The Effects of Otitis Media with Effusion on Hearing Essay -- Medicine

The Effects of Otitis Media with Effusion on Hearing Millions of children visit their doctor each year for a problem that is commonly known as an ear infection, and countless others suffer silently because their symptoms are not recognized (Hemmer & Ratner, 1994). An inflammation of the middle ear and often the mastoid process and Eustachian tube is termed otitis media and is second only to the common cold as the most common illness of early childhood (Medley, Roberts, & Zeisel, 1995). Unlike the common cold, however, incidents of otitis media are often accompanied by temporary mild to moderate hearing loss and auditory deprivation (Finitzo, Gunnarson, & Clark, 1990). The American Academy of Pediatrics (as cited in Stewart, Anae, & Gipe, 1989) reports that growing evidence indicates a correlation between middle-ear disease with hearing impairment and delays in the development of speech and cognitive skills. These issues are of concern to physicians, educators, and parents of children who suffer regular occurrences of otitis media becau se the disease is most common during the period of early childhood when speech and language skills are developing (Roberts, Burchinal, Koch, Footo, & Henderson, 1988). One aspect of the illness that should be of particular concern is that some children suffer from otitis media without experiencing recognizable symptoms (Paden, 1994). These children may, therefore, never see a physician and may never receive the medical interventions necessary to clear the infection and restore normal hearing. Although the fluctuating hearing loss that accompanies the illness has long been recognized by researchers and other professionals in the field, recent research has indicated that the relationship betwe... ...es for the early childhood special educator. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 15(1), 44-64. Paden, E.P. (1994). Otitis media and disordered phonologies: Some concerns and cautions. Topics in Language Disorders, 14(2), 72-83. Peters, S.A., Grievink, E.H., van Bon, W.H., & Schilder, A.G. (1994). The effects of early bilateral otitis media with effusion on educational attainment: A prospective cohort study. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27(2), 111-121. Roberts, J.E., Burchinal, M.R., Koch, M.A., Footo, M.M., & Henderson, F.W. (1988). Otitis media in early childhood and its relationship to later phonological development. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 53(4), 424-432. Stewart, J.L., Anae, A.P., & Gipe, P.N. (1989). Pacific Islander children: Prevalence of hearing loss and middle ear disease. Topics in Language Disorders, 9(3), 76-83.

Ethnic differences essay Essay

?Asses the claim that â€Å"ethnic differences in educational achievement are primarily the result of school factors† Most studies found that overall ethnic minorities tend to do less well than other members of the population when it comes to educational achievement. Many factors which occur inside the school are the cause of educational achievement however other factors contribute. The expectations of teachers on ethnic minorities have caused differences in educational achievement. Bernard Coard believes that teachers expect â€Å"Black† children to fail therefore labelling the child as a failure. Interactionalists are concerned with how teachers â€Å"pigeonhole† students this is the labelling theory, this is where the teacher makes a judgement of the child based on the child’s appearance, behaviour, previous family members and relationships with other students. However most labels are based on stereotypes rather than evidence, the reality is that once a label starts it is difficult to get rid of and this can cause problems for a student’s educational achievement. Teachers will discuss the students label in the staff room and other teachers will attach the same label to the child and this can lead to the child not being allowed to attend school trips. If a student is labelled as a failure by a teacher then the teacher is likely to put the student into a lower tier exam thus the pupil can only achieve a maximum of a grade C and can’t achieve to the best of their ability. When a student is labelled as a failure the student can begin to believe that the label is true and begin to make it part of their part of their identity, become a failure this is known as the self-fulfilling prophecy thus creating ethnic differences in educational achievement within the school system. David Hardgreves argues that anti school sub cultures can be formed as a result of negative labelling. However Maureen Stone and Swann both indicate that those who are labelled may not accept their labels. However many sociologists argue that it is external factors that affect ethnic differences in educational achievement. Cultural Deprivation is the term used to describe serious inadequacies in the socialisation process and its effects on educational achievement. Poor parenting means children underachieving in education. Many sociologists argue that ethnic minorities tend to be more fatalistic meaning that parents tend to have low aspirations and expectations for their child meaning less emphasis is placed on doing well in education. Whereas â€Å"White† middle classes would have high aspirations and high expectations. Socialisation focuses on the values, expectations and norms transmitted from parents to children. Children from Ethnic backgrounds tend to focus on immediate gratification where they try to reep their rewards at the earliest opportunity such as leaving school at 16 to earn money. Whereas â€Å"White† middle class children aim for a bright future described as deferred gratification which is putting off short term rewards to gain better rewards in the future. Cultural Deprivation can affect the way parents prepare their children for school. Working class children would sit and watch T. V. whereas middle class parents would take their children to museums. Driver and Ballard state that high achievement in Asian groups may be linked to the fact that they live in close knit families that can help each other. Price highlighted a high rate of single parent families in black Caribbean communities which may explain high underachievement. Nevertheless, some sociologists argue that it is internal factors which affect ethnic differences in educational achievement. Institutional Racism within schools can lead to educational achievement and the differences it causes within ethnic minorities. The â€Å"Swann report† found that a small number of teachers are consciously racist however there are a great deal of teachers who are â€Å"unintentionally† racist. Bernard Coard states that the British educational system makes children become educationally subnormal he states that â€Å"West Indian children are told that their language is second rate and unacceptable† he states that within the British educational system the word â€Å"White† is associated with â€Å"good† and the word â€Å"Black† with evil. Coard also states that the attitudes portrayed in the classroom are reinforced by the pupils outside of the classroom. Many sociologists would also argue that the mispronunciation of student’s names and not learning them can be classed as racism within the school system. Cecile Wright found that majority of staff are committed to ideals of equality but despite these ideals there are still considerable amounts of discrimination in the classroom. Asian children were often excluded from discussions and teachers expressed an â€Å"open disapproval of their customs and traditions†, these comments from teachers made Asian children feel more isolated from other pupils. Martin Hammersley found that racist comments in the staffroom did not lead to racism in the classroom. J. Taylor found that â€Å"most teachers are concerned to have a fair policy towards the treatment of black pupils†. Mac an Ghaill studied 25 afro Caribbean and Asian students studying A levels. He found that â€Å"although they disagreed over the extent of racism within education, this did not directly determine their attitude to education and their levels of academic success. The way that students responded to schooling varied and this was influenced by their ethnic group†. This could eventually lead to the formation of anti-school sub cultures. These are pupils who have rejected some or all of the values and rules set down in the school ethos. Peter Woods identified 8 different groups ranging from Ingratiation total conformity to Rebellion outright rejection of school rules and values. This can cause ethnic differences in educational achievement within the school system. However other factors such as linguistic skills affect this achievement. Linguistic Deprivation is the ability to use appropriate language which is an important factor in educational success. Bernstein came up with two codes of language Restricted and Elaborate codes. The Restricted code is used in casual situations. This is limited vocabulary and Simplistic grammar which can only be understood if you are aware of this topic. The Elaborate code is used in formal situations. This is sophisticated grammar and vocabulary and can be understood if aware of the topic. Bernstein found that White middle class children had the ability to switch between the two codes whereas children from ethnic minorities were limited to using the restricted code. This means they are severely disadvantaged in education where the language is all formal. In conclusion, it is probable that a number of factors work together in producing the lower levels of achievement found in some ethnic groups. The Swann report concluded that racial discrimination inside and outside school along with social deprivation were probably the main factors. Others would add that cultural factors also play some part in explaining the differences.

A drowning experience

Drowning Experience Tommy had Just learnt how to swim and was eager to demonstrate his newly acquired skills to his best friends. Immediately after school, he invited his friends, Gary and John, â€Å"Shall we go swimming at the crystal clear lake behind my flat tomorrow morning? † His friends nodded readily. Tom's mother had warned him about the dangers but his bursting desire to show off got the better of him and he simply cast her words to the winds. The next morning, the sun shone brilliantly across the glistening water, casting olden shadows dancing on the lake.The boys gathered punctually at the lake bank. They quickly stripped down to their swimming trunks and Jumped into the water. They waded merrily and frolicked in the water and laughed boisterously as the water hit their faces. Tommy suddenly made a suggestion, â€Å"Shall we compete and see who reach the other end of the lake first? † Before Tommy could finish his words, the other two boys had already taken up the challenge and started swimming right away. Just when Tommy was about to get ready, he felt an acute pain on his left thigh ut ignored it.However, seconds later, the pain accentuated and his left leg began to feel numb and heavy. Seized by panic, Tommy started thrashing in the water to stay afloat but he felt like a fast sinking ship and swallowed many gulps of water. Presently, he waved his hands frantically and screamed hysterically, â€Å"Help me! † Gary and John turned around and their blood froze at the hair-raising sight. Fortunately, they quickly got a grip on themselves and swam towards their distressed friend with very ounce of their strength.With Gary and John's concerted efforts, Tommy was finally dragged onto shore. However, Tommy's face had already turned ghastly pale and he was rendered unconscious. Worst, his leg was bleeding profusely. Without a moment to spare, Gary raced to pick up his shorts, ransacked its pockets and found his mobile phone. He immedi ately dialed for an ambulance. Shortly, the wail of the sirens could be heard. The paramedics bandaged Tommy's wound, lifted him onto a stretcher and carried im into the ambulance and it sped off.Gary also informed Tommy's mother. At the hospital, a doctor swiftly attended to Tommy. When Tommy's mother arrived, the doctor explained to her that Tommy was bitten by a sea snake and he had purged its venom from Tommy's body. Tommy's mother thanked Gary and John for their alertness and quick-wittedness. When Tommy finally came around, he teared uncontrollably, seeking forgiveness from his mother for his defiance. It was a close shave for Tommy and he would not forget that fateful day.

Crimes of Serial Killer Gary Michael Hilton

Crimes of Serial Killer Gary Michael Hilton Gary Michael Hilton is an American serial killer who  murdered and beheaded four hikers in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia between 2005 and 2008. Hilton is sometimes referred to as the National Forest Serial Killer since most of his victims bodies were found in national parks. Although convicted in only four cases, he is believed to have committed many more killings. Trail of Death In January 2008, Hilton was sentenced to life in prison in Georgia for the death of Meredith Emerson, 24, of Buford, Georgia. After that case, authorities from Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida  began piecing together evidence left behind by a trail of bodies that fit Hiltons modus operandi.  He was subsequently charged with and convicted for three additional murders. In April 2011, Hilton received a Florida death sentence for the murder of 46-year-old Cheryl Dunlap. Two years later, in 2013, he was sentenced in North Carolina to four life sentences for the 2007 deaths of  John Bryant, 80, and Irene Bryant, 84. The Meredith Emerson Case On New Years Day 2008, 24-year-old University of Georgia graduate Meredith Emerson went hiking on Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest with her dog Ella, which she had done on many previous occasions. This time, however, she failed to return from the hike. Witnesses remembered seeing Emerson talking with a gray-haired man who appeared to be in his sixties and had a red dog named Dandy. Emerson used her wits and martial arts training to fight off her attacker for four days, desperately trying to save her life.  Eventually, she suffered a blow to the head  that incapacitated her. Hilton killed her and left her decapitated body in the north Georgia mountains. After Emersons disappearance, investigators working the case found surveillance photos of Gary Michael Hilton trying to use Emersons ATM card. In February 2008, Gary Michael Hilton was indicted, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to life in prison- all in a single day. The Cheryl Dunlap Case On April 21, 2011, Hilton was convicted for the February kidnapping, robbing, murder, and dismemberment of Cheryl Hodges  Dunlap, a 46-year-old Sunday school teacher from Crawfordville, Florida. Dunlaps decapitated body was discovered in the Apalachicola National Forest. Despite efforts to fight it, Hilton had been extradited to Florida to face charges for Dunlaps murder.  Hed avoided the death penalty in Georgia but would not be so lucky at his second trial. A Tallahassee jury of six women and six men deliberated for only one hour, 20 minutes before unanimously recommending a death sentence for the serial killer whod avoided execution in Georgia.   The John and Irene Bryant Case In April 2013, Hilton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four additional life sentences in federal prison for kidnapping and murdering an elderly North Carolina couple in Pisgah National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. Hilton had been camping scouting for potential victims before selecting and ambushing the Hendersonville couple who were out for a hike on October 21, 2007. He killed Irene Bryant using blunt force. Her body was later found by authorities several yards from where the couple had parked their car.  Hilton then kidnapped her husband, took his ATM card, and coerced him into providing his personal identification number to access money from an ATM. Mr.  Bryants body was found in  Nantahala National Forest. A day later, on October 22, 2007, Hilton used the Bryants’ ATM card in Ducktown, Tennesee, to withdraw $300. Federal authorities became involved with Hiltons prosecution after autopsy results showed that John Bryant died of a gunshot to the head from a .22 Magnum firearm. Other Possible Victims Hilton is believed to have killed Rossana Miliani, 26 and Michael Scot Louis, 27, among others. On December 7, 2005, Rossana Miliani disappeared while hiking in Bryson City. A shopkeeper told the police that Miliani, who appeared very nervous, came into her store with an older man who looked to be in his sixties. The witness reported that they purchased clothing and that the man told her he was a traveling preacher. It was later learned that Hilton had stolen  Milianis bank card and was trying to use it. Miliani was beaten to death but Hilton was not charged.   On December 6, 2007, the decapitated and dismembered body of Michael Scot Louis was found in Tomoka State Park near Ormond Beach, Florida. The Aftermath and Legacy Hilton remains on death row.  A judge delayed his appeal in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in January 2016 declaring Floridas death penalty law unconstitutional. In a chilling footnote to the case, it came to light that Hilton had once been involved in the development of a murder movie that bore similarities to the crimes for which he was eventually convicted. An Atlanta attorney, who also produces movies, revealed that in 1995, Gary Michael Hilton helped him come up with the plot for the film Deadly Run.

Strokes Used in Chinese Characters

Strokes Used in Chinese Characters The earliest forms of Chinese writing date from the Xia Dynasty (2070 - 1600 BC). These were etched on animal bones and turtle shells which are known as oracle bones. The writing on oracle bones is known as ç” ²Ã© ª ¨Ã¦â€"‡ (jiÄÆ'gÃ… ­wà ©n). Oracle bones were used for divination by heating them up and interpreting the resulting cracks. The script recorded the questions and answers. JiÄÆ'gÃ… ­wà ©n script clearly shows the origins of current Chinese characters. Although much more stylized than the current characters, jiÄÆ'gÃ… ­wà ©n script is often recognizable to modern readers. Evolution of Chinese Script The JiÄÆ'gÃ… ­wà ©n script consists of objects, people or things. As the need for recording more complex ideas arose, new characters were introduced. Some characters are combinations of two or more simpler characters, each of which can contribute a particular meaning or sound to the more complex character. As the Chinese writing system became more formalized, the concepts of strokes and radicals became its foundation. Strokes are the basic gestures used to write Chinese characters, and radicals are the building blocks of all Chinese characters. Depending on the classification system, there are about 12 different strokes and 216 different radicals. The Eight Basic Strokes There are many ways to classify strokes. Some systems find up to 37 different strokes, but many of these are variations. The Chinese character æ ° ¸ (yÇ’ng), meaning forever or permanence is often used to illustrate the 8 basic strokes of Chinese characters. They are: DiÇŽn, (é »Å¾/ç‚ ¹) DotHà ©ng, (æ © «) HorizontalShà ¹, (ç « ª) ErectGÃ… u, (é‰ ¤) HookTà ­, (æ  ) RaiseWÄ n, (Ã¥ ½Å½/Ã¥ ¼ ¯) Bend, curvePiÄ›, (æ’‡) Throw away, slantN, (æ  º) Pressing forcefully These eight strokes can be seen in the diagram above. All Chinese characters are composed of these 8 basic strokes, and knowledge of these strokes is essential for any student of Mandarin Chinese who wishes to write Chinese characters by hand. It is now possible to write in Chinese on the computer, and never write the characters by hand. Even so, it is still a good idea to become familiar with strokes and radicals, since they are used as a classification system in many dictionaries. The Twelve Strokes Some systems of stroke classification identify 12 basic strokes. In addition to the 8 strokes seen above, the 12 strokes include variations on GÃ… u, (é‰ ¤) Hook, which include: æ ¨ ªÃ©â€™ © Hà ©ng GÃ… uç «â€"é’ © Shà ¹ GÃ… uÃ¥ ¼ ¯Ã©â€™ © WÄ n GÃ… uæâ€"Å"é’ © Xià © GÃ… u Stroke Order Chinese characters are written with a codified stroke order. The basic stroke order is Left to Right, Top to Bottom but more rules are added as the characters become more complex.   Stroke Count Chinese characters range from 1 to 64 strokes. The stroke count is an important way to classify Chinese characters in dictionaries. If you know how to write Chinese characters by hand, you will be able to count the number of strokes in an unknown character, allowing you to look it up in the dictionary. This is a very useful skill, especially when the characters radical is not evident. Stroke count is also used when naming babies. Traditional beliefs in Chinese culture hold that a persons destiny in greatly influenced by their name, so great care is taken to choose a name that will bring good fortune to the bearer. This involves choosing Chinese characters that are in harmony with each other, and which have the proper number of strokes. Simplified and Traditional Characters Beginning in the 1950s, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) introduced simplified Chinese characters to promote literacy. Close to 2,000 Chinese characters were altered from their traditional form, in the belief that these characters would be easier to read and write. Some of these characters are quite different from their traditional counterparts which are still used in Taiwan. The underlying principals of character writing, however, remain the same, and the same types of strokes are used in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters.

Scattering of Lamb Waves From Typical Structure Defects in Plates Essay

Scattering of Lamb Waves From Typical Structure Defects in Plates - Essay Example ure defects using piezoelectric transducer (PZT) sensors and 3-D Scanning Laser vibrometry and simulation the results by using Autodyne ANSYS is an important wildly recognized non-destructive evaluation SHM technique to locate, identify and quantify the structural damage and hence we can improve the survivability of mechanical structure. 1- The project work will be carried out first by reviewing the various research works and techniques involved in SHM including project related above mentioned non-destructive evaluation SHM technique with Autodyn ANSYS as simulation tool. The information obtained through literature review will further be used for practical work to study and investigate the various aspects of practical applications. 2- Since the practical work involved the application of 3D laser vibrometer in conjunction with Lamb wave technique to locate, identify and quantify typical structural damage like any crack, corrosion and dent, hence as next step I have to prepare test specimens. The test specimen can be a single aluminium plate having all three structural damages or three separate aluminium plates with different structural damage. For my experiment for the worse case situation, I have to prepare a single aluminium plate of 800 X 200 X 20 mm dimensions with all three defects i.e. crack, corrosion and dents as shown in following figure 1, 2 and 3 below. 3- My next step will be to fabricate the sensing devices to the specimen. Since I am using piezoelectric transducer (PZT) as sensors to Lamb wave through 3-D laser scanning hence I fabricate PZT to target

The Role of Social Institutions in Society Essay - 1

The Role of Social Institutions in Society - Essay Example The infrastructure of education uses a model of standardized testing and curriculum to ensure that students across the country share the same ideological framework. The education system is invasive because it controls the methodology through which individuals perceive history and the function of other institutions that make up the social nexus (Berger, 1966). For example, the dissemination of information regarding the history of mankind focuses on the history of nation states (Berger, 1966). This creates a society where individuals believe that the existence of a government is inevitable and are therefore not capable of perceiving a reality that extends beyond it. The deepest values of society are taught within this institution, from political organizations to capitalism. Regardless of the political party that individuals align with or the method through which they accumulate capital, they still value participation within these systems (Berger, 1966). Social values are shared by indi viduals who make up community. Such values help define the parameters of a culture and characterize the individuals within it. The educational system is an effective social institution that helps embed such values in growing citizens. As a social institution, the educational system is the most pervasive as well as the most effective at ingraining social values in individuals. Works Cited Berger, P. L. and T.