Summer Food Bid Rigging

Table of Contents Introduction Ethics Accountability Prevention Historical context References Introduction In bid rigging, companies collude in an auction in order to rig the results of an expected outcome in a certain bid. In the summer food bid rigging case, the Justice department charged several food vendors for colluding to bid rig supplies of worth US $ 210 Million; these were contracts to supply food for the city schools. The vendors had artificially inflated the prices by around ten percent; this was about US $ 21 million.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Summer Food Bid Rigging specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More While a total of thirteen vendors had been charged, six agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with the investigators; the vendors had actually agreed to submit some falsified statements. This was done with the purpose of stifling the competition that would otherwise be staged by a fair biddin g (Slade, 1987). The prosecution said that this bidding would deny the procurement of a better deal with a fair price. The rationale of the behaviour of bid rigging is that as oligopolistic group profit, maximization is of key importance. As a result of this, in order to get an incentive, they collude together to increase the profit margin (Stigler, 1964). Ethics In the public sector, the question of ethics is a core value in administration. Ethics places both a moral and legal duty to the public administrators to carryout their functions with due diligence. Ethics requires that accountability and transparency be upheld every time the public administrators are on duty. It forms a basis upon which the public can scrutinize the actions committed by the administrators. Ethical issues normally address the province of public administrators as public servants. It provides a benchmark upon which the actions of public administrators are supposed to work. The focal point of ethics in public administration normally lies upon the rationale and models that an administration may use in making decisions (Hausman Ruud, 1987). Public administrators normally make their decisions in accordance with a process that has four distinct levels (Cooper, 1990). The levels normally come out differently in decision making as they are influenced by different views. The Expressive Level where the decision maker responds to a certain situation with unreflective expressions of emotions that neither needs a reply nor attempt to be persuasive. The Level of Moral Rules: the responsive in this level are based upon the morals that we have acquired from morals that we have obtained through interaction from our social life and family.Advertising Looking for case study on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Level of Ethical Analysis: this depends on certain level of ethical benchmark that exists which should be used whe n making a decision (Hendricks Porter, 1989). This forms more or less of the code of action that is to be taken by the decision makers. The benchmark against bid rigging is the antitrust law which express forbids this. The post ethical level is the fourth level; this level involves questions that are surrounding the rationale for certain human actions. This level also includes philosophical examination of the importance and relevance of ethical standards to an individual. Accountability The public officers were supposed to be accountable to the public. This is because as public administrators they are public servants (Comanor Schankerman, 1976). The morality that stems from ethics also demands that the public service should be transparent for the best interest of the public (Douglas Michael, 1990). It is the duty of officers to make sure that the awarding of the contract goes to the lowest valued bidder but with the highest quality. Prevention Prevention of bid rigging can be don e through prequalifying the suppliers who wish to bid in the supply of the commodity. The state agency should first gather all the necessary information from the bidding companies (Porter Zona, 1993). This information shall be comprised of information such as the previous biddings by the same suppliers for similar supplies (Milgrom Weber, 1982). This shall make it possible for the government agencies to detect any irregularity and whether there exists any rigging in the bidding. The information that is relevant in this case shall include: The identities of the executive officers and the firms the work in. Declaration statement of whether any of the executive officers is affiliated or associated with other officers from other bidders in any other manner other that of business purposes. A cursory description of the firm’s assets and their capability to deliver A brief history of the bidder’s prior bidding and capability to deliver. Historical context All unfair trade practises and those trade practises that have been forbidden by the anti-trust laws were committed in this case (Loftus, 2010). These practises include price fixing, bid rigging among others; it should be noted that bid rigging activity has been there since time immemorial. There is the highway construction bid rigging concerned bidding on the construction tender. The case was later on decided and the constructor was acquitted. The acquittal does not mean that the bid rig was fair. References Comanor, W.S. Schankerman, M. (1976). â€Å"Identical Bids and Cartel Behaviour.† Bell Journal of Economics 7: 281-286.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Summer Food Bid Rigging specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Cooper, T. L. (1990). The responsible administrator: An approach to ethics for the administrative role, Third edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, Inc. Publishers. Douglas, B. Michael, D. (1990) â₠¬Å"Multimarket Contact and Collusive Behaviour.† RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 21(1), pages 1-26. Hausman, J. A, Ruud, P. A. (1987) â€Å"Specifying and Testing Econometric Models for Rank-Ordered Data.† Journal of Econometrics 34: 83-104. Hendricks, K Porter, H. (1989). â€Å"Collusion in Auctions.† Annales d’Economie et de Statistique 15/16 217-230. Loftus T (2010). Unresolved Legal Issues Remain In Bid-Rigging Case. Web. Milgrom, P. R Weber, R. J, (1982). â€Å"A Theory of Auctions and Competitive bidding.† Econometrical, Econometric Society, vol. 50(5), pp: 1089-1122. Porter, R. H Zona, J D, (1993). â€Å"Detection of Bid Rigging in Procurement Auctions.† Journal of Political Economy, University Of Chicago Press, vol. 101(3) pages 518-538.Advertising Looking for case study on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Slade, M. E., (1987). â€Å"Interfirm Rivalry In A Repeated Game: An Empirical Test Of Tacit Collusion.† Journal Of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell vol 35(4) pgs 499-516. Stigler, G.J. (1964). A theory of oligopoly. The Journal of Political Economy, 72, 44– 61. This case study on Summer Food Bid Rigging was written and submitted by user Abby V. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

bonk essays

bonk essays Medieval Weapons were (are) very dangerous. They can kill, puncture, wound, hurt, or anything else. All weapons from the Middle Ages were looked upon as frightening and crucial tools to kill. From a small dagger to a large cannon; all weapons A lot, in fact most of the weapons were used for siege and defense against castles. Castles were the most integral part of the Middle Ages. They held the king, the servants and anyone else important. If you wanted land or money, a castle was the perfect Movable Towers were just one thing used to lay siege on these castles. Not necessarily a weapon itself, it held Knights and (or) peasants carried many weapons depending on what specialty they had. Some carried bows-and-arrows, others maces, some swords, some knifes, etc. A mace was a metal ball with metal spikes welded on the ball. A chain was attached to a wood stick onto the ball. The Other siege weapons included the ballista, a HUGE crossbow- like slingshot that could send a huge tree trunk 3 football fields long. The ballista was manly for breaking down castle walls, or for scattering The most commonly used weapon was the sword. It was a long metal object that was very sharp on both sides. The sword could actually cut the sheet metal on modern day cars. Imagine this power through your neck! Next to the sword, the soldiers held a small dagger in a pouch on their belt. This was used to finish people off, as a last resort, or sometimes Trebuchet, the name strikes fear in peoples eyes, a HUMONGOUS slingshot that could send a big monkey boulder 2 football fields. This weapon could be used to demolish castle walls, or could even be used to kill hundreds of people on the battlefield. Anyway used, it was a big dangero ...

The Leadership Experience in 21st Century Research Paper

The Leadership Experience in 21st Century - Research Paper Example In such situations, the leaders need to communicate with the staffs properly. By this process, the leaders try to improve the relationship of the employees with the company. As per the author Drucker, in the 21st century, the organizational leaders act as a mediator between the managers and the employees. They contribute to building the strong relationship with organizational members. The leaders need to perform a wide range of responsibilities and duties for facilitating the business in holding their position in the competitive market. Most of the decisions of an organization are taken by its management team. The leaders need to communicate the decisions properly to the employees and take their feedbacks. Ineffective communication of company’s decision affects its productivity and employees performances. The leaders are responsible for managing these issues. They use advanced technologies for making the employees aware of the activities and functions of the firm. In the moder n business, employees are focusing more on the flexible rules and benefits which the companies are offering to them. It has become a vital challenge for the leader to understand what flexible rules and benefits will help the firm to retain its employees and increase its productivity. In the present scenario, staffs tend to leave their jobs frequently if they are not satisfied with the organization. Lack of skilled labour hampers the growth of the company. The leaders of 21st century develop strategies for retaining organizational members.

Afrocentrism Historiographical Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Afrocentrism Historiographical Paper - Essay Example In searching for the origins of Greek civilization, the Western world is in search of its identity. However, in the act of separating the world into a Western and an Eastern world, theories surrounding origins are biased by the desire to belong to the foundational race. In examining such theories, an observance can be made about the way in which ’truth’ is defined within the framework of scholarly theory. The origin of the Afrocentric movement of theories can be traced to the 19th century when â€Å"an approach that explicitly sets out to redress the negative images which have often been developed of Africans and to promote positive constructions of African heritage†(Ancient Egypt 2003, 7) was determined to be needed for cultural authenticity. The work of Cheikh Ante Diop, a Senegalese national who studied in Paris, and became an historian, an anthropologist, a physicist and a politician, studied histories of origin in order to support his theories and determined that â€Å"it was Europe that depended on Africa . . . Far from having no history at all, as European scholars had been assuring themselves, Africa was now recognized as no less than the source of mankind†(July 1987, 137). Martin Bernal’s theory of the origins of Greek civilization has created a great debate in the academic community. The basis of this theory is that a correction in accepted European revisionist theories on the origins of Greece must be made. Greece culture, according to Bernal, was borrowed from the civilizations of Egypt and Phoenicia, not from the northern Indo-European cultures. He contends that this theory of Indo-European influence is a result of theories produced out of prejudice that are created to diminish the influence of African cultures on modern thought. Bernal (1994) states the Greeks were fiercely opposed to the idea that any other culture had ever been involved in the creation of their society that they were superior to

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus disscusion paper Essay

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus disscusion paper - Essay Example Berndt (52) further notes that Jazz involves vitality and spontaneity of musical production which involves improvisation. Berndt also holds that Jazz contains â€Å"a manner of phrasing and sonority that mirrors the Jazz musician’ individuality (73). Holding a similar view, Berndt (63) noted that Jazz music originated in the Southern United States among the African-American communities, combining European music and African music. According to Shipton (23) Jazz music started developing in 1880 during the Atlantic slave trade which brought Africans to the U.S. Shipton (34) holds that the Jazz music, therefore, early Jazz had rhythms that reflected the African speech pattern was characterized by the pentatonic scale which led to the blue notes that commonly characterize Jazz. Focusing on Jazz music, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of â€Å"Goodbye Porkpie Hat,† a historic jazz style. The paper will focus on discussing general characteristics of the historic jazz style and the individual stylistic characteristic for which the performer is known. The paper also focuses on one piece that features a notable performance while providing observations from listening to such apiece. The paper concludes with an overview of the aforementioned issues while highlighting the significance of the piece and performer of the Jazz music featured. Before, discussing the aforementioned issues it is important to examine the jazz music featured. Goodbye Porkpie Hat, which was later renamed Theme in memory of Lester Young is music piece or a jazz standard, which was composed by Charles Mingus. The jazz standard recorded in 1959, by his sextet, and released on the album of â€Å"Mingus Ah Um.† He wrote it as in memory of Lester Young, a saxophonist, who passed on before the recording was done and was reputed for wearing a broad-rimmed of pork pie hat. Good-bye porkpie Hat is Mingus widely known musical composition and many jazz fusion and Jazz artists have r ecorded his music. For instance, Mitchell Joni added lyrics to the songs for his album Mingus, which was recorded jointly with Mingus in the months prior to his death. Besides, Kirk Rahsaaan also composed some lyrics to the song, which was included in his album, of The Return of 500lb Man. â€Å"Goodbye porkpie Hat† is a ballad composed for a saxophonist Lester Young, and it is named after young’s reputable signature headwear. The melody is beautiful and haunting plays in Octaves or in unison by tenor saxophonists Booker Ervin and Handy John except for one note, where they play the dissonant interval of either a minor second or ninth (Artist Direct 1). Ideally, the single dissonance resembles wince, and it is perhaps a subtle nod to the pained life of Young. Charles Mingus was an influential Jazz double bassist composer as well as bandleader. His musical compositions had a hot soulful feel of hard bop and credits to black gospel music and free jazz, Third stream and cl assical music (Open Culture 1). Yet he avoided categorization, thus forging his own unique music brand, which fused traditions with the unexplored jazz realms (Open Culture 2). Mingus emphasized on collective improvisations, which is similar to old New Orleans jazz while paying much attention to the interactions of each band member with the group. He recruited band members on not only skills but also their personalities. Besides, Mingus receives credit for the double bass

Movie Analysis Of Kick Ass

Movie Analysis Of Kick Ass In the film Kick-Ass, directed by Matthew Vaughn, Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), a teenager who is ignored by girls and obsessed with comics sets out to be a real superhero. He purchases a costume online and begins to fight crime with the name of Kick-Ass. After fighting off three thugs, Dave becomes a internet phenomenon and gets the help of other vigilantes in a collective goal to bring down mob boss Frank DAmico (Mark Strong). When analyzing the film, I noticed that it contains the elements of a Hero Myth that are clarified in Linda Segers article, Creating a Myth. While most heroes in film have superpowers or special abilities, the character Kick-Ass uses his desire and passion in order to combat his enemies. The archetype of the hero is reinforced throughout the film because Kick-Ass encounters many obstacles, which in turn develop a sense of growth and transformation. Seger begins by asserting that in hero myths, the hero is introduced in ordinary surroundings and the hero begins as non-hero; innocent, young, simple or humble (2). As viewers we see that Dave Lizewski is a typical teenager in everyday New York. He fantasizes about how life would be as a superhero. Like most teenage boys, Dave has a crush on a female counterpart, Katie Fonseca (Lyndsy Fonseca), but he is barely noticed Brown 2 by her and the other girls at school. We can see that he possesses humility because he is neither bold or self-assertive. His innocence can be derived from the fact that his intentions are harmless. He only sets out to do good by fighting crime. Heath continues by stating that something new enters the heros life and this catalyst sets the story in motion (2). After being robbed by a pair of street thugs, Dave realizes that he must fight crime and take on the role of a superhero. He orders a wet suit online and begins to train in preparation for the dangers on the city streets. Moreover, when Dave sees the same two men that robbed him and his friend Todd breaking into a car he confronts them with his new suit on. Unfortunately he gets stabbed and stumbles to be hit by a car, causing nerve ending damage. He is rushed to the hospital where doctors fix him with metal plates, which gives him a higher pain threshold. Sequentially, this experience sets the story in motion because Daves determination to become a superhero is only sparked and it leads to another crucial event. He later sets up a MySpace account under the name Kick-Ass, which allows the public to contact him and request assistance. One night, he goes out to look for a lost cat and interrupts a chase between thugs who were trying to kill another man. Fortunately, he fights off the attackers and becomes an internet phenomenon after it was recorded and posted on Youtube. Furthermore, we can see that Dave is endowed with bravery and desire. In addition, this sequence of events develop as a whole catalyst, which in turn stimulate the story. Additionally, Seger argues that in any journey, the hero usually receives help that often comes from unusual sources(2). In the film, Damon MacReady (Nicholas Cage) who is an Ex-cop and his 11-year old daughter Mindy (Chloe Moretz) notice Kick Asss Brown 3 escapades. One night, Kick-Ass visits the apartment of Rasul after Katie mentions that a guy name Rasul at the clinic would rob and harass her. Reacting off impulse, he tries to threaten him but he is horribly unsuccessful. Angered by such words, Rasul and crew get ready to mutilate him, but Mindy, dressed in costume blasts through the window and kills all the gang members and her dad shoots the last one with a sniper rifle. After, she introduces herself as Hit Girl and takes all the money and guns. Essentially the character of Hit Girl is very unusual. Combing the characteristics of a killer to the ones of a cute child, Director Matthew Vaughn tries to arouse feelings, emotions, and responses amongst the audience. We become immersed in the sensitive idea of children and violence interacting in cinema. Furthermore, Seger affirms that at some point in the story, the hero hits rock bottom, a near death experience or black moment, leading to a type of rebirth(3). The worst is exposed and the action continues to an intriguing conclusion. For example, in the film, there is a live countdown to the unmasking of Kick-Ass. However, it so happens to be Big Daddy and Kick Ass handcuffed to chairs awaiting their execution by Frank Damicos mob men. They are brutally beaten to a point where it is thrown off television to only being streamed online. We see Kick Asss black moment as he is relentlessly tortured. He says Even with my metal plates and my fucked up nerve endings, I gotta tell you, that hurt! But not half as much as the idea of leaving everything behind. Katie, my dad, Todd and Marty..and all the things Id never do. We begin to feel his pain and hope that he makes it through. Nevertheless, they begin to pour gasoline on Big Daddy and set him on fire. Ingeniously, Hit Girl arrives to sa ve them and kills all the men in an intensive Brown 4 gun battle. She tries to save Big Daddy but he dies from the severity of the burns. Hit Girl rescues Kick Ass and takes him to her fathers apartment where he agrees to help her take down Frank Damico. Lastly, Seger argues that the hero must face the final ordeal before being reborn as the hero, proving his courage and becoming transformed. She asserts that we need to see him changed at the end (3). This is clearly depicted in the final battle of the film. Hit Girl is pinned down behind a counter without ammo by Frank Damicos mob men. Just before one of them fires the bazooka, Kick-Ass comes flying up the building with a jet pack. He then expels the artillery installed on the jet pack and wipes out the rest of the men. The last fight scene emerges. Hit Girl takes on Frank DAmico and Kick-Ass takes on his son Chris Damico aka Red Mist( Christopher Mintz-Plasse).However, Kick-Ass and Chris knock each other out to the ground. On the other hand, Hit Girl and Frank battle fiercely. Frank gains the upper hand and prepares to kill her with his pistol, but Kick-Ass fires the bazooka and the rocket propels Frank through the window and it explodes. Chris tries to go after Kick-Ass but Kick-A ss uses the jet pack and flies off with Hit Girl. At the end of the film, Dave says hes done with crime-fighting and theres a new generation of superheroes that have emerged through his inspiration. In other respects, we ask, how has Kick-Ass transformed as a character? Based on observations, Kick-Ass now has his dream girl Katie, who before didnt notice him or who he didnt talk to in the first place. Ultimately, Dave has explored the realm that he always wanted to since he was kid. He has learned that superpowers can not hinder or prevent the growth of motivation, purpose, or desire. In essence, we see that the film

Equal Employment Opportunity in the Working Environment Essay -- essay

Equal Employment Opportunity in the Working Environment This paper on equal opportunity employment will show a few different types of discrimination that would impede on a person from getting hired into an organization. It also shows some of the different Acts from the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prevent discrimination when hiring workers into an organization. Equal Employment Opportunity in the Working Environment Equal employment opportunity involves both workplace nondiscrimination and affirmative action. Equal opportunity has changed the way businesses and organizations recruit, hire, and even act in the working environment. These changes have been put in place due to the increasing numbers of women, people with different racial and ethnic backgrounds, persons of different ages, their able-bodied ness, and religion. In 1964 a change was brought about by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title seven of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was to enforce the constitutional right to vote, to confer jurisdiction upon the district courts of the United States to provide injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations, to authorize the Attorney General to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and education, to extend the commission on civil rights, to prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs, to establish a Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity, and for other purposes (The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). This Act changed they way women and people of different ethnic backgrounds voted for public office, worked in major organizations, and how they proceeded with other major daily activities. This gave the people more rights when it came down to applying for jobs or voting in schools or different organizations. This put everyone at the same level. No race, gender or ethnic power was higher ranking then the other. Most companies after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 employed the idea of affirmative action. â€Å"Affirmative action is legally driven by federal, state and provincial, and local laws, as well as numerous court cases. It requires written reports containing plans and statistical goals for specific groups of people in terms of such employment practices as hiring, promotions, and layoffs† (Hunt, Osborn, Schermerhorn Jr., 2003, pg.62). Equal Opportunity was mainly brought about due... ...oyment. Under this act Employees cannot be forced to participate, or not participate in a religious activity as a condition of employment. Employers may not treat employees or applicants less - or more - favorably because of their religious beliefs or practices. Managers must also reasonably accommodate employees' sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer. If other employees’ do not like the person the manager must do everything in his power to prevent religious harassment in the workplace (The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, there are many rights to the employees’ when it comes down to equal opportunity employment. In this paper you learned of a few different types of discrimination towards employees’ and how different acts protect them in the workforce. It also has shown what rights a person has as an employee in the working environment. References Schermerhorn, J.R & Hunt, J.G & Osborn, R.N (2003). Organizational Behavior Eight Edition. US Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (2008, September 27). Retrieved September 29, 2008, from http://www.eeoc.gov/

A Study On Low Back Pain Anthropology Essay

The well-known anthropologist W.M. Krogman frequently talked about the jobs modern worlds have in some of their biological characteristics as being the consequence of the manner we evolved, what Krogman called the â€Å" cicatrixs of human development. † Discuss a biological composite that you believe Krogman might hold been mentioning to, and include in your essay some grounds why he might hold called these a cicatrix of human development. As hominids began walking upright, they underwent extended morphological versions. The human anchor was forced to suit to new perpendicular weight-bearing emphasiss. As a consequence of this comparatively recent development in the spinal column, modern worlds regularly experience lower back strivings, which can be labeled as â€Å" a cicatrix of human development. † In modern worlds, the vertebral column environments and protects the spinal cord as it descends from the brain-stem at the hiatuss magnum to the lower bole. The vertebral column provides the organic structure ‘s chief axial support, but it still remains flexible ; the spinal column is comprised of 24 single castanetss, called vertebrae, and two amalgamate castanetss, the tail bone and the sacrum. The first 7 vertebrae located in the cervix are cervical vertebrae, followed by 12 thoracic vertebrae that connect to the rib coop, and 5 lumbar vertebrae that make up the lower dorsum. The sacrum is composed of 5 vertebrae ( organizing the dorsum of the pelvic girdle ) that fuse together during maturity. The tail bone ( the tailbone ) is made up of irregularly shaped vertebrae that fuse together between the ages of four and six old ages. The thoracic and sacral curvatures form during foetal development. The cervical curve signifiers when a human baby begins to keep up its caput. The c oncave lumbar curve signifiers when a immature human kid begins to walk. These characteristics maintain the balance and support necessary for bipedalism. In quadrupeds, there is a gently C-shaped curve that makes the pectoral part of the spinal column somewhat convex. The human biped, nevertheless, has an S-shaped spinal column ensuing from opposing curvatures ( in the cervical and lumbar spinal parts ) grafted onto the C-shape curvature of a quadruped. The lower dorsum ( lumbar ) vertebrae signifier a really acute curve in worlds by puting the last two inter-vertebral phonograph record at a pronounced angle to the transition of organic structure weight. The spinal curves in the biped let the weight of the organic structure to be carried straight over the hip joint sockets in the midplane, by conveying the centre of gravitation closer to the hips. The weight of a biped is borne down the spinal column to the sacrum, where it passes to the hips and so through the two legs. Because the sum of weight additions increasingly down the spinal column, the vertebrae of a biped are progressively larger as they approach the lumbar part. In contrast, weight bearing does non increase along the spinal column of a quadruped, and so the vertebrae remain of about equal size in the different parts of the spinal column. Intervertebral phonograph record of connective tissue separate each vertebra. The exterior is made up of several beds of fibrocartilage. The interior is the karyon, which is filled with a mush that has the consistence of Jell-O. The karyon of the phonograph record act to buffer each vertebra and absorb daze. Once a human reaches maturity, the operation of the spinal column goes downhill. With age, the spongy discs between the vertebrae lose wet and snap ; the mush inside loses flexibleness and becomes less lissome. The harder, drier discs lose tallness, conveying the vertebrae closer together. Many persons develop serious complications of the vertebral column. Intervertebral phonograph record dislocations affect 1000000s of people worldwide ; many suffer serious chronic hurting, and life long disablement. A ruptured phonograph record, â€Å" a slipped phonograph record † in common idiom, occurs when an intervertebral phonograph record becomes thinner and compressed, doing a herniation of the phonograph record ‘s contents and force per unit area on the spinal nervousnesss, most significantly, the chief sciatic nervus. A tear in the annulus fibrosis on an intervertebral phonograph record allows the soft nucleus pulpous to seep out. This herniation consequences in loss of musculus. An illustration of this muscular devolution is foot retarding force. Almost 90 per centum of herniations happen in vertebrae 4 and 5 in the lumbar vertebrae. These vertebrae have the most acute curve, and bring forth our unsloped position. Because these two vertebrae are so angled, they bear the most differential weight and, consequently, suffer the gr eatest wear and tear. Most people can retrieve from intervertebral phonograph records breakdown without surgery ; the mush that is seeping out will finally abjure from the nervus because it loses wet and it shrinks. However, there are more than 4 million operations a twelvemonth in the United States entirely to rectify disc herniations. If an intervertebral phonograph record interruptions down and consequences in force per unit area on the spinal cord, it can be life endangering. The most immediate symptom is the loss of vesica and bowl control. Another serious complication of the vertebral column is osteoarthritis – the dislocation and eventual loss of the gristle between the vertebrae. This consequences in thickener of the articulations and back uping ligaments and the growing of bony goads that can shut in around the issues for the spinal nervousnesss. Osteoarthritis can take to spinal stricture, which is â€Å" the narrowing of the cardinal spinal canal or its sidelong deferrals † ( Weinstein ) . Lower back hurting was non every bit large as a job for our ascendants. There are three theories to explicate this fact. The first account is that the little organic structure of our ascendants led to less force through lumbar system. The 2nd account is that our ascendants were non couch murphies. Our ascendants had improbably powerful musculuss ( robust castanetss and big articulations ) , as a consequence of changeless physical activity. This helped to continue the lower dorsum. The 3rd account is that our ascendants did non populate every bit long as modern worlds, as so they did non make the age where back jobs emerge. In support of this theory is the fact that the average age for disc surgery is 42 old ages old. Today, more than 70 per centum of grownups suffer from back hurting at one point in their lives, and 30 per centum have had it in the last 30 yearss. There are many ways to handle and forestall back hurting in modern worlds. The most of import is exercising, and increasing our musculus tone of the dorsum and legs. Minimizing sitting is besides good, because chairs offer uneven distribution of weight. Surgery is a intervention option, but it should be the last option ; surgery can be really painful, and sometimes it does non relieve the hurting. Treating back hurting presently costs $ 26 billion a twelvemonth ; which is 2.5 per centum of entire wellness attention costs in the United States. Lower dorsum hurting is a biological composite that Krogman would hold clearly labeled as a cicatrix of human development. It is the inevitable merchandise of bipedalism and length of service. Hopefully medical scientific discipline will progress to a point where it can more efficaciously relieve this painful effect of human development.Mentions:Deyo, Richard A. â€Å" Low Back Pain. † Blackboard. Web.Mann, Alan. â€Å" Bipedalism, Power Point Presentations 1 and 2. † Lecture.

Artificial Heart Research: an Historical Perspective

Artificial Heart Research: An Historical Perspective (Rayan R. Joshi Third-year paper Food and Drug Law Advisor: Peter Barton Hutt) Good reasons for artificial hearts: * There are not enough heart donors (â€Å"Each year, about 30,000patients are deemed eligible candidates for heart transplantation. However, only a small fraction of this group, numbering about 2000, actually winds up receiving donor hearts. Given the current figures, it is unlikely that the supply of donor hearts will increase enough to render all transplantation a viable means of combating end-stage heart disease on a macro level. ) Public opinions * Dr. Cooley believed that focusing the public's attention on the technology's future potential would have a positive effect on the field of research as a whole.* However, Cooley had grossly miscalculated in the realm of public opinion * Confronted with the gruesome images of a suffering human patient, society at large began to regard the entire held of artificial heart technology as â€Å"more monstrous than miraculous,† and research efforts in this area were quelled to a substantial degree. Nevertheless, given the state of the economy in the 80’s, and the aversion towards this area of research held by many members of society, the Jarvik team ( a team working on designing a artificial heart) was strapped for much needed funding. * The extremely large amount of media coverage provided to the Clark operation proved to be a double-edged sword for researchers in this area.While the press' love affair with Clark's story initially focused public attention on the amazing potential benefits of heart research, the vivid and disturbing images of Clark's suffering after his operation shifted public opinion squarely in the opposite direction. Commentators who had once championed the efforts of ambitious heart surgeons now openly questioned whether it was appropriate for human physicians to be â€Å"playing God† in this area. If society we re to somehow lose interest in the potential benefits of MCSS technology, then researchers in this area would lose access to the public and private funding that they desperately need in order to ensure continued advancement. * The scientific import of the heart, combined with its cultural significance, renders heart research a particularly sensitive area in which to pursue the betterment of society. Nevertheless, pioneers with the courage to plow forward in this field over the last half century have saved countless lives as a result of their unwavering efforts.One thing, however, remains clear. If society is ever to reap the full rewards offered by MCSS technology, it will have to recalibrate its attitudes regarding the field in a more open-minded direction, one that hinges less on short term success, and more on long-term progress. Heroic patients like Barney Clark have accepted this challenge. Time will tell if society at large is capable of doing the same. There are two main bran ches of heart technology. Partial Artificial hearts: Partial devices supplement patients' natural heart function, assisting those patients whose organs, while somewhat viable, are incapable of functioning adequately on their own Total artificial hearts: ( we should focus on this !! ) * Total artificial hearts (TAH), on the other hand, are devices that actually replace patients' natural hearts. Such devices are designed for situations in which natural organs are so damaged that even supplementation via a partial device isn't enough to produce sufficient circulatory function.Collectively, partial and total artificial heart devices are classified as mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSS). 3 ways these technologies help 1 First, devices can serve asâ€Å"bridges† to transplant, allowing patients' conditions to stabilize while they await the delivery of donorhearts. 2 Second, partial devices can be used, either temporarily or permanently, to allow a patient's natural heart to rest and recover following periods of distress. 3 Finally, TAH devices can potentially serve as permanent replacements for those patients whose natural hearts are too damaged to permit recovery through alternative means.Replacement TAH devices represent the cutting edge of technology in this field. Rules and regulations * Artificial heart technology is subject to FDA regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 (Act†). * The Medical Device Amendments of 1976 (Amendments†) to the Act establish three regula- * tory classes for medical devices, ased on the degree of control necessary to assure that the various types of * devices are safe and e ective. † * Artificial heart devices are considered part of Class III, and are thus subject to the heaviest possible regulation. A Class III device is defied in the Amendments as one that supports or sustains human life or is of substantial importance in preventing impairment of human health or presents a potential, unreasonable risk of illness or injury. * Class III medical devices may not be marketed by firms until the FDA has approved a pre-market approval (PMA) application under Section 515 of the Act. Dr. Michael E. DeBakey- a prominent surgeon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston * His research interests led him to form a team whose purpose was to explore the feasibility of building an artificial device that could replace the natural human heart.The history of total artificial hearts 60’s * The development of total artificial heart technology can be traced to the early 1960's. * Indeed, by 1965, * a federal artificial heart program had been created, and its enabling legislation asserted that the program's * The visions of Cooley and Liotta came to fruition on April 4, 1969. That day, Cooley implanted an artificial heart into the chest cavity of 47 year old Haskell Karp of Skokie, Illinois, a printing estimator with a long history of heart related problems. Karp died from an infection and related complications shortly after having the operation* In response to the relative failure of the Karp experiment, stunted for more than a decade. 70’s * by 1971, Dr. DeBakey himself became convinced that existing total artificial heart technology could not overcome the hurdles intrinsic within the human body. DeBakey was primarily concerned with two major problems. * First, scientists had to develop a power source that could be totally implantable, in order to reduce the risk of infection that was created by tethering artificial devices to external sources through skin penetrating pumps. Second, researchers had to discover and refine a non-clotting surface for the parts of the pump that actually came into contact with blood. Otherwise, the associated risk of stroke in patients would remain too high to warrant use of the technology. DeBakey ultimately determined that his time was better spent pursuing alternative avenues of heart research, asser ting â€Å"I decided to stop putting my energies and efforts into a total artificial heart. † 80’s *In the early 1980's a new figure named Dr. Robert Jarvik embarked on the quest for a well-functioning total artificial heart. The Jarvik-7 ( his design of a artificial heart) was a total heart that completely replaced the natural organ within the body's chest cavity * On December 2, 1982, a patient, Barney Clark received a Jarvik-7 implant in Salt Lake City. * Barney Clark was able to survive 112 days with the device however it came with a lot of complications. His blood kept clotting as it went through the heart which caused several strokes. * The artificial heart also had technological malfunctioning * The Jarvik-7 was implanted in a second patient, 53 year-old William Schroeder, at the Humana Heart Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. Schroeder actually survived on the device for 18 months.* Like Clark, however, Schroeder was plagued by multiple strokes, infections, and hemorrhages throughout the course of his treatment. * When asked directly for his opinion about the Jarvik-7, Schroeder made a horrible gesture, like he'd like to kill it or strangle it. * After Schroeder's death, public sentiment against artificial heart research reached alarming levels. * In response, FDA effectively revoked the IDE granted to the Jarvik-7 program. * Most researchers now became convinced, as DeBakey had a decade earlier, that the quest for an effective total rtificial heart was simply a fruitless endeavor. * . As a result of these forces, researchers and surgeons now began to bolster their efforts at finding alternative ways to combat heart disease 90’s * As doctors becamemore adept at using anticoagulant drugs to reduce the risk of stroke associated with these transplants, the success rate of the device continued to improve. * Indeed, since 1993, 147 patients have been supported by Jarvik's original artificial heart, and 88 of these patients ultimately su rvived till their scheduled organ transplantsThe non-pulsatile LVAD * Dr. Richard Wampler, began to develop a non-pulsatile LVAD. Wampler was convinced that the body might not necessarily need a pulse to function effectively. This belief in â€Å"continuous flow† pumps was rooted in his observations of how blood actually functions within the human body. * After 1988. Indeed, over 100 patients who could not utilize standard LVAD systems were saved by this technology. Notes mechanical circulatory support systems (MCSS) Total artificial hearts (TAH) the American Heart AssociationLVAD = left ventricular assist device â€Å"bridge to recovery. â€Å"= using partial artificial hearts you can help the patient stay alive while waiting for a donor. And in some cases an LVAD device can even â€Å"cure† the heart so that it can beat on its own, and does not need a donor. AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart: This device is a fully implantable prosthetic system, intended as a d estination therapy for patients whose natural hearts are severely damaged due to conditions involving coronary heart disease or some form of congestive end-stage heart failure

Clifford Brown essays

Clifford Brown essays Clifford Brown was born in Wilmington, Delaware on the 30th of October 1930. Brown began playing a trumpet his father gave him in early high school, and by his late teens was playing in collage and other youth bands. Throughout high school he studied jazz harmony and theory, trumpet, vibes, piano, and bass with Robert Lowery. At this time he was attracting the attention of many lead players such as Fats Navarro, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Brown had his opportunity to play with many of these great musicians, but formed a close relationship with Fats Navarro who became his mentor. By the end of the 40s he had won a scholarship to study music at the University of Maryland, and in 1950 he was involved in a car accident that was quite serious, and put him in the hospital from June of that year until May of 1951. Shortly after the accident Brown recorded with Chris Powell and Tadd Dameron from 1952 till 1953. In autumn 1953, Brown was a member of the Lionel Hampton and went on tour in Europe and North Africa. On this tour the band drew considerable attention because of the high level of talent in the band. Even thought it was against the contract that each band member signed, many of the musicians moonlighted on various recordings and in particular Brown was singled out for many of these sessions. After the tour was over and the band returned to the USA, Brown, along with most of the rest of the band, was fired when Hampton found out about the recordings. In 1954 Brown joined Art Blakey and teamed up with Max Roach to form the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. This group was quickly noted as on of the most outstanding contempory jazz combos. They recorded for labels such as: Blue Note, Prestige, EmArcy, GNP, and Pacific Jazz. This was also the point in time where Brown became well-recognized trumpet player in the USA and as a composer. In June 1956, after a late night gig Brown was t ...

The New Narcissism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Loophole in the Legal System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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