Campaign Speech

I can say that being an elementary pupil is both fun and challenging. Class discussions and homework, joining the school band or the ukulele ensemble, being in the choir, engaging in sports, giving intermission numbers during school programs, joining in various contests, or even doing the household chores that await us after school—these are the challenges that we face every day, and these are the same challenges that make our elementary days enjoyable and worth remembering. That is why I am so happy that a pupil’s government exists in our school, because through it, we can make our stay in our dear school even better than what we are already experiencing. We now have a voice. And I would be honored to represent you guys and let your needs and desires be heard so that together with the teachers and school administrators, we can achieve that holistic and well-rounded education that all of us aspire to have. I feel that the candidates for this position are all qualified, but my love for our school and for the pupil population is what I can most of all boast about because that is my driving force to run and hopefully serve. I am actually excited of what you and me can do together if I would be elected, and you can expect that I would not put your votes to waste and that I will deliver my best. With that said, I humbly ask for your votes. Don’t forget to put my name, Kyle Antonette C. Delubio, for vice president in the ballot. Thank you and good day! Campaign Speech If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences†¦ if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbour for doing what he likes†¦ â€Å"[13] These lines form the roots of the famous phrase â€Å"equal justice under law. The liberality of which Pericles spoke also extended to Athens' foreign policy: â€Å"We throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning or observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality†¦ â€Å"[14] Yet Athens' values of equality and openness do not, according to Pericles, hinder Athens' greatness, indeed, they enhance it, â€Å"†¦ advancement in public life falls to reputation s for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit†¦ ur ordinary citizens, though occupied with the pursuits of industry, are still fair judges of public matters†¦ at Athens we live exactly as we please, and yet are just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger. â€Å"[15] In the climax of his praise of Athens, Pericles declares: â€Å"In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas; while I doubt if the world can produce a man, who where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility as the Athenian. [16] Finally, Pericles links his praise of the city to the dead Athenians for whom he is speaking, â€Å"†¦ for the Athens that I have celebrated is only what the heroism of these and their like have made her†¦ none of these men allowed either wealth with its prospect of future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit, or poverty with its hope of a day of freedom and ric hes to tempt him to shrink from danger.No, holding that vengeance upon their enemies was more to be desired than any personal blessings, and reckoning this to be the most glorious of hazards, they joyfully determined to accept the risk†¦ Thus, choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they fled only from dishonour†¦ â€Å"[17] The conclusion seems inevitable: â€Å"Therefore, having judged that to be happy means to be free, and to be free means to be brave, do not shy away from the risks of war†. With the linkage of Athens' greatness complete, Pericles moves to addressing his audience.

Dilemma of International Community

The US prevention strategies against international terrorism have come a long way since the mid-1990s. The disciplined, centralized organization that conducted the September 11 is diminished because most of the group’s senior and midlevel leaders are either incarcerated or dead, while the majority of those still at large are on the run and focused at least as much on survival as on offensive operations. However, Al Qaeda still has the potential to impose lethal threat.From the critical standpoint, the key challenges for contemporary counterterrorism efforts are not as much Al Qaeda or any other terrorist organizations as what will follow them. The emerging primary terrorist threat includes the global network of mostly Sunni Islamic extremists, which extends beyond members of Al Qaeda. The foundations of these extremist sources remain very much alive and in some cases are growing deeper. Practically, they contain the interconnected economic and political systems of the Muslim w orld.In addition to â€Å"Muslim† factor, there is a widespread opposition toward U. S. policies within and toward the Muslim world, especially the U. S. political position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, which is more important, the invasion and occupation of Iraq (Byman, 2003:61). Considering the mentioned trends and reasons, the counterterrorism challenges after the liquidation of Al Qaeda may very well be even more complex than they were before.Decentralization and secretive nature of terrorist plots as well as indeterminate nature of the final target imposes extreme challenges on the intelligence. While the mission of intelligence in counterterrorism is to monitor and prevent terrorist activity, practically it may become vain due to its inability to identify terrorist groups and individuals. However, even a decentralized terrorist threat has some connections that can be discovered, and this will constitute the core of intelligence counterterrorist efforts.From t he practical standpoint, although almost every extremist can be connected at least indirectly to the network of Sunni Islamic terrorists, the majority of linkages includes only casual contacts and do not involve preparations for terrorist operations directed against the United States. No intelligence service possesses the resources to monitor all of these linkages, to construct the life history of every terrorist, or to compile comprehensive sociograms of the radical Islamist scene (Rothkopf, 2005:34).International community’s willingness to assist in the struggle against terrorist organizations to the major degree has depended on Al Qaeda’s record and menacing capabilities. However, from the contemporary point of view, foreign cooperation becomes more problematic as the issue moves beyond Al Qaeda. Mentioned difficulties that the United States has already encountered in dealing with Lebanese Hizballah depict some of the problems in more generally enlisting foreign hel p against terrorist groups (Byman, 2003:63).An underlying limitation to the willingness of international community to collaborate with the United States on antiterrorist efforts is the skepticism among foreign political elite that the most powerful country in the world needs to be preoccupied with small groups of radicals. Critically, the skepticism of foreign community can be considered in terms of fact that the U. S. preoccupation is no longer with the group that carried out the terrorist attacks on September 11 (Nash, 2004:56). However, the most significant challenge to the U. S.counterterrorist efforts that may emerge along with a more decentralized terrorist threat is the ability to uphold the nation’s own commitment to struggle it. Surprisingly, the American society has revealed that its determination to fight counterterrorism can be just as inconstant as that of foreign publics. During the past quarter century, the U. S. public and government has given different and co ntradictive attention, priority, and resources to U. S. counterterrorist programs, with interest and efforts increasing in the aftermath of a major terrorist incident and declining as time passes without an attack.International Threats of Terrorism From the critical standpoint, it is clear that even being the world’s only superpower the United States can no longer sustain a war on terrorism. Due to inability of the US to provide detection, monitoring and elimination of 100 percent of international terrorist groups, international cooperation in this area seems to be a promising solution. Moreover, terrorist organizations are now acting across the domestic borders of hosting states, jeopardizing security of entire international community and recent terrorist acts in London’s subway became an evident support for this statement.Brian Jenkins underlines that the success of terrorism has much to do with the perception of a nation’s capability to deal with such crises, proposing that â€Å"public perceptions of government standing and competence in combatting terrorism are based not on overall performance, but rather on performance in a few dramatic hostage incidents, where the government, of course, suffers disadvantages from the outset† ((Jenkins, 1983:10). Indeed, the public sees the government only in crisis, demonstrably unable to provide security for its citizens, sometimes yielding to terrorists to save lives, unable to bring its enemies to justice.Practically, a rescue attempt or successful prevention of an attack adds immeasurably to a nation’s image of military prowess, while an attempt that fails does incalculable damage. Many statistics exist to quantify the activities, numbers, types, locations and targets of international terrorists. It was reported in 1986 that â€Å"incidents of terrorism – those involving citizens or territory of more than one country – have doubled in number since 1975, to slightly o ver 800 last year [1985]† (Hanley, 1986:3).Notwithstanding the bombings in August 1998 in Kenya and Tanzania, there are analysts who believe terrorism has been in decline in recent years. â€Å"Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1997†, published by the American State Department, reported that there were a total of 304 acts of international terrorism, one of the lowest annual totals since 1971 (US Department of State, 1997). According to Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1998, the number of acts of international terrorism dropped to 273 attacks. However, in 1998 there was a record high toll of 741 people killed and 5,952 injured in terrorist attacks (US Department of State, 1998).In 2000, there were 423 terrorist acts, an increase of eight percent from the 392 attacks in 1999. The death toll for 2000 was 405, and 791 were wounded (US Department of State, 1999, 2000). The year 2001 witnessed a dramatic increase due to the audacious attacks on 11 September of that year. Many commen tators agree that terrorist violence is, and will likely remain, an integral part of international relations. As Scotland Yard’s counterterrorist specialist George Churchill-Coleman stated, â€Å"Terrorism is with us now, whether you like it or not. You’ve got to adjust your way of life to that† (Hanley, 1986:3).This mentality has now reached the American scene as the head of the Office of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, noted, â€Å"We need to accept that the possibility of terrorism is a permanent condition for the foreseeable future. † He stated, â€Å"We just have to accept it† (Calabresi & Ratnesar, 21). At airports there is a â€Å"get on with the job† attitude and in daily living one must accept the need to be on guard, like steering clear of suspicious packages and reporting them to the local police. One columnist wrote, â€Å"By not surrounding the (terrorist) incident with hysterical posturing, we cut it down to size.We make it seem a nuisance rather than a cataclysm. We stifle its capacity to instill terror. We decline to be afraid† (McCabe, 1996a:4). In that regard, Great Britain is one of the few nations which is intimately familiar with terrorism and its impact. Lacking any other alternative, the British have essentially learned to live with the threats and the bombings. Moreover, the British have learned to live with intrusive surveillance cameras, the cost of bomb insurance (3. 2 billion dollars a year), as well as a higher awareness of the threat that has been assimilated into the society over the years, particularly since the late 1960s.Even despite the recent terrorist attacks in London’s subway, â€Å"the British approach to terrorism, developed over many years, seems natural in a culture that places great store on a ‘stiff upper lip’† (McCabe, 1996b:8). The prognosis becomes ever more frightening as terrorists seek out softer targets, as witnessed in the 1998 bombing s of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. This is because international police and security agencies will, for the most part, strengthen the defenses of consulates, embassies and residences, and will provide other forms of personal security for the more likely terrorist targets.Therefore, terrorist attacks will probably become more indiscriminate. The bombing campaigns in Paris during the summers of 1986 and 1995, aimed at government buildings, restaurants and cafes, the bombings in London during the spring of 1992 of commuter train stations and the financial district, and the use of sarin in the subway in Japan by the Aum Shinrikyo in 1995, and the February 2001 reported discovery by the British police of a terrorist plot to release sarin into the London underground system as well as the suicide hijacking of four airliners in September 2001 are examples of what we may expect.(Other examples of indiscriminate terrorism are the strikes at airports such as those in December 1 985, in Rome and Vienna. ) Furthermore, targets abound in highly developed industrialized societies and analysts anticipate that terrorist groups will begin targeting vital points such as â€Å"computer systems, power grids and other key links of industrial societies† (Hanley, 1986b:2). Reports underline that terrorists are expanding their interests in nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons as well as information warfare.Some of these concerns were highlighted in December 1999 when the Solicitor General of Canada, Lawrence MacAulay, told the House of Commons that Canada needed to strengthen the government’s capacity to address the threat of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack by terrorists. Although the possibility of such an attack happening was low, Mr. MacAulay felt all levels of government must be prepared to deal with such eventualities (Evenson, 2001:2).His concerns followed warnings by scientists of the Health Protection Branch that a release of the dead ly anthrax bacteria in a major Canadian population center could kill upwards of 35,000 and cost 6. 5 billion to the health care system, underlining the fact that medical facilities were not prepared to deal with such an incident (Evenson, 2001:2). In the fall of 2001, a series of letters containing the anthrax virus were mailed to media centers in New York City.The letters were sent to ABC, NBC and CBS, and were orchestrated to attain the maximum amount of media coverage, while concomitantly stirring up popular fear and anxiety about these and other possible attacks. Another issue that relates to this is that of nuclear scientists who represent a valuable resource to those nations developing nuclear programs, such as modern Iran. Potential Responses to Terrorism: International Scope The evolution and deployment in the 1970s of elite counterterrorist teams in Israel and West Germany was in response, partly, to the frustrations of employing a series of so-called â€Å"non-force† methods against terrorists.Livingstone has argued that â€Å"governments have employed a variety of nonforce strategies in their efforts to resist terrorism, including diplomacy, negotiation, concessions, and cooptation. Occasionally such methods have worked, but more often than not they have failed or only provided a temporary prophylaxis to an endemic problem† (Livingstone, 1982:176). Now it is widely recognized that, under most circumstances, making concessions to terrorists only invites further acts of terrorism. This fact, combined with the failure of the U. N.to take concerted action to develop effective remedies to the problem of international terrorism, has resulted in a growing tendency on the part of national governments to resort to unilateral military action against terrorism in the belief that, if it is not possible to make terrorists answerable to the law, then they must be answerable to the gun. It is apparent from recent twentieth-century history in Western countries that the responsibility for combating terrorism has been, for the most part, that of law enforcement authorities.On occasion, army units were tasked and, for the most part, were found to be operationally wanting in a number of areas such as strategy, methodology and structure. Conventional military forces and tactics have not met the challenge of terrorism: â€Å"Not only are contemporary weapons and tactics far too destructive to be employed in heavily populated urban regions, but also the deployment of large numbers of soldiers against terrorists simply increases the number of targets at which they can strike† (Livingstone, 1982:176).General George Grivas, the famous Cypriot terrorist leader, noted that the level of terrorist operations is much lower than that of conventional military operations. Counterterrorist operations demand specially adapted and trained soldiers, tactics and strategy. He noted the â€Å"only hope of finding us was to play cat and mouse: to use tiny, expertly trained groups, who could work with cunning and patience and strike rapidly when we least expected† (Taber, 1977:118).In short, one must use those same weapons and tactics belonging to the terrorists’ inventory – psychology, stealth, speed, surprise and cunning – against the terrorists themselves. Moreover, candidates for such units must have motivation and determination, physical and mental stamina, initiative and self-discipline, be capable of operating in small groups during long-term isolated operations, and they must have the aptitude to assimilate a wide range of skills and think laterally. This type of military operation demands a different type of soldier, namely one who can develop a broad spectrum of skills.Practically, contemporary counterterrorism demands highly trained and motivated commandos, operating in small groups; skilled in electronics, communications, demolitions, marksmanship, deception, silent killing; and familia r with terrorist tactics and behavior. References Byman, Daniel (2003). Should Hizballah Be Next? Foreign Affairs 82, no. 6, November/December: 54-66. Calabresi, Massimo, & Romesh Ratnesar (2002). â€Å"Can We Stop the Next Attack? † Time, 11 March, 16–26 Evenson, Brad (2001). â€Å"Canada Poorly Prepared for Germ Warfare. † National Post, 1 FebruaryHanley, Charles (1986a). â€Å"Experts Note Common Traits in Terrorists. † Ottawa Citizen, 19 April Hanley, Charles (1986b). â€Å"International Terrorism: Global Order Shaken by Wanton War. † Ottawa Citizen, 19 April Jenkins, Brian Michael (1983). New Modes of Conflict. Santa Monica, California: Rand Corporation, June. Livingstone, Neil C (1982). The War against Terrorism. Lexington, Massachusetts: Lexington Books McCabe, Aileen (1996). â€Å"Britain Learns to Live with Terrorism after Decades of Blasts. † Ottawa Citizen, 4 August McCabe, Aileen (1996).â€Å"Facing Terror with a Stiff Upper Lip . † Montreal Gazette, 3 August Nash, James L (2004). Prevention or cure. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD Observer. Paris: May:56 Rothkopf, David (2005). Can Technology Fix U. S. Intelligence. Technology Review. Cambridge: Feb. 108(2) Taber, Robert (1977). The War of the Flea: Guerrilla Warfare Theory and Practice. St. Albans, Frogmore, Herts, Great Britain: Paladin United States, Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1997 Retrieved From < http://www. mipt.org/Patterns-of-Global-Terrorism. asp> Accessed Jan 3, 2006 United States, Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1997 Retrieved From < http://www. mipt. org/Patterns-of-Global-Terrorism. asp> Accessed Jan 3, 2006 United States, Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1999 Retrieved From < http://www. mipt. org/Patterns-of-Global-Terrorism. asp> Accessed Jan 3, 2006 United States, Department of State, Patterns of Global Terrorism: 2000 Retrieved From < http:/ /www. mipt. org/Patterns-of-Global-Terrorism. asp> Accessed Jan 3, 2006

Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 1

Expelled. It was one of the scariest words a high school senior could think of, and it kept ringing in Thea Harman's mind as her grandmother's car approached the school building. â€Å"This,† Grandma Harman said from the front passenger seat, â€Å"is your last chance. You do realize that, don't you?† As the driver pulled the car to the curb, she went on. â€Å"I don't know why you got thrown out of the last school, and I don't want to know. But if there's one whiff of trouble at this school, I'm going to give up and send both of you to your Aunt Ursula's. And you don't want that, now, do you?† Thea shook her head vigorously. Aunt Ursula's house was nicknamed the Convent, a gray fortress on a deserted mountaintop. Stone walls everywhere, an atmosphere of gloom-and Aunt Ursula watching every move with thin lips. Thea would rather die than go there. In the backseat next to her, Thea's cousin Blaise was shaking her head, too-but Thea knew better than to hope she was listening. Thea herself could hardly concentrate. She felt dizzy and very untogether, as if half of her were still back in New Hampshire, in the last principal's office. She kept seeing the look on his face that meant she and Blaise were about to be expelled-again. But this time had been the worst. She'd never forget the way the police car outside kept flashing red and blue through the windows, or the way the smoke kept rising from the charred remains of the music wing, or the way Randy Marik cried as the police led him off to jail. Or the way Blaise kept smiling. Triumphantly, as if it had all been a game. Thea glanced sideways at her cousin. Blaise looked beautiful and deadly, which wasn't her fault. She always looked that way; it was part of having smoldering gray eyes and hair like stopped smoke. She was as different from Thea's soft blondness as night from day and it was her beauty which kept getting them in trouble, but Thea couldn't help loving her. After all, they'd been raised as sisters. And the sister bond was the strongest bond there was†¦ to a witch. But we can't get expelled again. We can't. And I know you're thinking right now that you can do it all over again and good old Thea will stick with you-but this time you ‘re wrong. This time I've got to stop you. â€Å"That's all,† Gran said abruptly, finishing with her instructions. â€Å"Keep your noses clean until the end of October or you'll be sorry. Now, get out.† She whacked the headrest of the driver's seat with her stick. â€Å"Home, Tobias.† The driver, a college-age boy with curly hair who had the dazed and beaten expression all Grandma's apprentices got after a few days, muttered, â€Å"Yes, High Lady,† and reached for the gearshift. Thea grabbed for the door handle and slid out of the car fast. Blaise was right behind her. The ancient Lincoln Continental sped off. Thea was left standing with Blaise under the warm Nevada sun, in front of the two-story adobe building complex. Lake Mead High School. Thea blinked once or twice, trying to kick-start her brain. Then she turned to her cousin. â€Å"Tell me,† she said grimly, â€Å"that you're not going to do the same thing here.† Blaise laughed. â€Å"I never do the same thing twice.† â€Å"You know what I mean.† Blaise pursed her lips and reached down to adjust the top of her boot. â€Å"I think Gran overdid it a little with the lecture, don't you? I think there's something she's not telling us about. I mean, what was that bit about the end of the month?† She straightened, tossed back her mane of dark hair and smiled sweetly. â€Å"And shouldn't we be going to the office to get our schedules?† â€Å"Are you going to answer my question?† â€Å"Did you ask a question?† Thea shut her eyes. â€Å"Blaise, we are running out of relatives. If it happens again-well, do you want to go to the Convent?† For the first time, Blaise's expression darkened. Then she shrugged, sending liquid ripples down her loose ruby-colored shirt. â€Å"Better hurry. We don't want to be tardy.† â€Å"You go ahead,† Thea said tiredly. She watched as her cousin walked away, hips swaying in the trademark Blaise lilt. Thea took another breath, examining the buildings with their arched doorways and pink plaster walls. She knew the drill. Another year of living with them, of walking quietly through halls knowing that she was different from everybody around her, even while she was carefully, expertly pretending to be the same. It wasn't hard. Humans weren't very smart. But it took a certain amount of concentration. She had just started toward the office herself when she heard raised voices. A little knot of students had gathered at the edge of the parking lot. â€Å"Stay away from it.† â€Å"Kill it!† Thea joined the periphery of the group, being inconspicuous. But then she saw what was on the ground beyond the curb and she took three startled steps until she was looking right down at it. Oh†¦ how beautiful. Long, strong body†¦ broad head†¦ and a string of rapidly vibrating horny rings on the tail. They were making a noise like steam escaping, or melon seeds being shaken. The snake was olive green, with wide diamonds down its back. The scales on the face looked shiny, almost wet. And its black tongue flickered so fast†¦. A rock whizzed past her and hit the ground beside the snake. Dust puffed. Thea glanced up. A kid in cutoffs was backing away, looking scared and triumphant. â€Å"Don't do that,† somebody said. â€Å"Get a stick,† somebody else said. â€Å"Keep away from it.† â€Å"Kill it.† Another rock flew. The faces around Thea weren't vicious. Some were curious, some were alarmed, some were filled with a sort of fascinated disgust. But it was all going to end up the same for the snake. A boy with red hair came running up with a forked branch. People were reaching for rocks. I can't let them, Thea thought. Rattlers were actually pretty fragile-their backbones were vulnerable. These kids might kill the snake without even meaning to. Not to mention that a couple of the kids might get bitten in the process. But she didn't have anything†¦ no jasper against venom, no St. John root to soothe the mind. It didn't matter. She had to do something. The redheaded boy was circling with the stick like a fighter looking for an opening. The kids around him were alternately warning him and cheering him on. The snake was swelling its body, tongue-tips flickering up and down faster than Thea's eye could follow. It was mad. Dropping her backpack, she slipped in front of the red-haired boy. She could see his shock and she heard several people yell, but she tried to block it all out. She needed to focus. I hope I can do this†¦. She knelt a foot away from the rattler. The snake fell into a striking coil. Front body raised in an S-shaped spiral, head and neck held like a poised javelin. Nothing looked so ready to lunge as a snake in this position. Easy†¦ easy, Thea thought, staring into the narrow catlike pupils of the yellow eyes. She slowly lifted her hands, palms facing the snake. Worried noises from the crowd behind her. The snake was inhaling and exhaling with a violent hiss. Thea breathed carefully, trying to radiate peace. Now, who could help her? Of course, her own personal protector, the goddess closest to her heart. Eileithyia of ancient Crete, the mother of the animals. Eileithyia, Mistress of the Beasts, please tell this critter to calm down. Help me see into its little snaky heart so I'll know what to do. And then it happened, the wonderful transformation that even Thea didn't understand. Part of her became the snake. There was a strange blurring of Thea's boundaries-she was herself, but she was also coiled on the warm ground, angry and excitable and desperate to get back to the safety of a creosote bush. She'd had eleven babies some time ago and had never quite recovered from the experience. Now she was surrounded by large, hot, fast-moving creatures. Big-living-things†¦ way too close. Not responding to my threat noises. Better bite them. The snake had only two rules for dealing with animals that weren't food. 1) Shake your tail until they go away without stepping on you. 2) If they don't go away, strike. Thea the person kept her hands steady and tried to pound a new thought into the small reptile brain. Smell me. Taste me. I don't smell like a human. I'm a daughter of Hellewise. The snake's tongue brushed her palm. Its tips were so thin and delicate that Thea could hardly feel them flicker against her skin. But she could feel the snake drop down from maximum alert. It was relaxing, ready to retreat. In another minute it would listen when she told it to slither away. Behind her, she heard a new disturbance in the crowd. ‘There's Eric!† â€Å"Hey, Eric-rattlesnake!† Block it out, Thea thought. A new voice, distant but coming closer. â€Å"Leave it alone, guys. It's probably just a bull snake.† There was a swell of excited denial. Thea could feel her connection slipping. Stay focused†¦. But nobody could have stayed focused during what happened next. She heard a quick footstep. A shadow fell from the east. Then she heard a gasp. â€Å"Mojave rattler!† And then something hit her, sending her flying sideways. It happened so fast that she didn't have time to twist. She landed painfully on her arm. She lost control of the snake. All she could see as she looked east was a scaly olive-green head driving forward so fast it was a blur. Its jaws were wide open-amazingly wide-and its fangs sank into the blue-jeaned leg of the boy who had knocked Thea out of the way.

Decomposition: Poetry and Beggar Look Essay

Decomposition is a poem written Zulfikar Ghose. His poem is about a photograph of a beggar in Bombay. The poet talk about his first though of when he was taking they photo and know the poem is reflects on why he thinks the photograph was bad. He is able to get experience more visual with the use of poet techniques. The techniques the uses in the first stanza is simile about how the beggar look in Bombay. : â€Å"His shadow thrown aside like a blanket†. This description of the beggar suggests poverty and that beggar lives on the street, also that no one one cared about the beggar, as he was â€Å"thrown aside† suggesting discarded and not used any more. From the Simile and the word choice this makes the poem more interesting as we have a feel for the beggar situation and that he is being treated very badly and not like a human beginning In the second stanza the poet talks about the beggar appearance. : â€Å"Arms and legs could be cracks in the stone† This metaphor creates the image that the beggar is very thin and broken as the crack in stone suggest that he is very small and can fit in it and that the stone has been broken and the stone is a symbol of the beggar. The beggar has been homeless for a long time as it’s the, â€Å"ants journeys, the flies’ descents†. The beggar is use by and flies this suggests that the beggar hasten moved in a long time and give the sense of him being dead or dirty as insects like dead or dirty things. This give the poem a sad idea of the beggar that will keep the reader interested as he wants know if the beggar get treated better by society. The poet uses a metaphor to explain and give the visual image of the beggar as, â€Å"he lies veined into the street, a fossil man†. This technique makes the reader sympatric for the beggar, as they know that the man (beggar) has become dehumanized. The idea vein in to stone shows that the beggar has been reduce to stone and that the once lived as he is know a fossil reminding us that there was a life there once. The poet has used enjambment in the third stanza. : â€Å" Behind him there is a crowd †¦ an old man asleep on the pavement†. The long sentence shows that crowd passing him like there is nothing there and the since there is no full stops this show that there is no one stopping at the beggar. The poet has made the poem more interesting for the reader as he giving the since that the beggar is visible and that know cares for him as they don’t want t help him. In the forth stanza first the reader thought the photo was a goof idea but after revisiting the photo he know understands what he did wrong. â€Å"I thought it them a good composition†. The poet think more about his personal benefit from the beggars suffering and not about exploiting money and satisfaction from someone’s suffers and misfortune. The poet shows his feelings towards what he thinks about the beggar with his word choice you can see how bad he feels. : â€Å"Glibly†. As it shows that the poet regrets his comment on the photo as he know become aware of the crowd not paying him any attention to his suffering and that he want to make art from someone’s suffering and hunger. In the last stanza the poet talks about the emotion he felt as he felt guilty about thinking picture of the beggar. : â€Å"Weeping into a pillow chides me now for my presumption†. The poet is distraught over the photo and the word, â€Å"Glibly† has connotations of reprimand this how that the poet was expressing his disapproval of taking the photo. This make the reader more interested about the poem as they know might feel they have a connection with the poet as they feel they know him and feel for him with but know taking the photo was fro the use of the writer techniques. Decomposition is a poem which the writer uses poetic techniques to interest the reader and have more influence over them with his message as think about something before doing it and that his techniques have made me want to read more of his poem as Decompositions was very engaging.

Dreams Mice and Men Essay

George and Lennie’s dream is the most commonly mentioned in the novel, they want to live the American dream and have their own land and home. Although Crooks tells them he â€Å"never seen a guy really do it† their determination is beyond that of normal men. They crave the freedom from ordered working life and less responsibility. George desires the relief from the burden of supervising Lennie, on the ranch he constantly has to watch him to ensure he is no danger to himself or others. He talks of how he could â€Å"live so easy† without Lennie and it seems to be a private dream of his to marry and raise a family without the childish weight of Lennie upon him. He has cared for Lennie for a large part of his life and wants happiness for both of them without the strain of rules and the risk of characters such as Curley. Lennie’s only dream at first glance seems to be having his rabbits, however at a closer look the rabbits are his way of relating to their entire dream, he connects all other aspects of free life with them such as growing crops to feed them. He loves hearing the story of â€Å"how its gonna be†, his own dreams are based on what George tells him is good and bad. Candy is desperate to join in with Lennie and George and their dreams have become his. Since his dog died he has nothing left on the ranch to encourage dreams and he seems to have given up, the chance to be part of a reasonably realistic project motivates him again and he is willing to give everything to be part of it, â€Å"I’d make a will an’ leave everything to you guys case I kick off. † All of Candy’s dreams seem to have be worn away by life on the ranch, the loss of his hand also seems to symbolise a large loss mentally for without his hand he cannot realistically dream of working his own land and living alone. For Candy life on the ranch seems to be a reminder of lost dreams rather than hopeful ones and this could explain his eagerness to be part of Lennie and George’s. He is also aware that he is old and becoming closer to the end of his job and possibly his life. â€Å"They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county. † He dreams of ending his life in happiness and not in poverty and discomfort surrounded by bad memories. Curley’s wife is in many ways like Lennie and George, she tell her dream like its real and could happen at any time to escape the loneliness of the ranch. She tells as many people as she can about her dream as though she wants to make it more real for herself. Her conversation with Lennie reveals her desperation to make this dream come true, she hangs onto the man who could put her in â€Å"pitchers†, so sure he did write to her and someone else ruined her dream. It is these fantasies she uses to escape her life which is heavily restricted by her husband who wants to control her to comply with his own dreams, she wishes to be free to fulfil the life she desires. Her way of telling the story of her dream is almost sad as she clings to any glimpse of it so desperately it is clear how unhappy she is. All the dreams expressed by these characters are what drive them in the novel and can determine how they express their feelings and how they act. Niki Holdsworth Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE John Steinbeck section.

United States History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

United States History - Essay Example The Spanish conquistadors conquered large empires in the New World. The Spanish colonizers had superior military technology and advanced military tactics that enabled them to form alliances with local tribes and carry out surprising attacks to conquer different areas. The Spanish conquistadors would then partition the conquered areas into encomiendas. The encomienda system converted Indians into slaves. In the sixteenth century, Spain had emerged as the most successful colonizer. Other colonizers such as England and France felt threatened by continued success of Spain in colonization. Spain was the first colonize America and had managed to capitalize on vast regions of America while other rivals such as England and France had not entered America. Spanish colonizers managed to acquire vast natural resources from its colonies and develop the economy in its mother country. Although the Spanish government was operating from Madrid it made use of viceroyalties, royal courts of appeal and audencias to manage its colonies in the new world. Megellan started circumnavigating the globe but natives killed him while he was crossing the Pacific. Spaniards then captured Aztec in 1519. In 1507, Waldseemuler named the newly discovered world as America. The terrain was characterized by harsh conditions. Moreover, few native laborers had been reduced to slaves. They could not satisfy the growing number of Spanish settlers. Therefore, Spanish started importing African slaves. Francisco later invaded and conquered Peru. Later on Jamestown was founded in Virginia for English settlement. In 1680, Pope Rebellion led to end of the encomienda system. 2) Describe the major difficulties that early settlers in Virginia encountered and how these difficulties were overcome. The early settlers in Virginia encountered numerous challenges. One of the challenges was hunger and disea ses, which left several of the settlers dead. Most of the settlers were vulnerable to diseases and most could hardly stand diseases. Although most of the settlers died due to famine, a number died from water poisoning. The river water they were using had slime, which caused salt poisoning, typhoid and dysentery. The poisoned water caused an epidemic that killed most of the colonizers. This resulted in disintegration of the leadership. Moreover, most of the remaining settlers were ill and could hardly work. In the early 1608, there was a fire that destroyed the fort as well as the colonist dwelling and provisions. This left the colonizers without food and they had to depend on Indians. Around 1609 major hunger had affected Virginia, resulted in instances of malnutrition, and made settlers vulnerable to diseases. Moreover, the local Indians retaliated and would and times attack the settler. The settlers overcome the challenges by carrying out faming to obtain food. Additionally, they would use guns to threaten the Indian attackers. Moreover, the settlers built a wall around their houses to prevent themselves from the attacks. The settler’s leaders such kept recruiting new settlers to replace the dead ones, which helped the colony survive. Moreover, the settlers imported slaves from Africa to help in the faming. 3) Define mercantilism and describe the obligations of the colonies under England’s mercantilist policies. Mercantilism was an economic system adopted by England, which was based on the belief the national wealth depended on the contribution of the colonies in supplying resources such as precious metal and purchasing the goods

English (rough draft ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

English (rough draft ) - Essay Example The difference then is that I was apprehensive about being away from my parents and spend hours with other kids I hardly know. In San Diego, I did not mind being away from my folks but I also could not settle easily with the idea that I would be away from my close friends at home and be in a school I never planned to be in. This is exactly the problem, the cause of tension between me and my parents. There were other things that I can write and be introspective about. However, every time I encountered troubles with classmates, friends, and even with my studies, I could not help thinking again of the problem in my relationship with my parents. People cannot blame me if I still feel this way even if I already face the prospect of graduating soon and leaving UCSD for good. Studying in San Diego was an idea I never dared to entertain. It was my folks’ decision and although I tried explaining to them that a school within LA would be a better option, but with the sheer obstinacy characteristic of Asian parents towards their kids, they managed to send me to San Diego and finish a college degree far from my home. There was nothing I could do but comply with their wishes. It was not just because I was brought up to be fearful of parental authority. It was also because I wanted to succeed in a career too and if college education is a guarantee, I would certainly need my parents help. I would like to think that my parents sent me to UCSD simply because they want me to have the best employment opportunities in the future. It is weird, but even in a country as free as the United States an individual still has to get the best education in order for her to have the doors of better employment opened. Otherwise, the individual can just end up with a mediocre job and a corresponding unsatisfactory pay. It goes without saying though that there are hundreds of thousands who still graduate from college every school year who end up with

Formal Report-Analyzing two possible career choices Assignment

Formal Report-Analyzing two possible career choices - Assignment Example The choices that are being considered are that of a career as a Sales Manager or as a Marketing Manager. These two positions will be evaluated on the basis of the salary, number of hours worked, the benefits that go with the job and the long term prospects for the job. Career Alert conducted extensive research on the job opportunities open for a Sales Manager and a Marketing Manager through the website Glassdoor.com, the ExecutivesOnTheWeb.com and Careerbuilder.com. Information regarding the current salary ranges of both the Sales and Marketing Managers were based on these sites. Interviews were conducted among current Sales and Marketing Managers to get insights on their careers. Career Alert believes in the importance of making the right decision in choosing a career. We are aware that a career choice is dependent on several factors such as the salary and the future prospects for the job. Your concern is our concern too. We measure our success by the success of our clients. We are dedicated to helping you decide what the best career path is for you, a Sales Manager or a Marketing Manager. Glassdoor. (2012, March 27). Sales and marketing manager salaries. Retrieved April 9, 2012, from glassdoor.com Web site:

Geopolitics Midterm Exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Geopolitics Midterm Exam - Essay Example to the challenges set globally, in regard to various areas such as culture, economy and politics, reveals the key characteristics of geopolitics for the 21st century. According to Huntington ‘the extensive conflicts between nations’ (16) is expected to be a common phenomenon in the near future. Moreover, according to the above researcher, these conflicts would be related mostly to culture and not so much to economic or political interests (Huntington 16). The same trend had also appeared in the long past; then, cultural conflicts were also related to social/ economic differences (Huntington 16). The above view could be verified if checking the behavior of minorities globally: minorities tend to be involved in conflicts mostly for securing their traditions/ ethics (Mikesell and Alexander 585). Often, these groups have not the power to support their rights, due to their limited size, in terms of population; the case of ‘German speakers in Belgium’ (Mikesell and Alexander 585) is an example. In the future, there is no guarantee that even these groups will be involved in conflicts for promoting their rights. From a different point of view, modern state is characterized by limited emphasis on identity. This trend is made clear in the case of European Union. In EU the need for integration is highly valued leading to the limitation of the value of national identity in regard to member states (Cram 11). On the other hand, due to the expansion of energy paths, the borders of certain regions have become quite valuable for ensuring security and economic development. For example, in the case of EU emphasis is given to the Eastern areas as a natural border with Middle East/ Asia (Murphy 588). In other words, modern geopolitics need to take into consideration ‘peripheries’ (Murphy 588) as being able to play a critical role both in terms of security and of economic growth. Based on the issues discussed above it could be noted that modern state reveals the issues

Anti-competitive Behavior of the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association Essay - 3

Anti-competitive Behavior of the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association - Essay Example The FTC functions as an equalizer between the vulnerable consumers and the wealthy and powerful businessmen and corporations. It serves as a monitoring agency in the regulation of commodity prices. It also serves to protect businesses from each other by giving all of them fair and equal opportunities to trade their wares in the consumer market. Public policy considerations against anti-competitive behavior revolve around keeping the prices of commodities and services affordable to the public while still achieving a high level of quality in goods and services. The FTC monitors the consumer market for possible violations in anti-competition and anti-trust policies. This monitoring is done with the help of the consumers. Consumers are encouraged to report unfair competition practices of businesses and industries. Through the FTC, many industries are encouraged and motivated to produce high-end goods and services while still making them available to the consumer at affordable prices. The public has the right to expect an assortment of choices in their goods and services. It also has the right to be protected against businessmen and corporations who may take it upon themselves to agree about prices in order to manipulate the market. The public has the right to be protected against monopolies. Monopolies restrict the public’s right to avail of similar products traded by other companies. This practice restricts the participation of industries in similar trading lines controlled by more dominant corporations.

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

Hildegard Peplau - Essay Example She also did work at Bellevue and Chestnut Lodge Psychiatric Facilities and was in contact with renowned psychiatrists Freida Fromm-Richman and Harry Stack Sullivan. From the beginning of her career in the late 1930s, Peplau worked tirelessly to advance nursing education and practice. Her efforts and excellent leadership saved the American Nurses Association from bankruptcy and moved the nursing profession towards scientific recognition and respectability. She was recognized for her numerous contributions in the nursing profession. Peplau has been considered as one of the renowned nursing leaders of her time. Her writings and research were repeatedly featured in the American Journal of Nursing from 1951 to 1960. She became a professor emeritus from Rutgers shortly after obtaining her doctorate degree. She established the first nursing post-baccalaureate program and eventually held the title of executive director and president of the American Nurses Association. She promoted professional standards and regulation through credentialing, as well as introduced the concept of advanced nursing practice. She advocated on behalf of nurses by advancing their status as professionals. She worked progressively in the mental health field and ultimately created a conceptual framework for the interpersonal relationship between nurses and their patients. She was honored as a â€Å"Living Legend† by the American Academy of Nurses. Starting in the early 1950s, she published many texts, beginning with a manuscript of a compilation of her theoretical framework for psychodynamic nursing entitled Interpersonal Relations in Nursing (published in 1952). She taught psychodynamic nursing and stressed the nurse’s ability to understand his or her own behavior to help others identify perceived difficulties. She identified the following phases of the nurse-patient relationship: orientation,

Artist critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Artist critique - Essay Example lasted for more than six centuries still exhumes realistic features of the early society with the artists portraying specific features of the painting thereby communicating as effective as he had fist anticipated. Renaissance refers to the period of rebirth; in culture and art, the period witnessed an increase in knowledge pioneered by some of the most realistic scientific inventions and religious realizations that have shaped the society to this date. Artists captured the social developments in their critical art works which helped portrays specific features of the society through the eyes of the artists. Italy has remained a strategic society in the development of both religion and scientific knowledge with most of Italian scholars and artists being among pioneers of the modern day knowledge. Piero della Francesca is therefore one of such artists who seek to portray features of the religion in the early Italian society. His works and type of painting influenced several others artists including Melozzo da Forlà ¬ and Fra Carnevale both of who were his fellow Italians. Piero della Francesca painted Saint Jerome and a Supplicant, in 1450 as his representation and criticism of the Christian faith that had spread to various parts of the continent. Religious art works were famous at the time as the Catholic Church sought to use such art to improve the reputation of the church. Most of such arts hung in churches and in homes of some of the leading figures in the church. The painting displays currently in New York museum of art. Still life is the subject matter in the painting, which adopts an abstract approach to art and the portrayal of the society in such works. The painter provides an abstract portrayal of the society developing a visible background, middle ground and fore ground in his image thereby communicating effectively through the painting. The activity in the painting centers on Saint Jerome, possibly a leader of the church at the time. The old frail man

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

BIOGRAPHY - Personal Statement Example Indeed, my companions regularly irritated me amid my pre-adult years. I had numerous individuals who put resources into me, and I exceeded expectations at the greater part of my numerous and shifted diversions. I did well in school, frequently knowing how to do complex math issues before the idea had even been acquainted with our class. Thinking back, I am certain I was very egotistical, albeit I did not understand it at the time. Later in 2013, I rejoined with my parents in the United States where I joined tenth grade. In America, I started to feel burnt out on the weight put on me by my family and their elevated requirements. I systematically proceeded with my additional curricular exercises, including music and workmanship lessons, and alongside my studies. I graduated as the best student in my class, and I was satisfied because I made my parents to be proud. All my grades in the United States were amazing because I joined advanced classes. However, after three semesters, I chose to join school after I kept on exceeding expectations in training much the same as my nation of origin. I need to be a little fish in an enormous lake for a change. The wise quotes from Kiyoska (2014) give me power to move on, for the winner are always prepared for challenges. In College, I would like to proceed with the same soul of greatness to be an effective individual later

Use of Electronic Monitoring to Measure Employee Productivity Case Study

Use of Electronic Monitoring to Measure Employee Productivity - Case Study Example Nevertheless, these systems and tools have promoted intrusion into the private lives of employees by both the profession and the employer. Many organizations have opted to use electronic monitoring to track employee productivity and analyze their electronic communication. The issue of electronic monitoring intrusion into employee’s privacy has sparked a major debate between the employers and employee advocates. This paper will discuss the contemporary issues in the use of electronic monitoring by companies to assess employee productivity. Advancement in information technology: Technological growth has facilitated accurate collection and storage of a great pool of personal information usually without the permission or knowledge of the employee concerned, and whether such information is necessary for business functions. The organizations collect personal information for reasons of evaluation of employee performance,security,and protection from lawsuits among others. Nevertheless, the privacy laws are not robust enough to shield employees from intrusion (Watt, 2009). Currently, employees of private corporations in the United States lack legal protection against abusive practices of e-mail monitoring. Therefore, American employers can freely intercept, seek, and read any messages stored on the hard drives of employee’s computer.... This is attributable to the rising incidences of cyber loafing and litigation. Employers believe that their employees will comply with existing organizational benchmarks for behavior when constantly monitored. However, this has resulted to the development of perception of intrusiveness into private life by employees. In the United States, the anxiety about the stock market and concerns about safety of families makes employees seek the latest information from the Internet in the workplace (Rurhsani, 2005). Only under special circumstances would employers put up with excessive use of the internet for activities other than job although they feel that it can lower their performance. Organizations are increasingly demanding the individual employee’s personal information. In spite of enactment of legislation attempting to resolve the issue of privacy, debate is still raging over the ethical issues with regard to the privacy rights. Lack of rational regulation of such monitoring woul d significantly affect employee’s privacy rights (Mujtaba, 2003; Rustad & Paulsson, 2005). Besides loss in productivity and liabilities involved with employee’s cyber loafing, companies are worried about the sending out of sensitive and secretive information to their competitors, vendors, suppliers, and customers by mischievous employees (Rustad & Paulsson, 2005). Incidences have been reported of employees sharing company’s confidential information and trade secrets with outside employees or friends using an employer’s email system. Moreover, some employees have been found to use an employer’s Internet to initiate or operate their own business while working. Lawsuits may result due to employers being held responsible for employee’s misuse of the internet

COPD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

COPD - Essay Example From this study it is clear that to understand this condition, it is vital to revisit the mechanism of gaseous exchange as a process keeping in mind the paths through which the gases inhaled or exhaled flow through. Physical examinatonn is the process by which a researcher uses their senses to gather and collect data that is objective to the research that they are doing. It is a very important step in the treatment and caring of COPD patients. For this process to be successful, the researcher has to have good assessment skills that will ensure that the physical examination is successful. Before the beginning of the research, the researcher has to define the normal findings so that incase an abnormal findings occur, the researcher is fast in noticing. The history of the patient that is being examined is also very important. There are four main approaches to physical assessment. This is inspection, percussion, palpation and ausculatation. Inspection approach is one of the preliminary s tages for this assessment and involves patients being checked in an overall manner so that the health care professional can detect any abnormalities. This process is very critical and should never be skipped as it ensures that a strong base is set for the assessment. Palpation is the process where the professional uses his/her hand to make an inspection on the patient. This has one major limitation that the professional has to be very experienced in the palpation process otherwise wrong results would be given. Percussion follows and the professional taps the area that is affected to hear the sounds that comes out. It also needs a lot of experience. Auscultation s the process where the stethoscope and listens to the various sounds that are made by the affected parts. This has one major advantage that it does not require a lot of knowledge and experience to write. A research done by Edmunds to find out the effectiveness of various physical assessments was done in 2007. According to th e study the main aim of the research was to find out the best approaches to use in physical assessments. The research found out that there were very many setbacks for this assessments and that there were many corrections that are needed in this field. The main correction that needs to be done are on the palpation stages. This is because most of the professionals performing this action are not qualified for this and as a result, they give out wrong information. The most important communication skill that the research proposes is best for physical assessment is assertiveness and proper listening skills. This ensures that the professional detects different conditions that are affecting the patients. Communication skills are also vital to the treatments of COP. Being assertive is one of the communicative skills that are necessary for the health professional to have During the inspection of inhalation of air by the patient, the gaseous mixture accompanied by the aforesaid pollutants pass through to the wind pipe downward to the bronchiole tubes.  

The Cold War and US Diplomacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Cold War and US Diplomacy - Essay Example Main body contains the appropriate representation of the information together with the critical analysis. The background of the doctrine, the most significant events, the central ideas and consequences of the Truman Doctrine are included. The information is supported by the examples from different investigations in this area. The conclusion provides an assumption of the given information. The method used is particularized examination of the literature together with the critical summarizing and personal inferences on the topic. The research works of different scholars together with logical argumentation is included to the paper. It was relevant to admit that USA government performed a number of policies in the second half of twentieth century that were called doctrines. That was considered to be an accurate foreign policy of America after the World War II. Such courses had been implemented in order to restrain the USSR politics and influence in the world (Roskin and Berry, 2010). The first doctrine that was performed by US government had been called the Truman Doctrine (Roskin and Berry, 2010). This policy left a significant mark and performed a huge impact in the history of the world in general and USA in particular. The Truman Doctrine was called after the president Harry S. Truman who introduced his course to the entire world. This policy was implemented in the 1945-1953 years in the USA (Roskin and Berry, 2010). This doctrine also called the â€Å"containment† policy was aimed to deter the USSR socialistic politics (Roskin and Berry, 2010). US government desired to stop communism that seemed to be unacceptable for the new democratic ideas that was spawned in America after the war. The matter was that Truman had to attain the post of the US president in a difficult time for the entire world. That was the period after the World War II when all the Europe remained to be destroyed and devastated (Nichols, 2014). Global crisis started to cover

Checklists and Rating Scales Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Checklists and Rating Scales - Assignment Example Checklists provide a list of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that may be demonstrated by the individual, and may be filled in by either an evaluator or may be reported by the person themselves. Most checklists provide the symptoms associated with some kind of challenge (Gregory, 2004). Each symptom that is demonstrated is marked and once the entire list is completed, the total number of symptoms is totaled. Checklists are thus called additive methods of evaluation (Merrell & Harlacher, 2008). These are objective and easy to understand, and do not require as much time or expertise as interviews. They are also comprehensive, and allow the evaluator to identity less visible symptoms that could be missed during observation (Merrell & Harlacher, 2008). The main issue with a checklist is that they do not allow one to estimate the magnitude of the symptom. While one person may exhibit the symptom rarely, another may exhibit it almost every day. At such times rating scales provide an advantage over checklists in that each selected item is also rated on a 3 point or 5 point scale ranging from never/rarely to always/frequently (Gregory, 2004). Thus, each symptom is provided with a weighted score all of which may be added to get a composite score. Rating scales are algebraic in nature, and the value assigned to each item provides a detailed understanding of the experience of the person (Merrell & Harlacher, 2008). Checklists are valuable screening instruments that help in identifying person’s who need help; while rating scales are useful when trying to understand which symptoms are more dominant for a particular person (Gregory, 2004). Both these instruments are objective and easy to use, but are unable to provide the meaning associated with the symptoms by the individual. The validity of the responses depends on the honesty of the responses and it may become

Management of Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management of Information Systems - Essay Example 2. B2B systems can be operated in accordance within the budgetary constraints of the businesses, which may vary from being substantial, little or even minimal (Linthicum 36). Hence, B2B systems are extremely flexible and can adapt to varied resource allocations. 2. B2B systems being technology dependent are highly vulnerable to technology constraints. Thus, technical problems may jeopardize a BTB e-commerce system, which may directly translate into a loss of the potential customers (Linthicum 41). 1. The customers can shop and at any time, in the convenience of their own premises, without having to resort to the botheration of moving out and exerting themselves. In that context, B2B systems qualify to be called 24-hour shops. 3. B2B commerce systems tend to be the ultimate hassle free venues, un-necessitating all the exertion of haggling with salespersons, moving from one shop to other and other such related inconveniences. 1. Security is the primary concern why customers tend to avoid B2B e-commerce systems (Linthicum 16). Such systems are many times vulnerable to data theft, thereby leading to swindles, frauds, scams and financial losses. 2. B2B e-commerce systems not backed by efficient after sales and customer services leave the customers unsatisfied and worried. Customers often find it hard to get the required information and help in a prompt and efficient manner. A B2B e-commerce system can avoid the usual and specific problems and can immensely improve itself to face challenges by recognizing and well managing the Critical Success Factors (CSF) (Aggestam & Soderstrom 102). Thus, any possible strategy for improvement should not only identify and prioritize the associated Critical Success Factors (CSF), but should look to it that the identified factors tend to be few and manageable. Such an approach brings in an element of organization and orderliness in the overall task of system management, but also helps avoiding the allocation of scarce resources to ignorable and less crucial problems.The lessons learned from the failed projects can prove to be a rich source of necessary

Soil conservation Essay Example for Free

Soil conservation Essay Soil conservation is a combination of all methods of management and land use that safeguard the soil against depletion or deterioration by natural or man-induced factors. It most often attempts to ensure that SOIL does not erode and wash into streams and lakes or blow away in the wind, but it also involves the protection of the soil from damage by machinery (compaction) or by detrimental changes to its chemistry (acidification or salinization). Soil conservation comprises of all the procedures and methods that involve protecting the soil from natural as well as manmade destructions. There are many natural ways in which soil could get eroded or blown away. In the same way, soil could also get contaminated or chemically altered owing to acidification or salinization, or destruction from machinery. The saying, ‘change is the only constant’ holds true for everything †¦including nature. Everything in our natural world is in a perpetual state of evolution and change. However, when this change is triggered by unnatural methods, that is when an imbalance occurs in the natural process of the planet and it begins to affect our quality of life. Soil conservation is a very important issue, both in developing nations where a good portion of income is derived from agriculture and in developed nations where mechanized farming and an over-abundant use of chemical fertilizers can sometimes have a detrimental effect on the land. But it is not only for farmers and agriculturists it has a far-reaching effect on the environment and so concerns all of us. There is a growing need to prevent and control soil erosion and soil contamination, and to maintain soil fertility. Implementing various strategies and methods can help in stemming erosion of the soil, in preserving the quality of the soil and in increasing its productive capacity. Good soil conversation leads to enriched lands, better crop yields, good financial returns and a balanced environment. THE AGRICULTURAL SOIL CONSERVATION In order to carry out effective soil conservation, you must first consider several aspects of the land in question. Here are some of the things that must be considered – Is there enough vegetative cover over the land or does it need to be developed? What are the proper erosion control methods that can be utilized and how will you implement them? What is the soil salinity level and how are you going to manage it? What is the soil acidity level and how are you going to control it? What is the soil mineral content and do you need to regularly add mineral supplements? Is the soil contaminated and, if so, what methods are you going to use to remediate it and to prevent future contamination? Are there beneficial soil organisms in the soil and are they allowed to thrive? Once you know what kind of soil conservation is needed, you can consider implementing any or all the following methods – Planting dense rows of trees as wind-breaks along the borders of the land, especially on the sides that are exposed to stiff wind. Their roots stabilize the soil and prevent it from being shifted away by the wind.s Planting crops in rotation. Alternating crops helps avoid depleting the soil nutrients too fast. Planting cover crops. These stabilize the soil and reduce the effects of soil erosion. They also discourage the spread of weeds and help the soil retain its moisture in the summers. Plowing along the contour of the land. Planting crops parallel to the slope of the land. Going for strip cropping. This involves planting grasses or pulses between regular crops like corn. The corn crop is not particularly effective in preventing soil erosion, but the grasses keep erosion in check. Adding much to the soil surface. This prevents erosion by acting as a barrier and catching run-off water. Adding coir logs as barriers. These are very useful in areas where too much erosion has taken place and act as erosion preventing barriers and a support for new developing vegetation. Aside from coir barriers, sand bag and gravel bag barriers are also used. Growing grass on slopes and in waterways. Grassed waterways prevent too much soil from being washed away. Making use of natural as well as man-made fertilizers. Keeping the land fallow in order to rest it. Managing the levels of salinity. In areas where irrigation is in excess or where the saline water tables are low, the salinity levels can go up and make the land unsuitable for agriculture. This problem can be resolved by the use of humic acid. Managing the soil ph. The soil pH is what determines the amount of nutrients that the plants can absorb from the soil. Soil pH levels can be raised or decreased, as needed, by adding certain chemicals for example, agriculture lime for raising pH level and ammonium phosphate for reducing it. Encouraging beneficial soil organisms like earthworms and nitrogen fixing bacteria to thrive in the soil. The presence of such organisms enriches the soil. Using man-made chemical insecticides, pesticides and herbicides in very low amounts. Over use of chemicals can poison the soil and kill of useful organisms, and is generally harmful to the environment. Regularly add minerals to the soil. Minerals provide much-need nutrients to the soil to be absorbed by the plants. To mineralize the soil, add chemical supplements or try adding crushed rock.

Mall Goers Essay Example for Free

Mall Goers Essay Just what goes into â€Å"having fun†? For many people, â€Å"fun† involves getting out of the house, seeing other people, having something interesting to look at, and enjoying a choice of activities, all at a reasonable price. Going out to dinner or to the movies may satisfy some of those desires, but often not all. But an attractive alternative does exist in the form of the free-admission public mall. Teenagers, couples on dates, and the modest family can all be observed having a good time at the mall. Teenagers are drawn to the mall to pass time with pals and to see and be seen by other teens. The guys linger wearing their Nike tennis shoes, graphic T-shirts, name brand jeans, complete with their hat cocked to the side. The girls sashay thru wearing their high-heels shoes, revealing tank tops, with their arms full of bracelets wrapped around shopping bags. Traveling in a gang that resembles a wolf pack, the young thunder cats make the mall their hunting ground. Mall administrators have obviously made a decision to attract all this teenage activity. The kids’ raised voices, loud slang, and occasional shouted obscenities can be heard from as far as half a mall away. They come to â€Å"pick up chic,† to â€Å"meet guys,† and just to â€Å"hang out.† Couples find fun of another sort at the mall. The young lovers are easy to spot because they walk hand in hand, stopping to sneak a quick kiss after every few steps. They first pause at a jewelry store window so that they can gaze at diamond engagement rings and gold wedding bands. Then, they wander into perfume departments in the large mall stores. Finally, they drift away, their arms wrapped around each other’s waist. Then there are the Smiths, who visit the mall on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon for inexpensive recreation. Hearing the music of the trains and video games, the daughter begs to ride in the red cart. Shouting â€Å"I’m Starving!† Jr. drags the family towards the food court, where he detects the seductive odor of pizza. Mom walks to the women’s clothing store, trying on anything she thinks she can fix. Meanwhile, Dad has wandered into the electronics and is testing out all the new technology asking questions on how things work. The Mall provides something special for every member of the family. Sure, some people visit the mall in a brief, short way, just to pick up a specific purchase or two. But many more are shopping for inexpensive recreation. The teenagers, the dating couples, and the simple family all find cheap entertainment at the mall.

Changes to Bone Density Throughout the Lifespan

Changes to Bone Density Throughout the Lifespan Bone age is defines as maturity of children’s bone. It is the average age at which the child bones matures, after the birth in the long bones only metaphyses is there (eg: radius and ulna, Humerus, tibia, femur, fibula, phalanges). In long bones initially there is elongation of epiphysis. As the age progress the calcification of epiphyses occurs and it is evident on the x-ray. During puberty the bone development progress due to various hormones. The adult height is achieved after the puberty and the shape of adult bones appears during this period. The cartilaginous part of epiphyses become thinner and these areas become obliterated, during this time epiphyses are closed and no further growth of bones occurs. X-ray of wrist is taken because it depicts multiple bones and it can be compared with standard atlas of bones by using Greulich and Pyle method. The bones which occurs common changes as the age progress from infant age is seen maximum in pelvis and shoulder, the least changes are seen in wrist of infants. During infancy if the assessment of bone is required the wrist or hand x-ray can be done. The height possibility can be calculated with the help of height of the child and bone age. Various graphs and statistics are prepared to depict the % if height growth remaining as per the bone age. Various tables for girls and boys are available (bayley pinneau tables, Greulich pyle atlas). Constitution growth delay: Normal development variation with delayed bone maturation. It is due to growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism. Measurement of bone age is used for reliability in diagnosis of endocrine diseases and hereditary disease Bone age evaluation is usually done by radiological examination of the skeletal development of the left-hand, and then it is compared with the chronological age. Any abnormality in between these two values indicates abnormalities. This examination is used due 1) simplicity, 2) a minimum radiation exposure; 3) ossification centres are easily available. There is no standard clinical procedure in bone age assessment, even if the most used methods are: 1) the Greulich and Pyle (GP) method and 2) the Tanner and Whitehouse (TW2 or TW3) methods. Both methods rely on X-Ray images taken from the left hand, but both methods have differences. The Greulich and Pyle method is the most often used approach (by 76% of radiologists), because it is faster and easier to use with respect to the TW2 or TW3 methods, since it involves only the comparison of the whole hand with a reference atlas. TW3 method is a commonly accepted procedure in which the guidelines to analyze each bone are de-scribed using words (natural language descriptions), sometimes in a vague way. In addition, one particular bone may show features belonging to different stages or a particular bone shape could be classifiable into two possible predefined labels of the same feature. Bone age assessment automatic process. Image source: S. Aja-Ferna_ndez et al. / Journal of Biomedical Informatics 37 (2004) 99–107 TW3 methodology for bone age assessment consists of a set of rules, expressed in natural language, to describe the prototypical characteristics of the bones of a hand radiograph as they evolve in time. Natural solution is to use the method itself, i.e., to build one classifier for each bone, with 9 outputs (the possible classification stages for each bone—A,B,. . .,I—), except for the ulna, which only has 8 stages. In TW3 method there are two possible analytic schemes, 1) RUS, uses 13 bones (the phalanges, radius, and ulna). The other one uses 20 bones (the 13 bones previously defined and the 7 bones of the carpal region). Maturity stage for each bone in TW3 is calculated from linguistic statements. Stage D. The maximum diameter is half or more the width of the metaphysis. The epiphysis has broadened chiefly at its lateral side, so that this portion is thicker and more rounded the medial portion more tapering. The center third of the proximal surface is flat and slightl y thickened and the gap between it and the radial metaphysis has narrowed to about a millimeter. Stage G. The dorsal surface now has distinct scaphoid lunate articular edges. The medial border of the epiphysis has developed pal-mar and dorsal surfaces for articulation with the ulnar epiphysis; either the palmar or the dorsal surface may be the one that projects medially, depending on the position of the wrist. Overall, six features can be defined that capture all the text information, so they are sufficient to define each possible state. Epiphysis is absent or present. If it is absent, the output stage is A. If it is present but is small and hardly visible, the output stage is B. If it is present and well-visible, the output stages are from C to I. Separation. Relative position of epiphysis and me-taphysis: separated (stages B, C, D, E, F, and G), cap-ping (stage H), or fusion has begun (stage I). Shape of epiphysis I. Oval (stage C) or sharp (stages D–I). Diameters. Ratio between diameters of metaphysis and epiphysis. Shape II. A ‘‘sharp’’ epiphysis can have a regular outline (stages D and E), can be adapted to the metaphysis shape (stage F), or can have the articulations form (stages G, H, and I).Surfaces. Representation of inner surfaces. They can be absent (stages B, C, and D) or present as a white line (stage E), two white lines (stage F) or a c-shaped surface (stages G, H, and I). The feature values for each stage are shown in the table: Stage Presence Separ. Shape I Diam. Shape IISurf. No B Small (Yes) (oval) > 2 (no) C Yes Yes oval > 2 no D Yes Yes sharp 6 2 regular no E Yes Yes sharp 6 2 regular 1 line F Yes Yes sharp 6 2 adapted 2 lines G Yes Yes sharp 6 2 articulation c-shape H Yes capping sharp 6 2 articulation c-shape I Yes fusion sharp 6 2 articulation c-shape However, these features are not independent. As a matter of fact, some of the features are self-excluding: Shape II only takes on values when Shape I is sharp and Separation is only defined for a present epiphysis. Consequently, these features can be merged, a fact which contributes to simplify the classifier. After the fusion process, the resulting feature set is: Epiphysis. Absent or small and, otherwise, what matters is its relative position with respect to the metaphysis (separated, capping, fusion).Shape. Outline shape of the epiphysis (oval, regular-sharp, adapted-sharp, articulated-sharp).Diameters. Ratio between metaphysis and epiphysis diameters. Surfaces. Inner surfaces (absent, 1-line, 2-lines, c-shape). The new features values for each stage are now: Stage Epiphysis Diameters Shape Surfaces A Absent 1 (oval) (absent) B Small 2 (oval) (absent) C Separated > 2 oval absent D Separated 6 2 regular sharp absent E Separated regular sharp 1 line F Separated adapted sharp 2 lines G Separated _ 1 articulation-sharp c-shape H Capping _ 1 articulation-sharp c-shape I Fusion _ 1 articulation-sharp c-shape Advance bone age: Prolonged increased in sex steroids production levels: CAH (congenital adrenal hyperplasia) Precocious puberty Genetic overgrowth syndromes: Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome Marshall Smith syndrome Sotos syndrome

Essay on theories and models of health promotion

Essay on theories and models of health promotion The word health came from the old English word for heal (hael) which means whole, indicating that health concerns the whole person and their integrity, soundness, or well-being (Crafter 1997). Health can be defined as a state of well-being, interpreted by the World Health Organisation as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO 1946). Health promotion (HP) is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health. HP is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources as well as physical capacities. WHO (1984) In this assignment I will discuss health, HP principles, changing peoples behaviour and attitudes and I will also apply the application of a HP strategy (Beatties model). Beattie (1991) identifies three areas, health persuasion, personal counselling and community development. It also incorporates the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (KAB model) which helps to support Beaties theories. His model offers a structural analysis of HP approaches. This model involves advice and information that is evidence based, insuring that the correct information is available to the client so she can make an informed choice, as the Nursing and Midwifery council (NMC 2008) stipulates. The KAB model, when applied, concentrates on what makes a person want to change. Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) discuss the layers of influence on health and its social and ecological theory. They also attempted to link the relationship between the individual, their environment and disease. Individual people are at the centre, with a set of fixed genes. Surrounding them are influences on health that can be changed or modified. The first layer is personal behaviour and ways of living that can promote or damage health. e.g. ones choice to drink alcohol. Individuals are often affected by friendship patterns and their communities. The next layer of Dahlgren and Whiteheads theory is social and community influences, which provide mutual support for members of the community in unfavourable conditions. But they can also provide no support or have a negative effect. The third layer includes structural factors such as housing, working conditions, access to services and provision of essential facilities. Festinger (1957) used the term cognitive dissonance to describe a persons mental state when new information is given. This prompts the person either to reject the new information (as unreliable or inappropriate) or to adapt attitudes and behaviour, which could fit with it. Bradshaws needs also plays a critical role in HP. The schedule of antenatal care is dominated by a medical model. When providing care, the needs of women must be heard and incorporated into their care. Bradshaws needs can be used by midwives and other professionals to identify womens needs in pregnancy. This can lead to the type of healthcare which is more likely to address the social determinants of health and improve health outcomes for pregnant women. Normative Need: As defined by an expert, to be a need that all require. Such as the advised number of antenatal visits. Felt Need: an individual or groups own personal need. Expressed Need: A felt need which turns into an expression for help Comparative need: Comparing the needs of different groups and finding a common occurance. Bradshaws concept has four different types of need: My HP strategy focuses on Bradshaws comparative need. To educate women of 30yrs+ to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. This is evidence based on research showing the link between alcohol and FAS. HP is a key part of the midwifes role. However, the effectiveness of its practice is often not easily recognisable. The document, Saving Lives-our healthier nation, (DOH 1999), suggests that individuals are not solely responsible for their own ill health. Health professionals i.e. Midwife and the government all play an important part in working towards achieving health for all and reducing inequalities in health and health care provision. The report also states that Healthcare authorities and primary care groups have a responsibility towards public health. (DOH 1999) The Royal College of Midwives (RCM 2000) suggests that maternity care is not just a delivery service. Midwives make a major contribution to family well-being and the wider public health and its contribution is yet to reach its full potential. HP is often used to describe behaviour or actions, which directly or indirectly influence the health of others. This may include preventing ill health, maintaining positive health, raising public awareness of health issues, protecting the public from harm, educating people to make healthy lifestyle choices and reducing inequalities in health and provision of healthcare (Dunkley 2000). HP within midwifery, involves enhancing positive health and reducing the risk of ill health through education. For expectant mothers it is a time of immense psychological and physiological development. During this time the woman acquires a great deal of new and sometimes confusing information from family, friends, magazines and health professionals. Midwifes have a duty of care to inform women about health damaging behaviour where this may occur. They also have a duty to encourage discussion on such topics i.e. alcohol in pregnancy, nutrition and choices of feeding. Following articles written in the Guardian and Telegraph newspaper in February 2010 stating that the Department of Health advice is that women should not drink at all when trying to conceive or when pregnant, but if women do chose to drink they should not have more than one or two units once or twice a week and not drink enough to feel drunk is what inspired my decision to look at Alcohol in pregnancy for this HP. The National Institute on Alcohol and alcoholism (NIAA) clearly states that NO alcohol should be consumed in pregnancy. The Telegraph newspaper in January 2009 reported that OLeary (an Australian scientist) states Women who drink five small glasses of wine during the course of a week in the first three months of pregnancy increase their risk of a premature birth by 70 per cent, even if they stop later. Research from the Infant feeding survey 2005 shows that drinking alcohol socially when pregnant has a higher occurrence in women in the 30-35 year age range and above. The Royal College of Obstetricians and gynaecologists (RCOG) 29th June 2010 stating there is no evidence that a couple of units of alcohol once or twice a week will harm an unborn baby. These contradicting reports led me to research the need for a HP on alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Professor Phillip Steer of the RCOG believes that if women ate and drank a more healthy diet this would result in healthier babies thus a healthier nation. Another specialist, Dr Raja Mukherjee, consultant psychiatrist and expert in foetal alcohol syndrome, stated that if a wealthier woman who has previously consumed wine on a regular basis, continues into her pregnancy, she is in the high risk group. He reports that they are actually putting their babies at risk before they even know they are pregnant, in some cases. Mukherjee (NOFAS) also reported that one of the most severely affected children he has seen, was born after a wealthy woman continued to consume half a bottle of wine 2 to 3 times a week. In my HP plan I wanted to target women in the older age ranges. Using the media to publicise the damage caused by alcohol consumption in pregnancy. My idea constituted a run of billboard posters depicting babies being forced to consume alcohol as well as television advertising. The adverts would be hard hitting with a simple dont drink slogan. The campaign would be called the you drink, I drink campaign. The primary aim would be to stop women drinking alcohol in pregnancy. The secondary aim would be to at least educate and inform women of the concerns related to drinking alcohol. Both aims would hope to have an effect in reducing the cases of fetal alcohol syndrome, currently 1:100, (NOFAS 2010), caused by drinking alcohol in pregnancy. Models have been used in HP for some time, but can they be a part of midwifery? It could be claimed that the unique and individual situations of pregnancy and birth do not lend themselves to categorising women and their needs. Every woman and every pregnancy is different. Could it be possible to apply a standard package of professional care? If midwifery is viewed as a health-promoting activity, then it may be that HP models and approaches can enhance the way that midwives deliver care by developing an agreed research-based framework, which, rather than labelling women, standardize good practice (Crafter 1997). The NHS plan, (NHS 2000), which seeks to develop an NHS that is patient-centred and fit for the 21st. Century, suggests that the role of the midwife should be developed in public health and family well being. Whilst researching my strategy I found that the first reported association between maternal alcoholism and a characteristic pattern of cranio-facial, limb and cardiovascular defects in the offspring was published in The Lancet Saturday 9 June 1973. Since then the results of a large body of research have been published. This is clearly an indication that a new HP aimed at pregnant women is needed! In 1996 the RCOG published a guideline on alcohol consumption in pregnancy. They wrote that there was no conclusive evidence of effects in either growth or IQ at levels of consumption below 120 gms per week. Nonetheless, they recommended that women should be careful about alcohol consumption in pregnancy and limit this to no more than one standard drink (8 gms of alcohol) per day. This disagrees with the recommendations from NICE. Who state that if a woman does decide to drink alcohol, she should drink No more than one or two units, once or twice a week. It is clear that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy cannot be deemed without risk, however, controversy continues as to whether there is any safe level which women should be advised not to exceed. According to The National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS), the medical and scientific literature overwhelmingly supports the hypothesis that there are risks of alcohol related brain damage from drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy.   Based on these findings, NOFAS position is that there is no safe time, no safe amount, and no safe alcohol during pregnancy. (NOFAS 2007) The obvious way forward is to re-educate women through HP. There are key drivers in health matters such as the National institute of clinical excellence (NICE) and the Acheson Report for the Department of Health, which was a report to contribute to the development of the Governments strategy for health and an agenda for action on inequalities in the longer term. The publication in February 1998 of the consultation paper Our Healthier Nation; a Contract for Health was an important landmark. It identified the need to improve the health of the worst off in society and to narrow the health gap as an overriding principle. (DOH 1998) The report took into account the main features of Our Healthier Nation as they affect inequalities. It discussed tackling inequalities in the settings of schools, the workplace and neighbourhoods. The section on the NHS included an element on the reduction of inequalities through local partnerships taking into account plans for Health Improvement Programmes and Health Action Zones. It also takes into account the changes outlined in the White Paper The New NHS: Modern and Dependable. Whilst developing my HP strategy I looked for current Local and National strategies. The key strategy is that of the National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS). They offer an extensive service, including conferences, support group meetings, publications and in particular the Baby Bundle Project. The training for Midwives Project is an initiative of NOFAS-UK to provide useful and positive health information about the consumption of alcohol in pregnancy. Midwives play an important role and can help prevent FASD. Another key strategy is Drinkaware. Drinkaware aims to change the UKs drinking habits for the better. They promote responsible drinking and find innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm. They are an independent, UK-wide charity, who are supported by voluntary donations from across the drinks industry to equip people with the knowledge they need to make decisions about how much they drink. Drinaware also helps tackle alcohol misuse. As well as working with other organisations and individuals across the UK to fulfil the educational, community and awareness campaigning function envisaged in the Governments Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. They also provide easily accessible, evidence-based information about alcohol and its effects, to employers, young people, teachers, parents and community workers, such as Midwives. They use a range of advertising mediums, such as film, multimedia and TV. Another National strategy is NICE. Their current recommendations on alcohol in pregnancy is that Pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy should be advised to avoid drinking alcohol in the first 3 months of pregnancy if possible, because it may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. But as previously discussed they also advise that women planning a pregnancy or in the first 3 months should not drink at all. The negative theory of this is that the government is presuming that all women will know what 8g of alcohol is, or 1.5 units. Should the government be advising women in a more user friendly way? The HP strategy advising women what they should or should not do will fail as not all women will know how much is too much. This creates a concerning risk. The government need to re-address the strategy to be usable by midwives and pregnant women alike. They should be re-thinking ways to educate women as to what a measure of alcohol is. Nice is also adding to the confusion in saying avoid alcohol then expressing that it can be drunk but in moderation. This sends a very confusing message to health promoters and pregnant women. According to NICE it is the responsibility of the midwife to educate their clients in the safe levels of alcohol consumption at their first meeting. At the expectant mothers first visit to the antenatal clinic the midwife should explain how the pregnant woman will be monitored with regular examinations and tests to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing normally. It should also be emphasised that the womans health inevitably influences that of the fetus and can have major impact on health in childhood and later life. Midwives need to advise their clients on what is safe. Would it be safer and clearer to advise all women, all of the time, not to drink alcohol at all? But the midwife would then not be offering the woman informed choice. It is the role of the midwife to offer lifestyle advice and to tell women of the implications of what alcohol consumption can do to a fetus. Then as Beatties model states, its the clients prerogative to choose what their actions are but it is the midwives role to try to encourage a change in previous unhealthy behaviour. During the development of my HP strategy i gained a peer review. (See appendix A). The positive feedback was tremendous. Confirming that I had correctly assessed the need for the target audience to be women aged 30-35 years+ and that a hard hitting advertising campaign was the right route to take. It highlighted the need to define which health models i would use and I decided on Beatties and KAB rather than Tannahill, which is another well know model. Although I did realise the need to decide on a primary and secondary aim for my promotion. The review also highlighted the need to be able to assess the success of this strategy. This would be easily measured by seeing a reduction in babies born with FAS. During antenatal care Midwives impart relevant information in a teaching way, but it is of no value if that teaching is facilitated in a lecturing style. Women wont learn if spoken at. It is not possible to provide an exhaustive coverage of pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period during a set of 3/4 classes. A childbirth educator can boost her clients self esteem by valuing everyones comments and creating an atmosphere in which learning is a shared experience. The aim of childbirth education, therefore should be to help the women understand the importance (for their mental health) of getting the information they need, and to empower them to ask questions when and of whoever they want. It has been clearly demonstrated that a womans mental health after delivery has been closely linked to the amount of information she received during her labour (Oakley 1980). Health promoters are not always effective at providing information. Hillan (1992) suggests many women feel that there are a variety of ways during an antenatal class to empower women to ask questions of their caregivers. Women can be empowered by the attitude of their teacher. In Beattie (1991) Strategies for HP, he incorporates empowerment as an important aspect of his model to empower individuals to have the skills and confidence to take more control over their health. Analyses of empowerment shows there is a need to distinguish between self-empowerment and community empowerment. Self empowerment is used to describe HP strategies which are based on counselling and which use non-directive, client centred approaches aimed at increasing peoples control over their lives. Midwives frequently engage in client-centred work, as they are concerned with facilitating client autonomy. The client sets the agenda and the health professionals role is facilitating, guiding, supporting and empoweri ng the client to make informed choices (Dunkley 2000). Community empowerment is used to describe a way of working which increases peoples power to change their social reality. It is also a way of working which seeks to create active participating communities who are empowered and able to challenge and change the world about them. This approach helps people identify their own concerns and gain the skills and confidence to act upon them. It is unique as a bottom-up strategy and calls for the different skills from the health promoter (Kendall 1998). The midwife, becomes a facilitator whose role is to act as a catalyst. Carl Rogers has also developed the theory of facilitative learning. The basic premise of this theory is that learning will occur by the educator (in this case, the Midwife) acting as a facilitator, thus establishing an atmosphere in which learners feel comfortable to consider new ideas and are not threatened by external factors. When teaching adults we must be aware of their different learning styles. Adult learners are a very diverse group. Andragogy (the teaching and learning of adults) was first developed by Alexander Knapp in 1833. Then in 1984 Knowles used Knapps theory and expanded on it. Knowles emphasizes that adults are self-directed and expect to take responsibility for decisions. Adult learning programs must accommodate this fundamental aspect. Knowles himself changed his position on whether andragogy really applied only to adults and came to believe that pedagogy-andragogy represents a continuum ranging from teacher-directed to student-directed learning and that both approaches are appropriate with children and adults, depending on the situation. (Knowles 1984) Beattie offers a structural analysis of the HP approaches. He suggests that there are four paradigms for HP. These are generated from the dimensions of mode of intervention which ranges from authoritative (top-down and expert-led) to negotiated (bottom-up and valuing individual autonomy). Most HP work involving advice and information is determined and led by practitioners, or midwives in this case. The work and thoughts of Carl Rogers in the 1960s have been formative in understanding the importance of self-awareness and the experiential learning in helping individuals to understand and make decision. It is therefore important before commencing adult education to examine the structure of the model and look at whom it is aimed at. It is important when working within a team that certain values are shared and made explicit so that the carers can work towards the same goals and the recipients of care can be clear about the standards and outcomes to expect. Developing and working with unified models and approaches in health promotion and midwifery can therefore help midwives to communicate with each other more effectively and strengthen initiatives, which benefit everyone (Crafter 1997). The transition to parenthood is an emotional time for both the pregnant woman and her partner. The shift from marriage or partnership to the first pregnancy is a major transition point in a womens life. It is also the time that HP can have its biggest effect. Women are open to learning new things and hearing from many different sources about whats best for them during this time. A number of studies have suggested and therefore confirm this theory that the most difficult transition for couples to make is the birth of the first child (Cowan Cowan, 1992). All major transitions involve making changes and a period of disequilibrium. A professional career woman may find the whole process out of her control and be left reeling. Motherhood can significantly challenge a womans sense of identity, revealing a tension between personhood and parenthood. Antenatal classes, media, books etc all play a part in acclimatising the woman to her new role. Other outside influences are the social surroundings. Pregnant women from lower or working classes may not feel they have the same support as those from middle or upper class social areas. They may not reach out to areas of support, including what we consider basic antenatal care. Younger mothers may look at parenthood through rose tinted spectacles, imagining their baby will sleep through the night. While the more mature first time mother is more realistic in her outlook. This is where HP again plays an integral part in educating the woman through sources of media, care and through learning in the community. Expectations and theories have changed greatly over the last 40 years. Older mothers are more common as are teenage mothers. Teenage mothers in the 1960s were sent away to discreetly have their babies, now they are a common part of the community with different needs to that of the older mother. HP has to be aimed at all groups all of the time. It is up to the care giver to facilitate this information at the right level for each individual case. Good quality teaching, support and HPs received well, all contribute to the transition to parenthood, thus increasing the confidence of the new parent. After all, it is one of the most vulnerable times in their life. With successful antenatal learning in place this would then enhance the transition to parenthood and that of attachment. Bowlby (1969) devoted extensive research to the concept of attachment, describing it as a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings Proximity Maintenance The desire to be near the people we are attached to. Safe Haven Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of a fear or threat. Secure Base The attachment figure acts as a base of security from which the child can explore the surrounding environment. Separation Distress Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure. Bowlby (1969)Bowlby believed that there are four distinguishing characteristics of attachment: These characteristics are learned as children and are what we use when moving from childhood to parenthood. Without a good base we cannot expect new parents to successfully proceed into parenthood without some re-education and the support of quality care givers. In conclusion, the RCM Vision 2000 describes the midwife as a public health practitioner. Midwives have always enhanced, facilitated and supported factors, which promote physical health, psychological, social and spiritual well being for the woman and her immediate family. Some of the key points that should be considered for the future of midwifery HP practice, is that it needs to be clearly defined, national and political recognition of the midwives contribution to public health should be improved and midwives should promote health within the socio-culteral and economic context of how individuals live their everyday lives (Dunkley 2000). Providing antenatal care to woman and fetus demonstrates a unique opportunity to enhance holistic health through advice, guidance, support and social networks where the woman can be offered further specialised care if needed. This assignment has discussed the concept of health and HP, the value of alcohol avoidance and briefly the effects on the pre gnant woman. Beatties and KAB model was used to show the importance that a supportive environment is created in which people can challenge ideas and question beliefs. Beatties model is adaptable and could be applied to many scenarios, the model shows a knowledge of awareness of adult education by provoking a deep understanding of processes and problem solving, and therefore the quality of teaching and the learning process. There are a number of ethical issues involved in parent education. Participants need to be listened to carefully and their questions answered truthfully, which gives a positive effect on the woman and leads to the skills and confidence to take more control over their health.