Overview and History of UNESCO

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is an agency within the United Nations that is responsible for promoting peace, social justice, human rights and international security through international cooperation on educational, science, and cultural programs. It is based in Paris, France, and has over 50 field offices located around the world. Today, UNESCO has five major themes to its programs which include 1) education, 2) natural sciences, 3) social and human sciences, 4) culture, and 5) communication and information. UNESCO is also actively working to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals but it is focused on achieving the goals of significantly reducing extreme poverty in developing countries, developing a program for universal primary education in all countries, eliminating gender inequalities in primary and secondary education, promoting sustainable development and reducing the loss of environmental resources. History of UNESCO When that conference began in 1945 (shortly after the United Nations officially came into existence), there were 44 participating countries whose delegates decided to create an organization that would promote a culture of peace, establish an intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind, and prevent another world war. When the conference ended on November 16, 1945, 37 of the participating countries founded UNESCO with the Constitution of UNESCO. After ratification, the Constitution of UNESCO came into effect on November 4, 1946. The first official General Conference of UNESCO was then held in Paris from November 19-December 10, 1946 with representatives from 30 countries. Since then, UNESCO has grown in significance across the globe and its number of participating member states has grown to 195 (there are 193 members of the United Nations but the Cook Islands and Palestine are also members of UNESCO). UNESCOs Structure Today The Director General is another branch of UNESCO and is the executive head of the organization. Since UNESCOs founding in 1946, there have been 11 Director Generals. The first was the United Kingdoms Julian Huxley who served from 1946-1948. The current Director General is Audrey Azoulay from France. She has been serving since 2017. The final branch of UNESCO is the Secretariat. It is composed of civil servants who are based in UNESCOs Paris headquarters and also in field offices around the world. The Secretariat is responsible for implementing UNESCOs policies, maintaining outside relationships, and strengthening UNESCOs presence and actions worldwide. Themes of UNESCO Natural sciences and the management of Earths resources is another UNESCO field of action. It includes protecting water and water quality, the ocean, and promoting science and engineering technologies to achieve sustainable development in developed and developing countries, resource management and disaster preparedness. Social and human sciences is another UNESCO theme and promotes basic human rights and focuses on global issues like fighting discrimination and racism. Culture is another closely related UNESCO theme that promotes cultural acceptance but also the maintenance of cultural diversity, as well as the protection of cultural heritage. Finally, communication and information is the last UNESCO theme. It includes the free flow of ideas by word and image to build a worldwide community of shared knowledge and empower people through access to information and knowledge about different subject areas. In addition to the five themes, UNESCO also has special themes or fields of action that require a multidisciplinary approach as they do not fit into one distinct theme. Some of these fields include Climate Change, Gender Equality, Languages and Multilingualism, and Education for Sustainable Development. One of UNESCOs most famous special themes is its World Heritage Center which identifies cultural, natural and mixed sites to be protected all over the world in an effort to promote the maintenance of cultural, historic and/or natural heritage in those places for others to see. These include the Pyramids of Giza, Australias Great Barrier Reef and Perus Machu Picchu. To learn more about UNESCO visit its official website at www.unesco.org.

Taking a Look at Depression - 1250 Words

Depression 2 â€Å" Life is full of emotional ups and downs. But when the â€Å"down† times are long lasting or interfere with your ability to function, you may be suffering†(NIMH). Its normal for humans to feel sad after a break up, a disappointment or a tragic lost, but when your sadness prolong for a long period of time and the feeling increases and intensifies to the point that a person can’t function properly at their capacity, the sadness can turn to a severe problem. Depression, its considered a serious illness that affects everyone regarding their age, sex, economic status and ethnic/ racial background. Statistics have shown that one in ten adults suffers depression annually and that women are twice likely to be affected by this mental illness (NIHM). Although, the majority of people that suffer depression don’t get treated for this condition, people that get treated improve their condition and feel better about themselves since depression can be curable with proper treatment. Depression affects the body, mind behavior and mood, many experience depression in different ways, some of the common symptoms that people experience are difficulty in concentrating, remembering or making decisions, persistence of sadness, lost of interest in pleasurable activities, irritability, excessive crying, feelings of guilt, worthless, helplessness, hopefulness, sleeping to much or too little, gaining or loosing weight, fatigue, thoughts or death or suicide and even attemptingShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Depression1734 Words   |  7 PagesDepression Research Paper Not being understood, or helped, and feeling like someone is stomping on you; these are just some of the side effects that depression brings to you with a devilish smirk. In this essay we will cover the history of depression, most forms of depression, the side effects, warning signs, and the steps to help yourself and others recover and avoid this illness. What is depression? Depression is very common; over nineteen million people will experience the illness this yearRead MoreTaking a Look for Clinical Depression644 Words   |  3 PagesEveryone at some point will encounter a bout with depression. Depression is a common sickness among people in society for many different reasons. There are numerous types of depression that can be diagnosed on multiple levels. The diagnosis is usually determined by a primary physician who then recommends you to either a psychologist or therapy group. Causes of depression can vary from person to person. There are many factors to consider such as the person’s situation, personality, their reactionsRead MoreTaking a look at the Great Depression 795 Words   |  3 Pages Great Depression The great depression was one of the worst disasters that occurred in U.S history. October 29, 1929, is the day the stock market crashed, and that day was the beginning of The â€Å"Great Depression†. 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Imagine going from havingRead MoreDepression : An Endless Battle956 Words   |  4 PagesDepression: An Endless Battle Out of the many psychological disorders that affect people in the world today, there is no more serious disorder than depression. Depression can be defined as a particular type of disorder that affects an individual’s mood in a negative or undesirable manner, which is definitely something that should not be taken lightly. The reason that believe this, is because often at times, depression can end in tragedy. As someone who was able to beat depression at a younger ageRead MoreEliminating The Depths Of Depression With Modern Medicine1131 Words   |  5 PagesEliminating the Depths of Depression with Modern Medicine Depression is like drowning with no hope for air. Of course, everyone hits that point in their life when everything seems to be unbearably hard, but until one lives with depression one will never know the damage it brings. 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Practical Similarities and Differences of Stile Antico and Stile Moderno Essay Example For Students

Practical Similarities and Differences of Stile Antico and Stile Moderno Essay Trey SmagurSmagur 1 28 November 2009 Dr. Frederick Tarrant Music History: Baroque to Romantic Practical Similarities and Differences of Stile Antico and Stile Moderno When the general public thinks of Baroque music, they might think of the High Court sounding French concerto, or one of Bach’s many and well-known fugues. These highly structured pieces with their vigorous counterpoint and technical brilliance might be considered â€Å"tight† and â€Å"incredibly mechanical. However, these pieces though full of well thought out lines, phrases, and ornamented passages are not driven by the writers will to keep the music enslaved in rules and restricting limits of harmony. The Baroque era contained the elements of the stile moderno, a practice where the harmonies of music we’re not thought of as how they fit with the other notes on the page as much as they each followed their own particular line. These ideas were wrought from an earlier practice known as the prima pr actica or stile antico. The differences between the stile antico and stile moderno are large in many respects including the lives of the men who lived by both practices. One of the large differences that many people first hear of when they look at the two practices is that of harmony. These two styles have many different views of how harmony should be used in pieces pertaining to all music. The earliest composer known of to truly â€Å"break the rules† and use dissonances to cultivate the text or feeling in a piece that was not widely Smagur 2 ccepted as the right way of doing things was Claudio Monteverdi. Count d’Artusi was rather loathing of Monteverdi’s Cruda Amarilli which did not follow some of the earlier models set by those firm believers in being the owner of the music. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is one example of the men who made such rules for music strictly pertaining to dissonances and over all lines. Cruda Amarilli is by no means an out of the box piece for our ear, however in these days Monteverdi was considered a rebel for â€Å"betraying† the most beloved guidelines set by the Renaissance Composers. In many ways these first pieces of the new practice we’re not completely set to the ideals later stated as those that were the guidelines of stile moderno, and followed many of the same rules set in stile antico. The polyphonic ways of old followed many strict limitations including the resolution of dissonances almost immediately if they were not on the passing tone and for melodic lines to almost always go up or down by step. If the melody leaped it was to be immediately countered by moving in the opposite direction by step. Though these guidelines most likely felt limiting to the composers who began the new practice, it was most likely not their aim to just diminish stile antico for the sake of selfish gain. The men who were at the apex of the shift to the new understanding of harmonic and melodic lines as well as the genre for which the music was being composed were known as the Florentine Camerata. These men were looking back in time for not the changing of music, but for a new way of life. What they found were the Greek tragedies and poems that had been cherished for many years. The group decided that they would use these philosophical methods of ethos and emotion in their lives as well as their composition and arts. What began from this was a certain emotional draw in the music of the composers in the group as well as those influenced by them. Dissonances became more and more widely accepted to express a certain Smagur 3 emotion being portrayed by the text or structure of the music. Each line was given its own unique qualities and was not fit to the other lines only to make sure the harmonic intervals were always set perfectly. This could be why in most Baroque music the chords change almost every beat of the music. .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a , .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .postImageUrl , .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a , .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:hover , .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:visited , .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:active { border:0!important; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:active , .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2275d2939f3869f81cc98ccbe82f8c4a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: A Big Loss EssayThrough their new standard of living the Camerata was able to express themselves in the arts and changing the face of much of the music coming out along with them, though the roots from previous styles had not been forgotten. The ideas and beliefs brought forth by the Camerata and many others were whole and acted as a benchmark for moving forward in music, but the ideas of past musical structures had not been forgotten. Polyphony which had seemed to be a key part of the stile antico with its many rules on line and counterpoint made a strong return through the Prelude and Fugue, particularly by Johann Sebastian Bach. J. S. Bach wrote many organ pieces with long and fluid contrapuntal passages still following the ideals set in the prima practica. Many of Bach’s works had outlines brought pieces by such composers as Palestrina who some consider the father of the first practice. Palestrina’s Missa sine nomine gave Bach a strong inspiration for his particularly famous Mass in B Minor. Through this polyphony Bach was able to inspire the Lutheran Church as well as the works of many other composers who would later use his works as basis for their own. Many of the composers who would do this would move out of the Church setting and into private parties and royal houses to entertain, which was not heard of by the earlier predecessors of Polyphony who would have stayed in the churches. These men would have only gone outside of the church if the King or a royal call was offered and would then return to the church for duties. Smagur 4 Another true freedom of the new practice was the theory of basso continuo or figured bass. The bass line would not be completely illustrated but just given the chord structure and let the accompanist play the other notes how they saw fit. This would mean that you may have gone to one place to hear a piece of music only to hear it completely differently played the second time that you heard it. This type of freedom was one very large part of the stile moderno that is still used in much of music today. The idea was originally featured by Giulio Caccini in his work Le nuove musiche. Because of this freedom however, some accompanists saw it fit to waste around the accompaniment only playing bare bones of what was needed to fill in the chords given. This might have been one of the reasons that many of the opposition saw this to be a ridiculous new intervention because of bass line that was to be read differently, without a complete structure every time it was played. A collaboration of all of the ideas set forth in this practice would be the monody. Monodies of the time were solo works with a figured bass as the accompaniment with many dissonances and harmonic imbalances throughout to demonstrate the emotion being felt through the text. These pieces also had a strong tie to the Greek tragedies believed in by the Camerata as well as many others. Many of these monodies were used in some of the earliest operas which were the stories of the Greeks and the lives of the gods such as Orpheus. Because these early operas had no true arias and followed a different structure with more recitative like phrases throughout the entire work, these monodies were used as a true expression of what was going on in the aria, though they were not only performed in operas, this might have been where they found their best fit. These monodies were also some of the premiere works in the second practice to show off all the ideas that had been brought forth by these composers. Smagur 5 The men who used the second practice to launch a new era of music did not do so for themselves or because they felt a grudge against the prima practica, they did so with the hopes of bringing the raw emotion back felt in the stories and tragedies of the ancient Greeks. .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe , .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .postImageUrl , .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe , .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:hover , .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:visited , .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:active { border:0!important; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:active , .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4a9b4cc5581534010873c1a13513cefe:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Do Corporations need regulations? EssayThough the many differences between the first and second practices separate them in many ways, the practices still hold some similarities especially along the lines of contrapuntal polyphony. These men of the Camerata as well as the other men with the same beliefs were not out to destroy the previous music by such composers as Palestrina, they were out to find a new way to express themselves and enjoy art in a new form. This way of art has not since been lost and is still celebrated today through many Baroque enthusiasts.

Measuring tools Essay Example

Measuring tools Essay Either the aim or objective and the type of quantitative approach was clearly stated within the abstract or summary of all the papers. Identification of the purpose and type of research at the beginning of the paper has several immediate advantages and limitations. From a nursing perspective, it is possible to determine if the research is relevant to patients in a particular care setting. However, as McCaughan (1999) points out, subtle differences may only be apparent with further exploration of the study. Secondly, clarity of purpose suggests a well-planned study that will deliver valid and useful data. Thompson (1999) concurs with this view and suggests that without a clear statement of aims the reader is unable to determine whether the research achieves its objectives or not. Furthermore, with unclear aims, there could be a tendency towards data-trawling, which may result in providing spurious results. Although I agree with the views of Thompson (1999) and McCaughan (1999), I believe there can be concerns with stating the type of method used in conducting the research. For instance, there could be a tendency to accept the design at face value or for it to bias the critical analysis of the study. Lais (1998), study is described as a prospective, nonrandomised study. According to Woods and Catanzario (1988), a prospective design aims to observe a sample on at least two occasions over a period of time, the aim being to reduce the likelihood of bias in reporting the relationship between the cause and effect. We will write a custom essay sample on Measuring tools specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Measuring tools specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Measuring tools specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Whereas Lais (1998) study consisted of gathering information for a period of one month and could therefore be called prospective, it is not clear whether all the criteria for a true prospective design were applied or not. However, this is not to say that the research findings themselves would not be valid and reliable. Rather that even though there is a clear statement of the type of research, care must be taken that it does not influence personal judgement or the analysis of the study. Having determined that initially, the information given in the abstract of a study can have advantages and limitations, the next point will briefly consider the value of including or excluding a literature review within the study. LITERATURE REVIEW None of the studies reviewed in this assignment contained a literature review. However, there is some evidence that previous studies had been used to inform the investigations. Homer (1998) refers to previous studies within the methodology section and again in the discussion. The studies referred to are included in the reference list. Although the material in the reference list is relevant to the topic it only contains references for seven previous studies. Similarly, Lai (1998) cites previous studies within the discussion. Again the reference list only contains a few references. On the other hand, Curran et als (2000) study incorporates references to numerous previous work throughout the text. The value of including a literature review in a quantitative study is that it enables the research problem to be put into context or to identify gaps and weaknesses in prior studies so as to justify the current investigation. Also as Carnwell and Daly (2001) discuss it is valuable in demonstrating insight into the current state of knowledge within the relevant field. However, the exclusion of a literature review does not necessarily mean that the researchers did not undertake one. On the other hand, exclusion makes it difficult to determine the reason for undertaking the studies. For example, although, it appears that Lais (1998) study may have been carried out, at least in part, to support a cost saving initiative within his medical centre, none of the referenced material concerns this issue.  However, there is a common understanding throughout the studies regarding the nature of the topic being investigated. In particular, all of the papers acknowledge that peripheral venous cannulae are associated with the development of phlebitis. THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Although none of papers (Curran et al 2000, Homer 1998, Lai 1998) identify a theoretical or conceptual framework that guided the research, there is allusion to the principles of some of the theories. For example, Curran (2000) discusses two causes of phlebitis, insertion site infection and physiochemical reactions. Similarly, Lai (1998) refers to infusion-related phlebitis and sepsis. On the other hand, Homer does not appear to refer to any theoretical framework in his study. In conclusion, it does not seem that theoretical models had a major influence on the studies. DEFINITIONS OF PHLEBITIS The studies have all identified phlebitis by using clinical indicators and severity rating scales. However, there does not appear to be common indicators or scales to identify the severity of phlebitis. For example, Lai (1998) has defined phlebitis as a palpable cord or at least two of the following, tenderness, warmth, erythema and induration. There is no particular reference as to the origin of the definition, although it appears to have been adapted from the inflammation scale used by the IV team within the hospital where the study took place. Similarly, the origin of the inflammation scale is not reported. According to Lais (1998) definition, phlebitis would be given a score of 3 or 4. Homer (1998) also defines phlebitis by clinical categorisation and allocating scores. However, the categories and scoring are different to those used by Lai (1998). Using Homers (1998) definition would give phlebitis a score between 2 and 4. Homers (1998) scale is not referenced but a significant difference from the one used by Lai (1998) is the exclusion of induration as a clinical indicator. Curran et al (2000) referred to the existing literature for indications of phlebitis. The eventual approach adopted contained two categories, erythema equal to or extending more than 3cm from the insertion site and/or purulent discharge with either or both being given a rating of 2 if present. Curran (2000) reports that this scale had been used in previous studies and includes references within the text, but does not offer any further information. However, there is no discussion as to any previous validation process that may have been used. As we have seen, phlebitis has been categorised and classified in different ways by different authors unique to their own study. Previous studies may have guided some of the categorisation. For example, Homer (1998) refers to the classification of phlebitis by Maki and Ringer (1991 cited in Homer 1998 p5) and Tager(1983 cited in Homer 1998 p5) but develops his own scale for classifying phlebitis. As a result, there appears to be no consensus of opinion regarding the rating and definition of phlebitis between the studies under review.  As well as impacting on the accuracy of assessing and identifying severity of phlebitis, the lack of a common assessment tool for defining and measuring phlebitis may impact on the generalisability of the research. Campbell (1998) suggests that the use of a uniform scale that measures the degree of phlebitis is also beneficial in providing criteria for standardising documentation. ACCURACY, VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE ASSESSMENT TOOL Each of the studies used clinical indicators and a rating scale to determine and measure the severity of phlebitis. The strength and appropriateness of this type of measuring tool has been demonstrated in other quantitative studies within the same field. (Dinley 1976, Maddox and Rush 1977, Baxter Healthcare Ltd. 1988 cited in Campbell 1998 p 1311) However, there are limitations and weaknesses with the tools used in the studies under review. None of the researchers have discussed how validity and reliability was assessed. Although both Lai (1998) and Homer (1998) have used tools that do not appear to have been used in previous situations, there is no report on a pilot study being carried out prior to the main study. Lais (1998) measurement tool has a number of limitations. Within the study Lai (1998) reports that the intravenous site was monitored according to a well-defined inflammation scale and has published the indicators and rating for the inflammation scale in the study. However, the tool that Lai used to obtain the data on phlebitis in his study was not the reported inflammation scale. Lai (1998) appears to have used elements of the inflammation scale and designed a scale that has some differences from the inflammation scale that he reported was used. The inflammation scale uses pain and swelling as clinical indicators but in the scale that was used in the study swelling has been excluded and pain has reduced to tenderness. Another point of concern is the implication that the severity of phlebitis could be measured on a scale designed to measure the presence and severity of inflammation. This may lead to confusion between rating phlebitis and inflammation. In other words, it is not certain that the tool actually used measured what it was supposed to measure. Homer (1998) referred to other studies before adopting a different set of clinical indicators in his scale that he reports as being more rigorous than Maki and Ringers (1991 cited in Homer 1998 p5) scale but less so than Tagers (1983 cited in Homer 1998 p5). However, there does not appear to be any reference to testing validity of the scale. A point of accuracy concerns the use of the scale for measuring infiltration as well as phlebitis. Although, the measuring of infiltration is not mentioned in the discussion section, the methods section gives the grading of infiltration as 1-3. The grading on the scale for phlebitis is 2-4. According to Homer (1998), the majority of the incidences of phlebitis were graded at 2. Consequently, phlebitis and infiltration were both graded as 2 using the same clinical indicators. Again, this raises the point of whether the scale measured what it was supposed to measure. The strength of Curran et als (2000) measurement tool lies in the fact that it had been used in other studies. However, there is no discussion as to the validity or reliability of the tool. It is also unclear as to whether Curran et al (2000) carried out a pilot study or not. There is a reference in the paper to collecting data on forty catheters, which is not the total number of the whole data collection. However, although analysis was carried out on the data collected from this, there is no further discussion. In summary, there appears to be serious weakness and limitations with the accuracy of the measuring tools. Validity and reliability appear not to have been tested. As McCaughan (1999) points out, if measuring tools are not valid then neither are study findings. Error due to the measuring technique used, the instrument itself or the person doing the measuring may affect reliability. Therefore, the next point will consider the issue of interrater reliability.

10 Fascinating Facts About Cockroaches

10 Fascinating Facts About Cockroaches Nobody wants to see a cockroach scurrying under the fridge when flipping on the light switch. These creatures arent exactly revered. Entomologists know otherwise, though; these insects are actually rather cool. Here are 10 fascinating facts about cockroaches that just might persuade you to think differently about them. 1. Most Species Are Not Pests What image do you conjure up when you hear the word cockroach? For most people, its a dark, dirty city apartment teeming with cockroaches. In truth, very few cockroach species inhabit human dwellings. We know of some 4,000 species of cockroaches on the planet, most of which inhabit forests, caves, burrows, or brush.  Only about 30 species like to live where people do. In the U.S., the two most common species are the German cockroach, known as  Blattella germanica, and the American cockroach,  Periplaneta americana. 2. Cockroaches Are Scavengers Most roaches prefer sugar and other sweets, but they will eat just about anything: glue, grease, soap, wallpaper paste, leather, bookbindings, even hair. And cockroaches can survive a remarkably long time without food. Some species can go as long as six weeks without a meal. In nature, cockroaches provide an important service by consuming organic waste. As with houseflies, when cockroaches take up residence among humans, they can become vehicles for spreading diseases as they scuttle about the home. Feeding on waste, trash, and food, they leave germs and droppings in their wake. 3. Theyve Been Around For a Long Time If you could travel back to the Jurassic period and walk among the dinosaurs, you would easily recognize the cockroaches crawling under logs and stones in prehistoric forests. The modern cockroach first came to be about 200 million years ago. Primitive roaches appeared even earlier, about 350 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period. The fossil record shows that Paleozoic roaches had an external ovipositor, a trait that disappeared during the Mesozoic era. 4. Cockroaches Like to Be Touched Roaches are thigmotropic, meaning they like feeling something solid in contact with their bodies, preferably on all sides. They seek out cracks and crevices, squeezing into spaces that offer them the comfort of a tight fit. The small German cockroach can fit into a crack as thin as a dime, while the larger American cockroach will squeeze into a space no thicker than a quarter. Even a pregnant female can manage a crevice as thin as two stacked nickels. Cockroaches are also social creatures, preferring to live in multigenerational nests that can range from a few bugs to several dozen. In fact, according to research, cockroaches that dont share the company of others can become ill or unable to mate. 5. They Lay Eggs, Lots of Them Mama cockroach protects her eggs by enveloping them in a thick protective case, called an ootheca. German cockroaches may encase as many as 40 eggs in one ootheca, while the larger American roaches average about 14 eggs per capsule. A female cockroach can produce multiple egg cases over her lifetime. In some species, the mother will carry the ootheca with her until the eggs are ready to hatch. In others, the female will drop the ootheca or attach it to a substrate. 6. Roaches Love Bacteria For millions of years, cockroaches have carried on a symbiotic relationship with special bacteria called Bacteroides. These bacteria live within special cells called mycetocytes and are passed down to new generations of cockroaches by their mothers. In exchange for living a life of relative comfort inside the cockroachs fatty tissue, the Bacteroides manufacture all the vitamins and amino acids the cockroach needs to live. 7. Cockroaches Dont Need Heads to Survive Lop the head off a roach, and a week or two later it will still respond to stimuli by wiggling its legs. Why? Surprisingly, its head isnt all that important to how a cockroach functions. Cockroaches have open circulatory systems, so as long as the wound clots normally, they arent prone to bleeding out. Their respiration occurs via spiracles along the sides of the body. Eventually, the headless cockroach will either dehydrate or succumb to mold. 8. Theyre Fast Cockroaches detect approaching threats by sensing changes in air currents. The fastest start time clocked by a cockroach was just 8.2 milliseconds after it sensed a puff of air on its rear end. Once all six legs are in motion, a cockroach can sprint at speeds of 80 centimeters per second, or about 1.7 miles per hour. And theyre elusive, too, with the ability to turn on a dime while in full stride. 9. Tropical Roaches Are Big Most domestic roaches dont come close to the size of their giant, tropical cousins. Megaloblatta longipennis boasts a wingspan of 7 inches. The Australian rhinoceros cockroach,  Macropanesthia rhinoceros,  measures about 3 inches and can weigh 1 ounce or more. The giant cave cricket, Blaberus giganteus, is even larger, reaching 4 inches at maturity.   10. Cockroaches Can Be Trained Makoto Mizunami and Hidehiro Watanabe, two scientists at Japans Tohoku University, found cockroaches could be conditioned much like dogs. They introduced the scent of vanilla or peppermint just before giving the roaches a sugary treat. Eventually, the cockroaches would drool when their antennae detected one of these scents in the air. More Crazy Cockroach Facts Its often been said that cockroaches are so hardy that they can survive a nuclear explosion. Although the bugs can survive levels of radiation that would kill a human being within minutes, higher levels of exposure can be deadly. In one experiment, cockroaches were exposed to 10,000 rads of radiation, about the same amount as the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. Only about 10 percent of the test subjects survived. These hardly bugs can also hold their breath for 4 to 7 minutes at a time. Scientists arent sure why cockroaches do this, but researchers in Australia say it may be in order to preserve moisture in dry climates. They can also survive for several minutes under water, though exposure to hot water can kill them. Sources: BBC editors. Cockroaches. BBC.co.uk. October 2014.Sampaolo, Marco, et al. Cockroaches. Brittanica.com. 14 September 2014.Walker, Matt. Why Cockroaches Need Their Friends. BBC.co.uk. 2 May 2012.Willis, Bill. Separating Fact from Fiction: Cockroach Myths and Misconceptions. National Institutes of Health. 1 February 2017.

The Left vs. the Right Brain

The Left vs. the Right Brain Home to your mind and personality, your brain houses your cherished memories and future hopes. It orchestrates the symphony of consciousness that gives you purpose and passion, motion and emotion. In mammals, the brain is located in the head, protected by the skull and close to the primary sensory apparatus of vision, hearing, balance, sense of taste, and smell.Early views on the function of the brain regarded it as little more than cranial stuffing. In Ancient Egypt, from the late Middle Kingdom onwards, in preparation for mummification, the brain was regularly removed, for it was the heart that was assumed to be the seat of intelligence.The first thoughts on the field of psychology came from ancient philosophers, such as Aristotle. As thinkers became more in tune with biomedical research over time, as was the case with medieval psychologists, the concepts of experimental psychology and clinical psychology began emerging.Human brain - midsagittal cutFrom that point, different branch es of psychology emerged with different individuals creating new ideas, with modern psychologists such as Freud and Jung contributing to the field.The theory of the structure and functions of the mind suggests that the two different sides of the brain control two different "modes" of thinking. A longitudinal fissure separates the human brain, essentially dividing it into two distinct hemispheres, connected by the corpus callosum. The left side of our body is "wired" to the right side of our brain, and vice versa. It operates much as an Ethernet cable or network connection between two incredibly fast and immensely powerful computer processors, each running a different programme from the same input.The sides resemble each other and each hemisphere's structure is generally mirrored by the other side. For some reason, our right and left hemispheres control the 'opposite' side of our bodies, so the...

Describe the history of the Federal Reserve Bank. Include an Essay

Describe the history of the Federal Reserve Bank. Include an explanation of all the tools the Fed uses to contract and expand the economy using money supply and interest rates - Essay Example history of banking in United States suggest that during its nascent stage, Banking runs were common as many banks opened and faltered during small period of time. Based on the increase failures of financial institutions, Congress set up National Monetary Commission to look into it. Commission presented its first monetary reform plan to the Congress in year 1912. This plan recommended the establishment of National Reservations Association which would hold the reserves of commercial banks and could make short-term loans to banks to ensure credit availability. United States Congress responded to the situation by enacting Federal Reserves Act thus creating Federal Reserve System. President Woodrow Wilson endorsed these recommendations and Federal Reserves Act became a law on Dec 23, 1913 and FED was created (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas). The primary responsibility of FED is to manage the enough money supply and credit to sustain the economic growth of the country by containing inflation. The contraction and expansion of economy is thus achieved with the help of following two economic variables: 1) Money Supply: Expanding or contracting the economy through the money supply is the most frequent method used by FED to exercise its powers to make changes in the economy. Traditionally called Open market operations, these are the activities through which FED either purchase or mope up the excess liquidity from the economic system by issuing securities called T-Bills or Treasury Bills. Similarly when FED wants to expand the economy through money supply, it will purchase the issued T-Bills thus off loading hard currency in the market. This is done primarily for one purpose and that is that through this, FED wants to control the flow of money in the economy. The easy availability to the excess money may create inflation in the economy hence have the potential to impact the real growth in the economy. 2) Interest rates: FED controls the expansion or contraction in the