Is All Art Appropriate Essays - Knowledge, Oral Torah, Pharisees

Is All Art Appropriate? Is All Art Appropriate? Should a Christian refrain from viewing, listening, or reading a piece of art because it is vulgar or offensive . . . no. If I had to pull one aspect out of the Christian faith that is the biggest thorn in my side it would be this very notion, the notion that Christians should abstain from anything that is even remotely distasteful. I believe that the idea of refraining from art that is possibly offensive makes one sheltered, and being sheltered breeds ignorance which in turn makes the Christian a less useful tool for the Lord to use. We are called to be a light in the darkness. How can we possibly be a light in the darkness if we are not aware of this darkness or unable to understand this darkness? Refraining from certain offensive pieces of art not only cripples us as tool for God it also stunts who one is as a person. Most movies or books that are what some might call distasteful are fashioned this way so that the point the creator wants to hammer home is all the more real. A good example of this is Schindler's List, a movie on the holocaust of World War II. This movie is rampant with violence, nudity, and language, yet each of these aspects is needed to portray the horror of what happened. We can learn something from every single piece of art ever made. Whether it is understanding how an evil works or understanding how one can be a better person, we become less ignorant and a more complete person. Scripture instructs not to be ignorant as the Pharisees. Ephesians 4 talks in great detail about this. One particular passage that truly spoke out was Ephesians 4:18, ?They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them.? The Pharisees were an ignorant and pompous group of leaders that were not aware of the present situation of the people. For this reason they constantly tore down the Jews instead of understanding their situation and helping them. As Christians to effectively minister to those lost in the darkness we must not be ignorant as the Pharisees but instead we need to understand their situations so that we can help them. Equus was a very disturbing book, but this was the author's intention so that his points would be striking and powerful. I did not particularly enjoy reading the play, but as I finished the book I was convinced my ideas that a Christian should indeed be exposed to all art not just that which some might call ?appropriate? was indeed correct. Equus exposed and educated me on matters that will allow me to better understand others' problems as well as make me a more complete person. In particular I learned about the darkness that I am commanded to be a light in. One aspect of darkness that I was exposed to was immoral sexuality. Alan having sex with horses, Alan almost having sex with the Jill, and the Frank's pornography problems. Another aspect that I learned about was idolatry. I saw the terrible results of idolizing something. I also found the line where one should deem an object ?off limits?. This line can be drawn when a ?cultural artifact? becomes an object which causes ones mind to wander to immoral thoughts. This can be seen when the boy began to think sick thoughts about the horses. While I condone exposure to all art I am aware of the fact that some vulgar issues may pose as stumbling blocks to Christians. I think that discernment comes into play two fold here. If a Christian knows he has an issue with something he should avoid exposure to it. For example I would not recommend bringing the Frank to a movie that involved a lot of nudity. The second half of discernment is what we take away from what we have been exposed to. For example, in our reading of Equus we should not come away with a desire for sex or idolatry, but instead we should take away an understanding of the problem and the negative effects they

Gallium Spoon Tricks

Gallium Spoon Tricks Gallium is a shiny metal with one property in particular that makes it perfect for science tricks. This element melts just above room temperature (around 30Â °C or 86Â °F), so you can melt it in the palm of your hand, between your fingers, or in a cup of hot water. A classic set-up for gallium tricks is to make or purchase a spoon made from pure gallium. The metal has about the same weight and appearance as stainless steel, plus once you melt the spoon, you can reshape the gallium to use it again and again. Gallium Spoon Materials You need either gallium and a spoon mold or else a gallium spoon. Its a bit more expensive, but if you get the mold, you can make a spoon over and over. Otherwise, youll need to mold the metal by hand to re-use it as a spoon. The Mind-Bending Gallium Spoon Trick This is a classic magician trick in which the trickster rests a gallium spoon on a finger or else rubs it between two fingers, appears to concentrate, and bends the spoon with the power of his mind. Youve got a couple of ways to pull off this trick: Rest the spoon on a finger that you warmed up right before the trick. Easy ways to warm your hand are to hold a cup of hot tea or coffee or simply put your hand under your armpit briefly.Rub a section of the spoon between two fingers. Friction generates heat, which will soften the spoon. The weight of the spoon will cause it to bend. The Disappearing Spoon Trick If you stir a warm or hot cup of liquid with a gallium spoon, the metal melts almost immediately. The spoon disappears into a cup of dark liquid or pools visibly at the bottom of a cup of clear liquid. It behaves much like mercury (a metal that is liquid at room temperature), but gallium is safe to handle. I dont recommend drinking the liquid, though. Gallium isnt particularly toxic, but its not edible.

Managing Innovation Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Managing Innovation Technology - Essay Example This could range from solving a major technological problem through a significant research programme, to simply making some minor improvements to an existing product (IPENZ 2). One example of this type of innovation is the portable MP3 player. This is basically an improvement on the compact disc player. This was market-led as there was an increasing need by the market to have this device, due to the increasing availability of downloadable files, coupled with the relatively low cost. The second is technology-led innovation. This is where a technological breakthrough, often arising from market-led innovation in another sector, creates an opportunity for a new product or service, but one that the market itself has not yet recognised. A market then needs to be developed for this innovation (IPENZ 2). An example of this type of innovation would include the in-house stereo system that is being introduced on the new housing estates in the UK. This involves speakers built into ceilings in al l rooms of house, with the main radio control centre in a central location. This means the occupants of the household, can listen to their favourite radio station, music or television programme without having to take the radio or television with them. In terms of the service sector, innovation would include applications such as the Pay Pal payment system, which is an online payment system or even online banking.For innovation to be successful it has to fulfil a number of factors. It has to have market value and to achieve this there needs to be a close link with the marketing process. There is no point in producing products if the market does not value the innovation. The innovation must be unique and protected in order to prevent competitors making any gains on it. Successful businesses rely on processes that ensure regular and constant innovation as failure is bound to happen when reliance is placed on random innovations. More and more organisations are recognising the importance of managing their innovation technology, as there are massive gains to be made in terms of copyrights and intellectual property. More importantly, they stand to attract other market segments and recognition of their efforts. The processes being employed are also relatively simple, as they entail areas such as knowledge management, and instilling a culture of openness and innovation in the organisation. Good innovation systems also focus on recruiting and retaining highly skilled and trained staff, giving them access to knowledge and then encouraging and enabling them to think and act innovatively. An effective innovation system consists of a variety of factors. The organisation must have a culture that values innovation and where staff are encouraged to think differently and take calculated risks. This requires a change in the organisational culture, as innovation cannot flourish in a static organisation or one which is heavily centralised. For innovation to work, the organisation needs to adopt a learning culture. This is essential in the current environment as the markets are relatively more unstable than they have

Direct　Marketing　Sales　and　Promotion Essay

Direct　Marketing　Sales　and　Promotion - Essay Example mpanies are at a dilemma as to how to increase their brand equity, operating within a business environment where most companies are focused on brand building and thus, strong brands are not necessarily a competitive advantage anymore. With the increased advertising clutter and shifting market demographics with highly fragmented consumer needs, the traditional dominance of mass media in todays, promotional strategy is declining. This essay aims to analyse the growth of Direct Marketing in today’s communicational mix and to identify both desired and unintended effects of direct marketing activities. The essay will further focus on the challenges in designing and deploying effective direct marketing campaigns, which are creative and exciting enough to compete with the overall advertising clutter competing for consumer attention. When considering the communication mix options available for marketers today, the highly developed communication industry coupled with the wide spread use of Internet has provided new means of interactive marketing such as web sites, online stores, and a host of other innovative and informative means such as CD Rom catalogues and Video screens in supermarkets, altering the traditional mix of promotional tools drastically. These wide choices have not only increased the reach of the communication mix but also reduced the cost per reach significantly. The biggest advantage of these new modes of communicational tools lies in being able to be highly focused and directed to the desired segment of consumers. Within these changes in promotional strategies, a notable development is the increased importance placed on direct marketing. Environmental forces such as political, economic, social and technological factors driving such growth of Direct Marketing is worth analysing in order to understand why direct marketing is becoming an increasingly popular mode of communicating with the consumers. More and more companies are embracing the paradigm shift

Usability evaluation of the website Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Usability evaluation of the website - Essay Example E-commerce websites are designed to offer products/services to interested clients. Nonetheless, ease or difficulty with which clients interact with the e-commerce applications is pivotal to their failure or success. Conventionally, any website must not just be designed to sell or convey information but must go beyond to ensure the needs of the would-be web visitors are adequately met. E-commerce has undergone extensive and remarkable growth in the recent past to supersede human expectations. Today, e-commerce is the largest form of business operation, communication, as well as R & D. Increased acceptance of internet and the move towards globalization as also affected e-commerce trends to a large extent. As a matter of fact, e-commerce marketing and sales have come to occupy a central point in the global economy. 2013 global e-commerce rates have reflected a significant shift in the manner people manage their businesses. The great internet potential has seen many corporations come up with new ways to avail products and services to consumers. In general, global e-commerce trends of 2013 have seen more focus on more personal websites to make shopping more mobile and increase channels. Additionally, global e-commerce 2013 trends reveal that additions to online businesses has raised traffic ratio for store fronts and further boosted online leads/sales. E-commerce websites further offer a platform through which business can globalize their brands and products/services they offer. Overall Problem As already mentioned, http://www.carphonewarehouse.com provides a platform for consumers to purchase electronics and subscriptions for data, voice and messaging services. The paper seeks to assess the website usability issues. General information shared by consumers online with retailers help in application personalization. All factors including age, lifestyle, contacts, friends and family, geography and social status are included during the personalization and play a helpful role in offering relevant and valuable shopping experience for consumers. Global e-commerce trends include the adoption of real time and personalized facilities for everyone who approaches the online market across the globe. Personalization has never been a new concept in this case, but the increasing popularity of personalization shows it is the most widely accepted trend in the global e-commerce 2013 values. Businesses and enterprises – big or small have made it easy and simple for the masses to obtain a personalized, simplified or complex technology in the sectors such as finance, travel, media and many more. The other global e-commerce trend includes incorporating mobility among the online sh oppers. Making your website mobile friendly or developing an application for an android or an iPhone shall no longer be enough. The year 2013 has further opened up avenues to offer advanced facilities. Consumers who have turned entirely towards mobile phone and tablets want newer and better shopping experience with geo-specific or ‘multi-lingual’ content. They expect special offers, various other platform-specific elements and much more to harmonize and add to overall life style of the consumers. The global e-commerce 2013 scenario has witnessed an even higher increase in online consumers, than what it saw when the first Apple product was launched in the global market. Current website interaction and arising usability issues The website is an e-commerce website and is meant to provide visitors

Cocaine Drug Abuse

Cocaine Drug Abuse Cocaine through the ages: from elixir to poison. Cocaine through ages: from elixir to poison. Abstract: Cocaine, a plant alkaloid derived from coca leaves is a potent stimulant of CNS and has local anesthetic action as well. Historically, it was ingested in the form of chewing coca leaves, to suppress hunger and fatigue. With discovery of its local anesthetic properties, cocaine was introduced into world of medicine and a local anesthetic, but over last few decades, gained popularity as drug of abuse. Cocaine carries with it great potential for addiction and abuse. It is administered through various routes, smoking free-base crack and intranasal inhalation being most popular. Its primarily metabolized in liver and distributed to all body tissues. Due to lipid nature it tends to concentrate in brain and adipose tissues with chronic administration. Its mainly eliminated through kidneys, but saliva and stools are also routes of excretion. A number of health hazards have been shown to be associated with cocaine use including, cardiac abnormalities, psychological disturbances, addiction pot ential and renal failure with or without rhabdomyolysis. Acute and chronic cocaine toxicities with sufficient collected data are included. Techniques for detecting cocaine in blood including enzyme linked immunoassay and POCT (Point of care screening tests) have also been discussed. An analysis of recent trends in cocaine uses have been studied and presented along with graphical illustrations of epidemiological evidence to support the data. Introduction and objective: Objective: to display how cocaine has evolved through time in its uses and available forms, from simple coca leaf chewing custom of South Americans in 2500 BC to modern forms of freebase-coke among others as one of the most commonly abused toxic drug. Methodology: Data was mainly collected from electronic resources, but text on immunology and pharmacology was also consulted. From electronic sources, I mainly used search engines using a number of keywords including ; history of cocaine, crack, pharmacokinetics of cocaine, mode of action , coca leaf, acute cocaine poisoning, chronic cocaine toxicity, Karl Koller, Sigmund Freud, Immunoassay, etc. I also went through a number of journals available online, and a number of researches conducted which related to cocaine. My aim was to find changes in cocaine use from its discovery to date, and show, with help of collected data, that it has moved in a negative direction. Brief history: Cocaine, use of which, according to some sources, date back to at least 1200 years, has now, rightfully, earned itself a place in drugs of abuse list among others like Caffeine, Nicotine, Amphetamine, etc. To date, cocaines uses have evolved from gaining popularity as topical anesthetic agent, and as component of energizing drinks to becoming one of the most abused drugs in the world. It is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug, which acts by interfering with cerebral and peripheral synaptic transmission among neurons. Mode of action has been described in greater detail later in pharmacodynamics section, but for brief introduction, it interferes with reuptake of, and thereby enhance duration of action of, monoamines, dopamine, serotonin and nor epinephrine Brain PF et.al (1989). It also produces membrane stabilizing effect, more commonly referred to as local anesthetic effect. Latter is achieved through modulation of voltage gated sodium channels and consequent blockade of sensory im pulses conduction from that part of the neuron to central nervous system. Brain PF et.al (1989) Earliest records of cocaine use reveal it to be a part of South American custom of chewing coca leaves. This use is believed to date back to 2500BC. Steven Cohen (1981) Practice of chewing mixture of tobacco and coca leaves was defined by Nicolà ¡s Monardes, in 1569, to induce â€Å"great contentment†. Cocaine is the active component of coca leaves, which also contains nicotine. Karch SB (1998). In 1859, Italian doctor, Paulo Montegazza, after witnessing coca use by natives of Peru, and getting mesmerized by it, decided to study the effects of cocaine on himself. After his studies he concluded his findings into a paper in which he declared cocaine to be medically useful in treating furred tongue in the morning, flatulence and whitening the teeth. Steven R. King (1992). In 1863, French chemist, Angelo Mariani, introduced popular cocavine, Vin Mariani. Vin Mariani wasproduced from mixture of 6 mg coca leaves per fluid ounce of Bordeaux wine. Courtwright DT (2001) Angelo Mariani, creator of Vin Mariani, which later became the hallmark of cocavines was honored with Vatican gold medal by Pope Leo XIII for this achievement. Ethanol, a component of vin mariani, is believed to extract cocaine from coca leaves. In 1884, the concept of cocavine was adopted by John S. Pemberton, with introduction of Pembertons French Wine Coca. After prohibitions imposed on cocaine use and manufacture of cocaine-containing products including cocavine in 1885, Pemberton introduced carbonated, non-alcoholic form of Vin Mariani and called it Coca-cola. Richard Ashley (1975). From 1906 onwards, however, after Pure Food and Drug act was passed, decocainised forms of coca were used for manufacture of coca-cola. In 1884, Austrian physician Sigmund Freud, recommended cocaine for treatment of morphine and alcohol addiction. A strategy that was later employed in 1879 when cocaine was used to treat morphine addiction. Steven Cohen (1981). In 1985, use of cocaine for induction of spinal anesthesia was accidentally discovered by American neurologist Leonard Corning while he studying the effects of cocaine on spinal nerves in a dog and accidentally pierced the dura matter. Corning JL (1885) Cocaine was, however, not used as anesthetic in spinal surgery until 1989 when first planned cocaine induced spinal anesthesia was administered in a surgery, by August Bier. A. Bier, (1899) Coca leaves have traditionally been used as suppressants for fatigue, thirst, and hunger. Its use has now been limited to Andean countries, where coca leaf chewing and coca tea consumption are still practiced. Industrially, coca leaves serve as source of drug cocaine, and in some cosmetic and food industries, including coca cola. Richard Ashley (1975) From 1980s to date, cocaine has gained popularity as drug of abuse, and has widely replaced heroin and other narcotics as drug of abuse, being used in different forms and administered via various routes. Richard Ashley (1975) Discovery: Discovery of cocaine, as local anesthetic, is claim to fame for Austrian ophthalmologist, Karl Koller. Kollers name is credited with demonstration of anesthetic effect of cocaine, in 1884. Karl Koller was a close associate of Sigmund Freud who in same year recommended cocaine to be employed in treatment for morphine and alcohol addiction. Hruby K (1986). Koller studied effects of cocaine on eye by applying the drug to his own eye and later pricking it with pins. He presented his findings to the Heidelberg Ophthalmological Society in same year. Hruby K (1986) After successfully experimenting on himself, Koller used cocaine as local anesthetic in eye surgeries, a use that continues to this day. Cocaine was later employed in other fields including dentistry for induction of local anesthesia, Today, however, cocaine has largely been replaced by other local anesthetic agents like lidocaine, xylocaine, bupivacaine, etc, which produce local anesthetic effect as efficiently and do not carry potential for abuse.Hruby K (1986) Isolation: Friedrich Gaedcke, aGerman chemist, was first person to successfully isolate cocaine from coca leaves, in 1855. An improved isolation process was, however, developed by Albert Niemann, a Ph.D. student at the University of Gà ¶ttingen in Germany, in 1859. Niemann wrote a dissertation describing steps of isolation titled, â€Å" ÃÅ"ber eine neue organische Base in den Cocablà ¤ttern† (On a New Organic Base in the Coca Leaves), which was published in 1969. F. Gaedcke (1855) Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC) for cocaine: (1R,5S)-methyl 8-methyl-3-(phenylcarbonyloxy)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate. Medicalisation and popularization: Ever since its discovery, cocaines medical uses were quickly exploited through research and experimentation. Spanish physicians described first medical uses of cocaine as early as 1596, but the use of cocaine did not become more widespread until 1859, when Albert Niemann isolated the drug from coca leaves. Soon after it was isolated, cocaine was used to try to cure almost all the illnesses and maladies that were known to man. (Albert Niemann 1860) 1859s Montagezzis discovery about cocaine being useful in treating furred tongue in the morning, flatulence and whitening the teeth, was one of the earliest recorded studies that signified possible medical importance of cocaine. In 1879, Vassili von Anrep, of the University of Wà ¼rzburg, demonstrated analgesic properties of cocaine in an experiment that he conducted on a frog. He prepared two separate jars, one containing cocaine-salt solution, other containing salt water serving as control. One of frogs legs was submerged in cocaine solution and other in control followed by stimulation of leg in different ways. Reactions in two legs varied considerably. In the same year, cocaine began to be used in treatment of morphine addiction. The commercial production of purified cocaine gained momentum only in the mid-1880s. Its greatest medical value was in ophthalmology. Eye-surgery stood in desperate need of a good local anesthetic. This was because in eye operations it is often essential for a conscious patient to move his eye as directed by the surgeon without flinching. Karl Kollers demonstration of anesthetic properties of cocaine in 1884 was an important breakthrough establishing cocaines importance, medically when it was introduced in Germany as local anesthetic for eye surgery. (Altman Aj et.al 1985) Kollers discovery was later followed in 1985 by Leonard Cornings accidental demonstration of cocaines use in induction of spinal anesthesia, which became formally employed in spinal surgery in 1989 when first planned cocaine induced spinal anesthesia was administered by August Bier. Medical use of cocaine has largely been restricted to induction of local anesthesia. Even as local anesthetic agent, discovery of hazardous effects of cocaine use led to early development of safer alternative drugs like lidocaine, etc. One of its first non medical uses of cocaine was in military. In 1883 Theodor Aschenbrandt administered cocaine to members of the Bavarian army. It was found that the drug enhanced their endurance on maneuver. His positive findings were published in a German medical journal, which brought the effects of this wonder drug to a wider medical audience, including Sigmund Freud. Cocaine was sold as over the counter drug until 1916. It was widely used in tonics, toothache cures, patent medicines, and chocolate cocaine tablets. Prospective buyers were advised (in the words of pharmaceutical firm Parke-Davis) that cocaine could make the coward brave, the silent eloquent, and render the sufferer insensitive to pain. Cocaine was a popular ingredient in wines, notably Vin Mariani. Coca wine received endorsement from prime-ministers, royalty and even the Pope. The Vatican gold medal that Angelo Mariani received for it will forever signify the popularity of cocaine through that period of time. By the late Victorian, era use of cocaine had appeared as a vice in literature, for instance, Arthur Conan Doyles fictional Sherlock Holmes. . Number of admissions to drug treated programme in each year is plotted against time for both cocaine and heroin. Graph clearly displays the shift in trend from use of heroin towards cocaine. A combination gaining popularity is speedball, which is formulated by mixing heroin with cocaine. From 1980s to date, cocaine has gained popularity as drug of abuse, being used in different forms and administered via various routes, as evident by figure above which displays the escalation in crack / cocaine usage with concomitant reduction in heroin use. Prohibition: In first part of the twentieth century, with addictive properties of cocaine becoming more apparent with studies, cocaine found itself legally prohibited. Harrison Narcotics Tax Act (1914) outlawed unauthorized sales and distribution of cocaine incorrectly classifying it as a narcotic. In United Nations 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, cocaine was listed as Schedule I drug, thereby making its manufacture, distribution, import, export, trade, use and possession illegal unless sanctioned by the state. In 1970s controlled substances act, cocaine was listed as a Schedule II drug in United States. It carries high abuse potential but also serves medicinal purpose. It is a class A drug in the United Kingdom, and a List 1 drug of Opium law in the Netherlands. Modern Usage: In late 90s and early 2000s, crack became very popular among Americans and in past few years has also taken its toll on UK. According to an estimate, U.S cocaine market exceeded $ 70 billion in year 2005, demonstrating the popularity of this menace. News reports are flooded with celebrity arrests on charge of cocaine posession or use. A section on recent facts and figures related to cocaine discusses the modern trends in greater detail later. Addiction potential: Along with amphetamine, cocaine is one of the most widely abused drugs in the world. Powerful stimulant properties of cocaine are beyond doubt. By inhibiting neuronal reuptake of excitatory neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, cocaine enhances synaptic concentrations of these neurotransmitters in specific brain areas; nucleus accumbens and amygdala which are referred to as the reward center of brain. During 1980s, cocaine widely replaced heroin as drug of abuse, due to its euphoric properties, wide availability and low cost. Different forms and Routes of administration of cocaine: Smoking: Crack, freebase or smokable form of cocaine, was produced and became popular drug of abuse in 1980s. Earliest reports of crack use indicate an epidemic in Bahamas from 1980. By 1985, crack gained popular ranking among drug users across America.Crack is produced by mixing 2 parts cocaine hydrochloride with one part baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). It differs from cocaine hydrochloride in being more volatile, a property that makes it better suited for inhalation administration (smoking) than cocaine hydrochloride. Smoking freebase cocaine releases methylecgonidine, an effect not achieved with insufflation or injection (described later), thereby making it a specific test marker for freebase cocaine smokers. Studies suggest that methylecgonidine is more harmful to heart, liver and lungs than other byproducts of cocaine. Inhalation leads to rapid absorption of cocaine into bloodstream via lungs, reaching brain within five seconds of ingestion. Following rush exceeds snorting in intensity but does not last long. Oral: Ancient tradition of South Americans to chew coca leaves in same manner is tobacco, is another method of cocaine consumption. Alternatively, coca leaves may be consumed like tea by mixing with liquid. Coca leaf consumers have raised a controversy over whether it should be abandoned or not. Rationale behind this controversy is that strong acid in our stomach hydrolyzes cocaine, attenuating its effects on brain; therefore, unless it is taken with an alkaline substance, such as lime, which neutralizes stomachs acid, cocaine intake should not be criminalized. Cocaine is also used as oral anesthetic, both medically and unofficially. Cocaine powder is applied to gums to numb the gingiva and teeth. Colloquial terms for this route of administration are; numbies, gummies and cocoa puffs. Another method for oral administration, commonly known as snow bomb, is to pack cocaine in rolled up paper and swallowing it. Insufflation: Colloquial terms for which are; snorting, sniffing, or blowing is believed to be most commonly employed method of cocaine ingestion in west. Cocaine is poured on a flat, hard surface and divided into fine powder before being insufflated in â€Å"bumps†, â€Å"lines†, or â€Å"rails†. Devices used as aid in insufflation are known as â€Å"tooters†. Rolled up banknotes, hollowed-out pens, cut straws, pointed ends of keys, specialized spoons, long fingernails, and (clean) tampon applicators may all be used a tooters. Injection: This achieves the greatest bioavailability, 100%, in shortest span of time, since drug is directly administered into bloodstream saving time and reduced bioavailability that occurs with drug absorption from site of drug administration into bloodstream. Resultant rush is intense and rapid. Risk of contracting blood-borne infections is greatest. â€Å"Speedball†, a mixture of cocaine with heroin used intravenously is a popular and dangerous method of cocaine ingestion. It claims credit for many deaths, including celebrities like John Belushi, Chris Farley ,Mitch Hedberg, River Phoenix and Layne Staley. ADME Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion of Cocaine. Before beginning discussion about pharmacokinetics or ADME of cocaine, table below summarizes the relationship of route of administration with onset of action, time taken to achieve peak effect, duration of action and half life. (Clarke, 1986) Absorption: Absorption refers to movement of drug from site of administration into bloodstream.As with any drug, absorption of cocaine depends on various factors and varies considerably with them. Factors which influence drug absorption include; drug formulation, route of administration, lipid solubility, pH of the medium, blood supply and surface area available for absorption. As evident from tabulated figures above, cocaine differs greatly in onset of action varying between 7 seconds up to 10 minutes from one route of administration to another. This is a factor of absorption of drug which depends on route of administration. Each route is separately discussed below in greater details. (Clarke, 1986). Orally administered cocaine: Cocaine induces vasoconstriction in vessels supplying oral mucosa and resultant reduction in blood supply slows down its absorption by decreasing surface area from which drug is absorbed. Therefore when orally administered, drug is slowly absorbed into bloodstream, taking roughly 30 minutes. Absorption is also incomplete; roughly one third of administered dose is absorbed. Due to slow absorption, onset of action is also delayed and peak effect is, however, not achieved until about 50-90 minutes after administration. Effect is, however, longer lasting, roughly 60 minutes after attainment of peak effect. Another factor affecting absorption of orally administered cocaine is pH of the stomach. As previously mentioned, stomach acid hydrolyzes cocaine, resulting in inadequate and incomplete absorption. To improve absorption it is common practice to take cocaine along with an alkaline liquid to neutralize acidic pH. Insufflations: Insufflations results in coating of the mucosa covering sinuses with cocaine, from where it is absorbed. Absorption is similar to that from oral cavity, cocaine induced vasoconstriction beneath mucosa results in slow and incomplete absorption (30-60%). Efficiency of absorption increases with concentration of drug. According to a study, time taken to reach peak effect via this route of administration averages 14.6 minutes. Injection: Injected cocaine is directly administered into bloodstream eliminating need for absorption. According same study, as mentioned for insufflation, time taken to reach peak effect of cocaine through injection averaged 3.1 minutes, roughly five times less than time for insufflation. Smoking: Smoking crack delivers large quantities of the drug to the lungs, resultant absorption is rapid and effects created are comparable to intravenous administration. These effects, which are felt almost immediately after smoking, are intense and last for 5-10 minutes. According to Perez-Reyes et al, 1982, volunteers who smoked 50 mg of cocaine base in a controlled study experiment achieved rapidly elevated plasma cocaine level compared to intravenous cocaine administration. Distribution: Following absorption into bloodstream, cocaine is distributed, via blood, to all body tissues including vital organs like brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and adrenals. It crosses both blood-brain and placental barrier. Being lipid soluble, it easily traverses biological membranes via simple diffusion. It is believed to accumulate in brain and adipose tissue with repeated administration, owing to its lipid nature. In an experiment, distribution and kinetics of cocaine in human body were studied using Positron Emission Topography (PET) technique with radioactively labeled (carbon-11) cocaine on 14 healthy male subjects. Rate of uptake and clearance were found to vary among organs. Following results were obtained for time, in minutes, taken by radioactively labeled cocaine to reach peak value in following organs: Lungs: 45 seconds. Heart and Kidneys: 2-3 minutes. Adrenals: 7-9 minutes. Liver: 10 minutes. Liver, which is the key site for metabolism of cocaine is where distribution is most sluggish, increasing the half-life of cocaine. The Journal of Nuclear Medicine ( 1992 ) Metabolism: As already mentioned, cocaine is primarily metabolised in liver. It is estimated to get metabolized within two hours of administration. Half-life varies between 0.7 1.5 hours (Clarke, 1986), depending on route of administration among various other factors. There are three possible routes for bio-transformation of cocaine. Ester linkages in cocaine are hydrolyzed by plasma pseudocholinesterases and hepatic enzymes, human liver carboxylesterase form 1 (hCE-1)and human liver carboxylesterase form 2 (hCE-2). Benzoyl group is eliminated to produce ecgonine methyl ester. This is the major route for metabolism of cocaine. A secondary route, suggested by Fleming et al. 1990, proposes spontaneous hydrolysis, possibly non-enzymatic, followed by demethylation to produce benzoylecgonine. N-demethylation of cocaine is a minor route which leads to formation of norcocaine. Final degradation of metabolites yields ecgonine. Principal inactive metabolites are; benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and ecgonine itself. Norcocaine is an active metabolite and may reveal itself in acute intoxication. Metabolism of cocaine may be influenced by a number of factors: Alcohol:When cocaine is co-administered with alcohol a compound called Cocaethylene is formed. Cocaethylene is associated with an increased risk of liver damage and premature death. Pregnancy. Liver disease. Aged men. Congenital cholinesterase deficiency. In all the aforementioned conditions, except alcohol, rate of cocaine metabolism is reduced, leading to elevated levels and duration of action of cocaine, enhancing its harmful effects of on the body. Following is a schematic representation of metabolic pathways of cocaine. According to Andrew (1997) have found that the continuous use of alcohol with cocaine produce cocaethylene which is similar in the action of cocaine but it has more blood stream concentration by three to five times than cocaine as a result of its high half life. Its much attractive to be used for abuse as a result of slower removal from the body. Different types of side effects are associated with cocaethylene like liver damage, seizure and immuno compromised functioning . Cocaethylene has more possibility for sudden death by 18 25 times than using cocaine alone . Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) has been implicated as being important in metabolism of cocaine, even though it has limited capacity to fully hydrolyze cocaine. BChE is specially essential for cocaine detoxification. A lot of research has been done to study the effect of employing this enzyme in cocaine detoxification and in anti-cocaine medications. Cocaine are hydrolyzed by human BChE in a slow rate , however, in university of Nebraska medical center the scientist at molecular biology and biochemistry have developed a mutant (A328Y) of human butyrylcholinesterase, which promises four fold greater efficiency in accelerating cocaine metabolism. Elimination or excretion: 1-9% of cocaine is excreted unaltered in urine along with metabolites, ecgonine methyl ester, benzoylecgonine, and ecgonine. Unchanged cocaine may also be eliminated through GI tract and/or be excreted in saliva. Most of the parent drug is eliminated from plasma within 4 hours after administration but metabolites may remain detectable for up to 144 hours after administration. Elimination of cocaine via kidneys is enhanced by acidification of urine. As already mentioned, cocaine easily traverses placental barrier, and the active metabolite, norcocaine is believed to persist in amniotic fluid for up to 5 days. In lactating mothers, cocaine metabolite can be found and presets for longer time up to 36 hours after the first administration and it will be found after they excreted into maternal milk. On the other hand, it will be eliminated very fast through exhalation or vapor when it is administrated through smokes. Ambre J et.al (1988) In an experiment, the investigations of chronic cocaine oral administration effects in those healthy volunteers having a history of cocaine abuse were continued. There were sixteen daily sessions of oral cocaine administration while subjects were kept in a controlled clinical ward. In every session subjects received five equal doses of oral cocaine at one hour interval. Throughout session, the doses of cocaine were administrated by an elevating rate starting from 100 mg as an initial dose (500 mg/ day) reaching to 400 mg (2 g/day) by a rate of increase of 25 mg/ dose/ session (125 mg / session). Urine specimens were collected throughout the study while at the end of the study specimens like saliva and plasma were periodically collected during the one week withdrawal phase and during the dosing session. The analysis of cocaine and cocaine metabolite were carried out by solid phase extraction and followed by gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis in the SIM mode. ARE is defin ed as a method or plots used to calculate the Half-lives of urinary elimination for cocaine and cocaine metabolites which stand for ( the amount remaining to be excreted ) plots. The urinary elimination for cocaine and cocaines metabolites in the Result obtained yielded two phases. An initial elimination phase during withdrawal which was has the same elimination pattern observed after acute dosing, and a terminal phase. Results were as follows: Initial phase: Mean plasma cocaine elimination half-life: 1.5  ± 0.1 h. Mean salivary cocaine elimination half-life: 1.2  ± 0.2 h. Mean urinary cocaine elimination half-life: 4.1  ± 0.9 h. Terminal phase: Mean urinary cocaine elimination half-life: 19  ± 4.2 h. A terminal elimination phase was also observed for cocaine metabolites with half-life estimates ranging from 14.6 to 52.4 h, which greatly exceeded previous estimates from studies of acute cocaine administration. This experiment shows that with chronic use, cocaine accumulates in the body with resultant prolonged terminal elimination phase for itself and its metabolites. Like any pharmacokinetic feature of a drug, elimination may also be influenced by various factors. Since renal elimination is major route for cocaine excretion, state of renal function is essential determinant of efficiency of elimination. Patients with poor renal function are much more likely to develop toxicity than those with properly functioning kidneys. Also, as already mentioned, acidification of urine accelerates the elimination of cocaine from the body. Drummer O.H et.al ( 2001) Pharmacodynamics of cocaine: Mechanism of action. Cocaine mediates its actions through two basic mechanisms: Inhibition of re-uptake of monoamines; dopamine, nor adrenalin, and serotonin. Blockade of sodium channels. As previously stated, a major breakthrough in field of surgery was discovery of cocaine and establishment of its use as a local anesthetic. All local anesthetics achieve their effect by same mechanism, known as membrane stabilizing effect. They achieve this by blocking the voltage gated sodium channels in neuronal membranes. Figure 1.0 shows the action of cocaine on sodium channels. Nerves carry impulses in the form of action potentials. Conduction of action potential involve a wave of depolarization, followed by repolarization, to travel along the nerve fiber. Depolarization, movement of membrane potential away from resting potential, is achieved through opening of voltage gated sodium channels and consequent influx of sodium. Local anesthetics reversibly reduce the rate of depolarization and repolarization by blocking these voltage gated sodium channels and eventually, impulse conduction is completely obliterated. Since local anesthetics prevent depolarization of membranes, membrane potential stays near resting levels; this is why it is called membrane stabilizing effect. Local anesthetic drugs make the onset of neuronal blockade faster especially in rapidly firing neurons when they target open sodium channels which is known as state dependent blockade. Local anesthetic action of cocaine is pH dependant. Potency and rate of action tends to decrease with the pH. Inhibition of re-uptake of monoamines; dopamine, nor adrenalin, and serotonin. Image above, taken from web, clearly demonstrates the action of cocaine (shown as yellow block in the figure) on dopamine re-uptake. Figure on the left shows normal process of synaptic transmission from a dopaminergic nerve terminal. Dopamine is secreted by the nerve terminal into synaptic cleft and subsequently binds to its receptor on post synaptic membrane. This is followed by its re-uptake via dopamine re-uptake transporter on neuronal membrane back into nerve terminal where it is degraded by MAO (Monoamine oxidase) into monoamines. Figure on right shows similar synapse, in presence of cocaine. Cocaine binds to dopamine re-upta

Government Intervention in Market

The Market Structures The complete economic activities are handled in four different market structures, namely perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly. The nature and degree of competition varies among the all the above-mentioned four markets. In summarized manner we can describe that as the number of sellers increases, each firms’ ability to charge high prices reduces.If number of buyers increases then buyers practice to purchase the goods at his choice price diminishes. The sellers have to face price competitions if the product is homogeneous and price and non-price competition exist if goods are differentiable. A large number of buyers and sellers make competition perfect. A homogeneous good with a number of sellers put the market in competition but a homogeneous good in a few sellers and a number of buyers leads the competition in another directions and put sellers in relatively good position.The complete knowledge of buyers and sellers regard ing market price and goods encourage fair competition on the other hand incomplete knowledge of product, alluring misleading advertisements and forced differentiation of the goods break the pure competition. Production of a good by a particular producer or a few producers put the economy in their hands (monopoly) but if only a few buyers or a union of the buyers is controlling (monopsony) the market then market becomes non-competitive.All of the above there are some peculiar goods, which are non-excludable (can be consumed by any one without paying the cost) and non-rivalrous (no one has exclusive right over its consumption), that are not produced by any profit making companies such as military service to protect the nation. Market Failure Causes From the above discussion it is very clear that except perfect competition rest three market structures are not fulfilling the optimal criteria of economy i. e. high over all economic growth, full employment and fair distribution of income among the different parts of the society.The reasons for such market failure or non-attainment of the Pareto optimality (efficiency in exchange/consumption, efficiency in production and overall Pareto efficiency) are as follows: 1. Imperfect Market: Whenever the market is imperfect as under monopoly, monopolistic competition or oligopoly, the perfect market will fail to achieve the Pareto optimal conditions. 2. Externalities: If the prices in a market do not reflect the true marginal costs and/or marginal benefits associated with the goods and services traded in the market then there must be present of some externality.If the productivity of an individual affects the benefits of the others is called the production externalities and if the consumption levels of others affect the welfare of the individuals then consumption externalities occur. 3. Public Goods:Because public goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, they are not sold in a free market like private goods. Therefore, th ey cannot be provided by private firms. 4. Increasing returns to scale:There are increasing return to scale or decreasing costs due to technical externalities that lead to market failure under perfect competition.When there are increasing returns to scale in a perfect competitive market, they lead either to monopoly or to losses. 5. Asymmetric or Incomplete information:In the real world, there is asymmetric or incomplete information due to ignorance and uncertainty on the part of buyers and sellers of goods. Thus they are unable to equate social and private benefits and costs. Type of Government Intervention At this stage Government intervention comes into effect and Government try to provide the following benefits: 1. Control non-competitive behavior of the firms. a. Taxation of monopoly profits (the Windfall Tax) . Regulation of oligopolies/cartel behavior c. Policies to introduce competition into markets (de-regulation) 2. Using Tax or subsidies or by environmental policies comba t externalities. 3. Provide public goods. a. Direct provision of public goods (military services) b. Price controls for the recently privatized utilities 4. Provide information and assure information flow by various law and policies. 5. Government changes the income distribution by society by imposing income tax and inheritance taxes etc. Why corn/ soybean or wheat like agricultural commodity market do not need government intervention:The agriculture commodity market for corn/wheat/soybean like commodities fulfill the conditions of perfect competitive market as a) Many small producers b) Homogeneous product c) Many buyers d) Free entry and exit e) All the producer’s face the same cost as they have equal access to the same technology. In the perfect competitive market a seller/producer has to simply determine how many units to produce and sell at the current equilibrium price. If a perfectly competitive firm earns short run economic profit, new firms enter in the long run and market supply increases hence the price decreases.As the price falls each firm’s economic profit diminishes. To restore the economic profit, existing firms make every effort to become more efficient, but their success encourages further entry in the market. Due to this continuous entry in the market in the long run each firm get a normal profit. If firms face the economic loss in the perfect competitive market and they are optimally efficient with current available technology then this environment compels some (weaker) firms to leave the market in the long run. As some firms exit, the market supply decreases and price increases.The process continues in the long run till each surviving firms earn a normal profit. The graph below demonstrates the longrun equilibrium in a perfectly competitive market, where profit equals zero: [pic] We observe that the following is the case for a perfectly competitive market in long-run equilibrium †¢ Profit (? ) = 0 because P = ATC. †¢ P = MR = MC = ATC. †¢ The firm is producing the quantity where ATC is at its minimum point. Technological Efficiency:At given cost of production (resources used) if the output produced is maximized then it is called technological efficiency.From the above diagram it is clear that the firm is technologically efficient as it is producing the output at the lowest point of its cost curve (ATC). It is natural as i) All profit maximizing firms want to increase their profit by minimizing the cost of production; as in the perfect competition they cannot raise the prices of homogeneous product. ii) As in long run profit equals to zero for a perfectly competitive firm, hence, if the firm does not choose to minimize the production-cost, ATC will increase and profit would be less than zero.Allocative Efficiency:It occurs when resources are allocated to the production of goods in such a manner that society is a well off as possible. Marginal social cost (MSC) captures the opportunity cost of using another input in the production of a good, where opportunity cost refers to the best alternative use of an input. If more of a good is demanded in the market, additional inputs (e. g. labor, electricity, etc. ) are required to produce additional output of that good. We can measure the cost of added production by looking at the marginal cost (MC) of producing one more unit of the good.The rule to achieve allocative efficiency is that the additional benefits received by consumers from consumption of a good equal to the incremental costs of producing another unit of that good. MSB = MSC To achieve allocative efficiency in the use of productive inputs, marginal social benefit must equal marginal social cost for a good or service. If marginal social benefit is greater than marginal social cost (MSB > MSC) then the benefits attained by consumers from the consumption of another unit of the good or service exceeds the opportunity cost of the allocation of additional inputs into the production of that good.In other words, when MSB > MSC, society wants more of the good produced and uses the market to signal that desire. How does the market convey this information? Since price (P) equals marginal social benefit (MSB) and marginal cost equals marginal social cost (MSC), we have the condition that: P = MSB = MSC = MC; or P = MC So the Pareto optimality conditions fulfilled. Hence the agriculture commodity markets for corn/wheat/soybean like commodities need not any government intervention. Local Cable TV or local gas company need government intervention:The local cable TV or local gas company in many countries works as a monopolist. The required conditions to be a monopolist are: 1. There is one seller or producer of a homogeneous product. 2. There is no close substitution of the product available 3. There is perfect competition in the factor market so that it can minimize the cost of the production 4. There are many buyers of the product but none of them c an influence the price of the product. 5. There is no threat of entry of exit. Given above assumptions, the price, output and profit under monopoly are determined by the forces of demand and supply.The monopolist has complete control over the supply of the product. He is also a price maker who can set the price to his maximum advantages. But he cannot fix the price and output simultaneously. Either he can fix the price and leave the output to be determined by the consumer demand at that price or he can fix the output to be produced and leave the price to be determined by the consumer demand for the product. Thus whatever price he fixes, whatever output he decides to produce are determined by the condition of demand. [pic]We observe that the following is the case for a perfectly competitive market in long-run equilibrium †¢ Profit (? ) >= 0 because P >= ATC. †¢ P >= MR = MC †¢ The firm does not produce the quantity where ATC is at its minimum point. Technologi cal Efficiency:Although each firm in monopoly want to reduce it’s cost of production to maximize the profit yet the industry/ market does not produce the output at the minimum point of ATC so the monopoly market is technologically not efficient. Allocative Efficiency:As we have already discussed that the condition to attain allocative efficiecy isP = MSB = MSC = MC; or P = MC But as P is greater than MC in the case of monopoly so it is inefficient on allocation basis, which is called deadweight welfare loss (social cost). We may say that the monopoly leads to misallocation and underutilization of resources and reduction in consumer’s welfare. Government may impose regulations to control a monopoly: For industries where the average total cost curve displays tremendous economies of scale, the government may decide that having a single provider is desirable.Using the measures of productive and allocative efficiency, regulators know that when left alone, a profit maximizin g monopoly produces less of the good or service than is desired by society and at too high of a cost. Regulated monopolies agree to adhere to government oversight in order to sustain their monopoly status. 1. Forbidding the formation of monopolies (e. g. , antitrust laws) 2. Forbidding monopolistic behavior (like predatory pricing) 3. Ensuring standards of provision. 4. Ensuring competition exists (e. g. deregulation) 5. Imposition of a lump-sum tax on a monopolist (shifts AC upwards), and supernormal profits are taken as tax. Governments may also regulate MC/AC pricing for monopolies. Effects of MC/AC regulating pricing by government intervention : Marginal Cost Pricing : Regulators set price where marginal cost equals demand. This is the most efficient solution as allocative efficiency is achieved: P = MC and therefore MSB = MSC. But the firm is losing money, as total revenues are less than total costs (see the figure given below).In the long run, if this condition prevails, the f irm will shut down and cease to operate, not especially a desirable outcome if the monopoly provides an essential good or service such as electricity or water. It is sometimes called optimal price regulation. It does not work with natural monopolies (they will not earn a profit, and would exit the industry). See the following figure. Average Total Cost Pricing : For natural monopolies, the regulator can force monopolies to charge the price where ATC crosses Demand.At this price economic profit will be zero, although there will be normal accounting profits. Sometimes called non-optimal price regulation. This is a more efficient outcome than no regulation at all. Price still exceeds marginal cost and therefore, marginal social benefits exceed marginal social costs. With average cost pricing, allocative and productive efficiency are not achieved. The firm earns accounting profits but no economic profits. Smaller deadweight loss than unregulated monopoly. See the diagram given below. [p ic]

Development Through the Life Stages Essay

Vocational Context Task 1 & 2. (P2 & P3) Imagine you have been writing about the life of you chosen celebrity for a magazine. The editor of the magazine has now asked you to describe the effect that five life factors have had on two life stages your chosen person has experienced. You will already have found out about some of the experiences your celebrity has had during two stages of their life. Your two stages are most likely to be chosen from childhood, adolescence or adulthood. You now have to imagine how the following factors may have influenced the individual: †¢ the person’s genetic background and early biological experiences †¢ the person’s general environment during these stages †¢ the social and economic circumstances of the individual’s family or carers †¢ the person’s lifestyle or the lifestyle of their family †¢ the impact of major life events. Task 3 (P4, P5, M2, M3, D2) In your role as a reporter for a magazine, you now need to write about the life of your chosen celebrity as they grow older. You must imagine some of the physical and psychological changes that could affect the person in the future. You will also need to explain two theories of ageing such as disengagement and activity theory. The Brief Task 1 (P2) – Written report ( use scenario given) Explain the potential effects of five different life factors, on the development of an individual. Life factors: genetic, eg predisposition to particular conditions, cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, asthma, brittle bone disease, rheumatic disease; biological, eg foetal alcohol syndrome, maternal infections, effects of diet in pregnancy; environmental, eg exposure to pollution, damp/overcrowded housing, access to recreational facilities, access to health and social care services, bullying, family dysfunction, effects of culture, religion and beliefs, effects of discrimination; socioeconomic, eg income, expenditure, education, values and attitudes, peer groups, employment status; lifestyle, eg nutrition and dietary choices, alcohol intake, use and misuse of substances Task 2 (P3) – Written report Explain the influences of two predictable and two unpredictable major life events on the development of an individual. Major life events: differences in effect of predictable and unpredictable events; eg the birth of a sibling, leaving home, leaving care, leaving prison, serious injury, illness, starting school/nursery, beginning and changing employment, redundancy, bereavement, marriage, parenthood, divorce; the interrelationship between factors Task 3 (P4, P5, M2, M3, D2) (use scenario given in vocational context) Explain two theories of ageing (use scenario given in vocational context) (P4) Discuss two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual (M2) Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on health and social care provision.(D2) Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing.(P5) Discuss the effects on self-esteem and self- confidence of the physical changes associated with ageing. (M3) Physical changes: hormones; menopause; cardiovascular system, eg atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease; respiratory system, eg emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; nervous system, eg motor neurone disease, degeneration of the sense organs, degeneration of the nervous tissue, cognitive changes; muscular-skeletal, eg rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, effects of degenerative disease, muscle wasting due to poor absorption of nutrients; skin, eg loss of elasticity, effects of exposure to ultra violet rays, effects of smoking; the effects of illnesses that are more common in ageing Psychological changes: effects on confidence; effects on self-esteem; effects of ageism; effects of, eg role changes, loss of a partner, retirement, increased leisure time, financial concerns, culture, religion, beliefs; theories of ageing, eg social disengagement, activity theory; application to current health and social care provision Grading Criteria. Evidence What you have to do P2 Explain the potential effects of five different life factors on the development of an individual Written report Written report Written report You are unlikely to have any genetic or biological information about your celebrity. Even the person you are writing about is unlikely to know much about their own biological background. However you can collect information on general issues associated with genetics and biological influences. For example you could discuss the fact that genetic influences interact with the environment to create people with different body shapes, sizes and personalities. Your research may have given you some information on the person’s past environment, their socioeconomic background, lifestyle and perhaps some of the major life events that happened to them. You can use this information to help assemble a fact file that will explain how these different life factors could have influenced the development of this individual. You may be able to explain how predictable and unpredictable events have influenced this person using the persons own story. If not, then you should try to imagine how events such as starting school or work, and setbacks such as illness or career difficulties, may have influenced the celebrity you are writing about. To achieve P4 you could choose to explain disengagement and activity theory or you could research alternative theories such as continuity theory. P3  Explain the influences of two predictable and two unpredictable major life events on the development of an individual P4 Explain two theories of ageing M2 Discuss two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual Written report To achieve M2 you need to discuss the degree to which your celebrity might disengage or stay actively involved with social activities as they become older. You might like to consider the role of continuity (how important it will be for your celebrity to keep their interests) when you discuss disengagement and activity theory. Evaluate the influence of two major theories of ageing on health and social care provision. Written report To achieve D2 you should evaluate how theories of ageing influence health and social care provision. If your celebrity was being supported at home or in care would they be supported to maintain continuity with their past? Would they be expected to withdraw, or would they be encouraged to remain active in order to prevent excessive disengagement P5 Explain the physical and psychological changes which may be associated with ageing. Written report To achieve P5 it will be important to use creative thinking and consider different possibilities. Some older people may no longer want to appear in public or be photographed. Other people will continue to develop their celebrity status. Some people are celebrities because they have overcome serious difficulties in their lives. These people might cope effectively with the challenges of later life. You can discuss the different possibilities that the future may hold within your fact file M3 Discuss the effects on self-esteem and self- confidence of the physical changes associated with ageing. Written report To achieve M3 you will need to discuss how these changes could affect your celebrity’s self esteem and self confidence

How to Write an Outstanding MBA Essay

How to Write an Outstanding MBA Essay The majority of graduate business programs require every applicant to provide at least one accomplished MBA essay as an integral part of the application process. The representatives of the admission boards make use of the essays, together with other application elements, in order to determine whether or not a potential student is a perfect fit for a particular business school. A professionally researched and properly accomplished MBA essays are a great opportunity for you to increase your chances of acceptance as well as to stand out against the background of the other applicants. MBA Essay: What? Why? How? ‘How to write an MBA essay?’ A very typical question if you’re a busy college or university student who has neither solid knowledge in a particular field nor excellent writing skills. If you’re among the unlucky guys who are stuck in the middle of nowhere, we have good news for you – writing an MBA essay is not a difficult task at all! All you have to do to come up with a top-notch MBA essay is to follow the instructions provided below: Research. Before writing a paper, it is highly important to do a thorough research in order to collect all the material needed to complete a good MBA essay for any college discipline be it Psychology, Marketing, IT or Engineering. Complete a strong thesis statement. The second step that you, as the MBA essay author, must take is to provide a clear and brief thesis statement that will inform your target audience about the purpose of your MBA paper. Mind that you have to do that within a single sentence. What is more, the thesis statement should be straightforward and concise. Your tutor shouldn’t experience any kind of trouble while reading and comprehending your thesis statement. Divide your paper into parts. Divide your MBA essay into the body paragraphs and make sure to provide headings where appropriate. Craft an outline. When the question is how to write a good MBA essay, always make certain to use simple and clear language. Before you produce an actual text, it is important to build a strong outline. With the help of a solid scheme, you have an opportunity to create a supreme quality MBA essay that will demonstrate that you’ve done some serious work to come up with the quality piece of writing. Plus, a good outline will help you get a better idea of what points you should add to the essay and which ones should be erased. Divide into sections. The introduction, the body, the conclusion are the must-have for the MBA essay project. Never fail to provide them in your piece since these passages turn your MBA essay into the one that deserves an A+ and inform your tutor about the exceptional writing skills that you have. The intro of the MBA essay is used to introduce the topic that you’re going to discuss and provide a quick and detailed overview of the project. At the same time, the conclusive part of the MBA essay indicates how you respond to a particular problem that you’ve highlighted in your introductive segment and the body of the project. Provide school specifics. Without a doubt, you’d like to demonstrate your knowledge of a certain school. This means knowing and mentioning specific classes or a faculty member that you’re interested in the most. Talk about some organizations on campus that hook your attention. Name your goals and in what way the school can help you get closer to them. The key here is to be clear and specific, writing a story of how you can contribute to the diversity of the class. Be yourself. The representatives of the admissions board are searching for the ways to understand more about a potential student and their unique personality. So, make sure you have something to bring to the university community table! Make certain to tell them what kind of impact you can make. When it comes to the editing, ensure the multiple revisions do not diminish your unique personal voice. This is not just an MBA essay, this is your essay! Now you’re officially provided with everything needed to craft a great MBA essay within the specified deadline. To get more details, feel free to get in touch with the trusted custom essay writing service that provides professional writing assistance 24/7.

Bataan Death March essays

Bataan Death March essays The Bataan Death March: A brutal, barbaric journey through malnutrition, disease, torture, and death. Documentaries try to explain the history of these horrible events, but only those who survived the march actually know how awful and cruel it really was. December 7, 1941: The renowned bombing of Pearl Harbor stunned the United States and the whole world. The Japanese had been dominating many territories, and were continuing to spread throughout South East Asia. The President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, had then devised a plan of action and sent American Troops to defend Corregidor Island, located in the Philippines. After fighting through many small battles, they finally arrived in 1942, in the Manila Bay. There, the American and Filipino Troops teamed up to resist the forces of the Japanese Soldiers. However, the United States had not expected to remain there for more than one month, and was not very well prepared. They had believed that help would be coming for them, but unfortunately, it was impossible to send more assistance into Corregidor. The US and Filipinos battled for five months against the fierce Japanese, who invaded May 5, 1942. The Japs shot one shell every five seconds for 24 hours straight. The Americans were under the command of General Jonathan Wainwright, who had led a gallant, but hopeless fight, and finally in May of 1942, 76,000 troops surrendered to Japan. This resignation had begun one of the worst marches in the history of any war. When the survivors of the Battle of Corregidor became POWs, they were forced to endure a 90-mile trek, called the Bataan Death March. The Prisoners were denied food, water, and medical treatment throughout most of this time. Their personal possessions and equipment was taken from them, and they had to march in the blazing sun without any basic sanitary facilities. Along the way their Japanese escorts beat, clubbed, and bayon...

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

Interview - Essay Example So many times, the unit has to work with families as a whole† in order to decrease the safety and risk factors that brought the children into states care in the first place†. Johnson’s job seems extremely difficult because they deal with families that have drug and violence problems, mental health issues and societal dysfunctions.  He is exposed daily to violence and other strenuous situations which could really take its toll in a period of time. Still, he performs his duties and responsibilities to reunite the children back with their parents or legal guardians. However, his department’s goals are seldom achieved. Nevertheless, he still continues to work and do his best to make a better place for Texans to live. With the strain employees can get from the situations described above, Johnson does not say he loves or even enjoys it. He claims though that â€Å"it takes a certain mentality to work at my job†. He tries to explain this by further saying, â€Å"There is a high degree of employee turnover and burn-out. My co-workers are all operating under the same level of stress and workload as I do, so there is an inherent bond we all share related to the understanding of what each co-worker has to deal with on a day to day basis†. ... consciously or unconsciously formed an action that benefits them emotionally and psychologically, assuring each other that they understand how they feel because they are going through similar situations. Probably, the knowledge that one is not alone in his struggles is already a great help for the employees especially for them who are dealing with difficult situations. This seems to be a different story told compared to other companies and departments. Nevertheless, perhaps the bond between the co-workers is more of a necessity that is called for by their circumstances and not an unusual occurrence that happen in their office. One negative impact of Johnson’s job is not having enough time with family. He claims that he loves his family, composed of a great wife and two children and mentions their cat and dog with a smile. He says he would really love to stay with them as much as he can. However, his job places restraints on this desire. He says, â€Å"I am on call 24 hours a day, and could have to go into work at anytime†. He further adds, â€Å"I often work more than an 8 hour day†. Asked how he handles situation between work and family, Johnson says he and his wife handle difficult situations the best way they can. He also informs that they learn from past mistakes and move on into better directions. When inquired if he ever tried some solutions to reduce pressure, he expressed his gratefulness for the counseling support given in their department. He also claims that with the nature of their work, it is not uncommon for the employees to seek counseling with therapists because they deal with really horrific situations. Speaking with therapists largely helps employees cope with stress however Johnson claims that whether or not employees are willing to deal with it is

LS week5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

LS week5 - Essay Example The employees follow the instructions relayed by the managers and there is very little participation as a team. The team members do not have an intricate caring for the task and this results in reduced performance throughput from the team as a whole. The traditional heroic model of leadership is followed and the leadership authority resides with individuals, based on their level of hierarchy. Being a manager I understand the need to make the employees in the team perform with an intrinsic caring for their tasks. Team empowerment is defined as increased motivation in the team at performing a task due to team members’ collective, positive assessments of their relationship to tasks within the organization (Kirkman, Rosen, 2000). As the motivation factor lacks in the organization the effort put into the task by the team is low, resulting in poor performance. Self leadership has been defined as â€Å"the influence we exert on ourselves to achieve self motivation and self-direction we need to perform† (Manz and Sims, 1991, pg.23). Self leadership qualities are a must with the team leaders and managers. As the leaders a majority of them in my organization lack these leadership skills the teams fail to succeed. The expectations are unclear, the roles and responsibilities of the team members are not elaborate and this results in missed deadlines and duplication of effort. There is poor communication within the teams and the teams are not well organized due to lack of self leadership qualities amongst the leaders. Organizations are now increasingly facing high levels of dynamic, complex changes and environmental uncertainties (Champy, Nohria, 1997). In my organization the lack of efficient facilitators has resulted in poor role clarity and poor understanding of the organizations objectives. There are numerous conflicts within the organization and the conflict resolution process has to be handled better. I have discussed about employee