Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 39

Journal - Essay Example The French government colonized Haiti at a time when slavery was as an aspect that would amount to great economic growth. From Dubois’ assertions, french government actually led to the increase in poverty level in Haiti through forcing Haiti government to take a loan from them that they would use to compensate slaves. The U.S is also to blame for Haiti’s poor economic growth; the U.S made Haiti be over depended on foreign support. Dubois, however, provides some different assertions offered for Haiti’s troubles. For instance, he mentions a religious leader that insisted that Haiti faces many natural calamities since they had sold themselves to the devil; practiced voodoo culture. Another claim points out that Haiti’s poverty results from the leadership it has had after it gained independence. Most of these leaders who happened to be freed slaves had greed and focused much on accumulating wealth for themselves, thereby creating corruption and dictatorship. Certainly, from my assumption, I think Haitians, the French Government and U.S government have to take responsibility for Haiti’s misfortunes. However, the blame should be more on the Haitians. Certainly, natural calamities such as earthquakes are rather unavoidable. However, shameful factors such as neocolonialism, corruption, poverty, crime, and poor economic growth can be because of certain actions from people. The Haitians should take blame for their high level of poverty, corruption and poor economic growth. The level of poverty in Haiti results from the corrupt and unstable governments that have existed (Wilentz), and incompetent citizens. In addition, poor economic growth also results from the high level of crime and corruption done by the Haitians themselves. Therefore, Haitians should stop blaming occurrences in history for their failures. However, the blame on the U.S government for increasing Haiti’s over dependence on foreign aid is justifiable. By doing this, the U.S

Super Bowl Ads Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Super Bowl Ads - Assignment Example The commercial of this mega event is a trend setter in the industry due to high cost and quality. The Operah was marketing a jeep. At beginning the product was not clear, it revealed surprises at the end in emotional background. Patriotic emotions were triggered with the help of a very persuasive language. The theme itself was strong enough that it needs not any musical background. Without any music the theme sounds so real and natural. Female narrator suits the theme but the gender change might reduce the impact of the commercial The commercial does not leave a quick impact on a viewer and the Google Trends (Shaughnessy, 2013) shows that there it did not leave any significant impact on the Samsung search uptick. The theme of the commercial is good but it failed to win the viewership of a large segment of the society which may hint the future business, trends and gains. Shaughnessy Haydn (2013). Did Samsungs Superbowl Ad Make A Difference In Its Battle With Apple? . Retrieved from

The Promise of the After-Life in Islam Essay Example for Free

The Promise of the After-Life in Islam Essay I. The Five Pillars and the Seven Articles of Faith That which makes the life of man pleasant and enjoyable, makes his labor joyful, gives warmth to his heart, and broadens the horizons of his vision, is none other than what revelation and religion give man belief in an eternal world . . . (Lari, 1992, p. 17) Islam means total submission to Allahs will. A good Muslim has genuine belief in the Five Pillars of Islam and the Seven Articles of Faith. The Five Pillars purify a Muslim and compound the way of life for him. They are Ash-shahada, testifying that Allah is the only God and Muhammad is His messenger, Salat, five daily prayers, Zakat, charity to needy Muslims, Fasting during Ramadan to appreciate Allahs providence and making a pilgrimage to Mecca to perform Hajj. Observing these Five Pillars reinforces a Muslims true faith. The Seven Articles of Faith are key principles to follow. They are the affirmation that Allah is One (tawhid) and He is The Only Creator to be worshipped, belief in His angelic agency, scriptures, prophets, Judgement Day (Yawm Al-Qiyamah), the belief that the power of executing good and evil acts emanates from Allah and the belief in life after death (Bowker, 2001, p. 21). In Islam, judgement, reward and punishment form the foundation of its creed (Elias, 1999, p. 64). The eschatological thought of Islam teaches a Muslim that he will either pay or earn his dues. The way he lives his present life will determine the nature of his hereafter (al-akhirah). Lari (1992, p. 155) says that the fear of God stems from mens fear of their own deeds and will instill discipline and order. In Islam, the perpetuity of this world is a fallacy (Coward, 1997, p. 50). Eternity resides only in the hereafter. Death will lead to resurrection and Judgement Day when every Muslim will stand before Allah to account for his deeds. Adhering to Islams creed will emancipate a Muslim and merit him with heaven while disobeying it will banish him to hell. Under these circumstances, Muslims are compelled to walk in the path of Allah in this life given the accountability of ones sins on Yawm Al-Qiyamah or Judgement Day, the threat of jahannam or hell, where one is consumed by a raging fire; or the promise of earning His blessing in the al-akhirah or hereafter with the reward of al-janna or heaven, wherein resides Allahs infinite love. II. The three worlds Every soul shall taste of death; you shall surely be paid in full your wages on the Day of Resurrection. Whosoever is removed from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, shall win the triumph. The present life is but the joy of delusion. (cited in Coward, 1997, p. 48) The Quran mentions phases of ones life, categorized it into three different worlds. They are the World of earning, Intermediate state and Resurrection (Ahmad, 1996, pp. 151-157). A. World of earning This is the present life where one accumulates merit or demerit for his deeds. The Quran (84:6) says, O man! To the degree that you strive to obey God you will in the end meet your Creator (cited in Lari, 1992, p. 36). According to two studies (Lari, 1992; Ahmad, 1996) good or bad effects of ones deeds will act as poison or panacea on him in the hereafter (Lari, 1992, p. 143). The bliss or burden felt when carrying out an act disappears but it leaves an impression on the heart (p. 150). One cannot escape punishment in the afterlife. Present life is riddled with tests of Allah, who guides people by showing the good way as well as the one that leads [them] astray (Sakr, 2001, p. 18). One who corrupts his soul through evils like deceit, immorality and rejection of faith will be punished severely on Judgement Day. Death is the opening of the gates of eternity (Lari, 1992, p.15). Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi recites, O you who attempt to flee death in your fear, It is yourself that you fear use your intelligence! It is your countenance that is ugly, not the visage of death; Your soul is a tree on which death is the leaf. (cited in Lari, 1992, p. 18) When ones relationship with God weakens and he starts to distance himself from a firm rooting in faith, the entirety of his being becomes a hunting ground for demons who rob him of all virtue, piety, and the capacity for salvation (Lari, 1992, p. 153). Therefore, his ultimate aim and desire should be to seek the ultimate perfection achievable by man, which is the attainment of union with the sublime origin of all being (Lari, 1992, p. 36). B. Intermediate state This state is known as Barzakh. Here, the soul lives in another phase of existence (Haeri, 1997, p. 24) which falls between present life and resurrection (Ahmad, 1996, p. 152). The soul departs from the body and is held at Isthmus, a storage place for souls. Then, the soul returns to the grave to be questioned by two angels, Munkir and Nakir. They will question regarding Allah, belief in Islam, ones way of life and other questions to test ones virtues and piety. If one is righteous, one will be shown heaven. If not, one will be shown hell and tormented in ones grave. C. Resurrection They will blow on the trumpet and everything in the heavens and the earth will be swallowed up by death, save only that which God wishes to preserve. Then another trumpet blast will be sounded and all creatures will suddenly rise up to behold the plain of resurrection.(cited in Lari, 1992, p. 126) This is how the Quran (39:68) describes resurrection. The first sounding of the trumpet signals every living being to drop dead and the second sounding restores life for everyone to awaken. The trumpets function is to call for universal death and universal revival (Lari, 1992, p. 128). Before resurrection, comes the end of the world. According to the Quran (81:1-6), When the sun (with its spacious light) is folded up; When the stars fall, losing their luster; When the mountains vanish (like a mirage) (cited in Sakr, 2001, p. 73) only Allah remains. After forty years, He resurrects all. The Quran illustrates this by saying, And We send down from the sky rain charted with blessing, and We produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests . . . and We give (new) life therewith to land that is dead: thus will be the resurrection. (cited in Sakr, 2001, p. 82) III. Judgement Day: Accounting for ones deeds With resurrection comes Judgement Day which emphasizes on the Qurans tenacious stress on the ultimate moral responsibility and accountability of each believer (Esposito, 1998, p. 30). Mankind will be led in groups naked to an uninterrupted plain devoid of any irregularity where none can escape Allahs vision (Al-Ghazali, 1995, p. 177). The blazing sun will make the tightly packed congregation perspire in the sweltering heat according to their sins to atone for the duties they failed to perform. Supporting information in a study by Muslim, he says some will have sweat up to their ankles . . . and others will have it up to their mouths (cited in Sakr, 2001, p. 90). The intensity of a sinners suffering will be so unbearable that he will request to be sent to hell rather than undergo this torture. The concept of punishment is imminently significant in Islam. All will stand before Him in humility and be answerable for their deeds. Each will be issued his Book of Records which chronicles all his actions and intentions and this book is testament to how he led his life. A righteous person will receive the book in his right hand to indicate that Allah is pleased with him. A sinner will receive it in his left hand (Sakr, 2001, p. 101). Everyone is then interrogated about the way they lived. There is no intercession, prejudice nor favoritism in the judgement (p. 97). In two different works (Hamid, 1996; Sakr, 2001), it is said that nobody can hide their misdeeds since their own biological organs testify against them. Similarly, the Quran (24:24) states, Their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions (cited in Sakr, 2001, p. 98). Allah will grant our organs the ability of speech and as mentioned earlier the bliss or burden of our actions would have left impressions on all these organs, so they will be able to bear witness. Allah will condemn those who failed to abide by His laws to jahannam. The Quran (9:79) says, Those who on account of their own evil nature find fault with the contributions of obedient believers, who mock those who do not grudge spending in the way of God whatever they are able, God mocks them and He will punish them; a painful torment will be theirs. (cited in Lari, 1992, p. 192) The Quran (23:102-4) also says that a person whose scales are heavy with good deeds are prosperers while one whose scales are light has lost [his] soul in [jahannam] dwelling forever (cited in Coward, 1997, p. 59). After the harrowing interrogation, all will have to walk over the Bridge of Hell or the Al- Sirat (Sakr, 2001, p. 108). The path could be very wide for one and very narrow for another. If the path is narrow when one is crossing and he fears hell, angels will either dump him [in] Hell (p. 108) or guide his path for safe-crossing to heaven. Al-Ghazali describes the Al-Sirat: Sharper than sword and more subtle than hair. He who treads on straight and right path in this world will cross it easily and will get salvation. He who is misguided and saddled with sins will slip therefrom at the first step and will fall down into Jahannam (Hell). (cited in Sakr, 2001, pp. 108-109) The Quran (19:71-72) says that by Allahs decree, nobody escapes passing over hell (Sakr, 2001, p. 112). Only the righteous will be saved from falling into the wrath of the raging fire. The terrified sinners then embark on their [march] along the Path of Hell (sirat al-jahim) where they will meet with the wrath of the Blaze (Coward, 1997, p. 60). Said Prophet Muhammad, There is no creature that will not be overtaken by remorse and regret on the day of resurrection, but regret will be of no avail. When the blessed look upon paradise and the infinite bounties that God has prepared for the pure and the Godfearing, they will regret not having performed righteous deeds equal to theirs. As for the wretched, the people of hellfire, they will groan and lament when they see the fire and hear its roar, and they will regret not having atoned for their sins while still in the world. (cited in Lari, 1992, pp. 210-211) IV. The chastisement of jahannam Those condemned to jahannam will yearn for Allahs absolute love. The sinners will be tormented to an extent unimaginable by mankind. Esposito cites the Quran (18:29), explaining what the unbelievers go through: a fire whose sheets encompass them. If they should ask for relief, then water like molten copper shall be showered upon them to scald their faces. How awful is such a drink and how evil a resting place (p. 31). There are different categories of hell where depending upon the sins committed, one could both be banished to jahannam and deprived of Allahs love for eternity or stay for a period of time till he atones for his sins and earns Allahs mercy. Similarly, both Sakr and Al-Ghazali profess that there are seven gates in hell. Al-Ghazali explains that seven is the number of the parts with which a man sins (p. 222). The gates are positioned one above the other. The uppermost level is [the gate leading to] the Inferno [Jahannam], followed by the Blaze [Saqar], Flame [Laza], Furnace [al-Hutama], Fire [al-Sair], Hellfire [al-Jahim] and Abyss [al-Hawiya] (Al-Ghazali, 1995, p. 222). He explains the significance of the infinite depth of the Abyss by likening it to that of mans countless desires of this world (1995, p. 222). He also says that pain caused by fire is supreme which explains the blazing fire that consumes the condemned (p. 223). Sakr explores the various tortures of jahannam. He says that the banished are repeatedly clubbed on their heads with maces of iron to experience pain and humiliation (p. 116). Sakr explains, that dwellers of jahannam are punished according to the intensity of their sins, by citing a verse from the Quran (15:43-44) proclaiming hell as the promised abode for the sinners and unbelievers. To it are seven gates: for each of those Gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned. For example, one will be chained and hauled along boiling water on his face while another will be made to drink boiling water which will sever his intestines (Sakr, 2001, p. 116-117) The Quran warns Muslims by saying, Indeed, the friendship of Satan earns man perdition and misguidance (cited in Lari, 1992, p. 210). In general, jahannam is the ultimate torture chamber that executes the most excruciating punishments. Lari (1992) appropriately articulates that these chastisements function as alarm bells to warn wrongdoers and cajole them into reform[ing] themselves before it is too late (p. 44). V. The bliss of al-janna God promises the believers, both women and men, that He will cause them to enter a paradise where rivers flow beneath the trees, and have them dwell in splendid palaces. He will also bestow on them His pleasure and satisfaction, which is greater and loftier than material bounties. This spiritual reward is, in truth, the supreme achievement for the pure (Quran 9:72; cited in Lari, 1992, p.140). Lari (1992) reinforces the reward of being in al-janna by saying that above all, man will [attain] there the true object of his love which is being with Allah (p. 148). Leading a righteous life and fulfilling ones duties as a Muslim wholeheartedly, merit[s] admission to [al-janna] (Coward, 1997, p. 51). Unyielding belief in Islam and the fear of God are core aspects of righteousness (Lari, 1992, p. 193). Lari defines a good deed as one that develops from a pure motive which is done solely to please God and develop the individual morally (p. 190). The studies of both Hamid and Malik show that there are different categories of heaven. Malik concedes there are seven heavens. The seventh heaven [is] [t]he Garden of Firdaws Jannat al Firdaws (2002, par. 21). Al-Ghazali describes heaven as a beautiful garden where souls rejoice, eating of its various foods, and quaffing its milk, wine and honey from rivers whose beds are of silver, whose pebbles are pearls . . . (1995, p. 233). Just as sinners are tormented according to their varying degrees of sins, the blessed are rewarded according to their righteousness and resolute faith. As the seventh heaven is the closest to Allah and His infinite love, it is the ultimate recompense for leading a life in total submission and of unadulterated love for Him. This will be the paramount motivation to [walk] in the path of [Allah] (Coward, 1997, p.51). VI. The consequence of choice Man shapes his hereafter based on his positive and negative deeds in this life, so he should always be devoted to Allah in order to stay on His path. Lari says whenever man falls into the pit of sin, he should immediately feel polluted by his act of rebellion against God and reform before he gets the stamp of perdition (1992, p.167). Mans actions shall be weighed in Scales and a final consignment to Heaven or Hell shall be decreed . . . For the Godfearing shall be a triumph-gardens and vineyards, maidens for companions, and a cup overflowing. But man is not to forget that Hell lurks in ambush, a home for the profligate, where they shall abide for ages . . . (Winter, 1995, p. xiii) VI. References Ahmad, H. M. (1996). Teachings of Islam (M. M. Ali, Trans.). OH: Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha. Al-Ghazali, A. H. (1995). The remembrance of death and the afterlife. UK: The Islamic Texts Society. Bower, J. (2001). What Muslims believe. England: Oneworld. Coward, H. (1997). Life after death in world religions. NY: Orbis Books. Elias, J. J. (1999). Islam. London: Calmann King. Esposito, J. L. (1998). Islam: The straight path. (3rd ed.). NY: Oxford University Press. Haeri, S. F. (1997). The elements of Islam. UK: Element Books. Hamid, A. (1996). Islam: The natural way. UK: MELS. Keller, N. H. M. (Trans.). (1996). Al-Nawawis manual of Islam. UK: The Islamic Texts Society. Lari, S. M. M. (1992). Resurrection judgement and the Hereafter (H. Algar, Trans.). Iran: Foundation of Islamic Cultural Propagation in the World. Malik, K. M. (2002, April 6). Meem The Arabic letter [On-line]. Retrieved March 30, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.meem. freeuk.com/Meem.html Sakr, A. H. (2001). Life, death and the life after. India: Islamic Book Service. VII. Bibliography Esack, F. (1998). Quran, liberation and pluralism. Oxford: Oneworld. Guillaume, A. (1961). Islam. US: Penguin Books. Hixon, L. (1995). Heart of the Koran. IL: The Theosophical Publishing House. Husaini, S. W. A. (1980). Islamic environmental systems engineering. London: Macmillan. Kamali, M. H. (1999). Freedom, equality, and justice in Islam. Malaysia: Ilmiah. Nursi, B. S. (n. d.). Resurrection and the hereafter. Pakistan: Shalimar. Pearl, D. (1987). A textbook on Muslim personal law. (2nd ed.). NH: Croom Helm. Said, E. W. (1997). Covering Islam. NY: Vintage Books.

Risk Of Falls Among Elderly Health And Social Care Essay

Risk Of Falls Among Elderly Health And Social Care Essay The loss of strength, balance, and mobility are no longer considered inevitable consequence of aging. Physiological impairments related to functional dependency are potentially reversible with appropriate exercise intervention (Morgan, 2005; Nelson et al., 2004). Furthermore strength training research programs have been especially helpful in improving balance, physical performance and reducing falls (Hoglund, Sadovsky, Classie, 2009; Kruger, Buchner, Prohaska, 2009; Nelson et al., 2004). Several interventional researchers have been conducted to prevent falls among elderly people (Judge, 2003; Kim, Yoshida, Suzuki, 2010; McMurdo, Millar, Daly, 2000). In this study we will examine a home-based training intervention to improve strength of muscles which can directly improve balance and reduce the risk of falls among community dweller elderly or through increased self-efficacy. Problem statement Risk of falls due to balance impairment among elderly people is reversely associated with muscular strength (Clemson, Cumming, 2004). Effectiveness of muscle exercise interventions to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls in aged people with high risk for falling have been a matter of controversial in different studies (Salminen et al., 2001). While some found exercise training programs successful in reducing the risk of falls (Cheung, Au, Lam, Jones, 2008; Clemson et al., 2010; Gobbi et al., 2009a; Nelson et al., 2004), others have found contrary results (Au-Yeung et al., 2002; Clemson et al., 2010; Rubenstein et al., 2000). The need for a home-based training exercise program is felt by some researchers (Kamide, Shiba, Shibata, 2009). Muscle strengthening exercise intervention by home facilities has its own advantages and disadvantages. Home-based exercise program, in comparison to clinic-based interventions which are very luxurious and seem to be very tempting and promising (Takano et al., 2010), sounds to be more feasible. As a matter of fact, the lack of public availability of high-tech facility in developing courtiers, transportation barriers for elderly, the problem of cost-benefit and cost effectiveness of any high-tech program are major barriers to use clinical-based exercise programming for elderly people (Nelson et al., 2004). Moreover, it is estimated that about one half of seniors aged 85 years or above rarely leave their homes and interventional trials targeting on those housebound aged are scarce(Ashworth, Chad, Harrison, Reeder, Marshall, 2005). Nelson et al 2004 summarized that a home-based exercise program in community-dwelling elders with functional impairment is feasible and effective in improving functional performance, despite limited supervision. They also added that home-based exercise programs that focus on strength and balance training improve functional performance in elderly people and should be promoted by the allied health community (Nelson et al 2004). Low price and organizational flexibility make it an alternative or a supplement to other forms of physical exercise and active lifestyle (Hinrichs et al, 2009) On the other hands, compliance, which is a major problem in centered-based exercise among elderly people, can be achieved by home-based programs. Previous researches emphasis that adherence to any exercise program is low among elderly people especially in long run (Campbell et al., 1997; Dishman, 1991; Gobbi et al., 2009b; Sturnieks, St George, Lord, 2008e; Sun et al., 2005). Blanchard 2008 stated that less than 15 percent of elderly people participate in center-based exercise program. He added that to achieve a larger number of participants, there has been a shift toward implementing home-based rehabilitation programs. Home-based muscular strength training can be considered as an alternative to expensive and low compliance clinical-based muscle training (Blanchard, 2008). There have been some problems in previous home-based programs. They still rely on most expert personnel who closely supervise their patients and provide them with high standard care at their home (Gardner, Robertson, McGee, Campbell, 2002; Nelson et al., 2004; Luukinen et al., 2007a). The others emphasize on individualized tailored programs (Clemson et al., 2010) which raises the cost of intervention program. Moreover, these programs, although were reported to be effective, lack in large scale randomization was the main limitation of the studies (Nelson et al., 2004). Moreover, because of low health literacy among Iranian elderly population, any home-based training intervention without proper supervision and adherence will not be able to achieve its objectives (Carpenter, 2010a). A well cited study suggested that elderly people need supervision to improve strength in a home-based setting (Baker et al., 2001). To overcome the problem of health illiteracy among elderly people we plann ed to involve participants adult children who have the most interaction with the client in training program to supervise him/her during training and fill up the log books. Fear of falling, a risk factor for falls, is being understood as an emerging public health problem (Denkinger et al., 2010; Hill, Schwarz, Kalogeropoulos, Gibson, 1996; Li, Fisher, Harmer, McAuley, 2005). Evidence suggests that both fallers and non fallers experience psychological problems associated with falls (Honaker, 2001). Previous researches have termed psychological factors as fear, diminished self efficacy and loss of confidence(Topping, 1994; Gai, Gomes, Jansen, 2009; Legters, Verbus, Kitchen, Tomecsko, Urban, 2006; Pednekar, 2007). In community dwelling elderly, a complex interaction has been found among fear of falling, falls self- efficacy, increased physical impairments and diminished functional ability and activity participation (Legters et al., 2006; Maxwell, 2006; Mihalko, 1997; Tinetti, Richman, Powell, 1990b; Pednekar, 2007). This interactive cycle encompasses fear of falling which leads to activity restriction and further decreasing physical capabilities such as functional mobility, balance and strength which leads to decreased confidence and fear of falling (Pednekar, 2007). A home-based training exercise should be directed toward strengthening weak muscles and balance. The consequence of muscular weakness and co-contraction is lack of confidence (Tinetti, Richman, Powell, 1990a) which makes elderly people loss their self-confidence and fear of falls (Hill et al., 1996). Fear of falling deteriorates the balance reactions and leads to increased risk of falls and increased risk of injury (Okada, Hirakawa, Takada, Kinoshita, 2001). Loss of confidence among elderly people results in functional limitations and may cause restriction in activity due to fear of falling, which is very common problem among community-dwelling older adults with or without experience of falls (Hansma, Emmelot-Vonk, Verhaar, 2010). Under a public health perspective, the access to home-exercise programs seems to be easier. Once implemented, a home-exercise program should be capable to reach a broad audience (Ashworth et al 2005). So, it is logical that improved muscular strength can result in self-confidence, reduce fear of falls, increase balance and decrease risk of falls. A great number of studies have proposed that only additional research with frail elderly individuals will help answer if home-based training would improve balance in older ages (Nelson et al., 2004; Baker et al., 2001). We, therefore, decided to test the hypothesis that an individual home-based muscle strength training in high risk individuals (60 years old and above elderly people with previous history of falls in last 12 months) would be feasible with minimal expert supervision and would result in clinically important improvements in balance and functional performance. The role of care givers in this study is to fill the log books, because most of the elderly subjects have health illiteracy. Significant of the study This dissertation contributes to the scientific literature in different interrelated ways. Firstly, the finding of this study can contribute to the body of knowledge in regard to falls among elderly. Falls have been explored by several researchers from different aspects; however it needs more scientific and empirical investigations to find out the ways to prevent the fall or alleviate the incidence of falls among frail elderly community-dwellers. To achieve a better understanding of falls, its consequences and prevention of falls, this area of research needs a richer body of knowledge to illuminate the way for other researchers to explore the ways to reduce risk of falls. Secondly, the findings of this study, practically, can contribute to alleviate the problem of falls among frail elderly people in community. This study looks the problem of falls from both biological (muscular strength) and psychological (self-efficacy) point of view. So, any falls prevention program has to consider the results of this dissertation as evidence to plan a comprehensive program on falls. In addition, finding of this dissertation can be used by falls prevention planners. All programs designed to prevent falls can benefit from this study, because it is planned to reduce morbidity and reduces burden of falls for person, family and healthcare services. American Geriatrics Society recommends some activities including exercise and/or physical to prevent falls among elderly people. Health professionals after orienting to the program can deliver and supervise the exercise training program for older people. The program has been tested as a single intervention but could be delive red in a multifactorial falls prevention program, too. Thirdly, the findings of this study can be used by other health practitioners in different disciplines to utilize exercise training to reduce the risk of falls among their elderly clients. So many other researchers have investigated the benefits of the exercise for other high risk groups such as patients with chronic diseases e.g. Parkinson Disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Stroke, Arthritis and other neuromuscular or articular diseases, depression, anxiety, etc. This study highlights the importance of exercise training among elderly people. Moreover, the current study is one of the first studies on the problem of falls in Iranian elderly community. In developing countries where sources are limited, the exercise program can be offered first to those with high risk e.g. history of falls, aged 70 and older. However, other aged people can benefit the advantages of this program. Objectives This study is planned to investigate the relationship between muscular strength to risk of fall among community dweller elderly people. To achieve this objective, the following specific goals are followed: To describe the subjects muscular strength, self-efficacy, fear of falls and balance before and after intervention To examine the relationship between subjects background variables, muscular strength, self-efficacy and fear of falls before and after intervention To examine the relationship between subjects muscular strength and risk of falls before and after intervention Hypotheses The home-based training exercise can improve muscular strengths among elderly people. Strong muscles can directly increase physical balance which is considered as proxy for decreased risk of falls among elderly people. Moreover stronger muscled can increase self-efficacy and reduce fear of falling and decreased risk of falls among elderly people. Definition of key words History of falls Conceptual: History of falls is previous experience of the event of falls. In this study, fall is an unexpected, involuntary loss of balance by which a person comes to rest at a lower or ground level (Kelly Dowling, ). Other researchers have defined falls as An unintentional descent that may or may not result in an injury, and in which any motion of descent may not necessarily result in a landing. (Berry et al., 2010). Operational: In this research, history of falls is defined as any report of falls incidence by which a person comes to rest at a lower or ground level, in subjects of the study. Any incidence of falls in last 12 months is considered as history of falls. Moreover, the number of falls during intervention is questioned. Data are collected by a questionnaire. In the questionnaire history of falls during last 12 months and causes of falls are questioned. No history of falls, one incidence of falls and two or more falls are categorized as non-faller, accidental faller and recurrent faller, consecutively. Fear of Falls Conceptual: fear of falling, first described as ptophobia, by Bhala, ODonnell, Thoppil, 1982, which means a phobic reaction to standing or walking and was subsequently classified by Murphy Isaacs in 1982 as Post fall syndrome (Jung, 2008). Operational: In this study Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) is used to assess clients fear of falling. It is a rating scale with 10 items to assess clients confidence in performing daily activities. Each item is rated from 1, meaning extreme confidence to 10, meaning no confidence at all. Participants with lower self-efficacy report avoiding most of activities because of fear of falling and get higher FES scores. On the other hands, participants with higher self-efficacy report less avoiding most of activities because of fear of falling and represent lower FES scores. Balance Conceptual: Benjuya, Melzer, Kaplanski defined balance as the ability to maintain an upright posture during both static and dynamic tasks (Bird, Hill, Ball, Williams, 2009). Operational: In this study balance is the subjects score in Berg Balance Scale. Total Score is varies between 0 and 56. In interpretation of Berg Balance Scale low, medium and high risk of falls are corresponded to 41-56, 21-40 and 0-20, respectively. Muscular strength Conceptual: Muscular strength is defined as the maximal ability of a muscle to contract and generate force (Hanney, Kolber, Schack-Dugre, Negrete, Pabian, 2010). Operational: operationally muscular strength in lower extremity and hand grip are assessed. For lower extremity muscular strength the chair stand test commonly used. The chair stand test is a physical performance test used to assess lower-extremity function. A 5 repetition test is a measure of strength (Ward et al., 2010). Subjects hand grip force score in their left and right hands will be recorded. Individual patients whose grip strength is less than the lower limit of the confidence intervals can be considered to be impaired grip (Bohannon, Peolsson, Massy-Westropp, Desrosiers, Bear-Lehman, 2006). Exercise Conceptual: A subset of physical activity. It is planned and repetitive body movement, which improves or maintains one or more components of physical fitness (e.g., cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, balance, flexibility)(Pate, 1995). Operational: operationally exercise is a set of muscular strengthening action used to increase balance in terms of Berg Balance Score (BBS) and reduce the risk of falls among participants of the study. Self efficacy: Conceptual: Bandura (1986) defined self-efficacy as, Peoples judgments of their capabilities to organize and execute courses of action required attaining designated types of performances (p. 391). Self efficacy means ones self confidence towards learning. People usually engage in certain behaviors when they believe they are capable of implementing those behaviors successfully, this means that they have high self-efficacy (Bandura, 2007). Operational: In this study subjects scores in the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale are considered as their self-efficacy. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale is a scale with 16 items; each item is rated from 0% (no confidence) to 100% (complete confidence). Clients are asked to rate the level of confidence that they will lose their balance in daily activities. Conceptual Model This study will be conducted based on a modern biologic theory called wear and tear theory and Orems self-care theory. In this study the wear and tear theory is used to explain why muscular strength and balance deteriorates during old ages. Orems self-care theory is utilized to explain how self-care through exercise can maintain and improve an old persons ability for balance and reduce the risk of falls. Moreover, Banduras self-efficacy explains the moderating role of self-efficacy between muscular strength, fear of falls and balance to risk of falls among elderly people. Proposed conceptual framework Background Age Gender Marital Status Education Mental status SES Chronic Diseases Medication Health literacy ADL/IADL Self-rated Health (IV) Muscular Strength Fear of Falls Self-Efficacy (DV) Falls Risk (Balance) Chapter Two There has been a lack of investigation on effectiveness of home-based exercise, since there have been few randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating home-based exercise (Kamide et al 2009). Home-based exercise programs are thought to be effective in improving functional performance and balance in functionally impaired elders (Nelson et al 2004). It is demonstrated that participation in a supervised home-based exercise program was associated with significant improvements in exercise beliefs, including exercise self-efficacy and outcomes expectation (Matsuda, Shumway-Cook, Ciol, 2010). This study is trying to investigate effectiveness of home-based exercise on reducing the risk of falls among elderly people based on theoretical framework and review of related literature. This chapter is devoted to disclose two main sections of the dissertation. First, the theoretical framework of the study will be discussed and then the main related literature to this study will be reviewed. Theoretical Framework In this section, theories of wear and tear and self-care are introduced. The wear and tear theory explains the process of biologic changes during old ages which makes humans cells and tissues degenerated. Moreover, self-care theory explains how anyone (self-care agent) can exert some measurements and actions to maintain health and well being. Wear and Tear Theory Wear and tear theory of ageing was first introduced by Dr. August Weismann in 1982 (Salvi, Akhtar, Currie, 2006). The wear and tear theory of aging believes that the effects of aging are caused by damage done to cells and body systems over time. Essentially, these systems wear out due to use. Once they wear out, they can no longer function correctly (Giampapa Williamson, 2004). According to the theory, aging occurs through wear and tear that leads to the progressive accumulation of damage(Murphy Partrige, 2008) The theory postulates that the daily grind of life, in particular disuse or overuse, literally wears the body out, leading to disease states (tears). The degeneration of muscles, cartilage and eventual grinding of bone on bone is examples of the aging process on body joints, as wear and tear exceed the bodys ability to repair (MacWilliam, 2002). The wear and tear profile over the course of time determines such degradations as loss of information (genetic and epigenetic mutations during the life course), loss of structural integrity (increases in entropy), and breakdowns in the emergent property of complexity (Juckett, et al. 2009). Based on wear and tear theory, senile muscular muscles atrophy starts after middle ages, especially when muscles are disused or overused (Giampapa et al., 2004). The process of degeneration is associated with senile changes in body and progressively reduces muscular bulk. There are good evidences to support that type 2 muscles are more prone to degenerated than type 1 muscles (Mannion et al., 2000). Deterioration in muscular size and number in old ages causes muscular atrophy and in combination of other senile changes in other organs (neurons) (Klitgaard et al., 2008) eventually ends up a loss of muscular strength and balance disorder which may predisposes old people to risk of falls (Sturnieks, 2008). Lack of muscular strength and balance affects patients self-efficacy and make them more susceptible to falls (Campbell et al., 1997), because of fear of falls(Denkinger et al., 2010). Self-care theory Self care theory was given by Dorothea Orem between 1959 and 2001 with a unique philosophy that patients have different level of independently. Orems self-care framework is based on the three components of self-care deficit theory, self-care theory and the nursing system theory (Denyes, Orem, Bekel, 2001). Self-care is defined by WHO as activities individuals, families, and communities perform in order to enhance their health, prevent diseases, limit illnesses, and restore health (Klainin Ounnapiruk, 2010). These activities are undertaken by lay people on their own behalf, either independently or in participative collaboration with healthcare professionals. There are several examples for self-care behavior including seeking health-related information, exercising and consuming healthy diets (Klainin et al., 2010). Self-Care Agency Self-care agency, as defined by Orem (2001), refers to the power of individuals to engage in self-care and their capability for self-care. The person who uses this power or self-care ability is the self-care agent. Self-care agency is acquired and affected by family members and care giver. They specifically may affect the clients adherence to behavioral changes and treatment regimens and overall outcomes (Rutledge et al., 1999). There is a power component to self-care agency, which addresses the importance of knowledge, attitudes, and skills that enable the individual to engage in self-care (Kumar, 2007) Nursing System Nursing system are interventions needed when individual is unable to perform the necessary self-care activities and categorized in three distinct levels as follow: Wholly compensatory in which care givers provides entire self-care for the client. An example of this category is an elderly person hospitalized in critical care unit who need a care giver for his basic needs to survive. Partial compensatory in which a care giver and client perform care; client can perform selected self-care activities, but also accepts care done by the care giver for needs the client cannot meet independently. An example of this category is an elderly person who needs help for some activities such as ambulating, but is able to perform most activities by his own. Supportive-educative in which training is planned to help the client develop/learn their own self-care abilities through knowledge, education, support and encouragement. A good example of this category is educating the elderly client to perform exercise to strengthen the muscles or to teach how to do insulin self-injection. In this research, the third category of nursing system will be applied among elderly people to strengthen their upper and lower extremities muscle to improve their balance and reduce the risk of falls Review of literature A recent study, by Matsuda et al 2010, proposed that effectiveness of any exercise to improve physical function varies with level of frailty, format and intensity of exercise program, and kind of supervision. A systemic review summarized the best evidence for effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the incidence of falls in older people living in the community, concluded that home-based exercises and Tai Chi were specific exercise programs that showed benefit (Carpenter, 2010b). Home-based exercise program among relatively healthy older adult are proven to be effective in functional performance than group-based programs. In an Iranian study researchers conducted a 12 weeks home-base exercise training in 40 -65 years old Iranian women to prevent osteoporosis and increase muscular strength and balance (Shirazi et al., 2007). In another study researchers conducted a home base training exercise on Parkinson disease patient. They concluded that individuals with Parkinsons disease can significantly improve functional performance measures utilizing a convenient, cost effective, home-based exercise intervention (Nocera, Gainesville, Horvat, Athens, 2008). Other recent studies on standing exercise and balance training program on balance confidence, balance performance, and gait in debilitated, ambulatory community-dwelling older adults supported that exercise can improve balance, However, definitive conclusions need to await validation from more rigorously designed studies before the present training program can be confidently recommended to physical therapists engaged in home care practice(Miller, Magel, Hayes, 2010). In New Zealand, the Otago Exercise Program is designed as a home-based training exercise with combination of strength, balance exercises and walking program to prevent falls. The program is individually designed program three times a week and progressed over time. Four randomized controlled trials in different setting disclosed the effects of training program among elderly people. In another supervised 6-week, multidimensional home-based exercise program, researchers found that the program was safe and associated with improvements in physical and exercise-related belief outcome measures(Matsuda et al., 2010). Some researchers have used some technical instrument to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls among elderly people (Runge, Rehfeld, Resnicek, 2000). However, any community home-based program should integrate the training into peoples everyday life. It would be feasible, economic and more acceptable for elderly people rather than high technical procedures. A randomized controlled pilot study with 12-week physical and/or nutritional intervention program was followed by six months of home-based exercises for the training groups, followed up with training diaries aiming to describe the effects of a physical training and nutritional intervention program on the physical activity level and activities of daily living (ADL) in frail elderly people found moderate correlations between increases in physical activity level and ADL as well as between the amounts of home-based exercises and ADL for the two training groups (Rydwik, Frandin, Akner, 2009). Another study found that a 6-month, home-based exercise program consisting of progressive strength training, balance exercises and general physical activity improves functional performance and balance in functionally impaired elders (Nelson et al., 2004). Finding of another study concluded that an exercise class even once every 2 weeks is very effective in enhancing physical function in ambulatory i ndividuals aged over 73 years, provided that it is supplemented by a home-based exercise program (Suzuki, Kim, Yoshida, Ishizaki, 2004). However they suggested a large scale study to confirm their results and to evaluate the most effective exercises for the prevention of falls. Researchers concluded that incorporation of exercises in daily life is important in maintaining an appropriate level of physical function in the elderly. Prevention of falls and injuries is not easy, however, because they are complex events caused by a combination of intrinsic impairments and disabilities (Kannus, Niemi, Parkkari, Palvanen, Sievznen, 2007) fall prevention in elderly people consists of regular strength and balance training, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, reduction of the number and doses of psychotropic medication, cataract surgery, and professional home-hazard assessment and management in people with a history of falling (Kannus, Sievenen, Palvanen, Jervinen, Parkkari, 2005). On the other hand, a single-factor intervention such as exercise could also reduce many impairments and disabilities and more distant risk factors for falling simultaneously. Muscle mass diminishes considerably between the ages of 20 and 80 years (Sturnieks, St George, Lord, 2008d). Sarcopenia is a common problem among elderly people and is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength (Iannuzzi-Sucich, 2002). Understanding age-related changes in the physiological systems imperative to balance is of importance to prevent falls in older people and reduce the injury-related burden on individuals and society (Sturnieks, St George, Lord, 2008c). It has been estimated that the human beings in their 4th to 8th decade of life lose approximately half of muscle mass and muscle strength (Spirduso, 2005). Senile muscular atrophy predominantly occurs in type 2 muscle fibers which ends up a degenerated muscular bulk in which remaining muscle mass is not only smaller and weaker but slower as well (Kostka, 2010; Faulkner, 1995). The most primary atrophy occurs in quadriceps, hamstrings and back muscles with the highest concentration of type II fibers (Kostka, 2010). It has also been consistently proven that power-generating capabilities of type II fibers is approximately four times more than of type I fibers (Faulkner, 1995; Metter, 1997). Muscular strength is typically maintained at peak levels until the fifth or sixth decade, after which accelerated losses occur, with strength decreasing approximately 50% by the age of 80 year (Sturnieks, St George, Lord, 2008b). Deficits in skeletal muscle strength, balance, and gait, being major causes of frailty and risk factors for falls, are equivalently and potentially reversible by exercise training (Suzuki et al., 2004). One proposed intervention for preventing falls and fall-related injuries in the elderly is exercise. If falls occur at least in part because of physical deficits in balance, strength, reaction time, and flexibility, then it is plausible to believe that exercise targeted to improve these deficits might result in fewer fall and/or injury events. The role of strength exercise in falls prevention is under investigation. In a recent study, researchers evaluated the balance and weight training to alter gait characteristics of elderly to reduce the likelihood of slip-induced falls. The results indicated decreases in heel contact velocities and the friction demand characteristics after 8 weeks of training, although fundamental gait characteristics, such as walking velocity and step length, were not changed (Kim Lockhart, 2010). Latham, et al 2003 in a randomized control trial found that among older people recently discharged from hospital quadriceps strengthening exercises failed to reduce falls rates and was associated with a significant risk of musculoskeletal injury (Sturnieks, St George, Lord, 2008a). A recent study investigating the effects of a multifactorial fall prevention trial on the specified risk factors of falling, incidence of falls and injurious falls did not find significant difference between control and intervention groups (Sjosten et al., 2007). However there are some evidences to support effectiveness of training program among elderly people (Kruger et al., 2009; Madureira, Bonfb, Takayama, Pereira, 2010) Review of literature reveals that self-confidence deteriorates because of muscular weakness and make old people to fear of falls (Davis, 1999; Evitt, 2003; Gai et al., 2009). Bandura in his book 1997 wrote that: People make causal contributions to their own psychosocial functioning through mechanisms of personal agency. Among the mechanisms of agency

Fan Violence: Whos To Blame? Essay examples -- essays research papers

â€Å"These people want to hurt you. It’s frightening. You feel like you’re in a cage out there†. Reggie Smith, (Berger, 1990). Spectator violence at sporting events has been recorded throughout history. People who have power over the events, often team owners, indirectly influence the amount of spectator violence by encouraging the factors contributing to violence, in order to benefit themselves. Sale of alcohol, encouraging crowd intensity, creating rivalries, and targeting social groups, are factors affecting the degree of spectator violence and can be proven to be influenced by the owner’s actions. Therefore the blame for spectator violence can be attributed to whoever has power over the sport. Many historians suggest that an increase in spectator violence coincides with the commercialization of sports. Anthropologists agree that in societies where games were not for profit, they were enjoyed as celebrations of physical skill without competitiveness or violence between players or spectators (Berger, 1990). However, when people gained power or financially from the sporting events, spectator violence increased (Berger, 1990). Public spectacles and games were part of the Roman Empire. Each emperor had an amphitheater and the size of the crowd reflected the emperor’s wealth or power. The emperor through crowd excitement could influence spectator violence to such an extent that gladiators could be killed or freed depending on the crowd’s effect on the emperor (Robinson, 1998). The emperor encouraged the Roman working class, â€Å"to forget their own suffering, by seeing others suffer,† while the senators, and emperor would benefit financially from gambling p rofits (Robinson, 1998). With the commercialization of sports, owners’ profits increased with alcohol sales. Beer drinking has been an integral part of sports since the late 1870’s. Chris van der Alie noticed that his saloon did well when St. Louis Brown Stockings were in town. As a result, he decided to sell beer at the games. On February 12, 1880, Alie signed a contract with the Browns allowing him to sell alcohol on their property (Johnson, 1988). During a game on July 6, 1881, the first alcohol related brawl broke out in the crowd, injuring twenty spectators and killing two (Johnson, 1998). The signed contract with the Browns’ was a financial bonus for the owner, however permitting alcohol to be sold, might h... ...ger, G. (1990). Violence And Sports. New York: Library of Congress-in-Publication Data Johnson, O. (1988 August 8). Sports and Suds. Sports Illustrated, pp. 70-72 Atyeo, D. (1979). Blood and Guts. New York: Paddington Press Chapman, A. (1988, January 19). Violence Jeopardizes Tourney. Newsday, p. A4 Davidson, K. (1983, May 3). Study Links Boxing, Homicide. Newsday, p. A7 Berger, M. (1982). Sports Medicine. New York: Crowell Hazelton, L. (1989, April-May). British Soccer: The Deadly Game. New York Times Magazine, pp. 40-43 Robinson, L. (1998). Crossing The Line. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart Taylor, R. (1992, June 16). Football and its Fans. St. Martin’s Press, p. B3 <a href="http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/baseball/bol/features/flashbacks/06_04_1974.html">http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/baseball/bol/features/flashbacks/06_04_1974.html Schumacher, E.F. (1975). Small is beautiful: Economics as if people mattered.New York: Harper and Row Tiger, L. (1970). Men In Groups. New York: Vintage. Bonney, N., & Giulianotti, R. (1994). Football Violence and Social Identity. New York: Routeledge Oliver, C. (1971). High For The Game. New York: Morrow.

Barbados :: essays research papers fc

Barbados Barbados is an independent country, formerly a British colony, and the most easterly island of the West Indies. Its capital and only port of entry is Bridgetown. The island is underlain with folded sedimentary deposits, and a surface layer of coral attains 90 m (300 ft) in thickness. In the northeastern parts, erosion has exposed rugged ridges and ravines. The climate is warm and pleasant. The average annual temperature is about 27 ¡ C (80 ¡ F), and little daily or annual variation occurs. A dry season (from December to May) alternates with a wet season. The average annual rainfall is about 1,500 mm (60 in). Barbados is one of the world's most densely populated countries. Nearly 90% of the island's population is black. The production of sugarcane and its by-products, molasses and rum, long a mainstay of the Barbadian economy, has been replaced by tourism as the chief industry. The development of light industry, offshore banking, and fishing and the diversification of agriculture have been encouraged by the government. Barbados was settled by English colonists in 1627. To work the sugarcane plantations, slaves were brought from Africa, a practice abolished throughout the British Empire in 1834. Dominance by a small group of British landowners continued, and a political rights movement began, resulting in the founding of the Barbados Labour party (BLP) in 1938 and an offshoot, the Democratic Labour party (DLP), in 1955. Barbados became independent on Nov. 30, 1966. Errol Barrow of the DLP, the first premier, was succeeded by Tom Adams of the BLP, who held office from 1976 until his death in 1985. The DLP returned to power under Barrow (1986à 87) and Lloyd Erskine Sandiford (1987à 94). Owen Arthur of the BLP became premier after elections in 1994 and was returned to office in a landslide victory in 1999. In 1997, Barbados hosted a regional summit attended by the leaders of the English-speaking Caribbean nations and U.S. president Bill Clinton. Late the fol lowing year, a constitutional commission recommended that Barbados become a republic and replace the British monarch with an elected president as head of state.

Modern Architecture

Rakhshaan Qazi-Â ­? Modern Architecture, Essay two Four of the leading architects of the modernist period were Adolf Loos, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies Van der Rode, and Louis Kahn. These architects drew significantly from each other and explored similar ideas in their establishing of a new standard in approaching architecture. Decoration became a taboo while simpler and more functional forms took their place. I am going to be talking about Loius Kahn and how he is talked abut in different texts. Loius Kahn was both more subtle and radical than all the rchitects mentioned din his book so far. From early on Kahn was interested in housing reform movements and working on mostly government housing projects. Kahn strongly believed that there was a dire need for civic architecture, which would eventually ignite a sense of common purpose and democratic participation. Kahn went from the modernist tradition to a fusion of Viollet-Â ­? de-Â ­? Duc and neoclassicism. And eventually to a m ore or less, unchanging form types. His convergence between the two was suggested by platonic geometries found in nature. He strongly isagreed with the concept of a free plan, and believed in the aggregation of identical rooms, which broke down architecture to its most primitive unit of meaning. When Louis Kahn worked on a space, he would try to understand the spiritual quality of the spaces and put that into the materials that he used for the place. He’d pay specific attention to technical aspects of things and to work precisely. He had great control over the materials he used. He liked to think of his spaces as servant spaces, meaning that these were spaces in buildings that would erve other spaces and allow each other to exist. He believed strongly that architecture appeals to the community it serves as well as the already recognized structural functionality. He added that architecture should reveal the story of the construction through materiality. His major mission was t o put the spiritual sense of the space into the material. He was trying to figure out how to materialize the spirituality of the space. He had a mastery of monumentality; he understood attempted to integrate as much of nature as possible into his urban work. He hought that nature should become a basis on which American modern architecture should emerge. A lot of his work into the 30s was focused more on giving American society a social form during times of crisis, working on things like decentralized utopia, including cheap single family dwellings, the Usonian houses. These were for middle class families and encouraged them to gather in the same place. This encouraged the concrete slab roofs for the practicality and suggested a new concept for independent living. He was strictly at odds with the international odern movement. Although his use of slabs can be related to this movement, they were, in actuality, at odds with it due to this specifically American idea of living free in nat ure. He wanted to fuse function, structure, and idea while being inspired by natural forms. His whole obsession with community planning was based on the idea of spreading away from cities and moving more into suburban areas. He fantasized that people would be able to access the service aspects of urban communities and the facility aspects of rural areas all at the same time.