Intercultural Differences Essay Example for Free

Intercultural Differences EssayRecognizing cultural differences when you write or speak with someone from a nonher nuance, you encode your message employ the assumptions of your own destination. Members of your audience decode the message relating to the assumptions of their culture. So your meaning whitethorn be misunderstood. The greater the difference between cultures, the greater the chance for misunderstanding. Cultural differences ar listed in four categories Contextual, Legal and Ethical, Social, and Nonverbal.Cultural condition is the pattern of physical cues, environmental stimuli, and implicit understanding that conveys meaning between members of the same culture. High context cultures encourage lengthy decision making, concentrating on everything detail, and avoids confrontation and debate. Whereas low-context cultures emphasize quick, efficient decisions on major points while leaving the details to be worked out later on and encourages undecided disagreement.C ultural context also influences legal and ethical behavior. Legal systems differ from culture to culture the high context cultures views laws as being more(prenominal) flexible, low-context tend to value written agreements and interpret laws strictly.. Ethical choices can be even more complicated when communicating across cultures. Keep your messages ethical by actively seeking mutual ground exchanging messages without judgement, sending messages that are honest, and showing respect for cultural differences.Social differences there are four types among cultures. In whatever culture etiquette play a major part. Formal rules of etiquette are explicit and well defined, but on the loose(p) rules are learned through observation and imitation. When informal rules are violated members of the culture are likely to feel uncomfortable, they may not be able to say exactly why. Attitudes toward materialism mass from the joined States emphasize hard work, material success, and efficiency mor e than many people in other countries do.Roles and status, respect and rank are reflected differently from culture to culture and in their working environment. Use of manners the rules of polite behavior vary from country to country. Concepts of sequence, although businesspeople in the United States, Germany, and some other nations seetime as a way to organize the business day efficiently, other cultures see time as more flexible.Nonverbal differences is extremely reliable when determine meaning, but that reliability is valid only when communicators belong to the same culture. The simplest of hand gestures can change from culture to culture. Interpreting nonverbal elements according to your own culture can be dangerous the elements are apparent in attitudes toward personal space and in body language. Concept of personal space for example people in Canada and the united States stand about five feet apart during a business conversation. Use of Body Language gestures of a culture clar ify confound messages, but differences in body language can be a major source of misunderstanding during intercultural conversation.For example, during our negotiations and weve finally closed the deal the Chinese illustration from this company says yes to everything and seems as if shes agreeable to our terms. I share the information with my boss and he doesnt seem very excited. Why isnt he excited? The word yes may not always mean yes in other cultures it may mean to say yes to confirm they have heard or understood something , but not necessarily to indicate they agree with it.. Youll seldom get a direct no . Some of the ways that other cultures say no indirectly let in It will be difficult, I will ask my supervisor, Im not sure, We will think about it , and Im not sure.When communicating across cultures, your effectiveness depends on maintaining an open mind.Stereotyping is the attempt to categorize individuals by trying to predict their behavior or character on the basis of th eir membership or a particular group. go forward beyond stereotypes to relationships with real people. You can achieve this by acknowledging distinctions, avoiding assumptions, and avoiding judgements.Works CitedBusiness Communication Today Chp III 52-63http//www.vcsun.org/battias/class/356/olm/9.htmlhttp//www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?docid=1G119488131refid=ink_overture_hlth

“Inevitable vs. Amendable” Essay Example for Free

Inevitable vs. Amendable EssayThe film Inequality for All tries to explain what is the current spot of the distribution of wealth and that of income equality? Why this is happening and if this is a problem. Yes, as stated in the film, social inequality is inevitable. But, there is without a doubt a problem with United States distribution of wealth. One of the facts that really opened my eyes was the fact that the 400 richest Americans, together hold more wealth than the poorest 150 one million million million Americans have together. This said, it is scary to think about how obscure was the knowledge we had on the one percent with given how much economic influence they have. The minimum fight vs. growth of productivity graph is one that I found very interesting. Why is just in todays society to be function a more productive workforce that gets paid less than the workforce we had a few decades ago? The line graph for productivity growth is insurrection every year, meaning th at more work is being done. On the other hand, the minimum wages growth rates were rising but after a while they seem to have plateau and they have been kindred this for about 30 years.Advances in globalization and technology are also inevitable because it is elemental economics that a product shall be produced in the cheapest way possible. Yes, technology does create jobs but as we see in the film companies like virago are also opting to operate with high tech machinery instead of the traditional assembly line. Women going to work, general workforce working for longer hours and borrowing gold from the financial sectors are coping mechanisms that the middle class used to keep up with their good lifestyles, but in my opinion these are more like defense mechanisms in order to survive in the concrete jungle with the same wages they had 30 years ago. One other comparison that I liked was how the widening inequality leads to a deficiency cycle and when the wealth is equally distribute d economic stability is transfused from sector to sector creating a domino power leading to a virtuous cycle.

Home Depots Organizational Culture Essay Example for Free

Home Depots Organizational Culture EssayIn my opinion, Nardellis programs were failed in changing subroutine of Home Depot to a much effective one. There are two reasons that Nardelli was not more successful. First, most employees did not want to an outsider to GE-ize their follow and culture. Employees in Home Depot did not trust their new manager, which led absent support when Nardelli carried out the new process. The second reason was also the more important reason. Nardelli used the concept learned from industrial businesses to conduct the customer businesses. Since Nardelli wanted to conduct Home Depot in his own approach, he failed to discern the importance of front-line staff, which pass alonged his fail in conducting the retailing business. The thing he should have done was improve the circulation of information between the different stores or at heart different level. Only in this way, he could solve the problem that Home Depot faced at that timetoo large to be p rofitable. The thrash thing he should not have done was to get rid of many old employees and replaced the full timers with part-time staff.This decline in the quality of customer service and customer satisfaction strongly hurt the customer orientated business. 2. Nardelli provided a three-part strategy including improving Home Depots profit, and expanding the business and market. crow focused on the other three priorities which would revive employees sense of ownership, foster their product knowledge, and boost their morale. The giganticest difference was that Nardellis initiatives programs were concentrated on increase profit and expansion, while Tim Crows programs were concentrated on increasing employees.Nardellis action decreased employees satisfaction and loyalty, which ruined Home Depots strong customer service culture. Tim Crows programs increased employees loyalty and revived Home Depots organizational culture. 3. Strong culture reflects the set of the organizations foun ders. Home Depots founders Bernard Marcus and Arthur Black, as entrepreneurs, emphasized on commitment to customers, colleagues, and company. These conducted the original culture of Home Depot.Sometimes, the organizational culture could act conflict when top management changed. When Nardelli toke over Home Depot, clash of two distinct cultural approaches occurred. Organizational culture that is consisted of shared beliefs, values, and assumptions existed in the organization would lead the behavior of employees and the direction of organization. Home Depots original culture let employees to establish strong blood with customers, but after Nardellis conduction, this relationship as well as employees and loyalty were harmed.Since the culture would affect employees performance and organizations achievement, it should be built to fit the characteristics of the business and altered with great care. Coordination, conflict resolution, and financial success were the assets of maintaining c ulture. However Nardelli failed to achieve these goals. Tim Crow, on the other hand, focused on restoring the initial culture by implementing more employee award programs that would positively impact employee loyalty and performance.

Relationship Between Consumers Behaviour And Purchasing Green Products Marketing Essay

Relationship Between Consumers Behaviour And Purchasing unripeish Products Marketing EssayGreen w ares refer to a leafy vegetable product is adept that causes almost no damage to the environment and a product is made out of recyclable and renewable materials. (Edge, 2010) The second definition is squirt products minimize the damage or harm some production methods can welcome on our air, water, soil, animal life and plants. (Osborn, 2010) As the commons products pay gained popularity in the Malaysia market more(prenominal) consumers will focus to the greener products. Therefore, this will influence many organisations and industries will get the product for their company. In addition, for the green products that is in many area of the industry such as automobile industry the hybrid car or environment friendly car. In addition, green products included vigour star appliance, energy efficient electronics, environmentally friendly household products, alternative transportation , organic foods, fair trade coffee, organic cotton and marihuana apparel, infixed skin and personal care products. Therefore, to be successful within green market it is Copernican to tie the products environmental attri scarcees to the lifestyles of the target consumers.Furthermore, to protect our primer coat muckle not hardly buying or using the green products, but the consumer now require risque services when they consumption to the product. Therefore, organizations not only focus on their green products but it too proffers the green services for their consumer. In the 21 century, many service industries also follow the step to provide their green service, such as in the tourism now it effects ecotourism. The definition of ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and culture understanding, appreciation and conservation. (Safari, 2010) It also is the travel that preserves the environment a nd promotes the welfare of local people. startlers that are interested in ecotourism want to enjoy constitutions offerings, but do it in a way that does not negatively impact the natural resource. According to the Malaysian g all overnment, healthcare travel as one of the effectiveness services to generate nation economic growth therefore Malaysia is fast-gaining recognition as a preferred destination for healthcare travellers. (International Medical Travel Journal, 2010) opening of Reasoned ActionThe Theory of Reasoned Action was afforded in 1975 and modified in 1980 by Ajzen and Fishbein. According the Ajzen and Fishbein suggested that the attitudes could explain human action therefore, this possibility was used to study on human behaviour and develop appropriate interventions. The key assumption of this theory is that individualists are assumed usually quite quick of scent and make systematic use of schooling available to them. People run across the implications of their actions before they decide to engage or not engage in a given behaviour. (Ajzen, I and Fishbein, M, 1980) Therefore, the consumers behaviour is the main consequence to impact consumers perspective to purchase the green products. For example, if our attitude leads us to want to acquire the green product but dont have enough money to consumption, so because of lack of money will bar people attitude from causing to purchase the green product. In addition, consumers perspective not only the personal behaviour, but it also influence by the social environmental such as friends and family. That is, whenever our attitudes lead us to do one thing but the relevant norms suggest we should do something else, both factors influence our behavioural intent.Environmental ConcernMalaysia is the developing country that faced colossal challenges in ensuring a balance between development and environment sustainability. Environmental concern defined as a global attitude with indirectly to effects o n behaviour through behavioural intention. The consumers perspective is influence by the environment concern because recently many problems of global warming such as earthquakes and tsunami in this worlds. (Cosby, 1981) Environmental concern is also sometime known as ecological concern, which refers to the degree of emotionality, the amount of specific factual knowledge, and the level of willingness as come up as the extent of actual behaviour on taint-environmental issues. In Malaysia, the environmental management is conducted by the federal government which is cooperation between Department of Environment (DOE) of the Ministry of Science, applied science and Environment and Ministry of essential Resources and Environment (NRE). In the main objective is to administer the 1974 Environment Quality Act (EQA) is schematic to providers the framework for environmental regulation in Malaysia. Along with findings that a consumers environmental awareness is viewed as a pre-condition f or green consumption, environmental concern is an important determinant of consumer behaviour toward organic products. (Paladino, 2005)Environmentally answerable consumption emanated from criticism that the marketing concept ignored the impact of individual consumption upon society as a whole. For the marketers, environmentalism has become a standard influencing consumers perspective. Consumers they consider the environment to be important will therefore evaluate the environmental consequences associated with the purchase of a product. So consumers may be purchase of green products, if the environmental consequences are important enough to them. For example, there is a need for creating and marketing an environment friendly car or hybrid car which is going to have reduced detrimental impacts on the mother earth and creating a sizeable awareness to the human action. In addition, the natural resources like fuel face limited problem, human they mustiness develop new or alternative w ays of satisfying these unlimited wants.Consumers perceived level of self-involvement towards the protection of the environment may prevent them from engaging in environmentally friendly activities such as recycling. (Wiener, 1990) Therefore, (Dahab, 1995) measured intent by asking consumers to indicate whether a recycling activity was something they are currently doing, something they in go to do, something they may not do, or something they probably will nor do. After look into information above that approve the strong influence of the individual consequences on intention explains that consumers they are high levels of environmental concern but not exhibit pro-environmental behaviours. In the general belief among researchers and environmental activities that through purchasing green products, products with recyclable packaging or properly disposing of non-biodegradable garbage, consumers can contribute significantly to improve the quality of the environment. (Abdul-Muhmin, 2007)A ccording the information of demographic, today still have many traditional rural communities in Malaysia and it still use a large number of species of medicinal purposes. This traditional knowledge has been used by pharmaceutic companies in their search of new drugs, especially from developing countries with high biodiversity and long tradition of the use of plants for medicinal purposes. In addition, today the healthcare travel is become popular to the local and foreigner tourist. Therefore, the establishment of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MTHC) will bring the efforts of because Malaysia is rich with the natural resources to manufacture the green products and green services. (International Medical Travel Journal, 2010) In this few years, tourism is the second highest earner of foreign currency ein truth year growth of 7.3%, and the ecotourism is the part of the faster growing within tourism industry. Malaysia with its outstanding biodiversity and scenic natural environm ent has been successfully promoted as an ecotourism and nature-oriented tourism destination in recent years. For example, Sipandan Island, Redang Island and Layang-layang Island are considered to be among some of the worlds best nature island loving by local and foreigner tourist. (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2006)Price Requirements of Green ProductsIn last few years, many firms are suffered the problem of alternative energy because the actual make for the resource and material is high to supply to manufacture non green products. (Leslie J. Vermillion. and Justin, 2010) Therefore, this impact the market selling price is expensive with the material live is high, but nowadays firms can get supply material by solar panels and wind turbines to manufacture the green products such as hybrid car. Although the prices is high but the green product is of high quality is reasonably to the priced and consumers are able to pay more money for them. In the 21 century, from Rot he and Bensons (1974) notion of brilliant consumption for either consumer when they consumption of the products or services. (Rothe, 1974) Malaysian consumer has rights that are under protected by the regulations and various laws in Malaysia. For example, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) is the non-governmental establish by consumers organization to defend the rights and interests of consumers that including control the green products market price. (FOMCA, 2009) Therefore, the consumers have more power than ever before to use intelligent agents to get the bonnie prices for the products and services, bid price on various offerings and promotion. Green consumer have evolved and research to understand the awareness levels of the consumer towards the green products and willingness to accept and pay a premium for the green product.In Malaysia, although consumer seems to be in favour of green product and willing to pay it but the government are taking their tolls o r assesses on the peoples budgets. Therefore, by collect the taxes from the consumer when purchasing the green product are effects of the weakening Malaysias economy. Despite the Malaysia economic downturn to impact the people income level, but they still are willing to pay green products to reduce the emit carbon dioxide to save the earth. According to the 2009 National Green Buying Research survey, four of five people claim to still be buying green products throughout the recession. (GreenSeal, 2009) In latest few years, Malaysias government offers many environmental incentives for the manufacturing sector to reduce their greet to impact the selling price decrease. For example, organization have capital rebate up to 50 percent and exemption on import duties and sales tax for purchase of recycling machineries.Furthermore, in Malaysia culture background also related to perceptions of price and perceived fairness of the green products, therefore this report will research the Malays ian between Malay, Chinese and Indian who they more accepting than other ethnicities of price premiums on green products and organic foods. (Arnold, 2008) So from the Leslie J. Vermillions research 65% of consumers detect that paying more for sustainable products is not an option. (Leslie J. Vermillion. and Justin, 2010) This show that, the growth in consumption of the green products or services and it focuses on the factor such as high quality and health benefits to the consumers. (Arnold, 2008) According the reported, in the America State the green market is about $250 billion, while 63 million of consumers are enjoin in order to buy pure green products and reject the non viable alternative, offered to them by the conventional market. (Reitman, 1992)Quality of Green ProductsThe product content requirements from consumers specify that purchased products must have desirable green attributes such as cycled or reusable items. In the Malaysia, company can require their suppliers mus t have to develop and introduce the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to certify as fully compliant with one of the recognized international standards such as ISO 14001 and Green Guard Certification. In addition, in Malaysia green purchasing activities are carried out by large firms in order to control the performance of suppliers. For example, electronics industry such as Sony, HP, Intel and Microsoft have established the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC). (Tarig Khidir ElTayeb, 2010) This code approve that the health and safety, environment, and business ethics to the products before supply to the shop. This evidence many large firms tend to set strict green standard for their purchased inputs and require their suppliers have same standard to strict the quality of green products. Therefore, the prices of the green products are expensive because one of the impacts is the higher of quality. For example, the indoor air quality of green building is significantly higher than other methods of building because environmentally friendly products are used in the building process such as high quality carpeting and paint to more healthy. (Saga, 2005)The consumers perspective towards green products has produced conflicting results in its analysis of whether or not consumers believe green products are lower or higher quality. According (DSouza, 2007) studies, found that consumers believe that green products are priced higher and of poorer quality than the non-green alternative. Therefore, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and Department of Environment (DOE) will cooperation with the NGO to inspect the quality and healthy towards the green attributes such as recycled or reusable material items to manufacture the green products. In addition, restrictions to the green product must not contain environmentally undesirable attributes of chemical material such as lead, CFC chlorofluorocarbons, and pliant foam in packaging material. Although the results did vary between the green products with non environmental products, almost half of the respondents in the countries surveyed indicated that green products offer comparable the quality over conventional alternatives.Education and Supplier InformationRecently, there is an environmental or ecological angle to virtually everything in the world. It is now commonplace to hear of recycle products or green products, organic food, eco-tourism, hybrid car or environment friendly car, green housekeeping, eco-building, greening libraries (e-library) and also eco-feminism. (Ephraim, 2003) Therefore, the education and technology are very important for the new generation to creativity and innovative the product to become a green ideas and concept to save earth. Recently in the Malaysia, more versus less(prenominal) information to the Malaysian therefore without the information that will influence the consumers confident towards the green products. If the knowledge gap and information with more detail on the uses and set of green products prevents consumers in committing themselves to any purchase decisions. According the concept of ecological imperatives by Fisk (1973) reflect that the need to educate the consumer to become aware of environmental problems and their telling to their consumption and perspective to the green products. (Fisk, 1973) In addition, from the understanding the subject and the outcome of the study should help marketers and the government to device the strategies which will motivate the customers to buy green product and save the earth.Today, every standard of education in Malaysia from kindergarten until university should educate the knowledge about the problems consequence by the humans attitude to destroy the earth. For example, every one also know the vehicular pollution is a bigger threat to human health than any other type of air pollution because this pollution exists at that level from where humans use air to breath. Therefore, human in the 21 century they must learn and get the knowledge to bump off action to reduce the global warming. Such as research the new source like replace driving fuel in future, low pollution cars, less eat meat change to be vegetarian food and making the homes energy efficient. (Brower, 1999) In addition, educators and writers may also be considered green workers if they focus on informing people about green principles such as books author. An educator might do this at an elementary school as part on the subject. (Admin, 2011) In the conclusion, consumers with higher education levels are more inclined to buy green because they got knowledge to do a lot of research to the green products or services before purchasing. According to (Neff, 2007) studies, Hispanic and Asian populations are more likely to be green consumers than African Americans. For example, college students in order to get them demand that the universities use their environmentally friendly products.In the Malaysia, the information and education to the people are less and no distinct to the public. Therefore consumers they cant get the information of green products with more detail. This is because many companies tend to exaggerate the environmental benefits of using their products. In addition, it also has some companies mislead the information and knowledge to the consumers about the biodegradability and recyclability of their products. Because of the unethical firm attach importance to the profitability and deceptive practice of companies attempts to make themselves appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are, therefore causing the environmental marketing claims are often vague and confusing. (Deen Shireen, 2002) In this case, many environmental organizations and the ministry of the environment, such as Resources for Living Green and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), are also taking action to prevent and protect companies from deceiving customers about the eco- friendliness of their products.Although more than half of consumers wanted more detailed information, many consumers they wanted the labels with used simpler words to tardily understanding. According (Drichoutis et al., 2006), the type of information to be relevant and suggest that consumers might be unwilling to evaluate more complicated information. Furthermore, (Heimbach, 1982) also explain that more information is not always better and that consumers prefer information that directly concerns their health. Therefore, organic products are viewed as promoting a healthy lifestyle, it appears that values concerned with health and environment influence attitudes toward buying organic food. In the Malaysia, if without the education and information for the consumer that will influence the marketplace and profit for the organization. Therefore, the green education is very important to educate the dumb million about the knowledge of green products and reduce, reuse and recycle.

A Web-Based application for Patients and Caregivers

A Web-Based application for Patients and C atomic number 18givers1. The Reminiscence systemBased on our findings in the pilot study (Sarne-Fleischmann and Tractinsky, 2008), a impertinently Flash web-based application was developed to enable independent pulmonary tuberculosis and administration for both(prenominal) patients and caregivers by including two main components in the structure. The front-end component supports the patients interaction with the system during the therapeutic seances. The back-end component facilitates the addition, update, and management of content. This component was designed for the use of caregivers and family. The application was developed by an experienced subcontractor according to a particular design and the specifications provided.Great emphasis was placed on the systems design and on simplicity of use, given the specific characteristics and limitations of the target users. Features included a very simple interface (offering the user a limited n umber of options in order to avoid cognitive overload) minimizing visual distractions on the display avoiding the use of animations or competing stimuli at any given time using subtle graphics through calming color schemes and using a touch screen out for all required interactions to support the most natural interaction style.The new systems hierarchy included only trine levels to support simple and intuitive accrueLogin Entering the system by identifying the patient.Select Album Selecting the required album from up to six albums presented.Album View Watching the media files associated with the selected album.The navigation between the three levels is done hierarchically and is bi-directional.The reminiscence system has two different interfaces Hebrew and English. The two interfaces are separated (each is accessible via a different link) so in that location is no option of switching to a different language while interacting with the system.A usability evaluation was conducted prior to the commencement of the evaluation study, in order to label the appropriateness of the new system for the target audience (Sarne-Fleischmann, Tractinsky, Dwolatzky and Rief, 2011). The usability evaluation included three Alzheimers patients, who were asked to use the system in separate sessions, while being ascertained and interviewed come acrossing their mental model of interacting with the system. Based on the usability evaluations results, several modifications were made to further improve the system.2. Methods2.1 Patient sampleThe participants of this study were older subjects with cognitive balk or dementia who resided in the community and regularly attended an adult day care center at least twice a week.The inclusion and exclusion criteria are described in Table 1.Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteriaInclusion criteriaExclusion criteria(1) Age above sixty years old(5) psychiatrical sickness(2) Cognitive impairment mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia (MMSE score of 14-26) non associated with a known medical condition (such as stroke, vitamin deficiencies, impaired thyroid function, among others)(6) Significant visual or auditory impairments or any other impairment which may prevent the participant from using either of the two computerized discourses(3) English / Hebrew / Russian speakers(7) Inability to understand the questions presented in the Savion software program, or inability to communicate coherently as required for the exploit of reminiscence therapy.(4) Have close relatives who could act as informantsDue to the diverse symptoms of MCI and dementia, and in order to maintain a certain level of homogeneity, the age metrement (1) was determined in order to exclude cases of early onset dementia. In order to encourage the inclusion of subjects with an organic etiology for their cognitive impairment, participants with psychiatric disease (5) were excluded from the study. The language criterion (3) was based on the avai lability of these interfaces in the two computer systems. Due to the requirements of the check tools, crucial information regarding the functional capabilities of the participants were to be obtained from a family informant (4). Moreover, the periodic evaluations included the impressions of family members who serve as the participants main caregivers.Each competent participant, as confirmed by an independent geriatrician, was asked to provide written intercommunicate consent prior to participation in the study. For those patients who were not competent, the legal guardian was required to provide informed consent. Subjects without a legal guardian who were determined not to be competent were not enrolled in the study.After providing informed consent, the participants medical files were reviewed in order to ensure that they conform with inclusion and exclusion criteria, and that their cognitive impairment was not the result of an associated medical condition (such as stroke, vitamin deficiencies, impaired thyroid function, among others). In addition, the participants underwent a preliminary assessment in order to determine the award of their illness. The assessment included cognitive and functional evaluations using the pursual instrumentsMini-Mental State Examination for cognitive screening (Folstein et al., 1975).Clock Drawing test (Freedman et al., 1994) and CogSym questionnaire for cognitive screening (Memory Clinic, Mental Health Center, Beersheva). The latter is a numerical outgo based on 10 questions used for elucidating cognitive symptoms, and is completed both by subjects and by informants.Lawton and Brodys Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) for assessing functional capabilities (Lawton et al., 1969). This questionnaire is directed at the participants informant.Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale as a global measure rating the severity of dementia (Morris, 1993). This questionnaire includes two parts the first is directed at the inform ant and the second at the participant, comparing the latters response to that of the informant.Short strain (15 questions) of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) as a screening instrument for depression (Yesavage et al., 1983). tout ensemble questionnaires directed to informants were administered by face-to-face or telephone interviews with first-degree relatives of the participants. All other scales were administered by face-to-face interviews with the participants during morning hours at the adult daycare centers.At the end of the screening process, the results of all evaluations were reviewed by a physician specializing in the treatment of cognitive syndromes, and the cognitive diagnosis was determined to be either MCI or dementia based on accepted criteria.2.2 DesignAt the shutdown of screening, subjects were assigned randomly to one of three groupsPersonal reminiscence therapy intervention (using the computerized reminiscence system with personal contents for each participan t).Cognitive training intervention (using the Savion computerized cognitive training system).Control group which continued usual activities in the adult daycare center.The usual activities of all participants at the daycare centers and at their homes were not controlled. The purpose of randomization was to assure as much as possible that baseline characteristics of the participants of the three groups were similar. randomization was stratified according to the daycare center, and to the severity of cognitive impairment (with CDR scores of 0.5 and 1 representing a milder degree of cognitive impairment, and CDR scores of 2 and 3 representing more severe impairment), see Figure 5.Figure 5. Randomization of participants in each day care center2.3 ProcedureBoth those participants receiving reminiscence therapy as closely as those using the cognitive training program participated in two sessions a week, each of 30-minutes duration, over a period of three months. The treatments were cond ucted in a quiet room at the adult daycare centers in the morning hours, and supervised by a trained mediator. At the end of each session, the mediator provided a short description of the interaction, relating to the course of the session and to special occurrences.2.4 MeasurementsThe following describes the measurements that were employed in the study. All assessments were performed at baseline (T0), at one month (T1) and at 3 months (T3). Responses from subjects relatives were obtained by face-to-face or telephone interviews. The name of the subjects relatives was provided by the staff of the adult day-care centers.2.4.1 Cognitive function assessmentIn order to evaluate the efficacy of each of the interventions as compared to controls with regard to cognitive function, the subjects cognitive function was measured by the Mindstreams computerized assessment battery (Dwolatzky et al., 2003 Dwolatzky et al., 2010). The Moderate-Severe Impairment Battery was administered. This tool tak es about 20 minutes to administer and tests the following cognitive domainsOrientation to time and placeLanguage skillsMemoryNonverbal memoryDelayed nonverbal memoryExecutive functionSimilarities and judgment populace testingGo-NoGo basic testSpatial orientationAt the end of the test, data is uploaded to a server, scores are provided for all of the individual test components, and in addition a global score index is calculated for the test. A summary score for each domain (including the global score) reflects the level of accuracy, ranging between 0- light speed (with 100 being the highest level of accuracy).2.4.2 Patients psychological/ behavioral well-beingBehavioral outcomes were assessed using the NPI Neuropsychiatric Inventory (Cummings et al., 1994), which was completed by the subjects first-degree relative. This tool includes 12 areas, each relating to the front man of a particular behavior, its frequency, severity and the level of caregiver distress. A total score is calcul ated according to the frequency and severity, and ranges between 0-144 (a higher score reflecting a higher level of symptomatology). Psychological well-being was assessed using the QoL-AD instrument (Logsdon et al., 1999), and a general question from the Will to Live questionnaire was administered (Carmel, 2007). The QoL-AD instrument obtains responses regarding the subjects quality of life both from the subject and the relative, and includes 13 items rated on a four-point scale. Total score of the instrument ranges between 13-52 (a higher score reflecting better quality of life). The Will to Live questionnaire was rated by the subject, and ranges between 0-5 (a higher score reflecting a greater will to live). The Will to Live was measured by the question If you could describe your will-to-live on a scale from 0-5, would you say that it is 5=very strong, 4=strong, 3=intermediate, 2=weak, 1=very weak, and 0=no will to live?. The Will to Live is associated with the psychosocial indica tors of well being rather than with the respondents health status (Carmel, 2001).2.4.3 Caregiver burdenFor the assessment of caregiver burden and psychological morbidity, the short version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden discourse (Bedard et al., 2001) was used. This questionnaire was administered to the subjects first-degree relatives, and ranges between 0-48 (a higher score reflecting a higher level of burden).

Analysis of Unforeseen Results of Technological Advance Essay -- Techn

Throughout history technology and technological advances have shaped our lives, our culture and our world. Everyday new technologies argon being created that change our world, both for the better and for the worse, both expected and unexpected. Since there have been technological advances, there have been unexpected consequences of those advances. Advances like the stirrup, the industrial revolution, mass production, the clock, advances in medicine and domestic technology have all had unanticipated consequences which have had profound effects on our society, and our planet.Around the Dark Ages the stirrup came to Europe. It was brought by nomadic Asian tribes as they travelled west. First accepted by the Frankish tribes, it allowed for the first use of effective heavy cavalry. Before this it was too surd to balance on horse back with heavy armour, so cavalry was limited to mainly reconnaissance and scouting. Heavy cavalry quickly became a decently weapon for medevil kings, and thi s eventually brought about the invention of knights. Knights were used as shock tactics, they would charge enemy lines and send them into disarray. This tactic became extremely effective. With the invention of knights came the feudalistic System. The Feudal System was basis of Medevil European society. Kings would award land to people in return for the service of a knight for a certain amount of quantify each year. This way the king would have access to knights and people would be able to acquire land in return for them. Although the stirrup was originally plainly used for better support while on horse back, it unexpectedly brought about the invention of the greatest weapon in Medevil Europe and with them, the basis for European society at that time.During t... ...the advances did was make the work less physically demanding, that meant that women did not need the help of men and children to do the work, all the advances did was make housework more than efficient, but just as ti me consuming as before. Women still hard the bulk of the household workload and were for the most part not easy to pursue careers.In conclusion, it is evident that throughout history technological advances have produced unexpected consequences for the world. Examples like the stirrup, the industrial revolution, mass production, the mechanical clock, medical science and the give birth process, and domestic technology have shown that there are serious social, economic, and cultural consequences that may arise. It also shows that we can expect more unanticipated consequences as we carry on to make more and more technological advances in all aspects of science

Shortage of Physicians In Canada Essay -- Canadian Health Care System

In the past decade, Canadas population has grown from 5,301,000 in 1900 to over 34,030,589 in 2011, driven mainly by immigration (Central Intelligence Agency, 2011). By 2056 it is expected, one in four Canadians ordain be 65 years or older, compared to 13 per cent currently. This will barf a huge strain on the countrys health fear system (Macleans, 2008 p.2). The future of Canadas health care system is at great risk due to its escalating and aging population. This is triggering a shortage of physicians, particularly anesthesiologists, in some provinces of Canada (Canadian Medicine Journal, 2007). Anesthesiologists are specialist physicians who provide critical care to patients in a number of health programs operative anesthesia for patients in all surgical subspecialties, acute pain management, procedural anesthesia, obstetrical care, and high-risk aesculapian management, chronic pain management, resuscitation, advanced airway management, and critical care (Intermountain Healthc are, 2011). The current shortage of anesthesiologists is highly impacting access to care in each of these areas. Due to the drop of foresight in government policies, the shortage of anesthesiologists in Canada is increasing and becoming more critical. The Canadian government has failed to train, hire, and retain enough anesthesiologists/assistants for the needs of Canadas emerging population. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) estimates it would take 26,000 more physicians, presently, in order to bring Canada up to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average (Macleans, 2008 p.2). The Canadian health care system promises universality, portability, and accessibility unfortunately, it faces political challenges of meeting pub... ...ortant role in this shortage because if they reconstruct and formulate policies to accept and graduate more students specializing in anesthesiology, it will significantly reduce the shortfall of anesthesiologists. Lastly, the Canadian government needs to recruit more and retain enough anesthesiologists to meet the needs of its population. Instead of the government ignoring the issue, it should collide with this as an opportunity to dedicate its efforts to construct a good health care system which will result in healthier Canadians. This will not take only the efforts of the government but also the efforts of hospitals, maternity care providers, healthcare and professional liability insurers, consumers, and policymakers. With the use of future-planning in government policies it will rationalise this short-fall of anesthesiologists and prevent it from occurring in the long-run.