Final Exam Biology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Final Exam Biology - Assignment Example The primary consumers will have all the energy from the sun and synthesize nutrients. These nutrients will be used by each level with little being passed to the next trophic level hence the biomass will decrease. Considering the concept of ecological efficiency, only about ten per cent of the nutrients and energy passed to a given trophic level will be utilized. Therefore, that will be lost with the one in the next trophic level being smaller by ten percent. This is the main reason why the pyramid will rarely have more than seven trophic levels. The acacia ants live in the thorns. The acacia produce the substance that the ants use for food. On the other hand, the ants defend the acacia from herbivores by stinging them. Therefore, when the ants were removed, the acacia left could have been destroyed by herbivores with their height remaining limited. The ants also prune other plants that grow under the acacia making them dominant. This explains the information presented on the graph. Dead zones are also called hypoxic zones. They exist in oceans where there is low oxygen concentration such that aerobic organisms living there die due to lack of oxygen. Dead zones are formed due to an interaction between biological, chemical and physical factors. Nutrients from agriculture and urban development are washed off to the water bodies such as the ocean. The excess nutrients fertilize the quick growing microscopic plants in a process known as eutrophication. Once all the nutrients are used up by the phytoplankton, they sink to the bottom and decompose. The decomposition process by the aerobic bacteria depletes the oxygen making the region hypoxic. This leads to the formation of dead zones. Hamilton addressed the issue of altruism to develop the equation above. His approach considered that provided there is a genetic basis for altruistic tendencies should-via the principle of independent assortment-produce siblings with a particular probability

Henri Fayol Principals Essay Example for Free

Henri Fayol Principals Essay Principle 1: Division of work According to Fayol’s principle one of management, division of work, he proposed that â€Å"work can be performed more efficiently if it is divided into smaller elements and assigning specific elements to specific workers† (Rodrigues 2001, p. 880). Contrary to this principle, workers might get bored of doing the same task. For instance in a factory, work is divided into many parts where each of the worker is responsible for a specific task. Eventually these workers will be proficient in their job, where it will become a routine work. However, if they were to continue to perform the same routine task over a very long period of time, they might lose interest or become too complacent. They are not being challenged or made to encounter new or different situations during the job. Thus, this does not create opportunities for them to develop new skills. Employees need to be exposed to job opportunities so that they will be able to pick up new skills, and not just focusing on a specific task. If these employees are given the opportunity to develop new skills, it will give them a sense of importance and belonging in the organisation, and these new knowledge will inspire and motivate them to be more engaged and have a better understanding in their work. Every employees would seize it as an opportunity whenever they face challenges (McGregor Harpaz, cited in Rodrigues 2011, p. 881). Therefore, organisation should come out with methods and tools that are able to increase the opportunities and challenges of the employees (Schmitt, Zacher de Lange 2013, p. 516). To support this, employers can provide workshops and trainings for employees to broaden their skills and specializations. This will also open up the employees’ room for professional development. For example, Singapore Workforce Development Agency, WDA encourages employees, professionals, managers and executives to upgrade and build up on their skills through skills-based trainings (Singapore Workforce Development Agency 2012). Opportunities given to employees at work will allow them to learn and gain more skills and knowledge. In addition, this will also boost up their growth and confidence level in their work as they are empowered with multi responsibilities. In the presence of job enrichment, employees are able to deepen their job responsibilities and have control over their work (Dickie Dickie 2 011, p. 71). Job enrichment will benefit the organisation as it will reduce the number of absenteeism, turnover  intentions and social loafing while increase employees’ job satisfaction, organizational commitment and individual productivity (Davoudi 2013, p. 107). In other words, organisation should encourage and send their employees for skills upgrading to stretch their capabilities. In contrast to Fayol’s understanding that an employee doing one task will increase their efficiency, employee that have more than one skill will benefit the organisation as their knowledge has become greater than before. Another disadvantage to this principle in this 21st century context is the impact of technology whereby machines has taken over some but not all, specialised jobs (Rodrigues 2001, pp. 880-881). Back to the factory example; then people were hired to do manufacturing jobs such as assembling cars. Each worker was given a specific task to assemble a car, but now these tasks are carried out by robots, where they are able to do more than one task (John Markoff 2012). As a result these workers might lose their jobs. Thus this principle, to a certain extent, it may not be relevant today. There are still organisations who practice this principle, but with the fast moving technology and employees who are eager to learn, it might not apply to this day. ? The managers have the power to instruct their employees to perform work that they give. Thus in this principle, managers give their employee rights (authority) and let them be responsible to complete the task (responsibility) that is being delegated to them (Bushardt et al. 2010, p. 9). In this context, it shows that the manager’s role is authoritative, which makes the subordinates have to follow the manager’s instructions (Cheng 2004, p. 91). Managers must stay in mind that they must have a shared understanding with their employees when they assign the task to them (Miles, cited in Evans et al. 2013, p. 24). They must take in consideration not to misuse their authoritative power to the extent that their employees have no choice nor say when their managers delegate the task to them. When the manager and the employee have a common goal, it will open up opportunities for employees to share opinions and make decisions to accomplish the required task. This also allows the managers to understand their employees and get engaged with them. In support of this, managers need to be a good example to their employees so that they will feel inspired and motivated to reach their organisational goals. Hence, managers have to be a transformational leader by moving their team forward to inspire and motivate them (Warrick 2011, p. 12). Whenever someone thinks of a leader, he will associate them with acquiring power, influence and authority (Dickie Dickie 2011, p. 83). One can have power and authority, but only a few are able to influence, inspire and motivate their employees. Fig 1.1 Leader behaviour continuum (Tannenbaum Schmidt, cited in Dickie Dickie 2011, p. 87) The two-dimensional model in fig 1.1 explains that managers’ role of authoritativeness and sub-ordinates empowerment has to be balanced between managers and the employees. Employees are able to participate in the decision making by voicing out their ideas to their managers. Managers can then make a decision based on this shared understanding (Tannenbaum Schmidt 1973). Hence, employees are given the permission to complete the given task which was based on a clear and discussed understanding with the manager. In contrast of Fayol’s perspective, delegation of work to the employees should be tasked responsibly with a shared understanding. Thus, employees will feel that their role in the organisation is worthy and  trusted. References Davoudi, SMM 2013, Impact: Job Enrichment in Organizational Citizenship Behaviour, SCMS Journal of Indian Management, p. 107, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 21 November 2013. Dickie, L Dickie, C 2011, Cornerstones of Management, 2nd edn, Tilde University Press, Australia, p. 71. Rodrigues, CA 2001, ‘Fayol’s 14 principles of management then and now: A framework for managing today’s organizations effectively’, Management Decision, vol. 39, no. 10, pp. 880-889. Schmitt, A, Zacher, H de Lange, AH 2013, ‘Focus on opportunities as a boundary condition of the relationship between job control and work engagement: A multi-sample, multi-method study’, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, vol. 22, no. 5, p. 516, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 17 December 2013. Singapore Workforce Development Agency 2012, About WDA, Singapore Workforce Development Agency, viewed 12 January 2014, . John Markoff 2012, Skilled Wo rk, Without the Worker, New York Times, viewed 12 January 2014, . ? Principle 2: Authority and responsibility Bushardt, SC, Glascoff, DW, Doty, DH, Frank, M Burke, F 2010, ‘Delegation, Authority and Responsibility: A reconfiguration of an old paradigm’, Advances in Management, vol. 3, no. 9, p. 9. Cheng, BS, Chou, LF, Wu, TY, Huang, MP Farh, JL 2004, Paternalistic leadership and subordinate responses: Establishing a leadership model in Chinese organizations, Asian Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 91. Dickie, L Dickie, C 2011, Cornerstones of Management, 2nd edn, Tilde University Press, Australia, p. 83. Dickie, L Dickie, C 2011, Cornerstones of Management, 2nd edn, Tilde University Press, Australia, p. 87. Evans, WR, Haden, SSP, Clayton, RW Novicevic, MM 2013, ‘History-of-management thought about social responsibility’, Journal of Management History, vol. 19, no. 1, p. 24. Tannenbaum, R Schmidt, WH 1973, ‘How to choose a leadership pattern’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 51, no. 3, p. 164. Warrick, DD 2011, ‘The urgent need fo r skilled transformational leaders: integrating transformational leadership and organization development’, Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, vol. 8, no. 5, p. 12. ?

Investigation Of Kinetic And Kinematic Parameters Physical Education Essay

Investigation Of Kinetic And Kinematic Parameters Physical Education Essay This study reviewing the biomechanical effects of the orthosis on human gait pattern and a specific type of ankle foot orthosis (AFO) with rocker bottom was used for the pilot study. Walking gait cycle background theory and related terms definition is explained as the introduction. A complete review on AFO functionality and efficacy on gait correction via laboratory testing is done. The review is mainly expressed from biomechanics approach with the use of kinematics and kinetic knowledge. From the reviewed process, it is no doubt to clarify that AFO enable to prevent and correct pathological gait for better improvement. Motion analysis technique using camera based system to conduct laboratory experiment on human gait is studied too. A sequence of procedures is design for further study, which consist of subject acquirement, rocker AFO fabrication, customization, laboratory experiment testing using Vicon motion analysis system, data collection and analyse. Besides, pilot studys results are included in result and discussion. A healthy woman was used as the subject in the pilot study who undergo 2 types of walking, which are walked barefoot and with AFO condition. As conclusion, the review provides evidence that the influence of AFO in altering human walking gait is significant and further study is necessary to be proceeded for better describe AFO functionality. Acknowledgement The first thank goes to Prof. Dr. Ir. Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas, my supervisor for this graduation project. His willingness and patient in teaching and guide me either to accomplish the tasks or when I facing problems during the time, were indeed appreciated. My grateful thank goes to Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman with his enthusiasm of sharing valuable knowledge and all kind of challenges gave by him, were definitely brought me chances to work as an professional biomedical engineer. I express much gratitude to Miss Arezoo Eshraghi too, for her guidance and assistance brought to the smoothness of my thesis study. Nevertheless, I would like to thank for all the hard work done by my faculty, especially to the Coordinator for the Graduation Project, Dr.Belinda Murphy, assistant for the project Miss Khairunnisa Hasikin and all the stuff of Biomedical Engineering Department. Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Symbols and Abbreviations AFO Ankle Foot Orthosis IC Initial contact LR Loading Response MST Mid Stance TST Terminal Stance TO Toe Off ISW Initial Swing MSW Mid Swing TSW Terminal Swing DF Dorsiflexion PF Plantarflexion KF Knee Flexion KE Knee Extension HF Hip Flexion HE Hip Extension PTB Patellar Tendon Bearing ToA Types of AFO CGC Control Group Condition Introduction Human locomotion defined as movement from one place to another and a numbers of ways could be done to achieve it, walking, use of a bicycle, wheelchair are examples of locomotion (Smidt, 1990). In this study, walking gait is the targeted locomotion. Walking is a cyclic movement interlaced between left and right foot with at least one foot being contact with the ground at all times in a certain periodic pattern (Ounpuu, 1995). A systemic analysis and parameter is required to evaluate walking gait effectively and biomechanics knowledge has been introduced to solve for this. It is a brand new term developed around the year of 1970s which integrating engineering mechanics knowledge into biological system. Biomechanics is actually applied in gait analysis by the ancient scientists few centuries ago (Martin, 1999). Biomechanics study on the gait analysis has been started since the year of 1680 by Aristotle on the gait of animals and in the year of 1890, Christian Wilhelm Braune an anatomist and Otto Fischer were started investigating human gait from biomechanics aspects (Martin, 1999). Scientists enthusiasm toward human gait analysis never shelved, it continue evolutes until today. At present, biomechanics investigation in gait analysis is able to provide profusion information for clinical practitioner to assess patient locomotion effectively. For instances, a pathology gait pattern by patient can be visualized by measuring biomechanical parameters, step length, length, joint angles, forces and etcetera. To evaluate how well the treatment improves patient ambulatory level, biomechanics knowledge applied too. Main interest of this study is not only focus on human walking gait, but also to investigate the manner orthotics alters its users gait pattern from biomechanics aspect. Orthosis is a medical appliance major used in orthopedics field for the purpose to support, alter, and align injured body segments involve in body movement (Edelstein Bruckner, 2001). In this study, the ankle foot orthosis (AFO) with additional rocker sole is chose as the orthosis in this study. Figure 1.1(a) shown a solid AFO and (b) rocker bottom. Figure 1. Solid AFO Rocker AFO is a kind of treatment apply to diabetic patient who has plantar foot ulceration risk and with ankle joint mobility difficulty. From statistical analysis from University Malaya Medical Centre Diabetic Foot Clinics, plantar foot wound treatments on diabetic patient possess the highest number of among other kind of treatment and also footwear is the highest treatment modality among others in 2008 and 2009. This statement has support and encourages the necessity to carry out this study as number of diabetic patient is increase gradually every year. AFO is worn on lower extremity and around foot to support and correct ankle position. Patient having diabetes, experienced bones segment fracture, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, tendon dysfunction and limb disorder patient who ankle failed to support their body weight while walking are commonly suggested by orthotist to use an AFO to improve gait routine and to minimise further injury risk (Edelstein Bruckner, 2001). Besides that, rocker sole is a creature use to reduce pressure on the forefoot and use to transmit pressure from high pressure to low pressure area meanwhile off loading the pressure exerted to risky area (Albright Woodhull-Smith, 2009). To be relative to orthosis definition, an AFO with rocker sole should not bring more burdens to patient in increase energy demand or cause any long term side effects. Consequently, investigating AFO biomechanical performance in aiding and influencing wearer locomotion therefore becomes an important study. Three dimensional (3D) gait analysis systems are laboratory equipment involve the use of reflective markers that placed on subjects interest body segments as the landmarks (Davis, Deluca, Ounpuu, 2000). It has been use widely in clinical gait analysis services and research. The video camera based system employ 2 to 7 infrared cameras allocated on the measurement volume to record subject motion or markers trajectories in precise as shown in Figure 1.2 (a) (b). The entire system applies stereophotogrammetric techniques to produce each markers 3D coordinates from the two dimensional (2D) images capture by each of the camera (Davis, et al., 2000). This 3D system digitized subject movement in real time into frames depending on sampling rate set. The frame to frame analysis provides better motion visualization and subsequently from the 3D images generated it makes the possibility to compute a more complete description towards the dynamic gait in terms of biomechanical parameters. Kinemat ic, kinetic, and temporal parameters or some other dynamic gait variables are able to be obtained from this system. During the entire study, Vicon Nexus 1.4 motion analysis system is employ to record and examine subjects walking gait pattern. Kinematic and kinetic parameters are extracting to further illustrate rocker AFO effects on its user gait pattern. Figure 1.2(c) presented a monkey hooping frame image capture using 3D motion analysis systems. http://rehablab.creighton.edu/share/sharedfiles/UserFiles/image/Camera1.jpghttp://www.med.nyu.edu/rehabengineering/images/vicon8cameras.jpg (b) (c) Figure 1. (a) Infrared Camera (b) Overview of Motion Analysis Laboratory (c) Frame Images Capture from Infrared Camera 1.1 Theory Walking gait Normal one complete gait cycle consists of stance phase and swing phase in a proportion of 60% and 40%, respectively. A normal adult will spent approximately 60% of total gait duration for heel strike to toe off (stance phase) and 40% for initial swing to terminal swing (swing phase). Stance phase is the event when foot touch on ground and body passes over the top of it whereas swing phase is when the same foot moves forwards in the air. Figure 1. Stance and Swing Phase Propotion. Stance phase is defined from initial contact, loading response, mid stance and terminal stance (toe off). Swing phase is defined from the instance toe off, initial swing, mid swing and terminal swing (Ounpuu, 1995). Figure 1.4 illustrates the phases of the gait cycle shown with the corresponding position for sagittal plane motion. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/picrender.fcgi?book=physmedrehabpart=A8414blobname=ch6f6-2.jpg Figure 1. Gait cycle phases (Carson, M.D. 1995) Stance phase Initial contact(IC) (0% of the gait cycle), it occur when foot contact to ground. Loading response (LR) (0-10% of the gait cycle), during this stage, shock absorption occurred with stability remain and body more forwarded. This is the first double support happened. Mid stance (MST) (10%-30% of the gait cycle), the first single leg support instance, purpose of this phase is to advance body over the stance phase limb while stability is maintained. Terminal stance (TST) (30%-50% of gait cycle), or sometimes called toe off(TF) single support ended when the sound limb contact with floor and in this phase, body still being advanced through the stance foot through the forward fall of the trunk. Toe off (TO) (60% of the gait cycle), when foots toes are about to leave floor. Swing Phase Initial Swing (ISW) (60%-73% of the gait cycle), second single support phase and begins when the foot leaves the ground until it passes opposite the stance limb. Mid swing (MSW) (73%-87%), continue advance the swing limb while providing clearance of stance foot. Terminal swing (TSW) (87%-100%), swing leg already in preparation for the next stance phase. In order for a person to walk normally, the locomotor system must fulfill four requirements. Firstly, stability of foot is essential to ensure each foot capable to withstand body weight with no collapsing. Secondly, during single leg support in stance phase, balance shall sustain for that particular period. Thirdly, swinging leg must be able to move in a sequence reaching the position where it can take over the supporting leg. Lastly, locomotor system must provided substantial power to induce limb movements and to advance the body (Whittle, 1993). Pathological gait produce abnormal walking patterns when it fails to obey any of the four requirements stated above. It can be indentified obviously by visual or using appropriate clinical gait analysis method. This abnormal gait maybe performed unintended by the subject due to the weakness, spasticity or deformity occurred onto them. Besides, sometimes the abnormal gait is also consequences of the compensatory motion by some other problem. Any abnormal gait should be corrected using an orthotics or braces in order to minimize overload harms on muscles, joints and bones. Kinematic and kinetics of human gait The terms kinematic and kinetics are branches of biomechanics, which are commonly employed in gait assessment. Kinematic describing a body movement without considering its causes for example forces and torque. Camera is a example of kinematic equipment which only used to observe limbs movement without but without providing information of force involved (Whittle, 1993). Meanwhile, kinetic is more in explaining the body motion with it causes like mass and forces exert onto the system. Moment, force, mass, and acceleration are the examples which usually utilize the kinetic of the systems. Example of kinematic equipment in gait analysis is force plate, which measure force exerted by foot but without the position and angle of the leg segment (Whittle, 1993). Kinematic of human gait: Angle Pelvis, hip, knee and ankle angle are the common kinematic parameters used in gait analysis. Each anatomical angle can be observed from sagittal, coronal and transverse plane. During normal gait, most of the motion occurred in sagittal plane meanwhile coronal and transverse plane have greater motion in pathological gait(Ounpuu, 1995). Table 1.1 is a summary on the each segment movement with respect to gait cycles phases. Table 1. Summary of the Major components of gait with respect to the phase of the gait cycle. Phase Joint Movement Ankle Knee IC Neutral Position Fully KE LR PF KF MST DF KE TST DF KE TF PF KF ISW Peak PF then DF rapidly KF rapidly to peak MSW Peak DF Start with peak KF and KE rapidly TSW PF KE PlantarFlexion(PF), DorsiFlexion(DF), Knee Flexion(KF), Knee Extension(KE), Hip Flexion(HF) and Hip Extension (HE) Kinetics of human gait: Ground reaction forces When a person is walking, forces will apply toward ground on each step taken. According to Newtons Third Law, a force will generate that is equal magnitude but in the opposite direction to the force applied by the foot, and it is called ground reaction forces. The vertical component of ground reaction forces is raise from heel strike and shot 112% of body weight during 25% of gait. At the mean time, the opposite leg propels the centre of gravity upward and thus vertical force descends to around 80% of body weight. At the instance of heel off, centre of gravity start to move downward therefore vertical forces raise again to around 115% of body weight at almost 80% of stance phase. Vertical forces descend greatly right after the peak vertical forces as the foot is propel to swing phase. Figure 1.5 shown the overview of vertical forces exert on the stance leg. Figure 1. Ground reaction forces Literature Review Types of AFO AFO is categorized into many types depending on its functionality, design approach and usages. AFOs are generally classified into five main branches: rigid AFOs, hinged AFOs, Patellar Tendon Bearing (PTB) AFOs, posterior leaf spring AFOs and ground reaction AFOs. Each AFOs functionality will be discussed in detail later. Table 2. Summary on Types of AFO and description (Edelstein Bruckner, 2001) Types of AFO Features Solid AFOSolid ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), Plastazote-lined (Photo courtesy of Hersco Orthotic Labs.) Trimmed anterior to malleoli surrounds ankle. Restrict ankle motion without allows any plantarflexion. During loading response, maintain a rigid foot and ankle alignment Hinged AFOhttp://www.appliedbiomechanics.com/Home/Home/Hinged_AFO.gif Add mechanical joint around ankle to permit motion. Degrees of motion are determined by the joint design. Allow dorsiflexion and plantar flexion without restriction. PTB AFOhttp://www.capstoneorthopedic.com/Orthoservicespages/afo/afo_clip_image018.png Cast until patella area as to transfer weight from plantar foot to patella tendon Responsible for off loading effect. Posterior Leaf Spring AFOhttp://www.neuromuscular-orthotics.com.au/images/PLS%20AFO.jpg Trimmed posterior to malleoli, allow plastic to recoil Function as a spring during swing phase off loaded, allow plantar flexion. Ankle motion is permitted by deformation and recoil of the plastic strip. Gait analysis method Reliability of the result obtained from motion analysis is mainly relay on the markers placement (Ferrari, et al., 2008; A. Leardini Benedetti, 1999). Therefore, marker positioning is depending strongly to the objective of the research or study. The inconsistency of marker placement is generally a crucial factor contribute to the data variation because each marker represent different body landmark respectively too. A full body marker set is often applying to investigate whole body posture and gait. A total of 60 markers with 22 on each leg, 5 on pelvis and 11 on trunk are consider as a complete marker set. It has been applied to evaluate treatment gait pattern correction or diseases caused pathological gait for example cerebral palsy and diabetic patient (Radtka, Skinner, Elise Johanson, 2005; Sawacha, et al., 2009). Only lower limb markers set were use more often in gait motion analysis (Abel Juhl, 1998; Fatone, Gard, Malas, 2009; Alberto Leardini, et al., 2007; Yokoyama Sashik a, 2005). There also few study make their focus on gait assessment on AFO user which only applied reflective marker on lower limb as anatomic landmarks for the whole experiment (Abel Juhl, 1998; Fatone, et al., 2009). When come across with gait analysis, researchers putting more interest on the lower limbs kinetic and kinematic parameters rather than upper limb because the locomotion trajectories occurred mainly in leg segments. In analyzing treatment effect for a particular illness or disease, control group or control variable present to serve a better comparison to the tested result. While evaluating the relation of orthosis treatment and gait assessment caused by it, subject under barefoot condition sometimes appeared as the control variable (Abel Juhl, 1998; Lam, Leong, Li, Hu, Lu, 2005; Romkes Brunner, 2002). However, in some cases, barefoot control does not provide a comparable opportunity and it is not practical as in real life subjects usually walk with foot wear. Besides, as of experimental approach, it has shown that subjects walking with footwear is more relative to evaluate AFO efficacy with contrast to barefoot ((Radtka, et al., 2005)Churchill et al., 2003; Radtka et al., 2005). Two reviewed articles obtained result with subject walking while wore footwear alone (Bleyenheuft Hanson, 2010; Fatone, et al., 2009). There is one of the article used able bodied subject with footwear alone to acqui re control variables (Fatone et al., 2009). Either way of choosing control group is proportion to the research behavior and objectives. Therefore, appropriate consideration should be taken while designing a research methodology. Gait analysis parameters In general, AFO is use as prevention of foot deformity, limit joint movement, position and provide stability. The effect of AFO in serving all these functionality is been studied via various method from simple to more sophisticated gait analysis technique. Majority of the reviewed papers adopted video-camera based system to collect and record data. (Abel Juhl, 1998; Fatone, et al., 2009; Lam, et al., 2005; Radtka, et al., 2005; Romkes Brunner, 2002; Yokoyama Sashika, 2005). Kinematic and temperal parameters are the two common results obtained from ambulation analysis. Temperal parameter Cadance Cadence, defined as number of steps taken in a given period and its unit is steps over minute. In gait analysis, cadence becomes a popular parameter to evaluate AFO efficacy. Researches which have examined subjects gait with dynamic AFO and without dynamic AFO proved that cadence is one variable altered by the manipulation on AFO (Lam, et al., 2004; Romkes et al., 2001; Bleyenheuft et al., 2007). Lam and Romkes studies have shown a decrease of cadence while subject walked with dynamic AFO compare to walk with barefoot. However, in Bleyenheuft study, changes of cadence value are less significant compare to others. In hinged AFO, two papers reported a increase on cadence compare to barefoot ( Romkes et al., 2001; Tyson et al., 1998) and one shown decrease effect (Radtka et al., 2004). Four reviewed papers tested subjects walked with solid AFO reported decrease of cadence compare to without solid AFO (Abel et al., 1998; Radtka et al., 2004; Lam et al., 2004; Bleyenheuft et al., 2007). C adence in a new design AFO which use oil damper resistance to restrict ankle movement also reported a decrease phenomenon on subjects walking gait with against barefoot trials. Dynamic AFO reported to have higher cadence compare to solid AFO in Lam, 2004 and Bleyenheuft, 2007 studies. Meanwhile, between hinged AFO and dynamic AFO, hinged types AFO having higher cadence value ( Romkes et al., 2001). By reviewing this, an instance conclusion can be making that hinged AFO provide a high cadence. Resultant cadence variation is likely due to the design of types of the AFO. Manipulate ankle movement degree certainly influence entire locomotion trajectories, consequently cadence are involved. Velocity Velocity is a resultant product of stride length time cadence. Any changes of these two variables may vary walking velocity. Solid AFO, dynamic AFO, and hinged AFO were all result higher velocities and stride length compare to the condition without AFO on tested walking trials (Abel et al., 1998; Lam et al., 2004; Radtka et al., 2004; Bleyenheuft et al., 2007; Romkes et al., 2001; Fatone et al., 2009). However, a less significant increase observed while analyzes hinged AFO and solid AFO toward barefoot condition in Fatone, 2009 and Lam, 2004 researches, respectively. From these two cases, a common observation found between them is the insignificant of stride lengths alterations. Kinematic of Gait Analysis DF at IC (Stance Phase) Currently, AFO are design to restrict exceed ankle PF, simultaneously improve pre-positioning of the foot during IC f gait cycle. However, DF ability of AFO is strictly relying on the design and trimming pattern of particular AFO (Yokoyama et al., 2005). All types of AFO being study in this section have shown reasonable increase of DF angle compare to barefoot or without AFO condition (Abel et al., 1998; Lam et al., 2004; Radtka et al., 2004; Bleyenheuft et al., 2007; Romkes et al., 2001; Fatone et al., 2009; Yokoyama et al., 2005). This outcome is consistent with the basic functionality and characteristic of AFOs. For hinged and dynamic types, both allows free ankle DF during stance and meanwhile limit PF (Romkes et al., 2001). From review, subjects wore dynamic AFO have noticeable better DF than solid AFO and barefoot (Lam et al., 2004; Bleyenheuft et al, 2007). KF during IC (Stance phase) Knee fully extends just before heel contact and this is named as stance phase flexion. Patient walked with dynamic AFO showed significant increased in KF during initial stance compare to barefoot and there was less significant compared to solid type AFO (Lam et al., 2004; Bleyenheuft et al., 2007). Nevertheless, a slightly decreased on KF during initial contact is observed too. Both dynamic and hinged AFO shown little attenuate of KF angle compare to barefoot in Romkes, 2001 studies. In Radtka, 2005 research, the abnormal KF during barefoot walking remained although subject walk with hinged and solid AFO and this is consistent with Rethlefsen, 1999 findings. PF during TST (stance Phase) At the instance stance foot leave ground and preparing for swinging, plantar foot is flex as to push off body forwarded. Hinged AFO have impressed decreasing of PF during terminal stance if compare to walked with barefoot ( Radtka et al., 2005; Romkes et al., 2001). In Romkes, 2001 study, it revealed that hinged AFO has better push off effect compare to dynamic AFO according to their flexing ability. Besides that, in Radtka 2005s study, researchers concluded hinged AFO has better rocker effect as to proceed swing phase compared to solid AFO. DF during MSW (Swing Phase) DF is necessary to prevent foot drop as to provide toe clearance for patient to have better gait performance. In all the reviewed papers, DF were all increased during MSW (Abel et al., 1998; Lam et al., 2004; Radtka et al., 2004; Bleyenheuft et al., 2007; Romkes et al., 2001; Fatone et al., 2009; Yokoyama et al., 2005). Table 2. Summary on Variables Comparison of Types of AFO (ToA) with respect to Control Group Condition (CGC) Author, Year ToA CGC Variables comparison on ToA with respect to CGC Cadence Velocity DF at IC KF at IC PF at TST Abel et al., 1998 Fixed AFO Barefoot Decrease Increase Increase Increase Blenyenheuft et al., 2007 Dynamic AFO Shoe only Not significant Increase Increase Increase prefabricated AFO Shoe only Decrease Increase Increase Decrease Fatone et al., 2009 Hinged AFO Shoe only Not significant Not significant Increase Increase Lam et al., 2004 Solid AFO Barefoot Decrease Not significant Increase Increase Decrease Dynamic AFO Barefoot Decrease Increase Increase Increase Decrease Radtka et al., 2004 Solid AFO Barefoot Decrease Increase Increase Decrease Hinged AFO Barefoot Decrease Increase Increase Not significant Decrease Romkes et al., 2001 Dynamic AFO Barefoot Decrease Increase Increase Decrease Decrease Hinged AFO Barefoot Increase Increase Increase Decrease Decrease Tyson, 1998 Hinged AFO Barefoot Increase Increase Increase Yokoyama et al., 2005 Oil damper resistance AFO Shoe only Increase Increase Increase Increase Decrease Kinetic of human gait: Ground reaction forces and Peak pressure High peak plantar pressure (PPP) on foot is significant in contributing ulceration and callus formation on diabetic patient (Caselli, 2002; Veyes, Murray, Buoulton, 1992). If PPP occurred on the same area for a repeated period it might associated with callus or skin break down on that particular area (Boulton AJ, 1993). Incidence of skin breakdown in the forefoot chance is higher compare to in rear foot (Mueller, Zou, Lott, 2005). It has been prove in few studies that metatarsal head is the most frequent areas having skin injury problem rather than at heel in diabetic patient (Caselli, 2002; Sinacore, 1996). By using rocker sole in diabetic subjects, reviewed papers shown a significant PPP reduction over the high pressure area especially over forefoot and rear foot area (Albright Woodhull-Smith, 2009; Brown Wertsch, 2004; Schaff Cavanagh, 1990). Rocker sole is designed in a way that to redistribute plantar pressure from a conventional pressure distribution to a newly designed pressure map(Brown Wertsch, 2004). Aims and Objectives Examine orthosis efficacy in walking gait is the foremost objective in this study. AFO is prescribing enable to make better alignment of foot on patient with pathological gait. A rocker bottom is claimed to serve better plantar pressure distribution and as treatment to avoid further foot deformity. Basic approach in this study is to investigate the effectiveness of rocker AFO in prevent and utilize better ambulation pattern on diabetic patient from abnormal walking mechanism. Joint mobility caused by rocker AFO believed serve a better gait pattern and harmless to the connected leg segment. Rocker effect on the AFO is tending to reduce ground reaction forces to AFO user foot. Biomechanics and engineering knowledge is applied for better description. To test this hypothesis the following key objectives were undertaken: To study and enhance better gait mechanism knowledge from engineering and medical approach. To quantify and compare joint mobility with and without rocker AFO using lower limb component motion range analysis. To observe the relationship between the rocker bottom to kinetic changing on patient gait. Methodology Introduction Method to conduct this study is structured into few stages from recruiting subjects to conclude the study objectives. In order to keep align with this study objectives, each procedure taken has to be design carefully to reduce the possibility of data confusion and the occurrence of technical errors. Mostly, methodology to investigate orthosis efficacy usually being categorized into subject acquirement, subject assessment, AFO fabrication, AFO customize process, gait analysis laboratory testing, data acquisition and data analyzing ( Fatone et al., 2009). Subject acquirement In this study, AFO with rocker bottom is fixed to be the interest orthosis to investigate for the entire process. From literature, an AFO rocker sole mostly applied for the purpose of offloading on diabetic patient, thus the targeted subject is diabetic patient who possess potential to occur ulceration at plantar foot (Zimmy et al., 2004; Albright et al., 2009). 5 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are recruiting as the subjects. Subject should be free from any other physical abnormality, surgery or injury on the lower limb extremities. To be prior to their participation, informed concern was acquired from all the subjects. Equipment: AFO Fabrication Only unilateral study will be carry out which means rocker AFO will be only fabricate for either leg depends on the foot condition. Each participant will be customizing a rocker AFO which is unique with their ulceration area and foot sizes. Participants are evaluated barefoot and going through anthropometrical measurement on the affected leg by the orthotists. The AFO are custom molded by polypropylene and with a suggested 4.8 mm thick (Lam eta al., 2005). Neutral position of the AFO will be 90Â ° at foot shank ankle. Foot length of the AFO will extended distally under the toes end and trimmed along the mediolateral border of the foot. Upper part of the AFO will trimmed on posterior until about 2.5cm below fibula. Rocker sole apex has to be position according to subject pressure distribution. Usually subject affected areas are location with metatarsal and forefoot area. A consistent rocker sole design is purposed with the apex fall behind of the fifth metatarsal with an angle of 15à ‚ °. Figure 3.1 shown the rocker AFO suggested: Figure 3. Rocker AFO After rocker AFO finishing, subject request to test the fitness of the AFO. If the custom made rocker AFO raises any comfort ability issue, adjustment being done to fix it. Gait analysis laboratory testi

Falls Of Miltons Eve And Doctor Faustus Religion Essay

Falls Of Miltons Eve And Doctor Faustus Religion Essay In this essay I am going to be comparing the falls of Eve in John Miltons Paradise Lost, first published in 1667 and Doctor Faustus in Christopher Marlowes The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, first published in 1604 The notion of the Fall of man originates in the Bible where it is recorded in the book of Genesis. It has been interpreted both literally, as a description of historical events and symbolically as a spiritual truth. The Fall refers to the transition of the first created humans, Adam and Eve from their original state of perfection, to a state of guilt and disobedience to God. The notion of Adam and Eves perfection comes from Genesis 1:31 where we are told that God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. This notion was also reinforced by St. Augustine, who believed that Mans nature indeed, was created at first faultless and without any sin. In Genesis 2:16-17, God forbids Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil: And the Lord  God commanded the man, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.' This is essentially the beginning of the series of events that lead to the Fall, because it is shortly after this that Eve is deceived by the serpent into eating from that tree, and shares it with Adam. We are told that the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made (Gen 3:1) and later, in the book of Revelations, we are led to believe that the serpent was in fact Satan in disguise: The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan. (Rev 12:9) Adam and Eve are consequently banished from the Garden of Eden by God and as punishment for their sin, sent to live on Earth. They are also banned from eating from the Tree of Life again, which is how Christians believe death entered the world. This is known as the Fall of Man. The Biblical story of Adam and Eve forms the basis for Miltons Paradise Lost, and he too seems to adopt the Augustinian view that Adam and Eve are two perfect and fully developed humans. This is shown when: Adam soon repealed The doubts that in his heart arose: and now Led on, yet sinless Unlike the Biblical Adam and Eve however, Milton gives us the impression that Eve is inferior to Adam since Adam was created to mirror Gods divine authority and Eve was created merely to satisfy Adams desire for a companion. Throughout the poem we realise that Eve never experiences God directly; Adam experiences God and Eve experiences Adam, who appears to act as an intermediary between her and God: For contemplation hee and valour formd,   For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,   Hee for God only, shee for God in him. It is this sense of divine hierarchy that seems to make Eve more susceptible to Satans temptation, because during the series of events which contribute towards the eventual Fall, Satan plays on Eves desire for autonomy and a connection to the universe outside of Adams shadow. The sequence of event leading to Eves fall begins when she is asleep one night and Satan attempts to plant his tempting thoughts in her mind. Satans effect is reflected in her dream when an angel tempts her to eat from the Tree of Knowledge: Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods   Thy self a Goddess, not to Earth confind. This plays on Eves desire to achieve a direct relationship with God. The second significant factor is her determination to spend time alone on the fateful day; she wakes up in an independent mood and insists that her and Adam attend to the garden separately, despite Adams attempts at dissuading her. It is at this point, when she is pleased with herself for achieving some autonomy that she comes across the serpent. In order to be successful in leading Eve astray, the serpent attempts to eliminate her fear of disobeying God. He begins by making her doubt the existence of death and evil: Those rigid threats of Death; ye shall not Die:   How should ye? by the Fruit? it gives you Life   To Knowledge? By the Threatner, look on mee,   Mee who have touchd and tasted, yet both live,   And life more perfet have attaind then Fate   Meant mee, by ventring higher then my Lot. The serpent then continues to try and make her doubt God himself by suggesting that God has only forbidden her to eat from the Tree of Knowledge so as to keep her ignorant, rather than becoming powerful and knowledgeable: Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil   Be real, why not known, since easier shunnd?   God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just;   Not just, not God; not feard then, nor obeid:   Your feare it self of Death removes the feare.   Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe,   Why but to keep ye low and ignorant,   His worshippers; he knows that in the day   Ye Eate thereof, your Eyes that seem so cleere,   Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then   Opnd and cleerd, and ye shall be as Gods,   Knowing both Good and Evil as they know. Here Satan is playing on Eves perception of the divine hierarchy and her feelings of inferiority to both Adam and God, by offering her an opportunity to do what she believes will lead to a direct relationship with God. It is at this point that we begin to see Eves final error as intellectual rather than moral. In the moment before she eats from the tree, she pauses and thinks. She still allows her reason to guide her, but Satans deception of her mind misinforms her will. Her reasoning is quite sound, however it is based on the belief that the serpent is telling the truth. This, one of the main premises in her decision, is in fact false. After eating from the tree of knowledge, her nature and attitude towards her relationship towards Adam have been changed by sin. Having imagined an existence outside of Adams perception during her conversation with the serpent, she now finds herself consumed with a selfish desire to share her fate with Adam, because she can no longer conceive of separation from him.

The Pent-up Guilt in Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

The Pent-up Guilt in Macbeth      Ã‚   There is hardly any emotion in William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth that outweighs that of guilt. Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are seriously compromised by the impact of this emotion.    Clark and Wright in their Introduction to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare explain how guilt impacts Lady Macbeth:    Lady Macbeth is of a finer and more delicate nature. Having fixed her eye upon the end - the attainment for her husband of Duncan's crown - she accepts the inevitable means; she nerves herself for the terrible night's work by artificial stimulants; yet she cannot strike the sleeping king who resembles her father. Having sustained her weaker husband, her own strength gives way; and in sleep, when her will cannot control her thoughts, she is piteously afflicted by the memory of one stain of blood upon her little hand.   (792)    In Fools of Time: Studies in Shakespearean Tragedy, Northrop Frye sees a relationship between Macbeth's guilt and his hallucinations:    The future moment is the moment of guilt, and it imposes on one, until it is reached, the intolerable strain of remaining innocent. [. . .] We notice that anyone who is forced to brood on the past and expect the future lives in a world where that which is not present is present, in other words in a world of hallucination. Macbeth's capacity for seeing things that may or may not be there is almost limitless, and the appearance of the mousetrap play to Claudius, though more easily explained, has the same dramatic point as the appearance of Banquo's ghost. (90)    Fanny Kemble in "Lady Macbeth" asserts that Lady Macbeth was unconscious of her guilt, which nevertheless killed her:    Lady Macbeth, even in her sleep, has no qualms of conscience; her remorse takes none of the tenderer forms akin to repentance, nor the weaker ones allied to fear, from the pursuit of which the tortured soul, seeking where to hide itself, not seldom escapes into the boundless wilderness of madness. A very able article, published some years ago in the National Review, on the character of Lady Macbeth, insists much upon an opinion that she died of remorse, as some palliation of her crimes, and mitigation of our detestation of them. That she died of wickedness would be, I think, a juster verdict. Remorse is consciousness of guilt .

The Price System :: essays research papers

The Price System   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The price system is a means of organizing economic activity. It does this by coordinating the decisions of consumers, producers, and owners of productive resources. Millions of economic agents who have no direct communication with each other are led by the price system to supply each other's wants. Every economic system has three functions. In a decentralized usually private enterprise economic system, the price mechanism is the instrument by which these functions are performed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Prices are an expression of the consensus on the values of different things, and every society that permits exchanges among consumers has prices. Because prices are expressed in terms of a widely acceptable commodity, they permit a comparison of the comparative values of various commodities--if shoes are $15 per pair and bread 30 cents per loaf, a pair of shoes is worth 50 loaves of bread. The price of anything is its value in exchange for a commodity of wide acceptability, money.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A system of prices exists because individual prices are related to each other. If, for example, metal rods cost 40 cents a pound and the process of drawing a rod into wire costs 25 cents a pound, then, if the price of wire exceeds 65 cents, it will be profitable to produce wire; and if the price of wire falls below 65 cents, it will be ruinous to produce wire. Competition, therefore, will hold the price of wire about 25 cents per pound above that of rods. A variety of such economic forces ties the entire structure of prices together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One function of the price system is to determine what is to be produced and in what quantity. Even an ancient economy must choose between food and shelter, weapons and tools, priests and hunters. In a modern economy the potential variety of goods and services that may be produced is immense. Consider simply the 10,000 new book titles that are published each year or the hundreds of colors of paint or the thousands o f styles of clothing that are produced--each of these actual collections being much smaller than modern technology permits.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second function of the price system an economy must perform is to decide how the desired goods are to be produced. There is more than one way not only to skin a cow but also to grow wheat, train lawyers, refine petroleum, and transport baggage. The efficient production of goods requires that certain obvious rules be followed: no resource should be used in producing one thing when it could be producing something more valuable elsewhere; and each product should be made with the smallest possible amount of resources.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Single Parent Homes

The purpose of this paper is to express the advantages and disadvantages of single parent homes. As compared to over forty to fifty years ago, single-parent families are common in today’s world. A single parent is a parent with one or more children, who is not living with any of the children’s other parents. The percentage of children who live with two parents has been declining among all racial and ethnic groups throughout the years. It has been found that children in single-parent homes generally fare worse than those in homes with two parents. In today’s single parent households there are many advantages and disadvantages. Even after you weigh the single parenting pros and cons you will see that the disadvantages of single parenting usually outweigh the advantages. The biggest concerns about single parenting are the children. Single parenting is not an easy thing to do. You must be both mother and father to a child or children. Youth from single mother homes, especially those living in poor communities, are at higher risk for adjustment difficulties (Shook et la, 2010). National estimates from the United States have found that the poverty rate of single parent homes was 43. 5% as compared to 21. % of cohabitating families and 7. 6% for married families. Single and cohabitating parents also had fewer assets, less stable employment and higher levels of material hardships. Among single parents and never married mothers, they may be even worse off than divorced mothers, because they had lower levels of human capital or family support and were less likely to receive child support (Gibson-Davis and Gassman-Pines, 2010). Research has shown that low income parents were more likely to use harsh discipline, engage in erratic and inconsistent parenting practices, and provide less cognitive stimulation. Economic well-being has also been directly linked to parental psychological health, because financial strain increases stress, anxiety and depression, further compromising parenting ( Gibson-Davis and Gassman-Pines, 2010). Growing up in a low socioeconomic household increases vulnerability to a wide array of risk factors that can have long-term developmental effects among children (Taylor et la, 2010). Stress and psychological vulnerabilities negatively influence parenting quality through behaviours such as ineffective monitoring of children, harsh or hostile parenting, and inconsistent parenting. Distressed parents are typically less affectionate and report feeling less capable in disciplinary interactions with their children. These types of poor parenting behaviours predict lower levels of children’s positive social behaviour and higher ratio of behaviour problems. Children from single mother families are at increased risk of maladjustment as a result of exposure to adverse environments resulting from poverty, parental internalizing symptoms and ineffective parenting (Taylor et la, 2010). Children from single parent families have very poor and behavioural outcomes. The transition to adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time as youth begin to exhibit lower social competence, declines in academic performance and increased levels of delinquency do to the lack of monitoring from their parent. It is proven that children living in single parent homes, in poverty ridden neighbourhoods are more likely to drop out of school, both so they could go and work to help with the household income or do to the lack of interest in academics. Pregnancy rates also increase for children between the ages of 15 to 17 years of age who live in single parent homes. There are also signs that children who have gone through a divorce may have problems with depression, and emotional stress. It has been found that adolescents from single parent families were found to be three times more likely to be depressed than those living in two parent households. Single-parent homes are also associated with criminal activity, such as murder, rape and other violent crimes. And they are also more likely to use drugs. Problems found in the single parent household may not be because of the parent who raised the child, but can be linked to other things that are also related to single parenting. The effects of coming from a low income family can include things like lower education levels, lower economic achievement and can result in leaving the child feeling isolated and lonely. It would appear that being a part of a single-parent household indicates a negative family environment. It should be said however that many single parent families find a balance and successfully thrive in today’s world. Single parents often worry that their children will somehow be damaged from living in a single parent family. While a single parent family may not be the ideal situation for raising children, many two parent families are also less than desirable. Kids can actually benefit from living in a single parent family. A home filled with conflict is the least desirable home environment for children. When the child’s prior two parent household included frequent fighting between the adults the child can benefit from living in one parent home provided that the conflict is stopped. Children observe adult relationships and usually apply what they have learned to their own relationships as adults. By residing with only one parent, the child may actually have a chance to observe healthier adult relationships. Children learn valuable lessons from dealing with hard times and having a difficult lifestyle from many of their peers. A single parent may actually have more time for the kids that a married parent would have. Since there is no longer a spouse around at mealtime, meals don’t have to be as substantial and can be structural around kid-friendly ingredients. The opportunity to spend time in two separate homes can be a good experience for your children. They will see different approaches to life and hopefully, take the best of both homes to use in establishing their own households as adults. Kids who live with one parent tend to develop independence faster than their peers. Since the parent will probably have a job and other many other duties, the kids may have to learn to do things for themselves such as preparing a single meal or participating in household chores. The kids also learn that they need to be ready to take care of themselves, since they, too, could end up on their own or in a single parent situation someday. Another benefit of a single parent household is the child may become extremely close with the parent they live with. Because in some circumstances children only have one parent so the child will want to form a strong bond with the only parent they have. Your kids will have more opportunities to develop responsibility. Although no one wants their kids to grow up before it is time, as part of a single parent family it will be easier for your kids to feel like partners in the family as opposed to â€Å"just the kids†. They will have more opportunities to contribute and grow into responsible adults. The single-parent and the children will learn resiliency. Resiliency, the ability to â€Å"bounce back† when negative things happen, is one of the most valuable skills one needs to survive in this world. Facing some of the difficulties of a single parent household, the parent and child will have numerous opportunities to practice resiliency. Face difficult situations with a positive attitude and hope, and learn to look outside the box when seeking solutions. They will develop a skill that can get them through the toughest of times together. Even though woman face greater financial problems, they tend to be more nurturing to their children by telling them they love them, hugging them, and showing affection towards them. In conclusion it is apparent that single parent households, whether headed by a mother or father, have more to deal with than two parent households. Single-parent households will continue to exist in society. It is also evident that children in two-parent households generally fare better than children who are raised by only one parent. With single parenthood being such a commonality in today’s world, it is important to take a close look at the research out there regarding this type of family unit and the effects it can have on children. With this knowledge, individuals are better able to address the many challenges accompanying single parenthood. Parenthood is challenging. Single-parenthood is excruciatingly challenging, I know because I am a single parent myself.