The Issue Of Gun Control - 1573 Words

In America there is a growing issue some say. The issue being gun control and how guns affect and/or end lives, the even bigger issue though is the issue of how people can or can not write about gun control to educate the public. Gun Control is an issue that needs to be avoided when trying to persuade readers of an opinion for two reasons, the issue of gun control is a terrible essay topic because there are too many emotions involved in gun control debates and because in general there is no good research on gun control. The only essays and articles available for research are articles filled with biased through the use of Aristotelian Appeals. Aristotelian Appeals include ethos, logos, and pathos each appeal using a different strategy to†¦show more content†¦Berman’s college coming to the deduction that sadly new gun laws are not in discussion. In other articles and essays ethos is used by writers to achieve the same goal as in â€Å"How Americans Actually Feel About Strong Gun Laws†. Other authors such as Elisa Julliano use ethos to go against gun control. Using the same strategy the author turns the reader to getting rid of guns in America by showing credibility in several ways. First we see ethos expressed to stop gun control in â€Å"Pros/Cons: Gun Legislation† through the sentence, ’We, along with our fellow plaintiffs, were hopeful for a more favorable decision from the 2nd Circuit, but we are not surprised that this decision was handed down from this level,’ said Scott Wilson, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.† As Julliano includes the work of others she shows the name of the person or group responsible for the information creating an in text citation. Using in text citations helps the writer show knowledge of the issue at hand giving the author credibility and raising the odds of readers sharing the opinions learned from â€Å"Pro/Con: Gun Legislation† and articles like it tha t are against having guns in America. Again in â€Å"Guns Safety Middle Ground† by Devin Hughes we see the author will use the work of others to credit his own. â€Å"Wintemute of the University of California at Davis, concluded: ‘The type of firearm policy most consistently associated with curtailing the diversion of guns to criminals and for

The Globalization/Consumption of Digital Media Free Essays

string(23) " will see what I mean\." University of Maryland University College-Adelphi University of Maryland University College-Adelphi By: Joshua A. Hood Instructor: Professor Robert T. Zornes Course: CMST 301 Paper Title: Globalization of Digital Media By: Joshua A. We will write a custom essay sample on The Globalization/Consumption of Digital Media or any similar topic only for you Order Now Hood Instructor: Professor Robert T. Zornes Course: CMST 301 Paper Title: Globalization of Digital Media Research ProjectProject 3 Research ProjectProject 3 Globalization of Digital Media Outline: 1. Introduction. 2. Think globally. 3. Rapid sharing. 4. Interactivity (changing the game) a. Web 1. 0 (convenience) b. Digital media defined c. Evolution of the Internet . Graph 5. Mobile digital media. e. Graph f. Iphone and Steve Jobs 6. Metaphorical summary relating to the inevitability of the evolution of digital media (and education) g. Recognizing power. 7. Education with digital media h. Comparison of differing educations 8. Globalization i. Globalization does not only include digital media 9. Globalization of digital media = powerhouse 10. Downloading. j. Consumption of digital media k. P2P (Peer to Peer) l. Digital media ethics? 11. Music industry/cinema m. Digital media creates musicians, literally. n. Myspace o. Adam Young (Owl City) i. Singer/songwriter thanks to digital media. 12. Refresh: What exactly has digital media done for us? p. Information availability q. Creates contributing members of society r. Creates scholars s. Creates new disciplines, academics. t. Information on burst! 13. Webisodes u. A young tool in the digital media world. v. Proposed outlet for successful cinema. 14. Social networking=shortened gap between nations. w. Purpose of Facebook/Twitter x. Business/networking y. Mark Schaefer; author of Tao of Twitter ii. Tweeting/retweeting iii. Twitter is unique. Why? z. Dell; the pioneer of social networking v. Cory Edwards v. â€Å"Dell Outlet Feed† via Twitter vi. Advantages/disadvantages through customer reviews {. Colorado shootings via Twitter. ————-Body———–Globalization of Digital Media——————– I would like to base my final project on a very simple article that –if read in dept h and understood correctly, –publically announces the influence that digital media has on our modern world. My topic on the other hand –not the article, more like the idea behind the article –focuses on global digital media. It focuses on humanity’s horizons, expanding through digital media. Subtopics discussed include: education, brick and mortar commerce, E-commerce, music, cinema, shared â€Å"common† culture from every corner of the globe (shared in a matter of seconds), education and the effects of the availability of education (in a global aspect) to the common man and the not-so-common man and lastly, social networking with its massive influence on digital media consumption. All of these topics relate to one another. They all contribute to the globalization of digital media. A main article I am basing my personal opinion off of can be found here: http://media. ezinemark. om/evolution-of-digital-media-an-incredible-advancement-511ee16da73. html Think globally. Even though Digital media began locally. From the television (and its mass development immediately after its invention) to the common simple radio, communication has only been moving up in the technological world. Here is an interesting fact. â€Å"The television took 13 years to reach 50 million view ers, Facebook added 100 million viewers in 9 months. † (Hopkinson, 2009) Is this a miracle? Or just excellent progress? So, along with the development of the television, also came the development of the ever growing rapid sharing of information. As you can see, Facebook’s growth rate is on a completely different level of expansion compared to the old days, when the Television was the â€Å"next big thing†. What changed the game for digital media? I would have to notice the advantages sprouting from an interactive interface system. Designed to be controlled by the user and their own interest, in the â€Å"Web. 1† days, interactivity was a game changer. It still is today. Back in the early 90’s, choosing what interested you online was a big deal. Users could view what they wanted, and when they wanted. Interactivity created a very personal experience. Today, I see interactivity focusing on convenience. Convenience seems to be the key with todays big sellers like Apple, Microsoft, Sony and more. Applications or â€Å"Apps† are always selling like wildfire. This is just me, but I made a keen observation on price free apps being in more abundance than apps that must be purchased. I wonder why that is? Where did it all start? Well, to answer this question we must ask ourselves another question. What is the purest definition of digital media? There is some debate to its actual meaning. I pulled the exact definition from the online portal for my CMST 301 class. In the week 1, terms and concepts section, it is stated that: â€Å"The term â€Å"digital media† is often used unilaterally to describe any â€Å"online† content but ultimately includes digital transmittable text, graphics, audio, or video content. † –UMUC Webtycho portal I will provide a similar definition, so that readers without access to UMUC’s Webtycho portal may have a quick reference to the definition. According to Microsoft. com (who hasn’t heard of Microsoft? ), this is the definition of Digital Media: â€Å"Digital media refers to audio, video, and photo content that has been encoded (digitally compressed). † So now that we understand just what exactly digital media is. Lets dig deeper to get a better sense of understanding, regarding the evolution of the Internet (digital media), its global influence and how a globalization of digital media will ultimately enhance an already interconnected world. The Internet was not meant to stay the same. It was meant to grow and evolve. I believe what started the dramatic change in Internet experience from the early days, was the interactivity. Like stated before, interactivity was the game changer. Take this image for example. I included this image just to remind you of where digital media came from. In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. † – Eric Hoffer â€Å"In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. † – Eric Hoffer Digital media is always changing. I see it as a way of life. If you read the quotation above, you will see what I mean. You read "The Globalization/Consumption of Digital Media" in category "Essay examples" If you do not adapt to new ways of this innovative and technologically advanced world, then you will be dealing with a world that doesn’t exist. However, of course it may exist in your own mind, making you what the young kids these days call â€Å"old school†. And there is nothing wrong with being â€Å"old school†; my parents are a bit old school themselves! And I still love them both regardless of their unwillingness to purchase an I-pad instead of a palm pilot. Yes, palm pilots are still made. Humorous. Get an Ipad, Dad. To clarify how important interactivity is to the digital media world, take a look at the graph below. I pulled this from http://www. threeminds. organic. com. It gives us a visual of just how committed companies have become to the concept of customer interactivity. If you check out the percentages on the right side of the table graphic, you will see CAGR. CAGR is an acronym for Compound Annual Growth Rate. This is the most important aspect of this table. It sums up specifically the amount of increases in financial spending, for different branches of the Internet. Not surprisingly, Social media had the highest percentage increase of 34%. Which is why I chose to near my conclusion with social networking. Source: Forrester’s Interactive Advertising Models, 4/09 and 10/08 (US only) With mobile marketing following behind just 7%, social media continued to have the highest increase in spending from 2009 to present, and predicted to hold the same pattern in the future (2014). However, another graph I pulled from the same website shows the growth of mobile media and browsing audiences. News, information and entertainment are also included when discussing â€Å"Mobile Phone Owners†. â€Å"Clearly, the days when parents admonished their kids to use cell phones only for emergencies are over. † * Ben Rogers Cell phones are a huge part of the globalization of digital media. Really I see Apple as a pioneer for the cell phone. Steve Jobs summed it up when he said â€Å"An iPod, a phone, an Internet mobile communicator†¦ these are NOT three separate devices! And we are calling it iPhone! Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone. And here it is. † Whatever kind of phone you may have, know that these devices are stealthily taking over our lives. Cellphones, smartphones, mobile phones, and my dad still calls his smart phone a â€Å"Telephone†. For some reason this word â€Å"telephone† is beginning to sound foreign, maybe it’s just me. I only hear that word when talking to older generations. Many households these days don’t even have land line phones. What do you think they use? You guessed it. Smart phones, pre paid cellphones and etc. It’s not even the actual phone calling from phone to phone; it’s the usage of mobile data, applications, email, music and shopping applications that cause smart phones to be more and more popular. We cannot stop the inevitable. We cannot stop the globalization of digital media, no matter what form it may be. We cannot stop the tide. Its basic knowledge to know that any form of progression towards convenience will lead to the popularity of that specific convenience, being smartphones, or whatever form of digital media you happen to be utilizing. There is a story popular in Australia. I believe it directly relates to the subject of fighting what is inevitable. The story goes like this. A King by the name of Canut, attempted to stop an incoming ocean tide. The more educated members of his audience knew that Canute was demonstrating to his followers that neither his royal authority nor his ferocious fighting skills would ever control the power and laws of the great Mother Nature. He demonstrated that you couldn’t stop what is inevitable, what is meant to happen. We cannot fight its growth, its much better to work with it and use it to our advantage, rather than try to remain in a â€Å"traditional† stance and continue to argue over the true meaning of education. So in all the confusion between different types of education, modern, traditional, ivy league, public, military, cultural, life lessons and etc. We must ask ourselves. What is the solid, finite definition of education? Is there one such meaning? I say no. I say this because; education is such a broad term. To help us understand what education is, check out the definition from http://businessdictionary. com: â€Å"The wealth of knowledge acquired by an individual after studying particular subject matters or experiencing life lessons that provide an understanding of something. Education requires instruction of some sort from an individual or composed literature. The most common forms of education result from years of schooling that incorporates studies of a variety of subjects. † –www. businessdictionary. com Now, I recall viewing a national geographic documentary a few years back. It discussed the different types of people with different types of intelligence. The national geographic researchers really focused on the comparison between a NASA rocket scientist and a Sherpa. You can imagine the amount of graduate/masters programs a NASA rocket scientist would have to achieve, before being employed as a rocket scientist. Could you imagine the amount of experience needed to be a certified Sherpa? A Sherpa is a member of a Himalayan people living on the borders of Nepal and Tibet. They are known worldwide for their skills in mountaineering. Both the individuals were very educated in their respective environments, however if they were to switch places, they would be fall into the category of confused and lost. The ties between education and digital media are intertwined within the threads. Don’t forget that the globalization of digital media does not only include education. I am fascinated by education; this may make me lean towards research regarding education intertwined with digital media, rather than the other numerous aspects of digital media. The Internet really is as diverse as the world itself. With that in mind, let me ask this question. Is it not understood that globally, digital media is the #1 powerhouse. Take entertainment for example. The music and movie industry both benefit (and not so much) from digital media. Of course and up to date person knows that music and movies are easily downloadable through peer to peer (P2P) programs online, such as UTorrent or Bearshare. com. There are so many examples out illegally downloading content out there, this gets more into the ethics of digital media, so lets not get to in depth with this. That is a totally different subject in and of itself. The music industry/cinema industries have gained an innumerable amount of advertising space through digital media. Skilled programmers have created interactive tools online and offline. These programmers have actually given birth to an entirely new genre of music called â€Å"dub step† or modern â€Å"Techno† music. This is just a theory of mine, so please don’t go out of your way to prove me wrong, unless of course you feel inclined to do so. Constructive criticism is always helpful if taken the right way. Musicians such as Adam Young, more commonly known to the electronica listeners as â€Å"Owl City†. He is a singer and songwriter. In the beginning he did not play the guitar, he was just getting into the keyboard. His instrument of choice during the early stages of his career was his computer and its digital media capabilities. He used programs such as â€Å"Garage Band† on his MacBook, which was incorporated into Apples computer devices in 2006. He used programs online, which were created for interactivity with beats and the incorporation of pieces of musical work from numerous guitarists, pianists and percussionists. His music mainly become known at first through the social networking website known as Myspace. com. Many musicians who become well known in 2007 and after became known through social networking sites. This is just a sample from a musician which most of you probably have not heard of (if you have, I apologize for judging my audience! ) Not only did it influence the creation of an entirely new musical genre, it created a new type of television dubbed â€Å"Webisodes†. This gets more into the cinematic part of digital media, rather than music and education. I remember seeing my first webisode. They were mini episodes composed of small time actors from the show we all know as â€Å"Scrubs†. I believed it originally aired on HBO in 2007. The webisodes were the first of many. Today the more popular show â€Å"The Walking Dead† has its own webisodes. I don’t watch them; research simply showed me they exist. Another discovery here, digital media has created its own vocabulary. I just stumbled upon one right now. The term â€Å"webisode† is not recognized on Microsoft word. It tries to correct the term to â€Å"episode†. Here is an actual definition of the term. â€Å"A Webisode is a single push technology episode. A Webisode can be a preview or promotion of a particular TV show, music video, or other show presented from a Web site using streaming video or other techniques. Some sites are dedicated to presenting Webisodes. † (Rouse, 2005). This is just another minute example of digital media is changing things everywhere. Throughout this class, I have really focused on the social networking aspect of digital media. I did this because I use social networking everyday. I use digital media everyday. With that, I would like to end this research paper with a short focus on social networking, including examples of how social networking has changed the world already, and how it triumphs the consumption of digital media, ultimately resulting in the globalization of digital media. Today, almost everyone, young or old, has some type of social network account. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, serve other purposes than that of keeping in touch with loved ones. In terms of business and networking, they are being used by countless businesses, ranging from a small business to large companies such as Dell. There has been much praise and of course, criticism for using social media. When starting a small business, Mark Schaefer, author of Tao of Twitter, suggests using Twitter to help jumpstart one’s business if they, themselves think personal networking would be beneficial for it. In his book, he dedicates an entire chapter on searching for people who are pertinent in helping one build a business. He mentioned that one could use features on Twitter, like the â€Å"Retweet† option, to assist in getting some recognition. To â€Å"retweet† something on Twitter means to merely re-share or spread something that someone else posted. Retweeting† someone else’s tweet is somewhat a compliment for them. It’s as if you are telling them that are in agreement with what they say or you’re simply telling them â€Å"Good job†. Personal note, I see this as an attempt by twitter to distinguish itself as different from Facebook, making it more unique. What Schaefer also mentioned was that one can also manage the people who follow him and what they say by arranging them in lists on Twitter. This is to organize and efficiently manage the groups that are associated with his business. Organizing business-related groups in this fashion makes it much easier to interact with those people and network. Large companies can and have benefited from using Twitter and the like. Dell was actually among the first to use social media. Dell’s social director, Cory Edwards, stated that the key to being successful in using these networks is to be attentive towards what the customers are saying and prove to them that you are listening to their feedback. Dell uses social media to obtain feedback from their customers on the quality of their products and to get any suggestions on how to improve them. They have been so successful in doing so that sales have increased significantly via their DellOutlet feed on Twitter. And mentioned earlier, some criticism comes along with the praises. Dell actually utilizes the criticism and uses it to their advantage. For the past few years, they have invited ten critics and ten enthusiasts to talk about the products and what they disliked and liked, respectively. Finally, after that event, Dell would do a follow-up and would inform those 20 people on how their opinions changed them. In addition to using social networks for business, it has also displayed some otential promise spreading the news in the most immediate manner. Because we live in a world where almost all of us are â€Å"glued† to our smart phones/ Iphones, it is convenient to use these devices when informing the public when tragedy strikes. For example, when the Colorado shootings occurred last summer, a 31-year-old woman logged on her Facebook to check her brother’s p age. He was supposed to attend the Batman showing. She saw his status, which stated that he didn’t attend the Batman showing, giving her some relief. Many other stories, similar to this, were posted on Facebook and Twitter, but in somewhat different ways. With Facebook, it’s mainly family and friends who view your profile (unless your profile is public or you accept anyone who sends you a friend request). With Twitter, you obtain news from loved ones and from everywhere else in the world because of â€Å"trending topics† that are displayed. In regards to the Colorado shooting, the American Red Cross also tweeted on Twitter advising people in the theater to let their loved ones know that they are safe. Social media networks are, without a doubt, the fastest and most convenient way to update family and friends in times of tragedy. Digital media has touched so many different aspects of our lives. It shares information. It creates musicians. It creates scholars. It shares information from one side of the globe to the other. It communicates like a machine gun on burst. Much like King Canute, I recognize power when I see it. Digital media is one powerful beast. Embrace it, so we may reach our full potential, and thrive in this world of inevitable evolution thanks to digital media. Sources Cited Mathers, L. (2010, 07). Evolution of digital media- an incredible advancement. Free content article directory. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://media. ezinemark. com/evolution-of-digital-media-an-incredible-advancement-511ee16da73. html Hopkinson, R. (2009, 10). A brief history of digital media. Three minds. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://threeminds. organic. com/2009/10/a_brief_history_of_digital. html Alexander, A. (2012, 02). Top 15 cell phone and smartphone quotes of all time. Technology, tutorials, social media and infographics. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://ansonalex. com/technology/top-15-cellphone-smartphone-and-mobile-quotes-of-all-time/ Ryan, Y. 1998). Time and tide: teaching and learning online. Australian universities review, 1(41), n/a, 14-15. Rouse, M. (2005, 04). Time and tide: teaching and learning online. Search soa tech target.. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://searchsoa. techtarget. com/definition/Webisode Mullaney, T. (2012, 05). Social media is reinventing how business is done. USA TODAY. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://usatoday30. usatoday. com/money/economy/story/2012- 05-14/social-media-economy-companies/55029088/1 Mitchell, A. (2011, 05). What facebook and twitter mean for news. The pew research centers project for excellence in journalism the state of the news media 2012 an annual report on american journalism. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://stateofthemedia. org/2012/mobile-devices-and-news-consumption-some-good-signs-for-journalism/what-facebook-and-twitter-mean-for-news/ Emerson, M. (2013, 02). Learning social media tricks from the big boys. Business day small business. Retrieved 03, 2013, from http://boss. blogs. nytimes. com/2013/02/22/learning-social-media-tricks-from-the-big-boys/ Alcindor, Y. (2012, 07). Social media play growing role on spreading word of tragedy. NEWS. Retrieved 03, 2013, from How to cite The Globalization/Consumption of Digital Media, Essay examples

The works of dylan thomas Essay Example For Students

The works of dylan thomas Essay Brown i. The Works of Dylan ThomasThesis Statement: Dylan Thomas, renowned for the unique brilliance of his verbal imagery and for his celebration of natural beauty, applies his own unnecessarily complicated and obscure style of writing to his poetry, stories, and dramas. I.Dylans obscure poems contained elements of surrealism and personal fantasy, which is what draws readers to them to reveal the universality of the experiences with which they are concerned. A.18 Poems1.Continuity between nature and the Stories of Christ and Adam (Korg 42). 2.Semantic properties of language are possessed by the natural world. 3.Conflicts preceding the mystical resolution. 4.Personal statement as dramatic monologue. 5.Complexity of death. B.Twenty-five Poems1.Dylans reaction to other people. 2.Immortal companionship of matter and spirit (Korg 62). 3.The duality of time as it is manifested in the alternation of the seasons (Korg 67). 4.Relationships with other people and with external scenes and events as episodes in the drama of spiritual life (Korg 70). C.Later Poems1.These later poems were usually written in response to some particular experience rather than to experience in general. Their points of departure are intimate and local rather than cosmic (Korg 73). 2.The lover is condemned to an essential betrayal. 3.Ordinary events, humble folk, and local scenery, together with the compassion and tenderness these things evoke, occupy the foreground of these poems (Korg 82). D.Last Poems1.Poems in praise of Gods world by a man who doesnt believe in God (Korg 91). 2.The renewal of earth after some mysterious universal catastrophe (Korg 95). 3.Essential images and impressions held loosely with a syntactic framework. Brown ii. E. Longer Poems1.The Altarwise by owl-light sequence is an intricately ambiguous, punning fabric in which Thomas carries his linguistic and rhetorical virtuosity to extremes, producing a result both more complex and more obscure than any of the other works (Korg 100)2.The views of the mystic in the real world. 3.The midwinter rebirth legends from primitive cultures, the return of the spring. 4.Christian myths with other religions: birth, sacrifice, light, and darkness. II.Dylan was as productive a writer of stories as he was of poems. A.Thomas stories fall under two categories: vigorous poetic fantasies, and poetic objective narrative. B.The main characters are madmen, simpletons, fanatics, lechers, and poets in love: people enslaved by the dictates of feelings (Korg 121). III.He only completed four scripts but worked on several others as a writer of films. A.He wrote documentaries for the Ministry of Information during his wartime job. B.Cinematic writing made few demands on Thomass real literary gifts, but it did show that he had an unexpected capacity for adapting himself to the new form, and for persevering with extended projects until they were complete (Korg 137). C.Too many unfinished scripts or aborted projects. D.Rebeccas DaughtersConcluding Statement: Dylan Thomass undeniable originality has set him apart from most people, but he had something in common with nearly every great poet, story-writer, and film-writer, his own style. The Works of Dylan ThomasDylan Thomas was a brilliant poet, playwright, short story writer, essayist, screenwriter, journalist, and novelist. His work was known for musical quality of the language, comic or visionary scenes and sensual images. As he groped among painful and oppressive feelings, turning his thoughts into poems, Thomas was formulating both a mysticism and a poetic style (Korg 2). Dylan Thomas, renowned for the unique brilliance of his verbal imagery and for his celebration of natural beauty, applies his own unnecessarily complicated and obscure style of writing to his poetry. Dylans obscure poems contained elements of surrealism and personal fantasy, which is what draws readers to them to reveal the universality of the experiences with which they are concerned. Thomass poetry is marked by vivid metaphors, the use of Christian and Freudian imagery, and celebration of the wonder of the wonder of growth and death (Dylan Thomas). His life had little relevance to his poetry, his love for it came from words rather than ideas. Apart from occasional glancing correspondences of pose and manner, it is difficult to see any meaningful relationship between Thomass heretic, disciplined verse and the earthy, disorganized Welshman who wrote it (Korg 1). 18 Poems was to start the beginning of his publications, having written the book in separate units from earlier works, most of the poems seemed to still share an overwhelming theme. Many of them undertake, either explicitly or by implication, the same theme: the

Like Father Like Son Essays - Song Of Solomon, Milk, Milkman

Like Father Like Son The book called Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison, deals with many real life issues, most of which are illustrated by the relationships between different family members. One archetypal relationship that Morrison includes in her book is the father:son relationship. Although it is obvious that Morrison does talk about this topic, it is not so obvious what she is trying to say about it. So, one might ask, how does the author establish the father:son relationships throughout Song of Solomon and do they fit some sort of archetype? To answer a question such as this, it would be beneficial to examine the actual father:son relationships throughout the book. One established father:son relationships that is significant to this issue is the one between Milkman and Macon. From the start, Macon objected to Milkman even being born; he forced Ruth to do things to her body that could possibly kill the fetus. With a little help from Pilate, however, Milkman was allowed into the world. Macon, perhaps instigated by never having a mother and seeing his own father killed, has always appeared to be a cold and unforgiving parent even to his other children besides Milkman, but since Macon heard that his son?s nickname was ?Milkman? he has seen him as a symbol of his disgust for his wife and lost a lot of respect for his son and became even colder towards him. The only time Macon did spend time with Milkman, he spent it boasting about his own great upbringing, warning him to stay away from Pilate and telling him about the embarra ssing actions of Ruth. This is the manner in which Morrison establishes the relationship between Macon and Milkman in the first part of the book. As Milkman grows up, he recognizes the emotional distance between his father and himself. He goes his own way with a few skirmishes here and there and later he even manages to hit his own father. As Macon and Milkman grow apart and go their separate ways, Milkman doesn?t even think twice about it and just continues on with his life as if nothing was different. Near the end of the book Milkman seems to change his view of his father, with some help from the positive memories of the old men in the passage. Milkman grew up thinking that his father was a cold-hearted, hot tempered control freak who was only interested in gaining money and property. He came to realize that although there was some truth to what he thought, Macon was not inhuman. This is displayed in the passage when it states, ?His own father?s words came back to him: ?I worked right alongside my father. Right alongside him.? Even though Macon was against Milkman?s birth, he came to cherish his only son in his own way. Probably under the impression that showing affection was a sign of a weak man, Macon held back what feelings he had for his son. Milkman?s feelings about his father?s shows of affection are described when Morrison writes, ?Milkman thought then that his father was boasting of his manliness as a child. Now he knew he had been saying something else.? One of the few go od memories that Macon had of his father was spending time working alongside his father. Milkman finally figured out that Macon?s description of his time spent working with his father were meant to as a show of affection for Milkman and to cause Milkman to see the similarities between Macon?s relationship with his father and Milkman?s relationship with Macon. Milkman?s revelation is explained, ?That he loved his father; had an intimate relationship with him; that his father loved him, trusted him, and found him worthy of working ?right alongside? him.? He most likely remembers gaining a great amount of respect for his father by learning and watching how his father made a living. Milkman now saw that all those times that he spent with Macon down in the workshop and being taught how to run a business were his father?s mild way of showing love. When Macon would tell Milkman about how he worked right alongside his father, he wasn?t bragging about how masculine he was when he was little,

The Impact of Staff Availability and Morale on Nursing Home Residents’ Risk of Dehydration in a UK Based Sample The WritePass Journal

The Impact of Staff Availability and Morale on Nursing Home Residents’ Risk of Dehydration in a UK Based Sample Introduction and Background The Impact of Staff Availability and Morale on Nursing Home Residents’ Risk of Dehydration in a UK Based Sample ]. Rolls, B.J. and Phillips, P.A. (2009) Aging and disturbances of thirst and fluid balance. Nutrition Reviews, 48(3), pp. 137-144. Royal College of Nursing (2011) Guidance on safe nurse staffing levels in the UK. London: Royal College of Nursing. Schnelle, J.F., Simmons, S.F., Harrington, C., Cadogan, M., Garcia, E. and Bates-Jensen, B.M. (2004) Relationship of Nursing Home staffing to Quality of Care. Health Services Research, 39(2), pp. 225-250. Shipman, D. and Hooten, J. (2007) Are nursing homes adequately staffed? The silent epidemic of malnutrition and dehydration in nursing home residents. Until mandatory staffing standards are created and enforced, residents are at risk. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 33(7), pp. 15-18. Warren, J., Bacon, E., Harris, T., McBean, A.M., Foley, D.J. and Phillips, C. (1994) The burden and outcomes associated with dehydration among US elderly, 1991. American Journal of Public Health, 84(8) pp. 1265-1269. Weinberg, A.D., Minaker, K.L., Coble, Y.D. et al. (1995) Dehydration evaluation and management in older adults. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 274(19), pp. 1552-1556. Xiao, H., Barber, J. and Campbell, E.S. (2004) Economic burden of dehydration among hospitalized elderly patients.   American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 61(23), pp. 2534-2540.

Berth and Birth Commonly Confused Words

Berth and Birth Commonly Confused Words The noun berth refers to a place to sleep (usually on a train or ship), a place for a boat to moor, or a persons place or position on a team. As a verb, berth means to bring something (usually a ship) into a place where it can stay. The noun birth refers to the arrival of a baby (that is, the emergence of an infant from its mothers body) or to the beginning of something. As a verb, birth means to be born or to give rise to something. Examples At night, the seats pulled together to form the lower berth. The upper swung down on hinges from the wall. The upper berth contained the blankets, linens, mattresses, and pillows for both beds.(Rudolph L. Daniels, Trains Across the Continent: North American Railroad History. Indiana University Press, 2000)When a ship arrives at the port, the planners must decide where to berth the ship for the unloading and loading of containers.[Curt Siodmak] found an assignment at Paramount Pictures rewriting the script for a Dorothy Lamour sarong saga. He then found a berth at Universal Pictures, which specialized in horror movies.(Lee Server, Encyclopedia of Pulp Fiction Writers. Facts on File, 2002)An outdooring is the first African rite of passage. It always begins at dawn, eight days after the childs birth, and gives family and friends a chance to see and welcome the newest soul.(Maya Angelou, All Gods Children Need Traveling Shoes. Random House, 1986)The fact is that women can grow and birth a child independently of the father. Sadly, an increasing number of women in our modern societies are compelled to do exactly that.(Aviva Jill Romm, The Natural Pregnancy Book. Celestial Arts, 2011) Idiom Alert: "Give (Someone or Something) a Wide Berth" [This idiom means] to keep well away from or avoid (someone or something): I always give the park a wide berth when Im out at night. [A nautical idiom―a berth is the amount of space necessary for a sailing ship to maneuver safely.](Elizabeth McLaren Kirkpatrick and C.M. Schwarz, The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms. Wordsworth Editions, 1993)If Vito was impressed by his new schools academics, he gave a wide berth to its extracurricular activities and is notably absent from his sophomore and junior yearbooks.(Michael Schiavi, Celluloid Activist: The Life and Times of Vito Russo. University of Wisconsin Press, 2011) Practice Exercises (a) In the history of invention a long time almost invariably elapses between the ____ of an idea and its realization in practice.(H. W. Dickinson and Arthur Titley, Richard Trevithick: The Engineer and the Man, 1934)(b) Give a wide _____ to nesting birds, animals with young, and wildlife that is using a water source. Feel free to watch these wild inhabitants of the desert, but do so at a respectful distance so that your presence does not disturb them.(Erik Molvar and Tamara Martin, Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, 2nd ed. Globe Pequot, 2005)(c) McDowell helped me walk back to the ships sick bay, a small _____ walled in with panels of strong canvas.(Paul Dowswell, Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor. Bloomsbury, 2005) Answers to Practice Exercises (a) In the history of invention a long time almost invariably elapses between the  birth  of an idea and its realization in practice.(H. W. Dickinson and Arthur Titley,  Richard Trevithick: The Engineer and the Man, 1934)(b) Give a wide  berth  to nesting birds, animals with young, and wildlife that is using a water source. Feel free to watch these wild inhabitants of the desert, but do so at a respectful distance so that your presence does not disturb them.(Erik Molvar and Tamara Martin,  Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, 2nd ed. Globe Pequot, 2005)(c) McDowell helped me walk back to the ships sick bay, a small  berth  walled in with panels of strong canvas.(Paul Dowswell,  Powder Monkey: Adventures of a Young Sailor. Bloomsbury, 2005)

Leadership Styles in Organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Leadership Styles in Organisations - Essay Example A leader influences others by his qualities, viz. confidence, communicative ability, awareness of his impact on others as well as perceptions about the situation and his subordinates. The effect of a leader's background experiences, his communication ability, self-awareness, confidence, his perceptions of subordinates, the situation and the self are shown below (Prasad, 2006, p. 264). Almost every aspect of work is influenced by, if not dependent on, leadership. The leader is the chief communicator to people outside the group as well as within the group. The leader's attitude and behaviour affects the motivation of the group. The leader is responsible for seeing that the group's objectives are clearly understood and are accomplished. The planning and control mechanisms are designed or modified by the leader. How the leader behaves influences employees' satisfaction and affects the quality and quantity of output. All leaders have three limiting factors to contend with. Firstly, they are limited by their own ability, by their knowledge, skills, attitudes, weaknesses and inadequacies. Secondly, they are limited by the level of experience, skills, proficiencies and attitudes of their subordinates. Finally, they are limited by their environment. This includes the resources and conditions, which are available to them in their effort to achieve their objectives. All these factors are constantly changing (Yvonne, 2003, p. 189). Leadership is a vital and dynamic function in organizations. The quality of leadership is a key factor in the accomplishment of the organization's objectives. It is generally recognized that certain types of leaders suit certain situations better than others. For example, some leaders perform better in a prosperous, or growth, period, others in an austere or contracting period. LEADERSHIP STYLES Leadership styles are the patterns of behaviour, which a leader adopts in influencing the behaviour of his followers (subordinates) in the organisational context. These patterns emerge in the leader as he begins to respond in the same fashion under similar conditions; he develops habits of actions that become somewhat predictable to those who work with him. There are many dimensions of leadership styles: power dimension where superior uses varying degree of authority; orientation -employee or task-oriented; motivational-where superior affects the behaviour of his subordinates either by giving a reward or by imposing a penalty. All these styles are leader of oriented. Leadership style is the result of leader's philosophy, personality, experience and value system. It also depends upon the types of followers and the organisational

English Only Policy in the Work Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English Only Policy in the Work Place - Essay Example The recommendation mandating the exclusive use of English at all times in the workplace should not be made into a policy. The policy recommending for the exclusive use of the English language should not be adopted in the organization. Adoption of this policy will at a huge extent bring forth more negative outcomes than positive ones. This is considering the whole organization at large and the employees in more specific terms. Whereby an employee fails to perform their duties or tasks effectively due to their failure to speak English in the workplace or the case where they use a foreign language or an accent that affects their output. There in no problem whatsoever with employees speaking their native language in the work place as long as their conversation is not disturbing others who are unfamiliar with the language. Moreover, as long as the language is not offensive it should not be abolished. It is common place to find people from the same ethnic background speaking their native tongue in the work place or another setting where the rest are unfamiliar with it (Fink et. al.1996)iii. ... There in no problem whatsoever with employees speaking their native language in the work place as long as their conversation is not disturbing others who are unfamiliar with the language. Moreover, as long as the language is not offensive it should not be abolished. It is common place to find people from the same ethnic background speaking their native tongue in the work place or another setting where the rest are unfamiliar with it (Fink et. al.1996)iii. With this in mind if a policy of this nature is introduced the ones affected shall feel targeted and this shall create a tension-like environment which is by large against Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It will be taken to be a punishment to those speaking (in most cases) a foreign language. This phenomenon of having people from divergent origins should be taken as a source of a rich culture and in the organization that should be natured rather than abolished. Divergence in many instances f natural existence is a source of strength and not a weakness. The organisation should be quite keen in coming up with the 'English only policy'. Impacts of policy The organization to a great extent will stand to lose in case this policy is adopted. This is as a result of the ones who are affected feeling neglected and taking the management to be inconsiderate. It also makes them feel to be the minority especially where the language in question is foreign. With this kind of resentment the workers' productivity shall surely fall. On the other hand the English speaking workers will tend to take their bilingual coworkers as inferiors; a situation that will spark tensions based on ethnicity. The supervisors will start facing problems with uncooperative attitude from the bilingual workers as well as absenteeism which

Financial accounting standards Essay Example for Free

Financial accounting standards Essay The income statement, which portrays the financial performance of the company, is also described in the financial statements elements. Income and expenses from ordinary activities are recognized as the main elements of such statement, which when matched result in a profit or loss for the period. Capital maintenance adjustments are also pointed out, which may effect the income statement. This arises from the restatement of assets and liabilities that may eventually influence the equity of the firm (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 61-64). The measurement bases utilized in order to compute the monetary amounts of the assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expenditure noted above are also outlined in the framework. There are five main measurement bases recognized in the accounting framework, which are explained below: †¢ Historical Cost – such measurement bases states that assets are recorded at the historical, which is normally the date of purchase. This implies that the value of the asset at the date of acquisition is the one portrayed in the Balance Sheet. For example, if a motor vehicle costing $8,000 is bought. The $8,000 historical cost value will be adopted as its measurement bases. As regards liabilities, the amount of cash obligation arising at the inception of the transaction will also be utilized as the measurement means. Any payments that are eventually undertaken to cover such liability are diminished from that amount. This is most common method adopted in practice by business organizations. However, when the need arises, such measurement bases are promulgated with other methods in order to portray a more true and fair financial picture (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 70-71). †¢ Current Cost – as its name implies, assets are recorded at the current amount of cash and cash equivalents that would be required if a similar was going to be purchased. Under such measurement bases, liabilities are determined according to the undiscounted cash obligation necessary to settle such commitment (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 70). †¢ Realizable value – this method is similar to the current cost one, with the exception that assets value is computed in line with the equivalent price that the present asset can attain if disposed in the market. The value of liabilities under such measurement bases is the same to the historical cost one. That is liabilities are determined in line with their settlement value (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 70). †¢ Present value – this encompasses that assets are recording according to the present discounted value of the envisaged cash inflows that such asset will provide to the organization in its day-to-day business activities. Liabilities are also valued at the present discounted value of the expected cash outflows entailed in the foreseeable future (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 70). The concept of capital and capital maintenance is the last basic principle covered by the accounting framework. The principle of capital under a financial side comprises the invested assets by the owner, which are identical to the equity or net assets value. Under the physical concept of capital, it entails the operating ability. That is the productive power of the organization (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 72). The concept of capital mentioned in the previous paragraph leads to the proceeding concepts of capital maintenance:†¢ Financial Capital Maintenance – profit/loss is computed under such concept as the difference between the financial value of the net assets at the end of the year and the financial value of the net assets at the commencement of the financial year (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 72). The fair value measurement bases, which is a new valuation method abides with such concept. †¢ Physical Capital Maintenance profit in this case focuses on the productive ability of the corporation. That is the excess of physical production at the end of the year when compared with that of the beginning forms up the profit figure (International Accounting Standards 2000, p 73). 2. The principles outlined in the framework do not exercise a direct influence on the intended parties. It holds an indirect affect by affecting the accounting standards issued by the recognized accountancy board. Such accounting standard will then have a direct influence on the accounting treatment of specific items and on the presentation of accounting information. Indeed the framework acts as a yardstick that guides the development of accounting standards. It is a generic document that narrows the range of alternatives that can be adopted during the standard setting process (Foster M. J. et al 2001, p 1,2). Further more, the framework aids the communication process in the Financial Accounting Standards Board, both internally and externally. Through the adoption of a generally accepted accounting framework, the message of the Financial Accounting Standards Board would be more easy to be communicated to accountants in the respective industries (Foster M. J. et al 2001, p 2).

Essay --

Dr. Ozegovic Human Development February 12, 2014 Infancy and Toddlerhood Growth and development for infants and toddlers have been deemed the most crucial time frame for proper development and learning. It is during this time that the body and mind grow, develop, and form very important distinguishing markers that will create the future of the person. In this time, it depends on how the child is taught, and who teaches the child that will decide on what the child will grow up to be. In this paper I will be talking about physical, cognitive, and emotional development. I will be discussing the different ideals that are thought to be the elements that build the child into the adolescent they will become. We will be meeting my son, Tot, who is you average everyday child, except for one point. He has auditory neuropathy. This condition makes him a bit different than other children. He is you everyday normal child, but I feel that the way he has developed is different due to the lack of understand of his condition, and the lack of communication. It in no way h as affected his physical development, but I feel that it has affected his cognitive and emotional development, due the constraints of a language barrier and lack of understanding. Physical Development From birth to being a toddler, the body goes thru several different changes and development stages. The different body parts will grow at different rates. This is described as the cephalocaudal trend, meaning head to tail, Exploring lifespan development pp.93. From the time the child is born the head makes up 25% of the body. By the age of 2 the lower part of the body eventually makes up to be equal to the head. The proximodistal trend is where the center of the torso grows outward... ...or example supports my son emotionally by giving him whatever he wants. He gets candy, and can watch tv at the dinner table. At bedtime, she puts him to bed and lets him watch movies til he falls asleep. My cousin, when she watches Tot, she lets him run around and do whatever he wants. Wake up, go to sleep, bathe, and others. In my home, we don’t watch tv at the table, we have a set bedtime, and we only allow candy at specific times and only as a treat. Looking at the impact of these emotional styles of raising, my son is a crazy child and runs around screaming and laughing when he is with my cousin. The emotional support he gets thought is minimal. He has separation anxiety when he leaves me to go to her house, even though we are strict at my house. Its due to the need children have for stability and knowing a schedule I think. In conclusion,

Generals die in bed Essay

â€Å"We light cigarettes against orders and cup our hands around them to hide the glow. We sit thinking. Fry stands motionless with his steel helmet shoved down almost over his eyes. He leans against the parapet motionless. There is a quiet dignity about his posture. I remember what we were told at the base about falling asleep on sentry duty. I nudge his leg. He grunts.† Generals Die in Bed is a anti-war novella written by a Canadian author. Based on a true story, this novella showcases the reality of being in the trenches of WW I. The passage I have selected above shows how defiant one can be in a time of stress and emotional trauma as well as how authority can set seemingly unfair rules. This passage can easily display themes of rebellious and defiance towards authority as it also creates a mood of anxiety and gloom through a first person perspective. Defiance is a bold resistance to authority and in this case the defiance of the soldiers is a perfect example of being rebellious to higher authority. While the soldiers work and live in the trenches they have a cloud hanging over them of not knowing what is to come. This is often an intimidating feeling and when one is intimidated they will find ways to assert their own importance which is often through rebellious acts. Intimidation often goes hand in hand with fear and in this novella and passage fear is a present theme. A theme is a unifying or dominant idea and clearly portrayed in this novella a few obvious themes may include defiance, rebellion, fear of the unknown and fear of death. This passage more so focuses on the theme of defiance; as they claimed â€Å"We light cigarettes against orders..†. There is a higher authority that has set rules for the soldiers. This idea of the 2 soldiers disobeying the rules is a very easily targeted example of rebellion or a rebellious act. As well as the soldier spoke of not falling asleep on sentry duty and when he noticed the second soldier Fry falling victim he was quick to make sure he was awake and alert. To me this showed a fear of consequence which would follow up of breaking a rule. A mood and feeling of anxiety comes from an overwhelming responsibility to over see the well being of your troops as they rest. This explains the importance of staying awake on sentry duty. This feeling and notion of death could potentially be around the corner will leave one full of stress and anxiety. The gloominess comes from being surrounded by death and sadness amoungst your fellow troops and the enemy. Its an experience that most people will never understand first hand but to those who volunteer or are voluntold it can often lead to mild or major trauma. The passage I have chosen above displays the true horrors of being in war but can only be recognized by those who looker for the deeper meaning of the passage. The words written by the author capture the essence of how war truly changes a man; defiance, disobedience, new and overpowering fears as well as emotional changes. For those who can realize and understand the   

Central and Eastern Europe Environmental Issues Essay

Eastern Europe’s environmental problems are not as simple as they may seem on the surface. The environmental problems that face Eastern Europe are complicated by political, economic, and social implications. The current environmental problems are a bi-product of rapid industrial expansion under a socialist government. The soviet government was more concerned with surpassing the western cultures in technology and military might than the environmental damage they were doing to their country. The following paragraphs will address the current environmental problems facing Eastern Europe, the various solutions to the environmental problems, and the efforts taken to correct the environmental problems. Environmental Problems in Europe Eastern Europe during the 1980s had rapidly become the industrial giant for the Soviet Union. Massive industrial factories would be built throughout the eastern bloc of the Soviet Union and the factories used obsolete technology to provide the industrial needs of the country. The heavy industrial activity characteristic of the post-World War II period took a heavy toll on both the region’s population and its environmentâ€Å"(U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2010). Various local populations were suffering from high rates of cancer, respiratory issues, and infant mortalities. The environments in the areas around the industrial regions were also being damaged on unprecedented levels. Legacy of Pollution According to the U. S.  Environmental Protection Agency (2010), The outmoded, energy-intensive technologies were such an integral part of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and New Independent States of the former Soviet Union (NIS) region’s economy in the post-war era not only wasted resources, but also caused severe local, regional, and trans-boundary pollution problems. Not only was the industrial technology outdated, the communication among the post-war government, local governments, and various environmental ministries was ripe with secrecy and non-communication between each other. The results would prove to be catastrophic pollution of the air, surface water, soil, ground water, marine zones, and coastal areas. Air Pollution Air pollution in Eastern Europe is the top concern because of the levels of sulfur dioxide found in all the industrial areas. High levels of sulfur dioxide exposure can lead to asthmatic children and adults, respiratory illness, decreased lung defenses, and worsening of existing cardiovascular diseases. When Sulfur Dioxide is exposed to rain it creates acid rain and raises the acidity level of everything it touches such as soil, lakes, and streams. Buildings corrode faster and there is also a reduction in visibility. Water Pollution Agricultural and industrial practices were causing large spread water pollution because of outdated waste regulation practices and no environmental regulation. According to Liroff (1990), Drinking-water supplies throughout Eastern Europe are heavily contaminated. Vast reaches of the Vistula River in Poland, which drains much of the country, are classified as unfit for use even by industry. The Baltic and Black Sea coasts are badly degraded by domestic sewage, agricultural run-off, and heavy metals and organic pollutants from industry. The Eastern Europe governments have been slow to implement solutions to purify the drinking water in the various regions. Soil Pollution Samples of produce from upper Poland have yielded 30 to 70 higher percentages of cadmium, lead, zinc and mercury then acceptable levels listed by the World Health Organization. The high percentages of these heavy materials indicate how polluted the soil is in the upper polish regions. In Hungary alone, waste generators dispose of more than 500,000 tons waste found in illegal landfills. The local government has trouble tracking any kind of waste transportation and disposal due to obsolete tracking processes, and because not all waste is indicated as waste before being disposed of. Eastern Europe is wreaked with not only environmental problems, but also with government, and local government problems also. The good news is that there are viable solutions to the environmental problems that the Eastern Europe countries are having. Viable Environmental Solutions The environmental problems that face Central and Eastern Europe are much the same as any other country in the world with one exception, the proximity of the environmental hazards. Most countries in the world deal with environmental hazards, but the hazards are spread out over different parts of the country. Central and Eastern Europe are unique when it comes to environmental disasters because Central and Eastern Europe was the industrial might behind the soviet military. For every environmental disaster Central and Eastern Europe faces, there is a viable solution thanks to modern technology and proven environmental regulations. Possible environmental solutions Because of the vast environmental disasters throughout Central and Eastern Europe there are several possible environmental solutions. The possible environmental solutions that Central and Eastern Europe are considering will be decided by the cost of the solution, ease of implementation, and consultation from environmental agencies such as the United States Environmental Agency. Even with the various economic, governmental agency communication problems, and various ecological disasters Central and Eastern Europe have a number of viable solutions. Air Pollution Solutions One of the possible remedies for air quality in Europe would be to switch to burning low sulfur coal. When coal is burned, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury compounds are released. For that reason, coal-fired boilers are required to have control devices to reduce the amount of emissions that are released. The amount of sulfur oxides produced by power can be reduced by using coal with low amounts of sulfur present. Another possible air solution would be to use scrubbers. Scrubbers are an air pollution control system that removes pollutants from the air stream they are most commonly used to help control the emissions of sulfur into our air. There are a few types of scrubber, Air scrubbers, wet scrubbers, and gas scrubbers are differentiated by the manner in which they remove gases and particulates from the air; either wet or dry. Wet scrubbers literally wash dust and particles out of the air. Exhaust air is forced into a spray chamber, where fine water particles cause the dust to drop from the air stream. The dust-laden water is then treated to remove the solid material and is often re-circulated. Dry scrubbers are used more commonly with acid gases. The pollutant is collected on or in a solid or liquid material, which is injected into the gas stream. A dry scrubber produces a dry product that must be collected downstream from this control device. Water Pollution Solutions One of the many possible water pollution solutions would be aeration. Aerating is the process to bring river water at the bottom of rivers up to the surface so that the entire river is oxygenated by the atmosphere surface to bottom. They can do this by pumping air into bodies of water at the very bottom. On the other hand Central and Eastern Europe could use more wastewater treatment plants these types of plants would drastically help the water quality in Central and Eastern Europe by removing harmful bacteria’s, animal wastes and pollutants and then recycling the clean water back into their system.. Soil Pollution Solutions There are many different types of soil pollution that hurt the environment and by treating Sewage before dumping wastes would cut back on many of the current environmental issues. Spraying pesticides may be good for the crops but it’s destroying the soil and the drain off into the water system is affected by this as well. Cutting down on the usage of fossil fuels would create less solid waste and harmful gasses that may seep into the soil. Eastern Europe needs to adapt to more of these possible solutions. Using low sulfur coals, Scrubbers and limestone in the remedies of air pollution would set a chain reaction in the environment the water would then become cleaner along with the soil. These remedies may not fix the issue completely for Eastern Europe, but it would help them greatly. Efforts to correct  Central and Eastern Europe have been left untouched since the end of the Nazi/German rule and the fall of the Great Berlin Wall on November 9th, 1989. Many of the people living in such a terrible environment still struggle every day to survive, but it is not a war against other countries it has turned into an environmental war and one that is near impossible for them to win without help. As with most all larger countries around the world Eastern and Central Europe are suffering from the same types of environmental issues but, in their case they do not have the means that we do in order to make the necessary changes that they need. Practical and low cost solutions need to be the wave of the future and used as often as possible. The problems need to be prioritized based on the highest health risk and the surrounding public will be educated and involved in its’ own environmental decision making. AIR- Airborne pollution is said to be one of the greatest environmental risks identified in the region. There is a large amount of sulfur dioxide found in the air, it comes from several different places but are byproducts of several different types of older industrial facilities like the old coal burning power plants that used to be found there (EPA). The United states are one of the few countries in which it is a law for vehicle owners to participate in an annual emissions test. The Czech government however has accelerated its’ efforts in cleaning the air pollution through it $240 million project that will assist its residents in converting homes from coal to natural gas in hopes to subsidize conversion costs (EPA). Along with this local agencies in many areas lack the equipment needed to assess and identify local problems so the Krakow Air Monitoring project. This project is under the supervision of the EPA and the Polish environmental experts are working together to identify and measure the major sources of industrial, residential and vehicle emissions testing (EPA). Along with such a huge problem facing the countries the EPA has also transferred some very low-cost techniques to help them out. Water pollution- Along with clean air there is the Krakow Water and Wastewater Improvement project, the idea here is to provide safe drinking water to city residents. Most people are drinking from contaminated drinking sources, especially those outside of the city limits. The idea here is not only to decontaminate the water before it is consumed, but to attack the problem at the source and to educate the people of the possible affects that waste dumping in unsecure facilities can have on them and their families. The Krakow project as a result installed modern ozonation and chlorination equipment that in turn disinfected the drinking water of 400,000 residents in the area. It also focused on the improvement the forming of the Raba River Watershed Association as well as focusing on the agricultural runoff into local streams and rivers (EPA). In addition to this a team of EPA, Wisconsin, and Latvian environmental managers have also come up with a solution to protect supplies of future ground water in Daugavplis, this is where the national ground water protection strategy is based. Solid and Hazardous Waste- All types of waste needs to be dumped somewhere and the most contaminated solid waste sites are often found on military bases in Eastern Europe. They can be found on active or former military base cites, these are still dumping cites. Children in these areas are affected the most and are still being diagnosed with very high blood-lead levels, due to these case studies the EPA has provided special equipment and training to local officials to assess possible impacts of lead exposure. Due to such high levels of exposure in certain areas additional support has been provided by Romanian officials to assist areas in the cleanup of contaminated soil, the Czech Council of Ministers even committed to assist the cleanup of future development cites by approving $40 million to get started, this is called Project Selesia. This is not the only cleanup plan in effect there is also the Solid Waste Policy Demonstration Project, this idea helps to train local communities in the proper way to carry out more effective policies of cleaning and recycling waste. Pilot programs include the construction of new sanitary landfills, the cleanup of existing landfills, curbside recycling, are probably the most important public outreach programs taking place (EPA). Technology Transfer- the EPA has also helped with the development of a geographic information system (GIS), this system helps to track different trends that occur over time. The GIS is a computer-based mapping system that over time will store and track other environmental information that identifies pollution source and tracks it over time. This system will help the public become more informed and promote better decision making (EPA). The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Manage ment Project is yet one more idea that is hoped to assist different storage areas of nuclear material in a quick-turnaround of radiochemistry data in case of any future leaks and potential disasters. To be able to assist such tracking a mobile radioecology laboratory was created by the EPA along with the United Nations Development Program and USAID, have provided the Ukraine with possibly one of the world’s best equipped mobile radiation monitoring laboratories. This lab is monitored by both the EPA project team and Ministry officials have since been conducting on-site contamination assessments of potential public health threats all around the country (EPA).

Reservoir Dogs Essays - English-language Films, Films, Free Essays

Reservoir Dogs Essays - English-language Films, Films, Free Essays Reservoir Dogs "I don't give a fuck what you know or don't know, but I'm gonna torture you anyway, regardless. Not to get information. It's so amusing for me to torture a cop. All you can do is pray for a quick death, which you aint gonna get." Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, 1992 This guy was the most twisted and sickly perverted guy in the whole movie. He had no reservations about killing people. He was brutal. He loved torture and death. By his own admission he liked to see the peoples' expressions when they died. He was totally ruthless. He had no conscience. I can't really explain why I liked this character so much. I don't EVER want to be like him or do the things he did. There was just something attractive about all his negative personality traits. Before he really starts getting into torturing the cop, he casually turns on the radio as if he needed some music to accompany the grizzly acts he was about to commit. He was a man who insisted on having total control. He liked controlling situations and people. When they were in the jewelry store he advised the employees not to hit the alarm. When they did, he started killing them. This was his way of regaining control of the situation. At the same time he was acting out this concept, he was actually totally out of control. He went fucking crazy in the store. He slaughtered the people lined up in the store like he was shooting clay ducks in a local carnival shooting gallery. I know this is a contradiction, but Mr. Blonde was a contradiction of himself. He had double standards. He hated the cop just because he was a cop. He didn't recognize him as a real person. Mr. Pink and Mr. White confirm this at the warehouse when they discuss him shooting REAL people, which cops are not. They say he just went crazy. They seemed to fear his craziness. His calm facade was a cover for the monstrous things he did to people. When he was in the warehouse with the hostage cop and Mr. Orange he appeared to be very calm. He sat smoking a cigarette while Pink and White argued over the chain of events. He wasn't calm. He couldn't wait to start torturing the hostage cop. You could see it in his face when Pink and White left. He almost looked like a kid left alone to tend a candy store. He was up and going the second they left. He was oh so gruesomely true to his belief that cops weren't people that he begins to prove this through his torture "techniques". He treats the cop like an object as opposed to a human being. He slashes off his ear and speaks into it like it was a play phone. He dances over to the gas can, swirls around the warehouse floor and soaks the guy in gas. He taunts the man by lighting a cigarette and holding it over the puddle of gas. This was a thrilling game to him. He wanted to see this man suffer before he finally died. He was also true to his fellow thugs. When everyone else was panicking, he remained cool. He insisted they stick to their original plan...to the end. He told them he had spoken to Nice Guy Eddie and everything was to be done according to the original plan. Mr. Blonde was a messed up dude. His whole personality was a contradiction. Maybe that's why he was so hypnotizing. His bizarre behavior and calm facade made for a very unique character.

Case Study of the Company Called CASPER Free Sample for Students

The use of the social media and the internet to conduct business activities is growing at an alarming rate. Most companies have websites to help them reach the target audience by connecting them to their social sites which include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Competition has increased globally. But how do firms withstand this challenge? Casper is a privately owned company which is located in the United States, New York City.   The Company conducts most of its business activities online. Casper was launched in 2014 by Philip Krim, Jeff Chapin, Luke Sherwin, Gabriel Flateman and Neil Parikh (Casper, 2017).The firm’s objective was to increase the distribution of mattresses in the US (Weinberg, 2014). To make people aware of the company, it uses a website to carry on its activities. Most of the manufacturing operations take place in Pennsylvania and Georgia. The online business strategy has made Casper be among the companies with high returns inwards in the US. But how is this possible yet several companies run such kind of business online? Through ventures from several firms and people, Casper was able to expand its business activities from the US to include Canada in November 2014. Some of the great individuals who have invested with Casper include celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Levine (Allen, Yaeckel & Allen, 2011).The venture companies include Pritzker Group Venture Capital and Crosslink Partners. Funding from these sources has impacted the company’s gross profits. Currently, Casper is among the most successful companies competing with companies like Norwegian Cruise Ship (NCL) making it in the list of enterprises’ able to make more than one hundred million US dollars ($100 million) in less than two years. The future of the company seems to be great especially with the growing technology. Casper specializes in mattresses. The mattresses consist of hybridized blend of two materials across four single layers. The layers are: Casper makes good use of its business models which entails clients buying mattresses online. Customers make orders, and the mattresses are delivered to them. Casper also has provided its consumers with one type of mattress, therefore, giving the user an easy time to choose. Other companies provide the consumer with several choices which leave them with the difficulty of determining which the best type of mattress to buy is (Watson, 2015). Being objective in the kind of mattress to provide is a very helpful strategy for the company in its operational model. Most people will go for mattresses from Casper simply because they are sure of what type and quality to expect. Nevertheless, the elimination of the middlemen in the distribution channels makes the company’s products affordable to many.   The application of Middlemen in the supply chain increases the cost of the final product in the retail shops. What if we do away with retail stores? Then we will have to buy the mattresse s from the manufacturers who are of course cheaper as compared to buying from retailers (Muehlhausen, 2013). Another strategy employed by the company is through investing in advertising. Most people living in New York City know about the existence of Casper through their adverts which can be located in taxis, posters, and billboards.   Above all, the buying of mattresses online has promoted the organization’s activities. Casper has good strategies which have enabled it to shine in the market. The market competition is very stiff, and there is the need for a company to bring up the best strategy possible. We can evaluate the significance of these strategies through the SWOT and PEST analysis of the company (Pahl, 2013).  ·Casper has a well-developed website which is easily accessible to many clients willing and able to trade with them.  ·Casper is located in New York City which is economically and politically stable.  ·The organization has a well-established administration hierarchy.  ·The company has several able financial investors who make it possible to operate even during financial crisis   Ã‚ ·The company deals with only one line of product. It does not entail diversity.  ·Use of social media platforms to advertise and create awareness of Casper Company.  ·With more funding from the investors, Casper can expand its activities as well as structures.  ·Several competitors are diverse hence providing people with alternatives to choose from. Casper is located in the US which is a politically stable nation. The politically stable environment has provided the firm with a conducive environment to work in. The US government has set laws which help to protect the environment, as well as the consumers. This has made the organization to operate under a defined ethical framework. Operating under moral framework has assisted in building the organization’s trust and reputation hence attracting more clients (Marmol & Probert, 2015). Casper Company is located in the United States which economically stable. This means that the consumer income is high hence making it possible for them to pay for the company’s products. With globalization, so many people are moving into the US. This increasing population provides labor and market for the firm (Weaver, 2013). The US population growth rate is increasing rapidly due to globalization and the immigrants. This has lead to the rise in the number of people who rely on the company for mattresses. Sleep is among the basic needs of people which must be fulfilled. Visitors do not know which the best choices is in a foreign nation are. Therefore, having one single choice provides Casper an advantage to trade over competitors. The Casper firm has employed modern technologies in advertising and getting access to its clients. Due to multimediality which is supported by the new technologies, Casper is able to upload pictures, Videos or audio materials which will make them promote their products. Nevertheless, most people in the US have access to devices which can support internet services. These people can access the organization’s website from any place and make their orders. The financial ratios of the company are well balanced.   For instance, the liquidity ratio which is derived from the current business ratio is well off. The firm has enough liquid cash to help in running the business activities and respond to emergencies. Casper also makes huge profits. For instance, within its two years of operation, the firm had made more than one hundred US dollars. Having a balanced financial ratio is the key to the success of any business. Nevertheless, good financial statements are useful in determining the future of the company. Strategy evaluation of the Casper industry can be done through the analysis of the different financial ratios. Currently, their strategies are working well. The company has made lots of profits from the sale of mattresses (Tirole, 2012). Casper mattresses firm is well performing in the US. Its strategies are significant in achieving its objectives. There are several companies which operate online but never get to make profits like Casper (Orsburn, 2011). What might be the reason behind this? Through analyzing the Casper case study, we find out that Casper has employed more than one strategy to acquire its potential stability. For instance, providing consumers with one kind of product, therefore, making their choices easy, investing in online advertisements through their well-established website and investing in other forms of advertising in the streets like for instance in cars and billboards. From the SWOT and PEST analysis, we find out that Casper has more potential of growth. The politically and economically stable environment, the emerging new technologies and the social media all play a major role in the continuity of the company. I think the best business model employed by the firm is the elimination of the middlemen in the distribution channel. Middlemen entail the inclusion of retailers. When retailers buy goods from the manufacturers, they incur several types of costs which include transportation, purchasing, labor, the cost of hiring their premises, packaging costs and so many others. For them to compensate these expenses, they will have to sell their products at high costs. For instance, a commodity bought by a retailer from a manufacturer can reach the final consumer at a price which is almost as twice as the price the retailer bought it from the manufacturer. This scares away the consumers who will in most cases prefer to buy from the manufacturer. In fact, I can say that this is a competitive advantage Casper uses to withstand the market competition (Vance, 2015). Despite the application of the single product serving well for the company, there is a need for diversity so that in future Casper can make more profits. Casper. (2017, March 28). LIVE THE DREAM. Retrieved from Casper: https://casper.com/ Marmol, T, Feys, B., & Probert, C. (2015). PESTLE analysis. Place of publication not Pahl, N., Richter, A., & University of Applied Science Berlin. (2013). SWOT analysis: Idea, Methodology and a practical approach. Munchen: GRIN Verlag Allen, C., Kania, D., Yaeckel, B., & Allen, C. (2011). One-to-one web marketing: Build a Relationship marketing strategy one customer at a time. New York: John Wiley. Weinberg, T. (2014). The New Community Rules: Marketing on the Social Web. Sebastopol: Vance, D. E. (2015). Raising Capital. Boston, MA: Springer Science Business Media, Inc Watson, D., & Serious Investor Groups. (2015). Business models: Investing in companies and Sectors with strong competitive advantage. Petersfield [England: Harriman House Pub. Muehlhausen, J. (2013). Business Models for Dummies. Hoboken: Wiley Price, Waterhouse & Co., Price Waterhouse (Firm), Price Waterhouse (Firm)., & Price Waterhouse World Firm Services BV, Inc. (1980). Doing business in the United States. New York: Price, Waterhouse Weaver, F. S. (2013). The United States and the global economy: From Bretton Woods to the current crisis. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Orsburn, E. M. (2012). The social media business equation: Using online connections to grow your bottom line. Australia: Course Technology PTR. Campbell, D. (20116). Business Strategy. Palgrave Macmillan Tirole, J. (2012). Financial crises, liquidity, and the international monetary system. Princeton, NJ [u.a.: Princeton Univ. Press

Financial analysis in healthcare Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Financial analysis in healthcare - Coursework Example The performance of an organization comprises of the measured actual output of an organization against the set target output. A positive correlation exists between organizational performance and financial effectiveness. The real organizational output increases with financial stability and effective investment decisions. Economic effectiveness is particularly important for organizational performance based on its influence on the profits, return on investments and the return on the assets of an organization. For the initially invested funds to generate returns, subsequent investments that aim at building the capacity for production are made (Turner, 2011). These investments depend on the stability of a firm’s financial framework. When more profits are generated, the amount of resources reinvested and the reserves increase. The expansion of the investment of an organization holding other factors constant results to increased profitability and returns. An effective investment requires an effective financial strategy in order to generate real returns and produce the maximum yield. Every investment opportunity is faced with uncertainty and risk. Organizations with a sound investment and financial base are bound to survive bad times in the business cycle such as depressions and recessions. Organiza tions with unstable financial strategies are most likely to close down operations during these bad times. How well an organization performs in terms of competitiveness and market share are a function of its investment and financial strategies. An organization with an effective investment and economic base competes effectively in the market through proper investment of adequate resources to support its brand and hence excellent organizational performance. Organizations with an adequate financial history can attract a wide range of stakeholders that matter to the organizational

Renovation of Bathroom of Syracuse University Residence Hall (Dat Article

Renovation of Bathroom of Syracuse University Residence Hall (Dat Hall) - Article Example Importantly of the three viable options and the three budgeting conclusions, investigations revealed that each of the viable options will not require significant pipeline changes in the plumbing system, thus reducing costs. Option one will give freshmen the opportunity to have some privacy while showering or using the facility. Option two would not be costly as option one but will still give the bathrooms modernized feel students are used to in everyday life. The last option focuses on the student’s complaints about broken showers and old tiles. This report recommends that Day Hall renovates using option two as it will give the bathrooms a modernized feel, besides installments can be completed through SU staff reducing cost. For the purpose of providing a more comfortable residence experience for incoming freshmen, the communal bathrooms in day hall are fairly old and raise concerns over privacy and cleanliness issues amongst students currently living in the dorm. Amongst the issues for improvements, privacy ranks as of greatest importance, including sinks, showers, and toilets that are very close together. The bathrooms are very open and lack the privacy many students would like when moving to college. Therefore, to provide more personal space, renovations or separation of the toilets, showers, and sinks in the bathroom area can accommodate new and old students satisfactorily. To renovate the Day Hall’s facilities will add comfortability to the student’s need for usage, besides eliminating the health risks that may arise as a result. The primary concern of this feasibility study is the cost, duration of downtime, and the availability of SU staff.  

Legal Dispute Resolution Process and Alternative Dispute Resolution Essay

Legal Dispute Resolution Process and Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms - Essay Example ies, Microsoft was involved in numerous high-profile legal matters, including cases against United States, European Union and various competitors, like Alcatel, Apple, Burst and Eolas. In all these cases, there was a trial because of errors mostly business managers, who were unwittingly giving names of products which have something with other peoples technology or for stealing other peoples technology, naming them as their own. Business Manager is required to know how and what to do when it comes to litigation must know the basics of the legal system of each country, especially the state of its rivals. Thus, the business manager of the Microsoft case against Eolas should know that for his company that trial is not worth it, and he should prevent it. Under the laws of rival’s state, judgment was in favor of Eolas, and Microsoft has lost 521 million

A Family Affected By Elderly Dementia

A Family Affected By Elderly Dementia Introduction This is a case study of a gentleman with dementia, a condition defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2003) as a syndrome caused by a range of illnesses and which affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment (p.1). Dementia can have a huge impact on health, well-being and quality life for both the person with dementia and their family. It can result in deep feelings of loss for the person with dementia, who often can no longer do all of those activities that were once an enjoyable part of their life. Similarly, family can feel a sense of bereavement at losing loved ones to dementia, a condition that often changes the personality of the person who develops it (Doka, 2004). This provides the rationale for gaining further insight into the care and support needs of people with dementia and their families via case studies such as this one. In particular, this case study will focus on every day and night decisions that affect the person with dementia, including activities of daily living, social activities, and most importantly communication and inclusion. The case study will be formed from a review of case notes for which permission was initially sought from the appropriate line manager as well as from the client with dementia and his family. The client was shown his case notes in order to ensure that he was fully informed as to the documents being requested for use. The client can read and communicate verbally, supporting this method of establishing informed consent. He was also given the opportunity to ask questions. The case study will commence with an introduction to the gentleman with dementia, as well as a description of the current circumstances surrounding his care and the involvement of both himself and his family in care plans and decision-making. Theories and models related to communication and inclusion will be reviewed, followed by the rationale for the participatory approach utilised when working with the client and his family. The case study will conclude with a summary of the key issues identified within the case study, as well as any reflections for future work. Client Profile For the purpose of this case study, the gentleman with dementia will be referred to as Bob. His real identity and that of anyone else within this case study will remain anonymous in order to maintain confidentiality. Bob lives in residential accommodation with other people who have dementia. His profile is presented in Box 1, using the Roper, Logan and Tierney Activities of Living Model (Roper et al, 2000) to present a holistic overview of Bobs care needs on 12 activities of living (ALs) relevant to communication and inclusion and essential to health and well-being. Box 1: Bobs Profile CLIENT PROFILE Patients Name: Bob Stephens Age: 95-years old (Date of birth: 22nd October, 1915) Ethnicity: Jewish (non-practicing) Activities of Living (D=dependent; I=independent): Maintaining a safe environment D I Communication D I Breathing D I Eating and drinking D I Elimination D I Personal grooming D I Controlling body temperature D I Mobilising D I Working and playing D I Expressing sexuality D I Sleeping D I Dying D I Comments: Bob shows dependency in two ALs (i.e. maintaining a safe environment; working and playing) and requires support in four ALs: (i.e. communication; personal grooming; mobilising; elimination). Influencing Factors Biological: Bob is 95-years of age. He requires a hearing aid and walking stick. Psychological: Bobs dementia can sometimes result in confusion and disorientation. He also becomes tearful frequently and does not participate in residential activities. Socio-cultural: Bob is Jewish, but non-practicing and with no preference for Kosher food. He has a wife, Sue, who visits twice a week and with whom he has a close and affectionate relationship with. He also has a son, John, who visits him regularly. Environmental: Bob does not like noisy environments. Politico-economic: No current issues. Additional Notes: Bob has a care plan devised to reduce the risk of harm to himself and others. Despite this, Bobs carers have noted that he is polite and charming when his situation and circumstances are to his preference. Bob was born in the East End of London. He retired from the Royal Air Force (RAF) 15-years ago and expresses that this was my life. Sue has shared that it was after retirement that Bob lost interest in all activities, including socialising. Relevant Theories and Models The theories and models relevant to this case study are those pertaining to communication and inclusion. These two issues are complementary in that communication is an important component of working with people who have dementia and their families in a participatory way that encourages inclusion. Theories of communication are described, followed by a definition and outline of social inclusion. Communication There tends to be two broad perspectives on communication, these being Transmission Models and Communication-as-Interaction Models. Transmission Models purport that communication is the transference of information from the sender to the receiver, with the sending hearing or reading the message as they interpret it. Although this model of communication is limited in its simplistic view of communication, it does hold some relevancy to Bobs situation. Within the Transmission Model, the concept of noise is used to refer to the wide variety of different factors that can affect the success of transmitting a message from one person to another. Since Bob is hard of hearing and wears a hearing aid, he can find noisy environments difficult to cope with. He does not like noise and thus it is important to communicate with him in a quiet environment where there is little distraction. Communication-as-Interaction theories view communication as a shared process with active participation from all parties, thus recognising the complexity of human interaction. This model of communication proposes that the meanings that emerge from the interaction are affected by a wide range of psychological and social factors. As with the Transmission Model, this model is also relevant to Bob. In particular, it provides insight into why Bob might shout or become verbally aggressive in noisy environments. In such situations, psychologically Bob is likely to be overwhelmed. Furthermore, due to social withdrawal following retirement, it is plausible that Bob becomes anxious in social situations that are no longer familiar to him. Robb et al. (2004) note that in the case of dementia care, Communication-as-Interaction perspectives, which take a biopsychosocial approach, provide a more person-centred element to caring for an individual with dementia. Therefore, whilst Transmission Models are also relevant to Bobs situation, it is important to also apply elements of Communication-as-Interaction, especially in efforts to promote inclusion. Indeed, viewing communication as a shared process is productive of supporting social interaction. To expand on the role of interaction in communication and inclusion, the Symbolic Interaction perspective provides further insight. This perspective posits that in individuals identity is formed on the basis of messages they receive from other people about the kind of person they are and the nature of the world they live in (Kontos, 2005). Bob does experience agitation and frustration and it is important to be aware that if carers or family react to this in a consistently negative way, it is likely that Bob will use this information to form a self-identity that promotes social exclusion through the avoidance of interaction with others. Bob, as do other people, has a daily regime and if this is changed he can feel unsettled. An understanding of this via insight into the theory of Symbolic Interaction can facilitate better management of Bobs care needs. Utilising the Symbolic Interaction approach further, there needs to be an emphasis on positive communication being about talking with the individual rather than at them, as has been the case with Bob (Parker, 2003). Inclusion Social inclusion has been defined by the Local Government Improvement and Development Group (2010) as relating to the ability to fully participate in normal social activities, and engage in political and civic life (p.1). In contrast, social exclusion has been defined as relating to being unable to participate fully in normal social activities, or to engage in political and civic life (p.1). Using these definitions it becomes clear that social inclusion is a broad concept involving a wide range of social and political activities. In terms of mental health and dementia, inclusion involves maximises opportunity personally and within the wider community (MIND, 2008). Thus, social inclusion is about ensuring that people have the opportunity to get involved in the activities they want to get involved in and are not excluded from society on the basis of any disability. It is believed that in the field of dementia care, social inclusion begins by changing attitudes towards people with demen tia and considering what people can and want to do, i.e. giving them a choice in their care, in the way they live, as well as helping them develop the tools to self-manage effectively and thus maintain their independence. As described within this case study, maximising opportunities and providing Bob with choices are a key part of communication and interaction with him. Participatory Approach A person-centred approach has been taken in supporting Bob and his family with issues of communication and inclusion. This has been essential in ensuring that the issues important to Bob and his family have been targeted, as opposed to care being based on assumptions or preconceptions of carers (Whitworth et al., 1999). The Participation Ladder, developed by Arnstein (1969), has been applied in work with Bob and his family. This model is based on the observation that the fundamental point [is] that participation without redistribution of power is an empty and frustrating process for the powerless. It allows the power holders to claim that all sides were considered, but makes it possible for only some of those sides to benefit. It maintains the status quo (pp. 216-233). This Ladder is particularly pertinent in dementia care, where an imbalance of power comes from the person with dementia being in a vulnerable position compared to their carer. The Ladder comprises eight levels, as follows: Manipulation this is a non-participative level where the aim would be to cure or educate Bob. Therapy this is also a non-participative level where the aim would be to cure or educate Bob. Informing this is an important first step to legitimate participation, but often the emphasis is on a one-way flow of information from the carer to the individual with dementia. Consultation another important step towards participation, which would comprise surveys, meetings and enquiries with Bob and his family. Placation this step would enable Bob and his family to be involved in planning his care, but the power would still reside with the carer as they would make the final decisions. Partnership this is when power is redistributed through negotiation, in this case, between Bob, his family, and professionals involved in his care. Planning and decision-making responsibilities are shared, supporting the co-creating health initiative currently underway by the Health Foundation (Health Foundation, 2010). This initiative promotes active partnership between individuals receiving care and their carers. This is the step of the Participation Ladder utilised within Bobs care. Delegated Power Bob would hold the majority of power for certain decisions. Citizen Control Bob would have complete control and power over his own care, which is not always feasible within healthcare, especially in the care of people with dementia. Work with Bob resides on level 6 of the Ladder, partnership, as Bob can communicate verbally and shows clear preferences and needs, which demonstrates a capacity to identify his own needs, voice these needs, and make decisions accordingly. However, there are instances where Bob can become confused and agitated and might not make the most appropriate decisions; this is when carers and family become more involved in the decision-making. In particular, in order to promote social inclusion there are some instances where Bob does need encouragement or motivation to interact with others or with the community. Input from carers and family on such matters are vital for Bob to maintain his independence and quality of life. Bobs family have been included in every day and night decisions that affect themselves and Bob. Families can experience the same power imbalance as those with dementia in that once the person with dementia enters care the family lose a sense of control. They also lose an established role within the relationship. Involving them in care plans regarding communication and inclusion initiatives can help them maintain a satisfactory role and remain involved in the persons life. It also adds some structure and meaning to their visits, which is important because some families can find this a stressful situation. Loss of control is heightened by being excluded from decisions, difficulty in getting information, lack of interest in their special knowledge of the person, and negative reactions to their worries and concerns (Woods et al., 1999). The family have a good relationship with Bobs carers and in particular with the manager of the residential home, who has developed a unique bond with Bob that others have not been able to establish. Thus, Bobs family are comfortable asking questions and raising concerns. They are also closely involved in planning activities and opportunities with Bob, which has greatly facilitated the trust built between Bob and the manager of the residential home. Discussion of Case Bobs case notes and care plan highlight a key issue with communication and inclusion being that he can become agitated and frustrated, resulting in him striking out at carers and other residents. The goal of his care plan has been to reduce the risk of harm to others and keep Bob and others safe in order to enhance inclusion. Bob is most likely to become a risk when he becomes agitated or frustrated, which most often arises when he experiences confusion and disorientation. This can result in him shouting at carers and other residents. It is noted within the literature that feelings of confusion can be a way of people with dementia retreating from an overload of painful information; it is not always caused by neurological impairment (Cheston and Bender, 2000). It could be that Bob is struggling to make sense of his life and might even be experiencing feelings of fear and grief at the loss of past activities and living circumstances that have resulted from dementia. Bobs care plan advises that in these situations, when Bob becomes a risk to himself and others, that carers speak to him in a calm and polite manner. It is important that they do not use challenging or confrontational language or gestures, so as to avoid arguments and disagreements. It is also advised that efforts are made to divert Bobs attention from the situation that has caused his agitation. However, Bob does pick up on these diversion tactics and will challenge them, thus carers try to divert him with activities he enjoys and that involve him in communication with others. For example, Bob enjoys reminiscing about the past, talking about his birthplace, and his time in the RAF as a pilot. His family have helped with locating his flying logbooks and Bob enjoys talking about these at length. Indeed, these are instances were Bob engages well and according to the Communication-as-Interaction model discussed previously. In particular, Bob becomes verbally enthused by the interaction, but can also focus on listening to others. An important component of enabling communication and inclusion in dementia care is getting to know someone and forming a relationship. One way in which this has been achieved with Bob has been to listen to his stories about the past and to engage his family in this process. The literature suggests that such an approach can also help build trust and balance power (Bartlett and OConner, 2010). It is easy to get to know Bob as he enjoys talking about his past experiences. It has thus been vital that carers hone listening skills (i.e. attentive listening and person-centred listening skills). It has been found that using this technique to divert Bob away from frustrating situations has also helped carers in their reactions to Bobs outbursts. This is extremely important as, according to the Symbolic Interaction model discussed previously, repetitive negative reactions could be used by Bob to form a self-identity that promotes social exclusion through the avoidance of interaction with others. Rather than raising ones voice with Bob or provoking further agitation, carers identify the reasons behind Bobs frustration. For example, it could be the result of an inability to communicate need in the social context. Evidence of this can be seen in the way that Bob can become easily frustrated if his morning routine is changed. An understanding of this as opposed to a focus on his abusive verbal response facilitates better management of these situations when they arise. This approach supports the biopsychosocial approach, which suggests that behaviour and non-verbal communication has a meaning and provides insight into how a person is feeling or what they might be thinking. Indeed, Stoke (2002) suggests that meeting needs requires some flexibility in the care environment; even if needs cannot be met or behaviour changed, understanding what it means can make it easier for staff and family to accept. Working out the meaning of behaviour can be facilitated by taking into consideration a persons history, physical and mental health, social context, and their abilities and disabilities. For example, talking to Bob in an inclusive way has been important. In particular, being mindful of phrases used to refer to Bob, either to him or his family, and the implications of this have been considered (e.g. referring to Bob in a personal and individualised way as opposed to as a dementia sufferer, or patient, both of which could promote a victim role). Bobs hearing difficulties and dislike of noise are likely to explain some of the agitation and frustration experienced when others are around. Bob can be offered one-to-one sessions in a quieter room when other residents around, but it is important not to isolate him and to encourage reintegration with the group afterwards. Bobs other interests, such as reading the newspaper with his breakfast each morning, is also used to facilitate communication and inclusion. The fact that Bob enjoys reading newspapers provides him with knowledge of current affairs and what is going on within his local community. In order to maintain and promote this activity, special care is taken to ensure Bob has choice in which newspapers he reads and when he reads them. In particular, when Bob receives his newspaper he prefers that all cutlery, teapots and crockery are placed at his table. Choice is very important to Bob and carers make every effort to provide choice in every day and night activities, including the provision of a menu so that he can select his choice of lunchtime sandwich on a daily basis. This provides more than choice, but also promotes continued independence. In order to facilitate communication, a communication log has been devised for Bob in order to ensure that all carers are sensitive to the way in which he communicates. For example, when Bob says that he needs an appointment, this means that he needs the toilet. Making all carers aware of this ensures that Bobs dignity and is preserved and he is not confronted by embarrassing situations that might make him withdraw. Another sensitive area for Bob is that he does need assistance with personal hygiene. Bob is aware of his appearance and becomes agitated if he is not clean-shaven or if his clothes are unkempt. It is known that people with dementia can avoid situations that might cause embarrassment or shame, which might explain Bobs social isolation. It also provides emphasis on resolving any issues that might further prevent social interaction through shame or similar feelings. Social well-being is a core aspect of inclusive care practice and involving people, as well as making sure they feel in control and connected to the world around them. The literature suggests that social well-being is achieved through social relationships, involvement in social activities and participation in the society (Victor and Scharf, 2005). It is believed that a lack of social well-being occurs when people do not have opportunities for social contact and relationships, lack friends and support networks and are socially excluded. Bob does need encouragement and motivation to keep physically active and interact socially, but including his wife and family in this process has enhanced the effectiveness of any efforts made to assist Bob with inclusion. Furthermore, opportunities are made available to Bob, such as going to the coffee shop or visiting places of interest, such as RAF establishments. Since Bob requires a walking stick, the locations of planned outings are first checked for accessibility in order to ensure Bob is not confronted by problems of exclusion when accessing the community. There are many interventions that can be used to improve communication and enhance inclusion for people with dementia. One such intervention is advocacy (Cheston, Bender, and Byatt, 2000). The need for dementia advocacy is becoming more recognised in the field and it is evolving to enable people with dementia to have more self-determination (Cantley and Steven, 2004) and to protect them from harm and abuse (OPAAL UK, 2009). There are a variety of models and approaches to advocacy, including professional advocacy that can be received from the professional carer and self-advocacy which is when someone with dementia speaks up for themselves. Both of these are pertinent to Bobs situation as there are some areas where he can act as self-advocate, such as expressing his preferences for his morning regime. However, there are instances where the professionals caring for Bob need to act as his advocate, such as when informing new staff of Bobs communication needs, etc. There are also instance s where Bobs family can act as his advocate, for example, in circumstances where they know more about Bob than the professional carers do but where Bob is unable to express his needs. By including Bobs family in his care, the importance of Bobs time in the RAF and the impact that retirement had on his health and well-being have provided key information on ways to communicate and include Bob. The need to offer more support for family carers has been recognised in the National Dementia Strategy (2011), where increasing emphasis has been placed on working with and supporting families of people with dementia. Furthermore, the literature and public policy encourages ways of working that take more account of the wider family, empower rather than disempower family members, and build partnerships between professionals, families and people with dementia (Moriarty and Webb, 2000). This is promoted due to the well-documented benefits to people with dementia of working with their family, which has also been evidenced in work with Bob and his family (Oyebode, 2005). Overall, Bobs care involves a great deal of facilitation, which has been defined by Kitwood (1997) as enabling a person to do what otherwise he or she would not be able to do, by providing those parts of the action that are missing (p. 91). Facilitation is aimed at helping the person with dementia to maximise their own potential and express themselves as fully as possible. Facilitation can also, as has been the case with Bob, act as a safety net, helping to reduce fear of failure that may prevent some people with dementia from initiating or participating in an activity. It is an important aspect of the person-centred approach taken within Bobs care and is further referred to by Kitwood (1997) as positive person work. In terms of the communication and inclusion support provided to Bob, facilitation has meant not just providing or organising activities, but being involved in helping the activity to take place. To achieve this, it has been crucial to be aware of how Bob is feeling, how he is responding to what is happening, and sharing the experience with him. It has also involved being sensitive to the parts of the activities that Bob can no longer partake in, such as flying aeroplanes. In this sense, Kitwoods (1997) theory of dementia care and the interpersonal process utilises the Communication-as-Interaction approach. Interacting with Bob and his family on an interpersonal level has facilitated communication and inclusion. Conclusion and Final Reflections This case study has provided a detailed description, exploration and analysis of every day and night decisions that affect a gentleman with dementia, Bob, and his family in regard to communication and inclusion. A key point emerging from this case study is the link between communication and inclusion and the importance of recognising that one cannot exist without the other. Communication is needed to facilitate inclusion and vice versa. Furthermore, the importance of involving family in every day and night decisions that affect the person with dementia have been highlighted as not only improving the well-being of the family and the person with dementia, but also as being a way in which a deeper and more trusting relationship can be built between the carer and the person with dementia. On establishing this bond, communication and inclusion become easier to support and facilitate when working in partnership with the person who has dementia. This has been the case with Bob and his famil y. A partnership approach to working with Bob has been vital in maintaining his autonomy and independence, which in turn has helped form a supportive relationship productive of communication and inclusion.