyer would not be informed of. However, the first beliefs about e-market places and independent business exchanges were not meet as many e-market places failed. Sites were the Internet is used to target customer are the most successful (Tieman 2003, cited by Laseter). As we talk about the software equipment there are numbers of software programmes design for businesses to manage business activities electronically and over the Internet e.g. SAP, Oracle, Ariba. These programmes have also applications for e-procurement. Nowadays, investments to information technology are inevitable for each company which want to success internationally. Schalibly (2004) says: „Company that does not have electronic data cannot even begin to think about the global sourcing.â€Å" Also some companies refuse to cooperate with firm which do not meet their information technology requirements. Companies have recognised that and the investments to IT became the regular line item in their expenditure. Even more it is increasing every year. As the Internet provides us with number of supplier after the initial search, they can be both efficient and inefficient suppliers on the list. Therefore it is necessary to implement strategy for selection and evaluation of supplier. One possibility is to reduce selection according buyer requirements as price of product, size of company or number of years a company operates. Once buyer has a shortlist he can starts to evaluate suppliers. Buyers transaction cost would increase if he wants to evaluate all suppliers (Barua, Ravindran, Whiston, 1997). Trucker and Jones (2000) emphasize other important issues with selecting a supplier. These are using the right searching engines, intelligent agents and training procurement staff to guide the Internet effectively in order to minimize the irrelevant results. As far as developing relationships with suppliers is consider, the Internet is an important communication media. It supports these relationships as it is not costly and easy to connect. Even more, buyers have same opportunity if they deal with local or supplier from greater distance. We talk more about benefits of online communication later. As we mentioned above the Internet is widely used application in online sourcing. The main benefits include improving communication, getting better access to information or possibility to complete the entire purchasing process over the Internet. All these benefits results in cost saving enhance efficiencies and increase profit (Lancioni, Smith, Schau, 2002). Bartezzaghi and Ronchi (2005) give these benefits of applying e-sourcing. Buyer gets product for lower purchasing price and he achieves higher level of efficiency. Number of supplier also decreases by using e-sourcing tools. Communication over the Internet involves e-mails, website contact links and Internet exchanges. From global point of view, the possibility to communicate across the whole world and in different time zones represents the one of the main advantages which the Internet offers in global sourcing (Walters, 2007). Companies are able to contact supplier via E-mail on 24 hour basis as time zones barriers are removed. That was not possible before with using e.g. telephone lines. Sending documents and other files through the Internet became possible as now we have electronic data and electronic signature. Companies save time as sending takes few minutes while post delivery several days. There has also been improvement in customer service as customers can access company website or send requests any time. Results are in reduction of service costs and respond time (Lancioni, Smith, Oliva, 2000). Besides the advantages, there are issues as security and reliability which eliminates the potential use of the Internet. Walters (2007) conducts that as buyer and seller can contact directly via the Internet in a flexible and convenient way there is no need to us services of intermediaries. Transaction costs are reduced. One of the problems is protection of business emails with sensitive information against hackers (Roberts and Mackay, 1998). Although tools of online communication give advantages to salespersons they cannot replace their work. Deeter-Schmelz and Norman Kennedy (2004) argue that organization should design their website in the way to support sales representatives not to replace them. In fact, by using the Internet salesperson can get easier access to required information and by using of online sourcing tools they are free of paper work and they can concentrate on developing customer relationships. There is an example of effective communication system launched by Kia Motors (unknown 2002). The company introduced the distributor communication system in 2002 to connect subsidiaries, distributors with head office around the world through the Internet. The system enables to share information, placing orders or export document in real time. Achieved information from distributors helps KIA to establish strategy according the current market situation for the specific place. Distributors reduced their stock as they have better access to production and shipping information. Not least, trust has been built on both sides. The Internet presents an enormous pool of information and it is simple to create own appearance on this worldwide network. This is important in global sourcing as buyers have access to broader number of suppliers. On the other hand, buyers need to pay more attention to evaluate these suppliers. It is necessary to check their real presence, look for recommendation if they are new on the market or there is not enough information about them. The Internet allows completing the purchasing transaction online. Companies can use it from initial searching and contacting supplier through placing order to final payment of invoice. By doing so, decline of cost of transaction process can be achieved. Paper work is reduced as well as errors appear less. Notably, the whole process of ordering is done quicker. As a result of online purchasing in General Electric there has been a reduction of purchasing staff by 50%. Time period between sending order to receiving product decreased by 40% in the company (Lancioni, Smith, Oliva, 2000). The other benefits include informing vendors of changes in orders, checking the status of order or paying invoices electronically. Companies can track and plan shipment, schedule pickups and deliveries (Lancioni, Smith, Oliva 2000). Same authors give various examples of companies about using the Internet in supply chain management. By using the Internet for shipment scheduling, General Electric can more precisely and cost effectively deliver product on time to the customer. The Internet notifies Air Products and Chemicals of most suitable terminal and plant for serving customer as the company uses the Internet in global sourcing process. Roberts and Mackay (1998) in their article on the role of electronic commerce describe the anticipations coming from the use of the Internet. They talk about the possibilities for buyers as browsing in electronic catalogues, placing order or advancing bids. Suppliers could better organise their production and deliveries as they respond to bids. There are also the third parties which facilitate the marketplace. They offer services as supplier certification, referral, brokering and specialised directories. On the other hand, according to the research made by Deeter-Schmelz and Norman Kennedy (2004) about the usefulness of the Internet in supplier selection and relationship maintenance, statistic shows that buyers consider the Internet to be slightly important as an information source; the more useful sources are sales representatives or users of the product. In the area of selection supplier 42.6% of buyers say that the Internet does not play any important role. As far as communication and relationships with supplier are consider, the Internet is moderately or very important. Additionally, it has been more used in ongoing relationships than in initial stage of contacting supplier. The Internet has in global sourcing process its irreplaceable role. The main role is simple search and communication between buyer and supplier which lead to cost cutting and effectiveness. The Internet became like a â€Å"meeting place† for both supplier and buyer thus their active presence and involvement on this network is inevitable if they want to succeed. However, many expectations have become reality, some still remain in stage for future developing or were simply overrated. There are also activities and situation where human approach or face to face contact can not be replaced with technology. In term of sourcing it is the building trust and long term relationships with trade partners. Referencies 1. Bartezzaghi, E., Ronchi, S. (2005) E-sourcing in a buyer-operator-seller perspective: Benefits and criticalities, Production Planning and Control. Jun, 16 (4), pp.405-412 [online] Available from: 2. Barua, A., Ravindran, S., Whiston, A. (1997) Efficient selection of supplier over the Internet, Journal of management information system. 13 (4), pp.117-134 [online] Available from: 3. Deeter-Schmelt, D.R., Norman Kennedy, K. (2004) Buyer-seller relationships and information sources in an e-commerce world, Jornal of Business and Industrial Marketing. 19 (3), pp. 188-196 [online] Available from: 4. Lancioni, R., Smith, M., Jensen Schau, H. (2003) Strategic Internet application trends in supply chain management, Industrial Marketing Management. 32 (3), pp. 211 217 [online] Available from: 5. Lancioni, R., Smith, M., Oliva, T. (2000) The role of the Internet in supply chain management, Industrial Marketing Management. 29, pp. 45-56 [online] Available from: 6. Lysons, K., Farrington, B. (2006) Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. 7th ed. Essex: Perrson Education limited, p.367 7. Monczka, R., Trent, R., Handfield, R. (2005) Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. 3rd ed. Southwestern: Thomson, p.304, 306-308 8. Roberts, B., Mackay, M. (1998) IT supporting supplier relationships: The role of electronic commerce, European Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management. 4, pp.175-184 [online] Available from: 9. Schaibly, L. S. (2004) Making global sourcing asuccess, World Pumps. March, pp.34-36. [online] Available from: 10. Tieman, R. (2003) E-procurement and E-sourcing: Corporate buyers show stronger interest in cost saving online system, Financial Times. November 24, p.3 11. Trucker, D, Jones, L. (2000) Leveraging the power of the Internet for optimal supplier sourcing, Industrial Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistic Management. 30 (3-4), pp. 255-267 [online] Available from: [Accessed 21.11.2009] 12. Van Weele, A. (2005) Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. 4th ed. London: Thomson Learning, p.169-171 13. Walters, P., (2008) Adding value in global B2B supply chains: Strategic directions and the role of the Internet as e driver of competitive advantage, Industrial Marketing Management. 37, pp. 59-68 [online] Available from: Science direct [Accessed 21.11.2009] 14. Yip, G., Dempster, A. (2004) Using the Internet to enhance global strategy, European Management Journal. 23 (1), pp. 1-13 [online] Available from: Science direct [Accessed 21.11.2009] 15. unknown 2008 E-marketplaces, online auctions and exchanges [Accessed 21.11.2009] 16. unknown, (2002)Kia Motors to launch Kia Distributor Communication System [Accessed 21.11.2009]

Effectiveness Impact of Journal Clubs in Medicine

Effectiveness Impact of Journal Clubs in Medicine Abstract Background: Journal clubs` emerging goals are now considered to be teaching critical appraisal skills and learning how to use evidence based medicine in practice. Although journal clubs are well accredited, designing the right format to keep members stimulated and educated remains a great challenge. Methods: We conducted journal club structure modifications in internal medicine residency program of a university affiliated hospital. Initially group-based sessions identified feasible changes and baseline data concerning residents` knowledge of evidence based medicine (EBM) was collected by a questionnaire. Modifications implemented and a second set of group discussions and data collection took place after 12 months. Results: Total number of 78 residents participated. The most important identified changes were schedule adjustments and setting new goals regarding EBM, medical statistics and critical appraisal teaching. Group discussion showed increased satisfaction and questionnaire assessments showed significant improvement in residents` knowledge of EBM. Conclusions: Redesigning journal clubs with emphasis on regularity and setting new horizons basically improves their effectiveness. Assigning entire sessions to augment participants` skills in new areas of knowledge is a unique way to fit journal clubs as a novel and innovative teaching practice. Practice Points Journal clubs are connecting bridges between knowledge and practice. Journal clubs have gradually evolved to be a teaching tool in modern medicine. Considering growing popularity of evidence based medicine, journal clubs can be a way to introduce this discipline into educational programs. Redesigning old journal club structure is somehow necessary to better keep up with growing knowledge of medicine. Furnishing journal clubs with innovative methods might be a reasonable way of reform. Introduction The earliest reference to the origin of the phrase journal club is in memoirs and letters of Sir James Paget, describing a small room near St. Bartholomews Hospital in London in the period 1835-1854 in which pupils met and read journals (Paget 1901). More than a century has passed since Sir William Osler started the first recorded journal club in North America in 1875 as a way of sharing periodicals he could not afford individually and later established a club at Johns Hopkins University to review the latest medical research (Alguire 1998; Sleeman 1990). Today’s journal clubs have evolved a great deal and are found in nearly every medical school and residency training program in almost all fields of medicine (Valentini Daniels 1997; Sidorov 1995; Green 1999). Traditionally journal clubs are educational meetings in which a group of individuals meet to discuss and critically evaluate the current articles in the scientific literature (Mcleod et al. 2010; SVN Research Committee 2009). The major aim of journal clubs was to keep their attendees up to date with the latest medical literature (Valentini Daniels 1997; Forsen 2003; Goodfellow 2004). Gradually they have become a means for teaching critical appraisal skills, improving biostatistical knowledge, getting familiar with epidemiologic methods and most recently promoting the practice of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) (Valentini Daniels 1997; SVN Research Committee 2009; Woods Winkel 1982). Critical appraisal skills and basing clinical decisions on the best published evidence available (i.e. EBM) have become an important facet in clinical medicine and are part of core general competencies required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in all residency programs (ACGME 2009; Yew Reid 2008; Carpenter et al. 2010). In the ensuing years, EBM has enjoyed widespread popularity. Today’s journal clubs are effectively assisting practitioners translate knowledge into practice and serve as an excellent bridge between research and clinical work. While journal club has been a mainstay in postgraduate medical education for many years, several authors have pointed out the diversity of its format (Alguire 1998; Sidorov 1995; Ebbert et al. 2001). The desirability of journal clubs in internal medicine has been reinforced by accreditation requirements that mandate residents` participation in journal clubs. Although the goals and purposes of journal clubs are well established, selecting the right format and setting to keep members stimulated and educated remains a great challenge (Kelly Cronin 2010; Hartzell et al. 2009). With the growing appreciation of evidence based medicine (EBM) and its widespread application in clinical decision making, we thought of revising and implementing possible modifications in our journal club structure to improve quality of sessions and weigh their effects on our journal club program. Methods We conducted revision program into our journal club structure involving internal medicine residents attending the internal medicine residency program in a teaching university affiliated hospital. The modification process consisted of several steps. First we conducted group-based discussion sessions with participation of two clinical experts, two research experts, the program manager and chief resident. Group discussion primarily consisted of brain storming, reviewing similar works and their outcomes and sharing experiences. Five such meetings were held with main purpose of gauging current program features and identifying possible essential changes required to improve the program. Findings of these sessions then were shared with residents` delegates, 2 residents from each year, through three separate sessions. Identified feasible modifications were finally determined out of group-based discussions and implemented to make a new journal club structure. The group-based discussion took place for the second time, 12 months after executing alterations. Group participants were the same. This time the group assessed different aspects of changes made including residents` attendance, residents` satisfaction and the content of new sessions. Furthermore we measured the residents` existing knowledge of EBM by a self-reported questionnaire, designed and internally validated by the discussion group. The questionnaire consisted of three questions to assess three fields: residents` knowledge of statistical significance, their acquaintance with evidence rating and their familiarity with study design. Possible answers were as â€Å"No familiarity†, â€Å"Fair familiarity†, â€Å"Good familiarity† and â€Å"Excellent familiarity†. In order to facilitate further comparison, the first two answers were classified as cluster 1 (limited knowledge) and the two remaining answers as cluster 2 (acceptable knowledge); therefore making comparison between two clusters. Each resident was given the questionnaire before applying changes and again 12 months after running the new program. Residents` responses were also discussed in the second set of group discussion. The results were collected anonymously and data was then imported to Excel software (2010, Microsoft) for examination. We specified the distribution of answers in each cluster before and after modifications and calculated the absolute difference between them using descriptive statistics. Results Seventy-eight internal medicine residents (43 Female, 35 Male) were included into the survey. An almost even participation was observed among residents from all years of internal medicine training. Results of this study can be divided into two phases; before applying changes and after implementing modifications. Phase I Founded on the primary group-based discussions, the acknowledged key points for developing our new journal club structure encompassed program and schedule modification, adding motives, defining new goals, content revision and implementing feedback mechanisms from which, content revision was considered the most critical one. The main aspects of modifications made are explained in details. Our new schedule was designed as weekly sessions on Thursdays (the day before weekend in our country). We planned the sessions to be held from 7 to 8 in the morning (Breakfast time) and on the day with minimal educational and clinical workload to assure maximal attendance. To ensure the regularity and predictability of our program, we already scheduled the sessions for the next entire year. Holidays, exam days and residents` rotations were carefully noticed in planning the journal club calendar and the presenter for each session was specified at the beginning of the educational year. Furthermore we changed the place to a bigger room with better facilities. Also we decided to provide a mini breakfast meal during all sessions as a potential incentive that can increase participants` interest. Defining new objectives was also emphasized by group members. Therefore, we set our new goals not only to keep updated with medical literature and review the current literature, but also to introduce medical statistics to residents, encourage arguments and develop critical appraisal skills and understanding EBM. We changed the composition of our journal club participants to include relevant attending physicians, medical statisticians and experts in EBM and critical thinking as well as internal medicine residents from all levels. In order to achieve the broad goal spectrum, our reformed program consisted of two different types of sessions. Three sessions of each month were dedicated to presenting review articles and discussion about the main topic (analogous with former program). The last week of the month was devoted to evidence based journal clubs in which an original article was presented to the audience and 2 to 3 relevant articles or guidelines were also considered. The main focus of these sessions was to discuss the methodology and to point out statistical points through which critical appraisal skills were practiced and evaluation of the quality and validity of the results taught. Both types of sessions were moderated by an attending physician with experience in medical research and education background. Review article journal clubs were presented by a second year internal medicine resident employing slideshows; hence each resident was provided the opportunity to benefit from this chance at least twice a year. Evidence based journal clubs were presented by senior residents familiar with medical research and statistics and with acceptable teaching skills. These sessions were supervised by a team (at least 2 persons) of expert physicians in EBM and critical thinking skill. A support committee consisting of two senior internal medicine residents, journal club moderator and an EBM expert was formed for evaluating and choosing articles for presentation. The responsible resident had to provide up to 5 papers to the committee, who would then return one or two of them for presentation. The major selection criteria were relevancy and novelty of the topic and being in accordance with the interests of the participants. The other thing considered especially for articles to be presented in EBM sessions was being somehow controversial regarding the methodology or conclusion. At the end of each session a brief explanation was provided including critical points and a conclusion. For EBM sessions the strength and limitations of the article were also emphasized, inspiring the participants to involve in this process valuable in didactic endeavors. The conclusion of each session was then uploaded in the departmental forum of residents and interns for more discussion. Sometimes, a practical question was also provided in order to ascertain that residents have got the point correctly. Phase II Second phase results are described after 12 months of running the new program. Group-based discussion findings for new schedule clearly showed increased attendance and residents were more satisfied with the fixed and pre-defined sessions. Nonetheless we noticed that providing food was not of residents` concerns. Definition of new objectives for journal club sessions persuaded residents to participate more. Experts in the group-based discussions were also satisfied with the new content of sessions and monthly devoting an entire session to EBM and teaching statistical points and critical thinking. Regarding questionnaire assessment, final results showed that in the field of â€Å"evidence rating knowledge†, the number of residents in cluster 1 reduced from 51 to 17 and accordingly the number of residents in cluster 2 increased from 27 to 61 (43.6% absolute change regarding the total number of participants; P Similarly, before-after comparison for the field of â€Å"statistical significance acquaintance† revealed the absolute change to be 23.1%; i.e. the residents` acquaintance with concept of statistical significance was noticeably augmented, changing from limited knowledge to acceptable knowledge, in 18 residents (P Discussion Our conventional journal club structure first started in internal medicine department of Shariati hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in year 2007. Since then it was running in a small room and on a weekly basis with focus on review article presentation only. Participants were mainly residents, internal medicine interns and medical students and presenters of sessions were selected from first year residents. There are considerable studies describing journal clubs conducted in different settings and for different health providers; yet there appear to be no ‘Gold Standard’ approach for conducting a journal club or assessing its effectiveness. It is therefore an ongoing challenge in designing effective journal club format that assists the participants to translate journal club activities into evidence based practice (Deenadayalan et al. 2008). As residency programs deal with work hour restrictions and implement competency educations (Hatala et al. 2006; Goroll et al. 2004), they need to undergo intense reassessment and possible remodeling to determine if they are meeting their goals. Our questionnaire survey showed that our reformed program made significant change in residents` knowledge and the number of residents significantly shifted from low knowledge to acceptable knowledge. We postulated that holding journal clubs on a regular basis is necessary to achieve continuous educational progress and gradually obtain the desired improvement in residents` competency which is in accordance to most previous studies (Deenadayalan et al. 2008 ). Regularity of sessions basically show the importance of this type of learning, as a new method of education is being introduced to the learners (residents). On the other hand, disorderliness might suggest that the program is not so useful and coordinators are not sure of its value, which in turn will dissuade participants from joining and following the schedule. Pre-defining the whole schedule would be a great way in achieving this goal. Although fixed schedule might seems impractical for many institutes but authors assumed that accurately considering some fine points such as work hour’s prerequisites before scheduling the program may be helpful. In addition, this would assist participants to adjust their time and for presenter to know their schedule and being prepared for that. Regarding best frequency, according to most of studies reporting this, it seems that monthly period is endorsed (Letterie Morgenstern 2000; Burstein et al. 1996). Our reformed structure had a weekly basis, though our new EBM sessions were held monthly, not to shrink residents` enthusiasm for participating in these educational gatherings. Some studies have shown that timing of journal clubs might be of importance considering attendance, especially when they were coincided with meal times (Bazarian et al. 1999; Langkamp et al. 1992). While they advised provision of food as a way to increase attendance, our group-based discussions and residents feedbacks did not show such relation. This might be due to . Authors believed that forward movement without adding new goals and/or lacking enough motivation would not be successful in improving participants` competency. Increasing knowledge of medical statistics and understanding EBM were the primary new objectives of our program which is demonstrated to be well achieved regarding our survey. Participants of journal clubs must be in accordance to the aims and contents of the program. Similar to Hartzell (2009), authors think that inviting attending physicians and involving senior residents may contribute to fulfillment of journal club objectives. This composition would facilitate the arguments and give space for better discussion and reaching a practical point. Assigning an entire separate session to introduction of this new area would also be of great benefit, since innovative thinking and learning new skills necessitates more time. New educational goals for residency programs now include conduction of problem oriented sessions, evidence based journal clubs and also experiencing critical appraisal. Considering that almost all of medical education programs have introduced journal clubs as a routine in their curricula, we thought of it as a useful tool to familiarize our residents with better interpreting medical literature, critical thinking and evidence based medicine. This approach has been supported by previous researches (Hatala et al. 2006; Ghali et al. 2000). Although this survey showed promising results and improvement in residents` knowledge and participation, our results are far from perfect. Yet we must increase our efforts to recognize subtle obstacles and further improve effectiveness of journal club. Conclusion In conclusion, journal clubs are of great value in today`s medical education addressing both clinical practice and evidence based learning improvement. Yet there is no gold standard to achieve the best result with this regard. We have enjoyed revolutionizing our traditional structure of journal clubs and furnishing it with novel objectives and construction and noticed significant improvement in attendance and competency of our internal medicine residents. Declaration of interest The authors report no declarations of interest.

Hospice in the United States Essay -- Hospice Terminal Illnesses Cance

Hospice in the United States Hospice is a concept of caring borrowed from medieval times, where travelers, pilgrims and the sick, wounded or dying could find rest and comfort. The contemporary hospice offers a program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness encompassing medical, nursing, spiritual, and psychological care. It is more than a medical alternative, it is an attitude toward death and the process of dying. Terminal disease is managed so patients can live comfortably until they die. The hospice program in the United States has evolved in part as an attempt to compensate for the inadequacies of the present medical system, particularly in caring for patients with a terminal illness. Hospice care has grown from an alternative health care movement to an established component of the American health care system. The modern hospice movement began in 1967 when Cicely Saunders opened St. Christopher's Hospice in London England. In the late 1960’s, several Yale University student s invited Dr. Saunders to come speak at Yale. These students were inspired to create a similar service in the United States. They opened the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut and pioneered the hospice movement in the United States. This became the nation’s first specially designed hospice care center. What is Hospice care? In an attempt to answer, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement in 1990 about the philosophy and techniques of hospice care. A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. C.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hospice provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms associated with dying. D.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hospice combines aspects of psychosocial and spiritual care. E  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hospice offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death. F.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hospice offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and during the bereavement process. We can see that the hospice concept is a bio-psychosocial approach to the dying process, concerned with biological, psychological, and social health. Because of its proponents, Hospice is considered a more humane and sensible approach to terminal illness, combining care, comfort, and support of family and friends as the individual faces death. Their concern for dignity and fo... ...age dementia: A national survey of hospice programs. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 43(1), 56-59 Mesler, M. A., & Miller, P. J. (2000). Hospice and assisted suicide: The structure and process of an inherent dilemma Death Studies, 24(2), 135-155 Newsome, B. R., & Dickinson, G. E. (2000). Death experiences and hospice: Perceptions of college students. Death Studies, 24(4), 335-341 O’Connor, P. (1999). Hospice vs. palliative care. Hospice Journal, 14(3/4), 123-137 Paradis, L. F. (1984). Hospice program integration: An issue for policymakers. Death Education, 8(5-6), 383-398 Russell, G. M. (1985) Hospice programs and the hospice movement: An investigation based on general systems theory Dissertation Abstracts International, 45(9), 3082 Simson, S., & Wilson, L. B. (1986) Strategies for success: An examination of the organizational development of early hospice programs. Hospice Journal, 2(2), 19-39 World Health Organization. (1990). Hospice Facts [On-line] Available HTTP://www.cp-tel.net/pamnorth/facts.htm Zehnder, P. W., & Royse, D. (1999) Attitudes toward assisted suicide: A survey of hospice volunteers. Hospice Journal, 14(2), 49-63.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

unnatural Exposure Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For part of my independent study I read the book Unnatural Exposure, by Patricia Cornwell. The book is a murder mystery with a large focus on the forensic aspects of the investigation. The main character in the book is Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner form Virginia. She is recently divorced and live in an apartment by herself. She could be described as a workaholic since she spends all of her time thinking and working on her cases. She is always the first person to arrive at the morgue and the last to leave.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the book begins, Dr. Scarpetta is called to a crime scene at a garbage dump in Virginia. When she gets there she soon realizes that it must be a horrific scene because everyone there was almost in shock. She walked up to the taped off area and started understanding why everyone was in so much shock. The body at the crime scene was nothing but a decomposing torso. The person’s legs, arms, and head had been cut off. They had found the body when a tractor was spreading the trash around. After examining the entire crime scene, Dr. Scarpetta bought the body back to the morgue to look at it closer. She preformed an autopsy and found out that the body was a woman, older, and had a petite frame. The search for the murderer began.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The investigation started with interviews of the people at the dump but that turned up nothing. It almost seemed like this was a dead end case, until DEA...

Skills Of Table Tennis :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Table tennis is played on thick wooden or composite wood, plastic and even metal varieties table. The surface of the table should have a mat finish and it is usually dark green or blue. The table is 274 cm in length, 152.5 cm in width, and 76 cm in height. The table is divided by the net into two courts. The net is 15.25-cm height and extends 15.25 cm beyond each side of the table. The racket consists of two parts: the rubbers and the blade. There are a lot of different kinds of rubbers and blades. There are offensive, all-round and defensive ones. The player style will dictate the kind of racket to use. A game is won by the first player or pair (in doubles play) to score 21 points, unless the score reaches 20-20 in which case the player or the pair needs two clear points more than the other in order to win the game. A match consists of the best of three games or in big tournaments, like World & European Championships, the best of five games. You lose a point when:  You fail to make a good serve.  You fail to return the ball from the opponent.  You hit the ball before it has bounced on your side.  The ball bounces twice on your side.  In some special occasions when you execute the serve. A good return is a single hit of the ball by the racket hand below the wrist, after it has bounced on the player's side of the table, so that the ball returns directly on the opponent's side. Of course the ball is permitted to hit the net during the return. However if the ball hits the net during the serve, the serve is executed again. The server changes every 5 points. This continues until the player wins the game. After the end of the game the opponents change sides and the player who served first in the previous game, serves first in the next. In doubles the rules of serving and changing ends are the same as in singles except that the serve is executed from the right hand side. Each 5 points the server changes corner with his partner so that the other will be ready to receive the opponent's serve. In doubles play the ball is returned in a strict sequence. The server serves and then his partner receives the ball from the opponent and so on.

Auto Industry Structure and Resources Essay

According to Taylor (2012), profits are going to be derived from a handful of mega-companies in North America, Europe, and Asia. These companies include General Motors (GM), Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Renault/Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, and Fiat/Chrysler. The chart below, taken from Taylor’s article, demonstrates global sales of auto makers in 2011 and what is predicted to be the companies’ global sales in 2020. (Taylor 2012). This chart reflects which auto makers are at the top in terms of sales, so this could also be interpreted as the companies that are the strongest within the industry. An industry is a group of firms that market products which are close substitutes for each other. Some industries are more profitable than others due to the dynamics of competitive structure of an industry. There are basically five forces that determine the long-run profitability of an industry; threat of entry of new competition, threat of substitutes, bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, and degree of competition (Porter, 2008). Many companies within the United States and world may look to the automotive industry as a possible â€Å"cash cow. This is due to the large inelastic demand followed with a hefty pay off per sale. As a company interested in entering the automotive industry competition, one may find that it is easier said than done. Since 1860, there have been over 1,800 manufacturing companies that have entered into this competitive market within the United States. Of those 1,800 manufacturers, over 760 have gone out of business, leaving a success rat e of less than 57% (Georgano, 2000). Entry into this manufacturing arena requires a huge down payment. Procuring machinery, personnel, factories, and raw materials can put a multi-million dollar price tag of investment and overhead before one sale is completed. Before these complicated pieces of machinery start rolling off the production line, sales strategies and logistics need to also be considered sinking more overhead and investment into start up costs. For the manufactures that decide to exit this market, there is a large sum of invested money and jobs that are lost. In many situations, losing such a large degree of sunk costs in a plant closure tends to become the precursor to company bankruptcy or selling off of the company. The excess inventory, machinery, and other assets will need to be sold off to try to maintain survival of the existing company. If the company has debt, income from selling off assets or the bankruptcy will be utilized to pay these debts. Either way, exiting this market can cause great financial drain and costly repercussions of the company’s financial livelihood. In recent years, more manufacturers have taken the financial risk on and been able to enter into the market. The automotive market structure began as an oligopolistic structure due to the limited vendors. In this system, several large sellers have some control over the prices. As time progresses and more domestic and foreign manufacturers enter into the competition, a more perfect competition (many buyers and sellers, none being able to influence prices) is emerging (Business Dictionary. om, 2012) reducing elasticity within the market. Education and training, wages, and technology are three major factors which impact the quantity and/or skill level of the labor supply in the auto industry. In reviewing the labor supply, we will divide the industry by business and front-line workers. These two general groups would require great variance in education and skill; therefore, the potential labor supply for each should be reviewed separately. The front-line workers in manufacturing, production, and sales of the auto industry generally require minimal education and receive on-the-job skill training. These workers may have a high school diploma and great variance in skill level for manufacturing and sales. They will receive the training needed on the job and their wages will not greatly vary; therefore, the effect of changes in training and wages for those workers of the industry would be considered minimal in changes to the supply curve. For this group, advances in technology would have a greater impact. In reviewing the labor supply for the business segment of the automobile industry such as business management, engineering, and marketing, this is the population of the industry which must: understand and keep track of changing consumer demands, understand how to maximize opportunity for growth, how to forecast, how to market, and be innovative in design and features of automobiles as technology continues to advance and the market remains competitive. According to the Consumer Population Survey (CPS), in 2011 the U. S. Labor Force, age 25 and older, with only a high school education made up over three and a half million potential laborers; while in the same year, those unemployed with a college degree equated to around two million (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012). Therefore, the total labor supply for the industry was nearly six million with varying skill levels. The auto industry was hit hard during the recession and is still coping with large structural changes. Over the past couple of years, the automobile companies have closed plants and discontinued brands and they downsized, restructured and cut budget to bring costs more in line with sales. They also cut jobs, as many as 300,000 or more according to some estimates. Recently, the profits of the auto industry have turned around and they are, again, making profits. There is now a shortage of workers with the right skill-set. The challenge is finding the right workers with the right skills needed by the workers in the industry, especially as more teams work globally. Because of the new technologies and operations, so called â€Å"un-skilled† workers are rarely needed now. The workers also need problem solving skills and decision making skills. Creating a workforce with these abilities requires a different approach by the human resources team. Better workforce planning is essential to creating the right fit. Automakers are turning their attention to building automobiles that either rely less on traditional fuel sources or use cheaper renewable sources of energy. These â€Å"green† solutions will attract consumers. As automakers are turning their attention to new technology, their talent must be able to grow with them. The shift in consumer preferences in the auto market towards hi-tech, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles is a significant challenge to the industry. Auto manufacturers and suppliers will have to adapt quickly to the new technology and invest in research and development. Globalization has also put pressure on the auto industry and its traditional workforce. The future demand will be that auto companies have a flexible workforce that can constantly learn and refresh its skills. The workforce must be able to be flexible and the industry must leverage rapid learners and be able to re-train employees and re-design jobs. This will be costly for the automobile industry but will be needed to be successful and beat the competition. There may not be a need for the unskilled worker in the auto industry, but there will always be a need for workers. Their roles will change to keep up with the technology and changing markets. Steel, plastic, aluminum, rubber, and glass are the top five materials used in the automobile production process (George P. , 2012). While some of these materials are derived from a natural resource which could potentially pose risk on quantity, such as steel from iron ore and rubber from petroleum, there are forms of either synthetic or renewable resources for each as well as the ability to recycle all of these materials for reuse. None of these materials are of precious minerals and there are no real variances found in quality of such materials. For example, recycled steel, aluminum, and glass can be used in automobiles because they can be recycled indefinitely without losing their properties (RubberAsia, 2009, Hincha-Ownby, 2010, and Blue, 2012). Historically, the automotive and construction markets have remained the largest consumers of steel, with more than half of the steel produced. Over the past few years, China has emerged as the major consumer of steel, with the U. S. ext, followed by Japan. In 2008, the steel industry suffered a decline due to the recession. This was seen by consumers buying existing inventories of vehicles rather than buying new stock. The industry turned around in 2009 and continued to grow. Replacement tires are the second highest operating expense for commercial fleets, next to fuel (Automotive Fleet, 2011). In 2010, the cost for tires in the passenger car segment was up 11%. Almo st 60 percent of the world’s rubber is consumed by the global tire industry. China is the world’s largest rubber consumer

Soft Tissue Injuries Therapy Effects Health And Social Care Essay

The correlativities between tissues and high frequence sound moving ridges have been studied and suggested as a therapy for over seven decennaries now ( Wood et al. , 1927 ) . Ultrasound has become a really widely used method to handle a assortment of medical conditions from lesions to tumors ( Young & A ; Dyson. , 1990 ) and is used normally for handling soft tissue hurts. The usage of ultrasound for handling soft tissue hurts is over a million at National Health Services ( NHS ) in UK ( Haar et al. , 1985 ) . Ultrasound therapy has become the most widely used intervention for soft tissue hurts ( Speed, 2001 ) . Ultrasound is mechanical quiver of high frequence unhearable sound which gets converted into acoustic energy by mechanical distortion of piezoelectric crystal nowadays in the caput ( Haar, 1987 ) . Curative ultrasound has a frequence scope from 0.75 to 3 MHz. and ultrasound moving ridges of low frequence have higher incursion but are less in focal point, hence ultrasound of frequence 1MHz is recommended for patients who have more fat and besides for deeper hurts and 3MHz for superficial lesions ( Gann, 1991 ) . Phonophoresis and extracorporeal daze wave therapy ( ESWT ) are two ultrasound therapy signifiers used clinically ; phonophoresis uses a medicated unction which acts as a matching media ( Kanikkannan et al. , 2000 ) . ESWT uses higher energy concentration which farther could be modulated with the usage of modified lithotripter ( Loew et al. , 1999 ) . Ultrasound affects the tissues and cell in a organic structure via either thermic or non-thermal physical mechanisms ( Speed, 2001 and Young, 2002 ) . When ultrasound is given to a patient, a portion of it is absorbed taking to heat coevals within the tissues it travels through. The soaking up by the tissue depends on the frequence of ultrasound used and the tissue belongingss like the nature and the vascularization grade. Ultrasound is absorbed more by tissues wit higher protein content as compared to those with higher fat content. In some scenarios the usage of ultrasound gives bio-effects without affecting of import temperature alterations, like low strength spacial mean temporal norm ( SATA ) . To produse the non-thermal consequence in ultrasound, one or more of the physical processs cavitation, standing moving ridges and acoustic cyclosis, are used. Even though ultrasound has become an of import curative facet used in physical medical specialty, the construct of dealingss between biological system and sound moving ridges have non been explained decently ( Bradnock et al. , 1996 ) . Ultrasound is normally employed for redness decrease and tissue fix sweetening in the intervention of soft tissue harm and is most effectual on recent soft tissue lesions ( Hashish et al. , 1986 ) . There are merely some clinical appraisals available to mensurate the efficaciousness of ultrasound intervention in soft tissue harm even though it is widely used. The most common intervention given by physical therapists are for hurts related to soft tissue like those located in joint capsule, corium, sinews and ligaments ( Dyson, 1987 ) . Survey shows that within Britain, physical therapists who use ultrasound for intervention constitute 20 % in NHS and 54 % of all private intervention as in 1985 ( Haar, 1987 ) . The benefits and effects of intervention given does non acquire decently assessed unless there is sufficient scientific and clinical grounds to back up the same. This essay has been done maintaining in head this point in head and is aimed at reexamining the literatures available to measure the effectivity of utilizing ultrasound in handling soft tissue amendss and hurts. This essay is made to reexamine available literatures to measure the clinical and scientific grounds in support of utilizing ultrasound therapy in handling soft tissue hurt every bit good as to place of import countries that could be utilized in future research that could be carried out to develop and heighten the current cognition and apprehension of the topic.LITERATURE REVIEWSAs per Dyson ( 1987 ) , there are three overlapping phases in the fix of soft tissue hurts, viz. early and late ague redness, proliferation and remodeling. Young ( 2002 ) points about an highly dynamic inflammatory stage when a figure of cell s like mast cells, thrombocytes, neutrophils and macrophages come in and travel off from the affected country or lesion site. Harmonizing to the surveies, curative ultrasound has the ability to speed up the fix by interacting with these cells and command their activities ( Young 2000 ) . Harmonizing to a randomized controlled double blinded survey based on an experimental reading on human abdominal tissue conducted by Snow and Johnson ( 2003 ) indicate that the dose of curative ultrasound given to the topics did bring forth anti inflammatory consequence. However, the research worker was non confident sing the consequence and has stated farther that the clinically applied ultrasound was non better than anti inflammatory consequence produced by placebo. Harmonizing to a randomized two-base hit blinded controlled test survey done on topics following a remotion of wedged lower 3rd molar surgically with a entire engagement of 150 topics, Hashish et al. , ( 1986 ) found that the puffiness was reduced significantly in ultrasound group every bit good as placebo group in contrast with the control group which was non treated. It was besides noted that the highest anti inflammatory consequence was attained at the lowest strength ( 0.1 and 0,5 Wcm-2 ) and lowest anti inflammator y consequence was noticed at highest strength ( 1.5 Wcm-2 ) . The placebo group was besides noticed to give similar consequences that were seen at lower strength of ultrasound, which indicates the consequence of curative ultrasound consequence was comparable to placebo every bit good. The research worker besides fails to explicate if the good consequence at low frequence of ultrasound was noticed because of thermic effects or non thermic effects. Harmonizing to Dyson ( 1987 ) , mast cells and thrombocytes get activated and let go of substances like chemotactic agents which have the ability to pull to the injured country polymorph atomic leukocytes and monocytes to originate a fix when there is soft connective tissue hurt. Dyson and Young ( 1990 ) conducted an in-vitro controlled experimental survey on macrophage-like cell line. It was found that uninterrupted exposure to ultrasound for 5 proceedingss at 0.75 MHz appeared to be advantageous as compared to the same continuance for 3.0 MHz exposure, in release of fibroblast effectual substances from cells likely by bring forthing permeableness alterations. This leads to a release of performed mitogenic substances that involves stable cavitation. On the other manus, exposure to 3.0 MHz does look to excite the cell, the synthesis and secernment of fibroblast mitogenic substances go on a small subsequently by the cells normal secernment procedure. Ultrasound has the ability to excite histamine release by degranulation from the mast cell in vitro every bit good as vivo ( Hashish, 1986 and Fyfe & A ; Chahl, 1982 ) . The release of chemotactic agents is besides possible as these are besides present in the mast cells. Due to these grounds, curative ultrasound intervention is effectual if given within a few hours of the hurt. The stimulation in degranulate of mast cells with the application of ultrasound could perchance be due to increase in its permeableness to calcium as a consequence of ultrasound. At this phase of the hurt, the major chemical secreted that modifies the hurt environment is histamine ( Young, 2002 ) . Some surveies carried out by different research workers have besides shown conflicting results for the curative ultrasound in intervention of soft tissue hurts. Harmonizing to Baker ( 2001 ) , small cogent evidence is present to back up that active ultrasound therapy is more effectual in handling hurting or assorted musculoskeletal jobs than placebo. Harmonizing to a survey conducted by Middlemast & A ; Chatterjee ( 2003 ) on effectivity of curative ultrasound in intervention of soft tissue hurt concludes that curative ultrasound is really effectual in handling the status and is even more effectual if applied under 24 hours of the hurt. It farther provinces that there is an appreciable decrease in swelling every bit good with the application of ultrasound therapy. Harmonizing to Binder et Al ( 1985 ) who did a randomized controlled survey on ultrasound effectivity in handling sidelong epicondylitis, if the inflammatory province of the hurt remains for a long period so the response to ultrasound intervention is hapless. Another research carried out by Makuloluwe & A ; Mouzas ( 1977 ) that deals with intervention of sprained mortise joint indicates that ultrasound therapy is effectual in soft tissue hurt. It farther clarifies that the mechanical quivers from ultrasound increases the flow of blood, permeableness of capillaries and tissue metamorphosis. These mechanical quivers are generated by change overing high frequence jumping current generated by an electrical generator in the ultrasound. Nyanzi et Al. ( 1999 ) did a survey on the dosage and clip continuance of ultrasound and found that it had no benefit over utilizing assumed ultrasound in handling sidelong ligament sprains of the ankle articulation. Harmonizing to a survey carried by Bradn ock et Al. ( 1995 ) , low frequence ultrasound had really good consequence which showed instantly after the ultrasound therapy I intervention of mortise joint sprains. A survey carried out by Young ( 2002 ) states that the proliferative period of the healing procedure comprise of cell incursion of lesion, angiogenesis, matrix deposition, hurt decrease and re-re-epithelisation. Low & A ; Reed ( 2000 ) province that this phase of connective tissue model is accompanied by fibroblast of fresh blood vass. Dyson ( 1987 ) states that the proliferation begins after three yearss of the hurt and during this clip the cells are attracted to the cut and fresh blood vass are regenerated. The connective tissue matrix chiefly produces fibroblasts and contributes toward wound contraction. The curative ultrasound when right applied is expected to rush up the fix procedure by impacting the endothelial cells which is required for angiogenesis. The contraction rate can be accelerated by application of curative ultrasound therapy to the hurt during its sensitive phase ( Dyson, 1987 ) . At this phase, contractile myofibroblast temporarily develops and the contraction leads to the decrease in the size of the lesion. Ultrasound therapy may besides act upon the contraction of the lesion via effects from macrophages that in bend accelerates the production of contractile cells in the injured country. Barry et Al. ( 1990 ) carried out an experimental survey based on effects of ultrasound therapy for handling Achilles sinews in mice and noticed that there was an addition in the synthesis of collagen in the treated sinews as compared with the sinew that was non treated and the consequences showed consistence with the addition in collagen synthesis and better strength of the repaired sinew. Dyson and Pond ( 1970 ) conducted a controlled experimental test on pinnule of coney ear and concluded that ultrasound therapy AIDSs in tissue regeneration. They farther added that the most effectual application for maximal tissue regeneration was noticed when pulsed ultrasound was given at 3MHz. they ruled out any the function of thermic effects in regeneration of tissues. They noticed that when ultrasound was applied to connective tissues so a morphological change in fibroblast cells was found that could be associated to the accelerated coevals of the units of molecular constituent of collagen. Dyson & A ; Young ( 1990 ) conducted an experimental controlled survey on lesions in grownup rat ‘s wing tegument after exposing to 0.1 tungstens / square centimeter SAT, and frequence of 0.75 MHz or 3.0 MHz of ultrasound therapy. A really high grade of vascularization was found in the two groups treated with ultrasound than the control group. It besides confirmed that the early stage of fix is accelerated by the usage of ultrasound. But, after 7 yearss of intervention, there was no important difference between the treated and the control group. They besides concluded that ultrasound given at 0.75 MHz. had better consequence than 3 MHz, bespeaking a possible engagement of non-thermal ultrasound constituent. Harvey et Al. ( 1975 ) conducted a controlled experimental survey on human fibroblast and indicated that the protein synthesis in fibroblast could be stimulated by the usage of curative ultrasound. They besides indicated that extremist structural alterations like permeableness alteration which has possible part in stimulation mechanism are besides induced by the intervention. Webster et Al. ( 1980 ) did a in-vitro controlled survey on human embryologic fibroblast and stated that the physical mechanism of cavitation is involved in actuating the synthesis of proteins in fibroblast when curative ultrasound is applied. They besides indicated that the the fibroblast stimulation gets suppressed with the application of force per unit area of 2 ambiance in the irradiation procedure. It therefore suggests that the responsible physical mechanism is nil but cavitation. Dyson and Young ( 1990 ) reported macrophage that generate fibroblast mitogenic factor could be stimulated by ultrasound therapy using the important function played by cell line U937in wound repairing moving as a scavenger cell in the debridement of lesions every bit good as a beginning of of import factors that stimulate the fix. Dyson and Sucking ( 1987 ) performed a randomised controlled test survey on worlds with chronic ulcer andA A foundA that tissue fix is causedA due toA alteration in diffusion rate and membrane permeableness obtained as a consequence of acoustic steaming and warming doing stimulation of tissue fix byA alteringA the clip taken for protein synthesisA .and besides found that cavitationA leads to alter in the protein synthesis by fibroblast. A In the survey conducted by Young ( 2002 ) it is found that remodelling stage of woundA tooks longer or less timeA depending upon theA A A the nature of tissue involved in the hurt as due to injuryA change inA A the tensile strength. collegen content, cellular nature of lesion occurs. Webster et Al, . ( 1980 ) conducted a controlled experimental survey designA and found that collagen synthesis in human fibroblastA occurs due to cavitation consequence obtained by ultrasound application in vitro, diploidA , embryonicA fibroblast of human. .It is besides ascertained thatA addition in tensile strength and granulation tissue formation occurs due to increased collagen synthesis. IncreasedA tensile strength and absorptionA capacity of sinew caused due to applicationA of uninterrupted ultrasound is observedA by an experimental controlled survey done by Enwemeka et al. , ( 1990 ) A who treatedA right tendo-calcaneous of coney with uninterrupted ultrasound.Researcher concluded that high strength sonication is non required to enhanceA A mending strength of sinew. Though this findingA is different for worlds. InA another experimental survey performed by Barry et al. , ( 1990 ) on Achilles sinew hurts in rats it is observed that ultrasound enhances the rate of sinew fix when uninterrupted ultrasound therapy of 1.5 Watt / square metre is applied on rat Achilles sinew. ThisA consequence may be found different for worlds.Critical analysis of the literatureTo heighten the application of ultrasound, specifically concentrating the patient attention for people enduring from soft tissue hurts, a systematic analysis and reexamine all facets of available survey was done. Thi s was carried out in order to happen out if the consequences and effects inferred by assorted surveies done antecedently in the same field render biological principle that could be taken into history for the application of ultrasound for soft tissue hurts. Baker et al. , ( 2001 ) carried out a reappraisal on bio-physical effects of curative ultrasound. The research worker brought frontward the fact that the by and large characterized ultrasound ‘s biophysical effects do non happen in vivo ; nor has the same been confirmed to possess any clinical impact under described scenarios. The survey besides suggests the absence of bio-physical groundss that can function as scientific land for curative ultrasound usage for attention among patients who suffer with soft tissue hurts. However, most of the surveies carried out on the capable affair by assorted research workers have explained the biological effects of ultrasound with the usage of vitro surveies. For case, Webster D F et al. , ( 1980 ) performed an experimental in-vitro controlled survey on primary, diploid human embryologic fibroblast. The survey was carried out to happen the function of ultrasound induced cavitation in the in vitro stimulation of collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts. It was found that collagen synthesis was stimulated similar to general protein synthesis with the application of ultrasound-induced cavitation. Such an extrapolation of consequences that were derived in-vitro to intact tissue behaviour, treated at similar curative ultrasound degree had to be approached meticulously. Prior to this survey there was no other survey to strongly show cavitation in tissues with curative degree of ultrasound that were treated in-vivo. However, it can be commented that cavitation that stimu lates protein synthesis in-vitro stimulation in human fibroblasts might non be aroused in-vivo. Furthermore, application of the consequences from the survey would non be possible on human tissue because of the changing environmental conditions and the existent consequence could seldom occur, when the human organic structures own defensive mechanism takes control. Per Baker et al. , ( 2001 ) , extrapolation of in vitro surveies to in vivo scenarios by allowing for reasonable impact of homoeostatic mechanism of the organic structure and by commanding and supplying similar dose would be a hard undertaking to achieve. Barry et al. , ( 1990 ) carried a research on the consequence of ultrasound therapy on the Achillies tendon fix hurts that was experimented on rats. The research worker must hold experienced issues wile generalizing the rats study on human tissues due to aforesaid issues of differences in tissue constructions, difference in sizes etc. Ultrasound enacts otherwise in different environments, even though all attempts are made by the research worker to supply curative ultrasound dosage during experimentation and license for chairing impact of human organic structure ‘s homeostatic mechanism. Similarly, Young and Dyson ( 1990 ) performed a survey to find the impact of ultrasound on angiogenesis. It was done to look into the consequence of curative ultrasound on new blood cells formation in full thickness, exercised lesions in wing teguments of the grownup rats and was assessed utilizing micro focal X ray techniques. There was no reference of the manner of ultrasound used for the survey – that is whether the ultrasound manner was uninterrupted or pulse. Explanation was non provided by the research worker sing the physical mechanism of ultrasound that was involved in the survey for stimulation of angiogenesis. Further there is a high possibility of job that must hold been experienced during the survey while generalizing carnal survey on human tissues. ADecisionWith the recent promotion in medical and healthcare engineerings, the handiness of relatively cheaper, little and portable handheld diagnostic medical equipments, there has been a wide-spread usage of ultrasoun d for the intervention of soft tissue hurts. Basically, Ultrasound is the usage of acoustic energy that increments cellular protein synthesis by originating cellular activity. At a cellular degree, it stimulates mechanical quivers for micro indulgent intervention at cellular degree with the usage of high frequence sound moving ridges and is really effectual for the intervention of soft tissue hurts, joint conditions and chronic instances. The usage of ultrasound instigates mending of surgical lesions and sores by cut downing puffinesss and handling them with minimum fibrosis and heightening vascularization. Numerous surveies have assessed chronic chapters or the 1s where the intervals have non been mentioned and there are deductions of ultrasound ‘s important importance in the usage of first phases of an hurt. As a affair of pick, to relieve musculus cramp and hurting that will increment tissue extensibility, ultrasound can be conspicuously be used because of its healing effec ts. Ultrasound can besides be used in combination with stretching exercisings to derive optimum tissue length ( Reed & A ; Ashikaga, 1997 ) . In the normal articulatio genus ligament ( Ellis, 1962 ) , and in cicatrix tissue ( Noyes et al, . 1974 ) , the usage of thermic doses of ultrasound has shown lengthening. When the tissue is heated to an appropriate temperature, application of ultrasound increases the opportunity to widen the tissues last for 10 proceedingss, A A A prior to the targeted tissue coming back to normal temperature ( Frankel & A ; Nordin, 1980 ) . It is of extreme importance to do certain that the mechanicalA consequence of low-frequency ultrasound and thermalA consequence of high-frequency ultrasound are maintained moderately good. Perfusion, hurt granulation acceleration, hurt cleaning and metabolic intensification are included under the physiological consequences of low frequence ultrasound. It is notable that optimum curative effectivity of ultrasound can be achieved at dosage ( W/cm2 ) andA dose ( series and frequence of application ) . Mechanism of interconnectedness and coaction between biological systems and sound moving ridges stands to be inconclusive, even though legion outstanding researches have been done to understand the physical, psychological and physiological systems implicated to ultrasound therapy intervention. Although several important trials and surveies have been done in-vitro every bit good as on animate beings to understand the biological effects of ultrasound, ill-defined enigma prevails about the ultrasound therapy action in instances of soft tissue hurts that still need to be ventured into. Similarly, to apologize the biological impacts in usage of curative ultrasound, there are deficient groundss available. There needs to transport out more strict in vivo surveies and researches to cognize these inside informations that can assist to utilize ultrasound in a more optimum mode to handle soft tissue injuries.A ( Word Count: 3371 )