Comparing handwashing techniques - microbiology Essay

Comparing handwashing techniques - microbiology - Essay Example coli K 12 colony count before and after the hand washing, E.coli K12 strain being the indicator organism used in the study. In normal hand wash, the reduction factor was found to vary from 2.4 - 4.18 where as in case of NHS hand wash the value ranges from 0.86 – 2.91. The average reduction factor was found to be higher in case of the NHS hand wash. NHS protocol of hand rubbing for 30 seconds was found very effective in bringing down the microbial load of the hands. The major objective of the study was to compare the normal hand washing techniques with that of NHS standard techniques (in accordance with BS EN 1500). Assessment was based on the E.coli count before and after the hand washing. E.coli normal inhabitants of the normal intestine and they are excreted out in large numbers to the outside through human faeces. Presence of E.coli is thus an indication of feacal contamination of the concerned food item or object by means of insects or human hands. Adequate hand hygiene is the most effective method of preventing infection in hospitals, homes and workplaces. Health care related problems has been in the air for the past two decades with an alarming rate of nosocomial infections. The public concern on hand hygiene has stimulated a review of the scientific data regarding the same and the development of new guidelines designed to improve hand-hygiene practices in health-care facilities. Proper hand washing using detergents like soap was considered as a criteria of personal hygiene since olden days. In 1843, Oliver Wendwell Holmes brought to light the reason for perpural fever found in parturient women as improper hand hygiene of health professionals. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) in the year 1995 recommended that either antimicrobial soap or a waterless antiseptic agent should be used for cleaning hands upon leaving the rooms of patients with multidrug-resistant pathogens like vancomycin-resistant

Globalization of North America, South America and the Caribbean Essay Example for Free

Globalization of North America, South America and the Caribbean Essay Globalization is the result of a development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets (http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/globalization). Not everyone is a proponent of globalization. This is especially true for North America. Although the textbook says North Americans have become a highly affluent society by means of transforming the environment and by extending their global, economic, cultural and political reach, the fact remains, that many citizens of North America are not wealth by any stretch of the imagination. The same can also be said about Latin America. The affluence has spread so unevenly, particularly in the United States, that many of the previously middle class have lost their homes and many are now living in tent cities. Recent college graduates are finding it very difficult to obtain employment in their chosen field. Many people have been unemployed long enough that their unemployment benefits have run out. These people are considered to be not actively seeking employment – this is hardly a fair opinion to form. Much of this can be accounted to work being outsourced, mainly to places like Mexico, or even as far as India. â€Å"Multinational corporations are often accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labor wages and poor living and working conditions), as well as a lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage. † http://www. manufacturing. net/articles/2010/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization. However, there are some benefits of globalization. Some people argue that money is now able to flow freely across boundaries that were once limited. An article found in Forbes Magazine explained how Sony could sell a Playstation game console or TV just as easily in the United States as Tokyo. The same goes for Apple with its iPhones and other tech toys. (http://www. forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2011/09/10/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-side-of-globalization/). The textbook points out how uneven development is in Latin America. Frustrated workers, whether highly skilled or low skilled look to emigration as their only hope. Migrants frequently relocate to the United States, Europe and Japan looking for work. Remittances are sent back to their native countries, which results in billions of dollars annually directed to Latin America.

Liquidity Risk And Maturity Transformation In Banks Finance Essay

Liquidity Risk And Maturity Transformation In Banks Finance Essay This research proposal will focus on one of the key area of risk in banking sector which is liquidity risk. There are three definitions which are commonly used for the liquidity. First one is the ease that the financial instruments can be converted in to cash. Second is market concept of the liquidity is the ability to trade the assets or securities without losing its value. The last is the monitory liquidity means the total number or total quantity of the liquid assets which are trading in the economy. (Adrian and Shin, 2008). The purpose of the literature review and dissertation is tried to address the main reasons of mismatching of assets and liabilities in banks. LIQUIDITY RISK. Mismanagement of liquidity can lead to bankruptcy. We cannot differentiate liquidity and solvency in bank. Some time the bank which is illiquid can be insolvent and on the other hand the bank which is insolvent can be illiquid. This is why the capital and liquidity adequacy performance is the major concern of the commercial bank. (Good Hart, 2008). Liquidity and solvency has the strong relationship. In Banking act of 1935 liquidity and solvency practically has become the synonymous terms. (Walter A. Morton, 1939). This is the fact that because of mismanagement of the liquidity the financial market faced some remarkable events in 2007 and 2008. Burnermair presents his view about the crisis of 2007-08. Financial markets experienced extraordinary events in 2007 and 2008. The increase in delinquency rates of subprime mortgages, coupled with the mismatch in the maturity structures of off-balance-sheet conduits and structured investment vehicles (SIVs), led to a sudden drying up of asset-b acked commercial paper and the failure of several banks, including a classic bank run in the United Kingdom. The eruptions in credit and money markets ultimately led to a run on one of the leading investment banks in the United States. (Brunnermeier, 2008). The liquidity cans effects in two ways or it has the two ways impact on the bank. One side is high liquidity ratio send a positive signal to the depositors. This shows that the bank is liquid and it increase the confidence of the depositor and the lower level of the liquidity means the bank is not in strong liquid position and will unable to pay its commitment. But if we see the other side high liquidity shows the inefficient use of the resources. This shows bank will not efficient in investment activities and will lose the profitability. (Gunsel, 2010). This is very broad topic even the word liquidity has many definitions. As Good Hart says in one of his article Unfortunately the word liquidity has so many facets that it is often counter-productive to use it without further and closer definition.(Good Hart, 2008). MATURITY TRANSFORMATION. The key face or side of liquidity which we are going to cover in this research is the maturity transformation which means that the maturity of assets and liabilities in balance sheet of bank. In normal practice bank perform a valuable activity on either side of the balance sheet. On asset side they go for long term investments or make long term loan. They make loan for illiquid borrowers because they want flow of capital in economy. On liabilities side they need liquidity on demand to depositors. There is incompatibility between these two activities. Demand for the liquidity can arise at inconvenient time and can put the banks in trouble. Other activities of the banks can be affected. This is why an army of the regulators always supervise the bank to protect them from their own fragility. (Douglas, 2001). Bank activities are link with all economy and failure of one bank can create a multiplier effect. One of the main or most important reasons for the crisis in financial sector is the failure of the bank because bank failure starts systemic risk. (Douglas W Diamond, 2005). This is why the regulation regarding liquidity and capital requirement has become too much important. REGULATIONS FOR THE LIQUIDITY. There are three main reasons for the regulation of liquidity management. According to Adrian and Shin. First, pure market failures. There are no incentives for banks to hold adequate amounts of liquid assets because: (1) liquidity is costly, especially when competition drives the search for higher returns on equity; (2) liquidity shortages are very low probability events; (3) there is a perception that central banks will step in and provide liquidity support if and when it is needed (the moral hazard argument).Second, liquidity requirements can be seen as a way of sharing the cost of the public good of liquidity and financial stability between the private and the public sectors. This would help and mitigate moral hazard; it would also compensate for other implicit subsidies, such as deposit insurance, granted to the banking sector. Finally, stronger liquidity requirements would reduce the strategic uncertainty affecting banks actions, since they would be able to withstand larger shoc ks. (Adrian and Shin, 2008). Basel committee is working since 1980 to take measures the issue of liquidity in bank. The concern of this committee is to decide what should be the capital adequacy ratio. This mean what should be the minimum level of capital that financial institutions must have to keep. There should be the prior standard regarding to maturity transformation. According to author the standard for the maturity transformation has not been maintained. The proportionate is going to be increased for financing long term assets with short term borrowings. In this aspect what bank do they Conduits financing tranches of securitised mortgages on the basis of three month asset backed commercial paper. An example of this is Northern rock. The important thing which come in our mind who should be responsible to take in to consideration the issue of maturity transformation whether it should be central bank or bank itself. For the case of maturity transformation how long the bank will able to fulfil its commitments just in case the markets on which it relies suddenly dry up. . (Good Hart, 2008). MISMATCHING OF MATURITIES. It has been seen since many years that maturity mismatches in the balance sheet of the bank can lead to liquidity crisis. It was one of the reasons of the East Asian crisis in 1998. (Rajan and Bird, 2001). This is one of the reasons that maturity mismatch and the risk associated in doing this have got the considerable attention in markets. In bank its important is central because banks are in the business of maturity transformation. They take assets and usually repaid on short notice and use these deposits to provide credit facilities to borrower for long period. In simple banks need liquidity to meet the depositor demand or with drawls, to settle whole sale commitment, to provide funds when borrowers draw on committed credit facilities. Under stress condition maturity transformation is quite crucial. Because in crisis it is difficult to raise liquidity from different sources. (Financial supervision commission, 2005). This mean banks need to manage the liquidity but from the above po int of view banks can manage liquidity to give short term loans because banks borrow for short term but this is not so easy. REASONS FOR MISMATCHING MATURITIES IN BANKS. Hendrik explained if the banks go for liquidity preference they will give the short term loans but on the other hand borrowers demand long term loans because they want steady source of debt capital. (Hendrik, 2006). In the same paper Hendrik argued that Economic theory postulates that financial institutions are exposed to a significant interest rate risk which is largely due to their engagement in maturity transformation. Banks set loans on the basis of some standards. Borrowers with low credit ratings bank gives them short term loans and borrowers having high credit rating bank gives long term loan. (Douglas, 1991). So credit rating of borrower is quite considered in maturity transformation. Some time attitude of the managers who are in decision making is really matter in maturity transformation. This phenomena regarding risk is explained by James. He said the idea of risk is embedded, of course, the larger idea of the choice as affected by the expected return of an alternative. Virtually all the theories of the choices assume that decision maker prefer larger expected returns to smaller one provided the other entire factors constant (risk). (Lindley, 1971). In general they also assume that decision maker prefer smaller risk to larger one, provided other factors (expected value) are constant. (Arrow, 1965). Thus the expected value is assumed to be positively associated, and risk is assumed to be negatively associated with the attractiveness of an alternative. (James, 1987). So above argument shows manager risk taking or risk seeking attitude can effect maturity transformation decision. In normal practice during maturity transformation banks prefer high interest or high profit. They mismatch their liabilities and assets means borrow for short term and lend for long term. This practice leads to liquidity risk. This practice of mismatching of assets and liabilities in balance sheets of banks is continued since many years and is the main reason of the liquidity crisis. This mismatching of liabilities and assets has the significant part in East Asia crisis 1997-1998. Bank pays insufficient attention to maturity transformation because they prefer high risk and high return. This self interest behaviour leads to liquidity crisis. It is to reconfirm that liquidity crises can occur in the absence of bail out provisions and can result simply from maturity mismatches that themselves reflect the outcome of self-interested optimising behaviour by commercial banks. (Rajan and Bird, 2001). Bank capital structure also influence on maturity transformation. Some bank have excess capi tal this mean their capital to asset ratio is good. So this thing also affects the lending behaviour of the bank. By considering their capital structure they take the risk and mismatch the maturities of assets and liabilities. (Gambacorta and Mistrulli, 2003). From the above paragraph the different views of the authors come in front regarding reasons for the mismatching of the maturities. Following important reasons have been indicated. Borrowers demand for the long term loan, credit rating of the borrowers, risk taking behaviour, high profitability and banks capital structure. MATURITY TRANSFORMATION STRATEGIES BY THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. Most of investors prefer the loan having short maturity or terms. Now the commercial banks have created the off-balance sheet vehicle that converted or shorten the maturities of the long term products. Investment banks now rely on overnight repo markets to finance their balance sheet. So the question is what these off- balance sheet vehicles are. Off balance sheet vehicles are the structured investment vehicle. This means invest in long term illiquid assets and issue short term maturity paper in the form of asset backed commercial paper which have an average maturity of 90days and medium term notes which having the average maturity of one year. Asset backed commercial paper was very popular in 2006. The off-balance sheet vehicles strategy of investing in long-term assets and borrowing using short-term paper exposes them to funding liquidity risk, since the commercial paper market might suddenly dry up. To ensure funding liquidity, the sponsoring bank grants a credit line, or a so-cal led liquidity backstop.3 Thus, the banking system still bears the liquidity risk from the maturity transformation-like in the traditional banking model of banks, in which commercial banks take on short-term deposits and invest in long-term projects. (Brunnermeier, 2008). While transforming the maturities the banks or financial institutions has to see the concern of the investors. Investors are concerned with return which they can obtain on short notice. Because they are uncertain about the need of the funds. So the activities of the bank to provide the liquid investment opportunity. Banks do this through two channels. First bank deposits offer an option to obtain funds on short notice at lower opportunity cost as compare to market. (James, 1987). IMPORTANT OF LIQUIDITY W.R.T MATURITY TRANSFORMATION. Above views of the authors shows that how important is the management of liquidity in banks. No doubt it is important in banking sector because of different reasons but this not means that other sectors not face liquidity risk. All sectors combine to make economy and failure of one sector will affect overall economy of country. Holmstrom has explained in his article that management of liquidity for both real and financial sector is important. If both sector will manage their liquidity need, will be better able to run their operations efficiently and effectively without facing liquidity shortages. (Holmstrom, 2000). Liquidity risk management is important because liquidity shortfall affect the whole system and effect the overall economy. (Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, 2008). CONCLUSION. We have discussed the liquidity which means the ease that the financial assets can be converted into cash. Liquidity is very important and mismanagement of the liquidity can lead to bankruptcy. Banks can be insolvent because of the liquidity mismanagement. This is the reason that capital adequacy ratio has the greater concern for the regulatory bodies. Basel committee is working since 1988 to overcome the issue of capital adequacy. Because the stability of the financial institution is the concern of overall economy. In banks how they transfer their maturities means assets and liabilities in balance sheet of banks so that to avoid liquidity risk. Because the reason for the financial crisis in past this maturity mismatching structure of the banks. They finance long term loans with short term borrowings and when the time come to fulfil their commitments they are unable to generate liquidity. Why these institutions go for this mismatching structure because there are different reasons bor rowers demand for the long term loan, credit rating of the borrowers, risk taking behaviour, high profitability and banks capital structure. So the financial institutions must have the proper strategies regarding liquidity. BIBLOGRAPHY. Tobias Adrian and hyun song shin. (2008). Liquidity and financial contagion. Financial stability review-special issue of liquidity. No.11. Feb. 2008. Charles Good hart. (2008). liquidity risk management. Financial stability review-special issue of liquidity. No.11. Feb. 2008. Markus K. Brunnermeier. (2008). Deciphering the 2007-08 Liquidity and Credit Crunch Nil Gunsel. (2010). The deteminants of the bank failure in north cyprus. Journal of the risk finance, vol 11, NO . 1. Douglas W. Diamond and Raghuram G. Rajan. (2005) Liquidity Shortages and Banking Crises. The Journal of Finance, Vol. 60, No. 2 (Apr., 2005), pp. 615-647 Walter A. Morton. (1939). Liquidity and Solvency. The American Economic Review, Vol. 29, No. 2 (Jun., 1939), pp. 272-285 Hendrik Schulz, Stephen Simon, Marko Wilkins. (2006). Maturity Transformation Strategies and Interest Rate Risk of Financial Institutions: Evidence from the German Market. Oct 2006. Ramkishen S. Rajan and Graham Bird. (2001). Banks, Maturity Mismatches and Liquidity Crises: A Simple Model Leonardo Gambacorta and Paolo Emilio Mistrulli. (2003). Does bank capital affect lending behavior? Bengt Holmstrom and Jean Tirole, 2000). Liquidity risk management. Journal of money, credit and banking, Vol. 32, No. 3 (Aug., 2000). Financial supervision commission, 31 January 2005. A Consultative Paper on Liquidity Risk Management Policies for Banks. Douglas W. Diamond. (1991). Debt Maturity Structure and Liquidity Risk. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 106, No. 3 (Aug., 1991), pp. 709-737 James G. March and Zur Shapira, (1987). Managerial Perspectives on Risk and Risk Taking Management Science, Vol. 33, No. 11 (Nov., 1987), pp. 1404-1418 Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, June 2008. Principles for sound liquidity risk management and supervision. Paul Sharma, 8 October 2004. Financial services authority speech.

The Role of the Teachers Essay -- essays papers

The Role of the Teachers Engaging the Children’s Attention "It is interesting to note that during the next twenty or so years, the first generation of teachers who have never known a world without television and computers will be taking control of the educational system" (Dusewicz, 1982, p.11). This new generation of educators will need to modify their approach to teaching in order to better suit the ample technological resources available to aid in student learning. One way to meet the rising demands of educational instruction is to implement a variety of technological multimedia into the curriculum. Multimedia is defined by the ERIC (EBSCO) database as â€Å"the integration of more than one medium in a presentation or module of instruction† (2005). The first step in implementing innovative multimedia in the preschool classroom is to engage the wandering attentions of a large group of young children. One way this can be accomplished is by combining a variety of technological media such as images, sound, motion, interactivity, and tex t/words in such a way to communicate information (Cole, Means, Simkins, & Tavalin, 2002). Images in the form of maps, photographs, drawings, etc. have the potential to enhance student learning by implementing a visual aspect to the teaching method. Text can be in the form of simple one word expressions or detailed paragraphs rich in information. In the preschool classroom, it is most efficient to utilize text on a one word level so children can become familiar with the alphabet. This is the first step in building a foundation for recognizing the connection between objects or concepts and written words. To further personalize multimedia through technological resources, a variety of fonts and word art ... ...(1982). The impact of computerization on children's toys and games. Journal of Children in Contemporary Society, 14, 73-82. This article examines computerized toys and how they impact the children who use them. Snelbecker, G. E. (1982). Impact of computers and electronic technology on the teaching methodologies and the learning process. Journal of Children in Contemporary Society, 14, 43-53. This article explores key issues to consider before implementing technology in schools. The Baltimore Sun (2004, April). Earlier Learning: The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved on April 27, 2005, from www.thebaltimoresun.com. This article discusses the importance of early childhood education programs for the foundation of important life skills. Henry, S. (2005, May). The Family Channel: The Washington Post. Retrieved on May 3, 2005, from www.thewashingtonpost.com.

“The Great Gatsby” chapter 8 Essay

In the beginning of the chapter, we are made aware of Nick’s discomfort and anxious attitude regarding Gatsby and what is to become of him, suggesting that he should get away for a week, but naturally, Gatsby refuses. He then goes onto describe the way that he and Daisy had first met and their relationship that had ensued, before Gatsby proposes he and Nick use the swimming pool for the first and last time that summer; Nick has work to attend, and so declines his offer to leave, but not before paying him the only compliment he gave to him. Towards the middle of the chapter, we are given an insight into George’s life just after Myrtle’s death, who realised he had nobody to go to and was desperate to know who had done such a thing to his wife, eventually coming to the conclusion that it must have been Jay Gatsby. We then meet the climax at the end of the chapter as Wilson not only murders Gatsby, while he waited for Daisy’s phone call, but also himself. Fitz gerald writes the chapter, as in the entire novel, through the persona of Nick, in a first-hand narrative. This aids in the telling of the entire story, in this chapter in particular, because Nick’s true devotion and loyalty to Gatsby as a friend, is evident in the respectful way and non-descript depiction of Gatsby’s death- â€Å"The chauffeur†¦ heard the shots†. In comparison to the description of Myrtle’s gruesome death in the previous chapter; â€Å"her left breast was swinging loose like a flap†; it can be argued that Nick’s self- conscious narrative may actually be quite biased, choosing to withhold information from the reader and, contradicting the way he claimed not to be judgemental in chapter 1, by deciding which characters deserve to be respected and free to die with their dignity intact, despite each of their individual mistakes. Despite Fitzgerald writing the chapter with aspects of tragedy, I do not believe the form of the chapter can be described as being so, but rather, as being tragic. For example, Gatsby’s hamartia is recognised completely in this chapter as his love and adoration of Daisy that hadn’t been returned, the way he takes the blame for Myrtle’s death without any sort of known gratitude, and his relentless trust and faith in her and the fact that he believes she is the key to his happiness and success in his life, eventually lead to his untimely demise while he still held onto the hope that she would return his feelings for her. This helps to tell the story because it is representative of society at the time, allowing  Fitzgerald to portray it as having provided a barrier between classes which could never be crossed, as Gatsby had attempted and was expecting of Daisy. An additional feature that makes the chapter tragic would be the catharsis experienced by the reader through Nick’s realisation of Gatsby’s mistakes; this is because the reader desperately hopes that Gatsby himself will somehow come to the same conclusions that seem so obvious to everybody else- â€Å"They’re a rotten crowd†¦ You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together† Throughout the chapter, Fitzgerald constantly makes connections between weather and the emotions within the novel, giving the impression that the setting of will somehow foreshadow and represent the outcomes later in the chapter. An example of this would be, â€Å"the night had made a sharp difference in the weather and there was an autumn flavour in the air†. This use of pathetic fallacy could be used to foreshadow the â€Å"sharp† pain that Gatsby, will later feel as he is shot; James Gatz represented by the â€Å"weather† in general as he had typically been a driving force in the events throughout the novel, having lots of influence over mood and behaviour. Autumn has many connotations, some of which could be the falling of leaves, which symbolises the decay of Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship, which has not yet become totally obvious to Gatsby at this point in the chapter. Meanwhile Gatsby stops his gardener from emptying the pool that he hadn’t yet used, In the same way that he is attached to the hope of making Daisy love him the way she used to, he insists on swimming in the pool as though it were still the summer that had just passed, seemingly overnight in contrast to the hottest day of the year in the last chapter, showing his incapability of forgetting the past, constantly trying to hold onto the memori es they shared and to relive their time together. Regardless of the fact that Gatsby’s past had been shared with us in chapter 6, in a relative time scale to the novel, Fitzgerald writes from Nick’s perspective, telling the reader that it is at this point in Gatsby’s life, that he had actually shared it with Nick. Nick describes the reasoning for this as being because â€Å"’Jay Gatsby’ had broken up like glass against Tom’s hard malice†. Irony is used in this to tell the story as, throughout the novel, Gatsby had been an enigma to all and now, suddenly he is seen as transparent and easy to see through. Also, the use of the word â€Å"glass† gives the impression that, as glass, though it may seem strong on the outside, is weak and easily shattered, the pieces of which can  never be put back together perfectly, Gatsby is finally portrayed as a human with real emotion, showing that he is easily broken, foreshadowing his murder at the end of the chapter. The author uses Doctor T.J Eckleburg’s eyes to represent the increasing meaninglessness of religion over time, particularly in the 1930s as, in the materialistic world between West Egg and East Egg nobody had turned to religion but instead, thrive off of materialism and wealth, and so Eckleburg portrays the eyes of God and his omniscient nature- â€Å"God sees everything†- which been left and forgotten by the wealthy, and fallen victim to the valley of ashes, yet still embodies a moral standard of which all are expected to follow, no matter their stature within society. As a result of this, the story is able to advance through the chapter as Wilson believes that by seeing the crime committed, God demands revenge and so, he leaves in search for the owner of the car who killed his wife.

ART IS essays

ART IS essays Privatisation takes on a number of meanings including the full or partial sale of public sector corporations, the sale of government owned assets, the opening of certain markets to private sector competition and government/private sector joint ventures in infrastructure projects. The term Government Business Enterprise (GBE) describes a statutory body, corporation, government owned company, and is an important representation of the public sector when discussing the privatisation issue. In recent years, there has been a privatisation boom, particularly in countries facing fiscal difficulties. Australia is no exception with a large amount of privatisation occurring in a number of industries including telecommunications, transport, utilities and alike. Although the revenue generated by privatisation is a dominant factor behind the push for privatisation, other issues such as public enterprise efficiency, capital expenditure priorities and union curbing can also have a great influence. There is a large amount of support for the view that private enterprises under a system of rules and laws will maximise efficiency in delivery of infrastructure and associated services for the community (BIE 1992 p42). However, the efficiency of the public sector is often hindered by a number of factors including; the lack of clear methods of measuring performance, the assignment of multiple goals which often conflict, lack of incentives to minimise costs, lack of managerial accountability, and vulnerability to political interference. The presence of important political and social functions makes the conventional assessment of public enterprise performance a difficult task. Performance indicators are necessary in order for businesses to produce gains in productive efficiency and improvements in responsiveness to the community's needs. Problem's in performance monitoring arise since Government Business Enterprises are not subject to take-overs or the ri...