A Conflict Of Cultures Kerry Beck - 1610 Words

A Conflict of Cultures Kerry Beck Charleston Southern University All material in this paper is the author’s original work and all resources have been properly cited. Outline The Mothers of Good Will are a religious order that operates two hospitals which have recently been merged The two facilities have developed very different cultures over time and are having difficulty integrating as a result Hospital ‘A’ was, until recently, an acute care facility Its culture was more fluid and open to change Hospital ‘B’ is a chronic care facility Its culture was focused on consistency History Both hospitals were built in 1860 by the same founder Hospital ‘A’ changed its mandate from acute care to chronic care in 1980 They were determined†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœA’ was originally an acute care facility and its leadership and culture was more fluid and open to change while ‘B’ was a chronic care facility more focused on consistency. In 1988, over a century since they were founded, the two agreed a merger was necessary for each to survive. Since the merger, however, both facilities have found it difficult to assimilate. This transition occurs in the midst of a more widespread one as traditionally religious medical institutes across the nation were becoming more secularized. External Environment The hospital has two primary external factors that it must appease. First is government needs and regulations. This contributed largely to why ‘A’ wanted the merger to begin with. The government was looking to reduce chronic care facilities and by merging with their larger cousin, their survival was more certain. The second external aspect is the business aspect, the reason that ‘B’ agreed to the merger. Despite their strong customer care, they were not business minded and as a result were facing potential bankruptcy. For the purposes of this analysis, the external environment is assumed to be outside the control of the hospital and is mentioned here due to its importance to the internal environment, which can be controlled. Approach Due to the nature of this case, this analysis will focus

Analysis Of John Steinbeck s The Grapes Of Wrath And...

Justina Recchia Mrs. Genthe HAL-Period 8 10 March 2015 â€Å"What is life, what is death, and what do they mean?† The answers to this question are â€Å"Life is a process, death is part of life, neither life nor death means anything-they simply are; and the important things in life are love and beauty, which bring joy to the process of living. These answers are the philosophy of John Steinbeck † (Benson 555). John Steinbeck was a major American writer who has written many books, which have come to be known as classic American stories. Examples of these classic stories are The Grapes of Wrath, The Red Pony, and Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck is worthy of the praise he has received for his contributions to American literature because he added a new genre as well as a new narrative device, depicted the lives of the poor, and went to great lengths to produce his many books. John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California to a farmer and a teacher. Because he was born there, Steinbeck felt comfortable setting his stories in California. He wrote many novels during the 1930s that describe the lives of agricultural laborers in the Salinas valley. Many of Steinbeck’s stories were about the Dust Bowl refugees and their struggle to withstand the hardships. An example of a story about Dust Bowl refugees is The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck 1). Most of Steinbeck’s stories took place in the Salinas Valley and Monterey. When the stories took place in the Salinas Valley his characters wereShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of John Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men 2778 Words   |  12 PagesLiterature 15 October 2014 Author Study: John Steinbeck John Steinbeck, born in February 27, 1902, worked as a manual labor worker before achieving his success as a well renowned American writer. A compassionate understanding of the world s disinherited was to be Steinbeck s hallmark. The novel In Dubious Battle (1936) defends striking migrant agricultural workers in the California fields. In the novel Of Mice and Men(1937; later made into a play), Steinbeck again utilizes the hardships of migrantRead MoreJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men And The Grapes Of Wrath 2124 Words   |  9 Pageslife. John Steinbeck traveled around the country and worked as an unskilled laborer, working in the shoes of those he would later write about. Although Steinbeck grew up in a middle-class family in Salinas, California, he came to recognize the toils and hardships of laborers when he was a high school student, as he worked on a sugar beet farm alongside migrant workers. The bleak human condition of loneliness and the importance of community is shown throughout John Steinbeck’s novels, ‘Of Mice andRead MoreEast Of Eden By John Steinbeck2066 Words   |  9 Pagesauthor always has a motive for writing a story and a point they are trying to get across. 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Hes in an insaneRead MoreInterpretations Of The American Dream1718 Words   |  7 Pages this deviation of the American Dream from its spiritual quest for the materialistic means of spirit produced a form of beauty and charm in its surface but resulted ungodliness in the spirit if inner mind. American Dream and ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. The Grapes of Wrath was published exploring the American Dream of farmers in Oklahoma as well as the landowners in there and California. The Joad family in the novel lives for an American Dream, which is to have a secure business and a place to liveRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath And Of Mice And Men1644 Words   |  7 PagesJarvis Johnson Research Paper John Steinbeck is an American author of 27 books, widely known for award winning novels, The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men; Steinbeck is also a Nobel Prize winning of Literature. Steinbeck’s writing expresses realistic and creative thoughts, combining as they do compassionate comedy (through Lennie) and intense social perception with their surrounding national culture. John Steinbeck, â€Å"Of mice and Men†, Printed in 1937, articulating a tale of characters, GeorgeRead More Censorship in the Classroom Essay2774 Words   |  12 PagesPenthouse or Playboy, or even in hard-core porn on the internet. Yet according to Ken Donelson, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has gotten the second highest number of complaints in the last ten years, with twenty-three. Only Steinbecks Of Mice and Men had more, with twenty-nine (Donelson, 1997). Other complaints against I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings called the novel graphic and said that it raised sexual issues without moral resolution (Foerstel, 1994).    This is an example

Explain the techniques used by Spielberg Essay Example For Students

Explain the techniques used by Spielberg Essay Explain the techniques used by Spielberg that make the opening minutes of the landing scene in Saving Private Ryan a realistic and shocking portrayal of war. Saving Private Ryan is a film that is regarded as one of the best and most believable portrayals of war, because of the way he uses the camera and shoots the film. This is because sometimes he puts blood on the camera, sometimes the camera follows the soldiers and copies what they do. You also see people crying and people in shock he shows the film so there are no indestructible heroes like in many other films. We will write a custom essay on Explain the techniques used by Spielberg specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The people in Saving Private Ryan actually get hurt like the captain in most films the person in charge of the team or group never gets killed but Hanks does get killed in the film. Spielberg shows that war is gruesome, revolting and also quite shocking to some people. Spielberg does this by doing close up of peoples faces. Like were Hanks is on the beach where he is looking is looking around and everything goes quiet and then the sound slowly comes back again as someone pulls him out of it by screaming at him. He also follows the soldiers like when they jump over the side into the water and then the camera goes with them as well. The first image is of the sea defences. This image is a close up shot with a close up looking up at them to make them look bigger. The colours in this part of the film are blacks, dull, overcast and the sea is a greyish colour. The sounds are the roaring of the sea as it comes up the beach. This is because it gives you a realistic portrayal of what it was like to try and get up the beach. All these things effect the audience by making them expect or anticipate death which makes you think nobody could survive getting up on to the beach. The second image is of Tom Hanks hand. This image is a close up shot of his hand shaking, he tries to stop it. Then the camera angle follows his flask up to his face. It does this very smoothly then moves up to a close up of his face to see that he is worried and fearful. It is used to introduce him to the audience and then the camera pans out. The colours are dull, dirty, and shadowy and change from dark to light as the camera moves from his hand up to his face. The sounds are of the motor or engine of the boat, the other sound is of the sea and the rattling of his flask as he moves it around. This effects the audience by making them think hes scared or nervous. It also shows he has a weakness and so is a normal person who is vulnerable this makes the audience like him and makes them feel sympathetic to him. The third image is of Jackson. This shot is a close up of him and shows us his faith by kissing his cross and muttering a prayer. The colours are dark, dull and dirty. The sounds are of people being sick, coughing and retching. Another sound is of the water against the boat and the whistle signal to show they have to get ready to get out as theyve got to the beach. This effects the audience by suggesting it is an extreme situation. We also see something about different about him and want him to survive because of this. It also makes the audience feel they are closer to him than the rest of the people on the boat except for Hanks maybe. The fourth image is of the underwater scenes. This shot starts as a close up of Hanks face then when Hanks says over the side. After he said it the camera follows the soldiers over the side and as the soldiers walk up the beach and stumble on the dead bodies he makes the camera go up and down to resemble it doing the same thing. .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 , .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .postImageUrl , .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 , .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:hover , .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:visited , .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:active { border:0!important; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:active , .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00 .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0d74e275bb2ffdbd02069889ff856e00:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Ebone Johnson EssayThe colours are dark, murky, have red splashes of blood, and the water is a dark grey blue colour. The sounds are of the bullets hitting the water and everything is muffled and distorted. Also it changes as you go in and out of the water. All of these things make the audience feel like they are there in the middle of the action. It also makes us feel we are one of the soldiers under the water. This scene feels realistic to the audience because we hear what we think they will hear. The fifth image is about Tom Hanks shock. This is a shot that starts a few feet away from Hanks. After that it gently moves in towards Hanks and becomes a long angle shot. The camera then goes jerky as it moves into a close up of Hanks face and shows his eyes and sometimes goes into slow motion. Then it looks straight at his face and eyes which coincides with the way he breaths as he picks up his hat with bloody water in it. The colours are dark, murky, grey and shadowy. The sounds change and get quieter and then louder as Hanks goes in and out of his shock. This effects the audience by telling them how they should feel and makes them feel close to the action due to this I conclude that Saving Private Ryan is probably the best portrayal of war I have seen. Because of the way he uses his camera angles and makes the audience feel they are in the centre of the film. I also think that it deserved the 5 Oscars it got. But it is only that good because of the way he uses the film to show the shocking and horrific portrayals of war. This is because the film is not only about a hero who never dies and lives against the odds and who is indestructible, but about a hero and team of soldiers who can actually die in the film. In most other films the best and most important characters always live. But in Saving Private Ryan the main characters all die except for three of them. This film is also good because of the way Spielberg manages to, make the film interesting and slightly funny so you dont get bored half way through the film. The film is also good as it adds a twist to it and this is the twist where you think Hanks plays the old man on Omaha beach at the start of the film. This is because when you zoom into his eyes and back out again you see it come out of Hanks eyes. It is not until the end of the film just as it finishes and Hanks dies that you find out that it is actually Matt Damon who plays Private Ryan. Another way he creates the way the bullets hit the soldiers especially in the underwater scenes where they are all muffled. The other thing is the mangled and mutalated guts, arms, legs and heads which the audience are fully able to see them being blown apart. The other good bit is where the soldier who gets his arm blown off goes to pick it up again out of shock of losing his arm. I think Spielberg needs to be told how good his film is and portrays war for what it really is and what really happens during war.

Research Paper on Gabriel Garcia Marquez Essay Example

Research Paper on Gabriel Garcia Marquez Essay Gabriel Jose de la Concordia Garcia Marquez, born 6 mars 1927 in Aracataca, provinsce Magdalena, is a prominent colombian author. He was awarded 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature. He belongs, along with, among others, Julio Cortazar, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Carlos Fuentes, to the generation of the Latin American writers who made a breakthrough in the 1960s known under the name â€Å"El Boom.† His most famous book, Cien anos de soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude, 1967), set in the village of Macondo, was inspired by the author’s birthplace Aracataca in northern Colombia. Today Aracataca is a languid society, stifled by the heat, humidity, and dust. The village’s transformation during the course of the Discovery’s rampage and the massacre of banana workers depicted in the book happened in reality. The author recurs to the subject in several others of his books, including La hojarasca (Swirling leaves). We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Gabriel Garcia Marquez specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Gabriel Garcia Marquez specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Research Paper on Gabriel Garcia Marquez specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer 13-year-old Garcia Marquez came to the capital Bogota to attend grammar school. Alone in the big city, he found solace in world literature. Later, after he started studying law at the university, he came into contact with the modernist poets of the Piedra y cielo group. The meeting led him to leave law school in order to pursue journalism and authorship. His first book, La hojarasca (1955), he published on his own publishing company. It met no significant response from critics and neither did his next work. At the time, Garcia Marquez was working in prestigious newspaper El Espectador, but he did not hit through as a fiction writer until 1967 when One Hundred Years of Solitude was published. During the 1950s and ’60s Garcia Marquez worked as a foreign correspondent. From 1955 he was El Espectadors envoy to Paris where he became unemployed, since the dictator Rojas Pinilla closed the newspaper. After an interlude in Venezuela, he returned to Bogota in 1959 and began working with the revolutionary Cuban news agency Prensa Latina. In 1961, he became its correspondent in New York and later in Mexico. In the late ’60s, he left journalism to devote himself entirely to literature, but he remained faithful to the Cuban regime, and in time became a personal friend of Fidel Castro. Today he lives in Mexico City, he has homes even in Cartagena de Indias and Paris. In Havana a villa stands at his disposal. He is married to Mercedes Barcha Pardo and is the father of film director Rodrigo Garcia. Gabriel Garcia Marquez has a lifelong interest in cinema: he has written several screenplays and supports a Cuban institution for the training of film directors. Garcia Marquez has also worked as a screenwriter for several films. Several of his novels and short stories have also been filmed. 1987, the Italian director Francesco Rosi filmed Chronicle of a Death Foretold and his Love in the Time of Cholera was filmed by Mike Newell in 2007. Several of his stories have also been filmed in Mexico. In 1982, Garcia Marquez was awarded Nobel Prize in Literature with the justification: â€Å"for his novels and short stories in which the fantastic and the realistic is combined in a richly composed world of poetry, reflecting a continent’s life and conflicts.† He was the first Colombian and fourth Latin American author to receive the prize. Look through a few sample research papers Gabriel Garcia Marquez to find more information on the topic. At EssayLib.com writing service you can order a custom research paper on Gabriel Garcia Marquez topics. Your research paper will be written from scratch. We hire top-rated Ph.D. and Master’s writers only to provide students with professional research paper assistance at affordable rates. Each customer will get a non-plagiarized paper with timely delivery. Just visit our website and fill in the order form with all research paper details: Enjoy our professional research paper writing service!

Free Essays on Existentialism

â€Å"Existentialism and Humanism† Sarte Existentialism is defined in the dictionary as a philosophical theory emphasizing the existence of the individual as a free and self-determining agent. John Paul Sarte says there are two types of existentialists, there are the Christians and the existential atheists, obviously their difference is that one group believes in God and the other does not. Sarte says that they do have something in common and that is simply the fact that they believe that existence comes before essence. Sarte classified himself as an existential atheist and thus believes there is no God. Sarte argues that there is at least one being which exists before it can be defined by any conception of it and that being is man. He believes in the human reality and that man simply is, and he is what he wills. He makes his first principle of existentialism the statement that: Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. I would say that Sarte’s idea of freedom comes in his philosophy of existentialism. Sarte would say that as humans we are constantly trying to define ourselves, and through this process we are free to choose what we will in order to reach that definition. So, I would say that Sarte’s ideas of freedom lies in our ability as humans to make choices. Sarte believes this to be very important. Toward the end of his essay he says that man chooses himself, but that in choosing for himself he chooses for all men. He says then that our responsibility is much greater than supposed, for it concerns mankind as a whole. My own definition of freedom is somewhat similar to that of Sarte’s. I defined freedom as an idea that differs from individual to individual. That one individual may believe freedom is the ability to make choices in the things they do, and another individual may believe that freedom is having no limits and no restrictions. Either way both individuals feel â€Å"free† and ... Free Essays on Existentialism Free Essays on Existentialism Existentialism has been defined as a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom and choice that influences many diverse writers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The philosophical term existentialism came from Jean Paul Sartre, a French philosopher. He combined the theories of a select few German philosophers, the phenomenology of Edmund Husserl, the metaphysics of G.W.F. Hegel and Martin Heidegger, and the social theory of Karl Marx. This philosophy became a worldwide movement. One phenomenon of this theory is its proliferation. Since its creation it has remained a part of contemporary thought. One explanation for this is its applicability to contemporary life and society. It focuses on the utter existence of man itself. According to Sartre, a true existentialist believes there is no God and thus man becomes alone with only ourselves as a guide to making the decisions that define our existence. Our existence not only defines, but also must be defined. Subjectivism provides this definition. Subjectivity refers to the radical freedom to choose with or without a God, but also that this radical freedom becomes a responsibility to use or not use. Another definition, provided by Webster’s dictionary defines existentialism as a philosophical movement especially of the 20th century that stresses the individual position as self determining agent responsible for his or her own choices. It becomes very clear through the definitions provided, that existentialism focuses on two things, the individual and choice. Breaking apart the word itself, you come up with another word, exist, to have actual being, and also existent, which is to have existence. The suffix –ism denotes and action or practice. A minimal definition of existentialism might be, an individual practicing his or her right to make choices for him/herself, ... Free Essays on Existentialism â€Å"Existentialism and Humanism† Sarte Existentialism is defined in the dictionary as a philosophical theory emphasizing the existence of the individual as a free and self-determining agent. John Paul Sarte says there are two types of existentialists, there are the Christians and the existential atheists, obviously their difference is that one group believes in God and the other does not. Sarte says that they do have something in common and that is simply the fact that they believe that existence comes before essence. Sarte classified himself as an existential atheist and thus believes there is no God. Sarte argues that there is at least one being which exists before it can be defined by any conception of it and that being is man. He believes in the human reality and that man simply is, and he is what he wills. He makes his first principle of existentialism the statement that: Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. I would say that Sarte’s idea of freedom comes in his philosophy of existentialism. Sarte would say that as humans we are constantly trying to define ourselves, and through this process we are free to choose what we will in order to reach that definition. So, I would say that Sarte’s ideas of freedom lies in our ability as humans to make choices. Sarte believes this to be very important. Toward the end of his essay he says that man chooses himself, but that in choosing for himself he chooses for all men. He says then that our responsibility is much greater than supposed, for it concerns mankind as a whole. My own definition of freedom is somewhat similar to that of Sarte’s. I defined freedom as an idea that differs from individual to individual. That one individual may believe freedom is the ability to make choices in the things they do, and another individual may believe that freedom is having no limits and no restrictions. Either way both individuals feel â€Å"free† and ... Free Essays on Existentialism Existentialism Existentialism, philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice, that influenced many diverse writers in the 19th and 20th centuries. Major Themes Because of the diversity of positions associated with existentialism, the term is impossible to define precisely. Certain themes common to virtually all existentialist writers can, however, be identified. The term itself suggests one major theme: the stress on concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice. Moral Individualism Most philosophers since Plato have held that the highest ethical good is the same for everyone; insofar as one approaches moral perfection, one resembles other morally perfect individuals. The 19th-century Danish philosopher Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard, who was the first writer to call himself existential, reacted against this tradition by insisting that the highest good for the individual is to find his or her own unique vocation. As he wrote in his journal, â€Å"I must find a truth that is true for me . . . the idea for which I can live or die.† Other existentialist writers have echoed Kierkegaard's belief that one must choose one's own way without the aid of universal, objective standards. Against the traditional view that moral choice involves an objective judgment of right and wrong, existentialists have argued that no objective, rational basis can be found for moral decisions. The 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche further contended that the individual must de cide which situations are to count as moral situations. Subjectivity All existentialists have followed Kierkegaard in stressing the importance of passionate individual action in deciding questions of both morality and truth. They have insisted, accordingly, that personal experience and acting on one's own convictions are essential in arriving at the truth. Thus, the und...

Pronunciation-Based Changes in the Spanish Words for And and Or

Pronunciation-Based Changes in the Spanish Words for And and Or Two of the most common conjunctions in Spanish - y (meaning and) and o (meaning or) - can change spelling and pronunciation based on the word that follows. In that way, they are much like the a of English changing to an before a vowel sound. And, like the a-to-an change, the transformation is based on how the following word is pronounced rather than how it is spelled. When Do Y and O Change? Both the y and o changes help keep the conjunction from blending into the following word. (The blending of two words into what sounds like one is called elision when it involves the dropping or omission of sounds, and it is common in both English and Spanish.) Here are the changes that are made: Y becomes e when it precedes a word that begins with the i sound. Typically, y becomes e when it precedes most words that begin with i- or hi-.O becomes u when it precedes a word that begins with the o sound. Thus o becomes u when it precedes words words starting with o- or ho-. Because the changes are based on pronunciation rather than spelling, y does not change before words, such as hierba, that begin with the ia, ie, io, or iu sound, regardless of spelling. Those two-letter combinations are known as diphthongs; the initial sounds are very similar to the Spanish y sound when y comes before a vowel. Sample Sentences Showing Use of Y and O Reciben tratamiento cruel e inhumano. (They are receiving cruel and inhumane treatment. The y changes to e because the inhumano begins with the i sound.) Nuestro conocimiento nos enseà ±a dos cosas claras: posibilidades e imposibilidades. (Our knowledge teaches us two clear things: possibilities and impossibilities. The e is used because imposibilidades begins with the i sound.) Fabricamos barras e hilos de cobre. (We manufacture copper bars and wires. The e is used because hilos begins with the i sound even though the first letter is h.)   Est enteramente construido de nieve y hielo. (It is built completely of snow and ice. The y does not change because hielo begins with the ie diphthong.) Hay un equilibrio osmà ³tico y ià ³nico. (There is an osmotic and ionic equilibrium. The y is used because ià ³nico begins with the io diphthong.) Hay muchas diferencias entre catolicismo e hinduismo. (There are many differences between Catholicism and Hinduism. The y changes to e because hinduismo begins with the i sound even though its first letter is h.) Vendemos productos de limpieza e higiene. (We sell cleaning and hygiene products. Higiene begins with the i sound.) Usamos punto y coma para separar las frases u oraciones que constituyen una enumeracià ³n. (We use a semicolon to separate phrases or sentences that make up a list.) No recuerdo si fue ayer u hoy. (I dont remember if it was yesterday or today. Unlike with the changes involving y to e, the o changes even though oy is a diphthong.)  ¿Quà © operador de telà ©fonos ofrece las tarifas ms baratas para viajar a frica u Oriente Medio? (Which phone operator offers the lowest costs for traveling to Africa or the Middle East? The rule of changing o to u applies even if the word following is a proper noun.) La Can Make Similar Change The desire to keep the sounds of important words from being lost due to elision is also behind the changing of la to el in some circumstances with feminine sounds. Although there are exceptions, el is used instead of la before singular feminine nouns where the first syllable of the noun is stressed. Thus the eagle is el guila even though guila is feminine. The change doesnt occur with plural nouns or where the stress isnt on the first syllable. In standard written Spanish, una becomes un (meaning one, a, or and) under the same circumstances. Thus, an eagle is un guila. These changes and those involving y and o are the only situations where Spanish changes words depend on sounds that follow. Key Takeaways The Spanish conjugation y (meaning and) changes to e when the word that follows begins with the i sound.The Spanish conjugation o (meaning or) changes to u when the word that follows begins with the o sound.These changes are triggered by pronunciation only, not how a word is spelled.

Gadgets in everyday life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gadgets in everyday life - Essay Example There is a general assumption that young people who are street-smart does not perform well in schools. There are a lot of reasons why schools and colleges often overlook the intellectual potential of the street smarts. In fact certain trait like this one is regarded as anti-intellectual. We always tend to associate life and our mind with academic concerns, and too narrowly and exclusively with subjects. The trouble with this assumption lies with the fact that no such connection has ever been verified with the subject and educational depth in the context so as to establish the weight of a discussion that is likely to generate. Real intellectuals, give a list of thoughtful questions relating to it, however lightweight a context seems to be. Media studies provide an overview of the morality and realism in context to television. According to Gladen, â€Å"This [the above thesis] individualistic way of looking at media effects isn’t entirely new, especially in an individualistic c ulture like the United States, where social scientists for years have been obsessed with trying to draw links between individual behavior and the media† (Gladen). Over the decades, there has been a greater demand for simple pleasures and business companies are more focused to delivering products through customization. For example: to make sense of a particular episode, the viewer has to keep up with the entertainment program, by making attentive and cognitive inferences. This is referred to as the Sleeper Curve Culture, which is getting more cognitive demanding shows. The Sleeper Curve is referred by the author as â€Å"single most important new force altering the mental development of young people today, and I believe it is largely a force for good: enhancing our cognitive faculties, not dumbing them down.† (Johnson). In The New York Times Magazine, Steven Johnson argued that there has been an apparent paradigm shifting in the way television shows are being aired. It h as become more complicated over the decade. Stuart Elliott a journalist with The New York Times has claimed just this year that "the characters on the Fox television series Family Guy . . . pur ­posely offen[d] just about every group of people you could name" (Peacocke). There is a general assumption that mass traditions pursues a path of a steady turn down towards lowest common denominator principles, only because â€Å"masses† want dumb-simple pleasures and big media companies try to give the masses what they want. The Sleeper Curve as explained in one of the essays in â€Å"They Say, I Say† is a form of most debased form of mass entertainment. Video games and aggressive television play series turn out to be a form of entertainment. The Sleeper Curve is a new vigor changing the mental progress of young people today. The good part of this aspect to be incorporated in our own lives, mean enhancing the thoughtfulness and cognitive behavior thinking. It is assumed that shows which promote acts of smoking and violence are bad for viewership, while those shows portraying the thunder against teen pregnancy or intolerance have a positive role in our society. Judging a show on just morality standards, the popular culture of over fifty years is a story of decline, the morality of those stories has grown darker. â€Å"Judged by that morality-play standard, the story of popular culture over the past 50 years—if not 500—is a story of decline: the morals of the stories have grown darker and more ambiguous, and the antiheroes have multiplied.† (Johnson). Televised Intelligence can be defined to be the aspect in which consideration of certain cognitive capabilities are placed on the viewers for further acceptance of a â€Å"

The Sixties Cultural Movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Sixties Cultural Movement - Essay Example The 1960s was a significant period within modern history. It could be said that it was when society as a whole began to realize that there was individual freedom within humanity, that life need not be dictated by those who controlled us that life is a personal choice. It was also a time when America began seeing itself for what it is, their government policies especially their foreign policy was always based on profit and the American people understood that they needed to be more sympathetic to other people. It was a reawakening because previously during history the population could be recruited for whatever means to serve the government especially during times of war however, during the sixties many people fought and protested against war recruitment. It was a moment when humanity could re-examine themselves and their lives that society could be changed just like the efforts of the African-American people as a segregated minority. It was a time of possibility. In the 1950s America h ad great faith in their political system, America went to war with Korea and not many protested, McCarthyism was rampant and the people were led to believe in rampant anticommunism. From these roots of an anticommunist stance did the 1960s take place and the war against Vietnam was built on these reasons. Even within literature did the American beliefs penetrate there was a naà ¯ve impression of American anticommunism.... dictator, General The. Aside from the war policy of America against Vietnam there were other important events that took place in the 1960s that affected the world and America was at the center where there were many movements and protests against the formal government. Science & Religion in the Sixties There was an expansive surge on science during the sixties and if the details could be believed, man has landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong, an astronaut landed on the moon in 1969 after President Kennedy launched a space race between America and Russia. Earlier on in the fifties the USSR have managed to send several dogs in orbit in space to test whether it was feasible for man to travel there. Before Armstrong was able to reach the moon the Russians in 1961 was already orbiting space3. It could be said that the science of astrology and space travel during this time was reaching its all-new high. Satellites were being sent to orbit the earth and these weren't minor achievements. Satellites are what we use today to receive signals for our televisions, our wireless internet, our mobile phones, we use satellite technology today almost everyday. Science also reached its fictitious zenith where it came to the point that it could create its own religion. The Church of Scientology was founded in 1955 by a fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard. In the 1960s, as all counter-cultural movement goes, it developed its own stances to living daily life and cultures and created their own basic principles. Today, Scientology is no longer a completely 'New-Age' phenomenon as many people and celebrities begin to embrace its practices. Sixties and Politics When the settlers came to America they fought for a

True Standards of a Hero Essay Example for Free

True Standards of a Hero Essay George Washington, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, and even Taylor Swift have been proven to be heroes in today’s culture. Long before any of these individuals walked the Earth, the story of a man exhibiting what a true hero of epic proportions really is. Beowulf, a poem in British literature from the eighth century, showcases the concept of real heroism. Beowulf, a Geat who provides the real qualities of a dominate hero, travels to Herot to protect the kingdom of King Hrothgar. Beowulf will find himself battling with monsters that represent evil, the devil, and depths of Hell. The people of the kingdom are, at first, nervous of having a man fight the monster, Grendel, but are soon proven that Beowulf is the only option. The hero will later encounter the monster’s mother and, fifty years later, a dominate dragon. Clearly, in Beowulf, we will see the true qualities of an epic hero. Beowulf will travel far distances to be glorified and viewed significantly by the entire world. He will also demonstrate Anglo-Saxon ethics in the deeds he performs using his superhuman strength and abilities. Beowulf proves to people across many lands that he is a strong and responsible leader as well as an example of true heroism. As the poem begins, you immediately see how Beowulf is presented with an intense quest and is signified and glorified. The reader is told how a horrific monster, Grendel, is attacking Hrothgar’s kingdom. Beowulf hears of the incidents and immediately travels to help. He wants to aid the kingdom, â€Å"Heard how Grendel filled night with horror/ And quickly commanded a boat fitted out/ Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king† (112-114). He then carries out with his promise and takes on the outstanding quest. Beowulf carries out another epic quality by being significant and glorified across many lands. When he arrives at Herot, he is greeted by Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar’s feudal lords. Wulfgar proclaims, â€Å"My lord, the great King of the Danes, commands me/ To tell you that he knows of your noble birth† (127-128). This explains how highly regarded Beowulf is talked of among the area. Beowulf will, now, battle Grendel, the ferocious beast. In addition to the obvious heroic qualities, Beowulf showcases his ethics to Anglo-Saxon society and his superhuman strength. When Beowulf goes to fight the monster, he refuses to use weapons since Grendel doesn’t use them. â€Å"That I, alone and with the help of my men,/ May purge all evil from this hall. I have heard,/ Too, that the monster’s scorn of men/ Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears no name./ Nor will I† (165-169), announces Beowulf in order to prove his pride and morality. Now, though, Beowulf must give attention to showing his superhuman strength. He fights upon one arm, being able to detach Grendel’s own arm. â€Å"-And was instantly seized himself, claws/ Bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm† (430-431). As to be expected, Beowulf murders Grendel within moments of the battle. Grendel’s mother is then angered by the news and is ready to fight Beowulf as well. Beowulf is, once again, prepared to risk death for glory, the citizens, and to reflect ideals of society. He jumps into the red, dark, deep, treacherous waters to confront Grendel’s mother in a battle. â€Å"The water was bloody, steaming and boiling/ In horrible pounding waves, heat/ Sucked from his magical veins† (529-531). Once arriving miles deep into the Hell, Beowulf was ready to boost his name once again. â€Å"But Beowulf/ Longed only for fame, leaped back/ Into battle†¦ If weapons were useless he’d use/ His hands, the strength in his fingers. So fame/ Comes to those who mean to win it/ And care about nothing else† (605-612). This is how Beowulf reflects ideals of Anglo-Saxon society. He knows fame comes to those who thrive for it. Our hero wins the incredible battle and returns to the surface with the head of Grendel’s mother. In Herot, Beowulf is presented the kingdom and is now the King. Fifty years later, a new crisis comes forward. A dragon is destroying the king’s land; Beowulf is the only known help. The king travels with twelve men, but shows his bravery by telling them to â€Å"Wait for me close by, my friends,/†¦ no man but me/ Could hope to defeat this monster† (679-684). Beowulf wants to go in alone, to protect his men. While in battle, all of the men leave except for one, Wiglaf, a distant cousin to Beowulf. The highly admired hero, is defeated by the dragon. Wiglaf runs to his side, where Beowulf proclaims him as his successor. Moments after, Beowulf takes his final breath. Beowulf was clearly seen as a strong leader by his people carrying on his name in glory, â€Å"And so Beowulf’s followers/ Rode, mourning their beloved leader,/ Crying that no better king had ever/ Lived, no prince so mild, no man/ so open to his people, so deserving of praise† (838-842). There was even a tower erected in his name. His legacy of being an epic, strong, glorious leader is achieved. Obviously, Beowulf has association with every heroic quality under the Sun. The king was on a quest, was signifigant, and even glorified by his people. Beowulf additionally showed ethics in his battles and his superhuman abilities. He risks death carrying out ideals of Anglo-Saxon society performing these great deeds with even greater leadership. This poem clearly represented God versing evils with the good prevailing. Now we see how today’s heroes find their inspiration.

voodoo Essays -- essays research papers fc

Could Voodoo be nothing but evil, black magic, and the work of the devil? Is voodoo really an evil religion that sacrifices humans as well as animals to the demonic Gods? When I first did my paper on Voodoo, the first thing that came to my mind was how Hollywood portrayed Voodoo. When people see something on television or at the movies, they believe it to be reality. Undoubtedly, misconceptions will occur, and unless people are shown evidence against the delusions, it will be taken as fact. I think Voodoo religion is as acceptable as Christianity or any other religion. Voodoo has been tainted from the true principals and understanding. Voodoo has been shown on screen as evil, black magic, and the work of the devil, rather than as a faith, and most people see spells cast on voodoo dolls like Chucky in Child’s Play, who goes around killing people because he is possessed (Child’s Play 1988). Is Voodoo a true, spiritual religion, and if so, are people willing to tolerate it? In today’s society, religious tolerance of different groups of people or cultures is very important. By understanding and accepting the differences of real versus imaginary using Voodoo as the prime example, people will be able to see these groups as part of actual society and not just a fictitious magical and evil portrayal in entertainment such as Child’s Play, Trilogy of Terror, and Chloe-Love is Calling You. Hollywood’s portrayals of Voodoo in movies, thus invalid. Voodoo was founded in Haiti, back when the slaves were brought in from the African homelands. African and Christianity beliefs were easily merged because they are not all that different. Both religions are similar in ways of baptism, or ritual purification. Both believe one God created all people (Hintz 95). In place of God is a Supreme Being called Bondye. He is the head loa and is very powerful. Bondye gives individuals their own destinies. He is too busy to be involved in the personal everyday lives. This is why they believe in the spirits or Loa to whom they worship and make sacrifices (Brown 6). Just like other religions, Voodoo has it’s own principles, with it’s own set of rites. The Voodoo priest is the houngan. A priestess is a mambo. A houngan religious authority is much more informal then that of a Catholic priest (Hintz 97). A priest has to answer to the bishops and the people. He has a structural church, where as ... ...uisiana. Hintz, Martin. Haiti: Enchantment of the World. New York: Children’s Press, 1998. This book is about the different kinds of religions that are practiced in Haiti. Voodoo doctors in Haiti use plants and other items for treatment. â€Å"A spider web is placed over a cut to stop the bleeding.† (98). Murray, Alexander. Who’s Who In Mythology. New York: Bonanza Books, 1989 This book gives a description of the Greek and Roman deities and how they are represented. Neusener, Jacob. World Religions in America. Kentucky: Westminster/Johnknox Press,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1994. This book is about the diversity of religions on America. Among the different religions in America we can get a sense of understanding then and their uniqueness to their culture. Smith, Houston. World’s Religions. New York: Labyrinth Publishing, 1994. This book is about â€Å"values† (11). A true understanding of the world points directly to the true understanding of the religions in the world today. Tart, Charles. Body, Mind, Spirit. Virginia: Hampton Roads, 1997. This book is about the scientific findings of spirituality and the existence of the of a soul.I haven’t had time to read much of this book.

Parkinsons Disease

PD normally affects people over the age of 50. It becomes more common with increasing age. ‘About 5 in 1,000 people in their 60s and about 40 in 1,000 people in their 80s have PD'1. It affects both men and women but is a little more common in men. PD is not usually inherited, and can affect anyone. However, genetic factors may be important in the small number of people who develop the disease before the age of 50. PD therefore affects a lot of people in the UK and I have chosen this topic so I have a greater understanding of what they go through and how we can help those affected. Background: Biology of Parkinson's disease? Parkinson's disease is a chronic disorder of part of the brain called the substantia nigra. It mainly affects the way the brain co-ordinates the movements of the muscles in various parts of the body. This area of the brain sends messages down nerves in the spinal cord to help control the muscles of the body. Messages are passed between brain cells, nerves and muscles by chemicals called neurotransmitters. Dopamine is the main neurotransmitter that is made by the brain cells in the substantia nigra1.Muscular System: Muscle Metabolism In PD, cells in the substantia nigra are damaged and die. The cause is unknown. Over time, more and more cells become damaged and die. The more cells that are damaged the less dopamine is produced. The reduction of cells and the low level of dopamine in the cells in this part of the brain causes nerve messages to the muscles to become slowed and abnormal1. In the long term PD will ultimately lead to death. Causes We are still unsure of the causes of PD but here are the most likely and most talked about suggestions: 1. The hereditary form of PD occurs in fifteen per cent of cases2. The genes affected help clear nerve cells of excess proteins. Scientists are not sure but it is thought that when the ‘production process for protein manufacture breaks down, little clumps of ill-formed proteins begin to accumulate in cell' 17, causing cell death. Tests carried out on rats using rotenone imply that pesticides and toxins may lead to PD. The rats experienced shaking and a loss of muscle control as well as developing Lewy bodies (spherical lumps found in dying brain cells), which are commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. However, researchers are yet to find evidence for any definitive link to a particular toxin or drug in humans. 2. There seems to be a link between variants of the mitochondrial genes and PD. The Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda states that â€Å"mitochondrial dysfunction has numerous consequences, including energetic failure, generation of reactive oxygen species, disregulation of calcium homeostasis and induction of apoptosis, each of which may be important in Parkinson's disease†3. 3. High concentrations of free-radicals in the body and a lack of antioxidants. Free radicals damage cells and if too many dopamine-producing cells were damaged then this could lead to PD. Antioxidants prevent the production of free radicals and repair damage done by them. Symptoms and effects There is no easy test to diagnose PD, so it is diagnosed by ruling out other diseases and looking for the classic symptoms: * Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)1. It will become more of an effort to walk or get out bed. People may just think they are getting old and it is not till other symptoms develop that you may think about PD. * Stiffness of muscles (rigidity) and muscles may feel tenser. Also, your arms do not tend to swing as much when you walk. * Shaking (tremor) is common, but does not always occur. It normally affects the fingers, thumbs, hands, and arms, but can affect other parts of the body. It is most noticeable when you are resting and may become worse when you are anxious or emotional. It's generally less obvious when you use your hand to do something such as picking up an object or writing. Symptoms will tend to get worse and worse and as the disease develops. Some other symptoms may develop due to problems with the way affected brain cells and nerves control the muscles. These include: * Fewer facial expressions such as smiling or frowning. Less blinking. * Difficulty with fine movements such as tying shoe laces or buttoning shirts. * Difficulty with writing (handwriting tends to become smaller), balance and posture and swallowing. * Speech may become slow and monotonous. * Tiredness aches and pains. As PD gets really bad, symptoms such as the following might develop, dependant on the individual: * Constipation- †PD prevents the proper transmission of the neurological messages that tell the rectal sphincter muscles to open†7 * Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or smelling things that are not real) * Sweating- PD can affect the autonomic nervous system8 that controls the autonomic functions (functions done automatically by the brain and body without conscious thought) such as sweating, breathing etc. * Difficulties with sleeping * Weight loss- there is a generally decreased appetite associated with PD. This may largely be due to swallowing difficulties and other gastrointestinal disturbances8 * Pain * Depression & Anxiety- anxiety disorders occur in up to 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD)9. The article states †Current evidence suggests that anxiety may not be a psychological reaction to the illness but rather may be linked to specific neurobiological processes accompanying PD.† * Problems with controlling impulses (for example compulsive eating, shopping or gambling) Most people will only suffer form a few of these symptoms and which ones will get worse and the speed at which they get worse varies hugely from person to person. Some rare brain diseases can have very similar symptoms in which case a specialist brain scan can often be used to distinguish between them. The Treatments At the moment there is no cure for PD and most treatments simply have the job of relieving symptoms. 1. Drugs Intro: there are two main types of drug used in PD treatment. Firstly, drugs that target the neurotransmitter systems (e.g. dopamine) or secondly drugs that are designed to interfere with steps in the neurodegenerative processes (they may aim to sustain nerve cells or tackle the issue of free radicals). Drugs are cheap and effective, especially in relieving symptoms but show little potential as a full cure to the disease. Most also need to be taken daily for the remainder of a patients lifetime. Many drugs may have minor side affects. Some side affects have social impacts such as mood swings or may not allow the user to fly or travel to certain places. Dopaminergic Agents- use to activate the production or use of Dopamine. Levodopa- is an amino acid that is converted in the brain into dopamine. According to the WE MOVE website10 ‘Levodopa was introduced as a PD therapy in the 1960s, and remains the most effective therapy for motor symptoms' although there are many drugs that do a similar job such as Rasagiline. It reduces the effect of and helps control the symptoms of PD. Like most amino acids levodopa is absorbed into the blood stream through the wall of the intestines. Amino acids require a ‘transporter' to transfer them across the membrane of the intestines and into the blood stream. These transporters can only work at a certain rate and so diet is important. To much dietary protein can slow the transport of levodopa into the blood stream meaning the dose may be ineffective. Alternatively to avoid the competition with other amino acids, doses should be taken between meals. Levodopa has to cross from the blood stream into the brain using the same transport system again, making diet and timing doubly important. MAO-B Inhibitors- slow the breakdown of dopamine in the brain and aim to prevent or slow the death of neurons. ‘MAO is responsible for the mitochondrial metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin.'11 Ethical implications Some of the many ethical issues revolve around the decision to move from testing on artificial tissue (often grown from stem cells, which may in the future replace animal testing altogether. Stem cells, however create there own ethical issues) to animals, and further on the line, of animal testing to trails on human patients. The graph below shows the stages involved in developing a new drug and is taken from the MSD website (21/3/10): (http://www.msd.com.hk/health_info/drug_education/e_ddp_introduction.html) Animal testing is very closely regulated in the UK however many, often false, accusations of animal abuse have lead to darkened perceptions of animal testing in the public eye. Animal abuse is definitely a reality but ‘improved transparency, accountability and regulations'12 should reduce it happening and make sure those responsible are prosecuted. Unlike humans, animals are unable to consent to testing. It is forced upon them and often involves a certain amount of pain, stress, suffering and discomfort. Researchers will try to reduce this, possibly using anaesthetics although this can often interfere with the drug being tested so the animal may have to suffer the full amount of pain. Unfortunately, in PD, a number of animals are tested on normally starting with mice or rats before moving on to monkeys and finally human trails. Some people believe that animals like monkeys and most primates shouldn't be experimented upon as they aren't in the same plentiful supply that rats and mice are in, nor are they considered pests. However, for potentially dangerous drugs it is essential animals with a similar genetic make up (primates) are tested on to greatly reduce the risks in human clinical trails. Economics of drugs in PD As shown in figure 1.2 drug development requires a huge amount of research and testing and can take more than 10 years before a useable drug is created. This obviously requires a huge amount of investment and general drug development costs vary between 500 and 2,000 million dollars. R;D is often done by independent companies or government organizations. Most companies or organizations will link with universities to share information and facilities and hopefully quicken to process of discovering a new drug. ‘After approval, pharmaceutical companies have a short period of exclusivity before patents expire and other companies can market the same drugs as generics. This time is used to recoup the massive investment required to develop and launch a new drug. However, the companies must also continue to test their drugs and monitor the feedback from healthcare professionals in order to identify undiscovered side effects, risk factors and interactions.'13 Drug companies are some of the most profitable industries in the world and although a large amount of money is needed in research and development (R;D) only 1 in 5 dollars made is then invested in further research. Many companies spent nearly twice as much money on advertising and marketing than R;D and demand is so much higher than it needs to be that companies can afford to boost prices to maximise profit. Luckily with PD this becomes less of a problem as people are unlikely take and therefore buy drugs that are meant for PD when they don't actually need it. This is because the symptoms tend to be quite clear and drugs like levodopa are not readily available unless prescribed. Benefits to humans Drugs can have a massive impact on people suffering from PD and they aim to do a number of things: 1) Improve standards of living- by reducing the affects of PD and slowing the process of neurodegeneration it should allow the person suffering to do basic things (such as tying shoelaces, writing etc) more easily and for longer before they require full time medical care. This allows them to be more independent. 2) The use of drugs such as levodopa, in the long term, will reduce the affects of symptoms such as tiredness, aches and pains. Painkillers like amantadine will also be used for more short term relieve along side drugs like levodopa. This will simply make life less painful for a PD patient. 3) Drugs are the most well know and reliable of PD treatments. This reduces the risks of any unknowns or mistakes and far fewer mistakes will be made than in using other treatments. Risks to humans 1) Unfortunately Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of using levodopa that are due to the building up of dopamine in the bloodstream. The most serious and severe effect of this treatment is dyskinesias. ‘Dyskinesias are uncontrolled movements, including writhing, twitching, and shaking. Dyskinesias result from the combination of long-term levodopa use and continued neurodegeneration. They typically begin to develop in milder forms after 3 to 5 years of treatment, but are more severe after 5 to 10 years of treatment.'10 2) There is always risk of allergies when using drugs and for some unfortunate people drugs may do more damage than good. 3) Side affects of drugs vary from person to person and it is impossible to know beforehand how a certain drug will affect an individual. For some, side affects may be far worse than for others. 4) Dosages need to be got right and it is a common problem that people take to little and don't get the full benefit of the drug or take to much and suffer more/worse side affects. A massive overdose will likely lead to death. Alternative Cures? 2. Gene therapy- is still in early research stages and it is likely to be a while before this technique is actually used on humans. Like stem cells it has exciting potential to provide a future cure and avoid the ethical issues associated with stem cells. How it works? Gene therapy aims to introduce new and functioning genetic material into cells that have abnormal genes that are causing proteins (in the case of PD, dopamine) not to be created or created faulty. The genetic material can normally be inserted into the cells using viruses. ‘Some types of virus, such as retroviruses, integrate their genetic material (including the new gene) into a chromosome in the human cell. Other viruses, such as adenoviruses, introduce their DNA into the nucleus of the cell, but the DNA is not integrated into a chromosome.'13There is still much development needed as scientists are still unable to target specific cells and there is the potential threat of virus mutation which may cause even further problems. There is also major worry about the potential for gene therapy to be used to improve basic human traits such as height, intelligence etc. People could simply choice characteristics and this in many people's eyes could be used for the wrong reason. For example, this may be used to give some athletes a major advantage over others or possibly creating super humans. 3. Stem Cells I think stem cells have shown exciting potential and will hopefully provide a full time future cure for the disease. How they work? Stem cells are unspecialised cells that have the ability to develop into highly specialised cells like nerve cells. They can also self-renew, which means they are capable of replenishing themselves for long periods of time by dividing4. For Parkinson's disease it is hoped that large numbers of the brain cells that produce dopamine can be produced and inserted, through transplantation, into a patient's brain. Therefore, nerve messages to all parts of the body will be normal again. However, stem cells not been successfully used to cure PD yet and there are many problems facing researchers. Therefore stem cells are relatively useless for PD at the moment but may be able to provide an easy and affective cure in the future. Problems with the types of Stem cells There are three main types of stem cells: 1. Adult stem cells can come from Skin, Bone marrow, Brain, Blood vessels, Liver and Skeletal muscle. However, adult stem cells are found in such small quantities it is difficult to identify and isolate them in viable numbers. Because adult stem cells aren't as ‘young' as embryonic stem cells, they contain more DNA abnormalities acquired with age4. These can be caused by the environment, toxins or errors in DNA replication. Adult stem cells have limited potential because unlike embryonic stem cells they can not differentiate into any specialised cell in the body. 2. Cord blood cells are normally found in the umbilical cord and placenta after the cord is cut. One problem is the lack of cells obtained and these may not be enough relative to a patient's size. Cord blood cells generally take longer to grow, therefore completion of therapy will take longer. It obviously requires a pregnant woman to donate the cells. 3. Embryonic stem cells are found in human embryos and have a seemingly unlimited potential to develop into any cell in the human body. However they are surrounded by a number of ethical issues. Many people and especially religious group condemn the use of embryonic stem cells as they believe it is destroying a life. They believe it is immoral to save a life at the expense of another. However new developments in stem cells research means that Totipotent* stem cells can now be collected without the loss of embryo life: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) – nucleus is removed from a somatic cell and is then implanted into a donor egg that has had its nucleus removed6. It divides just as normal before forming an embryo. Cells from the inner cell mass are extracted and cultured to provide embryonic stem cells but the technique destroys the embryo. Although the embryo is destroyed it is a created clone and so may not be considered the loss of new, individual life. Altered nuclear transfer (ANT), however, prevents an embryo from actually being created. The nucleus of the somatic cell is altered, or genetically reprogrammed, before being transferred into the egg. The alteration consequence is that the somatic cell DNA still produces stem cells but does not generate an embryo. Blastomere Extraction is performed on a two-day old embryo, following the division of the fertilized egg into eight blastomeres (cells). One blastomere is removed and can be triggered to divide and the resulting stem cells could still be used for research and disease treatment. The embryo, ‘now with only seven blastomeres can still be implanted into the mother and assuming no defect has been found these embryos will still grow into healthy babies'4. 1. Name of article: Parkinson's Disease Url: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Parkinson's-Disease.htm Date accessed: 15/2/10 Evaluation: The article is certified as a reliable source of health and social care information. It certificate states- ‘The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest.' The article states that Parkinson's disease affects the part of the brain know as the substantia nigra. WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders- http://www.wemove.org/par/par_subn.html) states: ‘In PD, cells of the SN (substantia nigra) degenerate, and therefore can no longer produce adequate dopamine.' This information is further backed up on the Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda that states ‘cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine die in a small brain area called the substantia nigra.' As the information provided is backed by what I consider to be reliable resources I think that the i nformation on the website is also therefore reliable, but should be checked with other sources before being used. 2. Name of article: Possible Causes of Parkinson's Disease (PD) Url: http://www.healthtree.com/articles/parkinsons-disease/causes.php Date accessed: 20/2/10 3. Name: Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda URL: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/plans/nihparkinsons_agenda.htm#Parkinson Date accessed: 20/2/10 Evaluation: Parkinson's disease Research Agenda is written by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It primary aim is to †reduce the burden of neurological disease – a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world.† It is funded by the government so should provide no bias and the site aims to educate people about various neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease. It states â€Å"mitochondrial dysfunction has numerous consequences†¦ each of which may be important in Parkinson's disease.† This is also backed by an article: http://www.nature.com/nrneurol/journal/v6/n2/full/nrneurol.2009.221.html that states † dysfunctional energy metabolism might be a central element of the pathological process underlying the development of PD.† The site was last updated on the 25th of July 2008. As the site is run and updated by the government with no other purpose but to inform I think it can be used a very reliable source of information.

Fast Food Nation Summary and Reaction Essay

Eric Schlosser wrote the book â€Å"Fast Food Nation† to prove that the fast food industry is solely responsible for many problems that affect today’s society. He begins his argument by explaining how the fast food industry came to be and who made it happen. Carl Karcher was the biggest starting pioneer of this new industry. After his marriage in 1939, he bought his first hot dog cart and â€Å"by the end of 1994, [he] owned 4 hot dog carts in Los Angeles. † His next fast food venture was his Drive-In Barbeque, but the competition was soon on. â€Å"Dozens of people were standing in line to buy bags of ‘McDonald’s Famous Hamburgers’ (Schlosser 18, 19). Richard and â€Å"Mac† McDonald had their own business, but were tired of having to find new carhops and cooks. So they began to use today’s way of how fast food chains do business, assembly line style. This was the beginning of the rising power of the fast food industry. Schlosser then briefly describes the lives of many other fast food pioneers such as William Rosenberg who opened his first â€Å"doughnut shop in 1948, later calling it Dunkin’ Donuts. † Glen Bell founded the restaurant chain Taco Bell, Keith Cramer founded Insta-Burger-King, Dave Thomas founded Wendy’s, and Thomas Monaghan opened the first Domino’s. And Harland Sanders was the famous man of them all with his opening of the world’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant (Schlosser 22-23). Thanks to these men, America has her fast food. In order to explain how fast food became so popular in American culture, Schlosser continues his book with the complicated relationship between Ray Kroc and Walt Disney and their rise to fame. â€Å"Ray Kroc took the McDonald brothers’ Speedee Service System and spread it nationwide, creating a fast food empire (Schlosser 34). † Walt Disney created a fantasy world that fulfilled the American child’s dreams. Their great success was their uncanny ability of marketing their products to children. Even though Walt Disney’s success arrived sooner, Kroc’s company was most successful with the invention of the character Ronald McDonald in enticing America’s children. â€Å"Indeed, market research has found that children often recognize a brand logo before they can recognize their own name (Schlosser 43). † Playgrounds and even public school systems have fell victim to advertising. Playlands in McDonald’s stores attract whole families with young, hungry, and noisy children. Believe it or not, children are the ones who made McDonald’s Corporation as rich as it is today. Schlosser continues with stories and facts about what happens behind the counter. The mass number of fast food stores across America shows growing problems surrounding those who work at them. Crew members are only paid minimum wage and sometimes even less. They are prevented from being paid overtime, forming labor unions, and are forced to work only when they are needed. Workers going overtime are being paid for the extra time in food, not money. Robberies have been known to occur by current of former employees, not just third parties. McDonald’s sees it only necessary to add security to its stores rather than increasing its employee wages to incentivize workers to try and prevent theft. McDonald’s uses a combination of teenagers and illegal immigrants as its workforce supply. These workers are not concerned about being paid little since most do not have to support a family. With such a tremendous supply of labor, there is no incentive for McDonald’s Corporation to increase employee wages. Franchisees of many fast food chains are increasingly upset about encroachment, multiple stores of the same chain within short distances of each other. It is terrible that corporations are not thinking too highly of their franchisees. But there is no incentive for these corporations to change since they own the land that their franchises sit on. Franchisees periodically sue their franchisors â€Å"about inflated price charged by suppliers, [and] about bankruptcies and terminations that seemed unfair (Schlosser 100). † The meat packing industry is by far the most dangerous industry in America. Countless injuries occur without being reported and all that seems to matter to the industry is meeting the daily schedules. The faster the employees are made to work, the more dangerous the work becomes. Workers are usually fired after they are severely injured and are sent to specific doctors who do not document these injuries and convince the workers that they are fine. Any defiance against the company and those workers are either fired or given harder and more dangerous tasks. The only thought that comes across meat packing company executives is profit margins. There is relatively no social justice for the employees of the fast food and meat packing industries. Their wages are minimal, they receive no benefits, and no bonuses are given. There is no excuse that can justify falsified reports and time clocks. This is one of the few points where private interests go too far. Minimized costs is a must have in the private sector, but not to the point where the lives and welfare of workers are at stake and laws are being violated. There is simply too much private interest alive in Congress which prevents any further prohibition of such behavior. These industries are technically victimizing their workers by using them as cheap labor. Fast food chains use advertising which targets children who are the most vulnerable and exploit that weakness to maximize profits. In addition to Schlosser’s arguments, fast food is the worst possible food that people can eat. The sad thing is children at such young ages are eating it and the parents either do not even know any better or they simply do not care just because it is good to their wallets. Eric Schlosser’s critical views towards the fast food and meat packing industries, I dear say, are very informative. In sharing his views, I believe things must be done to address these issues. If the end result means higher prices for fast food, I, unlike most of Americans, simply would not mind paying it because then at least the employees of both industries would be earning better wages, learning real life skills, and working in a safer environment especially for those who do the meat packing. The facts about the fast food industry in this book definitely prove to me what I have been supporting, working at a McDonald’s for the past two years. I may actually consider finding a new job this summer with a company that pays me better, a company that does not have the kind of nasty reputation that the fast food chains have.

What Is Zema Dosage, Effects, and Safety

What Is Zema Dosage, Effects, and Safety SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Have you recently started using a Zema-pak or been told that you’ll be prescribed it to treat a specific illness or symptom? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll explain what Zema is, what it treats, how to take it, and what you need to know to safely use the drug. Feature image source: NIH.gov What’s Zema Used For? A Zema-pak tablet is an oral corticosteroid hormone that’s used to treat a number of different conditions. Zema’s generic name is dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is used to treat a variety of different conditions, including allergic reactions, arthritis, adrenal gland disorders, bowel disorders, skin conditions and certain cancers. Dexamethasone can also be used to treat symptoms caused by illnesses like Lyme disease. Corticosteroid hormones like dexamethasone are used to decrease your body’s natural defensive response. For instance, someone with ulcerative colitis may take dexamethasone to decrease inflammation in their large intestine. Zema-Pak Dosage and Administration Zema-paks come in three separate doses: the 6-day pack, the 10-day pack, and the 13-day pack. The 6-day pack contains 21 tablets, the 10-day pack contains 35 tablets, and the 13-day pack contains 51 tablets. Each tablet is a Zema-pack is a 1.5mg dexamethasone pill. Corticosteroids like dexamethasone can cause dependency and can be dangerous if you stop taking them without warning. Each Zema-pak is designed to slowly and carefully help you stop using the drug. You should take each of the pills in the Zema-pak by mouth as directed by your doctor. To avoid upsetting your stomach, take the pill with food or milk. You should also drink at least one full glass of water when taking the medicine. Make sure you take your pill at the same time each day, for the entire length of the prescription. If, for instance, you’re on a 10-day Zema-pak and start to feel better around day six, you should still take the rest of the pills until you finish the pack. Stopping the medication suddenly can lead to serious side effects or the return of symptoms that you were initially trying to ease. Zema Drug Name and Manufacturer While there are both brand name and generic versions of dexamethasone, Zema-paks in particular are only available in the 6, 10, or 13 day packs. Zema Side Effects Corticosteroids can have serious long and short-term side effects. If you’re experiencing any side effects from your Zema-pak that cause you distress or discomfort, you should seek help from a medical professional. If you’re taking dexamethasone for a long period of time, you should visit your doctor regularly to monitor you for long-term, unwanted side effects. Minor Side Effects The following side effects are minor and do not require immediate medical care. However, if you experience any of these side effects and they worsen, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them, you should speak with your doctor. Aggression Agitation Headache Irritability Nausea Noisy breathing Shortness of breath Sweatiness Weight gain Major Side Effects The following side effects are more severe and require medical attention from your doctor. Anxiety Darkening of skin Decrease in height Depression Facial hair growth in females Increased risk of serious infection Menstrual irregularities Nervousness Skin rash Trouble thinking, speaking, or walking Long-term use of corticosteroids like a Zema drug pack can lead to serious personality changes, such as increased aggression and irritability. While these side effects may seem minor at first, they can increase and become more out-of-control as time goes on. Corticosteroids can also put you at greater risk of developing serious infections. If you have any signs of infections, such as prolonged fever or sore throat, make sure you inform your doctor. Precautions for Taking Zema Before starting a new drug, it’s important to keep your doctor informed about your medical history so he or she can plan for any potentially dangerous side effects. In particular, make sure you inform your doctor about allergies, infections, kidney or liver disease, mental or mood conditions, high blood pressure, heart problems, brittle bones, and history of blood clots. Interactions to Avoid While Taking Zema Do not get any new immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests while taking dexamethasone, as you may be at increased risk for infection. You should also avoid people who’ve recently gotten the oral polio vaccine or have inhaled the flu vaccine. Dexamethasone can make it difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. You may need to adjust your medicine or diabetes treatment plan while taking a Zema-pak.= If you have a history of ulcers, you should avoid drinking alcohol while on dexamethasone, as it may increase your risk of intestinal bleeding. There are many drugs that may interact with dexamethasone. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication to ensure that it interacts properly. Here are some medications that may interact with Zema-paks: Birth control pills Certain cancer drugs (dasatinib, lapatinib) Estrogen hormone replacements HIV inhibitors Antifungals Seizure medications like Phenytoin You should always inform your doctor or pharmacist that you’re taking a Zema-pak if you need to start another medication. Recap: What Is Zema? Zema is a corticosteroid that’s used to treat a variety of conditions from skin rashes to Lyme disease. Zema-paks are brand name and come in three standard doses: 6-day, 10-day, and 13-day. Your doctor will work with you to determine the dosage that’s right to meet your needs. As with any drug, Zema has potential side effects, ranging from minor, such as headache, to major, such as depression. If you’re experiencing any side effects that cause you discomfort or seem particularly dangerous, you should contact your doctor.

Mother Courage and Her Children Play Overview

'Mother Courage and Her Children' Play Overview Mother Courage and Her Children mixes dark humor, social commentary, and tragedy. The title character, Mother Courage, travels across war-weary Europe selling alcohol, food, clothing, and supplies to soldiers on both sides. As she struggles to improve her fledgling business, Mother Courage loses her adult children, one after another. The Setting Set in Poland, Germany, and other parts of Europe, Mother Courage and Her Children spans the years 1624 to 1636. This period is during the Thirty Years War, a conflict that pitted Protestant armies against Catholic forces and resulted in an enormous loss of life.   The Title Character Anna Fierling (aka Mother Courage) has been enduring for a long time, traveling with nothing except a supply wagon pulled along by her adult children: Eilif, Swiss Cheese, and Kattrin. Throughout the play, though she does show concern for her children, she seems more interested in profit and financial security than the safety and well-being of her offspring. She has a love/hate relationship with war. She loves war because of its potential economic benefits. She hates war because of its destructive, unpredictable nature. She has the nature of a gambler, always trying to guess just how long the war will last so that she can take a risk and buy more supplies to sell. She fails dreadfully as a parent when she is focused on her business. When she fails to keep track of her eldest son, Eilif, he joins the army. When Mother Courage tries to haggle for the life of her second son (Swiss Cheese), she offers a low payment in exchange for his freedom. Her stinginess results in his execution. Eilif is also executed. Although his death is not a direct result of her choices, she misses her only chance to visit with him because she is at the market working her business instead of at church, where Eilif expects her to be. Near the plays conclusion, Mother Courage is again absent when her daughter Kattrin martyrs herself in order to save innocent townspeople. Despite losing all of her children by the end of the play, it is arguable that Mother Courage never learns anything, thus never experiences an epiphany or transformation. In his editorial notes, Brecht explains that  it is not incumbent on the playwright to give Mother Courage insight at the end. Rather, Brechts protagonist catches a glimpse of social awareness in scene six, but it is quickly lost and never to be regained as the war wears on, year after year. Eilif, the Brave Son The eldest and most independent of Annas children, Eilif is persuaded by a recruiting officer who lures him with talk of glory and adventure. Despite his mothers protests, Eilif enlists. Two years later, the audience sees him again. He is thriving as a soldier who slaughters peasants and loots civilian farms to support his armys cause. He rationalizes his actions by saying necessity knows no law. In scene eight, during a brief time of peace, Eilif steals from a peasant household and murders a woman in the process. He does not understand the difference between killing during wartime (which his peers consider an act of bravery) and killing during peacetime (which his peers consider a crime punishable by death). Mother Courages friends, the chaplain and the cook, do not tell her about Eilifs execution. At the end of the play, she still believes she has one child left alive. Swiss Cheese, the Honest Son Why is he named Swiss Cheese? Because hes good at pulling wagons. Thats Brechts humor for you! Mother Courage claims that her second son has a fatal flaw: honesty. However, this good-natured characters real downfall might be his indecision. When he is hired to be a paymaster for the Protestant army, his duty is torn between the rules of his superiors and his loyalty to his mother. Because he cannot successfully negotiate those two opposing forces, he is ultimately captured and executed. Kattrin, Mother Courages Daughter By far the most sympathetic character in the play, Kattrin is unable to speak. According to her mother, she is in constant danger of being physically and sexually abused by soldiers. Mother Courage often insists that Kattrin wear unseemly clothes and be covered in dirt to draw attention away from her feminine charms. When Kattrin is injured, resulting in a scar on her face, Mother Courage considers it a blessing - now, Kattrin is less likely to be assaulted. Kattrin wants to find a husband. However, her mother keeps putting it off, insisting that they must wait until peacetime (which never arrives during Kattrins adult life). Kattrin desperately wants a child of her own. When she learns that children might be murdered by soldiers, she sacrifices her life by drumming loudly and waking up the townspeople so they are not caught by surprise. Although she perishes, the children (and many other civilians) are saved. Therefore, even without children of her own, Kattrin proves to be far more motherly than the title character. About the Playwright  Bertolt Brech Bertolt (sometimes spelled Berthold) Brecht lived from 1898 to 1956. He was raised by a middle-class German family, despite some of his claims that he had an impoverished childhood. Early in his youth, he discovered a love for the theater that would become his means of creative expression as well as a form of political activism. Brecht fled Nazi Germany before the onset of World War II. In 1941, his anti-war play Mother Courage and Her Children was performed for the first time, premiering in Switzerland. After the war, Brecht moved to Soviet-occupied East Germany, where he directed a revised production of the same play in 1949. Source: Brecht, Bertolt. Mother Courage and Her Children. Grove Press, September 11, 1991.

Corporation law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Corporation law - Essay Example In her role as accountant, Emma should ensure that the employees, management and the external advisers possess the required skills in managing the business finances. The case scenario indicates that the employee in charge of the accounts was unwell and this distorted all the financial records. Therefore, Emma could have ensured maintenance of all the financial records to enhance effective communication of any information like the Trouble Shooter’s dues and other affairs of the company. As a result, appropriate enquiries could have remained informed on the financial position of the company. As the financial director, Emma could have ensured that the financial records remained updated. The financial director must ensure information on the financial affairs of the company by presenting the current financial viability as well as the impacts related with any further debts (Bosen 2009, p.96). The directors failed in their duty of preventing insolvent trading. At the time of debts, t he company was already insolvent, and Ying engaged in trade with OHS solutions. The law sets out the contravention levels where the directors pay a civil penalty for failing to prevent the incurred debts when aware of the insolvency of the company. Ying new that OHS was insolvent, and he proceeded to trade with the company. According to the Corporation Law, this presents a criminal offense when the directors failed in preventing the company from incurring such debts even after the awareness on the company’s insolvency. The consequences for breaching the duty involve the compensation order where the court may order the director to compensate the companies the equivalent of the suffered loss. This results due to failure of preventing the company from making losses while insolvent. The managing corporation of OHS Solutions could have been disqualified under the justification of sections s206C. In their prevention of breach of duty, directors must account for the fundamental prin ciples. This ensures availability of information on financial affairs of the company and enhances immediate identification of the concerns on the financial position of the company. The company assesses realistically any financial difficulties experienced by the company (Davis 2002, p.403). Failure of the directors in monitoring the company’s solvency as well as the investigation of the financial difficulties and consideration of the timely advice results in breach of duty. The executive director; Satish and non-executive directors; Emma and Ying must have been involved in active monitoring of the OHS Solutions’ financial position. The directors must ensure proper financial records for the company as well as reasonable inquiries to enhance an understanding of the cash flow requirements and financial position of the company. The director must monitor the position of the company to ensure its capability in paying the debts. This requires that the director be remain inform ed on the ongoing basis that rely solely on the financial statements. In the quest for sufficient information of the company, the financial director must ensure they monitor the preparation of the financial records as well as reviewed the company’s capabilities in repayment of debts. The actual steps by the director must ensure proper information on the company’s situation. The director, as in case of Emma, may not be involved directly in

RAWAN SULIMANI-Personal Statement t- THE GEORGEWASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Personal

RAWAN SULIMANI- t- THE GEORGEWASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL - Personal Statement Example I will not settle for second best and after obtaining knowledge from George Washington University Law School I can be the business leader I was born to be. By business leader I mean a woman who is strong and proud of her accomplishments. Why Law? Law is powerful and honorary. The law places judgment. Where I come from, law school is typically for men. Women do not have to settle for ordinary. Women can excel in any career field. Obtaining my masters will prove that women can accomplish anything they set their mind too. Good education is a necessity in a growing world. It is important for people to become more independent and become a good example for the younger generations. The more good examples that are set will only lead to better leaders of tomorrow. I am certain that with my previous accomplishments and new goals in place that I will prove and set examples. These traits are what it takes to be a leader, the type of leader that comes from hard work. Hard work from a proper education like that of George Washington University Law School is essential for personal development. The LLM program will fit my personal development

CorruptionDefoe's capitalist views and his moral purpose in Roxana Essay

CorruptionDefoe's capitalist views and his moral purpose in Roxana - Essay Example Robinson Crusoe extended the form of the picaresque and turned an adventure tale into a critique of colonialism. Moll Flanders did the same with the class of 'gentlewomen'. Roxana similarly has come to be accepted as a critique of early capitalism -- a time in English history when the industrial revolution was yet not a tactile reality but a creepy creature whose tugs on morality, civility and social infrastructure were being secretly felt. Defoe takes a old world morality tale about a woman's coming to terms with her own profession as a whore and turns it into a contemporary tale about capitalism's philosophy of self-aggrandizement and saleability of the self. In retrospect Defoe will seem prophetic in his constitution of the plot about Roxana's willing acceptance of her profession and how she readily agrees to 'capitalise' it when she knows her moral degradation is irreversible. In medieval morality plays, Roxana's good self would have been saved by a benign god who in a climactic moment would retrieve her from misery. But in Defoe's world emergent capitalism prevails over frivolling morality and what would have been a fallen life before becomes a life of opportunities for Roxana. No wonder Roxana is called Defoe's 'darkest' novel and that explains the crowd of critical and scholarly attention that it has received. The term 'dark' is not a secular word and hence burdens the novel with a given morality and wisdom. By such means it is easy to provide an ordinary, feminist framework for Roxana and turn it into a conventional male author's depiction of a bold woman, too much in control of her sexuality and hence too obviously susceptible to moral decrepitude and eventual fall. But at another level Roxana is a mock tale about capitalism, corruption and individual enterprise. As the novel proceeds, we see Roxana triumphant, outwitting the males in her life and by using them to achieve her own purposes. Later, she is seen to be felled again and reverts to her previous status of misery and helplessness. At one level if this is her punishment for living against the moral standards of the society and the fantasy of a protestant moralist, at another level it is a critique of the

The Importance Of Good Governance To Democracy Politics Essay

The Importance Of Good Governance To Democracy Politics Essay Democracy cannot flourish in the absence of good governance. The pre-condition for good governance is effective democratic institutions for democratizing the society. Improvement of the living standard of people cannot happen where people cannot participate in governance, human rights are not respected, information does not flow, and civil society and the judiciary are weak. Nine criteria of to be referred as the Nine Is of good governance or Nine I model of good governance. In the absence of these Nine Is good governance in Bangladesh like any other country will be a far cry. These components constitute the foundations of modern democracy and create the underpinning to establish free economy and spur domestic and foreign investment, specially the potential investment of the Non Resident Bangladeshis ( NRBs) particularly in the case of Bangladesh. It is not true that only elections lead to a democracy. Democracy should be home work (Manifesto) of the political parties where they ought to outline their ideas and concept of democracy they want to offer to the citizens in lieu of their votes. The political parties should make it vividly transparent as to how and when they will apply their policies for establishing a democratic society ensuring parity, rule of law, equitable distribution of wealth, social justice, freedom of speech and thought if voted to power. The political philosophy and the commitment of the political parties should be expressed in the form of party manifesto much ahead of elections for empowering the voters so that they can make good governance may be used to determine whether any country qualifies to have good governance are: 1. INDEPENDENT AND NON PARTISAN ELECTION COMMISSION 2. INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND THE RULE OF LAW 3. INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH 4. INDEPENDENT ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION 5. INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE 6. INDEPENDENT AND EFFECTIVE PARLIAMENT 7. INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 8. INDEPENDENT OMBUDSMAN SYSTEM 9. INVESTMENT FRIENDLY GOVERNMENT. I would propose these Nine components informed decisions before casting their votes during the elections. In Bangladesh, unfortunately the practice of presenting the manifesto of the political parties are not transparent and as such it may be stated that political commitment of the parties to the people is also not transparent which gives the parties a space to shift form their commitments and promise after the election. Sound policies and their execution are essential pre-condition of development. Good Governance necessarily means govern justly, invest in the people, and encourages private economic enterprise. Bangladesh is yet to promote principles of good governance, and initiative of our civil society reinforces the need for good governance. Through cooperative ventures of our parliament, judiciary, executive organ of the state along with the civil society it is possible to enact policies and design the governance so that human dignity and freedom are allowed to flourish. Some of the principles of good governance date back to the time of ancient Greece . Others are principles developed in more recent years, or lessons learned from our own history and that of other democracy practicing societies. Broadly speaking, good governance promotes fundamental and universal human rights. As per constitution of Bangladesh , the political power lies with the people  (Article 7). Principles of good governance allow people to pursue their lives in a just, equitable and democratic society. Countries like Bangladesh need the tools to educate their citizens to take part in the opportunities offered by the global economy. We need to do hard work to eradicate corruption. Perhaps the most basic and important principle of good governance is that a nations political institutions be democratic. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a form of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. This means that the rights and principles of democratic government can and should be universally applied. They are not a uniquely American invention. The right of every person to speak freely about his government is a basic human right to overcome bad governance even by a elected government by the party, for the politician and nothing for the people. The right of any citizens to express his opinion about his government is one that is supported by the doctrine Rule by the Ruled as has been recognized by nations all over the world. Now let us examine the Nine Is of Good governance INDEPENDENT AND NON PARTISAN ELECTION COMMISSION Independent and Non Partisan Election Commission is a precondition for free fair participative elections to elect public representative to the parliament. Elections, however, are not the only cornerstone to democracy. Accountable leadership and fulfillment of the will of the people are essential to ensuring that elections are a means to a democratic society, not an end in themselves. It is critical that a nations elections be free and fair in level plane ground. This means that every citizen have a equal access and opportunity to compete to become public representative. Voters have a choice among candidates and that they have a right to information concerning those candidates background. Free and fair elections are open and transparent to all people without discrimination based on sex, religion, or race. Such elections are not restricted by government interference and coercion by money and muscle. The right to free and fair elections should be guaranteed by independent nonpartisan election commission having appropriate capabilities and skill to deliver honest acceptable elections. And such elected government can only be held accountable to their citizens. Voters should be able to participate freely in the political process, whether through political parties or independent candidates. INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND THE RULE OF LAW Another criterion of good governance is independent judiciary, important for preserving the rule of law. It is very essential to have a strong judiciary and courts to ensure that a nations laws are enforced constantly and fairly. All organs of government must be law abiding. The rule of law also is the basis for the formation of business enterprises and the establishment of a free market, which underpin economic development. Citizens or their elected representatives should be involved in all levels of lawmaking including the local government. Another characteristic of good governance is the presence of constitutional limits on the political power. Such limits include transparent, creditable, periodic elections, guarantees of Fundamental Rights, guarantees of Human Rights by a independent judiciary, which allows citizens to seek protection of their rights and redress against government actions. These limit help make government departments accountable to each other and to the people. Accountability is another characteristic that is considered globally for the eligibility when determining whether a country practices good governance. Not only should the law be enforced, but it should also be enforced fairly and without any sort of discrimination. Good governance means equal protection for all without any discrimination of sex, cast, creeds, and race. An open and easy access to judicial and administrative systems. A nations courts should not be open to only a select few. Government agencies should allow appeals of regulations as well as citizen participation in their decision-making process, and citizens should be granted access to these bodies in a timely and easy manner. Governments also have a duty to protect their citizens from criminal violence, especially the practice of trafficking of persons. Women, girls and children are most vulnerable to this illegal trade, which can only be stopped by diligent law enforcement. Respect for the Citizens rights relating to personal privacy is a far cry in a weak democracy like Bangladesh . INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH To function properly, a democratic society must ensure free exchange of information and ideas. This is best realized in the creation of a free and open media and the freedoms of speech and expression. A free and independent media provides voters with the information they need to make informed decisions. It facilitates the exchange of political discourse, creating an open place for ideas where no view is neglected and the best are chosen. Free Media can also serve as a check on government power ensuring that bureaucracy, public officials and government departments remain accountable to the voters. The medias ability to report on trade and industry and the economy is also important for preserving public trust in the free economy and for attracting domestic and foreign investment including the potential investment of the NRBs. The right of the free media to publish, to editorialize, to criticize, and to inform is a fundamental principle of democracy. INDEPENDENT ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION Good governance also means combating corruptions, and countries can not be considered having good governance, if they are corrupt. To preserve the integrity of democracy, governments must strive to rid themselves of corruptions and bribery. Corruption destroys economic foundations, impedes the ability of developing countries to attract foreign investment. Corruption hinders the growth of democratic institutions, and concentrates power in the hands of a few having money and muscle. The best way to combat corruption is for governments to be open and transparent. Official Secrecy Act must not be abused. While in certain cases governments have a responsibility to retain secrecy and confidentiality regarding national security and alike issues. Strong laws against corruption, application of such laws and the actions of law enforcement agencies that work against corruption demonstrate a governments commitment to this principle. INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE Good governance requires that governments invest in their people and work to preserve the welfare of their citizens, without regard to gender, race or religion. Governments should invest in health care, nutrition, housing, education, and poverty elevation. They should ensure an economic environment where people can find jobs and establish business enterprises. Along with other measures, a governments ability to provide job and a high standard of living for its people is considered by the democratic world in determining governmental effectiveness. The importance of the other Four Is i.e., Independent and Effective Parliament, Independent Human Rights Commission, Independent Ombudsman System, Investment Friendly Government could not be discussed here due to limitations of space which I have intention to discuss later in some other articles of mine. CONCLUSION Only practicing these components  (Nine- Is)  of good governance results in a democratic society where people can pursue their hopes and aspirations. This will facilitate the creation of free markets, which are trusted by investors and financial institutions. Good governance is a pre-condition for any economic development. Development cannot flourish where people cannot participate in governance, human rights are not respected, information does not flow, and civil society and the judiciary are weak. UNDP and the World Bank, among others, have come to realize that development assistance that focuses only on economic governance at the expense of democratic governance fails. The proof is that, 42 of the 49 high human development countries on the UN Development Index are democracies  (UNDP source). With few exceptions, all of the worlds richest countries have the worlds most democratic governance. The fundamental rights and the standard of living of Bangladeshi citizens will be enhanced through good governance. But one has to remember the rule that no good governance no democracy. Governments that govern rationally with the commitment of good governance become democratic and get support for their reform efforts from their people as well as from the democratic world. #