Jersey Shore Ocean Pollution Essay Example

Jersey Shore Ocean Pollution Paper We have all enjoyed the small and big beach towns, the sand, and of course the ocean. Recently, we have each noticed reduced pollution and cleaner water. Then we read article after article on increased pollution, damaging toxins, deteriorating health and wellbeing of sea life. How can this be, with all the scrutiny and awareness placed on litter and pollution is general. Then We realized that it was more than just leaving a plastic bottle on the beach or failure to through away a paper wrapper. In fact, it is more damaging than this. It is more so about the toxins and chemicals that seep onto the land, the runoff from building and homes, the ground and air pollution that comes from industry and factories, and the pesticides that are evident in farming and everyday lawn care. The ocean is a great natural resource that must be protected from waste and pollution. Even though there have been great strides over the past several decades to reduce the amount of ocean pollution, more can and should be done. So as a team, we decided to tackle this ongoing issue and concern, in an effort to provide maybe a slightly different insight into a solution space. We will write a custom essay sample on Jersey Shore Ocean Pollution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Jersey Shore Ocean Pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Jersey Shore Ocean Pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Our thought process centered around leveraging existing ideas/solutions, better and well informed education, and stricter government and federal intervention. Unfortunately, the negative impacts of pollution will never entirely go away. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the deterioration of our greatest asset, the ocean. Our paper will cover a brief history of ocean pollution, discuss types of pollution, provide some facts and figures, and will list some of the negative impacts of pollution. We will address the problem space, talk to alternatives, ND provide our recommended solution. It was these few sentences that led us to take a serious look at the issue of pollution, and more specifically, ocean pollution. In the early sasss, New Jersey was known more so for ocean-dumping than for clean beaches. In total, there were eight ocean dumpiest off the New Jersey/New York coastline. The pollution from these dumpiest was ruining the states beaches. Three decades later, the pollution problem remains an ongoing issue and concern. II History of Ocean Pollution: Pollution is not a new issue and concern. In fact, it has been around for many entries. The increased in human population has created more bacteria, disease, and pollution. As far back as the early saws, people began to understand the impact of unsanitary living conditions and water contamination, in that they led to disease and unforeseen death. This awareness prompted major cities to employ measures to control waste an d garbage disposal. The early 1 asss were impacted by the Industrial era, in addition to increasing population. Industrial surrounded cities were experiencing industrial and factory pollution. The resulting smog, soot, and elution created serious health conditions to nearby residents. Water and air pollution became more prevalent in the 20th century. It wasnt until the early sasss that a Federal program was established to curtain pollution. In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly called the Clean Water Act) was formed. It provided funding to create and improve sewage treatment plants and to set limits on industrial discharge into the water. What followed were Federal and State environmental protection agencies. Laws were enacted to reduce the amount of pollution released into the environment. These laws have significantly reduced the amount of pollution, due to laws that impose minimum federal standards for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. It is well documented that water is less contaminated today than it was several decades ago. However, it still remains a major concern and risk due to continuous low-level exposure to pollutants, and particularly to nonprofit source pollutants. Since the Clean Water Act was passed and reauthorized in the asses and asses, the most harmful pollutants have actually come from effuse sources (fertilizers and pesticides) rather than direct discharges. The Clean Water Act also increased standards for waste treatment plants, in that to is has a ban of pesticides and other harmful chemicals such as [ and lead additives in gasoline, have also helped to control Marti Consequently, the toxicity of the vast majority of chemicals now the environment is very poorly known. Ill What is Pollution: Pollution is the introduction of harmful contaminants that are o norm for a given ecosystem. They are consumed by small Mari and introduced into the global food chain. Many ocean polluter released into the environment far upstream from coastlines Farmland fertilizers end up in local streams, rivers, and grounds eventually deposited in estuaries, bays, and deltas. These excess can spawn massive blooms of algae that rob the water of oxeye areas where little or no marine life can exist. Solid waste like bags, foam, and other items dumped into the 01 land or by ships at sea are frequently consumed, with often fat marine mammals, fish, and birds that mistake it for food. Ocean currents corral trillions of decomposing plastic items and onto gigantic, swirling garbage patches (Pacific Trash Vortex) Fish and birds could be harmed from accidentally eating the plan or absorbing substances that leach out into the water. The mail the accessibility to freshwater organisms that can be easily con natural food. IV Pollution Facts: The average American will throw away approximately 185 pound per year. 8% of the worlds oil is used for plastic production.

How to Use a Geoboard in Math

How to Use a Geoboard in Math A geoboard is a math manipulative used to support early geometric, measurement, and numeracy concepts. A geoboard is a square board with pegs to which students attach rubber bands. If geoboards arent handy, you can also use dot paper, although it doesnt make learning quite as enjoyable for the students. Geo-boards come in 5 by 5 pin arrays and in 10 by 10 pin arrays. Initially, a conversation needs to occur about the appropriate use of rubber bands when using geoboards. Those students who cant use rubber bands appropriately will use the dot paper instead. Once this is known, students tend to make good use of the geoboard rubber bands. Here are some questions for the 5th grade that has students representing figures while also developing concepts about measurement, specifically area. In order to determine if students have understanding, have them hold up their geo-boards each time theyve completed the question. 15 Questions for the Geo-board 1. Show a triangle that has an area of one square unit. 2. Show a triangle with an area of 3 square units. 3. Show a triangle with an area of 5 square units. 4. Show an equilateral triangle. 5. Show an isosceles triangle. 6. Show a scalene triangle. 7. Show a right triangle with an area of more than 2 square units. 8. Show 2 triangles that have the same shape but that are different sizes. What is the area of each? 9. Show a rectangle with a perimeter of 10 units. 10. Show the smallest square on your geoboard. 11. What is the largest square you can make on your geoboard? 12. Show a square with 5 square units. 13. Show a square with 10 square units. 14. Make a rectangle with an area of 6 and state what the perimeter is. 15. Make a hexagon and determine the perimeter. These questions can be modified to meet learners at various grades. When introducing the geoboard, begin with an exploring type of activity. As the comfort level increases when working with geoboards, it is useful to have students begin transferring their figures/shapes to dot paper. To extend some of the questions above, you can also include concepts like which figures are congruent, which figures have 1 or more lines of symmetry. Questions like this should be followed up with, How do you know? which requires students to explain their thinking. The geoboard is just one of many math manipulatives that can be used in math to support understanding of a concept. Math manipulatives help teach concepts in a concrete method which is preferred before attempting the symbolic format.

A Report On Effectiveness Of Ultrasound Education Essay

Title of this survey is:Effectiveness of Ultrasound ( US ) imaging in Genito-urinary system ( GUS ) for diagnostic intents: A comprehensive comparing with other modes in position of safety and handiness.Every mode has some sort of restrictions and advantages. Safety is a major issue in utilizing imaging techniques. Ultrasound is considered as one of the safest and most readily available imaging mode ( Bates, 1999 ) . However, these advantages do non warrant the undermining of the other modes, because restrictions in ultrasound can be overcome by other modes for patient directions. GUT is prone to many diseases in which some of them are life endangering ( Ref ) , patient directions require an efficient method for diagnosing. Sonography plays a great function in this respect. Some of the common GUT diseases: Infection, Glomerular disease, Diseases related to blood circulation:Atherosclerosis can do hypofunction. High blood pressure can take to mortification of the glomeruli. Metabolic disease:chronic nephritic failure, diabetes. Cysts:lone, multiple, inborn Tumors:affects kidney, ureter, vesica and urethra Renal cell carcinoma:Wilm ‘s tumor Bladder tumors Nephritic rocks and urinary piece of land obstructor Survey Purposes: Advantages and disadvantages of US imaging in GUT. Can US be the first mode of pick in GUT imagination? Study Aims: Study the usage of US imaging in GUT. Study the restriction of US imaging in GUT. Accuracy of US imaging for diagnostic intents. Cover the latest engineering in US imagination. Background Ultrasound is a sound wave that can non be heard by human ears, it uses a frequence above 20,000 Hz ( Ref ) . The moving ridges are converted by engineering to enable us to see constructions within our organic structures, which is really utile for medical intents ( Szabo, 2004 ) . Ultrasound attenuates otherwise in human organic structure depending on tissues ‘ fading coefficients, and tissues reflect wave otherwise, in which a assortment of strength and contrast images are produced. Main advantages of ultrasound compared to other modes that justify this survey are: No major known hazard Immediate diagnose or referral for farther scrutiny Readily available Short waiting clip Patient convenience Cost effectual Real clip image Non-invasive Good contrast of soft tissue Can separate between stable and traveling tissue ( Doppler consequence ) Ultrasound scrutiny in GUT has a broad scope of usage. Imaging starts from kidneys down to bladder, urethra, and venereal variety meats. Ultrasound can observe many pathologies and abnormalcies in this system without the demand for farther scrutinies. In fact, some pathology such as obstructors and tumors can be detected without intercessions, while other modes intervene such as utilizing contrast agents ( Ref ) . Other modes used in GUT X-ray utilizations ionizing radiation as the rule of bring forthing radiogram, widely used in initial GUT scrutinies for being convenience and fast with high rate of diagnostic value images ( ref ) . Computed Tomography ( CT ) Scan, uses ionizing radiation as the rule of bring forthing radiogram, widely used for farther scrutiny in GUT system. Produces high-resolution two-dimensional images ( can be reconstructed to 3-dimension ) . Very sensitive in observing different lesions, concretion, obstructor and bleeding. Main concern about utilizing CT is the high radiation dosage to the patient ( Ref ) . Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI ) , uses a strong magnetic field to aline H atoms in the organic structure, pulsations of wireless moving ridges sent to realine and aline H atoms, during this, H atoms let go of energy, which is detected to bring forth great contrast images peculiarly of soft tissue. MRI scan can supply definite reply to uncertain instances because of its superior soft-tissue contrast when other mode can non. The function of MRI in GUT is largely in distinguishing benign lesions from malignant if CT has contraindication to the patient ( Ref ) . Nuclear Medicine Imaging ( NMI ) , Radiopharmaceuticals administered to the patients so that the patient become radioactive, Gamma camera scan the patient and detects gamma beam emitted from the radiation and so concept images from these informations. NMI chiefly used to analyze the map in GUT system and look into the obstructors ( Ref ) . This thesis reviews literature in relation to ultrasound scrutiny in GUT system. Comparing the usage of other mode while look intoing pathology of a patient. Why in some instances ultrasound is the first pick of usage, why it is non in other instances? This paper can heighten the advantages of the scrutiny and reexamine the progresss in this engineering, these can back up patient directions and besides be used in instruction. The inquiry needs to be answered in this survey: is US effectual plenty to be the first pick scrutiny in GUT system issues? What makes it to be the first pick? What makes it non to be? The survey efforts to analyze the conditions in which US scrutiny can supply doubtless replies to indicants. All beginnings that have relevant information will be used, and the chief database hunt will be Medline, CINAHL, Psycinfo, Embase, AMED, PubMed and e-books. A Report On Effectiveness Of Ultrasound Education Essay Title of this survey is:Effectiveness of Ultrasound ( US ) imaging in Genito-urinary system ( GUS ) for diagnostic intents: A comprehensive comparing with other modes in position of safety and handiness.Every mode has some sort of restrictions and advantages. Safety is a major issue in utilizing imaging techniques. Ultrasound is considered as one of the safest and most readily available imaging mode ( Bates, 1999 ) . However, these advantages do non warrant the undermining of the other modes, because restrictions in ultrasound can be overcome by other modes for patient directions. GUT is prone to many diseases in which some of them are life endangering ( Ref ) , patient directions require an efficient method for diagnosing. Sonography plays a great function in this respect. Some of the common GUT diseases: Infection, Glomerular disease, Diseases related to blood circulation:Atherosclerosis can do hypofunction. High blood pressure can take to mortification of the glomeruli. Metabolic disease:chronic nephritic failure, diabetes. Cysts:lone, multiple, inborn Tumors:affects kidney, ureter, vesica and urethra Renal cell carcinoma:Wilm ‘s tumor Bladder tumors Nephritic rocks and urinary piece of land obstructor Survey Purposes: Advantages and disadvantages of US imaging in GUT. Can US be the first mode of pick in GUT imagination? Study Aims: Study the usage of US imaging in GUT. Study the restriction of US imaging in GUT. Accuracy of US imaging for diagnostic intents. Cover the latest engineering in US imagination. Background Ultrasound is a sound wave that can non be heard by human ears, it uses a frequence above 20,000 Hz ( Ref ) . The moving ridges are converted by engineering to enable us to see constructions within our organic structures, which is really utile for medical intents ( Szabo, 2004 ) . Ultrasound attenuates otherwise in human organic structure depending on tissues ‘ fading coefficients, and tissues reflect wave otherwise, in which a assortment of strength and contrast images are produced. Main advantages of ultrasound compared to other modes that justify this survey are: No major known hazard Immediate diagnose or referral for farther scrutiny Readily available Short waiting clip Patient convenience Cost effectual Real clip image Non-invasive Good contrast of soft tissue Can separate between stable and traveling tissue ( Doppler consequence ) Ultrasound scrutiny in GUT has a broad scope of usage. Imaging starts from kidneys down to bladder, urethra, and venereal variety meats. Ultrasound can observe many pathologies and abnormalcies in this system without the demand for farther scrutinies. In fact, some pathology such as obstructors and tumors can be detected without intercessions, while other modes intervene such as utilizing contrast agents ( Ref ) . Other modes used in GUT X-ray utilizations ionizing radiation as the rule of bring forthing radiogram, widely used in initial GUT scrutinies for being convenience and fast with high rate of diagnostic value images ( ref ) . Computed Tomography ( CT ) Scan, uses ionizing radiation as the rule of bring forthing radiogram, widely used for farther scrutiny in GUT system. Produces high-resolution two-dimensional images ( can be reconstructed to 3-dimension ) . Very sensitive in observing different lesions, concretion, obstructor and bleeding. Main concern about utilizing CT is the high radiation dosage to the patient ( Ref ) . Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI ) , uses a strong magnetic field to aline H atoms in the organic structure, pulsations of wireless moving ridges sent to realine and aline H atoms, during this, H atoms let go of energy, which is detected to bring forth great contrast images peculiarly of soft tissue. MRI scan can supply definite reply to uncertain instances because of its superior soft-tissue contrast when other mode can non. The function of MRI in GUT is largely in distinguishing benign lesions from malignant if CT has contraindication to the patient ( Ref ) . Nuclear Medicine Imaging ( NMI ) , Radiopharmaceuticals administered to the patients so that the patient become radioactive, Gamma camera scan the patient and detects gamma beam emitted from the radiation and so concept images from these informations. NMI chiefly used to analyze the map in GUT system and look into the obstructors ( Ref ) . This thesis reviews literature in relation to ultrasound scrutiny in GUT system. Comparing the usage of other mode while look intoing pathology of a patient. Why in some instances ultrasound is the first pick of usage, why it is non in other instances? This paper can heighten the advantages of the scrutiny and reexamine the progresss in this engineering, these can back up patient directions and besides be used in instruction. The inquiry needs to be answered in this survey: is US effectual plenty to be the first pick scrutiny in GUT system issues? What makes it to be the first pick? What makes it non to be? The survey efforts to analyze the conditions in which US scrutiny can supply doubtless replies to indicants. All beginnings that have relevant information will be used, and the chief database hunt will be Medline, CINAHL, Psycinfo, Embase, AMED, PubMed and e-books.

The Current Evidence of Human Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

The Current Evidence of Human Evolution - Essay Example Interestingly, humans, Homo sapiens, have not yet stopped the journey of evolution. To date, humans still evolve (Schumann, 1998, p93). Nature is very dynamic and with every change in nature, humans have always found a way of adapting to the new domains. Change in nature is inevitable obliging life forms to keep abreast to the changes in order to thrive or survive. A life form that finds it hard to transform to the changing demands of nature eventually dies out (extinction). Humans are the most intelligent creature in the world and they have been so dynamic to the dynamic life conditions they get subjected to by nature. Scientists have come up with new ideas to study this course and a wealth of evidence has been established that supports the fact that indeed, human beings (Homo sapiens) do still evolve to date. One can only imagine the next life forms human would be like if the currently continuing trend. Before the evidences were discovered, many scientists believed that humans have stopped evolving because the advanced cultural and technological states have annihilated the possibility of natural selection that induces evolutionary changes. However, recent scientists have established that humans are still evolving due to social and environmental changes. There is always a specific and special need for humans when the environment changes. The assumption that human technology has been able to create provisions to humans, hence, reducing the biological pressures that could trigger genetic alterations has been disqualified by recent research. In fact, it is reported that the genetic signals are very vivid and can be detected in few births. In Quebec, a town in Canada, for instance, recent human evolution has been detected. Researchers (scientists in this quest) say that micro-changes in the overall gene structure in humans can be detected in

S5W4DQs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

S5W4DQs - Assignment Example These proceedings were instituted in a way that allowed the rapid use of Germany’s industrial potential to stimulate Western Europe economic recovery and growth in the years between 1945 and 1957. The punitive measures went hand in hand with reconciliatory measures in order to avoid resistance in the future. The United States provided Western Europe the necessary resources for economic reconstruction under the aid plan known as the Marshall plan (Dobbins et al, 2003). This was done in exchange for cooperation. Additionally, the United States maintained their military presence in Germany and other occupied Western Europe Countries to prevent the resurfacing of German power and also prevent Soviet expansion. In a nutshell, there was a mix between military weapons and economic weapons (Lecture notes, 2007). The Marshall plan led to transformation of the perception the German’s had towards the United States as colonialist occupants to perceiving them as economic partners. Western Europe recorded the highest growth in economy during the first quarter of the century after 1948. This rapid progress was branded as loirtschaftwundery (economic miracle) in Germany. The economic growth led to reduction of communist influence in Germany (Kunz, 1997; Reynolds 2004). Financial recovery spurred political stability in the region because financial assistance and the consequent economic growth led to cooperation among the citizens of Germany. The military security also followed as the Americans empowered the Europeans to contribute to their own defense. The Marshall plan was adopted as an Economic Recovery Program (ERP) in Western Europe and particularly Germany. This has become a model for future reconstruction programs. There are several aspects in the program that are applicable in the 21st century. The Marshall plan provided financial aid to spur economic growth in Western Europe, the result of this led the Western Europe to Shift their

Poem Comparison - Telephone Conversation Essay Example for Free

Poem Comparison Telephone Conversation Essay The context of this poem is of a black man from Africa trying to find accommodation, it is based on his experiences as a student in the 1960s. The poem is written from the perspective as a phone discussion between him and a landlady. The main problem in this poem is that there is a huge amount of racism show by the landlady to the African How dark? Are you light or very dark? This shows immediately that the landlady has something against coloured people and cant have a conversation without knowing the skin colour of the man. It also seems that the landlady would prefer the man not be coloured than to rather receive money for the accommodation. The impression we get from the landlady tells us that she is a very racist and ignorant woman. She first shows this after the man mentions hes an Africa, which she doesnt reply to Silence, silenced transmission of pressurised good breeding. The silence shows us her simple summary of her response of having to think twice about accommodating the black man. She shows that she has a sense of racism in her Considerate she was, varying the emphasis Are you dark? Or very light? This tells us that the landlady is trying to imagine all the colours he could be and shows she judges people totally on colour. We also see that she is wealthy and cares about her image a lot Lipstick coated, long gold rolled cigarette holder piped. From the view of the man he would think she is also a snob due to the way she is speaking to him and her questions. When the conversation starts it begins normally but is changed completely when the man says he is African Self confession I am African. This suggests that the mans skin colour is a sin which he is guilty of. He also feels that he needs to defend himself even before the woman has started to ask any questions. Then after the landlady asked him how dark he was he didnt know how to respond to her Button A, Button B, this shows us that the man is shocked and confused to answer the question just asked. After the man realises that the landlady has a sense of racism in her, he begins to become angry and compares it to the environment he is in Red booth, red pillar box, red double tiered. The red that he is describing represents his feelings which means he is angry and the environment seems repulsive to him. When the man says Like plain or milk chocolate he is talking about his skin colour and at the same time making a clever joke out of it. He is also mocking the landlady and showing her that he is not going to put up with the racist questions anymore. This shows that he is beginning to twist the conversation and is now the person who is asking the questions. He shows this when he says his colour is West African Sepia and then asking her if she knew his skin colour. But as West African Sepia isnt a colour it tells us that the man is using his knowledge to make a fool of her. This makes him feel better due to the fact that he is now criticising her. Also, he feels he wants to make her feel the same way he felt when he had to answer the racist questions. The attitude of the man changes at the end of the poem from being a polite and respectful to an angry and rude man. But he changes his attitude because of the landladys judgement of him and decided to show his angry and rage to show that he is not a weak person. The man is now making fun of her and is mocking her at more length when he speaks about his colour Dont you know what it is? Thats dark, isnt it? He then starts to be rude by offering to show his bottom under the pretence of suggesting she meets him before judging My bottom raven black, wouldnt you rather see for yourself. He does this to make her feel uncomfortable as he was before and tried to put her in a complicated position. The control of power in the beginning of this poem was in the hands of the landlady as she owns the house and is offering the accommodation to the man. As the poem continues her power begins to decrease as the man reverses the situation as he starts to mock her. By the end of the poem the man has gained all the power from the landlady and is so powerful the landlady talks but only when she is asked a question. I think the poet wrote this to show that people who seem to be weak like the African man could be clever enough to gain power. Also, people who are foreign to a country still believe they have rights to fight back to unpleasant comments. You Will Be Hearing From Us Shortly The context of this poem is based on an interview for a position at a company. The interview includes the interviewer and interviewees. The poem is written from the perspective of the interviewer asking questions to the candidates. The main problem in this situation is that there is a sense of prejudice shown by the interviewer to the candidates. Also, the candidates are not being treated fair to even be considered the position at the company. Another problem is that in the poem people are judged on looks and appearance instead of their knowledge and potential. The impression we get from the interviewer is that she wants the interviewee to know that she is in charge and is the only person asking the questions. This is shown in the first stanza when she immediately asks her questions, which shows she has a much more superior attitude than the interviewees You feel adequate to the demands of this position. This shows from the start-off that the interviewer is in control and doesnt show any manners to wait for a response but instead asks the next question. The character of the interviewer develops into being rude and also she doesnt pay attention to the interviewees emotions or feelings. She shows that she is rude when she questions their looks and abilities Find your appearance, disturbing? She also is more direct in asking questions and doesnt hesitate of their reaction this is show hen she questions their accent And your accent that is the way you have always spoken, is it? This gives us the impression that she is insulting the speech of the interviewee. The poet makes us think that the candidate is really weak and doesnt show any sign of defending herself. Also, whenever the interviewer finishes asking a question she also replies for the candidates So glad we agree, Quite so. This shows that they are so powerless they cant be able to answer for themselves. It also shows us that the interviewees seem that they dont care about receiving criticism and do not have the power to stand up and respond. The character of the candidate develops into being more weaker than she is already. She receives more and more criticism from the interviewer and never has the chance to respond due to the interviewers power What of your education? Where were you educated? This shows the interviewer is now not even giving the courtesy of a response and instead goes straight onto the next question, showing the interviewees lack of importance to her. The control of power in this poem was in the hands of the interviewer in the beginning. As the poem continues her power gets stronger and stronger and becomes so strong that at a point youd forget that the candidates are even present. By the end of the poem the interviewer still has all the power possible in the interview and uses it to great effect against the interviewees. I think the poets reasons for writing this poem is to show people that a person who is in a powerful enough position to make judgements of people can have even more power by showing it and using it to their advantage.

Patient Safety: Hospital Inpatient Falls Essay -- Health Care, Inpatie

If patient safety is the most important issue in Health Care facilities then how come hospital inpatient falls continue to be the most reported of all accidental falls (Tzeng & Yin, 2009)? Throughout the years, hospitals continue to make changes to decrease the risk of accidents and increase the quality of patient safety. With research studies and improvements made, patient falls still hold the largest portion of reported incidents in hospitals (Tzeng, & Yin, 2008). According to Tzeng & Yin (2008), â€Å"fall prevention programs apparently do not effectively reduce inpatient fall rates because of human factors and ergonomics in a hospital environment (p.179, para. 2). The two studies reviewed in this paper were performed with the hopes of decreasing the high fall rate among inpatients. In a qualitative study â€Å"Nurse’s Solutions to Prevent Inpatient Falls in Hospital Patient Rooms,† Huey-Ming Tzeng and Chang-Yi Yin’s purpose was to promote understanding of and to prevent inpatient falls. The research took place between February and April of 2007 in one acute, adult unit consisting of 32 beds in a Michigan medical center. The basis was on individual participation in a 45 to 60 minute long interview with nine current nursing staff and their opinions on five primary root causes of inpatient falls. Twenty-four potential solutions identified from the nurse’s interviews and the intervention strategies toward preventing patient falls were used to elicit and analyze data for useful and cost-effective fall-prevention strategies (Tzeng, & Yin, 2008). Huey-Ming Tzeng and Chang-Yi Yin also did an exploratory study â€Å"Relatioinship between call light use and response time and inpatient falls in acute care settings,† to determine whether t... ... and Yin have done different studies to find ways of reducing the high fall rate in health care facilities. The study on the call light response time didn’t seem to impact the patient fall rate; however, this was only one study in one health care facility. I believe that including nurses in fall prevention programs only makes sense. Falls will always be a risk in health care facilities but the input for preventing them should also come from the people who spend the most time with the patients. Nurse’s are the one’s who assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate their patients’ needs. Their knowledge and opinions are important. Work Cited Huey-Ming Tzeng, PhD, RN, Chang-Yi Yin, Nurses' Solutions to Prevent Inpatient Falls in Hospital Patient Rooms. Nurs Econ. 2008;26(3):179-187. View at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/576954

Online Gaming and Academic Performance Essay

Students love to play computer games, and the West Virginia Department of Education is tapping into that love through a website called Learn21. The site offers all kinds of games that help students in every grade level brush up on their studies. Fifth grade students in Dottie Pownall’s classroom at Orchard View Elementary in Martinsburg have played Probability Pond, a math game offered on the Learn21 website that features a big green frog. The frog can eat fireflies in colors of blue, yellow, purple, and red. The students have to determine what the probability is that the frog will eat a particular color. The students take turns guessing the answer and entering it on a large smart board in front of the room. Special education teacher Sharon Collins led some lessons this year, incorporating as much technology as possible. â€Å"Almost every day, we find something online through Learn21 or other resources and incorporate it into our classroom,† Collins says. â€Å"With having an inclusion classroom, we have students who have vision problems. We have students who have speech problems, learning problems. We have an autistic student in our class, and then we also have regular ed. students, and it really appeals to their different types of learning styles.† The state education department started Learn21 two years ago. The website offers online games that go along with the curriculum. Teachers can use the games in class, and students can access the website from home if they want to practice some more. Donna Landin, the department’s e-learning coordinator, says Learn21 is meant to help students in a variety of ways. â€Å"They could find content on the website, go into that content, complete a game or an interactivity that went right along with what they were learning in their classroom, so it was either supplemental, or it helped them get at areas where they were having some problems, or it could accelerate their learning,† Landin says. Learn21 also offers the opportunity to review material. â€Å"They can go back and pick up concepts that they had gone over formerly, maybe in previous grades or earlier in the year,† Landin says. Vol. 05, Issue 03, Page 11 (www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2012/06/13/03bits_games.h05.html) Can first-person shooter skills really be taught? A development studio in Scotland thinks they can – and it has the browser-based instructional game to prove it FPS Trainer †¦ you too can shoot people with ease Some gamers are just naturally good at killing people. They have the fast responses, the pinpoint hand-eye coordination, the Rain man-like ability to memorize maps and power-up locations. Meanwhile, the rest of us bumble around in the darkness hoping to achieve a kills-to-deaths ratio that doesn’t utterly shame our entire ancestral line. Now Play2Improve, a fresh-faced development studio based in Scotland’s games industry capital Dundee, thinks it can help players in the latter camp. Launched recently as a free-to-play browser game, FPS Trainer is essentially a coaching aid for would-be virtual assassins. With simplified visuals that separate maps into different strategic zones, the idea is to help players develop the tactical base necessary to start dishing out effective slaughter. â€Å"FPS Trainer provides you with the necessary knowledge for playing online,† says designer Paul â€Å"acts!† McGarrity, himself a professional gamer who has triumphed in several major LAN and online events over the past decade. â€Å"It cuts out months of laborious practice time in FPS games by teaching the core skills and methods which experienced and professional players use when competing at the highest levels. â€Å"We do this by introducing the strategies for managing resources, controlling your opponents, positioning yourself, using the terrain or level features and setting up shots to maximize damage – all in a highly visual and intuitive manner. There are many levels of strategy in competitive FPS titles that can take years to even become aware of; FPS Trainer will introduce these at an early stage to take you up the ladder more easily.† With its stylized visuals and emphasis on quickly picking up weapons and health packs, the game most closely resembles twitchy arena shooters such as Quake and Unreal Tournament, but the studio, Play2Improve, reckons the strategies it teaches will help with all kinds of FPS title. â€Å"We don’t really see a distinction between an arena-based FPS and more ranged, free-roaming combat – with the exception of vehicles to traverse larger maps,† says founder Matt Sweeney. â€Å"Our premise is that first-person shooters are fundamentally strategic in nature, rather than purely twitch-based; therefore, we are focusing on the mental side of the game; including timing, positioning and appropriate weapon selection. This is what differentiates a good player from a bad one – not just blindly rushing in and shooting, but making sure you are fully prepared and taking a far more measured approach.† Set up in 2009 and based within the University of Alberta, Play2Improve has an interesting background. Although several of its staff has traditional games industry experience, Sweeney comes from the serious games sector, where simulations are developed to train workers in various professions. With his previous company, TPLD set up when he was a student at Alberta, he created games for the Scottish schools system and for corporations looking for assessed cooperation exercises – it’s probably a natural progression from Apprentice-style team challenges to the dog-frog-dog world of the first-person shooter. One of the key elements of FPS Trainer is the monitoring of player behaviors and the provision of post-game feedback – and apparently this extends to more than just hit percentages. â€Å"Basic accuracy stats can be misleading,† says McGarrity. â€Å"We will be providing information not just on whether you scored a hit or not, but on whether you maximized the damage with each shot. Along with this there will be information about which areas of a level you are most active in, which areas you have neglected and also indicators to show where you should ideally be positioned in key situations, along with your actual location at the time. The stats will also cover things such as item pickups, including the amount and frequency. They will show how long items have been left unclaimed, which will tie in with the positioning tips.† What’s really interesting is the way the game sounds like one of the fitness titles currently dominating the kindest software line-up. As Sweeney says: â€Å"There are detailed stats for debriefing, with intuitive graphs and visualizations to identify strengths and weaknesses; you can track your performance over time and compare stats with your friends and peers, and everything can be easily shared with friends via Face book.† It’s the same approach as Your Shape or EA Sports Active 2, but it’s about shooting at people; it represents the appropriation of mainstream coaching techniques for a hardcore gaming genre. I like that. At the moment, the game can only be played on PC and Mac (it runs on Unity so you’ll need the correct plug-in), and the next step will be the addition of premium paid-for features. But Play2Improve is also planning to create Xbox Live and PSN versions once they’ve achieved a benchmark of 100,000 users online. If it does make it too console, I’ll be near the front of the queue – though I’ll probably be shot in the back of the head by a sniper I failed to spot on my way in. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/dec/23/first-person-shooter-skills-training.) China’s Shanda Games takes majority ownership of eFusion MMOG By James Bright man The online games publisher is looking to boost its overseas strategy Eschborn, Germany-based eFusion MMOG GmbH announced today that Chinese online games publisher Shanda Games has purchased a majority stake in the company (financial terms were not disclosed). At the same time, eFusion just announced that its entered into an agreement with Eyed entity Games, a Korean online game development studio for the exclusive license to operate its action MMORPG Dragon Nest in Europe. Shanda views the move as an important step in shoring up its overseas business. The company said it â€Å"has a strong intention to enhance its presence in the European market, where its influence remains relatively modest compared to other regions of the world.† With the Shanda investment, eFusion noted that it will now â€Å"have all of the capital it needs in order to level up its position in the MMO games market.† The next step for the publisher will be to launch Dragon Nest across Europe. Michael Lim, founder and CEO of eFusion MMOG GmbH, commented, â€Å"We are really delighted to become part of Shanda Games and are also excited about the tremendous opportunity to offer Dragon Nest, a skill based high-quality MMORPG, to European gamers. Launching Dragon Nest in Europe will be a huge milestone for us, but most of all, we’re looking forward to Dragon Nest attracting lots of fans among European gamers. The online game market in Europe is growing very fast but the competition is becoming tougher. We are ready to face the challenge and to build on eFusion MMOG’s success in this market.† (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-07-25-chinas-shanda-games-takes-m ajority-ownership-of-efusion-mmog-gmbh.) Definition of terms 1. MMOG- refers to role-playing games where thousands of gamers play online in a virtual and persistent environment on the Internet. (http://geekdictionary.computing.net/define/mmog.) 2. First Person Shooter Game- A first person shooter, commonly called FPS in the gaming arena, is a game in which the player sees the action on the screen as if he or she were looking through the eyes of the main character he or she is playing. (http://vgstrategies.about.com/od/basicgamingtipstricks/g/fps.htm.) 3. Simulation game- By definition a simulation is an imitation. So computer simulation games are games that imitate a real-life situation. Another way to think about it is that sim games attempt to recreate a past event. (http://compsimgames.about.com/cs/gamingtips/g/simulation.htm.) 4. Educational game- An educational game is a game designed to teach humans about a specific subject and to teach them a skill. As educators, governments, and parents realize the psychological need and benefits of gaming have on learning, this educational tool has become mainstream. (http://teachinglearningresources.pbworks.com/w/page/35130965/Educational%20Games.) 5. DOTA- is an action real-time strategy mod for the video game War craft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion, War craft III: The Frozen Throne, based on the â€Å"Aeon of Strife† map for Star Craft. The objective of the scenario is for each team to destroy the opponents’ Ancients, heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. (http://dictionary.babylon.com/dota/.) 6. Diablo- is a word in Spanish meaning â€Å"devil†. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo.) 7. Dragon nest- A free-to-play Korean MMORPG playable in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, North America, SEA, Australia, and New Zealand. In North America, Nexon runs and operates the game on their servers. (http://www.soslang.com/term/dragon-nest.) 8. Ran online- is a free to play, 3D MMORPG developed by Min Communications, Inc. located in Daegu, Republic of Korea. The game is set in the modern world built around 3 schools. Players will belong one of these three distinctive schools and enjoy the game. Plus, one of the six special clubs in each school can be selected as the class of a character.

Blood Promise Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lissa didn't have to say anything to express her shock. The feelings of utter astonishment pouring into me said more than any words could have. I, however, had one important word for her: Duck! I think it was her surprise that made her respond so quickly. She dropped to the floor. The movement was clumsy, but it removed her body from Reed's direct attack and put her (mostly) out of range of the window. He still collided with her shoulder and the side of her head, but it only bumped her and caused a little pain. Of course, â€Å"a little pain† meant totally different things to us. Lissa had been tortured a couple of times, but most of her battles were mental. She'd never been in a one-on-one physical confrontation. Getting thrown against walls was an average occurrence for me, but for her, a small swipe to the head was monumental. Crawl away, I ordered. Get away from him and the window. Head for the door if possible. Lissa started moving on her hands and feet, but she was too slow. Reed caught hold of her hair. I kind of felt like we were playing a game of telephone. With the delay in me giving direction and her figuring out how to respond, I might as well have been passing the message through five people before it got to her. I wished I could control her body like a puppeteer, but I was no spirit user. It's going to hurt, but turn around as best you can and hit him. Oh, it did hurt. Trying to turn her body meant his hold on her hair tugged that much more painfully. She managed it reasonably well, though, and flailed out at Reed. Her hits weren't that coordinated, but they surprised him enough that he let go of her hair and tried to fend her off. That's when I noticed he wasn't overly coordinated either. He was stronger than her, true, but he obviously had no combat training short of basic hits and throwing his weight around. He hadn't come here for a true fight; he'd come to just push her out the window and be done with it. Get away if you can; get away if you can. She scrambled across the floor, but unfortunately her escape path didn't give her access to the door. Instead, she backed further into the room until her back hit a rolling desk chair. Grab it. Hit him with it. Easier said than done. He was right there, still trying to grab her and jerk her to her feet. She caught hold of the chair and tried to roll it into him. I'd wanted her to pick it up and hit him with it, but that wasn't quite so easy for her. She did, however, manage to get to her feet and get the chair between them. I directed her to keep hitting him with it in an effort to get him to retreat. It worked a little, but she didn't quite have the force to truly damage him. Meanwhile, I half expected Avery to join in the fight. It wouldn't have taken much effort to assist Reed in subduing Lissa. Instead, out of the corner of Lissa's eye, I saw Avery sitting perfectly still, her eyes unfocused and slightly glazed over. Okay. That was weird, but I had no complaints about her being out of the conflict. As it was, Lissa and Reed were in a stalemate, one I had to get her out of. You're on the defensive, I said. You need to take the attack to him. I finally got a direct answer back. What? I can't do anything like that! I have no clue how! I'll show you. Kick him-preferably between the legs. That'll take down most guys. Without words, I tried to send the feelings into her, teaching her the right way to tense muscles and strike out. Steeling herself, she pushed the chair away so that there was nothing between her and Reed. It caught him by surprise, giving her a brief opening. Her leg struck out. It missed the golden spot, but it did hit his knee. That was almost as good. He stumbled back as his leg collapsed underneath him and just managed to grab the chair for support. It tried to roll, which didn't help him any. Lissa didn't need any urging to sprint for the door at that point-except it was blocked. Simon had just entered. For a moment, both Lissa and I felt relief. A guardian! Guardians were safe. Guardians protected us. The thing was, this guardian worked for Avery, and it soon became clear his services went beyond merely keeping Strigoi away from her. He strode in, and with no hesitation grabbed Lissa and dragged her harshly back to the window. My direction faltered at that moment. I'd been an okay coach at showing her how to fend off a surly teenage boy. But a guardian? And that surly teenage boy had recovered himself and joined Simon to finish the job. Compel him! It was my last desperate bid. That was Lissa's strength. Unfortunately, while her earlier drinking had metabolized enough to improve her coordination, it was still affecting her control of spirit. She could touch the power-but not very much of it. Her control was clumsy too. Nonetheless, her resolve was strong. She drew as much of the spirit as she could, channeling it into compulsion. Nothing happened. Then, I felt that weird tickling in my head. At first I thought Avery was back on the scene, only rather than someone reaching into me, it was like they reached through me. The power in Lissa surged, and I realized what had happened. Oksana was still there, somewhere in the background, and she was lending her strength again, channeling it through me and into Lissa. Simon froze, and it was almost amusing. He twitched slightly, rocking back and forth as he tried to advance on her and finish the lethal task. It was like he was suspended in Jell-O. Lissa was hesitant to move, for fear of breaking her control. There was also the issue that Reed was not being compelled, but for the moment, he seemed too confused about what was happening to Simon to react. â€Å"You can't just kill me!† Lissa blurted out. â€Å"Don't you think people are going to ask questions when they find my body shoved out a window? â€Å"They won't notice,† said Simon stiffly. Even the words required effort. â€Å"Not when you're resurrected. And if you can't be, then it was just a tragic accident that befell a troubled girl.† Slowly, slowly, he began breaking out of her compulsion. Her power, while still there, was weakening a little-there was a leak somewhere, and it was dripping out. I suspected it might be Avery's influence or simply Lissa's mental fatigue. Maybe both. A supreme look of satisfaction crossed Simon's features as he lunged forward, and then. He froze again. A blazing gold aura lit up in Lissa's periphery. She glanced over just enough to see Adrian in the doorway. The look on his face was comical, but shocked or not, he'd picked up enough to target Simon. It was Adrian's compulsion holding the guardian in place now. Lissa squirmed away, yet again trying to keep out of that damned window's opening. â€Å"Hold him!† Lissa cried. Adrian grimaced. â€Å"I†¦ can't. What the hell? It's like there's someone else there†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Avery,† said Lissa, sparing a brief glance at the other girl. Avery's face had gone pale even for a Moroi. Her breathing was heavy, and her sweating had increased. She was fighting Adrian's compulsion. A few seconds later, Simon broke free yet again. He advanced on Lissa and Adrian, though his movements seemed sluggish. Son of a bitch, I thought. Now what? demanded Lissa. Reed. Go for Reed. Get him out of the picture. Reed had been frozen during the struggle with Simon, watching with fascination. And like those of the guardian, Reed's actions seemed a little sluggish. Still, he was moving toward Lissa again. Simon had apparently decided Adrian was the immediate threat and was heading that way. Time to see if dividing and conquering would work. What about Adrian? Lissa asked. We're going to have to leave him on his own for a minute. Get to Reed. Knock him out. What But she advanced on him anyway, moving with a determination that warmed me with pride. His face curled into a snarl. He was frantic and overconfident, though-not thinking clearly and still moving in an ungainly way. Once more, I attempted to teach Lissa without words. I couldn't make her do anything, but I tried to make her feel what it was like to punch someone. How to draw back her arm, curl her fingers in the proper way, build up the strength. After what I'd seen her do earlier, the best I could hope for was a decent approximation of a punch, enough to keep him off her and create further delay. And that's when something truly beautiful happened. Lissa socked him in the nose. And I mean, socked. We both heard the impact, heard the nose break. Blood came out. He flew backward, both he and Lissa staring wide-eyed. Never, never would I have thought Lissa capable of something like that. Not sweet, delicate, beautiful Lissa. I wanted to whoop and dance with joy. But this wasn't over yet. Don't stop! Hit him again. You've got to knock him out! I did! she cried, horrified at what she'd done. Her fist was also in agonizing pain. I hadn't really mentioned that part during my coaching. No, you've got to incapacitate him, I told her. I think he and Avery are bonded, and I think she's taking her strength from him. It made sense now, why he'd frozen when Avery drew power to use compulsion, why he'd known to show up when he had. She'd used their bond to summon him. And so Lissa went after Reed again. She got in two more punches, one of which knocked his head against the wall. His lips parted and his features went slack. He dropped to the floor, eyes staring vacantly. I wasn't sure if he was entirely unconscious, but he was out of this for the moment. Off to the side, I heard a small cry from Avery. Lissa turned to Adrian and Simon. Adrian had ceased any attempts at compulsion, because Simon was engaged in a full-on attack. Adrian's face showed he'd taken a few hits of his own, and I figured that, like Lissa, he'd never engaged in this kind of physical combat. Without any need for direction from me, Lissa strode over and turned on her compulsion. Simon jerked in surprise, not stopping his attack, but caught off guard. Lissa was still weak, but the walls around him had dropped a little, just as I'd suspected they would. â€Å"Help me!† cried Lissa. With the momentary lapse on Simon's part, Adrian tried to wield his spirit too. Lissa felt and saw the change in his aura as the magic flowed through him. She felt him join her in their psychic attack on Simon, and a moment later, I sensed Oksana joining the fray. I wanted to play general and shout orders, but this wasn't my battle anymore. Simon's eyes went wide, and he fell to his knees. Lissa could sense the other two spirit users-and was a bit surprised by Oksana's presence-and had the vague impression that they were all doing slightly different things to Simon. Lissa was trying to compel him to stop his attack, to simply sit still. Her brief brush with Adrian's magic told her he was trying to make the guardian sleep, and Oksana was attempting to get Simon to run out of the room. The conflicting messages and all that power were too much. The last of Simon's defenses fell as all those mixed messages blasted into him, creating a tidal wave of spirit. He collapsed to the floor. With all of their magic combined, the spirit users had knocked him unconscious. Lissa and Adrian turned to Avery, bracing themselves, but there was no need. As soon as all that spirit had blasted into Simon, Avery had begun screaming. And screaming and screaming. She gripped the sides of her head, the sound of her voice horrible and grating. Lissa and Adrian exchanged glances, unsure how to handle this new development. â€Å"For God's sake,† gasped Adrian, exhausted. â€Å"How do we shut her up?† Lissa didn't know. She considered approaching Avery and trying to help her, in spite of all that had happened. But a few seconds later, Avery grew quiet. She didn't pass out like her companions had. She just sat there, staring. Her expression no longer resembled the dazed look she'd had while wielding spirit. It was just†¦ blank. Like there was nothing in her at all. â€Å"Wh-what happened?† asked Lissa. I had the answer. The spirit flooded from Simon into her. It fried her. Lissa was startled. How could it go from Simon to her? Because they're bonded. You said she was bonded to Reed! She is. She's bonded to both of them. Lissa had been too distracted while fighting for her life, but I'd been able to notice everyone's auras through her eyes. Avery-no longer masking hers-had possessed a gold one, just like Adrian and Lissa. Simon and Reed had had nearly identical ones, with ordinary colors-ringed in black. They were shadow-kissed, both having been brought back from the dead by Avery. Lissa asked no more questions and simply collapsed into Adrian's arms. There was nothing romantic about it, just a desperate need on both their parts to be close to a friend. â€Å"Why did you come?† she asked him. â€Å"Are you kidding? How could I not? You guys were like a bonfire with all the spirit you were wielding. I felt it all the way across campus.† He glanced around. â€Å"Man, I have a lot of questions.† â€Å"You and me both,† she muttered. I have to go, I told Lissa. I felt a little wistful at having to leave them. I miss you. When will you be back? Soon. Thank you. Thank you for being there for me. Always. I suspected I was smiling back in my own body. Oh, and Lissa? Tell Adrian I'm proud of him. The Academy room faded. I was once more sitting on a bed halfway around the world. Abe was looking at me with concern. Mark also was concerned, but he had eyes only for Oksana, who lay down beside me. She looked a little like Avery, pale and sweating. Mark clasped her hand frantically, fear all over him. â€Å"Are you okay?† She smiled. â€Å"Just tired. I'll be all right.† I wanted to hug her. â€Å"Thank you,† I breathed. â€Å"Thank you so much.† â€Å"I'm glad to have helped,† she said. â€Å"But I hope I don't have to do it again. It was†¦ strange. I'm not sure what role I played there.† â€Å"Me either.† It had been weird. Sometimes it was like Oksana had actually been there, fighting right along with Lissa and the rest. Other times, I'd felt as though Oksana had merged with me. I shuddered. Too many minds linked together. â€Å"Next time, you have to be by her side,† Oksana said. â€Å"In the real world.† I looked down at my hands, confused and unsure what to think. The silver ring gleamed up at me. I took it off and handed it to her. â€Å"This ring saved me. Can it heal you even though you made it?† She held it in her hand for a moment and then gave it back. â€Å"No, but like I said, I'll recover. I heal quickly on my own.† It was true. I'd seen Lissa heal remarkably fast in the past. It was part of always having spirit in you. I stared at the ring, and something troubling came to mind. It was a thought that had struck me while riding with the old couple to Novosibirsk, when I'd moved in and out of consciousness. â€Å"Oksana†¦ a Strigoi touched this ring. And for a few moments-while he did-it was like†¦ well, he was still Strigoi, no question. But while he held it, he was almost like his old self too.† Oksana didn't answer right away. She looked up at Mark, and they held each other's gazes for a long time. He bit his lip and shook his head. â€Å"Don't,† he said. â€Å"It's a fairy tale.† â€Å"What?† I exclaimed. I looked back and forth between him. â€Å"If you know something about this-about Strigoi-you have to tell me!† Mark spoke sharply in Russian, a warning in his voice. Oksana looked equally determined. â€Å"It's not our place to withhold information,† she replied. She turned to me, face grave. â€Å"Mark told you about the Moroi we met long ago†¦ the other spirit user?† I nodded. â€Å"Yeah.† â€Å"He used to tell a lot of stories-most of which I don't think were true. But one of them†¦ well, he claimed he restored a Strigoi to life.† Abe, silent thus far, scoffed. â€Å"That is a fairy tale.† â€Å"What?† My whole world reeled. â€Å"How?† â€Å"I don't know. He never elaborated much, and the details often changed. His mind was going, and I think half of what he said was imaginary,† she explained. â€Å"He's crazy,† said Mark. â€Å"It wasn't true. Don't get caught up in an insane man's fantasy. Don't fixate on this. Don't let it become your next vigilante quest. You need to go back to your bondmate.† I swallowed, every emotion in the world churning in my stomach. Was it true? Had a spirit user restored a Strigoi to life? Theoretically†¦ well, if spirit users could heal and bring back the dead, why not the undead? And Dimitri†¦ Dimitri had definitely seemed altered while holding the ring. Had spirit affected him and touched some piece of his old self? At the time, I'd just assumed it was fond memories of his family affecting him†¦ â€Å"I need to talk to this guy,† I murmured. Not that I knew why. Fairy tale or not, it was too late. I'd done it. I'd killed Dimitri. Nothing would bring him back now, no miracle of spirit. My heart rate increased, and I could hardly breathe. In my mind's eye, I saw him falling, falling†¦ falling forever with the stake in his chest. Would he have said he loved me? I would ask myself that for the rest of my life. Agony and grief flooded me, though at the same time, relief was there too. I had freed Dimitri from a state of evil. I had brought him peace, sending him on to happiness. Maybe he and Mason were together in heaven somewhere, practicing some guardian moves. I had done the right thing. There should be no regret here. Oblivious to my emotions, Oksana addressed my last statement. â€Å"Mark wasn't kidding. This man is crazy-if he's even still alive. The last time we saw him, he could barely hold up a conversation or even use his magic. He ran off into hiding. No one knows where he is-except maybe his brother.† â€Å"Enough,† warned Mark. Abe's attention was piqued, however. He leaned forward, shrewd as ever. â€Å"What's this man's name?† â€Å"Robert Doru,† said Mark after a few hesitant moments. It was no one I knew, and I realized how pointless this all was. This guy was a lost cause and had likely imagined the whole idea of saving a Strigoi in a fit of insanity. Dimitri was gone. This part of my life was over. I needed to get back to Lissa. Then I noticed that Abe had gone very still. â€Å"Do you know him?† I asked. â€Å"No. Do you?† â€Å"No.† I scrutinized Abe's face. â€Å"You sure look like you know something, Zmey.† â€Å"I know of him,† Abe clarified. â€Å"He's an illegitimate royal. His father had an affair, and Robert was the result. His father actually included him as part of the family. Robert and his half-brother grew quite close, though few knew about it.† Of course Abe would know about it, though. â€Å"Doru is Robert's mother's last name.† No surprise. Doru wasn't a royal name. â€Å"What's his father's last name?† â€Å"Dashkov. Trenton Dashkov.† â€Å"That,† I told him, â€Å"is a name I know.† I had met Trenton Dashkov years ago while accompanying Lissa and her family to a royal holiday party. Trenton had been an old, stooped man then, kind but on the brink of death. Moroi often lived to be over a hundred, but he'd been pushing a hundred and twenty-which was ancient even by their standards. There had been no sign or whisper of him having an illegitimate son, but Trenton's legitimate son had been there. That son had even danced with me, showing a great courtesy to a lowly dhampir girl. â€Å"Trenton is Victor Dashkov's father,† I said. â€Å"You're saying Robert Doru is Victor Dashkov's half-brother.† Abe nodded, still watching me closely. Abe, as I'd noted, knew everything. He likely knew my history with Victor. Oksana frowned. â€Å"Victor Dashkov is someone important, isn't he?† Out in their Siberian cottage, she was removed from the turmoil of Moroi politics, unaware that the man who would have been king had been locked away in prison. I started laughing-but not because I found any humor in the situation. This whole thing was unbelievable, and my hysteria was the only way to let out all the crazy feelings within me. Exasperation. Resignation. Irony. â€Å"What's so funny?† asked Mark, startled. â€Å"Nothing,† I said, knowing if I didn't stop laughing, I'd probably start crying. â€Å"That's the thing. It's not funny at all.† What a wonderful twist to my life. The only person alive who might know something about saving Strigoi was the half-brother of my greatest living enemy, Victor Dashkov. And the only person who might know where Robert was was Victor himself. Victor had known a lot about spirit, and now I had a good idea where he'd first learned about it. Not that it mattered. None of this mattered anymore. Victor himself could have been able to convert Strigoi for all the good it would have done me. Dimitri was dead by my hand. He was gone, saved in the only way I knew how. I'd had to choose between him and Lissa once before, and I'd chosen him. Now there could be no question. I'd chosen her. She was real. She was alive. Dimitri was the past. I'd been staring absentmindedly at the wall, and now I looked up and met Abe squarely in the eyes. â€Å"All right, old man,† I said. â€Å"Pack me up and send me home.†

Calculating the Mean Absolute Deviation

Calculating the Mean Absolute Deviation There are many measurements of spread or dispersion in statistics. Although the range and standard deviation are most commonly used, there are other ways to quantify dispersion.  We will look at how to calculate the mean absolute deviation for a data set.   Definition We begin with the definition of the mean absolute deviation, which is also referred to as the average absolute deviation. The formula displayed with this article is the formal definition of the mean absolute deviation. It may make more sense to consider this formula as a process, or series of steps, that we can use to obtain our statistic. We start with an average, or measurement of the center, of a data set, which we will denote by m.  Next, we find how much each of the data values deviates from m.  This means that we take the difference between each of the data values and m.  After this, we take the absolute value of each of the difference from the previous step. In other words, we drop any negative signs for any of the differences.  The reason for doing this is that there are positive and negative deviations from m.  If we do not figure out a way to eliminate the negative signs, all of the deviations will cancel one another out if we add them together.Now we add together all of these absolute values.Finally, we divide this sum by n, which is the total number of data values.  The result is the mean absolute deviation. Variations There are several variations for the above process.  Note that we did not specify exactly what m is. The reason for this is that we could use a variety of statistics for m.  Typically this is the center of our data set, and so any of the measurements of central tendency can be used. The most common statistical measurements of the center of a data set are the mean, median and the mode.  Thus any of these could be used as m in the calculation of the mean absolute deviation. This is why it is common to refer to the mean absolute deviation about the mean or the mean absolute deviation about the median. We will see several examples of this. Example:  Mean Absolute Deviation About the Mean Suppose that we start with the following data set: 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9. The mean of this data set is 5.  The following table will organize our work in calculating the mean absolute deviation about the mean.   Data Value Deviation from mean Absolute Value of Deviation 1 1 - 5 = -4 |-4| = 4 2 2 - 5 = -3 |-3| = 3 2 2 - 5 = -3 |-3| = 3 3 3 - 5 = -2 |-2| = 2 5 5 - 5 = 0 |0| = 0 7 7 - 5 = 2 |2| = 2 7 7 - 5 = 2 |2| = 2 7 7 - 5 = 2 |2| = 2 7 7 - 5 = 2 |2| = 2 9 9 - 5 = 4 |4| = 4 Total of Absolute Deviations: 24 We now divide this sum by 10, since there are a total of ten data values.  The mean absolute deviation about the mean is 24/10 2.4. Example:  Mean Absolute Deviation About the Mean Now we start with a different data set: 1, 1, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7, 10. Just like the previous data set, the mean of this data set is 5.   Data Value Deviation from mean Absolute Value of Deviation 1 1 - 5 = -4 |-4| = 4 1 1 - 5 = -4 |-4| = 4 4 4 - 5 = -1 |-1| = 1 5 5 - 5 = 0 |0| = 0 5 5 - 5 = 0 |0| = 0 5 5 - 5 = 0 |0| = 0 5 5 - 5 = 0 |0| = 0 7 7 - 5 = 2 |2| = 2 7 7 - 5 = 2 |2| = 2 10 10 - 5 = 5 |5| = 5 Total of Absolute Deviations: 18 Thus the mean absolute deviation about the mean is 18/10 1.8.  We compare this result to the first example.  Although the mean was identical for each of these examples, the data in the first example was more spread out. We see from these two examples that the mean absolute deviation from the first example is greater than the mean absolute deviation from the second example. The greater the mean absolute deviation, the greater the dispersion of our data. Example:  Mean Absolute Deviation About the Median Start with the same data set as the first example: 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9. The median of the data set is 6.  In the following table,  we show the details of the calculation of the mean absolute deviation about the median. Data Value Deviation from median Absolute Value of Deviation 1 1 - 6 = -5 |-5| = 5 2 2 - 6 = -4 |-4| = 4 2 2 - 6 = -4 |-4| = 4 3 3 - 6 = -3 |-3| = 3 5 5 - 6 = -1 |-1| = 1 7 7 - 6 = 1 |1| = 1 7 7 - 6 = 1 |1| = 1 7 7 - 6 = 1 |1| = 1 7 7 - 6 = 1 |1| = 1 9 9 - 6 = 3 |3| = 3 Total of Absolute Deviations: 24 Again we divide the total by 10 and obtain a mean average deviation about the median as 24/10 2.4. Example:  Mean Absolute Deviation About the Median Start with the same data set as before: 1, 2, 2, 3, 5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9. This time we find the mode of this data set to be 7.  In the following table,  we show the details of the calculation of the mean absolute deviation about the mode. Data Deviation from mode Absolute Value of Deviation 1 1 - 7 = -6 |-5| = 6 2 2 - 7 = -5 |-5| = 5 2 2 - 7 = -5 |-5| = 5 3 3 - 7 = -4 |-4| = 4 5 5 - 7 = -2 |-2| = 2 7 7 - 7 = 0 |0| = 0 7 7 - 7 = 0 |0| = 0 7 7 - 7 = 0 |0| = 0 7 7 - 7 = 0 |0| = 0 9 9 - 7 = 2 |2| = 2 Total of Absolute Deviations: 22 We divide the sum of the absolute deviations and see that we have a mean absolute deviation about the mode of 22/10 2.2. Fast Facts There are a few basic properties concerning mean absolute deviations The mean absolute deviation about the median is always less than or equal to the mean absolute deviation about the mean.The standard deviation is greater than or equal to the mean absolute deviation about the mean.The mean absolute deviation is sometimes abbreviated by MAD.  Unfortunately, this can be ambiguous as MAD may alternately refer to the median absolute deviation.The mean absolute deviation for a normal distribution is approximately 0.8 times the size of the standard deviation. Common Uses The mean absolute deviation has a few applications.  The first application is that this statistic may be used to teach some of the ideas behind the standard deviation. The mean absolute deviation about the mean is much easier to calculate than the standard deviation. It does not require us to square the deviations, and we do not need to find a square root at the end of our calculation. Furthermore, the mean absolute deviation is more intuitively connected to the spread of the data set than what the standard deviation is. This is why the mean absolute deviation is sometimes taught first, before introducing the standard deviation. Some have gone so far as to argue that the standard deviation should be replaced by the mean absolute deviation.  Although the standard deviation is important for scientific and mathematical applications, it is not as intuitive as the mean absolute deviation. For day-to-day applications, the mean absolute deviation is a more tangible way to measure how spread out data are.

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