The Relationship between Social Media and Brand Management Dissertation

The Relationship between Social Media and Brand Management - Dissertation Example Hence, it is noteworthy that social media has become one of the key business communication tools, which has helped modern organizations to promote their brands worldwide. On the other hand, the online marketing concept has triggered impressive transformations, especially in the domain of brand management, thereby eliminating the risks inherent to the traditional marketing concept (Brindle, 2011). Â  The use of social media for brand management was also considered quite helpful for both the customers as well as for the company, owing to its ability to target customers in clusters and reach them with efficiency, within a very short time span. It is also noteworthy that the brand image of a company is perceived as one of the most valuable assets in the modern day context. This particular assertion becomes quite apparent with reference to the strategies applied by Alibaba Group to promote its brand in a popular Chinese social media named Sina Weibo. Alibaba Group is noted as one of the most popular Chinese e-commerce retail outlets, which deals in all kinds of products. Prior to the inception of social media, brand managers engaged in different companies followed various marketing communication strategies, such as storytelling, aggressive and frequent advertisement as well as newsletter distribution to the customers. In this regard, it can be mentioned that the traditional metho ds of brand promotion were less cost-efficient in comparison to the modern brand promotion strategies, which certainly raises a noteworthy challenge to modern organizations. However, the advent of online brand management strategy has proved cost efficient as well as less time-consuming in nature to mitigate previous stress factors associated to company’s customer relationship strategies through brand management (Jenkinson et. al., 2005). Â  

Substance abuse Essay Example for Free

Substance abuse Essay It is quite clear that substance abuse almost always occurs within the context of other problems. Common presenting problems that are related to substance abuse are marital and family conflict, child abuse, unemployment, financial problems, multiple medical problems, depression, suicide, and problems with aggression and violence. In assessing the role of substance abuse within the context of other problems, we also need to understand the dynamics of other behavioral problems and how they may be exacerbated by substance abuse. It is estimated that most domestic violence occurs during periods when one or both parties are abusing some substance and that as many as two-thirds of homicides and serious assaults involve alcohol. Criminal behavior such as child abuse or sexual molestation may be committed when the perpetrator is under the influence of a drug or alcohol. In one study, Chasnoff (1988) found that 64 percent of all child abuse cases in New York City involved a perpetrator who was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Although researchers disagree about the exact nature of the relationship between substance abuse and violence, there is clearly a strong correlation between the two. Substance abuse does not only cause social problems, but it can also cause health problems too. For example, according to the American Health Association guidelines, cocaine use can cause a number of heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations, dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating (Stengle, 18 March 2008). Physicians must remain aware that cocaine use can cause heart attack symptoms in younger patients with no heart disease risk factors, the guidelines said. Cocaine use can cause heart attacks, but only about 1% to 6% of those who use cocaine and experience chest pain have heart attacks. The guidelines warn that two common heart attack treatments blood thinners and beta blockers can cause injuries or death in those who use cocaine. Blood thinners can increase risk for bleeding into the brain for patients with elevated blood pressure caused by cocaine use, and beta blockers can increase blood pressure and restrict arteries in those who use cocaine (Stengle, 18 March 2008). We all know that alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol-related deaths from cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, motor-vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, suicide, and homicide. Alcohol affects nearly every system in the body, and contributes to a range of medical problems, including altered immune system functioning, bone disease, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, reduced cognitive functioning, fetal abnormalities, traumatic injury, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancers of the neck, head, stomach, pancreas, colon, breast, and prostate (Werch, 2002). Behaviorally, substance abuse can be considered any use of a psychoactive substance that causes damage to the individual or society or both. Becoming dependent on any substance is a process that occurs over differing periods of time for different individuals and varies with the use of different substances. A dependence on alcohol may take several decades to develop while an addiction to cocaine, especially crack cocaine, may occur almost immediately. There are, however, certain phases that individuals are likely to pass through as their dependence on a substance increases. An old proverb regarding alcoholism outlines the progression of addiction: â€Å"The person takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, and the drink takes the person. † The journey from controlled use to being controlled by their use is the nature of addiction. No one begins using alcohol or other drugs with the goal of becoming addicted. With these voluminous data about the ills of substance abuse, we should all know by now that we have to curb this problem that eating away our society. I also experienced substance abuse first hand because I have people close to me who had been affected by substance abuse. My cousin has drug problem as he is hooked with marijuana, while my uncle and aunt are alcoholics. I witnessed that how they engaged in prolonged, continuous substance abuse and saw how they were unable to function without using his drug of choice on some regular basis. They somehow neglect their daily needs to the point of not eating or caring for themselves. Attempts to control their usage are abandoned as the periods of intoxication and recovery encompass most of their time. My uncle allowed himself to undergo detoxification at a rehabilitation center but my aunt has developed cirrhosis because of her alcoholism. Ultimately, we need to join hands in informing everyone about substance abuse. Common misinformation about substance abuse may divert the focus of the problem to other factors that are then presented as the primary problem. It should start with the family of the abuser who should support their loved one in this matter. Starting from family, communities can then undertake several strategies to stop substance abuse because there is no single solution that can surely alleviate substance abuse-related harm to individuals and populations. The comprehensive approach should use a wide range of strategies that address the multiple causes and dimensions. These strategies should include educational approaches—such as public health education and awareness programs, including school and community-based prevention programs; environmental approaches—such as controls on the price and availability of alcohol and drugs, minimum age for purchase of alcohol, legislative measures to curb driving under the influence of alcohol, and restrictions on the promotion, marketing, and advertising of drugs alcohol; and health care efforts—such as primary health care screening, advice by health care providers, preventive services, and effective treatment using psychological and pharmacological approaches. References Mackesy-Amiti, M. E. and Fendrich, M. (1995, November). Delinquent Behavior and Inhalant Use Among High School Students. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology meeting, Boston. NIH Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program. (2003). Preliminary Data on Drug Use Related Matters Among Adult Arrestees and Juvenile Detainees, 2002, Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. Steingle, J. (20008, March 18). Cocaine May Cause Heart Attack Symptoms. Newsday. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www. newsday. com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-cocaine-heart,0,6680577. story. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2006). National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2006. Office of Applied Studies. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www. oas. samhsa. gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results. cfm#1. 1. Werch, C. E. (2002). Alcohol Use and Abuse. In Breslow, L (Ed. ), Encyclopedia of Public Health vol. 1, New York: Macmillan Reference USA.

Computing and Law Essay -- Technology, Privacy, Social Networking Site

In this essay I am going to discuss and critically analyse whether or not existing data protection laws protect the privacy of individuals whose personal information has been disclosed on social networking sites. Over the period of time social networking sites (SNS) have increased their popularity among people. There are various reasons of people using these sites. However, majority of SNS users are those people who use these sites for social networking e.g. chatting with friends, sharing their interests etc. These SNS users do not only have data relating to them but also the data of third parties. Many of these users do not take care of other people’s personal information, for example, they share their family and friends information with other strange people. It is not that only SNS users do not take essential care of others personal information, SNS themselves seems uninterested to protect personal information of its users. What is personal information? According to (article 2 (a)) of the data protection Directive, the information that qualifies as personal information is â€Å"Information only qualifies as personal data if it directly or indirectly relates to an identified or identifiable natural person. In order to determine whether a person is identifiable, account should be taken of all the means likely to be reasonably used either by the controller or by any other person to identify the said person (recital 26). As a result, most information that is made available on a social network (messages, photos, personal preferences, lists of friends) qualifies as personal data†. (Eecke, P V., and Truyens, M, 2010) Relation between the data protection Directive 95/46/EC and social networking sites is complex. Data protection di... ...nds and family’s information for personal and household purposes but, indirectly, process this information to allow third parties (SNS and application providers) to process this information for commercial purposes. When a user uses an application, application providers takes their consent to access their and their friends’ detail. Users of SNS are with wider communities from all over the world. One might be in United States (US) but have friends and family in United Kingdom (UK) whom information he/she is sharing, that person will also be exempted from data protection directive. In all these case Data protection laws do not adequately protects the privacy of individuals whose personal information is disclosed on social networking sites. A wider view is needed to protect the privacy of individuals. This should include global regularity for privacy protection.

Initial Public Offering (Ipo) Process

II. Initial Public Offering (IPO) process 1. Procedure The company which is going to issue shares to the publics holds an organizational meeting to reach an agreement in final decision of purpose, size of offering, number and type of shares authorized, also the agreements with company and principal shareholders. Generally, IPO involves one or more investment banks as â€Å"underwriters†. The role of underwriters is very important. They are intermediaries between an issuer of a security and the investing public. There are many forms of underwriting. However, in Vietnam, firm commitment contract and bought deal are popularly used. In these contracts, the underwriters guarantee for all the shares of the organization. The underwriters will buy all the number of shares or the remaining shares after the issuing period. 2. Auction In order to do the auction, the firm must determine the value of new securities, which is based on performance and potentiality assessment from sponsoring organizations, audit firms and consulting organizations to give the most suitable initial price. There are many methods to determine the initial price such as asset accumulation, market value†¦ however DCF( discounted cash flow) and P/E (price earning) are usually used in Vietnam. Both two methods have advantages and disadvantages, so the issuers usually take the average result of two methods to get the highest benefit. After defining the stock price, the company publicizes business’s operation information before the auction session at least 20 days. Investors’ voting by person attendance forms can be received directly by the firm (if the auction held at the enterprise) or intermediary financial institutions (in case of auction in intermediary financial institutions) or the Securities Trading Center / municipal securities transactions and specified agents, voting by mail conforms the auction organizer regulations. The third step is carrying out the auction and determining the results. The organization proceeds auction bills and enter these information into auction software. Then the purchase price is determined basing on the highest to lowest price until reaching the number of shares offered for sale. The number of shares investors can buy in case of equal rate but remaining fewer shares than required is calculated as the following formula: The number of shares nvestors can buy = remaining shares * (number of shares each investor subscribed/ total number of shares registered) After that, reports need to be prepared and send to related parties. The last action is announcing and charging share price. Lastly, the remained shares from the auction are sold to the investors with the agreement of price no less than average auction price (if remained shares are less than 30% of total shares offered) or o be auctioned he second time with a condition that the starting price is not less than the lowest a uction price (if remained shares are more than 30% of total shares offered).

Understand Child and Young Peoples Development

3. 1/3. 1 Explain how to monitor children and young people’s development using different methods: Monitoring children and young people’s development using different methods such as an observation, where I would watch the child closely in different contexts depending on which area I was observing e. g. social development I would observe outside in the play area or in group activity. I would write up notes of what the child is doing, how they are interacting with others, their capability within the pre-school and then from this I would be able to tell their ability within the age range and if help was needed I would then put in a referral or organise a development plan. Communicating with the parent/career is also a great way of learning about the child as they may do things at home which they may not be confident in doing in the pre-school. All records and feedback found/used would be shared with the parent/career about the findings if any. Always remembering, to take into account their culture/EAL, and any issues with these. 3. 1/3. 2 Explain the reasons why children and young people’s development may not follow the expected pattern: There are many reasons that a child/person may not follow their expected development pattern – Emotional/social: They may not have the confidence, may prefer their own company which means their personal space is very important to them. Who and where they are socialising. Physical/mental abuse: If a child witnesses or experiences this, it could affect their how they value/control their own emotional feelings. Culture: There are many things they can and can’t do due to culture beliefs, poverty, not enough money, poor health, lack of resources or facilities or just lack of UTW. Disability: If they are unable to use certain parts of their body. Not having the facilities/resources available to them. Environment: If they do not associate or live around in a multi culture area they might not understand their environmental needs. 3. 1/3. 3 Explain how disability may affect development: If a child has a physical development they may not develop in their gross motor skills as quick as others. They may have a lack in motivation in participating which will impact on their development as they will not pay attention. If they do not have the correct resources/equipment then they will not develop as they will not have the help which may be required. They may be subject to discrimination or prejudice for this they may be treated different from the other children. They may not have the ability to learn, communicate or understand. There are many different types of learning disabilities from small to large problems that may affect their whole life.

Cardiothoracic ratio and the maximum transverse diameter of the heart The WritePass Journal

Cardiothoracic ratio and the maximum transverse diameter of the heart CHAPTER ONE Cardiothoracic ratio and the maximum transverse diameter of the heart CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTIONAnatomy of the HeartGross Anatomy of the heart1.2 THE CHAMBERS OF THE HEART1.2.1 The Right Atrium 1.2.2 THE RIGHT VENTRICLE 1.2.3 THE LEFT ATRIUM 1.2.4 THE LEFT VENTRICLE1.3 EXTERNAL APPEARANCE OF THE HEART 1.3.1 ANTERIOR ASPECT1.3.2 LEFT SIDED ASPECT 1.3.3 POSTERIOR ASPECT 1.3.4 Right Side Aspect1.4 THE HEART WALL1.4.2 THE MYOCARDIUM1.4.3 THE ENDOCARDIUM1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDYCHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW CHAPTER THREE 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS3.1 SUBJECTS3.2 SAMPLE SELECTION 3.3 MEASUREMENTCHAPTER FIVE5.0 DISCUSSION5.2 CONCLUSION5.3 RECOMMENDATIONREFERENCESRelated CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION Cardiothoracic ratio is the maximum transverse diameter of the heart divided by the greatest internal diameter of the thoracic cage (from inside of rib to inside to rib).   (Herring, 2003). In normal people, the cardiothoracic ratio is usually less than 50% but, in black people up to 55% may still be normal (Sutton 1988). Therefore the cardiothoracic ratio is a handy way of separating most normal heart from most abnormal heart. (Herring, 2003). A heart can be greater than 50% of the cardiothoracic ratio and still be a normal heart (Herring, 2003). This can occur   if there is an ultra cardiac cause of cardiac enlargement which include; 1. Pectus excavatum deformity 2. Straight back syndrome 3. Inability to take deep breath because of obesity, pregnancy etc. (Herring 2003). The ratio may also increase in elderly. This may be to an in folding of ribs, reducing the thoracic component of the ratio (Sutton 1985). The transverse diameter of the heart can be measured directly on a radiograph at 1.83m (6ft) upper limit of 16cm for men and 15cm for women are usual (Sutton 1985). The advantage of a single measurement of that it can be held to be compared in serial films. At difference of 2cm is held to be a significant change. This applies only when the heart is originally normal (Sutton 1985). Normally, the third of the cardiac shadow lies to the left of the midline and one-third to the right (Berry 2003). In normal individual, the transverse diameter of the heart on PA film is usually in the range of 11.5cm to 15.5cm. it lies less than 11.5cm in about 5% of people and only rarely exceeds 15cm (Benny 2003). The maximum transverse diameters of the cardiac shadow at the chest radiograph film consist mainly of the diameters of the left ventricle and right atrium as shown by radiograph (Hada, 1995). The ratio is influenced by many factors, not only left ventricular dilatation or hypertrophy but also dilatation of the other cardiac chambers and aorta, rotation and shift of the heart, respiratory phase, body posture and measurement errors (Hada, 1995). Anatomy of the Heart Development of the Heart The development of the heart begins in the middle of the third week from the cardiac progenitor cells in the epiblast, immediately lateral to the primitive streak. Cells destined to form cranial segment of the heart, the outflow tract migrate first and cells forming more caudal portion, right ventricle, left ventricle and sinus venosus respectively migrate in sequential order. Series of developmental processes later leads to formation of a horse-shoe shaped endothelial lined tube surrounded by myoblasts in the cardiogenic field. In addition to cardiogenic region, other clusters of angiogenic cells appear bilaterally, parallel and close to the midline of the embryonic shield. These  Ã‚   clusters acquire a lumen and form a pair of longitudinal vessel called dorsal aorta. These vessels later gained connections via the aortic arches with the horseshoe shaped region that form the heart tube. As the embryo folds cephalocaudally, it also folds laterally and as a result, the caudal regions of the paired cardiac primordial merge their caudal most ends. Simultaneously, the crescent part of the horse- shoe shaped area expands to form the future outflow tract and ventricular regions. Thus, the heart becomes a continuous expanded tube consisting of an inner endothelial lining an outer myocardial layer. The heart at this stage consist of three layers (a) Endocardium – forming the inner endothelial lining of the heart. (b) Myocardium- forming the muscular wall (c) Epicardium or Visceral pericardium- covering the outside of the tube. Various parts of the heart later develop from the fused heart tube. (Sadler T. W 2000). Gross Anatomy of the heart The normal heart lies within the pericardial sac in the middle of the thorax slightly to the left of the middle (Sokolow 1979). The low pressure right atrium and right ventricle occupy the anterior portion of the heart and the higher pressure left ventricle and atrium his posteriorly (Sokolow 1977). The long axis of the heart from the apex of the left ventricle to the root of the aorta runs upwards and backward at an angle of about 300 from the horizontal plane and 450 from the sagital plane of the body (Sokolow 1977). The resisting and position of the heart vary with the build of the patient and with respiration. It assumes a more vertical position during inspiration in tall thin persons and more horizontal position during respiration in persons with heavier body build. (Sokolow1977). 1.2 THE CHAMBERS OF THE HEART The heart consists of four (4) chambers; that is the right and left atria and the right and left ventricle. 1.2.1 The Right Atrium The right atrium consists of two (2) embryological portions. (Malcolm 1977). The most posterior thin walled portion into which the vena cava and coronary sinus empty in from form the sinus venosus and is compose of similar tissues to that of the great vein. (Malcolm 1977). The more anterior muscular portion includes the right arterial appendage and the tricuspid valve ring (Malcolm 1977) The fossa ovalies lies in the site of the foramen ovale (Malcolm 1977). This inter-atrial communication within which is present during fetal life permits the flow of oxygenated blood from the inferior vena cava into the heart (Malcolm 1977). The patent foramen Ovale remain open or potentially open in about 15% of normal subjects (Malcolm 1977) but since it is a flap value which only allows flow right or left, it is normally functionally closed (Malcolm 1977). 1.2.2 THE RIGHT VENTRICLE The right ventricle is triangular in shape and forms a cresentric, shallow structure wrapped over the ventricular septum (Malcolm 1977), it can divided into a lower inflow portion containing the tricuspid valve   and upper outflow tract from which pulmonary trunk arises. (Malcolm 1977). The line of demarcation between the two portions consists of bands of muscles formed by the cristasupra ventricularis (Malcolm 1977). The outflow tract of the right ventricles is derived from the embryologically distinct bulbus cordis in contrast to the inflow portion which arises from ventricular tissues (Malcolm 1977). 1.2.3 THE LEFT ATRIUM The left atrium like the right is composed of a vein like portion which the pulmonary vein drains and make muscular anterior portion which includes the left atrial appendage (Malcolm 1977). Its wall is slightly thicker than that of the right atrium and the inner area corresponding to the fossa ovale can be seen on its right upper surface (Malcolm 1977). 1.2.4 THE LEFT VENTRICLE The left ventricular cavity is shaped like an egg. The base or the egg is formed by the mitral valve ring. The wall of the left ventricle accounts for about 75% of the mass of the heart. The aorta and mitral ring lies close to one another with the layer anterior mole cusp of mitral valve adjacent to the left and posterior cusp of the aortic valve (Malcolm 1977). The posterior immobile cusp of the mitral valve is shorter and together with the anterior cusp is lethered to the anterior and posterior papillary muscles in a parachute like shared by the two (2) cusps (Malcolm 1977). The interventricular septum which forms the outright anterior aspect of the left ventricle bulges into the right ventricle making the cross section of the mid portion of the left ventricle circular shape (Malcolm 1977). 1.3 EXTERNAL APPEARANCE OF THE HEART 1.3.1 ANTERIOR ASPECT As viewing anteriorly, the longest area of the surface of the heart is formed by the triangular shaped right ventricle with the pulmonary trunk arising from the apex of the triangle   above and to the right of the right ventricle, one can see right atrium appendages as an ear shape structure overlying the root of the aorta (Sokolow 1997). The grove between the right atrium and ventricle (Coronary sulcus) is often filled with fat and is occupied by the right coronary artery. Above the right atrium, the superior vena cava is seen entering the right atrium from the back . The anterior aspect of the heart reveals only a small part of the left ventricle lying to the left of the right ventricle and forming the apex of the heart (Sokolow 1977). The anterior interventricular sulcus often contains fat and is occupied by the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery (Sokolow 1977). The only portion of the left atrium visible from the front is the left atrial appendages, which lies side of the origin of the pulmonary trunk. The lungs normally covers most of the anterior surface of the heart especially during inspiration having only a small area opposed to the back of the sternum and left ribs (Sokolow 1977). 1.3.2 LEFT SIDED ASPECT When viewed from the left side, the ventricle and the left atrium occupy most of the surface of the heart (Sokolow 1977). The posterior interventricular groove separates the left ventricle above from the right ventricle below. The posterior descending branch of the right coronary artery lies in the groove. The anterior ventricular groove runs almost vertically in the view separating the left ventricle from the left atrium (Sokolow 1977). The coronary sinus and circumflex branch of the left coronary artery lies in the groove and complete the ring of blood vessels forming the bases of the corona (crown) after which the blood vessels supplying the heart are named (Sokolow 1977). 1.3.3 POSTERIOR ASPECT The back of the heart mainly on the diaphragm is largely occupied by the left atrium and ventricle plus portions of the right atrium and ventricle (Sokolow 1977). The point at which all four (4) chambers meet posteriorly as called the crux at the heart; because of the cross – shape pattern of the blood vessels lying at the function of the posterior interventricular groove and the anterior ventricular groove (Sokolow 1977). The vessels forming the crux are; the coronary sinus and the posterior descending coronary artery. This latter vessel may be a branch of either the right or the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery depending on whether the right or left coronary artery is largely (dominant) (Sokolow 1977). The pulmonary vein enter the back of the left atrium and the pattern may vary but the two right and the left pulmonary veins are normally present (Sokolow 1977). 1.3.4 Right Side Aspect When viewed from the right side, the right atrium and ventricle occupies most of the surface (Maurice 1977). The posterior and the anterior vena cava enter the atrium at the back and the aorta runs upward from the middle of the heart (Maurice 1977). The outflow tract of the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk form the upper border of the heart in this view (Maurice 1977). 1.4 THE HEART WALL The heart wall is composed of the three layers of tissue, namely the; epicardium, myocardium and endocardium (Stephen 1988). The epicardium and the visceral pericardium are two names for the same structure. The sinus pericardium is called epicardium when considered a part of the heart and the visceral pericardium when considered a part of the pericardium (Stephen 1988). 1.4.2 THE MYOCARDIUM This is the thick middle layer of the heart, which composed of cardiac muscle cells and is responsible for the ability of the heart to contract, (Stephen 1988). 1.4.3 THE ENDOCARDIUM This is the smooth inner surface of the heart chamber, which consist of the simple squamous epithelium over a layer or connective tissue (Stephen 1988). The smooth inner surface allows blood to move easily through the heart. The heart valves are formed by a fold as the endocardium, making a double layer of endocardium with connective tissue in between (Stephen 1988). 1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study are To measure the heart diameter, thoracic diameter and cardiothoracic ratio of normal individual in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. To give the comparison between the heart diameter, thoracic diameter and cardiothoracic ratio between males and females. CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW In 1919, Danzer undertook one of the earliest studies of the cardiothoracic ratio. After investigation nearly 500 patients without the aid of hemodynamic parameters, He determined that any measurement over 0.5 or 50% was suspicious and over 0.52or 52% was definitely pathological. A latter report by comeau and white in 1942 found that 15 to 25% of normal patient had a cardiothoracic ratio greater than 0.5 or 50% and advised that using CT ratio prediction labels based upon six, image technique and phase of respiration. A significant relationship was found between the radial measurement and age, which differ within ethnic group groups. The median value of cardiothoracic ratio was 43% in Caucasians, 44% in Asian and 46% in Africans. (Ashcroft Maills’ and Mekol). Mekol concluded that a single upper limit (e.g. 50%) for cardiothoracic ratio is unsatisfactory. It all subject with values of cardiothoracic ratio greater than 50% in the present sample had been recalled for more dedicated cardio logical investigation; this would have affected 2.2% of Caucasians, 4.1% of Asians and 9.3% of Africans limit of 5.3% in Caucasians, 52% in Asian and 53% in Africans would include 2.2%, 2.4% and 2.6% of each subject of these racial groups. (Mekol1982). Murphy M.L. in 1985 took routine posterior and lateral chest radiograph in 268 patients and analyzed to determine heart size. The coronary artery of this determination was compared with a specific ventricular mass derived from a postmortem cardiac partition technique. The data indicated that in the majority of cases (greater than 70%) a normal sized heart or cardiomegaly can be correctly determined from the chest x – ray either by subjective arterial or chamber enlargement or management of the transverse diameter (Murphy M.L. 1985). A recent meta-analysis of 29 studies determined that cardiomegaly on the cardiothoracic ratio was the best reason for predicting a reduced ejection fraction, with a sensitivity and specificity of 51% and 79% respectively (Badgett 1996). Comeau in 1942 said that it is important to recognize compounding factors of cardiomegaly such as an epical fat, a transversely positional heart. An expiratory film or decrease in thoracic width. In 1987, Kabala used a computed Tomography model in eight patients to show how the heart diameter and cardiothoracic ratio might change between anterior-posterior chest radiograph taken on 103 patients without cardiac failure and 106 with cardiac failure. An upper limit of cardio thoracic ratio of 55% and of heart chamber or 165mm in males and 150mm in females was shown to practice useful discrimination between normal and abnormal heart size (Kabala 1987). The cardiothoracic ration thoracic ratio increased with age in both sex but females have longer cardiothoracic ratio than men. Portable films taken in the anterior-posterior and supine position enlarge the appearance of cardiac silhouette (Milne 1988). CHAPTER THREE 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 SUBJECTS A retrospective study was carried out in the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Department of Radiology, and using normal chest radiograph of two hundred and ninety-one (291) patients. 3.2 SAMPLE SELECTION The sample includes the normal chest radiographs taken from 2007-2009. All chest radiographs with abnormal result were excluded from the study. The age, sex from the chest radiographs was obtained. Hypertensive subjects were excluded. 3.3 MEASUREMENT A straight line drawn near the rule meddled of the heart shadow. Another line as in â€Å"a† from the right heart border to order to the first line was drown. A third line was drown from the left heart co-order furthest from the in the middle of the heart shown as the â€Å"b†. The two were then added together, the cardiothoracic rube as the own of the line â€Å"a† and â€Å"b† divided by the largest transverse internal diameter of the thoracic cage as shown on the figure 3.1 below. Figure 3.1 measurement of the cardio thoracic ratio. Cardiac diameter=A=B are the maximum extensions of the heart to the left and right of the midline respectively. CHAPTER FIVE 5.0 DISCUSSION The cardiothoracic ratio of males and females in the various age groups will be determined in future study. The ratio increased with age in both sexes but was more marked in females than males. Oberman in 1967 reported that women have higher cardiothoracic ratio than males. Men had larger cardiac diameter than women. The higher cardiothoracic ratio in women was due to their smaller thoracic diameter. This report supports the present study. Edge in 1984 also reported that the increase in cardiothoracic ratio with age found particularly in women was mainly due to contraction of the thoracic diameter rather than an increase in the cardiac diameter. Decrease in the chest diameter with advancing age indicates that cardiothoracic ratio over estimates the heart size in the elderly. Nikol and Wade in 1982 attributed that Africans have larger cardiothoracic ratio because they have smaller thoracic diameter and larger cardiac diameter. It was also noted that environmental factors such as poor nutrition and infection may cause cardiac enlargement with resultant increase in cardiac diameter and cardiothoracic ratio. 5.2 CONCLUSION The higher cardiothoracic ratio in females may suggest the reason of their susceptibility to infections arising from the heart and this could be correlated to clinical data. 5.3 RECOMMENDATION I recommend that any research on cardiothoracic ratio is best with chest radiographs. Females should always keep good hygiene because of their susceptibility to infections because of their large cardiothoracic ratio. REFERENCES Ashcroft MT, Miall WE (1969) cardiothoracic ratio in two Jamaican Communities. AM. J Epidemoil 89: 161-167. Badgett, R.C. Mulrow, P. Otto and G. Ramirez (1996). How well can the chest radiograph diagnose left ventricular dysfunction. Journal of Internal Medicine 11:625-634(medline) Comeau W J, White PD(1942).A critical analysis of standard methods of estimating heart size from Roentgen measurements. A M. J Roentgenol 47:665-667 Covoan N R (1964) The heart lung coefficient and the transverse diameter of the heart. Br Heart Journal 26:116-120 Danzer, C. S (1919) The Cardio thoracic ratio A M. J medical sciences 15:512-513 David   Sutton   (1993) A text of radiography and imaging, normal chest Fifth edition, Great Britain by William Clowes Limited London. P 530 Edge J R, Milliard F C, Reid L, Simon G (1964) The radiographic appearance of the chest in persons of advanced age. Br Heart Journal 26:769-773 Hada Y (1995) Cardio thoracic ratio 26 (1) :51-54 Kabala J T, White P. (1987) The Measurement of the size in the antero-posterior chest radiograph Br journal of Radiology 60 (718) :981-986 Krish namoorthy D M. (2001)100% cardio thoracic ratio Tex heart inst. J.28 (4):334-335 Kono F Suwa M, Hanada H, Hirota Y, Kawanaura K. (1992) Clinical significance of normal cardiac silhouette in dilated cardiomyopathy , Evaluation based upon echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging . Japanese Journal 56:359-365 Manninen H, Reines J, Partenen K, Tynkkyen P, Mykkannen L, Laakso M, Soimakalio S, Pyorata K. 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Artificial Intelligeny essays

Artificial Intelligeny essays Currently there is a lot of research going on in the field of Artificial Intelligence. The Artificial Intelligence research is not only to create robots, but to really understand what intelligence is, and at the same time understand the way our human brain thinks and works. Inevitably this research will lead to the creation of some very smart robots that will think and act much like humans do. When we say Artificial Intelligence we mean something that is able to make some sort of decisions provided some given data. And artificial intelligence does not necessarily have to be a robot or anything like it. A computer chess program is a perfectly legitimate example of Artificial Intelligence. Today most of the people not in the field of computers or electronics have a totally different idea of what Artificial Intelligence is. When people hear Artificial Intelligence they automatically think of robots such as the ones in movie the Terminator. People have this crazy idea of robots taking over the world which is not entirely true. If Artificial Intelligence really existed the way people think about Artificial Intelligence, then the world would be a totally different place. Assuming that there were intelligent robots or machines that were absolutely no different than humans, what would we do? Considering them as humans; giving them the same rights and privileges as we do to humans would be a hard thing to do. Discriminating and separating them from us would also be hard since they feel the same way, and love the same way. Again assuming that robots will love the same way humans do since theoretically speaking if carbon is capable of creating feelings so will silicon. First of all, why would humans discriminate against robots or Artificial Intelligence in general? There are several reasons why humans would. Robots will be immortal which would make their population grow faster, and over long periods of time they will be more r...