Enhancing Democracy in the United States of America Essay

Democracy: â€Å"1 a: government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections 2: a political unit that has a democratic government† (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) With the 2008 elections fast approaching, and a highly fueled and hotly contested primary and general election campaign waning, the public is forced to consider the problems and opportunities in the American democratic system. Is there something wrong with the democratic system in the United States of America? If so, what? If there is a problem with democracy in America, what is it and how can it be fixed? The United States of America was born of an act of legislation designed to promote democracy. The United States has developed into a world superpower by enacting and enforcing legislation designed to enhance democracy. Today, legislation is passed by elected officials who then vote in national, state, and local legislative assemblies. In other words, voting and the electoral system, is the catalyst for maintaining democracy. The United States can improve democracy by improving the voting system that facilitates the democratic process. Federally mandated voter registration Today, many men are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving their mothers the right to vote. All ethnic minorities are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving African-Americans the right to vote. Voter registration is still optional, and considered a privilege. But now is the time to make voter registration a responsibility of all American citizens. Voter registration should be treated like Selective Service registration, a must for those who wish to receive any other benefits of citizenship including financial aid and government employment. It is not difficult to keep track of eligible voters, especially in this information age where all children are issued a social security number at birth. This process can be as simple as using the existing social security system to send registrations to those who have reached their 18th birthday and maintaining a national database similar to the social security and selective service rolls. Enforcement can be as simple as cross referencing social security numbers for registration upon application for jobs, financial aid, and public assistance. Compliance can be mandated by withholding benefits pending registration. This is a minimal effort and may not increase voter participation. But this registration plan could eliminate most existing barriers to voter registration. Federal authority over state and local elections This idea expands on the idea of the federal registration system. The Federal Elections Commission already exists. With electronic voting and reporting, federal authorities should require that all state and local elections comply with the same guidelines as national elections. This would work by applying residency requirements to both congressional elections and local elections. In other words, a person registered, residing, receiving benefits in Idaho cannot register to vote in local elections in Columbus, Georgia. This simply uses the wealth of electronic information captured on citizens to manage voting. This system would have to also account for citizens with multiple residences by requiring that everyone declare a primary residence which would be the location for their voting. If they know that they will be in a secondary residence at election time, the registration system should allow them to easily request absentee balloting which could be completed by mail or turned in at a local agency of the federal board of election. Citizen assemblies control re-districting activities Legislative assemblies and committees currently control political re-disctricting plans. In other words, elected officials decide when and how (and if) voters want, need, and get additional elected officials. Rapid economic development causes some districts to grow and change materially and demographically such that a single elected official cannot effectively serve the interests of the entire district. In that case citizens should have the right to send a message, at the voting booth, that they need additional representation. A citizen assembly should bring together elected and public officials, urban and economic planners, and affected citizens together to draw districting plans that represent the interests of all parties without compromising a sitting official’s position or ignoring a constituent’s special needs. A series of re-districting alternatives can be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Voter responsibility education Schools should be required to include a course that teaches voting rights and responsibility as part of a social studies, American government, and civics curriculum. This course should be repeated at the university level to account for foreign students that will eventually become United States citizens. For older Americans who are beyond the educational system and for older immigrants, community based programs should be implemented that instill that voter registration is a responsibility of citzenship, not just an optional right or privilege. Tax deductible campaign donations Public financing for campaigns is generally not a tangible benefit for lower income voters. Many may see public financing as a way for candidates who do not have their interests in mind to advance their campaigns. Allowing federal and local tax deductions for small campaign donations can help to decrease feelings of disenfranchisement of lower income voters. They have the opportunity to directly support the candidate or issue of choice, and receive a ture public benefit (both the donation and the deduction). This could replace the current system and be managed at the federal level as well. Conclusion The United States can enhance democracy by modifying its election system. By placing activities such as deciding on political districts and adding value to campaign donations, voters are enfranchised in a greater way. Education makes citizens understand the benefits of voting. Consolidating the registration and polling makes the system as fair and not subject to less error. References democracy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/democracy Gerkin, H. , et al. (2006). Six Ways to Reform Democracy. Boston Review, September/October 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://bostonreview. net/BR31. 5/gerken. php

Notes on Art History

Note: This statue of an Ancient Egyptian woman clearly shows the way of dressing in Ancient Egypt. This statue belongs to the New Kingdome period. Body: The woman is wearing a kalasiris, a typical ancient Egyptian dress. The length of the dress tells us that this woman probably belonged to the upper class, as working woman mostly wore a kalasiris in a shorter variant. The dress is made of linen, which was perfect for Egypt’s hot climate. The dress is undecorated, but does have a lot of pleats going in various directions, which must have been very labour intensive.Head: The woman is wearing a wig, made of human hair or date palm fibres. The hair is curled and was kept together by wax. The wigs were only worn by wealthy people. Accessories: Jewellery was very popular in Ancient Egypt, no matter what you social status was. They were known for wearing lots of jewellery in turquoise metals like gold and silver and small beads. This woman is wearing a gorgerine, which was a typical Egyptian necklace, existing of metal discs, worn on the chest. Minoan Snake Goddess figurine, 1600 BC, Herraklion Archaeological MuseumNote: This is one of a series of figurines, showing a woman holding a snake in each hand. It was found during excavation of Minoan archaeological sites in Crete. It represents a goddess. Little is known about their identity, but it tells us a lot of the way the Minoan women dressed themselves. Body: The goddess is wearing a tight bodice, which leaves the breasts bare. She also wears a long skirt which is comprised of seven overlapping flounces, which are strips of cloth, gathered and sewed on by its upper edge only. The flounces appear to be thick and were probably made of wool, a popular fabric used by the Minoan.Over the hips, she wears a double-apron, which is bordered with stripes and patterned with a simple diagonal grid of lines The skirt and apron are secured by a belt , which emphasizes the figure’s wasp-waist and accentuates the curve of the hips. Head: The headpiece , the goddess is wearing shows a series of three dark-painted, raised medallions. Accessories: The goddess is wearing a tiny bracelet on her right wrist. The Minoan were famous for their beautiful jewellery production. Note: This female Minoan figure is dressed in traditional Minoan clothing.The Minoans were known to have a more advance and complexed culture, which is shown in the artistically designed and skilfully made clothing they wore. The figure of the Minoan woman, with large breasts and hips and a tiny waist, as very similar to that of the late 1800 woman, who wore tight corsets to make their waist small and hoops under their skirts to increase the size of their bottom. Body: The woman is wearing a colourful blouse and skirt that shape the body well. The skirt is tight at the waist and flares out towards the bottom in a bell shape. The skirt consists of several strips of fabric, sewn together.The layers of fabric have a pointed shape in the centre, facing towards the floor. The blouse is close fitted to the body and has a low cut in the front to expose the breasts. Head: The woman has long dark hair, which hangs loose on her shoulders. Accessories: She wears ring shaped earrings and a belt, which was very common in the Minoan culture. Because a tiny waist was prized, some historians believe that Minoans would wear a heavy metal belt since their early childhood, forcing the waist to stop growing. Scene of Sacrifice, c. 540 B. C. Pitsa, National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greese, painting, wood.Note: This painting shows an animal sacrifice in Corinth. It is one of the 4 painted wood slabs of Pitsa that were found in 1934 near Sicyon in a cave above the village of Pitsa in Corinth. Body: The woman are wearing a blue peplos that is decorated with a pattern. It is a rectangular woollen fabric that is folded at the top, so that the top part falls over the body. The peplos is fastened at the shoulders with pins. Over the peplos, the woman are wearing a red cape, a chlaina. It is made up of a rectangular piece of fabric which is draped around the body.The young men in the painting are wearing a blue, short chiton which reaches their knees and is fastened at their left shouder with pins. Head: The woman have their long hair tied back in a ponytail, while the men have short cut hair. Accesoires: The figures are all wearing a wreath, a headpiece made of goldon leaves. Briseis and Phoenix Painting on a cup, Brygos, ca 490 B. C. , Vulci, Louvre Museum, Paris, France Note: This attic red-figure cup shows Phoenix and Briseis. It is an ancient Greek art work from the Classical period. Body: The woman is wearing a long chiton with many folds and pleats.The chiton is made of linen, a light fabric, suitable to the cimate and which makes it easier to form pleats with. The tunic is wrapped around her body and pinned along at the shoulders and arms, forming two loose fitted sleeves. The man is wearing a chiton as well, which reaches his feet. On top of the chiton he wears a himation, large piece of fabric, draped arount the body and used as a mantel. Both chitons are decorated with a playfull motif at the bottom. Head: The woman has her hair tight back into a bun, with some strings of hair falling loosy besides her face.The man has a long beard and his hair cut short. You can clearly see that he is old, due to his undyed white hair colour. Accesoires: Both man and woman wear a hairband. Statue of august, national museum of rome, 100 AC Note: This Ancient Roman statue shows Augustus. A Roman emperor who ruled the Roman Empire from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. In that era, all men wore the same type of cloth, but the fabric and way it was worn, marked important social differences. Agustus, being an emperor is therefore a clear example of how people of higher social status would wear their clothes.Body: Augustus is wearing a tunica, an essential garment in the warderobe of the ancient Roman man. It consists of two pieces of rectangular fabric, one set on top of the other. It was sewn together at the sides and the top wit holes left for the head and arms. This tunica has long and wide sleeves. On top of the tunica, Augustus wears a toga. A long cloak which is draped around the body. Head: Augustus has short cut hair and his toga is draped around his head to form a hood. Court of Emperor Justinian with Macimian and court officialsand Praetorian Guards, Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, 547 AC, MosaikNote: A clear example of clothing from the Byzantium era. Body: Justinian, in the centre, is wearing an imperial chlamys with a large lozenge shaped goldon panel (tablion) and an opulent brooch. Underneath that he wears a white silk tunic with tight sleeves (Divistion), which is decorated with god stripes and circular roundles and gold embroidered rd shoes. The Dignitaries wear a white chlamys with a purple tablion an an embroidered tunic. The archbishop Maximianus we ars a goldon chasuble and a white dalmatic with very wide sleeves and purple stripes.Head: The figures have slightly long hair at the back. Maximianus is somewhat bold and has a little beard and mustache, just like some other men portrayed. Accesoires: Justinian wears a two-tired gemstone encrusted crown on his head and an opulent brooch that is fastened at his rght shoulder. Maximianus wears a pallium around his neck, a white wool strip which is decorated with a cross. The bikini girls, mosaic, 4th century AD, Roman Villa of Casale, Italy. Note: This piece of art, dating from the Diocletian period (186-305 AD) is evidence that the Romans were one of the first to wear a bikini.Although the woman depicted are wearing a bikini as sportswear and not as swimwear. Body: The female atheltes are wearing a two-piece swimsuit that resembles the bikini as we know it today. The top part covers the breasts and has no elastic bands tied around the arms, but is probably kept in place at the back. The bottom part, looks like it is a piece of fabric that is folded around the womans lower body. Head: The woman have different hairstyles. Most of them have their hair tied back, which is more comfortable when playing sports.Others have long hair that falls on their shoulders. Accessories: One of the woman in the centre is wearing a headpiece made of flowers, she is probably wearing it because she won the competition. The consular diptych of Manlius Boetius, who was consul in 487 AD, Santa Giulia Museum, Brescia, Italy. Note: This artwork resembles the type of clothing worn by the Barberians and Nomads. Their clothing style was more practical than that of the Romans and consisted of loose and simple garments. Body: Boetius wears an embroidered woollen toga which reaches the ankles.The toga has long sleeves, is draped around the body and wrapped around the right hip. Head/ Accesoires. : It looks like Boetius is wearing a diadem of goldon leaves on his head. This is a picture of Cha rlemagne is an example of how the fine linen and silk togas of the Romans disappeared and were replaced by the clothing of the less civilized people, the Romans had called Barbarians and Goths. Charlemagne always wore the traditional costume of the Frankish people. Body: He is wearing a blue silk cloak which is trimmed with bands of decoration. His legs are covered by a hose and he wears shoes at his feet.On top of his cloak he wears a red/brownish mantel that is loosly draped around his shoulders and fastened with a brooche at his right shoulder. The mantel is deorated at the neckline. Head/ Accesoires: On his head he wears a golden crown, embellished ith jewels. This template from the Middle-Ages shows what the knights would wear. The knits are wering under clthes that consists of a linen under-shirt and linen under pants. These would prevent the armor from chafing the Knights skin. They woul also wear a padded garment, known as a Doublet, that consisted of a quilted coat which wa s either sewn or stuffed with linen .It served as padding for additional armour worn over the top. Woollen stockings cover their legs and over their armour they wear a robe which is fastenedaround the waist, known as a Surcoat. The surcoat is emblazoned with the cote of arms or device of the Knight in order to identify the knight in the battle. On their head they were a helmetwhich is slightly pointed at the back. Nicephorus III and Officers, c. 1074-1081, Bibliotheque nationale de France Manuscript Coislin. This painting of the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus iII, is a good example of Byzantine Imperial costume. The emperor is magnificently attired in Byzantine silk.Over his blue and goldon tunic he wears a darker bue cloak, fastened by a gold-and-ruby brooch and decorated with a large tablion, woven of gold thread. On his head he wears a bejewelled crown and around his neck a superhumeral, which is a imperial decorative collar. The Arnolfini Portrait, Jan van Eyck, 1434, Oil on oak, National Gallery, London. This painting is believed to be a portrait of the Italian merchant Giovanni di Nicolao Arnofili and his wife. It is a very realistic painting and therefore a good example of Late Medieval costume. The two figures are richly dressed.The man’s tabard, a short sleeveless cape, and woman’s dress are both lined with fur, judging from this we can say that they are both wearing their outerwear. The woman’s dress has elaborate dagging (cloth folded and sewn together, then cut and frayed decoratively) on the sleeves and a long train. Underneath her green dress, she wears a blue underdress which is trimmed with white fur and has long tight sleeves. The man’s tabard is made from purple silk and has long full sleeves which are tight at the wrists. Head: The man wears a hat of plaited straw, dyed black, as often worn in the summer all the time.The woman wears a white cotton wimple on her head. Accesoires: The woman wears a brown leather belt around her waist. The only other jewelry visible are the woman’s plain gold necklace and rings. Rogier van der Weyden, Portrait of a Lady, c. 1460, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C. Van der Weyden portrayed this woman in high fashionable clothing. The woman wears an elegant low-cut black dress with dark bands of fur at the neck and wrists. This type of clothing resembles the then-fashionable Burgundian style, which emphasises on the tall and thin aesthetic of the Gothic ideal.The dress is buckled with a bright red sash below her breasts. The buckle is gold. Head: On her head she wears a buff-coloured hennin headdress that is draped with a large transparent veil, which spills over her shoulders, reaching her upper arms. The veil forms a diamond shape and matches the transparent vest worn under her dress. Her hair is pulled backwards in a tight knot. Accessories: The woman wears a gold necklace and 2 rings around her fingers. Sant’Orsola e le compagne, miniatura , 1380 , Parigi, Biblioteca Nazionale Body: The women are wearing dresses with a low round neckline.The top of the dresses fit closely to the body while the skirt hangs loose and has several pleats. The sleeves are long and wide at the cuffs. The underdress is of a different colour and visible at the wrists and its sleeves fit tightly around the arms. Some dresses have a simple print. Head: The woman wear a hat that consists of a frame of wirework, covered with embroidery or other trimmings. Titian, Portrait of Philip II of Spain (1527-1598), 16th century, oil on canvas. Body: Philip II is wearing a silk doublet in a gold/brown colour with a decorative print.The pants, breeches, he is wearing, falls just above the knees and is of the same fabric as the doublet. Under the breeches he wears a white hose. Philip also wears a mandilion on top of his outfit, a loose hip-length coat that is decorated with a pattern. Head: Phillip has his hair cut very short and a tiny beard and pointed mo ustache. Accessories: Accessories were very important in the 16th century as they represented wealth. Phillip wears several bracelets and rings and a necklace. Shoes: Philip wears simple white silk flat shoes. Marcus Gheerraerts the Younger, Portrait of Elisabeth I, c. 592, National Portrait Gallery, London. Body: Elisabeth I wears a crimson gown that is barley visible on either side of her waist. The gown has a white satin lining that matches the petticoat, bodice and hanging sleeves. Her petticoat is pinned to a cartwheel farthingale. The bodice has a broad, low, square neckline and ends in a V-shape at the front of the waist. The shoulders are very wide and puffed. Head/ Accessories: Elisabeth I wears gloves and a van in her hands. Her jewellery consists of several necklaces of pearls reaching the waist, a flower shaped necklace and some beads in her hair.She also has a high standing ruff around her neck of a transparent fabric and a crown on the back of her head. Giovanni Battis ta Moroni, An Italian Tailor, c. 1570, National Gallery London. Body: The Italian Tailor wears a light pink, tight fitted doublet over a heavily padded red hose. The doublet is fastened by a row of pearl buttons at the centre front. His white blouse, worn underneath the doublet, has some small ruffles at the cuffs and the neckline. Head: His hair is cut short and he has a small beard and moustache. Accessories: The man only wears a brown leather belt around his waist.Manteau, ca. 1685-90, Contemporary fashion plate by Bonnard Body: The woman wears a mantua. Instead of a bodice and skirt cut separately, the mantua hung from the shoulders to the floor. This mantua is looped and draped over a contrasting petticoat. The dress has a low squared neckline and short puffed sleeves that reach just below the elbows. The petticoat is fastened at the centre front with decorative buckles. Both petticoat and mantua are embellished with a print. Head: The woman’s curly hair is worn swept up into a high pile. She also wears a scarf in her hair.Accessories: She has some bracelets around her left wrist and wears a cross formed necklace. Portrait, c. 1660, France Body: The man wears a large simple dark coat that is embroidered on the left shoulder. Underneath this he wears a long-sleeved ruffled white shirt, which can only be seen at the wrists. A small falling collar with round edges, made of lace, hangs around his neck. Head: The man doesn’t wear a wig and shoes his natural long dark fuzzy hair. He has little facial hair around his lips. Fashion plate, Jean de St Jean, 1688, France Body:

How the Existence of Firms Shows That There Are Imperfections in the Market Essay

Introduction In 1776 moral philosopher and father of modern economy published his book â€Å"The Wealth of Nations† which singlehandedly changed the way we looked at political economy. The book, which was Adam Smith’s essay originally explaining why some nations are wealthier and more flourished than others, featured a few key insights. One of the most important ideas of the book was what he mentioned as the â€Å"invisible hand† of the economy, stating that market mechanism is perfect and there is no need for an outside intervention for it to function effectively. In his 1982 article â€Å"No need for morality: The Case of Competitive Market†, David Gauthier states that in a â€Å"perfect† market outside intervention will in turn adversely affect the market. However, to contradict this idea, Ronald Coase, in his influential essay â€Å"The Nature of the Firm†, suggested the idea that the existence of firm itself proves that the market mechanism is not perfect. In this paper, I am going to describe what Gauthier meant by a â€Å"perfect† market, how the existence of firm proves that there are imperfections in the market and an evaluation of both the theories. What is Gauthier’s idea of a â€Å"perfect† market? In his paper article â€Å"No need for morality: The Case of Competitive Market†, Gauthier describes the perfect market as having the following criteria: 1. Individual Endowment and Private Goods In the perfect market, the market is comprised of individual buyers and sellers, and they are all seeking to maximize their own utility. Goods are privately owned, hence ownership is fairly simple and direct. 2. Free market activity, mutual unconcern and the absence of externalities Individual buyers and sellers are free to make their own decisions and they will try to maximize their utility, regardless of the other party or parties’ concern. There are no external factors that can affect the market mechanism 3. Market is perfectly competitive and operating at an equilibrium This means that in the market after a transaction individual gain is assured, in that each can do as well as he/she can, given the other parties actions. Also, in an equilibrium, no one can be better off without someone else being worse off. (Gauthier 1982) Gauthier states that the buyers and sellers in a perfectly competitive market are rational and utility maximizing. Individuals are fully capable of maximizing gain and welfare through the market mechanism without the existence of firms or regulatory bodies. Imagine a rice market where individual sellers set up stalls for individual buyers to buy without the requirement of an outside intervention, that would be a perfectly competitive market. How does the existence of firms prove that the market is not perfect? In his paper Nature of the Firm, Ronald Coase addresses questions such as â€Å"Why do firms exist?† and â€Å"Why isn’t everything done by the market?† In his article he states how imperfections in the market lead individuals to form companies rather than trading bilaterally through short term contracts in the market. The central premise of his theory was that firms exist simply because transactions are cheaper when carried out internally (i.e. within a firm) rather than externally (Coase, 1937). He states that trading bilaterally in the market can impose a great deal of transaction costs, such as hiring workers, negotiating prices and forming short term contracts. Therefore a firm is a device or a nexus of long term contracts under a manager/entrepreneur who brings all the resources together under one roof. The main contrast between Gauthier’s market mechanism and Coase’s firms is that, individuals find is cheaper and more effective work in a hierarchical structure by forming a firm, rather than trading directly in the market. Ronald Coase quotes D.H. Robertson to provide an analogy for the existence of firms: â€Å"Islands of conscious power in this ocean of unconscious co-operation like lumps of butter coagulating in a pail of buttermilk.† Here, firms are the islands of conscious power, and the market is the ocean of unconscious co-operation, provides a good comparison for the two different mechanism. According to Gauthier’s, the utility maximizing buyers and sellers can individually profit more through operating directly through the market without the need for a hierarchical firm. In reality, the market is imperfect (i.e. utility cannot be maximized individually) and firms are the answer to these imperfections. Evaluation Gauthier’s view was not to prove that the market is perfect, but that if there was such a perfect market there would be no need for regulatory bodies or moral constraints. â€Å"Our concern is to show that morality has no place in an ideal context of interaction, not to claim that this ideal has direct practical application†, writes Gauthier. So his paper states the needlessness of morality in a perfectly competitive market, which does not exist in reality. Modern market is comprised of large corporations, which in turn disproves the idea that the market is not as perfect as Smith thought it to be. Adam Smith’s approach was to provide a simplistic answer to inefficient government intervention and bureaucracies, and to this day globalization, free market and specialization have been key to the success of our economy. Both Adam Smith’s and Ronald Coase’s literature have been put to question throughout, and their theories have been refined to meet the expectations of modern economics. However, their theories lay the fundamental groundwork for modern economic theory. The 2008 financial market crash is a great example of a situation where Smith’s â€Å"invisible hand† failed to protect the society’s welfare, where a handful of Wall Street investment firms fraudulently sold billions of dollars of worth securities to its clients, that lost its value overnight. The need for morality and external regulatory bodies, the existence of firms and modern corporate culture disproves the idea that the market is perfect. Bibliography Coase, Ronald. 1937. â€Å"The Nature of the Firm,† Economica, 4: 386-405 Gauthier, David. 1982. â€Å"No Need for Morality: The Case of the Competitive Market†. Philosophic Exchange, 3: 41-54

Increasing use of Public Libraries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Increasing use of Public Libraries - Essay Example Because of this reason, the role of private libraries in providing information to the public has been limited under the increased power of private institutions and organizations that could provide to the public advanced facilities in terms of research. Through the years, the leaders of public libraries managed to improve the facilities and the resources available to the public, a fact that led to the decrease of distance between the public libraries and the libraries of private institutions. The recent financial crisis favored the increase in use of public libraries, a trend that has been reported in a series of surveys conducted across USA. The current performance of public libraries is presented in this paper; reference is made to the empirical studies developed in the particular field. It is proved that the increase in the use of public libraries is continuous and the prospects for future growth are significant. 2. Public Libraries use – trends and challenges In order to ev aluate the level of use of public libraries it would be necessary to refer to relevant data, as published by governmental and non-governmental organizations. Emphasis will be given on the trends of use of public libraries in USA; however, figures related to the use of public libraries in other countries, for example, Canada and UK, are also presented in this study aiming to verify the findings regarding the use of public libraries across USA. One of the most common sources for evaluating the level of use of public libraries is the Public Library Data Service survey, which is developed annually; the above survey shows the annual changes in the use of public libraries in USA. Also, through the findings of the specific survey the factors that support the use of public libraries are revealed. The most recent survey of such kind, in terms of the availability of its findings is the one developed in 2009 – where data from 852 libraries are presented. The survey is based on ‘da ta provided by public libraries in USA and Canada’ (Varvel 2010). The findings of such surveys (referring to the years from 2003 up to 2009) are presented and analyzed in the study of Varvel (2010) where emphasis is given on the following issues: a) the number of visits of libraries that serve a small population, i.e. under 5,000 people, has been increased at 2.7 times, while the libraries serving from 5,000 to 49,999 people has achieved an increase in the number of their visitors at a level of 1.75 times; libraries serving large populations had the lowest performance – in terms of the increase of the number of their visitors (Varvel 2010). This means that for the period 2003 up to 2009, the libraries serving small populations had the highest rate of performance – regarding the increase of the number of their visitors; b) libraries serving less than 5,000 people also managed to reach the highest level of in-library use of material; again, the libraries serving h igh population presented the lowest percentage of in-library use of material (Varvel 2010); c) in 2009, the percentage of public libraries using a website has been reduced reaching the 92.43% - compared to the 98.17% of 2008; it is expected that the decrease of the number of libraries using website will affect their performance since most people prefer to access the libraries online and retrieve the information required. On the other

Change and culture case study Part ONE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Change and culture case study Part ONE - Essay Example But the fact remains that many such mergers and acquisitions (M&A) do not go as planned and have either failed or did not achieve the desired results. One primary reason (among many others) is the clash of diverse organizational cultures that exist within individual organization that were merger or acquired) making its presence felt in the new entity. This paper is a report with regard to the management of organizational culture in ABC Healthcare, an organization formed through the merger of two similar healthcare providers, namely XYZ Healthcare and ABC Dental Services. The problems faced, soon after the merger and, the steps taken to solve them (organizational change) will be discussed after which the end results of the effort will be provided in the concluding section. The organizational structure of the new entity is also provided in the appendix. ABC Dental Care, a highly efficient and well run organization is now being merged with XYZ Healthcare to form a new entity called ABC Healthcare. The latter company is much larger and has three departments, namely cardiology, nephrology, and urology. Threats of a new hospital coming up in the neighborhood resulted in the above mentioned merger. The employees of ABC Healthcare have no practical experience in handling outpatients, while those of the latter had no experiencing in dental care and hygiene. But ABC Healthcare was proud about its quality of service and felt that it was superior to those given by other healthcare units. They were also a little apprehensive about their lack of experience in handling inpatients. The merger was a cultural disaster since both groups kept to themselves except in case of emergencies. This issue was solved though the practical applications of theory as given in the following sections. It would be pertinent to mention a few facts about mergers and acquisitions in this context. According to a Bouno the main motive

Creativity and Play Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Creativity and Play - Essay Example In reality teachers should be creative in so many areas in teaching felid such as, classroom environment, technology, and activities. To begin, and Teachers should be attention to the classroom arrangement. For example if the teacher is the one how is giving the lesson and explaining to student their desk should face the board, but if they are in team- working activity they should set in circle so they will communicate easily with each other (SARACHO,1998, p6). There should be an interaction between teacher and students; teachers must arrange the class depend on the current situation. Arranging classes properly is in the beneficial of students. Secondly, Technology is also a useful tool which enhances the creativity in classroom. Using computer, active table, and smart board will defiantly increase student engagement during the learning process (Lubart, pp 24). Educators should learn how to teach by technology to be creative. New digital technologies are very useful in classroom and educators should take an advantage of this opportunity and use it to help students in their learning process. Thirdly, activities also play important roles in creativity factor. It helps students to be innovative in solving their problems. Educators should give their students many useful activities that are aimed at helping them to participate and generate ideas. Getting involved in any kind of activity will increase the student IQ (Intelligence quotient) and make them critical thinker (LILLEMYR, 2009, p15). Learning and development depend on internal cognitive structures that are complex in their subsequent evolution and origins. These cognitive structures are intimately connected to children’s cultural and social worlds (WAGEMAKER et al, 1984, p46). Processes such as practice, exploration, mastery, repetition and revision are vital in extending, constructing and connecting cognitive structures. Play activities enable children to impose some structure or organization on a ta ste, engage in ongoing rehearsal of the cognitive processes and make sense of their experiences (MACLUSKY & COX, 2011,

Heat transfer by convection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Heat transfer by convection - Essay Example A square cavity was used whereby its bottom and top walls were insulated. One of the side walls was presumed cold while the other side hot. Alumina/water nanofluid was used as the working fluid. It was concluded that using different thermophysical models might lead to opposite trend estimations for Nusselt number especially in high solid volume fractions. Effects of inclination angle (between 00 and 1200) of a square cavity filled with Cu/water nanofluid on heat transfer (Abu-Nada and Oztop). The boundary conditions of both experiments were similar. Different water based nanofluids containing Cu, Ag, CuO, Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles were placed in a cavity with volume fraction up to 20%. One side of the walls was heated using heater mounted on the wall; cavity angle varied between 00 and 900 (Ogut). Increased concentration increases heat transfer rate. Average Nusselt number has a high sensitivity to viscosity compared to the thermal conductivity at high Rayleigh numbers; suitable v iscosity model should be selected (SAEED ZEINALI HERIS, Masoumeh Borhani Pour, Omid Mahian, Somchai Wongwises, 2014). Flow of Cu, Al2O3, and TiO2 nanoparticles is suspended in water in a cavity where top and bottom walls are insulated; right wall is kept cold while the left wall is subjected to the periodic heat flux. Use of Cu and TiO2 with volume fractions up to 20% leads to maximum and minimum heat removal from heat source respectively (Ghasemi and Aminossadati). Flow of Cu/water nanofluid (volume fractions up to 5%) in a square cavity and the bottom subjected to constant heat flux while cooling is conducted by entering a nanofluid flow from the left wall and exiting from the right wall (Shahi et al). It was concluded that an increase in the volume fraction increased the average Nusselt number in the cavity. Lin and Voili simulated the effects of particles size on natural convection flow of Al2O3/water nanofluid with volume fraction up to 5% in square cavity

THERMODYNAMICS Speech or Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

THERMODYNAMICS - Speech or Presentation Example d) If the driver needs to bring back the gauge pressure to its original value, what mass (units grams) of air must be released from each tyre (at 50 °C) in order to bring each tyre back to its safe operating pressure. Q2) A piston cylinder device is used to expand water. The process occurs isothermally at 200 °C and the starting volume of the water is 1 m3. The water is in a saturated liquid state at its initial state. At the end of the isothermal expansion process, the water has a quality of x = 0.8. Q3) A diffuser is used to decelerate a stream of air from 230m/s to 30m/s. The air stream moves steadily through this diffuser at a rate of 1.7kg/sec, whereby its (absolute) pressure at the inlet is 80kPa and outlet 100kPa, respectively. At the inlet port, the air is at 127 °C. Note1: Ensure you refer to Figure 6-22 (page 199) in the text book for a â€Å"tip† clarifying the equivalence of J/kg and m2/s2 units. You will need this to ensure the units are equivalent between enthalpy and kinetic energy in your solution within this problem)! Note2: You can solve this problem either using constant specific heats or variable specific heats. You should know the difference between the two solution methods, even though you are required to use only of these methods (not both) in your

Oral hygiene Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Oral hygiene - Essay Example Oral care is imperative to promoting a healthy patient, especially in the seriously ill, geriatric and cancer patients. Good oral hygiene is linked to the prevention of somatological diseases in older residents (Ship 2002), as well as periodontal diseases and infections in diabetic patients (Nursing 1993), and oral care reduces pneumonia in older patients (Yoneyama, 2004). However, it stands to be shown that very often nursing staff is unaware of the importance and method of appropriate oral hygiene (Adams 1996). Oral care is very cost effective and when appropriately applied, it can prevent diseases and infections, yet there is very little information on oral care for the intensive care unit and seriously ill patient other than in the geriatric, cancer and diabetic related studies. Currently, the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center is sponsoring a study on Oral Care to Reduce Mouth and Throat Infections in Critically Ill Patients (ClinicalTrials 2005). Their research uses phase three longitudinal studies of one-thousand to three-thousand patients in intensive care units to evaluate a program of oral hygiene that may prevent respiratory infections in patients, which "occur five times more often in critically ill patients compared with patients in general hospital wards and result in longer hospital stays and an increased risk of death" (ClinicalTrials 2005). It stands to be noted that there is a higher likelihood of a patient leaving an intensive care unit with a mouth infection or respiratory infection because of inadequate oral hygiene. This rate of infection, according to ClinicalTrials.gov and Maryland Health Institute is due to the presence of disease causing bacteria in the patient population. Their study is planning to asses oral care effective ness amongst seriously ill patients from Washington DC related areas, and the Maryland Health Institute study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center seeks to define the effectiveness of oral care in patients over the age of eighteen with a focus on: These hospitals have ICUs more representative of ICU's nation-wide. This study will test the effectiveness of a comprehensive and systematic oral care program to reduce the oral assessment scores, mucosal plaque scores, and the amount of pathogen inoculum present in the saliva and plaque. Incubated and non-incubated patients will be compared as well as meticulous care with or without the addition of the oral antiseptic, chlorhexidine. Consistency of practice performance will also be evaluated when nursing staff has dentist/hygienist instruction and monitoring versus the traditional nurse instruction. The following research proposal will come to a slightly different approach in developing mouth care for seriously ill patients. The proposal is to seek the manner in which ICU nurses give oral care and their understanding of method, procedures and guidelines as well as prevention techniques. It is obvious from previous studies that the health care industry as a whole is not entirely aware of preventative measures (Adams 1996) and that there are few studies devoted specifically to the seriously ill pat

The future of computer logic and programming with Python Essay

The future of computer logic and programming with Python - Essay Example At the present, it is being widely used for the development of different application software and programs. In view of the fact that this programming language offers some of the simplest design principles hence it allows programmers to easily develop and interpret their programs. This programming language was created by Guido van Rossum and this development was supported and encouraged by various other programming paradigms such as by ABC, Haskell, Java, LIST programming, Icon and Perl programming languages. Though, python is a smallest programming language framework, however it is a complete, well-developed, multi-platform and high level programming language. The most amazing characteristic that distinguishes python from other programming languages is that it does not require from the programmers to insert or take care of any kind of semicolons and brackets while writing source code. Normally, in python, programs are written using an indentation technique (Bodnar, 2010). At the pres ent, python programming language is available in two versions: 2.x and 3.x. In this scenario, Python version 3.x is an advanced version of python, which has addressed all the regressive compatibility issues that programmers experienced with previous versions. In fact, the basic purpose of developing this version was to address different design defects of this language and improve the capabilities of the language (Bodnar, 2010). At the present, python programming language is available in two versions: 2.x and 3.x.

Corrections Accreditation Essay Example for Free

Corrections Accreditation Essay Corrections Accreditation this is a system of verification that correctional agencies and facilities comply with national standards promulgated by the American Association. Accreditation Correction, which developed the national stand to be used in granting organization accredited status, accreditations officially began in 1978. In essence it measures the organizations compliance with nationally accepted standard in the field, as maintained by the accreditation program. (Ch. 8 p179) I feel that corrections accreditation affect the professional development of the correction officers in a good way, this helps the officer to develop skills on a higher level, special training as well as high qualities of head and heart makes a good prison or reformatory officer. While accreditation seek comparable status for their employing organization, accreditation help set the standard for training both operational and management level positions. (Ch. 8 p178) Privatization is a private operated prison that houses prisoners for a profit; it’s closely related to other important issues in corrections over the last past two decades, the role of the private corporation in correction or more specifically, the private operation of secure prisons and jails. In 1980, no secure privately operated jails or prisons existed in America. By 2001, about 150-100 prisons and jails were open for business hold about 120,000 prisoner, or 6 percent of the jail and prison population. (Ch8 p 192) There is not much of a different when comparing privatized prisons to state and federal prisons, a lot of the private operate the same way and sometime mimic the state and federal prisons, they appear to perform at the same level of efficiency as the public facilities, although they tend to house a higher proportion of minimum-custody inmates in relatively new facilities, private prisons tend to have the staffing patterns, provide the same level of work, educatio n and counseling program, so I would have to say that the private prison meet the criteria well. (ch 8 p189) The private prisons have an effect on both the state and federal prisons, with funding  and financial problems a lot of businesses feel the economic bite, but not the private prison systems. These institutions are run for the purpose of turning of a profit, state and federal prisons are contracted out to private companies who are paid a fixed amount to house each prisoner per day, their profits result from spending the minimum amount of state or federal fund on each inmate, only to pocket the remaining capital, the more inmate the more money.(Global Research.com) Some of the way that the industry leader plan to better correctional officers professionalization and accreditation is to educate, training, and better training programs, all of this are key parts in professionalization. I feel that if they take some of the money that make and put back into the training programs this would be helpful for the institution in the outcome of furture of young officer, corrections accreditation help set the sandards for the professionalism and operation of prisons.

Creating the resume Essay Example for Free

Creating the resume Essay Looking for the perfect job? If you are, then you better invest in the quality of paper works that you submit to your dream company. Whatever you submit as basis for your credentials will create the company’s impression of who you are. Thus, there is a need to learn the proper way of writing resumes, curriculum vitae and cover letters. These three main documents reveal basically reveal your personal information and your desire to become a part of the company. The resume writing part is a 101 guide to writing a resume that will suit ones qualifications and job application. There are several kinds of resume and it would be best to know how these kinds are written. The resume writing guide teaches how one should write his qualifications such as his personal information, educational background and work experiences. It also elaborates on the writing mistakes that an applicant should avoid in writing his resume and some tips in creating an impressive one. This part also points out the major differences between a resume and curriculum vitae and when these documents could be utilized in job applications. The cover letter writing teaches the reader how to properly write a cover letter and be able to send one’s message across without difficulty. It also elaborates on the importance of this type of document to job applications. Writing tips as well as samples can also be seen on this part for the reader to better understand the process of writing such document. Making it to the interview process in a job application may either make or unmake one’s application. The impression that one would create on that interview will determine his future to the company. Thus, there is a need to make a really good impression. The site provides tips in preparing for a job interview such as what clothes to wear and how to act during the interview. This part also includes frequently asked questions by employers. Another part of the website is the highlight it provides to successful personalities and their careers. This part shows their achievements, the difficulties they faced in attaining the positions that they have and how they were able to cope up with these problems. RESUME With the influx of qualified applicants for a job, getting employed has become a very challenging task. Applicants here and there are fighting hard in order to get the job thus, there is a need for one to make a good impression at once. The best way to make a good first impression is to prepare an efficient, concise and striking resume. A resume is a selling tool which outlines the applicants experiences and skills for the employer to initially assess whether or not the applicant can contribute to the company. The goal in writing a resume is to instantly get the attention of the employer and lead him to think that the applicant has what it takes to compete for the job. In order to make the employer think about this, the applicant should read journals, magazines and books and even ask professionals to determine what the the needed requirements for the job and the necessary skills that will interest the employer. A resume is usually one to two pages long. It provides a summary of the applicants skills, education and experience. It does not have to be long to the point of revealing the applicants life history. It should only be concise but complete. There are several types of resumes and these are the following: ? chronological resume-this kind of resume starts with ab outline of the work history starting with the recent position. This kind is preferred by many employers because it provides easy access to the positions held and the length of service. It is usually used by people who have a good employment history. ? functional resume-this kind focuses on the skills and experience of the applicant. It is usually used by people who changes careers or who have gaps in their history of employment. ? combination resume-this type lists the skills and experience then the employment history. This kind enables the applicant to highlight the needed skills for the job as well as indicate the employment history preferred by the employer ? targeted resume-unlike the other types of resumes which can easily be accomplished for general employment purposes, a targeted resume is customized to fit the needed qualifications for a specific job. RESUME WRITING TIPS In writing a resume, one has to consider the following: 1. An effective resume is clearly focused on a specific job and addresses the requirements specified by the employer for a certain position. The applicant should know what the employer needs for the job and how the applicant can provide solution to these needs. 2. Among the elements that should be seen on a resume are positive personal characteristics, foreign language skills, educational accomplishments, technical and computer skills, experience gained in internships, work history and awards received. 3. The resume should also present a clear-cut objective that will signify to the employer the position desired for. It should match the keywords that the employer included in the job posting. 4. The heading should indicate the applicants name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. The name should be located in the middle part, written in bold letters and the font is larger than the other texts in the paper. 5. Educational accomplishments should start from the most recent. It should indicate the degree finished, major and minor as well as the date of graduation. The name of the institution should be in bold letters. All special programs as well as workshops should be indicated. 6. Work experience should also be written from the recent to the least. A steady job held for some years may be highlighted to signify the applicants work attitude. 7. Additional interests and information should include a list of special talents and interests. This will show to the employer that the applicant has a balanced lifestyle and can function beyond the job qualifications. 8. Active words should be employed in creating the resume.

Cushings Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms

Cushings Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms The human body is an advance piece of machinery which possesses many organs and systems that regulate the numerous processes that keeps every part functioning to sustain normal life or Homeostasis. In the event that any of these numerous processes occur unchecked with absolutely no controlling limits it results in a physiological disorder, syndrome or disease; each of these syndromes have characteristic effects on the human anatomy which can be manifested physically of which some can be controlled or cured. Cushings syndrome, which is a hormonal disorder caused by the prolonged exposure of body tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol and is frequently referred to as hypercortisolism. Cushings syndrome is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50 years, people who are obese and have type 2 diabetes, along with poorly controlled blood glucose also called blood sugar-and high blood pressure, have an increased risk of developing the disorder. Cortisol is a very important hormone as job is to help the body respond to stress. Most people suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition, or panic disorders also have increased cortisol levels. Causes Physiological The cause of Cushings syndrome is divided into two groups base upon whether the problem is being caused by a defective pituitary gland, which is a small gland located on the ventral side of the brain or by the adrenal glands which are located on the superior lopes of the kidneys. Cushings syndrome is caused when the bodys tissue are exposed high volumes of the hormone cortisol for extremely long durations of time. Many individuals have developed Cushings syndrome as a result of use or consumption of products that contain glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that are structurally similar naturally produced to cortisol e.g. prednisone, which is contained in most asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory disease medications. Glucocorticoids also have properties which also allow them to be used to suppress the immune system after organ or tissue transplants to keep the body from rejecting the new organ or tissue. Some people develop Cushings syndrome as a result of their bodies inability to produce adequate amounts of the hormone cortisol. The normally production of cortisol follows an exact and precise chain of events. In the hypothalamus, a part of the brain the size of a small sugar cube, it releases corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. Corticotrophin causes the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), which in returns stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals, which are located just above the superior lobes of the kidneys, receive the ACTH, they respond by releasing cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol is very important to the body because it is required to perform vital tasks in the body which include helping to maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduction of the immune systems inflammatory response, the balancing of the effects of insulin, which breaks down glucose for energy and the regulation of the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Cortisol is very important to the for its role in many processes but its most important role is to help the body cope with stress and it is for this reason well trained athletes and pregnant women have high levels of the hormone circulating within their blood. In most cases individuals suffering from alcoholism, malnutrition and or panic disorders may also have increased cortisol levels. Under normal circumstances, when the cortisol levels are near normal levels the hypothalamus and pituitary release less CRH and ACTH. This ensures that the level of cortisol in the blood released by the adrenals is the exact balance to meet the bodys normal requirements. There are four common types of Cushings syndrome and each is caused by different factors e.g. pituitary adenomas, adrenal tumors, ectopic ACTH syndrome and Familial Cushings syndrome. Of the four different types of cushings syndrome, cases of familial cushings syndrome occurs more frequently. Most cases of familial cushings syndrome are not are not inherited genetically, however some cases are the result of gene which causes the development of tumors on one or more glands of the endocrine system which releases hormones into the bloodstream. There are some exceptions e.g. with primary pigmented micronodular adrenal disease, which is developed in children or young adults which develop small cortisol producing tumors on the adrenal glands. There are occurrences where multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN), where hormone secreting tumors develop on the parathyroid glands, pancreas and pituitary. In cushings syndrome caused by adrenal tumors, an abnormality of the adrenal glands causes the cushings syndrome. The adrenal tumor develops four to five times more in females than in males and begins at approximately at age forty. Most cases of adrenal tumors involve noncancerous tissues of the adrenal glands and are called adrenal adenomas and are responsible for the release of additional cortisol into the blood. In the case of adrenocortical carcinomas, the cancerous form of adrenal tumors, the cancer cells release additional volumes of several types of adrenal androgens or male hormones which may include cortisol. The adrenocortical carcinomas are usually responsible for very high hormone levels and rapid development of symptoms. In Ectopic ACTH syndrome which is another cause of cushings syndrome, in some cases it is benign and in most caused by cancerous tumors that develop on the external surface of the pituitary and is capable of producing adrenocorticotropic hormone. Lung tumors are known to be associated with increased risks of development of ectopic ACTH as it was present in more than half of all occurrences and is known to be more prevalent males than in females. The most prolific form of adrenocorticotropic hormone producing tumors is minute cell lung cancer and accounts for approximately thirteen percent of all lung cancer cases and carcinoid tumors, which are small, slow growing tumors that develop from hormone producing cells in various parts of the body. There are other less common types of tumors which possess the ability to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone e.g. thymomas, medullary carcinomas of the thyroid and pancreatic islet cell tumors. In most cases of Cushings syndrome seventy percent are caused by the development of pituitary adenomas and these statistics excluded instances where it is caused by glucocorticoid use. This type of benign, or noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion of additional adrenocorticotropic hormone into the bloodstream. In most instances persons afflicted by this disorder have a single adenoma and is referred to as Cushings disease and it is known to affect women five more than men. Biochemical Diagnosis of Cushings syndrome To diagnose Cushings syndrome several factors are taken into consideration; a person medical history, physical examinations and laboratory test. In diagnosing cushings syndrome the most commonly used test are the 24-hour urinary free cortisol test, measurement of midnight plasma cortisol or late night salivary cortisol and low dose dexamethasone suppression test. In some instances an additional test dexamethasone corticotrophin releasing hormone test may be needed to differentiate Cushings syndrome from causes of excess. The 24 hour urinary cortisol level test consists of the collection of several urine samples over a 24 hour period and these samples are tested for cortisol. If the cortisol levels are higher than fifty to one hundred micrograms a day for an adult, this suggests that the individual has Cushings syndrome. From laboratory to laboratory the normal upper limit varies depending on which technique is used. The second test that may be used to diagnose Cushings syndrome is Midnight plasma cortisol and late-night salivary cortisol measurements. This test measures cortisol concentrations in the blood. In normal individuals Cortisol production is normally restricted at night, but in Cushings syndrome, this restriction does not occur. If cortisol level in the individual is more than 50 nano-moles per liter (nmol/L), then the individual may have Cushings syndrome. This test usually requires a 48-hour hospital stay to avoid falsely elevated cortisol levels due to stress. Another utilized I the diagnosis of Cushings is the Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST). In this test, the individual is given a low dose of dexamethasone, which is a synthetic glucocorticoid, orally every 6 hours for 2 days. Urine samples are collected before dexamethasone is administered and several times on each day of the test. The modified Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test uses a onetime overnight dose. Cortisol and other glucocorticoids signal the pituitary to release less ACTH, so the normal response after taking dexamethasone is a drop in blood and urine cortisol levels. If cortisol levels do not drop, Cushings syndrome is suspected. In some instances Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test may not show a drop in cortisol levels in people with depression, alcoholism, high estrogen levels, acute illness, or stress, which will falsely indicate Cushings syndrome. In some instances, drugs such as phenytoin and phenobarbital may cause cortisol levels to drop, fal sely indicating that Cushings is not present in people who actually have the syndrome and it is for this reason, physicians usually advise their patients to stop taking these drugs at least 1 week before the test. The last test used to diagnose Cushings syndrome is the Dexamethasone-corticotrophin-releasing hormone (Crh) test. There are some exclusion to the rule as some individuals have high cortisol levels but do not develop the progressive effects of Cushings syndrome, such as muscle weakness, fractures, and thinning of the skin. These people may have pseudo-Cushings syndrome, which is a condition sometimes found in people who have depression or anxiety disorders, persons who drink alcohol excessively, have poorly controlled diabetes, or are severely obese. Pseudo-Cushings does not have the same long-term effects on health as Cushings syndrome and does not require treatment directed at the endocrine glands. The dexamethasone-CRH test is used to rapidly distinguish pseudo-Cushing from mild cases of Cushings syndrome. This test combines the Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and a CRH stimulation test. In the CRH stimulation test, an injection of CRH causes the pituitary gland to secrete ACTH. Pretreatment with dexamethasone prevents CRH from causing an increase in cortisol in people with pseudo-Cushing. Elevations of cortisol during this test suggest usually Cushings syndrome. Tests to Find the Cause of Cushings Syndrome Once a positive diagnosis of Cushings syndrome has been obtained, other tests are performed to locate the cause of the abnormality that leads to excess cortisol production. The choice of test depends, in part, on the preference of the endocrinologist or the center where the test is performed. A CRH test is performed, without pretreatment with dexamethasone, this helps separate people with pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic ACTH syndrome or adrenal tumors. As a result of the CRH injection, people with pituitary adenomas usually experience a rise in blood levels of ACTH and cortisol because CRH acts directly on the pituitary. This response is rarely seen in people with ectopic ACTH syndrome and practically never in those with adrenal tumors. A high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (hDDST) may also be used as well. The A high-dose dexamethasone suppression test is the same as the LDDST, except it uses higher doses of dexamethasone. This test helps separate persons with excess ACTH due to pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors. A high dose of dexamethasone suppresses cortisol levels in people with pituitary adenomas but not in those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors. Another test that may be used is radiological imaging of the endocrine glands. This test utilizes the use of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal the size and shape of the pituitary and adrenal glands to determine if a tumor is present. Imaging tools are used to locate the tumor after a positive diagnosis of Cushings syndrome. Imaging is not used to make the diagnosis of Cushings syndrome since benign tumors are commonly found in the pituitary and adrenal glands.

Essay --

Revelation No other book of the Bible and its interpretation is more controversial than the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation, written by John, is the last book in the New Testament and perhaps the most important book of the Bible. Revelation enforces the importance of faith and obedience to the concept of Christianity by describing God’s plan for the world and his final judgment of the people. Revelation answers the question of what the future holds for this planet and its inhabitants. While it is a sobering reality for those who have fallen astray, it can be a great comfort for believers. The book of Revelation is somewhat troubling to read because it is a forecast of God’s wrath upon humanity, and it is filled with warnings to the church to remain loyal and obedient so that they may avoid eternal damnation. Most other books in the Bible are concerned with teaching the church how to live in such a way that we will be at home in the New Jerusalem. The book of Revelation, however, tells the church why it is important to live according to God’s will in hopes that the church will be on the favorable side of God’s judgment. In comparing the book of Revelation to the apocalyptic themed movie Contagion, it is important to realize that Contagion’s plot revolves around an event that causes widespread havoc and could have ended humanity, but never actually does. Revelation, on the other hand, speaks of God destroying the earth and then creating a new earth. The movie Contagion is about the threat posed by a deadly, highly communicable, flu-like virus that spreads a disease with no known cure, kills within hours of the onset of symptoms, and results in mass casualties. As you can imagine, this causes widespread panic and global ch... ...emain loyal and obedient to his teachings no matter what hardships they may face. I believe that this is God’s way of warning his people and attempting to save them from the fate of those who have fallen away from the Lord’s will. To be human means to always be faced with a choice of which path to go on. Whether we chose to follow God or to go our own way will ultimately decide our fate and that is something that we cannot say of animals or other life forms. What it means to be human cannot be answered without acknowledging the fate of humanity, and Revelation provides us a glimpse of what that is. For some, what is means to be human will mean to be thrown into the lake of fire with Satan being eternally separated from the goodness of God, and for others, what it means to be human will mean to live forever on a perfect earth surrounded by the love of a perfect God.

The Pro-Life Nazi March :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Pro-Life Nazi March The picture of a bloody fetus torn apart by a surgeon's scalpel danced overhead in the cloudy sky. I stared at the swaying poster and at the tiny body lying in a green garbage bag. Around it, hundreds of similar signs filled the sky with bright words and colors as a huge mass of men, women and children paraded under them in a huge march. I stared at the marchers, disbelieving of the sight in front of me. They were the Pro-Lifers, marching in favor of banning abortion as a choice and a right for women. I stopped on the sidewalk and looked up toward the White House and then back in the other direction. Both my cousin and I hadn't expected to see anything but the usual Washington museum exhibits and eateries that day; instead we got caught up in a march that neither of us believed in and one that I wouldn't have chosen to see. The march seemed to have no beginning and no end; it seemed as though it went on for miles. I looked at the mass of people in awe, amazed that so many people could organize to fight for something they believed in. I'd never seen something of this scale and I was stunned by its mass and power. As we got closer to the marchers, my excitement, and my disgust, grew. The march seemed never-ending; people were filing up Pennsylvania Avenue, shouting slogans and waving their posters in the air. They marched together in unity, spilling over onto the sidewalks and flooding the street. The Pro-Lifers marched side by side, at least fifteen people across, line after line. I began to look closer at the faces of the protesters, looking at the marchers so I could see and remember those who were so violently opposed to a woman's right to choose. Women were marching, denying their rights, and among the huge crowd were children. I saw one child sitting on his father's shoulders, waving a sign with pictures of dead babies as other children marched in the street, singing anti-abortion slogans. I couldn't believe it. Children barely old enough to read the signs they were carrying or understand the slogans they sang marched along with their parents, brainwashed into denying women their right to chose. I continued to watch the posters and cardboard signs as they went by.

:: Papers

The Atkins Diet: Is it healthy? Dr Robert Atkins Born: 17-10-1930 Died: 17-04-2003 [IMAGE]Dr Atkins, the creator of the Atkins Diet. His unconventional theories on nutrition have changed the way Americans think about eating. Atkins low-carbohydrate approach and 4 step program have become an obsession for many people at a time when two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. But the Atkins diet has its disagreement, some of whom say that its emphasis on high cholesterol foods can make it dangerous. The Atkins diet promises that not only you will lose weight and not be hungry with a low carbohydrate diet, but you’ll also be on the road to better heart health and memory function, as well as other wellness benefits. Dr Atkins’ philosophy is that if you follow his diet and eliminate highly refined carbohydrates, you will:  · Burn fat fast, instead of carbohydrates, and lose weight quickly.  · Stave off hunger between meals because high-protein diets are more satiating than high carbohydrates ones. As protein digested slowly in the system, high protein diets also stabilise blood sugar levels, which can prevent common conditions such as fatigue, depression, headaches, joint and muscular pains.  · Improve your health; because as you burn fat you will eliminate toxins stored in fat cells. The diet plan allows you to eat foods that many dieters have only dreamed about. The diet plan is said to work even if other diets have left you feeling depressed and deprived. The diet Atkins at a glance: * Sets few limits on the amount of food you eat but instead severely restricts the kind of food allowed on your plate: no refined sugar, milk, white rice, or white flour * Allows you to eat foods traditionally regarded as â€Å"rich†: meat, eggs, cheese, and more * Claims to reduce your appetite in the process * On the Atkins diet, you’re eating almost pure protein and fat.

Imapact evaluation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

Regular monitoring of the household beneficiary database 2. Spot Checks 3. Quantitative Impact Evaluation (3-Wave Design) (34. Qualitative Evaluation 5. Monitoring by a National Independent Advisory and Monitoring Committee Preliminary results of the Pantywaist Paying Filipino Program First Impact Evaluation (2011) 3 Objectives of the Impact Evaluation The II is designed to assess: 1 . Current effects of Pantywaist Family, Conditional Cash Family, Transfer Program ; Impact on use of health services and health outcomes ; Impact on schooling Impact on consumption 2.Different impact on different groups Geographic areas Gender IP status Relative poverty More children stay in school, with better chance to graduate from grade school 76 % Day Care/ Pre-school 65 % 98 % Elementary School 93 % Regular attendance among 12-14 year olds 10 percentage points higher in enrolment rate in day care or pre-school 96 % 5 percentage points higher in enrollment rate in elementary in regular attendance ra te 91 % in elementary & high school Pantywaist Households Non-pantywaist Households 4 More families prioritize education and health in their household budgetPantywaist families spend: 33% more on MEDICINE & MEDICAL SERVICES 36% more on EDUCATION = household budget More children use health services 80. 6 % 74. 9 % Percentage of children O – 5 years old 70 63. 3 % 55. 3 % 50 Non-pantywaist Households Pantywaist 33. 3 % 20 10 16. 9% Having their weight monitored Taking determine pills Taking Vitamin A 5 More pregnant mothers get health care 54. 2% 63. 6% with 4 prenatal care visits Non -Pantywaist : with prenatal care Pantywaist: 26. 9% 36. 4% with postnatal care within 24 hours after delivery Without prenatal with postnatal Pantywaist: with postnatal care Without ConclusionsBased on the initial findings, Pantywaist Family: ; Has strong and consistent impact on the key indicators targeted by the program in line with other ACT programs around the world. ; Is on track in reaching the program objectives set by DEWS 6 Future Plans and Directions On Impact Evaluation ; Conduct of 2nd and 3rd Wave Impact Evaluation in October 2013 and October 201 5 respectively ; Conduct of specialized studies on: ; Infant and Maternal Health ; Gender ; Indigenous Peoples . Pad ; Family Development Sessions ; Transition ; Local governance (supply side) 7 Thank you you.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Essay

Comprehensive Agrarian ReformPresentation Transcript 1. The 1987 Philippine Constitution 2. Article 13Social Justice and Human Rights(R.A. 6657-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) 3. Constitution of the Philippines the supreme law of the Philippines democratic and republican State enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and is popularly known as the â€Å"1987 Constitution†. The Constitution is divided into 18 parts, excluding the Preamble, which are called Articles. 4. Social Justice and Human Rights refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. based on the concepts of human rights and equality and involves a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution. 5. Aim to achieve what developmental economists refer to as moreequality of opportunity than may currently exist in some societies. to manufacture equality of outcome in cases where incidental inequalities appear in a procedurally just system. 6. PreambleWe, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution. 7. Article XIII – Social Justice and Human Rights Labor Agrarian and Natural Resources Reform Urban Land Reform and Housing Health Women Role and Rights of People’s Organizations Human Rights 8. Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program a Philippine state policy that ensures and promotes welfare of landless farmers and farm workers, as well as elevation of social justice and equity among rural areas. CARP was established by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 (CARL). aimed for a nation with equitable land ownership and empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries while, at least, improving social lives. enacted by the 8th Congress of the Philippines and signed by Aquino on June 10, 1988. 9. Objective To successfully devise land reform in Philippines. To improve the economic and social status of the beneficiaries  of land reform in Philippines. 10. Objectives of Agrarian Reform – Political to put an end to conflicts pertaining to land ownership. to bring about harmony between the rural people and the urban residents. bringing stability in the political set up of the country.Objective of Agrarian Reform – Social bringing about equality in terms of opportunities, income as well as wealth. 11. Objectives of Agrarian Reform – Economic Enhancing agricultural production Enhancing agricultural productivity Bettering capital formation Providing employment to more agricultural workers Enhancing demand for raw materials and services Improving balance of payments by facilitating export activitiesTrying to increase production at home so that imports do not have to be relied upon. Enhancing cooperation as well as regulation between agricultural sector and the non agricultural sector. 12. CARP Major Feature It provides for the coverage of all agricultural lands regardless of cropsproduced or tenurial status of the tiller; It recognizes as beneficiaries of the program all workers in the land giventhat they are landless and willing to till the land; It provides for the delivery of support services to program beneficiaries; It provides for arrangements that ensure the tenurial security of farmersand farm workers such as the leasehold arrangement, stock distributionoption and production and profit sharing; and It creates an adjudication body that will resolve agrarian disputes. 13. R.A. 6657 Beneficiaries all agricultural lesseesshare tenants regardless: cropsregular farm workersseasonal farm workersother farm workers farmer’s organization cooperatives agricultural graduatesrural womenveterans and relatives of enlisted men and womenretirees of the AFP and the Integrated National Policerebel returnees and surrenderees 14. Qualifications of an Agrarian Reform Beneficiariesa. be landless;b. be at least 15 years old or head of the family at the time the property was transferred in the name of the Republic of the Philippines; andc. have the willingness, ability and aptitude to cultivate the land and make it as productive as possible. (Sec. 23, RA 6657)Note: Items (b) and (c) above are meant to ensure that the recipients of the land will judiciously use it and make it a productive agricultural land 15. Components of CARP Land Tenure ImprovementProgram Beneficiaries DevelopmentAgrarian Justice Delivery 16. Principles of CARPhighest consideration to the welfare of the landless farmers and farm workers due regard to the rights of landowners to  just compensation recognition of the rights of farmers, farm workers, landowners, cooperatives, and other independent organizations to participate in the planning, organization, and management of CARP provision of support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research provision of adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services 17. CARP IMPLEMENTING AGENCIESDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department of Agriculture (DA) Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Land Registration Authority (LRA) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Rural Workers (DOLE-BRW) 18. Scope of CARP The ownership or control of about 10.3 million hectares of agricultural land, representing about one-third of the total land area of the Philippines, shall be transferred over a ten year period to an estimated 3.9 million beneficiaries. 19. Lands Covered by CARPall alienable and disposable lands of the public domain devoted to or suitable to agriculture;all lands of the public domain in excess of the specific limits as determined by Congress;all other lands owned by the government devoted to or suitable to agriculture; and all private lands devoted to or suitable to agriculture regardless of the agricultural products raised or that can be raised therein. (Section 4, RA 6657) 20. Lands Not Covered by CARPthose which are not suitable for agriculture, and those which are classified as mineral, forest, residential, commercial or industrial land;those which have been classified and approved as non-agricultural prior to 15 June 1988 as ruled under Department of Justice Opinion No. 44, Series of 1990;those which are exempt pursuant to Sec. 10, RA 6657; those which are devoted to poultry, swine, or livestock raising as of June 15, 1988 pursuant to the Supreme Court ruling on Luz Farms vs. The Honorable Secretary of Agrarian Reform (G.R. No. 86339, 4 December 1990); andthose which are retained by the landowner (not covered insofar as land acquisition and distribution but covered with respect to other provisions, particularly leasehold) 21. Lands Exempted by CARP Coverage Lands actually, directly, and exclusively used and found to be necessary for parks, wildlife, forest reserves, reforestation, fish sanctuaries and breeding grounds, watersheds and mangroves, national defense, school sites and campuses including experimental farm stations operated by public or private schools for  education purposes, seeds and seedlings research and pilot production centers, church sites and convents appurtenant thereto, mosque sites and Islamic centers appurtenant thereto, communal burial grounds and cemeteries, penal colonies and penal farms actually worked by the inmates, and government and private research and quarantine centers; and Lands with eighteen percent (18%) slope and over, except those already developed as of 15 June 1988. (Sec. 10, RA 6657) 22. Proof of Ownership given to Beneficiariesa. Emancipation Patents (EPs) for OLT lands;b. Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) for CA, VOS, and EO 407 lands, resettlement areas and landed estates; andc. Free Patents for public lands.Note: Beneficiaries of the Integrated Social Forestry Program covering agro-forestry public lands whose ownership cannot be transferred, received Certificates of Stewardship Contract (CSCs) which are good for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years. 23. Department of Agrarian Reform the lead implementing agency of CARP. undertakes land tenure improvement and development of program beneficiaries. conducts land survey in resettlement areas. undertakes land acquisition and distribution and land management studies. orchestrates the delivery of support services to farmer-beneficiaries andpromotes the development of viable agrarian reform communities. 24. Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.orghttp://1987-philippineconstitution.blogspot.comhttp://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan005112.p

Utilitarian Ethics

OPTION â€Å"A† Write a ‘contrast' essay dealing with the major distinction between utilitarian and deontological reasoning. Make reference to all relevant aspects of the two positions including the ‘act' and ‘rule' versions along with pertinent examples that clarify your answer. The major distinction between Emmanual Kant’s deontological reasoning and Mill’s utilitarian reasonsing is that deontological reasoning refers to duty, which is usually determined without regard to circumstances or consequences where as utilitarian reasoning always considers circumstances and consequences.A good case can be made that classic deontological theories, like Kan't categorical imperative, are just utilitarian theories very well disguised. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical system that is most often attributed to philosophers such as John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism believes that the most ethical thing to do is to maximize the happ iness within a society. Utilitarian’s believe that actions have calculable outcomes and that ethical choices have outcomes which lead to the most happiness to the most members of a society.Utilitarianism is often considered a consequentialist philosophical outlook because it both believes that outcomes can be predicted and because it judges actions based on their outcomes. Thus, utilitarianism is often associated with the phrase ‘the ends justify the means. ‘ Deontology: Deontology is an alternative ethical system that is usually attributed to the philosophical tradition of Immanuel Kant. Whereas utilitarianism focuses on the outcomes, or ends, of actions, deontology demands that the actions, or means, themselves must be ethical.Deontologists argue that there are transcendent ethical norms and truths that are universally applicable to all people. Deontology holds that some actions are immoral regardless of their outcomes; these actions are wrong in and of themselv es. Kant gives a categorical imperative to act morally at all times. The categorical imperative demands that humans act in a way that their actions can be universalized into a general rule of nature. Kant believes that all people come to moral conclusions about right and wrong based on rational thought.Deontology is roughly associated with the maxim ‘the means must justify the ends. ‘ The conflict illustrated: A classic example illustrates the conflict between these two ethical systems. Suppose an evil villain holds you and ten other people at gunpoint and tells you that she will kill all ten of your fellow prisoners unless you kill one of them yourself. You have no doubts about the veracity of the villain's threats; you believe fully that she will do as she says she will. Therefore, you have two options.The first option is to kill one of the ten people to save the lives of the other nine. The other option is to do nothing and watch the villain kill all ten people. Utili tarians would most likely conclude that you should kill the one person because it has the most beneficial outcome. Deontologists would most likely conclude that you should not kill the one person because killing another person is wrong as a universal moral truth. Utilitarianism's answers to deontology: Utilitarianism's first answer to deontology is to say that there are no ‘universal moral truths. Such truths are difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain. On the other hand, the benefits and disadvantages of actions are much more easily calculated. Thus, rather than relying on amorphous, vague moral truths to guide action we should look to more concrete ways of determining the ethics of a particular act. Also, utilitarianism would argue that deontology leads to morally untenable outcomes, such as in the example above. Utilitarians would argue that the outcome of ten deaths is much less desirable than one.Thus, we should always look to the ends rather than the means to determin e whether an act is ethical or not. Deontology's answers to utilitarianism: Deontology's first answer to utilitarianism is to say that the ends are illusory. That is, it is impossible to predict the outcomes of one's actions with absolute certainty. The only thing one can be sure of is whether his or her actions are ethical or not based on the categorical imperative. Additionally, deontologists believe that we can only be responsible for our own actions and not the ctions of others. Thus, in the example above you are only responsible for your decision whether to kill the prisoner or not; the villain is the one making the unethical choice to kill the rest of the prisoners. One is only responsible for following the categorical imperative. Finally, deontologists argue that utilitarianism devolves into dangerous moral relativism where human beings are allowed to justify heinous acts on the grounds that their outcomes are beneficial.

Quantitative Applications in Management

NTITATIVE MGNT QUANTITATIVE APPLICATIONS IN MANAGEMENT Course Code: MIB 105Credit Units: 03 Course Objective: The objective of this course is to develop the understanding of the various statistical models, used for decisions making in the functions of the management of any organization with respect to International Business. To equip the students with tools and techniques for application of concepts to real life problems for efficient managerial decision making. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course students will be able to: Use statistical techniques to collect and analyse data Produce forecasts using statistical packages Apply quantitative techniques to business situations. Course Contents: Module I: Introduction Quantitative Decision Making – an overview, Collection , Classification & Presentation of Data, Measures of Central Tendency – Mean, Median, Mode, Geometric Mean & Harmonic Mean, Measures of Dispersion – Range, Quartile Deviation, Average Deviation & Standard Deviation. Module 2 : Probability , Probability Distributions & Decision theory Basic Concepts of Probability Discrete Probability Distribution Continuous Probability Distributions Decision Theory : introduction to decision making & decision environments Module 3 Sampling , Sampling Distributions & Testing of Hypothesis Sampling Fundamentals Different Methods of sampling Sampling Distributions Testing of Hypotheses: Hypothesis testing for means & proportions Module 4 Forecasting Techniques & Time Series Analysis Business Forecasting Correlation Regression analysis & its Applications for managers Various components of time series & their analysis Use of statistical packages such as MS Excel /SPSS for forecasting & analysis Module 5: Linear Programming Introduction of Operations Research, Scope and Models in Operations Research, Introduction of Linear Programming, Formulation of LPP & its applications to managers. Learning Methods: A series of lectures will impart information and be complemented by interactive tutor-led and student-led discussion. Teaching consists of 3 hours per week. The unit has thus been designed to use a variety of teaching methods that should help students to quantitatively study the various aspects of international business environment. Formative tasks and presentations will enable students to build towards the completion of their assignment during the delivery of the unit. Examination Scheme: Components |C1 |V |A |CT |EE | |Weightage (%) |10 |5 |5 |10 |70 | Text & References: Text: †¢ Rao AB, 2004, Quantitative Techniques in Business, Jaico Publishing House, Ist Edition References: †¢ Arora P. N. , Arora Sumeet, Arora S. , 2008, Comperihensive Statistical Methods, 2nd Edition, S. Chand †¢ Edward E. Qian, Ronald H. Hua, And Eric H. Sorensen, Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management: Modern Techniques and Applications Chapman & Hall/Crc Financial Mathematics Series, 2007 †¢ Levin R. I. & Rubin S. R. 2002, Statistics for Management, 9th Ed. Prentice Hall of India †¢ Gupta S P & Gupta M P, 2000, Business Statistics, 12th Ed. Sultan Chand & Sons †¢ Sharma J K, 1997, Operations Research: Theory & Application, Mac Millan India. Ltd. †¢ Hooda, R P,(2003),Statistics for business and economics,3rd,Macmillan Publication, New Delhi †¢ Richard C. Grinold And Ronald N. Kahn, Active Portfolio Management: Quantitative Theory and Applications, 1995

Case Study of the Jewish Museum, Berlin

Case Study of the Jewish Museum, Berlin The Jewish Museum Berlin incorporates the social and cultural history of the Germany after World War 2 and aspired to correspond to the effects of the Holocaust on Jews in Germany. In his design, Libeskind claimed to combine three main concepts; the incapability to comprehend the historical agendas of Germany without the knowledge of the civilizational, academic and economic contribution that was made by the Jewish people in Berlin. Secondly he wanted to capture the bodily and spiritual journey in correlation to the experience of the Holocaust and its repercussions the society of Jews and finally he wanted to make amends by the acknowledgment, removal and the incorporation of voids, through which Berlin can move but this time with humanitarian existence. When the construction ended in 1999, the Director Michael Blumenthal declared that, â€Å"the chief aim of the museum will be to bring a sense of the richness of Jewish cultural life in Germany before the Holocaust† LIBESKIND S BOOK However, the Holocaust infuses the museum so strongly the museum has been called by reviewers and critics both â€Å"didactic† and â€Å"pedagogical† that the message is one for the present and, more importantly, for the future (BOOK MAKE UP). Because the context of the Holocaust remains such a strong thread in this space, it warrants examination as a unique addition to genres memorializing the Holocaust. Additionally, the museum’s triumph in its massive turnout rates particularly with young people, over the last decade calls for an analysis of its complexity of design and content to understand how the space performs to change the way we see things.WHY HE WON? For Libeskind, who was worn in Poland, a coupl of hundred Kilemoters from Berlin and whose family devastated during the Holocaust, the project presented a chance to reconnect to his past. Both of his parents were arrested by Soviet officials when the Red Army and upon their return home and have spen d some time in concentration camp. Upon their return they learned that 85 members of families had died at the hands of the Nazis. These experiences made Libeskind design extremely personal and in a sence biased. In an nterview to â€Å"Jewish Currents†, a Jewish on-line magazine that deals with activism, politics and art Libeskind explains his approach; â€Å"I would first point out that it’s not a project that I had to research in a library or study in the archives because it is part of my background, including my immediate background in every sense. My parents were Holocaust survivors and my uncle Nathan was one of the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. I myself grew up as a Jew in post war Poland under quite anti-Semitic circumstances. And I’ve lived in Israel and New York. Certainly that museum is speaking, both backwards and forwards, to many issues that are part of my Jewish sensibility†. Jewish Currents Just by observing the form of the structur e, already the sense of pragmatic effect is playing a large role. The building is recognisable by its gleaming zinc walls, asymmetrical shape of the zigzag form with daylight penetrating through asymmetric cuts suggestive of the vile stabs on Jewish presence in Germany.

Andreas Gursky Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Andreas Gursky - Essay Example Over time, Gursky has made tremendous achievements in the global art scene. He is well-known for his big, bold, colorful and detailed photographs that have defined the contemporary art. His large-format photographs are a reflection and exploration of the natural environment and globalization effects on the modern life of capitalism (Famous photographers, n.d). Several of his artistic works have been presented in several exhibitions in major museums around the world. For instance, the most recent major exhibition "Werke-Works 80-08† has found its way in many exhibitions such as the Kunstmuseen Krefeld, Kunstmuseum Basel in Switzerland, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is also found in much important public and private collections throughout the world. Moreover, Gursky’s 3m wide photograph of â€Å"Rhine II River† holds the record for the most expensive photograph in the art history. In 2011, it was selling at  £ 2.7m at Christie’s New York â₠¬â€œ a price higher than Cindy Sherman’s  £2.4m in May.Gursky’s exemplary works and desires for photography have also seen him traveling beyond Germany and the Europe Continent as a whole. He has gone to international cities of Tokyo, Singapore, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Cairo among others taking a wide range of images of buildings, hotels, offices, events, and nature.Brought up by successful commercial photographer parents owning a photography studio, Gursky started learning photography even before finishing high school

The Impact of Employee Involvement in Hiring and Promotions Process of Assignment

The Impact of Employee Involvement in Hiring and Promotions Process of Public Administration Agencies - Assignment Example The dissertation looks at the goal of how beneficial employee involvement could be among public administration agencies if it is practiced during hiring and promotions processes. To this end, the topic of the dissertations is stated as: â€Å"the impact of employee involvement in hiring and promotions process of public administration agencies.† Considering the nature of the topic, which touches directly on an identified institution, it would be true to say that there will be a lot of institutional reviews needed for the research. Institutional review of the research would come in two major forms and formats. In the first place, there ought to be an institutional review that looks at the ethics and rules of engagement in the identified institution in the conduct of research of this nature. Even though this may generally be an academic exercise, it is important that some basic rules of research including the need for ensuring confidentiality and anonymity of data are reserved. As much as these standards are adhered to, the institutional reviews needed on the part of the awarding institution, which is the university will also be catered for to a very large extent (Schein, 2004). For a higher academic level dissertation preparation of this nature, it is always important for the researcher to appreciate the fact that all knowledge cannot rest with him alone (Schein, 2004). What this means is that the researcher would always, and at one point in time or the other need the inputs of other people in making highly informed choices on the dissertation. Considering the fact that the dissertation preparation goes through many different stages, it would be more than true to say that at every point or stage in the preparation of the dissertation, the input of some people will be needed.