Monday, September 30, 2019

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Essay

In The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, the author takes us on a journey with Holden Caulfield, a sixteen-year-old boy, going in and out of many boarding schools. When he gets kicked out of Pencey the story begins. In fear of coming home to his parents, Holden takes a trip to New York; which leaves him at the point of mental, physical, and emotional insanity. As the novel goes on his obsession with keeping children from losing their purity grows. The adult world seems fake, and Holden does not respect people who made the transition. In Gerald Rosen’s â€Å"A Retrospective Look At The Catcher In The Rye† he explores Holden’s connection to other characters in the book. He also analyzes the difficulties in crossing over to the adult world. Holden qualms the crossing over due to the fact that losing one’s innocence will force one to face reality, and will at times cause adults to â€Å"fall† into a deeper hole. Holden’s mania of keeping children from transitioning to adult hood shows all throughout The Catcher in the Rye. Rosen explains that during the period of time Holden was in the museum he made it known that everything always stayed the same. The purpose of the â€Å"glass cases† acts as a defense against touching, or tainting. â€Å"Like the children in the museum, to protect the innocent, the catcher must strictly refrain from touching; he must ‘just leave them alone’’’ (Rosen). This moment in the book compares the protected artifacts to the innocence of a child. He feels that if the children had someone to protect them from getting affected (â€Å"touched†) by the hard and cruel times in life they could hold onto their purity for as long as possible. Holden expresses the fact that he wants ensure security and stability during these times in life. This point seems to be the first point in the novel where Holden shows a desire to keep children from corruption. â€Å"Anyway, I keep picturing all these kids playing some game in the big field of rye and all†¦What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start going over the cliff† (Salinger 173). Holden wants to â€Å"catch† the kids from their transition into an adult. He does not want them having to deal with losses they will have to overcome in life. He believes that going into adulthood marks the point where society shows its true face. Since Allie, Holden brother’s, death he sees how reality twists and warps in sick ways. While walking around the museum he sees profanity. â€Å"I went down by a different staircase, and I saw another ‘Fuck You’ on the wall. I tried to rub it off with my hand again, but this one was scratched on, with a knife or something. It wouldn’t come off. It’s hopeless, anyway. If you had a million years to do it in, you couldn’t rub out even half of the ‘Fuck You’ signs in the world. It’s impossible† (Salinger 173).When Holden see those words written on the wall he realizes that the youth has already gone through exposure to corruption and cannot go backwards. Holden now understands his inability to save the children from â€Å"falling†, growing up. Since Holden has spent most of his time refraining other from going into adulthood, he did not see how much he himself has fallen. Holden has many similar qualities to a former classmate, James Castle. â€Å"Holden is identified with Castle by Castle’s having killed himself while wearing Holden’s sweater and by Castle’s appearing just before Holden on the roll call and school. This carries the implication that Holden maybe next in line for Castle’s death† (Rosen). James Castle’s way of and to death influenced Holden’s view of life. He suddenly became ostracized in society surrounded by a bunch of â€Å"phonies†. Death was the start and end of Holden’s loss of innocence. Holden never truly had an adult figure in life. His parents detached themselves from him, in times of his need. Feeling like he needed to communicate with someone he called his former teacher, Mr. Antolini. Holden wants to catch children from falling, where as Mr. Antolini wants to save Holden from a rough way down. â€Å"I have a feeling that you’re falling, a terrible,terrible fall† (Salinger 186).Mr. Antolini says this because ever since Allie’s death Holden has had a series of falls. Even though Allie was younger than Holden, he idolized him and thinks very highly of him. Mr. Antolini symbolizes Holden’s loss of Allie, loneliness, and inability to posess self-esteem. Holden wants to provide insurance for children so they do not experience the reality of society and from â€Å"falling† into a deeper hole. Making sure he succeeds, he does everything to keep them from going over the edge. Holden grows up through the novel, and realized that losing one’s innocence in is an unavoidable part of life. In this stage of life one makes the most mistakes and learns from them. If one never went through experience necessary to grow into an adult, they would seem very naà ¯ve and easily taken advantage of. People that have gone through the difficult crossing over want to protect children from the hard-ships. Works Cited Rosen, Gerald. â€Å"A Retrospective Look At The Catcher In The Rye.† American Quarterly 457-462 Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown, 1951.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

High school Essay

It was once thought that when a person gets out of high school, he is invisible. He can do whatever he wants, achieve all his dreams and aspirations, and become the person that he always envisioned himself to be. It probably never daunted him that he will become independent and responsible for the consequences of his actions; he would have treated those like simple challenges anyway. Obstacles that he needed to conquer in order to make him a stronger person and to reach his destination. And all this he would achieve, amazingly with the help of the environment. The environment does not literally translate to the trees, the suburbs, or the urban metro that we have come to know as an environment. It essentially means much more than that. It is how a person adapts to where he is. It is how he makes things work to his advantage, and at the same time not harming those around him. It is how he makes his life work, whatever the given circumstance. There are several ways on how to mold the environment and make it a part of the learning experience that will help an individual achieve his goals, find better jobs, and have self-satisfaction. It is important to note that a student has to realize the importance of getting a college degree. He will realize that the environment is competitive enough to require it. It is through what he experiences that he will come to know the importance of getting into college and in learning through the environment, he will realize that he has succeeded Time management is one of those ways on how the environment plays a key role in a person’s learning experience. As much as every person would want to control time, there are instances wherein it will always spin out of control. The heavy traffic, the weather, the floods, the mode of transportation – these are all elements that we cannot predict and therefore we cannot control. Due to the unpredictability of these factors, one must always manage his time wisely, with allotment for situations like this. Being organized, following a routine and a flow of tasks also says that a person is disciplined. He has the strength to say no to distractions because he knows that he has allotted an ample time for everything, even for play. And temptation is one of the numerous obstacles that humans go through in dealing with their daily lives. The environment’s role in being able to overcome obstacles is that when we look hard enough, the answers are just out there, around us. It is magical that we sometimes have the answers right in front of us and yet we fail to recognize them. Everybody knows that we will never be given problems that we cannot solve. In trying to solve our problems, we get to know and discover ourselves more; the things that make us stronger, the emotions that make us weak. In discovering these unknown side of ourselves we create more options, we get to know more. If a person once said to himself that getting a college degree is not worth his time, effort, and money, this may not hold true if he was faced with an employment problem. The environment today is competitive enough to want more from its employees, and these employers do compensate for this. It is during the toughest times that we get to see the real attitudes of the people. Those who strive to outshine the rest will not just settle for a high school diploma, but for a higher one. Everybody’s goal in life is to become successful in whatever his or her endeavors are. It may be as small as finishing a 5-kilometer run or as big as running for the presidential seat, what we all want is success. For the individual whose environment shapes him to become the next big CEO, more qualifications have to be met. A college degree or an MBA will definitely make him go places and put an edge to his resume. It is not only in this career path that a higher education will prove to be useful, in fact, in all career paths, a higher education is always a better credential. Becoming a lawyer, a physician, an engineer, or a nurse may put you through the worst, sleepless nights you have ever had, but the end game is always a win. While one may not always understand why people want to have success and always feel like achieving a desire or attaining a goal, it is important that they know that they are working hard for themselves. There is nothing better than knowing that you have worked hard for something and you got what you wanted in the end. Reaping the fruits of your labor brings a sense of pride and self-satisfaction to one’s self. Everything that one has to work hard for, the stress of the environment, the pressure of achievement, overcoming these is necessary in order to achieve lifetime goals. In conclusion, working on lifetime goals allow people to see how hard work and studying can pay off for the future. The changing environment affects everyone differently. Employer’s at times allow employees to work on their studies while they are at work and offer the students reimbursements for their college work. For students who finish their degree, it will open many doors for them in advancing at their current professions. Students that complete their degree will have a sense of pride and accomplishment that was taken by them for all of their hard work and effort. The environment of each student is different. The variation of the stressful environments is different for each student. Some have family stress and some have work stress. Time management is a determining factor in each of these areas. It is crucial that the student completes all required materials when the assignments are due. When students look back and realize what they have accomplished they will know that they bettered themselves by working in this new environment. References: Jewell, D, (2008). One vision many paths. ProQuest Database, 16(9), Retrieved December 28, 2008, from http://proquest. umi. comezproxy. apus. edu Khalifa, M. & Lam, R. (2002). Web based learning: Effects on Learning Process and Outcome. Academic Search Premier Database, 45(4), Retrieved December 28, 2008, from, http://apus. agent-graphics. com. ezproxy. apus. edu Littky, D (2004). The big picture: Education is everyone’s business. APUS online library, Retrieved December 28, 2008, from http://web. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. apus. edu/ehost/detail .Ramey, S. & Ramey, C. (2008). The Learning environment, learning process, academic outcomes and career success of university graduates: The transition to school. Academic Search Premier Database, 33(4), Retrieved December 28, 2008, from http://web. ebscohost. com. ezproxy. apus. edu/ehost/detail Williams, K. (2006) Introducing Management: A Development Guide. APUS online library, Retrieved December 28, 2008, from http://apus. agent-graphics. com. ezproxy. apus. edu Zygmunt-Fillwalk, E. (2006). Encouraging School Success through family Involvement. Proquest Database, 82 (4), Retrieved December 28, 2008, from http://proquest. umi. comezproxy. apus. edu.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Alaska Airlines Flight Human Factors

Alaska Airlines Flight Human Factors The term human factors can be defined as anything to do with humans. In aviation maintenance human conditions like stress, illness, complacency are important because if these factors are not taken care of can lead to fatal accidents. Human factors in aviation industry have become more significant as over the time it has been realized that in most airborne accidents, human error is the main reason rather than mechanical failure. Human Factors are too broad a definition for our understanding of its application in aircraft maintenance. It focuses on a wide range of challenges faced by any human in his/her day to day personal or professional life and when combined how they can lead to human errors and ultimately to a fatal accident. This report is the case study of one such incident, Alaska Airlines Flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD 83, which crashed into Pacific Ocean near Anacapa Island, California killing all 88 people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determ ines that the probable cause of this accident was a loss of airplane pitch control resulting from the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly’s acme nut threads. The thread failure was caused by excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airline’s insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly (NTSB (2003). Loss of Control and Impact with Pacific Ocean Alaska Airlines Flight 261. WASHINDTON, DC: NTSB. 180.) After going through the accident and studying all the possible causes of this fatal accident it has been observed that it was the chain of events that led to one error after the other. The Cheese Error Model is used for analysis to explain the causes. C:UsersYashikaDesktopswisscheese2.gif Fig 1 (http://www.aviation.unsw.edu.au/about/articles/swisscheese.html) SYNOPSIS According to NTSB report 2003, â€Å"on January 31, 2000, about 1621 Pacific standard time, Alaska Airlines flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, N963AS, crashed i nto the Pacific Ocean about 2.7 miles north of Anacapa Island, California. The 2 pilots, 3 cabin crewmembers, and 83 passengers on board were killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces. Flight 261 was operating as a scheduled international passenger flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from Lic Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington, with an intermediate stop planned at San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan.† (NTSB. (2003). HISTORY OF FLIGHT. In: NTSB Loss of Control and Impact with Pacific Ocean, Alaska Airlines Flight 261. WASHINDTON, DC: NTSB. 1.) PROBABLE CAUSE The National Transportation Safety Board carried out an intense investigation to find out what brought the flight 261 down and founded many r easons responsible for this accident. The NTSB report considered the main reason as the loss of airplane pitch control due to the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly’s acme nut threads. The thread failed because of excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airlines insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly. NTSB reports also mentions about the design flaw of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 as it didn’t have fail safe mechanism to prevent the disastrous effects of failure of acme nut threads.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Capstone Experience (Business Metrics) 2 Assignment

Capstone Experience (Business Metrics) 2 - Assignment Example Current ratio helps in calculating the firm’s ability to pay its short-term liabilities. It is calculated by dividing the current liabilities with the current assets (Mowen, Hansen, & Heitger, 2011). Using the on time delivery indicator to predict stock-out helps in measuring the operational efficiency of the business unit (Bidgoli, 2010). This follows from the derivation of information that ensures that the unit maintains sufficient stock for its operations. The gross operating profit per available room measures the competitiveness of the unit. This follows from the use of the rates to give measures that can maximize profitability of the unit. The current ratio seeks to measure the decision-making capacity. It gives insight into the prevailing financial situation, thus prompting appropriate actions to safeguard financial stability. The business unit seeks to maintain good relations with creditors. Therefore, the current ratio helps the business unit to preserve the trust of the organization’s creditors, by showing when there is need to negotiate with them on payment. The gross operating profit per available room assists the business in seeking a competitive edge in its operations. More to these, the stock-out predictor aligns to the unit’s strategy of promoting customer satisfaction (Stair & Reynolds,

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Scholarly Research Writing Assignment on Nursing Paper

Scholarly Writing Assignment on Nursing - Research Paper Example Health and Illness Health, illness, psychosocial aspects of health and their interrelations are an area that receives much debate among medical practitioners, psychologists and other stakeholders besides being accompanied by confusion among the public. Questions abound about the difference between health and illness and whether the absence of one translates to presence of the other, whether they are absolute or relative terms and particularly whether health means absence of all diseases in an individual’s body. The role of personal attitudes in disease causation and development in relation to the known psychosocial aspects of health and illness also elicits discussion. This calls for studies into the existing evidence on the entire concept of health, illness and the psychological influences on the two. 1. Health and Illness Before the two concepts can be compared and contrasted, it is important to understand why there is a need to define each of them. Data on morbidity is an i mportant aspect in healthcare systems around the world, and the views of individuals or societies on what health is and what it means to be ill is crucial to epidemiology. Different sections of the society seem to have different perspectives on the two concepts; lay people have their own views not necessarily based on biomedical tenets while even expert opinion appears unresolved. Moreover, illness and health perspectives or traditions impact the decisions of individuals to seek medical care or other alternatives. The patients’ views on health also may have an interesting comparison to what a medical practitioner diagnoses (Unden and Elofsson, 2001). Health is usually defined as a state, meaning that it is absolute rather than relative. In the state of health, one is completely well in terms of physical, social and psychological aspects. This description of health means that absence of diagnosable disease is not the only qualifier to determine whether a person is healthy or n ot. The other aspect that can be derived from this definition is that health is a positive concept. Illness on the other hand is defined as a state of not being well as self-reported by a patient. It is based on the physical or psychological symptoms that the patient reports and can vary from minor problems to serious ones. Illness is thus a negative concept. However, the health and illness concepts have been understood in several different perspectives. Most people’s understanding is that the two terms have an inverse relationship in that the more there is of one, the less there is of the other. This creates a scenario where health is not viewed as an absolute state and rather much of a relative state. Further perspectives are that health is an entirely different concept unrelated to illness hence definitions such as the capacity of action towards goals that are vital or the possibility of living meaningfully (Wikman, Marklund and Alexanderson, 2004). Van Dalen, Williams and Gudex (1994) explored the views of lay people on the concepts of health and illness. They found that the two concepts were closely related to such individuals, with health being termed as the absence of illness. Other individuals stated that health is the functional capacity of an individual, while other groups related it to fitness. Their study found out that personal health was less related to the

The Business Opportunity of XYZ in the UK and Chinese Automobile Essay

The Business Opportunity of XYZ in the UK and Chinese Automobile Sectors - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that in relation to the present rapid growth of the United Kingdom and Chinese automobile industries, XYZ is considerably recognized as one of the major companies in terms of producing middle and upper-class vehicles. The organization is considerably playing a crucial role in the UK and China automobile markets in terms of serving vehicles for the middle class and upper-class consumers. The customers in both the UK and Chinese markets desire for quality based world class stylish vehicles. The developed economy of the UK along with increasing population and demand of vehicles can increase the probability of success for the business to a considerable extent. In the similar context, the economic condition of China is further considered to be more stable among the developing nations of the world. Moreover, the business environments of both the markets are considered feasible and appropriate for XYZ to practice its business operations. Therefore , the report intends to significantly analyze the UK and China markets for XYZ automotive company through evaluating the relevant theories and evidence in the market. Moreover, the discussion will also focus on enclosing the automobile market scenario of the UK and China along with different issues concerning national institutional systems and cultural conditions of the nations. In addition, the assessment will further consider trends of trade and investment and consider measures to efficiently deal with possible issues during the investment portfolio that are required to effectively conduct XYZ’s operations in the UK and Chinese automobile markets. Analysis of National and Institutional Systems and Culture Conditions The international business approach encompasses conducting trading activities beyond the national boundaries. The term international business can be defined as the process practiced by an organization while functioning in more than one nation from a single count ry. In contrast, international business further considers expanding business operating units in different regions in order to smoothly conduct business practices. From the perspective of modern international business, it can be recognized that the global organizations are significantly facing different challenges and opportunities with regard to their successful expansion. With this concern, the national and institutional systems regarding trade policies are one of the major prohibitory aspects which can be recognized in the global countries. Therefore, an effective and adequate analysis of the countries can facilitate to obtain suitable solutions for the organizations in terms of conducting business practices in a foreign market.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Article # 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Article # 1 - Essay Example The article shows that fixed annual financial subscriptions are capable of sustaining HIE and at the same time ensure financial gains are realized to all the participants. From the findings of the article, it is notable that the HIE pricing approaches and recommendations will always depend on the characteristics of the study. The modeling approach can be effective and applicable to different populations. This offers useful insights for the pricing policies and the implementation guidelines to promote recommendations for proper financial allocations. The article explore an analytical approach to ensure the societal savings have been quantified for effective health information exchange thereby making it applicable in designing policies and best incentives for a sustainable HIE. The study is effective because it offers effective approaches and knowledge of the major ideas and concepts that can be adopted towards the realization of the best health information exchange. This will help to promote the best health financial allocations and decisions thereby making the process successful. The quality of the information is significant towards better health coordination and financial management. Different societies can find the discussion in the article relevant for effective financial management and better HIEs. Sridhar, S., Flatley, P., Wright S. & Robinson, S. (2012). Optimizing financial effects of HIE: A multi-party linear programming approach. Journal of American Medical Information Association. Available at

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Small Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Small Business - Essay Example The college has three academic batches out of which two were in post graduation, one in under graduation with a sum total of 150 students supported with 30 teaching staff and non-teaching staff. The students have to take a ten minutes walk if they want to board any transport means, to eat, to shop anything for their stay in the campus hostel. The working hours starts at 9:30 am in the morning breaks for a lunch at 12:40pm with a break in between at 11:15am.The College has a dining hall to cater the food facilities daily for both day scholars and hostellers. The payment is done monthly to the caterers .food is served only at three times a day morning breakfast, launch and dinner. A person doesn't get any snacks or eateries in between the sessions, as there was no facility in the campus other than the dining hall. The dining hall became a profit making entity for the caterers, as there is no other option to choose for the students and the staff working in the campus. The caterers have a confined market avenue with an assured customer base and started responding to their requirements. The caterers are having monopoly in this food service as there is only having sole business entity in the campus.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Germany and the German Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Germany and the German - Assignment Example Honestly, the film was a sorry reminder of a heinous event that all Germans and the rest of world wanted to forget. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe could not have been magnified through Eisenman’s architectural work as it seemed to emphasize the magnitude of death that defies rational and logical reasoning. People have already felt pain and anguish just to be reminded of the genocide that occurred during those times, especially the relatives of the victims. To be reminded time and again is creating a numbing experience which could have created callousness and indifference to the present generation. It is not to say that everyone has forgotten the incident. It is just to express that at times, those who were directly hurt and affected by the crimes would like to move on with the lives, remembering the happy times instead of the gruesome, painful events that cannot be retracted or changed by any form of monumental

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Pacem in Terris Essay Example for Free

Pacem in Terris Essay 1. Almost forty years ago, on Holy Thursday, 11 April 1963, Pope John XXIII published his epic Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris. Addressing himself to â€Å"all men of good will†, my venerable predecessor, who would die just two months later, summed up his message of â€Å"peace on earth† in the first sentence of the Encyclical: â€Å"Peace on earth, which all men of every era have most eagerly yearned for, can be firmly established and sustained only if the order laid down by God be dutifully observed† (Introduction: AAS, 55 [1963], 257). Speaking peace to a divided world 2. The world to which John XXIII wrote was then in a profound state of disorder. The twentieth century had begun with great expectations for progress. Yet within sixty years, that same century had produced two World Wars, devastating totalitarian systems, untold human suffering, and the greatest persecution of the Church in history. Only two years before Pacem in Terris, in 1961, the Berlin Wall had been erected in order to divide and set against each other not only two parts of that City but two ways of understanding and building the earthly city. On one side and the other of the Wall, life was to follow different patterns, dictated by antithetical rules, in a climate of mutual suspicion and mistrust. Both as a world-view and in real life, that Wall traversed the whole of humanity and penetrated peoples hearts and minds, creating divisions that seemed destined to last indefinitely. Moreover, just six months before the Encyclical, and just as the Second Vatican Council was opening in Rome, the world had come to the brink of a nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The road to a world of peace, justice and freedom seemed blocked. Humanity, many believed, was condemned to live indefinitely in that precarious condition of â€Å"cold war†, hoping against hope that neither an act of aggression nor an accident would trigger the worst war in human history. Available atomic arsenals meant that such a war would have imperiled the very future of the human race. 3. Pope John XXIII did not agree with those who claimed that peace was impossible. With his Encyclical, peace – in all its demanding truth – came knocking on both sides of the Wall and of all the other dividing walls. The Encyclical spoke to everyone of their belonging to the one human family, and shone a light on the shared aspiration of people everywhere to live in security, justice and hope for the future. With the profound intuition that characterized him, John XXIII identified the essential conditions for peace in four precise requirements of the human spirit: truth, justice, love and freedom (cf. ibid., I: l.c., 265-266). Truth will build peace if every individual sincerely acknowledges not only his rights, but also his own duties towards others. Justice will build peace if in practice everyone respects the rights of others and actually fulfils his duties towards them. Love will build peace if people feel the needs of others as their own and share what they have with others, especially the values of mind and spirit which they possess. Freedom will build peace and make it thrive if, in the choice of the means to that end, people act according to reason and assume responsibility for their own actions. Looking at the present and into the future with the eyes of faith and reason, Blessed John XXIII discerned deeper historical currents at work. Things were not always what they seemed on the surface. Despite wars and rumours of wars, something more was at work in human affairs, something that to the Pope looked like the promising beginning of a spiritual revolution. A new awareness of human dignity and inalienable human rights 4. Humanity, John XXIII wrote, had entered a new stage of its journey (cf. ibid., I: l.c., 267-269). The end of colonialism and the rise of newly independent States, the protection of workers rights, the new and welcome presence of women in public life, all testified to the fact that the human race was indeed entering a new phase of its history, one characterized by â€Å"the conviction that all men are equal by reason of their natural dignity† (ibid., I: l.c.,268). The Pope knew that that dignity was still being trampled upon in many parts of the world. Yet he was convinced that, despite the dramatic situation, the world was becoming increasingly conscious of certain spiritual values, and increasingly open to the meaning of those pillars of peace – truth, justice, love, and freedom (cf. ibid., I: l.c., 268-269). Seeking to bring these values into local, national and international life, men and women were becoming more aware that their relationship with God, the source of all good, must be the solid foundation and supreme criterion of their lives, as individuals and in society (cf. ibid.). This evolving spiritual intuition would, the Pope was convinced, have profound public and political consequences. Seeing the growth of awareness of human rights that was then emerging within nations and at the international level, Pope John XXIII caught the potential of this phenomenon and understood its singular power to change history. What was later to happen in central and eastern Europe would confirm his insight. The road to peace, he taught in the Encyclical, lay in the defence and promotion of basic human rights, which every human being enjoys, not as a benefit given by a different social class or conceded by the State but simply because of our humanity: â€Å"Any human society, if it is to be well-ordered and productive, must lay down as a foundation this principle, namely, that every human being is a person, that is, his nature is endowed with intelligence and free will. Indeed, precisely because he is a person he has rights and obligations, flowing directly and simultaneously from his very nature. And as these rights and obligations are universal and inviolable so they cannot in any way be surrendered† (ibid., 259). As history would soon show, this was not simply an abstract idea; it was an idea with profound consequences. Inspired by the conviction that every human being is equal in dignity, and that society therefore had to adapt its form to that conviction, human rights movements soon arose and gave concrete political expression to one of the great dynamics of contemporary history: the quest for freedom as an indispensable component of work for peace. Emerging in virtually every part of the world, these movements were instrumental in replacing dictatorial forms of government with more democratic and participatory ones. They demonstrated in practice that peace and progress could only be achieved by respecting the universal moral law written on the human heart (cf. John Paul II, Address to the United Nations General Assembly, 5 October 1995, No. 3). The universal common good 5. On another point too Pacem in Terris showed itself prophetic, as it looked to the next phase of the evolution of world politics. Because the world was becoming increasingly interdependent and global, the common good of humanity had to be worked out on the international plane. It was proper, Pope John XXIII taught, to speak of a â€Å"universal common good † (Pacem in Terris, IV: l.c., 292). One of the consequences of this evolution was the obvious need for a public authority, on the international level, with effective capacity to advance the universal common good; an authority which could not, the Pope immediately continued, be established by coercion but only by the consent of nations. Such a body would have to have as its fundamental objective the â€Å"recognition, respect, safeguarding, and promotion of the rights of the human person† (ibid., IV: l.c., 294). Not surprisingly therefore John XXIII looked with hope and expectation to the United Nations Organization, which had come into being on June 26, 1945. He saw that Organization as a credible instrument for maintaining and strengthening world peace, and he expressed particular appreciation of its 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which he considered â€Å"an approximation towards the establishment of a juridical and political organization of the world community† (ibid., IV: l.c., 295). What he was saying in fact was that the Declaration set out the moral foundations on which the evolution of a world characterized by order rather than disorder, and by dialogue rather than force, could proceed. He was suggesting that the vigorous defence of human rights by the United Nations Organization is the indispensable foundation for the development of that Organizations capacity to promote and defend international security. Not only is it clear that Pope John XXIIIs vision of an effective international public authority at the service of human rights, freedom and peace has not yet been entirely achieved, but there is still in fact much hesitation in the international community about the obligation to respect and implement human rights. This duty touchesall fundamental rights, excluding that arbitrary picking and choosing which can lead to rationalizing forms of discrimination and injustice. Likewise, we are witnessing the emergence of an alarming gap between a series of new â€Å"rights† being promoted in advanced societies – the result of new prosperity and new technologies – and other more basic human rights still not being met, especially in situations of underdevelopment. I am thinking here for example about the right to food and drinkable water, to housing and security, to self-determination and independence – which are still far from being guaranteed and realized. Peace demands that this tension be speedily reduced and in time eliminated. Another observation needs to be made: the international community, which since 1948 has possessed a charter of the inalienable rights of the human person, has generally failed to insist sufficiently on corresponding duties. It is duty that establishes the limits within which rights must be contained in order not to become an exercise in arbitrariness. A greater awareness of universal human duties would greatly benefit the cause of peace, setting it on the moral basis of a shared recognition of an order in things which is not dependent on the will of any individual or group. A new international moral order 6. Nevertheless it remains true that, despite many difficulties and setbacks, significant progress has been made over the past forty years towards the implementation of Pope Johns noble vision. The fact that States throughout the world feel obliged to honour the idea of human rights shows how powerful are the tools of moral conviction and spiritual integrity, which proved so decisive in the revolution of conscience that made possible the 1989 non-violent revolution that displaced European communism. And although distorted notions of freedom as licence continue to threaten democracy and free societies, it is surely significant that, in the forty years since Pacem in Terris, much of the world has become more free, structures of dialogue and cooperation between nations have been strengthened, and the threat of a global nuclear war, which weighed so heavily on Pope John XXIII, has been effectively contained. Boldly, but with all humility, I would like to suggest that the Churchs fifteen-hundred-year-old teaching on peace as â€Å"tranquillitas ordinis – the tranquillity of order† as Saint Augustine called it (De Civitate Dei, 19, 13), which was brought to a new level of development forty years ago by Pacem in Terris, has a deep relevance for the world today, for the leaders of nations as well as for individuals. That there is serious disorder in world affairs is obvious. Thus the question to be faced remains: What kind of order can replace this disorder, so that men and women can live in freedom, justice, and security? And since the world, amid its disorder, continues nevertheless to be â€Å"ordered† and organized in various ways – economic, cultural, even political – there arises another equally urgent question: On what principles are these new forms of world order unfolding? These far-reaching questions suggest that the problem of order in world affairs, which is the problem of peace rightly understood, cannot be separated from issues of moral principle. This is another way of saying that the question of peace cannot be separated from the question of human dignity and human rights. That is one of the enduring truths taught by Pacem in Terris, which we would do well to remember and reflect upon on this fortieth anniversary. Is this not the time for all to work together for a new constitutional organization of the human family, truly capable of ensuring peace and harmony between peoples, as well as their integral development? But let there be no misunderstanding. This does not mean writing the constitution of a global super-State. Rather, it means continuing and deepening processes already in place to meet the almost universal demand for participatory ways of exercising political authority, even international political authority, and for transparency and accountability at every level of public life. With his confidence in the goodness he believed could be found in every human person, Pope John XXIII called the entire world to a nobler vision of public life and public authority, even as he boldly challenged the world to think beyond its present state of disorder to new forms of international order commensurate with human dignity. The bond between peace and truth 7. Against those who think of politics as a realm of necessity detached from morality and subject only to partisan interests, Pope John XXIII, in Pacem in Terris, outlined a truer picture of human reality and indicated the path to a better future for all. Precisely because human beings are created with the capacity for moral choice, no human activity takes place outside the sphere of moral judgment. Politics is a human activity; therefore, it too is subject to a distinctive form of moral scrutiny. This is also true of international politics. As the Pope wrote: â€Å"The same natural law that governs the life and conduct of individuals must also regulate the relations of political communities with one another† (Pacem in Terris, III: l.c., 279). Those who imagine that international public life takes place somewhere outside the realm of moral judgment need only reflect on the impact of human rights movements on the national and international politics of the twentieth century just concluded. These developments, anticipated by the teaching of the Encyclical, decisively refute the claim that international politics mustof necessity be a â€Å"free zone† in which the moral law holds no sway. Perhaps nowhere today is there a more obvious need for the correct use of political authority than in the dramatic situation of the Middle East and the Holy Land. Day after day, year after year, the cumulative effect of bitter mutual rejection and an unending chain of violence and retaliation have shattered every effort so far to engage in serious dialogue on the real issues involved. The volatility of the situation is compounded by the clash of interests among the members of the international community. Until those in positions of responsibility undergo a veritable revolution in the way they use their power and go about securing their peoples welfare, it is difficult to imagine how progress towards peace can be made. The fratricidal struggle that daily convulses the Holy Land and brings into conflict the forces shaping the immediate future of the Middle East shows clearly the need for men and women who, out of conviction, will implement policies firmly based on the principle of respect for human dignity and human rights. Such policies are incomparably more advantageous to everyone than the continuation of conflict. A start can be made on the basis of this truth, which is certainly more liberating than propaganda, especially when that propaganda serves to conceal inadmissible intentions. The premises of a lasting peace 8. There is an unbreakable bond between the work of peace and respect for truth. Honesty in the supply of information, equity in legal systems, openness in democratic procedures give citizens a sense of security, a readiness to settle controversies by peaceful means, and a desire for genuine and constructive dialogue, all of which constitute the true premises of a lasting peace. Political summits on the regional and international levels serve the cause of peace only if joint commitments are then honoured by each party. Otherwise these meetings risk becoming irrelevant and useless, with the result that people believe less and less in dialogue and trust more in the use of force as a way of resolving issues. The negative repercussions on peace resulting from commitments made and then not honoured must be carefully assessed by State and government leaders. Pacta sunt servanda, says the ancient maxim. If at all times commitments ought to be kept, promises made to the poor should be considered particularly binding. Especially frustrating for them is any breach of faith regarding promises which they see as vital to their well-being. In this respect, the failure to keep commitments in the sphere of aid to developing nations is a serious moral question and further highlights the injustice of the imbalances existing in the world. The suffering caused by poverty is compounded by the loss of trust. The end result is hopelessness. The existence of trust in international relations is a social capital of fundamental value. A culture of peace 9. In the end, peace is not essentially about structures but about people. Certain structures and mechanisms of peace – juridical, political, economic – are of course necessary and do exist, but they have been derived from nothing other than the accumulated wisdom and experience of innumerable gestures of peace made by men and women throughout history who have kept hope and have not given in to discouragement. Gestures of peace spring from the lives of people who foster peace first of all in their own hearts. They are the work of the heart and of reason in those who are peacemakers (cf. Mt 5:9). Gestures of peace are possible when people appreciate fully the community dimension of their lives, so that they grasp the meaning and consequences of events in their own communities and in the world. Gestures of peace create a tradition and a culture of peace. Religion has a vital role in fostering gestures of peace and in consolidating conditions for peace.It exercises this role all the more effectively if it concentrates on what is proper to it: attention to God, the fostering of universal brotherhood and the spreading of a culture of human solidarity. The Day of Prayer for Peacewhich I promoted in Assisi on 24 January 2002, involving representatives of many religions, had this purpose. It expressed a desire to nurture peace by spreading a spirituality and a culture of peace. The legacy of Pacem in Terris 10. Blessed Pope John XXIII was a man unafraid of the future. He was sustained in his optimism by his deep trust in God and in man, both of which grew out of the sturdy climate of faith in which he had grown up. Moved by his trust in Providence, even in what seemed like a permanent situation of conflict, he did not hesitate to summon the leaders of his time to a new vision of the world. This is the legacy that he left us. On this World Day of Peace 2003, let us all resolve to have his same outlook: trust in the merciful and compassionate God who calls us to brotherhood, and confidence in the men and women of our time because, like those of every other time, they bear the image of God in their souls. It is on this basis that we can hope to build a world of peace on earth. At the beginning of a new year in our human history, this is the hope that rises spontaneously from the depths of my heart: that in the spirit of every individual there may be a renewed dedication to the noble mission which Pacem in Terris proposed forty years ago to all men and women of good will. The task, which the Encyclical called â€Å"immense†, is that â€Å"of establishing new relationships in human society, under the sway and guidance of truth, justice, love, and freedom†. Pope John indicated that he was referring to â€Å"relations between individual citizens, between citizens and their respective States, between States, and finally between individuals, families, intermediate associations and States on the one hand, and the world community on the other†. He concluded by saying that â€Å"to bring about true peace in accordance with divinely established order† was a â€Å"most noble task† (Pacem in Terris, V: l.c., 301-302).. The fortieth anniversary of Pacem in Terris is an apt occasion to return to Pope John XXIIIs prophetic teaching. Catholic communities will know how to celebrate this anniversary during the year with initiatives which, I hope, will have an ecumenical and interreligious character and be open to all those who have a heartfelt desire â€Å"to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another and to pardon those who have done them wrong† (l.c., 304). I accompany this hope with a prayer to Almighty God, the source of all our good. May he who calls us from oppression and conflict to freedom and cooperation for the good of all help people everywhere to build a world of peace ever more solidly established on the four pillars indicated by Blessed Pope John XXIII in his historic Encyclical: truth, justice, love, freedom. From the Vatican, 8 December 2002

Friday, September 20, 2019

Child Abuse Types and Features: Literature Review

Child Abuse Types and Features: Literature Review An ugly word that has manifested into action and has resided in the homes of many today (specifically in north America) is abuse. Abuse takes many forms and leaves its mark in many different ways. In addition to this, abuse also often occurs between people who are close to each other (within the family), which would say that domestic abuse is most common in our society. Although abuse is certainly not restricted to the family, this paper will examine the different ways that abuse takes place within the context of children being the victims. The biggest issue that takes place is child abuse is that fact that a child seeks after security. Proof of this is seen how children cling on to a security blanket, or a teddy bear or rag doll that they drag around with them wherever they go.1 In other words, children who have been or who are being abused receive the exact oppose of what they truthfully desire and need. With this, the focus will be centred towards the physical and emotional effect s of physical abuse and sexual abuse amongst children. This topic is certainly a sensitive topic for many, and this paper will even contain personal stories of individuals that have become victims to all kinds of abuse. To understand abuse, we must firstly understand how abuse actually works. It is common for people to find themselves in an abusive relationship. Although, it is interesting to note that people who are in abusive relationships tend to either stay in that relationship or leave and find themselves in the same situation with another individual. Why does this occur? Why do people stay with those who are abusive towards them? This is commonly seen in marital relationships, but it is interesting to note that it is applicable to a parent-child relationship, because there is a cycle, and its referred as the cycle of abuse. When dealing with physical abuse, this occurs in a cycle of three phases. It begins with a tension-building period, then an acute battering incident, and concluding with a reconciliation/loving phase. Nevertheless, generally speaking, the abuse tends to have a pattern of getting worst and worst.2 Although, it all begins at the  first stage. Tension building said to have been done by both members (the abuser and the victim). Lets say that the incident is between a husband and a wife, the wife can try to please her husband by working to keep him calm through the way she converses with him; in other words, to not provoke him to anger. Although, it is important to remember that the abuser is always responsible for his/her actions. Although the point that the victim provokes the anger of the abuser is often used from the abuser to the victim.3 This is how the tension arises. The second phase is when the physical assault actually occurs. Although, only about half of the instances of physical abuse actually result in visible injuries, while the rest of injuries go unnoticed to the eye.4 On this phase, it is  interesting to note that these abusive relationships that do not terminate in divorce are at high risk to terminate due to the untimely death of someone.5 During the third phase, this is where any physical tension or phy sical or physical abuse is absent. Thus, this is usually where the lovey phase of the relationship takes place. Although, in many cases of studies, it was difficult to find any positive behaviour, but there was at least no form of  tension building or physical assault taking place.6 This is a general point of how abusively occurs, it is foundational to the remainder of this topic because of abuse cycles around these phases. Continuing forwards with physical abuse, it is important, yet difficult to draw the line between abuse and discipline. A Decima poll was taken up and found that one in three Canadian parents admit to slapping and spanking, and parents of young children under six are twice as likely to use physical punishment as parents of older children.7 Although, experts find difficulty in finding where they are to draw the line between disciple and abuse when examining this poll. Therefore, a further examination by a 1991 Gallup poll found that one in six Canadians (17 percent) exclaim that they have personal awareness of a serious instance of physical abuse of children by a parent. With this, another study was done that showed that about 37% took no action whatsoever to make efforts to intervene.8 These numbers show that abuse in Canada is  surely not a foreign concept, but seems to have made its home here. Although, there is more to understand when dealing with studies on abuse. Very little attention is given to the specific impact of child abuse on the children themselves. This research is crucial for two main reasons. Firstly, research has been showing that the temperament of infants has a profound effect on the interaction between the caretaker and infant.9 Further studying on these children would help to determine the characteristics in the infant that contribute the difficulties of the parents which leads their frustration to abuse. The second reason would be to examine more precisely the distorting on the infants development, and by how much these distortions can be treated by remedial measures.10 Nevertheless, studies have been done, showing that physical abuse has had effects. These can be seen through neurological damage, growth failures, and psychological damage. During a study conducted in 1974, a sample of abused children was examined for neurological damage. The study showed that 53% of the children pertained some level of neurological abnormality. In addition to this, a third of this 53 % children had a severe abnormality.11 This can surely be linked to physical assault to the head of the  child, but violent shaking leads to this as well. Nevertheless, the evidence from this study concluded that the nervous system of abused children can also be a risk from environmental and psychological stresses that the children are exposed to.12 These  neurological abnormalities can certainly be caused by living within an abusive environment. Studies have shown that children with immersion burns, pattern burns, head and internal injuries may point towards this sort of abuse, making these signs an indication for physical abuse.13 It is sad to say, but it is often the case that growth retardation accompanies child abuse. With the use of many studies, it is clear that poor physical growth and poor nutrition is found in about 25-35% of abused children.14 Continuing on growth failures, it is clear that children who are undernourished (being a form of abuse) and physically abused have a much poorer mental function.15 These statistics make sense because, during the growth of children, the brain and other vital organs are growing. So, if they are not met by proper nutrition or take multiple blows to the head, or receive aggressive shaking, then, logically, this statistic must make sense. Nevertheless, there are also signs of psychological damage when speaking of abuse done to children. Several studies done in the mid-1970s examined the behaviours of 50 children, 4 and a half years after they had been abused. These studies showed that over half of the children had poor self-concepts, they were sorrowful individuals, and they exhibited behaviours that made peers, parents, and teachers reject them.16 In fact, there were  nine characteristics that caused this. These characteristics are imparted capacity to relax/enjoy life, psychiatric symptoms (such as tantrums, hyperactivity, and bizarre behaviours0, low self-esteem, academic learning difficulties, withdrawal, opposition, hypervigilance, compulsivity, and pseudo nature behaviour.17 These figures are  staggering because it shows that abuse certainly has a long-term effect on children; not just in terms of growth issues or neurological damage (as said above), but even with how they behave and acts towards others. It seems that the issues that come out of abuse will be issues that they face for their lifetime. Emotional abuse is very interesting, because unlike physical abuse, you cannot see it or point it out as easily. This is why its interesting to see that abuse can and does take place in many different forms. Knowing this should keep the eyes of parents, teachers, and leaders in general peeled for these different forms of abuse. Luckily, there are signs for all sorts of abuse, even emotional. Although, its significant to note that even people who have normally healthy interactions with no display of physical or sexual violence can engage in emotionally abusive interactions form time to time.18 Moving forwards, infants who are not met with their sufficient level of emotional care are linked with an uninvolvement with their parents (through basic interactions). An effect of this emotional abuse is found in multiple things, such as their play time. The infants that are not met by their emotional needs are seen to be lacking in their persistent and creative qualities than of those infants who have their needs met; also, their play seems  to be disorganized compared to the other children.19   In addition, these children have  been found to have depressive qualities of listless metric retardation and lack of energy.20   Another test was done that composed of the mothers of the emotionally abused infants, and a complete stranger. Now, it would certainly be uncommon for an infant to react more positively towards a stranger than their mothers. Although, this was the case; about 20% of the responses towards the strangers was more positive than towards the mothers.21 With this study, 40% of children responded the same way  towards both the strangers and their mothers, while the last 40% of these children were clearly more positive towards their mothers.22 This study is very interesting for the fact  that it seems that the parents should be heartbroken. The fact that children who are not met by their emotional needs from their parents react more positive to strangers than towards their actual parents, seems to indicate that these children are just seeking an emotional bond from an older, more authoritative figure. Whether that is their parents or not, they desire to have that need met as a primary nee d; a need of top importance. Nevertheless, some of the children (40%) still react more positive to their parents rather than a stranger. Reading this sounds like as though these children are still giving their parents (specifically in this study, their mothers) another chance to be their primitive source of emotional care, rather than looking towards a stranger for that need to be met. Sexual abuse appears to be the one form of abuse that is least reported.   Emotional abuse or even physical abuse can be hard to detect, but sexual abuse may even be the hardest to detect for the fact that people do not like to confess what has been done to them. Firstly, it is important to understand what is sexual abuse can range from. Which can be from sexual exposure things (such as pornography from a young age) to the touching or fondling of another, or even sexual intercourse. Examples of this can be an adult showing his/her genitals to a child, an adult asking a child to undress, an adult touching the genitals of a child, asking a child to touch the genitals of the adult, forced masturbation,23 and the list goes on. Although, a fair question to ask is How can  most people get away with sexually abusing children? One of the main reasons is given by Hancock, when she says, As a child, you dont feel like you have any right to question what an adult is doing. Youre brought up to respect adults and think that they know what is best. I found myself sayin g, Well, I guess it must be O.K. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Hes a grown up.24 Its true. As children are brought up, they are taught to listen to their elders, and that older people are right because of their age and wisdom of life, which isnt always true. Nevertheless, people who have done through sexual abuse dont want to speak up about their troubling past experiences because they believe that Its nobody elses business, or that they undermine what occurred, or even because they dont want their parents to figure out because theres a sense of shame for what happened.25 Nevertheless, there are symptoms that can be seen for those who have been sexually abused as children. These symptoms can range from symptoms of PTSD and depression, drug abuse and alcoholism, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, underachievement at school and at work, and even issues with intimate relationships.26 Its helpful to have these symptoms because knowing and understanding them could change, or even save a life from broke nness. Sexual abuse is certainly more of an issue for women than it is for men, because even have a tendency of wanting to exercise a level of dominance over women, but it is important to know that men can and are sexually abused. In fact, a study done in 2003 showed that U.S. male adults, about 14.2% of them, were sexually abused before the age of 18.27 This shows that it isnt just  an issue with women, but also for men. Overall, abuse is a vague, yet common word seen manifest into actions in north America. Whether it is physical abuse, emotional abuse, or even sexual abuse, it is a common issue that seems to be getting more attention as studies are done on it. As seen, the outcomes of those who have been sexually abused must be taken seriously in order to show to other victims that they can speak up and receive justice for the acts that have been committed against them. Whether it is those who have been physical abusive by a parent or sexually abused by and uncle, all victims should feel safe and secure to open up to people who can work to find justice being done for those who have been robbed of their childhood, and even their lives. 1 John M. Drescher. Seven Things Children Need. (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press), 1976, 35. 2  Anne L. Horton. Abuse and religion: when praying isnt enough. (Lexington, Mass. u.a.:  Lexington Books), 1988, 18. 3 Ibid, 19. 4 Ibid, 19. 5 Ibid, 19. 6 Ibid, 19. 7 John Frederick, Conway. The Canadian family in crisis. (Toronto: J. Lorimer), 2003, 90. 8 Ibid, 90. 9 Neil Frude. Psychological approaches to child abuse. (Totowa: Rowman and Littlefield), 1981, 120. 10 Ibid, 120. 11 Ibid, 154. 12 Ibid, 155. 13Karel Kurst-Swanger, and Jacqueline L. Petcosky. Violence in the home: multidisciplinary perspectives. (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press), 2003, 65. 14 Neil Frude. Psychological approaches to child abuse. (Totowa: Rowman and Littlefield), 1981, 156. 15 Ibid, 156. 16 Ibid, 156. 17 Ibid, 157. 18 Karel Kurst-Swanger, and Jacqueline L. Petcosky. Violence in the home: multidisciplinary perspectives. (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press), 2003, 113. 19 Neil Frude. Psychological approaches to child abuse. (Totowa: Rowman and Littlefield), 1981,126. 20 Ibid, 126. 21 Ibid, 125. 22 Ibid, 125. 23 Maxine Hancock, and Karen Burton. Mains. Child sexual abuse: hope for healing. (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers), 1997, 6. 24 Ibid, 5. 25 SiteWizard. Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Child sexual abuse facts. Accessed March 24, 2017. https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/quick_facts.htm, para 4. 26 The 1 in 6 Statistic. 1in6. January 1, 2017. Accessed March 24, 2017. http://1in6.org/the-1- in-6-statistic/? gclid=CjwKEAjwh9PGBRCfso2n3ODgvUcSJAAhpW5ouQSjBwcKyLP9OXyXNvkR4iuZVypisYN 9E6MePsf9oRoCOpPw_wcB, para 2. 27 Ibid, para 2. Bibliography Conway, John Frederick. The Canadian family in crisis. Toronto: J. Lorimer, 2003. Drescher, John M. Seven Things Children Need. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1976. Frude, Neil. Psychological approaches to child abuse. Totowa: Rowman and Littlefield, 1981. Hancock, Maxine, and Karen Burton. Mains. Child sexual abuse: hope for healing. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1997. Horton, Anne L. Abuse and religion: when praying isnt enough. Lexington, Mass. u.a.: Lexington Books, 1988. Kurst-Swanger, Karel, and Jacqueline L. Petcosky. Violence in the home: multidisciplinary perspectives. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2003. SiteWizard. Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Child sexual abuse facts. Accessed March 24, 2017. https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/quick_facts.htm. The 1 in 6 Statistic. 1in6. January 1, 2017. Accessed March 24, 2017. http://1in6.org/the-1-in-6-statistic/?gclid=CjwKEAjwh9PGBRCfso2n3ODgvUcSJAAhpW5ouQSjBwcKyLP9OXyXNvkR4iuZ VypisYN9E6MePsf9oRoCOpPw_wcB.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Great Exhibition Building in Dublin Essay -- Architecture History

Dublin 1853 Main Hall This image is a beautiful color lithograph, measuring 25 by 35 inches, which features the main hall of the Great Exhibition Building in Dublin in great detail. The hall was 425 feet in length by 100 in width, and 105 in height. In the back there is a large organ. Displayed high on the walls are flags from different countries. The building is best described by The Illustrated Dublin Exhibition Catalogue, which says: Presenting a front to Merrion-square of 300 feet, the main or centre feature of elevation consists of a semicircular projection, which forms the Eastern termination of the Central Hall. This in a noble apartment of 425 feet in length, and 100 feet in height, covered by a semicircular roof trellis robs, in one span of 100 feet. On each side of the Centre upon trellis ribs, in one span of 100 feet. On each side of the Centre Hall, and running parallel to it for the same length, are two halls 50 feet wide, with domed roofs, similar to that which covers the main nave or hall of the building. The Height from the floor to the roof of each of these halls is 65 feet. They are approached through passages from the Centre Hall. In addition to these three halls are four compartments of 25 feet wide, running the whole length of the building; two are placed between the Centre Hall and the side halls, and two on each side of the latter; divided into sections of 25 feet square, forming convenien t divisions for the purposes of classification. Over these compartments are spacious galleries, also running the length of the building, which not only afford increased space for exhibition, but form an agreeable promenade from whence the effect of the three halls may be seen to greater advantage. To the south ... ...or, which made its splendid halls themselves, examples of an incentives to something higher and grander in design than had before been attained (Sproule). "The Building itself was perhaps the most successful novelty exhibited, both in Art and Manufacture (Sproule)." No information on the fate of the Great Exhibition Building, other than it no longer stands and no attempt was made to rebuild the structure with more permanent materials. Works Cited: Findling, John E., editor, Historical Dictionary of World's Fairs and Expositions, 1851-1988. New York: Greenwood Press, 1990. p. 10-11 Ingram, J.S., The Centennial Exposition; Described and Illustrated. St. Louis: Hubbard Bros., 1876. p. 31-33 The Illustrated Dublin Exhibition Catalogue. London: Virtue, 1853. p. v Sproule, John. Irish Industrial Exhibition 1853. London: William S. Orr & Co., 1854. p. 27-41.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

To What Extent Did D.C. Stephenson Affect the Fall of the Ku Klux Klan

A. Plan of Investigation The focus of this investigation was to understand and determine to what extent D.C. Stephenson affected the fall of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1920s. During the 1920s the Klan had an all time high of membership across the United States and was a large part of American society. The Klan was prevalent in everyday society and in politics, and was a positive presence for many Americans. However, the Klan was pushed into a negative light due to Stephenson kidnapping and raping Madge Oberholtzer. Membership in the Klan dropped shortly after, and many blame Stephenson. In order to decide whether or not Stephenson was responsible, the Klan was examined during Stephenson’s involvement, and the aftermath of his involvement. D.C. Stephenson was also examined to better understand how he could have changed the course of the KKK. Sources that discussed the Klan and Stephenson were looked at, like They Called Themselves the KKK, and. Citizen Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan in Indiana. Those sour ces, among others, helped give a better understanding of D.C. Stephenson and how he affected the KKK. B. Summary of Evidence The Ku Klux Klan began in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865 (Martin). It started out as a group of men creating a social club, mainly for confederate soldiers who had fought in the war. Its name is derived from kuklos, meaning circle of friends (Martin). It was a secret society with rules and codes, and men were given special titles (Bartoletti,25). The nature of the Klan was not originally to be destructive, but as it began to grow and more white men and confederate soldiers joined, the purpose changed. Tension grew across the country as Reconstruction went under way and white southerners were unhappy. The Kl... ...." Dying Declaration of Madge Oberholtzer. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. "Ku Klux Klan." Civil Rights in the United States. Ed. Waldo E. Martin, Jr. and Patricia Sullivan. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2000. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. "Ku Klux Klan." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. Lutholtz, M. William. Grand Dragon: D.C. Stephenson and the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue UP, 1991. Print. MacLean, Nancy. Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan. New York: Oxford UP, 1994. Print. McDonnell, Janet, Ann Angel, and Carolyn Kott. Washburne. America in the 20th Century. North Bellmore, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 1995. Print. Moore, Leonard Joseph. Citizen Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, 1921-1928. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina, 1991. Print.

Comparison of XTO Energy and Devon Energy Companies :: Energy Business Companies Workforce Essays

Comparison of XTO Energy and Devon Energy Companies Company Background XTO Energy Inc. is a premier domestic natural gas and oil producer engaged in the acquisition, exploitation and development of quality, long-lived gas and oil properties. The Company, whose predecessor companies were established in 1986, completed its initial public offering in May 1993. Its properties and activities are concentrated in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska and Louisiana. Competitive Environment XTO operates in the lower-cap oil and gas business. They compete directly with larger independent companies like Devon Energy, Anadarko, and Apache. XTO’s main focus is acquiring established, long-lived properties, which are low in risk, and apply the best technology possible to maximize production. Structure Based on interviews with management, we found that XTO’s management style encourages innovation. Employees are encouraged to ask for forgiveness and not permission. We’ve learned this semester through lecture and readings, that this management technique empowers employees and gives them the autonomy they like and the freedom to create. Employees that work under this type of management style are not faced with the possibility of loosing their jobs if they make a business decision that turns out to have negative consequences. Employees are free to innovate and take pragmatic risks. The company culture at XTO is described as laid back and relaxed. XTO believes that major oil and gas companies are unable to implement this type of culture due to their size. Since XTO is smaller, the company is able to deploy a much different policy from what the majors employ. As the company rapidly grows, this relaxed practice has become a concern for XTO’s management. The compa ny has recently grown so much that they’ve had to pull back slightly on the relaxed atmosphere. Management has been working with Human Resources to increase the amount of structure within the company. It remains to be seen if this policy will stifle company innovation. XTO’s main focus in managing people has been to adapt and adhere to employees’ interests and skills. If an employee becomes unproductive or disinterested with her current job accountabilities, management will find alternatives for the employee first before termination. Management will transfer an employee to a business unit where she may have the best opportunity to excel, and where her skill set and interests will be most utilized - an alignment with the â€Å"best practices† concept studied in this course.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Balanced Diet for an Adult Essay

Food is an integral part of human life providing energy for cellular activities to keep us healthy. According to World Health Organization (2013), healthy nutrition is ingesting an adequate and well balanced diet in relation to the body’s dietary needs and when combined with regular physical activities is the cornerstone to good health. A diet containing the right portions of all the five food groups of the Eatwell Plate (figure1 and appendix1 for recommended servings) known as a balanced diet will provide the organic macronutrients including proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and the micronutrients, vitamins and minerals to sustain life. Only ingested carbohydrates, proteins and lipids will count towards total caloric intake and will be digested into monomers like glucose for absorption and assimilation. National Health Service (2012) recommends daily caloric intake of 2500Kcal and 2000Kcal which will be derived from the proteins, lipids and carbohydrate sources in a diet for average adult males and females respectively. Age, sex, health condition and physical activities influence dietary needs. This essay will discuss a balanced diet for an adult including the structure, sources, functions, recommended daily allowance (RDAs), deficiency and excessive effects of the macronutrients. Also the micronutrients and water which are not considered as nutrients will be discussed. THE FOOD PYRAMID [pic]Figure1 (NHS 2011) Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. British Nutrition Foundation (2013), recommends that 47.7% (203g) and 48.5% (275g) of daily energy should come from carbohydrates for females and males respectively with 29g being roughages. Carbohydrates exist naturally or refined as monosaccharides that are reducing sugars. Monosaccharides build the complex carbohydrates, disaccharides and polysaccharides through dehydration synthesis. Monosaccharides have general formula (CH2O)n where ‘n’ determines whether pentose(5Carbons) or hexose (6Carbons). Glucose found in maple syrup, fructose in corn syrup and galactose in honey are hexose-isomers; having the same formula, C6H12O6 but different structures. The disaccharides with the general formula C12H22O11 are sucrose made from fructose and glucose, maltose from two glucose molecules and lactose from galactose and glucose. Sucrose is derived from beet sugar, lactose from milk and maltose from vinegar. The polysaccharides with general formula (C6H10O5)n where 40≠¤n≠¤3000, exist as starch or non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) which can be soluble or insoluble. Starch consists of glucose molecules joined by glycosidic bonds. The NSPs include oligosaccharide (raffinose) and cellulose (dietary fibre). Potatoes, yams and cassava are rich in starch and are very digestible. Whole grain cereals, legumes (appendix2), fruits and storage vegetables like asparagus and cabbage are rich in the NSPs. Raffinose is an indigestible trisaccharide of fructose,glucose and galactose with formula C18H32O16. Animal sources of carbohydrates are liver and scallops. Carbohydrates provide sweetness and are the primary source of energy especially for brain and blood cells. Cellular respiration converts glucose monomers into ATP. Fats cannot be oxidised without glucose. Most NSPs are partially digestible or indigestible due to lack of ÃŽ ±-galactosidae (enzyme) in GI Tract. They reduce glycaemia index and plasma cholesterol levels, increase bile acid excretion, promote normal laxation and prevent breast cancer, gallstones, haemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome (Kumar et all 2012). Furthermore, Kumar (2012) concluded that excessive carbohydrates will cause dental decay, kidney damage, stroke, diabetes due to obesity and short term conditions like hyperglycaemia. Carbohydrate deficiency will cause constipation, fatigue, weak immunity, muscle cramps and ketosis; this is very rare as 50g/day of carbohydrate is needed to prevent ketosis. THE DEHYDRATION SYNTHESIS TO FORM MALTOSE [pic]Figure2 EQUATION: (C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 = C12H22O11 + H2O) (Marshall University 2012) Proteins or polypeptides consist of three to 100000 or more long chains of the organic molecules called amino acids joined together by covalent peptide bonds. A protein of two amino acids is called a dipeptide. There are 20 common forms of amino acids either termed non-essential (synthesised by the liver) and essential that needs to be ingested. Proteins consist of a central carbon atom, a hydrogen atom, amino group (-NH2), Carboxylic group (-COOH) and the variable R group (figure3). The term amino acid is derived from the amino and carboxylic groups that all amino acids have in common. According Kuil (2012), principal sources of proteins are lean meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, cereals, legumes (refer to appendix3), cereals and processed food like low-fat milk. Proteins form about 45% of human body and perform the following seven essential functions: structural (hair, ligaments), contractile (muscles), transport (haemoglobin), metabolic regulation (enzymes), buffering, defence (antibodies) and coordination and control (hormones) (Martini 2006). Haemoglobin transports oxygen and a lack of protein (haemoglobin) can deny vital organs the needed oxygen for metabolism. Protein deficiency can also cause fatigue, anaemia, weak immunity, skin problems, impairment of cognition and mental health problems. Whereas excessive proteins can cause obesity, osteoporosis and kidney stones (Georgetown University 2012). About 15% of an adults’ caloric intake should come from protein equivalent to 56g and 46g for male and female respectively (Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention, 2012). DEHYDRATION OF AMINO ACIDS TO FORM DIPEPTIDE PROTEINS [pic]Figure3 (Marshall University 2012) Lipids are made up of an even number of carbon from 12 to 20, oxygen, hydrogen and sometimes traces of phosphorus, sulphur or nitrogen. Lipids are grouped into 4: steroids, phospholipids, waxes and glycerides. Most of the 70 identified lipids are synthesised by the body whereas linoleic (omega6) and alpha-linolenic (omega3) acids are two essential lipids to be ingested. They are mostly insoluble due to the long chain of hydrophobic carbon-carbon end bonded to a short hydrophilic carboxyl group. The double covalent bond, (C=C) determines whether saturated (no C=C) or monounsaturated (1 C=C) or polyunsaturated (2 or more C=C). Glycerides are made up of glycerol bonded to 1 or more fatty acids by dehydration synthesis, triglyceride with 3 fatty acids is the predominant of the lipids (refer figure4). Unsaturated sources of lipids are olive oil, peanut, salmon, halibut and avocados. Saturated sources are butter, sausage and hydrogenated oil. According to British Dietetic Association (2013), adults should consume not more than 20-30g of saturated-fat with 5g or less being trans-fat since saturated lipids are high in cholesterol. The structural lipids form cell membranes. Also fat cushions and protects organs including liver, heart, and kidney, energy source; twice as much as carbohydrates and proteins, thermoregulation (insulation), sex hormones, transport vitamins and monounsaturated fat can decrease cholesterol levels (USA Department of Agriculture, 2010). Excessive consumption of lipids will lead to obesity which is characterised by high BMI as shown in appendix 2, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, colorectal cancer and diabetes, whereas deficiency will result in the body lacking the vital vitamins A,D,E and K (Schenker, 2012). DEHYDRATION SYNTHESIS TO FORM TRIGLYCERIDE [pic]Figure4 (Marshall University 2012) The micronutrients, vitamins and minerals are needed in minute quantities. Minerals can be classified as major or trace of which a few are essential including sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, iodine, etc. (refer to appendix4 for RDAs). According to Higdon and Drake (2011), sources of minerals are plants that derive them from the soil and move on the food chain to the herbivores like cattle that eat them. Spinach, legumes, whole grains, dairy products, red meat, soybeans, salmon, cod, iodised table salt (iodine, sodium, chlorine) and eggs are excellent sources of minerals. According to Whitley and Rolfes (2011), minerals perform the following functions: the electrolytes, sodium, potassium and chlorine transmit nerve impulses, control fluid balance (providing optimum pH for enzyme activities), control blood pressure and relax and contract muscles. Zinc, copper and selenium are antioxidants; they reduce the risk of heart diseases. Iron forms haemoglobin. Sodium and potassium coregulate ATP production. Calcium and phosphorus control blood clotting and together with magnesium build bones, teeth, maintain muscle and nerve cells. Iodine is needed for the production of thyroxin; deficiency will cause goitre. Since some minerals are coenzymes, deficiency will cause malfunctioning cellular activities (digestion, metabolism). Iron deficiency causes anaemia whereas calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (hypocalcaemia) deficiency will cause osteoporosis. Calcium, magnesium and the electrolytes deficiencies will cause weakness, muscle cramps and impaired alertness. Zinc deficiency causes diarrhoea, skin and prostate cancers. Their intake should be balanced with use and excretion as excess may cause Hyperkalaemia (potassium), kidney-stones (calcium) and hypernatremia (sodium). Vitamins are grouped into water soluble (WSV) including C and B complex vitamins; they cannot be stored and therefore, it is imperative to be part of a balanced diet, and fat soluble (FS) including vitamins K,E,D, and A; they can be stored (refer appendix 5 for RDA). Green leafy vegetables (lettuce), oranges, kiwi fruit, avocados, whole grains and cereals, banana, dairy products, liver, poultry, pork, oily fish, eggs, soybeans, chickpeas and nuts are excellent sources of the vitamins (Firth 2011). Vitamin K can be synthesised in the intestine which helps the blood clot whereas Vitamin D can be synthesised by the body using sunlight to help the absorption of calcium and phosphorus (Cranney et al (2010). Vitamins A and C build immunity. Vitamins B1,B2,B3, and biotin help release energy. Vitamin A, niacin and pantothenic acid aid the absorption and use of macronutrients monomers. Vitamin C makes collagen and enhances folate absorption. Vitamin deficiency generally causes weak immunity and osteoporosis (Vitamin D), scurvy (Vitamin C), beriberi (B1), anaemia (B12 and folate) and night blindness (Vitamin A). Excessive amounts of vitamins E and K are usually not harmful but excess A,D and the WSV which can be excreted cause kidney problems and hypercalcaemia (excess D). Excessive vitamin C causes diarrhoea (NHS 2012). In conclusion, spending excessively on supplements and creams as well as engaging in dangerous diets like the Atkins Diet are not necessary. The secret to healthy living is carefully selecting the right proportions of food from the Eatwell plate, drinking enough water in combination with regular exercises. Figure 5 and appendix 6 show functions of water. Consider the positives and negatives when selecting food products such as red meat; rich in protein but high in cholesterol whereas fatty fish enhances calcium absorption. Soybean, liver, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and legumes will provide almost all the nutrients; combine them in your diet in right proportions for optimal hormonal, metabolic, mental and physical functions of the body. It is important to consult a doctor before starting any diet as nutritional needs are affected by health and some medications affect absorption of nutrients. FUNCTIONS OF WATER IN THE BODY [pic]Figure 5 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2013 LIST OF APPENDIXES APPENDIX 1 |FOOD GROUP |SERVINGS PER DAY | |Carbohydrates including bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other starchy foods |6-10 servings | |Fruits and vegetables |3-5 servings | |Meat, fish, eggs, beans and nuts |2-3 servings | |Milk and dairy foods |2-3 servings | |Food and drinks high in fat and/or in sugar |Use sparingly | University of Michigan Integrative Medicine, 2010 APPENDIX 2: OBESITY AND BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) |BMI |LEVEL OF OBESITY | |Below 18.5 |Underweight | |From 18.5-24.9 |Healthy Range | |From 25-30 |Pre Obese | |Above 30 |Obese | NHS, 2012 APPENDIX 3: FOOD GROUPS AND EXAMPLES |FOOD GROUP |EXAMPLES | |Legumes |Beans, Lentils, Peas, Chickpeas, French beans, Kidney , soybeans, Coco beans etc. | |Whole grains |Barley, Corn, Millet, Oats, Rice, Milo, Wheat | |Green leafy vegetables |Spinach, Broccoli, Lettuce, Cabbage, Mustard green, Kale examples | APPENDIX 4: MINERALS AND THEIR RDA |SYMBLE |SOURCES |RDA | |Na (Sodium) |Table Salt, Sea vegetables, spinach, milk |6g | |Ca (Calcium) |Salmon, Sardine, eggs, dairy products, nuts, oregano |700mg | |K (Potassium) |Spinach, legumes, tomatoes, banana, avocado, whole grains and |3500mg | | |yams | | |P (Phosphate) |Fish, poultry, oats, rice, red meat, |700mg | |Fe (Iron) |Eggs, spinach, shrimps, soybeans, lentils, tomatoes, olives, |M=8.7mg / F=4.8mg | | |tomatoes | | |Mg (Magnesium) |Spinach, soybean, sea vegetables, tomatoes, beans, brazil nuts|M=300mg / F=270mg | |I (Iodine) |Eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, yoghurt, strawberries, iodised |0.14mg | | |salt | | |Se (Selenium) |Cod, salmon, garlic, lamb, cheese, calf liver, barley, brazil |75mcg | | |nuts | | |Zn (Zinc) |Calf liver, spinach, eggs, oats, oyster, lean pork and beef, |M=5.5-9.5mg / F=4-7mg | | |asparagus | | USA Department of Agriculture / Department of Health, 2010 APPENDIX 5: VITAMINS AND THEIR RDA’S |VITAMIN |SOURCES |RDA | |Retinol (A) |Liver, fish oil, carotenoids, milk fortified |M=0.7mg / F=0.6mg | |Ascorbic acid (C) |Citrus (oranges), kiwi fruit, broccoli |40mg | |Thiamin (B1) |Liver, pork, whole grains and products |M=1mg / F=0.8mg | |Riboflavin (B2) |Liver, eggs, milk, rice, mushrooms |M=1.3mg / F=1.1mg | |Niacin (B3) |Poultry, fish, beef, peanut butter, legumes |M=17mg / F=13mg | |Pyridoxine (B6) |Liver, pork, legumes, fish, whole grains |M=1.4mg / F=1.2mg | |Cobalamin (B12) |Beef, poultry, cod, salmon, cheese, eggs |0.0015mg | |Vitamin E |Vegetable oil, green vegetables, nuts |12mg | |Folate |Broccoli, peas, asparagus, brown rice |0.2mg | |Pantothenic acid |Milk, fruits, veggies, meat, fish, grains |10mg | |Biotin |Cottage cheese, liver, eggs, peanut, grain |300mcg | |Vitamin K |Green vegetables, fruits, nuts |75mg | |Note that Vitamin K can be synthesised in the intestine whereas Vitamin D can be derived salmon, fortified cereals and juices, milk and | |sunlight (No RD A but 15minutes in the sun thrice a week is enough) | USA Department of Agriculture / Department of Health, 2010 APPENDIX 6: RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE FOR WATER |SEX |RDA FOR WATER | |MALE |3.7L with no upper limit increase with exercise to rehydrate | |FEMALE |2.7L with no upper limit increase with exercise to rehydrate and increase intake when | | |breast feeding. | INSTITUTE OF MEDICENE 2004 REFERENCE LIST ONLINE âž ¢ British Dietetic Association (2013) Food fact sheet: cholesterol [Online] Available from: http://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/cholesterol.pdf [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ British Nutrition Foundation (2013) Confusion on fat and heart health [Online]. Available from: http://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritioninthenews/headlines/fats [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (2012) Nutrition for everyone: Protein [Online] Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html [Accessed on 19/12/2013]. âž ¢ Cranney et al, (2007) Effectiveness and safety of vitamin D in relation to bone health [Online] Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088161?dopt=Abstract [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. (2004) Dietary reference intakes: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride and Sulphate. Washington DC: Institute of Medicine. [Online]. Available from: www.iom.edu/Reports/2004/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-Water-Potassium- [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board (2010) Dietary reference intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington DC: Institute of Medicine. [Online]. Available from: http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Fil.pdf [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ Marshall University (2012) [Online] Available from: http://science.marshall.edu/murraye/alpha_amylase.htm [Accessed on 18/02/2013]. âž ¢ Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research [no date] Nutrition and healthy eating: functions of water in the body. [Online] Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM00594 [Accessed on 19/02/2013]. âž ¢ National Health Service (2011) [Online] Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/eatwell-plate.aspx [Accessed on 17/02/2013]. âž ¢ National Health Service (2011) [Online] Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/3215.aspx?CategoryID=51 [Accessed on 17/02/2013]. âž ¢ National Health Service (2012) [Online] Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1126.aspx?CategoryID=51&SubCategoryID=164 [Accessed on 17/02/2013]. âž ¢ United States of America. Department of Agriculture/Department of Health and Human Services (2010), Dietary guidelines for Americans, Washington DC: US Government Printing Office. [Online] Available from: http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/DietaryGuidelines2010.pdf [Accessed: 19/02/2013]. âž ¢ University of Michigan Integrative Medicine (2010) Healing foods pyramid [Online] Available from: http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/food-pyramid/fats.htm [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ World Health Organisation (2013) [Online] Available from: http://www.who.int/topics/nutrition/en/ [Accessed: 17/02/2013]. ONLINE JOURNALS âž ¢ Kumar et all (2012) Dietary roles of non-starch polysaccharides in human nutrition: a review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Volume 52(10). [Online] Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2010.512671?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed. [Accessed on 23/02/2013]. âž ¢ Schenker S. (2012). UK recommendations for dietary fat: should they be reassessed in light of the recent FAO/WHO recommendations? Nutrition Bulletin, 37(1), pp. 37-46. [Online] Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2011.01946.x/full [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. BOOKS âž ¢ Firth L. (2011) Nutrition and diet. Issues 205, Cambridge: Independence Educational Press. âž ¢ Higdon, J. and Drake, V. J. (2011) An evidenced-based approach to vitamins and minerals: health benefits and intake recommendation. 2nd Edition. New York: Thieme. âž ¢ Kuil W. A D. (2012) Sources of dietary protein and risk of hypertension in a general Dutch population, British Journal of Nutrition, 108 (10), pp. 1897-1903. âž ¢ Martini F. H. (2006) Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. 7th Edition. San Francisco: Pearson Education. pp. 39-58. âž ¢ Whitney, E. and Rolfes S. R. (2011) Understanding nutrition. 12th Edition. Belmont: Wadsworth. BIBLIOGRAPHY ONLINE âž ¢ British Dietetic Association (2013) Food fact sheet: sugar [Online] Available from: http://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Sugar.pdf [Accessed on 20/02/02013] âž ¢ Georgetown University (2012) Proteins: what does it do? [Online] Available from: http://www.georgetown.edu/admin/auxiliarysrv/dining/nutrition/protein.html [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ Stoner, L et al (2012) Preventing a Cardiovascular Disease Epidemic among Indigenous Populations through Lifestyle Changes. [Online] Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354392/ [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. BOOKS âž ¢ Blomhoff R, et al. Health benefits of nuts: potential role of antioxidants. British Journal of Nutrition. 2006; 96. âž ¢ New Zealand. Ministry of Health (2003), Food and nutrition guideline for healthy adults: a background paper, Wellington: Ministry of Health. âž ¢ Rolfes, S. R. et al (2009) Understanding normal and clinical nutrition. 8th Edition. Belmont: Wadsworth. ONLINE VIDEOS âž ¢ Dairy: essential nutrition or health saboteur? – Keon, J. (2011) [Online video]. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp9MwjW5QX0 [Accessed on 20/02/2013]. âž ¢ Good nutrition made easy: how to grow a healthy adult – Davidson, L. (2012) [Online video]. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qAeAzreESg [Accessed on 20/02/2013].

Monday, September 16, 2019

Food Desert †Analysis Essay

The implementation of this strategy,  specifically by  pioneering small formats in the â€Å"food desert† neighborhoods of Chicago, shows the increased sales opportunities for this market. Walmart’s market segmentation studies have shown the potential strength of this type of strategy. The announcement of these stores, and a similar recent announcement in Dallas, demonstrate the importance of these markets in Walmart’s plans to gain increased market share of the grocery business. Intelligent market segmentation studies by Walmart have proven the opportunities in these types of urban markets in the US as well as the potential in the Hispanic market, especially in California, Texas and Florida. While traditional grocers   struggle to gain market share by minor improvements in their existing formats and offerings, Walmart has identified significant new opportunities through these studies. Implementation of the Walmart strategy may well bring it an increased dominance in the grocery markets across the US. Smaller, regional chains would do well to define more specific market segments to serve in order to hold their own in their markets. While Walmart cannot take over every special format or segment, they will be very tough competition in the markets where they implement the current strategies. Negotiations for Walmart to gain sites in Brooklyn and other boroughs of Manhattan represent another beach head for this strategy. While the resistance by labor unions and community activists in New  York will make this a tough strategy to implement, Walmart has the staying power to outlast some of the opposition. In addition, their ability to publicize the positive impact on the community through increased employment and merchandise offerings may further erode negative public impression. They have also embraced a number of environmental sustainability initiatives which might buy favorable press in areas like New York. The potential  for incremental sales increases is dramatic here. This is an initiative to watch, and one which may be a game changer for grocery  retail in the US.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Organizational Profile Pfizer Company Essay

Prior to a corporate wide restructuring effort, the Pfizer Corporation operated with a divisional structure. This divisional organization prevented realization of full organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Although this organizational structure provides for defined accountabilities, creation of professional development opportunities, and cultivates the process for local performance management, the divisional structure can create extreme inter-organizational competition, while requiring a duplication of functional specialists and inter-division personnel throughout each divisional area (Iqbal, 2008). Pfizer recently transitioned to a new structure which created an opportunity for clearly defined responsibilities and accountabilities, while eliminating the duplication of functionalities throughout divisional areas (Pfizer, 2007). The new structure promotes well defined objectives and additional organizational efficiencies (Iqba, 2008). The Matrix structure is, however, much more complex. Unlike the previous divisional structure, the organization now operates within an integrated model. This new structure creates multi-channel accountability through sharing of authoritative powers and a general decrease in organizational clarity (Iqba, 2008). Although the Matrix provides many advantages not seen through the Division structure, the organization must resolve structural deficiencies in order to achieve their defined objectives. Problem Selection and Rationale Pfizer’s new organizational structure is conducive to their company. The Matrix structure is an ideal structure within project-focused organizations (Johnson, 1990). For the Pfizer Corporation, who is driven by consumer demand, the Matrix structure creates an opportunity for flexible use of corporate resources. Within the Matrix environment, personnel may transition from one project to another, as needed (Johnson, 1990). Because Pfizer’s routine business activities involve research leading to the development and market introduction of new medicines, the demand for human capital within the company varies. The Matrix structure provides opportunity for efficient use of human resources within the organization. The introduction of the Matrix structure resulted in several problematic areas. Within the new environment, the functional manager assumes the ultimate roll of authority for the project at hand (Johnson, 1990). Unlike alternative structures, this is based on the project at hand rather than functionality; delays in processing, approvals, etc. are likely to arise through having narrowed executive leadership. Additionally, priorities can become variable leading to misalignment within the team. Pfizer Corporation has identified a problematic situation in which team members carry conflicting priorities (McKinney Rogers, n. d. ). The integrated structure has caused some concern within the functional teams. While the project manager’s priorities remain with the project at hand, the functional manager has often utilized time for training which has been known to consist of several consecutive days (McKinney Rogers, n. d. ). In these instances, the company’s authority has conflicting objectives of what should be done first. While the manager’s priority has been training, the leader’s priority remains completion of tasks related to the project (McKinney Rogers, n. d. ). This problem has paved the way for ineffective organizational leadership. Use of a matrix structure within Pfizer has significantly impacted organizational leadership. Within the matrix structure, the project manager provides direct oversight of the project at hand while the functional manager maintains authoritative powers (Johnson, 1990). This can cause confusion amongst the team, as the chain of command becomes diluted. The project manager’s main concern lies with the big picture of the project itself while the functional manager is accountable for the functionality of completing the job (Iqba, 2008). While the perception seems that these two aspects go hand in hand, the reality is that the seemingly diluted management can create chaos and discontent amongst the team. Identifying these problematic areas is the first step towards enhancing the organizational structure. Each of these areas negatively impacts the organization’s productivity, quality, and efficiencies. While the foundation of the matrix structure aligns with Pfizer’s company, the manner in which it is utilized should be examined. Minor modifications to promote effective operations will result in higher levels of productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall efficiency of operational processes. Recommended Solutions and Rationale When enhancing an organizational structure, determining solutions to identified challenges is a critical piece of the overall process. Identifying solutions consist of examining current practices, determining challenges, researching solutions, testing hypothesis, and then implementing recommendations. In an effort to overcome the above challenges, research was conducted and solutions uncovered. To overcome the delayed response time in things such as decision making and approvals, we recommend the implementation of management maintenance through regularly scheduled meetings. In doing this, it is our hope that Pfizer will be able to maintain a consistent stream of communication, efficiency, and execution. By having regularly scheduled meetings, employees and the management team will have specific time set aside for things such as decisions needed to be made and approvals needing to be signed off on. To overcome inconsistent priorities throughout the organization, we propose that Pfizer establishes a clear definition of goals and expectations through management. The project manager of who is technically working under the authority of a product and the functional manager should both be given the authority to make critical decisions (Thomas, 2006). This would ensure that all involved with the project as well as those working in a functional capacity would have a clear vision set and know that decisions are made based on that vision. By showing a united team between the two management roles, it should alleviate confusion within the team and priorities should remain consistent if in line with the overall vision. To overcome decreased effectiveness of organizational leadership due to multiple managers overseeing the same project from a different aspect we believe that training is needed at the managerial level. This training should be targeted at increasing the managers’ emotional intelligence in order to increase their leadership abilities effectively (Harmer, n. d. ). Ilard & Findlay (2006) found that emotional intelligence contributes to team effectiveness and productivity. With Pfizer working in a team environment, this training would provide managers with the tools to assess the emotional intelligence of their team and tap into the different personalities they are working with. A team’s probability of success is believed to be reliant upon having members of the team who work well together and each contribute to the overall purpose, goal, or task at hand (Ilard & Findlay, 2006). The usage of emotional intelligence would be beneficial to Pfizer because it would have with everyone being on the same page and be able to flex their personality style based on the team member that they are working with. The challenges described can all be overcome through dedication to improving Pfizer’s organizational structure by all employees. In an effort to overcome these challenges, Pfizer will build a strong bond between employees through a process that provides timely responses, consistent priorities throughout the organization, and increased effectiveness of organizational leadership. Solution Evaluation Metrics and Rationale It is common belief that â€Å"the companies that are best able to manage projects, programs, and portfolios align them with strategic goals† (PMI, 2008). In terms of a company’s ability to practice this type strategizing in its â€Å"every day† practice is referred to its project management maturity level. Obviously, the companies that are better at predicting their ability to execute are better at meeting their key business objectives. Therefore, â€Å"Companies with greater maturity should expect to see tangible benefits that include better-performing project portfolios, efficiencies that come with better resource allocation, and increased process stability and repeatability† (PMI, 2008).