Primary nursing and quality assurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Primary nursing and quality assurance - Essay Example â€Å"Do† referred to the act of executing the test trial on a small scale. Studying the results of the procedure and the reasons for it going wrong was the next step. The â€Å"act† implied that change could be accepted for future implementation or if it was not favorable, it could be abandoned. The repeated processes of this PDSA cycle were bound to lead to evolution of evidence-based practice. Demming first introduced the PDSA cycle in 1988. In essence the objective of a change could guide us in the planning of a small-scale trial. Appropriate questions and predictions needed to be derived for answering the relevant questions of ‘who’ or ‘what’ or ‘where’ or ‘when’, following the implementation of the plan. In â€Å"do† the plan was carried out and data were collected. The analysis also came under the â€Å"do† phase. â€Å"Study† included the analysis and interpretation of the data obtained (Me lnyk and Fineout-Overholt, 2010). A summary of the new information clarified the findings. Under â€Å"act†, the nurse decided which of her concepts were acceptable for bringing about a favorable change and also planned her next cycle for further information for future change. Clinical research was essential to keep checking on predictions and hypotheses as they could go wrong at any time. Reality had to be faced: we could have been mistaken. Placing the facts inferred for others to judge is part of the game. Patients for dialysis in the outpatient department were usually too tired or ill to participate in any active trial. They were end-stage renal disease patients who required dialysis. The dialysis procedure was of utmost importance for maintaining the life of these patients (Doss et al, 2009). The patients could be having multiple comorbidities which needed individual attention to produce a successful outcome. Quality assurance in nursing was possible only with repeated r esearches but in an outpatient dialysis center, the question arose as to whether it was possible to do so. Clinical research was an arduous task in the outpatient dialysis clinic where the staff was already busy and focusing on terminal patients (Doss, 2009). Research procedures were too sensitive to time protocols and the rigidity could produce problems in the dialysis setting. There was a strong doubt as to whether the staff would understand the importance of ongoing research and trials. The chances of them not accepting that research as a component of end-stage renal disease were high. â€Å"Would the data collection be expected in time?† was the question many of the staff had. The biggest worry was whether the care to the patients would be interfered with. The terminology of research was also most unfamiliar to the staff. The extra work could produce a challenging environment with a huge tight schedule (Doss, 2009). The strengths and limitations of the quality assurance p rocess of primary nursing The quality of care provided by nurses was done by evaluating the process standards (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2006). Different agencies employed specific techniques for appraisal of nursing care. The peer review committee and client satisfaction survey constituted two primary approaches. Direct observation could provide some information on the nursing care. In the outpatient dialysis clinic it would not be possible for questionnaires, interviews or written audits as the patients were terminal and could not appreciate other interferences. However

Population Change In Province Of Canada Essay Example for Free

Population Change In Province Of Canada Essay Introduction As per the Canada’s Performance Report 2006 – life expectancy in Canada reached to 79.9 years as compared to 77.8 years in 1991.  Ã‚   A woman born in 2003 can expect longevity up to 82.4 years whereas a man’s life expectancy would be 77.4 years. Statistics Canada, The Daily, December 21, 2005 states that women are expected to live 5 years longer than men.   At present, Canadians describe health as â€Å"excellent†, â€Å"very good† which has increased in the recent years of 2003 and 2005. Canadians who are at age 12 and older,   state that good health is being enjoyed which has risen from 59. 6 per cent (2003) to 65.5 per cent   (2005).   The overall health percentage in Canadians stating as â€Å"good† declined from 29.7 percent (2003) to   27.5 percent (2005). Canadians who rate health as â€Å"fair† or â€Å"poor† also declined from 10.6 percent (2003) to 6.9 percent (2005). This segment of population mostly belongs to lower level of income, improper schedules of exercise,   poor education and old age. (Canada Statistics, 2006) .   According to Canadian Institute of Health Information, Canada spent $142.0 billion on health care in 2005, an increase of $12.0 from the year 2004, an average spending of $4,411 per person. Infant mortality   has dropped in the previous decade from 6.4 deaths per 1,000 births (1991) to 5.3 / 1000 births (2003) . Crime percentage in murder, homicide, and robbery in Canada declined to 5.0 percent (2005) and police report 1.2 million property crimes in 2005.   Youth crime between the age 12-17 has decreased by 6.0 percent in the year 2005 while homicides are on the rise in Ontario and Alberta. The   population of Canada by province as on April 1, 2007 Sno Province Abbr. Population % of national population Alberta AB 3,473,984 10.5 British Columbia BC 4,380,256 13.2 Manitoba MB 1,186,679 3.6 New Brunswick NB 749,782 2.3 Newfoundland and Labrador NL 506,275 1.5 Northwest Territories NT 42,637 0.1 Nova Scatia NS 934,147 2.8 Nunavut NU 31,113 0.1 Ontario ON 12,803,861 38.8 Prince Edward Island PE 138,627 0.4 Quebec QC 7,700,807 23.4 Saskatchewan SK 996,869 3.0 Yukon YT 30,989 0.1 As recorded by Canada’s National Statistical Agency in population statistics: 1991-1996  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Total No.of births  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1,936,000  Ã‚  Ã‚   No.of deaths: 1,024,000 1996-2001  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Total No.of births  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   :  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1,705,000  Ã‚  Ã‚   No.of deaths: 1,089,000 Total no.of births by province from the period 2002-2007 Province 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Canada 330,523 337,762 339,270 345,355 352,848 Newfoundland and Labrador 4,596 4,598 4,543 4,443 4,326 Prince Edward Island 1,374 1,403 1,371 1,343 1,348 Nova Scotia 8,635 8,713 8,575 8,499 8,382 New Brunswick 7,104 7,072 6,874 6,840 6,728 Quebec 72,273 74,364 75,422 78,471 83,150 Ontario 129,256 132,874 132,796 133,961 134,141 Manitoba 13,765 13,981 14,031 14,136 14,166 Saskatchewan 11,794 12,121 11,915 11,925 11,918 Alberta 39,450 40,635 41,345 42,875 44,661 British Columbia 40,534 40,205 40,631 41,135 42,306 Yukon Territory 322 374 340 319 311 Northwest Territories 658 697 705 699 678 Nunavut 762 725 722 709 733 Total no.of deaths by province from the period 2002-2007 Province 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Canada 223,905 228,829 229,372 230,687 237,931 Newfoundland and Labrador 4,276 4,254 4,357 4,453 4,549 Prince Edward Island 1,217 1,225 1,236 1,260 1,282 Nova Scotia 7,944 8,269 8,329 8,491 8,654 New Brunswick 6,181 6,373 6,319 6,453 6,589 Quebec 54,896 56,411 56,041 53,350 55,950 Ontario 83,410 84,155 84,495 87,181 89,737 Manitoba 9,852 9,894 9,989 10,130 10,272 Saskatchewan 8,880 9,130 8,900 8,975 9,079 Alberta 18,098 18,775 19,004 19,757 20,581 British Columbia 28,694 29,863 30,254 30,174 30,761 Yukon Territory 145 158 169 177 182 Northwest Territories 183 188 155 159 163 Nunavut 129 134 124 127 132 Conclusion A close observation on birth and death rate in Canada if noticed, reveals a fact that birth rate is on the rise whereas death rate is on the declining side, which is a first hand information that Canada is concentrating on health sector of its population, in the first instance and secondly the causes for still reducing the death rate can be controlled by effective measures of police control in crime and also in opening rehabilitation centers for youth and children for getting therapy treatment from undertaking anti-social elements such as theft, robbery, murder or homicide.   Canada being an attractive destination for immigration, the future population is expected to be on the rise as there was a tremendous potential for employment growth in the year 2005. References    Canada’s performance Report 2006 – Annex 3 – Indicators and Additional Information Accessed 14 November, 2007    http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/report/govrev/06/ann301-PR_e.asp?printable=True       Canada’s National statistical Agency,   Population growth and components (1851-2001) Accessed 14 November, 2007 http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo03.htm       Canada’s National Statistical Agency Accessed 14 November, 2007 http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo02.htm    Canada’s National Statistical Agency, Birth and birth rate by province and territory http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo04a.htm    Canada’s National Statistical Agency, Death and death rate by province and territory    http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo07a.htm    List of Canadian provinces and territories by population    Accessed 14 November, 2007    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_provinces_and_territories_by_population    Population estimates and projections    Accessed 14 November, 2007 http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/ind01/l3_3867_3433.htm?hili_demo02

Development of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI

Development of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI Ioannis Tolios â€Å"Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI† Introduction One of the most significant non-invasive imaging modalities applied both in research and clinical diagnostics cis Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Its widespread use is partially based on its characteristic to visualize tissues with high resolutions in 3D and its ability to provide anatomical, functional and metabolic tissue information in vivo (Strijkers, Mulder, van Tilborg, Nicolay, 2007). In an MR image, the basic contrast mostly derives from regional differences in the intrinsic T1, T2 relaxation times, except for local water content differences. T1 and T2 relaxation times can be selected independently to have a commanding influence on image contrast. Nevertheless, a sensitive and accurate diagnosis cannot always be feasible, due to the fact that the intrinsic water, T1 and T2 contrast values are modified and become very often limited by tissue pathology. Consequently, the need for enhanced image contrast led to the growing use of intravenously injected MRI contrast agents, wh ose use although violates partially the non-invasive character of MRI brought about significant benefits. Combining MRI and contrast agents (CA) increases the possibilities to image inflamed tissues in pathologies, such as arthritis, atherosclerotic plaques, and tumor angiogenesis (Strijkers, Mulder, van Tilborg, Nicolay, 2007). Definition of DCE-MRI A technique which combines MRI and contrast agents is Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). According to Gordon et al. (Gordon, et al., 2014), â€Å"DCE-MRI analyzes the temporal enhancement pattern of a tissue following the introduction of a paramagnetic contrast agent into the vascular system. This is accomplished by the acquisition of baseline images without contrast enhancement, succeeded by a set of images acquired over time (usually over a few minutes) during and after the arrival of the contrast agent in the tissue of interest†. A time intensity curve (TIC) for the tissue is generated by the acquired signal, as it can be seen in Figure 1. In a TIC, the response of the tissue is represented in enhancement values to the arrival of the contrast agent. Specific physiological properties that are in association with the microvascular blood flow, including tissue volume fractions, vessel permeability, and vessel surface area product, can be extracted by analyzing a TIC (Gordon, et al., 2014). Figure 1: An example of a time intensity curve obtained from a tumor metastasis (Bonekamp Macura, 2008). All variations of DCE-MRI studies are relied on a rather plain fundamental principle: the MR signal intensity of a tissue is modified, when a paramagnetic particle (contrast agent) penetrates and spreads over through the tissue, based on its local concentration (Gordon, et al., 2014). MR images of a chosen region of interest (ROI) are obtained in time intervals of few seconds before, during, and after the intravenous injection of a contrast agent. Each obtained image represents one time point, and each and every pixel in a set of images produces its own intensity curve. After the injection of the CA, the signal intensity varies at every time point (is related to the concentration of the CA in the tissue) based on tissue parameters, including vascularization, vessels’ permeability and surface area product, and in this way parametric maps of particular microvascular biomarkers can be extracted. Furthermore, by using suitable mathematical models absolute values of the aforementioned parameters can be estimated. These parameters usually reflect a compartmental pharmacokinetics model demonstrated by CAs, which are allocated between the intravascular and extravascular spaces as it can be seen in Figure 2 (Gordon, et al., 2014). Figure 2: Toft’s compartmental model for calculating DCE-MRI quantitative pharmakokinetic parameters (Verma, et al., 2012). DCE-MRI techniques Currently, two DCE-MRI techniques are defined based on its registration and the origin of the extracted signal. As MRI is highly sensitive to small concentrations of paramagnetic materials passing through a tissue, there are two different physical-chemical properties (Gordon, et al., 2014). Relaxation effect T1, T2 tissue relaxation times are reduced when a diffusible contrast agent is used. Positively enhanced T1-weighted images are generated, when this effect is used and the studies evaluating this effect are characterized asDynamic Contrast Enhanced(DCE)-MRI,T1-W DCE. Susceptibility effect When a paramagnetic contrast agent is located in the intravascular space of a tissue and its magnetic susceptibility is much higher than that of the surrounding tissue water, local magnetic inhomogeneities between the intra and extravascular space emerge, which generate negative enhanced T2 or T2* weighted images during the passage of the CA through the capillaries. Studies depending on this phenomenon are characterized asDynamic Susceptibility Contrast(DSC)-MRI or T2*-W DCE. Image Acquisition Gordon et al. (Gordon, et al., 2014) state that the method of quantification to be applied depends on the number of the measurements, which are required in order to obtain the data; thus, the measurements include: I. Creating a map of pre-contrast native T1 values, which is necessary in order to calculate the CA concentrations. II. Acquiring heavily T1-weighted images, prior and following the Contrast Agent introduction. In this case, high temporal resolution is needed in order to have the ability to further characterize the kinetics of the contrast agent’s entry and exit of the tissue. Typically, 3D image sets are acquired sequentially for 5–10 minutes every few seconds. The ideal for the acquisitions would be to be obtained approximately every 5 seconds, in order to allow the detection of early enhancement. With longer acquisitions (for instance, > 15 seconds), it becomes harder to detect early enhancement. III. Acquisition of the arterial input function (AIF), in order to estimate the CA concentration in the blood plasma of a feeding artery as a function of time. Acquiring the AIF is necessary for almost all quantitative analysis methods and is up to now technically the most difficult part in the data acquisition process. Contrast agents The most regularly used group of contrast agents in DCE-MRI is the low molecular paramagnetic gadolinium (Gd) chelates (Gribbestad, Gjesdal, Nilsen, Lundgren, Hjelstuen, Jackson, 2005). Principally, in Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI, any low molecular weight CAs can be used. (Tofts). The use of contrast agents with high molecular weights leads to lower permeability and lower Ktrans values, since these agents remain in the intravascular space. Using macromolecular CAs the measurement of regional blood volume acquiring scans of low temporal resolution is feasible (Gribbestad, Gjesdal, Nilsen, Lundgren, Hjelstuen, Jackson, 2005). Molecular agent with high molecular weight might be more appropriate for tumor angiogenesis and thus offer better response evaluation to therapy (Turkbey, Thomasson, Pang, Bernardo, Choyke, 2010). Analysis Methods Gordon et al. (Gordon, et al., 2014) state that â€Å"the arrival of CA and thus the enhancement pattern of the tissue depend on a wide variety of factors including vascularity, capillary permeability, perfused capillary surface area, volume and composition of extracellular fluid, renal clearance and perfusion. The analysis of DCE data can provide valuable information concerning the vascular status and perfusion†. Data analysis can be performed using either: qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative approach (Verma, et al., 2012). Qualitative This kind of analysis can range from visual inspection of the images for fast and extreme enhancement of lesions, to the plotting of kinetic curves of signal intensity against time (Gupta, Kauffman, Polascik, Taneja, Rosenkrantz, 2013). The qualitative analysis of DCE-MRI depends on the assumption of rapid and intense enhancement and wash-out as indicator of the existence of a tumor. The tumor vessels are generally leakier and more readily enhanced after the injection of the CA than the ordinary vessels. An early rapid high enhancement after injection is expected followed by a relatively rapid decline compared with a slower and continuously increasing signal for normal tissues during the first few minutes after contrast injection. However, the possibility for an overlap between the natural and the malignant tissues, limit the capabilities of this DCE-MRI approach. Finally, the qualitative approach is regarded as a subjective approach and therefore difficult to standardi ze among institutions, constituting multicenter trials less reliable (Verma, et al., 2012). Semi-quantitative – The semi-quantitative approach also depends on the same assumption as the qualitative approach. On the other hand, in the semi-quantitative analysis various curve parameters are integrated (Verma, et al., 2012). It must be mentioned that depending on the application area, different perfusion parameters are relevant. Nevertheless, some parameters are of general interest for almost all applications. These parameters are acquired to characterize the shape of the TIC, including the time of first arrival of the CA, peak enhancement ( PE the maximum value normalized if the baseline is subtracted), time to peak (TTP the timepoint where peak enhancement takes place), integral (the area between the baseline and the curve, indicating with PE if blood supply is reduced in a ROI), mean transit time (MTT – the timepoint where the integral is bisected), slope (the curve’s steepness during wash-in phase, downslope (the descending curve’s steepness i n wash-out phase ) and wash-in and wash-out curve shapes (Figure 1, Figure 3A). (Preim et al., 2009). Three common dynamic curve types exist in the literature after the initial CA uptake: type 1, persistent increase; type 2, plateau; and type 3, wash-out after initial slope, as it can be seen in Figure 3B and Figure 1. Even though the semi-quantitative approach is used widely in the evaluation of DCE-MRI, significant restrictions arise dealing with the factors contributing to the MR signal intensity (e.g. generalization across acquisition protocols, sequences), which have an effect on the curve metrics (Verma, et al., 2012). Figure 3: A) A typical TIC curve (Preim et al., 2009). B) Differentiation of three patterns of washout phase: type 1 (blue), progressive; type 2 (green), plateau ; type 3 (red), wash-out (Verma, et al., 2012). Factors like the injection rate and the temporal resolution can easily alter the shape of a wash-in/washout curve, creating difficulties in comparison and quantitation. High inter-patient variability is also a factor that can make the definition of threshold values more complex for every parameter that could standardize semi-quantitative approach. However, this approach is relatively simple which makes it even more appealing (Verma, et al., 2012). Quantitative The quantitative approach depends on modeling the concentration change of the CA by integrating pharmacokinetic modeling techniques (Gordon, et al., 2014). Several pharmacokinetic models were proposed, such as by Tofts (Tofts), Brix et al. (Brix et al., 1991). Most of them depend on estimating the exchange rate between extracellular space and blood plasma using some transfer rate constants, like Ktrans(forward volume transfer constant) andkep(reverse reflux rate constant between extracellular space and plasma). â€Å"The transfer constant,Ktrans, is equal to the permeability surface area product per unit volume of tissue.Moreover, Ktransdetermines the flux from the intravascular space to the extracellular space; it may principally represent the vascular permeability in a permeability-limited situation (high flow in relation to permeability), or it may represent the blood flow into the tissue in a flow-limited situation (high permeability in relation to flow). Theveis t he extracellular extravascular volume fraction, andkep=Ktrans/ veexpresses the rate constant, describing the efflux of contrast media from the extracellular space back to plasma. Thevpis the fraction of plasma per unit volume of tissue†, according to Verma et al. (Verma, et al., 2012). In quantitative DCE-MRI analysis, a four compartment model is used for â€Å"tissue†: plasma, extracellular space, intracellular space, and renal excretory pathway (Figure 2). This pharmacokinetic model is applied to the CA concentration changes in the artery (AIF) supplying the tissue of interest, and the CA concentration of the tissue. It must also be noted that due to the fact that pharmacokinetic models require concentration values, signal intensity must be converted to T1 values, because MRI signal intensity is not linear with the CA concentration (Verma, et al., 2012). Clinical Applications of DCE-MRI DCE-MRI has been used for the detection and characterization of tumors in the clinical setting. It also makes the monitoring of tumor treatment and the response to conventional chemotherapy and angiogenic therapies feasible by acting as biomarker (Figure 4). Early tumor detection and treatment affects significantly the survival of patients. DCE-MRI is applied increasingly in a wider range of patients with different kind of cancer, including breast, head and prostate cancer. The method’s quantification ability of characteristics of the lesion microvasculature has stimulated the scientists to use the technique for â€Å"in-vivo staging† of tumors. According to early studies in the field, an evident relationship was demonstrated between large and rapid increases in malignant behavior and signal enhancement in tumors located in prostate, breast, and head. Additionally, important overlapping of contrast enhancement patterns has been noticed between malignant and benign tumor s. Growing accuracy and specificity in the recognition of microvascular characterization parameters is expected to further ameliorate lesion characterization (Gribbestad, Gjesdal, Nilsen, Lundgren, Hjelstuen, Jackson, 2005). More specifically regarding prostate cancer detection and localization, DCE-MRI contributes to prostate MRI, succeeding higher specificity and sensitivity than T2-weighted MR imaging, and sextant u ltrasound guided biopsy, methods being used widely for the pre-treatment work up and screening of prostate cancer respectively (Choi, Kim, Kim, 2007; Bonekamp Macura, 2008). It has been proven that the multi-parametric approach has improved significantly the accuracy of prostate MRI and has a great future. In a cancerous tissue, the number of vessels and their permeability are increased in comparison with normal tissues. Moreover, the interstitial space is greater. These factors cause significant increase of contrast enhancement parameters, such as MTT, blood flow, interstitial volume. The aforementioned observations are applicable in prostate cancer, too. As it can be seen in Figure 3B, the red curve could represent a prostate cancer with faster and steeper enhancement and faster wash-out than in normal tissues. Figure 4 a-c (Turkbey, Thomasson, Pang, Bernardo, Choyke, 2010): a) A patient with prostate cancer. The arrow indicates a low signal intensity focus on axial T2W MR image B) Increased enhancement shown by the lesion on axial T1W DCE-MR image C) fusion of color-coded Ktrans Conclusion The determination of functional microvascular parameters by using DCE-MRI might be instrumental in evaluating many vascular diseases. The potential of the technique to assess the severity of illnesses, to non-invasively and in parallel measure multiple relevant parameters, to study the pathophysiology of diseases, seems to be extremely promising. Even though, the method is known for over 20 years it is still considered immature. This has mainly to do with the significant variations in data analysis and acquisition protocols from study to study. Furthermore, the analysis of the pharmacokinetic parameters is a complex task and computationally expensive, due to the existence of plethora of analysis algorithms (Gordon, et al., 2014). DCE-MRI is restricted in organs with physiologic motion, including lungs and liver, and may not be applicable in some specific group of patients, especially those with renal failure and claustrophobia (Turkbey, Thomasson, Pang, Bernardo, Choyke, 2010). However, although the extraction of quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters is more difficult, compartmental model based methods are more robust than the semi-quantitative approaches, and offer deeper understanding of physiology. Finally, they are not potentially based on the scanning technique, the type of scanner, and individual patient variations ( Gordon, et al., 2014).

pets 911 :: essays research papers

Facts: Pets 911 knows that every community has pets in need. We offer a free network of animal rescue organizations and services across the country. Pets 911 is becoming an answer for not only the public, but also the pet animal welfare group community on how we in this country can all take part in saving those 5 million animals every year. Pet adoptions, animal shelters, help to find lost dogs and services to find lost cats - Pets 911 for all your pet adoption information - Thousands of homeless dogs, abandoned cats and other animals available for adoption. Have you lost or found a pet? Animal Charity information is one of the fine things we offer at Pets911.com. We also provide information on cat charity events, pet charity promotions, and dog charity walks. The Pets911 fights for animal welfare in the UK and throughout the world – campaigning on a variety of issues. Every year more than 4,000 dogs are used in experiments in the UK. In most cases they are used in the development and safety testing of new pharmaceuticals (medicines and vaccines), for both humans and dogs. Humans have a special relationship with dogs and a responsibility to safeguard their welfare in every situation. The PETS911 is committed to campaigning for humane alternatives and challenging the need for the use of dogs in research and testing. However, while dogs continue to be used in research we believe every possible effort must be made to reduce the numbers used and prevent suffering throughout their short lives. Our particular concerns are : †¢ the distress, pain and suffering caused by procedures, e.g. the chemicals can make the dogs sick and surgery can cause pain. †¢ the unsuitable conditions in which the dogs live, e.g. lack of space, stimulation, and socialization with other dogs and people. †¢ the loss of life – the dogs are eventually killed either to alleviate suffering, or for post-mortem analysis of their tissues and organs. What is the PETS911 doing? †¢ Challenging dog use: The PETS911 believes there is nowhere near enough commitment to challenging the need to use dogs or to developing alternative approaches to safety testing. We work with other organizations such as the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and support the work of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) to encourage the development and use of alternatives. †¢ Reducing the number of dogs used in pharmaceutical safety testing: More dogs are used in pharmaceutical safety testing than for any other purpose, so it is essential to find ways of replacing dogs and reducing their use. pets 911 :: essays research papers Facts: Pets 911 knows that every community has pets in need. We offer a free network of animal rescue organizations and services across the country. Pets 911 is becoming an answer for not only the public, but also the pet animal welfare group community on how we in this country can all take part in saving those 5 million animals every year. Pet adoptions, animal shelters, help to find lost dogs and services to find lost cats - Pets 911 for all your pet adoption information - Thousands of homeless dogs, abandoned cats and other animals available for adoption. Have you lost or found a pet? Animal Charity information is one of the fine things we offer at Pets911.com. We also provide information on cat charity events, pet charity promotions, and dog charity walks. The Pets911 fights for animal welfare in the UK and throughout the world – campaigning on a variety of issues. Every year more than 4,000 dogs are used in experiments in the UK. In most cases they are used in the development and safety testing of new pharmaceuticals (medicines and vaccines), for both humans and dogs. Humans have a special relationship with dogs and a responsibility to safeguard their welfare in every situation. The PETS911 is committed to campaigning for humane alternatives and challenging the need for the use of dogs in research and testing. However, while dogs continue to be used in research we believe every possible effort must be made to reduce the numbers used and prevent suffering throughout their short lives. Our particular concerns are : †¢ the distress, pain and suffering caused by procedures, e.g. the chemicals can make the dogs sick and surgery can cause pain. †¢ the unsuitable conditions in which the dogs live, e.g. lack of space, stimulation, and socialization with other dogs and people. †¢ the loss of life – the dogs are eventually killed either to alleviate suffering, or for post-mortem analysis of their tissues and organs. What is the PETS911 doing? †¢ Challenging dog use: The PETS911 believes there is nowhere near enough commitment to challenging the need to use dogs or to developing alternative approaches to safety testing. We work with other organizations such as the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and support the work of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) to encourage the development and use of alternatives. †¢ Reducing the number of dogs used in pharmaceutical safety testing: More dogs are used in pharmaceutical safety testing than for any other purpose, so it is essential to find ways of replacing dogs and reducing their use.

Horrors of War

|Explain how R. C Sherriff conveys the horrors of war to the audience of â€Å"Journey’s End† | | | |English | | | |2/28/2010 | | | |Chloe Archer | Explain how R. C Sheriff conveys the horrors of war to the audience of â€Å"Journey’s End† Journey’s End† is a play written by R. C Sheriff, who had fought during the First World War. This enabled him to bring his experiences into the play which adds to the realism of the French trenches in 1918. First premiered in the year 1928 (10 years after the end of WW1), the audience would have been sensitive to the play because there was a real possibility that they’d lost friends and family in the war. The entire action of â€Å"Journey’s End† does not leave the dugout where the men are based; which allows the audience an insight of how life was for British companies during WW1 and how they coped with war. Although Sheriff did not intend his play to be focused on the horrors of war, his depiction of a realistic setting and characters convey this. We are given information about the war and the men’s way of life by the setting. ‘Through the doorway can be seen the misty grey parapet of a trench and a narrow strip of starlit sky. ’ This shows that the dugout was claustrophobic and frightening since they were so close to no man’s land where so many lives were lost like Raleigh’s. During Raleigh’s death scene, R. C Sheriff uses the stage directions to metaphorically describe Raleigh’s gradual death. The solitary candle burns with a steady flame†¦.. The shock stabs out the candle flame. ’ The stage directions help to describe what is happening outside of the dugout such as ‘The shelling had risen to a great fury’. The writer has personified the shelling for the effect that war has a life of its own which cannot be contr olled by the men, ‘stretcher-bearers’ can be heard by the audience off stage, this shows that people are being injured by the ‘fury’ of the shelling. Hardy and Osborne’s handover lists facts to explain to the audience what happened previously when ‘a dug-out got blown up and came down in the men’s tea. They were frightfully annoyed. ’ R. C Sheriff has used dark humour to show how the men cope with the war. Also Hardy gives important information on the artillery â€Å"We’ve got a Lewis gun just here-â€Å". To deter away from the uncontrollable war the men would talk about the things that could be altered or controlled; for instance Trotter enjoys controlling what they eat ‘Keep ‘em and use ‘em for dumplings next time we ‘ave boiled beef. ’ This helps the men feel secure knowing that there are some things that are controllable and that they have a future albeit only in the short term. A few of the characters are deeply affected by the war; one of them being Hibbert who attempts to use ‘neuralgia’ as an excuse to be discharged from the frontline. This is deemed cowardice by the rest of the soldiers ‘Better die of the pain than be shot for deserting. ’ This is said by Stanhope when Hibbert tries to leave before the German attack. This quote also shows how cowardice was dealt with during the First World War and why it drove other men to cope with war in different ways. For example, Stanhope, turns to drink (alcohol) and soldiers are heard saying that he ’gets a reputation out here for drinking’. This quote shows that most of the men know Stanhope drinks and accept it even though he is a commanding officer. As an audience we are told that he didn’t drink before he joined the war. This is shown by the conversation Osborne has with Raleigh, in which he says Stanhope ‘caught some chaps in a study with a bottle of whisky. Lord! The roof nearly blew off. ’ This quote shows the irony of the situation because when Raleigh knew Stanhope he used to confiscate alcohol off of students but now he has found comfort in drinking it. However Raleigh himself realised the horror of war when Osborne was killed post raid, ‘How can I sit down and eat that-when-when†¦. -when Osborne’s†¦ ’ this quote shows that Raleigh does not know how to cope with Osborne’s death. As Stanhope hasn’t mentioned Osborne after the raid Raleigh thinks that he doesn’t care but he has ‘to forget’ so that he can bear to carry on fighting in the futile war. One of Journey’s End’s main themes is the futility of war; we are shown the uselessness of it when the raid-men returned 7 fewer than when they left. Including Osborne, the fallen men had sacrificed their lives for important information from a German officer which they never got as the German was only ‘a bare headed German boy†¦. ’ who told them what they already knew. So the raid was wasted as the only new information they discovered was that a German soldier carries a pocket knife as well as other ‘oddments’. Stanhope emphasizes this when he ‘speaks in a dead voice’ after the general celebrated ‘how awfully nice- if the brigadier’s pleased. ’ These quotes also indicate that the soldier’s actions are at the general’s whim. The audience saw the war transform Raleigh from a strong eager boy, who was clearly inexperienced as he was unsure of how to address other officers ‘Good evening (he notices Osborne’s grey hair and adds:)sir. ’ Another example of his inexperience is when he states ‘how frightfully quiet it is†¦.. i thought there would be an awful row here’ this shows that he has no concept of the reality of war. However, as time moves on and the play progresses we see Raleigh develops in maturity. We see this when Raleigh and Osborne are having their last drink before the raid; ‘I wonder what the Boche are doing over there now?†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. I don’t know. D’you like Coffee†¦? ’ the author shows here that Raleigh is keen to know as much as possible about the raid whilst Osborne is trying to put it off for as long as possible as he is worried about the ‘millions of bullets’. We, as an audience, see Raleigh become deeply affected by the war, succeeding the raid, (when he had left Osborne dead, in no man’s land). His appearance is more rugged and dismal in comparison to his previous shining uniform this could be a reflection of his emotions as well as just war worn; this would be seen as a landmark in Raleigh’s life in the trenches. The audience is taken through Raleigh’s experience of war and his relationship with his fellow men and officers. He became a steadfast part of the story with which the audience could relate and he formed a connection between the characters and action taking place. It is therefore a loss when he dies that is felt by everyone absorbed in the play. His and the play’s final scene portrays a young man alone in a dark place, with a solitary candle burning for company but is extinguished in a raid that collapses the men’s shelter and snuffs out his life just like the candle. The men’s way of life in the trenches was isolated and boring, which left them to find ways of entertaining themselves: from the opening conversation between Hardy and Osborne we are told one of the ways that they amused themselves, ‘Ever had earwig races?†¦ We’ve had ‘em every evening. ’ Mason is seen as a main source of humour and light relief for the men a good example of this is when he has an ‘unpleasant surprise’ which is a tin of apricot chunks labelled pineapple chunks. This light humour helps the men to cope with the dire way of life; this is in contrast to the dark humour. The men have to live with ‘about two million’ rats which they have to shoot otherwise they ‘gnaw at your boots’ rats also carried many lice and fleas which then infected the men so personal hygiene was hard to maintain. Stanhope talks about imagination ‘He doesn’t see into the earth beyond – the worms wandering about round the stones and roots of trees’. This quote was about Trotter and his lack of imagination which ‘sharpens the mind’ the quote also adds to the claustrophobic living conditions knowing that they are at the same level as worms in the earth. The men also told stories to keep themselves occupied whether from war life or home life, ‘I spent all the time in the garden making a rockery. In the evenings I used to sit and smoke and read – and my wife used to knit socks and play the piano a bit. ’ This was said by Osborne who is known to be the ‘family man’. We are given several images of war throughout the play, Osborne the family man who passed his belongings onto Stanhope to give to his wife before the raid with the possibility that he mightn’t return. This shows his love for his family giving them his personal belongings as a reminder of him and his compassion. Raleigh is seen as stereotypical, eager to fight for his country, recruit. ‘full of guts’ which was one of the reasons why he was selected for the raid. Also he idolised Captain Stanhope from his school memories and was eager to meet him again. The audience are prepared for tragedy at the end of the play because a main character had already died, who was likeable so it showed that no matter how popular the character was he could still be killed. Also when R. C. Sheriff personified the stage directions to give the shelling a life of it’s own from ‘the lighter â€Å"crush† f the smaller shells, there comes the deep resounding â€Å"boom† of Minenwerfer. ’ The noise created from the booms and crushes would also create tension. In conclusion I believe that R. C. Sheriff best shows the horrors of war through the character Raleigh because i feel that he represents war because war starts with an innocence and as the play progresses it is slowly lost this his character could also be representitive of the human race starting with innocence and as the play pshows the affect war can have on a person and the gradual burden of it. The stage directions are a main factor as well because you can not see further than the dug-out, which isolates you away from the ‘front-line’ and the stage directions show war itself with the crashing and booming of bombs and bullets; they also tell the story and help set the scene. I personally feel that war is useless

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buy custom Crimes against Persons essay Wright (2009) defines homicide as the killing of a person by another, whether unintentionally or premeditatedly. This can also include reckless, justifiable, or negligent homicide. Each of these types differs one from another, but they share common elements that describe them in the legal system. The basic elements of homicide include intent, causation, and act (Reid, 2009). Intent refers to a purpose or a reason for committing a homicide. It exists when an individual deliberates and thinks over the criminal offense before committing it. Therefore, there must be a deliberation of the reason for committing homicide. Causation refers to the element of homicide that denotes the events that result in the victim's death (Reid, 2009). It is necessary to prove that the accused persons actions were directly responsible for the homicide. The Criminal Justice System must determine causation before charging the defendant with homicide. Act refers to the physical action of killing another person (Reid, 2009). It is necessary to prove what the defendant physically did to cause the homicide. Ken willfully transmitted HIV to Barbie, which is a criminal act. He should undergo conviction of a homicide offence because Barbie died of HIV-related infections. Ken will still undergo conviction of lethally infecting his partners even when Barbie does not die. Lori committed voluntary euthanasia by killing her ailing father, Vincent. Reid (2009) defines voluntary euthanasia as the practice of intentionally killing an individual in order to relieve suffering and pain. Vincent asked her daughter to end his life because of constant pain he was experiencing due to terminal cancer. Lori did not have another option but to shoot her father and end his life. In most countries any form of euthanasia, including voluntary euthanasia, is illegal. Therefore, most people consider euthanasia to be a criminal offense (Reid, 2009). Intent, causation, and act can explain euthanasia as a criminal offense. The intent of committing euthanasia was to meet Vincents need of relieving the suffering and pain that he was experiencing. The causation in this scenario of Lori killing her father includes Vincents requests to relieve suffering and pain. Shooting is the physical action that resulted in Vincents death his daughter executed upon request to end his life. The re is a likelihood of Lori to undergo the conviction of first-degree murder as the most serious crime she committed. First-degree murder refers to deliberated and premeditated killing of a person. Because the incident took place in the hospital, the police assumed that the murder could not be second degree or third degree murder. It is possible to convict Lori of euthanasia as less serious criminal offense. She can convince the police that her father requested to die in order to do away with suffering and pain. Larry apparently committed kidnap and rape by forcibly having sex with his girlfriend and locking her for 24 hours. Kidnapping refers to the act of holding a person unlawfully and un-consensually for a certain purpose, such as committing sexual intercourse. Rape refers to the act of forcing a person to have sexual intercourse with him or her, especially by a use of violence or threat against him or her. Elements of raping include intent, causation, and act. The intent of Larry to have sex with his girlfriend was to satisfy his sexual desire. Causation in this scenario is Lorrys threads not to let his girlfriend go. The physical action includes committing forced sexual intercourse. Therefore, the girlfriend allowed Larry to have sex with her unwillingly. Elements of raping include act and intent. Act in the scenario of kidnapping is locking his girlfriend in his neighbors vacant room for 24 hours when she tried to leave. The intent was to keep the girlfriend from leaving. Buy custom Crimes against Persons essay

Chapter 12 Essays

Chapter 12 Essays Chapter 12 Essay Chapter 12 Essay Chapter 12 13 1. A sales manager collected the following data on salespersons’ annual sales and years of experience. Years of Annual Sales Salesperson Experience ($1000s) 1 1 80 2 3 97 3 4 92 4 4 102 5 6 103 6 8 111 7 10 119 8 10 123 9 11 117 10 13 136 a. Develop a scatter diagram for these data with years of experience as the independent variable. b. Develop an estimated regression equation that can be used to predict annual sales given the years of experience. c. Use the estimated regression equation to predict annual sales for a salesperson with nine years of experience. 2. Dianes Beauty Salon is currently hiring beauticians at its new location in a popular mall. Diane wants to know what commission percentage to pay the beauticians based on experience. A survey of 12 licensed beauticians was taken with the following results. Commission Years of Commission Years of Percentage (y) Experience (x) Percentage (y) Experience (x) 24 2 25 4 18 1 44 12 30 5 33 8 41 10 24 3 35 8 20 1 35 7 40 10 a. Find the least squares line equation. b. What percentage of the variation in commission percentage is explained by the variation in years of experience? . Interpret the coefficient value for years of experience in the least squares equation. d. Estimate the commission percentage for a beautician with 6 years of experience. 3. Jensen Tire Auto is in the process of deciding whether to purchase a maintenance con- tract for its new computer wheel alignment and balancing machine. Managers feel that maintenance expense should be related to usage, and they collected the follo wing information on weekly usage (hours) and annual maintenance expense (in hundreds of dollars). Want to get a price estimate for your Essay? Deadline Paper type Essay (Any Type) Admission Essay Annotated Bibliography Argumentative Essay Article Review Book/Movie Review Business Plan Case Study Coursework Creative Writing Critical Thinking Presentation or Speech Research Paper Research Proposal Term Paper Thesis Other Article (Any Type) Content (Any Type) Q&A Capstone Project Dissertation Lab Report Scholarship Essay Math Problem Statistic Project Research Summary Assignment Dissertation chapter Speech Dissertation chapter: Abstract Dissertation chapter: Introduction Dissertation chapter: Hypothesis Dissertation chapter: Literature Review Dissertation chapter: Methodology Dissertation chapter: Analysis/Results Dissertation chapter: Discussion Dissertation chapter: Conclusion Dissertation Proposal Thesis Statement Thesis Proposal Application Essay Pages 550 words(double spaced) 126 writers online Check Price A limited time offer! Get custom paper sample written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed Order now Chapter 12 Paper Hydrologists the scientists who study Earth’s waters, evapotranspiration A little less than two-thirds of the rain that falls on land evaporates back to the atmosphere from land surfaces and plant leaves The water balance coefficient is a general index of the availability of water in a particular region. It is calculated by subtracting potential evaporation from rainfall. In arid regions, water balance coefficientsare negative. In the world’s deserts, for example, they vary between –200 and –300 cm (–79 and –118 in.).In the humid rain forests of the world, water balance coefficients are positive and can exceed 400 cm (158 in.). In general, forests grow where water balance coefficients are positive; savannas, grasslands, and deserts are found in regions where coefficients are negative. A watershed is the area of land from which rainfall drains into a river or lake. Watersheds are also called drainage basins. Open watersheds are drained by rivers that eventually make their way to the sea. Closed watersheds are inland basins that do not drain to the sea. nonconsumptive uses Activities that use water and then return it to streams or aquifers are said to be this. Such as, hydroelectric power and wastewater in septic systems consumptive uses In other activities, such as irrigation and industrial cooling, a considerable amount of water evaporates into the atmosphere. These activities are said to be this because much of the water is not returned to streams or aquifers. water table the underground depth where rock and sediment are completely saturated with water. recharge zone is an area where water flows directly between the soil surface and the water table. unconfined Aquifers located beneath recharge zones are said to be this confined In other aquifers, groundwater is trapped between layers of comparatively impermeable rock or sediment; such aquifers are said to be this discharge zones Groundwater flows to the surface in these. In places where a confined aquifer meets the soil surface, water may flow out freely in a seep or spring. an artesian well Sometimes a well is drilled into a confined aquifer where the groundwater is under great pressure from the weight of the water above it. The pressure causes the water to rise above the confining layer, without the need for pumping. Such a well is called this. hydrophytes Some species of plants have adaptations that allow them to grow in these anaerobic soils; these plants are called these. Marshes are periodically or continuously flooded wetlands that are dominated by herbaceous plants, including grasses, rushes, reeds, and cattails. Swamps are dominated by shrubs or trees and fed by flowing water. Forested swamps are found in the broad floodplains of many of the world’s major rivers. Bogs The primary source of water in bogs is rainfall. Bogs are wetlands with peat deposits that support a variety of evergreen trees and shrubs. Fens are wetlands that are fed primarily by groundwater. They have peaty soils that typically support a variety of grasses and grasslike rushes, as well as occasional patches of woody vegetation. Florida Everglades Irrigation efficiency is the percentage of the water applied to fields that is actually used by crop plants.Agricultural scientists estimate that average irrigation efficiency of cropland is less than 40%. desalination The process of removing salts and other chemicals from seawater is called this. distillation boiling water and condensing the steam, reverse osmosis filtering water through a selective membrane