The Effect of the Internet on the Newspaper Industry Essay Example for Free

The Effect of the Internet on the Newspaper Industry Essay The Effect of the internet on The Newspaper Industry’s Revenue Introduction            The newspaper industry is of late facing financial crisis as a result of the rising competition facilitated by news outlet on the global network, that is, the internet. The internet has changes of how people choose to access information. In 2012 eight major American newspaper were declared bankrupt. Having roughly 1400 newspapers countrywide, approximately half of them will go out of business by the end of the next decade. In between 2002 and 2009, average print circulation went down by 14. 5 percent. Over 85 percent of the newspaper revenues are usually precipitated from their advertisement sales. However, among the newspapers with subsidiary websites, the get a mean less than 10 percent of these revenues from their own web based content (Kirchhoff, pp. 2-4). The prime challenge facing the newsprint media is their incapability to make a profitable transition to their web based platforms.            I will explore on the challenges that the newsprint media face as they struggle to make a profitable transition. I will offer possible strategies that the newspaper industry can utilize in a near future. It is of vital importance that the content should follow in line with what the medium demands in order to succeed in the current growing frontier of the distribution of news. The print media has been dragging by slowly embracing the new internet based technology and they are yet to flourish in stepping the line between ancient print content and interactive multi-media demanded by online readers. So as to stay at par in the future, the print media must adopt a more modern user interface and business model that will be viable in link with online advertising policy standards.            Generally, advertising revenues hold the vast majority of income for newspaper industry. Unfortunately, since print circulation have declined and quite a number of readers are moving onto the internet platform, the advert sales have not travelled the same path. In fact, in the 1st quarter of 2010 revenues declined by over 25 percent, while the Pew Institute gives estimations that half of this was as a result of financial crisis, it is very unlikely that they will heal. There are 2 types of advertisement by which the newspaper based industry earn income. One involve the corporate advertisers trying to market and sell their services and products, and the other is the ads placed in the classified area, car and junk sales, personals and help wanted. The issue with both of this advertisement types is that they have already evolved in the internet platform without a print media, and as many newspapers try to venture into online play, they are limited in capturing majorit y of these advertisers back, since they have already moved into more preferable efficient methods.            Corporate advertisement allow selling of services by advertisers to invest heavily on search engine based promotions, search as Google who offer ways for investors to advertise themselves. Instead of buying ancient banner, businesses can pay for their ads to emerge from search results each time related keywords are entered into the engine. Also if a potential customer types in men’s shoes, not only will a company’s ads will pop up in the search results, but also the ads will emerge in margins of other related sites that he or she will visit, provided the websites that have subscribed to Google advertisement sales platform. This platform is unique as it cannot be compared to any media including print media. Most advertising platforms are operated via software engines like Bing and Google. The predicaments that the newspaper industry face are on the news portal that this web platform sites run. They can post headlines from internet of major news organiz ation companies, followed by a small by-line, which are then associated with advertisement on web pages.            The news print media feels feel that this possesses a short hand for them in attracting potential sponsors. Portal administrators maintain that these links help bring thousands of readers to the news sites on daily basis. Nonetheless, the newspaper industry should understand that advertisement on the internet platform is not as static as the print media. Online ads are not only interactive, but also offer instantaneous results since one can locate an e-book of interest and purchase it right away by just clicking a link. In the web platform everything is temporary and the up upcoming trend in promotion of services and products is not a funny lie, but a reality. Newspapers should adapt trend and meld it into their interface and content, increasing hyperlink and ad-words, including move embedded streamed videos, and selling in return (Kirchhoff, pp. 8-12). The core reason why newspapers’ internet platforms are not viable is because most of the outlets taking me rits do not understand that they can maintain their information bur are required to review their form to translate to the age level of interactive message(Postman, p. 111).            Classifieds play a huge impact on the decreasing profits advertisings on the web pages of print media. Averagely, classified ads sum up to 50 percent of ad revenue in the outdated news print media (Kirchhoff, p. 8). Most of this ads have migrated online to sites built for this types of ads and almost all offer products free of charge. For instance, sites like monsterjobs.com for job offers, Zillow.com for real-estate, and popular of all craiglist.org, a global non-profit site that is broke down into thousands of localized boards, and include advertising for everything from dancing classes, to lost pets, to single ads, to auto sales, and to the help wanted. It is pretty impossible for the newspaper print media to gain back this market online so as to harness it to generate income. People worldwide are too trenched into new cost free medium of classified ads to get back into an antiquated payment for space system. Because this new revenues are all but lost the newspa per with an online presence will have to look for new ways to generate remarkable profits (Curran, 2010).            The web platform media has its original unique culture. A culture that is usually driven by the availability of infinite content that is free to access. The ability to access the internet is seen as a great equalizer, spreading across economic, social and geographical boundaries to connect with people globally like never before. The availability of web free content in websites result into paywalls or subscriptions being met with solid resistance, especially when that content can be accessed from different web pages with no cost. It becomes a hard concept to embrace in an outlet which is entirely based around subscription. While some organizations have been subjected to limited success with this methods, it is a link with a kind of hybrid-setup, which melds both web and print, for instance, the New York Times.            Set-ups on e-readers, smartphones, tablets and phablets, give a very promising concept. Persons who own such devices and read books and novels are used to purchasing in order to download print content. By building up a subscription system that models itself after this, the newspaper industry online has a chance. Of recent Newsweek completely switched all its production and is now exclusively on the internet, with both subscription and free based content. Majority of subscribers are now set up via their e-readers and buy magazines through brokers like Amazon, since their minds are set up to paying for downloads and less resistance to online news subscription.            Newspapers are now an example of traditional media outlets. Every document from the print out, to the fonts, to the arrangements and layouts evokes an old-fashionable visual image with the reader. However, this does not translate well to the web. While transitioning it is not enough to just cut and paste the whole content to a web platform page, the web developers, editors, and designer should adjust to the demands of potential consumers. The ancient method of advertising driven income should be discarded and new ways should be brainstormed in the industry. The only way the news print media can survive in this internet age will be to innovate within the internet culture and guide them to the new trend of stumbling along behind it. References Curran, J. (2010). The future of journalism. Journalism Studies, 11(4), 464-476. Retrieved Nov. 14th, 2014, from the Communication and Mass Media Complete database. Kirchhoff, S. (2010). The US newspaper industry in transition. Journal of Current Issues in Media and Telecommunications, 2(1), 27-51. Retrieved 14th Nov, 2014, from the Communication and Mass Media Complete database. Postman, N. (1985). Amusing ourselves to death: public discourse in the age of show business. New York: Viking. Source document

Quality Life For Older People: Dementia

Quality Life For Older People: Dementia There is no mental disorder that is inevitable in old age. Older people describe their overall well-being as good. Hence there is such a thing as normal ageing in terms of mental (as well as physical) health. Nevertheless, as in all age groups, mental disorder is not uncommon in older people and there are some disorders that become more prevalent as age increases. Mental disorder in old age can be divided into two broad categories: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Organic disorders These are characterized by confusion, which may be acute (i.e. delirium) or chronic (i.e. dementia); à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Functional disorders Such as depression, anxiety and panic; but also psychotic disorders, such as late-onset schizophrenia (formerly known as late paraphrenia) In addition, drug and alcohol misuse and dependence can (like many disorders) continue into old age, or emerge for the first time when the person is older. Similarly, it should not be forgotten that personality difficulties do not necessarily disappear with ageing. (Wolstenholme et al, 2002) Epidemiology The prevalence of mental disorder in elderly people depends on exactly which age group is examined and where they are living. In community surveys of all people aged over 65 years, approximately 5% are found to have severe organic brain disorders (mainly dementia) and a further 5% to have mild symptoms of forgetfulness. 2.5-5% will have depression severe enough to warrant treatment with a further 10% complaining of minor depressive/anxiety symptoms. Late onset schizophrenic illnesses are much less common, perhaps 0.5-1.0%. (Landau et al, 2008) If one looks at the very elderly (greater than 80 years) the rates of organic disorders, mainly dementia, are much increased, (e.g. 20%) whereas other diagnoses may occur less frequently in other words organic disorder is (as one might expect) a disorder associated with increasing age. In residents in local authority homes, hospitals or other institutional care, the rates for both organic and functional disorder (particularly depression) are much increased about 30% for each type. It is probable that mental disorder will have contributed to the person entering the institution, e.g. dementia making them unable to survive safely in their own home but the combination of losing ones home and familiar surroundings can also aggravate existing confusion and/or depression. (Landau et al, 2008) Ethics and Law The main ethical concern in older people relates to the issue of capacity. In some jurisdictions (e.g. Scotland) there are now laws around incapacity. Capacity legislation will appear shortly in England and Wales. Irrespective of the legislation, however, the need to maintain the older persons ability to make autonomous decisions is clearly of ethical importance. Autonomy can be undermined by both professionals and families for both benign and malignant reasons (Colin, 2008). The presumption should always be that the person has the capacity to make a particular decision. Judgements about capacity should always be made with respect to a specific ability: a person may not be able to drive, but may still be able to run his or her own finances. Having a particular capacity (or competence) means that the person can recall and understand the relevant information and that the person shows evidence of weighing up the information as he or she makes a decision (which need not be the decision t hat the person assessing capacity would have reached). (Colin, 2008) If the person lacks capacity, those involved must act in the persons best interests. These have to be understood broadly. The criteria for assessing a persons best interests should include: taking account of what the person has said or stipulated (e.g. on an advance directive or living will) in the past; taking account of what the person now says when enabled to participate in the decision; taking account of the views of all those other people involved in the persons welfare, insofar as this is practicable, especially as regards what they think the persons wishes would have been under the present circumstances if the person had been able to express his or her wishes; making sure that the least restrictive course of action is taken. There are particular procedures to be followed if the person lacks certain capacities. For instance, there is a variety of steps to be taken (involving the Court of Protection) when the person cannot manage his or her finances; and if the person lacks the capacity to drive, the requirements of confidentiality may be put aside in the interests of public safety. Having said this, however, the doctors duty is to be on the side of the patient and it is an affront to the persons standing as an autonomous individual if his or her abilities are undermined without due cause. The General Medical Council offers advice on such issues. (Van, 1996) The Aging Population The table (based on 1991 projections) shows the age structure of the UK population for the years 2001 to 2041. The increase in the proportion of elderly people is in the 75-84 year group (+39%) and more particularly in those 85+ years (+55%). Meanwhile, the numbers of younger people changing little. The vast majority of these older people live at the present time in their own homes, only 6% being in institutional care (residential homes or hospital). The over-85 group are predominantly women, the majority widowed and living alone. The very elderly group have high consultation rates with general practitioners, with many more home visits and occupy up to 50% of all NHS beds (medical, surgical and psychiatric). They are more likely to have complex combinations of physical, psychological and social difficulties, which require multidisciplinary assessment and treatment. (Birk and Harvey, 2006) Dementia About 5% of the general population over 65 years suffer from severe cognitive impairment with further 5% showing mild changes, which may progress with time. Dementia refers to a global impairment of mental function which follows a chronic and progressive course. The symptoms and signs have usually been present for at least 6 months (Birk and Harvey, 2006). The impairment of mental function is commonly associated with deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, motivation and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). These non-cognitive features of dementia, which are often the most upsetting aspects for family carers and friends, tend now to be referred to as Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD). Dementia is related to progressive cerebral degeneration, which may be caused by a variety of pathological processes, such as Alzheimers disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Post mortem changes found in the brains of people with dementia suggest the following diagnoses (approximate figures): Alzheimers disease 50% Vascular dementia 15% Dementia with Lewy bodies 15% Mixed vascular/Alzheimers disease 15% Other causes 5% Alzheimers disease Alzheimers disease is characterised by a gradual insidious onset and progressive course, often beginning with memory failure before other cognitive functions (e.g. language, praxis) become affected. Non-cognitive features (depression, psychosis, wandering, aggression, incontinence) are common. Physical examination is often normal, as are routine blood investigations. (Farrer, 2001) Computerized tomography (CT) scans may be normal or show generalised atrophy and dilatation of ventricles. CT scans also play a role in excluding other possible causes of confusion (e.g. space-occupying lesions, haemorrhages). Angled CT scans afford better views of the medial temporal lobes, which can show marked atrophy. However, this is not specific for Alzheimers disease. Hippo-campal atrophy is also seen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. Single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) provides information on how the brain is functioning, usually by tracing blood flow using radio-labelled technetium. In Alzheimers disease SPECT scanning can show a generalized decrease in blood flow, or biparietal and bitemporal hypo-perfusion. However, the diagnosis must always be made on the basis of the overall clinical presentation rather than solely on the appearance of scans. (Farrer, 2001) Dementia with Lewy bodies Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterised by the triad of fluctuating cognitive impairment, recurrent visual hallucinations and spontaneous Parkinsonism, though not all occur in every patient. As with Alzheimers disease, onset is insidious and may begin with cognitive problems, Parkinsonism, or both. Cognitive impairment initially affects attentional and visuo-spatial function, with memory initially relatively spared. As with Alzheimers disease, non-cognitive features are common. Parkinsonism consists mainly of bradykinesia rather than tremor and, once again, routine blood investigations are normal. CT scan may be normal or show generalised atrophy and dilatation of ventricles, with less temporal lobe atrophy than in AD. Blood flow SPECT can show similar changes to those seen in Alzheimers disease, though DLB is more likely to be associated with occipital hypoperfusion than Alzheimers disease, a finding which may relate to the hallucinations and visuospatial disturbance. Parkinsonis m in DLB is associated with nigrostriatal degeneration, similar to that seen in Parkinsons disease. It is possible to image nigrostriatal degeneration using SPECT scanning with a ligand for the dopamine transporter (FP-CIT or DaTSCAN imaging) which can be helpful in assisting with the diagnosis of Parkinsons disease. In the future it is hoped such imaging methods may be helpful in diagnosing DLB as well. (Mo Ray, 2009) Vascular dementia In contrast, vascular dementia usually has an abrupt onset, often in association with a recognised stroke, and is associated with a fluctuating course, a stepwise decline and often reasonable insight at least in the early stages of illness. An exception to this course is subcortical vascular dementia, which may cause some 20% of all vascular dementia, when sudden onset and a stepwise course may not be seen. Patients will often have risk factors for vascular disease, for example high or low blood pressure, ischaemic heart disease or peripheral vascular disease, but also diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia. Physical examination is likely to reveal focal neurology and a CT scan would be expected to show evidence of cerebrovascular disease. (Mo Ray, 2009) Other dementias Other causes include rarer degenerative processes, e.g. Fronto-temporal dementia, Huntingtons disease, in addition to alcoholic dementia, tumours, haematoma, etc. In some cases no discernible pathology is found. (Mo Ray, 2009) Clinical assessment and management By careful history taking (usually from patient and informant) and examination of both physical (particularly neurological) and mental state, it is possible to predict the likely underlying pathology in most patients with dementia. No specific diagnostic tests are yet available, but clinical diagnosis may be usefully supported by structural brain imaging methods such as CT or MRI scanning and functional imaging techniques such as SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography) scanning. It is important to develop methods of establishing the aetiology of dementia during lifetime (Eastwood and Reisberh, 1996): à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ To assist in predicting course of illness and determining prognosis. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ To inform management decisions; for example specific treatments are becoming available for Alzheimers disease (cholinesterase inhibitors) and vascular dementia and it is necessary to know which patients should receive which treatment. Patients with dementia usually present either because of failure to cope or with disturbed behaviour occasionally with both. They often lack insight into their illness or, in the early stages, deny it. People with dementia require: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ An assessment of the cause and severity of the dementia (cognitive impairment and behavioural abnormalities); à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ An assessment of deficits in function and the need for care (dependency); à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ An assessment of the persons social situation; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Provision of treatment and care appropriate to the identified needs; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Support for carers both practical and emotional; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Review of the above points is the treatment and care appropriate and beneficial? About 50% of cases of dementia have concurrent physical health problems. The burden of care produced by a physically sick patient with dementia is greater than that of a fit one; therefore, diseases should be sought and treated where appropriate. Dementia may also be complicated by: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Emotional liability à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Depression à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Psychotic features (i.e. delusions and hallucinations) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Behavioural disturbances (i.e., wandering, aggression, incontinence) These may be helped by pharmacotherapy, counselling and explanation and support to relatives. Such patients may respond either to antidepressants for liability and depression, or antipsychotic agents for psychotic features and some behavioural disturbances. Patients with dementia are often sensitive to side effects of psychotropic drugs and so it is important to begin therapy with very low doses of medication and monitor carefully for side-effects, particularly extra-pyramidal problems. In 2004, the two drugs Risperidone and Olanzapine were recommended not to be used for the control of agitation and disturbed behaviour in dementia because of the risk of stroke. The use of antipsychotic medication to control agitation and other difficult behaviours in moderate to severe dementia remains common but controversial. (Birk and Grimley, 2005) Memory Clinics The assessment of forgetfulness is often undertaken by memory clinics. These exist in a variety of forms (some being very clinically focused and others having a research basis). The aim is to provide thorough assessment (clinical history, with mental state, neuropsychological and physical examinations and appropriate investigations e.g. blood tests and neuro-imaging) in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Some clinics then initiate and monitor the use of medication (e.g. the cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimers disease). Increasingly, memory clinics are seeing people with milder symptoms, many of whom will be anxious about the possibility of dementia. Some such patients will have other conditions, such as depression (i.e. pseudo-dementia) or other physical illnesses. (Seltzer et al, 2004) The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is now sometimes made in people who present with forgetfulness but who do not satisfy the criteria for even a mild dementia (because, for instance, their everyday activities are not impaired). A proportion of people given the diagnosis of MCI will progress to develop dementia on followed-up. Identifying MCI may, therefore, open up the possibility of early treatment. But MCI is not uncontroversial, because some people given this label will show no such progression of symptoms and might be more properly regarded as normal. (Seltzer et al, 2004) Acute Confusion (Delirium) Elderly people seem particularly likely to develop confusion in response to a wide range of stimuli either physical insults or sudden social change. This presumably reflects the reduced ability of the aged brain to cope with such events, particularly if it is additionally damaged by a dementing process. An acute confusional episode may sometimes be the first evidence of an underlying dementia. Elderly patients with acute confusion are seen throughout medical practice, e.g. 20% of all acute medical ward admissions are found to be acutely confused. In elderly people apathy, under-activity and clouding of consciousness are more common presentations of delirium than the florid, overactive restless, hallucinating states usually described in relation to younger patients. Causes include (Birk et al, 2006): à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Intercurrent physical ill-health à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Adverse reaction to a prescribed drug or drugs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Catastrophic social situations, e.g. a move into residential care Acute confusion should be regarded as indicative of underlying disease and investigated medically. Untreated it has a 40% mortality rate. The clinical approach is to complete a full physical examination looking for evidence of infection, stoke, MI or other illness. A review of medication should focus on drugs started or stopped recently. Until the underlying cause is determined and treated, a small dose of an antipsychotic agent may reduce the severity of delirious episodes. (Birk et al, 2006) Functional Disorders Depression This is the most common psychiatric disorder found in old people (if milder cases are counted) and the second commonest single underlying cause for all GP consultations for people over 70. The majority of depressive syndromes are of mild to moderate severity. About one fifth of cases are severe and carry the risk of suicide especially in men, in those which fail to remit within 6 months of onset and in those who feel physically ill (hypochondriacal) especially if they have the delusional belief that they suffer from cancer. Depression in old age may be precipitated by adverse life circumstances: bereavement; loss of health; threat of bereavement or loss of health in a key figure. As with younger patients, those who suffer from depression may have vulnerable personalities (i.e. they may be anxious and obsessional by nature) or they may have no close confidantes (i.e. they may be socially isolated). More recently evidence has emerged suggesting that depression occurring for the first time in later life may be associated with subtle brain abnormalities, such as an increase in white matter lesions (detected on neuroimaging), which may reflect hidden or undetected cerebrovascular disease. (Rands et al, 2006) Depressive illness in old people shows a wide range of clinical presentations. The typical picture of low mood, anhedonia and vegetative disturbance of sleep and appetite seen in younger people may predominate. Some patients become apathetic, withdrawn and appear to lose their cognitive abilities (this is called depressive pseudo-dementia as cognitive impairment may be so marked as to mimic organic dementia). Others may present with a picture of severe agitation and restlessness, accompanied by delusions of ill health or poverty, e.g. that they are dying of a brain tumour, that their bowels have stopped working and are rotting inside them, or that they are unable to pay for their hospital treatments. The clinical approach with mild cases of depression is unlikely to involve the Old Age Psychiatry Service, since they will be treated by the Primary Health Care Team. Support and counselling may be supplemented by the use of antidepressants. More severe or persistent cases are likely to be referred for specialist assessment and treatment. The majority of cases respond as well to treatment as younger patients perhaps even better! Poor outcome is often the consequence of inadequate treatment. The older tricyclic antidepressants are often not well tolerated, postural hypotension, urinary and gastrointestinal side effects being prominent. (Rands et al, 2006) Dosage should be titrated to the maximum tolerated, starting doses generally being 1/3 1/2 of those for younger patients. Newer antidepressants such as SSRIs have a particular place in the treatment of the elderly. Delusional depressions require the addition of neuroleptics for unresponsive or severe depressions ECT is a safe and effective treatment. Lithium carbonate has a valuable place in prophylaxis of recurrent episodes and is also effective in potentiating or augmenting the antidepressant actions of tricyclics. Many elderly depressed patients have previous or current physical illness. Not only must this be taken into account during treatment (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants are usually avoided in a patient with ischaemic heart disease and, in patients with a high risk of bleeding, SSRIs should be used with caution), but also physical illness must be treated in its own right to maximise the patients chances of recovering from the depression. (Rands et al, 2006) Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders do occur in old people, about half of it persisting from early life and half coming on for the first time in response to the stresses of ageing. A common precipitant stress is that of failing physical health, e.g. developing an acute phobic state after a fall from a bus, leading to a fracture and a period of reduced mobility. Behavioural methods of treatment may be effective. Diffuse anxiety and loss of confidence, even if precipitated by an adverse event, may indicate an atypical form of depression. Such patients respond better to antidepressant, rather than anxiolytic, drugs. (Rands et al, 2006) Paranoid States It appears to be a normal feature of ageing that individuals become rather more inflexible in their attitudes and fearful of adverse influence by the outside world. Elderly people are often not only physically and financially disadvantaged, but they enjoy relatively low social status and are often the victims of attack or deception. It is, therefore, perhaps not surprising that persecutory ideas (which we tend to lump together as paranoid symptoms) often emerge. The main conditions in which paranoid persecutory symptoms occur are as follows (Corey-Bloom, 2000): Late onset schizophrenia/delusional disorder This was formerly known as paraphrenia. The typical subject is an elderly spinster, with sensory impairments (deafness or visual impairment), living alone and isolated. Her self-care skills are good and she is apparently normal apart from the possession of a complex delusional system in which she believes she is the victim of a conspiracy (usually to defraud her). She hears third person auditory hallucinations, may smell odours, which she interprets as poison gas pumped into her room and misinterprets chance occurrences as having special significance. This psychotic illness, similar to schizophrenia in younger life, responds to antipsychotic drugs if the patient can be persuaded to take them. The delusions, however, seldom completely disappear but instead become encapsulated: the patient is no longer bothered by them although he or she never gains full insight into their delusional nature. A depot injection given by a Community Psychiatric Nurse is often a useful vehicle which improv es compliance with medication and provides regular contact with the patient. (Corey-Bloom, 2000) Acute confusional state/delirium Paranoid symptoms are common during delirium, the patient misinterpreting events because of his/her altered level of consciousness. The management of these symptoms has already been described neuroleptic medication may help to reduce agitation and behavioural disturbances. Paranoid Reactions to Forgetfulness These usually occur in independent old people who explain their experience of forgetting where things have been placed by accusing others of stealing them. Objects stolen are usually everyday ones, e.g. cups, teapots, pension book, money or glasses. Stolen objects often are returned or reappear in the usual place. The most likely cause of forgetfulness and paranoid misinterpretation is, of course, a dementing process. Neuroleptic medication is seldom of benefit in these circumstances. (Corey-Bloom, 2000) Assessment Procedures Clinical diagnosis of dementia includes identifying the cause of the cognitive impairment, which may be a treatable non-dementing process, delirium, or depression (Rockwood et al., 2007). When an illness that is associated with dementia is identified, the severity and character of cognitive impairment is commonly assessed in conjunction with the degree of illness and the potential for other psychiatric disorders such as depression (APA, 2000). Diagnostic assessments include a review of the patients medical history, a physical exam, and evaluation of depression, delirium, and cognitive status (Beck, Cody, Souder, Zhang, Small, 2000). Physical assessment results may identify treatable physiological imbalances that affect cognition (Freter, Bergman, Gold, Chertkow, Clarfield, 1998). Referral to neurology, neuropsychiatry, or a geriatric specialist in dementia has been stated as an important element in diagnostic assessment (Beck et al., 2000). Other elements in the assessment process commonly include neuro-imaging that can support the findings of assessments, and over time, the progression of the disease (Van Der Flier et al., 2005). Studies have also indicated that research using electroencephalography (EEG) might be an inexpensive tool that could contribute to the differentiation of dementias. Another important set of tools for assessment of cognitive deficits is neuropsychological testing (Sano, 2007). Neuropsychological assessments include testing for deficits in cognitive abilities such as current intellectual functioning, orientation, attention, verbal and non-verbal memory, verbal fluency, naming of items, and executive functioning (Petersen Lantz, 2002). Neuropsychological testing has been suggested as providing a contribution to clinical data in diagnostic assessment for dementia, differentiating between different types of dementias, early detection of cognitive loss, and identifying potential interventions (Sano, 2007; Savla Palmer, 2005). The diagnosis of dementia, even with the use of diagnostic tools, remains primarily based on observational data and judgment of the combined clinical data. The process involved in dementia assessment and diagnosis can be overwhelming and has been reported as one reason for delaying diagnosis (Sternberg, Wolfson, Baumgarten, 2000). There is also evidence that suggests that differentiating between MCI that can precede AD, and memory loss that does not have emerging pathology, poses difficulty and hesitation in requests for formal assessment (Shah, Tangalos, Petersen, 2000). The literature also suggests that there is a strong need for individuals and families to bring their concerns forward to a physician for assessment as often the first indication that an older adult is experiencing cognitive problems occurs during a crisis situation (Boise, Neal, Kaye, 2004; Borson, Scanlan, Watanabe, Tu, Lessig, 2006). In AD, memory loss has been described as insidious and can include a period of concealment preceding diagnostic investigation related to a need to preserve feelings of self-worth, identity and control (Keady Gilliard, 1997, p. 245). A diagnosis of dementia coinciding with a health crisis (e.g., stroke leading to vascular dementia) or with a progressive neurological disease (e.g., Parkinsons disease) are reported more frequently because of a higher associated incidence and known relationship with these disorders (Lindsay, Hebert, Rockwood, 1997; Wientraub, Moberg, Duda, Katz, Stern, 2004). The most common impetus for diagnostic evaluation is a realization of memory problems by the individual, or their family and social contacts, or associated with upsetting behaviour in social situations. Thomas and OBrien (2002) described behavioural changes that have been reported in dementia categorized as psychotic symptoms or possible alterations in mood or motivation. Psychotic symptoms include delusional ideas and beliefs (e.g., believing that misplaced articles have been stolen), hallucinations (e.g., seeing and speaking to people who are not physically present in a room), and misidentification of individuals (e.g., mistaking a son for a husband). Subtle changes in mood or motivation that may initially go unaddressed but increase in level of concern include apathy (e.g., lethargy), agitation (e.g., wandering, repeated dressing and undressing), aggression (e.g., verbal and/or physical, or increasing frustration with common tasks), sleep disturbances (e.g., up during the night related to distortions in sleep cycles), changes in eating habits (e.g., progressing to dependency for awareness of meal times) and personality changes (e.g., depression or unsubstantiated suspiciousness of motives of family members). Dementia and depression have been reported as the two most common medical problems in older adults (Leplaire Buntinx, 1999). However, the ass ociation between depression and dementia severity has not been confirmed, and in some instances depression has been misdiagnosed as signalling cognitive impairment (Maynard, 2003). Diagnostic Procedures These are of primary importance and include both psychiatric and medical history-taking together with physical examination and mental state assessment (including cognitive examination). Investigative procedures, e.g. EEG, blood tests, CT, MRI or SPECT scans are used as necessary. There are now operational criteria or consensus statements for the diagnosis of the main types of dementia (e.g. Alzheimers, Lewy body, vascular and fronto-temporal dementias), as well as for functional disorders. Many of the investigative procedures used in old age psychiatry are aimed at excluding other conditions in order to satisfy accepted international diagnostic criteria (e.g. the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition, and ICD-10). Thus, the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease requires that other systemic or brain disease[s] should be absent. This suggests the importance of blood tests (e.g. to exclude amongst other things vitamin B12 or folate deficiency) and brain scans (e.g. to rule out the possibility of tumours or haematomas). On the other hand, some diagnoses can be clinched by a particular finding on investigation (e.g. the finding on CT of multiple cerebral infarcts in a person whose history is in keeping with a diagnosis of vascular dementia). A functional scan, e.g. SPECT, might be a useful means to confirm a diagnosis of fronto-temporal dementia in someone where the anatomical scan (e.g. CT) only shows very mild frontal lobe atrophy. Such a scan might then be used to explain this bewildering and distressing condition to the family. Illnesses in old age are commonly multiple, so that patients often suffer from several disorders simultaneously. Investigations become important, therefore, in functional illnesses too, not only because certain conditions need to be excluded (e.g. hypothyroidism in depression), but also because other physical conditions might make some psychiatric symptoms worse, or might preclude the use of certain medications. For example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, if not optimally treated, might exacerbate anxiety and panic; or a bleeding disorder or ulcer might limit the use of SSRIs. Disorder of Function Diagnosis alone does not tell you how severely disabled someone is. Two people with the same condition may behave very differently, e.g. dementia due to Alzheimers disease may render one person unsafe for independent living, but simply slow the other one down in the time taken to complete the daily crossword. It is important therefore to assess the functional disability that an old person suffers from and decide whether it can be relieved. Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists play an important part here, but the doctor needs to be aware of this aspect of illness when he/she is taking a history. No

Identifying The Role And Importance Of Hybrid Managers Business Essay

Identifying The Role And Importance Of Hybrid Managers Business Essay This paper is aimed at identifying the role and importance of hybrid managers in the present economic conditions of the 21st century. It tries to explain how the hybrid managers help the industries to flourish and subsequently the present economic scenario. A step by step analysis of definition of hybrid managers, its characteristics, their advantages, disadvantages has been made. As, the term management is a wider concept, first the role of a hybrid manager in an organisation and his importance is to be understood. Then, In order to explain the importance of hybrid managers in the present economic scenario, we need to understand the global economy of the 21st century. So a detailed account of present global scenario has been made. Finally the structure mentioned above has been used to form the foundation of the arguments presented in the last section of the paper- How Hybrid Managers hold the key to development in the 21st century Global Economy. Definition of a Hybrid manager: The term hybrid was originally coined by Peter Keen in the mid 1980s, but received its most precise and most quoted definition by Michael Earl: A person with strong technical skills and adequate business knowledge or vice versa . Hybrids are people with technical skills able to work in user areas doing a line job, but adept at developing and implementing IT application ideas In addition, roles such as leaders and impresarios were also defined. However, these distinctions are seldom recognized by practicing managers. From the above definition it is pretty clear that although the term HYBRID is being used only for the last 2 decades, managers with such skills always existed. So, it is the need for an increase in the quantity of such managers that has increased in the 21st century. So a more popular term hybrid manager has been coined. The need for the increase in the quantity of hybrid managers sums up the whole economic scenario of this era. The Quality of the managers has been there before but the present global economy needs more of such hybrid managers. Characteristics of hybrid managers: From the definition of a hybrid manager, it is understood that he should be sound technically and well versed with business needs of the organisation specifically he works for. The latter is the most important aspect to ensure success. We will discuss about organisation specific knowledge in detail. Organizational specific knowledge: The most important skill of a hybrid manager is How to get the things done as per the requirements? The time taken by the hybrid manager with an organization to develop this particular skill makes essential importance for the hybrid managers. A good hybrid manager exploits the networking skills to build the personal or social network over a period of time. This gives them a simple tool to get the works done easily with multiple sources of information. Since every organization will have good communication media either by internet or by intra-net, hybrid managers can utilize this communication media efficiently to get the exact required information on the requirements at the time of need. However it all depends on the level of expertise a hybrid manager has within the organization. For example it takes time for a navy-hybrid manager to get the contacts with the senior management and generate the repo with them. But a senior hybrid manager can get the exact required information within t he time limits. General management skills: The characteristics that are often searched for in a manager include soft interpersonal skills. They are Motivation Communication Negotiation Team building The true ability of a hybrid manager lies with their ability to exchange jobs with their peers in other functions. For example in a software organisation, a manager for HR services should be able to act as a chief information officer (CIO) Hybrid managers should also have a good social skill and extroversion to manage people. A more detailed explanation of various possible roles played by hybrid manager will be discussed in the section Role of a hybrid manager in an organisation. Need for a hybrid manager: Some of the issues that are being faced by IT industry are highlighted by a survey conducted by popular IT press. The major issued faced by IT companies are as follows Only 11% of organisations are successful with IT according to any objective measure (A.T.Kearney) 30% of systems projects fail to meet user needs (KPMG) Over 40% of systems projects are not completed within time or to budget (Butler Cox) Only 27% of CEOs in the UK are satisfied that their IT department can deliver them the business advantage they need in the 1990s (Amdahl) http://www.skyrme.com/insights/6hybrid.htm Also as per 1985 opinion survey of MIS managers, the key issues faced by organizations are as follows Alignment of IS to business needs Strategic Benefits of IT not understood by business managers Need to improve IS-line relationships Identification of competitive edge applications The opinion survey of the managers implies that most of the managers at that time do not understand the importance of aligning IS to business needs. This shows the need for a close partnership between IT and business. This is where a hybrid manager comes into play. He is the one who can deal with both IT and business aspects of an organisation. He will have the capability to align IT with business. http://www.skyrme.com/insights/6hybrid.htm Role of a hybrid manager in an organisation: The greatest challenge faced by an IT industry is the perceived misalignment between technology and business requirement. The common perception is BUSINESS AND IT CANNOT COMMUNICATE and they speak different language. So, the role of a good hybrid manager is to act BILINGUAL. He should act as a bridge between the two worlds. Till recently, IT industry is seen as a back office work which can actually be outsourced. But with the changing times and global recession taking its toll on the companies, IT is being seen as a part of the industry. This has given rise, the requirement of managers who could also deal IT. But because it is always easier the other way round, i.e. IT managers with good business skills, a new concept of hybrid managers arose. Let us take an example of a successful hybrid manager, graham Johnson. Like many other students he took up electronics and got a highly paid job in chip design. In that job he started as electronic engineer and later went on to become self employed consultant, CIO and now transformation consultant for Ecclesiastical Insurance During his time with this firm, he worked on major projects with famous names like marks and Spencer, abbey national and baring securities. While undertaking these projects he seconded as IT manager reporting to the financing director. With that experience, he gained a lot of knowledge about business and finance issues. Also, when he became self-employed he worked on large projects for a string of other famous companies, such as Legal General Assurance, Nationwide Building Society and the London Stock Exchange. With this experience of self employed consultant he got to work with lot of clients and dealt with them successfully. He gained a lot of experience of working with people. Now with that experience of dealing with the clients and the technical experience he already possessed, he is working as a transformation consultant. I think theres a real shortage of classic hybrid managers who can manage the technical gurus but also have a coherent business conversation with the chief executive, Johnson says. Lots of people are logical and lots of people have human empathy, but there dont seem to be too many who have a bit of both. This could mean there are wider career opportunities for those who do develop both left and right brain sides. The above example portrays the role of a hybrid manager in an organisation. So the most important and primary responsibility of a hybrid manager is to have a clear understanding of the business issues such as the requirements of the clients, market value for the products etc in addition to the core technical knowledge he possess. Senior level hybrid managers can make the most important impact for organizations decisions in various areas of business decisions of organization. The research work conducted on various projects identified some of the following particular contributions that hybrids make: 1) Initiate the awareness on potential capabilities of IT for a organizational business 2) Business needs of IT must be identified 3) Anticipate in finding the new possible applications of IT 4) Assess the pros and cons of new technological advancements 5 ) Give appropriate strength to the benefits of IT to line managers of organization. 6) Making broad awareness programs to ensure information system managers learning about business issues and opportunities 7) Information system functions responses of emerging and changing business needs can be provided to the organization. Before going to discuss about the role of a hybrid manager in the 21st century economy, we will discuss the pros and cons of having a hybrid managers. Advantages of hybrid manager: The effective leadership qualities of hybrid managers can create islands of real business and information system understanding. These islands are proving to be the accelerators for an organizational hybridization. Every stage of organizational hybridization is gaining flexibility and effectiveness with the help of hybrid managers. Disadvantages of hybrid manager: Even though there are many advantages of hybrid managers throughout organizational hybridization, it takes high amount effective resources of organization which may not be available for every organization throughout the hybridization process. Developmental stages of hybridization of organizations may vary with the governance that is being followed within the organization. Business consistent information system, Information oriented expletive business are the two different disparate disciplines. However integration of business consistent information system with the information oriented expletive business is the major huddle for hybrid managers. Even though there is no communication, which can make the amalgamation of two separate disparate disciplines with the same degree of effectiveness, it is very difficult to take out a simple and single stand out which bring a hybrid manager out of the two disciplines. Now let us discuss about the state of 21st century global economy. 21st century global economy: 21st century refers to the start of a new millennium from 1st January 2001. Global economy generally refers to Economy, which is based on economies of all the countries in the world. It can be evaluated in various ways. The evaluation is done based on US dollar. Economy can be indicated by various factors. They are GWP(gross world product) Inflation Global dept Unemployment Industries Energy All the factors referred above are the indicators of global economy. From the fall of 21st century, till the early part, the global economy was led by US. The new century has seen 10 years so far. The global economy can be divided in the following way in its first 10 years. 2001-2006: USA led the expansion of the global economy. Post Second World War, the economy of the world was more or less driven by the United States, with its aggressive industrialisation coupled with increasing consumer spending capability. 2007: china leads the expansion of global economy. With the occurrence of subprime bubble, the US economy collapsed and went towards depression. It affected many markets worldwide. This marked the beginning of recession in major world economies. 2008: credit crisis began. In that year, even though many markets in the world expanded, the markets which has impact on the world economy contracted. This led to a crisis like situation in world economy. 2009: credit crisis deepens. In this year most of the economies contracted. UK was the biggest victim of the contraction followed by Russia. 2010: recovery. The international monetary fund forecasts recovery. But the recovery was not as good as expected. There were fears of double dip recession in many major economies of the world. So, in the early years of 21st century, the global economy was mostly dull and subtle. The vice president and chief economist of World Bank, justin yifu lin opines that The crisis has deeply impacted virtually every economy in the world, and although growth has returned, much progress in the fight against poverty has been lost. More difficult international conditions in the years to come will mean that developing countries will have to place even more emphasis on improving domestic economic conditions to achieve the kind of growth that can durably eradicate poverty. http://publications.worldbank.org/index.php?main_page=product_infoHYPERLINK http://publications.worldbank.org/index.php?main_page=product_infocPath=0products_id=23738HYPERLINK http://publications.worldbank.org/index.php?main_page=product_infocPath=0products_id=23738cPath=0HYPERLINK http://publications.worldbank.org/index.php?main_page=product_infocPath=0products_id=23738HYPERLINK http://publications.worldbank.org/index.php?main_page=product_infocPath=0products_id=23738products_id=23738 How Hybrid Managers still hold the key to development in the 21st century global economy: As discussed above, the state of global economy is dull at the latter half of the decade. According to the vice president of World Bank, the key to the recovery of the global economy is to improve the domestic economies. This can be achieved by aggressive entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship requires good management to succeed. This is where the hybrid managers come into play. There were many examples in the past where with the change in the management style, the firms have been successful. As said in the Harvard Business Review analyzed by  Alan M. Webber in January-February 1993 that: General Motors, buffeted by the turbulence of global competition, changes nearly its entire senior management team. IBM, made vulnerable by rapid technology shifts and the arrival of smaller, more nimble start-ups, begins the painful process of taking itself apart. Sears, humbled by fragmenting markets and cost-conscious competitors, strives to rediscover in a changed business environment its original retailing success. Across the corporate landscape, in every industry and at every level, managers are struggling to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances and new strains of competition. From the above statement, it is clear that the managers are finding it difficult to adopt themselves to the changes in the trend. This situation has arrived due to the fact that managers are well versed with only either economics of the business and do not have technical skills to understand the changes in the technology or only technology and do not have skills to compete with the changes in the marketing style. This is where hybrid managers like graham johnson (discussed in the section role of hybrid managers in an organisation) helps the organisation. He had developed both the skills required to manage an organisation. With the experience he obtained from running a consultancy during which he worked with many firms like Legal General Assurance, Nationwide Building Society and the London Stock Exchange, he understood how to attract clients, what they want and how to deal with them. Already, he has got a degree in electronics and worked on major projects with famous names like mark s and Spencer, abbey national and baring securities. So he has got a clear idea of how the technology is changing in his field. He had a clear understanding of the business needs and client requirements. So every industry needs a hybrid manager like graham Johnson. The hybrid managers should possess an organisational specific knowledge, i.e. both technical and economics. As said by justin yifu lin, global economy is driven by improving domestic markets. Domestic markets are driven by enterprises. Enterprises are driven by hybrid managers. So from the above concept it is clear that hybrid managers are important for the economy to flourish. As we know the current situation of fluctuating economic scenario, the person in charge should understand the new turbulent world of business. The manager being the person in charge should be able to answer the questions on new economic world order. So what is so new about the new world economic order? According to Alan .M .Webber, the analyst of Harvard business school, the answer is A qualitative shift is taking place in the ways companies compete, managers manage, and business is conducted. At one level, that shift has familiar elements-for example, from mass production, mass marketing, and mass organizations to flexible production, niche marketing, and networked organizations. But even shorthand descriptors such as these dont capture the power of the change and the enormous implications for managers. So the answer lies with the change in the mind set of the managers. In addition to be able to do programming, the managers should also concentrate on complex economics of the business. Present global economy needs high level of technical knowledge combined with essential information management skills to accelerate the business to achieve the pre determined goals within the specified time limits. The essential skill which makes managers to be called as hybrid managers must be identified and they must be trained with the time to get the best talent out of them. With a few notable exceptions, many of the organizations are preparing a strong ground work in developing hybrid managers for solving the challenges of real world management problem. Conclusion: Today, the worlds economic crisis can directly be attributed to worlds management crisis. In 1990 a British compute society (BCS) report UK, companies were exhorted to train circa 10,000 people to become hybrid managers by 1995. The British computer society understood the importance of hybrid managers and their role in building the British economy and subsequently the world economy. It is to be understood that UK is one of the main victims of global recession that shook the world in 2008-2009. If the foresight of BCS is met with, its economy wouldnt have suffered as it has happened now. Better late, than never. So in order to understand the fluctuating and versatile global economy versatility in management is required. . Nandan Nilekani, CEO and MD of Infosys Technologies, had said while speaking at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore recently, that what the world required today was a new breed of Hybrid Manager- the versatilist. Nilekani further added: A versatilist has the ability to apply skills more intensively to situations. Hence, they gain new competencies, build new relationships, and assume new roles. One should be equally at ease with technical issues as with business and strategic. You have to synthesize knowledge, experience and the context to create value.

Distance Learning and Black Board Essay -- essays papers

Distance Learning and Black Board Distance learning is when students take courses by using some form of communication other than face to face communication with an instructor. This type of learning has been used since as far back as the 1800’s when adults would learn handwriting by ordering lessons through the mail (Cosgrove 2002). The technology for distance learning has been progressing for some time now. Iowa State University started to offer courses through television in 1934 (Cosgrove 2002). These days we use the Internet for distance learning. Distance learning has recently become more popular and more advanced; there are now programs that can help professors organize their online classes. Online classes are a convenient and simple way to communicate to a class and even run an entire classroom without even stepping out of your office. In a study it was found that â€Å"nearly 50% of higher education institutions currently engage in sometype of online learning† (Educational p.1). A popular program that many schools and professors use is Blackboard. Matthew Pittinsky and Michael Chasen along with a student-faculty group from Cornell University developed Blackboard in 1997 (Our History p. 2). They wanted to â€Å"transform the Internet into a powerful environment for the educational experience† (Our History p.1). Blackboard now has over 500 clients who use their products (â€Å"Blackboard Timeline† p.5). If Blackboard has over 500 clients now, think about how well they will do when the technology develops more. Online classes are something that will continue to progress into the future. The Blackboard program is currently available for schools with grades K-12, Higher education, Corporate and Government businesses (Demonstrations and... ...tance Learning.† Retrieved December 1,2004. http://www.instudy.com/articles/saww6a03.htm Gottschalk, Tania H. March 5,2004. â€Å"Guide #1:Distance Education: An Overview†. Retrieved September 26,2004. http://uidaho.edu/eo/dist1.html. Shamber, Linda (1988). â€Å"Delivery Systems for Distance Education.† Eric Digest. Retrieved September 26, 2004, from Eric Digests (ED304111). Towson University. Retrieved October 3, 2004. http://wwwnew.towson.edu/facultyonline/TutorialsAndResources/. Towson Univeristy. Retrieved October 3, 2004. http://www.towson.edu/learnonline/faq.html. Towson University. Retrieved October 3,2004. http://wwwnew.towson.edu/facultyonline/tutorialsandresourses/helpsheets/ removingareasofbb/index. â€Å"Online Degrees, Online Degree Programs, and Online Universities.† Retrieved December 1,2004. http://www.online-degree-information.com/.

The Atomic Bomb Essay -- Essays Papers

The Atomic Bomb The aftermath: Humanity, the Earth, Nature Some people often hear the word "Atomic Bomb" or hear about the cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki and picture a war torn city and a bomb that killed many. While they are right in connecting the two, the aftermath of the atomic bomb goes much deeper than that. By simply stating that it killed and injured thousands of people is an understatement. The damage from the bomb ranged from high temperature fires that scorched the land to the killing of fetuses due to in-utero radiation exposure. The atomic age, composed of complex and controversial issues, has forever changed the world and the way in which we live. The following is intended to illustrate that the bombing has changed the world and the immediate lives of the many killed and hurt in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The illustrations are an attempt to show the immense strength of one explosion and its ability to totally wipe out any given area. By showing all of the possible injuries that can occur from a nuclear e xplosion, it becomes visible that an atomic bomb is very complex in its destruction. Showing to be the fastest slaughter that we have ever observed, the bomb in Hiroshima killed about 280,000 civilians and 40,000 members of the military. For those not killed by the immidiate consequences of the bomb, radiation destroyed cells within the human body and still claims the lives of people today. It was estimated that by December 1945, around 140,000 people died from radiation related illnesses. One factor that created much immediate damage was the spread of the blast and its shock waves. In only ten seconds after the landing of the bomb i... ...about. In addition, the site provides a list of outside sources that are written about the atomic bombings. - Grolier Interactive Encyclopedia www.grolier.com/ History: WWII This on-line encyclopedia gives a very descriptive history of the atomic bomb. It shows the work that led up to the construction of the bomb and the several projects that led to the actual bombings. Finally, it tells the effects of an explosion and the significanse that the bombs played on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. - Hiroshima C-Das www.hiroshima-cdas.or.jp/ C-Das Major effects of atomic bomb This site provides yet another very informative array of facts. It was one of the most useful as it had a file that was almost a direct answer to the question that this paper applies, what were the major effects of the atomic bomb.

Hate Crime :: essays research papers

On October tenth of 2004, eleven Christians were arrested for street witnessing on a public sidewalk during a â€Å"gay pride† event. Charges were dropped against six of them, but four adults and one juvenile faced serious charges under Philadelphia's hate crime laws. These five people were charged with criminal conspiracy, â€Å"ethnic intimidation†, reckless endangerment, and inciting a riot. Each person, if convicted, faced 47 years in prison and a $90,000 fine. The state of Pennsylvania recently added â€Å"ethnic intimidation† to its hate crime law on December 5, 2002. Under this section preaching for the Bible is now considered hate speech and is illegal in a public forum. Philadelphia prosecutor Charles Ehrlich attacked the protesters as â€Å"hateful† and claimed that preaching from the Bible about homosexuality is considered â€Å"fighting words† that can be banned from the public square as an incitement to a riot.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In title 18 of the first amendment, it is clearly proven that these Christians did break the law. I do agree with what they were preaching. It is unfortunate that Christians are now being arrested for sharing the gospel in public. The bible clearly states that as Christians, we are supposed to share the good news. In the book of Mathew, chapter nine, verse thirty-five says, â€Å"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As Christians, we are supposed to be like Jesus in every aspect of our lives, and these five Christians were doing what they were called to do. However, by doing this, they were breaking the law and in doing so, they needed to be held accountable. OFFENSE DEFINED.--A PERSON COMMITS THE OFFENSE OF ETHNIC INTIMIDATION IF, WITH MALICIOUS INTENTION TOWARD THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION [OR], NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER OR GENDER IDENTITY OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, HE COMMITS AN OFFENSE UNDER ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE.

English Proficiency

Yakushko, O. (2010). Clinical work with limited English proficiency clients: A phenomenological exploration. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41, 449-455. doi:10. 1037/a0020996 This research article focused on therapists’ perceptions of clinical and personal characteristics and contextual factors that may influence mental health service delivery to limited English proficiency (LEP) clients through interpreters. Particularly, this study attempted to understand these factors by exploring the lived experiences of clinicians who have worked with LEP individuals through translators.Analysis of the data collected provided two recurring themes that revolved around the personality and training of both therapist and interpreter. Based on the findings of this research, the author suggested consideration of clinical care for LEP clients, who may be inadvertently marginalised from effective psychotherapeutic intervention, would demonstrate a commitment to social justice. Th e study under review clearly meets the criteria for qualitative research for the purpose of understanding a complex issue in greater detail as suggested by Liamputtong (2009). Related essay: Causes of Failure in English LanguageLiamputtong (2009) remarked that an understanding of the components and contextual issues could only be achieved by having direct conversation with people who have lived the experience the researcher sought to investigate. The author states that the ‘phenomenological study sought to contribute to understanding these factors by examining the lived experiences of eight therapists skilled in working with LEP individuals through interpreters. † Clearly, one of the strengths of the use of the phenomenological structure is the acceptability of a small number of participants under investigation, which were eight in this case.Further, this methodological framework afforded the researcher to analyse the data thematically, which identified issues that centred on personality and training of both therapists and interpreters. One of the points, supported by evidences and clearly communicated to readers, is that similar to the charact eristics central to describing a skilled therapist, the interpreter is not just a mere translator, but an active member of a psychotherapy team whose skill in multicultural issues, mental health training and therapeutic processes, and personality may affect the success f mental health services delivered to LEP individuals through an interpreter. The author though attempted to convince readers of reflexivity, by mentioning the attention given to the search for disconfirming evidence and negative case analysis, however no clarification of this effort was given in any part of the report. Nevertheless, peer debriefers were involved in the study to attend to issues of researcher subjectivity and biases, and researcher’s interpretation of data was also subjected to member checking.Further studies can employ the four kinds of triangulation, namely multiple method, theories, data or source, and researchers, as pointed out by Liamputtong (2009), to underpin the dependability of the fi ndings of this study. Representative rigour was achieved through the appropriate use of purposive sampling technique, which identified participants who have lived experiences of work with LEP clients through interpreters.Particular attention was paid to selection criteria, to ensure that therapists, though with general clinical expertise, have between a fledgling and expert level experience working with LEP individuals. This would guarantee that consideration about the therapeutic process in working with LEP clients through translators were unconnected to being a beginner clinician. Other factors considered, such as level of professional training, language and culture of origin were also crucial in ensuring a fit between participant selection, methodology, theoretical framework and research purpose.In considering the study’s interpretative rigour, a broader understanding gained from the result of the findings lend credence to the result of a similar scholarly work conducted b y Miller, Martel, Pazdirek, Caruth, and Lopez (2005) which highlighted the impact of the interpreter’s role in therapeutic alliance, the management of and challenges that may result from the triadic clinical relationship (of the therapist, interpreter and client), and training of both clinician and interpreter.Overall, this research achieved a measure of theoretical and methodological rigour by establishing a fit between the research purpose of exploring factors that contribute to delivering successful clinical care to LEP individuals from the clinicians’ perspective and the use of phenomenological approach to examine the embodied experiences of these clinicians in greater detail, through the use of semi-structured and open-ended interviews. References Liamputtong, P. (2009).Qualitative research methods (3rd ed. ). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Miller, K. , Martel, Z. , Pazdirek, L. , Caruth, M. , & Lopez, D. (2005). The role of interpreters in psychotherapy with re fugees: An exploratory study. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 75, 27-39. Yakushko, O. (2010). Clinical work with limited English proficiency clients: A phenomenological exploration. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41, 449-455. doi:10. 1037/a0020996