Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Music Production Essay

Over the past few decades, electronic music and its respective genres have revolutionized the music industry by creating new styles of music that have evolved the aesthetics of the popular songs we hear today. The process of composing today’s music via a computer and software has become infinitely more efficient compared to traditional recording, which mainly uses acoustic instruments and â€Å"old-school hardware†. The process of composition has been stream-lined and revolutionized over the recent years, thus opening more doors for artists’ originality and creativity. To learn the ropes of music production, one can learn to be a producer by attending recording or music school. However recording school is not for everyone, It can be too expensive for some and too â€Å"academic† for others. A music producer’s job can be as easy as sitting on the couch listening and nodding and as active as controlling the mixer as well as calibrating the equipment for a vocalist. Good music producers understand every aspect of studio production. They also have a very good ear and a well-rounded knowledge of how voices and instruments produce recordable sound. One thing virtually all ‘computer generated’ music has in common is the use of samples. Samples are sound bytes, anywhere from really small blips to lengthy ambient noises, sometimes spanning the entire length of the song. The triggering of samples in an interesting way is what creates the rhythm and atmosphere of the song. Most electronic drum beats consist entirely of triggered samples. A sampler is a program or device which is used to record and trigger sound samples, usually included in the main production software. These devices are the heart of today’s electronic music; they are the engines which produce the actual sounds you hear. Changing and manipulating sounds is the key to capturing the listener’s attention. Effects have always played a major role in not just electronic music, but across all genres. The difference is that with electronic music, the listener will usually accept more layers of background effects than as with other types of music. Effects are used to take basic sounds and variate them in an interesting and sonically enhancing manner. Some of the common effects producers use include reverberation (reverb), echo, flange, chorus, and distortion. When you first start producing music, or even if you have been making music for decades, you will find that it is a challenge to turn one’s ideas directly into a song! (AllCrunchy 1) When it comes to what you physically need to be a music producer, a computer is naturally a must-have piece of hardware. One can produce a good sounding track with almost any kind of modern computer. A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is also a requirement. The DAW is a software environment in which you create and compose the music and it is one of the most essential components in one’s music studio. To put it simply, it’s music making software. VST (Virtual Studio Technology) synthesizers and effects are also a must if you’re going to start making music digitally with a computer. VSTi’s (VST instruments) are virtual synthesizers that produce different kind of sounds. You can use them just like you would use real hardware , only difference being that they’re software and you install them just like any other application, then open them within a DAW to compose melodies and make music. The most common thing that prevents beginners from getting a full sounding song is not filling the â€Å"box† that is volume, panning, and frequency. The typical situation is this: as more and more sounds are layered together, the audio may start to â€Å"clip†. (Clipping is a form of waveform distortion that occurs when an amplifier is over-driven and attempts to deliver an output voltage or current beyond its maximum capability) Therefore, one would turn the gain down on the each channel of the mixer so it doesn’t clip. But then, it sounds quiet. In order to fix this, compression and (EQ) equalization come in to play. Another issue novice producers may face is when too many conflicting frequencies are overlapping in a mix. As a result of overlapping sounds, the song may sound â€Å"muddy†. To prevent mud, you must consciously keep in mind what range of frequencies you are adding with each new part. Frequencies will overlap, no matter what instruments you choose. A lot of VST instrument plugins have presets that sound very good on their own, but when thrown together with other presets, they clash. A lot of these presets are full sounding, filling up a lot of low and high end. Unless you carve out the clashing frequencies using EQ, you will get a muffled, muddy sound when throwing presets together. For example, two bass sounds on top of each other will interfere, resulting in a strange sounding phase effect. If you want to use two instruments that use up the same frequency spectrum, you’ll want to carve out the highs on one and carve out the lows on the other equalizer. The end result of adding equalization and modifying volume should add up to a track with a full, clear sound.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Management Of Transient Ischaemic Attacks Health And Social Care Essay

The NICE guidelines and the National Stroke Strategy ( 2008 ) emphasises the importance of measuring all patients with a suspected TIA within a hebdomad and all high hazard patients within 24 hours. This is to enable originating appropriate direction. This includes life manner steps such as weight decrease, smoking surcease, cutting back on intoxicant etc. in add-on to turn toing hazard factors for shot. Suitable patients are referred for surgical intercession. This systematic reappraisal will look at all these issues and expression at the grounds for medical and surgical intercessions and the timing of the surgery, the type of surgery etc. Around 15,000 people per twelvemonth have a suspected TIA but presently merely 35 % of people are investigated and managed in a timely manner. There is a 20 % hazard of shot within the first 4 hebdomads after shot. Investigating and handling bad patients with TIA within 24 hours could bring forth an 80 % decrease in the figure of people who go on to hold a full shot. The hazard of shot after a TIA is approximately 12 % in the first twelvemonth and so about 7 % per twelvemonth thenceforth. There is a high hazard of shot in the seven yearss after TIA, perchance every bit high as 10 % . The hazard of shot, bosom onslaught or vascular decease is about 10 % a twelvemonth. This is approximately seven times the hazard in the background population. [ From thee Stroke Website ]PurposesThe intent of this reappraisal is to discourse the rapid appraisal and early direction aimed at cut downing ischemic encephalon harm, and in the instance of TIAs, forestalling subsequent shot. This will be achie ved by utilizing the most recent and up-to-date grounds from the literature.IntroductionA transeunt ischemic onslaught ( TIA ) is defined as an acute loss of focal encephalon or monocular map with symptoms enduring less than 24 hours and which is thought to be caused by unequal cerebral or optic blood supply as a consequence of arterial thrombosis, low flow or intercalation associated with arterial, cardiac or hematologic disease. [ Hatano 1976 – Page 1 G.Book ] . More late in 2002, Albers et Als proposed a revised definition for TIA, adding that there is no grounds of acute infarction on encephalon imagination. Infracted tissue is non ever obvious on imagination and so this definition has non yet been widely adopted. Stroke is the 3rd most common cause of mortality in the developed universe and there are a figure of preventable causes. Over the past 30 old ages, the direction of shot has changed at a phenomenal rate. New probes help direct patient choice for specific therapies and may well increase the opportunity of a successful curative result. Specialists have seen a broad scope of therapies introduced for the direction of TIAs and acute ischemic shot. These progresss have led to a theoretical account displacement in intervention, which is apparent in the protective direction of shot victims today.Methods( See ‘Methods ‘ in Appendix 1 ) .Epidemiology of TIAFor us to understand the clinical direction of TIAs and shots, to be after clinical services or to plan randomised controlled tests, and to mensurate the overall impact of interventions, it is of import to understand the epidemiology of TIAs and shots. Each twelvemonth at that place are about one million shots in Europe. [ Sudlow and Warlow – Pg 3 G.Book ] . Approximately 25 % of work forces and 20 % of adult females can anticipate to hold a shot if they live to be 85 old ages old and shot is the 2nd most common cause of decease worldwide. [ Murray and Lopez 1996 – Pg 3 G.Book ] . Mortality information underestimates the true load of shot since in contrast to coronary bosom disease and malignant neoplastic disease, the major load of shot is chronic disablement instead than decease [ Wolfe page 4 g.book ] . Strokes cause 23 % of healthy old ages lost and about 50 % of old ages of life lived with disablement in Europe. Stroke causes many secondary unwellness such as ; dementedness, depression, epilepsy, falls and breaks. In the UK the costs of shot are estimated to be about twice those of coronary bosom disease, accounting for about 6 % of entire NHS outgo. [ Rothwell 2001 – Pg4 G.Book ] . In add-on to shots, TIAs are besides common, and it is estimated that 54,000 TIAs occur yearly in England. Rothwell and Warlow estimate that about 20 % of shots are preceded by a TIA. MRI of patients who have suffered a TIA lasting longer than an hr shows that over 50 % have seeable countries of infarction. Technically they have non suffered a ‘stroke ‘ but a intellectual infarction. This emphasizes that TIA and shot are a continuum. The epidemiology of TIA is a batch more ambitious than that of shots since patients with TIAs are more heterogenous and present to a assortment of different clinical services, if they present to medical attending at all. Furthermore, dependable diagnosing of TIA requires early and adept clinical appraisal, as there is no diagnostic trial for TIA, doing epidemiological surveies really labour intensive and expensive.Aetiology and Clinical PresentationThe causes of TIAs are the same as the causes of shot, with the caution that the huge bulk of TIAs appear to be caused by ischemia instead than haemmorhage. In a TIA it is of import to find the site of the cerebrovascular lesion since this narrows down the likely implicit in aetiology and enables appropriate aiming of probes. The differential diagnosing of TIA differs from that of shot due to the transeunt nature of its symptoms. Hints in the history and on scrutiny can direct the tester to the likely underlying cause, enabling specific intervention to commence and secondary bar. [ Pg 113 G. Book – first parity ] A diagnosing of TIA is supported by a sudden oncoming and definite ‘focal ‘ symptoms, sudden oncoming and definite focal symptoms in the history and grounds of vascular disease on scrutiny [ manus et Al Pg 104 G. book ] . The most common of the symptoms can be seen in Table Ten:SymptomsFrequency ( % )Unilateral failing, weightiness, or awkwardness 50 Unilateral sensory symptoms 35 Dysarthrias 23 Transient Monocular Blindness ( Amaurosis Fugax ) 18 Dysphasia 18 Ataxia 12 Bilateral coincident sightlessness 7 Dizziness 5 Homonymic Hemianopia 5 Diplopia 5 Bilateral Motor Loss 4 Dysphagia 1 Crossed Sensory and Motor Loss 1 The symptoms of a TIA enable classification of onslaught by arterial district affected ; carotid in about 80 % or vertebrobasilar in 20 % . This has of import deductions for farther probe and secondary bar. There are no trials to corroborate a TIA, and the gilded criterion method of diagnosing remains a thorough clinical appraisal every bit shortly as possible after the event by an experient shot doctor, although the coming of new imaging techniques, peculiarly diffusion weighted MRI has allowed the diagnosing to be made or excluded with more certainty in some patients.Probes and Imaging/Diagnosing techniquesThe function of imaging in TIA is to corroborate the diagnosing, confirm the vascular district affected ( where the lesion may be ) , and to place those people who would profit from carotid intercession. [ 1- pg 8 Imaging Guidelines ] . The chief modes for imaging the encephalon parenchyma are CT and MRI. These are progressively being used to measure the intellectual vasculature in TIAs. In TIAs and minor shots neuro-imaging is required to: Exclude stroke mimics Distinguish between haemorrhagic and ischaemic events Determine the Aetiology, eg: carotid stricture with lesions in multiple vascular districts Identify patients at high hazard of early recurrent shot, in order to aim suited intervention. Sensitivity and specificity of different imaging modes varies with the pre-test chance, the nature of the lesion, the hold from event to imagination, whilst expertness in imaging techniques besides varies greatly. Hence when doing determinations about imagination after TIA, the pick of imagination will depend on all these factors, every bit good as patient safety, tolerability and contraindications. For illustration see Table X, for the advantages and disadvantage of CT versus MRI in TIA and minor shot. [ Page 132 – G.Book ] .Imaging ModalityAdvantagesDisadvantagesConnecticutLow Cost and broad handiness Low sensitiveness for little acute ischemic lesions Superior sensing of haemmorhage in early stage Low sensitiveness for mimics, particularly tumors. Radiation exposure IV contrast is nephrotoxic and potentially allergenic.Magnetic resonance imagingSuperior sensitiveness for shot mimics Patient tolerability and contraindications Provides predictive information. Superior sensing of bleeding in the subacute and chronic stage Table – Advantages and Disadvantages of CT and MRI in minor shot and TIA. In cohorts of patients with suspected TIA who were referred straight for scanning by primary attention doctors, prior to expert reappraisal by a shot doctor, rates of alternate diagnosings were high, likely reflecting high rates of misdiagnosis prior to imaging. [ Lemesle et Al 1998 – G.Book Page 132 ]Non-Radiological Probes for TIAFirst-line probes include ; basic blood and urine trials at presentation. Table Ten shows the baseline non-imaging trials for TIAs and shots.ProbeDisorders detectedFull Blood Count Anemia Polycythaemia Leukemia Thrombocythaemia/thrombocytopenia Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate/ C-Reactive Protein Vasculitis Infective Endocarditis Hyperviscosity Myxoma Electrolytes Hyponatraemia Hypokalaemia Urea Nephritic Damage Plasma Glucose Diabetess Hypoglycemia Plasma Lipids Lipemia Urine Analysis Diabetess Nephritic Disease Vasculitis Second-line probes must be chosen suitably since the likeliness of a relevant consequence depends on the choice of patients and farther probe will incur more cost. [ Page 174 G.Book ] . Cardiac jobs such as AF – echocardiogram may demo atrial thrombus, aneurism of the anterior wall of the left ventricle with mural thrombus, atrial myxoma or left side valve disease. Cardiac monitoring may demo paroxysmal AF. Doppler surveies of the carotid and vertebral arterias may demo contracting. This probe may be followed by Carotid angiography and Carotid endarterectomy if stricture is a least 70 % . It may be argued that full probe for CHD should be initiated, as the most common cause of decease after TIA is MI. Table 1 Secondary probes by the specializer servicesShort-run forecast after TIARecent research has shown that the hazard of shot instantly after TIA is considerable [ Giles and Rothwell 2007, pg 195 G.book ] . However, this poses a challenge to clinical services because it leaves many TIA sick persons at a hazard of a major shot in the short term. Predictive tools have been developed to place patients at high and low hazard in order to inform public instruction, assistance effectual triage to secondary attention and direct secondary preventative intervention. Datas from population-based surveies and tests suggest that 20 % of patients with shots have a preceding TIA. [ Rothwell and Warlow 2005 – Pg 195 G.Book ] . A recent systematic reappraisal identified 18 independent cohorts, all published since 2000, describing shot hazard in 10,126 patients with TIA [ Giles and Rothwell 2007 – Pg 196 G.Book ] . 3.1 % shot hazard at two yearss and 5.2 % shot hazard at seven yearss.ABCD2 score – proof? i? See Document 48395 – Page 9 of 27.A new marking system for two twenty-four hours hazard of shot following TIA, dubed ABCD2. The Hazard factors employed in the ABCD2 marking system for 2 twenty-four hours hazard of post-TIA can be seen in table Ten:Hazard FactorValuessPointsAge a†°? 60 old ages1Blood Pressure lift ( either/or ) Systolic a†°? 140 millimeter Hg Diastolic a†°? 90 millimeter Hg1Clinical Features ( either/or ) Unilateral failing Speech damage without failing21Duration of TIA a†°? 60 min 10-59 min21Diabetess Yes/ No1( Reference = Johnston SC et al – Lancet 2007 369 ( 9558 ) :283-292. )Recognition of Symptoms and delays to directionPressing direction of patients with TIA depends upon the right acknowledgment of symptoms and appropriate action by patients and their fleet triage to specialist attention where probe and intervention are quickly initiated. Public consciousness and behavioral surveies are missing, nevertheless, one survey of cognition among the general populace indicated that 2.3 % of a indiscriminately selected sample of people in the USA have been told by a doctor that they had a TIA, based on self-report in a telephone study conducted in 2003 [ Johnston et al – Pg 239 G.Book ] . However an extra 3.2 % of respondents recalled symptoms consistent with TIA but had non sought medical attending at all and accordingly had non been diagnosed by a physician. Of those with ‘diagnosed ‘ TIA, merely 64 % had seen a physician within 24 hours of the event. Merely 8.2 % right related the definition of TIA, and 8.6 % were able to place a typical symptom. This suggests that frequent public instruction is required non merely on the nature of a TIA but besides what to make in the event of one.Recognition ToolsSeveral tools have been devised to help the right acknowledgment of shot and TIA symptoms. In the pre-hospit al scene, FAST, LAPPS and CPSS have been designed for usage by exigency services to guarantee rapid conveyance of patients to specialist attention. In the exigency puting ROSIER mark has been designed to help exigency doctors in diagnosing. The chief purpose of these tools has been to increase the Numberss of patients showing to hospital within three hours and, therefore, addition eligibility interventions. However due to the increasing accent on rapid direction for minor shot and TIA, their usage in informing public instruction and right diagnosing of minor shot and TIA is likely to go more widespread. The ABCD system was so developed to foretell the early hazard of shot following a TIA, and one of its chief utilizations has been in triage between primary and secondary attention. [ Rothwell et all 2005 – pg 241 G. book ] .Discussion of the Management of TIAs – Critical Reviewing( Use Diagrams and Tables ) Although the acute intervention of major shot, TIA and minor shot have many common elements, there are of import differences. In the acute intervention of TIA, the purpose is secondary bar of a disenabling shot, which might follow in the immediate hours and yearss after the initial event, as opposed to reversal of any neurological shortage caused by the shot itself. To cut down the hold in intervention, improved public instruction and improved triage to secondary attention and coordinated patient direction in specialist units are critical facets of intervention in TIAs. However there is a greater focal point on pressing, effectual secondary bar for TIA and minor shot. Although the construct of TIA arose in the 1950s and interventions for it were proven effectual, it was non until 2007 that the first studies were published on the feasibleness and effectivity of pressing appraisal and intervention of TIA in specialist units [ Rothwell 2007 – Pg 239 G.Book ] .Lifestyle AlterationAll tobacco users, including those with a history of shot or TIA, should be advised to halt, and intercessions such as guidance, nicotine replacing should be used if needed to assist them accomplish this. [ 257-263 ] . Avoiding extra intoxicant is reasonable and everyone including those who have suffered from a TIA or shot, should avoid heavy imbibing. Although a twosome of units of intoxicant per twenty-four hours may protect against future vascular events. [ 274-276 ] Reducing dietetic salt intake reduces BP, peculiarly in the aged with high BP, possibly ensuing in long term decrease in vascular events. It may besides assist those on antihypertensive medicine to halt their intervention without a rise in BP. It is advisable for old TIA or stroke sick persons to cut down consumption of concentrated fat, since it produces moderate decrease in cholesterin degrees, which are associated with little decreases in vascular events. [ 279-281 ] . Corpulent persons should be encouraged to lose weight utilizing dietetic or if necessary pharmacoligcal or surgical intercessions. All patients should have general advice about a healthy diet, low in concentrated fats, with plentifulness of fish, fruit, fiber and veggies. These intercessions have good effects on vascular hazard factors and seem likely to bring forth little decreases in vascular results despite there being no clear grounds that they do. [ 286-289 ]The Medical Management – Secondary PreventionNumerous interventions have been shown to forestall shot in the long term after a TIA, including antiplatelet agents such as acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, and the combination of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid and extended release dipyridamole [ CAPRIE 1996 – pg241 GB ] ; blood force per unit area take downing drugs [ PROGRESS 2001 ] ; statins [ Amarence et Al 2006 ] ; anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation [ European atrial sibrillation test survey group 1993 ] ; and endarterectomy for diagnostic carotid arteria stricture & gt ; or equal to 50 % [ Rothwell 2003-04 ] . If the effects of all these interventions are independent, combined usage of all these intercessions in the appropriate patients would be predicted to cut down hazard of recurrent shot by 80-90 % [ Hackam and Spence 2007 Pg241 GB ] . However tests of intervention in acute shot suggest that the benefits of several of these intercessions are even greater in the acute stage, until late there has merely been few dependable informations on the benefits of ague intervention after TIA. NICE guidelines suggest that appraisal and probe should be completed within one hebdomad of a TIA. [ Wolfe 1999, Johnston 2006, NICE 2008 – pg 242 GB ] . Rapid intervention of TIA can forestall up to 80 % of recurrent shots. [ Rothewell Pg 285 GB ] . There is considerable grounds associating to the effectivity of assorted interventions to cut down the hazards of vascular events after TIA and shot. See Table 1:DrugTestTreatmentAspirinCastAspirin versus placebo within 48 hours of major ischemic shotISTAspirin versus placebo ( and SC heparin versus placebo ) acutely after major ischemic shot.Anti-thrombotic Trialists ‘ CollaborationMeta-analysis of tests analyzing antiplatelet agents in patients at high hazard of occlusive vascular disease. DipyridamoleClairvoyances 2Aspirin and Modified Release Dipyridamole versus placebo in a 2Ãâ€"2 factorial design started within 3 months of TIA or ischemic shot.EspritAspirin versus acetylsalicylic acid plus dipyridamole started within 6 months of TIA or minor shot. ClopidogrelMatchClopidogrel versus acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel within 6 months of ischemic shot or TIA.CharismaAspirin versus acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel in patients with cardiovascular disease or multiple hazard factors ( including ischemic shot )FASTERAspirin versus acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel in the ague stage after TIA or minor ischemic shot. Antihypertensive DrugsAdvancementPerindopril plus or minus Indapamide versus placebo after TIA or ischemic shot in patients with or without high blood pressure. Cholesterol-lowering drugsHorsepowerSimvastatin versus placebo in patients with coronary disease or other occlusive vascular disease including TIA or shot.SPARCLAtorvastatin versus placebo started within 1 to 6 months of TIA or ischemic shot. Table: Major tests and meta-analyses lending to the grounds base for medical intervention in secondary bar after TIA and ischemic shotVariation in intervention worldwide:Unsurprisingly there is considerable international fluctuation in how patients with suspected TIA are treated in the acute stage, possibly due to the historical deficiency of grounds. For case, Gallic and German health care systems provide immediate exigency inmate attention and the average infirmary stay is about seven yearss [ albucher ] , whilst other systems ( such as Canada ) provide non-emergency outpatient clinic appraisal [ Johnston and Smith 1999, Goldstein 2000 – pg 242 ] . For illustration a Canadian survey showed that in more than one tierce of the patients, antithrombotic therapy was non prescribed on discharge. In the UK, the standard agencies of appraisal and direction is a neurovascular outpatient clinic ( â€Å" TIA Clinic † ) [ Intercollegiate working party for Stroke 2004 – Pag e 242 ] .Antiplatelet AgentsSeveral big controlled tests have now compared antithrombotic therapy ( antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents ) versus control in acute ischemic shot these have been big and have provided dependable grounds on safety or efficaciousness. Antiplatelet drugs such as acetylsalicylic acids can be effectual in the secondary bar of ‘serious vascular events ‘ ( Stroke, MI, and Vascular decease ) [ 12 from the IST survey ] . If taken for a few old ages after a myocardial infarction, ischemic shot, or transeunt ischemic onslaught ( TIA ) , antiplatelet therapy typically avoids about 40 serious vascular events per 1000 patients treated. In acute ischemic shot there is significant thrombocyte activation, which can be inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid. [ 2,14,15,16 from IST ] . Aspirin was by far the most widely studied antiplatelet drug in the ATT ( antithrombotics triallists coaction ) reappraisal. Among about 60,000 high hazard patients, excepting those with acute ischemic shot, aspirin entirely reduced the odds of a serious vascular event by one one-fourth. Almost 10,000 of these patients had a anterior TIA or ischemic shot. Aspirin significantly reduced the comparative odds of a serious vascular event by 17 % , matching to an absolute hazard decrease of 30 per 1000 over 3 old ages. Controversy has surrounded the most appropriate dosage of acetylsalicylic acid, clinicians have argued about doses runing from 30 milligrams to 1500 mg. [ 158-160 Big book chapter 16 ] . Theoretical grounds suggest lower doses might in fact be more good than higher doses. After sing all the available grounds from direct and indirect comparings in bad patients, it seems sensible to reason that acetylsalicylic acid at a dosage of 75-150 mg day-to-day is every bit effectual as higher doses and is most appropriate for long-run secondary bar of serious vascular events to maximise benefits and to minimise inauspicious effects. Doses below 75 milligrams day-to-day may be as effectual, but this still remains rather unsure. Patients with TIA or acute shot, should be treated with acetylsalicylic acid every bit shortly as operable after encephalon imagination has excluded bleeding. Sandercock et al 2003 reviewed two really big randomised controlled test ( International Stroke Collaborative Group 1997 ( IST ) and Chinese Acute Stroke Trial Collaborative Group ( CAST ) which together randomised over 40,000 patients. Sandercock clearly established that get downing aspirin therapy within the first 48 hours of acute ischemic shot avoids decease or disablement at six months for about 10 patients per 1000 patients treated. A farther 10 patients per 1,000 treated will retrieve wholly. intracranial and extracranial bleeding are reported with aspirin therapy but this has low rates, and it is offset by the benefit of excess lives saved. In the IST, patients were allocated, in an unfastened factorial design, to intervention policies of: 300 milligrams aspirin daily, Lipo-Hepin, the combination, or to ‘avoid both acetylsalicylic acids and Lipo-Hepin ‘ for 14 yearss. In the CAST, patients were allocated, in a double-blind design, to 1 month of 160mg aspirin day-to-day or fiting placebo [ Get references 156 and 157 from Chapter 12 -Big Book ] . There is no clear consensus about whether acetylsalicylic acid should be given before encephalon imagination. This is applicable in state of affairss where entree to imagination is delayed or where drugs could be administered by ambulance staff. [ IST 1997 ] There is besides no clear grounds that any peculiar dosage of acetylsalicylic acid is more effectual that others. However symptoms of aspirin toxicity are dose-related, so the smallest effectual dosage should be used. Initial dosage of 150-300mg per twenty-four hours is advised for the acute stage, followed by long-run intervention with 75-150mg per twenty-four hours. Patients intolerant to aspirin should be treated with clopidogrel or with dipryidamole, these newer agents are well more dearly-won than acetylsalicylic acids.Alternate Antiplatelet therapies/regimensAspirin acts on merely one of a figure of tracts taking to platelet activation and so thrombosis. Antiplatelet drugs moving through different tracts might hence be more effectual than aspirin if given as options to, or combined with, acetylsalicylic acid. Several recent big tests have provided information about alternate antiplatelet regimens. Clopidogrel V acetylsalicylic acid: A systematic reappraisal of RCTs of a thienopyridine V acetylsalicylic acid in bad patients identified 10 relevant tests in 26,865 patients. Aspirin was compared with clopidogrel in one test of 19,185 patients with ischemic shot and with ticlopidine in the staying nine tests in a sum of 7,633 patients, most of whom had a recent TIA or minor shot. Thienopyridines modestly and significantly reduced the odds of a serious vascular event compared with acetylsalicylic acid. [ 174 from chapter 16 BB ] . No important inauspicious effects were found in footings of bleeding. On the other manus the thienopyridines were associated with lower hazard of GI shed blooding. [ 174 ] . Few tests that have compared clopdogrel and ticlopidine have straight suggested better safety and tolerability with clopidogrel, doing it the theienopyridine of pick on safety evidences [ 183-185 BB ch 16 ] . In drumhead, clopidogrel is every bit effectual as acetylsalicylic acid and slightly perchance more so. The high cost of clopidogrel and the uncertainness of any extra benefit compared to aspirin do it unreasonable to propose that it should replace aspirin as the first pick antiplatelet drug for all patients at high vascular hazard. It is a sensible alternate antiplatelet drug for patients with a history of TIA or minor shot, who are truly allergic to aspirin. There is presently no grounds from RCTs to back up the usage of combination of clopidogrel plus acetylsalicylic acid to forestall vascular events in patients with TIAs. Antiplatelet therapy reduces the hazard of perennial vascular events after TIA. Most test informations concerns aspirin nevertheless, clopidogrel { CAPRIE Steering commission 1996 ) and drawn-out release dipyridamole ( Sivenius 1991 ) have besides been shown to be effectual in their ain mechanisms of action.Combination Antiplatelet therapy:The combination of acetylsalicylic acid and dipyridamole is more effectual than aspirin alone [ Diener et Al 1996, Halkes et al 2006 ) . This combination shows a comparative decrease in the hazard of perennial shot of around 30 % compared with aspirin entirely. On the contrary, the combination of clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid was non superior to clopidogrel entirely in secondary bar after shot, TIA or other vascular disease in the MATCH and CHARISMA tests. [ Diener et al 2004, Bhatt et al 2007 ] . However there was no important tendency towards benefit from combination antiplatelet intervention in the MATCH test, there was besides a higher hazard of bleeding after 18 months in the combination therapy, which was non evident until 4 months into the test. Consequently, it is possible that draw a bead oning along with a short class of clopidogrel may be effectual in the ague stage after a TIA and minor shot. Antiplatelet agents: – prevent extension of arterial thrombus, prevent thrombocyte collection in microcirculation, prevent re-embolisation from embolic beginning, cut down release of eicosanoids and other neurotoxic agents. Aspirin: – inhibits COX-1, cut downing dislocation of arachadonic acid to thromboxane A2 and thrombocyte granule release. Clopidogrel and other thienopyridines: – encirclement of thrombocyte membrane ADP receptors, suppressing ADP-dependent thrombocyte activation and granule release. Dipyridamole: – Inhibition of phosphodiesterase, doing lift of intracellular thrombocyte cyclicAMP and a attendant decrease in Ca suppressions ; this thrombocyte activation and granule releases. [ TABLE 24.2 – Page 287 G.B ]Anticoagulation and patients with AF:Immediate therapy with decoagulants such as LMWH, unfractionated Lipo-Hepin, and heparinoids in patients with acute ischemic shot is non associated with net short- or long-run benefit [ IST 2007 – Berge 2007, Wong et Al 2007 – Pg 258 GB. ] . These agents cut down the hazard of DVT and PE, but are associated with important hazard of intracranial bleeding, which is dose dependent. Patients in AF after a presumed TIA benefit from anticoagulation in the long-run to forestall a farther shot. However, the best clip to get down therapy after an ischemic shot is ill-defined as the hazard of bleeding is hard to foretell. [ IST – Donnell 2006 – pg 258 GB ] . Patients in AF who have a TIA should be given anticoagulation therapy if there are no contraindications [ European Atrial Fibrillation Trial Study Group 1993,1995 ] . Recent surveies have shown that Coumadin is every bit safe as acetylsalicylic acid in aged patients with AF [ Rash et Al 2007, Mant et al 2007 ] . Patients with presumed cardioembolic TIA or stroke secondary to other causes should surely have antithrombotic therapy. Besides they may profit from anticoagulation in other cardiac fortunes, but at that place have been no randomised controlled tests in state of affairss other than non-valvular AF. Anticoagulation is non effectual in secondary bar of shot for patients in sinus beat. Warfarin intervention to a mark INR of 3-4.5 was associated with important injury due to a big addition in major hemorrhage complications, particularly intracerebral bleeding, in patients with old TIA – in the Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischaemia Trial ( SPIRIT ) [ Algra et al 1997 ] The subsequent Warfarin versus Aspirin in the Secondary Prevention of Stroke ( WARSS ) test of aspirin versus Coumadin for patient in fistula beat and without cardioembolic beginning or with more than 50 % CAS ( carotid artery stricture ) showed no extra benefit for Coumadin at a mark INR of 1.4-2.8 [ Redman and Allen 2002 ] . There has been uncertainness as to whether anticoagulation is preferred to antiplatelet intervention for the secondary bar of ischemia relate to intracranial coronary artery disease. A robust randomised dual unsighted test ( WASID – Warfarin-Aspirin Diagnostic Intracranial Disease ) test of Coumadin, to a mark INR of 2-3, versus acetylsalicylic acid to 1300 milligrams per twenty-four hours in patients with 50-99 % stricture of a major intracranial arteria showed no important benefit for Coumadin over aspirin [ Chimowitz et Al 2005 – pg 287 G.B ] . In fact, Coumadin was associated with increased rate of bleeding and other inauspicious events ; as a consequence the survey was stopped early. However patients having Coumadin were in the curative scope for merely 63 % of the clip. Curative INR appeared to be associated with a much reduced incidence of ischemic shot and cardiac events, proposing that anticoagulation may supply increased benefit over acetylsalicylic acid if curative INR can be maintained much more systematically.FASTER: [ Kennedy FASTER et Al 2007 – pg 246 ]The FASTER randomised controlled pilot test, studied the benefit of clopidogrel versus placebo and Zocor versus placebo initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset in patients with TIA or minor shot, all were treated with aspirin [ Kennedy et Al 2007 – pg246 GB ] . The survey was stopped early owing to failure to recruit patients, likely due to the increased usage of lipid-lowering medicines during the survey period.Blood Pressure and Lipid take downi ng agents:There is some robust grounds from randomised tests to demo that blood force per unit area and cholesterin lowering are effectual for secondary bar of shot. The PROGRESS survey of perindopril and Lozal showed that BP decrease with an ACEi and diuretic get downing several hebdomads or months after TIA reduces the hazard of subsequent shot by about a 3rd. There is a positive correlativity between cholesterin and hazard of ischemic shot. Cholesterol take downing with lipid-lowering medicines reduces the hazard of shot in patients with old shot, coronary or peripheral vascular disease or diabetes. The Heart Protection Study 2002 did non demo a decrease in hazard of perennial shot on lipid-lowering medicines [ Collins et Al 2004 – pg 288 ] , perchance because patients were at low hazard of shot return since the incident shots occurred on mean 4.6 old ages before the survey oncoming. However the subsequent SPARCL test of Lipitor in patients who had had a shot or TIA within one to six months before survey entry showed a reduced overall shot hazard [ Amarenco et Al 2006 – page 288 ] . However there was a important parallel addition in hazard of hemorrhagic shot had been found in the HPS in the 3280 patients with old shot or TIA [ Collins et Al 2004 pg 288 ] . Lipid-lowering medicines should non, hence, be used in patients with old intracerebral bleeding unless there is a strong indicant related to the hazard of ischemic events.Cholesterol-lowering drugs:Meta-analyses found that larger decreases in LDL Cholesterol led to larger decreases in hazard of major vascular events and its constituent results, proposing that attachment to a statin regimen bring forthing a 1.5mmol/L decrease in LDL cholesterin would take to a decrease of about one tierce in the comparative hazard of major vascular events. The full benefits of cholesterin take downing with a lipid-lowering medicine emerged over the 2-3 old ages of intervention and continued for each twelvemonth that intervention was continued thenceforth. HPS was the largest of the RCTs in this meta-analysis. It included over 20,000 people. In a subsequent RCT, the SPARCL test, non included in the meta-anlysis, patients with a recent shot ( about all ischemic ) or TIA and no known coronary bosom disease were indiscriminately assigned to either atorvastatin 80 mg day-to-day or placebo for 5 old ages. The difference between HPS and SPARCL in the effects of of shot or TIA could be explained by opportunity, different intervention regimens, enlisting of patients earlier after their event in SPARCL, or a different balance between ischemic and hemorrhagic shot results. Both tests found similar comparative decreases of approximately 20 % in ischemic shot, and a 70 % or more increased relation hazard of hemorrhagic shot. Both tests found comparative decreases with a lipid-lowering medicine of approximately 20 % in major vascular events. [ See 119-120 ref from BB page 811 ] . There is really good grounds for routinely sing the usage of drawn-out lipid-lowering medicine intervention to take down cholesterl degrees in allpateints at high hazard of any type of major vascular event, including those with a anterior ischemic shot or TIA, and irrespective of the baseline cholesterin concentration. Treating 1000 people with a anterior ischemic shot or TIA for 5 old ages with a lipid-lowering medicine will take to the turning away of over 50 major vascular events. The grounds clearly suggests that cholesterin take downing with a lipid-lowering medicine should be considered in everybody with a history of an ischemic cerebrovascualr event. Lipid-lowering medicines are non recommended for those patients whose untreated cholesterin or LDL choleserol degrees are below 3.5 mmol/L in cholesterin and below 2.6 mmol/L in LDL choleseterol. It is besides non recommended to order a lipid-lowering medicine for patients with a history of intra intellectual bleeding ( ICH ) but no ischemic vascular events, since really few of these patients were included in the two chief RCTs. For those patients with a history of ICH who are besides considered to be at peculiar high hazard of future ischemic shot or coronary events, it is likely sensible to order a lipid-lowering medicine [ Page 814 Big Book ] . Evidence besides suggests that it may be good to get down the lipid-lowering medicine therapy in the first few yearss after the TIA. [ 134 Large book page 815 ] . To reason on lipid-lowering medicines ; intervention tends to get down with a lipid-lowering medicine every bit shortly as the diagnoss is made of a TIA with a baseline entire cholesterin of & gt ; 3.5 mmol/L or LDL cholesterin & gt ; 2.6 mmol/L. Both simvastatin 40mg day-to-day and atorvastatin 80mg daily have been shown to be good in these patients.SURGICAL INTERVENTION120,000 people have a TIA or shot every twelvemonth in the UKat least 10,000 might be suited for CEA yet merely 4500 are being performed each twelvemonth. Recently published NICE guidelines suggest that CEA should be done on appropriate patients in 2 hebdomads of presentation. There have been unacceptable holds between symptom and surgery in the UK. Merely a fifth of diagnostic patients have surgery within two hebdomads, which is the recommended NICE guidelines. Diagnostic CEA is pressing and should hold precedence over elected surgery. The recent GALA test shows that the first 1001 UK patients had a average hold between symptoms and surgery of 82 yearss [ 7 from BLUE BMJ Research article )Carotid Endarterectomy – Evidence of its benefitSurgical remotion of the atheromatic plaque from within the carotid arteria – the carotid endarterectomy ( CEA ) . Tests have proven that it is an effectual intervention for the secondary bar of shot in selected patients. CEA is associated with a assortment of possible complications such as shot and decease [ Naylor Ruckley, Bond et al – GB Ch 25 ] . It is apparent that surgery clearly prevents stroke in patients with diagnostic terrible CAS, but at a monetary value: hazard of shot as a effect of surgery, cost of surgery, hazard of other complications of surgery, cost of probes for choosing suited patients. Nowadays there is concern in the UK as to which patients should be offered surgery. [ 374 375 – BB- Ch 16 ] . As a consequence of big RCTs, it is now clear that CEA of late diagnostic terrible CAS about wholly abolishes the high hazard of ischemic shot over a period of 2-3 old ages. [ 369-371,445-447- Ch 16 BB ] . A clear advantage to surgery is shown when the diagnostic stricture exceeds 80 % diameter decrease of the arterial lms utilizing the ECST method ( European Carotid Surgery Trial ) , which is different to 70 % utilizing the NASCET method. In the NASCET test, CEA reduced the comparative hazard of shot by 65 % compared to medical intervention. The hazard of shot in patients with less than 60 % ( ECST ) stricture is so low, the hazard of surgery is non worthwhile for them. For patients with between 60 % and 80 % ( ECST ) stricture there is still some uncertainness as some of these may be at immense hazard of shot who gain from surgery. Whether the benefits of CEA or stenting in patients with symptomless stricture warrant the hazards and cost is still ill-defined, peculiarly in an epoch of improved medical interventions. ACST and ACAS, had absolute decreases in five-year hazard of shot with surgery were similar: 5.3 % and 5.1 % , severally.Carotid Stenting:Carotid stenting is less unpleasant and less invasive than carotid endarterectomy, and is more convenient and quicker. It is carried out under LA. Some little tests have compare stenting with CEA, and suggested that the procedural shot complication rate of stenting was similar to that of CEA and that there are fewer shots in the long-run. They besides showed that stenting might hold a higher hazard of shot and decease than CEA, and a higher rate of restenosis. The SPACE test is the largest survey comparing CEA with carotid stenting.Timing of SurgeryOptimum timing of surgery has been a extremely controversial subject [ 473-474 – ch 16 BB ] . Surgery should be performed every bit shortly as it is moderately safe to make so, given the really high early hazard of shot during the first few yearss and hebdomads after the TIA in patients with diagnostic CAS. [ 16-475 – ch 16 ] . In stable patients there is no difference between early and subsequently surgery. Thus for stable patients with TIA, benefit from endarterectomy is greatest if performed within 1 hebdomad of the event. [ 390 ch 16 ] However in exigency carotid enarterectomy patients with germinating symptoms ( sucha s stoke in development, crescendo TIA ) had a high operative hazard of shot and decease of 19.2 % which was much greater than that for stable patients 9390 – 477 ch 16 ] . Therefore there is still uncertainness about the balance of hazard and benefit of surgery within 24-72 hours of the presenting event. [ 475 478 479 – hc 16 ] . Merely a minority of patients with TIA are possible campaigners for carotid endarterectomy ( CEA ) or stenting, make up one's minding on surgical intercession instead than medical intervention entirely can be hard. In the ECST 30 % of patients with 90-99 % stricture had a shot in three old ages, 70 % did non. Both ECST and NASCET have two values for the stricture and this difference has been down to the manner the two tests underwent at that place angiographic techniques and to what extent the techniques used to mensurate stricture were accurate. ECST i? 70 % NASCET i? 50 % – WHY THE Difference? ? THE BIG AUDIT The DoH stroke scheme recommends that CEA should be carried out within 48 hours of symptoms, when the hazard of shot is highest, in patients with TIA who are neurologically stable. [ 17 BMJ ARTICLE ] . To accomplish this, utilizing FAST will assist public to recognize TIA and early shot [ 17 BMJ article ] . And the ABCD2 mark helps primary and secondary services to place those patients with TIA who are at highest hazard of shot. [ 18 BMJ Art. ] .Future Directions – How Potential Future Research may be designed to get the better of spreads and challengesMentionsAppendix 1:MethodsLiterature Search StrategyA controlled hunt scheme was employed to obtain informations from medical databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE ( Via PubMed ) , Web of Science, Science Direct ( Elsevier ) , and The Cochrane Library. I besides used the University MetaLib system. I used the capable hunt subdivision and selected ‘Health and Medicine ‘ as the chosen subject of research. It helped further my hunt for e-journals and articles. The systematic hunts were performed in September 2010 to place suited surveies and reappraisals that were published from 2000 until the present twenty-four hours ( i.e from the past ten old ages ) . Although some robust randomised controlled surveies were included which were necessarily dated back beyond this day of the month scope. Drawn-out hunts were made via cyberspace web sites and manual searching of diaries. Recently published, well-conducted systematic reappraisals and primary surveies were selected for inclusion in this systematic reappraisal. Interlending and Document Supply was besides used as a service provided by the Lancaster University Library, to recover some diary articles.Key WordssTranseunt Ischaemic Attack, TIA, TIA Management, Treatment, Current therapy, Anti-coagulation, antiplatelet drugs, acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, combination therapy, cerebrovascular accident, secondary bar.Using MeSH and seeking different Fieldss by using bounds enabled me to polish my consequences from databases. Any articles found within this hunt were so critically appraised ; their relevancy to this systematic reappraisal was besides so decided.Relevant diaries that were non found on the library MetaLib system, were searched for on Google Scholar and the page was taken straight to the database beginning site and so searched within the peculiar database archives. These include: Stroke, The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Journal of Vascular surgery, An nals of Vascular surgery.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Crime Victim Services Program Bullhead City, Arizona Scholarship Essay

Crime Victim Services Program Bullhead City, Arizona - Scholarship Essay Example 91% of Hopi County lacked access of victims’ service resources (HCVAC, 2002 – 2007). These problems were constrained to rural people with limited resources. The problem affected people from Arizona country, specifically residents of Hopi County. It has brought about the issue of insecurity and poverty in the County. The problem includes loss of lives which causes trauma to the affected witnesses of murders. Most people are living in fear of their safety (Katz, 2007). This was a report of Arizona Department of Public Safety problem that needed to be addressed immediately. It has been found that in most cases the poor, low-class and rural people who have no access to victim services. The geographic coverage of the rural area is big. It is very importance to analyze this because it helps reduce crime, heal the affected victims and restore harmony in the County An increase in victims’ service resources like Satellite office in the area will increase the safety of the residents by taking them through the legal process and help them to be compensated where possible. This includes a background education what the victim needs to know to assist him or her in legal matters to have a fair chance of having justice prevailing. This would see through an extra 500 victims to accessing these serves (Uchida, 2007). Crime victims programs should help them have temporary homes and basic needs readily available. They should provide health care services for the victims and counseling services to the psychologically affected people. Victims of rape and physically assaulted people are the more advised to be involved in these counseling exercise. Through eradication of the victims program, and necessary training of individuals, it should assist the victim undergo a healing process; able to take themselves through the judicial process with less constraints (Uchida, 2007). This should reduce

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Management Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Management Information Systems - Essay Example It can also be stated that multitasking functionality of information systems helps in saving valuable time. The multifold data operations are enabled through the multiprocessing capabilities of the information systems. The other major positive impact is that information system enhances the level of accuracy in data processing. The accuracy level is very important in handling huge volumes of data and the automated systems helps to maintain this accuracy in data handling and even facilitates faster processing. The third positive impact is that it reduces the risk in terms of losing data that was previously a big challenge as people used to have important data written on papers. The information system provides a scope through which large volumes of data can be stored in small space in the electronic devices which can be easily accessed as and when required. The negative impacts of the information systems are even widespread across different sectors. The first major negative impact is that the factor of piracy that gained its importance at a large scale after the evolution of information systems. The information systems comprise of certain methods through which the data stored in the systems can be misused by an individual. The other negative impact is that the speed and accuracy that is maintained by information systems leads to increase in rate of unemployment. The systems are capable enough to perform all the manual work making it advantageous for organizations but limit the scope for employment. The third negative impact is that of data security and data integrity. The information systems enables risk factor as volumes of data can be lost which would increase the cost and time. The malfunction that is caused by information systems often leads to loss of information and huge volumes of data. The information systems can be considered as a production factor that is easily substituted for labor and capital. In an organization the entire

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Wildlife and Wind Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wildlife and Wind Energy - Essay Example Despite the renewed efforts to harness energy from the wind, there are various implications of wind turbines on the wildlife although there are mitigation measures that could minimize impacts to the wildlife. In a study conducted by Sovacool (2009), which focused on the effects of wind turbines on birds that are a form of wildlife, the findings indicated that wind turbines were responsible for the death of between 20,000 and over 500, 000 birds every year in the United States. This indicates that wind turbines have an effect on the wildlife as birds collide with turbines leading to their death. In this case, it is evident that turbines are responsible for a big number of the death of birds. There has been contention on whether the effects of vibrations from wind turbines have an effect on the health of the wildlife. In this case, there is suggestion that the vibrations from wind turbines could affect wildlife and cause sickness. On the other hand, other researchers have indicated that wind turbines do not cause any illness on wildlife although the turbines are responsible for creating noise and causing vibrations. The noise and vibrations from wind turbines causes stress among animals and the stress raises the risks of wildlife to various changes within its body due to hormonal imbalance from the stress caused by wind turbines. It is important to carry out routine environmental assessments in wind farms in order to establish their effects on wildlife and on humans. This assessment helps to mitigate any negative impact of wind farms on the wildlife and humans since the assessment identifies the potential impacts of the turbines on the environment. The Wildlife Society (2007) identifies the importance of modifying the operations and locations of turbines with a view of ensuring that the wind turbines minimized their impacts on the wildlife and the habitants of their

Friday, July 26, 2019

You can make a topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

You can make a topic - Research Paper Example Today, however, its message has changed. In his article, â€Å"How Hip Hop holds Blacks back†, John McWhorter expresses his concern at the more primal effects of the present day Hip Hop music. McWhorter starts his article by detailing an experience he had at a restaurant in Harlem where he witnessed teenage African American boys behaving in an unsocial manner. Not only do the boys play loud music, shout and hurl food about, they also disregard the female manager of the restaurant who asks them to leave. They only move out of the restaurant when a male security guard asks them sternly to leave. McWhorter points out that this attitude is the product of the music that is favored by the teenagers. Hip Hop today is filled with messages that denigrate women and encourage the scorning of authority figures. It has in the past been dubbed as an â€Å"angry† type of music (McWhorter 9). This is because its artists are never calm when performing it. There are no ‘calm’ Hip Hop songs. Hip Hop artists are characterized by the fact that they shout their music and make angry or antisocial gestures that in another era would have been viewed as encouraging social strif e. This music is popular with teenagers because they find a place where they can express their inwardly-held angst at changes they are experiencing that are uncomfortable without being judged. However, McWhorter’s point of contention is that whereas the youth of other ethnicities move on and leave Hip Hop behind as they become surer of themselves, African Americans, particularly the men, embrace Hip Hop as a lifestyle. This has resulted in the infantilization of African American men and the near collapse of the entire community. Today, there are 30 and 40 year old men such as Jay Z and P Diddy, who are glorified by the Black American community for refusing to grow up and become responsible citizens (McWhorter 9). According to McWhorter, when young Black teenagers see how these

Charles Manson Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Charles Manson - Research Paper Example The presence of malice aforethought as implied by the conduct of the accused constitutes murder; thus, without malice the homicide becomes manslaughter. Apart from malice being a statutory requirement for murder, the unlawful killing must be of a human being; even though, what constitutes a person is controversial issue in law in US since the fourth amendment of the constitution does not recognise foetus as a person yet some states recognise foetus as human being (Carper, McKinsey and West 2008). Charles Manson was notoriously linked to the slaying Sharon Tate an actress and other Hollywood residents even though he was not convicted of carrying out the murders himself; moreover, he was associated with the famous ‘Tate-La Bianca’ killings that immortalised him as the embodiment of the evil. Manson together with his loyal disciples are believed to have carried out at least 35 killings that mainly were never tried because of the lack of proof or because the architects were sentenced for life for the Tate/La Bianca killings. At his birth, he was named as Charles Milles Maddox by his mother, who was at the time, was an alcoholic and a prostitute. The mother later got married to William Manson; nevertheless, the marriage was short-lived and Charles ended up in a boy school. Charles came back to his mother, but she was not interested in him and soon Charles commenced a street life surviving on petty crime (â€Å"Charles Manson†, n.d.). Probation reports revealed that he was suffered from high degree of rejection, psychic trauma and instability thus the struggle for a status; moreover, the reports indicated that he was dangerous, unpredictable and only safe under supervision. Since 1958, Manson was arrested and released for various offenses such as passing of stolen checks and ‘pimping’ which sent him to McNeil Island prison for ten years. While Manson was incarcerated, he discovered his creative talent, gained knowledge in reading musi c and playing guitar, and finally freed in March of 1967. The next year, Manson organized a murderous operation that made him a considerable figure in criminal history. Therefore, Manson indicates a personality trait of passion associated with cult groups, which emerged in 1960’s. He pathologically believed that he was the forerunner of doom regarding the future of the planet similar to the way cult and evangelistic figures claim prophetic knowledge of the end of the world. Drugs, artworks, and music that prevailed at the time influenced Manson; moreover, Manson had strong belief and interest in the concept of the Armageddon in the bible (â€Å"Charles Manson†, n.d.). The first victims of Manson’s criminal activities were guests at a Beverly Hills home that included Sharon Tate an actress of who was seven months pregnant, where Manson gathered most of his devoted followers to accomplish the task. Moreover, the next day, Manson initiated another killing spree at the home of a wealthy couple Leno La Bianca and his wife, for this task, Manson chose his most obedient comrades. Even though, Manson was never directly involved in the killings, he manipulated his disciples and taught them to kill (â€Å"Charles Manson†, n.d.). Developmental life-course considers crime as a product of developmental process that begins prior to birth and progresses throughout an individual’s life. The developmental-life course theory considers the interaction of individual factors like personality and social factors like

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Enterprise social networks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Enterprise social networks - Essay Example Social media acts as a great equalizer. The educational institutions can utilize the social media and promote themselves without spending money and small colleges can also become popular instantly. There are many small colleges and educational institutes who have posted videos of their courses and online classes to create small advertisement with the resources available within the institute and uploaded them on YouTube or Facebook. Those videos received huge number of likes and the institutions became popular instantly. This study is based on utilizing social media networking for higher education and students in the universities and colleges. The cost for promotion through social networking sites is negligible and it is very easy to understand and handle. This will surely reduce the internal cost of the universities and colleges. Introduction The concept of enterprise social networking involves the usage of social networks or various social relations on the internet for various busin ess or personal purposes. Enterprise social networking basically works on the Web 2.0 platform. It is since 1990s the inception of social networking sites were seen in the world market. The first website motivating this concept was Theglobe.com in the year 1995. This website was only accessible by the registered users, but the website became available for general public usage from 1998. Since then many networking sites have come up for providing a common platform to share information (Uhomoibhi, 2006, pp. 4-14). However, the challenge was that internet, computers and related technology were not so much in use. People could neither easily afford them, nor were they considered important in daily lives of grown-up or any student. Eventually after the penetration of technology, World Wide Web and lightening fast speed of information, social networking mediums surfaced once again (Ernst & Young, 2012). The development of social networking and its rising popularity has been observed in th e 2000s. Nowadays social sites like MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and many more have become synonyms for social media industry. The popularity associated with social media is growing with the passing days and it is connecting more and more people on the basis of their preferences, similar purchase habits, likes and dislikes. Whether it is some news ticker that is promoting the view or news of some anchors or journalist on Twitter, social media is utilised everywhere and in every way. The latest insights revealed by a famous research firm Nielsen on social media networking and marketing states these above mentioned facts. USA claims to have 80 percent of the blog and social media users among the American countries (Nielsen, 2011). The time consumption of the students, youngsters, and also elders on the social media is increasing every day. For example about 60 percent of the customers who use more than two to three digital means definitely use social media as a means of resea rch when they go out to buy products or avail services (Nielsen, 2011). The brief introduction above clearly explains the scenario of the global market and also the penetration level of social media in our daily lives. Social media has penetrated in every field and industry. However, to narrow down the analysis, the discussion in this study would specifically include the usage of social media by students in schools, institutions, colleges, etc. A literary analysis of social media strategies and its four pillars would support the discussion further. Apart from this the probable role that social media can play in educational sector specifically in schools, university would also be evaluated.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Stragetic Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Stragetic Management - Case Study Example In the long run, they have to convert the brand switchers into their own brand loyal. To meet this objective and to retain the loyal customers, relationship marketing is believed to be of immense help to firms. The effective use of CRM will ensure customer loyalty and convert them into lifelong consumers of the product. CRM is one among the many steps of customerization. The focus of CRM is to establish relationship with customers on an individual and personalized basis and then to treat different customers differently based on their expectations. CRM is the key to success in the present era and it has become the order of the day that customers are given personalized attention and only those organizations can succeed who have been able to build a base of their loyal customers. As per estimate, the cost of affecting a new customer is five times more in comparison to making an existing customer happy. In the present report, an attempt is made to prepare a CRM plan and discuss how effec tively it can be used to attain more customer base and support. Parcel Force Industry, a U K based parcel company is the firm discussed in the report. Parcelforce Worldwide is a leading provider of guaranteed express deliveries. The company has been serving it loyal customers for over 14 years, which provides a vital link for British businesses needing to send express shipments internationally and in the UK. Parcelforce Worldwide is the trade name of the Royal Mail Group. The company is being driven by its commitment and dedication to serve the customers by delivering the high quality services for over 30,000 customers across the country. Over the years there have been many changes in the company's environment- internally, externally and internationally. Many competitors have come up by posing threats and thereby prompting the company to deliver high quality services to the customers. Over the last few years parcel industry in the U K has been transformed into a stage where the customers have many choices to get their goods/ materials reached the desired points. This competitive situation made the company to rethink about its appr oach of marketing and attitude towards consumers. Now the company is striving to attain more loyal customers by delivering high quality services at fair and reasonable price.Executive Summary Because of the development in the parcel industry in the UK and mushrooming of many new players, the business of existing players including Parcelforce worldwide has been affected drastically. Moreover, the switch over of firms from conventional product oriented approach of marketing to customer oriented approach has compounded the situation worse than ever before. Companies have realized that those with less attention to customers are likely to lose customers and eventually lose business. This tendency among the major players tempted them to adopt a new approach of marketing. They have been, rightly mentioned, forced to change over to more customer-centric marketing strategies. In this context, the present report examines how Parcelforce Worldwide can introduce Customer Relationship Management as its new marketing strategy. The report further addresses various key issues that the firm should take care of in the implementation of CRM as a

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Letters Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Letters - Essay Example By including specific reasons for the purchase, it is a clearly defined message of why the buyer would like the product. Also, the exact expectations for delivery date and a reference to a previous telephone conversation both add helpful details. Message.   Is the message well organized?   Is it well developed with ample use of examples and specific details to support the purpose of writing?   If not, what can be done to improve the writing in this area? The first paragraph outlines exactly what the problem is: that the order must be placed by the product representative, that the company doesnt show a pending order, and the customer has not received a response from the representative. The second paragraph goes into more detail as to why this is of importance and time-sensitive. The customer also follows up by attaching the original order. 2. The customer could also offer action that will be taken if they dont hear from the representative by a certain date. For example, if I dont hear from you by this date I will have to purchase the flooring from another company. Message.   Is the message well organized?   Is it well developed with ample use of examples and specific details to support the purpose of writing?   If not, what can be done to improve the writing in this area? Message.   Is the message well organized?   Is it well developed with ample use of examples and specific details to support the purpose of writing?   If not, what can be done to improve the writing in this area? The writer could break this into two paragraphs, the first stating thanks for the help, the second clarifying what will be done with the advice given. Otherwise, it is well organized. There could be examples of the advice and action planned to take. The tone might be a little formal. Obviously the person the letter was written to took a lot of time to respond and offer advice. This would cause one to think the letter could be a little more personal

Monday, July 22, 2019

Animals Right Essay Example for Free

Animals Right Essay Some people believe that animals are humans’ friends. The other people might do not think so. Because people have different values of animals, the arguments are commenced. Since 1977, all of three philosophers, Peter Singer, Tom Regan and Carl Cohen have respectively written their work to declare the status of animals. On the one hand, according to Peter Singer’s â€Å"All Animals Are Equal(1977) ,† and Tom Regan’s â€Å"The Case for Animal Rights(1989),† they claim that people should give equal rights to animals as the way do for human beings, and treat all the animals in certain way no matter how the consequences are; On the other hand, in â€Å"The Case for the Use of Animals in Biomedical Research(1986),† Carl Cohen believes that animals have no rights because they are not a part of a group whose typical members are moral agents and able to respond to moral claims. Only human can be the top one of the living beings in the world. Then the other two consider this is a form of speciesism. To see how this long debate’s process, animals’ equal rights and speciesism are the focus. First of all, animals should have equal rights. Peter Singer starts to call for the equal rights for animals. A similarity can be found by Tom Regan. Regan presents the principle, â€Å"subject-of-a-life† as the basis of his case for the fundamental rights of animals. Once any being has complicated spiritual life, like desire, belief, memory, intention and a sense of the future, which is a subject of a life. Due to the fact that each subject of a life is an individual who worries and thinks about his or her life, that life is defined with inherent value. Indeed, Regan identifies that being is not important as the state, and concludes that all who have inherent value equally. Therefore, all animals’ equal right should be treated with respect. However, Cohen replies that animals are not morally self-legislative, cannot possibly be members of a truly moral community (Cohen2. Para. 6), and â€Å"not being of a kind capable of exercising or responding to moral claims† (Cohen 2. Para. 5), so they do not allow to gain rights. But as human infants, severely retarded humans are members of a group whose typical members are moral agents, so they do have rights. Regarding to Cohen’s idea that animals have no rights, Peter Singer analyzes the idea of speciesism to ground his case for the basic rights of animals. Speciesism is a prejudice or partiality that prevents objective consideration of one’s own species and against those of members of other species. Singer goes to explain three claims against speciesism. First, he thinks equal consideration is the basis of equality, so it is unfair to argue an animal since they do not have extending rights. He cites the claim of dogs that are unequal because they do not know what voting is so that cause them not allow to vote. Secondly equality is a moral idea not an actual one. He points out the problems of claims came from defense of racism, sexism, and arguments against the equality of human beings to illustrate his thinking. The aim of this is to put forward the point that, â€Å"equality does not depend on intelligence, moral capacity, physical strength, or similar matters of fact†(Singer3. Para. 12). Thirdly the capacity for suffering is the basic support structure of rights. Therefore he concludes that equality cannot pursue with speciesism. Finally, Carl Cohen argues that speciesism is not at all like the cases of racism or sexism, it can defense morally. Racism has no rational ground whatever†¦the same is true of the sexes, neither sex being entitled by right to greater respect or concern than other† (Cohen3. Para. 21). Unlike the differences between the sexes and races, there are much morally relevant differences between humans and animals. â€Å"Theirs is a moral status very different from that of cats or rats† (Cohen 3. Para. 22). For example, Animals cannot make moral judgments. Also, Cohen describes that the benefits of an adequate utilitarian calculus of animal experimentation which are much more valuable than its costs. As a result, the idea to oppose animal experimentation is inconsistent because this is by far a better use of animals than are other uses of animals the opponents accept, like the use of animals for food, clothing, and shelter. On the other hand, but Cohen applies the idea that it is human beings’ responsibilities to help animals to stop meaningless suffering. Carl Cohen’s arguments against animal rights are shown to be unsound. Cohen’s strategy entails that animals have rights, that humans do not, the negations of those conclusions, and other false and inconsistent implications. Singer’s view is not so very radical, and does not lead to hugely counterintuitive conclusions, because he thinks there are lots or differences between the interests of humans and the interests of other animals. So in practice, treating animals and humans as equals allows for a fair amount of different treatment. However, â€Å"the Case for Animal Rights† is beyond question the most important philosophical contribution to animal rights and is a major work in moral philosophy. Should animals have more rights? The answer we need to wait until the next declaration to go on the animal rights.

A Birthday Gone Bad Essay Example for Free

A Birthday Gone Bad Essay While I was standing inside the kitchen of my home, preparing the food for my daughter’s twelfth birthday party, I heard the terrible screams of my daughter crying out for help. Without any hesitation at all, I dropped everything in my hands and ran to the back yard where all the guests of the party were at. I found my daughter sitting on the concrete floor next to our hot tub, holding her foot and sobbing in horrible pain. As soon as I sat next to her, she ripped a three prong gardening rake out of the arch in the middle of her left foot. I thought for a moment that I was going to be sick to my stomach. The gardening rake was dirty and rusted, and punctured a deep hole right in the bottom of my daughters left foot. I picked her up and rushed her into the bathroom where I began to clean the wound to the best of my abilities. She started to tell me how she managed to get a rake stuck in the middle of her foot when my husband walked in to the bathroom. He stopped her in the middle of her sentence to examined lesion and agreed with me that she needed to be taken to the hospital incase major damage was done into the inside of her foot. So I rushed her to the nearest emergency room. See more: Ethnic groups and racism essay On our way to the emergency room she was finally able to tell me what had happened to her. My daughter informed me that she was simply jumping outside of the hot tub in the attempt to jump into the pool. However, she failed to notice the gardening rake just lying about on the floor and landed right on it. When we got to the emergency room the doctor quickly informed me that my daughter was going to need tetanus shot to eliminate the risk of major infection. This information completely freaked my daughter out and made her want to leave the hospital that very minute because she was deathly afraid of needles. After some time of convincing, she agreed to hold still for the shot to be administered. After the shot was given the doctor ordered a MRI and an x-ray of my daughters’ foot to see if there was any damage done. When the results came in the doctor informed me that when she ripped the rake out of her foot, she managed to rip multiple ligaments and tendons inside of her foot. The only way to completely heal her foot was to put her in a leg cast that went all the way up to her knee and leave in on for four weeks. By the time the doctor had finished putting the cast on, she was already complaining about having to use crutches and how everyone at school was going to make fun of her. When we got home my daughter had just had it with the day. It was suppose to be a great day and it so quickly turned into an ugly day. Nobody wants to spend their birthday in the hospital. Unfortunately for my daughter, she is one of the unlucky ones who has unexpected things happen to them in the blink of an eye.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Corporate Social Responsibility in International companies

Corporate Social Responsibility in International companies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an aspect of business ethics that has assumed significant importance in the age of globalization and expanding markets. The morally-influenced attitudes of consumers in markets have forced many multinational corporations to redefine their definition of social values and rules of their business. There is an increasing realization that corporations are created by the society and that they must give back by serving the society and not merely by making profit from it. New age corporate leaders are replacing the business philosophy of maximization of profits with optimization of profits by shifting their business focus from accountability to shareholders to accountability to stakeholders (including employees, customers, communities, etc.). The growing focus on Corporate Social Responsibility mandates that these stakeholders have a right to expect accountability and transparency as well as social and environmental investment from corporations Ignoring Corporate Social Responsibility would mean endangering business success in the global marketplace. It is unlikely that a company can be ethical while not manifesting a high degree of social and environmental responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility and responsibility to the environment are themselves large and important issues for any company today. Corporate Social Responsibility and Shared Value Corporate Social responsibility as a concept and a part of the business model started evolving from 1960s and in the Indian context companies like TCS have been using their core competency to the benefit of communities. But as more and more businesses start paying lip service to CSR a need for a new model which would broaden their view was much needed. In an article by Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer in the Harvard Business Review titled The Big Idea: Creating Shared Value, the authors comment on how companies are widely being perceived to be prospering at the expense of the broader community. They go on to say the more business has begun to embrace corporate responsibility, the more it has been blamed for societys failures. Business is caught in a vicious circle. Companies no longer have a broader view when it comes to value creation as they are focused more on short term profit gains. They have started ignoring the aspects which make them sustainable in the long term. Important issues like customer well being, conservation of natural resources and community well being are being overlooked which is leading to a negative perception in the minds of people. According to the authors of the article The solution to this problem lies in the principle of shared value, which involves creating economic value in a way that also creates value for society by addressing its needs and challenges. Businesses must reconnect company success with social progress. Shared value is not social responsibility, philanthropy, or even sustainability, but a new way to achieve economic success. It is not on the margin of what companies do but at the center. We believe that it can give rise to the next major transformation of business thinking CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NATIONAL COMPANIES ITC ITC is well known for its CSR initiatives in India. Its e-Choupal program which was conceived by its agri-business division has helped farmers to come out of the vicious cycle of debt and risk and low productivity. It was launched in June 2000 and some of the achievements of this program are: Reach out to over 4 million farmers in over 40,000 villages across 10 states through 6500 kiosks. Choupal Pradarshan khet an initiative which provides Agri-extension services which provide the knowledge of the best agricultural practices to small and marginal farmers. This initiative covers over 70,000 hectares and 1.6 million farmers Watershed development schemes which cover 56,951 hectares which are brought under soil and moisture conservation. Primary education services to 252,329 children through 2,334 Supplementary Learning Centres. Their social and farm forestry efforts have brought 19,100 hectares of wasteland under social forestry helping more than 20,000 households across 525 villages. ITC also indirectly followed the shared value business as they linked their paperboards businesss wood fibre needs to the farmers need for income from their produce of the same. ITC claims it is taking conscious steps towards moving away from their Cigarette business and earning more revenues from their other business as many people were skeptical about ITCs CSR activities as they produce cigarettes and that is a major source of their revenues. Infosys Technologies Limited Infosys employees actively participate in the welfare of the local community. Their Development Centers in India make a difference through several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Their employees organize and contribute to welfare programs, especially for underprivileged children. Infosys has pledged to make a difference to society by actively participating in community development. Their social contract inspires more than 100,000 employees to contribute to community welfare, environment sustainability and digital literacy. In 2009-10, Infosys organized several programs, enabling employees to give back to society: Volunteering:- A sabbatical policy encourages Infoscions to work for designated Indian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on community projects. Employees are paid an allowance by the company for up to a year. Infoscions actively support the mid-day meal program of the Akshaya Patra Foundation. It is the worlds largest NGO school meal program blending nutrition with education for more than one million children in rural areas across seven states in India, daily. Emergency aid:- In 2009, floods in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka caused widespread destruction of life and property. The Infosys Foundation and Infoscions donated 30 crore towards rehabilitation and reconstruction of homes. In 2010, Infosys Australia organized a fund-raiser to support Red Cross disaster relief efforts in the wake of earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Infosys USA worked with Red Cross to provide Haitians with food and medical care. Digital empowerment:- Infosys initiates children into Information Technology at a young age through the SPARK program. In 2009-10, Infoscions touched the lives of more than 70,000 students across India by undertaking IT training and mentoring teachers of government-aided schools in rural areas. Shaping policies:- Members of the board of directors of Infosys serve on global councils and contribute to policy making in corporate governance, education, healthcare, diversity, and the environment. Infosys is partnering with state utilities in India to introduce voluntary green tariff, enabling consumers to offset the cost of renewable energy. Infosys hosted the Climate Roadmap Sub-National Workshop at Mysore, a platform to share best practices in environment sustainability. Promoting education and research:- Infosys is working with more than 400 engineering colleges in India to enhance their curriculum and enrich the talent pool through the Campus Connect program. The Infosys Science Foundation promotes research in pure and applied sciences with an annual prize of 50 lakh for Indian researchers. Tata Consultancy Services TCS has always recognized the responsibility Corporates should have towards the wider communities they operate in. Be it girl child education in South Asia in collaboration with UNICEF or adult literacy programs in South India, TCS believes in using IT as an instrument for social development and change. Other TCS community initiatives have been in areas addressing environmental and civic problems; setting up and maintaining infrastructure for urban beautification, pollution reduction and healthcare; waste management in the office environment, tree plantation and water treatment. Environment policy:- TCS provides a healthy work environment to all its employees, and conducts environment friendly business at all its offices. To achieve these goals, TCS has published this Environment Policy. In line with its continuous improvement process initiative, TCS will continuously enhance its environment policy, which encompasses air, water, natural resources, people and their interrelation. Employees:- TCS makes all its employees aware on how work practices affect the environment. For example, wasteful use of electricity or paper at work place depletes natural resources and adds to pollution caused by the generating/manufacturing units. Similarly safe work practices protect the environment by mitigating health risks and accidents. As members of the TATA family, and responsible citizens of the country, TCS employees should observe environment- friendly behaviour, both in and outside the work place. Management:- TCS management defines health, safety and environment goals and objectives, identifies roles and responsibilities for policy implementation, measures performance, and allocates necessary resources. It integrates resource planning with health, safety and environment concerns. Two-way communication is established with employees, clients and vendors to promote and share health, safety and environment initiatives. The Management will also initiate ISO 14001 certification for different locations in a phased manner. Work Place:- TCS managers review the work environment and suggest improvements in line with this policy. The policy initiates energy conservation, waste recycling, and paper reduction, in priority areas. The measures and initiatives emerging as a result of this policy get documented as processes. These processes ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environment regulations in all offices of TCS. WIPRO Apart from being Indias leading IT service company, Wipro has made a mark through their CSR activities. Making education a mission At Wipro, the commitment to education is driven by a mission to impart knowledge that helps the young develop holistic skills to address social, economic and environmental issues. Wipro perceives education as a fundamental enabler of sustainable social change. In this context, Wipro has undertaken educational initiatives that cover school reform and the curriculum. These include: Wipro Applying Thought in Schools Focused, long-term initiative in school reform Initiative based on the thought that every child must be given the opportunity to realize his/her potential Worked with over 10,500 educators in 1500 schools across 17 states in India Partnered over 30 social organizations in this endeavor Mission 10X A platform for the rapidly growing academic community of educators, learners and innovators Helps them impart education that enhances the employability skills of fresh engineering graduates in India Reached the first milestone and has empowered more than 10,000 faculty members across 20 states Azim Premji Foundation This is a not-for-profit organization with a vision to contribute to systemic changes in Indian education that facilitates a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. Operational since 2001, the Foundation has engaged with over 2.5 million children in 20,000 schools across 13 States through a committed workforce of over 250 professionals and hundreds of paid volunteers. Eco Eye Wipros commitment to the ecology around is as strong as their every endeavour. Their believe is that the future lies in sustainable solutions that will never interfere with our environment, an integral part of our social initiatives. With the formation of Eco Eye, Wipro is now a business that incorporates better ecological balance in every project we execute. Dabur Dabur defines CSR as conducting business in ways that provide social, environmental economic benefits for the communities and geographies where it operates. The greatest value is in making a difference in lives of people. Daburs CSR initiatives are driven by Sustainable Development Society or SUNDESH, which aims to reach out to the weaker and more vulnerable sections of society. SUNDESH operates in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand addressing childrens literacy, improving healthcare services, skill development, and environment Healthcare: Providing diagnostic facilities like urine and pregnancy test, haemoglobin, blood sugar and Doppler test to the poor rural populace at nominal rates. Reducing infant and maternal mortality rates by promoting and motivating expecting mothers to go in for institutional deliveries. Holding eye care camps at its Health Post and in villages. Organizing workshops on prevention of female foeticide and sensitization to make the community aware about the importance of girl child and improve the girl-boy ratio in the region. An awareness drive on HIV/AIDS was undertaken with CARE India Trust and UP State AIDS Control Society to reduce Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV transmission among high-risk migrants Education Literacy: The educational initiatives of SUNDESH for underprivileged children include non- formal education [6-14 years non-school going], special school for working children [8-13 years], remedial education [6-14 years school-going], besides holding classes for women. SUNDESH holds classes for underprivileged children between 6 and 14 years of age. After completing their basic education, these children, who have never had a chance to see a school from inside or are school dropouts, are then encouraged to get enrolled in formal schools. Income Generation Programmes: Capability enhancement programmes have been introduced offering vocational training in cutting tailoring, machine hand embroidery, bee keeping, mushroom farming, mehandi application and vermi-composting. Dabur has started the project on medicinal plants in Nepal to provide the modern technology for cultivation of the required medicinal herbs of Himalayas to the farmers. AIRCEL The pursuit of CSR can take some very strange turns as demonstrated by the Aircel campaign to save the tiger. Aircel is one of the biggest mobile phone providers in India.  In 2010, they launched the Save our Tiger campaign represented by a tiger cub called Stripey with whom the country promptly fell in love with. Prime time TV could barely be watched without Stripey and his Im abandoned, please save me eyes. Now abruptly, he has disappeared and taken his much talked about cuteness with him. Every TV-watching, net-savvy person in India now knows that only 1411 tigers exist in the wild. We know the company has tied up with WWF to give it some credibility. Some of us wonder if this is an attempt at a badly executed CSR effort. What seems specifically unclear to me remains the ultimate aim of the campaign. Was it started to: (a) create awareness? or (b) create the impression of corporate responsibility? or (c) give people the impression that Aircel is going to take a lead in saving the tiger?  Since Project Tiger,  which has been the most successful program in the 70s lost steam; tiger conservation in India has always had its lulls and rises. There has never been a concentrated effort to increase numbers by putting a check on poaching and habitat destruction. More importantly there has not been much transparency, advocacy or public involvement in the process. Every census releases varying numbers regarding tiger population does Aircel explain how the number 1411 was arrived at? Aircels attempt at gathering public sympathy for the fate of Indias national animal is admirable. The campaign regardless of whether it is CSR or not, is not strategically clever. It does really explain what the company itself is doing to save the tiger apart from throwing Stripey on the airwaves. The campaign would have infinitely more credibility if they could explain  why  it is really, truly important to save the tiger along with its habitat. Most unfortunately, the company does not galvanize on the campaign to further its image of CSR. The entire campaign looks like one quick brainstorm session resulting in the words tiger and save put together, how to publicize the issue with as much noise as possible and then abruptly stop. Conservation efforts are dependent on rate of biodiversity loss which is tied into economic losses. Stripey no matter how cute and how much celebrity support he garners, will not stir public sympathies for too long unless a holistic picture is provided. I hope someone from Aircel is reading this: more information is needed on their campaign objectives, overall picture of CSR   activities, how they plan on achieving these and where theyre getting their tiger numbers from for starters. Hindustan Latex Limited Hindustan Latex Limited, a public sector company established more than three decades ago, came to occupy a premier position in the countrys family planning and health care programs. Hindustan Latex Limited ventured into social sector projects aimed at creating a planned social change. It was with this objective that HLL formed the Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust, a non-profit organization promoted by HLL, undertaking the conceptualization and implementation of various Social Sector Projects and broad based to focus on reproductive and sexual health. Distribution of social marketing brands of contraceptives through unemployed, educated and mobile rural youth, supported by a comprehensive local media based IEC programme, thereby contributing to the reduction of Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the rural areas and Advancement of family health through the promotion of sanitary napkins and oral rehydration salts (ORS). Community based distribution of   Contraceptives project Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa , Sukha Parivaram is a social marketing programme for the state of Andhra Pradesh and will make available a basket of social marketing goods such as condoms, oral contraceptive pills, iron and folic acid tablets (for pregnant women) and ORS. Mobile Health Clinic Project to ensure that the health services are able to reach the remote, inaccessible and underserved areas. In combination with reduced education levels this innovative approach will help to take the health infrastructure at the nearest village of the rural populace specially in those villages which are currently not served by any PHC and private clinics. Hinduja Foundation It is an important milestone which began with the philanthropic work of Paramanand Deepchand Hinduja (1901 1971), founder of the Hinduja Group. This legacy is carried forward under the aegis of the Hinduja Foundation which works in tandem with Hinduja Foundations established in the UK and the USA. Together they form an integral part of the Hinduja Group and strive to achieve their goals by creating socially responsible institutions; working jointly with other institutions of repute and by supporting deserving NGOs working for similar objectives. Drawing inspiration from the founder, the Hinduja Foundation believes that philanthropy, a sacred social responsibility of all enterprise, is worthier when it encourages self help and sets an example for the younger generations. Srichand P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group, leads the Foundation. Our aim, he says, is to build bridges between India and the world, between the past and the present, between generations that are and generations to come. The Foundations core objectives are: Healthcare Education Arts, Culture and Interfaith Understanding Social Welfare Sports CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES Coke Coca cola follows corporate social responsibility practices in the following areas Beverage Benefits, Active healthy living, Community, Energy Efficiency and climate Protection, Sustainable Packaging, Live Positively Program, Water Steward Ship. The following are the salient features of their CSR Activities. All these programs are collectively known as the Live Positively Program. Under their Beverage Benefits Program they plan to invest more than $50 million in research by 2015 and aim to have low and no calorie options and smaller portion sizes to be made available in communities where obesity is a significant problem. Their Active Healthy Living Program aims to support the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation in reducing the total annual calories consumed in the U.S by 1.5 Trillion(by the end of 2015) By the end of 2015, Coke wants to ensure that it does not directly market their beverages to children less than 12 years of age following ethics in marketing. Through their Community Development Initiatives coke aims to form 1,300 to 2,000 new Micro Distribution Centers (MDCs) in Africa and by the end of 2020 empower 5 million businesswomen in their global business system. Cokes Energy Efficiency and Climate protection activities aim to Grow our business but not our system wide carbon emissions from our manufacturing operations through 2015, compared with a 2004 baseline. Through their sustainable packaging initiatives they plan to improve packaging material efficiency per liter of product sold by 7%, compared with a 2008 baseline. Through their water stewardship programs coke plans to return to nature and communities the water they use in their beverage production They also create diverse and healthy workplaces aligned with international human rights principles. Google Google developed a separate technological platform called google.org to use its core competency in the area of Information Technology to build products and advocate for policies that address global challenges. They have the following projects which fall under their CSR and philanthropic activities. Google Crisis Response Project aims at making critical information more accessible during the natural disasters and humanitarian crises. After the massive Earthquake in Japan they used this project to provide emergency information, maps and missing persons resources Googles Earth Engine enables the analysis of raw satellite imagery data and extraction of meaningful information about the worlds forests, such as locations and measurements of deforestation Googles RE Google Flu trends Project use Google search data to estimate flu activity. Google Power Meter Project, a free energy monitoring tool helps in saving energy and money. Using energy information provided by utility smart meters and energy monitoring devices, this software enables you to view ones home energy consumption from anywhere online. Googles Philanthropic efforts in the areas of Engineering Awards and Charitable Giving include supporting universities in their Academic research efforts and giving Google Scholarships which help students especially minorities and women with their Computer science and technology studies. They also gave out a $20 million donation in 2010 to charities from around the globe in order to help organizations who have been stretched thin by increasing requests for help at a time of lower donations. Nokia Nokia aims to lead in sustainability by taking it into account in everything they do. Over a billion people in the world use a Nokia phone, and Nokia employees are excited about the opportunities this provides for improving peoples livelihoods and encouraging them to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. As a market leader, one of the best ways they can contribute to the global community is to conduct their business in a responsible way. They are committed to drive ethically sound policies and practices that guide us in their work. They have a long track record of taking sustainability into account in all their operations, products and services, but their also look beyond their own operations to use their scale for good. Put simply, sustainability is their way of doing business, and their corporate responsibility agenda is framed around the Nokia values of being very human, engaging everyone, innovation and achieving together. Mobile communications have played a big role in billions of peoples lives. Now that mobile devices are connecting us in many ways beyond calls, Nokia has been leading and encouraging innovation around how to harness this new connectivity to help people solve everyday challenges and connect them to what matters most. New, innovative mobile solutions hold tremendous potential for changing the way the society lives. Their impacts and commitment:- Maximising the benefits of mobile communication and minimising potentially negative effects requires commitment from governments, civil society, and the business sector. As a market leader with global operations they recognise that their potential impact, and therefore their responsibility, is great. From a social growth and economic development perspective, they acknowledge their impact and responsibilities throughout their value chain: in their sourcing, product design, manufacturing, logistics, recycling, communications, employee well-being, business partnerships, community involvement and social investments. Through their solutions they respond to various environmental and societal needs. Their overall response to their stakeholders is to produce high-quality, safe products and valuable services for a consumer offerings that has a positive influence on the society and the planet. Kelloggs Based on their heritage and business, Kelloggs chooses to focus on three major areas: Helping Children and Youth Reach their Potential   Improving Opportunities for Minorities and Women Strengthening Communities In 2005, Kelloggs contributed more than $8 million in cash and $20 million in product to various charitable organizations around the world.   Half of their corporate giving is based on what is important to the employees contributions that are part of Kellogg Care-their matching-grant program, and United Way. The food donations primarily are made through Americas Second Harvest, a nationwide network of food banks and food rescue organizations that feeds hungry children and families across the country.   Kelloggs employees make a difference in their local communities by volunteering and participating in wide-ranging charitable activities. Kellogg Company provides a dollar-for-dollar match of employee gifts to qualified educational, cultural and environmental organizations. Partners  and Partnerships : Kelloggs works with organizations and programs with proven results, improving lives around the country and throughout the world including United Way, Americas Second Harvest, and HOSTS   Learning   Help One Student to Succeed. Wellness and Nutrition: The Kellogg legacy is based on the philosophy that people can improve their health by eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity.   Living a healthy lifestyle begins with a good understanding of nutrition.   Kelloggs believes in providing high-quality, nutritious food and helping educate consumers about the benefits of a healthy diet. Ethics and compliance: Through their Global Code of Ethics, Kelloggs employees understand that: They are firmly committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all our employees and job applicants. Customers and consumers expect more from Kellogg Company and it is every employees job to make sure Kellogg meets their expectations. Investors count on Kellogg to deliver on its commitments, provide accurate information about its affiliates and to make responsible business decisions based on reliable records. Kellogg believes in doing business with suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners, agents, sales representatives, distributors and consultants who embrace and demonstrate high standards of ethical behavior. They actively seek opportunities to contribute to the communities in which we do business, and to improve the environment that sustains us all. Diversity and Inclusion: At Kellogg Company, Individuals are valued for their diverse backgrounds, experiences, styles, approaches and ideas.They actively promote diversity in work force.  This diversity inspires the innovation that drives business and helps enhance competitive advantage Workplace Health and Safety: Employee safety is a value at Kellogg.  Ã‚  They are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment and preventing accidents.   Employees are accountable for observing the safety and health rules and practices that apply to their jobs and are expected to take precautions necessary to protect them and their co-workers, including immediately reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe practices or conditions.   Kellogg and the Environment: Promoting and maintaining environmentally responsible practices is beneficial for everyone   our customers, consumers, employees and the communities in which they operate. Kellogg Company conducts business in ways that protect the environment and demonstrate good stewardship of our worlds natural resources.   They work closely and cooperatively with local communities, suppliers and contractors, government agencies, and other organizations engaged in improving the environment.  Their current focus is on energy use.   While a 10% reduction in the energy used to produce the products has been seen since 1997, the goal is to continue this reduction. The Kelloggs environmental audit program includes periodic and complete evaluations of all our manufacturing practices. Almost all Kellogg cereal cartons are made of 100% recycled fiber, with at least 35% post-consumer material. Citigroup The Public Affairs Committee of Citis Board of Directors oversees overall Citizenship priorities and performance. Its businesses, supported by Director of Corporate Citizenship, implement Citizenship policies and commitments through their daily work. Internal teams specializing in topics such as the environment, public policy, diversity, financial education, community relations and human rights support the businesses. Citi Foundation: The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where we work so they can improve their standard of living. It provides grant support for programs aligned with the Citi Foundations five strategic funding areas: Microfinance and Microenterprise, Small and Growing Businesses, Financial Capability and Asset Building, College and Careers and Neighborhood Revitalization The key stakeholders include investors, employees, customers, vendors, suppliers, communities, regulators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and peer institutions in networks such as the Equator Principles and Carbon Principles. It seeks to engage regularly with both individual stakeholders and institutions to share information, listen to stakeholders ideas and concerns and, where possible, refine its policies and practices in response. The Citi Code of Conduct outlines the laws, rules, regulations and Citi policies that govern its activities and sets companywide standards of