A history of ultrasound physics and the properties of the transducer Research Paper

A history of ultrasound physics and the properties of the transducer - Research Paper Example Prior to the second World War, sonar, which is the technique of transmitting waves of sound through water and observing the echoes that return to characterize the objects that are submerged, was an inspiration to the pioneers of ultrasound investigators in exploring ways and in turn applying the medical diagnosis concepts. This paper will highlight the history of ultrasound and discuss the properties of transducers. History of ultrasound According to Orenstein, (2008) Pythagoras, popular for his theory about right-angled triangles was the pioneer of ultrasound, since he invented the sonometer, which was used to study musical sounds. Boethius (c. 480-c.525) was the first to give comparison between sound waves to waves that were produced when a pebble was dropped into calm water. Pierre Curie, a French physicist discovered piezoelectricity in 1877, the moment that ultrasound was conceived. Later on, as Orenstein continues to assert, sonographic imaging was developed by French professor and physicist Paul Lavengin. Many scientists had the desire to see inside the human body and in turn developed probes and scopes for diagnosis and treatment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For instance, the discovery of X-rays by William Conrad in 1865 played an important role in the history of ultrasound. Moreover, in 1912, when the Titanic sank while on its maiden voyage made people to be curious in detecting submerged s ubstances. Like many other technological advances, ultrasound also owes its development to the World War. Lavengin was called upon by the French government to develop an object that was able to detect the sub marines of the enemy during the World War One. The device he invented applied the piezoelectric effect he had learned as Curies’ student (Orenstein, 2008). The transducer is one of the most critical componenets of any diagnostic ultrasound system. There exists various types of ultrasound transducers that can be chosen prior to performing an ultrasound investigation, therefore, much attention should be accorded towards choosing the most suitable transducer for the ultrasound application (Gibbs, Cole, & Sassano, 2009 p27). However, Lavengin did not complete the device he developed in 1917 so that it could be used during the First World War, but it indeed formed the basis of sonar detection that was developed in the World War II (Orenstein, 2008). In 1928, Sergei Sokolov, a Russian physicist made important suggestions that saw ultrasound being used for industrial purposes that included detecting flaws in metallic devices. Ultrasound is a new aspect in the field of medicine. For instance, in the 1920s and the 1930s, ultrasound was used by members of European football clubs as a physical therapy. Additionally, as reported by Orenstein, ultrasound was utilized in the sterilization of vaccines as well as for cancer therapy in conjunction with radiation therapy. Subsequently, in 1948, other ultrasound pioneers such as Douglas Howry subjected his efforts towards developing a B-mode equipment that compared pathology to cross-sectional anatomy. The late 60s and early 70s was the period of sonic boom. A 2D echo was pioneered by Klaus Bom. Don Baker, John Reid and Dennis Watkins were able to develop a pulsed Doppler in 1966, which was able to detect the flow of blood from the different corners of the heart. Real-time ultrasound was developed in

What is a Clausewitzian definition of war Essay

What is a Clausewitzian definition of war - Essay Example To some, it is an act of glory while for others the same activity appears as a gory to them. Carl Philipp von Clausewitz was a soldier from Prussia. He is acknowledged as a great military historian and military theorist. He is mostly famous for his military treatise known by the name of Vom Kriege translated into English as ‘On War’. His theories documented in this book make him the author of one of the most celebrated contemporary theories upon war. Although Clausewitz participated in many wars, yet he always retained his interest in examining military theories and war tactics. Clausewitzian definition of war encapsulated in his famous ‘On War’ is a systematic, careful and philosophical examination of war in all its perspectives of both the way he saw it and he was being taught. On War is considered as the west’s premier document throwing light on the philosophy of the war. His contentions regarding war and the art of ware fare was so detailed and carefully sorted out that he could only finish a part of the treaty at the time of his death. Clausewitz revised the document in the year 1827 and just before his death he added some more thoughts into the portion dealing with counter - insurgency and different forms of war apart from the War Between the States. Clausewitz and Tolstoy both were much influenced by the events of the Napoleonic era. Clausewitz rendered a long intricate definition of war based on his first hand observation and experience that he gathered during the French revolution and Napoleonic era .The definition of war given by Clausewitz does not only throws light on the considerable historical research into the war,. It also reshaped the Clausewitz’s strong interest in art, science and education. Clausewitz defined war as â€Å"nothing but a duel in an extensive scale. If we would conceive as a unit the countless number of duels which make up a war, we shall do so best by supposing to ourselves two wrestlers. Each strives by

Soft Systems Methodology

Soft Systems Methodology Soft systems methodology The development of soft systems methodology was the brainchild of Peter Checkland and was developed in the 1960s at Lancaster. Ever since then the technique has grown and now is internationally recognised. To understand soft system methodology we need to understand 2 types of systems thinking. One is hard systems thinking while the other is soft system thinking. Hard systems thinking uses the hard system approaches such as structured methods, and systems engineering. It assumes that that problem is well defined, it has a scientific approach to problems, and considers technical factors foremost. Soft systems thinking uses soft system approaches. This approach is needed when structured methods alike have failed, when problems are messy and not well defined. This technique is more creative in terms of problem solving as it addresses many factors including humans, cultural, ethics, politics etc. It would be safe to say that soft systems methodology looks at the interaction between people and its business environment instead of just technology. By looking at the system as a whole it recognises that a change from one part of the systems may influence another part of a system. It is called â€Å"soft† because its about people and the way they relate to the environment. The systems are the way we use the theory and put it into practices with people, relationship, objects, and processes. This is described here in detail 1(Mackness, 2007). 2 Patching (1993) declared that the methodology is merely a method with a set of guidelines that help predict an outcome to problem situations which is described here (Patching, 1993 p. 41) 1.martinwellsinterview. 2007. Dr John Mackness Soft Systems Methodology [online]. [Accessed 19 November 2007]. Available from World Wide Web: 2 Patching, D. (1993) Practical soft systems analysis. London: Pitman Publishing Checklands software system methodology comprises of a seven stage model. It is very similar to other methods of investigation. Sounce: http://portals.wi.wur.nl/files/images/msp/soft%20systems%20methodology.gif Stage 1. This stage shows messy problems, which are not suitable for hard system methods. Stage 2. Is concerned with rich pictures to express situations more clearly, which in turn provides better feedback. It is the problem expressed in the real world. May included client and yourself in the picture, physical layout, hierarchy etc. Stage 3. Root definitions are needed but first a viewpoint must be selected. Are we looking at it form the employees position or the managers position etc? Root definitions describes what a systems is, and what it will do by doing so, it takes into account whoever is part of the system. It looks at who is part of it and who may be affected in any way. Using the mnemonic CATWOE, this is basically a simple checklist for thinking about problems. Customers Who are they, and how does the issue affect them? Actors Who is involved in the situation? Who will be involved in implementing solutions? And what will impact their success? Transformation Process What processes or systems are affected by the issue? Weltanschauung What is the big picture, world view ? And what are the wider impacts of the issue? Owner Who owns the process or situation you are investigating? And what role will they play in the solution? Environmental Constraints What are the constraints and limitations that will impact the solution and its success? Source : http://www.lifehack.org/articles/management/whats-the-problem-find-out-using-catwoe.html Stage 4. Is the conceptual model, which represents the minimum set of procedures for the system to be able to achieve the desired transformation. Procedure and task are described by verbs. Stage 5. Is a comparison of the conceptual model and the real world. Stage 2 and stage 4. Questioning the situation and how they could be changed. Stage 6. This stage discusses where improvements can be made to certain areas and whether it is culturally feasible taking into account stakeholders views, backgrounds, experience of the people involved. Desirable changes are also discussed for the systems that may benefit the transformation. Stage 7. Is to take action and implement the changes that would improve the system. This would involve changes in attitude, finance, equipment, staff, training etc. It is advisable to note stage 3, the root definitions to not overlook things. After implanting the changes it is important to measure the systems performance. In SSM we use the 3 Es which Checkland, Scholes (2001) describes ‘ efficacy (for ‘does the means work?) effienecy (for ‘amount of output divided by amount of resources used) effectiveness (for ‘is T meeting the longer term aim?) 3.(Checkland, Scholes, p.39). 3.Checkland, P. and Scholes, J. (2001) Soft systems methodology in action. Chichester: Wiley Accompanied with the 3 Es would be a model to determine what stage each of the 3 Es are at. This is the complete conceptual model when applying soft systems methodology, which consist of Rich Picture Root Defitions Catwoe Model of transformation Measure of performance Advantages to soft systems methodology Soft systems methodology can be used as a tool to increase an analyst understanding of a problem during investigation as well as the later stages. The technique helps identify areas that need to be improved, and areas that have weaknesses where hard approaches have been unable to do so. It helps produces solutions in a sense that it defines the problem well enough for other system approaches to take over such as hard techniques. By trying to use hard techniques would stop the problem from being seen as a whole. Soft systems methodology relies on a holistic view for the problem to be solved successfully. Another advantage of this methodology is that it doesnt really rely on the use of any equipment except pen and paper. The technique is successful enough to produce solutions to problem just by itself which is supported here 4.(Davies, 1998 p.256). All it needs is a competent analyst. The methodology can be adapted to fit a situation, customer values are considered greatly over other values such as financial and technical values while aiming to find the best solution that would suite all that are involved. Disadvantages to soft systems methodology This disadvantage to soft systems methodology is that the technique does not tell you how to build a system. Problems are subject to change anytime as there were fuzzy in the first place. With added discussions from key actors more changes to the problem situation may be made. It relies heavily on people for SSM to work. Can be very time consuming and requires money and experts. Non technical issues are taken into account which may make the problems situation more complex. Companies sometime view SSM as inferior to other techniques of improving an organisation and would rather hire 2 different parties. One would be the business consultant for improving effectiveness while the other would be a technical consultant to improve the technological side of the organisation. Instead of hiring a SSM competent analyst that would do both by in twining them together some companies would rather keep them separate. Sometimes a goal may never reached as root definitions may still be unclear which i n turn sends the whole process into a loop that may never finish. 4.Davies, P.B. (1998) Information systems development. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Macmillan Press LTD. Souce images / quoatations x 2 Souces 1 youtube 3 books 1 Journals http://0-www.sciencedirect.com.lispac.lsbu.ac.uk/science?_ob=MImg_imagekey=B6VB4-3V7C64C-5-1_cdi=5916_user=121704_orig=search_coverDate=10%2F31%2F1998_sk=999819994view=cwchp=dGLbVzb-zSkzkmd5=c0cb2fed4864aeb21d813248fc205aa1ie=/sdarticle.pdf http://usability.myforum365.com

education :: essays research papers

Many people think that they are not college material when struggling the first couple of years. Not being able to set their goals and know what they want to be could be very frustrating for them. College helps you figure out who you really are and who you want to be. Not all college students will know exactly what they want to study after high school, not all college students will know during college. By exploring different classes and careers you will find out what makes you happy. Happiness varies from person to person. For one person having a career they love will bring happiness, for others money is the only means of their happiness. Happiness comes from the persons standards and goals a person has set for themselves. Happiness is reached when goals are accomplished or are on pursuit of being achieved. When in high school most students are trying to personally develop on who they are. Once they are in college they start to develop personally on whey will be, and what they plan on doing for the rest of their lives. I like many students did not know what to do out of high school, I wanted to go off to college with my friends but my parents had other plans. They knew I was not ready for a four-year college. They knew me better than I knew myself, if I had gone straight to a university I would have made the same mistakes I made here at Imperial Valley College. My first year here at IVC I had no interest in classes, I was mostly interested in hanging out with my friends. It took me a year and a half of messing around to figure out what I wanted to do. When I had a moment of enlightenment on my future it was in my elected human relations class. During the semester we would visit the career center often searching professions that are available. There was a program that we would use called Eureka that was like an assessment test on what might like to do as a career. It would ask an endless number of questions on your likes and dislikes. You would input on what goals you might have for yourself such as how much money you would like to make, how many hours you wanted to work, and what kind of settings you would work in.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6. 3 million women and girls in the U. S. It occurs when tissue that lines the uterus is found outside the uterus, usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus. The cells of endometriosis attach themselves to tissue outside the uterus and are called endometriosis implants. In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would; it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each cycle. And because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing sace tissue and adhesions. The cause of endometriosis is unknown. One theory is that the endometrial tissue is deposited in unusual locations by the backing up of menstrual flow into the fallopian tubes and the pelvic and abdominal cavity during menstruation; also called retrograde menstruation. Another possibility is that areas lining the pelvic organs possess primitive cells that are able to grow into other forms of tissue, such as endometrial cells. Another cause of endometriosis might be the direct transfer of endometrial tissues during surgery and may even be seen in surgical scars. Transfer of endometrial cells via the bloodstream or lymphatic system is the most likely explanation for the rare cases of endometriosis that has develop in the brain and other organs distant form the pelvis. Research by the Endometriosis Association revealed a startling link between dioxin exposure and the development of endometriosis. Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive years. The exact prevalence of endometriosis is not known, since many women may have the condition and have no symptoms at all. While most cases of endometriosis are diagnosed in women aged around 25-35 years old, endometriosis has been reported in girls as young as 11 years old. Most women who have endometriosis, in fact, do not have symptoms; the most common symptoms are pain before and during periods, pain with sex, infertility, fatigue, painful urination during periods, and painful bowel movements during periods. Pelvic pain however depends partly on where the implants of endometriosis are located. Endometriosis can be one of the reasons for infertility for otherwise healthy couples. Endometriosis can be suspected based on symptoms of pelvic pain and findings during physical examinations in the doctor’s office. Unfortunately, neither the symptoms nor the physical examinations can be relied upon to conclusively establish the diagnosis of endometriosis. Tests to check for physical clues of endometriosis include: Pelvic exam, ultrasound, and laparoscopy. Treatment for endometriosis is usually with medications or surgery. The approach you and your doctor choose will depend on your age, severity of symptoms, severity of disease and whether you want children in the future. There are also hormonal therapies used to treat endometriosis like: hormonal contraceptives, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, danazol, medroxyprogesterone, aromatase inhibitors, conservative surgery and hysterectomy. Endometriosis is more common in infertile, compared to fertile women. However, the condition usually does not fully prevent conception. Most women with endometriosis will still be able to conceive, especially those with mild to moderate endometriosis. It is estimated that up to 70% of women with mild and moderate endometriosis will conceive within three years without any specific treatment.

Employment responsibilities and rights Essay

A Copy of your contract of employment agreement. If you don’t have a written contract of employment e.g. if you are employed as a personal assistant, discuss your terms and conditions with your employer and make notes to help you to complete the tasks; A recent pay slip or pay statement; Access to your workplace policies and procedures or notes from a discussion  with your employer if you are employed as a personal assistant Bi) Describe the terms and conditions of your employment as set out in your contract of Employment or employment agreement. Bii) Describe the information which needs to be shown on your pay slip/statement. Biii) Identify two changes to personal information which you must report to your employer. Biv) Describe the procedure to follow if you wanted to raise a grievance at work. You may Describe this in writing or produce a flow chart or diagram. Read more: Aspects of employment covered by law essay Bv) Explain the agreed ways of working with your employer in relation to the following areas: 1. Data protection 2. Grievance 3. Conflict management 4. Anti-discriminatory practice 5. Health & safety 6. Confidentiality 7. Whistle blowing Bvi) Explain how your role contributes to the overall delivery of the service provided. Bvii) Explain how you could influence the quality of the service provided by; a) Following best practice within your work role; b) Not carrying out the requirements of your role. Bviii) Describe how your own work must be influenced by National factors such as Codes of Practice, National Occupational Standards, Legislation and Government Initiatives. Bix) a) Identify two different representative bodies which influence your area of work. b) Describe the role of the two representative bodies you have identified. For this task you will need the following: †¢ A copy of your contract of employment or employment agreement. If you don’t have a Written contract of employment eg if you are employed as a personal assistant, discuss Your terms and conditions with your employer and make notes to help you to complete The task; †¢ A recent pay slip or pay statement; †¢ Access to your workplace policies and procedures or notes from a discussion with your Employer if you are employed as a personal assistant. Task C Career Pathway Create a career pathway plan for yourself, indicating what opportunities are open to you as you progress in your chosen career. Indicate what you will need to learn or any qualifications you might need to gain in order to achieve your goals. Identify sources of information to help you achieve your goals. Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young People’s settings Task D Presentation or report Prepare a presentation or report on an issue or area of public concern related to the care profession. Your presentation or report should include: †¢ A description of the issue or area of public concern raised †¢ An outline of the different points of view regarding the issue or area of public concern raised †¢ A description of how the issue or area of public concern has affected service provision and methods of working †¢ A description of how public opinion is affected by issues and areas of concern in either the health, social care or children’s and young people’s sectors Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings Understand employment responsibilities and rights In health, social care or children’s and young People’s settings Question Booklet Task A – Short Answer Questions Ai) Imagine you are a newly appointed supervisor/manager within your service. You need to update your staff handbook to reflect current employment law. Identify three different sources of information you could use to enable you to do this. 3 marks Once you have identified a reliable source of information: Aii a) List three aspects of employment covered by law. 3 marks Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings b) List three main features of current employment legislation. 3 marks Aiii) Briefly outline why employment law exists. 3 marks Task A: marking grid Assessment Criteria Question Met in booklet Met in discussion Not met Record of Professional Discussion Please use Form 8 from the City & Guilds Recording Forms document to record any professional discussion, accessible at http://www.cityandguilds.com/documents/New%20Folder/Recording- Forms.dot Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young People’s settings Assignment feedback sheet Assessor/Tutor feedback to candidate on outcome of assessment Target date and action plan for resubmission (if applicable) Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young People’s settings Assessor/Tutor feedback to candidate on outcome of resubmission Date of final assessment decision I confirm that this assessment has been completed to the required standard and meets the requirements for validity, currency, authenticity and sufficiency Tutor / assessor’s Signature Date Assignment passed? Yes / No I confirm that the assignment work to which this result relates, is all my own work