Human brain Essay

Blood is the elixir of life. Without blood, the human body would not be able to perform several of its normal functions. In fact, blood can be said to perform functions that are relevant to the cells, the heart, the brain and the organs. It acts not only as a medium for transporting nutrients but also as a medium for taking out the trash so to speak. Containing necessary minerals, glucose, iron and oxygen, the blood is essential for the survival of the body cells, as well as the organs. If the blood was not able to carry these nutrients, the body would go into shock and not be able to function. Therefore, it can be said that the first function of blood is as a carrier of essential nutrients and oxygen to the different parts of the body. Another function of the blood is as a cleaning agent. Since the cells cannot dispose of the useless substances, wastes and toxins on their own, the blood is necessary. It carries these wastes and toxins to the kidney and the liver in order to filter the blood and dispose of these harmful toxins. If the blood is not present, there would be an unhealthy build up of these substances that would cause the body to cease carrying out its functions and result in death. Finally, the blood is important in that it carries white blood cells and encourages the healing process. It also encourages the healing process by distributing the white blood cells all over the body to raise its resistance. Also, white blood cells have anti bodies that prevent other viruses and diseases from taking over the body. As a whole, blood is extremely important if not crucial to the continued operation of the human body and its functions. The blood acts as a transmitter of the essential nutrients, as a waster disposal unit for all the unwanted wastes and toxins and finally, as a healing solution to ensure that the body is protected and functions well at all times. This is on top of the fact that it carries oxygen to all the other parts of the body, most especially the human brain.

Depreciation Methods

Depreciation Methods Depreciation is the accounting process of allocating the cost of tangible assets to expense in a systematic and rational manner to those periods expected to benefit from the use of the asset. Factors Involved in the Depreciation Process 1. What depreciable base is to be used for the asset? 2. What is the asset’s useful life? 3. What method of cost apportionment is best for the asset? Depreciable Base for the Asset The base established for depreciation is a function of two factors: the original cost, and the salvage or disposal value.Salvage value is the estimated amount that the company will receive when it sell the asset or removes it from service. It is the amount to which the company writes down or depreciates the asset during its useful life. Example: An asset is purchased for $10,000. The company believes that it has a salvage value of $1,000. Original cost $10,000 Less: Salvage value 1,000 Depreciation base$ 9,000 Methods of Depreciation The accounti ng profession requires that the depreciation method employed be â€Å"systematic and rational. † The following are examples of depreciation methods: 1. Activity method (units of use or production) . Straight-line method 3. Decreasing charge methods (accelerated): a. Sum-of-the-years’ digits b. Declining-balance method The following information will be used to illustrate each of the above methods: Stanley Coal Mines recently purchased an additional crane for digging purposes. Cost of crane$500,000 Estimated useful life5 years Estimated salvage value$50,000 Productive life in hours30,000 hours Activity Method The activity method (also called the variable-charge or units-of-production approach) assumes that depreciation is a function of use or productivity, instead of the passage of time.A company considers the life of the asset in terms of either the output if provides (units it produces), or an input measure such as number of hours it works. The crane Stanley purchased poses no particular depreciation problem. Stanley can measure the usage (hours) relatively easily. If Stanley uses the crane for 4,000 hours the first year, the depreciation charge is: (Cost less salvage value) X hours this year Total estimated hours ($500,000 – $50,000) X 4,000 30,000 = $60,000 Straight-Line MethodThe straight-line method considers depreciation a function of time rather than a function of usage. Companies widely use this method because of its simplicity. The straight-line procedure is often the most conceptually appropriate, too. Stanley computes the depreciation charge for the crane as follows: Cost less salvage Estimated service life $500,000-$50,000 5 =$90,000 Sum-of-the-Years’-Digits The sum-of-the-years’-digits method results in a decreasing depreciation charge based on a decreasing fraction of depreciable cost (original cost less salvage value).Each fraction uses the sum of the years as a denominator (5+4+3+2+1=15). The numerator is the n umber of years of estimated life remaining as of the beginning of the year. In this method, the numerator decreases year by year, and the denominator remains constant. At the end of the useful life, the balance remaining should equal the salvage value. YearDepreciation BaseRemaining life in yearsDepreciation FractionDepreciation ExpenseBook Value, End of Year 1$450,00055/15$150,000$350,000 2$450,00044/15$120,000$230,000 3$450,00033/15$90,000$140,000 4$450,00022/15$60,000$80,000 $450,00011/15$30,000$50,000 Totals:1515/15$450,000 For assets that have a long life span, the following formula can be used to determine the denominator: n(n+1) 2 For example, if an asset has a useful life of 51 years, you would calculate the denominator: 51(51+1) 2 =1,326 YearDepreciation BaseRemaining life in yearsDepreciation FractionDepreciation ExpenseBook Value, End of Year 1$450,0005151/1,326$17,308$482,692 2$450,0005050/1,326$16,968$465,724 3$450,0004949/1,326$16,629$449,095 4$450,0004848/1,326$16,290 $432,805 5$450,0004747/1,326$15,950$416,855 Etc†¦Declining-Balance Method The declining-balance method utilizes a depreciation rate (expressed as a percentage) that is some multiple of the straight-line method. For example, the double-declining rate for a 10-year asset is 20 percent (double the straight-line rate, which is 1/10 or 10 percent). Unlike other methods, the declining-balance method does not deduct the salvage value in computing the depreciation base. For example, if Stanley chose to use the double-declining-balance method, the crane would depreciate at twice the rate of the straight-line rate.See below: YearBook Value of Asset First YearRate on Declining Balance (a)Depreciation ExpenseBalance Accumulated DepreciationBook Value, End of Year 1$500,00040%$200,000$200,000$300,000 2$300,00040%$120,000$320,000$180,000 3$180,00040%$72,000$392,000$108,000 4$108,00040%$43,200$435,000$64,800 5$64,80040%$14,800 (b)$450,000$50,000 (a)Based on twice the straight-line rate of 20% ($90,000/$450,000 = 20%; 20% X 2 = 40%) (b)Limited to $14,800 because the book value should not be less than the salvage value.

Integrating Business Perspectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Integrating Business Perspectives - Essay Example Question 3: For most of you IBP will have served as your first experience of group project work at university. While many of you have had a great time working with your teammates there will always be at least one instance over the course of a semester where your team struggled to work cohesively to achieve your team goals. In the space below we would like you to reflect on this experience and the lessons you personally learned using the STAR reflective writing technique: One of the memorable situations where one of my team struggled to work cohesively during the development of our group project was when we were carrying out research for the Pitch Assessment Task _____________________________________________ __ The task that my group was completing at the time was a research on the various definitions of elevator pitch. A majority of the team members could not agree on a single best definition of elevator pitch _____________ In order to solve the disagreements among the team members and enhance the cohesiveness of our group, we appointed one of our group members to lead in the facilitation of the project and moderate divergent opinion.______________________________________ ____ One of the major outcomes of the actions we took is that the cohesiveness of the group during the IBP workshop significantly improved. In addition, the efficiency of the group, particularly with regard to decision was considerably enhanced._______________ Question 4: Reflecting back on your learning experience that you talked about in Q3. What lessons do you feel that you personally can take away, which will make you a more effective team player in the future? ____ Based on the learning experience that I have highlighted in question 3, one of the important lessons I learnt is that interpersonal and communication skills as well as team work

Digital Divide in UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Digital Divide in UK - Essay Example It is right for countries like UK to consider their efforts to tackle the digital divide. More than ten years on from the trendy emergence of the opinion, the digital divide remains an imperative issue that requires renewed attention2. Today, we would argue strappingly against abandoning the digital divide as a feasible area for social intrusion. There is substantial evidence that the digital divide is neither dying through the maneuverings of the market, or being made out of date by improvements in technological developments; nor are the digital inequalities firmly following the well-established lines of social injustice and general inequality3. As such, we would vie that the digital divide has continued to be the most significant social concern of recent times. In addition, it is a social issue that can be addressed by concerned stakeholders and concerned policy makers in the knowledge economy or information society – albeit requiring a carefully coherent loom to any interve ntion. The social rooted and complex nature of issues has prompted a logical reticence amongst sections of the IT industry and community policy, to feel that they are capable of engineering meaningful and sustained change when it comes to folks’ ICT use4. ... This means the use of ICTs when necessary and where applicable. Details of the Digital-divide   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Causes The disparities in the use of information technology should not be assumed to be motionless in nature as individuals drop in and out of ICT rendezvous at different levels in life course as their state of affairs change6. Additional techno-utopian stakeholders go on storing substantial faith in power of market forces to ultimately lead to full dissemination of ICT use pretending that, its use will eventually spread from early adopters to succeeding majorities of users in the due itinerary of time7. Many in the IT industry and policy community consider the digital divide as a dead issue, not laudable intervention of policy8. This has resulted to suggestions that, the digital divide is a historical object of 1990s and nothing like ‘last century concern’9. The primary challenge affecting policy makers is matching the affordances of ICT with daily needs, desir es and interests of individuals. In this respect, the digital divided demands a complex set of responses which go beyond increasing levels of support and hardware provision, and then pretending the breach to have been bridged. Current scenario The research carried out currently shows that, improving access will help in bridging the digital divide to some extent. Motivation and interest are the biggest barriers to accessing information and communication technology. Lack of perceived need follows this category. From the results of the analysis, 53 % of the grown up people who never use the internet say that, they â€Å"do not need to, want to, or do not have an interest.†10

Short Response Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Short Response Paper - Essay Example Connie tries a split personality with hope that, she will fit both at hope and elsewhere. She does this by having a selected smile, walking style, hairstyle, and even laughter style one meant for home and the other meant for elsewhere. The short story is from a potential victim’s view where Connie is a victim while Arnold Friend is a killer who seduces Connie and gives her promises of security (Oates 1-7). Indeed, Arnold Friend depicts a strange and mismatched appearance that represents danger (Oates 4). He also seems to conceal threat by depicting a calm voice, gentle coaxing, and convincing voice (Oates 3-7). When Arnold visits her home in her parents’ absence, he is a hard character for Connie to define, he lies somewhere between young and old, human and non-human, calm and strange. She is unable to figure him out and his intentions. The author asserts, â€Å"She couldnt decide if she liked him or if he was just a jerk, and so she dawdled in the doorway and wouldnt come down or go back inside (Oates 3).† Connie’s teenage rejects the role of daughter to her mother, sister to June, and â€Å"nice† girl to the family to cultivate her sexual persona, which flourishes only when she is away from her home and family. The music Connie listens to draws her into the world of fantasies. It paints an ideal love world and love life, which makes her daydream about boys (Oates 5-7). The author does not make it clear however whether Connie is just day dreaming busking in the sun while listening to her music from the radio or Arnold was at her home in reality. This aspect of the story leave the reader with no clarity of Arnold and Connie escapade. Did it happen in reality or was she

Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Report - Essay Example Time management is integral to a manufacturing process and this is reflected in the way shop level facilities are created to ensure minimum loss of time in looking for a raw material or a tool or a component or a spare part. In other words, for all in-house manufacturing and assembly operations, project layout is synonymous with supply chain management. Layout of a manufacturing facility is a comprehensive exercise involving movement of incoming and outgoing materials and successive stages of processing. Incoming materials may be raw materials and/or semi-finished items and outsourced components/subassemblies. Outgoing materials are usually the finished products duly packed for delivery. The manufacturing process itself generates waste and scrap which are to be collected and disposed in a planned manner. Depending upon the type of operation at each stage in a manufacturing process, the layout is finalized in a variety of ways like a work center or a manufacturing cell or an assembly line or a continuous process etc. The layout designer keeps in mind the flow of materials in these stages while determining the space and facilities. While a centralized purchase and stores management takes care of timely availability of all incoming materials, sub-stores are organized at the floor level as per production plans. In a work center, these stores cater to the raw materials, tools and consumables while in the assembly line, they are used for components, subassemblies or bought out items. Continuous processing lines also have shop level stores for incoming materials, consumables, and essential spares. Organizational set up ensures availability of materials in the sub-stores at the floor level as per production plans. Economic analysis is the basis for ‘make or buy’ decisions and invariably a substantial amount of outsourcing happens in all manufacturing processes. Suppliers are very important part of

Evaluation plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Evaluation plan - Essay Example The judge in the case and elders of tribes or other ethnic groups, meet together with the offender, thus creating ties between all concerned in how the offender will serve restitution through community services or some other type of applicable punishment. In many of these cases, the victim of the crime will participate in the Circle, although those victims of rape or other physical abuse, may not be so inclined to attend. In such cases, it is also questionable as to whether the Circle is appropriate for use because it tends to promote power and domination which the victim, particularly females and children, may not be able to garner for themselves (Rieger, 2001). It depends heavily on how the Circle is structured and justice applied, along with the cultural application and influences (Potas et al., 2003). The Circle, in essence, acts as a trouble-shooting and problem-solving forum for common issues of alcoholism and drug abuse, for example, with the community helping the offender achieve success by taking care of children, or in other ways, while the offender attends physical rehabilitation to move away from drugs or alcoholism (Tumeth, 2011). The Circle Sentencing is primarily used in ethnic or tribal situations where cultural environments promote the full group as being active in helping one of its members rather than having the offender be removed to face judicial justice by incarceration. The idea of utilizing the Circle Sentencing came into play in 1999 (Rekhari, 2006-07), first in Port Adelaide, then 2002 in New South Wales (NSW), because it was evident that the indigenous peoples, most often the Aborigines, were becoming more prolific in the judicial system although they were being sentenced more often for lesser crimes than other criminals. Part of this was due to an increase in police powers, truth in sentencing, the criminalisation of offensive language, and that the police often targeted those inclined to recidivism (AIC,

U.S companies that move factories to undeveloped nations barely pay Research Paper

U.S companies that move factories to undeveloped nations barely pay employees enough to live on. Is it unethical to pay cheap wages or are companies doing those workers a favor - Research Paper Example Furthermore, production plants in those countries work on a contractual basis with American corporations (Rock 26). On the other hand, most Americans are not aware that their desire for shopping drives an extremely controversial business. The availability of cheap unskilled labor within these countries prompts most American corporations to establish their production facilities within their boundaries. However, the controversies surrounding these corporations drive the ethical and moral questions posed in relation to their operations within these countries. American clothing and electronic companies have continuously built production lines abroad from time immemorial. Harsh working conditions, poor pay and unfair commanding managers have characterized these production lines located in under-developed countries. These corporations have additionally employed the services of young, unauthorized minors in their factories. Recently, many multinational corporations from the United States have resulted to construction of these factories in undeveloped countries as a strategic move to expand their businesses (Gupta n.d). Most sweatshops operational in the world currently are in the Asian continent. Looking at the issue of Sweatshops from a purely commercial point of view, it is a very profitable industry because they benefit from low-wage labor in third world nations and considerably decrease manufacturing costs. Numerous footwear and textile companies from the United States have been heavily associated with offshore operations in underdeveloped countries. Big brand names such as GAP, Levis and Nike have all been heavily associated with countless contraventions of basic requirements for the recommended reasonable working conditions in their manufacturing plants (Dickson 48). All the three named companies’ client bases and main offices are situated in the United States while the sections involved in the production of their goods are situated in Asia.

E-commerce. Social Networking Sites Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

E-commerce. Social Networking Sites - Essay Example Facebook’s most important method of earning revenue is through advertising. A major chunk of its revenue is generated by the self-serve advertisement system which allows companies to decide who they want to market to, based on various preferences such as age, gender, marital status and the likes (Guardian 2009). The same report talks about Facebook selling virtual advertising estate on their websites to anyone who can dole out the cash, directing them to pages or profiles as they see fit. Finally, Facebook’s base of 3rd party apps has been the basis for many credit-card based transactions (in games for example) of which Facebook receives a certain percentage. All of these methods have helped Facebook’s revenue rise enough to be able to breakeven with its day to day costs which is a major breakthrough for any social networking site (Guardian 2009). MySpace The leading social networking site before Facebook was established, MySpace had made its name in the field for being a site that was preferred by upcoming musicians for its ability to allow easy sharing of music. It was considered the youth’s most preferred network, since it was the first site that allowed them to ‘relate to brands and bands’ (Web Strategist 2008). ... MySpace The leading social networking site before Facebook was established, MySpace had made its name in the field for being a site that was preferred by upcoming musicians for its ability to allow easy sharing of music. It was considered the youth’s most preferred network, since it was the first site that allowed them to ‘relate to brands and bands’ (Web Strategist 2008). However, the site currently owned by Specific Media, failed to innovate and lost a lot of its market share after the advent of Facebook, and has a current active user-base of 110 million users (The Next Web 2010). MySpace’s revenue model also revolves mostly around advertising. The site uses the basic two types of advertisements that are used by a lot of popular websites, namely pay-per-view and pay-per-click. In the former, the marketer pays a certain amount of money to have his Advertisement Banner up on MySpace’s pages while in the latter; he pays a certain amount (usually a few pennies) for every click that his advertisement gets. Although that may not sound like much, but with MySpace’s users still numbering in the million, the numbers certainly add up with the company making more than $550 million in revenue in 2007. However, since MySpace has fallen behind its major competitors, it needs to attract more users and perhaps find a more effective way of earning revenue than just relying on their current method, which seems ‘archaic’ in comparison with Facebook. Twitter Launched in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter revolutionized the concept of communicating through social network sites. Instead of relying on photos or music, the heart of Twitter

A History of Elizabethan Theatre Essay Example for Free

A History of Elizabethan Theatre Essay * Stage Shape and Configuration: The size of amphitheatre varied up to 100 feet in diameter. The stage shape was octagonal, circular in shape having between 8 and 24 sides. The open air arena, called the pit or the yard, had a raised stage at one end and was surrounded by three tiers of roofed galleries with balconies overlooking the back of the stage. The stage projected halfway into the pit. The Stage dimensions varied from 20 foot wide 15 foot deep to 45 feet to 30 feet. The height of the raised stage was 3 to 5 feet and supported by large pillars. The floor of the Stage was made of wood. The rear of the stage was a roofed house-like structure, supported by two large columns. * Scenery: Elizabethan stages were sparser in terms of decoration when compared to the equivalent in later eras, but items such as furniture, including pieces like tables and thrones, were used to embellish a scene. In some cases, more elaborate sets were used; these included grassy banks, gallows frames and caves * Costumes: The costumes used in Shakespeares theater companies were perhaps one of the most effective forms of props employed, allowing actors to reflect changes in character and even gender with relative ease. Many of these costumes captured the historical setting of specific Shakespearean plays; for example, togas and breastplates were worn in performances of Titus Andronicus. Make-up, along with female clothing was used to depict women characters, since Elizabethan laws forbade women to act on stage. * Lighting: There was natural lighting as plays were produced in the afternoon. However there was some artificial lighting mainly intended to provide atmosphere for night scenes. * Sound: Musicians were used for music. Music was an extra effect added in the 1600s. The musicians would also reside in the Lords rooms (best seats in the house). * Special Effects: Sometimes stage props served to recreate some special effect. Examples included fireworks, which were set off to replicate lightning in outdoor scenes, and actual pistols without the bullets which would be shot whenever military salutes or fighting needed to be shown. Even animals, such as dogs, were brought on stage in Shakespearean plays because creating a fake animal would have been more difficult. Trap doors would enable some special effects e.g. smoke. * Other Important Conventions:

Case Study of PTSD in Ghana Armed Forces Personnel

Case Study of PTSD in Ghana Armed Forces Personnel CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study According to The League of Nations was the first major organisation established after the First World War for conflict resolutions. Following the failure of the League of Nations to avert the Second World War, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established in 1945 to replace it. The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation, which among other things, aims to maintain international peace and security and to take collective and preventive measures to ensure global peace ( Rikhe, 1983). The need for peaceful co-existence and resolution of conflicts and wars necessitated the introduction of third party involvement in conflict resolution mechanisms in the nineteen century. The third party approach to settlement of conflicts and wars is practiced primarily by the UN, regional and sub-regional organisations through Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). Peacekeeping is defined as â€Å"the process of mediation, conciliation, negotiation and the management of conflict in a bid to bring peace in an area of conflict, violence or hostilities†. Peacekeeping involves the deployment of a neutral force (UN, Regional or Sub-regional body) in the field, with military, civil police and civilian personnel, in order to stabilize or dampen a conflict situation and provide viable opportunities for pacific resolution of conflicts. It entails peace-making and peace-building (Maj Agyemang-Bioh, 2000). In peace-making, an effort to settle the conflict through mediation, negotiation, concil iation and other forms of peaceful settlement is made using diplomatic action. Peace-building on the other hand, is â€Å"action-like†; it includes the identification and support of all measures and structures which will promote peace and build the needed trust and healthy interactions among former enemies; in order to avoid a relapse into conflict or recurrence of the hostilities. Thus peace-building is a social change through socio-economic development, rehabilitation and reconstruction; it actively seeks to eliminate the likelihood of direct or indirect violence in the conflict area, with the object of preventing further war and then to obviate any distress signal in the community (Ibid). The complex nature of modern conflicts and approaches to dealing with such conflicts gave birth to the term Peace Support Operations (PSO). Peace Support Operations are multifunctional operations in which impartial military activities are designed to create a secure environment and to facilitate the efforts of the civilian elements of the mission to create a self sustaining peace (Institute of Security Studies, 2000).  Ã‚   The concept of PSO refers to ‘the military, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian activities carried out in order to achieve long-term peace settlement and reinstate political and socio-economic stability to   a conflict or disaster situation (United Kingdom Joint Warfare Publication, 3-50). The terms Peacekeeping and Peace Support Operations are however, used interchangeably in this paper since both terminologies refer to the same concept. Additionally, the role of the peacekeeper has not changed significantly with the shift from PKO to PSO.   The first UN conflict resolution in Africa was in 1960 following the crisis in the Congo, now Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).   Thereafter, the UN focused attention on all troubled spots in order to check crises before they escalated. It also encouraged the formation of regional and sub-regional bodies such as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) to complement her efforts. This is in line with Article 53 of the UN Charter on regional organisations, which states that, ‘the Security Council should encourage associations or agencies that promote peace at regional level (Rikhe, 1983). Since its initial intervention in Congo in 1960, the Ghana Armed Forces has been involved in complex peacekeeping operations; from the civil wars in Rwanda, the Liberian and Sierra Leonean conflicts and the Ivorian conflicts, almost all commencing within the 1990s. All these conflicts were characterised by extreme cases of human rights violations and other violent crimes which have claimed so many lives and caused so much pain and suffering. In Liberia, Ghana was among the five leading member states of ECOWAS which deployed troops before the UN Security Council belatedly sanctioned it (Erskine (Lt Gen), (2000). Currently, the Ghana Armed Forces is providing contingents for United Nations peace support operations in Cote dIvoire, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Lebanon.   A total of 3,250 troops are deployed for peace support operations in the five listed missions. As at 2008, Ghana was the sixth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping (Un ited Nations Factsheet, 2008). Participation in these operations exposes military personnel to traumatic incidents. Since the twentieth century, a lot of changes have taken place in both the manner in which peacekeeping operations are executed and the circumstances to which the peacekeeping soldier is exposed to risk. Firstly, not only has peacekeeping operations increased in terms of frequency but they have also undergone a metamorphosis with regard to the manner in which they are conducted. It has been argued that previously peacekeeping soldiers were responsible for monitoring and observing cease-fire agreements between formally belligerent states (Liebenberg et al, 1997). Others contend that the 1990s witnessed conflicts where parties did not comply with peace agreements and/or disobeyed the rules of war (Olonisakin, 1998). He also refers to situations where peacekeeping soldiers themselves were viciously attacked. The nature of conflict also changed. In the pas,t conflict was characterised by being mainly inter-state, but today intra-state conflict is more prevalent (Nkiwane, 2000; Cilliers, 1999). Another indication of the changing nature of peacekeeping is illustrated in the roles that todays peacekeeping soldiers have to fulfill. The classic roles of the peacekeeping soldier to monitor the implementation of an honourable agreement between two or more parties in conflict; to act unarmed and guard a distinctly marked observation post, or to patrol a demilitarised cease-fire line, have become the exception rather than the rule (Potgieter, 1995). Thus, the evolving nature of peacekeeping duty in itself suggests that today peacekeeping soldiers are faced with new psychological challenges (Litz et al, 1997), and that it is no longer unusual for contemporary peacekeeping missions to include exposure to traditional war-zone experiences (Orsillo et al, 1998). The above conditions have the effect of increasing the stress levels of the peacekeeper. The ability to cope with stress is intrinsically related to psychological and material resources (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984), which are likely to be adversely affected by repeated traumatisation experienced during conflicts. Experience and appraisal of trauma tends to be related to both poverty (Muldoon, 2003) and social identity (Haslam et al, 2004). The most common psychological consequence of war and conflict is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The resulting stress has beenassociated with reduced cognitive, emotional, and behavioralperformance (Mitchell and Dyregov, 1993) and may negatively affect work performance (Paine, 1992).These findings have implications for both the career path ofthe worker and the efficiency and productivity of organizations. From the social identification perspective, the world may appear to be a frightening place and the trauma victim can feel powerless, helpless and incompetent. But in the interpersonal realm, the family is really affected. Post-t raumatic stress can cause the sufferer to become emotionally withdrawn and distant from family members. People affected can become overly needy and dependent, or outrageously demanding and impatient. Most of them can revert back to old habits like smoking or drinking, or become a newly hatched adolescent and engage in reckless, sometimes life threatening hobbies. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened (Muldoon, (2003). Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. These traumatic experiences could be caused by reasons such as near-death, serious physical injury, serious accident, violence, war, torture, any event that causes extreme fear, a horrifying event, or when one feels an extreme sense of helplessness (Ibid). PTSD can be categorized into four types depending on the length of time it takes for the disorder to appear and the amount of time it is present. These include; firstly, Acute Stress Disorder, symptoms of these occur within four weeks of the traumatic experience and lasts between two days and four weeks; secondly, Acute Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with symptoms lasting for more than four weeks; thirdly, Delayed Onset Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, where symptoms appear years after the traumatic experience; and finally Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder where symptoms last for over three months with the symptoms disappearing for a few days and then reappearing. The major symptoms of PTSD include: exaggerated startle response, loss of memory (forgetfulness), sleep disorders (nightmares and waking up suddenly during the night), flashbacks or images of the traumatic incident that keeps coming back to haunt you, hyper vigilance (very similar to, but not paranoia), hypersensitivity, extreme irritability, anger over petty issues with violent outbursts, possessiveness, extreme nervousness and anxiety, muscle aches and pains for no apparent reason, unexplained fear, low self-esteem and lack of confidence (Mitchell and Dyregov, 1993). PTSD is categorized as Intrusion when the symptoms appear suddenly and happen when memories of a past traumatic incident keep coming back as flashbacks. These flashbacks could be induced by a variety of triggers such as smell, sight, or sound. Once the flashback is triggered, it is almost impossible to stop because the incident seems real with all the emotions involved. Nightmares are a good example of this. PTSD is categorized as Avoidance when a PTSD sufferer consciously or unconsciously tries to prevent remembering anything related to the traumatic experience. This may involve avoiding those close to you, or those you work with, causing misery to yourself and those close to you. PTSD is categorized as Hyper arousal when the symptoms are as a result of stimulated nerves and hormones. One could experience severe insomnia, and not remember the entire traumatic experience. During this phase one will have very poor concentration and will get irritated easily (Thompson and Gignac, 2000a ). PTSD can be treated. However, if left untreated, PTSD could remain lifelong, damaging ones relations with others and causing one several ailments, both physically and mentally (Solomon et al, 1996). 1.2 Statement of the Problem Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among people who have served in the military or any of the security or law enforcement agencies. The involvement and exposure of military personnel to combat and combat related situations expose them to risks which tend to affect them physically, mentally and emotionally. Some military occupations are more likely to witness traumatic events than others and thus be at greater risk. These occupations include frontline combat unit, combat engineers and medical personnel. It is often these same professionals or trades that are tasked repeatedly for peace support operations (Gignac, 2000). The fundamental components of combat power of the Armed Forces include the equipment and the personnel who carry out the combat roles. Therefore, it is important that all armed forces maintain a high state of personnel readiness (United Kingdom Doctrine for Joint and Multinational Operations-JWP 0-10). However, participation in combat and combat related activities exposes the military to stressful conditions. Over the years, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have been exposed to battlefield hazards through their participation in peace support operations including the   Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) operations in Liberia, The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), the United Nations Mission in La Cote IVoire (UNOCI), and until recently, the United Nations Mission in Chad (MINURCAT). Exposure to such hazards of war in most cases result in mental and emotional tensions, injuries and death.   These situations usually result in what is referred to as stress on the part of the service personnel. It is therefore necessary that serious attention is paid to the problem of stress among participants of peace support operations. This research will therefore investigate and examine so cial identification and post-traumatic stress symptoms among participants of peace support operation, with the GAF as a case study. 1.3 Justification of the Study The military plays an important role in a nations development. They provide a congenial atmosphere for the overall development of a nation. Military personnel as a core element of the security services therefore need sound mind and body to be able to perform their duties effectively and efficiently. It is therefore important that attention is paid to the psychological and emotional needs of the military. Effective handling of post-traumatic stress related problems among personnel of the GAF will enhance their efficiency and productivity both at home and during peace support operations outside the country.The study will help come out with relevant information and recommendations that will help in assisting personnel who are affected by post-traumatic stress in the course of discharging their duties. It will also help reduce the incidence of PTSD among peacekeepers. This will help boost the morale of the personnel of the GAF both at home and on international peace support operations. 1.4 Research Questions The study will attempt to find answers to the following questions: What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders among personnel of the GAF? What are the effects of peace support operations on post-traumatic stress disorder and social identification? Which are the populations that are affected by post-traumatic stress disorders in the GAF? Is there a relationship between post-traumatic stress and the strength of social identification? 1.5.Methodology This research which is a case study of Social Identification and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms among personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces is a   qualitative research project hence the researcher largely employs the use of qualitative research design to include both primary and secondary data. Qualitative research is exploratory in nature and encompasses a range of philosophies, research designs and specific techniques including in-depth qualitative interviews; participant and non-participant observation; focus groups; document analyses; and a number of other methods of data collection (Pope and Mays, 2006). The primary data was collected from live interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaire administration. A total sample size of two hundred (200) was used for the study.   This comprised of interviews with thirty individuals, thirty persons in focus groups of six and one hundred and forty questionnaire which were administered to randomly selected personnel of the Ghana A rmed Forces. The secondary data were gathered from books, journals, articles, dissertations, and published and unpublished thesis.   1.6 Objectives of the Study The study has four-fold objectives. These are to: Identify and examine the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders among personnel of the GAF; Examine and analyze the effects of peace support operations on post-traumatic stress disorder and social identification; Examine and analyze the prevalent group of post-traumatic stress disorders in the Ghana Armed Forces; and Examine and analyze the relationship between post-traumatic stress and the strength of social identification. 1.6 Hypothesis The research hypotheses used in this study is tailored to suit a qualitative methodology that is interpretative rather than statistical. 1.6.1 Alternative Hypotheses There are symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders among personnel of the GAF. Peace support operations have effect on post-traumatic stress and social identification. Post-traumatic stress disorders affect people of a particular group in the GAF. There is a relationship between post-traumatic stress and the strength of social identification. 1.6.2 Null Hypotheses There are no symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorders among personnel of the GAF. Peace support operations do not have effect on post-traumatic stress and social identification. Post-traumatic stress disorders affect every group in the GAF. There is no relationship between post-traumatic stress and the strength of social identification. 1.5 Limitations The research was limited in terms of data collection. Military personnel are generally sceptical about accepting their stress situations, largely due to the existing stigmatization associated with combat stress and PTSD. Nevertheless, the researchers status as a member of the GAF provided an insight into some of the issues relating to social identification and PTSD. The researcher further interacted with colleagues and other military personnel involved in post peace support operations to gain further insights into issues raised in the research. 1.6 Organization of Study The study is organized into five chapters. An introduction of the entire study is captured in Chapter one. Chapter two presents a review of the relevant literature. Chapter three outlines the methods of data collection while an analysis and interpretation of data and results is covered in chapter four. The fifth chapter is devoted to the summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1Introduction This chapter provides the theoretical framework for the research.   It considers the views of some writers on Peace Support Operations and how they impact on social identity, stress and related concepts.   The study of these concepts will help in understanding the social identification and post-traumatic stress symptoms in post peace support operations among Ghanaian peacekeepers. 2.2 Social Identification and related Theories 2.2.1 Social Identification Social identification is the process by which an aspect of self- image is developed based on in-group preference or ethnocentrism and a perception of belonging to a social or cultural group. (APA, Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, 8th ed). 2.2.2 Theories of Social Identification Several theories have been formulated to explain how threats or stress affect social identification. Three of the well known theories are explained below: 2.2.2.1 The Integrated Threat Theory The theory of Integrated Threat was first identified by Walter and Cookie Stepan, when they attempted to explain how a groups prejudiceswere created by threats from other groups. These threats are said tobe present anytimeone groups actions, beliefs, or characteristics challenge the goal attainment or well being of another group (Riek, Mania, Gaertner, 2006).An individual group may feel threatened by another which is utilizing resources it needs to achieve its goals or to sustain its status as a group. These resources may be tangible, such as money or materials, or intangible, such as status, power or knowledge (Ibid). When resources are scarce, the group whichis threatened by the lack of resources finds itself motivated to compete for the resources in order to maintain its identity as a group or to achieve its goals (Ibid). This competitionpromotes negative attitudes towards those in the group utilizing the resources (Aberson Gaffney, 2008). The two groups in competition over resources can be described as the in-group and the out-group. The in-group can be described as the group of people with whom an individual categorizes himself/herself with. Members of an in-group feel a sense of commitment to the group and gain greater esteem from their sense of belonging to the group (Redmond, 2010). The out-group can be described as any group outside of an individuals in-group and a group that can be a potential rival/competitor for resources (Ibid). The in-group is the group which feels threatened, and the out-group is the group which is posing a threat to the in-group (Kendall, 1998). Intergroup threats contribute to conflict because they influence behaviors, perceptions, and emotions. An appraisal of threat can evoke strong negative emotions, including that of fear, rage, anger, resentment, frustration, contempt and insecurity. In addition, perceptions of threat reduce emotional empathy for members of the out-group. All of these negative emotions combined with the lack of empathy felt for the other group, can literally bring people to a breaking point. 2.2.2.2 Social Identity Theory Social Identity Theory focuses on the relationship between self-concept and group behavior (Hogg and Terry, 2001). The social identity theory was proposed by Henri Tajfel as a result of work he was doing in the 1970s concerning categorization and social perception, intergroup behavior, and the pursuit of social psychological understanding of the causes of prejudice and intergroup conflict (Abrams and Hogg, 1999). He believed that there was discontinuity between how people behaved when they related to others on an intergroup basis as opposed to an interpersonal or individual basis and sought to explain the behavior of people in group situations (Abrams and Terry, 2001). Tajfel identified three components of social identity, self-conceptualization, group self-esteem, and commitment to the group, which when met, lead a person to feel connected to their in-group. As a result, all other groups become out-groups and are rivals for status and resources as well as a source for comparison. Th is can lead to discrimination in favour of the in-group or against other out-groups as well as stereotyping and prejudice when a perceived threat occurs (Redmond, 2009). According to the Social Identity Theory, social identity and intergroup behavior is guided by the pursuit of evaluative positive social identity through positive intergroup distinctiveness, which in turn is motivated by the need for positive self-esteem (Hogg Terry, 2001). In other words, a persons behavior will be affected by their positive association with their in-group, when their self-esteem and/or status are elevated by that association. Central to this theory are three components identified by Tajfel: self-categorization, group self-esteem, and group commitment. 2.2.2.2.1 Self-Categorization Self-categorization refers to a persons belief that he/she belongs to a group. A person must categorize or identify him or herself as a member of a group in order to have their self-esteem elevated through association with the group. According to this theory, categorization sharpens intergroup boundaries by producing group-distinctive stereotypical and normative perceptions and actions and assigns people, including self, to the contextually relevant category (Ibid). In addition, self-categorization can reduce uncertainty about themselves and others and about how they and others may or ought to behave in specific social contexts (Ibid). The core of an identity is the categorization of the self as the occupant of a role (Stets Burke, 2000). By assigning roles to individuals that are self-categorized as being part of a group, individuals can derive meanings and expectations associated with their roles, and as a result, are able to create values based standards that motivate and guide b ehavior. 2.2.2.2.2 Group Self-Esteem Group self-esteem refers to the positive self-esteem or self-identity gained through membership in a group. In order to categorize ones self as a member of a group, membership in the group must hold some value for the person such as improvement in their status or positive personal identity through the association with the group. The theory suggests that people have a need to see themselves in a positive light in relation to relevant others (Hogg and Terry, 2001) and that this can be achieved in a group context through making comparisons between in-group and relevant out-groups in ways that favour the in-group (Ibid). 2.2.2.2.3 Group Commitment Group commitment refers to the strength of the commitment a person feels to their in-group. This is important because if an individual believes they can move into a higher status group, this person will be unlikely to show much solidarity or engage in much direct intergroup competition and will instead attempt to disidentify and gain psychological entry to the dominant group (Ibid). When a person identifies him or herself with a group, gains a positive self-esteem through the group, and feels committed to the group, the person will be motivated to maintain the group and their memberships in the group (Redmond, 2009). There can also be adverse consequences, however, to an individual over-identifying with a group. When a person becomes too attached to a group, it can lead to stereotyping and the degradation of out-groups as well as overdependence, antisocial behavior, decreased creativity, and a decreased sense of self for the individual (Hogg Terry, 2001). As a result of being too attached, the lines that once separated the individual identity from that of the group may become blurred. If this loss of individuality takes place, it may result in a decreased ability to create an independent self concept apart from the group. 2.2.2.3 Social Dominance Theory The Social Dominance Theory originated in an attempt to combine the more classical theories of social behaviour such as Marxism, and more contemporary theories such as Social Identity Theory into a unified behavioral model to explain bias in group behavior (Sidanius Pratto, 1999).The Social Dominance Theory is based on the idea that in virtually all societies, group-based hierarchies are formed in which both dominant and subordinate groups co-exist. As is naturally the case, the dominant group(s), referred to as having positive social value in the group structure; has access to rights and privileges that are denied to subordinate group(s) because their (negative) social value and ability to bring to bear power and resources are limited (Ibid). A principledistinction between Social Dominance Theory and similargroup-based social theories, such as Social Identity Theory, is that group members are not only motivated to protect the group to preserve their social status, but feel compelled to justify their group behavior (dominant or subordinate) through ahierarchicalsystem represented through the following omponents:Legitimizing Myths, Trimorphic Structure, and Social Dominance Orientation (Redmond, 2009). 2.2.2.3.1 Legitimizing Myths Dambrun, et al.(2009)upholds Sidanius and Prattos contention that both dominant and subordinate groups strive to sustain group-based hierarchies by the development of opposing ideologies that promote, or attenuate group inequality and domination; otherwise referred to as legitimizing myths. In other words, social groups play off each other through social policies to maintain the group hierarchy but are motivated to do so for different reasons. The differences between these reasons are referred to as behavioral asymmetry (Redmond, 2009). Asymmetry occurs when the dominant group wishes to maintain their positive social status, yet the subordinate group wishes to climb the proverbial ladder and participate in the myriad advantages of the dominant social group. As selfish as we are, social groups are not fully inclusive. These groups seek to maintain their social status by justifyingbehaviors through mitigating perceived gaps in social status. This is accomplished through legitimizing myths in the form of perceived negative stereotypes, values and beliefs against the opposing groups. â€Å"Legitimizing myths consist of attitudes, values, beliefs stereotypes, and ideologies that provide moral and intellectual justification for the social practices that distribute social value within the social system† (Sidanius and Pratto, 1999). Legitimizing myths can be broken down into two distinct groups: hierarchy-enhancing legitimizing myths (HELM) and hierarchy-attenuating legitimizing myths (HALM). HELMs not only organize individual, group, and institutional behavior in ways that sustain dominance, they often lead subordinates to collaborate with dominants in the maintenance of oppression (Pratto et al, 2006). 2.1.2.3.2. Trimorphic Structure of Group-Based Hierarchies Our predisposition to join groups is an essential element of Social Dominance Theory that assumes a trimorphic structure of group-based social hierarchy in which members are stratified into social groups based on characteristics related to the following three structures (Sidanius and Prato, 1999): Age A biologically-based system where adults are classified as socially higher (valued) than younger people. Gender Another biologically-based system in which males are classified as socially higher than women. Arbitrary set -Group-based hierarchies determineits orderbased on a virtually limitless set of factors including personal preferences, religion, beliefs, class, ethnicityor values.The age and gender systems are fixed in terms of their applicability to social groups. In other words, these stratification systems extend to all social systems as members invariably fall into a range of either group. The inclusion (or exclusion) of membership within the arbitrary set system however, is dependent upon the factor(s) applied to the group. For example, a social group based on ethnicity or religion will include a very specific subset of participants to the exclusion of all others. For these reasons, the arbitrary set system represents the most dynamic group-based social hierarchy. This system has the potential to be the most inclusive (and positive) in terms of being socially constructive, as well as the most exclusive, or socially destructive. 2.1.2.3.3.Social Dominance Orientation To better predict social group bias, Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) was developed to measure the extent to which individuals manifest discriminatory behaviors(Sidanius and Prato, 1999). SDO is defined as the degree to which individuals desire and support group-based hierarchy and the domination of inferior groups by superior groups (Ibid). 2.2. Concepts of Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 2.2.1. Combat/Traumatic Stress Stress is a word that is often used to cover a whole range of feelings and emotions. There are many varying definitions of stress. Some researchers distinguish between eustress (when something changes for the better) an

Multilateralism and Small Developing States Essay -- The Political Eco

Multilateralism serves to be both a blessing and a curse, when placed amongst small island developing states in the global system. The statement without a shadow of a doubt stands true that multilateralism can simultaneously advance and undermine the interest of small island developing states in the global system. Small island developing states lack the power, wealth and influence to exert any political clout in the global political arena at the individual state level and as such, often times than none, their interest are overlooked and ignored. A we take a critical look at multilateralism, the very definition of the word according to (Keohane,1990;731) defined multilateralism as â€Å"the practice of coordinating national policies in groups of three or more states.† By this very definition, we can see the contradictions that lies within, when looking at this through a Caribbean lens. Multilateralism, where Caribbean states are involved in binding agreements, can be argued to be a contradiction on the basis of the contending international relations theories of Realism and Idealism. The first theoretical perspective to be undertaken will be the Realist perspective on states in the global political arena. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy states clearly that â€Å"Realism, also known as political realism, is a view of international politics that stresses its competitive and conflictual side. It is usually contrasted with idealism or liberalism, which tends to emphasize cooperation.(Baylis, Smith and Owens, 2011; 4) states that, â€Å" the main actors on the world stage are states, which are legally sovereign actors. Sovereignty means that there is no actor above the state that can compel it to act in specific ways,. Other acrors, such a... ... 61 (4): 853–876. †¢ Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, Power and. Interdependence: World Politics in Transition (Boston: Little, Brown, 1977) †¢ Keohane, Robert O. â€Å"Multilateralism: An Agenda for Research.† International Journal, 45 (Autumn 1990). †¢ McGinnis, John O. â€Å"The Political Economy of Global Multilateralism.† Chicago Journal of International Law, Fall2000, 6. †¢ Strange, Susan. (1997). â€Å"Territory, State, Authority and Economy: a new realist ontology of global political economy.† In The New Realism. Edited by Robert, W. Cox (New York: The United Nations University Press, pp 3-19). †¢ Spangler, Brad. "Integrative or Interest-Based Bargaining." Beyond Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Information Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: June 2003 .

The Glamorous Spy in Films Such as Casino Royale and Mission Impossible

Introduction - Content Films such as Casino Royale and Mission Impossible are both culturally significant to how people’s general opinions of spies and the profession of espionage. Ian Flemings Bond movies are the longest running film series ever and this helps the perception and opinions of the films to be passed on from generation to generation. So far six actors have taken on the role of James Bond and all were significant super fit good-looking and popular actors. This only helps to increase the popularity of the films and now that the cinema is public it means people of all ages go to watch these films with family and friends. Many films and actors have taken on similar storylines and characters to that of the Bond films such as Johnny English and the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery films put a lighter, humorous side to the real life dangers that spies face in reality. Also films such as the Alex Rider books based Stormbreaker and the agent Cody Banks films attract a different audie nce than the Bond films in a way because they use young actors and actresses to put across a more understandable and sometimes more watchable film for the younger audience. The Mission Impossible films were based on a 1960’s television show of the same name. Tom Cruise would have been deliberately chosen to take the lead character role in these films. Like the Bond actors this increases interests in the film and also makes the general view and activities of espionage seem glamorous but yet action packed. These films also use the public’s great anticipation and fear of terrorists in these films to engage people and also the films often cleverly use the publics sensitive fear of modern day terrorism to make the films more serious, ... ... violent chase scenes and almost unreal stunts to attract the audience to the films. He uses glamorous gadgets and good looking women also to give the impression that the spies live a fault free life full of wonderful assets. The music used in espionage films is very suited to the style and pace of the films themselves. Every theme tune is very fast, dramatic and striking and makes the audience feel on edge at the start of the film. Often the theme tune is repeated in some form throughout the main action scenes in the film. Many of the signs such as the gunshots, explosions and police sirens make these films suspense action thrillers. I think that the way that the directors use the certain signs to help glamorise the life of spies is clever and very appealing to the audience. This is why these espionage thrillers are so popular among people of different ages.

Essay Comparing The Awakening and Story of an Hour -- comparison compa

Comparing The Awakening and Story of an Hour  Ã‚  Ã‚   The heroine, Mrs. P, has some carries some characteristics parallel to Louise Mallard in â€Å"Hour.† The women of her time are limited by cultural convention. Yet, Mrs. P, (like Louise) begins to experience a new freedom of imagination, a zest for life , in the immediate absence of her husband. She realizes, through interior monologues, that she has been held back, that her station in life cannot and will not afford her the kind of freedom to explore freely and openly the emotions that are as much a part of her as they are not a part of Leonce. Here is a primary irony. Also, the rhetoric Chopin uses is full of contradictions from the beginning. not only that, but there are so many contradictions of manner, style, Point of view, and all of these both internal and external of each of the characters. For example, Leonce â€Å"Pontellier wore eye-glasses. He was a man of forty, of medium height and rather slender build; he stooped a little. His hair was brown and straight, parted on one side. His beard was neatly and closely trimmed,† whereas his sons are described â€Å"sturdy little fellows of four and five.† This suggests that he is rather delicate, and that his wife, after whom they presumably take (ils tiennent de leur mere) is sturdy and strong, and can and will take him at something. Another significant one comes in chapter xxix where her interior monologue talks of her â€Å"understanding [as]...that monster made up of beauty and brutality.† Looking at the end of the work and going backwards (I read it this way so I could retrace the steps that lead up to Edna’s suicide, I saw this first time an ambiguity between the seeming freedom she got from transcending the bonds of ... ... Another aspects of the story is that once Edna’s awakening begins to take place, she is on a roller coaster of emotions, from the manic exuberance of listening to music and the sounds of the water, her connection to robert--it’s as though all her senses are opened up. Between times, however, she is really depressed, as though all the color that Chopin imparts so beautifully in the descriptions of the other scenes, has become dull and uninteresting. Then, she is flung into an emotional upheaval when she reads Robert’s letter to Mlle Reisz, as the latter plays Wagner. Clearly, these kinds of emotions cannot be borne by a woman whose cultural structure does not admit the building of her own that it might sustain the weight and number. She is overwhelmed. She must escape, and she does, for her situation now is powerfully reminiscent of the â€Å"joy that kills† in â€Å"Hour.†

Napa Valley Winery Inc

Quintal realized that the quantity of red table wine produced is closely associated to the sales. Ms. Quintal reviewed her past sales in order to predict future sales based on the amount of wine produced in 2008. The issue Quintal faced was the seasonality of wine sales; December being its peak time in sales. After careful consideration, Quintal determined that although her previous forecasting method had worked from an operational standpoint, however, there was still room to improve its accuracy.Quintal has to determine what the forecasting profits will be for the next 16 months (Septet's to DCE 2009) prior to the conclusion of any business deals with Transcontinental. The software that was used in order to predict the future sales was Stools. Stools provided me with four different methods (Moving Averages, Simple, Halt's & Winters' exponential smoothing) of forecasting to identify the most accurate prediction possible. With a Means Absolute Percentage Error (MAPS) of 3. 72% the Hal t's exponential smoothing method was determined to be the best method of predicting monthly wine sales for the next sixteen months (Figure 2).Background/Additional Research on Nap Valley Wineries The Nap valley is known for its stylish and exquisite wine blends. The highly acclaimed Paradox Winery was founded in 1994 and its current wine maker is David Marches'. Paradox is the only winery that is truly devoted to wine blends in the Nap Valley. Paradox has four different estates that produce grapes with distinct attributes that reflect the variations in soil, terrain, micrometer, and exposure. This vineyard has created a blend of zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, along with smaller amounts of Merlot and Petite Sarah to create the first Paradox vintage.One of Paradox's quality wines is the 2006 Postmark Monitor Ledge Vineyard Red Wine. This lend of Zinfandel paired with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot originates solely from our Monitor Ledge Vineyard which is known for producing concentrat ed and structured wines. This wine highlights red cherry and rose petal aromas, with notes of blueberry, blackberry, smoky cedar and cola. The flavors of the red fruit and warm blackberry with a dash of cinnamon spice. Analyzing the Problem The data used was gathered from previous sales from Jan. 2000 through Gauge. 2008.This data will be used in forecasting sixteen month time period starting with Septet. 2008 and all of 2009 wine sales. The forecasting tool used was Stools, which eloped in determining the total wine sales for the next sixteen months. The question that will be addressed: What is Northern Nap Valley Winners projected sales for the upcoming sixteen months? To better answer this question there are four different methods of forecasting (Figure 5 Moving Averages, Figure 4 Simple, Figurer Halt's & Figure 3 Winters' Exponential Smoothing) that will be used, of those four one will give the best prediction based on the past data.Forecasting methods where done dissocialized. The Mean Absolute Percentage Error is important when forecasting data. The closer the MAPS is to zero the more accurate the forecast. This will be the catalyst in determining the accuracy of the forecasts. Runs test (Null Hypothesis of Randomness) Prior to doing any forecasting it is important to determine whether or not the data is random or nonrandom. The software used to conduct the Runs Test for Randomness was Stool's. This test was used in order to determine if there were too many or too few runs in a series of data.Figure 5: Moving Averages I I Forecasting Constant I Forecast I Span 13 Mean Abs Err 1683. 03 631. 59 I I Moving Averages 1460. 00 1480. 16 I Root Mean Sq Err 14. 12% By using Stools a graph was formulated to show the fluctuation of sales from Jan 2000 through DCE. 2009. The moving average in this case for the next sixteen months produced a MAPS of 4. 12%. A MAPS of is considered to be very good so 4. 12% has limited forecasting errors and would be considered an exc ellent forecast. Although, the MAPS for the moving average was considerably accurate, the Halt's method produced a MAPS of 3. 2% which indicative of a more accurate forecast. The difference between the Moving Averages method and the Halt's method is the MAPS of . 4%, which makes the Moving Average less accurate than the Halt's Exponential Smoothing Method. Conclusion and Recommendation It is apparent that wine sales fluctuate monthly which could be based upon changes in the economy, climate, or preference. Annual forecasting is not conducive to wine sales since wine fluctuates on a monthly basis. An example of wine lactating would be in August sales are low but, in sales are at its peak.Ms. Quintal should forecast future sales on a monthly basis in order to maintain a more accurate account sales activity. It is recommended that Ms. Quintal utilize Stools as a means of automating her forecasting task and maintaining continuity of records. According to the sixteen month forecast the a mount of wine produced is closely related to the amount of wine sold. Reference Nap valley wineries. (2011, November 16). Retrieved from http:// www. Banqueters. Com/nap_valley_wineries. HTML (2011, November 16). Retrieved from http://www. Wisped. Org/

An Analysis of the Urban Issue of Tuberculosisin the Bourough of Newham

1.Introduction Tuberculosis is a very serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, causing cough and breathing difficulties. The infection also causes systemic effects including fever, night sweats and weight loss (Ellner, 2011). In some cases, the infection can spread beyond the lungs and affect the bone/joints, lymph nodes, abdomen and blood stream (Ormerod, 2003). The disease is caused by the bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis (WHO, 2014), which is spread through respiratory droplets. These droplets are passed when an infected individual coughs or sneezes and the droplets become inhaled by another person (NHS, 2014). Despite this easy method of transmission, tuberculosis is not readily transmitted, and therefore is most likely to affect those in close contact such as family or household members (Castillo-Chavez & Feng). Tuberculosis represents a significant risk of morbidity and mortality and represents a significant cost to society to treat and manage. Tuberculosis has particul arly shown to be a problem in cities, whereby the rates of increase are greater than those of rural areas (Anderson et al. 2006). This essay will address the reasons as to why tuberculosis affects urban areas (the sick city hypothesis), and look in to why tuberculosis contributes to this urban health penalty. As an exemplar of an urban environment suffering from the burden of tuberculosis, this essay will focus on the London borough of Newham. Newham has a tuberculosis rate 8 times higher than the national average and 3 times that of London. This essay aims to investigate the aetiology behind the incidence, and to find ways of reducing the rates of tuberculosis among individuals in the London borough of Newham. The paper will include the intervention strategies and how they should be implemented in order to reduce the rates of new infections and encourage men to get tested and get early treatment before the spread of infection. 2.Tuberculosis in an Urban Environment Tuberculosis tends to be regarded as a problem of the past, and was responsible for 20-30% of all mortality in 17th-19th century Europe (Dye & Williams, 2010). The incidence of tuberculosis declined throughout the 20th century (Watson & Maguire, 1997), however, the disease has been slowly returning to London since the 1980’s (Great Britain 2008, p. 19). The problem seems to be worsening in urban areas. This is illustrated by the example of London, where 3,302 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported in 2010 (Fullman & Strachan 2013, p. 25), a figure that has more than doubled since 1992 (Anderson et al 2006). In 2006, the incidence of tuberculosis in London was 41.5 people in 100,000, a figure that represented the highest number of new cases in any major city in Western Europe (Anderson et al, 2006). Dyer (2010, p. 34) claims that the London borough of Newham is the most affected with some people already referring to it as the TB capital of the affluent western world. In f act, the rates of tuberculosis in Newham are currently higher than that in some impoverished countries. Vassall (2009, p. 48) suggest that Newham has 108 cases per 100,000 and Anderson et al suggest a 2001 figure of 116/100,000, figures that are more than half that in India (174 cases per 100,000) (Public Health England, 2012). Newham has a population of 308,000 with a population density of 85.1 per hectare as compared to 31 in central London (UK Census, 2012). These figures suggest that even in the populated city of London, Newham is an area of urbanisation, with a large number of people concentrated into a relatively small area. The increase of tuberculosis has been described as a ‘penalty for high density urban living’ (Dye 2010, p.859), likely due to the increased potential for transmission in overcrowding, and the increased rates of immigration to inner-city areas. Bhunu and Mushavabasa (2012) propose that tuberculosis thrives in conditions of overcrowding and poverty, issues that are common in urban areas. The high rates of tuberculosis in cities such as London, and areas of urbanization such as Newham, suggest that the incidence of tuberculosis is indeed an urban issue. Newham fulfills the criteria of high immigration rates and being an area of deprivation.. Newham has a diverse ethnic population, with 61% of the people being non-white (Farrar & Manson 2013, p. 54). The population of ethnic minorities continues to grow along with the increasing numbers of refugees and asylum seekers in greater London. Another aspect of urbanisation illustrated in the borough of Newham is that of deprivation and overcrowding. Farrar & Manson (2013, p. 16) claim that Newham ranks as the third most deprived borough in inner London. Most of the people here live in tower housing and overcrowded conditions that are the perfect condition for the spread of tuberculosis. There is a positive correlation between poor housing and poverty and the prevalence of tuberculosis, which is very clear in Newham as evidenced by the findings of 108 and 116 cases per 100,000 people (Vassal, 2009; Anderson et al., 2001). The aetiology of the issue of tuberculosis is highlighted when considering the distribution of the disease across Newham. The occurrence of disease is not evenly spread across the borough, with 70% of cases coming from Manor Park, Green Street and East Ham. These boroughs represent areas of population increase, overcrowding and higher levels of those living in poverty. Manor Park and Green Street also sho w differing dynamics of tuberculosis incidence, representing an overall increase of 40% since 2006 whilst all other areas of Newham either remained static or showed slight decrease (Malone et al 2009, p. 23). It can be seen that tuberculosis presents a significant urban issue, especially when comparing incidence in an urban area such as Newham to those less urbanised areas. Bromley has a population of 309,000 and a population density of 20 per hectare, in comparison to Newham’s population density of 80 per hectare (UK Census, 2012). Tuberculosis incidence in Bromley is between 0-19 per 100,000 compared to that of Newham, which is five times greater at 80-100 per 100,000 (Anderson et al., 2006). It is for this reason that necessary intervention strategies need to be formulated and implemented to help reduce the rates of tuberculosis among individuals living in Newham. 3. The Influence of Urbanisation on Tuberculosis Incidence While the global rates of tuberculosis are declining, the disease is showing steady increase in the United Kingdom. In 2012, 8751 new cases of the disease were identified in the country with 39% coming from London (Fullman and Strachan 2013, p. 43). Indeed London has the highest rates of the disease in Western Europe with Newham borough having the highest rates in the UK. Jindal (2011, p. 55) claims that the rate of tuberculosis in some London boroughs is more than twice higher than the threshold used by the world health organisation to define high rates. These higher incidences support the notion of a sick city hypothesis where there are greater levels of ill health than in rural areas, and may be due to the presence of factors in an urban environment that contribute to ill health (an urban health penalty). One factor that may contribute to the urban health penalty is that of immigration. Cities are easier to access than rural areas, provide areas of congregation and provide more fa cilities for immigrating families and individuals. The majority of individuals suffering from tuberculosis are people born outside the United Kingdom, with 75% of cases in 2003 being born abroad (Anderson et al., 2006). A reason for the high incidence in those born abroad but now living in the UK is exacerbated by the nature of tuberculosis. On initial infection, tuberculosis is confined by the immune system with only around 5% of cases experiencing symptoms within the first two years of infection (Narasimhan et al., 2013). The remainder of cases harbour a latent infection which may reactivate later in life, with about 10-15% of those infected going on to develop an active disease (Narasimhan et al., 2013). This insidious nature combined with the later activation of the disease explains why many people do not get the disease until later in life. It is likely that it is contracted in their country of birth, however then manifests much later once they have moved to the UK. Statistics indicate that over 90% of the residents in Newham diagnosed with the disease in 2011 were born outside the United Kingdom (Fullman and Strachan, 2013, p. 33). Among these, 50% arrived in the country in the last five years. In the same year tuberculosis diagnosis increased by 25% compared to 2010 (Fullman and Strachan, 2013), possibly as a reflection of the increased immigration. Additionally to a high immigrant population bringing significant disease burden from their countries of birth, London and Newham both represent many of the other issues of urbanisation and urban health penalty that can contribute to the high incidence of tuberculosis. Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of developing tuberculosis (Campbell and Spector, 2012; Chan, 1999). This is an important association in urban populations, as the living and working conditions foster less access to sunlight (the major source of vitamin D). Additionally, Asian immigrants present a problem of low vitamin D due to vegetarian diets, and a tendency to cover up their skin, not allowing to take advantage of the small amount of sunlight available (Chan, 1999). As previously mentioned, Newham is an area of both high urbanisation and with a large immigrant population, and 38.6% of the population being of Asian descent (London Borough of Newham, 2010). The immigrant population of urban areas such as Newham also present a non-vaccinated proportion of society. Whilst the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis was introduced in the UK in the 1950s and was shown to provide a reduction in risk of contracting tuberculosis (Colditz et al., 1994), those immigrating were less likely to receive this vaccination on moving to the UK. London also represents cases of tuberculosis that are socially and medically complex. As a hugely populated area, London includes those with HIV infection and presents other risk factors such as onward transmission and poor treatment. HIV is one of the m ost powerful risk factors for tuberculosis, with a incidence rate of 20 times higher in those that are HIV positive (Dye and Williams, 2010). People’s attitudes towards and access to healthcare also present a complex mix of factors which contribute to an increased incidence of many health problems, including that of tuberculosis. Those in impoverished areas have reduced access to healthcare, which may stem from many reasons such as complex needs, chaotic lifestyles, location of services, user ignorance, and language and literacy barriers (Szczepura, 2005). These can affect the disease process of tuberculosis from prevention, treatment of active disease, adherence to treatment and prevention of the health consequences. Especially problematic are misconceptions and a lack of understanding of the disease, leading to late presentation and delayed access to treatment (Figuera-Munoz and Ramon-Pardo, 2008) With the close living quarters in areas such as Newham, the spread of tubercu losis is facilitated. With poverty, poor housing and overcrowding, these areas concentrate several risk factors and lead to a greater spread of tuberculosis (Bates et al., 2004). These determinants therefore suggest that the incidence of tuberculosis in urban areas is a complex issue. Controlling and preventing tuberculosis in London requires effective social and economic tools that must be incorporated in the development of policies of control in treatment initiation. 4. Consequences and implications of tuberculosis on the general population Tuberculosis ranks with HIV/ AIDS and Malaria as one of the three main health challenges currently facing the world. The Commonwealth Health Ministers Update 2009 (2009, p. 41) indicates that 8 million new cases are reported globally each year. As previously mentioned, when combined with HIV, tuberculosis can prove lethal as the two diseases enhance the progress of each other. It is for this reason that tuberculosis is the major cause of death among HIV patients with the rate standing at 11% globally. The World Health Organization (2009, p. 27) indicates that tuberculosis is responsible for more deaths today than ever before, with approximately 2 million lives claimed by the disease annually. As well as the significant mortality contributed by tuberculosis, the morbidity of the disease can be extremely detrimental both socially and economically. Those with the active disease that are not receiving treatment have been shown to go on to infect 10-15 others every year (WHO, 1998). Those who do receive treatment face a long (up to six months) and complex treatment regime involving several medication side effects. This can affect adherence to the treatment regime, and lead to the disease developing a resistance to the treatment, with this drug resistant tuberculosis contributing to greater mortality and increased expense to treat (Ahlburg, 2000). As well as the significant morbidity and mortality, it is important to consider the economic impact of tuberculosis. The World Health Organisation estimated the cost to treat tuberculosis in 2000 as $250,000 US dollars (?150,000) in developed countries (Ahlburg, 2000). This presents a significant burden to the UK NHS, not to mention the time lost through not working which can dent the economy. London is a global world trade centre whose economy is shaped by global forces, particularly in terms of trade, labour and capital. As a gateway to both the UK and other parts of Europe and the rest of the world, London records a very large number of tourists and immigrant populations. This high number of people accelerates the spread of the disease as people carry it to the country from other parts of the world is indicated by the new infection patterns and is highlighted by the prevalence in immigrant populations. 5. Strategies and intervention for addressing tuberculosis Current UK guidelines for tuberculosis intervention were made by NICE in 2006 (updated 2011). The recommendations propose strategies for identifying those with latent (non-active) tuberculosis to prevent spread or reactivation and also specify criteria for treatment (NICE, 2011). Those recommended for screening for latent tuberculosis include close contacts of infected individuals, immigrants from high incidence countries, immunocompromised individuals, and healthcare workers. Whilst this strategy targets prevention of the spread of tuberculosis, they are only targeting specific groups, and it is likely in high incidence areas such as Newham, people will slip through the net. These guidelines have only changed minimally since 2006, and since then tuberculosis incidence has been on the increase in areas such as Newham, suggesting that changes may need to be made. High incidence areas of the UK such as Newham could learn from New York experience and copy the strategy it used in dealing with the disease. With the implementation of broadened initial treatment regimes, direct observed therapy, and improved guidelines for hospital control and disease prevention, the city managed to halt the progression of an epidemic (Frieden et al., 1995). As mentioned in the previous chapter, adherence to the lengthy treatment regime as well as a lack of understanding may contribute to the spread of tuberculosis. Directly observed therapy (DOT) involves observing the patient take each dose of their medication, with outreach workers travelling to their homes. Evidence from New York showed that through DOT, only 3% of patients in therapy were infectious, compared to a proposed 20% if not receiving DOT (Frieden et al., 1995). Current UK guidelines (NICE, 2006) do not recommend DOT, although they do state that it may be used in cases of patients with previous issues with adherence or at high risk. Although an expensive and time consuming process, if DOT can reduce infectious cases, thi s would also work as a preventative measure. There could be one allocated outreach nurse for the borough of Newham and other high-risk areas. Another method implemented in New York was the downsizing of large shelters for the homeless. These were breeding grounds for tuberculosis, and the subsequent reduction in overcrowding led to a decrease in transmission of the disease (Frieden et al., 1995). Whilst it is not possible to split people up from living with their families in crowded homes in terms of Newham, education about keeping those with tuberculosis from interacting with too many others in crowded conditions may be of benefit. The model should also borrow from those used by other cities like Paris and the rest of Europe in controlling tuberculosis with intervention at the level of the agent, individual and community levels. In Paris, Rieder (2002) suggested that prophylactic treatment could be used to prevent the disease occurring in those at risk, for example those in the hou sehold of an identified case of tuberculosis. Additionally, Rieder (2002) proposed that early or neonate vaccination be used especially in those in areas where tuberculosis is frequent, rarely diagnosed, and adequate contact examinations rarely feasible. It may be possible that in cases where lots of people are vaccinated that they may infer herd immunity and thus protect unvaccinated individuals from the disease. Once the populations have been protected and the incidence (number of new cases) of tuberculosis has been reduced, this allows for a reduction in the prevalence of tuberculosis (number of ongoing cases at any one point in time) with preventative chemotherapy that can treat sub-clinical, latent tuberculosis in the population. This preventative chemotherapy is likely to be extremely relevant to Newham due to the large immigrant population likely harbouring latent tuberculosis. On a country- or city-wide scale, these recommendations from New York and Paris provide excellent m odels for preventing the increase of tuberculosis any further. It is also important, however, to consider the individual communities in Newham, and to promote health awareness and an attitude towards taking responsibility for their health. Their needs to be an encouragement at the level of primary care where immigrant populations feel that they can approach healthcare, and education to encourage tuberculosis prevention and adherence to treatment. The strategy should be all-inclusive in order to encourage people to not only go for testing but also start and finish the treatment process. 6. Recommendations and conclusion Tuberculosis presents an important urban issue in the area of Newham. Incidence is greater than other areas of the UK, and is over half that of India. There are several factors contributing to this including a large immigrant population, crowding and overpopulation, access to healthcare and comorbid health problems such as vitamin D deficiency and HIV. The disease has considerable effect on morbidity and is responsible for high levels of mortality. Further consequences of the disease manifest as economic problems such as cost of treatment and loss of work. London and the UK already have policies and structures for controlling tuberculosis in place; however the implementation process is patchy across the city, and often dependent upon budget. In high-risk areas such as Newham, there is poor access of healthcare due to inaccurate beliefs on the disease, language and cultural barriers, and complex needs of the population. In the case of tuberculosis, these contribute to poor disease pre vention, delayed diagnosis and poor treatment adherence. All of which lead to an increase in transmission and health consequences. The area of Newham would benefit greatly from further education into tuberculosis, how to look for signs and how to get treatment. Encouraging good relationship with healthcare professionals and promoting access to healthcare through outreach programmes and targeting pharmacies may be helpful. Additionally, Newham should look to employ techniques used in New York and Paris, including DOT, prophylactic treatment and neonate vaccination to reduce both the prevalence and incidence of tuberculosis. References Ahlburg (2000). The economic impact of TB: ministerial conference Amsterdam, WHO Bates, I., Fenton, C., Gruber, J., Lalloo, D., Lara, A. M., Squire, S. B., †¦ and Tolhurst, R. (2004). ‘Vulnerability to malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS infection and disease. Part II: determinants operating at environmental and institutional level’. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, vol. 4(6), pp. 368-375. Bhunu, C. P., and Mushayabasa, S. (2012). ‘Assessing the effects of poverty in tuberculosis transmission dynamics’. Applied Mathematical Modelling, vol. 36(9), pp. 4173-4185. Campbell, G. R., and Spector, S. A. (2012). ‘Vitamin D inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in macrophages through the induction of autophagy’. PLoS pathogens, vol. 8(5). Castillo-Chavez, C., and Feng, Z. (1997). ‘To treat or not to treat: the case of tuberculosis. Journal of mathematical biology’, vol. 35(6), pp. 629-656. Colditz, G. A., Brewer, T. F., Berkey, C. S., Wilson, M. E., Burdick, E., Fineberg, H. V., and Mosteller, F. (1994). ‘Efficacy of BCG vaccine in the prevention of tuberculosismeta-analysis of the published literature’. Jama, vol. 271(9), pp. 698-702. Commonwealth Health Ministers Update 2009. (2009). Commonwealth Secretarial. Dye, C., and Williams, B. G. (2010). ‘The population dynamics and control of tuberculosis’. Science, vol 328(5980), pp. 856-861. Dyer, C. A. (2010). Tuberculosis. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood. Ellner JJ. Tuberculosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman’s Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011: vol332. Farrar, J., & Manson, P. (2013). Manson’s tropical diseases. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Figueroa-Munoz, J. I., & Ramon-Pardo, P. (2008). Tuberculosis control in vulnerable groups. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 86(9), 733-735. Frieden, T. R., Fujiwara, P. I., Washko, R. M., and Hamburg, M. A. (1995). ‘Tuberculosis in New York City—turning the tide’. New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 333(4), pp. 229-233. Fullman, J., & Strachan, D. (2013). Frommer’s London 2013. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Great Britain. (2008). Diseases know no frontiers: How effective are intergovernmental organisations in controlling their spread; 1st report of session, 2007-08. London: Stationery Office. Jindal, S. K. (2011). Textbook of pulmonary and critical care medicine. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers. London Borough of Newham, (2010). Community Leaders and Engagement, Manor Park Community Forum Profile [Online], Available:http://www.newham.info/research/CFProfiles/ManorPark.pdf [12 April 2014]. Malone, C., Beasley, R. P., Bressler, J., Graviss, E. A., Vernon, S. W., & University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health. (2009). Trends in anti-tuberculosis drug resistan ce from 2003–2007 at Pham Ngoc Thach Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Masters Abstracts International, 47-5.) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2006) [Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis, and measures for its prevention and control]. [CG117]. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Ormerod, L.P. (2003) ‘Nonrespiratory tuberculosis. In Davies PDO (Ed) Clinical Tuberculosis. Third Edition. Arnold: London. pp. 125-153. Public Health England (2012), World Health Organization (WHO) estimates of tuberculosis incidence by rate, 2012 (sorted by rate). [Online] Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317140584841 [12 April 2014]. Rieder, H. A. (2002). Interventions for Tuberculosis Control, 1st edn. International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France. Szczepura, A. (2005). ‘Access to health care for ethnic minority populations’. Postgraduate Medical Journal, vol. 81(953), pp. 141-147. Vassall, A., & University of Amsterdam. (2009). The Costs and cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis control. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. Watson, J. M., and Maguire. H.C (1997). ‘PHLS work on the surveillance and epidemiology of tuberculosis.’ Communicable disease report. CDR review 7.8, pp. R110-2. World Health Organization. (2009). Global tuberculosis control: Epidemiology, strategy, financing : WHO report 2009. Geneva: World Health Organization. World Health Organisation (2014). Tuberculosis. [Online], Available: http://www.who.int/topics/tuberculosis/en/ [12 April 2014] UK Census (2012), UK Census Data, [Online]. http://www.ukcensusdata.com/newham-e09000025#sthash.51Phmj6a.dpbs [12 April 2014]

Madcap CraftBrew and Bottleworks Company Case Analysis

As this case study begins, Madcap Craftbrew & Bottleworks, Inc. finds itself at the crossroads of having to make critical strategic marketing and promotional decisions regarding its Zebra beer brand.   In this paper, the situation will be evaluated in-depth, and courses of action will be chosen based on the analysis of the available data Problem Statement The problem facing Madcap at the present time is the fact that despite positive consumer feedback and strong results in test markets, the Zebra brand is not as profitable as it could/should be in order to generate sufficient revenues (Rosenthal & Twells, 1999). Primary Critical Issues Madcap has to contend with several primary critical issues, some of which are inherent in the craft brewing industry, as well as some that are unique to Madcap itself.   In summary, these issues are as follows (Rosenthal & Twells, 1999) : Microbrew drinkers are typically not brand loyal, making the development of a strong core market difficult Only a small percentage of beer drinkers are microbrew drinkers Beverage distributors usually do not like to stock large quantities of craft/microbrews in their retail locations, which results in less product available for sale, which keeps volume sales low The Zebra brand is not widely recognized, nor does a large marketing budget exist Current packaging characteristics (the painted bottle, imported from Mexico) have been causing production delays and prompting concerns from retailers who place a higher value on beers with paper labels on the bottles Zebra is priced lower than competitors such as Sam Adams, placing it in a lower perceived value category than competitors’ brews Evaluation of Alternatives Given the challenges posed by the microbrew industry itself, as well as the practical options available to Madcap, the following alternatives, and the viability of each, are as follows: Employ the new marketing strategy that has been successful in Bloomington test marketing efforts, which includes lower product pricing, more distributor incentives, and more advertising expenditures Continue with the current positioning and marketing strategy Proposed Course of Action The course of action that Madcap should take in this situation, from a strictly strategic point of view, is the employment of the Bloomington plan, with the exception of price adjustments.   This choice was made for several key reasons: first, the unconventional and volatile nature of the microbrew industry demands forward thinking and creative marketing; second, price point should be evaluated to avoid pricing the product in such a way as to lower its perceived value in the eye of the consumer.   These strategies hold the potential to achieve the desired goals of Madcap in the short and long term. References (Rosenthal & Twells, 1999) (Rosenthal D W Twells R W 1999 Madcap Braftbrew & Bottleworks Inc: Zebra Beer-It's Not All Black and White)Rosenthal, D. W., & Twells, R. W. (1999). Madcap Craftbrew & Bottleworks Inc: Zebra Beer-It's Not All Black and White. Richard T. Farmer School of Business Administration, North American Case Research Association.      

Manage Personal Work Priorities and Professional Development

Student Name: Malik Daniyal Student id: STD02067 Project title: Manage personal work priorities and professional development Introduction:- In this project I m going to describe all about my future and recent planning and my goals and objectives. In which comes my dream , my futures goal , what I have to do for achieving my goal , how I can be successful and how I can fulfilled my and my family future dream. And what steps I have to take and which steps are not good for my future and how I should move step by step toward my destination.Where I am now and for achieving my goal what qualities I have and what I have to get and have to achieve. A Reflection Paper is a formal written presentation of a critical reflection about a specific issue. A reflection paper is truly a paper from the heart. To write one, I will be recounting, or reflecting upon, experiences I have had during a specific event. If I was an intern, it would be a paper about how I enjoyed it and what I learned.Explanatio n in Detail :- Q: what makes a good role model and how would I ensure that I acted as a role model for employees I supervise? A good role model is someone who can make positive choices on his or her own. They are a person that people especially young kids can look up to in hopes to follow in their footsteps. They do not have to be famous but as a whole, they need to live a life that allows people to want to achieve goals and try to do the right things.I think mentors should be role models, BUT a role model who hasn't forgotten where s/he came from, how s/he got to where s/he is now and always looking back to see if s/he can help those that came from the very same place and positive role model should be encouraging and must have ability to recognised the qualities of employees working under his/her and a positive role model should show his/her technical ability and time management skills as well. Q: what are the traits of an effective leader ? do I have these traits? How would I deve lop these traits? As a leader, I know how to identify each of my team member’s strongest skills and assets.Because you don’t expect each person on the team to excel in every area, you also know that it’s important to create a diverse group of people who balance and complement one another. Similarly, leaders have their own unique skills and specializations. Effective leaders often possess the following five traits :- 1. Focused:- To lead a team to success, leaders must possess an extraordinary amount of focus. It’s important to eliminate distractions from the work area. While leaders are often pulled in numerous directions simultaneously, they must be able to retain clear minds and focus on the things that matter. 2. Passionate:-It’s possible to teach someone to be a leader, but truly effective leaders are already passionate about what they do. Their enthusiasm and level of commitment can inspire our team members and motivate them to do better work. 3. Assertive:- As a leader, he have requirements for his team and goals that must be fulfilled. When team members aren’t meeting expectations, a leader must feel comfortable being assertive. Assertive leaders are firm and bold, unafraid to go after what they want. Such a level of certainty and confidence will serve both you and your team well as you tackle larger challenges and go after new goals. . Decisive:- Leaders are often called on to make big decisions, so it’s also important for us to be decisive. And Of course a decisive leader should never be confused with an impulsive one. A decisive leader carefully weighs the potential effects of each option and chooses the opportunity that works best for his or her team. To be decisive, you must also feel comfortable taking responsibility for the results of your choice. 5. Empowering:- Supporting my team is one of the best ways to encourage members to perform well. Empower each individual by making it clear that you trus t his or her judgment.Give people the authority they need to do their jobs well and show them an appropriate level of respect. Everyone have a good and effective role model and I have as well my teacher , he was a part time teacher now he is a professional IT manager , so I do learn most of the things from study and mostly from searching mostly from my teacher. Q: How would I ensure that my work goal and plan reflect the organisation’s goal and plans? The organization’s plans and goals are. Then I can assess whether your personal work plan is in line with the companies.I need to feel that yours and there’s harmonious and parallel and heading in the same direction for the successful at attaining the â€Å"big picture. My family is my role model as well, they have dream for me, which I have. They all want see me successful in the business and I m student in Australia and I am international student and my family send me here because Australia is the best country f or business study and for my aim study alot and have to give time every one and I have already planned everything for future till now to end and for achieving my goal have to go forward step by step.My family, my parents, sibling, friends all have same wish to see me to become businessman. They are important for me and my adjective, dream and wishes also so I give time every one, they all time stay in touch with me so they have much problem with to feel lonely for me. The things I have to do step by steps are given below:- I need some requirements to complete which are:- First in one year I will complete my * Diploma (1 year) * Bachelors (3 years) * Masters (1 year) * Internship (1 year) * Work in a company hen I will do bachelor in computer science, than I will do masters and then I will do internship and during internship will learn about my abilities, will learn about how to maintain work and life and will get experience and then I will work for some company and for that I will c omplete above mention things and then I will start work and work as a worker, or something after some time period will work as supervisor than as a manager and by working will get experience and will be able to do my own business. Q: How would I ensure that I meet my job responsibilities?While working I will get a lot of responsibilities and I will do my best and will do my work honestly and my main and common responsibility is to work hard and satisfy clients and customers and cooperative with all team members and others staff. Q: What is my personal learning style and how would I ensure that I took advantage of learning opportunities? Learning style is the way in which a person processes new information. Knowing my learning style can help me to make choices in the way you focus on and study new material. Below are fifteen statements that will help you assess your learning style.After reading each statement, rate you response to the statement using the scale below. Some types of le arning skill mostly every one fallow/use given below:- Types of Learning Styles Types of Learning Styles: The Three Main Types There are three main types of learning styles: auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic. Most people learn best through a combination of the three types of learning styles, but everybody is different. Auditory Learners: Hear Auditory learners would rather listen to things being explained than read about them.Reciting information out loud and having music in the background may be a common study method. Other noises may become a distraction resulting in a need for a relatively quiet place. Visual Learners: See Visual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a demonstration, or reading. For them, it’s easy to look at charts and graphs, but they may have difficulty focusing while listening to an explanation. Kinesthetic Learners: Touch Kinesthetic learners process information best through a â€Å"hands-on† experience. Actually doing an activi ty can be the easiest way for them to learn.Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down makes it easier to understand. By internship my knowledge will be increased and I will know to work and how to manage things and I will also learn new technologies such as all computer courses like coral draw, advertising , will learn new techniques new development and will learn all things bye peoples by visiting different companies by my teachers by roles models and this new things will help me in my work and I will gain a lot of work by this and my skill will be good and then while work my work progress ill be good and because of my performance I can get good pay , good job easy job, good feedback from company and customers , clients etc. and by doing practice will gain new skills , will make new things new software’s new ideas will generate and its will be good for my business. Mostly I use visual and auditory way to learn, I see and hear and learn by listeni ng and looking others. Q: How would I priorities work? I will give 45% time to work ad 30% to family and 15% to friends and 10% to myself.By dividing time and giving time to every one my life will not be disturb and nothing will go wrong, no one will have problem with me, and Managing work priorities and professional development requires me to be a positive role model; have good traits; ensure my work goals and plans reflect the organisation’s; meet my job responsibilities; maintain my personal performance; priorities my work; use technology to organize and manage my work; maintain a work-life balance; meet required competency standards; determine my developmental needs; take advantage of my learning opportunities; use feedback to improve my competence; use networks to increase my knowledge and develop relationships, and ensure that I acquire new skills to maintain my competitive edge. A good role model is someone who others can look up to and admire. They take leadership on the issues they believe in, influence the decisions of others and guide their actions.To ensure that I acted as a positive role model for my employees and everyone within the workplace, I will need to demonstrate the following steps: Firstly, I will have to set out a good example and present myself as to how I want others to present themselves. Everything I do from the way I dress to the way I speak will be imitated and emulated by others. If I am always late, then my staff will always be late. This is because I have already approved this behavior through my own actions. Thus, if I want my employees to be punctual then I need to go to work on time, if not earlier, so they can learn to do the same. The second step is to know the requirements of my staff as well as my own.As the supervisor, I am expected to know what I am doing. If I don’t know anything about the job then I am unable to teach my employees or guide them in the right direction. Thirdly, I will have to act consist ently with my work in order to avoid any confusion and frustration in the workplace. This means following the same standards I have set, not a different one each day. Q: How would I measure and maintain my personal performance? Besides an office at work, keep a personal office at home†¦ with privacy†¦ keep a work journal to reflect and observe problem areas, work toward being at the job you want to be at. , if that isn't possible, endure and do your part.Q: How would I use technology to organize and manage work? I use my cell phone to meet my priorities and commitments. I get all the information’s about meetings on my phone or in email or by txt or by call and it’s a quick and easy way and I also get my job alerts on my cell phone. Q: How would I ensure that I maintain a work / life balance? I use technology to manage my priorities and in commitments and I think the usage of the technology would be useful because this I use in my daily life and it’s ve ry helpful , and savage of time and also help in my college task and working task etc. Q: How would I determine my developmental needs? Development needs can be challenging.Often, I find myself looking at what training courses are available and deciding which of those would be most helpful. In fact, it is better to try and identify what the development need is and then to work out ways of meeting that need, which may or may not be a training course. Annual Review is a great opportunity to discuss your development needs with your line manager. I may be able to discuss the changing requirements of your role, as well as my personal development aspirations (for example, career development). It is important that I have considered my development needs before my Annual Review meeting as this will enable you to make the most of my discussion.Q: How would I gather feedback from other about my personal performance and how would I see this feedback to improve my competence? When I will work ve ry hard and by honestly so every onw will be happy with my work and they will give positive feedback and my all the workmates and my boss , all the staff and customers and clients etc they will give positive feedback for my work for managing time and work performance so I will be encourage and will do more hard work and feel good to do more hard work. Q: How would I use networks to increase my knowledge, gain new skills and develop relationship? Networking and informational interviewing are essential tools in the career exploration and job/internship search.Loosely defined, networking is a process of developing informal contacts and building relationships that provide you with knowledge, advice, information, and further contacts – all of which may allow me to tap into unadvertised opportunities. Informational interviewing is part of the networking process and is a way to strengthen my network. Both networking and informational interviewing include elements of the following: * Contacting people I know (and do not know) in order to find information about an industry, organization, or job/internship. * Asking individuals whom I contact for further relevant contacts in order to build your network. * Building relationships with people who can help the progress of your career exploration or internship/job search. Networking and informational interviewing work because they are proactive and driven by my initiative.Although there are many ways to find information about careers, jobs, and internships, speaking with people who are currently working in your field of interest provides you with the opportunity to engage in a substantive dialogue that other resources do not afford. Networking and informational interviewing allow me to get my questions answered and put you in touch with individuals who can give me ‘insider information’ on vacancies, industry or organizational culture, required skills, etc. All the people I know and the people they know as part of your existing network, which may include: * Relatives (and their friends) * Former employers * Friends (and their relatives) * Neighbours and community members * Alumni Professors and Advising Deans * Student organizations Q: How would I ensure that I acquired new skills to maintain my competitive edge? Today's work place is very competitive. I will need to have a variety of skills that will give me the competitive edge you need to succeed. To be competitive in today's work place you must be able to: * Listen Well:  Good  listening skills  make memore productive, help me to get along better with others, and allow me to work better in a team-based environment. * Know How to Use a Computer:  No matter what your job is, it's likely I will need to use a computer. It's important to make sure your  computer skills  are up-to-date. Write Effectively:  Whether your job requires to write short memos or lengthy reports, I must be able to communicate well in writing. * D eal With Crises at Work  Being able to  solve problems  quickly and seamlessly can set apart from others. * Manage Your Time:  Learning how to  manage your time effectively  will allow me to complete projects in a timely fashion. Conclusion :- From now it will take more than five years to achieve my goal. And my goal is to become a businessman in IT profession and for this I m going to follow three steps, completing my studies , gaining knowledge and experience and work in any company. References :- http://www. antiessays. com/free-essays/288895. html http://careerplanning. about. com/od/workplacesurvival/a/competitive. htm