Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House - Essay Example Architects have delivered their inputs towards achieving tremendous structures that do not only offer purpose, but also meet the expectations placed on the outlook of the structure. Architects have applied the principles used to achieve stability in a structure, and incorporated them with design principles that uphold design. Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 was an architect who applied the required components in his designs to achieve a consistency required to create an identity in his designs. The American architect and Interior designer based his concepts in designing structures that incorporated human comfort with the environmental features. His philosophy, later appreciated as organic architecture led to the advancement of a school of technique identified today as Usonian style (Twombly 270). He applied the concept in the early 30s in times when economic recession was at its peak to apply affordable materials to apply his skill. His structures were based on the need to deliver social tran sformation that humanity had learnt to appreciate. Of his famous structures stand the Hanna House situated at Stanford University in San Francisco. The design of the structure was unique because it was amongst the first structures that he completed and lacked rectangular forms. This paper highlights Frank Lloyd’s Hanna House in San Francisco with the concepts he applied its completion and significance. Concepts and style applied The Usonian house concept applied in the Hanna House had distinctive features that could be related to the structure (Wright, Mumford, Pfiffer and Wojtowicz 188). These structures were erected on gridded concrete with sandwich walls containing layers of wood pieces and building papers, contrary to the framed walls. The outstanding feature was flat roofs, mostly devoid of basements. An additional feature within the structures included small kitchen spaces situated to be adjoining the dining. Hanna House situated at the Stanford University has gained a reference to the Honeycomb building. This name was generated due to its outstanding features that employed hexagonal unit adapted by Wright from his octagonal building style. Purpose, contents and materials used The construction of the building began in 1937, and it saw its expansion in the next 25 years. The hexagonal design it applied gave a plan featuring six sided angled at 120-degrees to integrate the house with its setting witnessed in a sloping typographic form. Wright had designed the premise for Paul Hanna and Jean, his wife who had been famous educators at the university (Quinan 242). The design that he had initially created was meant to be accommodated in flat terrain that failed to meet its target. The structure of the building and he design incorporated in its completion led to the identity of its architect, Wright into a renowned American architect, and the building’s rank raised to be a National Historic Landmark. The distinction by Wright to develop a structur e that included a peculiar setting to deter from the recognized rectangular plan (Langmead 218). This had come at a time when the concept alter the dimension of the structure and incorporate stability that would ensure a unique building completion. The applied material to complete the structure was witnessed in the wooden finish that Hanna house depicted. Wright had applied the term Wooden House to call his invention, but the material applied on close inspection included red brick incorporated with

Project Management - Planning a wedding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Project Management - Planning a wedding - Essay Example In this case, taking into consideration the objectives and goals of the project would be imperative. Every couple would like to have memorable and unique wedding incorporating a great menu, beautiful decorations, enjoyable music as well as the best honeymoon. In this case, create ideas about color schemes, decorations and flowers matching the scheme, food and cake ideas, music, activities and games for guests as well as favors. Matching the dress codes, invitation cards, thank you cards and themes with other arrangements. Collaborating with the bands, caterers, decorators and designers who would be providing these services. In essence, it would be important that these contacts be followed up with to fasten and ease the arrangements. Booking the reception venue, the church as well as making honeymoon arrangements and incorporating the appropriate table and venue decorations to match up with the set out theme for the occasion. Taking care of the dressing arrangements for the bride, the groom as well as the bridesmaids and grooms men. Have the time schedule clearly stated and liaise with all the stakeholders to ensure that the wedding arrangements go according to plans. This would also entail communicating with all the stakeholders to ensure that the wedding starts and ends on time. Once the service is over, it will be important that all arrangements are made so as to ensure that, the reception venue is properly equipped with chairs and tables, plates, cutlery, water glasses and napkins. This also entails ensuring that the cake, food and drinks are ready as well as making arrangements with the entertainment band. Once the wedding ceremony is over, paying attention to the honeymoon arrangements would also be imperative. All these activities... It is evidently clear from the discussion that project management also involves management of the project plan implementation, as well as running regular controls, in order to ascertain that there is objective and accurate information pertaining to the performance, in line with the plan. In case the project is not going according to plan, either as far as usage of resources or following the process is concerned, recovery actions would have to be devised and implemented to return it to the right course. Given that projects are essentially temporary or short term in nature, they necessitate the development of unique management strategies and technical skills all aimed at meeting distinct goals and objectives. Marking the importance of project management is the fact that the project is constrained in terms of funding, deliverables as well as time-duration within which it has to be completed. The main challenge for project management is essentially the achievement of all project objectiv es and goals while honoring preconceived constraints. The secondary challenge is optimization of the resource allocation and integration of the required inputs so as to achieve the predefined objectives. In quality control, all the characteristics of the project would be examined in order to ascertain their capacity to meet the implied or stated goals and objectives. Quality control refers to the use of activities and techniques that compare the actual performance quality with the intended goals and objectives as well as defining the appropriate course of action to respond to the shortfalls.

Suicide and euthanasia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Suicide and euthanasia - Term Paper Example This paper is going to focus on the cosmology or fundamental beliefs of each philosophy and the ethics developed, based on the cosmology and why and how the ethical basis are outlined to help a person to achieve his/her own personal perfection in the end. The paper will also deal with the first four philosophies because they form a fundamental part of the Asian religions; the Hindu, Buddhism, Shinto and Confucians. The Upanishads was written in India in 8th to 6th century BCE (Kupperman 58). It contained answers to radical questions. They try to answer questions surrounding personal identity. Questions like who are we, what are we expected to do. They are regarded as highly serious philosophy. They developed a sophisticated world picture, which generates an ethic, the way the world would tell one the best way to live. The Upanishads may be considered as religion and philosophy as well due to the fact that they offer the raw text of Hinduism especially on matters dealing with life and death (Kupperman 61). Indeed, they are seen as the foundation of some core traditional and value of India philosophies. Religiously, they tend to offer an escape to tedious round of reincarnation. They promise in Moksha (a Spiritual state where one enters a point of liberation). One has an endless spiritual fulfillment after demise. To qualify for this â€Å"Moksha† state one must follow after joy rather than pleasure. This is the place it start being a philosophy, a part from religion (Kupperman 64). The Upanishads teaches that, for one to determine the state of eternal life (either to live in the state of reincarnation or enter the state of liberation), one must observe the difference of life of joy or pleasure though certainly there are familiar words yet not easy to differentiate between the two. If any person would differentiate between the two words, that person will achieve personal identity and live a happy life pursuing joy rather than vaporous pleasures. The

Critical summaries (language, culture& society) (langustics Essay

Critical summaries (language, culture& society) (langustics department) - Essay Example Starting from 60s, researchers indicated inequalities among students who attend Universities. At that time 80% were white students and only 10% were black students (Francis, Kelly and Bell, 1994). The main focus of this article is the role linguistic speech codes play in students’ performance. Bernstein differentiates between ‘restricted speech code’ of low class of students and ‘elaborated code’ which refers to students from higher class. Thus, a set of words used by the latter group of students is more flexible and meets the requirements of academic education. A further discussion refers to Deconstruction theory, which relates texts of the world as being reflected in our consciousness. The authors of the article make an attempt to argue to the existent scientific canon of approaches to relation of students’ performance and language codes. They claim about a necessity to develop heterogeneous students’ body set in the limits of â€Å"p eople's history and experience situated in geography of other identities, peoples, cultures, and then to study how, despite their differences, they have overlapped one another, and are mixed together† (Francis, Kelly and Bell, 1994). This article is a modern perspective on pedagogical challenge on a new role language plays in the education process. It is not an indicator of socio-cultural differences, but a facilitator to overcome these differences and to integrate them. Language and development   In the article â€Å"Model Standards for English Language Development: National trends and a Local Response† by Terrence G. Wiley and Elizabeth Hartung-Cole, current tendencies in English learning for non-native speakers of English are discussed. On the one hand, English standards developed on the international level take into account the issue of language diversity. On the other hand, this is not enough and it is relevant to develop standards especially for non-native speak ers of English. The issue of what language standard really means has been discussed by researchers for a long period of time. Nevertheless, a crucial importance of language standard can’t be questioned. The authors introduce a concept of ‘over-prespecification’ between the curriculum and learning process (Wiley and Hartung-Cole, 2002). This concept implies a necessity to take into account external knowledge and abilities of students. Current development of English standard should be conducted in a socio-cultural context. Therefore, the authors agree with the fact that administrative training of teachers and gaining proper background knowledge about non-native speakers of English are crucial for further development of English standards on national and on local levels. Not individual students and the level of their performance should be concernd, but heterogeneous body of students. These tendencies are caused by the world’s tendencies for globalization and o verall integration. Consequently, it is relevant to develop universal model standard efficient for native and non-native speakers of English. Multilingualism and Bilingualism   The article â€Å"Bilingualism, Cultural Transmutation, and Fields of Coexistence: California's Spanish Language Legacy† by Sara Garcia is of high relevance nowadays. Different nations tend to integration and successful coexistence. On the example of English Only programs in California a national attitude to bilinguals in America is discussed. A language behavior of Spanish/English bilinguals is developed under the

Faculty of management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Faculty of management - Essay Example According to her, Canadian businesses have stagnant growth because they not only lack resources but they have also not enough motivation for growth. Canadian Banks have conservative notions about businesses that discourage people to be creative. She nevertheless thinks that some of the government initiatives like Canada Export Development and Sustainable development Technologies have encouraged businesses to exploit new opportunities of growth in emerging economies. I agree with Allen that businesses must innovate to compete and expand. But at the same time, government must create facilitating environment for growth. In the current environment of advancing technology and globalization, business has become highly competitive. Moreover, process of globalization has changed the dynamics of global business. Emerging markets of South East Asia, Middle East and BRIC countries offer huge potential for businesses. They are high growth markets with high income where demand for new product can be easily created (Hook, 2001). This is a very important factor that must be exploited by the business community. Growth of business contributes to the growth and development of nations. Thus, it becomes imperative that businesses must constantly make efforts to expand and grow. R&D facilities promote innovation of ideas, new product development and innovation in business processes for greater productivity. Furthermore, innovative approach and resource based strategy provide the firms with unique value creating capabilities that give them distinct advantage against their rivals. As such, they emerge as critical elem ents that facilitate businesses to compete successfully and grow even in adverse circumstances (Coombe and Georghiou, 2002). Indeed, government initiatives are major incentives for businesses to look for new opportunities and motivate them for diversifying their interests. But unless and until they are backed by conducive environment of growth,

History of the Malaysian Constitution Essay Example for Free

History of the Malaysian Constitution Essay The foundation of the Constitution of Malaysia was laid on 10 September 1877. It began with the first meeting of the Council of State in Perak, where the British first started to assert their influence in the Malay states. Under the terms of the Pangkor Engagement of 1874 between the Sultan of Perak and the British, the Sultan was obliged to accept a British Resident. Hugh Low, the second British Resident, convinced the Sultan to set up advisory Council of State, the forerunner of the state legislative assembly. Similar Councils were constituted in the other Malay states as and when they came under British protection. Originally playing an advisory role, the function of the council was later extended to include both legislative and executive functions. This continued until 1948 when the Federation of Malaya was formed by two agreements, namely the State Agreement and the Federation of Malaya Agreement. The State Agreement was of great significance to Malaysias constitutional development. By virtue of this agreement, the Malay Rulers with the advice and concurrence of the traditional chiefs and elders of the states promulgated their respective State Constitutions except for Johor and Terengganu where Constitutions had already been in place since 1895 and 1911 respectively. The Rulers were also required to distinguish the legislative power in their respective states from the executive power, by constituting a legislative body, called the Council of State and State Executive Council whose advice he was required to obtained. The Federation of Malaya Agreement that served as the core for the current federal system of central government was concluded as a compromise to the much-opposed Malayan Union. The Federation consisted of the Federated Malay States (FMS), the Unfederated Malay States and the Straits Settlements of Penang and Melaka. The FMS consisted of Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan while the non-FMS were Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor. The federal government comprised the High Commissioner, an Executive Council and Legislative Council. The agreement also provided for a Conference of Rulers with its own elected chairman. Each of the states had its own Executive Council and Council of States to deal with all matters not specifically reserved to the Federation. The Federal Government was responsible for defence, the police, and the railways, labour, broadcasting, post and finance. This 1948 Constitution remained in force with some essential amendments, until 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained its ndependence. A constitutional conference was held in London from 18 January to 6 February 1956 when the British promised Independence and self-government to the Federation of Malaya. It was attended by a delegation from the Federation of Malaya, consisting of four representatives of the Malay Rulers, the Chief Minister of the Federation (Tunku Abdul Rahman) and three other ministers, and also by the British High Commissioner in Malaya and his advisers. 1] The conference proposed the appointment of a commission to devise a constitution for a fully self-governing and independent Federation of Malaya. [2] This proposal was accepted by Queen Elizabeth II and the Malay Rulers. Accordingly, pursuant to such agreement, the Reid Commission, consisting of constitutional experts from fellow Commonwealth countries and headed by Lord William Reid, a distinguished Lord-of-Appeal-in-Ordinary, was appointed to make recommendations for a suitable constitution. The report of the Commission was completed on 11 February 1957. The report was then examined by a working party appointed by the British Government, the Conference of Rulers and the Government of the Federation of Malaya and the Federal Constitution was enacted on the basis of its recommendations. [4] The Constitution came into force on 27 August 1957 but formal independence was only achieved on 31 August however. The constitutional machinery devised to bring the new constitution into force consisted of: In the United Kingdom, the Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957, together with the Orders in Council made under it. The Federation of Malaya Independence Act, 1957 passed by the British Parliament gave parliamentary approval to Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to terminate her sovereignty and jurisdiction in respect of the Straits Settlements of Melaka and Penang and all powers and jurisdiction in respect of the Malay States or the Federation as a whole. The Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957, made on 5 August 1957 between the British High Commissioner on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II and the Malay Rulers. The Agreement contained the new Constitution of the Federation of Malaya (and the new constitutions of Penang and Melaka). In the Federation, the Federal Constitution Ordinance 1957, passed on 27 August 1957 by the Federal Legislative Council of the Federation of Malaya formed under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948. The new constitutions of the Federation as well as Penang and Melaka were given the force of law by the Ordinance. In each of the Malay states, State Enactments, and in Melaka and Penang, resolutions of the State Legislatures, approving and giving force of law to the federal constitution. The Federal Constitution was significantly amended when Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the Federation to form Malaysia in 1963.

Care and Management of Asthma

Care and Management of Asthma Asthma is a common incurable disease that affects the small tubes carrying air in and out of the lungs in the airways; it is more common at childhood stage but can also occur at a later age (British Lung Foundation, 2011). The major cause of asthma has not been determined but it is believed that some factors as allergies, exercise and common cold contribute to its development. In the United Kingdom, asthma is being handled primarily by a General Practitioner or nurse. Healthcare can be provided in three major means: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. They are delivered depending on the severity of an individuals condition. General Practitioners (GPs), Pharmacists, Nurses, Dentists and Optometrists are the main classes of healthcare providers that deliver Primary care. It is the basically the first point of contact for most individuals (National Health Service Choices, 2010). Care distinctively provided in local hospitals is usually on referral from primary care health providers, such t ype of care is basically referred to as Secondary Care. The third aspect of care is the tertiary care which is provided by specialist such as neurologist and cardiologist in a majorly specialised hospital centre for long term treatment. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF ASTHMA Major facts that make Asthma a major health issue in the UK are: In 2008, a total number of 1,204 deaths were recorded from asthma in the UK, out of which 29 were children aged 14 years and under. 1 person every 7 hours or 3 people per day die from asthma 146,000 adults and 36,000 children currently are on treatment for asthma in northern Ireland making it a sum total of 182,000 people (1 in 10)In Northern Ireland 182,000 people (1 in 10) are currently receiving treatment for asthma. This consists of 36,000 children and 146,000 adults. In Scotland 368,000 people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. This consists of 72,000 children and 296,000 adults. In Wales 314,000 people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. This consists of 59,000 children and 256,000 adults (Asthma UK, 2011). the number of adults with asthma in the UK has increased by 400,000 since the last audit of UK asthma in 2001 about 2% of adults consult their GP annually with asthma ASTHMA CARE AND MANAGEMENT AND LOCALITY STUDY OF UK Asthma exists in various forms hence; its heterogeneity has been well established by a variety of studies that have proven the disease risk from early environmental factors and susceptibility genes, inflammation and therapeutic agent response further induces accompanying diseases (Lang et al., 2011). Risk factors associated with asthma are family history of atopic disease, for example Allergic rhinitis Allergic conjunctivitis Male sex, for pre-pubertal asthma, and female sex, for persistence of asthma from childhood to adulthood Bronchiolitis in infancy Parental smoking, including passive smoking Premature birth, especially in extreme-preterm infants who required ventilatory support, with consequent chronic lung disease of prematurity (NHS Choices, 2011) In the UK, asthma is more common among children than in adults and also has an increased rate in women than men (NHS choices, 2010). A condition referred to as acute asthma exacerbation could occur and could sometimes be life-threatening but is mostly rare. Asthma patients are treated with care by GPs and nurses trained for asthma management and such treatments are specific to the symptoms portrayed by each patient. This treatment (Primary care) basically involves: A personal asthma procedural plan concurred with your GP or nurse An annual regular check ensuring proper control of the patients treatment and positive response to the treatment Proper seeking of the patients consent ensuring his/her decision is involved in decision making of his/her treatment Comprehensive detailed information about how to control and manage the patients condition; while a Secondary or Reactive care is enforced in emergency cases to regain control of more high-risk symptoms. In treating asthma, reliever inhalers are given to every patient by the GP; these inhalers serve as immediate relievers and ensure restoration of normal breathing. It functions effectively due to its composition of a short-acting beta2-agonist that works by relaxing the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways (British Medical Journal group, 2011). This further ensures the airways are opened wider, making it easier to breathe again. Salbutamol and terbutaline are common types of this inhaler. They have been proven to be generally safe except when their use is abused although they possess very few side effects. If the asthma is well controlled, then their usage will be minimal; if a patient uses the inhaler for up to three times or more weekly then it is advised that the treatment be reviewed Secondary care and management of asthma is implemented when Patients exhibit a combination of  severe asthma, behavioural and psychosocial features, they hence are at risk of developing near-fatal or fatal asthma. (BTS and SIGN, 2009). Asthma care is dependent on the age of the patients in that children have a different mode of care as compared to adults, a critical look at the adult care is elaborated below. Prior considerations are basically that the patient is registered with his GP, will have to book for an appointment with his GP before visiting (except in emergencies as acute exacerbations), confirmation with the patient of their understanding of the role of treatment, adherence to treatment, inhaler technique, and appropriate elimination of trigger factors as: exercise, drugs foods, emotional factors, weather changes, allergens etc (Shiang et al., 2009) In analyzing the delivery of care to asthma patients in the UK, data from Office for National Statistics shall be addressed. Table 1 below signifies that there was a remarkable decrease in hospital admission in 2000 for asthma; it showed a 45 percent decrease among children between ages 5 and 14 years and a 52 percent decrease among children below 5 years (Office for National Statistics, 2004). TABLE 1 The management of asthma is patient-specific and is delivered by either the GP or asthma nurse; a respiratory nurse specialist works closely with the GP and the patient serving as the best form of encouragement to the patient in the procedural management of his/her asthma condition. The respiratory nurse specialist has a critical role in the management of asthma as elaborated that he/she: Explains the need for various inhalers (ensuring the best is offered to the patient) and provides the patient with information on treatment administered Advices on triggers and how to keep off them Assists the patient in quitting smoking (if applicable) Explicates on how to monitor the condition Provides the action plan of treatment and explains it to the patient. Is always available for assistance both at home and on the phone (NHS Choices, 2006) Nurses are generally recruited into the NHS through the website www.nursebank.co.uk , the Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists offer courses for development and training of nurses and promote clinical excellence in respiratory care delivery (Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialist, 2010). The selection of a professional nurse in a recruitment procedure is dependent on factors as Years of experience, area of expertise and personal record check. CRITIQUE ON ASTHMA CARE Asthma management involves a wide range of services including primary care, routine follow up, hospital inpatient and outpatient care, proper education and advice of patient, emergency calls and prescribed drugs; these services when combined with the intensity and level of use result to a high cost (Department of Health, 2011). In 2001, England recorded a net ingredient cost of  £442million and around  £33million for inhaled therapy Brocklebank et al (2001). In prescribing drugs, the patient is considered as whether or not to use the drug/device appropriately; the most effective and clinically proven cost effective drug is also reasonably considered. However, restrictions imposed on manufacturers make some inhalers commercially unavailable hence the use of more expensive drugs. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) have clinical guidelines on the use of inhalers for asthma (BTS and SIGN, 2009) however; there are inconsistencies or absence of recommendations for inhaler devices from these guidelines. Evidence-based guidelines are currently being prepared by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). There are criticisms on the effectiveness of the inhaler which largely depends on technique of administration by patient considering experience, physical ability and education on usage (NHS centre for reviews and Dissemination, 2003) CONCLUSION The role of a nurse in quality care delivery cannot be overruled especially in a health condition as asthma which could be critical and possibly fatal. The initial primary care given to asthma patients and subsequent secondary care has been proven to be appropriate in that the health status of patients is being improved. The incorporation of a respiratory nurse specialist has been a major milestone in achieving a better health status for asthma patients in the United Kingdom. REFERENCES Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialist (2010) professional development Available at: http://www.arns.co.uk/pages/professional%20development.html (Accessed: 11 March 2011). Asthma UK (2011) For Journalists: Key facts and statistics Available at: http://www.asthma.org.uk/news_media/media_resources/for_journalists_key.html (Accessed: 5 March 2011). British Lung Foundation (2011) Asthma, Available at: http://www.lunguk.org/you-and-your-lungs/conditions-and-diseases/asthma (Accessed: 9 March 2011). British Medical Journal group (2011) Asthma in adults Available at: http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/pdf/patient-summaries/531553.pdf (Accessed: 12 March 2011). British National Formulatory (2010) NICE Technology Appraisal. Available at: http://bnf.org/bnf/extra/current/450034.htm (Accessed: 9 March 2011). British Thoracic Society, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (2009) British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A national clinical guideline. Available at: http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign101.pdf (Accessed: 10 March 2011). Brocklebank, D.,  Ram, F.,  Wright, J.,  Barry, P.,  Cates, C.,  Davies, L.,  Douglas, G.,  Muers, M.,  Smith, D.,  White, J. Comparison of the effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease: a systematic review of the literature Health Technology Assessment 5 (26) pp. 1-149. Pubmed [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11701099 (Accessed: 4 March 2011). Department of Health (2011) Prescription Cost Analysis 2001. Available at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/stats.pca2001.pdf (Accessed: 11 March 2011). Lang M., Erzurum S., C., Kavuru M. (2011) Asthma. Available at: http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/allergy/bronchial-asthma/ (Accessed: 12 March 2011). Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Products Agency (2007) vol (1) drug safety update. Available at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Safetyguidance/DrugSafetyUpdate/CON2033216 (Accessed: 12 March 2011). NHS Centre for reviews and dissemination (2003) 8 (1) Inhaler devices for the management of asthma and COPD Available at: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/EHC/ehc81.pdf (Accessed: 10 March 2011). National Health Service Choices (2010) About the NHS. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/nhsstructure.aspx (Accessed: 5 March, 2010). National Health Service Choices (2010) Acute asthma in adults-management in primary care. Available at: http://healthguides.mapofmedicine.com/choices/map/asthma_in_adults2.html (Accessed: 9 March 2011). National Health Service Choices (2006) The role of your Respiratory Nurse Specialist. Available at: http://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/documents/patientLeaflets/Asthma%20-%20The%20role%20of%20your%20Respiratory%20Nurse%20Specialist.pdf (Accessed: 11 March 2011). Office for National Statistics (2004) Asthma and allergies: Decrease in hospital admissions in 90s. Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=722Pos=1ColRank=1Rank=192 (Accessed: 8 March 2011). Shiang, C., Mauad, T.,  Senhorini, A., De Araà ºjo, B., Ferreira, D., Da Silva, L ., Dolhnikoff, M., Tsokos, M.,  Rabe, K.,  Pabst, R. (2009) Pulmonary periarterial inflammation in fatal asthma Clinical and Experimental Allergy 39 (10) pp. 1499-1507 Wiley [Online]. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03281.x/abstract (Accessed: 11 March 2011). LEARNING OUTCOME 2 LEADERSHIP IN NURSING AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS A Leader is someone who guides or chairs a group of people or an organisation; it is common practice that a leader portrays some leadership skills to enable him/her be productive and effective. Cook (2001) describes a clinical nursing leader as someone who endlessly gets involved in direct patient care hence improving care by being of positive influence to others. All nurses (from those who provide direct care to the managers) need potent leadership skills. Mahoney (2001) emphasises that anyone (e.g. a nurse) who gives assistance to others or is responsible for other people is considered a leader; however, good leadership is reproducible superior performance targeted towards a long term benefit to everyone called for. John, (2011) has defined a manager as an individual with the sole responsibility to plan and direct the work of a group of people, ensuring proper monitoring and directives are followed. Management in nursing involves regarding leadership functions of administration and making appropriate decisions within organisations that employ nurses. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN LEADERS AND MANAGERS Leaders and managers go hand in hand, none of them tend to possess abilities that make them stand on their own, and there is no unique or particular way of managing people. Some basic similarities between managers and leaders are: People development: An effectual manager and leader have skills and abilities that tend towards the development of the people. Partnership working: the work of both a manager and a leader tend to be of a partnership level (Mather, 2009). Motivators: both leaders and managers are motivators of their subordinates DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LEADERS AND MANAGERS Thinking pattern: A major difference between a leader and manger is in their level of reasoning, Managers think incrementally, whilst leaders think radically; managers always work towards doing things rightly while leaders work in the perspective of doing the right thing (Richard, 1990). Loyalty: Subordinates are mostly subordinate to their leader than to their manager; this applies often because the leader takes credit in times of achievement and allocating merit to subordinates (John, 1990). Competencies: A nursing manager allocates resources and sets timetables while a nursing leader is someone who clarifies the big picture created by the manager and simplifies it, making the hospital/nursing homes vision more understandable to the staff and patients (Kristina R, 2009). Leadership is a very vital issue in the nursing practice because nursing requires knowledgeable, consistent and strong leaders, who inspire and boost peoples moral and support professional nursing practice. Nurses need to be both leaders and managers for some very key reasons as: An Advocate for quality care: a head nurse who serves as either a leader has to stand out in ensuring the needs of both the patients and nursing staff are adequately met, sometimes it will require a robust and bold person to stand before the board in defending these needs. An influential personality: the presence of an influential nurse handling an asthmatic patient will go a long way in guiding the patient in making informed choices; the patient becomes free and open to the nurse when she/he exhibits a high level of positive influence on the patient. CRITIQUE OF NURSING PUBLICATIONS IN RELATION TO LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN ASTHMATIC AND GENERAL NURSING CARE A report by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on the support by Asthma UK on RCNs frontline campaign published on 14th January 2011 is carefully analyzed highlighting the publishers aims of writing, lessons to be learnt, consequences of the article and its impact on positive care delivery. It was rightly stated in this article that about three-quarters of asthma emergency admissions can be avoided if proper care is delivered (Royal college of Nursing, 2011). This implies that the need for proper managerial skills needs to be adapted by the healthcare leaders to manage asthma patients which will ultimately lead to the reduction of emergency care delivery for asthma patients. He went further to stress that specialist nurses are the cohesive source of support and stability for care for asthma patients; this issue is supported by the Relationship theory of leadership (also known as transformational theory) which highlights the connection between the leader and the led (Kendra, 2011). Leaders that possess this trait tend to motivate and stir their followers to ensure maximum productivity is achieved. Focus is geared towards the performance of the group members. When a leader with such trait is employed, the function of the specialist will be balanced on both as a helper of the patient and a confidant to the patient. He also said that the role of a specialist nurse has reduced hospital admissions from 22% to 6%, hence saving the National Health Service billions of pounds annually. The writer concluded by turning down the practise of relieving the specialist nurses of their jobs and employing other nurses and ward clerks to fit into their roles which he said the adverse effects were of greater negative impacts as costing the NHS more finance and damage the lives of the patients already receiving care by the specialist nurses. The lessons from this article cannot be over-emphasized in that there is an immediate need for the employment of more specialist nurses to manage asthmatic patients better and to save the lives of their patients. A similar report by Akinsanya (2009) on the Exacerbations of severe asthma; psychosocial predictors and the impact of a nurse-led clinic stated that the need for alternate management approaches is paramount in caring for people with severe asthma. He also recommended further findings on the social and psychological aspects of asthma management. Recommendations were also made on the holistic approach for long-term management of asthmatic patients (Akinsanya, 2009). This report clearly shows the application of the contingency leadership theory that postulates the influence of variables that relate to the environment on the determination of the specific leadership style fit for a situation (Kendra, 2011); it further implies the need for a paradigm shift on the care for acute asthmatic patients towards need for more nurse specialists. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON LEADERSHIP AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS As a major role player in healthcare delivery, nurses have inevitable functions. This Portfolio has given me an in depth understanding in various areas of my practice as: Efficiency: I have learnt that my level of efficiency has a vital impact in saving asthmatic patients lives; it will help ease the huge financial burden on Government by saving extra expenses. Leadership skills: According to the great man theory of leadership (Management Study Guide, 2011a) which denotes that some people are born with inherent leadership skills which become apparent when great needs arise. I have understood that as a nurse, I can lead rightly and manage people if I can nurture the greatness in me. In enhancing my managerial skills, I will give room for creativity in my area of work by combining both human and non-human resources (Management Study Guide, 2011b) to achieve the designed goal. Team work is also a very good point I learnt from this report in that I cannot be an effective leader if I am regarded as the only member of my team succeeding, there has to be a cohesive effort from all. Care delivery: The focus is on the nurses to serve as interlocutors between the GP and patient ensuring the patient adheres to prescriptions and that the nurse is always available for assistance by the patient. CONCLUSION The difference between a leader and manager is quite small and most leaders tend to end up as managers. Asthmatic guidelines need to be reviewed often to improve its managerial aspect of care. Nurses are relevant care deliverers and all need to develop leadership and managerial skills in order to safe guard the healthcare of the United Kingdom.