Friday, December 27, 2019

Literary Elements Of Maya Angelou - 1976 Words

Literary Elements of Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a writer and civil rights activist best known for her 1969 memoir, â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.† As a young child Angelou witnessed her parents’ divorce and she and her brother were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. While in Arkansas, she constantly experienced racism and discrimination, and she was able to translate the emotions that she felt, into her works. Toni Morrison was on February 14, 1931 in Lorain, Ohio. She was a novelist and a Professor at Princeton University. Her novels kept her audience’s attention because of the vivid dialogue and epic themes used in her stories. Some of her best known novels were Beloved, The Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon. In Morrison’s and Angelou’s novels, they showed similar styles of writing, through the use of racism, symbols, and epic themes. Maya Ange lou was a phenomenal writer. In her novel, â€Å"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings†, she wrote about the situations that she experienced from childhood to adulthood. In the novel, she expressed that she experienced racism at a very young age. Maya talks about the fact that she had to live on one side of town with the black people, and white people lived on the other side. As a child she had the idea that straight, blonde hair was beautiful. In the story she says, â€Å"Wouldn’t they be surprised when one day I woke out of my black ugly dream,Show MoreRelatedMaya Angelou And Langston Hughes1193 Words   |  5 Pagesin poetry. Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes are both African American poets that have made tremendously positive names for themselves in the literature department. Their significant signature in the poetic community has been made by their passion and commitment to produce poetry that speaks to the emotions the public faces on a daily basis. Maya Angelou was brought into this world on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas (Maya Angelou Biography 1)Read MoreAnalysis of the poem Still I Rise1268 Words   |  6 PagesRise by Maya Angelou African Americans have been oppressed for centuries. Despite this discrimination, people of this race have fought hard for their freedom and respect. This pursuit of equality is evident inMaya Angelou’s poem, â€Å"Still I Rise†. Angelou integrates numerous literary ideas such as various sounds, poetry forms, and key concepts.The poetic devices incorporated in Maya Angelou’s work, â€Å"Still I Rise†,heightens the overall effectiveness of the poem. Maya AngelouRead MoreEssay on The Interpretation of None the Other, Maya Angelou1508 Words   |  7 Pagesworld holds. Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. As a strong African-American woman, she has experienced the brutality of racial discrimination, yet also absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American family, community, and culture. Dr. Maya Angelou’s notoriousRead MoreThe Celebration Of Womanhood By Maya Angelou1331 Words   |  6 PagesThe Celebration of Womanhood Women’s beauty has been one of the favorite subjects of many literary works. Many genius authors have admired women’s physical beauty according to their imaginations. However, their literary works, the male dominated society and the female community have also served as accomplices in creating notion about the beauty of women. In our society, it is believed that a woman should have fair-skin, hourglass figure and long hair to attain the title of ‘a beautiful woman’Read MoreEssay on Maya Angelou1185 Words   |  5 PagesDistress in Maya Angelous Life Marguerite Ann Johnson, commonly known as Maya Angelou, was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a famous African-American poet, novelist, and playwright and also worked during the civil rights: Angelou is a very remarkable Renaissance woman who hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature (www.mayaangelou.com). She is also an activist in civil-rights. Angelou went through many controversies during her childhood and adulthood; herRead MoreLiterary And Non Literary Works1721 Words   |  7 PagesLiterary Non literary works â€Å"A Brave and Startling Truth Keep Holding On Patch Adams Literary Work A Brave and Startling Truth By: Maya Angelou Music Keep Holding On By: Avril Lavigne, 2007 Film Patch Adams, 1998 The Brave and Startling Truth This poem was written by Maya Angelou in 1995 Summary In this poem that paints a picture of how it can be when the fight is over. When we lower our weapons and stop reaching for them and look at the outcome of the fight. This poem is tellingRead MoreMaya Angelous Poems Essay1288 Words   |  6 PagesMaya Angelou’s Poems Maya Angelou’s poetry occupies a very special position in her development as a writer (Chow 1). As a child, Angelou went through five years of complete silence after she was raped at the age of seven years old, by a man named, Mr. Freeman. As a result of telling about her traumatic experience, her uncle’s literally kicked the man that raped her to death. Beings she spoke of her traumatic experience and the result of the man dying, she then imagined that her voice had the potentialRead MoreAnalysis Of Graduation By Maya Angelou960 Words   |  4 PagesEssay on â€Å"Graduation† by Maya Angelou Racial segregation was very dominant in the United States in the mid nineteen hundreds. This is the time that Maya Angelou was graduating from the eighth grade in Stamps Arkansas. The theme of racial segregation is well shown by the how different the schools of the African-Americans was compared to that of whites in the essay â€Å"Graduation† by Maya Angelou. In the essay the Angelou points out that Lafayette County Training School didn’t have a lawn, hedges, tennisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou1353 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem â€Å"Phenomenal Woman† written by Maya Angelou, the poem is strong, it is about womanhood, the strength not the weakness that describes Maya Angelou. Although Maya Angelou is describing herself, she is in fact describing all women and is therefore a poem of feminism and the feminist perspective. The structure of this poem is loosely arranged into four stanzas. The idea of this poem is that physical beauty is not what makes a woman phenomenal but the way she has confidence in herself and herRead MoreEssay On Maya Angelou1400 Words   |  6 PagesOctober 2017 America’s Poet The life experiences of the late Maya Angelou —author, poet, actress, singer, dancer, playwright, director, producer — became the key element of her most prominent work, a lyrical poet telling the stories of what it means to be an African American; having a wide range, multi-series autobiographies that lays the foundation of her identity as a American black woman. The acclaimed Maya Angelou’s legacy not only impacted American culture that will resonate with

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Consumption Overpopulation and Its Effects on the Environment

Consumption Overpopulation Think about a sign that says EARTH Max Capacity 10 billion. Based on what they have the human population plans out parties. They have a lack of space and resources. Anyone who would plan these parties would have to take in account for the amount of people that would have to scrunch in with each other, and how many people would not have enough food to last the party. Which basically makes it so the guests are down to a certain number. Our planet is a close similarity to the already mentioned party. Just like how a large room can only offer a certain amount of resources. Despite this idea, the concepts of overpopulation, and resource degradation still are at large and are a risk. The concept of the word†¦show more content†¦Ultimately the behaviorisms of the commons amount to overusing the resources and misdistribution of all the resources in the environment (Burke 2001). The very same Burke argues that the lack of awareness about the topic of resource degradation and over consumption proves that Hardin’s theory is drastically flawed. The very first idea is the fatalistic belief program that block the actual risk perception. â€Å"Humans can not harm the Resource Base† (p.449). The second premise is that the complicity of the concerns regarding the environment blocks the individual awareness of risk. He Concludes that a call for â€Å"education and consensus building† (P.472) in raising the environmental risk of awareness. Comparison and Contrast Environmental Environmental risk perceptions also allowing loss aversion, unrealistic optimistic attitude, and heuristic assist in understanding the way humans go towards their resource consumption problem. Praterelli and Chiarelli go to resource overuse, and the degradation of the various resources. Also not to mention the overpopulation of consumption from the loss aversion standpoint. The idea of technology becomes a medium when it comes to avoiding the immediate losses although having the long-term or evolutionary factorials. On the flip side, Burke approaches the environment risk factors from two risk theories; unrealistic happiness and heuristic sort of availability. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Population Of The Planet Is Reaching Unsustainable1377 Words   |  6 Pagesstraining the already scarce resources. Overpopulation is the exasperating force behind global warming, environmental pollution, habitat loss, intensive farming practices, and the consumption of finite natural resources, such as fresh water, arable land and fossil fuels, at speeds faster than their rate of regeneration. Also, due to overpopulation, agricultural practices used to produce food necessary to feed the ev er growing population, damages the environment through the use of chemical fertilizersRead MoreThe Effects Of Human Overpopulation On The Environment1242 Words   |  5 PagesThe Effects of Human Overpopulation on the Environment â€Å"Can one apple slice feed the world?† If the world were an apple, farmland would only be one very thin slice. The growing population on this Earth has some serious questions that it needs to consider as a whole. How are we all going to eat with eight billion mouths to eat? Farmers have an interesting proposition, they need to feed a growing population with very little land. Overpopulation also has negative effects on the earth through pollutionRead MoreThe Environmental Impact of Overpopulation Essay862 Words   |  4 Pagesto grow through the decades. The increasingly large number of people that have become apart of the world population has become a major problem. The consequences of the world being over populated has numerous effects which include: Environmental effects, depletion of natural resources, effects on the economy, food and water instability, and mass species extinction. Without a solution to the rise in human population, by the year 2020, 8 billion peo ple will live on earth and by the year 2050, 9 billionRead More The Damaging Impact of Overpopulation on the Environment Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesImpact of Overpopulation on the Environment 6.5 billion†¦This is not a whole lot of bacteria, but when it comes to humans, it is a very formidable number. The human population has been increasing at an extremely high rate in the last century and unfortunately, not much has been done to slow down this process. Undoubtedly, overpopulation is a global issue. It is global because it pertains to all of humanity, but global also means that it affects the whole world, i.e. the environment. Almost allRead MoreOverpopulation Is A Catastrophe?841 Words   |  4 Pagesexperienced enormous changes in the people number. These changes have boomed considerably and have converted to overpopulation. Currently, the global population is 7 billion, and the increase rate is 1.3% annually that means by the end of the twenty-first century the population will reach twelve billion (Keenan, 2013). Therefore, there is a huge debate going on right now regarding overpopulation. For some people, explosion in population has no detrimental impacts in t he future, and it will be bearableRead MoreThe Effects Of Environment On The Environment815 Words   |  4 PagesResearch Report Humans effect the environment in many ways, some negative and some positive. While learning about all of the problems people cause, in my opinion that population is the worst thing that humans are doing to our world, but that population cannot be looked at alone. It really goes hand in hand with overconsumption. With the population of earth as of 2014 being 7.1 billion and the United Nations projecting that by 2050 it will hit 8.1 billion we have to figure out a way to reduce whatRead MoreThe Great Human Tumor : Earth s Human Overpopulation Crisis1357 Words   |  6 PagesTumor: Earth’s Human Overpopulation Crisis The best-selling novel by â€Å"DaVinci Code† author Dan Brown â€Å"Inferno† has a plot that is driven by the human overpopulation crisis. Brown depicts a mad scientist that believes he can rid the world of the majority of its health and environmental issues by simply purging the world of two-thirds of its population. But is the assertion brought forth by Brown’s antagonist that far from the truth? When we look at the effects of human overpopulation on food, air qualityRead MoreOverpopulation Is More Than Just A Crowded Planet1343 Words   |  6 Pagescurrent world population no longer signifies progression; it signifies regression. Today, the Earth’s human population is approaching overpopulation. Overpopulation is more than just a crowded planet. The definition of overpopulation is, â€Å"†¦too many people for the amount of food, materials, and space available†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Cambridge Dictionaries). This means that overpopulation will impact crucial aspects of the planet and not just increase city sizes. Robert Kolb suggested in the Encyclopedia of Business EthicsRead MoreOverpopulation Is A Problem Of Overpopulation1529 Words   |  7 Pagesthe whole humankind. Overpopulation is a problem that every nation is facing but sometimes over looked by due to lack of understanding and awareness. This is a serious issue that should be taken care of immediately. Overpopulation is an undesirable situation where the number of existing human populace surpasses the carrying capability of Earth. There are main factors that are contributing overpopulation such as the rising birth rate and declining of mortality rate. Overpopulation occurs when the birthRead MoreOverpopulation : We Must Figure It Out For Save The World Essay1645 Words   |  7 Pages Overpopulation: We Must Figure It Out to Save the World It may not be something you think about often, but human population growth is a big issue in our world today and this problem needs to be solved in the future to save our planet. Overpopulation is a condition that will be in effect if the population exceeds the carrying capacity on Earth. The carrying capacity is the peak population that can sustain human life on Earth. It is uncertain what Earth’s carrying capacity is for the human race

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

American Decline Causes and Consequences

Question: Discuss about the American Decline for Causes and Consequences. Answer: Introduction: There are several forecasting reports which assume that there will be a sudden and relevant decline in the power and autonomy of the United States in the world. The theorists and forecasters are pointing out several factors which will be the moving force behind this decline in the US world influence. These factors include the decline in the GDP of the country as before 25 years the GDP of the country was very high but in present years the country is continuously experiencing declined GDP. There are few major things which have given flame to such predictions of declining influence of UJS such as holding up of few formidable economic assets, the meltdown and crashing up of the US financial system during the global financial crisis, usage of torture in the war on terror and ill-judged crisis in Iraq. The slow recovery of the countrys financial system has driven the growth of the predictions that the country will soon lose its influence across the globe (Cox, 2012). Earlier the country w as an inspirational model and there were several nations which want to travel on a similar path but presently the rate of admirers have declined. As the model of the country is no longer an inspirational one. The various deficit crisis, debt crisis and bankruptcy of various organizations on a continuous basis are also the factors which are significant causes of power shift. There are other factors such as the labor relations and the structure of the trade union which also have their vital role in the declining influence of the nation. Thus there are several; factors which are predicted as the affecting forces which will have their role in declining the US influence in the world (Chomsky, 2011). Is the decline inevitable? It can be analyzed that the decline is inevitable in nature to some extent. There are several things which can have their support and vital importance in mitigating this decline. They most powerful and strong asset hold by the US economy is its influential and dominant military power and other armed forces. The country spends highest amount of capital over the development of its military and other forces. There is no other country which cam presently is compared with the army army and military power of the US. The huge standing army and extensive blue water navy are the two recognized powerful weapons of the US which rule and influence the world (Cox, 2012). The other factor which contributes that the decline of US influence can be reduced includes the increasing presence of Western culture and Western products in the Asian regions. This depicts that the people of Asian countries are getting fascinated by the Western mores which increases the power of West or the US in the world. Ano ther bigger strength of the US is its innovation. The United States is still among the top ten nations who are famous and recognized for their innovations (Nye Jr, 2010). The continuous innovations and the use of the most techno savvy products and services maintain the influence of the US in the world. Thus it can be said that to some extent it can be said that the decline of the US influence can be reduced and the country can be able to maintain its authoritative position for a longer period of time with its various capabilities, power and possessions (Layne, 2012). Countries likely to challenge US dominance in the near future There are various developing countries which are continuously rising and having their impactful influence in the world. Two such countries which can be seen as future leaders are China and India. There are rapid developments and continuous growth taking place in these nations which can be analyzed with the increasing GDPs of these nations. China with its extensive number of population is making its position in one of the fastest developing nation which is presently giving competition to several developed nations in various sectors. China is striving hard to deliver the most innovative products and services to the world and that to at the most decent and reasonable prices. The larger economies of India and China are very powerful in natures which are evolving with time (Nye Jr, 2010). In the coming few decades these nations will have a major influence in the world because of their increasing capability, growth and rapid development. China has its share of around one-tenth of the total GDP of the world which shows a major contribution in the economic growth at the international level. In the global society, China and India are the two countries which are rapidly becoming the responsible stakeholder with their vast development and contributions at the international level. Thus it can be said China and India have their major role in declining the influence of the US and the challenging the US dominance (Mann, 2012). Business implications of a change to a multipolar world and the restoration of Asias weight in the global economy and world politics Polarity can be understand as the way in which the power and influence is distributed among the global system. Multipolar world is the one in which there are several different powers and no singly nation has its influence or rule in the world. All the nations contribute and have their specific influence in the global functioning. There are few business implications of the rise of multipolar world such as decentralization of the decision making, so that there can b e faster decision making in the companies. Another implication is building of a global talent pool as the organizations are now employing individuals from overseas depending upon their capability and aptitude (Purushottam and Rwelamia, 2011). These business implications are the after effect of the rise of multipolar world. It has been analyzed that the Asian countries are getting high weight and involvement in the global economy as their economic development is one rise. China and India are two such Asian countries which ar e having their higher involvement in the world politics because of their rising economies and growth. These are the Asian countries which are influencing the world and the shift of power is taking place from the developed nations to these Asian developing countries. Thus it can be said that there are several positive business implications such as usage of new and innovative business strategies and global expansion as the change of world economy to a multipolar society (Roberts, 2011). Outline of the most likely scenario for changing role of the United States over the next ten to twenty years There are few most like changes and scenario which will take place in the coming ten to twenty years in context with the US. The competitors or the rivals will be giving a striving and tough competition to the US. There will be more powerful nation which will dominate few areas or sectors where presently the US has its leadership. The influence of US will be completely vanished as there will be other countries which will possess strong economical power and growth which will not give any room for independent autonomy and influence to any single nation (Graham, 2014), Thus the power of the US will drop down and there will be only authoritative position over the domestic regions only instead of global influence. There will be decrease in the percentage of share of the US in the global GDP as in the coming twenty years there will be for sure higher percentage of GDP of other developing nations too. There are few things where the US can maintain its position in the upcoming years i.e. the military power, innovations and high-tech services (National Intelligence Council, 2012). References Chomsky, N., (2011), American Decline: Causes and Consequences, Retrieved on: 9th January, 2017, Retrieved from: https://chomsky.info/20110824/ Cox, M., (2012), Power Shifts, Economic Change and the Decline of the West? International Relations, Sage Publications, Pp.20, Retrieved on: 9th January, 2017, Retrieved from: https://www.lse.ac.uk/IDEAS/pdf/COX-Waltz.pdf Graham, D.A., (2014), What Will America Look Like in 2024? Retrieved on: 9th January, 2017, Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/07/what-americans-expect-over-the-next-10-years-in-tk-charts/373610/ Layne, C. (2012). This time its real: The end of unipolarity and the Pax Americana.International Studies Quarterly,56(1), 203-213. Mann, M. (2012).The sources of social power: Volume 3, global empires and revolution, 1890-1945(Vol. 3). Cambridge University Press. National Intelligence Council, (2012), GLOBAL TRENDS 2030, Pp.166, Retrieved on: 9th January, 2017, Retrieved from: https://globaltrends2030.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/global-trends-2030-november2012.pdf Nye Jr, J. S. (2010). American and Chinese power after the financial crisis.The Washington Quarterly,33(4), 143-153. Nye Jr, J. S. (2010). Futures of American Power-Dominance and Decline in Perspective, The.Foreign Aff.,89, 2. Purushottam, N., and Rwelamia, P.M.D., (2011), Strategies in a Multipolar World: Opportunity for application of project management approaches, Business Studies Journal, 3(1), Pp.9, Retrieved on: 9th January, 2017, Retrieved from: https://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/5645/Business%20Studies%20Journal.pdf?sequence=1 Roberts, J. T. (2011). Multipolarity and the new world (dis) order: US hegemonic decline and the fragmentation of the global climate regime.Global environmental change,21(3), 776-784.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Mary Tallmountian Essay Example

Mary Tallmountian Essay How does the mouth say goodbye to the heart? Mary Tallmountian writes in her poem, There Is No Word For Goodbye about how the Athabaskan people can do no such thing. How can one person say such a phrase as there is no word for goodbye? Of course there is, there are hundreds of ways to say goodbye in many different languages. For example; bye, bye-bye, so long, chao, peace out, dont let the door hit you where the good lord split you, and other crazy sayings like the last couple. The general public would never think twice, and for that matter not even once about saying goodbye to someone and thinking what that really means. However, the Athabaskan people along the Yukon River in Alaska have thought about what goodbye means and they have come to the conclusion that goodbye is means forever. By stating that there is no word for goodbye Tallmountian says that we will always see one another again sometime here on this Earth, that we are truly never apart, and even in death that we never le ave eachother. Goodbye is the ultimate ending. When two good friends say bye to each other after school does that mean that they will never see one another again or let alone ever talk via e-mail or the phone or how about even in a letter? Of course not, they will probley see each other later in the day or week to go off to some party together looking to pick up women and have a good time. What if by some reason that these two gentalmen never did have the chance to see one another or talk to each other again. Was that goodbye final? We will write a custom essay sample on Mary Tallmountian specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Mary Tallmountian specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Mary Tallmountian specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In, There Is No Word For Goodbye, by Mary Tallmountian, lines one through four, she describes about Sokoya looking through the net of wrinkles into the wise black pools of the her aunts eyes. To notice a feature so distinctive as that one would never forget those eyes. Tallmountian is saying that even if Sokoya and her aunt never see each other again that Sokoya will always rember her by those eyes. That image of the eyes will always be with Sokoya, therefore, never truly being away from her aunt. The two young men from earlier have met back up and are now leaving the party which they have been drinking at and are in no shape to drive, but unfortunatly, they still do. On the way home the driver runs a stop sign and hits another car killing his friend with him in the truck, but the friend driving, walks away. At the funeral he neals down before the casket and tells his friend goodbye once again. Is goodbye now the ultimate end because death is involved? Tallmountain says no that it is not the end. We always think youre coming back, but if you dont, well see you someplace else (Tallmountian, 24-26). Here Sokoyas aunt tells Sokoya that even in death we will see you in that someplace else. That someplace else could mean heaven or hell or what ever the Athabaskan people believe in for what comes after death. So, Tallmountian speaks of death as not the ultimate ending for a person, but as just another step in a longer journey. Tallmountian raises a very intresting question, when does your mouth say goodbye to your heart? Tallmountian tells that we never truly say goodbye not when two people are seperated for a length of time or even in death. She says that we are always together no matter what because people never leave our hearts. Maybe we should incorporate what the Athabaskan people say instead of goodbye. They say, tlaa which roughly means see you. What a great way to think. What else do we say to each other without even thinking about what those words mean?

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Extraorinary Conflicts Essays - Lake Forest, Illinois,

Extraorinary Conflicts Extraordinary Conflicts Ordinary People Ordinary People by Judith Guest is a very emotional book that deals with many thoughts and actions about life and suicide. A lot of people would have different opinions or perspectives about this story. My thesis question for this book is: Does the author Judith Guest try to prove that even the perfect family can fall apart? In this novel, regular or ?ordinary people? have to learn to cope with many extraordinary crises. In Ordinary People, Conrad Jarrett is a seventeen year old boy attending a public high school in the suburbs of Illinois. He and his family go through many stressful struggles after Conrad's brother Jordan dies in a boating accident. Jordan's death influences Conrad so much that he even cuts up his wrists and tries to commit suicide but he does not die. Conrad struggles with a lot of things including school, quitting the swimming team, and his friends. Conrad's mother Beth, is a perfectionist and is always concerned about the way people view her and her family. She wishes for everyone to see them as ?normal?. Conrad's Dad Cal feels he is somewhat responsible for Conrad's suicide attempt. He also believes that Conrad and Beth are drifting away from each other and he doesn't know who to follow. The story ends when Beth leaves home to go away for a while because she can't get along with her family. In this book, the title does give a clue about a possible theme. The term ?ordinary people? is mentioned several times in this book. There can be many different themes for this book although my theme did not come from the title. My theme is: even a perfect family can fall apart and sometimes fall into a mental stress, due to a life changing event. I think this because everything is perfect before Jordan dies. Everything and everyone seems to fall apart after his accident. For example, Conrad attempts to commit suicide as a result of Jordan's death and some more various other reasons. One time in the book, Conrad says ?I wanted to commit suicide because I needed more sleep and less stress?. The main conflict in this book for the Jarrett family is learning to cope with extraordinary crises. The whole Jarrett family tries to cope with Jordan's death but they don't succeed very well. This conflict affects Conrad the most since he attempted to kill himself. Other small conflicts seem to build around this major conflict. For example, after Conrad tried to kill himself, his mother thought that he was trying to hurt her for some reason. She never feels the need to forgive him for what he has done to himself. This brings much tension between Conrad and his mother Beth. This small problem also affects Cal's and Beth's relationship with each other because they fight often and do not get along very well. There are a few unusual objects in this story that I think changes the mood of some characters. One unusual object is a small business card in Dr. Berger's office. The card reads, ?I love you. Is this ok? signed Jesus C.? This is unusual because it is almost like Jesus Christ is talking to Conrad personally. Conrad and his family does not ever turn to Jesus Christ for help in these hard times. Another unusual object is Conrad's new car. Conrad thinks that his parents are only giving it to him just to be saying, ?here now be happy and leave us alone?. Although Conrad's parents do not actually feel this way about it, Conrad does. The dialogue in this story is very realistic. The dialogue seems to be focusing on the Jarrett family and how realistic and dramatic things can be. The character's words say a lot about the character. Conrad's words for example, are honest and dramatic. I think Conrad is the heroic one because he overcomes many tough obstacles in life. I also believe that he is the protagonist in this story and his struggle with the obstacles is the antagonist. One main internal conflict is one between Conrad and himself. He struggles with many changes in life and he wants to please everyone. His worst struggle and biggest fear was suicide and the thought of it. He continually struggles with the thoughts of suicidal attempts and the fears that go with them. Conrad also has a conflict in his head because he asks himself weird questions and doesn't even know why. He also

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Different types of healthcare options in America Essays

Different types of healthcare options in America Essays Different types of healthcare options in America Paper Different types of healthcare options in America Paper Medicare and Medicaid programs were enacted in America’s constitution around 44years ago with an aim of setting aside a fund that would provide medical care for all American citizens. However, even with the presence of government programs, the public healthcare system is in a terrible state. (Anne O. James A. 564). In 2004 for instance, 45 millions of Americans were uninsured and â€Å"turned to hospital emergency rooms for even routine care† numbers of uninsured, it is projected that Medicare program will run out of funds if no suitable remedial action is taken. The reason why a lot of Americans are not insured is because they can nit afford the exorbitant medical care is attributed to the highly fragmented medical care system every medical care provider attempt â€Å"to get the biggest cut of health care dollar they can.† The industry reports that it is forced to charge high medical bills because they need to finance research and development. . (Anne O. James A. 564) As a result of the unaffordable charges, the number of people who have put off medical care is increasing leading to serious health conditions. There are different types of insurance for health care option and are categorized into:    Employed based health insurance coverage Under this we have: Small employer group This insurance option applies to employers who have 2-50 employees. The federal health insurance portability and accountability Act of1996 requires that health insurance contracts for small health groups be on guarantee issue basis and also guarantee renewable unless the employer has failed to pay premiums, committed fraud, intentionally misrepresented or has failed to comply with the terms of the health insurance contract. (Harry A. S 222)   This particular scheme is advantageous especially to smaller companies. Some small health group insurance programs provide additional benefits like free dental care. There is a large network of medical care providers who participate in these programs. There is benefit of economies of scale, making the charges per person lower than individual programs. The contributions of employers and in some cases the workers are not taxed. (Harry A. S 240) However, this scheme is not flexible whereby some organizations allows medical care from specified physicians. The employees in such cases are denied the opportunity of getting medical care from their favorite physicians or the physician of their choice. (Harry A. S 254) Large employer group This program is applicable for employers who have from 51 or more employees. The average charges are lower than both small groups and individual health insurance opting due to economics of scale. The contributions of both employers and employees in most cases are not taxable. Many employers allow their employees to temporary continue their health insurance under specified conditions for a specified period of time. (Ben Irvine) Individuals who have other insurance coverage or have not exhausted COBRA coverage are not provided with this benefit. This option also precludes individuals who did not previously belong to any health insurance coverage as well as those who have not stayed for 18 months prior to the previous creditable coverage. (Applicable to Washington State) Individual health insurance coverage This is the common plan that is in most cases entered by the self-employed and unemployed people. The person intending to secure this kind of plan is medically examined and his/her financial status evaluated by the insurance provider to determine whether the person is financially capable of sustaining the premium payments. (Ben Irvine)   This particular program has several advantages one of which is that a person can choose the benefits that she/he would like provided in the insurance package. If a person under an individual health insurance is unable to pay the monthly dues other insurance organizations that a person has entered can share the medical expenses incase the person becomes ill. (Ben Irvine) On the other hand it is a little bit more expensive than the group insurance schemes and for a person to be eligible to this plan; he/she must have been previously covered. Coverage for medically uninsurable persons

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Analyzing and Recommending Best Buy in Crisis Case Study

Analyzing and Recommending Best Buy in Crisis - Case Study Example Again, consumers will acquire the information only with a well-designed marketing strategy. If innovation of the products goes together with improved marketing plan then no doubt the company will gain high reputation and loyalty from consumers. In addition, apart from retaining its current customers it will have the potential of attracting new customers which will finally enable the company to benefit from large economies of scale. For example, the consumer centricity plan drove the sales higher even without any other change in the products or operations of the company (Wells and Danskin 3). This therefore provides a proof to the benefits of a good marketing strategy. With the highly innovated products, Best Buy international division failed to produce good results, which lead to a failure (Wells and Danskin 7). This necessitates the need of improving the means of monitoring the behavior of international markets to come up with the best method of marketing most appropriate in each region. The same products that perform well at the home country should also be able to perform in another country; the only difference is the communication language that best suits each region that the organization has to know. To be able to come up with the best marketing strategies most appropriate in the modern world of consumer electronics, Best Buy has to understand the marketing challenges it faces. From the challenges, it is easier to identify the opportunities and take advantage out of them. The company faces the following challenges, The product promotional design features should directly reflect to the consumers. There is need to communicate the exact information about the product. Consumers always make purchasing decisions based on the information they have. This calls for the need to pass all the important details about the

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Utilize a genomic case study (other options) Essay

Utilize a genomic case study (other options) - Essay Example ewborn and prenatal genomic screening, started in US hospitals with voluntary tests for PKU before it was made mandatory, especially as a response to lobbying by advocates for child rights. Newborn and prenatal screening began to be expanded to include whole genome testing to identify other congenital and inherited disorders. While most developed countries have made significant contributions to newborn and prenatal screening development, actual testing is still a hospital-based health activity (Tarini & Goldenberg, 2012). Currently, major hospitals have newborn and prenatal screening systems to offer initial screening, as well as follow up services for the children and their families. Because hospitals are the decision makers about the content and structure of the screening program, systems have multi-dimensional variance. For instance, a hospital may offer genomic screening for sickle cell disease, PKU, galactosemia, MCADD, and hypothyroidism, although they vary in how they select a dditional conditions. Hospitals also differ in how they make decisions about treatment protocol content, avail services for follow-up, and the extent of costs to the screened newborn’s family (Tarini & Goldenberg, 2012). Most hospitals, today, make the screening mandatory but fail to obtain informed consent from the parents. Today, the heel-stick blood sample is utilized in programs for newborn and prenatal screening for all conditions except auditory impairment. However, in the past, a new lab blood test was always added when a new condition was added to the program. Tandem mass spectrometry was discovered in the 1990s and could test for MCADD, PKU, and various other disorders at the same time (Tarini & Goldenberg, 2012). It measures the levels in the blood of various products of metabolism, of which any abnormalities in metabolite levels are suggestive of disorders in metabolic activity. Children rights activists continue to press governments to take up and fund this technology and

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Employment Discrimination based on Religion Research Paper

Employment Discrimination based on Religion - Research Paper Example Furthermore, in a workplace, several employees are often viewed to request for not to work on certain days due to religious holidays and also seek for a break for prayer. Hypothetically, diverse religious based activities might raise several arguments concerning the protection of rights of the employees in workplace. These activities can be regarded as major subjects of concern revealing that every citizen possesses the right of expressing their individual religious beliefs. Furthermore, the activities can also be duly considered as a debatable issue for organizations towards accommodating the right of individuals without compromising organizational objectives. The organizations must possess the responsibility to maintain proper balance with respect to employment rights, treatment of each employees and profitability (Evans, 2007). With this concern, this paper intends to analyze the issue concerning employment discrimination particularly based upon religion and providing effective solutions to address and mitigate this critical issue. Identification of the Problem of Religious Discrimination in Employment In general, discrimination denotes partial or detrimental treatment according to personal characteristic. There lays a greater need to understand the aspects of religion and belief for the purpose of identifying the problem associated with employment discrimination based on the aspect of religion. Precisely, religion is described as a belief and worship of a personal preference of god or an acknowledged system of conviction. On the other hand, the word belief is used for a system of moral belief which directs one’s life. Thus, based on these aspects, religious discrimination is often characterized by preconception, unfair conduct and harassment or any other form of violence based on individual religion or belief. Religious discrimination denotes a disadvantageous consideration or distinction of individuals according to religious affiliation, individual belief, faith oriented appearance or expected religiou s relationship. Unfair treatment and hostility based personal beliefs are quite common in organizations and they are often endangered by prejudgment, particularly towards certain religious sections (Evans, 2007). According to the observation made by European Network against Racism (2007), individuals are frequently subjected to discrimination on numerous bases. For instance, in the year 2007, the survey of Eurobarometer Report on Discrimination stated that about 44% of Europeans felt discrimination based on religion. The ‘third country nationals’ particularly the undocumented migrants, the Jewish and Muslim communities are especially susceptible towards religious discrimination. For these communities, religious individuality is usually observed as closely associated with racial identity (European Network against Racism, 2007). Religious discrimination in employment occurs when an organization treat employees less positively based on religion or certain belief. For insta nce, an organization can discharge an employee who belongs to Muslim religion. According to the report of The US Census Bureau, the percentage of the US population, comprising Asian origin has augmented extensively during the period 1990 to 2000. Immigration also augmented the diversity among black Americans as new immigrants appeared from Caribbean and Africa. The American organizations have also observed a corresponding increase in workforce diversity. In the year 1999, the number of immigrant employees in the US was about 15.7 million, representing 12% of the workforce. Moreover, during the period 1990 to 1998, about 12.7 million new employments were created in the US and among them about 5.1 million i.e. 38% were

Friday, November 15, 2019

Enrons Collapse and Its Corporate Culture

Enrons Collapse and Its Corporate Culture According to Albert Camus A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world At first sight, Enron looks like a mega-size illustration of the bad apple among the ripes ones. It projected itself as financial of Business Ethics. On December 2.2001 Enron Corp. Filed the largest bankruptcy in U.S history due to many unethical issues. The Enron Scandal shocked the world. Enron had an overwhelming aura of pride and carried with it the deep-seated belief that its people could handle increasing risk without any consequences. The culture promoted greed and focused on how much money could be made for executives. For, example Enrons compensation plans seemed less concerned with generating profits for shareholders than with enriching Companys wealth. Enrons corporate culture reportedly encouraged profiteering. The Enron collapse has sent shockwaves all over the financial world and raised serious questions regarding corporate governance. The Enron bankruptcy is becoming the most famous and highly publicized bankruptcy case in history. There are numbers of unethical issues that contribute Enron to its bankruptcy. They are as follows-: Improper Accounting: One of the major reason behind of its bankruptcy was improper accounting system. (Enrons lawyers in august 2001)The company used corrupt accounting measures to make their profits .Although these practices produced more favorable financial picture ,outside observers believed they might constitute fraudulent financial reporting because they didnt accurately represent the companys true financial condition. For example the company established the special-purpose entities (SPEs) to move the assestd and debt of its balance sheet and increase cash flow by showing through its books when it sold assets. Hiding the losses and inflating profits: The company has a cash flow of negative amount $154 millions, Enron claimed of 3 million in its cash flow Bad Communication-: Delivering the bad news. Lying to the various stakeholders, the financial statements hide the momentous losses to their Stockholders. Stock analysts were often vague and didnt specify their operation cost and their finances. Misleading the financial reports-: The bankruptcy filing came after revealing that Enron used (SPEs),Special Purpose Entities. SPEs hid losses. Enron used SPEs to move assets and debts off it balance sheet. This enables increase in its Cash Flow. Poor business and accounting procedures encouraged greed. Unregulated private partnerships(SPES) to take on debts Over 5000 Enron employees lost their livelihood due to Top Managements greed. Enrons VP Sherron Watkins consistently sent reports out to the then Chairman outlining improper accounting methods employed. The biggest problem was that Enron outsourced its internal audit function. It outsourced both its internal and external auditing function to Arthur Andersen. 2. Did Enrons bankers, auditors, and attorneys contribute to Enrons demise? If so, what was their contribution? Enrons demise involve its relation to its bankers ,auditor and attorneys . Enrons auditor: Enron auditors knew in mid August from a senior Enron employees concern about improprieties in the energy companys Accounting practices (Washington Jan16) .Arthur Andersen was responsible for ensuring the accuracy of Enrons financial statements and internal bookkeeping. Andersons reports were used by potential investors to judge Enrons financial soundness and future potential before they decided whether to invest. Current investors decide if their funds should remains invested there. Former CEO Jeffrey Skilling, widely seen as Enrons mastermind. He was so sure he had committed no crime that he waived his right to self-incrimination and testified before Congress that he was not aware of any inappropriate financial arrangement. Jeffrey McMahon told a congressional subcommittee that he had informed Skilling about the companys off-the-balance-sheet partnership in March 2000, when he was Enrons Treasurer. (ENRONS COLLAPSE: OVERVIEW;RECEIVE WARNING ON ENRON FIVE MONTH AGO(Richard A jr. opeel. published on Jan 17 2007) Enrons bankers: Although the bank knew there was a problem with Enron finances Its own bankers . Their under writing feeling on debt issue sold to the public to prove that without the bankers Enron will never remained its scheme on the investing public . JPMorgan Chase and Citibank were already aware of the tax regulations and would have had sources for audited accounts. These banks issued large loans to the company. They could do so because they would then lay off much of the risk through a complex process of financial engineering. While shareholders pursue individual claims against the bank the decision Monday stymies any mass effect by shareholders recovers all the parts of loss of $40 billions from a wall street bank that earned millions of dollars from Enron in banking fees .(Julie Creswel) Enrons Lawyers: In the events leading up to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enquiry, Enrons employees shredded important documents to prevent any indictments. 3.What role did the chief financial officer play in creating the problems that led to Enrons financial problems? According to Bill Saporito, Fastow earned a reputation of being a money wizard who constructed the complex financial vehicles. He employed techniques that could rapidly exploit deregulating markets for energy, water, broadband capacity and anything else that could be traded. In 1993, Fastow created hundreds of special-purpose entities designed to transfer Enrons debt to an outside company and get it off the books-without giving up control of the assets that stood behind the debt. To prevent degrading in Enrons credit rating, Fastow tripled his staff, to more than 100.He hired various banking experts and giving them the task of selling and buying capital risk. This effectively allowed Enrons audited balance sheet to appear debt free, while in reality it owed more than 30 billion dollars at the height of its debt. While presented to the outside world as being independent entities, the funds Fastow created were to take write-downs off Enrons books and guaranteed not to lose money.. Fastow made tens of millions of dollars defrauding Enron in this way, while also neglecting basic financial practices such as reporting the cash on hand and total liabilities. Giles Darby, David Bermingham, and Gary Mulgrew worked for Greenwich NatWest. The three British men had worked with Fastow on a special purpose entity he had started called Swap Sub. When Fastow was being investigated by the SEC, the three men met with the British Financial Services Authority (FSA) in November 2001 to discuss their interactions with Fastow. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRSPHIES: 1.Farrell, O., Fraedrich ,J and Ferrell, L,(2010)Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases (8th edition),Houghton Mifflin. 2.Cullen,J(1999)Managing Ethical and Social Responsibility: Challenges for Multinational Companies ,in Multinational Management .a Strategic Approach, International Thomson Publishing. 3.Ackman, Dan. .Enron Files Chap. 11.. Forbes Online 3 December 2001. http://www.forbes.com/2001/12/03/1203topnews_print.html Farrell, Greg and Woodyard, Chris. .Three powerful men forged Enron.s path.. USA Today 28 January 2002 4.Miller, Roger and Jentz, Gaylord A. .Business Law Today.. West Legal Studies in Business, 2000. 5.St. Onge, Jeff. .Enron set to file largest-ever Chapter 11.. Seattle Times 30 November 2001. 6.Talaski, Karen. .Enron.s fall sped Kmart into tailspin.. The Detroit News 27 January 2002. 7.Bankruptcy in Brief.. 4 May 2002 http://www.moranlaw.net/bankruptcybasics.htm 8.Cooper outlines Enron reorganization proposal.. Houston Chronicle.com 3 May 2002. 9.Enron Arranges $1.5 Billion of Debtor-In-Possession Financing.. Enron Corp. Press Release, 3 December 2001. http://www.enron.com/corp/pressroom/releases/2002/ene/95- 120301ReleaseLtr.html 10.Enron: Crouching Profits, Hidden Debt.. 30 April 2002 http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa011402a.htm 11.Enron Files Voluntary Petitions for Chapter 11 Reorganization.. Enron Corp. Press Release, 2December 2001. http://www.enron.com/corp/pressroom/releases/2001/ene/PressRelease 12.Enron Races to File for Chapter 11, Avoid Liquidation.. Wall Street Journal 30 November 2001. 13.Enron, the basics.. 5 May 2002 http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/enron_subindex.html http://www.enron.com/corp/pressroom/messages/ees.html 14.Frequently Asked Questions About the Chapter 11 Filing.. Enron Corp. Press Release, 30 April 2002 15.http://www.enron.com/corp/pressroom/chapter11faq.html Profnet Round-Up: Corporate Bankruptcy.. Profnet Online 26 February 2002 16.http://www3.profnet.com/profnet_home/bubriefs-102.html

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Influences and Characteristics of Entrepreneurial Behavior Essay

Management skill and strong team building abilities are often perceived as essential leadership attributes[3] for successful entrepreneurs. Robert B. Reich considers leadership, management ability, and team-building as essential qualities of an entrepreneur. This concept has its origins in the work of Richard Cantillon in his Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en (1755) and Jean-Baptiste Say[4] in his Treatise on Political Economy. Psychological studies show that the psychological propensities for male and female entrepreneurs are more similar than different. A growing body of work shows that entrepreneurial behavior is dependent on social and economic factors. For example, countries with healthy and diversified labor markets or stronger safety nets show a more favorable ratio of opportunity-driven rather than necessity-driven women entrepreneurs. Empirical studies suggest that male entrepreneurs possess strong negotiating skills and consensus-forming abilities. Research studies that explore the characteristics and personality traits of, and influences on, the entrepreneur have come to differing conclusions. Most, however, agree on certain consistent entrepreneurial traits and environmental influences. Although certain entrepreneurial traits are required, entrepreneurial behaviours are also dynamic and influenced by environmental factors. Shane and Venkataraman (2000) argue that the entrepreneur is solely concerned with opportunity recognition and exploitation, although the opportunity that is recognised depends on the type of entrepreneur; while Ucbasaran et al. (2001) argue there are many different types contingent upon environmental and personal circumstances. Jesper Sà ¸rensen has argued that some of the most significant influences on an individual’s decision to become an entrepreneur are workplace peers and the social composition of the workplace. In researching the likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur based upon working with former entrepreneurs, Sà ¸rensen discovered a correlation between working with former entrepreneurs and how often these individuals become entrepreneurs themselves, compared to those who did not work with entrepreneurs.[5] The social composition of the workplace can influence entrepreneurism in workplace peers by proving a possibility for success, causing a â€Å"He can do it, why can’t I?† attitude. As Sà ¸rensen stated, â€Å"When you meet others who have gone out on their own, it doesn’t seem that crazy.† [5] Perception of entrepreneurs The ability of entrepreneurs to innovate is thought to relate to innate traits such as extroversion and a proclivity for risk-taking. According to Schumpeter, the capabilities of innovating, introducing new technologies, increasing efficiency and productivity, or generating new products or services, are characteristic qualities of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are catalysts for economic change, and researchers argue that entrepreneurs are highly creative individuals with a tendency to imagine new solutions by finding opportunities for profit or reward.[6] Largely due to the influence of Schumpeter’s heroic conceptions of entrepreneurs, it is widely maintained that entrepreneurs are unusual individuals. In line with this view, there is an emerging research tradition investigating the genetic factors that are perceived to make entrepreneurs so distinctive (Nicolaou and Shane, 2009). However, there are also critical perspectives that attribute these research attitudes to oversimplified methodological and/or philosophical assumptions (Gartner, 2001). For example, it has been argued that entrepreneurs are not that distinctive, but that it is in essence unrealistic preconceptions about â€Å"non-entrepreneurs† that maintain laudatory portraits of â€Å"entrepreneurs† (Ramoglou, 2011). Classification of entrepreneurs A. Based on functional characteristics 1. Innovative entrepreneur: Such entrepreneurs introduce new goods or new methods of production or discover new markets or reorganize the enterprise. 1. EX: new product, new ways of product, new markets and reorganise the enterprise. 2. Imitative or adoptive entrepreneur: Such entrepreneurs don’t innovate,they copy technology or technique of others. 1. EX: Chinese mobiles. 3. Fabian entrepreneur: Such entrepreneur display grates situation and scepticism in experimenting with any change in their enterprise. They change only when there is a serious threat to the very existence of the enterprise. 4. Drone entrepreneurs: Such entrepreneurs are characterised by a diehard conservatism and may even be prepared to suffer the losses. 1. EX: Acc. To MC Kinsey in 2015, 110-130 million people will be unemployed out of which 90-100 million people will be Fresher. [edit]B. Based on development angle 1. Prime mover: This entrepreneur sets in motion a powerful sequence of development expansion and diversification of business. 1. EX: Ambani 2. Manager: such an entrepreneur doesn’t initiate expansion and its content in just staying in business. 3. Minor innovator: This entrepreneur contributes to economic progress by finding better use for existing resources. 1. EX: minimum wastage maximum production. 4. Satellite: This entrepreneur assumes a suppliers role and slowly move towards a productive enterprise. 5. Local trading: such entrepreneur limits his enterprise to the local market. C. Based on entrepreneurs business 1. Manufacturing 2. Wholesaling 3. Retailing 4. Service Based on personality traits 1. The improver: They have unwavering to run these businesses with high integrity and ethics. 2. The advisor: â€Å"Customer is right and we must do everything to please him† because company is built by advisors and advisors become customer focused. 3. The superstar: All depends upon the charisma and on the high energy of the superstar CEO. 1. EX: Richard Branson (400 co’s/Virgin coin), Larry Page (Google), Lt. Steve Jobs (Apple), Ratan Tata (Tata sons). 4. The artists: Are highly creative type, very conscious about business. If feedback is constructive i.e. positive than also lets go with negative self-image. 1. EX: Aamir Khan, Michael Dell (Dell), MC Cormich (EMI). 5. The visionary: Too focused on dreams with little focused on reality. 1. EX: Jack Welch (GE), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Kishore Biyani (Future Group), Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway), Sam Walton (Wall Mart). 6. The analyst: More focused on fixing problems in a systematic way. 1. EX: Gordon Hore (Intel), Rana Kapur (Yes Bank), Gautam Adani (Adani Groups) 7. The fireball: A business owned and operated by a fireball is full of life, energy and optimism. They have â€Å"A get it done attitude in a playful manner†. 1. EX: Malcolm Forbes – Forbes magazine 8. The hero: Have an incredible will and ability to lead the world and your business through challenges. 9. The healer: They provide nurturing harmony to their business, they have uncanny abilities to survive and persists inner calm. 1. EX: Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (Sulabh International), Kumar Manglam Birla (Son of L.M Birla). 1. The Opportunistic: take advantage of opportunities as they occur. 1. EX: Mark Zuckerberg Theory-based Typologies Recent advances in entrepreneur researcher indicate that the differences in entrepreneurs and the heterogeneity in their behaviors and actions can be traced back to their the founder’s identity. For instance, Fauchart and Gruber (2011) have recently utilized social identity theory to illustrate that entrepreneurs can be distinguished in three main types: Darwinians, Communitarians and Missionaries. These types of founders not only diverge in fundamental ways in terms of their self-views and their social motivations in entrepreneurship, but also engage fairly differently in new firm creation.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Little Miss Sunshine Film Analysis

The film Little Miss Sunshine, Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris, explores the lives of a regular American family and how they change their lives in front of us in the ‘Combie’ van on the road to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. The film examines the issues of winning and losing, and what it means to be a winner, throughout many sequences in the film as well as exploring the value of family.The directors and the cinematic team use an extreme range of camera techniques, costuming, and sound techniques to reshape our understanding of winning and losing in the world we live in today. Firstly the directors and their team use a variety of different camera techniques to shape our view on the characters, and ultimately change our view in the world. In the opening sequence each character is introduced using different camera shots. For example Olive’s father is first projected to the audience as a success.There is a sequence of close ups and mid ranged shots which show Richard confidently speaking in a spotlight at the front of the room. However the cinematic team then use a cut to a point of view shot of what Richard sees when he has finished talking, which allows us to then see how much of a failure he really is, as there is only five, half asleep, bored people in the room and only one person applauds Richards work. This first sequence allows us to see that Richard acts and feels like a winner to himself, but when he is seen with the rest of the world he is failure and a loser.The directors have used this sequence to shape our understanding of winning and losing as it employs the idea that winning and losing is based on comparing yourself to the rest of the world, instead of being on how you feel and view yourself. Secondly the costuming used in the film has a big effect on shaping our view on the characters and their position in the movie world. The characters in the Hoover family are costumed as a very average family. Through out the movie the Hoover family is suggested to be positioned at the lower end of the economic wealth scale.However this is most obvious when Olive finally reaches the Little Miss Sunshine competition. When all the competitors are introduced on stage we see Olive is far out of place just through her basic average costuming, compared to the other girls who are dressed like little Barbie dolls, with glittery clothes and excessive make up. Even though Olive is out of place and obviously doesn’t belong in the competition, she still reflects Grandpa’s view on classifying winners and losers which was introduced before he died. Grandpa believes that a real loser is someone who is so afraid of not winning they don’t even try.Through the costuming and Olives actions the directors implant that view of winning and losing into the audience, which then reflects on our world today, as we need to show more support, not for the winners of a competition, but the courage people h ave developed to enter a competition. The Final key technique which is employed by the cinematic team of Little Miss Sunshine is the use of sound. Throughout the film there is an evident mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. In the scene were Frank and Dwayne are out on the pier, starts with a non-diegetic voice over from the Little Miss Sunshine pageant saying ‘America, it’s so beautiful’.These words introduce the scene as the diegetic sounds of nature at the beach take over and remind us of nature’s healing presence as we then see the first real bonding between Frank and Dwayne. The directors have chosen to use these sound techniques to help the audience feel the repairing sense of nature as they start to learnt the value of family with frank and Dwayne. The value of family which is also reflected on our world is that no matter how much we try and push them away they will always be there when we need, and that’s the true value of family sho wn throughout the film.The film Little Miss Sunshine, Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris, explores the lives of a regular American family to portray key values which should be inherited by our society. The film analyses the concepts of winning and losing, and what it means to be a winner, throughout many sequences in the film as well as exploring the value of family. The director and the cinematic team use an extreme range of camera techniques, costuming, and sound techniques to help the storyline shape our understanding of winning and losing in the world we live in today. Adrian Pace, Year 11 Word Count- 795

Friday, November 8, 2019

How to Calculate Density - Worked Example Problem

How to Calculate Density Problem Density is the measurement of the amount of mass per unit of volume. In order to calculate density, you need to know the mass and volume of the item. The mass is usually the easy part while volume can be tricky. Simple shaped objects are usually given in homework problems such as using a cube, brick or sphere. The formula for density is: density mass/volume This example problem shows the steps needed to calculate the density of an object and a liquid when given the mass and volume. Key Takeaways: How to Calculate Density Density is how much matter is contained within a volume. A dense object weighs more than a less dense object that is the same size. An object less dense than water will float on it; one with greater density will sink.The density equation is density equals mass per unit volume or D M / V.The key to solving for density is to report the proper mass and volume units. If you are asked to give density in different units from the mass and volume, you will need to convert them. Question 1: What is the density of a cube of sugar weighing 11.2 grams measuring 2 cm on a side? Step 1: Find the mass and volume of the sugar cube. Mass 11.2 gramsVolume cube with 2 cm sides. Volume of a cube (length of side)3Volume (2 cm)3Volume 8 cm3 Step 2: Plug your variables into the density formula. density mass/volumedensity 11.2 grams/8 cm3density 1.4 grams/cm3 Answer 1: The sugar cube has a density of 1.4 grams/cm3. Question 2: A solution of water and salt contains 25 grams of salt in 250 mL of water. What is the density of the salt water? (Use density of water 1 g/mL) Step 1:  Find the mass and volume of the salt water. This time, there are two masses. The mass of the salt and the mass of the water are both needed to find the mass of the salt water. The mass of the salt is given, but the only the volume of water is given. Weve also been given the density of water, so we can calculate the mass of the water. densitywater masswater/volumewater solve for masswater, masswater densitywater ·volumewatermasswater 1 g/mL  · 250 mLmasswater 250 grams Now we have enough to find the mass of the salt water. masstotal masssalt masswatermasstotal 25 g 250 gmasstotal 275 g Volume of the salt water is 250 mL. Step 2: Plug your values into the density formula. density mass/volumedensity 275 g/250 mLdensity 1.1 g/mL Answer 2: The salt water has a density of 1.1 grams/mL. Finding Volume by Displacement If youre given a regular solid object, you can measure its dimensions and calculate its volume. Unfortunately, the volume of few objects in the real world can be measured this easily! Sometimes you need to calculate volume by displacement. How do you measure displacement? Say you have a metal toy soldier. You can tell it is heavy enough to sink in water, but you cant use a ruler to measure its dimensions. To measure the toys volume, fill a graduated cylinder about half way with water. Record the volume. Add the toy. Make sure to displace any air bubbles that may stick to it. Record the new volume measurement. The volume of the toy soldier is the final volume minus the initial volume. You can measure the mass of the (dry) toy and then calculate density. Tips for Density Calculations In some cases, the mass will be given to you. If not, youll need to obtain it yourself by weighing the object. When obtaining mass, be aware of how accurate and precise the measurement will be. The same goes for measuring volume. Obviously, youll get a more precise measurement using a graduated cylinder than using a beaker, however, you may not need such a close measurement. The significant figures reported in the density calculation are those of your least precise measurement. So, if your mass is 22 kg, reporting a volume measurement to the nearest microliter is unnecessary. Another important concept to keep in mind is whether your answer makes sense. If an object seems heavy for its size, it should have a high density value. How high? Keep in mind the density of water is about 1  g/cm ³. Objects less dense than this float in water, while those that are more dense sink in water. If an object sinks in water, your density value better be greater than 1! More Homework Help Need more examples of help with related problems? Worked Example Problems: Browse different types of chemistry problems.Density Worked Example Problem: Practice calculating density.Mass of Liquids From Density Example Problem: Use density to solve for mass of a liquid.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Attention Users †Why Submit A Paper to FORP

Attention Users – Why Submit A Paper to FORP Free Online Research Papers As you have figured out by now FORP does not charge for complete access to all the great essays and papers that users have contributed. To charge people would be a backwards step in regards to our feelings about how information should be distributed. Other sites require that users MUST contribute work in order to have access. We are not that excited about this idea either, however, because contributions are so low that we may be forced to try new things. I should take this time to thank the members who have contributed to make FORP what it now is but in order to continue to grow we are needing support from new people. So contribute some papers to help make FORP better if you have not yet done so. Dont be lazy!! For questions about how to post please drop us feedback and we will get back with you as soon as possible. Thanks! Admin Research Papers on Attention Users - Why Submit A Paper to FORPThe Project Managment Office SystemQuebec and CanadaDefinition of Export QuotasStandardized TestingLifes What IfsThe Hockey GameAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2The Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseHip-Hop is ArtGenetic Engineering

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Risk management cycle and strategy of Money laundring in the US Essay

Risk management cycle and strategy of Money laundring in the US - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the issue of money laundering has been the center of debate for quite a long time. Criminals and other terrorist groups have continued to use money-laundering schemes to hide their intermittent sources of money obtained by fraudulent means. According to the Office of the Foreign Assets Control, the United States continues to lose large amounts of dollars through money laundering activities. The country is also facing imminent risk of ever-lasting criminal and terrorist threats since the rate of money laundering activities is still high. As of today, economists in association with financial analysts fear that the United States will face an unimaginable loss of foreign investors in the not too far future mainly because of money laundering risks. This is so because the presence of money laundering activities brings about significant risks, which tarnishes the safety and soundness of a country’s financial industry Typically, money l aundering is simply the process in which an individual or a group conceals the source where they obtain money via illicit means. The ways in which fraudsters can launder money are several and they can vary in accordance with their sophistication. Every year, the government of the United States quotes the amounts of money that the country loses through money laundering activities. Given that most of the money obtained through fraudulent means goes to fund criminal and terrorist operations, it is agreed that the risks involved in money laundering expand to encompass the safety and security of the nation. As a result, the United States is likely to be sitting on a time bomb since anti-money laundering agents are moving at a slower pace, unlike fraudsters who are at the verge of compromising the face value of the United States’ financial sector. Recently, the International Monetary Fund’s report revealed that two to five percent of the world’s general economy is com posed of laundered money. Nevertheless, the task force charged with the duty of combating money laundering business, commonly referred to as the FATF, communicated that it is not easy to provide an estimate of money obtained through laundering.

Friday, November 1, 2019

Environmental Science Phase 5 Individual Project Essay

Environmental Science Phase 5 Individual Project - Essay Example There are several fatal flaws in the claim that the U.S. can’t afford to take the legislative steps necessary to slow the effects of global warming. The scientific community agrees that global temperatures are rising due to the burning of fossil fuels which are damaging the protective atmospheric Ozone layer by changing its composition. Human pollution is changing the climate of our earth and has increased global warming in the past half century. The effects are being felt worldwide, not just in the U.S. where most of the CO2 emissions are generated. The question before us is, are we stewards of our earth and will we preserve it for future generations? If the past 30 years are any indication, then the answer is no. Noticeable effects of global warming are fairly insignificant right now to the average person, but its effects are unquestionably growing in scale. If the population of the planet were to immediately discontinue polluting the air with carbon dioxide emissions, climate changes would still continue long into the future. It is vitally important that the people of the world realize that we have set in motion an experiment on planet Earth which we cannot simply turn off because we finally realized the dire consequences. If we injure the planet in this selfish, cataclysmic method, we kill future generations of humankind. Agricultural activity, land masses and the very air we breathe will suffer a radical change from the effects of global warming, but to what degree? I don’t know but don’t want to know. The projected rate of climate change is very alarming to many scientists but not as much to politicians as this topic isn’t as high on the political agenda as some others. It seems to me that the world leaders have no sense of urgency about them regarding global warming. They place great importance on the popular items of the

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Conflict between Israelis & Palestinians Research Paper

Conflict between Israelis & Palestinians - Research Paper Example Religion itself, of course need not be blamed as it is an impulse of nature that derives from â€Å"man’s religious constitution† (James, xi). While religion is a complex reality, it is commonly identified with man’s â€Å"feeling of the infinite† (43). As such, it is an ennobling capacity or trait of humankind. Still, religion or religious experience admits varieties, such as to divide individuals and societies. In human history, religion has proven to be both a boon and a bane to humanity. Consider the religious persecutions, oppressions, and wars in history. And along this trend of thought, this paper takes the position that while religion itself is good, distortion of the religious impulse by way of bias and extremism can become destructive. In this situation, religion serves to become the root cause of conflict, such as in the case of the estranged Jewish Israelis and Muslim Palestinians living in what is known as the Holy Land. Seed of religious conf lict Not generally known is the fact that Muslims and Jews had a failed relationship even during the lifetime of the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad. The situation was rather unfortunate, because in the beginning, the learned rabbis of the Jewish tribes of Yatrib, a settlement in the Middle East, admired Muhammad. They saw in him the awaited prophet who would come from the Arabs with whom they the Jews would destroy the idolaters of the region (Pickthall xiv). In fact, they even came to Mecca to vow allegiance to the prophet and invite him to their city. And owing to the hate and plot of assassination, Muhammad himself sought refuge among Jews in Yatrib. This event was later known as Hijrah or the Flight from Mecca, marking the beginning of the Muslim era (xv). But during the eventuality of a blood feud between Meccans and Muhammad and a temporary defeat of Muslim forces, the Jews reneged on their friendship with Muhammad and joined the hostile Meccans. To aggravate the situa tion, the Jews of Yatrib also declared that the religion of the pagan Arabs was superior to Al-Islam (xx). Then in a rather unforeseen reversal of fortune in the seventh year of Hijrah, the Prophet led a victorious campaign against Kheybar, the hornets nest of the idolatrous Arabs and stronghold of Jewish tribes in North Africa. The Prophet and his army overcame his persecutors, and by the ninth year of the Hijrah, all Arab tribes from all part of Arabia swore allegiance to Muhammad making him the emperor of Arabia. And for their infidelity, the Prophet expelled the Jews from Arabia (xxvi). The seed of a prolonged Jewish and Muslim hostility was sown. Spread of Islam Muhammad spread his faith in only One God all over Arabia, later in other continents by means of preaching and war. His words were made into a new Bible called the Koran, and today the Koranic religious law is followed by about 1.4 billion people scattered all over Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Earlier on, Muha mmad’s faith was a religion of peace, but it spread rapidly as a warlike faith offering unbelievers three choices: to fight it out, to accept the new religion, or keep their old religion but pay tribute to the conquering Muslims or followers of the Prophet Muhammad (Boak et al., 168) Given the quick brains of Arabs, Muslims absorbed the Greek learning of the Eastern Roman Empire, and contributed Arabic advancement especially in the fields of chemistry, medicine and

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Hero Cycle in the Harry Potter Series Essay Example for Free

The Hero Cycle in the Harry Potter Series Essay Although Harry Potter is a product of the 21st century, he still has the necessary components of the romantic hero. The mystical circumstances surrounding his birth, his underdog state before receiving unlimited power, the mark of the chosen on his forehead, his status in the wizard community as the future savior – these qualities are just some examples that show how Harry Potter was patterned after the idea of a romantic hero (Heilman, 2008). As a result, he became a character whom audiences found themselves easily relating with. In following Harry’s adventures, they were introduced to a world where good always triumphs over evil and problems can be instantly solved with a single magic spell. The Hero’s Journey In almost every genre and medium, the journey of the romantic hero is divided into three parts – departure, initiation and return. Such a division was intended mainly to show audiences why he or she deserved to be the protagonist. In the duration of the journey, the positive traits of the protagonist are slowly revealed. In the process, it is imparted to audiences that even the most ordinary persons can likewise be heroes in their own right. Departure The departure begins with the call to adventure. The hero, usually portrayed as a dislocated and oppressed individual, is suddenly given notice that he or she is about to undergo a life-changing escapade. Harry was presented in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1997) as an orphan who was constantly maltreated by his relatives, the Dursleys. His miserable existence came to an end when the wizard Rubeus Hagrid suddenly came for him at the Dursley home and brought him to Hogwarts (Stouffer, 2007). Read more:  How many words are in harry potter. But due to reasons such as fear, insecurity or a sense of duty or obligation, the hero usually refuses to heed the call. Harry was initially reluctant to attend Hogwarts due to personal insecurities and lack of money. These concerns were dispelled when he later realized that his parents had a large amount of currency deposited at Gringotts Bank and that he was well-known in the wizardry circles as â€Å"the boy who lived† (Neal, 2002). According to Hagrid, Harry survived the Dark Lord Voldemort’s curse of death which killed both his parents (Neal, 2002). Once the hero has committed to the quest, either consciously or unconsciously, he or she is bestowed with immense power and magical helpers. Apart from Hagrid, two of Harry’s closest friends in Hogwarts were his schoolmates Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They proved to be loyal friends who always stood by his side through thick and thin. Throughout the series, Harry also acquired several powers such as the ability to enlarge an item (engorgio) and create a Patronus (Expecto Patronum) (Granger, 2008). Furthermore, the hero’s commitment to the quest entails his or her abandonment of familiar surroundings and beliefs. From being the drudge and whipping boy of the Dursleys, Harry became a very powerful wizard who fought fearsome villains such as Sirius Black, Snape and Voldemort himself. Furthermore, the responsibilities associated with being â€Å"the boy who lived† resulted in Harry having a more restricted life than most boys his age. In an age when most boys should be having their first romantic relationships, Harry was depicted struggling to deal with his failed romance with Cho Chang (Agarwal and Vincent, 2005). Initiation In the duration of the adventure proper, the hero experiences numerous trials. These ordeals were intended to bring about his or her transformation. Although the hero often fails in one or more of these tests, his or her allies help him or her get back on track. Harry is no exception. In his first year in Hogwarts, he had to help capture a mountain troll, get past a three-headed dog named Fluffy, escape Devil’s Snare, find and catch the correct flying key among a flock, win a game of living chess, figure out which potion is safe to drink and finally face Professor Quirrell/Voldemort before getting the Sorcerer’s stone out of the Mirror of Erised (Neal, 2007). By the time he reached his second year, Harry had to discover who the heir of Slytherin is and defeat the monster in the Chamber of Secrets. In his third year, he and Hermione were tasked with figuring out how to rescue Buckbeak and Sirius. In his fourth year, Harry had to take a golden egg from the nest of a mother dragon in order to get through the Triwizard Tournament, rescue hostages held by merepeople and get to the Triwizard Cup by traveling through a dangerous maze. In his fifth year, he was in danger of being expelled and having his wand taken, was tested in every subject for his Ordinary Wizarding Level Examinations (OWLs) and traveled to London to battle Death Eaters and Voldemort. In his sixth year, Harry went with Dumbledore to a lake guarded by inferius (animated human corpses) before they found and destroyed one of Voldemort’s horcruxes (Neal, 2007). The trials that the hero undergoes are not without purpose – these take place primarily to prepare him or her for the â€Å"final encounter† with his or her nemesis. In Harry’s case, therefore, the trials that he underwent in Hogwarts were actually preparations for his final battle with Voldemort. But his confrontation with Voldemort is more than just a skirmish – it was an exorcism of the fragment of Voldemort which he carried in himself. It must be noted that when Harry was still a baby, his mother Lily cast a powerful protection charm over him – a spell which required her to offer her life’s blood. In order to grant himself invincibility, Voldemort stole a fraction of this powerful charm – an act which resulted in him and Harry bound together in life and in death (Falconer, 2008). Return After the adventure was finally accomplished, the hero is usually reluctant to return to normal life. But his or her guides and assistants manages to convince him or her that the wisdom that he or she gained during the quest would be put to better use when shared with the rest of the world. Thus, the hero returns to everyday life, retaining the wisdom that he or she acquired during the adventure and using it for the betterment of the community he or she lives in. After defeating Voldemort, Harry went on to become the head of the Auror Department – the organization responsible for ridding the world of evil wizards. His struggle against Voldemort left in him a strong resolve never to let evil wizards threaten the world again (Riphouse, 2004). Conclusion The black-and-white, romantic persona of Harry Potter is a welcome break in an era of complex strife.  His meteoric rise from underdog to the most powerful wizard unconsciously implies to audiences that they can still overcome their present situation no matter how difficult it may seem. Although good people may have things hard at first, they will eventually triumph in the end. The bad people, on the other hand, will end up receiving the punishment that they deserve. Simply put, Harry Potter is a reminder to a conflict-weary populace that there is still hope even for the most insurmountable dilemma.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Research Proposal: The Effect of Extra-Curricular Activities on Academi

Introduction Do extra-curricular activities have a positive or negative effect on a student’s academic performance? If they do, then why do schools take activities away from students at the first sign of academic troubles? If they are scientifically proven to be positive, then why are they not curricular rather than extra curricular? There are numerous influences that impact the academic performance of a student other than after school activities. However, this study will focus on the effect of extra curricular activities on academic performances. In many cases, participation in extra curricular activities positively influences attendance and connection to school. This study will investigate the impact of extra curricular activities that require a daily commitment over an extended period of time, greater than a month. Athletics is the dominant after school activity that requires a daily commitment; therefore, this study will involve student athletes as well as students who are invo lved in other extra curricular activities. Another reason why student athletes will be a large part of this study is that there may be a correlation between the skills necessary to succeed in athletics and academics (American Sports Institute, 1991). While most evidence in the literature proves that extra curricular activities improve academic performances, Solanco School District has no program supporting or promoting the link between the two. This study will examine the effects of participation in extra curricular activities on student academic performance at Solanco High School. Findings from this study could be examined by Solanco High School and similar school districts to support and promote programs of extra curricular activities at... ... as Researchers. 2005 Emmons, Leonard S (1995). Athletic participation and academic achievement: Can the two coexist? National Association of Secondary School Principals. NASSP Bulletin. Vol. 79, Iss. 574; p. 107. Libbey, Heather (2004). Measuring Student Relationships to School: Attachment, Bonding, Connectedness, and Engagement. The Journal of School Health. Vol. 74, Iss. 7, p. 274, 10 pgs. NEA Today (2004). See Ya After School. Vol. 22, Iss. 6, p. 13. Neill, James. www.wilderdom.com Parks & Recreation (2003). After-school programs help kids achieve. Vol. 38, Iss. 6; p. 15. Schneider, Timothy and Klotz, Jack. November 2000. The Impact of Music Education and Athletic Participation on Achievement. 36 pages. Seigle, Del. http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/research/Qualitative/qualquan.htm. 1979

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Food Cart Businesses Management Practices Essay

A. Environment * Linis Ofis Program Translated as â€Å"clean office†, this internal program is an integrated approach to solid waste management in support of the Philippine Government’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003). It deals with waste segregation by instilling in SMC employees the 4R discipline – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover. It aims to educate its workers to value their environment by practicing segregation, collection, reuse and recycling of disposable waste in the workplace. SMC’s Head Office Complex located in the Ortigas Center hub provided three waste receptacles placed in strategic spots for food scraps or compostable waste, recyclable items (such as plastic bottles and aluminum cans), and nonrecyclable items or disposable waste (such as plastic and tetra-pak containers). This is also being implemented in SMC’s other facilities nationwide. A separate chest of drawers is provided in each department for solid waste with market value, such as used bond p aper, magazines, newspapers and empty ink cartridges. The program generated P26,000 from the sale of recyclable materials on its first month, and an average of P12,000 per month. It has also helped in reducing the amount of solid waste, which normally finds its way to landfills and dumpsites, and easing up on manpower in the collection of waste. * Task Force Hangin Task Force Hangin is responsible for helping plants comply with the Clean Air Act. The word â€Å"hangin† means â€Å"air†. The Task Force is composed of representatives from CTS-EMG, CTS-Engineering, Corporate Planning and Development, and Corporate Purchasing Unit. It is tasked to pinpoint the best available fuel and control technology for the plants’ fuel burning equipment. It conducted numerous studies and came up with recommendations to utilize low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) and scrubbers as the most effi cient options for solving the problem, and maintain the level of sulfur content in its fuel to about 0.7%S. It also studied the range of fuel cost that determines when LSFO fuel is advantageous to use versus scrubbers, and when a plant needs to shift from LSFO to scrubbers. The study enabled the Task Force to guide the plants in their compliance efforts. All SMC-owned plants are expected to institute the necessary actions congruent with the Clean Air Act. The u se of electric heaters at the Mandaue Glass Plant’s furnace reduced the consumption of bunker fuel oil and the generation of combustion flue gas. B. Human Resources * Benefits Program Employee Protection – Employees are entitled to sick leave benefi ts that will provide fi nancial security even if they have lost the ability to earn in times of sickness or injury. Time Off With Pay – Employees are also entitled to leave benefi ts that will allow for the continuity of their wage earnings even if they are on vacation or have to attend to emergency matters requiring their presence. Health Care – The Corporation provides a comprehensive medical program for employees and their dependents to protect them against the financial burden that comes with illness or injury. Flexible Loan Facilities – The Corporation offers an interestfree loan facility that is tailored to address the various fi nancial needs of the employees. Its fl exibility lies in the loan purpose, amount, and guidelines. Educational Program – This helps meet the fi nancial requirements of employees who desire to pursue further studies. It includes loan facilities for the educational needs of employees’ dependents. Rice and Clothing Allowances – The Corporation provides a monthly sack of rice to each rank-and-fi le employee. Employees also receive a clothing allowance for their proper work attire. Insurance and Death Benefits – Financial assistance is extended to the bereaved family to help defray expenses incurred as a result of the demise of the employee or an immediate family member of an employee. * Employee Relations Sports and Recreation – The program aims to nurture camaraderie and unity among the employees through various sports activities, such as basketball, bowling, aerobics, street dancing, gym workout sessions, volleyball, etc. The Corporation tries to meet the employees’ varied sports preferences. There are also interest clubs being formed for enthusiasts of golf, running, taekwondo, etc. Summer Outing – The Corporation provides a yearly venue for employees and management of each division to interact with one another’s families in an informal environment marked by fun and games. Songfest – This is an annual nationwide search for employees who have exceptional talent for singing, a common trait among Filipinos. Employee Service Awards – The annual recognition program honors employees for their years of service to the Corporation. Baratillo – The monthly event allows employees to purchase various San Miguel products at discounted prices. The venue is the Head Office Complex, and employees from other SMC units and offices come to take advantage of the reasonable offers. Christmas Tiangge – Employees are given the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial spirit by selling various products during the two-day event. It is held regularly at the Head Office Complex in November before the onset of the Christmas season to allow employees and their families and friends to purchase their Christmas presents early. C. Customer Relations, Productivity and Quality * Customer Care Center By setting up this Center, SMC re-affirms its responsibility to its customers. Advancements in information technology make it possible for the Corporation to establish a more personal communication link with its customers. The integrated SMC Customer Care Center provides alternative channels for easy access and fast response to varying types of customer needs and requests. The Center supports SMC’s businesses in strengthening customer relations, and indirectly market share as well. It is manned by a professional staff using superior technology and employing innovative solutions to ensure customer satisfaction and capture product loyalty. Walk-in customers who may prefer face-to-face interaction feel welcome amidst the Center’s warm atmosphere. The Center’s call handling services take care of both inbound and outbound calls, providing information on the quality, pricing, distribution and availability of a product or service, while operating as a call center. It also handles order taking, telemarketing, sales campaign, promotion of new products, and customer satisfaction surveys. Electronic customer linkages come through e-mail, faxes and SMS (short message services). The Center’s integrated setup makes it easy for SMC’s operating divisions to link up with it for their customer and product concerns. D. Corporate Governance * Compliance System In adherence to corporate principles and best practices, the Chairman of the Board designated a Compliance Officer reporting directly to him. As the position denotes, he is responsible for seeing to it that the organization complies with the provisions in the manual. The Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term success of the Corporation and its sustained competitiveness, consistent with its trusted role exercised in the best interest of the Corporation, its shareholders and other stakeholders. Forming working committees within the Board fosters open discussion, keeping Board members informed, and allowing them to become more sensitive to shareholders’ interests. * Disclosure System All material information are publicly disclosed. These include earning results, Board changes, and shareholdings of directors. The Corporation established an Investor Relations Unit to disseminate timely information to shareholders. SMC practices consistency, accuracy and timeliness in the delivery and communication of information and data. The Unit coordinates with the Compliance Officer and other SMC divisions in effectively communicating with stakeholders. * Monitoring and Assessment Each committee reports to the Board of Directors. The Compliance Officer established an evaluation system to determine and measure compliance against the manual’s guidelines.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Neurological Features Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Health And Social Care Essay

Systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune connective tissue upset, which has variable clinical manifestations that range from mild to life-threatening. Young adult females between their late teens and early 40s have a much higher prevalence in developing SLE, with a female to male ratio of 9:1 [ 7 ] . In the United States ( U.S. ) for illustration, Lawrence et Al. [ 8 ] reported that SLE appeared to be more common in black adult females than in other population groups. One U.S. retrospective survey of patient medical records, by McCarty et Al. [ 9 ] found that the disease was diagnosed 23 times more frequently in black adult females. Certain cultural groups besides appear to demo a higher prevalence, such as people with Afro – Caribbean [ 127 – 129 ] or African beginning [ 130 – 133 ] . The world-wide prevalence of SLE ranges between 12 and 50 per 100,000. These figures vary and are related to location and to the patient ‘s ethnicity every bit good as better acknowledgment of the disease today [ 10 ] . Factors such as sunshine, the part of infection, oestrogen endocrines, emphasis and drugs may precipitate the disease and there is besides a complex familial footing [ 11 ] . It has been reported by Deapen et Al. [ 12 ] that a familial factor in the sensitivity to the disease is reflected by 25 % harmony in indistinguishable twins. Many of the recent familial findings, [ 13, 14 ] seem sensible from a mechanistic point of view: they identify cistrons with of import functions in the immune system ; on occasion in concurrence with functional informations of the allelomorphs tested that besides fit the paradigm of loss of self-tolerance. Familial lacks of complement besides plays a function, [ 15 ] with C1q, C1r, C1s C4, and C2 being the most of import of the complement proteins, [ 16 ] nevertheless, no individual cause for SLE has been identified. Recent information, [ 17 ] besides suggested that a about omnipresent virus Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV ) might besides play a facilitating function [ 18 – 22 ] . A case-control survey, by James et Al. [ 23 ] demonstrated that EBV antibodies were present in 99 % , and EBV DNA was present in 100 % of the kids and immature grownups who had SLE, which was significantly higher than those in the control group. Despite this, the association between active EBV infection and the precipitation of SLE remains ill-defined. Neuropsychiatric manifestations are progressively recognised in patients with SLE. These include a broad assortment of neurological and psychiatric characteristics that account for considerable morbidity and mortality in these patients. They besides involve both the cardinal and peripheral nervous systems and scope from elusive abnormalcies of cognitive disfunction and anxiousness to obvious manifestations, such as shot, ictuss and psychosis. This article through systematic published literature, efforts to summarize the of import neurological characteristics of cardinal nervous system disease of SLE.Clinical PresentationThe widely recognised presentation of a immature female showing with inflammatory arthritis and a butterfly roseola on the face ( Fig 1 ) is comparatively uncommon [ 7 ] . Non-specific symptoms of unease, weariness, arthralgia, unwritten ulcers, radiosensitivity, lymphadenopathy, pleuritic thorax strivings, concerns, parathesiae, symptoms of dry eyes and oral cavity, Raynaud ‘s phenomenon and mild hair loss are the more likely presentations [ 24 ] . Fig 1. Typical â€Å" butterfly † -like roseola over the cheeks in SLE [ 24 ] . The diagnosing of SLE of single patients hence requires certain clinical and laboratory informations, [ 25 ] based on the widely accepted modified ( 1997 ) standards suggested by the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) ( although intended, and in fact more utile for research and curative test intents ) ( Table 1 ) [ 26 ] . The agencies to early diagnosing is in the clinical rating of patients. It should include a complete ‘systems ‘ reappraisal with scrutiny and subsequent probes, guided by the extent of organ involvement [ 7 ] . For illustration, in primary attention, a diagnosing of SLE or a related upset is often evident after clinical rating, uranalysis for blood and protein. Probes such as a full blood count ( FBC ) , which frequently shows an anemia or a cytopenia, nephritic and liver map trials and acute stage reactants: a high erythrocyte deposit rate ( ESR ) with a normal C reactive protein ( CRP ) concentration are characteristic. A simple algorithm for the diagnosing of SLE is provided as an illustration ( Fig 2 ) [ 25 – 29 ] .Central nervous system diseaseHistoryCentral nervous system ( CNS ) engagement in SLE was foremost described by Kaposi in 1872 [ 1 ] . Osler in 1903 was the first to describe a perennial focal intellectual ischemia in SLE [ 2 ] . Libman and Sacks [ 3 ] described endocarditis in SLE in 1924. The association of the lupus d ecoagulant ( LA ) and thrombosis in patients with SLE was described by Bowie et Al. [ 4 ] in 1963, and in 1968 Johnson and Richardson reported neuropathlogical findings in 24 instances of SLE [ 5 ] . In 1988, Devinsky et Al. [ 6 ] reported on an necropsy survey of 50 SLE patients ; 10 of whom had embolic intellectual infarcts, five caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis and four from other cardiac beginnings.Neurological characteristicsCNS disease is extremely diverse and remains a challenge in footings of pathogenesis, appraisal and intervention and it is now better to see CNS disease in footings of separate syndromes. It is a serious but potentially treatable unwellness, which still presents really hard diagnostic challenges. The ACR defines 19 different syndromes in its categorization for the neurological complications of SLE ( Table 2 ) , as opposed to old uncomplete footings such as cardinal nervous system lupus, neurolupus or lupus cerebritis [ 30 ] . CNS engagement is reported to happen in 14 – 70 % of SLE patients [ 31 ] . The most common neurological manifestations of SLE are the organic brain disorders, which comprises of all the possible fluctuations of acute confusion, lassitude, or coma ; chronic dementedness ; depression, passion, or other affectional perturbations ; or psychosis.ConcernOf the more often encountered CNS complications, concerns are highly common. Fernandez-Nebro et Al. [ 32 ] and Raskin et Al. [ 33 ] stated that up to 40 % of persons experience severe disenabling concerns at least one time per twelvemonth. There are, nevertheless three controlled surveies in the literature on chronic or episodic concern [ 34 ] that can non be tracked back to other SLE syndromes [ 32, 35 ] .. The consequences are instead conflicting, nevertheless, and do non let for a unequivocal decision. For illustration, a nexus between megrim and SLE activity and ‘flare – ups ‘ has decidedly non been established [ 34, 35 ] . If future research confirms that megrim is so induced by SLE, the neurological load would still be overestimated by including megrim without limitation in the list of SLE neurological standards. Early surveies showed that concerns might react to corticosteroid intervention and this proved to be more effectual than the conventional anti-migraine therapy used in commanding concerns in SLE patients [ 36, 37 ] . A clear differentiation between CNS manifestations due to SLE and those due to antiphospholipid ( Hughes ) syndrome ( APS ) has been indicated [ 7 ] . An association of megrim concern with antiphospholipid antibodies ( APAs ) has been suggested, [ 38 ] nevertheless, more recent surveies have found no such nexus [ 35 ] .SeizuresSeizures are the following most frequent neurological complication and are known to happen in 14-25 % of patients ( compared with 0.5-1 % in the general population ) [ 39 ] . Seizures may ensue from intellectual vasculitis, cardiac intercalation, timeserving infection, drug poisoning, or associated metabolic mental unsoundnesss. They are more likely to be associated with APS than with intellectual vasculitis, which is highly rare in clinical pattern [ 40 ] . Electrolyte perturbation and medicative effects should be excluded, particularly those ensuing from antidepressants, stimulating medicines to handle weariness, or backdown from depressants or intoxicant. The primary neurological presentation of SLE is more common than originally thought ( 10/41 patients ) and included both ictuss ( 4 instances ) and motion upsets including Parkinsonism and chorea ( 4 instances ) [ 41 ] . Higher overall frequences of ictuss ( 42 % ) ; an early manifestation in 27 % , and in 10 % ictuss were the first SLE symptom seen. Epileptic ictuss are among the most common CNS manifestations in SLE. In separate surveies, Sibley et al. , [ 42 ] Steinlin et al. , [ 43 ] and Brinciotti et Al. [ 44 ] demonstrated that generalised tonic-clonic ictuss ( once known as expansive mal ictuss ) , simple and complex partial ictuss, automatic ictuss and position eliepticus all occur [ 45 ] . It is presumed that most ictuss in patients with SLE would be elicited by vascular abnormalcies in the encephalon, or would be either due to CNS infections or secondary to other marks, but this can non ever be demonstrated. In a big retrospective survey, in 18 out of 266 patients, ictuss were non attributable to any cause other than SLE [ 42 ] . Table 1. ACR Classification Criteria for SLE [ 26 ] The diagnosing of SLE requires the presence of four or more of the following 11 standards at the same time or in sequence ( besides see algorithm in Fig 2 ) .SLE standardDefinition or illustrationsSerositis Pleuritis – pleuritic hurting, Pleuralrub, pleural gush Pericarditis – Electrocardiogram alterations, pericardiac hang-up, pericardiac gush Oral ulcers Frequently painless sores Arthritis Nonerosive – two or more peripheral articulations affected Photosensitivity Skin roseola as a consequence of unusual reaction to sunlight Blood Hematologic upset Hemolytic anemia Leucopenia Lymphopenia Thrombocytopenia Nephritic upset Proteinuria ( with 3+ or more protein noted in urinalysis specimen or 0.5 g of protein/day ) Cellular dramatis personaes in piss Antinuclear antibody Antibodies to atomic components Immunological upset Anti- DNA antibodies Anti – Samarium antibodies Antiphospholipid antibodies Neurological upset Seizures Psychosis Malar roseola Fixed erythema over the malar distinctions Discoid roseola Erythematosus raised spots may mark ECG = EKG A mnemonic to retrieve the 11 symptoms is ‘SOAP BRAIN MD ‘ . Table 2. The neurological complications of SLE [ 30 ] Central nervous system Neurological Aseptic meningitis Cerebrovascular disease Multifocal subacute lesions Headache ( including megrim and idiopathic intracranial high blood pressure ) Motion upsets ( peculiarly chorea ) Myelopathy Seizure upset Psychiatric Acute confusional province Anxiety upset Cognitive map Temper upset Psychosis Peripheral nervous system Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy ( Guillain – Barre syndrome ) Autonomic upset Cranial neuropathy Mononeuropathy, individual or manifold Myastheia gravis Plexopathy PolyneuropathyDiagnosis of SLEPatient showing with disease manifestations affecting two or more organ systems ANA proving Titre a†°? 1:40 Titre & lt ; 1:40 See referral to rheumatologist for full Strong statement against SLE rating, including the followers: SLE ; alternate account ACR diagnostic standards ( see Table 1 ) for organ system Lab trials: full blood count, uranalysis, manifestations should be serum creatinine degree and antiphospholipid, pursued anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm antibodies Explanation found No account Zero to three Four or more Sufficient to See referral to ACR standards ACR standards regulation out SLE rheumatologist if inquiry of SLE or uncomplete SLE remains No SLE or SLE Incomplete SLE Fig 2. An algorithm for the diagnosing of SLE. ( ANA = antinuclear antibody ; ACR = American College of Rheumatology ; anti-dsDNA = antibody to duplicate isolated DNA antigen ; antiSm = antibody to Sm atomic antigen ) . Information from mentions: [ 25 – 29 ] Stroke and perennial transient ischemic onslaughts ( TIAs ) are among the CNS diagnoses seen in 3-15 % of instances ; although these figures vary harmonizing to the literature [ 46 – 48 ] . Annual shots were calculated for illustration, utilizing informations from 91 patients with SLE observed for 599 patient-years. It was found that the shot rate dropped from 6.6 % in twelvemonth 1 to 0.6 % during old ages 6-10 [ 46 ] . The International Classification of Diseases ( ICD-9 ) codification for SLE, estimated that ‘cerebrovascular accidents ‘ were 10 times more frequent in 18 to 44 twelvemonth old females with SLE, than in those of similar age without the disease [ 49 ] . The frequence of ‘cerebrovascular accidents ‘ were about twice as frequent in in-between age ( 45-64 year ) , whereas in old age, the frequence was found to be somewhat below normal. APAs have one time once more been implicated, as shown by Provenzale et Al [ 50 ] . Neuroimaging surveies suggested no important differences in the incidence of multifocal little white affair lesions, or of big vas shots, between patients with primary or secondary APS. Harmonizing to the literature, subarachnoid bleeding in SLE is good documented [ 47, 51 – 55 ] , nevertheless, by far the most studies of this are from one state: Japan. A survey by Mimori et Al. [ 56 ] of the medical records of patients with SLE in one Nipponese Centre, covering a 20 twelvemonth period, revealed that 10 of 258 patients had at some clip experienced a ( clinically defined ) subarachnoid bleeding. Figures in the literature on TIAs in SLE indicate that the overall incidence is raised [ 46, 48, 57 ] .Aseptic meningitisAcute, chronic or recurrent sterile meningitis is a rare manifestation of SLE. The term is frequently used for a meningeal syndrome of non-infectious beginning with some grade of nuchal rigidness ( neck stiffness ) and with increased white cells ( pleocytosis ) in the cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) [ 26, 58 ] . Pathologically, meningeal redness is found in about fifth part of patients [ 59 ] . SLE should be considered in any patient who ab initio presents with a meningitic image and in whom beings have non been identified, particularly if the meningitis is perennial. Aseptic meningitis has been reported in patients with shot or ‘ischaemic encephalon lesions ‘ ; vasculitis was non demonstrated, but was non ruled out [ 60, 61 ] . There are studies of sterile meningitis following non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( even after merely a individual tablet ) in SLE and assorted connective tissue disease. Jolles et Al. [ 62 ] stated that up to 60 % of patients with SLE are estimated to hold CNS symptoms associated with redness at some clip during their unwellness, and that this could predispose them to drug-induced sterile meningitis ( DIAM ) . Maignen et Al. [ 63 ] suggested that assorted drugs ( non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as isobutylphenyl propionic acid and Clinoril, antibiotics such as cotrimoxazole, trimethoprim, Cipro and assorted drugs such as carbamazepine, human immune globulin and muromonab CD3 ) can be associated with development of DIAM and those patients with SLE and/or connective tissue upsets are at a higher hazard. Ibuprofen for illustration, has been reported on a figure of occasions as a cause of sterile meningitis, particularly in patients with SLE [ 64, 65 ] . The exact mechanism for the reaction to these agents is non to the full understood, but it is speculated that APAs perchance have a function. Meningeal symptoms occur a few hours after drug consumption and decide without sequelae within one or two yearss after the drug is withdrawn. Chorea, although rare, is frequently quoted as the classical neurological characteristic of SLE [ 43 ] . There are conflicting studies, as suggested by Janvas et Al. [ 66 ] and Cervera et Al. [ 67, 68 ] in respect to its incidence, runing from 1-4 % . It can develop at any clip, but is more likely to look during an ague flair, which has led some research workers to propose that it could be used as a marker of disease activity, where there is a reported return rate of up to 25 % . It has besides been associated with shot [ 69 ] and with idiopathic intracranial high blood pressure and dural fistula thrombosis in kids [ 70 ] . It is non yet clear, nevertheless, whether it is due to a vascular abuse or to antibody-induced neural disfunction [ 71, 72 ] . Psychiatric perturbations range from temper and personality upsets to psychosis, the latter being defined as a psychotic upset, harmonizing to the standards of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-IV ) [ 73 ] . No alone clinical image is seen, but three comparatively distinguishable forms can be discerned: ‘pure ‘ behavioural or psychiatric unwellness without overcasting of consciousness, subacute encephalopathy/encephalitis, and dementedness. Affectional upsets, peculiarly anxiousness and depression are the most common ( e.g. in 103 of 414 outpatients from two surveies and 19 of 43 hospitalised patients from another survey ) , though non in similar proportions in the surveies [ 74 – 76 ] . It has, nevertheless, non been shown that these upsets occur more often in patients with SLE [ 77 ] than in those with arthritic arthritis or other chronic diseases [ 78 – 80 ] . The association with psychotic episodes – ‘lupus psychosis ‘ – is more dependable [ 81 ] , although its differentiation from corticoid induced psychosis can be hard. In a big and frequently quoted retrospective survey, 11 of 266 patients developed psychosis during a average follow-up period of at least 90 months [ 42 ] . Delusions, ocular and audile hallucinations, catatonia and transition upsets are all good recognised [ 82 ] . Dementia is a normally recognized complication, although small elaborate published information is available. Harmonizing to DSM-IV, ‘cognitive upset ‘ can be compensated for at least partly ; the diagnosing therefore requires neuropsychological appraisal [ 73 ] . The per centum of patients with SLE enduring from cognitive upset varies among surveies. For illustration, an overall incidence of cognitive alterations in SLE of 55 % has been suggested [ 83, 84 ] . In four surveies, these figures varied from 21-35 % , [ 85 – 88 ] and from 43-67 % in two other surveies [ 89, 90 ] . All these fluctuations are due in portion to different cut-offs that were chosen for normalcy by these different writers. Furthermore some writers [ 91, 92 ] contend that the grade of cognitive upset fluctuates over clip, but this is disputed by others [ 88 ] . Two possible causes of cognitive upset have been suggested: little vas vasculopathy and an antibody mediated consequence on neural operation [ 85, 93 ] . Perturbations of the cranial [ 94 – 97 ] and peripheral nervousnesss – individual and manifold [ 98 ] , rete [ 99, 100 ] , sensorimotor [ 101 – 103 ] , and autonomic lesions [ 102, 104 – 106 ] , myasthenia gravis [ 107, 108 ] , and Guillain-Barre syndrome [ 109 – 111 ] , have all been reported in SLE, albeit with limited survey.Antiphospholipid syndrome ( Hughes syndrome )The ‘antiphospholipid syndrome ‘ ( APS ) was first described in patients with SLE ( secondary APS ) , but may happen in the absence of any other upset ( primary APS ) . In other words, the branchings of this syndrome extend beyond SLE, to all subjects of medical specialty. An emerg ing impression is the differentiation between CNS manifestations due to SLE and those caused by APS [ 112 ] . Some constituents of APS have been recognised since the 1950s, but the complete syndrome was non to the full described until 1983 [ 113 ] . Since so the categorization standards have been updated to include manifestations non antecedently distinctive [ 114 ] . Categorization standards for ruinous APS have been validated, and a world-wide registry set up to enter clinical informations for these rare patients in order to analyze intervention and results [ 115 ] . A description of the clinical characteristics of 1000 patients with this syndrome remains the largest of such series [ 116 ] . It is defined as the association of antiphospholipid antibodies ( APAs ) with arterial or venous thrombosis, perennial fetal loss, thrombopenia or neurological upsets such as shot and TIAs, transverse myelopathy, chorea and migrainous concern. Primary APS, nevertheless seldom progresses to SLE. One survey carried out on 128 patients over a 9 twelvemonth period showed that merely 8 % developed SLE ; where a positive antiglobulin trial was used as a clinically important forecaster of patterned advance [ 117 ] . The spectrum of clinical characteristics of APS continues to broaden with descriptions of nephritic arteria stricture [ 118 ] , metatarsal breaks [ 119 ] , avascular mortification [ 120 ] , and abnormalcies of vascular map [ 121 ] . Accelerated atheroma has become a major focal point of research in persons that have APS, with probes demoing cross-reactivity of antiphospholipids with oxidised LDL and early marks of arterial disease in these peculiar patients [ 121, 122 ] . George and Shoenfield [ 123 ] have termed APS as the ‘crossroads of autoimmunity and coronary artery disease ‘ . The contentions of intervention of APS remain, chiefly in footings of the sum of anticoagulation required to forestall perennial thrombosis. Two prospective surveies by Crowther et Al. [ 124 ] and Finazzi et Al. [ 125 ] indicated that a high-intensity government of anticoagulation, with international normalized ratios ( INRs ) above 3.0, were no better than conventional therapy with INRs of 2.0-3.0 in the bar of perennial thrombosis. This contradicted old retrospective informations. A farther survey by Levine et Al. [ 126 ] added drift to this research by proposing that positive baseline antiphospholipids in shot patients failed to foretell future cerebro-vascular occlusive accidents. It besides stated that everyday showing for antiphospholipids was non warranted. The survey has later been criticised as flawed, in that it was non designed to turn to the issue of testing and that merely one baseline measuring was used. Most physicians hence, still see antiphospholipid proving as being indispensable, particularly in immature shot victims.DecisionSLE was one time considered a rare disease with a universally fatal result. The past 20 old ages, nevertheless have shown that this upset is more common than originally thought and that it is treatable, with the bulk of patients now holding about normal life spans. One must be cognizant, nevertheless, that a patient who is diagnosed with SLE at 20 old ages of age still has a 1 in 6 opportunity of deceasing by 35 old ages o f age, largely from the disease itself and/or related infections. Reducing the cardiovascular hazard, which still claims significant loss of life, is besides of major importance. The neurological characteristics of cardinal nervous system disease of SLE are easy get downing to be unravelled, although there are still many inquiries that need to be answered. Delay in diagnosing, particularly in patients with low-grade disease, remains debatable. The staying challenges are in bettering the quality of life for these peculiar patients by bettering the symptoms of SLE. For illustration we will necessitate to develop biomarkers and neuroimaging trials for SLE – associated neuropsychiatric disease that have the ability to place the implicit in pathological mechanism and steer curative determinations [ 134 ] , which will hopefully ensue in more effectual intervention for this potentially dangerous unwellness.