Capital Punishment in the United States Essay

Have you ever thought about if the person sitting next to you is a murderer? If he is, what would you want from the government if he had killed someone you know? He should receive the death penalty! Murderers and other major offenders should be punished for the crimes they have committed and should pay the price for what they have done. Having the death penalty in our society is humane. It helps with overcrowding and gives relief to the families of the victims, who had to go through an event such as murder. You may not see it as that big of a deal, but the families of the victims of these criminals have to live every day knowing that while their family member is dead, this criminal is still well and living. Usually people just want to look past this problem because they are not in the position of the families of the murder victims, but you need to look at it through the eyes of these families. Until we stop just letting these things slide, they will continue to happen. The death penalty has been around since the time of Jesus Christ. Executions have been recorded from the 1600s to present times. From about 1620, the executions by year increased in the US. It has been a steady increase up until the 1930s; later the death penalty dropped to zero in the 1970s and then again rose steadily. US citizens said that the death penalty was unconstitutional because it was believed that it was â€Å"cruel and unusual† punishment (Amnesty International). In the 1970s, the executions by year dropped between zero and one then started to rise again in the 1980s. In the year 2000, there were nearly one hundred executions in the US. On June 29, 1972, the death penalty was suspended because the existing laws were no longer convincing. However, four years after this occurred, several cases came about in Georgia, Florida, and Texas where lawyers wanted the death penalty. This set new laws in these states and later the Supreme Court decided that the death penalty was constitutional under the Eighth Amendment. There also has been the problem of overcrowding in prisons and jails. Some people say that this is a problem but having more jails built will solve this problem. Having more prisons or jails built may help solve the problem but the death penalty effectively stops draining more money from the taxpayers to give these murderers a home. These murderers get three warm meals a day; they do nothing all day, and have a place to sleep just because the taxpayers fund these facilities. Murderers on death row do not deserve to get a place to stay. They deserve to have their lives taken for the crimes that they have committed.

Barilla Spa – Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Barilla SpA, world’s largest manufacturer of pasta based in Italy is experiencing extreme demand variability resulting to operational inefficiency and increased cost. To combat the key issues stated my decision is to implement the Just In Time Distribution (JITD). This new system, contrary to current system Barilla has will eliminate Bullwhip effect and stock outs by having centralized information, there will be data transparency between Barilla and distributors.Distributors will provide actual sales data which will be the basis of forecasting and production thus increasing in efficiency in operation and alleviating stock out among distributors. JITD will lead to improved supplier-customer relationship which in the long run can be perceived as a win-win situation. Internal resistance coming from Sales and Marketing will be resolved by involving the top management and by presenting the benefits of the JITD in figures and by emphasizing that role of Sales team in JITD is of paramount to the implementation.External resistance will be combated by thorough discussion presenting the long term benefits of all parties involved. Implementation of JITD as soon as possible will position Barilla on even stronger pasta producer and will potentially increase growth rate of the company resulting from increased business efficiencies and reduced cost. Barilla can have a pilot run on the DO (Distribuzione Organizzata) where sales representatives functions are dominant, sales representatives are one of the key factors on the success of JITD implementation.Weekly meeting between Barilla and DO will have to take place for couple of months upon implementation to monitor its status. ISSUE IDENTIFICATION A. Immediate Issue Because Barilla is facing extreme variability in demand week by week which causes operational inefficiencies, high inventory and stock outs, Maggiali is fighting for the implementation of Just In Time Distribution (JITD) system despite of th e internal objection from Sales and Marketing team and external resistance from distributors. B.Systemic Issues †¢Poor Forecasting system Nature: StrategicTiming: Short term & Long term Most distributors like GDs and DOs check inventory levels and place orders with Barilla once per week using simple periodic review. They do not follow any forecasting model; they just do replenishment ordering without minimum/maximum quantity. Barilla has no visibility on actual data, their basis of production is per distributors’ information per week and this causes pressure on manufacturing & distribution team of Barilla. Too many SKUs & High level of inventory Nature: StrategicTiming: Long term & Short term On dry products alone, Barilla offers 800 SKU. Pasta is made in 200 different shapes and sizes and has more than 470 packaged SKUs. Typically distributors carry 150SKU out of 800 SKUs Barilla leaving high inventory on the CDC. There is high level of inventory across the chain; overa ll there is about 2 months of inventory on the entire supply chain at any given time. †¢Frequent Trade Promotion leads to Bulk Ordering Nature: Tactical Timing: Short termBarilla has 10-12 canvass period which each corresponding to a promotional program. During the canvass distributor can buy as much as he wants in order to avail the promotion and this is welcomed by sales representatives because their incentive is dependent on achieving sales goal for that canvass period. Barilla also offers volume discount and transportation discount in full truck load order quantities. The situation leads to bulk ordering which causes demand fluctuation. †¢Long Lead time Nature: StrategicTiming: Long term and Short termDistributors place order to Barilla once per week only using simple periodic review system and lead time is eight to fourteen days, due to long lead time distributors either order high inventory or it results to stock out at distributor’s customer. ENVIRONMENTAL & ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS Barilla is the largest manufacturer of pasta in the world, making 35% of all pasta sold in Italy and 22% of all pasta sold in Europe. However, Barilla suffers from Bullwhip effect due to huge variability in demand that resulted to operational inefficiencies such as increased cost on transportation, distribution & inventory. stock out (see exhibit 1). On the production itself the set up are very specific, the company is incapable of meeting fluctuating demand because they consider sequential production to avoid huge set up cost. When demand fluctuates manufacturing and distribution team experience too much pressure. Barilla has complex distribution; presence of multiple intermediaries slows down the delivery lead time to ultimate customer. Carrying too much variety on dry products, 800 SKUs also leads to long production lead-time because they maintain sequence of production based on size and shape of pasta to reduce set up cost.Stock out occurs due to the fact tha t distributors maintain only 2 weeks inventory and delivery lead time from CDC is 8-14days. On table below it is evident that stock can happen in DC/DO level because 2 weeks delivery lead-time and maintaining 2 weeks inventory on the shelf. Price changes due to promotions and incentives cause demand fluctuation as well. Barilla has no visibility on what is happening in reality with the flow of their products in the market. Barilla lacks centralized information and sophisticated forecasting capability and because of this bullwhip effect occurs ( see exhibit 2).Due to severe fluctuation in demand Barilla is pushed to increase the buffer of finished goods to avoid stock out and this only means increase in raw materials inventory, carrying cost, transportation cost and production cost which is detrimental to the growth of the company. Since Barilla’s production is based on input of distributors, Barilla in the long run may lose the market share if distributors find that other bra nds are selling more and decide to carry competitor’s product instead.Lack of knowledge on the actual sales data on the market will have a negative effect on Barilla; it has to establish smooth business relationship with all the supply chain channels and not only with the distributors. . RECOMMENDATION From my overall analyses given the facts presented I strongly recommend to proceed with option number 1- to implement JITD. Reason is because thru JITD Barilla will have the centralized information and will have access to actual sales information which they will be using to plan procurement of raw materials, production, logistics , safety stock , inventory accordingly .Also, thru JITD Barilla will have a chance to establish good supplier-customer relationship with the distributors and even with the supermarkets, this is very critical in running successful business. Barilla will have the control of production and not based on the order of distributor. Ultimately Bullwhip effect will be managed. First phase would be to implement with the DO because of the presence of sales representatives on the area. It would be so much easier to implement the plan since sales representatives of Barilla often spends 90% of the time in DO.

Book Keeping Essay

Book keeping it also referred as the keeping of book. Book keeping is the process of keeping full, accurate, up-to-date business records. Proper methods can help businesses effectively manage cash flow, stay abreast of profit and losses, and develop plans for the future based on financial trends. Furthermore, keeping accurate book is required by both federal and local tax agencies. The book keeping process involves making a record of the monies received by a business as well as the monies paid out. It encompasses money a company owes to vendors, employees, tax agencies, contractors, and any other individual or entity. Likewise, accurate records of amounts owed to a company by outside individuals and organizations are also recorded in a company’s books. Though necessary and beneficial to business owners, the task can be very time consuming. With no exceptions, every monetary amount that is paid or received must be recorded. Additionally, accuracy is of the utmost importance, making keeping the books in a rushed manner a very bad idea. As business owners are often lacking in time, many choose to hire professional bookkeepers to keep company records well maintained. Of the many reasons for keeping accurate records, business and income taxes are among the most important. In the United States, for example, the Internal Revenue Service requires business owners to keep financial records that are complete and up-to-date. State and city tax agencies may require businesses to maintain accurate records as well. In fact, a business owner who fails to keep acceptable financial records may be liable for significant monetary fines or other penalties. A company’s books are used to determine the amount of taxes the company must pay, and they are also used in preparing tax returns. Sometimes, a tax agency may decide to investigate the information reported on a return or other type of tax-related document. In such cases, business owners are required to present accurate records for the tax agency’s inspection. Failure to do so could lead to hefty fines, penalties, or in severe cases, imprisonment. Although hiring bookkeeping professionals may be a good idea for many companies, not all business owners can afford to do so. This is particularity true of smaller, home-based, or start-up businesses. Fortunately, there are many computer programs designed to make the task of keeping the books manageable and less time consuming. Many programs handle all of the calculations for the user, taking the worry out of keeping accurate figures. Available even to those on tight budgets, this software makes record keeping easy. (N. Madison, 2013, Wise Geek.)[online] ACCOUNTING CYCLE The accounting cycle is often described as a process that includes the following steps: identifying, collecting and analyzing documents and transactions, recording the transactions in journals, posting the journalized amounts to accounts in the general and subsidiary ledgers, preparing an unadjusted trial balance, perhaps preparing a worksheet, determining and recording adjusting entries, preparing an adjusted trial balance, preparing the financial statements, recording and posting closing entries, preparing a post-closing trial balance, and perhaps recording reversing entries. Cycle and steps seem to be a carryover from the days of manual bookkeeping and accounting when transactions were first written into journals. In a separate step the amounts in the journal were posted to accounts. At the end of each month, the remaining steps had to take place in order to get the monthly, manually-prepared financial statements. Today, most companies use accounting software that processes many of these steps simultaneously. The speed and accuracy of the software reduces the accountant’s need for a worksheet containing the unadjusted trial balance, adjusting entries, and the adjusted trial balance. The accountant can enter the adjusting entries into the software and can obtain the complete financial statements by simply selecting the reports from a menu. After reviewing the financial statements, the accountant can make additional adjustments and almost immediately obtain the revised reports. The software will also prepare, record, and post the closing entries. (Harold,A.2013,Accounting Coach.)[online]. SOURCE DOCUMENTS Source documents are documents, such as cash slips, invoices, etc. that form the source of (and serve as proof for) a transaction. In other words, they are the first documents that exist relating to a transaction. Invoices, cash slips, receipts, check counterfoils, bank deposit slips ,credit notes ,debit notes ,voucher , purchase orders and even internet payment confirmations are all source documents. For example: Invoices Credit Notes Receipts Voucher Purchase orders BOOK OF PRIME ENTRY Book of prime entry is book used in recording transaction. Books of prime entry are also known as books of original entry or subsidiary books. Types of books of prime entry: Books of prime entry are also known as either ‘journals’ or ‘daybooks’. The term ‘day book’ is, perhaps, more commonly used, as it more clearly indicates the nature of these books of prime entry – entries are made to them every day. The commonly used books of prime entry are: Sale Day Book /Sale Journals –Sale journals is to record credit sales. Purchases Day Book/Purchases Journals –Purchases journals is to record credit purchases. Sales Return Day Book/Return In Journals –Return in journals is to record returns from customers. Purchases Return Day Book/Return Out Journals –Return out journals is to record returns to suppliers. General journal/The journal –The journal is to record other transactions. The cashbook is a combined account of the cash account and the bank account. It is the only one of the six daybooks that is both an account and a daybook at the same time. Apart from the cashbook, all the other double-entry accounts are kept in one of the three ledgers. Example for 3 Column Cash Book LEDGER (T-ACCOUNT) The ledger is a collective term for the accounts of a business. (A ledger of accounts is like a school of fish). The accounts are in the shape of a ‘T’ and thus are often referred to as ‘T-accounts’. In this step we take all the debits and credits (journals) relating to one account – let’s say ‘bank’ – and draw up an account for bank that shows all the transactions relating to it. The different types of ledgers most businesses use are: Sale Ledgers –Sale ledgers is to record customers account balance. Purchases Ledgers –Purchases ledgers is to record suppliers account balance. General Ledgers –General ledgers is to record miscellaneous account. Example: PETTY CASH BOOK The petty cash book is used to record the changes to the petty cash fund – both money put into the fund and money taken out. The fund is commenced with a petty cash advance cheque and topped up with a reimbursement cheque at the end of each petty cash period.The petty cash book is prepared from the petty cash vouchers, as well as the details from the advance and reimbursement cheque butts. The petty cash book is prepared from: –advance (and/or reimbursement) cheque butt/s –completed and authorised petty cash vouchers. The totals can be checked by cross-adding related column totals.The total of the vouchers (Cash Payments column total) added to the balance left in the petty cash fund (Balance column) should always equal the imprest amount. TRIAL BALANCE A sheet displaying all the accounts of a business, drawn up as a trial (test) of whether the total of all the debit balances equal the total of all the credit balances (A balance is the amount of an item at a point in time. For example, The balance in the bank account on the 1st of January was $5,000.). The trial balance is prepared as a final check just before the financial statements are drawn up. The trial balance is our penultimate step in the accounting cycle. Example for Trial Balance: FINAL ACCOUNT Final accounts are all of the financial statement for a business or company at the end of the fiscal or calendar year, on whichever the business calendar the company operates. The statements for the final accounts show the gross profit and net income of the company. A number of accounts are included, such as the profit and loss statement for the business, the balance sheet, and the trading account. The profit and loss statement tracks all of the income that comes into the company, as well as the expenses that the company pays out. The profit and loss statement covers a specific period — typically the fiscal year, but it can also cover the calendar year. It shows how revenue becomes net income, and whether or not the company made money for the year. While the company tracks these figures throughout the year, the final accounts include the statement for the cumulative fiscal or calendar year. The balance sheet is another one of the business financial statements that are prepared as part of the final accounts process when the year closes out. The balance sheet provides a quick look at how the company is doing at that specific moment in time, at the end of the year. In addition to assets and liabilities, a balance sheet also includes information on shareholder equity. Trading accounts cover profits and losses incurred from trading securities. Many companies invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other types of investment funds. The final accounts for the trading account show the amount of gain or loss from these investments at the end of the year that the company runs on. Final accounts and the statements that make up these accounts typically help companies to prepare their various tax returns. If the company accountant prepares the tax statements, then the accountant prepares these statements for his or her own use. If the company hires an outside accountant or accounting firm, then the statements for the final accounts are handed over to the third party, so they have the information they need to prepare the company’s tax returns and any of tax paperwork that is required. (Kristie,L and Wilborn,C.2013,Wise Geek)[online] INCOME STATEMENT A financial statement that measures a company’s financial performance over a specific accounting period. Financial performance is assessed by giving a summary of how the business incurs its revenues and expenses through both operating and non-operating activities. It also shows the net profit or loss incurred over a specific accounting period, typically over a fiscal quarter or year. Also known as the â€Å"profit and loss statement† or â€Å"statement of revenue and expense.† Example for Income Statements: STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION A statement of financial position, also known as a balance sheet, is a financial document that provides an overview of an entity’s finances at a given point in time. These statements are commonly used by companies large and small, but they can also be applied to personal finances, for people who want to generate a document that they can use to review their financial situation for the purpose of making budgeting decisions or financial plans. Many accounting software programs have mechanisms to automatically create one. There are two main areas on a statement of financial position. One covers the assets, everything owned by the person or company, including real estate, cash in hand, contents of bank accounts, and so forth. The other side includes the liabilities, funds owed. A statement usually breaks these sections up into several categories for ease of reference, so that people can quickly look up a topic of particular interest, such as accounts payable or overdue loans. The liabilities also include the ownership equity or the shareholder equity in the business. The assets should equal the liabilities once the ownership or shareholder equity has been factored in, and if they do not, it is a sign that the financial statement is out of balance. This is in accordance with the accounting equation, which states that assets = liabilities + ownership or shareholder equity. Incidentally, this explains the term â€Å"balance sheet,† which reflects the idea that the two sections of the sheet should be equal or balanced. Commonly, a statement of financial position will be generated at the end of every month. Looking up past months can provide information about how a company’s finances are progressing, and these documents can also be compared with statements from the same month in prior years. Using this document, decisions can be made about the next steps to take. If, for example, a company has a lot of assets, it may be a sign that it can comfortably expand because it has the available capital to do so. Companies that are publicly traded must provide public disclosures about their financial health, including statements of financial position. These are provided to shareholders by request and are also commonly published to make them readily accessible to prospective investors. If a company has a website, they might be found on a section of the website that includes documents that the company is required to disclose by law. (Smitch,S. and Wallace,O.2013,Wise Geek)[online] Example for Statement of Financial Position: CONCLUSION Book keeping is important to proper accounting records because proper methods can help businesses effectively manage cash flow, stay abreast of profit and losses, and develop plans for the future based on financial trends. Furthermore to complete the financial account, accounting cycle are used. The accounting cycle included source of document, books of prime entry, ledgers, trial balance and the final accounts. REFERENCE 1. Anon.2013,Book of Prime Entry and Ledgers.[online].Available from World Wide Web: http://principlesofaccounting2.com/topics/books-of-prime-entry-and-ledgers/ [Accessed 05/07/2013] 2. Anon.2013,The Accounting Cycle.[online].Available from World Wide Web: http://www.accounting-basics-for-students.com/accounting-cycle.html [Accessed 05/07/2013] 3. Anon.2013,Income Statement.[online].Available from World Wide Web: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/incomestatement.asp [Accessed 05/07/2013] 4. Beanne,O.2013,The Complete Accounting Cycle.[online].Available from World Wide Web: http://youraccountingcoach.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-complete-accounting-cycle.html. [Accessed 25/01/2013]

The Effects of Nursing Interventions to Enhance Mental Health and Assignment

The Effects of Nursing Interventions to Enhance Mental Health and Quality of Life Among Individuals with Heart Failure - Assignment Example The study is investigating the effect that nurse intervention has upon individuals suffering from heart disease. The incidence of anxiety and depression is recognized as a comorbid condition of these patients, accompanying the physical deterioration of diagnosed patients. In the interest of identifying nursing strategies that will improve patients’ perception of well-being, the authors focus upon two intervention strategies; mutual goal setting where the nurse works with the patient to establish and prioritize personal goals, and supportive-educative where patients who need to learn self-care but cannot are given guidance, support, and instruction. The literature review is well done and thorough, using recent sources for those aspects of the discussion that require timely analysis, e.g., fourteen years before this study, it was well known that quality of life issues was subjective and personal, so employing and an older source is not a critical issue. The authors have establis hed the validity, quality, and credibility of their sources. When the authors begin discussing and citing information based on psychological studies, however, advances in that area of research require up-to-date sources and older studies would lack reliable data. In this case, those aspects of the literature review that require modernity are properly supported with research performed within the previous few years of this study, and the sources used are reliable and known in the field.   The authors are nurses, as are the research assistants they employed.

Leading and Managing in Organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Leading and Managing in Organisations - Essay Example The theory, exchanged the follower and the leader to take place in achieving the normal performance goals. This form of theoretical exchange involves the following dimensions, contingent rewards, active management through exception, passive management via exception, and Laissez-faire. According to the contingent rewards, the transactional leaders connect the goal of the workers to their rewards, clarify the expectations, and offer the necessary resources (Wood 1992). In active management by exception, the transactional theory actively monitors the subordinates work, and watch for the deviation standards. Another dimension is passive management by exception. Here the theory, interferes when the standards of leadership are not met. Consequently, in Laisses-faire, the leadership theory, offers an environment where the subordinate will get the various opportunities in making the decision. The leaders themselves abdicate the roles and avoid carrying out decision and the group tends to lack the decision. Some of the assumptions underlying the transactional leadership theory include; the workers are motivated by the punishment and rewards, the subordinates need to obey the guidelines from the superior, and the subordinates are not motivated (Valle 1975). They need to be controlled and monitored closely so that their work can be carried out. The implication of the transactional theory is that the leaders tend to overemphasize on the short-term and detailed goals and the standard procedures and goals. They fail to make efforts in enhancing the generation and creativity of new idea (Petri 1991). This form of leadership technique tends to work well where the problems of the organization are clearly defined and simple. The leaders believe in not rewarding or ignoring the ideas that do not confine the existing goals and plan. In this theory, the transactional leaders are effective in directing the effective decisions, which are meant to

The mechanical testing of a silk fibrion (SF) scaffold seeded with Essay

The mechanical testing of a silk fibrion (SF) scaffold seeded with MSCs in Colon Engineering - Essay Example TEC was spawned by the rats 100% with no regard to source of tissue, the initial occurrence of adult cells of engineered intestine or an engineered tissue. Architecture of TEC is same as acetyl cholinesterase, inherent actin staining on muscularis propria staining for actin identified in deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick end labeling assay similar to native colon, lamina propria of a linear distribution, ganglion cells, S100-positive cells, and a terminal (Fonkalsrud 1999). By the use of cavity information specified in function of vitro dependable with advanced colonocytes, and an optimistic response of short circuit current to theophylline demonstrating integral transfer of ion. TEM exhibited regular architecture of micro part (Dayton 2000). Architecture of colon was retained in anastomosis with uncultured uptake of fluid visualization. The rats survived embedding and 100% of all them spawned TEC. Almost 60,000 OU was obtained from every pup colon of rat. This is an adjustable quantity as the surface area of tissue in every case may differ. For the reason that adult colons were very large, every rat colon of adult rat gave a result of a specimen of 800,000 (Meagher, 1998). These were inclusive of the ones spawning subordinate TEC and the ones embedded with adult tissue TEC. The TEC average size was 4cm by 5cm by 4 cm. There was absolutely no measure of TEC going below 3cm by 3cm by 2 cm, and the prevalent one was 6cm by 8cm by 7.5 cm. This is shown below TEC was paramount visible as a minor cyst with a lumen that was mucus-filled lumen the second week onwards (Shepherd 1990). Prior to that, there was no visible lumen recognized. Sequential growth took place the weeks after the second week. 9. Grikscheit TC, Ochoa ER, Ramsanahie A, et al 2001. Tissue engineered colon, characterization and comparison to native colon. Owen Wangensteen Surgical Forum Abstracts of the American College of Surgeons

Assessment Centre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assessment Centre - Essay Example Leivens (2001) has pointed out the fact that assessment centres have gained popularity and fame in last 4 decades as they have become a very useful source that facilitate in recruitment and selection of employees. In general, the assessment centres refer to a development centre or a one-day workshop where Human Resource Professionals evaluate the qualities, personality traits, and attributes followed by decision – making and problem – solving skills of potential candidates. For instance, these centres are created for the purpose of facilitating HR executives in recruitment and induction of the smart candidates, who will then contribute their abilities and knowledge in survival, expansion and sustainable development of an organisation. Among the major benefits of assessment centres (ACs), the most important is that they are quite effective in testing behavioural issues / problems, psychology, mental strength and attitudes of potential candidates. For instance, the assess ors make observations, recordings and use psychological tests / tools / scales to check locus of control, openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, pressure assimilation, will power and other factors after which evaluations and feedbacks are provided. In this way, the recruiters draw conclusions about emotional stability of an employee coupled with his / her underlying strengths and weaknesses (Leivens et al, 2001). As far as the objectives of assessment centres are concerned, it is worthwhile to mention that assessors tend to have case studies, debates, open and group discussion sessions, group exercises and presentations to test level of creativity, personal drive, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills in a candidate. For instance, the assessors also organise randomly selected candidates into work groups and teams, which are then assigned various situations and real – world scenarios in order to test team building skills, relationship building, flexibil ity, analytical capabilities, leadership styles and mutual cooperation / coordination among members. These medium duration exercises help providing relatively better analysis about aforementioned qualities in candidates compared to observations and responses during face-to-face interviews. It should be highlighted that another advantage of assessment centres is to judge conflict resolution, crises handling and contingency plan development abilities either though individual or groups tests. In addition, candidates may be assigned responsibilities to develop a realistic business plan to judge vision, strategic planning, forecasting, risk identification, analysis and measurement, marketing, adaptability, innovation, differentiation and other capabilities as a whole. For instance, assessment centres also evaluate and testify how honest, moral and ethical a candidate is through assignment of certain ethical scenarios, dilemmas and lapses. The aforementioned enabled HR executives to get a n insight over the importance that an applicant could have for Code of Conduct, Organisational Cons and Rule of Law. In addition, the candidates are scrutinised for assessment of competitiveness, task – orientation, performance approach, employee centredness, and relationship – orientation so that they could be prepared to assimilate pressure in an unpredictable and complex business environment (Kolk et al, 2003). It is justified to argue that the actual aim of assessment cen

Analyse the differences between the customer products offered by Essay

Analyse the differences between the customer products offered by Network Carriers and Low Cost Carriers - Essay Example When it comes to Asia, existence of Southwest effect has been observed that the growth of LCC terminals might balance. This paper involves assessing, evaluating and examining; how deregulation and the growth of LCCs (Low Cost Carriers) have affected international competition and market trends in the type of products offered to customers in air travel. The major concern of Airline Deregulation Act was to end government interference in prices, routes and new entries from aviation. It was to permit airline customers to come across true and open airline market forces. But The Act could not completely end or reduce the FAAs regulatory interference. The radical deepened the catastrophe attacks on September 11, 2001. Astonishingly at foremost momentary look, low-cost carriers (LCCs) were not only passed, but were boosted by this enormous recession. On continental travel routes, LCCs are competent to convey 80% of the overhaul superiority at a reduced amount of about 50% of the price tag of NCs. accordingly; LCCs can—at least in hypothesis—embark on more than 70% of continental O&Ds, captivating them far-flung from their genesis as function businesses. Nonetheless, for most transnational routes bundling stipulate in a focal point remnants a required prerequisite. Confront for NCs is now to reinvent their possess business representation. This article analyzes the explanation drivers of the present-day changeover segment and outlines the vision of highly developed airline business models that potentially guide to a new era of stability. Apiece airline is a multifarious classification that lives from the interface in the middle of an assortment of parts of the classification: aircrafts, airports, passengers, aviation course of action. In the current decades, the LCCs are converted into significant dramatis personae in air carrying around the world particularly in Europe and Asia.

Possible Future Strategies for Research in Motion Essay

Possible Future Strategies for Research in Motion - Essay Example The major competitors of RIM in the segment of mobile operating system platforms comprise of Nokia Corporation (Symbian), Apple Inc (iOS), Microsoft Corporation (Windows Phone), HTC Corporation, Google Inc (Android) and Motorola (Research in Motion (a), 2012,p.9). This is a highly competitive market and in recent years RIM has experienced a progressively declining market share that has led the organization to a current crisis situation. Currently, the organization is tasked with making large-scale strategic changes or even potentially prepare for sale or takeover (De la Merced 2012). In terms of recent developments, the next generation systems (4G) like HSPA+, WiMax and LTE were commercially introduced for the first time in 2011 (Research in Motion (a), 2012, p.10).. The wireless communication industry is also observing the union of computing with personal entertainment competences on wireless communications gadgets throughout the world. In the present day market, almost all the Blac kBerry Smartphones include multimedia facilities that consist of music, playback, video recording, camera, and entrà ©e to content, games and other applications (Research in Motion (a), 2012, p.10). Increasingly, however, tablet technology has come to dominate the wireless market. The tablet, as originally released through Apple’s iPad, operates as a medium between handheld Smartphone’s and the larger-scale laptop. PEST is an ellipsis for political, economic, social, and technological analysis. The political issues in the analysis generally comprise of government policies pertaining to the industry, tax regulations, laws and policies, trade limitations and duties among others (Wheelen et al, 2008, p. 58). In comparison to other industrialised countries, the United States has the maximum corporate tax rate. The tax rates pertaining in the developing countries are much lower than that of the US, where RIM predominantly operates. A deduction in the tax rate would have en abled the management of RIM to have more cash to pay out dividends or reinvest.  

HTC Human Resource Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

HTC Human Resource Analysis - Research Paper Example The traditional HRM functions and technical HRM functions, as accumulated in the ideology of SHRM, covers a wide range of activities which includes recruitment, selection, performance evaluation, training and development as well as management of remuneration and employee advantages. By balancing HRM activities with organisational business strategies, SHRM can effectually reproduce flexible planning and use human resources in order to accomplish the organisational objectives, and accordingly assist organisations to gain a sustainable competitive edge (Wei, 2006). With due concern to these aspects, the paper will discuss the strategic framework of HTC Corporation using the theory of SHRM and also seek to identify the HR issues faced by the organisation. Hereby, the objective of the paper is to analyse the HRM practices in HTC and accordingly make recommendations towards its improvements. Strategic Framework of HTC HTC Corporation principally deals in manufacturing electronic products s uch as laptops, mobile phones, smartphones and other handheld devices. The business functions executed by HTC are spread internationally. It is worth mentioning that the company has been learnt to experience a significant growth rate in its international as well as national operations owing to its effective approach towards HRM and comprehensive differentiation strategies (Scribd Inc., 2012). Strategies in any organisation are concerned towards the long term planning which are further divided into five aspects, i.e. organisational mission and objectives, environmental examinations, strategic formulations, strategic implementations and strategic assessments. The mission outlines the organisational values and ambitions. The mission and objectives designates the way of strategic management within an organisation (Erdil & Gunsel, n.d.). In this context, in HTC, the objective and mission of the organisation has been identified to emerge as one of the top smartphone organisations in the w orld. Therefore, it is quite likely that the human resource strategies adopted by HTC replicate its organisational objectives and mission. The examination of environment assists in identifying the organisational strengths as well as weaknesses along with prevailing external organisational prospects and threats. These aspects are significant for the future sustainability of any business. Contextually, the industry where HTC operates its business is dynamic in nature which incorporates the characteristics of mobile phone sector with personal computer sector making a complete utilisation of the benefits of high-end technology. Moreover, the value chain of HTC contains operating system, brand, and telecommunication providers along with the dynamic resources and capabilities (Chiou, 2010). The strategic formulations in any organisation includes the senior executives liable for assessing the interface between strategic issues and making strategic selections which intends to direct employe es to satisfy the organisational goals. It is in this regard that the strategies of HTC are always

Islam and Religious Group Essay Example for Free

Islam and Religious Group Essay Select at least 1 religious and 1 ethnic group not your own from the list below. †¢Religious groups (based on http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/affiliations-all-traditions.pdf) oChristianity †¢Evangelical Protestant †¢Mainline Protestant †¢Historically Black Churches †¢Roman Catholic †¢Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) †¢Jehovah’s Witnesses †¢Orthodox (Greek, Eastern) oJudaism (Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform) oBuddhism (Theravada or Mahayana) oIslam (Sunni, Shia, Sufism) oHinduism †¢Ethnic groups (based on divisions in U.S. Census Bureau documents) oAsian (Asian descent) oBlack (African descent) oHispanic and Latino (South or Central American descent) oPacific Islander (Polynesian descent) oWhite (European descent) Part III Answer the following questions in 150 to 250 words each about the religious group you selected: †¢How does your selected religious group differ from other religious groups (such as in their beliefs, worship practices, or values)? †¢What has been the experience of your selected religious group with others that do not share its beliefs or practices? †¢In what ways has the religious group you selected contributed to American culture? †¢Provide specific examples of prejudice or discrimination your selected religious group has experienced. †¢What were the sources of this prejudice or discrimination? †¢Does what you’ve learned about this religious group help you understand it? In what ways? Answer the following questions in 150 to 250 words each about the ethnic group you selected: †¢How does your selected ethnic group differ from other ethnic groups (such as differences in ancestry, language, or culture)? †¢What has been your selected ethnic group’s experience with other ethnic groups? †¢In what ways has the ethnic group you selected contributed to American culture? †¢Identify some specific examples of prejudice or discrimination that your selected ethnic group has experienced historically. †¢What were the sources of this prejudice or discrimination? †¢Does what you’ve learned about this ethnic group help you understand it? How? Part IV Answer the following questions in 150 to 250 words each: †¢How are the prejudice and discrimination experienced by your selected religious group and ethnic group similar? †¢How are they different? †¢Can you draw any conclusions about discrimination from this comparison

Marketing Plan for Shiseido Essay Example for Free

Marketing Plan for Shiseido Essay One hundred and forty years ago, Arinobu Fukuhara built on his experience working as chief pharmacist at a navy hospital to establish Shiseido, Japan’s first Western-style pharmacy in the Ginza district of Tokyo. Concerned about the inferior medications then available to the public, he aspired to separate medical care and pharmaceutical dispensing in Japan. Shiseido’s first president, Shinzo Fukuhara, led Shiseido into the cosmetics business in 1897. The only cosmetics sold in Japan at that time, powder and lipstick, were simply for altering appearance. Dissatisfied with the status quo, Shiseido brought a fresh perspective to cosmetics (n.d.). They formulated their products like pharmaceuticals because they strongly believed that the true value of cosmetics was in achieving healthy, beautiful skin. Based on this belief, Shiseido has developed with an unwavering philosophical commitment to high quality, innovation and authentic value. Millions of people have come to know and trust the Shiseido name as a result. The origin of the company name â€Å"Shiseido† is a passage from the Chinese classic, I Ching (The Book of Changes): â€Å"praise the virtues of the great Earth, which nurtures new life and brings forth new values.† Shiseido puts the intent of this passage into practice by discovering and creating new value. This is our founding spirit, and it continues unbroken as Our Mission, Shiseido’s raison d’à ªtre (Annual report 2012). Having started out as a pharmacy, it wasn’t until 1915 that Shiseido changed direction and committed to the cosmetics industry. The move was masterminded by Shinzo Fukuhara, the third son of Arinobu Fukuhara and the company’s first president. †¨ An experienced photographer, Shinzo Fukuhara combined artistry with high quality manufacturing, underpinned by the very latest in research and development, to establish Shiseido as a unique presence in the cosmetics industry (n.d.). The beginnings of Shiseido’s corporate philosophy As part of the transition from a family business to a more corporate setup, in 1921 Shiseido set out Shiseido’s Five Principles as the foundation of its corporate philosophy and activities as a company. These went on to form the basis of Shiseido’s Corporate Philosophy in 1989. Having undergone a number of changes since then, this finally evolved into, a new corporate philosophy reflecting the Shiseido Group’s internat ional operations and diverse brand portfolio, in 2011. Establishing a global production network With production facilities already up and running in areas such as North America and Taiwan, as well as in Japan, in 1991 Shiseido opened its first production facility in Europe, thereby establishing a truly global production network. Operations later got underway at a factory in Beijing in 1993 as Shiseido made its first steps towards expanding operations in the Chinese market. In 2010, the company commenced operations at a factory in Vietnam, as part of a concerted effort to tap into new growth in the so-called â€Å"masstige† market (n.d.). Reviewing a description of the market including the economic system to be targeted in this marketing plan, it has been found that Thai woman are interested in new products to whiten their intimate areas. Fair skin is a symbol of opportunity, success and status. There are already skin-whitening pills and diet supplements claiming to pick up where the cosmetics leave off. But this is the first time that a vaginal whitening wash has hit the Thai market (Hodal, 2012). Asian skin ages different than others, instead of Asians being concerned with fine lines and wrinkles, Asians worry about dark spots. Using pale Korean and Japanese pop stars as illustrations, Thai womens magazines are full of fair-skinned Asians promoting products that promise to whiten, lighten and boost the complexion, with slogans such as Show off your aura and Get to know the miracle of white skin. Fair-skinned actors and singers dominate the media nearly all over the Asia-Pacific region, where the skin-lightening indu stry is expected to reach $2bn this year with the fastest growing markets in China and India (Hodal, 2012). Shiseido has been at the forefront of skin-brightening research since launching the lotion Hydrogen Peroxide Cucumber in 1917 (Annual report 2012). They have developed about one-third of the active skin-brightening ingredients used in Japanese cosmetics. Shiseido is concentrating on aging research so that people can grow older beautifully. There are three key aspects in conducting research: functionality that creates healthy, beautiful skin; sensitivity and sensations such as pleasant usability, scent, color and beauty methods; and most important, safety that allows consumers to use their products worry free. In Thailand, Shiseido needs to grow existing products and embrace its brand value. They need to use the foundation they have built to generate solid growth in Thailand. Shiseido will continue to shift through fundamental reforms in order to invest for growth, and will implement fresh initiatives. According to their website, Shiseido has always embraced innovation, progress and challenge. The only way that Shiseido can evolve is by integrating its growing strengths to continuously create new and richer value in new markets. They should see the Asian culture as a future growth driver, and should therefore put their focus on commercials and in-store visuals to build the reputation of the Shiseido brand. They should also consider focusing on local customer needs, promote seasonal cosmetic changes and realize their customers purchasing behavior. People use the Internet to acquire information by themselves and comparison shop beyond category boundaries (Annual report 2012). Shiseido needs to recognize and accommodate to these major changes in the market by taking on the challenge of a new business model that could increases regular users of products by bringing together their existing store-based sales with business and direct marketing using the Internet. I want Shiseido to build direct relationships with customers and use them to steadily deliver the value they generate. I would also like to see Shiseido grow from the cosmetics business by providing total beauty solutions. The key to success for Shiseido lies in offering a suite of products targeted at a wide range of customers, but with special emphasis on the growing luxury and natural sector. There are several reasons behind the growth in high-end cosmetics: the expansion of new markets in Russia and Asia; changing social norms that make the wearing of makeup more acceptable; celebrity worship; promotion within fashion magazines; improvements in the technology that creates makeup; the influence of mass retailers that can offer lower prices, and raising affluence. As makeup becomes less expensive, better and more accessible, more women have moved away from older brands of makeup and skincare in search of higher-quality new products and more exclusivity. Works Cited (n.d.). Retrieved from http://group.shiseido.com/company/info/index.htmlThere are no sources in the current document. Annual report 2012. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://group.shiseido.com/ir/library/annual/pdf/2012/anu00001.pdf Hodal, K. (2012, 11 23). Thailands skin-whitening craze reaches womans intimate areas. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/23/thailand-vaginal-whitening-wash

Gravimetric Analysis of a Chloride Salt

Gravimetric Analysis of a Chloride Salt Rania Williams Nour Wehbe Purpose To discover the amount of chloride in a strange salt, in order to demonstrate regular methods used in gravimetric analysis Theory This equation describes the reaction between silver ion and chloride which results in the product silver chloride. Ag+ (aq) + Cl (aq) → AgCl (s) Silver nitrate is used to precipitate chloride because it gives the best results. AgCl Solubility in water: Silver chloride’s solubility is very low; however the salt is still soluble to some degree. If precipitate is not complete, the results will be very low. Ksp = 1.6 x 10-10 Precipitation occurs in acid to greatly reduce any interference from acid ions. These ions form co-precipitates with silver in acid containing no charged ions. Due to co-precipitates the results would be higher. Also in order for precipitation to occur in acid there needs to be some excess of silver ion at the end of the reaction to reduce the chances of silver chloride becoming more soluble. Co-precipitation would result in higher results. Description: The precipitate is heated in order to coagulate it. When it coagulates it will become a clumpy colloidal like form. In this form it will become more difficult for the precipitate to penetrate the filter paper. If the coagulate did go through, the results would be lower. If nitric acid had not been added to the precipitate it would become more vulnerable in penetrating the filter paper. If this had happened the experiment would have to be done again as there would be no way to determine the percentage of chloride in the salt. Photodecomposition: The equation for photodecomposition occurring in the air: AgCl (s) → Ag (s) + Â ½Cl2(g) When the silver chloride has dried and put into light it will decompose into chlorine and silver. If photodecomposition occurs in air, the results would be low, however if this decomposition occurred with excess silver ion in an aqueous solution there will be another reaction (3Cl2(g) + 9H2O (l) + 5Ag+ (aq) → 5AgCl (s) + ClO3(aq) + 6H3O+ (l)), which will make the results high. How much precipitate is lost by washing with 100ml fresh water? Ksp = [Ag][Cl] x x = x2 1.6 x 10-10 = 1.3 x 10-5 1.3 x 10-5= C/0.10 L C =1.3 x 10-5x 143 mol/0.10 L C = 0.01859 mol/L (0.01859)(0.10) = 0.001859 = 1.810-3 g The precipitate is lost due to the solubility of it. The solubility of the precipitate is very low so not much would be lost, however this still would make the results lower. Ions that may co-precipitate with chloride ion: When precipitation occurs quickly the chances of co-precipitation occurring greatly increases. Anions from some acids may co-precipitate with the chloride ion, forming co precipitates. These co precipitates will alter the results, making them CO32-, OH and NO3 Procedure The code number of the unknown salt that was placed on the station was recorded. This sample was kept for the full duration of the experiment. Using the analytical balance, 0.1175g of the sample was weighed out by difference and placed in a 250ml beaker. The beaker was labeled to avoid confusion between partners. The approximate volume of 0.1 M silver nitrate was calculated using the sample’s mass, 0.1175g. The mass of the sample was multiplied by the percentage concentration of the chloride then divided by 35.5. The result was then divided by 0.1. The result was converted into ml. 5 ml of excess was then added to the result, making the final result and approximate volume of silver nitrate added, 23ml. In the 250ml beaker with the sample, 100ml of distilled water and 1ml of 6M nitric acid was added to the beaker. 23ml of 0.1M silver nitrate was measured out in a 25ml graduated cylinder then slowly poured into the 250ml beaker. The solution was placed on a hot plate then gently stirred. The solution was stirred until it became close to boiling. In order to test for completeness the solution had a couple drops of silver nitrate poured into it to test that the entire chloride ion had been precipitated. The solution showed that it was complete. The 250ml beaker with the solution was then placed into the assigned drawer, to limit its light exposure. Using a piece of soft tissue paper the crucible which had already cooled was weighed, it had a mass of 30.6707. The vacuum filtration arrangement was set up. The solution without the precipitate was slowly poured into the filter. 5ml of 0.1M nitric acid was used for washing the precipitate. After a couple washings the precipitate was also placed into the filter. A wash bottle was used to help any remaining precipitate out of the beaker. The precipitate was again washed with 0.1M nitric acid. The crucible was then removed from the vacuum filtration arrangement. The leftover washings were disposed of. The crucible was washed once again in the vacuum filtration arrangement. The washing (mainly nitric acid) was taken to the T.A. for testing if the precipitation is complete by doing a washing with hydrogen chloride on the nitric acid. The first test showed completeness. The crucible was again latched onto the vacuum filtration arrangement to be washed with 3ml of acetone. The acetone was handed to the T.A. for disposal. The crucible was given to the T.A. to put in the oven for drying of the precipitate. The oven had a starting temperature of 110 Â °C and after 30 minutes had a temperature of 119 Â °C. The crucible was then cooled in the desiccator for 10 minutes then weighed with an analytical balance. The result was recorded. Observations Data tables Sample masses Crucible masses Approximate volume of the liquids and solutions used to was the sample Temperature of Oven Crucible drying and cooling times: Calculations Amount of AgNO3 required (calculated amount + 5mL) (0.1175)(0.55)/35.5/0.1 0.018204225 * 1000mL/1L = 18.204225 18.204225 + 5 = 23.20422525mL 23mL of AgNo3 needed Percentage chloride in sample Uncertainties Relative error Relative spread of the percentage of chloride found 62.06% 56.92% / 59.49% = 0.086401076 * 10 = 0.86401076 ppt = 0.8640 ppt Discussion My results were higher due to the photodecomposition of the precipitate that most likely occurred due to an excess of silver ion in the solution. This was a result of human error, as I waited for the precipitate to cool down I did not leave it out of light and failed to ensure that there was not an excess of silver ion in my solution. My results could also be higher due to any co-precipitates from anions such as these: CO32-, OH and NO3 . The results could have also become higher due to not being washed properly. When washing the precipitate only with 3ml of acetone and 5ml of water this may have been possible. When compared with the actual result, my result was higher. My partner’s results were lower than the real value due to some of her sample being lost during filtration. Sample being lost during filtration is almost unavoidable. Even though she may not have lost a lot of her sample, her initial salt mass was just 1.002g. Losing sample from a sample that was already so small contributed to her results being lower than the actual value. She also may have not allowed for complete precipitation of the chloride ion, resulting in lower results. During the heating of her solution her precipitate coagulated but there were stills some parts of the precipitate that were very tiny were susceptible of being loss the vacuum filtration. When compared with the actual result, my partner’s result was lower. The average of my partner and I’s results were very close to the actual result, though the average of our results was still higher than the actual result. Conclusion The sample number for the unknown salt is 343. The average percentage of the chloride from two trials is 59.49%, whilst the actual percentage of chloride is 58.81%. The uncertainty for the percentage of chloride for my results was 0.2041 and 0.2430 for my partner. The precision of my results was 5.526%, whilst my partner’s was 3.214%. The accuracy of the results was 0.8640 ppt. References Books: R.C.Burk, M.Azad, X.Sun, P.A. Wolff, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory Manual, Carleton University, Ottawa, 2014-15. Websites: Bishop, Mark. Bases. Bases. CHIRAL PUBLISHING COMPANY. 2013. Web. http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Base_Identification.htm>.

Success From Creatine :: essays research papers

Success From Creatine   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people in athletics avoid using creatine monohydrate because they do not know much about it. They are convinced that something that can help athletes achieve such great results cannot be good for the body. This is not true if the supplement is taken correctly. Creatine is an excellent supplement. It is one of the only products on the market that has been proven to significantly enhance athletic performance in the areas of power, strength, and muscle mass. Creatine makes muscle cells retain water, then flushes out acid buildup when the muscles are used. This hydration process increases the amount of work individual cells can do and also aids in the recovery of muscle cells. Many people believe creatine supplements should be treated the same as steroids and banned from all sports. They assume creatine is not natural, harmful to the body and unfair in athletic competition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often, it is said that creatine supplements are unnatural. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most people do not realize the human body produces creatine. It is an amino acid made in the liver and stored in muscles. It can also be obtained by certain foods in the diet. Milk, steak, and fish are the best sources of creatine. The daily recommended minimal dosage of this amino acid is about two grams. If dietary creatine is increased, it will augment the amount of stored creatine which will help athletic performance. Without the correct amount of any of the twenty amino acids, the body will not function to its fullest potential.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although scientists have known of creatine for over one hundred years, studies on it have only been going on for the last decade. They have found it to be virtually harmless with very few drawbacks in their research. The most significant being abuse of the supplement. One example of this is to consume too much over a long period of time. Some researchers fear that this could make the body stop producing creatine, then the body would rely only on the supplement. This is why creatine supplements should be taken in cycles. Another form of abuse is to ingest too much at one time. It is hard for the body to breakdown the granular substance, but if plenty of water is consumed this should not be a problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people believe that creatine supplements give athletes an unfair advantage and compare them to steroids. These supplements are most definitely an advantage, but not unfair. Even though the supplement may have similar results to steroids, it is only an Success From Creatine :: essays research papers Success From Creatine   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people in athletics avoid using creatine monohydrate because they do not know much about it. They are convinced that something that can help athletes achieve such great results cannot be good for the body. This is not true if the supplement is taken correctly. Creatine is an excellent supplement. It is one of the only products on the market that has been proven to significantly enhance athletic performance in the areas of power, strength, and muscle mass. Creatine makes muscle cells retain water, then flushes out acid buildup when the muscles are used. This hydration process increases the amount of work individual cells can do and also aids in the recovery of muscle cells. Many people believe creatine supplements should be treated the same as steroids and banned from all sports. They assume creatine is not natural, harmful to the body and unfair in athletic competition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often, it is said that creatine supplements are unnatural. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most people do not realize the human body produces creatine. It is an amino acid made in the liver and stored in muscles. It can also be obtained by certain foods in the diet. Milk, steak, and fish are the best sources of creatine. The daily recommended minimal dosage of this amino acid is about two grams. If dietary creatine is increased, it will augment the amount of stored creatine which will help athletic performance. Without the correct amount of any of the twenty amino acids, the body will not function to its fullest potential.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although scientists have known of creatine for over one hundred years, studies on it have only been going on for the last decade. They have found it to be virtually harmless with very few drawbacks in their research. The most significant being abuse of the supplement. One example of this is to consume too much over a long period of time. Some researchers fear that this could make the body stop producing creatine, then the body would rely only on the supplement. This is why creatine supplements should be taken in cycles. Another form of abuse is to ingest too much at one time. It is hard for the body to breakdown the granular substance, but if plenty of water is consumed this should not be a problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people believe that creatine supplements give athletes an unfair advantage and compare them to steroids. These supplements are most definitely an advantage, but not unfair. Even though the supplement may have similar results to steroids, it is only an

Omar Khayyam The Enigma :: essays research papers fc

PROLOGUE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Omar Kahyyam was primarily a mathematician and an astronomer. He was an extremely intelligent individual who wrote many theories in physics and metaphysics. He is also attributed with the reformation of the Persian calender with seven other great intellects to create a calender more accurate than the Gregorian calender. Ironically he is known to the world today for his translated collection of lyrical quatrains called the Rubaiyat. His life and works are somewhat of a mystery because he was rather unpopular until after his death. Yet the work he is most known and beloved for is considered to have been a gross mistranslation of both character and content.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This paper will be divided into six sections. The first is the prologue. The prologue was used to introduce Omar to the reader. Next there will be a brief biography of his life and major influences of his work. Following this will be a section on his magnum opus and only work, The Rubaiyat. This will include literary criticism of his famous work. After this there will be a brief conclusion to sum up the overall paper followed by an epilogue with my opinion on Khayyam. Finally in my bibliography the reader will see my sources for research and my opinion on those books.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I. OMAR KHAYYAM, THE ENIGMA   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the history of world literature Omar Khayyam is an enigma. No poet of any time period has received greater recognition and fame through such a enormous misreading of his work. Known today world wide, Khayyam’s works would undoubtable be unheard of in modern day literature in they were not translated by English writer Edward FitzGerald. The paradox is that FitzGerald misinterpreted both Khayyam and his works in his translation to start an unending conflict1.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   FitzGerald added to his editions of the Rubaiyat a biographical sketch entitled â€Å"Omar Khayyam: The Astronomer Poet of Persia.† In this he wrote his opinion that Khayyam was an anti-religious materialist who believed life’s only meaning was to be found in wine, song, and worldly pleasures:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Having failed (however mistakenly) of finding any Providence but Destiny, and any world but this, he set about making the most of it; preferring rather to soothe the soul through the senses into acquiescence with things as he saw them, than to perplex it with vain disquietude after what they might be.... He takes a humorous or perverse pleasure in exalting the gratification of sense above that of intellect, in which he must have taken great delight, although it failed to answer the questions in which he, in common with all men, was most vitally interested2.

The Missing Screw Essay example -- essays research papers

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James can be interpreted in two main ways; as a psychological thriller or a ghost story. In the book, the central character and one of the narrators, the governess, has convinced herself that the children, Miles and Flora, are seeing apparitions. Another explanation is that she herself created these images through her madness. The governess desires so much to be loved that she drives herself insane. The author also does a good job of convincing the reader that the ghosts of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint are â€Å"real.† Yet, I believe differently. There are many clues that allude to the fact that the governess is having a psychological break down do to the fact that she is lonely and yearns to be loved. I will discuss the clues that lead me to this conclusion in this paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the beginning of the book, during her first interview, the governess’ job is described as, â€Å"a vision of serious duties and little company, of really great loneliness† (28). This quote proves to me that the governess’ job required very little social interaction. This gives her a lot of time for her mind to wander. Also during the interview the governess becomes physically attracted to the uncle. She uses words like handsome and pleasant to describe him. The governess is beginning to fall for the uncle, but when he leaves she finds herself alone again. There is no one around since she is so isolated at Bly. She now begins to create the first of the ap...

Guava leaves Essay

Nowadays people are focusing in herbal plants especially those who are common in the environment. One of the example is the guava plant (Psidium guajava Linn). Based on research this plant is good for healing and treating wounds and other skin infections. So in my research I wan’t to make a bathing soap out of it, cause I know that it is effective. People, researchers, scientists were focusing to medicinal plants. They want to prove that there are plants that are more effective against diseases especially in skin. This study refers to a plant that can be made into a bathing soap and improves its quality while using this plant (guava leaves). I want people to handle easily in treating their skin disorders. Instead of boiling the leaves, now it’s easy to apply. Boiling takes much time. Statement of the Problem: I stated that Guava leaves extract is good for skin. Based on my research, it has many constituents that is good for skin. It answers the following questions: * Is there any constituents of guave leaves that is good for skin? * What are those? * It can really treat skin disorders/ Acne? Hypothesis: * Guava leaves is good treatment for acne. * It has many components or constituents. * Constituents that is good for skin disorders, especially for acnies. Significance of the Study: You can make a bathing soap with guave leaves extract as treatment for acne. This plant is very common to our environment, and aside of its avaibility; it is easy to cultivate. It contains many components for healing skin disorders. Scope and Limitation: The study of guava leaves and getting their extract is often useful. It has the ability to treat, cure, disinfect skin disorders and capable of being a herbal plant for acnes. Definition of Terms Astringent- antiseptic properties Decoction- infusion of fresh leaves used for wound cleaning and skin to prevent infection and to facilitate healing. Good for skin disorders. Volatile- a substance that changes into a vapor at a relatively low temperature. Eugenol- oily liquid from doves. (C10H12O2) Cloves- aromatic spice from the dried flower bud of a tropical tree. Tannin- a brownish or yellowish substance found in plants and used in astringents. Saponins- soap from plants; any group of chemical substances extracted from plants that form a soapy lather mixed with water and are used to make soap and detergent. Amydalin- resin used in paints and adhesives. Resin- yellow or brown color and organic substance from plants. Malic Acid- acid from fruit; a colorless crystalline solid found in fruits such as apples. (C4H6O5) Aldehydes- organic compound; a highly reactive organic compound produced by the oxidation of an alcohol and having a CHO group especially the acetaldehyde. Ash- the powdery substance that is left when something has been burnt.

Diabetes Mellitus-Shared Care Model and ICT

The world is fast changing: the pace of events is massive. The apparently big world is shrinking into a global village as democracy spreads, western civilizations encroach on other civilizations and globalization becomes a household concept. Technological advancements and improvements in the information and communication technology have perverted all spheres of human endeavor. While this is happening on one hand, health care delivery has not improved significantly. Many patients and clients complain of the lack of coordination in the health sector: they are not happy about the reduced utility derived from health care facility they patronize.There is a growing reduction in number of competent staff as well as insufficient fund for the health sector. These factors have made it necessary to evaluate the impact of information and communication technology on health care service. This need has become more important for chronic disease where collaboration between health care service provide rs is important. And with increasing incidence of chronic diseases and their attendant complications, this need cannot be overemphasized. Besides, the cost of managing some of the chronic diseases, for example diabetes, epilepsy and seizure disorders, with the traditional method is reasonably high.The prospect ICT brings is improved quality of care due to collaboration between health care workers through a comprehensive shared care system adequately powered by ICT solutions and reduced overall cost for the management of chronic diseases like diabetes. In this paper, diabetes is the focus chronic disease. I will attempt to evaluate the requirements for an Irish ICT system to supply the model of shared care. However, a brief review of diabetes mellitus and shared care will be undertaken to unravel areas of focus for ICT intervention.Diabetes mellitus: Review Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome of chronic hyperglycemia due to relative or absolute insulin deficiency, resistance or both. It affects over 100million people worldwide. Diabetes is usually irreversible, and patients can have a reasonably normal lifestyle; however its later complications which include macrovascular disease lead to increased risk of develop coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular resistance; and microvascular complications such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy.In a normal person, the blood glucose concentration is narrowly controlled in order to prevent the devastating complications that may follow reduced or increased blood glucose concentration. This normal glucose level is 80-90mg/100ml or 3. 5-5. 0mmol/l. This concentration usually increased to 120-140mg/100ml during the first hour after a glucose meal. The feedback mechanism of the body is alerted to reduce this level to tolerable levels by the body by the conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage under hormonal influence particularly insulin.However, in the fasting state, glucose is produced from glycogen and other substrates and released into the blood to maintain the blood glucose concentration. The various mechanisms for achieving this level of glucose control are as a result of hormonal influence, the activities of organs such as liver, skeletal muscle and the particular glucose concentration. The liver is a major metabolic organ that is important in the blood glucose buffer system: this is done by the storage of glycogen formed from glucose under the influence of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, in the liver.It also releases glucose into the blood in the fasting state. Insulin and glucagon function as important feedback control systems for maintaining a normal blood glucose concentration. When the glucose concentration rises too high, insulin is secreted from the Islet cells of Langerhans, the endocrine portion of the pancreas; the insulin in turn causes the blood glucose concentration to decrease toward normal. Conversely a decrease in blood glucose concentration stimu lates glucagon secretion; the glucagon then functions in the opposite direction to increase the glucose concentration toward normal.Under most normal conditions, the insulin feedback mechanism is much more important than the glucagon mechanism, but in instances of starvation or excessive utilization of glucose during exercise and other stressful situations, the glucagon mechanism also becomes valuable. Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome of impaired carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism caused by either lack of insulin secretion or decreased sensitivity of the tissues to insulin.It could be primary or secondary; primary diabetes is inherent while secondary diabetes can be due to Cushing syndrome, pheochromocytoma, cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, malnutrition-related pancreatic disease, pancreatectomy, and hereditary hemochromatosis, carcinoma of the pancreas, thiazide diuretic use, corticosteroid therapy, atypical antipsychotics, congenital lipodystrophy and acromegaly. There are two general types of diabetes mellitus: Type I diabetes also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]; this is caused by lack of insulin secretion.Type II diabetes, also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] is caused by decreased sensitivity of target tissues to the metabolic effect of insulin. This reduced sensitivity to insulin is often referred to as insulin-resistance. The basic effect of insulin lack or insulin resistance on glucose metabolism is to prevent the efficient uptake and utilization of glucose by most cells of the body, except those of the brain. As a result, blood glucose concentration increases, cell utilization of glucose falls increasingly lower and utilization of fats and proteins increases.Injury to the beta cells of the pancreas or diseases that impair insulin production can lead to type I diabetes. IDDM is immune-mediated and has been associated with other autoimmune conditions like pernicious anaemia, alopecia areata and Hashim oto disease. Viral infections or autoimmune disorders may be involved in the destruction of beta cells in many patients with type I diabetes, although heredity also plays a major role in determining the susceptibility of the beta cells to destruction by these insults. HLA-DR3 or DR4 is found in more than 90% of patients.In some instances, there may be a hereditary tendency for beta cell degeneration even without viral infections or autoimmune disorders. The usual onset of type I diabetes occurs is less than 30 years; this is why it is called juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus. Type II diabetes mellitus is caused by diminished sensitivity of target tissues to the metabolic effects of insulin, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. This syndrome, like Type I diabetes mellitus is associated with multiple metabolic abnormalities although high levels of keto-acids are usually not present in type II diabetes mellitus.Type II diabetes mellitus is far more common that type I, accounti ng for 80-90% of all cases of diabetes mellitus. In most of these cases, the onset of type II diabetes mellitus occurs after age 40. There is usually no immune disturbance. Therefore, this syndrome is often referred to as adult-onset diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes present with acute manifestations which include polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss and ketonuria; they also present with subacute symptoms like lethargy, reduced exercise tolerance, vulvar pruritus, and visual disturbance.They also could also present with some of the complications of the disease such as staphylococcal disease, retinopathy, polyneuropathy, erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy. Investigations that are necessary in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus include fasting plasma glucose >7. 0mmol/l, random plasma glucose >11. 1mmol/l; routine investigations include urinalysis for protein and acetone, full blood count, urea and electrolytes, liver biochemistry and random lipids. Management of diab etes mellitus: avenue for shared care The management of diabetes required community participation and patient education.The importance of glycemic control in the management of diabetic patient cannot be overemphasized: patient should adequately understand the favorable outcome associated with good glycemic control, the implication and concomitant complications that may result from poor plasma control. This is the core of self management of diabetes. Patient should also know the dietary requirement and comply with/adhere to drug use. Besides this self-care, community care is very essential as this constitutes family and general practitioner care. There is monitoring of patient’s compliance to medications and dietary advice.Essentially, the management of diabetes is multidisciplinary: dieticians, cardiologist, ophthalmologists, neurologists, internal medicine physicians, endocrine experts. There is growing need to integrate this range of practitioners. Metabolic control of diab etes can be tested by urine tests, home blood glucose testing and glycosylated hemoglobin. Urine tests are carried using dipsticks these methods are simple and give a good feedback on the blood glucose control. Patients can also be taught finger-prick and use blood glucose monitoring device to measure blood glucose.They can then interact with specialist through appropriate communication facility for automated scheduling and medication. Epidemiologically, there are 200,000 persons in Ireland with diabetes; this figure represents 3-5% of western populations. It is estimated to double by 2010. It consumes 10% of total health budgets. About â‚ ¬350 million annual cost is spent in Ireland where 59% of which is spent treating complications: 50 countries endorsed measures to reduce diabetes complications by one-third Shared Care What is shared care?Shared care is a concept where all the professionals involved in the management of a case collaborate by exchanging information on the patie nts’ care. In this way, patient also has input into the care because his/her self-management better informed from the avalanche of information provided by the care network. Shared care is an approach to care where professionals share joint responsibility with respect to an individual’s care using their skills and knowledge. It also talks about adequate monitoring and exchange of patient data within the limits of confidentiality and privacy.Shared care is both systemic and local: it collaborates the systems involved while there is local interaction between clinicians. Shared care impacts on the iron triangle of health. This triangle includes quality, access and cost. Shared care improves quality of patient care for patients with complex chronic disease like diabetes. There is increased access to patient information by health care professionals, and the patient can also easily access the professionals’ especially when the shared system is backed up by information and communication technology. Patient is also satisfied with the service rendered.This model has been suggested to be better than the conventional method of treatment afforded to patients. The treatment is appropriate because the health care givers agree on best available method based on evidence-practice. Competence is also guaranteed and services are effective and efficient. On the hand, there is improved provider satisfaction: because there is reduced contact with the utilization of tertiary level of health care service. Definitions of terms Self-management: this is about goal-setting. It is the core of self management about medication and body care.Diabetic patients need to understand the implication of self care to monitor the progress of symptoms and emergence of complications. Home care monitoring is also very useful because it helps patients to monitor their response to treatment and glycemic control. Prevention: primary prevention is important to reduce the possibility of a worsening condition especially for patients with multiple complex co-morbidities. Community of practice: this refers to the people involved in the share care. They include providers and organisations, citizens and patients with families and support groups.Models of shared care: shared care is found in Primary Care which is the emphasis of The European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC), Secondary Care, Community Based Care and mental health. The focus of shared care includes inter-professional relations and patient management. Inter-professional relations include collaborative provision of clinical services, communication and information exchange, use of treatment and referral guidelines, shared responsibility for patient care, regular face-to-face contact, and joint professional education. Patient Management is based on individual patient goals.It includes patient and family in the decision making protocol of management and patient-centered focus. There is no rigid working modality; wi th shared care, increased patient access to care reduced fragmentation of care and increased integration and continuity of care. There is a strong link at all levels of health sector-improved working relationships between providers and improved satisfaction among patients and providers. Diabetes-shared care-ICT solutions There is no doubt that information and communication technology is inevitable in the management of chronic diseases like diabetes.In order to set-up an Irish ICT unit for diabetes, the requirements will be considered within the limit of the community of practice which includes providers and organization, citizens and patients. The concept of ICT solutions is branded as eHealth. It is a promising field that will incorporate all the professionals who are directly and indirectly involved in the management of a case to properly integrate their knowledge and skills for the appropriate care of a diabetic patient while making the emphasis: glycemic control convenient for p roviders and patients.It is imperative to elucidate the aspect of health care that are relevant to ICT input: the idea of ICT use is to integration of information to improve access. This implies that patients’ information are made available at a common centre and accessible to the patient, their health care providers and researchers. The components include Clinical database: this contains the information of patient. There is a central repository of health care information of the patient. It includes the electronic patient record which is but a segment of the repository.For diabetics, the information about their presentations, clinical features, investigations, treatment plans and modalities are combined, classified and ordered in accessible manner at the clinical database centre. This database centre is secured as the confidentiality and privacy of the patient’s data has to be maintained. It is also prevented from use by third parties unless there is due consent by the patient. This central unit is fed by local diabetes databases from local hospitals. The data is made accessible to general practitioners, community health care providers and patients.Decision support tool: this is second important part of ICT solutions in shared care for diseases including diabetes. It contains specialized information guide for experts and simple algorithms of decisions for patients. Specific Requirements Providers and organization The tools that are required to have an effective shared care plan for diabetes includes: Internet: the internet has become the most influential means of connecting people, and exchanging information in this age. It is therefore unequivocal that it is useful in health information systems to achieve a collaborative network of professionals who care for diabetic patients.A large bandwidth is required for the volume of information that is processes, exchanged and implemented in shared care practice for diabetic patients. Interprofessional Co mmunication systems: Diabetic care requires effective interdisciplinary communication so that management decision is both cost-effective and evidenced based. A huge communication network is therefore required. Mobile and wireless Infrastructure: these also form ICT tools which are used in database processing, exchange and monitoring, they are required in order to facilitate the integration of the patient, and more importantly improves providers access to informationData storage: since clinical database is an integral part of ICT solutions for shared care plan for diabetics. Data must be stored in a way that is accessible to providers. This implies that strict measures and guidelines must be in place to ensure the database is well-structured. Intelligence systems: Websites must be secured. Database must be protected from intrusion by third party parties. Patient’s data must be confidential and kept private and guideline of medical ethics with respect to this must be maintained . Therefore a sophisticated intelligence network is imperative to accomplish this gargantuan task.E-learning for medical education: there is need to provide facility for providers for training and retraining. They need to update their knowledge base so that thy can offer quality service to clients. This can be achieved by making such up-to-date information available through an accessible means, for instance, the internet. Medicolegal/Ethic Issues: ICT input into health care must be maintained within the limits of ethical guidelines and mediolegal regulations for data management, exchange and implementation. It addresses problems of public interest, patient autonomy, third party involvement and international regulation against threats.Citizens and Patients The requirements for the patients include E-learning device for the patient: this will teach patient the modus operandi of the collaborative health information system, their role and why it is important they adopt it. It will also give useful information about diabetes. Decision support tools: this should contain factual information that can guide the patient to make informed choice with respect to their management. Patient home management: this includes clinical signs monitoring, automated scheduling and medication.It also comprises access to health educators and professionals. Areas of ICT use have been well documented in the literature: they are basically Teleconsultation: this is a kind of telemonitoring between patient and caregiver via phone, email, automated messaging tools and the internet Videoconferencing: this is face-to-face contact via such equipments as television, digital camera, videophone to connect between caregivers and patients. Both have proven useful in diabetic care. And this is widely reported in many papers from across the world. Issues and challengesHaving elucidates the conditions above in terms of providers and patients; it is needful to quickly mention that certain issues must be considered before initiating and implementing ICT input into shared care for diabetes. These include ? Confidentiality compromise ? Security breaches ? Territoriality and power status amongst health care providers ? Cost of ICT requirements ? Medicolegal issues These challenges will adversely affect ICT adoption for shared car in diabetes if ignored. They can be addressed by ? Adequate funding of the project by government.Intensive training for users and health care professionals ? Consensus on the modus operandi amongst health care service providers ? Intensive research into ICT implications in health care, patients’ behavior, pragmatism of project plan. Conclusion The impact of ICT on shared care plan for diabetes is indispensable. There are improved collaboration amongs health care workers and patients are ultimately satisfied with the service they get. The requirements for Irish ICT have been elucidated and concomitant issues explained. It is my hope that this will be ado pted and health care service will subsequently improve.

Pregnancy and Progressive Treatment Options

Part 1. The practice that I want to have is an OB/GYN. The reason why I want to have an OB/GYN is because I am fascinated with how babies are born, and what goes into everything during pregnancies. It is an absolute miracle. My practice will be a little more involved than most OB/GNY’s. I guess you could call it a â€Å"one stop shop† OB/GYN. I know that from my personal experience of having children, I always had to go to different places to get certain things done. Just for example, in order for me to get an ultrasound I would have to go to a hospital, my OB/GYN did not really do them there.And when I needed to get blood work done, I had to do to Quest to have blood drawn. And when I had to deliver my baby, I had to go to the hospital. Now the OB/GYN that I have in mind I will have all of that there. There will be an area of the doctor’s office for women who need to get blood work done, another area to do ultrasounds, and believe it or not, another area to deli ver the baby. The type of people that I will have working at my practice will be first and for most, the OB/GYN. In other words, the baby doctor. That will be the person who checks on the pregnant woman throughout her pregnancy, and the person who delivers as well.The next will be nurses. They are the ones who will help the doctor’s, and help take care of the patients. The next will be the ultrasound technicians. The people who will be giving the girls their ultrasounds. The other people that I will have be working there are the technicians who will do your blood work. And of course there will be the girls who work behind the desk, the assistants who schedule appointments, file the paper work, things like that. I almost forgot to clarify that my OB/GYN will only be for pregnant women. I think that it makes it easier that way, just to focus on one thing.And that is the type of practice that I will have. Part 2. Missions Statement As a premier medical group in Bristol Pennsylva nia, our goal is to provide current, quality comprehensive medical care to a large number of area women in their pregnancy. We continuously strive to create a patient to doctor relationship that goes beyond today’s standard, partnering with our patients through education, diagnosis, progressive treatment options and ongoing care, while providing the best care to our pregnant patients. Making them feel comfortable as much as possible.

Blaxicans and Other Reinvented Americans Essay

In â€Å"Blaxicans† and Other Reinvented Americans,† Richard Rodriguez points out that America has become a place that is fully populated by immigrants from around the world. He asserts that there is no way to assign race names to citizens because everyone can be multiple races. According to Rodriguez, Americans create labels (e. g. Hispanic) in a ridiculous attempt to classify people in the simplest form; a plan doomed to fail. Rodriguez continues by describing his idea of â€Å"ethnicity,† which is ultimately based on the way people act and the things they value. The article describes the way in which all races are intertwined within the country, and within the world. The idea of â€Å"diversity† is also mentioned in the article when discussing the topic of interracial marriages. Rodriguez goes on to describe the false â€Å"Hispanic† category much of this country has fallen into. Ultimately, Rodriguez explains that â€Å"Hispanic† is a term used only in America for colonization purposes. Hispanic is a false idea because upon going to Latin America, one would encounter black Hispanics, white Hispanics, etc.and that is factual. By 2003, Hispanics became the largest minority in the world (whatever that means). Rodriguez goes on to share his views on assimilation: â€Å"ASSIMILATION HAPPENS. † Assimilation is the act of people of different backgrounds viewing themselves as a part of a larger national family. This article acknowledges the vast array of racial possibilities within the world. Rodriguez ends the article by saying he, a man of Mexican descent, is Chinese because he enjoys Chinese culture, and that is how ethnicity should be decided. Vocabulary * incomprehensibly: adv: inarticulately (aimlessly, franticly, confusedly) * mythic: adj: make-believe (storied, imaginary, folkloric) * rind: n: covering (epicarp, hull, husk) * aforementioned: adj: previous; come before (precedent, former, prior) * demythologizing: v: reinterpret a subject or text * mulatto: n: a person of mixed white and black ancestry Rhetorical Strategies * Anecdote: â€Å"On his interview show, Bill Moyers once asked me how I thought of myself. As an American? Or Hispanic? I answered that I am Chinese, and that is because I live in a Chinese city and because I want to be Chinese. † (paragraph 19) * Paradox: â€Å"I come to you as Chinese. Unless you understand that I am Chinese, then you have not understood anything I have said. † (paragraph 25) * Imagery: â€Å"My eye has taken on that palette, has come to prefer lime green and rose reds and all the inventions o this Chinese Mediterranean. † (paragraph 19).

Ancient Religions Essay Example for Free

Ancient Religions Essay The ancient Norse religion was commonly followed and practiced by people in northern regions of the world, such as Scandinavia, Norway, Iceland and surrounding countries. It was believed that the world first came about when a northern and southern land, Niflheim and Muspellheim, both joined together. Niflheim (â€Å"house of mists†) , an extremely cold, icy land and Muspellheim (â€Å"home of desolation†) the seemingly opposite of Niflheim, a hot, fiery land. As both lands joined together, the reaction of the contrasting temperatures caused the ice of Niflheim to melt creating the first two living creatures Ymer, the giant and Audhumla, a female cow. From these two the first Gods were created (Odin, Vile and Ve), and from them the first human beings were created by Odin from an elm and ash tree. Due to a disagreeance between Ymer and the God’s, the giant was killed and from his body, landforms and other living races were created. The gods were revered by many as they were the creators of the races and established the different parts of the world, the world tree or Yggdrasil included. The Yggdrasil is one of the principal beliefs in Nordic religion as it was known as the centre of their nordic universe, the world tree was said to have held nine different realms within its branches. The realms were situated in different areas of the tree at the top, within the canopy; Asgard (heaven) was located. This is where many gods lived including Odin in Valhalla. In addition to Asgard two other realms Vanaheim (home of the fertility god) and Aflheim (home of light elves) were located at the highest level of the world tree. These realms were known as â€Å"divine†. Norse folk believed that Midgard, the middle section of Yggdrasil held the human world. Along with midgard, Nidavellir, Jotunheim and Svartalfhiem, home of the dwarves, giants and dark elves were also present here. At the third and bottom level of the tree the two lands that created the first living beings are found. It is believed that Hel, the place of death, is part of the harsh, destitute lands of Niflheim. Hel is connected to one of the three main root of the world tree and it is known as the underworld, the second root leads to Jotunheim( realm of the giants) and the third is connected to the divine realm, Asgard. The roots linked together the different levels and realms of the tree, likewise Bifrost, a magical bridge located between Asgard and the human world, Midgard was another connection between realms, allowing gods an entrance into the mortal world. The Influence of the Nordic beliefs in society was great as followers of the ancient religion could identify with the extreme life conditions and harsh weather that was also portrayed in the Nordic creation story. The Norse saw their conditions of life as a blessing from the gods and often used these gifts to the greatest advantage for example men often became farmers, cultivators, tradesmen or traders. Women in Nordic society also searched for meaning and insight from the gods as they held powerful positions in the religion. Women played a strong part in the community and often had to run the villages when the Viking warriors were away. The Norse strived to maintain a balanced lifestyle from the influence of what they had learned and incorporated from the gods. Odin was known as a wise and great warrior and many Viking men chose to follow the same path by becoming a warrior also. I was believed that one of the only worthy ways to die was to die in battle. This factor greatly contributed to the decisions of the Norse men. When a warrior died in battle he would go on to Valhalla, in the divine realm, if not they would go to Hel. The Norse people not only sought meaning from the gods, but from the actions and rituals they performed. Ancient Religions. (2018, Nov 04).