Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Health Promotion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Promotion - Essay Example First of all, each program should be described for the sake of clarity and specific goals thereof. In this vein, ACAP is well based on the provision of proper information on the issue and the way of emergency training (Asthma Australia, 2011). The main objective is to implement educational standards applied to the healthcare in the country. It is vital to note that the main parties concerning ACAP are education staff, parents, and adolescents (Asthma Australia, 2011). Thus, it is aimed at providing children with ultimate care so as to make sure their attitudes will be loyal toward the program itself. Triggered in November 2009, the program is advantageous for training more than 148 104 staff in schools and preschools providing 7 514 1 hour Asthma Australia training sessions across Australia (Asthma Australia, 2011). Thus, the program is aimed at making education staff aware of the problem itself and safety options required for keeping up a good job with children with asthma accordingly. Moreover, it is valuable in a hospital setting, involving children into a friendly atmosphere of understanding and counseling on the part of adults. Moreover, keeping in mind the fact that the rate of asthma prevalence in Australia is one of the highest in the world, the annual costs varies from $500 million to $1 billion (Mulberg, Silber, & Anker, 2010, p. 25). Definitely, ACAP is seen to have the largest amount of funding on the part of the government. Nevertheless, it needs more inclusion of additional directions aimed at the optimization of ACAP’s mission throughout different states in Australia. ACSP is another program included in the national program on community and hospital admission of asthma training in order to increase people’s awareness of the diseases while decreasing cases of emergency in the future. The program deals with both community and hospital awareness and is based on education, information, and support (Asthma Australia, 2011). In this respect the program is effective due to its widespread popularity a a host of positive feedbacks from all participants engaged in this program. The question is that ACSP is called to prevent Australians with asthma from lethal outcomes. It is all about the conclusions made by the Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring state that during the period of 2000-2005 there were 145 deaths per 100,000 patients with the highest rate of mortality among patients over 45 years old (Watson, Pharma, & Rabe, 2007). Thus, commenced in response to such a poor statistics in November 2009, ACSP provides the hospital staff al ong with the rest of population with proper training and assessment regarding asthma. To say more, 511 session were realized in the last year (Asthma Australia, 2011). However, the program lacks impact on the western states of Australia having less performance in there. Finally, AAP is the oldest health-promoting anti-asthma program commenced in Australia at the end of the 1980s in order to timely analyze and define the detrimental factors for and preventive measures against asthma. In this respect the first two programs seem to repeat the methods prescribed in AAP. It is all about the main benefits of AAP for Australians realized through the awareness of the symptoms, seeking medical attention, resources for better management of asthma, training community members with what they can do in cases of asthmatic manifestations in an individual, etc (Harver & Kotses,

Monday, October 28, 2019

Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig Essay Example for Free

Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig Essay Summer Farm by Norman MacCaig characterizes the comparison of nature and human life. The poet uses the language to describe the environment while relating it to the narrator. The poet also uses different language technuiques to describe and streghten his message in the poem The poem starts with the description of the narrators surroundings. The tame lightnings shows us that things that seem wild and dangerous can be controlled like how situations in our lives that are out of proportion can be handled. Moreover, the lightnings hang zigzags on hedges. The zig zags could represent the shape of lightning or how nature is very random unlike our lives where we have regular routines. However nine ducks go wobbling by in two straight lines shows that even nature can be set in course, thought the word wobbling denotes the sense of order. The second stanza is about animals in the barn. It conveys the animals that would typically be found at a barn and uses their behavior to show a point in his message. For example A hen stares at nothing with one eye However a hen has to be looking at something, but the use of words one eye is odd, random almost. Nevertheless it could mean show the world in a animals point of view and ours is entirely different. Then it goes Out of an empty sky a swallow falls. I believe that this use of metaphor is describing his mind. The empty sky is his empty mind, and the swallow is a train of thought. Dives up again into the dizzying blue. The swallow (thought) was brought into the barn but, the impact from falling surely would have caused injures. Perhaps the thought is of somewhat importance. Then the swallow dives into the dizzying blue. The world dizzy could mean confusion, maybe the thought was a bit confusing? And then the swallow disappears back into a empty sky. The third stanza represents the narrators thoughts and the movements of its mind. It starts I lie, not thinking the word I shows that indeed the narrator is talking about himself. He lies in the cool soft grass where he could be searching for comfort or relaxation. Then he compares himself with a grasshopper with plated face unfolds his legs and finds himself in space. It is clearly shown that the grasshopper is reflecting the same movements and thoughts. They both have came to relax and find themselves in space.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Princess Diana Spoke Volumes on AIDS Awareness :: essays research papers

During Princess Diana's life she helped with many foundations and charities. But she finally dedicated herself to one cause in particular. Princess Diana became very involved with helping AIDS sufferers and their families. Starting in the early nineties until her death in 1997 Diana did everything she could to help all AIDS foundations. Even though she was regal, she did not consider herself better than any AIDS sufferer, and constantly held AIDS victims and visted them when everyone else was afraid of their touch. Princess Diana first became interested in helping the needy when she was in high school. Diana fisrt started charitable works with the Voluntary Service Unit, where she would visit mentally handicapped teenagers. While many of Diana's friends were afraid and resistant about visiting Darenth Park, a huge mental hospital, Diana found that she had a natural desire for this work. Even though Diana was a princess and part of the royal family, she was not afraid to help AIDS vi ctims and sufferers. Diana wasnt afraid to touch or even hug kids or adults who had AIDS or were HIV-positive. On the other hand,the Queen, the Queen's sister, and the queen's niece always wore gloves when merely shaking hands. "Everyone needs hugs" Diana once said. Diana, Princess of Wales, was the first royal family member to openly work with and support AIDS victims. "I touch people, I think everyone needs that,"stated Diana when discussing about how she freely hugs and touches AIDS patients and people who are HIV-positive. In 1989, Diana made one of her first public visits to an AIDS facility in England.Diana started her work with AIDS during a very hard time in her life. Even though Diana could have quit her charitable works after her divorce, she embraced them with a renewed passion. Diana's support for AIDS victims and sufferers came a crucial time when tabloids and her royal family didnt fully approve of her works.Diana became a favorite around normal, ev eryday people because she made them feel loved. Diana thought it was normal to touch and have conversations with AIDS patients when others wouldnt go near them. Diana conquered public fear of AIDS when she held a baby with AIDS in Washington in her arms. Diana was special because she won people's devotions by simply being devoted to them. To many people Diana was a hero because she actually listened and understood AIDS patients, as well as show affection and love.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Ensuring Freedom by Preserving the Values of Trade Unions Essay

Ensuring Freedom by Preserving the Values of Trade Unions Thoughtful committed citizens are the only thing that have ever changed the world. —Margaret Mead Anti-union sentiment is increasingly pervading American culture. In fact, one critic says, â€Å"The United States in now on the verge of a risky experiment: to become the first parliamentary democracy in modern world history without a substantial trade union movement† (Lichtenstein 66). In addition to weakening bargaining power, the judicial system allows workers to resign in the midst of a strike and scab on coworkers. A huge number of professionals and supervisors were even deemed exempt from representation (Lichtenstein 66). Legislation and corporate wealth are eroding the power of organized labor and thereby obfuscating workplace democracy; extinguishing employee rights; eroding the living standards of working, working- poor, and middle class Americans; muting the voice of minorities; retarding environmental improvements; increasing corporate domination of politics; and auguring exploitation of workers throughout the world. However, a significant portion of freedoms, to which Americans have become accustomed, would be greatly diminished or non-existent without the social values that are embodied by organized labor. Evidence suggests that employers seldom behave democratically without the mandate of a higher authority such as the government or a union. It is no wonder that workplace dictatorships are becoming a widespread phenomenon as government regulations fail to adequately protect workers but enhance the power of employers: â€Å"Fear of being fired, downsized, laid off, of not making pension time, poverty in a new economy, of part-time and insecure, low-paid jobs, an... ...titute, 1997. Lawrence, Vince. â€Å"John Sweeney’s Militant Unionism.† The New Republic 6 Oct. 1997: 23 - 24. LeRoy, Greg. â€Å"The Terrible Ten.† The Progressive 28 May 1999: 27 - 30. Lichtenstein, Nelson. â€Å"Work Rights, Individual Rights.† Dissent Spring 1997: 66 - 72. Mantois, Gregory. A New Labor Movement for the New Century. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1998. Moberg, David. â€Å"Union Pension Power.† The Nation 1 June 1998: 16 - 19. Puddington, Arch. â€Å"Is Labor Back?† Commentary July 1998: 39 - 42. Shribman, David. â€Å"Big Labor Gets Its Act Together.† Fortune 29 Sept. 1997: 60 - 61. Silbiger, Stephen. â€Å"State of Unions.† National Review 26 Jan. 1998: 20 - 21. Smith, Peter. â€Å"The Fractured World of the Temporary Worker.† Journal of Labour 22.2 (‘1998): 414 -427. Wells, Don. â€Å"Labour Solidarity Goes Global.† Canadian Dimension 32.2 (1998): 33 - 39.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Educational Reforms in Bhutan

The purpose of the article is to discuss the weaknesses of Bhutan’s educational reforms focusing on how the educational system is not able prepare the youth for the world of work. The author implicitly discusses two questions. The first question pertains to how the education reforms fail to provide the youth with better knowledge, skills and values to match employers’ needs. The second question relate to how the educational system should be reformed to address the employment challenge. The author has used descriptive method designed to provide rich descriptive details of education reforms in Bhutan between 1961 and 2008.This article is targeted at policy makers, educationalists and public. While the research design involved in-depth narrative analysis, it did not use scientific inquiry into the subject, especially the empirical analysis and hypothesis testing. Rather than making some sweeping statement, the author could have supported those statements with some empirica l analysis. However, the article can serve as the first step towards more rigorous research, as it identifies important factors leading to mismatch of education and employment in the country.The author begins by discussing the overall context of the education-employment mismatch in the country. The historical development of education system was discussed explaining the low enrolment rate in the beginning (1960s), positive change in the Bhutanese people’s attitude towards western education, and now the problem of enrolment pressure. He discusses (with figures) a growing difference in the quantitative expansion of educational facilities and the sharp rise in enrolment rate.The author also discussed about the growing number of school dropouts, entering the job markets unprepared to meet the needs and expectations of the public and private employers. He contrasts the unemployment problem in general with the shortage of workforce in the agriculture sector. The author does not ment ion about field research, interviews or literature reviews based on which he tried to answer his research questions. The analysis identifies six main factors of the high youth unemployment scenario in the country.These factors are inadequate education quality, limited diversity of educational tracks, mismatch between demand and supply of the youth, youth’s preference for civil service, reluctance to enter the private sector and negative attitude towards blue collar jobs. These factors are valid, but they are not consistent with the topic and research questions, that is, education reforms in Bhutan. By discussing these factors, the article is concerned more about the overall youth unemployment rather than focusing on the aspects of education system such as curriculum, pedagogy, infrastructure, quality, etc (the title seem to point out). Educational Reforms in Bhutan The purpose of the article is to discuss the weaknesses of Bhutan’s educational reforms focusing on how the educational system is not able prepare the youth for the world of work. The author implicitly discusses two questions. The first question pertains to how the education reforms fail to provide the youth with better knowledge, skills and values to match employers’ needs. The second question relate to how the educational system should be reformed to address the employment challenge. The author has used descriptive method designed to provide rich descriptive details of education reforms in Bhutan between 1961 and 2008.This article is targeted at policy makers, educationalists and public. While the research design involved in-depth narrative analysis, it did not use scientific inquiry into the subject, especially the empirical analysis and hypothesis testing. Rather than making some sweeping statement, the author could have supported those statements with some empirica l analysis. However, the article can serve as the first step towards more rigorous research, as it identifies important factors leading to mismatch of education and employment in the country.The author begins by discussing the overall context of the education-employment mismatch in the country. The historical development of education system was discussed explaining the low enrolment rate in the beginning (1960s), positive change in the Bhutanese people’s attitude towards western education, and now the problem of enrolment pressure. He discusses (with figures) a growing difference in the quantitative expansion of educational facilities and the sharp rise in enrolment rate.The author also discussed about the growing number of school dropouts, entering the job markets unprepared to meet the needs and expectations of the public and private employers. He contrasts the unemployment problem in general with the shortage of workforce in the agriculture sector. The author does not ment ion about field research, interviews or literature reviews based on which he tried to answer his research questions. The analysis identifies six main factors of the high youth unemployment scenario in the country.These factors are inadequate education quality, limited diversity of educational tracks, mismatch between demand and supply of the youth, youth’s preference for civil service, reluctance to enter the private sector and negative attitude towards blue collar jobs. These factors are valid, but they are not consistent with the topic and research questions, that is, education reforms in Bhutan. By discussing these factors, the article is concerned more about the overall youth unemployment rather than focusing on the aspects of education system such as curriculum, pedagogy, infrastructure, quality, etc (the title seem to point out).

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

useing evidence to inform nurs essays

useing evidence to inform nurs essays Summative assignment using evidence to inform nursing practise The author of this report will attempt to identify an aspect of nursing practise that raised a question in the authors mind, and therefore required further investigation thus enabling validation of certain actions and practises. In so doing, empowering the author to make informed and rational judgements of observed practises and actions and thereby implement newly acquired knowledge focusing on evidence based practise and the benefits to nursing in general, and the development of sound, informed, nursing practises. During the authors last placement, it had been observed that one particular patient, who shall be known as Jane throughout this document, in order to protect patient confidentiality and therefore act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N.M.C.) code of conduct, (NMC, 2000), had after receiving Electro Convulsive Therapy, (E.C.T.), suffered on at least three separate occasions from a sore throat. Jane complained of mild to moderate sore throats, and expressed some difficulties when swallowing for about half an hour after waking up. Jane had been given a laryngeal airway during her treatment, due to her having a fractured septum, leaving her with an inability to breath clearly, if at all, through her nose, but other than this, her treatment was identical to the very next patient, who had oxygen delivered via a standard face mask. After both patients treatments, they were placed in the recovery room and they both fully recovered in a little under half an hour. Upon rec overy Jane asked the author if the discomfort was normal, and the author felt unable to give a clear or fact based opinion in answer. The author determined to allay Janes concerns and wished to contribute to Janes overall after care by helping to reduce any anxiety she may be suffering through worrying about her physical condition. The author may be ab...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Using the Spanish Verb Jugar

Using the Spanish Verb Jugar Jugar is usually the equivalent of the English verb to play and is used in much the same way. Using Jugar With Games The most noticeable difference is that in standard Spanish the preposition a is used after jugar when jugar is used to refer to the playing of a specified game: Me gustarà ­a saber si en Belice juegan al fà ºtbol. (I would like to know if they play soccer in Belize.)Aprendemos a jugar al ajedrez. (We are learning to play chess.)Los estudiantes jugaron a la bolsa y no ganaron nada. (The students played the market and didnt earn anything.)El actor jugà ³ a la ruleta rusa con una pistola totalmente cargada. (The actor played Russian roulette with a fully loaded pistol.) In parts of Latin America, however, the a can be omitted when referring to athletic contests. The absence of the a is a regional variation and shouldnt be imitated in most areas. Jugar isnt used to refer to the playing of a musical instrument. For that, use tocar. Using Jugar With Con When followed by the preposition con, jugar sometimes carries a meaning similar to to manipulate or to play around with. The phrase sometimes suggests that someone isnt treating something (or someone) with due respect or diligence: Los chicos de cuatro aà ±os juegan con las palabras e inventan palabras e historias disparatadas. (Four-year-old children play with words and invent words and silly stories.)Jugaste con mis sentimientos, como juega el viento con la hoja. (You manipulated my feelings, like the wind toys with a leaf.)No voy a jugar con mi salud cuando lo que quiero es mejorarla. (Im not going to trifle with my health when what I want to do is make it better.)Chvez dijo que los banqueros privados jugaron con el dinero del pueblo. (Chvez said the private bankers gambled with the peoples money.) Standing by itself, jugar usually means simply to play: Jugaban todo el dà ­a. (They played all day.) The phrase jugar limpio is used to mean to play clean, that is, playing fairly, by the rules or otherwise in a commendable manner. The opposite, to play dirty, is jugar sucio. Using Jugar Reflexively In the reflexive form, if it doesnt mean to play together, jugarse usually suggests gambling or taking risks: Facebook y Twitter se juegan por lo ms popular. (Facebook and Twitter are competing to be the most popular.)Me juguà © la vida porque tenà ­a que triunfar. (I bet my life because I had to win.)Ellos se juegan mucho ms que nosotros. (Theyre risking a lot more than we are.) Remember that jugar is conjugated irregularly.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Bedroom at Arles essays

Bedroom at Arles essays When I first looked at this painting, I thought to myself, "It's boring. It's boring to look at. Why paint a picture of an empty bedroom?" However, once I started looking at all the elements, my mind changed. Van Gogh's use of line really gives depth and character to the piece. The first line that caught my eye was the line outlining the bottom of the bed. The strong stroke really gives you a sense of distance between the bottom of the frame and the floor. Had it been a thin line like those to depict the floorboards, it would look like the bed was sitting directly on the floor. His use of brush strokes and the thickness of them vary immensely in the painting to create depth. The strong strokes of the chair in the lower left hand corner really gives you a sense that the chair is in the foreground as opposed to the chair next to the head of the bed. That chair, painted with thinner lines tells you the chair is further back. The use of color originally struck me as bland. The use of reds and oranges overwhelmed me to the point where I was trying to focus on other colors in the painting. I think that is a point of the painting. I think Van Gogh wanted the viewer to look around. I also think that Van Gogh wanted to use these particular colors to create depth. The use of reds and oranges dominate the foreground with the frame of the bed, the bed sheet and the chair in the lower left corner. The use of blue on the walls pulls everything in and creates the depth. Had the wall been green, brown, red or black, there would not be a great depth. In regards to depth, the use of lines in the floorboards creates depth, drawing your eye to and from the back of the room. Color values are strong in this painting. It goes back to what I said about color, but I believe the soft hue of the blue walls against the strong hue of the bed frame and floor provides enough contrast to pull you into the painting. I also like the strong hue of the table. ...

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Ten principles outlined Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ten principles outlined - Assignment Example The author defines how meditation encourages a healthy lifestyle and increases awareness among individuals. Indeed, through meditation, individuals can recognize and manage their anger with a clear mind, which calms them down (Crane, 2014). Moreover, the article asserts that meditation increases happiness where various studies have established that meditation increases brain signaling in the left side of the prefrontal cortex that derives positive emotions that increases happiness (Crane, 2014). The author quotes other scholars who confirm that meditation increases acceptance and improves overall well-being. Uniquely, studies establish that meditation also slows aging by changing brain physiology. Moreover, the huge gray matter possessed by meditators slows aging. Ultimately, the article confirms that meditation benefits cardiovascular and immune health by inducing relaxation that increases the nitric oxide chemical, which compels blood vessels to open thus reducing blood pressure (Crane, 2014). Apparently, the article is relevant and reliable to discuss the benefits of meditation. I have therefore found the article to be beneficial since it discusses various benefits of meditation. The article quotes relevant studies and scholars that explain the merits of meditation. Indeed, the article supports all its claims relating to the benefits of meditation. Notably, the article is beneficial since it depicts how meditation can improve our health, well-being, and social lives. The happiness, self-awareness, acceptance, good health, and increased concentration that the article presents are fundamental in human life (Crane, 2014). Moreover, the article is current, relevant, and credible to discuss the research topic, benefits of meditation. The article is equally easy to read and access since it is on an international news media. The paper lists, explains, and summarizes the importance of the ten

Friday, October 18, 2019

Tissues can convert to stem cells Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tissues can convert to stem cells - Essay Example The difference between the fruit flies and other researched subjects is that the fruit flies larval ovary has an abundant supply of the fruit fly protein that is analogous to a protein (BMP4) involved in germ-cell development in developing mammalian embryos. Secondly, the cells in the larval ovary are unlikely to block reversion, in contrast to the cells that cluster cells encounter normally. Thus it appears that under these two conditions, embryonic stem cell testing can be avoided. My reaction to stem cell research really depends on what it is that is being used. While I have no objection to the use of the umbilicus or adult cells, I am completely against the use of embryonic cell use. A human embryo is a human being. We should not be killing humans. Abortion is an atrocity in this country as it is. The logic behind my position is simple. When a sperm and an egg combine it makes a human being. Even when it is still just one cell it is a unique and individual human being with its own set of unique genes. Every human being is a unique person and human life should be respected. How can anyone say its okay for "human abortions" to be acceptable and at the same time want to "save the whales" It is a horror on massive scale.

Discussion Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 32

Discussion - Coursework Example Staffing is a major factor hindering the research utilization and evidence-based practice in my workplace. It is very difficult for an individual to implement EBP on their own rather there is need of teamwork and consultations. With the limited number of staff, it, therefore, makes the process difficult, as there is limited time and an increased workload for research and EBP utilization. Another factor that hinders the adoption of research utilization and evidence-based practice is the unavailability of the necessary resources and support at the workplace. Moreover, there is a poor culture and leadership in EBP adoption making the process quite challenging to achieve. In attainment of the appropriate culture, it is crucial for the organization to hire professionals who support and demonstrate commitment to the process, as health care practitioners who have a commitment to research and EBP utilization are able to achieve excellent patients care (MacDougall & Riley, 2010). It is also e ssential for the organization to recognize individuals participating in research and EBP to provide a clear message on the importance of the practice in the workplace. Brazil, K., Royle, J. A., Montemuro, M., Blythe, J., & Church, A. (2004). Moving to evidence-based practice in long-term care: the role of a Best Practise Resource Centre in two long-term care settings. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 30, 14–19. MacDougall, M., & Riley, S. C. (2010). Initiating undergraduate medical students into communities of research practise: what do supervisors recommend? BMC Medical Education, 10, 83.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

The Doctrine of Risk Assumption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Doctrine of Risk Assumption - Essay Example The case under research presents a classic example of assumption of risk set out in the tort of negligence. As such, it is significant to inspect the fundamentals that define the rationale for risk assumption and implications thereof. Typically, the ideals of this doctrine demand that the injured party must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the defendant owed him the duty of care. Secondly, the plaintiff bears the onus of proof that the defendant breached such duty by failing to take all practicable measures and exercising necessary obligation to prevent potential injuries that may arise if such duty is breached. Thirdly, the injured party ought to demonstrate that the risk was not reasonably open and obvious for which the plaintiff sustained injuries. It is worth illustrating as well that the defendant was reckless as a result of which he caused the plaintiff actual injuries as reiterated by Wong. In examining these conundrums, the law purports that the doctrine of risk assumpt ion applies to the players as well as spectators and bystanders in the game in question. On the other hand, statutory logic suggests that any fans of a given game who decides to attend that game shall have assumed the risks associated with that game even if he is not actively engaged in the game. Notwithstanding actual attendance, the law shall not hold the owner of a playing ground liable for injuries suffered by persons who voluntarily assume the risk of taking part in a match thereon. Moreover, a claim for negligence can arise if the risk was not open and obvious whereby the injured parties could have opted to stay away if they had knowledge of such risks. For instance, it is not reasonable open and obvious that a stadium roof may collapse on football spectators if such the construction of such stadium had been supervised and certified by competent engineers.

Managing financials in the Canadian Public sector Case Study

Managing financials in the Canadian Public sector - Case Study Example In other approach, contracting these services would create room for specialization; the companies will use the best janitors/ janitresses in the job to enhance quality and efficiency thus cutting down on extra costs for the same job, and employees will have ample time to serve the members of the public assuming that these companies will be doing their tasks efficiently and on timely manner (Frey, 2005). Further, outsourcing these services to other companies has a financial merit in the long run; apart from one time severance payment the ministry will cut off the recurrent expenditure in the subsequent years, these companies will dedicate their skills and expertise to offer quality services with hope of license renewal after five years, with which the surplus can be channeled in other sectors/ ministries. Externalities such as injuries to employees while doing the janitorial services in a rush to get started for the day’s work will be ruled out once the contracting process is c omplete. Retaining in-house services on the other hand might be profitable in the short run as the employees are engaged in other creative activities but it is costly to the financiers or the exchequer in the long run. Contracting route on the other hand is faced by legal and other challenges which can socially and /or economically tumble the wellbeing of the country and the public confidence towards the ministry. For instance, depending with the government’s provision for public contracts, a 35% requirement (Graham & Q.U, 2005) would mean that the favorite bidder would be Adanac Cleaners who despite their costly service of $440000 a year have a greater chance of approval from the government. The major problem for the management will be the decision making process on which company to award the contract factoring in issues of cost, performance and the public policies by the government. Question 2: The major external control factors to be considered in

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The Doctrine of Risk Assumption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Doctrine of Risk Assumption - Essay Example The case under research presents a classic example of assumption of risk set out in the tort of negligence. As such, it is significant to inspect the fundamentals that define the rationale for risk assumption and implications thereof. Typically, the ideals of this doctrine demand that the injured party must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the defendant owed him the duty of care. Secondly, the plaintiff bears the onus of proof that the defendant breached such duty by failing to take all practicable measures and exercising necessary obligation to prevent potential injuries that may arise if such duty is breached. Thirdly, the injured party ought to demonstrate that the risk was not reasonably open and obvious for which the plaintiff sustained injuries. It is worth illustrating as well that the defendant was reckless as a result of which he caused the plaintiff actual injuries as reiterated by Wong. In examining these conundrums, the law purports that the doctrine of risk assumpt ion applies to the players as well as spectators and bystanders in the game in question. On the other hand, statutory logic suggests that any fans of a given game who decides to attend that game shall have assumed the risks associated with that game even if he is not actively engaged in the game. Notwithstanding actual attendance, the law shall not hold the owner of a playing ground liable for injuries suffered by persons who voluntarily assume the risk of taking part in a match thereon. Moreover, a claim for negligence can arise if the risk was not open and obvious whereby the injured parties could have opted to stay away if they had knowledge of such risks. For instance, it is not reasonable open and obvious that a stadium roof may collapse on football spectators if such the construction of such stadium had been supervised and certified by competent engineers.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Total cost minimization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Total cost minimization - Essay Example This essay paper provides a detailed discussion about information gathering, individual and teamwork, written communication skills, communication tools, professionalism, relationship, economics and project management in relation to Ford Company and its bid to minimize its total cost Information gathering It has been necessary for Ford to conduct an internal investigation and gather information. The investigations have been to assess performance levels, safety concerns, employee misconduct, harm to property, sexual harassment, attitude, employee capability, and theft cases. Internal investigations are done to resolve challenges or avoid moral hazards. This has helped Ford company avoid substantial legal and financial costs. A poorly done internal investigation could lead to negative effects such as negative publicity, distraction of employees from their work, a leeway to moral hazards among employees and negative impact on employee morale. These negative effects will create unnecessar y costs. The company has been thorough when it comes to internal investigation and corrective measures, and has managed to reduce the costs related to the mentioned effects. Prior to engaging in any investigation, the technical team select among the alternatives methods, the cheapest and most effective, to reduce costs involve (Banham, Russ & Newman 24) 6. Individual and teamwork 6b. Individual and teamwork Working as an individual is beneficial amongst few persons who are productive when doing a task as an individual. However, Teamwork is fundamental for entrepreneurs. Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Company was a great achiever because he believed in teamwork. In 1947 Ford Henry said that working together eventually boosts success. This allowed the management team to ride on an indefinite mandate to set up skilled and motivated task force. It is cheaper to harmonize the goals of employees with that of the Ford Company, than to face individual employees. The sense of team spirit wi ll automatically influence employees who appear incorrigible. Ford’s success is likely to rely on teamwork. (Hitt & Michael, p 15) Communication Skills a. written Communication is fundamental for success of an organization. Communication channels define the path that information follows from one employee to another. Ford Company has an effective communication channels both for external and internal communication between employees. Henry ford, founder of Ford Company considers listening as secret to success. Ford’s human resource department considers poor listeners as expensive employees. In bid to minimize communication related cost, verbal communication is preferred when exchanging personal information within the Company. Written communication is also preferred when handling Company related information, which requires verification. Consequently, the company has a programme designed to develop employees writing and listening skills. Additionally, they are trained on co st effective use of the available communication resources (Hitt & Michael 21) 7c. Communication tools Ford Company has been using several communication tools to inform their customers on various products on offer. Among them are advertisement, sales endorsement, publicity, personal vending and public relation. Companies use various combinations of these tools for marketing purposes. Whereas promotion involves fee payment, sales promotion, public relations, and personal vending are not. In the company’s attempt to minimize cost, it has resorted to use of communication tools such as sales endorsement, publicity, personal vending and public relations. They have involved a great utilization of the internet resources to reach their clients in various geographical locations. The internet resource has played a very significant role in valuable time administration because numerous

Library Ict Essay Example for Free

Library Ict Essay Introduction Rapid developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) and their wide application in all aspects of life have led to dramatic changes. These changes are so revolutionary that is not realistic to expect stability in their wake 1 . Information technology (IT) entered into libraries, especially academic and research libraries, during the 1960s. Libraries employed IT to speed up their daily activities and reduce their operating costs. Many repetitive activities were upgraded using IT 2 . IT allows integration of library activities and increases efficiency and enables users to have remote access to information and around the clock access. New technologies provide unlimited information from different sources and facilitate reformatting data from different sources 3. Definition Ebijuwa and ToAnyakoha (2005) 4-5 define ICT as tools and as well as means used for collection, capture, process, storage, transmission and dissemination of information†. The American Library Association (1983) 5 defines IT as the application of computers and other technologies to the acquisition, organization,storage, retrieval and dissemination of information. The computers are used to process and store data, while telecommunications technology provides information communication tools, which make it possible for users to access databases and link them other computer networks at different locations. IT and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) are used somewhat interchangeably. Objectives of the Study The major objectives of this study are 1. To identify the ICT infrastructure facilities available in the university libraries. 2. To identify the ICT based software implemented in the university libraries. 3. To find out the various types of electronic resources available in the university libraries. Methodology The study is based on the primary data collected from the government university libraries and deemed university libraries given in table 1. Table 1. List of University Libraries S. No Name of the University 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Anna University,Chennai University of Madras, Chennai The Tamil Nadu. Dr. Ambedkar Law University,Chennai Tamil Nadu Dr. M. G. R Medical University,Chennai M. G. R . Educational and Research Institute, Chennai SRM University,Kattankulathur Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences,Chennai B. S. Abdur Rahman University,Chennai Bharath University,Chennai Sri Ramachandra University,Chennai Deemed universities Type of university Government Universities 8. 9. 10. A structured questionnaire was designed to obtain data. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: Hardware, Software, Technologies, and Electronic Resources. Sixteen questionnaires were distributed among university librarians, of which 10 university librarians were responded (62.5%). Review of Literature Walmiki and Ramakrishnegowda (2009) 7 studied ICT infrastructures in university libraries of Karnataka and found that most of the libraries were uâ€Å"lack sufficient hardware, software facilities and do not have adequate internet nodes and bandwidth†. The campus LANs were not fully extended to exploit the benefits of digital information environment. Ahmad and Fatima (2009) 8 found that researchers use a variety of ICT products and services for research and further remarked that ICT products help â€Å"to find  information, access information, manage, integrate, evaluate, create, and communicate information more easily†. It was recommended that training be organized to increase the use of ICT-based products and services. Adeleke and Olorunsola (2010) 9 studied ICT and library operations found that ICT facilities were the major constraints facing libraries in the use of tools. Shafi-Ullah and Roberts (2010) 10 found that ICT infrastructure is necessary to make provide a research culture in higher education institutions and recommended allocating funds for ICT infrastructure. Etebu (2010) 11 studied ICT availability and found a situation that is not encouraging. Patil (2010) 12 found that users were not trained to use ICT- based products and services and further recommended an ICT training programme to increase the use of ICT products and services. Data Analysis The study was carried out in ten university libraries. The demographic information related to these respondents is shown in table 2. Table 2. Demographic Information about Respondents S. No Description 1. 2. Total Percentage 40% 60% 100% Government University 4 Deemed University Total 6 10. Five ICT infrastructures such as computers, printers, laptops, scanners and photocopiers were identified for this study and same is shown in table 3. Table 3. ICT infrastructure vs. University Libraries S. No Description ICT Infrastructure 110 1. Computers 1 4 11-20 21- 31 30 above 2 3 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 1. 5 5 2. 1 2 3. 2 1 Total WAM Rank (10) (40) 2. Printers 9 1 (20) (30) 0 0 (90) (10) 3. Laptops 9 0 (0) (0) 0 1 (90) (0) (0) (10) 4. Scanners 9 1 0 0 10 (100) 10 (100) 2. 1 2 (90) (10) 5. Photocopiers 9 1 (0) (0) 0 0 2. 1 2 (90) (10) (0) (0) It can be seen from table 3 that 4 (40% ,WAM 3. 2, rank 1) libraries were between 11 and 20 computers, followed by printers, scanners, and photocopiers ranging between 1 and 10. ICT infrastructure mentioned in table 3 were further distributed library-wise, shown in table 4. Table 4. ICT Infrastructure vs. University Libraries S. N Description Government University Libraries n=4 Total Deemed University Libraries n=6 110 11- 21- 31 20 30 above 1 0 2 (50) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4 N 1A 10 (0) 0 1120 3 (50) 0 (0) 0 2130 2 31 above 1 6 Total N A 1. Computers (0) 1 (0) (25) (25) (0) 2. Printers 0 3 1 0 (100) (0) (0) 4 0 6 (33. 33) (16.67) (100) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6 (100) 6 (100) 6 (100) 6 (100) (0) (75) (25) (0) 3. Laptops 3 1 0 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (100) (0) (60) 4 0 5 (75) (25) (0) 4. Scanners 0 4 0 (100) (0) (83. 33) (0) 4 0 5 1 (0) (100) (0) 5. Photocopiers 0 3 1 (100) (0) (83. 33) (16. 67) (00 4 0 6 0 (0) 0 (0) (0) (75) (25) (0) (100) (0) (100) It can be seen from table 4 that 2 (50%) government university libraries had more than 31 computers and 3 (50%) deemed university libraries had from 11 to 20 computers. All libraries 4 (100%) from government universities and 5 of those from deemed university libraries had scanners. Three government university libraries and 6 deemed university libraries had between 1 and 10 photocopiers. Four important software applications library automation, digital library, e-learning, and digitization were identified and further ascertained using an Objective Scaling System. The results are shown in table 5. Table 5. ICT based Software in University Libraries S. No Description ICT based Software Total WAM Rank Yes No 1 (10) 9 (90) 9 (90) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 1. 0 4 1. 1 3 1. 9 1 1. 9 1 1. Library Automation Software 9 (90) 2. Digital Library Software 1 (10) 3. E-learning Software. 1 (10) 4. Digitization Software 0 (0) (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) Ninety percent of the libraries have implemented library automation and digital library software. Most of the libraries have yet to implement e-learning software and digitization software. The software were further distributed library-wise and are shown in table 6. Table 6. ICT based Software vs. University Libraries S. No Description ICT based Software Government Universities Libraries Deemed Universities Libraries Yes 1. Library Automation Software 3 (75) 2. Digital Library Software 0 (0) 3. Digitization Software 0 (0) 4. E-learning Software 1 (25) No 1 (25) 4 (100) 0 (0) 3 (75) Total 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) Yes 6 (100) 1 No 0 (0) 5 Total 10 (100) 10 (16. 67) (83. 33) (100) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6 (100) 6 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) Three-quarters of government university libraries and 6 (100%) deemed university libraries have implemented library automation , while one (25%) government university and one (16. 67%) deemed university had implemented both e-learning and digital library software. Technologies such as barcode, smart card, RFID, videoconferencing, and Internet technonologies were identified and are shown in table 7. Table 7. ICT based Technologies vs. University Libraries S. No Description ICT based Technologies Total WAM Rank Yes 1. Barcode Technology 2. Smart card Technology 9 (90) 3 (30) 3. RFID Technology 3 (30) 4. Video Conference Technology 0 (0) 5. Internet Technology 10 (100) No 1 (10) 7 (70) 7 (70) 10 (100) 0 (0) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 2. 00 1 1. 00 5 1. 3 3 1. 3 3 1. 9 2 (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) All the libraries surveyed provide internet facilities, while 90% have implemented barcode technology. Three libraries have implemented smart card and RFID technologies. None of the libraries has implementing videoconferencing. The technologies mentioned in table 7 were distributed library-wise and are shown in table 8. Table 8. ICT-based Technologies Universities Libraries S. No Description ICT based Technologies in University Libraries Government Universities Deemed Universities Yes 1. Barcode Technology 3 (75) No 1 (25) Total 4 (100) Yes 6 (100) No 0 (0) Total 10 (100) 2. Smart card Technology 2 (50) 2 (50) 2 (50) 0 (0) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 1 5 10 (16. 67) (83. 33) (100) 1 5 10 3. RFID Technology 2 (50) (16. 67) (83.33) (100) 6 (100) 0 (0) 0 (0) 6 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 4. Internet Technology 4 (100) 0 (0) 5. Video Conference Technology (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) All libraries in government and deemed universities provide Internet facilities. Seventy-five percent of government university libraries and 100% of deemed university libraries have implemented barcode technology. Nine electronic resources were identified for this study and are shown in table 9. Table 9. Electronic Resources vs. University Libraries S. No Description E-Resources in University Libraries Yes 1. E-Books 6 (60) 2 E-Journals 9 (90) 3. Full text Databases 5 (50) 4. Bibliographic databases 4 (40) 5. CD-ROM databases 8 (80) 6. E-Learning Resources 7 (70) 7. ETD 4 No 4 (40) 1 (10) 1 (10) 6 (60) 2 (20) 3 (30) 6 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 10 1. 4 7 1. 7 4 1. 8 2 1. 4 8 1. 1 9 1. 9 1 1. 6 6 Total WAM Rank (40) 8. DVD 7 (70) 9. Library Consortium 8 (80) (60) 3 (30) 2 (20) (100) 10 (100) 10 (100) 1. 8 2 1. 7 4 (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) Nearly all the libraries subscribe to electronic journals, and an almost equal number belong to a library consortium. Electronic resources mentioned in table 10 were further distributed library-wise and are shown in table 10. Table 10. Electronic Resources vs. University Libraries S. No Description Electronic Resources in University Libraries Government Universities Deemed Universities Yes 1. E-Books 2 (50) 2. E-Journals 4 (100) 3. Fulltextdatabases 1 (25) 4. Bibliographic databases 2 (50) 5. CD-ROM databases 3 (75) 6. E-Learning Resources 3 (75) 7. ETD 1 (25) 8. DVD 2 No 2 (50) 0 (0) 3 (75) 2 (50) 1 (25) 1 (25) 3 (75) 2 Total 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 Yes 4 No 2 Total 6. (66. 67) (33. 33) (100) 5 1 6 (83. 33) (16. 67) (100) 3 (50) 2 3 (50) 4 6 (100) 6 (33. 33) (66. 67 (1) 5 1 6 (83. 33) (16. 67) (100) 4 2 6 (66. 67) (33. 33) (100) 3 (50) 5 3 (50) 1 6 (100) 6 (50) 9. Library Consortium 4 (100) (50) 0 (0) (100) 4 (100) (83. 33) (16. 67) (100) 4 2 6 (66. 67) (33. 33) (100) (Yes=Available, No=Not Available) All the libraries from government universities and a large number from deemed universities subscribe to e-journals. large number have acquired other electronic resources and belong to library consortia. Conclusion and Recommendations. The application of ICTs are increasing in academic libraries, especially in the university environment. Users’ expectations have increased due to developments in technologies. The study recommends the following The University Libraries must increase the numbers of computer available to enable the users to maximize the usage of ICT-based resources and services. The Digital Library Service† is one of the most useful services in the university library. Users can access digital resources using a number of different open source digital library software packages. The libraries should implement digital library software. It is found that no library was implemented digitization software. It is very useful to digitize rare collections such as older and out of print editions. References 1. Webster, F. (2001). A new politics. In Webster, F. (Ed. ), Culture and politics in the Information Age. London: Routledge. 2. Igwe, P. O. (1986). The electronic age libraries: Present and future prospects. International Library Review, 34(1):43-52. 3. Haglund, L. , Olsson. (2008). The impact oo university libraries of changes in information behavior among academic researchers: A multiple case study. The Journal of Academic librarianship, 34 (1):51-69. 4. Ebijuwa, A. A. (2005). Information and Communication Technology in university libraries: The Nigeria experience. Journal of Library and Information Science, 7(12) :23-30. 5. ToAnyakoha, M. W. (2005). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in library services. Coal City Libraries, 2(12) :. 2-12. 6. American Library Association (1983). The ALA glossary of library and information science. Chicago. ALA. 7. Walmiki, R. H. , Ramakrishnegowda (2009). ICT infrastructures in university libraries in Karnataka. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 56:236-241. 8. Ahmad, N. , Fatima, N. (2009). Usage of ICT products and services for research in social sciences at Aligarh Muslim University. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 29(2):. 25-30. 9. Adeleke, A. A. , Olorunsola, R. (2010). ICT and Library operations: More on the online cataloguing and classification tools and techniques in Nigerian libraries. The Electronic Library, 28(3):453-462. 10. Is ICT infrastructure capable to accommodate standardized library management systems? : Case studies of library automation from public sector universities in Islamabad (Pakistan). Available: http://www. crl. du. ac. in/ical09/papers/index_files/ical-44_191_402_1_RV. pdf 11. Etebu, A. T. (2010). ICT Availability in Niger Delta University Libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Available: http://unllib. unl. edu/LPP/etebu3. htm 12. Patil, S. G. (n. d. ). Usage of ICT Products and Services for research at MET’s institute of engineering, Bhujbal Knowledge City (met-bkc-ioe): A case study. Available: http://knol. google. com/k/usage-of-ict-products-and-services-forresearch#

Monday, October 14, 2019

Challenges of Protecting Americas Critical Infrastructure

Challenges of Protecting Americas Critical Infrastructure One undisputable fact regards the significant role that the critical infrastructure plays in the provision of crucial services that a society needs for it thrive. For example, the power and water used in homes, security, transport and communication networks, and shopping stores among others together offer a society a good infrastructural base (Clark Hakim, 2017). Therefore, the following paper is keen in addressing some of main challenges to safeguard the United States critical infrastructure. It is based on the thesis statement; Critical infrastructure is fragile and sensitive to peoples needs therefore, should be accorded an enduring protection at all times in America and the rest of the world. In addressing the challenges that America encounters in its effort to protect the critical infrastructure, one should bear in mind the following useful questions; first, what does America consider as a critical infrastructure? Secondly, as a citizen of the United States, are you part of the solution or problem in safeguarding the infrastructure? Lastly, are measures put in place effective to offer a coordinated national effort in managing risks associated with critical infrastructure? It is not an easy task building critical infrastructure in any nation. Therefore, it requires a combined effort from both the government and all stakeholders in ensuring its safety and proper use as stipulated. In overall, America currently possesses almost sixteen critical infrastructure sectors which it deems essential to its economy. Its critical infrastructure includes; utilities, refineries, military defense systems, water and electricity among other facilities it relies on every day. It means that the destruction or incapacitation would have a significant negative effect on security, public health and economic security among others (Clark Hakim, 2017). In ensuring that its critical infrastructure is safe, it has established the office of Infrastructure Protection (IP). The office is mandated in leading the combined national effort in controlling potential risks to its critical infrastructure. As a result, the nation has been able to provide an enhanced security in Americas physical and cyber infrastructure. Challenges of protecting Americas critical infrastructure First, the Americas critical infrastructure faces a major problem of hackers who steal confidential and sensitive information, interfere with processes and destroy much equipment. For instance, Industrial Control System modules of the HAVEX Trojan that got recently discovered offer a good example. The malware infected many of the Americas critical facilities simply by fixing itself to the crucial software updates (Zio, 2016). The attack is a significant threat especially to the production of sensitive and confidential information. One of the critical infrastructure affected the threat from the hackers involves the military defense system. For example, the hackers steal useful information thus derailing the strategies designed by the military officers. Secondly, Americas critical infrastructure faces the constant terrorists attacks. It has emerged as a potential challenge to infrastructure besides affecting the private sectors. The possibility and impacts of a terrorist attacks could be determined by a range of strategies created by the nations executive team of experts (Zio, 2016). The uncertainty involved in knowing when a terrorists attack would take place has made the possibility of future terrorist events difficult to predict. This way, there has been an increased difficulty in ascertaining the efficiency of economic public infrastructure. Finally, America like any other nation needs efficient and reliable infrastructure for well performance of its functions. As pointed in the thesis; Critical infrastructure is fragile and sensitive to peoples needs therefore, should be accorded an enduring protection at all times in America and the rest of the world, critical infrastructure is susceptible to challenges posed by hackers and terrorist attacks. Therefore, due to uncertainty of predicting a likelihood attack and destruction; there is a need for coordinated national efforts to help in managing the challenges. References Clark, R. M., Hakim, S. (2017). Protecting Critical Infrastructure at the State, Provincial, and Local Level: Issues in Cyber-Physical Security. In Cyber-Physical Security (pp. 1-17). Springer International Publishing. Zio, E. (2016). Challenges in the vulnerability and risk analysis of critical infrastructures. Reliability Engineering System Safety, 152, 137-150.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

The Genetics of Autism Essay -- Autism in our DNA

Autism is a condition, or "disorder" that affects many people. Autism strikes at will, when and where it wants. Unlike Downs Syndrome or other birth "defects," Autism leave no marks on those that it strikes. In fact, Autism takes pride in the ability to infiltrate a child's life, while leaving him or her strikingly handsome. Many people may not even know that Autism is there. They blame the child for what it cause him or her to do. This is Autism and it do as it please. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. They can be categorized, in many ways, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some people with ASD thrive in music, math, visual skills and art. The acute signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to appear between the ages of 2 to 3 years old. (Autism Speaks) https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWRnQ01nsRvTg44cE3UDkcUP0CVzrSLT_G04RomYk4OEaBDzyensLh-Vq9mgzhKw3OMOX6Fwr82iYl1lPQwQGQsm_uHUyQDHE1_vmzP3t-omzGJnDA1Qrl0_vDpN5L3Cd76e13g-I8hg-/s1600/autism-spectrum-conditions.jpg Figure 1 Figure 1 shows the variants of autism spectrum disorders. In many cases children are either diagnosed with either Autism or PDD-NOS (Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified). Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 88 American children are diagnosed with autism, additionally exhibiting that autism is four to five times more prevalent among boys than girls. Regime autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have incremented 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years. ... ...was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which is a type of autistic disorder that is utilized for "rigorous and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal convivial interaction, but the criteria are not met for a categorical autistic disorder. In the early components of this year, his parents had genetics test done on him to optically discern if his twin brother could possibly have the trait to have autism. It was found that he has the Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is associated with the expansion of the CGG trinucleotide reiterate affecting the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene on the X chromosome, resulting in a failure to express the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is required for mundane neural development. Absence of FMRP in turn leads to abnormalities in brain development and function. Works Cited autismspeaks.com

Saturday, October 12, 2019

The Red Badge Of Courage Essay :: essays research papers

The Red Badge of Courage is not a war novel. It is a novel about life. This novel illustrates the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Stephen Crane uses the war as a comparison to everyday life. He is semi-saying that life is like a war. It is a struggle of warriors—the every day people—against the odds. In these battles of everyday life, people can change. In The Red Badge of Courage, the main character, Henry Fleming, undergoes a character change that shows how people must overcome their fears and the invisible barriers that hold them back from being the best people—warriors, in the sense that life is war—they can be. Henry has a character change that represents how all humans have general sense of fear of the unknown that must be overcome.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first part of the novel, Henry is a youth that is very inexperienced. His motives were impure. He was a very selfish and self-serving character. He enters the war not for the basis of serving his country, but for the attainment of glory and prestige. Henry wants to be a hero. This represents the natural human characteristic of selfishness. Humans have a want and a need to satisfy themselves. This was Henry's main motive throughout the first part of the novel. On more than one occasion Henry is resolved to that natural selfishness of human beings. After Henry realizes that the attainment of glory and heroism has a price on it. That price is by wounds or worse yet, death. Henry then becomes self-serving in the fact that he wants to survive for himself, not the Union army. There is many a time when Henry wants to justify his natural fear of death. He is at a point where he is questioning deserting the battle; in order to justify this, he asks Jim, the tall sol dier, if he would run. Jim declared that he'd thought about it. Surely, thought Henry, if his companion ran, it would be alright if he himself ran. During the battle, when Henry actually did take flight, he justified this selfish deed—selfish in the fact that it did not help his regiment hold the Rebs—by natural instinct. He proclaimed to himself that if a squirrel took flight when a rock was thrown at it, it was alright that he ran when his life was on the line.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Facial Identification Of Driver Fatigue Health And Social Care Essay

Driver weariness is frequently one of the prima causes of traffic accidents. In this concluding twelvemonth undertaking, a computing machine vision attack which exploits the driver ‘s facial look is considered, utilizing a combination of the Viola-Jones face sensing technique and support vector machines to sort facial visual aspect and find the degree of weariness.Section 1: DescriptionIntroductionStatisticss show that driver weariness is frequently one of the prima causes of traffic accidents. Over the past few old ages, a batch of research and attempt has been put forth in planing systems that monitor both driver and driving public presentation. A computing machine vision attack which exploits the driver ‘s facial look is considered in this concluding twelvemonth undertaking. The Viola-Jones real-time object sensing model working on a boosted cascade of Haar ripple characteristics is adopted for face sensing. To find the degree of weariness, multiple characteristic cate gorization is so performed utilizing support vector machines. The motives for taking to develop the system in this mode are the rapid face sensing times coupled with the simple and inexpensive overall execution, avoiding the demand to put in expensive and complex hardware.Concise Literature ReviewThis subdivision gives a wide reappraisal of the literary work related to face sensing in fatigue monitoring systems and engineerings, concentrating peculiarly on what has been done in the field of driver weariness. In subdivision 1.2.1, several statistics of fatigue-related motor vehicle accidents are mentioned and analysed. Section 1.2.2 high spots some of the more successful systems ( both commercial and non-commercial ) that have been implemented in recent old ages. On the other manus, subdivision 1.2.3 nowadayss an enlightening overview of the algorithms and techniques typically used in the development of such systems, particularly those refering to both face and facial characteristic sensing. Representative plants for each of these methods will be included.Statisticss Related to Driver FatigueDriver weariness has been one of the chief causes of route accidents and human deaths in recent old ages, and in this subdivision an effort is made to foreground some of the more of import statistics that demonstrate this negative tendency. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) [ 1 ] estimations that 2-23 % of all vehicle clangs can be attributed to driver weariness. Every twelvemonth, around 100,000 traffic accidents and 71,000 hurts related to driver sleepiness are reported in the United States, out of which more than 1,300 are fatal [ 2 ] . The NHTSA [ 3 ] besides reports that in the twelvemonth 2005 entirely, there were about 5,000 route human deaths ( around 8.4 % ) which were caused either by driver inattention ( 5.8 % ) or sleepy and fatigued drive ( 2.6 % ) . Furthermore, 28 % of fatal traffic accidents were due to lane maintaining failure, one of the indirect effects of weariness on drivers, ensuing in the loss of 16,000 lives. Undoubtedly, truck drivers are more capable to tire chiefly because of the long hours travelled on main roads, taking to inevitable humdrum journeys. In fact, a survey by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) [ 4 ] confirmed that weariness was the finding factor in 51 out of 87 instances of truck accidents. These dismaying statistics pointed to the demand to plan and implement systems capable of tracking and analyzing a driver ‘s facial features or organic structure provinces and giving a warning signal at the first noticeable marks of weariness to seek and forestall the likely happening of an accident. In the following subdivision of this literature reappraisal, a figure of these systems will be presented.Existing Fatigue Monitoring SystemsMany different attacks for systems undertaking the job of driver fatigue have been studied and implemented over the past few old ages. Earlier devices tended to be instead intrusive, necessitating physical contact to mensurate fatigue characteristics while driving. These characteristics included bosom rate variableness, analysis of encephalon signals every bit good as the driver ‘s physiological province. Other systems studied the relation of driver sleepiness to maneuvering clasp and vehicle motions, with some besides using lane tracking installations. However, the focal point nowadays is more towards independent non-intrusive systems that work in the background without deflecting the driver in any manner, able to observe and track caput and oculus motions by agencies of one or more cameras mounted on the vehicle ‘s splashboard. The bulk of merchandises tracking weariness have been designed for on-road vehicles, such as autos, trucks and engines, and these will be reviewed in the undermentioned subdivision. In Section 1.2.2.2, other types of weariness monitoring systems that have been deployed will be analysed.On-Road Fatigue Monitoring SystemsCommercially Implemented SystemsIn the system presented by Advanced Brain Monitoring Inc. [ 5 ] , a caput mounted device in the signifier of a baseball cap uses the encephalon ‘s EEG ( Electroencephalography ) signals to mensurate weariness. Two electrodes inside the baseball cap are connected to the driver ‘s scalp to capture these signals, directing them v ia wireless moving ridges to a processing device 20 pess off from the driver. Russian seller Neurocom marketed the Engine Driver Vigilance Telemetric Control System ( EDVTCS ) [ 6 ] for usage within the Russian railroad system. EDVTCS continuously track drivers ‘ physiological province by mensurating alterations in the electro cuticular activity ( EDA ) i.e. alterations in the tegument ‘s opposition to electricity based on the eccrine perspiration secretory organs of the human organic structure, located chiefly on the thenar of our custodies and the colloidal suspensions of our pess. One of the first non-intrusive driver weariness supervising systems was ASTiD ( Advisory System for Tired Drivers ) [ 7 ] . It consists of an up-to-date knowledge-base theoretical account exposing a 24-hour anticipation form sing the possibility of the driver traveling to kip piece at the wheel, and a guidance wheel detector system capable of placing humdrum driving intervals, such as those in main roads, every bit good as unusual maneuvering motions as a consequence of driver weariness. Lane trailing is another attack taken to place distraction forms while driving. SafeTRAC, by AssistWare Technology [ 8 ] , consists of a picture camera located on the windscreen of the vehicle ( confronting the route ) and a splashboard mounted having device to which it is connected. The camera is able to observe lane markers in roads and issues hearable, ocular or haptic warnings if fickle drive forms, such as changeless impetuss between lanes, are observed. Sing the issues encountered in earlier systems, more importance now started being given to systems that monitored driver head motions, face and facial characteristics. MINDS ( MicroNod Detection System ) , described in [ 9 ] , paths head place and motion, with caput nodding being the chief weariness characteristic used for observing micro-sleep ( short periods of distraction ) while driving. Head motion is tracked by an array of three capacitance detectors located merely above the driver ‘s cockpit. Yet another attack was taken by David Dinges and Richard Grace [ 10 ] at the Carnegie Mellon Research Institute ( CMRI ) in the development of the PERCLOS proctor, which determines the oculus closing per centum over clip for fatigue sensing. In [ 11 ] , PERCLOS is defined as the proportion of clip the eyes are closed 80 % or more for a specified clip interval. FaceLAB [ 12 ] focal points on both face and oculus trailing, mensurating PERCLOS ( PERcentage of oculus CLOSure over clip ) and analyzing water chickweeds in existent clip ( including wink frequence and wink continuance ) . A important difference from other systems is that the absolute place of the eyelid, instead than the occlusion of the student, is used to mensurate oculus closing, doing it much more accurate. The 2001 AWAKE undertaking of the European Union [ 13 ] focused specifically on driver weariness, integrating many of the above mentioned steps. The chief end of this undertaking, ( its acronym standing for System for effectual Assessment of driver watchfulness and Warning Harmonizing to traffic hazard Estimation ) , was to supply research on the real-time, non-intrusive monitoring of the driver ‘s current province and driving public presentation. Many spouses were involved in AWAKE, including developers, makers and providers of electronics, research institutes, universities, auto makers and terminal users. The undertaking ‘s initial ends were those of accomplishing over 90 % dependability, a lower than 1 % false dismay rate and a user credence rate transcending 70 % . Car fabrication companies, such as Toyota, Nissan and DaimlerChrysler [ 9 ] are besides in the procedure of developing their ain weariness supervising systems.Research Based SystemsMany research documents closely related to driver fatigue monitoring have been published in recent old ages. Assorted attacks have been proposed, among which skin coloring material information has been really popular. Smith [ 14 ] nowadayss a system based on skin coloring material predicates to find weariness from oculus wink rate and caput rotary motion information. Similarly, in the gaze way monitoring system proposed by Wahlstrom et Al. [ 15 ] , coloring material predicates are used to turn up the lip part by finding those pels that match the needed coloring material values. Face extraction by skin coloring material cleavage utilizing the normalized RGB skin coloring material theoretical account is adopted in both [ 16 ] and [ 17 ] . Veeraraghavan and Papanikolopoulos [ 16 ] developed a system to observ e forms of micro-sleep by continuously tracking the driver ‘s eyes. PERCLOS is the fatigue characteristic measured in Aryuanto and Limpraptono ‘s system [ 17 ] . Horng and Chen [ 18 ] attempted to utilize the HSI coloring material theoretical account to take the consequence of brightness from the image. Machine acquisition is another common attack to tire sensing. Yang et Al. [ 19 ] choose to follow a Bayesian Network based â€Å" probabilistic model † to find the fatigue degree. A Bayesian Network theoretical account is besides constructed in [ 20 ] , where Zhu and Lan track multiple ocular cues, including caput and oculus motions and facial looks via two cameras, one for the face and the other concentrating specifically on the eyes, every bit good as Infra-Red illuminators to illume up the needed countries of the face. A nervous web attack is adopted by D'Orazio et Al. [ 21 ] and RibariA†¡ et Al. [ 22 ] in their proposed systems. In [ 21 ] , the oculus is detected based on the border information of the flag, with its darker coloring material doing it much easier to turn up. A back extension nervous web is trained to sort the province of the eyes ( either unfastened or closed ) . On the other manus, in [ 22 ] , a intercrossed nervous web and a combination of the â€Å" HMAX theoretical account † and â€Å" Viola-Jones sensor † together with a Multi-Layer Perceptron ( MLP ) are used to turn up the face. The grade of caput rotary motion, oculus closing and oral cavity openness are the fatigue steps calculated. To sort driver public presentation informations, Liang et Al. [ 23 ] make usage of Support Vector Machines ( SVMs ) . They focus on cognitive ( mental ) , instead than ocular driver distractions. For fast face and facial characteristic sensing, the method proposed by Viola and Jones affecting a boosted cascade of characteristics based on Haar ripples is adopted in a figure of documents, including [ 24 ] and [ 25 ] . Often, a loanblend of techniques are used to obtain better consequences for driver weariness sensing. Saradadevi and Bajaj [ 26 ] usage Viola-Jones ‘ method for mouth sensing and SVMs to right sort normal and yawning oral cavity cases. On the contrary, the one presented by Narole and Bajaj [ 27 ] combines pixel-based skin coloring material cleavage for face sensing and a mixture of nervous webs and familial algorithms to optimally find the weariness index, with the nervous web being given as initial input values for oculus closing and oscitance rate.Other Fatigue Mo nitoring SystemsAs with drivers in autos, pilots in aircrafts are obviously capable to tire, chiefly due to the drawn-out flight continuances. NTI Inc. and Science Applications International Corporation ( SAIC ) [ 28 ] designed the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool ( FAST ) , a system intended to track and foretell weariness degrees for U.S. Air Force pilots, based on the SAFTE ( Sleep, Activity, Fatigue and Task Effectiveness ) theoretical account created by Dr. Steven Hursh. Another application in which weariness monitoring is utile is in the bar of Computer Vision Syndrome [ 29 ] , a status caused by working for drawn-out hours in forepart of show devices, such as computing machine proctors. Matsushita et Al. [ 30 ] besides developed a wearable weariness monitoring system which detects marks of weariness based on caput motions. The broad assortment of different applications developed to supervise weariness is an grounds of the turning importance of this field. The focal point in the following portion of the literature reappraisal will switch to the weariness analysis attack taken in this thesis: the sensing of faces and their characteristics in images. The implicit in methods and algorithms typically used in this procedure will be discussed.Reappraisal on Face and Facial Feature Detection TechniquesKnowledge-based methodsDetecting faces in knowledge-based techniques involves the encryption of a set of simple regulations specifying the features of the human face, including pixel strengths in the images and the places and correlativities between the different characteristics, since these are common to all human existences. In a knowledge-based method presented by Yang and Huang [ 31 ] , a hierarchy of grayscale images of different declarations together with three different classs of regulations are used. The images are analysed for possible face campaigners by using regulations that have to make with the cell strength distribution of the human face. An betterment to this multi-resolution method was proposed by Kotropoulos and Pitas [ 32 ] . Alternatively of ciphering the mean pixel strength of each cell, merely those for each image row and column are computed, organizing perpendicular and horizontal profiles severally. To vouch a high sensing rate, the regulations in knowledge-based methods must neither be excessively general nor excessively specific, and hence, the coevals of regulations for the face must be performed really carefully. Because of the complexness required in coding all possible face constellations, rule-based techniques do non provide for different face airss [ 33 ] , doing them decidedly inappropriate for weariness monitoring applications.Feature-based methodsFeature-based attacks to confront sensing differ in a important manner from rule-based techniques in that they foremost attempt to place a individual ‘s facial properties and later find whether the latter are valid plenty to represent a human face, ensuing in the sensing of that face.Facial FeaturesThe presence of faces in images is frequently determined by trying to observe facial characteristics such as the eyes, nose and mouth. In a method presented by Sirehoy [ 34 ] , the egg-shaped nature of the human face is used as the footing for face sensing in grayscale images with littered backgrounds. Due to the different visual aspects of facial characteristics in images, Leung et Al. [ 35 ] usage a combination of several local characteristic sensors utilizing Gaussian derivative filters together with a statistical theoretical account of the geometrical distances between these characteristics to guarantee accurate face localisation. Han et Al. [ 36 ] , on the other manus, usage morphological operations that focus chiefly on the oculus part in their efforts to observe faces, based on the logical thinking that this is the most consistent facial part in different light conditions. A more robust and flexible feature-based system was presented by Yow and Cipolla [ 37 ] . The theoretical account cognition of the face that is used screens a wider country, including the superciliums, eyes, nose and mouth. A figure of Partial Face Groups ( PFGs ) , tantamount to a subset of these characteristic points ( 4 ) , are used to provide for partial face occlusions.Face TextureAnother face cue that is used for sensing intents is its textural form, this being specific to worlds and hence easy discriminable from other forms. Manian and Ross [ 38 ] present an algorithm that uses the symmetricalness and uniformity of the facial form as the footing of sensing. Rikert et Al. [ 39 ] tackle texture-based sensing in a different manner, utilizing a statistical method that learns to correctly sort whether an image contains a face or non.Skin ColourMany plants related to human clamber coloring material as a face sensing cue have been presented in recent old ages. Detection can be either pixel-based or region-based. The former attack is normally taken, in which each pel is analysed and classified as either tegument or non-skin. Two chief picks are made during this procedure: the coloring material infinite and tegument modeling method. Harmonizing to [ 40 ] , the normalized RGB, HSV and YCrCb coloring material infinites are typically used to pattern skin coloring material. Normalized RGB [ 41 – 45 ] is reported to be consistent in different light conditions and face orientations. On the other manus, YCrCb [ 46 – 48 ] and HSV [ 49 – 51 ] are normally chosen since they specifically separate the luminosity and chrominance constituents of the images. In [ 40 ] , several other tegument patterning techniques normally adopted are mentioned.Template matching methodsAnother proposed method for face sensing involves the storage of forms of the face and its characteristics, which are so compared to existent face images and given a correlativity value ( i.e. the degree of similarity between the existent image and the stored form ) . The higher this value, the greater is the opportunity that the image contains a face. Works on templet fiting techniques in recent old ages have focused both on fixed and variable-size ( deformable ) templets.Fixed-size TemplatesFengjun et Al. [ 52 ] and Ping et Al. [ 53 ] usage a combination of skin coloring material cleavage and templet matching for face sensing. Two grayscale templets with predefined sizes – one covering the whole face and the other concentrating merely on the part incorporating the two eyes – are utilised in both systems. Fixed-size templets, although straightforward to implement, miss adaptability to different caput places since sensing is greatly affected by the orientation defined in the templet.Deformable TemplatesAn improved templet matching method is one in which the templet can be altered to better reflect the input images and therefore would be able to place a wider assortment of faces in different airss. Yuille et Al. [ 54 ] propose deformable oculus and mouth templet matching in their work. Initially, the templets are parameterized through pre-processing to bespeak the expected form of both characteristics. The work presented by Lanitis et Al. [ 55 ] besides parameterizes the templet s, concentrating on the coevals of flexible molded human face theoretical accounts through the usage of a â€Å" Point Distribution Model † ( PDM ) [ 56 ] which is trained on a figure of images per individual with characteristic fluctuations within and between faces.Appearance-based methodsRather than being based on a set of preset templets, appearance-based face sensing relies on machine larning techniques that identify the presence of faces and their major features after a procedure of developing on existent universe informations. One of the most widely adopted machine larning attacks for face sensing are nervous webs, chiefly because of the success they achieved in other applications affecting pattern acknowledgment. Rowley et Al. [ 57 ] propose a robust multi-layer multi-network nervous web that takes as input pre-processed 20Ãâ€"20 grayscale pel images to which a filter is applied at each pel place, returning a face correlativity value from -1 to 1. The concealed beds o f the nervous web are designed to supervise different shaped countries of the human face, such as both eyes utilizing a 20Ãâ€"5 pel window and single eyes and other characteristics with the 5Ãâ€"5 and 10Ãâ€"10 Windowss. The web so outputs another mark finding the presence or otherwise of a face in a peculiar window. Yang et Al. [ 58 ] establish their system on a Sparse Network of Winnows ( SNoW ) [ 59 ] . Two mark nodes ( â€Å" linear units † ) patterning face and non-face form characteristics are used in this instance. The active characteristics ( with binary representation ) in an input illustration are first identified and given as input to the web. The mark nodes are â€Å" coupled via leaden borders † to a subset of the characteristics. To update the weights for farther preparation, the Winnow update regulation method developed by Littlestone [ 60 ] is adopted. A additive categorization technique in the signifier of Support Vector Machines ( SVMs ) was used to observe faces in an application presented by Osuna et al [ 61 ] in 1997. While the bulk of machine acquisition attacks ( including nervous webs ) effort to take down the â€Å" empirical hazard † , i.e. the mistake value in the preparation procedure, SVMs attempt to cut down the upper edge of the expected generalisation mistake in a procedure called â€Å" structural hazard minimisation † . Viola and Jones [ 62 ] present a rapid object sensing system holding face sensing as its motive. A important difference from other proposed systems is that rectangular characteristics, instead than pels, nowadays in the inputted grayscale images are used as the bases for categorization. This has the consequence of increasing the velocity of the overall procedure. Viola and Jones ‘ method will be discussed in item in the following chapter of this thesis.Purposes and AimsFamiliarization with the OpenCV tool. Literature Review about bing systems and methods to be used in this Dissertation. Fast face sensing utilizing Viola-Jones technique. Execution of multiple facial characteristics used to find the fatigue degree. Application of Support Vector Machine classifier to observe unsafe state of affairss such as driver kiping etc. Real-time execution of the proposed methods within OpenCV.MethodsViola-Jones technique for face sensing. Support vector machines to sort facial visual aspect ( e.g. open/closed eye/mouth ) . Features to be taken into consideration: caput motion, oculus closing and frequence of oral cavity gap ( bespeaking yawning ) . Eye weariness steps include PERCLOS ( PERcentage Eye CLOSure over clip ) and AECS ( Average Eye Closure Speed ) .EvaluationComparing the developed system to other systems found in literature in footings of preciseness, callback and truth. Deducing some trial informations on which the algorithms will be tested. Test topics seeking out the application. Showing the consequences obtained.DeliverablesProgress Report. Review Report. 2 page abstract for ICT Final YearA Student Projects Exhibition. Presentation Slides and Poster. Spiral and difficult edge transcripts of the Dissertation Report. C++ application, preparation and testing resources.Section 2: Work PlanWork done so farCollected and read several documents related to bing driver weariness systems and face sensing in general. Completed the first bill of exchange of the literature reappraisal. Familiarized myself with the OpenCV environment. Used a webcam to capture two short cartridge holders inside a auto, one in sunny and the other in cloud-covered conditions. Collected 2000 positive and 4000 negative images for face sensing. Positive images: 1500 taken from FERET grayscale face database, the other 500 from the captured cartridge holders. Negative images: created a C++ application to randomly choice non-relevant countries of the frames of the two captured cartridge holders. Created another C++ application to be able to harvest the positive images to bespeak merely the needed rectangular countries, bring forthing a text file to be used in the preparation procedure. Used this information to bring forth a classifier for faces in XML format with OpenCV ‘s Haar preparation public-service corporation.SubtasksCompute truth, preciseness and callback values for the face sensing preparation. Trial with new picture cartridge holders and observing the consequences obtained. Perform Cross Validation. Train the classifier for oral cavities, once more utilizing positive and negative images. For oculus sensing, an already generated classifier will be used. Extract characteristics from face, oculus and mouth sensing. Integrate and utilize a C++ library for support vector machines, such as libSVM, to sort facial visual aspect. Write Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Evaluation, Results, Future Work and Conclusion of the Dissertation Report. Write Review Report. Write 2 page abstract for ICT Final YearA Student Projects Exhibition. Work on Presentation Slides and Poster.Schedule ( Gantt Chart )Section 3: Mentions[ 1 ] D. Dinges, M. Mallis, G. Maislin and J. Powell ( 1998 ) . â€Å" Concluding study: Evaluation of Techniques for Ocular Measurement as an Index of Fatigue and the Basis for Alertness Management † , U.S. Dept. 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