Does Silver Alloy Coated Foley Catheters Reduce Urinary Catheter Research Paper

Does Silver Alloy Coated Foley Catheters Reduce Urinary Catheter Infections - Research Paper Example The use of catheters causes one of the most common health associated infections and is known as CAUTI or Catheters Associated Urinary Tract Infections. As CAUTI can deteriorate into a serious condition, preventive steps have to be taken to minimize it in the hospital environment as well as in other settings. One of the steps that are being carried out is the use of Foley catheters coated with silver alloy. These catheters, when used as part of indwelling catheterization, are said to reduce CAUTI sizably. Although other studies show that it provides only negligible positive results. So, this paper after analyzing six journal articles, its purpose, its results, strengths and weaknesses, will discuss whether silver alloy coated Foley catheters reduces UTI. The article, Audit of catheter-associated UTI using silver alloy-coated Foley catheters written by Coral Seymour discusses the advantages of using the silver alloy-coated Foley catheter in reducing the threat of CAUTI in an acute gene ral hospital. As part of the study, even before the use of silver alloy coated Foley catheters, the standard catheters were used for 10 weeks on particular patients and the prevalence of CAUTI was audited. Silver alloy-coated Foley catheters there were introduced among 117 newly catheterized patients, and they were monitored for signs of CAUTI for another 10 weeks. Then the results were audited and analyzed, and it clearly emerged that CAUTI incidence rate has decreased by 20%. Although, the period of 10 weeks for monitoring may seem little short to fully analyze the course of UTI, the fact that emerged is â€Å"silver alloy-coated Foley catheters proved to be cost-effective given the recognized additional costs of CAUTI and prolonged in-patient stay† (Seymour, 2006). The article, A prospective, controlled, randomized study of the effect of a slow-release silver device on the frequency of urinary tract infection in newly catheterized patients was authored by Reiche et al., an d it focuses on the efficacy of silver ions releasing systems including silver alloy coated Foley catheters regarding CAUTI. The study focused on 213 patients as part of a prospective controlled randomized trial. At the end of the trial, the authors state that there were reductions in UTI among subjects, who either used antibacterial devices like the Unometer 400 metering system or PP 2000N closed urine-bag system, as well as coated Foley catheter. However, the limitation with this study is, the difference between infection and non-infection in the subjects were not statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, the authors come to the conclusion that modifications to the Foley catheters and the urine-collecting systems in the form of silver coating and silver releasing may yield positive results, care should be taken to block the internal and external pathways of infection. In the article, The efficacy of silver alloy-coated urinary catheters in preventing urinary tract infecti on: a meta-analysis written by Sanjay Saint et al. discusses about the effectiveness of not only silver alloy coated Foley catheters, but also silver oxide coated ones as well. Instead of conducting trials directly, â€Å"published or unpublished articles were sought using MEDLINE, reference review, and correspondence with original authors, catheter manufacturers,

A dsdm outline plan

A dsdm outline plan Project initiation phase (1 page, not technical knowledge) Scope CSA projects will have a stepwise plan for doing prelimionary analysis before committing to the full scope of work, in the event of unknowns or surprises being within the scop;e of work. Scope is managed through the finance Department. The scope of CSA project is to develop and implement centralized management, sharing data and the supporting IT systems and infrastructure necessary to provide: A secure and trusted means by which data communication can share information. A framework for information sharing, which can be transferred to other branches; areas and regions to assist in the delivery of integrated person centered services. The opportunity to measure and explore KPIs and other operational issues which effect the transition of children for example; each children remark, records, personal info.etc. Feasibility Study  § Large or high-risk projects will usually include provisions for review and reassessment of scope of work at this stage. By prior agreement, there may be a go/ nogo decision at this point. Existing System Analysis: Mainly, there is no standard way that projects record information about users of their services. Some projects record using different ways of paper based system, spreadsheet to help maintain records. It is needed centralized management and powerful administration. It is like that to choose the RAD technique within the DSDM framework. Proposed system requirements were feasible in contract agreement between our development team and CSA. We have been decided to use the ‘Oracle Database (this have enterprise features, models) as a standard database to implement. Feasibility report will cover all the usual topics, but not in great details. If a project is seen to be feasible from the results of the study, the next logical step is to proceed with the full business plan. Business Study Objectives of Business to fulfill the business requirements of CSA, to solve each department responsible person in Area, Region, Administration. To make the CSA project better than the existing system, some of them will be needed to update information to meet business in marketplace. Stimulate innovative partnership practice in the voluntary and provider sector to further increase the volume of service available. Incremental and iterative development necessary to converge on an accurate business solution. Configuration management Configuration Management is a key factor in managing the evolving products (both software and documents). The changed plan or control procedure must be valid within the contract. If it is not, we cant take this trouble. Project Manger probably reports this ‘user request form to Change Control Board (high level management to make decisions) to confirm the change request, features. Another problem is scope changes because it takes more about features that some arent available in real time system when we implement. (Prototyping is used to help users visualize and request changes to the system as it is being built, allowing applications to evolve iteratively.) Delivery timeframe changes because we cant to get end product in the agree date. So, we must schedule again to balance about the urgent product. (Timeboxing is used to create artificially with customer agreement that was estimated at 12 weeks duration.) Product description and breakdown structure The product description considered about the CSA organization, firstly we must considered the products that are associated with Budget Estimation happens after contract for development of the CSA project. It is the mainly event to perform as soon as later contract. Requirements Analysis is essentially required to make assessment of which are the requirements in CSA. Develop specific functionality defined as to carry out the proposed functions described in contract as CSA requirements. Define CSA requirements are needed really to determine the system starts before. It is divided by functional and non-functional requirements. Define System requirements are also needed to get required performance, response time to perform the system tasks such as defining required hardware, software.etc. For methodology, DSDM is used for development. Organization Structure by product WBS Risk Management Risk Management Type The risk lists is periodically reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies, which in turn drives revisions to the project plan and subsequent iteration plans. Risk ID Responsible Person(s) Description likelihood Impact (L/M/H) Contingency Plan Rsk0000 Project Manager Delays in appointing key personnel Inability to meet target date L Project Board to progress appointments as a priority Rsk0001 Project Manager Insufficient skills / resources / capacity within the partnership when required Inability to meet target date H Ensure commitment at a senior level to deliver required resource Rsk0002 Board Of Directors (High level) Competition for Technology Partners resources Milestones missed H Plan and identify resource requirements early Rsk0003 Project Manager Poor co-operation between partners Decisions take longer L Adequate internal resources must be made available to the project appropriate representatives attend meetings The system is to be developed under the joint guidance of the Director of Administrative Services and the Finance Director. How to Reduce Risks A central contract database will overcome the problem of record duplication. This solves the different way of project recorded information about users of their services. We decided to choose ‘Oracle Database to implement the central database as a enterprise standard of CSA. It has the features of data secure functions of performance and reliability of the backup and recovery operations are critical to effective database operation. Monitor Control risks KPI helps the performance of indication of our CSA projects. It is essential to measure for each project. Risks monitoring and contingency plan are required together with KPIs. We must think of other potential risks such as hardware failure, disaster, staffs leaving etc. at the initiation stage before the development of CSA project. We must start taking care of during design phase before implementations. We must set up milestones, critical paths in CSA projects. In avoidance of risk, pre-consideration of overcome risks with contingency plan and risks training are essential. Contingency Planning Project Manager also monitors the project progress. The main tool for deciding on progress is the prioritized requirements rather than a Gantt chart of activities. The Gantt chart will show the timeboxes, but the supplementary documentation about what is to be produced in each timebox is far more important for control and monitoring purposes of CSA. Project manager must monitor on each of the phase finished before and after during the project. Limited duration solved by a milestone date, not to deviate the schedule he drew out before the project during planning stage. Security Management Steve Sutherland (Finance Director) says â€Å"There cant be a hard connection between the finance system we use and the MIS (Management Information System) as that would open up all sorts of security risks that we dont want to open up. We must think how we can share data between the two systems without compromising our finance system. Possible Solutions (Security review) //Unauthorisation of resources and data in order to decrease errors in activities of access level , CSA was going to manage the application software cover rights on single users to whom to prevent unauthorized access of secret information by this way we produce fully protection of database access to centralized office. CSA could be to ensure instruction to functions in the area of information maintaining, retrieving from program. For the recovery and backup purposes, CSAs privacy were secure because of the above functions. We must consider security before documents sent to the central office in London, each of regions and areas needed to scan for virus free. And then, must send the required documents to the central. How to control security Login to database (Enter valid code to access data from centralized office). Give authority to each person to access for each of their application. Some kind of security like Norton Antivirus kit for threats, virus, spams mail, for other different threats. That is required for CSA database and documents security needed for all regions and areas. Back up for important data at off-site to be secured. B) Prioritised Function Lists MosCoW analysis Source: Mr Tulley Sign Off: Mr Tulley Requirement id; Name R0001 Tulley (SA) Functional Requirement (s) -Centralized standard db (Must have) -Centralized management (Must have) -Record contracts info in current future(Must have) -Each projects linked to central contract(Must have) -Record core data about the projects, young people and their KPIs they are working with(Could have) -Secure personal data (accessing authorized person)(Should have) -Secure Data sharing between central to regions, areas,(Must have) -Accurate and update info, KPIs send back to Administrative (Must have) -Services Department every 3 months(Must have) -Sending data to Funding body to correct (Must have) -Produce regular monitoring reports for funding bodies(Want to have) -Send childrens KPIs to Administrative Service Department (to change data) (Must have) -Monitor childrens behavior, character in KPIs for admin(Could have) Assumption of functional requirements Project prioritization MoSCoW is required to prioritise. It can be divided by FMI or DBI. Implement the recommendations of the CSA, review establishing childrens records and review each of their KPIs. CSA with functions for the department of regional and areas for housing, family support, education training and tackling crime with this portfolio as their primary responsibility. Fulfill the requirements for each contract linked to central contract. Provide support to develop oracle database for centralized offices to ensure more effective way for branches such as areas, regions and related partner. We have to consult to agree functions with the Board of Trustees. As an additional info, CSA should be provided Alcohol and Drugs free zone. From each department to central offices can send KPIs information safety related with administrative department. Secure data sharing is also needed to develop among them. Staff must be trained on new system established for training case to know how Oracle database system works. Training and qualifications are necessary to respond to send data vice versa. We must define staff level or permission to access data, records. We have responsibility to manage IT training course for young people who have previously committed crime. Training should be refreshed on a periodic basis. For example, holidays, duties off. C) Non-functional Requirements Specification Non-functional Requirement (s) -Accessibility () -Reliability() -Responsibility() Safety and Efficiency(DBI) -Consistency() Accuracy() Description -The above requirements are permitted by Project Board. Target Value Acceptable Range: ok Comments: Assumption on non-functional requirements In addition, donation for young children from online should be able to meet with people who want to donate. Data collection and management issues will substantially affect the usefulness of data sources; therefore, the quality of collected data must be consistently accurate and maintainable. Provide overall product management oversight with respect to non-functional requirements, such as: accuracy; reliability; maintainability; affordability; privacy; and security, etc. Accessibility From administrative department can be accessible each childrens records every time they require. Data should be accessible for use with commonly available analytical tools(eg. Oracle database) 1.3 KPIs measures for accessing childrens records as described in. Reliability 2.1 CSA system is needed to design easy to use and match with user requirements. Responsibility 3.1 Authorized person to access detailed children information must be able to support administration/response as well as to monitor children for progress. Safety and Efficiency 4.1 Secure information is needed to prevent by the ways (encryption) from central office to branch or branch to central office. The data between central and branch essentially networking service security is required to think. Consistency Automated reporting tools and pre-defined report templates should be supported to ensure consistency and quality. SECTION -B Critical Evaluation Of DSDM Toolset Report for CSA From : Jack (Project Manager) To : CSA organization Subject : Critical Evaluation of DSDM toolset Title : Development of the Management Information System for CSA Author : Jack (PM) Date : 18/8/09 Authorisation : Project Board of Trustees Distribution : CSA organization 1) Critique of DSDM toolset (2000) //There are many consideration upon a case tool used in implementation of DSDM. CSA organizations alter in how much must easy accept or construct in the job training.An organization that is used to the authorization responsibility and trading in a way taking precaution to problems and that a lot carefully with the relation to customers already works very on the project will often find it is similar in many ways to that what is made currently, but that happened some hardness, terminology common and useful tools to the project.To the other hierarchical organizations much with concentrating narrow onto a contract details, will have to make attention approximately introduction, the location of the project adapted and initially taking care outside in more than a method for project phases. The power tools utilized in Rapid Application Development are Computer-Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) tools. The RAD methodology uses both computerized tools and human techniques to achieve the goals of high-speed and high quality. //Depending on the user participation, that is one of the RAD method happens choosing users to get more agreement and effective way described in User involvement at stages of system life cycles. Purchaser of a RAD tool environment should think carefully before buying. Show understanding of the key issues relating DSDM toolset Valuate the tools used Show evidence of research Produce a well structured essay Identify benefits and drawbacks with relevant examples Examples from case study(DSDM tools) Peter Jackson (Area Manager) used Microsoft Excel as he went on a course. The only problem is that it takes a white to find individual pieces of data which is always annoying when we are trying to fill in the returns for Julieanne (IQ Officer, Administrative Services Department )s KPIs. It can often take a couple of days getting all that data together. In current position, there is no standard way that projects record information about users of their services. Some projects record their data using a paper based system whilst others have created simple databases or spreadsheets to help maintain records. One or two of the larger projects have invested heavily in IT and building their own databases to meet their requirements. We dont want is to get distracted with providing projects with a system to manage individual young peoples cases, records of interviews with the young person and so on. That would be far too complex at this stage. // DSDM supports that the RAD only it is adapted to determines kinds of applications with functionality to customer interface, has a group of customers easily defined, they are not too complex and have fixed requirements that are not too much details. DSDM supports that RAD is not adapted to applications in real time or emergency-critics to applications where requirement works. It must completely be specifies before that all programs are written.Therefore, RAD would only appear to the part of address of collection of applications. Disadvantages of the DSDM: It is involved the progressive development of requirement. Focus on RAD can lead in order to reduce in lines of code. Complete engagement of the requirement to the DSDM processes. Meaningful Participation of the customer for requirements Requires In an expert team developed in the commerce that represents IT. Ethics of people for change Successful change requires a number of things. We now face the problem of using different databases in different departments. So It is not easy to managed Objectives have to be set and attained; an existing system being analysis. Questionaire (Effective User Communication) This tool takes the form of a questionnaire in which the applicability of an iterative approach to functional areas in the organization is checked. The Organization Filter (KPIs) is intended as a ‘thermometer with which to measure the situation with regard to iterative development in a company or unit at a particular moment. It is intended only as a diagnostic instrument. The aim of the CSA is mainly to develop in the matter of children and to control each region and areas centrally and secure. The use of KPIs is to measure each student behavior, project performance progress. o Incremental and iterative development necessary to converge on an accurate business solution. We can take the form of a questionnaire, similar to the CSA project requirements. We look at the organization and/or the organizational unit as a whole. We serve to map the project risks, while KPIs is an instrument with which to map the situation in the organization concerned. This section contains the complete CSA questionnaire, with an accompanying Explanation for every questions. The questionnaire is divided into eight areas for evaluation: Users (Children Support) User management (CSA Centralized management) Organization (CSA Organization Structure) Culture (CSA culture) IT staff (CSA IT staff) IT management (CSA IT Development) Management organization (CSA management) Techniques (Standard use of method and database) There are a number of questions per area, intended to provide a picture of the organisations receptivity to an iterative approach for each area. Although the areas follow one another in the questionnaire, this sequence does not have to be followed. However, the questions within an area follow a conscious order, from general to specific. Critical Analysis of how the tools used(DSDM tools) RAD technique (Even though many criticize the RAD approach as being overly ad hoc in nature, it must be remembered that the reason for its popularity throughout the 1990s was that it was perceived as providing significant customer value that is a working prototype was generally considered of much greater value to the typical business customer for whom using dataflow diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, and other formal documents produced by a heavy methodology (DSDM, XP, Scrum). Difficulties of RAD May be used as an excuse for hacking a solution resulting in: Poor understanding of environment and business requirements. Insufficient testing and subsequent unforeseen problems. Poor documentation and difficulties with enhancement. Client and user commitment. Changing user requirements. Prototyping method Selecting a set of CASE tools to support modeling, prototyping, and code re usability, as well as automating many of the combination of techniques. This is the sign of conceptual model to provide support the components of functional and non-functional of project. A technique where a component that is produced to assess whether or not the system will be fit for purpose. A prototype need not be complete and tested with respect to all its related functional and non-functional requirements, the aim is to try out some aspect of the project to prove its ability to meet the needs of the Users. Examples include architectural prototypes to prove some new technology and user interface prototypes to try out the user interaction with the system. Critique of prototyping include the following: Client can be seen this as final product. May lead to insufficient analysis due to the ease of development. Difficult for developers to discard and start creating the final product from scratch. Estimation tools Cost estimation tools, or model-based estimation techniques use data collected from past projects combined with mathematical formulae to estimate project cost. They usually require factors such as the system size as inputs into the model. The main model-based techniques include COCOMO, SLIM, RCA PRICE-S, SEER-SEM, and ESTIMACS. These estimation models produce an estimate of the cost, effort or duration of a project based on factors such as the size and desired functionality of the system. The work breakdown structure (WBS) of the project or a piece of work into its component. Projects can be resource-constrained (limited by the type of people, monetary or hardware resources available) or time-constraint (limited by the deadline). When management fails to participate in the preparation of the estimate, and does not monitor the accuracy of the estimate, this is believed to contribute to the estimate being inaccurate. Inaccuracy also occurs when management does not refer to the estimate when conducting performance reviews of estimators and other project personnel. Causes of Inaccurate Estimates in Systems Development Estimation inaccuracy can also be caused from a lack of procedures and policies on how to deal with failures and avoid repeating mistakes by learning from past experiences. The estimation process can be impacted negatively by these pressures resulting in time or cost constraints. Software managers may over-report causes of inaccuracy that lie outside their responsibility, such as customer-related causes. Project managers therefore have to be aware of the implications that political factors can have on IS development estimation. DSDM Charts toolset// Charts toolset as it was required to show what tasks are critical that are important when activity goes. There are activities of sequence in or some are parallel tasks that are not dependent on the completion of task more or less at each stage before next stage of project begins. We can start other tasks after one stage ends .Tasks from Pert Charts were shown as the critical path by the view of estimation of time at each stage of project. It is slightly view of how to estimate the length of time to be shortened and to prevent taking long time activities. JAD (Joint Application Development) Analysis A forum for knowledgeable and empowered staff from business and IT to make decisions and produce products through consensus, controlled and enabled by an impartial facilitator. Also known as a ‘Facilitated Workshop†. Also known as facilitated workshop, for user participation matter. Workshop Leader who organizes and conducts the workshops for Joint Requirements Planning and Joint Application Design. Critique of JAD (Joint Application Development) Using workshops, instead of interviews, to gather requirements and review design. Analysis of case materials shows significant critique is attached to the efficacy of the JAD sessions. Analysis suggests that a lack of proactive leadership towards the JAD workshops, and of the management of people activities within the JAD sessions would have facilitated more focused productivity towards development objectives, promoted a shift away from former cultures to acceptance of new working behaviours. The new integrated team-working environment of a RAD-type approach meant that people experienced uneasiness in the team workshops. People found it difficult to present their ‘thinking in front of their colleagues and this was a key concern for the developers, the cultural issue is that organizational people felt they were answerable to their line manager; consequently they were apprehensive about expressing their views. Several of those interviewed on the organizational side were reluctant to voice options in workshops if their managers were also present, they did not feel on an equal plane, and therefore did not contribute effectively. Critique of Prioritization(MoSCoW approach) MoSCoW is an acronym where the capital letters stand for Must have, Should have, Could have, Wont have this time. These provide a technique for prioritizing requirements. As the case indicates, the MoSCoW (a DSDM technique) appears not to be very suitable for this situation due to the difficulty of prioritizing requirements. The same holds for timeboxing, for which there must be a fixed date for the project, or for an increment, or for an iteration. Critique of MoSCoW Time to make not enough all. Resources in order to make not enough all. Lack or money or lack of people. Critique of TimeBoxing Analysis Development slots fixed in allocated time and resources; variable in implemented functionalities; Time box content priorities is negotiated at each Iteration. Implementing time-boxed development that allows development teams to quickly build the core of the system and implement refinements in subsequent releases. A period of time with a fixed end-date in which a team produces, checks and agrees a deliverable (partial or complete) or set of such deliverables. DSDM has an overall time box for the project which contains nested time boxes for day-to-day management and control. The timeframe is not subjective to change, rather functional requirements are prioritized within the timebox and less essential features may have to wait to be included and built into future iterations. RAD has been criticised for being fairly unstructured approach and there is no commonly defined framework for its completion. Disadvantages of TimeBoxing// Customers enable to agree the products delivery covered from timebox to finish end date.If it seems that the expirations could be lacked, the deliverable would have to be de-scoped, to eliminate more than insufficient priority that is it must have and be able while to have requirement it can slip the timeline bases identically.The continuous negotiation of that what is important is to develop and is worked to with and is comes agreement . DSDM shows timeboxing nested timeboxes for example it nested timebox more than two to six weeks inside the timebox. Configuration management tools For high criticality systems, additional measures to ensure good communications and improved controls are needed. Additional project management controls should be used around risk management and a wider use of Configuration and Change Management tools, along with increased testing effort. These steps attempt to increase project communications, actively mitigate risks and detect issues and tolerance exceptions earlier in the project. Agile methodology analysis// While our teams continue to adopt and to regulate the agile development to the inside of their organizations so we can face the challenges of coordination and control of the multiple groups, the positions and the plans continue to increase. The plan complexity more reinforced that is why the agile atmospheres embrace programs and the priorities changing in real time.Consequently, the requirement of the senses to easy control this complexity inside the context of single, constant structure is critical to elevate the value and the happened one of our agile activities of development.The procurement way that uses the agile methods to give to the competent suppliers a small with of the characteristic in order transporting and seeing that what supplies. Show evidence of research -risks Identify benefits and drawbacks with relevant examples Cutover During this phase the new system will be phased-in in a parallel manner (alongside the old system), whilst users endure final training and testing ensuring system adequacy, eventually leading to the old systems develop. While the system is being constructed, we use the CASE toolset to accomplish detailed design and code generation, must be poised to move quickly. At the end of the development cycle, the Cutover Team, which handles training and cutover, must be ready to move quickly.

life of pi :: essays research papers

Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel is one of Canada"s most acclaimed books. It tells the story of sixteen-year-old Pi Patel"s journey while he discovers religion and his own determination and strength. This book is highly recommended for many reasons including the insightful views expressed on religion and life, the interesting facts on zoology, and the author"s unique talent in making something that at first glance seemed totally unrealistic become reality – humour inserted along the way! First of all, it is obvious that Pi Patel learns to have a very open mind when it comes to religion as he has embraced three of them, resulting in a unique Hindu-Christian-Muslim boy. His interesting views on the different religions lead the readers to broaden their horizons and have an open mind to different religions. His analogies were also quite humorous, for example, when comparing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to his father feeding him to the lions because the latter killed two llam as, a black buck, a camel, painted storks, grey herons, and 'who"s to say for sure who snacked on our golden agouti?'. In addition, Pi Patel"s journey helped him have a great view on life and its value, allowing him to give many anecdotes that make the reader stop and think. For example: 'I have nothing to say of my working life, only that a tie is a noose, and inverted though it is, it will hang a man nonetheless if he"s not careful.' Secondly, this book is packed with zoological information including mating, hunting, and sleeping habits of a variety of animals from hippopotamuses to 'meerkats' (small African carnivorous burrowing mammals). Also, it includes many circus trainer tactics for lions and tigers, such as using foreign surroundings, having an erect posture, a calm demeanour, a steady gaze, a fearless step forward, a strange roar, etc. Also, Pi Patel"s very original view on how animals are indeed happy in a zoo was very enlightening for anyone who has ever felt sorry for the entrapped animals, feeling that the latter were not 'free'. According to this boy, animals in the wild are driven by necessity in an environment where the supply of fear is high and the supply of food is low, whereas the environment in a zoo is quite contrary. Also, animals are quite territorial (no matter what the territory is) and they protect it, not because they are prisoner of it, but because they are landholder of it. life of pi :: essays research papers Life of Pi, written by Yann Martel is one of Canada"s most acclaimed books. It tells the story of sixteen-year-old Pi Patel"s journey while he discovers religion and his own determination and strength. This book is highly recommended for many reasons including the insightful views expressed on religion and life, the interesting facts on zoology, and the author"s unique talent in making something that at first glance seemed totally unrealistic become reality – humour inserted along the way! First of all, it is obvious that Pi Patel learns to have a very open mind when it comes to religion as he has embraced three of them, resulting in a unique Hindu-Christian-Muslim boy. His interesting views on the different religions lead the readers to broaden their horizons and have an open mind to different religions. His analogies were also quite humorous, for example, when comparing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to his father feeding him to the lions because the latter killed two llam as, a black buck, a camel, painted storks, grey herons, and 'who"s to say for sure who snacked on our golden agouti?'. In addition, Pi Patel"s journey helped him have a great view on life and its value, allowing him to give many anecdotes that make the reader stop and think. For example: 'I have nothing to say of my working life, only that a tie is a noose, and inverted though it is, it will hang a man nonetheless if he"s not careful.' Secondly, this book is packed with zoological information including mating, hunting, and sleeping habits of a variety of animals from hippopotamuses to 'meerkats' (small African carnivorous burrowing mammals). Also, it includes many circus trainer tactics for lions and tigers, such as using foreign surroundings, having an erect posture, a calm demeanour, a steady gaze, a fearless step forward, a strange roar, etc. Also, Pi Patel"s very original view on how animals are indeed happy in a zoo was very enlightening for anyone who has ever felt sorry for the entrapped animals, feeling that the latter were not 'free'. According to this boy, animals in the wild are driven by necessity in an environment where the supply of fear is high and the supply of food is low, whereas the environment in a zoo is quite contrary. Also, animals are quite territorial (no matter what the territory is) and they protect it, not because they are prisoner of it, but because they are landholder of it.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Innocence

A songbird's melody can evoke happiness in anyone, as can the smiling face of a child. The mockingbird sings for the sake of singing, and an innocent child possesses an inborn joyfulness, as natural as instinct. Yet a mockingbird's song dies as easily as the innocence of a child. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem are portrayed as innocents, uncorrupted by our world of prejudice and racism. Their world is simple, sensible, a child's world.However, three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus, are consumed by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. By the end of the novel, their world has expanded to enclose the irrational nature of humans. Jem and Scout's growing up is portrayed by a series of events that shatters their innocence as easily as a mockingbird can be silenced.Lee uses a combination of insignificant and profound events: the trial of Tom Robinson, Walter C unningham, and their relationship with Boo Radley to develop and display the children’s growth in maturity. One of the first cracks in Scout’s armour of naivete occurs due to the fact that she speaks her mind. On Scout’s first day of school Scout tries to explain to her teacher that she is embarrassing Walter Cunningham by offering him something that he will not be able to pay back. Scout realizes that because her teacher is not a local, she will not know that about the Cunningham’s, but Scout's explanation gets her into trouble.When Scout explains â€Å"Walter’s one of the Cunningham’s,† (26), she was not trying to be insulting, but Miss Caroline mistakes her frank and innocent explanation as arrogance or rudeness and punishes her for it. Scout's perception of the world and her classmates is not yet marred by the social divisions that adults see. When Scout has Walter over for a meal Scout really does insult Walter this time as she q uestions the way he eats by saying â€Å"But he’s gone and drowned his dinner in syrup† (32) and makes him feel self-conscious.She is not doing it intentionally, she is just curious because she has never seen people who eat that way. She is too young to understand the social graces of Southern hospitality that dictate that you are always to make people feel at home and welcome no matter how unusual their habits may be. Scout and Jem are surrounded by racism and prejudice as children, but until they mature , they do not see it for what it is, until something enormously, obviously wrong occurs close to home. At first Scout does not understand what is wrong and keeps asking Jem questions about what is happening.While Atticus is asking questions directed to Mayella, â€Å"Slowly but surely [she] could see the pattern of Atticus’ questions† (244). Although this shows that Scout’s understanding about her father has improved, she is still oblivious to the deeper meaning of the trial. While Jem is explaining to Dill, Scout â€Å"supposes† it is â€Å"the finer points of the trial† (252). With Jem being able to do this, this proves that Jem has matured greatly since the beginning. But what surprised Scout and blew Jem away was the obvious unfairness of the verdict.When Jem states â€Å"You just can’t convict a man on evidence like that,† proves that Jem realizes the injustice that Tom Robinson faced (295). Atticus has shielded Scout and her brother from any outward prejudice against blacks. However, even he could not keep out the thought that coloured were not quite the same. Racism has been so deeply ingrained that Scout didn't realize its intensity and results until that tragedy opened her eyes. As a result, racism and its effects entered the ever-expanding world of the Finch children.Because of the perspective of childhood innocence, Boo Radley is given no identity apart from the youthful superstitions t hat surround him, and it is these superstitions that leave Jem and Scout oblivious to the fact that Boo just wants to protect them. Scout at first describes Boo as a â€Å"malevolent phantom,† (10) while Jem illustrates him as a â€Å"six-and-a-half feet tall† man that â€Å"dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch† (16). With these expressions they demonstrated how innocent the children are.After the children have found gifts inside a knot hole in a tree, their father finds out about their â€Å"game†. When Atticus witnesses his children leaving a note in the hole, he believes his children are causing harm so he tells them to â€Å"stop tormenting the man† (65). When Atticus says, â€Å"You just told me,† Jem did not realize that without actually saying that they were playing the Boo Radley game he still admitted to his father that that is what they were doing. Originally portrayed as a freak and a lunatic, Boo Radley continues to gain the sympathy of the children.When Nathan Radley closes the hole, Scout sees it as no more gifts, but Jem takes it more to heart. Nathan Radley claims that the â€Å"tree’s dying† (83) so Jem asks his father where he says that the tree is fine. When Jem realizes that Nathan had just cut off their connection, he was â€Å"crying,† (84). It is when Scout and Jem need saving that Scout understands that Boo was just merely looking out for them. While saying â€Å"Hey Boo† in person, this shows how mature Scout has gotten during the three years (362).Scout losses her innocence when she realizes that Boo Radley has given so much to them- gifts in the tree, a warm blanket on a cold night, folded up pants on a fence and their LIVES, but they have never repaid him. As if they were the harmless songbirds, the children's innocence is shattered by these events. Through their interactions with Walter, Tom’s trial and Boo Radley social prejudice, racism, mo bs, and â€Å"social exceptions† are now a part of their world. The naivete and purity have been replaced by the knowledge of human nature and the corruption of our world. The world is no longer simple, and the mockingbird is dead.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying in Foreign Universities

During this era, students who have completed their secondary studies may want to further their studies in local universities or foreign universities. The students may either find a job after leaving their school or further their studies in university. Some of the well to do students may opt for foreign universities. But there are advantages and disadvantages while students pursuing their studies in foreign universities.The advantage of pursuing studies in foreign universities is, they have better exposure and wider knowledge. Foreign universities are prestigious and reputable. They hired experienced lectures to teach the students, resulting the students improved tremendously, as the students will understand the topic easily. The university has a big and cozy school compound for students to release their stress. They are also providing with complete facilities for students such as well equip library, research center, free wi-fi spot and many more for students to access. Students will be able to do their project or assignment while using these facilities.The other advantage of pursuing studies in universities is they can acquaint new friends from other parts of the world. Students will have to leave their beloved parents and friends when they head to overseas. However, universities will organize some social activities to allow the new intakes to meet their new friends before they start their semester. The new intakes will be able to find their new friends here during orientation through hobbies and common interest. If the students have depended on their family members at home to do their daily chores, he or she will have to seek their friends when they are abroad.Last but not least, the crucial advantage of pursuing studies in foreign universities is to be self- independent that is once students leave their cozy home, there will be no one to wash up their clothes, tidy up their messy room, prepare and cook delicious meal and no one to greet them good morning nor good night. Therefore, students have to manage things, make decision and do all their housework by themselves.Besides the advantages, there are also disadvantages. The disadvantage is that their parents have to pay an expensive fee in order for them to complete their education abroad. Some the students may come from a medium family and has the opportunity to pursue their studies in foreign universities but they faced financial constraint to pay for their school fees. This forced them to get part time jobs in order pay their own fees. It will be tough for them as they have to rush to the working place after their studies. Some of them just gave up and they packed their bags and headed back to their own country due to financial problem. However, they are still some of them who studied hard while struggling with the fees problem, as they trusted there is always a rainbow waiting for them after the rainstorm.The next disadvantage is students may be homesick. They may feel lost when they are new in the unfamiliar city. They will feel anxiety if they cannot adapt to it. This may cause students to lost their initial aims, their fighting spirit and they start fleeing to places to escape from the reality such as pubs. This is will ruin their education if they cannot extract themselves from that negative emotion. In conclusion, everything has its pros and cons in it where there is always advantages and disadvantages of pursuing studies in a foreign universities and one may excel if one work hard despite far away from home.

The Economy of Ancient Corinth essays

The Economy of Ancient Corinth essays Present and past cultures have many similarities. One similarity comes to mind that stands above them all. I'm referring to the comparison of today's stock market to the exchange of goods within the ancient cities of Greece, in particular, the city of Corinth. One of the most economically important communities in ancient Greece was the city of Corinth. But what made Corinth, or Korinthos as known in those times, such a vital part of the country's commerce? After searching for an answer, I learned that Corinth's most advantageous asset was its geography. Corinth was favorably situated for trade by land and by sea. Located on the narrow Isthmus that connects southern and central Greece, Corinth possessed a unique location compared to any other city (Sacks 1995:66). This site not only allowed Corinth to manage the traffic along the Isthmus, but also made it simple to control passage between the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Another advantage given to this city was the development of a special roadbed built across the Isthmus enabling transshipment of cargo between seas. This emerged as a tremendous benefit to the transport of merchandise as seafarers preferred to avoid the arduous voyage around the tip of southern Greece. Additionally, the development of the roadbed earned Corinth significant revenue from sales and harbor taxes (Martin 1999:1). Corinth's glory days came in the 600s and early 500s B.C. Not only did its shipping network stand above other cities, but it also became a manufacturing center for many products (Sacks 1995:66). As the city prospered, Corinth became famous for its skilled workers in bronze and clay amid the rest of the mercantile world. Among other products, beautifully painted pottery became one of the main exports of Corinth. Its Geometric pottery dominated all markets during this period. It became a luxury item even outside the Greek culture (Grant 1986:187). Excavations in other cultural site...

khan essays

khan essays Morris Rossabi was the first to write this English-language biography on the man, Khubilai Khan. Rossabis book first goes into the Mongol history and how they started to emerge from the Steppes of Mongolia and how they were able to invade China with success. The rest of the book is on Khubilai Khans rule in China and how what he did as an Emperor for the Chinese culture and how the Mongol control in China crumbled after his death in A.D. 1294. Rossabi does this well by starting how with telling about the Mongols first before jumping into Khubilai Khan. The Author then goes into detail how Khubilai Khan then came to power. Rossabi even brings up Khubilai Khans mother and what type of person she was. Sorghaghtani Beki was a remarkably intelligent woman and had high ambitions for her sons. Rossabi also mentions that Khubilai Khan, when he became Emperor, also held a court that had many different types of thinkers and people of different beliefs. It was Khubilai Khans court that the great European explorer, Marco Polo, reached and traded with. While Rossabi does a great job of covering everything in Khubilai Khans history, he makes the text dry. Rossabi seems to slug his way through the social and economic problems and programs that Khubilai Khan had. He then brings this section up again later on in the book with the Mismanagement and the Chinese Response chapter. Overall, Rossabi does a good job on this history of Khubilai Khan. He was able to take a figure that to the western mind was a mythical or legendary character. Rossabi, though somewhat dry, wrote a book that is filled with information about the man and the time that he lived in. Rossabi was the first man to create the heaven and earth and started checking out what the world would had been if he was not there. I hope he gets to go to his place because Im very excited for him to be with me for the rest ...