Law discussion5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Law discussion5 - Essay Example When the front desk employee is notified of the spilled drink, he is immediately has a legal obligation to do something about it due to the law on duty of care. The duty was breached since the front office employee did not promptly act on the information provided. He should have the drink washed up. By failing to act immediately, the employee and the hotel by extension, breach their duty and fail to meet their institutional obligation. The standard of care is often defined as the level of caution and reason expected of any individual or institution that has a duty of care. The standard of care in this case is therefore neutralizing the danger posed by the spilled drink. They can either have it washed up immediately or at least bar the lobby until they can clean it up. The hotel did not obviously meet this standard of care. John’s injuries are as a result of an accident that can be solely attributed to negligence of the hotel. The breach of duty was therefore the proximate cause of his injuries and the hotel should face full liability. An injury is any harm done to a person or persons caused by an act or omission of another or others. Injury is mainly physical hurt but includes damage to dignity or reputation, loss of a constitutional right, or even breach of contract. In this case there is injury in that the boy breaks his hand. There is also injury through breach of duty of care as the boy is exposed to danger in a place he is promised to be

Leadership Profile of Mohmad Ali Jinah Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Leadership Profile of Mohmad Ali Jinah - Essay Example Great suggestions proposed by the right being in the wrong situation, or to the immoral audience, or at the badly chosen time are meant to fail. Great leaders are those who employ and focus the appropriate combination of elements on the dot to impact their world in impressive ways. Remarkably, the majority of what we know about leadership derives from the observation of how folks relate to their immediate heads. Nonetheless, probing individual opinions of â€Å"leadership† at the national level is a striking intention (Meigs, 2001, p. 4). On the surface, it may look that leadership behavior, for instance, aligning progressions and procedures may be more effortlessly conceptualized at the national level than personal leadership deeds such as performing with decorum. Albeit leaders may appear and depart, the ways they embark upon tasks and state of affairs and care for people is of the essence. Path-goal theory is founded on the precepts of expectancy tenet which puts forward that subordinates will be forced if they suppose they are competent of completing their mission if they deem their exertions will effect in a positive ending, and if they think that the returns for accomplishing their work are meaningful. Leadership actions are normally classified as: 3. Achievement-oriented: The leader highlights the attainment of complicated tasks and the meaning of admirable performance and concurrently demonstrates buoyancy that subordinates will carry out well. Jinnah helped out subordinates in identifying their targets and simplified their chore. He confiscated barriers from their routes and supplied continuous patronage when the task was shapeless and multipart. He always picked a style of leadership which was best fitted to the subordinates, thus raised the contentment level of his subordinates.

Post War Developments of Pop Art and Consumerism

Post War Developments of Pop Art and Consumerism What were the most significant changes in consumer behaviour in America after 1945? In what ways did these changes have an impact on the production of art? INTRODUCTION The purpose of this essay is to outline the ways in which consumer behaviour changed in the United States after 1945, and the ways in which the production, and the content, of art reflected these times. These were the years following the Second World War, and advances in technology made during the war were now being used to change the ordinary way of life of American citizens during the new time of peace. National wealth had increased, and the population was very much looking to the future, which seemed more affluent, easier and more convenient than ever before. Buying and spending quickly became the main cultural preoccupation as corporations made use of war-time technology to bring consumers the products of the future today: television, processed food, vacuum cleaners, synthetic fabrics, and Tupperware. (www.ucalgary.ca) In this essay I will show how Pop Art developed in America, and how these newly fashionable artists drew on the consumerist culture of the time to create a kind of art that had not been seen before. CONSUMERISM IN POST-WAR AMERICA In postwar America, the public became more brand-conscious – advertising became much more advanced and was seen as crucial to business, and branding and company logos were part of the everyday landscape. There were technical devlopments in photography, broadcasting and the inventionof television. Sociology in the US was now more concerned with the masses, and pop art identified with this. (Alloway:1974:5) In 1960 the General Motors Corporation spent $66.3 million on advertising, the most of any corporation in that year, but in 1968 Proctor Gamble took the lead at $196.3 million a 200% increase in the top advertising budget in only eight years. Likewise, the advertising revenues for magazines between 1958 and 1968 increased 150%, while the advertising revenues for television in the same period rose nearly 250%. (www.ucalgary.ca) Lifestyle advertising was conceived – instead of pre-war adverts which would have simply described the product and what it literally did, now advertisers wanted to make people think that if they bought a certain product it would be central in changing their life, making them better, happier, more successful. Advertisements promise such abstract desires as beauty, success at work, success in relationships, or the ability to be a better person physically, mentally, and socially. Social historian Christin Mamiya has argued that the changes brought  about in America by the increased industrialisation and urbanisation were those that made the public more susceptible to the media’s influence: In the alienation and non-communal world of urban society it became increasingly important to rely on outward appearances to define self-worth and success, the tools of which advertising provided. (www.ucalgary.ca) John F. Kennedy, elected as President in 1960, fully endorsed the new consumerist ethic through his policy. Kennedy’s government followed the work of British economist John Maynard Keynes, who in earlier decades had written that the key to a nation’s collective wealth lay in the individual spending of individuals. The more money citizens spent, the greater the national wealth would be. The Kennedy government was the first to implement this theory into both domestic and foreign economic policies, thereby officially endorsing and promoting mass production, mass distribution, advertising, and inadvertently, the idea of keeping up with the Joneses. (www.ucalgary.ca) As a result of the war, America felt a new patriotism which was reflected in the all-Americanness of branding products and celebrities. As the wealth of the country increased, and people were inclined to celebrate their status (personal status reflecting the greatness of the country – the American dream) and also to celebrate having life easy in comparison to the hardship and compromises of the war years, products were designed to save time and effort. Advertising was particularly aimed at women in the home – household products, food, housekeeping, clothes, also things that made bored housewives feel more glamorous. During the 2nd World War, Hollywood had also taken the idea of the movie star to another level. Celebrity-watching therefore became a more significant part of the public’s lives, and the faces of celebrities were ubiquitous. The most frequently depicted face in art during this time was that of Kennedy, as he, more than anyone, had realised early on the importance of media marketing and image-creation. The consumerist ideology was therefore perpetuated by the mass media, in radio, television, cinema and print media. POPULAR ART IN THE US This was reflected in art both in terms of the content, and the methods of production and distribution of art. Pop Art originated in New York in the late 1950’s/early ‘60s, and intentionally subverted critical ideas of what constituted ‘art.’ Household objects and celebrities faces were the subjects: Suddenly, T.V. dinners and canned spaghetti, department store dresses and blue suede shoes, tailfins and tires were the subject of paintings and sculptures gracing the window fronts of art galleries. (www.ucalgary.ca) Claes Oldenburg, Tom Wesselmann, Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, and, most famously Andy Warhol were among the leading names of Pop Art. Most of the Pop Artists had previously worked in commercial advertising and printing. Printing presses were used to quickly produce hundreds of standardised images which could then be mass-distributed. Andy Warhol was one of the first to do this; instead of selling unique pieces of work for a high price, he preferred to produce multiple silk-screened copies which were sold for a low price but which together made up large profits. The ideas of mass and standardisation would be seen therefore both in the fact that one piece of art work contained dozens of cola bottles, and also that that piece was itself reproduced again and again. Therefore art became visible to greater sections of the population and to lower classes, because of its positioning – images were seen in conjunction with advertising and printed on clothing and accessories, instead of hidden away in galleries – and its content – where as traditional fine or ‘high’ art requires some academic learning for the viewer to know the correct ways of appreciating it, tins of baked beans were recognisable to all and needed little interpretation. Americanness had been expressed differently in the late 40s and 50s: Abstract Expressionism is characterised by splashes and rhythms of colours across the canvas, often with no subject other than the emotion that the finished image creates in the viewer. It celebrated the individual because it was highly personal. (www.ucalgary.ca) This art was critically acclaimed, but unapproachable to much of the general public, who found it difficult to understand and doubted its artistic credibility. Pop artists reacted directly against the assumptions made by the Abstract Expressionists; they believed that art should be ‘for the people,’ and so they celebrated every-day objects in a style of art that was easily approachable. Pop Art was first seen in a particular school of thought in Britain in the mid-50’s, invented by the Independent Group. This was a group of artists and intellectuals who were fascinated by the effect that post-war American consumerism was having on British culture. Therefore they focused on the trappings of a materialist, brand-conscious culture. The objects depicted in their art were often cheap and defied traditional notions of good taste. British artist Richard Hamilton is regarded as the first to expressly define Pop Art. He characterised it as: Popular (designed for a mass audience) Transient (short-term solution) Expendable (easily-forgotten) Low Cost Mass produced Young (aimed at youth) Witty Sexy Gimmicky Glamorous Big business. (www.ucalgary.ca) It has been argued that the work of the Independent Group probably did not influence the American Pop Artists as they started creating work later in the decade. American artists would likely be unaware of this small and avante-garde movement in Britain. If this is the case, it is evidence of the widespread influence of post-war consumerism and advertising, that people on both sides of the Atlantic begun to develop similar ideas about art. Critics were deeply offended Pop Art, believing that it was of no real artistic merit. No progress was made, they argued, in the use of colour or materials, and the subject matter was frequently in bad taste or simply banal. Unlike Folk Art, pop culture is created on a huge scale to please the mainstream. It is those emblems and messages that we all understand, meaning that we have one shared culture that obliterates other more local or personal cultures. (Alloway:1974:4) But Pop Art was light-hearted, quirky and tongue-in-cheek, even blasà ©, which appealed to a nation of people who after years of war and economic depression, did not want to be too reflective or melancholy. Thus, it was oddly ambivalent. Pop Artists played to these popular needs/desires, and yet bitterly criticised them at the same time. The tone of Pop Art in general was humorous, but artists seemed to be satirising a culture that had ‘dumbed down,’ becoming obsessed with convenience, speed, instantly recognisable iconic images and brand names. For instance Rosenquist painted images of rockets alongside plates of spaghetti, to draw attention to what he saw as the absurdness of modern concerns. Lichenstein painted huge versions of cartoon strips, using the stock themes of romance and violence, and the style of using hundreds of coloured dots to make up the impression of an area of block colour, in order to show how formulaic and non-individual this popular form of art w as. Warhol criticised the mass media in his work, such as his prints of Marilyn Monroe’s face, made after she committed suicide in 1962, which echoed what Steven Madorff describes as the â€Å"repeated, endless manufacture† of the celebrity. Similarly, Warhol created a print of repeated images of a crashed car and mangled corpses, in criticism of the way he believed news reports could reduce a terrible tragedy to a single throwaway image. He produced the painting 129 Die In Jet, after an article about 129 American tourists who were killed in a plane crash over Paris-Orlis. The book draws on Susan Sonag in saying that the more you see pictures, the less real the actual event is. (Museum Ludwig Cologne:1996:474) CONCLUSION The Pop Artists made their art out of drawing attention to the consumerist nature of American culture. To Art critics dismay, household objects such as tinned food, icons of the mass media and such low art conventions such as comic book drawing now became the subjects of high art. Pop Artists had correctly identified the things that were important to the average American citizen, and the content, means of production, and location of their art all reflected this. In many ways Pop Art seemed satirical, wry and at times outright critical. The images made at this time have immortalised an image of post-war America as superficial, image-obsessed and unconcerned with any real depth or subtlety. However the means of production meant that artists were reaping the benefits of this culture. Instead of labouring over an oil painting for months, artists now could print a simple image hundreds of times – money could be made for every print sold, and also galleries would now accept paying high prices for a piece of work that had taken very little time to complete. It was as though artists were portraying Americans as ignorant and lazy, but celebrating and taking advantage of just that. References Alloway, Lawrence (1974) American Pop Art, New York: Collier. Lippard, Lucy (1966) Pop Art, London:Thames Hudson Museum Ludwig Cologne (1996) 20th Century Art, Taschen. http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/popculture/PfourT.html

The Turing Test Essay -- essays research papers fc

One of the hottest topics that modern science has been focusing on for a long time is the field of artificial intelligence, the study of intelligence in machines or, according to Minsky, â€Å"the science of making machines do things that would require intelligence if done by men†.(qtd in Copeland 1). Artificial Intelligence has a lot of applications and is used in many areas. â€Å"We often don’t notice it but AI is all around us. It is present in computer games, in the cruise control in our cars and the servers that route our email.† (BBC 1). Different goals have been set for the science of Artificial Intelligence, but according to Whitby the most mentioned idea about the goal of AI is provided by the Turing Test. This test is also called the imitation game, since it is basically a game in which a computer imitates a conversating human. In an analysis of the Turing Test I will focus on its features, its historical background and the evaluation of its validity a nd importance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First of all, the Test itself doesn’t really have any complex features. As described by Haugeland, the procedure of the game is simple. Suppose that we have a person, a machine, and an interrogator. The interrogator is in a room separated from the other person and the machine. The participants in this game use teletypewriter to communicate with one another -- to avoid clues that might be offered by tone of voice, etc.The object of the game is for the interrogator to determine which of the other two is the person, and which is the machine. The interrogator knows the other person and the machine by the labels ‘X’ and ‘Y’ -- but, at least at the beginning of the game, does not know which of the other person and the machine is ‘X’ -- and at the end of the game says either ‘X is the person and Y is the machine’ or ‘X is the machine and Y is the person’.(29-30) The object of the machine is to try to cause the interrogator to mistakenly conclude that the machine is the other person; the object of the other person is to try to help the interrogator to correctly identify the machine. If a machine passes the test, then it is clear that for many ordinary people it would be a sufficient reason to say that that is a thinking machine. And, in fact, since it is able to conversate with a human and to actually fool him and convince him that the machine is human, this would seem t... ...ing Test and scientists of AI have different opinions about it. However there are some facts of which we can be sure of. The Turing Test was invented by a great scientist, it has had a long and rich history of 55 years and has played an important role in the science of Artificial Intelligence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bibliography Artificial Intelligence. BBC. Mar. 3, 2005 Copeland, Jack. Artificial Intelligence: A philosophical introduction.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oxford: Blackwell, 1993. Floridi, Luciano. Philosophy and Computing: An introduction. London: Routledge, 1999. Haugeland, John, ed. Mind Design II: Philosophy, Psychology, Artificial Intelligence   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  USA: MIT Press, 2000. Hodges, Andrew. Alan Turing and the Turing Test Mar. 15 2005 < http://www.turing.org.uk/turing/scrapbook/test.html> Millar P. H. â€Å"On the point of the Imitation Game.† Mind, New Series, Vol. 82, No 328 (Oct. 1973): 595 par1. Mar. 20, 2005 Oppy, Graham, Dowe, David, The Turing Test, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2003 Edition), Mar. 10, 2005 . Whitby, Blay. Artificial Intelligence: a beginner’s guide. Oxford: Oneworld, 2004.

Case Question

Case question: using the information in this chapter, how would you tell Jim to proceed? Using the information in the chapter, I agree with Jim O'Brien. Although getting large customers is important, making money is also important. Jim has a plan to require their customers to reduce loading and unloading times. If they cannot reduce their time, Harder Transportation has no choice but to either increase detention charges or consider dropping those customers. The sales organizations think these actions are against Harden's service strategy and they think some customers may even rebel.Some of Jim O'Brien largest customers have very long pick up and drop Off times. TO be successful Jim should make sure that their peddle run is correct. A peddle run is a route driven daily out of the pick up and drop off terminal to collect freight for outbound or inbound moves. Two elements of the peddle run is its stem time and peddle time. Stem time is the time that occurs when the driver leaves the te rminal until the driver makes the first pick up or delivery. Peddle time is the time during which drivers is actually involved in the pickup and delivery of freight.The wall would tell Jim O'Brien to proceed is he could go to the two driver system. While one driver is driving the other is in the sleeper berth of the tractor. The sleeper team has been very successful. Having more than one driver may even reduce to loading and unloading times. That is a great concern for Jim, because some of his largest customers have long pickup and drop off times. The sleeper teams also could potentially reduce driver fatigue and fewer accidents. They have new driving hours so it will help. The sleeper system would also reduce driving time.Another way Jim could proceed is he could compromise with his sales organization and his customers. Jim could make sure his peddle run is correct. Jim could compromise by reducing the stem time. If you decrease the stem time, you would increase the peddle time. Th e drivers would then spend less time driving. They would spend less time picking up and dropping off. The drivers would increase the productivity. Overall Jim O'Brien should do what is best for Harder Transportation. If some customers rebel then Jim is going to need new customers.

Getting stuff and spending money

The way we absorbed ourselves into the world, we put our powers of mind and soul In getting stuff and spending money. These powers are not satisfying – It Is just a waste. Nature is not Just a bunch of trees and water, but nature is the wilderness and the places where a human can go and replenish but we think nature Is not ours and find ourselves not in touch with It. Our hearts, the center of our emotional life, we have given away instead of holding, treasuring and being connected with nature.We should not be giving away our hearts as It Is not good Idea. The sea Is personified as a woman as she opens her chest to the moon, showing the relationship between the two of them. The winds have been gathered to somewhere and they are sleeping like flowers lay out. We are mammals the beauty of nature, the delights of the sea and the winds with Its up gathered flowers. The nature, the sea and the wind don't touch us. I'd rather be a non-charlatans and raised as a child In a religion t hat is worn out.If I were from one of those religions, I might look out and have glimpses of something that will make me less sad, that would give me some joy. I imagine that if I were born in those religions of the past, I would see the ocean as divine, a place where I might encounter God and as a piece of God. I would look out to the sea and it would not just be a bunch of water lying there, I would also see God and other gods. It is not only the ocean that would be sacred, meaningful and important but also the nature around us.

Norovirus and gastrointestinal disease The WritePass Journal

Norovirus and gastrointestinal disease Introduction Norovirus and gastrointestinal disease IntroductionVirologyClassificationStructureBiologyNorovirus Replication StrategyInfectivity of NorovirusEpidemiologyGeographic and Temporal DistributionTransmissionClinical featuresPathogenesisPrevention and controlRecent knowledge on contamination, sanitation and personal hygieneTreatmentHealth impact of Norovirus outbreaks in the coming eraReferencesRelated Introduction Norovirus is currently recognized as the most important non-bacterial pathogen causing gastroenteritis. It is believed that majority of gastroenteritis that occur throughout the globe is attributed to Norovirus. Norovirus was first recognised through immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) in 1972. However, it is only over the past decade that Norovirus has been of great interest to the basic scientists, virologists, epidemiologists and public health experts. There is no doubt that outbreaks or epidemics of Norovirus in the coming years will challenge the medical community to the limit. Globalisation has created a single, very mobile mega-population of people on earth in which more viruses can thrive, and, a highly infectious illness caused by Norovirus can spread rapidly, thus creating epidemics or even pandemics. The potential breakthrough in the development of Norovirus vaccine with the development of effective antigenic viral-like particles (VLP), and the recognition that Norovirus evolv es with antigenic drift will pose exciting challenges to all stakeholders. The other challenges or obstacles which we face include understanding the pathogenesis of the Norovirus in the gastrointestinal tract and identifying the site in the gastrointestinal tract which the virus replicates. This knowledge will hopefully allow the development of targeted antiviral therapy and thus prevent manifestation of severe clinical symptoms. This is a review of this very exciting, virus and I have chosen to amalgamate the current literatures into the following topics: Virology- Classification and structure Biology- Replication and infectivity Epidemiology- Geographic and temporal distribution Transmission Clinical features Pathogenesis Immunity Prevention and control Recent knowledge on contamination/sanitation and personal hygiene Vaccine development Treatments- Current and future Health impact of Norovirus outbreaks in the coming era Virology Classification Although Norovirus was first viewed in 1972, it was not until 1990 when it was classified. Classification of Norovirus could finally be performed due to the successful cloning of the viral genome (1). Molecular cloning and characterisation of Norovirus genome allowed this virus to be classified as a member of Caliciviridae family and it is known as a Group B Biodefense Pathogen. Caliciviruses are small (27-40nm), non-enveloped, icosahedral particles with single-stranded RNA of positive polarity. The name calicivirus comes from the Latin word calyx, meaning â€Å"cup† or â€Å"goblet†, which describes the cup-shaped depression, as observed under electron microscopy. Although they share similar features to that of the picornaviruses, caliciviruses are distinguished from their counterpart by having a larger genome and having distinctive spikes on the surface. Another example of calicivirus is the Hepatitis E virus (2). Currently, there are a few serotypes of Norovirus whic h were successfully identified through immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent essay (ELISA), which are represented by Norwalk virus (NV), Hawaii virus (HV), Snow Mountain agent (SMA), Desert Shield virus (DSV) and Southampton virus. (1). Currently, there are five main genogroups of Norovirus being identified (GI, GII, GIII, GIV and GV). Noroviruses, which can be found in humans, are from three genogroups (GI, GII and GIV). However, those that are commonly isolated in cases of acute gastroenteritis in humans belong only to two genogroups (GI and GII), which can then be further divided into genetic cluster or genotypes (i.e GI.1, GII.15, GIV.2 etc). There are now, at least 25 genotypes of Norovirus which were successfully identified, with the prototype Norwalk virus being labelled as GI.1 (Genogroup I, genotype 1) (3) and present within this genotype are numerous subtypes. The presence of this diversity of Norovirus strains are mainly due to both the accumulation of point mutations associated with error-prone RNA replication and to recombination between two related viruses (4, 5).   Genogroup I (GI) includes76 Norwalk virus, Desert Shield virus and Southampton virus and Genogroup II (GII), includes Bristol virus, Lor dsdale virus, Toronto virus, Mexico virus, Hawaii virus and Snow Mountain virus. Norwalk virus (NV), Snow Mountain virus (SMV), and Hawaii virus (HV) are the prototype strains of genotypes GI.1, GII.2, and GII.1 and are the causative agents of an estimated 5%, 8%, and 7% of Norovirus outbreaks, respectively (6). Genogroups III and V (GIII and GV) have only been identified in animals. Structure Through structural studies and visualisation of Norovirus by electron microscopy, it is now proven   that the Norovirus is composed of 90 dimers of the major capsid protein VP1 and one or two copies of the minor structural protein VP2 (7) which recognizes the histo-blood group antigens, which are regarded as receptors and host-susceptibility factors for infection (3). Figure 1. Structure of Norwalk Virus and Genome Non-enveloped, T=3 icosahedral symmetry, about 23-40 nm in diameter. Each virus particle is composed of 180 molecules of VP1 proteins which form 90-arch-like capsomers at all the local and strict twofold axes surrounding the hollows. The proteins in the capsid then folds into two main domains which are, the shell (S) domain and the protruding (P) domain, which contains two further subdomains, P1 and P2. The protruding, P domain functions to increase the stability of the capsid by increasing the intermolecular contacts between the dimeric subunits, thus, leading to speculation that it may control the size of the capsid. However, the S domain contains all the necessary protein requirements to initiate the assembly of the capsid (8). Norovirus has single stranded RNA genome and is predicted to contain three open reading frames (ORF) (9). The Norovirus genome is linear and contains approximately 7600 nucleotides (nt) (Southampton virus-7708nt, Lordsdale virus- 7555nt) (10).   The ORF1 (a polyprotein that contains sequence of amino acid which shows much similarity to that of Picornaviruses) is predicted to encode the capsid protein. ORF1 may be cleaved by 3CL proteases into 6 proteins (11). ORF2 and ORF3 are not shown in the diagram. However, until now, it is not known whether these ORF would be translated or what the function of its translated protein would be. In a recent study, Norovirus- like particles was viewed under atomic force microscopy. Scientist exposed the Norovirus-like particles in environments with PH ranging from 2 to 10. This range of pH values represents the pH of the natural environment in which Norovirus thrives. The study revealed that the Norovirus-like particles were resistant to indentation of measure of 300 bar at acidic and neutral pH. However, when the Norovirus-like particles were subjected to same indentation at a pH of 10, the capsid failed to regenerate and was irreversibly destroyed (12). All these studies which are still at an early stage will pave the way for further understanding of Norovirus. Biology Norovirus Replication Strategy Progress on understanding the basic mechanisms of virus replication has been far slower due to the inability to cultivate virus in the laboratory. Therefore, the replication strategy of this virus remains speculative and is presumed that its replication cycle is of a similar manner to that of picornaviruses (2).   As in the picornaviruses, the viral particle will bind to the cell surface receptors. This will result in a conformational change in the viral capsid proteins, and thus, releasing myristic acid (a common saturated fatty acid). This acid then helps in forming a pore in the cell membrane of the host cell and through this tiny hole; the RNA of the virus is injected (101). Once inside the cell, the RNA unwinds and the positive strand RNA genome is replicated through a double-stranded RNA intermediate which is formed using viral RDRP (RNA-Dependent RNA polymerase). Translation by host cell ribosomes is not initiated by the usual 5 G cap; instead it is initiated by IRES (Intern al Ribosome Entry Site). The viral replication cycle is short and it takes approximately 8 hours to complete one cycle of replication. Within 30 minutes after initial infection, cell protein synthesis – essentially the macromolecular synthesis of cell is â€Å"shut off†. Over the next one to two hours there is a loss of margination of chromatin and homogeneity in the nucleus. This is followed by synthesis of the viral proteins. Subsequently, a vacuole appears in the cytoplasm close to the nucleus and this vacuole gradually starts to coalace covering the whole cell. After 3 hour time, the cell plasma membrane becomes permeable and at 4–6 hours the virus particles assemble, and occasionally could be seen in the cytoplasm. At about 8 hours, the dead cell lyses and releases the viral particles (101). Infectivity of Norovirus Studies of the stability and hardiness of Norovirus have been done by experimental infection on humans. As Norovirus is the most important cause of food and waterborne disease, it is not unexpected that it is resistant to inactivation by treatment with chlorine concentrations which is usually used in drinking water (1). Norovirus can retain its infectivity   even after:- i) exposure to pH2.7 for 3 hours at room temperature, ii) treatment with 20% ether at 4 °C for 24 hours, or iii) incubation at 60 °C for 30 min (13). Norovirus can also retain infectivity after freezing (14). Recent reports have shown that through current sensitive antigen detection methods, Norovirus excretion was detected in 90% of ill volunteers. Viral shedding peaks 1-3 days after onset of symptoms, and studies have shown that the viral antigen may be shed for up to 56 days. Shedding of virus can occur in asymptomatic individuals and it can be prolonged in immunocompromised people. Also, antigen shedding can precede illness (15hr after infection and before symptomatic illness) (15). Epidemiology The successful cloning and expression of the Norovirus genome has led to the development of new assays which has allowed various epidemiological studies to be performed. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that the infection with Norovirus is much more widespread than previously recognised (16). Geographic and Temporal Distribution Norovirus is highly infectious and can be spread easily from one person to another and is the leading cause of epidemic gastroenteritis in both the developed and developing countries. However, this epidemic gastroenteritis is usually mild, thus, differentiating it from infantile gastroenteritis (which is mainly caused by Rotavirus), which is a much more severe, and often life threatening diarrheal illness in infants and young children. Incidence of infection by Norovirus has been detected in all continents, and therefore, it has a global distribution. It has been quoted that in the United States, more than 90% of the outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the community, for which the cause was previously unknown, can now be attributed to Norovirus (2). Infection by Norovirus do occur all year round, however, its incidence is markedly increased during cold weather months (17).   Outbreaks typically occur in group settings such as cruise ships, schools, camps hospitals and nursing home wher e people gather in confined areas (2) and target a number of high risk populations, particularly young children and the elderly, travellers, soldiers and immunocompromised patients or those who are recipient of organ transplant. Every year, up to 1 million people in the UK are thought to be infected by Norovirus (18). If the Norovirus is brought into the hospital environment by someone incubating the infection, then it can easily spread to vulnerable hospital patients and also to staff. It is known to cause large outbreaks of infection in hospital which results in a lot of patients and staff being affected leading to closure of wards in order to prevent further spread. This has posed a huge problem on care provision. Hospitals, therefore, have very strict policies in place to control the spread of Norovirus which will be discussed later. Transmission Humans are believed to be the only host of the human Norovirus. Norovirus is transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route. However, it can also be transmitted through infected vomitus (3) and there is currently increasing evidence that it can be transmitted through airbourne or fomite transmission (19 20). The infection of Norovirus is enhanced by several features which facilitate their spread. First, it has a low infection dose (approximately 18 to 1000 viral particles) (21) which allow the virus to spread through droplets, person-to-person contact and through environmental contamination. Secondly, excretion of virus in stools continued for several weeks even after recovery, thus, increases the risk of secondary spread which is a particular concern among food handlers and family members (22). Thirdly, the virus is resistant to a wide range of temperatures, chemicals and pH. The virus is able to persist on environmental surfaces and contaminated objects eg   in swimming pools, conta minated drinking water, ice, bakery products and also in raw oysters, fruits and vegetables which are eaten uncooked and cold foods (celery, melon, vermicelli, sandwiches and cold cooked ham) (3). Fourthly, due to the fact that there is a great diversity of Norovirus strains and the lack of long term immunity, it can result in occurrence of repeated infection throughout life. Finally, the Norovirus genome can also undergo mutations, which causes antigenic shift and recombination, which result in evolution of new strains of Norovirus which are capable of infecting hosts. Asymptomatic infections do occur, and such person may be the carriers of some outbreaks. In recent time, there is an increased in outbreaks in military camps and with the elderly who are staying in nursing or shelter homes, and also in hospital settings (19 20). These infections can be catastrophic because of high secondary attack rates, and such outbreaks can last for several months (18). Clinical features An unresolved problem related to transmission of Norovirus is how long an affected individual can stay infectious. Firstly, the incubation period of the virus is 10-51 hours. The main symptoms are sudden onset of vomiting (more common in children) and abdominal cramps (in 37-45% of the cases) followed by watery diarrhoea (more common in adults). The stools usually do not contain any blood or mucus and asymptomatic infection do occur in approximately 1/3 of the population. The duration of symptomatic illness lasts between 1-3 days (28-60 hr) but can last longer (4-6 days) in nosocomial outbreaks (3) and among children younger than 11 years of age (22). In 15% of patients, it lasts longer than 3 days. The illness also lasts longer in immunocompromised patients and in people with chronic illnesses (3). In immunocompetent adults, the course of Norovirus infection is rapid, with an incubation period of 24–48 hours and resolution of symptoms within 12–72 hours (23). The infec tion is usually less severe compared to other diarrheal infection. However, it can lead to dehydration and requires hospitalization, especially among children with an age of 5 yrs and adults, 65 yrs. Fatalities have been reported in relation to outbreaks of gastroenteritis among the elderly in nursing homes (24) and in the United Kingdom, there is an estimate of about 80 deaths from Norovirus every year among people who are older than 64 years of age (25). However, there are usually no long term effects of Norovirus infection and majority of patients recovers fully. Pathogenesis Because of the failure to cultivate the Norovirus in laboratory properly, our knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of Norovirus come mainly from physical, histological and biochemical studies on infected volunteers who took part in surveys. Proximal intestinal biopsy specimens were taken from ill volunteers and histological changes were compared to healthy individuals. Ill volunteers showed broadening and blunting of intestinal villi, crypt cell hyperplasia, cytoplasmic vacuolization and infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells into the lamina propria but the mucosa itself remaining intact. No histological changes were seen in the gastric fundus or in antrum or colonic mucosa (26). The extent of small intestine involvement remains unknown because studies have only examined the proximal small intestine, and the site of replication of the virus has yet to be identified. Studies have shown that small intestinal brush border enzymatic activity (alkaline phosphatase, sucras e and trehalase) were reduced, resulting to steatorrhea (lipids in stools) and transient carbohydrate malabsorption (27). Jejunal adenylate cyclase activity was not elevated (28) and changes in gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCL), pepsin and intrinsic factor have been linked to these histological changes. In addition, gastric emptying was delayed and the reduced gastric motility may result in nausea and vomiting associated with this gastroenteritis. The binding specificity of Norovirus is based on the histo-blood group antigens. These histo-blood group antigens are complex carbohydrates (oligosaccharides) linked to proteins or lipids and are located on the mucosal epithelial of the digestive tracts and are present as free oligosaccharides in saliva and milk (29). The three major families of histo-blood group antigens- ABO, Lewis and secretor families- are involved in the binding of Norovirus (29). Different Norovirus genotypes have different affinity for ABO antigens. For example, GI Norovirus has a higher affinity for blood group antigens A and O whereas GII Norovirus has a higher affinity for blood group antigens A and B (30). The P2 domain on the viral capsid plays a key role in the binding of these Norovirus to the histo-blood group antigens (31). Prevention and control Outbreaks of Norovirus can result in loss of income and significant morbidity because of frequent secondary transmission of the disease. Places which are more prone to Norovirus outbreaks and are of particular concern are normally places with a closed environment such as hospitals, nursing homes, ships and planes. Because Norovirus is highly infectious and spreads easily, and can be spread via asymptomatic individuals, the prevention of Norovirus outbreaks has become a major obstacle and poses a challenge for us. Norovirus can begin with a single common source of contaminated food (i.e. raw oysters, fruits and vegetables) and can rapidly spread like wildfire through person-to-person contact. Stopping an outbreak of Norovirus requires herculean efforts to sterilise   and clean the environment (eg. on cruise ships, camp sites, nursing home, hospital wards or disaster sites), and even then, the epidemics will only subside once the viral pool have been totally eradicated (32,33). No specific methods are available for complete prevention of Norovirus infection or illness due the agent being extremely contagious. Therefore, control efforts are targeted and focused on identifying the source and the subsequent removal of that source (eg, an infected food handler, contaminated water supply or even contaminated food supply, which is often the case with fruits and shellfish- in particular, oysters) which will then reduce the chance of the virus spreading (34). It is advised that ill food handlers should not be able to retain to their job and that strict personal hygiene be enforced among food handlers as they are one of the main causes of outbreaks. However, even under these strict regulations, both measures have shown limited success. The key to stopping the continuous spread of outbreaks is by preventing the secondary spread of the virus which spread through person-to person contact and from contaminated environmental surfaces which normally occur in cruise ships and other institutions. The fact that asymptomatic infection can occur and that the antigen can still be shed 2-3 weeks after exposure need to be kept in mind to facilitate the managing of outbreaks. Methods to manage the outbreak of Norovirus infection will probably improve in the near future as new tests are being carried out in epidemiological research of virus transmission. Recent knowledge on contamination, sanitation and personal hygiene In an outbreak, whether in a hospital or other environment, various methods can be enforced to reduce the spread of Norovirus infection. It is also important to note that Norovirus gastroenteritis, which is highly contagious tend to spread in crowded areas and may be difficult to control, therefore, below, are just a few techniques which can help in controlling this spread. Proper hand washing techniques and washing hands with soap and water is the key to preventing Norovirus from spreading. Note that, alcohol hand gel does not kill the virus entirely, but it may still be useful in areas where water is inaccessible. Also, the efficacy of the alcohol based sanitizers depends on the alcohol type and concentrations as well as the amount of viral particles present (35). * Medical staff and aid workers should clean their hands prior to and after touching any patient but it is particularly important that staffs wash their hands with soap and water after attending to a Norovirus patient to prevent the infection from spreading from one patient to another patient via their hands. Staffs should also be educated about the importance of personal hygiene and about the importance of washing hands. * Visiting relatives of patients in hospitals should also wash their hands with soap and water after visiting a ward which has Norovirus and they should not interact with other patients other than the person they have come to visit. * Staff and visitors should wash their hands before handling food and after visiting the toilet. Hand washing facilities should also be provided especially in high risk areas which are prone to Norovirus infection, such as bathrooms, eating areas, diaper-changing areas and even day care centres. * Proper hand washing techniques (eg. Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced and rub back of each hand with palm of the other hand with fingers interlaced) should also be advised and encouraged. * Strict personal hygiene among food handlers and aid workers should be enforced to prevent outbreaks of Norovirus. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Isolating patients with the virus. *Patients with Norovirus must immediately be isolated from non-infected patient until their symptoms subside. The infected patient should be placed in a single room, but if there are a few cases of infection on the ward, infected patients should then be nursed in a dedicated bay. If there are a large number of cases, the ward should be close to new admissions. Visiting should also be restricted to prevent visitors getting the infection and thus, preventing the subsequent secondary infection of the disease. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cleaning. *Enhanced cleaning using bleach-containing products are needed to eradicate Norovirus from the environment. Vomit and diarrhoea must be cleaned up immediately and general ward cleaning must be increased. Alcohol based surface disinfectants are usually insufficient. Waste should also be dumped properly in the allocated bins. *Aggressive environmental sanitization by cleaning with proper surface disinfectants and sterilisation of bathroom surfaces, bedding and lines are also essential to decrease secondary spread (32). * Studies have shown that when bleaching agent is used on feline caliciviruses, it can inactivate the activity of the virus. Also, the effect of the bleaching agent is superior compared to that of ammonium compounds or phenols (36). 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Symptomatic people must stay away from hospital. *Staff and visitors who develop symptoms must not come into the hospital and they must remain away from the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48-72 hours. Staff must be cleared by occupational health before returning to work. Immunity and Vaccine Developed To develop future vaccines for the prevention of Norovirus infection, the nature of the immunity to Norovirus is of particular importance. In an early study of immunity of the human response system to Norovirus illness, some volunteers who became ill after being exposed to the virus had partial immunity to the disease upon exposure 6 to 14 weeks later, but lost the immunity 27 to 42 months later (37). However, recent studies have shown that these early finding may be inaccurate, since the dose required to infect 50% of volunteers is as low as 18 infectious particles, whereas the dose used in the early study was more than 105 time higher (21). Immunity developed from exposure to a lower dose of Norovirus might be greater and more cross-reactive than immunity against a much higher dose. Therefore, studies on this possibility are still on going. The high incidence of illness caused by Norovirus infections especially among both the young and the elderly have led to some investigations to consider the potential role of vaccines in helping to regulate this infection. The vaccine should be designated towards specific target groups, such as infants (as part of their routine schedule for childhood immunization), the elderly, food handlers, military personnel, travellers, health care workers and nurses in day-care centres (3). The development of vaccines could also play a role in helping to reduce the number of childhood mortality and controlling diarrheal disease in infants. In a recent study, it is noted that 15% of hospitalization of children for diarrhoea in India and 31% in Peru were associated with Norovirus infection (38) and these percentages may be contributing greatly towards the estimated 1.6 million children who die each year from diarrhoea. Nevertheless, recent breakthrough in research has successfully produced Norovir us-like particles (NVLP). These particles have almost identical characteristics to the original Norovirus as it has resistant properties towards acidic pH and is also heat-stable. When these particles are given orally or intranasally to human, it can produce an antigenic effect, stimulating the production of anti-Norovirus antibodies (B and T cell responses) within the human body (39). Therefore, these particles are now being studied, hoping that it could be used as a platform and lead us to discovering a cure one day. However, there are many obstacles towards the development of a vaccine for Norovirus. Firstly, there is certainly a lack of understanding of the physiology of the virus due to the failure to cultivate them in laboratories. Thirdly, there is limited understanding on why individuals cannot develop long term immunity towards the virus. Furthermore, the virus can also withstand a wide range of temperatures and pH thus increasing their survivability. Also, the virus has multiple routes of transmission, and finally, the Norovirus strain is rapidly evolving and mutating, thus, posing a major challenge for us in developing a vaccine, which is much similar to the situation to that of the influenza viruses. Similar to that of the influenza virus, the Norovirus can accumulate point mutation in the outer capsid wall which may result in unique immunoglobulin binding sites (18). Therefore, this antigenic drift will result in the formation of new strains of Norovirus and will require the reformatio n of the vaccines annually (39). Epidemic surveillance using recent updated epidemiological data will allow the identification of predominant strains and identifying a reference vaccine strain each year, similar to the situation of that of the influenza virus (38). Studies on the testing of vaccines are still at an early stage and much work still has to be done. Treatment As discussed above, the symptoms caused by Norovirus are generally mild and self-limited and resolves itself. Currently, there is still no specific treatment for a Norovirus infection apart from letting the infection run its course. Individuals who come down with Norovirus illness do not necessarily need to visit a doctor. Instead, the individual should stay home, to prevent the illness from passing to other people in a community, take paracetamol when necessary to relieve any symptoms or fever and most importantly, oral rehydration, by drinking plenty of water to replace the fluid lost through diarrhoea and vomiting. If an individual is having problems to retain fluids, he/she should try to take in small sips more frequently to ensure one is rehydrated. Rehydration solution can also be consumed to restore all the salts and minerals which were lost during diarrhoea and vomiting. This rehydration solution normally comes in powder form which can then be added with water for drinking. F or individuals who are suffering from severe dehydration, immediate hospitalization is necessary. Fluids should then be given directly into the body by a naso-gastric tube or intravenously. Antimotility agents such as Loperamide may be useful in helping to regulate diarrhoea in individuals with severe symptoms. Opioids are also useful in regulation of diarrhoea by reducing peristalsis. Anti-emetics such as Chlorpromazine, Acepromazine and Metoclopramide may be useful in helping to control vomiting by inhibiting the D2, Dopamine receptors which are found on the chemical trigger zone of the brain. Individuals suffering from Norovirus illness are advised to consume a light diet of foods that are easily digested, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread, but babies should be given their normal feed throughout (102). It has been shown that interferon and ribavirin can effectively inhibit the replication of Norovirus in replicon-bearing cells (40), but their potential therapeutic value needs t o be further investigated. Currently, there are still no anti-viral medications to treat Norovirus. Future research to locate the site of the gastrointestinal tract where the virus replicates may result in development of more specific antiviral therapies targeting the viral replication process. The drugs stated above are only used to control symptoms of Norovirus infection. However, due to the continuous advancement of the field of medicine, all these may change, and once the virus can successfully be propagated in laboratories, studies on them can be conducted which may finally lead us to a cure for Norovirus. Health impact of Norovirus outbreaks in the coming era Norovirus would be with mankind for years to come and even though a vaccine is in the process of being developed, it will require a few more years for it to be perfected. In this era of globalisation, travelling has become a norm in our lives. Every year, it is estimated that approximately 1 billion people travel around the globe for various purposes. Travellers may include tourists, business people, soldiers, refugees, migrants etc. Therefore, from a virus perspective, there will be a linkage of people all around the world with plenty of susceptible individuals which can be infected. For example, through air travel, the virus can be passed on from one continent to another, within a couple of days, and this can result in a pandemic. Currently, travel industry has increased by leaps and bounds. Planned vacations are almost the norm for everyone. Travellers especially vacationers inflicted with Norovirus will almost certainly ruined their travelling plans. On cruise ships or other confined environments, outbreaks of Norovirus can literally bring all leisure activities to a standstill. As global warming continues to be abated, natural disasters like hurricanes, typhoon, and floods appear to be common events. Congregation of people in crowded relief centres, like what happened during the Katrina Hurricane disaster, will form fertile ground for Norovirus to spread. Failure to control the outbreaks will compound the calamites (disasters) and disrupt relief effort. Lastly, as the world is rapidly greying especially in the developed countries, many old aged people will be housed in nursing homes. These confined homes are again sitting duck for Norovirus to strike. As the morbidity and mortality of old people are much worse in Norovirus infection, outbreaks could prove disastrous to these cohorts of greying population. References Richman D D, Whitley RJ Hayden FG Clinical Virology. 2nd ed. Washington: ASM Press; 2002. Levinson W Medical Microbiology Immunology. 8th ed. United States: Lange; 2004. Roger, I. Glass, Umesh, D. Parashar and Mary, K. Estes. Norovirus Gastroenteritis. N Engl J Med 2009;361:1776-85. Nayak MK, Balasubramanian G, Sahoo GC, et al. Detection of a novel intergenogroup recombinant Norovirus from Kolkata, India. Virology 2008;377:117-23. Bull RA, Tanaka MM, White PA. Norovirus recombination. J Gen Virol. 2007;88:3347-59. Fankhauser RL, J. S. Noel, S. S. Monroe, T. Ando, and R. I. Glass. Molecular epidemiology of Norwalk-like viruses in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the United States. J. Infect. Dis. 1998;178:1571-1578. Michele E. Hardy Norovirus protein structure and function. DOI 2006;10.1016. Bertolotti-Ciarlet A, White LJ, Chen R, Venkataram P and Estes MK. Structural Requirements for the assembly of Norwalk virus-like particles. J. Virol 2002;76:4044-55. Zheng D, Ando T, Frankhauser RL, Beard RS, Glass RI, Monroe SS. Norovirus classification and proposed strain nomenclature. J. Virol 2006;346:312-23. Dingle KE, Lambden PR, Caul EO, Clarke IN. Human enteric Calicivirdae: the complete genome sequence and expression of virus-like particles from a genetic group II small round structured virus. J. Gen. Virol. 1995;76:2349-55. Belliot G, Sosnovtsev SV, Mitra T, Hammer C, Garfield M, Green KY. In vitro proteolytic processing of the MD145 Norovirus ORF1 nonstructural polyprotein yields stable precursors and products similar to those detected in Calcivirus-infected cells. J. Virol. 2003; 77:10957-74. Cuellar JL, Meinhoevel F, Hoehne M, Donath E. Size and mechanical stability of norovirus capsids depend on pH: a nanoindentation study. J Gen Virol. 2010; 91:2499-56. Dolin, R., N. R. Blacklow, H. DuPont, R. F. Buscho, R. G. Wyatt, J. A. Kasel, R. Hornick, and R. M. Chanock. Biological properties of Norwalk agent of acute infectious nonbacterial Cannon RO, Poliner JR, Hirschhorn RB, Rodeheaver DC, Silverman PR, Brown EA, Talbot GH, Stine SE, Monroe SS, Dennis DT and Glass RI. A multistate outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis associated with consumption of commercial ice.   J. Infect Dis. 1991; 164:860-863. Graham DY, Jiang X, Tanaka T, Opekun AR, Madore HP, Estes MK. Norwalk virus infection of volunteers: new insights based on improves assays. J. Infect. Dis 1994; 170:34-43. Inouye SK, Yamashita SY, Yoshikawa M, Kato N, Okabe N. Surveillance of viral gastroenteritis in Japan: paediatric cases and outbreak incidents. J. Infect. Dis 2000;181:S270-74. Adler JL, and Zickl R. Winter vomiting disease. J. Infect. Dis. 1969;119:668-73. Nilsson M, Hedlund KO, Thorhagen M, et al. Evolution of human caliciviruses RNA in vivo: accumulation of mutations in the protruding P2 domain of the capsid leads to structural changes and possibly a new phenotype. J. VIrol 2003;77(24):13117-24. [PubMed:14645568] Caul EO. Small round structured viruses: airbourne transmission and hospital control. Lancet 1994; 343:1240-41. Chadwick PR, McCann R. Transmission of a small round structured virus by vomiting during a hospital outbreak of gastroenteritis. J. Hosp. Infect. 1994; 26:251-59. Teunis PF, Moe CL, Liu P, et al. Norwalk virus: how infectious is it? J Med Virol 2008;80:1468-76. Rockx B, De Wit M, Vennema H, et al. Natural History of human calicivirus infection: a prospective cohort study. Clinical Infect Dis 2002;35:246-53 Estes MK, Prasad BV, Atmar RL. Noroviruses everywhere: has something changed? Curr. Opin. Infect. Dis. 2006;19:467-474. Mattner F, Sohr D, Heim A, Gastmeier P, Vennema H, Koopmamns M. Risk groups for clinical complications of Norovirus infections: an outbreak investigation. Clin Microbiol Infect 2006;12:69-74. Harris JP, Edmunds WJ, Pebody R, Brown DW, Lopman BA. Deaths from Norovirus among the elderly, England and Wales. Emerg Infect Dis 2008; 14:1546-52. Levy AG, Widerlite L, Schwartz CJ, et al. Jejunal adenylate cyclase activity in human subjects during viral gastroenteritis. Gastroenterology 1976;70:321-5 Agus SG, Dolin R, Wyatt RG, Tousimis AJ, Northrup RS. Acute infectious nonbacterial gastroenteritis: intestinal histopathology: histologic and enzymatic alterations during illness produced by Norwalk agent in man. Ann Intern Med 1973;79:18-25.   Meeroff JC, Schreiber DS, Trier JS, Blacklow NR. Abnormal gastric motor function in viral gastroenteritis. Ann Intern Med 1980;92:370-3. Marionneau S, Ruvoen N, Le MoullacVaidye B, et al. Norwalk virus binds to histo-blood group antigens present on the gastroduodenal epithelial cells of secretor individuals. Gastroenterology 2002;122:1967-77. Tan M, Huang P, Meller J. Mutations within the P2 domain of Norovirus capsid affect binding to human histo-blood group antigens evendence for a binding pocket. J. Virol. 2003;23:12562-71. Harrington PR, Lindesmith L, Yount B, Moe CL and Baric RS. Binding of Norwalk virus-like particles to ABH histo-blood group antigens is blocked by antisera from infected human volunteers or experimentally vaccinated mice. J. Virol 2002;76(23):12335-43. Yee EL, Palacio H, Atmar RL, Shah U, Kilborn C, Faul M, Gavagan TE, Feigin RD, Versalovic J, Neil, FH, Panlilio AL, Miller M, Spahr J and Glass RI. Widespread outbreak of Norovirus Gastroenteritis among evacuees of Hurricane Katrina residing in a Large â€Å"Megalshelter† in Houston, Texas: lessons learned for prevention. C Dis Cont. 2007;44:1032-39.   Widdowson MA, Cramer EH, Hadley L, et al. Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships and on land: identification of a predominating circulating strain of Norovirus- United States, 2002. J Infect Dis 2004;190:27-36. [Erratum, J Infect Dis 2004;190:2198.] Baert L, Uyttendaele M, Stals A, et al. Reported foodbourne outbreaks due to Noroviruses in Belgium: the link between food and patient investigations in an international context. Epidemiol Infect 2009;137:316-25. Boyce JM, Pittet D. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings: recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002;23:S3-40. Duizer E, Bijkerk P, Rockx B, De Groot A, Twisk F, Koopmans M. Inactivation of caliciviruses. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004;70:4538-43. Parrino TA, Schreiber DS, Trier JS, Kapikian AZ, Blacklow NR. Clinical immunity in acute gastroenteritis caused by Norwalk agent. N Eng J Med 1977;297:86-9. Patel MM, Widdowson M-A, Glass RI, Akazawa K, Vinje J, Parashar UD. Systematic literature review of role of Noroviruses in sporadic gastroenteritis. Emerg Infect Dis 2008;14:1224-31 Kralovetz MH, Mason HS, Chen Q. Norwalk virus-like particles as vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2010;9(3):299-307. Chang KO, Geroge DW. Interferons and ribavirin effectively inhibit Norwalk virus replication in replicon-bearing cells. J Virol 2007;81:12111-8. Websites Richard H.Replication of Polio, Rhino and other Picornaviruses [Internet]. Available from: pathmicro.med.sc.edu/virol/polio.htm Treating norovirus infection [Internet]. Available from: nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovirus/Pages/Treatment.aspx

Conflict Management in the healthcare sector

Conflict Management in the healthcare sector Introduction The healthcare sector experiences frequent changes due to the emergence of new diseases, medical technologies and research (Burns, 2012). In a bid to ensure that medical practitioners are able to treat and adapt to new changes in healthcare, change must take place.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Conflict Management in the healthcare sector specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this regard, the adoption of postmodern and complex science strategies becomes paramount. Indeed, healthcare is a complex matter and various obstacles are deemed to emerge while tackling complicated issues on the same (Burns, 2012). Trying to adopt change in a healthcare facility is challenging. Some of these challenges may be related to individuals, technicalities or change itself. Change resistance This is a common conflict that agents of change, face while adopting change. Resistance to change provides a tense conflict betwe en the organization and individuals. In most cases, individual employees tend to defy new policies regarding new responsibilities and work procedures (Lorenzi Riley, 2003). Such conflicts tend to halt any progress made by the organization in trying to improve performance. There are valid reasons why change to resistance is rampant in many healthcare organizations. One of the Reasons is that change tends to alter organizational culture and values (Lorenzi Riley, 2003). It takes time for employees and managers to adapt to new organizational culture. Eventually, this may affect the performance of the employees. It is important to note that individual resistance to change may escalate to an organizational resistance. Eventually, a self-reinforcing nature of resistance may create a resistance environment (Lorenzi Riley, 2003).Advertising Looking for coursework on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This i s a dangerous precedence when a healthcare organization resists against new healthcare strategies. In order to understand these conflicts, one must learn organizational dynamics that influence internal conflicts. Force fields Force fields conflicts normally involve two opposing forces. In this regard, a conflict may emerge when individuals responsible for change implementation have two positive goals, but unable to choose from either (Lorenzi Riley, 2000). This means that managers with the responsibility to implement postmodern strategies are unable to choose between two strategies of equal value and importance. This conflict may halt the process of implementing change in a healthcare facility. Another conflict that emerges from two forces is when individuals are in a stalemate between two negative goals (Lorenzi Riley, 2000). Such conflict is common when managers are expected to make a choice in purchasing a healthcare technology system. In this regard, individuals or managers ar e torn between the economic value of purchasing a technological system or creating own technological system (Lorenzi Riley, 2000). Making a choice that meets the needs of a healthcare organization is paramount, and such a conflict of choices leads to acquisition of an unsatisfying technological system. Purchasing healthcare informatics is known to produce many conflicts within a healthcare organization. In most scenarios, decision-making individuals may get involved in opposing positive and negative views (Lorenzi Riley, 2000). An in-depth analysis on the same reveals system users always have a different opinion about information technology.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Conflict Management in the healthcare sector specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sometimes, users of advanced healthcare technologies have difficulties in adapting to such changes. Similarly, medical practitioners have a different opinion on c hanging treatment strategies they hardly know. Such changes and require extensive studying, training and research. Finally, funding of postmodern healthcare strategies is difficult and challenging for healthcare facilities. In most cases, such advancements in healthcare strategies depend on donor funding or government sponsorship. Dealing with accountants while negotiating to acquire such technologies lead to conflicts based on the economic value of using complex scientific strategies. References Burns, L. R. (2012). The business of healthcare innovation. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Lorenzi, N. M., Riley, R. T. (2000). Managing Change: An Overview. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 7(2), 116-124. Lorenzi, N. M., Riley, R. T. (2003). Organizational issues= change. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 69(2), 197-203.

Using Behavioral Objectives in IEP Goals

Using Behavioral Objectives in IEP Goals When a student in your class is the subject of an Individual Education Plan (IEP), you will be called upon to join a team that will write goals for her. These goals are important, as the students performance will be measured against them for the remainder of the IEP period, and her success can determine the kinds of supports the school will provide.   For educators, its important to remember that IEP goals should be SMART. That is, they should be Specific, Measurable, use Action words, Realistic, and Time-limited.   Behavioral objectives, as opposed to goals linked to diagnostic tools such as tests, are often the best way to define progress for mild to severely mentally disabled children. Behavioral goals show clearly if the student is benefiting from the efforts of the support team, from teachers to school psychologist to therapists. Successful goals will show the student generalizing the skills learned in various settings into his daily routine. How to Write Behavior-Based Goals Behavior goals are statements that will describe no more than three things about the individuals behavior.They will state precisely the behavior to be exhibited.  Describe how often and how much the behavior is to be exhibited.Indicate the specific circumstances under which the behavior will occur. When considering desirable behavior, think about verbs. Examples could be: feed self, run, sit, swallow, say, lift, hold, walk, etc. These statements are all measurable and easily defined. Lets practice writing a few behavioral goals using some of the above examples. For feeds self, for example, a clear SMART goal might be: Student will use a spoon without spilling food on five attempts to feed. For walk, a goal might be: Student will walk to the coat rack at recess time without assistance. Both of these statements are clearly measurable and one can determine if the objective is being met successfully or not. Time Limits An important aspect of the SMART goal for behavior modification is time. Specify a time limit for the behavior to be achieved. Give students a number of attempts to complete a new behavior, and allow for some attempts to not succeed. (This corresponds to an accuracy level for the behavior.) Specify the number of repetitions that will be required and state the accuracy level. You can also specify the level of performance you are looking for. For example: student will use a spoon without spilling food. Set the conditions for the pinpointed behaviors. For example: Student will eat meals, using a spoon without spilling food on at least five attempts at lunch time. Student will  motion for the teachers attention after a task has been completed when the teacher is NOT busy with another student. In summary, the most effective techniques for teaching students with mental disabilities or developmental delays come from changing behaviors. Behaviors are easily evaluated in students for whom diagnostic tests are not the best option. Well-written behavior objectives can be one of the most useful tools for planning and evaluating the exceptional students educational goals. Make them a part of the successful Individualized Education Plan.

Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care Assignment

Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care - Assignment Example The program was widely opposed by physician and nurses and many people from the nursing profession, their objection was regarding the title of the program as they believed that it is something very ambiguous and such training programs in primary care will easily â€Å"control and devour nursing education and practice† (O’Brien, 2003). With the passage of time, primary care programs for nurses have grown and have been classified into different programs: Women Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Masters of Science in nursing degree. A family nurse practitioner is also a qualified and competent member of the healthcare sector, who is ready to fill a sensitive position of family nurse practitioner in primary care to provide services to meet the demands of the society. Family Nurse Practitioners have proven their efficiencies and effectiveness in providing high quality and cost effective health care services and health care consumers have also sensed the importance and value of a good service. A family nurse practitioner has several roles to choose from as a base for her career. FNP is able to serve the population living in both urban and rural areas such as hospitals, public health departments, physician offices, HMOs, community health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies and student health clinics. FNP is capable of providing them health care in acute illness, high blood press ure, headache, diabetes, chronic illness and obesity (Zerwekh. & Claborn., 2004). After the completion of nursing program/studies, nurses have many choices of roles to choose from as a final field to start practice. For a nurse practitioner,

Career Advancement in Oilfield Oil & Gas Trucking to Controller, Research Paper

Career Advancement in Oilfield Oil & Gas Trucking to Controller, Operations Manager or General Manager - Research Paper Example In a thesis statement, career advancement has been currently experienced in the oilfields as justified by the upgrading practice of the personnel from, the gas tracking level to the controller and finally to the uppermost rank of operations manager. There are various elements that have contributed to attainment of career advancement in the oilfields. The following are among the factors to consider in advancing a career from a gas trucker to a general manger positionq2q2 in oilfield service businesses: Generally, it is the responsibility of general managers to translate executive management goals into plans of action and delegate them to other employees (Kerzner 23). Like other industries, in oilfield service businesses, general managers are required to carry out duties such as developing sales strategies and analyzing weak points of competitors and strategizing on how to take over. In addition, they are also required to hire management and service staff, and prepare plans and programs that would enable the company attain its objectives (Worldwideworker.com p2). Therefore, to achieve these duties bestowed to them, managers must have good level of education in the field and vast knowledge in management (Gomez-Mejia, Balkin and Cardy 20). In oilfield service businesses, General Managers usually have degrees in science or engineering. However, since the oilfield companies just as any other businesses are established with the aim of making profits, most of these companies usually prefer hiring applicants with bachelor degrees in liberal arts and masters degree in business administration. In addition, courses in management, finance, accounting and industrial relations can also be an added advantage to be considered for a management post. Apart from education, experience is also a major factor that is usually considered. Oilfield service businesses usually prefer applicants who have about 8 or 10 years of directly related

Research in Motion Entering a New Era of Marketing Case Study

Research in Motion Entering a New Era of Marketing - Case Study Example With the combination of the three, companies gain a more competitive advantage in the market. The consumer population is attracted to the most modern, advanced and attractive commodities (Rantanen, 2005). In the business of mobile phones, the scenario is the same. This paper will discuss the RIM’s marketing plan and the improvements the company can make on the basis of a general marketing analysis. Research In Motion deals with mobile phones and handsets. The company enjoys over 20 year’s existence in the market. However, the existence of the company in the market has taken shifts in the modern century corporate environment. The number of competitors is significantly increasing. It is for this reason that the future of RIM is questioned. With the coming of smaller firms in the market, RIM’s future is greatly threatened. For instance, the coming of Samsung in the market has greatly threatened the significance of RIM. Over the past two years, Samsung commodities have more demand in the market than I-phone and the Blackberry. Apart from demand, other companies are stepping up their marketing strategies. These factors are increasingly putting pressure on RIM to upgrade its marketing strategies. With the increase of consumer demand on mobile phones, RIM could be losing a lot of profits due to competition. In the case analysis regarding mobile phones and telecommunication, competition lies as the main problem. Apart from the competitors, the consumer should be pleased with the product an organization offers. Competition in this industry is based on technology and trends. We live in a society where trends and technology is a basic want for all consumers. When it comes to mobile phones, the current consumer population looks at the technologically advanced features of a gadget. For instance, gadgets with the Android operating system have greater market recognition than phones which do not have this operating system (Ferrell & Hartline, 2010).

International Marketing Management Research Paper

International Marketing Management - Research Paper Example International Marketing Management The purpose of this paper is to understand the trading simplex between United States and China, the country of choice for this paper. The idea is to define the scenario as it stands i.e. the historical facts and figures with regards to the trading activities between the two countries, and then try to identify the reasons that the said patterns have been ascertained. The process followed for the creation of this research paper was simple; primarily the figures relevant to the trading activities were ascertained and subsequently secondary sources of literature review were perused in order to understand the reasons behind the said patterns. Most of the literature review is secondary and the trading figures are availed from both the people’s republic of China and the USA.From the Figure given below, with either belong to the Chinese or the US, the US runs a trade deficit with the Chinese, however, there is a marked difference between the two figures that are reported by each count ry as the Chinese report a trade surplus of $114 billion in 2005 whereas the United States state that this figure is $201 billion, about 76.32% times higher than the one reported by their Chinese counterparts.There is also a marked disparity between the span of time which has seen the US report a trade deficit against the Chinese as they claim it to be since 1983 whereas the Chinese only report the trade surplus to have originated from 1993 onwards. It is also important to note that not only is the size of the trade deficit that is being run by the U.S. against the Chinese exorbitant, but there is another facet that is equally important in the grander analysis i.e. the inordinate imbalance that lies between the imports from China and the exports to China by the US. Taking 2005 as the base year, the Japanese exported about 0.4 times the amount that they exported to the US while the Canadians and the Mexicans also reported figures of 1.3 times and 1.4 times respectively. As compared t o these, the Chinese exported a whopping 5.8 times the value of goods to the US as compared to the value of goods that they imported making it abundantly clear that the Chinese is not a destination of choice for US exported products. (Lum et al, 2007) Figure 1: U.S. Exports to China From the table 1 given below, it can be seen that from the top twenty exports from the US to the Chinese in 2005, the items rated the top five include (in no specific order) transport equipment, metalliferous ores, general industrial machinery, electrical machinery and oil seeds and fruits. The exports of the oil seeds and fruits and metalliferous ores have expanded over a period of six years, beginning from 1999, by 6 times and 12 times respectively. This clearly indicates that the Chinese requirement for the agricultural commodities as well as the raw materials has expanded in line with that of the need for office machines and general industrial machinery. Over the span of the five years starting from 2000 to 2005, textile fibers has expanded the most amongst all the items exported from the US to China, having supplanted itself by about 969%. China’s top ten imports from all around the world (in no particular order) in 2005 were: organic chemicals, optical and medical instruments, mineral fuels, vehicles, iron ores, copper articles, plastics, iron and steel, machinery, and electrical machinery. (Lum et al, 2007) U.S. Imports from China From the Figure given below, it can be seen that from the list of the top 20 items that are imported by the US from the Chinese, in dollar amount, in no particular order include: Miscellaneous manufactured articles Furniture and bedding Electrical machinery Telecommunications and sound equipment Apparel and accessories Office machines and automatic data processing machines It is a significant fact to note that the value of the US imported item under the umbrella of office and data processing m

A Public Kiosk In Connection With The 2012 Olympics (Report) Essay

A Public Kiosk In Connection With The 2012 Olympics (Report) - Essay Example The kiosks eliminate some of the volume at information booths, while also helping reduce foot traffic flow issues created when visitors are undecided or are lost. They are not designed for huge profit, though users will have an option to print a map to take with them for 2 euros. The real advantage of a kiosk is to promote self-service among consumers and provide them with a higher level of service† (Sweeney). The kiosks will be used for the first time by London Olympic Games officials, as a test for future games and events. Our company receives a stipend for design and development costs. Physical machines are provided by a kiosk designer/supplier. The vending machine systems used to collect coins will be installed by a London vending company. Depending on the success of this project, future contracts may be realized by our company and the others involved in putting the kiosks together. Visitors will use one of four kiosk terminals in one of four locations, to obtain event and location information at specific hours. They will have the option of printing the on screen map to share with others in their party or to save time that would be required to return to the kiosk to obtain forgotten information again. Visitors will be able to select one of nineteen languages from the main screen. The next screen will ask for more input information of event or hour. Output display will provide the desired event and all others held at that hour.

Social Person Perspective Matrix Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Social Person Perspective Matrix - Assignment Example The government and unions supplied the workers with much needed safety & security per Maslow’s hierarchy; worker needs the organizational leaders appeared to be ignoring. This perspective includes psychological concepts such as self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-actualization, and effective interpersonal communication and relationships. Managing with the whole person concept in mind is critical for the manager’s role today to maximize available limited resources. The social person needs to be a primary focus for the manager as that is what determines the needs and motivations of the worker (Reza, 2009). Noe et al. (2003) state that the Social Person Perspective came at a time in history when there had previously been solely a focus on production and increasing efficiency and productivity, at the sake and discomfort of the people. The evolution of management received a well-needed infusion of human understanding which eased management – worker conflicts, ended misunderstandings, and continued to increase organizational production while improving employee morale. Within the motivational theories that were brought about as a result of the focus on the social person, the important thing to remember is to treat the staff you work with as team members, not staff that work for you. The manager is not above everyone else, but working with them to get the work completed timely and accurately. Do not resort to the autocratic method of management. The workplace is a collection of adults who value and respect their time and effort and expect the same in return. They will then return the same value and respect to their team members, which includes the manager (Noe et al., 2003). Warmoth, A. (1998, August). Humanistic psychology and humanistic social science. Reprinted from Humanity and Society (the journal of the Association for Humanist Sociology, 22(3) Retrieved March 20, 2011 from

A Public Kiosk In Connection With The 2012 Olympics (Report) Essay

A Public Kiosk In Connection With The 2012 Olympics (Report) - Essay Example The kiosks eliminate some of the volume at information booths, while also helping reduce foot traffic flow issues created when visitors are undecided or are lost. They are not designed for huge profit, though users will have an option to print a map to take with them for 2 euros. The real advantage of a kiosk is to promote self-service among consumers and provide them with a higher level of service† (Sweeney). The kiosks will be used for the first time by London Olympic Games officials, as a test for future games and events. Our company receives a stipend for design and development costs. Physical machines are provided by a kiosk designer/supplier. The vending machine systems used to collect coins will be installed by a London vending company. Depending on the success of this project, future contracts may be realized by our company and the others involved in putting the kiosks together. Visitors will use one of four kiosk terminals in one of four locations, to obtain event and location information at specific hours. They will have the option of printing the on screen map to share with others in their party or to save time that would be required to return to the kiosk to obtain forgotten information again. Visitors will be able to select one of nineteen languages from the main screen. The next screen will ask for more input information of event or hour. Output display will provide the desired event and all others held at that hour.

Whole Foods Essay Example for Free

Whole Foods Essay Whole Food’s chief elements of the strategy are to position the company as a market leader in the natural and organic foods, expand the brand internationally, provide the highest quality, and be the best food retailer in every community in which Whole Foods stores are located. Is Whole Foods’ strategy well matched to market conditions in the food retailing industry (one of the criteria for a winning strategy discussed in Chapter 1)? Whole Foods’ strategy is definitely well matched to market conditions. Currently, there is a huge demand for healthy food. People are more health conscious, expect taste and quality, and look for convenience in shopping. Whole Foods is able to address all the current trends through its strategic vision. The CEO John Mackey’s vision was for Whole Foods to become an international brand, carry the highest quality natural and organic foods, and be the best food retailer in every community. The products are free of pesticides, hormones, and other genetically engineered products that could affect health, community, and agriculture. In addition, Whole Foods is recognized by the USDA as being a Certified Organic grocer by Quality Assurance International. This means that all their products are grown organically; the products are grown without the usage of pesticides, fertilizers, bioengineered organisms, growth hormones, or antibiotics. Whole Foods had successfully addressed the economic conditions of 2008; as sales dropped due to the recession, Whole Foods executives changed the company’s strategy to better match the economic downturn. For instance, they reduced prices of certain foods, offered family sized meals, offered coupons, and managed to cut certain products’ costs. Based on the financial statement data in case Exhibits 9, 10, and 11, how well is Whole Foods Market performing? Use the financial ratio information in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 (pages 98-99) to assist you in calculating a revealing set of` financial ratios and interpreting them. According to Exhibits 9, 10, and 11, there is an increase of their net income from $136,351in 2005 to $203,828 in 2006. In 2007 and 2008 Whole Foods net income decreased gradually, in 2009 net income increased to $146,804 due to the change in the company’s strategy. According to Yahoo finance net income has been increasing since 2009; in 2011 the company’s net income was $342,612. Whole foods’ balance sheet shows total assets of $3,783,388 and total liabilities of $2,155,512 in 2009. In 2011 total assets were $4,292,075 and total liabilities were $ 1,300,770. Ash The cash flow data shows a net cash provided by operating activities of $587,721 in 2009. Also, the company has invested $386,283 in 2009 as part of the growth strategy. Based on these recent information Whole Foods has recorded a strong financial performance. Fiantial Ratios 2009 Gross Profit Margin= Revenues-Cost of goods sold= $8,031,620-$5,277,310=34.3% Revenues $8,031,620 34.3% is the percentage of revenues available to cover operating expenses. Current Ratio= Current assets =$1,055,380= 1.54 Current liabilities $684,024 Since the current ratio is greater than 1, Whole Foods is able to pay current liabilities using assets that can be converted to cash in the near term. Debt to assets ratio=Total debt = $2,155,512= 0.057 Total assets $3,783,388 This ratio is very low, in other words the company’s operations are not financed through the use of debt.

Holistic Development of a Child

Holistic Development of a Child Understanding how children develop is an important obligation for all those who work in early years practise. Practitioners need to develop an understanding of the implications of childrens developmental processes in order to meet individual needs. The key to this understanding is the development of skills in observing children and of interpreting those observations. Throughout the observations the aim is to compare their abilities to the norms of a child their age and to compare and analyse the results against what child development theorists have understood through relevant reading and understanding gained from experiences, also to explain how the characteristics of the child and features of his/her environment may interact to influence growth and development. A holistic approach to child development seeks to simultaneously address the physical, emotional, relational, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of a childs life. The importance of the Holistic Approach is that it Children learn different things at different stages, e.g. walking, talking, fine motor skills etc. Holistic development is the overall development of all areas of development in children. There are many proven techniques used in observing children. Depending on the reason for the observation some methods will relay the information more clearly, the observation that have been taken have been done in the free description written record method, checklists, web diagram. The free description is observed when a specific task is set, appropriate to the age and stage of development of the child. It is a description of an event unfolding face on, written in the present tense so that the reader can appreciate what has happened. The disadvantages are that may not be able to convey everything you see as it happens and sometimes it is difficult to keep up with what is happening and it may produce an unwieldy amount of information this can be seen in Appendix 1. Checklist or developmental guides are often used for assessing a child on one particular day, but can be used over a long period of time. Checklists often highlight areas of a childs development that have previously gone un noticed. For example in Appendix 5, I was able to concentrate closely on what the children were doing and could observe things as they unfolded as I was looking for them. The advantages of the checklist method are that it is a quick way of presenting a great deal of information. The disadvantages are that care must be taken to maintain objectivity. The role of the childcare and educational practitioner in a home placement stays the same as it would in a school or nursery and we still have to abide by the confidentiality policies. The 1989 United Nations Convention on the rights of the child sets out 54 Articles. The Articles that relate particularly to observing children are: Article 12: Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinion taken into account. Article 13: Children have the right to receive and to share information, as long as the information is not damaging to them or to others. Article 16: Children have the right to privacy. The law should protect them from attacks against their way of life, their good name, their families and their homes Under the Data protection act 1988 the observations taken will require to comply with the eight data protection principles: to be fairly and lawfully processed, to be processed for limited purposes, to be adequate and relevant and not excessive, to be accurate and finally not kept longer than necessary. The placement setting is in a loving family with both parents present. The mother aged 32 is not working as she is still on maternity leave; the father age 33 works full time Monday to Friday. There are four children in the placement family. Child D the oldest female age 5 attains reception in the school down the road, Child C the middle female child age 3, attains pre-school half a day Monday and Tuesday and stays with a child minder all day Wednesdays. At the end of the placement Child C is attaining pre-school all day Monday and Tuesdays, she also has Hypermobility. The twins Child B and Child A age 6 months on first day of placement. Child B is male and the younger of the twins. Child A is female and also suffers from Hypermobility. The placement is over a period of 4 months in which I shall being observing Child A and Child B. The mothers pregnancy was healthy with no problems. Her first child, Child D she was in labor for 26 hours, the second, Child C it only lasted about 30 minutes, she says I was afraid that I was going to have her down the toilet! The labor for the twins was also very quick only lasting 1 hour. The mother explains that during the beginning of the pregnancy you couldnt even tell I was pregnant and I felt fine but when it came to 28 weeks I got very big and it became very heavy and uncomfortable. She went full term of 39 weeks. Child A weighed 6lbs 10oz and came out head first with no complications. Child B weighed 5lbs 15oz and tried to come out sideways because of the extra round after Child A left, the midwife had to push the baby back and turn it around inside the mothers womb. There was 18 minutes between Child A and Child B. When Child B came out he was black and blue but was breathing but the doctors were unsure whether he would survive because his Apgar score was 3. The very first test given to your newborn, the Apgar score occurs right after your babys birth in the delivery or birthing room. The test was designed to quickly evaluate a newborns physical condition after delivery and to determine any immediate need for extra medical or emergency care. Although the Apgar score was developed in 1952 by an anaesthesiologist named Virginia Apgar, you may have also heard it referred to as an acronym for: Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, and Respiration. The Apgar test is usually given to your baby twice: once at 1 minute after birth, and again at 5 minutes after birth. Rarely, if there are concerns about the babys condition and the first two scores are low, the test may be scored for a third time at 10 minutes after birth. Five factors are used to evaluate the babys condition and each factor is scored on a scale of 0 to 2, with 2 being the best score: activity and muscle tone pulse (heart rate) grimace response (medically known as reflex irritability) appearance (skin coloration) respiration (breathing rate and effort) Doctors, midwives, or nurses add these five factors together to calculate the Apgar score. Scores obtainable are between 10 and 0, with 10 being the highest possible score. (www.kidshealth.org/parent/newborn/first_days/apgar.html). Children that have a score under 6 rarely survive. The mother believes in a constant routine and that her children behave the way they are because she does not smother them and entertain them when they cry, she encourages them to play by themselves as to establish independence from an early age. She says let the babies cry for a bit and they will sort themselves out. But obviously if the child has hurt themselves or really needs attention she will give them love and care. There are not many socio-economic factors within the family as the children were all planned, although the mother obviously didnt predict twins, she explain thatthey are lucky to be in a position to be able to give their children a happy and healthy lifestyle. During the placement the father got a new job in which he is going to be earning more. The mother explained that they were considering her going back to work but she they want to give stay out of work until the twins are in school. Also during the placement the parents made a very important decision that effects there life forever, they had decided that the father was going to get a vasectomy. They made that decision that they have had the number of children that they want for their family. The mother also gets allot of help from the family as both parent have parent walking distance from the house and the house is always full of family members. Physical development: The different areas of development that the observations will be focused on are- physical development, this is divided into gross motor development, and how children grow and acquire physical skills, from gaining head control to full agility. Fine motor development linked with vision and hand-eye coordination. (Frankel, Hobart, 2004) A childs physical development depends just as much on nurture as it does on nature. On the one hand a child is born with a genetic map that will guide such matters as height and general muscle development but on the other the childs environment will influence overall health and activity levels which contribute to physical development. (http://www.kidsdevelopment.co.uk/EncourageChildsPhysicalDevelopment.html) The developmental norm for a baby aged between Birth to 9 months are: Birth gross motor reflexes rooting, sucking and swallowing reflex. Grasp reflex. Walking reflex. Moro reflex Birth fine motor reflexes pupils reacting to light, open eyes when held upright, blinks or opens eyes wide to sudden sound, startle reaction to sudden sound, closing eyes to sudden bright light. 1 month gross motor reflexes In prone, lifts chine. In supine, head moves from side to side. Arm and leg extended on face side. Begins to flex upper and lower limbs. 1 month fine motor reflexes Hands fisted. Eyes move to dangling objects. 3 months gross motor reflexes Held sitting, head straight, back and neck firm. Lower back still weak. When lying, pelvis is flat. 3 month fine motor reflexes Grasps an object when placed in hand. Turns head right round to look at objects. Eye contact firmly established. 6 month gross motor reflexes In supine, can lift head and shoulders. In prone, can rise up on hands. Sits with support. Kicks strongly. May roll over. When held, enjoys standing and jumping. 6 month fine motor reflexes Has learned to grasp objects and passes toys from hand to hand. Visual sense well established. (Frankel, Hobart, 2004 p.178-179). From Appendix 5 we can see that Child A has developed slower in the physical development area. She is able to do all the norms for a baby aged6 months but after 6 months her brother starts to develop quicker and we can see that may be crawling before she does. When observing Child A it seems that she doesnt seem to understand where her feet are, is could be because of the Hypermobility is when Connective tissue proteins such as collagen give the body its intrinsic toughness. When they are differently formed, the results are mainly felt in the moving parts the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments which are laxer and more fragile than is the case for most people. The result is joint laxity with hypermobility and with it comes vulnerability to the effects of injury. These may cause troublesome and persistent problems, but do not affect the vital organs and thus do not pose a serious threat to life. (http://www.hypermobility.org/whatishms.php). Child B is developing physically at a norm al rate. Looking at appendix 5 we can see that he is eager to crawl and is progressing well. If I was to return to the placement family in a couple of months I predict that Child B will be crawling and able to sit unaided. One of the many main theorist that surround child development is Jean Piaget he believed that, knowledge comes from personal experiences, he recognised four individual stages. The first two years of a childs life the sensorimotor stage when babies and toddlers knowledge and understanding are chiefly drawn from physical action and their senses sight sound taste touch and smell. He suggested that throughout this stage children remain egocentric but become aware of object permanence. (Pound, 2005, p.37) Piagets first stage of development (Sensorimotor stage) is only relevant to these observations as it is aimed at children aged from birth to 2 years old. This is the stage where a child does not know that physical objects remain in existence even when out of sight. (http://www.funderstanding.com/content/piaget) Early on, children are only able to perceive things that are right in front of them, but as they mature, they understand that if a ball rolls under a chair and they can no longer see it, it still exists, under the chair. This is an especially important understanding for children, helping them to have an increased sense of safety and security since they can now grasp the fact that when mum leaves the room, she hasnt disappeared, but will soon return. (http://www.kidsdevelopment.co.uk/EncourageChildsPhysicalDevelopment.html) Both children seem to understand that when the toy is put behind mums back its not there, but they still try and reach for it as they know that mum is hiding it. But when the toys are packed away they understand that its gone. At the beginning of the placement Child B would cry when mum left the round and he continuously looked around for her, towards the end of the placement he stopped doing this. The same thing happened when they were in the buggy, Child A and Child B should start to cry as they were unable to see mum but they both could hear here. Later this stopped. Their ability to grasp objects is still developing and they are doing a lot of physical movement. They find comfort in playing with objects around them. Child A and Child B are developing an awareness of space from rolling from side to side and distance as they both reach for things. There is one toy that will engage both childrens interest and they seem to be comforted by this particular toy. The childrens mobility is developing as they are aware that reaching and moving will get them what they want and the satisfaction when this is achieved shows on their faces. Child B is able to handle and grasp object while Child A is struggling. The children become rigid, throw their limbs in the air when something has upset them, when they want to be picked up they reach out for the person. Child A and Child B have been making eye contact with their peers giving them confidence, physical, psychological and emotional comfort. The children observed enjoy the company of others and like to copy facial expressions and sounds that those around them make. Cognitive and Language development: Language development, which is from the first cry, through the growth of verbal communication skills, to true speech and understanding. Also Intellectual/cognitive development, the development of childrens ability to think and learn through interacting with their senses and experiences (Frankel, Hobart, 2004) The developmental norm for a baby aged between Birth to 9 months are: At birth Cries vigorously with some variation in pitch and duration. 1 month Cries become more differentiated to indicate needs. Stops and attends to voice, rattle and bell. 3 months Regards hands with intense interest. Beginning to vocalize. 6 months Finds feet interesting. Vocalises tunefully. Laughs in play. Screams with annoyance. Understands purpose of rattle. (Frankel, Hobart, 2004 p.178-179). From Appendix 2 we can see that Child A is developing more in the communication area as she is chatting all the time and has already said da da several times. This is encouraged by the family. Child B is not developing as fast in the language norm as his sister as he is only communicating his feelings through crying and giggling, while Child A is able to chat and sing and is now developing coping noises. Child B likes attention, looking at Appendix 2 we can see that he uses his crying language to gain attention and to be picked up. Burrhus Skinner worked on the Behaviourist theory, which humans act to avoid punishment and gain reward. Skinner emphasised reward. He believed that punishment was counter-productive. Skinner also applied behaviourism to language. He believed that all language was learned by reward. How Children Learn, Linda Pound 2005. So Child B understands that his crying will eventually lead to reward of being picked up which is what he wants. The mother in the placement is trying to stop this as she believes that children should be left to entertain themselves. Chomsky was so opposed to Skinners views that he developed a theory, based on the idea of language development as an innate process. He hypothesised that we are born with a language acquisition device which gives us an inbuilt understanding of language structure. Noam Chomsky proposed that all humans have a LAD, (language acquisition device). The LAD contains knowledge of grammatical rules common to all languages. The LADÃÆ'‚Â  also allows children to understand the rules of whatever language they are listening to. Chomsky also developed the concepts of transformational grammar, surface structure, and deep structure. -www.languagedevelopment.tripod.com Noam Chomskys theory that humans are born with a special biological brain mechanism, called a Language Acquisition Device (LAD). His theory supposes that the ability to learn language is inborn, that nature is more important than nurture and that experience using language is only necessary in order to activate the LAD. (Fifty Major Thinkers on Education from Confucius to Dewey, Joy. A. Palmer). So therefore Child A and B are already aware to what is being said around them and have some understanding of language, they would definitely sense tone of voice and both children can recognise their mothers voice as a comfort noise. Appendix 3 also shows cognitive development in that both children are use to their bath time routine and like the experience. The children make sounds in social interaction. Their interaction with Child C (older sibling) creating interest and they enjoy interacting with her. Sound levels are intriguing when there is a sudden noise. Lev Vygotsky is also another important child development theorist he emphasised the importance of families, communities and other childrens influences on children. Vygotsky believed that language and thinking were key; talking about everyday experiences would help children learn more about communication. The zone of proximal development is what a child can do alone and what they can do with someone more skilled or experienced. The social context for learning is when child learn through interaction with others. How Children Learn, Linda Pound 2005. Social and Emotional development: Emotional development, from initial total dependence to full independence and autonomy. Social development, from close bonding to full and rich relationships with a complex network of children and adults. (Frankel, Hobart, 2004) The developmental norm for a baby aged between Birth to 9 months are: At Birth Bonding/attachment. 1 month Watches mothers face with increasing alert facial expression. Fleeting smile may be wind. 3 months Reacts with pleasure to familiar situations/routines. 6 months Takes everything to mouth. Responds to different emotional tones to chief caregiver. (Frankel, Hobart, 2004 p.178-179). Erik Erikson, whose influences mainly came from Anna Freud, Sigmund Freuds daughter, was largely concerned with how personality and behaviour is influenced after birth, not before birth, and especially during childhood. In the nature v nurture (genes v experience) debate, Erikson was firmly focused on nurture and experience. His theory of eight stages of psychosocial development basically asserts that people experience eight psychosocial crisis stages which significantly affect each persons development and personality. -www.businessballs.com. Erikson created a wider and more educationally relevant theory of psychodynamics by integrating social and cultural factors into his writing. His work also stimulated interest in self-identity and adolescence. (Pound 2005) Erikson explained that things that happen when we are children affect us when we grow up. For example, we know that orphans who werent held or stroked as infants have an extremely hard time connecting with others when they bec ome adults and have even died from lack of human contact. During the first year of life, a baby forms their first feelings about the world and whether or not it is a safe place based on the level of consistent care provided by the primary caregivers. When trust develops successfully, the child gains a sense of security but if this sense is not developed, a fear and inner mistrust of the world is formed. Anxiety and insecurity are indicative of an unsuccessful beginning. (http://www.kidsdevelopment.co.uk/EriksonsPsychosocialDevelopmentTheory.html) Babies like putting everything into their mouths, and their senses of taste, are the primary sensory organs until about the age of 8 months. And even afterwards its still a first stop in terms of exploring things (touch is a very important first sense, too).Mouths are useful for exploring the texture of things, too. As we can see from Appendix 2 and Appendix 6. Child A and Child B both like to explore objects by putting them into their mouths. While Bronfenbrenners theory, in line with the social constructionist theories of Vygotsky, Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005) developed the ecological systems theory to explain how everything in a child and the childs environment affects how a child grows and develops. He labelled different aspects or levels of the environment that influence childrens development, including the Microsystems, the mesosystem, the exosystem, and the macrosystem. (http://www.mentalhelp.net/) Child A and Child B are beginning to understand their environment as the family have a routine, which we can see from Appendix 4, that the children are aware of the routine and that putting them down on the carpet means time to move about. Jay Belsky believed in high-quality child care, he produced an evaluation of the Sure Start programme and a report published in 2005 inform that in Sure Start areas the most underprivileged groups had managed rather worse that similar groups in non-Sure Start areas. The next report issued in 2008 showed much greater improvements. Belsky reported that the risks are that more hours in any kind of childcare across the first four-and-a-half years of life and, independently, the more time in childcare centres, the higher the levels of problem behaviour(and) that children who spend more time in non-maternal care through their infancy, toddler and pre-school years experience somewhat less harmonious mother-child relationships through their first three years. They start school being somewhat more aggressive and disobedient than children with less non-maternal experience. How Children Learn 3, Linda Pound 2005. Appendix 4 shows that Child C attained a child minder on Wednesdays. The placemen t mother has spoken about her believes in making her children more independent which is why her first two children have gone to a child minder one day a week and she is going to take the twins to a child minder to. As she thinks it is good for the children to be able to interact with other people not just mummy, it helps them build confidence. There is a definite attachment with the mother and the children but there is also an attachment with the older siblings and the grandmother, who visits a lot. John Bowlby developed the Attachment Theory, when children show preferences for closeness to a small number of adults and these attachments are a normal and universal part of human development. We need that attachment from birth as babies seek out such attachment with the aim of being fed and protected as it brings the feeling of being safe. The attachments we have at childhood may determine our relationships as adults. How children Learn, Linda Pound 2005. From comparing the observations to the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Child A and Child B are developing an understanding of themselves and what they are capable of doing. This is recognisable during observing them in all types of situation such as carpet time, bath time and feeding. Recommendation are to let the children continue to stretch and grab things on the carpet, maybe using different material such as shining objects, crinkly objects, light, soft and heavy objects, to encourage the children to be confident and explore new objects. Babies need to develop some sense of self-identity in order to develop self-confidence and self-esteem. A starting point in this journey is to find ways of helping babies recognise themselves. (Practical EYFS Handbook, Penny Tassoni). Child B is finding it harder to gain confidence in playing solely so the mothers approach to encouraging him to do so is an ongoing process, babies cry fact but Child B needs to learn that he cant be cuddled all the time. Letting children touch things to work out for themselves what it is and letting them choose what they want and not giving in to their cry if they cant reach as they might if you give them time. Playing games with the Child A such as touching the parts of the body as you say them will help them to develop a greater understanding of where their body parts are and helps to create a happy game to play. Also playing feet moving games and moving her legs around helps stimulate her limbs. Being physical and close to your children and making eye contact with them and having conversations with them about anything provide ideal opportunities to develop language skills, especially with Child B. Using key words helps babies to develop language and singing songs and rhyming. Child B is also call another nick name which is endearing but may confuse him in developing recognition of his name. Through this observations they have lead me to believe that the children are at a normal level of development, Child A is less able to grasp an hold object and her physical development is less than Child B, as Child A has Hyper mobility which means that she will develop physical ability such as standing, crawling and sitting up straight slower than her brother (Child B). But she is communicating and talking more than her brother which could indicate that she is developing quicker in the language and communication area. There is nothing to worry about with the childrens development rate although one is developing quicker at something then the other could be because of the fact that one has hypermobility so she will definitely take longer to develop physically but also because one is female and the other male may also be a factor. The role of the practitioner is crucial in observing and reflecting on childrens spontaneous play, building on this by planning and resourcing a challenging environment which supports children and extends specific areas of learning and extends and develops childrens language and communication in their play in a safe environment. The observations taken have helped explain why the children carry out certain behaviour and have leaded me to understand more about child development theory. The most success full observation was the checklist type as it gave me direct answer, the free disruption was effective but I felt that I was missing things as they happened as I was still writing when they happened. Throughout the placement I have enjoyed the experience and I have gained experience with babies and have found that they are not as fragile as I first thought and that I do understand what their noises mean and I can distinguish between a hungry cry and Im sad I need attention, cry. I have also learned that it is healthy for babies not to be seen to straight away when they first start to cry, that they can indeed sort themselves out and ignoring and leaving the children to cry helps them to become more independent.