India Today Free Essay Example, 3250 words

Ultimately, a strong political will among its leaders should be the ultimate solution to the problem. The country could take lessons from other Asian countries that have made a dramatic turnaround. There is the case of South Korea, for example, which was also plagued with the same problems in the 1970s and 1980s (Heo Roehrig, 2010, 35). A succession of strong governments that instituted reforms was able to address the problems that prevented its economy from finally taking off. India has a considerable population and its experience may be a little different. The reforms could be more difficult to achieve and that results may be gradual, but all these depend on the political leadership, which has the capability to see them through. Finally, it is also important to emphasize the need for a better classification of poverty levels. There is a tendency to focus on the poverty line; that the critical level is the one below the demarcation. Governments tend to emphasize this to sugarcoat its own economic performance. The less the segment classified as poor, the better it is able to trumpet economic development, which is an excellent political propaganda material. We will write a custom essay sample on India Today or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page There is, however, an underlying variable in the poverty issue. When the poverty level is determined, the criteria must include those that are appropriate in the case of India. To put it another way, one should not forget to view poverty in the context of the Indian experience.

Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease - 3024 Words

Alzheimer’s Disease For decades society has been dealing with the dreadful effects of Alzheimer’s disease, from the emotional diagnosis, to family member involvement, and the demanding needs, financially. Scientist and researchers, with the monetary contributions from fundraising organizations like, The Alzheimer’s Association, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, along with many additional establishments work around the clock expectantly to find a cure for this mind altering disease. Now a days, there are many groups available for any person needing information on Alzheimer’s disease. Personal experience gained from caring for the elderly in my lifetime, is the motivation behind my awareness of this dreadful disease. It wasn’t until my job as a supervisor of an Alzheimer’s unit, that my understanding of this ghastly disease, made me grasp just how tough it is for every person involved. This unbearable disease, becomes a family disea se, family members are faced with many heart wrenching decisions and robbed of their loved ones. Just envision, if you will, awakening one morning and nothing is familiar, your wife/husband, children, or friends. Imagine, if it’s your mom or dad, either way devastation is what comes to mind. This disease steals your memories, the life you once recognized has vanished. The topics covered in the following text include, an overview of Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, some statistics, emotional effect on those with A.D., family member involvementShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease1642 Words   |  7 Pages Abstract Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder when brain cells degenerate and die. Alzheimer’s dieses destroys the patient’s memory within time. The mental functions of the brain also get destroyed when a person gets Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease is most commonly seen when the patient is sixty to seventy years old. In this research paper the reader will learn about the signs and symptoms, causes, course of disease, outcome and secondary diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis and survivalRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease930 Words   |  4 PagesAlzheimer’s Disease Kevin Arnold from the Wonder Years said â€Å"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, and the things never want to lose.† Memories are the things that are upheld, whether good or bad, those memories are imprinted in the mind and cannot be taken away that is, until later in life. As one ages it is natural for some memories to fade. Loss of memories and brain function deficits that occur and are not from normal aging may indicate a person is sufferingRead MoreSymptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease715 Words   |  3 PagesAlzheimer’s disease has long been considered as a irremediable illness for old people. According to the data collected by Alzheimer s Association(2016), the overall 5.4 million American suffers from Alzheimer s disease, and this population is growing in a certain rate for majority of this population aged 65 and up. Identify possible Alzheimer’s symptom could be rather difficult because people are lack of the awareness of their implicit illness, which later contribute to the Alzheimer s disease. AlsoRead MoreSymptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease1006 Words   |  5 PagesAlzheimer s disease is a severe illness that affects the brain and leads to gradual memory loss, reduced intellectual ability and deterioration function of thinking. Alzheimer s disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is a progressive neurological disorder that increasingly robs individuals of cognitive, behavioral, and functional skills (Demakis, 2007). The reason for the appearance this disease is a collection of disorders in the brain due to which its cells are dying partially. In theRead MoreSymptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease2043 Words   |  9 PagesAlzheimer’s disease. It took an emotional toll on me and my family members. I believe Alzheimer is much harder on me and my loved ones than on my grandfather; because he was unaware of what was going on. It’s painful watching my grandfather degrade and get worse each and every day. The worst thing is that he doesn’t even know who I am anymore. In this paper I will discuss certain risk factors, background of Alzheimer’s, Background of Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease was first identifiedRead MoreSymptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease810 Words   |  4 PagesAlzheimer’s disease As the world becomes more happy and joyful, people haven’t stepped into the world of Alzheimer’s yet. Just imagine losing your ability to do normal things you do every day and then you can’t do them anymore. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes changes and differences in memory, behavior, and how the person’s brain works. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s worsen over time. (Alzheimer’s Association 2015). All of the family members will be affected if one person gets this disease. ThisRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease2374 Words   |  10 PagesAs a society, we are constantly faced with negative news about different diseases and genetic disorders. One genetic disorder that has affected the lives of many is, Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia that affects and causes problems with thinking, behavior and memory. Most of the time, symptoms of Alzheimer’s develo p slowly and progress and worsen over time. Eventually the symptoms become severe enough that they begin to interfere with normal and daily tasksRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease3214 Words   |  13 Pages NEU ID: 001983161 Donepezil and other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), discovered by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1907, is the most common form of dementia. The early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is having difficulty in remembering recent events. At the advanced stage, the signs and symptoms of AD include: memory loss, confusion, trouble concentrating, frustration, irritability difficulty in saying, difficultyRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease2317 Words   |  10 Pagesthey age and the various experiences they go through. One of the most common diseases among older people is dementia. Among the different types of dementia, the most prevalent one is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is important to look at all of the signs and symptoms of each type of dementia to see which specific type best describes a person’s condition. There is one patient in particular, Betty, who has many signs and symptoms related to dementia. Betty is a 65-year old woman who has dementia runningRead MoreSy mptoms And Treatment Of Alzheimer s Disease1063 Words   |  5 Pageshelp the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, many of these treat the symptoms but not the cause. One specific medication, cholinesterase inhibitors is not fully understood but it is believed to help decrease the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (About Alzheimer s Disease: Treatment, n.d.). Cholinesterase is both beneficial in it’s aid in treatment and not— this medicine over time causes neurons not to produce as much acetylcholine (About Alzheimer s Disease: Treatment, n.d.). This drug works

A Life in the Day of Me Free Essays

â€Å"Beep, Beep! Beep, Beep!† From under the warm, snug land of nod, my hand flops out and brutally swats at the little silver alarm clock, which I despise because it has the pleasure of making me wake up every morning. I sit up, and try to think about what to do next, my head still full of pillows. I check the time- 6:35 and idly flop back down. We will write a custom essay sample on A Life in the Day of Me or any similar topic only for you Order Now I am about to return to slumber-land when Molly the pregnant multicoloured cat plods in. I lie on my side and stare at her. A warm, owlish glazed gaze stares back and I jump energetically to action! Well, more of an idle flop out of bed, really. I then stumble like a drunken sailor across my room to check on a few other minor details in my daily life- my pets. I first peer at Gordon the stick- insect and give him a quick spray of water to moisten him up. I then tap on Bob the wild voles’ little cage check his supply of food and water. Next is Ruby and Pip the rats who are also rattling their bowls like ungrateful toddlers. I throw in a few choice morcels of ‘Rody rat Food’. I notice Molly and Bagpuss, my other cat, sponging for their breakfast in the doorway. I stagger downstairs after them, to the kitchen, where they are given ‘whiskas’ cat food, which I might add, is probably both the most revolting smelling, and looking pet food I have ever had the ‘pleasure’ of serving! Last but not least are the outside pets: Poppy and Annabelle the guinea- pigs, Socks the rabbit and his sister, Saffy who has five baby bunnies, who are given ‘Russel’ rabbit food. That’s not all yet! The very last but just as important member of the family is Ren the ‘lonely’ goldfish, who is given ‘Tetra-Finn’ goldfish flakes. You might be thinking what a zoo I have, but we love them all very much! I now, finally have time to sort my own self out. By this time I am partially conscious, so I leap wilfully into the shower, before anyone else and battle with the hot and cold taps until I feel I am sufficiently cleansed. I then do everything, which anyone else normally does during their time in the bathroom. I always dry my hair naturally or I look like something which has stepped out of a Stephen King book, and scrape it back or do something with it until it looks something vaguely like a ‘style'(not one of my strong points!). I am normally late by now so I yank on clothes like†¦ well, how anyone else does- underwear, then trousers, shirt, tie, socks. Ah! The socks- I always make sure they are nothing short of†¦,well, comical. They are either ‘Chicken Run’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Wallace and Gromit’, a silly pattern or just odd! My next task is then to check my bag and do any un-done home work for the day, whilst trying to bolt down a slice of dry bread, or anything which resembles breakfast material. Most days I combine these few tasks with: yanking on my normally muddy Doc Martens, trying not to fall over, poking my head out the window to check on the (usually grim) weather situation, rifling through all my pockets for a door key and asthma pump, being groaned at by Mum who is scowling at her wrist watch, tripping out of the front door and finally shoving my untidy self and scrappy school belongings into one of three cars. I most enjoy travelling to school in my sister’s (katy) metallic- blue Mini because it feels as through you are in a mini rollercoaster (especially going over bumps), and I LOVE roller- coasters! Our highly intellectual conversation whilst on our ten minute journey to school and Mum to the school where she teaches normally consists of: â€Å"You really need to get up earlier in the mornings, Holly, especially as it’s Monday. I’ve got to get to school and do things.† â€Å"Yes, Mum.† OR.. â€Å"I really don’t know how you can concentrate at school without eating breakfast!† â€Å"OK, I’ll try, Mum.† OR.. â€Å"Oh, no! I forgot my music money/ that slip you were supposed to sign/ my door key/ my HOMEWORK!!!† Every one at school is generally in a chatty mood when I arrive. On certain days one person gets out of bed the wrong way and makes us miserable too. Charlene is always there with her sixth form boyfriend Anthony, and everyone joins on for a good natter. When Vicky arrives, Anthony or herself have a good scoff at each other if there has either been a Manchester United or Arsenal match- or no match at all! When the pips go, from Charlene it’s normally â€Å"G’iss a kiss!† to Anthony, who either pretends not to have heard or actually kisses her. In form time I make sure I am listening for my name, then I can start thinking- usually about lessons to come. My favourite lessons generally are Textiles, English and History- mainly because most of the time you get to give your own opinion about issues, but most of all because I can then use my own ideas such as creative writing in English and designing and making children’s clothes in Textiles. My friends and I natter like educated mice about who shot Phil, who fancies Emma, what happened at Penenden Heath last night Jenny, and can I borrow your homework, PLEASE!! By lunch time I am generally bored and longing for sleep. I either eat sandwiches filled with tuna (brain food- I wonder why!) or pasta with bolognese, or sometimes just a salad. I tend to only drink water most of the time because fizzy drinks are not very appealing when you are so thirsty! Most lunch times Vicky and Emma like to go and flirt with boys in our year. I find this quite pathetic. Charlene and I share this thought, so we sit and talk about people or well, just about anything. When the days are getting close to half-term or a holiday, we like to plan a trip to Chessington with Anthony and Jennifer. Quite often a food fight starts up or Gary comes over to show us his ‘Where did it go?’ coin trick, which keeps us amused for most of the forty-five minutes. Occasionally, I will have the odd arm wrestle or slap fight. After lunch I feel more at ease with the day, knowing that there are only two lessons to go. My favourite afternoon of the week is a Friday (of course!), when everyone is winding down and preparing events for the weekend, such as going into town for no apparent reason (which I really hate!), and the teachers are just as tired as us, so they understand our lack of intelligence. After school I eat a snack of rice- cakes or a sandwich. Quite often I like to go for a bike ride with my friend Rachel through the Barming Woods to see the haunted tree, although we have to be careful that we show respect, because a signalman was hung there years ago and no one is allowed (or able) to cut it down, so there are loads of tree stumps around it! Spooky, eh? When I get home, I like to relax and watch you know what! (T.V.). On some nights I do trampolining which I love because it is actually very relaxing and good for you! At the moment I am working on the wide gap between silver and gold award (up to back-wards somersault). During sometime every day I like to sit on my bean bag and think about things like what happened during the day, how I feel, what to do tomorrow, what sort of career I would like to have in twenty years, people, things like that, or I write them down in a diary, just to make me feel better. After dinner with my family, I do any homework needed to be done and get ready for bed quickly because I love wearing my pyjamas- they are so comfy!! If my sister is home I go and talk to her about her day. Most evenings, her boyfriend and soul-mate Del (Derek) comes round and they go out to the Muggleton, the Thirsty Pig, Hogshead, or the Union bar. Katy is almost nineteen and about a centimetre taller than me. I think she is very beautiful (and so does everyone else). She has extremely long brown naturally curly hair and large blue eyes. I find her interesting in terms of dress sense and personality. She tries very hard to think differently to others and always makes sure things are fair- I find this in my Mum and Dad as well because I have always regarded our family as very different to others I have seen. For example- none of us like football but we all love old music by people like Louis Armstrong. My Mum is brave – she is a teacher for special needs, and my Dad is a post-man in the Sutton Valence area. When I am older I would definitely like to work with animals. I would like to get a job and save up to run a cattery for ill treated cats. I but I do not just want a career, I want to travel around the world, see everything, have great experiences, break records. Sometimes I feel so angry that people take what they have for granted. Why do people want others to be so unhappy? It also makes me angry that people do not care what they do or how they do it. Why do people want to be the same as each other? What would really make me happy would be to have the power to iron out the world- there would be no poor, no rich, no evil, no such thing as prejudice- everyone would have the same amount of money and food etc. People can dream, I suppose. I talk to things like this to my parents and sister, especially Mum, who enjoy working with children and people with disabilities etc. In the evenings I also love to talk to Dad, who enjoys art and pottery and things like that. I, my self love animals, roller-coasters, art, colours, trampolining, bike riding, writing stories and lots of different ‘grunger’ music. There are lots of things I like, but also lots of things I dislike; big gold jewellery, cruelty to animals, romantic films, pop music, pink, being bored, sitting still for too long, football, and people who are horrible to others for no reason. On Friday evenings I get eight pounds allowance, which is spent very differently every week. I feel really bad that I have not got a job at the moment, although I have had several paper rounds, one of which I kept for almost a year. I think I could say that not many people understand me very well, but the truth is, I really do not care! Vicky is always on at me for being unsociable. I do not care about that either! I tend to keep my thoughts to myself than talk about them. Around 10:30 PM my thoughts start to get a bit more muddled because my mind knows that it has done its job for the day, and is time to rest. I am normally snoozing by 11:00PM but inside, my brain is going â€Å"tick, whirr, clunk!† as it is thinking â€Å"nooo! It’s Monday tomorrow,† or â€Å"yes! It’s Saturday tomorrow!† But right at the back, where the cobwebs are I am thinking â€Å"I am so lucky,† because of my life so far. How to cite A Life in the Day of Me, Essays

Marketing for Campbell Soup- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theMarketing for Campbell Soup. Answer: Introduction: Headquartered in Camden of New Jersey, and founded back in the year of 1869, Campbells Soup has come a long way in establishing itself as a recognized American company offering a wide variety of canned soups beverages, snacks and packaged fresh foods (Campbell Soup Company 2017). Campbells Soup is no longer an American company, but has emerged to be a recognized brand operating in more than 120 countries across the globe (Campbell Soup Company 2017). Undoubtedly, much of the companys success is credited to how its managers have successfully have transformed the global leadership team, besides revolutionizing workplace culture as well as making integral strategic investments. However, what has actually rendered the ultimate success to the company is its brand image as developed in the market, visual design, and efficient product development process. Hence, it is important to critically analyze the product branding and product development strategy of the company. Discussion: Product Development in Campbells Soup: Product development is an effective strategy undertaken by companies to attract a defined customer base through the modification of existent products, in terms of content or its presentation. A few years back, the popularity of Campbells products started witnessing as a downturn as more people wished to move from processed cereals and canned goods to more natural, healthy and organic food. This was indeed a challenge to Campbells, and soon the company made an effort to develop its existent products, in an effort to retain its clients by offering greater variety and richness in taste. For making the bun, the company decided to no longer use the traditional old, potato roll anymore, and instead chose to use the pretzel roll, that adds variety in taste (Eastlack and Rao 1989). The company has also added coffee and wine flavor as well as fish sauce flavor to its food that can also add to its variety. The companys decision to sell the same, processed food with a little twist of flavor has helped in retaining clients, who would have chosen the healthy option instead. Product Packaging Strategy in Campbells Soup: Packaging also plays an integral role in developing a product, and attracting new consumer base. In todays world, the companies selling canned food are experiencing a loss of consumers as more and more consumers are becoming health-conscious. Hence, in order to retain the consumers, the company also revised its product packaging strategy. The companys decision to introduce the flavor color coding system helps the consumers tastefully identify the type of soup they wish to purchase, while allowing Campbells to easily broaden the product line. Since the launch of the brand new Onion Soup with Chicken Broth, the company has expanded to include Chicken Noodle, Creamy Chicken, Double Noodle, Vegetable and Regular Onion (Wilkins 2014). By offering a greater choice to the consumers, and adding variety to its packets, the company has managed to attract the attention of greater number of consumers, and remain relevant in a competitive market. 4 Ps of Marketing: Campbells: For any company, in order to achieve profitable customer relationship, it is important to ensure that the price, product, promotion, and place it is launched at, must be aligned with the specific customer needs or expectations. As far as Campbells is concerned, the company is offering comfy food, one can have on the go, while also managing the busy professional life of todays world. Hence, the consumer segment of the company is comprising of the busy millennial, who would not only be attracted to the variety of tasty, proceeded food, but would also opt for the time-consuming way of having food. However, the company is an old and classic one, and hence to appeal to the new customer base, Campbells needed to re-define its product image. Consequently, the company not only needed to add a few new tastes derived from the taste of the food specialty of different nations like Brazil and India, but it also introduced its new clunky cans for sleek, microwaveable pouches that fit Millennials n eed for convenience, portability, and fast preparation (Phillips et al. 2014).The company understood that the Gen Y consumers would not get attracted to the traditional Italian and Japanese ingredients, and hence it rightly decided to introduce new recipes inspired by the Caribbean, Middle East and African nations. Since the company targets millennial, the company no longer requires to stick to a high-price strategy expected to result in product differentiation of the classy brand. The company has developed its brand image as one which goes with the active, on the go lifestyle and thus the price has been kept low, so that the millennial can keep on consuming more and more of the products. Since the target audience of the company comprises of the millennial, the company decided not to promote its products via the traditional digital media tools. It does not advertise on television or radio, and has adopted the online marketing strategy. Campbells new line of soup, namely the Campbells Go, has Facebook as well as Tumblr pages, and also the company partnerships with BuzzFeed and Spotify whereby it hopes that this will convey the personality of the soup and appeal to its target audience. Campbells Brand Strategy: As the demand for fresh foods continue to threaten the market of processed and canned food products, Campbells has started branding its products as more original, fresh and healthier than before. This accounts for the companys efforts to remove the various artificial colors and flavors from its products, its acquisition of organic brands such as Bolthouse Farms and Plum, and its new tagline Made for Real, Real Life. Besides, in its advertisements, the company is also endorsing its products through a gay couple, thereby staying relevant amongst the millennial (Mohrman and Stuerke 2014). Product Life Phase: While discussing about Campbells, it should be noted that the US food industry has already reached its maturity phase, whereby it would b difficult for Campbells to generate substantial profit. Hence, the company should not confine itself to the markets it is already trading in, and rather start exploring the untapped markets in South America, where it can produce more innovative tastes and varieties through strategic alliances and joint ventures (Brownridge 2014). Conclusion: To conclude, it can be stated that Campbells Soup has indeed emerged to be one of the most recognized company in the industry of processed food. Although the company does encounter moderate competition from the substitutes, such as natural and organic food, it has still managed to remain relevant in the market through effective product development strategies. However, it can be recommended that through effective investment in research and development activities as well as by divesting unnecessary product lines, the company can further enhance its profitability in future. Reference List: Brownridge, S.W., 2014. Canning Plum Organics: The Avant-Garde Campbell Soup Company Acquisition and Delaware Public Benefit Corporations Wandering Revlon-Land.Del. J. Corp. L.,39, p.703. Campbell Soup Company. 2017.Home. [online] Available at: https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/ [Accessed 2 Sep. 2017]. Eastlack Jr, J.O. and Rao, A.G., 1989. Advertising experiments at the campbell soup company.Marketing Science,8(1), pp.57-71. Mohrman, M.B. and Stuerke, P.S., 2014. Shareowners' Equity at Campbell Soup: How can Equity be Negative?.Accounting Education,23(4), pp.386-405. Phillips, B.J., McQuarrie, E.F. and Griffin, W.G., 2014. How visual brand identity shapes consumer response.Psychology Marketing,31(3), pp.225-236. Wilkins, M., 2014. When and why brand names in food and drink?.Adding Value: brands and marketing in food and drink, pp.15-40.

Chernobly Essay Example

Chernobly Essay The Causes and Effects of the Nuclear Accident At the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant A meltdown has occurred.Millions will feel the effects of this disaster.An accident has occurred at Chernobyl nuclear power station. One of the atomic reactors has been damaged. Measures are being taken to eliminate the consequences of the accident. Aid is being given to the victims. A government commission has been set up.This was thefirst report given to the Russian people following the worst nuclear accident in history.By the time this report was broadcast, hundreds of thousands of people had already been unwittingly exposed to high levels of radioactivity and millions more would soon be affected.The disaster at Chernobyl was caused by gross human error, which has resulted in catastrophic damage to the environment and to the health of those exposed to the fallout. Many mistakes were made before, during and after the meltdown.It will be shown that if all of the precautions had been taken during the testing of Reactor No. 4, this whole disaster may not have occurred.Because of the lack of safety, millions of curies of radiation have been expelled into the environment.The water supply, farms and animals used for food have been effected by this pollution.The environment is not the only thing that was effected.Many people have suffered from many different types of medical conditions.The three main ones were:radiation sickness, thyroid disease and psychological disorders.Thyroid cancer has become prevalent among those who were children when the accident happened.Many misfortunes have come about because of the meltdown at Chernobyl. The meltdown of the core of Reactor No.4 at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (the actual name of the plant was V.I. Lenin Nuclear Power Station) began as a routine shutdown procedure.It was ordered that a newly installed rundown unit would be tested in conjunction with the shu

Free Essays on Maze Learning In Adults

MAZE LEARNING IN ADULTS INTRODUCTION Around the 1900’s Edward Thorndike attempted to develop an objective experimental method for the mechanical problem solving ability of cats and dogs. Thorndike devised a number of wooden crates which required various combinations of latches, levers, strings and treadles to open them. A cat or dog would be put into one of these ‘puzzle-boxes’ and sooner or later would manage to escape from it. Thorndike’s initial aim was to show the anecdotal achievements of cats and dogs could be replicated in controlled, standardised circumstance. However, he soon realised he could now measure animal intelligence with this equipment. His method was to set an animal the same task repeatedly, each time measuring the time it took to solve it. He was particularly interested in discovering whether his animals could learn tasks through imitation or observation. He compared the learning curves of cats who had been given the opportunity of observing others escaping from a b ox with those who had never seen the box being solved and found no difference in their rate of learning. He obtained the same null result with dogs and even when he put the animal’s paws on the appropriate lever and showed them how to open the box, there was no improvement. He fell back on a much simpler trial and error explanation of learning. He realised that when the animal performed the actions that opened the box they were more likely to perform the same action when put back in the box. The behaviourist position that human behaviour could be explained completely in terms of reflexes, stimulus-response (SR) associations and the effect of reinforcers upon them entirely excluding ‘mental’ terms like desires and goals was taken up by John Watson in his 1914 book ‘Behaviour: An Introduction to Comparative Psychology’. Watson was also involved with the introduction of the laboratory rat to psychology. He was employed ... Free Essays on Maze Learning In Adults Free Essays on Maze Learning In Adults MAZE LEARNING IN ADULTS INTRODUCTION Around the 1900’s Edward Thorndike attempted to develop an objective experimental method for the mechanical problem solving ability of cats and dogs. Thorndike devised a number of wooden crates which required various combinations of latches, levers, strings and treadles to open them. A cat or dog would be put into one of these ‘puzzle-boxes’ and sooner or later would manage to escape from it. Thorndike’s initial aim was to show the anecdotal achievements of cats and dogs could be replicated in controlled, standardised circumstance. However, he soon realised he could now measure animal intelligence with this equipment. His method was to set an animal the same task repeatedly, each time measuring the time it took to solve it. He was particularly interested in discovering whether his animals could learn tasks through imitation or observation. He compared the learning curves of cats who had been given the opportunity of observing others escaping from a b ox with those who had never seen the box being solved and found no difference in their rate of learning. He obtained the same null result with dogs and even when he put the animal’s paws on the appropriate lever and showed them how to open the box, there was no improvement. He fell back on a much simpler trial and error explanation of learning. He realised that when the animal performed the actions that opened the box they were more likely to perform the same action when put back in the box. The behaviourist position that human behaviour could be explained completely in terms of reflexes, stimulus-response (SR) associations and the effect of reinforcers upon them entirely excluding ‘mental’ terms like desires and goals was taken up by John Watson in his 1914 book ‘Behaviour: An Introduction to Comparative Psychology’. Watson was also involved with the introduction of the laboratory rat to psychology. He was employed ...

Technical Communication Sample Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technical Communication Sample - Essay Example iting under scrutiny here is a White Paper, ‘Building a World Class Online Storage Infrastructure’ (July 13, 2000) from Driveway Corporation, pioneers in the field of online file storage service. The document details how Driveway Corporation developed an efficient 24X7 online storage service. There are certain essential features that are usually present in technical writing. Some of them are title page, disclaimer, abstract, acknowledgement, contents page, introduction, main sections and sub-sections, conclusions, references, and appendices. Now, a look into the Driveway Corporation White Paper proves that it contains many of these essential features that make it a perfect example of technical writing. It starts with a title page, followed by a disclaimer page. As in a technical writing, there is a fully developed table of contents and an executive summary. Thereafter, there are various subsections and finally a conclusion. Evidently, the White Paper epitomizes the conce pt of technical communication. There are some other features too that keep it different from the ordinary academic writing. This technical communication gives no chance for entertainment. In other words, the style of writing is simple, concise and ‘to the fact’. The second point is the total absence of emotive language in this piece of work. As the intention is only to convey information, the language used is as highly objective as possible. Yet another feature is that this work tries to be as concise as possible by avoiding sentences with so many clauses which are confusing to read. The last feature to be mentioned is the clarity presented throughout the work. In technical writing, the presentation should not be ambiguous. The Driveway Corporation White Paper intends to explain the various factors that made the company start its online storage service. It details how its online storage infrastructure works, its design goals, storage capacity, and security. It also explains how the storage

Freedom of Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Freedom of Speech - Essay Example A very popular case of a Christian student of a public school, wearing a tee-shirt proclaiming ‘Homosexuality is shameful’ was found offensive by the school and illegal constitutionally by the federal court. The main reason cited by the judges was that it offended the sensibilities of the minority, in this case, that of sexual orientation and that ‘it interfered in their learning’. The reaffirmation of the illegality of the student’s case raised many pertinent cases and the main point of the case remained wide scope of free speech. Does declaring one’s point of mind or personal preferences should really be constituted as illegal and if that is so, what is the relevance of freedom of speech as awarded by the 1st amendment of the constitution? In the present time, freedom of speech is being taken as a fashion statement. While exerting their right of expression by words or deeds, people must ensure that their personal freedom does not impinge on somebody else’s rights and in any way violate their sense of self-esteem, religiosity or as stated sexual orientation. Freedom of speech is universally accepted as a right for free expression so long as it is confined to themselves and nonoffensive for others. It is equally true that people have been exercising this right for a long time for peaceful purposes through various means like media, public speeches, and debates etc. The controversial issues, being discussed publicly and hotly debated at public platforms, have produced some highly relevant results, favored by masses. Controversy, at times, becomes necessary for the dissemination of information which is so necessary for the resolution of disputed issues and controversial topics.

A Critique of the Site StarFall.com Design and Content Research Paper

A Critique of the Site StarFall.com Design and Content - Research Paper Example Parents find Starfall useful as it prepares their children for school, and supports them even after they join the school. The content of the website focuses on that method of learning that emphasizes the relationship between letter and sound, skills for recognizing words, and strategies for reading and comprehension. It does this with the help of activities like animated stories, movies and games. The site consists of four major units.The "Get Ready to Read" section is about the alphabet and the alphabets are pronounced in a child’s voice. The "Learn to Read" section which is for early readers and for those who are just beginning to read has fifteen different modules consisting of games, stories and movies that teach the child various letter sounds and skills. The third section, "Its Fun to Read,† designed for intermediate readers consist of activities related to art and music. The last section, â€Å"I’m Reading† is for advanced readers and has online storybooks that include well-known folktales and myths. The website also has an active bulletin board that can be used for dis cussion by parents. When students complete a program they can obtain a feedback of their performance and also give a feedback. The reading level of the text and stories is according to the grade levels it was designed for. The content of Starfall.com helps the learner to go beyond basics into a higher level of thinking. It enhances a student’s curiosity Starfall.com is well designed and the animation used compliments and enhances the process of learning. Starfall.com uses a variety of media that includes texts, graphics, video and audio narration. The main aim of a web profile is that it must be most attractive, says Stephanie Ruth (2009). In Starfall.com the colorful graphics and easy-to-read text make it attractive for children. Cartoon characters are also used in interactive stories and activities. The graphics on this website are appropriate to the goals of this program.

Inflammatory Mediators Of Asthma Health Essay

Inflammatory Mediators Of Asthma Health Essay Once IgE binds to mast cells (or activated eosinophils), an amplification system operates since the cells not only release the spasmogens and other mediators specified but also can stimulate ÃŽ ² cells to produce more IgE. Furthermore, the production of IL-5, IL-4 IL-13 and IL-9 amplifies the Th2-mediated events. It is believed that asthma symptoms are manifested because of Th2 mediated immune response. Pulmonary allergic inflammation in mice lead to decrease in pulmonary IL-5 concentration, specific IgE, IgG1, and eosinophil and T cell recruitment in wild type mice in the absence of T cells. T cells are important in IL-4 dependent IgG1, IgE and Th2 cell mediated lung inflammation, further more there is evidence that CD4+T cells have a role in asthma process. For example, in murine model external protein induced T cells increases IL-5 production and produces airway eosinophilia. (Larche et al. 2003) Asthma is a complex chronic inflammatory airway disorder that involves the activation of the inflammatory and structural cells. These released inflammatory mediators cause typical pathophysiological changes of asthma (Peter et al., 2003). There are several lines of evidence that may implicate a mediator in asthma. Firstly, it may mimic features of clinical asthma. Secondly, the mediator may be produced in asthmatic patients. Thus, mediators or their metabolites may be detected in plasma (e.g. histamine), urine (e.g. LTE4), or more likely, the airways in biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, induced sputum or exhaled air. 1.8.3.1. Histamine Histamine was the first mediator implicated in the pathophysiological changes of asthma (Barnes et al., 1998). Histamine is one of the important mediator of allergy, inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Histamine is synthesized and released by mast cells in the airway wall and by circulating and infiltrating basophils. Antigen-induced histamine secretion is initiated by the bridging of the adjacent IgE receptors on the mast cell surface. Histamine receptors are among the thousands of members of the 7-transmembrane-spanning family of receptors that couple ligand binding to intracellular reactions through interactions with another large family of guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding heterotrimeric proteins. H1-receptors mediate a host of intracellular events most readily characterized by changes in free cytosolic calcium levels. Histamine show different response in mammalian tissue depends upon presence of receptor on that tissue Kulkarni, (1976). 1.8.3.2. Adenosine Adenosine can act as an autocoid cause bronchoconstriction in asthmatics and increase immunologically induced mediator release from mast cells of human lung (Cushley et al., 1984; Peachell et al., 1988). Mast cells also release adenosine in response to IgE cross-linking and other stimuli for mast cell activation. 1.8.3.3. Lipid-Derived Mediators Leukotrienes Leukotrienes are potent lipid mediators produced by arachidonic acid metabolism in cell or nuclear membrane. Several types of airway inflammatory cells, like eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, can synthesize LTs in response to a variety of stimuli. Leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. All the Cys-LTs are potent constrictors of bronchial smooth muscle. On a molar basis, LTD4 is 1000 times more active than histamine and constrict bronchioles (Dahlen et al., 1980). Cys-LTs, acting on Cys-LT1 receptors produce bronchospasm, airway hyper-responsiveness, proliferation of airway smooth muscle, excess production of mucus and mucosal edema and eosinophilia in the airways, and other features in asthma (Sundeep et al., 2001; Peter, 1998). Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) PAF is ether-linked phospholipid. The synthesis of PAF occurs in inflammatory cells, including platelet, neutrophils, basophils, macrophages and eosinophils. PAF induces airway smooth muscle contraction by releasing other mediators. PAF-induced bronchoconstriction is not inhibited by H1 receptor antagonist Ketotifen. However, PAF-induced bronchoconstriction can be inhibited by LT antagonists, because of involvement of LTD4 in this response. PAF stimulate chemotaxis and adhesion of eosinophils and neutrophils in-vitro (Peter et al., 2003). Prostanoids Prostanoids include prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane (Tx), which are generated from arachidonic acid, usually by the action of COX. In general PGF2 and PGD2 contract and PGE relax tracheal muscle. Asthmatic individuals are particularly sensitive to PGF2ÃŽ ±, which may cause intense bronchospasm. Although both PGE1 and PGE2 can produce bronchodilatation when given to such patients by aerosol, bronchoconstriction sometime is observed. Tx analogue U 46619 is a potent constrictor in asthmatic patients, and this effect is mediated in part via acetylcholine release. Prostanoids stimulate airway mucus secretion in various animal species. It inhibits the release of mediators from mast cells, monocytes, neutrophils and eosinophil inflammatory cells (Peter et al., 2003). 1.8.3.4. Cytokines Cytokines are small protein mediators that play an integral role in the coordination and persistence of inflammation in asthma. Many inflammatory cells macrophages, mast cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes) are capable of synthesizing and releasing these proteins. Th2 lymphocytes produce a panel of cytokines, including IL-5, IL-4, IL-13 and IL-9 (Barnes et al., 1998). 1.8.3.4.1. Interleukin-4 IL-4 is critical for the synthesis of IgE by B-cells and for eosinophils recruitment. IL-4 is also involved in Th2 cell differentiation. IL-4 is a key factor in the development of allergic inflammation, and they may also play a major role in exacerbating asthmatic symptoms (Adcock and Caramori, 2003). Figure 11. Role of CD4+Th2cells and Various cytokines in asthma pathogenesis. 1.8.3.4.2. Interleukin-5 It play important role in allergic asthma. IL-5 promote the maturation of eosinophils from bone marrow processor, prolongs their survival by inhibition of apoptosis, activates mature eosinophil recruitment to tissue via synergistic effect with chemoattractants such as eotaxin and promote eosinophil adhesion of vascular endothelium.IL-5 can also promote basophils to release exaggerated amounts of histamine and leukotrienes, mediators that contribute to allergic bronchospasm and congestion in asthma (Fred et al., 2000). 1.8.3.4.3. Interleukin-9 Its major actions include maturation of eosinophils, airway inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness and mucus over production (Adcock and Caramori, 2003). 1.8.3.4.4. Interleukin-13 IL-13 is critical for the synthesis of IgE by B-cells. Activates eosinophils, monocyte. IL-13 is a key factor in the development of allergic inflammation and they may also play a major role in exacerbating asthmatic symptoms (Barnes et al., 1998). 1.8.3.5. Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) GM-CSF is one of the colony-stimulating factor that acts to regulate the growth, proliferation and maturation of hematopoietic cells.GM-CSF can enhance the release of superoxide anions, also induce eosinophil apoptosis and activation, induces release of LTs, endothelial cell migration (Barnes et al., 1998). 1.8.3.6. Reactive Oxygen Species in Asthma Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by various enzymatic reactions and chemical processes or they can directly be inhaled. ROS are essential in many physiological reactions and are important for the killing of invading microorganisms. However, when airway cells and tissues are exposed to oxidative stress elicited by environmental pollutants, infections, inflammatory reactions or decreased levels of anti- oxidants, enhanced levels of ROS can have a variety of deleterious effects within the airways thereby inducing several pathophysiological conditions. It has been shown that ROS can damage DNA, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates leading to impaired cellular functions and enhanced inflammatory reactions. ROS are known to play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of various airway disorders such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cystic fibrosis, idiopathic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and asthma (Gillissen and Nowak, 1998; Repine et al., 1997).

Gun Control Control Laws Decrease Crime Essay -- Second Amendment The R

Gun Control Since the days of the pioneers of the United States, firearms have been part of the American tradition as protection and a means of hunting or sport. As we near the end of the 20th century the use of guns has changed significantly. Because of fast and steady increase in crime and the fight for the right to own a hand gun, the introduction of legislation for gun control, to try to reduce the crime in the United States, has been a hotly debated issue in recent years. Although many people feel that gun control violates the right of the people, given in the second amendment "the right to bear arms", controlling distribution and sales and the registration of guns and gun owners is necessary because of the homicide rate involving guns and the violence by criminals using guns. Many people feel that gun control violates the right of the people given in the second amendment the right "to bear arms". Opponents of gun control, including the National Rifle Association, better known as the NRA, argue that the "right To bear arms" is guaranteed in the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and licensing restrictions penalize law-abiding citizens while in no way preventing criminal use of handguns. It is also argued that by making it difficult for guns to be bought and registered for the American public there is a threat to the personal safety of American families everywhere. However controlling the sale and distributi...

Venus of Willendorf: the Image of Beauty and Survival

Venus of Willendorf: The Image of Beauty and Survival The Venus of Willendorf illustrates the characteristics of a woman in a utopian society because her figure demonstrates a society in which there is a stable food supply, and her most feminine features, breasts, hips and buttocks, are accentuated as a symbol of beauty and survival. According to PBS, â€Å"It was discovered on the banks of the Danube River, in Austria, and it was most likely made by hunter-gatherers who lived in the area. † During ancient times, food was scarce.People would eat whatever food they could get their hands on. When there was food available, dopamine, which is a neurochemical that plays a mojor role in reward driven learning, motivated the people to eat as much as they could. Dopamine triggers the chemical DeltaFosB. This chemical is also known as the binge chemical, â€Å"A ‘binge mechanism’ is an evolutionary advantage in situations where survival is furthered by overriding normal s atiety. Think of wolves, which need to stow away up to twenty pounds of a single kill at one go.Or our ancestors, who needed to store high-quality calories as a few extra pounds for easy transport to survive hard times. Or mating season, when there's a harem to impregnate. In the past, such opportunities were rare and passed quickly† (Yourbrainonporn. com). The Venus of Willendorf is a depiction of how human nature takes control of the brain in the presence of a food surplus. The Venus of Willendorf is a symbol of vitality, for she would survive during famine.Additionally, the artist who created the Venus of Willendorf was influenced by environment in which he or she lived in. â€Å"The people who made this statue lived in a harsh ice-age environment where features of fatness and fertility would have been highly desirable. In neurological terms, these features amounted to hyper-normal stimuli that activate neuron responses in the brain. So in Paleolithic people terms, the par ts that mattered most had to do with successful reproduction – the breasts and pelvic girdle.Therefore, these parts were isolated and amplified by the artist's brain† (PBS). Thus, the Venus of Willendorf was an attractive sight for it left its possessor daydreaming of a happier civilization where children survive beyond childbirth and food is unlimited. The Venus of Willendorf was the ideal woman in a successful society at the time of its creation, for her figure evokes two very important parts of maintaining a civilization: food and offspring. Because of DeltaFosB, our brains are chemically geared to eat when there is food around.James Kettlewell describes this phenomenon without science in regards to The Venus, â€Å"Consider when and where this Venus of Willendorf lived, when all food had to be gathered or killed, and its availability was never guaranteed. In her age corpulence would have made the most positive kind of statement. † The Venus of Willendorf†™s large figure represents food and the process of feeding. The overconsumption of food leads a concentration of DeltaFosB in the brain; when people of hunter and gatherer societies ate, DeltaFosB stimulated them to eat as much as possible.If there were an abundance of food, the DeltaFosB response from dopamine would produce figures like Venus of Willendorf. Venus of Willendorf’s large figure stimulated the thought of food in 22,000-24,000 BC when she was erected. Advances in food storage and childbearing techniques has made The Venus of Willendorf less of idolized figure, for there is social stigma with being fat in western society, but many countries in impoverished societies idolize fat. As a rite of passage in Nigeria, girls spend time in a fattening room.At the end of the three-month process, the women are believed to be more beautiful. Ann M. Simmons, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times visited Nigeria to write an article about the female lifestyle, â€Å"The fatten ing room is at the center of a centuries-old rite of passage from maidenhood to womanhood. The months spent in pursuit of poundage are supplemented by daily visits from elderly matrons who impart tips on how to be a successful wife and mother. Nowadays, though, girls who are not yet marriage-bound do a tour in the rooms purely as a coming-of-age ceremony.And sometimes, nursing mothers return to the rooms to put on more weight† (1). The Nigerian Gross Domestic Product per capita in 2011 was $1,452, while in the U. S. the Gross Domestic Product per capita was $48,422. It seems that poverty directly affects a societies’ perception of fatness. Tonga, Samoa, and Micronesia, countries that celebrate fatness, have GDP per capitas of $4,168, $3,532 and $2,852 and overweight percentages of 90. 8, 91. 1 and 80. 4, respectively. According to toptenz. net, â€Å"Excessive fatness continues to be embraced by many countries as a sign of health, wealth and happiness. Additionally, th is website continued to use Tonga and Samoa as exemplar countries that acknowledge this type of beauty. Could it be that the development of western civilization has changed the ideal citizen? In America fitness is seen as a necessity for fitting into the culture. Those who can afford a gym membership and are able to use it have more influence over the perception of beauty and fertility, for the fit citizens are often wealthier. The countries that celebrate fatness maintain a semblance of the hunter/gather society that created the Venus of Willendorf.An archaeologist in a special for PBS said that the Willendorf is, â€Å"Indicative of a general human tendency-wishful thinking. What you are seeing is altered or modified in order to give you a heightened experience†¦If what’s important to is the breast, hips and buttocks, then you’re stretching them out to get more gratification from the statue than the woman sitting next to you. † These eloquent words apply not only to the Venus, but also to the young women in the feeding huts in Nigeria. The aspects of a woman that are considered beautiful are exaggerated in order to make them more beautiful.Besides beauty, The Venus of Willendorf is well equipped for childbearing, for she has wide hips, and her breasts are well stocked for feeding a child. In times of famine, The Venus would survive. In Nigeria, elders who give advice about being a good mother and wife accompany women who spend time in fattening huts. Being fat is part of being a good mother in Nigeria. The Venus of Willendorf is a symbol of the same traits demonstrated in Nigeria, but the image of the Venus was only a pipe dream for the Paleolithic people.Their ideal woman would have been a spitting image of Venus, but the citizens of the long gone civilization did not have the technology to live the fantasical lifestyle of the Venus of Willendorf Words:1126 Works Cited Kettlewell, James. â€Å"Rethinking Classic Themes in Art Hist ory. † James Kettlewell:The Venus of Willendorf. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. . Wilson, Gary. â€Å"Start Here for an Overview of Key Concepts. † Your Brain On Porn. N. p. , 12 May 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. . Simmons, Ann M. â€Å"Where Fat Is a Mark of Beauty. Editorial. Los Angeles Times 23 Sept. 1998: 1-2. PROFESSOR SCHUTZER'S WEB PAGE. Pierce College. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. . Duvall, Susan. â€Å"Top 10 Countries Celebrating Female Obesity. † Top 10 Lists. N. p. , 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. . â€Å"GDP per Capita (current US$). † Data. The World Bank, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. . Streib, Lauren. â€Å"World's Fattest Countries. † Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 8 Feb. 2007. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. . â€Å"Venus of Willendorf: An Exaggerated Beauty. † PBS. PBS, 2006. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. .

Comparisons between medeval and modern life essays

Comparisons between medeval and modern life essays I would like to focus my response paper on the similarities, as well as some differences between the world of Cecilia, and the world today. I found that there are many similar aspects with slight twists. Farming was then, and is now one of the major aspects of daily life for many people. Like Brigstock, Montana, is an area dominated by an agricultural economy. The ownership of land is still today thought of as a symbol of wealth, or power. However just as in Brigstock, most people have no land. One similarity however for those who do own land, it is usually passed down to them by their fathers, and so on. The only reason there arent more farmers is because of the simple fact of changing times, and the necessity for other jobs. The idea of shared public lands for grazing, foraging, and gathering firewood, still exists today. The BLM or Borough of Land Management, controls state lands which are leased out to farmers, and can be used freely by the public. The National Forest Service lands are open to farmers who are allowed to let their livestock graze there during certain times. Cecelia, and her fellow townspeople were aloud use of the kings forest. The only difference between his forest, and ours is private, versus public ownership. However, both are managed and controlled by government officials. In Brigstock, the forest guards were the Foresters, today there Forest Rangers. Legally there are some very similar aspects of life then and now. As I understand it during Cecilias time if you did not report a crime that you witnessed by raising the Hue. Granted, today we dont go around reporting every minor offence, however it is today still illegal to not report a crime. Also, during that time if you were wronged, you could bring legal action against those that wronged you. The modern day equivalent is the law-suit. Also, the idea that people were selected randomly from the community when a jury was needed. Howe...

Free Essays on Teams

Self-directed work teams are defined as a small number of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach, for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. (Katzenbach & Smith,2001). Collaborative self directed work teams can get complex projects done at faster rates than the traditional boss-worker arrangement, because the decision making process is made faster and more effective in a team. Empowering teams to make decisions about their work also enhances satisfaction and reduces turnover. (Berger, 1998). Self directed work teams involve employees in a specific area, or those who are working on a specific product or process. Self directed work teams can be any size, but are generally not more than 12 to 15 employees. The work team makes the decisions that would normally be made by a supervisor or manger, and might interact with the company’s suppliers and customers, whether they are inside or outside the company. In some companies, self-directed work teams will also take over many of the human resource functions as well (Cotton, 2003). Self directed work teams have also become one of the more changing approaches to employee involvement and has been increasing in popularity within the last several years. Companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Digital Equipment, General Mills, Federal Express and other well known companies are reorganizing their employees into self directed work teams. In a recent survey, 476 Fortune 500 companies found that although only 7% of the work force is organized into self directed work teams, management at half of these companies said that they will be relying on them more in years ahead. (Cotton, 2003). There are nine basic steps in establishing self-directed work teams: 1) Developing a shared vision, 2) Empowerment, 3) Training, 4) Presence of supportive culture, 5) Developing performance expectations and feedback, 6) Establishing boundaries, 7) De... Free Essays on Teams Free Essays on Teams Self-directed work teams are defined as a small number of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach, for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. (Katzenbach & Smith,2001). Collaborative self directed work teams can get complex projects done at faster rates than the traditional boss-worker arrangement, because the decision making process is made faster and more effective in a team. Empowering teams to make decisions about their work also enhances satisfaction and reduces turnover. (Berger, 1998). Self directed work teams involve employees in a specific area, or those who are working on a specific product or process. Self directed work teams can be any size, but are generally not more than 12 to 15 employees. The work team makes the decisions that would normally be made by a supervisor or manger, and might interact with the company’s suppliers and customers, whether they are inside or outside the company. In some companies, self-directed work teams will also take over many of the human resource functions as well (Cotton, 2003). Self directed work teams have also become one of the more changing approaches to employee involvement and has been increasing in popularity within the last several years. Companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Digital Equipment, General Mills, Federal Express and other well known companies are reorganizing their employees into self directed work teams. In a recent survey, 476 Fortune 500 companies found that although only 7% of the work force is organized into self directed work teams, management at half of these companies said that they will be relying on them more in years ahead. (Cotton, 2003). There are nine basic steps in establishing self-directed work teams: 1) Developing a shared vision, 2) Empowerment, 3) Training, 4) Presence of supportive culture, 5) Developing performance expectations and feedback, 6) Establishing boundaries, 7) De...

Mesopotamia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mesopotamia - Research Paper Example Sumerians used the rivers to irrigate their lands, ensuring that there was a constant supply of food for their citizens. The economies of these societies were despotic, with one central figure having a control on all manner of productions. Sumerians is one of the societies found in Mesopotamia. These people used barley, wheat, and silver as the various means of currency (Muntone, 2012). The economic system in Mesopotamia was very easy to control by the leaders of the Sumerians. For example, if a leader was able to control the production of wheat, then the economic control of Mesopotamia will follow. The Sumerians did not have an economic and social stratification system. On this basis, egalitarianism was the major social organization that was seen throughout Mesopotamia. The Sumerians symbolized deities into the various elements that they had authority over. On this basis, there was the god of the moon, of the sun, of fertility etc. Sumerians were aware of the different properties of the earth, and they modeled these properties in a manner that would make the world to be more personable (Muntone, 2012). Some of the religious beliefs of the Sumerians are similar to that of the Christians and Jewish religion. For instance, the Sumerians believed that mankind was removed from paradise as a punishment of eating a forbidden fruit. Sumerians also had some knowledge in writings, and much of the knowledge concerning ancient Mesopotamia is found in their clay tablet writings that have survived until now.

Barrack Obama as a Favorite Political Leader Essay

Barrack Obama as a Favorite Political Leader - Essay Example Obama has brought about significant changes since he took over as the president of the US, these changes have made the US so much better than what it earlier was as a country. People may point to the ever increasing unemployment rate but he is trying his best to keep it under perfect control, he is against outsourcing and it is good for the people of the US and it is also good for those who are unemployed. The following part of the paper will shed more light upon the changes that have taken place since Obama took over as the president of the US. â€Å"America is a place where all things are possible† this was how Barrack Obama started off at Grand Park in Chicago. He said if any American had any doubts about the above statement then he would clear all their doubts. This paper will throw light upon the speech delivered by Barack Obama at Grand Park in Chicago. The paper will also present the promises made by the President of the USA and some pros and cons which would present a clear picture of what the USA can expect from their new President. Obama gave focus on the power of democracy in his speech, the opening lines especially placed emphasis upon the democracy in the USA. He pointed that the people of America were not individuals but they are united and that’s what makes United States of America what it is. He assured the people that this election is going to bring a lot of positive changes in the country. He promised the people that he would renew the nations promise working with the other people in the office. He thanked his wife for standing by him and he thanked his daughters too and joked that the new puppy is coming to the White House along with them. He assured the people that the new government is of the people, by the people and for the people and he also congratulated them on their victory. He addressed the financial crisis which has affected almost all the major economies in the world and promised the people he would take suitable step s to counter the same. He promised the people that he is very hopeful and the journey of all the Americans is very long and steep but he believes that he will get there. He promised the people that he would listen to them and he would do so especially if they disagree with him. He asked the people what change would our children live to see and motivated the people to work towards the growth and development of the USA. He referred to a 106 year old black lady in his speech and said that there have positive changes taken place in the country. He referred to the period when there was slavery and the blacks were exploited but he said that everything has changed for better now, the 106 year old black lady was free to cast her vote and this is what bringing change means. He told the people that they have to build the USA block by block by their efforts and hard work. He reaffirmed to all the people that they have certainly made the right decision by choosing him and said that the developm ent process of the USA is going to be a long and a tough one but he motivated the people to work hard to make the USA a better country. Barack Obama is an influential leader who is a now the President in the

Analyzing Black History Sites Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analyzing Black History Sites - Essay Example The complex was established in year 1989 under the guidance of the Wajumbe Cultural Institution, Inc., and the San Francisco African American Historical Society. The new non-profit organization was named â€Å"The Center for African and African American Art and Culture† (lately the name was simplified). A financing of the organization comes in many different ways. There are two constant funders: The Department of Children, Youth and Family, and The San Francisco Arts Commission. Also there is a donation option for sponsors and people, who just want to support the center or volunteer in its projects. The site is located on 762 Fulton Street (which is the center of the city of San Francisco, CA), and takes up pretty much space (34,000 sq. ft). Such a big territory was received for the center in order to satisfy the Blacks community needs1, which means that the amount of black people in San Francisco is big enough to form quite strong and influential community that wants to devel op its culture and extend it widely. The destiny of Blacks in San Francisco is quite hard; through their history in this city there were many troubles and obstacles appeared in their way to free implementation of their native culture. First African Americans settled in San Francisco in the middle of 19th century as slaves of white owners of their, since early 20th century they began to develop small communities to preserve their culture and stay together to support each other, many black residents came to the city looking for a better life and searching for resources. According to Jan Batiste Adkins’s research, the population of African Americans in San Francisco started to increase in the first part of the 20th century, after the II World War a big amount of Blacks moved to California to work in a big industry. This pretty much expanded the community of

Minicase Raines and Warren Finance Essay Example for Free

Minicase Raines and Warren Finance Essay The disadvantage of using company collateral to back the bonds is, the asset used as collateral cannot be sold during the term of the bond and must maintain its value. 2. Seniority of the bond. The seniority of the bond is the order in which bonds will be paid in the event of bankruptcy. The more senior the bond, the higher priority of being paid if there is a bankruptcy, and the lower the coupon rate because the risk to the bond owner is lower. 3. The presence of a sinking fund. A sinking fund is an account set up by the trustee of the bonds. The trustee saves and pools money to purchase, pay off, or call bonds early. Setting up a sinking fund will lower the risk, thus lowering the coupon rate. The risk to the company is not having available funds to feed the trust. 4. A call provision with specified call dates and call prices. A call provision could be included to call the bonds if interest rates drop substantially. The call provision will raises the coupon rate but protect you from paying a high rate for a long period in the event rates drop. 5. A deferred call accompanying the call provision. A deferred call accompanying the call provision would give the bond purchaser a protection period where the bond could not be called. Adding this provision will prohibit you from calling the bond for a set time (call period), and puts you at risk of paying a high interest rate for the deferred period. Therefore, you have a lower coupon rate than a call provision with no deferral period but still higher than a bond with no call provision at all. 6. A make-whole call provision. A make-whole call provision is the safest call for the investor and a lower coupon rate for you. The discount rate is based on the current Treasury rate plus a small-specified percentage. The investor is protected by being made whole if there is a call. 7. Any positive covenants for purchaser and some SS might consider. Positive covenants on bonds are proactive and reduce the coupon rate. Applying positive covenants to the bond makes it more attractive and secure to the investor by applying conditions that protect the investor’s interest. You may wish to consider a covenant to furnish your audited financial statements to the investors. This is something you already do and it would decrease the coupon rate. If you choose to secure with assets (see number 1), including a covenant to assure that the asset is in good working condition would lower the coupon rate. 8. Any negative covenants for purchaser and some SS might consider. Negative covenants on bonds are restrictive and reduce the coupon rate. Applying negative covenants to the bond makes it more attractive to the investor but may hinder the operation by putting limitations on your business actions. You may want to consider a clause that you will not merge with another firm and that you will not issue any additional long-term debt. 9. A conversion feature. A conversion feature allows a bond to convert to stock and unless your company is planning to go public, this would not apply to you. If SS has any plans to go public, you should consider a conversion feature. This feature would benefit the bondholders if the company did go public and if included could lower the coupon rate. 10. A floating-rate coupon. A floating-rate coupon is much like an adjustable rate loan. The coupon rate, tied to a published rate such as the Treasury bill interest rate over a set period, is adjusted per a set schedule such as every six months. There is a disadvantage of doing this when rates are low but will be more attractive to the investor, thus a lower margin. A cap on how much the rate can be increased or decreased would be a good addition if you choose this option. This would be a consideration if you choose not to have a call provision.

Analysis of Healthcare in California

Analysis of Healthcare in California By Team Bluefish: Brenda Benavides Liyang Hayworth Janelle Moulder Jesse Phillips Timothy Weigand Melecia Wright Introduction In recent years, United States healthcare expenditure focused on expanding health care coverage and increasing access to medical services. For example, the state of California has been grappling with the burden of cardio-metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Though billions of dollars are spent annually to treat these lifestyle diseases, the prevalence of both obesity and diabetes is still on the rise (Meng, Pickett, Babey, Davis, Goldstein, 2014; Mirzadehgan, Harrison, DiSogra, 2004). While access to basic health services is critical to maintaining health status, it is important to also acknowledge and capitalize on the roles of social, economic and/or environmental determinants contexts within which people live as they hold tremendous potential to positively influence health status. The objective of this Issues Summary is to address the current status of health care spending in California and demonstrate how an emphasis on the underlying social, economic, and environmental determinants of health may reduce financial hardship for the state while managing its most problematic chronic diseases more effectively in the long term. Background History Although health care spending in California is high, quality of care for individuals is low. Quality of care remains low because approximately 20% of California’s population is uninsured, and the majority of these individuals avoids seeing a doctor until emergency care is required (Helfand, 2011; â€Å"Emergency as normal†, 2002). This reliance on emergency care, which should act as a safety net and not a patient’s primary source of health care, leads to steep health care costs. Healthcare spending in California has come under scrutiny since the passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. In that year’s general elections alone, two health care spending measures were approved for the ballot. Proposition 45 would force health insurance companies to be more transparent about rate hikes and increase accountability through mandated review of requested rate changes. The other, Proposition 46, was meant to increase accountability from healthcare providers. The measure specifically required random drug testing for doctors and that those found to be impaired would face disciplinary action from the California Medical Board. Proposition 46 also proposed an increased cap on pain and suffering damages from medical negligence lawsuits. These propositions encourage increased vigilance from doctors with the aim of ultimately improving the quality of the services administered. However popular, neither of these propositions capitalized on t he potential for decreasing direct healthcare expenditures while increasing quality of care. With the increased financial cost of cardio-metabolic disease, Californians have recognized the strain that chronic disease such as diabetes and obesity-related illnesses put on the state’s health care system, as evidenced by recent policies such as Senate Bill 1000, which outlines the potential consequences of soda consumption and subsequently reduce its demand (â€Å"Warning Labels on Sugary Drinks†). Providing health education and more affordable preventative care services to vulnerable populations can significantly reduce the burden of chronic disease and its related healthcare costs. Current Status In 2011, nearly one-third of hospitalizations among Californians age 35 and older were related to diabetes; interestingly, only 8.4% of California adults had diabetes (Meng et al., 2014). According to the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) in 2009, 22.7% of California adults were obese based on their body mass index (Cook et al., 2013). Obesity is strongly associated with the incidence of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and hypertension (Cook et al., 2013). The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the United States is of particular concern among low income and minority populations (Melius, 2013). Researchers have shown that income is negatively associated with adolescent obesity: youth from low-income families were more likely to be obese than their higher income counterparts (Babey, Hastert, Wolstein, Diamant, 2010). This inverse correlation suggests that a successful intervention against obesity and its related diseases should address the conditions that drive differential behaviour and nutritional patterns in people of various socioeconomic strata (Melius, 2013). One such intervention is the proposed â€Å"soda tax† that will be on the ballot in Berkeley and San Francisco in this November’s general election. Evidence suggests that when prices of sugary drinks increase, â€Å"consumers, including low-income consumers, [make] more nutritious purchases† (Varney, 2014). The â€Å"soda tax† is estimate d to â€Å"prevent 240,000 cases of diabetes per year† according to Dr. Bibbins-Domingo, a professor of medicine at UCSF, who co-authored a study on the tax (Cook, 2014). In addition, the tax revenue generated by this measure may be utilized for programs focused on childhood nutrition (Cook, 2014). While taxes on unhealthy foods may be highly controversial, California may consider adopting other strategies that target nutritional choices and low-income populations throughout the state. Differential factors in the physical environment are also an issue. For instance, low income diets and neighbourhoods are characterized by low intake of vegetables and high consumption of fast food due to the lack of supermarkets in low-income neighborhoods (Melius, 2013). Additionally, access to public parks and other sites of recreation encourage increased physical activity, which can influence the development of obesity and diabetes (Melius, 2013). However, public parks are more likely to be absent or in a state of disrepair in low-income neighborhoods, due to limited funding or resources. Zoning regulations and incentives programs can be effective ways to produce changes in the physical environment. Finally, home environments that do not encourage healthy eating habits from an early age or encourage regular physical activity contribute to the development of obesity-related conditions (Meng et al., 2014). However, healthy eating habits and a healthy, active lifestyle is a learned behavior, which requires adequate health education, particularly early in life. Diabetes and obesity, and their comorbid conditions are expected to continue to increase in prevalence. It is absolutely essential to address the underlying factors contributing to obesity-related illnesses. With the current state of health care expenditures for acute care of largely preventable conditions, it is imperative that California consider measures that will maximize health status within the confines of a tight state health care budget (Meng et al., 2014; Helfand, 2011). These measures must include increasing access to preventative care or early intervention in the care of chronic disease. Recommendations Pandemic obesity and diabetes in the state of California and across the nation is a call to action to develop prevention strategies, rather than solely focusing and relying on providing primary health care. Both lack of physical activity and poor diet (high carbohydrate, high fat, and low fiber intake) increase the risk of developing obesity and diabetes. As such, our proposed policies are 1) establishing amicable environments encouraging physical activities 2) promoting healthy and nutritious dietary intake at a young age and 3) providing access to affordable preventive health care. The proposed policies intend to modify underlying causal determinants of disease and therefore improve the health of the general population and reduce health care related costs. Recent surveys and research on California’s population have shown that diabetes and obesity will continue to be of significant concern for the health status of the state’s population in coming years. While creating an environment where people can exercise and engage in regular physical activity and ensuring access to affordable health care are important steps to take in order to manage these diseases, we recommend prioritizing social policies aimed at improving nutrition and lifestyle choices. Californians are receptive towards policies that address social determinants of health, including early childhood nutrition, and these policies can have a tremendous impact on health outcomes in the long term at a lower cost than would be required of policies that simply increase health care services. Two policies recently approved in California that address social determinants of health are Senate Bill 402 and Assembly Bill 290. Senate Bill 402 was enacted in 2013 and requires that all hospitals with a prenatal unit adopt an infant-feeding policy that is equivalent to â€Å"Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding† (De Leà ³n, Pavley, 2013). It was adopted to manage obesity in California by addressing early life nutrition, supported by evidence that â€Å"early infant-feeding practices can affect later growth and development, particularly with regard to obesity† (De Leà ³n, Pavley, 2013). Assembly Bill 290 also aims to prevent obesity by ensuring that child care centers have an employee with â€Å"at least one hour of childhood nutrition training† as part of an already required health and safety training (California Senate, 2013). The bill targets child care centers because child care participation is at an all-time high, so they are a great space to reach a l arge number of youth at an age when â€Å"lifelong nutrition habits are formed† (California Senate, 2013). These policies have great potential to stem obesity and its associated chronic diseases and reduce healthcare costs in the future. In order to achieve our goals to positively influence health status in California, we recommend enlisting public health practitioners more frequently in the policy making process. With their background in health, social and economic determinants, and fluency in interpreting data from academically-driven research, public health practitioners are an untapped resource for policymakers. In fostering this collaboration between public health providers and our state policymakers, we will effectively bridge the data gap and provide the opportunity to maximize health status, while minimizing health care expenditures. The collaboration would promote active assessment of the impact of policy change, which can increase recognition of social determinants of health and of inter-sectoral responsibility for health (Oxford, 2013). References Author Unknown (Jun 2002). Emergency as normal. The Economist. Retrieved from  http://www.economist.com/node/1168001 Author Unknown. (n.d.). Warning Labels on Sugary Drinks. California Center for Public Health  Advocacy. Retrieved from  http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/resources/warninglabel/WarningLabel_PressKit_FINAL.pdf Babey, S., Hastert, T., Wolstein, J., Diamant, A. (Nov 2010). Income disparities in obesity trends  among California adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 100(11):2149-55. Retrieved from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951974/ Babey, S., Wolstein, J., Krumholz, S., Robertson, B., Diamant, A. (Mar 2013). Health Policy  Brief: Physical Activity, Park Access and Park Use among California Adolescents. UCLA Center for Health Policy. Research. Retrieved from  http://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/publications/Documents/PDF/parkaccesspb-mar2013.pdf California Senate. (2013). AB 290 (Alejo), Child day care: childhood nutrition training.  Retrieved from  http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/asm/ab_02510300/ab_290_bill_20131011_chaptered.pdf Cook, C. (Oct 2014). Big Soda’s false populism. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from  http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-1028-cook-soda-tax-poor-people-20141028-story.html Cook, S.N., Giddings, B.M., Parikh-Patel, A., Kizer, K.W., Kwong, S.L., Bates, J.H., Snipes,  K.P. (Dec 2013). Obesity-Linked Cancers: A California Status Report, 1988-2009. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Public Health, California Cancer Registry. Retrieved from  http://www.ccrcal.org/pdf/Reports/CA_California1988-2009_Obesity_v6.pdf DeLeon, Pavley (2013). Senate Bill No. 402: Breastfeeding. California Senate. Retrieved from  http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0401-0450/sb_402_bill_20130220_introduced.htm Diamant, A., Babey, S., Wolstein, J., Jones, M. (Aug 2010) . Health Policy Research Brief   Obesity and Diabetes: Two Growing Epidemics in California. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Retrieved from  http://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/publications/Documents/PDF/Obesity%20and%20Diabetes%20Two%20Growing%20Epidemics%20in%20California.pdf Helfand, Duke (Dec 2011). California’s healthcare spending per person among lowest in U.S.  Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/07/business/la-fi-california-health-spending-20111208 Kelin, L., Ming, M. (Sep 2013). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Leisure-time Physical  Activity in California: Patterns and Mechanisms. Race and Social Problems, 5(3):147-156. Retrieved from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3779616/ Meng, Y.Y., Pickett, M., Babey, S., Davis, A., and Goldstein, H. (May 2014). Diabetes Tied to a  Third of California Hospital Stays, Driving Health Care Costs Higher. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Retrieved from  http://publichealthadvocacy.org/_PDFs/1in3/DiabetesHospitalStudy_PolicyBrief_FINAL.pdf Melius J. (2013). Overweight and Obesity in Minority Children and Implications for Family and  Community Social Work. Social Work in Public Health, 28:2, 119-128, DOI:  10.1080/19371918.2011.560821 Mirzadehgan, P., Harrison, G.G., DiSogra, C. (Dec 2004). Health Policy Fact Sheet: Nearly  One in Five California Adults Obese and Most Still Gaining Weight. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Retrieved from  http://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/publications/Documents/PDF/Nearly%20One%20in%20Five%20California%20Adults%20Obese%20and%20Most%20Still%20Gaining%20Weight.pdf Varney, S. (Oct 2014). Soda-makers Try To Take Fizz Out Of Bay Area Tax Campaigns. NPR.  Retrieved from  http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/10/27/359325115/soda-makers-try-to-take-fizz-out-of-bay-area-tax-campaigns 1

Voodoo :: essays research papers fc

Voodoo Fon is spoken by over half the people of Benin and it is the mother tongue of voodoo. In Fon the root word for voodoo is vodoun that means spirit or god. Voodoo had its origins over 350 years ago in West Africa. In fact Allada, a small town in Benin, is often called the 'cradle of voodoo'. In 1996, January 10th became National Voodoo Day in honor of its followers that make up 65% of Benin population. The religion Vodoun was a by-product of the slave trade. This Yoruban religion was carried to Haiti in a slave trade from Dahomey, which is currently called Benin. Once in Haiti, the slaves were forced to adopt Catholicism. Desiring to keep their native practices, the slaves continued to perform their rituals in private. They transposed Catholic saints onto the tribal deities, called loa, to please their owners. Instead of hindering the faith of the slaves, the incorporation of the saints added something new to their religion. Because of this they included into their rituals statues of the saints, candles, and other Christian relics. It is combinations like this that form religions such as Santeria, a blend of Voodoo and Spanish Catholicism, that proves what a malleable religion it is. Voodoo has spread throughout the world into major communities on Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, Miami, and New York city. Vodoun has as many as 50 million followers throughout the world now.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although varieties of this religion occur in different regions there are some basic tenets common among them. They all believe that the pulse of life resides in nature's elements like fire or wind. This force is also in union with the dead and thus fosters a belief that they should be respected through rituals. They believe that all things are the creation of the loa, and at the same time part of the lao and are to be servants to them. The loa take part in our world and act as intermediaries between human being and the higher god, Bodye. The practitioners of Vodoun believe that when a soul dies it become a sprit or loa. These spirits often 'posses' the living during rituals. When 'possessed' the believer dances, offers animal sacrifices, falls into a trance, or may even disappear. When these rituals are performed a group (societe) come together in a sanctuary (hounfort) where they are revolved around a priest (hougan) or priestess (mamba). These societes are crucial in the structure within small Haitian villages. They are positive forces in establishing communal cohesion and over-riding gender barriers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For whatever good is served, Voodoo can also bring evil.

Eymp 2 1.1

Explain each of the areas of learning and development and how these are interdependent |Area of Development |How it is interdependent | |PSED – This area ensures children make positive relationships |Communication and language for e. g. aking relationships as often| |with other children and that children have awareness of their |communication can be the foundation of building relationships | |body and have self-confidence, children will also be able to | | |manage their feelings and their behaviour. | |Physical Development- moving and handling, Health and self-care, |PSED- need self confidence to join in physical activity with | |understand how important Physical development is. |friends. | | |Self confidence for self care | | |Positive relationships with someone to teach self-care. |Communication and Language |PSED- may not have confidence to speak | |Listening and attention |Literacy-may not be able to read something out to speak | |Understanding | | |Speaking | | |Li teracy |Physical Development If the child doesn’t have fine motor skills | |Reading |then they will struggle to hold a pencil to write their name | |Writing |Communication- Have trouble reading out loud | | |PSED – no confidence to read aloud, don’t have anyone to read | | |with so it’s hard to make progress. | |Mathematics |Literacy- Cant read, won’t understand numbers. |Numbers, Shape, space and measure |PSED- Counting together- self-confidence can’t play games won’t | | |be able to communicate properly. | |Understanding of the world |PSED- Begins to have their own friends- needs this to progress | |People and communities |knowledge | |The world |E. A. D Need pretend play to imitate every day actions | |Technology |P.D-need fine motor skills to make noises and explore the | | |environment | |Expressive arts and Design |PD- If you don’t have fine motor skills then you can’t develop | |Exploring Media and materia ls |your drawing skills e. g. can’t hold a pencil | |Being Imaginative |Communication – not understanding colours for example literacy | | |will be difficult to use media. | | |U. O. T. W, Can’t be imaginative as nothing to base it on. |

Advocates violence Essay

A hate group is â€Å"a group or movement that advocates violence against or unreasonable hate or hostility toward those persons or organizations identified by their religion, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability† (Wikipedia, 2004). The ideology of hate groups is based on the inaccurate information using for disparagement. The members of hate groups prejudge each individual in the target group as â€Å"low† or â€Å"contemptible†. They believe in the supremacy of their race, religion and use the violence and intimidation as the tools of the infuence on the target groups. How they do it? Usual tactics of the hate group includes four main elements: dehumanizing or demonizing the target; use of the conspiracy, theories, possibly not well backed up or referenced; claiming for manifesting interests of majority, support of thef pseudo-scientific theories using as the background for their grudge against target groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project reckoned up that 751 hate groups were active in the United States in 2003 (http://www. tolerance. org/maps/hate/state. jsp? T=12&m=2). The most infamous and oldest American hate group is the Ku Klux Klan. This movement joined more than 150 various hate groups. The target of the attacks of the Ku Klux Klan is blacks, Jews, immigrants and gays. Today the most active Ku Klux Klan organization in the USA is the Church of the American Knights of the KKK. This radical wing of the Ku Klux Klun is led by Jeff Berry and had strong prositions among other hate groups of the state of Indiana. While other KKK groups are trying to represent themselves as a civic organization for whites, the American Knights actively propagate strong measures against minorities. The credo of the American Knights is expressed in Jeff Berry’s speech: â€Å"We hate Jews, We hate niggers†¦. I’m a Yankee and I have never heard the word thank you in the nigger vocabulary†¦. We don’t like you niggers†¦ Tell me one thing your race has accomplished. † (ADL audio tape of Jasper rally, October, 1998 rally in Jasper, TX cited by http://www. adl. org/backgrounders/american_knights_kkk. asp). The same ideas we see in the Platform of the American Knights: â€Å"Enemies from within are destroying the United States of America. An unholy coalition of anti-White, anti-Christian liberals, socialists, feminists, homosexuals, jews [sic] and militant blacks have managed to seize control of our government and mass media. This gang of criminals and degenerates has declared war on the hard working, tax paying, White citizens †¦ The American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan plan to change things for the better. We shall liberate our nation from these savage criminals and restore law and order to America. † (cited by ADL backgrounder, 1999) But the hate groups do not only tell terrible words. They also do the terrible things. Every hour in the USA someone commits a hate crime. Every day at least eight blacks, three whites, three gays, three Jews and one Latino become hate crime victims. Every week a cross is burned. Three crosses were burned in the yard of a mixed-race family in the March of 2003 (Ladoga, IN). Swastikas and offensive messages were burned into the lawns of four residences (St. John, IN). The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan distribute their flyers throughout a neighborhood. According to FBI statistic â€Å"the greatest growth in hate crimes in recent years is against Asian Americans and gays and lesbians† (http://www. tolerance. org/pdf/ten_ways. pdf). But the noble Knights of KKK do their business only with hidden faces: â€Å"It is essential to the organization to allow members to preserve their anonymity since, if members are not allowed to appear in public without being able to maintain their anonymity, they will not participate in public events† http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_group