Barefoot running

Athletics is one of the major sports in the world with running being the key event. The major debate relating to running concerns the benefits of running barefoot over running in shoes. Hersher (2010) argues that there is a growing trend of athletes going shoeless and taking on the lifestyle of running barefoot. Quite a number of well known international athletes have effectively completed barefoot. Barefoot running in long distance events is clearly not a hindrance to performance (Montgomery, 2010).Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the most appropriate mode of dressing during running; this includes running in shoes and barefoot running. Proponents of barefoot running, as indicated by Montgomery (2010), argue that it enhances foot biomechanics and also reduces risk to injury. My concern on the issue of barefoot running increased after realizing that quite a number of runners complete in bare feet during major events. This review is aimed at showing that running barefo ot increases performance and reduces the risk of injury.Benefits of barefoot running Studies, according to Barkoviak (2010), have revealed that people who run barefoot greatly avoid heel-striking and instead land on the mid section of the foot. As a result these runners utilize the architecture of the foot and leg in addition to some physics devised by Isaac Newton to prevent damaging and potentially hurtful effects, which are two to three times equal the body weight, that shod heel-strikers repeatedly undergo through (Warburton, 2001).Barefoot runners are at an advantage as compared to those who run in shoes, because they subject their feet to minimal damage due to the fact that they hold their feet differently (Hersher, 2010). They land on the midsection or the front of their foot thereby greatly reducing impact collision. People who run in shoes, on the other hand, generate a very high collision impact when they heel-strike. Barefoot runners tend to land with a bouncy step toward the front of the foot.Barefoot runners also tend to stretch out their toes more at landing; this helps them avoid collision by reducing the effective weight of the foot that suddenly comes to a stop after landing and through a springy leg (McDougall, 2010). A lot of people think that barefoot running is dangerous and hurtful, but in reality an individual can run on the worlds hardest and roughest surfaces without experiencing any discomfort or pain. However heel-striking is painful when running barefoot (McDougall, 2010).This is because it causes a great collisional force every time a foot lands on the ground. Modern running shoes are designed in such a way as to make heel-striking comfortable and easy. The padded heels, of modern shoes, reduce the force of impact and as a result make heel-striking less punishing. However, people who run in shoes only use a small percentage of their leg muscles. On the contrary, barefoot runners use different muscles of their legs (Warburton, 2001) . As a result the strength of their calf and foot muscles is developed rapidly (Warburton, 2001).Studies, as Barkoviak (2010) asserts, have revealed that damage to the foot muscles is higher in people who run in shoes as compared to those who run barefoot. It has been discovered that chronic damage to bone and connective tissue in the legs are uncommon in developing countries, where people usually run barefoot, as compared to developed countries, where it is rare to find a person running barefoot (McDougall, 2010). Running shoes tends to aggravate the risk of plantar fasciitis in addition to other chronic damage of the lower limb through adjusting the transfer of shock to muscles as well as other supporting structures (Montgomery, 2010).Montgomery (2010) argues that running in shoes makes the small muscles in the legs to weaken, and the connective tissue and natural arches to stop functioning properly. Shoes insert orthotics as well as extra padding, which results in poor foot biome chanics and increase in the risk of damage to the foot, leg, and the knees (Hersher, 2010). Muscles, tendons, and ligaments of barefoot runners are stronger as compared to those who run in shoes. This strength helps them develop a more natural gait thereby improving the balance of athletes along with helping them stay connected with their environment.Barefoot running is also economically beneficial, in regards to the energy cost of running, as compared to running in shoes. Research, according to Barkoviak (2010), has shown that increasing the amount of mass on the feet increases the rate of oxygen consumption. Running barefoot is as Warburton (2001) argues, beneficial as it reduces the rate of oxygen consumption thereby enabling athletes to compete effectively. However, as a disadvantage, it is impossible to run barefoot in some weather conditions due to minimal foot protection. Running shoes are very beneficial in extreme weather conditions as they play a protective role.Conclusion Barefoot running is more beneficial a compared to running in shoes. There is a growing trend of athletes going shoeless and taking on the lifestyle of running barefoot. Proponents of barefoot running argue that it enhances foot biomechanics and also reduces risk to injury. People who run barefoot greatly avoid heel-striking and utilize the whole architecture of the foot and leg thereby enhancing the development of their foot muscles, ligaments and tendons. Damage to bone and connective tissue in the legs is less common in people who run barefoot.Muscles, tendons, and ligaments of barefoot runners are stronger as compared to those who run in shoes. Running barefoot is beneficial as it reduces the rate of oxygen consumption thereby enabling athletes to compete effectively. Reference: Barkoviak M. , (2010), Study: Running Barefoot Better Than Wearing Running Shoes, Retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://www. dailytech. com/Study+Running+Barefoot+ Better+Than+Wearing+Running+Shoes/articl e17535. htm Hersher R. , (2010), Barefoot running easier on feet than running shoes: New research castsdoubts on some major assumptions, retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://harvardscience. harvard. edu/foundations/articles/barefoot-running-easier-feet-running-shoes McDougall C. , (2010), Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never, ISBN 0307279189: Vintage Books Montgomery B. , (2010), Barefoot Running: Should You Ditch Your Running Shoes and Bare it All? Retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://walking-runningtraining. suite101. com/article .cfm/barefoot-running Warburton M. , (2001), Barefoot Running, retrieved on May 1, 2010 from http://www. sportsci .org/jour/0103/mw. htm

Fool Chapter 19

NINETEEN SHALL A MADMAN RISE Gloucester was wandering around outside the castle, just beyond the drawbridge, coming dangerously close to tumbling into the moat. The storm was still raging and bloody rain streamed down the earl's face from his empty eye sockets. Drool caught the old man by the back of his cloak and lifted him like he was a kitten. Gloucester struggled and waved about in horror, as if he'd been snatched up by some great bird of prey instead of an enormous nitwit. â€Å"There, there,† said Drool, trying to calm the old man the way one might try to settle a frightened horse. â€Å"I gots you.† â€Å"Bring him away from the edge and set him down, Drool,† said I. â€Å"Lord Gloucester, this is Pocket, Lear's fool. We're going to take you to shelter and bandage your wounds. King Lear will be there, too. Just take Drool's hand.† â€Å"Get away,† said the earl. â€Å"Your comforts are in vain. I am lost. My sons are scoundrels, my estate is forfeit. Let me fall in the moat and drown.† Drool set the old man down and pointed him toward the moat. â€Å"Go on, then, milord.† â€Å"Grab him, Drool, you wooden-headed ninny!† â€Å"But he told me to let him drown, and he's an earl with a castle and the lot, and you're only a fool, Pocket, so I got to do what he says.† I strode forth, grabbed Gloucester and led him away from the edge. â€Å"He's not an earl anymore, lad. He has nothing but his cloak to protect him from the rain, like us.† â€Å"He's got nothing?† said Drool. â€Å"Can I teach him to juggle so he can be a fool?† â€Å"Let's get him to shelter and see that he doesn't bleed to death first, then you can give him fool lessons.† â€Å"We're going to make a fool of ye,† said Drool, clapping the old man on the back. â€Å"That'll be the dog's bollocks, won't it, milord?† â€Å"Drown me,† said Gloucester. â€Å"Being a fool is ever so much better than being an earl,† said Drool, far too cheery for a cold-dismal day of post-maiming. â€Å"You don't get a castle but you make people laugh and they give you apples and sometimes one of the wenches or the sheeps will have a laugh with you. It's the mutt's nuts,[42] it is.† I stopped and looked at my apprentice. â€Å"You've been having a laugh with sheep?† Drool rolled his eyes toward the slate sky. â€Å"No, I – we have pie sometimes, too, when Bubble makes it. You'll like Bubble. She's smashing.† Gloucester seemed to lose all his will then, and let me lead him through the walled town, taking weak, halting steps. As we passed a long, half-timbered building I took to be barracks I heard someone call my name. I looked to see Curan, Lear's captain, standing under an awning. He waved us over and we stood with our backs hard to the wall to try to escape the rain. â€Å"Is that the Earl of Gloucester?† asked Curan. â€Å"Aye,† said I. I told Curan what had transpired inside the castle and out on the heath since I'd last seen him. â€Å"God's blood, two wars. Cornwall dead. Who is master of our force, now?† â€Å"Mistress,† said I. â€Å"Stay with Regan. The plan is as before.† â€Å"No, it's not. We don't even know who her enemy is, Albany or France.† â€Å"Aye, but your action should be the same.† â€Å"I'd give a month's wages to be behind the blade that slays that bastard Edmund.† At the mention of his son, Gloucester started wailing again. â€Å"Drown me! I will suffer no more! Give me your sword that I may run upon it and end my shame and misery!† â€Å"Sorry,† I said to Curan. â€Å"He's been a bit of a weepy little Nancy to be around since they ripped his eyes out.† â€Å"Well, you might bandage him up. Bring him in. Hunter's still with us. He's right handy with a cauterizing iron.† â€Å"Let me end this suffering,† wailed Gloucester. â€Å"I can no longer endure the slings and arrows – â€Å" â€Å"My lord Gloucester, would you please, by the fire-charred balls of St. George, shut the fuck up!† â€Å"Bit harsh, innit?† said Curan. â€Å"What, I said ‘please.'† â€Å"Still.† â€Å"Sorry, Gloucester, old chap. Most excellent hat.† â€Å"He's not wearing a hat,† said Curan. â€Å"Well, he's blind, isn't he? If you hadn't said anything he might have enjoyed his bloody hat, mightn't he?† The earl started wailing again. â€Å"My sons are villains and I have no hat.† He made to go on, but Drool clamped his great paw over the old man's mouth. â€Å"Thanks, lad. Curan, do you have any food?† â€Å"Aye, Pocket, we can spare as much bread and cheese as you can carry, and one of the men can scare up a flask of wine, too, I'll wager. His lordship has been most generous in providing us with fare,† Curan said for the benefit of Gloucester. The old man began struggling against Drool's grip. â€Å"Oh, Curan, you've set him off again. Hurry, if you please. We've got to find Lear and head to Dover.† â€Å"Dover it is, then? You'll join with France?† â€Å"Aye, bloody King Jeff, great froggy, monkey-named, woman-stealing ponce that he is.† â€Å"You're fond of him, then?† â€Å"Oh do piss off, captain. Just see to it that whatever force Regan might send after us doesn't catch us. Don't mutiny, just make your way to Dover east, then south. I'll take Lear south, then east.† â€Å"Let me come with you, Pocket. The king needs more protection than two fools and a blind man.† â€Å"The old knight Caius is with the king. You will serve the king best by serving his plan here.† Not strictly true, but would he have done his duty if he thought his commander a fool? I think not. â€Å"Aye, then, I'll get your food,† said Curan. When we arrived at the hovel, Tom O'Bedlam stood outside, naked in the rain, barking. â€Å"That barking bloke is naked,† said Drool, for once not singing praise to St. Obvious, as we were actually traveling with a blind fellow. â€Å"Aye, but the question is, is he naked because he's barking, or is he barking because he's naked?† I asked. â€Å"I'm hungry,† said Drool, his mind overchallenged. â€Å"Poor Tom is cold and cursed,† said Tom between barking fits, and for the first time seeing him in daylight and mostly clean, I was taken aback. Without the coat of mud, Tom looked familiar. Very familiar. Tom O'Bedlam was, in fact, Edgar of Gloucester, the earl's legitimate son. â€Å"Tom, why are you out here?† â€Å"Poor Tom, that old knight Caius said he had to stand in the rain until he was clean and didn't stink anymore.† â€Å"And did he tell you to bark and talk about yourself in the third person?† â€Å"No, I thought up that bit on my own.† â€Å"Come inside, Tom. Help Drool with this old fellow.† Tom looked at Gloucester for the first time and his eyes went wide and he sank to his knees. â€Å"By the cruelty of the gods,† said he. â€Å"He's blind.† I put my hand on his shoulder and whispered, â€Å"Be steadfast, Edgar, your father needs your help.† In that moment a light came into his eye like a spark of sanity returning and he nodded and stood up, taking the earl's arm. Shall a madman rise to lead the blind. â€Å"Come, good sir,† said Edgar. â€Å"Tom is mad, but he is not beyond aiding a stranger in distress.† â€Å"Just let me die!† said Gloucester, trying to push Edgar away. â€Å"Give me a rope so I may stretch my neck until my breath is gone.† â€Å"He does that a lot,† I said. I opened the door, expecting to see Lear and Kent inside, but the hovel was empty, and the fire had died down to embers. â€Å"Tom, where is the king?† â€Å"He and his knight set out for Dover.† â€Å"Without me?† â€Å"The king was mad to be back in the storm. ‘Twas the old knight said to tell you they were headed for Dover.† â€Å"Here, here, bring the earl inside.† I stood aside and let Edgar coax his father into the cabin. â€Å"Drool, throw some wood on the fire. We can stay only long enough to eat and dry out. We must be after the king.† Drool ducked through the door and spotted Jones sitting on a bench by the fire where I had left him. â€Å"Jones! My friend,† said the dolt. He picked up the puppet stick and hugged it. Drool is somewhat unclear on the art of ventriloquism, and although I have explained to him that Jones speaks only through me, he has developed an attachment to the puppet. â€Å"Hello, Drool, you great sawdust-brained buffoon. Put me down and stoke the fire,† said Jones. Drool tucked the puppet stick in his belt and began breaking up kindling with a hatchet by the hearth while I portioned out the bread and cheese that Curan had given us. Edgar did his best to bandage Gloucester's eyes and the old man settled down enough to eat some cheese and drink a little wine. Unfortunately, the wine and the blood loss, no doubt, took the earl from inconsolable wailing grief to a soul-smothering, sable-colored melancholy. â€Å"My wife died thinking me a whoremonger, my father thought me damned for not following his faith, and my sons are both villains. I thought for a turn that Edmund might have redeemed his bastardy by being good and true, by fighting infidels in the Crusade, but he is more of a traitor than his legitimate brother.† â€Å"Edgar is no traitor,† I said to the old man. Even as I said it Edgar held a finger to his lips and signaled for me to speak no further. I nodded to show I knew his will and would not give his identity away. He could be Tom as long as he wished, or for as long as he needed, for all I cared, as long as he put on some bloody trousers. â€Å"Edgar was always true to you, my lord. His treachery was all devised for your eyes by the bastard Edmund. It was two sons' worth of evil done by one. Edgar may not be the sharpest arrow in the quiver, but he is no traitor.† Edgar raised an eyebrow to me in question. â€Å"You'll make no case for your intelligence sitting there naked and shivering when there's a fire and blankets you can fashion into warm robes, good Tom,† said I. He rose from his father's side and went over to the fire. â€Å"Then it is I who have betrayed Edgar,† said Gloucester. â€Å"Oh, the gods have seen fit to rain misery down on me for my unsteady heart. I have sent a good son into exile with hounds at his heels and left only the worms as heirs to my only estate: this withered blind body. Oh, we are but soft and squishy bags of mortality rolling in a bin of sharp circumstance, leaking life until we collapse, flaccid, into our own despair.† The old man began to wave his arms and beat at his brow, whipping himself into a frenzy, causing his bandages to unravel. Drool came over to the old man and wrapped his arms around him to hold him steady. â€Å"It's all right, milord,† said Drool. â€Å"You ain't leakin' hardly at all.† â€Å"Let me send this broken house to ruin and rot in death's eternal cold. Let me shuffle off this mortal coil – my sons betrayed, my king usurped, my estates seized – let me end this torture!† He really was making a very good argument. Then the earl grabbed Jones and tore him out of Drool's belt. â€Å"Give me your sword, good knight!† Edgar made to stop his father and I threw out an arm to hold him back – a toss of my head stopped Drool from interceding. The old man stood, put the stick end of Jones under his rib cage, then fell forward onto the dirt floor. The breath shot from his body and he wheezed in pain. My cup of wine had been warming by the fire and I threw it on Gloucester's chest. â€Å"I am slain,† croaked the earl, fighting for breath. â€Å"The lifeblood runs from me even now. Bury my body on the hill looking down upon Castle Gloucester. And beg forgiveness of my son Edgar. I have wronged him.† Edgar again tried to go to his father and I held him back. Drool was covering his mouth, trying not to laugh. â€Å"I grow cold, cold, but at least I take my wrong-doings to my grave.† â€Å"You know, milord,† I said. â€Å"The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones, or so I've heard.† â€Å"Edgar, my boy, wherever you are, forgive me, forgive me!† The old man rolled on the floor, and seemed somewhat surprised when the sword on which he thought himself impaled fell away. â€Å"Lear, forgive me that I did not serve you better!† â€Å"Look at that,† said I. â€Å"You can see his black soul rising from his body.† â€Å"Where?† said Drool. A frantic finger to my lips silenced the Natural. â€Å"Oh, great carrion birds are rending poor Gloucester's soul to tatters! Oh, Fate's revenge is upon him, he suffers!† â€Å"I suffer!† said Gloucester. â€Å"He is bound to the darkest depths of Hades! Never to rise again.† â€Å"Down the abyss I go. Forever a stranger to light and warmth.† â€Å"Oh, cold and lonely death has taken him,† said I. â€Å"And a right shit he was in life, likely he'll be buggered by a billion barb-dicked devils now.† â€Å"Cold and lonely Death has me,† said the earl. â€Å"No, it hasn't,† said I. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You're not dead.† â€Å"Soon, then. I've fallen on this cruel blade and my life runs wet and sticky between my fingers.† â€Å"You've fallen on a puppet,† said I. â€Å"No, I haven't. It's a sword. I took it from that soldier.† â€Å"You took my puppet stick from my apprentice. You've thrown yourself on a puppet.† â€Å"You knave, Pocket, you're not trustworthy and would jest at a man even as his life drains. Where is that naked madman who was helping me?† â€Å"You threw yourself on a puppet,† said Edgar. â€Å"So I'm not dead?† â€Å"Correct,† said I. â€Å"I threw myself on a puppet?† â€Å"That is what I've been saying.† â€Å"You are a wicked little man, Pocket.† â€Å"So, milord, how do you feel, now that you've returned from the dead.† The old man stood up and tasted the wine on his fingers. â€Å"Better,† said he. â€Å"Good. Then let me present Edgar of Gloucester, the erstwhile naked nutter, who shall see you to Dover and your king.† â€Å"Hello, Father,† said Edgar. They embraced. There was crying and begging for forgiveness and filial snogging and overall the whole business was somewhat nauseating. A moment of quiet sobbing by the two men passed before the earl resumed his wailing. â€Å"Oh, Edgar, I have wronged thee and no forgiveness from you can undo my wretchedness.† â€Å"Oh for fuck's sake,† said I. â€Å"Come, Drool, let us go find Lear and on to Dover and the sanctuary of the bloody fucking French.† â€Å"But the storm still rages,† said Edgar. â€Å"I've been wandering in this storm for days. I'm as wet and cold as I know how to get, and no doubt a fever will descend any hour now and crush my delicate form with heavy heat, but by the rug-munching balls of Sappho, I'll not spend another hour listening to a blind old nutter wail on about his wrong-doings when there's a stack of wrongs yet to be done. Carpe diem, Edgar. Carpe diem.† â€Å"Fish of the day?† said the rightful heir to the earldom of Gloucester. â€Å"Yes, that's it. I'm invoking the fish of the bloody day, you git. I liked you better when you were eating frogs and seeing demons and the lot. Drool, leave them half the food and wrap yourself as warm as you can. We're off to find the king. We'll see you lot in Dover.†

Florence Nightingale Leadership in Nursing Essay

Nursing has never been simple profession and it is not an easy task to quantify the contributions nurses have made in shaping healthcare. Modern nursing is complex, ever changing and multi focused; requiring nurses to evolve personally and professionally as leaders in healthcare. What is leadership? Leadership is defined by what it is, as much as what it is not. Leadership has nothing to do with titles, age, seniority, education or status, but rather associated with the characteristics that define a leader. Per Forbes Magazine (April, 2013) â€Å"Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal. An effective leader must inspire the group to follow in their lead, to guide them to accomplish a mutual goal.† Florence Nightingale, the innovative leader and pioneer of modern nursing, is the person I selected as the leader I most admire and one who continues to inspire me to continue to grow professionally. Read more:  The person you admire the most essay Nightingale, who lived from 1820-1910 was a visionary, healer, reformer, environmentalist, feminist, practitioner, scientist, politician and global citizen. Her achievements are astounding considering the Victorian era, and the submissive role of women in her time. Her contributions to nursing theory, research, statistics, public health, and health care reform are invaluable and inspirational. Florence Nightingale demonstrated the characteristics of leadership such as, mission conscious, tenacity, solution oriented and commitment by her ability to establish nursing as professional practice, separate from medicine, while practicing in a male dominated world. Secondly, she was intentional and focused in her efforts as an advocate for the advancement of nursing into leadership positions and not one of just servitude, by fostering an environment of continued education and training for nurses. She formalized an educational program and founded the first nursing school in England that helpe d to formulate standards of practice evident in nursing care today. Florence far reaching visionary concepts of nurses contribution to healthcare ,leadership and the transformational aspects of nursing has continued to propel nurses into the forefront of modern healthcare . According to, Selanders & Crane, (2012) â€Å"Today ANA states that high quality practice includes advocacy as an  integral component of patient safety. Advocacy is now identified both as a component of ethical nursing practice and as a philosophical principle underpinning the nursing profession and helping to assure the rights and safety of the patient.† If the true test of leadership is measured by the outcomes, Florence is a proven leader. It has been my experience that nursing is a transformational experience, it shapes you as much as your values and philosophies shape your practice. Florence Nightingale herself was a true visionary, who was also transformed into a leader by her courage, advocacy, focus and intentional pursuits, in advancing the practice of nursing. Her leadership style is aligned with that of a transformational leader, integrated with some democratic and authoritarian leadership styles of her time. Per Selander & Crane (2012) â€Å"Nightingale understood the value of and the methods for achieving visionary leadership. She repetitively utilized techniques which have been developed as the stair step leadership development model. This paradigm blends the ideas of Nightingale with the current leadership terminology of Burns (1978, 2003), who identified the relative merit of leadership outcomes, with the ‘novice-to-expert’ concept of Benner (2000) which focuses on the necessity of building leadership skills. â€Å"Her ability to empower and inspire others to follow in her path, is the ultimate pinnacle of success for a leader. Florence Nightingale embodies the true characteristics and spirit of leadership, one that has proven the test of time and continues to evolve with time, as nurses forge a path in the 21 century healthcare. Selanders. L, Crane.P, (2012), 17(1).The voice of Florence Nightingale on Advocacy. Online J.of Nursing Issues Kruse. (April, 2013).The Definition of Leadership in the 21 Century, Forbes Magazine.www.forbesmagazine.com

Hydrogen as alternative energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hydrogen as alternative energy - Essay Example Apart from the abundance in the universe, hydrogen gas is in much less quantity in our planet. The reason for this difference is the less density of earth and low weight of hydrogen that aids it in excavating itself away from the earth’s atmosphere. It exists on earth in the form of hydrocarbons and in the water ( 2/3rd ratio of the earth), making H2 the 3rd largest found an element on earth. Hydrogen sources are methane and some bacteria and algae.According to an approximation, each 9/10 atoms in this universe are hydrogen. Hydrogen was discovered by a British fellow, Henry Cavendish in 1766, where he also proved hydrogen to be an integral part of water. Hydrogen combines with nearly every element of the periodic table, existing in nature in the form of sugars, alcohols, acids, fuels, carbonates, phenols, etc. The necessary element for fuel cells is hydrogen. Due its abundance and combinations with nearly every compound, hydrogen can be extracted from any of such compounds an d has the ability to provide as a source of green energy. The reason lies in the manufacturing process of hydrogen and its chemistry that enables green service. Now the question is where we can find hydrogen to run the fuel cells?Fuel cells usually come up with reformers or the hydrogen generators. The ultimate and everlasting solution of the problems lies in solar powered fuel stations. Methane producers and natural gas production can store hydrogen after it is formed as a raw product during extractions.

International Marketing Strategy of Freitag brand Assignment

International Marketing Strategy of Freitag brand - Assignment Example The brand ‘Freitag’ is quite well-known in the international arena. The inception of the brand happened back in the year 1993 in Zurich, Switzerland. It was started by two brothers named Markus and Daniel Freitag who were graphic designers. They were in the hunt for a messenger bag that had to be water-repellent, heavy-duty and a functional one in which they could take their designs being fearless of the fact that water can not spoil it. They got their inspiration from the lorries that had cheerful colours and created a messenger bag by cutting out an old tarpaulin of a truck. They used webbing emanating from car seat-belts were used and the edging was provided by the inner tube of a bicycle which was old (Freitag, n.d). This is how they turned their individual need into a successful business. Freitag has employee strength of over 120 people. The products of Freitag are now sold in more than 350 shops across the globe. The brothers have since then marketed and developed quite a lot of bags for men and as well as women. The brand has two lines of bag: The classic FUNDAMENTALS that have more than 40 models which are being continuously further developed and complemented. In September 2010 the brand introduced the FREITAG REFERENCE Line and since then it has only been launched under seasonal collections. In spite of having stores in New York, Berlin, Vienna, Davos, Cologne, Zurich and Hamburg, the bags are still made in Switzerland (Freitag, n.d). It has been noticed that there are many reasons for companies to internationalise. The key reason behind internationalisation is the capacity to continue to be competitive in their related environment. The concept of internationalisation is explained as establishing business relationships associations in different countries by way of integration, penetration and extension. Integration is explained as the process of co-ordinating the diverse national networks. Penetration can be stated as growth of positions and enhanced commitments in relation to resources in networks in which the company is presently involved with. And, extension means investments with regard to networks which are new. However, an additional significant motive for deciding to globalise activities results from the fact of increasing competition from foreign participants in the domestic market. With the intention of keeping pace with those competitors who are often known to adopt aggressive policies in order to expand their share in the market, it becomes important for the local organisations to shift attention to global markets. Therefore, the above factors can be stated to be the causes for internationalisation of the brand (Ebner, 2011). And the growing popularity of Freitag bags

Coriolis Effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coriolis Effect - Essay Example The first influence of the Coriolis effect is related to the ocean. It can influence the ocean through the interaction with other factors such as temperature and the physical characteristics of the ocean basin. Another important influence is related to the surface currents with broad circulatory patterns referred to as gyres. Basically, the Coriolis effect causes the clockwise movement of the gyres in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise movement in the Southern Hemisphere. Surface currents though do not cross the equator but waters in the equatorial region are affected by the tropical easterlies or trade winds thus producing the Equatorial Current. The Coriolis effect then causes the movement of warm water to the pole while the cool water currents flow to the equatorial region (Gabler and others 2008, p.133). The influence of Coriolis effect is also visible in the atmospheric phenomena such as the wind currents and other air currents and movements such as cyclones. Coriolis effect in relation to the wind currents can be related to different factors such as the force, the friction and pressure gradient. One example is the geostrophic wind which goes parallel to isobars and is affected by the friction and pressure gradient and turns 90 degrees due to Coriolis effect.

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

Leprosy - Research Paper Example Various studies indicate that most patients attain nerve damage at diagnosis, which rates from 20 % in Bangladesh to 56 %in Ethiopia. These patients suffering from nerve damages have a high risk of developing disability if there lacks proper treatment (Lockwood, 1516). Doerr adds that failure of treating leprosy can lead to permanent harm of various body parts leading to overwhelming disfigurement and consequent disability (1). Mycobacterium leprae is a rod-shaped bacterium that is responsible for causing leprosy. G.A. Hansen discovered the bacterium in the year1873. Since this bacterium multiplies slowly, signs and symptoms of this disease may not develop and most people may not recognize them until much later after exposure to M. leprae. This may take place from several weeks after infection to 30 years or more. Even though humans are the chief host for infection with M. leprae, other animals such as mangabey monkeys, armadillos and chimpanzees also acts as hosts for infection. Though the precise route of transmission is still a mystery, most experts deem that transmission of leprosy occur through droplets from the nose and mouth during close protracted contact with an infected person (Doerr, 2). In about 80 nations of Africa, Latin America and Asia, prevalence of Leprosy occurs significantly. In a year, almost 600 000 new cases occur and almost 2400 million people live in nations with occurrence of leprosy of greater than 1 per10 000. In addition, between two and tree million people suffering from leprosy have physical disabilities. Within most nations, leprosy is unequally distributed. This means that some countries have a higher number of patients suffering from leprosy while others do not have even a single patient. In this case, twenty-five nations contribute to 92% while five countries contribute to 80% of the international burden (Noordeen,

Usage of English for Foreign Students within America Essay

Usage of English for Foreign Students within America - Essay Example The theory that applies to the students who are taught English when they are studying at the US universities and colleges is that this language will help them in coming times and their future lives would be secured financially since they could be easily hired by any company around the world. This is a pretty significant aspect and one that needs to be understood in the global scheme of things. This language might not help them within their local areas but on a national and/or international front, these students are sure to get help from the usage of English language. Thus the students must not think in a narrow minded manner and look to study this language with all the zest and enthusiasm that they could offer to it. It is for their own betterment that they are asked to study the English language and no one else apart from them would be the winner at the very end. What I think of the whole issue is that the students need to make an effort to learn and understand this global language which is followed by literally everybody on earth. There should be no hiccups in the learning of this language and students must make dedicated efforts to acquire the basics of this very language. English looks to provide benefits to one and all and there is no doubt to this ideology all said and done.

Painting and architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Painting and architecture - Essay Example Baroque paintingBaroque painting is mainly related to the underlying Baroque cultural movement mainly identified with the underlying Absolutism, the renowned Counter-Reformation and corresponding Catholic Revival. It is mainly characterized by massive performance, rich, Deep color and deep light and dark shadows(Bohn &Saslow, 2013). Moreover, it depicts the moment prior to an event. Baroque painting style commenced within Rome, Italy and subsequently spread to other parts of Europe. Similarities and contrast between Baroque and Renaissance architectureBoth Baroque painting and Renaissance architecture style commenced in Italy then subsequently spread to other parts of Europe. Baroque and Renaissance arts are interrelated in regard to painting and architecture in that they both utilize distinctive classical forms, which are used in books, valuable objects and oil painting(Bohn &Saslow, 2013). Both of the arts balance the good proportion within the architecture and sculptures. Moreover , both baroque painting and corresponding Renaissance architecture are the main classical forms that were utilized within the Renaissance in attracting distinct attention on the clarity and corresponding realism.Conversely, Renaissance architecture mainly utilizes Classical art in which the Roman and corresponding Roman and Greek art whilst Baroque painting commence by breaking away from corresponding Classical art and utilizes numerous curves and flowery patterns.

Eliminating Job Stress Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Eliminating Job Stress - Essay Example With the increase in volume of work, complexity in situations and heavy competitions job stress is on the rise. According to data from health and safety, company executives recorded that in Britain around 420,000 were going through stress, anxiety and other pressure issues. In 2006, the figures mounted to 195,000 fresh cases. Over the years the rate has continued to increase and by 2007 it was stated that out of every 6 individuals at work, one among them was experiencing job stress. When carrying out research, it is important to understand the scope of the problem and how it will benefit the industry in that regard. As it can be seen from the statistics mentioned above, job stress is a significant issue. Since each employee is an asset of the organization and is contributing to the running of the organization it is essential to study his/her interests and issues and keep them at foremost position. Research studies indicate that the emergence of internationalism and globalization has led to organizations and the society becoming very complex. Added features to trade such as less barriers and strategically aligned resource strategies are adding to the problem . Technological advancements are also increasing hence requiring less skilled labor at work. There is also an increase in the rate of wages, which eventually puts pressure on the employees.Demographic shifts have also added to aggravate the problem as workforce diversity has increased bringing about a change in the cultural environment. (Stamatios, Antoniou, & Cooper, 2005). Vertical disaggregation has become a new trend in organizations especially in outsourcing. Hierarchal structures are being flattened and firms are redefining their cost structures. Organizations are promoting efficiency and cost effectiveness hence decreasing job security (Stamatios, Antoniou, & Cooper, 2005). There has been an increase in the levels of dissatisfaction among employees over the year. The balance between work and life has also been disrupted as a result of an increase in workload. Employee expectation has been on the increase and employees have developed a desire to control their professional life rather than getting stressed by large

Case study for HNC Social Care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Case study for HNC Social Care - Essay Example After keeping in view the case history of that woman this component is future to allow populaces to appreciate the behaviour and skills of persons with whom they vocation, therefore the stress be supposed to constantly be on the request of sociological theories and ideas to social care perform and in use them to appreciate behaviour and skills. Personnel ought to be confident all through the coaching and education procedure to be relevant their information and sympathetic to create intelligence of the persons’ life incidents and behaviour. Anywhere likely pictures and requested be supposed to be full from the personnel own knowledge.Sociologists inspect the position of the family in civilization and recognise it as a input social organization. Though, personnel need to appreciate that present are dissimilar sociological move towards to the family, which guide to unrelated finished of its possible power on behaviour, skills and existence probability. For instance in investigati ve the functionalist vision they container seem at the customs in which families have urbanized to get together the desires of civilization, singing a optimistic role in sustaining civilization. They can also seem at how this move toward looks at the optimistic purposed of the family and the reimbursement that it transports to persons. In seeming at disagreement move towards they can scrutinize, for instance, collective move towards which seem at how the family preserves social disparity and utilization of some collections.

A Christmas Carol Essay Example for Free

A Christmas Carol Essay Explore how Dickens emphasises the importance of children and family relationships in A Christmas Carol In the novel A Christmas Carol the atmosphere I receive from the book shows me that dickens cares deeply about children. There are many aspects of when Charles Dickens emphasises the importance of children and family in A Christmas Carol. There are A lot of scenes that show this: the first cratchit scene (pages 37-42) which is the main one, belle and her family (pages 29-30) and scrooge living at his school and his sister coming back (pages 21-23). First I will talk about the cratchit scene. It shows the cratchits celebrating Christmas. Dickens says, Heres Martha mother! , this helps to create an atmosphere of warmth and love. It works because of the explanation mark, it makes it seem that all the children are overjoyed about playing the joke on Mrs Cratchet. On the scene with the goose, Dickens uses the phrase, Universal admiration, to describe how the family feel about the goose. It shows that even though they havent got a real turkey they dont take anything for granted. The phrase implies that the whole universe admires it but in reality its just an average goose. The quote Bobs voice was tremulous when he told them this and trembled more, Tiny Tim is growing strong and hearty, is very ironic because Tiny Tim wasnt growing strong and hearty, this shows that Bob was always trying to look on the brightside of things, his main priority was to keep the family happy. The family mean the world to each other and they are trying to make it a Christmas to remember. After they had eaten the goose Mrs Cratchet was ready to give out the pudding, she was terrified it wouldnt be acceptable, Suppose it should not be good enough,Suppose it break turning out. Mrs Cratchet was going through every bad possibility, she was so nervous. Although it was a little small it never crept into any of the familys head that there wasnt enough. When Bob Cratchet told her that it was the biggest triumpth since there marriage she replied, Now the weight is off my mind, She was delighted that it was a success! In the scene with Scrooge living at school and his sister coming back Dickens shows how your childhood can be so important. Scrooge sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be. Scrooge was a very mean man and I feel that it was soley to do with his child hood, he wasnt short of luxurys but he was very lonely and he needed family. Scrooge obviously wasnt always a mean and a spiteful person, because whilst he is seeing all of his past he is experiencing a lot of feelings of how he used to be and what he had turned into. Scrooge has now realised what he has become, this is all because of his childhood. He said, There was a boy singing A Christmas Carol at my door last night, I should like to of givien him something. Scrooges childhood was so important for him because if his childhood had been different in anyway, for example; getting attention from his parents or feeling loved, he could of have been a totally different man. Before the ghost had shown Scrooge his chidhood or peoples familys he would not have given that Carol singer a second thought. ` In the scene with Belle and her family Dicken emphasises the importance of children and family by expressing how scrooge wants to be one of them. Scrooge said what would I not have given to be one of them! As a child scrooge was not allowed to have the fun and lafter that the children in this scene had, he was very enveous of the children, he wished he could of grown up in this family. He also said I should have dearly liked, i own,to have touched her lips or to have let loose waves of hair, i do confess to have the lightest license of a child. He so longed for frivolous childhood. To conclude I think that Dickens makes his readers aware of the importance of children and family by showing how Scrooge changes after seeing his and then other peoples childhood. The Cratchets show how they are so close and all pull together in good or bad times. The scene with Scrooge living at school and his sister coming back helps Scrooge realise what he had become as a result of his upbringing. The scene with Belle and her family show how much Scrooge envied a fun and happy childhood, to able to lark about and have games in a relaxed atmosphere. I feel that Dickens was a keen admirer of children and it was fitting how Tiny Tim ended the novel by sayin god bless us everyone!

High Stakes Test In Trinidad And Tobago

High Stakes Test In Trinidad And Tobago High stakes tests are defined as those tests that carry serious consequences for students or educators. The consequences from standardized achievement tests range from grade retention for school children to rewards or punitive measures for schools and school districts. The nature of standardized achievement tests used in these situations poses validity problems for the decisions. Numerous unintended negative consequences for students, teachers, curriculum, and schools have been identified. (Ohio Journal of Science) High-stakes are not a characteristic of the test itself, but rather of the consequences placed on the outcome. For instance, no matter what test is used whether it is a written multiple choice, oral examination, performance test a student wanting a medical license must pass the medical licensing test to practice medicine. The acuity of the stakes may vary. For instance, college students who wish to omit an introductory-level course are often given exams to see whether they have already mastered the material and move to the next level. By passing the exam they can attain credits that can reduce tuition expenses and time spent at  university. A student who is anxious to have these benefits may consider the test to be a high-stakes exam. Another student, who places no importance on the outcome, so long as he is placed in a class that is appropriate to his skill level, may consider the same exam to be a low-stakes test. To further concretize the idea what high stakes testing really is one can examine the phrase high stakes. High stakes is derived directly from a  gambling  term. In gambling, a  stake  is referred to the quantity of money or goods that is risked on the outcome of some specific event. A high-stakes game is one in which, in the players individual opinion, a large quantity of money is being risked. The term is meant to imply that executing such a system introduces indecision and potential losses for test takers, who must pass the exam to win, instead of being able to obtain the goal through other means. High Stakes Test in Trinidad and Tobago In Trinidad and Tobago, in the early 1960s the high stakes test of Common Entrance Examination was introduced and served to replace the College Exhibition. It was intended that it would be the only tool of qualification for secondary education in this country. It was not intended to be a pass or fail examination and the number of awards depended on the number of secondary school places available at the time. This examination, for all intent and purposes, was a multiple-choice examination. The multiple choice tests were in English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science with the exception of the Composition aspect of the examination. Students were then placed into secondary schools on the basis of their order of merit and their parents choice of school. The Common Entrance Examination system had its drawbacks. Many critics stated that anxiety, depression, pains, fever, delirious behaviour and severe panic attacks were some of the effects the Common Entrance Examination had on students. These and many other reasons led to the failure of this system and it was because of this failure that a Task Force chaired by Mr. Clive Pantin, and which included Dr. Anna Mahase, Dr. Janet Stanely-Marcano, Mr. Anthony Garcia among others, was set up to look at the removal of this Examination. The Task Force in its findings found that anxiety and stress remained an attribute of the Common Entrance Examination and those immediately concerned with it. It also highlighted the sense of unworthiness and disappointment which became a characteristic of not only those who failed to gain a place, but also of those who were successful but failed to gain admission to the school of their choice. It further stated that due to the importance of the examination and due to a lack of acceptable alternatives to public secondary education the examination began to exert an inordinate influence on the primary school, the curriculum and teaching practices. Teachers were often very restricted to that subject which would be tested at the examination. It was found that students, even those who performed well in the examination, entered secondary school without the necessary basic preparation for secondary school work. It found that nearly fifty percent (50%) of the students who wrote the Common Entrance Examination appeared to be semi literate and innumerate. The Task Force recommended, among other things, that there was need to develop a Secondary Entrance Examination which would test the students level of competence in the key areas of English, Mathematics and Written Composition. It stated that this needed be done in a manner which would indicate readiness of the secondary education programme. Additionally, it stated that Science and Social Studies should be omitted because of the unwarranted influence they had on the final result in the Common Entrance Examination placement of students and because they were unsatisfactorily tested. It also recommended that a Continuous Assessment Programme (CAP) should become an integral part of the School System. The Continuous Assessment Programme was to be used to determine the students readiness for promotion. The Secondary Entrance Assessment, a system of education which prepared the child for entry into a secondary school and included mechanisms to determine when the child was ready and where he or she would be placed, was the major aims of that new system of education. According the Universal Secondary Education Project Implementation Unit December 28th 1999, the implementation of the Secondary Entrance Assessment would provide a link between separate elements of the Universal Secondary Education in Trinidad and Tobago. Secondary Entrance Examination would assess students readiness for secondary schools by testing their skills in Language, Mathematics and Problem-solving and covers the national curriculum for Primary-level education with a focus on Standards three-five. Students who are in Standard five and have not yet attained the age of 15 are eligible to write the SEA. It alluded to the fact that there would be no multiple-choice questions, a feature of the Common Entrance Examinati on. Furthermore, it stated that placement in the secondary schools would be based on marks scored on the exam; the available of places in their school of choice, availability of secondary places in their education division and taking into account the 20 percent (20%) provision granted to denominational school under the Concordat. Interviews and results Interview Schedule for High Stakes Test Research Paper Two week schedule Tasks Activity Time Frame Duration 1. Sensitization of teacher, parent and students 1. Meeting to set the purpose for forthcoming interview March 2nd 2010 One hour 2. Development of questionnaires 1. Questionnaires will be formulated by interview personnel March 3rd and 4th 2010 Two days 3. Set up appointments for interviews 1. Interview personnel set up appointment with stakeholders for interviews. March 5th 2010 One day 4. Interview with teacher 1. Interview personnel interviews teacher on a one on one basis using questionnaire March 8th 2010 One hour 5. Interview with parent 1. Interview personnel has a one on one interview with parent March 9th 2010 One hour 6. Interview with three students 1. Interview personnel has a one on one interview with students at different times. March 10th 2010 Three hours 7. Analyze and synthesize data 1. Interview personnel analyzes and synthesizes data collected March 11th and 12th 2010 Two daysTeachers Perception of the High Stake Test. The teacher I interviewed has been teaching the Standard Five class for the past fifteen years. Upon receiving his new class he does a standard diagnostic test to measure the level of readiness of his students. He is faced with many challenges namely lack of resources, varying abilities of students, improper infrastructure, limited parental support, overcrowding and most importantly the high demand of workload to completed before the SEA examination. He uses his initiative to alleviate some of these challenges for instance creating his own resources, schedule parent conferences, plan and execute lessons using various teaching strategies to meet the needs of his students. To complete his program of work before the examination he sacrifices personal time during the vacation and on Saturdays and sometimes on afternoons after school to conduct classes for slower learners. In his opinion a multiple choice test which was the main form of testing in the Common Entrance examination does not truly reflect the abilities of students. He feels that children need to express themselves and think critically when dealing with problems. Hence the SEA examination is the better choice for the high stake testing in Trinidad and Tobago. Examination in its many forms poses some level of anxiety among students, teachers and parents and the fact remains that the coping mechanism for this is all the individuals responsibility. He is of the opinion that the SEA examination is an appropriate assessment tool to measure students performance in our rapidly changing society. There are many advantages and disadvantages to high stakes testing and more so the SEA examination. This teacher believes that this form of assessment will assist all students to learn more by demanding higher student proficiency and providing effective methods to help students achieve high standards; provide parents, schools, and communities with an unprecedented opportunity to debate and reach agreement on what students should know and be able to do; focus the education system on understandable, objective, measurable, and well-defined goals to enable schools to work smarter and more productively; reinforce the best teaching and educational practices already found in classrooms and make them the norm; and provide real accountability by focusing squarely on results and helping the public and local and state educators evaluate which programs work best. He also believes that there are many shortcomings with respect to high stakes testing. These include the careless implementation of programmes of work that may not meet the varying abilities of students which may result in negative consequences. Sacrifice, diligence, determination are the key for the successful completion of any examination was the closing comments by this standard teacher. Parents Perception There is a high level of anxiety for this parent by having a child in the Standard five class. She feels that this examination is heavily weighted and causes a lot of stress related incidents at home and school for parents and children as well. Being a housewife, she has sufficient time to assist her child with his preparation for the test. She feels that the child has to do this examination whether it is fair or not because this is the norm in this country. This parent is of the opinion that SEA is less demanding than the common entrance examination because the emphasis is on mathematics and language arts areas and there is no longer the science and social studies component. She believes that SEA is the best means of measuring her childs performance. Time management and lack of knowledge of content are some of the challenges that this parent encounters when trying to assist her child. She seeks assistance from other parents and the teacher when uncertainty arises in assisting her child. Motivation is a key factor in the success of her child. She believes that if the child is motivated he will do well. She tries to emulate her parents as she was also motivated to do her best. She is quite confident that her child will succeed in the SEA examination because of the teachers competences, her support and most importantly the childs effort. As a parent she feels that she did her best in preparing her child for this high stakes test. Childrens Perception The three students aspire to successfully acquire their first choice in the high stakes test and plan to work diligently towards achieving this goal. They believe that the SEA examination is one of the most important one that they will have to write. They feel they do not have enough time to prepare and it is a lot of sacrifice and hard work. They all believe that their teacher is the best and they will definitely succeed. They have been doing many past papers and attending extra classes. With the exception of one child, they feel that their parents provide ample support for them. All three students have the confidence that they are prepared for the SEA examination and they will secure their first choice. Common themes All stakeholders believe that the SEA examination is an appropriate assessment tool to measure students performance Sacrifice, hard work, dedication and commitment are crucial for successful attainment in the SEA examination. Stress and anxiety affects everyone in any examination. Support from all stakeholders are essential components in the preparation for high stakes test. Teacher competency is a key factor in the success of any student. Conclusion High stakes in its entirety is relevant in Trinidad and Tobago. It serves as the medium from the primary level to the secondary level. Much emphasis is placed on this test and it is the stepping stone for advance studies and is crucial to attainment of certificates and diplomas that will secure a good job. While there may be shortcomings in the implementation of programmes of work which may not meet the varying abilities of students can result in negative consequences. However, in preparing for high stakes test students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. It allows students to achieve higher standards. With respect to schools, it promotes well define goals which will lead to more productivity and provide real accountability. The Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) in Trinidad and Tobago is the high stake test that assesses students readiness for secondary schools by testing their skills in Language, Mathematics and Problem-solving. Appendix 1 Teacher Questionnaire How long have been teaching a standard five class? On receiving a new class of students, how do you diagnose the level of your students readiness? What are some challenges you face in teaching a standard five class? What are some strategies you used to overcome these challenges? What is your opinion of the removal of the common entrance examination and the implementation of the SEA examination? Do you think the level of anxiety of students is the same with to the shift from the common entrance examination to the SEA examination? Is the SEA examination an appropriate assessment tool to measure students performance? What do you think is the advantages of this assessment tool? What are the disadvantages of this assessment instrument? What recommendation can you give to alleviate the pressures of this exam? Appendix 2 Parent Questionnaire How do you feel as a parent having a child in an SEA class? Do you spend sufficient time assisting your child in his school work? Do you think it is fair to your child for this examination to be the determining factor of his placement in a secondary school? What is your opinion the removal of the Common entrance examination and the implementation of the SEA examination? Do you think it is an appropriate assessment tool to measure your childs abilities? What are some challenges you face as a parent with a child in a SEA class? How do you cope with the challenges faced? Do you think motivation is necessary to alleviate some of the stress that your child faces? Why? Do you think your child is capable of successfully completing the SEA examination? Why? Do you feel that you have fulfilled your duty as a parent in preparing your child for the examination? Appendix 3 Student Questionnaire What are your aspirations upon entering in SEA class? What are your opinions with respect to the upcoming SEA examination? What are some of the challenges you are facing in preparing for the exam? Do you think your teacher is competent in preparing you for this examination? What have you been doing to prepare for the examination? How are your parents supporting you in the preparation for the examination? Do you feel you are ready for the examination? What do you think the outcome of the exam will be?

The Entertainment Industrys Standards of Beauty and Impact on Youth Es

The Entertainment Industry's Standards of Beauty and Impact on Youth â€Å"Man, I am hungry. But if I eat, I will never be able to look like that celebrity.† These words could come out of a typical teenager’s mouth. If a teenager sees someone on TV, in a movie, or in a magazine that he or she wishes to look like, he or she may try anything necessary to accomplish it. The standards of beauty set by the entertainment industry today are having a negative effect on today’s youth. Have you ever heard of Calista Flockhart, Lara Flynn Boyle, Jennifer Aniston, or Antonio Sabato Jr.? They are all celebrities that the typical teenager idolizes, but these idolizations are not necessarily a good thing. Unfortunately, they are all setting standards of beauty that are not only unrealistic but could prove to be dangerous when trying to be attained. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of eating disorders, steroid use, and plastic surgery among teenagers. The main reason for this trend is that â€Å"the beauty ideal has shifted towards an increasing emphasis on thinness† (Brown). In the article â€Å"Body Obsessed†, Rebecca Barry says that the world is sending out many mixed messages about being a girl (Barry 112). Today, women in the entertainment industry are put into many different roles, but all of the roles have one thing in common. They all tend to be very beautiful and very thin. In fact, while the average body weight of women has increased, the majority of women on TV and in magazines have remained thin (Brown). This makes many people believe that actresses will try anything to lose weight. The most common ways are by either exercising or by trying one of many different kind... ... in any way, shape, or form define who they are as a person. Our main message to our youth should be: â€Å"Self-esteem and confidence must start from within not from our outward appearance† (Brown). Works Cited Barry, Rebecca. â€Å"Body Obsessed.† Seventeen. July 1995: 112. Infotrac. Online. 24 Oct. 1999 Brown, Crystal C. â€Å"Modern Beauty Standards Unrealistic.† The Capitol Times. Vol. 2 No. 21. Online. 03 Nov. 1999. Available: http://www.capitoltimes.com. McClelland, Susan. â€Å"The Lure of the Body Image: In Their Quest for the Beefcake Look, Some Men Try Extreme Measures.† Maclean’s. 22 Feb. 1999: 38. Infotrac. Online. 18 Oct. 1999. Stevens, Liz. â€Å"Today’s Teen Magazines May be Sending Mixed Messages to Girls.† Knight- Ridder/Tribune News Service. 14 July 1999. Infotrac. Online. 2 Nov. 1999.

Is Doubt the Key to Knowledge? Essay -- Proverb Analysis

Doubt is the middle ground between blind acceptance and outright refusal to believe. Doubt lends itself to a certain uncomfortable feeling of questioning but is a necessary tool to reach perceived truth and knowledge. Without doubt, one would believe anything he or she is told; it is a natural filter for the information thrust upon us. Doubt is in some ways the opposite of faith. Faith insinuates an acceptance so powerful that one does not need evidence to back up one’s claim. The lack of evidence does not bother the faithful, but it will pester the doubter like an insatiable itch. But the specter of doubt looms over the doubter, demanding that questions be asked of whatever â€Å"fact† has been presented. The doubter will use the four ways of knowing—emotion, reason, language, and sense perception—to answer the questions and become a knower. Doubt is especially necessary in two areas of knowledge: history and human sciences. When studying history, one mu st doubt the stories presented as facts and consider possible distortions created by biases or the passage of time. Without doubt, the field of human science would never advance past the current understanding, leaving human kind stuck in an age of primitive treatment and technology. The accuracy of history is weakened by time, perception, and memory. The Bible, for example, is particularly prone to such weaknesses. Millions of people accept it as fact despite its many fallacies. The events in the Bible are considered to be part of history. Yet such events were written about many years after they actually occurred. For example, Jesus is thought to have died in 33 A.D. This date is considered likely as his death must have occurred before Pontius Pilate left his position in 36 A.D. Y... ...iam. â€Å"The Gospel According to Luke.† The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible.† Nashville: Abingdon, 1971. 672-706. Print. Bawer, Bruce. "What is Truth?" Rev. of Pontius Pilate , by Ann Wroe. Reviews by Bruce Bawer Fall 2001. Web. 1 Jan. 2011. . Leo, Johnathan. "The Fallacy of the 50% Concordance Rate for Schizophrenia in Identical Twins." Rev. of The Gene Illusion , by Jay Joseph. Human Nature Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. . Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Word and Works of Jesus Christ: A Study of the Life of Christ. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000. Amazon.com. Web. 1 Jan2011.. The Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago: Moody, 1976. Print. New American Standard Translation. Is Doubt the Key to Knowledge? Essay -- Proverb Analysis Doubt is the middle ground between blind acceptance and outright refusal to believe. Doubt lends itself to a certain uncomfortable feeling of questioning but is a necessary tool to reach perceived truth and knowledge. Without doubt, one would believe anything he or she is told; it is a natural filter for the information thrust upon us. Doubt is in some ways the opposite of faith. Faith insinuates an acceptance so powerful that one does not need evidence to back up one’s claim. The lack of evidence does not bother the faithful, but it will pester the doubter like an insatiable itch. But the specter of doubt looms over the doubter, demanding that questions be asked of whatever â€Å"fact† has been presented. The doubter will use the four ways of knowing—emotion, reason, language, and sense perception—to answer the questions and become a knower. Doubt is especially necessary in two areas of knowledge: history and human sciences. When studying history, one mu st doubt the stories presented as facts and consider possible distortions created by biases or the passage of time. Without doubt, the field of human science would never advance past the current understanding, leaving human kind stuck in an age of primitive treatment and technology. The accuracy of history is weakened by time, perception, and memory. The Bible, for example, is particularly prone to such weaknesses. Millions of people accept it as fact despite its many fallacies. The events in the Bible are considered to be part of history. Yet such events were written about many years after they actually occurred. For example, Jesus is thought to have died in 33 A.D. This date is considered likely as his death must have occurred before Pontius Pilate left his position in 36 A.D. Y... ...iam. â€Å"The Gospel According to Luke.† The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible.† Nashville: Abingdon, 1971. 672-706. Print. Bawer, Bruce. "What is Truth?" Rev. of Pontius Pilate , by Ann Wroe. Reviews by Bruce Bawer Fall 2001. Web. 1 Jan. 2011. . Leo, Johnathan. "The Fallacy of the 50% Concordance Rate for Schizophrenia in Identical Twins." Rev. of The Gene Illusion , by Jay Joseph. Human Nature Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. . Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Word and Works of Jesus Christ: A Study of the Life of Christ. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000. Amazon.com. Web. 1 Jan2011.. The Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago: Moody, 1976. Print. New American Standard Translation.

Teaching and Learning Essay -- Education, Observation

The value of observation is to give you an insight into a child’s world. By doing this you are able to observe the children and see how they interact with other children and communicate. Also by observation we are able to understand children’s point of view better and are able to enhance their learning. Observation, assessment and evaluation in planning for children’s learning within early childhood setting come hand in hand. While observing we are able to see the child’s development and are also able to identify the interest in different learning areas. During the observation, the time and date should be recorded along with a little bit of information about the setting and where the observation took place. If we have an accurate and detailed picture of the child’s profile at the beginning of the programme, the teacher’s will be able to enhance positive learning. Using a natural environment for observation is the best method, as opposed to contrived environment , because in a natural environment a child is doing what they normally do [NZTC ] , (2011). The teachers are able to plan better for the child and assess the progress in children’s different learning domains. When any observations are carried out about a child, all the information must be kept confidential. As suggested by Bruce & Meggitt (2002) certain guidelines should be used to keep the observations confidential for example not using the child’s name , just using their initial and remembering to get permission from the authorised person such as parents /teachers before beginning any observations p.28. It is very important to be ethical when carrying out any methods of observations and keeping it confidential, letting access to only authorised people. By doing obs... ...he teacher to help the child in their holistic development. Being a teacher it is important to engage child in all kinds of interactions and also think from a child’s point of view. As mentioned by Jablon & Wilkinson (2006) â€Å"engagement stratergies give children greater responsibility for their learning and that use of engagement stratergies benefit children tremendously† p. 5. In conclusion I would say that a teacher has one of the most important roles in a child’s everyday learning and that the way she observes , plans , assesses and evaluates each individual child , makes a difference in a child’s learning and helps the children to support /or enhance their interest or any other particular domains . To support the whole planning cycle in a child’s learning can only happen if the teacher is able to apply the teaching strategies adequately in the learning.

Change in Family Relationships and Values Essay

Family has many different meanings to it but it seems as though we all want the same ideal family. The ideas of the â€Å"perfect† family come from old advertisements and television programs; they all have the same characteristics as one another. Everyone wants to live like families that lived in older times, but in reality it is nearly impossible for every family to be exactly the same and like old time families. Many things have influenced the change in families from how they used to be to how they are now. Social, economic, and historical changes have occurred that makes family relationships and family values different then they were. The ideal family of the past is no longer how modern families live but it is how they wish to live. In the 1950s, the impression of the ideal nuclear family was established. These families had a stable marriage, decent home, and enjoyed their children. The father worked all day but when he came home he was the head of the household and everybody listened to him. The mothers were in charge of cleaning the house, cooking the meals and tending to the children and her husband. Sons had more of an intimate and affectionate relationship with their fathers. Daughters were supposed to live up to their mother and be like them when they got older. Children also listened and respected their parents more back then (Coontz, 33-36). That is the basic description of what everyone wants his or her family to act. Times have changed but the ideal family of the past remains the same in today’s society. In reality there are more divorces, single parents, and more adoptions. Mothers do a lot more to support the family; they cook, clean, and have jobs during the day. Fathers work longer hours and do not have much time for their families. Children do not want to spend time or even talk to their parents in present day because they have better things to do. Things are very unbalanced today and there is not enough family time as there was back in the 1950s. The myth of the ideal family all began after World War II because there was child labor, income insecurity, the stock market crash, and the Great Depression before the war so it was hard to start a family and support each other. After the war is when families could focus on emotional and financial investments, reduce obligations and start anew (Coontz, 34). The return of soldiers also led to more marriages and childbearing increased. World War II began the economic recovery for that time. A lot of these changes have to do with economic growing and development. Back in the 1950s jobs were guaranteed for men and women did not have to work. Living arrangements were guaranteed as well. Husbands also made more than enough to support their family. The federal assistance was generous and welfare helped out with long-term life and housing. This made fewer worries for families and gave them more time to spend together (Coontz, 42-43). Now, men and women both are in the working industry and they still have a hard time keeping their jobs to supporting their family. There is not as much assistance as there was back then either. Now, men and women have to   work more so they have less time and more stress for their families, which causes more issues. Also, the development of technology has an influence on families. There was not a lot on technology back in the 1950s so individuals spent more time family bonding instead of playing video game or talking on their iPhones. Children now watch a lot of television and go on the computer instead of playing with their brothers and sisters outside or talking with their mom and dad. The technology has had a bad influence on families and taken away from family connections. New economic trends began to clash with social expectations. Many social changes have occurred from the 1950s to present day. Some social changes and conflicts that have occurred include same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage was not even a subject in the 1950s. People never talked about gays or lesbians because it was not the ideal lifestyle (Sullivan, 102). As time went on more and more has come up about same-sex marriage. Some people think it is okay while others are completely against it. But society acknowledges it more by having reality show and sitcoms with gay or lesbian actors on the show. They also started to pass laws that make it legal to have same-sex marriage in certain states. (Sullivan. 104) It is still believed to not be the ideal life but it is accepted more in present day then it was in the past. Individuals, families, and groups were excluded from certain changes. The blacks and African Americans were not part of the ideal family that everyone looked up to. They were looked down upon much more because they had different style families, but in recent research they found that social class is more important a ethnicity (Gerstel/Sarkisian, 61-62). From my own observation, I noticed that my parents act towards their parents and how my brothers and I act toward our parents are very different. My parents treat their parents with respect and help them whenever they need help. My brothers and I are more concerned about our social lives and do not care what our parents tell us. Situations like these show how much has changed in a short amount of time. As you can see many things have changed about families from generation to generation. The ideal family was established over 50 years ago and yet we still live up to those expectations. Many influences dealing with social, economical, and historical changes have occurred that should have altered our idea of the ideal family, but because everyone is still living up to those expectations, it makes today’s families look corrupt, when in reality the ideal family is just different in society today.

Governmental and Non Profit Essay

1. Certain core services are provided by most general purpose governments – those related to the protection of life and property, public works, parks and recreation facilities, and cultural and social services. Governments must also incur costs for general administrative support of its service departments. Core governmental services, together with general administrative support, comprise the major part of what GASB refers to as governmental activities. The measurement focus and basis of accounting for these activities is on the flow of current financial resources on the modified accrual basis in the governmental funds and on the flow of economic resources on the accrual basis in the Governmental Activities column of the government-wide financial statements. 2. The business-type activities of a government include public utilities, transportation systems, toll road and bridges, hospitals, parking garages and lots, liquor stores, golf courses, airports, and swimming pools, among other activities. Many of thses activities are intended to be self-supporting by charging users for the services they receive. Focusing financial reporting on economic resources recognized on the accrual basis of accounting allows the government to determine whether charges for services are sufficient to cover the full cost of the activity. This measurement focus and basis of accounting allows the government to determine whether charges for services are sufficient to cover the full cost of the activity. This measurement focus and basis of accounting is the same used for reporting governmental activities in the government-wide financial statements, but quite different from the current financial resources measurement focus and modified accrual basis of accounting use d in the governmental funds. 3. Fiduciary activities of a government involve the government’s discharge of its fiduciary responsibilities, either as an agent or trustee, for parties outside the government. For example, a government may serve as agent for other governments in the administering and collecting of taxes. Fiduciary activities are accounted for in agency funds, investment trust funds, pension trust funds, and private-purpose trust funds. Fiduciary activities are reported only in the fund financial statements and not in the government-wide financial statements because these resources belong to external parties, not the government. Fiduciary funds use accrual accounting and focus on economic resources, as do business-type activities. However, reporting for fiduciary activities differs from that for governmental funds since the latter funds focus primarily on the budget and current financial resources. 4. The three categories of funds are governmental, proprietary, and fiduciary. The fund types included in each category are the following: Governmental (general fund, special revenue funds, debt service funds, capital projects funds, and permanent funds), Proprietary (enterprise funds and internal service funds) and Fiduciary (agency funds, investment trust funds, pension trust funds, and private-purpose trust funds.) These categories correspond the three activity categories with the exception that financial information for internal service funds is generally reported in the governmental activities column of the government-wide financial statements. However, if an internal service fund predominantly serves an enterprise fund, its financial information is reported in the Business-type Activities column. 5. As a fiscal entity, a fund has its own resources and can incur liabilities to be repair from the fund resources. As an accounting entity, the fund has its own self-balancing set of accounts. 6. Governmental funds focus on the flow of current financial resources. Consequently, these funds use the modified accrual basis of accounting. Under modified accrual revenues are recognized if the inflow is measurable and available to pay current period obligations. Expenditures are recognized as incurred if they will be paid from available resources.

Discuss the Relationship Between Persuasion and Attitude Change.

Discuss the relationship between persuasion and attitude change. The procedure of changing attitudes to then furthermore change behaviour has led psychologists to develop research into the topic of how persuasion takes place. The Hovland-Yale model was initially developed to persuade the American public for more support in the last stages of WW2. It was learnt that in order to persuade effectively, the need was to focus on who and what. Principally the content, the audience and the communicator.It was found that the most effective sources were experts as they had more credibility than non-experts, but also popular and attractive sources were more effective than unattractive sources. Bochner & Insko asked students to suggest how much sleep was needed, before showing them two different sources of information – an expert and a non-expert. Students were more persuaded by the expert even when it conflicted with their own beliefs. Another finding from the model found that messages a re more effective if the audience feels that their main purpose is not to persuade.Also, if a message contains a moderate level of fear it becomes more successful. McGuire also found that there was a primacy effect in messages. His research found that when he was trying to persuade students to join a course, he was more persuasive if he gave the positive points first. The final factor involved in the Hovland-Yale model is audience factors. It was seen that moderately intelligent audience members were more easily persuaded and when aiming at high intelligence audience members, it would be more effective to present both sides of the argument.The Elaboration-Likelihood model focuses on the message itself and splits this into two sections. Whether the audience focuses on the main content of the message or if they focus on other factors such as the communicator giving the message. Petty et al. called this the central and peripheral route. The central route audience members focus on the q uality of the arguments and are motivated to think about the message. It’s been suggested that this has a lasting attitude change.The peripheral route is quite the opposite as audience members are not motivated to think about the message and they focus on the peripheral tools (such as music, celebrities, colour) rather than the arguments presented. Attitude change through the peripheral route is temporary. The Hovland-Yale model has good research support for all three factors involved in the model. Morton et al. found that children had more favourable attitudes after being given information from an expert (doctor) than a parent. Lewis et al. ound that fear arousing messages were effective in the short-term, but messages containing humour were more effective in the long-term. However, Fechback et al. found that high fear level was most effective in messages which disputes McGuire’s findings. However, McGuire’s findings can also be explained another way to show su pport. If following the basis of the psychodynamic approach, messages using high fear arousal may trigger defence mechanisms such as denial or repression in audience members, suggesting moderate fear level is the most effective.Research also supports the key points of the Elaboration-Likelihood model. A psychologist supports the claim that the central route is more effective for high need-for-cognition audience members. Models have heavily relied on laboratory based research, which causes us to question the ecological validity. However, real-life application has occurred and found that when students were exposed to a fact-based or emotion-based health campaign, the higher NC individuals were more influenced by the central route (fact-based) and the lower NC were more persuaded by the peripheral route (emotion-based).Although both models are heavily supported by research, many research studies have involved students which brings problems of generalisation. Students have an age, wealt h, and education status which is not typical of the general public. In addition, experimenters have exposed participants solely to their stimuli, whereas in the real world, we are exposed to thousands of media forms everyday; thus lacking in mundane realism.

Playboy of the Western World

The Playboy of the Western World gains its title from the scene in which Christy can't be beaten in play at any of the village sports, hence he becomes the â€Å"playboy. † The phrase â€Å"of the Western World† leads the way into Synge's theme of Irish mythmaking, then still especially noticeable in unsophisticated peasant groups. With the inclusion of this phrase, the myth of the playboy encompasses the whole world. Mythmaking deviates from reality, as is made clear by the stretch of the title: Irish village game championship can't possibly trump an entire world of athletes. Synge isn't discussing a universal theme but rather exposing a particularly Irish theme, that of mythmaking. The play opened in January of 1907 at Yeats's Irish Literary Theatre to outraged indignation and riots but over the course of the twentieth century has gained ever greater currency among critics. Had Yeats not held a public debate on the concept of artistic freedom, The Playboy may have died an ignoble death. As it happens, though, the play has by later critics been called â€Å"the most rich and copious store of character since Shakespeare’’ (P. P. Howe) and a play â€Å"riotous with the quick rush of life, a tempest of the passions† (Charles A. Bennett). These seem to be the reasons that The Playboy of the Western World has current appeal. Whereas original audiences cared about morality and decorous representations of peoples and countries, the increasing and ever increasing reach for realism, ethnic diversity and authentic representations has brought The Playboy into vogue because it was the avant garde and the precursor of what is presently valued and sought after: unveiled realism. Incidentally, one might argue that this unveiled realism, which is the idol of the present milieu, has been carried so far that â€Å"realism† is now a fancy in that it is a reality beyond reality and that it carries such clout that it is creating new reality (of questionable benefit) in its wake, which is a divergent reality from the realism that Synge depicted after living with, studying and capturing in three acts the cultural and psychological realities on the Aran Islands, from which he derived The Playboy of the Western World.

Carlill V. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. Essay

Facts The Defendants were a medical company named â€Å"Carbolic Smoke Ball†. Who manufactured and sold a product called the â€Å"smoke ball†, a cure for influenza and a number of other diseases. The company published advertisements in the Pall Mall Gazette and other newspapers on November 13, 1891, claiming that it would pay  £100 to anyone who got sick with influenza after using its product three times a day for two weeks, according to the instructions provided with it. The advertisement also claimed that  £1000 was being deposited into the bank to demonstrate their sincerity. The plaintiff, Mrs Louisa Elizabeth bought one of these balls after seeing the advertisement. She used it three times daily for nearly two months until she contracted the flu on 17 January 1892. She sued the company to recover the money promised in the advertisement. Procedural history Appeal from decision of Hawkins J. wherein he held that the plaintiff, Ms. Carlill was entitled to recover  £100. Issue: Does an advertisement to the general public promising to pay money to anyone who does something create a binding contract between the parties? Arguments The Defendant argued that there was no contract between it and that there was no acceptance of its offer. So the contract was too vague to be enforced, there was no way to check the conditions were met, you cannot contract with everybody and the timeframe was not specified. Also the acceptance had not been communicated to the offeror. And the last argument was that there was no consideration: nudum pactum. The plaintiff’s argument was that she just followed the constructions. The advertisement was also an offer were under an obligation to fulfil because it was published so it would be read and abided. The promise was also not vague . Judgment The court rejected both arguments of the company, ruling that the advertisement was an offer of a unilateral contract between the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company and anyone who satisfies the conditions set out in the  advertisement. According to the judgment of lord justice Lindley, â€Å"†¦the person who makes the offer shows by his language and from the of the transaction that he does not expect and does not require notice of the acceptance apart from notice of the performance.† The advertisement was an express promise to pay 100 pounds to anyone who contracts flu after using the ball three times daily for two weeks. Also the ad was not a mere puff: â€Å" 1000 is deposited with the Alliance Bank, showing our sincerity in the matter† , which is a proof of sincerity to pay. The promise is binding even though not made particular, a unilateral offer. The advertisement is not so vague that it cannot be construed as a promise because the words can be reasonably construed . Notification of acceptance The notification of the acceptance need not precede the performance- â€Å" this offer is a continuing offer†. If notice of acceptance is required, the person who makes offer gets the notice of acceptance contemporaneously with the notice of the performance of the condition. Also when there is an offer to the world at large, acceptance is legally valid when the offeree communicates to the offeror notice of performance of the specified conditions. This means acceptance is not legally valid when notification of the performance of the specified conditions does not occur. Consideration There was consideration in this case for two reasons: first reason is that the carbolic received a benefit. In the sales directly beneficial to them by advertising the Carbolic smoke ball. The second reason is that the performance of the specified conditions constitutes consideration for the promise. The judgment of Lord Justice Bowen : How would an ordinary person construe this document? Was it intended that the 100 should, if the conditions were fulfilled, be paid? The advertisement says that 1000 is lodged at the bank for this purpose. Therefore the statement was not a mere puff, â€Å"I think it was intended to be understood by the public as an offer which was to be acted upon.† According to the judgment of Bowen LJ, the contract was not too vague to be enforced. Whereby an offer can be made to the whole world and will ripen into a contract with anybody who comes forward and performs the condition. Notification of acceptance There is no need for notification of acceptance of the offer ( Bowen LJ differs from Lindley LJ on this point). Because an inference should be drawn from the transaction itself that if he performs the condition there is no need for notification. Consideration Lord Justice Bowel founds that there was consideration for the problem for same reasons as Lindley LJ. The consideration was using the smoke ball and the reason of using the smoke balls would promote their sale. And finally Lord Justice AL Smith decides on same basis as Bowen LJ. Ratio decidendi: In unilateral contracts, communication of acceptance is not expected or necessary. Advertisements of unilateral contracts are treated as offers. Where the language is clear that an ordinary person would construe an intention to offer, anyone who relies on this offer and performs the required conditions thereby accepts the offer and forms an enforceable contract. Held: The contract was binding and the defendant was ordered to pay the 100 to the plaintiff. Appeal Dismissed.

The role of operational management in the construction industry Essay

The role of operational management in the construction industry project - Essay Example The study provides an analysis of actions to be taken by strategic project management which can enable planning and completing construction process in time and within set cost targets. A brief conclusion is provided touching on key lessons that project management can learn from experiences in the project. Szkieletor also known as Skeletor is an incomplete building in Poland. It is located in the sides of Krakow near Rondo Mogilskie. The building stays incomplete in its construction since 1975. It is one of the tallest structures around and it was intended to be headquarters of the main Technical Organisation. The reasons for the incomplete building construction are a result of deterioration of the economy and high costs of construction materials. Szkieletor construction was intended to be made into an international four star luxury hotel, A-class offices, several commercial facilities and luxury apartments. Construction of Szkieletor was based on location of apartments in relation to targeted market. Luxurious apartments constructed were targeting individuals who were well off in terms of income and thus payment. The offices and commercial facilities were to be constructed for those in a position to acquire them since the city was growing up fast enough to demand the offices. The costs of the apartments were to be set as per the market price. The adjustments of the project were flexible enough to incorporate the ever adjusting activities during the construction process.... The offices and commercial facilities were to be constructed for those in a position to acquire them since the city was growing up fast enough to demand the offices. The costs of the apartments were to be set as per the market price. The adjustments of the project were flexible enough to incorporate the ever adjusting activities during the construction process. The cost budget was well set by qualified management team and construction process commenced. Several adjustments were made during the construction process so as objectives in the proposals would be met. The project management team selected to head and run the project was not qualified enough to address factors that would affect the project before commencing construction process. Lack of proper qualification may result into several inconveniences due to poor construction process and even failure of the project. The selected project management team should be made aware of the requirements of the project and the necessary resour ces availed to them. Duration that the construction process expected should also be conveyed out so that when construction strategies are being made time factor is kept in mind. Since the project management is the one supposed to control the project, it should be fit to undertake the given work. Where investment is involved there is an aspect of risk. If the risk is passed to a staff that cannot handle apartment construction then great losses are anticipated. It is required that the selection panel be careful to award the tender to the right team which will not cause defaults of the programs jeopardizing the whole project. Assessment of the extent of risk involved should be carefully done so that no mistakes are left out before the start

Growth in Health Expenditures Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Growth in Health Expenditures - Article Example Apparently, between 1993 and 2003, the health care expenditures in the US grew from a total of $900 billion to $1.7 trillion which was equivalent to an increase from 13.3% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) to 15.3%. When these values were compared to the health expenditures in Canada, Germany, Japan and the UK, it was realized that the US had the highest health care costs and expenditures (Zuckerman and McFeeters, 2006). The table below summarizes the trends in health care expenditures. As noted by Rettig (1994), new and improved medical technologies have been seen in areas such as: the development of new treatments for terminal conditions such as AIDS, cancer and diabetes; treatments related to untreatable acute conditions such as coronary artery bypass graft; clinical progress for patients with mental illness and/ or substance abuse; procedures for treating secondary diseases within a disease, for example erythropoietin which treats anaemia in dialysis patients. Moreover, technological equipments such as sonogram machines and dialysis equipment together; new procedures such as laproscopic gall bladder surgery and new treatments such as statins to control cholesterol and cardiac catheterization have also contributed largely to the total health care spending. Despite that, it was noted that technology can equally increase the standard costs for treatments and it can also lower the standard unit costs of treatments so as to allow more people to benefit from the treatments being offered. For example, cardiac catheterization has increased the standard cost of treatments since it is highly used to treat and monitor heart attacks while laproscopic gall bladder surgery has lowered the unit cost of treatment so as to allow more patients to undergo the procedure as compared to using the open gall bladder surgery (Zuckerman and McFeeters, 2006). The aging population has been increasing rapidly over the past few