Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Elderly

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Elderly As a response of two main factors, which are ageing population and exposure to risk factors, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is rising worldwide. In fact, the disease is a challenge for public health and health care system because it demands high costs (Lisspers, Johansson, Jansson, Larsson, Stratelis, Hedegaard, Stallberg, 2014). Besides, the American Lung Association (2013) reinforces that the COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Data from 2007 showed that nearly 125,000 deaths nationwide occurred in response this disease, so it represents one COPD death approximately every four minutes. In addition, underlined in these numbers, many clients are not diagnosed or managed correctly, so the process to educate the client and the client knowledge are fundamental to eliminate risk factors and promote better quality of life for whom has been diagnosed with this pulmonary disease (Lisspers, et al., 2014). Throughout the course of th is paper, some information will be described as the following: client’s information, description and clinical manifestation the client’s disease, the client’s prescription, and nursing diagnoses and intervention, which applies to this client. Client’s Information Firstly, fundamental information about the client is necessary to be investigated and understood to proceed the diagnose and manage. Client’s history must provide knowledge to link present manifestations to past situations, and these will conduct to better management and promotion for future interventions. Patient Mrs. S., 82 years old, married, retired, catholic, and level of education restricted (not concluded high school). She was hospitalized as a result of pneumonia after being diagnosed with productive cough, which was with yellow secretion; and her temperature was 38.5oC. In her health history, she related that she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) although Mrs. S. could not specify the time when these diagnoses occurred. Mrs. S. was not alcoholic and smoking. She has related that at home, she uses medication (not specified) to relieve pain when it is necessary. In addition, she has related that she was not allergic and was responding well front the hospitalization. During her physical examination, she presented as following information: patient was LOC and verbalizing with difficulty because of gas exchange. She was using oxygen therapy by the spectacle-type nasal catheter with 2L/min; RR 32 and tachypnea; HR 81 bpm and normocardic; BP 130/70 mmHg and normotensive; temperature 38,5oC and febrile; and saturation SpO2 90%. Skin: dehydrated, normal colored, turgor characteristic of her age, hematoma in member superior left because of the catheter for serotherapy. In the moment, the catheter was salinized. The nervous reflex was preserved, full and firm pulse, rhythmic. Cranium: it was not present alterations and was hygienic. Pupils were isochoric and photo reactive. Thorax: plan, symmetric, thoracic expansion kept, symmetrical breasts characteristic of senescence. Lung: vesicular murmur and stridor presented in bilateral basis; pulmonary auscultation: normal sounds, regular rhythm in regular rhythm of two. Abdomen: it was plan, palpable in ascend ing loop, Blumberg/Cystic/McBurney negatives. Genito- urinary: paravaginal and perianal presented dermatitis. Eliminations: faeces twice by day with pasty aspect. Urine in grand quantity in diaper, dark yellow and characteristic smell, not related pain to urinate. Alimentation: hyposodic diet, oral, preserved appetite. Water ingest around one liter by day. Activity and sleeping: restrict movements and perambulation with family help difficulty to sleep. Security and protection: Braden’s scale with 16 points – low risk. Comfort: related pain – number six in the right shoulder. Client’s Physiopathology Secondly, understanding the Mrs. S’s history and results of the physical examination can provide an overview about the physiopathology because it must define connections among disease route. These connections are linked to the quality of life to know better about pneumonia and COPD. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by different microorganism agents (Hinkle Cheever, 2010). In relation to Mrs. S. the according to the drugs prescribed the hypothesis is that the pneumonia is caused by a type of bacteria, which is inhaled by ambient air, where an upper airway bronchoaspiration occurred with colonization this bacteria, so this type of bacteria did a migration to lower airway and colonization in the bilateral inferior lobule region. For instance, some risk factors can be applied for pneumonia. Two age groups at highest risk are infants/children and older people. These risk factors can be a chronic disease, for example, asthma, COPD, and heart disease; suppressed immune system, which can be developed by drug treatment and/or diseases (HIV/AIDS), and surgery; smoking; and client being placed on a ventilator during hospitalization. Still, some signal and symptoms presented because of pneumonia are fever, sweating, hypothermia (in older adults and people with weakened immune system), cough (can be productive or not), chest pain during cough and/or deep breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting (most common for infants/children), and mental awareness (most common for seniors) (Hinkle Cheever, 2010). Another pathology presented in Mrs. S. was Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is characterized by Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher Camera (2014) as an airflow limitation, which is not reversible. This airflow limitation is progressive and related to an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases. COPD is composed of three different pathologic processes, which can possibly combine to develop the clinical case. They are: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. The pathophysiology involves gradual destruction of alveolar septum and destruction of the lung parenchyma, which increase the incapacity to provide gas exchange among alveolus and blood. The definitions of the three possible pathology are: a) chronic bronchitis: it describes as an excessive production of mucus in the bronchial tree, and it has chronic productive cough or recurrent during unless three months by year, which is two years consecutive; b) emphysema: it is understood how an anatomic alteration, which is characterized with abnormal alteration in the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, and it is accomplished with destructives alterations in the alveolar walls; c) asthma: it is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is characterized with lower airway hyper responsiveness and variable limitation in the air flux. It can be spontaneously reversible or with treatment. Asthma has clinical manifestation by recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing (Hinkle Cheever, 2010). Furthermore, according to Hinkle Cheever (2010) some risk factors are related to COPD can be: first, cigarette smoking, which is considered the major risk factor. Second, occupational chemicals and dusts, which involve two main factors air pollution and infection – air pollution is a problem for urban people although a comparison among cigarette smokers and air pollution, the first has a high level of influence. Thrid, heredity, which is a deficit in the ÃŽ ±1 –Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency autosomal recessive disorder), but it is only 1% 2% in the United States. Last one, aging: where some degree of emphysema is common in older adults, even non-smokers. Also, some signals and symptoms must be present in the client, who has COPD. These signals and symptoms can be shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough, which produces excess mucus, respiratory infection, lack of energy, cyanosis, and weight loss, which must be in the chronic stage. These symptoms and signals must varies person to person, and they can be present on worse stage in some parts of the day. After all, a connection is applied between COPD and pneumonia. Both diseases have a rouge link. First, COPD provides to people, who have this pulmonary disease, a facility to contract pneumonia and difficult to diagnose pneumonia because of similar signals and symptoms. Also, COPD does a difficulty treat pneumonia because the patient has a restriction in his/her immune system, so the antibodies cannot provide the adequate defense. Another situation is inflammation and irritation present in the lungs of COPD, so pneumonia increases these both factors and restricts more the breathing and oxygen exchange. In relation to the diagnoses, if pneumonia is diagnosed early, the recovery can be more satisfactory although COPD restricts it. In fact, management with antibiotics to promote better recovery and care needs to be applied, and prevention must be considered by the client and health professional, so vaccine must be used a method of prevention (Lewis et al, 2014). Client’s Prescription Thirdly, the physician provided prescriptions to the client. Mrs. S’s. physician provided a medical prescription based on her diagnosed (COPD and pneumonia) to provide adequate management and recovery. The physician requested lung X-ray, which showed the presence of opacity in the lower thirds as a result of pneumonia. The medications were: 1- Dipyrone 2ml + 10 ml of distilled water (IV), every 6 hours if pain or fever; 2- Omeprazole 20mg (oral) on an empty stomach, in the morning; 3- Rocephin 1g + 100ml (IV) of saline 0.9%, every 12 hours; 4- Levofloxacin 500mg (IV), every 24 hours; 5- Bamifylline 300 mg (oral), 8 a.m. and p.m; 6- Nebulization therapy with saline 0.9% 5ml + Atrovent 35 drops + Berotec 5 drops (inhalation), every 6 hours; and 8- Oxygen therapy by spectacle-type nasal catheter with 2L/min if saturation ≠¤ 90%. Consequently, some interventions can be understood by this prescription. The medication aspects understand that Mrs. S. was doing management of the presented and the subsequent disease. Medication for pain helps to relieve the discomfort caused by the difficult to breathe and the intercostal muscles, and bronchodilator drugs help to facilitate the air passage, so the air volume in the upper and low airway and gas exchange in the alveolus will increase, and it helps in the chronic disease keeping a bronchodilation the airway (promotion of the health conditions). Antibiotic medication works to eliminate the pathologic agent, which provided pneumonia. The drug referent to proton pump inhibitors is utilized to prevent stomach injuries because of antibiotic therapy (Deglin Vallerand, 2013). Nebulization helps to humidify airway. Oxygen therapy provides a supplement of oxygen to increase the available quantity in the alveolus (Potter Perry, 2009). Likewise, chest x-ray was asked to clarify and provide adequate diagnostic for Mrs. S., and it confirmed what part and the expansion of the lungs had pneumonia (presence of opacity in the lower thirds). Another factor to ask for this exam is because of the COPD, so it helps the physician to evaluate shortness of breath, support the diagnosis, and analyzes for advanced emphysema (Kee, 2010). Furthermore, pharmacology should have attention to Mrs. S. because she had a variety of medications during hospitalization, so nurses must know medication information such as main effect and nursing care for this client. The according with Deglin Vallerand (2013) Mrs. S’ medications are described as follows: Dipyrone 2ml + 10 ml of distilled water (IV), every 6 hours if pain or fever. Main effect: it is an analgesic and antipyretic. Nursing care: Teaching the client about the side effects related to use this medication. Side effects that are more common are allergy and/or breathing discomfort; if it is present, the nurse immediately communicates the physician. This medication must be administrated if the patient refers pain or fever, so the nurse is responsible to verify vital signs and pain scale. Omeprazole 20mg (oral), an empty stomach, in the morning. Main effect: it provides protection for the gastric wall because of the high quantity of medicaments administrated. Nursing care: The nurse asks the patient about allergy. Nurse administrates one hour before breakfast (according to the physician’s prescription). Rocephin 1g + 100ml (IV) of saline 0.9%, every 12 hours. Main effect: it is an antimicrobial to act in gram negatives. Nursing care: Medicament reconstruction must be in saline 0.9%. The administration needs to be slow (minimum 30 minutes). Levofloxacin 500mg (IV), every 24 hours. Main effect: it is an antimicrobial. It is used for the treatment of pneumonia. Nursing care: The nurse must administrate the medication slowly. The nurse should orient the client about side effects such as nauseas and vomiting. The nurse must not administrate other antimicrobial drug in the same time. Bamifylline 300 mg (oral), 8 a.m. and p.m. Main effect: it is a bronchodilator. Nursing care: The nurse should monitor for drug hypersensitivity. The nurse should assess for low bone density and periodically during therapy. Nebulization therapy with saline 0.9% 5ml + Atrovent 35 drops + Berotec 5 drops (inhalation). Main effect: Atrovent acts as a bronchodilator (parasympathetic nervous system), and Berotec acts as a bronchodilator (sympathetic nervous system). Nursing care: Nebulization needs to be done according to the physician’s prescription. The nurse should monitor for side effect such as tachycardia. Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions Finally, Wilkinson Ahern (2009) emphasize that nurses provide their actions using the Nursing Care Systematization, which consists in to analyze the affected client’s conditions and to implement actions to restore his/her normal conditions of daily life. Indeed, Mrs. S’ nursing diagnoses and interventions could be applied, so these actions are described as a follower: Ineffective Breathing Pattern: inspiration and expiration that do not provide adequate ventilation, which is characterized by increased restlessness, oxygen saturation decreased, and using accessory muscles for breathing. Thus, the goal is to provide adequate ventilation pattern. Interventions: Keeping superior airway clear, so it can be done using a suction catheter where necessary. The position of the patient where he/she feels a relieve in dyspnea. The client has a frequent stimulating change of position in bed, keeping elevation in the headboard, and stimulating deep breathing and cough. If necessary, the client can use oxygen therapy, which is conform physician’s prescription. It can be offered by spectacle-type nasal catheter. This catheter must be changed every 24 hours if the presence of secretion. The nurse should monitor humidification the oxygen for oxygen therapy. 2- Ineffective Airway Clearance: client’s inability to clear secretions or obstructions from the respiratory tract to keep a clear airway when it is presented, which is characterized by adventitious breath sounds, changes in the respiratory rate and rhythm, cyanosis, dyspnea, and absent cough. As a result, the goal is to keep or perform a clear airway. a) Interventions: i. Teaching the client how to provide adequate coughing. It can use specific techniques to perform such as tapotement. ii. Encouraging ambulation, so it helps the client to eliminate lung’s secretion and facilitate breathing. iii. Encouraging the client does a deeply breathing, coughing, and teaching him/her the importance to do this. iv. Checking for client’s hydration, it must be adequate because dehydration difficult to breath and eliminate airway secretion. 3- Risk for Infection: it is related to increased environmental and pathogens exposition, invasive procedures, and a deficit in knowledge to avoid pathogen’s exposition. Therefore, the goal is to prevent hospital infection or sepsis. a) Interventions: i. The nurse should monitor and check for local and systemic signs and symptoms of infection. ii. Providing adequate hydric and nutritional ingest. The nurse can stimulate the client to keep adequate alimentary ingest, orient the client and his/her family about the necessity of adequately ingest of fibers, vitamins, proteins, and water. iii. The nurse must teach the client and his/her family about signs and symptoms of infection, so they can go to a health professional, who will evaluate it. The discharge plan and education about health habits must be presented and constructed during the hospitalization with the client and his/her family, so it will provide adequate management and quality of the life for the client (Ackley Ladwig, 2014). In brief, in the following paper was described Mrs. S’s historical and physical examination, her physiopathology, her exams and medicaments, and nursing diagnoses and interventions about COPD and pneumonia once both diseases were presented by Mrs. S. Besides these processes, nurses provide their diagnoses and interventions in the heath plan to care and provide promotion and prevention for the client, who was diagnosed with pulmonary disease. Nurses must continue to implement their nursing diagnoses and interventions with doing research because it is fundamental for the health care system to improve quality of recovery and life for clients and their family.

Electoral College System Essays -- Political Science

Analyze criticism of the "Electoral College" system and the alleged advantages and disadvantages of various reform proposals. The Electoral College is a system in which the individual voter does not actually vote directly for the president. When a person votes they are voting for an elector that has pledged their vote or allegiance to the running party. The Framers realized that without widespread communications available at the time and with other varying factors an "each vote counts" or "the popular vote" system would not be practical. Because of this they formed the Electoral College system, Under Article II of the US Constitution, although this system was never called this in the Article. This system has survived for over 200 years, with only two changes to it. These would be Amendment 12, and 23 of US Constitution. Many people have throughout the years said that the Electoral College is antiquated and needs to be changed, where as many others defended the Electoral College system. Some people believe the Electoral College system have many flaws, these can include electing a minority president, faithless Electors, the Electoral College causing a decline in voter turnout, the inequality of votes from large to small states, and the disadvantages for third parties. One large issue is that a president could be elected without the countries popular vote. One way this can happen is if three or more parties run splitting the Electoral votes so no one party can receive the majority of the votes. This has happened in 1824 and almost happened in 1948, and in 1968. If this does happen Amendment 12 states that the U.S. House of Representatives would then select the president from the top three. Another big issue is Electors t... ...at would like the votes to be split between parties. One of the last proposed changes is the "drop two" Electoral votes. In this proposal each states Electoral votes would be equal to their state Representatives. This system would function the same but just remove two Electoral votes from each state. This would still allow small states to over represent but would lessen the effects. Even though the Electoral College system has many flaws, it has worked for well over 200 years. Many people feel that the system is old and needs to be updated but the system was well thought out by the Framers. Ref: http://www.fec.gov/pdf/eleccoll.pdf http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Electoral_College http://jceb.co.jackson.mo.us/fun_stuff/electoral_college.htm http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/case/3pt/electoral.html#pro

Sunbeam Case

The Chicago Flexible Shaft Company In 191 0, diversified into small electrical appliances and, with the launch of the Princess case 19 Case 20 case 21 Case 22 Case 23 case 24 Think design and performance-?think Sunbeam Cafe Series Banger Dance Theatre-?The Sydney Swans: a ‘Cousins' relationship What happened to Pokemoon? The evolution of cafe groupies Dick Smith-?the great adventurer Apple's renaissance-? the agreement that works electric iron, it laid the foundation for the small electrical appliance industry. The diversification strategy was aimed at offsetting the seasonal nature of the sheep-shearing industry.In 1 914, the company purchased the Australian operation, and the company Cooper Engineering Co. (CE) was born. Seven years later, in 1921, the introduction of the Sunbeam brand reflected SEC's core business shift to electrical appliances. After World War II, CE changed its company name to Sunbeam Corporation and it introduced the slogan ‘Best Electric Appliance Made'. The first Australian appliance, the Sunbeam misstates, was launched. Despite the fact that it cost more than an average Australians monthly wage, it was an immediate success.Within its first 10 years on the market, the Sunbeam misstates generated sales in excess of 725 000 units. In 1 950, Sunbeam exported its appliances to New Zealand. With international exposure, the growing company needed further manufacturing capacity and it acquired a second manufacturing site in the Sydney suburb of Campsite- In 1952, with the benefit of its sustained success, the company listed on the stock exchange and became Sunbeam Corporation Limited. Expansion continued with the New Zealand operation becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sunbeam Corporation Limited in 1960.Today, Sunbeam is owned by the United States company, GUT Holdings Limited, a manufacturer of pumps, filters and security products. GOD's acquired Sunbeam in 1996. After catering for predominately female needs, it was the male p opulation's turn to benefit from Sunbeam's innovations. The electric shaver-?asseverates-?was introduced to the market. Despite heavy international competition, Asseverates became a market leader shortly after its launch. The appliance revolution continued to penetrate he Australian market. Consumers were introduced to the pop-up toaster, the electric affray, and the dry iron.Over the years, models were replaced and the Toastmasters was introduced in 1960. In 1972 Sunbeam sold more than 1 million products. By 1973, Sunbeam had sold 3. 5 million affrays, one for every three Australians. Aiming to be the first in the market with product innovations, Sunbeam introduced a range of new appliances-?including an iron that featured a patented safety cut-out mechanism; the first plastic jug-style title and a fast-boil kettle, the Express kettle; the Oscar food processor; Quantum, a cordless automatic kettle; and the Toast ‘N' Crumpet toaster.Many of the new products became top sellers, and their excellence in design and function was recognized with several Australian design awards. Sunbeam realized that to maintain its competitive edge, its consumers needed more than just an innovative tangible product. The first 12-months replacement guarantee was implemented by Sunbeam across its entire product range, demonstrating Sunbeam's ointment to quality and performance.

The Role of Group Work in Enhancing Speaking Skill

The Role of Group Work In Enhancing Speaking Skill In Primary Level The Role of Group Work in Enhancing Speaking Skill in Primary Level Effective language skills are essential for children to access the curriculum. In the classroom, spoken language is the primary medium through which teachers teach and children learn. In developing their speaking skills, children need to learn to adapt their talk to the listeners; use a range of ways to express themselves; use talk to clarify their ideas and sustain their talk to develop thinking and reasoning.It is expected that when children start primary school, they will be able to understand much of what is said, express themselves clearly, share their feelings and make their needs known. This level of proficiency in speech, language and communication is critical to the development of a child’s cognitive, social and emotional well-being. Speaking should include putting thoughts into words and sharing in groups; taking opportunities to spe ak at some length to explain ideas in different situations; giving a talk or presentation using gestures, aids and rhetorical devices.This paper will explore the different types of group work and its mechanism of enhancing the speaking skill in the primary level. This will be done through reviewing different research made in this field. The purpose of this paper is to look closely at the importance of group work in the early stages to enhance the speaking skill of students. Group Group work is a very important part of our culture and life; and businesses now look at team work skills when evaluating any employee. Therefore, it is important for both, students and teachers, to learn to function in a group work environment.Research indicates that students learn the tasks better through involving oral interaction, in group, which is based on a real attempt to find a collective solution to problems. We chose to explore this area to find out if group work serves as a meaningful activity fo r students to focus on meaningful negotiation and information exchange. We are very much concerned with getting students to talk and to stimulate their interest and imagination. Since group work can improve learning and is a much needed skill in enhancing speaking skill, it should be exercised regularly in the classroom.Annotated Bibliography: The Role of Group Work in Enhancing Speaking Skill in Primary Level Baines, E. , Kutnick, P. , Blatchford, P. (2009). Promoting effective group work in the primary classroom: a handbook for teachers and practitioners. USA and Canada: Routledge. This handbook explores how pupil group work can be made more effective in support of children’s learning. It is based on a research study, known as the Social Pedagogic Research into Group work (SPRinG), which developed and evaluated a new approach to group work in primary schools. Boussiada, S. (2010).Enhancing students’ oral proficiency through cooperative group work: the case of 3rd yea r LMD students of English at Constantine University. Master’s Thesis, University of Constantine, Algeria. In her study, Boussiada explores the effects of cooperative group work on improving learners’ oral proficiency and communicative skills. She is mainly concerned with making use of pair or small group to maximize learners? oral production. She also attempts to shed some light on the importance of establishing a relaxed and friendly environment as an attempt to get learners to use the language.Lee, W. (2008). Speech, language and communication needs and primary school-aged children. I Can Talk Series, Issue 6, 13-18. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from http:// www. ican. org. uk/~/media/Ican2/Whats%20the%20Issue/Evidence/6%20Speech%20%20Language%20and%20Communication%20Needs%20and%20Primary%20School%20aged%20Children. ashx This report outlines the nature and extent of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) in primary schools, what this means for children and thei r families and what can be done to ensure primary school is a positive, enriching experience for children with SLCN.Richards, J. (2008). Teaching listening and speaking: from theory to practice. NY: Cambridge University Press. Richards explores approaches to the teaching of listening and speaking which have undergone considerable changes in recent years, and their implications for classroom teaching and materials design. His goal is to examine what applied linguistics research and theory says about the nature of listening and speaking skills, and then to explore what the implications are for classroom teaching Jones, L. (2007). The student-centered classroom. NY: Cambridge University Press.

Pharaphrasing the Purple Hibiscus Essay

Kambili and Jaja both come of age in Purple Hibiscus as a result of their experiences. The book opens with Jaja rebelling against his devout Catholic father by skipping communion on Palm Sunday, an important religious holiday. The following chapters detail the events that culminate in Jaja’s defiance. The book is narrated by Kambili three years after this incident. Since she has been stunted by the severe punishments of her father, Kambili barely speaks. Her narration is striking because it can be concluded that she finds her own voice throughout this ordeal. Both Kambili and Jaja take steps towards adulthood by overcoming adversity and being exposed to new thoughts. Part of growing up is building your own identity by choosing which paths to follow. In Enugu, the only path Kambili and Jaja are allowed to follow is Papa. He writes out schedules and severely punishes them when they stray. When Kambili and Jaja visit their Aunty Ifeoma in Nsukka, they are astonished by what they find. Though her home is small and devoid of luxuries, there is love and respect. Her children Amaka and Obiora are allowed to question authority and choose their own paths. Obiora, though he is three years younger than Jaja, is articulate and protective. He has been initiated into Igbo culture by performing a rite of manhood. Jaja was not allowed to participate and is ashamed that he is lagging behind his cousin. In Nsukka, Jaja is encouraged to rethink his allegiances and make his own decisions. Aunty Ifeoma encourages Kambili to reconsider her stance on Papa-Nnukwu. As she has been taught by Papa, her grandfather is a heathen. But when she searches his face, she sees no signs of godliness. After witnessing his innocence ritual, Kambili questions the absolute rule of her father. Both Kambili and Jaja take major steps towards adulthood by claiming their individuality. Religion There is a contrast between Father Benedict and Father Amadi. Priest at Papa’s beloved St. Agnes, Father Benedict is a white man from England who conducts his masses according to European custom. Papa adheres to Father Benedict’s style, banishing every trace of his own Nigerian heritage. Papa uses his faith to justify abusing his children. Religion alone is not to blame. Papa represents the wave of fundamentalism in Nigeria that corrupts faith. Father Amadi, on the other hand, is an African priest who blends Catholicism with Igbo traditions. He believes that faith is both simpler and more complex than what Father Benedict preaches. Father Amadi is a modern African man who is culturally-conscious but influenced by the colonial history of his country. He is not a moral absolutist like Papa and his God. Religion, when wielded by someone gentle, can be a positive force, as it is in Kambili’s life. Papa-Nnukwu is a traditionalist. He follows the rituals of his ancestors and believes in a pantheistic model of religion. Though both his son and daughter converted to Catholicism, Papa-Nnukwu held on to his roots. When Kambili witnesses his morning ritual, she realizes that their faiths are not as different as they appear. Kambili’s faith extends beyond the boundaries of one religion. She revels in the beauty of nature, her family, her prayer, and the Bible. When she witnesses the miracle at Aokpe, Kambili’s devotion is confirmed. Aunty Ifeoma agrees that God was present even though she did not see the apparition. God is all around Kambili and her family, and can take the form of a smile. The individualistic nature of faith is explored in Purple Hibiscus. Kambili tempers her devotion with a reverence for her ancestors. Jaja and Amaka end up rejecting their faith because it is inexorably linked to Papa and colonialism, respectively. Colonialism Colonialism is a complex topic in Nigeria. For Papa-Nnukwu, colonialism is an evil force that enslaved the Igbo people and eradicated his traditions. For Papa, colonialism is responsible for his access to higher education and grace. For Father Amadi, it has resulted in his faith but he sees no reason that the old and new ways can’t coexist. Father Amadi represents modern Nigeria in the global world. Papa is a product of a colonialist education. He was schooled by missionaries and studied in English. The wisdom he takes back to Nigeria is largely informed by those who have colonized his country. He abandons the traditions of his ancestors and chooses to speak primarily in British-accented English in public. His large estate is filled with western luxuries like satellite TV and music. Amaka assumes that Kambili follows American pop stars while she listens to musicians who embrace their African heritage. But the trappings of Papa’s success are hollow. The children are not allowed to watch television. His home, modernized up to Western standards, is for appearances only. There is emptiness in his home just as his accent is falsified in front of whites. Over the course of the novel, both Kambili and Jaja must come to terms with the lingering after-effects of colonialism in their own lives. They both adjust to life outside their father’s grasp by embracing or accepting traditional ways. Nigerian Politics Both Kambili and the nation are on the cusp of dramatic changes. The political climate of Nigeria and the internal drama of the Achike family are intertwined. After Nigeria declared independence from Britain in 1960, a cycle of violent coups and military dictatorship led to civil war, which led to a new cycle of bloody unrest. Even democracy is hindered by the wide-spread corruption in the government. In Purple Hibiscus, there is a coup that culminates in military rule. Papa and his paper, the Standard, are critical of the corruption that is ushered in by a leader who is not elected by the people. Ironically, Papa is a self-righteous dictator in his own home. He is wrathful towards his children when they stray from his chosen path for them. In the wake of Ade Coker’s death, Papa beats Kambili so severely she is hospitalized in critical condition. Both in Nigeria and in the home, violence begets violence. Kambili and Jaja are kept away from the unrest at first. They witness protests, deadly roadblocks, and harassment from the safety of their car. But when they arrive in Nsukka, they are thrust into political debate. Obiora says the university is a microcosm for Nigeria – ruled by one man with all the power. Pay has been withheld from the professors and light and power are shut off frequently. Medical workers and technicians go on strike and food prices rise. There are rumors that the sole administrator is misdirecting funds intended for the university. This is a parallel to what is happening in the country at large. Kambili and Jaja now understand firsthand the struggle of their cousins. The personal becomes political, and vice versa. Silence Several characters are gripped with silence throughout the novel. Kambili suffers the most, unable to speak more than rehearsed platitudes without stuttering or coughing. Her silence is a product of the abuse that she endures at the hands of her father. Kambili does not allow herself to tell the truth about her situation at home. When her classmates taunt her for being a backyard snob, she does not explain that she does not socialize out of fear. She is not allowed to dally after school lest she be late and beaten. She finally learns how to speak her mind when she is taunted continuously be her cousin Amaka. Aunty Ifeoma encourages her to defend herself and only then can Amaka and Kambili begin their friendship. Kambili begins to speak more confidently, laugh and even sing. The titles of the second and fourth section are Speaking With Our Spirits and A Different Silence. Kambili and Jaja communicate through their eyes, not able to utter the ugly truth of their situation. Mama, like her daughter, cannot speak freely in her own home. Only with Aunty Ifeoma can she behave authentically. The silence that falls upon Enugu after Papa is murdered is, as the title suggests, different. There is hopelessness to this silence like the one that existed when Papa was alive. But it is an honest silence. Mama and Kambili know the truth and there is nothing more that can be said. Jaja’s silence betrays a hardness that has taken hold of him in prison. There is nothing he can say that will end the torment he experiences. The tapes that Aunty Ifeoma sends with her children’s voices are the only respite he has. Silence is also used as punishment. When Kambili and Jaja arrive in Nsukka for Easter, Jaja refuses to speak to his father when he calls. After the years of silence that he has imposed upon his children, they use it as a weapon against him. The government also silences Ade Coker by murdering him after he prints a damning story in the Standard. When soldiers raid Aunty Ifeoma’s flat, they are trying to silence her sympathies with the rioting students through intimidation. Silence is a type of violence. Domestic Violence On several occasions, Papa beats his wife and children. Each time, he is provoked by an action that he deems immoral. When Mama does not want to visit with Father Benedict because she is ill, Papa beats her and she miscarries. When Kambili and Jaja share a home with a heathen, boiling water is poured on their feet because they have walked in sin. For owning a painting of Papa-Nnukwu, Kambili is kicked until she is hospitalized. Papa rationalizes the violence he inflicts on his family, saying it is for their own good. The beatings have rendered his children mute. Kambili and Jaja are both wise beyond their years and also not allowed to reach adulthood, as maturity often comes with questioning authority. When Ade Coker jokes that his children are too quiet, Papa does not laugh. They have a fear of God. Really, Kambili and Jaja are afraid of their father. Beating them has the opposite effect. They choose the right path because they are afraid of the repercussions. They are not encouraged to grow and to succeed, only threatened with failure when they do not. This takes a toll on Jaja especially, who is ashamed that he is so far behind Obiora in both intelligence and protecting his family. He ends up equating religion with punishment and rejects his faith. There is an underlying sexism at work in the abuse. When Mama tells Kambili she is pregnant, she mentions that she miscarried several times after Kambili was born. Within the narrative of the novel, Mama loses two pregnancies at Papa’s hands. The other miscarriages may have been caused by these beatings as well. When she miscarries, Papa makes the children say special novenas for their mother’s forgiveness. Even though he is to blame, he insinuates it is Mama’s fault. Mama believes that she cannot exist outside of her marriage. She dismisses Aunty Ifeoma’s ideas that life begins after marriage as â€Å"university talk.† Mama has not been liberated and withstands the abuse because she believes it is just. Ultimately, she poisons Papa because she can see no other way out. The abuse has repressed her to the point that she must resort to murder to escape. Nature/Environment The book’s namesake flower is a representation of freedom and hope. Jaja is drawn to the unusual purple hibiscus, bred by a botanist friend of Aunty Ifeoma. Aunty Ifeoma has created something new by bringing the natural world together with intelligence. For Jaja, the flower is hope that something new can be created. He longs to break free of his Papa’s rule. He takes a stalk of the purple hibiscus home with him, and plants it in their garden. He also takes home the insight he learns from Nsukka. As both blossom, so too do Jaja and his rebellion. Kambili’s shifting attitudes toward nature signify her stage of transformation. During one of the first times she showers at Nsukka, Kambili finds an earthworm in the tub. Rather than coexisting with it, she removes it to the toilet. When Father Amadi takes her to have her hair plaited, she watches a determined snail repeatedly crawl out of a basket. She identifies with the snail as she has tried to crawl out of Enugu and her fate. Later, when she bathes with water scented with the sky, she leaves the worm alone. She acknowledges that God can be found anywhere and she appreciates its determination. In the opening of the book, Kambili daydreams while looking at the several fruit and flower trees in her yard. This same yard, a signifier of wealth, leaves her open for taunts of â€Å"snob† at school. But here she fixates on the beauty of the trees. When she returns from Nsukka after her mother has miscarried, Kambili is sickened by the rotting tree fruit. The rot symbolizes the sickness in the Achike household but also that Kambili is seeing her home with new eyes. Like the trees, she is trapped behind tall walls. Weather also plays a role in the novel. When Ade Coker dies, there are heavy rains. After Palm Sunday, a violent wind uproots several trees and makes the satellite dish crash to the ground. Rain and wind reflect the drama that unfolds in the Achikes’ lives. Mama tells Kambili that a mixture of rain and sun is God’s indecision on what to bring. Just as there can be both rain and sun at the same time, there are good and evil intertwined. In nature, Kambili gleans that there are no absolutes. Papa is neither all good or all bad, her faith does not have to be either Catholic or traditionalist, and she can challenge her parents while still being a good child. * 1-310-919-0950 * Log In | * Sign Up * 1) Five major issues explored in purple hibiscus are; domestic violence, oppression, religion, education and love. 2a) Adichie uses a narrative point of view to explore the theme of domestic violence. The book is narrated in the first person by a 15 year old who is directly affected by domestic violence. Because of her young age she is quiet honest and this allows her to paint a great picture to the audience of the brutal abuse that Eugene bestows upon his family. This is as a result of her sensitive, intelligent and observant nature. 2b) Oppression is explored through narrative point of view. Adichie uses the point of view of Kambili to show the audience how oppressed the country is not only in the Achike household but the whole of Nigeria. Again Kambili’s honesty and good descriptions help to give the readers an idea as of how oppressed the country and Eugene’s household really is. 2c) Adichie uses narrative point of view to explore the theme of religion. She uses this because Kambili the narrator is exposed to different kinds of religion, such as, fanatic Catholics, liberated Catholics and Traditionalists. Again, it is Kambili’s observant nature that helps to give the readers a good idea of what all of the practices are like. Kambili’s narration is also used to show the great impact that religion has on life. 2d) Education is also explored through narration. In the narration Kambili has an encounter with her father and Kambili’s father’s past gives us an idea of how important he thinks education is. 2e) Love is also explored through narration. Although Kambili is a 15 year old through her narration we are able to see that she loves father Amadi. The love however is immature in because they have known each other for a very short time. Although the love narrated is not very mature it is still love. Adichie uses narration to show the audience that Kambili is in love and Adichie uses her narration to give us some hints of this love. 3a) Adichie bring out†¦ [continues]

System Analysis and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

System Analysis and Design - Essay Example With the use cases, UML enables us to study existing objects to see if they can be reused or adapted for new uses, and to define new or modified objects that will be combined with existing objects into a useful business computing application. This identification objects within the systems environment, and the relationships between those objects makes the drawing of the diagrams much faster and easier. For example, in our case we identify the objects (member), their data attributes (member no, firstname), associated behavior such as booking for a tennis court, and relationships which support the required business system functionality. Also we employ Use Case Modeling which is the process of identifying and modeling business events, who initiated them, and how the system responds to them. Another comparison comes in that SSADM adopts the Waterfall model of systems development, where each phase has to be completed and signed off before subsequent phases can begin while the use of UML the no phases of development are defined thus as long as the classes and objects are clearly identified any diagram can be drawn. Finally, SSADM uses three key techniques, namely Logical Data Modeling, Data Flow Modeling and Entity/Event Modeling. In all this modeling techniques we can use UML to produce the diagrams such as the data flow diagrams and entity relationship diagrams. The success of SSADM may lie in the fact that it does not rely on a single technique. Each of the three system models provides a different viewpoint of the same system, each of which are required to form a complete model of the system. Within SSADM each of the three techniques are cross-reference against each other to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the complete model Advantages of UML UML is window based thus it is easy to use The graphical user interface provides an interaction with the user reducing the time and effort UML helps software practitioners visualize their ideas and hence communicate and analyze them more effectively UML developed systems have reduced lifetime maintenance because of the aforementioned system quality improvements combined with better documentation Improved productivity (through automation of tasks and rapid application development) Disadvantages of UML Technical for business analysts Requires training for one to use UML With the use of UML key operational considerations are often overlooked Advantages of SSADM Appropriate for big systems such as government projects Good documentation i.e. it is document driven Systems produced are easy to maintain Consist of phases that are to be completed hence sequence and flow of modules is clear Feedback loops that ensure cohesiveness of a system being produced and also reduce errors Provide maximum management control Ensures that system requirements can be traced back to stated b/s needs Disadvantages of SSADM It is tedious User not able to visualize how the final product would look like Requirements process not well established Cannot accommodate new user

Women and poverty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Women and poverty - Research Paper Example The United Nations in its recent measurement of poverty levels in societies has defined poverty as a condition in which people live in less than one dollar in a day. Coulter (24) defined poverty as the nature in which certain individuals or groups of people in the society are deprived of resources and are denied opportunities to improve their lives. Poverty is the lack of basic needs by people such as food, clothing, and shelter. Poverty in women therefore, is the lack of the basic needs by women that are essential for them to live good lives. The lack of opportunities as well as women’s inability to live long, healthy and creative lives indicates that they face a poverty problem. They do not have the choice to live according to their own wish and standards since they cannot afford the necessities. Additionally, the lack of freedom and failure to live according to their desires takes away their dignity, making the society down look upon them. The biological and sociological pr ocesses that affect both men and women have varying effects on the two genders, affecting each one of them in their own unique way. While these differences positively affect men, women on the other hand are negatively affected. The gap even becomes bigger in areas with minimal legislations that focus on women development. Social structures and roles assigned to women and men by the society too affect their poverty levels. The cultural expectation of men to be the providers of their families makes the society give them more opportunities. Paper Outline 1. Feminization of poverty 2. Nature and extent of poverty in women 3. Causes of poverty among women (a) Wage gap between men and women (b) Low salaries among women (c) Lack of job opportunities for women (d) Inequality in distribution of resources (e) Social exclusion of women by the society (f) Lack of credit and loan facilities for women (g) Negative effects of credit (h) Traditional beliefs and practices (i) Poor farming methods (j ) Poor legislations 4. Conclusion and Recommendations In conclusion, poverty in women is real and women are suffering from lack of opportunities and enough income to sustain decent lifestyles. This has resulted to feminization of poverty, which is an association of women with poverty. The factors that contribute to the high poverty levels among women are both social and legislative related. High wage gaps between men and women, low salaries, lack of job opportunities, inequality in distribution of resources, social exclusion of women by the society, lack of credit and loan facilities for women, negative effects of credit, traditional beliefs and practices, poor farming methods for women, working in agriculture and poor legislations all contribute to the women’s poverty levels. Annotated bibliography Townson, Monica. A Report Card on Women and Poverty, The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2000. Web. 29 May 2013 In the paper, â€Å"A Report Card on Women and Povertyâ⠂¬ , Townson gives a clear analysis of the different causal factors of escalated levels of poverty among Canadian women. Feminization of poverty as she points out is by its construction a societal and legislative concern. From her study, she explores the various contributing factors to the high poverty levels among women in the Canadian society. Townson believes that women have unjustly been associated with poverty, tracing the issue of women poverty to a historical point of view. This problem as she observes has been around the society for a long time. According to her, the biggest contributing factor to escalating poverty levels among women in Canada is the huge wage gap between me