Phrasal Verbs with Put - ESL Quiz

The Legend Of Dracula - 975 Words

Kostova utilizes the setting in The Historian to reinforce the legitimacy of the legend of Dracula. The reader is taken on a journey throughout time and space all over Europe, which is made all the more realistic by Kostova’s use of imagery and sensation. There are several different locations that are quite important to the story and establishing the history of Dracula. The location that has the most significance is Dracula’s tomb. The whole story has been geared to finally finding Dracula’s tomb, and therefore finding out whether he really is still alive. The tomb is revealed through the letters Rossi wrote while he was there. Kostova plays on the readers senses when describing the tomb, which makes it incredibly realistic. She uses darkness and coldness to illustrate the fear that Rossi is feeling, being in this place with the monster that is Dracula. â€Å"This groping in dimness was terrifying, and I expected at any second to be pounced on by the Thing that had brought me there. I wondered again if I might not actually be dead — if this was some terrible version of death, which I had momentarily mistaken for a continuation of life,† (Kostova, 806). While reading this, the reader can feel exactly what Rossi is feeling in that moment, which is due to the descriptive setting. Using the senses draws the reader in, allowing them to imagine exactly how the character is feeling and making them feel like they are right there with the character. â€Å"Because his back was now to the fire,Show MoreRelatedComparing Dracula, And I Am Legend By Richard Matheson1584 Words   |  7 Pages Since the beginning of time vampires have been categorized into different types† and are portrayed in different ways throughout several books. This paper will focus on three vampires from the following books: Dracula by Bram Stoker, and I am Legend by Richard Matheson. Dracula is considered to be the traditional vampire, where it all started , and the vampires in Matheson’s book, follow somewhat Stoker’s concept, but is more of a modern â€Å"type† of vampires. Certain vampire elements have beenRead MoreBram Stoker s Dracula And Richard Matheson s I Am Legend2160 Words   |  9 Pagesscience and religion. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, the mythical horror creatures, the vampires, have many differences in their mythical abilities, functionality and origin; however, they both serve to underline themes that remind the reader of what makes us human and what defines us as ultimately good or evil. Stoker’s Count Dracula is the product of a religious strike against the antagonist whereas the vampires in I Am Legend are a product of mankind’s scientific ignoranceRead MoreBram Stoker s Dracula And Richard Matheson s I Am Legend Differ From One Another And?3022 Words   |  13 Pagesis a difficult thing to describe due to the influence that different cultures have had on the development of the myth. The depiction of vampirism in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend differ from one another and while these depictions stray from the folkloric accounts of vampires both find their roots in legend. The folkloric vampire has taken many different forms and has held a variety of traits, skills and weaknesses; each mirroring the customs, beliefs, and fears of differentRead MoreThe Opposition Of Dracula And Its Influences On Vampire Literature1467 Words   |  6 PagesThe opposition of Dracula and its influences on vampire literature Have you ever thought to yourself, what has influenced vampire literature today? Well, neither have I, but it wouldn’t hurt to touch on the subject. Dracula introduces the idea of lust and death within vampirism. Also, there are many connections that I make throughout this essay between Dracula and I am Legend, proving that Dracula was an influence on the book. The opposition of Dracula has had great influences on vampire literatureRead MoreThe Vampire Is An Embodiment Of Society s Deepest Fears1382 Words   |  6 Pagesfear of society, with the portrayal of the vampire following suit. Dracula, I Am Legend and Twilight, three extremely popular books of vampire fiction created during vastly different periods in history, are representative of this shift. In Dracula, the titular character is depicted as an anti-christ figure by the author, Bram Stoker, who attempts to warn people about the dangers of straying from traditional Christian ideals. I Am Legend, a nineteen-fifties pos t-apocalyptic novel, emphasises the dangersRead MoreAnalysis Of The Novel Dracula 1452 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of Dracula Although Dracula was not the first vampire novel, the effect that Bram Stoker’s creation had on the vampire genre is undisputable. At the time, it was written intellectual revelations during the 19th century had begun to change what people fear. Archaic legends like vampire stories no longer inspired terror in industrializing areas like Britain. What made Dracula widely successful was the incorporation of modern themes and anxieties with the renowned archetype of the vampireRead MoreVampires : More Than A Modern Fantasy1538 Words   |  7 PagesDiaries? Or, do you think of ancient vampiric legends such as Lamastu, empusai, and even Vlad the Impaler? What if both modern vampire culture and the origins of vampirism were connected, not only by topic, but by relevance? Vampiric myths allow us to understand the history and those involved, as well as to relate to the present and view how current culture evolved into what it is. Although something usually thought as irrelevant and unusual, vampiric legends explain the continuity of humans to use scapegoatsRead MoreDracula By Bram Stoker s Dracula1134 Words   |  5 Pagesiconic Count Dracula. Although the Count ranks as, perhaps, the most famous vampire, vampire stories, myths, and legends were in circulation for over a century before Stoker wrote Dracula. Starting in the 1700’s, vampire stories began appearing in southeastern Europe, exploiting fears of witches and evil spirits. Like many monsters, vampires evolved to reflect societal fears which was taken advantage of by several writers including Bram Stoker. This interpretation of the older legends acted as a metaphorRead MoreCould Schizophrenia Be the Answer to the Mysterious Vampire Legend1671 Words   |  7 PagesCould Schizophrenia be the Answer to the Mysterious Vampire Legend? The vampire legend and many behaviors and experiences of schizophrenics seem to share many common traits. The traits that are most recognizable are fears of being enclosed, periods of semistarvation or complete starvation, which can be associated with periodic gorging, reversal of the day-night cycle, and a preoccupation with or dread of mirrors (Kayton 304). Though the term schizophrenia or demence precoce wasRead MoreFrankenstein, Dracula and Spiritualism1701 Words   |  7 Pagesshadows with two long fangs and a thirst for blood. Contrast that with the images that come when you say the name Dracula. Dracula is the aristocrat in the castle, the lord of all vampires and his image in set in us. Vampire legends and myths are thousands of years old and find homes in most cultures around the world. From the chiang-shih of China to the Lamia of Greek legend, a mix of a woman and winged Serpent (Richardson, 2007). These myths, however, have little in common with modern tellings

Importance of Information Communication Technology in Technical Education Free Essays

IMPACT OF THE USE OF INTERNET ON TECHNICAL COLLEGE VOCATIONAL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA ABSTRACT This study is designed to determine the impact of the use of internet on technical college vocational students’ academic performance in Ogun State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study among other things focuses on identifying the attitudes of students toward the use of internet; to determine the purpose of internet usage by students; to find out the intensity of internet usage by students and to find out whether the use of internet improves the academic performance of students or not. Survey method was adopted the research. We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of Information Communication Technology in Technical Education or any similar topic only for you Order Now Data were collected from one hundred and forty (140) technical college students in seven (7) technical colleges Ogun State, Nigeria. Means and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Interviews were also conducted with students to compliment the data collected The findings of the study reveals that most of the secondary school students access computer connected to the internet through the use of the cyber cafe or settings open to the public; the students spend more of their time outside the school and their homes to use the internet; female students are more disposed to the use of the internet for social networking than their male counterparts; most of the special sites students visit on the internet are not for academic engagements or school work; most of the devices used are connected to the internet through the use of modem and the use of internet technology show significant relationship with students academic achievement and it motivates the students to get along with schoolwork. The study however recommended that technology should be embraced in all technical colleges in Ogun State, Nigeria. KEYWORDS: World Wide Web, Internet, Technology, Modem, and Devices INTRODUCTION Technical colleges of today have come of age in this new information revolution. From the time they started elementary school, the World Wide Web existed. Many of them were using the Web early in their school careers. Technology is now used throughout the world for gathering information, keeping records, distance learning, and global collaboration for lifelong learning and work. Its pervasive use cut across almost all aspects of modern life including business, industry, communication and entertainment warrants continued efforts on the part of educators to positively prepare students for participation in a technological world. The Internet is one of the greatest recent advancement in the world of information technology and has become a useful instrument that has fostered the process of making the world a global village. The internet provides several opportunities for the academia. It is a mechanism for information dissemination and a medium for collaborative interaction between individuals and their computers without regard for geographic limitation of space. The word Internet is derived from two words: â€Å"international† and â€Å"network†. The Internet therefore can be defined as an international computer network of information available to the public through modem links so internet is a worldwide system of linked computers networks. The Internet is the world’s largest and most widely used network. It is an international network of networks that is a collection of hundreds of thousands of private and public networks all over the world. There are rich and varied learning experiences available on the Internet that would have been inconceivable just a short while ago. The investigators observed that research reports and articles on the effectiveness of technology in the student-learning environment reflect a variety of opinions and conclusions. On one end of the continuum, supporters cite research studies showing the positive impact of technology on student learning. On the other end, critics present How to cite Importance of Information Communication Technology in Technical Education, Essays

Report on Psychology Social Dominance Orientation Scale

Question: Discuss about theReport on Psychologyfor Social Dominance Orientation Scale. Answer: Introduction Scholars and philosophers analyzing the abilities of individuals in interpreting emotional content, engaging in rational reflections and measuring societal individual differences in the hierarchy have stood the test of time. Barchard developed the metaphors test which uses the five point Likert scale to help in the measuring of the ability of an individual to interpret sensitive contents (Hintikka, 2013). However, this idea was not understood by the public until Frederick proposed the cognitive reflection test that assesses the various degrees of engagement of individuals in the completion of skills. Furthermore, the social dominance orientation scale as explained by Henkel and Stewart allows for the measuring of differences in the hierarchy of people in the society. Currently, these abilities prove essential in job situations because of the weight positioned on an individuals sentimental and cognitive possession (Frederick, 2005). Methodologies Used In the Study Participants The people who participated in this learning research were 268 first year students pursuing psychology, and the numerical values were 182 and 86 females and males respectively. Analysis of the Measures Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) Emotional intelligence influences how people reach to the conclusion of judgments on an individual level to realize outcomes that are constructive through utilizing distinct human behaviors (Curtis, Ochoa, Ladrazo Barchard) .Therefore, the cognitive reflection test concept assesses reasoning abilities which are specific in nature, and require an individual to choose a deliberate and reflective answer over a wrong one. Additionally, it involves three items on brainteasers and the use of a format of the free response, with measures in time and risk preferences domain and has been used in the below example. For example, in the CRT test carried out on the first year psychology class, the following was determinable. Question; If the total cost of a ball and a bat is 1.10 dollars, and the ball is 1 dollar more than the ball, what is the price of the ball? Solution; Assuming that the price of the ball is X, and it costs one dollar more, its new value will be presented with the equation (X + 1) Therefore, the price of the bat and ball is expressed in the following equation; bat + ball = X + (X + 1) = 1.1.This is because the bat and ball are both pricing 1.10 dollars which mean that (2X + 1 = 1.1). Equivalently, 2X = 0.1 and therefore X = 0.05, meaning that ball costs 5 cents and the bat prices at 1.05 dollars each. Inherently, the study was based on the approach that if a participant answered a question correctly, the score they are awarded is three and zero for wrong answers. This is to say that two right answers attract a score of two and one right one is awarded a score of one. Metaphors Test Barchard and Hensley put forward the metaphors test which is used in the measurement of an individual's ability to relate emotional content from communication that is written. It consists of ten metaphors and applies the five-point Likert scale that assisted the participants to indicate the degree to which every metaphor raised each emotion (Li, 2013). The Likert scale refers to a one-dimensional and orderly scheme where respondents have the option of choosing the best answer that is in line with their view. All the choices have labels and in scoring and award of marks, the numbers are assigned to every option from 1 to 5 which are usually the most common ones. An example of a Likert scale on the response of participants on how the metaphor stated evoked memories through refreshing, guilt and upset. Agree strongly Relatively agree Neutral Disagree relatively Disagree strongly Does the metaphor morning be a sheet of clean paper evoke memories of upset, refresh or guilt? ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) The selection of questions is based on mathematical processes which include summing the scores for all items and calculating the connections between the items mentioned. For each item, the t-value is calculated for both the bottom and top quarters of the judges, leading to the rejection of those with lower values. This is because the higher the value of the question, the greater the extent of discrimination of the question and the lower the values, the minimal discrimination practices on the question. Social Dominance Orientation Scale Test (SDO) Social dominance orientation is used in the prediction of group vs. group behaviors and conflicts and it consists of two groups SDO dominance and SDO egalitarianism (Hindriks, Verkuyten Coenders, 2014). The structure of social dominance orientation scale used in the study of the participants is presented in the table below; SDO-Dominance (SDO-D) SDO-Egalitarianism(SDO-E) Portrait SDO-D: Portrait SDO-E: 1.Everybody benefits if their group is at the top 1.Group equality should not be pushed for 2.The idea that some groups are sharing quality top and 2. It is not proper guaranteeing equality in all aspects to groups Bottom is a good one. 3.For an ideal society, some groups have to be at the bottom 3.There is injustice in ensuring equity in all groups And others at the top (Todosijevi?,2016). 4.Some groups are always superior to others. 4.Equalityof groups should not be a priority. 5.Groups are always deserving regardless of their hierarchy 5.There is need for giving all groups a chance to succeed 6.There should be no domination by anyone in the society. 6.There is need for equalization of conditions for various groups 7.There should be an improvement for groups at the bottom. 7.All groups need to have the same life chances 8. The principle of dominance in groups is a poor one. 8.Equality in groups is the ideal situation Procedures The questionnaires were completed by the participants through the SurveyMonley on a PC in the tutorial classroom of students. Results The results of the study are summarized in the table below; Correlations 1 2 3 1. SDO _ 2. Metaphors Test -.22* _ 3. CRT -.18* .06 _ * Significant at p .05, ** significant at p .01 This means that for metaphors test, answers aligned according to opinions and are assigned to options 1 to 5 and for CRT, two right answers attract a score of two and one right one is awarded a score of one. Conclusion In conclusion, the metaphors, social dominance orientation scale and the cognitive reflection tests are indispensable in carrying out the studies on the ability of persons to handle and apply real life situations. References Barchard, K. A., Hensley, S., Anderson, E. D., Walker, H. E. (2013). Measuring the ability to perceive the emotional connotations of written language.Journal of personality assessment,95(4), 332-342. Frederick, S. (2005). Cognitive reflection and decision making.The Journal of Economic Perspectives,19(4), 25-42. Herreid, C. F., Schiller, N. A., Herreid, K. F., Wright, C. B. (2014). A chat with the survey monkey: case studies and the flipped classroom.Journal of College Science Teaching,44(1), 75-80. Hindriks, P., Verkuyten, M., Coenders, M. (2014). Dimensions of social dominance orientation: The roles of legitimizing myths and national identification.European Journal of Personality,28(6), 538-549. Hintikka, J. (Ed.). (2013).Aspects of metaphor(Vol. 238). Springer Science Business Media. Ho, A. K., Sidanius, J., Kteily, N., Sheehy-Skeffington, J., Pratto, F., Henkel, K. ... Stewart, A. (2015). The nature of social dominance orientation: Introducing the Social Dominance Orientation-7 Scale.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Holmes, T. (2016). The motivation for political attitudes: The relationship between behavioral approach and inhibition systems and political orientation. Li, Q. (2013). A novel Likert scale based on fuzzy sets theory.Expert Systems with Applications,40(5), 1609-1618. Roe, M., Curtis, M. G., Ochoa, E., Ladrazo, L. M., Barchard, K. A. Measuring Emotional Intelligence: Examining the Discriminant Validity of the Metaphors Test. Todosijevi?, B. (2016). Tolerance of Diversity and Diversity of Intolerance: Evidence from Serbia.Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 1-13.

John Dalton Essays (1512 words) - Stoichiometry, John Dalton, Dalton

John Dalton John Dalton was born in September 5,1766 in Eaglesfield in Cumberland, England. Dalton and his family lived in a small country house. His family had been Quakers since 1690. Quakers where members of a society of friends. John had a brother named Mary and A brother named Charles, when he was born his brother was twelve years old and his sister was two years old. Dalton's birth was not recorded, so when he grew up older he asked one of his relatives and got and answer which was his birthday. His parents were honest people and good workers. His dad Joseph had land he had inherited were Dalton and his brother Charles help out with the crop. His mother Deborah Greenup homespun textile Dalton's sister help her too. John Dalton's family were poor but "although they were never hungry they were poor" Dalton was lucky he was a Quaker , other boys received little or no education, but as Quakers Dalton received a fair education at the closest Quaker school . For Dalton it was an achievement goin g to school since in those times only one out of two-hundred and fifteen people could read. John Dalton went to the Quaker school at Pardshow Hall. Dalton was quick when it came to studies and in mathematical problems he was good and seem to be tireless of them. John Fletcher was Dalton's teacher, he was a smart man who didn't use a rod to hammer in learning to Dalton, he was to provide Dalton with a excellent back-round and lifelong quest for knowledge. Then came Elihu Robinson a rich Quaker gentlemen. who become Dalton's mentor, and was another person to lead Dalton to mathematics , science, and specially meteorology. John Dalton had an intense fascination for meteorology he even in fact kept careful daily weather records for forty six straight years. When Dalton was twelve he opened his school in Eaglesfield. He was smaller than some boys so he was threatened by the older boys who wanted to fight with the young teacher. He managed to control the kids for two years, but eventually due to poor salary Dalton return to work the land for his rich uncle. In 1785 Dalton and his brother opened another school this time at Kendall where Dalton had recently moved in. The school offered English, Latin, Greek, French, along with twenty one mathematics and science subjects. Although they were sixty students attending, Dalton and Charles had to borrow money and take outside jobs to support themselves. John Dalton was very smart, but he was poor, unorganized and he was colorblind, In France this condition was known as Daltonism. Being colorblind was terrible for a chemist, but inspite of this disadvantages he helped contribute to science. Once in his mom's birthday, he bought his mom some very special stockings. He taught they were blue and asked his brother to verify if it were really blue, that's when Dalton found out him and his brother were both colorblind. Dalton studied the condition from which himself suffer colorblindness. And he did a paper in it which, brought mo re attention than then his first book published when presented to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. His paper was the earliest description of the phenomenon of vision. John Dalton later met another man named Gough who was his new mentor. He was the son of a wealthy tradesman, and was blind. He taught Dalton languages, mathematics, and optics. Dalton dedicated to Gough two of his earliest published books to Gough who had encourage his lifelong interest in meteorology, Gough was the one that told Dalton to keep a daily journal, and he would for forty six straight years. Through his observations Dalton was the first to prove the validity of the concept that rain is precipitated by a decrease in temperature, not by a change in atmospheric pressure. In 1787 Dalton began to try to get more money by selling his eleven volume classified botanical collections and giving public lectures. His studying were to prepare him for medical school, but because of lacked of money, his family discourage him and did not feel he was suited for a physician. In 1793

buy custom Overly Dependent on Technology essay

buy custom Overly Dependent on Technology essay Introduction The wave of technology has caused the society to become more dependent on it, especially in 21st century. This is because of the manner in which technology has proved to be very effective as well as facilitating the ease of doing things. Technology ranges from the time of agrarian revolution, then came industrialization to now the famous information society. During agrarian revolution, technology was very essential for instance for tilling land and also lighting fire which was used as a form of energy during those times (Ambrose, 2001). Again, during industrialization, technology also proved to be useful in substituting manpower and using machines to do the same jobs which were initially done by human being. The same jobs which were done by human being could now be done using machines and as a result could be finished faster and effectively. Today, people are living in a society which is dominated by information. This is referred to as information society and people are said to live in a digital age. This essay aims to discuss the extent to which people have become dependent on their day to day activities including how organizations make use of technology in an attempt of competitive edge. For the sake of the reader of this essay , it is worth giving a brief introduction regarding what technology is all about. Many people do refer technology as only those aspect which are related to computers as well as the current trends of telecommunication. However, technology has different meaning to different people (Thomson, 2009). It is worth mentioning that the perspective to which people refer technology is different and therefore emerges that it is of essence to define technology as far as this essay is concerned. Technology can be defined as the process whereby nature is modified by human beings in an attempts of achieving their needs. The fact that the needs which would make human being more comfortable as well as the aspects which would be considered to improve the living standards of human beings continue to increase or rather to emerge, necessitates the need to come up with new inventions. It therefore emerges that technology will continue to evlve as these needs arise. It can be said that technology is as a result of engineering as well as science (McGinn, 1991). Whereas engineering deals with the design of the technology in question, science on the other hand deals with the condition as well as features under which the designs in question should operate. The discussion now embanks on the dependency of technology by people. Discussion Technology civilized society refers to the current generation which is using knowledge and information for economic gains. This means that almost every thing which is done by people depends on this technology (Ambrose, 2001).The reason being that, such information can only be received processed and stored in such devices which are developed as result of technology. This means that for instance if the current generation was to live without technology, it would turn out to be unrealistic and as such, there are some of the activities with are significant in as far as day to day operations are concerned which cannot be realized without technology. An example of this include mobile telephones meant for communication or computers in the office meant for processing information. This gives a clear indication that the society nowadays depends on technology to execute their day to day activities which might turn out to be unrealistic in the event that technology is not accessible (McGinn, 1991 ). Another example is in case of food in the homes of individuals, food is preserved using refrigerators. This means that in the event that refrigerators are not functioning, the food in homes of individuals would end up going bad after sometimes especially perishable goods or rather food. It therefore emerges that people turned to technology to increase the shelf life of food. Again microwaves have proved to be useful in as far as warming of food is concerned .Food preparation time has significantly been condensed as a result of use of new equipments as well as machines(Noble, 1984). This results in saving time which can be used in doing otheer productive work. This is what makes people to depend on technology as it saves valuable time. Computers and related gargets such as laptops, palmtops, mobile telephones just to mention but a few have enabled people to communicate in real time regardless of geographical location as well time. Asynchronous and synchronous communication has been made easy due to the invention of world wide web which apparently makes the world to appear as a small village. This has facilitated globalization due to the ease of communication as well as that one of doing business as business people can get market for their products internationally. This means that sudden lack of these devices which have eased the way people communicate can cause a lot of inconveniencies to many people hence people have become dependent on technology(McGinn, 1991). The other area which has made people become more dependent on technology is tele-working which is also referred to as telecommuting. This is a situation whereby people or rather employees work at the comfort of their home and then send their completed assignments to their employers. A good example includes freelancers who work remotely. This means that technology has facilitated a level ground which enables people regardless of the time and geographical location to have equal opportunities of accessing jobs(Ambrose, 2001). This means that in absence of technology some of the people who depend on it can be left jobless. Conclusion This discussion shows that people have become dependent on technology in all spheres of life ranging from communication to other home-based core activities such as cooking and preserving food. Although technology has proved to be very useful in as far as the life of the current society is concerned, there are also some aspects of technology which prove to be negative in the society (Noble, 1984). This includes interference of work with family matters as people carry office work to their home and continue working at home in prevalence of involving themselves with family matters. Buy custom Overly Dependent on Technology essay

The use of budgets in the improvement of management performance and Essay

The use of budgets in the improvement of management performance and control within global businesses - Essay Example What were relevant a century ago are no longer valid because of increased competition and ever changing products, their characteristics and consumer preferences. The following piece of information would be useful for companies presently engaged in traditional budgeting but willing to switch over to other types of budgeting. The purposes of budgeting One of the functions of management is â€Å"planning†. Budgeting is a part and form of planning necessitated by resource constraints. It has been defined as the formal expression of plans, goals, and objectives a management is committed to, concerning all aspects of operations in a business for a given period of time. It is a part of profit planning mechanism based on forecasting and probabilities according to the manager’s best judgement. Budgeting is more often found to be useful in making a business more profitable (Shim, Siegel, & Shim, 2011). Thus, budgeting helps estimate resources in terms of monetary value needed for business activities. Budgeting process forces one to rigorous thinking and the realities of the process will also force one to rethink the plans. Budgeting helps in determining the timing of the requirements. The business is able to monitor its income and expenditure and identify problems if any. It is the basis for accountability of managers and provides transparency. Without the budget, funds cannot be raised from financiers (Shapiro, 2001). Conventional budgeting Called traditional budgeting, it is based on the historical accounting though for the first year the figures are only estimates. Past expenditures are taken as bench marks for future performance. Thus, the budget turns out as list of planned expenditure and incomes. These budgets calculate estimated sales through market demand or production capacity and arrive at estimated revenues. It main purpose is to verify whether actual results are as per the estimates made for each cost or responsibility centre. Thus, budgeting s erves as a management tool for the purpose of controlling the responsibility centres. It also helps to have an overview of how different responsibility centres are interrelated. This type of budgeting can be useful for producer dominated markets such as those existed during the period immediately after world war II when demand for products was high with limited competition (Rohm, 2007). Types of budgets Unlike traditional budgeting which is function oriented, activity based budgeting (ABB) focuses on activity. It looks at the budgeted cost of activities that are required for manufacture and sale of products or for providing services. The activity based budgeting is directly linked to cost management as a part of planning and control. As in traditional budgeting, ABB starts with the forecasting of demand for the company’s products or services known as sales budget. Where as in functional budgeting, company proceeds to make inventory budget, material purchases and the cost of g oods sold budget, ABB considers the demand for output of each activity determined by its cost driver. Rate of consumption of resources for each activity is used for estimating or budgeting the needed resources. In functional budgeting, resources required are directly measured with the use of sales forecasted. In ABB, sales forecasts are employed to measure the activities which then enable determination of resource requirement. This way a company is able control waste and efficiency which is the ultimate goal of budgeting. Application of activity based costing helps preparation of master budget in a more practical manner. In effect, ABB applies the ABC model which assigns resource costs to activities and allocates activity costs to produce products and services (Shim, Siegel, & Shim, 2011). Zero Based

Society and Culture Aims and Objectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Society and Culture Aims and Objectives - Essay Example This could be said to be the capacity of the human beings to affect choices between alternatives, and to exercise and to impose those choices on society. It is normally contrasted to common forces, which are causes involving only spontaneous processes. Human agencies envisages the apparent claims that humans do, in fact, make decisions and endorse them on How humans come to make decisions, by free choice or other processes, is another issue.(Agency(Philosophy) 2008). Individualized human behaviour is a complex and intricate process of the human mind and behaviour, although aspects of group behaviours patterns could be predicted with reasonable degree of certainly and accuracy. The mental buildup and behaviourism of criminal thoughts and actions could offer analysis on its workings. It has earlier been explained that structure deals with the grouping, or collective mass of homogenous or, even heterogeneous matters to form a social structure or arrangement. In the criminal settings, a prison, or a penitentiary may serve to act as a social structure, group or setting. Even in terms of psychiatry, which relies heavily on sociology and social behaviourism, crime could be explained in terms of perverse or anti-social connotations. More than a desire to accumulate wealth, or money, criminal minds works to wreck revenge or retribution on the establishment since they may, at some time, have suffered deprivations at its hands. Again, the structure of the criminal mind, or the process of criminalised society is an offshoot of the social structure, which forms the basis of this paper. Centralization of wealth: Thus, it is seen that social structures creates avenues for disillusionment for people in terms of wealthy cliques, class differences and other subgroups. This in turn, may centralize wealth or potential for wealth in the hands of a select few to the exclusion of the toiling masses. The disparities in the social groups give rise to disillusionment, frustration, poverty and resultant criminal behaviour. Nevertheless, one could argue that criminals are present e vent in the wealthy groups, so where does the nexus between social groups and crime, organized or otherwise, arise When we consider that a wealthy criminal is governed not by class considerations but his intentions to negate society, to dominate and control it, to the exclusions of others, including legally elected Governments of countries. In the case of India, in parts of Northern provinces, people pay taxes to the local Mafiosi's and not to government, since they are well aware that the government cannot protect their lives or properties, but the Mafias could. These organized criminal groups or

Different ways to compete in the soft drink business Case Study

Different ways to compete in the soft drink business - Case Study Example Through the sales of internet routers, the company managed to raise high revenue of approximately ten billion dollars. However, this was brought to an end in the year 2008 when the demand of products from the company such as internet hardware dropped. At this point, the best action to be taken by any manager who wants to save the company from collapsing is to make adjustment on the business plan and strategies so as to fix the problem. John Chambers was very wise and keen on the issue; after realizing that the market of internet router could not raise the great profits that were required to match the standards of the company, he embarked on another business plan. The plan was to shift in to very new markets and industries. One of the strategies was to expand in a rapid way from the software business and the core internet hardware to the consumer electronic industry. His first step to implement the plan was to associate with companies that were already producing products related to th e internet. The CEO sought to get hold of the companies that dealt with internet bandwidth products so as to increase the consumer demand since this would result in to a high demand for the Cisco`s products. Through John Chambers, Cisco made an announcement in the year 2009 that it would make a payment of $590 for purchasing pure digital for making video camcorders that are more colorful and are pocket sized. This further increased the financial status of Cisco due to the fact that over two million people could access and share the video through the web (Jones & George, 263-264). If I were the manager of Cisco system, I could have done the same things he did or come up with a plan with strategy for implementation that would end up in high performance. It is always believed that better plans always reflects on a bright future for the business and that lack of a business plan results in to hesitations , mistaken business decisions and false steps. Having this in mind, I would make a p lan for a good number of reasons. It`s importance is to give the company proper direction for the right purpose since the plan contains the objectives that the organization has to achieve and the strategies to be used. I believe this would have a great impact on the company so that as soon as the demand of the Internet s products provided by the Cisco Company goes down, then the strategies of the plan would help save the company from collapsing. This could be done by linking the company to other industries that produce items that are the same as the ones produced by Cisco to come up with a better opinion to help increase the consumer demand (Covey, 162). The challenge of proper planning and formulating a proper strategy to implement it was well overcomed by the CEO of Samsung electronics, Lee Kun. In the year 2000, the company which was mainly based in Korea emerged to be in the second position in terms of profit among the companies in global technology coming just after the Microso ft. There were strategies and steps that were followed by the organization which enabled them to attain their targeted goal. Under the guidance of Lee Kun, Samsung electronics developed and built competencies as the first step in the manufacturing of low-priced products. The second step was to put all the efforts in the manufacture of R&D. At the end, the organization used those

Causes of Ketamine Addiction

Causes of Ketamine Addiction Psychology of Drug Addictions Stephanie Boaz ABSTRACT Ketamine was first discovered in 1961 but not synthesized until 1962 by a man of the name of Calvin Stevens that worked with Parke Davis Labs (http://azarius.net/encyclopedia/39/Ketamine). Stevens discovered Ketamine when searching for a replacement for PCP anesthetics. It was not until 1965 that Ketamine was later used as a relational drug which was discovered by Edward Domino (http://azarius.net/encyclopedia/39/Ketamine). Ketamine is considered to be a fast acting, dissociative anesthetic (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). Ketamine is not like your customary anesthetics it works by blocking the brains activity from the body. Without stimulation the brain’s perceptions increase causing the brain to start a hallucinogenic state of mine also known as the emergence phenomena (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). Ketamine has the chemical name: 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanone (http://azarius.net/encylopedia/39/Ketamine). How Does a Person Get Hooked on Ketamine Ketamine is used in many different ways. It is used an anesthetic on humans it is primarily used on children or the elderly and people of third world countries due to the emergence phenomena (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). When using Ketamine as a recreational drug is comes in many forms such as powder, tablet, or in a liquid form which are taken orally, anally, snorting, or injected in the muscle or veins. Once administered intramuscularly it takes roughly two minutes to take effect (Julien, Advokat, Comaty, 2011, pg.530). If snorted it takes about 5-10 minutes to take effect, peak times are different according to the way the drug is administered ( http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). With the use of Ketamine it has psychic sensations that may occur such as mood state and body images, floating sensations, vivid dreams or illusions and the occasional frank delirium (http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/7/2/59.full). Ketamine is also known as Special K on the streets. It has the similar effects as to what PCP would have on a person. Once the drug is ingested the body can feel the effects for up to 24 hours after (http://casapalmera.com/uses-symptoms-and-effects-of-ketamine). Special K is also a drug that is very well known for its use in date rape. This drug is both odorless and has no taste at all. There are many street names for this drug that include: (http://casapalmera.com/uses-symptoms-and-effects-of-ketamine). Special K K Super Acid Kit kat Vitamin K Jet Honey oil Purple Cat Valium Ketamine or Special K has many signs and symptoms that accompany the use of this drug which consist of and are not limited to (http://casapalmera.com/uses-symptoms-and-effects-of-ketamine): Hallucinations Poor vision Amnesia Strange heart rate patterns Nausea Identity confusion Elevated heart rate Numbness Out of body experiences Delirium Rash Confusion of time Depression Poor coordination Seizures Realistic dreams There are many long term side effects from the use of Ketamine/Special K (http://casapalmera.com/uses-symptoms-and-effects-of-ketamine): Permanent memory loss Anxiety Respiratory complication Neuroses Inability to pay attention Poor learning ability Night terrors Mental disorders PTSD Increase in blood pressure Flashbacks Loss of consciousness Depression Insomnia Once Ketamine /Special K is used on a regular basis the drug begins to build up in the person body thus forming a tolerance to the drug. Once this is done it requires that more and more of the drug be utilized in order to feel the high that the person is seeking. Once the drug has been used for a long period of time the effects may take many years to overcome. In order to completely overcome the addiction it requires the use of drug rehabilitation (http://casapalmera.com/uses-symptoms-and-effects-of-ketamine). With the use of Ketamine/Special K a person is seeking the feeling of detachment from reality. The person feels free from life. Although Ketamine/Special K is an addictive drug it is also know to be relatively safer compared to some drugs due to the fact that if one is administering the drug to themselves that they are more likely to pass out before injection or ingesting to much of the drug to cause an overdose, unless they are administering a large dose very quickly (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). If administered in a high dose it can cause the person to become immobilized or even to become transfixed. Over many years there have been deaths due to the use of Ketamine/Special K but not because of an overdose but due to the fact that the person suffered from the side effects on a physical aspect. Such as but not limited to falling down or hitting something due to the black outs that occur when under the influence of the drug (http://www.drugs-forum.com /forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). Although Ketamine/Special K is not considered to physically addictive it is however psychologically addictive (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). Due to addiction of Ketamine/Special K the withdrawals of this drug are considered to be somewhat nonexistent. There are symptoms from chronic users that consist of minor tension, twitchiness, poor attention spans and restlessness which could be caused from the sedatives in the drug itself may linger in the blood stream for a period of time (http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). As of this date there is only one country that Ketamine/Special K is legal an considered to be an unscheduled drug and that is in Iran http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine). Other countries have made the drug illegal to possess unless they have a license to administer the drug or prescribe as a medication legally. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13 â€Å"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptations he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure.† Conclusions In conclusion, Ketamine/Special K has been around for quite some time in this country. And as we have learned there are many side effects that come with the use of this drug. Many people whom are addicted to this drug have the choice of not allowing it to consume them or just giving into the addiction. I learned that this drug is readily available and is used in many different ways such as a date rape drug and a drug to just be able to disassociate yourself from your problems. I can see someone using this drug in order to escape the troubles of everyday life. Also, that the side effects of coming off of the drugs are not as noticeable as other drugs. References http://azarius.net/encyclopedia/39/Ketamine/ http://casapalmera.com/uses-symptoms-and-effects-of-ketamine, Addiction to Special K http://ceaccp.oxfordjournals.org/content/7/2/59.full, Ketamine http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Ketamine Julien, R.M., Advokat, C.D., Comaty, J.E. (2011). A primer of drug action (12th ed.).New York, NY: Worth. Holly Bible, King James Version

The Poetry of A. E. Housman Essay -- essays research papers

The Poetry of A. E. Housman Housman was born in Burton-On-Trent, England, in 1865, just as the US Civil War was ending. As a young child, he was disturbed by the news of slaughter from the former British colonies, and was affected deeply. This turned him into a brooding, introverted teenager and a misanthropic, pessimistic adult. This outlook on life shows clearly in his poetry. Housman believed that people were generally evil, and that life conspired against mankind. This is evident not only in his poetry, but also in his short stories. For example, his story, "The Child of Lancashire," published in 1893 in The London Gazette, is about an child who travels to London, where his parents die, and he becomes a street urchin. There are veiled implications that the child is a homosexual (as was Housman, most probably), and he becomes mixed up with a gang of similar youths, attacking affluent pedestrians and stealing their watches and gold coins. Eventually he leaves the gang and becomes wealthy, but is attacked by t he same gang (who don't recognize him) and is thrown off London Bridge into the Thames, which is unfortunately frozen over, and is killed on the hard ice below. Housman's poetry is similarly pessimistic. In fully half the poems the speaker is dead. In others, he is about to die or wants to die, or his girlfriend is dead. Death is a really important stage of life to Housman; without death, Housman would probably not have been able to be a poet. (Housman, himself, died ...

Generic Organization Essay

A group is a well structured organization with different individuals that has different characteristics and diversity these groups can be formal or informal. In my research I have found that retail stores such as Wal-Mart and Kmart has organizational structure. Group task satisfaction describes the group-level counterpart to individual job satisfaction and represents the group’s shared attitude toward its task and work environment. Places such as Wal-Mart demonstrate these skills to make their organization. The prevalence of groups and teams in the workplace (Beyerlein, Johnson, & Beyerlein, 1995; Devine, Clayton, Philips, Dunford, & Melner, 1999) makes it important to understand their effects on group members. In this paper I will identify an industry and organization type, explain four problems that could impact groups productivity, develop and describes logical and appropriate recommendations for each of the four problems provided and its recommendation, wide training, and the conclusion. Organizational structure may be defined as the system of relations that subsist among a variety of positions and position holders. Formal structure is a blueprint of relations that has been knowingly deliberated and put into action by the organization. It includes a formal chain of command of power as well as policies and procedures and other premeditated attempts to control conduct. Wal-Mart organizational structure consists of a divisional structure. A divisional structure has three different categories in which are product structure, market structure, and geographic structure. Wal-Mart falls under market structure. This is where groups function by types of customers so that each division contains the functions it needs to service a specific segment of the market. For example Wal-Mart offers vision, pharmacy, haircuts, grocery, crafts, clothes, electronics, house wares and etc†¦ This means each department will conduct its own group within Wal-Mart this will separate each structured group such as managers, supervisors, customer service, stockers, CEO, and so forth. With so many different employees within the company each individual has their own task but it takes group structure to make sure that the task is complete. Every task that is met within the group mostly deals how Wal-Mart revenues. If the each group orks together with their task then the job can be complete and helps Wal-Mart makes money. If the groups fail then Wal-Mart fails, this leads to behavior within the group. According to Losh, S (2010), â€Å"as group members, we frequently behave in ways that we do not as individuals. And our behavior as group members may fluctuate from group to group. † Companies such as Wal-Mart want to be successful and a key component of many businesses is the creation and development of new ideas. Efficient processes or products and services, many times, come from the ideas of more than one individual and generally involve teams or groups. Although teams and groups often are mistaken as identical units because they involve multiple individuals however differ in leadership, decision-making, and accountability. Another aspect to consider with groups and teams is workplace diversity and its effects on these units and especially the dynamics of a team. According to Robbins and Judge (2009), â€Å"a work group’s main purpose is to share information and make decisions that help other members of the group. † Work groups focus is on individual goals, holding themselves individually accountable. It also provides a platform for knowledge and information sharing that would not otherwise be available to us. Group even provides an identity to its members. Still cooperative group is something that comes with lot of effort. For example a cashier’s at Wal-Mart goal is too quickly and accurately process customer’s orders. If asked, he or she will share information regarding a price or item, but his or her main concern is a balanced cash drawer at the end of the shift. The cashier is not concerned about another cashier’s cash drawer even though each cashier is a member of a work group . A team is a small group of individuals with knowledge and skills that complement the knowledge and skills of other team members. The work is interdependent. Team members actively interact together toward a common goal while holding the team aggregate accountable. Work teams create synergy. Synergy happens when a team’s result is greater than the total of the individual results of the members. Group behaviors impact group productivity, by determining the outcome of the productivity. Negative group behaviors will produce negative productivity and vice versa with positive group behaviors. There are four problems that can impact group productivity; culture, conflict, group diversity, group cohesive, and characteristics. Culture in a work group can impact a work group it can be either positive or negative. According to Sergeant J, & Laws Chapman, C. (2012), â€Å"teams that operate in stressful environments are less collaborative and more likely to make mistakes (Business in the Community 2009). Building emotional resilience, therefore, can create healthier workplace cultures, reduce absenteeism, improve teamwork and raise morale. In some ways culture can be like personality. A person personality is made of values and beliefs, interests, underlying assumptions, upbringing and habits. Culture I am sure is influenced by leadership at Wal-Mart such as a manager or executive. With Wal-Mart being a big company and having so many employees you can maybe even look at the manager’s desk and tell his culture and background. Culture may become so dominant that employees and employers alike may dismiss good ideas that seem counter to the organizational culture. Companies that do not have an open and flexible culture can find themselves losing a competitive edge because they do not adapt to the changes within in the market making it bad for the workplace. Another problem that can harm a group organization is conflict if you have an individual that disagrees with others idea then this causes conflicts. The differentiator of a successful group is that the group members share sense of trust among themselves as well as feeling of shared responsibilities however the one that is different from the rest of the group may not and this can create problems in the group. Say for instance if you have a employer at Wal-Mart that thinks that organizing food cans and meat in a different order but you have more than one employee that is okay with what is being done this brings negative impact because then others going to feel that maybe she is right then this may not be good for the employer. Diversity can take many forms namely age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, mental and physical capabilities and ethnicity and culture are the main areas of diversity and have a continuous impact throughout our lives. Managing and valuing diversity is a key component of effective people management, which can improve workplace productivity but sometimes it can create a problem. According to Diversity Takes Center Stage at Wal-Mart (2013) â€Å"Reports on the effort of Wal-Mart Stores to enforce work diversity in its stores in the U. S. Remarks from Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart, on the reduction of bonuses if Wal-Mart does not promote women and minorities in the workplace; Allegations against Wal-Mart for gender bias and unfair treatment of workers; Information on the pay structure implemented by the company. If employees feel that because of their culture race or religion are affecting them then nice times out of ten it would create chaos in workplace such as Wal-Mart. Diversity can aid in bringing awareness of different cultures, races and age difference into a mix, but can have negative effects if people are not well prepared in how to work in that environment. According to MacDonald, Lynne (2010), â€Å"Companies put a great deal of time and effort in to encouraging employees to work effectively with their colleagues. † If a company finds that workers have bonded in to a cohesive group, it should be a positive discovery. However, this is not always the case and it can turn sour. While cohesive groups offer advantages in terms of social support for group members, they also present disadvantages for the employer. Low performance norms can be very detrimental to group productivity meaning they will not make much effort to meet group deadline. Characteristics can also be a problem in workplace bad characteristics from an employee can make a workplace unpleasant reducing employees moral and productivity. Some employees can’t find anything positive to say. They criticize their supervisor, the corporate office, other employees and even customers. If you have a stock person working at Wal-Mart the normally stock at night but really hate the night schedule and all the do is complain, complain this lacks enthusiasm from other co-workers around them. This can also make the group to become dishonery towards upper management in the facility. Even having an am employee that gossips can cause conflict in the group because they are the ones who are always twisting the story and only thing at this point is to put them on disciplinary action. There are many ways a workplace can address the negative impacts in a workplace by developing action plan to address the negative Sometimes enterprise-wide systems and compensation schemes need to be revamp, but more often business performance and results are affected. Using customized survey this means getting employees thoughts and idea and surveying patterns and correlations that are effecting the company. Use open minded questions asking employees if there is anything they would like to address putting everything on the table but in a professional manner. Even the company should sacrifice companywide training. Country wide training should be conducted not only for the employees but also for management such as managers CEO, human resource department, and also crew members. Despite the importance of training, a trainer can encounter resistance from both employees and managers. Both groups may claim that training is taking them away from their work. However, a trainer can combat this by demonstrating that training is actually a crucial part of employees’ and managers’ work, completing task and working well with others. These also open doors for employees to get to know other employees culture and background. Conclusion Group work is important because it helps solve problem and accomplish task in a workplace. Working in a group allows members to share responsibilities, rather than the brunt of the work falling in the hands of one person. Instead, group members can delegate tasks to individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the task successfully. Because we are human beings we have our own characteristics, style, culture and diversity which sometimes can be a hindrance to a group but doing things such as companywide training can help every employee to conquer the power of being in a group in a workplace. Working in a group can help individuals build long-lasting relationships based on trust and loyalty. As group members, people learn about the common things they share and differences, which lead them to seek group members they can build relationships with even outside of the group.

Writing Comments Example

Writing Comments Example Writing Comments – Coursework Example Writing Comments al Affiliation 17th April What Experienced Collaborators Say about Collaborative WritingA group is different from a team in the content and not the structure. They both are made up of individuals working together but with different dynamics and different ideology. A group works under structures of authority with divided roles within the group. A team works as a synergy with concerted effort in one task after the other. As a student I believe teachers usually avoid collaborative writing because of social loafing; a member of the group does nothing at the expense of the others. A teacher can make group discussion better by making the students understand the purpose for group, the leadership of the group, challenges and how to resolve them when they arise.Collaborative writing The key factors for successful collaborative writing would include effective group leadership, better decision making criteria set, better solving of group conflict, and clear group interaction me thods. Time management in communication in the group set up has been improved through the change in contents of technical communication. The fact that technical communication has been shifted from the intermediary to individual has increased the transfer of communication among the general members of the group who take the information as a synergy rather than individual to individual communication.The Changing Nature of Technical Communication PracticeDynamism refers to that ability that exists to take up change. The change is either in nature or in person. Communications that involve technical communicators in the past involve people who acted as information links between different people working in a team. Knowledge economy through communication in a team involves making many team members aware of important information. Engineers and marketers in the past were not dynamic due to the nature of communication in the teams but due to changes in the roles of the technical communication practice the notion of lack of dynamism has changed. Technical communication is saving time since it is becoming less solitary and text based to more interactive and team based. Technical communicators now meet varying and rigorous responses that requires them to elicit better content and time management.ReferencesJames, C. â€Å"From the Structure of Text to the Dynamic of Teams: The Changing Nature of Technical Communication Practice† (2005). PrintNancy, A , Dianne. A, Meg. M, Teresa. M, and Craig, S. â€Å"what Experienced Collaborators Say About Collaborative Writing† Journal of Business and Technical Communication. (1987). Print

Urban Sprawl and Public Health Article Summary

Urban Sprawl and Public Health Article Summary â€Å"Urban Sprawl and Public Health†, a journal article authored by Howard Frumkin in 2001 gives a detailed account of the physical and mental effects of urban expansion. The concept ‘urban sprawl’ refers to rapid development of urban areas against slow development of social amenities (Frumkin, 2001, p.3).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Urban Sprawl and Public Health Article Summary specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The author expounds that some of the distinct features that characterize urban sprawl include; increased economic opportunities, poor regional planning, and overreliance on automotive travel, which has a negative effect on physical health (Frumkin, 2001, p.1). Subsequently, abrupt extension of metropolitan areas leads to the emergence of social homogeneity that is undeniably detrimental to the health of city residents. Frumkin (2001, p.1) highlights that the effects of urban sprawl ha ve been debated for long. However, little attention has been focused on health implications arising from this phenomenon. It is essential to note that, urban lounge affect people’s life both positively and negatively. Against this background, this essay provides a summative analysis of the impacts of urban sprawl on mental and physical health of urban residents. In-depth analysis of literature has shown urban sprawl have adverse physical effects among urban dwellers. From the article, it is evident that people are highly motivated to shift from rural to metropolitan areas, yet some essential natural resources are not available in city centres. For instance, in urban areas there are no trees and other aesthetic facilities such as open ground recreational amenities (Frumkin, 2001, p.3). Moreover, the author emphasizes that physical activities in the densely populated urban centres has become a notable challenge. Lack of recreation activities, which are known to alleviate stress , affects both the physical and mental health of urban dwellers negatively.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Secondly, research conducted by psychologists indicates that people enjoy automotive commuting, yet it exposes them to mental stress, especially in the eventuality of heavy traffic jam. Moreover, excessive noise originating from traffic and industrial activities deprive urban dwellers a tranquil and calm atmosphere (Frumkin, 2001, p.3). Consequently, due to lack of soothing and restorative atmosphere most people suffer from headaches and other stress-related complications. It is reasonable to illuminate that a shift from suburbs to urban results to social isolation, loneliness and breakup of family ties, and this further leads to mental stress among city dwellers. Besides, Frumkin explicates that urban dwellers are susceptible to illnesses that are associated wit h large crowds. Poor urban zoning and influx of large crowds leads to scarcity of basic amenities. It is definite that when mental health of an individual is threatened, then the physical and emotional state of the body is affected too (Frumkin 2001, p.3). Studies have revealed that excessive commuting results to backaches and self-reported stress. Additionally, cardiovascular ailments have become a common phenomenon due to lack of exercise and stress. Since urban sprawl is characterized by heavy traffic, cases of accidents are rampant especially in situations where traffic safety is neglected (Frumkin, 2001, p.3). Another point of concern is that pollution results to respiratory ailments. Poor urban planning results to scarcity of basic facilities such as water utilized by the public and this can result to an outbreak of waterborne diseases.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Urban Sprawl and Public Health Article Summary specifically for you for only $16.0 5 $11/page Learn More There is a need to hypothesize that social separation especially among married people due to urban employment results to immorality which has adverse effects to one’s health (Frumkin, 2001, p.3). Consequently, sexual immorality in the urban centres increases the risk of sexually transmitted ailments, thus increasing mortality rate. Reference Frumkin, H 2001, ‘Urban Sprawl and Public health’, Public Health Reports, vol, 117, no.1, pp.1-3.

(a) What are ten small decisions that you as an individual make that Essay

(a) What are ten small decisions that you as an individual make that impacts upon the environment (b) How might you make each decision differently if you took - Essay Example Even though I live 5 minutes away from the university, I still get a ride rather than chose to walk. As a consequence of this decision, I burn a lot more fuel than I need to and in the process release gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. A healthier alternative is to chose to walk, cycle, carpool or use the public transportation system more often. This way I can save significantly on fuel consumption. Again, I should plan ahead and schedule my errands such that I can get everything done in one trip. Another decision as a result of which I waste a lot of fuel is not switching the engine off when I am waiting to pick up a friend to go someplace. At times I would have waited for as long as 15 minutes. This decision has a two-fold impact on the environment. Firstly, since the fuel used in the vehicles is fossil fuel, it is a waste of the limited resources that we have and secondly, keeping the engine running would result in the production of dangerous gases including carbon monoxide, which pollutes the atmosphere. As an alternative, I can turn off the engine and start again when all my friends get into the vehicle and we are ready to leave. While driving, I prefer to keep my vehicle’s air conditioner turned on at all times – even in stop-and-go traffic. According to Environment Canada (2003a), air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20% (para. 1). This decision again results in the release of dangerous gases into the atmosphere. The solution to reduce fuel consumption is to turn of the air conditioner when I have to drive slowly especially at stop and go traffic. Moeller (2004) emphasizes that an average human being breathes about 20 cubic meters of air each day. This amount of air roughly amounts to about 24 kilograms in weight. Hence lungs are by far the most important pathway for environmental pollutants

BUS499-Module 1 - Case- The Financial Perspective Essay

BUS499-Module 1 - Case- The Financial Perspective - Essay Example It is a service based company which offers services like marketing and promotional strategies, advertising scripts and advertising production for media channels, market research as well as forecasting. It is a globally recognized brand which represents global brands like Procter & Gamble, Toyota/Lexus, Visa International, and General Mills/Pillsbury. Charles and Maurice Saatchi, two brothers, founded the eponymous organization and after that in a decade the company grew phenomenally through mergers and acquisition. This company became popular because of its efficient and creative services to the clients. From the phenomenal growth in 80s the company came to recession in the early 1990 and in 1995 the company went bankrupt. To get better competitive advantages the agencies were linked with common ownership. The management of the company had decided to make changes in two areas of balanced scorecard; these are customer perspective and financial perspective. In terms of financial perspective, the management made the structural changes of the top hierarchy of the organization. In 1995, the joint directors i.e. the two Saatchi brothers quit this company and Bob Seelert, a senior official of P&G joined as a chairman of the company. Kevin Robert who was a top official of General Foods joined as CEO of in 1997 (Business-Intelligence, 2006, p.3). After this reformulation in the top level, the company started de-merging and publicly announced the next three years strategies of company’s comeback. Those goals were; growing company revenue more than market revenue, 30% of incremental revenue converting to operating revenue, doubling the EPS of the company. These goals were well accepted by the existing shareholders and become interested to the new investors (Business-Intelligence, 2006, p.3). The new management team found that the different business unit of the company did not have a common goal. They did financial health check by financial prospective analysis of

Ernest Miller Hemingway Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ernest Miller Hemingway - Research Paper Example Thesis statement: The compare and contrast study of the short stories A Clean, Well Lighted Place and Soldier's Home by Hemingway proves that both the works are with similar and dissimilar literary elements (special references to plot, character development, theme setting and mood). Compare and contrast The compare and study is based upon the literary elements like plot, character development, theme setting and mood. A. Plot The plot of the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place is related to the problem of alienation felt by the senior citizens in the society. The old man in the story never shows eagerness to reveal his identity and personal details. Instead, the conversation between the waiters at the Cafe reveals the personal details about the old man. The narrator in the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place, makes clear that â€Å"The waiter watched him go down the street, a very old man walking unsteadily but with dignity† (290). One can easily identify that the workà ¢â‚¬â„¢s plot is interconnected with the problems faced by human beings in their old age, disregarding their economic status. On the other side, the plot of the work Soldier's Home is interconnected with problems in human life, but from a different angle of view. For instance, one can easily identify that the author’s experience in wars and the alienation from the mainstream society can be seen as the motivation behind the plot. The protagonist (Harold Krebs) in the story is not ready to be free from the hangover of the war in Germany. In the short story Soldier's Home, the narrator points out that â€Å"He wanted to live along without consequences† (113). Besides, his hesitation to return to his native place with other soldiers reveals that he was not aware of his role in the society as a soldier. His return to his native place did not make any change in the society because he returned after a number years. His life with his family was not so successful because he was aware of the fact that his life is totally under the control of his father. At last, the protagonist is ready to break the shell of his dreamy world and faces the reality. To be specific, both the works deal with the problems in human life. The former work deals with the problems faced by elder citizens in a society, and the latter work deals with the problems faced by a soldier in his public and private domain. To be specific, the author chose human life as the plot for both the works and the only difference is in the treatment of the plot. B. Character development Some of the factors of character development in literature are concreteness, speech, behavior, motivation and change. Within this context, the main character (old man) in the short story A Clean, Well Lighted Place is displays concreteness because the author makes use of the waiters to provide information about him. This indirect technique proves to be successful because the conversation between the waiters unearths the specific characteristic of the main character. The old man’s speech with the waiters proves that he is able to take decisions of his own and others cannot change the same. Besides, he does not show any interest to communicate with others. The author provides ample importance to the strange behavior of the old man and the same proves that he is facing a number of problems in his family. Tyler states that â€Å" His suicidal attempt, his alcoholism, and his pathetic eagerness to stay at the deserted

Working as a registered nurse Essay Example for Free

Working as a registered nurse Essay I have been working as a registered nurse in Tacoma, WA since 2011 and I have chosen to assess the community health of Pierce County. Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and the largest city in the county and third largest city in the state (US Census Bureau, 2014). Pierce County is located south of Seattle and is comprised of 1,679 sq. miles, many of which front the Puget Sound. Northern areas of the county are comprised of islands and peninsulas only accessible by bridges or boats. It also contains one of the nation’s national parks and the state’s tallest peak, Mount Rainier. The Park’s boundaries largely define the eastern border of the County and the White and Nisqually Rivers make up the North and South boundaries respectively. (Snob Hollow Designs, 2014) Population Economic Status Assessment Nearly 820,000 people call Pierce County home. It boasts a high population density with 481 people per sq. mile. Urban areas comprise 93 percent of the county. (City-Data, 2014) The median household income in 2013 was estimated to be close to $60,000 and 12 percent of residents are living below the poverty level. (US Census Bureau, 2014) Blacks and African Americans make up the majority of low-income people despite the fact that they comprise only 7 percent of the County population. The majority of residents (76.5 percent) are white, 10 percent are non-black Hispanics and 6 percent are Asians. The median resident age is 35 years and 12 percent of residents are 65 years or older. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014). More than a third of Pierce County children are eligible for free lunch benefits and 8.9 percent of residents are unemployed. As many as 16 percent of residents are uninsured despite a per capita personal health expenditure of $8,160 annually. Ten percent of those uninsured are children. What’s more, close to 6 percent of residents make less that $10,000/year. It’s estimated that 15 percent of residents are not able to see a health care provider when they need to because they can’t afford it. When they can afford to, primary  care providers (PCP) are in short supply and overworked. There are an estimated 1500 patients for every PCP in Pierce County. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014)Medicare is the primary payer of health care expenditures for 10 percent of County residents. (City-Data, 2014) Pierce County has some of the highest rates of obesity in the nation with a 31 percent obesity rate. This is despite the fact that nearly 80 percent of residents reported exercising in the previous month. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014)The County has numerous parks, hiking trails, walking paths and enjoys a temperate climate with little snow accumulation and mild summer temperatures. Poor nutrition is likely a key contributor with 16 percent of residents classified as food insecure. The County has the lowest access to healthy foods with 8 percent of people living in urban areas where the nearest grocery store is more than a mile from their home. Access to convenience stores is slightly better. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014). Neighborhood and Community Safety Any Pierce County resident can testify to smelling the â€Å"Aroma of Tacoma† on a regular basis. At various parts of the day, a pungent smell not unlike that of rotten eggs fills the air. The source of the stench is attributed to industries located at the Port of Tacoma, the forest industry, car exhaust, or the tidal changes on the Puget Sound. The extent of air pollution in the area is large. More than three quarters of county residents drive alone to work every day. Just 3 percent take public transportation. The County ranks 16th in counties reporting high carbon monoxide one hour concentration. It is among the dirtiest 10 percent of US counties for its release of water and carcinogens. Chief among these deadly chemicals is methanol and hydrochloric acid. (City-Data, 2014) (Good Guide, 2011) There are four Superfund Sites in the County that continue to cause contamination of drinking water. One of these sites is Commencement Bay, the hub of the Port of Tacoma, one of the world’s busiest ports. The biggest polluter in the area is the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company, a forest product  company that prides itself on using â€Å"every part of the tree except its shadow.† (Simpson, 2014) Another well-known polluter and also a major area employer is the US Military. Superfund Sites exist at both McChord AFB and the US Army Fort Lewis Range. (Good Guide, 2011) Cultural Assessment For a personal perspective of life inside Pierce County I consulted with a colleague who works as a lactation consultant. She is a 50-year-old college-educated white female who also works as an instructor in a local vocational college. She reports that her cohort’s attitude toward aging is not altogether positive. She is beginning to feel the gradual decline in her body functions and says that she and others like her find it frustrating that their bodies don’t work as well as they did in their youth. That attitude of reluctance tends to affect how readily her peers seek assistance, especially if it means accepting the realities of aging. Some of the physical health problems common in her cohort involve vision, sleep apnea, joint pain, and decreased stamina. She states that individuals in her cohort tend to be individualistic and prefer their yards, both physically and metaphorically, to be fenced. This perspective crosses over to how children are parented with a high value placed on raising adults that are independent and self-sufficient. Her children have either graduated from college or are currently attending university. She considers financial independence a mark of adulthood. A ritual associated with adulthood is moving out of the family home and their own. One of the challenges she sees in her cohort is that of obtaining access to mental health care. A colleague recently lost her son to suicide after numerous attempts to help him gain access to care failed and he committed suicide. She feels that only those who are going to hurt others or hurt themselves are recipients of care in a broken system. Because so many are aching for help in the community and a greater awareness of the need, the result has been a reduced stigma associated with mental illness. Acknowledging that mental illness is far from being treated on plane with biological illness, she reports that the awareness of an individual’s lack  of control over what is a real disease is growing. Disaster Assessment and Planning The incredible amount of physical beauty present in Pierce County is also a source of danger to its residents. The area has been declared as a disaster area 19 times in recorded history. Most of these events were the result of severe storms that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The area is situated on or near several tectonic plates giving it an earthquake risk that is 355 percent greater than the national average. In 2001, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake was centered just 10.8 miles from the city center and caused tens of thousands in damage. An earthquake centered even farther away could affect the county via a subsequent Tsunami. Coastline areas comprise many of the County’s industries, parks, and homes and could be destroyed by a tsunami’s tidal surge. Mt. Rainier frames many of Tacoma’s picturesque views but it is a volcano that could come back to life at any moment. Its last eruption is estimated to have occurred more than 150 years ago but a recent e ruption could cause massive downstream flooding in nearly the entire County. (City-Data, 2014) Disasters caused by flooding precipitated by a tsunami, volcanic eruption, or one of the areas many rainstorms could displace many residents from their homes and block access to urgent and chronic healthcare services. Sewage systems could be affected by the flooding as well as decrease access to clean water. A massive earthquake could destroy many of Tacoma’s older buildings, many of which were built in the early 1900s and well before any seismic construction rules went into effect. Falling objects from an earthquake and resulting fires could result in massive injuries in the short-term and damage to public infrastructure in the long-term. (Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, 2010) Many of the possible disasters that could strike the area do not have the luxury of advance warning. Severe storms may give as little as a day or two notice, tsunamis and flooding just a few hours. Many residents are unlikely to understand the severity of a disaster until they are in i ts midst. Because the residents lack the ability to prepare, The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management has five departments to deal with every day emergencies and  large-scale disasters. The services include emergency management, enhanced 9-1-1 services, fire prevention, radio communications and an urban search and rescue task force. The Department is working to enroll all residents in an emergency alert system via text. Area hospital employees also have an alert system that sends a text message to employees to report to duty in the event of an emergency. The enhanced 9-1-1 system automatically finds the street address for landline calls. The radio communications team works to ensure that radio remains active in the event cell towers fall during an earthquake or are damaged during severe flooding. Urban Search and Rescue can provide vital services in the event of an earthquake, mudslide, avalanche or abandoned mine collapse. (Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, 2010) Windshield Survey Housing The majority of housing options available in Tacoma are single-family detached homes. A housing boom in the 1990s resulted in many newer homes and apartment buildings in both high and poor-income areas. Housing density appears to be highest in high-income neighborhoods. Many homes in both areas have grassed front and back yards. Although the area was heavily wooded when settled in the 1890s, much of the native evergreen trees are gone. Tree replacement appears limited to higher-income areas and is limited to non-native deciduous trees. Housing in lower-income neighborhoods appears to be in fair to moderate repair. Very few homes in these areas have bars over windows or doors. (Patamia, 2015) Open Space In Tacoma, there appears to be a moderate amount of open space, especially considering it is an urban area. I saw a large strip of valuable waterfront in the Ruston area dedicated to a walking path and docks used for office space and dining. The jewel in the crown of the Tacoma Metropolitan Park System is Wright Park, a 27-acre parcel spanning more than 10 city blocks in the heart of the city that features an arboretum, lawn bowling, playgrounds, and a pond. In addition, Mt Rainier National Park has more than 235,000 acres of protected forestland and numerous State parks dot the County. All of these spaces are open for public use and park passes are enveloped as part of the residents’ vehicle tax. Boundaries The boundaries of the area are largely natural features like rivers and mountains. Neighborhoods begin and end without notification but poorer areas tend to have more chain link fences, fewer shopping areas, and homes that lack fresh paint and ornamental landscaping. Ironically, the most expensive homes in the county have roads that are either gravel or so unkempt that potholes dominate. Commons People in the county tended to congregate around grocery stores and the strip malls that surround them. I visited an upscale grocery store in the middle of the day and found parking difficult despite an ample lot. Areas surrounding the Port of Tacoma business district tend to always have a large amount of traffic, especially large trucks carrying containers to and from the ships docked in Commencement Bay. Transportation Pierce County, despite the low numbers of residents who use public transportation has numerous options for getting out of your car. Buses travel to every part of the county, even across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the Olympic Peninsula town of Gig Harbor. Residents can travel to Seattle using rail or bus. Residents enjoy the capability of attaching their bikes to city buses but since the area is very hilly and frequently rainy, few take advantage of the service. For all of its access capabilities in Tacoma, getting around in surrounding communities is difficult. Interstate 5 intersects the county, enabling easy access for Port of Tacoma traffic to Canada and the western states. Several state highways run through the community and many are currently undergoing expansive improvement projects. Long-term plans include expanding Seattle’s light rail into Tacoma but recent initiatives to expand inter-county bus services was voted down by residents. Service Centers One of the most impressive things about Pierce County is how new and beautiful its schools are. Around these areas, it’s easy to spot social service centers such as YMCAs or Community Healthcare Clinics. Even in the poorest areas of the County, I saw many dentist offices, parks with  playground facilities, and sidewalks. I drove by a newer looking middle school several times during my survey and always saw it occupied by students despite heavy rain. Stores Commercial areas in the county appear to be centered on large chain grocery stores. There are few non-chain, independent dining options and those that are tend to offer high-calorie, high-fat options like hamburgers and milkshakes. I did not see any signs advertising farmers markets but there were more than a few community gardens where residents could grow their own fruits and vegetables. I was also impressed by how few grocery stores there were outside of major shopping areas and how far even the wealthiest had to travel to buy food. In more than one area, there were several grocery stores in close proximity to each other. People Out and About I saw several people walking around the County during my survey but all of them appeared to be walking for exercise and leisure, not for transportation. Almost all of these walkers were white and non-obese. A majority of those I saw were wearing Seahawk jerseys and/or colors. It was so persuasive that I felt out of place with an orange sweatshirt. Dogs accompanied many of the walkers and every dog was leashed. Signs of Community Vibrancy The Pierce County Community is very diverse but in nearly every area I traveled, I saw signs of vibrancy evidenced by hanging flower baskets, children playing outside, areas of preserved natural beauty, easy access to healthcare, and a lack of abandoned homes, stray animals, or countless homeless people. Race/Ethnicity Given that nearly three-quarters of Pierce County residents are white, its not surprising to see mostly white people in the County. Surprisingly, there are two major Indian Reservations, the Nisqually and Puyallup, inside Pierce County yet less than 2 percent of residents are Native American. Most of the County looks and feels American with few ethnic grocery stores or signs in a language other than English. Areas where whites live tend to be predominantly white but areas with larger populations of Blacks, Asians, and  Hispanics are well integrated. In one strip mall, there was a Mexican taqueria next door to an Asian grocery store. Religion While only 30 percent of Pierce County residents report being affiliated with a religious congregation, nearly half of them are non-denominational Christian churches. A third of residents report an affiliation with a Roman Catholic Church. I saw many more churches in the less affluent areas of the County than I did in wealthy ones. I also saw one Buddhist temple and Muslim Mosque. Health There are 10 hospitals serving Pierce County the largest of which is Tacoma General Hospital that has more than 400 beds and a level II trauma center. A few blocks away with the area’s second level II trauma center and a level III NICU is St Joseph Medical Center with 367 beds. Signs of homelessness are slightly invisible in Pierce County and tend to be clustered around area shelters or service providers such as the Union Gospel Mission and the YWCA. It’s estimated that 2,000 people including children are homeless on any given night in Tacoma. One of the area hospitals, Western State Hospital, provides services exclusively to the mentally ill but the lack of services to the homeless and mentally ill is striking. There are an estimated 368 mentally ill people for every mental health provider in Pierce County. Top performing counties have 521 providers per patient. The State ranks 49th in number of available psychiatric beds and several agencies have recently closed their doors or decreased services due to the economic turn down. (League of Women Voters Pierce County, 2013) (Good Guide, 2011) Forty percent of female tenth-grade children are classified as depressed. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department lists mental health as its #1 priority in the coming years. Politics I toured the area in January when the nearest election was months or years away. Cars I viewed had a mix of bumper stickers that indicated the metropolitan area voted for Obama in the previous presidential election, supports the legalization of marijuana, and is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks. Media No matter the area, evidence of satellite dishes was seen on nearly every home. I did not see any newspaper boxes around area stores. It seems that the primary form of communication medium is through television and the Internet. Television stations accessed by residents are primarily in English but there are two stations that are exclusively in Spanish. Physical Environment As mentioned previously, Pierce County is a very beautiful place with views of mountains, water, dense forest, and even a volcano visible from nearly every corner of the County. During my survey, I even viewed a pair of bald eagles playing over the Puget Sound. The areas around the Port of Tacoma and the two Indian reservations tend to be the least attractive areas of the city where billboards for nearby tribal-run casinos predominate the landscape. Scavenger Hunt Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) WIC is a nutrition program that helps ensure that pregnant women, nursing moms and children under five have access to healthy foods. They also provide health education and breastfeeding support including peer counselors. Women who use WIC get money to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, cheese, whole grain breads and tortillas. They also ensure that children are vaccinated and stay on recommended growth curves. A family of four is eligible for WIC benefits if they have an annual income equal or less than $43,000. Accessing the services requires visiting a WIC location, which are located on major bus routes near hospitals, health clinics, or in tribal offices. There are more than 15 WIC locations in the county and offer services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Cambodian. (Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, 2015) YMCA The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offer a variety of services including seven healthy living centers, a summer camp and more than 70 child care sites. Their mission is to offer programs that â€Å"build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.† (YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, 2014) Monthly fees that are based on household income support membership and financial aid is  available. There are steep discounts for members of the military and their families. The variety of services available at the healthy living center is broad. Members of the Tacoma facility take piano lessons, learn how to box, and enjoy an indoor pool. Family Renewal Shelter There are 16 different resources for those dealing with domestic violence in Pierce County. Among them is the Family Renewal Shelter. They provide emergency services by way of confidential shelters, self-defense classes, spiritual support, and pet therapy. They also offer help with access to vehicles, educational scholarships, and relocation. Support for the organization comes from private donations from individuals, foundations, businesses, and churches. Access to services is via the organization’s 24-hour crisis line. Information about domestic violence is available on the organization’s website including a button that allows a user to leave the site quickly and eliminate a computer trail. (Family Renewal Shelter, 2014) National Alliance on Mental Illness – Pierce County The purpose of NAMI is to support people and those who love them with the challenges of mental illness. Members are people whose lives have been touched by mental illness and can share resources, lessons learned, and empathy with one another. They also advocate for change on local and legislative issues. Support group meeting occur three times a week and are located in a local Episcopal Church. They are free to attend. NAMI Walks occur several times a year and help to reduce the stigma of mental health and expand services, especially in education of mental health issues with police, fire and other first responders. (NAMI Pierce County, 2015) Planned Parenthood A group of community volunteers opened the first Planned Parenthood clinic in Tacoma in 1972 to address concerns about high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The organization believes that everyone has the right to choose whether and when to get pregnant and works to prevent unwanted pregnancies. They rely heavily of individual donor support to provide basic low-cost health care, adoption planning, vasectomy services, and fitting for menstrual cups. They also provide abortion services and are  frequented by protestors. (PPGNW, 2015) Tacoma Rescue Mission There are more than 36 homeless shelters in Tacoma offering everything from emergency shelter, transitional housing, and assisted housing for people dealing with domestic violence, drug addiction, and sexual trafficking. They are a Christian organization funded by the United Way of Pierce County and the cities of Lakewood and Tacoma in addition to funding from Pierce County itself. They report that they provide shelter to more than 400 people nightly and provide food for 26,000 people who have no other access to food. They work to help people overcome drug and alcohol addiction with rehabilitation serves, educational assistance and case management. (Tacoma Rescue Mission, 2015) Interpretation of Collected Data Epidemiology examines how health status or health events are distributed across a community and what determines it. The preceding examples give a broad stroke painting of health in Pierce County. Overall, the birth rate (15 per 1000) exceeds the death rate (7.3 per 1000) in Pierce County and the infant mortality rate (6.5 per 100,000) is in line with the national average (6.15 per 1000). (City-Data, 2014) Pierce County offers many assets that empower the health of its residents. Among these are a large population of college-educated people with 90 percent of adults 25 years and older completing at least high school or obtaining a GED. Although 8 percent of residents are foreign born, more than 80 percent of these report speaking English fluently. The people of Pierce County have access to nature and local foods, including the nation’s largest crop of rhubarb. Strong faith communities with social outreach programs help neighbors in need. The community brims with people who are largely open-minded and access complementary care such as massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments is common. (Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, 2014) Community Diagnosis In my analysis of the data collected, it appears that Pierce County’s top three problems are access to mental health services, high rates of obesity, and access to quality health care. Access to mental health services A community that is mentally healthy is productive, enjoys fulfilling relationships with others in the community and is resilient through life’s challenges. Without it, even the healthiest body can fall into disrepair quickly. It’s no wonder then that mental illness is one of the most common causes of disability. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that as many as one in every 17 people has a seriously debilitating mental illness. The good news is that mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders can be prevented. We know more about how the brain functions than ever before and current research indicates that greatest opportunity to prevent illness is to get people into treatment early and often. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) With Washington State’s dismal rankings in the availability of psychiatric beds and the high patient load of mental health care providers in the County, there is much work to be done. Healthy People 2020 goals state that 87 percent of primary care facilities should provide mental health treatment onsite or by paid referral. This goal represents a 10 percent improvement over the baseline rate of 79 percent in 2006. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) High rates of obesity Pierce County’s high rate of obesity is well above the national average and may be attributed to large number of food deserts, especially in urban areas. People who have healthy weights and access to fresh foods have lower rates of chronic disease and a higher quality of life. Addressing obesity is complex, however, and requires a multi-faceted approach. As with mental health, the most powerful interventions are aimed at prevention. According to Healthy People 2020, more than 10.4 percent of children ages two to five were considered obese in 2008. The 2020 goal is to reduce that number to 9.4 percent. (Healthy People 2020, 2015)One of the most cost effective ways to achieve that goal is to increase the number of children who are breastfed. A history of breastfeeding, especially exclusive breast milk feeding for the first six months, is associated with an estimated 40 percent reduction in childhood obesity. (AHRQ, 2009) Unfortunately, just  14.1 percent of infants born in 2006 achieved this. Healthy People 2020’s target is 25.5 percent. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) Access to quality healthcare Optimal health is not a state achieved without support, education and intervention. Ensuring that Pierce County residents get the help they need when they need it is a big part of preventing chronic disease, improving quality of life, and preventing unnecessary death. Some of the reasons people do not see a health care provider are they can’t find one, they can’t afford it, or they don’t have insurance coverage. The most recent data suggests that as many as 16 percent of County residents do not have health insurance. (Good Guide, 2011) According to Healthy People 2020, the national average is slightly higher at 16.8 percent. The objective is an ambitious one with 100 percent of individuals covered by private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare by 2020. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) According to Washington State’s Department of Public Health, there are approximately 543 providers in Pierce County including doctors, ARNPs, CNMs, and PAs. A little more than half of them report that they are accepting new Medicaid and Medicare patients. (Washington State Department of Public Health, 2011) Interestingly, Healthy People 2020 has yet to define specific goals for increasing the number of practicing providers in all areas. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) Primary Prevention Topic When John Snow, the â€Å"father of epidemiology,† was investigating cholera outbreaks in mid-nineteenth century London, the chief cause of unnecessary death was communicable disease. Today, chronic disease that damages the heart, pancreas, and lungs are more likely to kill than bacteria. A large contributor to hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure is obesity. In a society obsessed with weight loss and thinness, obesity rates in adults and even children are growing. Just as John Snow found the source of the disease that was claiming lives in his community, we must also find the source but it is unlikely to be in a solitary water pump in the middle of the city. Preventing obesity appears to be a life-long task best started at birth. The data demonstrate that increasing breastfeeding rates is a powerful tool in decreasing childhood obesity. Breastfeeding rates for older, educated and more affluent women are already at Healthy People 2020 targets but women who are young, have low levels of education and who are poor are more likely to never breastfeed and are extremely unlikely to continue to do so for six months. (Grummer-Strawn, Scanlon, Darling, Conrey, 2004) An organization in the community that helps low-income women establish and maintain breastfeeding is the Women, Infants, and Children Program. A team of peer counselors who have themselves struggled with issues common to low-income breastfeeding women including pumping in the workplace help new moms navigate a difficult terrain and provide their children with the best start in life. Area hospital-based birth centers are working toward or have already achieved certification as a Baby Friendly Hospital. This designation indicates that the facility employs evidence-based practice that lead to dramatic increases in breastfeeding rates. (DiGirolamo, Grummer-Strawn, Fein, 2008) Given that the problem of obesity is large in Pierce County, the rewards for reducing it great, and the interventions that are most likely to help are known and inexpensive, I am focusing my primary prevention topic on promoting breastfeeding as a means to reduce obesity in Pierce County. Bibliography AHRQ. (2009). Breastfeeding, Maternal Infant Health Outcomes. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: http://archive.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm City-Data. (2014). PIerce County, WA. Retrieved January 16, 2014, from City-Data.com: http://www.city-data.com/county/Pierce_County-WA.html DiGirolamo, A., Grummer-Strawn, L., Fein, S. (2008). Effect of Maternity-Care Practices on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics , S43-S49. Family Renewal Shelter. (2014). About the family renewal shelter. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Family Renewal Shelter: www.domesticviolencehelp.org/aboutfrs.html Good Guide. (2011). Good Guide. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from Score Card The Pollution Information Site: http://scorecard.goodguide.com/community/index.tcl?zip_code=98404set_community_zipcode_cookie_p=tx=11y=11 Grummer-Strawn, L., Scanlon, K., Darling, N., Conrey, E. (2004). Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Breastfeeding . Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy People 2020. (2015). Access to Health Services. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/Access-to-Health-Services Healthy People 2020. (2015). Maternal, Infant, and Child Health. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/maternal-infant-and-child-health/objectives Healthy People 2020. (2015). Mental Health and Mental Disorders. Retrieved January 2015, 2015, from HealthyPeople.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/mental-health-and-mental-disorders Healthy People 2020. (2015). Nutrition and Weight Status. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People 2020: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/nutrition-and-weight-status/objectives League of Women Voters Pierce County. (2013, December 11). Introduction to services for the seriously mentally ill in Pierce County . Retrieved January 18, 2015, from National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Pierce County: http://www.lwvwa.org/tacoma/pdfs/Mental%20Health%20Report%20from%20November%202013%20Unit%20Meetings%20%205%20pgs.pdf NAMI Pierce County. (2015). Welcome to the NAMI of Pierce County Web Site. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from NAMI Pierce County: http://www.namipierce.org/ Patamia, K. (2015, January 16). Windshield Survey of Pierce County. (K. Patamia, Interviewer) Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. (2010). Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from Pierce County Emergency Management: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7032 PPGNW. (2015). Who We Are. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-great-northwest/who-we-are Simpson. (2014). Environment. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from Simpson Company: http://www.simpson.com/Environment.aspx Snob Hollow Designs. 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