Sunday, January 26, 2020

Annotated Bibliography: Drug Delivery Mechanisms

Annotated Bibliography: Drug Delivery Mechanisms LITERATURE REVIEW Nyol et al., had presented thesis on among all dosage forms tablet is the most popular dosage form existing today because of its convenience of self administration, compactness and easy manufacturing; sometimes immediate onset of action is required than conventional therapy in many cases. So that to overcome these drawbacks, immediate release dosage form has emerged as alternative oral dosage forms. Immediate drug release dosage forms disintegrate rapidly after administration with enhanced rate of dissolution tablets .The objective of this work was to explain about immediate release tablets. P. Rohini et al., Developed oral disintegrating tablets of Rosuvastatin by superdisintegrants addition method by direct compression technique using sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium, lycoat Rs 720 and cross povidone in different concentrations. All the formulations were evaluated for disintegration, hardness, friability, dug content and dissolution study. The best release formulation was compared with the marketed product of Rosuvastatin. Bheemeswara rao k et Al., The objective of this study was to develop immediate release film coated tablets of Rosuvastatin by wet granulation method. Different formulations were made by using various concentrations of superdisintegrants ployplasdon XL-10 and granulating fluids like water, isopropyl alcohol and butyl hydroxyl toluene. Opadry pink was used as film coating material. The prepared tablets were evaluated for the physical characteristics, invitro dissolution and stability. Mayank Bansal., et.al.Zaltoprofen is a nont concentran-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) with powerful analgesic action on inflammatory pain. The purpose of this research work was to formulate an immediate release tablet of Zaltoprofen for the treatment of pain and inflammation, by using superdisintegratnts such as Croscarmellose sodium and different grades of microcrystalline cellulose. Immediate release tablets of Zaltoprofen were prepared by direct compression method using superdisintegratnts such as Croscarmellose sodium and different grades of microcrystalline cellulose in different ratios. Sodium starch glycolate was added to aid disintegration. Murdochet al., 2005 :( Escitalopram (Cipralex ®, Lexaproâ„ ¢), the activeS-enantiomers of the racemic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram (RS-citalopram), is a highly selective inhibitor of the serotonin transporter protein. It possesses a rapid onset of antidepressant activity, and is an effective and generally well tolerated treatment for moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder (MDD). Pooled analyses from an extensive clinical trial database suggest that escitalopram is consistently more effective than citalopram in moderate-to-severe MDD. Mishra DN et al., 2005: Formulated rapid disintegrating oral tablets of valdecoxib using super disintegrating agents such as crosspovidone, croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate. The results showed rapid disintegration with use of cross caramellose sodium at low concentrations.   Chaudhari PD et al., 2005: Formulated fast dissolving tablets of famotidine by using croscaramellose sodium and crospovidone as superdisintegrants. Famotidine was initially masked for its bitter taste by preparing solid dispersion with eudragit E100. Compressed tablets containing different concentrations of super disintegrants showed disintegration time between 11 to 26 seconds. Invitro release was about 92% to 1005 at the end of 12 minutes. Schreimer T et al., 2005: Investigated about the mechanism of immediate drug release from solid oral dosage forms. They found that starch and cellulose substances favoured the matrix disintegration and the generation of effective dissolution surface of the drug substances. They developed a mathematical model suitable for the characterization and optimization of immediate drug release by the choice and modification of excipients. Stanifort John N et al., 2004: Studied that microcrystalline cellulose excipients having improved compressibility whether utilized in direct compression, dry granulation or wet granulation and possess excellent disintegration and dissolution properties when exposed to gastrointestinal fluid. Emily R et al., 2004: Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is used as a neuroendocrine probe in human subjects to assess serotonin function as reflected in prolactin and plasma cortisol release. Citalopram is a racemic mixture of equal proportions of the S(+) and R(−) enantiomers. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake and, consequently, antidepressant activity is associated, almost exclusively, with the S(+) enantiomers (â€Å"escitalopram†). Shirwaikar A et al., 2004: Carried out formulation of fast dissolving tablets of granisetron hydrochloride using super disintegrants by direct compression method, formulation containing crospovidone and croscarmellose sodium displayed shortest disintegration time compared to other disintegrants. Shimizu T et al., 2003: Performed the formulation study of lansaprazole fast disintegrating tablet by MCC, low substituted hydroxyl propylcellulose and cross povidone as binders and disintegrants respectively. Formulation showed rapid disintegration of tablets in mouth (not more than 30 seconds). Larry Augsburger L et al., 2002: Studied about characterization and functions of super disintegrants. In recent years, several newer disintegrants have been developed called superdisintegrants and these disintegrants may be organized into three classes based on their chemical structure (such as SSG, crospovidone and croscaramellose sodium). It was concluded that these would be used at lower levels than starch and any possible adverse effect on fluidity would be minimized.   Bi YX et al., 1999: Evaluated rapidly disintegrating tablets prepared by direct compression method using excipients MCC, lactose, croscaramellose sodium and erythritol. Within the optimal region, the minimum tensile strength was 5kg/cm2 while the maximum disintegration time was 15 seconds. The method described here was useful for the preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablets. Chetan N. Yeole et al., Formulated and evaluated paroxetine immediate release tablets. Paroxetine is a selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used in treatment of depression. Paroxetine immediate release tablet have been prepared by direct compression method. Effect of various fillers and disintegrants were also explored. MCC and DI-Tab were used as directly compressible fillers. In order to obtain acceptable product several trials were conducted. Various pharmacopoeial evaluations of the formulations were conducted including weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time and dissolution. Final selection of formulation was done on pharmaceutical equivalence of developed formulation to that of marketed one. Rishikesh et.al. Studied Immediate Release Drug Delivery Systems. Oral administration is the most popular route for the systemic effects due to its ease of ingestion, pain, avoidance, versatility and most importantly patient compliance. Tablets or capsules are most popular among all dosage forms existing today because of its convenience of self administration, compactness and easy manufacturing; however in many cases immediate onset of action is required than conventional therapy. By using MCC, DI-TAB, CCS, SSG like excipients we will achieve the immediate release. Syed azeem.et.al Studied immediate Release Drug Delivery Systems. Tablet is the most popular among all dosage forms existing today because of its convenience of self administration, compactness and easy manufacturing; however in many cases immediate onset of action is required than conventional therapy. To overcome these drawbacks, immediate release pharmaceutical dosage form has emerged as alternative oral dosage forms. There are novel types of dosage forms that act very quickly after administration. The basic approach used in development tablets is the use of superdisintegrants like Cross linked carboxy methyl cellulose, Sodium starch glycolate, Poly vinyl pyrrolidone etc. which provide instantaneous disintegration of tablet after administration. Immediate release liquid dosage forms and parenteral dosage form have also been introduced for treating patients.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Human factors in aviation accidents Essay

As a result of researches that recognized the existence of human factors in error management, the aviation industry also began to take initiatives to reformat aviation organisations. The aviation industry shifted to a more open culture that valued communication and at the same time recognized that human error will always be present but through time and more advanced studies can be reduced further (Sexton, Thomas & Helmreich, 2000). Almost all aspects have been looked into. Selection and training processes were raised to a different level. While technical skills were highly valued before, they have been found to be inadequate in dealing with safety concerns. Selection of aircrew now includes processes that determine their ability to learn from errors and to become team players. There also has been a new approach for training – not only the pilots, but the entire crew is trained. There are also a mounting number of interventions that are being tested for their effectivity to modify behavioral patterns that could injure a system’s safety. Because crew resource management (CRM) failure is implicated in most aircraft accidents, CRM training programs, which began as a part of a National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA] program in 1979, began to be widely received by aviation organisations. Now on its 5th generation, CRM trainings for the crew have been conducted by major airlines and even the navy. The CRM training program encompasses many aspects of aviation safety such as situation awareness, task management and communication (Thomas, 2004). The 5th generation CRM programs can be viewed as a tool to effectively manage errors. CRM combats errors in three ways: obviously, the first one is the avoidance of error; the second Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 10 one is the â€Å"suppression† of the error before it happens; and third, the mitigation of the effects of the errors should it not be avoided (Helmreich, Merritt & Wilhelm, 1999). The focus of the 5th generation CRM is the normalization of errors – whether due to active or latent failures – and the development of strategies to manage these errors (Helmreich, Merritt & Wilhelm, 1999). Although CRM programs focus on human errors and its effects on aviation safety, it is never entirely a behavioral training. After all, if you recall, a â€Å"productive system† is an interaction of human and technological factors. Therefore, CRM is not to be taken as a stand-alone program. It is meant to be incorporated to technical trainings where the crew has to be adept in the operation of modern aviation technology and at the same time has to learn non-technical skills such as effective communication, coordination and teamwork. Despite the fact that intervention programs like the CRM has been introduced and conducted for crews in major and regional airlines for the two decades, the percentage of CRM failures in aviation accidents remained relatively flat (Wiegmann & Shappell, 2001). Although initial results of CRM programs have been found to be encouraging such that positive results were seen almost immediately after the conduction of the program, it was soon obvious that such results were short-lived (Taneja, 2002). What could have happened that prevented such interventions to perform as expected? Helmreich & Merritt (2000) offers an explanation – at least for CRM. First, not everybody responds to CRM training. Some may have become less accepting of CRM after the training. Although attitudes do not necessarily define behavior, it has been a well-known maxim that those who reject a concept are more likely not to follow the principles that it imparts. (Helmreich, Merritt & Wilhelm, 1999). Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 11 Culture – national, professional and organisational – is also a significant factor that determines the level of acceptance for a CRM concept (Helmreich & Merritt, 2000). When CRM was introduced to other national cultures, it soon became evident that certain CRM concepts can either be readily accepted or rejected depending on the national culture. Cultures such as China and many Latin American countries that stress the importance of absolute power and authority of their leaders will necessarily be less receptive to the idea of subordinates questioning the decisions of their leaders, than cultures that are less hierarchical (Hofstede, 1980 as cited by Helmreich, Merrit & Wilhelm, 1999). While CRM programs encourage subordinates to be more assertive in questioning their leaders, junior crew members in these cultures are quite disinclined to do this because of fear of showing disrespect. These same cultures are also collectivists who stress interdependenc and the necessity to work together for a common goal. In contrast, American and European cultures, which are highly individualistic, give more value to independence and more priority to individual goals. The value of teamwork and the need for coordination will most likely be readily accepted in the former than in the latter. There are also High Uncertainty Avoidance cultures like Greece, Korea and many Latin American countries that prefer CRM concepts already specifying required behaviors. Cultures that are low in Uncertainty Avoidance tend to be more flexible when it comes to behaviors but have difficulty adhering to standard operating procedures. Furthermore, this kind of culture, along with non-collectivist cultures are more questioning with regards to the usage of automation while High Uncertainty Avoidance and collectivist cultures accept the idea of automation usually without, or relatively less, questions. Intervention programs such as CRM should therefore not be patterned after a single national culture. From the discussion it can be seen above that autocratic cultures can also Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 12 value teamwork and interdependence than non-autocratic cultures (Helmreich, in press). Cultures exhibiting difficulty of adherence to SOPs may be more innovative when dealing with novel situations not covered by procedures. In contrast, cultures who stress strict adherence to rules may find it difficult to be more flexible in new situations. Although CRM programs require behavior modification, certain beliefs ingrained into a culture are quite difficult to modify. If CRM has to attain widespread global use, it has to design programs that are congruent to national culture and yet still enhances safety. Error management should therefore be embraced as a culture in itself. Focusing on threat and error management as goals, training programs should not aim for a total reversal of norms and beliefs but rather for a drawing out of positive behaviors without directly confronting national culture. Many professions, including aviation, have strong cultures and develop their own norms and values (Helmreich, in press). Each culture encompasses both positive and negative aspects. Aircrew for example has a high level of motivation and a strong sense of professional pride. The negative component, which is seen to be universal, is the inability to admit vulnerability to stressors. Majority of pilots in almost all national cultures agree that their decision-making abilities are not hampered by personal problems and that it is as good in emergency situations as in normal situations. Furthermore, most of these pilots have indicated that they do not make errors even while under stress. This â€Å"macho† culture, when left uncorrected, can lead to risk taking, failure to coordinate with other crew members and error. Indeed, one focus of the 5th generation CRM program is to help pilots acknowledge that human error does occur and they are more vulnerable to it if they continue to deny the existence and effect of stressors. As stated earlier, the organisational culture determines the principle of the organisation towards safety. One reason why CRM does not deliver results when it should is Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 13 the organisational context on which the program was delivered (Helmreich & Merritt, 2000). Organisations may have a highly evolved safety culture and possesses a positive outlook on safety. Such organisations will most likely benefit from CRM and other intervention strategies. Others react only to safety threats once they are looming while some organisations give perfunctory attention to safety issues without really embracing a safety culture that works towards a highly effective accident prevention program. The current process of investigating errors during accidents also contributes to the apparently limited success of intervention strategies. Most accident reporting systems are primarily technological and have been designed with little regard to human factors. Such systems are on their way to being perfected in terms of identifying mechanical failures but in itself is also a bit of a failure when it comes to assessment of human errors (Wiegmann & Shappell, 2001). An examination of an accident investigation process may help drive down the point. When an accident due to mechanical failure happens, investigators examine objective and quantifiable information such as that obtained from the flight data recorder. The data is processed and the probable causes of the accident are recorded so that safety recommendations can be identified. After the investigation, the data obtained is entered into a database which can be periodically accessed to provide feedback to investigators. The information in the database can also be used by funding organizations to determine which researches to fund. As a result, intervention strategies are further developed to prevent mechanical failure from happening or mitigate consequences once they do happen (Helmreich & Merritt, 2000). Either way, the number of accidents due to mechanical failures has been greatly reduced. Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 14 In contrast, investigations of accidents due to human errors produce results that are not tangible and are difficult to quantify. And because the studies of human factors came later than studies of mechanical failures, investigative techniques used in human error analysis are less refined than those used to assess engineering and design concerns. When these techniques are used to analyze accident data, the results are rarely very useful and safety issues cannot be readily addressed. Therefore any intervention strategy designed using this data is not assured of success. Taneja (2002) echoes this concern stating that human errors have been implicated in 70-80% of aircraft accidents demonstrating the very limited success of current intervention strategies and also proposes a solution: a holistic approach to intervention strategies. To date, most researches on human factors in aviation have focused on specific aspects of aircraft accident prevention. Sarter and Alexander (2000) have observed that current researches on human error focus mainly on three key aspects: the development of error classification schemes, the design of error-tolerant systems, and error prevention through improved design and additional training (as cited by Taneja, 2002). Because accident prevention is such a wide field of study, it is very possible that certain aspects have been missed out or overlooked. Error framework also abound as almost every human factor researcher comes up with his own error framework. With so many intervention strategies proposed by researchers and some even practiced in the industry, there have been inadequate attempts to integrate these strategies into a holistic solution. A holistic approach to intervention strategies involve looking at all the possible links to an aircraft accident in order to come up with an intervention that best fits an organisation. Basing on all the links, an organisation must assess in what area their weaknesses lie and determine if these need intervention. The intervention strategy to be used in a certain Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 15 organisation will therefore be customized according the weak links in the organisation’s system. The two links that are directly related to aviation accidents are the aircraft and the aircrew. Although accidents due to mechanical failures have been greatly reduced to advancement in technology, there needs to be constant assessment of the aircraft in general and the human factors affecting the man-machine interface in particular (Taneja, 2002). Intervention strategies that can be applied to aircrew can be divided into two broad categories: selection and training. Ever since the knowledge that human factors contribute to aviation accidents, the selection process have been amended such that the pilots are not chosen based on technical skill alone but more so on their ability to coordinate with fellow aircrew, recognize their own errors and be willing to work with others to deal with these errors. Once chosen, the pilot’s training will have a great impact on his proficiency and possibly, on his ability to avoid accidents. Possible interventions on these two main links can have a major influence on the number of accidents encountered by the organisation. The process of accident investigation, although a secondary link, should also be looked into in for possible intervention strategies. To date there is no benchmark as to the training and expertise a safety investigator must have. In order for a standardised level of investigation to be achieved, there needs to be a minimum with regards to the exposure an investigator must have. The investigative tools that the safety investigator uses could also be subject to an intervention. As discussed earlier, investigation techniques for human errors are inadequate at present and needs further researches in order the reach the level of refinement of evaluative techniques for mechanical failures. The kinds of human errors as discussed by Wiegmann and Shappell (2001) while developing HFACS, are also links that could be used to come up with more effective Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 16 intervention strategies. Furthermore, autopsy results during aircraft accidents, although unable to prevent future accidents, can be used to design intervention strategies that will make an aircraft accident more survivable. Upon carefully assessing the links just mentioned and determining the areas that need intervention, it is recognized that the success of any strategy ultimately depends on the Organisational Safety Culture (Taneja, 2002). Toft (1989) defined an organisation’s safety culture as â€Å"the set of norms, beliefs, attitudes and roles, social and technical practices that minimizes the exposure of the managers, employees and the general public to conditions considered dangerous or injurious† (as cited by Taneja, 2002). Discussed in brief earlier, the way an organisation handles errors and error management strategies depend on its safety culture. A safety conscious organisation will not treat an accident as just another unavoidable circumstance but rather will focus its efforts in preventing future accidents from happening. A careful investigation that searches for the possible factors leading to the occurrence of the accident will be performed. Ideally, an organisation with a highly effective safety culture will aim to plug the hole in the Swiss cheese model before another opportunity for a catastrophe will be created (Reason, 1990 as cited by Taneja, 2002). Even organisations that have a sound safety culture however can still be plagued by errors caused by human limitations such as fatigue, severe workloads, inadequate training, poorly-maintained equipment and errors caused by the air traffic control which would consequently affect the aircrew and the organisation. Even if the organisation has tried to remove every conceivable active and latent failure, chance errors can still take place (Heimrich & Merritt, 2000). But every organisation is bound to have a loophole. Thus, constant monitoring of all aspects in the organisation , whether directly related to safety or not, is essential. Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 17 Because errors can arise from a variety of sources, any single intervention strategy, such as the CRM must not be taken as a panacea for eliminating error. CRM is only a tool that organisations use to perform error management. All intervention strategies have its limitation – the effects it will have on an organisation depends on the national culture, the strengths and weaknesses of the professional culture, and the organisational safety culture. Furthermore, the way the people at the frontline perceive the intervention strategy will affect the outcome of such a strategy. In summary, the study of human factors affecting aircraft accidents has fostered an abundance of researches in this field. With the conception of CRM almost three decades ago, numerous error frameworks and intervention strategies have been proposed and used. Unfortunately, such a plethora of studies have not created a significant reduction on human error-related aircraft accidents. Presumably because it is still a relatively young field, the researches need more focus and the intervention strategies need more refinement. Intervention strategies have to address differences in national, professional and organisational culture. It is also important that intervention strategies be customized to a certain organisation to ensure a greater amount of success. With the continuous development and improvement of researches in this field, there will bound to be a breakthrough in time, and the success that has long been sought will finally be at hand. Human Factors in Aviation 18. References Helmreich, R. L. (in press). Culture, threat and error: Assessing system safety. In Safety in Aviation: The Management Commitment: Proceedings of a Conference. London: Royal Aeronautical Society.Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://homepage. psy. utexas. edu/HomePage/Group/HelmreichLAB/Publications/pubfiles/Pub257. pdf. Helmreich, R. L. & Merritt, A. C. (2000). Safety and error management. The role of Crew Resource Management. In B. J. Hayward and A. R. Lowe (Eds. ), Aviation Resource Management. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. 107-119. Helmreich, R. L. Merritt, A. C. & Wilhelm, J. A. (1999). The evolution of Crew Resource Management training in commercial aviation. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 9(1):19-32. Reason, J. (2000). Human error: Models and management. BMJ, 320(7237): 768-770. Sexton, J. , Thomas, E. J. & Helmreich, R. L. (2000). Error, stress and teamwork in medicine and aviation: cross sectional surveys. BMJ, 320:745-749. Taneja, N. (2002). Human factors in aircraft accidents: A holistic approach to intervention strategies. Retrieved October 1, 2007 from www. humanfactors. uiuc. edu/Reports&PapersPDFs/humfac02/tanejahf02. pdf. Thomas, M. J. W. (2004). Error management training: Defining best practice. ATSB Aviation Safety Research Grant Scheme Project 2004/0050. Retrieved October 1, 2007 from www. atsb. gov. au/publications/2004/pdf/error_management_training_best_practice. pdf. Wiegmann, D. A. & Shappell, S. A. (2003). A human error approach to aviation accident analysis. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Human Factors in Aviation Accidents 19 Wiegmann, D. A. & Shappell, S. A. (2001 February). A human error analysis of commercial aviation accidents using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System [HFACS]. Office of Aviation Medicine. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from www. hf. faa. gov/docs/508/docs/cami/0103. pdf.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

The Ultimate Strategy for Research Paper for College

The Ultimate Strategy for Research Paper for College Students need help to become organized. They feel the same trepidation at the thought of going to college. They must be taught how to manage their time and organize their calendar to beat every single deadline and avoid frustrations. From time to time, college students are given the writing task to do in the groups to better their teamwork prowess that's required to handle the competitive industry. Distance learning has an identical accreditation as with other schools and colleges that provide higher learning education. Technology has changed a lot of the manner college applications are complete. Students often find various types of assignments when they're in school. They must ensure that all points are discussed in the body. You don't wish to fund their college just so that they can turn about and fund your retirement. If you would like to make an application for the MBA scholarship successfully, you must set the following in mind. The scholarship are found in various amounts and there may be varying amounts up to a complete scholarship. The targeted scholarship is provided to the scholarship which has been designed for just a certain groups like the students found in the developing countries and women. Additionally, you can have benefits of on-line chat consultation. Frequently, you can acquire your research by spending expensively. If you are searching for the scholarship, you can receive the resources that will need to assist in crafting your application. The program has an identical high quality and they're accredited like others. If you wish to receive a special paper without paying a huge amount of money for it, it's the very best webpage to get in contact with. Now if you want to accomplish this, be certain that you are attempting to find precise search phrases and not abstract ones. It is advised to look for the one which has an excellent reputation and offers high-quality papers at economical prices. You may use advanced methods to filter your search utilizing a specific nation, year of graduation etc.. Whatever They Told You About Research Paper for College Is Dead Wrong...And Here's Why Many students that are thinking about how to compose a research paper also have to be critical on this issue choice. You must write a minumum of one research paper in a semester for nearly all the subjects. Introduction Initially, students have to begin with the introduction in which you have to provide the quick overview of complete paper. Through the use of college research paper examples, they will be able to know the correct format of how the in text citation and references should be done. Indeed, one ought to never underestimate the part of advanced planning when writing a college essay. The last portion of the essay is the conclusion. Help to brainstorm a superior essay topic and provide them the guidelines about how to compose a distinctive essay that the college may want to read. The situation worsens in case you lack time or cannot gather superior facts for conducting extensive research. Your selection of an appropriate research subject is often determined by whether you're interested in reading or investigating. Nevertheless, when students ask how to compose a research paper there's set of steps that was shown to be effective and beneficial. There's well-known that you won't have the ability to compose a great insightful research paper if you're not interested in the subject overall and in the subject specifically. Since there are expert writers readily available online who write truly excellent term papers in reasonably priced. The priceless opinions provided by them is customized and goes a ways in instructing you in the fundamentals of essay writing. At this point you understand how you're likely to concentrate on your subject and the way you are likely to pick the material for your research. Details of Research Paper for College If you're concerned in the event the distance learning is the suitable option for you, you've got to bear in mind you will have to have discipline and to commit yourself. The internet course may include the should attend the school from time to time. It is crucial to protect against the kids from the dust in the home. Men and women that aren't successful, and think college is the onl y thing that would've made all of the difference.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Biography of Andrew Carnegie, Steel Magnate

Andrew Carnegie (November 25, 1835–August 11, 1919) was a steel magnate, leading industrialist, and philanthropist. With a keen focus on cost-cutting and organization, Carnegie was often regarded as a ruthless robber baron, though he eventually withdrew from business to devote himself to donating money to various philanthropic causes. Fast Facts: Andrew Carnegie Known For:  Carnegie was a preeminent steel magnate and a major philanthropist.Born:  November 25, 1835 in Drumferline, ScotlandParents:  Margaret Morrison Carnegie and William CarnegieDied:  August 11, 1919 in Lenox, MassachusettsEducation: Free School in Dunfermline, night school, and self-taught through Colonel James Andersons libraryPublished Works:  An American Four-in-hand in Britain, Triumphant Democracy, The Gospel of Wealth, The Empire of Business, Autobiography of Andrew CarnegieAwards and Honors:  Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Glasgow, honorary doctorate, University of Groningen, the Netherlands. The following are all named for Andrew Carnegie: the dinosaur Diplodocus carnegii, the cactus Carnegiea gigantea, the Carnegie Medal children’s literature award, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.Spouse(s): Louise WhitfieldChildren: MargaretNotable Quote: â€Å"A library outranks any other one thing a community ca n do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.† Early Life Andrew Carnegie was born at Drumferline, Scotland on November 25, 1835. When Andrew was 13, his family emigrated to America and settled near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father had worked as a linen weaver in Scotland and pursued that work in America after first taking a job in a textile factory. Young Andrew worked in the textile factory, replacing bobbins. He then took a job as a telegraph messenger at the age of 14, and within a few years was working as a telegraph operator. He educated himself through his voracious reading, benefitting from the generosity of a local retired merchant, Colonel James Anderson, who opened his small library to working boys. Ambitious at work, Carnegie was promoted to be an assistant to an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad by the age of 18. During the Civil War, Carnegie, working for the railroad, helped the federal government set up a military telegraph system, which became vital to the war effort. For the duration of the war, he worked for the railroad. Early  Business Success While working in the telegraph business, Carnegie began investing in other businesses. He invested in several small iron companies, a company that made bridges, and a manufacturer of railroad sleeping cars. Taking advantage of oil discoveries in Pennsylvania, Carnegie also invested in a small petroleum company. By the end of the war, Carnegie was prosperous from his investments and began to harbor greater business ambitions. Between 1865 and 1870, he took advantage of the increase in international business following the war. He traveled frequently to England, selling the bonds of American railroads and other businesses. It has been estimated that he became a millionaire from his commissions selling bonds. While in England, he followed the progress of the British steel industry. He learned everything he could about the new Bessemer process, and with that knowledge, he became determined to focus on the steel industry in America. Carnegie had absolute confidence that steel was the product of the future. And his timing was perfect. As America industrialized, putting up factories, new buildings, and bridges, he was perfectly situated to produce and sell the steel the country needed. Carnegie the Steel Magnate In 1870, Carnegie established himself in the steel business. Using his own money, he built a blast furnace. He created a company in 1873 to make steel rails using the Bessemer process. Though the country was in an economic depression for much of the 1870s, Carnegie prospered. A very tough businessman, Carnegie undercut competitors and was able to expand his business to the point where he could dictate prices. He kept reinvesting in his own company, and though he took in minor partners, he never sold stock to the public. He could control every facet of the business, and he did it with a fanatical eye for detail. In the 1880s, Carnegie bought out Henry Clay Frick’s company, which owned coal fields as well as a large steel mill in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Frick and Carnegie became partners. As Carnegie began to spend half of every year at an estate in Scotland, Frick stayed in Pittsburgh, running the day-to-day operations of the company. The Homestead Strike Carnegie began to face a number of problems by the 1890s. Government regulation, which had never been an issue, was being taken more seriously as  reformers actively tried to curtail the excesses of businessmen known as robber barons. The union which represented workers at the Homestead Mill went on strike in 1892. On July 6, 1892, while Carnegie was in Scotland, Pinkerton guards on barges attempted to take over the steel mill at Homestead. The striking workers were prepared for the attack by the Pinkertons, and a bloody confrontation resulted in the death of strikers and Pinkertons. Eventually, an armed militia had to take over the plant. Carnegie was informed by transatlantic cable  of the events in Homestead. But he  made no statement and did not get involved. He would later be criticized for his silence, and he later expressed regrets for his inaction. His opinions on unions, however, never changed. He fought against organized labor and was able to keep unions out of his plants during his lifetime. As the 1890s continued, Carnegie faced competition in business, and he found himself being squeezed by tactics similar to those he had employed years earlier. In 1901, tired of business battles, Carnegie sold his interests in the steel industry to J.P. Morgan, who formed the United States Steel Corporation. Carnegie began to devote himself entirely to giving away his wealth. Carnegie’s Philanthropy Carnegie had already been giving money to create museums, such as the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh. But his philanthropy accelerated after selling Carnegie Steel. Carnegie supported numerous causes, including scientific research, educational institutions, museums, and world peace. He is best known for funding more than 2,500 libraries throughout the English-speaking world, and, perhaps, for building Carnegie Hall, a performance hall that has become a beloved New York City landmark. Death Carnegie died of bronchial pneumonia at his summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts on August 11, 1919. At the time of his death, he had already given away over a large portion of his wealth, more than $350 million. Legacy While Carnegie was not known to be openly hostile to the rights of workers for much of his career, his silence during the notorious and bloody Homestead Steel Strike cast him in a very bad light in labor history. Carnegies philanthropy left a huge mark on the world, including the endowment of many educational institutions and the funding of research and world peace efforts. The library system he helped form is a foundation of American education and democracy. Sources â€Å"Andrew Carnegies Story.†Ã‚  Carnegie Corporation of New York.Carnegie, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. PublicAffairs, 1919.Carnegie, Andrew. The Gospel of Wealth and Other Timely Essays. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1962.Nasaw, David. Andrew Carnegie. Penguin Group, 2006.