Church to Connect Essay

â€Å"Our future is not to be found in our preservation but in our investment† (19). â€Å"The best way to predict the future is to create it† (20). â€Å"Fewer people are attending church because of the diminishing influence of Christ on the church itself. † â€Å"We equated being a good citizen with being a good Christian. We lived without persecution and soon found ourselves without conviction. We didn’t lose America; we gave her away! In our panic and powerlessness we turned to political means to seek to regain what we once had through spiritual awakening . Yet as a moral majority we could not accomplish what God could through Gideon’s few† (28). â€Å"Once we were called Christians by an unbelieving world and now we call ourselves Christians and the world calls us hypocrites. Is it possible that it wasn’t the nation that was becoming dangerously secular but the church? We were neither relevant nor transcendent. We have become, in the worst of ways, religious. We are the founders of the secular nation† (29). â€Å"The church became a refuge from the world rather than a force in the world. Predictability and stability became dominant themes†¦. The gospel shifted from a church on a mission to a church that supported missions† (30). â€Å"How could we ever think that the Christian faith would be safe when its central metaphor is an instrument of death? It is not a coincidence that baptism is a water grave depicting death and resurrection. It is no less significant that the ongoing ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of sacrifice. How did we ever develop a safe theology from such a dangerous faith? †(33) â€Å"Institutions preserve culture while movements create culture† (34). â€Å"For years the bulk of American Christians who were committed to missions could only participate through giving and praying. Today, the call to crosscultural ministry doesn’t even require going; it just requires staying with a purpose† (45). â€Å"Where once the pagan lived in the country and the danger of the city was to be Christianized; now Christians tend to live away from the cities and view the urban dweller as the true pagan† (46). â€Å"Gideon was focused on mass; God was focused on momentum† (69). â€Å"It’s hard to believe that a movement born of visionaries and dreamers would become dominantly known for its traditions and rituals† (138). â€Å"Just because a person cannot read doesn’t mean she lacks the capacity to learn. One’s present condition is not an indication of potential, but of development† (211). III. SALIENT POINTS/ANALYSIS 1. The Need for the Church to Connect with this Generation The author speaks about how in the past 40 years communities have changed dramatically yet many local churches have stayed the same. This explains the irrelevancy and bankruptcy of the church in regards to being salt and light and functioning as agents of change for culture. Even the way the gospel is communicated has to be changed if we are going to reach this present generation. One of the dramatic changes in our environment is the shift from words to images. To do church in a way that is entirely textdriven is the kiss of death. People don’t read, they simply observe. Beyond the emergence of a postliterate society, we have a culture raised on entertainment (17). As McManus states, â€Å"While not many churches perform their services in Latin today, our language, style, music, and methods are pretty much Latin to the unchurched population† (81).

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Essay

One should not stop going for what they want. Through the struggles and obstacles being thrown at two people who are in love but the others may not be able to see it, they will always find a way back to each other. This book demonstrates the hardship two young people who are in love to find a way to each other even though at the time, interracial dating was not very common and looked down upon. During the Japanese internment in WWII, Henry, who is a first-generation Chinese American, went to an only non-white school was forced to work in the kitchen during lunch and clean after school because that was how his â€Å"scholarship† was being paid for. At that school, he met a Japanese-American girl named Keiko and became friends instantly. Even though Henry’s father was not very fond of the â€Å"enemy† Japanese people, that did not stop Henry from being her friend. One night, both Henry and Keiko snuck out to see each other. When they saw each other, Keiko gave him her family pictures because all Japanese had to get rid of any possession that could link them being known as Japanese so they could avoid being taken away. Japantown was filled with families and businesses who were forced to shut down and leave to the safer internment camps. Henry had to go through that pain of watching Keiko’s entire family leave, he was helpless to stop them but at the same time afraid that he would be herded with them for his similar physical appearance. Because it was a tradition for the Chinese to send their children back to China to complete their schooling, that is what Henry’s father did. He sent him back to China. He agrees to go if his father saves the Panama Hotel where Keiko’s family stored a lot of their belongings when they were shipped to the internment camps. While sending letters back and forth letters to Keiko, that is how Henry met the women he ended up marrying, Ethel. She worked at the post office and befriended him. As the war was going on, Keiko’s letters stop coming. The only reason why Keiko’s letter stops coming because his father interfered with the delivery of the mail for Henry’s own good. That is when Henry eventually moves on with his life, finishes school and marrying Ethel, but does not forget about Keiko. After the wife dies of  cancer he tries to find meaning for living. By doing so he goes back and visits the last Japanese habitation, which was the Panama Hotel. He never really forgot about Keiko, that was his first love. Even though Henry’s son, Marty, and Henry were not close, slowly but surely he eventually told him about Keiko. Marty and his fiancà © go out finding Keiko and sends Henry to New York to be reunited with his first love, Keiko. Being in Henry’s father’s shoes, I could see why he stopped the communication between Henry and Keiko. He was really just doing what is best for his children. At that time interracial relationships were not common but I guess nowadays parents cannot really choose who is going to marry their children. You cannot help how you feel and when you feel a certain way you will do whatever it takes to be back with the one you love. I think it was so cute how Keiko and Henry sent letters back and forth, nowadays it is only text messages or snapchats being sent. There was no sentimental feeling like there was before. Now we rely on technology as our form of communication and that is why some relationships fail. It is hard bringing your culture to America especially when you want to live the American lifestyle or culture. I know Henry’s father did not want him speaking Cantonese at home because if he spoke English, he would be more acceptable as an American. He was proud that Henry was going to an American school but of course he was not going to let some of the traditions go so therefore sends him to China. Henry’s father’s morals are very different with Henry as he grows up to being a father. When Henry has a son who is planning on marrying an American girl. At that time, dating outside the race is more acceptable. With me dating outside the Filipino race, my parents are okay with that. To them race does not matter. What matters is how the other person feels about you and vice versa. One that cares for you, takes care of you, and how they treat you should be the bigger concern and not the race. I always thought I would have to date within my race because I know that is what my parents would want, but they told me race should not matter. It is just how the other person can make you feel that matters the most. As long as I am happy, my parents are happy. I wish Henry’s father saw that Henry was happy with Keiko, but since his father was not very fond of the  Japanese, he did everything he can for them not to keep in contact. The story ends on a sweet note. The first thing Henry says when they meet was a Japanese phrase to tell her how beautiful she was, that he learned when he was a boy. Through the search from the city and pain and memories Henry had in the past, finding Keiko was the main purpose in his life. He wanted to be rekindled with his first love again. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet did a good job at alternating between telling the story at adolescent Henry’s war years with his later life in 1986. The author manages to tell the story of the Japanese evacuation, of the struggles between generations in immigrant families, and of the friendship that later turned into love between Henry and Keiko. This book also tells an important story, that of the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and it was heartbreaking to watch Keiko’s family as they were evacuated, despite the fact that her family was more â€Å"American† than Japanese, and that Keiko was born in the U.S. Keiko’s frustration at seeing those of Japanese heritage taken away and her family’s strength as they are forced to leave behind their entire life is hard. I cannot image being taken to an unknown place with my family because of who we were. I liked how the author incorporated the generation of Chinese-American Henry and his immigrant parents. Henry’s father demands that he speak only English in their home, despite the fact that this leaves Henry unable to communicate with his parents but be more acceptable to the American culture. This book was overall a touching book. It was more than a love story between two people, it was the hardships that was going on during the WWII that kept those two from being with each other and with Henry’s father stopping communication between Keiko and Henry. I had mixed emotions because I was happy they found their way back to each other but at the same time I was upset because I wanted to know what would happen next.

Auditory Attention Essay Example for Free

Auditory Attention Essay The ability to localize sound sources is of considerable importance to both humans and animals; it will determine the direction of objects to seek or to avoid as well as indicating the appropriate direction to direct visual attention. The precision of sound localization is remarkable, particularly for brief sounds or for those occurring in noisy or reverberant surroundings. While the most reliable cues used in the localization of sounds depend upon a comparison of the signals reaching the two ears, there are also phenomena of auditory space perception which result from monoaural processing of the signals. Localization refers to judgments of the direction and distance of a sound source. Like when headphones are worn, the sound image is located inside the head. Headphones allow precise control of interaural differences and eliminate effects related to room echoes. Using two ears we are able to selectively attend to sounds coming from a particular direction while effectively excluding other sounds. This ability is particularly important in noisy surroundings or when there are several sound sources competing for our attention. Our acuity in locating sounds is greatest in the horizontal dimension, fairly good in the vertical direction and least good in the depth dimension. Aside from this ability we are also able to judge the direction of a sound source and to some extent estimates its distance. Many everyday experiences indicate that auditory localization can be influenced by conflicting visual cues. At a cinema for example, the loudspeakers are usually placed behind the screen or in its center yet the sound still appears to come from the actor’s mouth as he moves about the screen. Similarly, the loudspeaker in a television set is located to one side of the screen but the sound does not appear to be detached from the visual image. Thus, it might be possible that exposure to conflicting auditory and visual cues for a period of time may lead to an after-effect in which the localization of sounds is systematically displaced. This may occur during experiments wherein sound may be generates from one area but a cue may say otherwise and given the effects of practice and priming, experiment results into auditory localization may not be valid. Early findings on the study of orienting pure auditory attention have yielded no significant change in performance. Posner (1980) did not find any advantage in the use of auditory pre- cueing of auditory targets. Others have failed to find a benefit for the detection of sounds coming from expected vs. unexpected locations (Scharf, Quigley, Aoki, Peachey and Reeves, 1987). Buchtel and Butter (1988) found that informative auditory cues provided a benefit in the detection of visual targets; however they failed to find a benefit from cues on auditory targets. Klein, Brennan and Gilani (1987) also found no benefit in the detection of auditory targets with the use of uninformative cues using both visual and auditory cues. However, the use of auditory and visual cues together on tasks has been promising. Previous researches on multisensory instruments have found that it can optimize performance rather than using one sensory modality. Recently Duncan, Martens and Ward (1997) found evidence of restricted attentional capacity within but not between sensory modalities. They presented streams of visual and or auditory inputs containing occasional targets to be identified and recalled, for two visual or two auditory streams they found that the identification of one target produced a sustained reduction in the ability to identify a second target. In contrast, when the streams were from both modalities, there was no such reduction in the identification of the second target. The results suggest a modality-specific restriction to concurrent attention and awareness. The results of this study have important implications for the design of complex human machine interface systems. Systems should be designed to take advantage of the spatial presentation of information to the human operator to enhance the detection rate of critical information (i. e. ; warnings). This findings support Rhodes (1987) earlier work on auditory attention where he reported that auditory attention has spatial constraints. He found that time linearly increased to localize a sound as a function of distance from the point of attention; he further proposed that even for sounds, localization is shifted through logical and topographical representations. Information presented in locations where spatial attention has been allocated has both faster and more accurate response in both visual and auditory modalities (Posner, 1980, Ward, 2000, Spence & driver, 1996, 1997a, 1997b). Moreover, even if there is a limited human attentional capacity the nature of spatial attention across modalities suggests that if one modality is overloaded the attentional capacity of other modalities are not adversely affected (Duncan, Martens & Ward, 1997). Thus, the best way to maximize this modality-specific restriction is to present information using both the visual and auditory modalities. Flanagan, McAnally, Martin, Meehan & Oldfield (1998) found evidence of the usefulness of using both modalities. In their study, they reported that visual search times were reduced when spatially informative auditory information was supplied. They used a spatial localization task in which the search for a visual target was aided by either a visual arrow or an auditory cue. They found both the visual and the auditory cues aided in significantly reducing the search times when compared to unaided search. It is however important that the visual and auditory information presented are detectable and localizable. Hence a signal should be localizable when information presented is critical (i. e. ; location of threats such as enemy fighters, missiles etc. ) and that information presented is expected in that location will improve response time and accuracy (Posner, 1980, Spence and Driver, 1996). Auditory Attention. (2017, May 20).

Strategic Corporate Finance ASSIGNMENT 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic Corporate Finance ASSIGNMENT 2 - Essay Example The company had ?1.69 worth net assets per share which has been improved to?1.72 in 2011. b) Cost of Capital The following are the computations in respect of calculating the weighted average cost of capital for Marks & Spencer. The cost of equity of M&S is found to be 4.5% whereas cost of debt is found to be 4%. The overall weighted average cost of capital after accounting for the value of equity and value of debt, is found to be 4.33%. Cost of Equity (CAPM)       Re = Rf + Beta (Risk Premium)          = 0.03 + 0.75 (0.02)       Re = 4.50% Cost of Debt       Rd = Annual Coupon    Current Bond Price          = 5    125       Rd = 4.00% Value of Equity Ve = Current Share Price x No. of Shares outstanding = 3.76 x 1600 = 6016 Value of Debt Vd = Current Bond Price x No. of Bonds Issued = 125 x 2489 = 3111                         100       Weights       Wd = Debt = 3111 = 34.09%    Debt + Equity 3111 + 6016          We = Equi ty = 6016 = 65.91%       Debt + Equity    3111 + 6016       WACC       WACC = [Wd x Rd] + [We x Re]          = [ 34.09% x 4%] + [65.91% x 4.5%]          = 4.33% c) Dividend Growth Model The following is the calculation of theoretical ex-right price by using Gordon’s dividend growth model. ... 7(1+0.02) = 693.6       K – g    0.045 - 0.02       From the above calculations, it can be noted that if the growth rate of dividend is zero, the theoretical ex-right price of the M&S share is around 377 pence. On the other hand, if the dividends are expected to grow at 2%, in that case there will be a massive growth in the share price of M&S such that it is likely to reach at 693 pence which is extremely high. Under the given circumstances, when the current share price id 363 pence, the theoretical ex-right price of 377 pence, seems to be more appropriate than the share price of 693 pence which seems quite optimistic. d) Value per sharing using the price earnings (p/e) ratio The following are the price earnings ratio of Marks & Spencer for the years 2011 and 2012. Price Earnings Ratio    31-Mar-12 11-Jan-13 P/E Ratio = 376 = 11.56923 = 363 = 11.2       32.5             32.5       It can be observed that the Price Earnings ratio of M&S was at 11.56 in the year 2011. However, it reduced to 11.2 in the last year because the share price of the company decreased. If the P/E ratio of retail industry is compared with that of M&S, it can be observed that the P/E ratio of M&S is significantly higher than that of the industry. The retail industry is following a P/E multiple of 8.5 times whereas M&S is having more than 11 times. This shows that the share price of M&S is over-valued as compare to other industry participants. Task 2 Introduction There are various views regarding a particular stock as different market participants look at the stocks with different objectives and views. However, the only thing which is followed by all the investors is the fundamentals (Babu, 2012). Fundamental is the concept in finance which deals with the performance of the company in the given

Eygpt problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Eygpt problems - Essay Example Giving the example of Lebanon, Shadid shows just how confused the state of affairs is, where people cannot decide on their own just what exactly they want from their country. Though Shadid concedes that Western powers are to be blamed for merely giving lip-service to the cause of the people while turning a blind eye towards the dictators as long as their interests are looked after by the despotic governments, however, he is quick to point out that the blame does not rest with them alone. The frustration caused has much to do with the failure of the states to satisfy their citizens in giving them a good life. All this, Shadid opines, has left the door open for people’s revolutions, as is evident from what happened in Tunisia and Lebanon and Egypt. This, he contends, marks the beginning of the end of the status quo that has existed in the Arab world. The article is a very well thought out piece of work. It is thought provoking indeed. While those in the West are quick to point o ut at the actions of the leaders of the Arab World and blame them for a lot of human rights abuses, for instance, what we do not realize sitting here is that in some way, our government has to carry the blame for letting these despots come to power and letting them stay in power as long as our interests are served. However, as Shadid pointed out, the state of affairs has been brought to this because of the way the states have been treating their citizens. For far too long the despots of the Arab World have treated their citizens as if they are less than human. Hiding behind the force of their police or armed forces, they sought to create fear in the hearts of their citizens, and they succeeded in doing so too. They ruled with an iron fist and accepted no dissension whatsoever. However, the rules of the game have changed. As is evident from what happened in Tunisia, and what happened in Egypt after this article was written, it is clear that the masses still have the power to bring ab out change in the system. Things have come to the point where even Libya’s Gaddafi is facing a similar demand from his people: he should resign from his tyrannical rule and let someone else rule the country for a change. With all that has been happening in the Arab world, it is clear to see that the politics of the twentieth century will not hold credence. With globalization and the technological advancement in methods of mass communication, it is now next to impossible to hold information from people. It is this free flow of information that has caused people to get together and speak for their rights. It is only a matter of time before this fire spreads throughout the Arab world. It is, therefore, needed that the rulers of the region talk heed of the warning signs and start implementing a more humane and more tolerant policy, both towards the citizens, in general, and their opposition, in particular. However, it can be contended that it might be too late, as now, when peopl e have seen how much the masses can attain by just banding together; they would not be willing to back down and remain obedient servants to their tyrannical rulers. The repression by

Literature Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 9

Literature Review - Essay Example We as a society are innovating greater technology and great modern convenience. This continuing dependence on social technology has contributed to a lessening of dependence, desire for, or trust in human interactions. In fact, many experts feel strongly that the inception and popularity of social media is contributing to a deterioration of interpersonal relationships and how people communicate in those relationships (Christofides et. al, 2012). If individuals continue to depend and substitute their personal interactions for social media influenced relationships it will lead to a shallow and superficial future for between human beings. 200 years ago if people wanted to communicate they had to wait long periods of time to receive even a single letter. 150 years ago the telegraph allowed faster and immediate communication over longer distances to be achieved, and finally the telephone changed everything. People could directly talk to people who are very far away. However, despite all of these technological innovations people still interacted with other people regularly and on a continuous basis. There was still a value in having eye to eye contact in a conversation and shaking a man’s hand when making a deal. Technology did not impede that interaction and communication negatively. However, today’s technology has made in completely possible for a person to become a complete shut-in and never speak to another person in person again. It is possible to pay all of your bills online, people can work exclusively from home, and even have their groceries delivered. This is extreme, but people today are slowly b ut surely losing their desire and limiting their opportunity to interact and communicate with others. It has become a part of daily life, getting on the computer, sending text messages, and responding to messages that others send. It is hard to imagine a time when phones

HRM Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

HRM - Coursework Example It also involves evaluation of performance, provision of incentives and benefits to employees, dispute resolution, and communicating relevant information to employees at all levels within an organization. On the other hand, it should also take care of the training aspect within the organization. Training methods vary from one organization to the other depending on the needs f that organization. Therefore, an excellent HRM should posses’ core qualities such as; efficient negotiation skills, leadership skills, training skills, and an extensive knowledge about the organization. In addition, it is an obligation of the HR personnel and Managers to organize personnel to perform the duties of the organization effectively in a timely manner. HRM personnel should, therefore, view its staff as assets in the part of contemporary human capital management and HRM. HRM is prudent in every organization in the determination of success of the company (Gilmore 2009, P. 112). Therefore, this pap er seeks to identify training methods within an organization, determination of main characteristics of the selected training methods, and the provision of the appropriate recommendation to the director of the organization as to how the training practices could be improved and the benefits that comes with developing them. To achieve this, organizational training is essential. However, the choice of training method should be in line with objectives of the organization and at the end of it all, the organization should realize growth in terms of service delivery. HR team and Managers should work jointly to build up workers’ skills through training. For instance, HR personnel should give advice to supervisors and managers how to allocate staff to different responsibilities within an organization, thus assisting the organization adjusts productively to its surrounding. The organization should have a strategy that is clearly defined and

Million Dollar Invention Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Million Dollar Invention - Scholarship Essay Example I have this belief that each DNA strand in human beings eventually spin off into various functions and develop certain intricacies which dictate if that particular DNA chain will result in a future illness for a person. By following the DNA strands development rather than manipulating it for specific scientific purposes, I believe I will be able to unlock the reasons as to why certain people are predisposed to certain illnesses. I realize that my dream of unlocking the secrets that the human DNA holds in relation to our illnesses may seem laughable at the moment. But take a step back and just think about it. The human DNA is the basis of human life and yet are still merely discovering the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the nitty gritty of how it functions and how it affects our health and well being. Therefore, studying its evolution until it produces an illness is something that will definitely have a positive effect in the development of future health care solutions. After successfully analyzing and segregating the DNA chains by the resulting illnesses, I will then concentrate on developing a medical test that shall successfully identify the DNA markers that each person carries which can tell the medical professional exactly what kind of illnesses the person he is treating shall be prone to. This should effectively eliminate or lessen the existence of certain illnesses since the development of the DNA chain into that particular strand can now be retarded, prevented, or cured. Such a medical discovery shall definitely be far ahead of its time and would definitely result in my names addition to the roster of noted names in the scientific field that have discovered and/or prevented illnesses from happening. More so when the public finds out that I managed to accomplish all of those things with only a million dollars backing my scientific and medical

Is Eminent Domain as Practiced Today a Violation of the Takings Clause Essay

Is Eminent Domain as Practiced Today a Violation of the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution - Essay Example It has commonly been argued that eminent domain is a violation of the taking clause of the fifth amendment of the US constitution. The Taking Clause of the US Constitution The purpose of the taking clause featured in the US constitution is to bar the government from forcibly making some people bear public burdens, which is a responsibility of the entire public (Funk 123). On the other hand, the takings clause fully requires compensation whenever a government takes away private property and converts it for public use. Eminent domain gives the government power to take such property, even without fully compensating the private owners, which is contrary to the Fifth Amendment (Greenhut 65). The fourteenth and fifth amendments’ taking clauses of the constitution have similar meaning and effect. However, owners of property can enjoy more protection from the Fifth Amendment takings. Proponents of eminent domain believe that the US constitution’s Fifth Amendment takings clause does not prohibit the government from taking private property (Donahue 32). The requirement of public use is normally viewed like a restriction on the power of government over eminent domain as proponents of eminent domain believe. ... The situation of many individuals that have their properties taken by the government is normally made worse given that some of these properties are what they consider a lifetime investment and therefore beyond monetary value. In this respect, eminent domain denies individuals the right to enjoy whatever they have worked for irrespective of how much treasured their investments are to them (Sheldom 24). This as a result lowers the motivation of hardworking citizens who always live in fear considering that their properties may be taken at any time and without warning. Eminent domain has been applied blatantly with power-hungry and utilitarian justifications. Such events occur for example where large companies that remit more taxes to the government are favored against individuals or smaller organizations to an extent that properties are seized from the later unjustifiably for the benefit of the larger companies as noted by Ryskamp (35). This sometimes is done out of the consideration th at larger companies create more employment opportunities compared to smaller ones. Unfortunately the application of eminent domain in this respect is flawed as it considers individuals as fungible or substitutable objects. When the government seizes property based on such logic, it means that the government cares not for the welfare of those whose lives are ruined as a result against the constitutional implication that the individual’s right is absolute. Some quarters have reasoned that eminent domain helps in the redistribution of property and helps in creating equality and equity in the sharing of resources among nationals. This idea is further propagated based on the reasoning that the government helps in

Slaves no more Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Slaves no more - Essay Example The feeling of the black and white communities in the Richmond area and in other southern states of the USA is captured by this essay (Guelzo 36). Moreover, the essay captures the confusion of the black people concerning their freedom. For instance, one black slave commented that they had celebrated the Emancipation about twelve times yet they still worked for the white folks. The essay explores the domination of the white people in the actions and thoughts of the black slaves in Richmond. In this essay the author tries to argue that although the Negroes feel that they are free they still feel that this may not be true. The confusion created by the American Emancipation Declaration creates a panic for all residents in Richmond. For instance, a black nanny who was working for a white master is overjoyed with the Emancipation news. However, she is still afraid of her master and when she disobeys her master she is disciplined by her grandmother. In most instances, the author advances the argument that the Emancipation agreement brought about a feeling of freedom to blacks (Woog 88). Nevertheless, blacks in Richmond and other places such as Yorktown feel that they are not absolutely free. Fear still prevailed among the black community in Richmond and they only felt free when the American soldiers were around them. The author tries to bring out the irony brought about the freedom enjoyed by the blacks under the Emancipation Declaration. Even though, black people in Richmon d felt free when the declaration was declared they felt insecure and confused after the Yankees left their town (McComb 54). In my own view I think this essay tries to capture the first moments that occurred after the Emancipation Declaration followed by its implementation by the American forces then. Black slavery in the United States was savagery and thus it had to be ended by the government of the USA. The Emancipation Declaration in my own view gave blacks the strength and heart

FEMA, CDC and DHS Essay Example for Free

FEMA, CDC and DHS Essay Another example of disaster management through interagency methods include the co-ordination between the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These two have been working closely with state and local governments and relief organizations to remind residents and businesses in coastal areas to counter hurricane disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 is specifically tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters. FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U. S. Fire Administration. The 1960s and early 1970s brought massive disasters requiring major federal response and recovery operations by the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, established within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). There were hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. In 1968, the National Flood Insurance Act offered new flood protection to homeowners, and in 1974 the Disaster Relief Act firmly established the process of Presidential disaster declarations. When hazards associated with nuclear power plants and the transportation of hazardous substances were added to natural disasters, more than 100 federal agencies were involved in some aspect of disasters, hazards and emergencies. To reduce the complexity of disaster relief work, these agencies asked President Jimmy Carter to centralize federal emergency functions. President Carters 1979 executive order merged many of the separate disaster-related responsibilities into a new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA began development of an Integrated Emergency Management System with an all-hazards approach that included direction, control and warning systems which are common to the full range of emergencies from small isolated events to the ultimate emergency war. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th focused the agency on issues of national preparedness and homeland security, and tested the agency in unprecedented ways. The agency coordinated its activities with the newly formed Office of Homeland Security. Today, FEMA is one of four major branches of DHS. About 2,500 full-time employees in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate are supplemented by more than 5,000 stand-by disaster reservists. FEMAs mission remains: to lead America to prepare for, prevent, respond to and recover from disasters with a vision of A Nation Prepared. FEMA works in partnership with CDC. Together, they offer the Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) which is a 4? -day exercise-based training activity that places public officials and emergency personnel in a realistic crisis situation within a structured learning environment. The course has been sponsored and conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since 1982. In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) incorporated a bioterrorism component into the IEMC. In 2005, CDC’s Coordinating Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response allocated funding to the National Center for Environmental Health to add environmental public health elements to the course. Six FEMA/CDC IEMCs for Communities are currently being scheduled as part of a fully integrated partnership between CDC and FEMA. The course builds the awareness and skills needed to develop and implement policies, plans, and procedures to protect life and property by applying sound emergency management principles in all phases of emergency management. The course will increase the level of overall preparedness of participants by helping them understand the roles of environmental public health and other disciplines in an integrated emergency response framework. Additionally, the course will provide chemical, radiological, and natural hazard training modules and interactive exercises for state and local communities. The training program is meant for State, local, and tribal officials from various disciplines; public health practitioners; hospital staff and other health care providers; elected/appointed officials; management personnel; and media representatives. Here is an example of how FEMA(branch of DHS) and CDC are working together in disaster Management: When many victims of Hurricane Katrina returned to their homes they found themselves without electrical power. For residents purchasing generators to provide heat and electricity, the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warned of the danger of running the generator inside the house or an attached garage or carport. Bill Lokey, FEMAs federal coordinating officer and Jeff Smith, state coordinating officer for the Louisiana disaster recovery effort, advised residents that the improper use of generators, other gas-powered tools and pressure washers can have serious results. The CDC offers the following cautions on the use of gas-powered generators: Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside, or even outside near an open window. If you must use one of these devices, use it only outside and away from open windows. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas you cant smell or see that comes from these items. It can build up inside your home or enclosed space and poison the people and animals inside. Exposure to CO can cause you to pass out or die. The most common symptoms of exposure are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. In addition, residents should make certain that their homes have a carbon monoxide alarm that meets current safety Underwriters Laboratories standards. FEMA and CDC warn that there is also a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if gas ranges are used to heat homes.

Supervision Notes Essay Example for Free

Supervision Notes Essay A1. A duty of care effectively means that as a carer it is our job to always act in the best interests of those individuals that we provide care for. This not only includes treating them how they like to be treated but also protecting them from harm, even if thats from themselves. As long as you are competent in the roles that you are being asked to perform it is the carers obligation to protect service users and remove them from harmful situations. A2. As a carer you not only have a duty of care to the service user you support, but also other staff, your employers and members of the public. When you act in persons best interests you must do so with that persons consent unless they lack the capacity to understand that it is in their best interest to comply. For example when you support a service user to a doctors appointment and they will not allow the doctor to inspect their injuries, your duty of care to that individual dictates that you act in their best wishes and so may have to go against what the individual wants in order for them to get treatment. You should follow company policies and procedures concerning your duty of care and follow/write up risk assessments for any perceivable risks. You should also ensure that you always act to the best of your ability to be trustworthy, respecting service users dignity, with compassion and integrity to ensure they are safe. A3. The care providing companys duty of care is to both the service users and the staff who work for them. They should ensure your knowledge and skillset are suitable and updated regularly and that you are fully trained and competent at tasks that are expected of you. This would include writing and updating polices and procedures for staff to follow as well as responding to any complaints or reported risks, then taking corrective action to keep everyone safe. The company must keep accurate and up to date records of the care and support that is being provided, including any assessments of a persons capacity and the rationale for decisions taken on their behalf. They should also protect all individuals confidentiality  unless some details directly effect the duty of care over another service user, staff member or the public. Overall the companys duty of care must ensure that they are assisting/enabling you as a carer to complete your duty of care towards your service users and do all that is reasonable to ensure both staff and clients are kept safe at all times. A4. In our role as a carer we have a duty of care to protect service users and ensure all safeguarding issues are raised with our employer or government agency. To ensure effective safeguarding we should raise any health and/or safety concerns we notice at work such as poor working practises, lack of equipment or training and suspicion of abuse or neglect. Even if these complaints are aimed at the company we work for, it is the carers duty to notify the authorities or the carers themselves could be accused of neglect or incompetence by failing to act. If carers take their duty of care seriously, as we all should, by following legislation, the polices and procedures and respecting those we provide care for by protecting them from harm we ensure the service users are safeguarded. Task C Guidance notes C1. Your company should have a Complaints Procedure in place and will often be found within the policies and procedures file. The main purpose of it is to ensure that the complaints procedure is properly and effectively implemented and that service users feel confident knowing their complaints and worries are listened to and acted upon promptly and fairly. This should correspond to meet the minimum standards when processing complaints as outlined in the laws that govern it. When dealing with complaints companys are to ensure that service users and their representatives, carers and visitors are made aware of how to complain and that the company makes it easy for them to register such complaints. A named person is responsible for administration, processing and investigating any complaints received. Once a complaint is lodged it should be acknowledged in writing by the company and state what will happen next. Complaints should be dealt with promptly, fairly and sensitively with due regard to the distress that may be caused to both staff and service users involved. If the company believes that the  complaint is best dealt with and settled at a local, in house level between the complainant and the accused then it may chose to do so. However if either of the parties are not satisfied by this process the case could be referred to the Care Quality Commission. Either way the company must do all it can to fully investigate any complaints and ensure that all preventative and/or disciplinary procedures are followed to prevent it reoccurring. The legal requirement for dealing with complaints include the Health and Social Care Act 2010, Freedom of Information act and National Minimum Standards complaints policy. These standards require care home managers to have clear procedures that enable service users to make their views, concerns and worries known, and to reassure them that appropriate action will be taken. Policies and procedures for dealing with suspicion or evidence of physical, financial, psychological or sexual abuse, neglect, self harm or degrading behaviour should also be put in place. These standards should ensure that every care home has clear and effective complaints procedure, which includes the stage of, and time scales, for the process and detail what will happen to look into and prevent further incidents. Everything should be documented and kept on record for further study to ensure an efficient service and that any potential similar incidents can be prevented. C2. Taking both the legal and organisational requirements into consideration, we must respond openly, calmly and appropriately to any comment or complaint made to us. When a complaint is made to you then you should ensure that the individual making it understands how to follow the correct complaints procedure. This includes explaining how the system works, what they can expect as a result of their complaints and when they hear back from the company. You may need to support individuals completing the process and you should remain objective , professional and act with integrity throughout. You should make no promises to those who complain but reassure them and ensure that all complaints are taken seriously, that it will be investigated properly and that they are kept informed throughout the process. You should also inform your manager as soon as is possible so that any safeguarding issues can be put into place straight away. We should never discourage individuals from making a valid complaint and never discuss any concerns raised with any staff members other  than your manager. Complaints procedures are to be followed because they allow people to express their concerns and ensure that all accidents, claims of abuse and risks are identified and acted upon. Complaints allow the company and staff to ensure they are working safely, that they make necessary improvements and that all service users are happy and safe when accessing care services. It is the service users, staff and family members right to complain when they feel something is not right and its our legal duty to ensure we take their concerns seriously and find a solution.

Childhood Obesity in UAE

Childhood Obesity in UAE Childhood Obesity in UAE: Mind Map: Sources: The sources which are being used in this research relating to online cyber software, and academic books and other journals to take help in this research work. the closed-ended question would be part of the survey which had been asked through the scientific reasons and maintaining of the work, through this achievement the person would come to know about the scientific reasons and maintaining the work with it pace. These sources are utilizing to collect the exact amount of data and maintain the work to be more authentic and organized. Throughout the structural work these sources are aiding to systemize the work and providing the cosy environment to work to collect the actual fact and figure and portrayed the thinking of the minds of the people (Haboubi Shaikh, 2009). It is also explored that the data is gathered in the shape of facts and figures and maintain the authenticity of the work. The sources are entirely up to date as it has been taken by the students and working class ladies. This provision of the work provides the information in order to maintain the work and to systemize the structure (Gupta, Goel, Shah Misra, 2012). Research Proposal: Q) What are some of the factors that contribute to childhood obesity? Researching topic: The research is about the childhood obesity in the UAE. This provides the system that includes the matter that contributed a lot in un healthy criteria of the foods. This study includes the effects, causes and ways to overcome the obesity from children in UAE. Significance of the Research: This research would be done to aware people about the dangerous effects of the obesity especially in children. This study also defines the structural knowledge how to reduce this factor. This research provides the information that how much the system could be available in order to make the children more active and maintain their life style. This research shares the knowledge about the harms of junk foods and other criteria of work. This research provokes the parent to take care of the health of their children to overcome this problem. Interested Readers: The children and parents who are health conscious and want to maintain their health would having a keen interest in reading my research. Outcome of the Research: Provision of awareness, efforts of healthy life, indulge the children into exercise and maintain the diet plan is the overcome of our research program. Context: On 25th of May 2014 this research was conducted. The targeted audience were female category whose ages range from 20 to 30, some of them are studying in Abu Dhabi Women’s College and others are working in different companies. All participates were supposed to give the answer of the 10 questions. Because the researcher targeting the audience relating to education department or the employees department would be more part in order to maintain the work. This is the process through which people would enjoying their way and maintain the work within the programmed sources. Throughout the system there would be more systematic approach to work out in this concern. Collecting Data: Survey Tools: The survey tools which we are going to use would be more systematic in order to maintain the work. This is the process through which people are much peculiar in order to systemized and maintain the structure of the study. The online software is much reliable in our context to take out the answer and adhere it into the systematic approach which makes the system more prominent and useful in our study. Reason of Choosing the Closed-Ended Question: The closed ended questions have not vast definition in order to maintain the work. This is the style in which respondents have not have the chance to get the option and to get provide the irrelevant answer. The study is more focused and more organized through this way. This is the procedure to which people are much prominent and maintain the work. Problem to Gather the Qualitative Data: The qualitative data would be more difficult to collect and after facing these problems people are much systemized to entertain the factual way to prove his research work. All the female does not tell the right age and conceal their weight which was the biggest barrier in this concern. This is the problematic research work which maintains the status of the work in this concern. Ethical Consideration: In order to make the causes of the obesity that are also fast foods and soft drink, we are not supposed to take the name of the brand but generally considered the whole panorama of these kinds of things. Two main Sources: The two main sources which prominent in order to maintain the work and making this research to the completion of the task. The online software would be used in order to conduct the interview and other sources are used in order to maintain the work more peculiar. The other source which is used is internet and other cyber technologies which maintain our work more prominent and more fundamental. This is the programmed sources which pave the way to conduct factual research in more authentic way. These sources are much relevant to conduct the research, but these sources does not only make the research more authentic but also helps to attain the exact way and make the research on the path which is quite relevant to focus on the given topic. Time Framework: The time in this research requires almost about 3 months. The systematic approach towards the tools and respondents to maintain the research more factual and qualitative would consume more time. It would be almost from March 2014 to June 2013. The idea was initiated in the month of March and presented in the final shape in moth of June. The closed ended questions and answers from the respondents take almost one and half month. Te composing of data and taking the data from other sources would also be the part of the system in order to maintain the qualitative work and make the reports and analysing data and provision of findings to provide the factual research work consumes more than 1 month. Presenting Research: This research is much prominent in this form which is both in the soft and hard copy. Soft copy are avail the users of cyber technologies and hard copy provides the information to the people who used to read in the black and white form. This is the progressive form of the system through which people are much keen to read our research who having keen interest to maintain their health and who are more health conscious . Limitations: To maintain the research work in this vast topic the survey of only few students and working ladies would not be enough to provide the effective result The time is too short in order to provide the qualitative work and embrace many minds of the people (Trainer, 2010). This research as concluded in the Girls College so girls are much hesitate to explore they name and all the information like weight and age in UAE. The cultural barrier also comes when the specification of the girls would be the part of our research. The researcher would not easily go to outside the nation and could not take the information from all the nations of UAE as it is more focused the capital (Trainer, 2010). Appendix: References: Gupta, N., Goel, K., Shah, P., Misra, A. (2012). Childhood obesity in developing countries: epidemiology, determinants, and prevention. Endocrine Reviews, 33(1), 48-70. Retrieved from http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/er.2010-0028 Bin Zaal, A. A., Musaiger, A. O., D’Souza, R. (2009). Dietary habits associated with obesity among adolescents in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nutr Hosp, 24(4), 437-444. Retrieved from scielo.isciii.es/pdf/nh/v24n4/original1.pdf Musaiger, A. O. (2011). Overweight and obesity in eastern mediterranean region: prevalence and possible causes. Journal of obesity, 2011.retreievd from downloads.hindawi.com/journals/jobes/2011/407237.pdf Gupta, N., Shah, P., Nayyar, S., Misra, A. (2013). Childhood obesity and the metabolic syndrome in developing countries. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 80(1), 28-37. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12098-012-0923-5#page-1 Ng, S. W., Zaghloul, S., Ali, H. I., Harrison, G., Popkin, B. M. (2011). The prevalence and trends of overweight, obesity and nutritionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ related nonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ communicable diseases in the Arabian Gulf States. Obesity Reviews, 12(1), 1-13. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00750.x/abstract;jsessionid=5B779E39CF59302349309C12881E740D.f01t04?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=userIsAuthenticated=false Badran, M., Laher, I. (2011). Obesity in arabic-speaking countries. Journal of obesity, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobe/2011/686430/abs/ Al Junaibi, A., Abdulle, A., Sabri, S., Hag-Ali, M., Nagelkerke, N. (2012). The prevalence and potential determinants of obesity among school children and adolescents in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Obesity, 37(1), 68-74. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v37/n1/full/ijo2012131a.html Berger, G., Peerson, A. (2009). Giving young Emirati women a voice: participatory action research on physical activity. Health place, 15(1), 117-124. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829208000397 Haboubi, G. J., Shaikh, R. B. (2009). A comparison of the nutritional status of adolescents from selected schools of South India and UAE: A cross-sectional study. Indian journal of community medicine: official publication of Indian Association of Preventive Social Medicine, 34(2), 108. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781115/ Trainer, S. S. (2010). Body image, health, and modernity: Women’s perspectives and experiences in the United Arab Emirates. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 22(3 suppl), 60S-67S. retrieved from aph.sagepub.com/content/22/3_suppl/60S.short Al-Raees, G. Y., Al-Amer, M. A., Musaiger, A. O., DSouza, R. (2009). Prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 2-5 years in Bahrain: a comparison between two reference standards. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 4(4), 414-416. Retrieved from http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17477160902763325

The Ethics of Genetic Testing Essay -- Science Religion Papers

The Ethics of Genetic Testing The Goal of the Human Genome Project is to obtain genetic mapping information and to determine the complete sequence of all human DNA by the year of 2005. The project started in 1990 and 180 million dollars are being spent on it annually. This adds up to a total of over 2 billion dollars for the 15 year budget. Of this 2 billion dollars budgeted, 5% is spent annually on the ethical, legal and social issues. This report focused on some of these issues. Before discussion of the ethical, legal and social issues can be successful, some background information is needed. For example, why is the goal of mapping the human genome important? Who is going to benefit or at least be affected by this new information? Dr. Francis Collins, the current director of the Human Genome Project believes there are many benefits. Not surprisingly, Collins believes the money being spent on this project is well worth it. Collins believes the project has great potential to relieve suffering and also cut back on long term expenses (Collins, 1996). These suffering and spending reductions are predicted to occur as more genetic diseases are located. Genetic disorders can be divided into 2 broad groups: 1. Genetic predisposition disorders: those in which the presence of a gene confers an increased tendency to develop a certain disorder. The disorder may or may not develop depending on a variety of associated personal and environmental factors such as geographic location, diet, exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins, exercise habits etc... 2. Environment independent disorders: Involve a determining force so overwhelming that the disorder is expressed in a predictable manner without environmental interaction ... ...York, 1991. Magnus, David. Gene Therapy and the concept of Disease, Marshal, Eliot. (May 24 1996). Rifkin's Latest Target: Genetic Testing. Science. Meilaender, Gilbert. (1990, October 3). Mastering our gen(i)es: When do we say no? The Christian Century, pp 872-875. Murphey, Timothy F. Justice and the Human Genome Project. University of California Press, Los Angeles, 1994. Reich, W.T. Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 2nd ed. New York: Free Press MacMillan, 1995. Vaux, Kenneth, L. Birth Ethics. The Crossroad Publishing Co, New York. 1989. Wilkie, Tom. Periilous Knowledge: The Human Genome Project and its implications. University of CA Press, Los Angeles, 1993. Wolf, Susan M. Feminism and Bioethics: Beyond Reproduction. Oxford University Press, New York, 1996. Wright, Richard T. Biology Through the Eyes of Faith. Christian College Coalition, 1989. The Ethics of Genetic Testing Essay -- Science Religion Papers The Ethics of Genetic Testing The Goal of the Human Genome Project is to obtain genetic mapping information and to determine the complete sequence of all human DNA by the year of 2005. The project started in 1990 and 180 million dollars are being spent on it annually. This adds up to a total of over 2 billion dollars for the 15 year budget. Of this 2 billion dollars budgeted, 5% is spent annually on the ethical, legal and social issues. This report focused on some of these issues. Before discussion of the ethical, legal and social issues can be successful, some background information is needed. For example, why is the goal of mapping the human genome important? Who is going to benefit or at least be affected by this new information? Dr. Francis Collins, the current director of the Human Genome Project believes there are many benefits. Not surprisingly, Collins believes the money being spent on this project is well worth it. Collins believes the project has great potential to relieve suffering and also cut back on long term expenses (Collins, 1996). These suffering and spending reductions are predicted to occur as more genetic diseases are located. Genetic disorders can be divided into 2 broad groups: 1. Genetic predisposition disorders: those in which the presence of a gene confers an increased tendency to develop a certain disorder. The disorder may or may not develop depending on a variety of associated personal and environmental factors such as geographic location, diet, exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins, exercise habits etc... 2. Environment independent disorders: Involve a determining force so overwhelming that the disorder is expressed in a predictable manner without environmental interaction ... ...York, 1991. Magnus, David. Gene Therapy and the concept of Disease, Marshal, Eliot. (May 24 1996). Rifkin's Latest Target: Genetic Testing. Science. Meilaender, Gilbert. (1990, October 3). Mastering our gen(i)es: When do we say no? The Christian Century, pp 872-875. Murphey, Timothy F. Justice and the Human Genome Project. University of California Press, Los Angeles, 1994. Reich, W.T. Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 2nd ed. New York: Free Press MacMillan, 1995. Vaux, Kenneth, L. Birth Ethics. The Crossroad Publishing Co, New York. 1989. Wilkie, Tom. Periilous Knowledge: The Human Genome Project and its implications. University of CA Press, Los Angeles, 1993. Wolf, Susan M. Feminism and Bioethics: Beyond Reproduction. Oxford University Press, New York, 1996. Wright, Richard T. Biology Through the Eyes of Faith. Christian College Coalition, 1989.

Investigate how the Concentration of Sucrose Solution affects the Masso

Investigate how the Concentration of Sucrose Solution affects the Mass of the Potato Chip Aim To find out how the concentration of sucrose solution affects the mass of the potato chip left in the solution for one day. Water Potential: The water potential of a solution is a measure of whether it is likely to lose or gain water molecules from another solution. A dilute solution, with its high proportion of free water molecules, is said to have higher water potential than a concentrated solution, because water will flow from the dilute to the concentrated solution (from a high potential to a low potential). Pure water has the highest possible water potential because water molecules will flow from pure water to any other aqueous solution, no matter how dilute. Prediction: Osmosis is the passage of water molecules from a weaker solution to a stronger solution, though a partially permeable membrane. In this case, the tiny holes in the membrane of the potatoes will allow the water molecules to pass through in and out of the solution and the potato, depending on the concentration gradient of the two substances. Semi-permeable membranes are very thin layers of material which allow some things to pass through, but prevent others. A cell membrane is semi permeable. They allow small molecules like oxygen, water, amino acids etc. to pass through but will not allow larger molecules like sucrose, starch, protein etc. through. A region of high concentration of water is either a very dilute solution of something like sucrose or pure water. In each case there is a lot of water: a high concentration of water. A region of low water concentration is the opposite of the above, i.e. a very high concentration of... ...pressure of the cell is so high that no more water can enter the cell. This liquid or hydrostatic pressure works against osmosis. Turgidity is very important to plants because this is what makes the green parts of the plant "stand up" into the sunlight. Austen denied discogal_87's postmodernism . When plant cells are placed in concentrated sugar solutions they lose water by osmosis and they become "flaccid"; this is the exact opposite of "turgid". If you put plant cells into concentrated sugar solutions and look at them under a microscope you would see that the contents of the cells have shrunk and pulled away from the cell wall: they are said to be plasmolysed.coab abr seababw orab abk inab foab ab. When plant cells are placed in a solution which has exactly the same osmotic strength as the cells they are in a state between turgidity and flaccidity.

History of Fashion Essay -- essays research papers

History of Fashion Fashion has changed a great deal over the past three centuries. As history changes it seems that fashion in some aspect changes with it to adapt to the era. Even today fashion continues to change as the years go on. Looking at fashion even 20 years ago we can see a difference from what we see in our everyday lives. For the purpose of this essay Fashion will be divided into three centuries, since not every era of clothing can be touched upon. The first era of fashion history includes 500 BC- 1450 AD. Near the beginning era fashion was relatively simple, since it was more about practical function than style. This era was referred to as the Ancient Time Period. Garments were always loose fitting, never tight. Tunics were the main clothing choice. Usually tunics would be covered with other layers of fabric, and this was worn by both men and women. Fabrics were usually always plain which meant they had no pattern or vibrant color (white and off-white were the most popular.) Near the fifth century clothing began to include a wider range of colors. Even though clothing was relatively simple, women adorned themselves with jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings fashioned from earthy materials. Cosmetics were also around in this era. Women’s hair would usually be seen braided or draped fabric covering the face like a hood. As it moved into the Medieval Time Period it then evolved into militaristic for men , which incorporated tunics, capes, and ...

Personal goals and accomplishments Essay

Today the accomplishment of ideas and goals encourages people to do extremely well. The achievement of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a very important aspect in satisfying my goals. This accomplishment should permit me to become an individual with expertise that will equip me to overcome obstacles that I am seeing day after day. As a computer and network specialist, I am seeking a more stable yet structured job in the Information Technology field. This is because one must have quality knowledge in order to find such a job. A specialist should be like a leader, in which they always need to display good character, and I need to be professional at all times. I also need to be reliable and accountable in our work. I believe this can be obtained through guidance at The University of Phoenix. There are computer certifications and conferences available to me; which I plan to utilize. These conferences and certifications will help me with new equipment and techniques to apply the knowledge to my profession. At this point in my life, I feel that I have a strong aspiration to improve certain areas in my profession. In order for me to accomplish these goals, I need to keep a positive mind in achieving them. Every day I interact with the director, manager, office staff, and the whole local government through phone, e-mail, and direct contact. On a daily basis I receive several trouble calls which need to be resolved and researched in a timely manner. Therefore, my systematic thinking skills need to be exact; since I have to communicate and demonstrate my knowledge to several people. There are times that I am asked to teach what I have learned to our department, and interested users in other departments. My teaching structure  needs to be clear and understandable. This is through using words that people can comprehend, instead of using complicated computer jargon. Though I have realized it takes practice to teach, but I am certain that I will become a better teacher and a better computer and network specialist through the University of Phoenix. Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology will help me to become more marketable. There are plenty of job opportunities that will be available to me with this degree. I also will not be restricted in what I do. As a specialist, I will be able to break away from where I am and go into a pc repair business of my own. This is because I will be able to apply the knowledge that I have learned, along with the experience that I have. In the technical field, professional opportunities can be gained or lost through skills and job performance. Through my interaction with co-workers, I will learn how to develop my presentation skills to encourage learning. This is because it will give me additional skills that could allow me to demonstrate my skills more professionally. While it is important to focus on learning a trade, it is equally important to have people skills. With a degree in Information Technology I will have the necessary tools to effectively demonstrate skills. As a student of University of Phoenix, I can pursue my goal of earning my degree and furthering my education as a professional technologist. An additional goal I hope to accomplish, while pursing my degree, is to master management skills. This is because in most organizations it is necessary to establish good management skills. This could reduce the possibility of a hostile work environment. It can be difficult at times to organize projects and trouble calls, because I would like to know how I should prioritize each assignment that has a deadline. Then there are those aggravating e-mails and how to respond to them. Therefore, my days become overwhelming at times. If I do not pay attention this could affect my working relationship, along with my private relationships. This includes church, home, and civic clubs. I stay so busy with so many things that I may  forget what is going on, and I will let somebody down. So I am hopping that I will learn how to manage time while at University of Phoenix, and to become better organized in time management.

Renting and Price

Corey Allen BA504 February 19,2013 Abstract In 1997, Netflix became the first online movie by mail Rental Company. Hastings and Randolph co-founded the company. By 1999, they had come up with a $19. 99 per month price plan for customer to rent as many movies that they wanted with no late fees. In 2011, Netflix shocked their customers with their new price plan by splitting the streamlining of movies to one price and DVD by mail with another price. With the change, Netflix lost one million customers. Pertinent facts in the caseThe pertinent facts in this case study are that in 1997, Reed Hastings and Marc Randalph co-founded Netflix. Hastings was upset due to late fee’s he received when he went to return movies that he had rented six weeks earlier. At first, when Hastings came up with the idea, VHS tapes were used for rental, so the cost to ship VHS tapes was too expensive. Then one of Hastings friends advised him of the new DVD technology. With the new DVD technology, Hastings packages the DVD’s in a single envelope and shipped it to himself to see if the DVD would be damaged.When he received the DVD and found that it was undamaged, he began to create mail-order movie rental business. When Netflix first started, the price to rent a movie was $4 with a $2 shipping fee. With this new service, customers were able to have movies mailed to them, but they had to be back by a certain date or they would be charged late fees. In 1999, Netflix launched a new subscription service, which gave their customers unlimited rentals for a monthly fee of $15. 95 per month. With the subscription, subscribers were able to rent four movies per month.Within a year, Netflix improved the unlimited movies subscription plan and changed the price to $19. 99 per month. With the new plan, customers were able to rent as many movies as they desire and they could keep them as long as they wanted, but they could only keep four movies at a time. By 2007, Netflix had him a major miles tone by hitting one billion movie rental deliveries. That same year, Netflix introduced streamlining of movies directly to either the customer’s home computer. By 2008, customers were able to stream movies through their game consoles.With customers now able to stream movies directly to their computer or game consoles, Netflix came out with a price plan of $9. 99 per month for streamlining and DVD rental by mail. What is the situation? In 2011, Netflix announced that they would be separating the streamlining of videos and DVD by mail into two subscription prices. The price for streamlining would be $7. 99 per month and DVD by mail would be $7. 99 per month, so if you wanted to both stream movies and rent movies by mail, you would have to pay two different subscription fees.Netflix also announced that the movie by mail service would be run through qwikster. com. With the price increase of 60% and the announcement of the new website, Netflix lost one million subscribers, taking there subscription total of 25 million, down to 24 million subscribers. Along with the loss of subscribers, Netflix’s stock price dropped from a value of $298 to $169, which is a 40% loss in value. Who is involved? Reed Hastings was who was involved with the price change and he released a statement on September 18, 2011 stating that he had messed up with the way the price change took place.He went on to try and explain why the price change took place. What are the pertinent issues? The pertinent issues are that when Netflix announced the price change, they made the change fast and did not give their subscriber a chance to decide what they wanted to do. Basically Netflix announced the price change and made the change. By not giving their subscribers a chance to think about the new price change, they just went with it. By doing this, Netflix lost one million subscribers. These price changes not only affected the subscribers, it also affected their stock price.If Netflix would h ave gave more of a notice and the reasoning behind the price change, maybe they would not have lost as many subscribers. Recommendations for Netflix The actions that I would recommend for Netflix to recover from a marketing misdirection are that they should have eased into the new price plan or offer a promotional price to their current subscriber. For example, Netflix could have announced the new price plan and at the same time with the new price plan, they could have given their current customer a free trial so that they had the option of either paying the $7. 99 for either the stream lining or the DVD by mail.By allowing their customers the free trial, Netflix would be showing their customers that they appreciate their business, but they needed to make the price change to fit all customers need. I believe the theory break from reality for Netflix hit hard when they lost so many subscribers. With the price change and loss in subscribers, it opened the doors for Amazon to retain so me of the Netflix subscribers. How the arrived to their decision? Netflix arrived to the decision to split the membership in two when they realized that even with the streamlining of movies; customers were still renting movies by mail.Netflix also realized that not all there subscriber were taking advantage of the streamlining and the subscribers were only renting movies by mail. So by splitting the subscription into two price plans, customers had the choice of streamlining, renting by mail, or both. Conclusion I think the price change was necessary for Netflix, but I think they approached it the wrong way. I was one of the million subscribers who canceled their subscription due to the price change. But even with that said, after about two year, I’m now back with Netflix and I’m subscribing to the streamlining of videos.

How to Successfully Expand your Business into the Africa

Import and export figures are also significantly higher for emerging markets and developing economies compared to advanced economies. Looking at these projections as an business or investor should have you seriously considering expanding your business or portfolio into these regions and tap into these revenue. Introduction Today world is becoming less and less defined by its boundaries, the words â€Å"Global Village† and used to reference this evolution. Business is at the fore front of breaking these boarders.Technological advances in communication especially via the World Wide Web have broken down the barriers enabling a business in America to sell rodents in a consumer in China, England, Brazil, Kenya†¦. Anywhere the internet is present can now be included in a business's target market. Not only can businesses sell goods and services anywhere in the world, the can also have operation there and be able to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and other partners m ore efficiently and affordable than even before. Given these facts then why do businesses choice to do trade with one country over another and not both or as many as possible?We the simple answer to this question is that there many other barriers to read with foreign countries that will make it hard or even impossible for foreign business to expand into those regions. African countries have been one of those that many businesses in developed countries have refrained from doing business with. And in their defense it's not without merit. Despite African being blessed with an abundance of natural resources, it has been plagues with wars, and political instability leading to high levels of poverty, lack of education and poor infrastructure.However over the last two decades, many of these countries have made strides in utter there economies, and have registered high economic growth during this period. However even with these changes, not many foreign business have taken note of these reg ion as potentially significant part of the market. Even with slow economic growth rates among developed countries. Africa is poised to be the next big market, especially as things slowly wind down in Asia notably China. The purpose of this project is to establish a successful strategy for American Businesses to expand into the African Market Is this a profitable market?The African economy has seen a significant economic growth of the past two cascades. The economic growth rate is two to three times that of developed countries and still significantly higher than that of other emerging economies like Asia and Latin America. The middle class has shown a sharp rise over the last decade, raising the amount of people with discretionary income thus driving the economy. This growth spike is driven by the growth of the middle class. The middle class growth has happened as Africa makes strides in education, infrastructure, and political stability in many countries.Compared to Just about 10 ye ars ago, a huge economic growth can be noticed. From a similar research project conducted written in 2004 titled † The experience of South African Firms Doing Business in Africa' we can see Just how the economy and other factors have changed. In June 2003, the International Monetary Fund (MIFF) observed that macroeconomic policies in Africa had improved considerably in recent years, although inflation remained a source of worry in a number of countries such as Zombie, Angola, Somalia and Nigeria.In its April World Outlook, the MIFF maintained that the central challenge for Africa remained the establishment of those conditions necessary to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, most notably a sustained reduction in poverty. However, to achieve these goals, an overall growth rate of 7% per annum is required. Far from reaching that goal, Africans economic growth slowed to 3. 1% in 2002, compared with 4. 3% the previous year. (Games 2004) Fast forward to 2013 that goal of 7% gr owth is being attained by several African countries.If you look at the latest MIFF data for economic growth in table 1. MIFF 2013 The average growth for many of the African countries, is at 6. 9% in 2013 and raising up to 7. 9 in 2014. The map further shows where parts are recording these phenomenal growth rates. A 7% average annual growth rate is too significant to Just be ignored. This growth creates an increased demand for goods and services that usually cannot be meet by current businesses and government. Deutsche Bank said the number of households with discretionary income would reach 130 million by 2020 from 85 million now. Cape Argus [South Africa] 14 Novo. 2013) What industries are most profitable? A developing counties or emerging economies the African market has opportunities for business in every industry. This region is playing catch up with developed countries thus means the opportunities for foreign businesses who have already one it can bring with them experience and expertise to contribute to this growth will turning a profit. Retail is one of sub-Sahara Africans hottest sectors, fuelled by expanding populations and fast growing economies.In east Africa, the economies of several nations are growing around 7 percent a year. Real income growth in Africa is averaging 2. 3 percent a year and consumer spending accounts for 60 percent of economic output, the World Bank said in April. Deutsche Bank said the number of households with discretionary income would reach 130 million by 2020 from 85 million now. That's really good news for shops. Daily News [Colombo, Sir Lankan] 14) Africans tourism growth was faster than the average for emerging economies. More than half of Africans tourists arrived by air.International tourist arrivals in Africa had grown almost fivefold since 1990 at a rate of 6. 3 percent a year. International tourist arrivals rose from 15 million a year in 1990 to 50 million in 2011. The growth rate in sub-Sahara African tourism arrival s was nearly 8 percent a year between 1990 and 2011. It is estimated that tourism injects more than $30 billion (Rabin) into the continent a year. Airbus said there had been some positive improvements across the egging despite continued impediments to growth. (Cape Times [South Africa] 1 Novo. 013) What are the barriers? These are: Low levels of development and insufficient investment in people as resources; Political and fiscal risk. A weak private sector, coupled with a strong government presence in the economy; High dependency on donors and other financial mechanisms for aid and the funding of projects; High business costs owing to the lack of basic services, facilities, infrastructure, development, competition and resources; Insufficient air and road links; Poor leadership and bad governance; Corruption at all levels of government;High costs of finance due to high risk and weak economies Currency fluctuations. (Games 2004) This list of barriers to doing business in Africa are fr om a decade ago, at present not all of them have been corrected but significant steps have been taken to fix reduce or eliminate them. In Africa, foreign investors beware: business is often a family affair. Just ask Wall-Mart , the world's largest retailer. Daily News [Colombo, Sir Lankan] 14) Political climate Tunis: The eighth annual African Economic Conference concluded today, calling on development and business leaders to turn Africa into a hub of business and development excellence. The conference, Jointly organized each year by the African Development Bank (BFD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ACE) and the United Nations Development Programmer (UNDO), brought together 500 decision-makers and development practitioners. Daily the Peak Banker 2013) Infrastructure SCALING up infrastructure investments and adopting modern methods of management have been identified as significant benchmark in releasing potentials in the business sector to contribute immensely to economic growth of the East African Community (EACH) partner states. (Tanzania Daily News 2013) â€Å"We need investment n infrastructure, our roads and ports,† (African news service 2013) Countries to avoid Why sub-Sahara Africa and not north?Growth will weaken in north Africa dues to slow down among oil exporters (miff pop) Sub-Sahara Africa is expected to continue growing at a strong pace during 2013-14, with both resource-rich and lower-income economies benefiting from robust domestic demand (Figure 2. 15). The external environment is the main source of risks to growth, particularly for middle- income and mineral-exporting economies. Given the still-uncertain global environment, countries whose policy buffers are thin and here growth is strong should seek to rebuild fiscal positions without undermining productive investment. miff pop) The generally strong per- performance is based to a significant extent on ongoing investment in infrastructure and productive capacity, con tinuing robust consumption, and the activation of new capacity in extractive sectors. (MFC pop) . In sub-Sahara Africa as a whole, inflation is projected to fall further to 7 percent in 2013 (miff pop) The frequency of growth takeoffs in low-income countries (Lies) has risen markedly during the past two decades, and these takeoffs have lasted longer than those that took place before the sass.Economic structure has not mattered much in sparking takeoffs-?takeoffs have been achieved by Lies rich in resources and by those oriented toward manufacturing. A striking similarity between recent takeoffs and those before the sass is that they have been associated with higher investment and national saving rates and with stronger export growth, which sets them apart from Lies that were unable to take off and confirms the key role of capital accumulation and trade integration in development.However, recent takeoffs stand out from earlier takeoffs in two important aspects. First, today's yeoman Lies have achieved strong growth without building macroeconomic imbalances-?as reflected in declining inflation, more com- appetite exchange rates, and appreciably lower public and external debt accumulation. For resource-rich Lies, this has been due to a much greater reliance on foreign direct invest- meet (FED). For other Lies, strong growth was achieved despite lower investment levels than in the previous genera- Zion.Second, recent takeoffs are associated with a faster pace of implementing productivity-enhancing structural reforms and strengthening institutions. For example, these Lies have a lower regulatory burden, better infrastructure, higher education levels, and greater political stability. Looking for- ward, there remain many challenges to maintaining strong growth performance in today's dynamic Lies, including the concentration of their growth in only a few sectors and the need to diversify their economies, and ensuring that growth leads to broad- based improvements in l iving standards.Still, if these countries succeed in preserving their improved policy foundation and maintaining their momentum in structural reform, they seem more likely to stay on course and avoid the reversals in economic fortunes that afflicted many dynamic Lies in the past. miff 97) In particular, the follow- ins have become more important: a more competitive exchange rate, deeper export links with other Modes, higher human capital levels, initial levels of income per capita, and overall economic size.Indeed, as global trade and competition increase, greater external competitiveness, export diversification, and productive- itty improvements may raise Lies' chances of takeoff relatively more than when the global economy is less integrated. The baseline results suggest that the chances of take- off more than tripled during the sass compared with the period before 1990 (Figure 4. 11). The predicted (miff Pl 10) How can barriers to entry be overcome?He said that in order to kick-s tart a major investment drive on the continent, these banks should partner with institutions such as the Bank Guest Francine De Development, the Africa Finance Corporation and Cairo-based Brinkman. Pressed on whether he had considered the Industrial Development Corporation and the Development Bank of Southern African, he said these too should be considered for partnering and leveraging with bigger commercial banks. (Cape Times [South Africa] 1 Novo. 2013) â€Å"Business on the continent is a relationship, not Just a transaction.If you miss the relationship you will have endless trouble with the transaction. † Building relationships in Africa is an important part of doing business, particularly for South Africans who have to work at countering the perception that they are the new colonizers, the bully boys who have taken over markets, pushing out local businesses. (Games 2004) Are other countries already doing business in this region successfully? About 80 business people have been given advice about increasing exports to Africa. The event, held yesterday in Quern, was hosted by Government agency I-J Trade and Investment (KIT).Susann Hutting, of the East Midlands office, said most of the delegates had already traded with Africa and were looking for ways to increase their sales to the continent. â€Å"Lots of people were looking for different information about exporting more,† she said. (Leister Mercury Novo. ) Which developed countries are doing business here? Asks, who was born in South Africa, said â€Å"everyone is keen on Africa†, including investment banks in the EX. and North America. They had billions of dollars available to invest on the continent but did not know the regulatory terrain and the pitfalls of coal investment markets.He had been in discussions with many of the international banks. â€Å"They are all asking†¦ Are you [Airbus] formulating a strategy for Africa? † (Cape Times [South Africa] 1 Novo. 2013) Marrio tt International, the New York Stock Exchange-listed international hospitality group, is planning to acquire the brands and management business of Protean Hotels in South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. The US group confirmed yesterday that it had signed a letter of intent with Cape Town-based Protean Hospitality Holdings to acquire Protean Hotels' brands and its management business.Protean Hotels operates or franchises 116 hotels across three brands with 10 184 rooms in South Africa and six other sub-Sahara African countries. (cape times 2013) How are other business from other foreign countries doing? Natural growth of African-based aviation would see the number of aircraft needed to serve the markets for flights to, from and within the continent rising from 618 at the start of 2012 to a projected 1 453 by 2031. It was projected that 122 aircraft of the existing 618 would have to be replaced, while 823 would have to be brought on stream. This meant nearly 1 000 new aircraft would be needed in the next 20 years.

The World’s Surprising Economic Superpower

The annual Fortune 500 rankings have become an iconic measure of corporate influence in the U. S. business world. But just as major league baseball's World Series stacks the deck in favor of U. S. baseball teams, the Fortune 500 is limited to U. S. companies. And just as the United States failed to end up at the top in this year's (genuinely global) World Baseball Classic, the relative position of U. S. companies changes once you step onto the global playing field. The United States still dominates the Fortune Global 500 with 140 U. S companies, its 30% share equaling roughly the United States' share of the global economy.That's twice as many as its nearest competitor, Japan, with 68 companies on the list. But U. S. dominance is clearly eroding. Most notably, a U. S. company is no longer at #1, with Royal Dutch Shell displacing U. S. -based Wal-Mart as the world's largest company with revenues of $458 billion. That's the first time a non-U. S. company has been at the head of the list since 1996. The 140 U. S. companies that did make the list combine for the lowest number since Fortune magazine began compiling the list in 1995. Recall that 2008 was particularly unkind to the United States.Within the span of a remarkable 12 months, household names like AIG, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Wachovia, and Washington Mutual all disappeared from the list. The Fortune Global 500: BRICs Rising? The inevitable rise of the BRIC economies — Brazil, Russia, India and China — is now taken as holy writ among the U. S. business press. With the BRIC countries now boasting more than a quarter of the world's land area and more than 40% of the world's population, it's now considered inevitable that, in terms of size, speed, and directional flow, the transfer of global wealth and economic power is shifting from West to East.While it's true that the BRICs offer some of the best investment opportunities, in terms of companies on the Fortune Global 500, the dominance of the BRICs is still far from today's reality. The BRICs account for 58 companies among the Fortune Global 500. China stands head and shoulders above its rivals, with 37 companies on the list — a gain of nine companies from only a year ago. India has seven companies on the list, while Brazil has six and Russia has eight among the top 500. As pundit David Rothkopf observed, â€Å"Without China, the BRICs are ust the BRI — a bland, soft cheese that is primarily known for the wine that goes with it. † That said, even the Chinese companies on the list are hardly world beaters. Most are state-owned behemoths — not known for savvy or innovation. China's second-biggest company is the creatively named â€Å"State Grid,† which ranks (a shocking) #15 in the world. And in 2009, you can still win bets at almost any U. S. bar by betting someone that she can't name a Chinese brand. Most of the Chinese companies on the list are like a 7†² 5†³ basketball player who can barely dribble the ball.Sure, it's hard to ignore that he is an intimidating presence on the basketball court. But that doesn't mean that you'd want to put him on your All-Star team. And it's hard not to notice that the largest BRIC companies outside of China are largely based on natural resources — that is, â€Å"trust fund† countries pumping wealth from the ground. Take away the oil and steel industries, and Russia, India and Brazil all suddenly rank alongside Denmark, Austria, Ireland and Finland, with two Fortune Global 500 companies each.In terms of heft, the BRICs are still distinctively minor league. Brazil has one company in the top 100, Russia has two, India has zero, and China has five, totaling eight companies from the BRIC countries in the top 100. By this measure, the combined BRICs beat Britain alone — but not France. The Fortune Global 500: The World's Surprising Economic Superpower? With all eyes looking toward the inev itable rise of the BRICs, it's easy to spurn â€Å"Old Europe† as a global economic force. I'm guilty of it and I've spent my entire adult life here.There may be a handful of contrarians willing to say that China may not be all that it's cracked up to be. But in over 15 years of active investment reading, I can recall only a single book that ever viewed Europe's prospects in a positive light. Taken together, Europe's economy is not only bigger than the U. S. economy, but its companies also rival the United States for corporate oomph. The economy of Germany, with a population of 80 million people, is the size of China's, and it both exports more and boasts more companies among the Fortune 500 than its Asian rival (39).Throw in France (40), the United Kingdom (26), Switzerland (15), the Netherlands (12), and Spain (12), and the top six European economies boast an impressive 155 companies among the Fortune Global 500. Not bad for a combined population of 266 million — sub stantially less than the United States. Include the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark (combined population 19 million) landing nine companies on the list, and you skew the list even further in Europe's favor. And unlike the BRICs, the European companies are distinctly top-heavy.Germany has 15 companies in the top 100, France, 10; Britain, six; Italy, five; Spain, three; and Netherlands, two, for a total of 41. That far outpaces the United States' collective 27 companies on the list of the world's 100 largest. The Fortune Global 500: A Welcome Correction Parsing the Fortune Global 500 rankings offers an important correction to what you hear in the mainstream business press. First, on a country level, U. S companies still dominate the global economy. And Japan, for all of its widely publicized problems, is still a powerful economic force.Second, China plays a much smaller role in the real world than it does in your email inbox. Third, and perhaps most surprisingly, taken together, the European companies outrank the United States — both in the top 100 and top 500 of the Fortune Global 500. Think of Europe as a single country and you suddenly realize that it trounced both the United States and China in the Beijing Olympics. And it wasn't even close. Yet, consider how likely it would be that you'd ever subscribe to an investment newsletter that focused solely on investment opportunities in Europe.The broader lesson is that distinctions on national lines are increasingly irrelevant. A good example is Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest steel-maker, which grew its revenues faster than Google did over the past five years. Arcelor Mittal is technically a Luxembourg-based company, run by an Indian, who lives in London. And I'd be surprised if you even knew (or cared) that the world's #1 company, Royal Dutch Shell, is actually based in the Netherlands. For true multinationals, country of origin is so yesterday. And that's the way it should be fo r you in looking at your investments.