Christians should take more interest in ethics Assignment

Christians should take more interest in ethics - Assignment Example According to Brit Hume, the recent financial crisis was a result of unethical behavior that was conducted with regard to the functioning of the financial markets, government, lending banks and lastly the public. It becomes imperative to be stated in this regard that the proper pursuance of the commandments in bible by the Christians would have checked such an occurrence. It has been stated by Exodus 20:15 under the eighth commandment that one should not steal. This implies that one should not earn by stealing from others or in an unethical way (Long, â€Å"Christian Ethics: A Very Short Introduction†). According to the laws stated under the deuteronomic code, 25:13-16 laid down the need of ordering just weights as well as measures. This implies that there needs to exist an honest and ethical relationship between the trader and the customers focusing on a fair policy of pricing (Hall, â€Å"Deuteronomy†). It has also been stated by Luke 19:1 in this regard that salvation is deserved by all the individuals even in case of unethical conducts as all individuals are considered to be equal in the eyes of god (Alexander, â€Å"Christianity and Ethics†). The above teachings as stated in the bible evidently focus on the aspect of ethics and the way it should guide and direct the behavior of the individuals. Therefore, the practice of the teachings of Jesus or the Christian ethics is believed to ensure the practice of ethics even in case of economic activities which would further prevent the occurrences of such financial crises in the

Poetry and Mother Essay Example for Free

Poetry and Mother Essay Outline It is an afternoon and the mom is washing clothes in a tub. The child has written a poem for her mother and gives it to her as she is washing. The mother scans the poem but rejects it as not being ‘all there is to life’. She feels that there is much more to life than reading or writing poetry. Despite her protest, the mother glances at the poem while she continues to wash clothes. Stanza 1 The mother obviously has given her life to hard work and struggle and seems to have lost interest in life. She does not seem to appreciate the effort of her child to offer some relief or change in her burdensome routine. That her mother washes in the afternoon indicates that her workload is enormous (as washing is usually done in the morning so the clothes can be hung out to dry.) The images of stress and strain are effectively captured in the description of the women ‘hunched’ over the washtub and her ‘shrivelled hands’. The word ‘hunched’ suggests her strenuous routine which has physically harmed her posture. The comparison of her hands to the shrivelled burnt skin of granadilla evokes the destructive efforts of hard labour on her physical body. Stanza 2 The words of the child’s poem are compared to a piece of slippery soap. Just as soap is used to cleanse dirt off clothes in this case, so too do the words of the poem give the mother strength and the power to bear her burden to restore her to some state of wholesomeness, just like soap restores clothes to their original clean condition. Note that the mother ‘grabbed’ the words and ‘used’ them, suggesting that she needed them desperately to sustain her to cope with the oppressive burden of life. Stanza 3 It is the burden of life which weighs down oppressively, that prevents the mother from appreciating or being sensitive to other aspects of life (like reading and enjoying poetry) But the fact that she does read the poem indicates that she is aware of its significance and healing power. (A poem appeals to our aesthetic sense.) It makes us see life in detail and appreciate the multi-faceted experiences of life. The word ‘scanning’ suggests that she does read the poem. The reference to the mother’s ‘blue-ringed gaze’ suggests that she has a deeper, appreciative side to her nature. Note that the colour ‘blue’ is usually associated with sky and beauty. The reference to the ‘dirty water’ is a metaphor for the pollution and corruption of life which have sullied or dirtied capacity to be sensitive to the beauty of nature of life. Stanza 4 The poem ends on a positive note. The mother continues to hold onto the words of the poem, the word ‘clenched’ recalls the term ‘grabbed’ of stanza 2, it means to hold tightly onto something. That the words are clenched ‘smaller and smaller’ indicates the great effort exerted by the mother to make the world of poetry a part of her life, she realises the value of poetry to guide her through the difficulties of life. Central message of the poem The poem whilst acknowledging the burden and harshness of life, confirms the value of developing our aesthetic nature, our capacity to appreciate what life has to offer as the only hope to cope with the hostility and problems we encounter on a daily basis. Further Consideration The writer uses simple words to reinforce the innocent, pure exchange between mother and child. The simplicity of the words also evokes the humility of their life – the setting is most likely a rural one.  The poem also has a simple structure; the lines are uniform and short reinforcing the simple effort of the child to console her mother.

Argument Against Charles Darwins Theory of Evolution Essay -- Natural

Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution to explain the origin, diversity and complexity of life. I will will disprove evolution by showing that natural selection only explains small evolutionary changes, collectively known as microevolution. Natural selection cannot drive large evolutionary changes, macroevolution. I will also show that the primordial soup, in which life supposedly evolved, did not exist. Neo-Darwinism incorporates the discoveries of modern science into Darwin's original theory while leaving the basic beliefs intact. Darwin proposed that individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. Darwin called this process natural selection. Darwin did not understand how or why variation existed. Today scientists realize that variation arises through random changes (called mutations) to existing genes. Genes are the chemicals that determine the traits and characteristics of animals and plants. Every trait has one or more gene associated with it. Thus, natural selection provides the animals and plants with the best genes. Supporters of neo-Darwinism believe that natural selection operating upon random variation gave rise rise to all animals and plants. While the source of variation is random, the direction of evolution is not. In effect, natural selection removes chance, and it makes the theory of evolution plausible. If neo-Darwinism is correct then nu merous small successive changes guided by natural selection gave rise to all animals and plants. I will prove that natural selection is not a creative process. Its primary function is to preserve the status quo. Thus, new structures and organs must arise through chance. Natural selection can only preserve and optimize these new structures and organs after they evolve through chance. In other words, natural selection does not drive evolution, and the hypothesis on which neo-Darwinism is based is flawed. Natural selection drives microevolution. Microevolution is defined as evolution involving small changes. Microevolution does not require the evolution of new structures or organs, Therefore, microevolution does not involve the creation of new genes. Changes to existing genes (mutations) result in variation. Natural selection acts on this variation and preserves the best. So while the variation may be random, the process of microevolution is not. Natural... ...ific experiments can not test macroevolution, there is no direct evidence to suggest that the processes behind microevolution can also bring about the evolution of new structures or genes. In other words, microevolution should not be extended to support macroevolution. While punctuated equilibria may save evolution from the fossil record, it cannot save the theory from the more serious flaws. For example, the success of evolution is based entirely upon the ability of scientists to use microevolution to justify macroevolution. What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution? Microevolution does not require new structures or organs. Macroevolution does. This implies that microevolution does not create new genes whereas macroevolution requires new genes. Two things should be clear from the examples offered above: 1.) Microevolution can bring about very large changes. 2). It is easy to make the same mistake that Darwin made. That is microevolution can accomplish a lot, so why not use it to explain macroevolution? For these reasons explained above, how can any person with a sound mind still believe in the outlandish fairy-tale that is called evolution?

The Horse Dealer?s Daughter :: essays research papers

In D.H. Lawrence’s â€Å"The Horse Dealer’s Daughter,† Mabel â€Å"did not share the same life as her brothers †(195). Mabel Pervin was not close to her brothers, because there were personal and physical separations. Mabel was a plain, uninteresting woman. She seldom showed emotion on her face. In fact her face usually remained impassive and unchanged. Her brothers could be described as three handsome and well-spoken men. Mabel was independent, having taken care of the house for ten years without a servant. Even though they depended upon her, they seemed to have control over her. The Pervin brothers â€Å"did not care about anything† (195). They were poised and felt secure about themselves. Her brothers felt superior to her. â€Å"They had talked at her and round her for so many years, that she hardly heard them at all† (196). She would either give a neutral response to her brothers, or remain quiet when they talked to her. Instead of giving her encouragement, they teased her. This treatment could have led to her insecurity. They would tease her about becoming a maid or about her â€Å"bulldog† face. Her brothers were full of energy and very talkative. Mabel also seemed to be alone in the world. Unlike her brothers who had many companions, she had had no friends of her own sex. Sometimes it seemed that Mabel wanted to escape her life. One place Mabel felt secure and immune from the world was at her mother’s grave. â€Å"There she always felt secure, as if no one could see her† (200). Mabel was extremely devoted to her deceased parents, especially her mother. She was mindless and persistent. At the graveside, she had many different feelings. She seemed to be coming nearer to her own glorification. Also she would become remote and intent. She seemed to feel contact with the world that mother had lived.

Human Infrastructure of Toyota Production System

In order to produce world-class, quality automobiles at competitive price levels, Toyota has developed an integrated approach to production which manages equipment, materials, and people in the most efficient manner while ensuring a healthy and safe work environment (Toyota web page). The Toyota Production System is built on two main principles: Just-In-Time† production (the manufacturing and conveyance of only â€Å"what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed), and â€Å"Jidoka. (to the ability to stop production lines, by man or machine, in the event of problems such as equipment malfunction, quality issues, or late work). Underlying this management philosophy and the entire Toyota production process is the concept that â€Å"Good Thinking Means Good Product. † From the systems perspective, the human infrastructure is a set of processes and structures within TPS. Key elements of that human infrastructure are: a. Effective utilization of every member’s time. b. Total participation at all levels . Encouragement of ingenuity Toyota has developed a system where the human infrastructure works harmoniously with the rest of the operating system. Some of the attributes of Toyota’s human infrastructure are intensive training, rapid problem solving skills, and teamwork. The expectation was that problems will be solved promptly, completely, and systematically. A review of the Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, Plant case indicates the above key elements of human infrastructure were evident at various degrees. TMM did receive intensive training from TMC, starting a year ahead of plant opening, one-on-one, as well as having TMC trainers remain in Kentucky for a few years. However, as indicated in the case, team member’s time was not always effectively utilized. In some tasks, such as when a car had a seat problem the team leader pulled the andon cord to signal Ok and then tagged the car to alert Quality and moving the car to the Code 1 clinic area to see if the problem was correctable there. This process does not present value added and is in contradiction to Jidoka principles. As Friesen found out on his walk between Final 1 and Final 2, the workers interviewed only knew of a few seat incidents, which was contradictory to the data posted at work stations. This indicates very little involvement of the workers in the root cause investigation. The majority of defects indicate missing parts and material flaws. Application of the â€Å"Five Whys† exercise could very well indicate a supplier issue. The TMM case does not mention of any instance where team member ingenuity was encouraged or demonstrated in solving any of the prevailing issues that are causing the Andons. The only instance where the group leader, Shirley Sargent, had reported the problem with the rear seat hook, months had elapsed and she yet had to receive an explanation or participate in possible solutions. Another issue that would need to be investigated and analyzed is the steady increase, and disparity of Andon pulls between the 1st and 2nd Shift Rear Seat teams. This could indicate that non-standardized procedures are used or training deficiencies among the teams. Doug Friesen is correct in applying Jidoka in â€Å"going and seeing† the problem. There are key elements of the human infrastructure, such as: active encouragement of ingenuity, and worker participation in the solutions, that would help in the solutions. Also, a seat supplier kaizen is in order to identify NVA tasks, analyze the effectiveness of pulling problem cars off line for repairs, and prepare for the needs for the additional 18 seat variations expected for the Japan and Middle East markets.

Evaluation and Comparison of School-based Nutrition Programmes in the UK, Saudi Arabia and South-east Asia (Singapore and Malaysia) The WritePass Journal

Evaluation and Comparison of School-based Nutrition Programmes in the UK, Saudi Arabia and South-east Asia (Singapore and Malaysia) Introduction Evaluation and Comparison of School-based Nutrition Programmes in the UK, Saudi Arabia and South-east Asia (Singapore and Malaysia) ). As Toh et al. (2002) suggest, there are also high levels of obesity in Singapore, amongst certain socioeconomic groups, with this obesity negatively affecting children’s health. As Bundy et al. (2006) note, school-based nutrition programmes are useful in terms of improving the health of schoolchildren affected by poor nutritional intake, with these programmes being ubiquitous in many different countries, both low and high income countries. The main aims of such programmes are to improve the nutritional intake of schoolchildren in order to improve their overall health and cognitive functioning to be able to improve their overall academic performance (Bundy et al., 2006). Such programs have been successful in encouraging a greater intake of fruit and vegetables in fast food-addicted children and, as a result, in decreasing the incidence of overweight and obesity (Howerton et al., 2007). As Oldroyd et al. (2008) suggest, the effectiveness of nutritional interventions differs according to socioeconomic status with children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds being more likely to drop out of such programmes and being less likely, therefore, to see the benefits o f such programmes. Suggested methodology It is suggested that a quantitative survey is developed that would be administered to various public health officials in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Singapore. This survey would be administered with a view to collecting data, which would allow the main aims and objectives of the suggested research to be explored. Expected outcomes The main expected outcomes would be the development of the thesis, via the exploration of the research question and the aims and objectives of the research. It is expected that several research articles would also be developed and that conference talks would be given. Suggested timetable The research would take place over a period of three years; the first six months would be used to prepare the literature review, with the next year being used to collect the survey data. The following six months would be used for data analysis and the remaining six month period would be used to write up the findings and to complete the written thesis. References Abou-Zeid, A-H. et al. (2006). Anaemia and nutritional status of schoolchildren living at Saudi Arabian high altitude areas. Saudi Medical Journal 27(6), pp. 862-869. Al-Almale, S.M. (2005). Prevalence of obesity and overweight among Saudi adolescents in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal 26(4), pp. 607-611. Al-Mekhlafi, M.S. et al. (2008). Current prevalence and predictors of protein-energy malnutrition amongst schoolchildren in rural Peninsular Malaysia. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 39(5), pp. 922-931. Bundy, D. et al. (2006). School-based health and nutrition programmes, in Jamison et al. (eds.), Disease control priorities in developing countries. World Bank. Howerton, M.W. et al. (2007). School-based nutrition programs produced a moderate increase in fruit and vegetable consumption: meta and pooling analyses from seven studies. Journal of Nutritional Education and Behaviour 39(4), pp. 186-196. Karlsen, S. et al. (2013). Ethnic variations in overweight and obesity among children over time: findings from analyses of Health Surveys for England 1998-2009. Pediatric Obesity doi: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00159.x Oldroyd, J. et al. (2008). The effectiveness of nutrition interventions on dietary outcomes by relative social disadvantage: a systematic review. Journal of Epidemiological and Community Health 62, pp. 573-579. Toh, C-M. et al. (2002). School based intervention has reduced obesity in Singapore. BMJ 324, pp. 447-462.

Child abuse comes in all sort of different shapes

Child abuse comes in all sort of different shapes and each one carries its own degrees of cruelty and consequence. There are numerous ways in which a child can be abused. There is mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and even neglect. When people think of this problem the first thing it comes to mind are child molesters. But every now and then there are some cases that are quite as shocking. Such an example is the Michel Powers case. This little two-month-old baby was shaken violently by his father and as a result Michel is known to be blind, quadriplegic and has sever brain damage. The Childs Municipal Court convicted his father, Mr. Powers to seven years in a maximum-security prison. The Powers case is just one of many cases of abuse by parents. As unintentional these cases may seem, ignorance is not an excuse. There are several sources to learn how to treat children and how to raise them. Another kind of abuse that is very common is sexual abuse. There are many sex-offending going on in this country. Child sex offenders are typically accused and convicted more often than parental abuse. But in some cases there is parents abusing children, in many of them, theyre own children. Statistics indicate that the majority of this cases are never known saying that many children don't know what there parent or other adults are doing to them or they fear that if they talk to some one about it that they would not believe them. Because of this parents have to be very aware of whom they are going to leave there children when they go to work, such as babysitters, relatives and/or child care center employees. Child abuse in our society is a growing problem that needs some definite attention. The sooner the better. We need to take action against child abuse. Whether it's a cruel child sex offender, or a parent who can't seem to stop mistreating their child when they won't do what the parent what's them to. I

Should I Apply Early Decision Expert Guide

Should I Apply Early Decision Expert Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Do you just want to be done with the application process and know where you're going to college? Do you have your heart set on one college, and you want to give yourself the best chance at getting in? If you answered yes to these questions, early decision may be a good option for you. In this article, I'll explain what it means to apply for early decision and explain everything you need to consider to answer the often stressful question, "should I apply early decision?" What Is Early Decision? Early decision is an early application policy used by a number of different colleges. If you apply to a college under early decision, you’ll usually apply earlier than the regular admission deadline and find out earlier if you’ve been accepted. For most colleges with early decision, the ED deadline is November 1, and you’ll be notified by mid-December, whereas you’d be notified in late March or early April under regular decision. Under early decision, you can be accepted, rejected, or deferred to the regular applicant pool. Unlike early action, if you apply and get accepted under early decision, you’re making a binding agreement to attend that school. You can only apply to one school under early decision, and if you get accepted, you have to withdraw your applications to any other colleges. If you break the agreement to attend, you won't have legal action taken against you, but it's likely that the other colleges you apply to will be notified that you broke your agreement, and your acceptances may be rescinded. Your high school will also be contacted, and future applicants from your school may be penalized. Generally, the only acceptable reason to turn down an early decision offer is if you don't get enough financial aid. There are a few colleges that offer two early decision application deadlines, known as Early Decision I and Early Decision II. Early Decision I has a typical early decision application deadline in November, and the application deadline under Early Decision II is in January. If you apply under Early Decision II, you’ll probably hear back in February. Some schools that offer early decision include Duke, Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, and Amherst. Colleges that offer Early Decision I and II include Pomona, Vanderbilt, Tufts, Syracuse, and Emory. Pete Jelliffe/Flickr The Benefits of Applying Early Decision One of the biggest potential benefits of early decision is being done with the college application and selection process as soon as possible. Applying to colleges, waiting to hear back about admissions decisions, and deciding which college to attend can cause tremendous stress for many students and their parents. If you apply early decision, you can know where you’re going to college before most of your peers are even done completing their applications. For the rest of your senior year, you can focus on school, your extracurriculars, and having fun. Also, you can potentially save time and money by not having to apply to more colleges. You should still prepare to apply to more colleges in the event you're not accepted or if you're considering applying to schools that have a regular application deadline before you're notified of admissions decisions under early decision. Additionally, for many colleges, you may increase your chances of gaining admission if you apply under early decision. Most colleges that offer early decision have a significantly higher acceptance rate for early decision applicants. In 2015, Brown admitted 20.6% of its early decision applicants and only 7.5% of its regular decision applicants. Cornell accepted 39% of its early decision applicants and 16.1% of its regular applicants. While early decision applicants tend to be more qualified, that doesn’t account for the entire difference in acceptance rates. Colleges like to admit a large percentage of their incoming classes via early decision to have more control over the composition of their freshman classes, and early decision admits increase a school’s yield, the percentage of admitted students who choose to attend. A better yield improves a school's image and ranking. The Disadvantages of Applying Early Decision The biggest disadvantage of applying early decision is that you have to commit to attending a college before you may be ready to make that commitment. Typically, students are still researching colleges in the fall of their senior year, and many of the students with whom I’ve worked have changed their college preferences multiple times before eventually deciding in the spring. Even if you think you know where you want to go to college before the application process begins, if you apply early decision, you may not give yourself the opportunity to change your mind. Another substantial disadvantage of early decision is that it doesn’t allow you to compare financial aid packages and factor them into your college decision. For students who rely on financial aid to attend college, this can be a significant disadvantage. Even though you can get a general estimate of how much a school will cost you before you apply, you won’t get your official financial aid offer until after you’re offered admission. However, colleges will let you out of your commitment to attend if they can’t meet your financial need. By that point, though, regular application deadlines may have passed or you may not have adequately researched your other college options. Finally, if you apply early at the end of November, you may have to apply before you’re able to sufficiently improve your test scores or GPA. If you apply early decision, colleges will review your standardized test scores and transcript before the end of the first semester of your senior year. Many students are able to strengthen their applications by raising their standardized test scores in December or getting exceptional first semester senior year grades. When Should IApply Early Decision? 3 Key Factors Early decision can be a good option for you, but only under the following circumstances: You’ve done thorough college research and you’re certain about your number one choice. You can use college finders, search websites, guidebooks, ranking lists, and visits to learn more about your college options and solidify your choice. You should have done ample research and be confident in your choice by the start of your senior year. You're satisfied with your grades and test scores. If you’re applying early decision, you should have a good SAT or ACT score. It may be to your advantage to wait to apply if you need to improve your standardized test scores or if you have subpar grades for your dream school and would like to show you’re capable of getting better grades. However, if you’re in this situation, you can still apply under Early Decision II, if that’s an option at your #1 choice. You’re confident that the school you’re applying to can meet your financial need. Because you won’t be able to compare financial aid packages if you’re accepted under early decision, you should feel secure that the school you’re applying to will offer you the financial aid you need to attend. You can contact the admissions or financial aid office to ease your concerns, and you can use a site like College Scorecard to get a solid estimate of how much you’ll have to pay. How Do You Apply Early Decision? If you've decided that you're definitely going to apply to a college via early decision, you may be wondering exactly how to do it. Is there a special application to fill out? What should you do about researching and applying to other colleges? The process for applying for early decision is relatively straightforward. You'll submit the same application, but you'll indicate on your application that you're applying for early decision. Before you apply, I recommend having a list of other schools to apply to. While you're waiting to hear back from the school, you should work on your other applications and submit any applications that have a deadline before you're notified about the status of your early decision application. If you're accepted under early decision, you'll withdraw any applications you submitted. If you're rejected or deferred, you can complete any applications that you haven't finished, and when you hear back from schools in the spring, you'll weigh your options and choose a college. What's Next? Is your goal to get into one of the most selective colleges? Learn how from a Harvard graduate. Are you working on making your list of colleges to apply to? Find out about reach schools, target schools, safety schools, and how many schools you should apply to. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

IT in an Apple organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IT in an Apple organization - Essay Example In order to make sure that the IS strategy of the organization is effective and efficient it can assessed on the basis of the IS strategy triangle. The wide and spread organization structure of Apple Inc with its global expansion and containing different inventions in the, electronics industry all these approaches required a strong information system which enables the availability of the right information to the right personnel at the most beneficial time, to make sure that the decisions that are taken in the business by them are appropriate and defended with authentic information or not. Apple is leading in the market with a business strategy of continuous innovation in its all products. The continuous innovations in the features of the products with providing the user a simple and streamed line experience in using the product is the main focus of the Apple’s business strategy that differentiate Apple Inc from its competitors and it has the main competitive advantage for Appl e. The reflection of the business strategy is appeared in all other strategies of the company. The IS strategy of Apple Inc is the continuous adaptation of new technology to manage its huge network of information system. The innovations in the product are a leading capability for Apple throughout its successful journey. The main focus of the managers or leaders of the Apple Inc is on the continuous innovation by adapting the latest technology and implement the latest strategic techniques to achieve the targets. The organization culture of Apple allows the employees to think in free space environment to develop the creativity in their work because they have the business vision of bringing continuous innovations in the products. The same business strategy of innovation is applied to the internal communication process of the organization by Apple Inc and it gives an excellent collaboration among all the departments of the organization. The company continuously focused on virtualization . Apple believes that virtualization is the main factor of getting the competitive advantage on the huge rivals in the global market. Apple’s intranet or internal information system provides the needed platform to the employee that enables all the employees to access the required information from the comfort of their desktop. The company has developed a strong extranet network as well to link with all its suppliers and distributers. The virtual network with the suppliers and distributors led the company to reduce its supply chain cost through a strong virtual network. This has boost up its value chain in the information domain. The information from the retail outlets is communicated to the client service department which already has access to other information about the suppliers and the production information. Hence, there exists a huge amount of information to allow the business to offer services at the click of the mouse. In this way Apple has been able to integrate the IS strategy with the business and organizational strategies and support the overall goals and objectives of the organization. GOVERNANCE ASSESSMENT: The corporate governance at Apple has gained certain relaxation as Tim Cook took charge and so does in the

Bio Ethics and Longevity Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bio Ethics and Longevity - Term Paper Example The idea of extending human lifespan has captivated scientists, philosophers and writers for a long time now. Moreover, ethicists have argued whether people should take a step to increase human longevity, which is not surprising. This is in consideration of the persistent media interest in research in to preventing or slowing ageing. Taking note of that, this paper will briefly summarize the ethical arguments that arose from this debate, with a focus on a recent case study on Life-extension and its effects on memory and learning (on worms). Finally, it will give a summary of critique of the case study as well as the personal opinion or ethical stand. 1. Summary Case study: Life-extension and its effect on memory and learning (on worms) The focus of the case study is on two methods to increase the longevity of various organisms - calorie restriction and alteration hormone insulin. It claims that research has shown that, reducing activity related to the insulin signal pathway impact lo ngevity positively. Several biological processes such as metabolism, development and stress response are triggered by the change of insulin signal pathway.1 A group of Biologists from Princeton recently found that, altering these mechanisms do also have some consequences on the organisms’ cognitive function and their research also revealed that calorie restriction and reduced insulin signaling is linked to reduced memory and learning as the organism grow old, which calls for development of a special treatment to avoid memory loss if people are to live longer. According to Coleen Murphy, longevity research works on the assumption that people who are able to live longer should have their bodies function equally well for the additional years. Collectively with her research team, they found out that calorie restriction had some severe effect on the lasting memory of C.elegans roundworms. To their surprise, the worms only suffered from impairment to long-term memory, but did not e ncounter any reduction in memory with age. Consequently, this means that gradual memory loss can be fought by calorie restrictions. On another front, the worms that were experimented with generic mutation reduced insulin active, signaling insulin activity. This experiment improved learning ability with age, but the worms were not secured from age-related reduction in long-term memory. These worms were used because their molecular mechanisms which governed these worms were alike to higher organism like mammals, and this has provided a promising hope for cognitive research on humans. Definition(s) Cognitive is based on or related to or involving reasoning or thinking, which is an activity of the mind. Indeed, Murphy’s team has done a tremendous job, but they have to be sure that it will apply to human beings as well and how they can overcome the reduction in learning and memory of these worms in question. The information that human’s genes are likened with those of C.ele gans, enabled treatment of negative cognitive alteration in relation to longevity extension of the worms, which is an answer to humans research. This study poses big questions. Will there be equity in access to this intervention once it is out? How does it impact our morality as human beings? Is the use of worms as having the same memory as human beings ethical? The following principles and academic papers try to take these questions into consideration. 2.

The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison - Essay Example He is like the newborn child with total loss of memory, forgets his name, powerless to comprehend speech, and a formless identity. This birth involves no parents and he interacts with the doctors lonely. The narrator is rather ambushed by the arrogance of the medical science, and the doctors advise him to establish his own new identity, as he has no past now. The identity imposed on him in societal terms has ceased to exist. It is a new act in the drama of his life, which has no connections to the earlier acts. He is without any support and has lost connectivity. His suffering related to his identity has not ended and he is undergoing a new type of suffering, in view of the imposed inferiority complex. Since the narrator has lost the ability to speak, the doctors are unable to extract any information about his identity. In the absence of any documentary proof about the antecedents of the patient, the doctors arrive to their own conclusions based on their knowledge of racial history a nd racial stereotypes. As the narrator suffers the seizures of electric shock treatment, the doctors note sarcastically that black people have excellent rhythm. This derogatory comment is the barometer for the thinking level of the white doctors and how racist beliefs are ingrained in them. Lobotomy episode is significant as it creates two different personalities out of one individual. The narrator has lost forever his black identity established through the historical processes of several centuries. 2. Mary Rambo is a unique character and the narrator is fascinated by her neutral but unique societal disposition. In the dingy societal reactions that confronted him often, Mary Lambo is an exception. She treats him with utmost affections and provides him with food and shelter. Her humane quality of willing acceptance without any reservations fills hopes in the life of the narrator. Mary does

Comparative essay on the North, South, and West from 1865 to 1900 A.D

Comparative on the North, South, and West from 1865 to 1900 A.D - Essay Example At the end of the Civil War in 1865, America was not yet the 50-state nation it is now. It was but an adolescent alliance of 35 tension-filled states of 24 victorious and predominantly northern Union States and 11 Southern states that failed to secede as the Confederate States of America. After the war, a combination of events fuelled an economic boom that pushed the population of the country from the North-South axis on the Eastern end towards the West. The Civil War had been a battle that pitted the rich industrial North allied to the seat of government in the East, against the agricultural South. The expansion to the West, however, helped temper the nation’s simmering post-War energies. Specific events in these regions during the period shaped the U.S. geographically, socially, economically, and politically and prepared the ground for our ascent to worldwide supremacy (Sobel 188-89). The powerful North grew on the backs of tough, hard-working European immigrants who industrialized and enriched their way to economic dominance. Perhaps the harsh climate helped, but it was really geography that made the region the seat of U.S. industrial production and wealth by the late 19th century: Pennsylvania oil, steel mills in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, manufacturing and mining in Wisconsin and Minnesota – all bonded with the financial might of New York under the expert, at times misguided and corrupt, governance by elected officials in D.C., the nation’s capital (Carnegie 653-657). Civil War victory and Reconstruction made an already strong region even stronger as industrialists, bankers, and businessmen took advantage of opportunities to reconstruct a devastated South. Victory also entrenched the north-based Republican Party as a political power that dominated American politics, producing two-thirds of post-Civil War Presidents (Sobel 201-7). The

BIO Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

BIO - Essay Example Its posterity would inherit that preference and pass it on to their posterity. The inferior (distraught) parts of the same species would slowly vanish, leaving just the predominant (advantaged) parts of the species. Natural selection is the protection of a functional advantage that empowers members of a species to contend better in nature. Natural selection is the naturalistic equal to local rearing (Vincent and Joel 67). Throughout the hundreds of years, human breeders have delivered sensational changes in local creature populaces by selecting people to breed. Breeders eliminate out undesirable attributes bit by bit over time. Additionally, natural selection wipes out inferior species step by step over time. However, a concept referred to as uniformitarianism is against the theory of natural selection. The theory states that the evolution took place through the influence of some natural forces such as earthquakes and floods. The climate of the earth has changed during the course of history. The majority of scientists agree that human activities are resulting to the increase of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Human activities since the period of the industrial revolution have increased the level of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide one of the major greenhouse gasses is produced through the process of burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and land use changes (Woodward 69). Methane the second type of greenhouse gasses is produced through the process of decomposing wastes in landfills, rice cultivation, and manure management. This means that human activities such as farming and use of fossil fuels have increased the level of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. In my area of origin, there is the problem of contamination of drinking water. This is occurring through the contamination of rivers, reservoirs, and lakes in the region. The government is trying to guarantee that there is a proper way of disposing of waste from the factories in

Comparative essay on the North, South, and West from 1865 to 1900 A.D

Comparative on the North, South, and West from 1865 to 1900 A.D - Essay Example At the end of the Civil War in 1865, America was not yet the 50-state nation it is now. It was but an adolescent alliance of 35 tension-filled states of 24 victorious and predominantly northern Union States and 11 Southern states that failed to secede as the Confederate States of America. After the war, a combination of events fuelled an economic boom that pushed the population of the country from the North-South axis on the Eastern end towards the West. The Civil War had been a battle that pitted the rich industrial North allied to the seat of government in the East, against the agricultural South. The expansion to the West, however, helped temper the nation’s simmering post-War energies. Specific events in these regions during the period shaped the U.S. geographically, socially, economically, and politically and prepared the ground for our ascent to worldwide supremacy (Sobel 188-89). The powerful North grew on the backs of tough, hard-working European immigrants who industrialized and enriched their way to economic dominance. Perhaps the harsh climate helped, but it was really geography that made the region the seat of U.S. industrial production and wealth by the late 19th century: Pennsylvania oil, steel mills in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, manufacturing and mining in Wisconsin and Minnesota – all bonded with the financial might of New York under the expert, at times misguided and corrupt, governance by elected officials in D.C., the nation’s capital (Carnegie 653-657). Civil War victory and Reconstruction made an already strong region even stronger as industrialists, bankers, and businessmen took advantage of opportunities to reconstruct a devastated South. Victory also entrenched the north-based Republican Party as a political power that dominated American politics, producing two-thirds of post-Civil War Presidents (Sobel 201-7). The

Health promotion strategy for asthmatic children Essay

Health promotion strategy for asthmatic children - Essay Example 3). The scope of this paper is to discuss the pathophysiology of asthma in children regardless of their location, the psychosocial and cultural impact upon both the children themselves as well as caregivers, analyze the nurse's role in promoting self management, discuss the health promotion strategies of both Taiwan and the UK while applying them to patient needs and, finally, to provide an overview of the pharmacological agents available for treatment. Although they have different approaches, both Taiwan and the UK have workable health promotion strategies to assist asthmatic children. Breathing is a process that most people take for granted; airway passages automatically carry air into our lungs where blood is oxygenated and, in a normal person, this process is only challenged under acute circumstances like smoke inhalation (Clark, 2003, p. 44). Asthma, however, "is a condition involving the branches (bronchioles) of the bronchial tree...in asthma, these bronchioles become narrowed for many reasons" (Lieberman, 1999, p. 10), making breathing something that cannot be taken for granted. Asthmatics have airways that are hyperreactive, and become inflamed in response to: ..seemingly modest irritants. ... The linings of the airways swell, excessive amounts of mucus are produced, and the smooth muscle tissue of the airways tightens or constricts (Clark, 2003, p. 44). Whether they reside in Asia or Europe, these characteristics in asthmatic children are the same. Accordingly, when assessing, planning and evaluating the care of the asthmatic child, the nurse must be especially aware of these conditions because the constriction of the circular muscles surrounding the bronchial tube can happen very quickly and, in severe cases, cause asphyxiation. Assessment should be based upon symptomatic presentation and observable behaviors of the child, paying particular attention to excess mucus production which con-tributes to wheezing and difficulty in breathing. Planning and evaluation of the care for the child should include not only an awareness of the generalities, but also any specific allergens or other causative agents that aggravate an asthmatic response. Since asthma is chronic condition, the bronchial tube wall can thicken over time, and aggravated edema of the lining can ultimately lead to fibrosis and tissue destruction (Lieberman, 1999, p. 12). A ccordingly, the nurse must be "alert to the early signs of asthma and have a definite medical regimen to follow when an attack begins" (Zamula, 1990, p. 15). The key to addressing the physical condition of the child is having a plan in place; thus the need for a health promotion strategy. Psychosocial and Cultural Impact There is a significant impact on asthmatic children, as well as those who care for them, from psychological, social, and cultural points of view. Understanding

Diet & Hypertension Essay Example for Free

Diet Hypertension Essay Hypertension or High Blood Pressure, as it is commonly called, is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically elevated. With each heart beat, heart pumps blood through the arteries to the body. Blood pressure is the pressure or force with which blood is pushed against the walls of the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, the heart has to pump harder which in turn can damage the body organ and cause illnesses like stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or renal failure. Hypertension in India is emerging as a major health problem, that is more prevalent in urban than in rural India. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80, where 120 represents systolic measure (highest pressure in arteries) and 80 represents diastolic measure (lowest pressure in arteries). A pressure of 140/90 and above is considered hypertension. Hypertension can be due to many factors namely- 1. Sedentary lifestyle 2. Lack of physical activity 3. Obesity or overweight 4. High salt intake 5. High intake of processed food items like- chips, bakery products, cheese etc. 6. Stress 7. Aging 8. Excessive alcohol consumption 9. Genetics and family history of hypertension However, hypertension can be easy to control if diagnosed at an early stage and with lifestyle modifications. Changes in diet and increase in physical activity levels can have a great impact on controlling high blood pressure Reducing salt intake: Salt is known to be an important cause of hypertension. Therefore, a diet low in sodium, viz. recommended sodium intake- 1500mg, which is equivalent to 6gm salt or 1 leveled teaspoon of salt, is suitable for body and heart. DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet that recommends 1500mg sodium intake, along with high intake of fruits and vegetables is known to have beneficial effects in controlling blood pressure. Though the market is flooded with processed foods, they are a complete NO for hypertension or heart patients. Processed foods like- breads, chips, nachos, processed cheese, ready-made soups, cookies, etc. are high in sodium in the form of salt or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Now-a-days many food companies are producing salts with â€Å"low sodium content†. However, they are excessively high in potassium, and excess of any mineral is deleterious for the body. Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables have a positive impact in controlling and maintaining blood pressure within the recommended level. Fruits are primarily a source of minerals and most important amongst them is potassium. Besides minerals, the high fiber content is healthy for the heart. Watching your weight: Diet rich in carbohydrates and fats is calorie dense. Excessive calorie intake and eventual weight gain is harmful to individuals with blood pressure. A diet with more complex carbohydrates, proteins from pulses or lean meat, high fruit and vegetable intake helps not just to maintain weight but is also heart healthy. Products like- chips, processed juices, cookies, instant noodles, cakes, achars, papad, namkeens, nachos are high in salt/sodium and are not suitable for hypertensive individuals. However, food without salt is difficult to sustain for long period of time. But, there are substitute that can be added to your daily meal that will help make the food palatable and interesting. Salt can be substituted with lemon juice, vinegar, mint chutney (with raw mango and less salt), imli chutney to add taste to your meal. Eating in moderation and physical exercise are mantra for healthy life!

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Partnering Construction Essay

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Partnering Construction Essay Partnering can be a very efficient way to commission the design and build of construction projects, from the unique to the more common and repetitive build. This paper provides an overview of the cost, benefits and the potential drawbacks of partnering, also describing and comparing the three types of partnering (1) I.E Project partnering : objective driven, tactical and short term in approach used on a single project Strategic partnering: long term alliances that continue across a series of project opportunities Framework agreements: a hybrid, which packages a series of projects having a known life span. (2) Traditionally the construction industry had a structure based on the apparent status of various professions and trades. But it provided no explicit coordination or control. Clients dealt with an industry that appeared chaotic by using competitive tenders and tough contracts to protect their own interests.(1) The fact that partnering has become so popular in recent years construction has seen a variety of new contracts emerge and some expansions on the more traditional ones to accommodated partnering, this paper will also look into these. partnering is a management approach used by two or more organisations to achieve specific business objectives by maximising the effectiveness of each participants resources (Bennett and Jayes (1995) When looking directly into project and strategic partnering Research shows beyond reasonable doubt that, properly applied partnering reduces the price clients pay for a given building. At the same time consultants, contractors and specialists earn better than normal profits and the industrys workforce find their work more rewarding in every sense (1) Typical benefits from partnering would be Reduced exposure to litigation. Improved project outcomes in terms of cost, time and quality. Lower administrative and legal costs. Increased opportunity for innovation and value engineering. Increased chances of financial success. The cost of setting up partnering strategic, and the procurement issue is one to be addressed. This will need to increasingly addressed as the economies and levels of client satisfaction diminish if the lessons learnt and the benefits of a close working relationship on one project the learning curve cannot be carried across projects. The answer to this is move away from project partnering towards strategic partnering which sees partnering in use for many projects and gives significantly improved results including: Continuing cost reductions Tailored service provision Client satisfaction Repeat business Improved turnover and profitability Performance improvements over traditionally and management approaches by project teams using partnering successfully Construction Costs Construction times Traditional Approaches 100 100 Management Approaches 85 70 Project Partnering 70 60 Strategic Partnering 60 50 Strategic Collaborative working 50 20 (fig 1) source 1 Drawbacks of partnering Given the nature of change it can draw-out criticism from experts and academics and partnering is no different. The following criticisms identify by senior managers. Organizations trying to establish partnering culture for specific projects face severe problems when they have to use cut-throat competition to win other projects. Modern forms of decentralized decision-making undermine partnering as decisions by one department are contradicted elsewhere. Commercial realities that require firms to have alternative suppliers and many customers, inhibit the development of deep partnering relationships The open communication required by partnering is inhibited when one partner also works with anothers competitors. Partnering relationships inhibit firms from developing more profitable new businesses. These are just some of the drawbacks associated with partnering and senior managers and academics have many more criticisms but this should serve as a reminder that partnering is not easy and must be worked hard at by all involved, though the evidence is there to prove the massive advantages archived through successful partnering. costs An initial investment must be made before any benefits can be reaped by any party. These costs include time spent by senior management establishing the approach, careful team selection procedures, and training and partnering workshops. This is another reason strategic partnering is such an advantage though it makes sense for partnering relationships to develop on smaller projects in order to keep costs down. When entering into a partnering agreement all parties should discuss how the project should be run, they should all be positive and genuine about working cooperatively and any concerns should be discussed before entering into a partnering agreement. parties should all be clear on their own interests and concerns they may have, this may occasionally mean missing out on bad projects but by only being honest and clear from the outset can partnering be a success. When all parties are decided on a partnering workshop should be held, this is the basis for establishing cooperative relationship and teamwork. Any party that could have a bearing on the end result should attend these workshops. It should be held by a specialist partnering facilitator as it help to broaden view and focus on the projects overall success. A set of mutual objectives should be drawn up by all parties this helps to adopt a win win attitude, this encourages all involved to focus on hitting targets achiving goals and producing value for each other. Meaning all parties will make more profit and the client will pay less. Some mutual targets would be: Value for money Guaranteed Profits Reliable construction Costs within agreed budget Handover on time Cost reduction Excellent site facilities Safe construction Shared risks Improved efficiency for users No claims Effective meetings Shared use of computer systems Timely design information Shared Information Fast construction In order to maintain successful partnering throughout numerous projects its a good idea to hold workshops throughout the project and hold i final workshop that identifies problems and lessons learned by the previous project. Partnering case studies. Partnering for social housing refurbishment. Case study Reference: Housing Forum HF175 The London borough of Camden used partnering for the refurbishment of 2,500 properties, teaming up with Willmott Dixion and Llewellyn. The main befits were: The client saved over  £500,000 from a  £7.8m budget. Time scale was more accurate with 74% starting on time and 70% finishing on time. Tenants were a lot happier with less that 1% making complaints. There were no formal disputes or claims, unavoidable extensions of time and the costs of necessary additional work were agreed quickly in the spirit of partnering. The contractual risks are also reduced by partnering. Case study reference: 010 A high risk project for the construction of the Tunstall Western bypass was completed 10 weeks early within budget and to a high standard of quality thanks to strategic partnering. Claims as high as 6M were avoided by risk management and problem solving, Project was delivered nearly a 1m under budget and all final accounts were resolved within a few weeks of completing construction work, improving cash flow and budget control. Types of contracts. Since idea of partnering has become so popular in the UK contracting scene that there are now several standard form partnering agreements available, for single projects (project partnering ) as well as for multiple projects overtime (strategic partnering). An example of the former type is the ACA standard form of project partnering PPC 2000 (Mosey 2003). Here, the key stake holders of a project i.e. the client contractor, consultants and key specialists, sign only one single integrated contract ( no other contracts are needed, such as appointments of professionals or building contracts). Other standard forms for partnering, such as x12 of NEC 3, do not create a muti-party contract. Strategic partnering in contrast, involves developing long-term commitments from both parties in the contract. The aim is to move the focus of attention away from getting the cheapest or quickest solution for a particular job, and towards developing a longer term understanding of the purposes of the projec t, and understanding from both parties about what each other whats to get out of the project. These polices have their roots in widespread business practice where long term relationships enables buyers and sellers avoid litigious disputes because the relationship becomes an important part of the process. The essential feature of strategic partnering is that it provides a method of for selecting a contractor (or other supplier) other than the more traditional approaches of competitive tendering. Examples of a standard -form arrangement for strategic partnering are the JCT FA 05), NEC 3 framework Contract and the ICE Partnering Addendum. (Construction contracts: law and management by john Murdoch and will Hughes pg 95 Any contract used should be partnering bias, most standard contracts dont facilitate for the idea of partnering, traditional contracts require terms that need negotiating this often destroys partnering attitudes. Even so many firms require the protection a contract gives, if this is the case its reasonably well established that the project partnering contract (ppc2000) and the NEC engineering and construction contract with the partnering option are the best to go for. Framework Framework agreements are used by major clients, they provide a resource pool of competent consultants, contractors and specialist. They establish a foundation for negotiations over future contracts with a limited number of firms. These are standing offers that remain valid over the life time of the agreements. Framework agreements can take a variety of forms; they dont have to be binding and dont hold the promise of work for the firms in the pool. The offers can be terminated at any time but contractual agreements must be completed for any individual project already undertaken. If a contract has been entered to purchase a volume of goods or provide a service over a period of time then this must be honoured. Advantages Establish long-term relationships (advantageous for partnering) Allows specialist buyers to negotiate best value for money on goods that can be used over a number of projects, but used any time Gives firms better buying power Reduces time spent on procurement and tendering Makes reliable after-sales better Disadvantages FW agreements can be unresponsive to change, there may be a better solution developed after the agreement was set up. Often can be a one size fits all approach, however most FW agreements dont place any obligation on any parties so if their is a better deal to be had then there is nothing to stop them. This in turn can be another drawback as there is no guarantee of business so a lot of money may be wasted getting a company into the resource pool of the framework. (http://blog.tendersdirect.co.uk/2010/05/27/answering-your-questions-on-framework-agreements/) When the comparison of a partnering agreement and a framework is made a FW Agreement is a step toward partnering but no work is guaranteed its more of a root to secure a pool of reliable resources that are likely to gel once in a partnering agreement, this makes the tendering process faster giving more access. (may need changing)

Informed Consent, Refusal, and Competence Essay -- the patients’ right

In the medical field today, whenever a procedure is going to be done on a patient, informed consent must be given to the doctor from the patient prior the procedure taking place. Informed consent is the approval given by the patient to the doctor for treatment. In the case being discussed today, an 80 year old patient, with a history of congestive heart failure, is in the doctor's office complaining of chest pains. After an examination, the doctor believes the best course of treatment would be to have a surgical procedure, in an attempt to save the patients life. During the examination however, the patient expresses the wish to just be able to die. There is no Living will or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) on file. The patient’s wife is afraid of the surgery, while the daughter is for anything that could save her dads life. The first thing that needs to take place in this situation is the determination of the competency of the patient. By using the Understand-and-Appreciate method of determining competency, if the patient understands the situation and all the options that are available to him; but also appreciates the options and understand the side effect of treatment or lack there of treatment , the patient is deemed confident. On the flip side, if the patient’s requests fall too far outside the realm of what would be considered normal, that could help in determining whether or not to override the patient’s wishes due to no longer being considered competent. It is the belief that â€Å"it is ethically justified to overrule the seriously irrational decision of a competent patient.† (Fredrick Adolf Paola, 2010) Under the assumption that during the last five years of treating Patient X for congestive heart failure, he never men... ...rd battle to fight at times. The reasoning behind the refusal may not make sense to everyone, but as long as the patient has been deemed competent, the patients’ right to choose their own medical care becomes number one priority. If, on the other hand, circumstances have found the patient not competent, moving forward to acquire consent from the next of kin of the court appointed surrogate of care is a must to ensure the patient receives the best medical care possible and results in an improved quality care of life for the patient. Works Cited Competency to make medical decisons. (n.d.). Retrieved 07 03, 2011, from Stanford. Edu: http://www.stanford.edu/group/psylawseminar/Competency.htm Fredrick Adolf Paola, R. W. (2010). medical Ethics and Humanities. Juonesd and Bartlett Publiushers. Lecture notes for HLT-305. (2011, 07 03). State University .

The Old Man and the Sea Essay -- Essays Papers

The Old Man and the Sea In The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway there are two characters who have a great friendship, the old man and the young boy. The old man has been fishing for many years and for the last eighty-four days has not caught a fish. Now the boy who looks up to him is not allowed to fish with him anymore. This boy looks up to the old man as a hero because the old man shows courage, perseverance, and respect. The old man shows courage just by going out all alone everyday and still fishing at his age. Although he showed the most courage when he had to fight the big fish. He could have let the fish go, by cutting the line, but instead the old man was willing to die trying to catch it. â€Å"He had seen many that weighed more than a thousand pounds... Now alone, and o...

Сauses of the Protestant Reformation

The term â€Å"Protestant Reformation† is used to describe what was originally an effort to â€Å"reform† Western or Catholic Christianity (the term Catholic means â€Å"universal†) but ended up creating a separate tradition. Several stages can be identified as part of the Reformation, beginning with Martin Luther (1483-1546) in Germany then shifting to John Calvin (1509-1564) and Huldrrych Zwingli (1481-1531) in Switzerland (206). Reforming ideas later spread to England, leading to the Church of England (Anglican) breaking from Rome (1533) and the growth of many Protestant denominations, such as Methodist, Baptist and Congregational.Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg in 1517 is widely considered as launching the Reformation but earlier people, ideas and movements contributed toward Luther’s actions. Political and religious factors both lie behind the Reformation. First, religious then political causes o f the Reformation are discussed below. Among several â€Å"forerunners† of the reformation was John Wycliffe (d. 1384), the English Bible translator and his disciple Jan Huss (1372-1415) of Bohemia. Earlier movements and attempts to reform the Church also lie behind the Reformation.Many wanted ordinary Christians to read the Bible for themselves and blurred the distinction between lay and ordained. One of the major emphases of the reformation was the â€Å"priesthood of all believers. † Direct access to the bible in vernacular languages, not in Latin which few lay people spoke or read, was regarded by Catholic priests as dangerous, by-passing their priestly role as mediators. Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor at Wittenburg, became convinced that the Church substituted itself for â€Å"faith†, acting as if â€Å"salvation† was a commodity that could be bought and sold, which the Pope did in the form of indulgences.Preoccupied with â€Å"justificat ion,† Luther determined that faith is God’s free gift; it cannot be earned by good works or bought from the church. He also criticized the wealth and political power of the Church. He renounced celibacy, arguing that the Christian life is a vocation that should be lived out in the world. Protestants rejected papal authority; gave priority to the bible, recognized two (as compared with seven) sacraments, baptism and communion (some jettisoned the concept of â€Å"sacrament†); gave communion in both kinds (as compared with only bread) and taught the priesthood of all believers.Behind these Protestant emphases was discontentment with a Church that was dominated by priests, practiced many traditions that could not be traced back to scripture and that was preoccupied with wealth and power at the expense of spirituality. Such practices as buying church offices (simony), clerical marriage or the keeping of mistresses as well as the sale of indulgences, all compromised t he Church’s moral and spiritual authority. Faith for Protestants usually involves a personal experience of renewal. You are not born a Christian but become Membership of a Church does not mean that you are necessarily a true believer.Invention of the printing press, too, made placing the Bible at the center possible because more and more people could now read the bible. Translation also facilitated this process. The above also had political implications. Much money went from countries such as the German states to Italy to pay for building churches or to maintain the lavish lifestyle of popes and bishops in Rome. Earlier, during what was called the investiture controversy of the 11th and 12th centuries, the Pope had vied with kings and princes over who had the right to appoint church officers, with the Pope claiming that only he had the right to do so.In fact, there was also historical tension between the Pope’s claim to be the ultimate temporal as well as spiritual aut hority and kings who saw themselves as ruling directly under divine authority with no need for papal approval. Following Luther’s denunciation of indulgences and of other beliefs and practices, several German princes supported his new movement, asserting that they had the right to choose which version of Christianity would be the â€Å"church† within their state.Effectively, this was what Henry VIII did when he declared that the Church of England was independent from Rome, that it was the established church of his realm. Henry became head of the Church of England. In theory, the Popes saw the Church as â€Å"above† the state, since they legitimized kingly succession. In Protestantism, the Church tends to be regarded as â€Å"under† the state, or as a partner in running the state. Luther and other reformers were in part successful because they had the support of political leaders.From the perspective of kings and other temporal rulers, weakening the power of the Pope and retaining money within their own states was a significant factor. For Luther and his fellow reformers, the Reformation had more to do with matters of the heart. Luther experienced a personal transformation while preparing his lectures on the Book of Romans and it was this experience that prompted his ideas about â€Å"faith alone†, â€Å"grace alone† and â€Å"scripture alone†. Yet without the support of temporal rulers he would probably have been convicted of heresy and executed.Rather than single out one or several causes of the Reformation as the most important, arguably, what lies at the root of the Reformation was a new spirit of humanism that was sweeping Europe. Luther was no â€Å"humanist† but he did want to give Christianity back to the people and in a sense to individuals, who would study the Bible, undergo personal, individual religious experiences and who would not have to answer to an external sources of authority. No one wou ld stand between a person and their God, although kings tried to do so as stamped out alternatives to their choice of a state church. . The Renaissance has been called the `birth of modernity. `Why? The â€Å"Renaissance† describes the period from about 1300 to about 1600, although historians disagree about the exact parameters. Historians actually identify several â€Å"renaissances† such as the English renaissance and the Scottish renaissance although the term is often restricted to the Italian renaissance. â€Å"Modernity† can be a misleading concept, because what was thought â€Å"modern† in the 1920’s seems old-fashioned in the opening years of the 21st century. The word means â€Å"re-birth†.Following the Black Death, which emasculated the population of Europe killing about a quarter of the population, some people decided that if life was short they ought to become as much as possible masters and mistresses of their destiny. Life was t oo fragile to be subject to a great many limitations and controls. The typical Renaissance Man did not confine himself to a single area of interest but studied a wide range of disciplines. Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) for example was a scientist, an inventor, an artist, a anatomist, musician, visionary, musician and engineer.Arguably, Da Vinci did not want to miss out on any aspect of learning that was accessible to him as a human individual. He wanted everything that life could afford him. One contributing factor behind the emergence of the Renaissance was the rediscovery of classical learning aided by the influx of Greek refugees from Constantinople after 1453, when it fell to the Ottomans. Scholars from the East brought with them copies of Aristotle, Plato and other Greek masters. Other forgotten texts traveled to Europe via the Muslim world through Spain. The City-state of Florence was instrumental in developing Renaissance ideas.Some suggest that after the Black Death merchant s and workers gained importance. Since they were fewer in number, they could demand higher wages and more privileges. In smaller states, their importance was magnified. More wealth led to more interest in spending their leisure time pursuing learning and other interesting activities. Previously, scholarship had been dominated and policed by the Church to ensure that ideas though dangerous and contrary to Christian teaching did not develop. Lay people now turned to serious academic endeavors and were less concerned with conformity to Christian ideas.What many saw in the classical texts was confidence in humanity itself, in human ability to shape the world, to control human destiny. The way in which the human form was depicted in Greek sculpture testified to the nobility of the human form. Renaissance men such as Petrach (1304-1374) actually thought that ancient times were superior and wanted to reconstruct the past. Ancient knowledge of the functioning of the human body suggested the uniqueness of â€Å"man† among other creatures. All of this shifted the human to the center. Renaissance thought is not characteristically atheist but it is generally classed as â€Å"humanist†.Much scholarship focused on the humanities, that is, poetry, grammar, history, moral philosophy and rhetoric and there was a deep concern with how men and women could live virtuous lives. Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494) famously said that â€Å"man is the measure of all things† which can be taken as the motto of the age. The Renaissance was also given a boost because wealthy people decided that patronizing art and learning was worthwhile. In what sense did the Renaissance prefigure or give birth to modernity? Modernity here is understood as the age of mature humanism. God is no longer thought to supervise and pre-ordain human affairs.The Church is no longer the guardian of learning. Knowledge is that which can be empirically proven, regardless of whether the Ch urch approves or not. While many â€Å"great men† of the Renaissance still believed in God and in eternal punishment or reward, others began to distance themselves from religion. Some tended to think that God created the world and humanity but then stepped aside, leaving people to determine their own destiny. Modern thinkers do not look to religious doctrines to determine â€Å"right† from â€Å"wrong† but see notions of morality as socially agreed constructs which are therefore fluid and subject to change.A thinker such as John Stuart Mill (1806-73) argued that a world free of religion would be more moral because people would act not in order to earn a reward but simply because an act was moral. Spinoza (1632-77) produced a system of ethics that was derived from rational thought, not from scripture. The idea that humans, by ingenuity can cure diseases, shape the world to suit their needs, redeem past mistakes by new feats of engineering and skill, puts â€Å"h umanity† at the center and all but makes God redundant.God becomes either wishful thinking or a dangerous idea, one that prevents people from taking responsibility. Historians, though, are divided on whether the Renaissance was a bridge from the Middle Ages to modernity or whether nostalgia for the past was so rampant that it could not prepare for an unknown the future. Or, even if Renaissance people did glorify the past this was in order to improve the world in which they lived and the world in which their children and their children would later live. Renaissance people were confident that human skill could make the world a better, more attractive place.The impetus to know the world led to the great explorers, which in turn inspired the more recent quest to reach the stars. Arguably, Renaissance people looked back to take what was best from the past so that humanity could move forward. Thus, modernity has its roots in Renaissance conviction that man is the measure of all thin gs. 2. The Early Middle Ages are often referred to as the `Dark Ages. ` Why? Was there any learning during this period? Dividing history into periods and naming them is problematic because not everyone agrees on how time should be divided.Characterizing an era by its main ideas or ethos, such as â€Å"Renaissance†, â€Å"Enlightenment† may be better than using such terms as â€Å"Middle Ages† or â€Å"Modern† because what can now be called â€Å"Middle† will later be nearer the start of written history. What is now â€Å"modern† will seem antiquated. The term â€Å"Middle Ages† may remain appropriate when applied to the period between the classical and the Renaissance, that is, from the 5th to the 13th centuries, although the Renaissance is sometimes included in the late Middle Ages, ending in the 15th century.Defining historical periods by describing their ethos depends on establishing a consensus about what characterized them. It wa s the Renaissance thinker, Petrarch (d. 1374) who first referred to the early Middle Ages (roughly end of fifth to end of ninth century) as the Dark Ages. Petrarch believed that the classical world was superior to the age in which he lived, itself characterized as a period of â€Å"re-birth†, that is, of reviving ancient ideas. Consequently, for Petrach, the period between the end of the classical age and the beginning of the Renaissance was â€Å"dark†.The term ‘Middle Ages† was also coined by a Renaissance period scholar, Flavio Biondo (d. 1463) who distinguished the classical, the Middle and the modern periods. For him, modernity began around about his own time, or perhaps from the Fall of Constantinople (1453). During the Dark Ages, Learning was rare, confined almost exclusively to the Church and many clergy were badly educated. Europe was divided, since the attempt to unite the former provinces of the Roman Empire as the Holy Roman Empire failed.The Ca tholic Church was the only pan-European organization and this may have hindered the development of science because little other than theology was taught or studied. There was hardly any serious historiography and literature, all in Latin, was almost exclusively hagiography or related to theology. Poetry, creative and imaginative writing, fiction, was conspicuous by their absence. Art did exist but was controlled by the Church and comparatively few great buildings or cultural artifacts were produced, although some were. Examples of great art are the illuminated mss of the Bible, such as the Book of Kells.Certainly, there was a great deal of superstition during the Dark Ages and anything that the Church authorities could not understand was condemned. This included some ancient knowledge of medicine, dubbed â€Å"witchcraft† and spiritual practices that challenges the Church’s authority, such as Celtic Christianity in Ireland, Scotland and Wales where women played a great er role and nature was reverenced. In fact, however, there were centers of learning where non-religious subjects were explored: some monasteries were isolated but maintained libraries where away from the prying age of the protectors of orthodoxy forbidden ideas were explored.The term â€Å"dark ages† highlights the contrast between the age of discovery when development took place in many areas, in science, medicine and technology from the Renaissance on and the earlier lack of progress or achievement. Yet others argue that some important aspects of modern life have their roots in the Dark Ages. For example, although the experiment of unifying Europe under the Holy Roman Empire failed, the Catholic Church did represent a unifying ideal. People were conscious of belonging to an entity that was larger than their political unit. People saw themselves as belonging to the same race, with the same rights.The idea of the whole globe as a common habitat may stem from this early unders tanding of human unity. The idea that everyone, even rulers were subject to the same law and the use of juries of peers can be traced back to the Dark Ages. The jury system remains fundamental to how justice operates in the modern world. In Art, realism was a feature during the Dark Ages, laying foundations for later developments such as the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Universities emerged just after the end of the Dark Ages and cannot have appeared from nowhere, that is, the idea of the University must have some roots in the so-called Dark Ages.The oldest Universities in Europe such as Bologna, Paris and Oxford taught the arts, law, medicine as well as theology. Enough people versed in these subjects but who were not themselves graduates of universities must have existed to teach relevant courses. Presumably, they were the products of monastic centers of learning that had pushed the boundaries of knowledge beyond theological topics. Thus, the term â€Å"Dark Ages† may refl ect the perspective of Renaissance scholars more accurately than it does those of modern scholars.On the one hand, the Renaissance is depicted as the beginning of modernity or as its precursor, suggesting that modernity built on antecedents and did not materialize spontaneously, appearing ex nihilo. Similarly, some ideas from the Dark Ages such as early contact with Muslim learning in Spain, may have laid foundations on which the Renaissance built. Pre-Renaissance Europeans were not completely ignorant about classical thinkers, for example. There may be better ways of dividing and characterizing history, although both terms â€Å"Dark Ages† and â€Å"Middle Ages† have had a long shelf life.

Las Vegas Case Study

Overview of Las Vegas & LVCVA Most people might not even think of Las Vegas as a â€Å"product†, or even they think of it as a brand. Places are included in the concept of product. Places could be cities, states, regions, or entire nations. Place marketing involves marketing strategies which contribute to create, maintain and change attitudes and behavior towards particular places. Behind the scenes, the image of Las Vegas is created and maintained by LVCVA, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.LVCVA is a private-public agency with the mission statement of â€Å"To attract visitors by promoting Las Vegas as the world’s most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. † Las Vegas has a perception in people’s minds as â€Å"Sin City† for long time, a town full of smoke-filled casinos, bawdy all-girl revues and no-wait weddings. LVCVA wants to broaden the segment of their tourists and reposition the image of Vegas. Some family oriente d facilities were added in the 1990s. However, this family image did not seem to accomplish LVCVA’s purpose.While they are still struggling with a better positioning, the dramatic decline of tourism due to the 9/11 attack forced them to proclaim Las Vegas as a destination of adults. The new Vegas has reinvented itself as a luxury and gaming destination with classy resort hotels & casinos, shopping malls with luxury goods, first-run entertainment & world-renowned restaurants. LVCVA figured that Vegas is more than an assortment of facilities and amenities and what truly attracts tourists is the â€Å"Las Vegas experience† – the adult freedom.The phase â€Å"What happens here, stays here† was created to capture the essence of the Las Vegas experience. The campaign went very well and the tourism industry rose dramatically. Moreover, this thoughtful brand image has been well established because Las Vegas was named as the number two hottest brand by brand consu ltancy Landor Associate. Unfortunately, the recent recession hit Las Vegas tourism industry badly. The natured, naughty, indulgent image of Las Vegas has had a negative impact during the recession.Especially followed by President Obama’s statement, Las Vegas became a less attractive destination for business and leisure travelers. LVCVA made attempts to reposition Vegas as â€Å"affordable† and â€Å"well-desired† to target hard working Americans. But this positioning is less convincing to people with the perception of the well-established image of Vegas. Although a slow recovery has appeared in the past year, the figures are not the same compared to the time before the recession. SWOT Analysis Strengths:Las Vegas has well positioned itself as a destination of adult freedom which differentiates itself from other states around the nation. Moreover, LVCVA concentrates on the total experiences of the tourists and promote Las Vegas as the best place to travel where t ourists would do things that they don’t normally do at their home town. The world-wide brand image of Las Vegas strengthens its position in the tourism industry. The presence of Las Vegas in the global tourism industry is still growing.Especially, Las Vegas was established by various consumption-oriented industries where gaming, tourism, business convention and luxury retailing take place. Also, many illegal activities within the nation are legal in Las Vegas such as gambling and prostitution. The â€Å"luxury† image attracts many affluent parties to visit Las Vegas which contributes to a big part of the revenue. Weaknesses: Although the large consumption-oriented industry provides huge profits for Las Vegas, it has also made the state more susceptible to extreme volatility and recession.During the recession, leisure travelers are aware of their spending as well as reducing their travel expenses. The naughty and indulgent image of Las Vegas does not play very well to a ttract business travelers. In addition, the city has neglected the importance of technology and knowledge-based business companies or factories in which other states are well established. The consumption-oriented industries concentration makes Las Vegas less competitive to attract these business companies. Opportunities: The excellent global presence of Las Vegas is a great opportunity to attract tourists outside of the nation.Most importantly, international travelers are most likely to stay longer than travelers from other states. Longer stays would involve more spending and activities; Thus, revenues for the state. Moreover, the income and activities in China are growing rapidly in recent years. As the income of the Chinese increase, they will want to travel outside of China. Therefore, Chinese travelers would be a great target segment for Vegas. In addition, many companies now use social media and apps to create customer relationships and solutions to better serve their customers .Innovation in technology for the casino business would be another opportunity to attract tourists or gamers. Threats: The existing image will be an issue to project a full recovery after the recession. The buying pattern has changed since the recession, the glamour and luxury image of Las Vegas does not fit the current economic situation and the current consumers’ desired perception. Moreover, unstable oil prices are a threat to Las Vegas which depends majorly on the tourism industry. Rising oil prices will result in higher airfare which reduces both business and leisure travelers.In addition, many states are considering legalize gambling to increase their revenue and that could pose a threat to Las Vegas’s privilege. Case Analysis The most important factor in the tourism industry is the tourists’ travelling experience. It is the experiences that travelers gain while they are travelling. LVCVA understands that they are not just selling Las Vegas; they are selli ng the â€Å"Las Vegas Experience† – the adult freedom. By talking to their old and potential customers, they learned the core customer value. The Vegas visitors want to feel a little naughtier and less inhibited and that is what their customers are buying.To accommodate the benefits the customers are seeking, the actual services and products are provided to the satisfaction of the visitors. Various product features of Las Vegas were produced to target the adult such as casinos, luxury retailers, world-renowned restaurants and five-star hotels. Branding is another strategy LVCVA used to deliver the core customer value. By spending $75 million for ad campaigns, LVCVA successfully boosted the brand message educating consumers of the â€Å"products† Vegas are selling. â€Å"Only Vegas: What happens here, stay here† became the now-familiar catchphrase of Las Vegas.This image has replaced the long pervasive image of â€Å"Sin City† to a luxury and indul gent image. Although this image has been adjusted to â€Å"affordable† and â€Å"well-deserved† during the recession, but the â€Å"Las Vegas Experience† brand image still maintains a consistent meaning to consumers. As research indicated, people still demand the same Vegas they’ve known and loved will still be there during hard economic times. This proves the strength of the Vegas brand image which provides its consumers a consistent meaning and helps them identify the products that benefits them.On the other hand, to manage the brand image, LVCVA also built an augmented product by constantly surveying their previous and potential customers of their Vegas travel experiences. Support service was designed to periodically assess the value of their products offering and brand experiences to obtain feedback and new ideas for future offerings. Because of the constant research and surveys, LVCVA was able to react quickly with their repositioning as well as main tain product benefits to the customers. The most powerful brand positioning builds around strong consumer beliefs and values.However, one-sided brand positioning became a detriment as Las Vegas moves forward. Although the strong brand experience has boosted the presence of Vegas around the world, it also destroys other economic opportunities for the city and makes the city difficult to react during economic changes. When marketing a city, a diverse objective would be beneficial. And it will create flexibility in the city when facing economic changes. A diverse objective is not just concentrating on developing the global tourist and business visitor industries; it will work on attracting different types of companies and businesses.It is because the ever changing external environment makes place marketing a most challenging task. To compete effectively in this current rapidly changing environment, a flexible and proactive real marketing approach must be developed. As a result, the one -sided marketing approach for Las Vegas will have a negative impact when the city moves forward. A real marketing approach must be constantly evaluated and reacts to the current environment. Also, fresh ideas and attractions are needed to maintain the current and potential customers.Therefore, the most recent efforts by the LVCVA will not continue to work since the consumers’ buying habits have changed and the revenue figures will not recover back to the 2007 peak time based on their recent efforts. Most importantly, the efforts are not contributing to the long-term strategy which should be created to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. A diverse marketing approach would require LVCVA to attract international and local companies to their offices in Las Vegas. These companies will provide ob growth and business travelers to Vegas. By diversify its industrial base; the city will find it easier to undergo economic downturn compared to just concentrating on consumption-ori ented industries. LVCVA should create a set of marketing tools to increase the percentage of international visitors. Spending from international visitors will contribute to a big part of revenues in the future if the city can gain support from the government policies to ease travel restrictions and make getting a visa more easily available for foreigners.Opening the door for international visitors will create more job opportunities to immigrants who speak other languages besides English. Also, the city should encourage their citizens to learn a second language and that could possibly create a business opportunity for private language schools. In addition, LVCVA could attract parties to hold international trade shows and conventions in the city. Innovative ideas are also needed to maintain the current products and services offered in Las Vegas. Smartphones are widely used by individuals.Therefore, a technology wise city could be very favorable for modern citizens. Casinos could creat e apps to better serve their customers while they are gambling or offer free Wi-Fi in Casinos. The â€Å"Las Vegas Experiences† provide a great brand experience to the consumers. However, branding is pervasive but functional products and services are not. Las Vegas should provide a consistent image as well as consistent innovative products and services offerings for their consumers. Just like Disneyland will produce new rides or re-decorate the theme parks for holidays.Products and services could be renewed or add new ones to recapture the return of previous visitors and attract potential visitors. As Ralenkotter mentioned â€Å"History has shown that new properties increase visitation across the board†. Although CityCenter might affect the image of Las Vegas, it is one of the attempts to renew the appearance of this place. Las Vegas is still down from the 2007 peak but their brand image is still strong in consumers’ minds. And that represents its ability to fac e the upcoming challenges and changes.

Business Models and Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Models and Planning - Essay Example In this business; picking unused and old clothes, the daily operation includes creating awareness to the majority within the surrounding region of the business. The awareness will enhance the collection since people will see the essence of disposing of the clothes in a more fashionable way where they benefit from the entrepreneur who collects the clothes. In terms of equipment, those that are assigned to collect the clothes are equipped with enough storage materials and effective means of transport that helps in transporting the clothes from long distant places. Business operations involve the different process for effective management and daily operations for the success of the business (Greasley, 1999, p. 1). The process of collecting clothes starts from the point of notification to the surrounding residents where the activity will be conducted. Clothes are given in exchange for money for those who wish to sell theirs. However, since the business involve value addition to the collected clothes; the price for purchasing used or old clothes is relatively low compared to the normal price in the market. The business main activity is collecting old and unused clothes. The materials (clothes) are acquired from the neighboring residents and sometimes from different places. The method of acquisition is in line with the regulations of federal policies especially on the environmental issues. The clothes are collected from various collection points placed by the company under the management of different agents of the company. Since the business is associated with bulky jobs and many operations, the company gives the contract to some service providers to carry out the exercise on behalf of the company. Outsourcing the work to a service provider has added advantage especially to quality service provision. There are different techniques that the company can use to produce quality product, but, in this case, line production and continuous flow production will

Nasir's Rise to Power in Egypt Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nasir's Rise to Power in Egypt - Assignment Example Though he did not become President until 1954, he openly supported a way of life for Egypt that included no presence of Western countries whatsoever, with successful results (Rose & Boxberger, 2000). This, and many other things, was to work towards his benefit during his years as President. Nasir was able to rise to such a position for several reasons. First and foremost was the feeling throughout the country that the British had stayed quite long enough (Rose & Boxberger, 2000). Nasir, who longed for a country and region with no Western influence, was the logical choice for president. Second, Nasir had great dreams and visions for the country, and felt that it had been kept not only under the thumb of Western influence but also as a second-rate country for far too long (Trueman, 2000). This gave him a starting point, a place from which Egypt could work its way from. He felt that the poverty of Egypt, as well as the lack of national pride, could be mended if the right steps were taken, such as nationalizing the Suez Canal, a move which brought him head-to-head with the former British controllers of his country and ultimately showed that Egypt was ready to stand on its own (Trueman, 2000). By the time this was realized, Nasir had not only won a monetary victory for his country, but a social one as well. He also knew the disregard for the framework of the country, its internal workings, and how little attention under the rule of the British had been paid to them (Trueman, 2000). By focusing his energies on his country, instead of far-off conquest, Nasir was able to bring not only national pride but unity to Egypt. Nasir was beloved by Egypt for many reasons. He was able to show the people of the country that he was willing to take on anything in their favor, and make sure that not only the former rulers of Egypt but the world knew that Egypt would be nothing but