Kaiser Permanente Risk Management Executive Summary Essay Example for Free

Kaiser Permanente Risk Management Executive Summary Essay Organization Description Kaiser Permanente (KP) is the nation’s largest integrated health care delivery system. KP serves nine states and over nine million members, with an annual operating revenue in 2013 of 53.1 billion. KP is a leader in quality improvement efforts in the health care industry through participation in studies performed by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA), The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditations, and the implementation of a state of the art electronic health records system, which focuses on integration and quality of care standardization. The focus of this summary is on KP hospitals in the northern California region and will include topics such as the purpose of risk and quality management, risk identification and management, current risks, quality outcomes, organizational goals, and the relationship between risk and quality management. Risk and Quality Management Purpose General The purpose of risk management in health care is simply the process of protecting the assets and minimizing financial losses to the organization (Singh Habeeb Ghatala, 2012). A comprehensive risk management strategy within a health care organization will include focus on continuous quality improvement (CQI). The purpose of CQI in health care, according to Sollecito and Johnson (2013), is to offer a â€Å"structured organizational process for involving personnel in planning and executing a continuous flow of improvements to provide quality health care that meets or exceeds expectations† (p. 4). Through linking the processes of risk management and quality improvement the success of both processes is more likely to be realized. Kaiser Permanente The key concepts for risk and quality management at KP are commitment to quality, patient safety, privacy protection, and fraud prevention. KP risk management and quality management programs are central to their mission, values, and culture. Methods currently utilized to support these concepts  within KP are consumer surveys, the use of an integrated EHR with evidence based guidelines and clinical decision-making functionality, stringent patient privacy regulations and processes, continuous clinical and administrative staff training programs, and participation in studies focused on standardizing national quality measures (Kaiser Permanente, 2012). Risk Identification and Management Steps While KP is a leader in health care risk and quality management there are specific steps this consultant is recommending on a continual basis that will improve risk identification and management within the organization. 1. Identify and analyze loss and exposure While there are many methods utilized within the health care industry in the identification and analysis of loss and exposure, the recommended methods for KP are as follows: a) Incident-reporting analysis b) Improvement on the current performance management process for employees to bring focus on risk mitigation and quality improvement. c) Quantitative analysis of patient complaints and satisfaction surveys. d) Review of the organizations past professional liability and workers compensation reports. e) Review of surveys completed by TJC and NCQA on other hospitals in order to identify risk areas that KP should focus on. (McCaffrey Hagg-Rickert, 2009) 2. Research and propose alternative risk techniques To mitigate risks that are unavoidable at KP, a combination of alternative risk techniques will help reduce situations that might negatively affect the organization. A financial analysis and risk analysis should be performed in order to ascertain the likelihood of utilizing the exposure avoidance technique. This is not a likely option as the financial impact of eliminating services may out weigh the risks involved with continuing them. A loss reduction approach is more likely to be the technique chosen for this organization. The core prevention activities that must be present in the loss reduction technique are as follows: a.) Ongoing staff education b.) Current policy and procedure review and revision c.) Updates to the organizations current EHR system to ensure the data present in the clinical decision-making and evidence-based clinical guidelines technology is the most current data available. According to Chen, et al (2009), â€Å"a growing body of literature confirms the value of electronic health records (EHRs) in improving patient safety, improving coordination of care, enhancing documentation, and facilitating clinical decision making and adherence to evidence-based clinical guidelines† (p. 323). 3. Risk management technique selection This two-part process of risk management technique selection is accomplished through forecasting and application of an ongoing measurement process, which will allow KP to analyze the risk management technique with regard to outcome and cost effectiveness. Included in the measurement process both risk treatment and risk-financing techniques should be measured (McCaffrey Hagg-Rickert 2009). 4. Implement the selected techniques Implementation of the chosen risk management techniques may include decisions on insurance coverage and policy changes, overall department workflow changes to ensure compliance with state and federally mandated regulations and guidelines, and elimination of processes that impede or hinder patient safety. 5. Monitor and improve upon the implemented risk management program In order to continue improving upon the newly implemented risk management program a comprehensive monitoring strategy should be employed. In fact, McCaffrey and Hagg-Rickert, (2009) stated, â€Å"a multidisciplinary approach to evaluating the risk management program ensures that the impact of additional opportunities to improve the risk management function are fully explored† (p. 21). a.) Prepare an annual risk management report b.) Compare the new annual report against prior years risk management data (McCaffrey Hagg-Rickert 2009) Current Risks Three risks that KP should take special care to avoid are rejection of newly implemented risk management and CQI procedures by employees, statute and regulatory changes, and health care associated infections (HAIs). 1. Rejection Change implementation is never an easy task and without special care taken the rate of rejection to change by clinical and administrative employees is high. In order to achieve successful CQI changes the following guidelines and recommendations are presented. a.) Minimize employee rejection through easily implemented and followed CQI procedures. b.) Engage employees in planning to increase acceptance. c.) Ensure lateral linkages within the organization across specialty departments to improve communication (Sollecito and Johnson, 2013). 2. Statute and regulatory changes With the ever-changing landscape in state and federal statutes and regulations surrounding the health care industry, special attention to this risk area must be taken. In fact, Cohen (2009) stated that â€Å"health care is one of the most heavily regulated of all sectors of commerce† (p. 328). Failure to comply with state and federal statutes and regulations can bring about negative financial affects at KP, including but not limited to; fines, loss of accreditation and credentialing, and an increase in malpractice lawsuits, not to mention a decrease in quality of care. a.) Risk management and quality improvement officers stay current and involved in statute and regulation changes. b.) Mandate educational goals for risk management and quality management officers with regard to state and federal regulations. c.) Implement a monthly employee newsletter within which the risk management officer and quality improvement officer outline regulation changes. Include processes that emplo yees should expect to see implemented to maintain compliance. Include a signature page with those editions that include changes to policy and ensure all employees sign and return to the human resources department. d.) Ongoing training for clinical and administrative employees with regards to statute and regulation. The risk management and quality improvement officers will be responsible to work with the organizations education department to implement new workshops as needed. e.) Include these responsibilities in the performance monitoring strategy for the risk management and quality improvement officers. 3. HAIs Health care associated infections are a serious risk in hospitals, as noted by Sydnor and Perl (2011), in their statement â€Å"HAIs are the most common complication seen in hospitalized patients† (para. 20). Improper prevention can lead to increased costs, lengthier hospital stays, and even patient death. Additionally, a Condition of Participation (CoP) (42 CFR 482.42) by CMS mandates hospital infection control programs to adhere to specific requirements. Recommendations are as follows. a.) Implement a house-keeping checklist to ensure proper sanitization of patient rooms. b.) Implement a sanitization checklist for clinical staff that will enforce hand washing before and after patient contact. c.) Develop a committee to review and revise the KP infection prevention and control program. Revisions should focus on compliance with TJC and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regulations. Quality Outcomes Internal and external Three internal and external factors that influence quality outcomes are organization management of interpersonal relationships between physicians and patients, patient compliance, and continuity of care. Without proper management of interpersonal relationships between physicians and patients, the organization will face degradation in trust and openness. Patients should be involved in all treatment decisions, through proper education on their diagnosis and treatment options. This will bring about patient engagement in this decision making process. While KP cannot force their patients to comply with treatment guidelines, the external influence of patient compliance is crucial to quality outcomes. Programs focused on thorough training and education of patients and family members will improve the rate of compliance, thus improving the probability of positive quality outcomes for patients. Lack of patient compliance will hinder the treatment process and lower the level of quality outcomes standards at KP. Continuity of care is another internal influence that can affect quality outcomes. Regular follow up with patients will also increase patient compliance. Without improving continuity of care, the KP organization will see a reduction in positive quality outcomes and an increased in undesired outcomes (DeHarnais, 2013, chp 5). Goals Short-Term 1. Design new regulatory and statute training programs for all clinical and administrative employees. 2. Review and revise the KP infection prevention and control program 3. Revise the performance management system to include CQI measurements and risk management procedures as performance metrics. Long-Term 1. Increase adherence to state and federal regulations and statutes throughout the KP organization. 2. Reduce HAIs by 10% throughout KP hospitals in the northern California region. 3. Improve CQI measurement and risk management policy adherence throughout the northern California region by 20% among clinical employees. Risk and Quality Management Recommendations Risk management policies 1. Quarterly peer review The Health Care Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA) of 1986 â€Å"encourages hospitals, state licensing boards, and professional societies to identify and discipline physicians, dentists, and other health care providers who, after adequate, nondiscriminatory peer review, were found to have engaged in negligent or unprofessional conduct† (Cohen, 2013 p. 333). Through ongoing screening of new and current clinicians, KP will take responsibility for offering their patients that highest quality of care and reducing the risk of employing negligent clinical employees. 2. Zero tolerance adherence policy for all employees with regard to infection control procedures Part of the CMS CoP (42 CFR 482.42) regulation is the â€Å"designation of an infection control officer and development of relevant policies that address the identification and control of infections and communicable diseases. Without full compliance with all CoPs, KP could face the loss of their Medicare provider agreement. 3. Vulnerability analysis chart and emergency plan policy. According to Rawson and Hammond (2009) â€Å"by evaluating vulnerabilities and taking appropriate preventive action, loss can be minimized in an emergency†Ã‚  (p. 506). Health care facilities should include prevention measures in their emergency plans that include the risk of terrorist attacks. While terrorist attack risk cannot be completely mitigated, it is the responsibility of the health care facility to be prepared for such an emergency. Obtain additional information on including risk of terrorist attacks from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Quality management policies 1. Adherence to evidence-based clinical guidelines While it has been shown that â€Å"clinicians have customarily enjoyed a great deal of autonomy in their practices† (Argawal, 2010, para 3), it is imperative that clinicians follow evidence-based clinical guidelines. If exceptions should be made the details of, the patient diagnosis and variations should be presented for peer review prior to altering treatment plans. 2. Minimum score of 88% on customer satisfaction surveys Clinicians must maintain an average score of no less than 88% on customer satisfaction surveys quarterly. In today’s health care market, measurements of quality include consumer satisfaction. In fact, Bernard and Savitz (2009) state that in todays â€Å"competitive health care environment, consumers want and expect better health care services and hospital systems are concerned about maintaining their overall image† (p. 185). Relationship between risk and quality management In the past, risk management officers and quality improvement managers worked autonomously from one another, in fact they most often reported to different superiors. However, today healthcare organizations are realizing that in order to reach quality of care goals and maintain effective risk management programs these disciplines must work together closely. An example of how risk management efforts and quality improvement efforts complement one another is seen in the reduction of medical errors. The risk management plan must consider ways to reduce medical errors, while the quality improvement plan will offer solid steps toward minimizing medical errors (Sollecito and Johnson, 2013). Conclusion This summary focused on topics such as the purpose of risk and quality management, risk identification and management, current risks, quality outcomes, organizational goals, and the relationship between risk and quality management. While KP is the nation’s largest integrated health care delivery systems and leader in CQI standardization, there is always room for improvements. This consultant understands the importance of improvement at KP, thus humbly presents this summary and recommendations to the board of directors. References Agarwal, R. (2010, May). A Guideline for Quality Accreditation in Hospitals. Quality Digest, (), 1-4. Retrieved from http://www.qualitydigest.com/inside/twitter-ed/guideline-quality-accreditation-hospitals.html Chen, C., Garrido, T., Chock, D., Okawa, G., Liang, L. (2009). The Kaiser Permanente electronic health record: Transforming and streamlining modalities of care. Health Affairs, 28(2), 323-33. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/204522974?accountid=458 Cohen, M. (2009). Statutes, Standards, and Regulations (chp 10) in McCaffrey, J. J., Hagg-Rickert, S. (2009) Risk Management Handbook (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. DesHarnais, S. I. (2013). The outcome model of quality (chp 5) in Sollecito, W. A. and Johnson, J. K. (2013). McLaughlin and Kaluznys Continuous Quality Improvement In Health Care (4th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Emily R. M. Sydnor, Trish M. Perl (2011, January). Clin Microbiol, 24(1): 141–173. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi .nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3021207/ Kaiser Permanente. (2014). Kaiser Permanente, Retrieved from http://share.kaiserpermanente.org/article/history-of-kaiser-permanente/ McCaffrey, J. J., Hagg-Rickert, S. (2009, Chp 1) Developing of a Risk Management Program in Risk Management Handbook (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Rawson, M. L. and Hammond, H. Y,. (2009) Emergency Management in McCaffrey, J. J., Hagg-Rickert, S. (2009, Chp 7) Developing of a Risk Management Program in Risk Management Handbook (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Singh, B., Habeeb Ghatala, M. (2012, August). Risk Management in Hospitals. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 3(4). Sollecito, W. A. and Johnson, J. K. (2013). McLaughlin and Kaluznys Continuous Quality Improvement In Health Care (4th ed.). Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Nurse Staffing: Job Satisfaction and Retention

Nurse Staffing: Job Satisfaction and Retention Elizabeth Campins Overview of Quantitative Article The study conducted by (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014), entitled Nurse Staffing and the Relationship to Job Satisfaction and retention, will be the object of the article analysis for this assignment. We are going to evaluate the research question of the study, the study design, representativeness, and the result of the data analysis including strengths and weakness of the study. Research Question The problem that has been addressed in the study is if the nurse-patient ratios affect job satisfaction and retention. The research questions for this article are the following: Has the number of patients assigned to the nurse resulted in job satisfaction? Has the actual economic situation influenced nurse decision to stay in the current position? (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014) The above research questions contain variables referred as predictors that can be measure. Those predictors are the staffing size of registered nurses, and number of the patients assigned to nurses. For the second research question the predictor is the actual economic situation which includes the numbers of layoffs and/or hiring, and costs-services reduction. The outcome of this study is nurse retention and job satisfaction. One we have the problem clear, the population of interest identifies, the interventions considered feasible, and the standard and future comparison established we are in the path to find the best evidence (Adams, 2012, p. 73). Study Design Nurse Staffing and the Relationship to Job Satisfaction and retention by (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014) is a quantitative design study. It is valuable for explaining relationship, nursing measurement and quantification that conduct to conclusive results (Peters, 2012, p. 161). The specific design of this study is non-experimental. It describes the relationship between nurse staffing, job satisfaction, and nurse retention in an acute care environment. More specifically this article is a correlational design study because establish relationship among variables or better to say among predictors and outcomes (Peters, 2012, p. 176). The type of predictive correlational designs for this study is model-testing. For this model type it is probable that researchers hypothesize which variables can conduct to better outcomes. Sample Size and Representativeness The type of sample for this study is a non-probability sampling method. It is used when the sampling frame cannot be calculated. As a result, the threat of selection bias is increased and is less representative of the selected population (White, 2012, p.257). Among non-probability sampling, this article is a convenience or consecutive type where the participants are recruited as they become available (White, 2012, p.257). There were seventy subjects selected as they become available. The majority were female with ages between thirty three and forty five years old. In addition, data collection last over thirty days. The strategy for choosing the subjects were stablished before the selection. It requires RN licensed, with six months experience at bedside in an acute care institution. The level of education at the time of the collection, age, gender, was also required. In addition was asked if the subjects were employed in a Magnet hospital. Results of data analysis Procedures Quantitative method takes in consideration data analysis after the data collection is finished. The study used statistical analysis. The tool was IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 20. For demographic and subscale variable was used descriptive statistics to determine if the predictive variable, that we mention at the beginning of the paper were related to the outcome nurse retention and job satisfaction. The following survey tools NWI-R (Nursing Work Index Revision) and COP (control over practice) subscales, which was taken from the NWI-R, were used to measure job satisfaction. A weak positive relationship between control over practice and nursing staff indicates that there is a relationship between workload and job satisfaction. One more retention variable was analyzed with frequency and percentage to get results about the actual economic situation affecting the decision to keep the current position. A moderately strong negative correlation shows that a nurse will consider leaving their actual position if the dissatisfaction increases. It Level (p) means a statistical parameter of the analysis. It was set at alpha equal to 0.05. The theme identified was nurse-patient high ratios work-load. It concluded that incrementing responsibilities during the shift put at risk satisfactory patient care, and raise nursing dissatisfaction and turnover. A common strategy mentioned for the participants to retain them in bedside nursing care was improving nursing-ratios. This strategy will decrease the cost of hiring and training new staff nurses, and it will retain experienced nurses. Improving the nurse to patient ratio is highly valuable to increase job satisfaction and retention. Summary of the Strengths and weakness The study major strengths were in data collection. The method of collection corresponds directly with the research question. It contains a variety of age groups and level of experience of the participants. An additional strength of the study is the use of control over practice subscale (COP) as an important survey mechanism to measure job determine the levels of job satisfaction and its impact on the nurse environment (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014). The main weakness in the study was a sample size with only seventy participants as they become available during a thirty days period. For this reason is complicated to determine the generalizability of this research to the larger population (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014). The study demonstrates that exist relationship between predictors and outcomes. This relationship does not show relevant threats in bias, history, maturation, testing or instrumentation. We are confident that the study has a relevant internal validity. On the other hand, it is not possible to conclude that the study can be generalized to other subjects or settings because of the limitations of the sample size (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014). This study is not generalized to larger population, as a result, has a weak external validity. Summary of the Major Points of the Paper From Nurse Staffing and the Relationship to Job Satisfaction and retention by (Hairr, Salisbury, Jonansson, Redfern-Vance, 2014) we considered two important research questions for a quantitative study. It was reviewed the sample size and its representativeness of the population. After analyzing the data and procedures results we summarize the strengths and weakness of this study supporting our conclusion with (Peters, 2012, p. 150). Overview of a Qualitative Article The study conducted by (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014), entitled Transforming care at the Bedside: Managers’ and Health Care Providers’ Perception of their Change Capabilities will be the focus of the article analysis for this assignment. We are going to evaluate the research question of the study, the study design, representativeness, and the result of the data analysis including strengths and weakness of the study. Research Question The problem that has been addressed in this study is the perceptions of managers and others healthcare providers about their change capabilities. The research questions are the following: Are the new strategies, that nurses are implementing, working to create better results in a way that make communication and teamwork easier and more efficient? Does the new project reduce wasteful work? (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014). In the above research questions the research has interest in specific information from the person point of view and their inside about the subject studied (Mauk, 2012, p. 189). Participants that are knowledgeable on the researching theme are called key informants for the purpose of qualitative research. Study Design Transforming care at the Bedside: Managers’ and Health Care Providers’ Perception of their Change Capabilities by (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014), is a qualitative design study. Among of the four types of qualitative research, our study is categorized as grounded theory where the main review of literature is examined when the research has being completed to compare the theory with other reviews, and create theories for other processes (Mauk, 2012, p. 199). There is not set of sample size at the beginning of the data collection. The researcher gets data until they are saturated with the information needed (Mauk, 2012, p. 200). The strategy used in our study is focus groups. The study involved three focus groups: pediatric medicine unit, an adult acute respiratory care unit, and an adult neurologic unit. Also was considered three individual interviews. The study was conducted for nine months (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014). Sample Size and Representativeness As stated before, sample size in grounded theory is known at the end of the collection data. It relied on focus groups where the key informants where selected from managers and healthcare providers included in the transforming care at the bedside (TCAB) teams. It also includes recruited patient’s representation from the hospital’s committees whose members had been patients or had family members who were patient. The sample included sixteen women and three men for a total of nineteen participants. The demographic information (gender, age, education, job title) was collected to allow for an external assessment of the generalizability of the findings to a different setting (Polit Beck, 2012, p. 518). Results of data analysis Procedures Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed using NVivo data analysis. This procedure facilitates a rigorous analysis of unstructured data (Miles, Huberman, Saldaà ±a, 2013). Data analysis was examined in three ways: Condensing the data or coding the transcripts, presenting the data for discussion with the research team, and verifying the data with an audit trail to keep a record of the data collection details throughout the study. Two outside researchers coded the transcripts to reduce the chances of biased interpretation. Some of the themes identified were: Learning skills, sharing leadership capabilities with other staff members, impact of the changes for the institution and personally, the perception of the team approach to lead change, among others. Summary of the Strengths and weakness The strengths of the research article were sustained in the fact that the motivation to work as a team develops change capabilities in participants. The study gave the tools and resources necessary to identify, implement and evaluate changes. The study was successful in developing most of the target elements to change. Participants mentioned how their unit’s mode of functioning went from working alone to teamwork style. Also, they mentioned that the TCAB project helped them develop new skills and capacities for change. This study has credibility (Mauk, 2012, p. 200). It has being confirmed through members check after researchers sharing the results with participants to make sure the finding reflected what they say during the interviews. The study limits the generalizability of the results because was only conducted in three units. Summary of the Main Points of the Paper Transforming care at the Bedside: Managers’ and Health Care Providers’ Perception of their Change Capabilities by (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014) we considered two important research questions for a qualitative study. It was reviewed the sample size and its representativeness of the population. After analyzing the data and procedures results we summarize the strengths and weakness of this study supporting our conclusion with (Mauk, 2012, p. 194). References Adams, S. (2012). Identifying research questions. In N. A. Schmidt, J. M. Brown (Eds.), Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research (2nd ed., pp. 67-87). Sudbury, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning. Hairr, D. C., Salisbury, H., Jonansson, M., Redfern-Vance, N. (2014, May/June). Nurse staffing and the relationship to job satisfaction and retention. Nursing Economic$, 32. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3[emailprotected]hid=4212 Lavoie-Tremblay, M., O’Connor, P., Lavigne, G. L., Biron, A., Ringer, J., Baillageon, S., Briand, A. (2014, Nov). Transforming care at the bedside: Managers’ and health care providers’ perceptions of their change capacities. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 45(11), 514-520. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20141023-02 Mauk, K. L. (2012). Qualitative design: using words to provide evidence. In N. A. Schmidt, J. M. Brown (Eds.), Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research (2nd ed., pp. 187-215). Sudbury, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning. Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., Saldaà ±a, J. (2013). Qualitative data analysis: A method sourcebook (3rd ed.). Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=3CNrUbTu6CsCprintsec=frontcoverdq=Qualitative+data+analysis:+A+method+sourceboockhl=ensa=Xei=NZzOVMT_L6fPsQStvIDYDAved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=onepageq=Qualitative data analysis: A method sourceboockf=false Peters, R. M. (2012). Quantitative design: Using numbers to provide evidence. In N. A. Schmidt, J. M. Brown (Eds.), Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research (2nd ed., pp. 165-185). Sudbury, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning. Polit, D. F., Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippicott Williams Wilkins. White, A. H. (2012). Using samples to provide evidence. In N. A. Schmidt, J. M. Brown (Eds.), Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research (2nd ed., pp. 247-271). Sudbury, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning.

Yeast Culture Lab: Background Information

Yeast Culture Lab: Background Information In the laboratory, yeasts are stored, maintained cultivated with the help of few elementary methods. Yeasts, being a group of unicellular organisms taken care of similar to those of most bacteria except that their nutritional environmental requirements vary. Yeast: These  are microorganisms  having cells with membrane-bound nuclei .Yeasts are unicellular and its size may vary greatly depending on the species. Yeasts have asexual and sexual reproductive cycles and most of them reproduce asexually by budding. Yeast culture: Yeast culture composes yeast in the form of dry product over a media dried over in order to safeguard the fermenting activity of the yeast. The process of fermentation creates metabolites, which is in fact an advantage of yeast culture. The bacterial activity gets stimulated resulting in an increase in digestion of feeds by the bacteria as their number grew. This increase in numbers can result in more nutrients from the feed being available acting as a source of energy. Reproduction: The natural process supports life as it produces new progeny individual  organisms from their parents. Each individual organism exists due to this biological process. The process involves two methods of the following types:  sexual  and  asexual. Sexual reproduction requires two individuals of opposite sex to involve during the sexual course. However, the asexual reproduction do not any requires involvement of another individual as it can reproduce with the division of a bacterial cell into two daughter cells. Consumption: It is simply the process of taking food into the body through the mouth. However, reproduction is a function of consumption. When an organism goes under reproduction, its consumption must be adequate to provide the supplementary nutritional support because this biological process needs additional resources for future survival. Death in Population: The processes that change the size of populations are birth, death and movement into and out of that population. The science of ecology is not just about understanding nature but often also about predicting or controlling it. In the life history of the unitary organism, as time passes and the post reproductive phase arrives death happens due to senescence which is the organic process of growing older. The individual of different ages do contribute to births in population. As per the static life table, we assume the rates of birth and death to be constant. However, the fecundity of individuals also changes with their age contribute to births in the population as per age-specific fecundity schedules. Further, understanding the cohort life table for annuals tracks a single cohort from the first birth to the death of last survivor. Aim of the Experiment: Let us understand the process of manufacturing Bakers Yeast by implying fed-batch culture in order to reduce the contamination. Procedure: The production of Bakers yeast involves a series of aerobic stages for the development of inoculums. The process involves eight stages. The first three stages are aseptic as the pure culture for initial inoculums are used. However, open vessels are used to carry rest of the stages. Pumping of yeast from one stage to the other as well as the seed cultures being centrifuge and washed before transfer reduces the level of contamination. During the later stages, which involves fed-batch systems, ensures better yield. The development of inoculums for the commercial production of Bakers yeast involves PC 1, 2, 3 as pure culture batch fermentations. F 1 2 is non-aseptic batch fermentations. F 3 4 is fed-batch fermentation F5 is final fed-batch fermentation leading to yield of Bakers yeast with minimal contamination. Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to understand the process of producing Bakers yeast with the removal of contamination to its minimalism. It involved the fed-batch culture to describe batch cultures fed with a medium without the elimination of culture fluid. Materials and Methods: Molasses, Chemicals like sulfuric acid Ammonium Sulphate, Ammonium Phosphate, Ammonia, Sodium Chloride, Antifoaming, Potato Starch, Emulsifying agent and Sodium Hydroxide etc. Profile on productions of Bakers Yeast Retrieved from http://www.southinvest.gov.et/Publications/SSNPR%20draft%20Profile/B/%20Bakers%20Yeast.pdf The fed-batch fermentation system follows as shown in the figure below. The Vitaminpros website, diagram retrieved from (http://www.vitaminpros.com/beta-1-3-d-glucan.htm) Discussion: The diagrams of different population dynamics inclusive of: Phases of population growth after disaster Limitations of environmental carrying capacity (while it is high) Limitations of environmental carrying capacity (while it is low) Habitable site dominated by population decay We could easily figure out that factors, which regulate the size of a population, may not determine its size for most of the time instead; responses may change over changing levels of resources. Population  growth  cycle: As we have studied, the density-dependent birth mortality rates lead to the regulation of popular size. When both are density dependent or either of them, then, the two curves cross. The density at which they do is carrying capacity. The population graph involves four phases: Lag Phase: Here, the yeast settles in the environment. Logarithmic Phase: Until this phase, they wait for the favorable conditions to grow, consume reproduce. As they find the proper consequences, they grow exponentially. Stationary Phase: This phase is only temporary as reproduction begins to cause their environment to deteriorate to where the death rate begins to overtake the birth rate. Death Phase: During this phase, the environment becomes very toxic with their excrement results in their death. Carrying Capacity: its effect Carrying capacity is the population level of an organism that persists given the quantity of life supporting infrastructure available to it. In a situation where numbers of an organism are below the carrying capacity of its environment, its birth rate will amplify. If the population exceeds the carrying capacity, the death rate will increase until the population numbers are stable. Carrying capacity increased by the discovery and exploitation of new resources (such as metals, oil or fertile uninhabited land) and decreased by resource exhaustion and waste buildup, for example declining soil fertility and  water  pollution. The ecological concept of carrying capacity helps to determine a sustainable population level. The Energy flow in Biogeochemical Cycle: We must understand the pattern of energy flow for forest, grassland, plankton community in sea small ponds. It helps us to understand relative roles of live consumer and decomposer systems. We will observe that the decomposer system is responsible for majority of secondary production and the live consumers have greater role in open-water aquatic communities. If we discuss the flux of energy matter through ecosystems, we will come across various cycles: The phosphorus cycle The nitrogen cycle The sulfur cycle The carbon cycle They act as global pathways of nutrients between the abiotic reservoirs of atmosphere, hydrosphere lithosphere and the biotic reservoirs consist of terrestrial aquatic communities. In general, the snapshot of the entire process goes like this. The figure Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65875/biogeochemical-cycle Conclusion: The natural processes works in harmony and any effect or changes in the functionality or behavior of one process will have a direct or indirect influence on other natural phenomenon. The Hypothesis accepted as per the successful completion of the experiment mentioned above, as the amount of contamination in the Bakers yeast produced was minimal. References Coleman, B. (1996). Additives for Horse Feeds. Retrieved from Website: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca    Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition), Individuals, Populations, Communities Ecosystems Retrieved from (Chap. 5, pp. 145-153) Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition), Individuals, Populations, Communities Ecosystems Retrieved from (Chap. 5, pp. 145-163) Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition), Individuals, Populations, Communities Ecosystems Retrieved from (Chap. 5, pp. 145-163) Stanbury, P.F.,Whitaker,A.(1995).Principles of fermentation technology,2nd edition Retrieved from (chapter 6, figure 6.2) Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition), Individuals, Retrieved from Populations, Communities Ecosystems (Chap. 9, pp. 288) Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition) Retrieved from Individuals, Populations, Communities Ecosystems, (Chap. 5, pp. 170, fig. 5.21) Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition) Retrieved from Individuals, Populations, Communities Ecosystems, (Chap. 11, pp. 368, fig. 11.7) Townsend, C.R. (2008). Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition) Retrieved from Individuals, Populations, Communities Ecosystems, (Chap. 11, pp. 381, fig. 11.16)

Essay --

pH is usually referred to test out or find the measure of a concentration of hydrogen ions. pH is used to measure whether the solution if it is a base or an acid. The term pH stands for power of hydrogen. Usually there is a scale for measuring pH, Solution with a 7 or below is consider an acidic solution, but an pH greater than 7 is consider a base solution, and 7 is a neutral solution. The pH scale is a set of solution standards whose pH is established by the international system. Most of the times pH can be measured through concentration cells which measure the differences between hydrogen electrodes. Finding the pH for solution can be done in various ways such as a pH meter or glass electrode. White vinegar can also be some sort of fluid composed mainly involving acetic p in addition to drinking water. The actual acetic p will be made because of the fermentation involving booze simply by acetic p germs. White vinegar will be currently mainly utilized as a change involving express element, although in the past, on account of this primarily basically on the market delicate p, it acquired a considerable model of manufacturing, health-related, in addition to household uses, selection of that location unit even now endorsed these days. Small business white vinegar will be made possibly simply by rapid as well as slow fermentation functions. In general, slow ways that they location unit in combination with old vinegars in addition to fermentation matter gradually over weeks or possibly a season. The actual extended fermentation amount permits for your buildup of the nontoxic slime made up of acetic p germs. rapid ways that they add mother involving white vinegar on the availabi lity fluid just before adding atmosphere utilizing a en... ...inging about hyperbolic runoff. That runoff drinking water makes this succeeding blend extra acidic. Regarding 50 percent the acidity inside the atmosphere falls to earth through dry deposit. Some kinds can accept acidic waters more than others. polluting of the environment impacts many species ultimately impacts additional through the entire organic phenomenon combined with non-aquatic kinds like parrots. The penalties of smog, combined together with different ecological stressors, depart trees in addition to plants unripe to be able to confront to be able to cold conditions, insects, in addition to illness. The pollutants could on top of that inhibit trees ability to breed. Some soil square gauge higher capable of neutralize acids than others. In areas the spot that the soil streaming capability will be low, this harmful outcomes of smog square gauge plenty added.

Existentialists: I Am Me, And You Are You :: essays research papers

Existentialists: I Am Me, and You Are You   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Existentialists view mankind as individuals whose unique past experiences establish personal characteristics that set all of us apart. This idea can be best expressed in an intuitive statement by a celebrated individualist, Tarzan. â€Å"Me Tarzan, you Jane† is at the nucleus of the beliefs of the existential atom. This seemingly simplistic statement relates to existentialism by leading us to the idea of man's individualism, guiding us to belief of existence before essence and ushering us to the notion of freedom of choice. These three beliefs can then be related to the characters in the existential writer Jean-Paul Sartre's â€Å"No Exit.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At first reading of this statement, one notices Tarzan's word choice. â€Å" Me Tarzan, you Jane† implies that Tarzan and Jane are not one and the same. Instead, they are two different people who lead very different lives. Tarzan, the Ape Man, is by nature different than his newfound lady friend. Existentialists would further this train of thought to say that since people are always different, they can never be the same. They would then argue that every person is an individual, not a copy from a predetermined mold. Jean-Paul Sartre also portrays his characters as individuals, not carbon copies of each other. Garcin, a soldier who went AWOL, certainly lived a different life than the baby- killer Estelle.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These individualistic qualities lead to us by Tarzan's statement, now guide us to the existential belief of existence before essence. This idea consists of the belief that people are formed from their own unique past experiences. Tarzan, a lonely boy who was raised by a pack of gorillas, has not experienced the touch of mankind. His isolation from the world is completely opposite from that of Jane's past. Jane, a women raised in the indulgence of the modern day, has experienced many unique events that have made her what she is. Jane can never know what is like to be Tarzan because she can never experience what he has gone through. Likewise, Tarzan, the Ape Man, can never experience what it is like to be Jane because he can never live through the unique events of Jane's past. Sartre also gives us characters with very unique backgrounds. Garcin can never experience the troubled past that Inez had and Inez in turn can never understand why Garcin needs to be told he is not a coward.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After now understanding that existentialists view people as individuals who have unique past experiences that make them who they are, existentialists would now usher us to the notion of each character's freedom of choice. Existentialists: I Am Me, And You Are You :: essays research papers Existentialists: I Am Me, and You Are You   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Existentialists view mankind as individuals whose unique past experiences establish personal characteristics that set all of us apart. This idea can be best expressed in an intuitive statement by a celebrated individualist, Tarzan. â€Å"Me Tarzan, you Jane† is at the nucleus of the beliefs of the existential atom. This seemingly simplistic statement relates to existentialism by leading us to the idea of man's individualism, guiding us to belief of existence before essence and ushering us to the notion of freedom of choice. These three beliefs can then be related to the characters in the existential writer Jean-Paul Sartre's â€Å"No Exit.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At first reading of this statement, one notices Tarzan's word choice. â€Å" Me Tarzan, you Jane† implies that Tarzan and Jane are not one and the same. Instead, they are two different people who lead very different lives. Tarzan, the Ape Man, is by nature different than his newfound lady friend. Existentialists would further this train of thought to say that since people are always different, they can never be the same. They would then argue that every person is an individual, not a copy from a predetermined mold. Jean-Paul Sartre also portrays his characters as individuals, not carbon copies of each other. Garcin, a soldier who went AWOL, certainly lived a different life than the baby- killer Estelle.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These individualistic qualities lead to us by Tarzan's statement, now guide us to the existential belief of existence before essence. This idea consists of the belief that people are formed from their own unique past experiences. Tarzan, a lonely boy who was raised by a pack of gorillas, has not experienced the touch of mankind. His isolation from the world is completely opposite from that of Jane's past. Jane, a women raised in the indulgence of the modern day, has experienced many unique events that have made her what she is. Jane can never know what is like to be Tarzan because she can never experience what he has gone through. Likewise, Tarzan, the Ape Man, can never experience what it is like to be Jane because he can never live through the unique events of Jane's past. Sartre also gives us characters with very unique backgrounds. Garcin can never experience the troubled past that Inez had and Inez in turn can never understand why Garcin needs to be told he is not a coward.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After now understanding that existentialists view people as individuals who have unique past experiences that make them who they are, existentialists would now usher us to the notion of each character's freedom of choice.

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place Essay example -- Literary Analysis, Ernest

â€Å" A Clean, Well-Lighted Place† by Ernest Hemingway is a simplistic short story in which he narrates a scene in a Cafe, where the main characters are two waiters and an old man. In the story, Hemingway hardly created a background for his characters, but this was part of his minimalist writing style. He wanted to create a story that was straightforward to the reader, and in which the reader could easily understand his attitude. His purpose for writing the story was to expose his feelings on society, politics, and the individual at the time. These feelings could be characterized by three main words: desperation, disillusionment, and loneliness. Through all of the characters in his story, the reader was able to obtain one of these feelings. However, when I read the story I wanted to know more about the characters to be able to establish a connection with them. I wanted to know how and why did each of them acquired those feelings? Therefore, I decided to change the point of vi ew of the story from third- person- limited to first- person. Unlike Hemingway, I included more personal details about one of the main characters, in this case the old man, whom I consider to be the most mysterious character of the three. This way, I could make the reader relate more to the emotions conveyed by the story. Consequently, by showing the reader the old man's background, I made Hemingway's attitude of his original story stronger, and also establish a connection between the reader and the character(s). However, I also had to modify some of the plot, and language to make my scene coherent and relevant to my point of view. The most drastic change I made to Hemingway’s short story was the change of point of view from third- person- limited to first -per... ... When I first read â€Å"A Clean, Well-Lighted Place† by Ernest Hemingway, I thought that I lacked a connection to the story. I did not feel like I knew the characters, which left me with no connection to them and intrigued me as well, especially the old man. Why did Hemingway leave out backgrounds to his characters? This motivated me to write my scene through the old man's point of view. I felt that with the change of point of view to first- person, the reader would feel more attracted to the story, and at the same time I could keep Hemingway’s attitude of despair and disillusionment intact, maybe even make it stronger. With my part of the puzzle, I felt more at peace with his original story, and I was able to establish a relationship between Hemingway (as a writer) and me (as a reader). I was able to experience his motivation for writing â€Å"A Clean, Well-Lighted Place†.

Air France essay

Describe how you would assess how a row (keyword-engine pair) is performing and how to manage it To figure out how a row (keyword-engine pair) is performing, we need to do cost-benefit analysis first. In other words, since company’s goal is to sell tickets and create value, it would be useful to assess by measuring dollar amount earned from a dollar of cost (= Amount/Total cost). However, the row is already in ascending order of dollar amount relative to total cost. Also, there are only 368 data out of more than 4,000 data overall. Therefore, looking at the sales figure only is not the best way to assess keyword-engine pair performance.I took out all the numbers that have no conversion rate. That means, it did not generate any sales and these will not be helpful in assessing the performance. Then, among those numbers with conversion rates, I only looked at the numbers of which the amount is bigger than the cost. Otherwise, company is losing money whenever it pays advertising. Then, I multiplied average position with click through rate and conversion rate so that to calculate how people relatively choose to pick up Air France and buy tickets via website. This will tell how its keyword performs with search engine to generate sales over cost.However, to manage well, we also have to consider Ad rank. QS is determined by click thru rate and bid strategy is actually average CPC. If we multiply together, we can get Ad rank. To perform well, we need have higher click thru rate rather than higher CPC. Therefore, we also need to look at relative CPC assuming same position. That’s why I looked at other numbers without conversions rate too. Apply your performance metrics to each of the keyword-engine pairs (i. e to each of the rows) and identify the â€Å"top 10† keyword-engine pairs to pursue   Below are the top 10 results based on performance metrics that I mentioned above.However, we can see that most keywords already contain france . I believe pe ople who typed france will look at Air France site automatically, so the company should not focus highly on the word. I confirmed this logic by looking at numbers without conversion rate. See below. And also, the first one should be an outlier, since only one click generated 900% of sales. So, I calculated again filtering these two words out. Below is the result. As we can see from above, both â€Å"cheap†and â€Å"paris† are a good match with â€Å"Google†.