Public Relations and Promotion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Public Relations and Promotion - Essay Example This has affected, in an adverse way, the anticipated economic gains that would have been made in the area. For the past 5 years, this wave of destruction has swept through the county of Mobley in spite of the public protests and demonstrations her residents has conducted. MADAAT has recorded successful initiatives over the last three years with more than 2700 persons rehabilitated and the rate of drug and substance abuse decreased by 30%. This will be a great event and a lot of activities will take place. Their will be Football and Volleyball tournaments, debates on how to curb alcohol and drug abuse, free counseling on alcohol and substance abuse and training on how to counsel and care for drug addicts to help them rehabilitate. Mobley has lost very young and energetic youths to drug abuse; about 300 annually, according to MADAAT Secretary General, Mr. Godwin Brooke. â€Å"We urge the Mobley’s vast society, whether affected or otherwise, to try and come for the organized event. We further encourage all the individuals that wish to participate in any of the activities of the big day, to apply and submit their applications on-line through our website,† MADAAT Organizing Secretary said on his speech while addressing the students at Mobley College for Business Studies. â€Å"This event will add a lot of force to the fight against drug and substance abuse in Mobley. We target to achieve a decrement in this disaster practice by 10-15% by the end of this year,† He added. The Mobley Alcohol and Drug Abuse Awareness team was found and initially made up of 28 members from The Ashleigh University Christian Union, Mobley. Today, it’s a well organized fraternity of men and women across the Mobley County; persons with common interests and beliefs to curb this monster that threatens to tear Mobley apart. The preferred media target would be

Understanding Human Behavior & Prejudice can be hurtful and Essay

Understanding Human Behavior & Prejudice can be hurtful and destructive - Essay Example Understanding Human Behavior & Prejudice can be hurtful and destructive The key reason behind the understanding of human behaviour is that all the individuals in an organization cannot be the same in terms of nature, behaviour, personality and attitude (Freeman, 1999, p.229). The modern theories of human behaviour are based upon the differences in each and every individual within an organization. Before the study proceeds to realize and understand the human behaviour, it is important to determine what the human behaviour actually means. Behaviour is specific responses that can be observed directly or indirectly (Griffin and Moorehead, 2011, p.19). Indirect observations can be executed through the attitudes and decision making process of the leaders. On the other hand, direct observation process can be executed through understanding the responses of the individuals in a particular work or organizational environment (Martin, 2005, p.104). This organizational human behaviour process is quite unpredictable and critical to understand. The human behaviour can be classified into three components: motivated behaviour, goal oriented behaviour and caused behaviour. Human behaviour is the factor that depends upon the inner emotion of the individuals, such as anger, motivation, joy and sorrow (Henderson, 1996, p.195). It is important for the leaders to understand the past organizational behaviour in order to make any kind of decision or implement a strategy in the organizational human resource management process (Hernandez and O’Connor, 2009, p.12). ... Each and every individual has a distinctive combination of several characteristics, as behaviour is the outcome of interaction between the environmental and individual characteristics (Dutt, 2008, p.5). Some of these characteristics develop over time or present from the time of birth. These characteristics are known as learned and inherited. Some characteristics (Clawson and Bevan, 2008, p.9) and behaviour types have been provided in the following table: Characteristics Behaviour Relationship Conflict Tolerance Perception about role conflict Huge tolerance for limited role conflict. Significance of Job satisfaction Leaders express intrinsic rewards versus extrinsic less job satisfaction. Work Ethic Attendance Strong value and work ethic related with high work attendance. Interest Diversification Compensation and Salary Measurement Higher interest of performance diversity. Locus of Control Job stress experience Huge stress with external and emphasized locus of control. In order to und erstand the human behaviour, the leaders or managers should understand the Psychoanalytical model. Psychoanalytical model is based upon the ego, id and super ego. Ego generally represents the conscious stage of an individual. On the other hand, id represents the inner pleasure of an individual (Denisi and Griffin, 2005, p.21). Id in an individual can be both constructive and destructive. Destructive tendency of individuals can be dominating, aggressive and fighting (Cardwell and Flanagan, 2003, p.144). Throughout the life of an individual, id generally comes in a conflict with ego. On the other hand, ego depends upon the super ego. In terms of super ego, an individual cannot be aware about the functions of super ego (Guindon, 2010, p.71). Super ego generally represents

Visual Literacy Essay Example for Free

Visual Literacy Essay Visual Literacy throughout the history of our world has been important; dating back to cave drawings and carvings, and developing all the way to automated street signs signaling vehicles when to slow, stop, or go. Visuals are a part of our daily lives today as much as they were at the beginning of man’s time-and other living beings’ time-and his, first ability to communicate, visually. Communication was not something that was first spoken or written, it was something shown or demonstrated; such as dance for instance, while someone else was viewing/watching, to portray a message or a feeling to that other person. Whether the Visual Literacy or communication is hand signals-similar to sign language, facial expressions-as simple as the way an individual winks at another individual today, a nod to another person, or something as complex as an artists’ message through a painting, sculpture, other, or not; Visual Literacy is and always will be the first mode of communication in the past, present, and future. Visual Literacy can be a considered a universal language because everybody, or most individuals understand pictures, drawings, artwork, or hand signals/sign language of today. â€Å"The only individuals who do not understand visuals are the blind community-however, this handicap is adapted by the body and other the other body senses become enhanced greatly† (B. Kennedy, 2010). Perhaps sign language varies throughout different regions of the world, but the basics will always be well-known, regardless. For example, pointing to oneself means me, no matter what country you are residing in. A simple sign such as this is a basic way to communicate, and is universal. If two individuals from different countries who did not understand each other were to sit down together and draw a picture of a house, hut, or dwelling of some sort; each individual would understand the drawing, or picture of a dwelling as a home. This is considered Visual Literacy, as well. These two individuals may not be speaking with their mouths, or sounds, but they are communicating with visuals. Brian Kennedy provides an excellent portrayal of what he believes Visual Literacy to be in today’s world. However, our text provides a wonderful explanation of Visual Literacy within the business world today as well, and between both of these resources is a wealth of information. Mr. Kennedy takes a very literal look at Visual Literacy- no pun intended. Kennedy believes that what we view each day through sight is a way that we can learn and communicate if we pay attention. Most of the time, however, we do not pay attention. In fact, he states, â€Å"everything we see is an image, but unless we connect cognition and memory, we do not remember what we see† (B.  Kennedy, 2010). We see hundreds of images everyday throughout our lives, but unless we have some connection to the image, we do not retain it. However, if we â€Å"slow-look, we can look, see, describe, analyze, and interpret or construct meaning† (B. Kennedy, 2010). As with this prior quote, Mr. Kennedy made many other interesting statements within his presentation. For instance, â€Å"we read non-text 60,000 times faster than written text,† and â€Å"90% of what we learn is taken in visually† (B. Kennedy, 2010). Regarding our text, and the definition provided regarding Visual Literacy compared to the video containing Brian Kennedy speaking about the subject, our text is more business oriented, or technically derived. The text this week seems to focus on the high-tech aspect of Visual Literacy. This includes television, billboards, computer images, etc. Also, there almost has to be a difference between the two definitions because one was presented visually, and the other was presented in a written format. Within the text, there are other terms for Visual Literacy, such as media literacy, for example. Also, within our text (W.Ryan, 2012), are two authors (Avgerinou and Ericson, 1997) featured who present this opinion of the definition of Visual Literacy along with 9 other definitions, but will not get into in this paper: â€Å"Visuals may be objects, events, actions, pictorial representations, nonverbal or digital symbols, written words, or numbers. They then argue that visual literacy refers to the use of visuals for communicating, thinking, learning, constructing meaning, creative expression, and aesthetic enjoyment. For example, supplementing a business meeting with visuals created in PowerPoint or Prezi communicate information in a manner alternative to the  spoken word, may engage visually literate audience members in critical thinking about the message, and help them learn more than they may have if they had only heard the message. When these media are used effectively and appropriately, they may stimulate creative thinking and generate affects or liking among audience members through the use of charts, graphs, audio, images, and video† (Avgerinou and Ericson, 1997). It seems that our text is much more technical as far as addressing the definition of Visual Literacy, than the video created by Brian Kennedy. Perhaps it seems that way because the definition that Brian Kennedy offers is visual, as well as audible, but it does seem that he offers a much easier explanation. Communication, through visuals such as photographs for example, have been a way of communicating across borders, oceans, and continents over the decades. One photograph that finds its way on a national magazine cover can convey much more than an entire book devoted to a certain topic. A wonderful example of this comes from our text this week, and that is The National Geographic cover of â€Å"Afghan Girl† that was the cover of the magazine when this girl featured was just 17. It touched many people, and many lives, enough for the photographer to search her out years later without even knowing her name. She was found, and reunited with the photographer, but how does a girl who did not want her picture taken to begin with, react to a huge worldwide reaction to her picture so many years ago, and now with so much attention? She never even knew, or saw her picture. That says quite a bit, as well, as far as Visual Literacy. Perhaps it does not reach as far as we think it does. Globally, perhaps we are not there yet, with our Visual Literacy-or, as easy of a definition, communicating visually. Perhaps we are still a bit Visually Illiterate when it comes to the way we want to portray others, our art, our people, or people from other countries. Also, we should be aware of the way that other countries present us visually. That is something that The United States has not really worried about too much, it seems. We find ourselves upon a pedestal at times and just burst in and start snapping pictures, or slapping paint, etc. The story regarding â€Å"The Afghan Girl† was a reminder of that. We, as a Great Big Beautiful, Wonderful, Intelligent Country believe that all of our media reaches every crevice in the entire world, yet it does not, by any means. We must be mindful of that, while still trying to see everything we are looking at†¦. References: Avgerinou, M. , Ericson, J. (1997). A Review of the Concept of Visual Literacy. British Journal of Educational Technology. Kennedy, B. (2010). Brian Kennedy’s TedTalk: Brian Kennedy: Visual Literacy and Why We Need It . Retrieved From: (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=OefLEpds5Is). Ryan, W. (2012). Visual literacy: learning to see. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Market Segments Essay Example for Free

Market Segments Essay Apple is marketing to people who have a few characteristics. 1) Middle/Upper income folks who are willing to pay a bit more for a better user experience. paying 500 more for a computer is not a huge deal if you have a decent income. 2) People who like to have fun with technology. No other platform offers as many entry level tools (the whole iLife bunch and more). This includes people who like to shoot a lot of digital photos or video. Its the whole digital hub concept. People are starting to buy into it. 3) Music enthusiasts and fans ages 12-35. 4) Professionals in media and design. The first two groups do overlap, but its a huge market. Way bigger than 5% or whatever. Apples problem is not really pricing. These are the same people who pay $500 to get seats that warm up your behind. Apples problem is the status quo. People who should consider macs dont, because of a stigma of incompatibility that developed in the 90s. Apples market share and success will grow in the next ten years for the simple reason that our generations X and Y who have been exposed heavily to the internet werent using computers much during the compatibility days But anyway, the compatibility problem dies when the people who believe in it are not young anymore. Market Segmentation The market segmentation includes: Demographical bases. Geographical bases. Behavior bases. Psychographic bases. 2.1 Demographical bases (age, family size, life cycle, occupation) Looking into Apple, the Demographical market segment is successful because they are developing products on the age, life cycle, occupation of the people. They are distributing their products into various places and the PCs are categorized on age, family size, for example they would have more games and entertainment in the PCs for the kids and a professional PC with all the latest software’s. 2.2 Geographical bases (states, regions, countries) Looking into the geographical bases of Apple they have established their business all over the world like U.S., South America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Recently Apple chose to implement a vertical growth strategy and began expanding their own retail stores. The company also sells its product via third-parties dealers, or via internet through their own website or through the iTunes online music stores. 2.3 Behavior bases (product knowledge, usage, attitudes, and responses) In this market segment Apple providing good product knowledge to the customers by advertizing on search engines, T.V. as they have a very good brand image. Using this brand image they are continuously coming up with new ideas and products and attracting the customers. Apple has got a very good response rate as many of the customers are looking for new designs and innovative products which Apple is successfully delivering. 2.4 Psychographic bases (lifestyle, values, personality) Looking into Apple the psychographic market segment is successful because they are developing products on the lifestyle of the people such as Mac book for the younger generation. Apple having a very good brand image has very good value for its products as they are different and innovative. Looking into the personality (style) sector Apple is providing their products with different colors for the people who like fancy colors.

Compare The Grid And Air Gap Techniques Information Technology Essay

Compare The Grid And Air Gap Techniques Information Technology Essay The research design for this study is of a comparative quantitative, quasi-experimental nature. The rationale for this comparative study is to see what effect two different anti-scatter techniques have on image quality. The properties that make this a quasi-experimental study are manipulation of specific variables and control in experimentation and testing (Parahoo, 2006). True experimental research is characterised by three properties: manipulation, control and randomisation (Parahoo, 2006). As the researcher will not randomise any variables, this study is considered as quasi-experimental and not a true experimental study. In this research manipulation was achieved since a standard anti-scatter technique was compared to an air gap technique adapted for the projection of the hip in the lateral position. Exposure factor variables were also manipulated using an automatic exposure control (AEC). Control was maintained by testing the two techniques under the same conditions using the same research tools. Furthermore, the researcher kept control of the study by testing only the anti-scatter techniques on one specific projection. Therefore the results achieved by this study are specific to the lateral hip projection. However, the principle could be applied to other projections in order to discover which technique works better in providing good image quality in that specific projection. 3.3 Research Method 3.3.1 Background of the study The following methodology was adapted from a study carried out in the United Kingdom by Goulding (2006) who looked at the air gap and the grid technique used to image the hip laterally in the University Hospital she trained in. The study was conducted with the help of reporting radiographers in the Accident and Emergency (AE) department where they performed both grid and air gap technique as routine projections on patients. Goulding (2006) looked at image quality by attaining the hip radiographs performed with both anti scatter techniques separately. Goulding (2006) collected her data by asking reporting radiographers to comment on these radiographs. In Gouldings (2006) study the radiographs on which she based her findings and results were conducted on patients of different size and this may have lacked reliability due to different exposure factors used for each examination, different patient dose depending on patient size as well as image quality. Using a similar methodology in this study the researcher assessed image quality using a quality control phantom and an anthropomorphic phantom. In doing so the researcher will made sure that tests done on both anti-scatter techniques to assess for image quality were more precise. The methodology for this research and the tools used to measure image quality in both grid and air gap technique are explained in the following sub-sections. 3.3.2 Research tools In this study the tools discussed in this section were used to gather the data. They were used to test the anti-scatter techniques being compared and investigated in this study which will be explained further on in this chapter. Since this research looks at image quality in two anti-scatter techniques, a lead quality control phantom (PTW Normi 13) was a very important tool used to collect the data. According to Carlton Adler (2006), spatial resolution and contrast resolution are the most important properties upon which devices and techniques can be tested. The lead quality control phantom (Appendix B) is designed to perform constancy and acceptance tests on plain digital x-ray systems and is able to test image receptors for their homogeneity, spatial resolution and contrast resolution (PTW-Freiburg, 2005). However, in this research, spatial resolution and contrast resolution were the two relevant key tests for image quality. Spatial resolution is measured by counting the largest amount of line pairs per millimetre (Lp/mm) while contrast resolution is measured by the low contrast steps seen on the resultant image. The areas on the phantom that are used to measure spatial and contrast resolution are shown in Appendix B. In collecting the data, the researcher made use of an anthropomorphic pixy phantom AR10A (Appendix B) to image the hip laterally using a horizontal beam. This phantom was used so that the exposures of both grid and air gap technique performed on the quality control phantom could be done to image a hip that resembles that of a human. As the anthropomorphic phantom used had the same attenuation coefficient of a human body, it stops the radiation passing through it in the same way that a human body would. Although this study evaluates image quality in two anti-scatter techniques, the radiation given to the subject/object at each exposure using the air gap and grid technique was also recorded and compared.   The amount of radiation exposed by the tube at each exposure was also measured using a dose area product (DAP) metre. This was important in order to see how much radiation was being used at each exposure to produce an image using the grid and air gap technique. All the exposures (in this experimental testing) were made using an automatic exposure control (AEC) which is incorporated in the erect bucky in the digital x-ray system used. This device determined how much mAs was used in each exposure so that the right amount of x-ray photons irradiated the image receptor to produce an image with adequate quality. This device was used since the mAs that is used in an exposure determines how good the image quality is as well as the patient dose. Therefore when the readings using the tools mentioned were gathered from all exposures, the researcher could compare these results and identify the ideal technique and exposure that should be used in imaging the hip laterally. This technique and exposure should ideally produce a good quality image with as low a dose as possible. 3.3.3 Method The following two subsections will explain in detail how the data was collected during the experimentation on the anti scatter techniques. The researcher made sure that the tools used in the testing were kept the same to test both techniques. The same digital x-ray system was also used throughout the entire experimentation. 3.3.3.1 The Grid Technique Testing for this technique was divided in two stages. In the first stage the researcher made use of the quality control phantom (PTW Normi 13). The phantom was placed on a custom made table in contact with the erect imaging receptor. A stationary parallel grid was placed between the phantom and the receptor since this is the type of grid used in a lateral hip shoot through projection. In this technique, the object to image distance (OID) was that of 0cm since the phantom was in contact with the grid and image receptor. The source to image distance (SID) used was that of one metre (100 cm) since this is the standard SID used in such a projection in the radiology department of the local hospital. The kV used was kept constant at 75 kV and the phantom was centred to the central AEC. The light beam diaphragm was set around the contours of the quality control phantom. A further exposure was made using the same grid technique setting. However, this time the grid was removed. This was done in order to find out whether the grid was working effectively in absorbing scatter radiation, which in turn could affect image quality. The DAP metre was recorded so that the researcher could have an approximate idea of the dose given to the phantom. The second stage in testing the grid technique was done by using the anthropomorphic phantom. The researcher set up the pixy phantom AR10A with the hip in contact with the grid and receptor. The hip was centred with the central AEC and exposed. The kV and the SID were the same as the ones used in testing the quality control phantom 75kV and 100cm SID. The set-ups used to test the grid techniques using both phantoms can be found in Appendix B. 3.3.3.2 The Air Gap Technique To test for the air gap technique the researcher also divided the tests into two stages. The same quality control phantom used previously in the grid technique was also utilised in this test/experiment. The PTW Normi 13 was placed on a custom-made table. However, in this technique, an air gap between the phantom and the image receptor was applied. There were a total of six air gaps applied, varying from 10cm to 60cm. This was done in order to see which air gap was more effective in reducing scatter radiation reaching the receptor. To achieve this aim the object to image distance (OID) was increased by 10 cm after each exposure to a maximum of 60 cm. The source to object distance (SOD) was kept at 100 cm to reduce object magnification as much as possible since this may create a loss in image sharpness. The source to image distance (SID) depended on what OID was used. Therefore when an OID of 20cm was applied, the SID was that of 120cm. This was done to ensure that the distance of the source to the object remained at 100cm. In each exposure the phantom was centred to the central AEC and the light beam diaphragm was set around the contours of the quality control phantom. The researcher also made use of the DAP metre to see which air gap produced a good quality image with a reasonably low dose. This was done so that the air gap exposures could be compared with the standard grid technique. In the second stage of testing for the air gap technique the researcher also used the same anthropomorphic phantom. The setting of the technique to image the hip laterally was adapted from Gouldings (2006) study by using the same patient positioning that the author used in her study. This setting involved applying an air gap between the phantoms hip and the receptor, keeping the SOD at 100cm. A total of six exposures were also performed on the pixy phantom AR10A with the same OIDs and SIDs used to image the quality control phantom. The researcher made sure that the phantoms hip was centred with the central AEC of the erect image receptor. Both settings used to perform testing on the air gap technique can be found in Appendix B. 3.4 Data Collection The data was collected during February 2010. The data record sheets used to record the data can be found in Appendix A.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Exposure Factors The exposure factors used to produce the images in the grid and air gap technique were recorded. The kV was a constant factor while the mAs changed according to the technique used and its setting. The mAs was manipulated by means of the AED. This was done so that the amount of x-ray photons needed to produce the image and  the length of the exposure was recorded depending on the technique used.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Object to Image Distance (OID) The OID used in testing the grid and air gap technique was recorded. This was important, particularly in the application of the air gap technique. This is because the OID in the air gap technique determined the magnitude of the air gap that should be used to achieve a good quality image while keeping the radiation dose as low as possible. Therefore the researcher could see and analyse the effect on the image quality each time a specific OID was used in relation to exposure factors. In the air gap technique the SID depended on what OID was used. The researcher kept the SOD at 100cm to reduce as much as possible magnification of the resultant image.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Dose Area Product (DAP) The DAP metre was recorded at each exposure for both grid and air gap techniques. Although this metre does not measure the radiation dose given to the phantoms at each exposure, it gives an indication of whether the dose would be low or high. A high DAP reading would mean that more radiation was used in the exposure and therefore the resultant patient dose may be higher. The readings from this metre for both techniques were compared in relation to image quality of the radiographs.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Signal to noise ratio (SNR) The signal to noise ratio (SNR) consists of the un-attenuated photons that have penetrated the subject without interaction (signal) and the Compton scatter and other factors that degrade image quality (noise). The SNR was used to determine how much contrast resolution an image had after each exposure. The higher the SNR the better the contrast resolution of an image (Dendy Heaton, 2006). However a high SNR also means high mAs and consequently a high patient dose. The SNR was calculated by dividing the mean pixel value by the standard deviation of the signal of each exposure. The mean pixel value and standard deviation of the signal were recorded after each exposure provided by the digital x-ray system. Therefore the equation used was: Signal to Noise ratio = mean pixel value/standard deviation (reference)  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Spatial Resolution and Contrast Resolution The spatial and contrast resolution readings were recorded by the researcher from the radiographs achieved using the quality control phantom in the grid and air gap technique. The line pairs per millimetre (Lp/mm) were measured to test for spatial resolution, while for contrast resolution the low contrast steps were counted. The data recorded was tabulated in tables 2a and 2b respectively in the data record sheet. This recorded data enabled the researcher to compare the image quality in both techniques. Unlike Goulding (2006) in this study two independent radiologists that were chosen randomly from the researcher were asked to report on image quality on all the radiographs performed on the anthropomorphic pixy phantom AR10A. Radiologists were chosen in this study since in Malta there are no reporting radiographers that report on the appendicular skeleton. The radiologists were asked to report on the images by answering a likert scale (1=very poor and 5=very good) to assess image quality. The results were tabulated in table 3 of the data record sheet. 3.5 Validity and Reliability Validity refers to the degree the research instrument used in the study measures what it is intended to measure. Therefore: Validity reflects the accuracy with which the findings reflect the phenomenon being studied (Parahoo, 2006, p.80) In this study, the researcher consulted with the medical physicist at the local hospital who was asked to assess the content validity of the research tools used to collect the data. The medical physicist considered the research tools valid since the same tools are used in the medical imaging department to test for image quality on the digital x-ray systems. As the research tools were deemed to be totally valid, the data collected to measure image quality in the grid and air gap technique can also be said to be valid. Reliability refers to how consistent an instrument is in measuring what it is intended to measure (Parahoo, 2006). To maintain the equivalence reliability of the lead quality control phantom used for assessment of image quality, two independent observers were asked to measure both spatial and contrast resolution of the two images achieved using the same exposure factors, OID and SID. The researcher tested for the reliability of the automatic exposure device used. This was done by exposing the lead phantom twice without manipulating the setting or exposure factors and the results were recorded. The spatial resolution, contrast resolution and DAP metre readings were the same in both images and so the AEC was considered reliable enough to use in the testing and data collection. 3.6 Ethical Considerations Ethics is defined by Polit Beck (2006) as a system of moral values that are designed to protect the participant from the research procedures as the researcher has professional, legal and social obligations towards the participants involved in the study. However, in this research, no human subjects were involved in the experimentation and collection of data, so there were no ethical issues regarding the exposures done on the PTW NORMI 13 phantom and the anthropomorphic phantom pixy AR10A. Permission was sought for the use of the x-ray equipment from Medical Imaging Department at the local hospital. Experimentation was performed under supervision and precautions were taken to ensure that radiation would not harm any other members of the staff or public where the study was performed. 3.7 Limitations of the study Limitations were encountered by the researcher throughout this study. The study was conducted using a quality control phantom and an anthropomorphic phantom. Although both phantoms are manufactured to mimic and represent a patient as well as to produce equivalent scatter radiation, patient size was a variable that could not be added to the study. The DAP metre was used in this study so that the researcher could have an idea of the dose being attenuated by the phantoms used. Ideally the actual patient dose should be measured but this could not be done since no human subjects were used. Expansion of this study would lead to a better understanding of the dose given to patients while comparing the air gap and grid technique for the lateral hip shoot through. This study was carried out using a digital x-ray system in the radiology department at the local hospital. Tube output and technique setup may be different when using other systems. In the radiology department, computed radiography is used to perform a lateral hip shoot through examination rather than a digital system which is what the researcher used in this study. In data analysis the readings from the quality control phantoms were interpreted by the researcher himself and not by a number of people. If more than one person interpreted the results, the results may have varied. Although these limitations are valid, they had no effect on the data collected and the results achieved. 3.8 Conclusion This chapter described the methodology and the research design of this study. The next chapter consists of presentation, analysis and discussion of the data.

Industrial or Economic Espionage :: International Business Competition Essays

Industrial or Economic Espionage A small Mississauga electronics safety equipment company is broken into. Although filing cabinets and desks were rummaged through, nothing was seemingly taken. An officer discovered the company had drawn up a bid for $7 million dollar contract a day or so before the break-in. The contract in question was for a foreign country. It was later discovered that the company in question was known for its aggressive economic espionage. An iron ore shipping company was also broken into. At first it was thought that the target had been the firms computers. But, nothing was taken, it was assumed that the burglars had been scared off. Within thirty minutes it was discovered that the company was approaching its fiscal year end. staff eventually found that most of the recent database backup tape was missing. A Quebec based company with the laser-based system for inspecting materials used in, among other things, the stealth aircraft, had three computers stolen. On their harddrives were confidential codes for specialized software used by the Canadian Armed forces. The above are all true examples of the modern threat facing international business today known as industrial or economic espionage. The end of the cold and economic pressures have increased the risk of economic espionage. The collapse of the Soviet Union has left unemployed KGB and other former communist bloc intelligence agents selling everything from Russian night vision devices to completely assembled and functional bugging devices. Even friendly western European governments have been caught spying on private corporations based in the U.S. and other countries, while industrial competitors sometimes hire private companies to collect competitive intelligence from their corporate rivals( Lester:96). What exactly is economic espionage? how prevalent is it? Who does it? How do they do it? and what can we do to stop it. These are the questions that will be looked at in the following pages. First lets look at, what exactly is economic espionage. Espionage and intelligence is no longer the exclusive domain of monarchs and governments, it has become a must for modern international business. Large corporations around the world particularly in western Europe and Asia now hire agents to gather intelligence on their competitors and other countries. The goal of economic espionage is to steal trade secrets, plans and confidential procedures or anything to give your company or country a competitive edge over another (Perry:1996). The areas that interest industrial spies the most include radiation transfer technology, systems diagnostic and testing software, traveling wave tubes, aviation technologies, microwave monolithic integrated circuits, inferred signature measures software, radar technologies, wet

Monasticism And Intellectual L Essays -- essays research papers

Religious and intellectual institutions underwent significant changes throughout the middle ages. In some cases, advances were made, and in others, there was a major decline. Through all of these times, the people of the middle ages learned what didn’t work, what did, and how to progress once they found what did work. The true form of monasticism in the western Christian church was founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia. He wrote the famous "Benedict’s Rule" between 520-530. The fundamentals of the rule was that each day was divided into a series of activities with an emphasis on prayer and manual labor. The monks would all gather together seven times each day for prayer. These were all male institutions, however, Benedict’s sister, Scholastica founded monasteries for women. Many of the texts we have today are with us because of monks. Beginning in the ninth century, the monks used scriptoria, or writing rooms, to copy different manuscripts. Between the sixth and tenth centuries, the monasteries experienced what one might call a moral decline. The purity and poverty which was the ideal for monks was being abandoned. Simony, the buying of clerical positions, was common, as was the practice of priests being married. In 910, Duke William of Aquataine wanted to do something t o correct this problem. He founded the abbey of Cluny, which was an independent monastery. Cluny was kept independent from any kind of secular control. It sought to brin...