Public Health Challenge Essay

Possibly the most imperative public health challenge for the United States today is the obesity epidemic the population has. This obesity epidemic, is linked to an array of costly and debilitating health consequences. The widespread challenge of obesity and the health problems and concerns that go with that is an American public health problem. FDA’s approval of two new medications that can help to decrease some of the obesity , decrease some of the chronic diseases associated with obesity, and decrease the costs associated with obesity. This essay will be addressing these pertinent problems and will prove that the new FDA drugs approved for weight loss will help American’s with weight loss that will decrease obesity, decrease chronic illnesses that are associated with obesity and decrease health care costs. Prevention of obesity along with investing in research is necessary for us to see a change in the obesity epidemic (Hammond, 2012). Research suggests that decreasing obesity will decrease the costs of health care, decrease chronic illnesses associated with obesity. Total obesity costs would be much more reduced, along with the cost for other conditions caused by excess weight in our population (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). Research suggests that the newest FDA approved diet pills will benefit Americans by decreasing obesity, decreasing chronic diseases associated with obesity and decreasing health care costs. Research shows that newest FDA approved diet pills Qysimia, and Blviq (lorcaserin), are helping to decrease obesity in the American population that were taking these medications. The new diet drugs approved by FDA will benefit Americans by decreasing obesity rates in the American population. With two-thirds of all our population being obese or overweight or and the related cost of health costs, FDA was under pressure to approve any weight loss treatments (Berkrot & Yukhananov, 2012). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted long-term weight loss obesity drugs for the first time in 13 years, these drugs are suppose to help unhealthy overweight and obese Americans with weight control that have been unsuccessful (FDA, 2012). These two new drugs, Belviq (lorcaserin) and Qsymia will be a tool to help Americans get and stay at a healthy weight (FDA, 2012). Belviq (lorcaserin) is one of the two new drugs that have been approved by the FDA. Resesearch currently showing promise and benefit from this medication. Belviq (lorcaserin) which drug’s efficacy submitted by FDA and Arena pharmaceuticals show a weight loss of five percent of their starting weight, averaging twelve pounds (Park, 2012a). Belviq (lorcaserin) works activating the brain receptors for serotonin which help to control appetite. Arena researchers explain that their drug is designed to seek out these appetite serotonin receptors and saturate them so that appetite is controlled. FDA and Arena pharmaceuticals show a weight loss of five percent of their starting weight, averaging twelve pounds. The best results have been shown in people that are on a healthy diet and an exercise program (Park, 2012a). FDA has approved this medications for obese patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or if a BMI of 27 and high cholesterol, hypertension or Type 2 diabetes. Side effects associated with this medication are fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, headache and nausea; side effects for diabetic patients are fatigue, low blood sugar, headache, back pain and cough. The standard labeling for Belviq suggests that the drug be terminated in patients who fail to drop 5 percent of their body weight after 12 weeks of therapy, because they will probably not start achieving weight loss. When Belviq is given 10 milligrams twice a day, Belviq does not appear to activate the serotonin 2B receptor, which is what caused the withdrawal of fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine drugs because of cardiac issues. (Yao, 2012). The weight loss proven in research from this drug proves that Bekviq (lorcaserin) that will helped decrease the obesity in the American population that are prescribed this medication. A second new drug Qsymia, made by Vivus, is has been approved by FDA closely behind Belviq. Qsymia which drug’s efficacy in trials show a weight loss of 8.4 -10.6 percent of their starting weight. (2012b). This drug is a combination drug, topiramate, and phenertermine. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant stimulant, and topiramate is an anti-seizure medication that makes gives people the feeling of being fuller after eating. Research suggests that it works by targeting brain receptors that trigger eating too much. With clinical trials, obese patients that took Qsymia for a full year lost on average 8.4 % to 10.6% of their weight, the weight loss increased with higher doses. The FDA’s approval of Qsymia, after such a long diet-drug drought and despite the potential safety problems that plague weight-loss pills, marks a willingness to make new solutions available. FDA approved this drug for obese people with a BMI of thirty or greater or twenty-seven or more with another co-morbidity disease. Risks or side effects include increased heart rate, birth defects for pregnant women, and metabolic acidosis. With the American population increasing in obesity by over a third of the adults and effective weight loss treatments are few and rare. FDA approving these new weight loss pills shows us that new solutions are available (Park, 2012b). The weight loss associated with this drug is greater than that of Belviq but the potential complications and risk may be greater. FDA approving these two new drugs Qysmia and Belviq after a 13 year gap in FDA diet drug approval is promising to Americans, both drugs shows a substantial weight loss in obese patients with BMI of 27 or greater. This weight loss will be effective in decreasing obesity in the American population. These drugs are supposed to help unhealthy overweight and obese Americans with weight control that has been unsuccessful (Yao, 2012). Belviq (lorcase-rin) is a 10 mg tablet taken twice a day that works by sending signals to the brain that controls hunger. Weight loss from Belviq in studies averaged 3-3.7 percent. Qsymia is taken once a day, with patients starting at the lowest dose (3.75 mg phentermine/23 mg topira-mate extended-release), then increas-ing to the recommended dose (7.5mg/46 mg). The maximum dose increased to the highest dose (15 mg/92 mg). Weight loss from Qsymia in studys averaged 6.7-8.9 percent. Orlistat is the last FDA approved drug on the market currently. Prescriptions approved by FDA in the past have a history being removed because of detrimental side effects (FDA, 2012). A new solution for weight loss is necessary to help decrease the obesity epidemic in the United States and the FDA’s approval of Qsymia and Belviq, is the a start to answering how Americans can make weight loss being accessible (Park, 2012a). The two new diet drugs, Qysmia and Belviq approved by FDA will benefit Americans by decreasing chronic diseases associated with obesity in the American population. Conditions associated to obesity include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death. (CDC, 2012). Decreasing obesity will decrease the amount and or severity of these chronic. Obesity is defined as an adult with a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 30 and overweight is defined as BMI of 25- to 29.9 or greater. In 2009-2010 37.5% of the American population was obese according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Ogden, Carroll, Kit & Flegal, 2012). BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, if a person has a high BMI, a health care provider would need to perform further assessments to determine if the excess weight is a health risk. These assessments might include evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, blo od tests and other appropriate health screenings (CDC, 2011). With over one third of Americans being overweight it increases the chronic illnesses of over one third of our population. Almost 41 million women and more than 37 million men aged 20 and over were obese in 2009–2010. Obesity leads to higher health risks and chronic diseases including type two diabetes, hypertension, and increased lipids to name a few. Adults aged 60 and over were more likely to be obese than younger adults. The Healthy People 2010 goals of 15% obesity among adults and 5% obesity among children were not met (Ogden, Carroll, Kit & Flegal, 2012). Decreasing obesity rates will decrease our chronic illnesses associated with obesity. . An effective obesity prevention strategy will be to include education and change policies to incorporate healthy changes to decrease obesity. According to an analysis in the American Journal of Public Health, as little as a 5 percent reduction in the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension would save almost $25 billion annually in med ium-term health care costs (Hammond, 2012). Sixty percent of the Americans obese or overweight population reported one or more chronic illnesses that were associated with obesity, in 2006, compared to 33 percent of normal-weight adults. Cardiovascular disease is one of the major risks associated with obesity. The excess fat associated with obesity raises cholesterol and blood pressure. Decreasing the excess fat will decrease cardiovascular disease. Cancer over the last decades has been linked to obesity, decreasing obesity will decrease some of the cancer risks. Type II diabetes is the one chronic disease mainly associated to obesity, and studies suggest that a weight gain of 11 pounds or more in adult aged patients is associated with 27 percent of type 2 diabetes (Combs, 2011). Decreasing weight of 11 pounds which is a possibility for patients on these diet drugs will decrease these chronic illnesses. The new approved diet pills help decrease chronic diseases associated with obesity as evidenced by decreased chronic illnesses being present in lower weighted Americans The new diet drugs approved by FDA will benefit Americans by decreasing health care cost associated with obesity in the American population. This obesity epidemic is associated with increased health care costs and will continue to increase over the next years. Prevention of obesity along with investing in research is necessary for us to see a change in the obesity epidemic (Hammond, 2012). Obesity cost health care large amounts of money and is a health concern (Berkrot & Yukhananov, 2012). The abstract â€Å"Annual medical spending attributable to obesity† connects the unquestionable connection between growing rates of obesity and escalating medical spending. The liability of obesity has escalated to almost ten percent of all medical spending and could amount to $ 147 billion in 2008 these are the overall estimates that the authors found (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). As a result, the article will be useful to support the points that decreasing obesity will decre ase health care costs. Obesity rates have continued to escalate despite all aspects of government’s efforts including state, national and local. This is a concern to the American public and also to the health care industry. The medical charges increased by 37 percent from 1998 to estimated 2006 numbers. The rising number of Americans with obesity is influencing the increases in total medical costs. Amplified costs is evidenced by prescription drug benefits from Medicare, that show Medicare overweight recipients spend $600 per year more than non obese Medicare recipients. The authors estimate that the occurrence of obesity being on the rise is to blame for the greater than before health care costs from 1998 to 2006 (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). These numbers show again that reduction in obesity rates will decrease all medical costs including the $600 Medicare costs. Methods and Study data points are used for research in this article. This article goes over the methods used in the research. The methods used are a four part equation regression approach to predict the total medical spending. This is part of the modifications to allow stratifications to be more detailed , by separate spending from inpatient to outpatient settings, prescription costs of drugs, each service then was able to conclude and predict total spending (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). The methods include accounting for Body Mass Index (BMI), BMI greater than 30 was used. Regressions for characteristics included control of ethnicity/race, age, income, smoking status, marital status, and insurance variables. Running separate models for each payer. Each type of service calculated from total predicted spending for obese patient had they be calculated to normal weight using bootstrap method. Also using obesity prevalence increase by computing the difference in these from 2006 back to 1998, shows hypothetical obesity costs and attributable to 2006 (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). All this shows us that decreasing obesisty will decrease the cost of health care. Results of the first exhibit show obese persons had medical increase spending that was 42 percent larger ($1429/per person) then non obese persons. Results of the second exhibit that show costs estimates by payer show Medicaid increase of forty-seven percent, private insurance increased by fifty-eight percent and Medicare costs increased by 36 percent. Exhibit three type of service shows prescription drug increase from sixty percent to eighty-one percent, Inpatient increase from 4 percent to ninety percent and outpatient increase from fourteen percent to forty percent. Exhibit four shows medical spending attributable to cumulative obesity shows increases on all spending , this show that if obesity would have remained the same prevalence from 1998 we would have shown 47 billion spent in 2006 instead of 86 billion. These results imply that the eighty-nine percent of the spending was accounted by the obesity numbers rising (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). This is a significant amount of money in all the exhibits. The authors provide evidence and statistics that support the argument that obesity increases the cost of health care and that reduction in obesity will in turn decrease the cost of health care. The article provides results and also explains the new evidence of the important role of prescription drug spending, in increasing the costs of obesity. The main message of this article obesity will continue to inflict major expenses on the health system for the upcoming years, without a solid and persistent decline in obesity prevalence. Although pharmaceutical, medical, and surgical interventions to treat obesity are available, these treatments remain rare.. Pharmaceutical is one of the three types of interventions we use to treat obesity. Pharmaceutical treatments are remaining rare in treating obesity. If not for obesity, total obesity costs would be much more reduced, along with the cost for other conditions caused by excess weight in our population (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). This article discusses it limitations. A limitation of this source is that, though the page has credibility the authors do cite the limitations of this analysis being that the dependence of height and weight being reported is done by individuals. And the regressions of sample from 1998 is only half that of 2006 sample. This approach does not allow for precise diseases or behaviors connected with obese individuals (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009) Workers all over the world are experiencing cost increases to health care because of obesity. Employers estimated costs of health care decrease with decrease in weight (CDC, 2011). Total obesity costs would be much more reduced, along with the cost all chronic diseases and conditions caused by excess weight in our population (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). The newest FDA approved diet pills benefit us by decreasing obesity for the American population that takes this medication. American obesity has been evidenced by studies that show a measurable weight loss. The new approved diet pills Qysimia and Belviq will decrease chronic diseases associated with obesity as evidenced by decreased chronic illnesses being present in lower weighted Americans (even a few pounds changes many chronic illnesses assosciated with obesity. Decreasing obesity will decrease health care costs as evidenced by costs decreasing by $1429 per person less on non obese patients (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). Research data given in above essay suggests that the newest FDA approved diet pills will benefit Americans by decreasing obesity, decreasing chronic diseases associated with obesity and decreasing health care costs. The thesis has been proven to be correct, with the above information. Research showed that the newest FDA approved diet pills does benefit Americans by decreasing obesity, decreasing chronic diseases associated with obesity and decreasing health care costs. References Berkrot, B., & Yukhananov, H. (2012). Fda oks first obesity drug in 13 years. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-arena-obesity-idUSBRE85Q1AA20120627 CDC. (2011, October 06). Cdc. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/leanworks/costcalculator/index.html CDC. (2012, August 13). Cdc. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html Combs, S. (2011). Retrieved from website: http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/obesitycost/pdf/GainingCostsLosingTime.pdf FDA. (2012). Retrieved from website: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM312391.pdf Finkelstein, E., Trogdon, J., Cohen, J., & Dietz, W. (2009). Annual medical spending attributable to obesity: Payer-and service-specific estimates. Retrieved from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/28/5/w822.full.pdf html Hammond, R. A. (2012). Obesity, prevention, and healthcare costs. Retrieved from http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2012/05/04-health-care-hammond Ogden, C. L., Carroll , M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2012). Retrieved from National Center for Health Statistics for Health S website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db82.pdf Park, A. (2012, June 28).

Iso 9000, Service Quality and Ergonomics Stanislav Karapetrovic

To cite this document: Stanislav Karapetrovic, (1999),†ISO 9000, service quality and ergonomics†, Managing Service Quality, Vol. 9 Iss: 2 pp. 81 – 89 Permanent link to this document: http://dx. doi. org/10. 1108/09604529910257948 Downloaded on: 17-10-2012 References: This document contains references to 27 other documents Citations: This document has been cited by 3 other documents To copy this document: [email  protected] com This document has been downloaded 1952 times since 2005. * Users who downloaded this Article also downloaded: *Rujirutana Mandhachitara, Yaowalak Poolthong, (2011),†A model of customer loyalty and corporate social responsibility†, Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 25 Iss: 2 pp. 122 – 133 http://dx. doi. org/10. 1108/08876041111119840 Harold W. Webb, Linda A. Webb, (2004),†SiteQual: an integrated measure of Web site quality†, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 17 Iss: 6 pp. 430 – 440 ht tp://dx. doi. org/10. 1108/17410390410566724 Rabiul Ahasan, Daniel Imbeau, (2003),†Who belongs to ergonomics? An examination of the human factors community†, Work Study, Vol. 52 Iss: 3 pp. 123 – 128 http://dx. doi. org/10. 1108/00438020310471917Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF GAZA For Authors: If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service. Information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www. emeraldinsight. com/authors for more information. About Emerald www. emeraldinsight. com With over forty years' experience, Emerald Group Publishing is a leading independent publisher of global research with impact in business, society, public policy and education.In total, Emerald publishes over 275 journals and more than 130 book series, as well as an extensi ve range of online products and services. Emerald is both COUNTER 3 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. *Related content and download information correct at time of download. Perspectives ISO 9000, service quality and ergonomics Stanislav Karapetrovic 1. Introduction In the last decade or so, we have witnessed an explosion of quality-related standards and regulations.As a result of the continuous quest for better â€Å"quality† of products and services offered to customers, the International Organization for Standardization introduced the ISO 9000 series of quality management and quality assurance standards in 1987. The series currently includes three models for quality assurance (ISO 9001, ISO 9002 and ISO 9003), guidelines for quality management (ISO 9004), and two supporting documents: ISO 9000 Guidelines for Model’s Selection and Use and ISO 8402 Quality Vocabulary (Figure 1). The ISO 9000 standards have been accepted worldwide, with more than 200,000 organizations already registered.The standards present a sound basis for assuring the customer of quality of products and services, as well as the processes that create them. Several other quality-related standards have since emerged, such as the automotive standards QS 9000, environmental management standards ISO 14000, and emerging health and safety international standards (Figura, 1996). The upcoming revision of ISO 9000 standards in the year 2000 (now in the form of a Technical Committee Draft) is expected to further facilitate the use of quality assurance methods the world over.Another commonly used phrase from the 1980s and 1990s has been total quality management (TQM): an integrated approach to the management of quality with special emphasis on delighting customers and improving the wellbeing of all employees in the organization. A number of articles have been written on the relationship between the ISO 9000 series and TQM (Johnson, 1993; Struebing, 1996; Wilson, 1996; Velury, 1996; Corigan, 1994; Sakofsky, 1994; Emmons, 1994), underlying the opinion of quality management professionals that the two are not quite the same.While ISO 9000 series are technical, presenting speci?cations, requirements and guidelines for quality systems, TQM emphasizes teamwork and customer satisfaction. Put another way, TQM is quality management with â€Å"a human touch†. Does this mean that ergonomic aspects of the workplace and customer satisfaction are not emphasized by ISO 9000? Does quality assurance (ISO 9000) emphasize ergonomics and 81 The author Stanislav Karapetrovic is based at the Department of Industrial Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Keywords Ergonomics, ISO 9000, Quality assurance, Service quality, Workers Abstract This paper addresses some ergonomic issues in the ISO 9000-based qualit y assurance. Ergonomics – the study of human factors in engineering and design of systems is brie?y touched on. Then, outlines of ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 quality system models are provided, and all 20 requirements of the current ISO 9001:9004 standard are presented in an ergonomic light. Subsequently, human factors in the documentation and implementation of a quality system are illustrated.The relevance of ergonomic studies in the development of service systems is addressed. Finally, a blueprint for an ergonomic assurance system, de?ned as a set of interrelated resources and processes that function in order to achieve objectives related to ergonomic design and use of products and processes, is provided. Managing Service Quality Volume 9  · Number 2  · 1999  · pp. 81–89  © MCB University Press  · 0960-4529 Figure 1 Ergonomics – an essential element of the production and/or service systemRaw Material RESOURCES Ergonomics PROCESS PRODUCT Output Input Ergono mics COST ERGONOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS occupational health and safety? In the present time of globalization of markets and internationalization of best-practice standards, such questions can and should be posed. This paper addresses some of the ergonomic issues in the ISO 9000-based quality assurance. Ergonomics, that is the study of human factors in engineering and design of systems, is brie?y touched on.Then, outlines of ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 quality system models are provided, and all 20 requirements of the current ISO 9001:9004 standard are presented in an ergonomic light. Subsequently, human factors in the documentation and implementation of a quality system are illustrated. The relevance of ergonomic studies in the development of service systems is addressed. Finally, the design of an ergonomic assurance system based on ISO 9000 is discussed. 2. Ergonomics It seems that it takes a disaster, loss of human life, or a health crisis for most of us to realize how important human factors are.Before the Three Mile Island incident, the Chernobil explosion, the Bhopal pesticide leak, plane crashes involving human errors, or ?ndings that millions of people suffer from repetitive stress injuries, it would have been hard to ?nd anyone who knew what ergonomics or human factors engineering are (not including the ergonomists themselves, of course). Today, however, we often hear about â€Å"ergonomicallydesigned computer mouse and keyboard†, 82 â€Å"ergonomic† chairs, pots, pans, door handles, and automatic teller machines (ATM).We now know that ergonomic design of products and processes is bsolutely crucial for effective and ef?cient work. Ergonomics, or human factors engineering, deals with the design for human use, as well as optimizing working and living conditions (Sanders and McCormick, 1993). The ?rst term (ergonomics) is mainly in use in Europe, while the second (human factors engineering) is often heard in North America. Th e following de?nition, modi?ed from Chapanis (1985), is provided: Ergonomics discovers and applies information about human behavior, limitations, abilities and other human characteristics to the design of systems for ef?cient, safe, comfortable and effective human use.Interested readers are referred to a classic in ergonomics, Sanders’ and McCormick’s â€Å"Human factors in engineering and design† (1993), for more information on the history of the science and a detailed study of many applications of ergonomics. Ergonomics, almost by default, is implied in quality assurance. Quality assurance encompasses techniques used to provide con?dence to customers that their requirements for quality are met. Therefore, by de?nition, human factors are involved. Assurances in the quality of products and services are provided to humans, by humans.In fact, ergonomics and quality assurance are so intertwined that it is impossible to say where one starts and the other ends. Sever al articles in ergonomics literature have already discussed the use of quality assurance techniques in human factors engineering (for instance, see Helander and Burri, 1995; Bergquist and Abeysekera, 1996). For an early account on human factors in quality assurance, the reader is referred to Harris and Chaney (1969). Hence, in the following sections, interrelationships between ergonomics and quality assurance will be addressed. 3.Quality Assurance (ISO 9001) and Management (ISO 9004) Of the three available models for quality system registration, ISO 9001 is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and most widely used. The current version (ISO 9001: 1994), includes 20 elements (requirements), to which a quality assurance system of an organization is assessed (Table I). ISO 9001 covers design, development, production, installation and servicing activities. It is aimed at providing con?dence to internal and external customers that their requirements for quality are continuously met.An organ ization’s anagement is the main internal customer, while external customers include consumers of the organization’s products and services, as well as registrars that assess the suitability and effectiveness of the quality system. ISO 9001 is a generic standard, which means that it is universally applicable to both manufacturing and service organizations, i. e. small businesses (Karapetrovic et al. , 1997), health care and education (Willborn and Cheng, 1994). Rather than focusing on speci?c products and services, ISO 9001 addresses quality systems and processes in?uencing the product throughout its lifecycle.A quality system can be de?ned as a set of processes that function harmoniously, using various resources, to achieve quality objectives (Karapetrovic and Willborn, 1998A). It is in the interaction of human, material and information resources, as well as human resources and processes, that the ergonomic aspects of the quality system emerge. Focusing on the underlyin g concept of a system will help us understand the interrelationships between the quality and ergonomic system, and provide a possibility for integration.Apart from ISO 9001, a set of guidelines numbered ISO 9004 is widely used for developing and implementing quality 83 management. The set currently consists of eight documents, ranging from the guidelines on quality management in service organizations to con?guration and project management. For the purpose of discussing an ergonomic system in services, we turn our attention to the second document in the series, namely the ISO 9004-2 (1994) â€Å"Quality management and quality system elements: Guidelines for services†).In essence very similar in scope and structure to ISO 9001, ISO 9004-2 provides guidelines for establishing quality management throughout the service life cycle, starting from establishing the need for a service, through service design, acquisition of resources, service delivery and status, as well as performance analysis and improvement. Differing from ISO 9001, these guidelines directly address interfaces with customers, including â€Å"creating a perception of the appropriate image based on the reality of actions taken to meet customers needs† (ISO 9004-2: 1994).Effective communication with customers, â€Å"listening to them and keeping them informed†, is particularly emphasized. What is also important from an ergonomic standpoint is that the guidelines provide the basis for adequate training of personnel, including motivation, staff development and communication. Although the training mentioned therein mostly involves â€Å"quality system training†, it could be expanded to environmental, health and safety, and ergonomic system training.For different strategies of using the quality system framework for developing other management systems, including environment and ergonomics, the reader is referred to Karapetrovic and Willborn (1998B and 1998C). In addition to ISO 90 04-2, another standard from the ISO 9004 series, namely ISO 9004: Part 1 â€Å"Guidelines for quality management and quality system elements†, addresses some particular ergonomic aspects. This is done in the standard’s 19th element: Product safety. Speci?cally, it is suggested that â€Å"consideration be given to identifying safety aspects of products and processes with the aim of enhancing safety† (ISO 9004-1: 1994).Steps to achieve this can include: †¢ identifying relevant safety standards; †¢ performing design evaluation tests for safety; †¢ analyzing instructions and warnings to the user; Table I Ergonomic issues and implications of ISO 9001 (1994) ISO 9001 element 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 Management responsibility Quality system Contract review Ergonomic issues Organization ensures that the quality policy is understood at all levels Procedures and work instructions are effectively documented/implemented Customer requirements are adequately de?ned and d ocumentedImplications Quality system documentation should be designed and implemented using ergonomic (human factors engineering) knowledge Ergonomic characteristics of a product, such as environmental conditions, sensory characteristics proper handling and packaging should be determined (see Bergquist and Abeysekera, 1996; Helander and Burri, 1995; Barsky and Dutta, 1997) Products should be ergonomically designed to ensure healthy and safe functioning Quality system documents should be accessible . 4 4. 5 Design control Document control 4. 6 4. 7 4. 8 4. 9 Purchasing Control of customer supplied product Product identi?cation and traceability Process control 4. 10 Inspection and testing 4. 11 Inspection and test equipment 4. 12 Inspection and test status 4. 13 Nonconforming product 4. 14 Corrective and preventive action 4. 15 Handling, storage, †¦, delivery 4. 16 Control of quality records 4. 17 Internal quality audits 4. 18 Training 4. 19 ServicingCrucial characteristics for s afe and proper functioning of the product are identi?ed Appropriate documents are readily available at all locations where essential operations are performed Purchasing documents adequately address speci?ed requirements Adequate procedures for storage and maintenance of the product are in place Product is adequately identi?ed and traceable Suitable equipment and working environment are used Criteria for workmanship is stipulated in the clearest practical manner Records clearly illustrate the results of inspection and testing activities Suitable indicators of calibration status are identi?ed Inspection and test status of the product is identi?ed by suitable means Nonconforming products are adequately identi?ed and segregated Appropriate sources of information are used to detect and eliminate potential/ existing causes of defects Adequate handling, storage, packaging, preservation and delivery of the product is identi?ed and maintained Quality records are adequately identi?ed, indexed , ?led and storedQuality records are easily accessible Quality audits are performed to examine the suitability and effectiveness of the quality system Training needs are identi?ed and adequate training provided Appropriate identi?cation of servicing needs and customer feedback is performed Ergonomic techniques can be used to ensure clear understanding of documents Safe and risk-free storage and maintenance of products is emphasized Identi?cation of products should be performed according to ergonomic guidelines regulations For identi?cation and maintenance of the suitable working environment and hardware, ergonomic analysis and evaluations must be performed Identi?cation of products and equipment should be performed according to ergonomic guidelines and regulations (for example, see Sanders and McCormick, 1993 (part 2), and Harris and Chaney, 1070 (chapters 6-11)Ergonomical analysis of human-information interaction is helpful (for instance, see Sanders and McCormick, 1993 (part 2) Er gonomical design and analysis of handling and packaging of products should be used Ergonomic techniques can be used to ensure clear understanding of documents, and accessibility of records Ergonomic audits/evaluations, identifying areas for possible improvement of human-machineproduct-environment interactions are performed Ergonomic training should be emphasized Ergonomic characteristics of a product, such as environmental conditions, sensory characteristics proper handling and packaging should be determined (see Bergquist and Abeysekera, 1996; Helander and Burri, 1995; Barsky and Dutta, 1997)Statistical tools and techniques are used in ergonomic analysis and evaluations 4. 20 Statistical techniques The need for the application of statistical techniques is identi?ed 84 †¢ developing a means of product traceability to facilitate product recall; †¢ considering development of an emergency plan The following section will address some ergonomic factors in the ISO 9001/9004 qual ity system structure, as well as suggest implementation of this system with ergonomics in mind. 4. Ergonomic considerations of ISO 9001/9004 Quality systems depicted in ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 standards apply to all phases in the life cycle of a service, from initial identi?cation to ?nal satisfaction of customer requirements.The concept of all activities in?uencing the quality of a service throughout its life cycle is often referred to as the â€Å"service quality loop† (ISO 9004-2, 1994). Thus, a service quality system involves three main elements: (1) service; (2) processes along the quality loop; and (3) resources. Likewise, ergonomic considerations within a service quality system include: †¢ Ergonomic design and delivery of service (and/or related products). †¢ Ergonomic design and application of processes. †¢ Analysis of the interaction between human and information/material resources Using Figure 1, it is possible to explain how quality and ergonomics inte rrelate in a quality system. Each product or service made possesses certain characteristics.For example, service quality is a set of characteristics that bear on the service’s ability to satisfy customer requirements. Ergonomic characteristics of products / services provide safe, healthy and ef?cient usage and/or delivery. It is evident that some ergonomic characteristics of a product (or service) are essentially quality characteristics (such as the design of the driver’s seat in a car), and vice-versa. Also, service delivery processes have to satisfy certain requirements that may be ergonomic in nature. For example, the environment in which retail-banking services operate may be altered to provide safety for a bank teller working in it. Finally, ergonomic issues emerge when human, material and informa85 ion resources are combined to create a quality system.The current ISO 9001 quality system has a multitude of elements that are directly applicable to managing ergonomi cs and health/safety. Table I lists all 20 elements of ISO 9001 in the order in which they appear in the standard, illustrates sections and speci?c requirements which pertain to ergonomics, and provides ergonomic implications of the quality system. The implications range from adequate identi?cation of customer ergonomic requirements, ergonomically suitable design of products, services and processes, to identi?cation and maintenance of appropriate working environment and equipment.Such analysis of the ISO 9001 quality system shows that virtually every element of the system includes at least some ergonomic and/or health and safety aspects. This conclusion, however, is not surprising, since ultimately, quality is created by people, and for people. Not only does the content of ISO 9001 relate to human factors (Hansen, 1996), but also its context. A quality system must be adequately documented and implemented in order to operate effectively and ef?ciently. Quality documentation, as a pil lar of the quality system, must be understood and readily available to all persons whose work affects quality, as well as understood by all involved. Ergonomically designed documentation will undoubtedly help people understand their tasks better and improve their performance.New technologies, such as head-up-displays (Geiselman and Osgood, 1995; Karapetrovic, 1995), computer-aided communication (through electronic mail and the Internet) can greatly improve the implementation of a quality system in any organization. Examples include: †¢ Operators using HUDs for display of quality procedures and work instructions. †¢ Paperless ISO 9000 documentation, i. e. documents available on-line using HTML or Java (Clarkin and Dow, 1997). †¢ Wireless electronic mail for reporting and analysis of quality-related problems. The following section addresses the implementation of human factors engineering in services, using ?nancial services as an example, in more detail. 5. Ergonomics a nd services How do ergonomics relate to service quality systems?To answer that question, we can follow the above-mentioned â€Å"service quality loop† from the inception of the need for service, to the evaluation of whether that need has been satis?ed. In designing a â€Å"quality service†, we must ?rst identify the need for it, as well as ?nd out who would actually need such a service. Put another way, we are de?ning the user and his/her needs. For instance, say we want to open a bank branch in a specific location. Do local bank users really need a branch there? What exactly do they need? Perhaps they need investment services, or easy access to cash, or mortgage consultations. Sanders and McCormick (1993) and Bailey (1982) de?ne the identi?cation of user needs through observation, interviews and questionnaires as ergonomic activities that apply here.Psychology-based tools of ergonomics deal in particular with an effective and ef?cient determination of user needs. The service system is subsequently designed on the basis of identi?ed needs. We have determined that local users require access to money from their accounts as well as the possibility of discussing investments. Now, we need to allocate resources to required banking functions. These resources include people (bank employees), hardware (automatic teller machines (ATM), computers) and software. Which particular functions should we assign to people, and which to machines? For instance, for easy access to cash, we would assume that a 24hour ATM would be appropriate.However, what if most of the bank’s clients are seniors, who are still not accustomed to trusting machines in dealing with deposits or withdrawals, or if the bank is located in a place where people prefer customer service and contact with bank tellers rather than machines? Ergonomic studies help us in determining speci?c capabilities of people, hardware and software, and can provide signi?cant assistance in allocating system functions. Then, we can decide whether to completely automate certain functions, or to assign people to perform them, or use both machines and people. For example, a bank may decide to allow withdrawals of less than $1,000 from an ATM. If a customer wants to withdraw more than that, he/she would have to go to a bank teller. 86Once we have decided which resources the bank should have (say three ATMs, four tellers and two investment advisors), we need to perform an analysis of the required processes, activities and tasks. Put another way, we are listing the sequence of activities that need to be conducted in order to accomplish a speci?c function. Flowcharts are particularly helpful here. For instance, we can specify a procedure for cash withdrawals from the bank. This, in ergonomics, is called task description and analysis (Sanders and McCormick, 1993). Whenever we have some interaction between people and hardware or software, such as when a teller needs to input withdrawal informat ion into the database, there are ergonomic implications.For example, in the bank where I normally do my ?nancial transactions, computer monitors and keyboards are placed so low in relation to the counter, that the teller needs to bend down every time he/she inputs the information, virtually disappearing behind the counter. Just imagine how many times the teller needs to bend like that every day, every week, every month. Put another way, in designing the work space for employees, e. g. placing customer service counters and computers in determined locations, allocating space for safety deposit boxes, etc. , we inevitably in?uence the comfort, safety and ef?ciency of people working in such spaces. All these are ergonomic considerations that can in?uence the quality of the product or service.The likely reason why tellers in my bank still have to bend down to reach the computer is that it was probably never de?ned as a problem at all. The existence of an ergonomic program within the bank , with planned ergonomic audits and corrective actions, would certainly identify and rectify such a problem. But how can such a program be introduced with minimum cost and maximum bene?ts? Perhaps the solution is in the integration of the existing quality system with an ergonomic program. The integration of quality and environment management systems came naturally, since standards representing best practices were effectively established at the international level (namely ISO 9000 and ISO 14000).This should also be the case with occupational health and safety (OHS), since national and international OHS standards, dubbed ISO 20000 (Figura, 1996) are already emerging. The following section presents an approach to the development of an ergonomic assurance system on the basis of the quality system. 6. Ergonomics assurance system As was mentioned in Section 3 of this paper, the systems concept can greatly assist us in understanding the interrelationships of many production and management processes, among others, quality and ergonomics. For an excellent account of the relationship between ergonomics and the system design, the interested reader can refer to Sanders and McCormick (1993), Chapter 22. While the pplication of the systems concept to service quality is presented elsewhere (Karapetrovic and Willborn, 1998A), it can be used to propose an ergonomic assurance system. We can de?ne ergonomic assurance as â€Å"all those planned and systematic actions aimed at providing con?dence to customers, management and the general public, that their requirements and needs for ergonomically safe products and processes are met†.An ergonomic assurance system is then a â€Å"set of processes and resources that function harmoniously to achieve objectives related to ergonomic design and implementation of products and processes†.Note: Proposed EAS elements are given in bold letters, while numbers represent sections of the ISO 9004-2 Guidelines 87 Similarly to the ISO 14001:1996 environmental management system, an ergonomic assurance system can include Deming’s plan-dostudy-act (PDSA) continuous improvement circle, with the following elements: †¢ Ergonomic objectives. †¢ Planning and design (ergonomic aspects, targets, determination of system performance speci?cations, ergonomic system design). †¢ Resource acquisition and deployment (allocation of functions to people, hardware and software; task analysis, design of jobs and human-hardware-software interfaces; training). †¢ Operation (ergonomic control, monitoring and measurement).†¢ Corrective/preventive action (ergonomic audits). Improvement (ergonomic evaluations, communication with interested parties. Interested parties may include customers, for ergonomic characteristics of the product/service, and employees, for ergonomics of the workplace). Rather than adding speci?c ergonomic and safety requirements to existing quality standards (Barsky and Dutta (1997) sugg est this), a separate ergonomic system standard can be drafted, and then integrated with existing quality management systems. Using the de?nition and the model of a quality system from Karapetrovic and Willborn (1998C), proposed elements of the ergonomic management system (EMS) can be illustrated as in Figure 2.For example, the executive management of an organization should de?ne an ergonomic policy that is documented and communicated to all employees. Ergonomic aspects of all activities and processes within the organization should be identi?ed and speci?c objectives and targets set. An ergonomic management program should be de?ned and documented, and adequate resources allocated. Operation of the EMS should include a statement of responsibility and authority of people involved, identi?cation of training needs and a provision of adequate ergonomic training, and preparation of adequate EMS documentation. Corrective and preventive action to eliminate existing and potential problems sh ould be undertaken, and ergonomic audits would assist in this effort.Finally, the executive management should review the status of the EMS, includ88 ing its effectiveness, suitability, and conformance to the requirements. 7. Conclusion This paper addressed some of the ergonomic issues in the ISO 9000-based quality assurance for services. Outlines of ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 quality system models were provided, followed by a discussion of the content of the ISO 9001 standard considering ergonomics and human factors. Ergonomic implementation of a quality system was subsequently addressed. Finally, possible development of an â€Å"ergonomic assurance system† on the basis of ISO 9001 and systems theory was presented. Further research into the development of ergonomic assurance systems is suggested.

Masculinity in Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx Essay

The classic stereotype of the Western cowboy impacts the way Ennis and Jack view their relationship throughout the screenplay based on the short story, Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx and the film Brokeback Mountain directed by Ang Lee. The stereotypical Western cowboy is depicted throughout as quite masculine and are expected to behave and live a certain way, this is not directed said, but the film and novel suggests so. This typical stereotype leads Ennis and Jack to respond indifferently. They’re quite confused, hesitant and in denial of their relationship. Although wary of the consequences of continuing their relationship together, they’re unable to resist the temptations of each other. As secretive as they try to be, it advocates that the towns’ people and their family realize their true intentions and are quite cold and disapproving to Ennis and Jack. The continuation of their relationship tests Ennis and Jack, and how far they’re willing to take it to keep their relationship intact but private. Jack and Ennis’ upbringing are similar, to the environment of where they lived to how they were brought up to act. The first stage of their affair which occurs in Brokeback Mountain they fall for each other, though they do not vocalize anything their actions say it all. When they try talk about their situation it leads to an argument and in the end nothing gets resolved and they become hesitant of their feelings towards each other. The typical cowboy was depicted throughout the novel and film as quite masculine and that showing affection towards another man would be considered weak, this gives reason to Jack and Ennis’ reaction towards their relationship and that it would not be placed in high regard in society. Jack and Ennis had violent relationships with both their fathers. At an early age Jack would get beaten up by his father John, who was a very brutal man and showed no remorse for his actions â€Å"I thought he was killing me† (Proulx, 1999, p. 25) the extent of Johns violence went far and influenced Jacks behavior throughout his life and taught him that if he were very at fault cruel consequences would occur. Sexual orientation back in the 60s in Wyoming affected how Ennis carried out his feelings of love to Jack. Although it is quite clear he cares for Jack he is aware of the indictment that comes with homosexuals in their society. Ennis’ father is suggested in the film to be quite homophobic and Ennis is mindful of this, at a young age his father  takes Ennis to a dead body which is then clarified to have been a male that was murdered for being a homosexual, Ennis even goes on to suggest that his father might have had something to do with the murder â€Å"My daddy, he made sure me and brother seen it. Hell for all I know, he done the job.† (Lee, 2005). This gives reason for Ennis’ to be in denial of his sexuality and to maintain his image of a â€Å"rough-mannered, rough spoken†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Proulx, 1999, p. 2) Western cowboy. After their first sexual encounter at Brokeback Mountain their feelings are conflicted and whilst they enjoy the company of each other when Jack tries to talk to Ennis about their relationship Ennis is quick to point out that â€Å"He’s no queer,† whilst jack jumps in with â€Å"Me either. A one-shot thing. Nobodys business but ours.† (Proulx, 1999, p. 7). Once they have finished the summer herding the sheep up at Brokeback, they are then go their separate ways not saying much about what has happened. Whilst walking away Ennis stops to the side and feels sick, but as much as he tries to throw up he realizes that only thoughts of regret for leaving Jack and never establishing anything with him is the only realization he comes to. After four years without word from each other Jack sends word to Ennis and he is overcome by excitement and eagerness and once Jack arrives Ennis embraces him intimately without hesitation, this is a change of demeanor for Ennis as before he was reluctant and fully aware of the consequences for such actions in public, yet in this very moment he quickly disregards any sense of judgment or repercussion for what is known to be frowned upon by the community. For several years they have kept their relationship in the same state, secretive and in denial of their true feelings, which is more so Ennis than Jack who was more open about it. Ennis in attempt to keep the typical stereotype of a masculine western cowboy he turns down Jacks offers of a life together for he is more afraid of what could happen if they were to do so which was influenced by his fathers homophobic disposition as a child. They both know that their actions in their society would condemn them both to a hard life or worst case death. Jack and Ennis marry women and raise a family in attempt to be normal and behave as ordinary western cowboys. Jack marries Lureen, and of them two  Lureen is the manlier figure in their relationship. Lureen’s father L.D Newsome is a prime example of the typical masculine man. Newsome takes pleasure in putting Jack in his place whenever the opportunity arises. In pursuit of putting Newsome in his place when he attempts to hold reins over how Jack should behave at thanksgiving Jack responds surprisingly â€Å"This is my house! This is my child! And you are my guest! Now sit the hell down before I knock your ignorant ass into next week!† (Lee, 2005). Before Jack and Ennis met, Ennis was already engaged to Alma, he portrays the behavior of the stereotype of the cowboy and how men were meant to go about their lives to fit in society then. When Ennis is divorced from Alma, Ennis is encountered by a Cassie. In the film, when Cassie tries to dance with Ennis when their faces are towards each other Ennis is shown smiling, but as soon as she places her head away he looks displeased at the situation. Although any typical man would be happy about that situation it’s clear that Ennis is not. When Jack and Ennis’ relationship progresses Ennis becomes more anxious and paranoid â€Å"†¦when you’re in town and someone looks at you all suspicious, like he knows? And then you go out on the pavement and everyone looks like they know too?† (Lee, 2005) this gives reason for Ennis to step back again and become enclosed about their relationship. When Ennis finds out of Jacks death he is lead to believe that he was found out about his sexuality in the community and was murdered for this. This was just as before when Ennis’ father showed him the murdered body of a homosexual and now for not behaving as you should in the community Jack paid the price. The crippling effect of the normative masculinity of the stereotypical cowboy is consequently frowned upon greatly and if you were to behave indifferently through sexuality severe outcomes would occur. This led Jack and Ennis to be hesitant of portraying their relationship openly as they would be incriminated by the community. Reference List: Lee, A. (Director). (2005). Brokeback Mountain. America: River Road Entertainment, Good Machine. Proulx, A. (2006). Brokeback Mountain, the story. Brokeback Mountain: Story to Screenplay (pp. 1-28). London: Perennial.

A problem solving model for Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

A problem solving model for Wal-Mart - Essay Example The largest retailing company of the world, Walmart has been facing a decline in sales in the US, continuously for â€Å"nine straight quarters†, according to The Wall Street Journal. This has been partially due to the economic recession and partially owing to the negative image that has been there for this company. In order to suggest a package of solutions to get over with this â€Å"sales slump†, this paper invisages synthesizing different organizational theories, with a focus on three- the neoclassical theory put forth by Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943), the socio-technical theory proposed by Pasmore and the contingency theory evolved by Hellriegel and Slocum (1973). This project will put forth innovative and creative solutions to rectify the sales slouch in Wal-mart, using the problem-solving tools provided by these three theories. Access has been gained into the facts about the organizational design of Wal-Mart by conducting interviews with three senior level managers in charge of organizational structure. Basically, the design of Wal-Mart, as an organization, is that of a divisional structure. It has different divisions like, Wal-Mart Realty, Wal-Mart International, Wal-Mart Specialty Stores, Sam's Clubs, and Supercenters which are separate and partially autonomous units. Each division has its own specific set of goals. Step-2 The three theoretical frame works selected for this paper are chosen based on the advantages they have in addressing the specific issue in focus. For example, most of the complaints against Wal-Mart that have led to legal litigations and negative publicity has been regarding labor issues and hence a worker-centered approach put forward by Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943) can help re-model the organization’s functioning in such a way as to avert this criticism. Similarly, the socio-technical theory of Pasmore ((1988, p.87-109) and the contingency theory by Hellriegel and Slocum (1973) have their focus on the environmental aspects of an organization, which can be applied in the case of Wal-Mart which is haunted by many a social conflicts. Neoclassical theory of Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943) has as its core focus, the relationship between â€Å"working conditions† and â€Å"employee efficiency† (p.1). Through an experiment, Roethlisberger and Dickson (1943) had proven that there was a connection between better working conditions and better performance. In this way, this theory had changed the essence of organizational theories evolved thus far by replacing the mechanistic views by a more humanistic worker-oriented view. This theory had asserted that: An individual is not a mechanical tool but a distinct social being, with aspirations beyond mere fulfilment of a few economic and security works. Individuals differ from each other in pursuing these desires. Thus, an individual should be recognized as interacting with social and economic factors (NRMED-FAO, n.d.). Participative management has been another aspect of this theory, whereby employees are given an appropriate role in the decision making process (NRMED-FAO, n.d.). Any application of the neoclassical theory has to be by keeping in mind, the existence of an informal organization within any formal organization, the socio-psychological factors that influence workers, the inherent illogi cality of human mind, the two-way flow of communication within the hierarchy, and the need of teamwork (Pradeep, p.295). Socio-technical theory of Pasmore (1988) has based all its assumptions on the fact that â€Å"every organization consists of the people, the technical system and the environment† (NRMED-FAO, n.d.). In this theory also, the importance of considering workers a human beings and all the more, social beings, is stressed (Pasmore, p.5). It has been observed that what is meant by an organization is actually an agreement, a contract between and among people and â€Å"changes in the organization will affect this agreement and vice versa†

Discussion Question Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion Question - Term Paper Example tional goals for medium term growth and development, there is the tendency that whiles preparing the pro forma financial statement of the company, the assets and liabilities of the targeted company to be acquired will be factored in the financial statement. According to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), there are several laid down regulations that should guide the preparation of financial statements by companies. Any practices that seem to go contrary to these standards are considered as illegal and unethical. It is for this reason that caution always needs to be taken when deciding on the selection of data for pro forma financial statements. In the first place, it is important for the company to realize that data that will be considered for inclusion would only be those that have been certified by accountants as completed deals. This means that all data that comes from uncompleted transactions should not be considered. What is more, investors must be made aware of the difference between pro forma figures and those derived from the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This means that under no circumstance should investors be deceived to be made to take projected data as actual and existing data. In order to ensure integrity and sanity in the accounting field, several efforts have been made in reference to the introduction of a number of accounting methods. One of such similar software was introduced by Microsoft (Canes, 2004). These are good interventions but analysts have advised that companies should always look into the reliability and accuracy associated with such accounting methods implementing them. This is an advice that holds very much for the present company as a way of ensuring integrity of its data used. Secondly, it is advised that the company publishes and keeps two separate financial statements. One of this should be the pro forma financial statement while the other will be the actual GAAP financial statement. This

Journal Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Journal - Coursework Example Revolutionizing the communication industry has completely changed the way that humans across the world interact with each other. We have developed from the point where paper messages would have to be carried, sometimes taking weeks to reach the recipient, to being able to communicate halfway across the world instantly. This has given humanity a huge advantage. It allows for globalization of the economy, collaboration for scientific and other research as well as strategic movements of large military forces or just the simple hello to a relative that lives far away (Parker, 2005). The implementation of technology has had a great impact on society as a whole. Human behavior has been influenced by communications technology. Society has developed based on efficiency and a fast paced environment due to the fact that information is now readily available via networks, internet, etc. As a result, our generation lives in one where everything is expected quickly. Compared to about thirty years ago, the efficiency of industry and business has increased as well as learning in institutions due to the implementation of better and faster computers and internet (FitzGerald, & Dennis, 2009).

Final Exam Questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Final Exam Questions - Assignment Example social, economic and environment. While assessing whether a program is sustainable the three dimensions should be considered with a view of determining the program’s social impacts, its effects on the environment as well as its economic benefits. A sustainable program therefore is one whose economic benefits are real, is environment friendly and does not elicit social and cultural conflicts. Anthropocene- This term is derived from anthropo which means man and cene which means new. The term is therefore is used in reference to the fact that human activities have impact to a great extent the major systems. Man for instance through deforestation, industrialization and urbanization has heavily polluted the environment and caused global warming with resultant disappearance of some ecosystems as well as extinction of certain life species. As population increases consumption also increases and so does the impacts. Earth Systems Engineering and Management – This is the ability of designing, engineering and managing by employing dialog and relying on constant feedback. It involves integrating both built and natural systems with the intention of achieving mutuality in terms of human goals which include environmental considerations, technological, economic and even personal desires while staying within the confines placed by nations and the adaptive systems that exist. Engineering programs must thus serve economic goals while considering the environment and social well being of humanity. ESEM projects usually come with critical concerns ranging from economic, scientific, technologic, theoretical, ethical, and technical to political ones. Governance of these projects therefore requires genuine democracy, transparency and accountability. The energy committee in the senate therefore while formulating policies to govern fuel standards in the United States must ensure inclusivity and embrace dialog in a multicultural style. There must be appreciation

Key trends in the financial services market Essay

Key trends in the financial services market - Essay Example The Harpenden Building society offers a range of financial services from primarily savings accounts and mortgages to business banking solutions.( Harpenden Building Society. 2010) This paper will examine a number of questions surrounding the performance of the Harpenden building society and some key trends in the banking and financial services market, as well as how the building society differs from traditional banks in the market, opportunities and threats facing the bank, a closer look at the success of the bank and how the society can succeed from a marketing standpoint. There are several key trends in the financial services market. One of the latest trends that is gripping the financial industry like a bruding storm is the level and impact of the global interest rate. ``As interest rates are expected to rise globally, albeit slowly, and current steep yield curves may soon flatten, such risks may materialise surrounding the performance   in the near future. At the same time, wea knesses in the banking sector still exist, especially for some segments of the European banking sector. While the effects of changes in interest rates and their structure on financial institutions differ, recent changes in asset and funding structures of banks make them generally more vulnerable to a changing interest rate environment. Currency risk exposure has also grown, and regional concentration may pose specific risks. An unravelling of carry trades will have a negative effect on some institutions.`` (OECD.2009)

UDF (United Dairy Farmers) Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

UDF (United Dairy Farmers) Analysis - Assignment Example This ice-cream has been known for its heavy use of fresh condiments and low overrun. In 1984, the UDF Homemade Brand of ‘Cookies N Cream’ was designated by People Magazine as the Number One Brand of Exotic Ice Cream across Canada and the USA. Following this endorsement, UDF Brand ice creams have increased in popularity and can be found in many states in the mid-central region of the USA. The business has expanded to Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia. UDF also produces and sells Frosty Malts and Sherbets, Special Recipe ice-creams, yogurts and milk shakes (UDF Website, History Section). Identification of Risks The making and selling of ice-creams is an exciting business but is nevertheless fraught with different types of risks. Some of these are natural but others are manmade. Consequently, some of the risks can be covered by insurance a nd other safety and security procedures while others just have to be borne or dealt with. In my interview with the manager, I determined that the following risks were most relevant to UDF’s ice-cream related business: a. Risk of long power failure and melting of inventory; b. Risk of legal action due to foreign objects found in products; c. Risk of contamination of ice cream due to chemical agents; d. Risk of ice cream parlor/ store outlet burning down; e. Risk of rioting, hooliganism and other disruptive activities; f. Risk of employees going on strike or industrial action; g. Risk of bad service because employees are insufficiently trained; h. Risk of its formulas and recipes being compromised; i. Risk of contaminated supplies of inputs; j. Risk of contamination or exposure in the delivery process. Steps That Can Be Taken to Mitigate These Risks The risk of long power failure though unheard of is possible in case of a natural calamity like a tornado, blizzard, thunderstorm or flood striking Columbus, Ohio. Riots and strikes are also covered. Even emergency systems could be affected and businesses forced to shut down for some time. In this case keeping the inventory and supplies safe, secure and ready for consumption will be a challenge. However the business has determined its usual stock of inventory and consumption on weekdays, weekends and public holidays and has accordingly ensured each store on the average level of stocking and consumption. The backup system at the stores ensures that power is available for three days or 72 hours but after that something will have to be done to preserve the merchandise. Insurance has been taken out for possible inventory losses and also a contract has been entered into with a cold storage plant so that supplies and goods can be stored there in an emergency, ensuring business continuity. Quality control is strictly ensured as all inputs are checked before inclusion in the production process. In case there are signs of low quality, the entire lot is returned and replaced according to the contract with suppliers. The business has also hired local legal and advertising agencies to promote its products via various media including television, billboard and internet based advertising. The legal firm is also responsible for vetting all press releases and protecting against copyright and trademark infringements. It is

Competition Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Competition Law - Essay Example The important objectives of the practice of competition law are to ensure the entrepreneurs by providing the opportunity to compete in the market economy and protect the interest of the consumer welfare. This essay will discuss the purpose of competition law. Competition law is a law that focuses on the control of anti-competitive agreements, monopolies and mergers between organizations. This area of legal firmament also included cartels (LSE 1). Restrictive business practices can often lead to market failures. The failure in the market can be dealt by the competition law. There are several kinds of restrictive business practices that include abuse of dominance, cartelization, tie-in sales, predatory pricing, re-sale price maintenance etc. Before discussing the purpose of the competition law, it is vital to note the origin and history of the law. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the competition law emerged. The competition law was first enacted in the United States. The Sherman Act of 1890 is the first Federal Statute. This act was enacted to tackle monopolies and oligopolistic cartels. In the wake of Industrial Revolution, the large trusts were formed. This act emerged against the predations and supremacy of the huge trusts. The three major elements of modern competition law are merger control, anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance. Other important United States legislations were Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, the Clayton Act, the Robison-Patman Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act. The proliferation of competition law has not been only in North America and Europe but also around the globe. After the enactment, competition law became one of the crucial pillars of a market economy. The main purpose of the law is to maintain market competition and improve economic efficiency. It can be regarded as the force that drives companies to improve their efficiency. After enhancing the efficiency, it drives companies to pass its

Immanuel Kant Essay Example for Free

Immanuel Kant Essay Introduction 1What does philosophy mean? -Everyone has a philosophy -We have ideas concerning things, people, the meaning of life, death, God, what is good and bad. -We may have certain attitudes to life, certain ways of looking at things. -For example: -I am an optimist. I can always see a positive side to most unhappy situations. -I don’t believe in worrying too much. I think about today. Tomorrow can take care of itself. -Although an individual claim this to be his philosophy and rightly so. But this is not philosophy as a discipline. It is too broad, vague, superficial, impersonal and unclear. It does not adequately describe the work of a philosopher. -We need to define philosophy more specifically. 2The word â€Å"philosophy†. -The Word â€Å"Philosophy†. -Philia (love) + Sophia (wisdom) = the love of wisdom. 3Definitions of philosophy a. The study of the nature and meaning of the universe and of human life Online Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. b. Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole. 4What does philosophy seek to do? -Philosophy seeks to examine fundamental questions about the universe and about ourselves with the hope of coming up with consistent principles by which we can understand and live. 5Human beings have always sought answers to certain fundamental questions What are these fundamental questions? -What makes an action write or wrong? -What is my purpose in the world? -What is truth? -What makes a good life? -Is God important in our lives? -Where does knowledge come from and how do we know that our knowledge is true. -What is the relationship between mind and body? 6Why do we need philosophy? Why do we need philosophy when we have science and technology? -We have advanced so much in science and technology -We live in cities, we have conquered the air and have ventured into space? -Communication is so developed that distance no longer matters -We have immense power over nature -We are able to produce more goods and services than ever before -So, why do we still need philosophy? 7Yet all these advances cause us to be disturbed and anxious -There is a danger that the very technology we have developed could destroy us. -For example nuclear technology. -We seem to be unable to deal with the problems of war, famine, terror, distribution of wealth, pollution, the threatened extinction of wildlife, exploitation and oppression of the weak . -Knowledge and values appear to be divorced. -This is where philosophy comes in. It helps us to examine our lives as individuals and groups. -Philosophy may not be able to provide solutions to all the world’s problems. But it helps to examine issues clearly, consider options and help us to make informed decisions. -With poor, incomplete and shallow reasoning we cannot build an enlightened society -If we are unable to distinguish between valid and invalid reasoning, then we become victims of persuasive orators, cult leaders and unscrupulous political leaders. -Philosophy helps us to see more deeply and clearly into an issue. It helps us to question traditional and outdate beliefs so that we can make informed choices -Knowledge of ethical systems help us to live ethical lives at the personal and communitarian level. -Knowledge of what constitutes beauty helps us to appreciate and respect differences in individual and cultural concepts of beauty and art. -Being able to think critically will help us to be aware of any irrational and oppressive beliefs in religion. 8The traditional divisions of philosophy. a. Logic b. Metaphysics c. Epistemology d. Value Theory LOGIC aLogic. -The systematic study of rules to distinguish or recognize good arguments from bad. -In an argument, groups will give opposing views. -How do we know which argument is good and which is not good. -Logic helps us to do so by providing rules to recognize right argument from wrong argument. -It is concerned with tests to find out which arguments are valid. -Logic runs through all the other branches of philosophy. METAPHYSICS -bMetaphysics The study of the nature of being and of the world. -It is concerned with the fundamental nature of all reality, both visible and invisible. -It asks what reality is, why it is, and how we can understand it. Ontology That part of metaphysics that studies being or existence. EPISTEMOLOGY cEpistemology The study of the sources, nature and validity of knowledge. -It deals with issues like: -What are the sources of knowledge? (Origin of knowledge) -Where does genuine knowledge come from? -How do we know? -What is the nature of knowledge? (Appearance and reality) -Is there a real world outside the mind? -If so, can we know it? -Is our knowledge valid? (Truth/Verification) -How do we distinguish truth from error? Two traditional schools of thought have sought to answer the questions above: -Rationalism -Human reason alone can discover the basic principles of the universe -Empiricism -All knowledge ultimately comes from sense experience, and therefore our knowledge is limited to what can be experienced. There is a relationship between metaphysics and epistemology. Our understanding of reality (metaphysics) depends on our understanding of what can be known (epistemology). Our theory of knowledge (epistemology) depends on how we understand ourselves in relation to the whole of reality (metaphysics). VALUE THEORY dValue Theory The branch of philosophy that studies values. -It can be subdivided into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy. iethics: is concerned with morality; right or wrong behavior. -the three areas of ethics are : descriptive, normative and metaethics. -descriptive ethics (what is ) identifies motives, desire and intentions of human conduct and acts. It describes moral actions. -normative ethics (what ought to be) proposes the principles by which people ought to act and live. These are called ethical theories. -Meta-ethics(analysis) on how we understand, know about, and what we mean when we talk about what is right and what is wrong. It deals with the meaning of key concepts, techniques of reasoning and analysis, and linguistic conventions It deals with matters like what do moral terms mean? What sort of mental state is involved in accepting a moral claim – a belief, an emotion? Is there any sort of moral reality or facts? Is ethical knowledge attainable? If so, how? In fact, drawing the conceptual distinction between Metaethics, Normative Ethics, and Applied Ethics is itself a metaethical analysis. ii. Aestheticsis concerned with the theory of art and beauty. -Many philosophical problems in aesthetics involve critical judgements.? -It deals with concepts of concepts of beauty. Is beauty subjective or objective? iii. Social and political philosophyisconcerned with value judgments concerning society, the state and the individual’s relation to these institutions -It deals with issues like -Why should individuals live in society? -What should be the social ideals of liberty, rights, justice, equality and responsibility -Why should anyone obey any government? -Why should some individuals or groups have political power over others -Who should have political power over others? -What should the scope of political power be? -What are the goals of government? Glossary 1philosophyphilia (love) + Sophia (wisdom) = the love of wisdom 2logicThe systematic study of rules to distinguish or recognize good arguments from bad 3metaphysicsThe study of the nature of being and of the world 4epistemologyThe study of the sources, nature and validity of knowledge 5value theoryThe branch of philosophy that studies values. It can be subdivided into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy. 6rationalismHuman reason alone can discover the basic principles of the universe 7empiricismAll knowledge ultimately comes from sense experience, and therefore our knowledge is limited to what can be experienced 8aesthetics Is concerned with the theory of art and beauty.

Stereotypical Roles Women Play In Advertisements Essay Example for Free

Stereotypical Roles Women Play In Advertisements Essay Since the commonly known creation Bible story of Adam and Eve, women have been viewed subsidiary to men; society has formed a bias that females cannot perform jobs equivalent to or of the same value as men. The model in Figure 1 is extremely feminine, for example: her nails are painted, she is wearing multiple rings on her fingers as she holds a light grip on the steering wheel, Since the commonly known creation Bible story of Adam and Eve, women have been viewed subsidiary to men; society has formed a bias that females cannot perform jobs equivalent to or of the same value as men. The model in Figure 1 is extremely feminine, for example: her nails are painted, she is wearing multiple rings on her fingers as she holds a light grip on the steering wheel, Advertisements help feed into the stereotypical image of women functioning as housewives and caretakers. One might ask: is advertising simply mirroring societies view on the roles of females, or are they part of the reason why America still labels women as domesticated? Printed advertisements portray women inferior to men by the use of their context, imagery, and content. Companies use the conventional view of women in marketing strategies in order to sell their products. Figure 1 â€Å"The Mini Automatic. For simple driving.† advertisement Source: Mini Automatic Transmission Printed Ad holds a light grip on the steering wheel, her hair is set in perfect curls, her make-up is flawless, and she appears to be dressed up for a special occasion. The expression on the women’s face displays her indecisiveness and insecurity of her driving abilities. Figure 1 states that the Mini Automatic is for â€Å"simple driving†, implying that the motorist is incapable of driving an automobile without difficulty. The advertisement is using the sentiment that women are inadequate drivers; it implies that if a woman is competent enough to maneuver the Mini Automatic, then it must be of simplicity. Before the 1950’s women in America were expected to cook, clean, and take care of the household, whereas men were looked at as the financial support system. Figures 2 and 3 are subliminally underlying the message of men doing a women’s role as a housewife. Both images contain the phrase â€Å"whipped so good†; meaning that if one buys Pinnacle Vodka, it will in turn reverse the classic expectation of women fulfilling household chores and encourage men to do so instead. The advertisements encourage the idea of men superiority because they are performing duties that are seen to be abnormal, such as doing laundry or ironing clothes. Before the 1950’s women in America were expected to cook, clean, and take care of the household, whereas men were looked at as the financial support system. Figures 2 and 3 are subliminally underlying the message of men doing a women’s role as a housewife. Both images contain the phrase â€Å"whipped so good†; meaning that if one buys Pinnacle Vodka, it will in turn reverse the classic expectation of women fulfilling household chores and encourage men to do so instead. The advertisements encourage the idea of men superiority because they are performing duties that are seen to be abnormal, such as doing laundry or ironing clothes. The main objective in Figure 4 Swiffer WetJet advertisement is for the audience to find a commonality between themselves and the mother standing in the kitchen. The advertisement displays a modern day housewife cleaning up after her child. The text states: â€Å"He made it in the kitchen and ate it in the dining room. With Swiffer WetJet, both floors were clean before he was.† Figure 5 shows two women in a clean kitchen with the Orbit logo â€Å"after any meal† indicating that their mothers who cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the family. Both Figure 4 and 5 exhibit women in the kitchen, either cleaning or cooking. Society struggles with gender expectations. In figures 1 through 5 women are suggestively thought of as ones who take care of the family and clean the house, whereas men generally take on the dominant role. Advertisements continue to use marketing strategies that are stereotypical to women because people still uphold the belief that men are superior. Advertisements are apart of the problem.

Developing Policies for Avian Flu in Bangladesh

Developing Policies for Avian Flu in Bangladesh Introduction: Highly pathogenic H5N1 was first reported in 2007 and since then the disease has devastated effect on poultry industry of Bangladesh. Since its introduction into Bangladesh, the H5N1 has evolved continuously. H5N1-H9N2 co-infection and reassortment event in H5N1 has been documented in Bangladesh. All those provide evidence of emergence of novel viruses, due to reassortment, in Bangladesh. For example H7N9 has been reported as a reassortant strain which have pandemic potential i.e deadly for human life (1). Objectives of the project: To develop policies for both low and high pathogenic avian influenza viruses present or at risk of entering Bangladesh, The economic analysis for the high pathogenic strains assume that their economic effects are similar to those of H5N1. In this review I emphasized on the population at risk and occurrence and distribution of HPAI and LPAI in Bangladesh. Population at risk: H5N1 has been reported in chicken, duck, pigeon, goose, quail, turkeys, pet birds (2-10) and wild bird (2, 11) such as lesser whistling ducks (4) and crow (5, 10). H5N1 has also been documented in the poultry samples of live bird market (LBM) (12), commercial farms (FAO classified the farming system: three (3)) (13) and local chicken (14). In LBM, chicken, ducks and quail were the three species of LBM from H5N1 has been isolated most (4). AI virus has been reported also from environmental samples (4-6). In human (15), H5N1 has been documented in children (16, 17) workers of poultry market (18-20) and poultry farm (19). H7N9 has been reported in chicken, quail, goose, duck and pigeon (8). H9N2 was reported in chicken (Parent stock (layer) (21)), duck, goose, pigeon and quail (8). A study reported that H9N2 was more prevalent in chickens while H5N1 was reported dominantly in ducks and goose in compare to chicken (8). Occurrence and distribution Geographic distribution in your country: HPAI H5N1 and LPAI H9N2 is an endemic poultry disease in Bangladesh and has been occurred throughout the country (2, 4, 20, 22). Those two HPAI and LPAI two have been circulated together at poultry market since 2008 (4). LPAI H9N2 has been circulated persistently in bird markets (4) while H5N1 have sporadic infection among LBM workers in Bangladesh (20). The disease has been distributed in retail market such as live poultry market, pet bird market, commercial farms (4, 6, 12, 13, 20) and wetland of Bangladesh such as Baikka Beel Hakaluki hoar, Tanguar Haors of Sylhet division and Jahangirnagar university lake of Dhaka division (11, 23). In Bangladesh, clade 2.3.2.1 was in reported from crow and bird market (4, 5) whereas clades 2.2.2 was reported in bird markets (4). Clade 2.2 reported in northwest–southeast direction whereas clade 2.3.2.1 reported mainly in north–south direction of central Bangladesh(24). Jamalpur district (Sarishari upazilla) reported as the HPAI outbreak epicentre for indigenous poultry in Bangladesh (25). H5N1 has followed Northwest–Southeast oblique line during phase I outbreak. The disease has reported nearly from all over the country with an exception in south region in phase II outbreak. In phase III outbreak, the disease has been extended to new areas from where there was no HPAI has been reported in earlier two phases (11). Fig.: Distribution H5N1 HPAI between 2007 and 2012 (1) Geographic distribution in other countries where epidemiology of the disease is likely to be similar: Khan et al. (2014) found close similarities in avian influenza virus clade 2.3.2.1 of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Myanmar and proposed a common AI antecedent in the area (5). Three clades such as clades 1, 2.3.4 and 2.3.2.1 has been linked with human outbreak in Vietnam (18) and there was a changes in clade circulation over the time in Vietnam and also in China (26). In other countries, H5N1 has been reported commonly from Red River Delta area and sporadically from highland areas of Vietnam(27). H5N1 has been reported in live bird market workers of Vietnam (18) and Hong Kong (20). H5N1 has also been reported in lower-Northern of Thailand (27). In India, the AI occurred mostly in backyard chicken of West Bengal (97%) and Assam (94%) states, while in Tripura state the AI reported only in 37% of backyard chicken (28). Prevalence in your country: Overall 0.87%-22.05% samples were positive for Avian influenza virus (AIV) Type A in Bangladesh (2, 3, 6, 8, 14, 23). AIV has been documented in migratory bird (3.93%), LBM chicken (7.06%), duck (1.68%-39.76%) (2, 3, 8, 23), pigeon (5.26%) (2), quail (8.5%)(3) and goose (9.09%) (8) of Bangladesh. Among chickens, AIV has been reported in broiler (12%-12.5%), layer (15%-62.5%) and local (0%-25%) chicken (8, 29). One study documented higher AI prevalence in hens (10.83%) in compare to cocks (8.65%) (14). AI was more prevalent in >34 weeks bird (12.80%) than 8-16 weeks birds (14). Avian influenza Type A virus was detected with Antigen test kit and reported, prevalence was high in Dhaka district and Gazipur district while lowest was reported in Mymensingh (0.0%) (29). H5N1 antibodies has been documented at low level in wild birds (0.09%) of wetlands such as Tanguar Haor and Hakaluki Haor (23). A study reported 5% H5N1 seroprevalence in live bird market (LBM) worker (20) while another study documented no farm workers and bird market worker in positive for H5N1 in Bangladesh even though they had history of regular contact with sick and moribund poultry (19). About 2% seroconversion per year has been documented in poultry worker of Bangladesh (20). Khatun et al. (2013) documented the AIV type A winter season sero-prevalence during December 2009-February 2012 period and documented highest rate in December 2009-February 2010 (43.8 9%) which followed by December 2010-February 2011 (38.50% ) and December 2011-February 2012 (34.8 3%). The seasonal prevalence of AIV type A from Dec’2009-Feb’2010 (26 .89%), Dec’2010-Feb’2011 (18.50%) and December 2011-February 2012 (18.33%) respectively (page 3). The overall sero-prevalence of AIV type A in three successive winter seasons was recorded as 39.76% (23). In Feni district, overall 0%-25% AIV type A seroprevalence has been documented at union level (14). Co-infection (H5N1-H9N2) in poultry has been reported in Bangladesh (4, 6). For example, a study isolated 975 H9N2 and 66 H5N1 from a total of 19897 samples (4) while another study isolated H5N1 (92), H9N2 (734) and 62 other strain such as from 17,438 samples in Bangladesh (23). Of 22 avian influenza sample, a study identified 8 sample positive for H5N1, 4 samples positive for H7N9 and 10 samples positive for H9N2) positive samples (8). H10N7, H1N2, H1N3, H4N2, H3N6 and H3N8 has also been detected in duck population of Bangladesh (4, 23). Avian influenza virus Type A co-infected with new castle virus (9.90 %) has also been documented in Bangladesh (23). Prevalence in other countries where epidemiology of the disease is likely to be similar: Nasreen et al. (2013) H5N1 seroprevalence in bird market worker of Bangladesh study findings had similarities with Nigera, Indonesia and Vietnam study findings where no farm workers and bird market worker were found positive for H5N1 (19). AI was more prevalent in >34 weeks poultry (12.80%) than 8-16 weeks poultry in Bangladesh (14). Similar pattern has been documented in duck of Nepal for example duck >1 year older was 2 times more seropositive to AI virus than duck 7). Incidence: In Bangladesh, Nasreen et al. (2015) estimated that â€Å"the H5N1 incidence: 7 cases per 100 bird worker–years and annual incidence 50 cases per 721 enlisted poultry workers† (20). Biswas et al. (2011) estimated the higher mortality rate in backyard chickens (0.0703/day) followed by broiler (0.0341/day), breeder (0.0215/day), layer (0.0179/day) and suggested that higher mortality in backyard chicken due to scavenging feeding and co-infection with other disease. In addition Biswas et al. (2011) stated that the findings did not provide evidence to the people faith that local chickens are less prone to H5N1 infection than hybrids chicken (30). Reference 1.Islam MR. Global and local challenges in the control of avian influenza. 9th International Poultry Show Seminar; Dhaka, Bangladesh: World Poultry Science Association-Bangladesh Branch; 2015. p. 5-14. 2.Rahman MH, Giasuddin M, Islam MR, Hasan M, Mahmud MS, Hoque MA, et al. Bio-molecular Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus from Different Species of Birds in Bangladesh. Immunology and Infectious Diseases. 2015 2015;3(1):7-10. 3.Shanmuganatham K, Feeroz MM, Jones-Engel L, Walker D, Alam S, Hasan M, et al. Genesis of avian influenza H9N2 in Bangladesh. Emerging Microbes Infections. 2014 2014;3(12). 4.Marinova-Petkova A, Feeroz MM, Alam SMR, Hasan MK, Akhtar S, Jones-Engel L, et al. Multiple introductions of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses into Bangladesh. Emerging Microbes Infections. 2014 2014;3(2). 5.Khan SU, Berman L, Haider N, Gerloff N, Rahman MZ, Shu B, et al. Investigating a crow die-off in January–February 2011 during the introduction of a new clade of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 into Bangladesh. Archives of virology. 2014 2014;159(3):509-18. 6.Shanmuganatham K, Feeroz MM, Jones-Engel L, Smith GJD, Fourment M, Walker D, et al. Antigenic and molecular characterization of avian influenza A (H9N2) viruses, Bangladesh. Emerging infectious diseases. 2013 2013;19(9). 7.Karki S, Lupiani B, Budke CM, Manandhar S, Ivanek R. Cross-sectional Serosurvey of Avian Influenza Antibodies Presence in Domestic Ducks of Kathmandu, Nepal. Zoonoses and public health. 2014 2014;61(6):442-8. 8.Haque ME. Detection and differentiation of avian influenza and newcastle disease viruses from healthy farm birds in bangladesh by conventional and molecular techniques. Mymensingh, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Agricultural University; 2014. 9.Khaleda S, Murayama Y. Geographic Concentration and Development Potential of Poultry Microenterprises and Value Chain: A Study Based on Suitable Sites in Gazipur, Bangladesh. Social Sciences. 2013 2013;2(3):147-67. 10.Islam MR, Haque ME, Giasuddin M, Chowdhury EH, Samad MA, Parvin R, et al. New introduction of clade 2.3. 2.1 avian influenza virus (H5N1) into Bangladesh. Transboundary and emerging diseases. 2012 2012;59(5):460-3. 11.Parvin R, Kamal AHM, Haque ME, Chowdhury EH, Giasuddin M, Islam MR, et al. Genetic characterization of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus from live migratory birds in Bangladesh. Virus genes. 2014 2014;49(3):438-48. 12.Monne I, Yamage M, Dauphin G, Claes F, Ahmed G, Giasuddin M, et al. Reassortant avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses with H9N2-PB1 gene in poultry, Bangladesh. Emerging infectious diseases. 2013 2013;19(10). 13.Biswas PK, Rahman MH, Das A, Ahmed SSU, Giasuddin M, Christensen JP. Risk for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Infection in Chickens in Small-Scale Commercial Farms, in a High-Risk Area, Bangladesh, 2008. Transboundary and emerging diseases. 2011 2011;58(6):519-25. 14.Nooruddin GM, Hossain MT, Mohammad M, Rahman MM. Sero-epidemiology of avian influenza virus in native chicken in Bangladesh. Int J Poult Sci. 2006 2006;5:1029-33. 15.Kerkhove MD. Brief literature review for the WHO global influenza research agenda–highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 risk in humans. Influenza and other respiratory viruses. 2013 2013;7(s2):26-33. 16.icddr b. First confirmed human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in Bangladesh. Health and Science Bulletin. 2008;6:1-6. 17.Brooks WA, Alamgir ASM, Sultana R, Islam MS, Rahman M, Fry AM, et al. Avian influenza virus A (H5N1), detected through routine surveillance, in child, Bangladesh. Emerging infectious diseases. 2009 2009;15(8). 18.Dung TC, Dinh PN, Nam VS, Tan LM, Hang NLK, Thanh LT, et al. Seroprevalence survey of avian influenza A (H5N1) among live poultry market workers in northern Viet Nam, 2011. Western Pacific surveillance and response journal: WPSAR. 2014 2014;5(4). 19.Nasreen S, Khan SU, Azziz-Baumgartner E, Hancock K, Veguilla V, Wang D, et al. Seroprevalence of antibodies against highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus among poultry workers in Bangladesh, 2009. PloS one. 2013 2013;8(9). 20.Nasreen S, Khan SU, Luby SP, Gurley ES, Abedin J, Zaman RU, et al. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection among Workers at Live Bird Markets, Bangladesh, 2009–2010. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2015;21(4):629-37. 21.Jannat N, Chowdhury EH, Parvin R, Begum JA, Giasuddin M, Khan MA, et al. Investigation of an Outbreak of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Poultry in Bangladesh. International Journal of Livestock Research. 2013 2013;3(4):21-32. 22.Loth L, Gilbert M, Osmani MG, Kalam AM, Xiao X. Risk factors and clusters of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks in Bangladesh. Preventive veterinary medicine. 2010 2010;96(1):104-13. 23.Khatun A, Giasuddin M, Islam KM, Khanom S, Samad MA, Islam MR, et al. Surveillance of avian influenza virus type A in semi-scavenging ducks in Bangladesh. BMC veterinary research. 2013 2013;9(1). 24.Osmani MG, Ward MP, Giasuddin M, Islam MR, Kalam A. The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (subtype H5N1) clades in Bangladesh, 2010 and 2011. Preventive veterinary medicine. 2014 2014;114(1):21-7. 25.Biswas PK, Christensen JP, Ahmed SSU, Barua H, Das A, Rahman MH, et al. Avian influenza outbreaks in chickens, Bangladesh. Emerging infectious diseases. 2008 2008;14(12). 26.Haque ME, Giasuddin M, Chowdhury EH, Islam MR. Molecular evolution of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Bangladesh between 2007 and 2012. Avian Pathology. 2014 2014;43(2):183-94. 27.Paul MC, Gilbert M, Desvaux S, Andriamanivo HR, Peyre M, Khong NV, et al. Agro-environmental determinants of avian influenza circulation: A multisite study in Thailand, Vietnam and Madagascar. PloS one. 2014 2014;9(7). 28.Dhingra MS, Dissanayake R, Negi AB, Oberoi M, Castellan D, Thrusfield M, et al. Spatio-temporal epidemiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza (subtype H5N1) in poultry in eastern India. Spatial and spatio-temporal epidemiology. 2014 2014;11:45-57. 29.Rahman S, Rabbani MG, Uddin MJ, Chakrabartty A, Her M. Prevalence of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Viruses Using Rapid Antigen Detection Kit in Poultry in Some Areas of Bangladesh. Acta Microbiologica. 2012 2012;3(1). 30.Biswas PK, Christensen JP, Ahmed SSU, Barua H, Das A, Rahman MH, et al. Mortality rate and clinical features of highly pathogenic avian influenza in naturally infected chickens in Bangladesh. Rev sci tech Off int Epiz. 2011 2011;30(3):871-8. 1