Assignment 2/Developing the Evidence Matrix/PICO Essay

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the most prevalent of all nosocomial infections inflicted upon patients while hospitalized. Approximately 30% of all hospital reported infections are of the urinary tract (Joint commission: New year will usher in new CAUTI prevention requiremants, 2011). The Joint Commission estimates the annual cost of CAUTI care is in excess of $400 million; furthermore, CAUTI care is targeted by Medicaid and Medicare services as a non-reimbursable infection. For years, postoperative urinary catheter utilization has been contested regarding the appropriate criteria required for its application, maintenance, and discontinuation. Patients hospitalized for short term postoperative care, specifically, orthopedic patients, are often catheterized due to their limited immobility. The goal of therapy with surgical orthopedic procedures is to improve mobility, not render the patient immobile. Urinary catheters are often viewed as cumbersome, inconvenient instruments of immobility by the patient. Conversely, nurses have often viewed urinary catheters as an instrument of convenience and standard of care for hospitalized patients. The use of short term urinary catheter use, whether indwelling or intermittent, in orthopedic patients has been surveyed through multiple studies, resulting in evolutionary changes in the standard of care of postoperative orthopedic patients. The contrasts  in patient outcomes utilizing indwelling catheterization, intermittent straight catheterization, and non-use of catheterization will be reviewed. PICO In postoperative orthopedic patients, how does the discontinuation of an indwelling urinary catheter compare to non-catheterization in relation to the prevention of urinary tract infection? INDWELLING URINARY CATHETERS AND THE POSTOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT Population: Postoperative orthopedic patients Intervention: Discontinuation of an indwelling catheter Comparison: Non-catheterization of postoperative orthopedic patients Outcome: The patient will not exhibit any symptomology of a urinary tract infection Evidenced Based Practice Models  The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence Based Practice Conceptual Model (JHNEBPCM) can be utilized in this area of focus as it comprises the foundations of nursing: practice, education, and research. There are three phases to this model known as the PET process: Practice question, Evidence, and Translation. The practice question identifies a problem with a current practice. Evidentiary support to answer the practice question is produced through the utilization and evaluation of research and non-research evidence. The outcome of the implemented research is then translated into practice change, the measurement of those outcomes, and the dissemination the new research (Buchko & Robinson, 2012). The Iowa Model of Evidenced Based Practice (IMEBP) is appropriate for use in this area of focus. It allows for the entire healthcare system to be utilized in determining the need for change in the delivery of care. Employing this model allows the researcher to elect to choose between a current problem and new research as the basis for change in patient care. Once the trigger has been substantiated as a priority, a team is put in place to assemble, critique, and determine if enough research has been presented to pilot a change in current practices. If there is sufficient evidence for change and the pilot  program is successful, a change in practice will occur. Once a change has been made, the data obtained from the practice change can be further  developed utilizing this model and continuing the evolutionary cycle of improving standard of care practices. INDWELLING URINARY CATHETERS AND THE POSTOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT Otherwise, if there is not enough evidence, further research may be conducted to provide enough of a base to continue toward obtaining a practice change (Dontje, 2007). The differences between the JHNEBPCM and the IMEBP are minor. They both provide a common goal: to change current practices by employing evidenced based research to foster the evolution of healthcare practices. Both models use a question or a trigger to initiate a change in practice. The minor difference between the JHNEBPCM and the IMEBP is the JHNEBPCM validates its change of practice question with the application of non-research data in addition to its research data. In this way, the JHNEBPCM can consider patient preference as an indicator to best practices. Determining the Question  The National Patient Safety Guidelines, as determined by the Joint Commission, include the prevention of indwelling CAUTI, emphasizing the prompt removal of these instruments and the observation for subsequent infection (Joint commission: New year will usher in new CAUTI prevention requiremants, 2011). The initial question was, â€Å"In admitted orthopedic surgical patients, does prompt removal of an indwelling Foley catheter within 48 hours of surgery reduce the incidence of catheter associated urinary tract infection?† In order to have a broader result list in searching for articles, the PICO parameters were refined. The population parameter was reduced to â€Å"postoperative orthopedic patients.† The intervention parameter was refined to â€Å"discontinuation of an indwelling catheter.† This removed the time constraint from the initial PICO question. Using â€Å"non-catheterization,† employed the comparison tool to serve as t he basis for improved practice. The outcome parameter, â€Å"prevention of urinary  tract infection† aligns INDWELLING URINARY CATHETERS AND THE POSTOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT with the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Guidelines to preventing CAUTI, ensuring better patient care by eliminating infections.  Search of Evidence PubMed was the first database searched for postoperative urinary catheter indications and subsequent infections. The key terms, â€Å"indwelling urinary catheter AND urinary tract infection AND surgery,† were entered into the search bar, yielding 320 results. Accordingly, a second search using the key terms, â€Å"orthopedic surgery AND catheter associated urinary tract infection,† resulted in eight articles. Of those eight, two articles were chosen for review due to their specificity to joint surgery and urinary catheterization. The Cumulated Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAH) database was the second database searched. The key terms, â€Å"surgical patients and urinary tract infection,† produced 14 articles, of which two retrospective cohort studies were chosen for review based on the PICO criteria of urinary catheter use in the postoperative period. Additionally, a search for the key terms, â€Å"orthopedic surgery and catheter associated urinary tract infection† resulted in zero hits. The third database searched was Science Direct. The key terms searched for in this database were, â€Å"surgical patients, indwelling catheter, sterile field, and urinary tract infection.† This search resulted in 845 articles in which they were further limited to, â€Å"infection control,† which yielded 27 articles. Of those 27 articles, two were chosen for further review; a prospective observational study with descriptive and comparative design and a randomized control trial with cost-effe ctiveness analysis. INDWELLING URINARY CATHETERS AND THE POSTOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT Evidence Review The first, and oldest, article reviewed was discouraging. Knight and Pellegrini’s (1996) randomized control trial determined utilization of indwelling catheters for urinary retention in postoperative total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures was beneficial for the patient. It was also determined urinary tract infections were not a consequence of indwelling catheter usage. The level of evidence met level one criteria, yet the grade of recommendation was D due to the weak recommendations with alternative approaches likely to better suit a different group of patients, those requiring urinary catheterization for urinary retention. The next study, a retrospective cohort study, sampled 35,904 patients who underwent major cardiac, vascular, orthopedic, or gastrointestinal surgery. A urinary catheter was placed intraoperatively, resulting in the development of a urinary tract infection if left in for more than two days; these patients were twice as likely to develop a urinary tract infection compared to patients whose catheters were removed within 48 hours of surgery (Wald, Allen, Bratzler, & Kramer, 2008). That same year, another retrospective cohort study by two of the previous authors along with two additional researchers, concluded postoperative patients admitted to skilled nursing facilities where their indwelling urinary catheters were maintained over the course of their care were associated with poorer outcomes. This study was restricted to the patients in skilled nursing facilities where direct patient care was limited and ongoing surveillance was minimal (Wald, Epstein, Radcliff, & Kramer, 2008). Both of these studies level of evidence met two-b criteria, grade of recommendation A and B respectively; the first study could apply to most patients in most circumstances, while the second study could apply to most circumstances. INDWELLING URINARY CATHETERS AND THE POSTOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT The final review of Nyman, et.al, (2013), resulted in a one-a level of  evidence with an A for grade of recommendation. This randomized control trial concluded the employment of indwelling catheters and intermittent straight catheterization during the postoperative period for hip surgery patients had both benefits and disadvantages, yet non-catheterization was best for postoperative patient outcomes. This study was the most recent on record and aligned with the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Guidelines. Summary Evidence based practices have become the cornerstone for the standard of care in healthcare facilities. Over the course of the past 20 years, healthcare providers have provided the research necessary to remove indwelling urinary catheters as the standard of care in postoperative orthopedic patients; from advocating of their use for urinary retention in the late 1990’s to limiting their utilization today. The higher incidence of CAUTI has provided Medicaid and Medicare programs support in rejecting reimbursement measures to facilities for these types of nosocomial infections. New nurse directed protocols supported by evidenced based research have decreased the incidence of CAUTI, although, if these practices are to continue to be successful, a physician culture change must be embraced. The entire healthcare team must continue to participate in an active role to eliminate unnecessary and preventable infections, specifically CAUTI’s. To appropriately act on the behalf of the patient, clinicians must ensure best practices not only for the well-being of the patient, but for the fiscal survival of a healthcare facility. INDWELLING URINARY CATHETERS AND THE POSTOPERATIVE ORTHOPEDIC PATIENT References Buchko, B., & Robinson, L. (2012). An evidenced-based approach to decrease early postoperative urinary retention following urogynecologic surgery. Urology Nursing, 32(5), 260-264. Dontje, K. (2007). Evidence-based practice:Understanding the process. Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal, 7(4). Joint commission: New year will usher in new CAUTI prevention requiremants. (2011). AIDS ALERT, 26(11), 1-2. Knight, R., & Pellegrini, V. (1996). Bladder management after total joint arthoplasty. The Journal of Arthroplasty, 11(8), 882-888. Nyman, M., Gustafsson, M., Langius-Eklof, A., Johansson, J.-E., Norlin, R., & Hagberg, L. (2013). Intermittent versus indwelling urinary catheterisation in hip surgery patients: A randomised controlled trial with cost-effectiveness analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50, 1589-1598. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.05.007 Wald, H., Allen, M., Bratzler, D., & Kramer, A. (2008). Indwelling urinary catheter use in the postoperative period: Analysis of teh national surgical infection prevention project data FREE. Arch Surg, 143(6), 551-557. doi:10.1001/archsurg.143.6.551 Wald, H., Epstein, A., Radcliff, T., & Kramer, A. (2008). Extended use of urianry catheters in older surgical patients: A patient safety issue? Infevtion Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 29(2), 116-124. doi:10.1086/526433

My inspiration to go into medicine

People never want to become doctors. They strive towards the goal of being one. Perhaps the process of healing awakens a hidden potential for answering the mysteries of life; or provides some form of protection for the pilgrim that had himself couthed into the sheath of white: either way the attractions of medicine are undeniably numerous. What, then, of reputation or the great self-devouring love for humanity? What of saving others and finding significance in one’s own existence? All superficial! As undergraduates, we are driven by absolute inquiries into the depths of knowledge to recover fragments of our lives. Where do we fit into the puzzle of life? That’s the question. I have an image to maintain: in front of others and in front of myself. My father is a renowned pediatrician back home in New Zealand. I used to stalk him to his workplace and follow him around all through the singular years of my childhood. Not that I particularly liked staying in the hospital or anything. As a matter of fact, I despised hospitals. The scent of sterility, driven by the notion of vacuumed air straight from the void; the faded color of those walls dressed to match in uncunning fashion; and the ethereal atmosphere of the admission halls grazing through the clarity of perception as if to enforce its own presence. Ugh! But to weigh out all of these, I had a doctor’s magic! (I mean this in a strictly in a figurative sense for no matter how much of a rogue that institution turned to the normal rules of a civilized, everyday society, it had no magic there. Certainly not my father. He was a serious character, always in motion, wearing a frown and a deliberate mask of indifference. He wasn’t particularly liked by the nurses or popular among the patients, either. But he did have remarkable powers for comforting people. Whether cheeky brats, angry rebels or crybabies; my father ticketed them all through the examination roll until they were shipped back to their quarters. His executions were perfect and timely, as he never ran out of tricks to pull from the pockets of his lab coat. The essential part of the battle is to win them over,† he always used to say, So, yes, I have an image to maintain. An infolding of personality I wish to develop into the outside world. Like a newborn, it chides and kicks to be let out, and though I realize fatherly affection is still beyond me in this immature state, I want to bring this child to the world. I believe becoming a doctor is the only answer to this immortal call, and for this reason I hope to study medicine in — university. Tracing the steps I used to take in the hospital dorms, more vivid impressions surface to my mind. I remember the time when, lost in between the labyrinth of curves and swings in the hospital, I perceived the shadow of my father’s coat- just a sliver of its sheath, impressing me with such overpowering impulses. I didn’t doubt it for a moment. I followed that formless ghost until its sheath materialized in my slight grasp. Unable to control myself, I sobbed and cried: painfully†¦ shamelessly†¦ until I was completely relieved. I remember fighting by my father’s side against no worthier adversary than himself: latching myself unto him to keep him from leaving. The staff had to tear me apart from him. At that moment, I had a premonition that I might never see my father again. I cried for him to come back, but he disappeared into the bright light beyond the door at the end of the hallway. The door at the end of the hallway was big, scary; its windows were blurred; and the stripes that clambered over its bulk seemed to have forsaken all hope of stretching back to its point of origin. It really was a magnificent light and my father approached it with such a look of importance as I’ll never forget. It was priceless! The melodramatic setting; the overdramatized characters; and my utter stupidity: â€Å"I still have long ways to go,† this memory always reminds me. This child has something to share with you all. If I’m given a chance, I’m sure the prayer will be fulfilled. Teach me the secret beyond that light. Help me cross that door I daren’t cross as a fledgling. Show me I can be better.

Comarative Analysis of Video Games

Comparative Study of Video Gaming Systems Final Report Due Date: August 10, 2011 Table of Contents Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦4 Research Data†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 Results†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 17 Conclusions†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦24 Recommendations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 25 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 27 List of Figures Graph 1. 1: Role-Playing Games Bar Graph Graph 1. 2: Adventure Games Bar Graph Graph 1. 3: Platformer Games Bar Graph Table 1. 1: Xbox 360 – Hardware SpecificationT able 1. 2: Xbox 360 – Total Games in Preferred Genres Table 1. 3: Wii – Hardware Specification Table 1. 4: Wii – Total Games in Preferred Genres Table 1. 5: Playstation 3 – Hardware Specificaton Table 1. 6: Playstation 3 – Total Games in Preferred Genres Table 1. 7: Comparing Costs Table 1. 8: Comparing Hardware Specifications Table 1. 9: Comparing Games Offered pt. 1 Table 1. 10: Comparing Games Offered pt. 2 Table 1. 11: Comparing Target Demographic Table 1. 12: Comparing Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches Table 1. 13: Comparing Movie-Playing Features Table 1. 14: Overall RankingTable 1. 15: Retail Locations and Prices Introduction Pascal, after remodeling your house and adding a bonus/entertainment room, you mentioned that you would love to buy a new video gaming system. The last video gaming system that you owned was a Nintendo 64, which pales in comparison to the systems available today. Since owning a Nintendo 64, your experience with playing video games has been limited to playing MMORPGs (Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Games) on your personal computer. I have been researching your options and am constantly considering your preferences and restrictions.Your primary preference is game genre, with your most preferred genre being Role-Playing. Several other genres that you are interested in are Action, Adventure, Platformers, and Strategy. Your only real restriction is a spending limit of $700 for your entire gaming setup. Other preferences that have been noted are the system’s Blu-Ray capabilities, and that the system targets a mature audience. The three most prominent video gaming systems on the market that fit your preferences are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii, and Sony’s Playstation 3. The following criteria are being used to evaluate your options. Cost * Hardware Specifications * Games Offered * Target demographic * Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches * Movie- Playing Features The remaining contents of this comparative study will be organized into the several sections. RESEARCH DATA will be presented organized first by option and then by evaluative criteria. Each of the evaluative criteria will be compared in the RESULTS section by showing the results for each option side-by-side. These results will be totaled and a final CONCLUSION will be made. Finally, I will make a RECOMMENDATION as to the most appropriate course of action.Research Data Microsoft Xbox 360 Cost: $199. 99 – includes a 4GB console with built-in wi-fi, one wireless controller, A/V cables, and a one-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold. Hardware Specification: The following table shows vital hardware specifications that are important to your gaming preferences. Table 1. 1: Xbox 360 – Hardware Specification * Media Type| * DVD| * CPU| * 3. 2  GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon| * Internal Memory| * 4 GB Flash| * RAM| * 512 MB| * Online Services| * Xbox Live| * Onlin e Multi-Player Services| * Yes| * Connector Types| 1 x AV cable port,5 x USB 2. , 1 x Kinect port,1 x HDMI output1 x SPDIF output,1 x Ethernet| * * Games Offered: The following table shows how many Xbox 360 games are offered in your three most preferred genres. Table 1. 2: Xbox 360 – Total Games in Preferred Genres Genre| Titles Available| Action| 563| Role-Playing| 108| Strategy| 48| The following images show compiled game review scores by genre to show which console does best for several preferable genres. The results have been split into two types for each console. The lighter shaded color bars show the average score for all games for the specified system in that genre.The darker shaded color bars show the average score of just the top 5 best-scoring games in that genre for the specified system. Graph 1. 1: Role-Playing Games Bar Graph Graph 1. 2: Adventure Games Bar Graph Graph 1. 3: Platformer Games Bar Graph Target Demographic: The target demographic of the Xbox 360 is most easily identified and quantified by looking at the ESRB ratings of the most popular game titles. The following is a list of the number of Xbox 360 titles offered for each ESRB game rating. EVERYONE – 303 Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. EVERYONE 10+ – 213 Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. TEEN – 535 Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. MATURE – 491Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. RATING PENDING – 149 Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release. ) Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches: The ten most common hardware malfunctions and glitches for the Xbox 360 are as follow: * 3 red flashing lights, also known as â€Å"Red Ring of Death† * Open tray and/or disc error messages * No video or only audio DVD laser replacement * DVD drive replacement * System freezes, dotted video or similar issues * 1 red light, E74 * 2 red lights * Stuck DVD tray * White screen Most of these issues must be dealt with by professionals and will be costly. Self-repair is a possibility, but is not recommended. Most systems run into issues eventually, but the Xbox runs into hardware problems more frequently than the other options. Movie-Playing Features: The Xbox 360 is capable of playing the following types of multimedia discs (list does not include Blu-Ray): * Xbox 360 Discs * Xbox 1 Discs * DVDs * CDs * DVD-R * DVD+R * DVD-RW * DVD+RW * CD-R CD-RW * Dual Discs Nintendo’s Wii Cost: $149. 99 – includes one remote controller, one nun chuck controller, one wheel controller, one sensor bar, and Mario Kart for Wii. Hardware Specification: The following table shows vital hardware specifications that are important to your gaming preferences. Table 1. 3: Wii – Hardware Specification * Media Type| * Flash Memory Card, * Nintendo Wii Disc, * Nintendo GameCube Disc| * CPU| * 729 MHzIBM PowerPC â€Å"Broadway†| * Internal Memory| * 512 MB| * RAM| * 512 MB| * Online Services| * Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, WiiConnect24,| * Online Multi-Player Services| * Yes| Connector Types| (4 pin USB Type A),4 x Game controller,Component video output,Composite video output,S-Video output,2 x USB| * Games Offered: The following table shows how many Wii games are offered in your three most preferred genres. Table 1. 4: Wii – Total Games in Preferred Genres Genre| Titles Available| Action| 593| Role-Playing| 33| Strategy| 32| Also, see the graphics and information in the section Microsoft’s Xbox 360 – Games Offered. Target Demographic: The target demographic of the Nintendo Wii is most easily identified and quantified by looking at the ESRB ratings of the most popular game titles.The following is a list of the number of Wii titles offered for each ESRB game rating. EVERYONE – 916 Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. EVERYONE 10+ – 355 Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoo n, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. TEEN – 374Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. MATURE – 57 Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. RATING PENDING – 61 Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release. ) Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches: Three common hardware malfunctions and Glitches for the Wii console are as follows: * Power Supply Issue * WiConnect 24 Issue * Dual Layer Wii Disc Problem All of these minor issues are covered by warranty and do not occur on the same scale as other video gaming system. The most common issue relating to the Wii system occurs when an excess of light interferes with the Wii Remote. Movie-Playing Features: The Nintendo Wii is only capable of playing Wii and GameCube discs and does ot support the playing of DVD or Blu-Ray Discs. Sony’s Playstation 3 Cost: $299. 99 – Includes access to the Playstation Network at no charge, 160GB harddrive, and one wireless controller. Hardware Specification: The following table shows vital hardware specifications that are important to your gaming preferences. Table 1. 5: Playstation 3 – Hardware Specificaton * Media Type| * Blu-Ray| * CPU| * 3. 2 GHz IBM Cell Broadband Engine (8-core)| * Internal Memory| * 160 GB HDD| * RAM| * 256 MB XDRAM| * Online Services| * Playstation Network| * Online Multi-Player Services| * Yes| Connector Types| 2 x USB,1 x Ethernet,1 x HDMI output,1 x PlayStation 3 AV output,1 x SPDIF output| * Games Offered: The fol lowing table shows how many Playstation 3 games are offered in your three most preferred genres. Table 1. 6: Playstation 3 – Total Games in Preferred Genres Genre| Titles Available| Action| 536| Role-Playing| 117| Strategy| 33| Also, see the graphics and information in the section Microsoft’s Xbox 360 – Games Offered. Target Demographic: The target demographic of the Playstation 3 is most easily identified and quantified by looking at the ESRB ratings of the most popular game titles.The following is a list of the number of Playstation 3 titles offered for each ESRB game rating. EVERYONE – 481 Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. EVERYONE 10+ – 186 Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more car toon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. TEEN – 529 Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older.Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. MATURE – 373 Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. RATING PENDING – 145 Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release. ) Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches:The five most common Playstation 3 hardware malfunctions and glitches are as follows: * Yellow light of death (3 red light beeps) * Not reading games/blu-rays * No video * Stuck discs * No power Doing self-re pair is very difficult on the Playstation 3 is highly discouraged. Most of these issues are not easy fixes and require the replacement of key components. Movie-Playing Features: The Playstation 3 is capable of playing the following types of multimedia discs (list includes Blu-Ray): * Playstation 1,2, and 3 Discs * Blu-Ray Discs * DVDs * CDs * DVD-R * DVD+R * DVD-RW DVD+RW * CD-R * CD-RW * Dual Discs RESULTS Comparing Costs The following table shows your three options with their prices and a ranking based on affordability. Table 1. 7: Comparing Costs Option| Cost| Ranking (1-Best Option)| Microsoft’s Xbox 360| $199. 99| 2| Nintendo’s Wii| $149. 99| 1| Sony’s Playstation 3| $299. 99| 3| BEST OPTION: All Because you have already identified that your spending limit is $700 for a gaming setup, none of these options go against your cost preference. Cost is not a preventative factor in purchasing a video gaming system based on this information.However, if you decide th at you would like to readjust your spending limit given the substantial difference between your limit and the prices of the systems, the Wii is your best option. Comparing Hardware Specifications The table below lists the hardware specifications for each option, and also includes the online capabilities of each system and their respective networks. Table 1. 8: Comparing Hardware Specifications | Options| Hardware Specification| Xbox 360| Wii| Playstation 3| * * Media Type| * * DVD| * * Flash Memory Card, * Nintendo Wii Disc, * Nintendo GameCube Disc| * * Blu-Ray| * * CPU| * * 3.   GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon| * * 729 MHzIBM PowerPC â€Å"Broadway†| * * 3. 2 GHz IBM Cell Broadband Engine (8-core)| * * Internal Memory| * * 4 GB Flash| * * 512 MB| * * 160 GB HDD| * * RAM| * * 512 MB| * * 512 MB| * * 256 MB XDRAM| * * Online Services| * * Xbox Live| * * Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, WiiConnect24,| * * Playstation Network| * * Online Multi-Player Services| * * Yes| * * Yes| * * Yes| * * Connector Types| 1 x AV cable port,5 x USB 2. , 1 x Kinect port,1 x HDMI output1 x SPDIF output,1 x Ethernet| (4 pin USB Type A),4 x Game controller,Component video output,Composite video output,S-Video output,2 x USB| 2 x USB,1 x Ethernet,1 x HDMI output,1 x PlayStation 3 AV output,1 x SPDIF output| * Ranking| 1| 3| 2| BEST OPTION: Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Because your preference is to play online Role-Playing Games, the focus of the hardware specification criterion has to be online capabilities. When it comes to online game-play, Xbox 360 has the technical specifications to make it the best option.One of the most important specifications in a system is its processor speed. The Xbox 360 boasts a 3. 2  GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon processor, which is the same speed as the Playstation 3, but far superior to the Wii. When it comes to intense online game play with potentially dozens of other players, it is important to have a processor that can keep up. To keep the whole system running smoothly and minimize lag time, it is also important to have a substantial amount of RAM. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 have 512 MB or RAM, while the Wii only has 256 MB.At this point, the Xbox and Playstation 3 are nearly equal in terms of specifications that lean toward online gaming. What really pushes the Xbox 360 in the lead is their network: Xbox Live. As of 2011, Xbox Live has over 30 million users worldwide. Most of the games that are played on the Xbox Live network are geared toward your gaming preference of Role-Playing and Adventure games. However, due to the massive size of the network and the sheer number of users, even a less popular category like Strategy is available for multi-player gaming.According to Michael McNeilly, an experienced Xbox 360 online gamer, â€Å"There is really nothing like the Xbox Live network out there. The network for PS3 is okay, but it isn’t nearly as big and has a lot of bugs that still haven’t been worked out. † Michael Mcneilly has played all of the other systems extensively, but due to his love for online gaming, he chose the Xbox 360. Ralph Jones, an avid Wii owner and player, explained to me that he really has no need to play online. He mostly enjoys the physical nature of the Wii’s gameplay, and doubts that the Wii is even capable of serious online gaming.According to Kyle Johnson, an avid gamer and owner of all three options, the Wii is not a competitive option in terms of online gaming. When asked about the Playstation 3 and its online gaming community, Kyle explained that there is a reason that the Playstation Network does not have a subscription fee. It is not adequate when compared to Xbox Live, and the number of users sometimes makes it hard to play the less popular games online. Clearly, the Xbox 360 offers the best of both worlds. It has a massive online gaming community and also boasts a powerful 3. GHz processor. With processor speed and RAM that are equal to the Pl aystation 3 and far superior to the Wii, the Xbox Live community is what gives the Xbox 360 the top ranking and makes it the best option in terms of hardware specification. Comparing Games Offered Table 1. 9 lists a calculated average of the two figures previously provided in graphs 1. 1, 1. 2, and 1. 3. These figures were mean game-review scores of all games in three genres, and mean scores of the top-five best-selling games for the three genres. Table 1. 9: Comparing Games Offered pt. 1 | Options|Genre| Xbox 360| Wii| Playstation 3| Role-Playing Games| 79. 4| 72. 7| 71. 75| Adventure Games| 76. 1| 76. 7| 77. 9| Platformer Games| 76. 2| 72. 2| 76. 2| Ranking| 1| 3| 2| Table 1. 10 shows how many games are available for each system in your most preferred genre: Role-Playing Games. Table 1. 10: Comparing Games Offered pt. 2 | Options| Genre| Xbox 360| Wii| Playstation 3| Role-Playing Games| 108| 33| 117| Ranking| 2| 3| 1| BEST OPTION: Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Based on the averages found for all five relevant genres, the Xbox 360 is the best option for the Games Offered criterion.Even though the Playstation 3 has a slightly higher total number of Role-Playing Games available for sale, it does not outweigh the fact that the Xbox 360 scored significantly higher on overall game-review scores. It is generally more important to have higher-rated games than a greater quantity of lower-rated games. For this reason, the Xbox 360 is the best choice for the Games Offered criterion. Comparing Target Demographic Table 1. 11 displays your three options and the total number of ratings received for each rating category out of all games available for each system. Table 1. 11: Comparing Target Demographic Options (Number of Ratings)| Rating| Microsoft’s Xbox 360| Nintendo’s Wii| Sony’ Playstation 3| Everyone| 303| 916| 481| Everyone 10+| 213| 355| 186| Teen | 535| 374| 529| Mature| 491| 57| 373| Rating Pending| 145| 61| 145| Ranking| 1| 3| 2| BEST OPTION: Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Based on all of the games available for each gaming system, the Xbox 360 has the most games with ratings in the Mature and Teen categories. Since you, Pascal, are an adult and prefer the types of games that are most commonly rated Teen and Mature, the Xbox 360 gets the top rank for the Target Demographic criterion.Sony’s Playstation 3 comes in second with a comparable number of games in the Teen and Mature rating categories, but they are not quite as high as the Xbox 360. Nintendo’s Wii has least number of ratings in each of those categories. The Wii has a staggeringly low number of games in the Mature category at 57, and roughly 150 less games in the Teen category than the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. This makes it clear that the Xbox 360 is geared toward an adult audience, and will likely have more games that suit the preferences of an adult. The Playstation 3 is a close second, but still offers significantly less games in the Mature catego ry.The Wii seems to be geared toward a younger, less mature audience, and will likely have the least number of games that will fit your preferences. With all of this considered, it is clear that the Xbox 360 is the best option for the Target Demographic criterion. Comparing Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches Table 1. 11 shows all of the common hardware malfunctions and glitches for each option. This table also assigns a ranking (1 being the system with the overall least severe hardware problems relative to the other options). Table 1. 12: Comparing Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches | Options| Microsoft’s Xbox 360| Nintendo’s Wii| Sony’s Playstation 3| Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches| *Complete System Crash – â€Å"Red Ring of Death†*Basic Hardware Failure (eg. DVD tray and laser failure)| *Power Supply Issue*WiConnect24 Issue*Dual-Layer Wi Disc Failure| *Complete System Crash –â€Å"Yellow Lights of Death†| Ra nking| 2| 1| 3| BEST OPTION: Nintendo’s Wii Based on this table and other research, I have identified Nintendo’s Wii as your best option for the Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches criterion. Even though the Wii does run into problems occasionally, they are rarely as severe as they are with the other options.All of the problems listed for the Wii are covered by warranty and are not worthy of complete system replacement. Alternatively, the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 both commonly run into full system crashes, which render the system unusable. Kyle Johnson, an avid gamer and owner of all three options, has never run into a problem with his Wii, but has experienced full system crashes on both his Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The only reason the Xbox 360 is ranked higher than the Playstation 3 is because self-repair on the Playstation 3 is strongly discouraged.Kyle Johnson and Michael McNeilly have both performed minor repairs on their Xbox 360’s, but have neve r dared to open up their Playstation 3’s. With all things considered, Nintendo’s Wii is the best option for the Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches criterion. Comparing Movie-Playing Features Table 1. 13 below shows all of the media discs played by each option, and whether or not that option satisfies your preference of having a built-in Blu-Ray player. Table 1. 13: Comparing Movie-Playing Features | Options| | Xbox 360| Wii| Playstation 3|Media Discs Played| * Xbox 360 Discs * Xbox 1 Discs * DVDs * CDs * DVD-R * DVD+R * DVD-RW * DVD+RW * CD-R * CD-RW * Dual Discs | * Wii Discs * GameCube Discs| * Playstation 1,2, and 3 Discs * Blu-Ray Discs * DVDs * CDs * DVD-R * DVD+R * DVD-RW * DVD+RW * CD-R * CD-RW * Dual Discs | Satisfies Preference? | No| No| Yes| Ranking| 2| 3| 1| BEST OPTION: Sony’s Playstation 3 Based on the media discs that each option offers, Sony’s Playstation 3 is the obvious choice for the top rank in the Movie-Playing Features criteri on.The Playstation 3 is capable of playing both DVDs and Blu-Rays, while the Xbox 360 is only capable of playing DVDs. The Nintendo Wii, however, cannot even play DVDs. Because you have identified that you prefer a video gaming system that has a built-in Blu-Ray player, the Playstation 3 is the best option for the Movie-Playing Features criterion. CONCLUSIONS Table 1. 14 lists the rankings of each of the six evaluative criteria used throughout this report. In order to come to an overall conclusion as to which option to select, I have assigned reversed point values to the previously determined rankings.If, for instance, an option received a ranking of 1, it would be valued a 3. A ranking of 2 receives a value of 2, and a ranking of 3 is valued a 1. The total number of points will be shown at the bottom of the table along with the final ranking. The video gaming system with the highest number of points will be ranked as 1 and will be your best option. Table 1. 14: Overall Ranking | Op tions| Evaluative Criteria| Xbox 360| Wii| Playstation 3| Cost| 1| 1| 1| Hardware Specification| 1| 3| 2| Games Offered| 1| 3| 2| Target Demographic| 1| 3| 2|Common Hardware Malfunctions and Glitches| 2| 1| 3| Movie-Playing Features| 2| 3| 1| Total Points| 16| 10| 13| Overall Ranking| 1| 3| 2| RECOMMENDATIONS It has been determined that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is the best option, and I would like to recommend to you several retailers where it is available for purchase. The price is universal when bought new, but may vary depending on bundling and other promotions. I have prepared a table showing three popular retailers, the nearest location, and the price of the Xbox 360 4GB system. Table 1. 15: Retail Locations and PriceRetailers and Locations| Price| GameStop(425) 895-833116475 NE 74TH STRedmond, WA 98052| $199. 99| Target(425) 482-641013950 NE 178th PlWoodinville, WA 98072| $199. 99| Walmart(425) 741-94451400 164Th St SwLynnwood, WA 98087| $199. 99| Throughout my research I b egan to realize that the final outcome would depend heavily on how much any criterion was valued. Based on your personal preferences, the best choice is the Xbox 360. However, if you decided that you valued having a Blu-Ray player above everything else, then the Playstation 3 would be the best option.If you decided that the only way to play Role-Playing Games was to use a remote and a nun chuck, then the Wii would be the best choice. It all depends on the valuing of any particular criterion. If you are interested in doing further research, the bibliography lists all sources used. My personal interviewees may be available if you would like to ask them questions, and all of my other sources have a variety of useful and reliable information. Based on everything I have learned from this report and my personal experience with the system, I believe that the Xbox 360 is the best choice for a video gaming system.Bibliography â€Å"Console at Nintendo – Wii. † Nintendo Wii Cons ole. Web. 07 Aug. 2011. Dotree, Phil. â€Å"3 Common Wii Technical Problems. † Associated Content from Yahoo! – Associatedcontent. com. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"ESRB Ratings Guide and Definitions. † Entertainment Software Rating Board. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"How to Fix Common Xbox 360 Problems: Same Day Repairs, Low Prices. † Same-day Xbox Repair. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. Johnson, Kyle. Owns All Three Options, Personal interview. 29 July 2011. Jones, Ralph. Wii Owner, Personal interview. 30 July 2011. McNeilly, Michael. Xbox 360 Owner, Personal Interview. 0 July 2011. â€Å"Microsoft Xbox 360 Slim Specs (4GB) – Consoles – CNET Reviews. † Product Reviews – Electronics Reviews, Computer Reviews ; More – CNET Reviews. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"Nintendo Wii Specs (original, Wii Sports Bundle) – Consoles – CNET Reviews. † Product Reviews – Electronics Reviews, Computer Reviews ; More – CNET Revie ws. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"PlayStation 3 – 160 GB System. † PlayStation – PS3. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"Playstation 3 Search – GameStop. † Games for PS3. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"Sony PlayStation 3 Slim Specs (160GB) – Consoles – CNET Reviews. Product Reviews – Electronics Reviews, Computer Reviews & More – CNET Reviews. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. Towell Justin, Games Radar UK, â€Å"Which console does best and worst in each genre? † 09 Aug. 2011. â€Å"Wii Search – GameStop. † Games for Wii. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"Xbox 360 4GB Console – Xbox. com. † Xbox 360 – Official Site – Xbox. com. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. â€Å"Xbox 360 Game Search – GameStop. † Games for Xbox 360. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. â€Å"Xbox 360 4GB Console – Xbox. com. â₠¬  Xbox 360 – Official Site – Xbox. com. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. [ 2 ]. â€Å"Microsoft Xbox 360 Slim Specs (4GB) – Consoles – CNET Reviews. † Product Reviews – Electronics Reviews, Computer Reviews & More – CNET Reviews. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 3 ]. â€Å"Xbox 360 Game Search – GameStop. † Games for Xbox 360. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 4 ]. Towell Justin, Games Radar UK, â€Å"Which console does best and worst in each genre? † 09 Aug. 2011. [ 5 ]. Towell [ 6 ]. Towell [ 7 ]. Towell [ 8 ]. Towell [ 9 ]. Towell [ 10 ]. GameStop [ 11 ]. GameStop [ 12 ]. â€Å"ESRB Ratings Guide and Definitions. † Entertainment Software Rating Board. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 13 ].Xbox 360 Game Search – GameStop [ 14 ]. ESRB [ 15 ]. Xbox 360 Game Search – GameStop [ 16 ]. ESRB [ 17 ]. Xbox 360 Game Search – GameStop [ 18 ]. ESRB [ 19 ]. Gamestop Xbox 360 Search [ 20 ]. ESRB [ 21 ]. â€Å"How to Fix Common Xbox 360 Pr oblems: Same Day Repairs, Low Prices. † Same-day Xbox Repair. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 22 ]. Johnson, Kyle. Owns All Three Options, Personal interview. 29 July 2011. [ 23 ]. Johnson [ 24 ]. Johnson [ 25 ]. â€Å"Console at Nintendo – Wii. † Nintendo Wii Console. Web. 07 Aug. 2011. . [ 26 ]. â€Å"Nintendo Wii Specs (original, Wii Sports Bundle) – Consoles – CNET Reviews. Product Reviews – Electronics Reviews, Computer Reviews & More – CNET Reviews. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 27 ]. â€Å"Wii Search – GameStop. † Games for Wii. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 28 ]. Towell [ 29 ]. Wii Search – GameStop [ 30 ]. Wii Search – GameStop [ 31 ]. ESRB [ 32 ]. Wii Search – GameStop [ 33 ]. ESRB [ 34 ]. Wii Search – GameStop [ 35 ]. ESRB [ 36 ]. Wii Search – GameStop [ 37 ]. ESRB [ 38 ]. Xbox 360 Game Search – GameStop [ 39 ]. ESRB [ 40 ]. Dotree, Phil. â€Å"3 Common Wii Technical Problems. † Assoc iated Content from Yahoo! – Associatedcontent. com. Web. 4 Aug. 2011. . [ 41 ]. Dotree [ 42 ]. Jones, Ralph. Wii Owner, Personal interview, 30 July 2011. [ 43 ]. Jones [ 44 ]. â€Å"PlayStation 3 – 160 GB System. † PlayStation – PS3. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 45 ]. â€Å"Sony PlayStation 3 Slim Specs (160GB) – Consoles – CNET Reviews. † Product Reviews – Electronics Reviews, Computer Reviews & More – CNET Reviews. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 46 ]. â€Å"Playstation 3 Search – GameStop. † Games for PS3. Web. 04 Aug. 2011. . [ 47 ]. Towell [ 48 ]. Playstation 3 Search – GameStop [ 49 ]. Playstation 3 Search – GameStop [ 50 ]. ESRB 51 ]. Playstation 3 Search – GameStop [ 52 ]. ESRB [ 53 ]. Playstation 3 Search – GameStop [ 54 ]. ESRB [ 55 ]. Playstation 3 Search – GameStop [ 56 ]. ESRB [ 57 ]. Playstation 3 Search – GameStop [ 58 ]. ESRB [ 59 ]. How to Fix Common Xbox 360 Prob lems [ 60 ]. Johnson [ 61 ]. Johnson [ 62 ]. Johnson [ 63 ]. Johnson [ 64 ]. McNeilly, Michael. Xbox 360 Owner, Personal Interview. 30 July 2011. [ 65 ]. Johnson [ 66 ]. Johnson [ 67 ]. McNeilly [ 68 ]. Jones [ 69 ]. Jones [ 70 ]. Johnson [ 71 ]. Johnson [ 72 ]. Johnson [ 73 ]. Johnson [ 74 ]. Johnson, McNeilly

Deception Point Page 2

â€Å"It is.† Her father's eyes studied her closely. Rachel felt part of her defenses melt away under his gaze, and she cursed the man's power. The senator's eyes were his gift – a gift Rachel suspected would probably carry him to the White House. On cue, his eyes would well with tears, and then, an instant later, they would clear, opening a window to an impassioned soul, extending a bond of trust to all. It's all about trust, her father always said. The senator had lost Rachel's years ago, but he was quickly gaining the country's. â€Å"I have a proposition for you,† Senator Sexton said. â€Å"Let me guess,† Rachel replied, attempting to refortify her position. â€Å"Some prominent divorce looking for a young wife?† â€Å"Don't kid yourself, honey. You're not that young anymore.† Rachel felt the familiar shrinking sensation that so often accompanied meetings with her father. â€Å"I want to throw you a life raft,† he said. â€Å"I wasn't aware I was drowning.† â€Å"You're not. The President is. You should jump ship before it's too late.† â€Å"Haven't we had this conversation?† â€Å"Think about your future, Rachel. You can come work for me.† â€Å"I hope that's not why you asked me to breakfast.† The senator's veneer of calm broke ever so slightly. â€Å"Rachel, can't you see that your working for him reflects badly on me. And on my campaign.† Rachel sighed. She and her father had been through this. â€Å"Dad, I don't work for the President. I haven't even met the President. I work in Fairfax, for God's sake!† â€Å"Politics is perception, Rachel. It appears you work for the President.† Rachel exhaled, trying to keep her cool. â€Å"I worked too hard to get this job, Dad. I'm not quitting.† The senator's eyes narrowed. â€Å"You know, sometimes your selfish attitude really-â€Å" â€Å"Senator Sexton?† A reporter materialized beside the table. Sexton's demeanor thawed instantly. Rachel groaned and took a croissant from the basket on the table. â€Å"Ralph Sneeden,† the reporter said. â€Å"Washington Post. May I ask you a few questions?† The senator smiled, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. â€Å"My pleasure, Ralph. Just make it quick. I don't want my coffee getting cold.† The reporter laughed on cue. â€Å"Of course, sir.† He pulled out a minirecorder and turned it on. â€Å"Senator, your television ads call for legislation ensuring equal salaries for women in the workplace†¦ as well as for tax cuts for new families. Can you comment on your rationale?† â€Å"Sure. I'm simply a huge fan of strong women and strong families.† Rachel practically choked on her croissant. â€Å"And on the subject of families,† the reporter followed up, â€Å"you talk a lot about education. You've proposed some highly controversial budget cuts in an effort to allocate more funds to our nation's schools.† â€Å"I believe the children are our future.† Rachel could not believe her father had sunk to quoting pop songs. â€Å"Finally, sir,† the reporter said, â€Å"you've taken an enormous jump in the polls these past few weeks. The President has got to be worried. Any thoughts on your recent success?† â€Å"I think it has to do with trust. Americans are starting to see that the President cannot be trusted to make the tough decisions facing this nation. Runaway government spending is putting this country deeper in debt every day, and Americans are starting to realize that it's time to stop spending and start mending.† Like a stay of execution from her father's rhetoric, the pager in Rachel's handbag went off. Normally the harsh electronic beeping was an unwelcome interruption, but at the moment, it sounded almost melodious. The senator glared indignantly at having been interrupted. Rachel fished the pager from her handbag and pressed a preset sequence of five buttons, confirming that she was indeed the person holding the pager. The beeping stopped, and the LCD began blinking. In fifteen seconds she would receive a secure text message. Sneeden grinned at the senator. â€Å"Your daughter is obviously a busy woman. It's refreshing to see you two still find time in your schedules to dine together.† â€Å"As I said, family comes first.† Sneeden nodded, and then his gaze hardened. â€Å"Might I ask, sir, how you and your daughter manage your conflicts of interest?† â€Å"Conflicts?† Senator Sexton cocked his head with an innocent look of confusion. â€Å"What conflicts do you mean?† Rachel glanced up, grimacing at her father's act. She knew exactly where this was headed. Damn reporters, she thought. Half of them were on political payrolls. The reporter's question was what journalists called a grapefruit – a question that was supposed to look like a tough inquiry but was in fact a scripted favor to the senator – a slow lob pitch that her father could line up and smash out of the park, clearing the air about a few things. â€Å"Well, sir†¦ † The reporter coughed, feigning uneasiness over the question. â€Å"The conflict is that your daughter works for your opponent.† Senator Sexton exploded in laughter, defusing the question instantly. â€Å"Ralph, first of all, the President and I are not opponents. We are simply two patriots who have different ideas about how to run the country we love.† The reporter beamed. He had his sound bite. â€Å"And second?† â€Å"Second, my daughter is not employed by the President; she is employed by the intelligence community. She compiles intel reports and sends them to the White House. It's a fairly low-level position.† He paused and looked at Rachel. â€Å"In fact, dear, I'm not sure you've even met the President, have you?† Rachel stared, her eyes smoldering. The beeper chirped, drawing Rachel's gaze to the incoming message on the LCD screen. – RPRT DIRNRO STAT – She deciphered the shorthand instantly and frowned. The message was unexpected, and most certainly bad news. At least she had her exit cue. â€Å"Gentlemen,† she said. â€Å"It breaks my heart, but I have to go. I'm late for work.† â€Å"Ms. Sexton,† the reporter said quickly, â€Å"before you go, I was wondering if you could comment on the rumors that you called this breakfast meeting to discuss the possibility of leaving your current post to work for your father's campaign?† Rachel felt like someone had thrown hot coffee in her face. The question took her totally off guard. She looked at her father and sensed in his smirk that the question had been prepped. She wanted to climb across the table and stab him with a fork. The reporter shoved the recorder into her face. â€Å"Miss Sexton?† Rachel locked eyes with the reporter. â€Å"Ralph, or whoever the hell you are, get this straight: I have no intention of abandoning my job to work for Senator Sexton, and if you print anything to the contrary, you'll need a shoehorn to get that recorder out of your ass.† The reporter's eyes widened. He clicked off his recorder, hiding a grin. â€Å"Thank you both.† He disappeared. Rachel immediately regretted the outburst. She had inherited her father's temper, and she hated him for it. Smooth, Rachel. Very smooth. Her father glared disapprovingly. â€Å"You'd do well to learn some poise.† Rachel began collecting her things. â€Å"This meeting is over.† The senator was apparently done with her anyway. He pulled out his cellphone to make a call. â€Å"‘Bye, sweetie. Stop by the office one of these days and say hello. And get married, for God's sake. You're thirty-three years old.† â€Å"Thirty-four,† she snapped. â€Å"Your secretary sent a card.†

A Guide for Designers on the Construction

The Construction Design and Management 2015, which is also known as CDM 2015, were enacted into place in 6 th April 2015 replacing the CDM 2007. The main requirement in this act helps to provide legal requirements for the construction industry concerning the health and safety in the industry. In this view, the act helps to define the different roles of the people in the construction industry in maintaining the health and safety during working environment[1]. The CDM 2015 offers the HSE legal series and guidance on the construction industry and helps to keep the sector accident free. The HSE official has to take care of the initial conditions of the construction status and helps to control the hazards. Several rules do apply on the triangular house due to the advancement of the different hazards, which can be found on such site considering the working height. The regulations also defines requirement to have the perfect personnel for their rights jobs and be able to cooperate and coordinate the work with others. Moreover, the CDM 2015 helps the HSE official to convey the right information concerning the risks and the way to manage them at the site, help to pass the safety and health information to the right people perfectly and on time and be able to consult and engage other workers about the available risks and help to cooperate to come up with solutions on the risks[2]. In this view, the CDM 2015 requires the people to keep the construction industry accident free by maintaining the different aspects and safety issues. Triangular house must have a lift to enhance the movement due to its location that is near the road. The lift requires proper management and check up to ensure that it is secure and safe for use. In addition, it requires one to be able to pass the information concerning the risks available and help to define the solutions well. This legislation requires proper passing of information in order to enhance its effectiveness in the construction industry. The project manager has to design the proper channel for this communication and then pass it to the HSE personnel. The triangular house has several floors and therefore passing of information from one floor to another is difficult. The workers cannot be shouting to one another considering the noise at a working site. The CDM therefore stipulates for the existence of proper channel and method of communication to enhance passing of information. Through the talks, the proper message on CDM 2015 can therefore be passed and solution concerning the risks passed to the people. This will help to minimize some of the risks such as personal injuries, which can be sustained due to lack of concentration while working. In addition, passing the information that each person should be allocated the duties they are qualified on will help to minimize the injuries and risks. In addition, in order to effect this regulation effectively, workshops and trainings to ensure that workers are conversant with the tools and machines will help to attain the goals of this regulation[3]. This will ensure that proper and qualifi ed personals are allow to operate and perform their specific function, in relation with this regulation, the measure will help to reduce the cases of personal injuries and therefore providing a safe working environment. In conclusion, the client, HSE officer and project manager have great say in the health and safety of the triangular house and any other buildings as well.   In addition, the regulation can also be effected through holding proper meetings to plan and derive solutions for the available risks and problems[4]. The project manager can arrange to have these meeting and discuss the location of the specific parts such as the lift, which help to solve the problem issues. This will help to reduce risks, which may occur due to knocks by the objects on the air. Fire safety is a key element, which need to be considered in any development of a structure. Projects and measures to curb the future incidents of fire are made in advance and taken care of and provision of the key escape route of the people in the triangular house. Considering the amount of millions inserted in the development of structure of the triangular house, the fire safety becomes an important component, which must be addressed. Since the fire can destroy the structure in few hours, the addresses of the fire safety are an economical measure, which defines the incidents of fire, can be addressed to bring on minimal losses when they happen[5]. In this connection, the fire safety regulations are practices, which are brought on board to help reduce the destruction include the provision of escape routes which are enough to ensure proper evacuation. Since these regulations are meant to control both passive and active fire incidents, the provision of guidelines and warning helps to provide the solutions to fire incidents. Ignition prevention for the uncontrolled fire is one of the major design measure which is key in provision of the fire safety[6]. In order to protect the building from such incidents, the building facility is built in accordance with the building codes. Some of these key regulations include the definition of maximum occupancy of the building, maintaining of fire exits points in the triangular house and especially on the ground floor. Correct type of fore fighting machines such as fire extinguishers is essential to ensure that in case of any incident, the firefighting machines can be accessed easily on every floor[7]. In addition, the fire safety arrangement helps in providing the required alerts through the alarm systems. This ensures that people are able to evacuate the affected areas on time and therefore it shows the reason beyond its importance. The fire safety enhances the awareness of the main actions that need to be undertaken each time an incident happens. According to building fire safety regulations 2005, the rules help to reduce the obstruction, which might happen whenever the incident of fire happens[8]. The regulation provides the procedure through which the process has to take place and therefore reducing the casualties, which might happen. In addition, the floor plan must also have enough space, which must allow the movement of the people in the triangular house. The single staircase provided in the triangular house is not sufficient to allow the evacuation in case of internal fire on all the floors and emergency exits are required to ensure proper safety in case of fire. Moreover, the fire safety regulations help to define the type of structures that will be set up according to their use. In conclusion, the triangular house requires proper fire requirement for both external and internal fires. Considering it is a high-rise building, proper fire consideration is required and equipment is placed on order. This provision is provided according to the use of the structure and helps to define the duration, which the structure can withstand during fire incidents. In conclusion, the fire safety requirements have to be met because they are able to maintain the safety of structures and procedure of ensuring that all personnel in the buildings are safe. Bone, Stephen., & Great Britain. 2000. Designing for health and safety in construction: A guide for designers on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. Sudbury: HSE Books. Cassidy, Kevin A. 1992. Fire safety and loss prevention. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann. Construction Industry Training Board (1963-2003). 1995. CDM: The view from here : the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations. London: CITB. Great Britain. 1995. Managing construction for health and safety: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. Sudbury, Suffolk [England: HSE Books. Hughes, Phil, and Ed Ferrett. 2016. Introduction to health and safety in construction: for the NEBOSH national certificate in construction health and safety. Joyce, Rose. 2001. The construction (design and management) regulations, 1994: Explained. Ludhra, Subash. 2015. Common sense guide to health and safety in construction. Construction Industry Training Board (1963-2003). 1995. CDM: The view from here : the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations. London: CITB. Rose, Joyce. 2001. The construction (design and management) regulations, 1994: Explained. Stephen, Bone., & Great Britain. 2000. Designing for health and safety in construction: A guide for designers on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. Sudbury: HSE Books. Great Britain. 1995. Managing construction for health and safety: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. Sudbury, Suffolk [England: HSE Books. Robert, Ratay T. 2012. Temporary structures in construction. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education LLC. https://accessengineeringlibrary.com/browse/temporary-structures-in-construction-third-edition. Subash, Ludhra. 2015. Common sense guide to health and safety in construction. Kevin, Cassidy A. 1992. Fire safety and loss prevention. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann. Phil, Hughes, and Ferrett Ed. 2016. Introduction to health and safety in construction: for the NEBOSH national certificate in construction health and safety.

Theatre Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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CRJS478DB4 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CRJS478DB4 - Research Paper Example These contaminants can affect the entire results of DNA profiling and should be avoided. In regard to analysis of DNA the most significant contaminants involve cross contamination which arises from non-related samples other than the sample being tested. The effect of these contaminants is that it can skew the results of the test and give inaccurate results (Butler, 2011). Some notable court cases involving contamination of DNA include the O.J Simpson case and the Amanda Knox case. In both these cases the court struck out DNA evidence because of the possibility of the evidence being contaminated. The outcomes of these cases are favorable for contamination of DNA evidence compromises the results of the test and renders the evidence unreliable and as such should not be used to convict suspects. DNA profiling is an important aspect in the criminal justice system because it provides the courts the possibility to determine whether blood, saliva or other biological substances located at the scene of crime belong to the person accused of committing the crime. The use of DNA evidence is essential to the courts as it is an accurate method for suspect identification (Remillard, et al. 2013). Remillard, E. M., Taylor, L. K., Layshock, J., Van Cuyk, S., & Omberg, K. M. (2013). Detecting laboratory DNA contamination using polyester-rayon wipes: A method validation study. Journal of microbiological methods, 92 (3),