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The author argues that The Epic of Gilgamesh can assist readers in understanding the values of people who were living during that period (Jarman 330). In order to illustrate this viewpoint, the author looks at the positive changes in the behavior of the protagonist. For instance, the author speaks about the influence of Enkidu on the values of the main character (Jarman 330). Moreover, this scholar discusses Gilgamesh’s encounter with the goddess Siduri who describes the best way for a person to live (Jarman 334). Overall, this article can be of great relevance to the future paper because it can throw light on the way in which historians and literary critics study The Epic of Gilgamesh. Moreover, readers can learn more about the value system adopted in Mesopotamian society. I have chosen the following quotes, which can be incorporated into the final assignment. “The value of the epic Gilgamesh , despite any tendentious claims for contemporary relevance, is in learning what was on the minds of people who, in the 5000 years since the Ice Age” (Jarman 330). In this passage, the author urges the readers to regard The Epic of Gilgamesh as a source that can illustrate the worldviews and values of the Mesopotamians. Therefore, one should pay attention to the cardinal virtues that the protagonist acquires in the course of this narrative. “He returns to the great walled city of Uruk, empty-handed, a sadder and a wiser man, still mortal but now possibly accepting of Shiduri’s sage advice” (Jarman 334). This quote suggests that the journey undertaken by Gilgamesh dramatically transforms the main character. The author refers to the recommendation which was given to the protagonist by the goddess Siduri. This deity said that Gilgamesh had to accept his mortality (Jarman 334). “The goddess who created Gilgamesh obligingly creates Enkidu. The creation of Enkidu may parallel the creation of Eve in its purpose, so that Gilgamesh may have a companion” (Jarman 330). This sentence is also critical because it highlights the importance of such a character as Enkidu. He can be viewed as one of the forces that prompt Gilgamesh to evolve and display his best qualities. In my opinion, the role of this character should not be disregarded by the readers. This is why this quote should not be overlooked. To a great extent, this article confirms my perception of this epic poem. In particular, the author emphasizes the value system as an important element of this literary work. Moreover, this work can illustrate how the protagonist became enriched in the course of the narrative. This is why this article can be incorporated into the final assignment. Works Cited Jarman, Mark. “When the Light Came On: The Epic of Gilgamesh” Hudson Review 58.2 (2005): 329-334. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Art History. Michelangelo’s David Restoration Essay (Critical Writing) In contemporary society, the problem of restoration of old works of art will always remain a hot-debatable one. Hundreds of attempts are having been made by restorers and art historians to come to an agreement on the extent to which the works of art should be restored and the way how it should be done. As Mike Daley of ArtWatch UK claims, there always exists “the temptation for all restorers … to prettify and to introduce their own tastes and interpretations” (BBC News), whereas the original value of this or that work under restoration can be lost forever if the authors of this introduction and interpretation fail to keep to the artist’s style. In this respect, the debate around restoring Michelangelo’s David for his 500th “birthday” in spring 2004 is a rather exponential one. The case aroused the row between restorers and art historians against each other over the best way to preserve the statue. James Beck, an artist, art historian, and founder of ArtWatch International argued that the clean-up is harmful to destroying the history of the masterpiece (NewScientist.com). Going by this artist’s position we also believe that old works of art should be conserved. Beck claims: We must conserve our rare works of art, maintain their integrity and their life, but we shouldn’t change their imagery without very serious philosophical debate – even if they have been abused in the past. At some point, you have to begin again with a tabula rasa. You have to say, OK, this is the object that has come down to us. Let’s all get together as a society and decide what we want from our past. Do we want our past to look like our present? Once we’ve come to a decision, we can work towards it. But at the moment the aims are haphazard because this debate has never taken place (NewScientist.com). Still, we believe that these are artists and scientists who are responsible for making this crucial decision. They should combine both the modern tendencies and the old achievements of the great artists following their original intentions. Conservatism should go along with modernism causing no harm to great masterpieces. Works Cited Beck, James. “ Restoration Drama. ” The New York Review of Books. 1992: 39.19. Web. “ Outcry Over da Vinci Restoration Plan. ” BBC News. 2001. MMIII. Web. “Restoration Tragedy.” NewScientist.com. 2008. “Restoring David.” ACFNEWSSOURCE. 2005. CBS Radio Network. Web. “Sistine Chapel Restored.” BBS News. 1999. MMIII. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Journal Article Review 2. Critique and Analysis 3. Opinions for Rewriting 4. Works Cited Journal Article Review The poor population is always a focal point for the US government. The government has trying to reduce the poverty rate since 1960 significantly because the public started viewing poverty as a negative issue for society and the economy. To assist and reduce the poverty rates, the US government started the War on Poverty, and the percentage of government spending on poverty has been increased dramatically. According to Rose and Baumgartner’s article “Framing the Poor: Media Coverage and U.S. Poverty Policy, 1960–2008”, the public’s opinion on poverty and poor people changed in the 1970s, and the media became to demonstrate poor people as lazy persons and cheaters. In 1976, Ronald Reagan stated that the US government provided too much assistance to reduce poverty which is rather useless because poor people rely on the help significantly. Rose and Baumgartner develop the discussion of the public’s attitude to poverty during the period of 1960-2008 as it is reflected in the media with references to the US government’s policies realized. During the 1970s, the US media identified the provided poverty spending as a key element to reduce the US economy rates. The public saw the government as extremely generous about poverty. The article presents a lot of examples from the New York Times , LA Times , Washington Post , Baltimore Sun , and Chicago Tribune . Rose and Baumgartner determined those negative viewpoints as frames to discuss the issues of poverty publicly, and they focused on the correlation between the size of spending and the discussion of the problem in media. The authors concluded that the spending on poverty was altered several times not only because of the economy’s potentials but also because of the public’s and government’s consideration of the issue. Critique and Analysis Although Rose and Baumgartner determine the main points for the discussion and sections in the first part of the article, the structure of the work cannot be discussed as well-organized. The introductory part of the article states the theme and the problem of the work. The authors concentrate on the discussion of the US government’s policies to reduce the poverty rates in the country in connection with the media covering the problem. Rose and Baumgartner mention that the focus of the work is on frames used to discuss the issue of poverty during 1960-2008 and its connections with the alternations in realizing the government assistance. Thus, the article provides the quantitative indicators to discuss the aspects of the media coverage; the measures related to the degrees of poverty and spending during different periods; the statistical relation between the media framing and spending; and the developed Government Generosity Index. According to the authors, the Government Generosity Index depends on such two factors as the media framing and the changes in the US government’s spending on poverty. Despite the fact the conclusion of the article about the direct connection between the media framing and the changes in the US government’s spending on poverty reflected in the Government Generosity Index is rather relevant, the article lacks the necessary detailed discussion of the quantitative information provided. There are a lot of graphs and tables in the article to support the correlation, but there is no detailed discussion of the numbers provided (Rose and Baumgartner). The development of the article’s argument is based on the proper literature review and research of the media materials. Nevertheless, the purpose of the paper to state the correlation between the media framing (including negative opinions) and changes in the government’s spending is clear only from the final part of the article. Thus, the whole work provides a detailed discussion of the influential factors and frames, but the authors’ position is not stated clearly. Opinions for Rewriting The article includes significant evidence to support the main idea that the aspects of the media framing and changes in the government’s spending during 1960-2008 are correlated. Nevertheless, it is necessary to focus more on this idea to plan further discussion of the problem and provide the proper structure of the work according to the stages of supporting the argument. The literature review and the wide research about the media are effective to provide the necessary evidence and draw conclusions about the correlation, but more explanation about different media frames should be presented. The authors have realized the significant research to illustrate the discussion of the poverty problem in the media with references to changes in the size of the government’s assistance, but more explanation is necessary. Furthermore, the authors focus only on one aspect of the public debate on the issue, and to provide the complete picture of the social situation in connection with the public and private sectors of the economy, it is important to determine more indicators. It is also possible to concentrate more on the public’s discussion of race, gender, and class questions as influential for speaking about the poverty issue. Moreover, further discussion of the determined five frames can contribute to identifying the direct correlation between the used indicators of the media coverage and the decline in the government’s spending or ‘generosity’. Works Cited Rose, Max, and Frank Baumgartner. “Framing the Poor: Media Coverage and U.S. Poverty Policy, 1960–2008”. Policy Studies Journal 41.1 (2013): 22–53. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
“Lusus Naturae” by Margaret Atwood Essay (Critical Writing) All people want to show their individuality, all people like to understand that they are unique and do not depend on others. However, when it comes to extraordinary situations, it appears that all people are similar. Living in one society, people strive for becoming like others, even though they refuse the issue. Having read “Lusus Naturae” by Margaret Atwood, I was shocked by the importance of social opinion which dictated how people were to look like, and in case one failed to correspond to general rules, a severe punishment had to follow. “Lusus Naturae” by Margaret Atwood is a scary story which shows not the exterior abnormality as it may seem from the first sight, but it aims to describe inner ugliness through the parents of physically disabled girl. A story starts with a family council where the destiny of a girl is decided. All the members of the family seem to understand that a girl is one of them, that she deserves living and it is something evil which has transformed her. However, reading the story further the shocking facts are revealed. It turns out that a family is ready to kill their blood and flesh in order to show society that they are one of them and that they are not on the side of something evil and unknown. Sitting at night at the kitchen table all the members of the family seem to pity a girl who has been transformed by a devil. The father even feels pride for teaching her to read. However, when the situation changes and people in the community get to know about girl’s defects, they choose to kill this “freak of nature” only because she is different. When it comes to the question what to do with the girl, when the community gets to know, the family takes a side of society having forgotten about family ties with the girl. She becomes a monster to them even though she is the part of them. The author perfectly shows how social opinion is important. People are ready to betray and kill their blood relative in order to show society that their point of view is similar. The girl is a monster due to some disease, however, relatives have to be on her side up to the end, they are to protect her and to take care of her. But they decide to be like others. Social opinion matters for people more than it should be. Using such cruel example, the author depicts the main sins of modern society. People are too devoted to public opinion, they are dependent on it, so that their actions may be ugly and shocking just in the name of social correspondence. Parents are ready to kill their child to show that they also consider her as something that cannot live in society with people. Margaret Atwood has shown the vices of society. Presenting one specific case and showing the reaction in one particular society, it is possible to refer the situation to all social formations in the modern world. The story may be considered as a true one if to think about it as of a symbolic one. All people are foul inside and they care just for personal good. Even blood connections do not play any role, if society is against something. And this is a present reality, unfortunately. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Use Cvp Analysis for business decision making Analytical Essay CVP is the cost-volume-profit analysis that deals specifically with how profits plus costs changes with the change in volumes. It determines how those changes in the volume and the costs influences organizations income for operations and the net income. There are several assumptions made in doing the cost-volume –profit analysis. Some of the assumptions are; that everything produced must be sold, the costs changes only when activity changes, the fixed costs and variable costs for each unit are constant, the selling price is also constant and that the business unit sells different products. In the restaurant with 90 seats, total revenue for the sales annually is $975000. Further, the restaurant is usually open for 52 weeks in a year where by, it serves lunch and breakfast for 6 days in a week and dinner for 7 days in a week. The seats turnover in a day is 1.2 times for the breakfast, 1.25 times for the lunch and 1.20 times for the dinner. The above revenues on sales per year are then broken down between the meals served in the following percentage; dinner takes 50% of the revenue, breakfast 20% and lunch takes 30 %( Mudida, 2003, pg.45) To calculate the average check by meal period in the restaurant there is need to know the sales revenue estimate in the next year. Breakfast accounts for 20% of the sales revenue, which is $975000 translating to $195000 of the sales revenue for the next year. Revenue from lunches takes 30% of the year’s sales revenue, which translates to $292500. Dinner takes the rest of the remaining percentage for sales revenue, which is 50%, and the amount is $487500. The average revenue per week for the breakfast is $195000 divided by the 52 weeks, which gives an average of $3750. For lunch, the average per week is $292500 divided by 52 weeks, which is $5625 and lastly, is the sales revenue per week for serving dinner, which is $487500, divided by 52 weeks, which is $9375(Powell, 1993, pg.118). Moreover, breakfast service is 6 times in a week, which will give an average per day of $3750 divided by 6, which is $625 per day. Lunch service is for six times in a week giving an average per day on sales as $937.5. For dinner, the average sales revenue per week is $9375 divided by seven since dinner service is seven times per week. This gives an average of $1339 per day. Therefore, to get the exact average checks per meal we need to check the seats turnover. The seats are 90 and so the turnover being 1.2 times for breakfast, then the average check per meal for the breakfast is $625 divided 90*1.2, which gives an average of $5.78, which is approximately $6. Same procedure applies for lunch, which is $937.5, divided by 90*1.25 translating to an average check per meal of $8.33, which is approximately $8. For the dinner, the average check per meal is $1339 divided by 90*1.2 giving $12.398, which is approximately $12 per meal (Hardwick, Khan, Langmead, 1994, pg.8). To increase sales revenue going by the above calculations, adjust meal prices upwards to the available customer base. The price per meal for the breakfast can be reviewed to $7, that for lunch to $10 and for dinner to $15 per meal. To achieve this, improve the service quality and ease to which customers get services from the restaurant. The second method is by increasing the customer base through making sure that more people know the services in the restaurant. To achieve this, use advertisements and other business promotion techniques. It is also possible to increase revenue through the introduction of other services that accompany the meals such as soft drinks. This will also go along way to increase the sales revenue and the customer turnover (Cafferky, worth, 2010, pg.15). References Cafferky, M & Worth, J. (2010). Break-even analysis: the definitive guide to cost-volume-profit analysis . New York NY: Business expert press. Hardwick, P, Khan, B & Langmead, J.(1994). An introduction to Modern Economics . Essex, Longman. Mudida, R. (2003). Modern Economics: principles of macro and microeconomics. Nairobi, NRB: English press. Powell, R. (1993). Economics for professional and Business Studies . London, Publications. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
European Union’s Global Relationships and Economy Essay European Union (EU) has adopted multilateral governance and sound international trade policies from early on after WWII. Although the EU is still a major figure in the global arena as an exporter, the emergence of China and other developing economies is decreasing its market share. Therefore, the policy changes should revolve around becoming a more competitive contestant to the two largest world economies, which are the US and PRC. One of the significant advantages of the EU is the fact that it is comprised of both highly developed and developing nations. EU needs to consider the rival the economic strength of the United States through its developed countries, such as Germany, in their powers of institutions and the free market. However, developing nations should adopt early Chinese strategies of becoming a manufacturing hub for large multinational corporations. In other words, the emergence of the Chinese economic miracle might result in its downfall in terms of slower growth. It achieved such a state by becoming a cheap manufacturing spot, which was accompanied by a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship. Similarly, many eastern EU nations can fill the gap and replace China because European governance is more reliable and transparent than a Chinese one. In addition, international trade and multilateral policies should gradually shift towards this dual approach of competing with its largest competitors. A key feature of the reform process is the combination of introducing free competition and strengthening government regulation, either through legislative initiatives and direct rule or indirectly through specially created institutions. Given the social and environmental importance of production, the state cannot make completely abstract itself from the sector. Balancing the production and distribution of electricity resources is achieved only through persistent bargaining and compromise. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Data Mining Techniques and Applications Essay Select two application areas for data mining NOT discussed in the textbook and briefly discuss how data mining is being used to solve a problem (or to explore an opportunity)? Data mining involves rearranging large volumes of data to create comprehensible information that can be used to solve problems. There are several ways in which data mining can be applied in the real world (Han et al. 76). It can be used to solve problems and explore opportunities. Data Mining and the Detection of Disturbances in the Ecosystem The use of data mining to detect disturbances in the ecosystem can help to avert problems that are destructive to the environment and to society. Such calamities include floods and droughts (Kumar and Bhardwaj 258). Remote sensing and earth science techniques are used to understand the radical changes in the environment. Data is collected and archived. It is later mined and used to detect disturbances. Data Mining in Sports Data mining can be used to predict sporting activities. A case in point is the Advanced Scout System developed by IBM (Leung and Kyle 715). The application is used by coaches to improve the performance of players. In most cases, fans predict games by watching. They may also use archived data, which is mined and statistically used to make predictions based on the history of the game. What is Association Rule Mining? And explain how Market-basket analysis helps retail business to maximize the profit from business transactions? Association Rule Mining It is the retrieval of data based on the relationship between a given set of objects. It takes into consideration the ‘togetherness’ of these objects and how they appear in a database. It involves the identification of connections and correlations between objects (Ramageri 304). Market-Based Basket Analysis and Retail Business Market basket analysis and association rule mining can be used to maximize profits and improve transactions in the retail business. It is used to study the behavior of customers and their shopping trends. Marketers use the information to design catalogs and undertake customer behavior analysis (Han et al. 99). Consequently, the information can be used in marketing and advertisement to maximize profits and improve business transactions. Discuss k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) learning algorithm. What is the significance of the value of k in k-NN? K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) Learning Algorithm The algorithm is a method that is used to classify data obtained from sources with similar sets of parameters. It uses a set of data based on the known classifications of the existing database. It makes use of separate classes to predict a new pattern and classify the new data. The ‘neighbors’ in this case are the separate sets of data with common characteristics (Bhatia and Vandana 304). For instance, a bank may get a customer who wants a loan, but the entity lacks time to calculate the credit rating of the applicant. The bank can use previous credit ratings of people with similar characteristics, such as earnings and collaterals. The Significance of the Value of k in k-NN The k represents the number of classes used in the comparison. Lower values of this component are more accurate compared to higher values. On the other hand, increasing the random data point raises the percentage error of approximation (Bhatia and Vandana 304). As such, k can be used to obtain the most accurate approximation in data classification and regression. Discuss the two estimation methods of classification-type data mining models while considering ANN as a classifier Supervised Learning It is one of the estimation methods of classification data mining models in artificial neural networks (ANN). In this case, a set of example pairs is provided. The objective is to identify or ‘estimate’ a function. The function has to lie within the permitted cluster of functions (Nikam 15). In addition, it has to reflect the given examples. Unsupervised Learning In this estimation method, the ANN works with a given set of data. The data is usually denoted as x. The cost function to be minimized is also provided. The latter can be a random function of x. It can also be the output of the network. The output is usually denoted as f. The cost function relies on what the network is trying to model (Nikam 16). It is also affected by the assumptions made. Works Cited Bhatia, Nitin, and Ashev Vandana. “Survey of Nearest Neighbor Techniques.” International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, vol. 8, no. 2, 2010, pp. 302-305. Han, Jiawei, et al. Data Mining: Concepts and Techniques. 3rd ed., Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2011. Kumar, Dharminder, and Deepak Bhardwaj. “Rise of Data Mining: Current and Future Application Areas.” International Journal of Computer Science Issues, vol. 8, no. 5, 2011, pp. 256-260. Leung, Carson, and Joseph Kyle. “Sports Data Mining: Predicting Results for the College Football Games.” Procedia Computer Science, vol. 35, 2014, pp. 710-719. Nikam, Sagar. “A Comparative Study of Classification Techniques in Data Mining Algorithms.” Oriental Journal of Computer Science & Technology, vol. 8, no. 1, 2015, pp. 13-19. Ramageri, Bharati. “Data Mining Techniques and Applications.” Indian Journal of Computer Science and Engineering, vol. 1, no. 4, 2011, pp. 301-305. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Yearning Circle in the Aboriginal Culture Essay (Article) Discussion The yearning circle is made up of a group of Aboriginal women who come together to share, disclose experiences and knowledge (Boni &Demosthenous, 2005). This forum can be used to educate indigenous women on how to manage their diabetes issues (‘Yarning’, 2011). The yearning gathering is convened with a feeling of trust and mutual respect. The women are therefore likely to endorse the health practices being presented under this forum. Bessarab and Ng’andu (2010) demonstrate that yarning is a special way of passing on history and knowledge within the Aboriginal culture. Testimonies by other women in the circle will therefore serve to reinforce the importance of certain practices in managing diabetes. As a health professional, yarning would assist me to cultivate relationships with my clients and develop some amount of trust. Bessarab and Ng’andu (2010) reveal that social yearning will not only help in the establishment of a connection and sharing information but it will lead to a real and more honest engagement. I will evaluate the impact of yearning on diabetes by comparing the data on self-care before and during the yearning implementation. Ewald, Patel and Hall (2001) observe that effective self-care education is needed to address the epidemic of diabetes in Aboriginal Australia. Yearning is an important approach for indigenous women for a number of reasons. To begin with, yearning will lead to empowerment since the women will feel that they are being given an opportunity to play a part in the health of their community. Yearning will also demonstrate a respect for this historically relevant culture among the Aboriginal. Comment T makes a very valid observation by noting that engaging in yarning will result in approval of the practitioner by the community they are serving. This will increase the positive health outcomes among the aboriginals. References Bessarab, D., &Ng’andu, B. (2010). Yarning About Yarning as a Legitimate Method in Indigenous Research. International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies , 3(1), 37-50. Boni, R., & Demosthenous, C. (2005). Stories from the Aboriginal Women of the Yarning Circle: When Cultures Collide. HECATE , 31(2), 34-44. Ewald, D., Patel, M., & Hall, G. (2001). Hospital separations indicate increasing need for prevention of diabetic foot complications in central Australia. Aust. J. Rural Health , 9 (1), 275–279. ‘Yarning’ to help women tackle diabetes. (2011, October 5). The National Indigenous Times Newspaper . Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
“Pulp Fiction” , “Out of Sight”, and “Back to the Future” Analysis Essay Chronological story telling is traditional for films’ narration; however, a row of films especially those ones of science-fiction genre demonstrates a different approach to this principle. For example, such famous and successful films as Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino, Out of Sight by Steven Soderbergh and Back to the Future by Robert Zemeckis present a different approach to the story order of their plots. The experiment with chronology of their narration presented a special case of success of unconventional vision in film creation. Talking about the entire premise of the above mentioned films, it should be stated that it is based on a principle: “where the viewer sees some intrigue there the director meets success”. To illustrate this idea, an example of Out of Sight can be taken into consideration. The film belongs to the genre of crime films; however, this fact does not diminish its success with regular allusions to a sporadic narration. The viewer is kept in an expectation of constant revelation of new facts connected to the main characters. In the case of this film, it becomes evident that unconventional approaches to narration can be especially successful for intriguing the public. Furthermore, if the three above mentioned films followed traditional narrative format, they would be different, and would definitely lose their appeal and inimitable face. To prove this the example of Back to the Future may be considered. This science-fiction adventure film is acclaimed as a classic of this genre, and this significant achievement is mainly connected to its arrangement (Leo par.18). Unless the viewer is not intrigued by all the allusions to the past and future, everything seen in the movie turns into no more than some usual science fiction which infests our screens for decades. More than this, there is a doubt about the possibility of these films to exist in case they were not accomplished in an unusual narrative style. To see this, the example of Pulp Fiction can be considered. Actually, everything done by Quentin Tarantino has a very uncongenial approach, and if this inimitable approach is not applied, there may arise many doubts about the very existence of these films. Pulp Fiction is a very unusual film, and its unusual narration concept is one of the film’s best solutions (Stone par. 23). Besides, one more important solution applied in those films is presenting some important information before the moment the main characters appear in the film. Such solution endows the viewer with a sense of power over the film. In addition, when the events and information discussed by the characters, but withheld from the viewer until later are happening, it feels very exciting. All in all, unusual conceptions of film narration may present a strong foundation for the film’s success. The example of this phenomenon can be seen in the case of such notorious and featured films as Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino, Out of Sight by Steven Soderbergh, and Back to the Future by Robert Zemeckis. In these films, the entire premise is based on the manipulation of time and order presenting a row of intriguing questions before the viewer. As a result, during the whole film, the viewer is motivated by one’s curiosity, and the desire to uncover the secrets hidden by means of the storytelling organization. Works Cited Leo, Vince. Back to the Future (1985) / Comedy-Sci Fi. n. d. Web. Stone, Alan. Pulp Fiction. n. d. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Coronary Artery Disease Essay Coronary artery disease occurs when coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits that are called plaques. The inner walls of the arteries contain a lot of plaques, which leads to the restriction of the blood flow to the heart since arteries have abnormal function and tone. A lack of oxygen and nutrients is a serious threat that can cause a heart attack. The common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart attack (Douglas et al., 2015). The first organ affected by coronary artery disease is the heart that is responsible for the entire blood flow provision. The lungs are the second affected organ since patients can have breathing problems and extreme fatigue. Also, the disease can impact the muscles of the whole body, causing pain in the arms, shoulders, jaw, and back. The treatment of coronary artery disease begins after such diagnostic tests as an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, coronary calcium scans, and stress tests (Douglas et al., 2015). The medicines that can be prescribed are metformin to manage plaque buildup, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers to normalize blood pressure, nitrates to prevent pain, and so on (Lindahl et al., 2017). Heart surgery may be needed in complicated cases, while doctors also encourage focusing on healthy lifestyles to reduce excessive weight, maintain physical activity, avoid stress, and heart-healthy eating. To control the disease, patients should constantly monitor their symptoms and visit their doctor for check-ups. In case of the coronary artery disease, science equips doctors with knowledge of body systems, namely, the role of the heart and arteries in blood pumping, which allows saving people’s lives. This is the participation in God’s redemptive work as science motivates doctors and guides them through diagnosing and treating to praise the faithfulness and power of the Creator. References Douglas, P. S., Hoffmann, U., Patel, M. R., Mark, D. B., Al-Khalidi, H. R., Cavanaugh, B., & Khan, M. A. (2015). Outcomes of anatomical versus functional testing for coronary artery disease. New England Journal of Medicine , 372 (14), 1291-1300. Lindahl, B., Baron, T., Erlinge, D., Hadziosmanovic, N., Nordenskjöld, A., Gard, A., & Jernberg, T. (2017). Medical therapy for secondary prevention and long-term outcome in patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Circulation , 135 (16), 1481-1489. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Racism in Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders Essay While the fact of bias against black-colored people is widely known, there are some less established issues concerned with discrimination that pertain only to some specific groups of blacks. The article by Jones (2016) discusses one of such minority groups – black gay men. It is rather surprising to learn that while gays frequently hear intolerable remarks about their way of living, they should think of setting a hierarchy of opinions among their representatives. According to Jones (2016), as many as eighty percent of black men have suffered from racist remarks or attitudes at some point. On social networking applications for gay men where they can get acquainted and start relationships, black males are constantly discriminated against, and they experience rejections because of their skin color. This article about white gays victimizing black gays illustrates an outrageous example of bias within the world of the biased. Instead of supporting one another as members of a minority group, these people arrange internal arguments within the society of LGBT that leads to the increased feeling of depression and psychological pressure on behalf of black gay men. In the context of such discrimination, black gay males are viewed as those who are less worthy not only than white people but also than white gay individuals. Such an augmented issue of prejudice is a rather serious problem in the world where the rates of suicide and psychological disorders due to being considered as different and dishonorable from the majority are too high to be neglected. Jones’s (2016) article reveals many facts that are frequently either unknown or neglected by the public. Probably the most gruesome point made by the author is the account of some men’s confessions about how others treat them. They say that while being rejected because of racial differences is already a highly negative thing; it is much worse to be “reduced” to one’s ethnicity without even giving the person a chance to show his character and attitude in relationships (Jones 2016). Such a state of affairs seems dangerously unfair and may bring even more adverse outcomes. According to Jones (2016), a large part of the responsibility should be taken by the LGBT organizations and their publications. These institutions are usually governed by white men, and they have arranged their functioning in such a way that they disregarded the question of race, entitling white males the symbols of beauty. The men of color have to suffer discrimination in gay media where they are only mentioned in relation to some homophobic activities. As one of black males mentions, the gay media “is completely whitewashed” (Jones 2016). These and other confessions emphasize the significance of the problem. Not only are black people considered as lower-rated in comparison with white individuals, but society allows rejection within the group of the rejected. The problem is getting more and more serious as it starts to involve many people. Taking into consideration the seriousness of the issues discussed in Jones’s (2016) article, it is crucial to find some solutions as soon as possible. First of all, in order to deal with the problem, it is necessary to admit it. LGBT communities should not reject some of their members based on their skin color. Rather, they should realize that all of their members are already discriminated against by the majority, and they should find common solutions to the problems of their minority group. It is one thing to experience biased treatment from others. It is entirely another, and far more damaging, thing to be treated badly by those whose support one expects to receive in the first place. Therefore, the problem of victimization of a smaller group of individuals within a large group of victimized people is something that merely should not be allowed. The article by Jones (2016) reveals the most unpleasant things about black men’s struggle for equity within the gay community. The things mentioned by the author are bitter and distressing, but they have to be uttered for the sake of those who have already suffered too much and whose acceptance by the world should be changed for the better. Jones’s (2016) article serves as a reminder for those who seem to have forgotten about compassion and understanding to those who surround them. Instances of bias should be eliminated within the minority groups prior to their fight for equality in society in general. Reference Jones, Owen. 2016. “No Asians, No Black People. Why Do Gay People Tolerate Blatant Racism?” The Guardian. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Sociological Perspective After Criminal Essay Sociology is the science that helps people disclose and understand how individuals are affected by the surrounding communities and how one person can impact the whole society. These processes occur under different circumstances and might raise broad discussions. An example of such a situation is ten-year probation instead of 20 years in prison sentence for a wealthy teenager Mr.Couch who killed four people by driving drunk (Fernandez & Schwartz). This post aims to discuss the approaches of sociological theory that can be applied to the case. Firstly, the social-conflict approach can be utilized to revise Mr.Couch’s sentence because the affluence of the defendant’s family raises inequality and questions the judge’s decision if the teenager was not wealthy. Society cannot be viewed as a whole in this case because the class played a significant role there (Macionis). Secondly, the symbolic-interaction approach is suitable for the case because it occurred at a micro-level of society. Individuals might contact differently, and the discussed case is necessary to be examined from the involved persons’ perspectives instead of the broader society’s point (Macionis). Lastly, manifest and latent functions can be applied to the judge’s decision on Mr. Couch’s case (Macionis). The demand in making a final decision forced Jean Boyd to choose a manifesting strategy as the nationwide reaction was not expected. There was no sociological perspective in the decision-making process because it did not consider the teenager a social group represented in general. Sociological perspective includes multiple approaches, and applying them for a given case can help analyze the judge’s sentence. Although society has a louder voice and authority than an individual, several situations require assessing a situation separately from social biases and standards. The probation sentence, instead of prison for killing people, revealed that class inequality and age are the factors that lead to nationwide discussions. Works Cited Fernandez, Manny, and John Schwartz. “Teenager’s Sentence in Fatal Drunken-Driving Case Stirs ‘Affluenza’ Debate.” The New York Times , 2013, Web. Macionis, John J. Sociology, 17th Edition. Pearson, 2019. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Birthright Citizenship in the US Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The issue of birthright citizenship 3. Conclusion 4. Works Cited Introduction In the United States, citizenship is acquired through several ways. A citizen accesses certain rights, responsibilities, privileges and advantages. Citizenship is a situation whereby an individual is legally residing in an area and can accesses the various rights in the area. Examples of rights that are entrusted to an individual include the right to life, rights to work in the area and live at any location within the country. A citizen of the United States also has the privilege to get help from the federation and access the services from the government. Many people who are seeking to work and live legally in the states have often undergone naturalization that grants them this privilege. Another thing that is accepted in the United States is multiple citizenship. This simply means that a citizen from another country may also gain citizenship in the U.S. and at the same time retain his citizenship of the country of origin. A certain clause-Citizenship Clause-of the constitution of the U.S., gives the conditions to which a person may become a citizen. The Fourteenth Amendment of this clause gave any individual, who is born in the U.S., automatic citizenship (Nelson 16). Citizenship could also be acquired through naturalization. However, this provision has been debated a lot due to the realization that illegal immigrants have abused it. The issue of birthright citizenship The 14 th amendment to the constitution gave citizenship to those persons who were born and naturalized in the U.S. This also gave birthright citizenship to those born there (Chin and Abraham, p. 26). There has been an issue surrounding this amendment of the constitution since illegal immigrants in the U.S. have given birth to children in order for them to be citizens automatically. Another rare situation has also been observed and this has been called birth tourism. This is whereby a foreigner travels to the United State for a short period for the sole reason of giving birth in the U.S. in order to guarantee the citizenship of the child. This has been a big issue and it has led to many debates among the republicans. The authorities suggested that the Fourteenth Amendment should either be amended again or be interpreted in order to bring to an end the birthright citizenship that had previously been enjoyed and abused. In January 2011, a number of legislators in the United States from various states announced that they intended to incorporate bills in the legislature in order to eliminate the protection provided by the Fourteenth Amendment. This had guaranteed universal citizenship. These changes would lead to citizenship being looked at on a state-to-state basis. This meant that citizenship would not be viewed in terms of federal sovereignty. These propositions would lead to state citizenship that would provide conditions that are very different from those that were set previously. If the changes were to be made effective, it would mean disaster to many babies that are to be born in the U.S. This would mean that the babies would not get access to the standard birth certificates. The only condition that would guarantee a standard birth certificate to a child is if one of the parents is a legal citizen of the United States or an active member in the army. Citizenship would also be given to a child whose parent is a naturalized legal citizen. However, doors are closed to the rest (Levy, p. 32). Examples of states that are seeking to make changes to the legislation and undermine the constitution include Oklahoma, Arizona, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Mississippi and Montana. In Arizona, for example, citizenship would only be given to children born with at least one parent who is a citizen or a legal resident of the United States. Different birth certificates would be provided depending on the legal status of the child’s parents. On the other hand, Montana seeks to change the requirements for citizenship and deny citizenship to children from parents with dual citizenship. In the event that the constitutional definition of the issue of citizenship is changed, it would mean disaster to all Americans. This is because being born in the United States alone would not be sufficient to prove that the child is a citizen. All individuals in the U.S. would need to prove their status in order to get the standard birth certificate for the child. This would also mean that great costs would be imposed to the government and this would make a dent to the economy (Chemerinsky, p. 4). Conclusion The Fourteenth Amendment to the United State constitution assured citizenship to all babies born in the soils of the state. This was granted to anyone regardless of whether the person was an immigrant or not. This was a way of providing rights to all those who were born in the United States. However, this privilege has been greatly abused by people seeking to gain citizenship for their children using the illegal means. This has caused many people to visit the United States for all the wrong reasons. Suggestions on the need for amendment have been forwarded and have caused debate to stir. If the changes were to be made to the constitution, this would mean a great loss to most Americans and those who acquired citizenship through illegal means. Works Cited 1. Chemerinsky, Erwin. “The constitution, Obama and raising the debt ceiling.” Los Angeles Times 2011: 5. Print. 2. Chin, Gabriel, and Anjali Abraham. “Beyond the supermajority: Post-adoption ratification of the Equality Amendments.” Arizona Law Review 50.1 (2004): 25-28. Print. 3. Levy, Leonard. Fourteenth Amendment and the Bill of Rights: The incorporation theory. New York: Da Capo Press, 1970. Print. 4. Nelson, William. The Fourteenth Amendment: From political principle to judicial doctrine. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 1998. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Introduction 2. Epidemiology Overview 3. John Snow and the Cholera Outbreak 4. Conclusion 5. References Introduction Public health has become a popular topic of discussion since the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China. To study the implications of the virus and how it affects the population, scientists and doctors rely on the discipline called epidemiology. The professionals in the field are the most critical actors in investigating the origins of the virus and monitoring the dynamics of its distribution. Epidemiology relies significantly on data and uses an objective approach to collecting and analyzing the information. John Snow, who is considered the founder of epidemiology, used scientific methods to identify the source of cholera in London. His case demonstrates the efficacy of this scientific discipline in assessing public health, identifying causes of communicable illnesses and predicting the distribution of epidemics. This reflective summary analyzes Snow’s approach and explains how he used the activities of descriptive epidemiology to conclude that water contamination was the reason behind the cholera outbreak. Epidemiology Overview Epidemiology is the foundational building block of public health because it studies the distribution of diseases, their causes, and determinants of health. In contemporary society, epidemiology significantly influences public policies by identifying risk groups for taking preventative actions (Bhopal, 2016). This discipline is known to be free of bias because it relies primarily on quantitative data and statistical methods. Advancements in microbiology have shaped epidemiology because it gave necessary knowledge and tools to understand the nature of diseases and predict how it spreads under different environments (Giesecke, 2017). For instance, the development of microscopes allowed epidemiologists to discover the sources of many communicable diseases, such as cholera. Modern epidemiologists work on designing research, collection of data, statistical analysis, drawing conclusions based on the available information and knowledge from other fields, such as biology, sociology, and computer science (Bhopal, 2016). Despite the vast array of activities, epidemiology’s primary areas of interest are the distribution of diseases and health determinants. Understanding the distribution and determinants of diseases is the primary goal of epidemiology. The distribution consists of the frequency, which is the number of cases and its relationship to the population’s size, and pattern, which describes the issue in terms of time, place, and person (Giesecke, 2017). Determinants are factors affecting the health conditions; for instance, an unfavorable physical environment may be the cause of some chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases (Bhopal, 2016). By analyzing the data on the distribution of cholera in London, and identifying possible determinants, John Snow, despite the initial neglection of his ideas, proved that water contamination was the primary source of cholera. John Snow and the Cholera Outbreak John Snow is known to be the father of modern epidemiology not only for his passion for understanding the causes of the cholera outbreak in London but also for his usage of sound scientific methods. As Henry Whitehead, a member of a committee of the St. James Parish stated, he did not initially agree with Snow’s theory but was fond of Snow’s straightforward but sound methods (Vanchon, 2005). During the initial stages of his work, Snow analyzed the frequency of the disease’s distribution. While many people at that time would be concerned with the total number of death episodes in different areas, Snow compared the number of deaths to the size of the areas’ populations. This method allowed Snow to understand which areas were most affected by cholera and work on identifying common patterns. Primarily, understanding disease occurrences in varying populations allowed Snow to divide those populations into different geographical areas and analyze various characteristics of each region. Areas with a higher ratio of cholera incidents had water pumps that were connected to sources potentially contaminated by sewage. This discovery led Snow to propose that water contamination was the reason behind the cholera outbreak. His views were supported by time patterns – outbreaks did not occur systematically but sporadically. Some events aligned with the periods when water companies started using polluted sources. When Snow became sure that water was the primary means of the spread of the disease, he started working on identifying determinants of cholera. Snow knew that impurities that contaminate the water were the primary cause, but could not prove his point due to technological constraints of that time. Only after several decades, Robert Koch, a German microbiologist, rediscover the cholera-causing bacterium Vibrio cholerae (Vanchon, 2005). Koch’s discovery proved Snow’s theory of the existence of germs that were contaminating water in London and causing cholera. Despite limitations in technology, Snow was able to discover the cause of cholera’s distribution and propose that water was contaminated by unfavorable microscopic organisms. Conclusion Modern epidemiology is a significant discipline because it encompasses all health events that can negatively affect the population. It can be considered unbiased because it only relies on statistical methods and data. With these two instruments only, John Snow, a father of epidemiology, was able to design a study, collect relevant information on the distribution and patterns of the cholera outbreak, which would later prove that water contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms was the reason behind the epidemic. References Bhopal, R. S. (2016). Concepts of epidemiology: integrating the ideas, theories, principles, and methods of epidemiology . Oxford University Press. Giesecke, J. (2017). Modern infectious disease epidemiology . CRC Press. Vanchon, D. (2005). Doctor John Snow blames water pollution for the cholera epidemic . Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Examples of donors and volunteers 2. Types of Donors and Volunteers 3. Shift Donors and Volunteers from One Category to Another 4. Conclusion 5. Reference list Non-profit organization prosperity depends on the number of loyal donors and volunteers it has. According to this article, the authors argue that the relationship between loyalty and success is wide. They have established that donors and volunteers can be loyal but not offering donations or contributions. The process of measuring donors and volunteers loyalty and their value to the organization is more difficult and if not carried out can lead to ineffective service delivery. This may force the organization to deplete it resources thus being dissolved. The authors of the article recommends that managers should approach this issue using a method known as Customer Lifetime Value instead of using traditional metrics system to measure the value of donors and volunteers. If this method is adopted by a non-profit organization it will them regularly when making decisions to establish the donors and volunteers and prospects to retain and acquire, the donors and volunteers. This is when the organization is unable to reach out to and the amount of resources to be spent on each donor and volunteer section (Kumar and Rajan, 2009, Pp.27-28). Customer Lifetime Value if adopted will help to measure the donors and volunteer’s value to the firm and will treat each donor and volunteer depending on his or her contribution. In addition, this method takes into account the changes in organization’s lifecycle, changes in donors and volunteers lifecycle and accountability of 80%of donations. Because of this, managers who use this method will be able to measure the value of their donors and volunteers and effectively avoid making unnecessary losses to the origination (Kumar et al, 2009, Pp.29-32). Examples of donors and volunteers There are various examples of volunteers and donors who can be grouped as true friends, butterflies, barnacles and strangers. In the case of true friends of non –profit organization can be described as life members who can subscribe a certain amount periodically for the survival of the organization. Those volunteers and donors who can be described as butterflies are those members who subscribe certain amount periodically but they will cease to be members when an organization makes a mistake. This type of volunteers and donors provide funds based on certain conditions and once the conditions are not met they withdraw their support (Kumar et al, 2009, Pp.29). Barnacles are those members who are life members by virtue of initial promotion of the organization. They are the people who originated with the idea of starting the organization and may not have money to contribute to organization. This is because they may be old or may not have money and may be willing to provide services to organization. Strangers are those donors and volunteers who come to the organization when called upon by friends and they do not have any attachment with the organization but contributions once they come (Kumar et al, 2009, Pp.29-30). Types of Donors and Volunteers All these types of donors are valuable to the organization as they provide resources that are needed to attain its objectives. True friends can be used to finance those activities that are long-term while butterflies can be used to finance activities which are not recurrent. Butterflies can be used when an activity has been identified that requires specific amount once thus funds from this group is utilized. Barnacle can be used to provide services such as being members of committees where there is no remuneration. Strangers can provide funds which will be used to finance impromptu projects that require financing. Shift Donors and Volunteers from One Category to Another In order to help volunteers and donors move from one category to another, various strategies should be adopted. The most important thing to do is to make sure that all donors and volunteers are contacted once or twice as form of recognition. Strangers should be invited to the organization’s annual general meeting where they are congratulated for their donations. When there is a project to be carried out they should be contacted as away of recognizing them. Conclusion For any non-profit organization to have the right donors and volunteers the organization must learn to obtain, retain and grow donors and volunteers list. To retain and grow volunteers and donors their true contributions must be evaluated and they should be contacted always for them to feel as part of the community. Reference list Kumar, V. and Rajan B. (2009). Nurturing the right Customers. Strategic finance. 26-33. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Cash Flow and Its Importance to Corporations Essay It is the responsibility of organizations to take care of all business aspects and ensure that all is well always. As a result, any corporation works to ensure that besides advancing its production, it has enough cash to meet any contingencies that may arise. Therefore, directors are always highly concerned about the financial status of their firm. For that matter, cash flow is closely monitored so that any negative change is noticed early and actions are taken. It is important to note that cash flow has various advantages to corporations. To begin with, cash is the driving factor in any institution. Day-to-day expenses need to be paid, no matter what the liquidity state may be. As a result, corporations need to have liquid cash to avoid delaying operations due to a lack of certain inputs (O’Berry, 2010). In this regard, any corporation that does not take care of its cash flow might end up in a precarious situation or even wind up due to the inability to meet daily expenses. On the same note, there are times when a business needs more money to settle various expenses. However, at other times the business may find that requirement for liquid cash is minimal, due to unfavorable business conditions. Unfortunately, business cycles are not very predictable, though many people may believe to have perfect information regarding the same (Hirschey, 2008). Therefore, firms will be on the safe side if they ensure the availability of cash even when it is thought that money might not be required. In this way, the firm will be able to handle the situation in case an impromptu need for money arises. Furthermore, in the world of business, there are times of boom and times of recession. During booms, businesses enjoy as sales increase and income streams in. However, during recessions businesses suffer because sales decline and at times it becomes difficult to even pay for recurring expenses. In times like this, corporations will need to use their savings to remain in operation. Therefore, the better the cash flow of a firm the higher the chances that the firm will sail through the tough periods. Moreover, expansion is among any corporation’s main aims. Sadly, expansion programs require a lot of cash while returns from the same take time to be realized. However, this is a risk that any firm must take at a given point in time (O’Berry, 2010). Though firms will see their liquid cash decline during expansion, effective preparation to have sound cash flow will be vital to pushing any firm through this period successfully. On the other hand, firms may always not have the cash to fund all their activities and plans. As a result, firms result in borrowing from banks to fund their plans. However, banks will not issue loans without the assurance that the firms will be able to pay, both the principal loan and interest. Among the issues that banks consider in determining whether a corporation qualifies for a loan is the cash flow of the corporation. As a result, corporations with good cash flows are deemed able to pay for their loans without much strain (Marney & Tarbert, 2011). Consequently, cash flow is a paramount factor in determining whether a corporation can secure a loan from a financial institution or not. Similarly, when a business opportunity comes along, it is the most prepared firm that can take advantage and benefit from it. Regrettably, the business opportunities cannot be focused with precision, given the unstable economic environment in which businesses operate. Nevertheless, the opportunities can make a great difference in a firm’s existence. Therefore, firms should be well prepared by maintaining sufficient cash flow to take advantage of good opportunities whenever they come along (Megginson & smart, 2008). Additionally, cash flow is paramount in enhancing the credibility of a corporation not only among its shareholders but also among other stakeholders. Therefore, a firm with well-managed cash flow stands a high chance of getting new investors. Similarly, a firm that accurately predicts its cash flow will be able to plan well for its activities. As a result, negative disturbances on the budget are minimized, further improving a firm’s credibility. On the same note, increasing shareholders’ value is the main aim of any corporation. As a result, firms endeavor to increase dividend payments each year. Higher cash flow allows a firm to have extra cash after settling all expenses (Marney & Tarbert, 2011). The extra cash can be used to increase production through the acquisition of advanced technology, as well as increasing dividends paid to shareholders. More importantly, cash flow enables a corporation to avoid paying higher interest for short-term loans. A corporation that controls its cash flow efficiently will not lack money to settle its bills. Consequently, the corporation will not be compelled to go for short-term loans when it runs short of liquidity and options are limited. On the contrary, the firm will have enough time to consider all options of credit. The advantages of cash flow to a corporation are vital and cannot be overlooked. Consequently, any firm should ensure that cash flow is well managed for guaranteed continuity. It should be noted that cash flow is used in other instances to gauge the management of a corporation. Similarly, new shareholders and other stakeholders use cash flow for their private decisions. As a result, a lot of care should be taken when dealing with the cash flow issue. References Hirschey, M. (2008). Managerial Economics . Stanford: Cengage Learning. Marney, J., & Tarbert, H. (2011). Corporate Finance for Business . New York: Oxford University Press. Megginson, W. L., & Smart, S. B. (2008). Introduction to Corporate Finance . Stanford: Cengage Learning. O’Berry, D. (2010). Small Business Cash Flow: Strategies for making Your Business a Financial Success . Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Operation Anaconda Joint Planning Failures Research Paper Failures are an inevitable part of the human experience, which has to be acknowledged and accounted for as such. Miscalculations and misconceptions will occur no matter how immaculate the initial pan might be, which is why it is essential to focus on deriving essential lessons from unfortunate experiences. Operation Anaconda and the endeavors at fighting terrorism in Afghanistan is, perhaps, one of the best-known examples of the U.S. military failures. Looking back at the failure of the U.S. operation in Afghanistan, one will realize that the poor organizational planning, which defined the misalignment of the Staffing, Direction, and Control processes, affected the combat strategy and defined the notorious outcome of the operation Anaconda, thus making it one of the U.S.’s most notorious failures. In retrospect, the inability to perform decent preliminary research and ensure that the U.S. government is completely aware of the key factors that would allow implementing the operation flawlessly was one of the main causes of failure. Although the U.S. Army commander did have a plan in his mind, namely, the decision not to repeat the disaster that occurred during the siege of Tora Bora, the general lack of direction was evident in the management of Operation Anaconda. As Robinson (2018) worded it, “Strongmen’s militias can be more useful for immediate military exigencies than a new, weak army” (p. 12). Due to the inconsistencies in the planning process and the miscalculations made by the intelligence, the U.S. Army was not prepared properly for the challenges that it would face in Afghanistan, which led to the excruciating defeat. Even though the al-Qaeda forces suffered a nonetheless devastating loss in regard to their soldiers, resources, and positions in the fight, in general, the outcomes for the U.S. Army were truly devastating, causing it to retreat. Considering the staffing issues, the U.S. Army has been suffering from a significant lack of discipline and the arrangement of the troops. Moreover, the fact that the communication between the troops and the medical staff was mishandled deserves a mentioning as one of the major staffing failures (Welmer, 2019). As a result, of miscommunication, a range of soldiers were seriously wounded, and the U.S. lost a significant number of people to the Afghanistan conflict (Lansford, 2017). Therefore, the staffing issue as the direct result of the inability of the commanders o plan basic operations in Afghanistan led to the ultimate failure and defeat. Similarly, the American Army obviously lacked direction in its actions in Afghanistan. Although the general sense of what had to be accomplished was present, the actual strategies for attaining the said goals were mostly underdeveloped. On the one hand, the use of video teleconferences as a practice that was considered innovative at the time was quite praiseworthy for its unique approach (McPherson, 2005). If it had been used properly, the specified device for maintaining control would have provided the U.S. Army with a substantial advantage over the Afghanistan troops, causing the American soldiers to communicate and collaborate better, thus aligning their actions more successfully (Robinson, 2018). However, even with the application of videoconferencing as the tool for keeping telecommunications consistent, the commanders failed to control the troops, causing the latter to find themselves in complete disarray within a certain amount of time after the U.S. Army was introduced to the Afghanistan environment (Robinson, 2018). Therefore, Operation Anaconda had huge planning failures that ultimately led to the collapse of the entire venture and the crushing defeat of the U.S. Army. As a result, the control phase of the operation was largely botched, with the time constraints being the most difficult issue to address. Poo communication and the resulting inability to transfer clear directions to soldiers led to the inaccurate and often incorrect implementation of the initial plan. Moreover, the planning, control, and staffing concerns were doomed to fail due to the inconsistency between the newly developed Neo-Liberal philosophy of American society and the centralized views that the U.S. Army held (Kolenda, 2019). As a result, the planning process was disjoint, and the lack of staff members who could support the specified view was rather scarce. The inability to perform operational planning accordingly and, thus, failing to build the basis for the Staffing, Direction, and Control processes defined the failure of the U.S. in Afghanistan due to the following complications in the combat situation. Therefore, the significance of consistency in planning, as well as the failure of intelligence to perform the assigned tasks, led to the mismanagement of key goals and the ultimate defeat. Therefore, Operation Anaconda has provided important, albeit bitter, lessons for the U.S. government to learn. Specifically, the importance of preliminary research and the following meticulous planning with the focus on every detail that may affect the implementation of the set goals, have to be at the forefront of operations and the process of joint planning. The described experience represented a very harsh lesson for the U.S. commandership since it pointed to the glaring problems with the execution of control over the actions of the troops, as well as the issues with communication and the staggering number of errors made during the planning process. Reference List 1. Kolenda, C. D. (2019). Slow failure: Understanding America’s quagmire in Afghanistan. Journal of Strategic Studies, 42 (7), 992-1014. 2. Lansford, T. (2017). A bitter harvest: US Foreign Policy and Afghanistan . New York, NY: Routledge. 3. McPherson, J. A. (2005). Operation Anaconda: Command and control through VTC . Washington, DC: Joint Military Operations Dept. 4. Robinson, C. D. (2018). What explains the failure of US army reconstruction in Afghanistan? Defense & Security Analysis, 34 (3), 249-266. 5. Weimer, D. (2019). “It’s that difficult of a terrain”: Opium, development, and territoriality in US-Afghan Relations, 1940s–1970s. The Social History of Alcohol and Drugs, 33 (1), 113-144. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Traditional Stereotype of Female Characters Analysis Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Description of the research 3. Results 4. References Introduction The study is conducted on children within the age group of 7 to 13 years and the effect stereotypical depiction of women in home video games have on this age group. Video game as a part of new media is also responsible in portraying women in a typical way which shapes the children’s view of women, especially girls. Existing research and theory are reviewed including how gender roles develop, how general mass media affects gender identity and beliefs, and how contemporary video games influence children. Description of the research The cognitive study suggests that in the age group of 7 – 13 years children formulate their gender roles and become conscious of their sex. The previous study of video games and their effect on children showed their depiction of violence against women, but this study tries to analyze the effect it has informing the gender role in children and specific effect on girls. Studies involving girls and video games have has become important as scholars believe that video games are one way to encourage girls to participate within the technological domain while others argue that video games possess the potential to familiarize children with computers, and thus may encourage the pursuit of a career in technology. Children between the years of seven and thirteen have a new and growing interest in their gender identity and external forces influence attitudes and beliefs. Mass media have been shown to influence girls’ perceptions of women and, therefore, self. Girls’ image of women has traditionally been formulated by teen magazines or television role models. Here the study takes an implicit hypothesis that girls’ perception can be molded differently through video games. The methodology used by the author is a first content analysis of the video games, identification of the protagonists, and then studying the effect it has on girls. Generally, it has been found that video games have been developed as a boy’s toy. But with the recent inclusion of girls in the gaming arena new games targeting only girls have been developed. Traditionally, video games target many genres of interest (e.g. action, adventure, role play, fighting), girl games only change according to the target age. The protagonists in girl video games are usually characters like Barbie. Girls often identify with video game protagonists. Research has shown that creating video games teach math skills to younger students. When designing game characters the girls overwhelmingly created a “generic you.” Children’s view of their own gender identity begins with a general conception themselves and is affected by and modeled on the child’s conception of a particular person. There is an absolute dearth of female gaming protagonists who can act as role models to girls. Results The result of the author’s research that has been conducted about the effects of video games on the sex-role beliefs and the identity of girls is inconclusive. Though studies have argued that video game stereotypes provide images that influence children’s attitudes and beliefs about women some researchers have found that girls playing video games invent their images of self and women, regardless of what is presented. A study conducted through interviews and observations with a sample group of children from ages six to twelve involved with video games showed that children do not blindly take the absolutes of the video game imagery, but rather shapes it to reflect their own beliefs and attitudes about gender. Hence the study concludes that video games for girls do not shape their ideas about women, but rather it is the image of the protagonist which does so. Further, the games which carry a stereotypical image of women are mostly designed for boys and do not affect girls as much. References Field, A. E., Cheung, L. Wolf, A. M., Herzog, D. B. Gortmaker, S.L. and Colditz G.A. “Exposure to the Mass Media and Weight Concerns among Girls”. Pediatrics ; 103; e36 1999: pp. 1-5. Brown, J.D., Halpern, C.H., and L’Engle, K.L. “Mass media as a sexual super peer for early maturing girls”, Journal of Adolescent Health 36, 2005: pp.420–427. Dittmar, H, Halliwell, E, and Ive, S. “Does Barbie Make Girls Want to Be Thin? The Effect of Experimental Exposure to Images of Dolls on the Body Image of 5- to 8-Year-Old Girls”, Developmental Psychology, Vol. 42, No. 2, 2006: pp. 283–292. Cohen, S. “Media Exposure and the Subsequent Effects on Body Dissatisfaction, Disordered Eating, and Drive for Thinness: A Review of the Current Research” Mind Matters: The Wesleyan Journal of Psychology Vol. 1, 2006: pp. 57-71. Okunna, C.S. “Portrayal of Women in Nigerian Home Video Films: Empowerment or Subjugation?” Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria . 1996. Fredrickson, B. L. Roberts, T.A. Noll, S. M. Quinn D.M. and Twenge, J.M. “That Swimsuit Becomes You: Sex Differences in Self-Objectification, Restrained Eating, and Math Performance” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Vol. 75, No. 1, 1998: pp.269-284. Martin, C.K. “Girls, Video Games, and the Traditional Stereotype of Female Characters” Communication 270, 1999. Peterson, R. and Jun, M. “Eating Disorders and Advertising Effects: an Exploration” Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, Volume 8, Number 1, 2004. Ward, S. Buck, M. Hofman, B. Tanjic, S. and Whyte D. “Baby You Got Me in the Shape I’m In: Factors Which Determine Body Image” ANZMAC 2000 Visionary Marketing for the 21st Century: Facing the Challenge 2000. Stice, E. and Whitenton, K. “Risk Factors for Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Girls: A Longitudinal Investigation”, Developmental Psychology , Vol. 38, No. 5, 2002: pp. 669–678. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Post-oil Future for the Gulf States Essay For several decades, oil had been the largest source of revenue for states in the Arabian Gulf. The increasing global consumption of oil has greatly boosted the economies of states in the Arabian Gulf, which thrive on the billions of dollars obtained annually through the sale of oil and oil by-products. However, the realization of the possibility of the depletion of oil wells in the Arabian Gulf has aroused debates on the ability of states with oil-based economies to survive without oil. The rate at which oil wells are drying up globally is a clear illustration that states in the Arabian Gulf will not remain cushioned from the social, economic and political upheavals that accompany the weakening of a key economic pillar. An evaluation of the total barrels of oil produced globally illustrates that the current rate of oil consumption is unsustainable in the end. States in the Arabian Gulf can only cushion themselves from the severity of oil-related crises if they adopt systems, policies, and procedures that will ensure the survival of their economies once the oil wells in the Arabian Gulf dry up. Sustainable economies require investment in fields such as healthcare, education, and research, which rely minimally on the availability of natural resources. Investing in these fields will provide the Gulf States with a platform to sustain or improve their per capita income, which currently depends on the revenue generated through oil. Although the oil wells may take time before completely drying up, the Gulf States will start experiencing economic upheavals as soon as the cost of extracting oil reduces the economies of scale associated with the mining and exportation of oil. Globalization is increasingly transforming the economies of individual countries into a concern of other nations. Counties such as the United States, which engages in various aspects of direct foreign investments, must first evaluate the economic sustainability of its activities in a country of interest. In this regard, the infrastructure and human resource must be such that it can sustain an investment. A properly developed human resource guarantees economic sustainability due to the abundance of knowledge that allows research and experimentation in diverse fields. A country’s overreliance on natural sources of revenue generation hampers the development of human resource as evident in the various Gulf States, which had largely remained uninvolved in the development of education systems and research facilities. Investment in research enables nations to identify sustainable sources of revenue and thus gives a country considerable flexibility in case some key economic pillars weaken. Also, it minimizes the reliance on natural resources whose depletion subjects a country to turmoil. To survive in an increasingly competitive world, countries with minimal natural resources have to invest in research to identify alternative means of maintaining social, economic and political balance. Gulf States face a similar situation considering that apart from oil, the Arabian Gulf’s endowment in natural resources is limited. Declining natural resources have been a major source of conflicts in various parts of the world. The inability to share dwindling benefits due to decreasing economic viability of natural resources increases the tendency to employ unorthodox means to safeguard individual interests. The control of most of the oil field in the Arabian Gulf has been a major source of conflicts despite the abundance of oil in the region. States such as Iraq and Kuwait have engaged in conflicts over the control of about 500 oil wells in Kuwait. Thus, the depletion of oil wells in the Arabian Gulf is likely to trigger conflicts between states seeking to acquire control of the available resources and sustain their economies. The Gulf States keen on avoiding conflicts relating to declining oil resources must develop alternative sources of revenue. Unsustainable economies fuel social and political unrest due to increased difficulties in accessing basic amenities. A declining GDP and per capita income increasingly reduce people’s socioeconomic independence. In this regard, people become increasingly dependent on welfare programs. Infrastructural development halts once a country’s GDP starts to decline. Thus, the sustainability of projects initiated using proceeds from oil is likely to suffer when oil wells dry up. To sustain projects that require heavy funding, the adopted sources of revenue must tap into human resources, which is one of the most abundant resources. Proper exploitation of human resource requires systems that impart relevant skills on the population of a country. Investing in the human resource will give Gulf States respite when the oil wells in the Arabian Gulf dry up. Since the Gulf States have generated significant amounts of revenue through the sale of oil and oil by-products, they have the resources relevant to the process of transforming themselves into economic hubs that are independent of the number of barrels of oil produced annually. Other nations, though not producers of oil, are taking precautionary measures to protect themselves from the impending depletion of most of the world’s natural resources. A nation’s ability to survive in a world with depleted natural resources will depend on its ability to tap into other kinds of resources. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Importance of Provisions 1 and 3 in Nursing Practice Essay Table of Contents 1. Provision 1 2. Provision 3 3. Conclusion 4. Reference Nurses are the medical professionals who contact with the patients most frequently. Hence, they need to adhere to specific rules and moral regulations that can help them coordinate their decisions. Ethics is an indispensable part of the therapeutic practice. Individuals who strive to acquire the nursing qualification are required to follow the ideals and moral standards of the profession (ANA , 2015). Also, they need to embrace them as a nurse mission. This essay aims to analyze and describe Provisions 1 and 3, highlighting each of the tenets and providing relevant examples. Provision 1 Nurses should treat every person they encounter during the period of accomplishing their responsibilities with equal respect and compassion. The first tenet highlights the importance of respecting the values and rights of each individual (ANA, 2015). Generally, it means that there is no room for discrimination, which might harm the patient instead of healing them appropriately. The second principle is very closely connected with the first one: the nurse should build trusting relationships putting their possibly arisen bias aside (ANA, 2015). Strictly speaking, the nurse should treat the patients with an equal level of attention and consideration. For example, the professional should obtain the consent for accomplishing the medical procedures from the white lawyer and Asian shopkeeper uniformly. Nurses are ideal for providing the most comfortable situation for the patients and respecting their rights for self-determination. It should be noted that nurses do not have any moral powers to make the patients forcefully give their agreements for the treatment operations. Last but not least, respect and regard are spread to all the interactions they build. This postulate ensures reducing the number of conflicts and contributing to the transparency in one of the most critical positions for the society. As a result, Provision 1 policies are essential for forming solid relationships at the nurses’ work and life. Provision 3 No patient would like their information to be used without their consent or disclosed for third parties. Therefore, nurses need to pay much attention to keeping confidentiality and privacy. For instance, nurses should not intrude on patients’ privacy by sharing their personal or clinical information according to their experience. This action is possible only if the agreement with the patients is reached. In addition to that, medical professionals should respect the subjects’ rights to know all things about human research participation (ANA, 2015). The history of HeLa cells is to be honored, and the analogous situations need to be addressed accordingly. Furthermore, nurses are better at sustaining their personal and professional development by learning the results of novel research and questioning the practices when needed (ANA, 2015). Such measures can be used for achieving the attention to details and comprehending detail-based approach in treatment. As nurses usually know the patients’ characteristics better than other professionals (taking into account their frequent close interactions), they can prevent unwanted deterioration of the situation by applying their experience and knowledge about patients together. Conclusion To conclude, Provisions 1 and 3 provide an understanding of the accepted behavior towards the patients’ cases. Adhering the ethical regulations can not only increase the level of patient care but also contribute to the development of treating procedures. Generally, both provisions are based on the principal rights of anyone, such as human dignity, autonomy, and freedom of decision on their health. Nurses should pay respect to the subjects and protect the benefits entitled to them. Reference American Nurses Association (ANA). (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Ancient Greek Civilization History Research Paper Introduction Greek history is very rich. This paper looks at definitions and significance of terms and names used in Greek history. They include: Dark Age, funeral games, hector, Archilochus, Ionia History, Helots, Cleisthenes and Sacred disease. Dark Age is the period in Greek history between 1200 BC and 800 BC. During this period, the Greek generations passed on tales from the poems of Homer. It is believed that Homer was blind and hence the name “dark age.” The Dark Age symbolizes the fall of civilization. In this duration, there was famine, little trade with foreigners and the Greek language was not used. The Dark Age ended when the Greeks began writing (McInerney 17). Funeral games are held in ancient Greek to respect the departed. Patroclus in the Iliad received such honor. Achilles, Patroclus’ friend initiated games which included chariot-race, fighting, wrestling. These games inspired individuals to be the best at all times and this is because the funeral games were performed only for heroes (Latacz 50) Hector was a dedicated and courageous warrior from ancient Troy. He signified heroism in the Greek civilization. He fought selflessly for the Greek people. Moreover Hector does not demonstrate pride; he accepted advice from his wife and bid them goodbye. He was a responsible person who took care of his family and worked as a warrior (McInerney 18) Archilochus is a known poet in ancient Greek. He attempted to put together literature styles in Greek and also wrote several poems. In his writing he said much about the kind of rule seen in Greece. He often criticized tyranny in his poems. Ionia was an un-unified state of the Greeks dominated by Ionian tribe. It was established by the colonialist along the coastal strip of eastern Greek. It is associated with the development of art. There was an established school that taught and focused on both Greek and non- Greek art. This stimulated trade between the Greek and the neighboring communities (McInerney 57). History of Greek in the 5 th century was marked by the Persian war. In this century, there were inventions such as anchor with flukes. Shear legs cast iron and linear perspective began to be used. Furthermore it is during this time when the Book of Law was written by Li Kui a Chinese philosopher (McInerney 57). Significant figures such as Buddha and Confucius lived at this time. Helots were citizens of Greek and most of them lived in Sparta and were neither in slavery nor free. They were mainly farmers and represented a majority of the population. They held festivals and traditional ceremonies (Latacz 6). Cleisthenes was an Athenian leader who came from a noble family. He contributed to the change in the constitution and brought reforms in Athens. In addition Cleisthenes advocated for democracy. He criticized the government for tyranny and as a result, he is considered the father of democracy in Greek (Latacz 13) Sacred disease refers to epilepsy. York and Steinberg (1) point out that people believed that sacred disease came about because the Gods had been aggrieved. There was an argument to establish whether it was a disease from a natural or supernatural cause. Herodotus believed that it could have been a somatic disease. Today archeologists suggest that it was a medical cause. However, there was no agreement on what the cause of madness was. Conclusion In the Greek civilization, poetry played a big role in passing on tales about ancient culture. Greek history is full or art and symbolism and great warriors are a permanent figure in it. Works Cited Latacz, Joachim. Troy and Homer. The so-called Dark Ages in Greece, in: Storia, Poesia e Pensiero nel Mondo antico. Rome: Studi in Onore di M. Gigante. 1994. Web. York, George K & Steinberg, David A. The Sacred Disease of Cambyses II. Chicago: American Medical Association. 2001. Web. < https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/780433 >. McInerney, Jeremy. Ancient Greek Civilization: Part I . Orlando: The Teaching Company Limited. 1998. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Discussion of Effective Budgetary Control Essay Making Budgetary Control Effective A robust organizational structure is required for budgetary effectiveness. Permanent specific concerns, such as a finance committee and a budget director, should be established. To avoid bottlenecks, budget planning must be well integrated. Budgets for individuals should be harmonized with each other. Budgets must be reviewed on a regular basis to avoid them from devolving into a license to spend the entire authorized amount even when it is not necessary. According to Dauda (2019), “business organizations of all types must engage in financial planning at whatever level to ensure judicious deployment of resources for achieving organisational goals.” Workers should be appropriately compensated for performance in accordance with the budget. Sloppy staff, on the other hand, should not go condemned. Behavioral Aspects of Budgetary Control Budgetary control is a crucial instrument for performance evaluation. Nevertheless, findings take time to appear. Those in charge of fiscal control should have extensive knowledge and expertise in the subject. Workers are modifying their working practices, routines, and even their inter-relationships based on finances. As a result, workers may exhibit reluctance to change. It leads to the creation of each budget with the backing of top leadership. Each employee’s requirements are fully described and distributed in a formal structure. If this is the case, they will be aware of their power and responsibilities, which will be valuable for budgetary management. A financial management program’s effectiveness depends on the organization’s defined objectives. As a result, when establishing targets, management should exercise caution. Furthermore, the aims are explicit. Reference Dauda, H. (2019). Examining the Role of Budgeting and Budgetary Control in Achieving Objectives of Business Organizations. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Branch of Psychology Which Called Cognitive Psychology Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Main body 3. Conclusion 4. Reference List Introduction Cognitive Psychology is a branch of psychology that studies ways in which people perceive, think, learn and remember information. It deals with the internal functions of the human brain and analyzes why people tend to remember some information and forget other data. It primarily deals with the perception and memory of human beings regarding shapes, events, languages, and other information (Balota & Marsh, 2004). Although psychologists have been studying human behavior and thought processes for a long time the area of cognitive psychology is fairly recent to the field and the most significant year for the development of cognitive psychology was 1956 when Noam Chomsky presented a theory of language and George Miller presented research on the mathematical number seven and its relationship with short term memory (Eysenck & Keane, 2005). Main body The cognitive revolution started in 1956 as several theories and concepts related to cognitive psychology were presented this year. The most significant breakthrough in the discipline came about when Chomsky criticized B. F. Skinner’s theory of language presented in his book. Chomsky presented a notion that language use is based on personal creativity and imagination rather than enforcement. He argued that human beings can produce an infinite number of sentences without any difficulty. The theory presented by Chomsky and interpretation of human memory by Miller in 1956 were of critical importance in the development of cognitive psychology. The concept of Artificial Intelligence is linked with cognitive psychology and was also presented in 1956 at the Dartmouth conference (Eysenck & Keane, 2005). The actual term of cognitive psychology was developed by Ulric Neisser in 1967 in which he described human beings as active systems processing information and that brain functions could be expressed in numbers (Surprenant & Neath, 1997). The ideology of cognitive psychology which was set out in the 1950s evolved through the years and in 1980 another milestone was achieved when Daniel Dennett and Douglas Hofstadter published books on cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence. The major highlights of the cognitive revolution include theories on information, linguistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, and neurology. Cognitive psychology is concerned with the internal functions of the brain such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and interpretation of information whereas behavioral psychology is concerned with external analysis of human psychology and studies how human beings behave in reaction to certain actions, events, or environmental changes. Cognitive psychology is deductive and human intelligence is analyzed through behavior. If the internal functioning of the human brain is studied without any references to behavior, the conclusions would not be relevant in specific situations. To derive logical and valid conclusions a cognitive psychologist should therefore analyze the functioning of a human brain when an individual is involved in a particular task. If conclusions regarding perceptions, memory, and intellect are presented without proper references to human behavior these conclusions may not be used in other instances and environments and the results would be rendered useless (Humboldt State University, 1995). Conclusion Cognitive and Behavioral psychological theories are also grouped to analyze human behavior in the context of perceptions. Several therapies are also based on a combination of cognitive and behavioral theories including cognitive behavioral therapy which is used to solve problems related to memory, perception, emotion, and behavior (Grazebrook & Garland, 2005). Thus it is concluded that cognitive psychology has evolved up to a great extent in recent years and behavioral observation is quite important in cognitive psychology to derive logical and valid results. Reference List Balota, D. A., & Marsh, E. J. (2004). Cognitive psychology: key readings. New York: Psychology Press. Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2005). Cognitive psychology: a student’s handbook. New York: Taylor & Francis. Grazebrook, K., & Garland, A. (2005). What are Cognitive and/or Behavioural Psychotherapies? Bury: British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. Humboldt State University. (1995). Cognitive Psychology . Sternberg, R. J., & Mio, J. (2008). Cognitive Psychology. London: Cengage Learning. Surprenant, A. E., & Neath, I. (1997). Cognitive Psychology. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review , 342-349. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Tesla Company and the Auto Dealers Lobby Essay Table of Contents 1. Domestic Norms and Regulations 2. Domestic Taxes 3. Lobbying Efforts 4. References Domestic Norms and Regulations The American car market has one very distinctive feature: carmakers have no right to sell their products to the customers directly. Such a prohibition is directly related to the so-called “dealer franchise laws” (Crane 2013, par. 1). Tesla Motors Inc. manufactures luxury electric cars that are unique in the US and the world’s car markets due to their special features and their ability to take advantage of electricity. The price of Tesla S, as the flagship model of the company, is considerably high, and the car requires special maintenance stations since it is an electric and innovative vehicle. The company has no rights to sell it directly to the customers and thus, set reasonable prices and satisfy customers’ needs as well as possible. Tesla’s cars were produced in the manufacturing plants in California while the company was expanding its locations in Europe (Randall 2016). The decision to penetrate other markets became a logical solution. Today, Tesla sells more cars abroad than on the domestic market because of the policies that different countries adopt to motivate the local population to purchase environment-friendly electric cars (Doyle and Adomaitis 2013). It is the situation when local laws and regulations work against the manufacturer of cars that can reshape the market and change the preferences of the customers. Electric cars have become one of the trends that cannot be ignored in any society. It is time to change the laws that came from the era of powerful gasoline engines, enormous consumptions, and wastes. Domestic Taxes It is rather obvious that since the domestic regulations are against the competitive approach to car sales from the manufacturers directly, Tesla Motors Inc. went global. The company has zero preferences on the domestic market as the producer of the innovative, ecologically appropriate cars. It is the policy of equal opportunities that every carmaker has to have since the beginning of the 20th century when the situation was very different from the modern one. In Norway, for example, the state regulations are aimed at the promotion of the environment-friendly cars’ purchase. According to Doyle and Adomaitis (2013), the government implements the programs that provide electric car buyers with subsidies up to $11,000. It makes Tesla cars affordable, not to mention other benefits that the owners of electric cars have. Thus, according to Ole Marius Lauritzen, Tesla owner, “the benefits are… too good. You can take bus lanes, get free parking, and it costs very little to refuel…” (Doyle and Adomaitis 2013, par. 19). The approach of the US government shapes the success of Tesla Motors Inc. on the global market to a certain extent Meanwhile, following the international strategy assists the company in avoiding regulations related to taxes. For example, currently, Obama is concerned about introducing a new tax system to obtain more governmental profit from companies with high profits overseas (Timiroas and McKinnon 2015). The companies have a tendency to save a significant share of the income while operating in the foreign markets, as they can avoid paying additional taxes. Tesla pursues a similar strategy since this approach helps the company maximize its profits and strengthen its financial positions. Lastly, the focus of the operations on the international market assist in maintaining the labor and transportation costs low (Randall 2016). For instance, the company has established a new manufacturing plant in Europe to ensure the rapid delivery of its products to the customers in this region (Randall 2016). The highly automated production lines with multitasking possibility and suitable locations allow the company to avoid high transportation and labor costs, which are present in the United States of America. Based on the factors provided above, the international operations and ambitions have a significant influence on the company’s success while helping it minimize costs related to labor and taxations. The rationale behind Tesla’s globalization strategy is clear, and keeping up with these objectives is critical for the company’s profitability and stability in future. Lobbying Efforts Tesla Motors Inc. has rather complex relationships with the American government institutions, regulating the issue of the direct sales from the manufacturer. According to Crane (2014), “Tesla has been lobbying for legislative reforms at the state level, thus far with mixed success” (par. 3). The success of the company can be described using the example of New Jersey, where Tesla (and only Tesla) obtained the right to sell its products directly to the customers after pursuing its global strategy. However, it became eligible for the several outlets only. Ohio is another state where the company achieved certain success due to its lobbying efforts. State’s legislators considered providing Tesla with the exclusive right to sell cars directly to the customers. The majority of other states have passed the laws that only strengthened the prohibition to sell directly, stating that it would disrupt the principle of the fair competition in the market (Lao, Feinstein and Lafontaine 2015). It seems that the company has to come the long way to allowing its customers buy Teslas from the company directly. References Crane, Dan. 2013. “ Tesla and the Auto Dealers Lobby. ” Truth on the Market . Web. Doyle, Alister, and Nerijus Adomaitis. 2013. “ Norway Shows the Way with Electric cars, But at What Cost? ” Reuters . Web. Lao, Marina, Debbie Feinstein, and Francine Lafontaine. 2015. “Direct-to-Consumer Auto Sales: It’s Not Just about Tesla.” Federal Trade Commission . Web. Randall, Tom. 2016. “ Check Out Tesla’s Hot New European Factory. ” Bloomberg Technology. Web. Timiroas, Nick, and John McKinnon. 2015. “ Obama Proposes One-Time 14% Tax on Overseas Earnings. ” Forbes . Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Low Barriers to Entry Exploratory Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The audience and their concerns 3. Problem statement 4. Recommendations to the entry problem 5. References Introduction Low barriers to entry determine the strategies that a business must adapt to penetrate a new market. Thus, this analytical treatise explores low barriers to entry for a new comer truck driver in the asset-based supply chain and logistics industry. The audience and their concerns Entry in a market with low barriers requires strategies that may make the new entrant excel in a market characterized by stiff competition and series of similar business activity. There are several similar players in the market that the new comer truck driver wants to enter and penetrate. Besides, truck drivers in the asset-based supply chain and logistics industry are correlated to negative perception by most clients who view them as a bunch of dishonest and unreliable transport service providers. Therefore, there is need to design an entry strategy that would ensure complete control of perception of the clients. Problem statement The asset-based supply chain and logistics industry for a new comer truck driver has the challenge of remaining a float amidst presence of very many other track drivers with fleets and an expansive customer niche. Thus, there is an immediate need for the new comer truck driver to adapt a branding strategy that will make this business enter into the market and penetrate the same to win the current clients. There is also need to establish a water tight business entry plan credentials that would combine natural strengths of the truck driver and his personality. Recommendations to the entry problem In order to achieve desired margins in sales and total revenues generated, a proper marketing plan should integrate entry strategy, comparative advantage, and market segmentation since in most cases, there is always a strong competitor or competitors that passing might prove challenging due to existence of consumer perceptions and household names (Janus, 2008). To increase credibility and maintain professionalism, the market entry plan should encompass processes and features that flawlessly facilitate healthy and lifetime relationships between the truck business and its clients. Among the new development elements that can be incorporated to build trust include establishment of a strong distribution, fair retribution process, and passing accurate information to target audience to restore confidence within the new networks. Besides quality in service, delivery and customer satisfaction depend on the marketing segmentation. Therefore, customer retention is achievable through the creation of reliable and affordable marketing channel that is essential in monitoring matrix that maps out potential competitors and identifies weaknesses and strength of the clients. Moreover, the reporting criteria should reflect the success of marketing calendar and set targets generated from time to time (Longenecker et al. 2009). Essentially, success of brand and product management in a new market depends on a proper alignment of a functional idea into the creation of flexible, involuntary, and quantifiable measurement of perception among the target audience. Reflectively, this idea should have essential elements that can easily sway the mind, either positively or negatively. Therefore, the new comer truck driver should brand his truck business as the most competitive in terms of charges for service delivery and reliability (Bert, 2011). In conclusion, low barriers to entry market such as the asset-based supply chain and logistics industry demand rebranding of the truck business besides adapting the low cost price leader in order to win the current clients and develop loyalty among clients. Despite stiff competition from other track drivers, this industry offers series of opportunities for new entrants since the demand for truck services supersedes the current supply. References Bert, R. (2011). Marketing Channels: A Management View . Sydney: Thompson South- Western. Janus, P. (2008). Pro Performance Point Server 2007: Building Business Intelligence . New York: Press Intel. Longenecker, G. J., Petty, J.W., Palich E. L., and Moore, W.C. (2009). Small Business Management: Launching and Growing Entrepreneurial Ventures. Alabama: Cengage Learning. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
HDNET Company’s Pricing Strategies and Objectives Case Study Table of Contents 1. Demand and Supply Trends Affecting the Price 2. Evaluation 3. Price Projections 4. Works Cited Demand and Supply Trends Affecting the Price Although the initial cost of the equipment necessary for HDTV was rather prohibiting, HDNet has chosen to wait for its decrease. As the equipment became affordable for the average customer, the industry received the opportunity to flourish. HDNet is one of the pioneers in the market, which means that the competition at the moment described is not particularly high, even though it may increase in the future. The fact that more than 60 million TV sets in the US may be used for HDTV proves that the business has all the chances of expanding. At the same time, taking into account the fact that new technology may result in customers’ confusion, HDNet and the resellers carry out careful distribution strategies, offer equipment and its installation as they do everything to facilitate the introduction of HDTV. Having made deals with numerous cable and satellite television providers, HDNet has secured its position and made it obvious that it is not planning to leave the market. By offering unique programming along with the popular content (movies, live sporting events), HDNet ensures that it will stay in demand. The fact that TV is among the favorite leisure-time activities in the US suggests the same (Kotler and Keller 79). Evaluation From the information given in the case study, it may be concluded that HDNet intends to carry out a market skimming pricing strategy. All the conditions for such a strategy exist in the described situation: the demand for high-quality, high-dimension TV is sufficient, the costs of the corresponding equipment have dropped, but at the moment the market is not flooded with competitors, and the high-quality, high-end product, which appears to be the image that HDNet is endeavoring to maintain, is associated with the current costs (Kotler and Keller 390). Price Projections HDNet plays a crucial part in the product lifecycle since, as it has been pointed out, the original, unique content provided by HDNet is complemented by other types of popular programming. The resellers’ sales promotion strategies are well-thought-out. Different resellers offer the necessary equipment (DISHNET includes the TV set), professional installation, and packages of services; cable operators recommend HDNet as a premium service, which means maintaining the image of a high-quality product. Apart from that, resellers offer their customers free trial periods. All of these factors are bound to attract potential customers, the number of which, as it has been mentioned, is quite enormous. The competition in the market described in the case study is not too high, as HD television is only beginning to flourish with the decrease of the equipment costs. The demand, on the other hand, is expected to skyrocket, given the high appeal of the product and its growing accessibility. The quality perception is not only positive; it is also one of the main advantages HDNet has over the not-HD television. Given all these factors, one may conclude that the price demanded by HDNet may be above the average one as the company intends to create an image of a high-end product. Positioning the original content as a unique and valuable asset can be an effective strategy that has been illustrated by the success of Discovery Communications. The popularity of its products at least partially owes to promoting the image of the channels that are “satisfying curiosity,” “enlightening,” and “encouraging to explore” (Kotler and Keller 259). Skimming strategy presupposes high initial prices and their subsequent lowering (Kotler and Keller 390). It is obvious that the situation in the market described by the case study allows HDNet to demand a high initial price and gain the most from being one of the pioneers of the industry. It is possible that the price will have to be lowered as it is going to adjust the changes in the market, but the uniqueness of the content suggests its competitiveness in the future. Works Cited Kotler, Philip, and Kevin Lane Keller. Marketing Management . 14th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Is seems that fate has played a hand in the whole matter and condemned the two families together for life. However, the story also satirizes multiculturalism and upholds fundamentalism. Smith presents multiculturalism as a dilemma that is inevitable but almost impossible to perfect. No more has the author of the novel successfully satirizes multiculturalism than in the two twin brothers Millat and Magid Iqbal. The two men are a representation not only of the perils of multicultural communities but also mirror individuals fighting identity crises. Despite the fact that the two are twins Millat and Magid are not the friendliest of brothers and do not shy away from fighting out their differences in public. The irony of it is that despite the fact that the twins are so different it can also be said that they are mirror images of each others. Magid and Millat are polar opposites. Despite the t the two being twins, the differences play out in public from the onset of their birth. Magid is the elder of the twin by the virtue of him being the born first. This causes Millat to develop deep seated feeling of personal inadequacy and feels less of an Iqbal than his first born twin brother Magid. Millat feels that this is the reason why his father develops a special liking for Magid and as such feels like he is the lesser of the Iqbal thus: “What is the root cause” Millat’s feelings of inadequacy? Magid. He has been born second because of Magid. He was the lesser son because of Maqid” (Smith 462). It is through this sense of inadequacy that Smith brings out the issue of identify crisis. Millat feels the lesser iqbad, and as such seeks attention of his father in negative behaviors. His father doesn’t help thing and shows Magid more favoritism driving Millat further into rebellion. Smith’s satirization of multiculturalism is seen in the cultural identity crises in the two brothers. Samad, the twins’ father, wants his sons not to lose their cultural heritage and as such pushes them to learn his traditional Mangal Pande Islamic faith just as he had done. As such he sends Magid back to Bangladesh so as he can be taught while Millat remains in England. The irony of this is that the two rebel against their fathers wishes. Magid, intend becomes more English and a largely philosophical atheist and is only interested in pursuing law in England. Millat who grows up in England rebels against the English culture and joins a rebel Muslim group, Kevin. In this way the Magid and Millat can be seen as identical: identical in that they are both rebels. Samat blames the western culture for corrupting his sons and thus laments: I should never have brought my children here so far from God” (Smith 145). Magid and Millat are thus emblematic of the perils of multiculturalism through their identity crises, as well as fundamentalism. They both rebel against the wishes of their father to join radical groups. Magid becomes an atheist while Millat becomes a radical Muslim. This is quite the opposite of what their father intended of them to be. The twins can be seen as a representation of the challenges of a global community that is increasingly becoming multicultural. Works Cited Smith, Zadie, White teeth. New York: Random House, 2000. Print | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Cost Sharing Under State Children’s Health Insurance Program Essay The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is an association of the federal government with the states whose aim is to give health insurance compensation to children from low-income families younger than 19 years old who are not fit for Medicaid (National Conference of State Legislatures [NCSL], 2007). Unlike Medicaid, SCHIP is designated not to individuals but states (NCSL, 2007). The states allocate the costs differently depending on the number of children in need and the health problems which they need to solve. One of the problems with SCHIP is that dental care is not compulsory under its regulations (Booth & Edelstein, 2006). Due to this crucial sphere of healthcare being optional, SCHIP makes the care system insecure, vulnerable, and irregular. It has been established that preventive dentistry is highly required among children whose families fit for SCHIP. Moreover, there is evidence of preventive dental care being rather cost-effective (Booth & Edelstein, 2006). Unfortunately, there is no settled standard in the allocation of costs for dentistry in every state. Such way of things leads to the decline of the number of healthcare services associated with dental care (Booth & Edelstein, 2006). Furthermore, the situation is aggravated because of the suggestion to implement cost sharing in SCHIP. I think that the idea of cost sharing may impact the families eligible for SCHIP in a rather adverse way. The core idea of such programs as Medicare and SCHIP is to support the families who do not have enough resources to pay for the insurance. Consequently, they cannot afford to pay for healthcare services as a part of the program. Thus, cost sharing may lead to the restraint of these children’s chances to receive proper medical care (NCSL, 2007). Because of the implementation of cost sharing, the yearly allowances for the families eligible for SCHIP have been significantly reduced, leading to the impossibility of dental care for the children (NCSL, 2007). In my opinion, cost sharing should be considered very cautiously when it comes to those who are in Medicaid and SCHIP programs. Some families aided by these projects may afford copayments or premiums. However, most of the families cannot cover such expenditures and, as a result, are not able to obtain the necessary care. This situation is particularly common in the families with low income and serious or numerous health issues. The National Conference of State Legislatures (2007) remarks that the resilience allotted to the states in creating their SCHIP programs makes it possible to initiate some advantageous healthcare projects. However, I think that the problem of cost sharing outweighs the positive features of SCHIP. The government should take care of those who cannot afford insurance. Thus, before the implementation of cost sharing, a detailed plan should be developed which would make it possible to differentiate between the families who can participate in cost sharing and those who cannot do that. By doing so, the government will not deprive the children of the healthcare they need. Dental care demands a lot of expenses, and thorough consideration should be paid to its allotment. Children whose families cannot afford to pay for dental care should be eligible to receive it for free. Cost sharing may be a good idea, but it should only be applied to the families whose income allows them to cover a part of their healthcare expenses. References Booth, M., & Edelstein, B. (2006). State children’s health insurance program (SCHIP): A decade of optional dental coverage for kids . National Conference of State Legislatures. (2007). Frequently asked questions… SCHIP . | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Nursing Informatics and Improved Patient Outcomes Essay Introduction The use of emerging technologies and systems in the field of health care can transform the medical outcomes of many patients. Nursing informatics (NI) has emerged as an essential specialty that combines science with information management strategies to define and share data that can improve the quality of care. The current gap is that many clinicians and registered nurses (RNs) are unaware of the real benefits of NI and how to implement the concept in their respective units. The purpose of this paper is to analyze nursing informatics and identify different ways for embracing this concept to maximize health outcomes. Clinical Research Question The proposed study is expected to present new ideas for adopting and using health technologies to transform the medical sector. This question will guide the entire study process: How can clinicians integrate nursing informatics with emerging evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve the quality and sustainability of care available to all patients? The literature review showed that nursing informatics was one of the critical parts of health care delivery processes in many departments and hospitals. Professionals who embrace new technological systems communicate efficiently, solve emerging problems, support decision-making, and coordinate care (Darvish, Bahramnezhad, Keyhanian, & Navidhamidi, 2014). Practitioners can, therefore, identify different applications and information systems and implement them in their respective fields to transform patient’s experiences. Databases and Search Words A powerful search strategy was employed to select quality articles and information for the proposed clinical question. The first step was to visit GALILEO. This was followed by the identification of specific databases that could provide high-quality resources. The selected ones included Cochran Library, EBSCOhost, CINAHL Plus, and PubMed. The information submitted to each database and the recorded hits are summarized below Cochran Library Keywords – nursing informatics and quality of care, Results – 21, Inclusion – Within the past five years, Results – 7, Related to research question – 1. EBSCOhost Keywords – nursing informatics and quality of care, Results – 28, Inclusion – Within the past five years, Results – 6, Related to research question – 1. CINAHL Plus Keywords – nursing informatics and quality of care, Results – 212, Inclusion – Within the past five years and peer-reviewed, Results – 118, Related to research question – 3. PubMed Keywords – nursing informatics and quality of care, Results – 164, Inclusion – Within the past five years and peer-reviewed, Results – 61, Additional key phrase – medication errors, Results – 12, Related to research question – 1. Converting Information to Knowledge The insights and concepts gained from the completed search will be synthesized and condensed to present powerful models for transforming nursing practice. The completed study will describe the nature of this field and how modern technological systems can empower caregivers to meet the diverse needs of their patients. It will also present evidence-based approaches that can guide practitioners to utilize informatics and minimize medical errors (Brenner et al., 2016). Health professionals who take the presented knowledge seriously will achieve their goals much faster and transform their patients’ outcomes (Darvish et al., 2014). The study findings will offer powerful concepts for using informatics in different clinics. Conclusion Modern technological systems are transforming the nature and quality of medical services available to different patients. The outlined clinical question is worth studying since it seeks to present numerous ideas for embracing the power of technology in nursing practice. The proposed study will offer meaningful concepts that physicians can consider to reduce sentinel events and improve patient outcomes. References Brenner, S. K., Kaushal, R., Grinspan, Z., Joyce, C., Kim, I., Allard, R. J., … Abramson, E. L. (2016). Effects of health information technology on patient outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association , 23 (5), 1016-1036. Web. Darvish, A., Bahramnezhad, F., Keyhanian, S., & Navidhamidi, M. (2014). The role of nursing informatics on promoting quality of health care and the need for appropriate education. Global Journal of Health Science, 6 (6), 11-18. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Legal Regulation of Child Protection in the US Essay The article discusses the extent of legal regulation of child protection in the US within the scope of three periods that are suggested by the author. The first one is from colonial times to 1875; the second – is from 1875 to 1962; the third – is from 1962 to the present. It should be noted here that the article was written in 2008, so “the present” should be referred to as this period. Myers claims that before the increase in the numbers of nongovernmental organizations that aimed to protect children – their spread intensified in 1875 – interventions in the framework of child protection were periodical and inconsistent. Nevertheless, they took place and started operating. A child was not protected to the extent he or she was in 2008, but society knew about the maltreatments and attempted to provide help. In 1875, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC) occurred, which was the first entity in the world devoted only to child-protection affairs. By 1922, the total number of such organizations increased to 300 across the US. However, by the 1960s, most states still did not provide protection services statewide. A plethora of communities had no all-day coverage. Hence, “for the first six decades of the twentieth century, protective services in most communities were inadequate and in some places nonexistent” (Myers, 2008, p. 454). Substantial advancement took place after the year 1962. During this period, child-protection services could be provided throughout the whole country – starting in rural areas and ending in cities. The following laws should be mentioned: the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 (CAPTA), the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA), and the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (AACWA) (Myers, 2008). Such a positive shift was a significant boon for many children. Nevertheless, the spread and development of the child-protecting system caused an exact degree of crisis in this regard. In particular, the quick passing of laws required specialists to report cases of suspected abuses and neglect. These laws led to a great number of instances that overloaded the mentioned system. The result was that child-protection services had to find their way to be provided under pressure by the 1980s. Myers concludes that even though the child-protective system still has a lot of issues, it is still a considerable advancement in comparison with the period of the 1960s. The related organizations are easy to reach across the United States, significant sums are invested in children’s welfare, and many specialists aspire to do their best to assist parents and support children. This system is available on a twenty-four-hour basis. However, society rarely hears about child-protective services’ attainments. Myers reasonably notices that evening news and magazines tend to shed light on these services’ activities only when something goes wrong (2008). For instance, when social workers take a child from a family when they should not. However, child protection is a substantially difficult affair, and constant reports on the failings undermine the public’s confidence in the described system. The reality is that this system saves the lives of many children, showing them a path to a good future. Reference Myers, J. E. B. (2008). A short history of child protection in America. Family Law Quarterly,42 (3), 449–463. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The challenges that the program faced were immense and these included apathy towards CSR activities and suspicions surrounding corporations’ motives. As a result, Vodafone and its partners had to choose a reliable Public Relations (PR) method to ensure that its goal of improving the community’s trust was met. By January 2004, a significant majority of Australian adults (41 per cent) said that they spent a large amount of time on charitable activities and this provided corporations, who were mistrusted by a whopping 77 per cent of the populace, with an opportunity to engage the country at a level that is close to many people’s hearts. The public relations systems most suitable for such an effort would be three of James E. Grunig’s four PR models. The first benefit that would accrue from this holistic approach is that Vodafone would be in a position to achieve its objectives which include raising the profile of its CSR program, re-invigorating PR activities, increasing media coverage and raising program enrolment rates. This is because the three models involve use of a reciprocal communication method that enables corporations to understand the public’s worries while enabling the public to appreciate the firm as a well meaning entity. This is crucial for image improvement and financial success. The second benefit is that the fourth model encapsulates the aim of all of Grunig’s publicity models. The first model, Publicity, seeks to influence the public to behave as a corporation wants. In the case of Vodafone, the application of this model would shift Australian charitable activities into the company’s ambit. Since Australians were prolific in philanthropy and Vodafone had the funds to engage in it, the best result would come when both sides combine efforts and produce synergistic advantages. The third benefit from this approach is that it incorporates Grunig’s second PR model that brings the media on-board. The Public Information model uses press releases and other communication systems that reduce the indifference and suspicion the media has towards CSR programs. When the public joins the firm to implement the “Vodafone World of Difference Program” on a cooperative basis, the media would become less suspicious. The One-way Asymmetrical model can be avoided. It involves using persuasion and manipulation to influence the public into behaving as the organization wants without using research to find out how the public feels about the organization. This could fail because the reaction of the public may be lukewarm or even hostile. But the fourth, the Two-way Symmetrical model, enables the organization to engage in a constant conversation that exposes the public’s sentiments, giving the firm a chance to tweak its system until it fully satisfies its target audience. This interactive approach applies dialogue between the company and its clientele, providing conflict resolution opportunities that bring about harmony. It has great advantages because it incorporates all the other PR models through an open system of communication. In conclusion, the best PR systems to apply in helping Vodafone improve its standing would be the first, second and fourth Grunig models since they would provide open and beneficial communication. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Members are expected to realize the problems with a view of highlighting pertinent solutions. However, such resolutions should be drafted before any bill is tabled. The bill must be precise and detailed. It should also portray a clear understanding of the likely implementation processes concerning the solution. This essay provides an insight into the legislative process and healthcare lobbying in the United States of America. Committee Action After a proper analysis, the bill is presented to the committee of action based on the imminent problem. The passage of the bill to the next stage requires a substantial number of supportive congress members. The public and various stakeholders should be informed on the bill to examine its impacts on the economic, social, and political spheres of life. The Voting Process The governing bodies subject the bill to voting once the committee approves it. However, the process can only take place after the ruling it is scheduled by the majority of members of the house. It is accomplished by a minimum of 218 out of 435 representatives. The majority party also influences the senate floor voting. At least 51 out of 100 members have to be present to enable passage or amendment of the bill (American Nurses Association, 2010). Committee Conference The committee conference plays a critical role in ensuring that the outcome differences are reconciled. The new bill is then subjected to further voting to ensure that the majority number of members is taken into account. This stage does not require public participation and no further amendments are allowed; hence, the members-only vote for or against the bill (American Nurses Association, 2010). Signing of the Bill into Law When the bill passes the above-mentioned stages, the president is given a duration of ten days to sign it into law. However, it should be noted that the bill is also subject to rejection in case it does not meet the requirements of the law (American Nurses Association, 2010). An issue involving Professional Regulations The various health policies can be categorized into a number of ways that involve political analyses of the results based on previous experimental researches. One of the major political issues in the healthcare sector is professional regulation. It is concerned with the education of health practitioners with respect to the workplace (Crowly, 2012). The delivery of quality healthcare has led to controversial debates amongst many health professionals and civilians. Most lobbyists hold that the government is charged with a responsibility to ensure that facility development in various health centers adheres to current health and safety standards (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014). They remain in the forefront to make sure that such governmental roles are guaranteed to the citizens (Crowly, 2012). Inequality in healthcare delivery is also evident amongst professionals in the different states of America. Most lobbyists suggest that the federal system should be in a better position to handle health policies than the state governments. Most of the healthcare systems can be at the same level as those of the Medicare and Medicaid programs if the federal system offers quality education to providers alongside the development of health infrastructures in the states (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2014). Personal Opinion On a personal perspective, a combined effort of both the state and federal governments can work well to solve the problems that are associated with professional regulations (Shi & Singh, 2008). However, the state government can be best suited in handling of issues that pertain to the quality of healthcare. Federal-based healthcare systems such as the Medicare and Medicaid use classy facilities and top-notch professionals. This situation makes their services expensive (Shi & Singh, 2008). There is a need to address the issues of professional regulations with respect to the education of healthcare providers and their working conditions among others. As a result, both systems of governance should adopt an inclusive approach. Conclusion Lobbyists should remain in the forefront to champion for public health rights. Issues that are related to professional regulations should involve both the state and federal systems of governance to ensure effective implementation of long-lasting solutions. A Letter to the Local Governor NAME AND ADDRESS_______________________________ DATE__________________________________________ THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR, U.S REPRESENTATIVE WASHINGTON D.C Dear Representative, RE: PROMOTION OF BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS PROFESSIONAL REGULATION I am expressing my opinion concerning the promotion of both the state and federal governments to address professional regulation amongst healthcare providers in the United States. Numerous citizens and health practitioners have raised concern on the quality of services that are provided by the existing institutions. The quality of service has been dwindling in the past few years. Such effects have emerged from poor working conditions and training standards of the healthcare providers among others. Recent researches have also revealed that many patients are unable to afford expensive services that are offered in the private health sector. Therefore, I recommend both the federal and state governments to work together to ensure delivery of high quality healthcare services at low costs. I urge you to support my idea of including both systems of governance by drafting a bill that supports the recommendation. Yours Sincerely, Signature_________________________ Name____________________________ Reference List American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. Silver Spring, MD: Nursebooks. Burkhardt, M., & Nathaniel, A. (2014). Ethical issues in contemporary nursing. Clifton Park, NJ: Delmar. Crowly, S. (2012). Health Care Reform and the Supreme Court (Affordable Care Act). The New York Times. Web. Shi, L., & Singh, D. (2008). Delivering health care in America: A systems approach. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
J. Vermeer’s Painting – “Woman Holding a Balance” Essay Table of Contents 1. Description 2. Analysis of Composition 3. Interpretation 4. Evaluation 5. Reference Description “Woman holding a balance” is a Dutch painting created by Johannes Vermeer in the year 1664. The painting depicts the presence of a lady in a room holding a balance in her hand. The room is filled with only light entering through the small vent in the curtains hanging in front of the window. An opened jewelry box is kept on the extendable table which is represented several times in various Dutch paintings. A similar art of work like the table in this painting can be found in “A man Weighing Gold” painted by Cornelis de Mann in the year 1670. There is a mirror facing the lady. Three different containers lie open on the table and the largest jewel box has a red velvet lining and from this box, a gold chain hangs over the lid of the box and there is a pearl necklace lying on the table. Behind the woman, there is the portrait of “Last Judgment” hanging on the wall. This painting is considered to be the work of Jacob de Backer created in 1580. The woman is wearing a jacket which is typically worn by middle and upper-class women lined with fur and worn during the long Dutch winters. Although the woman appears to be pregnant, Marieke de Winkel an expert on the history of the costumes thinks that pregnancy was not a common subject of Dutch art for the corresponding period. It may be that the Dutch fashions of mid 17 th century contained a bulky silhouette that is depicted in this painting (Bollandt, 2001). Analysis of Composition The painting marks the striking contrast between darkness and light. This is exhibited in the darkness in the room, shadows appearing and the sunlight entering the room through the small opening in the curtain. The fabric on the woman’s clothing and the tiles on the floor also reflect the mood of this contrast. The curtain symbolically represents the light which is warmer in tone. The vibrant warm tone of the curtain is echoed by the two vertical stripes colored in gold of the frame of the “Last Judgment” portrait. This sets off the deep blues which is predominant overall in the composition of the painting. The deep blue table cloth massed over the table is another object which provides a counterpoint to the severe geometric framework of the composition with its meandering folds. Interpretation The woman’s face gives rise to the idea that she is lost in thought. She gazes peacefully at the balance which she holds in her hand which is empty, even though objects are lying on the table. The eyes of the woman point downwards which normally would represent a depressive mood. However, the slight upturn of the corner of her lips and absence of any frowning in her face conveys a sense of assurance and contentment. She appears to be confident about the future and the light entering the room appears to represent a symbolic reference to her spiritual enlightenment. Although the expression of the woman is serious, it also depicts a calm mood. The fact that the balance is empty signifies that the woman is weighing something serious and more important in her life than the jewelry from the open box. If the two pans of the balance are taken as good and evil, it may be that she is confronted in a critical situation in her life where she may have to come to some decision sooner or later considering the good and bad elements of the decision. This idea is further compounded by the fact that the portrait “Last Judgment” is hanging behind her on the wall. The woman also appears to have ignored the mirror in front of her which fact also strengthens this idea. Evaluation This painting features many right angles and geometric compositions except for the blue table cloth. The asymmetrical cross can be drawn across the painting which will divide the painting into four segments and all of these segments appear to be busier and at the same time depicts a sense of spaciousness. With the illumination over the face of the woman, her face becomes the first object one notices while looking at the painting. When a composition line is drawn from the left corner to the bottom right, it will connect the dark shadow and sunlight. Another line drawn in the opposite direction would connect the sloping bottom of the blue table cloth and the nose of the woman through the woman’s right arm. The cross-section where these two composition lines meet will attract the center point of the observer where the balance is drawn in the painting. This appears to agree with the overall meaning in the painting as it appears to signify the equilibrium and contrast between darkness and light. This also represents the confidence depicted by the posture of the woman. Reference Bollandt. (2001). Woman Holding a Balance . Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Intercultural Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival Essay Give your own definition of the Uncertainty Avoidance (we will be calling this “Structure” in class) dimension. Hypothetically, the future carries plenty of uncertainties. In order to avoid and prevent them, people create conditions that provide them with greater security and stability. For example, technology helps to develop various tools to protect one’s sensitive information from unauthorized access, while rules and laws determine the behavior of a person in society. Uncertainty avoidance dimension is the degree of discomfort, anxiety, or fear experienced by people belonging to a given society or a culture in terms of ambiguous or uncertain circumstances. In those cultures, where the score of uncertainty avoidance is high, a person facing uncertainty is exposed to stress and fear. Representatives of those cultures, in which the score of uncertainty avoidance is low, are much more likely to take risks in unfamiliar situations. In cultures with a high index of uncertainty avoidance, people are characterized by emotionality, an active lifestyle, and some extent of aggressiveness: an example is a rapid pace of life in Germany where people are always in a hurry doing something. People in such societies are always sure that they have their inherent rights and all the necessary to solve various problems and tasks with an infinite number of rules and formalities. It is clearly known what is good and what is bad, what is dangerous, and what is safe. Securing rules and procedures help in reducing ambiguity and unpredictability. Everything that is different from the established norms is dangerous as it creates uncertainty. They are also distinguished by the fact that, if necessary, they can work hard to achieve greater results. Representatives of a culture with a low score of uncertainty avoidance are characterized by tolerance, tranquility, carelessness, as well as slowness. One may, for example, note Jamaica, where time flows slowly, and one may not hurry. In such cultures, there are also norms of behavior and an understanding of what is good and what is bad. Nevertheless, they tolerate new and unknown situations, people, or ideas. There are rules that must be followed but, depending on the situation, one can behave differently and not obey the established norms. Self-discovery…describe where you think your personal culture (NOT your country culture) lies on this continuum and explain why and where you would place yourself either low or high on Uncertainty Avoidance/Structure. In my opinion, I consider that my personal culture refers to low score uncertainty avoidance. For example, in societies where the score of uncertainty avoidance is high, companies and organizations create sets of detailed laws or informal rules that establish the duties and rights of employers and employees. If I were to get a job in the United States, I would notice that the contract drawn up there is considerably shorter than the contract that would have been presented to me if I were to be employed in Japan, because a Japanese contract would take into account an incredible number of nuances, which Americans do not accentuate. Personally, I believe it is much more effective to omit some details for further consideration directly at the workplace. It goes without saying that an employer and an employee should sign a contract that is to include information regarding working conditions, remuneration, employee bonuses, etc. However, it seems that such issues as working processes and approaches may be discussed later and adjusted, if necessary. In this regard, my personal uncertainty avoidance index is close to those of the United States and China. I believe that people whose behavior and way of thinking can be different are much better perceived by others. Thus, I have a positive attitude towards cultures with a low level of uncertainty avoidance. Describe how the history of your country led to its high or low score, and give any examples you have noticed of differences between cultures or subcultures with high or low scores (in the USA, Latino and African-Americans have a tendency to be slightly higher than Caucasian-Americans). China is a country with a low score of uncertainty avoidance. Here, the adherence to rules may be flexible, while laws remain rigid. Chinese are usually comfortable with some ambiguous situations, and their attitudes towards them may change. Primarily, such a tendency is associated with Chinese history, namely, culture, language, and politics. For example, the Chinese language is full of interpretations, where one character may mean up to four words depending on a tone. The fact that there are three major religions that exist in one country without struggling for dominance also indicates a high level of tolerance and ambiguity acceptance. As for politics, there were various rulers, each of which set his or her own laws and prescriptions. It is exciting to mention the empress of China Wu Zetian, who was the only female ruler and contributed a lot to the country’s well-being, yet she was also known for her brutality. There is a variety of differences between cultures with a low and a high level of uncertainty avoidance. For instance, it is possible to note that the desire to avoid uncertainty also affects intercultural relationships. Nationalities with a low score of avoidance of uncertainty such as Caucasian Americans tend to trust foreigners and are more friendly and ready to cooperate. In their turn, cultures with a higher level of uncertainty avoidance such as Latino and African-Americans are more prone not to trust foreigners since the local population is subconsciously afraid of everything that is unfamiliar. This contributes to the development of aggressive behavior towards other nationalities. I would like to emphasize that the above is a tendency in terms of cultures, while some representatives of one or another culture may have their own attitudes regarding foreigners and other issues associated with uncertainty avoidance. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Whatever the cultural difference there exist special privilege for men under patriarchy than women. “Radical feminists define patriarchy as a social system in which men appropriate all social roles and keep women in subordinate positions.” (Kambarami 2006) Patriarchy is a powerful universal system which permeated all political systems and religious beliefs over centuries. By its very nature patriarchy is rooted in the subjugation of women, under the exertion of power by men, the practice of male domination. “Contrary to common understanding, true Biblical Patriarchy is not man dominance, but God dominance through man as head of his household, where he must love his household as Christ loves the church and if necessary lay down his life for it.” ( Restoration of Biblical Patriarchy, 1997) Male dominance was prevalent for thousands of years and patriarchal cultures uphold the privilege of men in all social activities, religious practices, and even legal codes. It may be connected with the evolution of human civilization when human existence was dependent on hunting, which was a male dominated activity, as well as the initiative to dominate the weak through suppression or violence It is believed that men are physically strong, capable of decision making and bold enough to lead others whereas women are meek, entitled to produce and bring up their progenies, and vanquish to the whims and fancies of male. Feminist historians offer evidence, from Greek, Hindu and other mythology for the hypothesis, that for thousands of years women were revered, and their icons were worshipped, because women alone performed the miracle of bringing forth new life. All the new monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam featured male dominance and replaced the old pantheons of gods and goddesses. The new religions propagated there was one God who had made man in ‘His’ image, making man superior to woman. It has to be construed as a process of enslavement that turned women a slave of men to bear children and maintain house-hold, and even succumb to forced prostitution. The family is a “social group characterized by common residence, shares resources, works as a unit and rears children. In a family there are at least two adult members that conduct sexual relationship that is tolerated by norms of the society they live in”. It may be the assertion of male that they were essential for procreation and they alone hold the key to succession in family led to the collapse of female prominence. The subjugation of women is established through the institution of marriage forcing the women to live in a private realm where husband reigns supreme. Marriage also bestow right of the husband to his wife’s property and the patriarchal society formed the basic unit for maintaining social order. A male’s privilege begins from the day his mother’s conception is confirmed and the family desires the age-old preference for a baby boy. A patriarchal society takes the male offspring as the heir to family tree and a female child a liability. Even women from socially and economically sound background may be exposed to physical and emotional abuse in a patriarchal society, if she displeases her father or husband. With the introduction of modern diagnosing tools there is a dangerous tendency in patriarchal society opting more and more female feticide. Abortion rate in countries where strict birth control and patriarchy is prevalent the threat to life of female infant is high. The family, work and welfare are the three influential social institutions having major role in maintaining social order and promoting social change. Everyday life within these powerful institutions is in the process of constant transformation and being ordered by the exercise of power and resistance. “The exercise of institutional power involves different modes, from coercion and manipulation to domination and authority.” (Hughes & Fergusson, 2005, p.24) Women face violence and discrimination within and behind the closed doors of the family, compounded by discrimination and the risk of further violence, including a threat to their lives by their relatives. While an analysis of discriminatory family laws is difficult, it seems likely that some women may report violence in order to establish grounds for a divorce rather than with any serious expectation that they will be able to access justice. However, there is a “new kind of companionship, reflecting the rise in status of the young wife and children which is one of the great transformations of our time. There is now a new approach to equality between the sexes and though each has its peculiar role, its boundaries are no longer so rigidly defined, nor performed without consultation… man and wife are partners.”(Hughes & Fergusson 2005, p.50). It may be considered as the new shift in social transformation which empowers women to act along with her male companion in all family spheres and social activities rather than subjugating to male dominance. Bibliography 1. Hughes, Gordon & Fergusson, Ross., 2005. 2 nd Ed. Ordering Lives: Family, Work and Welfare . P.24. New York: Routledge. 2. Hughes, Gordon & Fergusson, Ross., 2005. 2 nd Ed. Ordering Lives: Family, Work and Welfare . P.25. New York: Routledge. 3. Kambarami, Maureen (2006). Culture, Femininity and sexuality South Africa : University of Fort Hare. Web. 4. Murdock, George P. The family as a universal social institution . [online]. Blacksacademy.net. Web. 5. Restoration of Biblical Patriarchy . (1997). what is Biblical, Patriarchy? [online]. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Deterrence in Criminal Justice Practices Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Law Enforcement 3. Judicial Practices 4. Correctional Practices 5. The Strongest and Weakest Area 6. Works Cited Introduction In deterrence, punishment is recognised as a warning, to prevent people from committing crimes. There are two assumptions used in deterrence. First, if specific punishments are imposed for particular crimes, the offenders are prevented or deterred from repeating the crimes. Second, other people will be afraid of committing crimes because of the impending punishment. The concept of deterrence is the foundation of criminal justice systems in a majority of democratic nations. Deterrence bears a wide array of implications in traditional criminal justice practices. Law Enforcement There are various law bodies involved in law enforcement. For instance, police agencies have a principal role in criminal law enforcement, hindering criminal activities, investigating whether criminal offenses have been committed, taking part in court proceedings, and apprehending offenders. In this regard, communities perceive that the police have substantial authority, which prevents criminal activities within the community. Sometimes, the police engage in patrols, which give the community the idea that it should uphold the law (Zimring and Gordon 30). Judicial Practices The judicial system is composed of various levels. The court system plays an extremely vital role during arrest, trial, and sentencing. Some probation services include pre-sentence investigations and supervision of convicted criminals. Correctional Practices In many countries, correctional institutions include parole, jails, prisons, and programs initiated by the community. The local and state government units are involved in correctional practices. In jails, prisoners are involved in pre-trial detentions, which make them fearful and straightforward during the trial. Moreover, prisoners are subjected to short sentences, which involve hard labour. Prisoners accused of ordinance violations are usually held in jails. Individuals charged with criminal offences are retained in lock-ups for forty-eight hours, before appearing in court. Prisoners who have served a particular portion of their jail term may be moved to paroles. The Strongest and Weakest Area Having discussed the implications of deterrence in law enforcement, judicial practices, and correctional practices, my take is that deterrence has exceptionally strong impacts on correctional practices. The rational-choice theory argues that a criminal perceives several things before engaging in crime. He first perceives that there is a likelihood of him being caught, the impending punishment, as well as the potential reward. Through an escalated severity of latent punishment, people are afraid of committing crimes (Thomas and Howard 49). In my opinion, law enforcement is the second area where the implications of deterrence have more impacts. Critics assert that before committing crimes, criminals never debate about probable punishment. Therefore, law enforcement is extremely vital. As discussed earlier, some of the law enforcement strategies include police patrols. Through police patrols, potential criminals may get the idea that there is tight security and, therefore, deterred from committing crimes. Law enforcement comes first. Through law enforcement, prisoners have fear instilled in them, concerning the impending punishment. Parole prevents murderers from killing again. It is worth pointing out that 99.9 percent of sentenced capital killers request for life in the absence of parole, rather than the death penalty (Duffee 56). On the other hand, the implications of deterrence are weakest in judicial practices. Basically, judicial systems are involved in establishing whether a criminal is innocent or not. The criminal is permitted to use a lawyer to defend him. Therefore, even though a person might have committed a crime, he may be released in case the lawyer wins. Works Cited Duffee, David. Explaining criminal justice: Community theory and criminal justice reform . Cambridge, MA: Oelgeschlager, Gunn & Hain, 2008. Print. Thomas, Winfree, and Howard Abadinsky. Understanding Crime: Essentials of Criminological Theory. New York: Elsevier, 2006. Print. Zimring, Franklin, and Gordon Hawkins. Deterrence: The legal threat in crime control . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
MedTrack Company’s Risks and Growth Case Study Introduction MedTrack is an organization based in the United States of America. The company deals majorly in designing, developing, and marketing information technology solutions to hospitals to assist in keeping better records on its assets. The technology also assists hospitals to keep better track of their drugs in the store. The introduction of advanced technology will further make the hospitals work more efficiently and effectively by saving time and resources. The company management strives to offer better products than its competitors who range from small start-up businesses to big organizations. This paper will focus on risks that MedTrack will face during its growth in the market. Analysis One of the risks that MedTrack faces is market risk. Market risk is the risk of losses that arises from the inconsistency of market prices. As the company grows, there are potential losses that amount due to market risks. MedTrack has invested billions of dollars with the aim of attracting more clients and securing a larger market share. To secure and maintain its market share, MedTrack had laid down both short term and long term objectives for customer satisfaction. The specific market objectives that MedTrack has set are to save the lives of patients in hospitals. All businesses are prone to losses from their investments. Losses experienced by businesses arise from inflation in commodity prices or a decline in the purchasing power of potential clients. The overall performance of the financial market has a great impact on the economy. Another risk the company is likely to face in the market is a competitive risk. Competitive risk is the probability of losses incurred from the decline in the competitiveness of a firm within the market. Market competitiveness is a situation where the buyers or the sellers do not have the potential to influence current market prices. MedTrack aims to achieve the bargaining power of customers. The company targets mid-sized hospitals that have the potential to invest with them by purchasing their products. The main strategy of the company to avert competitive risk is by providing quality services to its potential clients compared to other competitors. Through this practice, MedTrack shall secure a better market share because it intends to satisfy the needs of its customers by providing after-sales services. The major challenge the company faces is the fall of prices through economies of scale. The company, however, will further target small-sized hospitals, medium-sized hospitals, and small-business clinics to supply its products. In addition, the company also faces threats from new entrants in the market and rivalry among existing firms. One can also mention people’s risk. In every organization, the people offering services to enable its daily activities are the most important assets. People risk in an organization refers to the cost that an organization will incur because of the outcome of their deeds. People risk is one of the hardest risks to manage due to their nature and difference in cultural values. Employees are the most important and the most vulnerable people in an organizational setup. MedTrack risks losing its revenue through theft witnessed by its employees. The company also risks losing its revenue through external fraud from its clients and other people that transact business with the organization. Regulatory risk is another risk MedTrack confronts. It is the risk of a reduction in earnings resulting from failure to comply with the rules and regulations. Business companies should follow the law and form a legal department charged with the responsibility of solving business problems. MedTrack should come up with a legal framework that protects the image of the company. In addition, systematic risk should be mentioned. Systematic risk is the financial instability of a particular market. Systematic risk affects the entire market and not just a business organization. MedTrack cannot avoid systematic risk since it is not controllable. On top of that, MedTrack also faces financial risk. Financial risk is a loss in contributed shares by shareholders in a company that has debts. Financial risk occurs when a company becomes insolvent and settles debts of creditors before paying dividends of its shareholders. MedTrack considers making an offer to the public to purchase its shares as a means of raising more capital to boost its activities. The company also considers merging with an equivalent-sized company that offers the same products and services. Potential shareholders risk losing their investments for fear that the company might close down before paying off dividends. Finally, MedTrack confronts technology and operational risk. Operational risk is the risk realized through a change in the value caused by actual losses contributed by the failed internal processes. Operational risks also include privacy protection and environmental risks. Conclusion In conclusion, companies experience numerous risks and threats as they venture into the business field to invest their capital. All businesses strive to maximize their profits from the available resources at their disposal. Companies should come up with strategies to manage risks. This practice ensures that employees do not interfere with the daily operations of the company. Investors should also ensure that they perform adequate market research before settling for investments in their preferred areas. Through this practice, investors can receive a tangible return from their investments. Investors should have a good financial plan to ensure success. The good market research also enables researchers to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of a particular market. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Joint Technical Architecture Essay Joint Technical Architecture (JTA) facilitates and improves the system’s ability to maintain combined and joint operations in an investment strategy taken as a whole. The JTA is responsible for ensuring an interoperability of all strategic, tactical, and maintenance of systems. It also authorizes guidelines and standards for acquisition and system development that largely trims down development time and cost, as well as fielding time for enhanced systems (Gartner 2011). All this is achieved while ensuring that the effect on the program performance is minimized as much as possible. JAT was developed in 1997 by DoD with the aim of providing the least set of standards that ensured streaming of information which could guide the war fighter, when implemented (Perks and Beveridge 56). In order to ensure that the upcoming technologies are readily controlled by the future’s military systems, JTA is designed to impact on the standards-based product development that is produced by the industry. This architecture makes it possible for DoD to use commercial products since communication to the industry is enhanced, and use of open systems products and implementation is also improved. Consequently, acquisition of the best products and low cost strategy is achievable (Zachman 52). The components of JTA are budding and consist of interfaces, services areas, and standards that are compatible with the requirement of the DoD’s architecture. The DoD’s JTA version 3.0 encompasses information technology and its associated standards that enhance transmission of services or information across a functional, joint or organizational border. Information technology in this case may be taken to mean any system or equipment that can be applied for storage, mechanical acquisition, manipulation, management, movement, interchange, transmission, switching or reception of information. This includes communication systems, computers, software, and services, among other related resources (Zachman(b) 25). Although JTA is not responsible for the selection of a particular standard, it offers a variety of standards to select from. A selection methodology is notably used to accompany the progress of the standards profile for addition into a standard-based environment, which allows reusability and interoperability. The complementary methodology, which can be found in the DoD TRM, makes selection of appropriate standards very easy, hence enhancing support of system and operational architectural needs. The DoD JTA helps in development and acquisition of emerging and new systems in the choice of IT functionality. Only the new sets of authorized and emerging standards that have some interoperability significance are identified by the JTA. The commercial open systems technology determines the kind of standards to be contained in the JTA. Among the considerations that guides mandating of particular standards includes promotion of interoperability by improving combined or joint agency/service information transmission and joint activities support, technical implementation ability of the standard, and public availability which is evidenced by wide adoption and distribution of the standard, and consistency of the standard with the commanding sources such as policy, regulations and guidance documents (O’Rourke, Fishman, and Selkow 25). The technical architecture (TA) is a minimum set or standards, which guides the interaction, arrangement, and interdependence of components that ensure conformant systems meets specified set of requirements. The Systems Architecture (SA) is an explanation of interconnections and systems that offer supporting system functionality. Besides JTA, TOGAF is another architecture framework which is used today. JTA has close relationships with TOGAF. As the DoD attempted to solve the issues of interoperability in 1990s, the “Technical Architecture Framework For Information Management (TAFIM)” (Gregg 23), was commenced in 1992 with the aim of providing direction for the development of the DoD technical infrastructure. Although this framework did not offer particular system architecture, it offered services, design, standards, concepts, configurations and components that could help develop the technical architecture that possess a specific requirements objective. Currently, the TAFIM is considered outdated, due to emergence of other documents such as JTA. TRM version of the TAFIM is seemingly now part of the C4ISR framework, which is currently referred to as department of defense architecture framework. The open group architectural framework (TOGAF) which supports applications, building business, technology architecture and data has a technical reference model that offers classification of broad standard information base and platform services, which is concerned with open industry database standards. Transaction management framework makes an abstract technique upon a java platform. This abstraction, which is capable of functioning in all set ups of the java platform, is different from JTA which only supports global transactions and nested transactions, besides requiring an application server. Setting up of transactions system can be done through configuration without the need of applying JTA (Greta 26). The DoD instantiated C4ISR Architectural framework in 1996, with the aim of finding a direction for documenting system architecture which permits promotion of interoperability and comparability across services, projects and systems, for the agencies and contractors. To enhance this framework, it has been reviewed severally; hence reaching what is currently referred to as DOD Architecture Framework (DODAF). The objectives of JTA and C4ISR integrations task force suggestions was aimed at providing a strong basis to carry on with the improvement of DoD’s technical structure strategy (Zachman(a) 25). Works Cited Gartner . Enterprise Architecture. 2011. Web. Gregg, Kreizman. Gartner Enterprise Architecture Process: Evolution 2005 . New York, NY: Springer, 2005. Print. Greta, James. Handler, Anne Lapkin, and Nicholas Gall. Gartner Enterprise Architecture Framework . New York: sage, 2008. Print. O’Rourke, Carol, Neal Fishman, and Warren Selkow. Enterprise Architecture Using the Zachman Framework . Boston, MA: Course Technology, 2003. Print. Perks, Col, and Tony Beveridge. Guide to Enterprise IT Architecture . New York, NY: Springer, 2003. Print. Zachman(a), John. “A Framework for Information Systems Architecture.” IBM Systems Journal 26. 3 (1987): 23-29. Print. Zachman(b), John. The Framework for Enterprise Architecture: Background, Description and Utility. New York: Zachman Institute for Framework Advancement, 1996. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Boundary Issue in Professional Psychology Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Dual relationship 3. The challenges presented by the boundary issues 4. Power Imbalance 5. Impact and intent 6. Exploring professional boundaries 7. Conclusion 8. References Introduction Dual relationships in psychotherapy generally refer to “the situation in which multiple roles exist between a therapist and a client; for example when the client is also a student, friend, employee, family member, or associate of the therapist” (Lee, Jones, & Owens, 2011). In this paper, the concept of dual relationship and the challenges presented by the boundary issues in professional psychology are discussed. Dual relationship There are several rules and regulation guiding many professional codes of ethics on dual relationships, with some codes advocating against it while others are allowing it, but under some strict conditions. According to American Counseling Association (ACA), the concept of dual relationships relates to “three different types of relationships: sexual/romantic relationships, nonprofessional relationships and professional role change, with the first type being banned by the code of ethics due to the damage that can result.” The second category includes “activities that you may share or be involved with a client outside of the counseling context,” while the third type involves “changing from one type of counseling to another with one client and it can be very confusing and ethically compromising” (Kaplan, 2006). Most of the psychotherapist had been avoiding situations which might bring about a dual relationship since before it was banned or due to conditions accompanying it even if it would benefit the client. The revision of 2005 ACA Codes of Ethics allowed a dual relationship to exist only when it beneficial to the client, supervisee, student or research participant. The counselor should evaluate whether the dual relationship will be damaging or helpful to the client through a discussion with the party concerned and then the therapist should document this discussion in case of records along with the logic behind engaging in the relationship (Kaplan, 2006). The challenges presented by the boundary issues The professional/client relationship is defined by the boundaries, and these boundaries are limits that allow for a safe connection between you and your client and always based on your client’s needs rather than wants (Newman, 2007, P.9). The challenge presented by the boundary issues in professional psychology includes the following. Power Imbalance Power imbalances exist between the therapist and the client calling for professional boundaries between the two to be created. The power imbalance is created by a situation caused by the clients need for professional advice and knowledge from the therapist. This point of intersection creates inherent clients vulnerability, within which the client trusts that the therapist will do good and cause no harm to them; thus the therapist power is real, and their acceptance or non-acceptance of this reality will shape the relationship between them and their clients (Newman, 2007, P.9). Impact and intent The deep interpretation of the therapist intent is the major driving force determining what the client selects to do about the situation. The intent of the therapist words and action require proper recognition and understanding as they impact on the client and are vital in determining the direction of the boundary. Exploring professional boundaries The dual relationship is governed by codes of ethics, thus, for the therapist, he/she should tread cautiously when handling professional boundaries since any violation, or harm from the relationship places direct obligation and responsibility on him/her. Conclusion In psychotherapy field, the dual relationship is a very delicate issue which the therapist must treat with utmost caution since in case of any problem arising from the relationship the burden of the situation rest on the therapist with legal and career implications as a consequence. References Lee, D., Jones, R., & Owens, J. (2011). Dual Relationship and Boundaries Paper . Web. Kaplan, D. (2006). Allowing dual relationships. Web. Newman, C. (2007). Boundary Issues in the Professional/Client Relationship. Journal of Community Corrections. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Responsibility and Accountability Management Essay Introduction In any work place, management, responsibility, and accountability are indispensable terms. Employees have the responsibility of ensuring that they accomplish all duties assigned to them. To portray their responsibility, employees are obligated to try their best to deliver their assignments in a timely and professional manner. Management is an indication of power, where, managers have the authority to give orders to their subordinates and influence them to work according to their policies. Through all ways and means, the managers should have the power to influence their subordinate staff to obey them. Lastly, accountability is an act of being liable for one’s actions. Employees are answerable for their general performance, and the managers take accountability of the entire institution. Employees who fail to deliver their duties are accountable to their immediate supervisors. They have to explain the reasons as to why they were not able to perform as expected. Management, responsibility, and accountability are inter-related terms that apply in personal lives. This paper will try to relate the three terms to the lives of students in the university. Management, responsibility, and accountability in university students Universities are high-level educational institutions where students study to obtain educational degrees and do extensive researches. Students in the university meet and integrate with different people from all over the globe. The academic freedom in the university is immeasurable, and students have the supremacy to choose what is right for them. In many cases, university students are advised to be their own managers. They ought to be responsible and accountable for their own lives. Since they are their personal managers, students are in charge of their lives, where, they have the power to control themselves from participating in unethical behaviors. Good personal managers will control their choice of friends, their choice of actions, and their choice of direction in every incidence. On the other hand, poor managers are swayed by peer pressure. They will do things to please their friends regardless of the consequences of their actions. The reality is that poor managers will blame others for their misfortunes in the future; however, they ought to learn that everything that happens in their lives is a result of a choice that they made earlier. Responsibility is the foundational principle that obligates students to embrace the rightful behaviors that bring success and happiness in their entire life. Responsible students will always make the right choices in any dilemmatic situation. In a case where students have to choose between going for entertainment and going for classes, a responsible student would opt to attend classes and forego the entertainment session. Responsible people will experience the joy of being able to control their lives, and they will make the right choices because they are aware that they will account for everything that they choose to do. Responsible people will take time to listen to their heart and mind. They will foresee the consequences of an action, and thereby make the best choice of all the possible alternatives. Accountability is a moral principle that will obligate university students to do the right thing at the right time. Responsible students who fail a test can account for their poor performance, whereas irresponsible students cannot have the basis to give significant reasons behind their failure. Responsible students will always account for the time that they stayed in school, while irresponsible students will have wasted some considerable time in school. Missing classes is a customary thing in the university. Some students may miss classes occasionally due to unavoidable circumstances; however, others miss classes for lame excuses, and they cannot account for the time lost. Students who have a habit of missing classes are irresponsible of their own lives. They will always blame the lecturers and their peers for their poor performance in exams. Essentially, irresponsible students will tend to declare that every misfortune in their life is someone else’s fault. However, they usually realize their mistakes when it is too late. Cases have happened where some university students fail to graduate in time for various reasons. In most incidences, the underlying reason is the lack of authority, responsibility, and accountability of one’s life. Conclusion In real life, there is no particular corrective measure to influence authority, responsibility, and accountability of personal life. However, the manner of upbringing children, and the environment in which children are raised are somewhat related to the ability of children to take responsibility for their own lives. Therefore, parents should learn to nurture their children responsibly, and they should advise them in every step of their lives. From one time to another, children should attend guidance and counseling classes to obtain some mentorship. Students should have a role model, and they should learn to work towards attaining what their role models have achieved. Lastly, university students should learn to take responsibility for their lives. They should learn to stand by their feet, refuse to do things because of peer pressure, and most importantly, they should learn to be accountable for all their actions. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Urology Diagnostics and Palpation Findings Essay Table of Contents 1. Differential Diagnoses 2. Final Diagnosis 3. Specific Palpation Findings 4. References Differential Diagnoses The first differential diagnosis was urinary tract infection. I was able to identify tenderness in the suprapubic area. I associated this finding with burning micturition and checked for the signs of fever and chills. To check for acute right-sided pyelonephritis, I examined Jerome to find if there was tenderness at his right costovertebral angle. Urine microscopy did not validate the presence of bacteria, and I moved on to the next differential diagnosis. Jerome did not have a history of peptic ulcer disease, but I focused on his pains and the intensity of the latter. His pains were rather abrupt and could be located in the right lower quadrant of the patient’s abdomen. The last differential diagnosis was right-sided ureteric stone. Due to the severe nature of Jerome’s pains, I decided to test this diagnosis as well. Even though one of the typical characteristics of right-sided ureteric stones is the absence of fever, I continued the examination. Urinalysis did not show any signs of blood. Abdominal x-rays did not identify any stones in the abdominal area, which led me to the final diagnosis. Final Diagnosis The final diagnosis was based on three key aspects. First, Jerome had serious abdominal pain. Knowing that appendicitis is commonly associated with an aching pain in the abdomen because of either an inflamed or swollen appendix, it was easy to conclude that Jerome’s abdominal wall was irritated (Ehrman & Favot, 2017). When I found sharp pain in the right lower part of the patient’s abdomen, I was almost sure that Jerome had appendicitis. The fact that it was a severe abdominal pain significantly contributed to the final diagnosis because it was characterized as much duller than the pain that could be observed at that time when the symptoms had merely started. The second aspect was a mild fever observed in the patient. Commonly, appendicitis can trigger a fever between 99.5F and 100.5F. Knowing that Jerome had chills and abdominal pains, it was easy to conclude that he had appendicitis. In this case, if his appendicitis busted, Jerome would be exposed to a fever greater than 101.5F and an increased heart rate (Shogilev, Duus, Odom, & Shapiro, 2014). Third, I paid special attention to Jerome’s digestive distress. Based on the fact that some of the symptoms included nausea and vomiting, it was almost apparent that Jerome had appendicitis. He felt like he could not eat and lost appetite. This led to constipation and obstruction of Jerome’s bowel. After connecting the dots, I concluded that Jerome had appendicitis and had to be treated as soon as possible. Specific Palpation Findings Several palpation areas helped me to make several important conclusions. First, I palpated the left lower quadrant of appendicitis and identified both conventional and rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant. Another type of tenderness that was identified was its flank variation. Even though it could relate to renal pathology, I decided that it was a sign of appendicitis in the patient. These palpation findings supported the fact that Jerome complained about pain in both the hip and knee when he performed internal rotation of the right leg. The extension of the right hip also gave a positive sign of inflammation in the appendix. Combined, these findings led to the conclusion that Jerome had appendicitis. References Ehrman, R. R., & Favot, M. J. (2017). Can abdominal ultrasonography be used to accurately diagnose acute appendicitis? Annals of Emergency Medicine , 70 (4), 583-584. Shogilev, D. J., Duus, N., Odom, S. R., & Shapiro, N. I. (2014). Diagnosing appendicitis: Evidence-based review of the diagnostic approach in 2014. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine , 15 (7), 859. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Doctorate of Nursing Practice Research Paper Table of Contents 1. Career Description 2. Opportunities in Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) 3. Pros and Expectations 4. Cons 5. Position Availability 6. Bibliography Career Description Information on a career is necessary for trainees and job seekers as it enhances understanding of different careers. Knowledge of individuals is necessary when seeking a job. To get this knowledge, a career description is crucial. With well-defined descriptions of various careers individuals can learn what is expected from them, functions and positions of the career, opportunities in the field, the qualifications required to practice, opportunities and threats in the field as well as the positions available in the field. Nursing is involved with many roles depending on the type of nurse. These roles include the provision of primary health care, research, provision of mental health services, supervision, making decisive plans, diagnosing and prescription, and education to the public among others. After graduation, I want to be involved in the doctorate of nursing practice, since I am advancing my nursing degree. I am morally responsible, I am kind, thorough in my duties, considerate, and self-disciplined; characters that will enable me to effectively help the sick and injured out of pain, and participate in promoting quality healthcare. Since the field is involved leadership and providing primary health care to the sick and injured, my character trait together with the knowledge, experience, and skills I have achieved during the learning course, I can easily and effectively help the sick and the injured people to recover, and participate in enhancing quality health. Opportunities in Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurses in DNP have an advanced nursing degree. They have a greater focus on evidence-based practice and leadership which is involved in immediate impact on the delivery of quality health care. Only a few nurses at the doctoral level have the skills to transform the practice environment to get immediate impact, which is an opportunity in the field, creating extensive opportunities for graduates in doctoral nursing practice. An advanced nursing degree is required to practice as DNPs. During the education, the doctoral program ensures the trainees have covered applied research, human biological sciences, direct healthcare health policies, and health clinical leadership (FITZPATRICK, 2003, pp. 37). Pros and Expectations Doctoral nursing practice is an acceptable and available option in education where nurses are exposed to extensive professional opportunities, to meet future healthcare demands. The degree advances clinical nursing skills with subsequent advancement of leadership skills and improvement in the delivery of healthcare. These nurses are flexible, can balance the desired focus towards healthcare leadership, direct practice, and other competencies. People expect nurses with practice doctorate to provide primary healthcare and apply leadership skills in hospitals and other healthcare facilities effectively, since their knowledge, and skills are advanced (MCEWEN & BECHTEL, 2000, pp. 290). Cons People in society use traditional terminologies such as physicians and midwives when referring to nurses. They have equal consideration despite the level of education and achievements These nurses are usually involved with the most challenging duties, as they deal with precious human life which requires consciousness, accuracy, and reliability. Position Availability There are many positions for nurses with an advanced degree in nursing. Their skills in primary healthcare and leadership make them get employment in governmental and private hospitals, healthcare facilities as primary healthcare providers, or as leaders, and in education departments. Unlike other nurses, these nurses have a number of choices from which they can practice and earn for their living (MARION, 2000). Bibliography Fitzpatrick, J. (2003). Clinical Doctorate in Nursing Case. Reflect Nurs Leadership Perspect , 1.9, 37. Marion, L. (2000). ‘Nursing’s Vision for Primary Health Care.’ Washington, DC: ANA. Mcewen, M., and Bechtel, G. (2000). ‘Characteristics of Nursing Doctoral Programs’. J Prof Nurs . 16, 288-292. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Middle Eastern Geography and Culture Essay How does geography affect culture? The geographical location of any given society close to certain physical features may shape the social life of people. In the ancient African culture, some of the people associated mountains, trees, or hills to their Gods and their cultural practices. In extreme cases, some people, like the Africans, believed that the forest appeared where God stayed. As a result, some of them believe that the forest should never be cut down, and they go to the extent of protecting it against poachers and other forms of destruction. This fact shaped their beliefs in relation to moral upbringing and coexistence. The modernity of society critically influences the way people associate things. In the urban centers, there is a tendency among the youth to follow fashion and copy the way celebrities dress and behave themselves. In the course of time, their beliefs, as well as social values, may be changed as they want to copy behaviors they see in movies. It may further be determined how the youth relate to other people either positively or negatively. This may also influence the culture of the local people depending on the aspirations of young individuals. On the other hand, when people migrate from one location to another one, they may be assimilated through socialization. As a result, they may find themselves being influenced either through peer group influence or due to their own need to belong to a certain social class. Consequently, they may change their beliefs as well as social values in order to fit a specific social group. The geographical location influences the way people wear clothes. This may be observed by the way the Eskimos dress so heavily due to the excessive cold found in their area of origin. On the other hand, most people who live along with the cost dress scantily due to the hot weather. This has the effect of determining their cultural beliefs, either directly or indirectly. Can you think of any way that the unique geography of the Middle East may have affected the cultures of the Middle East? The Middle East is mainly associated with the desert and religion of the Muslims. This fact has stifled their cultural values being mostly associated with the Arab world. In the desert, people live in an extremely harsh environment, and as a result, they get used to hardship throughout their lives. Due to these conditions, people hold so much to what they believe in the extent of giving up their lives in suicide missions. This issue may be evident by the high number of suicide bomb attacks observed in the Arabic countries believing that they are fighting for their rights 1 . Besides, the desert environment has highly influenced the religion of society, which could be observed by the firm loyalty in what they believe. In the Middle East, one could see that most people are strictly religious. It is very rear for someone to influence the Arabic population against their religion, with most of them have built a strong foundation since the time when they were young. 2 According to the harsh environment, most of them have to wear a long piece of clothing they call a ‘kanzu.’ This is a long dress that covers the whole body by allowing free circulation of air underneath. The nature of the desert weather also affects the type of games they are engaged in. Most of the games played in the desert are highly related to its nature. This will always have a great influence on the life of children throughout their childhood and adult life. With the course of time, the culture of an individual will have been shaped to a given degree. In relation to the strong and harsh environment of the desert, most of these people have very strict and strong cultural beliefs 3 . How does an understanding of Middle Eastern geography affect the way we think about the Middle East? Due to specific natural conditions of the most parts of the Middle East, in particular dry and hot air, Arabic life creates the impression to be an actual hardship for the majority of people. The Arabs and most of the population living in the Middle Eastern region of the world are perceived to be people who are hardened due to their environment. However, the presence of oil in their countries has greatly helped them to solve most of their problems. In addition to that, the environment determines their manner of language and how they behave in the society in general. Apart of that, the hard environment could be the reason due to which most of the people in the Arabic world have very hard and strong beliefs which cannot be changed under any conditions. The specific Middle Eastern environment is also closely associated with the perception of destruction and inhumanity taking into consideration their actions on the world arena, for example, how they are associated with the suicide bombing and terrorism. Bibliography Lowenstein, Michael. Human Geography . New York: Penguin publishers, 2003. Moore, Geoffrey. Population Growth And culture. Illinois: Johnston Publishers, 2000. Pearson, Bryan. Geography And The Society. San Francisco: Brooks publishers, 2012. Footnotes 1. Lowenstein, Michael. Human Geography . New York: Penguin Publishers, 2003. 2. Moore, Geoffrey. Population Growth And culture. Illinois: Johnston Publishers, 2000. 3. Pearson, Bryan. Geography And The Society. San Francisco: Brooks publishers, 2012. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Magic of the Family Meal Essay In her article The Magic of the Family Meal , Nancy Gibbs discusses the importance of family meals. In particular, the author argues that they can improve the relations between parents and their children. Overall, it is possible to agree with this argument; however, one should bear in mind that family meals bring benefits only in those cases when children sense that parents genuinely care about them. Provided that this feeling is not present, they are not likely to affect the wellbeing of families. Overall, Nancy Gibbs provides convincing evidence that confirms the importance of family meals. The writer believes that they can be viewed as civilizing moments during which children learn behavioral norms and values. Moreover, in this way parents can learn more about the possible problems that children can face in school. So, these experiences can be important for every member of the family. The main role is that they help to promote communication between parents and children Nevertheless, this effect can be achieved provided that parents know what their children value and what they need. For instance, such meals may not necessarily help families in which domestic violence takes place very often. Similarly, they will be useless in those cases, when parents constantly quarrel with one another or vent their spleen on children. Under such circumstances, children will only avoid family meals in every possible way. This is the main issue that parents should keep in mind. So, family meals are important for the socialization of children and their wellbeing. Yet, they may not bring any improvements if there is certain conflict between parents. So, people should not assume that such events will automatically help families. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Microsoft Corporation’s Acquisition of Nokia Case Study The Microsoft Corporation purchased the Nokia phone business in 2014 for approximately $7.2 billion. Although Nokia could be labeled as a profitable business during that time, it was a downstream customer for Microsoft. Thus, it was unclear whether the deal was beneficial for Microsoft since Nokia was not even a leader in the mobile phone industry. The issue that Microsoft had to resolve was the negotiation process between the companies as the negotiators were from different cultural origins: Microsoft is an American company, while Nokia is a European (Finnish) one. What is more, the strategies and aims of both companies were different: while Microsoft was trying to become present in the mobile phone market, Nokia wanted to be provided with a serious capital that could help it deal with expensive operations and productions. However, it should be noted that negotiations between the two companies took place before Microsoft acquired Nokia: in 2011, the Windows 7 Platform was presented on Nokia phones. At first, the companies only cooperated to develop new devices and products. Only three years after the first cooperation Nokia was purchased by Microsoft. This decision implies that this type of partnership was profitable for both companies at first. Another problem of these negotiations is the fact that companies often do not see their counterparts as individuals; thus, one of the companies (Nokia) had to abandon its identity to receive benefits from the synergetic deal. However, as it can be seen from the case study, Windows phones were not as popular as it was expected and did not bring Microsoft visible presence and recognition in the mobile phone market, where Apple and Android were the main leaders. While the deal might appear as unprofitable at first, it may present some benefits in the long run. Nevertheless, Microsoft is not the first company that chose to purchase a “downstream customer” in order to target a new market where the corporation was not present. Acquiring a company that is not a leader anymore can be a risky decision, and, in Microsoft’s case, it led to a reduction in the value of the company. Moreover, it also brought little benefit to Nokia, although the Finnish company had expected other outcomes. While Microsoft tried to resurrect the former leader in the mobile phone market, Nokia experienced losses and thousands of job cuts due to Microsoft’s workforce management policy in 2014. Thus, the deal was not as profitable as both companies had expected. One question remains to be answered: why did Microsoft decide to involve in this deal if it was clear that the deal was not profitable? On the one hand, this deal was unlikely to harm Microsoft’s core business. On the other hand, the corporation tried to present a new product (Windows Phone) by purchasing a (once stable) company in decline – not an entirely new approach. It can work if the odds are in your favor. However, as it can be seen, Windows Phone cannot compete with iPhones and Android devices, and Microsoft’s presence in the smartphone market is still relatively small. Android is capable of expanding because this operating system can be installed on multiple devices from various manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Lenovo, Huawei, etc.). Windows 7 and 8 for mobile phones are mostly used on Nokia smartphones that cannot compete with Samsung, not to mention other companies. Thus, Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia was unprofitable. It is possible to assume that this deal will bring more additional losses in the future. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Planning Tools Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. S.W.O.T. Analysis 3. Portfolio Analysis 4. References Introduction Strategic analysis is a crucial tool in modern management, as it provides managers with the ideas, models, and methods to make the most appropriate strategic decisions for their companies. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis (S.W.O.T. analysis) aims at identifying strong and weak features of a corporation and at putting them in relation with a range of opportunities and threats: a clear depiction of the factual situation eases strategic decision-making remarkably. Portfolio analysis refers to an approach that represents the various business elements of a multi-business company graphically, with the goal of assessing the maximum outcome for a given level of risk (Grant, 2016). This paper will discuss some aspects of the S.W.O.T. and portfolio analysis, highlighting similarities and differences. S.W.O.T. Analysis The idea of assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to predict the possible outcomes of a corporate strategy about a given objective dates back to a corpus of researches conducted during the 1960s and the 1970s. The grounding principle of the S.W.O.T. analysis states that the performance of an economic agent whose target is a specific objective is influenced by the interactions between the management, the distinctive features of the agent itself, and the scenario where the agent is supposed to perform (Bull et al., 2016). Analyzing strong and weak sides of a company and relating them to the external factors that might affect the desired outcome provides a versatile tool that can be utilized in several ways, including to identify the best solution to achieve an objective, to solve a problem, and to highlight priorities on the basis of strengths and weaknesses. Portfolio Analysis The economist Harry Markowitz introduced the Modern Portfolio Theory in 1952. Portfolio analysis refers to a complex management process aimed at identifying the objectives of investment, quantifying capital market expectations, choosing the asset mix, formulating portfolio strategy, and selecting securities, and implementing the portfolio (Chandra, 2017). The value and composition of a portfolio need to be re-balanced periodically depending on the fluctuations of the market. Similarly, the performance of a portfolio should be assessed on a regular basis to understand if the return of the investment is proportionate to the risks. Substantially, Portfolio analysis is a quantitative methodology that allows managers to determine the most suitable asset mix through a series of measurable terms which consent to define the return and risk of an investment. The process is based on mathematical equations whose variables derive from historical data and future prospects. However, a certain degree of uncertainty in prospects makes Portfolio analysis a theoretical model, with some inherent risks in its implementation. S.W.O.T. analysis and Portfolio analysis represent two different approaches to contemporary strategy analysis. The former offers a flexible tool to understand the actual status of a company concerning a specific target; the latter consents to the definition of a portfolio through a series of mathematical formulas. To be truly effective, both approaches require periodical revising, implementing, and evaluating. However, S.W.O.T. analysis seems to be more grounded in reality: the definition of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats takes into consideration both internal and external variables, allowing managers to make decisions based on reliable info. On the other hand, Portfolio analysis suggests investment decisions based on empirical processes which foresee future outcomes derived from historical data. However, they might fail to consider more recent fluctuations, data, and tendencies in the economic market. References Bull, J. W., Jobstvogtb, N., Böhnke-Henrichsc, A., Mascarenhasd, A., Sitase, N., Baulcomb, C., … Koss, R. (2016). Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats: A SWOT analysis of the ecosystem services framework. Ecosystem Service, 17 , 99-111. Chandra, P. (2017). Investment analysis and portfolio management. Chennai, India: McGraw Hill Education. Grant, R. M. (2016). Contemporary strategy analysis. Text and cases (9th ed.). Chichester, UK: Wiley. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Syndrome of Chronic Heart Failure Essay Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a syndrome of various diseases of the cardiovascular system, leading to a decrease in the pumping function of the heart, chronic hyperactivation of neurohormonal systems. This is manifested by shortness of breath, palpitations, increased fatigue, limited physical activity, and excessive fluid retention in the body. Chronic heart failure is not an independent disease because it is a complication. This is the outcome of cardiac conditions that disrupt the anatomy and function of the heart. Therefore, an important task facing a doctor who suspects or diagnosed a patient with CHF is to determine its cause. Although the treatment of CHF syndrome is universal, the effect on its cause can vary significantly depending on the segment of the population. Patients with CHF of ischemic etiology need pharmacotherapy aimed at eliminating the symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Thus, the most vulnerable groups are Hispanics with elevated risk levels in regards to the given disease. The main purpose of the research paper is to analyze and investigate national differences in congestive heart failure rates among a wide range of groups on the basis of gender and race. The research was designed in a qualitative manner by deriving the essential data from statistical measurements. The sample was comprised of 4300 hospitals, which provided the recorded yearly rates of heart failures (Ziaeian et al., 2017). In total, the authors overviewed approximately 7 to 8 million individuals, who were the key data elements of the institutions. Therefore, the data collection methods were systematic, where an array of measured records were utilized in order to assess the key differences. The results suggest that Hispanics were the highest risk groups in terms of suffering from congestive heart failure, and it is especially true in regards to women of the given category (Ziaeian et al., 2017). The primary strength of the study is the sheer size of the sample and the statistical significance of the findings. The main limitation of the paper is the fact that the results are possibly outdated due to the heavy focus on 2002 and 2013 (Ziaeian et al., 2017). However, the application of the paper can be manifested in more specific studies concerning high heart failure rates among Hispanics. In addition, one can also advocate for policy changes and practice renewals in regard to nursing in order to meet the needs of the vulnerable groups. It is important to consider the fact that the current trends and heart failure dynamics might also become risk factors for deadly viruses, which is especially critical in the context of the pandemic. In conclusion, the study provides invaluable information on population-wide patterns on the basis of ethnicity, race, and gender. Although gender differences are significant, the major finding is manifested in the fact that Hispanics are prone to suffer from CHF. One might not be able to point to a specific contributing factor because there is a combination of issues. In addition, it is also necessary to take into account the older age of women with manifest CHF. Thus, the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in women and Hispanics is associated both with the peculiarity of the heart’s reaction to damaging factors and with the gender characteristics of the spread of CHF depending on age. Thus, the study of these factors as possible predictors of clinical outcome in CHF in women is an urgent task. Reference Ziaeian, B., Kominski, G. F., Ong, M. K., Mays, V. M., Brook, R. H., & Fonarow, G. C. (2017). National differences in trends for heart failure hospitalizations by sex and race/ethnicity. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 10 (7), 1-23. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Immigrant Yifeng Chang in Jen’s “Typical American” Essay When Yifeng Chang first arrives in the US, he has left behind him a pair of anxious parents to come and study engineering. The process of uprooting himself from China and rerooting himself in the US is hypothetically completed in his case by the first thing he does when he arrives at the school. He looks for an American name and asks the students’ foreign affairs secretary to help him to get one. He sheds off his Chinese name and starts a new life in the US as Ralph, trying to root himself into a society that is radically different from his own. He awkwardly falls in love with the secretary and commences a journey to Americanize himself while at the same time living in fear. This is because he forgets to renew his visa. Thus, he fears being taken back home to Manchuria, where the communist government has taken over, and his parents are missing. In his quest for a better life both for himself and his family, he has a set of six goals. Some of the goals are to cultivate virtue, honor his family, and avoid falling into temptations of women. He soon, however, realizes that rerooting himself in a new county is not as easy as he had imagined since he feels completely alone, especially after the communist takeover sundered his connections with his parents. This is a common challenge that faces many immigrants, and they have to uproot themselves from their dominant cultures and reroot in new western beliefs and customs. This process is often complicated and challenging, especially since they are often isolated from the larger community. He is rescued from despair when he miraculously finds his sister. She introduces him to her friend, who later becomes his wife. After the acquisition of his newfound social capital, Ralph gets his life back on track and completes college all through while transforming himself into a typical American. Although he had initially been skeptical of the American dream, he gradually embodies it after he completes his doctorate. He becomes a tenured professor, buys a home, and has two daughters. However, in the process of realizing this dream, he and his family gradually abandon their Chinese values and beliefs. Still in pursuit of the much-touted ‘American independence and entrepreneurship,’ he abandons his career to start a take-away chicken business after being persuaded by his friend Grover Ding Shady, a billionaire businessperson. This results in a short-lived success that ultimately becomes the ruin of his financial stability and nearly tears his family apart. The family structure, which is possibly the only union characterized by Chinese virtue, is destroyed beyond hope or repair. He abuses his freedom that made him not to realize his dreams in America. In conclusion, as Bharati Mukherjee explains, most of the immigrants to American will try to do whatever it takes to adopt the new culture. However, these changes are two-sided since they will also have some effects on the appearance and psychological makeup of the US. The impact of a Chinese enterprise is underscored in the narration. However, in this case, the attempt by Ralph to open a ‘Chinese shop’ failed. The fact that there are so many of these in the US is evidence that Chinese immigrants have had a profound impact on America’s businesses and even culinary habits. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Cybercrime and Cyber-related crimes Essay The introduction of modern telecommunication networks has come with great benefits to the modern society. However, the embracement of computer technology has come with disadvantages that cannot be ignored. The introduction of computer technology has created room for cyber crimes and cyber related crimes that have caused many people pain and losses to the society. According to the reports submitted by researchers and scholars on the negative effects of computer technology, it is evident that the innovation has come with numerous negative social impacts. Cyber crime refers to all the offences that are committed to another person or a group of people with a motive of harming them emotionally, physically and economically (Rothman and Mosmann 56). Cyber crimes are normally committed using modern telecommunication devices and networks such as mobile phones, computers, internet, emails, chat rooms and social sites among others. All these crimes are committed through the use of a computer and a network. The cyber crimes and cyber related crimes have become a social threat in the modern societies and in fact in some countries they have become a threat to the state security, health and financial systems. According the recent research by a group of experts from the developed countries, some of the major cybercrimes and cyber related crimes that have become so common include online child grooming, child pornography, cracking of software without the permission of the owner and Pirating intellectual properties among others. The embracement of computer technology has also contributed to the cyber related crimes such as invasion of privacy, loss of confidential information, financial theft, espionage and other cross border crimes. States have also contributed to the cyber crimes by involving in practices such as cyber warfare among others (Rothman and Mosmann 97). From the above examples, it is evident that, regardless of the fact that the innovation of computer technology has come with numerous benefits, it has also contributed to numerous negative social impacts that cannot go unmentioned. Cyber criminals have caused a lot of social injustices that need to be addressed and probable solutions suggested. For instance, children have been harassed through the internet, others subjected to pornography and other unfit information by cyber criminals. Consequently, this has ruined their morals and has introduced children to immoral behavior such as premarital sex and drug abuse (Rothman and Mosmann 128). Many people have been subjected to physical harm, emotional harm and economic harm as a result of cyber crime and cyber related crimes. People have had their online accounts hacked valuable information stolen and used to cause more harm to them or their family members. In some situations, marriages and relationships have been broken due to the use of information lost through cyber crimes. Both government and non-government organizations have also lost confidential information and money through cyber crimes and cyber related crimes. The society has lost its morals as the results of computer technology and the young people are now exposed to dangers such as involvement in terrorism, drug abuse, early sex and other practices that not only degrade their morals but also subject them to health risks. It is worth noting that the end result of cyber crimes is social injustices, social imbalances and moral erosion among the modern societies. It is therefore crucial to ensure that strategies are established to end cyber crimes and cyber related crimes. Works Cited Rothman, Stanley, and C. Mosmann. Computers and society: The technology and its social Implicati ons. New York, NY, United States: Science Research Associate, 2007. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
One can see that Psychology is closely related to human behavior. And it focuses upon the actions of brain and nervous system. To learn more about brain, right brain/left brain specialization and the study of functioning of brain is important. The book Forty Studies that Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research, Sixth Edition by Roger R Hock explores the mysteries behind human mind and behavior. Now, one is to be able to identify that there is a close connection between human behavior and human brain. The first chapter of the foretold book is based upon a study conducted by Gazzaniga M.S. tries to disclose the functioning of human brain. It can be seen that the left part of our brain controls right side of our body and the right part of our brain controls left right side of our body. So it is evident that two parts of the brain perform different functions. The split brain conducted by Roger W. Sperry reveals that there exists a communication between two hemispheres of the brain. So as to understand more about the functioning of the human brain, one must try to understand human behavior, intellectual development, and the changes that happen in the brain during sexual responding etc. Roger R Hock is able to define all these through the book Forty Studies that Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research, Sixth Edition. It is pointed out that the book is helpful to understand human behavior. “explains forty of the most influential studies that have shaped our understanding of human behavior during psychology’s brief history.” (Hock 2008, p.1). To understand human behavior it is important to know deep about the functioning of the brain. It is evident that left part of brain controls the ability to use language and the right part of the brain controls spatial relationships. The result of the research was that the participants demonstrated many unusual mental abilities. The method of the research was so complicated and it aimed to explore mental and perceptual capacities of the patient. Three tests were conducted and the first test was designed to examine visual abilities, second was to test tactile (touch) simulation and third was to test auditory abilities. The research was able to prove that two different brains exist with each person’s cranium, with complex abilities. This research was able to reveal the misery behind psychological disorders like dissociative, multiple personality disorder etc. There were criticisms regarding the result of this research. The idea of right/left specification of the brain was not so easy to prove in front of physiologists and psychologists. The significance of the research is that it was able to prove through experiments that the brain is divided into two and these two halves have many special skills and functions. Moreover, the study conducted by Gaazzaniga was able to prove that the division in human brain will not result the change in intelligence, personality and emotions. Before summing up, the relation between human behavior and human brain is not fully exposed and future study in the fields of human psychology and physiology may reveal more facts about human brain. The problem headed by psychologists and scientists while studying about human brain is that morality and medical ethics is against the study of brain which is alive. To study the functioning of brain, it must be alive. So, beyond these moral and ethical restrictions, new researchers like Roger R Hock are able to reveal more about human brain. It is to be expected that research in the field of brain mapping and the functioning of brain may reveal more about the complex relation between the process of thought and functioning of human brain. Works Cited Hock Roger R. Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Explorations Into The History of Psychological Research . Alibris. 2008. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Alrajhi Capital and Arcapita Announced 500 Million Funds Report “Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announced launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund” (“Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announce launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund”). Both companies will collaborate and, join their skill sets and resources, to obtain efficiency and competitive advantage over other operating real estate funding companies in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. This step was taken following satisfactory performance of Saudi Arabia during economic downturn.” Simultaneously, Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announced the completion of the first acquisition for the fund, the largest logistics and distribution center in Riyadh” (“Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announce launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund”). “Al Rajhi Capital will serve as fund manager for the fund. Deal sourcing and execution capability will be provided to the fund manager by a newly-formed real estate advisor, jointly owned by Arcapita and Al Rajhi Capital” (“Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announce launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund”). Investors, attracted to booming real estate developments in gulf countries, are also now focusing on less risky and stable economies. Saudi Arabia managed to generate profits during the downturn and, its effective sustenance has reinforced investor’s interest. This has been an advantage for funding agencies in Saudi Arabia. “Arcapita targets sectors that demonstrate strong growth potential supported by fundamental trends such as shifts in demographic trends or changes in supply chain management such as just-in-time delivery” (“Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announce launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund”). Strong hold of both companies on the market and the rising market potential gives a base for success of this merger. Al Rajhi Bank is in the process of expanding its operations extensively with a plan of “90 new branches in 3 years” (“Al Rahji Bank to Open 90 New Branches in 3 Years”) and this merger is another step in its expansion. “Our alliance with Al Rajhi Capital is an excellent fit, and Al Rajhi Capital’s extensive network in Saudi Arabia provides an excellent deal-sourcing capability”(“ Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announce launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund”). Works cited “Al Rajhi Capital and Arcapita announce launch of USD 500 million real estate income fund.”. Arcapita.com . Arcapita, n.p, 2010. Web. “Al Rahji Bank to Open 90 New Branches in 3 Years”. blog.taragana.com . PR Hub, 2010. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
It is a type of MI, where the coronary artery is fully blocked (Mesas et al., 2018). The infarction extends from the endocardium to the pericardium, causing chest pain, dyspnea, dizziness, nausea, sweating, and anxiety (Kingma, 2018). The movement of the pain from the chest area to the left arm is another symptom of infarction, as there exist neuronal connections to intercostobrachial nerves (Kingma, 2018). The physical examination shows tachycardia and the presence of jugular venous distention (JVD), which suggests the setting of a right ventricular infarction (Kingma, 2018). The patient’s complaints align with the description of STEMI. NSTEMI The diagnosis of a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is also possible, as it appears similar to STEMI in symptoms. During an NSTEMI, the patient may experience shortness of breath, chest pain and tightness and its movement to other body parts, dizziness and nausea, and sweating (Kingma, 2018). An electrocardiogram (ECG) distinguishes STEMI and NSTEMI, as the latter shows ST depression and T-wave inversion (Mesas et al., 2018). This condition is characterized by the partial blockage of the coronary artery, where the infarction occurs closer to the endocardium (McCance & Huether, 2018). However, due to the elevated pulse and JVD, the risk of STEMI is increased, making the diagnosis of NSTEMI less suitable. Acute Coronary Syndrome The third differential diagnosis for the case is Acute Coronary Syndrome. According to McCance and Huether (2018), ACS occurs when the plaque that partially obstructs coronary blood flow is unstable or with rupture or ulceration (Zègre‐Hemsey et al., 2018). ACS is a range of conditions that include transient ischemia and unstable angina. In this case, unstable angina is a precursor to MI, and it is a result of reversible myocardial ischemia. The pathophysiology of ACSs implies that the thrombus occludes the vessel temporarily before irreversible damage (myocardial necrosis) occurs. The symptoms include chest pain, discomfort, dyspnea, and sweating. Low blood pressure is also an indicator of unstable angina, but it is also characteristic of both STEMI and NSTEMI (Kingma, 2018; Zègre‐Hemsey et al., 2018). Thus, acknowledging the severity of the patient’s symptoms, this differential diagnosis is not the first one. Myocytes During the progression of MI, myocytes die in the ischemic zone, as the thrombus causes the stoppage of blood flow, which leads to myocardial necrosis (Wang et al., 2018). Moreover, many myocytes die due to apoptosis, a regulated process of removing damaged cells (Wang et al., 2018). This death is followed by inflammation and subsequent risk of blockage (Wang et al., 2018). The symptoms of chest pain, inflammation, and edema suggest that myocytes were affected. Blood Pressure The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system responds to low blood pressure by releasing renin into the bloodstream (Ames et al., 2019). Then, renin splits angiotensin into angiotensin I and II, the latter of which causes arterioles’ muscular walls to constrict. This increases blood pressure, while the hormone also causes a reaction with aldosterone and vasopressin for the kidneys to retain more sodium and fluids (Ames et al., 2019). As a result, the blood volume and pressure increase further. This process might be harmful to the patient if he experienced MI, as it can contribute to ischemia (Ames et al., 2019). Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure Decompensated heart failure (DHF) is characterized by dyspnea, swelling of the lower extremities, and fatigue (Tripoliti et al., 2017). The patient’s physical examination shows jugular venous distension, 3+pitting edema bilaterally, as well as crackles in the lungs, which aligns with the symptoms of DHF – MI may have led to DCH. Finally, the complaints of nausea, weakness, and distress also connect to heart failure, although they are common in infarction (Tripoliti et al., 2017). References Ames, M. K., Atkins, C. E., & Pitt, B. (2019). The renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system and its suppression . Journal of veterinary internal medicine , 33 (2), 363-382. Web. Kingma, J. G. (2018). Myocardial infarction: An overview of STEMI and NSTEMI physiopathology and treatment . World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases , 8 (11), 498-517. Web. McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2018). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8 th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. Mesas, C. E., Rodrigues, R. J., Mesas, A. E., Feijó, V. B., Paraiso, L. M., Bragatto, G. F., Moron, V., Bergonso, M.H., Uemura, L., & Grion, C. M. C. (2018). Symptoms awareness, emergency medical service utilization and hospital transfer delay in myocardial infarction . BMC Health Services Research , 18 (1), 490. Web. Tripoliti, E. E., Papadopoulos, T. G., Karanasiou, G. S., Naka, K. K., & Fotiadis, D. I. (2017). Heart failure: Diagnosis, severity estimation and prediction of adverse events through machine learning techniques . Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal , 15 , 26-47. Web. Wang, X., Guo, Z., Ding, Z., & Mehta, J. L. (2018). Inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis after myocardial infarction. Journal of the American Heart Association , 7 (9), e008024. Web. Zègre‐Hemsey, J. K., Burke, L. A., & DeVon, H. A. (2018). Patient‐reported symptoms improve prediction of acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department . Research in Nursing & Health , 41 (5), 459-468. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Critique on Effect of Ultra-Stokesian Drag and Particle Interception Essay (Critical Writing) Summary The study concentrated on understanding several aspects of impactors that were typified by round or rectangular nozzles. Specifically, the features of the impactors were determined using the numerical solutions that were based on the platforms of the Navier-Stokes equations. In addition, the equation that was used to solve problems of motion of particles was applied. To evaluate the sensitivity of the solution to the system in the context, the researchers utilized the approach of decreasing the number and sizes between them. The study established that the curves obtained were relatively sharp, implying that finer grids could be attained. The study adopted a calculation strategy that was exemplified by an empirical ultra-Stokesian drag factor. The authors also noted that they used a facility for ensuring high levels of particle interceptions. It was concluded that important revisions were done in relation to the impactor theory, which included ultra-Stokesian equations aimed at producing the best results of dragging particles. In fact, the revisions led to about 5% to 10% shifts in efficiency curves that were associated with inertial impactors. It was also concluded that the tail that was formed as a result of particle interception helped to decipher that it could not be significant enough to account for the variations in the experiment and theory. Finally, the authors concluded that the collection coefficient was shifted to the right by the impact of the ultra-Stokesian drag factor. Although the shift was relatively small, it was typical for impactor systems, but noticeable variations can be observed when higher frequencies are involved in relatively high Reynolds numbers. Critique From the article, it is evident that the authors provided a good background of the aspects they were investigating. In fact, they cited numerous studies that were conducted previously with the view of supporting their scientific suggestions. However, it is notable that they relied too much on theoretical studies rather than experiments, which are believed to yield better findings that can be tested in the laboratory. The researchers did not indicate the number of samples that they handled. The sample size is a critical component in studies since it greatly impacts research findings. In the absence of sample size, it could be difficult for one to agree with the results. In addition, a full description of the methods and procedures adopted in the study was not provided, which leaves readers to assume what was done. That notwithstanding, the findings of the study would have important implications for researchers in aerosol science and technology. Reference Rader, Daniel J., and Virgil A. Marple. “Effect of ultra-Stokesian drag and particle interception on impaction characteristics.” Aerosol Science and Technology 4.2 (1985): 141-156. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Preston City Marketing Feasibility Case Study Table of Contents 1. Local Demographic 2. Growth Potential 3. Customer Benefit 4. Works Cited Local Demographic The city of Preston is a potential market for Preston Outdoors. The current statistics on hunting and fishing in Preston is appealing to the firm. The population statistics on hunting and fishing activities gives a positive image of a potential market. The total population in the town as of 2011 was 5,230 people. This is a high number which demonstrates that market in Preston is potential. There are around 1,743 households with an average of 3 people per household. In regards to hunting and fishing activities, one should mention that residents of Preston are mailnly involved in these two activities. The survey results obtained from 60 people give a clear picture on the percentage of people who like hunting and fishing constituting a high proportion of Preston’s population. The majority of the population shop in Preston 80% being local citizens while the remaining 20% are foreigners. This is a clear indication of the strong local market for fishing and hunting in Preston. Based on this statistics, a strong interest in hunting and fishing in Preston can be clearly demonstrated (CLRsearch.com 1). Growth Potential There is a high growth potential in Preston which translates to a bigger market size for outdoor hunting/fishing store. The current market size is projetected at 1,360 households. The 2011 census puts the population of Preston at 5,230 people. This is a good size which can help Preston Outdoors to attain its planned objectives. The number of people engaged in the conducting of the survey is only 1.38%, which is small compared to the population living in the town. It must be noted that the actual number of people interested in hunting and fishing activities is definitely bigger than the projected figures. There is a higher growth potential of Preston based on the overall economic and social development. Infrastructural development and favorable climate form the basis for a large number of clients in hunting and fishing activities. The number of foreigners is expected to increase from the current 20% to over 30% in the coming months. The frequency of engagement in the fishing and hunting activities is high, meaning that there is the future for the industry development in the town. In particular, Preston Outdoors has a high growth potential due to the high number of people going for hunting and fishing activities. The high percentage, that is, 95% of the population is willing to buy at Preston being a clear indication of high growth potential of Preston Outdoors since it will attract the local market (Idaho.gov 1). Customer Benefit Preston Outdoors offers three primary customer benefits including location, seasonal product, and bow tuning services. To begin with, the convenient location of Preston Outdoors will save customers’ time since they will not have to travel long distances. The business will benefit customers through the provision of seasonal products. The business will not only offer unique products for each season but also offer comfort to match customers’ needs. Bow tuning service will be beneficial to customers through the provision of more convenient services. Advertising, better environment, seasonal sales, customer’s guide, archery accuracy, service hour, and coffee will also be added to customers’ benefits. By providing these benefits to customers, Preston Outdoors will stand out as the best partner to the local customers in Preston (Nykiel 132). Works Cited CLRsearch.com. Lewiston, Idaho Demographics 2012. Web. Idaho.gov. Fish and Game 2012 . Web. https://idfg.idaho.gov/ Nykiel, Ronald. Handbook of Marketing Research Methodologies for Hospitality and Tourism. New York: Routldge, 2007. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Key International Economic Challenges Essay Introduction Currently, there are many challenges that the business fraternity around the globe is facing. These challenges are influenced by numerous unpredictable causes and their implications are quite alarming. Some of the world’s greatest economies have undertaken protective measures in attempts to mitigate the effects of such economic challenges. This paper seeks to describe some of the key international economic challenges, their emergence, how they are being addressed, future expectations and the lesson learned. Body Some of the key economic challenges globally include energy and environmental security, conflict and poverty, among other factors. Energy and environmental security The rising demand for energy globally has become one of the greatest challenges in the world today. Energy and access to it is one of the main driving forces in business. The rampant development of new technologies and new mechanical products is gradually causing an imbalance between consumption and production of energy. Creation of energy and its consumption is proving to be an economic challenge not only in the developing countries but also in the developed world. Growth in any economy is greatly dependent on the availbity and accessibility of energy. On the other hand, as energy proves to be an economic challenge, environmental security is also an emerging issue. Environment security campaigns have been rolled out all over the world. The push for harnessing natural energy in environmental friendly approach has been on the rise in the recent past. Conflict and poverty Economic growth is highly dependent on harmonious existence between the world’s nations. In order to create a favorable economic condition globally, conflict must be averted. The current conflicts between nations have played the greatest role in creating more challenges in the economy. Considering the fact that the world has become a globalized village where every region depends on the other for sustainable economic survival, the occurrence of conflicts have been a major challenge. The trade between the westerners and the Middle East for instance is greatly affected by the constant conflicts in the region. Africa on the other side has been grappling with poverty over the years due to tribal and political conflicts despite the rich endowment of natural resources. Poverty presents an array of challenges in the global economic platform. Lack of capital and economic resources hamper the ability for an economy to invest and access factors of production. In a country where the poverty levels are high, economic growth is equally dwindled. The business communities around the globe have come together in an effort to reduce the impacts of these challenges in the economy. There have been numerous conventions and seminars organized to deliberate on the ways forward in the fight against the declining economic performance. Global awareness of environmental security has been increased to enhance the alleviation procedures. These challenges are projected to evolve from economic to social and political challenges in the near future. With the dwindling economic performance, the gap between the rich and the poor is expected to deteriorate. Looking at the history of economic recessions, prior government spending and lack of financial forethought has been the main cause of economic challenges. In an attempt to mitigate the above mentioned international economic challenges, analyzing the past can be very helpful. Conclusion This paper has described four major economic challenges that affect the global economic platform. In this essay, how these challenges emerged has been discussed as well as the future anticipation of how they may evolve into other global issues. In the paper, the lessons learned from the past that can be used to alleviate these challenges have also been discussed. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
More than 900 ACO have established 1300 contracts with private and public hospitals across the country since 2010 to manage payments of Medicare patients (Kaufman et al., 2018). This model holds healthcare organizations accountable for the cost and quality of care by creating a system of value-based payment, meaning that hospitals are paid for the outcome, not per service (Kaufman et al., 2018). Furthermore, “ACO contract components include financial accountability, quality measurement, and population health data sharing,” resulting in improved care and cost reduction (Kaufman et al., 2018, p. 257). For example, the nominal savings were $700 per fiscal year per cancer patient (Kaufman et al., 2018). However, there was no significant cost reduction for surgical procedures with the ACO model (Nathan et al., 2019). It appears that the benefit of this program is not evident for all specialties yet. Still, I believe that the principle of value payment is fair for patients because it ensures that high-quality care is provided to maximize favorable outcomes. Reliance Healthcare is an example of a successful ACO that partnered with emergency departments (ED) in Michigan to coordinate care for Medicare patients. This organization consists of three groups: clinicians, an information technology (IT) team, and managers (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMMS], 2020). The primary goal of Reliance Healthcare in this partnership with EDs was to minimize healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations through an organized work of reliance nurses, managers, and IT departments (CMMS, 2020). The recent report stated that this program could prevent, on average, two avoidable admissions per day from 2014 to 2020, leading to significant cost reduction of care (CMMS, 2020). I think that Reliance Healthcare should continue working with healthcare providers, and forming more contracts because unnecessary hospitalization is a big issue in our hospitals; thus, an ACO control can prevent needless expenditures. References Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2020). Reliance Healthcare’s emergency department care coordination program . Web. Kaufman, B. G., Spivack, B. S., Stearns, S. C., Song, P. H., & O’Brien, E. C. (2018). Impact of accountable care organizations on utilization, care, and outcomes: A systematic review. Medical Care Research and Review , 76 (3), 255-290. Web. Nathan, H., Thumma, J. R., Ryan, A. M., & Dimick, J. B. (2019). Early impact of Medicare accountable care organizations on inpatient surgical spending. Annals of Surgery , 269 (2), 191–196. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Marketing Approach for Selling Cooking Activities Products Essay The firm is targeting female clients aged 20 to 35 in Germany and England. This differs from the target market of the same product in the US which is aged 21 to 38. The kitchen appliance product has been designed for middle and upper income clients. This product has several features that appeal to consumers’ interests. It has also several models that are priced differently to ensure crucial needs of various users in both markets are satisfied. The criteria used to define these target markets focuse on cultural, social and economic aspects that enable the firm to identify specific attributes of customers existing there ( Panda, 2008, p. 67). The marketing mix assessment to be used will focus on consumers’ lifestyles, income levels, and specific consumer habits that define them. The target market of this product in the US will include women aged 21 to 38. These consumers are known for their unique attributes and are always willing to try out new products. Therefore, the firm’s kitchen appliance products have been well designed to cater for both indoor and outdoor cooking activities. The product will be launched in Georgia and Florida before it is sold in other areas of the country. The targeted market segment in Germany and England covers middle and upper class women who have refined culinary tastes (Panda, 2008, p. 72). It is important top mention that the marketing approach used will focus on major cities in the two countries on a six-month test run to understand their interests. The marketing approach used will mainly be used on selling products for indoor cooking activities. So, customers will choose between gas and electric powered products which will be sold in urban areas. Cultural issues to be considered in the US will relate to eating habits, lifestyles, types of food consumed and the weather patterns. In the US, the product will target customers who prefer cooking their own meals and who have a relaxed lifestyle. The product will mostly be designed to satisfy the needs of young mothers who cook regularly. In England and Germany, people have unique culinary habits that are influenced by different cultural attitudes. Therefore, the firm needs to sell kitchen appliances that are well designed to cater to their specific culinary habits (Panda, 2008, p. 76). For instance, some models of this product need to be gas powered due to high electricity costs in some German cities which discourage consumers from purchasing electric powered kitchen appliances. It has been difficult to enforce patent infringements for products patented in the US which are sold internationally. It is worth noting that international intellectual property laws are weak and ineffective. This has barred firms from reaping the rewards of their patented products sold in international markets. Some foreign governments do not have the will or capacity to punish various forms of patent infringements. In some countries, definitions used to describe particular patented products differ from those used by the US government to patent local inventions and innovations. This makes it difficult to enforce patent rights of products registered in the US in international markets. Patents are treated as property in the US and they are transferrable to other individuals or corporate firms in the country. However, this is not the case in some foreign countries (Sell, 2003, p. 69). This encourages some individuals and business firms to infringe on patents registered in the country. In many countries, a person or business that first files a patent is considered the patent owner as opposed to the first person to invent a product. For a long time, the US patent law has identified the first person to invent a product as the recognized owner of a particular patent. However, the law has changed to conform to international patent registration practices. As a result, business people are likely to be encouraged to register their patents with the patent office before another firm registers it. It also encourages business people to invest in research and development programs to invent new products that are likely to serve various needs in different markets. This encourages a spirit of competition which is vital for positive economic growth (Jordan, 2012). The first file approach in patent registration exposes some entrepreneurs to potential exploitation by large corporations. These corporations have more financial resources than start-ups which allow them to file patents quicker than individual entrepreneurs. Thus, entrepreneurs who are inventive are denied an opportunity to reap rewards from their ideas. Some venture capital companies fund patented business ideas and inventions which they feel are likely to perform well in the market. Therefore, an entrepreneur who has a great idea that is not yet patented is likely to lose out in case a big firm registers his/her idea as a patent. This makes it difficult for new enterprises to come into formation and severely affects economic fortunes of small and medium sized businesses (Jordan, 2012). So, these international patent protection practices hinder small enterprises from competing fairly with large and more established firms. References Jordan, R. (2012, November 13). The new patent law: End of entrepreneurship? Forbes Online. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertjordan/2012/11/13/the-new-patent-law-end-of-entrepreneurship/#29acfc0d741f Panda, T.K. (2008). Marketing management. New Delhi, India: Excel Books. Sell, S.K. (2003). Private owner, public law: The globalization of intellectual property rights . Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Aspects of Mass Spectrophotometer Essay Introduction The purpose of the experiment was to investigate peptides’ behaviour and the manner in which they can be utilized to identify a protein by means of electrospray ionization on an electrospray QTOF mass spectrometer. The peptides were introduced through a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) flow pathway. They were chromatographically alienated by HPLC and analyzed immediately using the mass spectrometer, which acquired structural information during the chromatographic run. Specifically, the quadrupole time of flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer was used. Background Mass spectrometer Mass spectrometry provides an easy, gentle and robust method for ionizing a broad range of molecules, including small molecules such as drugs, medium-sized molecules such as peptides, and huge proteins. The method is recognized as an excellent ionisation technique, more so for biological applications. The Q-TOF mass spectrometer fits well in peptide analysis. Modern spectrometry is able to achieve electrospray ionization. Electrospray ionization A solution is passed via a fine needle held at a high potential and a spray of droplets induced into the solution. The droplets have charged ions such that the charge repulsion between these ions overcomes the droplets surface tension to release ions and create smaller droplets. The process goes on until ions that have no solvent are generated. The protein and peptides were analysed in positive ion mode in a solution containing acetonitrile and water containing 0.1-1 %(v/v) formic acid. Procedure Preparations A stock peptide mixture solution containing 500ug of five different peptides was dissolved in 4ml water. Subsequently, 10ul of peptide solution was diluted to 1 ml with HPLC solution. The samples were then placed in the autosampler vial at a concentration of 1.25ng/ul. The peptides on the HPLC were separated and analyzed using QTOF. The following is the sequence and neutral molecular weight of the 5 sigma peptides: 1. GLY-TYR (GY) Mr 238Da 2. VAL-TYR-VAL (VYV) Mr 379Da 3. TYR-GLY-GLY-PHE-MET (YGGFM) Mr 573Da 4. TYR-GLY-GLY-PHE-LEU (YGGFL) Mr 555Da 5. ASP-ARG-VAL-TYR-ILE-HIS-PRO-PHE (DRVYIHPF) Mr 1046Da Protein identification The experiment utilized the Global Proteome Machine together with a bundled search engine known as XHUNTER to identify a protein. Specifically, the QTOF was utilized to generate peptide mass and peptide MS/MS spectra, information that was relied upon to identify a protein from a database of several validated and curated MS/MS peptide spectra. The protein digest was run on the HPLC QTOF system and then a Mascot generic file was generated from the data (a list of MS/MS and MS events). A search was performed using the XHUNTER and the results saved. HPLC/MS of peptides The peptides in the autosampler tray were automatically injected (2ul) onto the liquid stream flow using the autosampler. Solvents A and B were pumped via the column at high pressure by means of two separate pumps. Solvent A is aqueous and polar while solvent B is organic (acetonitrile based) and less polar. The two solvents combined at the mixing tee and the solvent mixture was pumped via the HPLC column together with the peptides. The peptides bind to the column. Over time, less solvent A and more solvent B passes via the column. As a result, the mobile phase transformations from originally mostly aqueous and polar to mostly organic and more hydrophobic or less polar cause peptides to elute from the column. Note that every peptide elutes at a specific part of the gradient based on the solvents (A: B) proportion. The HPLC gradient was set at 20 minutes long and the total flow during the gradient was 12 ul/minutes. Results The results of the mass spectrometer analysis are given by the graphs below. Figure 1: Clean signals for the m/z values displayed by EIC. The retention times for each peak are shown Figure 2: A major peak within the m/z spectrum occurring at m/z 566.2772. The lower tile (the zoomed in spectrum) indicates that this is a singly charged ion. Figure 3: A major peak within the m/z spectrum occurring at m/z 523.7819. The lower tile (zoomed in spectrum) indicates that this is a doubly charged ion. Figure 4: A major peak within the m/z spectrum occurring at m/z 380.2202. The lower tile (the zoomed in spectrum) indicates a singly charged ion. Bibliography Ashcroft, Alison E. An Introduction to Mass Spectrometry. 2013. Web. Brown, Phillis. Advances in Chromatography, Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2001. Print. Dass, Chhabil. An Introduction to Biological Mass Spectrometry , New York, NY: Wiley, 2002. Print. Downard, Kevin. Mass Spectrometry: A Foundation Course , London, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2004. Print. Hancock, William S. Handbook of HPLC for the Separation of Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins , Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1984. Print. Hearn, Milton . High-Performance Liquid Chromatography of Proteins and Peptides, London: Elsevier, 1983. Print. Hughes, George and Kenneth Wilson. “High-performance Liquid Chromatography: Analytic and Preparative Applications in Protein Structure Determination.” Methods of Biochemical Analysis 29.1 (1983): 59-135. Print. Irving, Helen R. and Chris Gehring. Plant Signaling Peptides. London, UK: Springer Science & Business Media, 2012. Print. Siuzdak, Gary. The Expanding Role of Mass Spectrometry in Biotechnology, MCC Press, San Diego, 2004. Print. Trauger, Sunia, William Webb and Gary Siuzdak. “Peptide and Protein Analysis with Mass Spectrometry.” Spectroscopy 16.1 (2002): 15-28. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Gerald Weiss’ Stock Option Plan Coursework The compensation plan discussed by Gerald Weiss with the MediCode Technology can be considered feasible as it conforms to the normal practices of the industry in compensating the senior level executives. With his aim to ensure the total package of $ 12 million Gerald was offered a fixed-value plan where he would be offered more options by the company when there was a sharp decline in the stock prices. This is a well-drafted compensation plan at that point of time as the share prices were going up steadily. By this the compensation package of Gerald was made to remain intact. However, in order that an incentive stock option can be granted, the plan should have been approved by the grantor corporation’s stockholders within 12 months either before or after the date the plan is adopted (Shilling, 2006). In the case of Gerald there does not appear to be a written contract of employment which incorporated the compensation plan discussed between Gerald and Joe in the presence of the Executive Vice President HR who made some notes and who was also a witness to the discussion. However, legally this is not sufficient for Gerald to enforce the stock option plan as there is the specific requirement of approval by the shareholders. The company therefore is under no obligation to provide any stock options to Gerald. Gerald is left with no means to sue the company legally in the absence of a written employment contract. At the best he can insist of severance compensation as per the employment rules of the company in case he is asked to leave the company. If he decides to leave the services of the company on his own volition there may not arise any right to him either to claim the stock option or any other compensation in lieu thereof. Fixed value plans which provide for a certain pre-determined Black-Sholes value each year have an inherent problem, when there is a decline in the stock value. When the stock prices go up in a certain year, the recipient gets the advantage of higher exercise price at the beginning of the next year. However such plans are found to be much robust in the case of decline in the stock prices. In such an event, the executive would receive a large number of options at the lower exercise price prevailing so that the annual grant can be maintained at the agreed level. Therefore during the period when the stock price declines the company has to provide for more number of options. An alternative to overcome this incentive problem Gerald Weiss would have entered multi-year plans under which the company is obligated to pay a fixed number of at-the-money options each year. Such fixed-number plans actually can be considered as a compromise between megagrants and fixed-value plans. The company is under no obligation to make Gerald as CFO as there is no written contract between him and the company to this effect. Even though a promise was made by the company to this effect, Gerald should have got the promise converted into a written agreement specifying the offer to make him CFO and the conditions attached to bring that offer to reality. In such case Gerald would stand a chance to force the company to make him the CFO provided he has fulfilled the attached conditions to the contract of such employment. Reference Shilling, D. (2006). The Complete Guide to Human Resources and the Law. New York: Aspen Publishers. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Backwell IXL Company’s Profile Essay Table of Contents 1. Overview 2. Organizational Structure 3. Company Strategy 4. Product Development 5. Quality Management at IXL 6. References Overview Backwell IXL is a privately managed Australian organization. The company enjoys a workforce of 200 staff and yearly revenue of approximately $40m. Backwell organization was founded in Geelong in the early 1860s, revamping gold mining equipment and wooden stoves. In the 1900s, the company started making instead of repairing stoves. The organization presently processes a wide of products. These include electric appliances, heaters and its popular bestseller “IXL Tastic” collection, motor vehicle stamping and foundry items. The organization has an array of equipment comprising pressing equipment of between 8-600 tonnes and a transfer pressing equipment of about 400 tonnes. The company has been a level 1 supplier to the motor vehicle sector for more than 30 years and has won Toyota bronze and silver prizes because of its exemplary quality, distribution and service. Also, Backwell supplies multiple appliances to the refrigeration companies. These appliances comprise heating facilities, combustion cylinders and cooling systems. Backwell IXL in addition produces for a range of other sectors (Mabbett 2011). Organizational Structure Organized into 3 departments, the company devises manufactures, imports and markets premium electric gadgets and parts for local, business and industrial utilization. The company’s 19-grounded sales group enables a wide national distribution chain and a committed Australian presence. With its head office in Geelong, the country’s flexible domestic production policy enables the company to rapidly and successfully meet emerging market demands. In an economical environment, Backwell shines as an inspiration for domestic novelty and proficiency. The company’s widespread chain of stores perfectly positions it to provide a wide range of domestic appliances and its success is because of various factors: its local Engineering division, automated quality check and New Zealand made appliances give Backwell IXL a strong economical advantage (McDonald & Herron 2010). Company Strategy Problems for the organization are the same as those found in other Australian companies and involve: inexpensive imports, internationalization, raw resources and labor procedures and cost declines expected by key clients. The organization has realized that lifecycle strategy has offered important benefits and the company has to be legitimately internationally competitive in what it does. It believes the future depends on emerging items, re-engineering current appliances, exports, automation, and realizing reduced costs from constant development. Backwell in addition uses process change, a strategy that aids in lowering material haulage and enhanced production. The strategy earns the company on average $66,000 per year in terms of savings. Automation has resulted in the eradication of manual processes on some heavy products. This has led to significant cost reductions and health enhancements (Mabbett 2011). Product Development The company’s new product creation plan and friendly Australian market dynamics allow Backwell IXL to meet dynamic client needs and demand. A famous selection for years, the company’s brand is known for strict quality levels, inventive design and value for the clients’ money. The company believes the future depends on emerging products, re-developing current appliances, exports, automation, and realizing reduced costs from constant development (Mabbett 2011, p. 53). Quality Management at IXL Basically, the company has achieved essential quality certifications like ISO 9000, QS 9000, ISO14001 and keeps on adopting new quality regulations of the day. In turn, the company’s brand has been known for strict quality levels, inventive design and value for money. In addition, the company’s local Engineering division, automated quality check and Australian-based products give Backwell IXL an edge over other manufacturers (McDonald & Herron 2010). References Mabbett, G 2011, ‘Manufacturing a sustainable future’, Geelong Business News , vol. 5 no. 1, pp. 37-56. McDonald, R & Herron, M 2010, IXL manufacturing: supplier quality assurance guide , East Geelong Learning, Australia. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Industrial Revolution After the Civil War Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Creation of Factories 3. Connection to America’s Expansion 4. The Growth of the Railroad Industry 5. Groups Negatively Affected by the Industrial Revolution 6. Impact on the Average Working American 7. Conclusion 8. Reference List Introduction The cause of America’s industrial revolution can be attributed to the creation of the first factories in the country, its westward expansion in the territory, the rise of the railroad industry as well as the arrival of millions of immigrants (Justman & Grandstein, 1999). However, this period also implemented practices that can be considered as “horrific” as seen in the treatment-experienced by women, children, and immigrant workers in factories. The problem with the American Industrial Revolution was that in its pursuit of wealth and expansion, it neglected to take into account its negative impact on the workers that helped to make it possible. Creation of Factories The rapid industrialization of the country from 1865 to 1920 can mainly be attributed to the introduction of the predecessor of the modern-day factory into the U.S market. Before its creation; products used to be made-to-order which limited the amount of time that particular goods could be made and shipped (Horrell & Oxley, 2012). Through the use of factories and a rough version of what we now know as an assembly line, products could now be created in bulk. This lowered their inherent cost which subsequently increased their demand resulting in even more factories being built to match the needs of the market. Connection to America’s Expansion Aside from the industrial revolution, another pivotal point that occurred from 1865 to 1920 was America’s Westward Expansion, which was encouraged by the Louisiana Purchase. These two crucial points are connected since the expansion in territory also came to the inevitable increase in the country’s economy (Hirschman & Mogford, 2009). Fueled by its western expansion and the arrival of millions of immigrants over several decades, America’s industrial capacity grew to match the ever-increasing demand for processed goods. The Growth of the Railroad Industry The railroad industry contributed immensely to the growth of the industrial revolution since it enabled goods to be transported in large quantities in an expedient fashion (Staudenmaier, 1990). This allowed various products to reach previously inaccessible locations resulting in the rise of overall market demand. Groups Negatively Affected by the Industrial Revolution During the industrial revolution, women, children, and immigrant workers bore the brunt of the negative practices that arose during this period. Children were required to help support their families by also working. Unfortunately, they were often used in dangerous jobs such as working in the machinery of a factory or coal mines. This resulted in numerous deaths due to the danger of the equipment and the potential collapse of tunnels (Gordon, 1989). Women were often paid lower wages than their male counterparts and were placed in abysmal working conditions that endangered their health. Lastly, immigrant workers were abused by factory owners due to their limited amount of opportunities. They were paid substandard wages compared to American workers and were subjected to living in horrendous living conditions that compromised their health. Impact on the Average Working American While the average worker gained more job opportunities, it was often the case that safety protocols and standardized wages were not implemented in many factories resulting in the abuse and even death of employees (Ransom, 1999). The reason for this was a lack of sufficient government oversight over the practices of factory owners which allowed these cases of abuse to be endemic within many factories at the time. Conclusion The American Industrial Revolution brought about an unprecedented level of economic and social change to the country; however, in its pursuit of wealth and expansion, it neglected to take into account its negative impact on the workers that helped to make it possible. Reference List Gordon, J. S. (1989). When our ancestors became us. American Heritage , 40 (8), 106. Hirschman, C., & Mogford, E. (2009). Immigration and the American industrial revolution from 1880 to 1920. Social Science Research , 38 (4), 897-920. Horrell, S., & Oxley, D. (2012). Bringing home the bacon? Regional nutrition, stature, and gender in the industrial revolution. Economic History Review , 65 (4), 1354-1379. Justman, M., & Grandstein, M. (1999). The Industrial Revolution, Political Transition, and the Subsequent Decline in Inequality. Explorations In Economic History , 36 (2), 109. Ransom, R. L. (1999). Fact and counterfact: The Second American Revolution’ revisited. Civil War History , 45 (1), 28. Staudenmaier, J. M. (1990). Engines of Change: The American Industrial Revolution, 1790- 1860. Journal Of American History , 77 (1), 217. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Essay The concept of human rights is at the center of liberal political theory. They can be defined as the freedoms and rights that all people in the world are endowed with from birth to death (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2019). Human rights regulate relations between members of society, as well as “relationship with the State and the obligations that the State have towards them” (UNICEF, n.d). This concept is formed on the basis of ideas about dignity, independence, respect, equality, and fairness. Although human rights cannot be taken away from a person, they can be restricted by law in certain cases (Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2019). These rights are ensured both at the state level and in international documents. Although universal human should be granted to all people, their conceptualization is not accurate enough at the present time. Gordon (2017) stresses that the main controversy, in this case, is the need to protect cultural pluralism at the same time as rights that do not depend on racial, class, religious and cultural differences. The issue may lie in a Eurocentric view that does not take into account the historical characteristics of states and societies in other parts of the world. Thus, human rights must be universal values that can be relevant to all people. A more appropriate concept might be the natural human pursuit of happiness and avoidance of pain. References Gordon, M. (2017). In search of a universal human rights metaphor: Moral conversations across differences . Educational Philosophy and Theory, 50 (1), 83-94. UNICEF. (n.d). What are human rights? Equality and Human Rights Commission. (2019). What are human rights? | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Curriculum Elements and Lesson Planning Essay The various elements in the curriculum, such as context, resources, learner, etc. have a powerful impact on the approaches of lesson planning (John, 2006). What factors should the teacher consider in order to prepare an effective lesson plan? According to John (2006), the dominant model of lesson planning implies a linear way of thinking that starts from formulating the objectives and ends with lesson evaluation. However, such an approach seems impractical because different aspects and factors of learning are interrelated and, thus, it is better to plan lessons by using a more dynamic, non-linear approach. At first, it is possible to outline the basics: aims, inputs, activities, feedback, and evaluation. Then, it is important to consider the elements of a broader context such as professional values, students’ backgrounds, classroom environment and cohesion, degree of task difficulty, et cetera. Only when both contextual and practical aspects match each other well, the planned lesson can become effective. Learnings aims, outcomes, and objectives are sometimes used interchangeably (Wittmann-Price & Fasolka, 2010) but what do you understand as the difference between them, or different interpretations simply semantics? Wittmann-Price and Fasolka (2010) state that objectives present a method to organize the teaching and learning process, while outcomes “reflect the students’ performance in relation to objectives” (p. 234). Additionally, McIntyre and Mirriahi (2018) and Harden (2002) note that objectives are more teacher-centered compared to outcomes, which are student-centered. It means that a teacher formulates objectives to clarify what will be covered during the course. In turn, outcomes are meant to help learners understand what they have accomplished by the end of the course. Thus, it is not correct to use the terms interchangeably as they are qualitatively different. John discusses four different models of lesson planning: dominant (linear), naturalistic, interactional, and dialogical model (John, 2006). Which model(s) of lesson planning do you think are most relevant to your teaching practice (or your future teaching practice) and why? The naturalistic model seems to be more relevant to my teaching practice. Such an approach suggests that a teacher should understand the complexity of the planning process to design excellent curricula (Brady & Kennedy, 2013). In the given model, the planning process occurs in three steps: platform, deliberation, and design. As Lunenburg (2011) states, the platform implies “the beliefs or principles that guide the curriculum developers” (p. 2). It means that professional values and attitudes will inform the decision-making (deliberation), which consequently will lead to the curriculum design. Thus, this model can help educators integrate ethical and professional standards with technological and practical lesson elements. Differences in Position Statements It seems there are no significant differences between the definitions of scholarship in nursing developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). They both cover similar sets of skills needed to engage in the education and training practice: critical thinking, research writing, et cetera (AACN, 2018; CASN, 2011). However, I prefer the one published by AACN because it is more focused on the production of new knowledge and innovation. In my opinion, the investigation of healthcare problems is one of the primary elements of scholarship in nursing. However, as stated by Crosby, Salazar, DiClemente, and Lang (2010), only those research findings that meet the principle of rigor can contribute to better outcomes in health promotion. Thus, in order to produce and publish high-quality research, a practitioner should first explore previous findings and write many papers. These activities can help the nurse understand scientific rigor and research methodology better. I think that the nurse who completed a scholarship program in a college does not need to attend a specialized education course to become a teacher because the obtaining of a degree implies the acquisition of profound knowledge in multiple spheres of the professional practice including education methodology (“How to become a nursing teacher,” n.d.). Overall, a bachelor’s degree may be enough to educate others. However, obtaining Masters or Ph.D. qualifications provides advantages as it helps to delve into various issues in greater detail and to gain more competence and confidence needed to teach. Additionally, no matter which degree nurse educators have, it can be recommended for them to undertake practice updates to learn new educational methods because it will foster professional development and will help them meet education requirements and standards, as well as changing learner needs, better. References American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2018). Defining scholarship for the discipline of nursing . Web. Brady, L., & Kennedy, K. (2013). Curriculum construction (5th ed.). Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson. Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. (2011). Position statement: Doctoral education in nursing in Canada . Web. Crosby, R. A., Salazar, L. F., DiClemente, R. J., & Lang, D. L. (2010). Balancing rigor against the inherent limitations of investigating hard-to-reach populations. Health Education Research , 25 (1), 1-5. Harden R.M. (2002). Learning outcomes and instructional objectives: Is there a difference? Medical Teacher, 24 (2), 151-155. How to become a nursing teacher? (n.d.). Web. John, P. D. (2006). Lesson planning and the student teacher: Re-thinking the dominant model. Journal of Curriculum Studies , 38 (4), 483-498. Lunenburg, F. C. (2011). Curriculum development: Inductive models. Schooling, 2 (1), 1-8. McIntyre, S., & Mirriahi, N. (2018). Is there a difference between learning outcomes and learning objectives? Web. Wittmann-Price, R. A., & Fasolka, B. J. (2010). Objectives and outcomes: The fundamental difference. Nursing Education Perspectives (National League for Nursing) , 31 (4), 233-236. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Distribution to Consumers and Trade-Off Coursework Product distribution is an integral element of commercial activity, as it represents a finishing, most responsible stage of achieving the purposes of the business and providing consumers with the necessary goods. The classical function of the sale is the formation and the maintenance of an effective system of moving products from the manufacturer to the end-user. The same function, only from a technological position is carried out by transportation. In such a way, it is obvious that transport maintenance directly influences the sale organization, and accordingly on the competitiveness of a product. Choosing the type of transport along with cost expenses (transport expenses, warehouse expenses, expenses for packing, etc.), it is necessary to consider that during direct transportation, damage, and cargo loss, loss of weight and other kinds of risks are possible. Besides, the cargo delay along the line can lead to the refusal of the goods of a given supplier by the consumer. In some cases, for untimely delivery of cargoes, penalties can be charged. During the process of choosing the type of transport, it is necessary to consider not only the costs but also the long-term consequences connected with the quality of service and the image of the enterprise. The transport choice depends on a set of such factors, as a market conjuncture, the stability of the prices, the stock level of the goods, and raw materials at the enterprise. In this connection, the decisions for the choice of a transport scheme, as a rule, have a short-term, operative character. In an ideal world, transportation will meet all the key performance indicators set by the company. Fast, reliable, and cheap, all combined together. However, in the real world, the company should define top priorities, and establish a compromise between different factors affecting the supply chain. In that sense, the process of compromising could be called a “trade-off”. Applying the concepts of trade-offs to the fashion industry in Qatar, the transport choices should be evaluated based on inventory and responsiveness. (Chopra and Meindl, 2007) Another factor that should also be considered is cost minimization.(2007) As most of the products in the fashion industry are distributed locally, the transportation trade-offs mainly are concerned with the import deliveries. In the area of exclusive and expensive products, which have a demand in Qatar, the key factor is responsiveness. The cost factor is not crucial in such a formula. “The ideal logistics system for a given situation depends on process capabilities, resource costs, and item, demand, and customer profiles.” (Peltz, 2007) In such a manner, the dependant factor is customer profiles, and accordingly, when choosing the transportation, the optimal solution is the airfreight. The cost disadvantages are sacrificed in favor of timely delivery. In addition, the inventory factor is almost absent as these goods are mostly preordered, and accordingly do not have to be stored. Another part of the production is concerned with ordinary supplies. The slowest type of transportation will take no more than 2 weeks for the shipment and delivery. Such time interval does not allow the goods to be outdated, nor they are able to break, thus as “the supply chain management involves dealing with conflicting objectives” (Jain, 2004). The main factor is the cost of the delivery. In that sense, sea freight is the cheapest transport available to deliver the goods, and at the same time, the responsiveness is not low to a degree that affects the customers. It can be seen that a trade-off, is a process of finding what element can be sacrificed for top priority objectives. In case both objectives are important, other factors should be included for consideration. References (2007) Exploring the Strategic and Operational Tradeoffs in Internet and Physical Store Retailing. [email protected] CHOPRA, S. & MEINDL, P. (2007) Supply chain management: strategy, planning, and operation, Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall. JAIN, S. (2004) SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRADEOFFS ANALYSIS. IN INGALLS, R. G., ROSSETTI, M. D., SMITH, J. S. & A., P. B. (Eds.) Winter Simulation Conference. PELTZ, E. (2007) Logistics: Supply Based or Distribution Based? Army Logistician, 39. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Pros and Cons of the Oklahoma Lottery Research Paper Throughout the history of humankind, the excitement and passion for risk-taking as well as the pursuit of easy gain have found their expression in the form of gambling. Apart from card games and roulette, a most popular form of gambling is lottery. Although attempts have been made to calculate the winning formula of a lottery, it still remains a matter of luck to win the jackpot. Annually, millions of people involve in lottery, which has led governments to the idea of instituting the lottery and controlling the money turnover. Among the legalized lotteries is that of Oklahoma, instituted as recently as in 2004 by an overwhelming majority during a general election ballot. Instituting the Oklahoma lottery has raised both approval and protests, resulting in a heated debates between the proponents and the opponents of the case. The key motto of the Oklahoma lottery that has won the sympathy and assistance of the general public is that this lottery is meant for collecting additional investments into Oklahoma education. The 2004 “Oklahoma Lottery Education Act” was enthusiastically supported by a convincing majority of voters since it presupposes that a big share of the lottery revenue is used for improving the educational situation in the state (Oklahoma Lottery Commission). The money is invested at all levels of education, starting from programs for kindergartens and primary schools to funding colleges and universities. An especially positive aspect of this investment is that the lottery money is used as additional funds for education, without replacing the standard existing ones (Oklahoma Lottery Commission). Moreover, understanding that one is investing money in such a commendable sphere as education even without winning the lottery makes participation even more attractive. As the lottery sales and marketing director remarked in an interview, “The primary focus of all our advertising and promotional efforts has always been education” (Brus). The lottery trustees emphasize the enthusiasm caused among the public by advertisements and reports of how much proceeds of the Oklahoma lottery have been directed for educational purposes (McNutt). Against the backgrounds of such public enthusiasm, there exists a certain danger of taking the Oklahoma lottery for something more than it is. Indeed, the revenue gained from the lottery sales appears a drop in the bucked as compared to the money necessary to fund all the state and governmental education plans and projects. In addition, a portion of tax revenue gained by the state from lottery sales is actually counterbalanced by lost sales of other goods, which makes the Oklahoma lottery not as profitable as it may seem (Community Action Project). Therefore, overly enthusiastic prognosis of the lottery benefits should be tailored to the state of things basing on realistic calculations. However profitable or unprofitable it might be, the Oklahoma lottery presents an attraction to the citizens since it satisfies their need for entertainment. Lotteries have been a perennial tradition that is the more attractive due to its noncompulsory character and a chance for instant wealth at a comparatively low cost of one lottery ticket. In a sense, state lotteries are a way of voluntary tax-payment that can be beneficial not only for the state but also for the winning taxpayers. In case with the Oklahoma lottery, the satisfaction from participation increases with the idea that one benefits even without winning: the money spent for the lottery ticket is not wasted but invested into the good purpose of education. Taking into account that thirty-seven states have already enacted official lotteries, the Oklahoma lottery appears as a worthy continuation of tradition supported by a good intention of promoting the state education system (Community Action Project). In addition, the beneficiary character of the Oklahoma lottery inspires people to invest not only in education. For example, a couple who won the lottery and become millionaires decided to donate money for fighting diabetes in children from rural areas (Simpson). In spite of the positive effects of winning a lottery, there are certain psychological disadvantages of it, as peculiar to any type of gambling. For one thing, excessive involvement in lottery activities may lead to a sufficient decrease in the personal income of participants — which, in its turn, results in decreased purchasing power and lower lottery sales. For another thing, multiple protests have been voiced against the use of children in the Oklahoma lottery advertisements (McNutt). Some part of the general public considers such advertisement strategy to be a direct introduction of gambling as a positive activity to younger generations. All in all, the pros and cons combined, it appears that instituting the Oklahoma lottery has benefited the state more than harmed it. The moral concerns for appropriateness of lottery as gambling activity have existed for centuries, and eradicating lottery at all appears an impossible task to complete since dozens of illegal lotteries would exist instead. Therefore, instituting the lottery can be viewed as a wise step for Oklahoma. On the one hand, it benefits the educational system of the state: little money as it can raise, it is still more than nothing. On the other hand, promoting the Oklahoma lottery as a charitable enterprise raises the public morals and inspires more charitable acts and a non-indifferent attitude to the needs of the others. Works Cited Brus, Brian. “ Selling the Lotto: Lottery Marketer Focuses on Education Benefits. ” The Journal Record (Oklahoma City). 2007. Web. Community Action Project. “SQ 705 and SQ 706: Oklahoma Education Lottery.” State Ballot Question Issue Brief #1. 2004. Web. McNutt, Michael. “ Oklahoma Lottery Commission Declares It Won’t Scratch Commercials. ” News OK. 2010. Web. Oklahoma Lottery Commission. “Beneficiary.” Oklahoma Lottery. 2010. Web. Simpson, Susan. “ Oklahoma Lottery Winners Don and Joyce Harvey Help Fight Diabetes. ” News OK. 2009. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Solar growth in USA Report Solar energy use has grown over the years to become a major source of electricity and energy in the globe. The growth of solar in the United States has also been significant due to some factors including low equipment costs, considerable government support and global warming. In the recent years the cost of installing solar power equipment has gone down considerably contributing to an unprecedented growth that now stands at a mean of 36% per year (Truini, 2007). The cost of solar equipment such as photovoltaic solar system has been dropping owing to government subsidies offered to businesses which invest in the sector with the US government offering tax credits. The US government’s concerns on global warming and climate change are another added incentive for investment in renewable and clean energy such as solar power. Initiatives such as the feed in tariff has seen the cost of solar power go down as electricity companies are urged to buy renewable energy and sell the same energy at cheap fixed rates (Glaser, 2001). The growth of solar power in the USA is expected to grow from the current installed capacity of 1.44 GW (Gigawatts) to around 40 GW in the year 2020. This will be able to attract investment of over $ 300 Billion and employ 400,000 people to work in the solar energy sector. Growth of solar will be expected to contribute about 8% of USA’s energy by the year 2020; solar energy has seen growth from 785MW in the year 2002 to current capacity of 1.4 GW (Conway, 2002). Most of the solar growth will be experienced in California where the climate favors the installation of solar powered stations and currently California contributes 53% to the national solar grid. The increase in price for fossils fuels such as oil has contributed to development of innovations in the solar sector to increase in solar uptake and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Global Solar Growth The solar uptake in the globe has witnessed tremendous growth over the last decade; much of the growth has been attributed to increased energy demand. USA still lags behind other countries in solar energy uptake especially countries based in Europe. European countries such as Germany, Italy has seen growth in purchasing photovoltaic solar systems in the recent years with both contributing to around 50% of installed capacity in 2008 (Glaser, 2001). Germany is currently the biggest solar producer in the world with installed capacity of around 8GW; it is followed by Japan and Spain. However statistics show that the USA is currently the third largest solar producer. Consequently world solar growth is expected to grow at a level of 40% annually with most of the growth emanating from southern Europe. Countries such as Spain experienced a growth of 2.8GW into its solar energy grid and countries such as Italy, France and India planning to invest considerable amounts of money in solar growth. India plans to achieve 20GW energy generation from solar power by the year 2022, China has also expressed plans to invest in solar energy due to increased energy demands (Conway, 2002). By 2020 global solar installation will reach levels of about 120GW with most of the demand coming from southern Europe and Asia. Production of photovoltaic systems and innovation will contribute to increased solar installations. Nevertheless the biggest contributing factor will be policies which will make solar energy more cheap and affordable, but with current policies in the USA it is expected that it will among the top ten solar energy producers by the year 2020. References Conway, E. M. (2003). Solar Energy, Technology Policy, and Institutional Values. Environmental History , 8(1), 25-32. Glaser, P. E. (2001). A Global Perspective on Renewable and Solar Energy. The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies , 19(2), 16-22. Truini, J. (2007). Misconceptions slow solar growth, Waste News , 13(6), 4. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Friendship is in Everyone’s Life Analytical Essay What is a friendship? How does it influence our life? Does it really exist? How to become a real friend? All those questions concern people since ancient times and until present days nobody can give a clear answer to them. It seems to be easy to find a friend and remain good friends until the rest of your days. However, why than scientists and philosophers concern this issue so much and why there are so many books and treatise are written on friendship? Moreover, many people say that they are not fully aware of how to become a real friend. So, one thing is certain, friendship is something that one cannot live without and friendship is an inseparable part of our existence. One should definitely have a friend because it should be in everyone’s life. During centuries, a great number of literature works have been written on friendship. Poems, novels and folklore are full of descriptions of immortal friendship and heroic deeds that were made for the sake of it. In his book, Joseph Epstein said that the best writers on friendship are novelists (256). The Folded Leaf by Maxwell is a great example of a complete friendship devotion. Though, different books were written in different times, the descriptions of a friendship have the same essence and estimate that one cannot be completely satisfied with his/her life if one does not have a friend. However, it seems to be virtually impossible if someone does not have a friend. It can be a human or an animal, as animals are completely devoted friends indeed and can posses all the qualities that are extremely valuable for a real friend. A devoted friend is one of the best presents of life. A fiend is one who can listen to you and keep secrets and promises, this is a person that you can rely on every moment in your life and one who strongly support you in your biggest problems and shares your happiness absolutely sincerely. It is very important for every one of us to have a person whom you can trust. Kirberger and Mortensen assume that the one thing we all need from our friends and by far the most important in any friendship is trust (3). One should be extremely glad if he can trust somebody. It goes without saying, we are often afraid of sharing our secrets with people, however, you can be strongly sure that you can trust your dog or cat. Who said that they could not be friends? In addition, you should not pretend or behave in an unusual for you way with your real friend. Neera Kapur Badhwar mentions that a friendship endures only if both friends continue to be the particular persons they are (4). Thus, your friend is your mutual soul and a part of you. In conclusion, it should be mentioned that one should make an effort to save a friendship in his/her life. To have a friend is a totally awesome thing, however, it is a hard work as well. One should develop certain threats of character and personal values, such as the ability to listen to and empathize in order to be a good friend. Selfishness, envy and double-facedness are the enemies of friendship. If one cannot overcome those treats of character, one will never have a friend in his/her life. Works Cited Badhwar, Neera Kapur. Friendship:A Philosophical Reader The United States of America, 1993. Epstein, Joseph. Friendship: An Expose : The United States of America, 2006. Kirberger ,Kimberly and Colin Mortensen. On Friendship: A Book for Teenagers Deerfield Beach, Health Communications, Inc, 2000. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Supreme Court Decisions that Affect Victim Handing Essay Many of the Supreme Court’s decisions are improving the position of victims and victim handling during various procedures. An example is the 1991 decision that allows suppressing the defense attempts at referring to rape victims’ past sexual experiences as irrelevant (which they are). I believe that it was a major step forward for our society, and even though nowadays it is still possible to meet sexist remarks on the behavior of rape victims, at court they officially cannot be regarded as any kind of evidence to a particular case of a sexual offense. A more controversial precedent took place in 1990 and provided child rape victims with the right to not facing their alleged abuser during a trial. They may testify via closed-circuit television. In this case, the psychological and physical well-being of the victim (abused child) is considered more valuable than the right of the defendant to face the accuser that is granted by the Sixth Amendment. In this case, I find that I also agree with the decision despite its controversial nature; in part because the prosecutor needs to convince the judge that the victim is likely to be traumatized by facing the alleged abuser. In other words, despite the fact that the rights of the defendant are breached, the Supreme Court works to avoid the possibility of the abuse of the right granted by this precedent. Still, most of the “landmark” precedents created by the Court are not aimed at improving the position of victims (Karmen, 2016, p. 207). The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of the press, and in 1989, six (of the nine) justices argued that the press can print the name of a woman who “was already identified as a rape victim in publicly available police reports” without any liabilities (Karmen, 2016, p. 209). I strongly disagree with such reasoning because police reports are not read by as many people as newspapers, so the “damage done” logic does not apply here. The First Amendment does not free the press from the liabilities that are connected to the information published; the press needs to be responsible for its activities. Three states (Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina) have laws that prohibit the publishing of the rape victims names, and the Court did not declare them unconstitutional (Karmen, 2016, p. 209). I think that this fact should demonstrate and prove the flawed nature of the decision, and I would work to bring this aspect of victim treatment to question and attempt to change it. If the press cannot be held liable, it is the question of victim handling and protecting their privacy throughout legal proceedings and after them. All the cases described by Karmen (2016) are most significant in one way or another (pp. 207-208). I do tend to agree (sometimes begrudgingly) with most of them, with the exception of the one concerned with publishing the names of rape victims and the one that I consider most important and impactful for the victim’s rights and the well-being of our society. In 1987, a death sentence was upheld in spite of the statistical analysis that appeared to demonstrate a discriminatory tendency in court. The analysis showed that the death sentence was a more likely outcome for the people who were convicted of killing a white person rather than a black one. Admittedly, the use of such statistics does not necessarily apply to a specific case, and the death sentence is an extremely controversial issue of its own. However, a decision like this one has the most detrimental effect on the victims and society. Such decisions serve to put minorities in disadvantage, solidify discriminatory ideas and intentions, and discredit the justice system as approving or neglectful. The decisions are also illustrative: like the much more recent scandal with San Francisco Police (Fuller, 2016), they show that our society is still far from becoming inclusive and that the people who cannot afford to be racist or sexist still have not absorbed the information from diversity and tolerance courses. References Fuller, T. (2016). San Francisco Police Chief releases officers’ racist texts. The New York Times . Web. Karmen, A. (2016). Crime victims (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Appendix A The Remedy Grid. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
This text manages to capture diverse voices and ideas from different poets, authors, and writers. The authors present the best ideas and discussions to understand the issue of immigration. The immigration reforms of the 1960s made it possible for many people to come to North America. The US Congress’ decision to amend the Immigration Act in the 1960s transformed American society. The new law removed most of the barriers existing in the nation (Mendoza and Shankar 11). The chapter “The New Literature of Immigration” explains how the increasing number of immigrants has transformed the United States. This development has made the country culturally and racially diverse (Mendoza and Shankar 6). Throughout the past decades, immigration has remained a major issue in North America. This situation explains why different laws and regulations have redefined the issue of migration in the United States. The anthology takes “the issue of immigration from the wider realm of legislation to the people’s hearts” (Mendoza and Shankar 7). The book “embraces literature to analyze the experiences of different people in the country” (Mendoza and Shankar 3). According to the authors, the practice has continued to change the image, expectation, and future of American society. Several issues confront many immigrants in this part of the world. Some of these issues include preservation and assimilation. The newcomers have been wondering how they can change and achieve their potentials in a foreign land. Such individuals have been trying hard to communicate with their sons and daughters about the most important things (Mendoza and Shankar 9). New cultural shocks and wars have dominated American society (Mendoza and Shankar 9). This is undeniable because America is today full of immigrants from different parts of the world. The magnitude of the changes arising from this wave of immigration is incomprehensible. This “new literature presents the prejudiced experiences of foreigners in the new society” (Mendoza and Shankar 2) The article gives every reader a better comprehension of an issue that is beyond his or her knowledge. The text compels the reader to analyze more articles and discussions to understand the significance of immigration in the United States. The authors have used their essays, memoirs, poems, and fictions to explain how different foreigners have worked tirelessly to redefine their goals. They have worked hard in an attempt to deal with various challenges such as political oppression, discrimination, prejudice, and economic desperation (Mendoza and Shankar 12). The text goes further to explain why “national identities and boundaries cannot control the communications, allegiances, and movements of different immigrants” (Mendoza and Shankar 11). The chapter “also explains why different things such as death and freedom, hate and love, and violence and happiness dominate the lives of these persons” (Mendoza and Shankar 12). It is agreeable that new ideas and values have emerged because of immigration. This development means a lot for the country’s socio-cultural path. This article is worth reading because it informs every person about the hurdles and problems encountered by many foreigners in North America. The short stories explain how different Americans ignore and abuse individuals from Asia and Africa. In conclusion, the chapter explores “how different migrants have enriched the fabric of American life and culture” (Mendoza and Shankar 14). Works Cited Mendoza, Louis, and Subramanian Shankar. Crossing Into America: The New Literature of Immigration. New York: New Press, 2005. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Increasing Inflation Impact on Individuals Essay Inflation refers to a general increase in the prices of basic commodities and services, usually taken to represent an average spending pattern (Mankiw, 2012). In simpler terms, inflation is the rise in the cost of living due to an exaggerated increase in commodity prices. As inflation sets in, both individuals, corporations, and the government usually feels its impacts. However, a significant increase in the level of inflation will cause numerous impacts on me as an individual. Since inflation means a rise in prices of common and basic goods, my purchasing power will reduce since the income shall remain constant as prices rise up (Sexton, 2007). This is because the rate of inflation affects the currency’s purchasing power. As inflation rises, the value of the currency reduces proportionately or even at a higher rate pattern (Mankiw, 2012). Generally, the prevailing rate of inflation dictates the number of goods that I will be able to afford. As the cost of basic such as fuel prices, its trickle-down effects are manifold. The energy prices will increase the prices of foodstuffs such as grains since the machinery costs used in production shall have increased. Because of a rise in the cost of living, it will lead to lower standards of living since inflation negatively influences the comfort of life. To demonstrate this impact, clearly, there shall be a shift from spending on leisure activities toward basic commodities. Inflation influences budgeting and planning for investment. Ordinarily, inflation is a phenomenon that happens without the prior and perfect knowledge of an individual, and as such, planned budgets are affected. The confusion created by an uncertain increase in both costs and prices eventually hampers the planning process (Sexton, 2007). Similarly, the amount planned for investment will reduce hence causing a detriment in my overall investment base. Inflation causes money to lose its value due to a rise in the price level. Since I am a regular saver, the rising inflation will affect me in the sense that I will lose confidence in the currency as a measure of value. This is because the rate of savings will be lower than the inflation resulting in a negative real interest rate on savings (Madura, 2006). For instance, if the per year inflation rate is at 6% while the nominal rate on savings is 3%, it means that the real interest rate on my savings is -3%. The other effect of inflation will be tendencies of food shortages on the market occasioned by hoarding by sellers. Market analysis shows that an anticipated increase in inflation stimulates hoarding since sellers withhold goods with a view to selling at a higher price. Sellers will begin to cause physical scarcity of food and other products on the market since they would be anticipating better prices in the future (Sexton, 2007). As an individual, it will become difficult to access basic items, and if available, their prices will be excessively farther than what I can afford. However, I will also be able to benefit from the government intervention plans and policy adjustments geared towards addressing inflation (Madura, 2006). The government’s policy to amend the nominal rates in order to cushion the savers will automatically be advantageous to me. As such, I will be motivated to increase my savings and investment in order to meet my future investment objectives. Reference Madura, J. (2006). Introduction to business . New York, NY: Cengage Learning. Mankiw, N.G. (2012). Principles of macroeconomics (6 th .). Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning. Sexton, R. L. (2007). Exploring Economics . New York, NY: Cengage Learning. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Impressive Parts 2. Strengths 3. Weaknesses 4. Conclusion “Outliers” has become a highly influential book since its publication in 2008. Malcolm Gladwell examined a variety of factors for success including language, the time dedicated to the craft and even the date of a person’s birth. After reading the book, its positive and negative aspects have become apparent and will be discussed in this review. Impressive Parts Perhaps the most impressive part of the book is the way that Gladwell captivates the reader by making complex ideas more palatable to the general audience. He took a variety of research articles on sociology and constructed a believable set of factors that may lead to success. The positive message of the book is also worthy of note as it emphasizes the value of equal opportunity in work. The high sales of the book and the popularity of its ideas have shown that his writing was convincing to a large number of people who often choose to ignore the criticism of the book from outside sources. Strengths The style of the book expresses a certain charisma that pushes the reader toward believing the ideas expressed in the text. It is well structured and fast paced, especially for a non-fiction book filled with statistics and relatively complex ideas. Gladwell’s writing is easy to read, and all the primary ideas are memorable. However, perhaps the most positive aspect of the book lies in one of the ideas expressed by the author. Gladwell believes that all that is truly required for success is hard work and that anyone can achieve greatness despite lacking innate talent. This is a highly optimistic message to which the author dedicates a large portion of the book. His call for people to recognize the potential of those who are being overlooked due to their socio-economic status or for any other reason is genuinely inspiring and elicits frustration due to the lack of government programs that would allow such students, workers, and artists to utilize the skills they have cultivated over the years. His ideas on how language affects human perception are also not without merit. Language often reflects on the society that uses it, focusing the thinking process of the user towards specific cultural ideas. The way in which this idea is presented may be questionable, but rings true nonetheless. Weaknesses The book suffers from major oversimplification and generalization of the studies that it is based on. When viewing it from a more critical lens, these issues become apparent. The number of studies cited in the book are too few to make concrete assumptions, and in some cases, the authors of the studies have stated that their research was misinterpreted by the author either accidentally or deliberately to support his point of view. Gladwell often relies on circumstantial and anecdotal evidence that is presented as more substantial than it is, and in some cases, conclusions are made with almost no solid evidence behind them. Some of them are problematic in nature as they ignore socioeconomic factors and rely on memorable but simplistic statements like the idea that Chinese people are better at math because it takes less time to say the numbers in their language. His description of Bill Gates’ success is also partially inaccurate. While his experiences with early personal computers allowed him to be one of the first people who managed to capitalize on their success, his achievements were not gained by his talent alone. Gates was aided by a variety of individuals and in some cases, stole projects created by others to achieve his goals. For example, MS-DOS was based on a reverse engineered OS made by a less competitive developer. Conclusion The popularity of “Outliers” cannot be underestimated. Its readers were captivated by the style of Gladwell’s writing and the memorable ideas that he explored. However, the book is based on insufficient evidence and presents its ideas in an oversimplified manner that hurts its credibility. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Indian Strategies of Native Americans Essay Introduction In early nineteenth century, the Europeans invaded Native Americans with the aim of civilizing the Indian people. This movement posed a serious negative impact to the indigenous people due to the mounting pressure that was being exerted on them by the European missionaries. This marked the evolvement of different strategies that were used by the Indians to counterattack the expansion of the American territories (Dowd, 16-18). This American movement was basically referred to as the Civilization Mission and it sought to make good citizens out of the Indians. However, the mechanisms used were not encouraging to the Indians. They used coercion and deception to accomplish their mission, and for this reason, several strategies were established against them (Dowd, 139-142). Main Text First, the dense population of indigenous people was a major obstacle to the spread of American civilization and the Indians took this as an advantage to them to counterattack the movement. However, this did not work well and the most important strategy that was employed was in the form of “prophetic nativism” which involved prophecies of hope made by the Indian people and some against the white people (Dowd, 144). In the years 1795 and 1815, there arose some individual prophets and few groups of Indians who claimed to have a supernatural power and inspiration from God. They challenged the Indian leaders who called for Europeans to be incorporated in their political and cultural structures. Being united in a shared ritual demanded for power and turning to the spirits, the prophets openly sought support against the leaders who in their tribes had given out part of their land to the Europeans. For this reason the prophetic groups of Shawnees, Delaware and Creeks parted with those who had accommodated them and formed a union whose role was to counter the expansion of the Europeans, an effort that came hand in hand with the war that took place in 1812 (Dowd, 181 ). The nineteenth century teachings from some of the Indian prophets were negative prophecies made against the Indian citizens. For example; the vision of a Delaware woman who warned that “If the Big House Ceremony were not celebrated with care, a whirlwind would soon wipe out the people completely and the Indians to the West of Ottawas would all fall off and die”. However, the fear induced by such threats was offset by the hope that came with prophetic promises made by other prophets. The Indian tribes who were united in the fight against the Americans believed that the power which belonged to the war-club Dance, Ottawas and the Chippewas would lead to the destruction of all the white men in America. Another prophecy was made by the Tenskwatawa who indicated that “American would not be in danger if the land overturns but this would happen if only they leave the prophetic land in a peaceful way”. Another strategy in which Indians resisted American expansion was by forming Pan Indian Movement which was led by Tenskwatawa’s brother Tecumseh who spoke against the Fort Wayne cession a (treaty) and the Indian leaders who supported it. The Pan Indian movement made a great impact in resisting the American expansion. Anti-Christian teaching was also a strategy used by the Indians. They argued that the Europeans were the ones who killed their savior and there is no way they could follow the teachings of the Americans, and more so they had different origins in relation to the faith of the Europeans and that of the Indians. Conclusion The Pan Indian Movement led by Tecumseh was one of the most successful strategies employed by Indians. This was because the movement was based on the mutual understanding that Indians originated from the same creation and there was need for them to unite in fighting against the Europeans (Dowd, 193-194). Another reason for success was that Tecumseh was regarded as a warrior and a renowned traveler who possessed organizational skills in uniting the people for a common purpose. On the contrary, the prophetic nativism did not succeed because of the fact that some of the prophets such as the Tenskwatawa were only harsh to their fellow Indians and compromised with the European people. This made them to lose their disciples who could help them in fighting the American expansion. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Face-to-Face Healthcare Delivery to Rural Older Adults Essay (Critical Writing) Although the introduction of innovative health management tools has introduced numerous options for advancing the efficacy of care with the help of IT and ICT devices, the significance of face-to-face healthcare delivery remains high. Rural older adults require personal communication with nurses and healthcare staff members especially badly due to the obstacles to receiving healthcare services (Hash, Jurkowski, & Krout, 2015). The adoption of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration should be seen as the most promising start of a new framework for face-to-face healthcare service provision to older adults in rural settings. Due to the focus on increased access to hospital services and continuous communication between patients and nurses, the specified project is expected to address some of the major concerns of health management for older adults in rural areas, such as the lack of accessibility to healthcare. Because of the emphasis on an improved financial system, better communication, and patient education, the proposed approach toward managing the needs of rural older adults is expected to become a catalyst for healthcare service improvement. A neutral approach to budgeting combined with a better understanding of the needs of a rural aging population will cause a shift in the framework for conversing with the target demographic (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, n.d.). Namely, the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration will enable patients to utilize the available services by contacting healthcare staff and utilizing the provided hospital services to their full potential (Wentzel, van der Vaart, Bohlmeijer, & van Gemert-Pijnen, 2016). With an increased level of awareness and patient education, the rural community of older adults will be able to prevent the cases of serious health deterioration from taking place by locating the necessary services and asking experts for appropriate assistance at the early onset of health issues development. References Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Rural community hospital demonstration . Web. Hash, K. M., Jurkowski, E. T., & Krout, J. A. (2015). Aging in rural places . New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. Wentzel, J., van der Vaart, R., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & van Gemert-Pijnen, J. E. (2016). Mixing online and face-to-face therapy: How to benefit from blended care in mental health care. JMIR Mental Health, 3 (1), 1-7. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Being one of the largest carborundum plants in Beauséjour, Northern Quebec, it spends millions of dollars on improving the ecological situation, however, plant’s numerous smokestacks and waste products are still filtering into the neighboring streams. Considering the past events connected with the situation, the following data should be provided. The problem reemerged after Andrew Laskow’s complaint who emphasized on noxious smoke which affected the environment. The next day, on September 8, Lise Leger of the Beauséjour Garden Club also complained about the negative effects of the plant emissions on the flowers. The things were complicated by a petition against SiliCarb’s pollution of Zeus Creek which was signed by 700 people. This report provoked the release of the special program of the folks in the morning show on WERS-Radio on September 10. The show was devoted to the plant and measures which had already been taken to make the plant consider the problem. The public hearing was initiated and Leslie Jones was invited as the first witness. Leslie Jones, the manager of the SiliCarb carborundum plant in Beauséjour, appeared at the Beauséjour City Council Hearing on September 13. He said, “SiliCarb has already spent $1.3 million on a program aimed at elimination of the harmful emissions into water and air produced by Beauséjour plant. We have received about 500 complaints over the past 3 months. We are concerned about environmental problems, but the company’s manufacturing process and it’s peculiarities do not allow us to eliminate the emissions completely”. Leslie Jones also announced that the company does everything possible to cope with the problem, however, the amount of the production does not allow the company to remove pollution impact. Leslie Jones pointed out that the plant’s shutdown would negatively affect the area since being the largest employer in the region it offers many job opportunities. The shutdown would not bring any positive effect except for the environment. Having decided to invest another $2 million to solving the pollution problems within the next three months, it was announced that the planned measures for the year 2014 would be declined due to the current financing of the project. Still, all the planned and all the necessary actions are going to be made. Leslie Jones said, “The new environment cleaning program will start in October, and the water and air purification is expected in June”. Smoky SiliCarb Inc. is the company which takes care of people. The company understands that its production is closely related to the environment pollution in the area, therefore, it takes all possible measures to cope with the problem. Even though the community does not notice significant changes, it should be mentioned that in 1991 SiliCarb received a prestigious award from Environment Canada for its contribution into the environment protection program. The community should take this information into account. Having promised to finance a new environment project and invest $2 million more, Smoky SiliCarb plans to hire 100 more employees for the cleaning program. Smoky SiliCarb Inc. has always been concerned with the environment, however, the previous manager violated the company’s policy. Previous manager Fowler Aire illegally captured $25,000 of the company. However, the company does not reject its responsibilities and spends time and money on improving the ecological situation in the country. Smoky SiliCarb Inc. understands that its emissions are harmful, but does everything possible to remain environment friendly; however, this cannot be achieved completely due to the peculiarities of the manufacturing. Being the leader in the production in the region, Smoky SiliCarb Inc. is the company which tries to be useful for the society. The conflict which appeared due to the inappropriate behavior of the previous manager affected the general reputation of the company. Even though the Beauséjour plant was the subject of a critical report from the Private Environmental Stabilization Task-Force, a private environmental group, the company is sure that it does everything possible to clean the polluted water and air. The company is responsible for the emissions and it does not reject it, the professionals do their best to reduce the effects on the country’s environment. About Smoky SiliCarb Inc. Smoky SiliCarb Inc. is the oldest plant in Beauséjour. It was built in 1902. Today the Beauséjour plant employs 10,000 people, and it covers 14 acres. It is the single largest supplier of plate glass and commercial panes in the country. The company deals with trading under the symbol SCI on the Toronto Stock exchange. The company has a carborundum plant which meets the corporation needs. For Further Informstion Please Contact: Leslie Jones Smoky SiliCarb Inc., manager [email protected] | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Employees Management in the Police Department Essay Captain Strong has quite a difficult task to fulfill as the situation in the department is rather complicated. Patrol officers’ morale is low and they find their jobs dissatisfying. This leads to low quality of service provided and exceeding level of turnover. Lots of managers view organizations as a structure and employ the holistic approach (Hester & Adams, 2014). In this case, however, Captain Strong should utilize a combination of the holistic and reductionist approaches. She can choose the reductionist approach that will help her to address particular parts of the system. It is important to understand the needs of each employee and make sure that basic needs will be addressed. When these issue have been addressed, she will be able to develop a holistic strategy to maintain the necessary atmosphere in the working place. She will be able to develop an effective system where all employees are satisfied with the job and are willing to work hard. Obviously, patrol officers need to be motivated. They are overloaded by work and are unwilling to work hard. Zehndorfer (2013) stresses that motivational strategies should be equally applicable to all employees. Otherwise, they will be ineffective. Financial motivation has proved to be a universal strategy which is valued by the vast majority of employees (Zehndorfer, 2013). Nonetheless, scarce resources require development of other strategies. Hence, Captain Strong may introduce certain monetary reward. This can be a reward for outstanding performance during a particular period (a month, a year) or in a particular case. At the same time, Captain Strong has to introduce other benefits which could be valued by the employees. It can be effective to ask the employees to complete a brief questionnaire on their aspirations, needs and expectations. She also can launch certain training for the employees. The training will aim at development of efficient strategies to complete reports. Employees feel they are overwhelmed with paperwork. Hence, they need to be taught to complete this task more efficiently (using less time and effort). It can also be effective to consider the amount of paper work. Sometimes employees have to complete reports which are unnecessary. Captain Strong has to make sure there are no such reports in the department. It is noteworthy that the E.R.G. theory is applicable when developing effective motivational strategies. The theory includes three classes: existence needs, relatedness needs and growth needs (Jost, 2014). Thus, monetary rewarding will address existence needs. It is also clear that there are serious issues when it comes to relationships in the department. The policy existing in the department make it impossible for patrol officers to satisfy their relatedness needs. However, it should be done to motivate employees and help them work more effectively. Since it is prohibited to have lunch or coffee breaks in the same restaurants for more than two officers, patrol officers should have another opportunity to interact. There should be a canteen within the department where police officers can have lunch and communicate. Apart from this, there can be weekly meetings to share ideas, experiences, problems and solutions. Patrol officers have to feel support of each other on daily basis. As has been mentioned above, training can help make patrol officers’ work more effective. Some of these training sessions may be aimed at development of team work within the department. It is clear that workload and lack of interpersonal relationship leads to dissatisfaction and excessive turnover. Finally, it is important to take into account growth needs of patrol officers. It is possible to launch a system of ratings. For instance, top three patrol officers can be chosen each month. The best employee can get monetary reward and some other benefits. Another motivational strategy which is applicable in this case is job enrichment. In the first place, it is necessary to note that job enlargement will not be useful. Job enlargement “extends the scope of actions in a horizontal dimension” and employees have to complete more tasks which are often routine (Jost, 2014, p. 371). This approach will lead to a higher level of dissatisfaction. On the contrary, job enrichment will make the tasks completed more diverse. Employees will not get tired of fulfilling routine tasks. It is noteworthy that this approach also implies feedback and communication which will have a positive impact on development of proper relationship in the department and employees’ satisfaction. At this point it is necessary to note that patrol officers claim they have little time for their preliminary investigations as well as their patrolling. Therefore, it is important to analyze the workload and, perhaps, reduce the amount of work each patrol officer has to conduct. In conclusion, it is possible to state that Captain Strong can improve the situation and she needs to pay specific attention to the workload and employees’ motivation. It is crucial to make sure that the tasks completed are necessary. It is possible to optimize some tasks. Captain Strong can also consider launching some training and rewarding. Reference List Hester, P.T., & Adams, K.M. (2014). Systemic thinking: Fundamentals for understanding problems and messes . Norfolk, VA: Springer. Jost, P.J. (2014). The economics of motivation and organization: An introduction . Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing. Zehndorfer, E. (2013). Leadership: A critical introduction . New York, NY: Routledge. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Insurance and Negligence Critical Essay What is negligence According to insurance policy, negligence is defined as any instance that on the part of the policy holder’s that could be blamed for the incidence that occurred, when there is negligent, then the incident was not merely from an accident, but some reluctance, ignorance or anything or such manner can be proved on the part of the policy holder’s. Depending with the insurance contact engaged, the insurer could cover the loss resulting from a negligence of the policyholder to a certain percentage or alternatively refuse to cater for any loss therein. To prove that a policyholder was negligent, there are four main elements to a negligent, they are: Existence of a legal duty to use reasonable care The insurer must prove that the policyholder by the terms and conditions of the contract was under legal obligation to take good care of the situation or the subject matter to avoid any case of damage. When signing an insurance policy, there are some conditions that are special to a particular case, in the case that they offer some duty of care to the policyholder, then in case of an incidence that occurred from the bleach of the duty of care, then the case can be said to be a case of negligence. Failure to perform that duty An insurance policy has some preset conditions that calls for some actions, certain behavior or certain way of handing situation on the side of the policyholder to enforce the contract. In the case that the policyholder has ignored or not performed the duty, then it can be concluded as a case of negligence and the contact can have issues in enforceability. failure to perform that duty can result to negligence and non-compensation of the policyholder. Damages or injury to the claimant To prove a case of negligence, there must have some damages that have been suffered because of the negligence, in the case of an insurance policy, the subject matter that had been issued must have been damaged or the peril that was insured against must have occurred. When the damage has occurred, the policyholder will be seeking to enforce the contract and get compensation that is the challenging part of the story; he suffered the damage, but the complainant (the insurance at this level) is claiming that there have been some negligence, thus the damage not enforceable. The insurer assumes that if the policyholder had taken such enough care, then the damage would not have occurred. Proximate cause relationship between the negligent act and the infliction of damages Under this heading, the law assumes that some acts on the side of the policyholder that might have triggered another thing that is responsible for the damage. In this case, there is the inclusion of third parties or other activities to functions that might be blamed for the damage. When proving this point, the insurance body must show the cause of events and the relationship that occurred in the entire situation to have the damage occur. The assumption of this element is that a damage can occur but there is not direct influence of the policyholder if the matters of the case are analyzed, then it can be seen that the policy holder was involved in the situation indirectly; the indirect involvement is the prove of negligence. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Phonological and Phonemic Awareness and Literacy Development Essay Table of Contents 1. Let Us Start with the Terms 2. A More Detailed Understanding 3. Connection with Literacy Development 4. Early Reading and Literacy 5. Activity Examples 6. References Let Us Start with the Terms Despite the differences in interpretation, phonological awareness traditionally refers to humans’ fundamental ability to understand the sound structures of speech and manipulate them to create rhymes, alliterations, use syllables in words, and explore the language. Simultaneously, phonemic awareness is a more advanced understanding of language, the next level of phonological awareness, when a person can identify and manage the smallest units of speech, the phoneme. A More Detailed Understanding Phonological awareness arises when a student is able to hear and control sounds. Here are some examples of what is meant by such control: * in the word Apple we clearly hear /ap/ and /ple/; * we can combine /d/, /o/, and /g/ to get the word dog, and vice versa; * we can add sounds to change the number of objects: dog + /s/ = dogs. * On the contrary, phonemic awareness occurs when a student hears the smallest parts of words. Here are a few examples: * in the word shack we hear /sh/, /a/, and /ck/; * in the word cat: /c/, /a/, and /t/. Connection with Literacy Development Both types of awareness are essential predictors of literacy development in early childhood. In other words, how well a child will read in the future depends on how successfully a child learns sound skills before. Linkage, when letters are soundly interpreted, is crucial: phonological awareness helps to understand the alphabetical principle so that later this knowledge can be used for faster and more careful reading, and phonetic one allows to understand that words consist of sequences of sounds, phonemes. On the other hand, a deep understanding of sounds is a key skill for developing language abilities, in which the child clearly understands the structure of the word, using rhymes and syllables. Thanks to this knowledge, the preschooler makes fewer spelling mistakes since they have an idea of how sound and letters are connected, which means they can write the whole word without making mistakes. Early Reading and Literacy There is no doubt that early reading has a positive impact on the harmonious development of the child. There are at least three factors that make it possible to justify this connection. Here they are: 1. early childhood reading prepares children for school reading, which means they have more advantages compared to inexperienced classmates; 2. reading and rhyming form a deep understanding of semantics and develop a child’s literacy, which creates the ground for further learning; 3. if a child gets acquainted with phonetics and tries to read short stories, in the future, it becomes easier for them to learn the language, and reading complex books is mastered more quickly. As noted, phonetic and phonological awareness plays not the least role in the formation of literacy and reading skills. Although children at an early age may face significant difficulties with the sound interpretation of language, it was shown that proper instruction could improve reading skills. Early reading is at the core of timely or even advanced literacy development. This is confirmed by the fact that if children start trying to write before they have mastered cursory reading, it is mostly phonetic writing. However, special attention should be paid to discussing how conscious a child’s reading is. If it is viewing letters without thoughtful analysis of what is written, then such training also makes sense : by connecting the visual memory, the child forms literacy. Activity Examples * Reading — in small groups, practice reading together, reading by role, or by sentence. For children with disabilities, it is advisable to have a private session with a tutor or let classmates help the child. * Listening — while children are busy with everyday activities, include audiobook stories in the background. Children with disabilities (CwD) can be offered an individual headphone. * Acquaintance with printed letters — offer children a book with lots of pictures so that the child can form an association between words, pictures, and sounds. For CwD, the help of an assistant is recommended. * Speaking — it is enough to get together and discuss how the day has passed, what is the weather on the street or children’s hobby: it is essential to allow each child to talk. For CwD, it is possible to change the approach, for instance let them draw or write words. * Letter naming — offer children a joint game: give them phoneme cards and ask what letter this symbol can represent. CwD requires some help from an assistant. * Vocabulary — in a group of 5-10 people, the tutor offers 44 phoneme cards to children. The task of the children is to form a word from the phonemes and determine their meaning, and these may be words that do not exist. CwD may require assistance in manipulating the cards. * Phonological awareness — start playing rhymes with children, namely, let one of the pupils call the word, and the next one rhymes with it. For example, “cat-fat-bat-hat.” CwD will not have difficulties with this activity, but it may take time. References Berrill, D. (2018). Learning to read: The importance of both phonological and morphological approaches . Web. International Literacy Association. (2019). Phonological awareness in early childhood literacy development [PDF document]. Web. Moran, R. & Billen, M. (2014). The reading and writing connection: Merging two reciprocal content areas. Georgia Educational Researcher, 11 (1), 188-208. Morris, D. (2015). Preventing early reading failure. The Reading Teacher, 68 (7), 502-509. Moustafa, M. (2014). Improving the common core’s foundational skills in reading, K-2. The California Reader, 48 (1), 11-19. Phonological and phonemic awareness: Introduction . (2016). Web. Phonological awareness . (2020). Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Qualifying questions were asked to determine the applicant’s competence in supporting and engaging the child with the Aboriginal community. The applicant talked about participation in Aboriginal networks, affirmation of the child’s Aboriginal identity, and the child’s understanding of family ties. The woman was also asked about the child’s current use of social services and those that the child would need in the future. The applicant demonstrated a confident command of the necessary information and responded fully to the questions during the interaction. Based on the information Vanessa provided, she is able to ensure that the child is exposed correctly to Aboriginal roots. Although the child’s Aboriginal identity has not been officially documented, his Aboriginal roots originate in Bundjalung. Vanessa currently resides in Awabakal land, which borders the country of Darkinjung, where the child was born. This location allows Vanessa to keep the child close to his birthplace and strengthen his Aboriginal connections. Vanessa’s participation in the Aboriginal community is fulfilling. She actively participates in Aboriginal celebrations and has extensive knowledge of history and culture. The applicant fully understands and appreciates the child’s belonging to a particular community and is prepared to engage the child in it actively. Vanessa has demonstrated a basic knowledge of services that can provide services to an Aboriginal child and will use them. In the future, Vanessa can involve the child in the celebration of community festivals and teach the child about history and culture. In addition, she will also help the child connect with other Aboriginal children, enabling them to become more aware of their belonging to the community. Based on all of the above, the applicant can take on the responsibility of introducing the child to the Aboriginal community and be successful in her responsibilities. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Neighborhood Crime and the Racial-Spatial Divide Review Essay Ruth D.Peterson and Lauren J. Krivo. Divergent Social Worlds: Neighborhood Crime and the Racial-Spatial Divide New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation, 2010. Ruth and Lauren organized the book around the concept of racial spatial divide. The book is presented in a manner that links racial inequality in terms of social and economic conditions and power to unequal residential locations and segregated settlements across ethnic lines and ratio groups. The authors present the racial spatial divide in a hierarchical structure where whites are the most advantaged, occupy the most powerful and prestigious positions in government and live in the best neighborhoods while Americans of African descents are the most disadvantaged and only occupy disadvantaged and less powerful positions in the US government. Other ethnic groups such as Asians and Latinos occupy positions between the black Americans and the white Americans. According to the book, poverty and other social-economic inequalities are strongly associated with certain races and the more they are concentrated in a certain race then the more violent tendencies associated with people of that particular race. A major theoretical contribution of the book is with regards to the integration of various theoretical perspectives with borrowings from fields such as criminology, racial and ethnic divides and urban sociology. The theoretical framework advanced by the authors uses residential segregation as the connection between social position in terms of racial background and the differences in crime levels among various communities. The authors have explained the complicated issues surrounding social and institutional inequalities that favour the white residential areas compared to the residential areas of other lower races like Latinos and African Americans. They have, therefore, made it clear that segregation is the reason why social worlds of people in the US are very different and depend on neighborhood colour. The authors have also made it clear that racial segregation and associated disadvantages are the reasons why neighborhood crime is associated with certain races or ethnic groups. Ruth and Lauren carried out an empirical study that sought to investigate how the levels of neighborhood crime vary across different racial communities and ethnic groups for a sample set of cities across the US. They used multilevel Poisson distributions to record the occurrences of crime across various ethnic groups. The authors investigated the extent to which differences in social inequalities and racial segregation among various communities influence the levels of crime in these neighborhoods. Some of the variables used to predict crime rates were residential instability, disadvantages, immigration of residents, and city characteristics such as segregation and percentage manufacturing. There were significant correlational relations among the study variables. They also investigated how inequality in the character of surrounding settlements contributes to ethnic differences in the levels of crime. In terms of linking racial segregation, neighborhood and crime prevalence, the authors have clearly shown that there is a significant relationship. The book has presented a clear view of the nature of the American racial spatial divide and how the social injustices and disadvantages experienced by some communities lead to the prevalence of neighborhood crime and other forms of violence in those neighborhoods. It is, therefore important for the government to develop policies aimed at managing this racial spatial divide in order to curb violence and crime in such neighborhoods. A good example of such could be the upgrading the housing system in African American neighborhoods to reach the standards of white neighborhoods. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Self-Reported Community Health and Unemployment Rate Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Impact on Mental Health 3. Long-Term Illness and Unemployment 4. Conclusion 5. References Introduction The traditional way of improving the community health level is organizing health fairs and providing educational interventions for the people of concern. However, recent research shows that there are significant correlations between community self-reported health and the unemployment rate of a community (Bambra & Eikemo, 2018). Unemployment affects mental health, increases suicide, and other causes of mortality rates provoke long-term illnesses, and are associated with a higher prevalence of risky health behavior (Bambra & Eikemo, 2018). The present paper provides reasons for giving up traditional health interventions for joining and supporting the initiative to increase job openings to increase the community’s County Health Rankings. Impact on Mental Health The initiative to increase the number of job offerings instead of spending money on health fairs and educational programs can positively affect the mental well-being of the community. According to Strandh, Winefield, Nilsson, and Hammarström (2014), job loss is connected to with deteriorating mental health in all age groups. Moreover, the longer a person stays unemployed, the more adverse are the consequences of the matter. The common impacts of staying with a job for an extended period are apathy, risky behavior, suicide, and depression (Bambra & Eikemo, 2018). The risk of suicide among unemployed men is almost two times higher if compared to the employed population (Strandh et al., 2014). While some of the consequences of the matter tend to develop throughout patients’ lives, most of the adverse effects do not linger after re-employment (Strandh et al., 2014). Therefore, the dedication of the hospital board towards increasing the number of job openings can let the community member avoid the long-term mental problems induced by unemployment. Long-Term Illness and Unemployment In addition to problems with mental health, unemployed people have an increased chance of acquiring chronic illnesses. According to Bambra and Eikemo (2018), the risk of reporting chronic illnesses is 1.5-2.5 times higher depending on the number of times a person was left without a job, and the unemployment period duration. Apart from emotional reasons for the matter, there also is an objective explanation of the emergence of long-term illnesses. Financial hardships after a job loss usually lead to deprivation in infrastructure, educational and labor market opportunities, and availability of healthy foods (Brydsten, Gustafsson, Hammarström, & San Sebastian, 2017). Moreover, unemployment is commonly associated with losing health insurance that can negatively affect reported health. People experiencing money problems spend less on their well-being avoiding costly preventative procedures and treatment (Bambra & Eikemo, 2018). In short, providing people with high-security jobs in a hospital will decrease the number of people with chronic illnesses. Unhealthy habits, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, and drug addiction, are also common consequences of unemployment. According to Bambra and Eikemo (2018), people left without jobs for three years are 2.11 times more likely to have problems with tobacco smoking, and 2.15 times more inclined to start drinking alcohol. These behavioral trends may lead to acquiring long-term illnesses. In brief, hospitals can help their patients’ avoid harmful habits by offering more jobs. Conclusion The traditional community health interventions remain an effective tool for improving the well-being status of the area. At the same time, a cost-effective dedication to providing an extended number of employment offerings on hospital grounds can be more beneficial for people’s mental health. Moreover, additional jobs will help the community to avoid unhealthy behavior and long-term illnesses. Therefore, it may be concluded that the biggest driver of poor health in an area is unemployment, and joining and supporting an initiative to increase job openings is more efficient than holding health fairs or ordering educational lecture series. References Bambra, C., & Eikemo, T. (2018). Insecurity, unemployment, and health: A social epidemiological perspective. In U. Kehe & E. van Hooft, The Oxford Handbook of Job Loss and Job Search (pp. 111-116). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Brydsten, A., Gustafsson, P., Hammarström, A., & San Sebastian, M. (2017). Does contextual unemployment matter for health status across the life course? A longitudinal multilevel study exploring the link between neighbourhood unemployment and functional somatic symptoms. Health & Place , 43 , 113-120. Web. Strandh, M., Winefield, A., Nilsson, K., & Hammarström, A. (2014). Unemployment and mental health scarring during the life course. The European Journal of Public Health , 24 (3), 440-445. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Purchasing MRI Equipment for Nonprofit Hospital Essay If a non-profit hospital were in preparation to acquire an MRI scanning equipment to detect tumors, the procurement team would be involved in the purchase of the equipment. As such, the team would comprise of a procurement manager, a procuring officer, and a buyer. Given that the purchase of the equipment would involve a lot of money, it would not be appropriate for the team to use informal procurement process (Butter, 2007). Therefore, the team would opt for a competitive procurement process. The process would enable several suppliers to contest in a just and open environment, ensuring that the hospital gets value for its money. During the above process, the procurement manager would be required to ensure that the machine is bought at the correct price and working conditions to meet the clients’ needs (Butter, 2007). The person would also ensure that the equipment is delivered on time. On the other hand, the procurement officer would negotiate with the vendors. The individual would be accountable for sending the invitation for proposals to the permitted sellers from the buyer’s list. The buyer would be an individual from the procurement department. The person would be required to select a suitable retailer (Butter, 2007). The individual would be responsible for the preparation of purchase orders. Similarly, the individual would be accountable for the preparation of the list of possible vendors to be forwarded to the procurement manager and hospital directors for endorsement (Butter, 2007). Through the effort of the above individuals, the hospital would be able to purchase the equipment with ease. As such, the individuals are well informed with the procurement processes and policies (Butter, 2007). References Butter, F. d. (2007). Procurement . Amsterdam: Tinbergen Institute. Perreault, W.D., Cannon, J.P., & McCarthy, E.J. (2010). Essentials of marketing (12 th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Bakun Dam Project Analysis Essay The Bakun Dam project in Sarawak is the largest source of hydroelectric power in Malaysia. The dam’s construction has created employment opportunities, improved infrastructure in Sarawak, and encouraged foreign and domestic investment. However, the project has also presented grave disadvantages for Malaysian citizens. The dam’s construction has led to the evacuation of thousands of citizens, destruction of thousands of acres of rainforest, and pollution of the environment (Choy, 2018). However, the utilitarianism doctrine justifies the construction of the Bakun Dam project. The utilitarianism doctrine claims that any action carried out for the benefit of the majority is right. By utilitarianism, the Bakun Dam project is beneficial to the larger Malaysian population. This is because the Bakun Dam project promotes economic development through the provision of cheap power, infrastructure, and increased investment (Choy, 2018). The disadvantages only affect the smaller population in Malaysia living around the Bakun Dam project in Sarawak. However, by another doctrine, moral absolutism, the Bakun Dam project is unjustifiable. The doctrine advocates all actions must be judged by given universal principles. The Bakun Dam project displaced the indigenous people of Sarawak with the promise of new land and unpaid power. However, the government has not been faithful in keeping its vow to the indigenous people of Sarawak. The displaced citizens still have to pay for electricity and live in infertile lands though they gave up their land for the dam. From the information above, it is clear that morally, the erection of the dam has harmed the indigenous people of Sarawak, who were affected most by the Bakun Dam project. Reference Choy, Y. K. (2018 ). Cost-benefit analysis, values, wellbeing and ethics: An indigenous worldview analysis. Ecological Economics . Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Social Media and Public Opinion Proposal Essay Table of Contents 1. Research Topic 2. Research Questions 3. Brief description of the topic 4. Brief description of the approaches 5. Reference List Research Topic The issue under analysis is the influence of social media on public opinion and how it can be used by governments or different political powers to shape the beliefs of people and obtain the needed attitude to certain event or question. Research Questions There is no use denying the fact that modern age can be called the epoch of the digital revolution. People obtained access to a huge amount of information and they can get the data about everything they want. With this in mind, it is obvious, that social media became one of the most significant factors of our everyday life. Modern man cannot imagine his/her life without compatibility with this remedy. That is why, it is vital to understand the peculiarities of its functioning as social media becomes very important and influential remedy, which cannot be ignored. Resting on these facts, several questions appeared. One of them is whether we still control this remedy or not and to what extent it influences the common life and beliefs of people. All these questions seem to be of great importance nowadays and that is why deep analysis of the issue is needed. Brief description of the topic The issue we are going to investigate is connected with peoples beliefs and points of view. It is obvious, that nowadays humanity obtains information with the help of mass media ( Mass Media Influence on Society n.d.). Different channels present the same information from different perspectives. That is why, very often people, who are armed with information about some accident or event, have, though, absolutely different opinions and points of view (Thorsten 2013). It is important to investigate the issue of the influence of social media on peoples worldview and determine whether it is done purposely or not. Moreover, it is also important to take into account the peculiarities of modern policy and conflicts. Every state tries to shape public opinion primarily, as it is the guarantee of good support. That is why, officials can use social media to change the image of some object, issue or even create the image of an enemy (Rainie, Smith, Lehman, Schlozman, Brady, & Sidney 2012). With this in mind, an important question of the independence of social media and its credibility appears. It should be determined whether the government controls the work of social media and uses it for its purposes or not (Wihbey 2015). Nowadays, people spend the majority of their time using the Internet for obtaining information, communication or just entertaining in social networks. Very seldom, the credibility of the information obtained from the Internet is doubted ( Information Warfare: Automated Propaganda and Social Media Bots n.d.). That is why under modern conditions our topic obtains great significance as people should start thinking about the possibility of manipulations with the help of social media. Brief description of the approaches The majority of approaches which are used in this research paper are based on new digital technologies and the Internet. There are several reasons for this choice. First of all, the issue of the influence of social media on public opinion and a persons worldview should be investigated with the help of the Internet. Different social networks, websites or some databases can give us a great amount of information about this very issue. Moreover, with the development of social media more and more people start thinking about this issue and there should be some scientific researches or academic articles connected with investigations of the question of the influence of social media on public opinion. These articles can be found with the help of Google Scholar or some other libraries which contain information about academic journals and other works related to the issue. With this in mind, it is possible to say that almost all sources can be found on the Internet. Additionally, some discussion between users of social networks can be introduced for them do become involved in the issue and give their point of view on the problem. Reference List Information Warfare: Automated Propaganda and Social Media Bots n.d., Web. Mass Media Influence on Society n.d. Web. Rainie, L, Smith, A, Lehman, Schlozman, K, Brady, H & Sidney, V 2012. Social Media and Political Engagement , Web. Thorsten, H 2013, ‘How Do Social Media Affect Intra-State Conflicts Other Than War?’ Connections: The Quarterly Journal, vol. 12, no. 9 – 37, Web. Wihbey, J 2015. ‘ How does social media use influence political participation and civic engagement? A meta-analysis’ Journalists Resource , Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Organizational performance depends on the efficacy and competency of each employee of the organization who collectively form the organization. Employees depend on a right combination of stimuli to be effective. Management is mandated with the task of motivating employees and this depends on the knowledge and execution method of the management practice. The main tasks of management include reducing employee turnover in the company to retain the organizational knowledge that is important for its competitiveness. With this retrospection, managers seek to deploy the best stimuli strategy that will keep their employees motivated and committed to the organization for a long-term. The project will use the Decision Making Process as a methodology. This approach has eight distinctive stages namely problem identification, identification of decision criteria, allocation of weights and criteria, development of alternatives, analysis of the alternatives, selection of alternatives, implementation of alternatives and evaluation of the decision process. The project will have primary and secondary data categories. Primary data will comprise interview records. The interviews shall be in depth and will be complemented by questionnaires and personal observations. Secondary data shall be obtained from a literature review study, company records, and theories on motivation available offline and online on the internet. This project will offer a definition and a discussion to aid the reader in understanding the motivational problem that is present in the PGL workspace. Secondly, it shall offer a Specific, Measurable, Achievable and Timeliness (SMART) breakdown of PGL management objectives that relate to motivation and retention of staff. Introduction This project deliberates the effectiveness of the stimuli used by Pacific Gate Logistics Ltd (PGL) management in motivating its employees. Pacific Gate Logistics Ltd is an international freight forwarding company located in Airport Oaks, Auckland. It is a small company but has other offices in Australia, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia. This project focuses on the New Zealand office. The project is a research that will incorporate theories of Maslow and Herzberg among others to present the theoretical background of motivation and employee performance in organization. The project aims to present a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threats (SWOT) analysis of the motivational strategy that is used by management at PGL. In addition, the project will provide a discussion on the SMART approach aspects that are incorporated into the motivational strategy of PGL. Specifics involve actual training and development initiatives that PGL management uses as the stimuli for staff motivation. Measurability will highlight the instance of review of the management strategies and the parameters measured to evaluate the effect of the motivational strategy. Achievability looks at the viability of the timeframe given for the implementation of motivational strategies. The aspect will also evaluate PGL managers understanding of limitation of their objectives. Realistic examines the pragmatisms of the objectives PGL motivational strategy in relation to the company’s resources. Time-bound will look at the urgency of the instances of progress measurement as outlined in the PGL motivational strategy (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, Coulter, 2006). A theoretical background of the organizational motivation theory and its relation with employee effectiveness and commitment will be provided to link the findings of the study with the present literature on the subject. The review will also identify research gaps that will be focused on in this study. This study is informed by the need to provide empirical evidence of the motivational theory as outline by Maslow and Herzberg, in addition the study findings of this project will confirm the hypothesis that there is a motivational strategy implemented by the management of PGL. The project will uncover factors that validate the hypothesis in the positive or negative. Reference Robbins, S. P., Bergman R., Stagg I. and Coulter M. (2009).Foundations of Management (3rd.ed.). Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Nuclear Weapons Non Use Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Factors 3. Strategic/Tactical Factors 4. Moral factors 5. Reputational Factors 6. Conclusion 7. References Introduction In the world today, there are stockpiles of nuclear weapons that if used can easily send the planet to the ice age. Since there first use in 1945, nuclear weapons have not been used elsewhere in the world. Some scholars have concluded that there is an increased sense of development of the “Nuclear taboo” where countries have committed themselves towards the peaceful use of nuclear power while the nuclear haves have committed to reducing their stock piles and not to use the active weapons. Factors The destruction and suffering that followed after the weapon debut in Hiroshima and Nagasaki prompted nations to pursue different policies that ensure that nuclear weapons are used as a last resort. Strategic/Tactical Factors There is increased understanding that the use of the weapons by any nations on another will have a ripple effect that not even the strongest nation can contain in the short term. Paul (2009) says that there has been a tradition of non use entrenched in nations cultures (p.9). This tradition carries time honored obligations that every, member country in the United Nations has been able to keep. The US, Russia, China, Israel, Pakistan, UK, France and India have laid down concrete policies that have immensely contributed to the non use of these weapons. The policies that include for instance the START treaty between the US and Russia has given rise and persistence of this tradition. The behaviors of both nuclear and non nuclear states in not armed and non armed conflicts have enhanced the tradition. For instance countries like Japan that pursue pacifist nuclear policies have provided a whole new perspective in the use and non use of the weapons. According to Tannenwald (2007), another factor that has contributed to the non use of the weapons is the changing global trends in politics and economics (p. 28). Initially only the United States and Russia had the capability to deploy the weapons. However, many more nations have adopted the technology and countries like Iran and North Korea are fast becoming nuclearized. Additionally there are too man loose nuclear materials in private hand including terrorists. The above factors present challenges to all nations especially those that posses the weapons. The security challenges presented have forced former nuclear foes to formulate joint strategies to counter the growing threat from loose materials. Similarly, there is emphasis on alternative technologies after it becomes apparent that the growing economies of many nations can easily aid them in acquiring the weapons. The common approach has increased the level of interaction between the nuclear powers besides greatly boosting the entrenchment of the nuclear non use policies. Instead, the countries have embarked on programs of dismantling their arsenal. Moral factors Paul (2005) further says that the countries that have the weapons acknowledge that their use will have a very negative impact on human kind, the standing of the user among the nations of the world and an everlasting impact on the environment (p.15). Tannenwald (2007) says that since 1945, a nuclear non use taboo has gradually developed among nations. She adds that while the use of the weapons was fashionable a few decades a go, its use today by nations is unthinkable because of morality and self interest. The morality issue according to Tannenwald (2007) developed through the formation of global anti nuclear grassroots movements, anti nuclear politics at the UN and the conscience of the individual leaders in the nuclear nations (p. 69). Reputational Factors Morality in the non use of the weapons closely related with the reputational factors. The indiscriminate killing and the complete annihilation of the targets have somehow convinced the holders of such weapons that their use will do little to achieve their goals than their non use. These nations and leaders understand that the reputational costs of ordering and carrying out such an attack are too high to bear. Harry Truman was understood to be concerned about his reputation and that of the United States after the use of the weapons in 1945. Their use can easily lead any nation to be banished from the United Nations generating an international isolation that will not be beneficial to its interest. Additionally, the nation and its people will risk stigma from the rest of the world since they will easily attract the tag of outcasts. Conclusion It’s highly unlikely that the weapons will be used anytime soon. But, if they are used, it will mark the beginning of the end of the nuclear era. References Paul, T. V. (2009) The Tradition of Non Use of Nuclear Weapons . London: Stanford University Press. Tannenwald, N. (2007) The Nuclear Taboo: The United States and the Non Use of Nuclear Weapons since 1945 . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The plaintiff, Main Line had agreed to hire the defendant through a ‘Loan Out’ company so that Basinger could play a lead role in film production. Basinger was impressed by the idea and expressed her willingness to take part in the production. Though the defendant was to be contracted through her employer, she took part in negotiations that led to a draft agreement. Some of the contentious issues such as the level of nudity in the film were discussed in the defendant’s presence and resolutions were made with provisions that a significant level of nudity would exist in the film. There were further agreements that the contract was to be between the plaintiff and Mighty Wind, Basinger’s employer. A series of negotiations between the parties’ attorneys led to a final agreement and a contract. The contract also stipulated that in the event of the dissolution of Mighty Wind Company, Basinger would be considered as the producer’s employee. A month later, rumors developed that Basinger would not act in the film and there was a subsequent breach leading to the suit. This paper seeks to explore the legal aspects of the case. The paper will analyze the arguments of the parties during the trial. Revision of Main Line’s minimum lost profit amount Legal and enforceable contracts induce obligations that must be fulfilled by the parties to a contract. Failures to accomplish these obligations lead to a breach of contract and a possible remedy, damages. The amount of damages that can be awarded for breach of contract is however regulated by the principle of remoteness and amount of damage that is suffered. Determination of the number of liquidated damages, therefore, depends on the relationship between consequences of the breach and the loss suffered as well as the amount of loss that is suffered. In the case, the plaintiff lost an estimated revenue of 3 million dollars in domestic distribution revenues due to the breach of contract. There were further estimated losses of $ 800,000 in foreign pre-sales and $2.1 million loss due to the absence of Basinger from the film. All these losses accrued due to Basinger’s decision to abscond her obligations. She is, therefore, the cause of the loss. Similarly, the measure of the damages was not extraordinary because the amounts would have been earned had the defendant honored the contract. The losses should therefore not be revised downwards because they are consistent with the principle of remoteness and measure for liquidated damages. The relevance of costs in the determination of lost profit Basinger’s salary and the plaintiff’s projected revenues The measure of damages due to breach of contract is primarily based on the relationship between contractual obligations and the cause of the losses as well as the amount of loss suffered thereafter. There is no clear relationship between Basinger’s salary and the loss caused by the breach. As a result, this value is not relevant in determining the Main’s lost profits. The difference in revenues that would have been realized had Basinger acted in the film or if another actor did the work is however relevant. This is because generated revenues in the film industry are dependent on the popularity, fame, and qualities of a movie’s main actors. The difference in revenues due to Basinger’s films and Fenn’s films is therefore significant in the determination of lost profits. Estimation of revenues beyond presale amounts Expected revenues from the film are significant regardless of the time in which they would have been realized. This is because the revenues are derived from the same venture. The plaintiff’s attorney is therefore correct to estimate revenues beyond pre-sales. Adjusting lost profits to include estimated revenues for the use of a different actor The primary guideline for estimating damages is the actual loss suffered. Generated income through avenues such as using another actor falls under the plaintiff’s duty to mitigate losses. As a result, revenues derived from loss minimization ventures reduce the number of damages. It would, therefore, have been valid to use $ 1.7 million as revenue estimate because damages are meant to indemnify the injured party and not to create benefits. Main Line’s price cash position: If Basinger breached and if she performed the contract The success of production in the entertainment industry depends on the qualities of the main actor together with his or her popularity and fame among the target audience. Revenues can theoretically be attributed to other characters, especially if there are other lead characters in a film. However, elements such as compatibility of characters also contribute to the success of a production. Changing lead characters, especially at advanced stages of production, therefore has the potential of causing total financial loss. This is particularly applicable if the previously contracted actor is regarded as the best in the industry. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that Main Line’s revenues would have been attributed to Basinger’s performance of the contract. Reaction to the jury’s assessment Based on the principle of remoteness and measure of damages as well as the nature of the entertainment industry, the jury was justified in their assessment of Main Line’s lost profit. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Introduction 2. Energetics’ Offer 3. Generex’s Offer 4. The Agreement 5. Summary of the Transaction 6. References Introduction Negotiation is a decision-making technique that is used by leaders of various organizations to allocate their scarce resources economically. This means that the parties involved in the negotiation process decide on how to allocate their resources through an “interpersonal decision-making process” (Lewicki, Barry, & Soundes, 2010). The parties that are involved in the negation process aim at maximizing the benefits that are associated with the outcome of the process. Thus to achieve this objective, each party must have the essential negotiation skills (Lewicki, Barry, & Soundes, 2010). The case of “Energetics meets Generex” will be used in this paper to illustrate the application of negotiation as a decision-making tool. In this case, Energetics has offered its subsidiary, Wind Corporation, for sale and Generex is interested in buying the business. Energetics’ Offer Wind Corporation was initially offered for sale at an unfixed price of $ 300 million. The decision to sell the business at this price was informed by the following reasons. First, even though the business had been offered unsuccessfully for sale two years ago for $200 million, it was likely to attract many buyers at the new price due to the existing growth opportunities in the market (Trexler & Paulson, 2006). Second, Cantilever was interested in purchasing it for $ 225 million which was $ 25 million more than the price that was rejected two years ago (Trexler & Paulson, 2006). Finally, Generex was likely to purchase Wind Corporation at a higher price to expand its operations due to its financial stability. Selling the business to the highest bidder was the rationale behind the high price. Generex’s Offer Generex offered to purchase the business at $ 195 million. This decision was informed for the following reasons. First, the book value of Wind Corporation was $189 million. Thus Energetics was likely to accept $ 195 million since the offer would enable it to realize a profit of $ 6 million. Second, the proposal to sell the firm at $200 million had been rejected two years ago. Thus energetic was likely to accept a lower price. Finally, investing in wind technology is only profitable in the long term (Trexler & Paulson, 2006). Thus Generex was not willing to spend more on the business. The Agreement Generex rejected the $ 300 million offer because it was too high. Energetics on the other hand rejected the $ 195 million offer because it was below their expectation. Following this disagreement, Generex was informed of the benefits of the business in the long term. They were also informed of Cantilever’s intention to purchase the business at 30 million dollars more. Generex on the other hand offered to purchase the business at a new price of $ 260 million. Generex’s decision was informed by the following reasons. First, the wind energy market is growing at a rate of 20% annually and Generex did not want to miss this growth opportunity (Trexler & Paulson, 2006). Second, purchasing the firm at $ 260 million was cheaper than constructing a new one for $ 350 million. Besides, it would enable the firm to save on time and avoid the uncertainties that are associated with construction (Trexler & Paulson, 2006). Third, Generex did not want Cantilever to purchase the firm since this would give the latter a greater competitive advantage in the market. Finally, even though Generex had the alternative of buying Siemens at $ 40 million less, the investment could have been less profitable since Siemens had a smaller market share. This offer was accepted by energetic because it was the highest offer at the moment. Besides, it was $ 71 million more than the book value. Summary of the Transaction We were able to reach an agreement for the purchase of Energetics’ wind division. The final transfer price was $ 260 million. The terms and conditions were as follows. First, Generex was expected to pay the full price before taking over the business. Second, the transactions associated with the purchase of Wind Corporation were to be completed within three months. The transaction was witnessed by the following persons. References Lewicki, R., Barry, B., & Soundes, D. (2010). Essentials of negotiations. New York: McGraw-Hill. Trexler, W., & Paulson, G. (2006). Energetics meets Generex: role information for Energetics. Evanston, IL: Dispute Resolution Research Center. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
American Psychological Association Style Manual Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. General Paper Guidelines 3. Title Page 4. Abstract 5. Main Body 6. Text Citations 7. Reference Introduction The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association outlines the guidelines for APA referencing style. The manual offers a valuable aid for writing with ease, power, and conciseness. The APA style has been accepted by various disciplines and is commonly used by writers around the globe. An APA formatted paper is comprised of various sections and sub-sections. Analyzing these sections would be an effective way of understanding the citation style. General Paper Guidelines APA style commences with the general rules that must be followed in formatting an APA-style paper. These guidelines are: the margins of the paper are set at one inch at the sides of the paper, the whole paper is double spaced, single space should be used after all punctuations within a sentence while a double space should be left for punctuation marks used at the end of a sentence, the entire paper is aligned to the left and all the paragraphs indented, page numbers are inserted at the first line of the paper on the right edge of the page, the Running Head; a short title of the paper is inserted at the top of the paper and is flush with the left top of all pages, and as a general rule APA requires that paper be written in an active voice. APA style requires that all papers be ordered as follows: Title Page, Abstract, Body, References, Footnotes, Tables, Figures, and lastly Appendixes (American Psychological Association, 2009). Title Page The title page should always fall on page one. The components of the title page include the Running Head, paper’s title, author or author’s names, institutional affiliation, and the author’s note. All the components of the title page except the Running Head should use both small case and upper case letters and should be centered; the Running Head is flush with the left margin and utilizes the upper case letters only. The author’s note is an optional requirement in APA style and is only used to acknowledge any form of support, provide correspondence address, or the author’s departmental affiliation. Abstract This is an entirely optional section of an APA style paper; however, the guidelines for writing an abstract are provided in the APA style manual. The abstract should be a one-paragraph summary outlining the most significant sections of the paper. The abstract starts from a new page from the title i.e. page two of the paper. The title Abstract is centered just a single line after the Running Head and the abstract commences on the line that falls below the Abstract title. Though specific journals set the limits for the number of words in the Abstract, the limit should an average of 150 to 250 words (American Psychological Association, 2009). Additionally, every number that is contained in the Abstract is written in digits apart from those that are used to begin a sentence. Main Body The main body starts on a new page i.e. page 3; however, the subsections do not start on new pages. The title utilizes both upper and lower case letters and should be centered on the first line below the running head. The introduction is not labeled and commences on the first line below the title of the paper. The Main Body is structured in headings that utilize both upper and lower case letters and are centered on the paper; nevertheless, the types of headings that are included in a paper are reliant on the respective papers. The sub-headings in this section are flush to the left and use the upper and lower case letters. Text Citations APA style states that the ideas and works of other people must be formally acknowledged in the paper; the source of information that has been used in writing the paper must be documented by citing the author or authors and the date of publication (American Psychological Association, 2009). The inclusion of references in a paper is critical in enabling the reader to acquire complete information on the sources that are included in the reference list at the last part of the paper. Inciting any direct quotations that are included in the paper, they must comprise the author, year, and page number. APA style demands that all the sources that are included in the paper must be included in the references and vise versa. The references page starts on a new page and the heading References appears just below the Running Head and is centered. Furthermore, APA style requires that all the references that are included in the reference page be arranged alphabetically by the last names of the first author, and the second line of every reference entry be formatted with a hanging indent. A significant number of all references comprises the author or authors, the year of publication, reference source, and the electronic retrieval information. Reference American Psychological Association. (2009). Mastering APA Style: Student’s Workbook and Training Guide . (6 th ed.). New York, NY: American Psychological Association. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Academic writing, especially starting from the college level can be considered as writing done by scholars for other scholars. It involves reading, thinking, arguing, and finally writing about subjects or ideas. It is important that the content of the academic paper need to be carefully analyzed and put in simple language that can be understood by every one. Academic paper should present the reader with an informed argument on a particular subject (Gocsik, 2005). It is therefore important for a student to select the appropriate topic, understand and get more knowledge on the topic and write it in a structured manner. These are the basic steps that need to be followed in an academic writing. Once a student completes writing an academic paper, the next important step is to revise it thoroughly. Revision plays a very important role in academic writing. This paper discusses the need for revision in academic writing. Initially while writing, there will be many errors that are overlooked. Revision of the paper will aid the student to carefully look over the writing and will help them to catch errors that they might otherwise miss. A slow reading while revision helps to spot errors than reading at a normal speed. Additionally, when a student revises, it is a good idea to put themselves into the audience’s shoes. Here the audience’s may include teachers, professors, or other students. This enables them to think in the perspective of the audiences and thereby put forth their ideas in simple and clear terms. It is also a good idea to get another person involved in revision. A fresh reader will be able to help catch the mistakes that might have been overlooked by the writer. They may also help to analysis the paper in a critical manner. As a result, it will be possible for the student to answer the question asked by another person and also give more ideas to express their own ideas in the paper (The OWL at Purdue University, 2008). Revision can also be termed as proofreading. Proofreading is primarily about searching the writing for errors, both grammatical and typographical, before submitting the paper. It is good the give a gap between writing and proofing. This time span basically aims to help the student to return with a fresh eye and mind (Wells, et al. 2007). In other words, writing is typically re-writing, or re-seeing the writing over and over again, each time making the meaning clearer. This helps to put forth a refined thought. The real skill of academic writing gets more and more refined with revision. Revision is the only way the writer can fiddle with words, and fashion sentences and paragraphs to make them strong and true (Handley, N.D.). Academic writing is not just writing what ever comes to once mind. It is writing and re-writing it together with editing its sentences one by one. It also looks into the whole essay and draft and redraft–rearranging the sequence, adding and deleting sections to have a clear and focused composition. Once the student is ready with a fairly complete and well-organized draft, it is important for them to revise sentences while giving due attention to transitions. This aids the student in read-through to make sure that a reader will be able to understand the basic idea within sentences, from sentence to sentence, and from paragraph to paragraph. Last but not the least, it is also important to have a through spell check to examine the exactness and aptness of words and to remove unnecessary words (Procter, 2007). Revision plays a very important role in academic writing. It can be said that an academic paper without revision is an incomplete paper; often it will not be able to convey its ideas clearly to the audiences. The final paper with good revision and restructuring will be able to convey all necessary ideas clearly which is the basic purpose of any academic writing. References Gocsik, K. (2005) Revision: Cultivating a Critical Eye, Dartmouth College. Web. Handley, E. (N.D.) Writer’s Block. Web. Procter, M. (2007) Some General Advice on Academic Essay-Writing. Web. The OWL at Purdue University, (2008) Proofreading Your Writing. Web. Wells, J.M., Sousa, M. and Martini, M. (2007) Proofreading Your Writing, [Online] Purdue OWL. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Ethical Implication of Human Genetics Research Essay Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Genetic research versus the public 3. Recruitment of subjects 4. Confidential, privacy and safety 5. Conclusion 6. Reference List Introduction In the present days, advances in genetic research have often occupied the headlines in the media publication (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003). This trend indicates an increased focus towards genetic research. Because of the aforementioned reason, the appraisal of genetic research is increasingly getting more attention of the human research ethic committee (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003). The objective of this paper is to enable readers to understand the ethical implications of human genetics research. Although genetic research can bring enormous benefits in regard of human health, it often may involve certain risks. Psychosocial risk associate with this research may majorly present in the form of fear of stigmatization or segregation. The subjects may become apprehensive concerning the implications of the outcomes for prospect reproductive partner, relationship, and insurance. Also participation in research study may expose unexpected information that may significantly harm the subjects, especially, if the possibility of risk is not discussed in the initial step of consent acquisition (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003) Genetic research versus the public The major objective of human genetic research involves the innovation of better treatments including gene, drug, or cell therapies. On the other hand, the direct consequence of gene breakthrough associated with human disorders depends on the identification of carriers of the mutant gene associated with a disease through application of advanced diagnosis and genetic testing. One major source for obtaining genetic information is a family medical history. Genetic data also, can be obtained from clinical assessment of DNA, RNA, proteins, or metabolites which reflects gene function (Koepsell, 2007). Recruitment of subjects A major role of the human research ethic committee (HREC) involves a review of the prerequisite for sustaining availability of a valid consent from participants before recruitment into a research study project. The HREC must ensure that the prospect participants are sufficiently informed concerning the objective of the study, their role in the participation, and the risks and benefits of participation. They should also know the precautions implemented to ensure protection of their privacy and confidentiality, and the fate of any genetic matter or data acquired as an element of study. Especially, they are entitled to know whether the genetic data produced would prejudice their access to insurance and employment (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003) The HREC, in this respect, should give top priority to the method of approach of family members and via whom should a member be contacted. Basically, it appropriate for aforementioned role to be performed by someone they are familiar with and could trust, who often would be a part of the family (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003) Confidential, privacy and safety Safety, confidentiality, and privacy as an important concern in ethical review of human genetic research project, are an attribute of the familial characteristics of the research (Koepsell, 2007). Koepsell further argues that the severity of the outcomes of the research differs across the conditions and individual. Human genetic research may occasionally expose private information to a single person concerning other members of his or her family. A research participant may access information given by other members of the family (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003) Because of the familial and the intergenerational characteristics of the genetic data, avoidance of exposure is occasionally impossible. This data should be handled with sensitivity and chances that the information may be exposed must be considered in the initial procedure of obtaining informed consent of participation in the research study. Also serious precaution should be implemented to ensure that the researchers are conscious and receptive to such likelihood (Parker, Williamson, & Savulescu, 2003) Conclusion After going through this paper the reader will be knowledgeable about the current trend in genetic. The ethical concern in human genetic research is similar to those which arise from other types of research. Reference List Koepsell, D. (2007). The ethics of genetic engineering. A position paper for inquiry office of public policy. Centre for inquiry. Web. Parker, M., Williamson, R. & Savulescu, J. (2003). Ethical issue in genetic research: an introduction for members of Australian Human Research Ethic Committee. Parkville, Australia; CRC for discovery of genes for common human disease 2003. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Lawrence (2005) states, “new leadership may be seen as an attempt to imply greater individual freedoms within a practice more constrained than ever before,” implying the common term of leadership restrains the individual expression (p.137). Social work leadership is different from generally perceived leadership, which is more related to business. Social work does not need the hierarchal ruling but management where everybody is free to discuss their thoughts and are inspired to work for the wellness and prosperity of others. The reading by Shields (2004) suggests that social worker leaders should not use a transactional approach where the leader rewards or punishes the follower for his or her action but need to be transformational. This way, the colleagues would be encouraged to work on the shared motive without having a sense of obligation but more of a personal will. Leadership incorporates vision, collective methodology, critical thinking, and the capacity to impact others’ perspectives, activities, and to motivate and develop change (Holosko, 2009). Iachini, Cross, and Freedman (2015) develop this thought further by proposing that the best model of leadership in the social work area is by following the Social Chane Model. This method allows the intervention of several leaders and allows the exchange of information and feedback between workers. I agree this is the best type of administration in social work since the area itself requires the reliance on equal rights, evenly distributed duties, and consideration of different opinions to help society. During my last project, our team used this approach, where all the leading tasks were divided between experienced workers. I had to teach the new recruits and dive them into the process. It helped our team to meet all the requirements on time. Moreover, when there are several leaders in a group, they can learn valuable skills and knowledge regarding the subject from each other. References Holosko, M. (2009). Social work leadership: Identifying core attributes. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19 (4), 448-459. Web. Iachini, A. L., Cross, T. P., & Freedman, D. A. (2015). Leadership in social work education and the social change model of leadership. Social Work Education, 34 (6), 650-665. Web. Lawler, J. (2005). Leadership in Social work: A case of caveat emptor? British Journal of Social Work, 37 (1), 123-141. Web. Shields, C. M. (2004). Dialogic leadership for social justice: Overcoming pathologies of silence. Educational Administration Quarterly, 40 (1), 109-132. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Fair & Lovely Company’s Ethical Marketing Program Case Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Effective Measures to Promote the Program 3. Ethics as One of the Components of Promotion 4. References Introduction To counter all arguments and charges leveled against Fair & Lovely, the company can adopt a marketing program that connects directly to the issues touching on Indian women. Such a strategy will work magic. The promotion program should aim at changing the message on the advertisement currently being used to display a happy and confident woman. According to Iqbal, Danish, and Tahir (2014), the corporation makes promises that are sincere and honest due to the use of direct calls to consumers. However, as practice shows, it does not provide significant benefits, and controversial issues concerning racial and sexual characteristics periodically arise. Therefore, the faster the company will change its strategy and achieve the recognition of all parties without exception, the higher the chances are that producers will not lose clients. Effective Measures to Promote the Program The company should establish a program offering scholarships, counseling, and training to low-income Indian women. In yet another promotion program, the corporation can introduce Fair & Lovely products of different sizes, which will be available for customers to choose from the list. Such a move will make clients feel they have a choice, and they will feel empowered owing to the affordable consumer product designed based on their needs. The case of India is evidence that some social phenomena can become a serious obstacle to the promotion of goods. The program has to avoid biases related to the racial concerns including the skin color. If this measure is not taken, the issue can have more serious consequences than problems with the promotion of goods. Taking into account the public resonance, manufacturers should do their best to change the attitude of potential consumers to the cosmetic products under consideration. Otherwise, the advertising campaign will be ineffective, and sanctions against Fair & Lovely may follow. Also, the campaign has to promote son and daughter preferences equally. The program should equally offer training to entrepreneurs, which will offer them the opportunity of realizing the profit from selling Fair & Lovely products. Besides, the company can come up with a television program that will feature low-income Indian women speaking on the experiences they have with Fair & Lovely products. It is worth mentioning that the product should not insult working women. Clients should express their pride in using Fair & Lovely products in preventing them from a hot sun while going on with their normal lives. In addition, the company can resolve to establish yet another program at rolling a campaign featuring various women, aiming at deconstructing the stereotype of beauty reigning in India. Ethics as One of the Components of Promotion If the manufacturers of cosmetic products adhere to the ethical principles of advertising their goods, disputes regarding the discrimination of customers on different grounds are unlikely to arise. In particular, one of the most important arguments in favor of such a course is that racial issues affected by producers inevitably become the cause of scandals. As Limaye and Pande (2015) claim, “this is a universally accepted fact that that people should not be judged based on their skin colour” (p. 3707). In case the product inevitably raises controversy over ethical issues, producers should pay attention to public opinion and change the advertising campaign in the shortest possible time so as not to lose the target audience. Despite the fact that Fair & Lovely goods are in demand, the situation may change if the media and other public resources start fighting against the brand. Moreover, the issue can reach the international level if the conflict turns into a serious problem, and the public resonance will be significant. Therefore, it is essential to think over such an advertising strategy that will not cause ambiguous judgments and will not provoke any ethical dilemmas. Another controversial ethical issue is beauty stereotypes that discussed in connection with the increased public attention to the company. According to Iqbal et al. (2014), the main target audience of the goods produced by the corporation is women who are sensitive about their appearance and are ready for any measures to maintain their attractiveness. Nevertheless, the standards of beauty promoted by the manufacturers of cosmetic products can evoke ethical disagreements and, as a result, cause consumers’ ambiguous attitude. Like racial discrimination, imposed stereotypes of appearance cannot fully exist in the society where the equality of rights is maintained. Therefore, in order to exclude possible biases and to promote products successfully, manufacturers need to move away from the strategy of the templates that they have set. They should focus on the individuality of their clients rather than on the desire to achieve the ideal advocated by them. If such measures are taken, the company will be able to gain greater recognition as the manufacturer that takes into account the individual characteristics of each consumer and follows ethical norms. Conclusively, Unilever Company can counter all the charges and arguments against their product by adopting a unique promotion and advertising program that will aim at elevating low-income Indian women. Their confessions on television will assist in countering the arguments and charges. Following the ethical principles of goods promotion will help to avoid consumers’ ambiguous attitude and gain recognition from potential customers. Coming up with products affordable and available to the low-income earners will equally play magic. References Iqbal, A., Danish, M. H., & Tahir, M. R. (2014). Exploitation of women in beauty products of Fair and Lovely: A critical discourse analysis study. International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature , 2 (9), 122-131. Limaye, S., & Pande, M. (2015). Advertising and ethical theories – A comparative study of select campaigns. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management , 3 (11), 3701-3709. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
However, to date, there are still certain obstacles that contribute to the huge pay gap between men and women. Identification of the obstacles to women equality One of the reasons contributing to a huge pay difference between men and women is the choice of what they study as their college major (Peterkin 2012). Irrespective of the choice of the major, the male graduates earn way more than the female graduates. Sandberg (2010) gave a presentation at the TEDWomen talk in 2010 and pointed out that women prefer personal fulfillment to professional success. In this case, when we compare the career woman to her male counterpart, there is a difference in that the career women at the same level have children and a husband to take care of while men are not always directly involved in taking care of children. When women indulge in their careers, they forego their opportunity to raise a family, while the male managers have the capacity to excel in their careers and raise a family as well. The employers and the society also need to make both men and women feel important. Men are pressurized to succeed but this is rarely the case with their female counterparts. The women’s tasks are heavier than those of men considering they have to take care of their families in addition to office responsibilities (Sandberg). What causes the obstacles? The women who are given top positions in companies do very little to change the current belief in the society about the best jobs being taken over by men. Bennett observes that the women do not take up their responsibilities in the top positions in fear of being called bossy and therefore they still contribute to the sexism. Women tend to lean back at the workplace especially if they are considering starting a family. Women should not leave their employment or ignore promotions by making premature decisions which may act as their own limitations to success in future. Sandberg (2010) encourages women to keep working hard to ensure that even when they take a break, they have a job to look forward to when they resume. Bennett (2010) acknowledges that women are exposed to discriminatory practices that are based on certain beliefs that categorize specific jobs for women, thereby limiting what they can do in an organization. Employers too contribute to the issue of inequality by reserving certain jobs for women and others for men. Ways of overcoming the obstacles Peterkin (2013) notes that women should be advised to choose the best majors that will increase their earnings. In addition, women should be willing to be more active in negotiating their salaries. Though this will not entirely create the desired equality effect, a better option would be for the employer to take decisive action. Employers ought to implement policies that facilitate equal pay between men and women. Women empowerment strategies have contributed to increase in their employment. A good example is when the ‘girl power’ movement began in early 2000 and led to an increase in the rate of employment among women (Bennett 2010). According to Sandberg (2010), women ought to be advised to ‘sit at the table’ and negotiate for what they want even if it is their first salary. Women should learn to attribute their career success to themselves instead of saying that ‘they got lucky’. They should feel they deserve their success, believe in themselves and stop giving excuses of how they need to be supported to get the top job. Affirmative action in the workplace helps to protect minorities like women against discrimination (Greenberg and Page 123). In the United States, affirmative action was implemented to remove barriers and increase the employment rate of those groups that had been previously discriminated against. Why today’s young women have a harder time identifying and calling attention to the discrimination they are experiencing When women succeed, some of the men question whether this is due to their abilities or sexuality (Bennett 2010). Men rarely appreciate that women have worked hard to earn their positions. This happens even as many organizations have implemented laws to eliminate sexual harassment at the workplace and introduced flexi hours to give convenience to the women (Crabtree 2011). Bennett (2010) further notes that women also rank masculine jobs as the highest obstacle to success yet they only choose the low paying jobs which were done by women in the 1960s. In addition, Sandberg (2010) says that managers sometimes do not notice how hard women fight for the same opportunities as men and as such, men need to be more sensitive and fair to them. Conclusion The campaign to bridge the pay gap between men and women cannot be done without the assistance of the employers. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their pay favors both men and women equally and that the work done by women is not underrated. It is imperative that employers accept that women have the right to negotiate their salaries after they finish college and be perceived as aggressive and hardworking like their male colleagues. Works Cited Bennett, Jessica. 2010. Young Women, Newsweek, and Sexism . 2010. Web. Crabtree, James. 2011. UN: barriers to gender equality remain . 2011. Web. Greenberg, Edward and B. Page. Struggle for Democracy . New York: Pearson, 2010. Print. Peterkin, Caitlin. Male-Female Pay Gap Persists and Starts Early, Study Finds . 2012. Web. Sandberg, Sheryl. “Why we have too few women leaders.” Youtub e. TEDTalks, 2010. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Regency Plaza’s Project Management Challenges Case Study Some of the major challenges facing the Regency Plaza project include frequent changes, poor emphasis on quality, and delays. Due to the frequent changes introduced in an attempt to satisfy consumers, several condominiums underwent modifications, and thus, their completion delayed. Since the project manager wants the contractor to use the shortest time to complete the project, while minimizing the cost of construction, project completion has to be fast. Minimal costs and speedy nature of construction has led to several developments that are substandard and require adjustments. The adjustments and frequent changes have led to disagreements among the project manager, the hotel management, and contractors, who complain that the cost of construction is rising and the changes slow the pace of the project. The Millers’ unit is facing various challenges that comprise delays and increased cost of purchase. Imperatively, the closing date of the Millers’ unit changed from June to August, and hence, instigated a delay affecting the initial agreement. The feature of extending completion date had serious effects on the Millers, who had finalized their arrangements concerning the unit. Additionally, even after extension of the closing date, very little activity has continued on the unit thus, clarifying the fact that the unit might take more time to attain full completion. Besides the delay, the unit also requires several adjustments, which has prompted the project manager to send several invoices to the Millers requesting money to facilitate the adjustments. Increased invoices not only affect the purchasing agreement, but also inconvenience the Millers’ financial plans. The root causes of the major challenges facing the Millers’ unit include untimely changes and absence of consultations. Notably, the interior designer changed several parts of the unit during the last period when the project was almost attaining full completion. As a result, the project manager had limited time that inhibited consultations. In case of consultations, the project would not attain completion at the right time. Inhibited consultation occasioned from the fact that it would take several weeks and delay the project. Therefore, the project manager decided to continue with the project downplaying consultations, a factor that initiated development of a substandard unit. Fundamentally, it is evident that the interior designer did not consult with the project manager, but made the changes alone. Some of the initiatives that the project manager was to undertake in solving the root causes of the challenges comprise high levels of supervision and extensive consultations. Through high levels of supervision, detection and correction of serious changes like those made by the interior designer could materialize during the early stages. Early detection and correction of unwanted changes implied that the project would attain full completion at the right time and meet the required standards. Moreover, the project manager needed to engage in extensive consultations so that the project would attain the required standards and instances of poor developments would reduce. It is important to elucidate that delay of the project could be better than speedy construction that resulted in development of substandard units. Among the options that Hodgkins has for the Millers’ unit, the most desirable option is to tell the Millers that customization of the unit cannot materialize at the agreed time. Based on the option, the Millers will make the adjustments themselves after the contractors close on the unit. It is imperative to understand that communication is a very important element that facilitates effective service delivery and provides a good framework for redress. By communicating to the Millers, a productive solution, which best solves the problem, is attainable. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
The Medicare Advantage Landscape of Los Angeles Essay Key Players and Business Models Medicare Advantage (MA) provides beneficiaries with health plans covered by Medicare-approved private companies. In Los Angeles, CA, the key players are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CVS Health, Centene, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente (Freed et al., 2021b). Six large health systems account for half of the total market, but the market share of each system does not exceed 11% (Yegian & Connolly, 2021). Major business models in MA in Los Angeles are the partial and complete downside risk, with the full risk being used by UnitedHealthcare and Humana (Galewitz, 2018). In particular, a part of UnitedHealthcare called Optum has full-risk contracts with about a half million people in Los Angeles (Yegian & Connolly, 2021). Insurance companies also employ or are affiliated with physicians and integrated physician organizations; for example, Optum employs more than 7,000 physicians in Los Angeles (Yegian & Connolly, 2021). Physicians take clinical responsibility and risk through fixed per-person per-month payments called capitation. The Impact and Drivers MA’s impact can be assessed in the number of people enrolled in the plans. In Los Angeles, 50.5% of people were enrolled in MA plans in 2019 (Yegian & Connolly, 2021). Furthermore, the share of people enrolled in special needs plans are increasing (Freed et al., 2021a). These outcomes are driven by such factors as federal reimbursement, Medicare population growth, decreased employer-sponsored retiree insurance, ease of entering the MA business, and the growth of SNPs (Blum & Hsieh, 2020). Although patients are mostly satisfied with the coverage, they may sometimes be losers because of such issues as high deductibles, limited provider networks, and surprise medical bills (Pollitz et al., 2019). The winners in the market are healthcare providers included in the network and insurance companies. References Blum, J., & Hsieh, M. (2020). Exploring Medicare Advantage as a new business strategy . Web. Freed, M., Damico, A., & Neuman, T. (2021a). A dozen facts about Medicare Advantage in 2020 . KFF. Web. Freed, M., Damico, A., & Neuman, T. (2021b). Medicare Advantage 2022 spotlight: First look . KFF. Web. Galewitz, P. (2018). Medicare Advantage plans shift their financial risk to doctors . KHN. Web. Pollitz, K., Neuman, T., Tolbert, J., Rudowitz, R., Cox, C., Claxton, G., & Levitt, L. (2019). What’s the role of private health insurance today and under medicare-for-all and other public option proposals? . KFF. Web. Yegian, J., & Connolly, K. (2021). Los Angeles: Vast and Varied Health Care Market Inches Toward Consolidation . California Health Care Almanac , 1-24. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Therefore, creating a merit pay plan for a cross-functional team will obviously have some fruitful results. Because of the difficulty in evaluating and comparing the contribution of every staff member within a cross-functional team and providing the corresponding incentives for those with the greatest score, it will be reasonable to suggest that a merit pay plan should be created in order to both equalize salaries and acknowledge ranking efforts. The goals for the cross-functional team in question can be defined as improvement of the team’s overall performance by 15% and the resulting production of 700 units instead of 600; increase of individual members’ performance by 5% each; motivating specific team members, whose performance is statistically lower than the team average, so that each employee could at least meet the average standards established in the company’s list of rules and regulations; raising the quality of communication in general and information management in particular within the specified group by 20% (with an average of 5% accidents of information misinterpretation instead of the current 25%) by implementing the strategy of shared knowledge. The given task is going to be admittedly hard to carry out, seeing how the group in question is comparatively large, with eight people, whose further action need to be coordinated, yet with due effort, the mission will be completed within three weeks at most. Once a certain stage of the goals implementation is completed, each of the team members will receive a financial incentive. As soon as the goals are achieved, the staff members that have achieved the greatest results will be given a financial reward; in addition, their efforts will be acknowledged as the company leader expresses his gratitude during the end-of-the-month meeting. Speaking of the funds and the way in which they are going to be distributed, $150,000 is going to be used for the purposes specified above. The aforementioned sum is going to be split in the following way: 20% of the total merit pool should be used as a response to the efforts of the employees that work extra hours in order to achieve better results; 70% of the total sum will be used as incentives for those employees who have achieved the most outstanding results; 8% of the money will be spent on conducting reward activities, whereas the remaining 2% will be saved for the possible extra costs on reward ceremonies. The given actions will doubtlessly “show employees that their direct efforts will affect the desired results” (York 243). It goes without saying that calculating the score of every single employee in the team will take some time; therefore, the implementation of the proposed merit pay plan will not be carried out instantly. It can be assumed that the evaluation of the employees’ performance will take at least two weeks; with all possible obstacles and delays into account, it will be safe to say that the calculation procedure will be completed in three weeks. Once the given merit pay plan is implemented, it will doubtlessly improve the motivational issues within the specified cross-functional team, as well as allow for the recognition of the efforts of the most successful and diligent staff. Works Cited York, Kenneth M. Applied Human Resource Management: Strategic Issues and Experiential Exercises . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010. Print. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
“A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government” by Nakae Essay “A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government” on modern Japanese history Nakae Chomin was a famous political theorist and statesman whose actions and ideas about human freedom and rights were significant for the Meiji period Japan. His studies of Western political theory and passion for French positions are perfectly described in his book A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government, written in 1884. With the help of this book, the reader gets a wonderful opportunity to comprehend the ideas of modern Japan, evaluate the current state of affairs from pacifistic, aggressive, and modern perspectives, and learn deeper nationalistic ideas and Japanese traditions. This book is based on the conversations between three people with three different points of view concerning Japanese traditions, politics, and power. The first Gentleman supports the ideas of democracy and spreads the ideology of pacifism as the only one to help citizens. His main thought is that Japanese pacifism may be justified. If the Japanese use weapons to achieve the desired goal and protect his land, the enemy will do the same and win. However, in case the enemy occupies the territory by means of weapons, and the Japanese do not use the same weapon, this Japanese will get a chance to stay on this land and save his life. Unfortunately, such an attitude teaches the reader that passive resistance will hardly lead to positive results, and this utopia of democracy is considered to be the result of connection to the contemporary Western concept of power and progress. The second character, the Champion from the East, is a good example of an aggressor with pure realistic ideas. He is the representative of the traditional samurai, who can never accept the ideas of idealism (like it was offered by the Gentleman), regarding them as insane ones. This character teaches the reader not to ignore the reality: if there is a war, the politicians have no right to ignore it! He could not help but wonder, “if anyone says that quarreling is a vice and war is an absurdity, let me ask him to consider this: what can be done about the fact that individuals actually possess vices? What can be done about the fact that they act absurdly? In short, what can be done about reality?” (Nakae and Tsukui 94). The war already exists, and people can do nothing but be prepared for it. He calls for actions in order to conquer more land (Asian or African); he promotes cultural changes, where its main participants are “the lovers of nostalgia and the lovers of novelty” (Nakae and Tsukui 103). Unfortunately, nostalgia cannot be helpful in war, this is why there is no other way but to accept the novelty ideas and be able to fight and develop accordingly. There is one more character whose role remains to be significant to the reader. Master Nankai who does not want to accept one particular side but still “loves drinking and discussing politics” (Nakae and Tsukui 47). His ideas may be regarded as the necessary golden middle that unites pacifism of the Western Gentleman and realism of the Eastern Champion. He explains that it is obligatory to change the society and spread democracy, however, Gentleman’s ideas are too weak to achieve the necessary purposes. This is why it is better to achieve a Gentleman’s suggestions by means of the Champion’s ideas. Master explains that the Gentleman and the Champion present too radical ideas that lead to constant worry over Europe. This is why the only possible way for Japanese people to succeed is to use their strengths, to unite militant Japanese traditions and progressive actions, and to make people free. The embodiment of the ideas in the Nakae’s book by Meiji Constitution The book introduces one of the significant insights for those who are eager to comprehend the ideas of the Meiji Constitution in its integral part and its absurdity. If we compare A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government with The Meiji Constitution, the variety of disagreements may be found out. One of the first issues to discuss is the idea of the 9th Article of the Constitution. “The Emperor issues or causes to be issued, the Ordinances necessary for the carrying out of the laws, or for the maintenance of the public peace and order, and for the promotion of the welfare of the subjects. But no Ordinance shall in any way alter any of the existing laws.” (Constitution of the Empire if Japan, 1889 Article 9). Nakae Chomin did not want to accept the ideas of power among people and demonstrate his attitude to this regime through the words of Master Nankai: “Do kings and noblemen possess larger and heavier brains than we? Do they have more gastric juices and blood cells? Both we common people and the aristocrats are lumps of flesh made of a combination of a few chemical elements” (Nakae and Tsukui 49). However, this book relates considerably to other reading like the work by Andrew Gordon, who discusses the power of samurai, their intentions, and anger “at being left out of the dicisionmaking process” (Gordon 85). They see only two possible ways to achieve their purposes: “some tried to write new rules of participation. Others forced the issue with swords and guns” (Gordon 85). Almost the same is presented in the book by Chomin, where samurai “regarded swinging swords, wielding spears, and dying in battle as the incomparable honor” (Nakae and Tsukui 109). Works Cited Chomin, Nakae. A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government . Trans. Nobuko Tsukui. New York: Weatherhill Constitution of Japan, 1889 . 2010. Web. Gordon, Andrew. A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present . New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Film “Shaun of the Dead” Directed by Edgar Wright Essay Introduction Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 British film directed by Edgar Wright and written by Wright and Simon Pegg. The protagonist, Shaun, is having a troubled period in his life. He split with his girlfriend and wants to make up with her, but this day dead people raise and everything goes out of sync. This film is considered to be a mixture of two genres – comedy and horror, so it includes the conventions of both. Main text In the majority of comedies, some deficiencies, foibles, or frustrations of life lie at the root, which can be seen in the Shaun of the Dead. The main character faces a lot of problems. He gets temporary work in an appliance store, but the staff does not want to treat him seriously, so his girlfriend Liz suggests he change this job for a better paying one. Liz and he cannot find a common language in the latter days. She believes that Shaun neglects her and does not want to find more time for their relationship. The cause of this turns out to be his lightheartedness and irresponsibility, as the man forgets to book a table for them to make peace. Moreover, trying to keep the relations with mother Shaun arranges a dinner and forgets to buy her some flowers. However, the protagonist does not seem to be agitated by this. His attitude and actions are not that of an ordinary man, which attracts the viewers’ attention and makes them try to predict possible solutions. These unpleasant events also form the starting point for the film and contrast serious and funny things vivid. The invasion of the living dead is described in the film. Zombies, horrible creatures, who used to be people’s relatives, friends, and colleagues returned to life in order not just to kill, but to eat them or communicate a virus to them. Such events can be the beginning of the apocalypse, which entails no human being left on the Earth. The theme and the development of the action are common for horror films. It is claimed that zombies occurred due to beliefs of the Voodoo cults and then spread into literature and movies. Today this subject attracts youth, so the director and the writers did not go wrong by choosing and modifying it. So the film is focused on the macabre events, which is to horror fans’ liking. All stages of zombie onset are described. At first, this situation is claimed to be an ordinary disease, but soon nothing can hide the truth. So the streets are full of monsters, the characters try to beat them until they lose, the military saves the situation, and peace returns to the city. If all these were not interlaced with comic episodes, the film could be considered a real horror. The ending of the Shaun of the Dead is unexpected. The fact that the main hero is playing with his zombie friend, just as if he was a normal human being, is that of fun and surprise. It combines some elements of horror, as Edgar is dead and will never become the person he used to be, and comedy, as the situation, seems to be very delightful and joyful. It shows that nothing changed their free-and-easy lifestyle. Conclusion Thus, conventions of comedy and horror can be found in the Shaun of the Dead. They underline the peculiarities of the film and help the director to bring the idea to life by enhancing the overall execution of the screen story. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
Content Standard(s) CC.4.R.L.9 The standard covers similarities and differences in the way similar topics and themes are viewed in different cultures. Learning Objectives The students are able: * to identify similarities in people’s views. * to detect differences in people’s views concerning love. * to support their viewpoints with evidence. Materials The teacher will use: * Handouts containing short texts concerning the way love is perceived in different cultures. These texts will be the basic resources, as the students will gain most data from them. * Worksheets with a table that includes the following columns (culture, similarities, differences/peculiarities, commentaries). These handouts will help students to organize their ideas. * A video concerning different concepts associated with the theme of love. The video will facilitate the discussion of similarities and differences between different cultures. * Laptop to play the video. Classroom Arrangement/Grouping Whole class The whole class will read the texts and watch the video. There will also be a discussion held in the class. They will play the snowball game and generate ideas they will use to do their assignment. Groups of students with similar needs Students will have group discussions that will be held before the class discussion. Individual students Will ponder the information after reading the texts and watching the video (before the discussions). Students with IEPs or 504 Plans These students will be able to use the corresponding assistive technology. They will receive the corresponding services. Instruction 1. The teacher starts a discussion concerning Valentine’s Day and directs students’ attention to the concept of love. Students are encouraged to share peculiarities of the concept of love that exist in their cultures, or any cultures they know. 2. Independent practice: Students receive texts concerning the concept of love as viewed in different cultures. The teacher notes that after reading the texts, students should spend some time thinking about the concept and trying to identify similarities and differences between the cultures. The students are encouraged to highlight keywords for similarities and differences in different colors. 3. Students watch the video. 4. Guided practice: Students are divided into groups of four. They discuss similarities and differences in groups and complete the tables provided. The teacher circulates the class and joins (guides) the discussions. 5. A representative from each group goes to the whiteboard and writes down one similarity or difference until there are no new ideas to add. 6. The class discusses the concept of love as seen in their cultures and the cultures studied in class. The students are encouraged to use examples from their lives, the lives of people they know (including celebrities and historical figures), tales, films, and so on. 7. Closure: The teacher asks students to play the snowball game, saying words they associate with the concepts of love discussed. This can be just naming new words (without repeating all of the words mentioned). Assessment Formative assessment The teacher asks students to think of songs, tales, or stories that are concerned with the concepts of love discussed in class. Summative assessment Students write a reflection paper on one of the concepts and the way it is revealed in a song, tale, or story (students will be encouraged to use ideas they discussed in class). This assessment aligns with the standards and focus of the lesson, as students will use acquired knowledge concerning different cultures. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
“Factory Work” a Poem by Deborah Boe Essay Over time, poetry has been used as a tool through which people can eloquently express their views in an artistic manner. Poetic works have been used widely in different fields of study to shed some light on various issues that affect us as human beings. “Factory Work” by Deborah Boe is one such poem that highlights the issues of economic, social and personal hardships that people often face in a bid to ensure their survival in an unforgiving and unpredictable world. In this poem, Boe uses literary language to bring various social, economic and gender based issues to the reader’s attention. In the first stanza, the poem gives a detailed description of the monotonous nature of the job that the main character does and how it has changed some of her physical aspects (hands). The second stanza brings into play social issues that affect the employees. The main emphasis in this stanza is poor working conditions which threaten the safety of the factory workers (Mohring, 2009). This is reflected upon by the two accidents that the character mentions in this stanza. The third stanza talks about the characters religious beliefs in death and communicating with the dead. She states that her grandfather’s soul had visited her in her apartment as though trying to communicate with her. The final stanza talks about economic hardships. According to the character, employees have to compete for their jobs and are under constant risk of getting laid off. One of the most challenging experiences for me was in the course of my volunteering at a rehab facility near my home. I always believe in lending out a helping hand to those in need and this was the most logical way to do it. While I began the voluntary service as a test of whether I was cut out for facing social and interactive challenges in future, it ended up being much more than that. I was faced with traumatic and stressful work environments that I could not have foreseen. This experience had the effect of removing any illusions I might have held pertaining to the field of sociology. Working with the patients who had diverse cultural backgrounds enabled me to learn first hand about new cultures and how best to relate in an intercultural setting. This work experience demanded a lot of patience and empathy from me since some of the suffering patients had unpredictable emotional changes in mood swings and liking. While as a student I have always been adept at working well under pressure, this experience was different since peoples lives sometimes hang on the balance. My compassion and emotional stability were also put to the ultimate test as I had to comfort stressed and anxious patients and their families and friends. While at times I felt as though my efforts went unappreciated and unrewarded, I persevered well knowing that I had to do this if not for the patients I diligently served, for my self. These experiences greatly honed my people skills and I can assert that I am more emotionally mature as a result of this. Despite the fact that I had to face various social, economic and chauvinistic issues, I learned to cope and up my game because my principles depended on it. Reflecting back on the poem, the main character had many issues that could have depressed her ultimately leading to her failure. However, she adapted to it all by trying to be the best at what she did, all the while focusing and reminiscing on the positive aspects that life had to offer. References Mohring, R. (2009). “Factory Work” by Deborah Boe. Web. | human | 0 | 0 | 0 | human |
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