Category: Sciences 2502

Introduction

In order to incorporate scholarly findings into practice, it is crucial to evaluate their quality at first. Academics across different areas have to possess the appropriate skills to detect bias and develop efficient strategies to minimize it. Scientific articles serve as the main channel of communication for innovative ideas that can solve certain pressing issues. Thus, scholars must adhere to a strict set of standards to ensure that their published work is transparent and accurate. Any instances of deviation from the truth decrease the validity of the presented information. Therefore, biased research becomes misleading, which can result in a number of false conclusions, medical errors, as well as substantial financial losses. Although bias mostly occurs intentionally, unintentional bias remains just as dangerous for the scientific community. The purpose of this paper is to examine different types of biases and their effects on research credibility, while focusing on various real-life examples of the impact biases can have on altering the results of studies.

Types of Biases

To explore different types of biases and their impact, it is first important to define bias. It is a phenomenon, which eliminates the possibility of unprejudiced consideration of the proposed research question. When scholars, intentionally or not, encourage one potential outcome over the other, the findings start containing systemic errors. Pannucci and Wilkins (2010) argue that bias is not a dichotomous variable since its interpretation is not complete after a simple question: is it present in the study or not? Instead, reviewers of the literature must consider the degree to which bias was prevented by proper study design and implementation because bias is almost always present in published academic work (Pannucci & Wilkins, 2010, p. 619). It is apparent that scholarly research usually has confounding limitations, which cannot be avoided. The main issue is the extent to which deviation from the truth has influenced the studys outcomes.

The paper focuses on various types of biases, including prejudice in sampling, selection, interviewing, responses, observation, wording, and sponsorships. Sampling bias happens when certain members of the intended target group are more likely to be a part of the study. Such differences in sampling probability result in non-randomized research, which is less valid. Selection bias often occurs during the process of the potential participants identification (Pannucci & Wilkins, 2010). The ideal population for a study is reliable and easily accessible. Selection bias occurs when the criteria used to recruit and enroll patients into separate study cohorts are inherently different (Pannucci & Wilkins, 2010, p. ). Randomized control trials have a lower risk of being affected by selection bias since the outcome is unknown at the stage of selection of participants.

Another type of bias crucial to examine is interviewer bias, which implies deviations and prejudice in the methods of recording, soliciting, and interpreting interviews. If an interviewer knows the respondents medical status, they are more prone to ask inappropriate questions or interpret the collected data more critically. For instance, being aware of the interviewees disease makes an interviewer more likely to probe possible risk factors. In order to minimize the occurrence and impact of such bias, there have to be requirements for blinding interviewers to the outcome of interest.

Response bias occurs due to the deviation between reported data regarding the respondent and true facts. It is more prone to occur in standardized surveys, which contain different elements that can potentially result in errors. Patterns of response behavior of participants can differ significantly from their true opinions and views because of such factors as social desirability, the fear of peer pressure, or other unique circumstances.

Observation bias originates at the stages of observing and recording data due to the differences in subjective criteria observers may utilize to assess information. Another possible cause of such deviations is cognitive biases, which include assumptions and preconceived knowledge that affects the observation process. Sponsor bias, on the other hand, occurs when respondents are aware of or suspect the sponsor of the study they partake in. As a result, they may alter their opinions either unintentionally or not to match their existing opinions of the sponsoring organization. Sponsor bias impacts the respondents answers to questions related to that one specific brand. Lastly, wording bias is a result of study moderators and interviewers of putting words into respondents mouths and elaborating on their answers, which inevitably leads to errors and deviations.

Bias Altering Results of Studies

If researchers, for instance, try to measure the levels of social anxiety experienced by Wall Street brokers, it is highly ineffective to use a standardized survey. Due to peer pressure and certain expectations the sample population has to adhere to, brokers are more likely to choose the desirable or socially acceptable answers. Thus, response bias occurs, which leads to the findings of the study being unrepresentative of reality. Apart from selection bias altering the results of a study as shown by Eckman and Koch (2019), interviewer bias is evident as interviewers influence on the selection process is associated with lower data quality and that sampling method moderates the relationship between response rate and selection bias (p. 327). Bethlehem (2010) points out that sampling bias is more likely to occur in web surveys due to some populations inability to access online questionnaires. In addition, sampling bias uses a convenience population (people themselves signing up to participate), which means that the conclusions of such work will not be representative of the target group identified in the study.

Conclusion

It is important to acknowledge that different types of biases in academic research lead to deviations or even prejudice in results, which can result in misinformation, medical errors, and healthcare institutions financial burdens. Scholars and reviewers must operate using strict quality and validity standards, and integrate strategies to select the most reliable study design and data collection methodologies. Thus, they can ensure that the impact of selection, sampling, interviewer, response, observation, wording, and sponsor biases, intentional or not, is minimized.

References

Bethlehem, J. (2010). Selection bias in web surveys. International Statistical Review, 78(2), 161188. 

Eckman, S., & Koch, A. (2019). Interviewer involvement in sample selection shapes the relationship between response rates and data quality. Public Opinion Quarterly, 83(2), 313337. 

Pannucci, C. J., & Wilkins, E. G. (2010). Identifying and avoiding bias in research. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 126(2), 619625. 

Data modeling is important in the establishment of trends of a given data set. The mathematical models can be used forecast the future implications of a given data and therefore help in planning effectively. Raw data from research might not display any particular consistent trend but can fit at least in one or two of the mathematical models. The task in this study is to develop a mathematical models which best characterizes the population of China given between 1950 and 2008. The best way of developing a model is through the use of trend lines to establish the plot of best fit. These is preceded by the modification of the functions to include the constants of the given data distribution pattern.

The models developed are visually represented using diagrammatic representation such as graphs through the use of technology like Microsoft excel. This gives a clear indication of the characteristics of the data distribution. From this platform, modifications can be done such as introduction of custom trends which has a particular mathematical model. On the other hand, a mathematical model can be plotted in order to display the distribution of a given data.

This is done by choosing constants and using the model to generate the values of the variables describing the model. This data is then plotted on a graph which enables comparison of the actual data and the model developed. The model is significant in the establishment of a sequence and therefore helps to predict data at a given earlier or later time other than the data given. Moreover through the use of these models, the data at specified time can be analytically calculated in order to facilitate generalization of the data set.

The following task is the plotting of the population against time from 1950 to 1995

The population of China is on an increasing trend which is almost linear. The trend therefore can be said to be upward with a positive gradient.

The above trend of population can be modeled using an exponential function shown below: p=kemt

Where:

• k=initial population.
• M= rate of increase in population.

The choice of this function is because the characteristics of an exponential at the lower part of the curve there is reduced rate of increase which picks up with time.

Analytical models of the data;

Considering an exponential trend; the parameters of the above function are found by derivation of two simultaneous equations by equating the population at two given periods in the equation given below: p=kemt

The value of:

• k=508
• M=0.09

The exponential function then becomes:

y = 508e^0.09x

The graph of the models developed therefore in comparison with the original data is given as shown below.

The graph is developed by first plotting the values given then on the data series a trend line is added. This is done by trying various trend lines to determine which of them best fits the characteristic curve. The equation which characterizes the model is then displayed. The model is then modified to produce one which best fits the data as shown in the above diagram. The next step is the interpretation of the constants such as the rate of increase and the y-intercept.

The model of the researcher is given as;

Definition of variables and parameters

p(t) = the population at a given time

K and L are constants which depend on the population growth pattern (McCullough and Wilson 1244).

M= the rate of population growth

The researchers model can be modified as show below

The above equation can be rewritten as shown below so that it can be easily interpreted and modeled easily. The main aim of doing this is to be in a position to generate a curve which best fits the modified model. The researchers model then can be implemented by choosing appropriate values of variables that gives close relationship with the given data enabling comparisons of the model and the actual data.

Then the above equation becomes: p(t)=k+PLm

The model developed which fits the data is y = 75x + 445.

Showing that K=445 and PLm=75

This model shown below is in the same form as shown above. The data is in blue while the model developed is in red in all graphs in this study.

The implication of this model is that the population of China is on the increase. The population of China in future therefore is predicted to be high if these models are used (Henry 47).

The trends from 1983 to 2008 from the data given is given by the figure 4

The model which best fits this pattern is given in figure five

The model is given as y = 1983.x^0.006

This model is similar to that used for the data from 1950 to 1995 which is described by: p=kemt=km

Where k is the rate of increase of the population.

When we combine all the data from 1950 to 2008, the following is the graph of the data (McCullough and Wilson 1247).

The model which fits the data therefore is given as

The model above can be modified as shown to fit the model above

Therefore the above function is in the form of the modified model and best fits the data as shown by the model below y = 489.9x^0.354

The models developed in all situations shows that the models and the actual data were similar in terms of the trend. This is clear from the graphs which shows that majority of the curves developed are in tandem with the actual data. In conclusion, development of models involves creation of a curve that best fits the data given which has been accomplished in this task.

Works Cited

Henry, Gary. Graphing Data. Techniques for Display and Analysis. London: SAGE Publications, 1995. Print.

McCullough, David and Berry Wilson. On the accuracy of statistical procedures in Microsoft Excel 2003. Computational Statistics and Data Analysis 49.4 (2005): 1244-1252. Print.

Introduction

Cells are made in such a way that they are able to communicate with each other. This communication takes place through messages that are sent in regard to the various shapes taken by proteins. The mechanism of sending signals by various cells therefore is significant as it enhances that message from the surface of the cell gets to reach the nucleus of the cell. The proteins responsible for sending the various signals play an important role in ensuring that a cell is able to retain its shaped. In case there are changes that occur in the signaling proteins, such changes may cause problems. Mutation is a common change that occurs in signaling cells and usually results in interference on the signals that are sent to the cell and consequently cancer may occur within the cell. Oncogenes are the genes responsible for causing transformation of the cell once mutation has taken place.

Main body

G proteins are a large family of proteins with various subfamilies. Ras Proteins are one of the various subfamilies of G Proteins. These proteins have a comprehensive structure in terms of dimensions and have various atoms which facilitate the functioning of these atoms. One such atom is Mg+2 which is responsible bringing atoms of oxygen thus ensuring that nucleotides are bound. Usually, a ras protein is bound to GDP when the protein is in its natural state. When signals are released by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), these signals play an important role in ensuring that GDP is released and hence ensuring that GTP is bound to the protein. These signals are halted when hydrolization of GTP to GDP takes place. All the parts that are instrumental in ensuring binding of nucleotide are normally similar in all proteins under the G proteins family. The exchange time for either GTP to G proteins or GDP to G protein varies and may last from a few minutes to several days. GTP brings about a change in the arrangement of proteins and this leads to an activation of mitogen flow. Consequently, phosphorylation takes place and the message that was sent will have been delivered

Protein Fold

A keen look at the structure of the ras protein for the interior shows that it has helices which are five in number which are to be found on the top most part of the protein. In addition, there are strands which are six in number and are right handed. The residues of hydrophobic and hydrophilic processes have been identified in the diagram below using different colours with the hydrophobic residues being represented by blue colour while the hydrophilic is represented by the red colour. In he figure below, the residues which are hydrophobic are directed towards he inside while the hydrophilic are facing towards the outside of the molecule. This kind of distribution is referred to as amphipathic distribution. Key variations exist between the helices that have been exposed on the surface and those that are buried inside the protein. The arrow in the diagram points at helices that are to be found within the structure. Usually, the helices that are buried have more patches that are hydrophobic ion nature and this results to greater stability.

Surface Properties of Ras Proteins

The surface of the ras protein is hydrophilic in nature. This is because there are many amino acids on the surface of this protein and a good number of them are hydrophilic. These amino acids include Arginine 128, Aspartic acid 47, lysine 88 and Glutamine 43. A closer look at the molecule indicates that the inner part also has hydrophobic amino acids and so are the sides of the molecule.

As already mentioned the intrinsic activity of GTPase possessed by ras protein is responsible for the conversion of GTP to GDP through hydrolysis of gamma phosphate from the GTP making it possible for the ras protein to automatically change from an active to an inactive mode. The regulation of proteins and the exchange factors is done through upstream which is a process that starts at the receptor level which is to be found in the membrane of the cell. Due to the regulation that takes place at the membrane of the cells, consequently as stimulations of cells takes place the level ras GTP in the cell increases.

The Ligand Binding Site

When a ras GTP is in its active mode, it has the tendency of binding itself to another effector which could be one or several effectors molecules. As a result of the binding, the signals are relayed to the molecules on the down side also known as downstream and finally the signals get to the factors responsible for transcription which have the effect of altering the expression of RNA that are found in the nucleus.

It is therefore correct to state that the functioning of the ras protein takes place within a cascade that is controlled by signals. The amount of signals as well as their levels that pas through the ras protein is highly dependent on how balanced the ras GDP and the ras GTP are in the cell. Activities that are likely to cause balance that is directed towards ras GTP usually will prevent activities that are known as downstream activities. On the other hand, activities that causes a balance that is directed on the ras GTP side causes an activation of downstream activities.

Simply put therefore, ras protein is type of protein whose main purpose is to oversee the growth of a cell. The cycle of a cell undergoes four phases of growth namely the G1phase of growth which is then followed by the S phase of growth. Under the S phase, the DNA found in the cell is doubled. The next stage is known as G2 and the final phase of growth is known as mitosis which involves the division of a fully-grown cell to form a new one.

Conclusion

The ras protein has the ability to bring modifications to the cycle of a cell. When a cell is normal, the ras protein will go back to a state of being inactive after replacing GTP to GDP. However, in case of mutation the ras protein remains in an active state stimulating even more growth of the cell without control and the result is that cancer is likely to occur in such a cell.

Abstract

Animal and plant cells contain specialized components that perform specific functions necessary for cell growth and development. These components are known as organelles and vary in size, composition, and location. The nucleus is the central organelle that carries genetic material. In addition, it powers most of the cells activities and processes. The organelles are enclosed by a cell wall and cell membrane. Mitochondria and chloroplast provide energy while vacuoles store the materials necessary for cell replenishment. Other cell organelles include ribosomes, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, centrioles, and peroxisomes.

Introduction

A eukaryotic cell is a complex cell system whose internal composition comprises a nucleus and specialized parts referred to as organelles (Sadava, Heller & Orians, 2013). Organelles are distributed throughout the cells cytoplasm and perform specialized functions that contribute towards its survival. Animal and plant cells have various variations one of which is the possession of certain organelles that are specialized for specific functions. The organelle contents of a typical eukaryotic cell include the nucleus, cell wall/cell membrane, mitochondria, ribosome, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, chromosome, peroxisomes, and chloroplast.

Discussion

The nucleus is the most important organelle because it controls most of the cells functions and possesses chromosomes, which are structures that contain DNA (Sadava et al., 2013). It is surrounded by two membranes and contains a nucleolus. The cell wall encloses the organelles and offers protection. On the other hand, the cell membrane regulates the transportation of materials into the cell and encloses the cytoplasm that contains the organelles (Cells Structure and Function, n.d). Cells need energy and therefore possess an apparatus called mitochondria that synthesizes energy (ATP) from food through the process of respiration (Campbell, Reece & Simon, 2007). Protein is an important component of nutrition in plants and animals. Eukaryotic cells possess ribosomes that make protein. Another organelle that carries out this role is known as the Golgi apparatus. In addition to manufacturing protein, it processes and packages them for transport to various parts (Sadava et al., 2013). Lysosomes help in the digestion of food because they contain digestive enzymes that break down fats, lipids, and proteins (Campbell et al., 2007). The endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for lipids and protein synthesis and is comprised of two types that are distinguished by possession or lack of ribosomes on their surface. The rough reticulum assembles proteins using ribosomes that adhere to its surface while the smooth reticulum synthesizes fatty acids and lipids (Campbell et al., 2007). Chloroplasts are found only in plants and carry out the process of photosynthesis that manufactures energy (ATP) (Sadava et al., 2013). Vacuoles are responsible for storing water, food, and other materials that are important for the replenishment of cells (Campbell et al., 2007). Peroxisomes are found in certain plant and animal cells where they break down fatty acids and compounds that inactivate cell processes and enzymes. Finally, centrioles are present in animal and certain plant cells where they participate in the process of cell division.

Conclusion

Eukaryotic cells are complex systems that contain a nucleus and other components referred to as organelles that perform specialized functions that determine their composition, size, and location. Eukaryotic cell organelles include the nucleus, lysosome, ribosome, vacuole, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplast, peroxisomes, and centrioles. The complexity of eukaryotic cells enables them to undertake activities and processes that are necessary for cell growth and development.

References

Campbell, N. A., Reece, J.B., & Simon, E. J. (2007). Essential Biology with Physiology. New York, NY: Pearson.

Cells Structure and Function. (n.d). Web.

Sadava, D., Heller, C. H., & Orians, G. H. (2013). Life: The Science of Biology. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.

Selected Articles

Collins, C. A. (2020). Pediatric nurse practitioners attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/perceived competence in caring for transgender and gendernonconforming youth. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 1-7. Web.

Lindsay, S., Kolne, K., & Rezai, M. (2020). Challenges with providing gender-sensitive care: Exploring experiences within pediatric rehabilitation hospital. Disability and Rehabilitation, 19. Web.

Qureshi, R., Zha, P., & Porter, S. (2020). An assessment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health competencies among bachelors-prepared registered nurses in graduate-level study. Academic Medicine, 95(12), 113-120. Web.

Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., Gower, A. L., Coleman, E., Brown, C., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2019). Perspectives from nurses and physicians on training needs and comfort working with transgender and gender-diverse youth. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 33(4), 379-385. Web.

Traister, T. (2020). Improving LGBTQ cultural competence of RNs through education. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 51(8), 359-366. Web.

Quantitative Study Analysis

Collins, C. A. (2020). Pediatric nurse practitioners attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/perceived competence in caring for transgender and gendernonconforming youth. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 1-7. Web.

The purpose of this study was to determine pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP) attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/ competence in caring for TGNC youth (Collins, 2020, p. 1). The study design selected was non-experimental. Additionally, the study is a cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample of 93 participants (pediatric nurse practitioners [PNPs]). The sample used in this study was selected through non-probability sampling.

The researcher used a convenience sample of PNPs drawn from eight states in the US. The researcher first contacted the State Boards of Nursing from the involved states and requested them to provide a list of all registered PNPs through the respective states together with their email listings. The states that were in a position to provide the required information were chosen and included in the sample, which makes it non-probability sampling because PNPs from states that could not give the needed data stood no chance of being involved in the study.

Approval from the relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB) was obtained after which the researcher proceeded to send emails to the potential participants. The emails introduced the study and provided a link for the participants to complete an online survey. Before starting the survey, the participants were required to sign a consent form through the online platform. The researcher then sent reminders two weeks after forwarding the original email. A total of 910 emails were sent but only 121 participants responded of which 93 were selected for final participation after cleaning the data through inclusion-exclusion criteria. Data on the participants responses were collected and recorded using Qualtrics online survey software. Two research questions were used

1. What are the attitudes/ beliefs and knowledge/perceived competence of PNPs related to caring for TGNC youth?
2. Is there an association between attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/perceived competence of PNPs and their age, number of years in advanced practice, whether or not they have cared for trans patients, and whether or not they have received continuing education related to TGNC youth? (Collins, 2020, p. 2).

Two instruments for data collection were used in this study. The first one is the transgender attitudes and beliefs scale (TABS), which is a 29item survey which aims to determine the attitudes and beliefs about people who are transgender (Collins, 2020, p. 3). Some of the questions included in TABS were, I would be comfortable working for a company that welcomes transgender individuals and Whether a person is male or female depends upon whether they feel male or female (Collins, 2020, p. 3). The second instrument was developed by the author and named it transgender competence and knowledge survey (TraCKS).

This instruments objective is to assess the level of knowledge and perceived competence among participants when taking care of transgender children. The face validity of TraCKS was ascertained using pilot testing involving 10 PNPs. Based on the results from the pilot testing and feedback from experts, some minor changes were made to make the final 14-item, 7-point-Likert scale. According to Collins (2020), some of the questions included in this instrument were I am familiar with the term gender dysphoria, and I am familiar with the treatments for gender dysphoria or transgender transition (p. 3). Even though this was a quantitative study, one qualitative question was included allowing the participants to indicate any thoughts they had concerning caring for transgender youth.

The collected data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 25. Demographic data, such as years of practice, age, state of practice, and gender of the participating PNPs were analyzed descriptively. Mean scores for the tools used in data collection were tabulated to answer the first research question while different statistical tests were applied to answer the second research question. Finally, the qualitative question was analyzed to identify recurring themes among the participants responses and the percentages of these themed responses were calculated.

The participants ages ranged from 26 years to 74 years and 97 percent were female. The number of years of experience ranged between 1 and 42 years and 81 percent of the participants indicated that they had at least cared for one patient identified as transgender and gendernonconforming (TGNC). 85 percent of the participants said that their advanced practice education prepared them adequately to care for TGNC. However, 65 percent of the PNPs indicated that they had been involved in continuing education that mainly focused on TGNC care over the previous 5 years. The results showed that those involved in continuing education on caring for TGNC perceived themselves as more competent as compared to their counterparts who were not involved in such a form of learning. Additionally, there was no significant correlation between perceived competency in caring for TGNCs and the age, gender, and years of experience among the PNPs.

The qualitative question raised three themes. First, the participants emphasized that the lack of education negatively affected their competency when dealing with PNPs. Second, they noted that such patients need to be referred to appropriate gender services where they would get comprehensive services. Third, they noted that transgender patients needed to be supported together with their families.

This study clearly showed that lack of education affects PNPs competency when dealing with TGNC children and adolescents. This information is of concern because the available data showed that over 81 percent of the participants had attended to at least one patient identified as TGNC. Despite such high numbers of TGNC cases, only 15 percent of the participants indicated that they had received any form of training on dealing with transgender patients during their advanced nursing practice education. The participants who had taken part in continuing education on caring for TGNC patients perceived themselves as competent.

These findings indicate that the development of sensitivity training and education of nurses would ensure comprehensive care and support for transgender and gender-diverse children and adolescents. Additionally, such training would provide the needed knowledge for nurses to change their attitudes toward TGNC pediatric patients, which is a way of improving their cultural competence to address healthcare disparities experienced by this group of patients.

The analysis of this cross-sectional descriptive study has shown that training and education significantly affect nurses attitudes, beliefs, and perceived competence when dealing with TGNC patients. Therefore, nurses should get involved in continuing education to improve their knowledge on this subject. Various resources on this topic are available online; for instance, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has evidence-based information based on standards of care for such patients. Additionally, the National LGBT Health Education Center has learning modules for professionals and other useful information for anyone interested in caring for TGNC patients.

Finally, it is important to incorporate transgender-related content in nursing curricula to ensure that nurses are readily prepared to care for TGNC patients. The content in this article addresses the PICOT question comprehensively.

Reference

Collins, C. A. (2020). Pediatric nurse practitioners attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/perceived competence in caring for transgender and gendernonconforming youth. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 1-7. Web.

Cretaceous period was the longest segment of Mesozoic era that lasted for almost 80 million years. Cretaceous period is the last section of the Mesozoic era. The first angiosperm and pollinating insects were noticed during this era, and the emerging of angiosperms and pollinating insects is intimately linked (Field et al. 2020). Angiosperm emerged at cretaceous period last stages about 144-65 million years ago. During Cretaceous period, angiosperm established flowers and fruits in order to attract insect pollinators and secure their seeds respectively (Xing et al. 2020). Flowers developed with many different colors, scents, and sizes, mainly to attract insect pollinators. The moment an egg is fertilized, it grows into a seed, which is always covered by a fleshy fruit. Angiosperms as well as a wide range of new groups of insects emerged during this period. Some of the insects involved pollinating insects that played a role in evolution of angiosperms, and in most cases, flowers and their pollinators co-emerged (Xing et al. 2020). Angiosperms did not emerge from gymnosperms, however emerged in parallel with gymnosperms. In contrast, it is not clear what type of plant angiosperms raised from.

Several ways are used to acquire a normal color coding systems for determining flower colors, as well as to determine flower colors are worth being encoded. The optimal color vision of bee is made up of blue, UV, and green receptors whose perception positions are normal for determining flower colors (Krause et al. 2020). Flowers did not lead to evolution of bee color vision. This is because the green, blue receptors, and UV were still present in insects ancestors 580 million years ago and evolution of a flower took place 144 million years ago. Flowers colors adapted to bee color vision and angiosperms evolved to attract bees around 98.7 million to 64.3 million years ago (Poinar, Jr. and Chambers 2020). Angiosperm and pollinators co-evolved some physical appearance that make them interact successfully.

Reference List

Field, D., Benito, J., Chen, A., Jagt, J. and Ksepka, D 2020. Late Cretaceous neornithine from Europe illuminates the origins of crown birds, Nature, vol. 579, no. 7799, pp.397-401.

Krause, D., Hoffmann, S., Hu, Y., Wible, J., Rougier, G., Kirk, E., Groenke, J., Rogers, R., Rossie, J., Schultz, J., Evans, A., von Koenigswald, W. and Rahantarisoa, L 2020. Skeleton of a Cretaceous mammal from Madagascar reflects long-term insularity, Nature, vol. 581, no. 7809, pp.421-427.

Poinar, Jr., G. and Chambers, K 2020. Cyathitepala papillosa gen. et sp. nov., a mid-Cretaceous fossil flower from Myanmar amber with valvate anthers, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, vol. 14, no. 2, pp.351-358.

Xing, L., OConnor, J., Schmitz, L., Chiappe, L., McKellar, R., Yi, Q. and Li, G 2020. Hummingbird-sized dinosaur from the Cretaceous period of Myanmar, Nature, vol. 579, no. 7798, pp.245-249.

Doctoral methods of scientific inquiry aims at enabling the inquirer to unveil new information pertaining to particular subject from his/her perspectives of view at the same time not negating the prior scholarly works. The intent is to depict the relevance in conformance or departure from other scientists garnered information about particular subject or provide new knowledge base, which remains well supported by ardent evidence. One approach to achieve this is by use of positivism and paradigms, despite heavy critics on the role of philosophical assumptions. Post-positivism and positivism makes assumptions of objective world and search for facts in terms of specified correlations accompanied by associations and differences among variables follows suit. This is crucial in establishing data associations and relationships where statistical controls and quantitative approaches prove problematic.

Critical postmodernism, constructivism and interpretivism are other crucial data analysis and synthesis approaches. Enthusiasm of discovery is essential to help the researcher stick to laboratory benches and endure difficult problem solution approaches. At times scientists often encounters situations of fulfillment, frustrations and disappointment particularly when experiments fail due to poor design. No matter the challenges, the doctoral must take into consideration the methodology and results section of scientific inquiry to arrive at his/her roles, which include promotion of evidence affiliated management, leading, research and fostering social behavioral alterations.

With the modern incorporation of computers to control of virtually every activities of an organization, over the decades various ways are being sought control various data management strategies centrally. Enterprise resource management is an approach or a process of consolidation of the entire companys departmental functions into subjection to control by a single integrated computer system. The system is campaigned for since despite replacement of all human function in the organization, it ensures productivity that contributes to overall success of an organization by ensuring ease of information ability whenever required.

Reading through various scholarly articles and journals inquiring on the capacity and possibility of fulfillment of dream of acquiring a single solution employing integrated software to achieve a seamless consolidation of companys functions is advocated. Scrutiny of most cited examples of ERP software, customer ordering and delivery system hardly fails to surface. It is intention of the final project to evaluate the implication of the ERP system through scientific inquiry methodologies and provide forecast of feature place of ERP in the world of digitalization. This will be achieved through information gathering analysis and synthesis.

PhD scholars must keep at pace with scholarly literature. The various scholarly articles my take literature review, qualitative and quantitative study formats. All the scholarly journals clearly differentiate the topic under study from all other past scholarly works. Where information is required to be drawn from certain studys results for the purposes of knowledge level addition or to avoid duplication of achievements is clearly indicated.

The authors ultimate goals is to implicitly show in stepwise approach with each steep backed by evidence, the overall importance of the data collected, the analysis approach and interpretation of the results relevance to the topic under study. Authorship of each article is motivated by the desire to clear doubts in the mind of the scientific inquirer to, within no reasonable doubt, convince on the significance of findings of each study. Disciplined scientific inquiry demand the scientist not to ignore prior inquirers finding and their possibility in non-compliance to your results. No factor should be taken for granted, a non-viable or non-investigated assumption made. Where such assumptions are due, criteria for allocation of departure variables to the analysis tools are provided.

Process improvement, changing management and strategic alignment relate to business intelligence in that consistency of business strategies, IT organizational structures and processes and IT infrastructure are shaped appropriately in accordance with BI strategies. The necessary cohesion between the process, management and strategic alignment is crucial for the business-centric business intelligence to create rigorous business understanding, which captures mechanisms for value addition of particular BI projects or realization of existing opportunities captured in the business portfolio.

To enhance success of business strategies, business process should be consistent and reinforced by BI interventions whether through strategic planning or strategy mappings. All BI initiatives are meant to improve essential management of business processes in exchange with hiked productivity and service delivery. Process improvement, change management and strategic alignment are thus crucial to ensure support for BI initiatives through adoption of appropriate IT infrastructure and IT organization.

The evolution of BI has taken a long way from transactional data warehousing and data staging to transactional systems deploying batch analytical applications. Later integration of decisions rules into preexisting business intelligence IT tools such as BPM and EA were incorporated. The transition from one stage in the evolution process has not been realized via spontaneous change but rather through gradual improvement of previously existing BI software technologies.

The BI transactional systems have moved from traditional to real time feed data management systems followed by embedded systems with closed loops business intelligence transactional systems focused on creation of flexible and intelligent BPM solutions that ensure data warehouse visibility. BI has pragmatic role to play in ensuring increase in business effectiveness that results to increased profits in the private sector and or better business management interventions in the public sectors.

Disseminating findings is a significant step for every research since it determines how other scientists and audience groups can become familiar with a study and its results. According to Yegidis et al. (2018), there are numerous ways to share these data, and they are internal correspondence or in-service training sessions, professional conferences, professional journals, and dissertations. It is worth mentioning that all these approaches imply their peculiarities. For example, it is reasonable to rely on organization internal venues when it comes to studies with limited external validity, research on unique client populations, or unreplicated evaluation studies (Yegidis et al., 2018, p. 324).

Professional conferences are suitable for disseminating studies of more general interest because these events typically gather numerous scientists interested in broad topics. Yegidis et al. (2018) also mention that dissertations are lengthy works that are funded by a specific organization or designed to meet a graduate degree requirement (p. 329). Finally, professional journals are considered the most effective way to disseminate research findings because these sources are popular among the public (Yegidis et al., 2018). Thus, authors can use the most suitable way to share their results.

The information above allows supposing that the choice of a dissemination vehicle can offer some information regarding the research value and aims. Narrowly focused or even unique studies should be distributed through internal correspondence, while dissertations involve lengthy papers of a format that is standardized by a funding institution. Regarding more professional sources, conferences and journals are available for authors.

As far as my personal opinion is considered, I would try to disseminate research findings through professional journals since this approach offers essential benefits. Firstly, these sources are popular among many people, which contributes to the spread of knowledge. Secondly, the proposed study should pass a review procedure to be published, meaning that this step can improve research quality (Yegidis et al., 2018). Finally, once a study is published in a professional journal, other scientists can cite it in their works, which will contribute to its spread and popularity in the research field.

Furthermore, it is reasonable to focus on how the study by Poitier et al. (1997) approaches disseminating its findings. The article was submitted to and published in the Child Welfare Journal. It is a scholarly peer-reviewed journal distributing credible and reliable publications that focus on children and what issues they face. That is why clear reasoning explains why these authors decided to submit their manuscript to this source. On the one hand, Poitier et al. (1997) described how to improve the relationship between African American women and their children, which was within the journal scope. On the other hand, the information above has demonstrated that professional journals are the most efficient way to share findings with a large audience.

The information above clarifies that the studys authors chose an appropriate way to disseminate their findings. Thus, the rite of passage program by Poitier et al. (1997) passed the review procedure and was accepted to publication. However, one should admit that the article was written more than 20 years ago. The research field has revised its requirements to scholarly articles over this period, meaning that the study by Poitier et al. (1997) lacks some details when considered through a modern lens. Thus, the concluding thought is that the article lacks focus on evidence-based practice that is of significance today.

References

Poitier, V. L., Niliwaambieni, M., & Rowe, C. L. (1997). A rite of passage approach designed to preserve the families of substance-abusing African American women. Child Welfare, 76(1), 173-195.

Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8^th ed.). Pearson.

Soil consolidation is a process by which there is a decline in the volume of soil due to a reduction in the level of water. The one-dimension theory was established hence changing the definition which was previously associated with clay sediments. Gurjar (2018) suggests that the applied pressure that causes consolidation can be increased by natural loads like sedimentation processes, or human-made loads for example the development of buildings or a decrease in water level.

One dimensional soil consolidation test is mainly used to evaluate the amalgamation properties of low permeability types of soils and commonly performed on undisturbed samples. It works on the assumption that soil is uniform and isotropic and pressure is held constant and occurs when there is no lateral strain. Atkinson (2019) states that the model consists of a rectilinear element of soil which is a subject to changes in loading and which has vertical seepage The general equation of one-dimensional consolidation is predicated on Darcys law during which the flow drag resistance of the z-direction is employed.

The equation takes into account a condition in which the applied pressure and soil thickness are changed with time among others. The variables include the surplus pore pressure, the time elapsed since the appliance of pressure, and therefore the depth of the element within the layer. The coefficient of volume compressibility is additionally assumed to be constant also because of the coefficient of permeability for vertical flow (Liu, 2018). Darcys law is expressed by the formula:

Q=-KA dh/dl,

where Q is the rate of water flow,

K is the hydraulic conductivity,

A is the column cross-section area,

And dh/dl indicates a hydraulic gradient.

The duration of the consolidation process may be a critical issue and highly depends on the porousness of the soil subjected to the load and on the drainage paths. Generally, consolidation in sand or gravel occurs quickly especially after construction whereas the progression may last for several years or decades in clay soils. This is due to slow seepage that occurs when pressure is applied due to low permeability.

References

Atkinson, J. (2019) Consolidation. Web.

Gurjar, R. (2018) Consolidation of soil. Web.

Liu, H. (2018) Analytical solution and application for one-dimensional consolidation of tailings dam, Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2018. Web.

This analysis delves into the correlates and antecedents of cellular telephone acquisition and ownership rates for a 2005 database spanning 46 countries. Interest is sparked, first of all, by wide disparities in mobile telephony penetration, ranging from zero to 69 percent of the population in the case of the United States. And there is a marked positive skew, suggested first of all by an average that is close to the low end of the distribution (8.12 percent) and amply demonstrated by Figure 1.

Being in the top rank globally in terms of industrialization and financial clout, as exemplified by membership in the Group of 20 may be an important contributing factor but it is not the only one. Table 1 (overleaf) does show that nine of the top ten mobile phone markets are indeed G-20 nations. However, non-member Spain broke into the ranks of the top ten cellular telephony markets. And other G-20 countries are dispersed from 11^th (Australia) to 34^th rank (KSA). At the same time, oil wealth alone is no guarantee of receptivity to cellular phones. Two of the largest producers, Libya and Nigeria, have precisely zero ownership.

Correlation analysis (Table 2) reveals that per-capita income, the traditional international benchmark of comparative economic wellbeing based on domestic economic transactions alone, bears only a mediocre relationship with cellular phone ownership. The three most important antecedents are the size of the labor force and the level of international trading activity as measured in absolute dollar or euro inflows and outflows. Nor is it the balance of trade, i.e., export surpluses that fuel demand for mobile handsets and subscription services because there is a substantial inverse relationship. One perforce concludes that country markets bear the most potential when they have met a certain critical threshold of income earners and the economy is so oriented towards external trade as to denote a great degree of openness to foreign discretionary and convenience goods.