PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG VETERANS AND INTERVENTIONS Essay

PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG VETERANS AND INTERVENTIONS - Essay Example In addition to these problems, smoking also has been directly linked to causing respiratory complication, oral disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. It follows that it is essential greater awareness be brought through veterans to the deleterious consequences of smoking (American Lung Association, 2010). Even as smoking is a considerable problem among the general public, veterans in VA health care demonstrate even statistically higher numbers of illness. Indeed, it is estimated 33 % of the veterans’ population served by the Department of Veterans Affairs are smokers, whereas the national average is at 22% (National Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Program directive, 2003).In addition to demonstrating higher percentages of tobacco users, veterans also smoke more heavily than the general population. Much research that has been conducted into this phenomenon indicates that many veterans report beginning smoking while in the military, and after their release continue the pra ctice throughout their daily life as a means of calming anxiety or nerves. The military have always promoted tobacco use in the camps. During both the Second World War and the Korean War the government made complimentary cigarettes available as K-rations. The prevailing wisdom during this period was that cigarettes would keep troops vigilant in the battlefield. Smoking breaks were even used as motivation during boot camp, with soldiers being able to earn breaks (McKinney et al, 1997). It’s believed that the promotion of smoking in these contexts greatly contributed to later day health-related problems among veterans. In these regards, it’s clear that further awareness needs to be brought to the deleterious effects of smoking. Consider statistics from a recent investigation into this phenomenon that indicated 24.1% of 18 – 44 years olds are of veterans are current smokers, this percentage drops to 21.9% for 45 – to – 64 year olds, 11.1% for 65 †“ to 74 –year olds, and 5.8% for those over age 75 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Summary of Health Statistics for U.S. adults, 2006). Women, the fastest growing subgroup of U.S. veterans, are included in the VA health concern. In 2005, the Office of Public Health & Environment indicated that nearly 178,000 women die on a yearly basis as a direct result of smoking related illness. These women also risk cancer, infertility and pregnancy – related problems. SIDS is also common among mothers who smoke during pregnancy. (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010). Many health experts agreed that the current VA tobacco control efforts to be less effective for women veterans than their male counter – parts. â€Å"Given an expected increase of women veterans with tobacco – related morbidities, developing effective smoking cessation interventions for women veterans is an important goal.† (Katzburg, 2007).In addition to the previously described h ealth risks, research has demonstrated a significant connection between tobacco use and

Dealing with stress Essay Example for Free

Dealing with stress Essay One of the greatest sources of stress at work is caused by the innovations that have been created to make work easier. While it is true that there are already so many inventions and technological devices that have been invented to help people accomplish more at work, the result is far from the anticipated goal of allowing people to rest more. The increased capability of performing more work has been off-set by the fact that more and more tasks are placed upon the employees. The fact paced working environment and steady competition has changed the way work is being done and increased the stress levels. When a few decades ago companies only had to contend with local or national competition, the current business environment faces competition from firms and companies all over the world. Another factor which adds to the stress in any working environment, aside from the increased pressure to produce more, is the fact that the stress in the work place negatively affects the health of employees thus causing more absences and adding more pressure to catch up with the work load. It has been suggested that stress can be thought of as resulting from an â€Å"imbalance between demands and resources† or as occurring when â€Å"pressure exceeds ones perceived ability to cope† (Sedgeman 2005). The most common reasons for stress are poor working conditions such as excessive noise or heat and crowded or poorly designed workspaces, a lack of control over work, time pressures, long or inflexible working hours, too much or too little work or responsibility, confusion about duties and responsibilities, including role ambiguity, a lack of variety and interest in job, inadequate training and possibilities for learning new skills, poor work-life balance, difficult relationships with supervisors and coworkers, lack of support from colleagues, isolation from colleagues, organizational confusion, restructuring, and job change. All of these factors contribute to stress at the work place. It is important to note however that the effect or weight of each of these factors differs from person to person. Over the years, there has been more emphasis on job specialization and training. Aside from performing the regular work tasks, employees are also expected and pressured to meet higher expectations and maintain their competitive edge constantly. These factors were not as prevalent in the work place a few decades ago as they are now. There have been a number of studies on the relationship between stress and job performance that show that as the level of work related stress increases the job performance and satisfaction level also changes. Some of the consequences of stress include, job-related consequences such as low performance and absenteeism, emotion related consequences such as irritability and depression which affect work place relationships, and physiological consequences such as high blood pressure and other illnesses. All of these consequences affect the worker’s ability to perform his/her task at work and are also detrimental to the work atmosphere as more irritable people are less likely to contribute to team-related tasks and goals. Absenteeism is also a problem as it directly affects the work output of not only an individual worker but of the team or unit as well. Many techniques have been implemented to reduce worker stress. In a number of Japanese firms, certain activities such as worker exercise programs have been implemented in an effort to keep the employees in better shape. Other workplaces over the world have taken advantage of the technical advances in communications technology and used these to reduce worker stress levels. Some of these programs include the permitting of certain employees to telecommute at least once or twice a week in order to create a more relaxed yet productive working environment. Other programs included involving the families of the workers in group activities and corporate activities. While these have been shown to have mixed effects in relation to coping with stress, these activities have also shown that the most important way of dealing with work related stress lies in showing the employees that their employer cares about their welfare and is instituting programs to deal with such. In the long run, there is really no sure fire method of dealing with stress. There will always be different stress levels and methods of coping with them. The most important thing that remains, however, is that something is done. A proactive stance is still better than anything. References: Bower, J. E. Segerstrom, S. C. (2004). Stress management, finding benefit, and immune function: positive mechanisms for intervention effects on physiology. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 56(1): 9-11 Sedgeman, J. A. (2005). Health Realization/Innate Health: Can a quiet mind and a positive feeling state be accessible over the lifespan without stress-relief techniques? Med. Sci. Monitor 11(12) HY47-52.

Women in the Military :: Women in Military Essays

Women in the Military   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gun shots go over head. Bang, boom, run, run, run, hurry, go, boom, is all that can be heard. It’s completely dark outside. You can barely see ten feet in front of your face. All that can be seen is outlined figures of individuals running every which way. Shouting is coming from every direction. What should you do? Every second you think leaves your body vulnerable. You are in the middle of a high intensity fire fight. All of sudden you feel a little weak in the knees. You are still standing up, but you cannot walk even one step. You feel faint, almost a sick type of feeling. You look down and you notice blood coming from your body. Then it becomes apparent†¦you have been shot. You fall to the ground; everything is in slow motion and you yell as loud as possible for help. Medivac is on the way but you have to be carried a half a mile away from the conflict for them to pick you up. Can the individuals on your team carry your body all that way. After all they are tired as it is. What if the only person that could be counted on is a woman who is not able to lift you†¦then what? Because women do not go through the same physical standards as men, they should not be allowed to serve in the United States Military.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now I don’t want to sound like a woman basher. I believe women are capable of doing the same roles as men do. They need to undergo the basic training standards as men though. Here are a few interesting facts about basic training physical test standards in the United States Marine Corps for men and women. The Marine Corps has the hardest physical standards among all the branches in the military. Men have to run a three mile course in twenty-six minutes. Women have to run the exact same three mile course, but they are allowed an additional six minutes to do it in. They have to do run in a maximum time of thirty-two minutes. Does this seem right? This is not all. Men also have to complete three pull-ups before going to the next test; women, only one. Men have to do fifty push-ups and sixty-five sit-ups each in a time of two minutes. Not women. They only have to do thirty push-ups and only a pathetic fifty sit-ups in that same amount of time.

Political development Essay

There are many more important factors to human activity than leadership. Effective leadership helps our nation through times of danger and risky situations. In today’s competitive world, leadership skills are crucial for both personal and professional development. Leadership is an important function of management which helps an individual or a business to maximize efficiency and to achieve goals. It makes a business and/or nonprofit organization successful. Leadership is a very important trait of management which helps an individual or a corporate business to maximize efficiency and achieve their goals. Leadership has different meanings to various people. Most commonly, leadership is also defines as influence, that is the art influencing others so that will strive willingly towards reaching goals. Political leadership is a more complex process by which the persons in power influence their followers, society, and the public to accomplish their set goals for the community. Political leaders are necessary for continuing and starting the process of change and development in any society. It can be social or economic change and constitutional or political change. These leaders carry out the process of change by applying their skills and attributes like politically relevant beliefs, socially adored values, and approved character. Political development is an interactive, public-decision-making and learning process that alters the achievable set of options open to solving political problems within and between government and civil society, based on power creation and dispersion. This process leads to increasing individual and group autonomy from below from above. The study of Political Development can also be understood as the structures of the state in correspondence with the changes occurring in the economy and social dimensions of group life. The concept of political development should be based on an open acknowledgement of the value of institutional autonomy and its relationship to democratic values. Without any leadership and developing of societies, groups of human beings quickly turn into arguments and conflict, because we see things in different ways and lean towards different solutions.

“Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver Essay

Essay discussing the role played by the setting in â€Å"Popular Mechanics.† Analyze the central characters relationship to their surroundings. Does the setting limit the characters options or influence the development of the plot? Does the setting play any significant role in enhancing the theme of the story? â€Å"Popular Mechanics† was written in order to make the audience imagine their own details. The descriptions in this story are very basic and plain, the man and woman in the story are nameless with no clue of physical description, and there is no mention of what city, state or country the story takes place. This allows the reader to picture the surroundings and details of the story in their own way, maybe the reader has heard of or been in similar situations and they can put their own faces and locations into the story. The setting is given in very little detail, but it is also the most detail of any element in the story. The setting is a very important part of the story and is used to symbolize, foreshadow and relate with the events and characters. The setting described in the first paragraph prepares the reader for a dark, uncomfortable story. â€Å"Early that day the weather turned and the snow was melting into dirty water.† (Paragraph 1) All of these elements in the setting outside the house are used as symbols for something inside the house. This shows that something good or pure, â€Å"snow† or relationship, is turning into something ugly, â€Å"dirty water† or separation, and it is happening fast, â€Å"early that day.† The first paragraph continues, â€Å"Streaks of it ran down from the little shoulder-high window that faced the backyard.† (Paragraph 1) This paragraph gives very little detail of the house, but enough to get a mental picture. In this line, â€Å"it† refers to the dirty water which is a symbol for the break down of the relationship of the man and woman. The house is small, shown by  the description of a â€Å"little shoulder-high window.† The story later gives another description that the house is small in paragraph eleven, â€Å"She stood in the doorway of the ‘little kitchen’, holding the baby.† The little kitchen is most likely inside a little house. Even though the reader is never specifically told that the house is little, the audience gets small details that spark something in the reader to imagine a small house. The little house can tie in with the characters fight. The house may be too small for the woman to be comfortable raising a child there, or it may be too small for the man’s pride, both these situations can lead to arguments. The most obvious tie in with the characters and the small house is the fact that it is too small for the both of them, the man is leaving and the woman is glad he is. A bigger house means more success, more pride, and more happiness. All of these elements can possibly lead to a happier relationship. The fact that the window faces the backyard gives the events that go on inside the house a sense of privacy. The neighbors can see what is going on in the front yard; the backyard is used for privacy, when you do not really want everyone to know what you are doing. This description symbolizes the bad relationship that develops and â€Å"runs† through the small house when the doors are closed. The next line foreshadows the events that happen in the house. â€Å"Cars slushed by on the street outside, where it was getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too.† Here the story is pointing out that what is going on outside is going on inside too, and the reader should make the correlation at this point. The characters relate to the setting here because they are getting dark on the inside as well; the heart, mind and soul of the characters are growing dark feelings. The fact that it is â€Å"getting dark on the inside too† shows that things such as daylight, happiness, love and a relationship are coming to an end and things such as darkness, anger, sadness, and hatred are beginning. The setting is also used symbolically in the story when the flower pot is broken, â€Å"In the scuffle they knocked down a flowerpot.† (Paragraph 26) The flowerpot is used to symbolize the breaking up of the man and woman, and the breaking of the baby. Although the rea der is not told if the baby was physically broken, the emotional and mental  damage that a child goes through when their parents separate can be seen as a possibility for the child in the story. The setting sets the tone for the story, symbolizes elements inside the house, relates with the characters and foreshadows the events of the story. All of these elements are very important to the story and they are all given in three short paragraphs (Paragraphs 1, 11, 26). The setting is given the greatest amount of detail while the rest of the story is given almost no detail, only stereotypical behavior. The reader is required to imagine their own timeline, faces, and many other details, but the setting is told to show the overall mood the writer wanted the reader to see. This proves that the setting is a very powerful element to show that the relationship between the man and the woman and everything that surrounds them is going from good to bad and eventually, everything is broken.

Internet Rating Systems Censors by Default essays

Internet Rating Systems Censors by Default essays " Internet Rating Systems: Censors by Default" The Internet, first designed for the military and the scientific community, has grown larger and faster than anyone could have ever expected. Now being a potpourri of information, from business to entertainment, the Internet is quickly gaining respect as a useful and important tool in thousands of applications, both globally and domestically. But, the growth that the Internet has seen in the last few years has come with some growing pains. Reports of harmful information reaching children are always painful to hear; who wouldn't feel for a mother who lost a child to a pipe bomb that was built from instructions on the Internet? But the greatest pain thus far has been the issue of accessibility of pornography on the Internet, and it has many parents concerned. But is it as big of a threat as the media would like us to think, or has it been a bit exaggerated? On July 3, 1995, Time Magazine published a story called "On a screen near you: Cyberporn." This article discussed the types of pornography that could be found on the Internet such as, Pedophilia, S and M, urination, defecation, bestiality, and everything else in between. In Julia Wilkins' Humanist article, she states that the Time magazine article was based on a George Town University undergraduate student's law journal paper that claimed that 83.5 percent of the pictures on the Internet were pornographic. Unfortunately, after Time published the article, it was discovered that the paper's research was found to be wrong. So wrong in fact that Time retracted the figure, which really was less then 1 percent, yet the damage had already been done (1). She also claimed that the article, which was the first of its kind, was responsible for sparking what can be compared to a Salem witch-hunt or the McCarthy hearings. In effect setting off many child protection and religious gro ups who were being fueled more by inac...

Alternate Ending to Life as We Knew It. by Susan Beth Pfeffer Essays

Alternate Ending to Life as We Knew It. by Susan Beth Pfeffer Essays Alternate Ending to Life as We Knew It. by Susan Beth Pfeffer Paper Alternate Ending to Life as We Knew It. by Susan Beth Pfeffer Paper Life As We Knew It ALTERNATE ENDING I told my mother that I was going to the post office hoping to have a letter from my father. My mom said â€Å"Miranda, I heard that things should get better soon and this will be all over with, please be quick and be safe, it will all be over soon. † That gave me some hope. I left my skis in the house, knowing what I was going up against. I stepped outside into the blizzard, expecting the worst and not returning home. When I finally got to the post office, I realized that it was closed. Feeling hopeless, I was ready to give up and let the elements take me. But suddenly a flyer blew by me. I snatched the flyer and it said there is a food drive going on at the town hall. I managed to get there; I looked up, strained of all energy. The mayor explained how he was proud of me because I was getting food for my family and thinking of everyone else before myself. Being so exhausted, I looked up at the sky; a patch of blue peeked out at me. I jump up in excitement, an energy rush running through my body. I jump up and down, knowing that things are only going to get better from here knowing that my little brother Johnny and the rest of the family have a chance to survive. The mayor asks what all the excitement was about; I said â€Å"look up; there is hope in the air! † He looked up with the rest of the people at city hall in awe, looking hopeful. I had received a ride home to inform my family on the news. Once I told my mother, she cried tears of joy, knowing that everything should be over soon. Johnny screamed in joy, knowing that we all made it. Life will only get better now. This will soon be the life as we knew it.

The Charlotte Riots and the Killing of Keith Scott

The Charlotte Riots and the Killing of Keith Scott Deadly riots broke out in Charlotte, North Carolina, in September 2016. What had been peaceful protests over the police killing of an African American man named Keith Lamont Scott turned into a melee involving both demonstrators and the authorities. The spread of gunfire, vandalism, and smoke bombs during the riots led the North Carolina governor to declare a state of emergency. In the end, neither the city of Charlotte nor the people caught up in the protests were left unscathed. The 2016 Charlotte Riots The Charlotte riots took place in 2016 after a black man named Keith Lamont Scott was killed by police on Sept. 20. Officers said he had a gun, but Scott’s family denied he was armed and suggested he’d been framed. The riots ended by the morning of Sept. 23, but they had resulted in property damage, injuries, and more than a few dozen arrests. Tragically, one man, Justin Carr, died during the violence that broke out in Charlotte after Scott’s killing.The district attorney ultimately decided not to file charges against the officer who shot Scott because evidence suggested the slain man had been armed and did not follow commands. The Killing of Keith Lamont Scott The Charlotte riots took place just one day after a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer fatally shot married father of seven Keith Lamont Scott. The 43-year-old man had parked his car in the lot of the Village at College Downs apartment complex, where police had arrived to serve an arrest warrant to a different individual. The officers said they saw Scott with marijuana and that he’d gotten in and out of his car with a handgun. When they told him to drop his weapon, he ignored their commands, making him an â€Å"imminent threat,† according to the authorities. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Brentley Vinson, who is African American, fired his weapon, wounding Scott. First aid was performed, but Scott did not survive. His wife, Rakeyia Scott, had witnessed his killing and maintained that he was holding a book in his hand, not a gun. Given the history of police shooting unarmed black men, supporters of Scott believed his wife’s account. However, the authorities attempted to verify their version of what happened by stating that they had recovered Scott’s loaded gun from the scene and that he had been wearing an ankle holster. They also said that no book was ever found. Protestors march up Trade St. September 21, 2016 in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.   Sean Rayford / Getty Images The disparities between law enforcement’s account of events and Rakeyia Scott’s led protesters to take to the streets. The fact that his family suggested that the authorities had planted the gun at the scene only led to more skepticism about the officers involved in Scotts shooting. Several people were harmed during the demonstrations over his death. Riots Break Out in Charlotte Just hours after Scott’s killing, demonstrators poured into the streets. They held the trademark â€Å"Black Lives Matter† signs often spotted in the wake of deadly police shootings of African Americans. The grassroots Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement gained momentum after Mike Brown’s killing in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. The movement raises awareness about the fact that African Americans are disproportionately killed by the police. Protesters affiliated with BLM and other groups chanted â€Å"no justice, no peace!† as they marched through downtown Charlotte. Some members of the public reportedly began to pelt the police officers on the scene with water bottles and rocks. The officers responded by firing tear gas. During the unrest, police, news reporters, and civilians all sustained injuries. Arrests were made when some crowd members didn’t disperse, blocked the lanes of Interstate 85, vandalized vehicles and buildings, robbed an ATM and various shops, and set fires. A civilian named Justin Carr, 21,  lost his life in the violence, and a fellow civilian, Rayquan Borum, was arrested for shooting him and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2019. Altogether, 44 people were arrested for various crimes in the days following the police killing of Keith Lamont Scott. Police officers face off with protesters on the I-85 (Interstate 85) during protests in the early hours of September 21, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.   Sean Rayford / Getty Images When North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency in Charlotte after the first night of violence, the North Carolina National Guard and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol arrived in the city to quash the rebellion. In addition, Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts instituted a curfew preventing civilians from being on the streets between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.  With extra law enforcement patrolling the streets and a curfew, the protests had calmed down considerably on the night of September 22. The mayor extended the curfew one more night, but by September 23, Charlotte businesses were already up and running again. Reaction to the Violence The riots made international headlines and everyone from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump to black activists commented on them. â€Å"Our country looks bad to the world, especially when we are supposed to the world’s leader,† Trump said. â€Å"How can we lead when we can’t even control our own cities? We honor and recognize the right of all Americans to peacefully assemble, protest, and demonstrate, but there is no right to engage in violent disruption or to threaten the public safety and peace.† The North Carolina NAACP issued a similar message, decrying violence and calling on Scott supporters to use their First Amendment rights to call for redress of wrongs,† the group said. â€Å"We understand efforts that undermine the legitimate calls for justice with unjust, random or purposeless acts of violence.   Police stand outside of a vandalized storefront September 21, 2016 in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina.   Sean Rayford / Getty Images Nation of Islam leader B.J. Murphy had a different response to the riots. He called for an economic boycott of Charlotte, a city with a history of police shootings involving black men. In 2013, former college football player Jonathan Farrell, an African American, was fatally shot by Charlotte police after seeking help following a car crash. A jury deadlocked on whether to find the white policeman who killed Farrell guilty. Later, charges against the officer were dropped. In light of police violence against blacks, B.J. Murphy argued that black money shouldn’t matter in Charlotte if black lives don’t.   Restoring the Public’s Trust After the riots, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department attempted to rebuild the public’s trust in its officers. It produced DNA results tying Keith Lamont Scott’s prints to the gun at the scene and turned up evidence indicating that he’d purchased the weapon. The department did this, in part, to offset claims by Scott’s family that he’d been framed in death, but this evidence failed to put an end to the disputes between the family and the police department. Video of the encounter taken by police dashcams and Rakeyia Scott’s cell phone did not end the dispute either because it did not include the actual shooting. The footage also lacked a clear image of what Scott had in his hands when police fired their shots, so the debates about his conduct that fateful day continued. The authorities said he was a threat, while his widow said he walked toward police calmly with his hands at his sides. Residents gather for a vigil and march to protest the death of Keith Scott September 21, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Scott, who was black, was shot and killed at an apartment complex near UNC Charlotte by police officers, who say they warned Scott to drop a gun he was allegedly holding.   Brian Blanco / Getty Images Two months after Scott’s killing, Mecklenburg District Attorney Andrew Murray said that no charges would be filed against Brentley Vinson, the officer who fired the fatal shot. Murray reasoned that the evidence indicated that Scott had been armed at the time of his killing. His .380 semiautomatic handgun, according to police, had fallen to the ground after he was shot. The district attorney concluded that Scott didn’t aim his weapon at officers, but he didn’t obey their orders to drop it either. Scotts family expressed disappointment in the district attorney’s findings but asked the public to keep the peace. Sources Gordon, Michael. â€Å"Charlotte protests, riots are the backdrop in the murder trial of Rayquan Borum.† Charlotte Observer, 7 February 2019.Maxwell, Tanya and Melanie Eversley. â€Å"N.C. Gov. declares state of emergency following violent Charlotte protests.† USA Today, 21 September 2016.â€Å"Jury deadlocked in North Carolina officer shooting trial; mistrial declared.† CBS News, 21 August 2015.â€Å"State of emergency in Charlotte amid 2nd night of violent protests.† CBS News, 21 September 2016.

Journal Review.Describing Trends & Reading Closely Essay

Journal Review.Describing Trends & Reading Closely - Essay Example Also, economic concepts can be explained in a much simpler way to others by creating similarities or analogies to things which may be expected to be well-known to most audiences. Thus, I have gained a wider perspective on the range of applicability, the importance of an accumulation of experiences for better understanding of theories and ideas found in books, and the possible uses of most theoretical concepts that I have learned so far and will still learn in my chosen field. Compared with other popular publications such as magazines, newspapers, books, and other kinds of printed media that are most often freely published without much scrutiny and are available to a wide variety of audiences, academic or scholarly journals are more often than not the product of numerous and rigorous screenings and editing of it wholly, from grammar to soundness and validity of the content (Olson 52). Due to a much more focused or narrow-ranged audiences that are mostly within specific lines of work, research, or subjects, academic or scholarly journals are the kinds of publications which are not readily available to common folk, and even among most academicians or learned folk the information contained in these publications are not necessary applicable for them in their everyday lives since most of these journals and their individual articles have more or less specificities in their intended audiences. In addition, there is a higher rejection rate among these kinds of articles, mainly due to the possible stance of the information that if disseminated, could change the course of different disciplines. The need to scrutinize is rather a daunting task since not all members of the discourse community are easily swayed by the content, and oftentimes have their own counterarguments based on their own knowledge, experiences, and if possible, theories. The discourse community that reviews or screens the content of such journals can be said to be rough and rather unforgiving, while at t he same time dynamic since â€Å"over time, certain issues are put to rest and new issues are explored† (53). In a way, the information being assimilated and gathered in most academic or scholarly journals can either become pioneering or disposable, depending on the speed in updating or affirming certain ideas or concepts released in these kinds of publications. For explaining the contents and the scopes of scholarly or academic journals, the Journal of Economic Essays published by Wiley-Blackwell, a part of the John Wiley & Sons group is the journal chosen for this project. As an aspirant coming from the field of economics, I have chosen this journal since I am confident that with the knowledge that I have learned in my studies on my field of specialization, I may be able to translate the concepts embedded in some articles from the journal to inform others outside of my field not just about this journal’s visions and objectives, but of the idea of economics as a whole . Also, this publication is a rather inclusive one, as it is indicated in the author guidelines that most of the articles acceptable for publication were written in a way that more people can appreciate the content due to lesser economic jargons and more colloquial terms that many readers can understand (John Wiley & Sons). Also, in my opinion using a journal that has lesser technical jargon can be an inviting way to make people or readers from other fields to become relieved from being overwhelmed or

Paul's Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Paul's Case - Essay Example Indeed, many a times, the cheerful exterior hides the treacherous thoughts and conflicts that could lead to dangerous outcome. Cather’s characterization of Paul as a deviant personality is highly intriguing. It raises pertinent questions of adjustment of the same within the parameters of social controls like family institution and educational institutes. Paul’s disdain towards these social institutions is serious in its content. The main reason being the authorities fail to understand the reasons behind his continued misdemeanors. Despite the threats of expulsion from the school, Paul exhibits a careful indifference for the rules. When he is called to the Principal’s office for explanation, all the teachers come together against him. Indeed, Cather’s observation that the stoic demeanor of Paul forces the teachers to be ‘humiliated to have felt so vindictive toward a mere boy’. The author’s portrayal of Paul encompasses diverse human emotions that are difficult to understand by the people, especially by his teachers. Indeed, the inability to reform a ‘mere boy’ is not only frustrating for the teachers but it also shows a decisive lack of will to understand the complex nature of Paul. Paul’s relationship with his father and sister is also not very cordial. The confined environment of his home and conservative attitude of his father are shown as major issues. Through Paul’s story, the author is probably trying to show how the society tries to manipulate the characters of the young people and suppress their natural inclinations. Paul is hugely attracted to the imagery lives of artists. he portrays the surrealist of the character through his role of ‘usher of the theatre’ where he imagines himself in the company of the artists and celebrities. Interestingly his make believe world becomes his only medium of being happy. When Paul’s lies and deceit are revealed, he is taken out of the school. But Paul, as the

Case Study Analyses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case Study Analyses - Essay Example Wal-Mart is a business which over the years has empowered the employees to be able to live a better life, this was especially so in the earlier days when Wal-Mart was in its full glory. To begin with, being a large organisation helped the employees to have job security because it was harder to lose their job in a large organisation such as Wal-Mart. However, it is necessary to note that this seems to have changed since in the recent days, Wal-Mart has had various issues with its employees where many employees complain of being overworked, underpaid and that they don’t have job security anymore. The Wal-Mart Way is the strategy which Wal-Mart uses in doing its retail business. The Wal-Mart way has helped the firms to become a colossal success and this success in turn affects the employees and the associates by empowering them. The absence of Sam has however meant that the employees and the associates are no longer as advantaged as they used to be. Wal-Mart can be seen as the pi oneer in corporate social responsibility. Sam had a genuine sense of responsibility towards the stakeholders and especially the communities in which his business operated. These early stances on corporate social responsibility can indicate that Wal-Mart’s core values are geared towards responsible business which looks at the interests of all the stakeholders. The Buy American stance for instance is a good example because by implementing this idea, Wal-Mart was getting a disadvantage because it had to buy more expensive goods from the local manufacturers while its competitors continued buying cheaper goods from overseas manufacturers. If Wal-Mart was doing this just to entice the customers, it could have given up later but instead of that, it stuck on its policy. The effect of Wal-Mart on the smaller merchants does not neutralise the advantages of the firm’s corporate responsibility because Wal-Mart does not owe anything to these merchant as long as it applies ethical r ules of competition. With regard to the closure of the stores, Wal-Mart, just like any other employer, owes it to the employees to provide safe and secure employment. There is no employee who doesn’t want to know that their jobs are secure and that they will not wake up one day and find that they no longer have any their jobs. In this regard, Wal-Mart owes it to the employees to make sure that their jobs are secured and that they will not suffer trying to look for other jobs. With regard to the loyal customers, Wal-Mart also has a responsibility because these customers were used to getting the services of Wal-Mart. In a modern world, customers’ lives are moulded by the services they get from businesses like Wal-Mart and when they receive these services for long enough, their lives are highly dependent on these services and if these services are removed, the customers are affected. This is why firms like Wal-Mart have the responsibility to do whatever it takes to ensure the continuity of these services and therefore Wal-Mart owes it to these customers to continue offering the services. The competitors in some cities have secretly hired consultants to block Wal-Mart from entering these cities. This is not fair business and it breaks all rules of business competition ethics. This is very

E-Business - Qatar Airways (3) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

E-Business - Qatar Airways (3) - Essay Example The company has also tied up with private portal Bezruk.com and common forum Frommers Unlimited and has marked its presence in social networking forum Facebook where fans of the airline regularly exchange their experiences with this airline. These e-marketing techniques have provided the airline a very substantial presence and publicity in the e-market. E-business depends on attractiveness and user friendliness of company’s website. The visitor must be completely satisfied after a tour of the site and that can be possible only when the website is designed in such a way that a busy visitor is also able to obtain the required details at the shortest possible time and with the minimum of trouble. The language used in the website also plays a substantial role for this to be achieved. The website of Qatar Airways has achieved this target quite admirably. Qatar Airways has become a deft player in the business-to-business marketplace by judiciously applying the strengths of internet in collecting, collating and analysing information related to tour and conference fliers and travel agents. By sifting the available data, the airline is in a position to identify the most economically profitable strata of business fliers and design its promotions and offers in a manner that is most attractive to the targeted strata. The airline has never been oblivious of its social responsibility and the need to behave like a responsible corporate citizen, not only in Qatar but in rest of the world also. It has undertaken numerous programmes for the benefit of orphans and autistic children in Qatar and has also donated handsomely towards rebuilding activities in China after the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008. It is also aware of environmental pollution and has instituted a programme for fuel efficiency and gradual reduction of dependency on fossil fuel. Qatar Airways has always

PICOT ASSIGNMENT#2 ( WILL SEND SPECIFIC INFORMATION) Research Paper

PICOT ASSIGNMENT#2 ( WILL SEND SPECIFIC INFORMATION) - Research Paper Example This is through the review of literature using the PICOT question, in which case it is essential in looking for evidence that supports an intervention (Vollman, 2010). The picot question involves the following elements The intubation procedure should involve the gas exchange, the hemodynamic and the neurologic care, in which case they are essential in critically ill patients (Vollman, 2010). The evidence provided is quite of high level and results in answering the PICOT questions. The application of CLRT is quite easier to maintain, and hence, the application of CLRT leads to prevention of atelectasis than it restores the alveolar patency. The inclusion criteria included all the search results, in which case it had to contain continuous lateral therapy and lung injury, lung complications and ARDS (Davis et al., 2001). The pulmonary complications are the most frequent in mortality and morbidity in critically, ill patients. Studies by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement have had to find that the ventilator-associated pneumonia is leading in the cause of hospital morbidity and mortality. Nurses have even had to implement a two-hour turning of patients in order that they prevent the complications. Despite the continued use of such strategies, there has been no significant improvement in the effectiveness of pulmonary complications. As part of the progressive mobility, the Continuous Lateral Rotation Therapy (CLRT) has been in use in order to reduce the pulmonary complications that have had to result from immobility. The therapy was through continuous motion-bed frames, in which case helps rotate the patient from one side to another. Such strategy is quite effective in improving the pulmonary outcomes in critically ill patients (Dollovich, et al, 1998). Mobilization of patients is quite an accepted practice that helps to reduce the effect of prolonged bed rest. Sometimes it is quite difficult to mobilize patients during the early acute phase

E-Business - Qatar Airways (3) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

E-Business - Qatar Airways (3) - Essay Example The company has also tied up with private portal Bezruk.com and common forum Frommers Unlimited and has marked its presence in social networking forum Facebook where fans of the airline regularly exchange their experiences with this airline. These e-marketing techniques have provided the airline a very substantial presence and publicity in the e-market. E-business depends on attractiveness and user friendliness of company’s website. The visitor must be completely satisfied after a tour of the site and that can be possible only when the website is designed in such a way that a busy visitor is also able to obtain the required details at the shortest possible time and with the minimum of trouble. The language used in the website also plays a substantial role for this to be achieved. The website of Qatar Airways has achieved this target quite admirably. Qatar Airways has become a deft player in the business-to-business marketplace by judiciously applying the strengths of internet in collecting, collating and analysing information related to tour and conference fliers and travel agents. By sifting the available data, the airline is in a position to identify the most economically profitable strata of business fliers and design its promotions and offers in a manner that is most attractive to the targeted strata. The airline has never been oblivious of its social responsibility and the need to behave like a responsible corporate citizen, not only in Qatar but in rest of the world also. It has undertaken numerous programmes for the benefit of orphans and autistic children in Qatar and has also donated handsomely towards rebuilding activities in China after the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008. It is also aware of environmental pollution and has instituted a programme for fuel efficiency and gradual reduction of dependency on fossil fuel. Qatar Airways has always

The Ethical Systems of Noddings and Bell Term Paper

The Ethical Systems of Noddings and Bell - Term Paper Example This in itself makes the argument that all women are nurturing, which is not necessarily true. Her ethics theory is based on this premise. To illustrate, she tells the story of Ceres, who loses her daughter, Proserpine, to Pluto, god of the underworld (373). Grief-stricken, Ceres is taken in by Celeus and finds a sick boy at his home. She cures him and gives him knowledge of agriculture: â€Å"the cared-for shall be blessed not with†¦power, but with the great gift of usefulness† (374). In telling of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, Noddings posits a male system of responsibility to an abstract ideal, which is â€Å"absolute duty toward God† (375). Noddings system repudiates the ideals of an absolute deity and abstract principles in favor of an ethics based on â€Å"natural caring, that makes the ethical possible† (376). In terms of ethics, Noddings asserts that women are concrete thinkers, devoted to an ideal of â€Å"we-ness:†¦ She does not, in whatever personal agony, inflict death upon her child in devotion to either principle or abstract entity† (377). ... I believe the â€Å"have tons of the one-caring and the cared for†, which Noddings describes as â€Å"internal imperatives†(380) refer to the chains of obligation placed upon women. Even Noddings’ language internalizes the position of the oppressed. Bell’s system of ethics presupposes a paradigm. The feminist ethicist must first be aware of the larger society to which she belongs, and whose mores she has internalized, even if she is now questioning them. Class differences, racial and ethnic groups, â€Å"even different classes within those groups† as they relate to gender oppression must be included in an ethical system (18). The societal context of any moral/ethical analysis must be considered, or the analysis will be shallow (20). Bell’s definition of morality is â€Å"a set of prescriptions and prescriptions, a practical list of dos and don’ts† that govern behavior (19). To arrive at a system of feminist ethics, Bell examines different moralities and questions their origin, their place in the larger societal system, their possible inconsistencies and whether or not â€Å"one morality can be shown to be superior to any other† (19). Her ethical system is not synonymous with a common definition of morality. Bell’s paradigm includes the â€Å"reality of violence† routinely directed at women in society (21). This includes â€Å"sexual child abuse, rape, sexual harassment† as well as the legal system’s casual attitude in prosecuting the perpetrators(21). It also includes the persecution of the victim of violence when it occurs in the public sector. By characterizing such violence as a private matter, social institutions thus serve to condone it.  

Description of incident between Black BMW and white Lexus Essay Example for Free

Description of incident between Black BMW and white Lexus Essay Description of incident Introduction                   At 9 a.m. Sunday morning, I was on my way to meet a client for a 10:15 a.m. appointment. I was driving northbound on the number two lane of the Northbound I- 110 freeway, at a speed of 70 miles per hour. The freeway was smooth without traffic that morning. While I was driving, a 2005 Black BMW suddenly attempted to move from the number one lane into the number two lane. As a result, I lost control of the vehicle and collided with the 2005 Black BMW on its rear (Doctor Who Online YaWHO Group Yahoo! Groups. ). The impact caused the 2005 Black BMW to spin and hitting another car, a 2009 white Lexus, which received minor impact. We noticed that the passenger of the BMW was stuck in his vehicle, and his car was leaking fluids. Fortunately, we were able to get the passenger out with minor injuries.                   At 9:20 a.m., I called 911 and the Highway Patrol officer arrived 5 minutes later. He interviewed all the people who were involved in the accident and witnesses as well. After 10 minutes, the Fire Department came to clear out accident and clean the highway. Only minor injuries were reported; hence no one was taken to hospital. Follow up actions                   After the incident, I interacted with the people involved in the accident. I also took photographs of the damages to the car. At 9:30 a.m., I called my supervisor, Cesar Serrano, to take care of the insurance company. I called the client to inform him that I will not be able to meet with him because of the occurrence. Tomorrow, I plan to submit for check-up on any further injuries. References Doctor Who Online YaWHO Group Yahoo! Groups. n.d. Yahoo! Groups. https://groups.yahoo.com/group/drwho-online/messages/2?tidx=1. 5 March 2015. Source document

An Outpost of Progress Analysis

An Outpost of Progress Analysis Joseph Conrad whose original name was JÃ ³zef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, born in Berdichev, Poland (currently Ukraine) on the 3 December, 1857 to a writer and a translator, Apollo Korzeniowski , who encouraged him to read widely in Polish and French. His mother Ewelina Korzeniowska, died of tuberculosis and soon after his father, Apollo leaving him orphaned at the age of eleven. At the age of sixteen he abandoned Poland and for the next four years he enlisted as a sailor in merchant ships, he also joined the British Merchant Navy and received British citizenship in 1886 changing his name to Joseph Conrad. He died in England on 3 August, 1924 of a heart attack. Joseph Conrad is considered one of the greatest novelists in the English literaty history. His life, filled with adventures was the biggest inspiration for the developing of his novels and stories, his political conspiracy works as an inspiration in his novel The Arrow of Gold and his travel to the coast of Venezuela gave him enough material to write Nostromo, considered by most of his critics as a masterpiece. Conrad had the ability to change the perception and the emotions of the reader, reading his works is easy to feel loneliness, fear, mystery and many other things that he cared to preserve in all his works. He can create a universe in which the main character must fight to survive against the dark forces of nature or the evil part of human behavior. These characteristics can describe the literary work of Conrad especially when he refers to the occidental civilization where he tries to show the obscurity of the colonized countries that existed in the mid nineteenth century, like in his novel The Heart of Darkness. Conrad travelled to the Congo Free State as an ambition of his childhood in 1889, filled with illusions and hopes, but instead of that he returned to Europe with an emotional trauma of the atrocities that he witnessed there. These experiences served as inspiration to write Heart of Darkness and An Outpost of Progress. This essay is intended to show the criticism to the idea of progress in the short story An Outpost of Progress in which we can notice the depression, the disappointment and pessimism that Conrad had towards the society in the nineteenth century. The story is about two white men, lazy and incompetents, Kayerts y Carlier who took over a trading station in Central Africa, their job is simple; supervise the collection of ivory in the station. The director of the company, whom was aware of the uselessness of those: Look at those two imbeciles. They must be mad at home to send me such specimens. I told those fellows to plant a vegetable garden, build new storehouses and fences, and construct a landing-stage. I bet nothing will be done! They wont know how to begin. I always thought the station on this river useless, and they just fit the station! Instead of that the director trusted in the will of Makola, a nigger from Sierra Leona who called himself Henry Price who ends up doing all the work. The two white men are unable to do any job, even the simplest task like try to learn the native language and communicate with the others in order to have more people to trust in case of an emergency or explore the surrounding areas. Instead of that they simply stay at the station, doing nothing, just reading the old books that the previous man in charge of the station had, and they convince them to bring to those lands the civilization and progress! To grapple effectually with even purely material problems requires more serenity of mind and more lofty courage than people generally imagine. No two beings could have been more unfitted for such a struggle. Society, not from any tenderness, but because of its strange needs, had taken care of those two men, forbidding them all independent thought, all initiative, all departure from routine; and forbidding it under pain of death. They could only live on condition of being machines. Without creativity, without initiative, without intelligence and with a false set of values there cannot be progress, these two were just the opposite of this, they were a waste of a society that needed to get rid of them in order to progress. This type of people who are not capable to take care themselves without help from others. The days passed by until one day Makola made a trade, he trades the life of the Indians for a big piece of ivory. The lack of moral values and the effects of an African form of capitalism led the white men to a psychological process that ends up tragically. Gabola, the only friend of the white inepts, knowing the situation decided to not to take violent measures, he decided to cut the supply of food, they only source that they had. They, sick, confused and demoralized, drinking a cup o coffee started to argue and started a riot because Kayerts denied to give to Carlier a little sugar to sweeten the coffee. That fight finished with the tragical death of Carlier. After the fight Kayerts in his loneliness start to think about what he had done and decided to kill himself, soon after the managing director arrives and the first thing he sees is the crucified body of Kayerts. They are faulty machines of a society that accustomed their members to not to think, to not fend for themselves, they were taught by a superior to obey orders that they forget the most basic thing of being a human. They lack of human instinct until one of them in a fit of madness and illness decides to kill the other in self defense and then find out that the other was unarmed. The new power of Kayerts started to rise, the new wave of thoughts rushing through his head may woke up a glimmer of intelligence in one way but more incompetent and coward that he already was in the other. But it was too late for him, he started to feel fear, thinking about heaven, the rules and the progress of real society was calling to him: Progress was calling to Kayerts from the river. Progress and civilization and all the virtues. Society was calling to its accomplished child to come, to be taken care of, to be instructed, to be judged, to be condemned; it called him to return to that rubbish heap from which he had wandered away, so that justice could be done. In An Outpost of Progress, Conrad refers with a little of mockery and irony to the idea of progression civilization and the progression through Christianity that is celebrated by the Queen Victoria and through Europe. For example; Conrad uses one of the symbols of Christianity, the cross and points out at the beginning of the story: There was also another dwelling-place some distance away from the buildings. In it, under a tall cross much out of the perpendicular, slept the man who had seen the beginning of all this; who had planned and had watched the construction of this outpost of progress. And when Kayerts commit suicide and the end of the story: He had evidently climbed the grave, which was high and narrow, and after tying the end of the strap to the arm, had swung himself off. His toes were only a couple of inches above the ground; his arms hung stiffly down; he seemed to be standing rigidly at attention, but with one purple cheek playfully posed on the shoulder. And, irreverently, he was putting out a swollen tongue at his Managing Director. Conrads irony is clear, the crooked direction of the cross means that Christianity is useless and irrelevant in a place with different cultures and beliefs, in the hostile African jungle. Also the cross as a symbol of redemption and as a symbol of peace, the opportunity to reborn and eternal life makes Kayerts in his impotence of a though of his own to commit suicide. For Conrad Christianity makes no sense of progress for other civilizations, this is because it is filled with violence, moral failures and economic opportunism as we know the colonization movement in history of mankind, they were filled with bloodshed and unnecessary slaughter of innocent people. Also the political wave of that time with mixed points of view between the socialism and the capitalism as It sees when Makola traded the Indians for a piece of ivory, the material goods as a exchange of human lives. Maybe this is what Conrad saw when he arrived in Congo all his hopes in humankind were lost and that fake sound of progress suddenly appeared when he returned to Europe, seeing the reality of the two faces of the coin, one nation in prosperity and the other paying the price.

And The Band Played On Essay -- AIDS Disease Health Spread Essays

And the Band Played On The movie, And the Band Played On, discusses the origin of the AIDS virus and how it spontaneously spread across the world. It used the Ebola disease to foreshadow the forth coming of another serious disease. The world was not prepared to handle such a contagious plague. Doctors around the world assumed that the first cases of the HIV virus to be just an abnormality of a certain disease, their carelessness of this matter was the start to the spread of this disease. Throughout this movie, it illustrates different points, such as the beginning of HIV, the misconceptions it gave, and the panic it aroused amongst doctors and the common people. The AIDS epidemic did not have to happen. It was caused by the negligence from doctors that did not think the matter was a concern. It started out when one patient had the disease, and the doctors concluded that it was a mutated version of a disease. But it turned out that that was the first patient to suffer the HIV virus. If this situation was taken as an important matter, they could have taken that patient to a special institute so that the patient would not be capable of transmitting the disease. For the other patients who also contracted the virus, they could have also taken them to a special institute. Even when the government knew that there was a serious disease that was going to spread, they did not do anything about it. The reason for this is because they needed scientific evidence that the virus was...

Black Plague Wh2

Where did the plague begin and spread? The plague began in 1348 in East Asia but very quickly spread to Florence, Italy. 1b. What two possible cause did Boccaccio suggest for such a terrible event? Boccaccio suggested that it was through the influence of heavenly bodies or that it was God’s anger because of our wicked deeds. 2. How did people behave to those that were sick? Why? The city ordered that the streets be cleansed and any sick person was forbidden from entering the city. Many people acted this way out of fear of catching the disease themselves. 3. How did the plague affect city government and laws? Many of the upper class citizens stayed inside their homes, secluded from the outside world. 4. What aspect of people’s behavior seems to shock Boccaccio the most? The cruel opinions people had of the plague. Many citizens stayed away from each other and many others abandoned the city, leaving no one to care for the sick people. 5. Most of the upper-class stayed inside and stayed secluded from the outside world. While hiding they ate and drank plentifully, while trying to stay merry and positive. The lower and middle classes used flowers to hide the odor while on the street/ personally I would have chosen staying in seclusion. 6. The plague had to be one of the most devastating epidemic to sweep Europe in the 14th century and in their history. I don’t think that any moment during this time frame even compares to the damage the Black Plague did to Europe.

Film Editing Essay

The 1972 film The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppolla based on the novel by Mario Puzo that takes one inside the world of the Mafia as shown in the Corleone family where its patriarch, Don Vito is the â€Å"Godfather† but later, the focus of the film would later on shift to his son Michael who at first was not part of the Mafia family, but later on gradually joined it until he became the Godfather. The rise of Michael Corleone from being a â€Å"civilian† to Godfather is made possible by a well-coordinated cinematography which also involves editing. Editing is a film technique where reels of film are subjected to â€Å"cut and paste† in order to weave the scenes into a seamless sequences of events that unfold the moment it hits the silver screen. In this film, the producers make use the continuous editing technique. This approach is employed for the purpose of maintaining continuous or clear narrative action. It begins with the scene when Michael arrives at his sister Connie’s wedding reception which is presided by their father Don Vito. This scene shows that Michael is not part of the other â€Å"family† his father leads as depicted by him dressed in a military uniform which showed he came from the war. The next scene would be the attempted â€Å"hit† (murder) of Don Vito in the market and a separate scene where Michael’s older brother Sonny was killed. This is followed by the scene where he was mauled by corrupt police officers and another where he is handed a gun by his father’s mafiosi which he would use in a later scene to kill McCluskey, one of the corrupt cops and his father’s rival Sollozzo. His brother’s death and later his father, has thrust him into becoming the head of the â€Å"Family† which is underscored by scenes showing the â€Å"hits† on rival mafia leaders while serving as the godfather of his sister’s son. This is capped with the final scene where he closed the door to his study as he is about to preside over a â€Å"family† meeting with his second wife Kay standing by the doorway. These shots were cut and pasted in a way that it follows a progressive sequence. The seamlessness of the scenes shows rhythm in the editing and the intervals were either minimal or eliminated thereby preserving the momentum on focusing on Michael. The film also makes use of eye-line matches where the audience sees things initially from Don Vito’s perspective, at the beginning and switching to Michael, as it is shown in numerous scenes especially his confrontation with Sollozzo and switches to his wife as shown in the final scene when the door to Michael’s office closes with her looking on which underscored that Michael chose his other â€Å"family† thereby sealing his fate. The baptism scene shows the application of the temporal relationships as it is interspersed with the deaths of rival mafiosi, indicating what was happening at the same time. In conclusion, the use of (continuous) editing helped make the story of The Godfather easy to understand and to appreciate totally as it shows a seamless stringing of scenes that show the rise of Michael Corleone to power. Reference Coppolla, F. F. (Director). (1972). The Godfather [Motion Picture].

Phuket tourism Essay

This report will discuss how the rapid growth and mismanagement of the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Industry has impacted the island of Phuket, Thailand. The Tourism Industry is a major source of revenue for the island and therefore has a significant impact. The Tourism Industry has only been developing on Phuket since the 1970s, and the increased employment opportunities and income have resulted in much better living conditions for residents in this short period of time. However there are multiple problems caused by local and Thai government’s mismanagement of the industry. The sharp decline in tourist arrivals after the 2004 tsunami demonstrated the need for a wider target market in order to sustain the local economy. A major segment with the potential to bring considerable revenue to Phuket is MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events), which is an area of rapid growth in South East Asia. However the local government has failed thus far to develop a world class conference centre on the island. This failure to plan is also affecting the environment in Phuket, as the island does not have the capacity to dispose of the waste produced by the increased population: particularly during peak tourist season. This is just one of many problems that the government and community in Phuket must resolve in order to develop an economically and environmentally sustainable Tourism Industry. 1.0 Introduction This report will discuss the impact of the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Industry on Phuket, in Thailand. It will first briefly explain the fundamental characteristics of the HTE Industry. It will then talk about some of the many costs for Phuket caused by the ineffective management by the government of the rapidly developing HTE industry. This failure to plan has led to an unsustainable economy and an unsustainable environment which negatively affects the residents of Phuket. It will discuss how Phuket’s lack of diversity in the HTE Industry hinders potential growth in the economy. However not all of the impact on Phuket is bad. The rapidly developing Tourism Industry makes a very large contribution to the health of the local economy. It has elevated the standard of living on the island by supplying the residents with wider employment opportunities. The challenge is to find solutions to the problems faced by Phuket which satisfy the  stakeholders with different priorities: residents, businesses, development and environmental departments. Its government needs to enable its various stakeholders to collaborate in order to resolve the social, economical and environmental issues caused by the rapidly expanding HTE Industry. This needs to happen in order to develop Phuket into a sustainable tourism destination. 2.0 Fundamental Characteristics of the HTE Industry The HTE Industry consists of three segments: Hospitality, Tourism and Events. The three segments are classified as separate industries, yet they are not always easily defined as separate because many elements of each are overlapping (William Blue MGT102 Study Guide, 2013). A definition of hospitality is â€Å"The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers† (Bieringa, 2012). In the HTE industry a guest is a customer, and the host is the businesses who offer services for a fee. A host can also be a place, and Phuket the city performs as a host to many tourists as a popular tourism destination. The hospitality industry consists of a wide range of businesses who provide services such as accommodation, food and beverages (William Blue MGT102 Study Guide, 2013). Na Sakohakorn (2011) explains that â€Å"Tourism involves all activities which are conducted away from home†. Therefore a business is part of the tourism industry if it conducts business with customers who are travelling outside of their home territory. Events are an integrative effort of various services with the end result of an ‘experience’ (William Blue MGT102 Study Guide, 2013). All three co-exist in a mutually beneficial relationship in which the different segments work together to meet the varying needs of their guests. 3.0 Development of HTE Industry in Phuket Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, which has been called the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ by the Government and local tourism operators in a bid to market it as an oasis of paradise floating in the Andaman Sea (Kontogeorgopoulos 2005). It is Thailand’s second largest international gateway by air, with nearly 20 million tourist arrivals in the year 2012 (Tourism Authority of Thailand, n.d). It was a popular trading port for tin from the 16th century, until the last tin mine closed in 1992 due to a worldwide drop in tin prices (Asia News Monitor, 2009). In the 1970s the  Tourism Authority of Thailand commissioned firms to come up with plans for the development of Phuket (Lauzon, 2009.). This development resulted in heavy investments in the local tourism industry from foreigners and mainland Thais, leading to increased employment opportunities and resultantly a strong reliance of the local economy upon the sustainability of the tourism industry. This reliance has been increased overtime with the shift from traditional occupations such a tin mining, rubber tapping and fishing to jobs within the tourism industry (Kontogeorgopoulos 2005). The impact of the HTE industry here is significant due to the unusually large effects it has on the lives of local people. 4.0 Impact of HTE Industry on the Local Economy The HTE Industry is a vital element in the growth and sustenance of the local economy. This is because 38.5% of Gross Provincial Product comes from hotels and restaurants in Phuket (Ichinosawa, 2006). About 80% of locals work within the HTE Industry, with only around 20% remaining in traditional occupations. Because tourism has become such an integrated part of the economy, even traditional occupations such as fishing and manufacturing also indirectly rely on the industry for income. Tourism has many benefits to Phuket, such as increasing revenue intake, increasing employment and aiding social development by stemming the migration of youth to the mainland (Sakolnakorn, 2011). However the government has damaged opportunities to develop a sustainable plan for tourism with constant political infighting (Asia News Monitor 2009). Sustainable development is defined in the 1987 Brutland report (William Blue MGT102 Study Guide, 2013) as â€Å"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.† ` 5.0 2004 Tsunami’s Impact on the HTE industry in Phuket The catastrophic Tsunami of 2004 served to highlight the vulnerabilities within Phuket’s economy. This Tsunami was the biggest the Indian Ocean has ever seen with a devastating 155,000+ fatalities in the 11 countries it hit (Do Something, n.d). The Tsunami left a secondary impact of a stagnated regional economy in its wake. As Kasperson (2004) says, â€Å"Unfamiliar or distant places may easily fall play to distorted or stereotypical  perceptions.† Tourists stopped coming after the Tsunami, and there is no insurance against stigma. The tourism agencies selling the majority of packages to Phuket were located in foreign countries therefore local businesses could not develop good supply chain relationships with them to ensure sales continued. Phuket’s marketing strategies revolved solely around its ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ image as a paradise of sun and beaches. The Tsunami tainted this image by increasing the perception of risk for tourists visiting its famous beaches. Sales in the beginning of 2005 dropped to only 10-30% of normal rates (Ichinosawa 2006). Phuket paid the price for relying upon a small segment of a potentially diverse HTE industry. 6.0 Events as a Potential Major Source of Revenue A segment of the HTE industry with vast untapped potential for Phuket is the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, or MICE, segment. MICE events are one of the fastest growing segments in the industry and particularly in the South East Asia region. According to a study done by IHG in 2012, 50% of delegates coming to South East Asia for MICE events come from outside the region. However Phuket handicaps itself in this sector as despite decades of talks and studies it still lacks a world class conference centre (Fein, 2012). There was an attempt to build 2.6 billion BAHT centre in 2011; however the project is still in limbo as the environmental impact assessment was rejected. This is an example of the constant struggle between government departments for environmental planning and tourism resulting in a lack of efficient city planning. A world class conference centre would contribute to the local economy by diversifying the market and drawing in high spending MICE delegates (Asia News Monitor, 2010). The failure to build a conference centre demonstrates the continued failure of the Phuket government to build a sustainable economy. 7.0 Impact of HTE Development on the Environment The rapid growth combined with ineffective management has resulted in many environmental issues in Phuket. An article in the National Geographic Traveller rated Phuket’s environmental status as 46/100 and categorized it as ‘in serious trouble’. These problems spawn from a lack of planning, combined with irresponsible environmental behaviour due to lack of  discipline in Thai culture, and increasing materialism and consumerism (Boonchai, Beeton, Srichai). The rising population and urbanisation have drastically increased the use of natural resources, with approximately 75% of the environmental impact being caused by the consumption of non-durable goods, water and energy (Ruiz-Molina 2010). An example of the problems caused by over-population is the piling up of solid waste on the island. Phuket’s incinerator only has the capacity for 250 tonnes of waste per day, while the island produces 300-350 tonnes per day. This means that the excess waste is piling up at the rate of 50-100 tonnes every day. Phuket also can only provide 30,000 cubic meters of water, yet the demand is 40,000 per day (Lauzon, 2009). The disputes between development and environmental protection sectors of the government hold back progress in finding solutions to these issues. These government departments fail to seek the input of the many varied stakeholders on Phuket who could offer vast insight into potential solutions: the business owners and local people (Boonchai, Beeton, Srichai). Once again these unresolved issues highlight the inability of the local government in facilitating a satisfactory compromise to achieve long term sustainable development in Phuket. 8.0 Impact on Local Residents The development of the HTE industry in Phuket has brought many increased challenges into the local people’s lives; however the benefits outweigh the costs for most residents. One particularly dark segment of the industry which affects local women and children is Sex Tourism. Prostitution began due to a lack of employment opportunities for uneducated women during the Vietnam War (Ehrfurcht, n.d). It has been illegal since 1960, but the law is rarely enforced due to the government’s reliance upon it to maintain the economy (Morison, 2008). A wide survey of tourists revealed that 17% thought that the sex industry was motivation to come back to Thailand as it is easy to find (Rittichainuwat 2008). It is so easy to find because it is practiced widely in bars and brothels, and like in other segments of the Tourism Industry locals are increasingly being replaced by foreign women (Hanenberg 1998). Another area where the Thai people are being replaced is the labouring industry. It is increasingly expensive to employ residents due to the high cost of living on Phuket, which means more labourers are being hired from the Union of Myanmar (Sakalnakorn, 2011). The increasing  migration of people from the Union of Myanmar, also known as Burma, is causing a perceived loss of culture and increased crime rate in the local community. Despite all of the negative aspects introduced to Phuket by the HTE industry development, quality of life has been improved for residents. 9.0 What the Future Holds for Phuket Phuket has rebounded from the economic downturn following the Tsunami. The average hotel occupancy rate was a very healthy 75% for the year 2012 (Chinmaneevong, 2012). This rebound has been spawned by new direct flights from China and Eastern Europe, combined with lower costs from competition with the local cheap airlines. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s marketing targets for 2014 and beyond are health and wellness tourism, golfers, honeymooners and weddings, and ecotourism. It is targeting the first three areas due to the high spending customer demographics in each segment. Kontogeorgopoulos (2005) says that the â€Å"Desire to spend leisure time in natural settings is a key factor behind the recent rapid growth of ecotourism†. The challenge for tourism operators is Phuket is to give the Ecotourists the perception that they are still on a paradise island, despite the mass tourism and close proximity to urban areas. This is achieved partly through â€Å"communicative staging† (Kontogeorgopoulos 2005) where the landscape near resorts is designed to give the appearance of a natural environment. Guests to Phuket can also go for day trips to Phi Phi and other nearby islands which remain untouched by urbanisation to experience the sense of exploring a natural island environment (Lauzon, 2009). All stakeholders in the Phuket community (locals, businesses and government alike) wish for Phuket to be regarded as a ‘Green City’ in the future (Boonchai, Beeton, Srichai). This can only be achieved by engaging all members of the local community to form a comprehensive and sustainable development plan for Phuket (Xing, 2011). 10.0 Conclusion This report discussed the effects of the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Industry on the island of Phuket. The Industry’s rapid development has resulted in economic benefits, but has had some negative side effects upon society and the environment. The problems have been caused by the Thai and local government’s lack of compromise, lack of planning and failure to  enforce laws. Phuket seems to have not learnt from the 2004 Tsunami that economic reliance upon a small segment of the HTE industry is not a good long term plan in the changeable modern world. The new era of mass tourism which is hitting Phuket now, combined with the level of opportunity currently growing within the MICE segment in South East Asia, is an opportunity to develop more diversity in order to maintain its economy. It is vital that sustainability of the Tourism Industry is achieved as the local economy has become dependent upon it. Protecting the environmental is of equal importance as the Tourism Industry and people’s livelihoods depend on an attractive and natural-seeming environment in order to keep the guests arriving. Hopefully the many stakeholders in Phuket can find solutions so the island can develop as a Green City with a stable economy. Reference List Asia News Monitor, 2009, Thailand: Indigo Pearl Phuket – Distinctive concept taps Into Island’s rich history, Asia News Monitor, 2 November 2009, Bangkok. Asia News Monitor, 2010, Thailand: TAT says Phuket is the most favored destination for international beauty contest and wedding party, 8 January 2010, Bangkok. Bieringa, L., 2013, One definition of hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, Dominion Post, 13 August 2013, Wellington, New Zealand. Boonchai, C., Beeton, R. J. S. and Srichai, N., 2010, Environmental Management in Phuket: A Systematic and Participatory Approach for Solving Wicked Problem, University of Queensland Chinmaneevong, C. 2012, Phuket tourism outlook bright, infrastructure lags, Tribune Business News, 22 April 2012, Washington. Do Something.org, n.d, 11 Facts About the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, available: http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-2004-indian-ocean-tsunami# Dev, S., 2011, ‘I Do’ on Distant Shores, Express Hospitality, February 2011, Available: http://hospitality.financialexpress.com/20110215/management02.shtml eTravel Business News, 2012, TCEB Joins Pact with Phuket and TAT in Welcoming â€Å"Amway 2012† from China Moving Fast to Implement Government’s Scheme and Boost Mice Industry, eTravel Business News, 9 May 2012, Available: http://america.etbnews.com/21372/tceb-joins-pact-with-phuket-and-tat-in-welco

Electronic Medical Data Storage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Electronic Medical Data Storage - Research Paper Example A medical record is a comprehensive report that lists all the data that is created or acquired during a person’s course through a healthcare facility. It records details of any treatment plans of present or past, medical reports, tests, diseases, illnesses, medical checkups, etc. that a person has had in his life. Apart from the obvious purpose of documenting a person’s medical history or care record for emergency situations, a person’s medical record is also important for certain legal and financial information. It is also used in quality improvement and research processes. So, medical records are used for informing others, recalling observations, instructing students, gaining knowledge, monitoring performance, and for justifying interventions (Reiser, 1991). A person must possess his/her medical record at all times. Medical Records Schemes The medical records stored in healthcare organizations are either paper-based or computer-based (digital format). Since information in medical records has to be shared amongst the professionals forming the healthcare team, the researchers, legal or financial firms, medical records must be in a format that can easily be accessed, transferred, recorded, updated and consulted. Paper-based records have the obvious accessibility limitations and tend to be less organized as they are maintained in files and folders. They require storage spaces. The information in these records is usually incomplete. They may only comprise of the basic medical information, e.g. blood group type, current medicinal treatment or physical disease, etc. or data till a recent date. Carrying them everywhere is not feasible e.g. for military personnel or across borders. The terminologies used (abbreviations, etc.) may not be standardized and the handwriting may not be credible. Additionally, paper-based records have a constant threat of being ruined in case natural calamities like floods, fire, etc. Electronic medical records (EMR) help bridge this information storage, availability, access and retrieval gap in paper-based records by digitizing all the information. As EMR is computer based, information can reach the medical staff even before the patient reaches the healthcare center, re cords have backup copies in case of fire, flood, etc. A large acute care hospital was struck by a tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, in late May 2011. But as the hospital had fully incorporated an elec ­tronic records system, patients’ records were accessible without any delay (â€Å"Status of Electric†, 2011). Medical record constitutes the entire medical history of a person. Data is more organized as it consolidated from various points of cares. The record automatically updates in case of healthcare prescriptions and visits. Despite the technological advancements and advantages of EMR, majority of healthcare organizations around the world still maintain and operate on paper-based medical records. The quality of patient safety and care is without doubt compromised. One reason for this reluctance in transitioning is the substantial initial conversions costs (software, hardware, and technical staff) from paper-based medical records to EMR. However, due to the ever-inc reasing use of Internet and the electronic

A5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

A5 - Essay Example There needs to be clear processes of setting up goals for the benefit of the partners. The inter-organizational systems need to be effective to facilitate the flow of information between the collaborating organizations. This essay is a critique of the enabling telecommunication and distributed connectivity technologies utilized by Microsoft and SAP in their collaboration. SAP is one of the principle providers of software for businesses, which are significant for improving the capacity of the business to be innovative for better service delivery to clients. It is the unending quest for better services that has made SAP to grow to the current status. The organization has been capable of establishing clients in more than 100 countries, which is an indicator of the success that the company has accomplished in less than 20 years. SMEs as well as organizations in the international market are major clients of SAP. On the other hand, Microsoft is a major computer software company that is distinguished globally for its significant software solutions. The paper describes the inter-organizational systems as well as a description of the organizations’ inter-organizational systems.  It also highlights how these systems are used to define and support the partnership, ranging from management considerations to specific telecommunication and networking archi tectures used to support the collaboration. Microsoft and SAP are two global companies have been successful in establishing a strong collaboration whereby each partner benefits from the association. The most significant collaboration between the two organizations is through Mendocino, which is a project whereby each organization contributes towards transformation of the manner in which clients are served by the employees involved in handling information. The project empowers the personnel involved in information handling in SAP to become more accurate and efficient. Microsoft designed the project with the aim of helping

Leadership and Corporate Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leadership and Corporate Culture - Essay Example To achieve this, corporate leaders must possess certain influences and powers that will enable them shape the cultures for the betterment of the organization and without infringing on the rights of either. The first tool most managers use is the delegation of duties. By delegating duties to their juniors in a responsible manner, the managers empower the employees who in turn will go to greater lengths to maintain consistency (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2011).   Another crucial aspect is employee mentorship by the corporate leaders, who instill social and professional values on the employees that are in line with the attainment of the organization’s goals. Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell (2011) state that the corporate leaders can put in place proper conflict resolution mechanisms and good communication network in their quest to transform the organization’s culture. Perhaps the last but equally important power that a corporate leader can use to influence and shape t he general culture of the organization is to cultivate a culture of trustworthiness within the environment and outside the given organization. This normally has an effect of motivating the employees and subsequently identifying the organization with the said culture of motivation (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2011).   Important ethical leaders in and organization and their various roles Varieties of ethical leaders exist with each having more or less distinct roles in an organization setting. Ethical leadership entails the consistent practice and advocacy for normative actions that promote social values through engaging the employees in communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Top on the list are the decision makers who always strive to make well-informed and timely decisions about matters pertaining to the organization. This group of ethical leaders plays a strategic and proactive role within the organization (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2011). There are the public relati ons leaders whose main role in the ethical sense is to ensure good and effective communication with all the stakeholders within the company. Since communication is important in solving problems, these leaders can also play a role in conflict resolution. In addition, the mentors play a major role in motivating their junior within the organization by organizing such initiatives as the corporate social responsibility (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2011).   Illustration of the relations between ethical leaders and stakeholders According to Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell (2011), stakeholders contribute to, depend on, involve in, or feel the effect of the organizations activities and therefore their interests should form part of the organization’s agenda. These include the shareholders, customers, investors, and partners, whose needs, interests, and preferences can seem farfetched but in the end determines the culture exhibited by the concerned organization. Since both direct an d indirect stakeholders affect the organizations culture, all the ethical leaders within the company normally exhibit cordial relationship with all the stakeholders irrespective of the background in terms of contribution, geographic location, and size. This way, virtually every stakeholder will get higher percentage

An IT security consultant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

An IT security consultant - Essay Example This paper will explain four methodologies and how they can be used to protect an organization’s system from being vulnerable. Firewall A firewall is the first in line of a network’s defense mechanisms, which can either be a software application or hardware device. It keeps unauthorized people from accessing the organization’s network by blocking selected outbound or inbound traffic (Vacca 2009). Depending on the implemented type, the firewall allows the network administrator to determine the traffic to be let out or in of the network, and also restricted to specific domain names or IP addresses. There are four firewall mechanisms including application gateway, proxy server, circuit level gateway and packet filtering gateway. With the packet filter, traffic flow into or out of the network is intercepted and evaluated against the rules given by the administrator. Filtering is based on the criteria that the packet filter is able to access the destination and source ports, as well as their IP addresses (Christey 2007). The circuit level gateway bars all inward traffic to any other host, with the exclusion of itself. The client machines within the organization and the circuit level gateway establish connectivity via software run on the clients’ machines. ... The application gateway is a type of proxy server. After internal clients connect to it, it determines whether or not to establish the connection, then connects to the destination machine. All communications are routed from the client to the application gateway, then application gateway to destination machine. Since the gateway is the address viewed by the outside world, the internal network is kept safe. Encryption Encryption is the process of converting information in a way that cannot be understood by unauthorized people (Ardi, Byers & Shahmehri 2006). The information is converted into an unreadable form called ciphertext, and decryption is required to convert it back into its initial for by the recipient. During encryption, the information is encoded into ciphertext using encryption algorithms. An encryption key determines the way the information is encoded. Encryption schemes require algorithms for key-generation in order to produce keys randomly. By use of a decryption algorith m that needs the correct secret decryption key, the authorized party can decode the ciphertext. Key algorithms undo the encryption algorithms’ work. Encryption protects data both in transit and at rest (Zittrain 2008). Data in transit comprises that being transferred across networks like mobile phones or the internet. Data at rest includes files stored on storage devices and computers. Encryption makes it difficult to intercept data on transit, while securing that which cannot be physically kept from being accessed by unauthorized persons. In the case of data at rest, it remains safe in incidents of laptop and back up devices theft. The safest practice is to apply encryption at the time of

Literature Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Literature Review - Essay Example Both literature reviews and annotated bibliography provided an ordered list of sources used to write a research paper or a thesis. Most research works are based on works or findings of other scholars. The findings can either be applied in the qualitative or quantitative surveys that are carried out through such scholarly works. This indicates that using ideas or information from other researchers is unavoidable. Annotated bibliographies and literature review enable a scholar to acknowledge other scholars who provided a basis for their research work. In addition, through the literature reviews and annotated bibliographies, scholars are able to give the basis or the foundation of their research topic (Fink, 2009). This is achieved by giving a description of previous researches in other related topics. Despite the outstanding similarities between the two, literature reviews are not annotated bibliographies. Annotated bibliography contains an ordered list of sources used in the research works and their respective authors. In addition, annotated bibliographies give a short description that highlight the relevance of those sources in the research work. On the other hand, literature reviews is an essay containing background information about the different the sources used in research work. The description that accompanies a source in a literature review informs the reader about the quality and the relevance of the source to the study. Literature reviews also include important factors or points from the source that has been applied in the work. Thus, a literature review summarizes and analyzes an already existing arguments and deductions. Precisely, annotated bibliography present facts about different sources used to write the research work while literature reviews provide a brief summary, evaluation and analysis about different ideas, topics and arguments contained in the source. Different sources have different implications on the resultant research work. The author has the responsibility of informing the readers about the credibility of different sources used in the research. Authors use annotated bibliographies to inform the readers about the accuracy, relevance and the quality of the source used in research work (Fink, 2009). On the other hand, literature reviews are used inform the readers the pros and cons of the sources in relation to the research topic. In a literature review, an author or a researcher has the abilities to criticize the source by highlighting the missing elements. In addition literature reviews gives the direction or trend of future research work based on different sources used in the research. Finally, a literature review places a particular research work in its immediate context. This implies that in a literature review, a researcher provides a succession of ideas in a particular research topic. This makes it possible for the researcher to identify a gap of knowledge or ideas that can be filled by the present research work. In addition, a literature review provides a response to particular problems that can be used to improve the discipline. This enables the author to create a case for further investigation. On the other hand, annotated bibliography provides criticism to different sources based on their quality in relation to the research work. Unlike annotated bibliog

Arthur Conan Doyle Essay Example for Free

Arthur Conan Doyle Essay Examine the ways in which the author, creates suspense and tension in The Speckled Band by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson Speckled Band The Speckled Band is about an evil stepfather named Dr Roylott who has the intention of murdering his stepdaughter Helen to gain her property, having already murdered her older sister Julia, in a mysterious way. When his younger stepdaughter gets suspicious, as the mysterious circumstances repeated themselves, she contacts Mr Holmes. Mr Holmes tries to help Miss Stoner find out who killed her older sister and what with. In the opening paragraph we are given unanswered questions, which makes the reader feel uncertain of the situation. We are told Holmes only investigates strange cases; this makes the reader wonder what they are going to be learning of. Sherlock Holmes awoke from his sleep earlier than usual, even though he is described as a late riser. This interests the reader because of the sense of urgency, which Homes shows. Miss Stoner is described as wearing a black dress and veil. This makes the reader curious as to why is she wearing black as black usually symbolises death or that a tragedy has happened. Watson and Holmes mention that she is shivering, a sudden twist occurs when the woman replies It is not the cold which makes me shiver it is fear it is terror. This reply creates tension and apprehension, we are presented with many unanswered questions, Why is she scared being the main one. This creates suspense and tension because the unanswered questions give us vague details about the whole situation. Miss Stoner had prematurely grey hair this detail was mentioned because sometimes people who have a lot of stress get grey hair prematurely, so the author is trying to emphasise that she is extremely worried about the situation. Also she is described as a hunted animal, this emphasises her vulnerability and causes the reader to be uncomfortable. We only know that she is troubled and fatigued but what caused it is unknown to the reader even though we are told all of these descriptions of Miss Stoner. We are told about Dr Roylott and of how he murdered his native butler. This increases the awareness of the reader about Dr Roylotts aggressive and violent behaviour. He keeps exotic Indian animals such as the baboon and cheetah, which makes Dr Roylott baffling since he doesnt act in a normal way so the reader cannot fully understand his character. Dr Roylott followed Miss Stoner to Mr Holmes house. This makes Dr Roylott seem a desperate person seeing as he is willing to spy on his stepdaughter and it therefore seems that he has something to hide. Dr Roylott is described as a man with immense strength and with a very short-tempered anger. This is reinforced when Dr Roylott bent the poker and warned Mr Holmes that he is a very dangerous man. This striking first appearance of Dr Roylott makes the reader understand why he is such a dangerous man. Dr Roylott has the ability to intimidate most people but not Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is now seen as the knight in shining armour who is going to save Helen. Dr Roylott lets gypsies to stay on his land he becomes friends with them. This makes him seem more mysterious because people in that time of age wouldnt usually allow gypsies to stay on their grounds and then associate themselves with them, this is a very abnormal type of behaviour. Miss Stoner told Sherlock Holmes that Julia said before she passed away that it was the speckled band and then pointed towards Dr Roylotts room. This leads the reader to think that the death had something to do with the gypsies, the reason being that gypsies were usually stereotyped as wearing bandanas. The reader assumes that the gypsies may have killed Julia. We learn about Helens problems when she explains them to Holmes, we are now answered some of the questions the reader had before. We are told that Helens sister was murdered which raises tension in the conversation. The fact that Julia died just before the day of her wedding raises the awareness of the reader. Since Dr Roylott wanted to keep the money, hed have to get rid of Julia before she was married, this raises suspicion about him. The reader asks why did he go to bed early? We have more unanswered a question such as How did she die? that bewilders the reader. Helen tells us in great detail about the night Julia died next-door to Dr Roylotts room. Julia earlier that night heard a peculiar low whistle and a loud sound of metal being struck. These strange noises give a sense of unease to the reader. The two sisters would lock themselves in their room, which tells us they dont feel safe on their own, we had no feeling of security unless our doors were locked. Julia is alone and isolated from her sister and the strange sound creates tremendous stress within the reader because the reader is scared for her. A cheetah and a baboon are loose in the garden. Helen is engaged; when Julia was just about to get married she was killed. The reader already knows that if they got married Dr Roylott would lose a lot of money. These two factors are put together and now the reader fears for Helens life. Mr Holmes inspects the room that Julia died in. He notices that the house is being repaired even though it doesnt seem to need repair. Helen told Holmes I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room, now that she is in the room in which her sister died in, she is now very vulnerable. The fact that the house has scaffolding gives the reader the impression that a person may have entered the house from the outside, this misleads the reader slightly from what really happened. The room door had been locked and shutters with iron bars blocked the windows. The room had very unusual features such as dummy bell ropes and ventilators that did not ventilate. The ventilator goes into Dr Roylotts room, we are now wary of Dr Roylott that he used these features to kill Julia. In Dr Roylotts room was a saucer of milk, which is quite strange since if it were for a cheetah it would have drank it in one lick. Also a lash that was tied in a loop of whipcord was found in Dr Roylotts room, this produces an image that he may have strangled Julia because it was designed to get tighter when pulled and could have been placed through the ventilator to strangle her. The whole situation holds the reader in suspense and there is a sense of unpredictability as to what is going to happen. Mr Holmes is capable of noticing small points and then reaching a conclusion, he demonstrated his ability as a detective at the beginning of the story when he knew how Miss Stoner got to his house by glancing at her ticket and coat. He notices these small points and puts them together, after that incident the reader is able to rely on Mr Holmes for answers. After he examined both of the rooms he advised Helen to listen to what he said because her life may depend upon it. Holmes had certainly spotted something very significant but he does not tell us which adds to the anxious and tense atmosphere. Mr Holmes and Watson discuss the situation, Mr Holmes clearly informs Watson that the bed being clamped to the floor, the ventilator and dummy bell rope played a link of the death of Helen. The scene is dark that gives a chilling scene. Mr Holmes and Watson encounter a distorted child whilst walking on the grounds it was described as having writhing limbs. This is a grim picture that adds to the dark and chilling atmosphere. The child is described as running swiftly across the lawn into darkness, which makes everything seem mysterious and strange. We later find out it was the baboon. When Holmes is in Helens room they agree to sit without light, since there is no light unexpected things happen such as the noises they hear. The reader is now fearful for Holmes and Watson because they cant clearly see whats happening. Holmes tells Watson to have the pistol ready which gives the impression that they are waiting for something terrible to happen which creates a huge amount of anxiety and apprehension. Holmes for the first time in the story is nervous; this makes the reader think that a big event is about to take place. The cheetah is at liberty that increases the sense of insecurity. We as readers are unsure of what is going to happen and so is Watson, they waited silently for whatever might befall. They sit in the room waiting for what is going to happen for hours. Holmes sprang from the bed and lashed furiously with his cane at the bell pull; the reader and also Holmes are very anxious and edgy. Mr Holmes shouted to ask Watson if he could see it? but he couldnt, this creates tension and the fact that Watson cant see it he is at a higher risk of being harmed so therefore the reader worries for Watson. Then the low whistle occurred followed by a horrible cry which swelled up louder and louder, Watson and the reader are disorientated about what could of that scream have meant. The doctor was being choked but we dont understand what is going on. Watson and Holmes feel insecure, take your pistol and we will enter Dr Roylotts room. Holmes and Watson find a swamp adder wrapped around Dr Roylotts neck. The reader now understands that the speckled band was the patterns on the snake, the suspense and the tense feeling gradually fades away from the reader. At the end of the story an unpredictable twist happens, that of the speckled band. The author used a very successful red herring; the reader now knows the red herring was the gypsies, because the reader when told of the speckled band in the beginning assumes that it was the gypsies. As the story progresses there are more and more possibilities of the cause of Julias death, the gypsies being one of many. Holmes solved that the saucer of milk was there to lure the snake, the reader couldnt link these clues together and therefore tension is built up very well. The baboon and cheetah acted as a slight red herring since they made them feel insecure and increased the tension in situations even though they were not involved. The author is successful in keeping suspense and tension all through out the story keeping the reader intrigued and interested.