Educating Special Needs Students I.E. Autism and Other...

Educating Special Needs Students: I.e. Autism and other Severe Disabilities Timothy E. Jackson SPE -226 Educating the Exceptional Learner February 23, 2011 Professor Rebekah McCarthy This essay is entitled Educating Special Needs Students, the author will discuss and several important issues, which will be the following; the defining of Mental Retardation a term the author despises, Autism, Severe Disabilities and Multiple Disabilities, also their causes, and the impact of these disabilities have on the education of students with Mental Retardation. In addition to the above mentioned, the essay will identify areas of curriculum, necessary for students with severe disabilities and will explain why. Addressed also will be the†¦show more content†¦This makes educating students with this particular disability more challenging and often times harder to manage. â€Å"The public education of these students must start early and continue at some level throughout life. Second, all students typically need speech and language intervention, while many others will need physical and occupational therapy. Students with sensory impairments may need interpreters and mobility trainers, while some with medical needs may require nursing services or supervision. Third, because the educational teams of students are often large, close collaboration between members is essential if their expertise is to result in improved student functioning. The benefits of integrating therapy into natural activities are now being widely accepted over the traditional practice of isolated, or pull-out, therapy.† The essay will now turn its focus to the attention of identifying areas of curriculum, necessary for students with severe disabilities and will explain why. To begin, the Handicapped Childrens Act of 1975, federal emphasis shifted from curriculum development to preparing and implementing individualized educational programs for students with disabilities (Meyen, 1996). Why, because in the opinion of the author, every student in every state deserves to have the best available education the DepartmentShow MoreRelatedWorking with Students who have Learning Disabilities Essay examples1481 Words   |  6 PagesWorking with Students who have Learning Disabilities Over the past 10 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of students who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities. I need to be aware of how to help those students who have learning disabilities and teach to the best of my ability. I also need to be supportive and understand not every student learns in the same way which is why it is important for me to be flexible in my own style of instruction. I need to be knowledgeableRead MoreDisability As Defined By The Act Person With Disability Act1680 Words   |  7 PagesDefining Disability Disability as defined by the act Person With Disability Act, 1995 covers blindness, low vision, leprosy-cured, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, mental retardation and mental illness as well as multiple disabilities. â€Å"Any lack resulting from impairment of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for human being†. (World Health Organization, 2001) Autism: â€Å"A condition of uneven skill development primarily affecting the communicationRead MoreThe Education Of Special Needs3725 Words   |  15 PagesThe Education of Special Needs in Public, Private, and Charter Schools Jerissa R. Gregory Liberty University Abstract Education is important to all children, but teaching children with special needs entails the educator to examine and assess the social, behavior, intellectual and academic deficits of the student and devise an instructional plan that will support their excellence in these areas. Teaching in a classroom with children who have disabilities pertains to variousRead More Teaching Techniques in Special Education Essay2317 Words   |  10 PagesTechniques in Special Education In the past two decades many changes have been made in education. Many of these changes have occurred in the special education area. There has been an increase in the number of students who need services in many different areas. Due to the vast array of ability levels and disabilities among students with special needs the teaching techniques and methods used in the classroom must also vary greatly. This is important to effectively facilitate a child’s needs and learningRead MoreEssay special education11975 Words   |  48 Pagesï » ¿CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS OF DISABILITY The contemporary conception of disability proposed in the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) views disability as an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. Disability is the interaction between individuals with a health condition (e.g. cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or depression) and personal and environmental factors (e.g. negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation,Read MoreAction Research in Physical Education6518 Words   |  27 PagesAction Research of Inclusive Physical Education for Raising the Regular and Special Education Students Participate in Teaching Activities EDGAR JOEY M. PERALTA Pidigan Central School, Pidigan, Abra Abstract The purpose of this study was to put into practice an inclusive physical education by adjusting a variety of teaching methods, so self-contained special education students and regular students can also join the general physical education. With the adjustment of teaching, teachers can rethinkRead MoreContemporary Applications of Schools in Psychology8487 Words   |  34 Pagesmetacognitive strategies for decision-making and problem-solving and metamemory strategies suited to a particular student to improve retention and recall of information during an examination. Metacognitive strategies training can consist of coaching the students in thinking skills that will allow them to monitor their own learning. Examples of strategies that can be taught to students are word analysis skills, active reading strategies, listening skills, organizational skills and creating mnemonicRead MoreDeveloping Effective Research Proposals49428 Words   |  198 Pagesprevious page page_v next page Page vi 3.5 Data collection questions 3.6 Research questions and data – the empirical criterion 3.7 Three tactical issues 3.7.1 The importance of the pre-empirical stage 3.7.2 Questions before methods 3.7.3 Do I need hypotheses in my proposal? 3.8 Review concepts and questions Notes 4 Some Issues 4.1 The perspective behind the research 4.2 The role of theory 4.2.1 Description versus explanation 4.2.2 Theory verification versus theory generation 4.3 Pre-structuredRead More_x000C_Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis355457 Words   |  1422 Pagesof this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, Web distribution, information storage and retrieval systems, or in any other manner—without the written permission of the publisher. Thomson Higher Education 10 Davis Drive Belmont, CA 94002-3098 USA For more information about our products, contact us at: Thomson Learning Academic Resource Center 1-800-423-0563 For permissionRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesChristian Holdener, S4Carlisle Publishing Services Composition: S4Carlisle Publishing Services Printer/Binder: Courier/Kendallville Cover Printer: Courier/Kendalville Text Font: 10.5/12 ITC New Baskerville Std Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, in this textbook appear on the appropriate page within text. Copyright  © 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United

Essay Writing about Love - 857 Words

Writing about Love Love poems have always been very popular because love is one of the deepest emotions that people can feel and poetry is a good way to express such an emotion. When people think of love, they think of a typical romantic love but an exploration of pre-1914 love poetry shows other types of love such as unrequited love and obsessive love. The poems I will explore in depth are ‘To his Coy Mistress’ by Andrew Marvin, ‘The Garden of Love’ by William Blake, and ‘How do I love thee’ by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning. Blake’s poem ‘The Garden of Love’ is his view of being deceived by the perception of marriage. He has shown this by using the Chapel to symbolize marriage. When he gets there he finds ‘Thou shalt not’†¦show more content†¦Nesbit’s poem does not make use of he symbols that Blake uses which makes her poem easier to understand. Andrew Marvell’s poem ‘To his Coy Mistress’ takes a more positive attitude towards love. Hid poem, like Blake’s, was written at a time of upheaval during the English Civil War and he was influenced by this. His poem is a ‘carpe diem’ poem which was fashionable because it told people to ‘seize the moment’ because they did not know what would happen next. The lines ‘But at my back I always hear Times winged chariot hurrying near’ Show this because the poet is trying to get the woman to go to bed with him. At first he tells her that if they lived for eternity then he would wait, but they don’t so he tells her that if they wait too long his love might not last. He says ‘And your quaint Honour turn to dust; And into ashes all my Lust.’ At the start of the poem the pace is slow, symbolizing how long he would wait for her love if they had all the time. But when he tells her they do not have time, the poem picks up pace. Andrew Marvell uses a lot of hyperbole, for example when he mentions that he would love her ten years before the Flood. It is obvious they were not alive at this time. Some of the language in the poem compares the woman to the river Ganges in India and himself to the English river Humber. This shows her as being exotic and shows that he wasShow MoreRelatedWriting From A Place Of Love And I Have Been Thinking About Writing2328 Words   |  10 PagesHeather, This comes from a place of love and I have been thinking about writing this email to you since the wedding but wanted to wait until after 360 to write you about it. For the last year I have been trying to talk to you about and every time I try to bring anything up that bothers me , or that I notice you immediately go on the deep end. I feel like I can t come and talk to you about things. So for a year or so now when I get mad at you I just stop talking to you, and hanging out withRead MoreHow Writing Can Help You Cope With Life1205 Words   |  5 PagesWrite† by composing a love letter to â€Å"writing† about how writing can help you cope with life. The author gives a precise summary about why she writes. It seems to be random thoughts, but she has a point to the madness as the reader has to analyze the text more deeply to understand what Williams means. Williams uses this piece to describe a climatic read about why the author feels the need to express herself in this way. However, why would someone write a love letter to writing, or any other art formRead MoreIs Death Inevitable? By William Shakespeare820 Words   |  4 Pageswel l-known poet who wrote many poems about love and death in his time. To be exact Shakespeare perished four hundred and thirteen years ago in year 1603; however, the real question should be  ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬did Shakespeare really die? Did Shakespeare try to cheat death with his writing? He may have died about four hundred years ago, but his poetry is very much alive in the world today. Death is imminent; on the contrary, did William Shakespeare intend to cheat death with his writing that has been very much alive sinceRead MoreGender Conformity And Expectations Through Time1306 Words   |  6 PagesEurope. The main character, Orlando, experiences a gender change during his lifetime to become a female and that drastically modifies the way that she lives. Through the motif of Orlando’s gender change and androgyny, Orlando experiences both life and love, which is not common for men and women regardless of the time period. Orlando began life as a young boy, living in a house in the country before being taken into the city by the Queen. As a child, he encourages himself to chase masculine pursuitsRead MoreAn Analysis Of To My One Love By Chimamanda Adichie1013 Words   |  5 Pages Amongst the two paired essays, To My One Love by Chimamanda Adichie, and My Periodic Table by Oliver Sacks, Adichie’s essay was the most effective in terms addressing the mournful topic of facing death. This melancholy writing expresses the ceaseless impacts of young love, and young loss. Between both essays, To My One Love is more effective in its purpose. To My One Love is a tender story about GB (Adichie) and her brief lover Nnamdi. The writing starts with 19 year old Adichie getting her firstRead MoreAnalysis Of A Farwell To Arms By Ernest Hemingway1490 Words   |  6 PagesErnest Hemingway was a great American writer that accomplished many pieces of work including short stories, novels and journals. Hemingway was born in 1899 and raised in Illinois; he first started writing in high school for his schools newspaper cover things such as the local orchestra and working for the school year book. After graduation from high school he started his first job as journalist in Kanas working for the Kansas City Star newspaper. Hemingway soon left Kansas to serve in WWI as anRead MorePersonal Note On Writing And Writing1167 Words   |  5 Pagespersonification; these are just a few writing techniques that I do not use when I write. Why? Most of the writing done by myself is boring essay’s I am forced to write in order to get a good g rade. Though I received mostly A’s on my papers it was hard and annoying to write papers. In my history as a writer any subject, assignment, or just writing that I have done that I enjoyed was exciting and fun to write. When composing papers on subjects I am interested in, writing becomes more enjoyable. GrowingRead MoreThe First Day Of Kindergarten Essay1748 Words   |  7 Pagesbe writers, and since books were by best friends, I thought that writing would be another friend to me. But writing proved to be more of a fickle friend; that friend who only wants to come over for dinner when its favorite food is being served, otherwise, it would rather stay at home. I continued to invite all types of writing into my life throughout elementary school and soon found out that it, too, just needed to mature. Writing soon became a constant companion in middle school and has never leftRead MoreLove at First Sight Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pageswhich love (motivation) has shaped history and still shapes our world today. This is a very challenging paper, and it counts for 26% of your grade in this course. Because it is such a significant intellectual effort, you will be asked to turn in four outlines of the â€Å"sub-parts† of the final paper. Each â€Å"sub-part outline† is worth 25 points, and they are submitted in four out of the five weeks in this course. Writing these four â€Å"sub-part outlines† will help you begin thinking about which love (mot ivation)Read MoreThe Experience Of Writing : My Experience In Writing851 Words   |  4 PagesWriting is a tool that we have all been using in one capacity or another since we were probably kids. I remember as a youngster when I could not express how I felt about a particular issue I was told to write it down so I can make more sense of my feelings. Those are my first experiences with writing and where my relationship started develop. As Ive gotten older, I have learned to really Express my feelings rather good or bad in my writing. This is where I fell in love with it. The fact that it

Transformation of Work Free Essays

Bachelor of Science (Hons) In Marketing BMME1 1142A Type of Assignment: Module: Lecturer: Member: UOB ID No. : Date of Submission: INDIVIDUAL TRANSFORMATION OF WORK (BAFW4) MR JOHN NEO BOON LEONG KAM YONG KUAT 10038891 27th JUNE 2012 Page 1 of 4 BMME1 1142A Transformation of Work (BAFW4), Individual Assignment, 27th June 2012 Kam Yong Kuat (UB: 10038891) A critical review of an academic article concerned with certain aspects of new issues of work Cross, S. and Bagilhole, B. We will write a custom essay sample on Transformation of Work or any similar topic only for you Order Now (2002) Girls’ Jobs for the boys? Men, Masculinity and NonTraditional Occupations. Gender, Work and Organization, Vol 9, No. 2 pp204-226 Introduction of Gender segregation of the labour market By nature, there has always been occupational segregation through gender in all countries. This is the case, despite the differences in economy or political situation in the different areas. Even though it has been a long while since women have participated in the working force, women and men still tend to work in different industries, for one reason or another. Research conducted by Simon Cross and Barbara Bagilhole (2002) has shown that men dominated industries like drivers of road goods vehicles, production works, maintenance managers, warehouse and storekeepers, technical and wholesale representatives. And on the other end of the spectrum, only two occupational groups are wholl y female dominance (more than 90%); nurses and care assistants. Other female dominated industries including counter clerks, cashiers, catering assistants, primary and nursery school teachers and cleaners or domestic helpers. Unfortunately, gender segregation operates both horizontally and vertically in the working force. Not only are men and women allocated qualitatively in different field or work, women happened to make up the vast majority of the lower levels of the occupational hierarchy. Taking example from the nursing industry in the US, men makes up only the clear minority, yet, most are strongly encouraged to apply for promotions into managerial positions. William (1992) has highlighted on a very interesting metaphor of the ‘glass ceiling’ to that of ‘glass escalator’ in order to reflect the men’s smooth and inexorable rise to senior management. Many theories have been put forward to explain the persistence of gender divisions in employment, and it has mainly focused on women’s inability to compete on equal terms to men in the labour market. (Cross and Bagilhole, 2002) Men, masculinity and ‘non-traditional work’ According to research conducted by Hearn (1992), masculinity has been found to be far from uniform and it is seen not as ‘the essence of men’, but rather as a product of cultural and historical forces. There have been other theories that highlight that man who worked in nontraditional occupations tended to present a less masculine gender-type compared with men in traditional male-dominant occupations (Chusmir, 1990). Judging from the entertainment and media scene in Singapore, it seems to further prove what Chusmir (1990) has argued. 0% of make-up artist, hairstylist and fashion designers tend to portray a more feminine persona, moving away from the traditional male masculinity. Some have even been regarded as a ‘fairy godmother’ (David Gan – Asiaone News, 2010). It may be due to the fact that clienteles from these industries are mainly female, thus the feminine persona, and eventually, homosexuality. But these also further clarify the point that Coll inson and Hearn (1996) made, that masculinities are ‘socially produced, reproduced and indeed changeable’. There are also arguments that suggests men adopted a ‘transformed’ masculinity in nontraditional occupations such as teaching (Galbraith 1992) and men who reject stereotyped gender roles, and who performed non-traditional work, reported little or no gender role conflict (Luhaorg and Zivian, 1995) Page 2 of 4 BMME1 1142A Transformation of Work (BAFW4), Individual Assignment, 27th June 2012 Kam Yong Kuat (UB: 10038891) Cross and Bagihole (2002) however maintain that masculinity is the shorthand for ‘gender identity’. And therefore, through this study of the various subjects, it looked at ways in which masculinities are defined, ‘transformed’, (re)constructed, and maintained by men working in non-traditional jobs. Findings of the study of masculinity in non-traditional work One of the subject interviewed mention that ‘caring is seen as a predominantly female job because people see carers as being female, and aspects of caring like being empathic and sensitive to people’s needs are seen as something that men can’t do’. This has initiated the subject to challenge traditional ideas of appropriate gender behaviour in the work of a caring job. Another participant also highlighted the need to challenge the traditional culture of getting involved in the caring scene, even though he has been introduced to traditional masculine values since young, through the doings of his father and brother. He would be deemed as different from being a ‘real men’ if he would to pursue in caring work. One younger participant also noted that he have received adverse reactions when he mentioned to girls he met during a party, that he was a male nurse. He has to resort to lying about his occupation as women were not interested if he’s a nurse. The vast majority of women will start to question his sexual orientation or start to share their problems with him. These are just a few of the challenges that the participants have shared with regard to their sexuality and masculine identity. Nonetheless, the participants also have their fair share of attempts in challenging the challenges. A male gynaecologist who was also part of the study highlighted that he often felt otherwise when he observed his female counterparts treating fellow female patients, and thought it was a bit shoddy. And because of that, he strives to ensure that he handles his patients with more tact and effort to ensure that his patients felt comfortable. This has gone down with well with his patients and he has been duly recognised for the efforts. One of the other participants, a male nurse, views his work as a lifelong career, something that he will be doing for the rest of his life. With this attitude and approach, he tend to take the job more seriously and look to strive better than his female counterparts, whom many a times, enters the industry, viewing it just as a second job or something to do until something better comes along. (Re)constructing a different masculinity There are also the few that look to (re)construct a different masculinity, by identifying with their work as being better indications of their true self (Cross and Bagilhole, 2002). The participants see their job as something that genuinely brings out their true nature as a caring person. One of the male nurse involved in the study commented that he used not be able to express his emotions in public, due to the stereotypical views of the general public. But after joining the nursing industry, it has helped him to better express himself in a more liberating manner. He now has no problem sharing his emotions with people around him. This could also be the reason why based on recent reports, it has shown that more male nurses have been reported to enter the industry (More male nurse entering the industry – Asiaone, Page 3 of 4 BMME1 1142A Transformation of Work (BAFW4), Individual Assignment, 27th June 2012 Kam Yong Kuat (UB: 10038891) 2010). It could also be largely due to that fact that people have grown to understand and empathise that the work one does, is not a direct reflection of your sexual orientation or personality. Conclusion Based on the studies of the various subjects, Simon and Bagilhole (2002) was able to establish that the males either attempted to maintain a traditional masculinity by distancing themselves from female colleagues, and/or partially (re)constructed a different masculinity by identifying with their non-traditional occupations. The men involved in the study have also shown to be actively maintaining traditional male values, and not challenging their gender identity. When challenged about their masculinity, some of the subjects have maintained themselves as the dominant gender by reformulating the perception of their work as being more men’s work, for example, by denying that a care-taker’s job involves caring only. It has a certain element of planning and management involved that will make the male dominance stands out. Just as how Segal (1999) argued, ‘men have remained the dominant sex by constantly refashioning masculinity’. Through this study, it is apparent that men have been able to successfully maintain their traditional advantages even in female-dominated workplaces. Even in female-dominated workplaces such as nursing, it does not naturally set the change or biasness in the women’s favour. The men’s behaviour and practices contributes to their dominance in the industry. WORKS CITED Feminine Males within Entertainment Industry Yoshio; http://www. whatshappening. sg/events/index. php? com=detaileID=51825 David Gan; http://news. asiaone. com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20101110 -246661. tml More male nurses entering the industry http://www. asiaone. com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100712-226496. html Cross, S. and Bagilhole, B. (2002) Girls’ Jobs for the boys? Men, Masculinity and Non -Traditional Occupations. Gender, Work and Organization, Vol 9, No. 2 pp204-226 Chusmir, L. H. (1990) Men who make non-traditional career choices. Journal of Counselling and Development, 69 (September-October), 11-16 Galbraith, M. (1992) Understanding career choices of men in elementary education. ‘Journal of Educational Research. 85,4 (March-April), 246-53 Hearn, J. 1992) Men in the Public Eye; The Construction and Deconstruction of Public Men and Public Patriarchies. London: Routledge Luhaorg, L. and Zivian, M. T. (1995) Gender role conflict: the interaction of gender, gender role, and occupation . Sex Roles, 33,9/10, 607-20 Segal, L. (1999) Why Feminism? Cambridge: Polity Press Williams, C. L. (1992) The glass escalator: hidden advantages for men in the ‘female’ professions. Social Problems 39,3, 253-67 Page 4 of 4 BMME1 1142A Transformation of Work (BAFW4), Individual Assignment, 27th June 2012 Kam Yong Kuat (UB: 10038891) How to cite Transformation of Work, Essay examples

Buddha in the attic free essay sample

As the roles of women continue to evolve every century, their general purpose pretty much stays the same. In Buddha in the attic which takes place in China in the 1900’s women were desired as pretty much servants and child bearers. The story in Buddha in the attic it gives a breathless account of the womens hopes and fears and the hard-working lives for which they settled. Each book explains the lives of hard working women with different challenges, heartaches but living in different parts of the centuries. The similarity between the two stories shows both groups of women going through different challenges but both traveling uncharted waters. In Buddha in the attic the Japanese did not know what they were getting into when they were traveling to America. Little did they know they were going to have to work very hard every day to get what they wanted out of America. We will write a custom essay sample on Buddha in the attic or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page We forgot about Buddha. We forgot about God†¦We developed a coldness inside of us that still has not thawed. We stopped writing to our mothers. We lost weight and grew thin. We stopped bleeding. We stopped dreaming. We stopped wanting. We simply worked. That was all. † However in You know when the men are gone they knew what military life was like but they didn’t know of the new challenges they would face in a different state. In both of the novels they tell stories of women’s lives and how they survive. But they describes them differently. In The Buddha in the Attic, Otsuka uses a very different style. She tells the story in a â€Å"we† plural narrative. She never focuses on a single woman. She doesnt give them names. They are like many of us see theman immigrant group, different from one another. Yet, at the same time, she tells their individual stories in America and then their common fate as the country rounds them up and sends them to internment camps during the war. However in the novel you know when the men are gone Fallon tells individuals stories of soldiers returning to civilian life on the part of both the soldier coming home and the family left behind. Some characters are overcome by loneliness and turn to a civilian who wont leave them for a year-long tour. Some characters come home expecting to be welcomed by a loved one, only to find their wives and husbands significantly changed.

Domestic Production of Marijuana and the Implications of Legalization Essay Example

Domestic Production of Marijuana and the Implications of Legalization Paper Widespread marijuana production and use, and lately, the calls for its legalization have created a stir in recent years. As such, there are a lot of things we need to know in order to understand this issue. What is the current state of marijuana domestic production? Who are the players in the legalization issue and what are its implications? This paper posits that legalization is being pushed primarily by business wanting a share of the market which is currently dominated by illegal organizations and users who wish to ease the moral and legal restrictions on its use. As such legalization will increase domestic marijuana production. Overview of the Domestic Marijuana Production Current Domestic Marijuana Availability Canabis has earned its status as the most valuable cash crop today. In 2006 alone, the current gross value of the estimated 68. 1 million marijuana plants in the U. S. stood at $35. 8 billion, far exceeding the value of legal, essential crops such as wheat. Outdoor marijuana made up 82. 8% of total production with a corresponding value of $31. 7 billion. Indoor marijuana accounted for 5. 2% pegged at $4. 1 billion (Gettman, 2006). Weed is typically for local consumption but its export is also viable. The annual supply of domestically produced weed is estimated between 8. 7-21. 8 million kilograms, a manifold increase since the 80’s (Gettman, 2006). Marijuana growing has been found everywhere. However, Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia rank as the top ten producers (Gettman, 2006), despite intensive eradication operations by the DEA. Large-scale production outdoors is easy and inexpensive with minimal plant care. We will write a custom essay sample on Domestic Production of Marijuana and the Implications of Legalization specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Domestic Production of Marijuana and the Implications of Legalization specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Domestic Production of Marijuana and the Implications of Legalization specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Radical improvements in quality or potency have been achieved with advancements in technology such as the hydroponic system. As such, potency rates (measured in total plant THC content, the main mind-altering component) can now reach as high as 8. 77% from the 1. 5% average in the ‘70s (NDTA 2008). Local marijuana is expensive compared to other countries. According to one site, the average price for a quarter ounce of weed is $40 for low quality, $50 for medium quality and $80 for high quality and has remained steady for the past years (e-stoned. com). This proves that there is an established consumer base, proof that it is a very lucrative business and tax free too! Current Domestic Marijuana Consumption Among all the available illegal drugs, it is the most commonly used with consumers from all ages, genders, race and economic status (DEA website). However, use is most common among young people with its treatment as a recreational drug. There is no current government data on the actual number of marijuana users but the results of latest DHHS drug use survey show that there were 2. 1 million Americans, mostly minors, who used marijuana for the first time in 2006, a figure that has not changed dramatically since 2002 (NSDUH 2006). An estimate by one group using the current estimated supply and average consumption/user puts the number of American marijuana users at 15 million (NORML. com). This corresponds to 5% of the total population. The Global Youth Network also ranks the U. S. as one of the top 6 marijuana using countries in the world. Who Controls the Domestic Marijuana Production and Distribution? DEA 2008 reports show the involvement of drug trade organizations from Cuba and Asia in marijuana trafficking all over the country and they are now into indoor marijuana production as well, with expansions targeting the northern states. Mexican DTO’s, on the other hand are targeting outdoor marijuana production in the eastern states and marijuana smuggling in the border areas. Although there are freelance dealers who operate small-scale, widely commercial grade marijuana cultivation and sale, the wider, more systematic production and distribution targeting densely populated areas is controlled by drug-trade organizations. In addition, there is also a proliferation of internet pharmacies that offer marijuana (Scott hearing on the DEA’s Regulation of Medicine). Medical or Research Grade Marijuana Legal high potency Cannabis is used for FDA-approved studies or as prescription medicine. Medical marijuana is now legal in 13 states, permitting doctors to prescribe high-potency marijuana to increase the appetite of patients suffering from AIDS, alleviate pain or decrease the pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients among others. Research grade marijuana cultivation is currently exclusive to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Medical marijuana is produced only after acquisition of a license. In the case of California, which was the first state to legalize, patients/care providers are allowed possession of 6-12 plants or a maximum 8 ounces of dried marijuana (SB 420). Further, possession in excess of this is permissible if prescribed by a doctor. Counties and municipalities can also impose local ordinances that allow possession/cultivation beyond the limits set by state law. Further, the joint efforts at marijuana cultivation by patients/caregivers as well as marijuana dispensaries are also allowed (SB 420). The Legalization of Marijuana In 2001, the U. S. Supreme Court voted unanimously not to allow the use of medical marijuana and the drug remains in the DEA Schedule 1 (DrugFreeAmerica. com). However, states can adopt state-wide laws with regards to Canabis. Of the 13 states that legalized medical marijuana, 6 of them have further adopted decriminalization. There are 6 other states that decriminalized but did not legalize marijuana. Fourteen qualify â€Å"drug use in driving† as a criminal offense while 20 states issue marijuana tax stamps (NORML. com). Legalization efforts range from lobbying for the legal cultivation and use of marijuana for medical and research purposes to its commercial production and distribution alongside other substances like alcohol or tobacco. Subsequently, decriminalization aims to apply the individual freedom of choice and eliminate the penalties for marijuana-related offenses. Lobby work for federal legalization has resulted in H. R. 2592, initiatives and referendum polls in the various states. The Arguments for Legalization and Counterviews The primary arguments for legalization are 1. marijuana has medicinal properties, 2. marijuana will bring in more revenue and save taxes on the federal marijuana eradication drives, 3. marijuana is relatively harmless and 4. legalization will actually decrease marijuana use. That it does have medicinal properties for specific ailments is already proven by initial research and actual practice. That marijuana will contribute to state revenue along with cigarettes is also not debatable. An economist calculated that the state of California can put up $1 billion from taxing a joint for $1, up to $400 million retail sales taxes and save $156 million from law enforcement (CANORML. com). That the federal government has been largely unsuccessful in its well-funded marijuana eradication drives also holds true as indicated in various news reports. That marijuana legalization will actually decrease its use will depend on a lot of factors. It might lessen the number of first time users if we reason that alcohol consumption was at its peak when it was illegal. However, habitual users will continue to be a steady market. Finally, that marijuana is a safer alternative to harder drugs, alcohol or even coffee is relative. Federal government agencies and anti-legalization groups also argue that there are alternative drugs for the same that cause no â€Å"highs†. They also present the immediate and cumulative ill-effects of marijuana while the more liberal call for more extensive research on it for commercial, federally approved medical use. For people who put premium on their health, using marijuana or any other addictive substance for that matter might not be acceptable. The government’s main reasons for not budging on the issue besides citing the health effects of its use include the membership of the U. S. in international treaties banning marijuana (Scott hearing on DEA’s Regulation of Medicine). Some Proponents of Marijuana Legalization There are 2 prominent groups campaigning for legalization. The Marijuana Policy Project is the advocacy arm of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS. org), the first pharmaceutical company aiming to break NIDA’s monopoly over research grade marijuana by funding the construction of a medical marijuana production facility in the University of Massachusetts. This is the first step in a 5-year marijuana drug development study worth $5 million (MAPS. org). The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a non-profit public-interest advocacy group representing the interests of millions of responsible American marijuana smokers, started its advocacy way back in 1970. Working with the NORML Foundation, it currently has community/school chapters in 45 states and in 7 other countries. Active in lobby work and media campaign, it also provides legal assistance to people charged with marijuana offenses. It favors the Democrat campaign as it hopes to have a more favorable response to pro-legalization from Congress. Conclusion Marijuana’s promising medicinal values is a minefield for pharmaceutical companies which would explain their financial involvement in and all-out support for the pro-legalization advocacy. The equally promising possibility of being granted the right to choose to use marijuana without fear of being punished legally and morally anywhere in the country is motivation enough, given the vast number of users. Politicians will also be happy with more taxes and guaranteed votes. Legalization, especially at the federal level, will affect production by stimulating legal private enterprises involved in medical/research grade as well as commercial marijuana production. Canabis will become another profit commodity which does not need much effort in marketing with the intensive campaigning by pro-legalization groups that target recreational users and patients as well. However, the effect of legalization on illegal production remains to be speculated but it will surely lose a portion of the occasional users market to legal marijuana producers. Finally, the greatest challenge and burden will fall on parents and law-enforcement agencies in how they can successfully educate children to prevent future marijuana addiction. For one, legalization makes further access to marijuana a whole lot easier because unlike other drugs that are manufactured in laboratories, this is planted everywhere. References Clint. Marijuana Prices in the USA. Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://www. e- stoned. com/rec/44-Marijuana-Prices-in-the-USA/ Economics of Canabis Legalization. Retrieved February 13, 2008 from http://www. norml. org/index. cfm? Group_ID=4421 Gettman, John. (2006). Marijuana Production in the United States (2006). Retrieved February 12, 2008 from The Bulletin of Cannabis Reform, http://www. drugscience. org/bcr/index. html National Drug Threat Assessment, 2008. (2007). Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://149. 101. 1. 32/dea/concern/18862/2008. pdf National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (2006) Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://www. oas. samhsa. gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results. pdf MAPS DEA Lawsuit. Retrieved from Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Drugs, http://www. maps. org/mmj/DEAlawsuit. html#6 Marijuana Overview. Retrieved February 13, 2008 from the Drug Enforcement Agency, http://149. 101. 1. 32/dea/concern/marijuana. html Medical Excuse Marijuana. (2008) Retrieved from DrugFreeAmerica, http://www. dfaf. org/marijuana/excuse. php Putting a Value on Cannabis. (2008) Retrieved February 12, 2008 from National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, http://www. norml. org/index. cfm? Group_ID=4424 Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved February 13, 2008 from the Office of Applied Studies-SAMSA, http://www. oas. samhsa. gov/nhsda. htm Rep. Robert C. Scott Holds a Hearing on the Drug Enforcement Administrations Regulation of Medicine. Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://www. maps. org/mmj/dealawsuit_congressional_hearing. html Senate Bill 420. Retrieved February 13, 2008 from http://www. albanyca. org/archive/pdf/022007_8_1_AttF. pdf

The impact of part-time work on the academic performance of international students in Glasgow. The WritePass Journal

The impact of part-time work on the academic performance of international students in Glasgow. Part 1: Introduction The impact of part-time work on the academic performance of international students in Glasgow. Part 1: IntroductionRationale:Objectives:Questions:Part 2: Literature ReviewPart 3: MethodsTimeline:Part 4: Ethical ConsiderationsPart 4: ReferencesRelated Part 1: Introduction Rationale: Some researchers (e.g. Steinberg Suzanne, 1993; Lee Ju, 2010) claim that part-time work experiences have negative effects on adolescent development, which are mainly study on the effect of their problem behaviors and school disengagement. Other research (Rochford et al, 2009: 601) also have found an inverse relationship between working time and course performance. However, there is little data relating to international students and it is still not clear enough how part-time works affect the students’ performance in their academic classes at school. This research will explore that how part-time work affects the international students in Glasgow on the scope of academic performance at college. In particular, this research will focus on the influence of different variables, such as the impacts from different kinds of part-time jobs, the impacts from different working hours per week, and so on. Such research would give insights into reasonable standards for international student s to choose part-time jobs, which could also provide useful data for the further researches in the relevant aspects. Objectives: 1. To explore the advantages for international students to have part-time jobs. 2. To explore the disadvantages for international students to have part-time jobs. 3. To examine the impacts on international students academic performance from different variables, such as different kinds of part-time jobs, different working hours per week, and so on. Questions: 1. What are the positive impacts of part-time work on the academic performance of international students in Glasgow? 2. What are the negative impacts of part-time work on the academic performance of international students in Glasgow? 3. What variables affect the impacts on international students academic performance? Part 2: Literature Review Many students have part-time jobs during their academic years. Both the positive and negative impacts on students course performance from their term-time works have presented by many researches. For instance, according to Rochford et al (2009), in the nursing subject, approximately 90% of students engaged in part-time jobs, 47% of them do part-time jobs with the purpose of financing their every day expenses, and almost 25% of students worked in more than one job. However, from these data, the research of Rochford et al found that there was only a slight negative result on students course performance caused by part-time work types. Except the types of part-time jobs, other factors in term-time jobs which could have an influence on students’ academic achievements also have been considered, for example, working hours (Rochford, Connolly, and Drennan, 2009: 601-609). According to Derous Ryan (2008), in the United States, 80% of students are employed during the school time, with 46% working over 20 hours per week. The result of investigation illustrated that undergraduates working hours were inversely related to students study motivation, study attitude, and academic achievement, the worst effects also appear when students worked excessively long hour (Derous Ryan, 2008:118-131). In addition, similar finding also have been discovered in other researches with more clear working-hour criterion, which show that students who work exceeded the standard of sixteen hours per week will more likely to have negative outcomes in their academic performance. (Sorenson Winn, 1993; Taylor Smith, 1997; Carney, 2000; Salamonson Andrew, 2006). However, some of the above research only choose the sample from a specific major (e.g. nursing subject in the research of Rochford et al), while others may merely survey in one area and unable to generalize the situation in other places. Though the results from them are valuable for future research in some extent, it did not consider much about the different impacts from students nationalities and background, also lack of information to gain a general conclude for other specific groups or places, for example, the group of international students in the city of Glasgow. On the other hand, Derous Ryan (2008) assert that part-time work also have advantages for students academic outcomes and preparation for the future career when the job relevant for students major and ran in a balanced way. Both students study attitudes and performance benefited more when working hours was combined with high autonomous motivation to perform the job, more specific, most positive effects would from the combination of low working hours and high job demands. Their research found plenty of information to illustrate the impact of employment and leisure activities on students study attitude and well-being, while fewer significant effects on the aspects of academic performance. Also, sample chosen there were psychology students, mostly white and female, therefore limit the general covering for other group of students. It can be seen that still further research is needed to expand the variety of samples in different places and nationalities of relevant study fields. This research will in some extend to fill this gap by mainly focus on the international students in Glasgow who have or used have part-time jobs during their academic year, and examine that whether different kinds of term-time jobs, different working hours per week and other variables would affect the international students academic performance. Both advantages and disadvantages would be given based on the collected data in order to provide suitable suggestions for international students to keep balance between work and study, and help the relevant education institutions making decisions on future policies. Part 3: Methods The purpose of this research is to find both the advantages and disadvantages for international students to enroll part-time works, and to examine the various impacts of part-time jobs on international students academic performance. Surveys will be chosen as the research strategy for this topic. One reason for choosing surveys is the restrictions of time. Only a few weeks will be given to collect relevant data, therefore, using surveys could more likely to gain sufficient data within the short-limited time compare to other research strategies (Saunders, Lewis Thornhill, 2009:144-145). Another reason is the monetary limitation, according to Saunders et al; surveys could allow the collection of data in a relatively economical way.  Ã‚   In addition, the choice of population for this research is all international students in Glasgow who have or used have part-time jobs during their academic years. According to Creswell (2007), 25 to 30 interviews will be a sufficient sample for a wide range of research questions. Therefore, data of this research will be collected from a non-probability sample of 30 international students at Glasgow University. The reason for using non-probability sampling technique is that lack of information to create the complete list of all international students in Glasgow. As a result, this research can not use probability technique to provide equal opportunity for each sample unit. More specifically, snowball sampling will be used as the consideration of the strain on time. Though snowball samples might be criticized as unrepresentative, for those researches which aim to study the behaviors in real society, such as this research do, snowball samples may produce better results than other sample methods ( Wright Stein, 2005: 495-500). For the methods of this research, both self-questionnaires and unstructured interviews will be used. Because this research can be defined as an explanatory research, and standardized questions in questionnaires will enable to examine the causal relationships between different variables   (Saunders, Lewis, Thornhill, 2009: 361-366). On the other hand, unstructured interviews will help to find the in-depth reasons behind these collected data and to seek new insight (Robson, 2002). Timeline: Week 1 Week 2: Preparing suitable questions for questionnaires; Week 3 Week 6: Collecting data; Week 7 Week 9: Data analyzing; Week 10 Week 11: Finishing the full research. Part 4: Ethical Considerations Firstly, this research will collect the answer of questionnaires from at least 30 participants, also may record five or more interviews. Therefore, in order to protect the participants rights and show full respect to them, every participant in this research will be informed complete information about research nature, purpose, and the use of research. In addition, all the participants have right to withdraw at any times. Secondly, for mitigating the participants worry of privacy information disclosure, all questionnaires for this research will be conducted anonymously and the responds will be destroyed after the research (British Educational Research Association, 2004:8-9). Thirdly, for non-malfeasance consideration, some pilot questionnaires will be tasted in a small group of people to check whether those questions will misunderstand participants or make interviewees under stress or feel anxious. Finally, the data analyzing of this research will objective and not aims on predict any suitable result (Saunders, Lewis Thornhill, 2009:199-200). Part 4: References BERA: British Educational Research Association. (2004). Revised Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research. Pp. 8-9. Carney, C. (2000). The Impact of Part-Time Employment on Student Health and Well-Being. A Report Commissioned by the Principal of the University of Glasgow, Glasgow. Creswell, J. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches (2nd edn). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Derous, E. Ryan, A. M. (2008). When earning is beneficial for learning: The relation of employment and leisure activities to academic outcomes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, pp. 118-131. Lee, M. Ju, E. (2010). Effects of part time work on adolescent development in Korea. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2, pp. 3226 3230. Robson, C. (2002). Real World Research (2nd edn). Oxford: Blackwell. Rochford, C., Connolly, M., Drennan, J. (2009). Paid part-time employment and academic performance of undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Education Today, p.601. Salamonson, Y. Andrew, S. (2006). Academic performance in nursing students: Influence of part-time employment, age and ethnicity. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55 (3), 342–349. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. Thornhill, A. (2009). Research Methods for Business Students. (5th ed.). Harlow: FT/Prentice Hall. Sorenson, L. Winn, S. (1993). Student loans: a case study. Higher Education Review, 25, pp. 48-65. Steinberg, L., Fegley, S. M. Dornbusch, S. M. (1993). Negative impact of part-time work on adolescent adjustment evidence from a longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology, 292, pp. 171 180. Taylor, P. Smith, N. (1997). The ‘Student Worker’: The Glasgow Evidence. Scottish Low Pay Unit: Glasgow. Wright, P. Stein, M. (2005). Snowball Sampling. Encyclopedia of Social Measurement. USA: Academic Press. pp. 495-500.

Print Ad Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Print Ad Analysis - Essay Example It became obvious that the drink corresponds to the character of this director- bold, outrageous, and manly so he served as literal symbol of the beverage and its most typical consumer. It is well known that consumers tend to associate themselves with those whom they see in the advertisement. Tarantino is therefore a cult figure for numerous cinema fans because he crated the image of the perfect gangster in a suit, and such life seems attractive to many. All in all, whisky is often perceived as the beverage for real men because it contains a high percentage of alcohol. So basically one can get drunk very fast with whisky that is why only those who know how to drink it right usually choose this beverage. Whisky is often served with ice and is drunk slowly in a company of good friends. Dewar`s hints with this advertisement that the beverage is for those men who value style and quality and who can choose the best in any situation. Whisky is also the type of beverage for which the age is important- the longer it is kept the better it is eventually. So Dewer`s teaches its consumers to appreciate not only status and quality but time as well. The message of the ad is clear: Tarantino is sitting in a dark room of some luxurious restaurant on a leather sofa drinking his glass of Dewar`s with ice. This image implies everything that most men probably want when they dream of status and money. The appearance of Quentin on the ad symbolizes that on this stage of recognition and success people do not need attention; they need their good old glass of whisky to savor life. The motto of the advertisement fits the overall mood â€Å"there are two types of people in this world, those who are planning to do something and those who do†. This slogan is some kind of a call for action for most men because action is the only possible way for achievement, and we, people living in the

Policing Functions Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Policing Functions Paper - Essay Example Commonly to gain many duties these standards/levels and organizations work together. Whilst every level of law enforcement has its personal obligations and methods, there functions have quality of comparison (Dempsey and Forst‎, 2011). The occupation of law enforcement officers are commonly for police officers who arrest the felons and investigate felony. One significant view is to settle the functions are the organizations/agencies of police. The structure of functions are enforcing the laws, seizing the offenders, obstruct the crime, at the time of need provide the service and maintain the peace. The government made enforcing the law sometimes comprises to arrest the criminals and maintain the peace in those results. It can help to maintain the peace in future by preventing the crimes. The main function of the agencies of police contain law enforcement, arresting criminals, stopping crime, maintain command and equipping other services to the citizens at the time of need. Most of these functions can tally with one another. Like a sample when enforcing the laws, to arrest the criminal by officers is a demand, hat is the results of maintaining the command. These functions successively help to stop the crime in future. The government of federal preserves different agencies of law enforcement with the aim of dealing with trouble spreading over lines of state and pretending territory of the country, if not the integrity of the United States. The agencies of federal law enforcement contain the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Border Patrol. These agencies treat with problems like immigration, sales of drug and its importation, rule of weaponry and dangers to native security like terrorism. Agencies of federal law enforcement have competence on the agencies of local and state. The department of local police is the extremely usual

HSA 535 WK10 DB1 and DB2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HSA 535 WK10 DB1 and DB2 - Coursework Example Although the causes of the infant’s deaths from SID have not yet been established, there is clear need of creating awareness to the mothers. The young mothers need to ensure that they take care of the sleeping positions of the infants so that do not cause their deaths. Additionally, young mothers should be taught on how to talk care of their children, especially when they are sleeping on the baby cots, because that is where many infant deaths occur (Fowler et al., 2013). Therefore, to reduce the alarming rate of deaths caused by SID, mothers should be informed on the ways to lay their babies while they sleep the right food to eat while pregnant to avoid low birth weights and keeping the babies warm to avoid respiratory infections. Fowler, A. J., Evans, P. W., Etchegaray, J. M., Ottenbacher, A., & Arnold, C. (2013). Safe Sleep Practices and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Risk Reduction NICU and Well-Baby Nursery Graduates. Clinical pediatrics, 52(11), 1044-1053. Your post was very informative and I agree with your point of view, because childhood obesity is not only a problem in Georgia, but also the whole of the United States. Lack of physical education in school and at home has contributed greatly to the increased number of children with obesity in Georgia. Therefore, making it important for the schools to change the nutrition program and increase physical activity to reduce the number of obese children. I agree with you on the focus of health services management should be and that is the on the health population they serve and not on the fiscal health of the institutions. This means we need a change of agents in the health care system in relation to aligning economic and social objectives to allow the improvement of population health. This course has been informative and there are various concepts that I have learned. First, there is need for creation of awareness in areas that are causing

2D Guidance in Minimally Invasive Procedures

2D Guidance in Minimally Invasive Procedures Research Strategy (a) SIGNIFICANCE: The use of two-dimensional (2D) Ultrasound (US) guidance in minimally invasive procedures such as percutaneous biopsies,1,2 pain management,3,4 abscess drainages,5 and radiofrequency ablation6 has gained popularity. These procedures all involve insertion of a needle towards a desired anatomical target. Image-guidance facilitates localization of the needle throughout the procedure, increasing accuracy, reliability and safety.7 US offers several advantages over other imaging modalities traditionally used in interventional radiology such as fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT): It provides real-time visualization of the patients anatomy (including soft tissue and blood vessels) vis-à  -vis the needle, without exposure to ionizing radiation.8 Additionally, being portable and low cost (compared to other imaging modalities) are the added advantages of US imaging. Despite these advantages, the effectiveness of 2D US in needle guidance is highly operator dependent. In the in-plane approach, where needle shaft is parallel to the imaging plane, the needle shaft and tip should ideally be continually visible.9 However, aligning the needle shaft with the scan plane is difficult. Even when the needle is properly aligned, steep orientation (required in most procedures) of the needle with respect to the US beam causes nonaxial specular reflection of the US signal off the needle surface due to a large angle of incidence.10 In this imaging condition, the needle shaft will appear discontinuous and/or the tip will be invisible. This scenario is common with deep targets, for example during liver biopsies and epidural blocks. The challenge of needle visibility at increasing depths is compounded by attenuation of the US signal. Further, high intensity soft tissue artifacts, acoustic shadowing from dense structures such as bone and speckle noise obstruct needl e visibility. To recover needle visibility, clinicians conduct transducer manipulation by translation or rotation, movement of the needle to and fro (pump maneuver),11 stylet movement, needle rotation, and hydrolocation.12 These techniques are variable and subjective. An invisible needle can have detrimental effects on procedures, for example, reduced procedure efficacy, increase in procedure duration, neural, visceral or vascular injury, and infection. Diagnostic accuracy of 90-95% has been reported for US guided breast biopsies,13-15 and 83-95% for US guided liver biopsies.16 It is known that targeting errors due to insufficient needle tip visualization contribute to false negative results.17 In pain management, accidental intraneural injections have been reported in 17% of ultrasound-guided upper- and lower-extremity blocks, even when the procedures were conducted by expert anesthesiologists.18,19 Most of these arise because of poor needle tip localization, which makes it difficu lt to distinguish between subfascial, subepineural, or intrafascicular injections.20 In our ongoing work, we have developed an algorithm for needle enhancement and tip localization in 2D US. This, we achieved by modelling transmission of the US signal.21 We incorporated US signal modeling into an optimization problem to estimate an unknown signal transmission map, which was then used to enhance the needle shaft and tip while considering US specific signal propagation constraints.22 Automatic tip localization was achieved using spatially distributed image statistics limited to the trajectory region. However, incorrect tip localization occurred when high intensity soft tissue interfaces were present along the needle trajectory. The algorithm also required a visible portion of the shaft close to the transducer surface, necessitating proper alignment of the needle with the scan plane. We have also conducted preliminary work on needle detection and enhancement in three-dimensional (3D) US, a modality with potential to obviate the limitations of 2D US in needle guidance. Instead of the latters planar view (one slice at a time), 3D US displays volume data, allowing better visualization of anatomy and needle trajectory at all needle axis orientations. This alleviates the challenge of needle alignment in the scan plane.23 Nevertheless, needle obliquity at steep insertion angles, depth dependent attenuation, as well as acoustic shadowing, imaging artifacts and speckle remain.24,25 Needle visibility is also affected by low dimension of the needle with respect to the US volume. In fact, reported false-negative results for breast biopsies under 3D US show no improvement over those with 2D US.26,27. Consequently, 3D US has not replaced 2D US as the standard of care. To overcome the limitations, researchers have proposed computational methods for needle enhancement and local ization in 3D US. These include: Principal component analysis based on eigen-decomposition,28 the 3D Hough transform,29 the 3D Radon transform,30 parallel integration projection,31 and iterative model-fitting methods such as random sample consensus (RANSAC)32. The accuracy of these methods is affected by attenuation and high intensity artifacts. Besides, computational complexity arises from processing the large amount of volume data.33 Projection based methods fail when a good portion of the shaft is not visible and the tip intensity is low. A more robust needle localization framework based on oscillation of a stylus was recently proposed, although it fails in a single operator scenario, especially for shallow angles.34 All the mentioned methods are based on modeling B-mode image data. The current need, in interventional radiology for needle guidance, is a cost-effective, easy to use, non-radiation based real-time imaging platform with an ability of providing continuous guidance with high accuracy during needle insertion without intercepting the clinical workflow. Our long-term goal of developing a computational 3D US based imaging platform for enhancement and localization of needles is informed by this need. To address this pressing need, we hypothesize that automatic, real-time, accurate, and continuous target identification using 3D radiofrequency (RF) US data is feasible and potentially could be used to provide guidance during interventional radiology for needle insertion.Our preliminary work on modeling US signal transmission in 2D US, as well as needle detection and enhancement in 3D US, are strongly supportive that modeling the RF US signal coupled with advanced reconstruction methods will improve needle visualization and localization in 3D US. The envisaged 3D US reconstruction techniques will incorporate emerging work from machine learning and advanced beamforming to achieve needle enhancement and localization. We envision new pathways of processing and presenting US data, which should make this rich modality ubiquitous to all end-users for needle guidance in interventional radiology. The impact of the proposal will be multiplied since the developed algorithms, using open-source software platform, can also be incorporated as a stand-alone component into existing US imaging platforms. (b) INNOVATION: Previous work on needle enhancement has mostly been focused on enhancement of B-mode images. B-mode images are derived from RF data (the raw signal backscattered onto the US transducer) after several proprietary processing steps. The raw signal is known to contain more statistical information35 which is lost along the processing pipeline. Parallel integral projection in order improve needle visibility in soft tissues using 2D and 3D RF data has previously been investigated although no image visualization, needle enhancement or localization was demonstrated.36 It has been shown that the post-beamformed 2D RF signal allows for a more improved enhancement of local features in US images. 37,38 Image enhancement methods applied to RF signal have also shown to produce improved display of orientation of a biopsy needle.37,38 This study is innovative in three respects: 1) To the best of our knowledge, it is the first to investigate needle enhancement and localization from 3D pre-beamformed RF data (previous approaches were using post-beamformed RF information). 2) The utilization of machine learning approaches, such as deep learning for needle enhancement in 3D US will be a first. 3) Although this pilot will focus on validating the developed framework on pain management and liver biopsy procedures as a case study, the new mathematical and computational approaches proposed in this work will lead to developments that can easily be adopted for enhancement and localization of needles in other interventional radiology procedures. We expect that the achieved results will lead in gradual adoption of 3D US as the standard of care in problematic minimally invasive procedures where 2D US is challenged, thus improving therapeutic and diagnostic value, reducing morbidity and optimizing patient safety. (c) APPROACH: We propose to test the hypothesis that needle detection, enhancement and localization based on the raw 3D RF signal will provide a more accurate and robust platform for needle guidance than current state of the art. The basis for this hypothesis is found by precedent in the use of the RF signal for bone localization,39 and our published21,22 and unpublished work on needle enhancement and localization based on 2D/3D B-mode image data. This preliminary data is presented below. Preliminary work 1 Modeling 2D US signal transmission for Needle Shaft and Tip Enhancement When the US signal pulses are sent by the transducer into tissue, they undergo reflection, scattering, absorption and refraction. These phenomena all contribute to attenuation; the loss in intensity of the US pulses as they travel deeper into tissue. Attenuation is responsible for non-conspicuity of the needle tip and shaft at increasing depths. Previously, we have shown that modeling signal transmission in 2D US based on 2D image data, while considering depth-dependent attenuation leads to enhancement of the needle and more accurate tip localization.21 The modelling framework yields signal transmission maps, which are then used in an image-based contextual regularization process to achieve tip and shaft enhancement (Fig.1). A tip localization accuracy of mm was achieved in ex vivo tissue. However, the localization accuracy is lower when soft tissue interfaces are present along the needle trajectory, and when the needle is not properly aligned in the scan plane. In the context of th is proposal, our objective is to apply similar US signal modeling and contextual regularization, this time based on RF data. Preliminary work 2 Machine learning approaches for needle detection and enhancement in 3D US Since 3D US is multiplanar, the challenge associated with needle alignment in the scan plane is partially eliminated when it is used in needle guidance.   Nevertheless, 3D US is also affected by US signal attenuation. Previous methods proposed for needle enhancement and localization in 3D US did not address this need. In addition, most were computationally demanding because of the requirement to process the entire US volume. In this work (results submitted to 20th MICCAI conference, 2017), we have developed a learning-based method for automatic needle detection in 3D US volumes. The pixel-wise classifier generates a sub-volume containing only slices with needle information. In so doing, computational complexity on the subsequent enhancement and localization algorithms is reduced (Fig.2). The tip is automatically localized in 3D. We achieved 88% detection precision, 98% recall rate, a slice classification time of 0.06 seconds, a localization accuracy of mm, and a training time of 1 5 seconds. Figure 2. Learning based needle detection, enhancement and localization in 3D US. Top row: an example of needle detection. Here, the original volume contained 41 slices, and the classifier identified only 7 containing needle data. Bottom row: The enhancement process on the sub-volume. Left, enhanced intensity projection image. Middle, automatically localized tip (red) displayed on the relevant axial slice. The blue cross is the manually localized tip. Right, trajectory estimation indicated by the green line. Specific Aim 1. To develop RF-signal modeling algorithms for improved 3D US image reconstruction For this aim, we hypothesize that adaptive beamforming methods applied to pre-beamformed 3D RF data will enhance needle visibility and improve quality of US volumes. During the formation of an US image, the reflected US signals are received by the transducer elements at different time points due to varying signal travel distances. Beamforming on each scan line is meant to establish signal synchronism before aggregation. The conventional method of beamforming in both 2D and 3D US is delay and sum (DAS). Here, received signals are electronically delayed, followed by application of a beamformer whose weights are reliant on echo signals, leading to undesirable wide main-lobe and high side-lobe levels resulting in imaging artifacts, thus decreasing the image resolution and contrast. 40 In this architecture, the angular resolution is dependent on the length of the scan aperture and the fixed operating frequency.41 In a fixed hardware configuration, these parameters cannot be increased, hen ce resolution cannot be improved. To overcome this challenge, adaptive beamforming methods based on minimum variance42-45 and multi-beam covariance matrices46 have been proposed. Using adaptive beamformers signal detection can be maximized while minimizing the beam-width and side lobe artifacts.47,48 Recently, phase factor beamforming, where phase variations are tracked across the receive aperture domain, has been shown to improve the appearance of bone surfaces from 2D US data49. Bone features, similar to needle features, are hyper-echoic when imaged with US. Therefore, during this aim we will develop an adaptive phase-factor beamforming method in order to enhance the hyper-echoic targets such as the needle from 3D pre-beamformed RF data. Specifically, adaptive beamformer that combines ideas from Minimum Variance (MV) adaptive beamforming,50 signal regularization based on statistical information in RF data,51 and Toeplitz structure covariance matrices52 to minimize computational co mplexity will be investigated. It is expected that this reconstruction technique will adapt the data to the clinical application of needle enhancement through improving image resolution, contrast, and speckle suppression. The algorithms will be incorporated into an open source imaging platform for real-time data collection and processing.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Overall, we expect that the algorithms developed in Aim 1 will allow enhanced representation of US needle data with increased diagnostic value. The images obtained from this aim will be used as an input to the algorithms proposed in Aim2. Specific Aim 2. To develop methods for needle enhancement and tip localization in 3D US images Our working hypothesis for this aim is that learning based approaches for needle detection coupled with image reconstruction methods in 3D US will achieve improved needle enhancement and tip localization. In our previous work, we have shown that a linear learning based pixel classifier for needle data in 3D US, based on local phase based image projections, improves needle enhancement and reduces computational load.   The detector utilizes Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG)53 descriptors extracted from local phase projections and a linear support vector machine (SVM) baseline classifier. Recently, deep learning (convolutional neural network (CNN)) based image processing approaches have shown to produce very accurate results for segmentation of medical image data54. However, enhancement or segmentation of needles from US data using convolutional neural networks has not been investigated yet.   Therefore, for during this aim we will develop a needle enhancement and segmentation m ethod using convolutional neural networks. Needle images with various insertions angles and depths will be labeled by an expert radiologist. Our clinical collaborator Dr. Nosher and several radiologists from RWJMH will be involved during this labeling process. We will use two different datasets during the labeling process. The first data set will be retrospective US images downloaded from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Hospital (RWJMH) database. Specific focus will be given to liver biopsy and epidural management procedures where US has been used to guide the needle insertion and biopsy procedure. The second data set will involve collecting needle US scans using ex vivo tissue samples as the imaging medium. These scans will be collected at the PIs laboratory using an open source platform US machine with 3D imaging capabilities. The collected ex vivo data will be enhanced using the beamforming methods developed in Aim 1.   Labeling process will involve manual identification of the needle tip and shaft from the two datasets. A fully convolutional neural network54 will be trained using the labeled data. The architecture of this network does not require extensive data sets in order to train the network and yields high segmentation results. Previously this approach was used for segmenting cell structures54. The output of this operation, which will be a fuzzy 3D probability map (high probability regions corresponding to needle interface), will be used as an input to our previously developed needle tip localization method. The automatically identified needle tips will be compared against the manually identified needle tips. More details about the specific clinical data collection and validation are provided in Specific Aim 3 and Protection of Human Subjects. Overall, at the end of Aim 2 we expect to have a system providing continuous real-time monitoring of needle insertion using 3D US for improved guidance in interventional radiology procedures. Specific Aim 3. To validate the developed imaging platform on clinical data To validate the algorithms developed in Aims 1-2, we plan to perform extensive validation on ex vivo and clinical data. No clinical trial will be conducted during this proposal. Our initial validation will be limited to epidural administration and liver biopsy procedures. Ex vivo data: This study will be conducted for validating Aims 1-2. US scans will be collected from two different needles: 1-) A general 17-gauge Tuohy epidural needle (Arrow International,Reading, PA, USA),   and 2-) 18-gauge biopince full core liver biopsy needle (Argon Medical devices, Athens, Texas, USA). The needles will be inserted at varying insertion angles (300−700) and depths (up to 12 cm). Ex vivo porcine, bovine, liver, kidney and chicken tissue samples will be used as the imaging medium. 3Dpre-beamformed RF data will be collected using a SonixTouch US system (Analogic Corporation, Peabody, MA, USA) equipped with the 3D phased array transducer. The US machine, provides an open-source research interface allowing for custom-made applications directly run on the machine, and the 3D transducers. The image resolution for different depth settings will vary from 0.1mm to 0.3mm. In total, we will collect 300 different 3D US scans for each tissue sample (making the total n umber equal to 1500 3D US scans). The collected scans will be enhanced using algorithms developed in Aim1. From the enhanced data, our clinical collaborators will manually identify the needle tips. Three different radiologist, with varying expertise, will be involved during the validation process in order to calculate the inter-user variability error. We will also ask the same users to repeat the needle tip identification process after two weeks to assess the intra-user variability error. The labeled data will be used in order to train the CNN proposed in Aim2. For testing the CNN algorithm, we will collect additional new 500 US scans. The manually identified needle tip locations, from the new dataset, will be compared to the automatically extracted needle tip locations obtained from the algorithms developed in Aims1-2. Euclidean distance error between the two tip locations (manual vs automated) will be calculated for quantitative validation. Clinical data: This study will involve collection of retrospective US data from patients who are enrolled for a liver biopsy or epidural administration as part of their standard of care. Women and minorities will be appropriately represented in the recruited patients. Sex or race will not play a role as an inclusion or exclusion criteria. Specific focus will be given to patients who are 21 years and older and require a liver biopsy or epidural administration. All the US data and the patient information (age, sex, height, weight, and laboratory data) will be assigned a non-identifying alpha-numeric code that will ensure that the risk of re-identification of participants from the acquired data is not possible. Additional information is included in the Protection of Human Subjects. In total, we will collect 1600 different US scans, from 400 patients. For labeling (manual tip and needle shaft localization) in order to train the CNN method developed in Aim2 we will use 1200 scans. During testing, 400 US scans, not part of the training dataset, will be used. Again expert radiologist will be involved during labeling and testing procedures for tip and shaft identification. Error calculations will involve calculating Euclidean distance between the two tip locations (manual vs automated).

Elderly Abuse: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Essays -- Nursing Homes,

I. INTRODUCTION Of nursing home staff interviewed in 2004, nearly 40% admitted to committing at least one psychologically abusive act toward a resident and 10% admitted to physically abusing a resident in the preceding year.[1] Not only are nursing home residents at risk of being abused by their caretakers but they are also at risk of being restrained, which may lead to a form of abuse. With five percent of the elderly population, or one to two million instances of elder abuse occurring yearly there is no doubt that elder abuse deserves serious consideration.[2] Upon growing older there are many decisions to be made. Among one of the most difficult and perhaps most important decisions is where the elder person will live and how long-term care needs will be met when he/she is no longer capable of doing so independently due to the incapacity that accompanies many with old age. Nursing homes seem to be the popular choice for people no matter the race, gender, or socioeconomic status with 1.5 million Americans being admitted to them yearly.[3] Because nursing homes are in such a high demand and are not cheap, $77.9 billion was spent for nursing home care in the United States in 2010 alone, they are under criticism of many professions including the legal profession, which is in the process of establishing elder law as a defense to issues with in the elder community. Nursing homes have a duty to provide many things to the elderly including medical, social, pharmaceutical, and dietary services so that the individual may maintain the highest wel l-being possible.[4] Stated another way 'a nursing facility must care for its residents in such a manner and in such an environment as will promote maintenance or enhancement of the q... ...dling abuse- does the person know this procedure and is the policy well accessible? 9) Talking to other resident or families of residents- are they happy? What do they think of they facility and employees? 10) Ask for a list of activities, including community activities, the residents are able to participate in- are they on grounds or off grounds? Will they accommodate the residents? ability? Though this checklist is not all encompassing it provides simple guidelines a person can easily look to in order to put his/her mind more at ease and feel secure in placing a loved one in a nursing home facility. Because there is no guarantee against elder abuse occurring in nursing homes it is important that the resident, where possible, and the family of the resident remain involved on a daily basis and demand the quality of care the elder person deserves. Elderly Abuse: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Essays -- Nursing Homes, I. INTRODUCTION Of nursing home staff interviewed in 2004, nearly 40% admitted to committing at least one psychologically abusive act toward a resident and 10% admitted to physically abusing a resident in the preceding year.[1] Not only are nursing home residents at risk of being abused by their caretakers but they are also at risk of being restrained, which may lead to a form of abuse. With five percent of the elderly population, or one to two million instances of elder abuse occurring yearly there is no doubt that elder abuse deserves serious consideration.[2] Upon growing older there are many decisions to be made. Among one of the most difficult and perhaps most important decisions is where the elder person will live and how long-term care needs will be met when he/she is no longer capable of doing so independently due to the incapacity that accompanies many with old age. Nursing homes seem to be the popular choice for people no matter the race, gender, or socioeconomic status with 1.5 million Americans being admitted to them yearly.[3] Because nursing homes are in such a high demand and are not cheap, $77.9 billion was spent for nursing home care in the United States in 2010 alone, they are under criticism of many professions including the legal profession, which is in the process of establishing elder law as a defense to issues with in the elder community. Nursing homes have a duty to provide many things to the elderly including medical, social, pharmaceutical, and dietary services so that the individual may maintain the highest wel l-being possible.[4] Stated another way 'a nursing facility must care for its residents in such a manner and in such an environment as will promote maintenance or enhancement of the q... ...dling abuse- does the person know this procedure and is the policy well accessible? 9) Talking to other resident or families of residents- are they happy? What do they think of they facility and employees? 10) Ask for a list of activities, including community activities, the residents are able to participate in- are they on grounds or off grounds? Will they accommodate the residents? ability? Though this checklist is not all encompassing it provides simple guidelines a person can easily look to in order to put his/her mind more at ease and feel secure in placing a loved one in a nursing home facility. Because there is no guarantee against elder abuse occurring in nursing homes it is important that the resident, where possible, and the family of the resident remain involved on a daily basis and demand the quality of care the elder person deserves.