Catherine the Great in Russian History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Catherine the Great in Russian History - Essay Example Peter the Great (1682 – 1725) was fascinated by Western Europe and its advancements in the late 1600s so he took steps to modernize Russia and set up economic programs, a strong armed forces and a centralized administration. However, due to hostilities with his son, Peter the Great failed to designate a successor. This led to a power vacuum after his death. In 1762, Peter III became Tsar but he was weak and incompetent so he was overthrown and murdered. His wife, Catherine, a German Princess from Pomerania took over affairs of the Kingdom when Peter III passed on. Catherine ruled till 1796. This paper looks at the plans of Catherine the Great and the major areas she changed in Russia as well as an evaluation of her contribution to Russia's Westernization and modernization. Plans of Catherine the Great The plans of Catherine the Great can be seen in some inherent elements of her lifestyle and the principles she embraced as a ruler. â€Å"Catherine showed more originality than any previous ruler of Russia and than most rulers at the time in Europe† (Madariage 206). This means that there are some elements in her actions that showed her intentions to improve her country. First of all, her background as a Western European showed that she had a tendency to tilt Russia towards a modernized nation that was on the same level as her German homeland. Thus, it comes as no surprise that she had several inclinations that were similar to Peter the Great who also had a connection to Western Europe. Secondly, there is evidence that Catherine had strong connections to the Enlightenment that was going on in Western Europe during her reign. Gillespie writes that â€Å"Although she was quite young, Catherine was deeply invested in acquiring knowledge and became intellectually and politically astute, mainly through reading and writing,† (285). This shows that from the onset, she had a vision of changing her kingdom to match up with other Western European nations . A further evidence is given by Viault who states that Catherine â€Å"corresponded actively with Voltaire and other prominent eighteenth-century thinkers† (130). This indicates that Catherine was open to new ideas and was ready to link up the country with the other changes that were going on around her kingdom. From these pointers, it is logical to infer that Catherine the Great had a plan and an intention of Westernizing Russia when she took power. However, the realities on the ground made it quite difficult for her to attain her plans. Implementation of her Plans In order to Westernize Russia, Catherine believed that there was the need to change and modify the educational system of the country. One of the earliest things that Catherine did was to put in place an educational system that was designed to develop individuals intellectually and morally with the end of equipping them with knowledge and skills that would support a sense of civic responsibility and allegiance to the state (Riasonovsky 12). This is because there was a sharp contrast between Russia and Western Europe. And this contrast lied in the fact that the vast majority of Russians were serfs who were forced to remain loyal to the nobles who ruled them. Thus, to promote a sense of national unity and national pride as Russians, she put in place an educational system that promoted national integration as well as independent thinking in order to prepare the people for a Westernized model of nationhood. With the educational system in place, Catherine set off to nurture a system of governance that was similar to the Western nations. Catherine went on to issue the Instructions which was a set of laws that were meant to recognize and respect the rights of

Crisis of Kingfisher Airlines Essay Example for Free

Crisis of Kingfisher Airlines Essay The Indian air market is estimated to be the ninth largest in the world but with the population size the country has, the Indian government believes it will become the world’s third largest market by 2020. 87 foreign and five Indian airlines fly to and from India to 40 countries. Approximately five million Indians fly every month domestically. Domestic traffic more than doubled between Jul-2006 and July 2011, with growth of 101%. One reason for the growth was the deregulation of Indian domestic aviation in 2003- 2004 followed by international deregulation in 2007-2008 India has three full service airlines Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and four Low cost carriers: GoAir, IndiGo, JetLite (owned by Jet airways), and SpiceJet. Kingfisher also had a discount version: Kingfisher Red known formerly as Simplifly Deccan and before that Air Deccan. Ironically the Indian aviation despite a market growing at 18 per cent for last 11 months, five out of six Indian airlines are bleeding leading to the failure of one of the leading aviation player Kingfisher Airlines. Kingfisher Airlines, a subsidiary of UB Group (United Breweries Holdings Ltd), founded in May 2005 operates a passenger airline in India. It was the first airline in India to provide premium first class service on domestic routes with all new aircraft. In May 2007, it announced it would acquire a 26% stake in Air Deccan, a low cost carrier (LCC) for 5.5 billion rupees ($135 million). Kingfisher Airlines Limited came to become one of the country’s largest airlines, operating more than 400 flights a day and having a wide network of destinations, with regional and long-haul international services touching almost 60 destinations. At one point the Kingfisher Airlines had the second largest share in Indias domestic air travel market. However due to the severe financial crisis faced by the airline, it has the fifth largest market share currently. Even the company have no funds to pay the salaries to the employees and is facing several other issues like fuel dues; aircraft lease rental dues, service tax dues and bank arrears. As Kingfisher airlines is in the midst of a financial turmoil, the case will aim to understand the various factors which are fuelling the growth / decline and those which are/will be critical for the company’s performance in the near term. Introduction History of the Indian Airline Industry In December 1912, the first domestic air route was opened between Delhi and Karachi by the Indian State Air Services (in collaboration with Imperial Airways of the UK). This marked a new beginning in India. Three years later, Tata Sons started a regular airmail service between Karachi and Madras. At that time, there were a few transport companies operating within and also beyond the frontiers of the country, carrying both air cargo and passengers. Some of these were Tata Airlines, Indian National Airways, Air Service of India, Deccan Airways, Ambica Airways, Bharat Airways and Mistry Airways. The Tata Airlines was converted into a public limited company in the year 1946 and renamed Air India Limited. In 1948 a joint sector company-Air India International was established by the Government of India and Air India headed by J.R.D. Tata. In 1953, the Parliament passed the Air Corporation Act. Air India International and Indian Airlines Corporation came into formal existence and Air India International was nationalized. The Indian Aviation sector was liberalized in commence in 1990 with private sector players being allowed to operate as air taxi operators in India. A number of private players commenced domestic operations like Damania, East-West, Modiluft, Air Sahara and NEPC, entered the industry. However, a decade later none of them have survived. Foreword of Kingfisher Airlines Kingfisher Airlines is an airline group based in India. Its head office is The Qube in Andheri (East), Mumbai; and Registered Office in UB City, Bangalore. Kingfisher Airlines was established in 2003 and began operations on 9 May 2005 with a fleet of five A380s, five Airbus A350s aircraft and five Airbus A330s operating its first inaugural flight from Mumbai to Delhi. It seems staggering that an airline a month old could order the world’s biggest plane in an untested market. They went international in 2008, less than four years ago. In May 2009, they became India’s largest airline by passenger numbers. Owned by the Bangalore based United Breweries Group. Kingfisher Airlines, through its parent company United Breweries Group, has a 50% stake in low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red. The UB group is lead by Dr. Vijay Mallya as the Chairman to one of India’s largest conglomerates with diverse interests in brewing, distilling, real estate, engineering, fertilizers, biotechnology, information technology and aviation. Dr. Mallya, was elected by shareholders as Chairman of The UB Group in 1983, at the age of 28 and has been instrumental in growing it into a multinational business conglomerate. Kingfisher is the only Indian and the one of the six in the world to have received the 6 stars rating for its services by the Skytrax operates more than 400 flights a day connecting 72 destinations the world over. Merger of Kingfisher- Air Deccan A wholly owned subsidiary of Deccan Aviation, Air Deccan, was India’s first low cost carrier. It has a vision to enable every Indian to fly thus representing the airline’s simple and no frills approach. With a low pricing strategy, Air Deccan primarily focussed on first time travellers and successfully shifted people from Rail travel to Air travel. Air Deccan airlines merged with Kingfisher Airlines and decided to operate as a single entity from April, 2008 under the title name Kingfisher Aviation. The merger is based on recommendations of Accenture, the global consulting firm. KPMG was asked to do the valuation and the swap ratio was decided accordingly. The merger came through on as Vijay Mallya from Kingfisher airlines bought 26% of the stake in Air Deccan. The unification of the two carriers had to be sanctioned not only by the two panels, but also by the institutional investors, independent directors, and other shareholders. Air Deccan had four independent directors-which included prominent persons like IIM Prof Thiru Naraya, Tennis player Vijay Amritraj, and A K Ganguly, Former MD Nabisco Malaysia. Post merger, KingFisher would operate as a single largest (private) airline in the sub-continent with a combined fleet of 71 aircrafts, connects 70 destinations and operating 550 flights in a day. The combined entity has a market share of 33%. Captain Gopinath continued as the Executive Chairman and Vijay Malay in-charge as the Vice Chairman. To rationalize the fleet structure, Kingfisher was focussed towards the international routes and functioning as a full-service carrier while Air Deccan was allotted the wider domestic reach and operated as a low cost carrier. As both the carriers operated the Airbus, the operational synergies integrated not only the management and staff of the airlines but also the engineering, inventory management and ground handling services, maintenance and overhaul sectors. These efforts brought about an increased savings in costs by 4-5% (INR. 300 crores)* Further, by devising a more optimal routing strategy it could help in rationalizing the fares. Before the merger Air Deccan recorded a net loss of Rs 213.17 crores on revenue of Rs 437.82 crores for 2006-07. The company had also raised Rs 400 crores through an IPO in May 2006. The merger will create a more competitive business in scale and scope to emerge as market leader.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Essay examples -- Papers Leader Lead

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli The Prince by Niccolà ² Machiavelli was written in the year 1513 A.C.E. in Italy during a time in which his views were greatly detested by others. They were so hated that he was exiled from his own country for writing them. When hearing this, one must ask oneself, what kinds of views did Machiavelli have so that his own country would cast him out? His ideas, though written very complexly, were very simple. One must gain success and to do so, any means were justifiable. He wrote his ideas in a lengthy letter to prince of Italy, Lorenzo de’ Medici. He gave him advice that was supported by history and what he thought were the precise makings of an excellent leader. That advice was both excellent and awful. In the document, The Prince, Machiavelli writes about many characteristics that a good prince should have. The five main characteristics are as followed: (1) A price must have no other thought in mind than war and how to pursue it (Machiavelli, 279), (2) a price must be liberal, rather than generous (Machiavelli, 282), (3) a good prince should be ...

Product Life Cycle Essay

Definition: Products come and go. A company’s challenge is to hold on to its customers longer than it holds on to its products. It needs to watch the market life cycle and the customer life cycle more than the product life cycle. Someone at Ford realized this: â€Å"If we’re not customer driven, our cars won’t be either.† One selects marketing tools that are appropriate to the stage of the product’s life cycle. For example, advertising and publicity will produce the biggest payoff in the introduction stage of a product; their job is to build consumer awareness and interest. Sales promotions and personal selling grow more important during a product’s maturity stage. Personal selling can strengthen customers’ comprehension of your product’s advantages and their conviction that the offering is worthwhile. Product Development and Life-Cycle Strategies: In the face of changing customer needs, technologies and competition, product innovation or the development of new products has become vital to a company’s survival. Introducing new products, however, is not sufficient. The firm must also know how to manage the new product as it goes through its life cycle: that is, from its birth, through growth and maturity, to eventual demise as newer products come along that better serve consumer needs. This product life cycle presents two principal challenges. First, because all products eventually decline, the firm must find new products to replace ageing ones (the problem of new-product development). Second, the firm must understand how its products age and adapt its marketing strategies as products pass through life-cycle stages (the problem of product life-cycle, strategies’). We therefore look initially at the problem of finding and developing new products, and then at the challenge of managing them successfully over their life cycles. Innovation and New-Product Development: Given the rapid changes in taste, technology and competition, a company cannot rely solely on its existing products to sustain growth or to maintain  profitability. The firm can hope to maintain market and profit performance only by continuous product innovation. Product innovation encompasses a variety of product development activities – product improvement, development of entirely new ones, and extensions that increase the range or number of lines of product the firm can offer. Product innovations are not to be confused with inventions. The latter are a new technology or product which may or may not deliver benefits to customers. An innovation is defined as an idea, product or piece of technology that has been developed and marketed to customers ‘who perceive it as novel or new. We may call it a process of identifying, creating and delivering new-product values or benefits that were not offered before in the marketplace. In this chapter we look specifically at new products as opposed to value creation through marketing actions (such as product/brand repositioning, segmentation of current markets). We also need to distinguish between obtaining new products through acquisition – by buying a whole company, a patent or a licence to produce someone else’s product – and through new-product development in the company’s own research and development department. As the costs of developing and introducing major new products have climbed, many large companies have decided to acquire existing brands rather than to create new ones. Other firms have saved money by copying competitors’ brands or by reviving old brands. These routes can contribute to a firm’s growth and have both advantages and limitations. In this chapter, we are mainly concerned with how businesses create and market new products. By new products we mean original products, product improvements, pnxhict modifications and new brands that the firm develops through its own research and development efforts. Risks and Returns Jri Innovation Innovation can be very risky for a number of reasons: 1. New-product development is an expensive affair – it cost Tate & Lyle around  £150 million to develop a new sugar substitute; pharmaceutical firms spend an average of . £100-50 million to develop a new drug; while developing a super-jumbo project could cost billions. 2. New-product development takes time. Although companies can dramatically shorten their development time, in many industries, such as  Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace and food, new-product development cycles can be as long as 10-15 years. The uncertainty and unpredictability of market environments further raise the risks of commercialization. Roots had to withdraw Manoplex, a heart drug, less than a year after its launch in the United Kingdom, after a trial on 3,000 patients in the United States and Scandinavia suggested an adverse effect on patient survival. The pharmaeeudeals division lost about  £200 million on the drug, which cost nearly  £100 million to develop over a period of 12 years, and about S20 million was spent on promoting and marketing it. 3. Unexpected delays in development are also a problem. History is littered with grand pioneering engineering projects which have failed to satisfy the original expectations of bankers, investors and politicians. The Seikan rail tunnel, connecting the island of Hokkaido to mainland Japan, was completed 14 years late and billions of pounds over budget; the S10 billion cost of the Channel tunnel, which opened on 6 May ] 994, a year later than originally planned, is more than double the  £4,8 billion forecast in 1987. 4. The new-product success record is not encouraging either. New products continue to fail at a disturbing rate. One recent study estimated that new consumer packaged goods (consisting mostly of line extensions) fail at a rate of 80 per cent. The same high failure rate appears to afflict new financial products and services, such as credit cards, insurance plans and brokerage services. Another study found that about 33 per cent of new industrial products fail at launch. Despite the risks, firms that learn to innovate well become less vulnerable to attacks by new entrants which discover new ways of delivering added values, benefits and solutions to customers’ problems.

Lee’s film & Brokeback Mountain

Ang Lee’s film, Brokeback Mountain, is one of passion, emotional struggle, heartache in relationships and unanswered questions in everyday life. Using a natural setting and authentic attire he examines the tumultuous relationship of two cowboys in a rugged area of Wyoming. The film poses various questions for the viewer, and how one is able to examine life, while fearing suspicion and choices, plagued with guilt and uncertainty.First of all, the main characters Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar are stereotypical of Western gentlemen during the 1960s, on the outside. Ennis is a soft-spoken man with a chip on his shoulder, while Jack is a loud-mouth rodeo fiend. But, slowly, they find their way together, despite a time when homosexuality was seen as a societal ill, particularly in rural America. We know this to be a taboo topic, because it is something that was not widely accepted in mainstream media prior to the release of this film.Several themes throughout the film apply to daily life, as we are able to analyze what drives individuals to difficult decisions. There is a thin line between love and obsession, and the basic human needs of affection, attention and survival all need to be nurtured. Communication is necessary, and divorce may be a result of a combination of lying, deceit and hiding one’s true self (Rose & Urschel 2006). This also proves that the reality of a dilemma can either be found in a one-night stand, or an affair that lasts for decades.Brokeback Mountain allows the viewer a chance to reflect upon our own values of consequence, presenting a very real relationship. When we usher aside our feelings of sexuality between two men, we can understand this to be a universal romance story. This forces us to understand a new knowledge of a bond between humans that transcends gender and stigma, and that, while circumstances may be different for each individual, we are all ultimately striving for happiness and love.This is a story that can be told to future generations to examine morality and life decisions. References Ossana, D. & Schamus, J. (Producers) & Lee, A. (Director). (2005). Brokeback mountain [Motion Picture]. United States: Focus Features. Rose, J. & Urschel, J. (2006). Understanding the complexity of love in brokeback mountain: an analysis of the film and short story. Journal of Men’s Studies, 14(2), 247-251. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier.

Free Essays on If The Deaf Could Hear…

If the Deaf could hear†¦ If the ability to hear were granted to the deaf, would it make a difference? With new medical discoveries every day, it is entirely possible that we could have a cure for deafness within the next century; what would the impact on the deaf portion of society be if a cure were discovered? There are four major categories of deafness; people born completely deaf, people born hearing impaired, people that become deaf, and people that become hearing impaired. Whether they are born with their hearing problem or not is an important distinction because those born with limited hearing or without hearing are speech impaired as well. I differentiate between complete deafness and hearing impairment because hearing aids sometimes make the â€Å"deaf† hear nearly as well as the hearing. The people of these categories would be affected differently. Generally, those born completely deaf would be affected the more by a cure than those who become hearing impaired during the course of their lives. Perhaps, as a whole, a cure for deafness would not make much difference. After all, most deaf people are not actually completely without hearing. In addition, deaf people are fully capable of holding most jobs, playing sports, and almost everything that those who can hear can do. This is especially true of those who were born with full hearing, but lost it during their lives. I have a friend who was born partially deaf. Other than his difficulty with speech, he appears to be the same as everyone else. He can even dance to a beat. He is in so many ways the same as anyone else that if he were to become able to hear, I doubt life would change much for him. On the other hand, there are many deaf or partially deaf people whose lives would be dramatically changed by a deafness cure. There is a popular belief that a deaf subculture has developed that is distinctly different from society in more than just their ability to h... Free Essays on If The Deaf Could Hear†¦ Free Essays on If The Deaf Could Hear†¦ If the Deaf could hear†¦ If the ability to hear were granted to the deaf, would it make a difference? With new medical discoveries every day, it is entirely possible that we could have a cure for deafness within the next century; what would the impact on the deaf portion of society be if a cure were discovered? There are four major categories of deafness; people born completely deaf, people born hearing impaired, people that become deaf, and people that become hearing impaired. Whether they are born with their hearing problem or not is an important distinction because those born with limited hearing or without hearing are speech impaired as well. I differentiate between complete deafness and hearing impairment because hearing aids sometimes make the â€Å"deaf† hear nearly as well as the hearing. The people of these categories would be affected differently. Generally, those born completely deaf would be affected the more by a cure than those who become hearing impaired during the course of their lives. Perhaps, as a whole, a cure for deafness would not make much difference. After all, most deaf people are not actually completely without hearing. In addition, deaf people are fully capable of holding most jobs, playing sports, and almost everything that those who can hear can do. This is especially true of those who were born with full hearing, but lost it during their lives. I have a friend who was born partially deaf. Other than his difficulty with speech, he appears to be the same as everyone else. He can even dance to a beat. He is in so many ways the same as anyone else that if he were to become able to hear, I doubt life would change much for him. On the other hand, there are many deaf or partially deaf people whose lives would be dramatically changed by a deafness cure. There is a popular belief that a deaf subculture has developed that is distinctly different from society in more than just their ability to h...

Max Weber and Michel Foucault come from different schools of thought and this is most evident in their treatise on power Essay Example

Max Weber and Michel Foucault come from different schools of thought and this is most evident in their treatise on power Essay Example Max Weber and Michel Foucault come from different schools of thought and this is most evident in their treatise on power Essay Max Weber and Michel Foucault come from different schools of thought and this is most evident in their treatise on power Essay Max Weber has claimed that power arises when given two people in a social relationship one will try to get himself in a better position to enforce his will on the other despite any form of resistance.  Ã‚   This then assumes that there is conflict between these two parties in the social relationship as both try to enact his will and only one succeeds in doing so because level of power differ between individuals and groups and some who have limited power are subject to accept the will of those with greater power.According to Weber, there are 3 kinds of power: coercive which means that the object is forced to accept another’s will for fear of punishment and repercussions; utilitarian which means that the object obeys the will of the subject because it furthers his own interests and motives; finally, because the subject has a legitimate claim to power and necessitates obedience from others.   Weber further streamlines his definition of power with domination and authority, whe rein domination are the probabilities that one will be obeyed, its truest form being that obedience is given voluntarily as it is within the interest of the follower to do so.   Authority is a form of domination which Weber goes on to define in his treatise to take the form of traditional, charismatic and legal.With this kind of power, Weber illustrates a stratified form of social relationships wherein the one with power will be on top of the structure commanding the rest of society who obey him and who are positioned underneath him.Foucault’s definition of power is totally different from that of Weber’s since his sense of power is not associated with positioning or domination but is closely linked to knowledge.   Foucault claims that power is derived from the exchange of knowledge in the economy of discourse.   In this economy there is a constant exchange of knowledge the veracity of which is arbitrary. Thus, declarations of knowledge will only be accepted as tr ue if the receiver of that knowledge holds it to be true.   Upon acceptance of the knowledge as truth, the receiver is then affected by this truth thus resulting in the subject, the declarer, to have power over its object, the receiver.   Therefore, the definition of power for Foucault is the ability of one to affect another’s behavior and actions.Both sociologists agree that power comes with resistance.   In the case of Weber, resistance will come in the form of the opposite which the receiver would want to enforce as well but due to his limited level of power cannot but obey the command of the subject.   Foucault claims that the discourse that creates power is the same discourse that forms the resistance.   Within a dialogue, to forms of knowledge will be declared and the non-acceptance of the declarations as truth will create the resistance to the influence or power of the other.Because of the subjectivity of Foucault’s power and knowledge base, Weber†™s definition of power and its implementation in society is far more accepted as the true definition of power – and following Foucault, it would mean that his economy of discourse serves as the resistance to the power of Weber.References:Peterson, Ryan. Michael Foucault Power/Knowledge. 12 November 2001. 14 February 14, 2008. colostate.edu/Depts/Speech/rccs/theory54.htmMathiason, John. The Power to Legitimize: from Max Weber to Hans Blix. International Studies Association. 2004. 14 February 2008. http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/intlmgt/readings/The_use_of_legitimation.htmPower, Domination, Legitimation, and Authority. Sociology 250. 1999. 14 February 2008. http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/o12f99.htm

Use Common Sense for Commas

Use Common Sense for Commas Use Common Sense for Commas Use Common Sense for Commas By Mark Nichol Commas are such cute little things with curly tails that their strength is often overlooked. When used haphazardly, their power can be untapped or misused. Employed correctly, however, they do much to convey a sentence’s meaning. The rules may seem complex, but they are also commonsensical. Many writers believe that commas are necessary in the middle of a sentence only when they divide two independent clauses two parts of a sentence that could stand on their own as distinct statements. But commas also serve as comprehension aids: Note the difference between â€Å"Knights wore metal shoes and gloves called gauntlets† and â€Å"Knights wore metal shoes, and gloves called gauntlets.† The first version implies that both items were referred to as gauntlets, and the second version correctly distinguishes that only the second item was labeled as such. â€Å"Are they going to lock me up or shoot me?† looks like the writer is asking if one of these two outcomes will occur. â€Å"Are they going to lock me up, or shoot me?† correctly clarifies that the writer is asking which outcome will occur and that’s a big difference made clear by the mighty little comma. Traditionally, a comma was inserted after all introductory phrases, no matter how short: But the trend toward open punctuation and away from closed punctuation has relaxed this tradition. Unfortunately, though short introductory phrases may not look wrong in isolation, in text containing both short and long introductory phrases, when the latter cry out for a comma to give the reader a rest, inconsistency is awkward, so it’s best to always retain closed punctuation. Sometimes, misunderstandings may occur when you omit a comma, as when a reader reads, â€Å"When she returned Jim’s head was already lying back against the pillow† and thinks at first that Jim’s head is being handed back to him or its current owner. Comments actually or conjecturally directed toward readers or a third party are awkward without a comma following an imperative (a form of address that tells someone to do something). The warning statement â€Å"Move over RCA and Sony, computer firms are becoming TV makers† starts the reader off at a disadvantage; who, they may think, is steamrolling over the television manufacturers in question? A comma after â€Å"move over† solves that problem. Similarly, â€Å"Attention shoppers!† implies that attention is a commodity some store patrons are there to buy, and that the voice on the intercom is acoustically accosting just that class of consumer; â€Å"Attention, shoppers!† meanwhile, asks for something, then identifies who is being asked. These rules may seem complicated. But there’s a simple test that usually works: When in doubt about whether or where to place a comma, read aloud the sentence in question, and visualize the comma as a hook that briefly makes the sentence run in place. If you hesitate or pause, insert the hook in the sentence to mark that place. If you don’t, don’t. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Inquire vs Enquire35 Genres and Other Varieties of FictionUsing "May" in a Question

Global diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global diversity - Essay Example Diversity is becoming popular around the world and as it is increasingly gaining recognition as it influences the outcomes of organizations for example the global knowledge creation as well as increased employee engagement. In addition, it is important for individuals and employees to how to differentiate diversity socially, politically and legally. Moreover, employees should be able to manage multicultural teams, develop cultural competencies, and ensure smooth operations across global employees. Employees should be involved in global development that encourages cross cultural awareness as well as training. The advantages of diversity include, people from different backgrounds coming together to bring their unique cultural experiences and share in providing broader perspectives for a better ultimate resolution. In addition, there is increased creativity and an improvement in the overall in the performance of a diverse workforce. It also brings about broader coverage where employees from different backgrounds that provide organizations with a wider coverage in the global marketplace. Populating the workforce aids in effective interaction with customers from different cultures. However, there is a disadvantage in communication where employees that come from different cultures and speak different languages may find it a challenge to engage in communication. In addition, it is expensive and time consuming to train on building relationships and solving conflicts with colleagues from different cultures.

Critical evaluation of a published paper Assignment

Critical evaluation of a published paper - Assignment Example Generally the primary aim of the research was to compare the potential impact of bundles of both collaborative and calculative human resource management. The analysis of the impact of the intermediary practices was more of a secondary interest (Gooderham, Parry and Ringdal, 2008, p. 2042). This paper critically evaluates the research design, strategies and methods used in the research article as well as their potential drawbacks to the research. Research design and approach Generally the authors have used a quantitative research method for their empirical study regarding the relationship between human resource management practices and firm performance. The research design used is primarily based on cross sectional data derived from a recent Cranet survey of human resource management in 16 European countries. The authors collected their data through survey questionnaire which were appropriately translated and mailed to the respective human resource managers of the selected sample nati onal firms in all the countries The resulted suggested that 5/6 of the calculative practices as well as two thirds of the intermediary practices had a significant impact on the performance. On the other hand, the analysis of the data further revealed that none of the collaborative practices had any impact on human resource management performance. ... On the hand, the independent variables used in the research were the various HRM practices that were obtained from a comprehensive literature review by the researchers. These variables were analyzed using SPSS and the results obtained were then used to support the hypothesis of the researchers. Benefits of the research design and approach There are a number of benefits of the research design that the authors used. For example, while the method use in data collection was too simple it provided the needed information to the researchers. One of the strengths of the research design used is that the literature review has offered a proper basis for the research as it clearly brings out principles and schools of thought that concern the research. For instance the review addresses some of the issues attributed to management system that aims to give the human resource new knowledge, information, motivation that results to a better workforce and commitment (Wright and Snell, 1998, p.764). To v alidate their findings, the authors have also used a comprehensive literature review in their study. A well outlined and detailed literature review with a detailed introduction to the research was a very good approach towards undertake of this research. The difference between calculative and intermediary HRM bundles and also collaborative HRM bundles has been well outlined. On the other hand, the method of analysis employed by the researchers included the use control variables that effectively provided a broad macrocontext of operation for the sample firms. Consequently this enabled the researchers to control the differences such as institutional settings and the variation in the economic conditions

Routine shaving Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Routine shaving - Research Paper Example This model of hair removal should be changed or replaced, as it presents the potential risks of susceptibility to skin damage like razor burns, scrapes, cuts or nicks. This model also, involves the cutting of body hair below or at the plane of the skin, often leaving pointed follicles, which cause irritation during the time of re-growing. Due to the effect of bruising the skin, where there is the development of cuts, scrapes, or nicks – increase the incidences of surgical site infections (SSIs), which may lead to further, post-surgical effects, like delayed wound healing, extended hospital stays, unnecessary pain, and in extreme cases, the patient’s death – which may be expensive or difficult to treat (Miller et al., 2001). 2. a) The core of surgical shaving can be traced to the traditional medical observances. The roots of the practice are difficult to trace, due to the lack of proper documentation, but from all leads – it drew from the antiseptic practic es introduced into medical practice by Ignaz Semmelweis and Joseph Lister in the 19th century. A case here is the observation of Dr. Stephen Smith, in the 1850s, that surgeons at the Bellevue hospital in New York administered the practice (Altman, 1983). The basis for the practice was presented by the Norwegian Centre for Health Technology Assessment, which carried out a methodical review on preoperative hair removal and published its report in 2002. The search for the review took place between 1999 and 2002, featuring both observational and randomized studies. At the facility, like the case is, with other facilities, the determination of the practice of preoperative shaving was reached by the hospital infection center, which is outlined through its working party guidelines. This authority is also responsible for proposing the change of the practice as deemed fit. The evidence in support of – not removing body hairs before operation was based on the information from observati onal inquiries only. According to their findings, preference was offered to clipping, as it presents less risk of surgical wound infection. The study, further, offered preference to depilation – as opposed to shaving, where moderate evidence from randomized studies and observational inquiries – which indicated that the timing for the removal of body hair should be administered, only a few minutes or a short duration before the surgery (Kjonniksen, 2002; Fogg, 1999). b). The rationale for routine shaving of the surgical site before surgery was implemented, as it is viewed as a mode of reducing the level of exposure, of the surgery area, both at the time of incision and in accessing the wound area after the surgery. For instance, the presence of hairs at the operation area may interfere with the suturing of the opening. It may also interfere with the dressing of the surgical wound and the administration of adhesive drapes. The presence of hair at the surgical site is als o associated to a lack of cleanliness, and may also interference with the process of administering cleaning, before the surgery or after the practice. As a result, the removal of such hairs is perceived as capable of reducing the instances of reducing the incidences of site surgical infection, due to the dirt and the infecting agents that may hide at the haired area (Hallstrom & Beck, 1993). c). The reason as to why the hair removal practice is administered in this way is that it offers an effective mode of hair removal, as the hairs are cut either at the surface or below

U.S Response to Terrorism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

U.S Response to Terrorism - Research Paper Example In addition, doing a research about this subject will give me a chance to expand my knowledge and be up to date of the current events in the global environment. By working on this paper, my primary goal is to find better ways of defining and dealing with terrorism. This research report provides useful information about Terrorism where it discusses different ways of handling terrorist events, such as Boston booming. The research report consists of three major subtitles, created to engage the audiences and give a general idea of the content of each body paragraph. In the introduction, there will be a gnarl description and history of terrorism followed by the threats of domestic and international terrorism. Last but not least, I will provide some facts about U.S policy response to any terrorist threats followed by how I think they should response to these threats. My only hope after completing this report, the audience would have a better understanding of terrorism and realize how the w orld would be more peaceful if we used different strategies in dealing with terrorist threats. Sincerely, Aziz Almughyirah Aziz Almughyirah Table of Contents Table of Figures iv Abstract v INTRODUCTION 1 Description and History 1 Statement of Purpose 2 Target Audience 2 THE THREAT OF TERRORISM 2 Domestic vs. International 2 U.S. POLICY RESPONSE 3 Boston Booming 3 International Relations 3 DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW 4 CONCLUSION 5 WORKS CITED Abstract Terrorism is a terminology that has being around since the existence of our kind. We as humans created terrorism from our shameful historical events where we failed to live in peace and decided to play the dominance role over each other. We sow the seed of fear in our souls, which became a barrier against our desire of peace. Our fears and doubts of others intents created an aggressive reaction against any threat or belief that could challenge our countries or its interests. Then, we apply direct or indirect pressure on the source of threa t, which create a fertile environment for many terrorist acts in lieu of eliminating the threat. These terrorist acts usually associated with four vectors of action, which are political, psychological, violent and deliberate. The main aspect of most terrorist acts is concentrated on political goals. When a society experiences some form of injustice for a long period of time where all efforts to bring justice are demolished, some form of violence starts to cut its way through in this oppressed society. If the concerned party does not take immediate action for the quest of reform, the violence could escalate to reach the political authority. The escalation of the situation can be extremely dangerous where it becomes out of control and terrorist acts trying to take the lead. Here is where the situation takes the opposite direction and different tactics. At that time, the terrorist groups work hardly to harness all the circumstances to their benefit where they support the insurgency and pave the way for guerrilla warfare. These terrorists would apply whatever it takes from offensive strategies, defensive measures and terrorist threats, which can have a severe psychological impact over that society or the region as whole for the purpose of achieving terrorism objectives. INTRODUCTION Description and History The idea of terrorism has been around since the creation of our kind where nations used to terrorize each

The relationship between transformational leadership and innovation in Literature review

The relationship between transformational leadership and innovation in the Bahraini banking system - Literature review Example The intention of this study is innovation as a quality which has become increasingly important to the survival of all kinds of companies in the fast changing and globalised world of today. The many articles in the media following the death of Steve Jobs in late 2011 have reminded businesses of the competitive advantage that innovation brings to a company, but at the same time there is much discussion about the type of leadership style that this innovator inflicted upon his colleagues. Some theorists claim that there is such a thing as an â€Å"innovation leader†: â€Å"Innovation leaders are senior executives –whatever their functions or positions – who spontaneously instigate, sponsor and steer innovation in their organizations.† This view suggests that the job of innovation one that belongs at the top of the organisational hierarchy. Other theorists, leaning on the earlier work of Weber, stress the importance of charisma, theorizing that some individuals have personal traits that mark them out as special, and allow them to play a particularly dynamic and effective leadership role, athough there have been some debates about how to define this elusive quality. Charismatic leadership engages the emotions in a positive way, making the members of the organisation feel that they belong, and in a best case scenario also increasing their motivation and efforts towards the corporate aims. It does this by building trust, creating shared beliefs, engendering positive feelings about the leader, and getting workers and managers alike to feel involved in the project. (Yukl, 1981) It has been pointed out that there is also a downside to the

EMBA 530 Student Replys week 9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

EMBA 530 Student Replys week 9 - Essay Example As for the first, the mere mention of family may be taken both as advantage and disadvantage, since it is well known that families can be either harmonious or contentious (Werbel & Danes, 2010). In money matters for instance, a family business might be in urgent need of new capital, and the best way for this is to reinvest earnings. However, other members of the family who may be shareholders but who do not participate in the management of the firm may be looking forward to regular dividends in order ‘to help support their lifestyles’ (Houlihan, 2013, p.1). Easily, families in which long-standing personal grudges are present (which is practically all families) will encounter one or two members who would express impatience or irritation at not receiving regular dividends and may pick a personal quarrel with the managing family member. Houlihan, R. (2013) ‘ESOPs offer liquidity solutions.’ Family Business: The Guide for Family Companies. Retrieved 12 March 2013 from http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/index.php?/freefeature/single/esops_offer_liquidity/ Werbel, J. D., & Danes, S. M. (2010). Work Family Conflict in New Business Ventures: The Moderating Effects of Spousal Commitment to the New Business Venture. Journal Of Small Business Management, 48(3), 421-440. doi:10.1111/j.1540-627X.2010.00301.x Christopher’s post was extremely informative and incisive, and touched on many topics which impact significantly in family businesses. There is a bit of difficulty, however, in identifying the five specific conditions which the exercise required, and there are several conditions discussed which tended to contribute to the failure, rather than success, of the business. For instance, the mention of the increasing number of family members for each new generation as being a negative factor influencing business, appears to be more of a disadvantage than an

The relationship between transformational leadership and innovation in Literature review

The relationship between transformational leadership and innovation in the Bahraini banking system - Literature review Example The intention of this study is innovation as a quality which has become increasingly important to the survival of all kinds of companies in the fast changing and globalised world of today. The many articles in the media following the death of Steve Jobs in late 2011 have reminded businesses of the competitive advantage that innovation brings to a company, but at the same time there is much discussion about the type of leadership style that this innovator inflicted upon his colleagues. Some theorists claim that there is such a thing as an â€Å"innovation leader†: â€Å"Innovation leaders are senior executives –whatever their functions or positions – who spontaneously instigate, sponsor and steer innovation in their organizations.† This view suggests that the job of innovation one that belongs at the top of the organisational hierarchy. Other theorists, leaning on the earlier work of Weber, stress the importance of charisma, theorizing that some individuals have personal traits that mark them out as special, and allow them to play a particularly dynamic and effective leadership role, athough there have been some debates about how to define this elusive quality. Charismatic leadership engages the emotions in a positive way, making the members of the organisation feel that they belong, and in a best case scenario also increasing their motivation and efforts towards the corporate aims. It does this by building trust, creating shared beliefs, engendering positive feelings about the leader, and getting workers and managers alike to feel involved in the project. (Yukl, 1981) It has been pointed out that there is also a downside to the

Reflection assignment for The Pearl by John Steinbeck Essay - 1

Reflection assignment for The Pearl by John Steinbeck - Essay Example For instance in La Paz the Song of the Family is sung by Juana to keep away evil; at the start, amidst the Song of the Family, the appearance of a scorpion leads to the beginning of the Song of the Evil. This therefore means that an event that is bad or unpleasant may bring about the Song of Evil to one’s mind and afterwards the Song of the Family to fight such evil as happens in La Paz and interchangeably as happens at the beginning. At other times however, songs may interplay feeding one another as when Kino is busy diving for pearls. The five things Kino wishes to do with the money from the Pearl include; a proper marriage for him and his wife in church, a harpoon, a rifle, proper clothing for his family and sending his son Coyotito to school so that he can become schooled. They are important to Kino because by wedding properly in church, his respect will increase in the community and his wife will be happy. In addition to that, if his son gets schooled, then it means he will be able to read and also open books, Coyotito will also know and it is through him that they will also get informed. These wishes reveal the fact that humans are always searching and yearning for big and better things and are never satisfied by what they have. They are insatiable and want to better their lives no matter what stage of life, race or class they are in. The five things that Kino desires to do after selling the pearl include; marrying his wife in church which represents an opulent and fashionable way of marrying, mostly practiced by the rich. Kino also wishes to buy his son a cap for yachting together with a sailor suit from the US. This represents the good life that is enjoyed by the rich and Kino simply is dreaming of what the rich do with their money. Human beings envision that buying clothes and dressing expensively is one way of looking rich. Kino also desires for his son to go to

Transportation Costs Essay Example for Free

Transportation Costs Essay Today, crude oil price is valued at $53. 30 per barrel, but is still in contention with other sources of energy such as biofuels. Biofuels today are getting cheaper and cheaper due to the new technologies such as the development of several other feedstocks such as jatropha and corn stover. However, in Malaysia, due to the dropping down of oil prices during the past 6 months, their proposed biofuel which is made from palm oil is suffering because presently, regular diesel prices are much cheaper than blended diesel. Prices are RM 2. 80 for blended diesel, compared to the RM 1. 70 price of regular diesel. Transportation Costs In the Philippines, transportation costs went down by a miniature amount, considering that the gas prices there have already gone down by almost 50%. Fare price for the most popular mode of transport – the jeepney is discussed in the following sentences. Transport groups in the Philippines are arguing that they are still in big deficits considering that during the peak of the oil price hike, fares are only P7. 50, only P1. 50 higher than when the diesel prices were about half of the value of the peak prices. Currently, transport costs are P7. 00 even when the price of diesel is down to P22. 60 from a high of about P54. Other modes of transport experienced increases but have already reverted back to their original prices after the costs of gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (main fuel for most of the taxi cabs) have gone down. Cost of Food During the 2007 global food crisis, the world experienced inflation in the prices of basic goods such as corn. This is due to the food versus fuel debate which was sparked by the eagerness of the entire world to embrace the use of biofuels. Today, the prices of corn and other basic food crops have been stabilized thanks to the development of other materials that can be used to produce the ethanol needed for biofuel blends. Some of these new materials include plants such as jatropha as well as marine algae. Presently, governments are starting to regulate the amount of land which can be used for the planting of crops that will be used for ethanol production.

Reasons To Vote :: essays research papers

This activity is rational because candidates must gain and maintain public support. The extensive campaign that most candidates go through requires large sums of money. This money is used to become visible to the mass by the media. The media is responsible for linking the elites with the mass. This is why the elites use the media so much. The media portrays the candidates in a light that will get the most ratings. Candidates spend more money to help put a positive spin or a higher approval rating on their campaign. Yet, this usually results in bad-mouthing another opponent. This, however, is not bad because the media is attracted by scandals, and they give most of their attention to scandals because that is what will attract the mass. The candidate acquires money from direct mailings and party affiliation. Direct mailings are frequently sent to members of large corporations who have large quantities of money at their disposal and who also would have a stake in the outcome of an elec tion. This interest group identifies in a way that if they give money to support a candidate, then once elected the candidate will return the favor and remember them by supporting a policy or other favor that would benefit that particular interest group. A party affiliation is made by a candidate to give the public a recognizable symbol because of some similarities between candidates. These similarities are a result of the candidate’s attempts to please the mass. He/she will try to appeal to as wide range of voters as possible. The candidates will acquire a general platform, but will make sure that platform is wide enough that as many people, or voters, as possible are able to hold it up.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The mass reacts rationally. About 50% of the mass bothers to vote at all and usually less if it is not a presidential election. This is because they are so disenchanted with the candidates as a result of negative advertisement campaigns, the depiction of candidates in media and their cookie-cutter policies. The mass cares more about economic security rather than political involvement. Most people would just as soon vote for a candidate that has been around while the economy is doing well, rather than risk it by voting for someone who does not have all that much experience. They hear politicians who are for â€Å"freedom of speech, free enterprise, etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and agree with these candidates.

The Catcher in the Rye :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People go through depressing periods in their lives as teenagers, and some experience it more severely or for longer periods of time than others. In The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger expresses this time of dejection through the protagonist Holden’s thoughts and personal feelings. Holden’s tone reinforces a theme of suicide and depression. He is sarcastic, biter, and occasionally upbeat.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Holden’s skepticism and sarcasm stem from his belief that many people are fake. He believes that many people are insincere in their attitudes, and in what they express publicly, like when Ernie the piano player shows off, â€Å"Anyway, when he was finished, and everybody was clapping their heads off, old Ernie turned around on his stool and gave this very phony, humble bow† (84). Holden knew that Ernie thought highly of himself so he thought it very fake for him to give a seemingly humble bow. Holden seems to act one way and feel another, because he always involves himself with people that make him feel depressed, and then feels bad about it. He cynically evaluates mannerisms of people including their word choice. He comments on a word Sally selected, and says â€Å"Grand. If there’s one word I hate, It’s grand. It’s so phony† (106). Certain words cause Holden to repel people, based on the deceit that he thinks the word ca rries along. Feeling as if he is drowning in a sea of falsehood, Holden constantly find himself feeling depressed because nothing is what it is trying to be.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Holden feels as if some sort of purity is threatened he assumes a bitter, angry tone. When Stradlater, someone he knows as very sexually intimate, went on a date with Jane, Holden’s childhood friend, Holden became so angry that he reacted physically: â€Å"I got off from the bed†¦ and then I tried to sock him, with all my might, right smack in the toothbrush, so it would split his goddamn throat open† (43). This shows that Holden feels it his responsibility to preserve all innocence, to prevent people or things from becoming phony. His failure to do so results in uncontrollable bouts of rage. When he reads swear words in the bathroom of his sister’s school, he says â€Å"I kept wanting to kill whoever’d written it† (201). He was thinking about all the children who would see the words, and felt powerless to stop its effects, so he became extremely angry.

For Colored Girls

For Colored Girls who have considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf. Topic: For Colored Girls who have considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf, is a book about women’s perspective on life and how they way view men, which have hurt them, mistreated them, and how they react and live on it I. All women feel at some point in their life its hard dealing with men, life and descrimation, but black women feel they have it hard than most. II. Body A.Black women’s outlook on men and how they feel mistreated 1. Family a. Father b. Boyfriends c. Husbands 2. Black women always have always had problems with men, not just black men but all men, as they feel in the book. d. Not just black men but any man, hurt them as one has a father of a different ethnic. e. They also have to deal with the lies and abandonment. III. 3. The women in my book deal with growing up black in the 1960’s and 70’s. 4. The women in my book also deal with men treating them badly. 5.They als o how they are to deal with the hard things in their life, wither its dancing or praying to God. 6. They also deal with rape. Conclusion. For Colored Girls who have considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf, is a book about women’s perspective on life and how they way view men, which have hurt them, mistreated them, and how they react and live on it. And when they find God back into their lives they understand they didn’t have to go through all of that alone, but that they had God and they had each other.

Rugged Individualism

History as we know has many ways of describing it, with all the historical events that occurred in the past it is a result of our American system. As Americans, we live in a land of opportunity and because of that we have the freedom to live . â€Å"Every individual should be able to support themselves out that wouldn't include the government's aid†. This idea was originally introduced in Herbert Hoover's speech when he was president of the United States. Although this idea refers back during the Great Depression, Hoover believed that Americans shouldn't be assisted somehow by the government, financially speaking.In my perspective, I see rugged individualism as to any individual who is not being aided from the government, but also not just financially, but incentively through the mind. As I read along through books that relate to the American Dream, Hoover's idea of rugged individualism became more visible. Similarly books like â€Å"Ragged Dick† by Horatio Alger, †Å"The Great Gatsby† by Scott Fitzgerald and â€Å"A Raison in the Sun† by Lorraine Hansberry, are comparable that the idea of rugged individualism is still being used and even through today's society.To illustrate rugged individualism through the book Ragged Dick, Alger created a book disclosing the 19th century lifestyle of a poor boot black. In this book rugged individualism shows because of how Alger describes the motivation through his main character â€Å"Dick†. He was fourteen years young and worked as a ‘bootblack' aka shoeshiner boy and slept in dirty torn up clothes on the streets of New York City. Alger portrayed him as any ordinary boy that lived the hard life in the streets; he smokes and drinks occasionally.However, Dick would still practice good deeds and some gentlemen would be impressed that how would a bootblack be so humble and attentive in his work in the streets of New York. â€Å".. He was above doing anything mean or dishonorable. He would not steal, or cheat, or impose upon younger boys, but was frank and straight-forward, manly and self-reliant. His nature was a noble one, and had saved him from all mean faults. † Dick is a good example of someone who I thought that reflected rugged  individualism.He was brought up by himself and never had much of a role mode to look up to while growing up. He relied on himself to get customers to get their boots shined, he didn't complain about living on the streets or how filthy is his clothes was from the work that he does. In my point of view, Dick didn't have help from anyone, or didn't expect anything from anyone, and if he did he would be more than grateful and smart enough to invest it in the right ways.In the book, he was treated very well by an older man and his son, and during that time in the book he acted very humble as he explains that he lives on a cardboard box on the streets and didn't really see that hygiene wasn't so important to him, but what was im portant was how he was going to feed himself and live in the future. And as soon as he found a plan to get better at what he does he uses that money to save for an apartment and to invest in for the future. Although wealth can bring you happiness and success in life, it can also you direct you in the wrong places.The main character of the book by Fitzgerald is Gatsby who is a wealthy man. He tries to use his wealth to attract the attention of a women named Daisy. This is not the right way of to get someone to love you but he's also thinking that his money can bring him success of happiness. He believes that his money will make him succeed in his attempt to get Daisy to fall back in love with him. He would be known to throw the largest parties every saturday, and his guest wouldn't even know who is he truly and why there's a party. At that time in the early 1920's, every person in new york city loved to party.Furthermore Daisy likes the fancy things, the partying and it all seems so good, but her heart is still committed to her husband. Therefor Gatsby's plan was not successful because his plan wasn't a way of receiving love back. Rugged individualism may not seem evident, but it does in a way that Gatsby wanted to help from his money to get his dreams to come true didn't work out. For he wanted the parties to draw her attention, even his large land and big mansion couldn't help him to fulfill his dreams with Daisy. Lorraine Hansberry created a book that was about dreams.In the story A Raisin in the Sun, the main characters each have their own dream that they want to fulfill. The Youngers family struggle to attain these dreams through out the end of the story. Walter who is the man of the house wants to afford things for his family and give them a decent life to live and not having to hold back for his wife and kids. There's Beneatha his sister who wants to be a doctor and their Mama who just wants to best for their family. Although things didn't go as planned, fights and tension between Walter and his family even his wife, things became a learning lesson to each one.Mama always knew best, and when it all came down to one decision, it had to go Mama's way. That Walter had to turn down the offer of a big check to keep them from staying away from living at a all-white neighborhood. This taught Walter that his son, Travis, looks up to him as the man of the family, and in the long run, his decisions will be reflected on his son. He wouldn't want his son to think this is right. Walter was stubborn throughout the book that he just wanted to money to provide for his family, another house to live in, pearls to wear on his wife, and a better life for his son.But Walter didn't earn that money, it was just the life insurance of his father and he didn't earn any of it himself. In this book Walter is the example of rugged individualism because although he was stubborn to realize that it was wrong to receive that check to not live in an all-white neigh borhood. If he accepted it, the money coming in wouldn't be because he worked hard for it, it would because he wanted the white people to have their way of keeping their neighborhood an all-white neighborhood.But no one shouldn't be told to live a certain area because of their skin color. So when Walter rejects the offer, he is also accepting the fact that he will have to work harder to provide, and try to uplift his family in some way. It's better than uplifting his family in the wrong way by accepting that offer. That insurance check was tempting for Walter to accept, but he didn't and later when his son would grow older, he can then explain to him that he has worked for every bit of that money that kept his family together.In America today, we still struggle with people who don't live up to the idea of â€Å"rugged individualism†. I believe it isn't really called by that term, but people know it as the American Dream. People who aren't familiar with both are those who thin k reaching your lifetime goals don't require any effort or any struggles. For those who become millionaires are results of hard work and labor that put in to achieve in life. Anything worth having is worth fighting for, and along the path there needs to be struggles and failures, but it is still a choice to keep trying and to not give up.History as we know has many its ways of describing it, throughout all the historical events that occurred in the past it is a result of our American system. As Americans, we live in a land of opportunity and because of that we have the freedom to live. With the three books that i've mentioned, they are examples of the having the opportunity to uplift themselves in their lives. In each book they have reflected to the idea called â€Å"rugged individualism† which was introduced by Herbert Hoover when he was president of the United States.According to Hoover this idea meant that â€Å"any each individual should be able to support themselves out that wouldn't include the government's aid†. Even so, I see rugged individualism as to any individual who isn't being aided from the government, but also not just financially, but incentively through the mind. As I read through the three books, each author had their ways of reflecting rugged individualism through their characters, and with the struggles and decisions they made through the books.

Cons of Playing Video Games Essay

Video game is a series of 2D or 3D world created by author or editor to allow public experience by representing as a person or animal inside. In my humble opinion, playing video games have more cons than pros. My essay will tell you that playing video games have more cons because it wasting time, cause indulgence, side effect on body health and cause volatility. In the 21 century, video games not only available for boys, it is also already become part of the girl’s life style. Although most of the teenagers like to play video games, but playing video games is actually wasting our time. Commonly, video game is story style and continuously. So, we will need a lot of time to finish one chapter or complete a task. Regarding to that, our time to doing our homework or revision becomes less. Students may be scolded by teacher or being demerit for not completing their homework. Finally, the result of the students may be affected. Playing video games will also cause indulgence. The interesting story lines encourage people to indulge in video games. They usually play the video games until forget to eat, wash and rest. Some of them even play the video games until the whole day. This endangers one person life. Among these few month, there are report on teenager die in front of computer and the causes of death is due to play video games three days non-stop. The main reason is do not have enough rest. Besides that, playing video games for long term will also cause side effect or negative effect on body health. One of the effect is eating without follow the actual time. When playing video games, a person will always play until forget the time and miss out the lunch time and dinner time. Sitting in front of the computer for a long period of time without moving will also increase the risk of obesity and give burden to the spiral cord. Tiredness of eye and fingers are also caused by looking at the screen and typing for too long, At the other sides, video games also encourage teenager to involve in volatility. Many of the video games contain volatile issues like video games that involving fight and guns. If a person cannot control himself, he will slowly follows the attitude of the character inside and involves in volatile. Teenager probably will also unable to come back to reality world as the illusion world in video games are always perfect as it can be change according our favorable. In conclusion, playing video games have more cons than pros. Teenagers must not be besotted video games too much. In fact, they should spend their time on enjoying their teenager’s life.

Hispanic American Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Hispanic American Diversity - Essay Example For example, some groups use the word "sopa" to refer to a food item while the rest use it to denote soap. The unique geo-political circumstances of different Spanish speaking regions have contributed to the formation of regional dialects. For instance, Mexico being close to the United States of America has resulted in the importation of English words into common usage. So much so that, some cultural commentators call the Mexican language as Spanglish. (Hope Cheong, 2006) Of all the four groups, Mexican Americans stand out in terms of their involvement in mainstream American politics. The dissenting voices of Mexican Americans were first heard during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Although African Americans were predominantly seen as the leaders of the movement, significant contributions were made by such Mexican American luminaries as V.Mendoza, Reies Lopez Tijerina and Rodolfo Gonzales. Their political activism ranged from basic rights for farm workers to rights of electoral franchise at all levels of governance. (Jokisch, 2006) Parallels could be observed in Puerto Rican American history as well. One of the more recent immigrants to the country, Puerto Ricans are poorly represented in politics. However, to their credit, they succeeded in forming trade unions to demand for worker rights during the second half of the twentieth century. Given such an initiation, it is only natural that their worker movement graduated into a socialist one. Given the strong capitalist roots in America, this movement did not make much impact though. Any description of Cuban Americans will have to be made in the context of Cubas hostile political relation with the United States. The primary reason for migration to their more affluent neighboring country is economic opportunity. Yet, the totalitarian and sometimes repressive regime of Fidel Castro would mean that the migrants are also

Biological Cloning and Nuclear Transplantation Essay

Biological Cloning and Nuclear Transplantation - Essay Example Burnett states about the scientific concept, â€Å"Scientists will take the nucleus of a somatic, or nonreproductive, cell from Alcalde and insert it into an egg cell from a cow, from which the nucleus has been removed. The resulting embryo will be grown in an incubator and then implanted in a cow to develop† (2008, p.1). In lay language, the concept involves the desire to produce animals with superior qualities that cannot be achieved through normal reproduction. The process involves nuclear transplantation, in which the genetic material from a given cell is inserted into the host. In this case, the host is an unfertilized egg whose genetic material has been removed through enucleation process. The biological process of nuclear transplantation is whereby scientists derive a cell from an adult animal they wish to clone. The genome of the animal is contained in the nucleus of this derived cell. Genome is the DNA that has instructions to create a new individual. The next stage i n this process is taking an unfertilized egg from the female of the same species, and removing its nucleus (Mann, 2003, p.1). The scientists then put the nucleus into the egg; thus, basically replacing the DNA of the egg with that of the cloning animal. The nucleus derived from the donor cell is fused with the egg with the help of a smell electric current passed through the cell. Adding a series of chemicals into the egg tricks it into believing that fertilization is taking place. At this stage, the outcome may be successful or unsuccessful.

The concept of Indigenismo (Indianism) Term Paper

The concept of Indigenismo (Indianism) - Term Paper Example In this paper, Chicano also refers to Chicano. As the 1960s approached, the Chicano movement embraced an â€Å"inclusive approach,† by including undocumented and legal Mexican immigrants in their definition of â€Å"Chicano†. Whereas before, the Chicano was only the Mexican American, the Chicano has become more plural by integrating all people from the same Mexican race. This new meaning of the Chicano influenced new ideologies (ideology refers to a system of beliefs and behaviors of a people) and cultural concepts. The Chicano movement then developed a significantly politicized aesthetic that supported the Chicano working class and challenged the white power. During the 1960s and 1970s, Indigenismo or Indianism became one of the primary themes of Chicano art. Indigenismo refers to the integration of indigenous practices and symbols into Chicano art, and which played a large role in the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s. This concept is related to the Chicano expe rience because it recognizes the Chicano’s pre-colonial, or pre-Columbian, roots and supported the â€Å"universality† of Chicano movement’s Indian culture.... deologies in Latin America and the United States, where the political, social, and economic forces that historically exploited and marginalized Indian peoples were exposed and opposed (Gonzalez 27). Indian civilization, in the view of the indianistas, provides a different version of the future that is dissimilar to â€Å"the civilizing project of the west,† and which struggles for Indian liberation (Solano 568). In order to attain this mission, a strategy was required, which re-valorized and re-Indianized ethnic groups and political units (Solano 568). This process was considered to be part of the struggle for recognition in the broader Mexican context of diverse cultures, languages and institutions (Solano 568). The Centro Cultural de la Raza of San Diego became the center of indigenismo (Gonzalez 27). The Centro became the meeting place of all Chicano and Mexican artists: a place where Native Americans exchanged works and ideas with other Mexicans, and where groups in Mexico , such as Mascarones and Concheros, as well as Mexican and Mexican American Ballet Folklorico, performed (Gonzalez 27). These collaborations improved the appreciation of the Chicano heritage in the United States and other nations (Gonzalez 27).Victor Ochoa, co-founder of the Centro, also significantly contributed to the making of the Toltecas en Aztlan artists’ group (Gonzalez 27). He also supported the large mural campaign at Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, one of the poorest Chicano communities in San Diego (Gonzalez 27). Chicano park is one of the most extensive showcases of different murals that integrated different indigenous Mexican images and exhibited the diverse interpretations of Chicano artists of their Chicano history and identities (Gonzalez 27). Other art works emphasized the Chicano

Balanced Scorecard approach to Technology Assignment

Balanced Scorecard approach to Technology - Assignment Example There might also be disrupting technologies that make the entire range of products or business models haywire.   Along with this, due to lack of proper communication, the problems are not looked into or solved in the right manner by the right people. A company would formulate its strategy in such a way that it enables the business achieve its desired goals and it is the path that would lead the company to its success. This is necessary so that the company can translate its innovative ideas to stories of success in reality.Development of the Balanced Scorecard SystemFirst of all it is important to know and understand the stakeholders that of the company and their individual objectives. Then the strategic components of the business have to be identified and their present position has to be analyzed. These components are the vision, the mission, departmental goals, the core values of the organization and the various dimensions of performance and the forecasting of the probable results .Now for using a Balanced Scorecard approach for Reliant Technologies the health of the company can be measured from both financial and Non Financial perspectives (Kaplan and Norton, 1992). This is the advantage of Balance Scorecards measure that it looks into the business beyond the numerical figures of financial statements and exhibits a better insight into the bigger picture. The main areas of the Balanced Scorecard would be as follows (Figure 1).Accurate Financial data and the proper interpretation and forecasting.... Then the strategic components of the business have to be identified and their present position has to be analyzed. These components are the vision, the mission, departmental goals, the core values of the organization and the various dimensions of performance and the forecasting of the probable results. Now for using a Balanced Scorecard approach for Reliant Technologies the health of the company can be measured from both financial and Non Financial perspectives (Kaplan and Norton, 1992). This is the advantage of Balance Scorecards measure that it looks into the business beyond the numerical figures of financial statements and exhibits a better insight into the bigger picture. The main areas of the Balanced Scorecard would be as follows (Figure 1). Figure 2 Balanced Scorecard Figure 1: Balanced Scorecard (Source: Kaplan & Norton, 1992) Financial Aspect Accurate Financial data and the proper interpretation and forecasting are required for the crucial analysis of the financial position of the organization. This data should be available to each and every segment of the operations of Reliant so that all the persons concerned would know how and which factors are changing the bottom-line of the balance sheet. Rigorous metrics on the profitability like EBIT, EBITDA and Operating Income have to be done to understand the real position of the business. Thus centralization of the system is necessary for the managers. Assessment of the Return on Investment The assessment of financial position is not enough. The situational analyses of risky situations that Reliant might face and the costs and benefits of undertaking different projects should be done instantly. Prior calculations of return on investments have to be undertaken before going for any kind of new project that

Building and Sustaining School culture Research Paper

Building and Sustaining School culture - Research Paper Example Creating awareness of culture within school settings can trigger scholars and tutors to take on tasks that promote growth. A school is an organization that has its own principles, values, and norms. Culture is not a distinguishable aspect of a school setting. A school culture encloses teachers developing their attitudes and impacting their conclusions and deeds. Culture manipulates all facets of a school, as well as such aspects as teacher’s dressing, what the teachers talk about during their breaks, how the teachers decorate their classrooms and the teacher’s stress on definite facets of the program of study. This research paper will focus on the factors that can help in building and sustaining school culture within school settings and institutions and the key players.Sarason (1996) refers culture within a school setting as the set of beliefs and values coherent among the school leaders in steering the school and interpreted by the students into proper conducts and arm ored through the installation of discipline. School cultures are formed and transformed over time. Needless to say, there is a broad correspondence among authors and scholars on how school cultures reacts to and replicates community attributes held by the students. For this reason, school culture can be expressed as the air we breathe. It is hardly noticeable. Moreover, it also typifies the traits and values of its leaders (Sarason, 1996).Culture in school grows as â€Å"teachers associate with each other, students and the community†.... School culture is a dynamic aspect that is continuously â€Å"being constructed and shaped through dealings with other and replications on life and the world in general† (Sarason, 1996, p 27). Culture in school grows as â€Å"teachers associate with each other, students and the community† (Barth, 1990, p. 123).Sarason (1996) argues that it â€Å"becomes the guide for behavior shared among members of the school at large† (p. 32). Kruse and Louis (2008, p. 20) argue that schools â€Å"are shaped by cultural practices and values and reflect the norms of the society for which they have been developed†. Barth (1990) asserts that â€Å"rituals and procedures common to most schools play a vital role in defining school’s culture† (p.124). For instance, ringing bells and having students stand in lines. Sarason (1996, p. 138), asserts â€Å"it is challenging to determine the nature of a school’s culture because our own personal experiences and values put blinders on what we look at, choose to change, and evaluate; because our values and assumptions are usually implicit and second nature we proceed as if the way things are the way things should or could be†. Arguably, people scrutinize the customs, guidelines, curriculum, tasks, pedagogy and practices in institutions from side to side via the sieve of their personal experiences and values. Sarason (1996) points out that people must apprehend and analyze their own cultural impacts before examining a schools’. Before joining the school, teachers and other staff members are attached to other cultures. Their values, experiences, prior education and norms,affect their opinions on pedagogy, curriculum and reforms before stepping into classrooms. For this reason, any proposed cultural reform will be resisted. Effects of

Importance of Learning Asian Languages Essay Example for Free

Importance of Learning Asian Languages Essay If I asked an English speaker, â€Å"Hello, how are you?†, the answer almost invariably will be â€Å"I’m fine, thank you†. This brief dialogue itself establishes a relationship between the two people. It not only stands proof of the two individuals’ ability to speak English but also their collective ability to converse in a common language. From the very beginning a certain level of trust is created as both persons can comprehend what the other is saying and thus, within the limitation of his or her expression, know what the person is thinking. With this also comes fluency in the conversation and in the vocalization of ones thoughts. Not only does this make the interaction faster, it also allows both persons to speak their mind freely and without much hesitation. Now instead, think of a French speaker asking â€Å"Commo à §ava?†, his translator translating, â€Å" How are you?†, the English speaker answering, â€Å"I’m fine, thank you† and the translator translating back, â€Å"Je suis bien, merci†. Quite evidently, the conversation becomes longer and quite tedious. But beyond that, the two individuals also feel a disconnect, as neither of them know for sure what the other is saying. The existence of the middleman disrupts the trust that would otherwise be established in the relationship. Also, both individuals hesitate and think twice before saying anything, pondering its interpretation in the other’s language. The purpose of the above examples is to show the benefit of conversing in a common language. If there is such a radical difference in communicating so briefly, the differences in longer and more complex conversations will be drastic. A common language gives the individual more access, establishes trust and therefore gives the individuals power. Throughout history we have witnessed expansion of various empires and in the process interaction of societies speaking different languages. Examples can be taken from the invasions of Indian kingdoms by the British Empire, British colonization of Australia or from the forceful inhabitation of Native American lands by the European immigrants while USA was being founded. The pattern in all these has been the same. The invaders start from trade. Through this they learn about the native people’s society and culture. Language is an inevitable need of trade and so the foreign traders learn the local language and the natives learn the tradersà ¢â‚¬â„¢. Slowly this gives the invaders access to the local community and gradually colonization takes place. Thus, we see how language gives power. Even in the current scenario, things have not changed a lot. Although the purpose of knowing a foreign language may not be to take over another country, language still gives the individual who speaks it an immense amount of power. It is so in all aspects of the word, the more people you can communicate with, the more are your chances to succeed. This power is exactly what the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants the citizens of Australia to have. Asia is progressing rapidly, but why would Australians knowing Asian languages â€Å"power Australia into the world’s top 10 wealthiest nations by 2025†? This is because as Asian countries progress and become global leaders, due to their economic and populous advantage, a large part of the world’s business will be conducted with or through them. India and China consist of 5/14th of the world’s population and this population spreads around the globe, knowing Mandarin or Hindi will give the speaker a great tactical advantage in an increasingly competitive world. But you may ask that if a common language is the only thing attracting Australia to have its citizens learn languages like Hindi and Mandarin, what’s wrong with their native English itself? The answer to this has two sides. The first is that English is becoming an increasingly global language and in the coming days, everyone who will do business with the Asians will almost definitely know English. In such cases, having a common language will not be enough. Knowing their native language and establishing an intimate relationship is what will give the language speakers an edge over the others. The other side is that as evidently seen today, a large percent of the Indian population speaks English and in terms of the people who do business, all of them speak English. But in the case of the rest of eastern Asia, few people, even in the corporate world speak fluent English. These aren’t baseless claims. There are various reasons behind this phenomenon such as the British rule over India for over 200 years, the mostly secondary sector development of countries like China and Japan and India’s global dependence for its services export. Since the beginning of British rule in India, many Indians have been learning English to facilitate themselves to get better jobs in the British government. Even after independence, English remained deeply incorporated in the Indian education system. Thus, English was never introduced to Indians as a global language learnt to facilitate communication as is being done now in various countries. It was imposed on on Indians as a necessity to survive in the British common wealth. This is why even the Indian lower middle class knows a moderately good level of English. Also, as India has developed, its tertiary sector has developed tremendously, specifically in the field of Information and Technology. The blooming IT industry far outmatches the demand for IT services in India and therefore there is a need to outsource these services. Thus, interaction of the average Indian with the outside world has increased and so has his need to speak English. As opposed to this, countries like China and Japan have seen the most development in the secondary sector. With the highest population and cheap labour, China has become the manufacturing hub of the world. But this surge in the manufacturing sector has resulted in only the entrepreneurs of these countries being in communication with the rest of the world. Their laborers, with no need to communicate with people outside the country, have found no need to learn English. As these Asian superpowers rise, the existing world leaders relatively decline in their economic and political status. With this in mind and considering that the whole of Europe barely amounts to half the population of China, learning learning Asian languages will be much more advantageous that learning European languages except for specific purposes. One could argue that some European languages like Spanish and French could be used in communication in earlier Spanish and French territories like South America and Quebec but this wouldn’t provide any advantage considering the economic and populous strength of Asian countries. Although all the pros favor learning Asian languages, it isn’t such an easy task, especially for a country that has been under British rule and speaks English that has a completely different script than any of the Asian languages. In this aspect it would be easier for students in Australia to learn European languages, as the script is the same as English. Another factor affecting the foreign language Australians would prefer to learn is their ancestry. Most of the Australian population consists of European immigrants who moved to Australia during the British rule. Many of these immigrants now in the 4th or 5th generation after the migration see a loss of culture in the generation following them and therefore would prefer that their children learn their mother tongue and be well rooted in their origins. Although a valid argument, people need to make a conscious choice between the past and the future. Learning their original European languages may give them a better taste of their own culture but by doing that, they are possibly depriving themselves the chance of a better future. Even the aspect of education is quite debatable. It is a well-known scientific fact that as you grow older, your ability to learn different languages decreases. The language learning agility during childhood allows children to master various languages irrespective of the differences between them. I myself have learnt English, French and Spanish, all having the same script while also knowing Hindi and Gujarati, both of which follow a different script than that of European languages. There are people out there who know various languages from many scripts and you don’t need to be a linguist to learn them, you just need to be a kid! This unconventional tactic to teach Australian citizens Asian languages could prove to be a great advantage to learners in this Asian century and could facilitate Australia to make it one of the ‘top 10 most wealthiest countries by 2025’ which, as stated by Julia Gillard, the Australian Prime Minister, is the primary goal of this initiative. To materialize this goal will take a lot of effort and will put a great toll on Australia’s education budget. If achieved though, Australia won’t be far behind the Asian giants in the coming global race.

High Risk Pregnancy and Women with Complex Health

High Risk Pregnancy and Women with Complex Health For this assignment I have been asked to look at the care I have seen and been involved in giving to a woman with a high risk pregnancy. I intend to identify how my practice could be developed to meet the similar needs of women in the future. To do this I am going to use a reflective approach. I am going to look at the normal anatomy and physiology and analyse the patho-physiology in relation to high risk pregnancy and birth. For most women, their midwife is their first point of contact so they have a crucial role to play in identifying any risks. Included in their extensive role is facilitating pregnancy and childbirth as a positive and fulfilling experience. This is most fundamental for those women whose childbearing experience has been categorised as high risk (Page, 2006). A pregnancy is classed as high risk if there are any factors that may adversely affect the fetal or maternal outcome. Risk factors must be identified as early as possible to increase the chances of an improved outcome (Queenan et al, 2007). When a woman is booked for her maternity care, her medical and obstetric history is taken to ascertain whether she would be suitable for midwifery led care (low risk) or consultant or obstetric led care (high risk). A woman can change from either group during her pregnancy. For example, she may start her care as low risk but then something may happen or a condition may develop so she may therefore require consultant input into her care. Factors which could mean a woman has a high risk pregnancy include epilepsy, diabetes, cardiac problems, multiple pregnancy, hypertension, obesity and previous obstetric complications, i.e. caesarean section, previous haemorrhage (whether that be antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum), recurrent miscarriages or previous intra-uterine death. Using Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle, I am going to discuss a woman I recently cared for whilst working on Central Delivery Suite, whose pregnancy had been assessed as high risk. This was due to her having had a previous emergency caesarean section and a previous ventouse delivery. In accordance with The Code (NMC, 2008) I have changed all names mentioned to respect their confidentiality. Description: Laura, aged 39 years old, was 39+1 weeks pregnant, gravida three, para two. As just mentioned, her obstetric history meant she would see an obstetric consultant during her pregnancy. As Laura was planning on having a vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) this increased her risk. It was also apparent she had tested positive for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in both her previous pregnancies. Laura had gone into spontaneous labour. Laura and her partner had both requested antibiotics to be started as soon as possible due to the previous GBS. This was not something my mentor could agree to as Laura had not tested positive for it at any point during this pregnancy. However, due to Lauras admission temperature reading being 38.1 °C and in view of the previous two pregnancies testing positive for GBS, it was decided by the obstetric consultant on duty that she would receive antibiotics during labour. We confirmed she was in established labour by performing a vaginal examination, with consent, and finding the cervix was 4-5 cms dilated, partially effaced and membranes were felt intact. After Laura was cannulated, the antibiotic Benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) 3g was administered intravenously. Then at four-hourly intervals she was given 1.5g until delivery. Due to Lauras high risk status a cardiotocograph (CTG) was commenced to keep a trace on the fetal heart rate and the uterine contractions. Laura laboured for approximately 6 hours in total, and went on to have a normal vaginal delivery of a healthy baby boy. Postnatally, Lauras observations were taken and baby observations were also taken six hourly and observed for a minimum of twelve hours in accordance with Local Trust Guidelines (Local Trust, 2005). Feelings: This event particularly sticks in my mind due to my own curiosity about Group B Streptococcus. When Laura was showing a temperature of 38.1 °C, I recognised this was out of the normal range so I informed my mentor. I knew a high temperature could indicate a sign of infection so it was important I made my mentor aware. I felt calm at the time and knew my mentor and the obstetric consultant had the matter under control. My mentor made me feel included in the situation and explained fully what she was doing and when. She went through the process of preparing the drugs and the IV line with me. I was very happy with the outcome of the situation. At the end of the day, we all wanted a normal, natural delivery of a healthy baby and that was achieved. Evaluation: The ultimate goal of this situation was a healthy mother and baby, which was successfully achieved. I am glad the consultant made the decision that Laura would be started on antibiotics as I was aware of how anxious she was. Analysis: The final outcome was Laura had a healthy baby with no signs of GBS disease. Contributing factors to this were how I relayed important information to my mentor and how the obstetric consultant made the right choice offering Laura antibiotics, even though she had not tested positive for GBS in this pregnancy. I believe Laura should have been offered a test for GBS to confirm if it was present in this pregnancy or not. She was very anxious about the situation so I feel this would have at least helped put her mind at rest knowing either way. Her and her partner had come to CDS demanding antibiotics as a precaution anyway, and luckily for her, her high temperature meant she received them. Had she not had the high temperature that decision would have been down to the consultant. Conclusion: I learnt from this experience the correct drugs to be given in labour, and the quantities and times stages they should be given. I also learnt the drug to be given if the woman is allergic to the primary choice drug. Plus, from using this topic as my high risk assignment, the further reading I have undertaken has also taught me a lot. Action Plan: If the situation happened again, I would feel more confident in my knowledge of explaining to the woman and her family why we would advise her to have the antibiotics. In this particular situation, Laura knew a lot about GBS due to her previous pregnancies being tested for it and she was then subsequently treated during the labours. However, if a woman I was caring for had little knowledge of GBS, I feel I could explain it. Laura was classified as high risk due to her previous obstetric history. However, I am going to concentrate on the Group B streptococcus (GBS) she was concerned she had, after having it in both previous pregnancies. I also have a personal interest around GBS as this was something I tested positive for during my pregnancy and I did not really understand what it was or the complications of it. I was screened routinely as I was living in Spain at the time. Laura was only aware of her GBS, in her previous pregnancies, due to routine screening in Germany. She had not been screened here in the UK for GBS in this pregnancy, due to the uncertainty of clinical evidence and cost effectiveness of the routine screening (NICE, 2003). As mentioned in my reflection, this was something Laura was concerned about and requested she receive antibiotics during her labour as a precaution. Group B streptococcus is a common type of streptococcus bacterium. Approximately a third of men and women are carriers of GBS in their intestines and a quarter of women carry it in their vagina. Most people are unaware they are carriers as it can be difficult to detect and does not cause any symptoms. Carrying it is perfectly normal as it is one of many different bacterias that live within our bodies. Problems can arise when GBS is transmitted to the fetus. This could happen if the membranes rupture, during labour or the delivery. The fetus could come into contact with GBS if the bacterium travels upwards from the womans vagina and into the uterus due to the membranes not being there to protect the fetus. If there are prolonged rupture of membranes there is increased risk of transmission due to more time for the micro-organisms to be transported from the vagina into the cervix, and then to the uterus. According to the Group B Strep Association there is also evidence that GBS may cross intact membranes to expose the fetus whilst it is still in the womb. This could therefore cause preterm births, stillbirths or miscarriages. The fetus could also be exposed while passing through the birth canal. A preterm infant would be more susceptible as their lesser-developed bodies and immune systems are more vulnerable to GBS infection than older infants. The fetus could become infected if they swallow or inhale the bacteria (GBSA, 2011). If the fetus acquires GBS in utero this is known as early onset (Chapman, 2003). GBS can also be found on the hands and in the respiratory tract of a colonised person. So once a baby is born, GBS could be passed on to it from the hands. This is why, especially within the first 3 months of a babys life, it is so important for anyone who comes into contact with a baby, washes and dries their hands thoroughly. If the baby was to develop the disease from repeated exposure, this is called late onset (Chapman, 2003). In Lauras case, we were concerned about in utero transmission which could cause early onset GBS disease. This gave us the option for the administration of prophylactic antibiotics during labour, and at least two hours before delivery, which has been shown to reduce the frequency of neonatal GBS infection (Local Trust Guideline, 2009). Antibiotics given during labour can be very effective at preventing this transmission. A guideline written by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG, 2003) state a woman should be offered intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis if they have the following risk factors: à ¢-  previous baby affected by GBS à ¢-  GBS bacteriuria detected during the current pregnancy à ¢-  preterm labour (less than 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) à ¢-  prolonged rupture of the membranes (more than 18 hours before delivery) à ¢-  fever in labour (a temperature of more than 37.8 °C) Although Laura only had one of the above risk factors, she was offered the antibiotics at the discretion of the consultant. Women must also be reminded of the risks with taking antibiotics and be given all the information so they can make an informed choice. The antibiotics a woman receives will also depend if she has any allergies to medication. The recommended antibiotic for those allergic to penicillin is clindamycin, 900mg administered intravenously, from onset of labour and every 8 hours until delivery (GBSS, 2007, Local Trust Guideline, 2005). During my placement on the Neonatal Unit, I also cared for a baby that had to be admitted for antibiotics as its mother had tested positive for GBS during her pregnancy. She was unable to receive antibiotics as the the delivery was so fast and there was not enough time. Therefore the baby was admitted to the Neonatal Unit so he could receive antibiotics. Blood cultures from the baby were obtained and he was treated with penicillin until the culture results were available. This enhanced the importance of the woman receiving the prophylactic antibiotics during labour. In any high risk situation it is vital that maternal and fetal well being is monitored. As Laura was high risk she was placed on continuous cardiotocograph (CTG) monitoring. This gave us a recording and trace of the fetal heart rate so we could indentify any deviation from the norm, in comparison with the baseline for that baby. The primary aim of the CTG is to identify a fetus that may be hypoxic so additional assessments of fetal well-being can be used (i.e. fetal blood sampling) or the fetus being delivered by an instrumental vaginal birth or caesarean section. The use of this kind of technology is justified in being able to save the life a fetus that is shown to be in distress. The CTG detects the fetal heart rate (FHR) and the uterine activity (toco) simultaneously and displays it in the form of graph. It is important to check the maternal pulse at the same time as applying the CTG, to ensure the machine is recording the fetal heart rate, and not the mothers. The modern machines we use at my Trust have a maternal pulse sensor which the mother applies to her finger, which then records the maternal pulse rate on the graph that is printed out. The continuous electronic monitoring using the CTG is vital to get a contemporaneous recording of the fetal heart rate. It will give us the baseline heart rate (usually between 110-160 beats per minute), accelerations (momentary increases in the fetal heart rate) and decelerations (momentary decreases in the fetal heart rate). Some aspects of labour will cause natural alterations in the FHR patterns. For example, the pattern will be different when the fetus is asleep or awake. External factors, like uterine contractions and maternal movement can cause the FHR to change. The FHR can also be affected by opiate based painkillers, like pethidine. Some of these changes are quite subtle and can only be detected by continuous CTG e.g. baseline variability, temporal shape of decelerations. To be a competent midwife, it is imperative I have knowledge on how to interpret the recorded traces of a CTG. I have seen many CTG traces whilst on my hospital placement due to the high number of high risk women my Trust cares for. However, I still feel I am learning new things every time I see one, as everyone is different. I can distinguish between baseline tachycardia (where the fetal heart rate baseline rises above 160 beats per minute) and baseline bradycardia (the opposite, where the fetal heart rate baseline goes below 110 beats per minute) (Mukherjee, 2007). Baseline tachycardia could be physiological if the trace is from a preterm fetus due to immaturity or secondary to maternal pyrexia or dehydration. It could also be a sign of fetal hypoxia. The fetus would try to increase the cardiac output mainly by increasing the heart rate to supply vital organs with oxygen and nutrients. Baseline bradycardia could be physiological if the trace is from a post-term fetus or possibly a large fetus, provided there are also accelerations present and there baseline variability is above the normal range (>5 beats per minute). If it is just baseline bradycardia with no other normal or reassuring factors, this would need immediate action. Another form of technology used within Lauras pregnancy was screening. When she was initially booked for her antenatal care, her blood and urine would have be sent for screening, after she consented to this. She would also have attended ultrasound scans which are also a form of screening. This is something that is offered to all pregnant women and regardless of their risk status, it is used in both low and high risk pregnancies. It is a process which has been developed, which was not done previously due to lack of knowledge and technology. The standard screening during the antenatal period is urine; to check for any sign of infection, and blood; to check the womans blood group, her rhesus status, her iron levels, if she is immune to rubella, and to check for hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV (NHS Choices, 2011). In line with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2003) pregnant women should be offered evidence based information and support to enable them to make informed decisions regarding their care. This means women should be informed of all screening tests available to them. I believe this should include information about screening which is not necessarily available within the NHS but could be carried out privately, for example, GBS screening. There are arguments for and against introducing routine screening for GBS in the UK. Plumb, Holwell and Clayton (2007) argue that in the UK, GBS prevention is inadequate. They believe the NHS should offer testing for GBS in late pregnancy, thus giving women the opportunity to establish whether their baby is at higher risk of developing the GBS infection. My current Trust guideline (2005) state there is not enough evidence for it at this time. GBS awareness campaigners, Group B Strep Support, are pushing for routine testing to be introduced in the UK (Prince, 2011). According to GBSS, Western countries that routinely test, have a lower incidence of infection in new born babies, where as cases in the UK are on the rise. Even since the introduction of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists guideline for preventing GBS infection in newborns, in 2003, there has not been a decrease in either the number or the incidence of GBS infections in babies (GBSS, 2007). The table below shows the how the GBS infection in babies has increased throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Year report published Number All cases (babies 0-90 days old Incidence per 1000 live births Number Early onset (babies 0-6 days old) Incidence per 1000 live births Number Late onset (babies 7-90 days old) Incidence per 1000 live births Number 2003/3004 311 0.48 207 0.32 104 0.16 0.48 2006/2007 409 0.61 248 0.37 161 0.24 0.61 2007/2008 421 0.61 258 0.37 163 0.24 0.61 2008/2009 470 0.66 279 0.39 191 0.27 0.66 (data published by the Health Protection Agency taken from www.gbss.org.uk/filepool/GBS_Infections_on_the_Increase.doc) Table 1 Number and rate (per 1000 live births) of group B streptococcal bacteraemia reports in infants 0à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ 90 days old in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2003-2009. The overall number of GBS infections within adults is also reported to have increased by more than 72% from 2001 to 2008: (data published by the Health Protection Agency taken from www.gbss.org.uk/filepool/GBS_Infections_on_the_Increase.doc) Table 2 Number of GBS infections in both males and females within England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2001-2008. A better indication of the rise in GBS infections would be taken from women only, who are 35-37 weeks pregnant. I believe this would give more of an insight into pregnancy GBS infection rates. While the evidence states the increase in rates, I could not find any reasons for the increases. Some factors I believe may contribute to the rise include the lack of personal hygiene, modern living or even due to lifestyle. For example, many years ago clothing and underwear used to be boiled when washing but now people may be washing their clothes on a 40 °C wash and this may not be enough to kill all the bacteria. It may not be due to any of these factors; it may just be we have a better awareness of GBS now then what we did years ago. With the constant improvement of technology, we will also be finding out new things. Although the internet is not a form of technology we use within midwifery, it is certainly a form of technology we definitely need to be aware of. Within the last ten years or so, the internet has become increasingly popular. This means the general public can find about anything, more importantly medical information they may not have been able to access before. Therefore, we need to be aware of those women that we care for, that may have either some basic knowledge or an in-depth knowledge of a medical issue, for instance GBS. The NHS even has a website called NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) which people can access to check symptoms and research illnesses and also pregnancy. I think this is mainly a good thing, although women may read so much into something they find online and it may make them more anxious or worried. It should not replace the direct contact with their midwife. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008), state we should be delivering care based on the best available evidence. By reading the research I have found to write this assignment I am adhering to The Code by giving women evidence based advice. I may not be able to radically change my operational practice but I will definitely be more aware of what to look for and how to manage the situation. I will also ensure I am aware of those women who may have a more in-depth knowledge about GBS and understand their anxieties. From writing this assignment I have identified the risks of GBS, who the risks affect and to what degree it could affect them. I feel I would be able to recognise the signs and be aware of the treatment and management. I have acknowledged the main technology used is for the screening of GBS within the laboratory investigation systems and believe this should be carried out routinely within the UK. Final Word Count: 3,361