Friday, March 20, 2020

Animal identification methods Essay Example

Animal identification methods Essay Example Animal identification methods Essay Animal identification methods Essay Two plastic or metal objects with identical but individual numbers than other animals on them are joined through animals ear. The animal gets two identical tags for both ears. To identify individual animals, to record and trace their life since the moment they born to their death. The procedure might cause stress and pain. Possibility to lose tag. Freeze Branding Horses, cattle To brand using the freezing technique the iron is cooled to a temperature of between -160 to -ICC. The branding iron is then pressed onto a shaved patch of skin on the animal. Is manly used by farmers to identify animal ownership. Causes pain and stress. Marking is permanent. Ear punching Mainly Rodents. Could be used on cats and dogs. Using a special punch to produce a small (O,5-mm) notch near the edge of the ear or make a hole in the middle of the ear. Must be disinfected after procedure. To identify rodents. Manly used in laboratories. Causes pain and stress permanent. The microchip Cats, dogs, rabbits, most of the zoo animals, sometimes wild animals and birds. The microchip is implanted under an animals skin, and transmits a unique alphanumerical code when energies by the radio signal generated a scanner. To identify lost pets Or Other animals. To identify and track animals in the wild Can cause stress and pain. Permanent method of identification. Chip might move under the skin. Identification collars Companion animals The collar is placed around the neck and in most cases has small metal tag with animal information. To identify individual animals, helps to find the owners of lost animals and provides key information about the pet. Can be easily lost. Can cause damage to animal or suffocation. Acoustic tag Fish Small tag is inserted in abdominal cavity of the fish. To record fish migration and monitor fish behavior. Can cause infection and stress, in most cases the method is permanent. Ear marking (agriculture) Pigs, goats, sheep, cattle and dear. Using a special punch produce small unique notch near the edge of the ear. To identify ownership or individual animals. Causes pain and stress. Can cause infection. Permanent. Tattooing Farm animals, dogs and cats.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Types of Ignorance

Types of Ignorance Types of Ignorance Types of Ignorance By Maeve Maddox As a teacher, I am always pained when I hear ignorant used as an insult. ignorance: n. lack of knowledge Everyone is born ignorant into the world. The word ignorance is from Latin ignorantia. The prefix in means not; Old Latin gnarus means aware, acquainted with. Mere ignorance is nothing to be ashamed of. Ignorant is not a synonym for stupid. Catholic theology recognizes three categories of ignorance: invincible ignorance: lack of knowledge that a person has no way to obtain vincible ignorance: lack of knowledge that a rational person is capable of acquiring by making an effort nescience: lack of knowledge that doesnt matter in the circumstances (from Latin ne-, not plus scire, to know. In Catholic theology, invincible ignorance, whether of the law or the fact, is always a valid excuse and excludes sin. In the secular realm, however, all ignorance is seen as vincible. For logicians, the term â€Å"invincible ignorance† means â€Å"the fallacy of insisting on the legitimacy of one’s position in the face of contradictory facts.† If the facts are presented, theres no excuse to refuse to acknowledge them. The law likewise does not allow for a category of information unavailable to the lawbreaker that would forgive the breach of the law: ignorantia juris non excusat, â€Å"ignorance of the law does not excuse.† Heres a lengthier definition of the secular take on invincible ignorance from Wikipedia: invincible ignorance: a deductive Fallacy of Circularity where the person in question simply refuses to believe the argument, ignoring any evidence given. Its not so much a fallacious tactic in argument as it is a refusal to argue in the proper sense of the word, the method instead being to make assertions with no consideration of objections. Fitness expert Greg Glassman has this recommendation for dealing with invincible ignorance: some simply cannot be swayed toward your way of thinking, so don’t try. †¦you’re probably best to walk away from a pointless debate. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Writing Prompts 10155 Boxing Idioms20 Ways to Laugh

Sunday, February 16, 2020

CSR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

CSR - Essay Example This report explores corporate social responsibility in different organizational and national contexts focusing on its six core characteristics, theoretical avenues and the diversity of theoretical concepts in CSR. With a firm foundation and understanding of CSR, the final section focuses on Nike’s current strategic approaches to fulfilling their responsibility to the public. Upon evaluating this, there are recommendations on how Nike could develop their overall CSR strategy for better results. Corporate Social Responsibility, Core Characteristics and Theoretical Avenues Today Due to multiple advancements in technology and the corporate world, CSR is an important facilitator of attaining organizational objectives, and vision for the stakeholders. Nonetheless, there are factors that companies still neglect such as improvement of workers, the public and the external settings of the organization. Definitely, these factors require extended attention since they are among the core determinants of the CSR policies and programs’ success according to the multiple stakeholder orientation and internalizing or managing externalities characteristics. The CSR concept helps an organization have an impact on the external environments and the community overcoming segregation and focusing on the economic bodies; however, the concept works when the societal and virtuous aspects of the corporation are not among the core determinants of CSR development (Agarwal, 2013). Initially, corporations used CSR as a tool for competition with the core objectives revolving around market dominance, extended financial gains and survival over the rest of the competition as opposed to the alignment of social and economic responsibilities concept that integrates profitability and corporate social responsibility. However, through vast studies and debate on the CSR topic, the corporate world has developed with most of the companies focusing on how their business can have significance in the

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Answer 2 Q only Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answer 2 Q only - Essay Example They are no longer adequate in advancing the brand. It has to be remembered that in an effective IMC unites the organization’s marketing effort to be able to have a clear and coherent message about the company and its products that is represented by its brand. TV, Radio, Bill-Board or Newsprint and Sales Promotion as marketing medium while effective in creating and reinforcing a brand, is no longer as potent as it used to be. Consumers are getting sophisticated and are now highly diversified that traditional media no longer suffices in delivering brand. New mediums such as web presence should be included in creating a brand in modern marketing keep the marketing effort of a company relevant and updated. Web presence does not only reaches the most number of people at the least cost but is also effective in creating an identity of the product through its various features. It adds value to the brand not just be efficiently delivering brand information to the market but also by delivering the right message to the market crucial in creating a brand. It can also consolidate the marketing efforts of Nestle such as in its website www.nestle.com where its web presence was able to consolidate its presence around the world giving the market a clearer picture of the brand and its reach. Q3. Find a celebrity who is currently appearing in an advertisement for a particular company and/or its brand, and then use McCrackens Meaning Transfer Model shown in Figure 6-4 to analyze the use of this individual as an endorser/spokesperson for the company and/or brand. How valuable is McCrackens model to the field of celebrity endorsement? The classic example of a celebrity who is currently appearing in an advertisement for a particular company and/or its brand that uses McCrackens Meaning Transfer Model is Manny Pacquiao, the 8 Division World Champion in Boxing. His magnificent rose from

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Bland-Altman Agreement Analysis in Laboratory Research

Bland-Altman Agreement Analysis in Laboratory Research Use of Bland-Altman agreement analysis in laboratory research: A survey of current reporting standards. Introduction- Advances in technology have led to development of new instruments and measurement devices in field of medicine. The clinicians and researchers often need to compare a newer method of measurement with an established one, to check for interchangeability. While assessing for interchangeability the emphasis should be on testing how well two methods agree with each other. Earlier Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used as a measure of agreement[R]. However the approach was inappropriate as this coefficient merely indicated association rather than agreement [R]. Hence Bland and Altman in their series of publications[R] stressed on quantification of bias. They provided a simpler and visually attractive plot for agreement analysis of continuous variables measured on the same scale.[R] After its introduction to medical literature in 1983, the Bland-Altman’s (B-A) method [R] is one of most commonly used statistical method for agreement analysis. The method is extensively used in evaluating the agreement of laboratory analytes, physiological variables, newer instruments and other devices. B-A method[R] advocates the construction of a scatter plot, where the absolute difference between the paired measurements is plotted on y-axis against the mean of two methods on x-axis. The SD of differences between paired measurements is then used to construct 95% limits of agreement (as  ± 1.96 SD). The 95% of differences between paired measurements are expected to lie between these upper and lower LOA. The conclusions on agreement and interchangeability of two methods are then made based upon the width of these LOA in comparison to a priori defined clinical criteria[R]. The plot also enables the researcher to visually assess the bias, data scatter and the relationship between magnitude of difference and size of measurement. Often in biologic systems data scatter and the magnitude of differences increases proportionally to the size of the measurement (hetero-scedastic distribution). Bland and Altman recommended the logarithmic or percentage transformation of data in case of heter o-scedastic distribution and then constructing B-A plot with transformed data[R] instead of classical absolute difference plot. Contrary to conventional statistical hypothesis testing, the output of B-A analysis consists of bias and LOA, both of which are estimates[R]. The estimates have inherent risk of sampling error and hence the authors suggested calculation of confidence interval (CI) of bias and LOA. The method also advocated the collection of data in replicates. Replicates are defined as two or more measurements on the same individual by the same method, taken in identical conditions. Replicates enable the comparison of the agreement between the two methods with the agreement each method has to itself (repeatability) [R] B-A also advocated for sample size calculations on in method comparison studies[R]. Despite its simplicity and frequent use in clinical laboratory research, the B-A method is not properly interpreted and reported in medical literature. Studies [R]conducted a decade ago highlighted poor reporting standards of B-A method, however there is paucity of current information on the same. Furthermore, uniform statistical reporting of results not only increases the generalizability of results, but also facilitates the inclusion of studies in systemic reviews and meta-analysis. Hence the aim of study was to review the current reporting standards of B-A method in laboratory research in medical literature. Material and methods- Three researchers (VC, RB, and SK) participated in this study. All researchers were qualified health professionals. VC and SK had previous experience of publishing laboratory research [R] with use of B- A agreement analysis. Eligibility criteria- Studies which tested agreement of laboratory analytes with continuous measurements, as per B-A methodology were included. Literature search- A thorough search of PUBMED, MEDLINE and GOOGLE SCHOLAR was conducted for studies published in years 2012 and 2013. The search strings used to search potential studies were â€Å"Agreement analysis† AND/OR â€Å"Bland Altman analysis† (MeSH) and â€Å"Laboratory analytes† and â€Å"clinical biochemistry† (MeSH). Included studies were evaluated according to Bland and Altman methodology on a predesigned checklist. The studies were evaluated for following 8 items: (1.) Measures of repeatability (2.) Representation and correct definition of LOA (3.) Correct representation of x-axis on BA plot (4.) Reporting of CI of LOA (5.) Comparison of limits of agreement with a priori defined clinical criteria (6.) Evaluation of pattern of relationship between difference (y-axis) and average (x-axis) (7.) Use of logarithmic or percentage conversion of data in case of heteroscedastic relationship between the difference and average (8.) Sample size calcula tions. Each item on the checklist was rated as ‘Yes’or ‘No’. We also recorded the data on use of other statistical methods for testing of agreement. However, we did not perform detailed evaluation of included studies for other statistical methods of agreement. To ensure accurate data retrieval, each included study was evaluated twice by one author (VC) and data recorded on predesigned checklist. Opinion was taken from second author (SKK) in case of confusion arising during data extraction. We compared the results of our study with 3 similar surveys done earlier. Results- A total of 156 studies were screened for potential inclusion in the study. A total of 50 studies, were retrieved and included in the final study. The 38% of included studies were published in journals of various streams of internal medicine, while 30%, 26% and 6% were published in journals of laboratory medicine, emergency medicine, anaesthesia respectively. Results of survey and its comparison to three previous studies are as shown in Table-1.The other statistical methods used in addition to B-A plot in included studies were correlation coefficient (70%), Deming Regression(14%), Passing Bablok regression (14%), linear regression (24%), Lin’s Concordance (8%), Sensitivity specificity analysis (16%), Interclass correlation coefficient (6%), Grid error plot (10%), Critchley polar plots (2%). Discussion- Use of B-A for method comparison has increased in recent years with most of authors using it for analysing agreement. The original paper on agreement analysis by B-A[R] is among one of most cited statistical publication, with more than 34000 citations. Although claimed as a method which is simpler to perform and interpret, the method is often used and interpreted without proper understanding. Review by Berthelsen et al[R] in 2006 and earlier studies[R] demonstrated unsatisfactory reporting of B-A analyses, in anaesthesiology literature. Williamson et al[R] proposed a method of meta-analysis of method comparison studies, however authors also highlighted the problem of non-uniform reporting of studies. [R] Twomey et al [R] suggested use of method hierarchy for selection of x-axis and advocated use of gold standard method as x-axis in B-A plot. However Bland and Altman statistically proved that use of any single method instead of average of two methods as x-axis is misguided and leads to misinterpretation[R]. Results of our study suggest that 94% of studies reported x-axis correctly, which is almost similar to results of earlier studies conducted by Mantha et al (94%) [R] and Dewitt et al (87%) [R]. although most method comparison computer softwares (analyse it, Graphpad Prism, EP evaluator) automatically select x-axis as mean of two methods, errors in selection of x-axis are still noticed. The 95% LOA were correctly defined and drawn in 94 %( 47) of included studies. Further among 47 studies with correct definition of LOA, the 3 studies interpreted LOA wrongly concluding good agreement because 95 % of differences were present in-between upper and lower LOA. The 95 % LOA are in-fact drawn so as to contain 95% of differences between them. It is not LOA per se, but width of these LOA in comparison to a priori defined clinical criteria that conclusions regarding agreements can be made. The decision on acceptable differences between two methods is primarily clinical rather than statistical. Earlier studies by Dewitte et al [R]and Mantha et al[R] had shown that comparison with pre-defined clinical criteria was missing in >90% of studies. Total 74 % of authors in our study commented on agreement on basis of predefined clinical criteria which represents a significant improvement in reporting standards. The specifications for clinical acceptance criteria of laboratory analytes have been provided as by Ricos et al[R], CLSI[R], and West guard QC[R]. Alternatively a Delphi survey (expert opinion) can be done to determine acceptable limits before instituting study. The CI limits of LOA were reported in only 6% of included studies in our study. The LOA are estimates and reporting LOA without CI is equivalent to reporting a sample mean without its CI. The CI limits [Ludbrook et al] represent the range within which a single, new, observation taken from the same population would be expected to lie. Although strongly recommended by B-A[R], and subsequently proved by a simulation study conducted by Hamilton et al[R], the statistical reporting of CI of LOA has remained poor (Mantha et al-2.6%) [R]. Although recommended by B-A method, the pattern of relationship between difference and wider concentration range is rarely evaluated[R]. Drawing difference plot with parallel LOA in datasets with heteroscedastic scatter makes LOA wider in lower concentration range and narrower in higher concentration range thus affecting validity of interpretation. [R] Bland and Altman [R]proposed logarithmic transformation of data with heteroscedasticy and then constructing difference plot against average of two methods using log transformed data. For meaningful understanding of LOA, they suggested back-transformation (antilog) of the log transformed data. Alternatively[R] plot of ratios of two methods or percent difference can be plotted against average of two methods for simpler interpretation. Transformation of data usually renders the scatter of differences as uniform (Homoscedastic). Twomey et al[R] recommended the drawing up of funnel shaped or V shaped LOA instead of classical parallel LOA in data sets with heteroscedastic scatter. Another option is breaking the data into smaller subsets and then analysing these subsets with absolute difference plot to make conclusions. [Twomey et al] We observed that only 28 % of studies made an attempt at evaluation of pattern of scatter. Rest of authors did not comment on pattern thus affecting the validity of results. Another important problem noticed was lack of assessment of repeatability (38%), a practice that has not shown any substantial improvement Table-1. Conclusions drawn from studies without repeatability assessment are likely to be uncertain. Assessment of errors of the two methods (repeatability) enables the construction of the worst-case acceptable LOA. [R] With poor repeatability of one or both methods, the agreement between the two methods is bound to be unacceptable. [R] Sample size calculations were done in only 15 studies. Lack of power and sample size analysis reduces validity of results. Different researchers have proposed sample size calculation for method comparison studies using Bayesian[R], regression[R], or concordance [R] approach. However Stockl et al[R] proposed an approach incorporating CI of LOA and predefined error limits in B-A plot. The approach is simple and allows for visual interpretation of appropriate sample size, as the classical B-A plot provides for agreement. Despite a lot of research on B-A method in field of statistics, the uptake of the method in medical research has been slow. While efforts are on in statistical community for use of modifications of B-A plot in special situations like repeated measure studies[R] or using bar charts in B-A plots with limited value ranges[R], unfortunately reporting standards of classical B-A method among medical community are unacceptable. Guidelines â€Å"Reporting reliability and Agreement Studies (GRRAS)† were published as a guide to appropriate reporting of reliability and agreement studies. We found unsatisfactory reporting of B-A analysis in our study.

Friday, January 17, 2020

Concept map

Take for example, peer pressure from bad associates. They eight pressure us to ditch classes, cheat, drink alcohols, smoke, try taking drugs and influence us to disobey our parents. Another is peer pressure from our own wrong desires. Its given since in our teenage stage, we youth are adventurous. We wanted to try something new we haven't experience yet and we crave on something we don't have. Thus, being attentive can help us to caution ourselves from dangers.If we see troubles coming in our way, don't walk right in to it find another way. Secondly, think about the consequences. Why not ask yourself? For instance: How lives feel later if I give in? What may be the outcome? How can it affect the others, specially, to your love ones? Remember, bible says at Proverbs 14: 1 5, smart people watch their steps. Doing right decisions requires a lot of time to meditate. For this, we just don't jump in to any conclusions. Use your imaginations.Third step, we must plan ahead. Proverbs 24: 5, à ¢â‚¬Ëœwith knowledge a man increases his power'. If we know why we don't do those something and the reasons why it's bad, we can have the strength to say No. There are two ways to do that, strengthen your convictions and seek good explanations. Know how to distinguish right from wrong and give them the right reason for them to to bother you again. Finally the fourth step, take action. Now, we don't have to lecture them. Just say ‘No', clearly and confident.Stand firm in our beliefs for they are not theories but facts. Granted that, those beliefs are all according from the scriptures. Each time we show determinants to resist pressure, we grow strong and stronger. It'll be easier for us to resist peer pressure the next time. Therefore, reacting to peer's pressure depends on us. If we remain weak and unable to stand firm, well never get rid of it. Yes, they are inevitable but by following those steps, you'll see things differently.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

7 Extreme Activities Every Student Must Try

You live only once – this phrase may sound a bit clichà ©d, but it doesn’t make it any less true. When you are at college it may seem that your whole life is ahead of you, with innumerable exciting activities to try out, things to do and people to meet. However, after you graduate you are not very likely to have enough free time for yourself and pursuing your dreams for a very, very long time. Looking for a job, climbing up a career ladder, earning money to support yourself and, later, your family – all this is going to take its toll, first of all – in terms of time. This means that right now, when you are still at college and have relatively few responsibilities may be the best time for you to try some extreme activities – for if you put them off, you may never get around to them. 1.  Zip Lining Zip lining is gliding down a zip cord stretched between two points at a considerable height. Great speed, whistling of air in your ears and excitement from passing over the scenery – that’s what it is all about. Another reason why it is perfectly suited for students is that it requires you neither to have and maintain your equipment nor to spend a great deal of money. Zip lines are easy to find and are rather cheap to try out. 2.  Parachuting Jumping off a plane at a great height combines two important aspects: it is incredibly exciting while being relatively safe. While falling down several thousands of meters may not be your idea of safety, it is actually far less dangerous than many activities that don’t require you to leave ground. 3.  Hang Gliding Hang gliding is probably the closest a human being is ever going to get to feeling what it is like to be a bird. You simply glide through air and leave all your problems down on the ground. 4.  Base Jumping Base jumping is known as one of the most extreme of the extreme sports. And for a good reason – jumping of tall buildings of cliffs with a special rapidly deploying parachute requires excellent reflexes and perfectly maintained equipment. But the adrenaline rush you feel in the process is unsurpassed by anything as well. 5.  White-Water Rafting Another choice not for the faint of heart, white-water rafting. It requires good physical condition and stamina, ability to work in a team and ability to make quick decisions. If you meet all these requirements you are not going to forget this ride in a hurry. 6.  Mount Biking Although also rather dangerous and demanding, mount biking is one of the most accessible extreme sports out there. All you need to have is a bike capable of passing difficult terrain, a good trail and, preferably, a company that will look out for each other. 7.  Cliff Jumping Cliff jumping is for those who are tired of using jumping boards. Just make sure you know what you are doing – people sometimes kill themselves by unwittingly jumping down in too shallow places. So, if you’ve been putting off something from this list – why not try it out right now? Who knows when you are going to have another opportunity?